Wow… I must say that I am extremely flattered and thankful for all the feedback you guys are giving me. I am really amazed at how much attention this fic is gathering so quickly. Also, thanks for sticking with me and my flaky updating. You guys are angels!

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?

Date I wanted to publish it: May 19th, 2009 (Happy Birthday to Me!)

Actual Publish Date: June 8th, 2009. (Happy Belated Birthday to Me!)

Holy crap, I can't believe I made it to 20 years old.

Chapter 10? Awesome!

Sarah felt her heart skip a beat. What?! She could feel her face starting to flush in disbelief. Charlie was rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Veronica was staring at Charlie, her nostrils flaring.

"Sarah, what the hell are you thinking in dating this man?" Veronica exclaimed, gesturing wildly about her. "You know nothing about him- I guarantee it!" Charlie's face grew stormy.

"Just because you screwed up our relationship doesn't give you the right to-!"

"ME SCREW IT UP?" Veronica shrieked. "It wasn't my fault and you know it!"

Charlie laughed scathingly and nodded his head. "Right. You cheated on me and it's my fault. That's so typical of you Veronica." Veronica stepped closer to Charlie and poked him hard in the chest.

"You drove me to it, you imbecile. I was always so lonely and Edwin was there to comfort me," Veronica shouted back. "If you had paid a little bit more attention to our relationship, maybe I wouldn't have cheated!"

While the pair quarreled back and forth about who exactly had ruined their romance, Sarah had pulled her left hand out of her pocket, and was gazing at the ring that lay upon it. She was getting a sinking feeling in her stomach- the kind you usually get when you realize you've just made a horrible mistake. She's right. I don't know him. How could I be so stupid? The conversation before her suddenly flooded back to her ears.

"God, you and you fucking dragons Charlie- that's all you ever cared about!" Veronica shrieked.

"You used to care about 'em too, until your wand got broken by one! That's all you ever talked about." Charlie yelled back, his facing getting red.

"That wand was in my family for centuries! It was diamond encrusted!"

"What?" Sarah's small voice was out of place amongst the shouting. It drew the attention of the squabbling duo. "A wand?" The pair turned to the Sarah. Veronica had paled, and was looking apologetic.

"Uh, Sarah- I think you misheard…" Veronica trailed off, and she exchanged an alarmed look with Charlie. Sarah felt small and insignificant- like she was missing out on some big joke.

"What is going on here?" She asked. Veronica quickly opened up her purse and retrieved what looked like a long polished stick. A wand. Before Sarah could blink, Veronica had the wand trained on her.

"I'm sorry, Sarah, but I have to do this." Veronica said, her voice firm. Sarah had backed up slightly and was looking between Charlie and Veronica. Charlie looked alarmed and crossed the room to block Sarah from Veronica's aim.

"Veronica, relax- she knows," he said, raising his hands slightly. "I've already told her." With a confused look on her face, Veronica lowered her wand.

"She knows? B-but, you've only been dating-!"

"I know, but… something happened between us that required a little explanation." Charlie interrupted. At this point, Sarah lost her temper. Pushing past Charlie, she turned to face the two people she was finding harder and harder to trust with every passing moment.

"Are you a witch?!" she demanded, planting her hands on her hips in anger. Veronica swallowed hard, gripping her wand tightly.

"Yes." she replied hoarsely.

"Sarah, please calm-!" Charlie started.

"No, Charlie! What the hell is going on here?" Sarah interrupted. "Is everyone but me in on some little secret?"

"Please, Sarah, we're not supposed to tell muggles about magic," Veronica said softly, "Believe me, I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't."

"A Muggle? Is that what I'm called?" Sarah said indignantly. "I am I some big joke to you all?" This was said softly, and full of hurt. Veronica and Charlie exchanged remorseful glances. They felt awful, but what could they do? The ministry had strict laws concerning muggle- wizard relations.

"Maybe I should go," Veronica said, sensing that Charlie and Sarah had some things to work out between them. Sarah nodded vigorously.

"I think that would be wise," she said. "Charlie, you go with her."

Charlie looked hurt. "Sarah…"

"Stop saying my name!" Sarah said, placing her hands over her ears as she shook her head. She felt so overwhelmed, so faint. Her breathing was harsh and ragged. Sarah yanked the pretty ring off her finger and threw it at Charlie. It bounced hard off his chest, and landed in his outstretched palms. "And take your ring too. I want a divorce."

No one moved.

"OUT!" she said loudly. Veronica nodded, and gathered her things quickly. Charlie looked hard at Sarah a moment longer, before following Veronica out the door. When the door slid shut, the only noise left was Sarah's harsh breathing, and Kirby's munching. Feeling utterly and completely alone, Sarah collapsed to the floor, her body shaking as she wept. She wanted to vomit, to scream, to fly into a rage- and all she could do was cry.

Outside, the pair could hear Sarah's sobs. Charlie turned on his heel to barge back in the apartment, but Veronica's hand on his arm stayed him.

