Three's Revenge

Draco’s Detour: Three’s Revenge

By Newshound

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are the exclusive property of J. K. Rowling. This fiction is entirely for entertainment purposes and no money is being made from it.

Chapter 6: Draco’s Big Plan

“Why is it I have to do all the leg work, while she gets to carry on with Wood?” Charlie asked resentfully.

“Because she doesn’t need my help,” Draco answered patiently. “Actually, I thought you might enjoy the work, you’d be outdoors, in the fresh air. Oh, I forgot to ask, you have taken photos before, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, but not that kind,” Charlie answered vaguely. “How will I know where Oliver is?”

“I’ll have all the details for you after Therese talks to him,” Draco said. “Severus also told me the new password to his sitting room It seems he doesn’t trust you.”

“Probably a good thing,” Charlie responded. “I did try to sneak in there last night.”

“What were you going to do?” Draco asked puzzled.

“Watch him sleep,” Charlie answered, sighing. “See what he sleeps in, how he looks.”

“You have got it bad, haven’t you?” Draco said sympathetically. “We need to be very careful with this, though; we’ll need an extremely subtle, circumspect plan.”
* * * * *
The rest of the day proved completely uneventful. Charlie did his best to look convincing when he asked Harry if he could borrow his cameras for a few days and then did his best to act sheepish when he revealed it was for a surprise Draco had planned for Harry. It must have worked because Harry didn’t seem to mind and told Charlie to pick them up first thing in the morning.

He ate dinner quietly in his suite, alone, not really wanting to have company. He was starting to have doubts about Draco’s scheme. He spent most of the evening reading an X-rated muggle novel he’d swiped from Ginny’s room the last time he’d visited the Burrow, and got so caught up in it he barely noticed the time. When he starting yawing during the best part, he glanced at his watch and noticed it was near 10 p.m. He needed to get some sleep; tomorrow would be a busy day. He shuffled into his lavish bedroom and got ready for bed, putting on his favorite pajamas, and crawling between the covers of his soft, inviting bed.

Charlie was about to fall asleep when heard a light tapping on his door.

“Charlie?” Draco whispered. “You in there? I need to come in for a minute.”

Charlie opened the door, dressed only in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, barely awake.

“Draco?” he asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes. “What do you want? It’s past ten o’clock!” He motioned for Draco to enter and Draco did, glancing surreptitiously around.

“Did you get the cameras from Harry?” Draco asked.

“I’m supposed to come by first thing in the morning and pick them up,” Charlie answered. “He said he’d show me how to use them then.”

“Well, I’ll be gone early in the morning,” Draco informed him.

“Good for you,” Charlie retorted, irritated at being disturbed.

“You remember what I said the other day?” Draco reminded him sternly. “Make sure the cameras are all he shows you how to use.”

“Give it a rest already, Draco!” Charlie said angrily. “I’m tired of you bringing up what happened with Harry and me!”

As if being woken up wasn’t bad enough for Charlie, he noticed Draco staring at him with a contemptuous scowl on his face, giving Charlie the dirtiest of looks. If he hadn’t been so tired and frustrated with everything, Charlie probably would have let it go.

Instead he responded with something he’d wanted to say to Draco since they first spoke.
“I’m also tired of the way you treat Harry,” Charlie said, his voice rising along with his ire. “You act like he’s your pet dog; Sit, Harry; Lie down, Harry; Roll over, Harry; Suck me off, Harry.”

He walked over and stood toe to toe with Draco, a menacing look on his face. He was taller and more muscular (and a more powerful wizard in his estimation) than Draco and he had listened to all the comments he was going to. He would put a stop to it once and for all, physically if necessary.

“You think you own him,” Charlie said pointedly, his finger jabbing in Draco’s chest. “You think you can tell him what to do. Well, you can’t. Harry can do whatever he wants, with whoever he wants, and you can’t stop him! This may come as a shock to you Draco, but Harry is free to walk away from you anytime he wants.”

“I guess a committed relationship means nothing to you?” Draco argued, taking a step back.

“You don’t want a committed relationship, Draco,” Charlie said passionately. “You want a guarantee! You’re so possessive and controlling you don’t want him doing anything without your express approval and I’m sick and tired of seeing you treat Harry that way!”

