#auror

Also could reader maybe be a Slytherin, I'm a Slytherin so I just think reader would be too, but the house can be unspecified or something else if you want.

lost without you

in which charlie weasley meets the love of his life

PAIRING: charlie weasley x slytherin!reader

WARNINGS: fluff, sneaking around, falling out (slight angst), love confessions, molly weasley (sorry...)

WORD COUNT: 3.7k

🎶 : lost without you - freya ridings

AN: ♥️💗 - i love this request so much... thank you for asking!!

She was exhausted, that was for sure. Spending all night- she blushed. She shouldn’t have done that, but he was so kind and strong. Mysterious but gentle. He was brilliant; she could tell by the look in his eyes. 

She giggled as he kissed down her neck, squirming from his touch. He scoffed, no malice behind it. “Love, stop moving…” 

She blushed wildly, hiding her face behind her hands. “I never do this…” 

He pulled himself back to her level, prying her hands away. “There you are.” He whispered. “Don’t hide from me, please.” 

“I’m embarrassed.” She whispered back. “I never-” 

“Never do this.” He smirked, laying beside her and staring at her intensely. “You’ve said.” 

She moved herself closer, tracing shapes on his chest. “What do you do for work?”

He laughed, and she thought to herself he had a rather jolly laugh. “Do you really want to know?” 

She nodded, her eyes begging to shut. His hold was comforting despite the fact that she had known him for approximately two hours. “You look like you have a…” She yawned. “An interesting job.” 

He smiled, leaning his head on hers. “I work in…” 

She had fallen asleep before she had heard where.

Y/N blushed thinking about it. There she was, sleeping in a stranger's arms. 

Then again, it hadn’t felt like that. It felt like she had known him for years. She shook her head, trying to stop herself from daydreaming. George laughed, nudging her ever so softly. “Wake up, Dolly Daydream.” 

She rolled her eyes, shoving him away from her. “I am awake, thank you very much.” 

You loved being a mother, truly, you did. But the constant wailing of your tiny, perfect baby, the most precious thing you’d ever laid eyes on, was driving you half mad.

It wasn’t that James wanted to be away, Godric, no, but as an Auror, he was needed by more than just his family. You understood that, respected it, even. But doing this alone, taking care of your son alone, left a dull ache that never really faded..

Your usually big, boisterous curls had fallen flat and greasy from too many hastily tied buns and not nearly enough wash days. The bright, pink-cheeked tan of your face had gone pale and grey, and your eyes, once the vivid hazel of a sunlit meadow, now seemed to mirror nothing but dull glass.

You stared at your reflection in the bathroom mirror, your gaze flicking toward the photo on the nightstand just outside the door. It moved, of course, a memory from your school days. You and James stood in the center, his arms wrapped snugly around your waist, chin resting on your shoulder. Your head was tilted back toward him, your hands covering his, your smile the brightest it had ever been. Around you were your friends, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, Marlene, and Mary, all laughing, youth and life spilling out of the frame.

You barely recognized that girl anymore. It felt like that photograph had been taken twenty years ago, not three. From seventeen to twenty, you’d aged a lifetime.

Your training as a Healer had been halted by the sudden, though not unwelcome, pregnancy. You and James had been young, terrified, and so very excited.

You loved your son, truly. But Merlin, did you miss feeling like a person.

You’d escaped to your room after finally, after hours, getting Harry to sleep. The house was quiet, blissfully so. You’d barely reached the sanctuary of your bed, finally ready to lie down for just a moment after scrutinizing yourself, when a knock sounded at the front door.

You froze, eyes squeezing shut in desperate anticipation, silently praying that your son wouldn’t—

But before you could finish the thought, a loud, piercing wail tore through the house.

You hurried to his room, reaching for the small, bright-eyed baby and immediately beginning to hush and bounce him against your chest. His cries softened to tiny hiccups as you swayed, murmuring nonsense under your breath, exhaustion tugging at every word.

Cradling him close, you made your way toward the front door.

When you opened it, you were met with the grinning faces of Remus and Sirius, an assortment of items stuffed clumsily in their arms, boxes, bottles, what looked suspiciously like a stuffed stag toy.

