Hi there! I tried to update a little quicker this time. I hope you love this update. As I told one reviewer, I'm still trying to flesh these characters out and their relationships so help me out if you have ideas. Enjoy!
Chapter Four
"Seems like you were just home," Ginny smirked when Charlie arrived at her and Harry's house as Christmas approached.
"Well it is the holidays," he returned her greeting as he kissed the top of her head and moved around her.
"I can count on one hand the number of times you've been home for Christmas in the last decade."
"Don't start with me." Charlie dropped to the sofa in the living room. "Where's James?"
"Napping thank goodness," Ginny replied, sitting across from her brother.
"Going that well, huh?" Charlie asked with a smile.
"It's fine. Just exhausting."
Charlie figured Harry would be at work for a few more hours as it was the middle of the afternoon. "How about when he wakes up, you feed him and then get some rest? I'm sure I can handle him for a while."
"Really?" Ginny asked as though her brother had offered her a million galleons.
"Of course," he chuckled.
They chatted for a while longer until the faint crying of the baby could be heard upstairs.
Ginny left Charlie downstairs to fetch the baby. He stared around the room at the photos that adorned the walls and the surfaces. There were pictures of his family, Harry's parents, Ginny playing for the Holyhead Harpies, Harry and Ginny on their wedding day, and many more. His eyes caught one that sat on an end table next to a photo of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Ginny and Adair had their arms around each other in their scarlet Gryffindor robes on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch.
He almost didn't recognize Adair. In the photo, she would double over with laughter and then wipe at her streaming eyes, Ginny holding her up and also laughing. He had never seen her laugh like that in real life.
"Here you go," Ginny said, pulling Charlie from his observations with a bemused smile.
He cleared his throat and reached for his nephew.
"Leave us alone," Charlie said before Ginny could say a word.
She headed back upstairs and to his annoyance she laughed the entire way.
"I hope you get certain traits from your father," Charlie sighed as he looked down at his dark haired nephew and adjusted the blanket around him.
James seemed to be drowsy after his afternoon feeding and so Charlie got comfortable on the sofa, pulling a blanket over himself as well.
Charlie flicked his wand at the radio in the corner to turn it on softly, but the Wizarding Wireless Network News did not do much to keep either him or the baby awake.
He wasn't sure how long he slept, but eventually James started to stir and fuss against his chest.
Charlie woke and stood from the sofa. The Witching Hour was on the radio and the familiar voice of Celestina Warbeck floated out of the radio. Everytime Charlie heard the voice he thought of his mother. Mrs. Weasley had almost always had Celestina playing at the Burrow while she cleaned and cooked.
James gurgled happily in Charlie's arms as they swayed around the room.
The back door opened and closed and Harry appeared in the doorway to the living room with a smile.
"Hey Charlie!" He approached and peered into the bundle containing his son. "Where's Ginny?"
"Resting. We've managed alright for a couple hours," Charlie replied.
"We can let her rest for a while longer if you've got him under control?"
"He's pretty wild, but I think I can handle it," Charlie joked, following Harry as he went into the kitchen.
Charlie sat at the kitchen table and chatted with Harry about what was happening in the Auror office.
After a while, James began to fuss again and no amount of soothing from Charlie did the trick.
"He's hungry," Harry said. He took James from Charlie, instructing the other man to look over what was going on the stove. Harry took James upstairs and Charlie manned the stove, smiling when he recognized his mother's vegetable soup recipe.
The door opened again and a gust of cold air blew through the kitchen.
Charlie popped his head into the mudroom expecting to see another of his siblings.
Adair Wood was standing in the mudroom peeling layers off and stomping the snow from her boots before kicking them off and looking up. "Oh."
Charlie didn't know what to say. "Uh...hello," he managed lamely.
Adair looked at him, just as confused. "Hi."
"Ginny will be right down," Harry said as he came back into the kitchen. He stopped short when he saw Adair and Charlie staring at each other. He realized his wife may have left out some crucial details when inviting their guests to dinner.
"Can I get you a drink, Adair?" Harry asked, taking back over at the stove. "You look beat."
