Life Goes On.
Chapter Four.

"Hermione?" Her boss called her from his office, "Can I have a word please?"

Looking slightly shocked she quickly got up and crossed the room to Mr Harrison's office.

"Yes sir?" she asked with trepidation as she took her seat.

"This new project, there's a bit more to it than we originally thought."

"Oh yes? What would that be?" Hermione perked up slightly, the thought of a more complex project seemed like a good prospect.

"Originally it was just going over the dragon rights, making sure that they were up to date and covered everything they needed to. That's actually done already, we got it done during the holiday, but now we've been asked to go over to one of the dragon ranches and check that they are actually up to scratch and following them all."

"And what's this got to do with me?" Hermione asked, not wanting to get her hopes up.

"Well we were thinking that, seeing as you're the only member of the team that's single –"

"You figured that if I went that there'd be no one back here who would miss me?" mock seriousness taking over her voice.

Mr Harrison looked startled, and flushed a light pink with embarrassment "W-well we just thought that seeing as everyone else would have a family that they'd h-have to leave behind –"

"I was joking sir" Hermione smiled reassuringly, "I'd love to go."

"Ok then," He smiled back, "we'll arrange for your portkey to Romania for next week then."

"Romania?" Hermione asked, half relieved, half shocked.

"Yes, Romania. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, no, it's just I've got a friend out there, it will be nice to see him again."

The plans were made, dates scribbled into diaries and at the end of the day Hermione headed home to begin to decide on what clothes she should take along with her on her two months away. Although she was nervous, it was her first chance to prove herself capable, she was also very excited; fourth year and the Triwizard Tournament had fuelled her interest in Dragons, and now she would be able to see a great deal of them up close, and talk to many more people just like Charlie who clearly had such a passion for the ferocious fiery beasts.

The week passed and the only thing Hermione had to do was say goodbye to everyone, she arrived at the Burrow one the evening before her departure. Mrs Weasley cooked them all a big dinner and they sat down together recounting tales of Hogwarts and holidays. All except Ron that is, who upon hearing that Hermione would be joining them had swiftly made other plans and was out the house. His presence wasn't particularly missed; they were too busy having a good time and listening to Harry tell them how the rebuild of his parents' house was going.

"It should be fully built in a week or two really." Harry smiled, "then as soon as the pipes have been checked it can be redecorated."

"I'm really proud of you Harry dear." Mrs Weasley smiled and ruffled his hair. "I'm so glad that you're getting on with things. Unlike Ronald, I'm worried about him, just sitting around all day, no direction, and no purpose."

The sky darkened and soon they all turned in for the night conscious to get a good night's sleep so they could all go to wave Hermione off the following morning.

Dawn came and Hermione jumped out of bed, she'd had a fitful night's sleep but the adrenaline running through her made up for it, she went through her bag for the sixth time to make sure that she had everything packed, which of course she knew she did but she still felt she had to check.

She sat down to breakfast but found that she couldn't eat; she nibbled at a piece of toast before giving up completely regardless of Molly's protests.

"You can't travel on an empty stomach Hermione; it's not good for you." She nagged, "It'll make you feel better."

"Honestly Mrs Weasley I'm fine!" She insisted, "Just let me help you clear up."

She got up and pointed her wand at the empty dishes on the table, which promptly flew into the soapy water awaiting it in the sink and started scrubbing themselves. As soon as everyone was done eating George got up to light a fire and they all crowded around the fireplace.

"Hermione dear?" Mrs Weasley asked just as Hermione was about to step into the green flames, "Could you give this to Charlie when you see him? It saves having to owl his birthday present next week."

"Of course." Hermione smiled and took the package off Molly, stowing it inside her coat. "Well, goodbye everyone, I'll owl as soon as I can."

She stepped into the green flames her suitcase alongside her, "Fireball Ranch, Romania." She stated clearly and the flames whirled up around her taking her to her destination.

She landed gracefully in the grate in the main reception of Fireball Ranch and stepped out onto the wooden floor brushing herself down. She walked up to the main desk and waited for the witch to finish taking to the head in one of the other fireplaces.

"Can I help you?" She asked once she was finished with the conversation.

"I'm Hermione Granger," She explained, producing her Ministry ID Card and handing it over to the receptionist, "I'm here observe the Ranch for two months."

