A/N: Thanks to everyone who read, followed or favourited this story! If you have any notes please let me know in a review or PM. As I said before this is my first story. I'm still in need of a Beta, so any mistakes are all mine. I've tried to check for them, but I'm only human and bound to make mistakes. if you notice them, be sure to point them out! Also, I forgot to mention that I know the festival mentioned in chapter one is only eight years old, but it was to good to pass up using it.

Disclaimer: All things recognized belong to JK. I do not own Harry Potter and make no money off this story.

Love, Cordelia

Chapter 2

Hermione landed at The Burrow with a small pop. Adjusting her backpack she turned and started walking toward the hodgepodge house. She sighed, 'This place will always feel like home'. Taking a deep breath and letting the familiar scents wash over her. A small gnome poked it's head out of the wellie he was hiding in, and she chuckled softly. 'Some things never change'

She reached her hand up to knock, but the door burst open before she had her arm even halfway lifted. Yanked inside roughly, her view was completely engulfed by long, silky red hair.

"I can't believe you're leaving on such little notice! I just got engaged and your off running to Gods know where! You had better be back in time to plan my hen night!" She pulled away to threaten her best friend.

"Ginny!" She giggled at her friends exuberance. "You aren't getting married until August that's almost a whole year away. I'll be home long before Christmas, which is plenty of time to plan. I wouldn't miss it. Witches Oath." She swore.

"Good." Stated Ginny. "I wouldn't want to Bat Bogey you before my big day. We'd never get them out of your hair." She cackled at Hermione's wince. "Come on, everyone's here and they'll all sulk if you don't say goodbye to them." She tugged Hermione by the sleeve and into the kitchen of The Burrow.

Hermione found herself quickly surrounded by Weasley's. Laughter, food and stories, flowed all around her. Suddenly she was swept up in a big hug from behind.

Laughing as she turned her head to look into George's smiling face. "George!" She screeched, swatting his arms. A smile stretching from ear to ear as he spun her around and around. "Put me down!"

"Never!" He shouted back. "We'll never let you go! You're stuck with the Weasley men forever!" He twirled her around and quickly passed her off to Bill.

"He's right little bird!" Bill continued spinning with her. "You've stolen all our hearts. We can't just let you fly off with them!" He teased. Fleur just shook her head in amusement over her husband's antics. Their one year old daughter being bounced lightly in her arms.

She swatted his arm as he set her on her feet, her head still spinning. She swayed slightly before Harry caught her and proceeded to dance her around in an ungraceful version of a tango.

"You all know she's only ever had eyes for me!" Harry chimed in, dipping her dramatically.

"Why yes Mr. Potter. I could never resist such such elegant dancing!" She bowed to him dramatically.

"She just swooned at your perfectly styled hair!" Ginny gushed. Her and Hermione swooning dramatically into each others arms and laughing.

"Oi, I think it was you who waxed about his eyes being as green as a fresh pickled toad, eh Gin?" Ron teased. Ginny stuck her tongue out in response.

"It worked for me in the end, didn't it?" she retorted. "Maybe I can give you a few lessons on poetry?" She waltzed over to her fiancee' and planted a loud kiss to his flushed cheek.

Ron's ears turned red as he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend. "What do you think? Should I start taking lessons to woo you?" He asked her with a small smile.

"I already find you perfectly charming." She assured him with a small squeeze of his hand. Ron looked down at her completely besotted.

Ron had been dating former Hufflepuff Megan Jones for over a year now, and still looked at hopelessly infatuated as he did the first day he met her. They had met at Ginny's first Quidditch match. She was the cousin of team captain Gwenog Jones. They had sat next to each other and chatted about the match the whole game. Ron was smitten and everyone knew they would get together when she called a foul angrily at the ref. Ron's mouth had dropped comically at her fury for a missed call.

"Hermione, how am I ever going to manage these boys without you?" Mrs. Weasley lamented with a shake of her head. The rest of the woman nodding along with her.

"I leave you all in the very capable hands of your lovely, beautiful, and most importantly, patient partners." Hermione gestured to Megan, Angelina, Ginny, and Fleur.

