Chapter 1

Charlie

I wake up with a brutal hangover again but at least I'm alone in my bed. How I got back to my flat is sketchy but at least I didn't bring Evie. It took three days to get rid of her last time. I groan and reach out hoping to find a hangover potion, Bill has been quite good at sending them lately, but my hand only finds an almost empty bottle of Firewhisky.

I sit up and hold my head with one hand while my other tries to find my wand, it's under the pillow of course, the war is never far from my mind even when I'm pissed. I summon a hangover potion and take a dose before collapsing back against the pillows.

It takes another hour for me to get up, at least it's a Sunday. I have a quick shower and then make an omelette that my mother would call burnt, I prefer to call it crispy. I think Ron is the only one of us that is a worse cook than me.

I stop my thoughts because making me thing of Ron makes me think of the others, makes me think of Fred. I eat my brunch and read the paper, I never used to read the Prophet in Romania but since the war I feel like I need to make more of an effort.

Kingsley seems to be doing a good job with the Ministry but the Death Eater trials are taking longer than anyone suspected. I just want the bastards locked up or dead, no in between. I find a quote from my Dad about abolishing the anti-Muggle laws and feel a rush of pride and then guilt when I think of him.

Pride because he finally has a job where he can really make a difference, and guilt because I know he wanted me to stay in England rather than run back to Romania as soon as the funerals were over.

I put my plate in the overflowing sink and then look out of the window, the view is stunning as always. Winter is starting to close in on the Carpathian Mountains and soon the view will be all white rather than green. My flat is in a complex full of Dragon trainers and associated Dragon workers on the Bucegi Plateau in central Romania.

Muggles think this part of the mountains are too dangerous to climb when in fact it is one of the largest Dragon breeding ground in the world, and the biggest in Europe. When I first moved here I lived in a tent for two years for my initial training but now I'm fully qualified, and even a supervisor, I'm allowed a small two bedroom flat.

I look around at my flat and the shame I felt earlier creeps back. It's a mess, bottles everywhere and I haven't cleaned properly since the war. I contemplate cleaning up but my Floo alarm distracts me and I'm hoping that it's not my mother, I don't want to see the flat like this.

"Charlie, you here son?" It's my Dad, I grab my robe from the bathroom and put it on before walking into the living room, it's even messier in here.

"Hi Dad, sorry about the mess, wasn't expecting anyone." My Dad's head turns and I see him examine the room, his forehead creases but I pretend not to notice.

"Can I come through?" I'm surprised by this, either Mom is really worried and has sent Dad on a mission, or something has happened.

"Sure, tea?" His body squeezes through the fireplace and he straightens up. I stand up and we embrace, we do this more since the war, even Ron and Percy.

"Coffee if you have it."

I make the drinks and he sits at the table and picks up the paper.

"Here you go, I saw the article, good work."

"Oh, thanks. I didn't know you got the Prophet."

"I didn't used to." I reply, sitting opposite him. "So, how is everyone?"

"Oh well, everyone's well. Fleur's getting big, she's been a bit ill this week but I think she's getting through it…" He goes through every other family member, including Harry and Hermione, but leaves out himself.

"Great, how are you?"

"Me? Oh fine, yes fine thank you. How are you?" He asks, looking at the pile of washing up and the mouldy bread on the counter.

"Good, busy week though. It's not usually like this."

"I'm sure it's not. Anyway, I need to talk to you about something."

"I guessed, what is it?"

"Do you read the Prophet every day?"

"Most days, why?"

"Did you read about Lavender Brown?" The name is familiar and I remember why. When I read her story and realised it could have been Ginny I drank for the whole night and then couldn't get rid of Evie for a week, I was a mess. I try and keep my expression neutral.

"Yeah, couldn't believe it. Poor kid."

"I know, she's been through hell."

"What about her though?"

"She was attacked at Hogwarts yesterday, taken back into the room that she was held in and left there..."

"Fuck, who by?"

"Minerva doesn't know, they questioned Lavender but she was attacked from behind and she's really shook up…"

"I bet she is, can't believe that kids did that to her!"

"There are a few relatives of accused men in the school and Bill and Minerva are trying to investigate who it was but the issue is…she's not safe at Hogwarts anymore."

"Poor girl, she had a baby as well right?"

"Yeah, Dora, named after Tonks." That was not expected. I went to school with Tonks, we were best friends until I came to Romania.

"Charlie?"

"Sorry Dad, I wasn't expecting that. Why are you telling me this?"

"Kingsley and Minerva want the Order to protect her, she's not safe at Hogwarts and they want to fake her death to try and protect her."

"Good idea, it's not like she'd be able to escape her past, work at the Ministry or anything…"

"Exactly. We want to give her, and the baby, a new identity and get them out of Britain for a bit, until the trials are over and things calm down…" I'm nodding my head in agreement before I realise why he's here.

"Here? Seriously Dad, you want to move them here?" I ask, astounded.

