At precisely 12:53pm on Christmas Eve, Charlie Weasley stepped through the International Floo in the Ministry of Magic. He checked in with the wizard on duty and made a quick exit, hoping no one from his family would spot him. He had somewhere to be before he headed to the Burrow.

Apparating to Diagon Alley, he ducked into Ollivander's. When the old shopkeeper saw him, he said, "Charlie Weasley! Ash, twelve inches, unicorn hair if I do remember correctly?"

Charlie smiled at the man, knowing he did this with every former patron who walked into his shop. "It was, until I went to Romania and it didn't really agree with the dragons. I had to get something a bit more powerful."

Nodding his head, Ollivander said, "That makes sense. While consistent in its magic, unicorn hair isn't the most powerful of cores. What suits you now?"

"Oddly enough, it's eleven inches, Maple, with a Phoenix feather core," Charlie replied.

"A most interesting combination indeed! A wand that needs a challenge and doesn't like being rooted in one place too long! Has the Phoenix feather ever acted on its own for you in a dangerous situation?"

Charlie thought for a moment. "Once. A perfectly placed Conjunctivitis Curse to a very angry dragon."

Ollivander nodded. "So if it's serving you properly, what brings you in today?"

Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm here to see Hermione. She asked me to bring some heartstrings back from Romania for her."

Ollivander nodded and led him to the back where Hermione was hunched over a desk, carving away at a piece of wood that was much too large to be a wand at the moment. She hadn't even noticed them entering the room.

"She usually has some Muggle music contraption going and it only plays in her ears. Absolutely mad if you ask me!" the old man explained before heading back out into the shop.

Charlie was secretly glad he'd left them alone; now he could greet his witch properly. Leaning down behind her, he could hear a loud guitar riff and she was nodding her head along, her messy bun swaying to the rhythm. He planted a kiss on her cheek and she screeched, jumping out of her seat and turning her knife on him.

"Fucking hell, Charlie! Were you trying to kill me?" she shouted.

Smiling at her, he replied, "With a kiss? I know I'm good, but—"

She cast a Muffliato and said, "We're still not talking about it until after the holiday. I've already disappointed your mother once when things with Ron didn't work out, and quite frankly, I'd like to just owl our news to Ron because I don't want to be in the same room with him when he finds out."

Charlie ran his hands through his much too short hair. He'd had it cut for Christmas at the Burrow, not wanting to be lectured about how he was now over thirty and needed to grow up and settle down. Little did they all know, he was ready to do just that now that he had her.

Her. Hermione. The girl his little brother had been besotted with, had talked about constantly every time he saw him. Despite being eight years her senior, all of the qualities Ron described made her sound like his perfect woman. He knew from the beginning she was in no way suited to Ron, a man who wouldn't read a book if his life depended on it. When he finally allowed himself to really look at her after she and Ron had ended things, he knew she was exactly what he wanted.

"Fine, Hermione. We won't talk about how I want to rip that tight little jumper off of you right now and suck on—"

She shot a Silencio at him. "No. I am at work. As much as I would like that, you need to go and meet me later tonight. Find an excuse to leave the Burrow, and I will definitely welcome you back to England properly."

Even standing there magically silenced, he wanted her. She had a quick temper and was a quick draw with her wand, something that most didn't appreciate about her, thinking she was only Harry Potter's bookworm sidekick, but he saw through that image. She was full of fire, like one of his beloved dragons, truly untamable and fierce down to the core.

Gesturing to his lips, he made her smile as she lifted her spell. "Okay, Fireball. I'll sneak out and meet you tonight. Godric knows I won't be able to make it through Christmas tomorrow if we don't get some time together first. It's been what…?"

"Six weeks," she answered, and it made him happy she'd been counting the days, just like he had. "I don't think I'd be able to make it through, either."

Testing his luck, he said, "You have to admit, shagging in the middle of the Burrow would certainly let everyone know we're together."

As expected, she leveled him with her fiery glare.

Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the vials containing eight perfectly harvested dragon heartstrings, each from a different breed and labeled properly. Her eyes lit up. "I never imagined you'd be able to get this many."

"Well, we did annual health checks on most of the dragons over the past couple of weeks," he explained. "They were sedated, so the technique you showed me was relatively easy to perform."

Temperamental as ever, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. "Oh, I can't wait to try them. Best Christmas present ever! Thank you so much!"

"That's not your Christmas present, Hermione. Don't be ridiculous."

She squeezed him once more before letting go. "Okay, but it would be completely fine if it was!"

Pecking her lips quickly, he stuffed his hands in his pockets in an attempt to stop himself from pulling her back to him.

"I'll see you tonight. Wear something… well, fuck, don't wear anything at all," Charlie said.

