"Why's the lass holding that?" Enid said quietly, pointing her wand at Mary. "It could kill her, Charles!"

"It's fine, Mrs. Macfusty," Mary said quickly. "She has no teeth. Just scared is all."

"There must have been a mix up with the eggs." Charlie shrugged. "I checked the manifest twice and there are only three Hebridean's listed."

"Let's have a look at it then." Enid stepped closer, reaching toward the Snallygaster.

It shrunk away, burying its head in the crook of Mary's arm.

"It's okay, Little One," Mary said quietly. "She won't hurt you."

Enid reared back. "You're a parselmouth!"

Mary nodded, looking down at her feet.

"Good thing too," Charlie said with a laugh. "This one is more Occamy than dragon. It understands Mary here just fine."

"Does it now?" Enid asked. "Well a dandy gift that'd be if you could talk to dragons too. I'd be right jealous. Then again I'm better off not knowing what they think about me."

Mary grinned and carefully passed the struggling Snallygaster to Enid.

"It's a girl alright," Enid said, holding it up closer to the lamp. "Badly mutated. Two eyes. Most of her kind only have one. Certainly looks more like an Occamy than any Snally I've ever seen. Prettier too. Her breeder must have known there was something off about the egg. Snally's go for high prices in the underground market."

"As pets?" Mary asked, feeling disgusted.

"Oh no, lass. They're usually butchered for their hide or organs," Enid said bluntly. "Like my dragons, Snally's can't be tamed or made into pets."

Shock ran through her at the thought of someone taking something so pretty and killing it.

Charlie grabbed a long piece of parchment from the table. "I've got the namelist ready. It's all that's left of the paperwork before we can get them ready to ship out."

"This one will need a name too." Enid passed the Snallygaster back to Mary and took the list. "Let's see here. Blane for the skinny male. Bonny for the lass. And Bran for the wee male. Good strong names for our newest hatchlings."

Charlie laughed, jotting the names down on his papers. "And the Snally?"

Enid peered over her glasses. "She's got eyes like sapphires."

"Saphira?" Charlie asked, looking to Mary.

"What do you think?" Mary held up the little creature. "Do you like the name?"

Saphira let out a little squawk and leaned her head on Mary's shoulder.

"I think she likes it." Mary grinned.

A stream of flames shot out of the crate and they all jumped back.

"The dragons don't like her," Mary said, shielding Saphira with her arm.

"You two run along to dinner and take the Snally with you," Enid said, shooing them toward the door. "I'll talk to one of the Ministry folk and see if we can find a home for her. Heaven knows we don't need her stirring up the little ones."

Mary went out first, relishing at the feel of the cool mountain air against her overheated skin. Saphira burrowed further under Mary's arm, searching for warmth.

"And Charles, any sign of aggression or teeth and that one has to be muzzled," Enid called out to him.

"Understood!" Charlie said back, putting his arm around Mary's shoulders.

"They won't kill her, will they?" Mary asked quietly, ducking her head.

"Not if I can help it." Charlie leaned over, kissing the top of her head. "You did good tonight, MJ. Real good."

"I didn't do anything really." Mary shivered at the burst of cold air. "Show me up to our quarters? I better get her somewhere warm before she freezes."

"Here," Charlie said, shrugging off his leather jacket and slipping it around her shoulders.

Despite being midsummer, snowflakes drifted lazily around them, making Mary wish she hadn't left the warmth of the small nursery. The tall spire of the fortress was even colder on the inside despite the numerous torches that led their path up the winding staircase.

Near the very top, Charlie stopped at a door. "This one's mine. You're sharing with Hermione and Ginny across the hall. Ron and Sirius have the two other rooms on this floor."

"So you three guys have separate rooms while us ladies have to share?" Mary tilted her head. "I feel insulted."

Charlie rolled his eyes and gently pulled a sleeping Saphira from her arms. "I'll see you at dinner, MJ."