"Think about it Charlie, Lavender's been through enough, the Order needs to protect her and she won't be able to be free…"

"You want me to look after an eighteen year old witch and her baby, are you serious, Dad?"

"Charlie, you're a member of the Order of the Phoenix…."

"Yeah, to fight You-Know-Who and…" I'm stood up and running my hands through my unwashed hair.

"We owe her, Charlie! If it wasn't her in that room it would have been Ginny, Voldemort was going to get her next…"

"DON'T!" I yell, that's a low blow from him, he knows I think the world of Gin.

"It would have been Ginny, she protected her for seven months!"

"Why me? You might not have noticed Dad, but I'm not exactly together right now!" I gesture to the mess around me.

"Please Charlie, this is your mission for the Order, you took the oath. We need to protect them, we owe her!" I look at my Dad and then realise how much trust the Order is putting in me.

"Charlie, this is your chance to make a difference, a real difference." That hurts, I tried to help with the Order but I know I could have done more. If I do this will I really be able to sleep without dreaming of Fred and his coffin being lowered into the ground?

"Okay, when?" I find myself saying, almost mechanically.

"We'll bring them tonight, get the place decent. We'll give you money for their upkeep, the Brown family is rich enough and we need to think of a cover story, but Charlie…she's…she's damaged, okay? You're going to need to be strong for her, can you do that?"

I find myself nodding, I must be crazy.

Lavender.

I land smoothly although my head still feels like I'm back in the hospital wing. Dora wakes and starts crying so I let go of the portkey book and try to comfort her.

"Get out alright?" I look up at the unfamiliar voice. He is tall and has red hair, Weasley-red hair. This must be the one Weasley I haven't met, no wonder they didn't tell me where I was going, I can't even bear going to the Burrow and now I'm faking my death with one of them.

"Fine, it was very fast though, are you alright, Lavender?" Asks Mr Weasley, I nod and look around. It's a small living room with an overstuffed sofa, a small desk, a coffee table and a leather armchair that appears to be the only new thing in the room. It reminds me of the Burrow.

"Where are we?" I ask, Dora is still screaming but I need answers.

"Charlie, can you make some tea?" Mr Weasley asks and his son disappears. I sit down on the armchair, still feeling completely dazed.

Dora starts to quieten and Charlie returns with a tray of mismatched mugs and a pot of tea and puts it on the coffee table, Mr Weasley pours it and Dora finally drifts off.

"I know this has all been very quick and you haven't… Have you met?" I shake my head.

"I'm Charlie Weasley, younger than Bill but older than the others." Charlie says, with a brave stab at humour, I nod.

"Lavender Brown." I reply, feeling sick.

"Well, not anymore. We've come up with a cover story but you'll have to play your parts well, especially at the beginning."

"What's the story?" Charlie asks.

"You'll obviously stay as you are but we're going to fake Lavender's death…"

"What? I didn't know…"

"It's the only way." I say, interrupting Charlie.

"It is son, Minerva and Bill are dealing with that side of things. We need a new name for you and Dora, any ideas?"

"Umm…" I try and think of Dora first and remember a name from my childhood games, pretending to be a Mummy to baby dolls with Flo. "I like Tabitha, for Dora."

"Okay, that's good. What about you?" I shrug.

"No idea?"

"Amber, maybe…it's still a colour though." Flo used to call some of the dolls Amber, she loved colour names, part of me has always wondered if she was the one who named me and not my parents, it wouldn't surprise me.

"It's far enough away, we can give you a common surname, Smith or Jones…"

"Jones is okay." I say and Mr Weasley nods.

"Excellent, Amber Jones it is then. Now for the story, we're going to alter your appearance slightly, with glamour's for the time being, we can make you look a bit older."

"Can you get rid of the scars?" I ask, still desperate for a clean slate, I don't want Amber Jones to have scars.

"No, sorry they're cursed."

"It's winter here though, trust me you'll be wrapping up warm so no one will see them." Says Charlie, indicating outside, I look at the window and see mountains.

"Where are we?"

"Romania, Carpathian Mountains Dragon reserve." He says and I must look shocked because Mr Weasley looks worried.

"I know it's a lot to take in…"

"A lot to take it? Half an hour ago I was asleep in the hospital wing!" I exclaim.

"I know, we'll establish the story and then you can get some rest. Poppy warned us to try and get you to rest for a few days."

"I… I didn't get to say goodbye to her." I say, suddenly feeling terrible for not realising it sooner.

"I know, she'll write. Anyway, cover story. We think it's best if we pretend that you used to be a couple, if we age you up by a couple of years, early twenties. Pretend you used to date and then split up and then you realised you were pregnant…"

"It will have to be a one-night-stand, Dad. I had a girlfriend last year."

"Did you?" Mr Weasley looks surprised.

"Yeah, we're not together now but…."

"Will she be upset?"

"I'll deal with it, don't worry. Just make it a one-night-stand when I was home last year, all the thought of impending doom and all that…" Charlie tails off and I nod, it will be easier than pretending we had a relationship.

