Author's Note: I know, I know. I can already hear the groans. "Why are you writing a NEW story?!" "I wish you would work on 'X' story instead of starting something new." "Don't you already have several WIPs?" Frankly, I don't care. This past week has been a real struggle for me in my personal and professional life. I've experienced multiple deaths in my sphere - both expected and shocking. All devastating. All of my others stories are Dark. I want to write something that isn't because I'm not in the mental headspace right now to get into those stories. I just can't do it. Hopefully, I will be able to soon, but sadly, this is an extremely difficult time of year for me and the events of the past week haven't helped in the slightest.

So… this story shouldn't be dark. It is, however, a Mature story written for actual adults. That means you can expect sexual situations, adult situations, potentially toxic and unhealthy relationships, no perfection whatsoever, poor communication, and flawed, very flawed characters. I don't anticipate anything more violent than the potential broken heart here and there. Oh, and alcohol abuse. There will definitely be some of that. Enjoy!

Chapter One

"You can't make me love you."

Hermione paused, gently pushing back from Charlie with her hand on his firm chest. Did she really hear him correctly? She almost laughed. What exactly did he think she was up in the dusty, cluttered attic for? Romance? A promise of a future filled with marriage and chubby red-haired babies? Clearly she hadn't been as upfront as she assumed she was. She assumed before she dared to even climb the ladder up into the Burrow's attic that the dragon keeper knew exactly what she wanted and it certainly wasn't love.

"I hardly think love is what's important right now. So hurry up and drop your pants, Weasley."

His arrogant grin really should be illegal. How was it fair that one person could be so handsome? Of course Hermione had taken notice of her ex-boyfriend's older brother over the years. She had eyes that worked, didn't she? It wasn't just anyone that could somehow sweet talk her into sneaking into the attic during a party when the entire Weasley family and most of their friends were downstairs.

The sounds of the family moving around the house underneath them were plain to hear. No family gathering was ever quiet especially if there was reason to celebrate. Only the attic provided them the adequate amount of privacy they needed to indulge in what might be the most reckless decision they'd ever made. But, they weren't both Sorted into Gryffindor for nothing. Acting first and considering the consequences afterwards was something Gryffindors had always been known for.

Charlie wasn't bothered by her ordering him about if his cheeky smile was anything to go by. Before he did as he was told, however, he placed both of his large hands on Hermione's waist. It took him hardly any effort to pick her up and set her arse right on top of a chest of drawers. She gasped at the feel of his calloused hands sliding up her legs underneath her skirt to forcefully remove her knickers first. Her heart pounded against her chest. They were really going to do it… it. Never in her wildest, middle-of-the-night fantasies did she ever think Charlie Weasley's hands would be up her skirt.

"I'm just warning you, Hermione. I'm not going to fall in love with you."

"Good, because I'm not going to fall in love with you either."

"You say that now, but…"

He snapped his hips forward suddenly, filling her completely with one single thrust. She'd been so focused on those lips she still couldn't believe she'd kissed to even notice him drop both his trousers and pants in the same second. So distracted with the feel of his hands on her bare skin, she didn't feel his cock tease the outside of her slick and starving folds. Or maybe Charlie wasn't the type to tease. She could appreciate that. Far too many were.

After his first thrust, Charlie paused just to stare at her face. What was he expecting to see there? Regret? Fear? Anger? The awakened obsession of a woman he could never love? She wasn't stupid by any stretch of the imagination. She wasn't about to fall in love with the frustrating man just because he felt so fucking good inside of her.

Desperate to get past the awkward moment and make him move, Hermione tightened her muscles to clench him and rolled her hips. A low growl came out of Charlie's mouth at the sensation. He didn't need any further encouragement to speed up his movements. Pulling himself nearly completely out of her, he snapped his hips hard again to fill her up. It was her turn to make a sound that was part-groan, part-moan and one hundred percent music to his ears. He was the sort to appreciate audible responses. She vowed to file that away in the back of her mind in case they had a repeat performance another day.

"You're so tight. Fuck… you feel good."

He sped up. Over and over again he slammed into her, never seeming to even consider taking his time. Not that she minded. There were times when a hard, quick fuck was exactly what a girl wanted. A moan crossed her lips that was immediately devoured by his mouth. Who would've guessed the taciturn dragon keeper was such a phenomenal kisser? Not to mention…

"Ugh… Oh fuck me, Charlie."

"Pretty sure I already am."

