AN: I promise I don't own the magical world of Harry Potter. If I did, things would've gone a LOT differently (as far as relationships are concerned!).

This is obviously set in an AU, so don't expect every little detail to match up. If you're the kind of reader that does, I'm jealous of your memory, but you'll probably be disappointed as you read this story.

Prior to editing, this was originally split into two chapters. But a technological mishap resulted in me combining both of them out of pure laziness.

Prologue

Hermione woke up feeling rather groggy. It sounded like someone was pounding on her head with a hammer. She tried to remember the amount of Firewhiskey she had consumed last night. Certainly more than she had ever had before!

Hermione's eyes flew open when she heard someone else groan. She slowly sat up, moving to lean against the headboard.

Where was she? And who was with her?

Hermione looked around, trying to figure out where she was. She was in some hotel in Hogsmeade, apparently. She guessed she was in the hotel above the Three Broomsticks.

The man in question was holding a pillow over his head, his face buried into the mattress. The sheet rested below his waist which left his back exposed.

Hermione's eyes widened when she noticed a tattoo. Just as she noticed, the man rolled over with his face pressed against the bottom of the pillow. Hermione grinned in appreciation of the man's very defined six-pack. Drunken Hermione had good taste!

She also saw a leather bracelet on his wrist with letters inscribed on the leather. Hermione's eyes narrowed in suspicion when she saw a W. She couldn't tell his first initial was, though.

She only knew of one family whose last name started with a W.

Hermione had gotten drunk off Firewhiskey and she'd shagged a Weasley. It certainly wasn't Ron, since Ron wasn't nearly as muscular and scarred as this guy was.

Hermione knew Ron's physique like the back of her own hand. She and Ron had been dating for nearly a year, and it was getting pretty serious. Just the other day Ginny was telling Hermione about how Ron was shopping for an engagement ring.

Hermione closed her eyes in shame when she realized the scope of what she'd done. Good-girl Hermione Granger had cheated on Ronald Weasley with one of his brothers.

Hermione was already wishing this hadn't happened.

Hermione stared at her companion, searching for more clues. She saw he was wearing a piece of leather (much skinnier than the one around his wrist) around his neck, forming a necklace. A huge tooth, or so Hermione assumed, hung off the necklace.

Only one magical creature had teeth that big.

Dragons.

Hermione only knew one person with a fascination for dragons. He also happened to be a Weasley.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione grabbed Charlie Weasley's arm and shook it. He groaned and turned on his side, pulling his arm away from her.

Hermione shivered and it occurred to Hermione that she didn't know what she was wearing. She felt her cheeks burn when she realized she wasn't wearing anything. Hermione got out of the bed, taking in the hotel room. She winced when pain shot through her.

Hermione saw her bra, hanging off the corner of the Muggle television. Grabbing it she hooked it in place while she started searching for her shirt. Hermione couldn't even remember what color it was.

All she could find was Charlie's shirt. It was a old looking supporting Ron's Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. Hermione snatched it in frustration and pulled it over her head.

This time, Hermione poked Charlie's side. He groaned and turned over again. Hermione got in the bed, hoping he'd feel that the bed was moving.

Waking up Ron was never this difficult.

"Charlie," Hermione hissed, poking him again. She grinned, victorious, when Charlie's eyes snapped open, the blue irises focused on her.

"Hermione?" Charlie whispered in disbelief, staring at her. He'd sat up and he was leaning against the headboard. He rubbed his hair in an attempt to smooth it, but it only made it the mess worse. Thankfully, the sheets were still around his waist. Deeming it safe, Hermione stayed near the foot of the bed, her legs crisscrossed in a sitting position. She pulled part of her sheet over her exposed vagina.

"We fucked," Charlie stated, glancing around the room, taking in her appearance. Hermione nodded once.

Charlie was grinning at her, the picture of a proud male.

"Charlie! This is a serious mistake! I'm dating your brother. He just went shopping for engagement rings. Oh Merlin, we didn't even use protection." Hermione stated, all of her thoughts rushing out at once. She got off the bed and started to pace while attempting to even her breathing.