”So, I’m possessive and controlling, am I?” Draco said, losing his temper. “Well, at least I didn’t seduce my little brother’s best friend, now did I? I didn’t take advantage of him when he needed comfort and sympathy.”

“I don’t know what he told you,” Charlie said smugly. “But he sure wasn’t looking for comfort and sympathy when he showed up at my bedroom at 2 a.m.; he was looking for a good hard fuck and he got it, more than once actually.”

Charlie was so pleased with his snappy retort he never saw it coming.

Suddenly, Draco pulled his wand out of his robe pocket and pointed it directly at Charlie; silently he recited a spell he knew would throw Charlie up into the air. He put every ounce of jealousy, frustration, hurt and anger he was feeling into the spell and it hit Charlie full force, throwing him up into the air, spinning and twisting him, until he landed with a heavy thud on the small dining table behind the sofa. It broke in two under Charlie’s weight, collapsing and dumping Charlie to the floor.

The door to the adjoining suite burst open and Severus rushed in.

“What in Heaven’s name is going on in here?” he demanded looking from his apprentice to the heap on the floor. Draco pointed to Charlie.

“Draco!” Severus scolded, hurrying over to where Charlie lay on his back, unconscious. “You may have seriously injured him!”

“I certainly hope so,” Draco said uncaring. “I should hate to think I’ve lost my touch.” He blew on the tip of his wand, putting it away and then began calmly examining the skin under his fingernails.

“Charlie, wake up,” Severus called, shaking him gently by the shoulders. He passed his hand, palm down, across Charlie’s face and intoned quietly, “Wake up now.”

Charlie slowly came to, his back killing him and an excruciating pain in his head and neck. “What happened?” he mumbled. “Why am I on the floor?”

“Perhaps Draco will be so kind as to explain,” Severus instructed, looking at Draco, a stern expression on his face.

“He started it,” Draco said petulantly. “He called me possessive and controlling.”

“And calling you that merits this?” Severus asked watching Draco carefully.

“He’s just mad because I told him the truth!” Charlie interjected, shouting. “I told him I was sick of the way he treats Harry, and I am!”

“He slept with Harry!” Draco shot back.
“Oh, did he?” Severus asked, raising one eyebrow and looking askance at Charlie.

“Yeah, about a year ago,” Charlie said defending himself. “He wasn’t even with Draco then. He just can’t stand to hear the truth - that Harry is free to do as he pleases.”

“You stay right there,” Severus commanded. “Don’t move.”

He walked over to Draco, putting his arm around him. “Isn’t it time you went home, Draco?” he suggested quietly. “I’ll take care of this.”

“I’m not possessive,” Draco insisted. “I’m not.”

“He just doesn’t understand you, Draco,” Severus said gently, trying to console him. ”He’s Harry’s friend and he’s trying to speak up for him. And he does have a point, I’m afraid. I’ve noticed that tendency in you myself.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking his side in all this,” Draco said hurt.

“He’s right, Draco,” Severus said as kindly as he could. “Your possessiveness will hurt your relationship if it goes too far. You must let go of this need you have to control every aspect of the relationship. You can’t stop Harry from cheating on you or leaving you if he wants to, no matter what you do; you simply must make peace with this, Draco. He must be free to make his own choices, and you’re wrong for not respecting this. Now go home; and I would suggest a walk to help calm yourself down a bit.” Draco turned and left in a stormy huff.

Severus walked back over to where Charlie lay flat on his back, groaning from the pain. With a flick of his wand, he cast a spell and the table instantly was repaired.

“I believe you can try to stand now,” Severus said calmly, looking down at him warily.

Charlie gingerly pushed himself up on his elbows, wincing with every movement.

“Still hurting?” Severus asked, watching him for signs of serious injury.

“What do you think?” Charlie retorted. If he hadn’t been in so much pain, he would have been incredibly embarrassed by his defeat at Draco’s hands. He held out his hand, “help me up, would you?”

Severus reached down and pulled him up, scowling, “I doubt whether this injury is as severe as you’re making it.”

“Nevertheless, remove your shirt,” he instructed. “I want to have a look at your back just in case.” Charlie couldn’t help but smile.

If you wanted me to strip, all you had to do was ask.

