Gamble Everything For Love Chapter 6
Title: Gamble Everything For Love Chapter 6
Author: EruditeFics
Pairings: R/Hr, H/G, Charlie/Cho
Chapter: Tell me the Truth
Rating: R now NC-17
Warnings: Strong sexual content. Little violence and Language now.
Summary: Ron Weasley's composure hangs by a thread after the final battle. When it breaks, what else will be broken?
In this chapter: Ron finally hears her calling, but will he get there in time? And will Charlie choose the life he knows, or the one he could have?
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you’re free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Ron was about to yell at Harry and Ginny for snogging in the middle of all of this when he heard it.
“Ron!”
Her voice. It was quiet and distant, but it was definitely her’s. Ron’s heart raced as the seconds it took to reach into his pocket and pull out the deluminator seemed to turn into hours. A blue light radiated from his chest to the tip of Dumbledore’s creation. Ron clenched his fists, ready for anything, and was transported instantly.
It was dark, but the shouting rang in his ears.
“I don’t know how you broke the silencing spell, but I’ll be sure I break you for it!” a man yelled while Ron’s panicked eyes adjusted to the darkness. The man was leaning over Hermione.
Ron’s vision blurred red with anger, the scene coming to him in flashes. His hands on her. Her body in chains. Her skin exposed. The tears in her eyes. It all sped before him like a magazine of bullets wasting slice after slice across his mind, cutting at his eyes. Ron brandished his wand and screamed a feral, indecipherable yell.
Ron’s arms slashed spells at the awful creature on Hermione. He was like fire; everything flowing from his wand at a speed unfathomable to even his enraged mind. The Death Eater was flung against the wall, bloody gashes appeared across his dark robes. When his limp body slumped to the floor, Ron’s vision cleared and he could hear her sobbing in the corner.
“Locomotor Mortis,” Ron whispered. He followed the unconscious floating body to the neighboring cell, bound it, and closed the door. Ron moved back to her slowly. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in his arms, press her body against his, and let her repair in his embrace. But he was so scared of the damage done, of what he would find, that his steps were not quick, but quiet and fearful.
When she came back into view, his heart ripped from his chest and his feet seemingly flew him to her side. Her face was soaked in tears and dotted with bruises, the smooth caramel glow of her skin had vanished and was replaced with a sunken gray. She was in nothing but a bra and panties, her skin covered in gashes and more of the dark, ominous bruises. Shaking, he reached her and put an arm under her tiny waist.
“Hermione, Hermione,” Ron whispered, pressing his forehead to the side of her face. “I’m going to undo your arms. Don’t worry, I’ll get you. You won’t fall, you won't fall,” he said gently against her ear. “Alohamora.”
The chains dropped and her arms fell limply at her side. She screamed out loud, fresh tears in her eyes. Ron saw one of her arms hanging lower than the other and looked up to see the joint pulled out of place.
“Bloody fuck, Hermione! I’m sorry! I didn’t notice,” Ron started, and she turned and looked at him, her eyes red and tired.
“Language,” she croaked, and Ron felt his heart lighten slightly. His kissed her softly on an unharmed spot of her cheek. It was the first sound he heard directly from her lips in days, and though it was weak, her voice was glorious in his ears.
“Just hold on, love, we’ll get you home and someone will fix you. I’m not sure you want me doing it right now,” Ron said, trying to smile…to keep them both calm.
She smiled back slightly through her tears. It was small and pained, but Ron’s hope soared when the corners of her beautiful mouth turned up that fraction of a centimeter. He wrapped his arms more fully around her and pulled her into his lap, trying to hold her injured arm in place. She wrapped her good arm around his neck and they both sighed slightly at the relief of contact.
“I’m going to get your legs now,” Ron whispered.
“Careful,” she said in a small, weak voice. He looked down at her legs, his throat closing immediately at the site of the slashed wounds, until his eyes rested on her ankles. Her perfect ankles, the ones Auntie Muriel said were too thin, were covered in dried blood. The cuffs cut into her so badly that Ron worried something was crushed. He swallowed hard, unlocked the chains and slowly removed them from her flesh. She hissed at the pain.
“Shhh. Lenio Dolor,” Ron cast a spell for pain, but didn’t trust himself to make it too powerful. He cast the chains away and her legs fell weak to the side, twisting her body at the waist. Ron still held her up and wasn’t’ going to let go. She quivered in his arms.
“Oh ‘Mione! I’m sorry. Here,” he set her down carefully, took off his robes, and laid them over her. Struck with an idea, he yanked off his white tee and ripped it in half. He moved the robe off of her shoulders and took her left hand in his. He slowly pressed her wrist against her chest, feeling a small and unwelcome blush when his hand was against the swell of her breasts. He took the scraps of his shirt and fashioned a sling to hold her arm. Ron wrapped her more tightly in his robes and stood. He scooped her up and held her tightly, her good hand gripping his shoulder.
Ron walked out of the cell, but when he went to walk up the stairs to the exit, he noticed it was covered in fallen rock. When he moved one of the stones, the ceiling quaked. Ron knew the whole thing could collapse if he tried to get out that way. Urgency rose in him as he noted Hermione’s eyes getting heavy and her head lolling on occasion. Ron saw the wound on top of her head and knew she shouldn’t fall asleep. No yet.
“Hey Hermione, don’t sleep love. I need you,” Ron said, kissing her forehead. Her eyes slowly opened and her hand tightened around his neck. “I’m not sure how to get out of here, I need to look around.”
He walked carefully down the dark hallway, his head bent foreword over hers in case there were more falling rocks. They walked past the other cell and heard a pained moan. Hermione jumped, her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry, he’s staying here,” Ron said darkly.
“My wand,” she whispered. Ron saw it, sticking out of Runcorn’s robes. He’d recognize it anywhere. He crept slowly, leaned down, grabbed it and placed it in her injured hand.
A determined look etched on her face, and she whipped the wand out with her good arm, sending Runcorn flying into the corner. She summoned her chains and strung the Death Eater up the way she had been. She cast another nonverbal spell and he woke. Before he could even open his mouth, she whispered ‘silencio’. Immediately, her eyes closed and her head fell back.
“Not yet Hermione! We’re on our way home! I’m going to get you home, and then you can sleep,” Ron cried, tears welling in his own eyes as he fought against the wave of fear in his chest. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” his nose nestled in her hair as he sobbed.
“Home is with you…” her weakened voice sent out that last message before her head lolled back again.
“Hermione!” He screamed, tapping her cheeks. She didn’t wake. “Fuck!” He ran to the round room at the end of the hall but found no exit. He ran back to the stairs and pointed his wand at the hole in the ceiling of Hermione’s cell.
Ron sat against the wall on the ground, pulled Hermione’s limp body against his and held her tightly, waiting for help.
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Angelina watched with baited breath as George slowly opened the front door. She stood in front of the Grangers, ready to get them out if need be. She could hear her heart pounding in her head, fearing for George. She couldn’t lose him. Not after everything they had been through. There was too much left to do.
“Alohamo…”
“Protego!” Shouted George, followed by a blast of light.
“Shit,” came a female voice.
“What the fuck, George?” Angelina heard Charlie Weasley and she ran out the door.
Cho Chang was on the ground, holding her forehead as Charlie rushed over to help her up.