A playful slap to his arm was all she could muster. Giving over to the feel of the pure pleasure, Hermione closed her eyes and leaned her head back. Something about that simple movement must've distracted the poor wizard. Pausing his movements again, Charlie reached for the buttons on her jumper. One sharp tug sent buttons flying all over the attic. It was her favorite, but she hardly cared the moment his hand pulled her bra down enough that her breasts spilled out over the top. When his mouth pulled one of her nipples in, she was sure she was on the verge of death.

He wasn't gentle. Far from it. Charlie was made up entirely of rough, hard edges. Even the scratching of his three-day beard against her sensitive flesh was proof of that. She appreciated his lack of hesitancy, his arrogance to take what he wanted when he wanted it.

After each breast was given the proper amount of attention, Charlie leaned back up to his full height. Had he charmed the chest of drawers to fit him perfectly? If so, she would have to remember to thank him for his foresight. It really did feel amazing. He wrapped one arm around her waist and used the other to hold up her leg for better access. In that position with his partner securely held in his grasp, he was able to speed up his pace and put stars in her vision in the process.

The chest of drawers rocked on the wood floor making a loud noise. Unbothered by the possibility they might be drawing attention to their hiding place, they laughed, but never considered stopping. What was happening between them was far too pleasurable and exciting to worry that someone downstairs might have heard a random thumping coming from the rarely used attic. Besides, there were so many people downstairs prone to making loud noises that neither of them even thought it was possible for someone to notice.

Which was why they were far too consumed with each other to notice the small hatch in the floor open up nor did they hear the sound of heavy footsteps steadily climbing up the ladder. Bill's head popped up seconds before either of them knew they had an audience. The eldest Weasley child got an eyeful.

The show likely only lasted a matter of seconds. Realizing they were no longer alone, Hermione clamped her lips shut and pushed on Charlie's chest. Not quite understanding that she was trying to get his attention, the focused wizard managed to get two more fast thrusts in that made her eyes threaten to roll into the back of her head. She hit Charlie harder and pointed to his brother.

Bill raised a single eyebrow at the pornographic tableau he inadvertently stumbled upon and smirked. Never had Hermione felt more mortified, but Charlie only seemed annoyed they had to stop. Satisfied that he could explain what the loud noise was he and the rest of the family had been hearing, Bill climbed down a step or two to shout down below.

"Not to worry, Mum. Just the ghoul rattling around in the attic."

His loud and amused laughter followed him all the way down the ladder. When he closed the hatch with a spell, Hermione came back to reality. No longer stunned into a sheer frozen panic, she wanted to push Charlie away and run. How could she ever show her face around the Weasley family again? It was only then that she looked down to see the true state of her ruined jumper. Her cheeks burned and she tried to cover up.

"You're not going to let a little interruption stop you, are you?"

As if to prove to her that she was making a poor decision, Charlie snapped his hips forward again. She could curse him for making her body feel so fucking good when she knew she should be slinking out of the Burrow in shame. Another moan came out of her mouth despite her humiliation. She could worry about what Bill thought later. The damage had been done. What was the rush in stopping?

"Just don't make too much noise. If another one of your brothers comes up that ladder and sees me like this, I'll never be able to come back here again."

"You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of."

The predatory look on his face as he looked over her body once again made her cheeks flush. She knew she wasn't hideous and there were certainly parts of her that were nice to look at, but seeing the way Charlie looked at her helped boost some of the confidence she'd been struggling with in recent days. Pleased that he liked what he was looking at, she dropped the ripped remnants of her shirt to hide nothing from his gaze. Charlie squeezed her hip tighter with another low growl and sped up.

Her orgasm nearly took her by surprise. So focused on staring at the gorgeous man's face and running her hand through the deep red locks that hung loose to his collar, she almost missed how every touch, every movement built up her pleasure until the moment her entire body trembled with her release. Worried she would scream out because it felt so fucking good, Hermione bit down on his shoulder. Thoroughly satisfied with himself and the effect he had on his partner, Charlie didn't need much encouragement to follow soon after.

Hermione wasn't sure how long they remained almost frozen in place while they both tried to catch their breath and will their hearts to resume beating at a regular rate. It was safe to say the two of them had chemistry. She wanted to go again as soon as they were finished, but was embarrassed to seem too eager. Charlie seemed like the sort of wizard to hold that against her and tease. She carefully pushed him back so she could hop off the chest of drawers to adjust and repair her clothing.

"I meant what I said, Hermione. This was just sex. Nothing else."

