Lost Magic
Ivy passed the next few days in a hazy idyll. Charlie shared his assignments with her and from those she chose work with which she could help. She tried to get over her disappointment at being left out of the wizarding bits and to a great extent she succeeded. Charlie never made her feel out of place for her lack of a wand or broomstick and always appreciated the contributions she made. At times, he even marvelled at the solutions and alternatives that she devised. She knew she was truly on a better footing when she teased him, "It's just plain old Muggle common sense, Charlie!"

They were heading out on broomstick to check some watering holes when they spotted the Longhorn pair again.

"Let's dump our chores and spend an afternoon dragon-watching," Charlie said. "What do you say?"

Charlie kept a reasonable distance and they followed the two until they landed in a field. Charlie brought the broomstick to a hover within a stand of nearby trees. Ivy watched as the dragons attacked a bush.

"What are they doing?" she whispered.

"Berry-picking."

"Berries? But aren't dragons carnivorous?"

"Actually, it's a little known fact that most dragons are omnivorous. And the ones I've observed have had a powerful sweet tooth."

They waited while the dragons ate their fill then followed them as they took off again, heading for higher elevations. Here, the dragons sought out large flat rocks that had been warmed by sun and proceeded to bask. At times the larger dragon would reach out a taloned foot to smooth the smaller one's scales, all the while crooning a haunting tune that reminded Ivy of whale sounds.

"This is quite exciting," Charlie said, making notes.

"You said this was unusual behavior."

"Very. The smaller dragon is a few years old, definitely past the age where it would get this nurturing behavior from the mother. It's possible that the creature has some weakness that we're not seeing and she's nursing it along."

"It seems quite healthy considering the flying maneuvers it was doing the other day," Ivy observed.

"Oh, I'd agree. Which leads me to think that she's grooming it for something. Perhaps to take over her territory?"

"Is that something dragons typically do?"

"Well, that's just it. They're terribly long-lived beasts so I've never seen it before. I'll be really interested to get to the library at headquarters to look into it."

Ivy felt uneasy at the thought of their time alone coming to an end.

"Will that be soon?"

Charlie heard the uneasiness in her voice and turned to look at her.

"My replacement should fly in tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh. And then what will happen?"

"We'll go to see the director. Hopefully, he'll trust my vouching for you and give you visitor privileges."

"That seems easy," Ivy said.

"I don't see why it shouldn't be."

Just then, the larger dragon lifted off and the smaller one followed. Charlie stood and held out his hand.

"C'mon, love, we're tracking dragons!"






They followed the dragons until sunset then decided to head back to the tent. Charlie made a map of what he thought was the location of the dragons' nest.

"I really want to keep an eye on this pair," he said. "See how things develop."

When they landed, Ivy circled the clearing around the tent, stretching her legs.

"We've spent the day riding or crouching behind rocks," she said. "It feels good just to walk a bit."

"I agree. And just look at that moon."

They admired it for a moment before Charlie recommended they have dinner outdoors. Within moments, he'd thrown out the blanket they used for picnics and spelled up a meal of pasta and salad, complete with candlelight and wine. Afterwards, they leaned against a log and watched the moon.

"I think I saw you, that first night I spent in the mountains, flying on your broomstick," she revealed. "Was it you, do you think?"

"Probably. I enjoy night-flying when there's a moon. And I'm really the only wizard in this area."

"It made me feel safe, which is a little silly. I mean, what did I know about broomsticks or wizards then? But it made me feel like someone was watching out for me, like I wasn't all alone in the night."

"I'm glad."

They sat in silence for a few moments then Charlie spoke.

"You know, Ivy, I hate to think what would have happened if the memory charm had worked that first day."

"Oh, I was a little dramatic about that, wasn't I?"

"Yes, but I don't know which of us would have suffered more, you for the loss of your memories or me for never having gotten to know you."

Something inside Ivy melted and she started to cry. Charlie pulled her into his arms and kissed her tear-wet face.

"Sshhh, no need to take on so."

"But what if we'd never met? Or what if I'm sent away tomorrow? This time together has meant so much to me."

"And to me," he whispered into her ear. "Everything will be fine. I promise."

They held tightly to each other, wrapped up in that promise.






When Ivy woke the next morning, she didn't know how she had gotten into her bed nor why she'd slept so late. She was startled to find that Charlie was gone, but then she saw a parchment on the breakfast table.