"Okay, fine. One-night-stand, then Amber realised she was pregnant and now she's tracked you down and she's staying with you because she has no family." I nod, my parents disowned me anyway.

"What about work?" I ask.

"Well, you won't be able to…"

"I mean what do we tell people I did?" I ask.

"Oh, sometime unassuming, waitressing or bar work, something along those lines."

"Works for me, we met in a bar, got drunk and ending up with…Tabitha." He says, gesturing towards Dora.

"Okay, is that alright with you?" Mr Weasley asks, looking at me. I nod but secretly I'm terrified.

"I'll show you your room, have you got the crib for Tabitha?" Charlie says, standing up.

"I've got it all." Says Mr Weasley and we both stand up.

My room is small with a single bed and a dressing table, Mr Weasley stretches it with a spell to make more room for the crib and the expands the bag with my clothes and things and puts them on the floor.

"Fleur packed for you, we need to try and keep the contact normal, once a week but obviously if there's an emergency then don't hesitant to contact us. Poppy has sent your potion regime and some prescriptions, she also mentioned some books, probably baby books, and they're in here." He says, patting a bag that I don't recognise. I nod and put Dora down in the crib.

"Are you okay?" He asks kindly.

"Yeah… just a bit overwhelmed. What about the trials?"

"I don't know yet."

"They won't be free, will…"

"I don't know, most of them are cut and dry but…"

"Oh my…" I hold my stomach and sit down on the bed so I don't collapse.

"Don't worry, you will be safe. Charlie will look after you, and you can start a new life here, keep up with the cover story, okay?" I nod, wanting more reassurance than that.

"I've got to go, I'll see you next week. Stay strong, Amber." I nod and he leaves. I hear him talk to Charlie and then apparate away.

"You alright?" Asks Charlie, standing in the doorway and looking at me like I might explode.

"Yeah…just a shock." Charlie nods and I realise that he can't have had more than a few hours' notice. "Thanks for… taking me in."

"Don't mention it, I know what you did, I'll protect you. Get some sleep, I'll call in sick tomorrow so we can talk, get our head round everything, do the glamour charms, and get to know each other." I nod and he leaves.

I lie down on my new bed and my mind is racing, what in Merlin's name has just happened?

Charlie.

I don't get to sleep until seven, the baby woke once but Lavender was crying until six. I wasn't sure whether to go and see her but decided against it. Its ten now and I've called in sick giving them vague reasons of a stomach bug, hopefully it will hold up and keep them from checking on me.

The baby starts crying again and I stand up wondering if I should go to her but then the crying stops. I walk into the kitchen and point my wand at the kettle. I know my mind is still reeling from everything but Lavender's face last night will be burnt in my mind forever, she looked completely broken. I keep imagining Ginny looking like that but I can't, I just see her lying dead.

Footsteps from behind me break this depressing line of thought and I turn to see Lavender holding the baby, she is still in her nightclothes but with a red dressing gown wrapped tightly around herself.

"Morning, tea?" I ask, Merlin this is weird.

"Yes please. Could I get some water, for the baby formula?"

"Of course, did you find the bathroom alright?" I ask, moving aside as she puts the bottle under the sink and tries to keep hold of the baby, I take the bottle off her to help, and also because her hands are shaking. "Here, I'll do it. How much?"

"Thanks, just up to the line." I fill it and then put the lid back on and shake it, she steps back and the baby starts crying again. "Sssh, it's coming." She says softly, kissing the baby's head.

"Is that enough?" I ask, giving the bottle one last shake. She nods and sits down on the edge of the wooden chair and I pass her the bottle. The baby takes it well and silence fills the room until the kettle starts to hiss, I take it off the stove quickly so it won't disturb the baby and start to make the tea.

"So, did you find the bathroom? I forgot to show it to you."

"Yes, I found it. Sorry if we kept you up…"

"Don't worry about it. Milk and sugar?"

"Milk but no sugar, you could put up a silencing charm if…"

"No, I'll help with the baby, if you want. It will help with the cover story and you'll need to rest, Pomfrey can be as scary as McGonagall when she's angry." Lavender smiles slightly and nods.

"I know, she's got this…power about her." I put the tea down and sit opposite them both. Lavender has her eyes closed and is leaning back slightly. She looks absolutely exhausted. Her face is pale but her eyes are puffy and red, evidence of the tears I heard during the night. Her frame is skinny with the exception of a slight bump concealed by the dressing gown. Her hair is dark brown but the pale eyebrows tell me that she's naturally a blonde, the hair is pulled up in a messy bun but I can tell by the way it falls out of the tie that it is rather curly. Her hands are shaking but the baby doesn't seem to notice, I feel I should help.

"Do you want me to feed her? So you can drink your tea?" I ask cautiously, she opens her blue eyes and looks unsure for a moment but then looks down at the tea and nods. I stand up and move over to her and she passes Tabitha to me, the baby is small but her eyes are also blue and she has a small amount of blonde hair. I put the bottle back in her mouth and her eyes close again as I sit back down.

"She's beautiful." I say, both honestly and because it's a standard response when presented with a baby.

