A Safe Harbor
Summary: Hermione finds her safe harbor after the war, finding the perfect place to truly heal.
AN: Hello my lovely readers! Finally! Another Hermione and Charlie story! Yay! I swear I have been wanting to write another story with this pairing but my muse refused to give in. UNTIL...I finally gave up trying to think of something! LOL Muses, ugh! Hope you enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no monies off writing this.
HG&CW
"Hermione!" Ron called her name right in her ear after he had snuck up behind the preoccupied witch, not realizing his error until it was too late.
Hermione started and whirled around, her wand raised and the hex leaving her lips before her brain could determine there was no threat. After sending a Pertrificus Totalus at Ron, not realizing yet it was Ron, Hermione ran to the edge of the Burrow's property and apparated away.
When she landed she didn't recognize anything around her. Following Moody's constant vigilance, Hermione disillusioned herself after throwing a shield up. She crouched down and looked around, her mind still not calm enough for rational thought. Instead, she saw a large full tree and crept her way to it. Once huddled against the tree's trunk, the only thing running through her mind was the mantra: he'll find me, he'll protect me.
HG&CW
It was nesting time and Charlie Weasley was tending to a Hungarian Horntail who had gotten into a fight with another female over a nesting spot when he caught sight of a familiar figure. Shaking his head, he had to have seen wrong, Charlie knew he would need to go check, just to make sure no one was in the paddock.
However, one didn't just leave a Hungarian Horntail without first explaining why.
"My lady, I must pause my tending to you for a short time, I must check on a possible situation. Is this acceptable to you?" Charlie inquired of the dragon.
The Horntail looked Charlie over, sniffed him and then laid her head down, looking away. Charlie bowed to the dragon while saying thank you and left the building. As he ran towards the paddock, Charlie continuously scanned the area. Whoever was in there, if there really was someone, they couldn't have picked a worse paddock to be in. Well, there was one worse, the Hungarian Horntails' paddock, but that was on the other side of the Sanctuary.
As Charlie let himself into the paddock, he took in where the dragons were at. So far, none had noticed him, much to his relief. When he couldn't see anyone in the immediate vicinity, he let his magic feel around the area to see if it could find what his eyes could not. There, by the tree, was a familiar magical signature. So, he hadn't been imagining things after all. What in the bloody hell was she doing here? How did she get here? Surely she hadn't apparated from England to here? No, that wasn't possible, the Sanctuary had anti-apparition spells all around it so no one could just appear into a paddock and possibly lose their lives.
When Charlie approached the base of the tree, he slowed his steps and softly called out, "Hermione?"
When he didn't hear a response or see anything move, Charlie slowly reached out towards the tree trunk. After his hand came into contact with something solid, Charlie whispered, "Finite Incantatem" causing a sight he hated to see to appear.
Hermione was huddled as close to the tree as humanly possible and was mumbling something to herself. Shite! What had brought this on? The last time she had written to him, her panic attacks had been getting a lot better and farther between occurrences. What had set her off so badly? Well, only one way to find out, Charlie thought.
He picked the trembling, muttering young witch up and placed her in his lap. As he leaned against the tree, casting a full shield around them, he wrapped an arm around her waist while the other pulled her head down to his chest, covering her other ear with his hand, forcing her to listen to his heartbeat and breathing. After a few minutes, Charlie noticed her breathing started to slow down and become steadier, stronger. He continued to hold her this way until she was totally calm. When she raised her head to look at him, he gave her a gentle smile.
"Feeling better?" Charlie asked her quietly.
"Yes, thank you. You found me." Was the reply from Hermione however, Charlie could see her eyes had yet to truly focus.
"Can you understand me, Hermione?" Charlie asked, wanting to get them out of the paddock before one of the Chinese Fireballs noticed their presence.
"Yes" came her reply, barely above a whisper.
"Do you trust me?" Charlie asked her.
"Yes" Hermione promptly answered a bit louder.
"Good. Now, we need to get out of here and somewhere a bit safer." Charlie told her, watching her nod her head in agreement. "I will need to carry you out of here and you will need to relax against me. Do you understand this?" he asked, needing her to understand what was needed in order for them to leave safely.
"Yes" she responded.
"Okay, remember, do not move no matter what you hear or feel." Charlie told her again, wanting to make sure what he was saying was making it through her fog.
"Of course, I trust you, Charlie." Hermione told him and then promptly went limp in his arms, her head nestled in the crook of his neck.