Charlie tried to get a look at her without her noticing. She was in jeans and a sweatshirt, cheeks pink from the cold, and her wet hair was piled on top of her head in a huge, messy bun. There were dark circles under her eyes as well.
"Thanks Harry," she laughed. "I'd take a Firewhiskey if you've got it."
"Me too," Charlie said quickly.
They sat silently watching the bottle and glasses float down to the counter from their respective cabinets and pour their drinks.
"Cheers," Charlie said, clinking his glass against Adair's before taking a swallow.
Adair stole a quick glance at the second eldest Weasley. His mother had not yet gotten to his hair. It was still long and pulled away from his face and his beard was thick.
"How was your practice today?" Harry asked Adair.
"Cold," she replied.
"You're here!" Ginny exclaimed as she entered the kitchen. She dropped James in Charlie's free hand which he managed easily. She then wrapped her arms around Adair's shoulders.
"You didn't mention it was a dinner party when you invited me," Adair replied.
"It must have slipped my mind," she laughed. "Besides I didn't think you two would mind," Ginny laughed again a little wickedly, going to her husband at the stove and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You're terrible," he whispered, kissing her cheek anyways.
Adair and Charlie tried not to make eye contact.
A moment later, Harry set the pot of soup on the table as well as a loaf of crusty bread. "I doubt it's as good as your mother's, but I tried."
"It looks delicious," Charlie assured him, using his wand to fill a bowl which floated to Adair along with a few pieces of bread before serving himself.
Adair couldn't help but watch Charlie as he held James and somehow still managed to eat.
"Charlie is going to one of your matches while he's home," Ginny piped up, when they'd all been silent for a moment.
"I am going to England's match," he corrected his sister, not looking up from his soup.
"Oliver gave Bill his suite," Ginny continued unfazed.
"How generous of him," Adair said, trying not to grumble about the continuous conspiring between her brother and the Weasley siblings.
The rest of the dinner passed and everyone let Ginny do most of the talking.
Adair probably ate less than half of what Charlie had served her.
"Did you not like it?" he asked, as Ginny waved the dishes into the sink where they began washing themselves.
"It was really good," she replied. "Just what I needed after nearly freezing to death today." It was obvious that she wouldn't answer any more questions on the subject.
She stood. "I'd better get home," she said. "I get to freeze to death even earlier tomorrow morning."
"So soon?" Ginny asked.
Adair nodded. "I have a few days off over the holidays. We can do something then."
"I should go to," Charlie said,
"You're not going to stay here?" Ginny asked.
"And have James wake me up three times in the middle of the night. No thanks." He joined Adair in the mudroom as she stuffed her feet back into her boots and pulled her coat on.
Ginny was grinning at them as they left together.
"I apologize," Charlie said. "I had no idea what she was planning."
Adair laughed as she shoved her hands in her pockets and walked towards the outskirts of Harry and Ginny's neighborhood where they could Apparate.
"I could tell by the look on your face when you saw me that you didn't know."
"I was more surprised at her audacity than anything," Charlie said.
"Really?" Adair asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because I wasn't surprised at all."
"Well I guess not. This has been happening a lot," he replied with a light laugh. "This is getting out of hand."
Adair nodded. "I'm going to take way some of their satisfaction."
Charlie raised an eyebrow at her.
"We typically go out after a match. You should come after the Italy match."
Charlie couldn't help but grin. "I'd love to."
"Well I'll see you then," Adair said. She was gone with a POP!
"Good luck!" Charlie called after her even though she couldn't hear him. He hadn't even realized that they'd made it to the edge of the neighborhood.
ooooOoooo
In his old room in the Burrow, Charlie was standing in front of his mirror, a pile of clothes behind him.
"You've been to a Quidditch match before, you bloody git," he muttered to himself.
The little voice in the back of his mind reminded him that he had never gone to one of Adair's matches, watched a match in a suite, or gone out with a professional Quidditch team.
In the end, he decided on dark jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt, and his beat up combat boots. With a huff he thundered down the stairs.
"You look so handsome, dear," his mum said as he slipped into his coat. "But we should cut that hair tomorrow."
"Sure Mum," he said, bending over and kissing her cheek, before heading out the door and Apparating to meet his brothers.
