Willow Song

XIV. A Date with Charlie

On December 31st, Charlie left for several hours. He returned carrying two garment bags and handed one to Serena. "Mum," he called, "you'll have two less for supper. I'm taking Serena out for the evening. Serena, I'll be at your room to pick you up in two hours." He grinned happily as he watched Serena and Ginny race upstairs with the garment bag.

Serena and Ginny giggled as they frantically opened the garment bag. Inside was a deep rose-colored evening gown with a chiffon overlay finished with a handkerchief hem. The sleeves were short, sheer chiffon, and diamond shaped. The deep v-shaped neck plunged to an empire waist with some soft chiffon bridging the gap. Serena gasped and Ginny ooed at the gown. She slipped it on, amazed at how well it fit. Molly tapped at the door and came in.

"Oh, don't you look lovely, dear!"

"Mrs. Weasley, how'd he know my size?"

"I helped him with that; you're about the same size I was at your age. He's been planning this all week. Here," she said, handing Serena some clear slippers with roses embedded in the plastic heels. "He couldn't fit these in the bag, or these," she said, pulling out several tiny baby rose buds. "These were my idea. Have you ever worn your hair up before?" Ginny and Molly unbraided Serena's long plait and brought her hair up into an elaborate twist with a few fine soft tendrils along her hair line, then tucked the baby roses into her hair. Ginny put the tiniest bit of blush, mascara, and pink lip-gloss on her. Molly left and returned with a tourmaline necklace and matching dangling earrings explaining, "They were my mother's. I don't often have a chance to wear them with seven children." She placed the jewelry on Serena.

Serena was just admiring her transformation in the mirror when Charlie knocked on the door. Molly opened it to a Charlie wearing a black tuxedo with tails and a cutaway collared shirt and bowtie. He looked extremely handsome with his deep red hair slicked back and an adoring smile playing with his dimples. He took in a slow breath. "You look even more beautiful than I imagined you would be. You're drop-dead gorgeous."

"Thank you. You look rather incredible yourself. Where are we going?"

"I have reservations at the poshest restaurant in muggle London. It's the one on the roof of the Waldorf-Hilton hotel."

"How lovely! Have you got muggle money with you?" Molly asked as she fastened Serena's cloak around her neck.

"It's taken care of." Charlie led Serena to the living room where they received wolf whistles from Bill, Fred, George, Ron, and Harry, and applause from Arthur, Ginny, and Percy. Molly took their picture before they left. "Don't wait up, family. Love you, Mum." Then he showed Serena the address of the coffee shop in the alleyway behind the hotel, and they apparated there together, unnoticed by muggles.

As they walked up to the restaurant, Serena thought about Charlie's last comment. Finally, she asked, "Charlie, when you said 'Don't wait up' to your family, did you imply you had plans for some other part of this building besides the restaurant?"

"Serena!" he exclaimed in mock amazement. "Are you accusing me of being less than a gentleman?"

"No. Well, maybe?" Serena smiled cautiously.

"I have taken a room. But the only way you'll persuade me to use it for seduction purposes is if you elope with me tonight. Barring that, it'll just give us a nice uninterrupted place to talk for awhile."

"Was that a proposal?"

"Would you elope with me tonight if it was?"

"No."

"Then it wasn't a proposal."

They rode the lift to the roof and ate an elegant seven-course meal under the glass roof. After dinner they danced to the orchestra, waltzing under the stars twinkling through the skylight. After the third waltz, Charlie whispered, "Do you have any idea how right you feel in my arms? I love you, Serena." He then kissed her on the dance floor. Serena stiffened, then she pulled away. He sighed. "I think it's time to check out our room." Serena looked anxious. Charlie counted out the money for the meal, plus a tip, and pulled a card key out of his pocket. He took Serena's hand and walked her to room 1263.

The room was on the 12^th floor, with a spectacular view of London. It was elegantly furnished, richly covered in velvet with a marble bath and gold fixtures. The four-poster bed was hung with tapestry drapes, and covered with a goose down duvet and six thick feather pillows.

"Are you sure this isn't the part where you seduce me?" Serena asked, trying to joke past the lump in her throat.

"Nope, this is the part where we both speak the truth." He sat on the bed and motioned for Serena to join him. "Seduction might be easier."

"Serena, you know I love you. I thought that from the letters we've been exchanging that we had an agreement. I'm just waiting for you to get out of school, but if it's not mutual between us, tell me now. Is there another bloke you fancy? You and Fred have been watching a lot of sunsets together. Or is it that Longbottom boy who was such a knight to you? If that's it, I'll go away. I want you to be happy." He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "All right. That was a lie. I do want you to be happy, but if it's another bloke, I'll fight for you and try to win you back, even if it means fighting my little brother. Just tell me. When you stiffened in my arms, I thought I'd die inside. I have to know what's the matter."

"There's no one else, Charlie. I just don't want you to wait for me anymore. Find someone else. Please."

