Chapter Six: The Calm Before the Storm

Bellatrix Lestrange crept down the stairs, leading an ugly, lopsided witch and wizard, a werewolf named Fenrir Greyback, and a few more Death Eaters. Charlotte's vision tunneled. She raised her wand, but Hermione pulled her out of their line of sight. "Charli, wait." She whispered. "They'll kill you."

Charlotte just stared ahead, thinking fast. "I don't care, Hermione." And she bolted, running behind the line of Death Eaters.

They were headed toward the Astronomy Tower and, a few minutes after the Death Eaters got there, Professor Dumbledore fell out of the tower. "NO!" Charlotte shrieked, running over to where the headmaster lay, dead before he hit the ground.

Harry, appearing out of nowhere, with an expression on his face that chilled her to the bone, yelled, "Go!" And he took off, after someone she couldn't see.

Charlotte ran in the opposite direction, right to Bellatrix Lestrange. "Hello, pretty." She cooed. "Crucio!"

Charlotte dodged the curse. "Densaugeo!"

Bellatrix ducked. "Ah, the wittle baby Potter girl knows how to play, does she? Flipendo Tria!"

"Protego!" She yelled, watching as the spell bounced off. "Stupefy!"

Bellatrix hit the ground hard. Charlotte ran around her, looking for Seamus. And then, she heard, "FIGHT BACK, YOU COWARD! FIGHT BACK!"

She turned direction, rushing to Harry's aid. He was shooting curse after curse at Professor Snape, who was blocking them lazily. "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?" He hissed. Charlotte froze, wondering what was going on. "I invented them-the Half-Blood Prince!" Harry dove for his wand. "No!"

"Kill me then. Kill me like you killed him, you coward." Harry panted.

"DON'T CALL ME COWARD!" Snape roared, slashing at the air.

Harry flew backwards, slamming into the ground. "Professor!" Charlotte screamed, running at him. "Uncle Sev, what are you doing?"

"Get away." He hissed, his black eyes devoid of any emotion and he shoved past her, knocking her to the ground.

Harry helped her up and together, the two cousins went back to the Astronomy Tower. The Death Eaters had fled, and Harry fell on his knees beside Dumbledore's body, sobbing. Charlotte noticed a locket lying beside him on the grass as she knelt down beside Harry. She handed him the locket and he automatically opened it, reading the piece of paper inside. "Harry." Hermione's soft voice said quietly. "Come on."

Harry obeyed, and Hermione pulled her to her feet and led her back to the castle, as well. "Where are we going?" She asked numbly.

"Hospital wing. McGonagall's orders. Everyone else is up there."

"Who's dead?"

"No one. Bill Weasley got attacked by Greyback. He's alive, though no one knows what the effects will be."

Samuel, Sirius, Remus and the whole Weasley clan were gathered around a bed near the far wall. "Charli!" Samuel rushed over, embracing her. "Charli, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She answered. It wasn't a lie, for physically, she was, but emotionally…she wasn't sure. "You?"

"We're all fine, sweetie." He kissed her forehead.

"Dumbledore might know something though." Ron said hopefully. "Where is he, anyway?"

"Ron, Dumbledore's dead." Hermione sniffled, her head on Harry's shoulder.

"What? No!" Remus looked wildly at the three standing together. He fell into the nearest chair, his hands over his face.

"How?" Tonks asked, her voice cracking.

"Snape." Harry said, his voice lacking any emotion. "I was there, I saw it. We arrived back on the Astronomy Tower because the Mark was there. Dumbledore was ill and weak, but I think he realized it was a trap when we heard footsteps running up the stairs. He immobilized me. I was under the Invisibility Cloak and I couldn't do anything, and Malfoy came through the door and disarmed him, but he kept talking to him, and more Death Eaters arrived and then Snape…he did it. The Avada Kedavra."

Charlotte's mouth fell open, but she said nothing. Her godfather, one she'd stayed with before in Spinner's End, the one who taught her everything she knew about potion-making and the hexes and curses to defend herself, and who told her stories of her dad while he was at Hogwarts, killed Professor Dumbledore. Tonks' outburst at Remus startled her out of her thoughts, as she didn't notice Fleur come in or yell at Mrs. Weasley. "She still wants to marry him, Remus! She doesn't care!"

"He's not a full werewolf!" Remus snapped. "It's completely different!"