Didn't want to wake you, beautiful dreamer. I'll be back before elevenses. Make yourself at home.
Charlie
Ivy lifted the tent flap for a quick scan of the sky. No sign of Charlie. She went to sit in the wing chair before the desk, curling her feet under her. She felt rather lost, being at loose ends after so many busy days. Her eyes wandered idly over the books and papers before her. Finally, she picked up one of the books and started to read. It was a history of broomstick racing and although she wished on the first page that it had a glossary, she found it interesting reading. When Charlie returned, she was deeply into it.

"Good morning," he called, coming through the tent flap. "You mean you haven't touched your breakfast?"

"Oh, no, I got all wrapped up in this book."

"Well, you'll have to see a Quidditch match. Maybe I can put together a pick-up game when we get back to headquarters."

Ivy frowned.

Charlie came round the desk. "Don't worry about it, please. It will be okay."

Ivy gave him a weak smile.

"Let's have a spot of lunch before packing," Charlie suggested.




After eating, they began setting the tent in order. Ivy was not surprised to learn that the tent could be taken down, leaving all the furniture, lamps and rugs in place. Still, Charlie liked to put things away and tidy up before pulling the thing down. It was quite a job to stow the books and the items from the workshop. Charlie and Ivy were finally taking down the tent when Charlie's replacement arrived.

A tall and lanky wizard with a clean-shaven head watched their manual labor for a moment before remarking.

"Egad, Charlie, what have you got there?" he said, looking at Ivy with some distaste. "Weasleys and their Muggles!"

"Here are the field reports of this area for the week, Smythe," Charlie spoke through clenched teeth with a look on his face that dared further comment.

Charlie picked up his broomstick and held a hand out to Ivy. "Ready?"

Ivy climbed onto the broomstick with him. She would miss this place and the time they had together. Once in the air, Ivy looked around at the mountains. She wondered if she'd ever get this opportunity again. Would she remember the time she'd had here?

As they began to descend, Ivy looked around, searching for the headquarters but saw no sign of it. Probably invisible, she thought. As they stood there, Ivy waited for Charlie to take the lead. He looked unhappy. Finally, he took her hand and looked sadly into her eyes.

"This is the border of the dragon preserve. If you follow that path, it will take you into the Romanian National Forest and very soon to a campgrounds." He cleared his throat and looked away. "I would ask you to promise me to keep what you've seen this week a secret, for the sake of the dragons."

"Charlie, what are you saying?"

"Ivy, I think you're wonderful. I've seen you work this week and I know you have things to contribute. But a lot of wizards don't think the way I do. I couldn't promise you that if I let you go to headquarters, they wouldn't erase your memory. I don't want to see you hurt like that."

"So, you'd just leave me here like this?"

"It's up to you. If you want out now, I understand."

Ivy stood, dumbfounded. She stalked away then turned to yell at him.

"What happened to you? What happened to your promises?"

He looked as if she'd thrown stones at him.

"Maybe they didn't mean much. This is my first year out of school, my first year here. I don't have many connections, Ivy. And what that...that...troll said back there made me realize it."

"You said I was an asset! Tell that to them. It's not fair."

"No, it's not. But there are people, wizards, who just won't accept you."

"Because I'm a Muggle," she spat out.

"Yes, because you're a Muggle. And it's not right, but some very powerful wizards hold these beliefs."

"Everyone?"

"No, not everyone. Probably not even the majority...."

"Then talk to them!"

"Even if they don't wipe your memory, you'd be treated like a second-class citizen. Ivy, I just don't want you to get hurt."

"It's happened before, Weasley. I want this chance. I'm not a quitter."

It was Charlie's turn to stalk away. He kicked rocks; he muttered. Finally, he turned to her.

"Let's go," he said.

She knew she should have felt exhilarated, but a cold fear returned to the pit of her stomach. For comfort, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist as they flew. He took a hand from the broomstick and held hers fiercely. She knew whatever happened, she could trust him. But would that be enough?




They flew in uncomfortable silence. Ivy refused to voice the questions that swirled through her mind but she couldn't help the "oh" that escaped at her first glimpse of headquarters. A large castle of reddish stone perched on the edge of a cliff. Numerous towers rose from the walls. She'd never seen a building that looked so much like it had come from out of a fairy tale.

Charlie circled it a few times before going for a landing in a large interior courtyard. A colonade of arches made an ell along one edge while tall walls of rough-hewn stone encircled the remainder. They stood there for a few moments, Ivy waiting for Charlie to lead the way. Instead, Charlie pulled a scroll and quill out of his bag and handed them to her.

