Charlie woke her slowly, his fingers drawing over her bare skin, learning her. It was still dark as Hermione nestled deeper into his hold, his arms tightening around her, pulling her against his strong chest, his prominent erection. His hand lifted her leg, tucking it up so he could find her heat hidden between, already slick from his ministrations. Their breaths caught together when he slid his finger between her folds, leisurely exploring in absolute contrast to the frenzied night before.
Hermione moaned as his middle finger entered her slowly, her head falling back so his lips could graze her neck, his other hand moving to her breast. She reached up, twining his hair when he tucked in a second digit, stretching her, slowly, heating her like a simmering cauldron. He turned her slightly, kissing her softly, his lips whispering against hers, bruised from the night before. He kissed her as if apologizing for his rough treatment, but she pressed forward, taking more, entering his mouth, discovering his taste, the way he moved against her.
Slipping his fingers from her, he lifted her leg higher, pressing his manhood against her now-sopping entrance. Kissing her hard he entered her gradually, filling her so that she gasped against his lips, her body bucking in response to his size. He groaned, holding her steady until he was buried to the hilt, their bodies entwined in every way. Anchoring her, he began to move, slow, unhurried, a late summer rain pattering outside the windows in rhythm with his strokes.
Hermione shuddered, moaning as he rocked against her. Every movement had him sliding against that sweet spot, rapidly building the pressure she was quickly growing addicted to.
"Charlie," she whispered urgently, and he took her lips again, drawing her closer, one hand low on her belly to ensure he struck gold with every movement. She whimpered desperately, begging him to drive her over the edge. He quickened his pace, his fingers trailing down to her hood, working her until she shattered, her entire world destroyed, and she knew from that moment that it would never be the same.
"I love you," he panted in her ear, his thrusts growing more urgent, his hold tightening, his fingers vising in his need. "I love you."
"Charlie!" she gasped, overcome as he pounded into her, his face twisted in pleasure, his sweaty forehead resting against her own as he shoved them both over the edge, groaning as he filled her with harsh, erratic thrusts.
Hermione turned more fully towards him, disengaging their connection in the process. She cupped his jaw with her hands, bringing their panting mouths together to show him the magnitude of this moment.
"I love you, Charlie," she gasped, brushing his red hair from his sweaty head, basking in the grin that followed her words.
"Knew it," he said cockily, and she smacked him playfully as he chuckled before leaning forward to drink from her lips.
"I love you, Hermione. And I'm never going to let you go now. Never."
…
Morning broke slowly over the contented lovers, Hermione nuzzling deeper into warm arms as the first rays of sunlight peaked between her thin curtains. Charlie drew her tighter to his chest, still deep asleep.
Feeling safer and happier than she could remember, Hermione allowed herself to enjoy the quiet moment without guilt. She could carry that weight later when she wasn't still wrapped up in the bliss of what had occurred during the night.
She was just drifting back off to sleep when a loud bang! had them bolting upright.
"Charlie! Hermione! Where are you?"
"Shit!" they both swore, jumping away from each other at the sound of his older brother's voice. Hastily grabbing Charlie's clothes, Hermione thrust them into his arms, her own nightgown in tatters beneath the desk.
Pulling on the first things she put her hands on from her dresser, Hermione turned to Charlie as he made for the door. She couldn't speak, her heart pounding as boots sounded up the stairs. Charlie stopped at the door, turning to her, his face falling when he saw hers. He was on her in a single stride, dragging her face up to kiss her deeply while the footsteps grew closer.
"Hermione, are you awake?"
"It wasn't a mistake," Charlie whispered. A lump caught in her throat as she nodded. He kissed her again and she shoved him towards the wardrobe, stuffing him inside and closing it firmly just as a knock sounded at her door.
"Hermione, quickly, it's an emergency!"
Patting down her mussed hair, Hermione quickly checked that she was decent before yanking open the door.
"What is it, Bill, what's happened?"
"I'm sorry to wake you, but we need to get to Germany, they're attacking Muggles –"
"Let me just throw on some shoes, I'll meet you downstairs," she said hastily, turning to grab her wand from her bedside table.