Dinner was a lively affair with the MacFusty clan. Hermione was in her element, questioning the Ministry representatives about their procedures. Ron and Ginny were in a Butterbeer drinking contest with one of the MacFusty kids. And Mary was sitting back and watching Sirius try and fail to charm one of the dragon keepers.

When it was all said and done, they went back to their rooms for a few hours of sleep before their next trip to Romania. Mary was excited to see the biggest dragon reserve, to experience it for herself, and just get away.

Charlie's scent clung to her hair and skin, despite it being hours since she'd returned his jacket, and Mary inhaled the mix of smoke and leather, wishing it would never fade.

"Go to sleep," Ginny whined from the bunk across from her. "I can hear you thinking from here."

"Sorry, Gin," Mary said quietly. "I've got to find the bathroom."

"Across the hall and to the left." Ginny flopped over and started to snore quietly.

Mary grabbed her notebook and headphones and crept out of the room. The second the door clicked shut, leaving her in the dark without a coat, she contemplated the risks of going back in. With a sigh, she crept through the hallway, knowing she'd be spending the night on the bathroom floor, listening to music. Almost like being back at Hogwarts, Mary thought absently.

An odd sound came from Charlie's room and Mary crept closer.

"Saphira, please," Charlie pleaded quietly.

Mary knocked on the door and waited.

It swung open moments later and Charlie stood there in a white t-shirt, hair down, and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. "She's a bloody nuisance, this one."

"Never." Mary brushed past him and picked Saphira up. "She's not even a day old. Give her a little credit."

"She won't eat or sleep," Charlie said, closing the door and putting another log on the fire. "Which means I can't sleep."

Mary went to the dresser and poured Charlie a shot of scotch and grabbed Saphira's bottle. "You down that and I'll see if I can get her to fall asleep."

Charlie let out a billow of smoke go out the window and vanished the rest with a wave of his wand. "Matty said that they'll be sending a magizoologist to Romania to pick her up in a few days."

"Oh," Mary said, watching Saphira greedily drink the bottle of blood. "Any idea where they'll be taking her?"

"Matty didn't say, but I'm guessing it'll be somewhere safer than here." Charlie shrugged, leaning against the headboard and patting the bed. "Sit down, you look ready to fall over."

Mary leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes, swallowing hard. "He's angry all the time now. It makes it difficult to fall asleep."

Charlie put his arm around her shoulders. "You're stronger than him, you know."

"No." Mary let out a small laugh and shook her head. "I think we're evenly matched. He's just smarter. More experienced. He's got decades of knowledge while I've just got a few years. In a real duel, he'd wipe the floor with me."

"In that case, you'll have the entire Old Crowd at your back." Charlie yawned widely, leaning his head on her shoulder. "We'd never let you face him alone."

It was such an unexpected act that Mary froze, not knowing what to do. As the sound of his soft snores filled the air, Mary sat there occluding heavily, trying to once again bury her feelings from even herself.

It wasn't right. He thought of her as a little sister, nothing more. It was something she'd spent the past year fighting every time his name was mentioned. The close proximity did nothing to quench the growing crush she had on the second oldest Weasley. And that was the worst part. He was a Weasley. Family. Off limits completely. Not that it mattered, he didn't see her as anything other than his kid brother's best friend.

Charlie stretched, shifting until his hair was draped down her shoulder. With a trembling hand, she brushed the pale auburn locks off his cheek, letting the strands fall from her fingers like the finest silk.

"Never cut your hair, Charlie," Mary whispered. "I love it just the way it is."

Charlie made an odd sound and Mary froze again, waiting until his breathing evened back out. Her heart fluttered oddly, watching him sleep, the firelight extenuating his tanned skin. The freckles on his nose that were patterned like constellations. Long pale red lashes that would make a supermodel envious.

Opening her notebook and turning up the volume on her Walkman, Mary jotted down the words she couldn't ever say out loud. Saphira and Charlie slept peacefully while she felt more awake and alive than ever, going through each verse over and over again, rewriting it until it felt right and went with the funky beat of the music.