"Why? I don't want anyone else. Just you. Do you still care at all for me?"

"I do care. That's why I'm letting you go. I won't be able to live in a dragon keep in Romania. I won't be able to manage a big house full of kids. You're active and you like animals and being outside. My path doesn't lead there."

"What do you mean?"

"I have to help those damaged in the war. I need to help them. It's my calling. I won't have time for a family."

"You're not making any sense. I don't see why we can't do it all. If you don't like Romania, we'll move!" Charlie's angry hurt was rising in his voice.

"Charlie, I know you're noble and honorable. I don't want you stuck with me out of duty or pity. I can't ruin your life."

"The only way you'll ruin my life is if you're not in it! What aren't you telling me?"

Serena let out a long slow breath. "Charlie, you remember the prophecy? The great sacrifice that I must make? I know what it is now." Charlie looked into her face, concerned.

"My second sight has been getting steadily stronger ever since I was hit with those Conjunctivitis Curses. A sacrifice is something you give up to get something better. I'm, I'm--" Serena broke off, unable to say the words. Instead she thought them and focused them into Charlie's mind. "I'm going blind, Charlie. It's irreversible."

Charlie looked up at her, painfully and suddenly aware of how Serena's powers had grown, both anguish and relief washing over his countenance. "It doesn't matter. We'll work around it," he whispered as he hugged her. Serena was aware that they were both crying. "I don't have to work with dragons forever. Or I can transfer to a dragon keep closer to home. You can still do what you need to do. I'll help you. Just don't leave me. Let me be there for you always."

"I love you, Charlie," she whispered. He kissed her tenderly, like he was healing her with each kiss he placed on her face. He placed one kiss on each eye, taking away some of her emotional pain with each kiss. Then he hugged her again and kissed her on the lips. Months of pent-up passion burst forth.

They had been necking in earnest for several minutes when Charlie stopped, straightened up his rumpled tux, and apologized. "I'm sorry. I said this wouldn't be a seduction scene, and here I've nearly done it."

"There were two of us making choices here, Charlie. Not just you." Serena sat up and smoothed her dress.

Charlie reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. "Serena Willowsong, will you marry me? We can be engaged as long as you need, we'll live anywhere you need to live, but please be mine."

Serena opened the box. It held a gold ring with two coils of gold turning outward in opposite directions with a deep blue violet tanzanite held between the two coils and a tiny diamond in the center of each spiral. It was exquisite.

"Can you handle at least a two year engagement? I only turn eighteen next month, and I have things to do still," she answered.

"Two years! Wait, then, it's yes?"

"Yes, I'll marry you--in two years or so." Beaming, Charlie put the ring on Serena's finger, and then kissed her happily.

"Did your mum know you were going to propose tonight?" Serena asked, remembering Molly's excitement in getting Serena ready and her strange lack of protest at 'don't wait up.'

"I didn't tell her, but I think she suspected." He smiled again. "Do you want to stay here tonight, or head back to the Burrow?"

"Let's wait until we're ready to be parents for that, but we could watch some television if you like, before we go back."

"I've never seen television."

Serena turned the set on, skipped the televised New Year's Eve celebrations and went to the movie menu. "Let's see, we have An Affair to Remember--a lovely drippy romance, Big--a comedy about a twelve year old muggle trapped in a thirty year old body, The Cowboys--a John Wayne western written about some boys taking on a man's job, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure--a time travel farce.

"What do you recommend?"

"I've seen them all and liked them all."

"Which one's the funniest? I could use some humor right now."

"Bill and Ted it is."

So Charlie and Serena laughed and enjoyed Bill and Ted's adventures in San Dimas while they cuddled on the bed.

When the movie ended, Charlie told her, "Okay, Mrs. Weasley, time to go home."

"Not yet."

"Not yet Mrs. Weasley, or not yet time to go home?"

"Both. I need to know how you're going to handle having a blind wife," Serena asked, the tension returning to her throat.

"We'll figure it out together, and if we need to get you some help, we'll find some Squib who needs a place to stay or something. Or we can add on to the Burrow and live there so Mum can help you. Or build next door. We'll work it out. And I'll put in for a transfer to a dragon keep close to home, and change careers if that doesn't work. Don't worry about it. Now, why don't you tell me what the healer said, and how you're really doing?"

So Serena told him all. How it started. What Snape had suspected. Her prognosis. "Right now, my eyes get tired easily, and I'm more sensitive to light. The shadows all seem deeper too. The healer said glasses won't help, and it'll likely be up to four years before I'm sightless, but it could be sooner. Right now, I just want to drink in as much color as I can, while I can. I don't want any one to feel sorry for me. I'm both frightened and determined. The Light is giving me a new understanding of my power, and I've got to use that power to serve the Light. I don't yet know how, but I know that one day I'll be able to heal Neville's parents. And Charlie, I'm not ready to tell your family."

