CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES

The Romanian reserve was unusually difficult to locate. Albus supposed that the charms needed to keep it from the muggles included strong disillusionment charms. He had twice had to counter the feeling that he must go and water his Aspidistra, belatedly remembering that it wasn't really an Aspidistra at all. He was most annoyed that his socks began to itch; he knew he was supposed to turn and go home to get some new socks, but knowing that it must be a charm just made him want to hurry on so that his feet could feel normal again. He wondered briefly if this unusual charm had been meant to keep him out specifically.

"Who goes there?"

Albus chuckled, "Would you like to add 'Friend or Foe?' to that before I answer?"

"Professor Dumbledore?"

The illusion of the treacherous crumbling chasm shuddered slightly and rippled brown before solidifying into a pair of huge heavy wooden doors. The head sticking out through the flap halfway up it had a short crop of red hair and blue eyes, it was shaking with mirth at the sight of his former headmaster hopping madly about from one foot to the other. It disappeared and was replaced by the sound of locks being drawn back on the small inset door.

"Hello Charlie. Good to see you."

"Come in Sir. I shouldn't be surprised but I do hope that those charms work on normal people."

Dumbledore followed the young Dragon Master inside. The bubble of silence broke as the door clanged shut behind them, sliding its bolts automatically; the roar of an enraged dragon and an even more enraged handler filled the air.

"Ah, my timing appears to be a little off."

"Timing wouldn't have mattered. That's a Tibetan Touchling; the Tibetan monks used a ward that they called "The Touch", well that's as close as we can get in translation. Anyway, the dragons got so used to those wards and the fact that they were never interrupted that they became sensitive to them – hence the name. One of the wards we use is a variation on it, when it you approached, it felt the disruption and reacted. It's part of its nature, nothing to be done about it. Anytime anyone arrives, it's the same. Luckily we don't get too many visitors out here."

Charlie rubbed a hand over his weary face and sighed.

"He's calming down now; I'd better go and help get it back to its nest. I'll be right back."

He wandered off, leaving Dumbledore waiting, calmly watching the show. Charlie clambered onto some nearby rocks and levitated the carcass of a large cow into the air front of the beast. Gradually they managed to guide it back to some cliffs in the distance. Albus was calmly sitting in a large conjured armchair, sipping a cup of tea when Charlie returned.

"Join me?"

Chuckling, Charlie took one of the two other seats which suddenly popped into existence.

"Who's the other chair for?"

"I was hoping that Rubeus could join us as well."

"Do you want me to go and call him? We lost a batch of hatchlings this morning; it was Hagrid's project, a cross-breed. He was rather upset that it didn't work, so they gave him the day off."

"It's quite alright. I sent Fawkes off to find him, I expect Rubeus will recognise him and come looking for me some time soo..."

"HEADMASTER!"

"Ah, that was quicker than I expected."

The half-giant was lumbering across the plain from the habitation building, waving wildly. He quickly broke into a run, stopping rather deftly and grasping the Headmaster's hand in one movement, pumping furiously.

"So good to see ye sir. So good. Bin a long time. Felt like end of the world when 'Ogwarts fell. Terrible business tha', terrible."

Dumbledore smiled broadly, deepening the creases around his eyes into valleys, as he watched the gushing dragon handler collapse into the chintzy sofa.

"Well now, that's really why I'm here. Hogwarts' business."

Both men stared at him. Not surprising really, Dumbledore had insisted on a quiet rebuild. He hadn't wanted the issues surrounding the rebuild to be thrust into the arena of public debate, which would have led to compromises. The Daily Prophet had often bemoaned the state of British Wizarding education and had even tried to launch a campaign to push the Ministry for a new school. The Minister had proven himself true to his name and "fudged" the issue as much as possible. A lot of double-talk and answering questions with questions, a promise that education was not being ignored and a distinct lack of any further information.

"Pardon me Professor, but did you say that you are here on "Hogwarts'" business?"