"Engagement rings? Ron? Really?" Hermione glared at Charlie, suddenly angry. That was the only thing he cared about? Didn't he see how this situation could ruin her entire future?

"Some people, unlike yourself, are capable of committing to ONE witch for his whole life." Hermione felt a usual need to defend Ron.

Hermione was quickly losing her patience. She was out of here. She didn't have to deal with this. She uncrossed her arms and began to search for her clothes again.

"Try the hallway," Charlie muttered so quietly that Hermione almost missed it. Hermione walked over to the door and slowly opened it, listening to make sure there wasn't a crowd of people in the hallway. She wanted to keep this fiasco a secret, and she was going to take it to the grave.

She couldn't decide if she was relieved or mortified to find her clothes lying in a pile in front of the threshold. Either way, Hermione quickly snatched her clothes and shut the door. The fewer people who see her clothes the better. Not that anyone would connect the slutty outfit to Hermione Granger, though.

Turning so he couldn't see her chest, Hermione pulled off Charlie's shirt and threw it towards the bed.

"Hermione." She ignored him.

"Hermione!"

"What is this, the silent treatment? Hermione!"

"We're going to have an adult conversation eventually, baby."

Memories of Charlie whispering the endearment in her ear as she made love to him floated through her thoughts, but she continued to ignore him. She maneuvered into her shirt, which was a tight, black, lacy top. It left little to the imagination. She reached for her denim mini skirt. Hermione gave up trying to find her favorite red thong.

He gasped suddenly, loud enough to distract her silent reciting of the Headmasters of Hogwarts in chronological order. She had to ignore him somehow.

"You have a tattoo... New, by the looks of it." Charlie's words almost stopped Hermione's heart. She faced him, wishing she could tell if he was being serious or if his personality was mirrored his twin brothers'. She honestly didn't know him well enough to know.

Using his expression to decide he was serious, Hermione raced to the full-length mirror in the room. She positioned herself in front of it, looking over her shoulder at her backside. Well, at least it wasn't in a place that it couldn't be hidden. By process of elimination, she lifted up her top and there it was.

Hermione Jane Granger had a tramp stamp.

In the form of a dragon. She couldn't decide if she was more confused as to her tattoo's location choice or her choice of a dragon.

Hermione ran out into the bedroom, where Charlie was still lounging against the headboard. He almost looked bored.

"You have one, too."

He only raised one red eyebrow in response. Charlie got out of bed, naked, and walked over towards her. Along the way he came across his boxers and pulled them on.

Hermione tried to not blatantly stare, but she couldn't tear her eyes away. He really was a beautiful man. Her mouth dropped open in surprise when she noticed his own tattoo, which was angrily staring at her from his bicep.

"An OTTER?" Charlie exclaimed, flexing his muscles and examining his tattoo. It was then Hermione noticed the clock on the wall. She was going to be late for brunch with Ron!

"Let's just forget this ever happened. I'm going to be late for a date with Ron," Hermione stated quickly, not really caring whether or not he was listening. She just couldn't be late for her date with Ron, the love of her life.

She heard Charlie call her name before she Apparated out of the hotel room.

One Month Later

It was already the end of their last summer as Hogwarts students. They were meeting the Hogwarts Express tomorrow morning, and the Weasleys were having their usual end-of-summer family dinner. Even Percy was attending this meal with a scowl on his face the entire time.

Percy tended to avoid the Burrow, but he'd started making more appearances since Harry had defeated Voldemort. Probably due to some pressure from Molly, Percy had seen the errors in his past judgment. Most of his family had forgiven him, except Ron was still unsure.

Charlie was home from Romania, much to Hermione's annoyance and fear. He'd also had really brief but successful stunt as a professional Quidditch player for the Irish. He would tell you he was a professional Keeper for a while after he lost a high-stakes bet with his best friend on the dragon reserve. He wouldn't go into the specifics of the bet, though.

