Shadow and Flame

What He Did Next

The bedroom door was closed. He grabbed a pair of towels, following the puddles in.

She sat in the corner, hiding herself in her knees. Bending down, he covered her with a towel.

"We need to dry off. Before we catch colds."

He tossed one of his shirts to her, and she sat up. Sniffed.

"No peeking."

He resisted the urge, turning around. Slipping off his shirt, he caught her finished and staring.

"Same goes for you."

He went to work, drying off and tugging on a dry pair of pants.

"I slept with him."

He paused, before shoving his arms into sleeves. He rolled the sweater down completely.

"When he came back for me, I felt so bad. And I knew it's what he wanted. So,"

"We should be getting to bed."

He headed for the door, giving his hair a shake in the towel. She held him back, dropping her hand.

"I would've gone with him back there too. Because that would have made him happy."

"So why didn't you?"

"You, Charlie." He blinked. "I mean, if someone like you believes I could have a second chance, I guess that's worth exploring."

"You did a good thing back there. He seemed at peace."

"You're right, we should go to bed." She began to close herself off again. "I'll take the couch."
He chuckled.

"Really. I won't be sleeping much anyway."

"And why is that?"

"You can't be serious."

He came before her, stepping in a puddle.

"No one else should be coming for you tonight. No hearts to break around here."

"Really? And what of yours?" She smirked. "We're engaged after all, and I just kissed another man right in front of you."

"Doesn't count if the poor bloke won't remember it."

"I'll keep that in mind." She rolled her eyes.

"Count your blessings, Miss Smith. You'd be in serious trouble if we were a legitimate couple."

"How do you figure?"

"Because you wouldn't be able to handle it."

He leaned in, backing her against the wall. "Handle what?"

"Everything."

"Try me, Weasley."

His eyes flickered, mocking hers. Her breath tickled his skin, and he pulled back.

"Goodnight, Guinevere."

Pausing in the door frame, he glanced over his shoulder. She was right where he left her.

"Goodnight, Charlie."

He didn't get much rest that night.

Over and over it played in his mind, as he watched the door. White hair. Cream skin. Pink lips. She'd been looking better and better since their first encounter.

Now there was something else about her. Something sexy and powerful, beyond her dragon form.
She'd made a choice for herself tonight.

And it just so happened to involve him.

She tormented him in the morning, the tail of her sweater rising and exposing her midriff as she reached for the top shelf.

They locked eyes, and Charlie gulped. Hers moved down, to the cream she poured in their tea.

"How would you like a wand?"

"Nice joke, Weasley."

"I mean it. I've enough to get you something nice. Perhaps shipped from Olivanders?"

"No strings attached? Just a wand?"

"Well, would it be too much to ask to see your other form sometime?"She glanced at his wand on the table, could practically sense her desire. "It's one thing to feel human. Another thing entirely to be who you really are."

"Will it be safe?"

"In case you hadn't noticed, we're in a dragon sanctuary. Perhaps the only safe place for you."

She sipped and set the cup on a saucer. "Agreed. Send for the wand."

"I already have." She looked at him funny, before reaching for boots.

They set off on a hike, away from where he thought they might be seen. With the all clear, she changed. He ran his fingers down her scales, the mass giving a shiver.

They did this every day for months, hiking out. She'd nap as he sketched and wrote out notes, discovering things of a dragon he'd never have dreamed possible. She helped him get close to the others, closer then he'd ever gone without getting scorched.

And then one day, the day before they were to head to the burrow for holiday, Eden offered for him to ride on her.

Tucking his feet at her sides, he braced himself for the takeoff. They soared across the rising horizon, Charlie's heart filled to the brim. All the years of ridicule over his fanaticism of dragons had finally paid off. He wasn't just riding one.

He was falling for one.