Hermione smiled at him and waved him away. "Go, see your mum so you can come tonight!"

"Oh, I plan on it," he teased, turning and walking away.

When Charlie arrived at the Burrow, his mother was exuberant as ever. In the years since Fred's death, she'd slowly returned to the pre-war Molly Weasley, bustling around her kitchen and knitting Christmas jumpers year-round. The first few years, she hadn't been able to do it, saying it didn't feel right not making one for Fred.

"I can't believe you've come home for Christmas! I'm so happy to see you!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

Mentally rolling his eyes, he said, "Mum, I've been home for Christmas for the past three years. I'm not going to miss any more holidays or birthdays or anything."

"Oh, I know," she sniffled. "It's just… I like having a nearly full house for the holidays. It makes things easier on me."

He squeezed her tighter, mentally debating giving her the news of his impending move earlier. The only person who knew about his permanent return to England was Hermione, and she was sworn to secrecy. He didn't want to tell anyone about their relationship at Christmas, especially coupled with the news that he was moving back — Hermione didn't want the familial pressure she had felt with Ron to invade their life immediately.

His mum would think he was moving back so he and Hermione could get married, and Ron was likely going to fly into a fit of jealous rage. While Hermione had made it clear she was not interested in Ron, he always seemed to be waiting for her to change her mind. It had been a major point of contention for her when they'd started this relationship — she didn't want to hurt him all over again — but Charlie had eventually persuaded her that it would all work out in the end.

When Molly ushered him into the kitchen, he sat at the scrubbed wooden table and accepted the food and drink she set in front of him, knowing that some things would never change about his parents. His mother was the consummate caretaker, and his father would always tinker with the Muggle things that found their way to the Burrow. She sat down across from him while he ate.

"So, how have things been in Romania?" she asked.

Charlie swallowed the bite of steak and kidney pie before answering. "They've been good. Actually, they've been really great. We're setting up a few new things with the Ministry of Magic to make it easier for dragons to be transported from anywhere in Britain to the sanctuary."

"And what does that involve?"

Charlie explained the plans to have special dragon relocation teams, a holding area deep in a forest in England where the dragon's health and fitness for release could be assessed, a quick-response team for dragons that mistakenly wandered into Muggle areas, and a liaison to act as a go-between with the Ministry's Department for the Regulation of Magical Creatures. As he explained everything, he could see the wheels spinning in her head.

"You're involved in setting all of this up, Charlie?"

With a smirk, he said, "I am, Mum. I'm one of the few people at the dragon sanctuary with firm ties to Britain."

She hadn't breathed in almost half a minute. He knew she was dying to ask if he'd be working in the British program, but she was afraid to push him to come home like she had in years past.

"Go ahead, Mum. I can see you want to ask," Charlie said, granting her permission.

She finally exhaled. "Are you going to use this opportunity to come home for good?"

Smiling at her, he nodded. "Yes, Mum. I'm back for the majority of the time as of today. I'll only be working with dragons directly if they need to be health-checked or relocated to the sanctuary in Romania."

When she burst into tears, Charlie was glad he had told her privately. Everyone knew Molly was an emotional sort, but she didn't like to openly cry in front of a big group.

Finally, she said, "Thank Morgana! It's about time you started to settle down, Charlie! Your baby sister is married and has a baby on the way, and you aren't even dating anyone!"

He bit the inside of his cheek. "That's very true, Mum, but don't press the issue just yet. Let me settle into life here and my new job."

"Of course, Charlie. I'm just going to be glad to have you around for Sunday dinners again. And I'm sure your brothers and all the others will be happy to have another person to add to Quidditch!"

Laughing, he replied, "Mum, let's just keep it between us for right now. I'm going to tell everyone tomorrow."

"It's your news to tell. I'll be silent as a mouse," she assured him.

Despite having spent the afternoon with his Mum, she wasn't willing to let him leave that night, and he didn't have the heart to fight her on it. He borrowed the family owl, a large barn owl named Winnie, and sent Hermione a note.

H- Mum won't let me get away. George, Bill, and Fleur are here, and I don't think I'll be able to sneak out after the fact without raising a lot of questions. Just know that I'd much rather be at your flat with you than in the twin bed in my old bedroom. I'll be thinking about all the things I had planned to do to you tonight and taking care of myself, just like I did during summer breaks from school… Love, C

An hour or so later, she had responded to him.

Charlie- That's such a shame. I had obeyed your request from earlier to a T. I guess I'll also take care of myself and then get dressed… I'll see you tomorrow. Love, H

With a groan, he imagined Hermione laying naked in her bed, her hands slipping over her breasts and between her thighs. It was a very clear picture; he'd made her masturbate for him before so he had something to picture when he read her letters and she mentioned touching herself to the thought of him.