"Charlie…" her voice was uncharacteristically soft. "Don't."

Charlie rubbed a hand over his weary face. He wanted so badly to rush back in there, to hold Sarah until she stopped crying. He gazed down at the ring she had thrown back at him. Veronica was staring at it in shock.

"Is that… what I think it is?" she asked, gaping at him in disbelief. Charlie made a fist over the ring, his hand shaking hard. Veronica blew out a stream of air before tugging on Charlie's shirt sleeve. "C'mon, I'll buy you a drink. I know I need some vodka at this point. You can explain everything then."

Charlie didn't move at first. But then, he gave a barely imperceptible nod and the pair dejectedly apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. Tom was standing at the bar, cleaning the counter. He raised his eyebrows, but greeted the pair when they entered.

"Well, well- look who it is! The golden couple is back!" he said with a smile. Charlie, though usually cordial to the agreeable barkeeper, ignored him.

"Firewhisky," he said hoarsely. Tom's smile diminished somewhat as he reached for a shot glass.

"Shot of vodka," Veronica added, sliding onto a barstool. She turned to Charlie and brushed her long hair out of her face as she sipped the strong alcohol.

Charlie examined his former fiancé with some curiosity. Veronica's manicured nails and high end clothing stood out in stark contrast to the griminess of the Leaky Cauldron. He downed his Firewhisky in one gulp. Veronica had been an interesting relationship to say the least. One filled with more passion than love. He had thought he loved her at one point, but it was superficial. He knew what love was now.

"So," Veronica prompted, ordering another shot. "Engaged?"

"Married, actually," Charlie replied. Veronica raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, but to her credit, she didn't comment. "We got drunk on our last date and woke up married."

"Wow. Judging from the look on your face when she threw the ring at you, I get the feeling you didn't really have a problem with being married," Veronica replied. Charlie sneered.

"Well now it looks like I'm getting a divorce," He replied cynically. "Some husband I was."

"You have to see it from Sarah's point of view," Veronica said. "Not only is she thrust into this completely alien world, she finds that her best friend already knew it existed."

"You know, I never would have taken you two for friends," Charlie replied. "You don't seem that compatible." Veronica laughed, tossing her head back.

"It is an interesting relationship," she admitted, "But one I cherish. I've never met anyone quite like Sarah before. She's so childlike sometimes- it drives me crazy! But she's goodhearted, and a very gentle soul. I think that's the loudest- and angriest- I've ever heard her."

Charlie sighed and dropped his head. "I hardly know anything about her, and yet I can't stop thinking about her."

Veronica examined the defeated man before her. She felt a tiny twinge of remorse that their relationship didn't work out. She was in love with him at one point, but slowly her passion died. Veronica fell into temptation with another man, and it had ruined a relationship already on the rocks. She could see it was for the best now, however. The way Charlie looked now…Veronica knew that she was never the one for him. Sarah obviously was- no matter how short a time they had known each other. She sighed.

"What are you going to do?" she asked softly, taking a sip of the vodka. "Give up?" At this, Charlie's head flew up and he stared hard at her.

"No. I can't… I can't let her go," he replied hoarsely. Veronica nodded, her gaze softening. She downed the rest of her shot in one.

"I say give her a day or two to let her cool off," Veronica replied, "Maybe when I see her at class tomorrow I can speak with her." She stood and grabbed her purse, turning to leave. She paused and looked back at Charlie. "Charlie…"

He raised his head to show that he had heard.

"I'm sorry I messed things up today. If I hadn't come over…"

Charlie raised his hand and waved the apology away. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Veronica nodded and put some money on the counter to pay for their drinks.

"Good to see you, Tom." She said, before exiting the pub with an air of remorse. Charlie sighed and let his head drop back into his hands.

"Another Firewhisky," he said gruffly.

It was hours later that Bill received a frantic floo call from Tom the bartender. He was enjoying a cup of tea with his fiancé when the fireplace lit up, and Tom's head appeared.

"Hey Tom! How have you been?" Bill asked cordially, looking at the clock. It was past ten. "A little late to chit chat, don't you think?" Tom's disembodied head shook furiously.

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call, Bill. It's about your brother." At this, Bill sat up straight, and a concerned look covered his scarred face. "He's here at the Cauldron, completely plastered. I'd cast a sobering spell, but it's against policy to wield a wand at my customers."

"What's wrong with him?" Bill asked, grabbing a jacket. "You've had Charlie be pretty drunk in your bar before. Is he getting belligerent?"

Tom shook his head. "He was in here with Veronica a few hours ago."

Bill felt his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. "Veronica?!"

"Yeah. She left soon after they got here, but he's been here drinking ever since. Keeps going on about some bird named Sarah," Tom replied. Bill felt his heart sink.

"Alright, I'll be there soon Tom. Thanks for letting me know."

Tom's head vanished. Fleur looked up from the book she was reading.

