Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Stickers; Sweets; Bertie Botts Beans - Write about a surprise

WordCount without AN - 547

Infectious

The press hounded him whenever he moved outside of protective wards. He was being sent letters daily, with everything from death threats to marriage proposals. (He wasn't sure which was more scary.) Even people he'd known for years looked at him now with awe etched into their features.

Harry had never believed his life could be worse in a post-Voldemort world, but he was beginning to contemplate that that was in fact the case.

Sitting out under a large tree in the spacious Weasley garden, Harry enjoyed the solitude. He loved the Weasleys, but when all of them were under one roof, it didn't take long for Harry to feel overwhelmed.

"Alright?"

He looked up, offering a tired smile to Charlie as he joined Harry under the tree.

"A bit much in there, right?"

Nodding, Harry sighed. "Bit much everywhere to be honest. I haven't had a moment to myself in so long, I've forgotten what silence sounds like."

Charlie smirked, arching an eyebrow. "It doesn't sound like anything."

"I know," Harry agreed. "Sounds like heaven, doesn't it."

Shrugging, Charlie replied, "I dunno. I hear there are a lot of harps in heaven, not sure how silent that would be."

Harry snorted, amused despite himself.

"You could leave for a bit?" Charlie suggested after a moment's pause. "Travel for a while. A bit of space between you and England would be a bonus for you right now, I'd imagine."

"Where would I go?"

"I dunno. You could come visit me and my dragons? See how big Norberta's gotten since the last time you saw her."

Harry leant back against the tree, filled with thoughts of travelling around the world.

Finally finding a bit of peace.

Two years later

"Harry dear, we miss you!" Molly complained, trying to serve him third helpings of everything on the table.

Harry, stuffed already from the mountain of food he'd eaten, waved her off with a small smile.

"When are you coming home?" she asked, as he sat back in his seat. Charlie sat beside him, shaking with barely repressed laughter.

"I'm not, Mrs Weasley. I'm happy in Romania."

Harry had travelled for about eleven months alone, exploring countries he'd only ever read about in books, before he'd taken Charlie up on his invite. He'd planned to spend a month there, but it wasn't long until he realised he had every incentive to remain there.

"But you need to build a life," Molly replied. "How are you going to make a family out in Romania. Charlie is an eternal bachelor, but you wouldn't be happy that way, Harry."

"I'm…"

Charlie finally broke, spluttering laughter falling from his mouth. Harry looked at him fondly shaking his head.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked, tilting his head at his elder brother.

Harry just rolled his eyes.

When he'd finally gotten himself under control, Charlie grinned at his mum, and took Harry's hand in his own.

"We came home to tell you we're getting married, mum," he informed her, laughing again at the dumbstruck expressions on his siblings faces. "So… not so much eternal bachelor as… waiting for the right one to come along and play with my dragons."

As Molly squealed her joy, Harry gave in and joined Charlie in his laughter.

It was infectious.