Safe With Me ~ Fred Weasley

Charlie

Fred

I took the last step to the main floor and scanned the empty living room before making my way to the equally empty kitchen. I glanced at the clock on the wall which was still glued on 'time to make breakfast' and felt my eyebrows furrow.

Mum never sleeps in, and Cassidy hadn't slept this late since we'd been home.

I glanced at the open bathroom door before heading out to the backyard. Before I had even heard the door slam behind me, I saw them. Mum holding an oversized straw basket filled with fresh eggs, but my eyes were on Cassidy. Her blonde hair was still slightly messy from the nights sleep, and it was hanging off her shoulders as she knelt before the smallest chicken of the flock, scratching his head and wearing a huge smile.

"Where's my breakfast then? Or do we have to befriend the chickens to get the eggs?" I teased, startling the women before they met my eyes with smiles.

"Freddie, they can hear you!" She covered the sides of the chicken's small head and gave me a glare. "This is Clementine."

"Why is it Clementine?" I chuckled, bending down to pat the sweet chickens head.

"Because..." She stalled, pressing a kiss to the chickens head. "She's orange."

"Oh, well Clementine. I'm starving, so if you'll excuse us." I reached for the basket from mum to carry, leading the two back into the house.

"Sit down dear," Mum protested as Cassidy tried to assume a position at the stove before mum ushered her into a chair. "Now how do you like your eggs, Cassid-"

"Hello?" A new voice called from the front door around the corner.

Cassidy looked up, startled at the new voice, but mom's eyes lit up like a comet.

"Charlie?" She screamed, running to meet newest addition to the Weasley household.

"Charlie?" I asked, jumping from my chair when I laid eyes on him, waiting my turn for a hug. We had seen Charlie just last summer, of course, on our trip to visit Bill in Egypt, but it was still strange going from living with someone to seeing them once a year.

"How are you Freddie? Godric, you've grown even more!" He clapped me on the back once Mum finally released him from her grip.

"We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, dear, I would have gotten breakfast ready sooner, and I haven't made your bed up or-"

"Mum, I'm perfectly capable of making my own bed." He gave her a smile before letting his eyes wander to the blonde at the table behind us.

"And you must be Cassidy." He grinned, stepping around me to hold a hand out for her to shake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Charlie. Bill's coming tomorrow."

"Nice to meet you, Charlie." She smiled, shyly as he took a seat next to her.

"Charlie, i'll get the food started and go wake your father, he'll be ecstatic." Mum began cracking eggs into a bowl, waving her wand to continue stirring the bowl as she headed for the cupboard.

"You don't have to wake anyone up, mum, let them sleep! I don't want them to hate me."

"That's true, Ron would probably hate you." I agreed.

"So, Cassidy, I've heard it's been a treat having you around. Mum's always wanted more girls at the Burrow." Charlie smiled at the blonde, trying to include her in the conversation.

"Oh, no, I'm so thankful to your family for letting me stay here."

"Your parents don't mind you being away all summer?" He asked, not registering the way her face fell at his words.