He only had to search for a minute once he landed on the hill, one of the several surrounding hidden spots for spectators to Apparate to.
Charlie nearly immediately spotted his three red-headed brothers.
"Charlie!" George called.
"He can see you, you idiot," Bill said as Charlie hurried toward them. "Here." Bill handed Charlie what looked like a VIP pass on a lanyard. "You've got the Quidditch hookup now. Don't screw it up."
Charlie shook his head, but didn't say anything as they made their way to the entrance of the pitch over the moat. When they showed their badges, an usher escorted them to an elevator that took them all the way up to a suite at hoop height. Oliver and Adair's suites were right in the middle of the pitch so that they would be able to see the entire game.
"This is insane," George said as he wandered around. There was free liquor and food to one side of the room and stadium seats right in front of the windows.
Charlie grabbed a Butterbeer, shed his coat and took a seat.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer boomed over the stadium. "Here come the Italians!" The team flew throughout the stadium in their bright green jerseys. Mostly, the crowd booed them.
"And here is your English team!" the announcer boomed. Charlie stood up at the window as they walked onto the pitch.
Oliver and Adair came last, holding hands and waving to the fans. When they appeared, Charlie was afraid the cheering of the crowd would bring the stands down.
He couldn't help but smile watching Adair kick off from the ground, her blond braid flying behind her.
She caught the Quaffle when it was released and almost immediately scored a goal. Charlie clapped loudly, but stopped when he realized all of his brothers were staring at him.
The match was very close throughout its entirety and it got a little bit physical toward the end.
Adair was speeding down the pitch toward the Italian goals when out of nowhere an Italian Chaser came in and slammed into her, an elbow going straight into her face.
"Bloody hell!" Charlie exclaimed, standing up quickly.
Adair managed to keep hold of the Quaffle until one of the other English Chasers came to her aid and she tossed it over to her. Blood was pouring down her face.
"That's cobbing on Bianchi and England calls a timeout!"
Adair landed a little awkwardly on the pitch as she held a hand to her nose, blood getting out between her fingers and staining her white t-shirt.
One of the team medics hurried out and had Adair swallow something, wiping at her face. When the blood stopped flowing, the medic took his hands and popped her nose back into place for the whole crowd to see. There was a collective groan as Adair bent over and hid her face for a moment.
She had a brief conversation with her coach after that, but she was nodding. When the timeout was over, she kicked back into the air.
After the foul, England played with a vengeance and they quickly scored another three goals before their Seeker caught the Snitch and the match was over.
The Weasley brothers lingered in the suite until all of the publicity was done and Oliver and Adair came up to join them.
Charlie went immediately to Adair. "Are you alright?" he asked lowly.
She looked at him curiously. "I'm fine."
"She probably broke her nose three times at least in the years we played together," George said with a laugh. He walked right past his brother and took Adair's chin in his hand, turning her head both ways. "You have black eyes."
"I'm sure the fans loved taking pictures with you looking like that," Ron laughed.
"That's why it took so long," Oliver grumbled. "Oh well. We'll get changed and then you all have to come out for a drink."
"Twist my arm," George grinned.
The Wood siblings disappeared and the Weasley brothers made their way to the pub they had been told to meet them at.
Charlie went to the bar and ordered four Firewhiskies. He downed his in one go.
"You seem a little nervous," George teased him.
"Shut up," Charlie growled.
"His eyes didn't leave her throughout the entire match," Ron added.
"Come on guys," Bill said. Charlie looked at his oldest brother hoping he would intervene. "It was clearly mutual. Did you see how she looked at him when she came into the suite."
They all burst out laughing. It had been obvious that Adair had been put off by Charlie and his concern.
"Another Firewhiskey, please," Charlie said to the bartender. "Get you own, you bloody bastards."
They grabbed a table and waited for the team to appear. A few of their other friends trickled in including Seamus Finnigan.
A few moments later, the victorious team came tearing through the door. They were cheering and laughing and nearly climbing over one another to get to the bar. Charlie noticed that Adair hung back a little bit.
