Severus Snape stepped through the fireplace and into the Burrow, turning as the flames flared behind him and held his arms out to catch his husband who stumbled out.
“Fourteen years in the wizarding world and still not got the hang of the floo Harry?” Charlie asked with a laugh.
“Maybe it's just an excuse to be in my husband's arms.” Harry answered as he dusted himself down.
Charlie raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
Harry stared at Charlie. “No, I still haven't got the hang of it.”
Severus placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder before walking over to Molly and handing her a bottle of wine they had brought with them to thank her for the invite, leaving Harry to catch up with the Weasley siblings.
“Oh Severus.” Molly sighed as she took the bottle. “You and Harry don't have to do this when you come. None of my other kids do.”
“No but it's the least we can do. Once a month you cook up a storm to feed us and enough for us all to take leftovers home.” Severus answered before walking back over to Harry who was talking to Bill and Charlie.
Bill tapped Charlie's arm. “Go on. Tell Harry what you have been doing.”
“I have been taking karate lessons.”
Harry blinked. “Karate? You?”
“Yes. Why does everyone have that reaction when I tell them?” Charlie sighed. “I have done it to help with work.”
Harry frowned. “And knowing karate helps you with Dragons, how?”
“When they get agitated and nasty you have to be very quick or risk getting burnt to a crisp. I mean I'm quick anyway. But last few times have been very close. But I have gotten that good at it. I bet I could even take Severus down.”
I will take that bet.” Came a voice.
Charlie turned and saw the man himself standing there.
“Take me down can you?” Severus asked.
Charlie nodded. “Yes.”
“Alright. If you can not. Then you be my test subject. I am currently working on a new salve, you rub it on your skin and if you get caught with fire, the salve protects your skin so you don't burn. I have already tested it on myself with the flames that heat my potions. But dragon fire is a lot different.”
Charlie stared dumbfounded at Severus. “You mean burn myself on purpose!? This is the whole reason I am taking these karate lessons. So I can move quickly and not get burnt.”
Severus snorted. “You are acting as though I am asking you to stand in front of a dragon and letting him breathe fire on you. If you help me do this then this salve can save numerous burnt injuries.”
Charlie sighed and nodded. “But if I win. When you do complete the salve. My dragon reserve get the salve for free. And you will have to find yourself another test subject.”
Severus held his hand out. “Deal.”
Charlie sighed. “I can't believe I am risking to be burnt willingly.”
“Doubting your skills at being stealthy, quick and agile?” Severus asked as he pulled his hand from Charlie's.
“No. Because I know I will win this.”
Severus nodded. “Let us go outside then Charles and see if you can, as you say, take me down.”
Charlie took a deep breath as he followed Severus out of the Burrow. “You know I hate being called Charles, I know what you are doing, it won't work.”
Once outside, Severus saw that he and Charlie were not alone. All the Weasleys and partners had come out to watch also.
Harry walked over to Severus. “You can't do this, Severus. He is at a disadvantage.”
Severus looked at his husband. “Slytherin.” He smirked. “I need to do this for my reputation.” He added before looking at Charlie. “Come on then. Whenever you are ready.”
Charlie nodded and moved about and circled Severus before quickly spinning to his side and swung his foot up high.
Severus caught Charlie's foot and twisted as he kicked his foot out and swept the red heads foot from under him causing Charlie to spin in the air before dropping to the floor. Landing on his arse.
“What the bloody hell was that?” Charlie asked as Bill walked over and helped his brother up.
“That was forgetting the unwritten rule in karate because it's common sense.” Severus answered. “What belt are you Charles?”
Charlie frowned at his full name before answering. “Blue belt. And what unwritten rule?”
Harry cleared his throat. “Severus is a black belt Charlie. He's been doing karate since he was about twelve.”
Severus smirked. “The unwritten rule. When doing karate on someone never assume that who you use it on, knows nothing about karate. And that's exactly what you did.”
“But you don't look like someone who does karate.” Charlie said.
“I see you judge books by their cover also.” Severus murmured.
Bill stepped forwards. “What made you do karate, Severus? If you don't mind me asking.”
“I, like Harry, had a magic hating muggle at home. Tried to beat the magic from me. Mother sent me to those classes to learn to defend myself. I just kept with them.” Severus explained.
Bill nodded. “And you wanted black belt?”
“It's my colour.”
Harry shook his head. “Will you apologise to Charlie?”
Severus looked at his husband. “For what? Winning the bet?”
“No. You knew you were higher up in karate than Charlie. You had the advantage.”
“Not my fault. Charlie shouldn't assume.” He answered before looking at the red head. “You lost the bet. You know what you have to do.”
The following week. Charlie stepped through the floo to Harry and Severus’ home and called out his arrival.
Severus walked in from the kitchen as Harry walked down the stairs. “Well?” Severus asked.
“I covered my hands and arms in the salve like you said and held my arms out when a dragon breathed fire and look!” Charlie said as he pushed up his sleeves.
Harry moved forwards and saw no markings whatsoever on his arms. “You have no marks. Are you sure the fire touched you?”
Severus moved forwards and examined Charlie's arms. “Of course it did. You really think I would willingly let you get burnt? I knew the salve would work against dragons. It's already been tested.”
Charlie frowned. “Then why have I gone through all that worry and panic and try and build myself up to let myself get burnt for nothing?”
Severus smirked. “I have taught every Weasley child. You were the only one that was never scared or fazed by me in lessons. Even Ginerva was weary of me. But you. Nothing. I couldn't have that. You were the only one that got away. I wasn't having that.”
Harry laughed. “Took some doing but one way or another you have now frightened all the Weasley children.”
“Yes. My reputation remains intact.” Was all Severus said before turning and walking away, leaving Harry and Charlie alone.
Harry looked at Charlie. “You should have had more faith in Severus. You didn't seriously believe he was asking you to willingly burn yourself and Molly was fine with that?”
When all Charlie did was open and close his mouth a few times. Harry clapped him on the shoulder. “Come and have a drink.”
The end.