Part of her wanted to close the distance between them to slap him right across his face. What sort of pathetic, lonely witch did he take her for? Was it so inconceivable that she wouldn't just immediately throw herself at his feet to beg him to love her that he had to keep repeating himself? No, she was well aware the sort of wizard Charlie Weasley was and there was no future there, even if she wanted one. Which she didn't.

"I'm aware. That's all I wanted."

Not wishing to remain in the attic a moment later, Hermione opened the hatch in the floor and immediately began descending the ladder once it was clear there was no one down below who would see her exit the attic. If she got caught, she had no idea how she would explain herself. There really was no good reason to be up there. She hoped Bill would keep his mouth shut.

No one asked her any questions when she passed some of the family on the stairs. Likely they assumed she'd been in the loo or they were so wrapped up in their own little bubbles, they didn't care. As most of the festivities were taking place in the lounge, Hermione slipped into the kitchen hoping no one noticed she was missing. It wasn't difficult in such a large gathering. She had plenty of experience moving around ignored and unnoticed. If she dwelled too much on that truth, she might've been insulted.

Standing in a quiet corner with his wife, Bill caught Hermione's eye when she entered the kitchen. He didn't say a word or even smile, but she immediately felt embarrassed again.

"Are you warm, my dear? Your cheeks are a bit flushed."

Startled by Molly's question, Hermione didn't know how to answer. Bill sniggered softly and Fleur slapped his arm.

"I'm all right, Molly. Thank you."

"You have something in your hair. Are those cobwebs?"

Molly pulling cobwebs out of Hermione's hair was too much. Bill's chuckles morphed into loud laughter. Even Fleur had to bite her bottom lip to keep from smiling. No doubt her husband couldn't wait to tell her what he witnessed up in the attic. Hermione had never been more mortified in her entire life.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, Molly, but I'm afraid I have an early morning at the office."

She rushed out of the kitchen door to the garden before anyone could stop her. Only Molly's confused response followed her out.

"But tomorrow is Saturday, dear."

Earlier in the evening….

Charlie was annoyed, very annoyed. He didn't want to be stuck in his childhood home celebrating another momentous milestone in the Weasley family. The Burrow was too confined. There were far too many people in a much too small area. His years in Romania made him used to wide open spaces. Dragons needed a lot of room to live.

If only he could be back in Romania. He didn't want to be anywhere else. It upset him that he had to leave, but he needed to be somewhere he didn't have to constantly worry about running into her. She'd ripped his heart out like it meant nothing. He didn't dare put himself in a similar position even if it it meant moving back to his home country.

As a personal favor to the Minister for Magic, he moved back to work in the Ministry. Nothing about sitting behind a desk made him happy, but there weren't a lot of options in his line of work. He hoped to work there long enough that when he finally returned to Romania he wouldn't even remember her name. So he moved to an empty depressing flat and no matter how much he tried to convince himself he was making the right decision, he was annoyed to be back home.

Especially since he no longer had an excuse to miss every family celebration. George and Angelina were finally engaged. It had only been ten years of dating that got them to that point. Charlie strongly suspected there was a new niece or nephew on the way to encourage them to take the next step. Nothing had been confirmed, of course, but he noticed a subtle change in Angelina's complexion since he'd last seen her. That was usually the first clue when one of his dragons was preparing to nest. And she'd politely turned him down when he offered her a glass of fire whiskey. Some rubbish lie about Quidditch training didn't convince him. Angelina had drunk him under the table one night and scored over three hundred points in a game the next afternoon.

Charlie stood at the makeshift bar in the lounge staring at his options. Before he left his flat that evening, he swore to himself that he would only drink one glass. It wouldn't do to embarrass himself in front of his entire family. He knew he drank too much, but he didn't want anyone else to know. His mother would make a big deal out of it. Alcohol helped him sleep. He struggled getting used to his empty bed.

As he picked up the bottle of Ogden's Finest, he saw a new arrival enter the front door to several loud exclamations of welcome. It had been a few months since he'd seen Hermione up close. Still dressed in the tight knee-length pencil skirt he knew she wore to work, even a heartbroken fool like him couldn't ignore she was attractive. She always had been in his opinion, but she'd been with his youngest brother for a long time. They'd broken up a few years earlier. No one ever bothered to explain to Charlie why. Not that it was any of his business.

