I'm baaaack! Well, they are back! Apparently, just a quick rundown, Charlie, and Hermione have been married for a year. Charlie has had another book published and is going on book tour with Newt. Hermione meanwhile is still in Romania finishing up her training. How will these odd changes affect them? Will this make them understand each other, or change themselves for better or for worse? Enjoy!

Hermione was doing her warm-ups as she had been accustomed to for the last few weeks. Her body was the most toned and fit it had ever been. Thumping of her feet on the grass was the only indication of her effort as she strode across the darkened ground. The witch was running with weights and tossed them from her hands in a massive slump as she started to stretch. A few of the dragon hatchlings flitted to her nearby and were chattering as she did some jumping jacks.

"My little fan club," she huffed to herself as the little multi-colored dragons danced about.

She had tattooed a band on her ring finger instead of wearing her wedding ring, which was only to prevent the hatchlings from gnawing on it. Her arm had etchings as well as her shoulders and a few hidden places; all of the tattoos had a story. Her and Charlie's story that it was at least, symbols of their trek through life's trials thus far. She planned on her next one after her training had completed.

When she finally slung herself to the grass after her cool down, the little hatchlings crowded her and licked her sweat. Hermione giggled and let it happen as she caught her breath. Never in her life did she think that she would temporarily foster dragons as children to take care of while her husband was away.

"Alright beasties, give me a bit of room," she murmured as she sat up.

The dragon babies jumped on her shoulders and were careful of their claws as she summoned her water bottle from her bag. Dumping the water over her head, the little hatchlings were licking the leftover water droplets from her flesh. Holding her fingers to the two on her shoulders, they nuzzled her hands, and she smiled.

It was the smaller moments like this as she watched the sun breach the hilltops in the distance that made her feel content. The curvy witch watched the scaly beings that were nuzzling her skin with a tenderness she had never noted before her husband opened her eyes. They were their children for the small amount of time that they were small and vulnerable… before they can eat her in two bites. Her breath came out in a large stream as she felt the ping of longing for her mate.

"They sure have taken a shine to you since your wedding, Mrs. Weasley," Tatiana's voice carried over the knoll. "Though it feels like ages ago… drakon materi," they had all coined calling her a pet name in Ukrainian.

The little dragons greeted the other woman who approached, and Hermione smirked, "They love a maternal figure."

"Char sure was right about you," the darker woman sat down next to her and patted Hermione's back. "I thought he was crazy at first. It wasn't right for him to be so twitchy about a little book witch, but he saw it before us all. You sure have a wild heart like him."

Hermione bobbed her head slowly and gazed out skyward, beyond the hills. It was a look she had replicated from moments the other Dragon Keepers saw on her husband years ago. A longing for a flight to reach that which was missing. Charlie rarely had the expression bleed through his rugged nature, but once in a moon, he would cast a look foreign to this place. It was a gesture of love sent to the far reaches of the horizon's end.

"We have that new comer today?" Hermione was sipping her water after the question, and Tatiana nodded.

"An American looking for the experience... it is going to be disastrous if he doesn't pick it up quickly."

Hermione gave a dismissing expression and pulled out her journal. She had been documenting her routines rigorously and deciding factors on what to keep in her exercise regimen. Hermione also wrote her encounters with the dragons and how their reactions differed with her. Over the months it had occurred to her why her husband was so meticulous about his notes. It was hard not to remain studious of an everchanging world.

Tatiana was interested to hear more from the other woman than simple replies, "Did you hear from Char?"

Hermione gave her a soft expression, "Yes, he is having a great time. It is the first time he has had a joy of this magnitude not brought on by scales or shagging I think. I am happy that he is expanding his world."

There was something almost troubling about the way Hermione looked and made the other Dragon Keeper frown. It was not like her to be so... aloof. "Hermione, what is wrong?"

She placed her chin on her folded knees and gazed out at the rolling hills before speaking, "I miss him. We have spent so much of our time apart to get to where we were. This last year had been absolutely enthralling… moments at the lake, lessons about egg care, even the occasional weekend in the wilderness. The tether we hold onto is strong and all the more pronounced with the time spent at a distance, but it is still lonesome."

"Let's go get some breakfast; maybe you will feel better."

Hermione gathered her things and shrunk the weights to fit in her bag. The wee dragons flitted off and watched the two witches wander off toward the mess hall. Tatiana watched the isolated witch sway with a heavy heart. Charlie had been gone for the last month and she wasn't herself, at least that's what the other Keepers decided. They were greeted with the grand smells of food and warmth when they entered the mess hall.

"There she is, the golden witch, our drakon materi," Pallas shouted and tugged Hermione in for a gigantic hug.