"Fair enough. You tell them when you're ready. Bright light hurts your eyes?"

Serena nodded, glassy-eyed.

"There's a kiosk in the lobby that carries sunglasses. Let's find you some beautiful ones before we go." He hugged her again. "Witch, you've got me. I'll be here for you always. I promise. Hey, where's your compass?"

"It didn't go with the dress. It's in Ginny's room."

"Well, all right. I suppose it's okay as long as you're with me. But if you're not with me, I expect you to wear it."

They gathered up their things and walked to the door. As they went down the lift, Serena asked Charlie, "This date must have cost a fortune, how did you afford it on a dragon keeper's wages?"

"I borrowed it from Fred and George. Their business is doing magnificently."

The lift opened, and they went to the lobby gift shop. Charlie watched as Serena tried on several pairs of sunglasses. He laughed at most of them, but they finally found two pairs that they both liked. He paid for them, and then went to the alley and disapparated with Serena.

The Burrow was dark when they entered. They carefully tip-toed around, trying to wake no one. They were crossing the dark, quiet living room when a voice from the couch asked, "What are you tip-toeing around for, little brother?"

"Bill?" whispered Charlie.

Another voice from the chair answered, "There's no use whispering; we're all up."

"Ginny?" asked Serena.

The lights came on, and Charlie and Serena were peppered with questions. Molly caught sight of the ring on Serena's left hand and beamed, "I knew it! I knew it! Oh Serena, you're going to be a member of the family. Ginny, you have a sister."

"Slow down, Mum. We're going to have a long engagement--it'll be two years before we even set the date."

Fred and George and Bill teased Charlie mercilessly amid the congratulations. Arthur gave Serena a fatherly hug, then said--"Let's get to bed everybody. We can talk more in the morning."

They trudged off to bed. Ginny whispered to Serena, "So how did he ask? Did he get on one knee?"

"He sat by me on the bed."

"A bed? Where did he ask you?"

"In room 1263 of the Waldorf-Hilton Hotel."

"You were in a hotel room!! Did you, did you--you know, celebrate?"

"Ginny! We kept our celebrating short of anything that might cause premature parenthood."

Ginny giggled. "Serena, out of all my brothers, why did you choose Charlie? Why'd he stand out for you?"

"You have six really wonderful brothers, Ginny. Bill is cool and edgy. Percy's smart and orderly and nice mannered. Fred and George are funny and outgoing. Ron is loyal and brave. Charlie seems to me to have the best of all of them, plus I like that he's a rugged outdoorsy type. And Charlie's nice to look at. The dimples when he smiles make me melt inside, every time. He may be the shortest of your brothers, but he's got broad shoulders, a muscular back and chest, and a compact seat. He's dead sexy!"

"Serena! I can't believe you said that."

"Why not, I've heard you say similar things about Harry. And I'd better think Charlie's sexy--I'm going to have his children."

Ginny erupted into giggles. Mrs. Weasley shouted for them to go to sleep.

"G'night."

The next morning the Weasley's had a big celebratory engagement breakfast and asked for all the details of the night before. Whenever they talked about watching Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Mr. Weasley grew especially animated in his interest. Serena and Charlie left out the part about her telling him about her dimming eyesight. Serena wasn't ready for everyone to know.

Fred pulled Serena aside after breakfast. "Does he know about your eyes?"

"Yes, I told him. But I'm not ready to tell the rest of your family."

"Did you tell him before or after he proposed?"

"Before. And what are you implying?"

"It's nothing personal. If Charlie didn't marry you, I'd probably ask you myself. I just wanted to make sure he's going into this with both eyes open."

That night Serena returned the necklace and earrings to Mrs. Weasley, packed the gown and shoes into her trunk with the rest of her things, packed her guitar into its case, and got ready to return to Hogwarts for her final semester. She thanked the Weasleys for their generosity.

Charlie and Serena apparated to Platform 9 ¾ together. Charlie rested his hands on Serena's shoulders. "Are you wearing your compass?" Serena nodded, smiled, and pulled out the chain out from under her blouse. "I love you, witch. Write to me all the time. " He kissed her long and hard, ignoring the catcalls and applause of Serena's fellow students looking through the windows of the train.

She yelled, "I love you, Charlie," as she climbed on board the train.

Serena sat down in Ginny, Neville, and Luna's compartment.

"So how was your Christmas holiday?" Neville asked.

Ginny answered for her. "She's going to be my sister." She thrust forward Serena's left hand.

Neville's mouth dropped open, "You're engaged? You're not even out of school yet."

Luna asked, "Which of Ginny's brothers are you going to marry?"

Ginny answered for Serena again. "Charlie, of course. He's my twenty-two year old brother. You two must not have been looking out the train window."

Neville and Luna gave their congratulations, then Serena pulled out her quill to write to the Samuelsons. There was much to tell about this holiday.