Amidst The Ashes

Chapter 10

The house tilted crazily and reminded him of some sort of fairy tale abode. If one hadn't previously believed in magic, one look at the Burrow would change that. Neville smiled as a garden gnome ran giggling across the yard, chased by a large yellow cat. The place was certainly not a paragon of order. It was a bit wild and haphazard and Neville thought that he had never seen such a homey looking place. It was nothing like the Hall. No wonder Charlie had such an easy smile, growing up in a place like this would breed those looks.

"Neville, are you going to stand out in the yard all day or are you coming inside?" Hermione, Ron, Remus and Neville had all apparated to the Weasley home. Now Hermione stood on the stoop, hands on her hips, looking back at him. It was only then he realized that he'd been left behind.

"Coming Hermione," he called, "sorry."

The door led into some sort of living area. There was a low table, a couch to one end in front of a fireplace and various chairs scattered about. Through an archway Neville could see the kitchen, and Mrs. Weasley busy bustling around.

"Neville.."

"old man,"

"Good to see you"

"Been awhile..."

"Hasn't it?"

Neville looked from side to side at the identical redheads that had come to bracket him like bookends. One arm of each twin was thrown around his shoulders, and he felt a bit dizzy as he tried to keep up with their tandem speech while simultaneously attempting to figure out which was which.

"We've got some great"

"candy that you really"

"ought to try"

"since you're here."

Neville knew the answer to this and he turned, breaking their hold on him and stepping back one pace so he could see them both. "Thank you very much, but I do believe I'll pass on that." Neville had developed a great reluctance to ingest anything that either of these two men handed him.

Fred and George (or was it George and Fred?) laughed and clapped him on the back. "Wised up have you? I told Fred you'd never go for it."

The one on the left was George then. Neville made a quick mental note that Fred was wearing blue, even as they hustled him over to the couch and sat him down.

"We promised, Mum," said Fred.

"That we'd set the table." George sighed.

"Do help yourself"

"To anything you want."

"Charlie and Bill will be here soon." Neville was certain that there was something a bit teasing in George's voice as he said that.

"Yeah, sit tight." Fred winked at his brother, patted Neville on the head and the twins vanished from the room.

"Try not to mind them," said a voice from the nearest chair, "they can't help themselves."

"Ron," Neville sighed. "Bit overwhelming, your family."

Ron chuckled. "Yes, and we're not even all here yet. You really can have a chocolate if you like. Those are Mum's. She'd skin them alive if they hexed those." As if in proof Ron reached over and took a truffle from the plate on the table next to his chair.

Neville watched closely as Ron chewed and then swallowed. His friend did not change color. There was no sign of erupting boils or antennae of any kind. Ron grinned at him and gestured as if to say 'I told you'. Neville watched him for another moment before giving in and taking a sweet for himself. It was without doubt one of the best confections he had ever tasted. "Mmmmm."

Ron nodded in agreement.

The door swung open, creaking a bit on its hinges. Neville turned at the noise. Suddenly the room narrowed until it contained only himself and the man who stood silhouetted in the doorway.

Charlie wore faded jeans, a black T-shirt and a traveling cloak that hung back off his shoulders almost like a cape. His hair was tousled hanging over one eye. He held a bunch of flowers in one hand and the other hung free, fingers curled softly against his thigh. Neville's breath caught in his throat.

Someone put a hand on Charlie's shoulder. Neville felt a flare of something in the region of his stomach before he looked up and connected the hand to its owner. Bill, that had to be Bill. Jealous, Neville? Of his brother? Neville slammed the door on the Gran voice and tried to make his expression look curious rather than hungry or desperate or in any way pathetic.

Molly Weasley hurried over to greet her sons. Neville watched as she received the flowers and a kiss from Charlie, and a bottle and a hug from Bill. The scene was simple and familiar. It spoke to Neville of family and home and it was wildly sweet for all its ordinariness. Molly made shooing motions with her hands and hurried back toward the kitchen. The brothers turned toward the living area and Charlie's eyes finally met Neville's and locked.

Three long strides, Neville counted them, until Charlie stood behind the couch. He vaulted it, coming to rest with long legs next to Neville's own and one arm resting around the boy's shoulder. "Hello you," Charlie said.

Neville took a breath but no words made it into the air. Charlie's hand was suddenly cupping his cheek and then there were lips on his. Neville let his eyes slide closed and gave himself over to that kiss. It deepened and trembled, Charlie's arm tightened around his shoulders. Neville opened to the assault, sighing softly as Charlie tasted him thoroughly. He'd never learn to live without this now, never want to.

