A/N: Here's another reply to the Random Characters Challenge. It's not my favorite piece, but I like the first part of it. Enjoy.
"Charles Septimus Weasley, you loon!" Melissa Goldstein shielded her head from the fat raindrops above with her arms, trying to squint past the rain and see her friend. "You'll catch your death doing that!"
Seventeen-year-old Charlie grinned down at his bewildered teammates as his broom rose to the air. "Don't be such a spoilsport, Mel; let that Snitch free and give me a challenge!"
Melissa stood planted to the grass, stubbornly staying still. "What would your mother say if she saw you doing that?"
Melissa's fellow Chaser, Jenny Kirke, scowled. "Some captain you are, Weasley!"
Fourth-year Oliver Wood, the team's Keeper who idolized Charlie, glanced up to the sky in amusement and inspiration. "Let the man do what he wants! He is captain…" With a mischievous grin towards his teammates, he dashed to the trunk where the Quidditch balls were kept before Melissa could stop him. Once releasing the Snitch, it flitted through the air so rapidly that the Gryffindors on ground quickly lost track of it. Charlie, however, zoomed off, diverting raindrops like it was a simple feat.
Oliver cheered his beloved captain on, quickly being joined by Charlie's brothers, second-years Fred and George. Melissa, Jenny, and second-year Angelina Johnson – the team's Chasers – murmured among each other if any teachers would scold them for practicing for Saturday's match in the rain. Only minutes later, Charlie emerged from a cloud drift, the golden Snitch struggling in his gloved hand.
The boys whooped and applauded as Charlie landed smoothly on the muddy grass. Jenny and Angelina, giving in, clapped in admiration. Melissa remained stern, and only smiled when Charlie tripped forward – soggy and caked in mud – and pecked her cheek with his cut and bleeding lips.
"You crazy arse," Melissa playfully pushed him away. "When's that confidence level going to fail on you?"
///
Charlie arrives in Hogsmeade when the Final Battle is already in process at the school. Entering the Room of Requirement through the Hog's Head, he sees people with bloody wounds and dislocated bones stumble into the area, trying to hide for the time being. He wishes he can stop and help them, but he wants to find his family. The strangers' injuries remain imprinted on his mind as Charlie fights his way through the familiar halls, throwing spells at haphazard Death Eaters around him.
He is hit by a jet of wand light from behind, and it causes him to fall to the ground, his body suddenly growing heavy. Leather boots appear above him, and he glances up to find the power-hungry but yet terrified stiff Draco Malfoy aim his wand at his victim, wanting to kill.
Charlie's life flashes by. He remembers sweet, sweet Melissa, his school sweetheart, and her words so long ago: When's that confidence level going to fail on you?
His confidence drains as Draco stands above him, moments away from calling out fatal words.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Draco is, too, hit by a spell and falls to the ground, stiffen. Charlie feels the enchantment's effect wear off, and leaps to his feet as soon as possible. The green on his savior's school tie blazes in his vision. Later, Charlie would identity this young man as Blaise Zabini, a student in Ron's year.
"You're a Slytherin…" Charlie growls, barely heard over the booms and chaos of the surroundings.
Zabini opens his mouth to explain, only for Charlie to run off down another passageway. He won't trust a Slytherin, no matter what. His sureness, his confidence, is completely gone. He remembers the marred students from before, and cringes. He does not know if he'll survive this…
A/N: A thank you to Jay (msllamalover) whose Blaise Zabini chapter in 'What I Fought For' gave me the inspiration for Blaise to help save Charlie. :)
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