The old fashion alarm clock clanked into action. Without looking, Charlie pulled his wand from under his pillow and pointed at it ending the noise. Beside him, someone snuffled and worked themselves closer. Charlie rolled back around the person, pulling her tight. His sleep deprived brain slowly kicked back into action. He wasn't hung over, which would make work much more pleasant. Which meant …
The day prior finally popped back into his head. As if to confirm, he cracked open one eyelid and looked at his wrist. The new fasting cords were there for the world to see. The black curls on his chest were another dead giveaway. He wanted to groan, wanted to be upset, but he was too content. If he was willing, he would have to admit he slept better last night than he had in the past few months. He enjoyed his warm bed for a few more moments, willing himself to stay awake enough not to be late. His team had a pact. Wake the others up if they overslept, and he did not want to expose Charlotte to that just yet. She had been through enough stress the past few months, most of it at Charlie's own doing. Somehow he managed to extract himself from her grasp. She rolled tightly into the spot he just left absorbing the remaining body heat. He smiled and tucked the quilt in closer.
He washed up while the coffee perked. As he added a log to the fire to keep the cabin warm, the wood under it snapped and fell causing sparks and a bang. Charlotte sat up in bed looking around. She was not really awake. He could tell as her eyes were not truly focused on her surroundings. And her hair was mostly over her eyes. And she sat there topless not really caring.
Charlie chuckled and she turned towards the noise. Still no reaction. "You're in Romania."
She nodded still looking at him without comprehension. He laughed again. "Go back to sleep, Charlotte."
She nodded and laid back down and curled back into the quilt.
He shook his head and walked to the pegs where he kept his dragon hide jacket with his boots on the floor. His thoughts swirled as he remembered their nocturnal activities. She had been so timid, but brave. For all she had been through and all he had done, she didn't back away.
Most girls would have become haughty and sulky. Ginny would have pouted for weeks. Mind you, the bloke who caused the issue would have been at a minimum permanently maimed or at worst dead in a forgotten corner of a crypt in Egypt. Or up a mountain in Romania. Or possibly fed to a dragon. The brothers had regularly changed their minds as to the fate of the poor sod who hurt their baby sister. Bill actually took the time to have the 'big brother' talk with Charlie on Thursday letting him know he had a very nice sarcophagus picked out for Charlie if the need arose.
What amazed Charlie the most was how seamlessly Charlotte integrated into his family. Sure, the Weasley clan was open and loving. Since he was little, the family collected the lost and deserted. Though definitely the most integrated, Harry and Hermione were not the first lonely Hogwarts students to call the Burrow a second home. Bill and Charlie had friends along for holidays ever since he could remember. Who else but another honorary Weasley would have snuck back into Hogwarts to retrieve an illegal dragon and fly it to Romania in the dead of night?
Charlie had worried when this whole mess started. Fleur was a hard sell for Bill. The usually accepting Molly dug in her heels. Ginny did not helped the issue at all. But Charlotte simply walked into the door and into their hearts. She was just another lost soul for his mum and dad to love. Bill's werewolf tendencies made him protective from the start. This combined with Charlotte's inelegance, and his brother was in love. Bill wrote after the Christmas holidays about a girl who was bright and determined. He watched her interpret runes like it was a second language. She flew through the complicated arithmancy calculations without hesitation or doubt. Hermione might be smarter, but Charlotte's understated intelligence was mostly overlooked.
Ronnie wrote about adoring her. She was, in his opinion, what a little sister should be. One who needed protected and defended. Thinking back, Ronnie must have been in his element when Bill sent him and Harry to watch over her at the Three Broomsticks.
Ginny's love poured out in every letter. She was protective of Charlotte. Even serving a detention to defend his new bride from teasing. Her threats were hard and harsh and Charlie would not cross the girl ever.
George wrote to tell him about her hard work. When he opened the newest shop in Hogsmeade during a Hogwarts weekend, Charlotte walked in with Ginny and Hermione, took one look around and went behind the counter to help a flustered Angelina being pulled in too many directions. She worked all day without worry or complaint. Even when Ronnie and Harry had arrived and whisked away the other two, Charlotte stayed to continue running the register. When George tried to pay her for sacrificing her free day, she simply shook her head and told him that was what family did for one another.