He was bound and determined to put on a nice show, even if it caused him unbearable pain, which he had a strong feeling it would. It had been a long time since he’d wanted to take his time removing his clothes – his previous partners typically were more interested in the destination rather than the journey and flexing his muscles usually was a waste of time. He didn’t consider it a waste this time; he liked showing off for this man who still remained coldly distant. He had a nice body and he did consider it one of his many assets. He tried not to wince and grimace while he pulled his T-shirt over his head, flexing all his back and arm muscles in the process.

He felt Severus’ fingers on his shoulders, squeezing and touching, feeling for injuries.

“Ow, that hurt!” Charlie cried.

“Where, right there?” Severus said, pushing in the same spot that had made Charlie cry out.

“Yes, stop doing that!” Charlie snapped, drawing away.

“Well, stop moving then,” Severus said patiently. He stepped closer; he was directly behind Charlie now and Charlie gasped when he felt Severus’ body slide in close behind, touching him everywhere. His breath caught for a minute and his heart began to pound with anticipation.

He couldn’t stop himself from moaning when he felt Severus’ hand snake around his waist and dip below, into his pajamas.

”What are you doing?” he said breathlessly. He watched in awed wonder as the hand briefly caressed him and then gently cupped his balls.

“Making sure you don’t get away,” came the slick answer. He wound his fingers in Charlie’s soft hair, pulling on it and dragging his head back while holding his balls firmly and then, slowly increased the pressure.

“Now,” he whispered softly in Charlie’s ear. “You’re going to tell me exactly what it is you want with me.”

“Could you ease up there a minute?” Charlie was almost whimpering. “That’s a little rougher than I like it.”

“It’s going to get rougher if you don’t tell me what I want to know,” Severus warned quietly.

“Let go and I’ll tell you,” Charlie bargained with the last ounce of control he had.

“Oh, I’m going to let go- in a minute,” Severus said cruelly. “And then you will tell me everything.”

Charlie moaned softly and dug his hands into his thighs, desperately trying to keep control. He almost collapsed to the floor from the painful throbbing in his balls, but Severus’ arm was around his waist holding him, up. He felt a dizzy spell coming on and his knees were going weak. Another minute of this and he would reveal his deepest darkest secret, turn in a family member, whatever.

“Perhaps you’re not as interested in me as you thought?” Severus asked harshly, letting go of Charlie abruptly. Charlie staggered forward, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

So much for children.

Right now, his balls felt like they were on fire, but Charlie was damned if he was going to let Severus get away with this, he refused to be intimidated. So, he wanted to know what Charlie wanted from him, did he? He spun around, catching Severus off guard and grabbed his face with his hands, kissing him softly and surely on the mouth.

“That’s what I’m after.” he said, his voice low and husky. “What you wouldn’t give me before.”

The brilliant azure eyes, now almost purple, gazed into Severus’, searching and seeking, his mouth resuming its exploration. To Charlie’s relief, Severus returned the kiss, arms wrapping tightly around him and pressing his body close to Charlie’s.

Somehow I don’t think this is what Draco had in mind when he said subtle.

“Well, then that’s what you’ll get,” Severus answered him coolly. He felt strong, solid hands under his bum, lifting him and setting him gently on the table. Those same hands relieved him of his pajamas, and firmly spread his legs, bringing his feet to rest safely on the table. He heard the soft sounds of a healing charm being spoken and felt blessed relief flood through him. Even with the charm Charlie suspected he had little hope of sustaining an erection right now, or possibly ever again once the pain in his balls returned, but he was more than agreeable to being fucked.

He felt the familiar cold, slick sensation of a lubricating charm and he frowned, his disapproval evident on his handsome, open face.

He’s a potions master, he ought to at least have a potion handy for this!

“What’s wrong?” Severus asked sarcastically. “Is that not what you wanted?”

He shook his head and sighed when he felt the steady pressure of a finger slowly pushing inside him. Two more joined it, stretching and pressing on him, creating an intensely pleasurable heat he hadn’t felt in what seemed like months. Those incredibly talented fingers began slowly moving in and out, stroking his sensitive spot, over and over again.
Charlie closed his eyes and bit down hard on his bottom lip. “You’ve got about another minute of that left,” he warned.

“Not much stamina for one so young,” Severus observed. “I can go all night.”

Yeah, well your balls weren’t at the roof of your mouth, either!