Maybe her errant thoughts would help Myron more than they would ever help her. It didn't seem to matter in the end, but putting her feelings out on paper helped ease that ache just a little, giving her a chance to process it before locking it back in the deepest vault in her mind.

Charlie rolled over on his side, taking the blankets with him, and Mary took her chance to escape. It was getting close to sunrise and she didn't want to deal with the fallout if anyone found her in his room.

That in mind, she gathered her things while trying not to wake Saphira. A few minutes later she crept back into her shared room and laid down on the bed, letting Saphira curl around her neck.

Letting out a deep breath, she fell asleep.


"Hold tight!" Sirius called out hours later.

With Ron on one side and Hermione on the other, Mary grasped the feather and watched the world spin her around for the second time in as many days. Her feet touched the ground and she barely kept her balance as she landed. The lack of sleep was starting to get to her, making her vision swim like a heatwave over the overly bright mountain range.

"Welcome!" Henry Ridgebit walked toward them. "Good to see you back, Weasley!"

"Good to be home," Charlie said, gripping the man's hand. "Morning, 'Nita."

"Weasley," Anita slapped a large hand on his back and then turned to the rest of them. "That you, Potter?"

"Alive and kicking!" Mary grinned, hugging her tightly. "How are you?"

"Better now that you've brought my partner back." Anita slapped Charlie's shoulder. "I hear you've brought the hatchings with you."

Mary turned to the two huge metal crates. "Safe and sound."

Anita put an arm around her. "I knew the day I met you that you'd join our ranks."

"Don't get hasty!" Henry called out. "I hear Miss Potter is a shoo in for the Auror department."

Mary let out a laugh. "I don't have any definite plans."

"Where is it then?" Anita rubbed her hands together with an excited look on her face. "I've never seen a Snallygaster before."

Mary bent down and unlocked the crate, gently pulling a sleeping Saphira out. "They put her under a spell before we left."

Anita leaned closer, touching Saphira's wing. "She's darling."

Charlie whispered a spell and Saphira blinked her eyes open, staring around at her new surroundings in obvious confusion. "Don't let her fool you. She kept me up half the night."

"I've never met anyone or anything that could keep him from sleep," Anita whispered to Mary.

"So where will I need to set up?" Sirius spoke up.

"We've got you a spot next to the others." Henry pointed to a row of white wizarding tents. "Be sure to put up wards or you'll be kept awake by the dragons and those of us that like to drink at night."

Sirius nodded and turned to them. "Alright, kids. Let's go get settled in. I could use a nap before we start exploring."

Saphira tilted her head back and forth, sniffing the air and taking everything in.

"It's okay," Mary said to her. "You won't be here long. They'll take you to your new home soon enough."

Saphira let out a sneeze and burrowed her head in the crook of Mary's arm. It didn't take long for Sirius to get the tent set up and they were all sitting in the kitchen eating a light lunch before going to their separate rooms. Mary ambled the time away, writing letters to her other friends and one to Elena and Kate requesting two dresses for the upcoming Charity Ball. At some point, sleep became unavoidable.

Mary laid Saphira on the side of the fluffy bed and flopped down with a sigh, taking a small sip of Dreamless Sleep. Something odd was going on. Charlie hadn't spoken to her once since the night before. Not even in greeting. If anything he went out of his way to avoid her. Her heart ached a little at the thought, but there was nothing she could do about it now. He was 'home', as he said, and she'd be gone within the week.

A few spells later and the room was pitch black, leaving Mary no distractions as she fell asleep with Saphira curled up at her side.


The following days were peaceful for those around her, but for Mary, Voldemort's anger lurked in the background, searching for an outlet. One that was given to her on the third day at the reserve.

"Hello, Mary," Rolf said with a wide grin, pulling her into a hug. "Is this Saphira?"

"It is," Mary said, handing her over. "You know, when they said they were sending a Magizoologist, I didn't expect it to be you."