"I'm going to wake Charlie –"
"NO! Er, no, he er, he already left to, er, buy us some bagels," Hermione lied lamely, mentally smacking herself for the ridiculous statement.
"Bagels?" Bill asked suspiciously, his brow rising.
"For breakfast."
An uncomfortable silence hung between them, Bill looking at her as if she were mental. And right now, Hermione would be hard-pressed to claim that she wasn't with Charlie's cum pooling between her legs and her hair a tangled mess.
"Right…well, I'm setting up a Portkey, it leaves in ten minutes. Fleur will be here soon to sit with mum. Enjoy your…bagels."
"Right, er, I'll send Charlie a Patronus to make sure he hurries back with the…bagels."
Bill eyed her skeptically. "You do that."
Once she could hear his footsteps on the stairs, Hermione shut the door and slumped against it. Charlie stepped quietly out of the wardrobe, his face wild with amusement, his shoulders shaking in mirth.
"Bagels?" he chortled.
"Oh, shut up," she groaned, blushing hotly. Charlie continued to chuckle as he crossed the room and dragged her into his arms.
"Shall I run on down to the bagel shop before or after we go into battle?" he asked gleefully, dropping a kiss onto her nose.
"You know I'm dreadful at lying," she pouted, even while Charlie continued to chuckle at her mishap. "I don't know how long I'm going to be able to keep this secret."
Charlie's face fell. "Hermione, this doesn't have to be a secret. I'll run downstairs and tell him right now –"
"No! I just…not yet. I need to wrap my head around…"
He cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin.
"This isn't wrong. It's right. They'll see it soon enough."
She nodded, even if she didn't quite believe him yet. Charlie kissed her again, slow and sweet.
"I love you. That's all that matters. The rest is going to work itself out."
Kissing her one last time, he released her.
"I'll meet you downstairs. See if you can dig up some bagels in the meantime."
Hermione grabbed the nearest object, a picture of her, Ron, Harry, and Hagrid, and threw it at Charlie's retreating back, his laughs echoing up the hallway as he scurried up the stairs. Shaking her head, Hermione dug for a new pair of pants, wondering if she was ready to deal with the consequences of loving a second Weasley.
…
"Got any ideas?" Charlie shouted, ducking as a chunk of the wall behind him cascaded around them in a flash of blue light.
They were cornered, exhausted, and outnumbered. The battle had raged well into the night, both sides mounting devastating losses. Hermione had led the team responsible for Muggle evacuations until they were tracked down by a large group of Death Eaters. Sending the group of Muggles with Neville and Seamus, Hermione stayed behind to distract them with several others. One by one they were picked off, easy prey in the wide-open street. The last one standing, Hermione had been sure her death was near until cracks! rent the air, bringing Order members and Aurors to her side.
Charlie had found her immediately, dragging her behind him as she sagged with exhaustion and relief.
"Stay close to me!" he'd yelled, taking up a duel with the nearest Death Eater, felling them quickly before dragging her through the fight into an alley. Hermione had wanted to protest but she was panting too hard to do so.
"Are you hurt?" Charlie had asked, pushing her down onto a crate where she struggled to catch her breath. She shook her head, knowing no permanent damage had been done, but she could feel the pain from Antoni Arullius' curse as well as her aching muscles. Charlie had Conjured her a flask of water, urging her to drink it, throwing up a Shield Charm as a spell rebounded towards them. He'd knelt, looking her over, assuring her wellbeing for himself.
"Come on, let's get you –"
"Charlie!" Bill screamed, scanning the fray for his younger brother as more Death Eaters appeared, overcoming Hermione's backup.
"Bill!" Charlie cried, rising automatically. Bill turned to them, his eyes widening at the sight.
Unfortunately, a Death Eater also heard Charlie and turned as well.
"The Mudblood!"
"Shit," Hermione snapped, dropping the flask and standing, her wand raised. And then she was being pulled away, Charlie tugging her by the elbow down the alley.
"Charlie, what -"
"Get down!"
Charlie shoved her to her knees as a flash of green sang overhead. Then he was yanking her back up, pulling her around the corner into another side street.
"Charlie, we have to go back!"
