Heya I've had lots of people read, but only two reviews: brilliant author and sailinmad you really made my day so thank you  this chapter is for you!

(Ps. Sailinmad: I just couldn't kill him lol)

December 95

"On three!" he yelled. "One… two… three!"

"Stupey!" came the cry of the half a dozen wizards surrounding him.

The large scarlet Chinese firebolt, gave an enormous roar, but collapsed into a deep sleep. Charlie quickly approached with a bottle of potion and quickly poured it into the wound and healed it with his wand. It had been in a fight with one of its siblings; Charlie chuckled knowing to well where the dragons were coming from. It was a few feet away being dealt with by another six wizards. He was checking the tail for breaks when someone called him.

"Hey Charlie!" he looked around to see one of the others waving from the main cabin. "Your brother is in the fire!"

"Tell him I said ill get back to him in a bit!"

"He said it as an emergency!"

Charlie tutted. "Will you come and finished up here for me?"

Matt ran over to join him and took the bottle out of his hand. Telling Matt he had healed all the wounds and checked the tail he hurried up to the cabin. He loved his job. Everyone was there for the same reason; they were all great friends and relaxed with each other. Although it was dangerous he couldn't help but love working with dragons; there was just something about them that fascinated him. Everyone felt that way here. When he was growing up everyone though he was crazy, until he met Hagrid. Charlie crouched in front of the flames, about to tell his older brother that a fight with Fleur didn't count as an emergency, when he looked at his stricken face.

"Bill what's the matter?" he asked in alarm, feeling his face draining of colour". He was safer than his family were, working in Romania. He did want to go home, but Dumbledore said his assistance for the order was required where he was. He could tell from his brother's usually calm composure however that something had happened… and it wasn't just a tiff with his girlfriend.

Bill explained how Harry had had a vision and led them to their father who was on duty, guarding the door where he had been bitten by a snake. Most probably Voldermort's snake.

"I'm sitting with him now… I just thought id better let you know" explained Bill. "Mum went to tell the others his fine… I've never seen dad like this Charlie… he is ok though" Bills voice broke. "It's just so bad Charlie! I have never seen dad so fragile, he is usually so calm and strong. He just looks like he is asleep, but he looks ghostly…" he broke off and Charlie gulped.

"I'm coming home for Christmas" he said quickly.

Bill looked up turning back on the sensible and strong mode. "Charlie you know the plan, Dumbledore needs you there for the meeting."

Charlie looking squarely into his brother's face.

"Bill nearly died! Dumbledore can get somebody else… what if I wasn't here to see him if he…" Charlie broke off his sentence.

"But he is fine" reassured Bill his oldest brother status back in full. "He is fine! It was for the Order, he knew the score, and he wouldn't want you messing up important plans"

"Fine" grumbled Charlie. "I still need to come back soon though, when I've been to the meetings I haven't had a chance yet to pay a visit to our favourite brother". Bill rolled his eyes. "Does he know?"

"Not yet I called you first… thought you might make me slightly more calm about talking o him… don't know how… your more irrational than me" Charlie grinned.

"You go back to dad… I'll tell him"

"You sure?" asked Bill. "You wont pull him through the fireplace and feed him to a dragon will you" he asked only half jokingly.

Charlie just grinned. "Just sit with dad, tell him I love him" gulped Charlie. "I'll deal with Percy, I promise to stay calm, cool and collected."

"Make sure you do" replied Bill. "Ill talk to you later… be careful around those dragons" he said casually but Charlie knew he was being very serious. Bill disappeared and Charlie stood shakily to his feet.

"Dad is ok" he told himself firmly leaning against the wall. He chucked floo powder into the flames:

"The Ministry of Magic London, Percival Weasley" he yelled before sticking his head into the green flames.

Percy appeared before him, his eyes contracting into a frown behind his glasses when he saw his sibling.

"What do you want" he asked in his superior tone. "I am working here you know. People do work Charlie they haven't got time to socialise". He sniffed.