Charlie smiled at her as he stood to walk towards the gate. However, half way there, one of the female Fireballs approached them. Charlie stopped and awaited her inspection. Fortunately, it was the one he had the trust of. Granted that didn't guarantee safe passage, especially during nesting season, but it did up the odds a bit.
As Charlie stood there silently as the Fireball sniffed the air and studied him and his cargo, he felt the nudge in his mind and opened the link for them to converse together.
"Why are you in here Charles Weasley? It is not safe." the dragon asked.
"My Lady Sienna, my apologies, but I needed to come and help my friend. Will you allow us passage through?" Charlie asked while bowing his head.
"Why is this human female in my enclosure? How did she get in here if you did not bring her?" Sienna asked.
"I do not know, my Lady. She just appeared and is in no state to disclose such information. It is why I came to get her. She is in need of my help, if you will allow it." Charlie responded.
"Does she mean any of us any harm, Charles Weasley?" Sienna asked.
"I do not believe so, no. This is Hermione Granger, she is known for looking out for the many creatures and beings in the wizarding world." Charlie informed the Fireball.
"I know her name and who she is. She is known amongst my kind as a gentle soul to those others tend to see as lesser. She will not be harmed Charles Weasley. You may pass but inform the witch of the danger she put herself in by appearing in a dragon paddock." Sienna told Charlie.
"I will, my Lady Sienna and my sincere thanks for allowing us safe passage." Charlie said as he bowed to the dragon and continued his journey out of the paddock while the Fireball stood between them and any other dragons in the enclosure.
HG&CW
Once outside of the paddock, Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. Not many knew that dragons could talk or would pick who they would talk to. The handler had to earn the dragon's trust which was something quite difficult to do but once you had it, it would take that handler majorly screwing up to break the trust. If a dragon chose a handler, it made it so much easier to help them. Charlie had the trust of a handful of dragons at the Sanctuary. The Hungarian Horntail he had been tending, the Chinese Fireball they had just left, an Antipodean Opaleye, a Hebridean Black and a Swedish Short-Snout. It was why the Sanctuary made sure to keep Charlie happy, he was the only handler to have so many dragons' trust. Most of the handlers there had one and a few others had managed two but no one had as many as he had.
Charlie was quite proud he had earned the trust of so many but it had taken him his full six years to achieve this. He was constantly asked how he managed to do this and he could only shrug his shoulders. He really didn't know, it seemed to come naturally to him. At least, that was what the older handlers would tell him, he had a natural ability to charm the giant beasts. Charlie just tried to not get eaten, burned, speared, or pummeled; if he happened to gain the trust of a few dragons along the way, well, that just made his job more rewarding.
As Charlie was walking towards his hut, he couldn't help but be concerned about the witch in his arms. She had yet to stir even after he had told her it was safe to. However, he was glad to hear her breathing steady and strong. Once inside his home, Charlie sat down on his couch and held Hermione to him. He would never admit it to anyone, but he loved the feisty witch.
He remembered the first time he met her, she was bossy, bookish and her hair would generally enter the room before her. He smiled at the memory. She was a force of nature and that had been before everything she had been through. She had been unfairly forced to grow up quickly and become a soldier before she should have been. He knew he hadn't heard it all but knew enough to know the witch was strong, loyal (fiercely so), kind, compassionate and incredibly smart. He had thought her cute all those years ago when he had met her briefly over the holidays. Now though, now he thought her breathtaking and a witch worthy of any decent wizard's attentions.
Fortunately for Charlie, he had the patience to wait for her to be ready to talk about what had happened and the why and how she was there. After sitting on the couch with the beautiful witch on his lap for some time, Hermione started to stir. However, she started panicking as soon as she started to rouse.
"Easy, Hermione. You're safe." Charlie told her in a soothing voice, pulling her head back to his chest so she could hear his steady heartbeat and breaths. Once she had settled down again and had her breathing under control, Charlie let her raise her head to look at him.
"Charlie?" Hermione asked, confusion clear in her expression and voice.
"Hello, little witch, feeling better?" Charlie asked her.
"Um, yeah." She answered, before asking, "Ah, Charlie? How in Merlin's name did I get here? I am in Romania, right?"
"You are and I was hoping you could tell me how you got here." Charlie told her, enjoying that the petite witch had yet to try to leave his lap.
