The next week Charlie and I spent every waking moment with each other as we prepared for the builders and weeded through applications. I learned that for this position, there was a lot of word-of-mouth recommendations since we couldn't just post the position. By Friday, the builders had started and we had sent off offers to those we hoped would accept the positions of trainers. It paid off because on Monday all offers had been accepted. We made arrangements for them to arrive in two months to ensure there living accommodations would be built and furnished before their arrival.

Two of the trainers would be coming from the Romanian reserve and we were happy about that. Not only was it two people that Charlie knew well, but he knew they were very capable of their jobs and would each be able to be a shift lead. Finding those willing and qualified to work with the dragons themselves turned out to be the easy task.

We spent several days the second week pouring over how to choose a healer both for the humans and the dragons. In the end, Luna Lovegood and her new husband Rolf Scamander accepted the positions for the animal healer. We only needed one, but Rolf would be serving in only a as needed capacity while he continued to travel with his grandfather, the famed Newt Scamander.

For the healer position, we needed someone in top form. It would need to be someone who was capable, but preferably younger that could keep up with the demands needed for the reserve. Obviously, the hope was that they wouldn't need to be used often, but as Charlie pointed out, there are always things happening around the reserve that will require attention. Injuries may be a result of the dragons which can be severe and require long hours, or something simpler like cutting a finger while cooking or a normal illness.

In the end, we went straight to the healer program that feeds into St. Mungos and asked for their best graduate in the last five years that met our criteria. We were both a bit surprised when the name given to us was Draco Malfoy. Apparently, he had the best test scores both in written and practical the program had seen in over 50 years. An added bonus was he was above average proficiency in potions having trained under Snape himself from a young age. This was a must since many of our potions would need to be made on site and with no error.

When we arrived at Malfoy's home in person to explain the position, he was eager to accept. Not only did he love dragons (his name literally meant dragon after all), but he was finding that many of the patients at St. Mungos had been less than willing to forgive his past. The reserve offered him a chance to follow his passions without judgement since the trainers were a diverse group that had little attachment to his specific role in the war. After that it was a breeze to hire the cook and gardeners and any other miscellaneous positions.

The third week arrived and I was thrilled to be past the personnel decisions. Charlie was just entering the kitchen as I was for coffee and breakfast. By this point we were in a fairly comfortable routine and I was enjoying getting to know him better. So far, we had worked incredibly well with each other and hadn't been afraid to challenge the other or offer up other opinions.

"Good morning, Char." I grabbed the coffee pot and began to pour, enjoying the tendrils of fragrant steam that wafted toward me.

"Morning, 'Mione." With the amount of time, we spent together, it didn't take long for us to make use of shortened versions of our name.

We both made ourselves a bowl of porridge and began adding our preferred toppings. "So, what should we do today?"

Charlie grinned. "Well, the center buildings are done and Chuck," He was the person overseeing all the building progress, "Stopped by this morning to let me know the shipment for the training arena and fitness center arrived last night. I think we should spend the day setting those up how we would like. Then, we can begin your training program each day as we finish up the rest of the stuff before all the staff starts arriving."

My spoon froze halfway to my mouth. "My training?"

Charlie's grin was wide. "Oh yes Miss Granger, your training." Something about his tone told me he was going to enjoy this a lot more than I was. "You can't expect to lead and train a team of dragon trainers without being trained yourself."

"I thought you would be leading that and I would be doing more of the administrative work?" I tried to sound casual, but of all that had been thrust upon me as we took on this massive project, the rigorous training that was involved was the thing I looked least forward to.

It wasn't that I was out of shape, but I had never been overly athletic. The thought of spending hours in the gym on top of work responsibilities was daunting. Also, if I was being honest with myself, I was beginning to realize the pull I was feeling towards Charlie was only growing. Having him be my trainer would me hours of physical contact and I wasn't sure exactly how I would handle that just yet.

"Nice try. You know you need to be up on your game just as much as all the others, if not more. Not only do we need to be able to analyze their skills to provide feedback and prevent injuries, but we need to fill in periodically as people take vacation or are ill."

I grumbled, "Fine." before returning to my meal with less enthusiasm.

Knowing the day would be spent doing much physical activity, I dressed accordingly. I skipped my makeup and dressed in some yoga pants and an athletic tank before putting my hair up in a ponytail. I grabbed my wand and went to meet Charlie in the sitting room.

He looked wonderful in his shorts and a fitted athletic shirt. His muscles were on full display and when my eyes finally landed on his face, he was giving me a shy grin. Yup, I had been caught.

"Shall we?" He gestured to the door and I quickly made my way towards it, heat rising in my cheeks.

It was a short walk to the center of our town where the amenities and shops were held. There were still a few buildings to be completed, but the huts for the other trainers were finished and just awaiting the furniture.

I enjoyed the short walk and was grateful for the large weather charm that was placed over the Ministry land. Weather was a tricky thing to mess with and it was generally not allowed for normal wizarding households to use such charms, but with the boundaries and wards in place to keep out muggles mixed with the climate needed for the dragons, it would always be sunny and warm here with the occasional rain.

