AN: As far as I'm considered, Charlie/Draco is severely underrepresented :D. Not sure why, but I adore this paring.

Warnings: Unbetaed. Mentions of slash.

Dislclaimer: I am definitely not J. K. Rowling. Sadly.

Charlie's afraid to tell his mother because, really, there are so many aspects of their relationship that she could disapprove of. He's surprised by her answer.

It's what Charlie considers the least of these that bothers her the most.

Charlie Weasley has never been afraid to tell his mother anything. Molly Weasley was an exceptionally accepting witch, and she had a capacity for forgiveness that was almost unparalleled.

Charlie's always been her open child.

With Bill, it was never about a lack of trust, but about the fact that Bill's always been a man of few words. He never felt the need to tell her anything above the bare minimum.

With Percy, it was simply that he told her what he felt was important, never mind that it wasn't important to anyone else. The things that she considered important, he considered trivial and not worth mentioning.

With Fred and George... Well, perhaps it was better that those two were smart enough to keep things close to the belt. She'd have no hair left if they didn't, and they'd be grounded until kingdom come.

With Ron, he always wanted to be independent. It was a part of his need to be recognized apart from – preferably above – the others. He felt like speaking with his mother was conceding.

With Ginny, she would never admit that she needed to talk to her mother. Maybe she never did need to. Ginny always was exceptionally strong.

But Charlie has always been her chatterbox, her motormouth. Not around others, not as much. Not that he's ever stoic, like Bill. Charlie's got a presence, a personality, and it springs from his words. Around his mother, the stream never stops. Charlie has always told her everything.

So why is this so hard?

It shouldn't be.

It's just... There are simply so many things about this relationship to disapprove of.

"Mum."

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I... talk to you about something?"

"Of course, dear. What is it?"

Charlie takes a deep breath before deciding that spitting it out would probably be the best course of action.

"Mum, I'm dating Draco Malfoy."

Molly blinks in surprise.

Charlie can practically see the thoughts running through her head. The repercussions. The reasons why this is a bad idea. The stuff that Charlie thought about and decided it didn't matter because he was worth it.

1. He's a boy. Charlie's never told his mother he was into guys, quite simply because he never knew. Until now, obviously.

2. He's a Malfoy. The Malfoys and the Weasleys have never gotten along.

3. Dad detests his father.

4. Ron detests him.

5. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are always fighting with him.

6. Ron's always talking about how he's a (insert foul name here). Always.

7. He's an ex-Death Eater. Sort of. Kind of. According to Charlie, not really. According to Draco himself, yes really. This one is ambiguous at best.

8. His father was a Death Eater. Much less ambiguous, thank you very much.

9. He's a Slytherin.

10. He's rich. The Weasleys have never mixed well with rich people.

11. He's snarky and sarcastic (which Charlie happens to love about him) and his mother tends not to appreciate that type of humor.

12. He can, at times, be a total git. Charlie concedes this point, though not gracefully. Charlie Weasley has never managed to do anything gracefully, except perhaps fly a broomstick.

Strangely, in Charlie's opinion, though his mother raises an objection, it's none of these. She appears to have raised and simultaneously have discarded every fault he thought she could find with their relationship.

"He's only eighteen, Charlie! He's eight years younger than you!"

"Seven," he corrects her softly, his gaze directed at the floor. "Seven years and three days. We're opposite ends of the Hogwarts division; he's old for his year, I'm young for mine."

"So you've given this some thought, then?" There's a warning in her tone that says the honest answer had better be yes or Charlie's doomed.

"Of course I have, Mum." She nods. Charlie always has been the best of her children at foresight. He – and Percy, she supposes – is the only one who really considers what he's getting himself into. It's why she supported his decision to study dragons, despite her worry. She knew he'd thought it through.

"And you know better than to treat him as though he's twenty-six?"

"Of course, Mum." He looks her in the eye. "You raised me right. I know how to treat someone I care about, no matter the situation. I know how to be careful, for my sake and his."

She nods. "You're a good boy." And that's that. Or, almost.

"So when are you going to have this boy over for dinner, so I can meet him?"

Charlie groans. "Muuuuuuuum."

She gives him one of her 'Looks'. "Now, Charlie, you know how these things go."

Charlie sighs. "Yes, Mum." He grins. "I'll find out when he's available."

AN: Not particularly pleased with the ending, though I might write a second chapter, because that dinner ought to be interesting... If there's any interest.