Authors Note

Since writing the previous chapter I have read up and learnt that the intended use I had planned for the patronus was only invented by Dumbledore for the Order of the Phoenix and so I want to apologise for the error. Please substitute the patronus for an owl instead please, many apologies and many thanks for reading.

Also many apologies for the length of time it took to write this I've been really busy, lacking motivation and to top it all off my laptop died. Now I have a shiny new laptop to build an unhealthy bond with.

Enjoy the chapter.

The barn owl's feathers ruffled impatiently as I slowly came out of sleep. Apparently I was too slow in my awakening as he leant forward and gave a sharp nip to the exposed skin of my leg. I shouted out in pain, throwing a deadly glare at the nasty little creature. Charlie, now awake stared at the owl with a dreamy expression and an open mouth. Leaning forward I snatched the piece of rolled parchment attached to the owls leg. The little beast flew off through an open window that had definitely been closed when we had gone to sleep.

"This had better be good…" I muttered to myself unrolling the parchment. Thankfully, the note was short and direct.

We Have Hit an Iceberg

The Ship Is Sinking

Evacuation Procedure in Action

~ Minister Evermonde

"What's wrong?" Charlie asked leaning over my shoulder to see the note for himself. I didn't hide it and saw his eyes bulge as mine most likely did as he read the words for himself "But…she's unsinkable!"

"Well, not anymore apparently" I was hastily moving out of the bed, searching for clothing "You're gonna have to keep your head down and remain calm. We can't draw attention to ourselves, you got that?"

He nodded, pulling on his trousers both legs at once and nearly tripping over his own feet. This couldn't have had worse timing. Outside the room, voices could be heard moving along the corridor and surely enough when we left, there was a steady stream of evacuating witches and wizards. Small children were herded by their mother's to the floo network station.

There was an eerie calm over the whole scene. Everyone moved quickly but there was no rush, no panic. Everyone here knew that they would get to somewhere safe, the sinking of the ship would be nothing more than a mild inconvenience in their journey. They were all safe. I could only imagine the worry and fear that the non-magical passengers on the ship would be feeling.

Everyone gathered in the entrance room, queues forming in front of the floo network whilst couples and families held hands and prepared to apparate out of the danger. Further up the queue, I saw one of my mother's uglier hats bobbing above the crowd. Undoubtedly my father and sister would both be with her also. With Charlie close by my side, we joined the queue, my hand gripping his dangerously tight and refusing to let him go.

The queue was moving so slowly, but it was moving. This seemed to help me relax. With every step we were closer to being free and safe. My grip on Charlie eased, my pulse slowed, the pain in my chest that I had only just became aware of began to fade. Maybe it was that that jinxed me. I let my guard down and with it revealed the chink in my armour for a new set of troubles to roll in.

Charlie was yanked from me by two tall men, each one laying their hands on Charlie's shoulders and pulling him from the queue. My brief moment of confusion melted away the moment I saw Victor, smiling smugly behind the two men.

"This is him gentleman" Charlie began to put up a fight but he felt the hard tip of a wand in his spine and stilled almost instantly "Not only is he a muggle, but a stowaway too. You really know how to pick them don't you Adeline?"

"What's going on?" My father pushed his way through the crowd easily, parting away the people like the red sea "Someone explain?"

"Your daughter shall be attending a hearing next month for failure to comply with the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy" Victor focussed on his cufflinks, not even granting us with the respect of eye contact "I'm sure you'll understand that a scandal like this coming from the daughter of someone in your position, I mean hiding a muggle boy in her chambers! In her bed! To think I nearly married…well, you will understand why you shall be facing an inquiry at work"

My father's back straightened and his eyes glanced over at me, cold and stony with a look of disgust. He looked so stiff and rigid. I had seen this before, his fury bubbled just below the surface. Tonight he would undoubtedly drink fire whiskey until he was a different man and take out his anger on the furniture.

"I have broken no laws, there are exceptions to the Secrecy act that include relationships like-" I was cut off, Victor had obviously anticipated this response. He had his argument ready on his tongue, striking me cold like a viper.

"Yes, there are exceptions" His perfect veneer smile was begging for the densaugeo curse "A muggle maybe be exempted from the secrecy act and exposed to magic if a blood relative of a witch or wizard. Or if they are engaged to be wed which, given your age and the fact you are a vulnerable and impressionable woman, would require the consent of your father. Mr Weasley?"

I looked up at my father and he still had that cold, empty look. Charlie stared at me with large, desperate eyes. The fate of Charlie was resting on my father's shoulder? A man whom probably had a closer relationship to the Daily Prophet than he did his children. It didn't seem fair.

"Father, I-" I struggled not to choke on my words "I love him, and I think he loves me…he makes me happy. Please, I've never asked anything from you but please…give me this"

There was a heavy pause were my father wouldn't meet my eyes, instead he burnt holes into the ground beneath my feet with the intensity of his glare. He let out a long sigh.

"Adeline, I only want what's best for you" he paused again, perhaps to let those words sink in. It wasn't "I love you" but it was the closest he had ever offered to me. "It's for that reason that I don't consent. Take him away"

And with that, my world fell out beneath my feet. I felt my knees give in as I hit the ground and too stunned to move, I watched as they dragged Charlie away.