Their smiles faltered the moment they took you in, concern bleeding across every inch of their faces.

“Oh, love, you look—” Sirius started, but you cut him off with a tired wave of your hand.

“I know.” You muttered. “Come in.” 

Remus slipped past you first, already reaching to gently take the baby from your arms. You hesitated only a second before letting him; Harry immediately quieted under Remus’s calm touch.

Sirius followed, toeing off his boots in the doorway as he surveyed the room like it was a battlefield. “Alright,” he said briskly, “what do we need? Food? Sleep? A small army of house-elves?”

You huffed out something between a laugh and a sigh, rubbing at your eyes. “A nap would be nice. Or a brain transplant. Whichever’s quicker.”

Remus chuckled softly, rocking the baby with practiced ease. “He just missed his mum. Happens to the best of us.”

You slumped against the wall, suddenly aware of how utterly spent you were. Sirius was already moving about, setting the boxes on the kitchen table, baby formula, nappies, a few new toys, and, of course, a stuffed stag that made you smile despite yourself.

“James told us you were running low on supplies,” Remus explained, glancing up from the baby. “We thought we’d drop by.”

James, you thought. James should be here. You couldn’t help the unfair thought that followed.

“‘Drop by,’” you repeated dryly. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Sirius grinned, unrepentant. “We’re very considerate guests.”

You couldn’t help it, you laughed. A small sound, rusty but real. And for the first time all day, the house didn’t feel quite so heavy.

But then, as quickly as the lightness came, that familiar feeling crept in, the one that whispered you weren’t good enough at this, that you weren’t doing enough, that needing help somehow meant you were failing.

You straightened abruptly from where you’d been leaning, inching toward your son. “You guys honestly didn’t have to do this,” you said, voice a touch too tight, too practiced.

Remus’s head lifted slightly at your tone, the small frown between his brows deepening. “Hey, Fawn,” he said softly. “We wanted to.”

You shook your head, trying to force a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “No, really. You shouldn’t have. I’ve got it. I can— I can handle this.”

Sirius opened his mouth, concern written across his face, but Remus shot him a look that made him pause.

“No one’s doubting that, love,” Remus started gently.

“But everyone needs help,” Sirius pressed on. “Especially with James not being—”

Your head shot up, eyes blazing. “James not being here is not a problem.” Your tone was sharp, sharper than you had maybe ever been with them

Sirius blinked, caught off guard by the sharpness in your voice. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure what to say.

Remus moved slowly toward the small bassinet in the far corner of the room, then turned his gaze back to you. He took a careful step closer, his eyes soft. “We know you’re strong,” he said quietly. “But even strong people need a hand sometimes.”

You shook your head stubbornly, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. “No, I’m his mother. I’m supposed to be able to do this on my own. I’m supposed to be the strongest and I—bloody hell, I’m utterly failing.” Your voice cracked, hands running through your hair as the words tumbled out.

You shook your head harder, pushing at Sirius’s hand as it rested on your shoulder. “No! Don’t—don’t touch me! I don’t need—” Your words broke off into a strangled sob, and your hands flew to your face, hiding the tears threatening to spill.

Sirius froze, concern written across his face, but he didn’t push. He simply stayed close, giving you space while keeping his presence steady.

The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. You stared at the floor, your throat tightening until the words tumbled out before you could stop them.

“I just…” You swallowed hard. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t. Like I’m not… enough for him.” Your voice broke, and you let out a shaky laugh. “And then I hate myself for even thinking that, because he’s perfect. He’s everything. But I miss—”

You pressed a trembling hand over your mouth, but the sob slipped through anyway. “I miss learning, laughing, healing… I miss… feeling like me.” You brushed your hair out of your face before wringing your hands together. "And sometimes...Sometimes I wish I wasn't a mom."

Neither of them said anything at first. Remus stepped closer, slow and steady, one hand warm on your shoulder. Sirius looked lost for a moment before his face softened, all the teasing gone.

“You’re still you,” Remus said quietly. “You’re just… tired. And human. Which is allowed, by the way.”

“Yeah,” Sirius added, his voice unusually gentle. “You’re not supposed to do this alone. Even heroes need help, love.”

