Early in December, the Defence against the Dark Arts Professor, Professor Oldham, announced that a Duelling Club would be founded. All students, second year and above would be allowed to join. Charlie and Eric quickly decided that joining sounded like a good idea. They quickly convinced the other boys in their year to join. The first meeting for Charlie's year would occur in three days. Charlie and his friends decided to look over their Defence books, so they wouldn't be walking in completely unprepared.

Charlie went about his classes as usual, however, he was paying particular attention to any Charm or spell that might be helpful during Duelling Club. He recalled his mum telling him about a hex she used to use on her brothers. He couldn't recall the details, just that it made bats fly out of someone's nose. He decided to owl his mum, asking for instructions for the hex.

The day before the club was to meet for the first time, Charlie overheard some of the older students talking about it.

"Well, you know, every few years or so, the Defence teacher of the year tries to start a Duelling Club, and every time…someone gets hurt, and it's disbanded."

Charlie turned to look at the boys. "Sorry…I didn't mean to listen in, but you said sometimes students get hurt? Are they hurt BADLY?"

"Ah, no. No one is seriously hurt. Usually just a broken bone or bloody nose or something. Nothing that can't be fixed right up in the Hospital Wing."

Suddenly, Charlie was a little apprehensive about joining the club. He didn't really want to get hurt, or inadvertently hurt anyone else. He didn't think he really knew enough magic to do any serious damage. He had gotten a letter back from his mum, and she had told him the incantation for the Bat-Bogey Hex, and tried to explain the wand motion, but also said that it would be hard to figure out on his own. He was happy, though, that his mum promised that she would show him over the winter holiday.

The Gryffindor boys chatted throughout supper, mostly about how they were going to be the "stars" of Duelling Club. Charlie really wasn't so sure, but he hoped they would hold their own and not get hurt. They all barely ate dinner, more because of their talking than any other reason. As they were leaving the Great Hall, Charlie realized that they would be hungry later. Hopefully someone had some sweets or a package from home in their trunk that they would be willing to share.

Charlie and his friends joined the throng of students pushing toward the large classroom that was being used for the Duelling Club meeting. It was in a part of the castle that Charlie had never been. Again, Charlie wondered if he would ever learn everything about the castle that he would spend so much time in. He was a bit surprised that there was a classroom large enough to hold all the students that were participating, and still have a place to practice duelling. He caught a glimpse of bright pink from across the room. He put his hand on Eric's back, and started to push him in the direction of the girls.

"Wotcher, Charlie, Eric. Did your mum tell you how to do that bat hex?

"She told me, but I don't think I've got the wand motion figured out. She said she'd show me when I came home. If she does, and I can do it, I'll show you all."

Professor Oldham sauntered into the room. He was one of Charlie's favourite professors. Professor Oldham was very informative. He had travelled the world, and had seen many things. He loved to tell stories about the various dark creatures he had met, and the spells he had used, but he always made sure to tell the students that he had never worked alone. He came to a stop at the front of the classroom. All the chattering stopped, and in a single movement, all the students turned to look at him. Charlie looked around him, taking mental note of whom he saw. He wasn't surprised to see Nudds standing on the other side of the room.

"Welcome to Duelling Club. We will be learning and using all manner of spells to duel with our friends and classmates. One warning for you all. You WILL follow the rules, or you WILL be asked to leave. There will be no second chances. Rule number one- NO dark spells. I can't control what you learn on your own, whether it is from books or other sources, but I can control whether or not you use them. If you use a dark spell, I will know, and you will be banned from the club, AND punished…any way the Headmaster sees fit. Second rule- You will follow the traditional rules of duelling. Duelling is a very traditional sport, with a long-standing history. We are honouring the history with this club. Duelling Club is NOT to be used to curse your enemies. I will inform you of the traditional rules of Duelling in just a moment. Does anyone have any questions?" Professor Oldham looked around the room. "I see there are not. We can begin by pairing up. For this first session, feel free to pair with a friend. Future sessions, you will be pairing with people who are unfamiliar to you…as it's the best way to learn."

The students in the room all paired up. Charlie and Eric were partners, and they decided that if they needed to switch, they would pair up with the girls. Professor Oldham cleared his throat and they turned their attention back to the front of the room. The professor had chosen a student as a volunteer partner, assumedly to show them the rules of duelling.

