chapter six
Chapter six
Harry went downstairs to make them both something to eat. He floated the heavy tray upstairs and sat it on the bed between them.
‘Truth babe, how’s the pain?’
‘It’s not too bad Harry, considering how I felt when she first hit me. My butt hurts and sitting on it doesn’t help,’ Charlie turned slowly so he was on his side, ‘Better.’
‘She did mean to do that, didn’t she, but why? Did she think if I couldn’t shag you I’d go back to her?’
‘I didn’t want to say anything in front of mum and dad, but she wanted to make sure I was permanently damaged. She yelled that if we could never have sex, eventually you would want her because you could have sex with her. She said you would never be able to fuck me, that’s why she aimed at my arse and not my cock. She wanted to make sure I couldn’t have you inside me.’
‘We have to get her to understand it doesn’t work like that. It wouldn’t matter if we could never shag, I couldn’t go near anyone else.’
‘I know, I’m the same, it’s all part of this Morphixen side. We can only ever shag each other.’ Charlie sighed.
‘Maybe I can get Hermione to show her that part in the book. Because there have been cases where life mates couldn’t have sex for whatever reason, so they just stayed together as a couple until they died.’
‘Speak to Hermione; get her to show Ginny. Something has to work on that stubborn sister of mine. Anyway, who was that woman with you lot?’
‘Jessy, the new auror Kingsley found. She heard about what Voldemort was doing and deliberately came here from Australia. Apart from having family here, she wanted to help. Kingsley found her fighting a death eater one day. She came in right after you left that day when we caught the death eater in the dining room. But Charlie, Kingsley and I just stepped out of my office and I felt your pain, but I had no idea what it was, not at first. The pain was crippling my senses, that’s when I changed, right there in the office and flew off. At the hospital I could feel how weak I was which meant how weak you were, Ron had to hold me up. Once the healer finished giving you potions I instantly felt better. It really shows how we’re joined, even if I wish this didn’t happen.’
‘Yeah, it does, I felt how worried you were the moment I woke up. I went to Diagon Alley to see if there might be a shop I could use. I’ve been thinking about that a lot and you’re offer. I still don’t like the idea of using your money, but it is like we are a complete and full couple, partners in everything.’
‘We are babe, so will you just do it? It’s something you want and the money’s just sitting there. I can organise a key for you and have your name added to vaults.’
‘I will, but I’d like to make it really official. So why don’t we do that bonding ceremony? We’re bonded anyway, so let’s make it legal?’
‘We can do that and even if we are life partners, I like the idea that we will be legally joined. Maybe even Ginny will finally understand if we do a bonding ceremony, we’ll be officially married so she will have to understand.’
‘She might, but it’s us that want to do it. So we can work that out over the next few weeks. I’m sure mum will want to help plan.’
‘One thing, if you want babe, we have to have it at the Burrow. You know I’ve always loved that place and it did basically make me feel normal when I went there.’
‘I’d love to do it at the Burrow, it’s my family’s home. Bill got married there as well.’
‘Alright, we’ll talk it over with your parents. You can mention it to your mother tomorrow. Blimey I wish I could stay home with you though. At least I know Ginny can’t get in here and she’s stuck in St Mungo’s right now, won’t stop me worrying about you though.’
Charlie grinned, ‘I’d like you here to, but you need to work, especially since you are still learning all that stuff.’
‘Yeah, and Kingsley approved for all of us to go through every department there. I can check for anything dark or even just someone into dark magic.’
‘What about having me with you, it makes it stronger?’
‘No, I asked babe, he can’t approve you as you’re not employed by the ministry. I can still sense it and the others will be with me. You concentrate on finding your shop and setting it up. It’ll need to be a decent size, with all the animals and everything else that goes with it.’
‘Yep, so like the magical menagerie and Owlops combined. Then Flourish and Blotts for the books. Add cages, stands and anything else on magical animals. There’s a lot to organise.’
‘Well since you are confined to the house for a week, start making a list of what’s needed. If you need information I can get it for you while I’m out.’
‘I will need a few books, so I can give you a list. Then I’ll have to work on the licenses that I’ll need to carry certain animals. That’s why I have to make sure I have a large enough shop. Some animals are big but you also have to be licensed to carry poisonous snakes. I can get you to help with the snakes when I first get them. They might already have names so you’ll be able to tell me.’
‘I can do that, but you’ve got time to sit and work all that out. Not today though, for now just rest and eat,’ Harry and Charlie started eating and even though they could feel the urge to have sex, they knew it couldn’t happen. They were learning to control it and it was getting easier. So after they finished eating, Harry got on the bed beside Charlie, lying on his side like Charlie, so they faced each other while they were talking. First they kept talking about the shop and what Charlie would need. Then the conversation turned to Ginny. After a while Charlie had fallen asleep, so Harry took the tray downstairs and put his head in the fire.
‘Harry, how’s Charlie?’ Hermione asked.
