Chapter 3—The One Where She Has to Leave
The end of the year drew nearer and Gryffindor won the quidditch cup. Maya and Derrick had officially broken up and Charlie had never gone on a second date with Gillian. He insisted that he didn't like her and the entire time she wanted to do nothing more than snog him.
A week before the end of term, an owl arrived for Maya from her mother. Her grandmother on her father's side had died and she would have to leave school early. Professor McGonagall called her into her office. "You and your sister will take your exams over the next 2 days. When you have finished, you will be permitted to leave. You'll travel to London by portkey," she explained.
"Thank you, Professor," Maya said quietly. Professor McGonagall dismissed her to the common room. Maya walked slowly back to Gryffindor tower. Charlie was waiting for her.
"Did you get detention?" he asked. "What did you do?"
"No," Maya said, sitting on the sofa and staring into the fire.
"What's wrong, Maya?" Charlie asked softly.
"M-m-my Gran," Maya answered, before crumbling into fits of sobs. Charlie put his arm around her and pulled her into him, letting her sob against his chest. Charlie knew that Maya had been close to her grandmother on her mother's side and he assumed the worst.
"Can I do anything for you?" Charlie asked, sincerely.
"No," Maya replied, composing herself. "She was my muggle Gran and most of that side of the family doesn't know about my abilities. I don't know why I'm crying so much. I didn't even really know her. She didn't have us over for tea much or anything."
"Do you have to leave early?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah," Maya said. "I have to take my exams over the next 2 days and then we'll travel home by portkey."
"You'll come by over summer hols, right?" Charlie asked. Maya smiled. She was hoping for an invitation to the Burrow. It was her favorite place in the world away from Hogwarts. Where her parents could be demanding and cold, the Weasleys were warm and inviting. Also, she wouldn't have to listen to her parents when they fought.
"I'll try," she promised. "I'll send you an owl soon." Maya left Charlie to get studying for her exams.
Two days later, she was seated in Professor Dumbledore's office, wearing her best muggle clothing and waiting for her sister. When Maggie arrived, they traveled by portkey to their London home. Their mother met them and explained that they would put their things in their rooms and then go to their grandparents' home in Hampstead, Fenton House.
They arrived at the house to find their Dad in conversation with his brothers about something or other. Their Dad was the oldest and, therefore, expected to take over handling the family finances. He barely acknowledged Maya and Maggie when they arrived. Their mother introduced them to some of their cousins who thought they were both quite weird.
"Do you think they hate us?" Maggie asked that night as they were getting ready for bed. "Dad's family?"
"They don't know us," Maya replied. "How could they hate us?"
"We're different from them," Maggie said. "People don't like what they don't understand."
"That's very wise," Maya offered.
"I'm in Ravenclaw," Maggie joked.
"How was your first year?" Maya asked.
"I loved it," Maggie said. "Professor Flitwick is really nice. And I love Charms and Herbology. I didn't hate potions, but I have potions with Hufflepuff, so we kind of are the class stars."
Maya smiled. She wondered how some of their classes would have been different, including Potions, if she was in a different house. She bade Maggie good night and went to her bedroom. An owl was waiting for her with a letter from Charlie. He told her about the exams and the Gryffindor party after the end of term. Gryffindor parties were legendary at Hogwarts and Maya was sad that she had missed such a good time. She wrote back to Charlie that she would try to talk to her parents the next day after the funeral about visiting over summer.
The next day, Maya and Maggie were forced to sit through a muggle funeral for their grandmother. They didn't really understand the service, but sat politely through it. After the funeral, there was a luncheon at the family estate in Hampstead. Then, her father dropped the bomb on her and Maggie. "We're moving here," he said, succinctly. "It's my duty as head of the family now to take over."
"When do we have to move?" Maya asked.
"You'll have a week to pack your things and the movers will be coming to the house to collect the furniture," he answered. "I know that this is sudden, but it has to be done."
"Can I still go and visit Charlie this summer?" Maya asked. "He's invited me to the Burrow again."
"I don't really like that you're staying with a boy," her father protested.
"Dad, I stay with his sister in her room," Maya explained. "And his mother is very watchful. And he's my best mate."
"Fine," her dad said. "You may go after we're settled here. You are to return before Maggie's birthday in August."
"Thanks, Dad," Maya said. Her mother had nodded in agreement, but looked sullen at the prospect of moving from their house in London to this mansion in Hampstead.
The next week, Maya and Maggie had finished packing their things. Maya was convinced that her mother should have packed for her as it would have been much more easily done with magic. Her mother refused. Maya had sent a letter to Charlie telling him that her parents had agreed that she could come and stay. She told him they were moving to her Grandmother's old house and that he should owl her there.
Soon, the day came when Maya was to leave for the Burrow. Her mother agreed to take her to the Ministry of Magic to meet Mr. Weasley and he would take her home after work. "Please send an owl if you need anything," her mother said to Mr. Weasley. "And Maya, be good and help out when you can."
"Thanks, Mum," Maya said. "I'll miss you."
"Are you ready, Maya?" asked Mr. Weasley. She nodded and he took her to the floo and they went to the Burrow. Charlie was waiting by the fireplace when she emerged and pulled her into a very tight hug. "Let her breathe, Charlie," Mr. Weasley ordered. Maya giggled as Charlie loosened his grip and blushed.
"Let me help you with that," Charlie offered, taking Maya's bag and heading up the stairs to Ginny's room, where a camp bed had been set up for her. "So, tell me about everything that's been going on."
"Well," Maya started, "when I got home, Mum took us to Gran's old house, which is a mansion. Dad's family looked at us like we were beneath them and barely spoke to us for 2 days. Then, after the funeral, Dad told us that he's the oldest son and it's his duty to take over the family business, or some other bollocks. Then, he tells us we're moving and we have a week to pack our rooms and be ready for the move.
"I got a room that's as big as the dormitories at Hogwarts to myself, but I miss my little room in London, next to Maggie," Maya finished.
"How's your Dad?" Charlie asked.
"He's been a right foul git lately," Maya replied. "He wasn't going to let me come here, but I begged him. I felt bad leaving Maggie there, but she was making plans to visit her friend, Penelope, soon. He kept talking about Maggie and me becoming 'ladies' and that we would be expected to behave as ladies. I think he was getting on that I would have to quit quidditch."
"That bastard," Charlie exclaimed.
"What was that, Charlie?" said Mrs. Weasley from the doorway.
"Sorry, Mum, but you haven't seen her play," he argued. "She's brilliant." Maya smiled at Charlie, grateful for his confidence in her.
"I had a good flying instructor," she said. Charlie blushed, and Molly seemed as though she was going to say something, but dropped it as she left them alone again. "So, now that you have me here, what are you planning to do with me?"
Charlie smirked and said, "This." Then, he started tickling Maya's sides until she could barely breathe.
They heard the twins laughing from the doorway and singing, "Charlie's got a girlfriend!" as they skipped off.
Maya stayed at the Burrow for a couple more weeks. She and Charlie went fishing and flying and helped de-gnome the garden more times than they cared to. For Maya's last night at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley made her favorite roasted chicken and potatoes. The next morning, she accompanied Mr. Weasley to work by floo and her mother met her there.