FIC--Charlie and Luna Sitting in a Tree, part 4/4
Title: Charlie and Luna Sitting in a Tree
Rating: R overall, NC17 in some sections
Words: 4239/14,020
Summary: He's been alone for too long. And then along comes Luna....
Author Notes: Thanks for hanging with me while I took this little side adventure with Charlie and Luna. I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thanks to queenb23more for all her help and to lunalovepotter, who is always the best fangirl around.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Charlie and Luna Sitting in a Tree
A Charlie and Luna Fan Fiction
In August, when the weather was terribly humid, a few of us went to a pub in the village. It was nice to sit down with the blokes and drink some ice-cold ale. We hadn't done this in a long time, and since the baby dragons had hatched, we weren't needed at the reserve much. Contrary to the general public's opinion, dragons are very good parents.
"So, Charlie, tell us about voman who writes you," drawled Vlad. "You don't talk about her vith us."
The others made various sounds, egging me on. I normally wouldn't talk about anyone I was involved in; my father taught me to be a gentleman, after all. But the combination of male camaraderie and the ale loosened my tongue.
"Her name's Luna. She's...she gets me," I said dreamily. I sounded like a lovesick teenager.
Petyr snorted into his drink. "That's the lamest explanation I've ever heard, Charlie."
"Well, it's true. She understands me better than anyone in my family and we have a lot of the same interests-"
"What about the sex? She any good?" asked Bryant with a chuckle.
I shot up out of my chair and sent it crashing to floor, grabbed Bryant by the collar, and brought him up out of his chair.
"Don't you dare talk about her like that!" I felt a wild protectiveness stir up inside me, something I'd never felt before. "She is not that kind of girl!" I released him with a shove back into his chair.
"S-sorry, Charlie! Didn't mean anything by it!" He looked more frightened than the time he was cornered by an overprotective mother Chinese Fireball.
"Vat's she like, Charlie," Vlad added softly, presumably to diffuse the situation. "Didn't see her ven she vas here."
I smiled as images of that weekend came to mind. "She's quiet but very observant. Blunt but not maliciously. She...she likes, well, strange and mythical creatures. Thinks some of 'em are real."
"Like that fruit Lovegood who writes The Quibbler?" Petyr chuckled.
I took a deep breath, calming my anger. "He's her father."
Petyr's grin widened. I gathered he was waiting for the punch line. When it didn't come, the smile faded and his face blanched. "Oh."
"She took a job at the British Ministry, working in the Department of Magical Creatures. But sometimes she writes for her dad," I simply said, pleased with the way I'd managed myself.
"Then she's told you dat the Vales reserve is looking for senior director, no?" Vlad asked with a raised eyebrow.
Heat gathered at my collar. Why hadn't she told me?
I shook my head. "Haven't talked to her for a while." I suddenly wanted to get out of there or get royally pissed. I couldn't decide which.
"Maybe she doesn't want you back in England, Charlie," Petyr chuckled. "Maybe she's got something on the side."
Bryant elbowed Petyr in the ribs and hissed, "Shut up."
I snarled at them, got up off my chair, and strolled over the bar. Finding an empty stool, I straddled it and ran a hand through my hair.
"Rough night, love?"
I looked up and saw Stefania, the barmaid and a past one night stand, or perhaps more than one night. She had luscious chestnut brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a set of tits that made a man's mouth water.
"Hey, Stef."
"Missed you around here, Charlie," she purred and leaned on the bar, presenting me with a rather nice view of her cleavage. I had to swallow hard to keep myself from taking what she was so obviously offering.
"Busy around the reserve, that's all." I looked away from her chest and up at her eyes. My mother always tried to stress that was where I was supposed to look when I talked to a woman.
"I know that look. And it has nothing to do with dragons. Who broke your heart?" She gave me a sympathetic smile and slid a glass of stout in front of me. "You still like that kind, don't you?"
I nodded and took a deep drink. "And just so you know, she didn't break my heart."
"Not yet."
I turned and found her sitting on the stool next to me. When had she moved?
"She wouldn't do that. She's sweet." I had to smile at the thought of Luna. "Haven't seen her for a while. She's in England."
"Not another one, Charlie." Stefania shook her head. She was the one who'd picked me up, so to speak, after Dora and I finally broke it off completely. "When are you going to learn?" She patted my arm patronizingly.
I spun on the stool and faced her. "She's not an Auror. Luna's the complete opposite of Dora."
"Then why are you feeling sorry for yourself?"
Bloody hell, when did she become a mindreader?
"I am not feeling sorry for myself." I drank from my mug and shook my head, hoping to deflect her line of questioning. "My mates are not the best companions tonight."
She smiled again and cocked her head to the side. "So what sort of companion are you looking for then?"
Had I not already consumed four glasses of beer and on my way to finishing my fifth, my wits would've been a bit sharper. "Are you offering?"
"I'm done at two," she replied with a wink. "And anything you want is on the house. Drinks, too." Stefania leaned forward and kissed my cheek before turning around to make her way through the pub to wait on tables.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
I awoke with a groan and a pounding headache. The sun was burning my eyelids and I rolled over, willing the evil daylight to go away and leave me alone. My powers of persuasion, unfortunately, were not as strong as I once thought and I opened my eyes fully, taking in my room of the cabin.