"First, stand a few paces away from one another, and bow."

All the students followed that instruction.

"Now, hold your wand at the ready…up in front, pointing outward."

The students fixed themselves as they were shown. Professor Oldham walked about the room and corrected any student that had not set the wand correctly. When all the students were positioned correctly, he went back to the front of the room.

"On my count of three, use your spells, at this point, you are just trying to disarm your opponent.

"One, Two, Three"

Charlie and Eric shouted their spells at the same time.

"Rictumsempra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

Charlie walked over to Eric, who was writhing on the ground, laughing from the tickling charm. He plucked Eric's wand out of his hand and held it up.

"I've got his wand, Professor." Charlie pointed his own wand at Eric. "Finite Incantatem." He reached his hand down, and helped Eric to his feet. Professor Oldham walked over to the pair.

"Interesting way to disarm, Mr. Weasley. I dare say I expected to hear a room full of Expelliarmus'. It's refreshing to see a student who thinks outside the box, so to speak." Professor Oldham turned to address the rest of the students. "Mr. Weasley used a very unconventional spell to disarm his opponent. He cast the tickling charm, and whilst his partner was distracted, Mr. Weasley was able merely to pluck his wand from his hand. This shows that it is important to remember that the conventional method isn't always the best method. A show of hands, please. Who else was able to disarm their opponent?"

A small smattering of hands went up around the room. Charlie had noticed that most of the students had used Expelliarmus, and most had just rather bounced off each other. The students that had been successful had been quicker to speak the spell, or their opponent had been distracted by something. The students spent a few minutes discussing what they could have done better before they went back to their dorms. Charlie was looking forward to the next club meeting.

Due to end of term exams, Duelling Club was not set to meet until after the Holiday break. Charlie was excited to get home, because he intended to hold his mum to her promise of teaching him the Bat-Bogie Hex. Charlie and Eric spent quite a bit of time revising in empty classrooms, with the girls. Tonks was particularly talented at Transfiguration, and Peyton was exceptional at Charms. Charlie was certain that nothing, even knowing the material perfectly would help him in Potions.

The first exam that Charlie sat was Charms. He was pleased that he recognized all the theory that was on the exam. His practical portion was "Aparecium" in which he had to make a note written in invisible ink readable. The Transfiguration practical found him turning a teapot into a tortoise. He felt confident that he and done well on all the written exams that he sat for.

Professor McGonagall brought their exam results to Gryffindor Tower as they were packing to return home for the holiday. Charlie was pleased with his results. He had received E's in almost everything, though he wasn't surprised with the A in both Potions and History of Magic. Charlie shoved the parchment with his exam results into his trunk with all his other belongings. He closed the lid, and latched it. He and his dorm mates went down to breakfast. While they were eating, their trunks were brought to the Entrance Hall. Charlie finished eating, and went out to find his belongings.

Charlie and Eric made their way to the train, joining Tonks and Peyton on the path to Hogsmeade. They climbed aboard the train, and quickly stowed their trunks. Andrew and Barry joined them, and they spent the trip chatting and playing games. The journey went quickly, and soon, they changed and prepared to disembark at Kings Cross Station. They bid each other good-bye, with promises to write over the holiday. Charlie found his father and Bill, and they made their way home.

Charlie began wondering how his mum would teach him the Bat Bogey Hex, since he couldn't do magic at home. It wasn't the time to ask her, however. Charlie knew that she would be busy getting supper on the table, and then it would be time for baths and bed. He hoped that his mum would have time to start showing some time before he had to go back to school.

Charlie was surprised when the next day; his mum came to find him. She handed him a wooden spoon. Charlie wondered if she wanted him to help her cook. He sniffed, but didn't smell any cooking smells. Now, he was confused and his interest was definitely piqued.

"I have five minutes…You can't do the Hex, so grab my wooden spoon. You'll at least get the idea of the motion."

Charlie held the spoon at the ready and carefully copied the movement that his mum showed him. He found it difficult to pretend the spoon was his wand, or at least he hoped that was the problem. His mum told him they would work on it later. He continued to practice the wand motion, before he dropped the spoon in frustration. He hadn't noticed that Ginny had been watching his lesson with his mum, so he was surprised when she wandered up and picked up the spoon.