‘He’s okay, a little sore. But I wanted to ask you if you could do us a favour. In those books, is there a part about how a few Morphixen mates couldn’t have sex.’
‘Yes, I remember reading about that.’
‘Well Ginny wanted to make sure we couldn’t that’s why she aimed at Charlie’s arse. I know you hate hearing this Hermione but she basically wanted to make sure I couldn’t…enter Charlie. She was hoping it would make me want to have sex with her. I was hoping you could show her the book and explain how it doesn’t matter if we can’t. We still need to be together whether we can have sex or not. If we can’t it doesn’t change anything. So even if Charlie couldn’t take me anymore, I could still take him. Even if neither of us could, we would still want to be together.’
‘I’ll take the book when I visit tomorrow Harry, I’ll be out anyway. Ron and I have decided to get a flat and live together. Once I do that, then I’m going to see about working.’
‘Whatever you do, I know you’ll be brilliant, like always. But Hermione, I know you’re smart and could probably run the ministry. Do something you love, something your heart really wants and something you’ll enjoy. Our lives over the last few years has been anything but fun, it’s time we all started to enjoy our lives. I love what I’m doing at the auror office and even though I know it’s serious, it’s still something I enjoy doing. You need to do the same, don’t just take a job just because you happen to be smart, take it because it’s something you really want.’
‘You are a very wise man Harry and you’re right. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do. Once I speak with a few departments, I think that will give me more of an idea. Now though, go back to Charlie, tell him we’ll visit soon.’
‘Thanks Hermione, you’re a good friend. I’ll talk to you later,’ Harry gave her a smile then pulled his head out of the fire before heading back upstairs to his mate. He lay next to Charlie, put his head back on his pillow, his eyes on Charlie as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Harry had helped Charlie shower the following morning. He then very gently and carefully applied his creams to all his wounds before helping Charlie put his bathrobe on. Harry put his work clothes and auror robes on and walked slowly down the stairs. Harry got Charlie comfortable on the sofa, went into the office and grabbed a large notebook, quill and ink for Charlie. Harry just sat down when Mrs. Weasley arrived and insisted on making them both breakfast.
‘I really don’t want to leave you,’ Harry picked up Charlie’s hand and placed it against his cheek.
Charlie gazed at Harry, ‘I know, I feel the same, but I’m fine here with mum and she can’t come near us.’
‘I know, but it’s the fact your hurt, I have to protect you,’ Harry sighed then put his head against Charlie’s chest, ‘This is so strong right now.’
‘I know Harry, but just try and focus on work. You need to learn all this stuff to keep yourself safe.’
‘Here you go,’ Molly placed a tray over Charlie’s lap, then handed Harry the other, ‘Now eat. Did the healer say you needed anything?’
‘Just my creams which Harry already did mum, it’s fine. I had my potion when I first woke up,’ Charlie started eating but noticed Harry picking at his food, ‘Eat Harry, I’ll be fine.’
Harry sighed, ‘I know,’ he said then started to eat, but he only got through half, then floated his tray to the kitchen, ‘I better go,’ Harry kissed Charlie then they just stared into each other’s eyes.
‘Go love,’ Charlie gently caressed Harry’s face then kissed him again.
‘Okay,’ Harry tried to smile, but couldn’t, so he quickly kissed Charlie again then left the house.
Molly noticed Charlie sag the moment Harry was gone, ‘Are you alright Charlie?’
‘It’s not this mum, it’s the bond. When one of us is hurt we need to stay together, so right now the urge is at its strongest. I tried not to let Harry see how bad I was feeling because I knew he had to go. But I want to talk to you and hopefully that will keep my mind off this.’
‘Okay, so what do you want?’
‘Harry and I have decided to do the bonding ceremony; we both want it at the Burrow. It’s my home and Harry always felt at home there and like he said, it made him feel normal when he was there.’
‘That’s wonderful. I might get your father to hide Ginny’s wand until she can understand that nothing will change.’
‘She could always buy another or take one of yours.’
‘I’ll talk it over with your father. So have you decided when you want the ceremony?’
‘Harry said for me to discuss it with you. He’s not worried when as long as it isn’t too long away,’ Charlie smiled.
‘Alright, but it hasn’t been that long since you both got together. Are you sure you’re not rushing this Charlie?’
‘It’s not like a normal relationship mum. This Morphixen bonding is more than that and it’s like we’ve been together our whole lives. We know each other in every way there is. We know how we feel and that we are meant to be together. So to us, it’s like we’ve been together for years.’
‘I suppose I can’t really understand. So we need to start on arrangements, food, the guest list, who will perform the ceremony.’
‘There are a few friends from Romania I want to invite. I’ll need to work on letting them know to give them enough time to organise their plans. Right now it’s cold, maybe once the weather turns, so let’s say May?’
‘Then make sure it’s later in the month.’
‘Why?’
‘Charlie, the fight, Hogwarts, him, it was the second of May.’