"I know." Lavender says with a small smile. "So, how long have you lived out here?"

"About eight years now, I moved out as soon as I finished Hogwarts."

"What do you do? With the Dragons I mean?"

"I'm with the breeding programme, we check the genetics of each Dragon and pair them up, to ensure the survival of each species." I say, quoting from my job description. "Most of it is trying to get samples from them and checking on the eggs and new-borns." Lavender looks impressed, underneath the tiredness.

"Sounds interesting, how many species do you have here?"

"Just the European species usually, Common Welsh, Herbridean, Horntail, Ridgeback, Longhorn, Short-Snout and Ironbelly, occasionally we get some other species for research or if other countries are trading them, we've got a Chinese Fireball male at the moment, on route to a research project in the Atlantic, beautiful species." Dragons, dragons are what I know, I could talk about them for hours. Lavender actually looks interested.

"How do you keep them apart? And away from the Muggles?"

"Muggles are easy, this whole reserve is unplottable and the muggles think it's unreachable so we don't have a problem. We also spread rumours that the mountains are cursed, Romanians are fairly superstitious so that helps. Keeping the Dragons apart is harder but they have twenty-four hour monitoring and wizard guards at the boundary of each species reserve, some species are allowed to mingle but some are too violent to mix."

"I've only seen one Dragon, during the tournament."

"We provided those Dragons, the one Harry faced is just about to start breeding again, she's getting moody that's the most dangerous time for us. I'll take you to see them one day if you want."

"I'd like that, Hagrid would love it here." I laugh and nod.

"Yeah, I'm planning on asking him over in the summer, I know he'd love it. Did you take Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Yeah, I got my OWL and I picked it up this year but…" She tails away and looks upset and I can understand why.

"Maybe you could get them to send work?"

"There's no point, I'm dead remember." Her face is stony all of a sudden so I look down at the baby, she has had half the bottle quickly but still seems eager to finish.

"Were your work okay about you calling in sick?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it, there's been a stomach bug going around so I just said I had that."

"Why did you agree to take us in?" She asks, I look up and see how serious her face has become.

"I'm in the Order and it's the right thing to do." I reply, wondering what the real reason is, guilt perhaps? Guilt that I didn't do enough in the war, guilt that I wasn't with Fred when he died, guilt that I left so soon, guilt that I'm still hiding.

"You know what happened though? To me?"

"Yeah, I read it in the paper, I'm sorry…"

"I don't want to talk about it, ever. I'm someone new now, I need to leave her behind, understand?"

"Yeah, I get it." Does she really think it will be that easy, anyone who looks at her will realise that something horrific has happened to her, I've never seen her before but it's obvious she's been through hell.

"We should do your glamours, any ideas?" I ask, thinking back to my Charms NEWT.

"I don't want to be blond." She says firmly.

"Fine, well we need to change it from brown now and I don't think you'll look right as a red-head. How about black?" She nods. "I can change your eyes to green and plump on your face a bit." She nods again. "I'll make your hair wavy as well. Here, she's finished. I'll just grab my wand."

I pass Tabitha back to her mother and ten minutes later she looks completely different. Changing the eye colour helped but she still looks lost, she looks in the mirror and seems pleased.

"Thanks, do you think it's enough?" She asks.

"Yeah, you look completely different…" A knock on the door interrupts us and Lavender looks terrified. "It's probably just a friend, go into your room and unpack your stuff." She nods and moves quickly out of sight.

I look in the mirror and realise that the lack of sleep makes me look ill enough so I don't need to charm myself so I walk to the door and open it.

"Charlie, you sick, Mada make you soup!" The old woman pushes past me and into the flat. She's in her late seventies and runs the kitchens here at the reserve, she's like a grandmother to all of us.

"Thanks Mada, how are you?" I ask, shutting the door behind her, I wonder if I should start the cover story now, Mada will ensure its spread quickly and efficiently through the reserve.

"I smell baby! Charlie! You have baby here! Who bring baby, your brother?" Well, that solved the problem.

"Umm, no, sit down. I've had quite a hectic twenty-four hours, I'll make you some coffee."

"No, you sick, tell Mada and Mada make coffee, where baby?" She stands up and walks into the kitchen, I look after her for a moment and then walk into Lavender's room. She is sat on her bed with an open bag on clothes at her feet and Tabitha next to her, she looks up at me as I enter.

"Who is it?"

"It's the cook, she brought me soup and she can smell Tabitha, it's show time Amber."

"She can smell her?"

"Apparently, bring her out and follow my lead." Lavender picks the baby up, sniffs her, and we walk into the kitchen, Mada turns around and makes a gushing noise at the sight of the baby.

"A baby! A baby girl, yes?"

"Yes, Mada this is Amber, we met last year and this…this is my daughter, Tabitha." To say that Mada looks shocked is an understatement, she also looks pleased though, she's never liked Evie.

"Charlie! You have baby girl, you big man now!" I smile and nod, this is weird. Mada walks towards Lavender and I notice her grip of Tabitha tighten slightly.

