Author: Junius
Summary: Charlie leaves Romania to spend the holidays with his family and is reunited with his high school crush… eventual CW/NT.
Notes: Set some time during OotP but probably won't make reference to many of the events in the book. This isn't my typical pairing but the title just popped into my head and made me laugh, so I thought I'd turn it into a story. It's not very good and probably a little too fluffy, but it was all done on a whim. I don't even know if Charlie and Tonks were in the same year level, but for the sake of this fic, they are.
More Notes: This story was originally intended to be a one-shot, but I tend to blather on a bit so it may end up being a few chapters instead. I'd appreciate reviews as they encourage me to continue. Comments about my writing and people's opinions on the unusual pairing would be particularly appreciated!
Disclaimer: Sadly, none of them belong to me.
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Charlie's Angel"CHARLIE!!!"
Charlie Weasley gasped as what appeared to be a short red whirlwind flung itself at his midsection. He had only just stepped of the train onto Platform 9¾ and already his mother had sought him out in the crowd. Unable to stop the grin that spread across his face he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her from the ground.
"Charlie!" Molly squealed, clinging to him tightly. "Put me down this instant!"
With a chuckle, Charlie did so. Though a good deal taller than his mother, not to mention stronger, he was still as much in awe of her as when he was a child on the receiving end of one of her scoldings. He had never forgotten that it was from Molly Weasley that the little Weasleys got their infamous tempers. He watched as his mother tottered a moment on the platform, trying to regain her balance, before smiling up at her second-oldest son again.
"It's wonderful to see you Charlie," she said tenderly. "You're looking so well. I can't tell you how pleased I am you decided to spend the holidays with us." Charlie felt his grin grow wider, if that were possible.
"It's great to be back, Mum," he replied, slinging an arm around her neck affectionately as he picked up his only suitcase. They began to wend their way through the crowd of wizards and witches, looking for a quiet place to Disapparate. "I thought it high time I got back here and checked up on everybody."
"I'm so glad you did, dear," his mother replied. "I was just saying to your father the other day how nice it was having so much of the family nearby, what with Bill switching positions and the four youngest home for holidays and Percy–"
Abruptly, Molly stopped talking. Charlie glanced at her anxiously, knowing about the circumstances concerning Percy.
"He'll come right, Mum," he said gently, giving her a squeeze. "He's just confused. Probably scared as well. Sooner or later he'll come to his senses."
Molly nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. "I know dear," she said finally, though she didn't sound confident. "I just… I miss him…"
Charlie sighed. He didn't know why his younger brother had abandoned his own family for the Ministry but assumed that Percy was just confused. He had always been the odd one out in the family, but Charlie had never for a moment thought that he would do something like this. He simply couldn't reconcile Percy now with the Percy he remembered from his childhood. And while he knew that Percy's actions had hurt everybody, especially his mother, he didn't stop worrying about his little brother.
"Your father is sorry he couldn't meet you at the station," Molly said suddenly, interrupting Charlie's thoughts. "But he had a lot of work to do, both for the Ministry and the Order."
Charlie felt a tingle go down his spine at the mention of the Order. Though he had been doing his bit in Romania, trying to make other wizards aware of the threat of Voldemort and gain support for Dumbledore and his allies, it all seemed that little bit more real when he knew he was going to be working directly with the other members.
"No worries, Mum," he said cheerfully. "I'm sure I'll see Dad tonight. What's going on with the Order at the moment anyway? Anything new?"
"You'll find out tonight, dear," his mother replied as they neared the end of the platform where there were fewer people about. "All the members are gathering at the Headquarters tonight for a meeting."
She turned to him and gave him a piece of paper. "Now, I want you to read this and remember it, Charlie," she said, pushing a small piece of parchment into his hand. Charlie opened it up and glanced at its contents.
Number 12 Grimmauld PlaceCharlie looked up at his mother again and nodded at her. Molly nodded and, muttering a charm, incinerated the piece of parchment.
"Charlie, remember that as we Apparate. That's very important as you can only get there if you're thinking of it very clearly."
"I know, mum," Charlie said patiently. "I've got it."
"Are you sure, dear?" Molly fretted. "You did have trouble getting your Apparition license, don't forget. Are you absolutely positive–"
"Yes," Charlie said with a grin. "Let's just go, all right?"
Molly looked at him a moment longer then nodded. "All right," she said, a thread of worry still apparent in her tone.
They both closed their eyes. Charlie concentrated as hard as he could on the address his mother had given him and with a resounding CRACK! Apparated to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
Upon opening his eyes, he looked about himself. He was standing in what appeared to be the front hall of an old and grimy building. A staircase lay ahead of him leading to a landing from which several doors were apparent. To his left was a doorway leading to a kitchen/dining room and to his right was an archway that led to what was presumably some sort of sitting room or parlour.
A sudden terrible wailing rose up from what looked like a simple black curtain on the wall. "Filthy Mudbloods!" screeched the voice. "Besmirching the house of my father! Tainting the air with your foul presence! Sullying his memory! Soil and tarnish upon our noble heritage!"
The "curtain" flew open to reveal an old women with scraggly hair, her furious expression made even more disturbing by demonic look in her eyes and the spit flying from her mouth. Charlie dropped his suitcase and covered his ears, looking to his mother for an explanation.
"Blasted woman!" he could just hear her say. "Get in the kitchen, Charlie, I'll be with you in a minute!"
Charlie stayed long enough to see his mother grab the curtains and begin forcing them closed before he did as he was told. Grabbing his suitcase, he dove into the kitchen, his ears ringing.
After a few more minutes, silence descended on the house once again and Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. Molly Weasley entered the kitchen, panting, and Charlie immediately leapt up and set about making her a cup of tea.
"What on earth was that?" he asked his mother, searching the cupboard for teabags as he put a Boiling Charm on the water. Molly, who had sunk down into one of the kitchen chairs, sighed.
"That was Mrs. Black," she said wryly. Charlie nearly dropped the tea he was passing to her.
"Mrs. Black?" he asked. "As in Sirius's mother?" Charlie knew all about Sirius through his mother and father's letters. Molly nodded.
"We can't seem to get rid of her portrait," she explained, sipping gratefully at the tea. "So we've simply learned to live with her the best we can. Of course, when Tonks is around it can get rather trying but–"
For the second time in as many minutes, Charlie nearly dropped his tea. "Tonks?" he said sharply. "Nymphadora Tonks?"
"None other than," drawled a voice from the doorway. Charlie's gaze snapped up and fell on a young woman who, though he didn't remember the bubble-gum pink spikes, looked heart-wrenchingly familiar.
"Nymphadora Tonks…" he said softly. She grinned at him as she leaned against the doorjamb.
"Wotcher, Charlie."
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Yeah, that'll do for now, I reckon. I'm not sure if the layout of the Headquarters is correct but I don't think it matters too much. I've just realised that that Apparition scene is probably totally incorrect and impossible, but I've written it and I can't be bothered changing it.
Please sign the book on your way out!