"Yes Charlie, that is exactly what I said. The rebuild has now been completed. The house elves arrived a week ago and are currently taking delivery of replacement furniture and stocks. All I need now is Professors and students. I thought I might sort out the Professors first."

The Headmaster's ocular sparkle was something of a legend; he hadn't had much to make him "twinkle" of late but this was definitely a twinkle-appropriate moment. He just had to wait for the penny to drop...

"Charlie, Rubeus. Are you happy here?"

"Happy? Headmaster..."

"Course we're 'appy Sir, why wouldn't we be wiv all these ere beauties to take care of?"

"Oh, I understand the fascination Gentlemen, certainly I do. I was just wondering if it was perfect or acceptable. If you have the perfect job then I shall happily bumble along my way and be pleased for the good fortune to have my friends find happiness in this world. However, if it is merely an acceptable occupation then we need to have a little chat."

Hagrid looked confused as he tried to muddle through what the Headmaster might be on about, Charlie looked amused and thoughtful. Albus felt hopeful; there might be no battle here after all. He had foreseen the possibility that there would be a lot of wheedling needed.

"I enjoy my job as much as I can Headmaster, but I have to admit to being a little tired of the physical aspect of it. You can only wrestle so many dragons before you feel like you need a decade of holiday. Is this an invitation Professor? What exactly is on offer, because you can't need two Care of Magical Creatures Professors?"

"Actually I do. I've been making some changes to the school. We will be taking younger students this year and I would like to offer them a Magical Creatures program too. There are some subjects where I will be assigning separate Professors for the younger and older students, but I don't think that would be necessary for your subject. I think that what you each have to offer would be beneficial to students of all ages and I would be perfectly happy to let you share responsibility and plan your syllabus together. Unless of course, you would prefer to take on different roles?"

Hagrid caught up, gaping slightly as he realised what was being offered.

"But Sir, I dun need ta be looked after now, I got a job on me own see. You don' need ta look after me no more."

"Rubeus, this isn't charity. It was never charity. You were good as a groundskeeper. You were good as a Professor. I need two Professors to take Care of Magical creatures and I am starting with my first choices. I want nothing but the best for Hogwarts from now on and you two are the best."

They sat quietly having tea and lemon cake together, as if sitting round for Victorian era afternoon tea in the middle of a dragon complex was a completely normal thing to do on Wednesday afternoon. Albus waited calmly as the other two men quietly considered the change of scenery that was being offered. Hagrid knew that he wouldn't refuse the offer, he had longed for the variety of creatures that he had gotten used to at Hogwarts. He would never complain out loud, he was grateful for the position that he had got here and loved being able to work with his beloved dragons. But he did miss all the other creatures and now that he could think about Hogwarts without the feeling that his best friend had died, he realised that he missed the children even more than he missed the creatures.

"I'll do it Sir. I'd be 'appy to come back to 'Owarts. More'n 'appy."

"That's wonderful Rubeus. The groundskeeper's hut is also being restored; it's yours if you want it. I'd also like you to share the groundskeeper duties with whoever accepts the other position."

"I haven't said no yet. Can I think about it for a while Sir? Rubeus is on a seasonal contract and can just take off and come back again. He is also certain that he will be happy at Hogwarts; he's done the job before. I, on the other hand, would be making a huge career change – one which would be difficult to reverse. I'd like a little time to think about it."

"Of course, you must be clear about what you want. Why don't you come to visit Hogwarts this weekend, see the new buildings, that might help you to make up your mind."

"Thank you Sir. That would be good. I have the weekend off; I could come down on Saturday morning. Would that be acceptable?"

"Wonderfully acceptable. I shall have a room prepared for you. Rubeus, I would like the new Professors to be at Hogwarts as soon as possible. We have a lot of work to do. How soon do you think you would be able to move back to the castle?"

"'Ow about right now Sir?"

"Rubeus, I don't want to interfere with your work here..."

"Oh I aint got nothing too 'portent to do round 'ere. Like Charlie says, I can come and go. I jus' ave to tell that I'm going, tha's all. Gimme a minute to grab me stuff and I'll head back w'you."