Children Of the Eight Magics
By Archeress
Harry was surprised. He didn't actually expect to be allowed the time off to work with Charlie. It seemed that as soon as Harry walked into Orderoy's office, he already knew what was going to be asked and where Harry was going to be going. He was not only letting Harry go, but considering it a business trip all together, so Harry would also be getting paid the entire time.
After bidding Kyle and the rest of his co-workers good-bye, he left with his step considerably lighter compared to when he had left home only an hour before. Harry had stopped by Gringotts, to gather up some money for the trip, exchanged it for muggle money. He then went home packed all of his warm clothing, and called up a muggle taxi to pick him up at the Leaky Cauldron.
While waiting for his Taxi to come up Harry ran into the bartender and chatted with him for a bit. His Taxi soon arrived though, so the conversation was short lived.
Harry really never liked the idea of apparating too far, especially over seas. So Harry had decided the best way for himself and Hedwig was to just simply go by air. As he walked through the gate and terminals many people looked at him oddly but said nothing. So all together, it was a pretty quiet trip. He was quite impressed with how Hedwig behaved upon the plane. Children often came hesitantly forward badgering Harry with questions and poking their fingers through the bars of Hedwig's cage trying to pet her. Annoyed as she looked, Hedwig humored the children more so then Harry did. Harry liked little kids, he just didn't like too many of them. Relieved as the plane landed he finally got off, gathered up Hedwig and his trunk, and left the airport by taxi.
It was three hours later that Harry arrived at his destination. It was bitterly cold, and Harry had wisely donned his jacket on. He paid the driver, and waved goodbye as the cab slowly went down a small hill and around a corner. Quickly he let Hedwig out from her cage, and abruptly dissapparated.
Harry appeared outside a camp of trailers and RV's formed into somewhat of an odd-looking semi circle, all the lights were out in side the trailers, but there was a single figure sitting by a fire that was cheerfully licking the barren moor sky with it's quick tongue. The figure looked up and smiled.
"Hello Harry. 'Bout to give up on you, I was." It was Charlie. In the dim firelight Harry was amazed at how Charlie hadn't really seemed to change at all. His arms were a little larger, and he was a bit leaner then he was before. He had a few more shiny burn scars as well, but aside from that it was the same Charlie. Harry grinned.
"Been a while hasn't it?" Harry said coming up toward the fire.
"Yeah it has."
"Where's Ron?"
"We was dog tired. Not used to running around so much. Even after two years at this. He gets tired really easily. Went to bed about 20 minutes ago I'd wager."
Harry set his trunk and Hedwig's cage on the ground, plopping beside Charlie on the log. "That tired?"
"Yeah, and you'll be next I bet."
"Nah, no way." There was a brief laugh and then a small silence. Charlie broke it. "I really appreciate you coming out Harry. We needed a new man, and I couldn't resist calling you."
"Thanks for calling me! I was getting so bloody bored in that office!"
"Yeah I bet. . .but Harry, this isn't like the Horntail that you defeated in the Triwizard tournament. It's. . .", Charlie seemed to find a proper way to say it, " getting to be rather, uhm, risky you might say. Getting even harder with Rita Skeeter running around trying to dig up anything she can."
"Rita? She's still around?!"
"Yeah and still just as annoying."
Harry wrinkled his nose.
Charlie continued on. "The real reason we called you out here was because well, some of my men got scared and left. We're down to twelve. . .well 16 including you me Ron and Hermione."
"Herm-"
"Later Harry.", Charlie said firmly looking Harry in the eye. Harry shut up.
"This one's real trouble. Disappears quickly and likes to sneak right up on you. You have to be alert Harry. You have to stay focused, and you have to pay attention and learn the ropes and spells we use quickly."
Harry nodded. "I understood that the moment I went to the office to take it up with my boss, I can deal with Dragons Charlie you know I can. . but Hermione. . .that's a different story. ."
Charlie gave Harry a look of pure sympathy. "I can relate. She found out you were coming. Ron had to cast a leg binding spell on her to keep her on grounds, we had to dodge a few nasty charms by her, and Dicken's been treating to these boils the size of golf balls all afternoon."
Harry sighed running a hand through his hair. "Every time I time I try to tell her that I never ment to-"
"Harry . . .it's Hermione, she's gotten a lot more stubborn over the years and she's well, not as stable as she used to be. Especially now."
"Why?"
Charlie shook his head. "She and Ron broke up about three weeks ago, she thinks Ron's found some one else, and he's trying to set her up with you now. She's furious with him, barely even talks to him."
"She doesn't like to talk to anyone much. Every letter I've sent her she's sent back to me. No reply either. Never realized she could be so cold."
"Yeah, not only that but she just lost her job last Thursday."
"What?! But. .she was the BEST they had!"
"I know. The Department has been in an uproar over it, and dad says that her head boss has been getting howlers everyday about it from the people that know about it. Ron asked her to come out with us after he heard about it. Granted he sent a nasty Howler to her boss as well. Not only that but mum's been sending one every day to that office."
"D'you know why she got fired?"