Ron moved on rather quickly and married a Ravenclaw witch that had been in his same year at Hogwarts. The former Miss Brocklehurst was a bit intense. Mandy was sweet enough and Charlie did like her, but she was serious. It seemed odd that his brother fell for a Ravenclaw. Hardly seemed his type until he remembered Hermione could've easily been a Ravenclaw too.

Who broke off their relationship? Was it mutual or were there broken hearts left in the aftermath? Charlie stopped his pointless wondering before it went any further. He never used to care about relationships and how they ended until she broke his heart.

Grumbling softly to himself, he knew one glass probably wasn't going to be enough, especially not if he was expected to celebrate true love and marriage. He poured himself a glass, gulped it all down in one go, and poured himself a second. He would just sip on the second glass for the rest of the night.

"Do you mind pouring me one?"

Charlie smiled at Hermione and did as she asked. When he handed her the glass, she lowered her voice.

"Maybe I should follow your example and drink this one quickly and get a second."

For a moment he was offended until he realized she was only joking. Charlie smiled and walked away. Something about her unnerved him.

Unfortunately, despite all of the laughter and joy filling up the Burrow, Charlie hated every moment he was there. It was boring to have to listen to the proposal story be repeated over and over again and listen to the witches ask a thousand different questions about the upcoming wedding. As hard as he tried his best to feel happy for his brother, he was still very jealous. He worried that would never change.

Deciding he could only take so much, he stepped outside for some air. There were too many people inside. He wondered if he could leave early and find a pub somewhere. Two steps out the door he spotted Hermione sitting on a bench alone in the dark. He wished he had more whiskey, but he'd been good to sip on his second glass.

"Mind if I join you?"

Hermione smiled though she seemed nervous and like she would rather be left alone, but she still moved over to give him space to sit. Almost immediately he regretted asking. It would be rude to leave too soon. He decided he would sit for three minutes, make a remark about the weather, ask her about her job, and then make some excuse to go back inside.

"There are far too many people inside. It's stifling."

"Yes, you're right," he agreed. "Lovely night. I'm glad it stopped raining."

"Yes, so am I."

Small talk was generally awkward, but it felt even more so with Hermione. Why? They'd had plenty of conversations over the years. Why was it any different that night?

"Your brother and Angelina seem very happy."

"Yes, they do. I think Angie is pregnant."

"So do I."

Hermione nodded her head as she spoke but she didn't seem happy. Why not? Weren't witches always overjoyed when they found out someone was pregnant?

"How come you and Ron never got married?"

He didn't know what possessed him to ask such a question beyond morbid curiosity. She stared at him with wide eyes. For half a second he wished he hadn't said anything, but he was curious. What was the harm?

"Ron and I broke up five years ago for a number of reasons, but I'm glad we are still good friends. Mandy is lovely and I know together they'll have everything they've ever wanted."

It was as rehearsed an answer as he'd ever heard. He should know. It was what he did whenever anyone asked him about her.

"But who has time for relationships? Work keeps me far too busy."

Hermione definitely sounded like she was trying to convince herself, like she wasn't fully sold on what she was saying at all. Charlie smirked. An inappropriate thought came to his mind and he wanted to say it out loud. She might not like it, of course, but he could always blame the fire whiskey if she got mad.

"Please tell me that a beautiful witch like yourself hasn't been sleeping alone since my idiot brother let you go."

Shocked at first, Hermione laughed. He smiled.

"I hardly think that's any of your business, Charlie."

"No, but I'm curious."

"You know what they say about the cat."

In one swallow she finished off the rest of her drink. Neither one of them had had enough to drink, he'd decided. Before he could say anything, offer her another drink, Hermione turned to face him with an annoyed, indignant expression.

"I'm doing just fine with my relationships, thank you."

He couldn't help his chuckles even if it forced a frustrated 'humph' out of the woman. Everyone knew she worked a lot. Each time he'd seen her since she broke up with his brother she'd been alone. Did she have someone he didn't know about? A secret lover?

"Do you have someone you owl late at night when your bed gets lonely?"

For a moment Charlie worried he might have actually offended her until she let out an adorable snort and started to laugh.

"And why should I tell you if I do?"

"Ahh, so you don't."

Hermione laughed again. It made him smile. He liked her better when she laughed. Usually she was too serious. They all were thanks to the war, but she was more than most. Not that he could blame her. She stared at him.

"Is this where you put on your most flirtatious smile, Charlie Weasley, and ask me 'would you like one'?"

If her smile was any indication, she wasn't offended after all. He was glad. That had never been his intention, only terrible curiosity. He hadn't even considered asking her such a bold question, but once she put the notion in his mind, he was undeniably intrigued.