The Weasley smirked and tugged at the man's beard, "How are the four stooges?"

"Fantastic," Derrek replied as she pulled away from Pallas.

"Are you ready to start trials this week?" Torg questioned her, and she gave them a definite nod.

Hilda waved Hermione over and handed her a plate, "Eat, before it gets cold. You have a long day ahead of you as you shadow them on the orientation."

Hermione sat down with the girls after waving at the Ukrainians, but her smile faded, "Jess, do you think this American is going to cause problems?"

"Just do what we told you. Stand up straight, slow strides and make sure it is clear that you are an alpha," Des murmured, and the other females nodded.

The other Dragon Keepers were more than happy to give her the duties to take care of the younglings. They have been teaching her the proper care and wrangling of the adolescents and how to care for the newly hatched babies. It was something the young witch had been keen on, making the female Dragon Keepers giggle silently at her motherly nature. They weren't sure if she knew it, but Hermione and Charlie were the parents of a large thunder.

The last thing any of them wanted was an American coming in and trying to change their routines, their standings or even their hierarchy. Torg took over for Charlie and so the line was cast down from there. Jess and Destiny were still top girls, Hermione would never dream to launch the order into conflict. Even the Ukrainians received her unwavering loyalty, but they gave her the respect of a fierce witch who captured a dragon for herself. She was a different category entirely and the others knew and concluded it was an anomaly they had come to enjoy. The soon to be Dragon Keeper wasn't just mystified by her work, but the man who made her into what she truly was; a beast tamer.

Hedrick soon entered the mess hall with a smile and waved warmly to everyone, "Clan, give it up for our new brother, Marcus Richards." The other Dragon Keepers moved to welcoming the stranger.

In followed a gentleman who was a large man with swarthy skin and long braids. He was wearing a t-shirt that said, 'Snitches before Witches,' which seemed a bit silly. Hermione made a note that it seemed familiar for seekers to get into the scales business. The room filled with greetings and Hermione waved before turning back to her breakfast.

Her notebook was out as she scribbled in between bites about the latest developments of the Opaleyes. Durstia and Zeta had a grand total of four hatchings; uncommon for such a species. Hermione and Charlie debated extensively on the subject, which only gave her more reason to examine them further. She knew he had a far better understanding of his beasts, but she was a swift learner. Many of their work-oriented conversations were lessons and banter about the different theories for situations seen on the sanctuary.

There was something also that peaked her interests about these scaly companions of hers. Their parental systems were all so very unique, which in turn created another ponderance. If the natural magic that flows through a dragon is passed down along with behavioral traits, which is learned, and which is instinct? It was a discussion that Charlie was proud to give to her for discovery. The maternal nature of a dragon was one that was very understudied he told her. That was her mission and she secretly loved him more for it.

A plate was set down next to her with her husband's new book, knocking her from her train of thought, "What's up, Weasley? We need to talk before business gets between me and my curiosities." A brisk American accent greeted her ears.

She glanced over at the stranger and gave him a polite smile, "What can I help you with, Richards?"

His grin was bright, and he patted the book, "I know he isn't here, likely somewhere in France, but I had to ask. What did you say to convince him to write about this? I was completely enthralled with his well-placed writing and anecdotes. Something that is far too underappreciated in our world I'm afraid."

Hermione brightened her expression and dropped her steely attitude; she loved talking about Charlie's new book, "Well, I told him that Newt would be most disappointed if he did not. While I was in the hospital, Newt was there and spoke to him about it. I only encouraged it, and from there he spent the last year writing and perfecting it with me."

Marcus chuckled and shook his head, "I have to thank you then sincerely; it is a master piece for our world to be seen by his eyes. Behind every lucky sod is a brilliant witch with a soft heart and an abundance of courage. The last couple of chapters were a whirl, and he spoke quite movingly about your adventures."

Hermione sighed and rubbed the dragon tattoo on her left arm, "He is someone quite unalike than anyone else in this world."

The newest addition to their team smirked and scratched his chin, "One more thing…" he paused and ducked closer to her, "You both seem rather neutral until the end. Is it modesty or is he leaving the juicy bits for a future book?"

The color bloomed on her cheeks faster than she could help, "He wasn't writing a romance about me, Richards, it was a love affair with his dragons."

"A love affair with dragons, quite a sentiment that you married him as a mistress," He teased her, and she laughed after sipping her tea.

"I was and always will be a mistress. However, I know I own his heart, and he has my everlasting loyalty and love."

Marcus patted her and smirked, "He reminds me so much of one of my partners back in New York. Of course, not quite as handsome as your Charles, but Patrick was a fellow magizoologist. He could hold a conversation about the inner workings of a grindylow colony like no other."

