Worry clouded Hermione's vision as she fought to control her emotions, to revive the unconscious man at her feet. Against her efforts, a sob erupted from deep within her throat as she continued to fumble over his damaged body for the extent of the injuries. It was merely a faint thought, in the back corner of her mind, that seemed to remind Hermione of her wand. With a quick, groping hand, she reached out for the object. When spotting it upon the floor on the opposite side of the room, she muttered a heap of obscenities at herself for being crackbrained enough to leave it out in the open in such a way. "Accio wand," she whispered in as pronounced a voice as she could muster. Hermione's wand flew into her outstretched hand, as if it were made to be in that exact position. Which, in all logic, it was. As all wands choose their owners and not the opposite way around.

Hermione's mind began working in overtime, trying to think through the haze that had fogged all of her rational thinking. She couldn't bring herself to recollect any charms or enchantments that could be used in a situation like this. Not when one of her friends was in such a state. Shaking her head to push aside her jitters, Hermione growled in frustration. She didn't have time for this. If Charlie Weasley died, she'd never forgive herself.

"Think like a Healer. Between Harry, Ron, and yourself being injured, there has to be a charm or two you've picked up on. Especially in auror training!" Hermione muttered to herself, "God! This is who people named the 'brightest witch of the age'? I'm bloody pathetic!" Tears continued down her cheeks. What good was all the knowledge she'd absorbed like a sponge in Hogwarts, if she was destined to forget it the moment someone she loved dearly was dying in front of her eyes? She'd seen people in this exact same position, numerous times. So many that she'd never be able to count them. Now, however, her emotions were running thin from all the stress of being locked in this prison. Hermione was steps away from an Emotion System Overload. St. Mungo's should just prepare her padded room now.

The greatest frustration of all, was that Isaac Dawson had just saved Hermione from near-death. She remembered his uncordial voice saying various charms to mend the fretful slice in her skin and clear her of the ample amount of blood. Unfortunately, she couldn't even begin to figure out what incantation it had been. Hermione hadn't been in the right state-of-mind at the time, to recall that information with perfection. Charlie, on the other hand, was not only sliced. Just by looking over his body, she could tell there were quite a few breaks.

"Please, Ch-Charlie," Hermione whispered frantically on a cry, "D-Don't leave me. P-Please, don't le-leave me here al-lone." Charlie didn't show the faintest sign of hearing her. She still had her wand at hand and she began to become more furious with herself. Luckily, this fueled her motivation and therefore, her knowledge. Still shedding tears, she said, "E-Episkey." Nothing happened. Gathering her sureness and strength, Hermione aimed her wand to Charlie's right leg and said, "Episkey!"

The healing charm began to work instantly, causing Hermione to return to her complete confidence. Allowing her emotional strain to be forced out of her mind, she continued the spell on every busted part of his body. Thank goodness he was still unconscious, for the pain would most likely be unbearable. Finishing this mending of bones by healing Charlie's broken nose, she leaned over and touched his cheek softly.

"Tergeo," she said hoarsely, her throat having still been sore from her cries. The blood on Charlie's skin and clothes, began to disappear. Tears, though slowed, continued down her cheeks. Hermione's eyes were big brown orbs with red puffiness beneath them, now. Finally pleased with her mending, she muttered firmly, "Rennervate."

Charlie's eyes began to flutter beneath his eyelids. Hermione pulled herself from her knees at his side and settled herself down -in Indian-style- with his head resting upon her lap. Her small, tender hands trailed soft touches over his forehead and through his ginger hair. She whispered soothing words in his ear, knowing he might be alarmed when not recognizing his surroundings, "It's me, Charlie. It's your Hermione. Wake up, Sweetie. Let me see those beautiful, blue, Weasley eyes."

She stared at his handsome, fair, freckled face as he began to move. His eyes continued their wild fluttering as his mouth opened. Suddenly, Charlie erupted into a coughing fit, eyes wide with distress. Hermione hastily grabbed at her wand again and pointed it to his throat, "Anapneo." The spell -which was performed to clear one's airway- seemed to work effectively, for Charlie's frantic chokes began dying away.