"Too right you are. We are officially the luckiest sods in all of England!" George announced to the group. Swooping down and placing a loud wet kiss to Angelina's lips.

"Urgh, George!" she wiped her mouth dry. "Save it for the bedroom." she winked coyly.

A deep chuckle interrupted the banter.

"Sorry to break up the party." Kingsley's deep voice called out. "Hermione, it's nearly time." He nodded to her.

"Kingsley!" the group greeted together. They all shook his hand with a smile.

"So, where are the sending you Hermione?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"Well, you already know I'm doing research into the possible contamination of the dragon blood." Hermione answered. "I'm guessing I'm going to Welsh Sanctuary, considering it's the closest, and one of the main distributors for the UK." Hermione hummed in thought. She had been in such a rush this morning she hadn't actually questioned where she was going.

"Unfortunately, Hermione I have to send you a bit farther than that." Kingsley answered Arthur's question. "Our reports indicate another sanctuary as the source of the problem, and it's much more advanced in their research facilities which I have no doubt will be very useful to you during your stay." He hinted to her.

"So, where am I off to?" She asked with a raised brow. 'There aren't that many of them out there. And certainly not many connected enough to the British Ministry to authorize last minute portkey's and research privileges' Hermione wondered.

"I've set everything up for you at the Sanctuary in Romania. Someone will meet you there when you arrive and give you a quick tour before showing you to your lodging. I hope you don't mind staying in the Tamers cabins. Everything was so last minute and I thought it best to keep you as close to your work as possible, considering everything." He implored her with his eyes. She knew the Weasley's could all be trusted, but this was a matter of national crisis and she caught on to his hidden message.

"Of course, Kings. It's not like I need a fancy five star hotel." She assured him. "Wait, did you say Romania?" she stuttered, her stomach firmly lodged somewhere near her throat. 'Romania? No... How could I have possibly missed that? It makes sense they would send me there. How could I have not even considered the possibility... Dragons mean Romania, Romania means...'

"Charlie" She whispered. Her thighs clenched involuntarily at the image of him that flashed in her mind. 'Fuck, what am I going to do? Damn this stupid crush, damn Charlie Weasley and his wicked smile and scorching gaze that makes me feel like he's lighting a fire in my veins. This is not the kind of distraction I need' she cursed in her head. 'But, it's exactly the kind of distraction you want.' she argued back to herself.

"...Charlie, would you?" Hermione jerked her head up at the question, and flushed at the thoughts that were running through her head. Ones that featured a decidedly naked and tattooed Charlie whispering naughty things in her ear.

"I'm sorry, what was that Molly?" She asked ignoring Ginny's knowing smirk and trying to calm her flushed cheeks.

"I said, If your going to be in Romania, you wouldn't mind looking in on Charlie, would you dear?" Molly repeated. "It's just with him so far, I do tend to worry." Molly twisted her apron in her hands. Everyone knew she loved her family and hated not being able to smother her second eldest.

"Don't worry Mum, I'm sure Hermione would love to look in on Charlie." Ginny winked in her direction. Hermione glared at her friends insinuation hoping no one else had caught it. 'Gods, I would just die with embarrassment!' she thought.

"Oh, it would make me rest easier knowing you would Hermione." Mrs. Weasley gushed.

"Of course Molly. It wouldn't be any trouble." She assured her and Molly wrapped her into a big hug. Pulling away she patted her cheek. "You really are such a sweet girl. Be safe." Molly pulled away as Kingsley walked over.

"All Ready then?" He asked pulling out a rusty old can. Hermione quickly gave everyone hugs before grabbing her pack and touching her finger to the can.

"Bye everyone, I'll miss you all!" She called to them. "Don't forget to write!" The last thing she saw was them waving with grins before she felt the familiar hook behind her naval.

THUMP

She landed hard and collapsed to the ground. Lifting her head she tried to get her bearings as the world continued to spin.

"Merlin's balls, I'll never get used to international porkeys!" She grumbled to herself. Dusting off her jeans she looked up and the sound of quiet laughter. Standing in front of her with amusement dancing in his eyes and his hand outstretched was..

"Charlie" his name came out as a whimper as their eyes met.