" No. She wont talk about it and Ron refuses to say anything. He says he knows something but I think it's complete rubbish. He's just trying to annoy everyone. Just know Harry, she'll be in a bit of a bad mood. . " Charlie trailed off.
"She'll be on permanent PMS for the next four years!" Harry groaned.
"Well . .", Charlie got up from the log he was sitting on. " Maybe you can change that Harry. I know you like her, Ron told me that much, and I've seen that much myself watching you two running around Hogwarts and the Burrow every summer. Maybe you can talk some sense into her, or make something out of it all. . .She talked to you once. . .maybe actually seeing you face to face will change things between you and her." He stretched.
"Yeah . .maybe. . ." Harry's voice trailed off as his mind went into a blur of tricks and charms he might have to turn Hermione back to at least sending his letters back with replies.
Charlie patted Harry's shoulder roughly. "Your campers the blue one. Second to the end on the right side."
"Bunking with Ron?"
"Of course." Charlie grinned, and walked off heading to a tan and orange camper, his door closed softly behind him as he went inside.
"Wingardium Leveosa.", Harry muttered pointing his wand toward his trunk and Hedwig's cage. He levitated them toward the camper door and within. The inside of the camper was large. Much like the tents Mr. Weasly had when they went to the world cup. It was furnished nicely, much like the hotel rooms Harry caught glimpse' of on Dudly's television. It was large though complete with kitchen, sink, stove, refrigerator, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms. Harry didn't need to know which room was Ron's. He could hear the snoring through the closed bedroom door. Opening the opposite room's doorway, Harry levitated his things into the room, setting his trunk in front of his bed, and Hedwig's cage on near by table. Harry changed into a pair of flannel pajama's, and went to bed falling asleep quickly.
- - - -
"Harry wake up! Come on Harry, wake up!" Ron's hands had taken him by the shoulders and Harry had awoken to being violently shaken.
"R-R-ON! I'm Awake!! RON!! I'm AWAKE!!"
"Bout time, hell I've been trying to get you awake for the past 15 minutes! You normally don't sleep that heavy."
"I normally don't come strolling into the middle of nowhere at 3 am."
Ron's ears went pink. "Ah. . .kay. Well here." He tossed Harry's jeans over to him. Harry caught them and put them on quickly, changed his shirt and put on a coat. Donning on his boots Ron stood leaning against the frame of Harry's door, looking at him. Harry stood and looked back with a grin. "Been awhile. . ."
"Yeah. . ." Ron said grinning broadly turning and walking through the campers interior to the door which lead outside. Harry opened the door putting his jacket and ear miffs on and stepped out the door into the frigid air.
"Harry?"
He turned looking at his best friend as he descended down the steps. "Yeah, Ron?"
Ron gave him a lop sided smile. "It's good to have you around again. . ."
Harry smiled and put his arm around Ron's shoulders; Ron did the same to him. "It's good to be back Ron. ." Arm around shoulder, both boys walked like that to the group of people surrounding a large campfire.
Charlie, who was sitting on a canvas lounge chair, waved to them both and the boys parted coming upon the group and plopping down beside Charlie. "Top of the morning to you Ron, Harry." Charlie grinned sipping a steaming cup of tea that was handed to him by a pleasantly plump older woman.
"Harry?", the woman said eyeing him with a furrowed brow. "Well I'll be." Her eyes, a vibrant stormy grey, quickly changed from a suspicious expression to wide-eyed wonderment.
Charlie smiled. " This Harry, is one of our elder members, and head chef of the party, Maridith Allonary."
Harry held out his hand. "Hello Mrs. Allonary."
Maridith grinned and shook his hand firmly. "Please call me Marri."
Harry nodded wincing a little. This woman's grip was tight. "Alright."
Maridith grinned and sighed. "Harry potter. . .ah . .blimey . . ." she took a deep breath, sighing once more letting his hand go. "Well can I make you boys anything?"
"Eggs and tea please Marri.", Ron stated.
"Same," Harry quipped.
"Alright, be back in a minute, anything for you Charlie?"
"Nah, I'm alright Marri."
The woman with greying black hair nodded and shuffled off.
Looking about Harry spotted aside from Marri a few other people running about as well. A very pretty thin and graceful figure was messing with what appeared to be several walkie-talkies, another was a tall and gaunt man in his late 30's to early 40's. He was talking to another man with silvering red hair that was holding a clipboard and wearing a green jacket. But what surprised Harry the most was a small who was tottering after, what Harry supposed, was his mother. He didn't look any older then 5.
Ron leaned over, " Fancy him do you Harry?"
"What's a kid that age doing here?"
"He's Mercy's kid. The one he's following. His names Austin. Smart as a button."
"He's kinda. . .cute really." Harry said cocking his head watching the little boy jump into Mercy's lap as she sat down, and snuggled up to her.
Ron grinned. "Yeah he's a real practical joker to. Gavin really didn't want him along at first, but Gavin's got a soft spot for kids."
"Is Gavin the dad?"
