The Foreigner {Fred Weasley x OC}

12.

 I start up my lessons with Lupin now that I'm out of the hospital wing for the second time in a couple of weeks.

"Expelliarmus!" I point my wand at Lupin's hand that holds his own and it snaps away and flies onto the floor.

"Very good, Charlotte. You've improved greatly since we started." Lupin compliments as he picks up his wand from the floor

"You really think so?"

"I no longer have to worry that you are going to blow up the classroom or myself. That shows improvement."

I pick my bag up off the floor and help Lupin put the desks back into their proper place - finally being able to use wingardium leviosa without launching the items all over the room.

"I suppose this will be our last lesson before the holidays," I say.

Lupin tucks his wand away in his robes, "Yes, I suppose so. Don't forget to practice over the holidays, Charlotte."

"Right, I know." I wave him off, "Goodnight, Professor!" I exit the classroom.

I skip my way back to the dorms and give Sir Cadagon his unreasonably long password. The portrait hole opens and I enter the common room - a smile playing on my lips.

"What are you grinning about?" Fred pops out from behind one of the walls. I clutch my chest in shock, "Don't do that!"

"Do what?" He smirks and leans against the couch, "So what's with the smile?"

"Lupin says I've improved greatly." I continue to grin - not caring if Fred teases me, "What are you still doing awake? The Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow. I thought you would want to be well rested."

"Haven't you noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

"I stay up every time you have a lesson with Professor Lupin." He says. I think back on every night I have a lesson. It's true. Every time I get back to the common room, Fred is waiting. Whether that be sleeping, working, or just loitering until I get back.

"Why?"

"I like hearing about what you've learned." He smiles softly before it drops, "And you're a teenage girl taking secret night classes with a male teacher."

"Are you insinuating that there is something inappropriate going on between me and Professor Lupin?" I cross my arms over my chest.

"No! I just think it's good to be cautious. I'm only looking out for you, Charlie."

"Well... Thank you... I guess." I sit down on the couch and he joins me, "Do you want to hear about the spells I learned?"

"You already know I do." He smiles.

-

"Look! My first owl!" A small owl lands in front of my breakfast, a letter tied around its ankle. I untie the letter and give the bird a few nibbles from my breakfast before looking at the envelope.

"It must be from my parents." I turn the envelope over to see who has written it and it is not who I had hoped it to be, "Nightwell?"

"Who's Nightwell?" Fred looks at my letter over my shoulder.

"He's... He's my... A friend." I rip the letter open and read its contents.

Hello, Charlie

I'm sure you were not expecting a letter from me. But as your resident Ministry Provided Guardian, I thought it would be appropriate to send you a holiday card. I hope that your classes are going well. Seeing as I haven't received an owl to immediately remove you from the school, I'm taking that as a good sign.