Thank you for the lovely reviews!
Title: Must Love Dragons
Rating: 'T', until further notice.
RFR: Language, alcohol, and some violent scenes.
Summary: Sarah Beth Adams was your normal college student- that is, until one day, she discovered a dragon in her backyard. What's a girl to do?
Chapter 2 Publish Date: Monday, July 3rd: 9:00pm
Charlie stifled a grin as he tiptoed his way up the front walk of the Burrow. It was early morning, and the autumn sun was just coming over the hills in the distance. Charlie's stomach growled loudly. He couldn't wait for some of his mum's delicious cooking… His thoughts of bacon and eggs were disrupted by a deafening, gruff shout.
"OI! YOU THERE! IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"
Charlie grimaced and held up his hands. While Kingsley Shacklebolt had been made Minister of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix was now a public organization, the Burrow was still an outpost to the Order. The threat of Voldemort had vanished with his death, but his loyal Death Eaters still remained, meaning "constant vigilance". Mad Eye Moody, assigned to the Burrow outpost, was taking his job just as seriously as if Lord Voldemort still lived.
"C'mon, Moody! It's me, Charlie!" He called affably. He tentatively took a stride forward, but immediately had to sidestep as a large read beam of light shot from the front door to his foot.
"Only a Death Eater would say that, you impostor!" Not able to get his wand out in time, Charlie was forced to dive behind a small bush as another curse was sent his way. His suitcase was not so fortunate. Hit by the spell, it burst into a thousand pieces.
Charlie scrambled to his feet lest Moody decided to incinerate the shrub as well, but found that the situation had been taken care of. Bill had managed to rid Moody of his weapon, and was already striding out onto the lawn to greet his brother.
Bill's scarred and mangled face twisted into a wry grin as he embraced his brother, thumping him on the back.
"I take it you got my letter!"
Charlie laughed and gave his kin a sturdy handshake, nodding his head. "Yeah, congratulations, mate! You finally popped the question!" Bill scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, we've been living together for a year now. I figured the time had finally come."
Charlie gave Bill a knowing look. "Yeah, and mum kept nagging you about 'living in sin'." Bill shrugged as if to say 'yeah, that too'. The pair was interrupted by a loud squeal from the front door. Bill rolled his eyes.
"Speak of the devil. Looks like mum's noticed you've arrived." Nothing more could be said between the two brothers as Charlie was immediately body slammed by Molly Weasley. She gave him a fierce hug and then pulled back, positively beaming.
"Charlie, oh heavens, what a wonderful surprise!" Molly promptly began to fuss over Charlie's ruffled appearance, scowling when he mentioned Moody's actions. "That man overreacts to everything, I swear!" Molly pulled the two men into the house, shooting a murderous glare at Moody when he attempted to prevent Charlie from entering. The table in the kitchen was packed already, but that didn't stop Molly from adding an extra place for her son. Charlie greeted everyone at the table with a jovial grin and quickly sat down, ready to eat.
Fleur, his brother's fiancé, sat across from him, and gave him a friendly smile. A few members of the Order were present; Remus Lupin and his new wife Tonks (she still refused to go by Nymphadora even though her surname was now Lupin), Sturgis Podmore, and his father, Arthur. His other siblings, Percy, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George were notably absent. Before he could inquire about this, however, Lupin addressed him.
"Ah, Charlie! Good to see you! How has business been going?"
"There was a bit of a mess with faulty cages, about a week ago," Charlie replied, filling his plate with eggs and toast. Arthur looked concerned.
"Really? What happened?" He asked his son. Charlie recounted his tale quickly, but included the woman he had rescued in his telling.
"…She had pink hair, too," Charlie continued, nodding his head at Tonks. Tonks, sitting next to Lupin, scrunched her nose up and her hair turned from pink to black. Lupin rolled his eyes and Tonks shrugged her shoulders.
"What? I have this insatiable need to be different. Get used to it."