"Like hell."
He pulled her into his arms and turned on the spot.
But they stayed right where they were.
"Fuck! They've put up an anti-Apparition barrier!" he growled, whipping around and tugging her toward the closest door.
"Alohomora!"
They squeezed into the dark building just as Death Eaters rounded the corner, running right past them in pursuit.
"Charlie, what are you doing? We have to go help the others!"
"Not you, just stay here, I'll come back –"
"I will not!" she cried, yanking him around by his arm. "Do you actually think I'll just hide away in here like some damsel in distress? I can fight just as well-"
"This had nothing to do with your fighting skills, dammit," he snapped, his eyes sparking with danger. "You're too valuable, too important to lose."
"Valuable? I'm not valuable!"
"Who were they chasing back there? They sure as hell didn't scream my name!"
"'Mudblood' is not my name!"
"You know what I mean!"
"No, Charlie, I don't! Just because they know who I am doesn't make me special! I'm no more important than anyone else out there fighting!"
"You are to me!" he thundered, turning from her to stride across the cluttered shop which looked as if it had been ransacked recently. Hermione's heart twisted.
"Charlie, what is this really about?"
"It's about me! Alright? I thought I could do this, I thought it'd just be… I'm not strong enough to lose you, not now that I finally have you! I can't do this, I can't stand watching you put yourself in danger!"
"Charlie…"
"Don't, alright? Just don't." Running his fingers through his dirty hair, he sighed, his fingers twining behind his lowered head. She was moved, seeing him standing there, wretched.
"Charlie, I'm scared for you, too. When you were splinched, when you fell that night on Pilkington…I was terrified. But you can't shut me away in a broken-down shop until the war is over. Those people, our people, need us. They need us to be strong. Otherwise, Ron died for nothing. Harry died for nothing. Otherwise, they'll win. And if they win, I'm dead anyway. I'll never survive this world if they rule."
Charlie sighed again, his hands dropping as he turned to her. Blood and dirt streaked his face, a day-old stubble dusted his jaw. And still, he was so handsome that her heart stopped at the look in his eyes.
"And I'll never survive if I lose you," he said huskily. Hermione went to him, grabbing his strong jaw.
"You will. Just as I survived Ron. Just as I'd survive if I lost you," her voice broke on the last part, but she swallowed back her emotions and forged on. "We can't predict the future, but we still have now, and this fight is not over. We're still living, remember?"
His hands rubbed her arms as he sighed. "Using my own words against me. How very Slytherin of you."
"A Slytherin would stay hidden in here."
He looked at her for a long moment, his fingers digging into her hips.
"But not my mighty lion," he muttered, leaning his forehead against hers and drawing in a shaky breath. "Forgive me. I never should have asked this of you."
"You never really asked me anything, more demanded," she replied, smiling as he let out a small laugh.
"I can see who's going to be wearing the pants in this relationship."
"It's way too hard to fight in a skirt, trust me."
He grinned, stroking her sides. "I will definitely be asking you for a private demonstration."
"Deviant."
"Just for you."
He kissed her, dragging her into his arms as it intensified, sinking in for just a moment before pulling away.
"Alright, you win. Show me what you've got, Gryffindor."
And so, they'd rejoined the fray, though he stuck close to her side. Their forces were pushed back and eventually forced to retreat. They'd lost sight of Bill and George hours ago, taking to back roads to find their way out of the anti-Apparition zone that had been placed.
Now they were hiding behind the remains of a demolished building, the road ahead as covered in scouting Death Eaters as the one behind and their position had just been discovered.
"Probably won't try Apparating again, but other than that I don't see a way out," she replied to his query, leaning over the wall long enough to cast a perfectly placed Reducto! to buy them the time her attempt at Apparition had cost them.
"Well, if we can't go up, shall we go down?" Charlie asked, nodding to what appeared to be a bunker door several meters from where they sat.
"Lead the way!" she said, blowing up a telephone booth behind them to cause a distraction. They ran at a crouch, Charlie magicking open the door before urging her inside where steep stairs led to a small room below. As soon as Charlie descended next to her, she began muttering Locking and Camouflage charms so that the door would match the road above as well as every protective enchantment she could remember.