Ron shook his head. "Nope. Mercy's husband left her and Austin. Austin keeps asking where his father is. Mercy's been a real wreck the past year, but she's getting better. Charlie kinda likes her though." Ron smirked eyeing his older brother. Charlie cleared his throat pretending not to hear as he sipped his tea trying to act cool, and suddenly becoming very interested with the fire flames as his cheeks reddened a little bit. Ron and Harry laughed.
"So, who's that over there?" Harry pointed to the large man with the clipboard.
Charlie answered this one, "That's Gavin, he's in command here. Bit firm, might pick on you a bit since you're the rookie, but all together he's a good guy."
"And the blonde over there in the blue jacket, that's Ruben Gullut. He's one of Charlie's men, as well as Holton Daise, Dicken Wing, and Faye Decon." Ron pointed to each, landing lastly on the frail young lady fiddling around with the walkie-talkies.
"And over there, that's Augustus Connorly, he's talking to Jillian Raine. Over there's Cornelian Pomander, he's from Iceland's Department and Regulation of Magical Creatures. He's a great help. Knows loads about dragons! Almost as much a Charlie."
"he's been in the work longer, he's got more experience don't know why the hell I'm in second command around here with him. Taught us quite a powerful stun charm. Takes half the men to do the job of knocking out a dragon. Used to take about 12 to16. . now only takes about 6 to 8. . ."
"Wow.", Harry looked toad Cornelian with a certain awe, but a man carrying a frying pan caught his attention after a moment. "Who is that? The one carrying the frying pan?" Harry asked pointing to the large man. He had dark red long hair, pulled back in a manner that reminded Harry of Bill's hair, only this man's was much longer.
Charlie sipped his tea. "That's Philip MerGallan, but everyone call his Phil."
"Oh. . ." Harry nodded as Marri came up with their plates forks and tea. The boys dug in as Marri strode off once more handing out plates of food. Harry was much reminded of Ron's mother, Mrs. Weasly watching Marri bustle about. His breakfast gone Harry took up his plate and downed his tea, following Ron's suit and putting them in a tub of dirty dishes.
Ron sighed scratching his head. "Hermione's still not out here. . ."
"Ah . .Hermione. . .", Harry frowned.
Ron saw this and smiled encouragingly. "Hey, maybe she won't be so cold to you face to face."
Harry gave Ron an annoyed expression. Ron coughed. "Um . .want me to get her?"
". . . . Nnnnno. . .I think I might brave the beasts cave. ."
"She's gonna love you calling her a beast."
"Well. . ." Harry's words faltered noticing Hermione's camper door swing open. There stood Hermione in a pair of jeans, white boots, and a white jacket trimmed in what was undoubtedly fake, but never the less warm, fur. Her hair was tucked into her hood, which was up. In one pale blue mitten covered hand, she held a clipboard. Her face was rounder, her cheeks and nose rosy with the cold, which almost made her look as though she was blushing. Her eyes where narrowed as well, not to mention she was a bit thinner then he last remembered her and her figure had filled out a lot more then he expected.
She started walking across the yard, at a brisk pace.
"Um . .Harry . . . If you don't close your mouth that drool will freeze over."
Harry blinked and closed his mouth. "She's . . ."
"Pretty?", Ron smirked.
Harry glared at him not amused, "Grown up." He said just to spite Ron. This attempt didn't really work though given that Ron laughed at him.
It wasn't until Gavin started to call names of everyone the Harry got even some what close to Hermione but her back was turned. She didn't even realize he was there it seemed. Harry sighed feeling dejected. Ron patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Gavin rose up his full 6 foot 7 inches, and he cleared his throat calling everyone's attention. It worked, some what. People still did the activities they were engaged in but the talking died down. Gavin was intimidating with his height and his eyes that seemed to be half covered by his large bushy eyebrows. Harry could see the glint of what seemed to almost be pale lavender under his eyebrows. "Roll call!" he called out gruffly. "Augustus?"
"Here." Augustus chimed cheerfully.
"Phil?"
"I'm here ol' man." Phil grunted now putting several logs of wood by the fire.
"Marri?"
"Present.", Marri said sweetly.
"Mercy?"
"I'm here Gavin.", Mercy said smiling a little. "I'm here too Gavin!" Austin said throwing up his arms and waving them around to prove his point that he was in all physical and mental form there in the camp. Harry snorted as Mercy dodged and caught his flailing arms.
Gavin eyed the boy for a moment, before shaking his head muttering incoherently. "Um . .right, Faye?"
"Over here." Faye, the girl with the walkie-talkies muttered before putting her wand to the end of an antenna and mumbled something, only to have the box spark up and start smoking in her hand. She dropped it as it caught on fire. Phil quickly ran over to her sand flying from the tip of his wand and smothering the flames on the table. Gavin ignored this as if it were an every day occurrence and continued on.
"Ruben?"
"'Ere." Ruben responded.
"Dicken?"
"Present."
"Cornelian?"
"Is this really necessary, Gavin . .I mean really." Cornelian said quite annoyed.
Gavin ignored him completely. "Holton."
