Fred and George had been in trouble countless times during their stays at Hogwarts, but not once had their endeavors landed them in the headmaster's office. As Fred stood in Dumbledore's office, joined by Ron, George, Ginny, and Harry, he felt like he'd much prefer to be there over a spot of trouble than for what he was there for now. He was scared, more scared than he had ever been in his life.
"How're we going?" he asked Professor Dumbledore of their impromptu trip to Grimmuald Place. "Floo powder?"
He listened as Dumbledore explained they'd be going by portkey, he heard the portrait of an old headmaster talking to Dumbledore, and as they all moved towards the portkey that would take them to Sirius', Ginny froze.
"What about Charley," his little sister said suddenly.
"Yeah, she's part of our family too, she's got to know," George added.
Fred was shaken out of his daze. He had completely forgotten Charley, and while George was completely correct, Fred wasn't so sure he wanted Charley there with them.
Dumbledore nodded, "I will send her along as soon as it's safe to do so, for now, I must get you all to Headquarters."
In a matter of seconds, before Fred could gather his thoughts, he was surrounded by his brothers, sister and Harry at Dumbledore's desk, all touching the black tea kettle that was the portkey.
An hour later Fred sat at the kitchen table in Grimmuald Place. A single candle was lit in the middle of the table, showing only the shadows of his family, Harry, and Sirius. Fred was still silently fuming over the argument he'd had with Sirius upon arriving, it was easier for him to be angry than to think of the endless possibilities concerning his father. The waiting was the hardest and Fred grew tired, so tired. He felt his head begin to drop to his shoulder when there was a large whooshing sound and an "oof!" as Charley crashed into the kitchen in front of them clutching an old sock.
"Chuck!" George said pushing himself out of his seat.
He helped her up, and then pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back, but her worried eyes were on Fred. George pulled away and gave her the smallest of smiles, Fred knew the presence of Charley, one of George's closest friends, reassured him a bit.
"What's happened? McGonagall only said Mr. Weasley's been attacked and that I was to come here," Charley said in one rushed breath.
"Harry saw Dad being attacked by a snake," came Ginny's small voice from her seat at the table.
Charley crossed the room to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Is he alright?" Charley asked scanning the room.
"Mum just owled us an hour ago, she says he's stable," Fred said looking up and meeting Charley's eyes.
She held his gaze, her eyes full of concern. As Fred stared at her, he felt as though he'd never needed anyone as much as he needed her in that moment. He rose from his chair and moved towards her. She hesitated at Ginny's side for a moment, and then moved to meet him, allowing him to wrap her in his arms.
"How are you holding up?" she asked as they pulled away.
"I've been better," he replied with a shrug.
"Oh Fred," she said wrapping him in another hug.
It felt amazing to be in her arms. She made him feel at ease, a feeling he was not ready to let go of. He grabbed her hand and led her over to his seat. He sat and pulled her onto his lap.
"I'm happy you're here," he whispered resting his head on her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay, everything is going to be okay," she said softly.
Fred nodded, those words had been spoken many times throughout the night by nearly everyone at the table, and yet when Chuck said them, they were true. Fred, feeling safe with Charley so near him, closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep.
It had been two nights since Mr. Weasley had been attacked and Charley was having trouble sleeping again. The dread she had felt in the weeks after Voldemort's return had edged back into her mind. At Hogwarts, with the distraction of school and friends, Charley had been able to forget her fear, but now that someone so close to her had been hurt, she could no longer ignore it.
She tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen where she found Sirius and Remus seated at the table. The sight of the two reassured her significantly.
"Can't sleep can we?" Sirius as asked as Charley took a seat.
"Nope," she said shaking her head.
"It should comfort you to know that Arthur is doing much better," Remus said with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, it does," Charley nodded.
"But that clearly isn't the only thing on your mind," said Remus.
Charley looked between the two concerned faces and sighed heavily.
"No it isn't, it should be, but it isn't," she replied.
"Do tell," Sirius said standing, "But first, tea."