You let out a wet laugh, half a sob, half a sigh. “I wasn’t supposed to be doing it alone.” You said dejectedly. 

The two men froze for a moment, understanding immediately that you were speaking about the absence of their best friend.

Sirius’s voice dropped, quieter now, careful. “Fawny… he’d be here if he could.”

“I know he would, Sirius!” Your voice rose suddenly, sharp and brittle, then fell into a whisper. “I know he would.”

“But he’s not.” Your sobs came freely now, uncontrolled, and you pressed your hands to your face. “He’s not. He’s out there catching dark wizards, and I’m here… alone… taking care of our son. Our child. A child, when I still am one.”

Your voice cracked as the words kept spilling, jagged and trembling. “He gets to be someone. He gets to have a job, the one he’s always dreamed of, and then comes home, showers, sleeps for four hours, and leaves again.” You laughed, the sound wet and bitter. “I can’t even remember the last time I showered.”

Your hands fell helplessly to your sides as you stared at the floor. “And I’ve been patient, and understanding, and proud of him, Merlin, I am proud of him, but what about me? What about my dream, my career, my life?”

The words echoed off the walls, fragile but fierce, a confession you’d been holding in for far too long. Sirius looked stricken, every trace of humor gone. Remus’s eyes softened with quiet sympathy as he rocked the baby gently, the soft rustle of fabric and tiny breaths the only sound in the heavy stillness.

“What if… what if James doesn’t really want to be here?” Your voice trembled, barely more than a whisper. “What if us having Harry so young has made him… want to leave?”

The thought had haunted you since James’s first assignment after Harry’s birth, a quiet fear you’d never admitted aloud, until now. The confession hung in the room, heavy and raw, and for a moment, silence fell like a weight.

Sirius and Remus exchanged a look, shock evident, but both carefully held space for your grief, refusing to rush you, letting you spill the fears you’d carried alone for far too long.

Sirius finally spoke, his voice low and steady. “Fawny… he doesn’t want to leave. He loves you. He loves Harry. He’s out there doing what he has to, the way he’s always done. That doesn’t change how he feels about you, or about your family.”

Remus shifted closer, soft as always. “Yeah. Even if it’s hard, even if it’s frustrating, he’d never walk away. Not from you. Not from him.”

You swallowed hard, chest tightening, tears still slipping down your cheeks. “I just… I feel so alone sometimes,” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the soft coos of your baby.

Sirius moved closer, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder. “You’re not alone. Not tonight. Not ever. We’re here.”

You let out a shaky breath, your body sagging against the edge of the small burgundy couch in your living room. For the first time all evening, you allowed yourself to simply breathe, letting the tension in your shoulders ease ever so slightly.

Remus knelt beside the bassinet, lifting Harry gently into his arms. The baby cooed softly, nestling against Remus’s steady hold, and a tiny spark of calm began to thread through your chest.

Sirius adjusted a bottle before sliding onto the couch next to you. “Now. Nap. Then shower,” he said, voice half-commanding, half-gentle.

You looked up at him, panic threading through your voice. “I can’t… Harry will—”

Remus cut you off, voice calm but firm. “We’ve got Harry now. Go. Be a person again. You deserve it.”

Sirius smirked, nudging you lightly. “We’re not letting you argue. You take the nap, then the shower. That’s an order.”

You hesitated, heart pounding with guilt and relief, eyes flicking between your friends and the soft bundle in Remus’s arms. Slowly, the fight drained out of you. “Okay…” you whispered, voice trembling. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Sirius grinned triumphantly, standing to brush some imaginary dust off his robes. “Good. Off you go. We’ll keep the chaos contained while you’re gone.”

Remus cradled your son with a quiet, encouraging smile. “We’ll be right here when you’re done,” he said softly.

A soft, persistent squeak from the baby’s mobile nudged you awake Your body felt lighter than it had in weeks, the tight coil of exhaustion loosening slightly. You stretched, fingers brushing through your hair, and for a moment, remembered what it felt like to feel… like you.

Quietly, you padded to the bathroom. You turned the tap, letting warm water flow from the faucet, and exhaled in relief.