"Here."
"Jillian."
"Over here!", Jillian grinned broadly helping Marri put away dishes.
"Charlie- I know you here."
"Ron?"
"Here too."
"Hermione?"
Hermione turned around and looked up from her clipboard only to look Harry straight in the eye. Her eyes went wide and her jaw went firm. Harry opened his mouth to speak but Gavin looked up from his clipboard and barked her name again.
"I'm here! I'm here!" Hermione said squeakily. She gave Harry a furtive glance before looking back down at her own clipboard. Harry sighed, probably for the better. He thought. Don't want to cause a scene in front of everyone.
"Harry?"
The camp and all the activities paused. In a moment everyone was looking at Harry, save for Hermione. Gavin didn't look all that surprised as the rest. Harry cleared his voice, chipperly piping, "Here!"
This didn't help the stares he got.
Phil was the first to speak. "I thought you were JOKING!"
"Obviously we weren't. . .", Charlie said crossing his arms. "He's here to help us."
Ron smirked, "Yeah so no autographs guys." This earned Ron as swift kick in the shin from Harry. As such, the camp loosened quite a bit, as most everyone broke out into a light chorus of chuckles. Harry smiled expecting to see Hermione laughing as well, but she wasn't. She was busying herself with writing on the clipboard.
Harry frowned as Gavin called for everyone to get ready to head out, and headed over to help Faye and Phil with the walkie-talkie repair.
- - -
"Leaders got your walkie talkies?"
A chorus of "Yes" followed from a few selected people.
"Augustus, Phil your with me. Mercy, Faye, your with Jillian. Cornelian Dicken, you're with Holten. Ruben, you're with Charlie. Harry, Hermione, your with Ron."
Looking at Hermione open her mouth in objection after dragging Gavin several yards away and out of ear shot didn't make Harry feel all that great. Ron came up to the two after a few moments and said something to Hermione jutting his finger into her face looking ready to almost smack her. Hermione finally came, looking so furious Harry was sure a hippogriff wouldn't make a mark on her even if she ticked one off. Harry silently prayed they wouldn't run into a hippogryff.
So now, Harry was walking through the cold forest looking for any signs of a dragon around. The walkie-talkie on Ron's belt fizzed every now and then and it was the only sound that was made aside from the snapping of twigs and crunching of snow beneath their feet.
Harry wetted his cold lips, glancing over his shoulder to look at Hermione. She was looking at the ground her eyebrows furrowed. Harry knew this was her look of extreme concentration. She was thinking. Absent-mindedly Harry naïvely hoped she was thinking of him, but knowing how pissed she was, if she had been thinking of him it wasn't in a very welcoming way.
Ron sighed and stretched coming to the end of a trail. "I'll be right back you two . .gotta take a leak."
"Thanks for that information Ron." Harry smirked.
Ron shrugged and put his hands into his pockets giving Harry a secretive glance and then nodding to Hermione. Once Ron was gone, Harry cleared his voice. "So. . .Hermione. . It's been a long time."
Hermione slowly turned to face him, Harry wanted to crawl under a rock. "You have some nerve Harry Potter. . .", she hissed softly. "You knew I was here and you know that our friendship is completely-"
"Hermione if you'd just let me explain. ."
"I don't need anything explained to me! You cal-"
"Hermione please! It was to-"
"To what?! To gain the-"
"It wasn't because of that Hermion-"
"No. Harry I don't want to hear it. Look you're here for the rest of the mission and every one after it. Know that I did NOT appreciate what you did three years ago and I still HATE you for it know!"
That stung. Harry took a deep breath between his teeth. ". . .okay. . .but-"
"No 'but's' Harry. I don't know you, you don't know me. I don't' care to speak to you, or even look at you. In fact don't even bother coming near me while you're here okay? I'm leaving back for camp this is useless. . " Hermione turned walking the opposite way down the trail.
Harry bit the inside of his lip, hitting the side of his leg, and after a moment stepped and headed through the snow going after her. He caught up and grabbed her wrist. "Hermi-"
"Let me go!" Hermione growled trying to wrench her hand away with no luck. Harry grabbed her other Wrist and growled pulling her to him. "Hermione just-stop squirming and listen to me! Please. . ." Harry begged her trying to keep his temper under his hat.
Hermione didn't stop squirming. She kicked him. Harry yelped and growled his anger boiling over a bit as he watched her run off. He followed swiftly and caught up. Hermione was fast, but he as faster, especially now that he was ticked off. Hermione squeaked slipping on a patch of ice and falling on her face. Harry picked her up roughly by the hand. "If you'd just LISTEN to me and stop RUNNING away from me maybe I could tell you why the HELL I said that!"
"Why would I care why?! You SAID it that's all that matters!"
"I was trying to-. . .to. . .Hermione?" Hermione's eyes had just gotten wide as saucers, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking up and shrinking back, her squirming ceasing. "Hermione? Wha-"
That's when Harry felt it. A blast of warm wind close behind his back. Slowly, Harry turned his head around, looking into the nostrils of a gargantuan sized pure white dragon.
