The Order
Charles Potter was as happy as a famous wizard boy could ever hope to be. He had a loving family, caring friends, a beautiful house and cool uncles. He loved to fly on his broom, a first-class Firebolt, and he loved to play Quidditch with his dad. He had everything he wanted, he'd always had. His parents made sure he was well fed and happy, each year he was given a present on his birthday and on Christmas, and they always celebrated with a big party. Each time he left for school, he was given a thigh hug from his dad, and a kiss on the cheek form his mum.
Charles had been too small and overprotected when his brother had ran away, and he could barely even remember ever having one, so he lived like a normal only child would.
All in all, Charles Potter was a healthy, happy boy. One thing marked him above others, making him well known. One he had been only one year old, a dark wizard called Lord Voldemort had attacked the Potters. The result was two scars and a demolished home – and maybe even a lonely five year old running away from home. A thin line above his eye was visible on Charles Potter, while an odd lightning shaped scar rested on Harry Potter. While people had fawned over the injury to the younger boy, the older was left to his own, the scar hidden by long dark fangs of unkempt, messy hair.
Fourteen year old Charles was oblivious to this as he arrived to number 12 Gimmauld Place, home to the Order of the Phoenix with his parents in tow, sighting at the sight of the very old Black house. His frown quickly turned into a grin when he saw said house owner, and his honorary uncle Sirius Black standing on the hallway, his other honorary uncle, Remus Lupin standing just behind his friend.
Sirius's young, handsome features were drawn in a smile, and Remus's eyes were twinkling on the dark. Charles didn't know what he would do on Potter Manor all by himself if Remus and Sirius didn't stop by frequently.
"Moony! Padfoot!" he said joyously as he ran to hug both men. Sirius grinned.
"I've missed you, kid."
Charles opened his mouth to say something to Sirius and Remus, but a cough from behind them distracted him. He turned, not really surprised to see Molly Weasley wearing an apron and with her hands on her hips, her signature look.
"James, Lily… how good of you to join us. The meeting is just about to start," she said sweetly, before meeting Charles eyes. "Charles, dear, the twins are waiting for you on their room. Take the stairs, second room to the right. Go on, dear."
Charles resisted rolling his eyes as the five adults left the hallway, following Molly to the meeting room, but grinned when his father and Sirius shoot him fake, helpless looks and mocked trying to get away, just for James to be hit on the arm by his wife, and Remus shaking his head at them, but Charles could see the beginning of a smile on his tired face.
Shaking his head in amusement, Charles made his way towards the twins' room, lifting an eyebrow when he heard a small explosion coming from the room. Those twins never failed to impress and amaze him.
He pushed the door open, laughing at the sight that met him. Fred's face was painted red with purple spots, while George's was yellow with blue stripes.
Both turned to look at him at the sound of his laughter.
"Charles!" they exclaimed, grinning maniacally, uncaring of their faces, "Just the lad we were looking for, right, Forge?"
"Sure, exactly the one," nodded George excitedly as they both stood up and took each one of his arms.
"Where are we going?" asked Charles with a grin as the twins walked him to a room next to the meeting room.
"Wait and see, our friend!"
They let go of his arms, and produced something that looked like an ear with a string attached to it.
"What's that?" Charles asked, eyeing the contraption suspiciously. He had long ago learned that rule number one with the Weasley twins was: "Don't touch anything made by them if you don't want to end up as a purple mockingbird."
The twins rolled their eyes in unison.
"This, our friend - " Fred started.
"Is the Expandable Ear –"
"- Meant for eavesdropping –"
"- Spying or just for fun!" George finished.
"Seriously?" Charles gaped at them.
"Oh, yes," the twins cheered. They quickly put the end of the string on his ear as a headphone, and waited for the voices to flow from the ear to the string.
"…ghtnings coming?" Charles heard their professor, Minerva McGonagall ask, and gasped.
"But that's the Order!"
The twins grinned proudly, "Yep! Now shush!"
"…Not sure yet," came the voice from their headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.
"It's time for a reply to arrive, what's taking them so long?"
"Talking of the devil…" they heard Sirius mutter.
"Is it them, Albus? Is it the Lightnings?"
Charles looked at the twins in confusion.
"The lightnings?" he mouthed, but was met with blank stares.
"What do they say, Albus?" James asked.
Albus Dumbledore sighed in relief, "They are coming."