Charlie laughed along with the others and relaxed completely, something he hadn't been able to do lately with his workload. "Where are Ron and the others?" he asked. Molly sighed loudly.
"Well Percy's at work, as always, but the others are spending all their time at Fred and George's joke shop. They left this morning to help them with some experiments of theirs."
Bill grinned at Charlie from across the table. Everyone knew of Molly's dislike for the joke shop. Arthur patted his wife gently on the back.
"Now, now, Molly! Harry and Ron have had their hands full with work at the Auror Department, and goodness knows it is well to get Hermione out of the office."
"Is Ginny still training with the Harpies?" Charlie asked around a mouthful of toast. Molly nodded, but her frown made apparent to all exactly what she thought of Ginny's career path.
"Don't know why that girl chose Quidditch of all things…" she said hotly. Arthur just shook his head with a knowing smile upon his face.
"So what do you have planned today, Charlie?" Arthur asked, changing the subject quickly. Charlie groaned as he remembered his clothing situation.
"Well, it looks like a quick shopping trip is in order," he said genially, looking pointedly at Moody. The man harrumphed and sent his eye spinning furiously. At the mention of shopping, Molly perked up.
"I need to go into Diagon Alley, we should go together," she suggested happily. Charlie's eyes widened at the thought of his mother going shopping for clothing with him. Bill snickered into his tea, and the other guests looked elsewhere, hiding smiles of their own.
"Ah, you know, I actually want to go into the muggle part of London for clothing…" Charlie said. Molly's face fell. "But I can meet up with you in Diagon Alley later!" He added as an afterthought. Molly agreed to this and Charlie breathed a silent sight of relief.
As much as he loved his mum, Charlie didn't think he could stand having her shop with him.
Who would?
Sarah sighed in frustration as she struggled to type out the last few sentences of her essay for her advanced archaeology class. Sitting in a local coffee shop, Sarah could practically feel the caffeine rushing through her veins as she finished her fourth cup of ultra black coffee. She grimaced as she reached the cold bottom of the cup. She tossed it into the trash and returned to her work. Her counselor back home hadn't been lying when he told her this new university was going to be a challenge. She certainly enjoyed the classes she was taking, but for it only being the first week of class, Sarah was already feeling the strain of the work load. She was also going to have to look for a job within the next few days to help pay the rent and bills.
Moaning again, Sarah checked her watch and nearly had a heart attack. She had world studies next, and it looked like she was going to be extremely late. Snapping her laptop shut, Sarah bolted out the door, nearly hitting a red headed man on his way in.
Sarah shouted back an apology as she crossed the street. She yelped loudly as a taxi driver threatened to flatten her.
"Watch where you're going!" she shouted, glaring at the driver. Sarah rolled her eyes and continued on her way. It was going to be a long day…
She raced through campus and into Dean Hall, up the stairs and down the left corridor. Opening the door carefully, she tiptoed into the classroom. Professor Vance paused in his lecture as Sarah sidled into the third row of seats. He glanced at his watch amusedly.
"Miss Adams," he said dryly, "So nice of you to join us in these last fifteen minutes." Sarah gave an apologetic grin as she pulled out her notebook. Professor Vance returned to his lecture.
"Europe is one of the richest sources in the world for historical and archaeological culture, as you well know, stemming back hundreds of thousands of years." Professor Vance stated loudly, waking a few of the sleeping students in the back. Sarah grinned as the boy next to her snored softly. She loved this class, almost as much as her advanced archaeology class.
Sarah pulled out her pen and began to run its tip up and down the side of the sleeping boy's face. He snorted once and slapped his hand across his nose. Sarah giggled furiously, but stopped at the glare she received from Professor Vance.
"…This is why the school board has considered an exciting proposition for one lucky student," he continued, pacing slowly across the floor. At this, Sarah sat up a little straighter. Exciting proposition?
"One student will have the opportunity to do an independent field exercise, with their very own archaeological digging crew, in the country of their own choice." Hushed, excited murmurs erupted from the students in the lecture hall. Sarah couldn't believe her ears. This was exactly the type of opportunity she was looking for! Professor Vance grinned.
