He might've kissed me breathless.
Harry
Harry moved around the kitchen in his dad’s house. He snuck in after noticing that Barnaby wasn’t there. He couldn’t wait to hear about how the date went. He hoped it went better than his dinner with Charlie last night.
Charlie didn’t want to open up to Harry, and he was having trouble accepting that. There was something about that grumpy man. How he takes care of the creatures. It didn’t matter which ones. The gentle creatures to the Blast-Ended Skrewts.
“Mornin’ Harry,” his dad’s voice booms through the room. Harry turned and smiled at the half-giant. He noticed the blinding smile on his dad’s face. The date must have gone well last night.
“Morning Dad, you look like you had a good night!” Harry plated the pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Hagrid's cheeks grew red and he couldn’t help but chuckle at his dad.
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.” The half-giant chuckled as he sat down at the table. Harry flicked his wand and sent the plates over to the table.
“Oh, Merlin Dad! Then it was a wonderful date then? When are you seeing him again? Did you take a walk as I suggested? Tell me all about him!” Harry rambled, his dad filled his plate with food and Harry’s.
“Well, we had supper. It was delicious. Barnaby wanted me to tell ya. Then we took a walk and talked about different things. After we had dessert, he asked me if I would like to go out again next week. I told em yes.”
“And…..” Harry leaned toward his dad, waiting to hear about the goodbye. He invested too much into this for him not to get all the details.
Hagrid would not meet his eyes but mumbled. “Then I walked em to the door and he might've kissed me breathless.” Harry barked out a laugh. The half-giant blushed.
“Dad, that is wonderful! I told you he liked you and then kissed you like that! I hate to say it, but I told you so! I’m so happy for you!” He reached over and squeezed his father’s hand.
“Thanks, Harry, how was your night? I heard Charlie was going over there for supper.” Harry’s smile faltered for only a second, but he knew it was long enough for his dad to notice.
“I don’t know, Dad. I’ve met no one like him. I can tell he is a big teddy bear, but he puts on this front. I don’t know what all he has gone through, and he has made it perfectly clear I’m his employer. He doesn’t want me to get to know him and he doesn’t want to get to know me.” Harry looked down at his pancakes. His dad’s calloused hand squeezed him.
“Give em time Harry. Charlie has had a rough time. He was such a sweet kid, I know that he still is. You have always wanted to help every living thing, Harry. It is one reason I love you so much.” Harry looked up into his dad’s kind brown eyes.
“Thanks, Dad, I love you too. I don’t want to fix him, he isn’t broken. I think that he just needs someone who will listen and bring happiness to his life. You know I’ve been there. I felt broken after I learned the truth about who I was. I…” Harry bit his bottom lip to stop himself from bringing up painful memories. He hated to think of everyone who lost their lives because of a madman who was after him.
“I know Harry, just give em time. Though let em know you are still there.” His dad patted his hand and went back to eating.
“I will, Dad, you know me. I will never give up.” Harry smiled and took a bite.
“After breakfast, we need to check on the Demiguises. I have a feeling we are going to have babies sometime soon.” His dad said, and Harry nodded. They just received a female Demigueses. They were very rare to catch. Ruya came to them abused, small, and close to death.
“We can never have too many babies.”
Charlie
Charlie has avoided Harry at all costs. He worked earlier and got off later. They were never in the same area. Charlie moved into his cabin. It reminded him of his old cabin at the dragon sanctuary.
Charlie pulled his prosthetics. This is the first Sunday that he was going home for family dinner. Bill was going to be there. That is the only reason that he is going. He looked at the clock and saw it was almost noon.
Charlie stood. He didn’t want to port key in his cabin. He walked out his door and ran into something, or he should say someone. He looked down, emerald eyes looked up at him. Why was he here? With a sigh, he reached out his hand to the smaller man.
Harry smiled up at him and clasped his hand. When their skin touched, Charlie felt a jolt of electricity move up his arm. Harry must have felt it too because a small gasp escaped his lips.
“I’m sorry. I was just coming over to let you know we are having everyone over at the big house for dinner tonight. If you want, you should come. I promise you won't see me in my towel this time and I won’t try to learn about you. We normally have these dinners every other Sunday. Most of the workers don’t have family, so it's like having a family dinner.” Charlie watched the blush grow on the younger man’s cheeks. Harry bit his bottom and Charlie couldn’t help but want to know what that lip tasted like.