Charlie felt himself start to get worked up on just seeing his face, he remembered all the fights he had into at Hogwarts because of his short fuse; he had out grown it. But he was there when Percy disowned the family when he went home on leave from work to join the order. He was there when Percy came home with his promotion. He had wanted to curse his brother on the spot a she walked out the house; he couldn't stand his father's unusual quiet stature, his mothers and baby sister's tears, nor everyone else's anger. He resisted what Bill told him he would probably do, and didn't pull him through the fireplace; instead he took a calming breath.

"Perce what do you think I'm doing here?" he asked quietly.

"Charles I hardly think that running around after dangerous creatures all day qualifies as a job". He sniffed

Charlie felt his anger surface again, at the insult to the job he loved, and the use of his full name.

"Well they pay me for it, can't be too bad" he returned coldly. Percy simply starred as they glared at each other. "Anyway this isn't as social call, it's about dad."

Percy rolled his eyes. "I have already told Mother this and I will tell you what I told her…"

"I already you what you bloody said to her you git! She wouldn't stop crying for days" he growled.

Percy rolled his eyes again and was about to retort when Charlie cut him off.

"Look Percival" he used the name thing back, "Dad is in St Mungos."

Percy starred wide eyed for a moment, a flicker of emotion crossing his face, but he quickly covered it.

"Why?" he asked in a sneering voice, as though it probably wasn't serious.

"I don't know details" he said hurriedly. He knew whatever he said would get back to Fudge, and Percy wasn't part of the Order. "Bill just told me and I said I would tell you so he didn't try and rip your head through the fire. Which is actually what I'm tempted to do myself" snarled Charlie.

Percy looked slightly affronted. "Well sorry I don't want to go against the rightful side of the wizarding community! I don't want to be tarred with the same brush as you lot, if you insist on following these ridiculous rumours!"

Charlie's ear turned red. Always a dangerous sign. "So I suppose that means you aren't going to see dad, even though he nearly died! I would give my arm to the next dragon I saw if I could get back to England to make sure he was ok"

Percy looked scared at the word 'died' for a moment then he sneered again.

"You do that then Charles! As for me I have no time for the lights of you! All of you! Now excuse me I have to go back to work!" Percy disappeared and Charlie pulled his head out of the fire, his body filled with rage. He punched his fist into the wall, causing a dent and his skin to break, but he didn't notice. He ran. All the built up anger giving him an adrenaline rush. He stopped in front of a group of his friends who were rolling a Swedish Shortsnout onto its side, examining its scales.

"Wow Charlie… you alright man?" asked Tom laying a hand on his shoulder. He looked into his friends face, his eyes blazing. Tom was the first person he met in Romania; they had become firm and loyal friends. He had wavy light born hair and grey slate eyes, his composure made him think of Bill. Charlie opened his mouth and no sound came out, he didn't even realise that Tom was leading him back into the cabin, away from the open-mouthed group. They had never seen Charlie in such a state. He forced him into a chair, looking straight into his face, recognising the rage in his blue eyes.

Tom was in the order so Charlie knew it was fine to tell him, and then he moved onto Percy, tom already knew of the situation and could tell Charlie was very angry and upset. Tom clapped him on the shoulder, not knowing what to say, so bent into the fireplace.

"Pathway end classroom twenty three" he yelled into the flames

"Tom don't" he said getting to his feet realising who he was calling. He heard him muttering an explanation and a moment later he had pulled his head back making room for the figure that stepped out. She brushed the soot off her robes, and then raced towards him and pulled him into a tight embrace. He buried his face into her soft hair and heard Tom leave.

"It's alright" he heard her say softly. "Tom just said your dad has been attacked… and Percy… well all he said was you had spoken to him…" she trailed off. He looked into her deep brown eyes and gave a short nod.

He slammed his hand into the table, she jumped in surprise and his expression softened instantly. "Sorry" he said softly.

"It's ok" she whispered back. "It's not like I don't know you had a temper" she joked. He took her hands, and he flinched away. She looked down.

"Who have you been punching?" she asked studying his hand and rubbing it lovingly.

Charlie snorted. "I bloody wish… the wall got the blunt of it" he pointed at the dent.

"I'm surprised you haven't broken anything" she exclaimed in slight shock. Charlie shrugged, Rachael was also in the order, and he was aware she would want details.

