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Games Are Afoot Chapter 31
Rewards
DISCLAIMER: JKR OWNS IT ALL...I AM JUST PLAYING WITH THE DRAGONS.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to everyone's enthusiasm about the dragons. Thanks to enthralled for letting me bounce ideas off her. Thanks to my dear husband for taking the time to dance with me and get me in the zone to write. The music is off a Journey Greatest Hits CD.
Charlie led Hermione through the reserve to the far end and then up a small hill that overlooked the pens and buildings below. The stars were brilliant in the sky above and down below bright intermittent glowing flashes of flames could be seen from the dragons in the enclosures. The contrast was breathtaking. Charlie just watched as she looked around and took in the scene before her. She started to say something several times and then stopped. He watched her look up and take in a long deep breath. As she released it slowly she sighed contentedly.
"Oh Charlie. This is amazing. It's as if you can see every star out here." She said still looking heavenward.
Charlie didn't take his eyes off Hermione. "It is a beautiful sight." He agreed. She looked sideways at him and chuckled.
"I was talking about the stars."
"I wasn't."
A light pink dusted Hermione's cheeks. Charlie moved toward her and gently took her hand and pulled her toward a lone tree at the top of the hill. He pulled a small square of material and his wand out of his pocket.
"Engorgio." He murmured. A beautiful handmade quilt appeared as the square was enlarged. Hermione fingered it reverently.
"THIS is beautiful." She said quietly noticing the intricate stitching.
"Mum made it for me last year." Charlie spread it out at the base of the tree and sat down patting the spot next to him for Hermione. They leaned back against the enormous trunk of the tree. They sat quietly enjoying the sounds of nature around them.
Charlie cleared his throat quietly. "Do you remember the flinch game with you, me, and Ginny?" He asked.
"Sure."
"Do you remember the part we were talking about looking at stars?"
"Umhm." She said looking up at the sky again.
Charlie leaned over so he could speak into her ear. "This is where I come. Since then, I come here to think about you."
Hermione smiled and leaned on Charlie's shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and stretched his arm around her.
"I am so glad I could come here and see you in your natural habitat." She teased. "Now I will be able to picture this when I…" She trailed off as a wave of sadness hit her. The thought of leaving and being away from him again for so long was daunting. He sensed what she was unable to say.
"Hermione, love." They both smiled at the endearment. "I will always be here for you. I will wait. You need to be at Hogwarts. We will get through it just like we did this year. Although I wouldn't mind if you finished a little less stressfully next year." She gasped dramatically at his bold teasing and playfully punched his shoulder.
"You should count your blessings that you are in love with such a brave witch." She bantered back with an arched eyebrow.
"Brave? Reckless? It's such a fine line."
"Reckless? That's rich coming from someone who plays with dragons for a living." She replied dryly.
"I happen to be extraordinarily skilled."
She picked up his hand and slid his sleeve back exposing a shiny new burn. "And what's this then? A little warm fuzzy from one of your little pals?"
"Badge of honor."
"Want me to kiss it better?" She asked playfully.
"And if I say yes?" She lifted his wrist to her lips and daintily pecked the burn.
"I think that feels much better, but you know, it was a rough day." He showed her a burn on the back of his hand, which she lifted to her lips and kissed also.
"Anywhere else?" She asked moving on to her knees to face him.
He pointed to his eyebrow. "I think I got singed a little here." She leaned forward and kissed it gently.
"How's that?"
"Much, much better. You're right. It's going to be terrible when you go and I have to have Royce do that for me."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Charlie watched her as she threw her head back and laughed deeply. He loved this side of her. This side where she was open and not so guarded.
She noticed him watching her and she stopped laughing and looked directly into his eyes.
"I love you, Hermione. I am so glad we found each other." He said huskily, his voice rich with emotion.
Hermione's eyes misted at the feelings his words generated within her. "Charlie, I feel like the luckiest witch in the world. I love you too."
He stood up and offered her his hand and pulled her up. He placed his hands lightly on her waist and leaned in to press his lips softly against hers. He pulled her into a tight hug.
"Yep, much easier without the audience." He quipped, loving the feeling of her laughter against his chest.
"I still can't believe Royce did that." She muttered.
"Me either and I have known him for years. Sometimes…"
Hermione put her finger on his lips to silence him. "I can't believe it, but I am glad he did. I have wanted to tell you for a while, but it never seemed like the right time."
He kissed her finger. "I know what you mean. But I still like saying it to just you, out here, better."
"I like hearing it—especially out here. I will think about tonight as I sit by the lake and think about you. I will wonder if you are sitting under the same sky, looking at the same stars."
"Well, that was downright poetic." He teased.
"You really know how to kill a mood dragon tamer!"
"And you know how to create one Bookworm." He said as he stole another kiss. He pulled away quickly. "I have a surprise for you."
"Really? What is it?" She asked eagerly.
Charlie was pulling something from his pocket. It looked oddly like a muggle CD player.
"Is that what I think it is?" She asked?