Charlie shook his head; he can't think about any of that towards Harry. “I’m busy now if you don’t mind.” He watched as Harry’s smile faltered before he plastered it back on.
“No worries. Maybe next time. Have a good day.” Charlie made his way off his porch, he pulled out the port key just in time.
When the twirling stopped, Charlie landed in the backyard of his family's home. Thankfully, his legs held him. He took a deep breath as he walked toward the back door. When he opened it, the sound of his family hit his ears. The smell of dinner hit his nose. Charlie stepped into the kitchen. His mum was smiling as she talked with Fred, his wife Luna, George, and his very pregnant husband Lee. Charlie felt himself smile. He liked the blond fae-looking witch. Luna and Lee did the impossible and calmed the twins down.
Luna, as if she felt him enter the room, turned around and smiled at him. “Charlie!” She glided over to him and wrapped her arms around his middle. Charlie grunted and patted her back.
“Hi Luna, my brother is taking good care of you?” He winked down at her.
“Of course, I am, big brother.” Fred protested. Charlie rolled his eyes and squeezed Luna before he moved over and kissed his mum's cheek.
The older witch cupped his cheeks. “You look tired, Charlie. Have you been sleeping, or eating?” Charlie nodded.
“Yes, Mum, I’ve been eating and sleeping. I’ve been working a lot. This zoo is massive. I’ve never seen so many creatures in one place before.” Charlie pulled away from her. He didn’t need anyone to take care of him.
“You know I worry about you, Charlie.” His mum frowned. He will not feel guilty.
“We all are, but Charlie is tough,” Bill said, carrying his son into the room.
“Nothing to worry about. I’m fine now. Hand over my nephew.” Charlie moved over and plucked his nephew out of Bill’s hand. “Let's go take a walk.” He looked down into his nephew's blue eyes. Charlie wished that one day he would have a baby of his own, but now it looks like it is in the cards for him. He had nothing to offer someone.
After dinner, Charlie sat outside. He didn’t feel like going back. He knew that the dinner wouldn’t even be starting yet.
“You have been quiet today, more quiet than usual.” Bill sat down next to him on the porch. “Which is saying something because you haven’t been talkative for a while now.” Charlie sighed and looked up at the stars.
“I’m fine. Work is good. I have my cabin now. All the creatures are amazing.” Charlie didn’t tell him what was really bothering him.
“What about the people you work with? It’s Hagrid right and his son Harry?” Bill must have noticed his body tense at the mention of Harry.
“So Harry Potter is as lovable as everyone says. I thought it was just because of him being the boy who lived. No wonder Hagrid fought so hard to keep his son with him.” Charlie knew the story of Harry Potter pretty well.
“He is a ray of sunshine! It’s annoying! His smile is too big, teeth too white. Don’t get me started on his emerald green eyes that always twinkle!” Charlie looked at his brother, who had a smirk on his face.
“You like him! Oh, that is perfect! You should ask him out! I bet he sees through your tough exterior. Have you spent a lot of time with him?” Bill leaned closer, his chin rested on his hand.
“Not since I walked into his cabin while he was practically naked, only wearing a towel. Then I basically told him I wasn’t a scared creature in a corner and I didn’t want to get to know him.” Charlie didn’t want to hide anything from Bill he never had before.
His older brother whistled low. “Wow, Charlie… I know it hasn’t been that long since you dated anyone.” Bill held up his hands to stop Charlie from speaking. “I know you are not dating Harry. Though it would be wonderful if you did. I think you should give yourself a chance to be happy. You are not dead, you know.” Charlie scowled at his brother, but he knew he couldn’t argue over this again.
“I know I’m not dead. I’m just missing half my body.” Charlie huffed and crossed his arms.
Bill placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are only missing your legs, Charlie. You still have everything else that a partner would need. You have your brilliant mind, your kind heart, and your handsome good looks, which you get from your big brother.”
Charlie rolled his eyes, though he didn’t speak.
“Just think about it, Charlie. You are a great guy. Maybe it’s time to let someone in.” Bill squeezed his shoulder one last time before he left him alone.
He checked the time the port key was about to leave. Charlie groaned as he pulled it from his pocket. Maybe Bill was right, but maybe not.