Chapter 2

Charlie Weasley was at his childhood home, the Burrow, lying in the yard and looking for constellations. The house, while warm and inviting, had always felt cramped to him. It was hard being an introverted Weasley. He needed to be outdoors… with the stars, the animals… and sometimes, his younger brother Fred.

Charlie sighed. They had held Fred's funeral just a few days ago. All the family memories were now at the forefront of Charlie's mind. He had been studying dragons at the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary for years now, but had always kept in touch with his family. If he had to pick, he'd probably say he was closest with Bill, being the two oldest. Percy had always been a bit too pompous, and couldn't understand the need for the outdoors over a book. The twins were usually seen as a single unit, always goofing off and causing mischief. But Fred had had a quiet side like Charlie. He was never destined for a career in Magizoology, but he understood Charlie's love of the outdoors better than most. The sky could clear your head. Animals were less complicated than humans.

The back door creaked, and Charlie sat up suddenly. It was his mother, waving him inside, presumably for a drink before bed. He couldn't help but smile - mum was never going to stop coddling any of them now that she had lost Fred.

He walked towards the house, and Molly put her arm around her second son. Charlie was the shortest of the Weasley brothers, but still a grown man, and she couldn't reach his shoulders at all. Without saying much, she got out his favorite mulled mead and set a glass on the table. They sat, and Charlie immediately knew what was coming.

"Now Charlie, I heard you telling Bill that you'd be heading back to Romania soon. You must know that your father and I -," she hesitated, seeing Charlie's smirk, and corrected herself. "Oh fine, it's mostly me - I think you're being too hasty! We've only just had the… the funeral…," she sniffled, "and I really think you need to spend more time here with the family instead of working!"

Charlie paused for a moment, holding Molly's hand while she collected herself. "Mum, you know there isn't much left for me to do here. Studying dragons isn't like work for me, it's… it's what keeps me sane."

But Molly wasn't going to give in so easily. "There is work for you here though - we just got an owl today from Professor McGonagall asking if you had left yet. She's looking for more recruits for the Restoration Task Force. They're bringing in a specialist from America, it's all going to be done up properly and Hogwarts will be as good as new. Won't you stay and help?"

Charlie knew there was no denying his mum once she had set herself to a task. "Fine, mum. But only for you." Molly smiled. She knew keeping everyone together for the summer was right.

Charlie said goodnight and headed up to bed - his old room that he had once shared with Bill. He met Harry sneaking out of Ginny's room on the first floor. Harry looked at him in terror before realizing he wasn't Mr. or Mrs. Weasley.

"Don't worry Harry, I don't think you could do anything wrong in this house for a long time," Charlie laughed. "But you'd better get up there quick, Mum's still up," he added in a whisper.

Harry dashed up the stairs as quickly and silently as possible. Charlie got to his room, still chuckling. This was the kind of thing Fred would have loved - teasing Harry at every possible turn, watching him fumble for words… Charlie felt yet another pang of loss, and got into bed, lost in thought.

Charlie apparated to Shell Cottage the next morning. Bill didn't seem surprised to see him. "Mum got to you, eh?"

Charlie sank into the nearest chair and closed his eyes. "She's downright impossible. No wonder Ginny is such a pain - she gets it directly from mum!" But his tone was affectionate - Ginny was especially spoiled by her oldest brothers, and Charlie was always happy to be wrapped around her little finger. "Being back at the Dragon Sanctuary sounds a lot better than being stuck inside Hogwarts for months, but I guess the work needs done."

"It should go pretty smoothly. I heard they're bringing in an expert from America to help," said Bill. "I heard she's young… could be interesting…" he added with a grin.

"Give it a rest, Bill. I'm not sticking around to date anyone. And anyway," he added, slightly annoyed now, "how much of an expert can she be if she's so young?"

"After this war, I don't think we can judge anyone by their age," Bill said fairly. "But I guess she's really qualified. I heard McGonagall telling Mum that she has a bunch of articles published in Transfiguration Today. She sounded impressed, and you know McGonagall doesn't give praise lightly."

"Fine," Charlie said, grumpily. "But I'm not going to date her. So don't even try to make that happen."

"You're hopeless," Bill laughed. "Fancy going to Diagon Alley? I told George I'd stop by and help him with the shop."

Both brothers were immediately somber. "Of course," Charlie said. This wasn't going to be a particularly enjoyable trip, but he knew it was important and that they had to be there for George. "Let's get going."

On the morning of May 31, there was an air of excitement at the Burrow. Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione (returned from retrieving her parents in Australia), and Charlie were packing for their stay at Hogwarts. Bill, Percy, and George were going too, but were spending their last night at their own homes.

"An empty house again, so soon!" Molly moaned.

"Mum! It was your idea for us all to go! And we'll be home on weekends." Ginny pointed out.

"Oh, I know dear, just come here and let me check that you've packed everything." Molly fussed over each of them in turn, ending with Charlie. "Charlie, dear, now don't miss your dragons too much. Try to enjoy yourself."

"I'll do my best, Mum, I promise."

Molly patted Charlie's arm, then she called, "Everyone, you'd better finish getting ready, Professor McGonagall wants you all apparated in by dinner!"