Valentine's Day 1999

When Verity first agreed to having dinner with Charlie for Valentine's Day, she didn't really feel nervous at all - if anything she was overjoyed that Charlie was the one who made the first move so she didn't have to. But now that she stood on the landing just outside of the door to the flat, her nerves suddenly amplified.

It's just Charlie, she told herself as she shook her head trying to physically shake the anxious thoughts from her mind. Of course she had feelings for him, something she had been in denial about for months now. But he was still the man she spent hours with every single day. Why did it suddenly seem so daunting?

The door to the flat suddenly opened, causing Verity's heart to skip a beat but when George and Eloise stepped out of the door with their arms linked together she let out an audible sigh of relief.

"How's he doing?" she asked, looking between George and Eloise.

"He's all over the place, but I bet it will make for a good story in the end." George replied with a smirk, seeming to see just how nervous his friend was to spend the romantic holiday with his older brother.

Eloise however was not amused with his teasing as she nudged her shoulder against him, giving him a stern look like she was silently scolding him.

"It'll be lovely, I'm sure of it." Eloise assured Verity as she turned to her with a kind smile.

All of these nerves were quite out of the ordinary for the woman, she was never one to be flustered. But there was just something about Charlie that made her feel butterflies in her stomach like she was a school girl with a crush, and she hated that it seemed so obvious to everyone around her.

Letting out a sigh, Verity finally replied to the two of them, "Well, you two have fun doing whatever it is you plan on doing."

What was going on between George and Eloise was still quite confusing from an outside perspective, although she assumed the two involved had even less of a clue what their relationship was. It was obvious to everyone at this point that they were interested in one another, but Verity wasn't placing any bets on either of them making anything official any time soon. Both seemed to be dancing around the subject, or perhaps they were both much too oblivious.

The couple passed Verity on their out and made their way down the spiral stairs leaving her on her own just outside the door to the flat. After silently telling herself to get it together, she finally reached for the handle.

As she stepped through the door to the flat, she found Charlie working frantically in the kitchen, surrounded by stacks of dirty pots and pans wearing an orange and maroon patchwork apron. The sight of the man who had seemed to be trying his absolute hardest to make a good impression on her, but was still just as chaotic and lovable as always put her at ease.

Charlie was so focused on what he was doing, he didn't even seem to hear her entrance, but she didn't mind. She found the whole scene quite amusing. As he brushed his red curls away from his face with the back of his hand, he spun around in search for something when his eyes fell on Verity who had been leaning on the back of the couch waiting for him to notice her.

"Merlin's beard, Verity!" he exclaimed grabbing his chest, having been surprised by her sudden appearance, "How long have you been here?"

A smirk grew on her lips as she got a better look at him in what she assumed to be Molly's apron, "Only a minute or two. Do you want any help?"

He shook his head, "No way, missy. This is all for you, so you just have a seat- erm."

He stopped himself when he realized the mess he'd created while cooking not only took up all the counter space but had also migrated to the kitchen table as well. When Verity's eyes followed where he was looking she let out a chuckle.

"You're a mess." she smiled.

"I supposed I can't argue with that." he smiled sheepishly, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck.

Without being asked to, Verity quickly began gathering up the dirty dishes from the kitchen table and dropped them in the sink, turning on the water and pouring probably too much soap into it.

"Oi, I thought I told you no helping."

"Since when do I listen to you, Weasley?"

Charlie was just about to object when the timer for the oven went off. As Verity busied herself cleaning up Charlie's mess, he pulled a somewhat rustic looking Beef Wellington from the oven and set it on the counter to rest. Verity certainly didn't expect all of this effort, she wasn't kidding when she told Eloise she'd be fine just having takeaway for dinner. But she couldn't deny that what Charlie had made smelled absolutely delicious.

"I hope you like Beef Wellington, mum tried to teach me how to make it and Eloise helped a bit."

Verity dramatically dropped a bowl into the soapy water and spun around, "Charlie, I'm vegetarian!"

The look of shock in his eyes caused Verity to give up her act almost immediately as she let out a loud laugh and flicked some soapy water off her fingers towards Charlie before turning back around to face the sink.

While he was relieved she was joking, he didn't appreciate the near heart attack he gave her. Sneaking behind her and wrapping an arm around her waist to prevent her escape, he reached his own hand into the water to flick some at her as well. Trying in vain to get out of Charlie's grasp, she let out a shriek of laughter as she shielded her face.