"Me Mada, I look after everyone here, I cook for you and Tabitha, what you like?"

"Umm…hello, I'm Amber." She says, looking terrified, Mada smiles at her showing several missing teeth.

"It's been a bit of a busy few days, Mada. Amber's a bit tired, did you want to have a sleep?" I ask, turning to Lavender, she takes the bait as I knew she would.

"Yes please, thanks."

"Mada cook another time, you sleep!" Lavender nods and leaves the room. Mada waits a moment and then turns to me. "Charlie, she look ill! You need be good man and marry her!"

"We're not getting married, she's been through a lot, her family were killed in the war and she didn't realise she was pregnant until I was already back here so she's been trying to find me."

"She no family?"

"No, all killed in the war."

"That sad, you be good man and marry her."

"No, she's just staying here so I can help with Tabitha, we're not together." Mada looks unconvinced.

"You not want her, she pretty, she better than Italian whore!"

"Stop calling Evie that, you know what her name is." I reply, swallowing a smile with some difficulty, Evie is probably the only worker on the reserve that Mada doesn't like. "And I haven't told Evie yet so don't tell anyone." I know the news will now spread by dinner, Evie will probably hear first.

"You cheat Evie?"

"It was complicated, we were on a break and it was during the war. Amber was…it was a one-time thing." Man, I should be an actor.

"You young people, no morals! I leave now, you not sick but keep soup, give to Amber, she look sick." Without another word Mada leaves the flat leaving only the box of soup and her over-bearing perfume.

I walk into Lavender's room and see that she is crying quietly, I think of leaving but she spots me.

"Sorry." I say quietly.

"It's alright, just not very good at this, am I?"

"You were fine, pack your stuff away and then we'll get to know each other and flesh out the cover story." She nods and wipes her tears.

"Is your ex going to be mad at you?"

"Evie, probably but don't worry about it. I can handle her." To be honest it has probably helped me, she'll be so pissed off that I won't end up shagging her every time we get pissed together.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it's going to be alright. Mada likes you, that's the most important thing."

"Is it?"

"Yeah, she pretty much runs this place, and is the gossip exchange. She likes you so others will, don't worry, you did good." She manages a small smile and then moves to put Tabitha in her crib and I shut the door.

Lavender.

I watch the door close and look back at Dora, she's sleeping soundly and I wish I could. I try and stop the tears coming but I can't so I just ignore them. I walk back over to the bed and start putting my clothes away, there's a wardrobe and a chest of drawers which I half-fill with my clothes, I store some summer things and things I'll never wear again under my bed and then put Dora's clothes in the remaining space.

Fleur has packed everything well, even my textbooks and crochet things. There is even my make-up, she must have just packed everything with no thought as to whether I would need it. I empty the first bag and then move onto the bag of potions than Pomfrey sent.

I put them all on the chest of drawers and feel terrible that I didn't say goodbye to her. She has written down a potion regime for me and enclosed a letter for Charlie, I put it on my bed to give to him later. She has also enclosed several baby books and one other book which is completely plain, I wonder if it is a notebook but when I open it I see the title. 'Magical loss; how to cope.' She has written a small note.

Hide this but don't give up hope.

Almost mechanically I open the bottom drawer and put the book underneath my clothes, hidden away. I pick up the last book and see that it is about post-traumatic stress, I put it with the magical loss book, hidden.

I unpack the other bags quickly and an envelope drops out, it's address to me so I open it

Dear Lavender,

I know that you must be scared but remember that you can start a new life now. Charlie is a good man and he will look after you both. It may be hard to start with but don't forget to let him help you, especially with Dora. I am sorry that we cannot help you anymore but we will stay in touch as much as we can. Stay strong and don't hold back when you want to cry.

Best wishes,

Fleur and Bill.

P.S. Burn this!

I find a scrap piece of parchment and copy down the message before walking into the living room and throwing the letter on the fire, Charlie is sat on the sofa eating soup.

"Alright?" He asks, watching the letter burn.

"Yeah, Bill told me to burn it."

"Oh, you unpacked?"

"Yes, I just need to grab something." I walk back into my room and pick up the letter for Charlie and cast charms on the crib before returning to the living room. I pass him the letter and he puts it in his pocket.

"Cheers, I'll open it later, you want soup?" I nod and he pours me a bowl and passes me a spoon, it is delicious.

"It's nice, did you make it?"

"No, Mada brought it, she's an amazing cook. I burn everything. Can you cook?"

"I can try." I reply, I need to feel useful. "Maybe we could get some books and I could try."

"Good idea. We could go out at the weekend, into the next town and find some books for you." I nod.

We spend the next hour slowly working on the cover story until we're sure it will be enough. Amber worked in a bar in London, Charlie came in and they got drunk and had a one-night-stand and then the next day her family were murdered. It might help explain my broken-ness if it looks like I'm carrying guilt around with me.

I can't fail to notice the feint smell of Firewhisky in the flat, perhaps Charlie has his own demons to deal with.