He moved to the counter and put the kettle on, while Charley worked out where to begin. After a few moments, Sirius set a cup of piping hot tea in front her. She picked it up and took a sip, all too aware of Sirius and Remus watching her.
"None of this felt real, I mean it did a little, but I never imagined anyone I cared for would actually be affected by it. And now Mr. Weasley has been hurt and it's real, it's so real, and what if my dad actually gets out of Azkaban, I can't handle that," Charley blurted out in a frenzy.
Remus and Sirius exchanged a look, one that Charley did not like. Then with a heavy sigh Remus turned his attention back to her.
"You fears are valid Charley, in fact we're almost certain that a break out is inevitable, it's only a matter of time," said Remus.
Charley's heart sunk, she dropped her head to the table, wishing she could disappear. After a moment she felt a hand on her shoulder, though it still gave her no desire to raise her head.
"I know that was probably very difficult for you to hear, but you will be alright Charley," came Remus' gentle voice.
There were footsteps at the door and Charley looked up just in time to see Fred hesitantly peek into the kitchen. He stood in the doorway looking confused.
"Er…I couldn't sleep," he said finally.
"Of course, come have a seat, would you like some tea?" Remus asked.
"Sure, thanks," Fred said taking a seat next to Charley.
"Well, I'm exhausted," Sirius said as Remus passed Fred a cup.
Sirius stood and gave Remus a meaningful glance. Remus nodded and let out an extravagant yawn. Charley shook her head, knowing all too well what the two were doing. Things between her and Fred had been strange; they were in a limbo between needing to be together and knowing they should spend time apart. She had confided in Remus and Sirius, who both found the situation ridiculous, especially Sirius who claimed life was too short to be separated from the ones you love.
"Yes, I'm rather tired as well, I think I'll be off," he said following Sirius out of the kitchen.
They heard the familiar sounds of the front door closing as Remus left and the stairs creaking as Sirius ascended them to his bedroom.
Fred took a sip of his tea then turned to face Charley.
"Chuck is everything alright?" he asked.
Charley had been holding back tears since the beginning of her conversation with Remus and Sirius; she had been hiding her fears for days keeping them buried deep inside her. Hearing Fred ask if everything was alright with all the sincerity in the world was enough to finally break her. She collapsed into a fit of tears, hiding her face behind her hands.
"Whoa, what happened?" Fred asked pulling her into his arms.
"I'm just so scared Fred," she cried into his shoulder.
"We all are Chuck," he said softly.
Charley pulled back and looked at him, tears streamed down her cheeks and she shook with sobs.
"Remus said the Order is expecting a breakout from Azkaban, it could happen any day now," she said through hiccups.
Fred took her hand gently in his and stood.
"C'mon Chuck, let's go into the sitting room," he said pulling her up.
Without hesitation she followed him out of the kitchen and into the sitting room. They sat on the sofa together, Fred holding Charley while she cried.
"Everything's going to be alright Chuck," Fred whispered, stroking her hair.
"I'm so sorry Fred," Charley said pulling herself from his arms and wiping her face, "You're so worried about your dad and here I am piling more problems on to you."
"Of course I'm worried about him, but he's going to be alright," Fred shrugged, "Besides we get to visit him tomorrow…er today actually," he smiled glancing up at the clock.
"I didn't even realize how late it was," said Charley with a halfhearted laugh, "We should probably head off to bed."
"I couldn't if I tried," said Fred.
"Yeah, I don't think I could either," Charley nodded.
Fred wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him again.
"Let's just lie here for a bit," Fred said sleepily.
"We shouldn't," Charley replied.
"Chuck, there is nothing in this world I want more than to lay here with you in my arms. There's a lot we still have to work out, but for right now, just right now, nothing would make me happier than to just hold you," Fred said giving her a gentle squeeze.
Charley couldn't deny how comforting it felt in Fred's arms. She snuggled deep into his and closed her eyes.
"Alright Fred, goodnight," she whispered.
"Night, Chuck," he replied.
The two fell asleep peacefully and there were no nightmares for either that night.