Rolf let out a laugh. "No, they always look for my grandparents."

"I'm sorry," Mary said honestly. "I didn't mean it like that."

Rolf scrunched up his nose. "Give me another ninety years and I'll look the part, I promise."

Mary nodded and shrugged. "If you're still taking care of this one in ninety years, you'll deserve an Order of Merlin."

Saphira chirped loudly, clawing her way onto Rolf's shoulder to nibble at his ear.

"I see that she's a true beast." Rolf deadpanned. "An absolute terror."

"Just wait until you've gone a few days without sleep because she wants to explore." Mary shot back.

Rolf grinned. "Shall I keep you updated?"

"Anytime. Truly, I've gotten quite attached to her, so any excuse to visit, I'll take." Mary nodded with a bright smile, reaching forward to run her hand over Saphira's feathers. "Take care of her."

"I promise," Rolf said with a quick bow. "I better go before my portkey leaves without me."

"Bye, little one," Mary said to Saphira. "Be good, okay?"

Saphira chirped back with wide eyes.

"Thanks for this." Charlie moved to her side, putting an arm around her as he reached out to pat Saphira's head. "Let us know if you need anything."

"I'm sure I can handle it." Rolf nodded, grinning as he tucked Saphira into his coat. "I'll owl you, Mary."

Mary watched them leave with a heavy heart. It'd only been a few days, but taking care of Saphira had become a special part of her routine. Each day it gave her something new to look forward to. A simple goal to keep the little creature safe and alive. To witness as Saphira experienced the world for the first time. But as with everything in Mary's life, even that had to end.

"Come on," Charlie said gently. "Anita and I are going to take you for a full tour of the reserve."

"Sounds nice," Mary said, trying to smile.

"On brooms," Charlie said with a grin. "Sirius said you brought your Firebolt. I figured it'd be a good chance to fly."

"That sounds even better." Mary grinned.

Charlie held her hand and all but dragged her back to the tent where Hermione firmly objected to joining them. Mary hugged her quickly before grabbing her broom and rushing back outside where Sirius, Charlie, and the others were waiting.

"Stay with me and no flying off," Anita said with a pointed look. "We've got so many expansion spells on this reserve that you're liable to end up in any one of the dragon's enclosures without knowing it."

"Sounds like fun," Sirius said with a laugh.

With one last warning, Anita took off into the sky and they all followed her. Up there, high above the mountains, with nothing but the wind in her air, Mary felt at peace. They drifted lazily above each enclosure, seeing the dragons in their native environments, each one charmed to mimic where they were from. One moment they were flying above Chinese Fireballs, surrounded by lush green mountains and bamboo, the next they flew over Norwegian Ridgebacks, encompassed by snow and ice.

Four hours later they landed, exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time.

"I'm starved," Ron whined as he hopped off the borrowed broom. "Where's Hermione?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Probably the library."

Mary let out a laugh, putting an arm around their shoulders. "Let's go find her."

True to form, Hermione was in the library, books stacked around her. "There you are! It's nearly time for dinner. Where were you? What was it like? What kind of dragons did you see?"

"All around. Amazing. All of them," Mary answered with a grin. "You know you'd have had more fun with us."

"I hate flying." Hermione shook her head, shutting her book and standing up. "I heard that they're having a party tonight to celebrate the first time in history that all of the dragons in the UK are in one place. There'll be magizoologist from around the world attending."

"We better get ready then," Ginny said, tugging at her jumper. "I smell like the Gryffindor locker room."

Half an hour later, Mary stepped out of her room wearing the only thing she had available. If only Lavender and Parvati could see her now, they'd have heart attacks. Denim trousers and a Weasley jumper to a party? Never. Though she supposed it wasn't far off the mark considering Ginny and Hermione had decided to wear similar outfits.

"I'm ready to dance until my shoes fall off, you?" Ginny said, walking into the living room.

"All for it." Mary pointed to her boots. "I need a new pair anyway."