We arrived to the fitness center first. "You've definitely used more of this stuff than I have, how do you recommend we set up?"

I had never set foot in a gym myself so I was leaning on Charlie here.

"Well, there's a lot of equipment to unbox." I was surprised to see in the corner the boxes and boxes of muggle workout equipment. "Let's get everything out of the boxes first. Then we can arrange everything by type."

Together with our wands we began the process. Even with magic it was a bit slow as we needed to be careful not to drop or damage anything. We also rearranged everything a few times before we were happy with the flow of it. When we were done it looked like a proper fitness center with various pieces of weight lifting gear, free weights, workout balls, mats, really anything you could ask for.

I eyed it all skeptically. "You know I've never used a single thing that's in here, right?"

"Don't worry. I'll be here to teach you a thing or two." The cocky tone he used paired with a wink left me wondering if we were still talking about the machines.

Perhaps I should have been offended, but instead I just felt my insides melting into a puddle.

"Perhaps you could." I quirked an eyebrow.

This was ridiculous! I was living and working with this man. Surely there should be boundaries.

Charlie must have felt the same as he cleared his throat roughly and led me to some machines.

"It's important that you learn to use all of these machines safely so this first week I will be keeping close tabs on all your uses. Partners typically work out together anyways as it's a good way to bond and build trust. In those dragon pens we have to always have each other's backs. That's part of why you and I will be training together for the next five weeks before the other trainers arrive. It's imperative that we are solid in the foundation or our team is likely to fail."

I nodded. "I understand. We need to be able to do the job we expect of our team. What do you have in mind for our training?"

"Exactly! As for us, you have no experience with the dragons at all. I'm going to need to get you up to speed both physically and mentally for this. We are going to be spending at least an hour or two in here each day and another hour or so in the training center. Once that is up and running it will be set up so we can practice different scenarios in a safe environment. Even once you're up to speed we will likely spend a couple hours a day training."

I gaped for a moment. "Not much time for a social life, then."

Charlie laughed heartily. "Please, you've already told me you didn't have a social life."

I looked around for something to throw at him but settled on a small smack on his shoulder. His very muscular shoulder I may add.

"Just stating the facts, darling." His use of the endearment mixed with his gorgeous smile caused my stomach to do a flip. "Anyway, let's take a quick walk around now that everything is up. I can show you how to use a few things, but we will take it easy for today."

I nodded and we began a lap around the room, pausing at various machines for me to try them. Charlie was right there every step of the way, placing my hands in the correct positions and guiding me to use the machines safely.

His proximity was intoxicating. Every touch seemed to set my skin on fire. If he continued to have this much effect on me, I would be in big trouble.

Finally, we stopped in front of a pull up bar.

"This is possibly the most important piece of equipment you will master. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself in situations where I've had to pull myself up. Once I had to jump and pull myself up onto a tree branch to avoid being hit by a nesting mother's tail. It's a long story, but my point is, you need to be able to do this before you get in a pen with the dragons so it will be good goal to work towards. Why don't you try one now?"

Just lovely. I knew there was no way I'd be able to do a full pull up right now and the last thing I wanted to do was look weak. On the other hand, Charlie is my partner and he's here to help me. I need to be able to trust him on little things like this if I was going to trust him to have my back.

I conceded and took my position under the bar and jumped up to reach it. And missed. "You know Charlie, we aren't all six feet tall." I was only five foot one and the bar was clearly not meant for people of small stature.

"I'm six two thank you very much." I rolled my eyes. "but you may be right. It's a bit high for your first time. I'll give you a hand up. If that's ok?"

"I suppose." At least he was asking permission.

I took my position once again and prepared to jump up. Charlie placed his hands on my waist and effortlessly helped me jump high enough to reach the bar.

However, this also brought me about even with his gorgeous face and I couldn't help but notice our proximity and the fact that his hands still rested firmly on my hips.

The thought caused me to lose focus along with my grip and I began to fall. Charlie was quick and grabbed me, holding me close against his chest. I could feel his breath on my face.

Our mouths were close now and it would take very little effort to close the distance. I searched his eyes trying to figure out if he was sharing my thoughts.

Before either of us could act, there was a commotion from the front door and he set me down quickly.

I adjusted my clothing as the perpetrator made themselves known.

"Hello there. I was told I could find you two in here."

It was Draco Malfoy, here to begin setting up his new home and office.

I clearer my throat slightly and moved forward to shake his hand. "Healer Malfoy, how lovely to see you. I'm sure you're anxious to get settled. Can we show you to your new office and then you can go explore?"

"You lot can just call me Draco, please. It's not a large base and I prefer not to be reminded of my surname at every corner. But yes, I'd love to see my office and quarters.

Charlie cut in. "Actually, I really do need to check out the training facility progress. Do you mind showing him 'Mione?"

I was a bit perplexed. It seemed to me that Charlie was running, but I didn't have time to dissect it right now.

"Not at all. Let's go Draco."