“Maybe next time,” Charlie groaned, painfully close to the edge. Fortunately, his cock seemed blissfully unaware of the cruel treatment its neighbors to the south had recently suffered and was performing quite admirably. Nice and stiff and if Severus would only lean forward just a bit.

Oh Gods, just like that. I wonder if he can read my mind?

He felt the fingers being withdrawn and replaced by the overwhelmingly incredible sensation of a thick, hard cock pushing into him. He couldn’t help himself, he groaned and screwed up his face, anticipating the delicious sensations he knew he couldn’t stave off any longer. His hands gripped the edge of table tightly.

A minute? I’ll be lucky to last another 30 seconds!

“If you’re holding back, you’re wasting your time,” Charlie said, breathless.
He was horribly embarrassed by his lack of control, but it had been so long and it felt so incredible, he just didn’t care anymore. He enjoyed a lot of different sexual experiences, but being held down and fucked hard and fast as Severus was doing to him right now pretty much topped the list. He couldn’t stop his body from responding to the contact it had craved for so long, pushing and tightening and squeezing till he felt that indescribably blessed release.

He was content to remain on the table, legs hanging off it now, coming down from an unbelievable high. As if sex itself didn’t feel great enough, the afterglow made him feel like he could conquer the world; it made him feel untouchable, powerful, and infinitely happy. He lay there basking in the ultimate satisfaction unaware that his partner was walking away.

“Where are you going?” he asked, insulted. He leaned up on his elbows, ignoring the light-headed feeling and gave Severus a dirty look.

“Has your curiosity not yet been satisfied?” Severus answered, turning around.

“You can’t just fuck me and walk away,” he cried indignantly.

“I beg to differ,” Severus explained. “What did you expect, offers of undying love?”


“Well, I didn’t expect to be abandoned,” Charlie said sullenly, the disappointment evident on his face.

“My mistake,” Severus said, gazing at him calmly. “I assumed you were mature enough to accept a purely sexual relationship.”

“You’re willing to let me have that?” Charlie asked incredulously.

“Under the condition that the next time you are a little livelier,” Severus agreed. “Should I become desperate I shall avail myself of what you so willingly offer.”

“Can I sleep with you?” Charlie asked hopefully.

“Absolutely not,” Severus firmly refused. “And don’t even try that password. I have a special locking spell on the door, only Draco may use it.”

“I’ll just have to have Draco let me in then,” Charlie said smiling, impressed with his cleverness.

“I would strongly caution against it,” Severus warned. “You may find yourself suffering the same fate you did earlier.”

“As long as the end result’s the same,” Charlie replied smartly. He eyed the robes Severus wore. “You don’t wear anything to bed do you?” Charlie looked him up and down, a hungry expression on his face.

Severus slammed the door shut.
* * * * *
Rather than having the desired calming effect on Draco, the walk served only to increase his wrath. He was in a terrible state when he approached the door to his apartment and he gave into the impulse to blast the door open.

“ALOHOMORA!”

The door flew open, banging into the adjacent wall and leaving a large dent. He stepped neatly in before it slammed behind him. He noticed Harry sitting on the sofa reading a book and pointedly ignoring him, sending his temper through the roof.

He strode past Harry, taking long, confident strides; two could play at that game. Then an inexplicable desire overcame him. He stopped, turned around and stared at Harry.

“You are an hour late,” Harry said in an icy accusing tone, finally looking up and pointing at his watch. “Where have you been?”

Draco glared at him. How dare he?

“I WANT YOU ON THE BED, NAKED, NOW,” Draco shouted at the top of his lungs. He dropped his voice to a threatening whisper. “And you better be there by the time I’ve got my robes off.” He spun around and headed toward the bedroom, Harry following closely on his heels, flabbergasted. How dare he?

“Listen, I have been worried sick,” Harry upbraided him. “You can’t just order me about like that! Contrary to popular belief, I’m not your servant.”

It was this last comment, so like the accusation Charlie had thrown at him that truly drove Draco over the edge. He stood by the open door waiting for Harry to come in. When he did, Draco picked him up by the shirt collar, lifting him and slamming him up against the wall.

“Get this through that thick Gryffindor head of yours, Potter,” Draco said, his face inches from Harry’s, his eyes burning with a glow bordering on insanity. “You are mine.”