"If this doesn't turn out well," he said, "Write down your address, how I can find you."

She looked at him and saw the worry in his eyes as well as deep tenderness. Hastily, she scribbled the address of her parents' farm and handed it back to him. He tucked them away then, pulling her close, gently kissed her lips.

"For luck," he whispered.

He led her to a heavy wooden door set into a stone wall and they entered the castle. Charlie easily negotiated through a maze of steep stairways, hallways and cavernous rooms. Finally, they arrived in a small room with a desk occupied by a tiny, plump witch.

"Buna ziua, Frida. Is Constantin in?"

"Ah, Charlie, you are back this week? Yes, Constantin is in his office. Shall I tell him you are here?"

"Please."

"And who is with you?" she asked, smiling at Ivy.

"I'm Ivy Andrews."

"Very good. I will be right back."

Frida the witch ducked behind a richly embroidered tapestry that hung on the wall behind her desk. Ivy looked surprised and Charlie smiled.

"This is a great old tapestry," he said. "It depicts some of the first attempts by wizards to tame dragons. Up in that corner is Ivan the Incendiary."

Frida slipped back into the room.

"You can go in. He is not busy now."

Charlie held the tapestry back for Ivy and she saw an arched doorway behind it. They passed through that into a large room. The corner office, thought Ivy.

Tall windows lined two walls and tapestries hung on the other two. The ceiling soared to a dome that was pierced with fanciwork. Numerous elaborate cages scattered around the room held exotic creatures; birds, small dragons and other things that Ivy couldn't identify. In the center of the room sat an imposing desk and behind that, Constantin. He hefted himself out of his velvet chair and came around to meet them.

"Charlie, you had a good week in the back country?" he said as his great hand engulfed Charlie's.

"It was very satisfying, Constantin. I'll have reports ready for you soon."

Constantin smiled, confident that Charlie would do just that.

"And this is...."

"This is Ivy Andrews," Charlie said.

Constantin took Ivy's hand in both of his. His dark eyes looked knowingly into hers as he lifted her hand to his lips and brushed it gently.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Andrews," he said.

Ivy could only mumble her reply. She felt as if she were under a spell.

"Ivy is a Muggle, Constantin...." began Charlie.

"This I can see," Constantin said.

"I met her hiking in the back country and she's worked with me this week. She'd like to be considered for special access to the preserve."

Constantin slowly returned to his chair.

"This is very serious, Charlie," he said. "You know there are reasons for the restrictions here."

"I understand that, but...."

"It is not only for security, but there are safety issues, as well."

"I know, Constantin."

"An untrained wizard or witch would receive only limited access to the preserve."

Ivy spoke up. "But I'm not any kind of witch, trained or untrained. I'm a Muggle. What I would like is to be able to visit the preserve with whatever restrictions you deem necessary for safety. That's all. When I met Charlie, he threatened to erase my memory of the dragons I'd seen and he says that could very well happen here. I respectfully request that you refrain from that."

Constantin smiled, but there was something dark in it that chilled Ivy.

"You come quickly to the point, Miss Andrews. I will tell you then that I consider a Muggle a special security threat. There are so many ways for you to be hurt in a place like this. Then what would we tell your family? Or perhaps more to the point, what will you tell your family?"

"I..."

"We are a quiet society, Miss Andrews. We don't relish or seek contact with non-magical folk. That has often ended badly for us in the past," Constantin spoke gruffly.

"There are exceptions, Constantin," Charlie spoke up.

"There have been."

"I think Ivy can be one of those exceptions. She was a real help to me this week. She's serious and level-headed about her work. She has a great affinity for the dragons and she's sincere in her desire to keep them safe."

Constantin scowled.

"So, you really mean to pursue this, Mr. Weasley? You are very early in your career to stick your neck out so far."

Charlie blanched but recovered.

"I believe in Ivy, sir."

"Very well. I will arrange a meeting as soon as possible to discuss this possibility. Until that time, you understand, Miss Andrews will have to be sequestered. I believe she's seen enough of the preserve already."

Constantin walked through the arched doorway and returned with Frida.

"Please show Miss Andrews to one of the guest rooms in the south wing."

They turned to go, but Constantin spoke again.

"Charlie, please stay so that we may talk a moment."

Charlie looked at her as if the last thing in the world he wanted to do was to let her go on by herself, but he only reached out his hand to squeeze hers.

"I'll see you soon," he promised then turned to Constantin.