Dear Nancy,

It's been five years now. I haven't stopped writing to you every day, I don't think I ever will until I see you again. I hope wherever you are, you are doing okay, I hope you are well and I hope that you haven't forgotten about me or Tonks. I know you most probably will never read this but in case I ever get the courage to send these, I hope that you know how much I miss you.

So, your parents got your floo letter. They told Tonks and I immediately. They are so happy to have heard from you. Your dad was bouncing off of the walls.

Tonks nearly teared up, you know.

So did I.

I didn't wait along. I went straight to the ministry demanding they traced the floo network. I hope they find you. I want you to be around again.

I'm just glad you've shown us a sign.

I swear we were infinite,

Love always,

Charlie.

x x x

* * *

With a crack in the midst of the night, Nancy shot up and ran into Violet's room, the young girl confused and tired as Nancy picked her up in her arms. With her wand in her pocket she crept downstairs to find a shirt man covered in soot in her living room.

"Who are you?" She asked him, her hand holding Violet's to her chest.

The man coughed, "I'm Barney Graves, I am head of wizarding transport. I was asked to trace a floo network and it's led me here. Am I right in saying that you are Nancy Lois Mulligan, daughter of Sally and Vincent Mulligan?"

Nancy stared at the man in shock, placing Vioelet down on the ground, "sweetheart, go on back to bed and cuddle Mr Bear I'll be up in a bit." Violet nodded and trudged off back to bed whilst Nancy walked into the kitchen. She turned to the wizard who had rid himself of soot. "Would you like a coffee? Tea, perhaps?"

"Coffee would be lovely, dear." Said Barney sitting at the kitchen table. "My, my, Miss Mulligan, you have people quite worried back home." He told her.

"I doubt that."

Barney laughed, "it's true. Your parents, so I have been told, and your friend, Charles Weasley, he came to me with your note demanding I track the network to find you. And I did."

Nancy handed him a cup of coffee and sat down with one herself. "Seriously?"

"Totally." Nancy looked down at her mug not saying anything. "Why did you leave?" Barney asked her placing his hand on hers.

The woman sighed  rubbing her tired eyes that had rims of dark circles around them from the lack of sleep. Violet had a wobbly tooth and couldn't sleep with it. "I don't really know." She admittedly. "Honestly, I don't. I guess, I was rather selfish."

"How so?"

"Charlie went off to Romania, Tonks, our other friend was off to train as an auror and I had no idea what I wanted to do. My parents were always working and I guess I felt so alone. It was as if I couldn't look after myself, I depended on everyone so much that being alone, I didn't know what to do. I guess this was my way of proving I could look after myself. I was so selfish. I wasn't thinking about how anyone else would be feeling."

Barney couldn't help but feel for the young woman. He could see the regret shining in her eyes and the sadness in her voice. "Then I got my job and Violet came along. I felt so happy looking after her but I do wish I hadn't left. I wonder what it would have been like if I hadn't. But I can't change what happened."

"I'm sure if you go back now, even for a visit, that will suffice. The really want to see you. It's been a week since you sent the letter. Your parents and friends are amazing people and they will understand."

"I can't...I have no one to look after Violet."

"Her father?" Suggested Barney.

"He's working."

"Take her with you. If she has made you happy, I'm sure she'll calm your nerves." Barney told her. "Nancy, you are a lovely young woman. Please, go and see them. I promise you, you won't regret it."

Nancy nodded and gulped down the rest of her coffee as Violet started crying out that her tooth was hurting. "I should go and settle her."

Barney stood up, "and I beat be going. Thank you for the coffee and also, sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night. Do the right thing, Nancy."

The woman nodded as the man disapparated. Climbing the stairs up to the little girls' room, she sat on the edge of the bed and kissed Violet's head.

"It will hurt, sweetie, but I can't do anything about it. Just try not thinking about it, darling, and you won't feel the pain." She ran her hands through Violet's hair and tucked her in further. "Goodnight, Violet."

Violet grasped Nancy's hand, "can you stay with me?" Nancy nodded her head and slid under the covers pulling the young girl to her chest, "Who was that man?"

"Just a friend, darling." Nancy told her. "Let's get some sleep, you have school tomorrow."

"Nu-night."

"Sleep tight, little one."