AN: Thank you to all those who are reading this fic, have it your alerts or favorited it.

This chapter kind of developed on its own – I'll speak more on that in another authors note at the end of the chapter. Certain points in this chapter may seem random, but will make more sense as the story continues. I do hope you all continue reading.


This One's for Fred


Charlotte rolled onto her back and rubbed her face, biting back a groan as her alarm clock went off. She had forgotten to draw her drapes last night, and the bright sunlight filled her chilly room. The researcher shivered as the cold air caressed her body, an irritating reminder of how she had fallen asleep on top of the covers and in her cocktail dress.

"Memo to self: never, ever try to out drink a quidditch team," she groaned as she struggled to sit up and swing her feet over the edge of the bed.

Cursing to herself as she stepped onto the cold wooden floor, she quickly slid on her slippers and made her way to the bathroom where she proceeded to draw a hot bath. As Lottie waited for the tub to fill, she brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her disheveled hair before undressing and stepping into the hot water.

Letting out a content sigh, the brunette mentally scanned her body noting how the muscles in her legs were sore from dancing most of the night.

Yesterday had been different…a very good different.

It wasn't often that the reserved researcher let her hair down, but she had and was pleasantly rewarded for it.

When Adrian had approached her at the bar Charlotte had been shocked. Being best mates with a group of quidditch nuts she instantly recognized the handsome seeker. The blush had instantly appeared on her face, which seemed to endear her to Adrian. The two spent some time chatting at the bar before he asked her for a dance.

One dance became two, and before they knew it they had spent an hour dancing together. And it felt great to have Adrian's body pressed against hers; it felt good to be held like that, especially when he pulled her closer to talk to her over the music. The two then met up with his teammates at the bar for some more drinks and to socialize. Adrian had introduced Lottie to all of his mates, who responded warmly to her some asking how her friends were and quizzing her on rumored war stories. When someone had suggested going out for food, Adrian had asked her if she wanted to join him so they could chat more and she had agreed.

It had been a relief when she ran into Hermione, rather than any of her other mates who still harbored grudges towards the slytherins.

Lottie sighed as she realized the bath had gone cold, and gently stepped out of the tub, toweling off quickly and walking back to her room.

Pausing by her bedroom door, she listened to the silence within her home.

'It sounds empty,' Charlotte thought scanning the large room below her. Her friends all had a special person to share their lives with; she did not. Her last relationship had ended over a year ago; it had the potential to go far had it not been for the distance or a certain twin. For so long she had waited for a chance with Fred Weasley, but he'd never seen her as more than his best mate.

Last night had been the first time in weeks that she felt... alive? Was that the right word?

After the loud music, the laughter, the chatter of life the previous night brought, Lottie could not bear the quiet of her home. Her friends and her were set to meet up for lunch at noon to plan Angelina and Lee's upcoming wedding, but that was too long a wait for her. She needed to get out of her empty house as quickly as possible.

Quickly dressing and grabbing her purse Lottie flooed to the Leaky Cauldron, not noticing that the Daily Prophet owl had dropped her paper atop the back steps of her home.

Stepping out of the fireplace and into the infamous wizarding establishment she noticed that everything had gone all quiet and every witch and wizard stopped to stare. Weird. Awkwardly she nodded a good morning greeting to them all and walked towards the door. As soon as she's reached the exit the establishment's patrons begin to whisper. Weird.

Outside it was 8 am, and the street buzzed with life as people made their way to where ever they needed to be. The organized chaos of Sunday morning rush hour brought a smile to her face - gone was the feeling of loneliness and emptiness. Lottie looked down at her watch; the British Museum, which she wished to visit, would not open until 10. At that moment her stomach gave a loud rumble and she knew exactly where to go.

After a quick trip on the underground Lottie found herself walking down the streets of South Kensington towards one of her favorite cafes. Lottie had always liked South Kensington, and had often wished she could live there. As a matter of fact, Lottie had originally been planning on buying a flat in the area when Luscious had attacked her. His attack had made her realize she wasn't safe in London, so she'd bought her home in Pittenweem as she figured that the idyllic town would be a safe haven for her during the war. The house and the town of Pittenweem were lovely, but she always felt so far away from her friends who lived in or near London. And after the very uncomfortable moment in her home, she realized her house was far too large for a single person. Maybe it's time I move, Lottie thought to herself, if only I could have a sign.

Just then she accidentally bumped into a woman walking out of a lovely building, knocking her paper work and empty coffee cup to the ground.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry," Lottie said hurridley helping gather all the woman's items. The woman shrugged, "no, it was my fault, I was just a bit distracted"

The Scots-Italian girl looked at the woman, and noticed that she looked a bit stressed, "Oh dear, is everything alright?"

