disclaimer: everything belongs to jk rowling

A/N: thanx to lizzie for beta-ing this stoy for me. hope you all like it :)

Prologue

Charlie Weasley stood at the window of Albus Dumbledore's office, watching a large group of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws as they all took part in a huge snowball fight in the grounds of the school. He could easily make out his younger brother from the crowd; his vivid red hair made him effortlessly distinguishable. Charlie heard the old Headmaster enter the room but didn't turn around.

'I thought it was supposed to happen today, Dumbledore?' Charlie said, not removing his gaze from the student below.

'It will happen Charlie, remember, patience is a virtue.' Dumbledore replied calmly. Charlie could feel his eyes boring into his back, looking right into his soul. He swung around to face Dumbledore.

'I've been patient for six years, Dumbledore! How much longer do you expect me to wait?'

'Oh, not long,' Dumbledore had now joined Charlie at the window. He smiled. 'She's gone.'

Chapter 1

Charlie Weasley shook his head vigorously as he entered the Quidditch changing rooms, splashing droplets of water everywhere. He had been flying for a good hour when the rain had begun. It had only been light at first, hardly bothering him. However, ten minutes later, he had had to concede defeat as he could no longer see where he was flying.

Charlie looked out at the Quidditch pitch in disappointment. It was only six o'clock, but the sky was pitch black and the rain was falling in torrents. A large muddy pool was forming on the ground deep enough to swim in. Charlie had planned on using the time to work out new playing strategies. As no one ever used the pitch in the run-up to Christmas (except maybe Wood, Charlie's Quidditch obsessed keeper), it was the perfect time to fly undisturbed. So much for that plan, Charlie though wryly.

Charlie stood watching the rain for a little while longer before finally admitting it wasn't going to stop. Within ten minutes, he had showered and changed and was once again watching the pouring rain, this time with apprehension. Now that he was dry and warm, the outdoors did not look so inviting.

Taking a deep breath and pulling the hood of his coat over his head, Charlie stepped outside and began to run the familiar route back to the castle. Charlie knew the route well, and let his feet guide him while his mind wandered to the comfort and warmth of the brightly lit Gryffindor tower. Perhaps he would sneak down to the kitchens a grab a bite to eat before he went up to the dorms…

Charlie was so preoccupied that he didn't notice the lump lying in the middle of the path. No until, that is, he fell right of top of it.

'Umph!' Charlie grunted as he lay on top of – whatever it was. He pushed himself up off the ground and stared at the lump. He now saw that it was the figure of a girl – around fifteen or sixteen he guessed. It was difficult to make out her features in the darkness, but what he did know was that she was unconscious. He eyes were closed and she was breathing slowly and heavily. Her leg was sticking out at an awkward angle – broken he presumed.

He stood looking at her for a few seconds before he was jolted back to reality by a large crash of thunder from the heavens. He scooped the girl up in his arms: she was colder than ice. He hugged her close and began once again to make his way up to the castle as fast as he could. In around five minutes, Charlie was running through the corridors of Hogwarts and through the doors of the Hospital Wing.

'Mr Weasley, what on earth – what happened?' Madam Pomfrey came rushing out of her office, a large bottle of Blood-Replenishing potion in her hand. She quickly placed the bottle onto a nearby table and rushed over to Charlie. 'Quick, get her onto the bed! What happened to her?'

'I'm not sure,' Charlie panted as he placed the girl onto the bed Madam Pomfrey had allocated. He was till out of breath from running all the way here. 'I was coming back from…from the Quidditch pitch…w-when I fell over…over her. I b-brought her s-straight…to you.'

'Goodness, it's a wonder she's alive, out there for so long – in that rain too!' Madam Pomfrey shook her head as she took the girls temperature and other various things.

'Madam Pomfrey?'

'Yes dear?'

'The thing is…well – who is she?'

Madam Pomfrey stepped back and stared at the girl. 'Actually, I have no idea. I've never seen her before in my life. Are you sure you don't know her?'

'Definitely.'

'Hmm… perhaps you should go fetch the Headmaster.' Charlie nodded and left the room.

Fifteen minutes later, the hospital wing doors opened once again and Professor Albus Dumbledore strode into the room with Charlie just behind him, jogging to keep up with the Headmaster's strides. Dumbledore paused for a moment, his eyes searching the room. He spotted Madam Pomfrey and walked over to the bed.

'Is this her?' he asked, eyes sweeping over the girls body. For a moment Charlie thought he saw a look of surprise in Dumbledore's eyes, but it was gone so fast, he was sure he had imagined it. Charlie noticed Madam Pomfrey had changed the girl into dry clothes. She now looked as though she were merely sleeping.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. 'Do you recognise her?'

'I know she is not a member of this school. Past that, I know no more than anyone else.'

'But she is a witch right?' Charlie asked. 'I mean, she wearing robes and … if she's in the school, she has to be magical, doesn't she?'

'Yes, you're quite right Mr Weasley, but that is all we shall know until she wakes up.'

'She will wake up won't she,' Charlie was beginning to feel responsible for the girl; after all, he had found her.

'Yes Weasley, she'll survive. She'll probably wake up in a few hours but she's extremely likely to develop a fever. But she'll be fine.'

Charlie nodded, relief washing over him.

'So you can return to your common room and come back tomorrow when she is awake.' Madam Pomfrey said.

Charlie opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off by Dumbledore.

'I would prefer it if Charlie stayed here Poppy, as long as Charlie doesn't mind?'

Charlie immediately threw himself into the chair at the side of the bed. Madam Pomfrey huffed but didn't say anything.

'I will be back tomorrow after breakfast to check on her. Goodnight Madam Pomfrey, Charlie,' Dumbledore nodded his head to each of them before sweeping from the room.

'If anything happens, I will be in my office.' Madam Pomfrey said, before also exiting the room, leaving Charlie alone with the sleeping girl.

In the soft candlelight, he could now make out her features. She had long brown hair, which was now dry and slightly bushy. Her complexion was pale and her full lips were a pale pink. She was very slender and looked extremely fragile while she slept. Charlie couldn't help but think how pretty she was. She looked so peaceful, with the candle light flickering, causing shadows to dance across her face.

Charlie had no idea how long he sat just watching her when suddenly her eyes flickered open.

A/N: so what did you think? let me now and review :)