“We didn’t want to wake anyone,” Cho said, looking back at the yard. Ron was standing there, looking unreadable and stoic, and holding a large bundle of black cloth in his arms.
“Too late,” Diane whispered, rushing off the porch toward Ron.
Angelina followed her, just in case, and when she reached Hermione, Diane leaned down toward her face. “Is she…” was all the woman could utter.
“No ma’am, she’s hurt though. We’re going to take care of her here instead of at St. Mungo’s,” Charlie answered, making eye contact with Ron, who still clung to Hermione tightly with a stone look on his face.
“I am an apprentice at the hospital and Charlie helps injured wizards in the dragon pens. I am confident we have everything we need,” Cho’s voice chimed quietly below Angelina’s tall frame.
George came up and put an arm around Diane, guiding her to follow everyone upstairs where Nick Granger was readying Hermione’s bed.
“Where is everyone else?” Angelina wondered out loud.
“Harry and Ginny are on their way. Luna is taking Mortimer to rest, and everyone else is cleaning up the loose ends back in Northumberland,” Cho answered as they walked into the room and Ron very carefully laid Hermione down, sitting next to her on the bed and taking her free hand. He pressed it to his bare chest and closed his eyes, looking to be trying to swallow something difficult.
Hermione’s parents took a seat on the footed desk by the window and Angelina settled herself against George’s chest near the door.
“Alright, Ms. Chang, we need to fix that wound on her head and check for a concussion,” Charlie said gravely.
Cho waved her wand over Hermione’s head, creating a yellow aura. She ran her fingers through the yellow light as if she were playing the piano with her eyes closed. Charlie cast a healing spell on Hermione’s head wound.
“It’s good she’s asleep, she is in a lot of pain from this head wound,” Cho said quietly, still letting her fingers dance along the light covering Hermione’s head and face.
“Can we give her a potion for that,” Ron asked, his thumb moving gently across her forehead.
Cho nodded. “Yes, but I have to treat this crack in her skull first.”
“Oh my little angel!” Nick cried, pulling his wife closer.
“It’s a mild concussion, Dr. Granger, she should be fine,” Cho said, casting another healing charm.
Charlie looked at Ron and then unwrapped Hermione from the robe. The entire room seemed to stop breathing, fearful of the damage done. When Angelina saw all the bare skin, she raced in front of Charlie.
“I think Charlie, Ron, and George need to leave for a short while. I’ll help Cho,” she explained, moving the robe back around Hermione.
Ron nodded, kissed her hand, and started walking away, looking back at her a few times, unable to move all the way to the door.
“Ron…” Hermione moaned. He froze and looked back again, his lips clenched tight to keep from yelling out, but his watery eyes giving him away easily.
“It’s okay baby, I’m here,” Diane said, taking Hermione’s hand and smoothing her hair. Her breathing quieted and her quiet moans stopped.
“Come on, son,” said Nick, clapping Ron on the back. “I think I have a shirt you can wear.”
The four men walked softly out of the room, Charlie shutting the door carefully behind him.
Angelina unwrapped Hermione deftly, revealing a barrage of bruises and wounds. Hermione’s mother kept her cries subdued, but her eyes seemed to burst at the site.
“I think we should get her abdomen and arms taken care of so we can get some clothes on her. I’m quite sure Charlie is better with external injuries, and I want to mix the pain potion,” Cho whispered. She gave Angelina a sideways glance, communicating silently that some things needed to be left unsaid in current company.
“I can fix her arm. Coote and Peakes dislocated so many things so often that Madame Hooch gave in and taught me the spell so I could do it mid air,” Angelina said. She delicately removed the torn shirt without moving Hermione’s arm too much. “Umerus positus,” she said, and Hermione’s arm was instantly back to normal position. Angelina caught Cho’s eye and received a relieved look after Cho had scanned Hermione’s middle area.
“Can we find a sleeveless top and some shorts so that Charlie can come back in and heal those gashes and contusions?” Cho asked Mrs. Granger. She nodded and pointed toward the wardrobe.
Angelina began to search the clothes and found the task very easy. Everything was categorized by type and color. She grabbed a white cotton camisole and a pair of soft flannel pajama shorts to change Hermione into.
Ginny had snuck in at some point, and was crying openly as she looked at Hermione.
“I’ll need her out of her current things to get her into something clean,” Cho whispered. Without being asked, Mrs. Granger began removing Hermione’s bra as Ginny slid the bottoms down Hermione’s legs.
“I’m sorry,” Ginny whispered over and over again. Angelina and Cho moved to the corner and averted their attention out of respect.
“When I saw her in her underwear I was scared that she might have been raped, but it looks like Ron got there just in time. Judging from the bite marks on her chest and bruise pattern on her inner thighs, she was in great risk of being sexually assaulted” Cho said, crossing her arms and holding herself together.
“She’s been through hell. I’m not sure I could have made it through that,” Angelina shivered as Ginny called everyone else back into the room.
Cho and Angelina watched as Ron hurried back to Hermione’s side, kissed her cheek and whispered something in her ear. He had changed into a crisp white oxford cloth shirt.
“Then again, she had a lot to live for,” Angelina whispered as George came and put a hand on the small of her back.
“Okay, let’s do this quickly so we can get the pain potion in her and let her get some rest,” Charlie commanded. “Ron, heal her arms and then use the dittany. I’m going to take her legs because they are too deep for a normal spell. Harry, could you get some dittany on those rings on her ankles?”
Harry nodded and all three men cast their spells as Cho conjured a cauldron.
About five minutes later, Ron was still gently rubbing the salve into her healing wrists, Charlie was closing the gouges on her thighs, and Harry held Hermione’s feel gently in his lap.
Cho walked up and tipped the potion into Hermione’s mouth. “She needs rest,” she said quietly, motioning for everyone to leave. Ron and the Grangers didn’t move, however, while Harry and Ginny also seemed reluctant to leave. “Well, someone should stay by her. There is a chance of her waking and vomiting, and we need to make sure she is in the proper position to do so.”
Everyone looked at Ron, who sat unmovable on Hermione’s bed, her hand resting against his chest. “I can stay. I won’t be able to sleep any time soon,” Ron said, never taking his eyes off of her.
“Would anyone like a cup of tea or something to eat? You’ve all worked so hard and look worse for the wear. You should all rest up a while,” Mr. Granger said to the room, motioning toward his kitchen.
“That’s a kind offer, sir, but I think George and I are in need of something a little stronger than tea,” Charlie said, letting out a sigh of relief that he must have been holding in for a very long time.
“Understandable. You are welcome back any time. You know the entire Weasley family is always welcome here,” Mrs. Granger said, hugging George and Charlie. “And good work, Cho. You will be an excellent…ummm…wizard doctor.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I think I will accompany Charlie and George tonight, try to relieve some tension,” Cho answered, shaking hands with both Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
“Thank you for watching after us, Angelina. You can feel free to come and see us if you’re ever in the neighborhood,” Mr. Granger said, a hand on her shoulder. Angelina felt an instant affection for Hermione’s parents, understanding full well how she had become such a remarkable person. In so doing, Angelina felt a sudden urge to see her own mother as soon as possible.
“We’ll be happy to take you up on your offer,” Harry said, taking Ginny’s hand and walking out into the hallway. The Grangers followed after them and waved from the porch as Charlie and Cho, Angelina and George Dispparated in turn, each headed to The Leaky Cauldron.