"I…I don't know. " Hermione answered, her voice going up an octave.
"Easy there Hermione. We'll figure it out." Charlie said as he pulled her head back to his chest, hoping to avoid another panic attack.
"Tell you what, why don't you come with me? I was tending to a Hungarian Horntail when you showed up and I need to get back to her. Would you like to help me if she is agreeable to it?" Charlie asked, hoping to take her mind off of the day's events.
"Um, will it be safe for me to?" Hermione asked, a bit of trepidation in her voice but her head was still resting on his chest.
"If you do exactly what I tell you, then, yes, you will be completely safe. I promise, trust me?" Charlie asked her.
"Yes." Hermione answered immediately, raising her head to look him in the eye, causing Charlie to smile widely at her which made Hermione blush a bit.
HG&CW
As they walked toward the building housing the injured Horntail, Charlie explained what Hermione would need to do. When they entered, Hermione stayed two steps behind Charlie with her eyes downcast and head bowed slightly. She had her arms loosely by her side and stayed completely silent.
"Ah, so my handler returns to tend to my wing?" the Horntail asked Charlie.
"I am sorry for the length of my absence, my Lady. I ask if you would allow my friend to assist in aiding in your healing?" Charlie asked.
"She is the reason for your absence? Does she intend harm to me?" the Horntail asked.
"No, my Lady Merksha, she does not. This is Hermione Granger, she would never deem to hurt one such as you." Charlie informed the dragon.
"Ah, the great Hermione Granger. I know of her. She is the champion for all of those who are considered lesser by humans. I will allow her to help, if she will allow me to speak with her." Merksha said.
"Of course, my Lady, I will tell her." Charlie said while bowing before turning to Hermione.
"Hermione, Merksha would like to speak with you so when you feel a nudge in your mind, allow her in. She will only ask once but, it is your choice." Charlie told her.
Hermione nodded her head, still keeping her nonthreatening stance. When she felt the nudge, she jumped a bit but allowed the Horntail in.
"Hello, champion of beasts and beings not of human descent." Merksha said, causing Hermione to snap her head up and look into the dragon's eyes before quickly lowering her head back down, hoping her faux pas would be overlooked.
"You may look upon me, young one. You have proven yourself willing to show respect and I accept." Merksha said, a slight chuckle echoed in Hermione's mind.
"I am honored, my Lady Merksha, for you to choose to speak with me." Hermione said, her voice full of conviction.
"This is why I have chosen to speak with you. You understand what a privilege it is. Now, do you truly want to help Charles Weasley with tending my injuries?" Merksha asked.
"I do." Hermione answered.
"You do not plan to cause more harm?" Merksha asked.
"I would never." Hermione responded, scandalized, before she heard chuckling in her head again.
"Very well, young champion, you may assist my handler. Climb up my scales so you may reach the tip of my wing." Merksha told her.
Hermione looked to Charlie and he smiled at her, waving his hand up the dragon's side. Once Hermione started climbing, Merksha raised her scales for Hermione to use in her ascent. After reaching the back, Hermione walked back to the tip of the wing when Charlie tossed her a jar. Catching it, Hermione started gently rubbing the ointment into the small tears.
"She needs you, Charles Weasley." Merksha told him.
Charlie looked up to Hermione then to Merksha before responding. "She's tough. Although I do not know what brought her here or how she got here, I know she'll tell me when she's ready."
"Do not allow her to take long, handler. She may be tough but she is also quite fragile. She hides much and needs someone who will look after her and her wellbeing. I saw her memories of the past few years; she has not allowed herself to truly heal from all she has been put through." Merksha explained.
"I will do whatever she needs but I will not push her." Charlie said.
"It might require you to push a bit, Charles Weasley. She is strong; however, she is not familiar with someone taking care of her. You must show her. Allow her as much time as you can but you must consider her health. She is bottling up much and must allow herself to set it all free. Only someone she truly trusts and has complete faith in will be able to give her such an avenue." Merksha told him.
"I hear you, but are you sure I am the one she needs?" Charlie asked, studying Hermione as she continued to rub the ointment in, humming a song as she did so. "We have shared through letters this past year but have only had a few interactions through the years."