"Good, you're awake," came a feminine voice from the doorway and it wasn't Luna. I bolted into a sitting position and held down the urge to vomit all over myself.
"What the fuck?" My eyes alighted on Stefania, looking as if she belonged there, wearing one of my t-shirts, which barely covered her. "What the hell are you doing here, Stef?" I looked under the covers and thankfully saw that I was still wearing my boxer shorts and socks. If I had sex last night, I would have taken off my socks.
"Making sure your sorry ass woke up. You were drunker than I've ever seen you, Charlie. Petyr and Vlad were worried about you." She crossed her arms over her chest, which brought the shirt higher on her thighs and revealed her purple knickers.
"Why didn't one of them stay?" I located a shirt on the floor and pulled it over my head, regretting it immediately, since it smelled like beer; I must have spilled at one point.
"You weren't kissing them."
"What?" This was getting worse by the second. "We...we didn't...well, did we?" I could feel heat rising up my neck and blossoming on my ears.
"No. I tried, though. You're a hard lay to forget, Charlie Weasley," she said with a smirk. "I gave up after you called me Luna for the fifth time."
"Oh Merin...Luna," I moaned, falling back onto the pillows. "What am I going to tell her?"
"Nice girl, Luna. You didn't tell me she was so young." This couldn't be happening. Stef actually spoke to Luna. There could be no other explanation. "She Floo'd about an hour ago. She wasn't mad once I told her what happened."
I tilted my head to look at her. "You told her? She knows you kissed me?"
"You kissed me first, Charlie." Stefania moved to the end of the bed and sat down. "She asked if you still had your socks on and when I said 'yes,' she wasn't mad anymore. She's kettle over arse for you. Move back to England. She's a keeper."
I could only stare at her and mutter, "Wuh?"
"Since you did awaken, my job here is done. I'll just get dressed and go. Coffee's hot and strong, the way Luna said you liked it." And with that, Stefania got off the bed and left the room. The closing of the bathroom door and the sound of her Apparation was the last I heard from her.
Once I'd drunk three cups of coffee, which was, in fact, as strong and as hot as Stefania promised, I decided to Floo Luna. Even though she knew what happened from Stef, I had to tell her myself. And ask about the job in Wales.
"Charlie!" Luna squealed from the green flames. I usually hated talking via International Floo, but this was important. "Are you feeling much better?"
"Er, yeah. Thanks. I wanted to talk to you about that, actually."
Luna waved me off. "Stefania explained. It must be nice to have such a good friend."
"But I wasn't acting like a friend last night. I was kissing her."
"Yes."
I couldn't believe her. How could she be so calm? "Aren't you going to yell at me or something?"
"Would it make you feel better if I did?"
"Yeah, yeah, it would, actually." I took a deep breath and braced myself for the barrage I was about to receive.
"THERE'S A JOB AVAILABLE AT THE WALES RESERVE FOR A SENIOR KEEPER! I THOUGHT OF YOU WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT!"
My jaw dropped in astonishment. "No...that's not what I meant, Lu."
"I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO YELL AT YOU!"
"Stop-stop it, Luna." She frowned as if I just told her the last Crumple Horned Snorkack had died. "You should be mad at me. That's what you should have been yelling about."
"Why? Nothing happened. You kissed her, but you were thinking of me. You kept your socks on."
"So why aren't you mad?" Usually, this is the point where a woman throws something at me and dismisses me from her life.
Luna nodded. "I was. But I trust you almost as much as I love you. You were intoxicated and didn't know what you were doing. If you had gone through with it, then yes, I would be rather upset."
I had to smile at her answer. Every time she's said that she loves me, it gives my heart an extra beat. "I'm sorry for kissing her," I whispered and bowed my head in shame.
"Look at me, Charles," she said with a firm voice. I raised my head and her hand was reaching through the flames. "Take my hand." I scooted closer to the fireplace and grasped her hand in mine. "Feel my heartbeat?" I nodded. "It belongs to you. My heart beats in anticipation for the next time I can see you face to face."
My bottom lip quivered and my eyes welled up. "I love you. I miss you." I watched as tears fell from her eyes. I let the ones building in mine fall freely.
"Wales...the reserve there is looking for a senior keeper," she said softly as she sniffed.
"I know. Why didn't you tell me before now? Vlad knew."
"Yes, because he recommended you for it."
"What?"
"The job is yours if you want it, Charlie. The department is impressed with your work and they want you."
In all my life, I never expected this. "Is there a catch?" There always is.
She cleared her throat look up at me sheepishly. "I suppose so."
"I knew it. What?"
"You will be required to make love to me every night because when you come back, I'm moving in with you."
My neck and face reddened and my cock hardened at the prospect. "Really?"
"Really, really," she said brightly. "I called earlier to offer you the job. So I suppose, I should do that now." I watched as she turned, grabbed a folder, and then cleared her throat. "Charles Octavius Weasley, on behalf of the Department and Regulation of Magical Creatures, I would like to extend to you the position of senior keeper at the Welsh Green Dragon Reserve in Holyhead. The position begins in three weeks with annual pay to reflect your experience and full reimbursement for housing. Do you accept the offer?" She looked up from the papers she was reading and awaited my answer with a grin.