"Good thinking," Charlie panted, looking around. "Lumos!"
The bunker was small but well-provisioned. A bunk bed was shoved against one wall, the other wall housing shelving and a sink, the back leading to a matchbox powder room. Charlie moved to the sink and turned the tap which squeaked loudly but remained dry.
"Wand water it is," he said with a smile, turning to where Hermione had slumped wearily against the post of the bunk. He came to her, brushing aside the hair that had escaped her bun, caressing her cheek.
"You look exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep, this should hold us until morning."
"No, I want to get a look at that cut," she said, pointing to the large gash on his left brow. It seemed as if the bleeding had finally stopped, but it was red and swollen, the eye beneath a mere slit.
"Ah, leave it, I think it makes me look more rugged," he grinned.
"That may be, but I think it's infected. At least let me clean it out."
"Will you do it topless? Ow!" he chuckled, rubbing his arm against her physical protest. "Great, now I'll have a bruise, too!"
"And you'll have a fair few more if you don't sit and let me have a look at that thing."
"Alright, alright, keep your hair on, woman."
She was able to find what appeared to be a hotel bar of soap and a small bowl. She cleaned the wound thoroughly while Charlie sat stoic amidst her ministrations, barely wincing even as she scrubbed.
"I suppose you're more than used to this at the reservation," she stated, rinsing her Conjured rag in the bowl of water.
"Been patched up a fair few times. Never by anyone as pretty as you, though," he smirked. She blushed, not meeting his eye.
"I'm sure you had more than your share of the spoils of Romania. The women there must have been throwing themselves at you."
"One or two," he grinned cheekily. "But mostly they were distracted by the fire-breathing lizards."
"Well, then they were missing out."
She wasn't sure which of them was more surprised by her bold proclamation, but Charlie's eyes darkened before he captured her mouth, delving so deeply into her that she couldn't breathe.
She didn't know how it happened, but suddenly she was on her back, the bowl clattering to the floor unnoticed by either of them. His hands were in her hair, angling her to take the kiss deeper, easing his way between her legs to press against her, already hard beneath his jeans. She moaned at the contact, the memory of his thick member filling her all too fresh. Hooking her leg onto his hip she raised herself to him, increasing the friction.
"Gods, Hermione," he groaned, kissing down her neck as he tugged at the zipper of her jumper, shoving it down her arms before moving to her shirt, the bra falling away so deftly she hissed as the cold air met her skin. One long-fingered hand cupped her dainty mound, massaging it as she tore at his clothes. They quickly divested themselves of every scrap when Charlie suddenly stilled above her, his features dark in the dim wand light.
"Merlin, save me," he muttered, drinking her in before diving down to her center, his lips sealing around her hood, making her cry out. She'd had little experience with this particular act as Ron had never been keen on it, but she was quickly realizing that she had been missing out.
"Oh, gods," she panted as he lapped at her hungrily, his tongue working her clit until she was bucking against his mouth, her body out of her control. "Don't stop!"
She could almost hear him chuckle, but sound had no meaning as her blood roared in her ears, hot shards of pleasure snapping through her body at every caress of his tongue which was now buried deeply inside her.
Hermione groaned, her fingers wrapped in his dirty hair, pressing him harder against her, the world honing down to that one spot and the ownership he had over it.
And then his lips closed around her hood and he sucked and the entire world imploded. She jerked against him as wave after wave crashed through her, but he didn't slow, his fingers joining the mix as he worked her quickly to a second orgasm, her throat breaking on a scream.
The room was still spinning as he crawled up her body, lifting her leg to ease himself effortlessly into her drenched passage, making her gasp at his size once more.
"Charlie," she begged, pulling him down to her so that he could share her taste with her. He groaned as he seated himself fully inside her, her walls stretching gloriously to accommodate him.
"Gods, you feel bloody perfect," he growled, his lips suddenly frantic as he began to move, one hand anchoring himself, the other on her hip, angling it so that each thrust had him milking that sweet spot, her head whipping back in euphoria.
"Fuck, Charlie, yes!" she cried, barely registering her brazen words as she lifted herself to him on each thrust, clenching her walls to feel him more intensely.