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Charlie and George walked into the pub proudly, Cho and Angelina firmly on their respective arms. The girls went to find a decent table while the young men sidled up to the bar to get the barmaid’s attention. They did not have to wait long.
“Oh hello boys! How’s Hermione?” Hannah Abbot said, a welcoming smile on her face.
“Hannah! I didn’t know you worked here!” George exclaimed with mild delight.
“It’s my gran’s pub now that Tom is…well…I manage it some nights.” She explained, avoiding the topic of yet another unnecessary death.
“Should you be up and about like this?” Charlie wondered aloud. He remembered how much blood she had lost and the length of time it took for her to heal. He couldn’t even fathom working anytime so soon after such an injury.
“Well, I have a terrifying looking scar across me chest, but I’m okay. Neville made this herbal tonic that got me up and around quite quick. I look a fright when I’m naked now, but otherwise I’m good,” she said, immensely cheerful and carrying a glow that Charlie couldn’t place.
“Nonsense, you look great naked,” Neville Longbottom came by mumbling as he bussed the counter. “I mean, what?” he said, blushing when he realized what had slipped. Hannah just smirked, handed Charlie four drinks, and walked smiling to the other end of the bar…followed closely by Neville.
“Wow, you sure let it all hang out when you’re smitten,” Charlie said, still a bit dumbstruck by the exchange.
“I think it’s more than that. Having someone that makes you…that way…it’s freeing I suppose. I mean, who cares when you’ve got your significant other to make everything else seem so small?” George murmured, walking toward the table with two of the drinks. Charlie followed closely behind, a grin spreading involuntarily across his face at the sight of Cho. Freeing was an apt description.
Charlie watched Cho’s eyes shine with tears of laughter as George theatrically recounted the exchange between Hannah and Neville. The bright smile on her face made Charlie want to pull her tightly against his chest and hold her all night. He had felt that way about women before, although those feelings had generally been limited to the area below his waist. With Cho, however, things were beyond the point of base instinctual reaction.
The evening progressed smoothly and Hannah kept the drinks flowing. Cho had developed a pink glow despite her dark complexion, making Charlie think she looked even more incredible than normal. The four friends talked about everything from what they had just been through to childhood pastimes.
Well into the night, Charlie heard his name called amidst a raucous chorus from the entryway of the pub. Three of his mates from the Dragon Conservatory were swaying there, already yelling in celebration as though this was far from being the first pub they had visited through the night. They immediately rushed over to greet him, sloshing their drinks all over the place.
“Listen mate, there are some birds at a pub down the road who are very fit and only speak Romanian! Lucky us! We’ll save one for you, but you must act now…supplies are limited!” his friend Brian said, bursting into laughter at his own words.
Charlie would normally have jumped at the chance. Under other circumstances, he would have shaken George’s hand, paid his tab, and burst out of there so fast that his mind might not have been able to keep up. He would have woken up with some girl whose name he would be unable to recall, and left before she woke up. He would have been a happier man because of it, too. But after spending time with Cho, all those easy bets felt like they belonged exclusively in the past tense.
Instead, he was ready for something and someone more substantial. He glanced at Cho, who was laughing as Brian danced sloppily around the table and singing something nonsensical. She had immediately struck Charlie, and now every time she moved, his senses peaked as they did while hunting a particularly challenging dragon in the wild. Charlie knew dragons, he could handle dragons, but this was different. He was trusting a whole new set of instincts, and he had no idea where this would go.
“Supplies are limited! Ha!” Angelina yelled, slurring her words. The whole table cracked up as she instantly fell asleep on George’s shoulder and began snoring.
“That’s my cue! I’m going to take her home. Tell mom that I’ll be at the flat, will ya?” George asked, throwing Angelina’s arm over his shoulder and pulling her out the door with the aid of one of Charlie’s friends.
Charlie drank in relative silence with Cho and his mates until their friend returned sporting a large grin.
“I just told your brother you won’t be home tonight because you’re going to be neck deep in Eastern European pussy!” he shouted, followed by cheering from the remains of the bar.It was a mark of Cho's personality and easy demeanor that she didn't seem offended, nor did she really laugh.
Charlie stood and put his arms around his friends. He saw Cho’s face fall slightly but he smiled softly in her direction and gave her a playful wink.
“I’m sorry, mates, but I think I’m going to escort Ms. Chang home,” he said, slapping his friends on the back before taking a seat next to Cho. He had to keep from jumping with delight when her warm hand found his thigh.
When Charlie’s friends left, he turned his attention back to Cho, brushing the fringe out of her face. As he uncovered a large bruise left over from George’s charm, they both laughed freely.
“I guess I forgot to heal myself,” she said, brushing her hair back over the spot and looking at her feet.
“I could heal that for you if I could concentrate in here,” he said, turning her chin up toward him, his voice fading into a whisper.
“You can always take me back…” Cho’s breath was quickening as she leaned into his advancing embrace, “to your place.” She whispered, her nose lightly touching his.
He grabbed the sides of her face and kissed her fully, his lips moving over hers again and again in hunger. His hands found her hair and moved through it like brushing through fine silk threads. Her hands were gripping his arms and he could feel her heartbeat moving against him. She tasted like everything good in every corner of the world.
He pulled away from her in a haze. Everyone faded away and all he saw was her now trademark blush and brilliant smile. They shared a small laugh as he grabbed her hand and helped her along to the exit. As soon as they got outside, they Disapparated.
At the last moment, they had decided to pick Cho’s place, because once they got outside, they realized that international Apparition would be a headache at this time of night. The pair stumbled into her flat, and Charlie immediately resumed kissing her, as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. She leapt up, winding her legs around him, and sending him stumbling back more in surprise than unbalance. He hit his head on a low hanging beam, causing him to almost drop Cho in the process.
“Oh no! I’m sorry!” Cho exclaimed, jumping down. “I don’t really have a big flat.”
As she blushed again, Charlie looked around. It was neat and decorated with bright geometric patterns. However, the bed, tiny table, desk, and kitchenette all were housed in one room with a small bathroom to the side. Charlie could scarcely even stretch his legs.
“That’s an understatement,” Charlie laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
“Hey! I’m a 19-year-old apprentice! You try making money like that!” she smiled, smacking his arm. “Let me check your head,” she said, leading him to the bed.
Cho sat him down and bent his head forward, kneeling behind him on the bed. She ran her hands slowly up the back of his neck, sending shivers up his spine. He could feel her breasts pressing into his back and longed to turn around and discover how they felt. He felt her warm wand touch the bump lightly. As she whispered a standard healing spell, he felt her breath running across his exposed skin. Charlie’s erection was now straining against his black trousers.
Charlie leaned back and reached up to capture her face in his hands. They kissed deeply, her fingers raking across his chest. Charlie’s hands found her sides and he lifted her around to his lap, causing her to giggle in an endearing and effortless way. He blew her hair away from her forehead.
“My turn,” he whispered, casting the spell to heal her circular bruise. He laid her back against the bed and began kissing her neck. She moaned softly when his lips found a soft spot near her ear, and it made Charlie ache with need for her. He raised his hands under her shirt and over her stomach, resting on one of her small, firm breasts. Her back arched into his hand as she captured his lips in a luxurious kiss, her tongue dancing lazily in his mouth.
