The night of the Halloween feast, Ronan entered the Slytherin Common Room all in a rush, looked around, then headed straight toward Dora, who was sitting by herself in a corner. "Come with me," he told her without ceremony, and she looked up at him, wrinkling her brow.

"Why?" she asked him.

"Because I want to show you something," he answered, giving her an annoyed look. "Something we've been looking for, remember?"

"Did you find a place?" Dora said, getting to her feet quickly.

"Come on," Ronan repeated, and led her straight out of the Common Room. "It's a bit awkward," he muttered to her as they wound their way out of the dungeons and began to climb the grand staircase to the higher floors of the castle. "But I got lost and found a place for us to meet. I asked some of the portraits about it, and they said that students only find it by accident."

Dora was excited to see what he had found and was relieved to finally arrive at the place—only to be told that she had to walk back and forth in front of a blank wall for the door to appear. Rolling her eyes, Dora unquestioningly did so and grinned as the door appeared. "You just strolled by this place three times and found it?" she teased her cousin as she reached for the doorknob.

"Yeah," Ronan sighed. "I was lost, okay?"

The girl pushed open the door and looked into the room quickly, then walked inside, Ronan following quickly and shutting the door behind them. There were no windows, but light was somehow streaming into the room, illuminating the table and chairs before them. A fireplace stood to the side with some comfortable chairs before it, and Ronan watched as Dora approached the table with a grin. "Do you like it?"

"Yes," Dora said, taking a seat at the table and reaching into her bookbag. "Now I can show you something."

"What's that?" Ronan asked, pulling a chair closer to his cousin. "Couldn't you have showed me in class this morning?"

"Don't be stupid," Dora told him. "This is Mum's old schoolbook—and before you say anything about that, it has notes from your mother and Aunt Cissa in it."

"Really?" the boy breathed. "Like what? Do you have more of these?"

"I think so," Dora answered. "I don't know how many of Mum's old schoolbooks she has, but I know a few of mine have notes in them. Your mum was funny when she was in school."

The two poured over Dora's book, trying to decypher the writing and drawing in the margins of her book until Dora suddenly looked up and asked, "What time is it?"

Ronan glanced around the room, frowning at the clock that hadn't been there before. "Shit!" he said, jumping to his feet. "Come on: we'll be late to the feast!"

"Oh!" Dora said, scrambling to put her book back and join Ronan at the door. "Do I look okay?"

"You've got purple hair," he chuckled. "But yes."

"I'm keeping it," Dora said. "It's a celebration."

Ronan grinned and opened the door for her, the two hurrying down the corridor to the staircase and making their way to the Great Hall. As they had thought, the feast had already started and the two scrambled to a seat at the Slytherin house table.

"Meet me after lunch tomorrow," Ronan told her, and Dora was happy to agree, reaching for the nearest platter of chicken.

"Dora!"

The girl turned at the doorway of the History of Magic classroom to see her twin approaching. "What?" Dora frowned at him.

He took a deep breath, then asked, "Are you coming home for Christmas?"

"Yes," Dora almost laughed. "What else would I do?"

"I don't know, disappear again?" Charlie retorted, then brushed past her into the classroom.

"Wow, he's nothing like your brother," one of the other Slytherin girls said behind Dora.

"Well, he isn't Will," Dora huffed. "He's himself." She stormed off into the classroom, generally annoyed with everyone around her.

On the train home, Dora sat with Will and Charlie, which prompted questions of why she wasn't with Ronan. "I don't have to be with him all the time," Dora said, rolling her eyes. "Calm down, Charlie. I haven't forgotten you and Will."

"He also asked me where my friends were," Will told Dora. "Richard's going home for Christmas too, but he's with some other friends. Anyway, I feel like I've hardly seen you this whole time, Dora. How do you like Hogwarts?"

"Um," Dora began and hesitated, making Charlie grimace in agreement.

"I don't understand why Dad says Hogwarts is fun," Charlie said, shaking his head. "It's just a bunch of kids attempting magic without much supervision. Not to mention that most of them are as dumb as Muggles."

"Charlie—"

"I'm not saying it in front of Mum and Dad," Charlie interrupted Will. "But if I have to be known as your brother, I'm not letting you be a third parent."

"Whoa," said Dora. "What's going on with you two?"

Will was looking at Charlie carefully, and finally said, "Do you not want to hang out with me and my friends?"

