Of all the things that Charlie Weasley would of expected to see when he went downstairs he wasn't expecting this. Ron had been utterly delighted to jump on his chest to wake him up chanting, "Charlie!! Your girlfriend is downstairs! Mummy wants you up now!!!" Charlie had expertly grabbed Ron set him down. He dressed quickly while Ron impatiently told him to hurry up. Charlie grabbed Ron around the middle causing him to scream in delight as he made his way downstairs.
That's when he heard it. It was a heartbreaking sound. A wail like someone had just lost their whole family at once.
It sounded like-no, he checked the time it was much to early for a non-family visitor. Anyway, she would of owled him, or more likely Bill, if she needed help.
However, to his dismay Claire Reyes sat at the kitchen table bawling her eyes out.
"I'm so-sorry I-I didn't know where else to go." She cried.
"It's no trouble dear," His mother told her setting a cup of tea infront of her.
"There's no need to worry," his father continued, "I have a aurour who owes me a favor, we will get this sorted out."
Mr. Weasley good naturely tried to pat the crying girls back only to be screech and attacked by Bagshot. Charlie gasped, Bagshot, Claire's owl was a rather good tempered owl and loved Claire unconditionally. For Bagshot to perch on Claire's shoulder watching each Weasley with the level suspicion he was something bad must of happened.
Charlie grew more concerned when he saw Pippin, Claire's cat she inherited from her brother, on her lap also gazing around on high alert. Pippin's bright blue eyes seemed to be looking straight through Charlie.
What happened? He looked from his father to mother as if they would explain.
"Claire dear, Charlie is here, perhaps now you can explain?"
Claire was still sobbing uncontrollably. Charlie was able to make out "Ben," "letters," and "mudblood."
He frowed. Claire didn't use that word ever, why was she saying "mudblood" now?
There was a slight popping sound and a knocking at the door. Mr. Weasley got it and a red blur passed Charlie.
"Ben!" Claire yelled. Instantly her arms were around his neck Pippin lightly jumped off of her lap and Bagshot didn't attack Ben. Instead Ben thanked the bird and he flew to the owl perch.
"Come on love," Ben said picking Claire up and carrying her to the couch. Claire's sobs lessened now as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. Ben lightly threaded his fingers through her short hair as he spoke.
"Charlie, we need Barnaby, Tonks and Penny, I don't know if the others are still here they might be on holiday."
He started humming a tune and Charlie numbly sent Bagshot too fetch their friends.
"Charlie whats going on? She came this morning saying her father kicked her out. What happened? " His mother asked
"I don't know."
His mother gave a huff and walked into the living room.
"So my dears, are we going to explain what is all going on?"
"When the others get here. I've almost got her calmed down." Ben said wisely.
Some while later three pops sounded outside. Barnaby, Tonks and Penny appeared at the door.
Claire had calmed down and was currently still cluching Ben like a drowning man clutching a liferaft.
Charlie watched as Barnaby's expression changed from delight to something eles, if Charlie had to pinpoint it he might say longing. Barnaby looked like he would give his right arm to be the one holding Claire. Charlie vaguely knew that at one point the two of them had been engaged, a common pureblood arrangement. However, he also knew that for whatever reason Claire had broken it off and begrudgingly Barnaby excepted her choice.
He his friends and his parents sat in the living room waiting for Claire to speak up.
"It's okay darling, your safe. I'm here, I'm here," Ben whispered.
Claire took a shuttering breath and Charlie thought she was going to start crying again. Vaguely Charlie heard his younger siblings playing in the garden, Claire must of heard it too she looked in that day sighing.
"He found my letters. The one's Ben wrote me. I hid them so well! He found them and said if I had any delusions of besmirching our good family name with a mudblood." She nuzzled deeper into Ben's neck.
"I told him I didn't care. That he couldn't control me or who I choose to be with. But he had other ideas." Ben tightened his grip on her as she continued, "he used the Cruciatus Curse on me. His own daughter! The only reason I got out of there is because Bagshot and Pippin heard me screaming. They attacked him and I apperated away."
Barnaby's knuckles were white cutching the end of the sofa. "I'm gonna kill him."
"No one is killing anyone!" Mr. Weasley said, "we don't want anyone to end up in Azkaban." He paused, "we'll all go together and gather her things and and-" he faultered.
Claire curled up further into Ben's arms.
"We will write to Dumbledore your about to start seventh year, so he'll be able to help. Claire dear, who is your head of house?" Miss. Weasley asked.
"Snape."
"Ah, well no matter we will get this sorted out. Don't worry dear. Arthur will get his Auror friend to help gather your things, and you'll stay here with us."
@weasley-adoptee this is for you you lovely person!!!!
