Charlie remained within the confines of the Burrow's garden over the next few weeks. He spent most of his days playing two-a-side Quidditch in the Weasleys' orchard, while Hermione sat nearby desperately awaiting the results of their O.W.L.s.
It would have been a happy, peaceful holiday had it not been for the stories of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths now appearing almost daily in the Prophet. Charlie grew more and more anxious with every article referring to the Death Eater attacks, as it felt like his task with the Dark Lord would be set sooner than anticipated.
But Charlie was careful not to be perturbed about Voldemort over the next few days. Saturday dawned without any more disruptions, although Mrs. Weasley seemed to be growing more and more tense at the increasing body count.
The lot of them were sat around the kitchen table having breakfast when Hermione had jumped up and started walking around nervously, twisting her fingers together.
"Mrs. Weasley, you're quite, quite sure no owls have arrived this morning?"
"Yes, dear, I'd have noticed," dismissed Mrs. Weasley patiently, as she placed another sausage onto Harry's plate. "But it's barely nine, there's still plenty of time..."
"I know I messed up Ancient Runes," muttered Hermione feverishly, "I definitely made at least one serious mistranslation, and the Defence Against the Dark Arts practical was no good at all. I thought Transfiguration went all right at the time, but looking back —"
"Hermione, will you shut up, you're not the only one who's nervous!" barked Ron, and for an unknown reason, Charlie's grip tightened around his fork. "And when you've got your ten 'Outstanding' O.W.L.s..."
"Don't, don't, don't!" said Hermione, flapping her hands hysterically. "I know I've failed everything!"
"Rest assured, if you've failed, then the entirety of the grade did as well," muttered Charlie effortlessly, and the entire table had turned to him, shocked that he had spoken; Hermione's face had softened as though his words were a pillow of comfort.
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"What happens if we fail?" Harry asked the room at large, but it was again Hermione who answered.
"We discuss our options with our Head of House, I asked Professor McGonagall at the end of last term."
"Of course you did," whispered Charlie under his breath, causing Harry to snigger beside him; Ron grinned widely through a mouthful of toast.
When it was expected for Hermione to severely scold her three friends for poking fun at the situation, the room was drowned in an unexpected scream. Charlie's head turned immediately and he noticed a wide-eyed Hermione, who was now pointing through the kitchen window. Four black specks were clearly visible in the sky, growing larger all the time.
