Oh dear, what have we here? An unfinished fanfic? And with so much more story to tell!

Well that's not good. Let's see what I can do...

Sarah irritatedly blew a puff of air upwards, making her now blonde bangs flutter upwards before returning back to their rather annoying position across her face. Crouching slightly, she grasped the food laden tray before her and swung it cautiously to her right shoulder. Grabbing a folded stand, she began neatly dodging the numerous customers packing the popular restaurant.

It had been several weeks since the incident at the Burrow. Sarah had found a job at a local fish house near her university. Charlie wasn't exactly thrilled about her working in addition to attending school. Sarah was having a hard time getting him to stop paying for everything. It was sweet, but it simply didn't feel right. She was firm in her statements that it was to be an equal marriage.

Besides, she'd been planning on getting a job before she met Charlie. Her savings account had slowly been dwindling and she knew that after Romania there was no other way around it. The restaurant wasn't glamorous but it was constantly bustling with tourists... many who forgot there wasn't really a tipping culture within a casual London fish house. She felt bad at first collecting the money left behind by a kind American who was glad to meet a fellow countryman, but after seeing the tuition bill for her final term at school she no longer held any qualms.

"Alright, who had the fish and chips?" she asked cheerfully, carefully setting the tray of food down on the stand.

"Shouldn't you know? You took our order."

Sarah glanced up at the woman that had spoken, biting back a snappy retort. The miserable trophy wife hadn't stopped complaining all hour. First she was upset they had no lemonade, then thought it ridiculous they wouldn't run to the market to buy lemons and make some. Sarah thought herself a generally affable person, but this lady made her want to scream.

"Of course, ma'am," Sarah muttered, setting the dish before her husband. She finished handing the lady her salad and bolted before the woman could find another thing to complain about.

"Will? I'm going outside real quick. Table four's all covered for now," Sarah gestured towards the back door. Will, her manager, waved her away as he dealt with an irate customer.

Sarah sighed as she felt the cold December air blast her face as she escaped outdoors. Sandwiched between the dumpsters and the parking lot, the back door was where the smokers went between greeting tables. Sarah didn't smoke but she'd brave the nicotine laced air for a five minute break.

She sat on the steps, rubbing her shoulder tiredly. The combination of school and work was beginning to wear on her. She pulled out her phone. Not that she'd admit that to Charlie. Still, it'd be nice to hear his voice... Sarah punched the speed dial.

Teaching Charlie how to use a cell phone had been interesting to say the least. He barely understood how a land line worked. A mobile completely baffled him. But they were making progress. There was no more shouting into the receiver.

"HELLO?"

Sarah smiled. Well, almost no more shouting.

"Hey Charlie, it's me. I can hear you just fine, remember?"

Charlie sat back in his office chair, cell phone pressed awkwardly against his face. "Oh, right. Sorry love."

Sarah liked it when he called her that.

Charlie checked the clock on his wall, the one marked for London time. "Are you finished with work already?"

"No, just on a quick break. I just wanted to see how you were." Sarah cursed silently. She sounded exhausted, even to herself. Maybe he wouldn't notice.

"Sarah..."

Drat, no such luck.

Charlie could sense her exhaustion through the phone. He told her the restaurant was giving her too many hours. He wasn't one to tell a woman what she could and couldn't do, but with her schooling reaching its final term, she already had a lot on her plate. Besides, it cut into their time together. Technically they were still on the honeymoon.

"Everything's fine, Charlie!" she said suddenly, stopping any scolding that was surely on its way. "I just wanted to hear your voice. Kay love you bye!" she chirped, hanging up the phone.

Charlie pulled his cell away, smiling as the line disconnected. "Love you too."

He stood and stretched. His workload was beginning to increase as well, especially after his new promotion. It was a lot more responsibility than he was used to. Suddenly he was having to field press reports to and from the Ministry. On the bright side he got to interact with Hermione a bit more since she worked for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He'd always liked Hermione, even if she was a bit of a know it all. She had a good head on her shoulders.

"Charlie? You've got a visitor," Alan said, peeking his head into Charlie's office. Closely following was a pleasant surprise.

"Dad!" Charlie exclaimed, striding forward and shaking his father's hand. Arthur chuckled and patted Charlie's back.

"How are you son?"

Charlie gestured for his father to have a seat. "Good, good. And you? How is everything at home?"

Though Arthur and Charlie had exchanged letters in the weeks since the Burrow incident, they hadn't actually been able to meet in person.

"They're all fine, still batty as ever," Arthur replied, grinning widely. "But I take it you are more interested in your mother in particular."

Charlie winced. "Still bad?"