His mum and dad spent every minute they could on Thursday telling him how they adored her and would not be very happy with Charlie if he mucked this up. He finished getting ready for work and opened the door when he remembered his dad's instructions for a happy marriage. He walked back to his…their bed and leaned over to kiss Charlotte lightly upon her lips. She jerked awake. Looking around she sat up and wrapped the sheet closely to her body.
Charlie chuckled at her. "Good morning, wife. Awake this time?"
Charlotte looked at him confused. He continued, "You were sitting up looking at me earlier, but not coherent. I am off to work. If you don't mind, stay inside the cabin for the day. There are places I need to show you that are dangerous."
"Not a problem, I have a lot of homework and I have to organize some more notes for exams." Charlotte conceded easily. "When will you be back?"
"Early evening. Before sunset."
Charlotte nodded her head.
"Go back to sleep for a while yet. You have had a long couple of days." Charlie hesitated then looked at her studying her face for deception in her next answer. "Are you okay? Do you have any pain? From last night."
Charlotte shook her head but dropped her eyes. Charlie sighed and walked over to his abandoned travel bag. Digging inside he retrieved the potion his mother sent. "Mum thought you may need this. Mild pain reliever. Just enough for aches and such."
Charlotte blushed and thanked Charlie as she took the offered vial. Charlie smiled as he stood back up and swung on his jacket. "Have a good day, Charlotte."
He stopped halfway to the door and turned back. "Remember, stay inside today and please, this is your home as well now. Make yourself at home here."
Charlotte nodded and looked around. Charlie opened the door and walked out into the predawn darkness.
Charlotte did as Charlie suggested and went back to sleep for a while. She finally woke when the sun shone in her face through the front window. She rose and stretched only to remember her state of undress for the first time. She blushed thinking of her conversation with Charlie earlier. She was uneasy getting out of the bed without clothing on. Making the decision, she pulled on Charlie's shirt from the chair near the bed where he vanished their clothes the night prior. Molly had been right, she was sore, so she took the small vial of pain reliever sent for her. The thought of her mother-in-law anticipating the need for it and the reason why made her blanch again.
She stripped the sheets from the bed determined to eliminate the embarrassing proof of her innocence. Setting the items to soak and scrub, Charlotte padded into the bathroom. She looked at the bath and debated. Smiling, she turned the tap and let in the hot water. She spied a bottle sitting on the ledge that made her wonder until she seen the small tag attached.
To Charlotte, enjoy the guilty pleasure and welcome to the reserve. Katie.
Charlotte unstoppered the bottle and smelled deeply. Rosemary. She poured a small bit into the stream of water and it began to froth. The scent filled the steam. When the tub was filled, she removed Charlie's shirt and slipped beneath the bubbles groaning as the water released her tension. She stayed right where she was until the water was just warm before she scrubbed her hair and body clean.
She was shocked when she opened her bag and found clothes that were not hers. She vaguely recognized Hermione's dress instead of her school uniforms. The note explained all.
Really, Charlotte.
You're on your Honeymoon. Not a class trip.
Enjoy.
Ginny
Hermione must have performed some complicated charms work because the only thing she could currently retrieve or see was the dress and, blessedly, her own knickers. After she was dressed again, she looked around the cabin debating.
Charlie had the place tidy, but not clean. Or at least not to the level of clean of a good Roma wife anyway. So she divided up her work. She studied for Charms for an hour, took a break and cleaned the bathroom. Wrote the nasty three feet potions essay due Tuesday, then scrubbed the kitchen. She felt guilty leaving the cupboards, but thought it would be a task best left for her next visit with so much to accomplish today. She reread the chapter for Defense for Monday and sorted out dinner from the minimal ingredients Charlie had stored in his house. She also decided to inventory and make a list of what she would need in the future to make a good meal for her husband. This led to a trip to the cellar and the discovery of enough ingredients to make a passable stew with the mutton she discovered above. She couldn't make bread, however and added yeast to her list. Biscuits were doable after discovering the baking powder in with the glassware. Two hours of arithmancy later and she was dusting and scrubbing the remainder of the cabin's large open rooms. She had set the mop to work on the newly swept floor when she again sat down with her runes homework on the couch pleased with her days work. She had just completed the translation when she heard voices at the door.