As everyone began to mingle, over and over again Charlie tried to get to Adair, but she was occupied with her teammates, especially one of the Beaters, her brother, her friends, and Seamus. When she came near the Irishman, he draped an arm casually over her shoulders and murmured into her ear.
The bruises around her eyes had gotten even darker in the time it had taken her to shower and change.
"You were all angry at Ginny and Oliver for trying to set you up, but you haven't taken your eyes off of her all day," Bill said as he came up to Charlie, clapping him on the shoulder.
It was true and he knew it. His eyes followed her all around the bar. Despite the cold weather she was wearing a leather mini skirt and a white tank top with knee high boots. The other female players were similarly dressed, but he only looked at her.
He felt the signature Weasley blush creeping up his neck to his cheeks. "I have absolutely no chance."
"It looks that way," Bill agreed with a laugh, going back to the bar.
The Beater twirled her around the dancefloor and her eyes caught his.
After another half hour of drinking and dancing, Adair joined their group of friends and the Weasleys.
"Thanks for coming out again, you guys," she said to the group in general. "I'm going to head home though. My head is pounding."
"The party is just starting!" Dean shouted at her.
"I know, but I bet you all can handle it without me this time." She gave a wave and put her coat and scarf on, heading for the back door. Oliver caught her on the way out.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded. "I just need to nurse this headache at home."
Oliver hugged her quickly before going to find Katie once more.
Just before she reached the door, Charlie caught her arm. She looked up at him.
"Do you need help getting home?" He didn't mean anything by the question. He genuinely wanted to make sure she got home alright.
"I should be alright, thanks. I've gotten home with worse injuries than this." She did give him a small smile and he released her arm.
"Be careful, Adair," he said.
She lingered, staring up at him for a minute longer before she left out the back door of the pub.
ooooOoooo
The next time Charlie saw Adair she was coming through the door of Oliver's flat. Her brother had decided to throw a fancy New Year's Eve party and Charlie was still in England so he attended in his dress robes.
Adair was all legs. Her dress was covered in black sequins and hit above the middle of her thigh. She was wearing what he would have guessed were three inch strappy black heels and her hair was piled elegantly on top of her head.
Ginny rushed to her friend. She and Harry had left James with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for the night, going out for the first time since he'd been born. It had taken the new mother a while to muster up the courage.
She had arrived more than fashionably late. It was after eleven o'clock. Charlie went to the bar as he knew that's where she'd head first. He watched her greet her friends and chat with a few of them.
"Your eyes look better," he said, handing her a tumbler of Firewhiskey when she finally made her way over to get a drink.
Adair laughed. "Thanks. The bruising is almost gone. Makeup handled the rest."
"I didn't get to tell you that you played amazingly."
"Oh," Adair looked away. "Thank you. I'm getting the hang of the team, I suppose."
"Being related to Oliver, I didn't really expect modesty from you, I have to admit."
Adair laughed harder at that. "Thank goodness I don't have most of his traits."
"He certainly wouldn't look as good in that dress," Charlie said, his voice dropping, allowing his eyes to look her over and take her in. Her delicate collar bone was evident in the strapless dress as were her lean arms, tiny waist, long legs, and cleavage. It was almost impossible to drag his eyes back up to hers.
"Your mum hasn't gotten to your hair yet?" Adair asked.
His long, red hair was pulled back in a sleek bun.
"I mustered the energy to fight her this time."
"And you kept your beard too. That must have been quite the battle of wills." Adair had had a Firewhiskey or two before coming to her brother's party and she found herself reaching up to stroke his bearded cheek.
Charlie laughed out loud. "We almost brought the house down yelling at one another. I had to remind her over and over again that I just turned thirty-one and can do whatever I damn well please with my hair."
"Maybe you should cut it at your age," Adair teased him, laughing once more.
Charlie shook his head though he was still grinning. "I'm ancient. I know."
Over the next half an hour people came up to talk to them both. They asked Charlie what he had been up to if they were friends from school and they all complimented Adair's Quidditch playing since she had joined the English team.
"Look at your sister," Adair said, nodding her head in Ginny's direction. Ron, Hermione, and Ron were talking around her, but she was staring at Adair and Charlie not paying the others any mind at all..
