"Come along now, Norbert!"

Charlie was looking after Hagrid's Dragon today, he had promised he watch out for him, make sure the other dragons weren't mean to him (Hagrid was very worried about that). Truthfully Norbert took very good care of himself, he's grown into a very hansom dragon.

"Hello Charlie!" called out Henry, one of Charlie's fellow workers.

"Hey, Henry."

"Here, let me help ya with him." Henry offered, indicating Norbert.

"Thanks." Charlie wasn't much in a talking mood, Henry could tell. Something was bothering him. They separated Norbert from the rest of the colony for his health inspection. While Charlie was working Henry observed him silently. He saw the gray circles under Charlie's eyes. He had been working very hard the last couple of weeks none stop. Everyone else was talking about taking a week or two off to go home to their loved ones. He hadn't heard Charlie say anything about going home this summer.

Of course this puzzled Henry greatly. Charlie's parents and brothers had come to see him many times, so it's not like Charlie doesn't have a wonderful family to stay with. He wondered if there was something wrong.

"Charlie" he said once they released Norbert. "What are you doing here?"

"What?" Charlie looked up at him, puzzled "What do you mean? I work here!"

"No, I know that!" Henry couldn't help but smile "No I mean what are you still doing here?"

"I don't know what you mean, Henry...." Charlie turned away.

Henry shook his head he knew Charlie wasn't this thick, he understood more then he would let on. "Don't you think it's about time that you went home? Spend time with your family?"

"I couldn't leave now, I can't get any time off....."

"Oh that's a 'ole lot of dragon shit, Charlie! You've worked just as hard as anyone here, even harder. If anyone needs a vacation it's you."

"But I couldn't get time off with everyone else leaving."

"Not everyone is leaving, Charlie and we have some replacement dragon handlers coming in during the summer, so we can slow down a little. You need a breather."

Charlie felt defeated. But he wasn't about to give up. Henry was sensing something else. Was Charlie hiding something?

"I don't know....I'll think it over....."

"Charlie, take my advice and go 'ome." Henry didn't say anymore, he just walked away. But he knew that if he didn't do something Charlie would work himself to death.

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Back at the Burrow Ginny was lying on her bed, face buried in her pillow. She missed Charlie so much! Even though she didn't get to see them often Bill and Charlie were always kindest to her out of all her brothers. Being the youngest out of seven children was bad enough but being the only girl made it twice as frustrating. Fred and George would play practical jokes on her. She and Percy weren't really close, in fact she found him terribly bossy at times. Ron at first wouldn't want her around and always try to use the "I'm older" excuse to ignore her. But that all changed recently, when she started getting more serious about boys. After that she couldn't get rid of him! He's always breathing down her neck!

Only Bill and Charlie were the brothers she felt close to. They always listened to her when she needed to talk to them. They knew she was beginning to grow and therefore treated her like an adult (something she could never get from her parents or other brothers). They treasured her.

She was happy that Bill was home but she had her heart set on Charlie coming home too.

"Check mate!" She heard Ron yelled triumphantly downstairs.

"Damn it Ron!!!" Harry yelled.

Ginny sighed and pulled her pillow over her head.

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"Hello!"

"We're home!"

Fred and George came waltzing right through the door, making their entrance as loud as possible. They had decided to close their joke shop for a few weeks to come on home. They also wanted to experiment with some new joke candies. They already had a guinea pig in mind "Hello Ron!" they said.

"No! Don't even THINK about it!" Ron said, obviously way ahead of them.

"Alright....." said Fred.

"Hey Harry....." said George.

"Nope!" said Harry, not even looking up from the Wizard chess board. The twins looked at each other in defeat. Guess they would have to settle with Percy....if they could find him.

"Well, where's mum?" asked George

"We want to tell her we're here." Said Fred

"She knows" said Bill coming down the stairs "she always knows."

"Hey Bill, do you want---?"

"No!" he said firmly.

"Man! I think they're on to us, George!" Fred whispered.

"You think?" George whispered back.

"Well there is always Ginny." They said together.

"Go near her, and die!" Bill said in a very casual voice while he washed out his tea cup. Fred and George decided not to take chances and scratched their sister off their list.

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"I'm WHAT??!!" he yelled.

"You're going home! I made the arrangements. I know your thinking its none of my business but you NEED to go home Charlie!"

Honestly Charlie didn't know what to say. He was tired and part of him wanted to go home but something was still made him want stay away. It was something he felt nobody could understand.

"Come on Charlie, your taking the train....."

"The train? Why the train?" Charlie asked.

"You need to relax on the way. A train ride will do you good. And it will give you time to owl your family." Henry explained. "You can leave in the morning."

"Henry....I don't know whether to thank you or kill you....."

"Uh.....I'll take the thank you. But that can come later. Believe me, you will want to eventually."

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She groaned as she walked down the dirt road. She looked behind her to see she was leaving red footprints behind her. She was tired and very thirsty. But she couldn't stop now. She had walked for so long and had come so far. She tried to breathe in deep but her chest was burning. She collapsed onto her elbows and knees. She was so tired.

"Just a few more on....." she whispered to herself. She willed herself to stand.

She had to go on.....

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Charlie was seated on the train now heading home. He was still angry with Henry but thought maybe this was for the best. He had already sent an owl home to let his family know he was coming after all. He had a very strange feeling about going home. That something was going to happen. The feeling was familiar. He knew he felt it before but.....not in years. Not since.....no, he couldn't think about that. That's the reason why he didn't want to be home, it reminded him of.....

Charlie sighed. He would have to clear his thoughts before he went insane. Maybe he should take his chances and try one of Fred and Georges experiments. 'Wait....nah, I wanted to clear my head, not blow it up!' he thought.

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Ginny had fallen asleep but was awoken by a tapping at her window. "mmm...what?"

When the tapping didn't stop Ginny opened her eyes. "What is it?" she looked up to see a barn owl at her window, it had a letter tied to its leg. "Oh! I'm coming!" she stood up and opened the window "Hello....do you have something for me?" She gave the owl a cookie from a plate on her nightstand and took the letter. She opened it and read

"Dear Ginny,

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that plans have changed again. I'm coming home! It was quite a surprise for me too. I'll be at the burrow in the morning. I'll see you all then.

Love

Charlie"

"MUM!!!" Ginny cried happily "Mummy! Bill! He's coming home!" She ran out of her room down the stairs.

"Good Lord, Genevra! What's all the yelling about?!" Mrs. Weasley said as she watched her daughter come running down the stairs.

"He's coming!" Ginny yelled.

"What is she yelling about?" The twins asked.

"Charlie! He's coming home!!!" Ginny hugged Bill and dropped the letter. Mrs. Weasley picked it up and read it quickly, then she smiled. At last Charlie was coming home.

(A/N: Thanx for the reviews! Chapter 3 is coming I promise! Please continue the reviews! )