The shower was blissful. The heat cascaded over you, washing away more than just the dirt and weariness of long days. It was a small rebellion against exhaustion, a reclaiming of self. You closed your eyes, letting the warm water soothe tight muscles, the steam curling around you like a soft embrace.

Afterward, you wrapped yourself in a towel, looking at your reflection in the mirror. For the first time in what felt like forever, you reached for the bottles of curl cream, mousse, and gel you’d kept tucked away, almost forgotten.

Slowly, deliberately, you worked through your hair routine, detangling, scrunching, layering cream, and diffusing just enough to form soft, bouncy coils. Each curl that fell into place felt like reclaiming a piece of yourself you’d been missing.

By the time you were finished, your hair had volume again, bouncing with life. Your skin glowed with a hint of color, your cheeks lifting into a genuine smile in the mirror. It was a small victory, a reminder that you were more than the tired, frazzled mother you’d felt like 5 hours ago. You were still you.

5 hours?! The reality of how long it had been had suddenly washed over you. Nightime was evident and you had left your colicky newborn alone with your friends for five whole hours. Guilt washed over you in a cold rush.

You hurriedly pulled on a pair of faded PJs, a small tank and shorts set from when you were eighteen, a favoirte of James, your movements clumsy with nerves and leftover exhaustion. Tugging the tank over your shoulders, you smoothed down your curls as best you could and practically ran downstairs.

You froze in the doorway. It was calm. Too calm.

There was James, sitting cross-legged in the living room, rocking Harry gently in his arms. His movements were careful, almost reverent, and the soft coos from your son filled the space like a lullaby. Sirius was nearby, cleaning up bottles and toys with his usual flair, but quieter somehow, like he knew not to break the moment. And Remus moved around the kitchen, cooking something fragrant, humming low under his breath.

Your chest tightened at the sight, a rush of relief and gratitude washing over you. James looked up, eyes softening as they met yours like you were the most ethereal thing hed ever seen, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips. “Hey,” he murmured. “You rested?”

You blinked, fighting back tears, the exhaustion and worry of the day pressing down on you. “I… I didn’t expect—”

“To see me?” James interrupted gently, shifting Harry slightly so you could get a better look. “I told the ministry I needed to leave early. Family Emergency."

You shook your head, voice tight. “You didn’t have to do that. We’re fine, I swear.”

James’s gaze softened even further. “Come on, Love. You know I know you better than that.”

Before you could protest, he handed Harry carefully to Sirius, who cradled him with a proud, teasing grin. James stepped closer, and your heart thudded as he reached for your hand. The touch was grounding, familiar, and something inside you finally let go.

“I missed you,” you whispered, voice cracking.

James’s thumb brushed over your knuckles. “I missed you too. More than words could convey.”

Then he pulled you in for a much-needed hug. His familiar scent settled over you, steadying your racing heart. The heat of his body pressed against yours was more comforting than you could have imagined, a shield against the exhaustion and guilt that had been weighing you down all day.

He rested his head against yours, holding you tighter than ever, as if he could somehow absorb all the fear and loneliness you’d carried. Your hands found their way around his waist, clinging lightly, grateful for the simple, unspoken reassurance that he was here, that he was yours, that you were not alone.

For the first time in hours, maybe even days, you felt the weight of the world ease just enough to breathe.

You looked up at him. Eyes tracing his lips, then his eyes behind crooked lenses, then back to his slightly chapped lips. His stubble had grown out more than he usually allowed, and his hair was messier than usual, but he was James. Your James. And he was here. Undeniably, unforgettably, the most handsome thing you had ever seen.

He smiled softly, leaning in just a fraction closer.

“Oy! Lovebirds,” Sirius’s amused voice cut through the moment. “Food’s ready.”

You both blinked, eyes rolling at your friend’s grinning face, and James let out a quiet laugh, tugging you gently by the hand toward the kitchen.

After the best meal you’d had in ages, filled with laughter, teasing, and small, careful reassurances from James that everything was okay, Sirius and Remus finally gathered their things to go back to their flat.

“Alright, we’ll leave you two to… well, normal life,” Sirius said with a grin, Harry cooing softly in James’s arms. “Don’t let him burn the place down while we’re gone.”