He explained about his dad, his voice cracking. "I offered to tell Percy" he explained as they both sat down, she was still gripping his hand in comfort. She kissed his bruised knuckles, as he pulled her closer, she buried herself in his chest and he closed his eyes, his rage coming under control.

"Her is no brother of mine" Charlie hissed.

"Charlie"!

"No I've had it! He's not even going to see dad even though he nearly died" he yelled his voice breaking.

Rachael pulled away still gripping his hand tightly. "His not?" she asked in shock.

Charlie shook his head miserably. "I just don't know what I'm going to tell mum"

"The best thing to do is probably tell one of your brothers… best be Bill, he will sort it out, its best being there in person for something like that"

"Bill sorts everything out" he said grinning slightly.

The flames suddenly turned green in the fire place, making the young couple jump, and Bills head was in the fire.

"Hey" he greeted them. "Hey Rachael, nice to see you again" Rachael smiled.

"Hey Bill how's your dad"?

"That's why I'm back. Dad woke up, his fine, and mum was on her way with the crew so I called into work, thought id use the fire and see how it went with out brother his highness" he joked. He was obviously in a good mood now they knew their dad was fine. Charlie felt another surge of anger against Percy. He growled and punched the table again. Bill looked shocked and turned to Rachael for an explanation. Which she quickly gave. Charlie smiled slightly he didn't know what he would do without her; they had been dating nine months, ever since that day…

It was Charlie's shift on the front desk. He hated it, he was built for outdoor work, not offices! He was 6 foot 2 and actually one of the small brothers; he had a muscular frame, which he didn't believe was cut out for paper work. All he took was a few phone calls, and he lent back in his chair, flicking a quill. He heard the door squeak open and he opened his eyes and gaped at the woman standing before him. She had long thick blonde hair and large brown eyes, a strong contrast to his piercing blue ones. They starred at each other, and she regained her composure first.

"Hi" she said "ermmm who can I speak to about some dragon eggs I found?" she came forward and placed a large wooden crate on the desk in front of him. Charlie mentally shook himself.

"Come on grow up, your twenty one for god sake!" he told himself

"Well I'd be happy to help" he stood up and offered a hand. "Charlie Weasley at your service"

"Rachael Mannings" she replied taking his hand. He felt as though electricity was coursing up his arm and he quickly let go, feeling his ears turn red.

"Follow me". He picked up the crate and led the way through one for the many doors. They past glass box after glass box of small baby dragons underneath fire flames. Rachael shuddered.

"I don't know how anyone can do this job" she whispered. Charlie grinned.

"We are all mad" he declared

"Well that goes without saying" she said smiling.

"Where did find these" he asked as he continued to lead the way.

"My grandmother died" she started looking at the floor.

"Oh" he said not knowing why she was telling him this. "I'm sorry"

She nodded her head. "I got her house in the will, so I was clearing the attic and they were just there" she shuddered. "I have been so paranoid they would hatch"

Charlie smiled and came to a stop at a table and placed the crate down.

"Wouldn't have happened"

She looked up "why?"

"Dragons are more complex then people think" he started taking out the first egg he reached and examining it. "Yes they are dangerous and possibly life threatening" he grinned. "But I happen to like danger" he added winking at her. "The eggs won't hatch unless the mother breathes fire on them. We can manipulate them by putting them under a flame. A dragon egg can exist without hatching for years… now as soon as I have proper look, we will know what we are dealing with. You can stay in the room if you want, if you don't can you wait in the front office, there's just some paper work you need to fill out."

"No ill stay, it's scary but fascinating" Charlie smiled. He picked the crate back up and led her into a smaller room which was filled with glass tanks of eggs; one to her left was filled with a deep red liquid.

"Blood" he explained quietly, she gulped. "Only way for the Hebridean Black to hatch"

"Why would you want them to" she asked before she could stop herself.

"Charlie shrugged. "I know a lot of people feel that way, but dragons… have you ever really looked at them? A lot of people just have the fear because has been drilled into them, they are one of the most beautiful creatures… they are just so complicated, unique. We can use them to help people; we can make wands, and potions that save lives… it just fascinates me how much we can do from one animal. Besides" he added. "Everything deserves a chance at life right?"