I have a small nap in the afternoon but Dora's cries wake me up. I sit up slowly and then walk over to her. Picking her up I know she needs changing so I grab the bag and walk out of my room. The bathroom is quite large considering the size of the flat, I change her on the floor and then stand up and catch sight of myself in the mirror.

Amber looks tired but the charms are impressive and she doesn't look starved like Lavender did. As long as we renew the charms every week it should be fine. I walk into the living room and see that Charlie is asleep on the sofa with an open Dragon book on his chest.

He is taller than Bill and the others and slightly broader too. His face is tanned and weather-beaten and he also has a burn scar on his neck. The freckles on his face remind me of his father but I recall his eyes being like his Ron's warm and blue.

I turn away from him and walk back into my room. Placing Dora on the bed I start my crochet blanket for her and time seems to just slip away.

"Mom converted you to crochet then?" Charlie's voice breaks through my concentration and I turn to him.

"Oh, hi. Yes, it's quite enjoyable actually."

"She's tried to get Ginny into it for years but she'd rather play Quidditch."

"You played didn't you? I remember Ron saying."

"Yes, I play here as well, just once a week for fun. You should come, it's Wednesday evenings and people will want to meet you. It will be weird if you don't leave the flat."

"Yeah, okay. Feels weird to be allowed out though."

"You can be free here but, don't go anywhere on your own, not for the moment."

"Why?"

"You might not be who you were but anyone can see you've got demons to deal with, Pomfrey told me about the panic attacks."

"I thought she might."

"There's no shame in it, we'll stick close together for the first few weeks then see how things go."

"Okay." I does actually comfort me to know I won't be alone yet. "Will there be a language barrier though?" I ask, wondering if Charlie can speak Romanian.

"Not on the reserve, it's all English, but when we travel to the nearest town in can be a problem, I've got a phrase book if you want to borrow it?" I nod and he leaves and returns with a tatty Romanian phrase book.

"Thanks. Can…" A knock on the door interrupts us and Charlie jumps slightly but recovers quickly.

"Don't worry, the gossip will have spread, I'll leave this door open."

I see him walk to the front door and when he opens it a man with light brown hair enters with a broad smile on his face.

Charlie.

"Weasley! Rumour has it you've got company!"

"Hey Drew, come on in, drink?" I say, standing aside to let the American into the flat.

"I was going to ask you if you were up for a pint but I ran into Mada, Evie's pissed off mate!"

I chance a glance at Lavender and see that she looks uncomfortable but I beckon her forwards, she turns to put Tabitha down and I look back at Drew.

"We were on a break, anyway she cheated on me so she can be as mad as she wants, Drew this is Amber, Amber this is Drew, another Dragon trainer."

"Hi." Amber says politely, still looking unsure.

"Nice to meet you Amber, Drew Dawson, American and Charlie's best mate here."

"Tea, Drew?"

"Coffee please."

"I'll make them." Says Amber.

"Thanks, tea for me, two sugars and milk." God there is so much we don't know about each other it's a good thing we're not pretending we spent any more than a few hours together one drunken evening. She nods and leaves the room, Drew turns to me with a wide smile.

"She's hot, good…"

"Don't. She's sensitive and she's been through hell, don't give her a hard time, I mean it, tell the others as well, she's off-limits." I say, using my firm voice. Drew looks unsure for a moment but then nods.

"Alright, message received. So where's the kid?"

"Asleep."

"Boy or girl?"

"Mada didn't say?"

"It was during the dinner line up, everyone knows you've had a baby but not much else."

"Oh, girl, Tabitha, only a month old." Then feeling that a father should say more I add, "She's gorgeous, mate." I say, trying to adopt a goofy look.

"Well, congrats dude." He says, shaking my hand. Amber returns with a tray of drinks and I notice how much the tray is shaking, Drew seems to as well but doesn't comment. She passes out the drinks and then sits on the edge of the armchair.

"So where are you from?" Drew asks.

"Cornwall, how about you?" Amber replies promptly, making wonder if she is actually from Cornwall or if it was just the first place that she thought of.

"Seattle, been out here for about five years, I love it." Drew says, taking a swig of his coffee. "You planning on sticking around?"

"Well… my family were killed in the war and Charlie wants to help with Tabitha so…"

"They're here for the long-haul. I'm going to register them with central, we'll probably get a bigger flat." I say and Drew nods.

"Yeah, I think there's an empty three bed upstairs that's a bit bigger, central will sort it out. Do you work?"

"I worked in a bar but I'm taking some time out for now."

"You could always get a job in the pub when the baby…"

"Tabitha." Amber supplies.

"Yeah, is older." Amber nods and takes a sip of her tea.

"It's been a bit of a stressful time for Amber." I say, trying to explain her broken appearance.

"Yeah, I know how bad it's been in Britain. Sorry to hear about your family."

"Thank you." Amber says, with tears apparent on her face, I make a mental note to ask about her real family.

The sound of cries fill the room and I stand up.