"She is using her magic to help the ointment along. She is powerful, strong, magically speaking but she is still a human. Everyone has a breaking point Charles Weasley and the fact she is only just reaching hers is testament to her inner strength. She will need you sooner than you think, I believe." Merksha paused, eyeing Charlie and chuckling, "She is also quite beautiful by human standards. I also will tell you that she feels more for you than you think. Whatever happened, she came here. Did you wonder why she came here instead of somewhere closer to where she was? And it doesn't matter how many times you have interacted but the quality of those interactions." Merksha finished in a soft tone.
"I…I did think of that. It was the first thing I thought of." Charlie admitted.
"You care for the young witch." Merksha said matter of factly.
"Yes." Charlie breathed out, not realizing he had said it aloud until Hermione looked his way. He smiled at her and gave her a small nod.
"You see, she is in tune with you. You may wish to review those interactions you had with her. They may very well provide the insight you need to help her." Merksha said before she closed her eyes, enjoying the attentions to her injuries.
Charlie took what Merksha said to heart. Dragons weren't known for commenting on human lives, considering they were so short but when they did, it was a smart thing to heed their words. So Charlie started looking over the memories he had of the few times he had interacted with Hermione.
HG&CW
He dismissed the earlier times, she was too young and he didn't think those were the ones Merksha was meaning for him to consider. Instead, Charlie thought back to the Battle. He had come upon her battling many times but there were only two occasions where he had assisted the witch.
The first had been while she was battling a DeathEater, a student and one of Fenrir's wolves when a troll had come up behind her. Charlie had been on his dragon and had swooped down to take care of the troll before it could get to her. Her battle had finished, she had taken the DeathEater and wolf down while a stray spell had taken the student's life, when she had looked behind her and had seen the downed troll giving Charlie a quick nod before running off to fight something or someone else.
The second time had been close to the end, after Harry had "come back to life". She had thrown herself into the fight again and had had several DeathEaters targeting her while she was busy shielding against a vampire. Charlie had slid off the dragon's back to duel the cowards. They had ended up back to back before the fight was done. She had turned and hugged him before running off to help a fellow student fight a few wolves.
Charlie hadn't known then, but that was when he had started to see Hermione as more than his kid brother's best friend. The first time he had felt anything towards the feisty witch had been a month after the Final Battle. She had come to the Burrow to stay and had woken in the wee hours. Hermione had made her way to the kitchen where he had been sitting and enjoying a cup of tea.
Her frame was still too thin for his liking but she was slowly gaining the weight back. However, that night, he had started seeing the toll the war had taken on her. She had come in, grabbed a mug and made a cup of tea before she even realized he was there. She had jumped a mile when she had turned to sit at the table. When Charlie looked the witch over, he hadn't liked what he saw and it wasn't just the weight. She had dark circles under her eyes, eyes that were having trouble focusing and were wildly scanning the room, and her body was trembling.
Charlie watched her silently, taking note of how her actions were close to panicking. It had suddenly hit Charlie that she was either close to a panic attack or was in the midst of one. So Charlie did the only thing he could, he stood up, walked over to her and picked her up. Then he sat her in his lap, pulled her head to his chest and held her there until she calmed. He then looked into her eyes and finally saw calmness and clarity. He let her up when she pulled away, not saying a word the whole time. The next morning she was a bit shy around him which he figured was from embarrassment over her attack in the wee hours but could it have been from something else? Charlie, however, never said a word about it, to anyone. He treated her no differently.
The next time Charlie had come home, it was a month after that night. He had been visiting his family monthly or more, when he could, since the war's end. He had let too much distance come between him and his family for too long. After almost losing two of his brothers in the Final Battle, Charlie had made a promise to himself that if he made it out of the war alive, he would visit his family more often and he had stuck to that promise. Once again he had found himself calming a panicky Hermione and just like before, he stayed quiet during her ordeal and treated her no differently.
When he had next come home, Charlie had noticed Hermione had gained more weight but her eyes were still unsettled. He wondered if she was still having panic attacks. On his second night home, Charlie found himself in almost the same situation he had the months before. Hermione had come down for a cuppa when he took notice of her behavior. Instead of waiting for her to sit, Charlie had pulled her into his lap and laid her head on his chest. She had come willingly and after a few minutes had sighed in relief. That time she had stayed in his arms while she drank her tea and then for a bit afterwards. When she had gotten up, she had looked him in the eye and smiled a genuine smile at him.