"Gods, Hermione, if you keep doing that I'm not going to last," he moaned, his fingers digging into her as his tempo increased, each thrust becoming more feverish. But she was so close, her need becoming desperate as he pounded into her, causing all thought to flee from her mind but to come again. She milked him once more, making him jerk, and it was over, her body snapping and breaking apart, her cries reverberating around the small room as she dragged him with her, his voice joining hers in the throes of release.
He slumped atop her, panting, his feverish body melding into hers as they focused on breathing. Slowly he flopped onto the bed beside her, one arm trapped beneath her shoulders.
"Think it will always be this good?" she breathed, looking up into his bemused face. He snorted.
"I bloody well hope not. I don't think my heart could handle it."
Hermione laughed, rolling until her lips pressed against the skin above the aforementioned organ.
"Cardio is said to be great for the heart."
Charlie grinned.
"Well, then, what are we waiting for?"
…
"To Charlie and Hermione!"
"Charlie and Hermione!"
The horde of Order members and Aurors crowding the small kitchen raised their glasses in their direction. Hermione smiled as she lifted hers in turn and drank the sweet wine provided by Louise and Helena's vineyard. Hermione had always been a fan of the couple's wine so they had brought a literal crate for the celebration.
The Battle for Berlin would be talked about for years. Not long after their lovemaking in the bunker, Hermione had heard what sounded like a child's cry. Ignoring Charlie's protests, she'd snuck out to find a band of orphans and nuns hiding in the warehouse above them, frightened and injured. Together, they'd snuck the group several blocks before Hermione had stumbled – literally – over a large carnelian stone. In doing so, she had displaced the stone and the earth shuddered at the movement. Reaching down, Hermione turned the stone in hand, her eyes widening.
"Charlie, do you know what this is?" she asked, oblivious to the stares of the frightened women and children.
"Er, a pretty rock?" he suggested, hefting the smallest child further up on his hip.
"It's a carnelian! It's how they're keeping up the Apparition barrier! They're using them as connections! If we find the stones, it'll destroy the barrier!"
Charlie shook his head. "You are brilliant, Hermione."
"Go, hide the children, they'll be watching the stones to be sure they're still in place," Hermione said, already taking off in the direction she calculated for the next stone.
"Hermione, dammit, wait!"
She was stalled by his hand on her arm, whipping her around to face him.
"You are not going out there alone! Help me find a safe place for this lot and we'll go together."
Torn, Hermione finally relented when a building nearby exploded into flames, screams rending the air causing the small girl in Charlie's arms to bury her face into his neck in fear.
Together, they located a small tea shop with a vacant flat above it. Ensuring they all had food and running water, they placed every protective spell they had around the building and took off.
Several hours and multiple fights later, Hermione spotted the last stone they'd need to sever the connection, heavily guarded by a tired band of Death Eaters. While Charlie distracted them with a well-placed Incendio!, Hermione rushed forward and dove for the stone as spells rang over her head. Clutching the orange rock in hand, Hermione rolled to dodge a Killing Curse, which hit the ground and threw her back. Scrambling to her feet, Hermione raised her wand to her throat and muttered "Sonorous!"
"The Apparition barrier has been lifted! Send your survivors to your designated safe house. Those who can fight, join me!"
She'd no sooner uttered the cross-street they were on when she was sent flying, skidding across the ground like a sack of flour.
The fight had raged on for several hours, bolstered by the continuing addition of Order members who had seen their Muggle survivors and injured friends to safety. The Death Eaters fell back as their numbers dwindled and eventually retreated to a cry of elation. The group that was left had staggered back to headquarters for recon where they begged Hermione to regale them with the story.
Now they were drunk, exhausted, and showing no signs of slowing down.
"We're out of crisps!" Lee Jordan cried, falling sideways into George. "Whatever shall we do, dear George?"
"We shall wither away into the ether, methinks!" George bemoaned, turning to Hermione. "Come, come my dear, you wouldn't want to see heroes such as ourselves fade to dust, would you?"