"Charlie," Hermione whispered, a small smile spreading across her face, watching his gaze fly around the chamber, taking in his environment. When she spoke, his eyes immediately found hers. Charlie sat up abruptly and moved away with suspicious eyes. "Don't move so much, you're still hurt," said Hermione, reaching her hand out to touch his cheek softly. Trying to reassure herself that it was truly him. Even after staring at him non-stop for over ten minutes, she still wasn't entirely assured. It seemed too good to be true.

Charlie moved further away before she could touch him, "Stay away from me," he bit out.

"Ch-Charlie, it's me," Hermione said, trying to mask her hurt and disappointment.

"You're lying."

"No, it's me. Hermione Granger. I've been almost like an edition to your family, for years."

He continued to shake his head unbelievingly, "No."

Hermione began to silently whimper at his actions. Her heart shattered at the fact that the only loved one she's seen in days, didn't love her back. "Damn it, Charlie. If it's not bloody blatant already that I'm Hermione...Merlin!" Her angriness fueled her angst, "Y-You told me something in my last year of Hogwarts. A secret. Something that you swore you could never tell anyone else...but you had to get it off your chest. You knew I would never betray you."

Charlie glared at her, "What ever you say."

Ignoring his sarcasm and obvious disdain, she explained, "The year previous to when you finally told me...You deceived your brother. You slept with Fleur Delacour. When she was still engaged to Billy."

"How the bloody hell do you know that?! I've only told-"

"-Hermione. Me."

Charlie stared at her as if awakening from a deep sleep. He blinked his eyes and stammered, "I-It's really you? 'Mione? My 'Mione?" For the first time since she'd met him, Charlie Weasley seemed vulnerable. Like if he'd give in to his hope of these questions being correct, everything around him would crash.

Hermione nodded her head a little, "Yes. Your Hermione. Please believe me...Dragon-Breath."

In a matter of seconds, Charlie was back in front of her, pulling Hermione into his chest and embracing her tightly, like he'd never ever let her out of his sight again. "Merlin's beard, 'Mi."

Hermione sobbed into his chest, this time with happiness, "'Bout bleedin' time you f-figured it out you L-Lizard Git," she laughed, clutching the front of his shirt firmly.

Charlie chuckled into the crook of her neck, running a gentle hand over the back of her head, soothingly, "Will you ever forgive me, Sweets?"

"I'll think about it," she said, pulling away and looking into his eyes joyfully.

He smiled at her as she cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand, "I've never been as worried as I was when you disappeared. Hell, I'm still bloody worried. I think I'm going to have one of those Muggle heart attacks."

Hermione let out a watery laugh, "You were worried?"

Charlie looked at her in incredulity, "Abso-fuckin'-lutely. You just disappeared on us, Sweets. That mission a few days ago -though I'm not quite sure how many days exactly- all we found was a tiny puddle of blood. Everyone thinks you might be dead."

"But I gave Fred my necklace so he'd know."

"You didn't explain what would happen in the case of your death, Sweets," said Charlie, "Bill was trying to figure it out when I left."

Hermione groaned, "I was so confident that nothing would happen. That it wouldn't be necessary. You know how Fred is! I didn't want to get him worked up over -what I thought was- nothing."

Charlie smiled understandingly, "I don't blame you there. I can see the conversation now. 'Dead? What do you mean dead?'" he imitated -rather spot on- Fred's voice, "'Why the blazin' hell do I need to know what will happen if you die? You said not to worry!'"

Hermione let out a fit of laughter, "That was perfect, Smok."

Charlie sighed, "Why do you find the need to have numerous nicknames for me?"

Smiling, Hermione said, "I do not have that many nicknames for you. I've got: Dragon-Breath, Lizard Git and Smok."

"And you call me Sweetie rather often."

"You call me Sweets, all the time."

"That's because you're so bloody adorable."

"Right back at you!"

"Why Smok, then?" Charlie asked, raising an amused eyebrow.

"It's Polish for dragon," said Hermione matter-of-factly.

He laughed and pulled her back into his arms, ignoring the ache from his objecting limbs as he did so, "I don't recall you being Polish by heritage...or knowing the language in any way."

Hermione snuggled into the protection of his arms, "Honestly, Sweetie. Don't you ever read?"