"Of course," The witch smiled, "We've been expecting you Miss Granger. If you'd just like to take a seat over there I'll get someone to take you to your lodgings."

Hermione sat in the seat that had been pointed out to her and waited a few minutes until another witch arrived and walked her down to the log cabins which were the Dragon Handlers' homes.

"Is it a good idea to have so much wood around fire breathing creatures?" Hermione asked as she looked around at all the log buildings.

"Oh it's fine," The other witch smiled, "There's loads of fire repellent charms on pretty much everything here, so it's fairly safe."

"Fairly?" Hermione questioned raising her eyebrow.

"Well, there's a chance that the charms might fail, but it's never happened yet, with the amount that there actually are around here it's pretty unlikely that they'll all fail at once."

Feeling slightly reassured Hermione nodded and continued to follow until she arrived at her own cabin. It was lovely, on the cosy side of small with one bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen and living and dining room combined.

"Are you starting your report today?" The witch asked Hermione as she looked round.

"No I think I'll just unpack and have a look around today, I'll start tomorrow."

"I can get someone who's free to give you a tour around the place if you'd like?"

"That would be nice." Hermione smiled.

The witch left Hermione to unpack and have a closer look around, she found to her delight that there was a desk in the bedroom and she hastened to set out all her work documents so that she would be able to review them that evening and then get started the following morning.

She hung her clothes in the wardrobe, stacked her books on the bookcase and placed a picture of her, Harry, Ron and Ginny by her bedside.

She was about to sit down to pen a note to the Weasleys when there was a knock at her door. She got up to answer it and through the glass she could see a flash of red hair.

Smiling she pulled open the door and greeted the familiar face, "Charlie! It's good to see you."

"Hey Hermione," He grinned back, "Just thought I'd come and welcome you seeing as I have the afternoon off."

"That's very nice of you. Come in and I'll make you a drink."

They entered the house and Charlie seated himself in the living room while Hermione investigated the kitchen. Unfortunately the fridge was empty, as were the cupboards.

"Problem?" Charlie asked emerging from the other room, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest.

"There seems to be a lack of liquid at the moment, so the choice is pretty much water or water." She sighed.

"Well in that case let the drinks will be on me." He grinned, grabbing her hand and pulling her out the door.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked glancing around herself as she followed the muscular red-head along the path.

"There's a little pub just down this road, I thought we could toast your arrival."

Sitting in the corner of the small public house nursing their butter beers the two discussed their respective jobs for a while before the subject turned to Charlie's family.

"So how's everyone doing?" He asked, thankful that he had contact with someone from home, he had an owl from his mother once a week but a mother's view on things could sometimes be far different to the reality of the situation.

"They're fine, I think your mum's glad that Harry and Ron are still living there, with Ginny at Hogwarts and everyone else moved out she hasn't got too many people to mother. George's shop is doing great; he's looking to open more across the country. Percy proposed to Penelope last week, and Harry's nearly finished the house, he really want to get it all done before Ginny finishes school, it's sweet really."

"What about Ron?"

"He's still a git," She smiled, "but I suppose I'm a little biased."

"Yeah, mum told me what happened, and then Ginny told me what really happened. He's always found it hard to grow up, it doesn't help that mum babies him so much, not that it's her fault she did it to all of us. He's just lazy."

"It was hard to see that in Hogwarts, we had to do the work or we'd get kicked out, but now I think if he was given the option he'd never work a day in his life."

They were quiet for a while, contemplating what had been said.

"But I'm free of all that for now," Hermione concluded finally, "I won't see him for a good two months, that's got to be a good thing."

"Exactly." Charlie said as he drained the rest of his drink in one big gulp, "Now you're here, and you'll be in need of a tour of the area. And for that I do believe we'll have to find you a broom."

"A br-broom?" Hermione stammered, she hated flying, "Why would I need a broom?"

Charlie didn't hear her question he was already across the room walking out the door, she got up to follow him, calling after trying to get him to stop.

"Charlie, I don't fly! I hate it! ... Are you listening? Charlie!"


A/N : I'm in the middle of my A-Levels while doing this, I know I'm crazy, but sometimes I'm not going to feel like writing, so please review, if I think people are actually reading and enjoying this then I'll be more inclined to ger the next chapter up.