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MORNINGS WERE THE BANE OF CHARLOTTE'S EXISTENCE – always have been and always will be.
Charlotte – being the most cautious person she is – completely forgot that she had an injured foot.
"Charlie, you seriously need to take care of yourself more," said Hermione in the same tone Mrs. Weasley uses.
"Yes, Mum,"
They all left the campsite as quickly as possible. The group had passed Mr. Roberts cottage, where he stood with a dreamy look on him.
"Merry Christmas!" he called.
"Merry Christmas to you too!" said Charlotte playfully, making George – who had taken the liberty of carrying the blonde – snort in laughter.
Ginny and Fred had both offered to carry both their big bags up with Charlotte stubbornly declining Ginny's offer – Ginny was just as stubborn as her so they both argued with each other – Ginny won.
"Poor bloke, Death Eaters are nasty," said Charlotte scrunching her nose in distaste.
"He'll be all right," said Mr. Weasley as they walked. "Sometimes, when a person's memory's modified, it makes him a bit disorientated for a while and that was a big thing they had to make him forget."
They approached the spot where the Portkeys lay, and when they reached it there were a great number of witches and wizards around the keeper of the Portkeys, Basil.
Charlotte watched as Mr. Weasley hurriedly discussed something with Basil. As soon as the conversation had ended, they joined the queue to get a Portkey back to Ottery St. Catchpole.
The group was able to take an old tire back to Stoatshead Hill before the sun fully hung up the sky.
Charlotte had fallen asleep on George's shoulder as they walked towards the Burrow. The events from yesterday had drained her energy completely.
As the group rounded the corner, they all heard Mrs. Weasley's cried echo towards them, "Oh thank goodness, thank goodness!"
Mrs. Weasley ran towards them, with bedroom slippers on and a copy of the Daily Prophet rolled up in her hand – she looked like she had just woken up. She flung her arms around Mr. Weasley, "Arthur - I've been so worried - so worried -"
Charlotte was still asleep on George's back, giggling softly in her sleep. She looked like she was having a good dream – which was a good thing.
Mrs. Weasley released Mr. Weasley and scanned the group tearfully.
She was too overwhelmed with emotions that she hadn't noticed the small injured girl who was drooling into George's shirt as she pulled in both Fred and George in a tight hug.