"I'll pick up a book, when you stop calling me Smok. I mean, for Heaven's sake. It's not even a word. It's similar to sounds that babies make when their constipated or something. It's not even the word Smoke. It's Smok."

She smiled at his ranting before continuing, in a mock serious voice, "Fine. I, Hermione Granger, solemnly swear not to refer to you, Charles Weasley, as Smok from this day forward 'til death do us part."

Charlie grinned at her, "Thank you very much. I do believe we have an accord."

"Yes we do, Smokey."

Charlie groaned into her shoulder, "You, my Sweets, are going to be the death of me."

"But you love me, though. Don't you?" she meant it as a lighthearted question; but, it came out as a serious query.

Charlie pulled back and stared at her with calculating eyes, "Hermione, if you've ever doubted how much I care for you...well, I'm not doing a very fine job in my role as your friend."

"You're doing an amazing job. Never doubt that. Besides, you're more than a friend, Sweetie. You're my best friend...You're up there with Harry and Ron. A true honor, indeed," she laughed and pulled herself closer to him, situating herself in his lap and hugging him, "I love you forever and always, Dragon-Breath," Hermione whispered against his chest. She was so glad to have a support system in these fires of Hell that they currently occupied. If there was one person in the world that could brave those flames...It was her Charlie.

"I love you forever and always back, Know-It-All."

"What do you mean all the Death Eaters are off radar?" Harry Potter yelled in disbelief.

Neville shrugged, no longer the nervous teen he once was, "Just what I said, Harry."

"All the locations that we've had under our patrol -due to direct knowledge of the presence of Death Eaters- have been cleared out," Luna stated, "They've left no sign of any future plans or where they were relocating to."

"Remarkably, I'm not rather surprised," said Ron.

"Why's that?" Fred asked, shaking his head in aggravation at this recent subject matter.

"Because," Ron reasoned, "As feared as Death Eaters are they're really bloody cowards. Think about it..."

Remus nodded his head, "Ron's right. Death Eaters love to see their victims in pain; however, they wait until the victim is weak and vulnerable to attack. They are masters at sneaking up on someone who is defenseless or has their back turned. They'll never challenge a person who they know is even the slightest possible threat to a fair duel..."

"It's not their style," Ron concluded, "They're cowards dancing around in masks to hide it. The moment they think someone may be on their tail, the go into complete hiding. They're afraid to come out and play."

"They're too proud to admit it, though," said Harry, "Ninty-nine percent of 'em are from Slytherin or similar to 'em. Most are pure-blood wizards and witches from proud, ancient families who believe they are the bloody center of the Wizarding world."

"One guess who's in the middle of that little ring of beliefs," Ron sneered.

"Lucius Malfoy," Fred hissed, "Bloody ferrety slime ball. Worse than his good-for-nothing son."

Remus raised an eyebrow, "Ferrety?"

"It's a new word," Fred shrugged, "Look it up."

"So, what are we to do now?" Ron asked, leaning forward in his chair. They had all gathered around for this discussion upon Neville and Luna's arrival. They were back in Grimmuald Place's main convention room.

"We keep a steady eye out," Harry said, "There is only so long that they can keep such a large operation at bay. They'll eventually be found."

"Or," Fred said with a wicked smirk, "We can smoke them out of their little hole."

"What do you mean?" Remus questioned, looking at the red-head with confusion.

Harry was the one to answer, "He means...if they don't come out on their own accord, we'll force them to come out on our own."

"We entice them?" Neville looked thrilled at the idea. By the time the past war had come to a close, Neville had been much more rough around the edges. It was a great quality for the Order, now. Though, he still chose to remain essentially in research along with Luna.

"Only if they aren't found without a little prodding, first," Remus said, "Even though everyone is quite anxious to get a move on, we have to go about this logically."

Everyone seemed to sigh simultaneously. No one wanted to wait another second before going after Hermione. Harry felt as if a crooked finger had come down and wrapped a string around his heart and now was tugging ferociously upon it. According to the looks on the other's faces, they were all in the same boat.

Fred opened his mouth to say something on this matter but was cut off when the main door was pushed open and a panic-stricken reflection of his was standing in the entryway. "George?"

The man in question looked at him, "Charlie."

"What? I'm not Charlie! Honestly, first Mum forgets my name and now my own bloody tw-."