Charlie crossed his arms and scowled out the window. "I really think there are already too many Weasleys at Hogwarts," he said.

"Why?" Dora frowned.

"Will's the oldest," Charlie said. "Everybody knows him. Everyone thinks he's cool. And I'm just 'Will's little brother.' I wish I'd gone to Hufflepuff. At least I'd be different, like you." He glanced at Dora.

"I didn't choose to be the oldest," Will said uncomfortably, suddenly realising why Charlie often avoided sitting with him if Richard was there. "I can tell them not to refer to you as my brother, if that's what you want."

"I don't know what I want," snapped the younger boy. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to be able to get away from all of his family and find people—actual humans—that appreciated him for himself.

The three sat there awkwardly in silence until the compartment door slid open and Richard walked in. "Out," Will said to him. "We're having family time."

"Oh," said the boy. "Sorry." And he backed out of the room.

"You didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did," Will interrupted. "No one outside the family needs to know what goes on between us."

"Are you mad at me for not being with you?" Dora asked Charlie after a minute or two.

"No," Charlie sighed. "I know you would never—and I could never be a Slytherin."

"So why are you mad, then?" Will wanted to know. "Besides the little brother thing."

"I don't know," the younger boy said, crossing his arms again.

Dora studied her twin for a few minutes, then said carefully, "I know you don't like Ronan, but it's not our fault that we grew up together. I don't understand why you get so angry about him when it's not like he's the one that kidnapped me."

Charlie looked straight at her. "He's not good for you."

"Well, you aren't either, with your anger problems," Dora pointed out, seeing him glare at her words.

"He's going to take you away from us," Charlie burst out. "He already is! We rarely see you anymore, and I should, because we're in the same year! We're twins! And yet you and he are always hiding in that stupid room of yours."

Dora froze, and saw a smirk appear on Charlie's face. "You followed us?"

"You're not very subtle," Charlie told her. "Either that, or I just know you really well. It was easy to follow you. What are you two doing that takes hours at a time? Nothing illegal, I hope?"

She grinned slightly, but became serious quickly. "I...I have Mum's old schoolbooks," she said, trying not to give away that this was embarrassing to her. "And there are notes in the books from Mum's sisters."

"You have notes written from Mum's sisters when they were in school?" Will said, impressed. "What do they say?"

"Well, we're trying to translate them," Dora sighed. "They sometimes used runes, but we think they might have made up their own symbols sometimes, too. Mum didn't give me any hints when she gave me the books."

"You're saying that you and Ronan are spending hours translating runes from when Mum was at school?" Charlie said in disbelief. "No."

"We do homework too," Dora huffed. "Just because you're mad doesn't mean you have to be difficult, Charlie. Anyway, the notes usually talk about school things, or a professor, or even other students that were at school back then. Sometimes they talk about their cousins, or even their little sister."

"I still don't think you should spend so much time with him," Charlie said. "You should have other friends."

"Speak for yourself," Dora shot at him. "Other Slytherins don't like me and Ronan. I don't know if you know, but I am also a Weasley, and some idiots can't see past that, and they don't like Ronan because his parents are in Azkaban for torturing people."

"I'm not feeling sorry for him," Charlie huffed.

"You don't have to," Dora huffed back, "but you're not the only one with problems, Charlie Weasley. I probably won't ever have school friends, but you probably could if you would straighten up and stop being an arse to everyone including your own family."

"Making friends is awkward," Will said. "The only reason I have friends is because I helped Richard at the beginning of the year last year and we started talking. Maybe help someone do something."

"It's not that easy," Charlie huffed. "I don't even know if I want friends."

"You don't trust people," Dora said, "and I don't blame you; neither do I. You don't have to trust anyone, but don't be mean to people you don't know—especially if they haven't done anything to you."

"I haven't—"

"Yes, you have," Dora said. "You scare people, sometimes more than I do."

Charlie did not speak again for the entire journey home, and Dora and Will were relieved when they arrived at Platform 9 ¾. "Dad!" Will called, grinning, and hurried forward to get to his father before the platform was flooded with other parents and students.

Will hugged his dad, but the other two did not, Charlie putting his hands in his pockets. "What's for dinner?" Dora asked her dad, and he grinned mysteriously.

"You'll have to come home to find out," he answered. "Do you all have your trunks?"

"Yes," Dora and Will answered, and Charlie nodded.

"Then let's go," he said, and held out his hands to them. The three took his hands and their father disapparated.

