Wishlist: Gossip (Charlie/Rosmerta)

[theimpossiblegl.livejournal.com]

Author: theimpossiblegl
Recipient: katmarajade
Title: Gossip
Pairining: Charlie/Rosmerta
Request/Prompt: Charlie/Rosmerta, romance, getting together stories, wine, first kisses
Rating: R (just to be safe, nothing explicit and just the hint of sexy times ahead)
Word Count ~1800
Summary: Sometimes, even the most popular witch in Hogsmeade doesn't know everything about her patrons.
Author's Notes: Unbeta'd.

“Well, well. Look what the kneazle dragged in!” Rosmerta smiled brightly from her post behind the bar, where she had been shining the ale tankards until they shown almost as brightly as crystal. Trying to be nonchalant, she checked her appearance in the mirror on the other side of the tavern, smoothing a few of her curling blonde strands back into place before she turned back to the Wizard who had just walked through the door.

“Hey, Rosie. It’s been a while,” Charlie said.

“Almost four years, stranger.”

He took a seat directly in front of her, leaning on the smooth oak bar top with a graceful ease a man as solid as he was shouldn’t possess. Rosmerta stifled a sigh as she looked at the strong arms that straining the sleeves of his ochre coloured shirt. A tattoo rippled on his left arm, the snout of a dragon shooting a burst of flames around his wrist. Gone was the sturdy teenager that she had served hundreds of bottles of Butterbeer to … had flirted with, on occasion, if she were being honest. He was a man now.

She blushed when she realised she had been staring and quickly grabbed a bottle from under the counter. “Your usual?”

“Nah - I haven’t had a Butterbeer in ages,” Charlie said with a wink. “Can I have a glass of that wine you keep in the back for special occasions?”

“How do you know about that?” Rosmerta really was shocked — she only served that to the Professors at the end of the school year. Or to Severus, when he paid her a friendly call.

“Everyone knows about the end of year party the teachers have here. I just figure that Harry making it through the First Task with all his limbs is worthy of a glass and a toast.”

“Here, here,” she agreed. The little man had been even braver than his sainted mother. “Back in a flash, love.”

She walked to her storeroom, grabbing a bottle of the special vintage Cotes de Rhone from the top shelf. Just looking at the label on the bottle made her smile — such good memories were embedded in this wine that she had smartly started using Doubling Charms on so many years ago.

Straightening her robes, Rosmerta wished that she had changed into something more flattering when she had returned from the First Task. The khaki and sage linen were cool and comfortable when she was working, but they made her feel twenty years older.

However …

She peaked down at her sparkling high heels, seeing her pretty red toenails peek out from the open toes. At least those made her feel pretty — and showed off her true sense of style.

Charlie was nibbling on a handful of nuts when she returned. When he grinned at her, using the Weasley charm she remembered his older brother having when he was in school, she started giggling just like a girl again.

“Here we are,” she said, pouring them both a glass of the rich wine. “To Harry.”

“To Harry,” Charlie repeated, clinking his glass with hers.

“So, how is Romania? It doesn’t seem like you get home very often, from what I hear.”

“You’re right, I don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s more than a full time job, to be honest. We have take so much Pepper-up that I’m surprised steam doesn’t constantly blow from my ears. Plus,” he sighed, “it would scare my mother spitless if she saw how many burns I have. Visits have to be strategically planned. I get to see Bill, more than you’d think — it’s just a few Apparations to get to Egypt, but …” he trailed off, taking another sip of wine.

“Sounds lonely,” she murmured. Trying to resist the urge and failing, she reached out and fluffed his scraggly ginger hair, running her fingers through the strands before pulling her hand back.

Charlie didn’t seem to notice, even though he shifted slightly in his seat, though not uncomfortably. “It’s not so bad. I’ve made a lot of friends, but it’s not home, you know?”

“You have a girl over there to run around with?”

He shook his head and laughed. “No girl.”

“A guy?” There had been rumours that Charlie might enjoy male company, even though she had never sensed it about him.

“Heh - no, you can lay that myth to rest,” he chuckled.

“Then what do you do to pass the time? Play solitaire with your mates?” she teased, patting his hand with hers.

“I read, study of course … and I daydream a bit,” he said, biting his lower lip and looking at her through his lashes. “There’s this girl that I always wanted to be with when I was in school, but I wasn’t really old enough back then to ask her out.”

“Oh, that’s a shame,” Rosmerta said. Absently, she started rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb, enjoying the way his rough skin felt.

“Yeah it was. She and I were mates — shared a lot of drinks on Hogsmeade weekends, but … you know how it goes. She was way out of me league.”

“Compared to who? Charlie Weasley - Quidditch Captain, Prefect, most popular bloke in his class. You had everything going for you,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. Charlie had been the object of many crushes, from the talk around the bar. He probably still starred in a few of his classmates fantasies.

“Maybe. I had everything, save for the full attention of the girl I wanted.”

“Who was it? You can tell me, I won’t breathe a word to a soul.” Rosmerta nodded her head to Burt, who she had thought would be her last customer of the night, before Charlie came in. Burt tipped his hat to her before walking out.

“I’ll tell you, if you lock up now and come sit with me,” Charlie said softly.

She lifted an eyebrow as she nodded at the door. Muggle and magical locks alike closed it tightly. Another nod and the shutters slammed against each of the windows. Satisfied with her work, she left her station and took the stool next to his.