"Time to go, ladies," Sirius said with a smile as he held the flap open for them. "First stop; dinner."

Like a Hogwarts feast, the house elves at the Romanian dragon reserve knew how to cook a good meal. By the time it was over, Mary was stuffed to the gills and more than a little tipsy. It felt like every star in the universe had shown up to shine down on the clear cold night. Mary took in a deep breath and let it out, feeling her heart soar as Anita turned on the radio and the loud music echoed through the clearing.

Spinning on her heel, she dragged Hermione onto the dance floor. "Tell me you found something in those books to make this holiday last forever."

"I wish I could," Hermione said, spinning around and laughing. "It would be wonderful wouldn't it? Nothing to worry about."

"Yeah," Mary whispered, looking to the side. "I don't know if Sirius' liver would survive it though."

"He's been overdoing it lately." Hermione frowned. "I know there are secrets he has to keep, but is there anything you can tell me? The way he's acting isn't healthy. Is it Azkaban?"

Mary shook her head. "It's just everything. The culmination of all the fuckery I've put him through has finally pushed him over the edge."

"That's not your fault." Hermione stopped. "He's the adult here."

"Some of it is my fault." Mary shrugged.

Hermione pulled her to the edge of the crowd, out of earshot from the others. "Mary, you've been distant too. With Ron and I. That isn't because we're dating, is it? You shouldn't feel like a third wheel. You can still talk to us."

"It's not like that. I'm so happy for you both," Mary said, smiling as she pulled Hermione into a hug and rocked back and forth. "Honestly, I'm just trying to cope as best as I can. I'm sorry if it feels like I'm avoiding you."

"Well, you can cope along with us. No need in hiding in your room all the time." Hermione nudged her shoulder. "Now go save Ginny before Charlie tramples her."

Mary let out a laugh. For all of his amazing traits, Charlie couldn't dance worth a shrivelfig. Poor Ginny stumbled and Mary tapped her on the shoulder. "Mind if I cut in?"

"Help yourself," Ginny said, limping away.

"How can you stare down a dragon but not dance?" Mary smiled up at him.

"They typically don't care about my footwork." Charlie grinned.

Mary let out a laugh and wrapped her arms around him, swaying side to side to spare him any more embarrassment. "So, have any big plans once we're out of your hair?"

"The workload here has picked up drastically with the new transfers. More than likely, they'll transfer me to one of the camps nearer the center of the reserve."

"That sounds really nice."

"Come on, let's get back to the table before I end up crushing your toes." Charlie pulled her to his side and moved them back towards the crowded tent.

"We better go back to the tent if we're going to wake up on time," Hermione said in a rushed whisper. "What were you all thinking, drinking so much?"

"We're having fun, Hermione," Ron said, spinning her around. "It's nice."

Hermione smiled, kissing his cheek. "Still though, we need to get back. It's well after midnight."

Mary stumbled along next to her friends until they reached the tent, knowing that they were all on the verge of passing out while she was still wide awake. She rushed into her room and grabbed what she needed until the sound of their snores filled the tent, before going back out.

Tossing a few pieces of wood onto the campfire, Mary sat on the long leather chair and watched the embers float into the sky. Notebook in hand, she jotted down a few lines of lyrics, then looked up at the brilliant star filled sky.

It wasn't long before her solitude was disturbed by Charlie leading a very drunk Sirius back to the tent, her godfather reeking of booze.

Mary stood up and rushed to Sirius' other side. "Overdid it again?"

"I don't like thinking," Sirius mumbled. "Thinking hurts, kiddo. About everything that's going on. I felt like I was just getting my life back. Now this."

"Constantly one thing after another, right?" Mary said in sympathy.

"More like twenty things at once." Sirius flopped onto his bed, laying face down, and Mary pulled his shoes off, pulling the blanket over him.

"Don't worry too much, Siri. It'll all work out in the end. I promise." Mary said. "Just sleep."

