A/N: So I finally finished my first fic, Fear and Self Loathing in Wiltshire, which was a dramione. I have some good Charlie parts toward the last few chapters if anyone is interested in reading it, though there isn't really any interaction between him and Hermione.

Also, the next chapter is their final night together in 1990, so we are getting so close to the return. I'm hoping to update more frequently now that I don't have as many fics to juggle.

And as always, thank you all for your amazing and encouraging reviews! I know I don't usually reply, but I read and love them all!

Okay, Enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: JK owns HP; not me.

1989

Chapter 36

Mason Flint, it turned out, did not remember much of the incident that had happened in late January; though Hermione wasn't entirely sure if it was due to his head injury alone, or if the ministry had sent someone in to wipe it from his memory completely. Either way, his lack of remembrance hadn't stopped the other Slytherins from filling his head with gossip and lies of what had actually happened that day. He glared at her with ill intent the entire lesson, as she attempted to focus on trimming the leaves off of her assigned alihotsy tree.

And although his focus was directed maliciously at her the entire lesson, it seemed the witch from Ravenclaw he was now paired with had directed all of her attention at him. She was doing most of the work on their tree by herself, while continuously asking him if he felt okay or if she could get him anything. It seemed a little pathetic in Hermione's eyes, but it was also a hopeful possibility that the girl would be a better distraction for him in future lessons.

'At least he is alive,' Hermione thought to herself, 'And in a few weeks he won't even remember I existed in the first place.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All the way back in his third year, Charlie had discovered a charm that would cause a rather exciting display of waterworks to erupt out of an already existing body of water. Soon after, he'd begun testing it out on the great lake as a way to interact with the giant squid that seemed to follow him as he'd walk along its shore. It was no secret that animals seemed to take a liking to him, and the giant squid was no exception.

Currently, he and Hermione were laid out on a picnic blanket in the grass nearby, while spouts of murky lake water erupted at random intervals in a fascinating display. It reminded her of high tech muggle fountains and aquatic shows, except none of the ones she had ever seen contained a ginormous and happy squid that liked to hit it's tentacles against the ever changing streams.

After her fascination had subsided some, she turned from the lakeview to look back at Charlie, who was currently stroking the single tentacle the giant squid had propped out of the water. It was extended outward in order to lay directly across Charlie's lap, who would cease his petting every so often in order to tickle it between its suction cups.

Hermione smiled fondly at the display, before realizing how long it had been since she'd held Crookshanks in that same manner. Her smile faded slowly as she realized for the first time just how much she missed him, and the way he used to nap in her lap as she read. Even before coming to the past she hadn't seen him in several months, as she had left him to run around safely on the Burrow's property where he could chase the gnomes to his heart's content.

Noticing her sudden mood change, Charlie gently sat the tip of the squid's extremity back into the water, before sliding over to wrap his arm around her shoulder instead. "Where have you gone to in that head of yours?" He whispered in her ear.

Hermione turned to look at him with a sad smile, beginning to feel silly. "The way you were petting that squid made me realize just how much I miss my cat actually."

He tilted his head to the side as he released a small bark of laughter. "I didn't realize you had a cat." He commented.

"A big orange half kneazle actually." Her lips twitched upwards again, excited to tell him all about her familiar. "His name is Crookshanks, and he loves to chase the gnomes all around the garden at the Burrow."

Charlie smiled as he tried to picture it, the way their lives would be intertwined even before she made it back to him in the future. "Is that where he is now? In your time I mean?"

"Yes. I figured he'd be happier if I left him there rather than drag him on the run with Harry, Ron, and I. I knew we'd constantly be moving from place to place on our hunt for the hor-"

"Hey you two!" Sarah called out, interrupting their confidential conversation as her and Devon approached them with a picnic basket in hand from the side. "Say cheese!"

Flash. Click.