"You're lucky you're so cute." he smiled as he released her and turned around to prepare their plates.

"Oh, is that all it takes?" she smirked as she flattened her shirt.

"That and it's Valentine's Day, maybe I'll get you back tomorrow. Or maybe I'll wait until you're least expecting it." he winked at her before returning his attention to the Wellington, cutting each of them a generous slice.

Verity reached for her wand in her back pocket to speed up the cleaning process, gathering all the remaining dishes into the sink and charming the sponge to complete the job for her. At the exact moment Charlie was finished plating everything, she sat down and gave him a grateful smile as he set her meal down in front of her and made his way to sit across the table after removing his mother's apron.

There was nothing overly romantic about the scene before her. No candlelight or rose petals, only Charlie and his chaotically prepared dinner that he begged his mother to teach him how to make in hopes of impressing Verity.

That was Charlie. Everything she adored about him all rolled into one evening. The laughs, the mess, the teasing. Never in a million years did she think she'd truly be on a date with Charlie Weasley, and yet here she was.

After a quiet moment of the two enjoying their dinner, a memory popped into Verity's mind. Thinking back on it only amplified her feelings that they were an unlikely match that somehow found out how perfectly they fit together. Verity was sure love at first sight didn't exist, but what a difference nine years can make.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" she asked him as a smirk formed on her lips.

Verity had been friends with Fred and George since their second year at Hogwarts, but Charlie was already in his seventh year by then. At the time, the seventeen year old was mainly focused on being the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and preparing to move to Romania by the end of the term. After leaving school he rarely spent time at home, save for the occasional holiday or special event.

So, as silly as it sounded, he couldn't actually remember the very first time they met. Honestly his earliest memory of her was when they decided to meet up after the war to discuss reopening the shop. His hesitation let Verity know he truly had no idea, but that didn't bother her.

"Do you remember a short blonde girl with a yellow tie carrying around a box of dung bombs trying to get into Gryffindor tower?"

Charlie shook his head, trying to rack his brain and jog his memory.

"Well, she was trying to get in to the tower to meet up with Lee Jordan who didn't tell her the password. She tried to sneak in with a group of seventh years but the one with curly red hair and a Quidditch jumper on stopped her."

Finally the memory came back to him and he let out a laugh, "That was you?"

"Yes it was me!" she chuckled, "Lee was furious that I couldn't get the dung bombs to him in time to prank Filch. But I suppose it's his fault for not giving me the password, isn't it?"

"That's hilarious. I can't believe I was able to thwart one of your evil plans."

"I'm not evil." she defended herself as she rolled her eyes.

"Maybe not evil, but you've always been trouble." he replied with a smirk.

Charlie found himself smiling like a fool when he was around Verity. When they first met up to discuss reopening the store, he was honestly somewhat intimidated by her demeanor. The girl never held back her opinions, but over time he came to find that they balanced each other out quite well. They made a great team at the shop and honestly as friends as well.

But after a while that started to change. Charlie found himself completely smitten with Verity, using any opportunity he could to flirt with her. Of course he'd always play it off as a joke, seeing as she always seemed to get flustered around him and leave the situation in a huff.

Honestly, he was surprised when she said yes to having dinner for Valentine's Day. When he said it, he figured she'd just think he was joking and turn him down. So much so that he actually hadn't prepared anything and frantically went to the Burrow begging his mother to teach him how to cook anything so he could impress her.

"I'm glad you wrote to me after Fred's funeral. I honestly had no idea what to do, I wanted to reopen the shop but I didn't want to push George." she said after a moment, not noticing the pure look of puppy love in Charlie's eyes.

Breaking his gaze away from her briefly, he idly pushed around peas on his plate with his fork before replying, "I'm glad I did too. I honestly didn't think I'd stay here this long, I thought I'd be back in Romania by now."

"What made you change your mind?"

"A couple things. One being the fact that I can see my family whenever I want to now, I didn't realize how much I missed that."

"And the other?"

Charlie hesitated. His and Verity's relationship was always fun, they were never too serious with one another. But suddenly he was put on the spot, finally given the opportunity to confess how deep his feelings were for her. Dragons couldn't strike a single ounce of fear in the man, but the prospect of Verity not feeling the same way - that scared the hell out of him.