Harry was in total shock; he’d never seen Draco behave like this. He was completely unprepared when Draco pulled him around, still holding tightly to his shirt and threw him down on the bed. He climbed on top of Harry, resting his entire body on his elbows, effectively pinning Harry to the bed with the weight of his body. Harry was too stunned to struggle.

“You’re mine, Harry, all mine and only mine,” he growled viciously. “You belong to me!”

He kissed Harry; a brutal, savage kiss. It was so unlike anything Harry had ever experienced with Daco, it totally caught him off guard. No matter how aroused or insistent Draco became, he was never rough. No matter how passionate and demanding the kisses became, they always had the greatest finesse, as though Draco was entirely in control of their intensity. This was Draco insanely out of control and it scared Harry.
Harry wanted to push him off, but Draco held him down by the shoulders, his strong arms and hands digging into Harry. He bit Draco, hard on the lip and when Draco pulled his mouth away in pain, Harry quickly turned his head to the side.

“Get off me!” he screamed, struggling now to free himself. “You’re hurting me, Draco!”

“What’s happened?” he cried in an anguished voice, turning to look directly into his lover’s mad eyes. “What on earth is wrong?” The struggling subsided as he felt every muscle in Draco’s body relax; he rolled off Harry, sliding off the bed to the floor, where he remained sitting, knees drawn up, head buried between them.

Harry slowly sat up, his shoulders ached painfully, but he was too worried about Draco to care very much about them. He slid over by Draco and tentatively put his arm around the blond man.


“What happened?” he repeated softly, encouraging Draco to look at him.

Draco shrugged his arm off and stood up. He had never felt worse in his whole life. Giving in to that one impulse had poisoned his entire existence and he had never felt more tired and defeated. He deserved to be sent packing - after a good flogging that was. His words to Charlie came back to him. “Harry’s more forgiving than I am.” And so he was if he hadn’t kicked Draco out yet.

“You still want me here?” he asked hopefully, his back still to Harry.

Harry stood up behind Draco, wrapping one arm tightly around his waist, his other hand moving aside the hair hiding the back of Draco’s neck and began tenderly kissing the sensitive spot. He tugged at the blond’s shirt, freeing it and slipped his hand against Draco’s navel, pinching it gently, then rubbing it softly, teasing it with his finger; it was a touch he knew Draco found infinitely comforting.

“What I want,” he whispered, moving his lips to nibble Draco’s earlobe. “Is for you to tell me what’s happened.”

“I hexed Charlie and I hurt him,” Draco confessed in an anguished voice.

“Are you alright, Draco?” Harry asked, undoing Draco’s robes and easing them off. He pushed Draco’s crisp white shirt to the side, kissing a path down Draco’s neck to his collarbone, where Harry began biting, gently. His hand, after caressing Draco’s hair, gently nudged his lover’s head to the side so he had better access to the sweet skin of the blond’s neck and shoulder - the familiar soft moans from Draco serving to reassure Harry.

“No, Harry,” Draco whispered, his face a strange mix of the pleasure he felt at what Harry was doing and the pain of remembering how he’d treated him. “I’m not.”

“Then tell me,” Harry softly insisted, continuing his ministrations; being as tender and loving as he knew how.

Draco told him everything. How threatened he felt by Charlie, someone he believed genuinely cared for Harry; how angry and hurt he still was over Harry denying their relationship; how furious he’d become when Charlie accused him of being overly possessive, something he feared he truly was; and how jealous the thought of Harry enjoying his experience with Charlie made him. He admitted he’d put every bit of those emotions (although hiding the hatred he felt for Oliver Wood) into the spell and how good it had felt to vent some of that emotion, even if it was on an innocent person. And the awful guilt he now suffered.

“I’m sorry, Harry,” Draco said agonizing, his voice breaking with emotion. “I’m so sorry for treating you like this, Merlin, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ll never do this again, I promise. Please say you’ll forgive me, please.” Draco was begging and pleading now, practically in tears.