"Actually no," Arthur replied, looking about his son's new office curiously. "She's calmed down considerably and is quite sad you haven't been over for Sunday dinner."

His son scowled and crossed his arms. "Well she didn't exactly make me and Sarah feel welcome the last time we were there. If she wants us to come for dinner then-,"

Arthur chuckled and spread his palms apart. "Hey, Charlie, calm down. You misunderstand. She's realizing she made a mistake with the way she reacted. Why, it wouldn't surprise me if she contacted you in the next couple of days."

That certainly surprised Charlie. "Really? She's coming around then?"

"I think having her son absent for a while has put things into perspective for her," Arthur replied. "If Sarah is willing I'm sure a peaceful treaty could be drawn up."

"It wasn't Sarah that had the problem," Charlie reminded him. Arthur shrugged and gave him a warning look.

"Take caution, Molly will ask you for a real wedding. What with Bill and Fleur's being postponed, she's practically frothing at the mouth for one. I don't think she cares whose it is at this point."

"I think Sarah will be fine with that," Charlie laughed, "We still need to tell her parents."

Arthur stood and clapped him on the shoulder. "I should be going. I just wanted to tell you progress had been made. And to see my son, who appears to be moving on up in the world." He gestured to the new office for emphasis.

Charlie scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yep, saving Raltred introduced me to Sarah, but it also got me this office, which is keeping me away from her."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Ah, young love. Yuck. Say hi to Sarah for me, will you?" He paused in the doorway. "Oh, if you remember, will you ask her what a computer is for? I saw one in a shop window while out with your mother the other day. Absolutely nutty."

"Yes Dad, I'm sure she could explain it to you," Charlie replied, shaking his head as his father left. "Nutty is right."

The sudden silence of his office was deafening. Crossing the room, Charlie stood before the floor to ceiling window that served as a wall. He peered out over the main research lab, watching as technicians and interns went about their business. He checked his watch. It was six o'clock here in Romania, which meant that Sarah would be off work in London in an hour. Maybe he could duck out early and surprise her.

A sudden muffled shouting from below caught his attention. A rather large fire had broken out at the base of one of the incoming dragon's cages. That usually indicated pregnancy. Looks like he wouldn't be going home any time soon.

Sarah trudged up the walkway to her flat slowly. She'd managed to avoid pulling a double shift, but it had involved some serious flattery on her part to her manager.

Kirby chirped a greeting as she entered. Clambering down to the floor, she allowed the tiny creature to crawl across her body happily. Sarah sighed. She could fall asleep right here, right on the floor. She closed her eyes, smiling at the sound of Kirby's cooing.

"Are you quite alright?"

Sarah squawked in surprise, nearly sending Kirby soaring as she bolted upright. Across from her, sitting quite daintily on her beaten up couch, was a familiar redhead.

"Mol- Mrs Weasley!" Sarah exclaimed, rushing to her feet. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

Molly waved the apology away. "You weren't expecting me."

There was an awkward pause. "Er- what are you doing? Here, I mean. In my living room," Sarah fumbled. God this woman made her nervous. Molly fidgeted with handbag for a moment.

"Well, I just came to see how Charlie was. Ever since you came he hasn't been to dinner."

Ever since you came. Sarah winced internally. Ouch Mrs Weasley. You can cut a girl. There was another beat of silence. Molly was looking everywhere but at Sarah.

"Um, can I get you anything?" Sarah offered. "Something to drink or..." Keep it simple, moron. "Drink. Anything to drink?"

"Some tea would be nice."

"Right. Tea. Of course. I totally have tea." Sarah backed slowly into the kitchen. "You just sit there and make yourself comfortable."

As soon as she was out of Molly's vision, Sarah commenced frenzied digging into her bag, whipping out her cell phone. Cradling it between her shoulder and ear, Sarah began tearing her kitchen apart, looking for a kettle she knew she owned.

Tea! Of course it would be tea. I'm a stereotypical American, I drink nothing but coffee! The phone continued ringing as she pushed aside pots and pans. Finally she found it, a kettle still in its wrapping. She tore at the packaging.

"C'mon Charlie, pick up," she murmured, filling the kettle and setting it on the stove top. The phone went to voice mail. Shit.

"Charlie, I know leaving this voice mail is pointless because I have yet to teach you how to check your messages, but I think your mother is here to kill me," Sarah whispered.

"Alright in there?" she heard Molly call.

"Uh, yeah!," Sarah shouted, covering the phone, "Just making some delicious and nutritious tea!" she put the cell back to her ear. "If you find my body, it was your mother!"