Charlie opened the door still looking behind him at Louis. "Let me see what is …"
"That amazing smell?" Louis asked poking in ahead of Charlie. His eyes danced to Charlotte. "Oh, why, my sweet, did you not pick me? I would be fat and happy forever."
Charlie groaned and rolled his eyes. "Say goodnight, Louis."
"Good Night, Charlie." Louis smirked at Charlie as he closed the door in his face. From behind it Charlie could hear his friend's overly loud conversation. "Sweetheart, I'm home. Why don't you come and give me a kiss."
Charlie tried the nob then pounded on the wooden door. "Louis, open the damn door right now or I'll hex your bollocks off."
"Absolutely no manners whatsoever." Louis jokingly scolded as he opened the door. In the background, Charlotte grinned at the Frenchman's antics.
"Louis was just leaving, Charlotte." Charlie was slightly jealous as he shoved him out the door. "Let Nate know I'm busy tonight."
Without another word, Charlie closed the door and turn towards Charlotte. The earlier mirth still shown in her eyes. "They are funny, your friends."
Charlie rolled his eyes and snorted. His expression changed to one of delight. "Whatever that is, it smells wonderful, Charlotte. I'm surprised. I was coming to see what you had planned for the evening. We talked about going to the little pub in town for dinner. I didn't think you would come up with something at home. The pantry is mostly empty if I remember. Mostly, Nate, Louis and I go out for dinner. Katie cooks for us some, but she and Jake enjoy their time at home as well."
"I hope you are not upset," Charlotte worried. "I found some mutton and the vegetables in the cellar. I was able to make a passable stew. I don't have much for flavoring, but made do."
"It smells absolutely wonderful." Charlie followed Charlotte and his nose into the kitchen. "Is it ready? I'm starved, but could use a quick wash if there is time?"
Charlotte smiled back. "I have biscuits for the oven. I wanted them warm, but didn't know when to start them. Take your time and they will be out by the time you are finished cleaning up."
Charlie grinned and turned towards the bath only to turn back around again and walk up to her.
"I almost forgot." He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Good evening, wife."
She blushed. "Good evening, Charlie."
He smiled back and nodded before turning back to the bath. Charlotte busied herself finishing dinner. By the time Charlie returned, the thick stew had been moved to the table and ladled onto his mismatched plates and Charlotte was just setting a dish with steaming biscuits in the center of the table.
Charlie groaned and his stomach rumbled. In two quick steps he was at the table and in his seat. Charlotte giggled and joined him.
"Hey," he smiled at her. "I'm a Weasley. By now you should realize what that means at meals."
They ate mostly in silence. Occasionally one or the other would ask about some trivial thing or another from their day. Charlie rose when he was done and collected her plate.
"I have it." Charlotte rose and tried to take the dishes.
"No, Charlotte." Charlie kept a firm grip on the dishes. "You are not my slave. My mum made us all help with the cooking and cleaning at home. She may have dedicated her life to our family, but she was not a servant. I know your father's family has an opinion on what your roll in our home should be, but I have a different one. We are equals, Charlotte. We both work. You at school right now and me with my dragons. From the look of the pile on the table, you worked hard today and cooked us a wonderful meal on top of it. I'm going to clean up. If you choose to help, I will not stop you, but you will not do this all alone."
Charlotte looked at him with worry. She felt wrong letting her husband do the menial task after he worked all day. She reddened in shame. "Please, Charlie. Let me do my work for our home."
Charlie didn't answer. Instead he collected the cutlery and walked to the sink and set them in it as he spelled the tap on with hot water and soap. Charlotte shivered with fear.
Charlie walked back to the table and collected the remaining biscuits. He placed his hand upon Charlotte's shoulder and she jumped eyes wide with fear. He looked her over bothered by the response.
