Initials
Charlie wasn’t used to sneaking around. Well, actually, that was a lie. He used to be a master of sneaking around. His mother was–nosy, for lack of a better word. His years at Hogwarts had been filled with moments of sneaking around and giving his mother half truths. But, it wasn’t something that Charlie was used to doing now as a man.
But, right now that was what was necessary. His mother wasn’t a big fan of his extremely complicated relationship with a very opinionated Pureblood. And he really wasn’t in the mood for his mother’s “opinions” when it came to River Lestrange. Or the cold “fight” that would ensue.
River was one of Charlie’s oldest friends and the only girl he’d ever fallen in love with, even now, at twenty-three.
The war had ended a year ago and their relationship had rekindled almost a year before that, but his mother still held a grudge against River’s past. So, Charlie tried not to upset his mother or cause River to lose her temper by keeping them separated. But, soon something would have to give.
He sighed as he pulled his hair up, finishing up the dishes as he thought of the ring in his pocket. If his mother had any idea what he planned to do she’d lose it. But, he wouldn’t let her stop him.
Green flames erupted from the floo, pulling him from his thoughts and he beamed as his eyes caught the pale, almost silver gaze of his girlfriend. Her eyes practically sparkled as she grinned up at him.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” she said, softly.
He pulled her close, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers, pushing her black curls back before pressing his lips to hers.
“I missed you,” he murmured, against her lips.
It had been a long two weeks. He was still on house arrest for illegally smuggling the Gringott’s dragon to a protected island in Wales and that meant while he was kept at his family home River had to run the sanctuary by herself, not that she minded. But, it was hard when she had to be gone for long periods of time.
“I brought you a present,” she said, smirking.
“You know I’m not allowed to have anything fun,” he teased, stepping back.
“Why?” she scoffed, “Because you snuck your girlfriend into your bedroom? I don’t see the Great Matriarch saying anything about the Brilliant Strategist shacking up with his girlfriend. Or your twin brothers and their gaggle of toys for that matter.”
“Be nice,” he warned, playfully, “It’s going to take her some time to–”
She looked at him, bitterly, looking like her mother. “I really don’t want to fight about Molly right now, Weasley. Let’s just enjoy her being gone, please?”
River hated that Molly hated her simply because of who her biological parents were. It didn’t matter that she’d been raised a Black by her grandparents. It didn’t matter that she’d been eight the last time she’d even spoken to either of her parents until the war. It didn’t matter one little bit that she’d taken the name back just to help the Order win. She’d gone deep undercover and lost her closest friend and confidante. She’d proven her worth. She wasn’t about to explain herself to Molly Weasley.
She looked around the house, remodeled from the fire her own mother had caused, and thought of all the times Molly and Arthur had invited her here like a member of their family until Charlie had found out who her parents were. The breakup had been messy. She would regret the secrets she kept for so long. Yet, no matter how happy they were now or how well they communicated with one another, to Molly she’d always be the villain.
“Hey, stop thinking so hard,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her forehead.
She gave him a small smile just as he brushed his lips with hers.
“What’s this present?” he asked.
“Oh! Right!” she said, as she remembered the little creature she’d brought along, “Diaval gave me a gift today from her nest!”
Diaval was her Pygmy Wyrm her father had gifted her as a child. She’d been her companion for as long as she could remember. And two months ago her eggs hatched. She pulled out a small enclosure and presented the tiny dragon to Charlie.
“Is this from Diaval’s clutch?” he demanded, his hands practically shaking as he moved to open it.
“Outside, Charles, outside,” she hissed, quickly.
“Oh, yeah,” he said, sheepishly, “Right. Mum would freak if she found me inside with a Wyrmling.
She laughed, rolling her eyes, “Yeah, and she’d kill me for giving him to you.”
He took her hand, excitedly, practically skipping as he led the way outside. She rolled her eyes as he opened the little container, scooping the Pygmy Wyrm out of the case and putting him on the ground before backing away. The Wyrmling screeched happily, and ran towards Charlie, quickly growing in size to four feet tall.
“He’s blue!” Charlie said, excitedly, as the Wyrmling shrunk slightly to slink up onto Charlie’s shoulder, “Aren’t blue Pygmy Wyrms rare?”
River beamed, watching Charlie’s undulated joy as he pet under the docile creature's chin. Pygmy Wyrms were rare dragons, able to shrink and grow depending on their environment and the food available. They were practically extinct because of their desire to be around humans and bonding with them. And the fact that Diaval had gifted her one of her young had been the highest of honours.
“She pushed him right out of the nest and into my arms this morning after the feeding,” she said, scratching under his chin, “I thought he’d be a perfect companion for you.”
“Did you get the clearances from the Ministry?” he demanded.
She pulled out the paperwork, “Yep, so long as he has a proper nesting space to sleep and food he should be fine. Pygmy Wyrms can shrink to get their exercise so he should be really happy.”
“Baby–” he started before looking back at the house, “I don’t know how Mum will–”
“I’ll take him home if you want?” she said, quietly, “Diaval is ready to leave her nest and come home so I’m sure she’d enjoy this little one’s company.”
“You’re the best, you know that?” he murmured, pressing his lips to hers.
“I know, but you can keep telling me,” she teased.
“When do you have to go home?” he asked.
“No one expects me back from the sanctuary until tomorrow so I’m all yours. The question is when does Molly get back,” she replied.
“Not for a bit. Take a walk with me?” he asked.
She nodded, reaching for his hand, “What are you going to name the little beast?”
“Don’t know yet,” he breathed, kissing her hand as he moved through the grounds of his family home.
They eased into a gentle banter as they walked, happily chatting and discussing what they’d do once he was free. He led them toward a tree by the lake and sat down, pulling her down beside him. She ran her fingers through his hair before leaning down and kissing him.