Hermione hadn't noticed the camera in Sarah's hand until it was too late, and out of reflex she had smiled just as Charlie leaned his head in. At first she was excited that they were going to be pictured together, but then her brain caught up to the excitement, and reminded her that photographic evidence of her being here wasn't a good idea. She'd have to make sure Charlie was the only one who ended up with a copy once the film had been developed.

"Well we might be late, but at least we finally made it." Devon claimed bashfully as Sarah stashed her camera away. It wasn't exactly hard to guess what activity had made them tardy.

Earlier in the day Charlie had suggested that the other couple join them for a day of leisure on the Hogwarts grounds in front of the lake. Though Devon was currently unaware, Hermione knew that Charlie wanted to spend some extra time with him before he was due to leave for Romania in three weeks. He was also going to use today as an opportunity to finally tell Devon that he would be leaving long before the end of the school year, and they would not be taking their N.E.W.T.S together as had always been planned.

"Hello Sarah, hello Devon." Hermione smiled brightly at them as they settled on the blanket beside her and Charlie. "I know she probably doesn't want to feel like a fifth wheel, but do you think Laura would want to join us as well? There's more than enough room." She directed her question at Sarah, not wanting any of her other friends to feel excluded from their Saturday in the sun.

Sarah waved her off with a laugh as she opened up the basket and passed some refreshing beverages around. "Oh don't worry about Laura. She's off behind the tapestry of Uric the Oddball again; snogging Broderick Scrimgeour for what I'm pretty sure is the third time this week."

Though Hermione was glad to hear that Laura was happily occupied elsewhere, that last name definitely threw her for a bit of a loop. "Scrimgeour?"

"Yeah, he's a Gryffindor too, but in sixth year." Sarah replied, as she settled herself on the corner of the blanket. "Have you not met him?"

"Uhm no." Hermione shook her head, trying to picture which Gryffindor she was referring to. "But I have met an auror named Rufus Scrimgeour, and I was not a fan."

Sarah snorted, and made a comment about being pretty sure it was his very stern grandfather. Charlie on the other hand was looking at her strangely. Unlike the other two, he seemed to know that the man mentioned had to do with something unpleasant from her past, but he also knew better than to mention it.

"Yeah, Broderick's a nice enough bloke." Charlie commented before changing the subject. "Anyway, Devon, I actually had an ulterior motive for inviting you to join us today. You see there's something pretty important about to happen in my life, but, well, I didn't really know how to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Devon looked at him strangely, though definitely intrigued. "Are the two of yeh-" He cut himself off to point between Charlie and Hermione as he waved his finger back and forth.

Charlie looked to Hermione confused for a moment before turning back to Devon. "No. No. Definitely not." He laughed nervously for a second at the indication. "I, uh, actually got accepted to the dragonology program in Romania."

"What?!" Devon reacted excitedly, knowing all too well about his best friend's obsession with the magical creatures. "That's incredible mate. Congratulations!" He scooted in to clap Charlie on the shoulder. "Does that mean you've declined the offer from the English Quidditch League then?"

"Yeah I have actually. I sent them my letter of regret a few weeks ago." He admitted. "Which brings up the other part of what I needed to talk to you about today. As alternate, you're actually going to have to take over for me as seeker once I'm gone."

"Gone?...What... Take over?" Devon had obviously been caught off guard with that last sentence. "Wait! When are you leavin?"

"Look, it's kind of supposed to be kept secret for now, but April 18th. I got special permission, but Dumbledore doesn't want to bring attention to my departure in case it gives anyone else in our year the idea that they can leave early too." Charlie added that last part as a lie to keep Devon from asking any unnecessary questions. "So if we can keep it between just the four of us for now, I'd really appreciate it."

"Look mate, I'm honestly happy for you. I know it's your dream job and all, but shite." Devon cursed. "Of course I'll not mention it to anyone else, but I won't lie and say I'm not a bit bummed. We were supposed to finish off our time at Hogwarts togetha after all."

"I know Dev. I hate to drop this on you at the last minute. Especially as I was hoping to wait it out until their next program in August, but they offered me the one starting in a few weeks, and I didn't want to be rude or sound ungrateful by deferring to the fall." Charlie tried to explain without revealing anything secretive.

