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“We tried to tell you earlier,” Christelle murmured, remembering the earlier conversation about her parents.

“Is Abi upstairs?” Christelle asked, thinking about Bobby’s threat.

“Yes, she’s there with Angie, James, and Teddy,” answered George.

“Can someone go get her?” Charlie asked and Christelle turned her sharp stare at him.

“Do you think it wise for her to see you like this?” Christelle whispered.

“I think it’s fine, Chris. I’ll tell her everything’s okay,” Charlie answered as he ran a hand through his hair, starting to sit up ever so slightly.

“And if she asks what happened?” Christelle replied.

“I’ll make something up,” he answered before looking toward George. “Go get her, please.”

George turned around and then stopped. “There’s no need,” he stated as they all watched Abigail jump down the stairs and out of reach of her Aunt.

“I’m sorry! She’s sneaky! She asked me to get something, and as soon as I turned my back, she ran for it. And I can’t run as fast as I used to now that I’m pregnant,” she panted as she held onto her belly, almost as if she were afraid it would fall off.

“It’s okay, love. I was on my way to get her anyway,” George smiled as he kissed his wife’s cheek and rubbed her belly affectionately.

“Mummy! Daddy!” Abigail wailed as she ran at them. Christelle caught her before she tried jumping on top of her father.

“It’s okay, sweetie, just gently,” Christelle cooed in her ear. Abigail nodded as she scooted closer to Charlie, and he smiled at her.

“I’m not breakable, sweetie,” he rumbled as he took her hand and pulled her into his side. “I’m fine, I promise,” he whispered.

“What happened?” she whispered back.

“Your Mum and I decided to have a wrestling match, and she won,” he whispered so only she could hear. Christelle narrowed her eyes as Abigail glanced at her before giggling.

“Mummy, you shouldn’t have hurt Daddy,” Abigail giggled and Charlie chuckled lightly before noting his wife’s facial expression.

“You’re right, sweetie, I shouldn’t have.” Christelle stood from the couch and wandered through the living room and down the hall, stopping in the downstairs bathroom as tears traveled down her cheeks.

Christelle cast a silencing and locking charm on the door before letting out a sob. She stared at herself in the mirror for the longest time before punching the face staring back at her multiple times until her fist was bloody and the glass was completely smashed.

I hurt him. This is my fault. I should have left before we started anything. I didn’t want to bring this onto my family. I should have left six years ago. “I didn’t mean to hurt him!” she shouted out as she stared at the ceiling.

She looked around quickly and spotted the shower. She settled into the tub and brought her knees up to her chest.

How can I be so selfish by putting my family in danger? she thought as she continued crying in earnest. She gasped slightly as the bathroom door handle jiggled before someone knocked on it.

“Chris,” Charlie asked in a worried tone. “Chris, c’mon. Talk to me, baby,” he said quietly as he leaned his head against the doorframe. Christelle flicked her wand at the door, causing the locking spell to disperse. Charlie opened it slowly, poking his head through as he looked around at the ivory walls, searching for her face. He spotted her in the tub and his heart broke at the sight of her mascara smudged down her cheeks through the tears, her splotchy face from the sobbing, and the way her body shook from the internal battle she was having with herself.

Charlie sat down beside the tub, on the floor and reached over to take her hand. She leaned her head on his arm as her sobs subsided.

“Talk to me,” he whispered after a while.

“You almost died…because of me,” she whispered and he started shaking his head. “And it wasn’t the first time, Charlie. And it won’t be the last. I’ve done this! This is my fault. And now you and Abigail are in danger,” Christelle finished.

“Listen to me, you did not do this. This is in no way your fault. I thought we went over this, when it all began,” he whispered as he turned around to face her and caressed her cheek.

“I know, it’s just, what if they get Abigail? Or this little guy?” she whispered as she pointed to her stomach. “It’ll be because of me.”

“We’re not letting them get to any of us. It’s been turned over to the Aurors. And we’re all going into hiding,” Charlie whispered with a simple smile.

“And now this!” she said in exasperation. “I’m making all of you go into hiding now! Charlie, this isn’t right!”

“Honey, I want you to look at me. We’re all a family, and families stick together through the thick and the thin. We’re going to be here for each other, and when one of us, or three and a half are being targeted by quite a few people, we’re all going to stick together. They don’t hate or resent you for this. They just want it to get taken care of as soon as possible, as do you, I’m sure.”

“But, Charlie, it’d be different if this was Voldemort we’re hiding from. These are my ex boyfriends!” she yelled in frustration.

“Everything will be fine. We’re not exactly all going into hiding, just you, me, and Abigail. The others will just make sure not to leave the house alone and stay in well populated areas.” Christelle rolled her eyes.

“Because that worked out so well the last time,” she muttered and Charlie smiled slightly.

“I promise everything will go back to normal soon,” Charlie said softly as he caressed her cheek, wiping away tears in the process.

“Things have never been normal, Charlie,” she whispered, the corners of her lips twitching. Charlie chuckled lightly before helping her out of the tub.

“C’mon, we need to go pack a few things before going into hiding… Don’t worry, Harry, Ron, Bill, and Dad are coming with us while we pack,” Charlie mumbled as he kissed her forehead.

“I don’t want Abigail to see me like this,” she whispered.

“Mum took her to Muriel’s already,” Charlie said softly while waving his wand and fixing the mirror. Christelle only nodded in response as she splashed water on her face from the sink. She sighed as the cool droplets calmed her anxiety. Charlie rubbed soothing circles into her back and she immediately turned on him.

“You’re supposed to be resting!” she accused suddenly. Charlie started laughing loudly as he ushered her out of the bedroom.

“I’m fine,” he snickered.

“No, you’re not! You were nearly killed! Lie down, right now!” she demanded.

“We have to pack, sweetie,” Charlie reminded her.

She glared defiantly at him as she pointed to the sofa.

“You owe me five galleons,” George muttered to Ron, and Christelle turned her glare on them.

“And you lot! Why did you let him get… Oh!” Christelle exclaimed as her hand flew to her stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked immediately as his hand covered her own.

“I’m sure it’s noth—Owe!” Charlie steered her toward the couch as he kneeled in front of her, the others gathering around anxiously.

“Talk to me, Chris! What’s wrong with the baby?” he yelled in worry.

Hermione and Charlie both gasped when Christelle moved her hand away from her belly. A splotch of red covered her shirt and her hand was soaked in the red liquid.

“Chris!” Charlie shouted as Christelle’s eyes drooped to a close and her body slumped on the sofa.

“Did she get hit with something when you were attacked?” Hermione asked calmly as she pulled Christelle’s shirt up over her stomach and examined the wound.

“No! I made sure nobody got a chance to aim a wand at her,” Charlie said in frustration as he brushed the hair out of Christelle’s face.

“But you said Muggles were there too… What did they use to attack you?” Hermione asked as she glanced at him.

“Well, they had bats and…knives,” Charlie whispered as he turned pale and stared back at his wife.

“I can fix it here, but she needs to be taken to St. Mungos to check and make sure the baby’s okay,” Hermione said firmly before swirling her wand around. “I’m sure he’s fine, Charlie,” Hermione said gently when she finished.

Charlie nodded once before pulling Christelle into his arms, cradling her. Harry and Ron left first, followed by Charlie, Christelle, Hermione, George, Arthur, and Bill, everyone else already having gone to Muriel's.

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