"You do like this, Charlie?" Ginny moved the spoon in the exact way that Mum had done.

Charlie growled in frustration, and stormed out of the room. He pulled on a cloak and went out into the garden. It was cold, but Charlie was content to fly in any weather. He was feeling like a failure at the Bat-Bogey Hex, and had just been shown up by a baby. He needed to do something he was good at, and flying was it. It wasn't long before he saw the twins below him. He landed his broom and walked over to the boys.

"What do you two want?"

"We just want to fly with you…"

"Maybe some Quidditch practice? You wouldn't mind helping us practice playing Beater, would you?"

"That's fine. I don't mind. Let me get something to throw at you. Up in the air, you two."

Charlie went to the side of the paddock, where they kept the rocks they used as Bludgers. He grabbed a few of them, and took off on his broom. Charlie chucked a rock at George, and he batted it away without any hesitation. Next, Charlie threw a rock at Fred. Fred was also able to bat the rock away from him. They continued this way for nearly an hour, until Fred missed a rock, and it hit him squarely in the nose. The three boys landed their brooms, and hurried back to the house. George was so concerned for his twin that he dropped his broomstick next to Fred's and went running to the house with him. Charlie sighed and gathered up all three broomsticks, and headed to the house.

He walked into the kitchen and heard the tail end of the healing spell, and the twins frantically explaining that they had TOLD Charlie to throw rocks at them, that they were practicing to be Beaters and to PLEASE not punish Charlie. It was obvious that his mum had heard the door, because she rounded on him before it even closed.

"Throwing ROCKS…at your BROTHERS? I thought you were SMARTER than that. They aren't even eight years old yet, and you're throwing ROCKS at them."

"Mum, they wanted me to, we don't have a proper Quidditch set, and rocks are as good as we've got right now."

Charlie could hear the twins clamouring behind the door in the parlour. They were trying their hardest to keep him out of trouble.

"That's what the twins said too. I guess that no flying until after Boxing Day is enough of a punishment."

She went back to her work in the kitchen muttering about boys and no common sense. Charlie quickly made his way into the parlour. He wanted to apologize to Fred. He really hadn't meant to hurt his younger brother.

"No flying until Boxing Day…."

"…I think that tops Mum's most unfair punishment"

Charlie gaped at the twins. "You think that's more unfair than restricting you from each other?"

The twins grinned at him. "Well…we did steal your wand…"

"…and this punishes US too…"

"…which was probably…"

"…the point!" They finished the statement together.

Charlie decided it was going to be a very long holiday. With no flying for a week, there was no escape when the house got too crowded. He decided to gather his homework and get a start on it. He was surprised to see that Bill was also hard at work on his homework. Charlie knew that Bill was taking many classes, and he wasn't sure how he did it. He also wasn't going to ask. One thing he'd noticed during the first semester was the Bill got a bit shirty when asked about schoolwork. Charlie decided that it wasn't worth having Bill upset with him, just to find out how he was getting all his classes in.

Christmas brought knit jumpers and a Quidditch set for the family, along with other heartfelt gifts from the family. After the traditional trip to Auntie Muriel's house and Boxing Day, Charlie, Bill and the twins were able to convince Percy to play some Quidditch with them. Percy wasn't all that happy on a broom, but he was willing to try. Charlie was surprised to find that his dad was a fair Chaser. The only people unhappy with the family gift were Ron and Ginny. They were both feeling awfully left out and sad. Charlie swooped down on his broom and sat Ron on his broom. Bill followed suit, and took Ginny on his.

When they landed, Ginny looked at Charlie and Bill with a very serious face.

"I'm going to play Quidditch some day. I'm going to be famous and everyone is going to know my name."

Charlie reached down and rubbed her head gently. "I'm sure they will, Gin-Gin. I'll bet you're a famous Chaser before you leave Hogwarts."

After a week of family Quidditch matches, Charlie and Bill were packed and ready to head back to Hogwarts. Charlie was happy to sit in the train compartment with his friends, just talking, and catching up. Tonks was thrilled to hear about the Quidditch set, and extracted a promise of another visit during the summer, just so that she could play. It had been a nice break, but Charlie couldn't wait to get back to school.