Hermione felt a peculiar heat sensation on her lower back whenever Charlie was near, or whenever she caught him looking at her from afar. She countered his weird behavior by both parties by gluing herself to Ron's side throughout the entire evening.

So she was more than a little hesitant when Molly pushed her towards the open seat by Charlie. He shrugged and pulled out the seat for her.

"Now, come dear. Charlie doesn't bite."

Hermione closed her eyes in embarrassment and unwelcome memories reminded her of the sensation of Charlie's teeth scraping against her skin as they were tangled in white sheets. Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, she dropped into the seat and Charlie pushed her chair closer to the table and he whispered in her ear as he did so.

"At least not in front of the family." Hermione glared at him, but his facial features clearly told her that he was just joking.

"That's not funny," Hermione hissed as her hands clenched into fists. She saw his eyes focus on her fists and he looked away from her, accepting the basket of rolls George passed him.

"Relax, witch. Or the family might start to suspect that something's up."

Harry and Ginny were the only ones that knew of Hermione's infidelity and her tattoo. Harry had caught sight of her tattoo one day when they had visited a Muggle swimming pool. Pictures of that day had ended up in the Prophet, but thankfully none featured of Hermione's backside (Harry's was a different story).

Ron, much to Hermione's amazement, hadn't yet discovered her tattoo. She'd put glamour on it every time they'd made love. She was rather lucky he wasn't the type to surprise her with lovemaking at an unusual time or place. She would have preferred to get it removed, but Wizarding tattoos were especially impossible to remove. Hermione made eye contact with Ron, who was seated across from her, and smiled in an attempt to seem relaxed.

"How is it that Muggle ink isn't as permanent as Wizarding ink?" Mr. Weasley asked Harry and Hermione. Hermione froze in surprise and nearly choked on her ButterBeer. She couldn't help but notice that Charlie seemed rather still as he looked at his father.

Thankfully, Harry reacted quickly answered Mr. Weasley's question with ease. Hermione risked looking at Ginny, and the younger witch was clearly trying really hard to hold back her laughter.

Mr. Weasley continued Harry the differences between Muggle tattoos and Wizarding tattoos. Ron had stuffed food in his face the entire time practically oblivious to the conversation and Hermione's attitude.

"Charlie," Mrs. Weasley interrupted Mr. Weasley's discussion, "Hogwarts is looking for a new Defense professor."

"That's nothing new, Mum. Everyone knows that the position's been cursed," Charlie said, giving his mother a curious look.

Hermione was curious, too. She wondered why the woman had brought the subject into the conversation. It was as if they had planned to make Hermione feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Well, I think you should consider taking it. I've already discussed the possibility with Minerva," Molly stated, shocking the entire Weasley family.

"He's got a good job already, Mum." Bill said, shooting his brother an apologetic look. Ron always told her that Bill and Charlie were really close and usually had similar opinions and thoughts.

"Not to mention, teaching Ron and I would be weird," Ginny added, buttering another roll.

"Charlie, you're getting older. Maybe it's time to settle down. Dragon keeping is extremely dangerous and meant for young, single men." Mrs. Weasley continued, smiling at her son.

Hermione certainly didn't consider Charlie Weasley to be older in his years. He was only a few years older than she. She didn't know how many exactly.

"I am settled, Mum. I've got a steady job and a cottage of my own. I made a ton of money last year as a keeper," Charlie defended himself with a slightly annoyed tone to his voice.

"I want grandchildren, Charlie." Mrs. Weasley stated bluntly, the smile gone from her face.

"Youz has Victoire," Fleur added, playing with her baby. Victoire was constrained in her high chair between her parents, gumming on mashed potatoes and bread.

"And I do love Victoire, Fleur dear, but I want a household full of laughing children at holidays. While I'm young enough to enjoy them." Molly said with a wishful tone to her voice, and her eyes held a faraway gaze.