"-He's missing," George finished with wide eyes, still trying to process the very idea of their brother being ripped from their grasps as well as Hermione.

Remus stood up in alarm, "What are you talking about, George? Your brother is in Romania helping out his fellow workers with a rather large problem."

George shook his head, "His friend, Paul, just Flooed to ask where the hell he was."

"He left hours ago," Harry said, "He was gone even before Bill told us all that stuff about the damn pendant."

"Pendant?" Luna and Neville began questioning, but were immediately silenced by fixed glares in their direction by all the others in the room.

"He never got there," said George, "He disapparated, so it should of only taken him a few seconds, not hours."

"Can apparations be intercepted?" Luna asked Remus.

The werewolf nodded, "Unfortunately, yes. It had been known to happen a bit with kidnaps and such during Voldemorts reign."

"Why did Charlie risk it, then?" Neville spoke in confusion, "I mean, he's a brilliant mind. He must've known the hazard of it all."

Fred sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Charlie is too stubborn to stay away from his job due to a threat. He works with bloody dragons on a daily basis. His life is in serious danger as a living."

"Besides," Ron said, "Charlie would never see a reason for someone to abduct him out of all the members of the Order."

George nodded, "He hasn't had a immensely significant role in the Order besides his dealings with dragons and other sticky situations. Sure he's the guy we send in for all those really risky jobs...but he's not Remus or anything. He's not one of the higher members of the Order of the Phoenix. None of us are. Only you, Mooney."

"Yet, The Hunter might of known of Hermione's relationship with Charlie," said Harry.

Fred's eyes were immediately glaring at the all-mighty Boy-Who-Lived, "What do you mean by relationship?"

"Charlie loves Hermione," Ron stated with a shrug, "It's pretty blatant."

"Charlie would do anything for her," Remus nodded.

Fred felt himself going red at how his own brother had betrayed him in such a way. Falling in love with the girl Fred was dating and in love with. George sensed his twin's tension, "Mate, he's not in love with her."

"He just has really deep feelings for her. It's different then the rest of us' love for her. Yet, he's still not in love with Hermione," Harry ensured, "We all love her in different ways. I mean it's obvious that Ron and I love her. We've been best friends with her for years, mate. She's our major support system. Right, Ron?"

"Yeah," Ron concurred, "Without 'Mione the so called 'Golden Trio' would have been kaput ages ago. Yet, even after being away from each other for three years...we're still dependant on the other. Harry, Hermione, and I share a bond that no one else can really understand...but it's there. We love her to death...but we are most definitely not in love with her. I know you think I still fancy her, but I've moved on. She's happy with you, Fred. I respect that. We're too different for it to have ever worked out. I know that ship has long since sailed. She's like a sister to me. Even if she is bloody gorgeous to look at."

Fred glared at Ron's jest and opened his mouth to say something, but Remus beat him to it, "And I love her too, Fred. Yet, she's about twenty-one years my junior. I would do anything for her, even if it caused myself harm by doing so. She's like a daughter to me and I treasure her loyalty deeply. I'm not in love with her. I'm dating the woman I'm in love with. However, I feel like my heart has been ripped out due to Hermione's situation. It's love. A fatherly love."

"I get the bloody picture, however, that doesn't explain Charlie's feelings. I didn't even know they were friends," Fred said.

"Charlie helped train Hermione during our seventh year at Hogwarts," Harry told Fred, "He was teaching her self-defense before the war. You know? In case her wand was pried from her fingers and she found herself in need of a little knee-to-groin action."

Ron chuckled, "Yeah, did a bloody good job in teaching her, too. She was walking down the hallway with us and Malfoy came up behind her to talk about some sort of Head Boy and Girl duties. They had to share a room and everything that year and were -shockingly- getting alone quite nicely, much to our displeasure. However, Malfoy surprised her and she grabbed his hand from over her shoulder, twirled around and kneed him where it hurts like hell."

Fred smiled, "Wicked."

"It was," Harry said, "Until she accidently did it to me about a week later. Wasn't much fun after that. I'll have to remember to bring it up with Charlie when we get him back."

Everyone smiled at the reassurance the man had just given. Making it sound as if it was a complete full-proof idea that they'd have Hermione and Charlie back at home. "We should be getting to work on this, now," said Remus.