The woman, who looked to be in her 40's and had dark blond hair, debated her answer, when suddenly she just rushed everything out, "No, today's been absolutely horrible. My husband and I are on a trial separation and I'm miserable, my kids are away at uni and I miss them, and this wretched client demanded I come show this flat at 8 am and just 1 minute ago called to cancel, saying he wasn't interested in the flat after all," the poor woman let out a deep breath, when suddenly a look of horror crossed her face, "oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me"

Lottie shook her head and smiled at the woman sympathetically, "hey, it's alright. Sounds like your going through a lot of stress," the woman looked like she was about to protest when Lottie interrupted her, "tell me about the flat that's for sale"

The realtor looked at Lottie, thrown by her odd request, "Um, why do you want to know about the flat?"

"Well, it just so happens that I was just thinking about buying a new flat"

The researcher had to bite back a laugh as she watched the woman scrutinize her, "I don't mean to be rude, but we are in South Kensington, and the flat's price reflects that"

Chuckling Lottie shrugged, "You came here to show the flat, it would be a shame if you went back to the office without showing it"

The woman heisted a bit before nodding, "alright"

Barbara, the realtor, showed Lottie into the classic stucco building. The four-bedroom flat was on the ground floor and had access to the garden. It was an unfurnished flat, but Lottie knew she could transfigure her current furniture to fit her vision of how her home would look. The more Barbara told her about the flat, the more she could see herself in it. Then the pair reached the small wine cellar in the basement.

"I'd like to put in an offer,"

After a very long conversation in which Lottie assured Barbra that she was serious about her offer, and had the means to pay for the flat. While Lottie called up her solicitor, Barbara called the property owner to make negotiations. Throughout the whole ordeal Lottie found herself having to hold back the need to imperious the realtor and the owner of the flat.

"So, all we require is your solicitor to draw up the contract after he has surveyed the flat, and have it faxed to us," Barbara said as she placed he phone in her purse. Lottie nodded and thanked the woman for all she'd done. "You know," Barbara said as the two made their way onto the pavement, "I really hope the owner accepts your offer". Lottie thanked the woman and the each made their way to their various destinations.

It was a few hours later and Lottie was walking through the museum after enjoying an espresso at Caffé Nero when her mobile rang. It was Barbara, "Miss Wilson, I wanted to tell you the good news. Your solicitor should be calling you soon, the contract was accepted and the property is yours, congratulations"

Lottie thanked the kind realtor profusely and promised to send her a bottle of wine as a thank you. No sooner had the pair hung up when her solicitor called to give her the news. As no one was currently living at the property she'd be able to move in within 2 weeks. After thanking her solicitor and hanging up, Lottie sent Mione a quick text, asking if it was alright to drop by her and Ron's flat before their lunch date for a chat. Seconds later she received Mione's reply, Surprised to not have gotten your text sooner. I mean it made the front page of the prophet. Lottie's brows furrowed at Hermione's odd reply, as she made it to the nearest apparition point.

When Lottie had reached the flat Hermione hurriedly let her in after hugging her in greeting. The formerly bushy-haired woman led her into her sitting room, explaining that Ron and Harry were off looking at the latest broom. Before Lottie got a chance to speak Lottie immediately speak up, "Oh Lottie, when I got the owl this morning I couldn't believe it. It must have been a slow news day to print that article as a cover story. I mean all those assumptions they made," Ron's other half shook her head, "We were at the traditional Weasley breakfast, and everyone had seen the article. And let me tell you it was the most awkward meal ever," Hermione paused and looked at Lottie sympathetically, "How are you holding up?"

The researcher slowly blinked at her friend, confusion clearly plastered on her face, "Um – I'm a bit confused. What are you talking about?"

Now Hermione looked confused, "The article in the Sunday Prophet. Isn't that why you wanted to talk to me about?"

"No," Charlotte said slowly, "I came to tell you I just bought a flat in South Kensington. What article are you talking about?"

Raising an eyebrow the female member of the golden trio asked her best mate if she'd read the prophet that morning. Her friend answered in the negative saying she'd left her flat in a bit of hurry that morning. Upon hearing that Hermione rushed over to her kitchen and came back with a crumpled copy of the paper. As Charlotte looked at the cover her mouth dropped open in shock. She carefully took the paper in her hands and began to read, her eyebrows rising so high, Hermione was afraid they'd disappear into her hairline. Lottie slowly put down the paper taking a moment to look at the photo of her and Adrian taken the previous night at the kabob shop, and then the photo of Fred that had been used.

"Well," Hermione gently said in question

Lottie shook her head to clear her thoughts, "buggeration"


AN: So that's the end of the chapter then. As I was saying, this fic started unconsciously changing on me as I wrote this chapter. Originally I'd had no intention of Lottie moving down to London, so I was surprised when I found myself looking at properties in London with the intention of Lottie moving there – I guess Lottie was asserting herself, and her need for change lol. The move to London will make more sense in later chapters. Should I post a link to the flat, or would you rather just imagine it? Let me know.

Also, there will be new characters popping up in the future, as these characters have been wriggling themselves into my thoughts for this fic. They'll also be appearing later on the fic as well.

As for the next chapter, what will Lottie have to say about Adrian? Will we see him or Fred in the next chapter? Stay tuned!

Thanks again for reading!

PS: Do you recognize what movie the final line in this chap/the chapter title came from?