"Yes, of course."
"And the condition of the acceptance?" She smirked at me in a way only she could.
"Gladly." My heart raced at the prospect.
"Then, on behalf of the Ministry for Magic of Britain, let me welcome you home."
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
I walked out of the office at the reserve in Wales with a spring in my step. I'd just had my orientation with the outgoing senior keeper and was anticipating my first full day. But first, I had to look for a place to live.
I spotted Luna sitting under a tree, reading a book while her wand was tucked inside her hair, holding it up in a loose bun. My steps quickened, and I soon found myself sitting at her feet.
"How did your meeting go?" she asked as she wove her fingers though my hair, sending shivers along my scalp.
"Brilliant. The blokes are great and the dragons are actually pretty nice, as far as dragons go."
"Good. Now what?" Luna leaned over and kissed my forehead. "Your mother asked me over for dinner tonight. Are you going with me?"
I contemplated this for a moment. It was the third week of October and I'd told Mum that I would be home for a visit on Halloween.
I shook my head. "No. You sure you have to go?" I asked with a chuckle. "We haven't found a place to live yet." Flashes of having my wicked way with her filled my body with lust.
"We could...look for some place." I cut her off by teasing her earlobe with my mouth and tongue in serious hope that she'd just like to go back to the little inn where we'd spent the last three nights. "Or...not." She turned toward me and our lips locked in a kiss that turned my knees to jelly.
We tumbled to the ground and soon found ourselves groping and thrusting as if we hadn't been shagging twice a night. I cupped her breast with my hand, savouring the weight of it as I squeezed it gently, earning a moan from deep within her throat. My jeans were tight and I ached to have her right there under the tree. I could tell she wanted the same thing; her scent was unmistakable.
"Please, Charlie..." she begged and I lifted my head, taking note of her half-closed lids and her flushed cheeks. She was so, so very beautiful and seeing her panting for me took my breath away.
"I love you, Lu," I whispered as I moved her above me and quickly stripped her of her clothing before casting a quick Disillusionment charm on us. She fumbled with my zip and pushed my trousers and underwear past my hips. I moaned as she grasped my thick cock and centred herself over me. I fought to keep my eyes open while she sank down on me, engulfing me in her warmth.
"Damn, Charlie." Luna threw back her head and began rocking against me.
"You swore," I said with a chuckle. She rarely swore in everyday conversation and had only occasionally while making love.
She stopped her movements. "I'm sorry. Should I stop?"
I shook my head in desperation. "You sure as hell better not!" I gripped her hips and pushed her down as I thrust my hips up into her. She smiled crookedly at me and sped up the pace, sliding up and down along my prick and sending delicious sensations throughout my body. I sat up, held her to me, and kissed her lips.
"Mmm," she said while we kissed.
Her movements sped up and soon I felt her clench around me, taking me over the edge right along with her. We kept kissing and touching under the tree, hidden in our own little world as a cool breeze fluttered around us. Neither of us noticed it; we were too wrapped up in each other.
Luna ran her fingers along my back and ticked the skin lightly. She moved her hips slightly and clenched my back. She was getting ready to come again. Years ago, I would have been ready for another go and hard inside her. As she continued to rub against me, my will was being defeated by my body. It frustrated me and I tried desperately to urge blood to swell my cock. She bit my tongue, telling me she'd reached her crest before the fluttering of her body alerted me to the fact.
"I'm sorry," I whispered and pulled away from her. Without looking at her, I lifted her off me and fastened my jeans.
"Why?" Her voice seemed far away.
"Because I couldn't...again." I closed my eyes to the shame that washed over me. I felt her arms move around my waist and her cheek on my back.
"Oh, Charlie." I felt her kiss my shoulder. "It doesn't matter. You give me so much pleasure that sometimes it just boils over and I can't hold it in."
I turned around and pulled her into my arms. The lemony scent of her hair calmed me and I laughed at myself; my pride hurt, yes, but it would be the end of me if I let it get to me all the time. Besides, there would be more tonight.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Luna and I walked hand in hand toward The Burrow; I felt nervous for some odd reason. She squeezed my hand and I knew it would be all right. She always knew how to calm me down. I had been on edge since we left her father's house to get the rest of her things.
It had been a strange afternoon at the Lovegood home. Luna had gone upstairs to start packing and I had stayed to speak with Xeno. I'd had something on my mind for a while, actually, ever since I set foot back in England.
"Mr. Lovegood," I began, "can I talk to you about something?"
"Yes, Charles. Of course."
"Well, I was wondering...well, I was hoping that." I turned away and ran a hand through my hair. I had never been so nervous in all my life.
"I find that if I am at a loss for words, a nice gurdyroot tea helps quite a bit. Would you care for some?" He stood up but I reached out and stopped him.
I shook my head. "I'm fine, sir." I watched as he sat down again and locked his eyes with mine. It was a little unnerving. "Luna...she's a very special woman." I could feel my collar begin to heat.