By Archeress
Harry was surprised. He didn't actually expect to be allowed the time off to work with Charlie. It seemed that as soon as Harry walked into Orderoy's office, he already knew what was going to be asked and where Harry was going to be going. He was not only letting Harry go, but considering it a business trip all together, so Harry would also be getting paid the entire time.
After bidding Kyle and the rest of his co-workers good-bye, he left with his step considerably lighter compared to when he had left home only an hour before. Harry had stopped by Gringotts, to gather up some money for the trip, exchanged it for muggle money. He then went home packed all of his warm clothing, and called up a muggle taxi to pick him up at the Leaky Cauldron.
While waiting for his Taxi to come up Harry ran into the bartender and chatted with him for a bit. His Taxi soon arrived though, so the conversation was short lived.
Harry really never liked the idea of apparating too far, especially over seas. So Harry had decided the best way for himself and Hedwig was to just simply go by air. As he walked through the gate and terminals many people looked at him oddly but said nothing. So all together, it was a pretty quiet trip. He was quite impressed with how Hedwig behaved upon the plane. Children often came hesitantly forward badgering Harry with questions and poking their fingers through the bars of Hedwig's cage trying to pet her. Annoyed as she looked, Hedwig humored the children more so then Harry did. Harry liked little kids, he just didn't like too many of them. Relieved as the plane landed he finally got off, gathered up Hedwig and his trunk, and left the airport by taxi.
It was three hours later that Harry arrived at his destination. It was bitterly cold, and Harry had wisely donned his jacket on. He paid the driver, and waved goodbye as the cab slowly went down a small hill and around a corner. Quickly he let Hedwig out from her cage, and abruptly dissapparated.
Harry appeared outside a camp of trailers and RV's formed into somewhat of an odd-looking semi circle, all the lights were out in side the trailers, but there was a single figure sitting by a fire that was cheerfully licking the barren moor sky with it's quick tongue. The figure looked up and smiled.
"Hello Harry. 'Bout to give up on you, I was." It was Charlie. In the dim firelight Harry was amazed at how Charlie hadn't really seemed to change at all. His arms were a little larger, and he was a bit leaner then he was before. He had a few more shiny burn scars as well, but aside from that it was the same Charlie. Harry grinned.
"Been a while hasn't it?" Harry said coming up toward the fire.
"Yeah it has."
"Where's Ron?"
"We was dog tired. Not used to running around so much. Even after two years at this. He gets tired really easily. Went to bed about 20 minutes ago I'd wager."
Harry set his trunk and Hedwig's cage on the ground, plopping beside Charlie on the log. "That tired?"
"Yeah, and you'll be next I bet."
"Nah, no way." There was a brief laugh and then a small silence. Charlie broke it. "I really appreciate you coming out Harry. We needed a new man, and I couldn't resist calling you."
"Thanks for calling me! I was getting so bloody bored in that office!"
"Yeah I bet. . .but Harry, this isn't like the Horntail that you defeated in the Triwizard tournament. It's. . .", Charlie seemed to find a proper way to say it, " getting to be rather, uhm, risky you might say. Getting even harder with Rita Skeeter running around trying to dig up anything she can."
"Rita? She's still around?!"
"Yeah and still just as annoying."
Harry wrinkled his nose.
Charlie continued on. "The real reason we called you out here was because well, some of my men got scared and left. We're down to twelve. . .well 16 including you me Ron and Hermione."
"Herm-"
"Later Harry.", Charlie said firmly looking Harry in the eye. Harry shut up.
"This one's real trouble. Disappears quickly and likes to sneak right up on you. You have to be alert Harry. You have to stay focused, and you have to pay attention and learn the ropes and spells we use quickly."
Harry nodded. "I understood that the moment I went to the office to take it up with my boss, I can deal with Dragons Charlie you know I can. . but Hermione. . .that's a different story. ."
Charlie gave Harry a look of pure sympathy. "I can relate. She found out you were coming. Ron had to cast a leg binding spell on her to keep her on grounds, we had to dodge a few nasty charms by her, and Dicken's been treating to these boils the size of golf balls all afternoon."
Harry sighed running a hand through his hair. "Every time I time I try to tell her that I never ment to-"
"Harry . . .it's Hermione, she's gotten a lot more stubborn over the years and she's well, not as stable as she used to be. Especially now."
"Why?"
Charlie shook his head. "She and Ron broke up about three weeks ago, she thinks Ron's found some one else, and he's trying to set her up with you now. She's furious with him, barely even talks to him."
"She doesn't like to talk to anyone much. Every letter I've sent her she's sent back to me. No reply either. Never realized she could be so cold."
"Yeah, not only that but she just lost her job last Thursday."
"What?! But. .she was the BEST they had!"
"I know. The Department has been in an uproar over it, and dad says that her head boss has been getting howlers everyday about it from the people that know about it. Ron asked her to come out with us after he heard about it. Granted he sent a nasty Howler to her boss as well. Not only that but mum's been sending one every day to that office."
"D'you know why she got fired?"