Unbeknownst to her, his stomach had flipped and his heart had squeezed from that smile. He knew then that he was falling for this tiny witch but wasn't sure if it was the right time yet. He knew she was still healing and hadn't wanted to make things uncomfortable or more difficult for her so he had said nothing. He had done as he had before, treating her no differently. Well, there was one difference, Charlie found himself watching her more closely. Before he had left to go back to Romania, he had approached Hermione and asked her if he wrote to her would she write back. She had smiled and said she would. They had started corresponding soon after that.
Through her letters, she had told him much about herself. He had learned a lot of what she had been through but knew she hadn't revealed all of it. Her time in school and all the "Golden Trio" had been through was some of what she shared in the beginning…golden his arse. They just got away with it all due to Harry being the Chosen One. Charlie had chuckled at that. However, he hadn't liked hearing how she had had to Obliviate her parents in order to keep them safe because no one would help her relocate them to a safe house. He had hated learning that they had died in a car wreck shortly after they had arrived in Australia. It had broken his heart for her. The only good part was that they had died upon impact. Had the DeathEaters gotten ahold of them, Charlie knew death would have been a long time coming.
When she had told him about what had happened at the Department of Mysteries in the Hall of Prophecies, he had had to control his temper. He had wanted to floo immediately to the Burrow so he could strangle Harry and Ron. The idiots running straight into danger without listening to her warnings had almost cost her her life! The next few visits home had been tough on Charlie. Not only could he not cause either moron any physical damage, Hermione had made him promise, but he had also watched her.
He had caught her by the lake and had immediately ran to her when he recognized the signs of another attack. Once in his arms and lap, Charlie had held her until it had passed. Hermione had stayed tucked against him for a long while afterwards; when she had finally pulled away to rise, she had smiled at him and then leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, whispering thank you as she did.
Learning of her time at Malfoy Manor had taken almost a year of writing to each other before she opened up about that. Charlie's pride in Ron had come back up at hearing how he had tried to get the psychotic bint to take him instead of Hermione. Then his respect for his older brother and his wife had gone up even more than he already had for the couple for their tending to her. Remembering that bit of information got Charlie to thinking. He knew she had tried everything she knew to try and went to all those who thought they might help her scar to heal properly to no avail but she hadn't tried a dragon sanctuary. They had the best healers anywhere due to the dangerous nature of the job of those like him. Granted, dragons didn't use dark magic but they could leave some nasty burn scars if their healers weren't on top of their game. The healers there might be able to come up with something no one else had tried. It was worth bringing up to her.
After going through his memories of his interactions with the witch of his heart, it clicked with Charlie what she had been saying when he had found her huddled at the tree. 'He'll find me, he'll protect me.' The realization hit Charlie like a ton of bricks. Was she talking about him? Was that why she was here? She knew he would help her, protect her against whatever was causing her problems?
"I told you she needs you, Charles Weasley. Now you understand." Merksha told him. When Charlie gave her a shocked look, Merksha just chuckled.
"Do not look so surprised, handler. You have been the one there when she needed someone the most. She has come to recognize you as a safe harbor. I do not believe she even realizes it yet, but she will." Merksha expanded on her earlier comments.
"I…I only did what was needed to calm her and to, hopefully, help her heal." Charlie replied.
"Yes, but you did it without thought, expectation or judgement. Can you say anyone else would have done the same?" Merksha asked him.
"I would like to think so but if she did come here when her panic attack was triggered…I now understand. You are right; I may need to give her a little push to open up to me more." Charlie said.
"You may find her more open to you than either of us realize. As you said, Charles Weasley, give her a bit of time, see what happens." Merksha said.
"I will. Thank you, my Lady. Your insight is welcome and appreciated." Charlie told her, as he bowed his head in respect.
"I like her. She has proven her respect and devotion to those others have and will snub. She is a very special witch who needs someone in her corner. I do not speak of her lightly, her presence here will be the highlight of chatter amongst the dragons. You may want to be careful who you bring her around to. Some dragons may try to abscond with her as the treasure she truly is." Merksha warned him.
"I will be very careful, my Lady. Thank you for the heads up though, it is much appreciated." Charlie responded.
"Um, Merksha, Charlie, how do I get down?" Hermione asked both beings, looking down at the floor.
Merksha leaned over just a bit and chuckled. "Slide down my side, young champion."
Hermione looked at her a bit apprehensively before doing as she was told. However, the slide down was nice and smooth due to Merksha pulling her scales closer to her body to make sure Hermione wasn't harmed in her descent.