"She is, isn't she? Her mother lives within her."
"And, well, I've come to care for her quite a bit over the past few months," I admitted. It was odd talking to her father about how I felt about his daughter.
"Luna has been very forthcoming about her relationship with you."
I swallowed hard. Dread filled me as I realised just how forthcoming my honest and open Luna was. "Really?" I asked in a squeaky voice.
"Sometimes, there are things a father doesn't need to know about his daughter."
I nodded and smiled, relieved that he wasn't going to give me any 'advice.' "I want to know if you're... comfortable with the difference in our ages."
"Are you comfortable with it? Is she?"
"It's not an issue for us."
"Then why should it bother me, Charles? You make my daughter happy and from what I can see, you're happy around her. I should think that's all that matters."
I sighed in relief. "Well, yes, that's true."
"Are you trying to ask me something else?"
I knew what he was getting at and it scared me to death. "Sir?"
"Do you want my permission to marry my daughter?" My mouth flapped open like a fish out of water and nothing came out. "Why should I be the one to give it? It's her choice. I really have no say in the matter. I like you, Charles, and would be happy for you if that's what you're planning."
"N-no, not yet."
"Well, when the time comes, all you have to do is ask her."
"Charlie?" Luna asked, stopping us in the dirt path at the top of the hill.
I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled. "What?"
"Are you all right? You've been so quiet."
"I'm good, really. Just can't wait to take you home tonight." I pulled her close and kissed her hair.
"Home. I like the sound of that," she said wistfully, her big blue eyes meeting mine. "But it will have to wait, remember? Your family is expecting us."
"Damn family always gets in the way." We both chuckled and continued walking toward the crooked house I grew up in.
Since the evening was rather cool, no one was outside. We barely made it to the door when it flung open and my family poured outside. One by one, Luna and I were engulfed in hugs, kisses, and swats on the back. When Luna's lips began turning blue, Mum herded us all inside. Mum had, of course, gone overboard with the food and the kitchen was overcrowded, yet there was much joy in the room. I caught only fragments of the conversations around me.
"Victoire's starting to crawl..."
"Kingsley's done a bang up job..."
"We're expanding the shop..."
"We've got to get you to a Harpies game. Gin's brilliant!"
"We're making some wonderful progress on house elf rights..."
"Charlie has a new job." The room got deathly silent and as I looked around, I saw forks stopped mid-air in their journey to various mouths. Luna squeezed my knee under the table and we grinned at each other. My stomach relaxed and my lungs no longer felt like lead.
"Charlie?" Mum asked, tears starting to brim in her eyes. "What's this about?" The eyes of my family members moved quickly from Mum to me, anxiously awaiting my answer.
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. "It's true. I'm...I'm the new senior keeper at the reserve in Wales." My face beamed with pride only matched by Bill talking about Vickie. Once the last word was out of my mouth, the room filled with whoops and the scrapping of chairs against the floor. Bill hit me on the back, Mum splattered my cheeks with kisses, Dad wiped tears from his cheeks. Everyone else simply whistled or clapped.
I turned to Luna and saw her shy smile. She was the only one that mattered, and at that moment, it didn't matter what anyone else thought.
Mum rubbed my back and turned my chin to look at her."So Charlie, are you going to get married now?"
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
The wedding was beautiful. Muriel spoke her mind about how lovely the bride was and how indecent the cut of her dress appeared. Mum cried, soaking three handkerchiefs. My brothers set off a wild fireworks display to celebrate the occasion.
"She looks happy, doesn't she?" Luna asked me as we danced. "And so does your brother."
"Not as happy as I am." I spun Luna around and she giggled, drawing attention to us for a moment. "But really, Percy? Never thought he'd get married at all."
Luna ran her fingers through my hair before settling her hand at the nape of my neck. "Everyone is entitled to a little happiness in life. Even Percy."
"Mmm hmm. Even Percy." I looked to my left and spotted Percy and Audrey speaking with her parents, their boisterous laughter filtering through the ballroom.
"And even us." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the lips. I took the invitation and deepened the kiss.
"Wookit, Gramma!"
Luna and I sprang apart, finding little Teddy Lupin staring up at us. "Charwee and Wuna sittin in a twee!"
"Sorry, you two. He got away from me," apologized Andromeda, turning her grandson around to find Harry.
"But dey kissing, Gramma!"
We watched as he ran over to Ginny and Harry, wrapping his little arms around his godfather's legs as his hair turned black as coal. Harry bent down and picked Teddy up to look at baby James.
"He was right after all," Luna said softly. "About us."
"What?"
"We were kissing. You know, Charlie and Luna sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
I grinned and pulled her close again. "First came love." I kissed her on the nose and ran a hand down her back. I could feel her shiver at my touch.
"Then came marriage," she added, looking down at her left hand. "It's been a wonderful year."
"Definitely. And the baby carriage?" I looked down and admired her baby belly. She was due in about a month and a half.
"Coming along nicely." I watched as she rubbed her stomach over her dress. She never looked more beautiful.
It's funny how much my life has changed since I danced with her at Bill's wedding. She's brought more into my life than I ever thought possible.