"I'll get her." I need to act like a father that hasn't been there for a month but is trying to make an effort, Amber looks conflicted but stays seated.

I walk into the room and lift Tabitha out of the crib carefully, she looks at me and then cries harder, I walk back into the room with her and Amber is walking back from the kitchen shaking a bottle of formula.

"She's due a feed." She says, passing the bottle to me, I sit down and start feeding the baby.

"Look at you, Weasley! You told your mom yet?"

"Yeah, they're coming at the weekend."

"Ha! They'll have you down the aisle by Christmas…"

"Nah, mom's distracted by my older brother at the moment, she should be alright." I say, wondering how mom would actually react if this situation had been real.

"So, did you go to Hogwarts then?"

"No, I was home-schooled." Amber replies, we decided it was too big a lie to take to say she'd been at Hogwarts. There are a couple of other Brits out here and it wouldn't be worth the risk.

"Me too! Dad doesn't trust organised schooling!" Drew replies, smiling.

There is another knock on the door and I stand up, still feeding Tabitha and open the door, it's Evie and she looks mad.

Lavender.

Charlie's expression changes and he moves aside to let a woman with long flowing dark hair into the flat, she looks at Dora in disgust.

"You pig!" She yells as a greeting, Charlie looks at me and then brings Dora over and I take her and continue to feed her, Drew looks between the three of us, unsure.

"Calm down, we were on a break and we're not together now, get over it. This is Amber, Evie, and that's Tabitha, my daughter."

"I thought you no want children, that what you tell me!"

"It wasn't exactly planned but it's happened and I'm stepping up." Charlie replies, he's actually quite a good actor.

"Evie don't yell in front of a baby, what's the matter with you?" Drew asks, standing up and moving towards the woman.

"He cheat on me with this…whore!" As soon as the words leaves her lips I feel sick and I start shaking even more than I already was, the bottle slips from Dora's mouth and she starts crying.

That word, whore. It's on my leg. It's on my arm and it's forever in my memory. I feel Dora lifted out of my arms and then I'm also lifted to my feet and almost dragged into the bedroom.

My breathing is laboured as Charlie sits me on the bed and then leaves, I feel sick, I pull my legs to my chest and hug them, trying to calm down.

"Hey, look at me, they're gone."

"Talk…just talk…" I breathe, anything to distract from my own head.

"What about?"

"Anything…"

"Okay…when the twins were born Bill and I flipped a knut to see who would look after them the most and I won." He stops talking but I need him to carry on.

"Keep going…just talk…"

"Umm…Ginny once tricked Percy into thinking he'd won a genius prize. Ron once fell down the stairs and Fred told him his ear had fallen off." He stops talking again so I try and think of a question."

"Dragon…what's your favourite?" Merlin this is hard.

"Ironbelly, most people think they're ugly but…" I nod and he continues talking, I feel myself start to relax and I close my eyes.

Charlie.

I can tell the exact moment that she falls asleep or passes out because her whole body seems to relax, I gently reposition her so she won't get cramp and check that she's breathing normally and then walk over to the crib and see that Tabitha is awake and staring up at the ceiling, we should get a mobile. I lift her out of the cot and walk into the living room and shut the door.

The bottle is still on the table so I grab it and continue to feed her. I know I need to explain to Drew and Evie why I threw them out so quickly. Lavender's face paled so quickly after Evie uttered that word that it looked like she'd died.

Merlin knows why I started talking about my family when she told me to talk, Dragons are easier, I'll have to remember for next time.

The letter from Madam Pomfrey is on the table and I glance through it again. Panic attacks. Nightmares. Self-harm. Flashbacks. Anaemia. What the hell have I taken on? I put the letter in my pocket and concentrate on the baby. She finishes the bottle quickly and then I wind her, she looks around with wide, innocent eyes and I can't help but smile when I look at her.

Glancing up at the clock I see that it's dinner time so I have a rummage through the cupboards, with Tabitha on my shoulder, and then put her in the Moses basket as I make omelettes.

"Hi." I jump at the sound of her voice but relax quickly as I turn to her. She still looks like hell.

"Hey, how you feeling?"

"Alright, how long was I asleep?"

"Nearly an hour, have you taken your potions?"

"Yeah, just now. Did Dora finish the bottle?"

"Yes, Tabitha did." She looks back at me with surprised eyes and then nods, she looks like she could cry at any moment.

"Did I make a scene?"

"I covered you, told them that you'd been attacked during…"

"What? Why?" She looks angry and I briefly see fire in her tired eyes. I turn off the hob and turn to her, thinking how to phrase things.

"Look Amber, I get that you want to move on but…you look defeated and haunted, we need a story to contain that, no charm can take that away, you need to heal. I wasn't specific and it won't be a risk. You're jumpy as well, you can kill Lavender but you can't put on Amber's skin like a glove, I'm sorry."

"I…" She turns away and I look back at the omelettes.

"It's okay, we'll figure it out."

"I'm sorry." She says, turning back to me. I nod.