She remained silent. They past a large tank where a pile of smoky grey eggs and began to crack.

"At last" he muttered excitedly. "Those have been in hibernation for over a year. They are at least ten years old" he explained.

He placed the crate on a table and prised it open once again, he felt her watching him as he removed one. It was a dark dingy green colour and he knew what it was.

"Common welsh green" he muttered. "They are actually the smallest types of eggs" he said. He turned it over in his hand frowning slightly. He replaced it back in the box and moved over to an empty tank, he pulled off a clip board, signing his name and began to write out details.

"Right so you have bought seven right?" he asked.

"Yeh" she replied. "There were also remains of what looked liked at least ten more"

"The mother should have laid around thirty to forty eggs" he said nodding.

"Rig" she said in a terrified whisper. "So do you know that they are siblings?"

"Well apart fm the fact you found them in the same hiding place, they all have the same marking" he said pointing out a smudge of grey. "When they hatch, they will have the same marking" he placed them all carefully into the tank, and lit the fire. He then poured in a blue liquid. "To wake them up hopefully" he explained. "From further markings I am guessing they have been dormant for at least twenty years. There is a chance they may never hatch" he led her back out the room and back to the front desk where he placed a few forms in front of her to fill out, them talking easily all the time.

"I didn't realise how interesting they are" she said finishing off with a signature. Charlie quickly decided if what he did for a living was considered to be brave, maybe he could do this.

He past her a blank piece of parchment. "Can you please write down your address again, and if you have a phone number… for my personal use" he asked. She looked up in surprise but wrote out her details smiling.

"How does seven tomorrow night sound£" he asked surprising himself.

"Perfect" she replied. Winking she exited the building.

After he had calmed down, Rachael left to go back to work, teaching at the same school where she had attended. She was English, but he parents had moved to Romania for jobs when she was eight, and she had attended a small local wizarding school where her class was made up of eleven pupils, she taught Ancient Runes. He flooed back Bill.

"So clamed down?" he asked.

"Yeah just about" he said, he cradled his injured fist which had started to twinge a bit, he knew he was still more than likely red faced, and his hair probably looked a mess from grabbing it in frustration.

"Me to" said Bill grinning. "Luckily Fleur came in to see me before the boss came in, or he may have found himself flying through the window… good women in our lives eh?" he asked.

"Yeah" he replied. "I nearly killed tom though, I was just so angry… I just don't want her messed up in all of this"

"Like it or not she is" said Bill. "I know how you feel though, I'd rather die than watch Fleur suffer" Charlie nodded. "I tired to speak to Percy" Bill growled.

"And"? Asked Charlie clenching his fists. The though of him sending his ears turning the fierce red.

"Basically same he said to you. I swear U don't even want to see him now…I'm scared of what I'd do"

"Same here… maybe it's a good that I'm in a different country… you know with my reputation" he joked. "How's dad?"

"Mum sent me an owl, she and the rest went o see him like I said, and I'm going back tonight… apparently he is back to old self."

Charlie nodded. "I just really wish I could see him"

"Soon mate… we all miss you, you know." Charlie smiled.

"Well at least I have Rachael for company"

"Yeah she good for you… she seems nice, don't worry I'm the only one who knows about her this end, I haven't even said anything to Sirius." Charlie grinned.

"I just know what mum would be like; if she knew I was in a long relationship"

"Tell me about it" grinned Bill. "At least you're in a different country, it is so hard to hide it here… I just can imagine it, knitting booties and arranging buffets for the wedding" Charlie laughed.

"I'd better go is my turn on the desk" he said grumpily.

"Ha-ha well its something I have to do every day now"

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Speak to you soon".

Seven months later

Charlie awoke back in his own flat he shared with Tom, he had just sent three weeks at home, he had missed Rachael like crazy but he had loved being back with his family again, he thought about the conversation with Bill, and knew he wanted to go home. He knew he meant leaving the job he loved but he knew he couldn't stay with everything that was happening at home. He wanted to be there for Bill, who had taken the loss of Sirius badly, and he wanted to be there to help him celebrate his engagement to Fleur, two days after the will reading. He was surprised to have inherited a small pile of gold from Sirius as well as Buckbeak; he guessed he was the only one who Sirius knew would take care of him. He had left the Hippogriff at home for now. He wanted to go home, but how could he leave Rachael, then an idea formed in his head, first he owled Dumbledore, then he flooed his girlfriend.