Hermione was honestly a bit surprised, and her eyebrows disappeared under her curly hair, "Oh, I- well, that's- I am sure he was nice."

Marcus arched an eyebrow and gave her a crooked grin, "My tastes fluctuate, Weasley. I have little interest in tradition."

Her face was radiating heat at this point, "Oh, aren't you full of surprises. Is this your way of saying you transferred to sleep with my husband?" Her voice was teasing, and he bellowed a hearty laugh.

"Yes, I really want to steal your husband from a witch I frankly am more fearful of facing. I cannot imagine what would await me; I know the stories of your talents. Not much goes unspoken in our circuit." Marcus retorted with a roll of his eyes, and she patted his arm.

Her laugh was full of relieved joy, "Point taken, I would likely maim your pretty face if you tried," Hermione gave him a toothy smile as he took a bite of his food.

The other witches sat down across from them, "This is the first time I have heard her laugh since her partner left," Jess muttered as she nudged Des.

Hermione sighed and nodded, "It has been a bit trying, but I know he is having fun."

Tatiana smirked at Marcus and pointed her fork, "Don't bother trying to shag her, she is completely loyal to her husband. I don't blame her; Char and her are perfect together."

"To be perfectly honest, I think he would probably kill you before she would," Des murmured with a wicked expression and Tatiana stifled a giggle.

"Not to worry ladies, I have no interest in stepping on Charles Weasley's marriage. I am a huge fan of his," Marcus declared and cleared his throat slightly, "A bit of a work crush I might say."

Hermione was so pleasantly surprised at how comfortable this felt. She may not enjoy attention from other sources than her husband, but to hear he has those that are just as beguiled by him was a prideful stroke of ego. It may have taken them years to get here, but Hermione captured her dragon and others envied her.

"A work crush? Oh, Hermione, you best not tell Char, I want to see his face when Marc follows him around," Jess snickered, and Hermione grinned widely.

"I won't tell him a word. I secretly, but yet not so secretly, want to see that. My husband will react two different ways I am sure. At first, it will shock and make him anxious and then it will make him fan his wings a bit and show off. I do love it when he does that," Hermione sighed, and Marcus chuckled despite himself.

Des leaned toward the handsome Dragon Keeper, "She calls him her dragon, you will get used to it. If anyone is half dragon, it is Char."

Jess grinned impishly, "You should hear the shagging when they forget their charms…"

Hermione groaned and rubbed her face, "Now, we haven't forgotten those in quite a long time."

Marcus looked a bit embarrassed, but he smiled as he spoke, "I am sure with the small taste of your relationship he placed in his book… I can get the jest of that."

"I have been trying to convince Hermione to write a trashy romance witch novel. With how much education she has in the satisfaction department, it would not be hard. I don't think I have ever heard a man lust after a witch quite as much as Char does with her. It is insane really that they are able to function and do this job together." Tatiana finish with a look of pure satisfaction.

She was smug due to Hermione's increasingly red cheeks which cause her to retort, "If I wrote something like that, Charlie would surely never let me live that down. He is already self-assured, imagine him as a sex symbol in an erotic romance," when she finished, Marcus shook his head with a squeezed smile.

"I would buy your book, Weasley. I am sure I am not alone in that," He finished with a wink and Hermione giggled again.

"Drakon materi, you have an owl from your sister," Pallas called out holding up the mail.

Hermione waved him off and shook her head, "I will grab it after breakfast, thank you, odyn."

"What is that you all are speaking?" Marcus asked, and Torg appeared next to him.

"Our language, Ukrainian. We are teaching Hermione how to be fluent as you say." Torg muttered and handed out the letters everyone received in post. "She writes urgent on the front, Drakon materi, you should read it."

Hermione frowned at the letter as Marcus gave him a look, "What are you calling her?"

"Dragon mother, it is quite a running joke that my husband made stick." Hermione murmured as she opened the seal on her letter.

"Charlie told her that she was going to give birth to eggs if they ever decided on children," Des clarified as the honey-haired witch was distracted.

"Decided on children? Is he hesitant?" Marcus was more than a bit interested in her love life, and Hermione couldn't blame him. It was more than unique for there to be a married couple among the Dragon Keepers line of work. Even less that were talking about eventual children.

"No, I am," Hermione spat and glared at the note, "Does she have any idea how off her rocker she sounds when she sends me these guilt trips?" Hermione grumbled and shoved the note into her bag.

"Another resolve on settling down and having hatchings after you're done with training?" Tatiana asked, sympathy hidden in her undertones.

"Yes, and now it is her suggestions that are irking me. She wants me to buy a plot of land out in the country. I love her to pieces, but I think she is worried if we don't start soon we never will," Hermione mumbled and shook her head, "pushy witch."