He moved his head down putting it underneath her shirt, kissing upwards until he reached the rounded flesh of her breasts. He kissed them and moved the thin bra away so he could taste her nipples. He flicked a tongue over one and she gripped his shoulders. He scooted out of her shirt and lifted it over her head, sharing a smile with her before adeptly removing her bra.
“Why, Charlie Weasley, I do believe you’ve done this before!” Cho smiled mischeviously. Her humor was beginning to shock and delight him, and making him appreciate his new attetion to intuition.
“But of course, the better to please you with,” Charlie said, taking the joke out from under Cho and making sure she knew he could play the game. She kissed him again, pulling her lips down to his shoulders while she undid his shirt and he hovered on top of her. Charlie became momentarily worried that perhaps this was her first time.
“Have you done this before? I mean, I know we’re moving fast and you’re a little tipsy…and you’re so young,” Charlie said, his confidence starting to wane. She gently pushed him away and Charlie’s heart started racing.
“You’re not my first. I’ll admit it’s been a while, but I’ve done this before. Also, I’m not really that pissed anymore,” Cho said, kissing down his chest. “As for me being young…” she started, undoing the button of his trousers.
Charlie lost all coherent thought or worry when he felt her lips on his cock, her soft warm mouth causing his eyes to roll back in his head. He had to grip the sheets to fight from thrusting up into her mouth. He’d done this many times before, many shades and styles of hair had dangled over his abdomen, and he had enjoyed every minute. But this was different. The curtain of black hair blocking her face seemed to mean something more, but Charlie's thoughts had begun to lost all coherency as she expertly ran her tongue down his shaft.
Charlie reached down to touch her face, and sat up to kiss her when she pulled away. While his mouth worked on the sensitive spot on her neck, he massaged her breasts, trying to make this night last as long as possible. He pressed her back against the bed and slid his pants off, hovering over her again. He let his tongue dance over each of her brown nipples before kissing farther down. He slowly unbuttoned her jeans, pulling them and her black panties over her feet. He sat up and parted her knees with his hands. A look of panic shot across her face, but she quickly hid it. It didn’t go unnoticed by Charlie.
“Are you okay? I’m not going to walk away from you if you don’t want to do this tonight,” Charlie said, lying next to her and caressing her face.
“I’m okay. It’s just, well, it’s been a while. And I’ve really only been with two men. One of them when I was in fifth year, and the other after Dumbledore died. That one was just for comfort really, and we never spoke again. I just…I’m afraid. You’re so exp…”
“Shhh Cho. This is not just about sex for me. There’s more here. I think you feel it too." Charlie's heart hammered in his chest as he took a chance at assessing his feelings and her own. "We’re onto something here. I’m not going to let you right now, don’t you dare worry about something like that,” Charlie said, running his hand down her back and cupping her bum. Cho smiled and kissed him again.
Charlie turned her over and her legs parted at the encouragement of his hand on her thigh. He let his hand press against her center and could feel the heat radiate from her as she arched her hips. He slipped a finger inside and she cried out in a mixture of surprise and pleasure. Her walls were tight around him, so he slipped in another finger and let his thumb circle the nub of nerves above. He continued until she began to shake, her body more relaxed.
“Charlie, please,” she said, her legs wrapping around him.
He pressed into her slowly, trying to savor every moment of this new feeling. His body quaked and his heart raced with the ache to go faster, but he fought it, and began moving slowly. Her moans were like music, and every time she whispered his name, he let it ring throughout him. She felt like his perfect match, and when her hips moved below his, he felt like he belonged with her.
With one cry, her walls clenched around him and Charlie could feel himself slipping.
“Let go, Charlie,” Cho said, opening her eyes and meeting his. Her dark eyes seemed to bore into him, like he knew every inch of his soul without saying a thing. He came, calling out her name as she shook and tightened beneath him. He never took his eyes of hers, even when hers closed and her head rolled back in pleasure. He let his face rest in the crook of her neck until they calmed.
He rolled off her and she grabbed her wand. She summoned and blanket and curled up under his arm, a serene smile playing across her delicate features. He kissed her forehead and Charlie Weasley knew this was the beginning of something, he just wished he knew what.
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Hermione’s eyes creaked open, and fear gripped her as she was met by darkness. A moment of panic made her worried it had all been a dream; that she was still in that horrible cell. But she also felt warm and the air smelled fresh and comforting. The pain in her head was dull and barely noticeable. She curled her fingers around the puffy down covering that was tucked under her neck as she wiggled her feet to find they were free and donned a soft pair of socks.
There was a weight across her abdomen and her right arm was engulfed in a natural heat more heavy than the rest of her body. A tingling breeze brushed against her neck every few seconds while something tickled her ear. A resounding snore convinced Hermione it wasn’t Crookshanks, and a smiled cracked her dry lips. She hissed a little at the pain.
She turned her head and saw Ron’s mouth in line with her eyes. His lips were parted and air was rushing between them, a beautiful sound for Hermione after so many hours of torment. She turned her nose up to breath in his breath, to feel his life and hers, and to affirm she wasn’t dreaming. Her hand snaked down to touch his across her middle. He shifted slightly in his sleep.
“Hermione. I’ll get you out. He won’t hurt you,” Ron groaned, his hold on her tightening. “I’m so sorry,” he said, burying his face in her hair and continuing to grip her tightly.
“Ron, shhh. I’m okay. I’m safe. It’s over,” Hermione cooed, her voice straining after being left unused for so long. She cupped his cheek in her hand and ran her thumb under his eyes to calm him. Ron’s body jerked and his eyes shot open to instantly meet hers.
“You’re awake!” Ron said, sitting up frantically. “Are you okay? How’s your head?” He touched her forehead, his breathing quickening. He had his hand on his head to compare to hers. “What about your arm?” he asked, picking up the limb that had been dislocated.
“Ron. I’m okay. It’s okay,” she whispered. He had her hand in his, and his fingers traced the outline of the scars left by her shackles.
To Hermione’s surprise, tears formed in her eyes when his diamond blue eyes met hers in the darkness. His eyes were welling, and she held back a sob. He pressed her hand against his cheek and took a deep breath, his cries swallowed and suppressed deep in his chest.
“I almost lost you. Even when I found you…he was…you were…” he cried, still holding her hand firmly against his cheek.
Hermione sat up slowly, her muscles tight and uncooperative, and he pressed his forehead to hers. His fingertips brushed tears away from her cheeks and he kissed the skin in their wake.
“You found me. You got me out of there. You’re my hero,” she croaked, reveling in the feeling of his large, warm hands on her face. He hung his head at her last words.
“You are! You didn’t stop looking for me. You sent your Patronus to comfort me, and you haven’t left my side. It’s always you in my head, getting me through,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
“You’re my hero too,” he whispered, placing his hands on either side of her face and kissing her softly, his lips barely brushing across hers.
“I love you,” he said, his eyes boring deeply into her own.
“I love you so much, Ron, I can scarcely remember when I didn’t in some way,” she answered, more tears threatening to fall. She kissed him with every word that lingered in her chest, every minute she was away from him, and with every inch of her soul. Pressed against his chest where she needed to be, she was finally home.