"She is completely eaten up with us," Charlie laughed. They hadn't even realized what time it was when the whole party began counting down for the New Year.
"Let's give her something to keep her interested," Adair yelled over everyone counting down.
"Three, two, one!"
She reached up and twined her arms around his neck, pulling him down so she could kiss him. It started out innocent enough, but she immediately wanted more from him.
His huge hands roamed down her back, pressing her hard body firmly against him. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she clutched the lapels of his dress robes.
There was an inordinate amount of yelling and cheering after the New Year, 2004, was rung in.
Someone snatched Adair by the arm and she looked over, disoriented from the kiss, to see that it was Angelina. "Oliver just proposed to Katie while you were snogging."
"What?" Adair asked.
Angelina drug her toward the middle of the living room where Oliver and Katie were kissing in the middle of all of the furniture and party guests. Adair saw the huge, gleaming diamond on her ring finger.
"Bloody hell," she murmured.
When Oliver sat Katie down, he turned to his sister, rushing to give her a hug. Adair hugged him back. "That was fast," she whispered.
"When you know, you know," he said with a grin.
Katie came over as well and Adair gave her a congratulatory hug.
"How romantic," Ginny said, coming up beside Adair. They stood in silence watching the happy couple for a moment. "Oh, I saw you snogging Charlie. Looked like you needed some privacy."
"I'd like nothing more," Adair said to shock her friend, though she wasn't sure it was a lie. His hands had felt amazing and the heat from their bodies was intoxicating.
She walked back over to Charlie. "I could use that escort home tonight," she said.
He nodded. "I'd be happy to get you home."
Adair fetched her coat and they quietly left together.
They Apparated about a block away from her flat, into a deserted alley. Her palms were sweating a little bit as they made their way to their building. It had been a while since she'd slept with someone new.
Since it was a Muggle building, they rode the elevator up and then walked down the hall to her door.
"You're home," Charlie said with a soft smile.
"Do you want to come in? Have another drink?" Adair offered.
"Maybe another time. I'm leaving in a few days. Can I take you out for a nice dinner before then?"
Adair sighed. "I hate going out. For obvious reasons."
"Yeah, you warned me last time and I didn't listen. I can cook," he offered. "Let me cook for you."
"Sure," Adair agreed.
"Great. I'll be over tomorrow evening." He kissed her cheek and then headed back down the hall.
Adair entered her flat and closed the door behind her, leaning against it in exasperation. That was the second time they'd gotten hot and heavy and he abruptly stopped it and wouldn't go further.
That had never happened to her. If she wanted to go to bed with someone, she went and they eagerly followed.
ooooOoooo
The next night, Adair was sitting at the dining room table she rarely used across from Charlie. He had cooked an absolutely delicious pasta and brought a bottle of fine red wine. Again, Adair only ate about half of what was on her plate.
"What's that about?" Charlie asked, gesturing at her plate with his fork.
"I don't want to weigh my broom down."
Charlie snorted. "I don't think that's possible." But he dropped the subject.
They had spent the evening laughing and joking with one another as they had the night before. Adair couldn't believe the chemistry and the tension she was feeling. They had kissed sporadically as he cooked, but he had been focused and it was nothing like the night before or at Ron and Hermione's wedding.
She leaned back in her chair after filling her glass of wine and studied the man across from her. She pulled one of her legs up into the chair so her knee was under her chin.
When he was through, Charlie guided the dishes back to the kitchen without a word. Adair followed him.
"Thanks for letting me feed you if that's what you call it," Charlie said, turning to her. "You look disappointed. Did you not like it?"
"So what? Are you saving yourself for 'the one' or whatever?" Adair asked, ignoring his concern.
Charlie snorted. "I don't think so."
"So what is this?" she asked, gesturing between Charlie and herself.
He laughed. "There can be more to it than going to bed with someone, Adair."
"I don't have time for all that," she groaned.
Charlie pressed a kiss to her cheek and then went to grab his coat. "I'm trying to keep your interest. So far that's been rather difficult."
There you go! I hope you loved it. Please let me know your thoughts and feedback. I love everything except hate comments and flames.
Happy reading,
Avonmora