"Yep." He said as he offered her one of the earpieces. "I have been keeping in touch with your parents and I asked your mum what sort of music you liked and she sent this to me with CD's of some of your favorites."
"My mum did that? When?"
"When I was so desperate for any news of you that I wrote to them to make sure you were okay." He said sheepishly. "Your mum and I sort of hit it off. I told her about you sharing the Foreigner song with me and she sent me a bunch that you listen to." Charlie looked at her eyes to assess her reaction to this.
"She never said a word…" Hermione said dazedly.
"Don't you want to hear what she sent?" Hermione nodded excitedly. They stood close together listening as the drumbeat of a song Hermione loved began to thump in their ears. She opened her eyes wide and her smile broadened.
"Your mum said that you told her that this was a song you wanted to dance to with someone you loved." Hermione nodded her eyes twinkling. "Well, will you dance with me, or is there someone else you love that you would rather dance with?" Charlie invited.
Hermione looked around. "Nope, guess you'll just have to do." Charlie laughed loudly and gathered her into his arms and began to slowly steer her around the hilltop under the moonlit, starry sky. He backed her up; he spun her around; he held her close. It was an amazing feeling dancing in Charlie's arms. He actually knew what he was doing.
As the strains of "When You Love a Woman" faded, they stopped moving. She looked at him intently. "It was very sweet of you to do this for me."
He returned her intense look. "Nothing sweet about it. Completely selfish on my part. I would do anything to get you close." He winked causing her to laugh.
"Charlie, what is a girl to do with you?"
"Kiss me."
"Kiss you?"
"Kiss me."
"You want ME to kiss YOU?"
"Yes."
Hermione looked at him. She walked around him slowly dragging her fingers over his shoulder and back and then his chest as she came back around. He held very still.
"You want me to kiss you." He nodded.
She walked up to him and stood on her toes. He leaned toward her and she leaned into him. At the very last second, she shifted and kissed him on the cheek.
"What did you do that for?" He asked with disappointment.
"You never said where you wanted me to kiss you." She drawled.
"I think you should try a little closer to my mouth."
"Do you?" She asked playfully. "Well then, I guess you will have to earn it."
"Earn it how?"
"I want to dance with you again."
"Do you?" He fired her own words back at her. She smirked and held her arms up like she was ready for a waltz.
"What other music do you have?" She questioned.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" He asked as he held out her earpiece.
"Yes, I would." She asserted as she grabbed it and stuck it in her ear.
Charlie watched the smile spread across her face. The moonlight illuminated the sparkle in her eye and he couldn't resist. He pulled her to him and began to sway and move with her in time to the music. She sang with him along to the cd, which turned out to be a greatest hits collection.
As the second song ended, he pulled the earpiece out of her ear with one hand while he held her close with the other.
"Okay Bookworm. I kept my end of the deal. Your turn."
She leaned in to kiss him, but he backed his head away.
She looked confused. "I thought you said you wanted me to kiss you?"
"I did."
"Then why did you pull away?"
"I want to make sure we don't have anymore near misses." He pointed to his cheek. "You need better aim."
"Do I?"
He pointed to his lips. "Try for here."
"And if I miss?"
"Then I think we would have to practice until you got it right." She laughed.
"Sounds like that could be educational."
"Anything for my Bookworm." He said silkily as he moved closer again.
She ran her fingers across his cheek down to his mouth. She tapped his lips. "Right here?" He nodded. "You're sure?" He nodded again grinning.
She stood on her tiptoes and moved her face in front of his. They were only an inch away but she held still. He waited eagerly. She looked into his eyes one last time before she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his. Gently she kissed him. After a few blissful moments she pulled back.
"How was that?" She asked saucily.
Charlie's eyes were still closed. "I am so glad you are a quick learner…."
They laughed together and Charlie put the earpiece back in her ear. "Let's dance some more." He suggested.
The next morning dawned brightly. Robert Granger was up, dressed and breakfasted early, eagerly anticipating getting to feed the Antipodean Opaleye. Royce had taken him to the enclosure last night to introduce him to the dragon they called Beverly.
She had eyed him carefully but kept her distance. Royce had explained that normally, the first timers were on cooling charm duty, but since Robert was a special case, he would actually be in the pen. He would be bringing in the live kneazle that was breakfast for the dragon. As the dragons aged, the keepers taught them to hunt and capture their own food. So, live food was provided and delivered and it was up to the dragon to feed itself. The tricky part was getting out before the dragon assumed the deliverer was a part of the meal.
Since Robert had no wand, it would be up to the other tamers and handlers to cover him while he dropped off Beverly's breakfast. Robert was ecstatic. Charlie and Royce would both be there and he wasn't worried, much. A small part of him hoped to get at least a little bit singed so he could have something to prove this week wasn't just a really good dream.
He had an hour to kill until it was time to go to work so he wandered down to the enclosure and sat on a nearby rock and watched. As he sat, his thoughts drifted through the events of the past year. It had seemed to be a year of extremes. Extreme fear for his daughter's safety. Extreme joy at being here with her now. Extreme melancholy when Hermione was at school and he missed her desperately. Extreme relief to know there were men like Charlie Weasley looking out for her safety in these dangerous times. While he was lost in thought, he didn't notice that someone had joined him.
