The final few days before September 1st seem to go by in the blink of an eye. Hermione and the Weasley's had ended up staying at the Leaky Cauldron until the beginning of the term. Mrs. Weasley found it to be convenient if everyone went to the Hogwarts Express together, that way she could do her motherly act of making sure they all got on the train safely.
Charlie's nightmares hadn't stopped. In fact, they were getting worse. He hadn't had a proper sleep in weeks; ever since he got to the Leaky Cauldron. He kept telling himself that things would be better once he got back to Hogwarts, but he couldn't help but doubt himself; he didn't know that for sure.
He just kept replaying the same things over and over again in his head;
There are consequences.
I have expectations.
Where are your manners?
You pathetic, little boy!
You'll meet the same damned fate as your mother.
Saint Hawthorne, the Mudblood's friend.
Do you understand me?
Such a disappointment —
Suddenly, Charlie was pulled awake in a panic as he felt someone grab his arm. He instantly opened his eyes with a gasp and was faced with Tom, the innkeeper, with his usual toothless grin and a cup of tea. Although a little weirded out, the brown eyed boy thanked the innkeeper and politely urged him out of his room. When Tom was gone, Charlie put his head in his hands for a moment. God, out of all days for Tom to do that, it had to be today.
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The brown eyed boy hopped out of his bed, took a quick shower and had just finished pulling a sweatshirt over his head when Ron and Harry had barged their way into the room. Harry was looking oddly amused while Ron was clearly irritated.
"The sooner we get on the train, the better," Ron grunted. "Percy is being an absolute nightmare! He thinks he's all that with that stupid Head Boy badge."
Charlie let out a chuckle, "What else were you expecting?"
Ron scoffed, "I dunno! Maybe him not mentioning it every five seconds!"
Harry laughed at his friend's clear distressed state. As he settled down, Harry looked towards the door of Charlie's room before speaking in a whisper, "Charlie, I think it's a good time to tell Ron about what we know."
The brown eyed boy groaned while Ron's ears suddenly perked up. It was way too early in the morning for this, especially after his rude awakening that happened not merely fifteen minutes ago.
"What are you on about?" asked Ron.
"Later." Charlie dismissed quickly, "I don't want to talk about this whole Black debacle this early in the morning. Can it at least wait until I have food in front of me?"
