Author Notes: Hello Potterheads! Well, this is a concept I had been mulling over for a month or so now, and it finally developed into words. I am not sure how well it will be received, and I don't know where it's going to go, but it sounded fun so I thought I would share. Review and follow if you're interested. I am deciding if it is something worthy of getting to the core of the adventure!
AU: Magic hasn't existed for eons and now is considered a myth… or so they think.
Summary: Charles Weasley is a respected Paleontologist. He spent most of his adult life sifting through dirt, brushing off bones and discovering species and subspecies of dinosaurs. Happenstance would have it; a young woman was pushed forth into one of his grandest adventures; the discovery of dragons.
Hermione Granger was glancing out the window in somewhat boredom. Why did she agree to do this? She supposed Ginny wanted her along for moral support, but there was so much to do. Hermione had to finish her thesis and prepare for her trip to Africa. No, the Potter would not have it; she had to go on this family trip.
Harry pushed her to sit next to Ron on the ride there, a considerable regret for them both. The curly-haired woman would have preferred sitting next to Ginny, but Harry insisted. It was their first trip as friends since Harry married Ginny, which was never a problem. What was, could easily have been avoided. Harry wanted Ron and her together, but that wasn't going to happen. He had his chance. Hermione was fully aware of that.
"We're nearly there," Harry mumbled as he drove through the winding roads.
"Tell me again why we are going to his dig site?" Ron grumbled, rubbing his face.
Ginny glanced back at him with a scowl. "Don't be a dunderhead. Mum wants us to see if he'll take a break from work and come back with us."
"All the study time I'm missing out on," Hermione sighed, watching the world whistle by.
"You both sound miserable," Harry remarked, scratching his neck. "Maybe we should have just done this alone, Gin."
"No, don't be silly. They're just crabby from sitting all day. The hotel room was a bust as well. Next time we're flying to Romania."
Hermione closed her eyes and thought about her work. It was the only thing keeping her sane with Ronald Weasley's rambling for the last two days. At one point in her life, she had convinced herself she was in love with him. A schoolgirl with a deep crush on one of her best friends. Now, however, life had changed. She went off to start saving the world from injustice, and he was… well, he was right where she left him; a whiner and immature prat.
"There's the turn-off, thank god," Harry groaned as they turned onto a dirt road.
The bumping of the jeep caused Ron to jostle into Hermione and his hand to skate her thigh. "Ronald, if you don't remove your hand, I will make you," Hermione hissed without opening her eyes.
"Mione, why the bloody hell are you so grumpy?" he challenged sharply.
"Because instead of preparing to go to teach women in villages how to read, I'm sitting next to you," Hermione barked and shoved his arm further from her.
Ginny glowered at her and Hermione settled, folding her arms over her chest. "Yes, we all know what you gave up for this vacation. Now, why don't you grab a fizz and relax." Ginny growled with a pointed stare.
Hermione snagged a soda from the bag at her feet and uncapped it, drinking the lukewarm liquid. It was overly sweet and almost hurt Hermione's teeth, but she ignored it as Ginny settled again. Harry tapped the wheel a few times as they approached a smaller road. They were almost there.
When they rounded one of the hills, that was when Hermione perked up. She sat further on her seat and peered out at the sight next to them. They were traveling around a mass of people pouring over holes and ditches. Some were using tools, while others were bent over screens. It was unusual and odd.
They slowed as the car approached a few trailers. Now, it was going to be interesting. When they parked, Ron nearly flung himself from the vehicle. He stomped over to one of the buildings and went inside. Apparently he and Ginny had been out here a few times, but Harry just as uncomfortably fidgeted as Hermione.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine with it Harry," Ginny reassured him as she unbuckled.
Hermione, personally, had only met the Weasley in question twice. Once was when she was thirteen and spent Christmas with the Weasleys while her parents went to Australia. The second time she was sixteen, and he had stayed all of one night before spending the holidays doing goodness knows what with friends.
Hermione finally climbed from the jeep with a stretch and glanced around. It was beautiful and green, with lush trees and a lake not too far from the site. Around them were squared off holes with twine and flags. The woman was definitely out of her element. Hermione listened half-heartedly to the Potters speak about Harry's nerves as she wandered over to one of the holes. In it was bones of some sort with different markers. It was a creature she had never seen before with a massive nose.
"Hatzegopteryx," a voice startled her and made her almost fall into the hole.
A large hand grasped her arm and helped her pivot to the stranger. "I beg your pardon," she snapped, yanking her arm away.
The man was quite beastly looking. His long fiery hair was only partly bound behind him, with a maroon shirt that clearly announced he did not have an opinion on cleanliness. His trousers were torn and wore the same dusty appearance as his shirt. However, it was his deep blue eyes that contradicted his casual attire; they held a fire. "I said that is a Hatzegopteryx. A hatching. We found him just this week," his voice was gruff, but still held kindness.
"Oh," Hermione replied with a blinking stare.
He frowned and folded his arms over his chest. "You aren't part of the students we just got in today?" he asked her with a stern tone.
"Charlie!" Ginny shrieked and ran around Hermione, launching herself in the stranger's arms.
The now identified Weasley laughed and lifted the small woman up. "Ginny, oh, wow, what a surprise!" he chuckled and squeezed her as she was righted on the ground. "What are you and your lot doing out here?"
Ginny hemmed while shuffling her boots through the dirt. "Well, I wanted to introduce you to my husband. I think you remember him from home," she murmured while waving Harry over.
