Only got a few minutes left on this computer. I've been typing during my shift! 2 fics in one shift! That's a new record! If you haven't seen yet, I just posted a cute fic about Hermione having a little brother! Go check it out! This chapter is mainly filler, but I still hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter 6

The next few days passed by excruciatingly slow for Hermione. She packed and repacked multiple times, made a few last minute stops to Diagon Alley and muggle London. She got tea with a few friends from Hogwarts before heading off, a way to say goodbye since she wouldn't be seeing them for a while. She mainly lounged about reading and rereading books about dragons, trying to absorb everything possible so she would feel prepared for what lay ahead.

Finally the day came, and Hermione found herself carting her trunk through the ministry to the International Travels office where a portkey was waiting for her. Traveling with her would be another intern named Gwendolyn. She was one of the few people picked for the internship, and the only other one from the British Isles.

Hermione hoped that they would be fast friends, she didn't want any enemies.

Gwendolyn had been a few years ahead of her in Hogwarts, so Hermione didn't know her.

Hermione was accompanied by the entire Weasley clan (sans Charlie), Harry, and McGonagall. They all wished to see her off.

Her huge brood of people crowded the small room dedicated to arriving and departing magical folks but it was a warm atmosphere with tears of joy.

Hermione hugged each person individually and thanked them for helping to get her to this point.

Gwendolyn arrived a few minutes after everyone had said her goodbyes. She had a good attitude about her as she laughed, "I saw the room crowded so I figured I'd give ya some privacy before coming in. I'm Gwendolyn, but you can call me Gwen," she said, holding out her hand.

Hermione took it and shook, "Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you. Are you excited?"

Gwen nodded, "Very. After the war, I was in limbo, trying to figure out what to do. My family was lost during the war, they were members of the Order. Some of the first to go. I went into hiding for most of the war, only seeing a few battles. It was rough. I needed a change of scenery. Too many tough memories here in the UK, so time to try Romania. I was second in my class at Hogwarts so it was easy to get in. I remember you, you probably don't remember me, but I remember you. You were always in the library. I saw you from time to time."

Hermione smiled, "I'm sorry, I don't remember you. What house were you in?"

"Ravenclaw. I was in Percy Weasley's year. And obviously I knew who you were. You were famous around Hogwarts for being Harry Potter's best friend, and of course, your marks."

"Good to know I was known for more than being Harry's friend. It's a burden I hate bearing. I wish to be known for my own merits."

"Don't worry, you are. You ready for this?"

Hermione nodded, "Very. I heard about the internship from Charlie Weasley, Percy's older brother. Charlie visited Care of Magical Creatures with some dragons and well, I fell in love with them. I helped rescue a dragon from Gringotts last year and it just stuck with me. She actually resides at the sanctuary so I'm excited to see her again!"

Gwen smiled, "I'm glad there is someone with a passion for creatures. I remember Charlie Weasley. Fine specimen, yet always obsessed with magical creatures. Too preoccupied to date. One of my dorm mates went after him, and he turned her down. Gently, thankfully."

Hermione laughed, "Well, don't get any ideas. He's spoken for, by me. And it won't be a secret."

Gwen wiggled her eyebrows, "Oh, that is hilarious."

Just then the minister in charge of International Travel approached them and gave them their portkey. Gwen and Hermione firmly grasped their trunks and grabbed onto the old pocket watch that was the portkey.

A few seconds later, Hermione felt a tug at her bellybutton and they were ripped away from England and to Romania.

Their landing was hard. They both let go of the key and landed with a thud. Hermione stood up and dusted herself off, "I will never get used to that."

Gwen laughed.

Suddenly Hermione found herself engulfed in a bear hug by a familiar redhead.

Hermione squealed as Charlie lifted her off the ground and swung her around.

He placed her gently back on the ground, steadying her as she was still getting over the portkey travel. Charlie pressed his lips against her forehead.

"Welcome, 'Mione."

"Hi Charlie."

Gwen cleared her throat behind them.

"Oh! Sorry! Charlie, this is Gwen. Gwen this is Charlie. She was a few years behind you in school. You apparently once turned one of her dormmates down for a date." Hermione said, laughing.

Charlie chuckled and held out his hand, "Charlie Weasley, pleased to meet ya! You're gonna have loads of fun here!"

After introductions, Charlie led them to the dining hall where they waited for the rest of the interns to arrive. After about an hour, when everyone was there, Charlie left to return to work and the program of introductions began.

Everyone was given a packet containing information about each other, where they would be lodging, what their duties would entail, and the goals of this internship. It was a thick packet and Hermione used the few minutes given to devour it.