"Right you are," George said, "That is, if Fred has no one else to accuse of being in love with his girlfriend...," he threw his twin a playful smirk.

Fred groaned, "Blazin' hell, would you please sod off?!"

"Hey, Chums. Did I miss anything?" Bill's voice came from the doorway and everyone turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," George said, "Only that Charlie's gone missing."

"You're shitting me," Bill growled as his eyes widened, "When'd this happen?"

"We found out from George a few minutes ago," Fred provided.

"Why are you still siting here then?"

"Oh," Neville said, "A select few men had to state the nature of their feelings for Hermione."

Bill became instantly uncomfortable. Remus noticed and began, "Oh. So, about Char-"

"Yeah," Ron stated in amusement, "So. You're in love with her?" He had obviously meant it at a joke; however, Bill froze up and grew scarlet in the infamous Weasley blush.

"You lying little Fur Ball," he growled at Remus, "You swore to keep your blasted mouth shut!"

Fred almost fell out of his chair in shock, "Y-You. What?"

Remus bit his lower lip and leaned over to Bill, beckoning him closer, "I didn't tell them a thing, Mate. Ron was just pulling your leg. You're the one who let the cat out of the bag. Sorry." Remus cringed a bit when looking over Bill's shoulder at a fuming Fred.

"You're in love with Hermione!"

Bill grimaced and then decided, when all else fails...deny it until the cows come home! "I haven't the slightest idea where you could get such bullocks, Freddie," he said in a fabricated, surefooted voice, "So, what are we going to do about Charlie and ol' what's-her-face?"

"What the blazin' hell were you thinking?!" Charlie yelled at the brown haired beauty in front of him, shaking his head, "I can't believe you did that!"

Hermione flinched, "Now, c'mon Sweetie. You're starting to really sound like a certain boyfriend of mine."

Charlie stared at her in irritation. She'd just gone over the long tale of all the abilities of the All-Seeing-Eye pendant. Including the fact that part of her soul, and therefore her magic, was now bound to some shiny piece of gold. "Do not Sweetie me, Hermione Jane Granger! How could you be so stupid?"

"Charlie, please don't be upset. I needed to do it," Hermione pouted up at him. Charlie was sitting Indian-style, leaning against the stone wall of the dungeon. Hermione currently sat on his lap, staring at his angry blue eyes, with a leg resting on each side of his body. Charlie's hands -despite his anger- continued to travel up her calf, to her knee and then back again, soothingly. If anyone else had seen them in this position, it'd of looked very intimate. For this duo, however, it was simply a cuddle position. Though Charlie would never admit it -even upon pain of death- he loved to cuddle just as much as Hermione did. He was her teddy bear.

"Okay. Then why the bloody hell did you have to do it, Hermione?" His face was flushed, causing his freckles to blend into each other. Usually Hermione would have pinched his cheek and said he was adorable. Now, however, it was intimidating as hell. Especially, when he was using her full first name. Usually if he was branching away from his pet name for her, then he'd use 'Mione or 'Mi.

"I was in danger and I knew it! I felt that something bad was going to happen," Hermione explained, "Two years ago, while Jayden was still alive, I started to feel something was off. It was as if I had a tiny little Danger Detector in me. I've had the pendant on my person at all times since I received it all those years ago, and it turned out to be red when I pulled it from my robes. I haven't the slightest idea how long it had been glowing, but it was at that time. I never really took good looks at it. It just was a ritual for me to be wearing it under my robes. The only time I took it off was the other day, to give it to your brother. Anyway," she sighed, "I didn't know why I was in danger. All I knew was that I had a child and boyfriend to protect. That was when it hit me. I might not have been completely aware of how much power I've always possessed...but I did know that I had the ability to prevent anyone from taking that power. So I did it. I didn't know until afterwards that it was almost like a Horcrux. That a part of my soul now resided in a tiny piece of gold along with my power."

Charlie looked at her for a few moments before pressing a kiss to her cheek, "There is something missing from your explanation, Sweets."

"Like what?"

"I still don't understand how you thought that if you disposed of your power in this pendant you'd be safer. It seems that it just makes it easier for the power to be taken." Charlie said.

