Rose Among the Thorns

Chapter 14- Wedding Plans

Thursday came much quicker than he had anticipated, Charlie mused as he waved his wand around his living room, causing books to return to the bookcase, empty mugs and dishes to zoom into the kitchen, and crumbs to disappear from the threadbare carpet. He had boxed up some of his possessions and taken them to Hermione's on Tuesday while she was at work, only seeing her when she let him into her flat. Hermione had owled and said she would arrive at 6:30, so he promised her dinner. A thick cloud of smoke coming from the kitchen alerted him to trouble.

Charlie rushed into his tiny kitchen and wrenched open the stove. He sputtered and coughed as he donned a pair of kitchen gloves to pull out the remains of a very charred pot roast. He hurried to open a window and stared down at the beleaguered remains of the magnificent supper he had envisioned presenting to a delighted and thoroughly impressed Hermione.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath, waving a kitchen glove at the thick smoke emanating from the blackened roast. "Look's like we'll be having take away." He swore again as the doorbell rang. Throwing his gloves on the table he muttered a charm to clear the smoke out of the living room.

"Hermione! Come on in," he said, welcoming his fiancé into his flat.

She looked around, taking in her surroundings. Chudley Cannons posters, a large English flag, and photographs of the Weasley family and, of course, dragons covered the walls.

"Typical bachelor pad," she said with a grin.

Charlie groaned inwardly as he saw her sniff the air.

"Is something burning?" she asked him, still trying to discern the smell.

He rumpled the hair on the back of his head. "Now that you mention it, I was going to make supper," he started.

"But you don't have your mother's talents," Hermione finished for him. "It's alright, we can just order take away."

Charlie grinned. "My sentiments exactly. What are you hungry for?"

She plopped down on his well-worn sofa, which had been covered by a very large quilt.

"Any Chinese places nearby?" she asked.

"One," he replied.

~~~~~~~

A few minutes later they were gorging themselves on Lo Mein and Moo Goo Gai Pan. They both abandoned chop sticks in favor of forks after Charlie tried to pick up a piece of chicken and it flew magnificently across the sofa and hit Hermione in the chin. She took it with good grace and neatly wiped the sauce off with her napkin, reassuring Charlie that she did indeed still want to marry him.

They discussed the wedding; luckily everything had fallen neatly into order. The flowers had been ordered, menu arranged, and bridesmaids' gowns and groomsmen's robes were all in order. Charlie had purchased a new set of dress robes earlier in the week and Mrs. Weasley had told Hermione that she was going to make the wedding cake and not to worry.

One bottle of wine later the take away cartons were empty and Charlie and Hermione were sitting on his sofa, both slightly giddy from the alcohol.

"Have you heard from Malfoy or Goyle lately?" Charlie asked.

Hermione smirked. "I think Harry's made sure Malfoy doesn't threaten me again. He was in St. Mungo's for three days before they could sort out all the jinxes and hexes."

Charlie laughed. "Well at least that's taken care of."

Hermione smiled back. They sat in a slightly awkward silence for a few moments.

"So," Charlie said.

"So," Hermione replied.

*****

Charlie was taken completely aback when she leaned over and gently pressed her lips to his. She tasted like the wine and something sweet, strawberries, perhaps? He moved his hand up her arm, over her slim shoulder and into her heavy hair. She put one of her hands on his stubbly cheek. The kiss deepened, both of them caught up in the moment that neither knew how started.

He was shocked even further when Hermione's tongue sneaked between his teeth into his mouth. "Merlin's beard, who would have thought that little miss perfect could kiss like this!" Charlie thought. Finally, Hermione pulled away, her eyes dark and lips full and a deep, freshly kissed, rose colour. She looked down into her lap, as though she had been caught doing something naughty.

"Sorry," she mumbled, twisting her fingers together.

Charlie put his index finger under her chin and lifted her face until she gazed back in his eyes. "You've done nothing to be sorry for," he said softly, bringing his other hand up to caress the side of her face. Hermione leaned into his calloused hand.

"We're to be married in two days. We're both confused and uncertain about everything that's happening around us." He leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "Just know that whatever happens, I'll never hurt you."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing his unshaven cheek.

She stood to leave. Charlie reached up and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The next moment she was gone. Charlie leaned back on the sofa and exhaled loudly.

"How in the name of Merlin's balls did that happen?" he asked the empty room.

~~~~~~~

Early the next morning Charlie went to St. Mungo's and sat next to his unconscious brother.

"Well, Ron, I don't know if anyone's told you yet, but I've got to tell you anyways. They've passed a law for purebloods and muggleborns to marry. Malfoy had his goon sidekick Goyle petition for Hermione, so I petitioned for her too." He sighed heavily. "We're getting married tomorrow afternoon. I...I'm sorry about this, I know how much you cared for each other and if you hadn't got hurt, it'd be you marrying her, not me." Charlie paused, raking a hand through his hair. "I just want you to know that I'll take good care of her, I promise. And..." Charlie stopped again. "I think...I think I might...I think I might be falling in love with her."

He stopped to look at his brother. Ron remained silent, except for his steady, even breathing.

"I wanted to tell you, I mean, I wanted to make sure you were alright with it," Charlie mumbled. "I didn't plan it or anything, it just... happened." He looked at his younger brother. Ron continued to lay with his eyes closed, oblivious to everything.

"Well, I'll be back later, little brother," he said, standing.

He had been foolish to think that Ron would miraculously leap out of bed fully coherent after five years in a coma when told that he, Charlie, was marrying Ron's childhood love. Charlie could not know that two weeks earlier, Hermione had thought the same thing.

*******

notes: I've always wondered if Hermione is a little frisky when intoxicated. She can't be straight laced all of the time, can she?