Author: EruditeFics
Pairings: R/Hr, H/G, Charlie/Cho
Chapter: Tell me the Truth
Rating: R now NC-17
Warnings: Strong sexual content. Little violence and Language now.
Summary: Ron Weasley's composure hangs by a thread after the final battle. When it breaks, what else will be broken?
In this chapter: Ron finally hears her calling, but will he get there in time? And will Charlie choose the life he knows, or the one he could have?
Gamble everything for love, gamble everything
Put it in a place you keep what you need
You can gamble everything for love if you’re free
You gotta gamble everything for love
Ron was about to yell at Harry and Ginny for snogging in the middle of all of this when he heard it.
“Ron!”
Her voice. It was quiet and distant, but it was definitely her’s. Ron’s heart raced as the seconds it took to reach into his pocket and pull out the deluminator seemed to turn into hours. A blue light radiated from his chest to the tip of Dumbledore’s creation. Ron clenched his fists, ready for anything, and was transported instantly.
It was dark, but the shouting rang in his ears.
“I don’t know how you broke the silencing spell, but I’ll be sure I break you for it!” a man yelled while Ron’s panicked eyes adjusted to the darkness. The man was leaning over Hermione.
Ron’s vision blurred red with anger, the scene coming to him in flashes. His hands on her. Her body in chains. Her skin exposed. The tears in her eyes. It all sped before him like a magazine of bullets wasting slice after slice across his mind, cutting at his eyes. Ron brandished his wand and screamed a feral, indecipherable yell.
Ron’s arms slashed spells at the awful creature on Hermione. He was like fire; everything flowing from his wand at a speed unfathomable to even his enraged mind. The Death Eater was flung against the wall, bloody gashes appeared across his dark robes. When his limp body slumped to the floor, Ron’s vision cleared and he could hear her sobbing in the corner.
“Locomotor Mortis,” Ron whispered. He followed the unconscious floating body to the neighboring cell, bound it, and closed the door. Ron moved back to her slowly. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in his arms, press her body against his, and let her repair in his embrace. But he was so scared of the damage done, of what he would find, that his steps were not quick, but quiet and fearful.
When she came back into view, his heart ripped from his chest and his feet seemingly flew him to her side. Her face was soaked in tears and dotted with bruises, the smooth caramel glow of her skin had vanished and was replaced with a sunken gray. She was in nothing but a bra and panties, her skin covered in gashes and more of the dark, ominous bruises. Shaking, he reached her and put an arm under her tiny waist.
“Hermione, Hermione,” Ron whispered, pressing his forehead to the side of her face. “I’m going to undo your arms. Don’t worry, I’ll get you. You won’t fall, you won't fall,” he said gently against her ear. “Alohamora.”
The chains dropped and her arms fell limply at her side. She screamed out loud, fresh tears in her eyes. Ron saw one of her arms hanging lower than the other and looked up to see the joint pulled out of place.
“Bloody fuck, Hermione! I’m sorry! I didn’t notice,” Ron started, and she turned and looked at him, her eyes red and tired.
“Language,” she croaked, and Ron felt his heart lighten slightly. His kissed her softly on an unharmed spot of her cheek. It was the first sound he heard directly from her lips in days, and though it was weak, her voice was glorious in his ears.
“Just hold on, love, we’ll get you home and someone will fix you. I’m not sure you want me doing it right now,” Ron said, trying to smile…to keep them both calm.
She smiled back slightly through her tears. It was small and pained, but Ron’s hope soared when the corners of her beautiful mouth turned up that fraction of a centimeter. He wrapped his arms more fully around her and pulled her into his lap, trying to hold her injured arm in place. She wrapped her good arm around his neck and they both sighed slightly at the relief of contact.
“I’m going to get your legs now,” Ron whispered.
“Careful,” she said in a small, weak voice. He looked down at her legs, his throat closing immediately at the site of the slashed wounds, until his eyes rested on her ankles. Her perfect ankles, the ones Auntie Muriel said were too thin, were covered in dried blood. The cuffs cut into her so badly that Ron worried something was crushed. He swallowed hard, unlocked the chains and slowly removed them from her flesh. She hissed at the pain.
“Shhh. Lenio Dolor,” Ron cast a spell for pain, but didn’t trust himself to make it too powerful. He cast the chains away and her legs fell weak to the side, twisting her body at the waist. Ron still held her up and wasn’t’ going to let go. She quivered in his arms.
“Oh ‘Mione! I’m sorry. Here,” he set her down carefully, took off his robes, and laid them over her. Struck with an idea, he yanked off his white tee and ripped it in half. He moved the robe off of her shoulders and took her left hand in his. He slowly pressed her wrist against her chest, feeling a small and unwelcome blush when his hand was against the swell of her breasts. He took the scraps of his shirt and fashioned a sling to hold her arm. Ron wrapped her more tightly in his robes and stood. He scooped her up and held her tightly, her good hand gripping his shoulder.
Ron walked out of the cell, but when he went to walk up the stairs to the exit, he noticed it was covered in fallen rock. When he moved one of the stones, the ceiling quaked. Ron knew the whole thing could collapse if he tried to get out that way. Urgency rose in him as he noted Hermione’s eyes getting heavy and her head lolling on occasion. Ron saw the wound on top of her head and knew she shouldn’t fall asleep. No yet.
“Hey Hermione, don’t sleep love. I need you,” Ron said, kissing her forehead. Her eyes slowly opened and her hand tightened around his neck. “I’m not sure how to get out of here, I need to look around.”
He walked carefully down the dark hallway, his head bent foreword over hers in case there were more falling rocks. They walked past the other cell and heard a pained moan. Hermione jumped, her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry, he’s staying here,” Ron said darkly.
“My wand,” she whispered. Ron saw it, sticking out of Runcorn’s robes. He’d recognize it anywhere. He crept slowly, leaned down, grabbed it and placed it in her injured hand.
A determined look etched on her face, and she whipped the wand out with her good arm, sending Runcorn flying into the corner. She summoned her chains and strung the Death Eater up the way she had been. She cast another nonverbal spell and he woke. Before he could even open his mouth, she whispered ‘silencio’. Immediately, her eyes closed and her head fell back.
“Not yet Hermione! We’re on our way home! I’m going to get you home, and then you can sleep,” Ron cried, tears welling in his own eyes as he fought against the wave of fear in his chest. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” his nose nestled in her hair as he sobbed.
“Home is with you…” her weakened voice sent out that last message before her head lolled back again.
“Hermione!” He screamed, tapping her cheeks. She didn’t wake. “Fuck!” He ran to the round room at the end of the hall but found no exit. He ran back to the stairs and pointed his wand at the hole in the ceiling of Hermione’s cell.
Ron sat against the wall on the ground, pulled Hermione’s limp body against his and held her tightly, waiting for help.
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Angelina watched with baited breath as George slowly opened the front door. She stood in front of the Grangers, ready to get them out if need be. She could hear her heart pounding in her head, fearing for George. She couldn’t lose him. Not after everything they had been through. There was too much left to do.
“Alohamo…”
“Protego!” Shouted George, followed by a blast of light.
“Shit,” came a female voice.
“What the fuck, George?” Angelina heard Charlie Weasley and she ran out the door.
Cho Chang was on the ground, holding her forehead as Charlie rushed over to help her up.