"Tommy!" someone yelled. "Percy, they're here!"

In a thunder of shouts and footsteps, several children tumbled out the back door and rushed straight toward them. "You're home!" Silas cheered as Tommy and Elsie jabbered excitedly around them. "It's about time!"

"Silas, you left the door open," came Percy's annoyed voice. "It's cold out there."

Silas ignored this, but Arthur moved toward the house quickly as Andromeda appeared behind Percy in the doorway. "Dinner is ready," she announced with a smile for each of her family members. "Is anyone hungry?"

"I am," Will said, and everyone scrambled to wash up and get to the table.

Andromeda was glad to see her three oldest children home from school, and saw to it that each of them had a good portion of food. She also saw to it that they were the first to get their desert, and Charlie smiled for the first time since he'd come home.

"Thanks," he said to her, and she replied, "You're welcome" and placed her hand on his shoulder for a few seconds before going on to serve the others.

"Mum, may I have more whipped cream?" Dora asked, and the other twins chimed in, "Me too!"

"I don't care what anyone says," Charlie stated with a mouthful of coconut cream pie, "Mum's a better cook than anyone, even the Hogwarts elves."

"Why, thank you," Andromeda said, pleased at the compliment. "Eat up now: there's enough for seconds."

Charlie was much happier to be home and to run around with his siblings, most of whom looked up to him as much as they did to Will. He was surprised, however, to see that the four youngest children seemed to follow Percy's instruction more willingly than ever before.

He wondered at this, especially when his six-year-old sister inquired about his classes. "Why do you want to know?" he laughed at her. "You're too young to worry about that."

"Charlie, don't be mean," Will sighed, but both Charlie and Elsie ignored him.

The girl grinned at Charlie and shrugged, then turned her attention to Dora.

It was not until that evening that something further happened that alarmed Charlie. He heard Tommy and Elsie fighting, and as he made his way to see if he could distract one of them, they fell silent. Percy exited the room as Charlie approached, and the older brother asked, "What's going on with them?"

"They're always fighting," Percy answered. "You know that. I just got them to be quiet."

"How?" Charlie frowned. "Even Mum can't make them shut up sometimes unless she uses magic."

Percy hesitated, then said, "I just make them get along."

Charlie gave his brother a careful look. "You use magic on them, don't you?"

"No," Percy scoffed. "I just wish them to be quiet, or whatever needs to happen."

"You wish—" Charlie raised both eyebrows "you force them to obey you, don't you?"

"No!" Percy said quickly, glancing around nervously. "I only suggest—"

"Percy, controlling people like this is illegal," Charlie breathed, worried. "You can't do this or you'll get in trouble."

"It's the only way to make them behave," Percy insisted. "You know how they are."

"Well, you've got to stop," Charlie replied. "If they find out what you've done—Percy, go talk to Mum. She'll help you."

"I don't need help," Percy snapped, and both of them heard the two young ones start whining and arguing again.

Percy turned toward the door and Charlie said, "Don't you dare, Percy. I've never tattled on anyone in my life, but I will tell Mum if you do that again."

His brother glared at him and Charlie continued, "We can talk to Mum together: I'll help. I don't think she'll be mad."

Percy was scowling at the idea when they heard their mother's footsteps on the stairs. Andromeda gave her sons a smile as she walked past them, and before Percy could stop him, Charlie said, "Mother, could we talk to you after?"

"Of course," she answered, then disappeared into the living room.

"You're an arse," Percy hissed at Charlie.

"It's for your own good," Charlie sighed. "Trust me. I'd love to Imperius some of the idiots at school."

"That's not what I was doing," Percy huffed.

"We'll see what Mum says," Charlie answered firmly.

A few minutes later, their mother came out of the living room and said, "Shall we go to the kitchen?"

The boys followed, however reluctantly, and when their mother asked them to speak, Percy refused, and left Charlie to do the talking. Charlie hesitated, then took a deep breath and began, "I—I think—well, aren't there different versions of the Imperius?"

Andromeda looked between her sons and answered, "There are. Why do you ask?"

Again, Percy refused to speak, and Charlie took another deep breath. "Have you noticed Tommy and Elsie have behaved better recently?"

"I have," Andromeda answered, slightly confused and concerned. "Are you trying to ask me if I've used magic to improve their behavior? Because I have not."