"Nah, I understand. Sucks we won't get to pull a finals week prank like we always planned, but I'm still happy for ya." Devon tried to reassure him that they'd always be friends no matter what. "What about Miles and Arnold though? You should probably tell them before you leave too ya know."

Miles Stanguard, and Arnold Tully were the two beaters on the team, and current fellow seventh years with them as well. Charlie had obviously dormed with them for the entirety of his time at Hogwarts, and considered them good friends as well.

"I was planning on announcing it to the whole team next week actually." He answered. "The girls and Oliver deserve to know too."

"Shite." Devon cursed again. "Is that why you've been havin all those one on one practices with Wood then?"

Charlie only nodded guiltily in return.

After a short silence it was actually Sarah who ended up breaking it with the next question.

"Excuse me in advance for being a bit nosey, but what exactly does that mean for you and Jean?" She asked, already knowing that the answer would not be a happy one.

Both Charlie and Hermione turned to look each other in the eyes for a moment, before she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. They had already talked about what they needed to tell their friends between now and her own departure.

"We're going to try the whole long distance thing." He replied, which wasn't technically a lie.

Plus, just like Mason Flint, in a few weeks they wouldn't even remember Jean Walters existed in their lives to begin with.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It took them exactly two hours and thirty seven minutes to cut, braid, and assemble the sixty-two amulets. Though Hermione had hoped for at least one hundred, that was all they were able to cut from a single wiggentree. After digging through several texts, she had finally found a book on the best charms and spells to assist with woodworking; which had not only taught them the incantation for segmenting up the wiggentree, but also the one for drilling the small holes needed for the braided magical creature hair to pass through too.

At this point they had formed a sort of assembly line, with Hermione inspecting each basic amulet form before passing it onto Charlie to place inside the secret pocket of his rucksack. Like with most aspects of their life, they made a good team; each of them performing the task best suited to their strengths.

Yet another week had passed since that day on the lawn with Sarah and Devon, only instead of leisurely passing the day away with friends, they had spent the evening hours finishing up what they could on the amulets before they were due to be separated in two weeks. Though they tried not to bring the subject of it up, the metaphorical ticks of the clock chiming down rang clear in both of their chests, as if each beat of their hearts were ticking them down to the very last moment.

With only a few amulet forms left to go, Hermione discovered that one of the punched holes had caused the wood to crack near the top; splintering and leaving irreparable damage. A reparo would likely interfere with the forging process later on, and couldn't be risked. She rubbed the pad of her thumb across it to double check its structural integrity just in case, but that only caused the wood to crumble and split even worse.

'Make that sixty-one' She said to herself as she placed it to the side.

For some reason the image of broken wood reminded her of not just one, but several memorable incidents from when she was a child. Before she even realized how bizarre it would sound to her companion, Hermione had burst into a fit of giggles; handing the very last completed amulet form to Charlie as she tried to stifle them from behind one of her hands.

"Um...okay." He commented on her oddity, as he tilted his head to look at her. "Is there something funny about having one less amulet that I'm not catching onto here?"

She was able to get her giggling under control, and turned to face him with a wide grin still spread across both her cheeks. "Not really no, but the reminder that it gave me is."

"I don't follow." He replied, still confused.

"My father." She snorted, more at herself than to him as she tried to explain. "I just reminded myself of him. Wanting to fix something, but just making it worse in the end."

Charlie was caught off guard by her casual and rather cheery comment. She didn't tend to talk about her family much, and in the beginning of her time here had explicitly avoided the subject altogether.

"Likes to imagine himself a handyman that father of mine." She grinned even wider as she brushed a few stray curls away from her blushing cheeks. "But he always ends up making whatever he tries to fix even worse. Except for other people's teeth of course. He wouldn't very well be a good dentist if he was constantly ruining people's mouths beyond repair." Hermione rambled as she attempted to tell him about her parents. "Because both he and my mother are muggle teeth healers." She clarified that last bit. "Anyway, my poor mother is always trying to hide anything broken long enough to sneak a real handyman in to fix things before he can attempt to, but somehow he always beats her to it."