Hermione felt Ron's gaze on her at the mention of children. She met his gaze and smiled, even though she wasn't quite sure she wanted to think about having children with Ron yet. They haven't even graduated Hogwarts or gotten secure jobs.

"I won't meet women at Hogwarts, Mum. Well, women I can legally marry. ," Charlie added, causing the boys to laugh in appreciation.

"Why would you marry them before shagging them-?" George asked, and Fred picked up on the end of his twin's sentence.

"Because that's illegal, too." Fred wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at his older brother in question. Charlie grinned back before helping himself to another piece of ham.

"Imagine all the first years that would lust after you, Charlie," Hermione said, feeling like she had to contribute to the conversation. She normally helped the weaker side of the Weasley debates.

"It would be like Lockheart all over again," Ron muttered, shaking his head in disgust.

"It would be good to have another Order member in the castle," Harry added, a small smile on his face. "Even though Voldemort is long gone, extra ears and hands will be helpful." Hermione knew he caught the glare she threw his way. She didn't want Charlie in her castle everyday!

"Why don't you give it a year, Charlie? If you don't like it, you can't quit." Mr. Weasley added, frowning at Charlie.

"He'd die before then, Dad. The position's cursed," Ginny reminded the table. Heads moved up and down in agreement.

Hermione noticed that Percy had remained silent during this argument. He probably didn't want to rock boats, Hermione assumed. He was looking at her with a calculating gaze, though. It was almost scary.

"Fine, Mum. I promise I'll think about it, okay? Now can we drop the subject, please?" Charlie decided, angrily piercing a piece of his meat.

Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry took their usual compartment on the train the next morning. They'd just barely made it to the train on time.

"Poor Charlie," Ginny stated, looking directly at Hermione.

Hermione glared at her, tilting her head in Ron's direction. He was seated next to her, looking out the window. Not that Ron would notice any of the silent conversation the girls were having, though. Harry shrugged, clearly indicating his indifference to the potential situation.

"I bet he takes the job," Ron proposed, surprising Hermione. She hadn't realized he was listening. "Because when Mum's nagging, she'll get her way."

"Charlie doesn't usually give in to Mum, though. That's why he works in Romania, though. They lock horns too much. They became much closer after he took that job." Ginny's opinions made sense to Hermione. She had always wondered why Charlie was never at any of the Weasley gatherings. His siblings seemed to adore him, unlike Percy.

"Mum hates the dragons," Ron added, as if that were a big announcement. Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What sane mother would want her child fighting dragons in Romania for a living?

"Every mother does, Ron," Hermione said, opening her new book. Hermione's book just happened to discuss everything dragon related. It was picked unintentionally, but it was definitely a subject that had been more interesting to her than usual.

Hermione blocked out the rest of the conversation, her nose in her book the entire ride.

Ron wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist as they walked off the train towards Hagrid's familiar shadow in the dark.

"Aye, you lot look happy!" Hagrid greeted them, wrapping them in a huge hug. They said their hellos before following the crowd into the castle.

Hermione noticed an empty seat at the Head Table, the seat where the Defense professor normally sat. Hermione sent a relieved look in Ginny's direction, and the other witch simply shrugged.

"If he decides to take the job, he'll drag his feet about it." Ginny whispered as the rest of the students took their steats.

Headmistress McGonagall started the opening speech, which Hermione was very interested to hear. McGonagall had decided to announce Head Boy and Girl during the opening speech.

Hermione took a deep breath, anxiously waiting for McGonagall to call her name. Ron found her knee underneath and squeezed in it a supportive gesture.

"Well, you've all been waiting to hear who will be your Head Boy and Girl."

Hermione had always wanted to be Head Girl more than anything.

"Your Head Boy is Blaise Zabini and the Head Girl is Hermione Granger." Hermione let out a huge sigh of relief as the students clapped in support of the decision.

Hermione got along well enough with Blaise. He was one of the few Slytherins who had never called her a Mudblood. He was also smart, and Hermione supposed his intelligence rivaled hers. McGonagall continued on with her welcome speech and announcements.