" No. She wont talk about it and Ron refuses to say anything. He says he knows something but I think it's complete rubbish. He's just trying to annoy everyone. Just know Harry, she'll be in a bit of a bad mood. . " Charlie trailed off.
"She'll be on permanent PMS for the next four years!" Harry groaned.
"Well . .", Charlie got up from the log he was sitting on. " Maybe you can change that Harry. I know you like her, Ron told me that much, and I've seen that much myself watching you two running around Hogwarts and the Burrow every summer. Maybe you can talk some sense into her, or make something out of it all. . .She talked to you once. . .maybe actually seeing you face to face will change things between you and her." He stretched.
"Yeah . .maybe. . ." Harry's voice trailed off as his mind went into a blur of tricks and charms he might have to turn Hermione back to at least sending his letters back with replies.
Charlie patted Harry's shoulder roughly. "Your campers the blue one. Second to the end on the right side."
"Bunking with Ron?"
"Of course." Charlie grinned, and walked off heading to a tan and orange camper, his door closed softly behind him as he went inside.
"Wingardium Leveosa.", Harry muttered pointing his wand toward his trunk and Hedwig's cage. He levitated them toward the camper door and within. The inside of the camper was large. Much like the tents Mr. Weasly had when they went to the world cup. It was furnished nicely, much like the hotel rooms Harry caught glimpse' of on Dudly's television. It was large though complete with kitchen, sink, stove, refrigerator, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms. Harry didn't need to know which room was Ron's. He could hear the snoring through the closed bedroom door. Opening the opposite room's doorway, Harry levitated his things into the room, setting his trunk in front of his bed, and Hedwig's cage on near by table. Harry changed into a pair of flannel pajama's, and went to bed falling asleep quickly.
- - - -
"Harry wake up! Come on Harry, wake up!" Ron's hands had taken him by the shoulders and Harry had awoken to being violently shaken.
"R-R-ON! I'm Awake!! RON!! I'm AWAKE!!"
"Bout time, hell I've been trying to get you awake for the past 15 minutes! You normally don't sleep that heavy."
"I normally don't come strolling into the middle of nowhere at 3 am."
Ron's ears went pink. "Ah. . .kay. Well here." He tossed Harry's jeans over to him. Harry caught them and put them on quickly, changed his shirt and put on a coat. Donning on his boots Ron stood leaning against the frame of Harry's door, looking at him. Harry stood and looked back with a grin. "Been awhile. . ."
"Yeah. . ." Ron said grinning broadly turning and walking through the campers interior to the door which lead outside. Harry opened the door putting his jacket and ear miffs on and stepped out the door into the frigid air.
"Harry?"
He turned looking at his best friend as he descended down the steps. "Yeah, Ron?"
Ron gave him a lop sided smile. "It's good to have you around again. . ."
Harry smiled and put his arm around Ron's shoulders; Ron did the same to him. "It's good to be back Ron. ." Arm around shoulder, both boys walked like that to the group of people surrounding a large campfire.
Charlie, who was sitting on a canvas lounge chair, waved to them both and the boys parted coming upon the group and plopping down beside Charlie. "Top of the morning to you Ron, Harry." Charlie grinned sipping a steaming cup of tea that was handed to him by a pleasantly plump older woman.
"Harry?", the woman said eyeing him with a furrowed brow. "Well I'll be." Her eyes, a vibrant stormy grey, quickly changed from a suspicious expression to wide-eyed wonderment.
Charlie smiled. " This Harry, is one of our elder members, and head chef of the party, Maridith Allonary."
Harry held out his hand. "Hello Mrs. Allonary."
Maridith grinned and shook his hand firmly. "Please call me Marri."
Harry nodded wincing a little. This woman's grip was tight. "Alright."
Maridith grinned and sighed. "Harry potter. . .ah . .blimey . . ." she took a deep breath, sighing once more letting his hand go. "Well can I make you boys anything?"
"Eggs and tea please Marri.", Ron stated.
"Same," Harry quipped.
"Alright, be back in a minute, anything for you Charlie?"
"Nah, I'm alright Marri."
The woman with greying black hair nodded and shuffled off.
Looking about Harry spotted aside from Marri a few other people running about as well. A very pretty thin and graceful figure was messing with what appeared to be several walkie-talkies, another was a tall and gaunt man in his late 30's to early 40's. He was talking to another man with silvering red hair that was holding a clipboard and wearing a green jacket. But what surprised Harry the most was a small who was tottering after, what Harry supposed, was his mother. He didn't look any older then 5.
Ron leaned over, " Fancy him do you Harry?"
"What's a kid that age doing here?"
"He's Mercy's kid. The one he's following. His names Austin. Smart as a button."
"He's kinda. . .cute really." Harry said cocking his head watching the little boy jump into Mercy's lap as she sat down, and snuggled up to her.
Ron grinned. "Yeah he's a real practical joker to. Gavin really didn't want him along at first, but Gavin's got a soft spot for kids."
"Is Gavin the dad?"