Harry was becoming more and more alarmed. Draco hexing Charlie didn’t alarm him in the least, knowing those two; he was surprised they hadn’t gotten into it several times by now. He really wasn’t all that alarmed by Draco losing his temper with him; he was upset at being manhandled, of course, but he himself had resorted to being physical on several occasions. You could only push a person so far. What concerned him was Draco’s behavior over the last few minutes; he seldom showed a great deal of remorse when he’d made a mistake, and Harry considered the incident with Charlie pretty much the responsibility of both parties. He adored Charlie, but really, he ought to know better than to enrage Draco with some silly comment. When you played with fire and all that. He would normally have expected Draco to push all the blame on Charlie, come home to him highly indignant and expecting sympathy over being wronged. Something else was going on and he meant to find out exactly what that was. But for the moment he had an emotionally bereft Draco on his hands and that would keep him occupied several hours - assuring Draco that he still loved him and wasn’t kicking him out, and getting the blond to make up for it by having him fulfill a few “special requests.” That old muggle saying was proving to be delightfully true; every cloud did have a silver lining it seemed.
* * * * *
Charlie arrived first thing Thursday morning to pick up the cameras as Draco had instructed him. Harry was more than happy to show him how they worked, and still seemed accepting of the reason Charlie needed them. He tried to apologize for his behavior the previous evening, but Harry wouldn’t hear a word of it. They walked to Hogwarts together, discussing their plans for the day and catching up on each other’s lives.

Draco showed up at lunch and Charlie was disappointed to see he was alone. Charlie winked at Harry and asked if he could speak to Draco alone.

“I see you survived,” Draco asked nervously.

“I did more than survive,” Charlie said, a wicked grin splashed across his face.

“What happened?” Draco said worried.

“I had sex, uh, I mean we had sex,” Charlie replied proudly.

“You did what?” Draco said crossly. “Charlie, why did you do that? You don’t win someone’s heart by having sex with them!”

“Can’t hurt, can it?” Charlie joked.

“It can hurt,” Draco insisted, frustrated. “Now he thinks he’s a conquest; you know, I had sex with my old professor.”

“No, he thinks it’s a relationship,” Charlie argued, “not just one time.”

“You’re hopeless,” Draco said, shaking his head. “You can’t start a relationship in bed.”

“Uh, it wasn’t in bed,” Charlie said.

“I do not want the particulars of your sexual liaisons – and are you being deliberately obtuse?” Draco said. “We want him to see you as a person – no one ever fell in love with someone simply because they had sex with them. But, all hope is not yet gone; I do have a plan. I’ve noticed there is a part of you he seems quite taken with, and I don’t mean any of your physical attributes. He seems quite taken with your Quidditch abilities so I think we need to start there. We need to let him see you in a more relaxed setting where your personality can come through. Also, Severus loves a challenge, a mystery, something that will stimulate his intellect and analytical abilities. The way to his heart is through his brain – find a way to intrigue him, demonstrate a part of yourself that is unique. Here’s how we’re going to do that.”
* * * *
Charlie normally looked forward to his weekends, but this was one he was having some trouble getting up for. Not only would he be spending both Saturday and Sunday tailing Oliver Wood of all people, but he had that infernal anniversary party to attend Saturday night as well. Hopefully, Draco’s plan would work this afternoon and he’d at least have an exciting Friday night. During lunch, he had an unannounced visit from Draco, and Charlie suspected he was actually checking up on him, making sure he was behaving around Harry.

Why can’t he get that idea out of his mind? Harry loves him.

“Harry and I are traveling to our chateau this weekend and we’ll be leaving this afternoon.” Draco said. “Don’t forget our plan for tonight. About Oliver, Therese will owl you first thing Saturday, follow her instructions to the letter throughout the weekend and I’ll stop by on Sunday evening when we return to see how everything went. Good luck.”

Charlie watched as Draco left the office in search of Harry. Charlie had told Draco that Harry had left earlier to purchase some office supplies in Hogsmeade and was probably still there. He wondered what those two saw in each other sometimes.
* * * * *
Late Friday afternoon Charlie waited by the Slytherin stands for Maggie, the girl Harry was teaching to fly in the evenings. Harry had left early for the weekend and asked Charlie to take over for this afternoon’s lesson. Promptly at 4 o’clock a petite, slender girl with dark hair walked up. “Where’s Professor Potter?” she asked timidly.

“He had to leave early,” Charlie explained, smiling at her, trying his best to put her at ease. “He asked me to give you your lesson for today. My name’s Charlie and you must be Maggie, right?”

