Games Are Afoot Chapter 36
Games Are Afoot Chapter 32
New Adventures
Author's Note: I apologize for the delay in posting. It was the last week of school and life got really crazy around here. But the kids now sleep in so I have more time to write in the mornings! yay! Thank you for your patience and support!
DISCLAIMER: JKR owns it all and I just have fun playing.
Hermione had been tossing and turning for hours. It was hot, she was restless, and sleep just would not come. She could hear her dad snoring in the room across the hall. It was slow and steady and regular. She flopped over on her stomach kicking the covers off trying to feel cooler. Her eyes glanced to the clock again. 2:35. Only seven minutes since the last time she had looked.
She sat up and rubbed her hands over her face and through her hair before deciding to get up. She slipped on her shorts and a tank top and picked up her sandals and crept down the stairs. She stopped as she saw Charlie sprawled on the couch. No shirt. Covers draped over the lower part of his body with one leg wrapped around the top of them. His hair was ruffled enough that she could tell that he had been restless as well, but it looked as if he had finally succumbed to sleep.
She inched quietly toward the door and slipped out. Instantly, the breeze refreshed her. It was a lovely night. She moved a little ways away from the door and sat and leaned against a nearby tree letting the night wash over her, relaxing her. She gazed lazily at the stars and let herself get lost in her thoughts.
She thought back to the other night when she and Charlie danced under the stars until the wee hours of the morning. She thought back to the end of school and her O.W.L.'s and wondered again if she had done well enough. She knew she had missed one translation, and defense against the dark arts had never been her strength, although the D.A. with Harry had helped tremendously. She knew in her heart that transfiguration had gone exceptionally well as had charms. Herbology she was sure had gone fairly well although there were one or two she was worried about after discussing it with Neville.
Hermione shook her head to clear her thoughts. What was done was done. No sense in worrying about it until results came. Her mind wandered to the Burrow where she would be in just a couple of days. She was excited to go and Charlie would be there too for the first couple of days. Her parents had been invited to dinner the first night back and then from what Ron's letter had said, Harry would be joining them soon after.
Charlie had already confided in her that Bill was having Fleur stay too in an effort to help her get to know the family. Hermione had been surprised at the engagement announcement, but after Charlie shared with her some of what Bill loved about her, she was a little more accepting. She did wonder how Ron would handle being in such close proximity to her though. She laughed quietly under her breath remembering how most of the Hogwart's boys reacted whenever she or another part-Veela would walk by. It was disgusting really, but quite funny.
Her mind rolled back around to Charlie and being as he was sleeping just a few feet away, she felt it best not to dwell on those thoughts too long so she stood up and brushed herself off and headed for one of her favorite places at the reserve.
Royce was surprised to see Hermione when she strolled into the hatchery at 3 am but also relieved. Shadow had been putting up quite a fuss tonight and he knew that Hermione could calm her down.
"Good Morning Hermione. Fancy meeting you here." He quipped jovially.
Hermione smiled noticing the fresh burns and scratches on Royce's hands. "Looks like you have been having fun without me." She bantered.
"Your dear little friend has been stubborn this evening. I guess Charlie was right and she has been learning a lot from you." He winked.
Hermione pretended to look appalled at his comments, but she wasn't upset. She knew that she could be just as stubborn as a dragon. After a moment, she laughed gaily. "Maybe I should try to undo the damage."
Royce moved away from Shadow's pen and handed Hermione a pair of gloves. Hermione waved them off. "She doesn't like the gloves."
"I know, but Charlie will have my hide if you get burnt and she is in a mood." Royce tried to hand her the gloves again.
"I will take them so you are off the hook, but I won't use them. You know it. Charlie knows it. I will be just fine. Shadow loves me." She said moving toward the dragon.
"Don't you, Shadow?" She cooed to the baby dragon. Shadow's ears perked up and she turned toward the familiar sound. Hermione held her fist over the edge of the enclosure as the dragon inched over slowly, sniffing. Once she caught the scent and recognized it she leapt the rest of the way towards her fist nuzzling and wriggling like an excited puppy. Hermione laughed and Royce just shook his head.
"She is gonna be a handful when you go home." Royce observed as he moved around to check the other sleeping babies.