"I'm an idiot," he said to himself, leaning his head against the windowpane.

A throat clearing behind him made him stand up straight. "I know that face," George stated. "There's a bird waiting for you somewhere, and you can't say no to Mum."

Charlie looked around. "Maybe, but it doesn't matter. It's just a bit of fun I had planned for the night. I think Mum would likely hex my bollocks off if I left now."

With a laugh, George said, "And then how much fun would you be able to have?"

"None. Just like now because I'm being cockblocked by my own mother," Charlie groaned.

"Well, you could try to sneak out and go, but she'd probably trace your Apparition and ask the girl to marry you," he snickered.

"I've no doubt you're right," Charlie answered. "It's fine. I'll see her tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? As in she'll be coming here?" George asked, and Charlie nearly kicked himself. There was only one single female invited to the Weasley Christmas festivities.

Quickly, he corrected himself. "Tomorrow night, after I leave here. I'm going to tell Mum I'm staying with a friend."

George nodded, and they stood there in silence for a moment, Charlie's eyes roaming over the note again as he thought of the faces Hermione was likely making right now.

His brother's voice ripped him out of the fantasy. "Did you know ickle Ronnie is bringing his new girlfriend to Christmas tomorrow?"

Charlie whipped around. "Who's he been seeing?"

George bit back a grin and said, "You won't find this funny since you weren't at Hogwarts with us, but he's bringing Eloise Midgen. Ask Hermione about it tomorrow. I'm sure she can do the story justice better than I ever could."

Grinning, he thought about Hermione's potential reaction to the news Ron was dating someone. Maybe she'd feel comfortable going public tomorrow, regardless of her other concerns. Maybe he'd be able to touch her and kiss her all day, no matter who was watching them.

"Mate, you're smiling like some kind of crazy person," George pointed out. "What gives?"

Fuck, he really had to work on his poker face.

"Nothing," he began. "It's just good to see he's moving on from… everything."

George wiggled his eyebrows. "I would have a hard time moving on from a minx like Hermione, as well. From what he's said, she's an absolute—"

Charlie held his hand up. "I do not want to think about Ron shagging Hermione. That's just… not right."

"Well, she's made it quite clear it will never happen again anyway, so that ship has finally sailed for Ron. He's looking for a nice girl that Mum will approve of," George said.

To Charlie, that sounded absolutely perfect.

The next morning, Charlie woke in his childhood room and he was wishing it was Hermione's flat. He'd dreamed of her all night, felt like he could actually smell her and taste her, so waking up alone was torturous. With a groan, he headed for the shower before anyone else in the Burrow would be awake to see his morning wood.

When he got down to the kitchen, his mum was already cooking. Smiling at her, he said, "Don't you have enough cooking to do today? Why are you making such a huge breakfast?"

She smiled at him. "I won't let go of any traditions! Your brothers and sister will be here soon."

"Are Harry and Hermione coming?"

Molly slapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, I didn't owl Hermione to come early! Of course Harry will be here with Ginny."

Charlie put his hands in his pockets. "I could pop over to her flat to get her."

Fixing her gaze on him, Molly said, "And how do you know where she lives?"

Fuck. This was just as bad as George last night.

"I've been harvesting dragon heartstrings for her. I dropped them off to her at her flat once because the shop was closed," he explained quickly, grateful he had been able to think on his feet.

She turned back to the cooker and nodded. "Yes, go and see if she'll come for breakfast. I'm sure Ron would like the opportunity to tell her about Eloise before she turns up at dinner later on."

His heart almost skipped a beat as he ran out into the garden and Disapparated, completely foregoing the easier Floo journey.

When Charlie arrived at Hermione's flat, he made his way straight into the bedroom. Since she lived alone, he left the door wide open, knowing there was no one around to interrupt. She was still asleep, wearing a thin tank top and a pair of boyshort knickers. He quickly stripped off his boots and jeans before sliding into bed beside her. When he wrapped his arms around her, spooning her, she sighed and snuggled closer.

"Charlie," she murmured. "What are you doing here?"

Unable to help himself, he fondled her breast through the tank top. She hummed in sleepy pleasure. "I came to wake you up and bring you to breakfast, Fireball. Happy Christmas."

After a few more gentle squeezes, he started rolling her nipple between his fingers, and she arched into him, pressing her breast into his hand and her arse into his groin. "Happy Christmas," she responded, her voice breathy.

"I've got something for you," he teased, pressing his erection against her and pinching her nipple a bit harder.

Hermione cried out and he quickly slid his hand into her knickers, stroking over her clit.

"You're evil," she said, turning her head back towards him. "I wanted you all night long, and I kept thinking about you wanking, and I don't want to have to be apart anymore."