"Surely you have all noticed the empty seat at the Head Table," McGonagall frowned as she gestured to the empty seat between Hagrid and Madame Hooch.

"We are currently searching for a Defense professor, but I am certain we will have one before classes start tomorrow morning. Let's begin Sorting, shall we?"

It was later in the afternoon when Hermione noticed all the gossiping. It was mostly amongst the female population, as per usual. Hermione decided it meant that the Defense position had been filled by a man.

The seventh years didn't have Defense until Tuesday, but they had it four days a week. Hermione sat in the Gryffindor Common Room, wondering who all the girls were gossiping about.

"Did you see his necklace?" Lavender gushed, fanning herself before laughing. Pavarati nodded, a dazed expression on her face.

"Ginny!" Lavender exclaimed, waving Ginny over to their discussion. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny had been seated in front of the fireplace. Ginny sighed before walking over in their direction.

"Who is their latest victim, I wonder?" Harry asked, a disgusted look on his face. Gossip was one of Harry's pet peeves, and he was easily annoyed by it. Hermione couldn't blame him. She hated gossip, too. Especially the kind delivered by the Daily Prophet.

"The Defense professor," Hermione whispered, trying to focus on her Muggle Studies assignment.

"Why are you doing homework, love? Classes just started." Ron asked, finally moving his chess piece. Harry and Ron were engrossed in a game of Wizarding Chess, as per usual.

Hermione looked up as Ginny sat beside her with a noise of exasperation.

"So... who're they after now?" Hermione asked, smiling at Ginny. Ginny rolled her eyes before responding. Lavender, Hannah, and Pavarati were after someone new each week.

"Charlie."

Ginny's answer shocked Hermione and she dropped her quill onto her inkpot, knocking the pot over. The ink spilled on her assignment, successfully ruining it. Ron shot Hermione a funny look before he reached over and righted her inkpot.

"What did you say?" Hermione exclaimed, staring at her friend in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. She couldn't live in the same castle as Charlie Weasley. The castle was entirely too small for the both of them. Their chemistry would set it on fire and give their secret away.

"I guess he took the job, like mum wanted. I wish he would've warned us, though. I wouldn't have gone over there if I knew they were discussing one of my brothers," Ginny said, shuddering in disgust.

Hermione knew everything was going to blow up in her face with Charlie in the castle. She began to prepare herself for disaster.

At breakfast, Lavender Brown sat her annoying self down beside Hermione.

"Ron, do you have muscles like Charlie?" Lavender's question made Hermione spit food across the table at Harry. Mortified, Hermione quickly used a cleaning spell, apologizing to her best friend. He laughed as if it didn't bother him. But if anyone deserved to be spit on, it was Lavender.

Ron sent Hermione a glare before answering Lavender's question. She guessed he assumed she'd been shocked that Lavender thought Ron had muscles to begin with.

"No, Lavender. Weasley's aren't made from a cookie cutter." Hermione thought some of them were, actually. Their physical appearance was mostly the same. All the boys, except for Ron, were actually quite muscular.

Hermione glanced up at Charlie, where he was enjoying his first breakfast at the Head Table. He was animatedly talking with Hooch, who had her hand on his arm. It was obvious the old professor was flirting.

Charlie met Hermione's gaze and winked at her. Hermione quickly looked away, ashamed he'd caught her. But she figured there had been a telltale burning sensation on his arm.

McGonagall got everyone's attention, standing to make an announcement.

"Students, I have finally acquired a Defense professor for you. His name is Charlie Weasley. You probably recognize his bright red hair," the Headmistress paused, "He was a talented Dragon Keeper in Romania, who came with high recommendations from his employers. If Mr. Weasley can handle dragons, he can certainly handle Hogwarts." With that, Headmistress returned to her seat.

Lavender, Pavarati and Hannah were still gossiping about Charlie's handsome features.

"What I would do to get him in bed..." Lavender's whisper was practically heard throughout the entire hall.

Hermione really hoped she wasn't blushing.