By the time Nightmare had arrived to Hogwarts, Charles was so buried under assignments and projects he didn't even had the opportunity to talk to him. Although, he was relieved to see his twin alive and well.
Charles didn't tell his parents, though. There was enough on their minds with both Voldemort and Dumbledore to worry about without his long-lost-brother in the picture too.
So, for the moment, Charles resigned to talk with Dean and Seamus, occasionally Susan and Hannah, and to survive the subjects and Professors.
But with Professor Umbridge in the school, he doubted it would be very easy. He had only a few detentions with her; he knew she had obtained what very few professors gained: hate at first class.
Only a few weeks at Hogwarts had passed and she was even more hated than Snape was. Although, Charles noticed, the greasy-haired professor didn't like the toad very much either.
Charles checked his watch. He swore under his breath as he saw he was going to be late for Umbridge's class. He picked up his bag from the floor by the chair he had been relaxing on, and hurried to the Fat Lady's portrait. Once out of the common room, he ran all the way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, managing to arrive just in time.
He entered and sat, trying to block out the toad's fake sweet voice, but not managing. He left the room wondering why she didn't gave him detention, but he shrugged, wondering why she was in a good mood.
However, he didn't notice the student who stayed after class, or that the professor handed him a piece of parchment, whispering one sentence.
"Do not be late."
-oOo-
"So Harry, how goes Operation Horcrux?"
Harry sighed softly. "It goes. But now, since I have to attend classes and do homework, it isn't coming as easily as it was when I was out."
"I understand. Have you talked with your brother yet?"
It was mid-winter and Harry was talking to Ginny using phones, which they had figured how to make them run on magic instead of electricity. They had bought the late in the summer, when Harry decided he would be going alone to Hogwarts this time- both to check if a Horcrux was there and to watch over Charles.
"No. He seems really occupied with O.W.L.S. lately, and-" And at that, Ginny seemed to understand.
"You´re scared."
"Not really. I just -"
"Harry James Potter. Do not dare top tell me that you are not scared, because we both know that you are!"
Harry winced at his girlfriend's tone, and admitted that he was, indeed, scared of what his twin would think of him when he knew everything that had happened during summer break.
"Harry," she started firmly. Then, she softened. "He is your brother. Trust him."
"I know," Harry sighed. "It's just - so many things have happened since we left Hogwarts. It-it's still difficult to cope with."
"I know, love."
Harry passed the cell phone from one hand to the other. "I have to get going. Tell everyone I said hello."
"I will. I miss you."
"I miss you too," replied Harry before turning off the conversation and placing the device in his pocket, and sighed again. He picked up his things to hurry up to class were he would, hopefully, be able to talk to Charles.
He didn't think he would get the opportunity because Defense Against the Dark Arts was next.
-oOo-
Ever since the first class she had with Charles Potter, Dolores Umbridge had wanted nothing more than to give Charles a lot of detentions- or torture, as most students saw them.
She had to change her mind, however, when one student had pleaded with her in hopes of taking the Boy-Who-Lived's place.
And she was really pleased when she realised that the student was a Potter too.
Potter's twin brother, indeed.
Dolores laughed at the thought. She knew that somehow, torturing the older twin would affect the younger. That, and it was so much fun to play with Harry Potter than it was with Charles.
Oh, yes. Dolores Umbridge was looking forward for the next Defense Against the Dark Arts class!
-oOo-
"You talked with Nigh- Harry?" Ron asked his sister that afternoon. She rolled her eyes at the question, as if the answer was obvious.
"Of course I did."
"And what did he say?" Hermione asked, curious.
"Not much, " Ginny frowned. "He seemed really tired," she admitted.
"I hope he is alright," Neville said, and everyone agreed.
"I wish we were able to help him more," said Sirius in frustration, after a moment of silence.
Freyn snorted. "Yeah, right. You know him. He wouldn't let us even if we could."
"And he needs to do this alone," said Luna dreamily. "He needs to feel in charge again."
"Yes, he does," Draco agreed.
They were in the biggest room in Black Manor, trying to relax; it was one of the only rooms where they could all fit in comfortably. They had found almost all of the Horcruxes. They knew where two of them were, and one that they didn't. They were only waiting for Harry to find the one they thought was in Hogwarts.
"The problem with the Midnights really affected him. He tried to stay strong, for our sake, but he has changed," Ginny said, already thinking of going to Hogwarts to visit her raven-haired boyfriend, but she did not tell the others about it.
They all settled in silence, each one in their own world.
-oOo-
Harry arrived at the door and knocked, forcing himself to stay polite.
Charles had ticked off Umbridge more than usual during the last Defense Against the Dark Arts class after one of her comments got on Charles's nerves. Although he didn't get detention, the toad-like professor had happily informed Harry that she expected him for detention that afternoon.
Really, Harry thought, was it really that difficult to stay calm just one class?
He was shook from his thoughts when the over-sweet voice that belonged to the professor called him to enter the room.
He did, as slowly and warily as he had done before.
"Ah, Mr. Potter," she said, with a fake smile. "You are two minutes late. You wouldn't want me to give the other Potter detention next time, would you?"
Harry felt his skin crawl at the not-so-subtle threat, but he showed none of his sudden fear.
"No, ma'am. I'm sorry. I lost track of time. It won't happen again."
The professor laughed as she handed him the familiar black quill and a piece of parchment.
"No. I'm sure you won't."
AN. Hello!
Enjoy this new chapter!
And I want to make a special thank you to my new beta: listen2music4ever!
Thank you so much!
Lily