Tossing the phone back on the counter, Sarah set about jumping her next hurdle: finding tea. While Charlie certainly drank the stuff, she'd never actually seen him pull out a tea bag or tea leaves or anything. Now that she thought about it he probably just magicked the stuff out of thin air. Was that even how magic worked?

Pulling open her pantry, Sarah dug deep within its depths before pulling back with a triumphant cry. One dusty old box of tea.

Medicinal tea, but tea nonetheless. Why did she even have this? She vaguely recalled being ill with a cold and Ronnie bringing it over.

The tea kettle whistled and Sarah bustled over to the stove. She emptied the contents of the box into the kettle, wondering briefly if she was supposed to have fished out the little strings, before grabbing two mugs and rushing back to the living room.

"Tada!" she announced, swinging the kettle onto the coffee table with a thunk. "Tea!"

Molly stared at the kettle and then back at Sarah. "Don't you have a tea pot?"

Sarah looked confused. "Yeah, right there. See, tea!" She gestured at the tea kettle. It was scorching the coffee table, but she didn't notice. She was too preoccupied with the fact that her mother-in-law, someone she made faint at their last meeting, was currently sitting across from her. This was progress, right?

Molly looked as if she was going to say more about the kettle, but thought better of it. Setting her purse aside, she invited Sarah to sit next to her, patting the cushion of the couch.

"Actually, dear, I'm glad I caught you alone. I wanted to speak to you," Molly said. She smoothed her hands over her dress. Suddenly she stopped, peering queerly at Sarah. "Wasn't your hair purple before?"

Sarah's hands instinctively went to her tresses. "Oh, right. I had to change it for my new job. They are really conservative and didn't like the purple. Which I thought was a bit ridiculous because another girl has a nose ring and they didn't make her..." She coughed awkwardly. "You wanted to talk?"

Molly nodded. "If you have the time."

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, of course, I'm all-."

"Have you ever been in love before?" Molly interrupted. Sarah was taken aback.

"I'm sorry?"

"Love, child. Have you ever been in love?"

Sarah was suddenly keen to know where this conversation was headed. She squared her shoulders. "I love Charlie," she said.

"How can you be certain?" Molly asked. "I mean, you married him after only knowing him a few hours. Do you know his likes, dislikes, his hopes and dreams?"

"We're finding those things out together, right now," Sarah replied slowly. "We're growing to know each other."

Molly shook her head. "Sarah, you have no clue who Charlie is. The things he's gone through, the things he has seen. But I do. I am his mother, and while he isn't my only son, he is my only Charlie. And so while I can see that you are a lovely girl, you must understand why this marriage is such a bad idea."

Sarah felt herself growing hot. Pinpricks were beginning to form behind her eyes. Molly paused and poured herself a cup of tea, allowing Sarah to collect herself.

"I'm sure you think I am cruel," Molly said slowly. "I can see why. But sometimes a mother must be cruel. After the things Charlie has been through, the war he has seen, he needs someone to take care of him. To cook for him, make him a home."

Sarah was suddenly very aware of the state of her apartment. It was chaos. An ordered chaos, but still out of control. Yes the floors were clean and the shelves dusted, but there was stuff everywhere. But Sarah saw the Burrow. The lovely little home was chaotic, just the same. Molly seemed to follow her line of thinking.

"A home is more than four walls and a bed, Sarah. A home is someplace where you are known completely and loved unconditionally. You don't know Charlie. You've barely scratched his surface."

Molly stood. "Please forgive my intrusion. I came here as a mother worried about her son. Sarah."

Sarah looked up from her hands, fighting back angry tears.

"If you love Charlie, let him go. If you are meant to be, love will find a way. But not like this." She took a sip of her tea. Molly sputtered and quickly set the mug back down. "Think on what I said," she coughed. "I'll see my way out."

Sarah didn't even flinch when Molly disapparated. She sat still for a moment, trying to work through what had just happened.

She stood suddenly. "I love my husband," she said to no one. Kirby chirped from his nest, as if to agree with her. Sarah blinked away angry tears, refusing to let them fall. Checking the clock, Sarah strode into the kitchen.

Charlie needs someone to take care of him, huh? I can do that.

Sarah opened her pantry. She could totally do this.

Molly sent a flock of chickens scattering as she apparated into the yard of the Burrow. She paused to collect herself, resting her hand over her heart.

She'd done the right thing, hadn't she?

Molly slowly made her way into the house, shedding her coat and handbag and sliding into some house slippers.

Molly knew she was overprotective. But she'd earned that right. With the amount of children she'd sent out into the world, she had a right to be worried over them.

And with Charlie's last experience in love... Veronica. Molly bristled slightly. She still didn't care for that girl. She busied herself with the kettle, making some tea. As she poured herself a cup, Molly found a smile creeping onto her lips.