After reaching the ground, with Charlie there to steady her, Hermione grinned up to Merksha and bowed her head while giving thanks. She then turned to Charlie with a wide smile. Charlie's breath caught in his throat. She was stunning in her pure joy. That was the smile he wanted to always see. When the two just stood there looking at each other, Merksha chuckled aloud and moved her wing to push Hermione towards Charlie. Taken off guard by the sudden push, Hermione started falling forward only to have Charlie catch her.
"I see our presence is no longer needed here." He told her with a soft laugh.
Hermione blushed to her toes and just nodded her head. After making sure Hermione was steady, Charlie removed his arm from her waist, not missing the slight frown on the witch's face. He smirked a bit before wrapping his arm back around her to guide her out of the building.
"It's almost time for supper, care to join me?" Charlie asked her with a disarming smile.
"I won't get you in trouble, will I?" Hermione asked.
"Not at all, Mia but I will warn you, we can be a rowdy bunch when under the same roof." Charlie warned her.
Hermione chuckled before saying, "I can imagine. Anything like the Weasley's on Sundays?"
"Pretty close, yeah." Charlie answered.
"Well, I think I can handle it then." Hermione replied.
"This way, my Lady." Charlie said while opening a door for her to enter before him as he placed his hand on her lower back to guide her through.
"Such chivalry, Mr. Weasley!" Hermione commented while laughing making Charlie bow as she walked past him.
HG&CW
Once inside the dining hall, the noise level would indeed rival that of a Weasley brunch. Hermione didn't miss a beat and walked right in, as if she had done it a million times before. It was set up in a buffet style so there were plenty of choices. Hermione filled her plate with a variety of foods before she turned to Charlie to guide her to where they would sit. After sitting down, the many conversations going on almost stopped completely.
"Who you got there Charlie?" a young man to their right asked.
"This, my friends, is Hermione Granger. She is visiting for a bit. I hope you all will be on your best behavior and make her feel welcome." Charlie said while giving a young woman a pointed look.
"Why you looking at me?" The young witch squeaked. "I think it's great she's here. You looking to find work here, Ms. Granger?"
"It's Hermione please and no, I'm not looking for a job. I just decided to visit Charlie." Hermione told them. Several around cocked a brow but said nothing, much to Charlie's relief. This group was a ragtag bunch but they meant well. He was sure everyone sitting there knew who Hermione was but, thankfully, had kept any "fan moments" to themselves though soon enough the conversations started back up with several including Hermione into their talks.
Charlie watched her interact with his work family and couldn't help but smile. She fit right in and was even debating with McKenzie about the use of various dragon scales in potions. Most of the table hushed their conversations or stopped them all together to listen to the 'Brightest Witch of the Age' debate with Adam. Most of the occupants wore smiles as Hermione ran circles around the poor lad. He could "out" debate them but not her. She made some very good points and had the references to back them up, leaving McKenzie scrambling to counter her.
After everyone finished eating, most decided to stay to continue hearing the debate. It was highly entertaining to them and was done in good spirits. By the time Hermione had finished her side of the debate; young Adam was left scratching his head and nodding in her direction.
"Are you sure there's nothing to lure you here to work?" Ken Dunkin asked Hermione. "We could certainly use someone like you here. At least say you'll think about it?" Ken proposed to her.
Hermione smiled at him and nodded her head, "I'll give it some thought though I make no promises."
"That's all I ask." Ken told her before excusing himself from the table.
When Charlie rose, Hermione stood with him and thanked all present for the lovely and lively conversations. She leaned over and extended her hand to Adam who took it and gave a firm shake. She thanked him for the wonderful debate and maybe they could do it again sometime.
"It would be my pleasure, Hermione. Maybe next time I'll be more prepared for someone of your level of intellect." Adam told her with a smile.
Hermione blushed at the compliment before turning to Charlie to lead her out. Charlie chuckled and took her elbow to show her to his hut.
HG&CW
Once inside Charlie's home, she turned to him with a wide grin and exclaimed, "They are so wonderful! What a great group of people you work with!"
"That they are. You seem to be in better spirits, good to see." Charlie replied.
Hermione's eyes softened a bit before she answered him with, "I am, thank you Charlie. I also remember the how and why I am here."
Charlie just looked at her and waited for her to continue.
"I was at the Burrow, out by the lake, just enjoying the peace and quiet. I had let my thoughts wonder when your brother, Ronald, decided to scare the bejesus out of me by sneaking up on me and calling my name right in my ear." Hermione told him.