"But I don't care!" Tonks cried, grabbing his robes. "I've told you a million times-"

"And I've told you, I'm too old, too dangerous, and too poor-"

Charlotte cut him off. "Shut up, Uncle Remus. If someone wants to be with you enough, they won't care. You deserve a chance at love too, and I know you think you're a monster, but I grew up with you! You're not! So, shut up and kiss her already! This is ridiculous!"

"It is not. Tonks deserves someone young and whole."

"But she wants you!"

Samuel gave her a small smile, Sirius raised his eyebrows, and Remus…Remus looked down at Tonks. "Are you sure I'm what you want?"

In answer to his question, the witch kissed the werewolf.

Two days later, some students were being rushed home by their parents before Dumbledore's funeral. Seamus, however, got into a yelling match with his mother in the entrance hall when he refused to go home with her. Both Finnigans were cursing each other in Gaelic, until Ardara finally gave in and let him stay.

The Hogwarts Express would be leaving right after the funeral, but Seamus, Charlotte, and Isobel were Apparating back home. Charlotte packed, coaxing Merlin back in the cage, and went down to breakfast. Everyone was in their dress robes, but nobody seemed very hungry.

Charlotte's attention during the funeral kept going back to Snape. Why had he killed the headmaster and why, why had he looked at her as if he hated her? A few tears trickled down and she felt Seamus squeeze her hand. It seemed Dumbledore's death had brought Neville and Luna together. She smiled, knowing Dumbledore would be happy with more love in the world. And then, afterward, Harry gathered her, Hermione, and Ron together. "I'm going to find the rest of the Horcruxes. There's only three more left and I've got to find them. Promise me something?" He now looked at Ron. "Keep Hermione safe, please."

Ron nodded, giving Hermione a small smile. "Harry, we're going with you." Hermione announced. "Ron and I are."

"What about you, Charli?"

"Call me when you find him, Harry. But I can't go with you."

He nodded, pulling his cousin into a hug. "Stay safe. They'll be after you, as well."

"Don't worry about me." They walked to Hogsmeade Station together, arm in arm. "Guys, be safe, alright?" Charlotte hugged Hermione and Ron. "Watch each other's backs."

"We'll be alright." Hermione said, reassuring her. "Trust me."

The Golden Trio boarded the train. Dean gave Isobel a farewell kiss, and Samuel and Ardara motioned them over. "Shay, you're going with the Potters. Sam says they might your help. Yah be good, alright, and stay safe, son." She embraced him. "I love yah."

"I love yah too, Mam." He kissed her cheek. "Don't worry 'bout me, though. I'll be fine."

She smiled, waved her hand in farewell, and Disapparated, Samuel and Sirius following with their trunks as the three teenagers Disapparated together.

-HP-

The month of July was surprisingly calm after Dumbledore's death. The Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, died at the hands of one of Voldemort's puppets, Pius Thicknesse. Severus Snape was appointed Headmaster and Hogwarts' attendance was made mandatory for purebloods and half-bloods. Samuel quit his job at the Ministry, but being the Potter family had more money in both Samuel and Harry's accounts combined, than the Malfoys did, and the fact the expansive Black family fortune joined Samuel's half of the Potter estate, money was the least of their worries. Then, a taboo jinx was placed on Voldemort's name, as only those against him used it, and forced everyone to call him either You-Know-Who, or as Charlotte renamed him, Weirdo-With-No-Nose.

Harry was carefully moved to the Burrow, but somehow, Voldemort had knowledge of that plan. Alastor Moody and Hedwig both died; George lost an ear, cursed off by Snape, but Harry was alive, although he left the next day with Ron and Hermione. Lavender, who'd greatly mellowed out and wasn't as clingy as she used to be, joined them at the Burrow for Bill and Fleur's wedding, along with Charlotte, Isobel, Seamus, Samuel, and Sirius. Dean was now on the run, as he didn't know whether he was Muggle-born or not, and Seamus and Isobel spent most of that month trying to send a message to Dean through their enchanted parchment.

But then, an owl came to Charlotte the third day of August. It only bore a single sentence from Harry, and that sentence couldn't have predicted the storm that was coming.

Last Horcrux is at Hogwarts. Meet me there. Harry

A/N: Tell me what you think so far! :) I'd love to hear it! I think I've got two more chapters left, with even more canon divergence, so please, bear with me! There's a reasoning behind my madness, I swear. Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites! You guys are awesome!