She placed a monitoring charm on him and walked out of the room, running head first into Charlie.

A crooked smile was on his face as he stared down at her. "Okay, MJ?"

"Yeah," Mary bit her lip and stepped back. "Too much rum."

"Seems to be the theme for tonight," Charlie said without letting go of her hand.

Mary inched closer to him. "There's worse things I could be doing, I suppose."

Charlie's eyes narrowed, pushing the hair out of her face. "Nothing dangerous, I hope."

"You know me." Mary shook her head. "Danger at every turn."

Charlie pulled her into his side, putting an around her shoulders. "Sit with me for a moment?"

Mary poked his side. "Hey, I was headed back out there anyway."

She went back to the campfire, putting her headphones on and picking up her notebook.

Charlie sat next to her on the leather cot, rubbing at his face as he lit a cigarette. Mary pulled her headphones down to her neck, letting the faint sound of the guitar mix with the crackling of the fire.

Feeling a little braver with the help of the rum, Mary reached out and plucked the cigarette from his fingers and put it between her lips, taking a large drag and holding it in her lungs. Charlie lifted a brow at her in surprise as though waiting for something. He wasn't let down. Her lungs burned, protesting until a huge billow of smoke rushed out as she coughed and choked, trying to catch her breath.

"Anapneo." Charlie pointed his wand at her, clearing her lungs. "You're not a smoker, MJ. No reason to start now."

"Ugh, no. Not trying that again." Mary wiped at her watering eyes, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Good. It's a bad habit," Charlie said, holding out her notebook. "You dropped this."

Mary's heart raced, hoping that he hadn't read the words there. No explaining could get her out of that.

"Thanks," Mary grabbed it gently, shutting the cover and setting it beside her. "Excited to get back to work?"

"Is it sad that I am?" Charlie grinned. "Don't get me wrong, it's been a nice holiday, but I miss this. The open air."

"The dragons?" Mary chuckled.

"Well, I can't have any of this without them." Charlie gestured to the clear starry sky, tall snow capped mountains in the distance and the only sounds were the crackling fires and distant calls of the dragons.

"I wouldn't ever want to leave," Mary said, feeling the peace and quiet ease the ache in her heart.

"It's a dangerous job though." Charlie took another drag from his cigarette before stamping it out.

"You're forgetting who you're talking to. Danger is my middle name."

"Pretty sure it's Jane." Charlie bumped his shoulder against hers. "Though Danger has a nice ring to it."

Mary grinned, rubbing at her aching arms. "This kind of danger is simple."

Charlie pulled off his leather jacket, slipping it over her, his arm still wrapped around her. "Simple but painful at times. And there's always the risk of losing life or limb. I doubt that'd be a good look for you."

"You're one to talk." Mary pointed at a fresh burn on his arm. "Which lovely creature is the cause of this one?"

"The new one; Bran." Charlie grinned. "He's a handful."

"He's handsome." Mary chuckled, thinking of the tiny little grey dragon. "Any news on Saphira?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Charlie said with a sigh, bumping his shoulder against her's. "I'm sure she's fine."

"Yeah," Mary said, frowning as she stared into the flames.

"She's going to be okay." Charlie grabbed her shoulders staring into her eyes.

"Think so?" Mary asked, leaning closer to him.

"I promise," Charlie breathed against her lips.

Hesitantly, Mary put her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

"Mary," Charlie said quickly.

Mary, not MJ.

"Yeah?"

Charlie leaned back. "I can't-"

"Oh," Mary lurched away, feeling her heart in her throat.

"Please don't take it like that," Charlie said quickly.

"No, I get it. I really do." Mary said, burying her thoughts once again.

"I'm sorry, it's just-"

Mary clutched at her skull, shaking her head as she choked down the odd pain. "Don't say anymore about it. Please."

Charlie moved away from her, lighting another cigarette as he stared into the fire. Heart hammering, Mary turned around and went back to her room in the tent.

Gods, how could she have been so stupid?