"It's alright…" An owl disturbs us and I walk over to the window, I can see the Hogwarts crest on it and it's addressed to me. It's been a while since I've had a Hogwarts letter. I try to open the envelope but realise it's charmed so I tap it with my wand and sit down to read the letter, Amber sits opposite me, still wiping away tears.

"It's about the cover…they're going to say that Dora's died, then leave it a couple of days and then say you've ran off, then find your body a few days later, suicide." I look up at her and see that she's paled, how many shades of white can this girl be?

"I… It's horrible…" She looks at Tabitha and I nod.

"They need a reason for everything, this will cover you both. McGonagall says she knows it's a difficult situation but that she doesn't want others blaming themselves…"

"Whoever put me in the room, I guess."

"Probably…"

"And Seamus, he left me on my own so that…" She stops and sniffs but does not continue. I look back at the letter.

"My parents are going to visit on Sunday, act like they've just found out they've got a new grandchild. Kingsley's working on a new identity for you but not yet, he wants to leave at least six months before making a paper trial."

"Okay." I can see how difficult she's finding everything but it's too soon for me to be of any comfort to her, I think of an olive branch.

"We'll go out for dinner tomorrow, there's a nice family pub on the reserve."

"Will it be safe?" I give her a sad smile.

"We need to get you out and meeting people, it will make things easier." She nods.

"Feels weird, I've been in the castle since the summer and I only left the house once since the battle, just to get a wand…"

"Oh yeah, we'll need to get you a new one, there's a wandmaker in the next town, I'll arrange an appointment before the meal." She looks down at her wand and nods.

"I've only had it for a few months…sorry, this is all a bit over-whelming." She looks at Tabitha and it seems to calm her, I stay quiet because I don't know what to say.

"Am I making things difficult with Evie? Well, of course I am, I mean…"

"Don't worry about her. We dated a while ago and we were always on and off. We're not really good together so if anything you've probably helped the situation."

"Really?" She asks, looking sceptical.

"Yeah, it should keep her away. We had a volatile relationship at the best of times but since the war…it's been a bit unhealthy."

"You don't think she's 'the one', then?" She uses air quotes and I laugh slightly.

"I'm not sure I believe in the one but Evie and I don't bring out the best in each other. To be brutally honest I've gotten into a habit of bringing her back every time I drink too much and then I can't get rid of her for days." Amber laughs and it changes her whole face.

"Well, I'm glad my shambles of a life has helped your morality." I snort and stand up to finish the dinner.

"Omelette and chips?"

"Sounds good." She says, looking back at Tabitha who is falling asleep. "I'll go and put her in the crib and set up the charms."

I watch her leave and then turn back to the oven, what have I let myself in for?

Lavender.

I wake four times in the night, three times it's because of Dora but the fourth is from a nightmare. Charlie woke me up and now I'm sat in the living room. He brought me a cup of tea and offered to sit with me but I told him to go back to bed. He's got work in a few hours anyway.

It feels so strange to try and be someone else. Charlie was right, Lavender Brown might be dead but that's not enough for me to forget her. I think about Hogwarts and I'm surprised by how much I miss it, not the castle obviously, but the people.

I'm glad I made up with Seamus even if he's probably blaming himself for my 'death'. I wonder if I could contact them somehow. Mr and Mrs Weasley will know at the weekend.

I'm looking forward to getting out and seeing a bit of the reserve but it seems so dangerous even though it's not, like I'm breaking the rules. I'm going to get some hair dye so that we don't need to keep redoing the charms, just my eyes and face.

Dora starts crying so I walk back into my room and put her on the bed with me and pick up my crochet. Dora is holding the wool with a baby grip so I give her a ball to play with, it's like she's a cat.

"I'm off then, Amber." I jump slightly at the sound of his voice.

"It's a bit early isn't it?" I look at the window and to my surprise the sun is rising, crochet seems time like a Dementor sucks souls.

"It's nearly seven, if you need me then go downstairs and the doorman can get a message to me. He's called Just and he looks like a boulder but he's friendly enough."

"Okay, thanks. Have a good day."

"I'll pop back at lunch…"

"You don't need to."

"I will, it will be expected. Remember Tabitha is my new baby, I'll need to adopt a suitably soppy expression for a while." I laugh and he smiles.

"Good point."

"Don't forget to eat and take your potions, I wouldn't put it past Pomfrey to send a Howler internationally."

"I'll be fine, thanks though." He nods and leaves.

Is it going to be this hard to start playing house?

A/N So the sequel has started! What do you think?

Next chapter; we're skipping ahead four months!

I'm looking for a beta so PM me if you're interested.

Allen Pitt- Australia is a bit far!

Mozie- Thanks!

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- From the ending dawns a beginning!

Nightshroud92- I know, Seamus was a muppet!

Emmeebee- It's literally like you hacked into my laptop! I will resolve the attack in the sequel but not for a while.

Bookwormkat1- We will hear from them but not very often, she's died so they need to play it cool for a while.

LUG-14- Lol, Santa might have been a bit tricky!