It was down time at the Welsh reserve and Charlie had a real craving for some food at the Leaky Cauldron. He checked with John boy that he could disappear for a couple of hours and then Apparated to the pub in the middle of London.

He settled down at a table with his pint of cider, having ordered his lunch and had a quiet look round to see if he recognized anyone.

Alicia was exhausted after the gruelling practice they'd been put through. You'd think that our win over the weekend would mean we had to practice *less*, not more, she mused. Between Quidditch and the whole Cormac situation, she was not at all in the mood to cook. She had a quick shower and threw on a clean pair of dark, low-slung jeans and a form-fitting forest green tee, which brought out the green in her eyes. She decided to leave her hair down, letting it curl, and Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Fish 'n Chips, please Tom," she smiled, tossing her money on the bar, "And a pint of your darkest brew, I could use a pick-me-up."

She took a look around, trying to see if there was somewhere to sit. The pub was busy, and yet she didn't see anyone she knew well enough to join. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of red hair. "I'll be with Weasley over there, Tom," she pointed and scooted off to surprise Fred.

"Hey, sexy, are you a Firebolt Inferno? 'Cause you look like a girl could ride you all night," she purred, poking him in the ribs. As soon as she had, however, a horrible realization struck her.

"You're not Fred!"

Charlie half twisted in his chair to see who had poked him in the ribs and saw a pretty girl purring in his ear. He gave her a slow smile as he tried to place her because he recognized the face.

"No, I'm not Fred. I know there's a lot of us, but I wasn't usually the one mistaken for him." He half shrugged and gestured to the space next to him.

"How about sitting down anyway, pet, and we could discuss you riding me all night. Or you could just remind me of where I know you from." Charlie flashed her a cheeky smile as he said that. He liked flirting. The girl slid a little warily into the seat next to him and sipped her beer.

"One Weasley's as good as another, I suppose," Alicia said, emboldened by the stout. She would have to find out what this brew was from Tom, because it was like nectar from the gods in her hour of need.

"And in response to where you know me from... Alicia Spinnet. Recently named Chaser for Puddlemere, but where you're more likely to recall, I was the wee firstie that came to every single Quidditch practice." She shook his hand firmly, feeling the calluses and strong grip and liking him more for it.

She had somewhat idolized the man while he was Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and she could feel the faint stirrings of a school-girl crush reviving. She bit her lip and forced her attention to her stout for a minute, trying to stop that storm before it broke. She could feel his eyes in her, and she turned to study him as well.

She thanked the barkeeper gratefully when her food was brought out, and turned back to her unexpected companion.

"So, what's it like being the hottest Weasley? Working with Dragons, I mean. You are still doing that, right? I admit, I've only recently gotten back in touch with your brother."

Charlie smiled and nodded, muttering "Charming". He took a mouthful of his meal and then swallowed. "That's it. I remember you now. You had some talent for Chaser. I told Oliver that he was mad if he didn't pick you once you were old enough."

He sipped his cider and then said "Dragons will always provide a living. Well at least until I get one set of broken bones too many."

Charlie propped his chin on his palm. "So what are Puddlemere's prospects? I don't keep up enough with the league when I'm away."

"And here I thought we were going to discuss me riding you?" She mock sighed, and then laughed, "Well, Puddlemere has always been right near the top of the league, but the last couple of years we haven't made it to the finals. I'm hoping we'll turn that around this year."

Anyone watching her could tell she was just getting warmed up to a subject that she was very passionate about. Her eyes sparkled, and her fingers tapped on the table. Her whole body was wound tight as if she could spring up in a moment and make a dramatic announcement.

"The top two Keepers are Oliver Wood, for Puddlemere and Ron, for the Canons... Your little brother has made great strides in his skill, you should be really proud."

She ate for a minute, studying the Weasley beside her. He was very similar to Fred in a lot of ways, yet different.

"As far as Seekers, no one can hold a candle to Kirke Banders on the Wimbourne Wasps... But his team isn't that great merely because their Chasers and Keeper are not up to par."

She paused, "And with Chasers... Well, you had to know that I was going to say Puddlemere has the best. Although, I concede that the Harpies are good too."

A cheeky grin settled on her face and she lowered her voice to nearly a purr.

"Now tell me more about what you enjoy doing in your spare time. And I enjoy specifics and details immensely."

She smirked at him, and began eating while waiting for her answer.
Charlie looked amused at her smirk at him and he leaned back in his seat. “Well that depends on what version I tell you. You can have the version that I tell my mum, which is full of sweetness and light and the entire truth doesn’t necessarily get told.”

He grinned and then continued, "Or you can have the version my friends get. Are you going to be a friend, or do you want the clean version?"

He sipped his cider and then leaned forward to say softly, "Because you certainly look like someone who I would want to know better. With or without riding."

Charlie reached to stroke the back of her hand, which set the nerves of her skin aflame. She was no virginal schoolgirl to think that this could be the stirrings of love, but embraced the wave of desire that had swelled to a crest and was just waiting to see if she'd let it break.