Ron shook his head. "Nope. Mercy's husband left her and Austin. Austin keeps asking where his father is. Mercy's been a real wreck the past year, but she's getting better. Charlie kinda likes her though." Ron smirked eyeing his older brother. Charlie cleared his throat pretending not to hear as he sipped his tea trying to act cool, and suddenly becoming very interested with the fire flames as his cheeks reddened a little bit. Ron and Harry laughed.
"So, who's that over there?" Harry pointed to the large man with the clipboard.
Charlie answered this one, "That's Gavin, he's in command here. Bit firm, might pick on you a bit since you're the rookie, but all together he's a good guy."
"And the blonde over there in the blue jacket, that's Ruben Gullut. He's one of Charlie's men, as well as Holton Daise, Dicken Wing, and Faye Decon." Ron pointed to each, landing lastly on the frail young lady fiddling around with the walkie-talkies.
"And over there, that's Augustus Connorly, he's talking to Jillian Raine. Over there's Cornelian Pomander, he's from Iceland's Department and Regulation of Magical Creatures. He's a great help. Knows loads about dragons! Almost as much a Charlie."
"he's been in the work longer, he's got more experience don't know why the hell I'm in second command around here with him. Taught us quite a powerful stun charm. Takes half the men to do the job of knocking out a dragon. Used to take about 12 to16. . now only takes about 6 to 8. . ."
"Wow.", Harry looked toad Cornelian with a certain awe, but a man carrying a frying pan caught his attention after a moment. "Who is that? The one carrying the frying pan?" Harry asked pointing to the large man. He had dark red long hair, pulled back in a manner that reminded Harry of Bill's hair, only this man's was much longer.
Charlie sipped his tea. "That's Philip MerGallan, but everyone call his Phil."
"Oh. . ." Harry nodded as Marri came up with their plates forks and tea. The boys dug in as Marri strode off once more handing out plates of food. Harry was much reminded of Ron's mother, Mrs. Weasly watching Marri bustle about. His breakfast gone Harry took up his plate and downed his tea, following Ron's suit and putting them in a tub of dirty dishes.
Ron sighed scratching his head. "Hermione's still not out here. . ."
"Ah . .Hermione. . .", Harry frowned.
Ron saw this and smiled encouragingly. "Hey, maybe she won't be so cold to you face to face."
Harry gave Ron an annoyed expression. Ron coughed. "Um . .want me to get her?"
". . . . Nnnnno. . .I think I might brave the beasts cave. ."
"She's gonna love you calling her a beast."
"Well. . ." Harry's words faltered noticing Hermione's camper door swing open. There stood Hermione in a pair of jeans, white boots, and a white jacket trimmed in what was undoubtedly fake, but never the less warm, fur. Her hair was tucked into her hood, which was up. In one pale blue mitten covered hand, she held a clipboard. Her face was rounder, her cheeks and nose rosy with the cold, which almost made her look as though she was blushing. Her eyes where narrowed as well, not to mention she was a bit thinner then he last remembered her and her figure had filled out a lot more then he expected.
She started walking across the yard, at a brisk pace.
"Um . .Harry . . . If you don't close your mouth that drool will freeze over."
Harry blinked and closed his mouth. "She's . . ."
"Pretty?", Ron smirked.
Harry glared at him not amused, "Grown up." He said just to spite Ron. This attempt didn't really work though given that Ron laughed at him.
It wasn't until Gavin started to call names of everyone the Harry got even some what close to Hermione but her back was turned. She didn't even realize he was there it seemed. Harry sighed feeling dejected. Ron patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Gavin rose up his full 6 foot 7 inches, and he cleared his throat calling everyone's attention. It worked, some what. People still did the activities they were engaged in but the talking died down. Gavin was intimidating with his height and his eyes that seemed to be half covered by his large bushy eyebrows. Harry could see the glint of what seemed to almost be pale lavender under his eyebrows. "Roll call!" he called out gruffly. "Augustus?"
"Here." Augustus chimed cheerfully.
"Phil?"
"I'm here ol' man." Phil grunted now putting several logs of wood by the fire.
"Marri?"
"Present.", Marri said sweetly.
"Mercy?"
"I'm here Gavin.", Mercy said smiling a little. "I'm here too Gavin!" Austin said throwing up his arms and waving them around to prove his point that he was in all physical and mental form there in the camp. Harry snorted as Mercy dodged and caught his flailing arms.
Gavin eyed the boy for a moment, before shaking his head muttering incoherently. "Um . .right, Faye?"
"Over here." Faye, the girl with the walkie-talkies muttered before putting her wand to the end of an antenna and mumbled something, only to have the box spark up and start smoking in her hand. She dropped it as it caught on fire. Phil quickly ran over to her sand flying from the tip of his wand and smothering the flames on the table. Gavin ignored this as if it were an every day occurrence and continued on.
"Ruben?"
"'Ere." Ruben responded.
"Dicken?"
"Present."
"Cornelian?"
"Is this really necessary, Gavin . .I mean really." Cornelian said quite annoyed.
Gavin ignored him completely. "Holton."
"Here."
