Nova's Universe

Chapter 8 (2007)

Charlie

The spells around me were like someone yanking me back from a deep sleep. My back was aching but I knew I had to get up and fight. I can't give up that easily! Before doubt could creep in, I was already locked in a duel, the adrenaline surge a familiar comfort.

Then a voice cut through the chaos. "Charlie." I whirled around, searching for the source.

"Charlie," it called again, this time closer. Panic clawed at me. Was I hallucinating now?

The voice intensified, echoing insistently within my skull. "Charlie!"

I bolted upright in bed, the room momentarily spinning. Where was I? This wasn't Hogwarts, this wasn't the Battle, this was my bed, my room. I rubbed my eyes, willing myself awake. Footsteps echoed on the stairs. I glanced down, noticing I was shirtless and my back felt perfectly fine. Had it all been a dream? It felt too real.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." The sound of Nova's voice startled me. I turned, captivated by her beauty. She stood in the doorway, a burgundy jumper with a golden letter adorning it. My jumper... wait a minute. The golden letter wasn't a C, it was an N. Confusion clouded my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again. Nova was still there, her familiar jumper paired with khaki jeans, her feet bare.

"I was just about to send a search party for you," she chuckled. "Did you just wake up?"

My voice was hoarse. "Yeah," I croaked, still disoriented.

The bewilderment must have shown on my face because her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern. She approached cautiously and sat beside me on the bed.

"Is this real?" My voice was shaky, the remnants of the dream clinging to me.

"It happened again," Nova whispered as if reading my mind. It was uncanny. I knew exactly what she was referring to, but the dream felt real, refusing to loosen its grip.

"Yeah," I croaked, nodding. "But this time... it was different, Nova." I shook my head, trying to dispel the vivid images.

"How?" Her touch was gentle, sending a jolt through me as her hand met mine.

"It wasn't Fred or Tonks," I confessed, locking eyes with her beautiful blue depths. The urge to kiss her was overwhelming, and I gave in. Her surprise was momentary before she melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around my neck.

It all flooded back. The occasional nightmares, reliving the Battle of Hogwarts, the constant sting of losing Fred and Tonks. It had been years, dreams this vivid were rare.

"What was it about this time?" Nova asked softly, pulling back but cupping my face, her gaze intense.

"The Sanctuary attack," I began, the dream replaying in my mind. "But... different. You only shielded me with the Protection Charm, not both of us." I shuddered, the image of her getting burned flashing before my eyes.

"And then," I continued, my voice heavy, "I lived my life... without you. We had a funeral for you, and Bill's wedding was a blur of forced smiles. You weren't Fleur's bridesmaid, and I convinced Mum I'd be alone forever." Tears pricked my eyes as I recounted the dream.

She climbed into my arms. I buried my face in her hair, the familiar scent of pancakes grounding me. "Then I was fighting at Hogwarts," I choked out, the memory raw. "But you weren't there to shield me from the blast. Everything went white... and then you were there. By the lake. Both crying, because we missed each other. And when I woke up, I was desperate to fight again, but... there was a voice calling my name. And then..." I trailed off, needing to see her eyes - they always calmed me down.