Sarah had clearly been eager to please her with that pot of... whatever it was. She was a nice girl, that Molly could admit. And Charlie clearly cared for her. She didn't miss the looks her son gave Sarah those weeks ago. And as for Sarah...

"I love Charlie."

Molly sat heavily at the kitchen table. She thought she'd feel good, triumphant. It wasn't as if she was trying to hurt the poor girl, it was just...

Well, what was it? This was her job, right? The marriage was clearly a mistake, a drunken action that needed to be rectified. But still, the look on Sarah's face was familiar. When she spoke of Charlie, there was something so familiar, so near to Molly, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I love Charlie."

Two hours later, Arthur walked through the front door, whistling cheerily as he hung his hat on the hook.

"Molly, dear!" he called. Finding her in the kitchen, Arthur immediately chit chatted about his day, as was the usual routine. It wasn't until he realized she wasn't laughing at his funny encounter with a goblin that he realized something was off.

"Molly? Everything alright?" His lovely wife was staring contemplatively at the cup of tea before her, like she'd never seen the beverage before. Arthur reached over and clasped the mug. It was cold.

"Er, dearest?"

Molly suddenly broke from whatever reverie she had been occupied with.

"Alright there?" Arthur was beginning to worry. An unstable Molly was never a good thing.

"Arthur..." she said softly. He looked up sharply. She met his gaze, her eyes filled with tears.

"I think I've made a terrible mistake."

Charlie stretched in relief as he finished his report. Merlin's beard it was late. The dragon earlier was indeed pregnant and had just laid six eggs the size of his head. It had taken quite a while to transfer the mother and eggs to a more suitable cage.

"Join us for a drink?"

Alan and Jack popped into the office, smelling strongly of burnt hair and sweat. Charlie shook his head.

"Nah, mate. Sarah will be waiting." He waited as the two pretended to swoon.

"Still can't believe you got hitched," Jack said, "And to a muggle too. Are we ever going to get to meet her?"

You already have, Charlie thought. "Probably. She wants to see dragons. I thought I might bring her out here one of these days."

"A bird who likes dragons? I already like this girl," Alan said. He yanked Jack by the collar, dragging him towards the door. "Go home to your wife, Charlie. C'mon Jack, we're on our own tonight."

Charlie chuckled and finished cleaning up his desk before disapparating without a second glance.

His nose was instantly assaulted by the smell of something burning. His eyes watering, Charlie looked around to make sure he was in the right place. Smoke filled Sarah's tiny apartment. A loud banging was coming from the kitchen. Instantly on high alert, Charlie drew his wand.

Drawing his shirt over his nose, Charlie stealthily crept across the living room. Afraid of what he was about to find, he cautiously peered around the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room. He nearly dropped his wand.

Before him, engulfed in a cloud of haze, was Sarah in an apron. She stood with a frying pan in on hand. It contained something black and shriveled. She banged the pan hard against the counter, trying to dislodge whatever it was she had been trying to cook.

"Sarah?"

Sarah yelped loudly and dropped the pan. As it hit the ground, the blackened chicken was successfully separated, skidding across the floor and landing at Charlie's feet.

"What IS IT with people sneaking up on me today?" she screeched, stomping her foot angrily. "I swear, I need to tie a bell to the lot of you."

Charlie could only stare in shock at the scene before him. Sarah was a mess. Flour covered her arms and he thought he saw a bit of lettuce in her hair. The kitchen itself was a disaster- pots and pans littered the counters and the cabinets were left wide open.

"What are you doing?"

Sarah tried to respond but began coughing from the smoke. Charlie gently took her hand and led her through the small flat, out into the little garden out back, scooping up Kirby as he went.

The air out there was fresh but freezing in the December cold. Charlie removed his jacket and placed it around Sarah's shoulders. She coughed a few more times. Charlie waited for her to collect herself.

"So what made you try and become a chef tonight?" he teased. He plucked the bit of lettuce from her blonde hair. He missed the purple.

"Your mother," she replied. Charlie dropped his hand from her hair.

"What?"

Sarah sighed. "She came over a few hours ago. Said she wanted to talk." She collapsed heavily into the plastic lawn chair. Charlie knelt before her.

"My dad came to the office earlier today. He said mum was going to stop by sometime, but I didn't think it would be this soon." He glanced back into the flat, where smoke was slowly filtering out the open door. "I take it it didn't go well."

Sarah shook her head. "She wants me to leave you," she replied, unable to meet her husband's eyes. It was silent for a moment. Then, laughter. Sarah lifted her head in surprise.