It was the sound of someone loudly clearing their throat that ended the kiss. Charlie grinned at Neville as he opened his eyes, then turned to glare good-naturedly back over the couch.

"My, my, my,"

"Not very subtle"

"Brother mine."

Neville felt his mouth fall open when Charlie stuck his tongue out at the twins. "I leave the subtlety to you two." The twins laughed. Neville looked around, unsure whether to be embarrassed or ecstatic. Ron was blushing and examining his fingers. Bill was smiling indulgently, and Charlie did not look the least bit abashed. Charlie kicked Fred softly as the twins walked past toward the chairs on the other side of the coffee table.

"A mortal wound," cried Fred, falling forward onto George.

George caught him, lowering him to the floor in parody of a wounded soldier. "Never my comrade, I will save you. Then I will avenge this wrong."

Neville soon found himself witness to, and then part of, a viscous throw pillow fight started by the twins. Ron and Bill were also drawn in. When Molly came to beckon the boys to dinner Neville was laughing helplessly and thinking that he had never experienced anything like this.

~~~~~~~

Dinner was fantastic. Neville thought that the Hogwarts elves could take a lesson or two from Molly Weasley. Neville had half expected to feel awkward. The Burrow, however, seemed to welcome all that came there. Everyone laughed as they ate, even Remus. There were funny stories and anecdotes, and the war was not mentioned even once. Neville was formally introduced to Bill, and found him fascinating. Arthur went on and on about the "most amazing muggle gadget" he'd found called, of all things, a "can opener". Neville ate fluffy mashed potatoes and smiled when Charlie's hand found his thigh under the table. For an hour he allowed himself to forget everything.

"Molly, you have outdone yourself again. Thank you for this wonderful meal. I think we all needed it." Remus smiled as he spoke.

"Not at all, Remus dear, not at all," Mrs. Weasley beamed

Neville hastened to add his own thanks, as did the rest of the table and the room rang with "Yes, thank you so much, Mrs. Weasley," "Top notch, Mum," "Fabulous as always, dear," and so forth.

"Now, now you all are going to make me blush," Mrs. Weasley said, doing nothing of the sort. "We still have to have some sweets, then we'll all relax for a bit. Hermione, would you be a love and fetch the rest?"

Hermione smiled and got to her feet, returning moments later with a huge platter laden will all types of cookies, miniature tarts and pastries. Neville's mouth watered. When the platter was passed to him he carefully considered before his eyes lit upon a small raspberry tart. Raspberry was his favorite. He selected this before handing the remaining sweets to Bill on his left.

The first bite was fabulous. Tart and sweet melted in his mouth as he crunched into the flaky shell. He set down the other half and rolled the flavors on his tongue before swallowing. When his vision suddenly changed he knew instantly who was to blame, although not exactly what was happening. Neville had been the butt of the twins' jokes so many times. He should have known.

It was odd to suddenly have no hands. Neville breathed and swallowed again as the world flattened a bit and his hearing became more acute. There was laughter, an admonishment from Mrs. Weasley, and what sounded like an angry inhalation from Charlie. Neville turned his head and found that he had feathers where once there had been shoulders. Fabulous, simply excellent. I wonder if I can actually fly, perhaps dive-bomb the twins? Neville doubted that he would be able to learn such a skill instantaneously and so he resigned himself to waiting until the effect wore off.

"We call them luscious lovebirds," said Fred - blue shirt.

"Thought it was only fitting," replied George.

"Well in that case," Charlie's voice had an edge to it that Neville had rarely heard before, "I'll just eat the rest of this. Lovebirds survive best in pairs, you know."

Neville turned his head and watched in amazement as the flattened, multifaceted Charlie turned into a bird. Neville found himself tilting his head to one side and making some sort of chirping sound. The Charlie bird had a charcoal-colored head, green feathered body and indigo feathers at the base of his tail. There was a blush-colored patch on his breast. Neville was captivated. He was not certain if this was because he was part bird or simply because Charlie was apparently always beautiful, no matter what form he took.

Charlie leaned forward and brushed his head against Neville's. Did birds smile? There was more laughter from the surrounding table as well as an "awwww". That had to be Hermione. Neville shrugged, if it was possible to shrug as a bird, and settled closer to Charlie. It was always best to just go with these things.

~~~~~~~

Neville and the other boys made short work of the dishes while Molly, Arthur, Remus and Hermione chatted. Hermione had helped with the cooking so she was given a reprieve from cleaning. Bill and Ron pulled Neville over to the sink for a minute as Charlie and the twins took some things into the pantry. Apparently the Weasley boys all knew their brother well and expected a confrontation. Neville grabbed a towel and pretended that he was not straining to hear.

"...just a bit of fun."