The witches at the table glanced at each other, and it was Des who shrugged her shoulders, "You did tell Char you wanted them."

Hermione huffed and put her chin in her hand as she slumped forward, "I do, but I am not quite sure he knows what he is truly asking for."

"Red-headed dragons?" Jess offered, and Hermione thinned her lips.

"No, a life change he would not be able to handle."

"Chop, chop, the day is only getting longer. We have a tour to start," Derrek called out and Hermione shoved those feelings away so she could handle her dragons.

0o0o

There was a glorious feeling to sitting out on a balcony and seeing the stretch of blue clouds melding with the purple, pink, red and orange sky. It reminded him poetically of his dragons he was missing as he stared off into the distance to see a tower against the skyline. He was drinking coffee, a roast of unusual robust flavors, and picking at a croissant he had brought back to his hotel room.

Charlie heaved a sigh unlike any he had before. It was the expiration of his annoyance to his conflict. Books simply answered the situation he thought, or at least his wife would have jumped at the opportunity years ago. He missed her and was traveling to book stores and events after one another. Lavish dinners, swotty intellectuals, and even had a growing fan club of magizoologists that waited with baited breath to sign his story personally.

She made him sound so damned smart and his story evolved from a simple recollection to an entertaining memoir of his life and studies. It was true, he wrote it himself, but she edited it with meticulous care to give life to his words. This would not be something of an increasingly popular piece of writing without her. Actually none of this would have been possible without her love and affection. Of course, he wanted to show her off and give her the praise she deserved to her face in front of the world.

There was a knock at his door, and he grunted, "Come in, Luna."

Luna Lovegood had taken time off her traveling in jungles to join her in-laws on their ventures. The lithe witch had come in with breakfast, followed by her husband who assisted the swollen-bellied woman to sit at the table inside. "Charles, come join us this morning? Rolf told me you had a good run; I figured a decent breakfast would help cure some of your vexations."

Charlie and Rolf had become close over the last month, and he had found he quite liked the Scamander. At first, it was just about his book and experience, but over time spent exercising to keep in shape and their private moments as two wizards over ale, they had become confidants. The Weasley had been expressing at great lengths his confusion on his witch. Her determination was lovable, her fire was sensuous, but he fears he had changed her too much.

He snatched up his plate and mug before turning to them entirely, "I heard they are getting an American to take post at Romania now. Some little bugger who was playing with the small dragons in Montana for the last five years." He grumbled as he padded over to the dining table.

"Don't fret, Charles, Hermione will keep him in line," Luna said with a sing-song voice.

He waved her off and smirked, "I don't worry about her. That is some of my problems…" he trailed off and huffed as he sat down, "She is her own beast now."

Rolf let loose an unattractive snort, "I told you no good would come from asking her to stop taking her potions, mate."

Luna retained a mutual smile and shrugged her shoulders, "If Hermione is telling you no, the likelihood is she needs a logical reason to say yes."

"She wants them, Luna. She told me that was a deal breaker before we started this whole adventure. Now she says she is uninterested in motherhood… it is frustrating."

"To be fair, you are on a book tour, and she is a soon-to-be Dragon Keeper in Romania now," Rolf was trying to be the voice of reason.

Oh, how the tables had turned on the unrefined wizard, "I know that" he answered simply and sipped his mug. "I just want her to have her cake and eat it as well…" he trailed off before taking a bite of the omelet they brought for breakfast.

Luna giggled and rubbed her stomach, "Give her time, Charlie. Not everything works as your dragons do."

He tossed them a mischievous smile before responding, "If it had to do with dragons, she would have had her first clutch." Charlie spoke with such humor that he chuckled and sighed, "I love her."

"We know, you fill her with your spare time," Luna murmured with a large grin, "Besides, you would be daft not to love her."

"Cross your fingers for a letter or the bloke might just demand a search party," Rolf grumbled, and Charlie snorted.

"Not yet, but soon if she doesn't satisfy my yearning with some words of comfort."

Luna arched an eyebrow, "You sound more like her every day."

The Dragon Keeper exhaled and said, "Well, she leaves a lasting impression. My wife is one of a kind."

Little did the Weasley notice, but the couple gave each other a knowing look. She wasn't one of a kind; they were a pair. They secretly hoped she would show up soon because his pining was getting the best of him. Luna knew she had to write to the witch or less her husband would show up and steal her away unannounced.

They enjoyed their breakfast before they met up with Tina and Newt. It was an unusual family, but one Charlie found comfort in as they traveled together. He now could fully understand her love for books, his little bok jente… he only wished for her to come with him on this discovery of her world.