"Well? Are you?"

"NO!" Sarah exclaimed, throwing his jacket off in her panic. "I mean, I don't have too right? There's not some weird magic law about the mother-in-law not approving, right?"

Charlie let out a bark of laughter. "If there was such a law no one would be getting married. Sarah, I think this was just a last ditch attempt for her to regain some sort of control over her son's life. I am almost willing to guarantee she's all weepy in my dad's arms, feeling all sorts of guilt over what she said to you."

"Really?" Sarah sniffed. Charlie nodded.

"Really. Though, I can't imagine what she might have said that got you to attempt cooking."

Sarah giggled. "Something about how her son needed someone to cook and make him a home."

Charlie snorted. That sounded exactly like his mother. "Sarah, I have a confession to make. Remember when I made you dinner that one night in Romania?"

Sarah nodded vigorously. "That's another reason why I wanted to cook! Not just to prove your mother wrong, but you were so nice and made such a nice meal for me-,"

"It was all a lie, sweetheart," Charlie said. "All of it was made by a very nice house elf named Dobby, who disappeared the moment I brought you through the door."

Sarah furrowed her brow. "Really?"

"Yep. I can't cook for the life of me. I actually was in a similar situation you're in right now, though with less smoke of course."

Sarah hit him playfully. "I kissed you because of that food you know."

Charlie feigned hurt. "What? You kissed me that night because your stomach was satisfied? I feel so cheap." Sarah giggled and let herself be pulled to her feet.

"It was a stolen kiss. Dobby deserves that kiss."

Charlie wondered what her reaction would be when she saw her first house elf. "Well, I'll make a point of arranging a meet and greet."

Sarah handed him his jacket. "Sorry, it's covered in flour." Charlie tapped it with his wand and the flour disappeared. "Ugh, that is so cool."

They returned indoors and began airing out the house, opening all the windows and the front door. Charlie returned to the kitchen to find Sarah scooping the charred food off the floor.

"So what were you trying to make me?" he asked. Sarah crinkled her nose as she held up the meat by an ashen corner.

"Chicken. With some sort of saucy thing. And salad."

Charlie crinkled his forehead in confusion. "Then where did all the flour come from?"

Sarah crossed the kitchen and pulled the oven door open, revealing a dozen black discs on a baking pan.

"Cookies. Chocolate chip." She pulled the now cooled pan out and set it on the counter. "Mmmmm."

Charlie reached over and grabbed one disc. To say it was burnt was a gross understatement. He brought it to his mouth.

"Charlie don't!" Sarah said in shock.

"What? These are mine. You said you made them for me." He held the cookie out of her reach as she tried to swipe it from him. "Hey, get your own! There's eleven others." He danced out of her reach, bringing the cookie to his mouth once again.

"Oh my god, don't!" Sarah laughed. Charlie crunched down on the cookie, bits of ash sprinkling down his chin.

"You should be a baker," he said, taking another bite. Sarah stared at him in disbelief. "Seriously. So good." He held the cookie out. She pushed his hand away. In a flash, he gripped her waist, pulling her flush with his body.

Sarah gasped in surprise, looking up in shock. Charlie was smirking down at her.

"What, you don't want a taste?" Without a response from Sarah, he bent his head and captured her lips with his own.

It was burnt, blackened, ashy. But still sweeter than any other kiss from any other man. Sarah felt herself melting, returning the embrace eagerly. As they parted, Charlie popped the rest of the cookie in his mouth.

"Seriously, don't worry about mum," Charlie said. Sarah smiled and continued to clean. She went to throw the chicken in the trash.

"What, you're not gonna eat that?"

"Shut up," Sarah laughed.

"No, seriously, it'll be good."

"Ew! Get it away from me!"

"See, listen: eeeat meee Sarahhhh."

"Stop juggling it!"

"Ooooh, I'm the ghost of the corpse of the chicken! You killed me twiiiiiiiiiice..."

As the pair continued to clean and kiss and tease, Kirby watched all this from the back door, convinced the smoke had driven his owners mad.

A/N:

God am I rusty. It's been a couple years since my last post, and for that I am sorry. Pulling this story out has been like seeing old friends after a long time. Forgive me if it's disjointed and a bit shaky. It has been a while since I've written anything actually, fanfic or otherwise. Take it with a grain of salt!

I do want to thank those of you who left kind reviews during the hiatus of doom. It was you who finally pulled me out of my slump and got me writing this again.

I'll be honest with you, I don't know when I will get the next chapter out. But I did find my outline that I thought I had lost, so I know exactly what is going to happen and all that. I just have to write it.

So... yeah. It's good to be back. ;)