Hermione smiled to herself at his compliment and rubbed Shadow's tummy. Shadow had flipped over and snorted a shot of steam in pleasure. Hermione had spent countless hours this past week here with Shadow. She loved the feel of her scales and she could swear that Shadow would smile at her. Charlie just chuckled at her enthusiasm but Hermione knew he was pleased that she had taken to the reserve so well.
Before she had come, she pictured it as a rough camp. But, now that she had been here, she realized it was more of a village that happened to have dragons living in it. The handlers were like a family and they all cheered for each other and watched out for each other. She saw the respect the men had for Charlie who was truly gifted in his work. He had a sense of what a dragon would do, as if he could anticipate their moves. When Charlie made an observation, the others listened. Hermione loved watching him in this environment. He was sure of himself and capable. She loved talking with him about the details of his job, the way his face lit up when he told a story.
She finally understood what Hagrid saw in these creatures. That they did indeed have gentle souls. Well, most of them did. There were some mean ones too. She smiled as she thought about watching the men handling a particularly obstinate Welsh Green. Her dad had sat beside her cheering on the dragon.
Shadow was trying to get her attention and finally resorted to breathing a hot, nearly flaming breath at Hermione. Hermione turned her attention to her and talked quietly near her ear.
"I am going to take Shadow to the exercise arena. She's very restless tonight. Can't say as I blame her. I feel the same way!"
Royce chuckled and came over to help move Shadow. Hermione loved being able to be near Shadow when she hovered over the floor. She was learning to fly and Hermione was very patient with her. Hermione's reflexes were also getting quick as she had to dodge shots of flame and steam more than once when the dragon got overly excited. Charlie was very proficient at healing spells and so she didn't worry too much, but she was still cautious.
Hermione laughed as Shadow got bolder and swooped and dodged by her. The dragon was in a playful mood and Hermione indulged her completely losing herself in the moment. She didn't realize how much time had passed or that she had attracted an audience.
Charlie had woken up when Mr. Granger came thudding down the stairs. He popped off the couch wand drawn in surprise.
"Charlie, it's just Robert!" Mr. Granger called out realizing he had startled the wizard out of a dead sleep. "I just got worried when Hermione wasn't in her room this morning." He said hands out and approaching Charlie gently.
Charlie lowered his wand and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes with his other hand. "What do you mean she's not in her room?" He yawned.
"I got up and just peeked to check on her, and she's not there." He said forcefully. "I also checked the bathroom and then I thought…" He faded off as his face turned red.
"You thought she might be down here with me." Charlie stated good-naturedly.
"Well, yeah, I guess I did." Mr. Granger said sheepishly.
"I would worry if it were my daughter too." Charlie reassured him. "She can't have gone far. Let me get some clothes on and I will help you look for her."
Mr. Granger nodded. "Thanks Charlie. I…I am glad she has you. It's just that she's still my little girl." Charlie clapped him on the shoulder as he passed him.
"You don't have to explain. It probably seems odd to have someone as old as I am liking your daughter."
"It's not so much the age as that she loves you too. It's a big step for a dad. Hermione is an old soul and you are very good together. You challenge her and give her things to think about. It's just hard as a dad to watch your little girl give attention to another man." His eyes twinkled. "Someday, you'll understand."
Charlie nodded and continued up the stairs to get dressed.
When he returned, the two men set out to search for Hermione. They decided to start with the hatchery. They knew she spent all her extra time with Shadow so they figured that was as good of a place as any to look. They were surprised when they walked in though.
About twelve handlers, Jack included, were watching the exercise area. There, in the middle, oblivious to everything around them were Hermione and Shadow. Shadow was flying higher than she ever had before. She was just above Hermione's head. Hermione would run sideways and Shadow would swoop gracefully after her. Hermione would turn and run the other way and Shadow would zip across to her. It was beautiful to watch the two together. Almost like an elaborately choreographed dance. The room was nearly silent as the two men joined the group. Jack nodded to the two as they arrived and returned to watching.
Hermione finally sat down, leaning against the edge of the enclosure. "Shadow, you have worn me out."
Shadow landed gracefully and crept over near her. She laid her head on Hermione's lap as she stroked the top of her head. "I am certainly going to miss playing with you. You probably won't even remember me when I come back." She said softly, unaware that she was touching the crustiest of handlers.
