A/N: Hello and welcome to my newest story! I hope you enjoy this tale of Hermione and Charlie's journey as they create a new dragon reserve together. You won't hear from me too much, as I am personally not a huge fan of A/Ns at the beginning of each chapter, but a few things about this story. It's completed already! I'm just finishing up a little editing. I've got some major life stuff happening over the next several weeks so while I aim to post every other day or so, expect it to be more like once or twice a week. Also, I know this goes without saying, but I do not own any part of Harry Potter or the characters. I just like to play 😊 Lastly, if you're enjoying this story, please leave a comment! They are so incredibly motivating and also feel free to check out some of my other fics. Enjoy!

It was a beautiful Friday morning. The sun was shining and while I only had five hours of sleep last night, I could catch up this weekend. Well, that's a lie. There was always too much work to do and chances were high that I'd be working this weekend on the backlog of things I couldn't get to during the week.

I took a quick shower before drying off and pulling on a pencil skirt and a silk blouse. I had come a long way from my school days when I was known as a bushy haired know it all. My chestnut curls now hung in flowing waves and I had learned a thing or two about cosmetic spells. I found them much easier than muggle make up and I felt a little more put together when I used them.

Truthfully, I was still a bit of a know it all, but I had learned to control it and use my knowledge to project confidence and command a room. Five years after the war and I had used my skills to work my way up to Junior Head of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry of Magic. After the battle of Hogwarts when Harry finally prevailed over Voldemort, life took a bit to get back to normal. McGonagall offered those whose seventh year was missed or disrupted to retake it, or, to simply sit their NEWTs. I chose the latter and continued my education the following year by learning all I could about wizarding law and creatures. It paid off and has made me the youngest to hold my position.

Working hard has its rewards, but it's also had its downfalls. Ron and I tried a relationship after the war, but my focus and determination to succeed in my career caused a rift between us that was just too wide. We realized we are better off as friends. I'm not as close with him, or Harry and Ginny for that matter, due to my lack of social time and our different life paths, but we were still civil with one another. It's something I had come to accept, though lately I had been feeling the strain. The hours were catching up with me, but I refused to take time off. The thought of the mountain of work I'd come back to just wasn't worth it.

Sighing at the thought of it all, I pulled on my ministry robes and stepped into the floor to head in to the office.

Stepping through the grate I walked with a purpose towards my office shouting orders as I go. "Roberts, I need that report on the progress of the proposed house elf regulations by ten." I turned to a desk at the other side. "Daniels, we meet with the Wizengamot next Tuesday to discuss the new Hippogriff laws. Please have the presentation to me no later than one so we can discuss it and make any necessary changes."

I had barely sat in my chair, coffee halfway to my lips when my boss walked through the door.

"Hermione, I need to see you in my office right away."

I scrambled to my feet, heart in my throat at what could possibly be so urgent.

We sat in his office and I could tell whatever he had to say was going to be huge.

"Mr. Erickson, what can I do for you this morning?" I held my chin high and spoke with confidence.

"There's no easy way to say this Miss Granger. You're being reassigned."

Of all the possibilities running through my mind of what he had been about to say, this wasn't it.

"Excuse me?"

"I know this must come as a shock. It's actually a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Romanian dragon reserve is over capacity and it's still growing. We need to relocate some of the residents to create room. The Ministry has been in secret talks for nearly a year. We have finally reached satisfactory terms. Everything is secure apart from one thing. They want you to co-manage the reserve with their senior manager from the Romania reserve or the deal is off."

I had to stop my jaw from hitting the floor. Running a dragon reserve? This was so far from what I had imagined when I was called in his office that I couldn't wrap my head around it. I was on a path to take over as head of the department. It had been my goal for so long to make a difference in creatures lives and the best way I knew how was by being a key creator of laws and regulations that benefitted them while pushing back against that which would harm them. Managing a dragon reserve would take me away from my ability to follow my passion.

"This is a lot to take in."

Erickson nodded his head. "I know Miss Granger. You have to believe me when I say you are the best thing that has ever happened to this department and I don't want to lose you." I could sense the 'but' coming. "However," Same thing. "Dragons are one of the most endangered creatures we serve. They are hunted for every part of their body from their scales to their blood. To have someone with your passion for protecting our magical creatures on the inside, working with them day in and day out, would mean real change in the protection of them. Imagine after studying and working with the dragons on the reserve up close what kind of change you could push for in protecting them? The senior manager they would send with you has been doing this for years and they say he's the best. I'm sure he has seen just about everything and would have plenty of thoughts on how their lives could be improved."

That made me stop. When he first told me I was being reassigned I thought I might actually pass out, and this was coming from a war hero, but now that I heard him out, I could see it from his side. There was an opportunity here where I could make a huge difference in the lives of a creature that had for so long been monetized instead of being seen as a living breathing being. He was breaking down my apprehension bit by bit.

"What are the details?"

A grin broke across his face. "I can't tell you just where the reserve is because I don't know yet. The location won't be revealed to the general public. You will live on reserve with all expenses paid. Still, it will be a significant play increase. Since the person from the Romanian reserve has experience with interacting with the dragons directly, that will be his primary focus while you will focus on research and more of the operations side until you two can work together to cross train each other and be a real power team. Oh, and you start Monday." My mouth dropped open before I could stop it and I started to protest. "Don't worry about any of your responsibilities here, everything will be routed directly to me and handled with care."

"What happens if I don't accept?"

He looked at me seriously. "Unfortunately, the higher ups want you specifically for this to happen. They know you are the right person for the job and don't trust anyone else to get this done right. The Romanian reserve is already above capacity. They can't safely house even one more dragon. If this second sanctuary isn't opened, dragons that are hurt in the process of poaching will need to be put down instead of being rehabilitated."

I didn't know what to say. If what he said is true, I'd be directly responsible for the death of animals if I chose to turn down this opportunity. That was against everything I stood for and those involved in this must know that.

"I'll do it."

Mr. Erickson grinned widely. "I knew I could count on you." He handed me a stack of parchment. "This outlines the agreement. It's important that for the next several months the details of your assignment remain a secret. We do not want it leaking that the reserve is being built before the proper protections are in place. Poaching is a serious concern which is why the locations of dragon reserves are kept secret, but during construction the location is vulnerable. If poachers are privy to the spells or process that goes into this, they have the upper hand."

"I understand. What am I allowed to say when asked?"

"Simply tell them you are being reassigned and cannot give further details at this time. Those that wish to send letters can do so. They end up here and then I send them once a week to you. I expect that in the next three to six months the reserve will be far enough along that you can tell them you are running a reserve in England."

I nodded my head as I tried to take it all in. It was a little overwhelming, but how could I say no?

"You're going to be great at this Hermione. You officially have no other responsibilities to this office. Go ahead and go home to get your affairs in order. Your partner will pick you up Monday morning about 8am, so be ready to go." I gathered the parchment and started toward the door in a daze. "Hermione." I turned back around. "I know this is big news, but I want you to know how much I've loved having you in this office. I look forward to working with you as you find new ways to help protect these magnificent creatures."

"Thank you, Mr. Erickson. It's been a pleasure." With that I left his office and returned to my own.

I didn't keep many personal items in my office, just a framed photo of Harry, Ron and me just after the defeat of Voldemort and a few books.

I put the items in my work bag which had the same undetectable extension charm I had used on my beaded bag back in the day. Since the files were well organized and apparently no longer my responsibility, it only took me ten minutes before I turned back out to return home.