"Now Charlie, don't look at us like that...."

"...was NOT amused. If he had been upset...."

"Charlie, mate...."

"...good sport..."

Thud.

Neville jumped and looked at the plate in his hand. He was causing trouble and he felt miserable. He bit his lip and rubbed the plate hard.

"Neville." Bill had put his hand on Neville's arm and smiled kindly at him when the other boy raised his eyes. "Don't worry. He won't hurt them. Weasley temper, he's just blowing off a bit of steam. They targeted you because of Charlie and he doesn't take kindly to such things."

Neville nodded mutely, hoping Bill was right. Family fights in his own house usually ended unpleasantly.

Charlie and the twins emerged from the pantry just then. Charlie had a smiling twin under each arm in a fake chokehold. "Brats," he said, releasing them.

The twins laughed, slapped Charlie on the back and went back to cleaning up as if nothing had happened. Neville swallowed and picked up another plate.

"Charlie," Bill said, walking over to his brother, "why don't you and Neville take a walk or something? We can handle this, and he's looking a bit pale." Bill spoke softly but Neville heard every word.

"Nev?" Charlie took the plate from him and led him outside. They walked in silence for a few minutes, across the yard and up toward a pasture ringed in trees. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't mean to cause trouble," Neville said. "I didn't mind the trick, really."

"There's no trouble. The twins and I came to an understanding."

Neville shifted uncomfortably, but nodded.

"None of that, now. I missed you, I've been worried. Smile for me will you? Please?"

Charlie sounded wistful and Neville, looking up into worried blue eyes, could not fail to respond as requested.

~~~~~~~

The two men broke apart when the sound of Charlie's name floated to them through the air. Charlie had pushed Neville up against the nearest tree and proceeded to make good on the threat from his letter. Neville considered himself appropriately senseless when the kiss finally ended. He was flushed and aroused and wanted nothing more than to find somewhere private and give in to the fantasies running riot through his head. Denied that option, Neville panted, resting his forehead against Charlie's shoulder as he tried to compose himself.

"We'll be right there, Bill," Charlie called, smoothing Neville's hair with his hand. "Damn. Rain check?"

"Definitely," Neville sighed. He stepped back, brushed his hand down Charlie's chest, straightening his shirt and smiling. "I don't suppose there's any way they won't know what we've been doing?" Neville asked, thinking of his own hot cheeks and looking daringly at the obvious bulge in Charlie's jeans.

"Too right. Wise of you to wear robes, they hide a lot. Try this." Charlie cast a particularly vicious cooling charm.

Neville was left shivering as cold wind bit through his clothes and ran down his spine. "Th..that certainly puts a damper on things," Neville said.

~~~~~~~

The entire group ended up back in the great room relaxing and chatting until it grew quite late. When Hermione fell asleep leaning against Ron, Mrs. Weasley called a halt to the evening.

"It's time all of you got to bed," she said, fixing each person in the room with a look. "Before you go, however, you must promise me, each one of you..." She waited until each head nodded. "Be careful. Take care of each other. Take care of yourselves. I've no intention of losing a single member of my family. Understood?" Her voice was firm, hands on hips, but there was a bit of a tremor in her lip and Charlie's arm around Neville tightened.

Everyone promised, even Hermione who'd been nudged roughly awake by Ron. There followed a quick flurry of hugs, thanks and retrieval of shoes. Remus, Hermione and Ron disappeared together after Remus and Charlie shared a speaking look. Bill and the twins left next, Arthur and Molly went back in the house and Neville found himself standing in the moonlit yard alone with Charlie.

"Shall we walk a ways?" Charlie asked, twining his fingers with Neville's. "I'm not anxious to leave you yet."

Neville nodded and allowed Charlie to lead him from the yard and down the narrow country lane that wound away from the Burrow. They walked without speaking. The soft night air kissed their cheeks. Cattle were lowing somewhere in the distance, crickets sang, and for this moment Neville allowed himself to believe that the peace surrounding him was real.

"So, I told Bill I was investigating a string of stolen dragon eggs. I have several contacts in the black market, or rather people who'd like to use me as a contact. Dragon parts are worth a lot of money. I let it be known, rather obliquely, that I might be interested in making some cash; that I might be bought for a price." Charlie didn't look at Neville as he spoke, just kept walking.

"I figured if any member of my family was on the wrong side they'd hear about my dealings, my supposed dealings, and contact me. So far nothing. It turns out, (and how ironic is this?), that there really has been a recent rash of stolen dragon eggs. Not from my reserve, but there were several instances in Spain and one in Turkey. Something is actually going on."