"I…I think I petrified him in my panic." she said, concentrating on remembering through the fog she had been in.
"Sounds like the prat deserved it." Charlie growled, making Hermione's eyes snap to him.
"Maybe, yeah, but then I ran to the edge of the property. All I can remember, really, was needing to get away to somewhere safe. I'm not sure how I managed to apparate all the way here. I don't think I had a specific place in mind. I remember thinking I needed to get somewhere safe." Hermione finished quietly.
"So, landing in the paddock of Chinese Fireballs was safe?" Charlie asked with a cocked brow, lips twitching as they tried to not smile.
"Um, yeah, not my best moment." Hermione conceded.
"So, I'm somewhere safe?" Charlie asked her, holding his breath for her answer.
"Yes" Hermione said just above a whisper, as a blush crept up her cheeks.
"Hermione" Charlie said just as quietly, "I'm honored you feel that way. It also explains why you were able to apparate so far and through the wards, your emotions were what made it possible." He explained.
Hermione looked up and gave Charlie a small smile. "Yes, my emotions would explain much." She said, pausing a moment to think it through before continuing, "You've always been there for me, Charlie. Maybe not every panic attack I've had but the most severe ones. It's been you who have calmed me and never made me feel less of a person. Then you offered to write to me…I can't tell you just how much that meant to me." Hermione told him.
Charlie walked the two steps to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "I'm glad I could help you, Mia. No one should go through those alone." Charlie told her.
"I don't think you truly understand just how much you have helped me Charlie. First, you save my arse on two different times during the Final Battle that I know of then you were there to coax me back to reality when the worst panic attacks happened. Then you allow me to pour my heart, mind and soul out on parchment and even wrote back! I have never had anyone to show such concern and true interest in me. It was…freeing.
"I don't think I would be as stable as I am right now if it hadn't been for you and your kindness. I can't put into words just how much you have helped me." Hermione told him, looking him in the eye the whole time. She wanted him to understand what his actions had done for her and meant to her.
"Don't get me wrong, Harry has been and is my best friend but he has had his own problems to work through. I know he would have helped but I hadn't wanted to burden him with my problems, he needed his own time to heal. Fortunately, he has Ginny to help him…and…I have you." She finished before laying her head on his shoulder.
"For as long as you need me, Mia." Charlie told her, tightening his hold on her. When she laid her head on his shoulder, Charlie smiled and felt pride that she had sought him out when she had needed someone the most. He couldn't take away her pain from the things that had happened in the past but he most certainly could help her heal from them and be there whenever she needed him to be.
"Charlie…" Hermione started before pausing.
"Yes?" Charlie prompted her.
"Do you think you could see me as more than Ron's bookworm friend?" Hermione asked in a voice so low that it caused Charlie to strain to hear her question.
Instead of answering her vocally, Charlie tilted her head up and kissed her gently. Well, it started off gentle until she responded. Hermione kissed him back with more passion than he could dare to hope for and Charlie's world rocked on its axis. He pulled her to him tightly and allowed his tongue out to play. When she gasped, he took full advantage and tasted her thoroughly. She tasted divine and he couldn't get enough of her.
Then she pressed her body to his and her curves countered his angles perfectly, causing both to moan. When Charlie slid his hand down to her arse and squeezed, he loved the sounds it made her make. She then hitched her leg up to his thigh and Charlie couldn't keep the growl in when his hand slid up her thigh to hold it there. Breaking the kiss for some much needed air, Charlie took her in. Her eyes were glazed with barely any color showing, her breathing was ragged and her body was trembling. However, instead of worry like before, Charlie took great pride that he could cause this witch to have such a reaction.
He leaned in and nuzzled her neck before he started nibbling and sucking on it. Hearing her moans and mewls spurred him on and had him grinding against her. He was harder than he had been in a very long time. His jeans were becoming uncomfortable and he desired to feel her against him sans clothing. However, Charlie did have enough presence of mind to make sure this was what she wanted.
"Mia, are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret it later. I respect and care for you too much to have you regretting any part of our coming together." Charlie asked her in a husky voice.
Hermione shivered at his tone and answered, making sure to keep eye contact so he would know she meant every word. "I am sure, Charlie. I've wanted you for a few years now, actually." She admitted, blushing slightly, making Charlie chuckle.
