Charlie’s POV

Izzy didn’t say much for the next few days. She just crawled into my arms and did nothing all day. When she did talk it was something like, “I’m hungry” or “Don’t go to work” or she would just give me these sad little eyes. The experience with her family really freaked her out, and it hit a nerve for me. Seeing her this way made me want to punch something. I just really hoped she would get out of this funk, and soon.

Izzy’s POV

I think too much. That’s my problem. Actually my problem was that I think at all! That’s probably why I wasn’t talking much. Talking required thinking, and thinking was just a bad thing for me to do.

Charlie had to go back to work, so I often was left home alone. I didn’t bother changing out of my pj’s. I would shower then put on a different pair. I wasn’t going anywhere so what was the point?

Okay. I know I needed to get out of think weirdness, but I just can’t put my dreams and what happened out of my mind. If my dreams were going to come true I needed to be prepared.

A loud knock at the door brought me back to reality. In the back of my mind I was praying it was Fleur, but that was unlikely. As I walked towards the door the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was ready to fight if needed. With wand in hand I opened the door. A sweet smile met my eyes.

“Hey Izzy.” Jaden’s smile was warm and kind. Without thinking I jumped into his arms. “I’m glad to see you too.” We stayed embraced for a while then slowly broke away.

“What are you doing here?” That was the first real sentence I had spoken in the past few days.

“I needed to see if you were all right.” His eyes met mine. “Can I come in?”

“Oh! Of course! Sorry!” I hurriedly let him in and sat him on the couch. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“I’m alright for now thanks.” His voice was smooth and calm.

“Well, I need a drink.” I went to the kitchen and poured a glass of wine for myself.

“Alcoholic.” He joked.

“You should see how much I drink. It’s pretty crazy!” I actually laughed at this. “I don’t drink that much. It’s just a once in a while thing.”

“Uh huh. Sure.” He half smile at me.

We sat in silence for a while. I had so many questions, but I didn’t know how to ask. I was hoping he would break the silence first.

“Listen, what happened a few days ago shouldn’t have happened.” His face began to turn red. “Emily has always been jealous, and when she doesn’t get her way she lashes out. She‘s never been an understanding person, especially not when dad brings you up. I‘ve never minded talking about you. I‘ve always wanted to meet you, but she always says she‘s glad dad left you.”

My throat was dry and no words would come out. It wasn’t the lashing out that freaked me out. It was the fact that I had been dreaming about this girl, and in those dreams it never ended well. It was good to hear that Jaden did want me in his life. It patched up my hurt feelings just a little.

“She’s always been a cruel person though.” He seemed reluctant to tell me this. “If she could have she would have become a Death Eater.” This didn’t surprise me.

“Was Emily ever pregnant?” I blurted out.

“How did you…?” He didn’t even finish his sentence. “Mom and dad don’t even know about that. I only knew because I noticed she was getting fat and I confronted her about it. When I asked her what she was going to do about it she just ignored the question. I don‘t even know what happened to the baby.”

“I do.” I said sharply. This is going to sound weird, but I’ve been having dreams, more like nightmares, about her. That’s why I was acting so strange at the table.” I took a deep breath. “In my dream I was in a hospital and a woman, Emily, was giving birth. She told the nurse to take the baby away, and then she just disapparated.”

“Have you had other dreams about her?” Jaden asked looking at his hands.

“Yes.” My voice started shaking at the thought of the nightmares.

“They were bad weren’t they?” He still didn’t look at me.

“Very bad.” My hands shook with fear. Jaden took a hold of my hands and looked me in the eye.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” His voice was strong and protective.

I wrapped my arms around him as my throat chocked up. Jaden was the brother I had always wanted, and now I have him. I knew things were going to get bad between Emily and me, but at least I had one person on my side that would defend me if needed. Well, two; Jaden and Charlie.