A/N: Hey y'all! This was written for Hogwarts. :) Pairing: CharlieDaphne

Word Count: 1222

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Those rights go to JK Rowling.

Thanks to Grace for beta-ing!

Enjoy!

Charlie's filthy fingers slipped under the slightly open window. He struggled for a minute, but managed to pry it wider until he was able to slip under it.

He knew this area was forbidden; he was deep in Death Eater country now. Still, the threat of Voldemort didn't seem nearly as important as finding his soulmate did. Charlie's tiny, patronus-like dragon had finally appeared to him, and it was leading him to his soulmate.

The temptation was too much to pass up.

Charlie slipped into the house quietly. The halls were dark, but Charlie wasn't fooled—he'd seen the lights shining through the windows on the floors below.

The silvery dragon danced around Charlie's head, urging him on. He grinned a little despite his fear. He wasn't sure whose house this was, or who his soulmate would turn out to be, but for the first time since the world fell to Voldemort, Charlie was able to hope for a brighter future.

Charlie ran his hands through his red hair in an attempt to make himself a bit more presentable—a feat that was nearly impossible due to all the blood and grime caked to his body—and headed forwards.

The little dragon skipped happily along, its tiny wings fluttering happily as it hopped through the air. Charlie stayed close to it, slinking through the shadows. He was careful not to creak any floorboards as he went, his heart beating steadily faster.

Adrenaline coursed through his veins. Somewhere in this building was his promised happiness. He wondered who it could be—a prisoner, perhaps? He wasn't sure, but he was determined to find out.

Charlie thought briefly of his family. They'd all found their soulmates already—this was hell, but they had company. And though this was horribly reckless, the thought of no longer being the odd one out was just too good to pass up. He would just have to worry them.

Finally, the little dragon stopped in front of a door. His heart in his mouth, Charlie entered it after checking for wards.

He poked his head in, and his blue eyes met green. He sucked in a breath.

He knew this woman. She was Daphne Greengrass; he recognized her from the pictures in the Prophet shortly before the Order lost the war. She seemed just as shocked to see him as he was to see her.

"Weasley," she breathed.

"Fuck," he whispered.

Both stared at each other in shock, unable to react further. Charlie's mind was whirling. Daphne Greengrass. Daphne Greengrass. Her parents weren't Death Eaters, but they were known supporters.

He wasn't sure how to get out of this one. He could see his little dragon wrestling with what he assumed was Daphne's cougar, so it couldn't be a mistake. But he also couldn't see how this would work.

She stood up from her vanity desk suddenly, her long dark hair spilling over her shoulders. Charlie's wand was in his hand in an instant.

Daphne held her hands up in front of her. "Hold it, Weasley," she said softly, "I'm not here for a battle."

Charlie was breathing heavily, all his attention glued to her. He kept his wand raised as she slowly inched around him and closed the door. "How do you know who I am?" he demanded.

A thin, dark brow rose to her hairline. "Your family is infamous; it would be difficult not to recognize you."

Charlie had to admit she had a point. He lowered his wand a fraction.

"I only want to talk," she promised. She even held out her wand to him. He took it hesitantly and let his own drop to his side.

Daphne made her way over to her bed, her long white nightgown swishing about her feet. Charlie frowned sharply. How long had it been since he'd been able to wash his clothes, much less own something so nice? It was a painful reminder of the suppression he and his family suffered through. He crossed his arms.

"I'm not sure I want to hear what you have to say," he said with his chin jutting out.

Daphne smiled slowly. "Are you sure?"

"There are children dying," he rasped, "and you're living a life of complete luxury. That alone is enough reason to stay away."

Daphne scoffed lightly. "That's the truth in every society, Weasley. The difference here is that you're a part of it."

Charlie shook his head stubbornly. "Not like this," he muttered. "It's never been like this."

Daphne closed her eyes briefly. "You're right. Not like this." She pulled a pillow onto her lap and played with the tassels for a moment. Then she leaned forward and looked him in the eye. "That's why I want to be free of this place," she finished in a whisper.

Charlie ran a hand through his red hair warily. "What?"

"I want to leave," Daphne clarified, her eyes wide. "This isn't what I signed up for. One wrong move and you're dead. No blood purity or any other ideals is worth that. It's not the world I want to live in, and it's not the one I want for my sister—which, surely, you can understand."

Charlie thought back to Ginny, always sleeping beside Harry because he helped keep the nightmares away. He thought of Ron, whose light seemed to be completely absent as of late. Lastly, he thought of George, who had lost all direction when his twin was taken from him. Yes, he could definitely understand wanting more for a sibling.

"Why are you telling me this?" he finally asked.

Daphne broke eye contact with him. "Because you're my only ticket out of here," she whispered. "If you could get me and Astoria to safety… I would forever be in your debt. Please, Weasley."

"You think I'll help you just because we're soulmates," he accused bitterly.

Daphne closed her eyes. "That's because that's the only reason you might hear me out."

Charlie hesitated. He knew nothing about this girl. She was in Ron's year at school, he knew, which would make her about twenty. He was sure that she was frightened for her sister—who wouldn't be?—but he wasn't sure that her intentions were good.

His eyes lingered on the little dragon, which was watching him carefully. His spirit animal had led him here for a reason, he decided. And even if this instinct of his was wrong, he wasn't just going to turn his back on someone who asked for his help.

"Get her quickly," he murmured, "and be quiet about it. I'll see if I can get you two out of here."

Daphne's shoulders relaxed as she bobbed her head up and down. "I will." She hurried to the door, then turned back to him. "Thank you." He was surprised by how sincere she sounded.

He nodded once, but warned her, "There's no going back, you know. You have to be ready to commit to this."

Daphne laughed, almost bitterly, and said, "Trust me, Weasley, I'm sure about this."

Charlie hesitated. "Call me Charlie," he told her at last.

A small smile crept up her face. "If you call me Daphne."

She was gone before he could respond. Charlie looked back at the little dragon; he was flapping his wings with pride.

Charlie smiled. This might just be the beginning of his future.