Charlie's eyes dropped to her lips. Had he ever really looked at them before? He could imagine them wrapped around… no, he had to stop himself before he could get carried away. She was his little brother's ex. That automatically made it all very complicated.

"That's not what I was going to say."

"Oh."

Hermione looked disappointed. Was that even possible? Charlie wondered if he'd had more to drink than he realized. Wouldn't be the first time. His eyes fell from her lips to the body she kept well-hidden under her robes. What sort of noises would she make if he lightly bit the inside of her thigh? Would she run her fingers through his hair and hold his face in place right where she wanted? Would she beg him not to stop, praise him for doing what he knew he was good at?

Realizing he was staring, Charlie cleared his throat. Discreetly he tried to adjust his trousers hoping she didn't notice in the dark. He didn't expect the effect those thoughts had on him.

"But maybe I should."

"I'd hate for you to do anything you don't want to."

Evidently embarrassed for a reason he didn't fully understand, Hermione stood up from the bench to walk away. Had he hurt her feelings? He would never do that on purpose. Without considering any of the potential consequences, Charlie grabbed her hand. Gently he pulled her until she was seated in his lap.

The fire whiskey was to blame. That was it. His lips pressed against hers and there was no turning back. She opened her mouth to him and he didn't hesitate to claim it for his own. Who knew it was possible to share such a passionate kiss with Hermione Granger? Or that he would like it so much? She tasted of a heady combination of fire whiskey, mint, and… salt? Had she been crying before he walked up on her? He didn't know why the thought made him feel so protective. Wrapping his arms fully around her slim body, he held her closer as if that would somehow make it better.

He didn't know how long he kissed her before he had to be the one to stop. The simple kiss had grown very heated and they weren't exactly in the most private of locations, sadly.

"My mum could walk out here or maybe one of my nieces or nephews. I'd hate to have to explain what a man does with a woman he's attracted to."

"You're attracted to me?"

How could there be any doubt in her mind? Charlie took one of her hands and pulled it down to feel the bulge she was entirely responsible for.

"I would think that was obvious."

Her hand rubbing him though his trousers was a torture he wanted more of. What would it feel like it there was no barrier? If they were both completely naked? He worried he was going to go mad or just take her right there where anyone could walk up on them.

"You keep doing that, witch, and I'm going to embarrass myself."

"Has it been that long?"

He didn't want to remember how long it had been. Far too long. He hadn't been with anyone since her. Hadn't even wanted to.

"Yes, it has."

"Then where can we go where it's private and no one will find us?"

Was she serious? One look at her determined face and he knew she was. Perhaps his night would turn out more interesting than he ever imagined. He thought about how to answer her question. His dad's shed would be too cold and likely filled with sharp objects. Babies and children were in most of the bedrooms. Nothing would ever make him want to do anything on his parents' bed. There weren't enough bathrooms with so many people in the house that they wouldn't be found.

"No one ever goes into the attic."

She laughed.

"What a romantic setting."

He grew serious.

"If you're looking for romance, I can't give you that."

"Good, I don't have time for that."

Charlie kissed her again until they were both out of breath.

"I'll go up first. Wait a few minutes and meet me."

Once he had her agreement, he entered the house. Ignoring the promise he made to himself, he poured another glass of fire whiskey and drank it quickly. When he looked up, he saw Bill watching him from across the room. He didn't need a lecture so he headed up the stairs before his older brother could stop him.

The attic turned out to be the only empty room in the entire house if he didn't count the family ghoul he temporarily banished to a cupboard. He was glad he thought of the room. It was dusty, but it wasn't like they were going to be in there long. With few flat, sturdy surfaces to utilize, Charlie had to get creative. He cleared off the top of an old chest of drawers and using a spell, adjusted the height to perfectly match his body.

The sound of the hatch in the floor opening excited him all over again. He worried he was in danger of bursting the seams on his trousers when Hermione finally reached the top of the ladder and closed the hatch behind her. They were really going to go through with their mad plan. Part of him worried she would change her mind and leave him up there alone feeling like a fool.

She seemed nervous. He was too. Were they making a mistake they couldn't recover from? He was on the verge of suggesting they forget it all when she kissed him. Quickly it got heated between them. Before they went any further, he broke the kiss to make it known all over again. Expectations had to be crystal clear.

"This is just sex."

"That's all I want."

He kissed her again but wanted to make one more point very, very clear.

"You can't make me love you."