The Foreigner {Fred Weasley x OC}

21.

The security at Hogwarts has significantly increased due to the panic about Sirius Black. The change in atmosphere is a welcome one for me as now the students of Hogwarts have become more afraid of Sirius Black than of myself.

The Easter break wasn't much of a break for me as the closer the O.W.L.s draw near the more pressure I put on myself to study. However, it's difficult to study when you're still catching up on work from two months ago.

A letter interrupts my early morning breakfast session today. A letter from Dumbledore, requesting to see me in his office after breakfast.

I bid farewell to my friends on their way to Charms and go in the opposite direction to the Headmaster's office which I fortunately have not visited as of recently.

I speak the password to the Gargoyle and walk up the spinning steps. Now that I stand before the grand door to his office, I feel nervous. Maybe he wants to expel me. Maybe I'm not doing well enough in my studies.

What I didn't expect to see when I opened the door were the cold, brooding eyes of Clarence Nightwell.

"Hello, Charlie." He greets me with what could be classified as a smile. The two of us didn't leave off on the greatest terms, but that doesn't seem to bother him now. Or at least he's not showing it.

"Hello, Nightwell." I look around the room for Dumbledore. He sits behind his desk with his focus being on the scroll of parchment in front of him.

"Not to be rude, Nightewell, but why are you here?"

"He's taking you home, Charlotte." Dumbledore stands from his seat. My jaw drops and my eyes widen, "What? I don't want to go home!"

"It's not permanent, Charlie." Nightwell explains, "It has to do with your case."

"My case?"

"Your criminal case." Clarence says, "MACUSA has been keeping you here at Hogwarts while they investigate the death of your parents. They had to make sure that it was under accidental circumstances and not of pure malicious intent on your part... They just made a new discovery at your house and they want to run some things past you in person."

"They're not going to send me to Azkaban, are they?"

"The circumstances of the new evidence are unfortunate. But it looks good for you. So, no, I don't think they'll be sending you to Azkaban. It's more than likely that they will be able to close your case."

"When do we leave?"

Nightwell looks down at his watch, "We're already late."

"What? Let me pack some things first. Then we can go." I suggest. Clarence Nightwell looks at me as though he wishes we could just leave right now, "We can't disapparate from Hogwarts anyway, you can wait." I say.

"I'll meet you outside Gryffindor Tower," Nightwell grumbles and I set off on my way to my dorm to pack a bag.

I make a brisk walk so as not to get. scolded by teachers for running, but going just fast enough to make Nightwell wait for less time.

"Going somewhere?" Fred and George hook their arms in mine on either side of me.

"Professor Flitwick's classroom is in the other direction," George says.

"Didn't take you as one to skip classes, Charlie," Fred comments with a smirk. I frown, "You're joking, right?"

"Of course, we all know you like avoiding class." He replies.

"But why the hurry?" George adds.

I decide to tell them part of the truth, "I'm going on a trip."

"A trip?"