A/N: This chapter is kind of short. I'll probably add another chapter today. Still don't own anything. Also, I'm thinking this story will probably be a total of 30 chapters plus an epilogue. I'm running out of places to go. I'm open to suggestions… Also, never will own anything from Harry Potter's world (single tear).

Chapter 22—The One Where She's Finally Free

After leaving her father, Maya went to find Jamie and Drew. She explained to them that she was leaving, and promised to write. It was one of the hardest moments of her life, leaving her two best friends. She knew she had to do it, though, and she was grateful to Charlie for simply standing next to her and holding her hand. Drew and Jamie were, truthfully, thrilled for her. They knew that Charlie was her soul mate.

They left her father's house and went to her flat to collect her things. While they were packing, she sat on her bed and started to sob. "Where am I going to go now?" she asked.

"Wherever you want to, sweetheart," Charlie promised, kneeling in front of her. He stroked her face, gently, and kissed her forehead.

"Tell me about Romania," she asked, inhaling deeply. Charlie smirked and told her about the dragon reserve and his work there. "Can you live with a roommate who doesn't work on the reserve?"

"If I want to," Charlie answered, cheekily. Noticing her face fall, Charlie looked into Maya's eyes and said, "And I really want to. I have wanted to for years, love."

"Alright, then," she said. "Let's get this finished and get the hell out of here before Jack comes to try to destroy me or my things." Charlie nodded, waved his wand, and summoned all of her things into her suitcase. He offered her a hand and led her into the street. Then, he apparated them to the Burrow.

"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE, CHARLIE?" Molly demanded when they approached the back door. Maya's mother had come to the Burrow after the almost-wedding and Molly was furious.

"Mum, please don't ask questions that you don't want the answers to," Charlie pled. "We're just here until my portkey leaves tomorrow. Then, Maya's coming with me to Romania." Maya remained silent, but nodded in agreement with Charlie.

Molly's face contorted with rage, but also a little happiness. Charlie was reminded of the time when he had told his parents that Maya was pregnant while they were still at Hogwarts. "And did you have to kidnap her from her wedding?" she demanded.

"I didn't kidnap her from anything, Mum," Charlie replied, calmly. "She came on her own."

"It's true, Molly," Maya said. "Charlie only helped me figure things out for myself and that happened on Friday at Bill's wedding. I'm going to take my bag to Ginny's room and lie down for a while." Charlie nodded and offered to help. She declined, but thanked him anyways.

"Mum," he said, softly, after Maya was gone. "I couldn't leave her there. She wasn't safe."

"How bad was it?" Molly asked.

"Worse than I could have imagined," he replied. "Her back is covered in bruises and her father was more upset that she'd be destroying his career if she left than her health or happiness."

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Charlie?" Molly asked.

"It's what I've always wanted," he replied. "You have no idea how many times I almost packed up and moved home just to try to win her back, but she said something to me when I was home for the Quidditch Cup that prevented me from doing it."

"What did she say?" Molly whispered.

"She said that we'd end up resenting each other if either one of us had to give up something to be with the other," he said. "She was right. Back then, we would have resented each other. Now, though, we've both lived without each other, and we haven't been as happy as possible. Don't get me wrong. I'm very happy in what I do, but I have never been able to find love because I keep comparing everyone to her.

"My last girlfriend, Rosalyn, actually commented on it. She said that I should stop trying to be together with someone until I was over Maya. She said I was clearly still hung up on her, even after all these years." When Charlie finished, Molly wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Of course, dear," she said. "Let her rest for a while and I'll get you something to eat."

"Thanks, Mum," Charlie said, kissing her cheek. He went to the sitting room to find Ginny staring at the floor. "What's going on, little sister?"

"Is something wrong with Maya?" she asked. Charlie stammered, trying to find an answer, but couldn't. "She's out on the dock, sobbing, I think."

"Thanks, Gin," Charlie said. He patted her on the head and headed out to the dock. Maya was sitting there, sobbing, just as Ginny had said. Charlie sat next to her without saying a word. He put his arm around her shoulder and she leaned on him to cry.

They sat, not speaking, for an hour before Maya finally said, "I think I've cried all the tears I have left. Can we go inside now?"

"Of course, love," Charlie answered. He stood and offered her a hand, pulling her up. Then, he pulled her into a very tight hug. "I'll never let him hurt you again and I'm sorry for ever telling you to reconnect with him."

"You were forgiven years ago, Charlie," Maya promised.

That night, Maya went to bed in Ginny's room, but quickly succumbed to a terrifying nightmare from which she woke screaming. Charlie burst in the door and flew to her, pulling her into his arms. "Love, it's fine. You're fine," he said, rubbing her back. She was sobbing uncontrollably when Molly came into the room.

Molly looked at Charlie, nearly helpless to calm Maya's nightmare and said, quietly, "Ginny, why don't you take Charlie's room tonight. Charlie you can stay here, but leave the door open."

"Thanks, Mum," Charlie said. "I promise that nothing will happen."

"I know it won't, Charlie," Molly replied.

When they were alone, Charlie said, softly, "I'm not leaving you tonight. Mum gave me permission to stay right here."

"She did?" Maya sniffed. She had completely missed the exchange between Charlie and Molly.

"She did," he promised. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Maya answered firmly. "I want to forget it."

"Why don't you try to get some sleep?" Charlie suggested.

"What time is it?" Maya asked.

"Nearly midnight," he answered. "We have to be up at 6:00 to catch the portkey. Are you alright?"

"I will be," she whispered. She snuggled into his chest and went to sleep.

She woke to Charlie shaking her shoulder. "It's time to get up, love," he cooed. "If you still want to come to Romania, we've got a portkey to catch."

"I still want to come," she said, groggily. "I don't want to stay here anymore." She got out of bed and got dressed. Then, she met Charlie in the kitchen.

"Dear," Molly said when she arrived. "If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Molly," Maya replied. "For everything that you've done for me. I honestly would be lost without your family."

Twenty minutes later, Charlie and Maya were at the International Portkey station in London. "I had Bill get you some money from your account at Gringott's," Charlie said, handing a bag to Maya. She thanked him and purchased a ticket for the portkey.

By noon, Charlie was leading Maya to his cottage at the reserve.