Harry scooped Hermione under his arm for support as he stood in front of Charlie. "Ello, Charlie. I'm Harry Potter. We met a few times. This is my best friend, Hermione Granger. Hermione has been studying for her doctorate sociology. We came out to visit with Ginny and Ron went off to the loo I believe."
Charlie snorted but held out his hand. "I suppose you have come out here to see the place? Well, it's a good time; we have some lot of students from uni here on a dig. I hope you brought tents; I don't have room in my trailer for all of you." Charlie announced as they shook hands. "Some of you might not be used to roughin' it," he finished while glancing at Hermione with an arched eyebrow.
Hermione pulled away from Harry and tossed her curly hair behind her. "I will have you know, Charles, I have had some time in the bush myself," she responded and turned back toward the jeep, marching toward the trunk.
Charlie grinned brightly and clapped his hands together. "Well, bravo, book girl," he snickered.
Hermione sneered at him while opening the vehicle. "Deplorable," she breathed, shouldering her large bag.
"Hermione, let me get that for you," Ron's voice bounced over the area.
He walked over and tried to get her bag from her, but the curly-haired woman shrugged his offer off. "No thank you, I don't mind doing the labor myself," she said abruptly.
Charlie cleared his throat and waved the Potters to follow. "So, we are going to set you up just around my trailer. There's a nice camp spot, and you are more than welcome to use my facilities. If the students weren't here, I would offer up the one down the way, but alas, timing is everything." He proclaimed as he went toward the trunk.
They all were grabbing items from the jeep and didn't have to walk very far to set up. It was around a building and an ample open space surrounded by trees. There were a fire pit and plenty of room to set up tents. Hermione was a bit out of her element and just watched as the Weasleys and Harry interacted.
"We just unearthed a cave. It's exciting because if we find specimen inside, we could potentially see them preserved. I have been quivering with anticipation as we checked to make sure it was safe," Charlie explained to his siblings as they were pulling out the tents.
Hermione shuffled through her bag and had out a checklist. Ron snorted and nudged his brother, while they both watched her go over the items she had and check them off. "Hermione, don't you ever get tired of being that prepared?" Ron asked, bringing the woman into the conversation.
"No, Ronald, I do not. You will be thanking me later when the leeches from the lake latch on to you and you need them off or when the bugs aren't crawling around your tent because of my repellant." Hermione responded, not glancing up at them.
"You prepared for what?" Charlie questioned, amusement on his face.
"Don't pester her, she has saved our lives a time or two by being prepared," Ginny retorted, shoving a tent toward Ron. "You're supposed to be nice, remember?" she hissed.
Hermione exhaled heavily and erected herself from the bag. "I'm going to take a walk. I need some fresh air and silence after such a long drive," she murmured and fixed her jeans before strolling toward the lake in the distance.
Charlie glanced at the others, but Harry grimaced in reply. "Ron, I thought you said you were going to be nice."
"It's not my fault she has a stick up her arse. I've been nice; she's been terrible," Ron responded as he yanked open the back to the tent. "She's been like this since the hotel."
"Well, next time don't get drunk and try to shag her," Ginny said as she pulled out the rods to their large tent.
Charlie snorted loudly and waved at his sister. "He's always been lousy with women, that will never change."
Harry arched an eyebrow and fixed his glasses. "You say that like you know."
"I receive letters still, Harry. Just because I'm not there, doesn't mean I don't get updated. George still has older brothers, doesn't he?"
"Ya know, she is a right pain in the arse. Thinks she knows everything. Books can only keep you so warm," Ron grumbled, pouring the contents of the tent on the ground.
"Be careful what you say out here, Ronnie boy. My blokes love a good sass to go with their intellect. Your personal preference isn't the foundation of all men," Charlie warned and took a chance to watch the figure by the lake.
"How many others are here with you now, Charlie?" Ginny questioned as she helped Harry thread the rods through the tent.
The older Weasley returned his attention to his sister and shrugged his shoulders. "There's a handful of us that are perma digs. You'll meet them tonight." Charlie was working on the hostile woman's tent without her consent. He was sure to get an ear-bashing for it, but decided it was worth her having a place to hide.
"Hey, Charlie, you said uni kids were out here?" Ron questioned as he bustled through making his tent.
"Don't even think about it Ron," Ginny huffed, rolling her eyes.
"What? They have to have a bit of fun when they aren't digging," he retorted, tilting his head.
"I give up, you're hopeless," Harry sighed, shaking his head.
"You all should just settle in. I'm going to check my sites here after everyone is situated. Give me a holler if you need anything," Charlie announced while moving the large tent to a decent spot.
"Okay, Charlie, we'll see you around supper?" Ginny asked with a smile.
"Most certainly. I'm glad you all came out. We'll have loads of fun," He said with a grin and departed around the side of the trailer.
"I hope he's serious," Harry sighed, glancing out at his estranged friend. "She may not enjoy it as much as I hoped."
Ginny patted his arm as they put up their tent. "Don't worry; she'll come around. She's just tired."
"Just get her some tea and a book," Ron grumbled and bobbed his head. "Well, I'm going to go check out these digs." He said and wandered off from his tent.
Harry rubbed his face under his glasses. "Why did we bring him? I had hoped he'd rise to the occasion."
"Just time, Harry. He's not used to being around her again. They hadn't seen each other in a year," Ginny voiced with a hopeful tone.
"We can hope, Gin. Let's finish getting this place together." Harry said with a nod.
They got to work on fixing the campsite, and Hermione soon joined them. The hours faded and soon when the sun was sinking toward the horizon, there was more laughter to be found. At least until the rest of the diggers arrived…