But she still hasn't given my Care of Magical Creatures books back. I'll have to remind her about that.
Some day.
Rating: R overall, NC17 in some sections
Words: 4239/14,020
Summary: He's been alone for too long. And then along comes Luna....
Author Notes: Thanks for hanging with me while I took this little side adventure with Charlie and Luna. I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thanks to queenb23more for all her help and to lunalovepotter, who is always the best fangirl around.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Charlie and Luna Sitting in a Tree
A Charlie and Luna Fan Fiction
In August, when the weather was terribly humid, a few of us went to a pub in the village. It was nice to sit down with the blokes and drink some ice-cold ale. We hadn't done this in a long time, and since the baby dragons had hatched, we weren't needed at the reserve much. Contrary to the general public's opinion, dragons are very good parents.
"So, Charlie, tell us about voman who writes you," drawled Vlad. "You don't talk about her vith us."
The others made various sounds, egging me on. I normally wouldn't talk about anyone I was involved in; my father taught me to be a gentleman, after all. But the combination of male camaraderie and the ale loosened my tongue.
"Her name's Luna. She's...she gets me," I said dreamily. I sounded like a lovesick teenager.
Petyr snorted into his drink. "That's the lamest explanation I've ever heard, Charlie."
"Well, it's true. She understands me better than anyone in my family and we have a lot of the same interests-"
"What about the sex? She any good?" asked Bryant with a chuckle.
I shot up out of my chair and sent it crashing to floor, grabbed Bryant by the collar, and brought him up out of his chair.
"Don't you dare talk about her like that!" I felt a wild protectiveness stir up inside me, something I'd never felt before. "She is not that kind of girl!" I released him with a shove back into his chair.
"S-sorry, Charlie! Didn't mean anything by it!" He looked more frightened than the time he was cornered by an overprotective mother Chinese Fireball.
"Vat's she like, Charlie," Vlad added softly, presumably to diffuse the situation. "Didn't see her ven she vas here."
I smiled as images of that weekend came to mind. "She's quiet but very observant. Blunt but not maliciously. She...she likes, well, strange and mythical creatures. Thinks some of 'em are real."
"Like that fruit Lovegood who writes The Quibbler?" Petyr chuckled.
I took a deep breath, calming my anger. "He's her father."
Petyr's grin widened. I gathered he was waiting for the punch line. When it didn't come, the smile faded and his face blanched. "Oh."
"She took a job at the British Ministry, working in the Department of Magical Creatures. But sometimes she writes for her dad," I simply said, pleased with the way I'd managed myself.
"Then she's told you dat the Vales reserve is looking for senior director, no?" Vlad asked with a raised eyebrow.
Heat gathered at my collar. Why hadn't she told me?
I shook my head. "Haven't talked to her for a while." I suddenly wanted to get out of there or get royally pissed. I couldn't decide which.
"Maybe she doesn't want you back in England, Charlie," Petyr chuckled. "Maybe she's got something on the side."
Bryant elbowed Petyr in the ribs and hissed, "Shut up."
I snarled at them, got up off my chair, and strolled over the bar. Finding an empty stool, I straddled it and ran a hand through my hair.
"Rough night, love?"
I looked up and saw Stefania, the barmaid and a past one night stand, or perhaps more than one night. She had luscious chestnut brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a set of tits that made a man's mouth water.
"Hey, Stef."
"Missed you around here, Charlie," she purred and leaned on the bar, presenting me with a rather nice view of her cleavage. I had to swallow hard to keep myself from taking what she was so obviously offering.
"Busy around the reserve, that's all." I looked away from her chest and up at her eyes. My mother always tried to stress that was where I was supposed to look when I talked to a woman.
"I know that look. And it has nothing to do with dragons. Who broke your heart?" She gave me a sympathetic smile and slid a glass of stout in front of me. "You still like that kind, don't you?"
I nodded and took a deep drink. "And just so you know, she didn't break my heart."
"Not yet."
I turned and found her sitting on the stool next to me. When had she moved?
"She wouldn't do that. She's sweet." I had to smile at the thought of Luna. "Haven't seen her for a while. She's in England."
"Not another one, Charlie." Stefania shook her head. She was the one who'd picked me up, so to speak, after Dora and I finally broke it off completely. "When are you going to learn?" She patted my arm patronizingly.
I spun on the stool and faced her. "She's not an Auror. Luna's the complete opposite of Dora."
"Then why are you feeling sorry for yourself?"
Bloody hell, when did she become a mindreader?
"I am not feeling sorry for myself." I drank from my mug and shook my head, hoping to deflect her line of questioning. "My mates are not the best companions tonight."
She smiled again and cocked her head to the side. "So what sort of companion are you looking for then?"
Had I not already consumed four glasses of beer and on my way to finishing my fifth, my wits would've been a bit sharper. "Are you offering?"
"I'm done at two," she replied with a wink. "And anything you want is on the house. Drinks, too." Stefania leaned forward and kissed my cheek before turning around to make her way through the pub to wait on tables.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
I awoke with a groan and a pounding headache. The sun was burning my eyelids and I rolled over, willing the evil daylight to go away and leave me alone. My powers of persuasion, unfortunately, were not as strong as I once thought and I opened my eyes fully, taking in my room of the cabin.