Neville squeezed Charlie's hand but said nothing, it seemed to him that the man needed to talk without interruption.

"I hate lying to them. I even looked up Percy, told him Mum missed him, that he needed to stop being a git. He was officious and rude, really. Thing is, I kept seeing him when he was seven years old and he fell out of our old cherry tree. He twisted his ankle and scraped most of the skin off his arm. He cried, and I held him while Bill ran for Mum. I just wanted to make him stop hurting. He looked at me the same way this week, although he'd deny it to the death. He hurts, Nev, and I don't know how to fix it. It's not even my place - but I want to." Charlie ran his other hand through his hair and they walked a bit slower now.

"I love these people. Mum's always knitting and trying to stuff everyone full of food. She's fierce and protective and I cannot possibly see her harming one of her sons. She'd die first. She considers Harry her son. Dad's more likely to get in trouble for saving Muggle artifacts than for doing something nefarious. The twins? Ron? They're my baby brothers. I'm supposed to protect them, not sneak around suspecting them of doing evil, unthinkable things. Hermione and Remus? She's Muggleborn, and he loves Harry like his own son. Dumbledore's our great white wizard, and Snape may be a berk, but he's risked his life for over a decade to help our side. Yet Harry's dying. He's dying alone and in pain, locked in a secret little room, like he used to be locked in a cupboard. And I can't do anything."

Neville couldn't stand the pain in Charlie's voice for one more second and so he drew them to a halt, stepped close and wrapped his arms around Charlie's waist. "Take me back, Charlie. Take me back to GP and we'll figure it out."

They apparated together, coming to stand in the dingy bus station toilet still wrapped in each other's arms. An old Muggle made some snide comment as they emerged from the public restroom arm in arm, but neither paid attention. The walk to Grimmauld Place was quick and silent.

The door creaked ominously as it opened and Mrs. Black yelled.

----Traitors! Perverts!----

Charlie jumped and glared at the portrait. "Old cow hasn't changed I see."

----Miscreant!----

Charlie took five quick steps across the room, yanked the curtain all the way open and sneered. "Jealous are we?" Then he closed the drapes took Neville's hand and walked up the stairs. Mrs. Black continued to yell.

"Where?" Charlie asked, and Neville led him to the correct door.

Once inside Charlie cast locking and warding spells, added a silencing spell and whispered other protection measures that wound their way around the room in glowing arcs of colored magic. Neville stood near the table and watched silently as Charlie went a bit overboard. When he was finished Charlie walked to Neville, placed his wand on the table, his cloak on the chair, and drew Neville into his arms with such force that he stumbled.

"Merlin, I hate that you're here. I hate it that you're in danger. I can't lose you, Neville." Charlie kissed him then, kissed him hard and desperately, and Neville could only cling to him and open to that assailing mouth.

Charlie had always been gentle in the past, slow and soft, careful of every move. Now his hands tore at Neville's robes, pushing them from his shoulders and stepping over them as they fell. Neville let himself be guided backward toward his bed. His own hands fumbled to pull Charlie's T-shirt from his jeans, and he sighed when his fingers found flesh.

Neville toed off his trainers and yanked Charlie's shirt up and over his head. Charlie allowed their mouths to part long enough to remove both his shirt and Neville's, then captured Neville's lips again in a bruising kiss. Charlie's hands went to Neville's belt, and Neville's made similar forays into Charlie's clothes. In moments, Neville was on his back on the bed, Charlie's firm weight covering him.

"Missed you. Want you. Been so worried." Charlie kissed words onto Neville's face, his jaw, his ear. Lips ran down his neck and played havoc with the pulse point there. Neville swam in sensation, pushing himself up against his lover and reveling in the feel of being so close.

"Mine," Charlie growled and sank teeth into the tendon joining Neville's neck and shoulder.

Neville shuddered and whimpered as Charlie marked him. He'd never have imagined anything like this. A tongue soothed the hurt and ran down Neville's chest to circle one of his nipples.

"Gods! Charlie!" Neville gasped and pushed into that mouth. He ran his hands over Charlie's back, delved fingers into his hair; but it was clear that Charlie was in control. Neville had no complaints.

Charlie found another piece of skin, sucking and biting softly. Neville cried out again. Hands ran over Neville's skin, down his sides, over his hips. Neville gasped as Charlie slid down his body, warm skin and soft hair tickling him until Charlie came to rest between Neville's legs. Charlie kissed Neville's belly.