Charlie sucked on her pulse point. "We're not going to be apart much anymore. Unless I'm transporting a dragon back to Romania, I can be here with you every night."

She was panting and rubbing against his fingers, her body waking up and moving quickly toward orgasm. "And what would that entail?"

Grinning against her neck, he nibbled at it. "I'll get to do things like this all the time. I'll touch you and kiss you and—" He paused, moving his fingers down to press them inside of her, making her sigh in relief. She was already so wet. "—fuck you. And then I'll hold you in my arms all night, wake up in the morning, and do it all again."

Shifting her hips in time with his hand, the pace became furious. Every few strokes, he'd withdraw his fingers, trailing them up to her clit to circle it a few times before sliding back inside of her. Just as he felt her start to clench around his fingers, the fucking Floo activated. Her whole body stiffened and she started to pull away.

"Hermione? Charlie?" Bill's voice rang out. "Where are you?"

Charlie locked an arm around her waist and whispered, "He'll think we left if we don't answer. I can't imagine he'd come to your bedroom."

"Have you met your family?" she hissed, pointedly looking at the door he'd left wide open. "Let go of me!"

"Love, neither of us are dressed—" Charlie was cut off by Bill's footsteps coming down the hall.

When the eldest Weasley brother entered the room and saw Charlie spooned around Hermione, he slapped a hand over his eyes and said, "Oh, bloody hell! Seriously, Charlie?"

"Surprise!" he replied. "Happy Christmas, Bill!"

"This doesn't really look like a first time to me," Bill stated.

Hermione covered her face with her hands. "That's because it's not. Fuck. Bill, please don't tell anyone."

With a booming laugh, Bill replied, "Oh, don't you worry. I won't be telling anyone about this, especially today. I'd like to enjoy Christmas, and Ronnie will go through the roof. I'll tell Mum that Hermione is in the shower and you're waiting for her. Make it quick and get over to the Burrow, yeah?"

Charlie didn't answer him.

Once the Floo activated, Hermione's body relaxed in his arms. "I need to get ready."

Charlie held her tightly in place. "Oh, no, witch. You're not going anywhere. Bill is going to buy us just enough time that we can both relieve some of this tension before we have to spend the day together at the Burrow."

"No, Charlie, I need to get ready! I need to actually take a shower, and do something with my hair, and figure out what I'm going to wear…"

Knowing his bollocks were in for another rough day, he removed his hand from her knickers and released her. Much to his surprise, she turned over and kissed him sweetly. "This is going to be one hell of a Christmas," she said. "I'm going to end up rubbing myself against you like a cat in heat."

He laughed. "Well, maybe once things are in full swing, we can slip away at the Burrow. Or I could at least make you come now."

Hermione shook her head. "No. If you have to wait, I'm going to wait."

With that, she slipped into the bathroom to start getting ready and Charlie rose from the bed, slipping back into his trousers. He stood by the window, looking down into the busy Muggle street. There were cars everywhere, and it was so different from the quiet dragon sanctuary in Romania. Not for the first time, he wondered if he could really live here in the city. It was a war he had been waging with himself for months.

When she emerged a mere fifteen minutes later, he had his answer. His heart skipped a beat, likely because all of the blood in his body had traveled south; she was completely naked, her curls strategically placed over her breasts. Charlie groaned and looked away from her. He could hear her laughs as she rifled through her wardrobe, and he knew he could give up the wide open spaces and relative isolation if he could have her.

And he knew she was already his.

"Okay, I'm covered now," Hermione said, and he looked back over to see her in a red jumper and tight black jeans, her slim legs on display.

She looked herself over in the mirror, and he strode up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You look perfect, love."

Smiling, she turned her head and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I'm just going to put on a bit of lipstick, I think."

Charlie nodded and waited for her to emerge from the bathroom again. Once she was ready, she gathered up gifts. "I got you a few things, but I'm just going to bring a small gift for you to the Burrow. You are going to come back here with me later, right?"

He leaned in close to her ear and said, "If you think my cock will be thwarted for a third time in two days, you're mad. Of course I'll be coming here tonight."

Again, Hermione laughed and grabbed his hand. "Okay. Kiss me one more time before we go, Charlie. And make it a good one since it'll be the last for hours."

Kissing her was always good, but this time, he made sure to pull her flush against his body, allowing one hand to travel down and grip her arse while the other wrapped around the back of her neck, holding her possessively as his lips and tongue moved against hers, trying to fulfill her demand.

When they parted, he leaned his forehead against hers and asked, "Was that what you had in mind, Hermione?"

"Better than," she breathed in reply. "I don't want to go."

"We have to."

"I know," she sighed, pulling away. Her thumb swiped over his lips, likely removing the traces of lipstick.

And with that, they grabbed her bag of presents and headed into the fireplace.