"Come help me dry and put away." He offered, trying to appease her unease. Charlotte nodded and began to help him woodenly. Hoping to distract her from her inner turmoil, he asked her what was missing from their little kitchen. She told him about the list of missing ingredients from earlier.
Charlie had laughed at her organized ways. "Usually I just wander the market and Katie tells me what to buy. She will not know how to act that you have a list for me."
Charlotte relaxed some as she stood on tiptoes to put the glasses on the shelf happy she had made his life easier. Charlie pick up the Dutch oven still mostly full of stew and smiled. "You planned this, didn't you? Enough I will not starve for a few days after you leave."
She smiled and nodded again.
"You're spoiling me." Charlie grinned.
They retired to the sitting area where both had work to complete. Charlie had unfiled reports from work and Charlotte pulled out her transfiguration text and notes. Both were working quietly when a knock at the door interrupted. Charlie, confused, rose from the couch and went to the door, looking out the window on his way.
"Director Peptrofski, sir. Come in." Charlie held the door open to allow the reserve director and another harsh looking man into the cabin.
"This is Mr. Zimbrean from the Ministry immigration department. He has been assigned to your lovely wife's case." Peptrofski looked at Charlie as he spoke. Something in the set of his eyes warned Charlie of trouble. He masked the confusion.
Zimbrean rounded on Charlotte, "I have reviewed your application and have some concerns, Miss Cooper."
"Mrs. Weasley," Peptrofski corrected shooting Charlie a warning glance over the officials shoulder to keep his temper.
"My apologies, Mrs. Weasley then. You see, I have some concerns. There is very little documentation provided. Copies of documents, but I would like to see originals. Roma have falsified such documents in the past."
Charlie stiffened briefly until Peptrofski warned him again with a look. "I have her documents."
Charlie turned to the chair where his clothes had ended up last night. "Charlotte, where did you put my dress robes? I left our documents in the pocket."
"I hung them in the closet today." Charlotte, who had stood when the men entered did not remove her eyes from the Ministry official. Charlie looked at her as he crossed to the small clothes closet they had. She stood with her hands turned oddly palms facing outward. It was not a natural position for anybody to stand in.
"Did you remove the paperwork?" He asked.
"No, I left it where it was." Charlotte answered.
Her answer didn't make sense, but he let it go. He retrieved the paperwork and handed it to Zimbrean. He took the papers, looked them over and then cast several charms over them. Charlie watched as each of Charlotte's documents turned green after each spell. He looked at Charlotte clearly upset. He and the director both glanced down at her hands. Zimbrean looked thoughtful, the director nodded slightly in approval. Charlotte did not move.
"You were raised by the Roma?" Zimbrean sneered at Charlotte.
"Yes, sir. But only part of the time. My mother was not Roma. I lived with her until I was five and then only during the school year. I went to my father and his family during the summers and school holidays after I showed magical ability until I was 10."
"Why did you stop going?" Zimbrean looked skeptical.
"My father died."
"How?" The man showed no sympathy for what could have been a painful memory.
"He was shot." Charlotte was clearly worried at the answer.
"Was he caught in the act of stealing something?" Zimbrean grinned evilly.
"He was in bed with another man's wife." Charlotte answered quietly. Charlie bristled. Why make her relive painful memories, especially those showing her father in a poor light.
"Typical. Taking what does not belong to them. Your mother, you said she is not Roma. Was she a whore?"
Charlie went to defend his wife until Peptrofski shot him another warning look to stop. Charlie clenched his jaw shut in irritation. Zimbrean seemed pleased.
"She was a school teacher. I was born out of wedlock. She preferred it that way." Charlotte answered like nothing was wrong.
"Was?" Zimbrean latched onto the statement.
"She died in a car crash when I was 14." Charlotte answered.
"And so you threw yourself at a lonely dragon handler in Romania to take care of you. At least until you find someone with more money." Zimbrean nodded his head impressed with his own brilliant deduction.
"No," Charlie could no longer hold his tongue. "We were matched by the British Ministry of Magic. They have enacted a repopulation law. Neither Charlotte or myself were currently in a relationship so we were paired to each other."