Shadow sneezed suddenly and a blast of flame burst from her nose burning Hermione's leg. She looked up calmly in spite of the burning on her leg to get Royce's attention and jumped slightly at the group staring back at her. "Oh my!" She exclaimed in surprise. Within moments, Royce and Charlie were inching toward her to assess her injuries.
Royce moved toward Shadow who was ignorantly nuzzling Hermione again. He picked her up and returned her to her enclosure. Charlie was using his wand to heal Hermione's leg. "You put on a good show." He whispered quietly to her. "Your dad and I were just about to gather a search party."
"Sorry." She answered looking at her leg. "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would come play with Shadow."
"We figured. It was the first place we looked. You are amazing with her. Even Jack was impressed."
Hermione's face flamed red. "Why? I didn't do anything special."
"You are a natural with her." Charlie answered. "And you didn't even flinch when she sneezed. I have done all I can, we need to get you to the medical tent to get the murtlap to sooth your leg." He helped her up and they made their way into the main part of the hatchery.
"That was amazing, miss." A handler said to her as she passed. She smiled at him and kept walking.
Another tamer stopped them. "You have a gift with that there fireball." Charlie nodded and nudged Hermione forward. They were nearing the door when her dad stopped them.
"Are you ok?" He asked looking down at her nearly healed leg.
"Yeah, Dad. I'm fine. Nothing to write home about." Mr. Granger laughed boisterously.
"Point taken." He chuckled and moved back toward Squirmy. Just as they left, Jack joined them.
"Hermione, that was truly a wondrous thing to watch. Have you ever considered working with dragons? I have rarely seen someone take so naturally to teaching the babies. The way you had her dodging and chasing was incredible to watch." He said to her sincerely.
Hermione looked stunned. "But, I was just playing with her." She finally said.
"Well, how you play with her is brilliant. You were teaching her exactly what she needs to do. Like Charlie here, you are a natural. You can sense how to move and respond. You are welcome here anytime." And with those words he left a speechless Hermione and a beaming Charlie to enter the medical tent.
Since Charlie had been able to almost instantly start the healing charms, Hermione only had to take a skin restoring potion and put on some of the murtlap to sooth the irritation. Charlie helped her back to his tent and settled her on the couch. He propped her leg up on two pillows gently caressing her calf as he set it down. The intimate touch caused her to smile and look down. He was smiling too.
"I will be gone most of the day. I will send someone by to check on you later though." He said sadly.
"I will be fine. I am actually finally sleepy. I just want to rest for a bit." She replied with a yawn.
He tucked a blanket around her and kissed her forehead before he left. As she snuggled deeper into the pillow, she noticed that it smelled like Charlie. She sighed contentedly as she drifted off to sleep.
She awoke to noise in the house but she couldn't make her eyes open at first. She finally recognized her dad's voice and then Charlie's but she was still very sleepy. She drifted back off again.
Later she felt someone brushing her hair off her face.
"Hermione. Hermione." The gentle voice roused her. "Wake up sleepy head." Hermione cracked one eye open to see her dad crouched next to the couch stroking her hair.
"Hi Dad." She mumbled.
"Hi Yourself. You need to wake up and at least move so Charlie can go to bed." He chuckled. She jerked awake and sat up rapidly.
"What time is it?" She squeaked.
"It's bedtime." Her dad laughed.
Hermione took a deep breath and tried to focus. She could see through the open door that it was getting dark.
"Have I really been asleep that long?" She asked.
Her dad nodded. "The potion they gave you probably helped with that, but yes, you have been asleep for nearly twelve hours."
"Twelve Hours?" She squeaked again.
"Yes. But its ok. You're fine. We saved you some dinner." Hermione's stomach growled on cue to her dad's amusement. She stretched her sore muscles and looked over her leg to find that it looked as healthy as ever.
"Where's Charlie?"
"He got called to a meeting and should be back here soon." Mr. Granger explained. "We should get you up and fed." Hermione stood shakily. He reached out to steady her but she brushed him away.
"I'm fine dad. Just stiff from being in one position so long."