They used a muggle projector to give a presentation on all the dragons on the reserve. When Khione came up, Rhea stopped to thank Hermione for liberating her from Gringotts. Hermione blushed as everyone clapped.

Introductions of each intern soon followed. There was Dominic who was from Romania, Noah from Denmark, Sofia from Italy, William from the United States, Sora from Japan, and Dmitri from Russia. And of course, Gwen and Hermione from the UK.

Eight interns total.

The instructor's name was Rhea. Hermione was finally able to put a face to a name.

It was an intense course that lasted the entire morning. They broke for lunch, where everyone started to get acquainted with one another. Thankfully everyone spoke a bit of English, so the language barrier was small. Hermione made a note to learn Romanian since that was the primary language spoken on the reserve. She chided herself for not learning it earlier.

She'd have Charlie help her. He was fluent.

Everyone introduced themselves and said why they were here in the best English they could muster.

When it came for Hermione's turn, she glazed over the second wizarding war, knowing that they all already knew about it and her involvement, but she did mention Khione and how that one dragon had affected Hermione.

Everyone was becoming fast friends. Which thrilled Hermione to no end. She was excited to already be making friends and avoiding drama.

After lunch, they went on a tour of the facility where they saw the various dragons before heading to the nursery.

Hermione felt her anticipation grow as she approached Khione's pen. When they reached it, she peered through the gates and stared at the great beast in front of her. She had grown since Hermione had last saw her.

She was larger around the waist now, having put on extra weight now that she was no longer being starved. Her color was darker now that she was out in the sun more.

She was a sight to behold.

Hermione noticed Charlie from the corner of her eye. He was smiling at her from behind the gate. He approached the gate.

"Hey 'Mione. Do you want to pet her?"

Hermione blushed, "I don't know if I'm allowed."

"Sure! She's a gentle giant! You can all pet her if you want!" Charlie exclaimed.

"Charlie you're breaking protocol." Rhea chided.

"This is a special case." Charlie retorted with a lopsided grin.

Charlie opened the gate, letting all the interns into the pen and gave instructions on how to approach Khione.

Hermione went first. She held out her hand and approached the blind beast directly, letting Khione get a good whiff of her. She stopped short at Khione smelled her, and was surprised when Khione leaned her head into Hermione's hand.

"She recognizes you!" Charlie called. "Dragons are smart creatures. She remembers."

Hermione was humbled by the giant best and spent a few minutes petting her.

The rest of the interns took their turns approaching her and petting her. Hermione stood next to Charlie who wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her a half hug.

Rhea rolled her eyes at their display of affection, but was glad to see Charlie with someone. He had been lonely for quite some time.

The rest of the day past by quickly with a trip to the nursery where they interacted with the baby dragons and went over their schedules.

Then it was back to the dining hall for dinner and they finished off the day with receiving their schedules for the next day, which would become their routines for the first four weeks of the internships.

Rhea showed them where their cabins were and invited them out to drinks with the rest of the tamers after they got settled. It was a very laid back, casual atmosphere.

Hermione was bunked with Sofia from Italy. The girls made pleasant conversation as they unpacked.

"So," Sofia said with zest, "You are with the red head dragon tamer right?"

Hermione nodded, "Yes, his name is Charlie, and he is my boyfriend."

Sofia smiled, "You are lucky girl. He is a handsome man. Very rugged, very tough. I hope he treats you well."

"He does. There would be hell to pay if he didn't." Hermione laughed.

After getting settled, the girls headed off the reserve to the Dragon's Head where all the dragon tamers were grouped. They were the first to arrive from the group of interns, later to be joined by everyone else.

Charlie grabbed Hermione and pulled her onto his lap. He was already tipsy and Hermione could tell by the kiss he planted on her lips. She laughed and ordered a firewhisky, hoping to catch up with him.

Rhea rolled her eyes, "You two are adorable. It's sickening. It's nice to meet you finally Hermione. We have heard much about you. We're honored to have you on the reservation."

Hermione beamed, then downed her glass. "I'm honored to be here, it's a good change of pace for me."

Conversation flowed naturally and Hermione ended the night five glasses in. She purposefully stopped drinking and switched to water so she wouldn't be tempted to go to Charlie's bed on the first night. She wanted to spend the night in her own bed before she started visiting Charlie.

Things were looking up for Hermione and she was excited for the future.

I just skimmed over it, so sorry if there are any mistakes. I'm literally off in 5 minutes and I wanted to get this published before I got off! I hope you enjoyed it! Review, favorite, follow!