"You don't understand. Any really powerful wizard can come up with a spell to draw the power from another's body. However, the power they are seeking has to be quite significant. They can't just go around absorbing any one's power and become stronger. If anyone -lets say The Hunter- wanted my power, all he'd have to do is tie me down and mutter a spell. It would probably have to be a very dark spell, though."

" So, your saying that you were protecting this vast amount of power you have, by giving it to Fred? Because you think The Hunter captured you in order to gain your powers and now he can't take it from your body, he has to find the pendant?" Charlie asked with confused expression. He was trying to piece it all together in his mind. "Why didn't I know about shit like this before? Wouldn't Voldemort have wished to use it on someone?"

"He didn't have the energy for it, what with having so many split pieces of his soul. Besides, no ones ever done it. The side-effects aren't recorded," Hermione explained, "I'm just hoping that Fred keeps that pendant safe. Billy will figure it out soon...it's just up to them to keep it away from Isaac."

Charlie rested his forehead against hers, "You know they all love you, right? Fred and Bill are in love with you and the rest of the Order would do anything to get you back, either way. You're like family to Remus. He looks at you like a daughter. He'll never say anything, but he was heartbroken when you left without saying anything to him."

Hermione bit her lip, "I didn't know that they all cared that much."

Chuckling, Charlie said, "You really are oblivious, Sweets. I mean, for the 'brightest witch of the age,' you're clueless at times."

She groaned, "Sod off."

"Fred told you he loves you, right?"

"Yes, the morning before the mission."

"Good. What about Bill?" he asked with a small smirk.

Hermione was dumbfounded, "I don't know where you got such an idea to begin with, Sweetie. Billy is my friend and nothing more." Charlie stared at her, his smirk widening to a full-fledged grin, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh, look. Queen Cleopatra has a spot on her barge, sailing down Da Nile."

"Clear off, Dragon-Breath. Billy would be ashamed of your stupidity," she huffed, moving off of his lap and standing up with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Bill, or 'Billy,' would be relieved that he didn't have to tell you himself," Charlie chuckled, "Man of Steel, that one...until he faced you."

"Give it a rest. I'm dating Fred, nothing else matters," Hermione said as Charlie slowly got to his feet.

"I'm glad you think that, because I can't have my Sweets putting a damper on the family relationship," he laughed, "You seem to have all those Weasley boys wrapped around your finger, though."

Hermione smiled, "It's a gift. Though, I think Fred is the only one who's truly whipped."

"Yeah, and I'm a Hungarian Horntail," he smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Sweets, you've got Dad, Fred, George, Bill and Ron wrapped around those perfect little fingers. Dad loves you like a daughter, Fred and Bill are head of heels in love with you, George is frightened of your temper..and Ron is one of your little trio. He'd go to Hell, play Quidditch with the devil and his minions, and come back for either you or Harry. Just like you guys would do for him."

Blushing, Hermione said, "I feel extremely loved right now. Shame we're both trapped in a dungeon, though."

"Pity, indeed," Charlie agreed. "Hey, stop moving," he moaned in disapproval when Hermione began stepping out of his arms again.

"You've already gotten your cuddle time," Hermione said with a smirk, "You big baby."

"Am not," he stuck out his tongue, "I'm just cold and need warmth. Body heat, Sweets."

She laughed at his pathetic excuse, "You sure about that? You look plenty warm."

He growled at her playfully, "You're trying to make me look like a giant arse for your own amusement."

"Oh fine, I'll share my warmth," she sighed dramatically and placed her hands on her hips, turning her back on him.

Charlie laughed softly, entertained by her ability to make him smile even though they really were in a fight for their lives just by being wherever they were. He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Thanks, Sweets," he whispered against her temple, placing a kiss there.

"You're welcome, Dragon-Breath," she smiled, leaning back into his embrace, "You know how you were saying I've got all the Weasley boys wrapped around my fingers?" She felt him nod against her shoulder, "Well, you didn't say anything about yourself. What am I to you?"

Charlie sighed into the back of her neck, "It's complicated, I guess."

"How so?"

"Well, because I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. However, I don't think it's the kind of love that I'd marry you over..."

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, "You were right about complicated. I don't understand."