At this point, Charlie couldn't help but snort at her story too. He was glad to see that she had a loving, although perhaps a bit odd, family waiting for her once she returned. That little bit of information made him feel confident in his decision to let her go back without asking her to stay behind with him. He knew now that she missed them terribly, and needed to get back to them without waiting another eight years between now and reuniting with them.

"He knocked our entire kitchen cabinetry down one time, splitting our brand new, and very expensive marble countertops in the process." She continued with a scoff, unaware of what he was thinking. "And all he had to say on the matter was 'oops'"

Hermione giggled again as she mocked quotations with her fingers on the word oops.

Charlie leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, unable to help himself. He liked hearing her talk about her real life, especially in such a cheerful manner as she currently was.

"He sounds like a real character." He finally commented. "I can't wait to meet him."

Hermione's eyes flashed with what looked like a mixture of sadness and guilt. She gulped before dragging his bag closer to her, and zipping the inside pocket all the way closed. He could tell she was using it as an excuse to keep her hands busy as he noticed her start to tremble slightly.

"Is...is everything okay with your parents?" He asked, getting the hint that something was wrong with them, and then remembering one of the very few things he knew about them from a comment she'd made last September; on her birthday. "If I remember correctly, you said they were hidden in Australia, right?"

Hermione sighed before gathering a deep intake of breath. "Look, Charlie. What you have to understand about that, is that you didn't know any of my secrets back then. There is still so much danger, and fear about the future that I haven't been able to convey with my explanations. I know I've told you a lot, but I've tried my best to keep it on a need to know basis. I've been trying to spare you as much turmoil as I can without lying. You're going to have years of it as it is."

Charlie felt his heart sink lower in his chest as he nodded slowly. "Yeah I figured many of your seven years worth of magical memories would have to be cut back a bit, but what does that have to do with your muggle parents? Are they safe or not?"

"Yes, but it's more complicated than that." She replied, as their fingers intertwined out of habit. "After Voldemort took over the ministry last August, they started rounding up muggleborns and their families. Targeting them, sending them to Azkaban, and in some cases I even heard rumors of some of them getting the dementor's kiss."

She felt him shudder beside her, and she placed a calming hand on his chest; raking her nails downward over his robes. "But even before then, I knew that I'd be going into hiding with Harry. I knew that as Harry Potter's best muggleborn friend that my family was going to be targeted, and that they would have no way to protect themselves against death eaters."

"So you did something about it?" He asked, horrified, but trying not to show it for her sake.

"I obliviated them." She answered him; her voice strong, but her lip trembling. "Just before joining your family for Bill's wedding. I made them forget me, and I made them think that they wanted to move to Australia, and I made damn sure that they got on that plane."

Charlie gathered her up against his chest, as the shaking of her hands, and bottom lip spread throughout her entire body. His fingers stroked her scalp as he tried to imagine how hard that must have been for her. He also knew in her mind that she wasn't quite sure if she'd ever make it back to them to undo the spell or not. With their time running out, he knew that he needed to reassure her once again that he would always be there for her, no matter how bad things were sure to get.

"It's alright, Hermione. It's alright." He attempted to soothe her as he pressed a kiss to her temple. "It sounds to me like you did the right thing in protecting them."

"I know." She whined, as he noticed how hard she was attempting not to sob now; a far cry from the giggling she'd burst into earlier. "I know, but I worry so much that I won't ever get the chance to undo it."

He knew she was referring to the possibility of her own death, and not her inability to do the spell. Charlie couldn't help but shudder again at that thought. There was no way he was ever going to let that happen, and there was no way he was ever going to let her never see her parents again either.

"You will, Hermione. I promise." He bade her, kissing the top of her head again. "And I'll be right there beside you when you do."