Remus chuckled, offering a warm smile. “Call if you need anything. Seriously. Anything.”

“Will do.” You smiled, hand on the door, feeling a warmth in your chest that had nothing to do with the food.

“Oh, and—” Sirius peeked his head back through the doorway, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Your hair looks fabulous.”

You laughed, a soft, genuine sound, and glanced at James. He was grinning, eyes warm and full of quiet amusement. “He’s ridiculous,” you said, shaking your head.

James chuckled, brushing a stray curl from your face. “He’s right.”

James carried Harry carefully, his movements gentle and precise as if every step mattered. You followed, hand brushing his as he navigated the narrow hallway to the nursery. The soft glow of a lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm halo over the tiny crib.

“Alright, little man,” James murmured, settling Harry into your arms for a moment so he could adjust the blankets. “Time to sleep, yeah?”

Harry cooed softly, nuzzling against your chest. You pressed a kiss to his temple, smoothing his soft curls

Finally feeling like Harry wouldnt wake you you walked to your shared bedroom.

James stood behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder. “Fawny…” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “Talk to me. How’ve you been feeling? Really.”

You leaned back into him, letting the warmth of his body anchor you. “Exhausted,” you admitted, voice small. “Overwhelmed. Sometimes… I feel like I’ve lost myself completely. Like everything I was meant to be, the healer I wanted to be, the person I wanted to be, is gone. And it’s my fault, somehow, because I can’t… I can’t do it all.”

James squeezed you gently, lips brushing the top of your head. “You’re not failing,” he said firmly. “You’re carrying so much, every single day, and you’re still standing. That’s strength, Love. And you’re not alone in it. You’ve never been alone.”

You let out a shaky breath, tilting your head so your cheek rested against his chest. “I just… I miss being me. Not just Harry’s mom, not just your wife, not just… this life that’s so wonderful but so overwhelming. I miss feeling like I matter beyond the roles I play.”

James rubbed soothing circles over your arm. “You do matter,” he said softly. “And you are more than everything else. I see you, every day. I know what you give, and I know what you lose sleep over. And it’s okay to want more… to want yourself back, even for a little while.”

The words sank in, tears prickling at the corners of your eyes. “I just… sometimes it feels like I’m drowning. And it’s been so hard with you away so much…”

James tightened his hold on you, his chest rising with a slow, regretful breath. “I know, Love,” he murmured, his voice thick with guilt. “And I’m so, so sorry.”

You felt the apology vibrate against your back, every word honest and heavy. His fingers traced small circles against your arm, grounding you both.

“I hate being gone,” he continued quietly. “Every time I walk out that door, I’m thinking about you, about Harry. About whether you’re eating, or sleeping, or even smiling. I hate that you’ve had to do so much of this alone.”

You shook your head, blinking away fresh tears. “You’re doing what you have to. I know that. It’s just…” Your voice faltered. “Sometimes I wish you could see how much I need you here.”

James turned you gently in his arms until you were facing him. His eyes, soft behind slightly crooked glasses, met yours like they were trying to memorize every inch of your face. “I see you,” he said, voice low and sure. “I always see you. And I’m here now… I told the Ministry I needed a vacation. That my family needed me.”

You let out a shaky breath, relief and love intertwining in your chest. “You really did that?”

“I did,” he murmured, brushing a stray curl from your face. “Because you and Harry… you’re my priority. Always. I’m sorry I wasn’t showing that well enough.”

You leaned into him, letting the weight of the day finally slip away. “I needed that,” you whispered.

James pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, the warmth grounding you. “Then let’s make the most of it. Tonight, we relax, properly.” he wiggled his eyebrows suggestidly.

You smirked, teasing lightly despite the lingering tears. “Us relaxing that way is what got us here in the first place, Potter.”

“Are we still doing D.A. meetings this year, Harry?” asked Luna, [...] “No point now we’ve got rid of Umbridge, is there?” said Harry, sitting down. [Chapter 7, HBP]

He's always wanted to protect others and fight for justice instead of being on the sidelines- he wants to be there, right in the middle of the action. Being an Auror has always suited Harry best.