"You." he replied after a moment.

"You're lying." she responded, fighting back the smile on her lips as well as the blush on her cheeks.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

"I'm sure I can come up with a fib or two that you've told me. Like when you promised me you'd cleaned out the Pygmy Puff cages last Tuesday and you definitely didn't." she snickered.

"That's different." he laughed, "I mean it. You're a big part of me wanting to stay, I look forward to work every day because it means I get to spend time with you. Even on the days you're feeling extra bossy."

At that comment Verity picked up a pea and threw it at his head.

"Oi!" he exclaimed as he dodged the projectile.

"I'm not that bossy."

"You are." he smiled as she picked up another pea, threatening to lob it right at his forehead, "But this place would have fallen apart without you."

She dropped the pea and leaned her chin in her hand with a smile, "I suppose I can't argue with that."

With a laugh, Charlie picked up his own plate before grabbing hers to take to the sink, knowing she was finished eating but also because he didn't want there to be a looming threat of more stray peas being tossed at his head.

Besides, there was just something else on his mind.

"Can I make you a drink?" he asked as he reached into the cabinet for two glasses.

"What do you have?"

"I've still got some Tuica from Romania if you're interested. But it's a bit strong."

"I can handle my liquor, Weasley." she challenged him as she made her way over to the couch, kicking off her shoes in the process.

"You're five feet tall and light as a feather, Ver." he laughed as he poured the two of them a glass, deliberately pouring less into her glass.

"Excuse me? I'm five one, thank you very much."

"Oh, please forgive me." he apologized sarcastically as he handed her the glass and took a seat at the opposite end of the couch.

Relaxing with his arm rested over the back of the sofa, Charlie took a sip of the clear liquid as he gazed at her. The usually confident blonde woman suddenly felt self-conscious with Charlie's eyes on her. Every inch of her skin felt like it was heating up with each glance from the man, or maybe it was just the alcohol.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"I'm just thinking." he shrugged.

"About what?"

"Whether you're going to kiss me or if I'm going to have to be the one to make the first move."

The boldness of his statement took Verity by surprise as she nearly spilled her drink. Charlie always kept her on her toes, but this felt more like a challenge than just a silly flirty remark to get a rise out of her. Not wanting to lose this game, Verity set her glass down on the nearby coffee table before returning her attention to the man next to her.

"And what makes you think I want to kiss you, Charlie?"

"Just a hunch, I suppose." he replied before downing the rest of his drink.

A small droplet of Tuica escaped the corner of his lips but he was quick to dart his tongue out, running it over his bottom lip as he kept his eyes locked on Verity's.

Her eyes broke away from his and fell on his lips and the smirk that formed on them just a moment later let her know he thought he was winning whatever little game the two were playing. But Verity remained firmly planted on her end of the couch, not giving in to what she desperately wanted. If they were going to kiss, it would have to be Charlie's move - solely out of principle of course.

"You're such a flirt, Weasley."

"Only with you, love." he smiled, scooting slightly closer to her but not close enough for her liking quite honestly.

Charlie brought his hand away from the back of the couch to brush her bright blonde hair behind her ear, leaning forward only slightly.

"I'm not letting you win, Charlie." she smiled devilishly.

"Then why don't we meet in the middle?" he asked softly, running his finger down her cheek and under her chin.

That was more than enough convincing for her as she leaned into his touch and pressed her lips against his. Kissing Charlie wasn't fireworks, it was a warm fire on a cold winter night. It was calm and protective, it felt like home.

There truly was no losing game with Charlie. As their lips molded together perfectly, it became clear to Verity that every success Charlie had was a success for her as well. They were a team. An unlikely match that somehow made perfect sense.

Charlie Weasley was fire. A chaotic inferno that consumed every inch of her and engulfed her heart and soul in a way she couldn't control or prevent.

Verity Stokes was ice. Elusive and a little bit dangerous - one wrong step and Charlie had fallen head over heels for her with no turning back.

A match that didn't make sense, but together created an ocean. They were wild and free, both independent souls that neither thought could be tied down. But just like the tide kissing the sand, no matter where one went the other would always be there in the end. Charlie and Verity were an endless sea, their utter adoration for each other was everlasting.

Perfect opposites and perfect together.