“We didn’t want to wake anyone,” Cho said, looking back at the yard. Ron was standing there, looking unreadable and stoic, and holding a large bundle of black cloth in his arms.
“Too late,” Diane whispered, rushing off the porch toward Ron.
Angelina followed her, just in case, and when she reached Hermione, Diane leaned down toward her face. “Is she…” was all the woman could utter.
“No ma’am, she’s hurt though. We’re going to take care of her here instead of at St. Mungo’s,” Charlie answered, making eye contact with Ron, who still clung to Hermione tightly with a stone look on his face.
“I am an apprentice at the hospital and Charlie helps injured wizards in the dragon pens. I am confident we have everything we need,” Cho’s voice chimed quietly below Angelina’s tall frame.
George came up and put an arm around Diane, guiding her to follow everyone upstairs where Nick Granger was readying Hermione’s bed.
“Where is everyone else?” Angelina wondered out loud.
“Harry and Ginny are on their way. Luna is taking Mortimer to rest, and everyone else is cleaning up the loose ends back in Northumberland,” Cho answered as they walked into the room and Ron very carefully laid Hermione down, sitting next to her on the bed and taking her free hand. He pressed it to his bare chest and closed his eyes, looking to be trying to swallow something difficult.
Hermione’s parents took a seat on the footed desk by the window and Angelina settled herself against George’s chest near the door.
“Alright, Ms. Chang, we need to fix that wound on her head and check for a concussion,” Charlie said gravely.
Cho waved her wand over Hermione’s head, creating a yellow aura. She ran her fingers through the yellow light as if she were playing the piano with her eyes closed. Charlie cast a healing spell on Hermione’s head wound.
“It’s good she’s asleep, she is in a lot of pain from this head wound,” Cho said quietly, still letting her fingers dance along the light covering Hermione’s head and face.
“Can we give her a potion for that,” Ron asked, his thumb moving gently across her forehead.
Cho nodded. “Yes, but I have to treat this crack in her skull first.”
“Oh my little angel!” Nick cried, pulling his wife closer.
“It’s a mild concussion, Dr. Granger, she should be fine,” Cho said, casting another healing charm.
Charlie looked at Ron and then unwrapped Hermione from the robe. The entire room seemed to stop breathing, fearful of the damage done. When Angelina saw all the bare skin, she raced in front of Charlie.
“I think Charlie, Ron, and George need to leave for a short while. I’ll help Cho,” she explained, moving the robe back around Hermione.
Ron nodded, kissed her hand, and started walking away, looking back at her a few times, unable to move all the way to the door.
“Ron…” Hermione moaned. He froze and looked back again, his lips clenched tight to keep from yelling out, but his watery eyes giving him away easily.
“It’s okay baby, I’m here,” Diane said, taking Hermione’s hand and smoothing her hair. Her breathing quieted and her quiet moans stopped.
“Come on, son,” said Nick, clapping Ron on the back. “I think I have a shirt you can wear.”
The four men walked softly out of the room, Charlie shutting the door carefully behind him.
Angelina unwrapped Hermione deftly, revealing a barrage of bruises and wounds. Hermione’s mother kept her cries subdued, but her eyes seemed to burst at the site.
“I think we should get her abdomen and arms taken care of so we can get some clothes on her. I’m quite sure Charlie is better with external injuries, and I want to mix the pain potion,” Cho whispered. She gave Angelina a sideways glance, communicating silently that some things needed to be left unsaid in current company.
“I can fix her arm. Coote and Peakes dislocated so many things so often that Madame Hooch gave in and taught me the spell so I could do it mid air,” Angelina said. She delicately removed the torn shirt without moving Hermione’s arm too much. “Umerus positus,” she said, and Hermione’s arm was instantly back to normal position. Angelina caught Cho’s eye and received a relieved look after Cho had scanned Hermione’s middle area.
“Can we find a sleeveless top and some shorts so that Charlie can come back in and heal those gashes and contusions?” Cho asked Mrs. Granger. She nodded and pointed toward the wardrobe.
Angelina began to search the clothes and found the task very easy. Everything was categorized by type and color. She grabbed a white cotton camisole and a pair of soft flannel pajama shorts to change Hermione into.
Ginny had snuck in at some point, and was crying openly as she looked at Hermione.
“I’ll need her out of her current things to get her into something clean,” Cho whispered. Without being asked, Mrs. Granger began removing Hermione’s bra as Ginny slid the bottoms down Hermione’s legs.
“I’m sorry,” Ginny whispered over and over again. Angelina and Cho moved to the corner and averted their attention out of respect.
“When I saw her in her underwear I was scared that she might have been raped, but it looks like Ron got there just in time. Judging from the bite marks on her chest and bruise pattern on her inner thighs, she was in great risk of being sexually assaulted” Cho said, crossing her arms and holding herself together.
“She’s been through hell. I’m not sure I could have made it through that,” Angelina shivered as Ginny called everyone else back into the room.
Cho and Angelina watched as Ron hurried back to Hermione’s side, kissed her cheek and whispered something in her ear. He had changed into a crisp white oxford cloth shirt.
“Then again, she had a lot to live for,” Angelina whispered as George came and put a hand on the small of her back.
“Okay, let’s do this quickly so we can get the pain potion in her and let her get some rest,” Charlie commanded. “Ron, heal her arms and then use the dittany. I’m going to take her legs because they are too deep for a normal spell. Harry, could you get some dittany on those rings on her ankles?”
Harry nodded and all three men cast their spells as Cho conjured a cauldron.
About five minutes later, Ron was still gently rubbing the salve into her healing wrists, Charlie was closing the gouges on her thighs, and Harry held Hermione’s feel gently in his lap.
Cho walked up and tipped the potion into Hermione’s mouth. “She needs rest,” she said quietly, motioning for everyone to leave. Ron and the Grangers didn’t move, however, while Harry and Ginny also seemed reluctant to leave. “Well, someone should stay by her. There is a chance of her waking and vomiting, and we need to make sure she is in the proper position to do so.”
Everyone looked at Ron, who sat unmovable on Hermione’s bed, her hand resting against his chest. “I can stay. I won’t be able to sleep any time soon,” Ron said, never taking his eyes off of her.
“Would anyone like a cup of tea or something to eat? You’ve all worked so hard and look worse for the wear. You should all rest up a while,” Mr. Granger said to the room, motioning toward his kitchen.
“That’s a kind offer, sir, but I think George and I are in need of something a little stronger than tea,” Charlie said, letting out a sigh of relief that he must have been holding in for a very long time.
“Understandable. You are welcome back any time. You know the entire Weasley family is always welcome here,” Mrs. Granger said, hugging George and Charlie. “And good work, Cho. You will be an excellent…ummm…wizard doctor.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I think I will accompany Charlie and George tonight, try to relieve some tension,” Cho answered, shaking hands with both Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
“Thank you for watching after us, Angelina. You can feel free to come and see us if you’re ever in the neighborhood,” Mr. Granger said, a hand on her shoulder. Angelina felt an instant affection for Hermione’s parents, understanding full well how she had become such a remarkable person. In so doing, Angelina felt a sudden urge to see her own mother as soon as possible.
“We’ll be happy to take you up on your offer,” Harry said, taking Ginny’s hand and walking out into the hallway. The Grangers followed after them and waved from the porch as Charlie and Cho, Angelina and George Dispparated in turn, each headed to The Leaky Cauldron.