Neville was whimpering constantly now, arching and clenching his fingers in the bed linens, wanting to give something back to his lover but unable to convince his quickly liquefying limbs to comply. Charlie's fingers continued to move over his body, touching him softly and possessively. Neville was sure he screamed when Charlie suddenly engulfed him.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God!" Charlie ministered to him in a way he had only imagined. Charlie moved slowly and Neville climaxed so hard that black spots danced before his eyes and tears ran down his cheeks. He shuddered and sobbed and wondered if it was possible to die of bliss.

~~~~~~~

"Are you okay?" Charlie's words brought Neville back from the place where he'd been floating. He realized with a start that Charlie was licking tears from his face. His own eyes met Charlie's, still deepest blue with desire, but concerned.

"I..." Neville swallowed and tried to remember how to talk. "Love you, love you." It seemed important to remind Charlie of that, to let him know how much it meant to Neville that the other man was here with him.

Charlie shivered against him and kissed him, softly this time. "I love you too." The voice was husky but sure and Neville was warmed deep in his soul, as he was every time Charlie spoke that phrase.

Neville was still gasping and unable to string more than one or two words together at a time. "Amazing," pant, "so amazing."

Charlie smiled, "Yes," he agreed, "you are."

Neville wrapped his still shaking arms around Charlie and moved his thigh, causing Charlie to groan deep in his throat. Neville could feel him quivering in an effort not to move.

"Charlie?" he said, kissing his jaw, his cheek, blushing madly in anticipation of what he was about to say. "Take me."

Charlie went very still, even as Neville watched something light deep in his eyes. "Nev, we don't have to, I'm..."

Neville kissed him, swallowing the denials. "Take me. Please? Want you so much." Time was short. They were at war. One or both of them might die before the week was out. All these things ran through Neville's head, but they were not the impetus for his decision. He loved Charlie with all his heart and at this moment there was only one thing he wanted. Rationalizations were not necessary. It was alright to be selfish once in a while. It had to be.

Charlie shuddered, the tremor running through his whole body and consequently through Neville's as well. He rolled over, hands coming to rest on either side of Neville's face, forcing their eyes to meet. "Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?"

Neville smiled. He'd never been more sure of anything in his life. He felt brave and wanton and safe. Charlie was right - Neville was his. "Yes, Charlie, very, very sure."

Charlie closed his eyes for a long moment and Neville knew that he'd convinced him. "You won't be sorry, Nev. Promise."

"I know."

Charlie started over. This time the kisses were soft and consuming. Charlie mapped every inch of skin on Neville's face, his neck, his chest. Each time that Neville tried to return a touch Charlie pushed his hands down, even going so far once as to kiss each one of his fingers and trace patterns on Neville's palm with his tongue. At last Neville gave himself over completely to Charlie's care and proceeded to melt into the mattress.

When Charlie rolled Neville onto his stomach, Neville did not think of protesting. He simply allowed Charlie to move him. Neville was aroused but this was a slowly building arousal that he was in no hurry to end. Charlie began again, mouth and fingers and warm skin sliding over Neville's back. Nerve endings sang in places that Neville had never realized existed before. Charlie left soft nipping bites on his spine, tongued the backs of his arms, sucked hard on the small of his back. Neville skin burned and quivered.

"Charlie, Merlin!" Neville sobbed, and sensation swamped him.

As Charlie began to prepare him Neville moaned despite himself. Charlie shushed him, kissing and holding him, whispering sweetly to him. When Charlie suggested stopping Neville shook his head hard began to plead, although he was not entirely sure what it was he wanted.

"Please, please, please." Neville begged unashamedly.

"Want you so much. Love the sounds you make...that's it." Charlie's voice was deep and husky, and Neville could have licked it. He groaned. Charlie moved them closer together and then they were one.

Neville's thoughts spiraled off as he concentrated only on feeling. Neville had never thought he could be this close to another person, could never have imagined it, yet now as Charlie rocked against him he felt complete. Safe. Loved.

When at last they lay together, tangled in sheets and each other, there was no need for words. For long moments Neville contented himself with savoring the feeling of being in Charlie's arms. It had been nothing like he'd imagined it would be (although he was grateful for the silencing charm) and Neville found himself reliving the emotion, the connection that had been, and was, so much more than physical.

After what seemed to Neville as both a long time and a very short one, Charlie moved - only enough to reach his wand. He whispered spells to make them both comfortable, straightening the sheets and covering them with a blanket. Neville would have been content to bask in Charlie's warmth alone.

"Are you alright?" Charlie's voice was barely a whisper, tickling the back of Neville's neck as they lay together. "Did I hurt you? Merlin, that was...." Charlie softly kissed his shoulder, holding him very close.

"Yes. No. It was." Neville did not want to move, did not want to speak and risk breaking the spell or waking from this dream. Instead he snuggled back against Charlie, sighed contentedly and fell into a dreamless sleep.