alisanne

Title: For Love of Wildlife
Author:

alisanne
Rating: PG
Pairing: Charlie Weasley/Luna Lovegood
Word Count: 884
Genre: Romance
Warnings: Other than het? *g* None.
A/N: Written for

ragdoll as part of my 8th LJ-Versary celebration. She requested Charlie/Luna, prompt: wild life.
Beta:

sevfan and

emynn.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

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For Love of Wildlife

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Charlie only had a vague recollection of Luna Lovegood. He remembered a large-eyed blonde girl from the Battle of Hogwarts. Despite her fragile air, she’d fought long and hard during that battle, as had they all. So when Ginny contacted him asking him if Luna could visit to ‘study Romanian wildlife’, Charlie had agreed.

Maybe I can set her up with one of the local kids, he thought as he waited for her Portkey to drop her off at the Reserve. Someone closer to her age will probably be best.

But when a serene, beautiful blonde sailed gracefully into view, Charlie almost swallowed his tongue. Slender and self-possessed, she smiled when she saw him. “You must be Charlie Weasley,” she said, her unexpectedly soft voice sending shivers down his spine.

“What was your first clue?” he asked, stepping forward.

She inclined her head, a smile playing about her lips. “The hair. It’s just like Ginny’s and Ron’s.”

Charlie laughed. “You’ve caught me. Guilty as charged. And you’re obviously Luna.”

“Yes.” She clasped his hand, staring deeply into his eyes for a long moment. “Thank you for having me. When I told Ginny that I wanted to study Romanian wild life she insisted on contacting you. I hope I won’t be too much of a bother.”

“Not at all.” Finding himself profoundly hoping he could ‘have her’, Charlie disengaged their hands and offered his arm. “I’ll show you to your quarters.”

“Thank you.” Luna clasped his arm and smiled. “I’m really looking forward to this.”

So am I, Charlie thought as he led her to her assigned quarters. So am I.

~

Luna fit in right away. Everyone loved her, even Warren, his notoriously private work partner. Within days she’d charmed everyone. To Charlie’s surprise, he began resenting any of his colleagues she showed interest in. One day he got word Luna was looking for him. He found her having lunch. Helping himself to some food, he sat down across the dining hall from her and watched.

“Maybe you should ask her out before you starve to death.”

Blinking, Charlie looked away from the intense and hushed conversation Luna seemed to be having with another dragon keeper, Peter. He flushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean you have a thing for Luna.” Warren raised an eyebrow. “And she watches you, too, by the way.”

Charlie glanced back over at her. She was still engrossed in Peter, her lunch sitting untouched. “Not that I’ve ever seen.”

Warren snorted. “You’ve been avoiding her so how would you know?”

“I’m not avoiding her. She should have an opportunity to interact with everyone--”

“Right.” Warren stood up. “You can lie to me if you like, but you shouldn’t lie to yourself. And eat something.”

Charlie rolled his eyes. Pushing his untouched lunch aside, he rose. Fine. Walking over to Luna and Peter he said, “Excuse me, Luna. I got a message you wanted to see me?”

Luna smiled up at him. “Yes I did. I was hoping you could take me out to see some dragons in the wild?”

Charlie smiled. “I’d be happy to.” He eyed Peter. “Although Peter could show you dragons, too.”

Peter smirked at him. “I’d love to, but she specifically requested you.” Turning to Luna, he said, “Have fun.”

Luna nodded. “I shall. And thank you for your advice.”

“No problem.” Peter nodded. “See you, Charlie.”

Charlie frowned. What advice? “Peter.” Once he was alone with Luna, he felt better. “Would you like to go now?”

“Yes.” Gathering up her parchments, Luna stood. “Can we stop at my rooms first?”

“Of course.”

When they got out into the mountains, Charlie relaxed. It was a beautiful day, perfect for dragon watching, and he knew he could show her some lovely specimens.

The dragons even cooperated, flying by at regular intervals which allowed Luna to make sketches and notes. Charlie soon realised she was a decent artist. “They’re magnificent,” she said. “They put on quite the show.”

By mid afternoon, the dragons had stopped flying by, but Luna seemed in no hurry to leave. She wandered the woods, exclaiming over plants, and Charlie hung back, watching her, admiring the curve of her hips and her slender hands. As she went around a large tree and out of sight, he sighed. Maybe Warren is right. Maybe if I spend more time with her, she’d see me differently--

“Charlie, would you come here, please?”

Blinking, Charlie hurried towards her, rounding the corner and walking into a clearing. “What is it? Did you find more wildlife--?” He froze.

Luna, looking very comfortable, was sitting crossed-legged on a blanket. She was also quite naked. “I was hoping to experience another sort of wild life now,” she said softly, her eyes luminous and inviting.

Charlie, mouth dry, moved closer. “But...Peter--”

She smiled. “When I went to him for advice he said I would have to be very clear with you.” Luna lay back, her hair fanning out from her face, her body on display. “I hope this is clear enough.”

Slowly, Charlie grinned. “Yes,” he whispered, getting down onto the blanket and reaching for her. “It’s quite clear.”

And that day, it was the wildlife that got quite the show.

~