"Good, you're awake," came a feminine voice from the doorway and it wasn't Luna. I bolted into a sitting position and held down the urge to vomit all over myself.
"What the fuck?" My eyes alighted on Stefania, looking as if she belonged there, wearing one of my t-shirts, which barely covered her. "What the hell are you doing here, Stef?" I looked under the covers and thankfully saw that I was still wearing my boxer shorts and socks. If I had sex last night, I would have taken off my socks.
"Making sure your sorry ass woke up. You were drunker than I've ever seen you, Charlie. Petyr and Vlad were worried about you." She crossed her arms over her chest, which brought the shirt higher on her thighs and revealed her purple knickers.
"Why didn't one of them stay?" I located a shirt on the floor and pulled it over my head, regretting it immediately, since it smelled like beer; I must have spilled at one point.
"You weren't kissing them."
"What?" This was getting worse by the second. "We...we didn't...well, did we?" I could feel heat rising up my neck and blossoming on my ears.
"No. I tried, though. You're a hard lay to forget, Charlie Weasley," she said with a smirk. "I gave up after you called me Luna for the fifth time."
"Oh Merin...Luna," I moaned, falling back onto the pillows. "What am I going to tell her?"
"Nice girl, Luna. You didn't tell me she was so young." This couldn't be happening. Stef actually spoke to Luna. There could be no other explanation. "She Floo'd about an hour ago. She wasn't mad once I told her what happened."
I tilted my head to look at her. "You told her? She knows you kissed me?"
"You kissed me first, Charlie." Stefania moved to the end of the bed and sat down. "She asked if you still had your socks on and when I said 'yes,' she wasn't mad anymore. She's kettle over arse for you. Move back to England. She's a keeper."
I could only stare at her and mutter, "Wuh?"
"Since you did awaken, my job here is done. I'll just get dressed and go. Coffee's hot and strong, the way Luna said you liked it." And with that, Stefania got off the bed and left the room. The closing of the bathroom door and the sound of her Apparation was the last I heard from her.
Once I'd drunk three cups of coffee, which was, in fact, as strong and as hot as Stefania promised, I decided to Floo Luna. Even though she knew what happened from Stef, I had to tell her myself. And ask about the job in Wales.
"Charlie!" Luna squealed from the green flames. I usually hated talking via International Floo, but this was important. "Are you feeling much better?"
"Er, yeah. Thanks. I wanted to talk to you about that, actually."
Luna waved me off. "Stefania explained. It must be nice to have such a good friend."
"But I wasn't acting like a friend last night. I was kissing her."
"Yes."
I couldn't believe her. How could she be so calm? "Aren't you going to yell at me or something?"
"Would it make you feel better if I did?"
"Yeah, yeah, it would, actually." I took a deep breath and braced myself for the barrage I was about to receive.
"THERE'S A JOB AVAILABLE AT THE WALES RESERVE FOR A SENIOR KEEPER! I THOUGHT OF YOU WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT!"
My jaw dropped in astonishment. "No...that's not what I meant, Lu."
"I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO YELL AT YOU!"
"Stop-stop it, Luna." She frowned as if I just told her the last Crumple Horned Snorkack had died. "You should be mad at me. That's what you should have been yelling about."
"Why? Nothing happened. You kissed her, but you were thinking of me. You kept your socks on."
"So why aren't you mad?" Usually, this is the point where a woman throws something at me and dismisses me from her life.
Luna nodded. "I was. But I trust you almost as much as I love you. You were intoxicated and didn't know what you were doing. If you had gone through with it, then yes, I would be rather upset."
I had to smile at her answer. Every time she's said that she loves me, it gives my heart an extra beat. "I'm sorry for kissing her," I whispered and bowed my head in shame.
"Look at me, Charles," she said with a firm voice. I raised my head and her hand was reaching through the flames. "Take my hand." I scooted closer to the fireplace and grasped her hand in mine. "Feel my heartbeat?" I nodded. "It belongs to you. My heart beats in anticipation for the next time I can see you face to face."
My bottom lip quivered and my eyes welled up. "I love you. I miss you." I watched as tears fell from her eyes. I let the ones building in mine fall freely.
"Wales...the reserve there is looking for a senior keeper," she said softly as she sniffed.
"I know. Why didn't you tell me before now? Vlad knew."
"Yes, because he recommended you for it."
"What?"
"The job is yours if you want it, Charlie. The department is impressed with your work and they want you."
In all my life, I never expected this. "Is there a catch?" There always is.
She cleared her throat look up at me sheepishly. "I suppose so."
"I knew it. What?"
"You will be required to make love to me every night because when you come back, I'm moving in with you."
My neck and face reddened and my cock hardened at the prospect. "Really?"
"Really, really," she said brightly. "I called earlier to offer you the job. So I suppose, I should do that now." I watched as she turned, grabbed a folder, and then cleared her throat. "Charles Octavius Weasley, on behalf of the Department and Regulation of Magical Creatures, I would like to extend to you the position of senior keeper at the Welsh Green Dragon Reserve in Holyhead. The position begins in three weeks with annual pay to reflect your experience and full reimbursement for housing. Do you accept the offer?" She looked up from the papers she was reading and awaited my answer with a grin.