She nodded shyly at him. The little girl’s eyes were a deep intense blue; arresting, beautiful eyes. She reminded Charlie of someone, but he couldn’t quite place the resemblance. Even though she seemed somewhat withdrawn and silent, he felt a strong presence about her; she would grow up to be a great and powerful witch.

He couldn’t help but feel drawn to the little girl; she reminded him so much of Harry. Harry had been older when Charlie had first met him, but she had the same aura about her.

“Come on,” Charlie said. “I’ve got everything set up over there by the rings.” He pointed to the rings at the far end of the pitch and began walking toward them. Harry said she was a beginner and he was hoping he wouldn’t do too poorly as a teacher.

“What position would you like to play?” he asked.

“Seeker, like Professor Potter,” she answered.

“Well you’re the perfect size for it,” Charlie remarked looking closely at her. “Girls make the best seekers.”

“Why?” she asked curious.

“Because they’re smaller and lighter,” Charlie explained. “But the most important reason is that their center of gravity is closer to the broom.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. “I really don’t know all that much about flying.”

“Your center of gravity is the place in your body where you weight is most evenly distributed, for girls that’s in their hips” Charlie answered. “For boys it’s in their shoulders and the further away from the broom your center is, the harder it will be to control or maneuver it. Boys almost have to lay over their brooms to fly fast and quick enough to catch the snitch, girls don’t have that problem.”

“There aren’t many girl seekers, though,” she observed.

“Well, girls usually like to work as a team,” Charlie answered. “A seeker spends most of her time alone and that’s probably why most girls prefer to play chaser, more teamwork.”
He held up a small school broom and said, “Here, climb on. I’ve put a hover charm on it so I can show you what I’m talking about.”

She climbed on the broom and Charlie moved her around till she found the spot she felt most comfortable and had the most control of the broom. He showed her some of the tricks he’d learned over the years and was surprised when she caught on quickly.
He noticed the gloves she wore were tattered and much too large for her.

“Are those your gloves?” he asked concerned.

“No, my foster family gave them to me,” she said embarrassed.

“They’re too soft,” Charlie said examining them closely. “A seeker needs gloves that will keep the wrists stiff – you don’t want to be able to move your wrists at all.”

He reached in the pocket of his jeans where he had a pair of Quidditch gloves he had bought earlier that day. He put them on and stroked them lovingly, taking her hand and showing her how the gloves held his wrist firmly.

“I’ll get you a better pair this weekend,” he promised. “Right now, don’t wear any gloves.” He removed her gloves, slipping them in his pocket.

“Ready to take this for a ride?” he said, encouraging her.

“No, not yet,” she said nervously. “I don’t think I’m ready.”

“Yes you are,” Charlie insisted smiling. He lifted her off the broom, removed the charm and hoisted the broom over his shoulder. “Come on,” he said, heading toward Harry’s office. She followed him obediently, if somewhat reluctantly. He opened the door to Harry’s office – Harry had left him a key – and after placing the broom on Harry’s desk, began looking for the Firebolt he knew Harry kept in his office. He found it in the corner behind a large bookshelf.

“We can’t ride that!” she said shocked.

“Oh yes we can,” Charlie said confidently. He looked on the bookshelf and there on the lowest shelf was the Quidditch case. He opened the case and showed her the small compartment on the top.

“Know what’s in there?” he asked. She shook her head. “The golden snitch,” he said opening the doors gently, carefully removing the snitch and showing it to her. “Every seeker’s dream.”

“We’re going to release this,” Charlie said. “And catch it.” He put the Firebolt over his shoulder and returned to the pitch, Maggie trailing behind him.

“Climb on,” he said, holding the broom out for her so it would be easier for her to get on. “Here, hold on,” he said, after she had climbed on. “I’m getting on right behind you.”
He mounted the broom behind the small girl, one arm around her holding the broom steady with his hand, the other hand firmly grasping the snitch.

“We ready?” he said.

“I’m scared,” she whispered. “What if we don’t catch it?”

“They haven’t made a snitch I can’t catch,” Charlie said bragging a little. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t let you fall. My arms will be around you and you can put your hands on mine, see how I steer. I’m going to let go of the snitch now.” He released the snitch, watching it carefully and kicked off.