"Well, I love you in a way that's deeper than that of a friend or sibling, Sweets. But, also, I love you in a way that is far different than the bonds of marriage. Maybe even a little deeper."

"There isn't a deeper bond than marriage, Sweetie. Marriage is the ultimate."

"Nah, marriage may be able to do that for certain people, but not for me. And I don't have anything against anyone who feels like it's the ultimate. I just don't believe that a wedding band can make someone's loyalty, love, and trust all immortal. Wizarding marriage or not. Even with a blood-bonding ceremony. I think that what we have, Sweets, is far deeper than flesh and blood. It's about our souls."

"But the one who you marry is supposed to be your soul-mate, Charlie."

"You only meet your true soul-mate if your lucky. And usually you let them pass you by on accident. However, for us, I think you are my soul-mate. We're just a special situation. I'll never give you up for anything."

"So, you love me more than you'd love your wife when you do eventually get married?" Hermione asked, still confused at his logic. However, she was overjoyed that someone felt this way about her.

"No, but I wouldn't love her more than you."

"Well, I've finally developed a relationship in an even more screwed up way then Ron, Harry, and I's." Hermione laughed.

Charlie smiled, "It's not screwed up. Just complicated. But, it's not as if I'd go around advertising how I feel about you exactly. It'll sound extremely bizarre to everyone."

"Sweetie, it sounds bizarre to me. And I'm in this relationship!"

Spinning her around, he leaned down to touch his lips to hers before she could protest. He immediately leaned back after a simple kiss, "See? When I do that...when I kiss you...I don't feel an overwhelming need to throw you on the floor and shag you senseless. I feel something. I feel an incredible amount of love for you...but it's not the same as it feels to be romantically in love. When I see you, I feel intensely happy, my heart goes into overdrive and all I want to do is hold you in my arms...but I don't lust after you."

Hermione stared at him, comprehension dawning on her at last, "I understand, Charlie." She felt that she'd be the only one who did, if he ever even tried to explain it to someone else. Though it was confusing as hell...it was the exact way she felt about him. She loved him more than words could ever describe; however, she'd never lust after him or want to marry him. No matter how handsome he was. Their love was deeper than simple attraction. It was a love that would last when all else failed them. She loved Fred so much it hurt, but no matter how long they were together...there would always be a chance of failure. With Charlie, there wasn't a chance of failure. Even upon death, the one still living would be happy and loved. Because it wasn't a love of the heart, in a sense. It was a love of the soul.

He smiled broadly, "I'm glad, Sweets. Because, I can't live without you in my life, that much I'm sure of."

"So, does this mean I've got you wrapped around my finger too?" she asked with a twinkle in her bright brown eyes as she looked into his azure ones.

Charlie stooped down and placed another chaste kiss on her lips, "Yeah. Put a fork in me, I'm done for."

"Stop with the kisses!" she laughed.

"Why? I like being close to you...It's not as if either of us feels anything. You know how you make me feel?"

"How?"

Charlie grinned, "Like a gay guy friend. Not in a bad way at all. I mean, you're gorgeous and everything and nice to look at. It's just, we can kiss without it being awkward or intimate, love each other more than anything...but not marry, and you've turned me into your big teddy bear."

"How did you know I thought of you as a teddy bear?"

"I'm psychic," he winked.

"No way!" she said in mock awe, "Tell me your secrets oh great one!"

"Patience is a virtue, Sweets."

"Patience can shove itself u-"

"My precious, 'Mione. You are not to finish that sentence," Charlie chuckled, "You, Sweets, are developing a sharp tongue."

"You sound like a certain ex-Slytherin who has a serious stick up his arse," Hermione grumbled, rolling her eyes, "I'm surprised he's not down here by now. Checking to see if I couldn't heal you in time. He would of gotten great pleasure out of seeing me so torn apart after I lost you."

Charlie watched her expression sadden at the mere thought, "I'm fine, though. You healed me up to perfection. I can hardly feel the ache anymore. I swear it, Sweets."

She grinned sorrowfully, "I know, Charlie. Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that you're okay. It'd kill me if anything happened to you. However, it doesn't change a thing about James. My son is still in some hidden warehouse or something, being watched over by two bloody Death Eaters."

Charlie frowned, "What can I do to help?"

"We're locked up in a dungeon...I don't think there is anything to do that could possibly help in any way."

