Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor anything related.
Hermione sat against a tree in the woods near the burrow, reading a fascinating book about dragons, and their relationships with their handlers.
Working for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry, she found that she was interested in learning more about other magical creatures than just house elves.
She had tried to get her law for house elves to pass for the first 3 months that she worked at the ministry. The house elves, she realized, were completely opposed to the new law, and didn't want to be freed or paid. In the end, she ended up dropping the law and moving on to other magical creature.
It was her 4th month in the department and she was beginning to get antsy, having spent the past 7 years of her life in all stages of exciting, life-threatening situations, and she missed it.
After the war ended, Hermione decided that her and Ron were much better off just being friends, considering the kiss they shared felt more of like brother/sister type.
Harry had just proposed to Ginny, who of course said yes, and were planning a wedding set for October 31st, so that the day could be remembered for something other than a day of death.
Fred had been very close to death, and would have been dead if Hermione hadn't felt a very weak pulse in his carotid artery after the wall had fallen on him. She immediately performed the necessary healing spells to resuscitate him. He was in St. Mungo's for almost a month recovering, but was now back to full health.
"What've you got there, Mia?" Hermione looked up from the book to see Charlie Weasley looking down at her, smiling. He had used the nickname that he chose for her after she began living at the burrow after the war. He had been on leave from the dragon reserve in Romania for a little while to help with the aftermath of the war.
"Just a book about the most fascinating creatures. Would you like to sit?" She asked, scooting over so that he could share the tree trunk that she was leaning against.
They had become very close while Hermione had stayed, learning that they were very much alike in many ways.
"Hmm, the most fascinating creatures, eh? Must be dragons." Charlie replied as he sat next to Hermione, looking at the book she was reading. "And of course, I was right, as always."
She smiled and looked at the second oldest Weasley brother. He was (in Hermione's opinion) the most striking of the Weasley's. After having worked on the Dragon Reserve for the past 6 years, he had certainly toned up. He had several tattoos that scattered across his body, and the majority of them were magical tattoos that moved around his skin.
"You are correct." Hermione told him as she showed him the passage on the Hungarian Horntail that she was reading at the moment.
"I'm going back soon, Mia. They need me there." Charlie told her after a few minutes. She looked at him with a sad expression.
"I had a feeling it would be soon. What will I do here without you? You've helped so much with work and getting back to normal." Hermione said, leaning into his shoulder.
"Well, now that you mention it, I had an offer for you, and yes it's already been
Okayed by Kingsley, if you accept." Charlie said, officially piquing her curiosity.
She looked over at him and urged him to continue. "We have an opening for a representative from the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the reserve. The one that we had has moved back to England and they have been looking for a replacement. I recommended you to them and they wanted me to offer you the position. I wasn't sure if you wanted to leave England or not, but I'd make sure you'd have a place to stay in Romania." Charlie told her.
The look on her face went from shocked to extremely excited. "Charlie! Of course I accept! You know how much I've been wanting a change of scenery. I can't believe you are giving me this opportunity!" Hermione said, turning to hug him excitedly.
"So you're coming to Romania with me?" Charlie asked happily as he hugged her back.
"Looks like it. When do we leave?" Hermione asked curiously, still excited about working with dragons.
"If it's not too soon, there is a portkey that leaves tomorrow at noon. Will you be ready by then? I know it's short notice, but—"
"I can make it happen. Come help me pack!" Hermione said as she stood up and started running towards the burrow, Charlie chasing her and laughing as they ran.
Running up to her room, Hermione grabbed her beaded bag and began to put all of her belongings in it. Charlie was right behind her and stood in her doorway, watching her as she tossed things carelessly into the bag.
"Mia, is there an undetectable extension charm on that bag?" Charlie asked as he watched her shove a pile of books into it.
"Of course, it came in handy when we were on the run." Hermione said as she put all of her shoes in. "And yes, I know it's illegal, but I don't care."
"How do you carry it? The extension charm doesn't take away the added weight." Charlie asked as she handed the bag to him. It felt empty. He opened it and looked inside, seeing stacks of books and clothing inside.
"I mixed a feather light charm with it." Hermione answered. He raised his eyebrows at her cleverness and held the bag open for her to finish putting her things in it.
"When are you going to tell everyone, Mia?" Charlie asked her as she finished placing things into the beaded bag. She looked up at him and smirked.
"I was thinking that we could tell everyone tonight at dinner, since the whole family will be here. I was hoping that you'd help me out since you are the one that offered me the job and-" Hermione began rambling. Charlie cut her off with a finger to her lips.
"Mia, don't worry about it. I'll explain it all to them, just relax." Charlie told her before pulling her into his chest and hugging her tightly.
Hermione couldn't help but breathe in his intoxicating scent that smelled of fire and woods, just how she imagined a dragon to be. She had gotten closer to Charlie in the last few months than she ever did with even Ron or Harry in the seven years that she had known them. She knew that she was developing strong feelings for him, but hadn't voiced them in fear that he might not return the sentiment.
He kissed her forehead softly and looked down at her, knowing that she was now feeling better.
"Oh Char, there are so many things that we have to figure out. Where will I stay? When will I start? What about my things in my office at the ministry?" Hermione said as she huffed and splayed herself across her bed.
"Already figured out, love. That is, if you agree to it." He told her, now sitting on the bed next to her. She looked up and urged him to continue. "You will be staying with me, I have a spare room at my flat, if you want to. If not, I can find you something else, I just figured it would be easier and I've grown so accustomed to our morning tea and-" Hermione placed her finger on his lips and quieted him.
"Now it's your turn to stop rambling. Of course I'll stay with you. I have to say I've grown quite accustomed to our morning tea and you being here in general as well and I had become quite afraid of what I would do after you left." Hermione responded adding in the last part quietly.
"Well, that makes me feel a bit better, seeing as I've already had the things from your office sent there, and you will be starting work in two weeks, just to allow you time to get accustomed to life in Romania. I won't be starting back until you do as well." He told her and seemed very relieved.
"You already knew I'd accept, didn't you?" Hermione asked teasingly.
"Of course, Mia, how could you not accept your dream job? And with me, nonetheless." He replied cheekily, smirking at her.
"You know me so well, don't you?" She asked, laughing.
"You know I do, love." He responded before helping her off the bed and twirling her around in a celebratory dance.
He then pulled her close, his face only centimeters away from hers and was lowering down, about to kiss her when they heard Mrs. Weasley yell from downstairs. "Dinner's ready!" He turned to whisper in her ear instead. "We'll finish this later, love."
Another one... I know, I'm on a roll! Just another new direction I am trying. Please review and let me know what you think. Any suggestions are welcome!