"Yes, of course."
"And the condition of the acceptance?" She smirked at me in a way only she could.
"Gladly." My heart raced at the prospect.
"Then, on behalf of the Ministry for Magic of Britain, let me welcome you home."
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
I walked out of the office at the reserve in Wales with a spring in my step. I'd just had my orientation with the outgoing senior keeper and was anticipating my first full day. But first, I had to look for a place to live.
I spotted Luna sitting under a tree, reading a book while her wand was tucked inside her hair, holding it up in a loose bun. My steps quickened, and I soon found myself sitting at her feet.
"How did your meeting go?" she asked as she wove her fingers though my hair, sending shivers along my scalp.
"Brilliant. The blokes are great and the dragons are actually pretty nice, as far as dragons go."
"Good. Now what?" Luna leaned over and kissed my forehead. "Your mother asked me over for dinner tonight. Are you going with me?"
I contemplated this for a moment. It was the third week of October and I'd told Mum that I would be home for a visit on Halloween.
I shook my head. "No. You sure you have to go?" I asked with a chuckle. "We haven't found a place to live yet." Flashes of having my wicked way with her filled my body with lust.
"We could...look for some place." I cut her off by teasing her earlobe with my mouth and tongue in serious hope that she'd just like to go back to the little inn where we'd spent the last three nights. "Or...not." She turned toward me and our lips locked in a kiss that turned my knees to jelly.
We tumbled to the ground and soon found ourselves groping and thrusting as if we hadn't been shagging twice a night. I cupped her breast with my hand, savouring the weight of it as I squeezed it gently, earning a moan from deep within her throat. My jeans were tight and I ached to have her right there under the tree. I could tell she wanted the same thing; her scent was unmistakable.
"Please, Charlie..." she begged and I lifted my head, taking note of her half-closed lids and her flushed cheeks. She was so, so very beautiful and seeing her panting for me took my breath away.
"I love you, Lu," I whispered as I moved her above me and quickly stripped her of her clothing before casting a quick Disillusionment charm on us. She fumbled with my zip and pushed my trousers and underwear past my hips. I moaned as she grasped my thick cock and centred herself over me. I fought to keep my eyes open while she sank down on me, engulfing me in her warmth.
"Damn, Charlie." Luna threw back her head and began rocking against me.
"You swore," I said with a chuckle. She rarely swore in everyday conversation and had only occasionally while making love.
She stopped her movements. "I'm sorry. Should I stop?"
I shook my head in desperation. "You sure as hell better not!" I gripped her hips and pushed her down as I thrust my hips up into her. She smiled crookedly at me and sped up the pace, sliding up and down along my prick and sending delicious sensations throughout my body. I sat up, held her to me, and kissed her lips.
"Mmm," she said while we kissed.
Her movements sped up and soon I felt her clench around me, taking me over the edge right along with her. We kept kissing and touching under the tree, hidden in our own little world as a cool breeze fluttered around us. Neither of us noticed it; we were too wrapped up in each other.
Luna ran her fingers along my back and ticked the skin lightly. She moved her hips slightly and clenched my back. She was getting ready to come again. Years ago, I would have been ready for another go and hard inside her. As she continued to rub against me, my will was being defeated by my body. It frustrated me and I tried desperately to urge blood to swell my cock. She bit my tongue, telling me she'd reached her crest before the fluttering of her body alerted me to the fact.
"I'm sorry," I whispered and pulled away from her. Without looking at her, I lifted her off me and fastened my jeans.
"Why?" Her voice seemed far away.
"Because I couldn't...again." I closed my eyes to the shame that washed over me. I felt her arms move around my waist and her cheek on my back.
"Oh, Charlie." I felt her kiss my shoulder. "It doesn't matter. You give me so much pleasure that sometimes it just boils over and I can't hold it in."
I turned around and pulled her into my arms. The lemony scent of her hair calmed me and I laughed at myself; my pride hurt, yes, but it would be the end of me if I let it get to me all the time. Besides, there would be more tonight.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Luna and I walked hand in hand toward The Burrow; I felt nervous for some odd reason. She squeezed my hand and I knew it would be all right. She always knew how to calm me down. I had been on edge since we left her father's house to get the rest of her things.
It had been a strange afternoon at the Lovegood home. Luna had gone upstairs to start packing and I had stayed to speak with Xeno. I'd had something on my mind for a while, actually, ever since I set foot back in England.
"Mr. Lovegood," I began, "can I talk to you about something?"
"Yes, Charles. Of course."
"Well, I was wondering...well, I was hoping that." I turned away and ran a hand through my hair. I had never been so nervous in all my life.
"I find that if I am at a loss for words, a nice gurdyroot tea helps quite a bit. Would you care for some?" He stood up but I reached out and stopped him.
I shook my head. "I'm fine, sir." I watched as he sat down again and locked his eyes with mine. It was a little unnerving. "Luna...she's a very special woman." I could feel my collar begin to heat.
"She is, isn't she? Her mother lives within her."