"Eez everyzing alright, Bill?" she asked, concern etched into her French accent. Bill sighed.

"I don't know, honestly." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on his fiancé's head. "I'll be back soon."

Fleur nodded and, smiling at him, watched as Bill threw Floo Powder into the fireplace, and disappeared.

Bill arrived at The Leaky Cauldron moments later, stepping from the fireplace in the corner of the pub. His eyes found Charlie immediately; he was at the bar, and the other patrons had given him wide berth. Tom caught Bill's eye and gave him a thankful look.

"I love her- you know!" Charlie exclaimed to Tom, who nodded in agreement. Bill approached his brother cautiously.

"Charlie…?" his brother turned at the sound of his name. His eyes were swollen a bit, and he had a shot of alcohol in his hand. Charlie gave him a sardonic smile.

"The honeymoon's over, mate! She left me." He downed his shot. Bill slid into the open spot next to his brother.

"Sarah, Charlie?" he asked softly. Charlie nodded miserably.

"Veronica showed up at her apartment to check on her… and our relationship all came out," he replied. He motioned for another shot from Tom, who gave it to him. However, when Charlie wasn't looking, Bill turned the alcohol into water with a prod from his wand. Charlie was so drunk that he didn't even notice it.

"She got mad at you being engaged before?" Bill asked, trying to keep his brother talking. Charlie shook his head.

"No! She didn't get mad at that- though she has every right to. She got mad…" Charlie trailed off as he thought hard. "Well, I don't know the exact reason why she got mad. There were a lot of things going on. Mainly she was upset about Veronica being a witch and stuff… stuff like that."

Bill, though he didn't know the whole story, already understood Sarah's feelings. Sighing, he clapped a hand on Charlie's shoulder, and forced him from the bar.

"C'mon, mate, let's get you home." He joint apparated with his brother back to his flat. Fleur jumped up in surprise as they entered the front door.

"Charlie!" she exclaimed, examining his disheveled appearance. "Eez everyzing okay?"

But Charlie had passed out. Giving Fleur a grimace, Bill dragged his brother from the living room into the guest room. He removed Charlie's shoes and tucked him in. Turning, Bill saw Fleur in the doorway with a glass of water. She placed it on the bedside table, before exiting the bedroom. Bill followed her out.

"What eez going on, Bill?" she asked. Bill sighed and collapsed on the couch.

"It's a long story," he replied. "And kind of… complicated." This did not satisfy Fleur, however, and she moved to stand in front of him, her hands on her hips.

"Eef your brother eez going to be staying here, I want to know why he eez so- so sick!" she said, raising an eyebrow. Bill, though a seasoned warrior, did not envy being around his girlfriend when she was in a mood, and relented easily.

He told her Sarah- everything he knew, including the short engagement and wedding. At the end of his story, Fleur clasped her hands together and gasped.

"So romantic!" she said dreamily, "Oh how sweet." She leaned back in her chair and nodded to herself. "A girl like zat will not be able to stay away from Charlie for long, Bill, mark my words."

Bill looked to the bedroom where his brother slept in a drunken stupor. "I hope, for his sake, that you are right," he murmured.

Hours later, Sarah awoke slowly on her living room floor. At first she couldn't remember why she felt so horrid. Then she pushed past the headache and remembered the events leading up to her crying herself asleep. The tears began again, and Sarah refused to move from her spot. They were silent tears this time, however, and she almost felt like they weren't even falling. All of her energy was positively sapped.

Kirby was curled up next to her, snoring softly. Sarah managed to smile softly down at her furry friend, before placing a kiss on his head. Getting up from the floor, Sarah rubbed the tear streaks from her face and set about to find something to keep her busy. She eventually settled on cleaning her apartment, and was soon in rubber yellow gloves with a rag and cleaning solution in hand. As she scrubbed at the floors in her kitchen, she struggled to not think about the events that had transpired earlier. Several times she threw down her cleaning equipment to search for her phone with the intent of calling Charlie, but she forced herself to pick everything back up and continue washing.

A few hours later, she found herself in the bathroom that was connected to her bedroom. She was cleaning the sink harshly, working up a sweat as she scrubbed away at imaginary dirt. With a huff, she threw her gloves into the sink and stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from crying. Her hair was a positively horrid rat's nest. She shifted her gaze in the mirror, and she could see into the bedroom. Upon her bed lay the dress she had worn on her date. The dress that Veronica had given her.

Sarah shuffled to the bed and gently ran her fingers over the soft material. Sighing, she picked up the gown and hung it up in her closet, pushing it to the very back. The shoes went back in their box and were slid under her bed. She glanced at the clock and groaned inwardly at the time- three o'clock in the morning. She had class in just a few hours. Exhausted from the cleaning and crying, she crawled into bed, not even bothering to wash her face or untangle her hair. Reaching out, she set her alarm clock and pulled her blankets up over her head.

Hopefully tomorrow would be much kinder to her.

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