"Ah, an innocent victim of some treachery within your Ministry, Mr. Weasley. I wonder who your deceiving wife paid off to end up with you. And with what? Tell me, Miss Cooper, did you bed a Ministry official to make you a good match. One with money to spare for your comforts." Zimbrean rounded on Charlotte demanding an answer.
"Actually," Charlie drew his attention, "She was matched to me by my own brother and I took her virginity last night."
Charlotte blushed at the men's scrutiny. Peptrofski smiled and nodded at Charlie's boldness.
Zimbrean chewed his tongue contemplating his next attack. "This can all be verified? All of it, Mr. Weasley."
Charlie smirked at him. "I'm sure the Ministry can verify anything you need. My brother is an undersecretary in the Department of Family Development. I'm sure the Ministry can collect any information you need on Charlotte's parents. As for the last, every one of us subjected to the law had to have complete physicals to verify we were able to produce children. My wife was no different. I'm sure her sexual history or lack thereof was verified as part of the exams."
Zimbrean studied him closely for a moment. "I will request her file. In the meantime, you will be watched, Miss Cooper. We do not tolerate your kind or their antics within our borders. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir." Charlotte answered meekly.
"We will speak again after I receive your file from the Ministry. Until then, consider yourself on a probationary, limited visa within Romania. If Peptrofski allows it, you may come to the reserve, but nowhere else. Am I understood?" Zimbrean glared at Charlotte. She nodded her head.
"Well, I am sure you both would like to get back to your evening. Mr. Zimbrean, would you like me to show you the way out?" Peptrofski offered opening the door of the cabin.
"No need. I only needed guidance to the Roma whore's whereabouts." Zimbrean sneered as he left the cabin without a backwards glance.
Peptrofski went to follow and stopped. "Weasley, do you have your reports from last week?"
Charlie looked confused. "They are here almost finished."
"I need one in particular." The director said. "Mind getting it for me?"
"Not at all, sir." Charlie answered still lost. Peptrofski never reviewed individual reports.
"Good, good. Do you mind, Mr. Zimbrean. I need this one to send out information to another reserve?"
"Not at all. Good Night."
Peptrofski smiled at the man and shut the door. He held up his hand to forestall any conversation and watched out the window until he could no longer see the Ministry official.
Peptrofski finally turned from the window. "You did well, Mrs. Weasley."
Charlie could no longer hold his temper. "What in the hell was that?"
Charlotte shrugged her shoulders. Peptrofski sighed and looked at her. "It is the unfortunate way people treat those who they think are beneath them. It is not the first time I have met with this attitude from immigration."
Charlie looked at his wife and realized this was not the first time she had been on the receiving end of the opinions of someone like Zimbrean either. "Charlotte, how did he know you were raised by your father's family as well?"
"Her hands." Peptrofski answered. "She kept her hands turned outward. You cannot steal if your palms are upward. It is common for Roma children to be taught to turn their palms out when talking to anybody who could question their behavior."
Charlie looked between them. Charlotte nodded her head in agreement.
"Is that why you did not take our paperwork out of my robes?"
"No," Charlotte replied. Charlie looked at her in confusion so she continued. "I should not be allowed my paperwork. In the Roma family, my father would have given my documents to you."
Charlie scowled again. He took both of Charlotte's hands into his. "I told you earlier. We are equals. You will need your paperwork to travel back and forth. Even if you didn't, I would never keep it from you. We will both take care of our home. We will both work. And when the time comes, the Ministry deemed children will be raised by both of us. You have seen how I was raised. Hell, as far as my siblings are concerned, you're their sister. I understand your upbringing was different and difficult, but I hope you can put some of that aside and be happy just being who you want to be."
Peptrofski slapped Charlie on the back and looked at Charlotte. "He is a good man. Strong in his beliefs of right and wrong. He is a hard worker, and will do anything asked of him by his colleagues. He may be quick to temper but will never lift a hand or fist to you. You are safe with him, Charlotte. You needn't fear retribution from him for speaking your mind or doing something the Roma or others would not approve. And he will defend you against every evil. Trust him, child."