"No, Mother," Charlie said, blushing furiously. "Not you. Him." He nodded to Percy. "I don't think he knew what he was doing, so I thought he should talk to you."

"It's not funny," Percy snapped at his mother's slight smile.

"No, it's not," Andromeda agreed, "but I understand why some of my children would do this to the others. Charlie, if you would leave us, please."

Charlie quickly left the room, and Andromeda turned to the son who was so much like herself. "Would you like to say anything about this?" she asked him.

"I just wanted them to shut up and listen," Percy muttered. "And it was easy: I did it by accident the first time. They're so annoying!"

"And were you aware that you were taking away their ability to make decisions?" Andromeda asked him.

"They're too stupid to make their own," he huffed.

She watched him for a moment, then replied, "They cannot learn if they cannot make decisions on their own." She paused, then said, "You are not in trouble, Percy, but this is a very dangerous thing to do. Do you know what happens to adults who do this?"

"Azkaban," Percy murmured.

"Yes," Andromeda agreed. "You haven't done this to anyone outside the family, have you?"

"No," Percy sighed.

"Good," Andromeda said in relief. "This has to stop, okay?"

Percy nodded, his brow furrowed. His mother didn't speak for a moment, then said, "I understand how nice it is to simply shut someone up, Percy. It feels great to be in control."

Again, he nodded. "I didn't mean to," he sighed, "but it's so easy."

Andromeda sighed and agreed. "This kind of power is addicting. It makes you want to do it more often and in more ways. This is why people consider the Dark Arts to be so dangerous. If you let this continue, it could control you. Remember what I've told you about using any powerful spell: if you do not exercise control over it, it will harm you. This includes choosing what spells to use. I should have realised what was going on so I could have stopped it earlier. Have you ended the spells, suggestions, and whatever else?"

Percy nodded, wanting to speak but being unable to. "I'm not angry," his mother said softly. "This kind of spell probably comes naturally to you like the Cruciatus does to some of your siblings. It's no less normal, just as impressive, and needs as much caution."

He managed a small smile. "Are you going to tell Dad?"

"Yes," she answered. "We'll be making sure this doesn't happen again. Is there anything else you want to say?"

He gave her such a look that she couldn't help feeling sorry for him even before he asked, "So what do I do instead?"

"With respect to Tommy and Elsie," Andromeda began, "let me deal with them—that's my place as their mother. As for what you can do—" and she gave him a sad smile "there isn't much you can do for their behavior."

"How long are we going to hope they'll grow out of it?" the boy asked in frustration. "Even the twins aren't much better."

"Oh, have you tried it with them?" Andromeda asked in surprise. "I'd think they'd be more difficult to manage than the youngest two."

"They are," Percy told her. "Silas is easier to control, but Regis knew something was going on and ruined it. I would have thought he'd be easier, but he wasn't."

"Strange," Andromeda said thoughtfully. "Well, that is all, Percy. I'll be keeping a closer eye on this in the future—and if you need help knowing when you're doing this, I will help you."

"Okay," he answered, then got to his feet and left the room.

By the time her husband came home and dinner was over, Andromeda had forgotten about telling him about her talk with Percy. In fact, she didn't remember to tell him until one particularly difficult weekend when Tommy and Elsie acted worse than usual.

"Oh," Andromeda said in realisation. "Arthur, I meant to tell you something...Charlie brought Percy to me the other day and told me that he's been using magic to control his brothers and sisters.

"What?" Arthur said in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he's been using some form of the Imperius to make the younger ones behave, whether he meant to or not," Andromeda answered nonchalantly. "They're probably slightly confused by the fact that they can now make their own decisions."

Arthur was not happy. "So you had a conversation with Percy?"

"Yes," Andromeda replied, then sighed. "I think his siblings annoy him more than I realised."

Arthur seemed troubled, and Andromeda wrapped her arms around him and murmured, "But he hasn't done it recently, and I think he's better."

"That's not a good habit to start as a child," Arthur murmured, and his wife agreed.

"We talked about it," she said, "and he understands the severity of his actions. He has avoided his younger siblings for the last several days because he doesn't know how else to deal with them."

With a sigh, Arthur shook his head, and Andromeda muttered, "Half the time, I don't even know what to do. The youngest two just aren't easy."

"I really hope we can get them a little more disciplined before they go off to Hogwarts," Arthur told her. "Otherwise, they'll have a really hard time."

"I know," Andromeda agreed. "I'm doing my best to make some changes before then."