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Charlie and George walked into the pub proudly, Cho and Angelina firmly on their respective arms. The girls went to find a decent table while the young men sidled up to the bar to get the barmaid’s attention. They did not have to wait long.
“Oh hello boys! How’s Hermione?” Hannah Abbot said, a welcoming smile on her face.
“Hannah! I didn’t know you worked here!” George exclaimed with mild delight.
“It’s my gran’s pub now that Tom is…well…I manage it some nights.” She explained, avoiding the topic of yet another unnecessary death.
“Should you be up and about like this?” Charlie wondered aloud. He remembered how much blood she had lost and the length of time it took for her to heal. He couldn’t even fathom working anytime so soon after such an injury.
“Well, I have a terrifying looking scar across me chest, but I’m okay. Neville made this herbal tonic that got me up and around quite quick. I look a fright when I’m naked now, but otherwise I’m good,” she said, immensely cheerful and carrying a glow that Charlie couldn’t place.
“Nonsense, you look great naked,” Neville Longbottom came by mumbling as he bussed the counter. “I mean, what?” he said, blushing when he realized what had slipped. Hannah just smirked, handed Charlie four drinks, and walked smiling to the other end of the bar…followed closely by Neville.
“Wow, you sure let it all hang out when you’re smitten,” Charlie said, still a bit dumbstruck by the exchange.
“I think it’s more than that. Having someone that makes you…that way…it’s freeing I suppose. I mean, who cares when you’ve got your significant other to make everything else seem so small?” George murmured, walking toward the table with two of the drinks. Charlie followed closely behind, a grin spreading involuntarily across his face at the sight of Cho. Freeing was an apt description.
Charlie watched Cho’s eyes shine with tears of laughter as George theatrically recounted the exchange between Hannah and Neville. The bright smile on her face made Charlie want to pull her tightly against his chest and hold her all night. He had felt that way about women before, although those feelings had generally been limited to the area below his waist. With Cho, however, things were beyond the point of base instinctual reaction.
The evening progressed smoothly and Hannah kept the drinks flowing. Cho had developed a pink glow despite her dark complexion, making Charlie think she looked even more incredible than normal. The four friends talked about everything from what they had just been through to childhood pastimes.
Well into the night, Charlie heard his name called amidst a raucous chorus from the entryway of the pub. Three of his mates from the Dragon Conservatory were swaying there, already yelling in celebration as though this was far from being the first pub they had visited through the night. They immediately rushed over to greet him, sloshing their drinks all over the place.
“Listen mate, there are some birds at a pub down the road who are very fit and only speak Romanian! Lucky us! We’ll save one for you, but you must act now…supplies are limited!” his friend Brian said, bursting into laughter at his own words.
Charlie would normally have jumped at the chance. Under other circumstances, he would have shaken George’s hand, paid his tab, and burst out of there so fast that his mind might not have been able to keep up. He would have woken up with some girl whose name he would be unable to recall, and left before she woke up. He would have been a happier man because of it, too. But after spending time with Cho, all those easy bets felt like they belonged exclusively in the past tense.
Instead, he was ready for something and someone more substantial. He glanced at Cho, who was laughing as Brian danced sloppily around the table and singing something nonsensical. She had immediately struck Charlie, and now every time she moved, his senses peaked as they did while hunting a particularly challenging dragon in the wild. Charlie knew dragons, he could handle dragons, but this was different. He was trusting a whole new set of instincts, and he had no idea where this would go.
“Supplies are limited! Ha!” Angelina yelled, slurring her words. The whole table cracked up as she instantly fell asleep on George’s shoulder and began snoring.
“That’s my cue! I’m going to take her home. Tell mom that I’ll be at the flat, will ya?” George asked, throwing Angelina’s arm over his shoulder and pulling her out the door with the aid of one of Charlie’s friends.
Charlie drank in relative silence with Cho and his mates until their friend returned sporting a large grin.
“I just told your brother you won’t be home tonight because you’re going to be neck deep in Eastern European pussy!” he shouted, followed by cheering from the remains of the bar.It was a mark of Cho's personality and easy demeanor that she didn't seem offended, nor did she really laugh.
Charlie stood and put his arms around his friends. He saw Cho’s face fall slightly but he smiled softly in her direction and gave her a playful wink.
“I’m sorry, mates, but I think I’m going to escort Ms. Chang home,” he said, slapping his friends on the back before taking a seat next to Cho. He had to keep from jumping with delight when her warm hand found his thigh.
When Charlie’s friends left, he turned his attention back to Cho, brushing the fringe out of her face. As he uncovered a large bruise left over from George’s charm, they both laughed freely.
“I guess I forgot to heal myself,” she said, brushing her hair back over the spot and looking at her feet.
“I could heal that for you if I could concentrate in here,” he said, turning her chin up toward him, his voice fading into a whisper.
“You can always take me back…” Cho’s breath was quickening as she leaned into his advancing embrace, “to your place.” She whispered, her nose lightly touching his.
He grabbed the sides of her face and kissed her fully, his lips moving over hers again and again in hunger. His hands found her hair and moved through it like brushing through fine silk threads. Her hands were gripping his arms and he could feel her heartbeat moving against him. She tasted like everything good in every corner of the world.
He pulled away from her in a haze. Everyone faded away and all he saw was her now trademark blush and brilliant smile. They shared a small laugh as he grabbed her hand and helped her along to the exit. As soon as they got outside, they Disapparated.
At the last moment, they had decided to pick Cho’s place, because once they got outside, they realized that international Apparition would be a headache at this time of night. The pair stumbled into her flat, and Charlie immediately resumed kissing her, as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. She leapt up, winding her legs around him, and sending him stumbling back more in surprise than unbalance. He hit his head on a low hanging beam, causing him to almost drop Cho in the process.
“Oh no! I’m sorry!” Cho exclaimed, jumping down. “I don’t really have a big flat.”
As she blushed again, Charlie looked around. It was neat and decorated with bright geometric patterns. However, the bed, tiny table, desk, and kitchenette all were housed in one room with a small bathroom to the side. Charlie could scarcely even stretch his legs.
“That’s an understatement,” Charlie laughed, rubbing the back of his head.
“Hey! I’m a 19-year-old apprentice! You try making money like that!” she smiled, smacking his arm. “Let me check your head,” she said, leading him to the bed.
Cho sat him down and bent his head forward, kneeling behind him on the bed. She ran her hands slowly up the back of his neck, sending shivers up his spine. He could feel her breasts pressing into his back and longed to turn around and discover how they felt. He felt her warm wand touch the bump lightly. As she whispered a standard healing spell, he felt her breath running across his exposed skin. Charlie’s erection was now straining against his black trousers.
Charlie leaned back and reached up to capture her face in his hands. They kissed deeply, her fingers raking across his chest. Charlie’s hands found her sides and he lifted her around to his lap, causing her to giggle in an endearing and effortless way. He blew her hair away from her forehead.
“My turn,” he whispered, casting the spell to heal her circular bruise. He laid her back against the bed and began kissing her neck. She moaned softly when his lips found a soft spot near her ear, and it made Charlie ache with need for her. He raised his hands under her shirt and over her stomach, resting on one of her small, firm breasts. Her back arched into his hand as she captured his lips in a luxurious kiss, her tongue dancing lazily in his mouth.