Neither was aware of their audience watching from the Slytherin stands. Severus had arrived early to pick up his student. He watched as the two soared through the autumn sky. While he would never admit it aloud, he enjoyed watching Charlie fly; he admired his grace, agility and athletic prowess – all qualities he lacked himself.

Charlie couldn’t remember when he’d had a better time flying. The broom was a little harder to control with an additional rider, but Maggie was so small she didn’t make that much of a difference. Her excitement at how fast they flew was contagious and for a few minutes Charlie actually regretted abandoning his Quidditch career. He deliberately avoided looking for the snitch, preferring to give her a chance to fly the broom and get used to the feel of controlling it. He instructed her to go a little higher so they would have a better view of the pitch and could spot the snitch easier.

“There it is!” she shouted, pointing toward one of the goalposts. Charlie saw it too and sped off in that direction. He almost forgot about his companion in his determination to catch the snitch weaving in between the rings. Charlie urged the Firebolt to move faster and soon, they were within inches of grasping the golden sphere. Maggie pulled her hand off Charlie’s where it had rested the entire flight and reached out toward it. She was only inches away.

“Reach,” Charlie yelled. “Come on baby, reach.”

Maggie felt the snitch with just her fingertips and reached out as far as she could. “I got it!” she shouted.

Charlie pulled up on the broom so it hovered in the air far above the pitch and hugged the little girl tight. “Victory lap, you fly it,” he told her.

Charlie had been apprehensive about the whole teaching thing, but he had to admit, the last hour had been a lot of fun. He’d really enjoyed showing Maggie how to fly and she hadn’t done too badly with the Firebolt. Harry would kill him if he ever found out and that made the ride even more exciting.

After their victory lap, he and Maggie had put the Firebolt away in Harry’s office carefully locking the door after they left. He walked her out to the pitch expecting to escort her to the castle when he saw Severus approaching.

“I’ve come to collect my student,” Severus announced.

“You’re in Slytherin?” Charlie asked surprised.

“Yes,” Maggie replied watching his reaction.

“I should have guessed,” Charlie said smiling. “As talented and ambitious as you are.”

“Come,” Severus said, taking the girl’s arm.

Charlie watched them walk away, an inexplicable longing filling him. Seeing an adult wizard with a young child sometimes made him feel this way. Suddenly he ached to hold his own flesh and blood in his arms; to protect them, love them, watch them grow, see their smiling faces and wipe away all their tears. He knew he would never be as good a father as Arthur – they’d broke the mold when they made Arthur Weasley in Charlie’s mind – but he still wished for a daughter or son of his own. Children were such a joy - to cuddle and play with and to teach how to fly. A part of him so wanted to find a good woman and marry her - make a family, but deep in his heart, he knew it wasn’t meant to be. He couldn’t be faithful to a woman, men were too much of a temptation for him and he never wanted to hurt anyone that way. If he couldn’t have the joy a family would bring, he could at least have a man who would demand all the love he had to give.
It was this play of emotions across Charlie’s face that captured Severus’ attention when he turned to watch Maggie return to Charlie to retrieve her forgotten Quidditch gloves. He watched in wonder as a look of abject devotion crossed Charlie’s face when he saw the little girl approach.

It was a poignant scene; Charlie kneeling down on eye level with the child, pulling her gloves from his pocket, smiling broadly at her. When he reached over and brushed a stray lock of hair back in place, Severus was truly touched. It was such a loving, kind gesture and he didn’t even know the little girl. Charlie looked up at him and something unspoken passed between them, Severus couldn’t have said what it was, but it changed things for them, just a slight change, but it was to have enormous ramifications in both their lives.

After watching Maggie and Severus leave, Charlie felt strangely sad. He wanted to be alone; something had upset him and he wanted to figure out what it was. He needed a good long walk and a glass – several actually – of firewhiskey so he headed off to the Three Broomsticks.

Madame Rosmerta had grown older; he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what he and his friends had ever seen in the woman. It was another fine example of reality not living up to fantasy. He recognized the look of frank desire in her eyes and shuddered, she’d once figured prominently in his fantasy life, but he would be embarrassed to admit that now. He trudged back to Hogwarts, growing more melancholy with each step. He fervently wished he wouldn’t need the entire bottle of Ogden’s tucked neatly in his cloak to blunt whatever emotion simmered beneath the surface, just out of reach.

So much for Draco’s big plan.


End Chapter 6