"Why would you say …" Charlie turned back to the kitchen thinking about cleaning up from dinner. His mind clicked at the look on her face and then how she jumped when he has touched her shoulder. His eyes widened.
"They use to beat you. Your Roma family?" He asked sick.
Charlotte lowered her gaze to the floor. "My father once picked up his plate from the communal table where we had meal. I was distracted by a conversation with one of my cousins. The grandmother grabbed me by my hair and physically picked me up from the table verbally shaming me in front of the whole family for my inattentiveness. After I finished my chores, I was whipped with a leather belt to the point I could not sit or lay on my back for two days. I never forgot the lesson."
Charlie groaned and pulled her into his arms. "Never. I will never hurt you. If I ever do, you are to go to Bill or my father because something is not right and I will need them to step in and fix what is wrong. Do you understand? No one will ever lay a finger on you again."
Charlotte had tears in her eyes when Charlie held her at arm's length to look in her face. He looked at her waiting her assent. She nodded and allowed him to pull her back into his strong arms.
Peptrofski studied them both closely and nodded.
"This will work. Your marriage. You are not the first arranged marriage I have had, but you are definitely doing better than most." He grimaced as he continued. "Charlotte, I need to know. Have you ever been in trouble with the law in the past? Even as a child."
Charlotte shook her head against Charlie's chest. "I did not leave the camp often when I was with my father's family. I preferred to stay and learn magic with the grandmother."
"Good. Good. This is good. They will have to work for a reason." Peptrofski nodded.
"Reason for what?" Charlie asked releasing Charlotte so he could turn to his director easier.
"To deny her access. It has happened in the past." Peptrofski explained. "They do not want someone here, so they find reason to deny them. I will admit, I am concerned. I do not want to lose you, Weasley."
Charlie blanched at the implication.
Peptrofski soon left the couple to their evening. Charlotte went back to her studies. Charlie, however could not focus on his reports. Peptrofski and Charlotte were not phased by the encounter. To them, this was a normal. People treated the Roma's like this. It was acceptable. Charlie knew the Roma families who lived on the reserve. They were standoffish and cautious in their dealings with the other members of the staff. Charlie always wondered why, until this evening.
He looked over at his new wife. She was curled into the corner of the couch studying again. Thinking back to his seventh year, he did not envy her the task. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes. He smiled and put away his untouched reports.
"Let's get some sleep, Charlotte. You will have a long day of travel tomorrow and I have to work again."
Charlotte nodded and closed her books. He left her use the bathroom first as he stripped out of some of his clothes. The groan from the bath made him worry. After a few minutes of concern, Charlotte exited timidly. Charlie stood in shock looking at the slight nightie she was wearing.
Charlotte blushed. "You sister and Luna thought you would enjoy this better than what I had packed."
Charlie continued to stare. "It is very nice. Not very practical in the dead of the Romanian winter, but still very nice."
Charlotte smiled shyly. Charlie smiled back. "Jump under the covers before you freeze. I'll be right there."
He made quick work of getting ready for bed and slipped under the blankets next to Charlotte. She lay poker stiff next to him.
"Come here." Charlie opened his arms and she cautiously rolled next to him. He wrapped his big frame around her and she stiffened. Reaching down, he pecked her on the lips. "Good Night, wife."
Charlotte looked at him for a moment. He could see her mind working as it always did. "Sleep, Charlotte. If we tried to do anything tonight, it would most likely be too painful for you. We are equals, remember. I will not make you do anything you are not willing to do. So long as we are meeting the requirements of the law, then we will work on that part of our marriage at a pace you and I are both comfortable with."
Charlotte relaxed, but her mind was still working. "Why are you holding me then?"
Charlie laughed. "Because my sister is a bloody idiot and you will freeze otherwise. And I like to hold a woman in my arms. It gives me comfort. If it bothers you, we don't have too."
"No," Charlotte looked at him content. "It is alright. I like to make you happy, if I can."
"Just be yourself, Charlotte. That will make me happy." Charlie pulled her to his chest and laid a hand on her head. After a moment, she allowed her body to relax and soon her breathing evened out.