Hermione chuckled, shaking her head. "You two are going to eat me out of house and home!" she declared, setting down her wine glass and heading for the pantry, the floor swaying delightfully beneath her.
She had no sooner caught sight of the bag when she was plunged into darkness and hands grabbed her. She was twisted around and shoved against the shelves, a pair of warm lips descending upon hers. Even smothered beneath the sharp tang of Firewhisky, she could taste Charlie and immediately reacted, her hands coming up to pull him closer. He groaned and thrust against her causing her to gasp in surprise as she felt his raging erection through the clothing separating them.
"Gods, I've wanted you all night," he growled, yanking her hair back so he could plunder her once more. She moaned in approval, diving as deeply into his mouth as she could. Charlie lifted one leg to leverage himself against her and Hermione practically crawled up his body to increase the contact, neither caring that half the Order was standing just outside the door. Hermione couldn't think through the fog of liquor and lust, tugging at his hair, undulating against his body, desperate to drive him as crazy as she felt.
"Meet me in the first-floor bathroom," Charlie grated out, kissing her harshly before striding out of the pantry and straight up the stairs. Hermione took a moment to compose herself, flattening her mussed hair and grabbing the bag of crisps she'd spotted earlier. Dumping the lot into a bowl before the drunken pair who took turns trying to thank her in the most ridiculous way possible, Hermione claimed loudly that she was headed to bed and hurried up the stairs.
She'd no sooner opened the bathroom door before she was being pressed against it, Charlie lifting her to resume their earlier grapple. He made quick work of their jeans and quickly plunged into her, making her cry out and buck against the thick intrusion. Reaching up, Hermione steadied them with the towel hook above her as Charlie rode her madly with the same violence she'd witnessed the first night they'd come together. It was as if he'd met the end of his rope and could no longer contain his brutal frenzy.
"Gods, Hermione," he groaned, his teeth on her jaw, her neck, as he fucked her harshly, her body banging against the door which she hoped had been Silenced as her ragged cries rang about the room. He shoved her quickly, mercilessly, over the edge and she screamed, burying her face in his shoulder as he bellowed beneath her, joining her in their frantic cataclysm.
They panted harshly, struggling to regain their breath as their lips met over and over, hands soothing while they reclaimed their sanity. Charlie chuckled, kissing her hotly once more.
"That was –"
Bang, bang, bang!
"Oi! You about pissed yourself dry, yet? Give a bloke a turn, eh?" Seamus slurred from the other side of the door. Hermione squealed and Charlie quickly dropped her, the two of them giggling as they drunkenly struggled into their clothes.
"Here we go!" Charlie said before lifting her by the hips and dumping her unceremoniously into the tub, her pants only halfway on.
"Charlie! What in the world do you think you're –"
"Quiet now, love, we wouldn't want to get caught, would we?" he winked, yanking the shower curtain closed. Hermione opened her mouth to yell at him, but she heard the door open and Charlie stumbled out.
"Sorry 'bout that, mate. I think I made it all in, but I'd watch your step if I were you," he said, Seamus chortling as he entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Hermione stifled a gasp as she heard the unmistakable sounds of the Irishman taking a piss, her hands covering her sounds of revulsion. Her fellow Gryffindor whistled an unfamiliar tune as he finished up, washing his hands and departing. Fuming, Hermione scrambled to tug her pants into their upright position and tripped out of the bathtub, nearly taking the curtain with her. Charlie was suddenly at the door, laughing uproariously at her floundering.
"Charlie Weasley, how dare you do that to me!" she shrieked from the floor, swatting at him as he helped her to stand, still laughing at her situation.
"What did you want me to do, stroll out of there with you on my elbow?"
"Well, no, of course not, but still, you could have spared me some dignity!"
"What, the dignity you just left on the bathroom door?" Charlie wriggled his brows as Hermione gaped and smacked his arm.
"I, no, I, well, shut up!" she snapped, the corner of her mouth twitching.
"Your eloquence is such a turn-on, my dear," he grinned, leaning down to kiss her. "Let's see how eloquent I can get you this evening, shall we?"
As it turned out, it didn't take long at all before the talkative Hermione Granger was at a complete loss for words.
…
XOXO
RynStar15