“Did you bring me anything to do? Before I go insane from boredom?” he teased.
“I did,” she said, playfully, pulling files and books free from her bag, “Homework.”
He laughed, looking through it all, “I”m gonna have a lot to do once I go back, huh?”
She nodded, “You have no idea.”
He shook his head, getting up to help the gnome the dragon was currently trying to eat, “You’re cruel to me.”
She scoffed, “You’re my lead Dragonologist. What kind of patroness would I be if I let you skeeve off work because you’re on house arrest?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, “I just see my very capable girlfriend.”
She rolled her eyes, “Whatever.”
He looked at the tree she was currently leaning on curiously as she reached into her bag, reaching in for some chicken hearts for the little dragon as she walked over, trying to show it a trick as he watched, amused. He pulled his wand free of his pocket as he thought about the old family folktale about the trees. He hummed to himself as he carved their initials into the trunk, wrapping them in a heart.
“What are you doing?” she asked, frowning as she looked back at him.
“Immortalizing our love,” he replied, teasing.
She laughed, shaking her head, “More like defacing nature. Weren’t you taught better than that Dragon Boy?”
“Watch it, Lestrange,” he demanded.
“What are you going to do about it, Mr. Weasley? Spank me?” she scoffed.
“Actually, yes,” he replied, taking off causing her to run.
He chased after her, the small dragon flying around them happily, as she laughed. Finally he caught her, swinging her around before kissing her deeply. He carried her back to their tree before collapsing under it.
He chuckled, letting her lean back against him as they watched the Pygmy Wyrm chase a few more gnomes who were running around. He played with the ends of her curls as he watched, realizing that this is what he wanted to do forever. He wanted to spend every day sitting with her after a long day and simply enjoy each other and one day their family.
“Rivie?” he murmured.
“Hm?” she asked.
She’d been lost in her own thoughts. Her mind kept telling her this spot was special. She just didn’t know why.
“You remember our first kiss?” he asked.
She laughed, “Oh, definitely do. You brought me out in the dead of winter to this godforsaken lake in a snowstorm just to get Bill away from me because he wouldn’t leave us alone!”
He chuckled, “Yeah, it was right at this tree.”
Her eyes widened and she chuckled, “No wonder I keep thinking I’ve been here before.”
He dug into his pocket and pulled out the small box he’d been carrying around with him for a month, opening it up as they sat there at the base of their tree, “I want to be able to kiss you under this tree for the rest of my life.”
“Charlie–” she whispered in awe, her eyes filling with tears.
“Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
“Yes,” she gasped, turning around in his arms to kiss him, deeply.
He chuckled, slipping the ring onto her finger. She smiled up at him.
“I love you, River Emilia Lestrange,” he murmured.
“I love you too, Charles Septimus Weasley,” she said, resting her head on his chest.
“Isn’t this cute?” a voice said, softly.
River opened her eyes, still an extremely light sleeper, blinking tiredly as she looked up to see Bill standing over them.
“Shit, what time is it?” she said, her voice still heavy with sleep.
“‘Bout five. Mum’s home and you’re still here,” Bill said, raising a brow.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to,” she muttered, pushing her curls out of her hair as she slipped out of Charlie’s arm.
“What the fuck is that?” Bill demanded, keeping his voice low as he caught his best friend’s hand and gawked at the diamond on her hand, “Are you–”
She smiled, the happiness practically radiating off of her, “He asked today.”
“Can’t believe he actually did it,” he said, grinning, “I can’t wait for you to join the family.”
She smiled, “I doubt the rest of the family feels that way.”
She turned back to look at Charlie. She smiled at how cute he looked laid under the tree, the sun spilling through the leaves as he slept. She giggled softly as the small Pygmy Wyrm huffed a puff of smoke in his sleep in time with a cute snore that came from Charlie. She took him in, admiring all of his freckles, knowing that the three quarter sleeves hid the tattoos she’d drawn for him. How did she get so lucky to find such an amazing man? She sighed happily just as Bill cleared his throat.
“Right, your mum,” she said, “Let him know I went home and left my bag with all of the dragon’s stuff inside. I’ll be back in the morning to figure out how we’re going to break the news. Bye, Billy.”
She kissed his cheek before disappearing in a cloud of smoke just as Bill’s eyes found the engraving of their initials. He shook his head, chuckling to himself.
“Hey,” he said, kicking his brother’s foot softly with his boots, “Get up. It’s time for dinner.”
Charlie jolted awake, blinking tiredly as he searched around, a pout forming as he realized River was gone.
“Mum’s home so she made a break for it,” Bill explained.
“Right,” Charlie muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes tiredly.
“Speaking of Mum, she's going to kill you when she finds out you proposed to her and that you already added her to the family with that little stunt,” he said, pointing to the engraving on the tree.
Charlie chuckled, “Mum can’t reject her if the family magick has already accepted her.”
“How very Slytherin of you, brother,” Bill laughed.
“Sometimes you have to take a page out of your sneaky girlfriend’s book,” he chuckled, “Mum’s been impossible. So, this’ll help.”
“You mean fiance,” Bill corrected, smiling, “I’m happy for you. Let’s go break the news to Mum. Maybe she’ll stop insulting Hermione and Fluer now that you’ve become the child with the disappointing significant other.”
“Shut up,” Charlie scoffed as he gently woke up the small dragon, “Come on, Ember. Let’s go tell Mum about you staying here first. Maybe she’ll be too mad about a dragon to be mad about my fiance.”
Bill barked out a laugh, “Right, we’ll be planning your wedding and your funeral at the same time.”
Charlie rolled his eyes, giving his brother the finger before heading toward the house. He was engaged and a dragon tamer. He could handle his mother.