Charlie set his glasses on the desk. He ran his hands along his chin, feeling the stubble and looked into the mirror.

When had he gotten so old?

It had been a long day, and after the Horntail's escape, he had been left with all the paperwork to send to the Ministry. Sure, Dawlish and Frobisher had taken care of getting the dragon back, and their part of the paperwork, but it was still his responsibility to put it all together, add in his two sickles and ship it off by interoffice envelope and express owl.

He had a headache just thinking about it.

What he really wanted was to get back to his bed. He glanced at the ring on his left hand

When had he settled down?

Emma Dobbs was so young; it seemed unsuitable to be involved with her. She was two years younger than Ginny for Merlin's sakes. When she applied for the job of Junior Administrator to the Reserve, Charlie looked past her youth and small stature to her formidable resume. It would be hard for anyone to top her marks, and the six years she spent working for Percy truly spoke to her attention to detail. He was surprised by the glowing recommendation from his brother.

Their first time was an accident. Not an accident in that, 'oops, it fell in,' but an accident. They had to see the healer afterwards. That was a falsified report if ever Charlie had written one. She touched his back lightly. He grabbed her hand to stop her and she seemed startled. He stood up but lifted her and set her on the desk, beginning to kiss her. That would not be the last time that rickety old desk broke.

Their second time was after the Short-Snout escaped for two days. They had been out looking for him with the rest of the crew for most of that time. They received a Patronus that newcomer Jamie Potter had brought him in little help. They sat on the rocks where they had been looking and Emma winked at him, pulling a bottle of Ogden's Finest out of her rucksack. "You're prepared for everything, aren't you?" he asked, more than a little impressed. "That's the Little Witches Motto." He had bruises on his knees for a week after that.

Their fifth time was in her tent. She had been slashed by the Ridgeback. He hadn't seen her, but Jamie had run into his office screaming. Their little liaisons hadn't been much of a secret . The healer thought they might lose her from blood loss. Charlie went barreling in, nearly taking down the other handlers as they stood around her bedside oohing and aahing over her stitches. They left quickly after his arrival, and as he sat on the bed, holding her hand, trying not to let the fear in his heart come out in his voice, he leaned over and kissed her. He woke up the next morning wrapped around her and they were married the next weekend.

Charlie stopped thinking about the past, heading back to his own tent. It didn't take long to wind down and he quickly and quietly settled under the covers, his hand caressing the round swell of Emma's belly. Only a few more weeks and they would be three. He pressed a kiss to Emma's neck and she sighed, turning as he unbuttoned and removed her nightshirt, loving the feel of her breasts on his face as she climbed on top of him.

When had he gotten so lucky?