‘Oh right, I haven’t thought of that. We definitely have to keep our ceremony away from that date. Okay, we’ll work on the last Saturday of May, I’ll see how Harry feels about that.’
‘Okay, now I want to ask you something about what happened yesterday.’
‘You can ask anything mum.’
‘Was she deliberately trying to kill you?’
Charlie sighed, ‘No, she was trying to make sure I was permanently damaged so Harry could never have sex with me again. She screamed that out after hitting my arse. She thought if we couldn’t, then Harry would go back to her because he could have sex with her. I didn’t want to say anything but I don’t want you to think that Ginny was trying to kill me.’
‘At least she wasn’t going as far as killing you. What she did was bad enough.’
‘Yeah, it was. One thing that has got me concerned though. If we do this bonding at the Burrow, she might disrupt it in some way even if she can’t curse us. There are other things she could do.’
‘Let me talk it over with your father, there might be something we can do.’
‘This is not a nice thing to say about someone in the family, but I don’t want her there. After me, she might decide to attack Harry. Hermione is going to tell her about our bonding, that even if we can’t have sex we still need to be with each other. But there’s a chance that she still might try to hurt Harry.’
‘She might, let me talk to her, I’ll be going to see her tonight. Now no more about that, start working on your shop and a guest list. I can start working on the menu.’
‘Mum, I know you love cooking and you’re the best, but let’s get it catered that way you can just be the mother of one of the grooms. You can fuss all you want over both of us, except in one way. I will not be getting my hair cut, so don’t start on that. Harry likes my long hair, I like my long hair, so it stays. I’ll just tidy it up and don’t go making Bill cut he’s, he likes he’s hair as well.’
Molly sighs, ‘Alright, but you mentioned this while you’re injured because you knew I wouldn’t say no to you, didn’t you?’
‘Yep, you’ve never been able to say no to us when we were sick or hurt. But I’m serious anyway, I love my hair, so does Harry, so it stays. Now if you go into Harry’s office you can find some parchment and another quill, let’s sit and do our list for the wedding.’
Molly smiled, kissed Charlie’s cheek then went into Harry’s office. She looked around and thought it was a very nice room. She spotted the wedding picture of James and Lily Potter which made her sad. Harry’s life would have been so different if his parent’s survived. She shook herself from those thoughts then she found what she needed before sitting back with her son ready to start on the lists for his bonding ceremony.
At the auror office, everyone noticed how distracted Harry was. He couldn’t concentrate on spells or any of the work that involved being head of department. Everyone tried to keep Harry’s mind on work and off Charlie, but nothing seemed to work. Finally Kingsley gathered a heap of reading material and handed it to Harry.
‘Go home, you’re no use for anything right now. Read all that while you’ve got time.’
Harry sagged, ‘Thanks…Minister, it’s the bond, I can’t help it.’
‘I know, I was hoping it had been long enough that you could stay away from Charlie, but you can’t and it’s only because he’s hurt. So go, we’ll see you in a week, but no longer.’
‘It won’t, thanks,’ Harry hurried from the office and headed straight home. The moment he stepped into the house, he dropped all the material Kingsley had given him and ran to Charlie, kissing him passionately. They kept kissing until they needed to come up for air.
As soon as their lips parted, they smiled, ‘Even though I love it, why are you home early?’
‘I couldn’t concentrate on anything, so Kingsley told me to go home. I tried, but nothing worked, all I kept seeing was you, blood and, oh god Charlie,’ Harry put his head on Charlie’s chest, ‘We could have lost each other.’
‘We could have, but we didn’t. Now why don’t you pick up what you dropped, then sit with me?’
‘Okay,’ Harry kissed Charlie again then faced his mother, ‘Hi Mrs. Weasley.’
‘Hello Harry, he’s fine you know.’
‘I know, it’s the bond,’ Harry floated all his reading material into his office then changed out of his robes before sitting beside Charlie, but could see two different lists, ‘So you’ve been writing down everything you need for the shop?’
‘Yes, it’s going to need to be big,’ Charlie picked up the other list, ‘This about the bonding ceremony, see what you think so far. Mum and I have been working on this all morning.’
Harry started to read, ‘So we’ll get bonded in May. I’m glad it’s at the end of the month.’
‘Mum reminded me about the battle,’ Charlie shrugged.
‘We can’t have our ceremony near that day. That’s one day I want to forget. But all this looks good Charlie. There’s a few more names I’ll add though.’
‘I knew you would. I know a lot of your friends but not all of them.’
‘There’s a few more, but I want people like McGonagall and Aberforth added as well, Hagrid naturally.’
‘Even though I like Hagrid and always did, you know, we both have a thing for creatures. But why are you and Hagrid so close?’
‘I’ll go Charlie since Harry is here, do you need me to come back tomorrow?’
‘No, Kingsley said I can take the week. But you can visit anytime, even if I can look after him now.’
‘Alright, if you need anything just let me know,’ Molly kissed Charlie then Harry on the cheek before leaving her son and the young man she has thought of a son since he became friends with Ron.