“All right, I’ve done my part,” she said. “Now spill. Who is the lucky woman?”

Charlie’s lips twitched as he leaned toward her. One of his heavy hands swept the loose strands of hair from her ear. He kept his lips very close to her ear, as though he was about to tell her a secret. “With all the gossip you hear around this place, and you never figured out that I’ve wanted you since I was an ickle firstie?”

Rosmerta tried to turn to look at him, but his hand had slid to the nape of her neck and held her in place. His breath scorched her ear, warming her inside and out. At least, it did until he started to speak again. His words made gooseflesh rise all over her skin, made her dizzy even though she hadn’t finished her first glass of wine.

“I’ve been waiting eleven years to do this, Rosie. Dreamt of you every single night. Think about you almost all bloody day. And when I come, it’s your name that falls from my lips.”

His voice reminded her of the wine — deep, rich, and heady. She licked her lips, needing something to wet her dry mouth … and needing him to keep talking to her in that low, seductive tone.

“Tell me if I don’t have a chance, and I’ll go,” he whispered, his nose skimming the base of her neck. “Merlin you smell good. Like Meade and honey and … “ He sniffed again. “What is that?”

“The lotion you gave me for Halloween your Seventh Year. Ginger and —“

“Brown sugar. You still have that?”

She nodded, trying to take a steadying breath after he let go of her neck. But she couldn’t — all she could think of was wanting his strong, comforting touch to return. “Of course I do. I’ve been using it … sparingly.”

“And casting Doubling Charms, no doubt,” he chuckled.

She finally looked at him, meeting his calm, blue eyes with her own. “How do you know about that?”

“Back then I studied you even harder than I do my dragons, love.” He touched her again, this time caressing her cheek. Rosmerta leaned against into it, rubbing her skin into the rough palm of his hand like a cat.

“Your eyes are as green as the Slytherin banner. What are you thinking?”

Too many things to even mention in polite company, she thought. The gooseflesh had spread everywhere, even to the junction of her thighs. She shifted, never taking her eyes from his when she said, “You have more than a chance, Charlie.”

“May I kiss you then?” he asked.

Nodding, she closed her eyes and gasped when his lips met hers. It was too perfect — one of those kisses people wait a lifetime for. Her head spun, hands grabbing for his shoulders so that she wouldn’t melt into a puddle on the floor.

“Where are you staying?” she managed to murmur when his lips slid to her neck.

“Here,” he said. She could feel his lips curve into a smile. “The Sanctuary rented me a room upstairs.”

“Do you want to sleep in a bed that’s a little more … oh Merlin … more like …” She couldn’t finish her thought. Charlie’s lips were nipping that spot on her neck that made her mind turn into complete mush.

“I would,” he said, in between kisses.

“People will talk,” she whispered.

“Let them. I’ve got the woman I always wanted in my arms. Let the gossip spread to Diagon Alley and back.” With a wink, he stood, picking her up and cradling her against him as he walked to her suite of rooms on the first floor of the Inn. He kicked the door shut behind them, just as a small sign came into few around the brass door handle.

Do Not Disturb

Comments

[alisanne.livejournal.com]

Aww! Lovely!
Determined Charlie is hot. I don't blame Rosie for not resisting him. *g*
Those strong arms with the tats and the broad shoulder and... yum!
Delicious.
I bet they had a fabulous time. <3

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Very sexy! Go Charlie, getting what - or rather who! - he wants!

[too-dle-oo.livejournal.com]

Yessss! Way to go, Charlie! This is terribly sweet and hot, all rolled up into one.

[mywitch.livejournal.com]

What a hot, sweet story! And good for you, Rosmerta, you sexy minx - Get you some Weasley! ;)

[katmarajade.livejournal.com]

First off-- SQUEE! *flails* *adores*

Secondly, I'm so sorry it took me so long to comment! /o\ I took an unexpected mini break from fandom due to some wild rl stuff and popped back in to find gorgeous pressies! So please know that my tardiness is in no way indicative of my lack of caring/excitement/glee/etc. Because most definitely NOT!

And onto the main event! I adored this! I love these two characters, both separately and together, so this was such a treat! I love all the little details you gave to flesh out Rosmerta's character-- how she dresses practically and comfortably when the situation warrants but still rocks sparkly high heels and always has a cute pedicure. I love that she stays up to date on the Hogwarts gossip. Her penchant for doubling charms was great, and I loved how you used that trait in two different ways. Love her stash of good wine in back! :-D And I sort of shivered with delight when she closed up with all that wandless magic. So cool!

And Charlie was so sexy here! Wow! I have such a soft spot for characters who live/work far away from family and deal with all the loneliness. So you hit that love of mine HARD, and I adored it! I love how he planned his visits home around when he looked presentable (re: non-burny!) and visited Bill occasionally and all the Pepper-Up Potion. And I love that he never had to say it at all and even tried to give the opposite impression, but Rosmerta knew that, of course, he was lonely. *clutches heart* I don't think I've ever considered Charlie having pined over Rosmerta forever like this, but now I'm shocked I hadn't because it's so perfect! *dances* I love it! This was such a complete delight. Thank you so, so, so much for writing it for me! It was so much better than I could ever have imagined possible, and I'm tripping over myself with delight! *beams*