"You need a distraction."

"What?"

Charlie shrugged, "I don't know. Something to take your mind away from everything else, until the proper moment comes up."

"I'm not having sex with you," she glared.

Charlie burst out laughing, "Yeah, I'll leave that to my brother. I heard your into creative places. Closets...Ginny's room."

"Charles Weasley!" Hermione gasped in mock appall.

"Sorry, Mum."

Hermione scolded him playfully, before suddenly became apologetic, "Charlie?"

He looked at her curiously, "Yeah, Sweets?"

"I'm sorry I left for those three years. And I'm really sorry that this is the first time we're talking like we always used to. I've missed you terribly. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to face you before now. I felt like I'd let you down."

Charlie placed a hand on her cheek, "You could never disappoint me, 'Mi. Remember all those months of us trapped together in the Room of Requirements every night on McGonagall and Remus' orders? Me trying to teach you how to finally stand up for yourself?"

She laughed, "Yeah, I was utterly clueless-"

"-because you had finally met a topic you couldn't learn about completely from a book-"

"-and I thought you were so annoying-"

"-and I thought you were a hopeless cause-"

"-and then I began to really listen and give you a chance-"

"-and you began to be able to kick serious arse. I was more proud of you than I've ever been of anyone."

Hermione sighed, "I loved those days. I never truly knew you beforehand. I knew everyone else, even Billy. You were a complete mystery to me."

"Merlin knows, Hermione Granger can't be left in the dark about anything," Charlie smiled.

"I befriended you," she smiled back, "You looked too rough around the edges. You looked in need of a hug."

Charlie gave a bark of laughter, "Yes, and you took it upon yourself to give me said hug. You walked in one Thursday night, smiled more broadly than I'd ever seen before, and threw your arms around my neck. It was all very adorable."

"I recall you actually gasping," she giggled, "It was hilarious."

"I was surprised," he defended with a pout, "I barely knew you, Sweets."

Hermione shrugged, "After that, you began to know me."

"I began to know you very well," Charlie nodded, "Ten galleons says I could kick Harry and Ron's arses in a questionnaire about you."

"I doubt it, Sweetie."

Charlie kissed her forehead and moved to sit against the wall like earlier. He grinned widely up at her, "Bring it on. We can practice now."

Hermione sighed before walking over and taking a seat next to him. Charlie grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Okay. What's my favorite color?"

"So, we've got hundreds of aurors positioned around all the areas that we've decided were suspicious," Remus said, "We're also keeping track of towns near those which have last experienced raids by the Death Eaters."

"Yes, sir," Neville nodded, "And we are looking at map upon map trying to see if there is any pattern to the attacks. We're working to figure out what the enemy's next move is. Perhaps before they know it themselves."

Harry muttered, "Nox," dousing the lights throughout the conference room, "Neville, reflect an image of the most substantial map onto the wall."

Neville flicked his wand, allowing a projection of a large map to spread throughout one of the chamber's walls. "The red dots are when the raids have been?" Fred asked.

"Yes," Luna nodded, "And the black dots are where there has been suspicion of Death Eater bases."

"Fred," George murmured in awe, "Those places are all familiar."

"It says all of the raids took place in London, Ottery St. Catchpole, Hackney, Chelsea, Poplar, Cutty Sark, St. James, and Camberwell," Fred said, surprise lacing through his tone. "I know where the next attack will be."

Everyone spun to him, "What?" Remus asked in incredulity.

"Does anyone here recognize the towns? You should each recognize one," Fred said.

"They're all our home towns, Chums," George stated, "The damned bastards are trying to get us where it hurts. The places all the Order members have grown up."

"They've gone after all the higher-ranked Order officials home towns, already," Remus said, sadly. "There is only one person's missing."

"That's where we get 'em," Ron said, "It's the only place left to hit before they can start taking out lower-ranking members' towns."

Remus sighed, "So, we're finally getting somewhere."

Harry shook his head, "I can't believe they're going to attack a perfectly normal Muggle town. All the other towns may be in mainstream Wizarding London...but the only remaining town is completely Muggle."

Everyone seemed to take a simultaneous deep breath, "Okay," Remus nodded, "Let's get ready to send a team into Little Whinging."