He moved his head down putting it underneath her shirt, kissing upwards until he reached the rounded flesh of her breasts. He kissed them and moved the thin bra away so he could taste her nipples. He flicked a tongue over one and she gripped his shoulders. He scooted out of her shirt and lifted it over her head, sharing a smile with her before adeptly removing her bra.
“Why, Charlie Weasley, I do believe you’ve done this before!” Cho smiled mischeviously. Her humor was beginning to shock and delight him, and making him appreciate his new attetion to intuition.
“But of course, the better to please you with,” Charlie said, taking the joke out from under Cho and making sure she knew he could play the game. She kissed him again, pulling her lips down to his shoulders while she undid his shirt and he hovered on top of her. Charlie became momentarily worried that perhaps this was her first time.
“Have you done this before? I mean, I know we’re moving fast and you’re a little tipsy…and you’re so young,” Charlie said, his confidence starting to wane. She gently pushed him away and Charlie’s heart started racing.
“You’re not my first. I’ll admit it’s been a while, but I’ve done this before. Also, I’m not really that pissed anymore,” Cho said, kissing down his chest. “As for me being young…” she started, undoing the button of his trousers.
Charlie lost all coherent thought or worry when he felt her lips on his cock, her soft warm mouth causing his eyes to roll back in his head. He had to grip the sheets to fight from thrusting up into her mouth. He’d done this many times before, many shades and styles of hair had dangled over his abdomen, and he had enjoyed every minute. But this was different. The curtain of black hair blocking her face seemed to mean something more, but Charlie's thoughts had begun to lost all coherency as she expertly ran her tongue down his shaft.
Charlie reached down to touch her face, and sat up to kiss her when she pulled away. While his mouth worked on the sensitive spot on her neck, he massaged her breasts, trying to make this night last as long as possible. He pressed her back against the bed and slid his pants off, hovering over her again. He let his tongue dance over each of her brown nipples before kissing farther down. He slowly unbuttoned her jeans, pulling them and her black panties over her feet. He sat up and parted her knees with his hands. A look of panic shot across her face, but she quickly hid it. It didn’t go unnoticed by Charlie.
“Are you okay? I’m not going to walk away from you if you don’t want to do this tonight,” Charlie said, lying next to her and caressing her face.
“I’m okay. It’s just, well, it’s been a while. And I’ve really only been with two men. One of them when I was in fifth year, and the other after Dumbledore died. That one was just for comfort really, and we never spoke again. I just…I’m afraid. You’re so exp…”
“Shhh Cho. This is not just about sex for me. There’s more here. I think you feel it too." Charlie's heart hammered in his chest as he took a chance at assessing his feelings and her own. "We’re onto something here. I’m not going to let you right now, don’t you dare worry about something like that,” Charlie said, running his hand down her back and cupping her bum. Cho smiled and kissed him again.
Charlie turned her over and her legs parted at the encouragement of his hand on her thigh. He let his hand press against her center and could feel the heat radiate from her as she arched her hips. He slipped a finger inside and she cried out in a mixture of surprise and pleasure. Her walls were tight around him, so he slipped in another finger and let his thumb circle the nub of nerves above. He continued until she began to shake, her body more relaxed.
“Charlie, please,” she said, her legs wrapping around him.
He pressed into her slowly, trying to savor every moment of this new feeling. His body quaked and his heart raced with the ache to go faster, but he fought it, and began moving slowly. Her moans were like music, and every time she whispered his name, he let it ring throughout him. She felt like his perfect match, and when her hips moved below his, he felt like he belonged with her.
With one cry, her walls clenched around him and Charlie could feel himself slipping.
“Let go, Charlie,” Cho said, opening her eyes and meeting his. Her dark eyes seemed to bore into him, like he knew every inch of his soul without saying a thing. He came, calling out her name as she shook and tightened beneath him. He never took his eyes of hers, even when hers closed and her head rolled back in pleasure. He let his face rest in the crook of her neck until they calmed.
He rolled off her and she grabbed her wand. She summoned and blanket and curled up under his arm, a serene smile playing across her delicate features. He kissed her forehead and Charlie Weasley knew this was the beginning of something, he just wished he knew what.
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Hermione’s eyes creaked open, and fear gripped her as she was met by darkness. A moment of panic made her worried it had all been a dream; that she was still in that horrible cell. But she also felt warm and the air smelled fresh and comforting. The pain in her head was dull and barely noticeable. She curled her fingers around the puffy down covering that was tucked under her neck as she wiggled her feet to find they were free and donned a soft pair of socks.
There was a weight across her abdomen and her right arm was engulfed in a natural heat more heavy than the rest of her body. A tingling breeze brushed against her neck every few seconds while something tickled her ear. A resounding snore convinced Hermione it wasn’t Crookshanks, and a smiled cracked her dry lips. She hissed a little at the pain.
She turned her head and saw Ron’s mouth in line with her eyes. His lips were parted and air was rushing between them, a beautiful sound for Hermione after so many hours of torment. She turned her nose up to breath in his breath, to feel his life and hers, and to affirm she wasn’t dreaming. Her hand snaked down to touch his across her middle. He shifted slightly in his sleep.
“Hermione. I’ll get you out. He won’t hurt you,” Ron groaned, his hold on her tightening. “I’m so sorry,” he said, burying his face in her hair and continuing to grip her tightly.
“Ron, shhh. I’m okay. I’m safe. It’s over,” Hermione cooed, her voice straining after being left unused for so long. She cupped his cheek in her hand and ran her thumb under his eyes to calm him. Ron’s body jerked and his eyes shot open to instantly meet hers.
“You’re awake!” Ron said, sitting up frantically. “Are you okay? How’s your head?” He touched her forehead, his breathing quickening. He had his hand on his head to compare to hers. “What about your arm?” he asked, picking up the limb that had been dislocated.
“Ron. I’m okay. It’s okay,” she whispered. He had her hand in his, and his fingers traced the outline of the scars left by her shackles.
To Hermione’s surprise, tears formed in her eyes when his diamond blue eyes met hers in the darkness. His eyes were welling, and she held back a sob. He pressed her hand against his cheek and took a deep breath, his cries swallowed and suppressed deep in his chest.
“I almost lost you. Even when I found you…he was…you were…” he cried, still holding her hand firmly against his cheek.
Hermione sat up slowly, her muscles tight and uncooperative, and he pressed his forehead to hers. His fingertips brushed tears away from her cheeks and he kissed the skin in their wake.
“You found me. You got me out of there. You’re my hero,” she croaked, reveling in the feeling of his large, warm hands on her face. He hung his head at her last words.
“You are! You didn’t stop looking for me. You sent your Patronus to comfort me, and you haven’t left my side. It’s always you in my head, getting me through,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
“You’re my hero too,” he whispered, placing his hands on either side of her face and kissing her softly, his lips barely brushing across hers.
“I love you,” he said, his eyes boring deeply into her own.
“I love you so much, Ron, I can scarcely remember when I didn’t in some way,” she answered, more tears threatening to fall. She kissed him with every word that lingered in her chest, every minute she was away from him, and with every inch of her soul. Pressed against his chest where she needed to be, she was finally home.