"Is that right?" Charlie asked as he gripped her other thigh to lift her up. When Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist while leaning down to ardently kiss him again, Charlie had his answer. He led them over to his bed and gently lowered her down to it. He loved hearing her whimpers when he pulled away to look at her. He smiled at her before standing to undress. Hermione's eyes followed his every movement with hunger.
After unbuttoning his shirt and shrugging it off, Charlie enjoyed the way her eyes raked over his chest. When his hands went to the top button of his jeans, Hermione propped herself up and licked her lips, making Charlie groan. However, he didn't speed up his actions. If anything, he slowed down a bit, to draw out the anticipation. After his jeans were undone, Charlie slowly slid them down his hips and legs. After stepping out of them, he slowly straightened up and took in her reaction. Her pupils were completely blown, her breathing ragged and her lips parted. When her gaze finally made up to his face, Charlie sucked in a breath at the desire he saw shining in those beautiful orbs.
As he walked closer to the bed, Charlie couldn't help but appreciate the picture she presented. With her pupils dilated, her lips parted, her breathing coming in pants and her body trembling, she was beyond beautiful to him. When he reached her, he slid his fingers over her abdomen, loving the tremors he felt. Then he grabbed the hem of her shirt and started slowly pulling it up her body. As he pulled the shirt over her mouth, hiding the rest of her face and head while caging her arms above, Charlie leaned down and kissed her. It was one of the most erotic moments either had ever experienced.
Then Charlie pulled the garment the rest of the way and gazed down at her. Her bra was black satin covered with red lace. It was very alluring but Charlie was ready to feel her breasts pressed against his chest so he slid his hand around and unclasped the sexy barrier. Once she was bare to him, Charlie couldn't help himself and bent down to suckle a nipple as he played with the other. Feeling Hermione arch up into him was heavenly.
When his hand ghosted over the snap of her jeans, he growled at her bucking her hips in response. He then kissed his way down to the waistband before unsnapping the snap and sliding them down her glorious legs. When he kissed his way back up to her belly, he couldn't help the chuckle at her whimper. Then he kissed the scar that bisected her with the utmost care. He thought the scars she had only made her sexier and more desirable to him. It was proof of his witch's strength.
As he kissed his way back to her lips, Charlie lined his body up with hers and then slowly closed the distance between them. Once their bodies came into contact, they groaned at the sensations. She felt absolutely heavenly against him, much better than any fantasy he had had. When her legs fell open then wrapped around his hips, Charlie broke the kiss. When he looked upon her face, he couldn't help the smirk of male pride at her disheveled appearance; her lips swollen from his kisses and her hair a complete mess from his hands.
While looking his fill, Charlie lined his erection up to her center and slid home. He groaned at how tight and wet she was and she moaned at feeling him fill and stretch her.
"Oh gods, Charlie, you feel so damn good." Hermione moaned while flexing her inner muscles.
"Fuck, Mia! Stop that if you want this to last very long." Charlie told her through his groan. Her walls were already trying to milk him and he knew if she kept that up, this would be over before it began.
"Then move and distract me." Hermione purred.
Charlie did as his witch commanded and started thrusting. He started off with slow and sure strokes until Hermione joined in, meeting him thrust for thrust. Charlie then increased his speed while he nibbled on every bit of skin available to him. He spent time worshiping her breasts then he focused on her hardened nipples and brought her to orgasm from his ministrations, never stopping his thrusting. After she had calmed down a bit, Charlie increased his speed and rolled his hips, making Hermione arch up into him and moan.
If he was being honest with himself, he had never felt a woman so hot, wet and tight before her. He wanted to savor this coupling for as long as he could, however, when Hermione locked him in place by tightening her legs around him, Charlie had no choice but to move his hand to her nub and start circling it. He wanted her to come, if not before him then, with him. As her walls started to clamp down on his erection, Charlie saw stars. With a final hard thrust, both lovers fell off into oblivion together.
After catching his breath, Charlie slid off Hermione and pulled her to his side. He wrapped his arm around her while she laid her head on his shoulder as her arm slid across his chest to caress his side. When he placed a gentle kiss to her head, he couldn't stop the goofy smile when he heard her sigh in pleasure. No matter what was to come, he would do everything to keep this wonderful witch in his life for as long as he could, hopefully that would be forever but for now, Charlie was just happy to finally have her in his arms and his bed.
~Fin~