Lost Memories

xxiii. screaming contest

Though nervous, I was excited to finally see my friends again. It had barely been a quiet month without them. The Weasleys, along with Hermione, were coming to Grimmauld Place later that day. But I knew Harry would not be meeting them just yet, for he is still with the Dursleys.

Just after dinner, I ran into my room and changed into black leggings and a long sleeve shirt. Although it was summer, the house was cold and didn't allow the option of short sleeves. Waiting impatiently, I paced in my room, organizing my things and making room for Hermione and Ginny, who were meant to stay with me. Soon, I felt as though something hot was trickling down my back and knew that the Disillusionment Charm, that hid Grimmauld Place, had been lifted.

Running to the top of the stairs, I looked over the railing, waiting for my friends to come into view. Chatter could be heard from the entrance as Mrs Weasley most likely scolded Fred and George. Ron and Hermione spoke about how the house had come into view while Ginny looked around.

"Welcome," Sirius called from the bottom of the steps.

Fred and George dramatically shouted about Sirius's prior convictions. Again, Mrs Weasley scolded them for being rude and proclaimed his innocence. Ron and Hermione gave Sirius a hug and complimented his appearance– the last time they saw him was in the cave, before the second task, where he looked like skin and bone.

"About time you came!" I exclaimed on the second floor.

Everyone looked up at me with large smiles and shocked faces. Only Mrs Weasley knew where I had been for the last month, whereas my friends had no clue about my whereabouts.

"I missed you guys so much, you have no idea," I almost cried as I ran down the stairs, tackling Ron with a hug.

"I was wondering where you'd gone. You were supposed to come with us and then Mum said no," Ron scoffed.

I quickly blew him off and turned to face Hermione, who was absolutely ecstatic.

"Charlotte! Were you deprived of an owl or did you not want to write?" Hermione grabbed me in a large hug, basically squeezing me to death.

"It won't matter, if you end up killing me," I tried to breathe. Hermione laughed and quickly let me go.

I gave Fred and George a duo hug, complaining about how much I missed their pranks. The two boys only winked at me and lifted up their school bag, reassuring more games. After giving Ginny her hug, I was formally introduced to Bill and Charlie, the two eldest Weasley children.

"You're practically skin and bone," Mrs Weasley assessed, pulling back from her hug. "You were thin before, now you've gotten thinner! Sirius, do you feed this girl?"

"Of course, I do!" Sirius retorted.

Showing Ginny and Hermione to our room, I groaned about how bored I was without them and how much I truly missed them. Once settled in, the three of us fell asleep without meaning to.

"Charlotte," someone shook me quietly, "wake up."

I hummed in response and opened my eyes to see Mrs Weasley looking over me.

"Is everything okay?" I yawned.

"Everything is just fine, we just need to have a meeting. Dumbledore wants to talk to you," she explained.

Standing up, I shuffled behind Mrs Weasley as she led me downstairs. Taking me through the living room and down the hall, she stopped in front of an office room. I hadn't been allowed to go into this room, Sirius's order.

Professor Dumbledore sat in the large chair behind the desk and motioned for me to sit in the chair across from him. The room was dark and quiet, besides the single light at the front of the room which flickered.