Disclaimer: I own nothing. All hail the Queen!
Preparations
Charlie checked out his latest scar in the mirror. Even after three years of working on the reserve he still found himself often on the receiving end of claws or tails. The veterans say you never grow out of it. This one had been a particularly nasty one. Hungarian Horntails are known to be right pieces of work, then add on to that the maternal instinct. Why in the world would they choose nesting mothers, did the Ministry want to kill the children?
With the first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament coming up fast, the whole reserve was in frenzy mode. Transporting four highly dangers and highly conspicuous magical creatures across several countries had them tied up in so much red tape it made Charlie's head spin. Thankfully he was not the boss. In addition, the number of handlers needed to accompany the dragons would leave those left in Romania very short handed and those staying were vocal about their displeasure.
Charlie finished dressing and made his way to the feed barn to prepare the goats for his charges. Two of his would be staying, the Norwegian Ridgeback and the Catalonian Fireball, but his Welsh Green and Swedish Short-Snout were to make the trip to Scotland. His partner Jeanne was already in the barn picking out the goats.
Charlie went up behind her and whispered in her ear, "Get that larger one for the Ridgeback, she's getting too thin for my liking."
Jeanne giggled. "Only you could make feeding time sexy, Charlie Weasley."
He shrugged. "It's a gift. Do you have the sleeping draughts ready?"
"Yeah, but I'm not sure about the Swede. She's been more restless and aggressive lately. Do you think she could do with a double?"
"We don't want her too out or she might be worse when she wakes. Let's try one and a half and see how it goes."
She nodded and drew up one and a half vials of potion into a large syringe. She took another vial and drew up the contents into another syringe. She injected two of the chosen goats with the potion and marked the leads with the corresponding dragon. Charlie felt a little sorry for the goats sometimes. They bucked and struggled as they were lead closer to the dragons' habitats. The undoctored goats were given to the two that would not be going to Hogwarts. Charlie slipped the goat with more potion into the Swedish Short-Snout's habitat, and Jeanne took the lesser to the Welsh Green.
"Give it about an hour and they should be ready to go," Charlie said. "So, since you've decided to come with us, does that mean I get to introduce you to my family finally?"
Jeanne stopped walking and looked at him. "Look, Charlie, I thought we said this was just casual. Y'know, a sympathy throw down here and there when we need it, good company when we don't. If your mom is anything like you say she is, she will be trying to plan our wedding before you even finish telling my name."
"Hey, just a thought. I went to America with you that time and met your family."
"Yeah, and you saw how well that went."
"What? I like your family. They're funny and charming."
"Charming is not the word I'd use."
Charlie laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder as they walked back to the compound. She shrugged him off as they got closer.
"I've got to finish packing. See you in a bit." She waved and took off toward the female apartment building.
Charlie returned the gesture and went to do the same.
Written for Musical Prompts round 2- Dragontamer