"Hey gorgeous" she purred. "Not tired after the trip"?

"Well I got back last night… great to see everyone, but it was weird without Sirius, he left me Buckbeak" he whispered.

"Who's that?" she asked.

"His hippogriff" he replied grinning.

"Is that a good thing" she asked blinking.

Charlie laughed. "I'll introduce you some time."

She laughed. "I missed you" she whispered

"I missed you more… do you want to go out tonight… I have something special planned…"

"Of course" she said lightly. "Love you."

"I love you… see you later".

He withdrew his head from the fireplace just as his owl; Peruvian flew back in carrying a letter. He quickly un-scrolled it and read Dumbledore's reply his grin becoming wider.

He arrived at her flat at seven and got her to apparate to his flat. Her eyes showed confusion but she followed him, and they arrived on the front step to the building. He picked up his broomstick.

"What's going on?" she asked not sure whether to smile or frown at his idea of a date. He looked beautiful in very tight jean and a low cut baby pink top.

"I am combining my three first loves" he said grinning.

"Go on" she said.

"Three of courses dragons" she raised her eyebrows.

"Two is qudditch… but let's make it flying for tonight… and one of course my most precious… you"

"Very smooth" she said positively beaming.

"I came up wit it all by myself" he said kissing her lightly. He jumped onto his broomstick, helping her on behind him. Then he kicked off. The soared into the slowly darkening sky, a deep inky blue, and the stars were slowly appearing. He slowly settled into the top braches of a large tree. The both sat kissing tenderly looking down on the magnificent sight. Dragons were circling the grounds, shooting fire, the warmth circling them.

"They are so beautiful" she sighed as she lay back against his chest watching the scarlet dragon tear across the grass. "Of course I wouldn't get anywhere closer" she giggled.

"I have something to ask you" he asked lightly. He gulped slightly, but he knew that if she said yes, that it would be the bets thing he had done with his life.

"Rachael Louisa Mannings… will you marry me?" he asked simply. She gasped clutching me closer as tough she was afraid she was about to fall out. He produced a ring. A gold band with a firey red stone set in placed flaked by two gold stones. Silent tears poured down her face.

"Yes" she whispered. She threw herself into him, nearly knocking them both out of the tree.

"There is something else" he said holding her. "Id like to move back home" she looked at him in bewilderment.

"But this is home"

"It's not mine" he said simply.

"But you love your job" she whispered in confusion

"Not as much as my family… but I think I am needed with them. I need to help fight. I understand this is here you grew up, but think about it. I have spoken to Dumbledore and he has offered me the positi0on of the Care of Magical Creatures professor. Hagrid is very involved with the order, and is also the gameskeeper, its getting a lot" he hesitated. "Don't be mad but I asked about you, and he said that his friend, Amanda Kenya is the professor of Ancient Runes at Madison Mentucums University and he said you could easily get the position" she gaped at him.

"Work at Madison Mentucums?" she asked in wonderment.

"I realise your family is here… but they are safe, I need to go home Rach but I want you to come with me, I can't live without you, I love you" he whispered.

She looked at him and broke into a smile.

"God I have been to England since I was fourteen"

"Is that a yes?" he grinned.

"I believe it is Mr Weasley. At least I won't have to worry about you trying to kill yourself everyday"

"That's professor Weasley now" he said nibbling her ear. As he held her in his arms they were both smiling like idiots. They watch a Hungarian horntail send out a fireball twenty feet and knew that it wasn't the only danger looking them in the eye, but they both knew whatever the future held they would face it head on together".

A/N: I have no clue if this is really the way dragons work but I had a go at creating how they work lol. Only JK knows if I am right.

Peruvian (Charlie's owl): Peruvian Vipertooth: is a type of dragon

The next chapter is Fred and Angelina: excitement

Review you know you want to….