He was going to hate her now. She couldn't leave well enough alone and she'd gone and ruined everything.

Everything? She thought.

There was never a chance, or an inkling of hope in the first place. If Bill showed up with Hufflepuff's cup tomorrow, that would be it. She would go on to her final fight. There would be nothing past that.

What was the point of hope? There wasn't any, not for herself.

A bottle of Dreamless Sleep later and all of it faded into the background, leaving her feeling completely and utterly empty.


"Time to go," Ginny said, gently shaking her shoulder. "Please don't hex me."

"Gods," Mary muttered, her skull throbbing as the night before came back to her in stark clarity. "My head hurts."

"You and me both." Ginny grinned. "Ron's waking up Sirius, so if you need the loo you better go now."

"I'm fine," Mary said, grabbing her pack and digging out the small potions case.

"You know, saying; 'I'm fine', doesn't make it true." Ginny shot her a pointed look.

"Sobering draughts all around." Mary set the six vials on the table with a grimace. "Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it, Gin."

Ginny rolled her eyes, sitting at the table when Ron and Sirius ambled in.

"Are we having breakfast here or after we get home?" Ron asked, stretching out.

"Home," Sirius said, wincing as he sipped at his potion. "You three pack up, we leave in ten minutes."

When Sirius' back was turned, Mary cast the spell Tonks taught her that sent all of her belongings flying into her pack. Ron tapped her shoulder and she grinned, doing the same for the stuff he had scattered around the large tent.

"All ready?" Charlie asked when they walked outside

"Thanks for having us," Sirius said, shaking Charlie's hand. "Take care of yourself, Charlie."

Ginny burst into tears and ran into his arms. "When will you come home?"

"Christmas if I can get the time off," Charlie kissed the top of Ginny's head. "Maybe sooner if the Old Crowd needs me."

"Be careful," Ginny said and stepped back, wiping her eyes.

"Don't you forget to write, Ron." Charlie hugged his brother quickly. "And don't let these two get into too much trouble."

Ron patted Charlie's back. "Ain't got much hope in that."

"You write to me too, MJ." Charlie pulled her into a strong hug, enveloping her in the scent of smoke and leather. "I know Ron will forget."

"I will," Mary promised, not wanting to let go.

"Right, I better get back." Charlie kissed the top of her head, before pulling away. "Tell Mum and Dad I love them."

Mary nodded, letting go of him. "Stay safe."

"Ten seconds," Sirius said, holding out the wicker basket. "Everyone hold tight."

Charlie dashed across the camp, giving one last look over his shoulder before he disappeared in the sea of tents. The world around her spun and Mary stepped out without stumbling, her back straight as she walked towards the back door of Grimmauld Place, occluding until she was completely and utterly numb.


"Andy found our miracle," Remus said as soon as the kids had gone upstairs.

Sirius shot a few secrecy spells at the room and turned to Remus. "What is it? What do we have to do?"

Remus shot him a dark look. "Sit down. You're not going to like this, Padfoot."

"Tell me," Sirius said, sitting down heavily.

"Despite the fact that Andy and Severus removed the Suppression Cuff, the magic still sees Dumbledore as her 'Master'. Without the Cuff on her, the spells he put on it are still sapping her life force," Remus said quietly.

"So let's get him here to undo it!" Sirius shouted. "I'd also like his explanation as to why he was dosing her with the Elixir without telling anybody!"

"He returns from his trip on the first." Remus smiled. "Less than two days and there will be nothing stopping her from living a long and happy life."

Sirius scrubbed at his face, his mind spinning. "And the wards?"

"It was Skeeter, but she didn't get through," Remus said. "You might have to talk to Barnabas about having her still on the payroll."

"He'll sack her, or I'll sue," Sirius said with a grin. "This day can't get any better."

"Not so fast." Remus held up a hand. "The Weasley Twins want our help with their presentation tomorrow."

"What do they have in mind?"


A/N:

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the story! Let me know what you think. :)