"Now, I know all of you are excited, but winning this opportunity will not be easy. You must submit the following to be counted in the running: An extended essay detailing why you would be the perfect candidate for this opportunity. It should be several pages long." There was a rustling of paper as students hurriedly began scratching out the requirements.
"You must also include a thesis paper, within which you will specify the country of your choice and what exactly it is you will be looking for in this country. Ancient civilizations? Lost ruins? Whatever it may be, it must be backed up with solid historical evidence that what you are looking for is actually there. The paper is due a month from now, with the winner to be announced shortly thereafter." Professor Vance glanced at the clock.
"This assignment is not required, nor will it be graded. But I suggest you do it for your own benefit." Professor Vance motioned to the clock. "Class dismissed." There was a flurry of movement as the students rushed out the door. Sarah, however, stayed behind.
Emilio Vance glanced up from his desk as a shadow fell over it. He bit back a grin.
"Ah, Miss Adams! How may I help you?" Sarah bounced eagerly upon her toes.
"So, whoever wins the essay thingy, gets to travel to a country of any choice?" Emilio stood, and this time could not hold back a broad smile.
"Yes, Miss Adams. This essay thingy, as you put it, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a student like you." He walked with Sarah to the door. "I wish I had had this opportunity." Emilio opened the door for Sarah, and she started out. Professor Vance stopped her before she got too far, however.
"Sarah," he called, "You have a very good shot at winning this." Sarah's eyes widened excitedly, and with a quick salute, she dashed down the hallway, and out of sight. Chuckling, Emilio turned and walked back to his desk. Such an odd girl…
A week since his arrival to the Burrow, Charlie found himself arguing with his mother as she pleaded with him to stay longer. He had been there long enough, and had missed plenty of work. Molly was a little put out, to say the least.
"But you have to stay for the wedding!" she protested, fussing about him as he shook hands with Remus. Charlie smiled and stooped to kiss her on the cheek.
"Mum, the wedding is in six weeks. I just wanted to stop by for a little visit beforehand," he replied. Molly clutched him to her and gave him a fierce hug.
"I know, it's just that you never visit anymore! You're always so busy with those darn dragons!"
Charlie gave his brother a pleading look. Bill chuckled and intervened quickly.
"He's right mum. He's got plenty of time to go to Romania and back." Molly huffed and gave Bill an annoyed glance.
"Well, alright."
Arthur Weasely placed an arm around his wife, winking at his sons. "Have a safe trip back, Charlie." Charlie shook his father's hand before bending to pick up his (new) suitcase. Nodding to Fleur and Bill, he quickly disapparated.
Sarah cooed gently to Kirby as she finished squishing the last of the hair dye from the bottle. The chinchilla, sitting on the toilet lid, looked bored and a little less than amused as Sarah massaged the dark, plum-colored hair dye into her scalp. A week had passed since the assignment was handed out, and she had just finished it. It wasn't due for three more weeks, but she'd made sure to finish it as soon as possible. Sarah wanted to be first in the running for the trip of a lifetime. She was celebrating the completion of her essay with some good old hair dye.
Kirby chirped suddenly. Sarah gave him an annoyed look. Ripping the gloves off her hands, she carried him to his dinner bowl and poured his food.
"Dinner is served, Mister Kirby." Sarah glanced at the clock. Twenty more minutes until she could wash her hair. Pouring herself a bowl of Cheerios, Sarah munched happily as she pulled out her completed papers. She prayed that she would get the chance to lead an excavation. It was something Sarah had wanted to do her whole life. Doing it while still a student would open up some major doors for her in the career world.
She shrugged and dropped the essay back on the table. She felt pretty confident- she knew she had a good chance. Sarah groaned suddenly as she realized she forgot a cover page for her thesis paper. Shuffling over to her computer, Cheerios still in hand, she pecked out a title.
"Romania- A Land Undiscovered"
Well, that's it for chapter two!
Please review!
-Wynter