Taking her last draught of stout, she licked her lips and a smirk settled on her face, her eyes sparkling. "I'd love to be a friend of yours, Charlie Weasley. Who knows the kind of benefits that could bring?" She pursed her lips as if in thought, "I'm not much into squeaky clean anyways, at least not when it's more fun to get dirty." She leaned forward and stroked his cheek, and asked innocently, "Are you?" With a knowing smile back on her lips, she murmured... "Care to continue this discussion somewhere... Quieter?"

Charlie reached up to cover her hand and gave her a crooked grin. "Squeaky clean has its place. Although, it's hard to find on a reserve."

He tilted his head to one side. "Do Quidditch players get as wild as the tabloids make out? Care to show me?" He pushed the remains of his food away and held his hand out to help her up. He took in a slightly ragged breath and let it out slowly. Nothing serious. Ships passing in the night.

Charlie pulled her close and talked softly into her ear. "Have you got somewhere slightly more private in mind? Or do you prefer a little bit more of a show?"

Alicia laughed, a rich sound that was reminiscent of velvet, "As much as it would amuse the other patrons here if I had my wicked way with you here on the table, I do prefer it to be a tad more private." She paused and moistened her lips, "As far as being as wild as the tabloids suggest... Well, you can be the judge of that, no?"

She took his hand and led him off to the Floo connection. "45 Ash Street, Flat B," she said, stepping into the fireplace and repeating herself. She stepped out of her fireplace at home and briefly thought of what her neighbours must think of the fact that she rarely used her front door. Note to self, must start using door. She sat on the couch, facing the fireplace, and hoping against hope he hadn't changed his mind, she certainly hadn't intended to have anything happen with anyone tonight, but when opportunity knocks... A twinge flickered at her conscience, and the sight of a face, but she shook it down. No commitment has been made on either of our parts, and it is hardly as if this is going to become a regular thing.

It was her last thought before the handsome man stepped out of her fireplace and into her flat, crossing the floor swiftly, sitting beside her, and pulling her onto his lap. Laughing a bit at his unexpected move, she leaned down and kissed him.

Charlie slid his hands round her waist and kissed her softly. He ran his fingers under her top and felt her soft skin. He sucked on her bottom lip and then slid his tongue into her mouth.
Snogging on a sofa has certainly got better. Charlie looked up at Alicia through slightly glazed eyes and took a deep breath before running his hands further up underneath her top to finger along the bottom of her bra.

He lifted an eyebrow before asking softly “Is this all right?”

Alicia sat back.

"Are you Weasley men all this perceptive?" She sighed deeply. Heaven knew she did not want to stop, as Charlie was a good looking man, and she was nearly bursting with pent-up desire. "I just... I'm in a weird place in my life right now." She laughed bitterly, "I don't like being a drama queen, or a tease for that matter... And Merlin knows you're a temptation a girl could lose herself in. But no one deserves to be on the receiving end of an angst driven shag. So, for tonight, right now? Maybe it's not okay." She looked at him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, the verdict is in. Quidditch players are not as wild as the tabloids say. They are, in fact, normal people... Except Oliver Wood, whom no one would ever call normal," she joked in an announcer's voice, sliding off Charlie's lap.

"Can we be friends, Charlie? And then I won't feel bad if I booty owl you, because there's something to back it up?" She grinned cheekily at him.

Charlie sat back up and he kissed her cheek. "Nothing is easy pet. But if you ever get an urge to come visit me, I won't say no." He straightened her top and then ran his hand through his hair. He grinned and shook his head "Not all of us are this perceptive. Just us lucky ones."

"Maybe then you could show me your moves. Until then I will just have to settle for watching you on the Quidditch pitch."

He got up and dropped a kiss on her forehead. "I won't stay and cramp your style."

She smiled sadly at him, "Hell Weasley, you just showed you have way more style in your little finger than I have got altogether. Would that I had met you a week ago."

Charlie gave her a crooked smile. "That's nice of you to say that. But some things aren't meant to happen. Anyway, we can have someone as pretty as you feeling bad."

He lifted a hopeful eyebrow. "Do you just want to meet up for a drink while I'm in the country. Just as friends?"

Alicia smiled, "I think I'd like that. Next time I won't come on to you so blatantly just to send you home." She stood and held out her hand. "Friends then, Charlie Weasley. And you do realize that now you have to tell me the truth of your escapades."

Charlie reached the door and and laughed. "No worries. It's not the first time." He shrugged. "I think I'm old enough to live."

He opened the door and said "See you around petal. Don't beat yourself about this." With that, he pulled the door shut behind him, frowning slightly. Clearly there was something else going on there that Alicia didn't want to share and it was eating her up. Clearly this would give him food for thought this evening at work.

Alicia stared at the closed door for a moment, thinking through the whole evening. "Damn it!" She picked up the lamp next to her and threw it at the fireplace. As it shattered, she sank to the floor; and with her knees pulled to her chest, she began to cry.


{Summary: Alicia meets an older Weasley lad. They become friends, in a rather odd way.}