Charlie continued to think about the conversation earlier with Zimbrean. Men like him liked control and power. Charlie contemplated this looking for an advantage. After an hour, he smiled and allowed himself to go to sleep.
Zimbrean stared across the table in awe. Next to him his boss, Director Moraru equally shocked. Both were in the special unit developed for the capture of escaped evil wizards from England. Across from them, Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, and the man who killed the darkest wizard of their time. Neculcea, the head of the department looked on in confusion.
Neculcea finally spoke. "Auror Potter, I have asked Zimbrean and his supervisor, Director Moraru to join us as you requested. May I ask why?"
Harry eyed Zimbrean with interest. Then redirected his attention back to Neculcea. "I was able to discuss with the member of the Order of the Phoenix why he was reluctant to pass on his information to your government."
Neculcea sat up straighter and leaned forward. "Have you convinced his to continue? We were making great progress. Surely, you could sway him to relent. I do not know what happened, but it can certainly be worked through. If his safety is in question, we will offer our protection."
Harry looked at his Romanian counterpart. "It is not a matter of safety."
He redirected his gaze to Zimbrean. "Agent Zimbrean, I have the file you have requested from our country about Charlotte Weasley."
"The Roma whore." His eyes brightened. "For such a task to be handled by someone so great, it must be important. Tell me, Mr. Potter, is the gypsy bitch a death eater."
"No," Harry's eyes snapped. Next to him, Neculcea face showed concentration. The name, or the surname, sounded familiar.
"Then she is in league with them. Yes?" Zimbrean was on the edge of his seat.
"Not at all." Harry slapped the file on the table between them. "She is a damn war hero."
The three men jumped as if they had been hit with stinging hexes.
The pieces clicked for Neculcea finally. "She is related to your partner. The redhead who travels with you usually."
Zimbrean blanched. Redhead. The dragon handler husband was a redhead.
"Yes, his new sister-in-law. I couldn't bring him on this trip because I could not guarantee your man Zimbrean's safety. To say the entire family was upset is understated. When Charlotte got back from her weekend honeymoon, sick with worry her new husband would have to give up the job he loves because she cannot get immigration to grant her access to Romania, upset the entire family. My girlfriend is a Weasley. She was the first one to hear the story from a very distraught Charlotte. Let me tell you, she was not very quiet about the situation. The entire family is up in arms. Some of you have met Undersecretary Weasley from the Minister of Magic's office. Arthur is usually the voice of reason for the family. He was on his way here to give you a piece of his mind and his wand before Kingsley and I were able to convince him someone should go who could remain relatively calm. I was their choice. The Weasleys have all but adopted me. She is like a sister to me and to have her treated the way she was because of her parentage. We just finished fighting a war for this reason. Are you ready to have a war for the same reason?"
All three men blanched. Director Moraru finally spoke. "Why don't we address this issue now? Surely it is a simple manner of reviewing her file and approving the application. You can take the approval back with you when you go. Deliver it to her so she feels better. You said she was a war hero?"
"Yes," Harry opened the file and handed all the men copies of the information. "During the final battle she was helping with the casualties even though she was not fully trained to do so. During the early morning reprieve she did not stop, and when the battle recommenced, she never left her post and shielded a severely injured student with her own body to protect him from further injuries. She then continued to treat the injured for three days with little rest until reinforcement arrived to relieve them. She had no reason to stay. No family to protect. She stayed because people needed help."
Director Moraru looked at Zimbrean who had the decency to look ashamed. He turned back to Harry. "Mr. Potter, before you leave today I will personally issue your beloved sister's immigration acceptance so you can take it back to her with you . I will also personally deliver it to the dragon reserve to Director Peptrofski so he is aware and can pass this good news along to your friend."
Harry relaxed into his chair and nodded to the man. "Thank you, director. Your help is greatly appreciated. I will let the Order of the Phoenix know about your cooperation. Mr. Neculcea, I believe we have some prior leads to investigate for a couple of hours."
Neculcea nodded and the men all rose from the table to depart on their task.