"You know, Charlie watched you sleep for a long time." Robert mentioned coyly. "We were playing a wizard chess game, which by the by was very entertaining, but he lost because he kept stealing glances at you while you slept." Mr. Granger's eyes twinkled merrily. "You would just randomly smile and then he would get this look on his face…"
"Stop it Dad. You are making me self-conscious."
"Just thought you'd want to know that you looked beautiful." He leaned over and kissed her cheek as it flamed a lovely pink.
Voices outside caught their attention and they looked towards the open door. The voices were growing louder but were still too far away to understand what it was they were saying. Eventually they could distinguish Charlie's deep voice and Royce's laughter. It sounded as if others were there too.
Charlie came in and smiled noticing that Hermione was awake. "Oh good. You are up. How's the leg?"
"Fine." Hermione grinned back.
"There are some people who would like to come in if you are up to it." Charlie said stepping back toward the doorway. Soon several men walked through it and joined Mr. Granger and Hermione by the table.
"Robert. Hermione." Jack nodded to both of them.
"Hello Jack." Robert answered extending his hand.
"How's the leg?" Jack asked turning toward Hermione after shaking hands.
"It's as good as new. Thank you." Hermione replied shrugging nonchalantly.
Jack smiled and glanced at Charlie who seemed to be having trouble holding still and was rocking back and forth from foot to foot. "Well I am very glad to hear that as it would have been a shame to have to leave you here." He said mysteriously.
Hermione looked at Charlie in confusion but despite his eyes glowing with excitement, he just shrugged his shoulders. She turned her attention back to Jack. "Are we going somewhere?" She asked hesitantly.
The group of handlers laughed which made Hermione really wonder what exactly was going on. The excitement in the room was electric, but no one seemed in a hurry to explain. She folded her arms across her chest and quirked her eyebrow at Jack.
He chuckled at her response before finally explaining. "We have been having some trouble with poachers so we have to move inventory up a month. I would be pleased if you and your Dad would join us." He announced.
"We'd be pleased to!" Mr. Granger enthusiastically replied immediately, but Hermione recognized the look in Charlie's eye. She reached a hand out to her dad's arm.
"Just a minute, Dad. Don't you think we should ask what this might entail?"
"Nah! I am game for whatever!" The handlers let out a cheer and Robert grinned back.
Jack laughed and looked at Charlie. "Maybe should should explain it to her?" Charlie nodded and moved toward her. He reached for her hand and pulled her outside.
"Charlie."
"Hermione."
"I have seen that look in your eye before."
"Have you now?" He tried to look innocent.
"Yes. Just before the Knight Bus for one." She informed him.
"Yes." He nodded. "And that was great fun, wasn't it?"
She cautiously nodded. "So what's up? Where are we going?"
"Just like Jack said. We have to do inventory of all the dragons on the reserve."
"All of them?"
"Yep. Everyone of them." He smiled happily.
"And how do we do this?" She asked partly curious and partly afraid.
"We cover every inch of the reserve like a grid search and document each one with pictures and notes."
"Sounds reasonable, but why do I get the feeling that I am missing something of vital importance?"
"Because you are the smartest witch of your age." He smirked and raised his eyebrow back playfully at her.
"Charlie. How do we document each dragon?" She finally asked.
"On brooms. We fly over and in and around them." He watched her for her reaction.
She sat down on the rock just next to the door of his tent. "Brooms. We have to fly around on brooms." She muttered to herself.
Charlie crouched down beside her and leaned in to speak quietly in her ear. "Remember how wonderful it was to fly around the burrow?" He felt her nod. "Two to a broom. One with a camera. One with a wand."
He pulled back to look in her eyes. "Please will you be my camera person? Please Hermione?" His gaze was intently searching her eyes. His were so hopeful that she couldn't say no.
"OK." She murmured quietly. She was afraid, but knew that Charlie would keep her safe. He threw his arms around her and she squeaked from the intensity of his hug.
"Thank you! You won't regret this. It will be something you never forget!" He assured her.
They rejoined the group inside.
"I get to try flying on a broom!" Mr. Granger nearly shouted. He looked like an excited little boy. Royce was grinning near him and had a camera in his hand. "And Royce here is showing me how a wizard camera will work. You get one too! Isn't this exciting!" Hermione nodded demurely and Charlie squeezed her hand.
"It'll be fun. You'll see." He whispered.