"This is where you will be staying for the night, Miss Stratford." Professor McGonagall said.
"Thank you, Professor. The room is lovely." Charlotte replied, smiling.
Professor McGonagall sat down on a couch near the doorway, patting the seat beside her as a gesture for Charlotte to sit across from her. When Charlotte sat down, Professor McGonagall began speaking again.
"Miss Stratford, I know that when you came here tonight, the last thing you must have expected was to be asked by Albus to help in the war to bring down Voldemort. I understand that it must be quite overwhelming; you said you hadn't used much magic at all in a couple of years. Its perfectly acceptable to be afraid, but know that we will all help you as best we can."
Charlotte smiled brightly and replied "Thank you Professor. I admit I was curious as to why the headmaster needed my help. I am a bit overwhelmed, but I'm more than happy to help bring that evil wizard down, my parents would never forgive me if I didn't." Charlotte laughed nervously.
"I know you miss your family, Miss Stratford. I daresay that they are and will be quite proud of you. Now its time for you to rest. Albus will probably send an owl in the morning with further details once he gets them figured out. Goodnight." Professor McGonagall said as she stepped through the painting.
"Goodnight, Professor" Charlotte bid Professor McGonagall.
Charlotte looked around the room. It was indeed quite beautiful. It reminded her of the Gryffindor common room; beautiful deep reds and golds adorned the walls and floors, but not overly done. Rich mahogany woods and soft fabrics detailed the room. A grand fireplace sat in the middle of the wall. She smiled at the rush of memories that came flooding back to her.
Flashback
Charlotte was sitting in the Gryffindor common room, reading her Advanced Potions book for an upcoming test. Fred and George Weasley were running around the common room, looking for willing (and unlucky in her opinion) volunteers for their newest scheme. She looked up from her book and smiled at them, to which they winked. She went back to studying. Charlotte began humming to herself, a beautiful song in her mind. She was startled out of her train of thought when one of the twins, she wasn't sure which, set off some kind of firework in the common room.
"And that ladies and gentlemen, was our new exploding wands." Fred began.
"Buy one and leave them for you enemies to find! Thirty seconds after they pick them up.." George followed.
"BOOM!" both twins said in unison, both grinning like Cheshire cats.
Charlotte looked up and smiled again. 'They're going to make it big one day." Charlotte thought to herself.
At that moment, Fred and George decided to walk over to Charlotte, their game faces on. Fred quickly grabbed the book from Charlotte and smiled while George began talking.
"Come now Charlie, why would you want to study for something as boring as..."
"Potions, dearest brother! Under the big black bat!" Fred cut in.
"Potions? Tsk, tsk tsk, You could be playing with us!" George ended.
"Ah Double Vision! I happen to have an exam tomorrow under the same bat, and I need a good grade. So as tempting as that does sound, I'm afraid I'll have to decline." Charlotte said as innocently as she could. It would have worked if she wasn't grinning so guiltily.
"I do believe, Gred, that she is just too up-tight."
"Right you are Forge, right you are."
"Pity..."
"Indeed it is a pity."
Charlotte laughed and grabbed her book back from Fred. "Now boys..." she said smiling innocently "I must study. Games are for later." she finished with a wink.
"We'll hold you to that." Fred said with a smirk on his face.
"Oh we most definitely will, brother-mine." George agreed.
Fred and George went back around the room, looking for more test subjects. Charlotte rolled her eyes and smiled.
End Flashback
Author's note: I know this is a short chapter, but the next will be really great! This is a set-up for it! Enjoy! Leave me reviews please!