"And, well, I've come to care for her quite a bit over the past few months," I admitted. It was odd talking to her father about how I felt about his daughter.
"Luna has been very forthcoming about her relationship with you."
I swallowed hard. Dread filled me as I realised just how forthcoming my honest and open Luna was. "Really?" I asked in a squeaky voice.
"Sometimes, there are things a father doesn't need to know about his daughter."
I nodded and smiled, relieved that he wasn't going to give me any 'advice.' "I want to know if you're... comfortable with the difference in our ages."
"Are you comfortable with it? Is she?"
"It's not an issue for us."
"Then why should it bother me, Charles? You make my daughter happy and from what I can see, you're happy around her. I should think that's all that matters."
I sighed in relief. "Well, yes, that's true."
"Are you trying to ask me something else?"
I knew what he was getting at and it scared me to death. "Sir?"
"Do you want my permission to marry my daughter?" My mouth flapped open like a fish out of water and nothing came out. "Why should I be the one to give it? It's her choice. I really have no say in the matter. I like you, Charles, and would be happy for you if that's what you're planning."
"N-no, not yet."
"Well, when the time comes, all you have to do is ask her."
"Charlie?" Luna asked, stopping us in the dirt path at the top of the hill.
I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled. "What?"
"Are you all right? You've been so quiet."
"I'm good, really. Just can't wait to take you home tonight." I pulled her close and kissed her hair.
"Home. I like the sound of that," she said wistfully, her big blue eyes meeting mine. "But it will have to wait, remember? Your family is expecting us."
"Damn family always gets in the way." We both chuckled and continued walking toward the crooked house I grew up in.
Since the evening was rather cool, no one was outside. We barely made it to the door when it flung open and my family poured outside. One by one, Luna and I were engulfed in hugs, kisses, and swats on the back. When Luna's lips began turning blue, Mum herded us all inside. Mum had, of course, gone overboard with the food and the kitchen was overcrowded, yet there was much joy in the room. I caught only fragments of the conversations around me.
"Victoire's starting to crawl..."
"Kingsley's done a bang up job..."
"We're expanding the shop..."
"We've got to get you to a Harpies game. Gin's brilliant!"
"We're making some wonderful progress on house elf rights..."
"Charlie has a new job." The room got deathly silent and as I looked around, I saw forks stopped mid-air in their journey to various mouths. Luna squeezed my knee under the table and we grinned at each other. My stomach relaxed and my lungs no longer felt like lead.
"Charlie?" Mum asked, tears starting to brim in her eyes. "What's this about?" The eyes of my family members moved quickly from Mum to me, anxiously awaiting my answer.
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. "It's true. I'm...I'm the new senior keeper at the reserve in Wales." My face beamed with pride only matched by Bill talking about Vickie. Once the last word was out of my mouth, the room filled with whoops and the scrapping of chairs against the floor. Bill hit me on the back, Mum splattered my cheeks with kisses, Dad wiped tears from his cheeks. Everyone else simply whistled or clapped.
I turned to Luna and saw her shy smile. She was the only one that mattered, and at that moment, it didn't matter what anyone else thought.
Mum rubbed my back and turned my chin to look at her."So Charlie, are you going to get married now?"
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
The wedding was beautiful. Muriel spoke her mind about how lovely the bride was and how indecent the cut of her dress appeared. Mum cried, soaking three handkerchiefs. My brothers set off a wild fireworks display to celebrate the occasion.
"She looks happy, doesn't she?" Luna asked me as we danced. "And so does your brother."
"Not as happy as I am." I spun Luna around and she giggled, drawing attention to us for a moment. "But really, Percy? Never thought he'd get married at all."
Luna ran her fingers through my hair before settling her hand at the nape of my neck. "Everyone is entitled to a little happiness in life. Even Percy."
"Mmm hmm. Even Percy." I looked to my left and spotted Percy and Audrey speaking with her parents, their boisterous laughter filtering through the ballroom.
"And even us." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the lips. I took the invitation and deepened the kiss.
"Wookit, Gramma!"
Luna and I sprang apart, finding little Teddy Lupin staring up at us. "Charwee and Wuna sittin in a twee!"
"Sorry, you two. He got away from me," apologized Andromeda, turning her grandson around to find Harry.
"But dey kissing, Gramma!"
We watched as he ran over to Ginny and Harry, wrapping his little arms around his godfather's legs as his hair turned black as coal. Harry bent down and picked Teddy up to look at baby James.
"He was right after all," Luna said softly. "About us."
"What?"
"We were kissing. You know, Charlie and Luna sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
I grinned and pulled her close again. "First came love." I kissed her on the nose and ran a hand down her back. I could feel her shiver at my touch.
"Then came marriage," she added, looking down at her left hand. "It's been a wonderful year."
"Definitely. And the baby carriage?" I looked down and admired her baby belly. She was due in about a month and a half.
"Coming along nicely." I watched as she rubbed her stomach over her dress. She never looked more beautiful.
It's funny how much my life has changed since I danced with her at Bill's wedding. She's brought more into my life than I ever thought possible.
But she still hasn't given my Care of Magical Creatures books back. I'll have to remind her about that.
Some day.