The two men sat near each other watching the dragon moving around her enclosure.
"Beverly is the first egg I helped to hatch." Said a deep voice behind Robert. Mr. Granger started at the sound and turned to find Jack Bretherton sitting casually on a rock near his.
"Jack. How nice to see you. Sorry I was lost in my thoughts."
Jack shook his hand and smiled. "No reason to apologize. I find myself here doing the same thing often."
Robert turned to watch Beverly again. "She is quite something to see."
"Aye, mate, that she is." Jack agreed. "She was so tiny when she was born. She came early and we weren't sure she would make it, but she is one tough dragon." Robert nodded respectfully. "Actually, I was really pleased that she is your favorite."
"Opals are my favorite gemstone. Last year for Christmas, Hermione had Charlie send a picture of Beverly here. I felt like I know her from studying her picture the last few months. The magical pictures are so…" He waved his hand not knowing which word he wanted. "I wish I had a couple of Hermione when she was little. I can't believe she's all grown up."
Jack laughed loudly breaking the quiet stillness of the morning. "They do grow fast. My boy is twenty-eight. I am a GRANDFATHER."
"Thank you." Robert said quietly. "I can't tell you how amazing this week has been for me."
Jack nodded. "Robert, not very many muggles get the chance to come here. Even fewer get to interact with the dragons. You are welcome here anytime." He rose and clapped Robert on the shoulder. "I better get back to work. I will be back for your fun…. I am in charge of your cooling charm." Mr. Granger nodded and Jack left him to his reverie.
Before long, the group of handlers from the night before joined him around the enclosure. A few talked to him and let him know what they would be doing to help. Some were on shield charms; some were on the stunning crew, door crew, and many others. He was overwhelmed by the sense of belonging he felt among them.
Charlie and Hermione arrived to help him get ready. Charlie gave him a thick pair of gloves that reached past his elbows. Jack came over and aimed his wand and performed the cooling charm. "That is a might handy spell to know, isn't it?" He quipped.
Robert was not so nervous he wasn't impressed with all the magic surrounding him. He realized his good fortune and was determined to savor every moment of this. He was prepared and ready and waiting by the gate into the enclosure. Hermione was perched out of the way on the rock he had been sitting on earlier. She was not able to use magic outside of school for another few months, so she was only able to observe.
Charlie and Royce would be among the four helping with the shield charm which meant that they would be in the enclosure too. This gave Robert a little bit of extra courage. He stood by the door waiting for the signal to go. The kneazle was in a box near him and Royce had instructed him about the proper handling of the wild thing. He wasn't afraid exactly, but he had a great desire to do himself proud.
He was smart enough to know he had been granted a rare opportunity and he mentally reassured himself he would not, could not fail. He would do himself proud. He would play with a dragon and live to tell the tale. Of course, he wouldn't be able to tell just anyone, but he would know and that would make all the difference.
The signal came so Robert grabbed the writhing and squirming kneazle from his cage and held on tightly as he maneuvered through the door. It didn't shut until all five of them were in with Beverly. He felt the shield go up in front of him and he felt himself suddenly cool down. He smiled realizing how many people were making this possible.
He walked slowly and deliberately toward the center of the enclosure. Beverly backed away cautiously, her eyes never leaving the handlers in front of her. Robert placed the kneazle on the ground and released him moving quickly backwards and to the right as he had been instructed.
A long twisting flame erupted from Beverly's mouth and blew dangerously close to Robert. He froze just as he had been told to do. He held his breath. He felt something brush by him and it seemed to enclose around him. It felt like the heat emanating off hot pavement was surrounding him. Another flame shot by so close that his cheek could feel the heat searing his skin.
Hermione was holding her breath too. It seemed as if Beverly was playing a game of chicken and waiting to see who flinched first…the kneazle or her dad. But she couldn't help but smile at the huge grin on her dad's face as he faced down this dragon. It didn't seem quite as scary as Harry facing his dragon during the triwizard tournament, but then this was a much more structured situation.
Charlie and Royce were impressed with Robert's courage. He hadn't moved a muscle. This was the kind of thing the more experienced handlers considered fun. They loved waiting and watching and instinctively moving out of the way just in the knick of time. As they watched Hermione's dad, they couldn't help but feel his enthusiasm. He was a tough old coot.
Beverly was gearing up now and timing would be critical. She shifted and blew smaller puffs of smoke and flame. The kneazle darted for cover and she turned so rapidly that Robert nearly caught her tail before he jumped back out of reach, his laughter ringing out through the morning air. Once Beverly was turned away, he slowly backed up toward the door.
Beverly gave him a fleeting uninterested glance as she focused her attention on her prey. Robert walked out of the enclosure seared but extremely happy. He refused to let them treat the burn on his cheek. He shook hands with everyone and bowed at their cheers. Today had been a great day.