"Jillian."
"Over here!", Jillian grinned broadly helping Marri put away dishes.
"Charlie- I know you here."
"Ron?"
"Here too."
"Hermione?"
Hermione turned around and looked up from her clipboard only to look Harry straight in the eye. Her eyes went wide and her jaw went firm. Harry opened his mouth to speak but Gavin looked up from his clipboard and barked her name again.
"I'm here! I'm here!" Hermione said squeakily. She gave Harry a furtive glance before looking back down at her own clipboard. Harry sighed, probably for the better. He thought. Don't want to cause a scene in front of everyone.
"Harry?"
The camp and all the activities paused. In a moment everyone was looking at Harry, save for Hermione. Gavin didn't look all that surprised as the rest. Harry cleared his voice, chipperly piping, "Here!"
This didn't help the stares he got.
Phil was the first to speak. "I thought you were JOKING!"
"Obviously we weren't. . .", Charlie said crossing his arms. "He's here to help us."
Ron smirked, "Yeah so no autographs guys." This earned Ron as swift kick in the shin from Harry. As such, the camp loosened quite a bit, as most everyone broke out into a light chorus of chuckles. Harry smiled expecting to see Hermione laughing as well, but she wasn't. She was busying herself with writing on the clipboard.
Harry frowned as Gavin called for everyone to get ready to head out, and headed over to help Faye and Phil with the walkie-talkie repair.
- - -
"Leaders got your walkie talkies?"
A chorus of "Yes" followed from a few selected people.
"Augustus, Phil your with me. Mercy, Faye, your with Jillian. Cornelian Dicken, you're with Holten. Ruben, you're with Charlie. Harry, Hermione, your with Ron."
Looking at Hermione open her mouth in objection after dragging Gavin several yards away and out of ear shot didn't make Harry feel all that great. Ron came up to the two after a few moments and said something to Hermione jutting his finger into her face looking ready to almost smack her. Hermione finally came, looking so furious Harry was sure a hippogriff wouldn't make a mark on her even if she ticked one off. Harry silently prayed they wouldn't run into a hippogryff.
So now, Harry was walking through the cold forest looking for any signs of a dragon around. The walkie-talkie on Ron's belt fizzed every now and then and it was the only sound that was made aside from the snapping of twigs and crunching of snow beneath their feet.
Harry wetted his cold lips, glancing over his shoulder to look at Hermione. She was looking at the ground her eyebrows furrowed. Harry knew this was her look of extreme concentration. She was thinking. Absent-mindedly Harry naïvely hoped she was thinking of him, but knowing how pissed she was, if she had been thinking of him it wasn't in a very welcoming way.
Ron sighed and stretched coming to the end of a trail. "I'll be right back you two . .gotta take a leak."
"Thanks for that information Ron." Harry smirked.
Ron shrugged and put his hands into his pockets giving Harry a secretive glance and then nodding to Hermione. Once Ron was gone, Harry cleared his voice. "So. . .Hermione. . It's been a long time."
Hermione slowly turned to face him, Harry wanted to crawl under a rock. "You have some nerve Harry Potter. . .", she hissed softly. "You knew I was here and you know that our friendship is completely-"
"Hermione if you'd just let me explain. ."
"I don't need anything explained to me! You cal-"
"Hermione please! It was to-"
"To what?! To gain the-"
"It wasn't because of that Hermion-"
"No. Harry I don't want to hear it. Look you're here for the rest of the mission and every one after it. Know that I did NOT appreciate what you did three years ago and I still HATE you for it know!"
That stung. Harry took a deep breath between his teeth. ". . .okay. . .but-"
"No 'but's' Harry. I don't know you, you don't know me. I don't' care to speak to you, or even look at you. In fact don't even bother coming near me while you're here okay? I'm leaving back for camp this is useless. . " Hermione turned walking the opposite way down the trail.
Harry bit the inside of his lip, hitting the side of his leg, and after a moment stepped and headed through the snow going after her. He caught up and grabbed her wrist. "Hermi-"
"Let me go!" Hermione growled trying to wrench her hand away with no luck. Harry grabbed her other Wrist and growled pulling her to him. "Hermione just-stop squirming and listen to me! Please. . ." Harry begged her trying to keep his temper under his hat.
Hermione didn't stop squirming. She kicked him. Harry yelped and growled his anger boiling over a bit as he watched her run off. He followed swiftly and caught up. Hermione was fast, but he as faster, especially now that he was ticked off. Hermione squeaked slipping on a patch of ice and falling on her face. Harry picked her up roughly by the hand. "If you'd just LISTEN to me and stop RUNNING away from me maybe I could tell you why the HELL I said that!"
"Why would I care why?! You SAID it that's all that matters!"
"I was trying to-. . .to. . .Hermione?" Hermione's eyes had just gotten wide as saucers, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking up and shrinking back, her squirming ceasing. "Hermione? Wha-"
That's when Harry felt it. A blast of warm wind close behind his back. Slowly, Harry turned his head around, looking into the nostrils of a gargantuan sized pure white dragon.