Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters belong to the incredibly talented J.K. Rowling. I'm only borrowing them for a bit.

Charlie arrived at Grimmauld Place in a quick whirlwind of movement that left his head slightly aching. Apparating long distances was nothing short of hell on the body.

He looked up at the row of grimy buildings and couldn't wait to be inside, hopefully with a bowl of his mother's delicious onion soup.

Charlie walked up the steps and tapped the old door with his wand. Immediately he heard the sound of chains moving, and then the door opened. His mum stood just inside the threshold.

"Charlie darling! I'm so glad you've been able to get away from the dragons for a little while. It's wonderful to have you here with the family."

"Thanks mum. I'm tired and I know it's late but I'm also hungry—"

"Don't say another word dear! Come on into the kitchen with me and I'll fix you up something straight away! Everyone else is in bed asleep, and I knew I didn't have to wait up for you since you've came once before, but I wanted to see you so badly, son."

He followed his mother into the ancient kitchen with a tired smile on his face. Immediately he noticed someone else was in the dark room. It was Nymphadora Tonks, the Auror who had a habit of breaking things and a talent for making people laugh. Charlie had met her about three months ago on his first visit to Headquarters, and he had liked her on the spot.

Tonks looked up from her cup of hot tea and smiled at Molly and Charlie.

"Well hello, Charlie. I wasn't expecting to see you. Got away from Romania's colonies of fire breathers, eh?"

Charlie laughed. "I suppose you could say that, Tonks, and I like those fire breathers, though I will admit a vacation from all the burns is nice."

Tonks grinned.

"Heavens, Tonks, what are you doing up so late? It's nearly midnight! I had no idea any one else was out and about," Molly said in the voice of a mother slightly admonishing her child.

Tonks blushed slightly. "Sorry Molly. I was just having trouble sleeping, and hot tea with honey always helps, so I came down and fixed me up some."

"It's fine dear. It's just that I'm a mother, though I'm not yours, and I know that as an auror and a member of the Order you have a lot on your plate and need good quality rest."

"Now, then. Charlie what would you like to eat darling? You too, Tonks, since you're up! Food in the belly always helps a body sleep, you know."

Charlie looked at his mum wistfully. "I'd love some hot onion soup, if it's alright, mum."

"Mmmm…that sounds great Charlie. I'd love to have some too, Molly."

"Onion soup it is dears!" With that she started to bustle around the other side of the kitchen, leaving Charlie and Tonks at the dining table, alone.

"So Tonks, how's life as an auror treating you?"

Tonks forced a smile. "It could be worse, I suppose. It's just hard. I go to work everyday to a place where only a select few know the truth about the dangers growing out there. It's so frustrating to constantly have to ignore that knowledge to avoid trouble for myself and more of it for Dumbledore. I'm supposed to be fighting all the evils out there—catching dark wizards, but instead I'm dealing with crazy old ladies who believe their cats were hexed into not liking milk and pranksters who like to give muggles heart attacks with magic. It just seems so wrong."

Charlie let out a soft whistle. He hadn't been expecting for her to start pouring her frustrations out to him at his simple question, but it was alright. He could tell she needed to vent to someone, and oddly enough, he wanted to listen. In fact, he wanted to vent some frustrations of his own.