The following morning, Hermione awoke with renewed determination. Today was the day she would talk to Professor McGonagall about her future. The idea of working with magical creatures, particularly dragons, had been growing in her mind since reading Charlie's letter. The prospect of contributing to the care and study of such magnificent creatures excited her in a way few things did.

After a quick breakfast, Hermione headed to Professor McGonagall's office. She knocked on the heavy oak door, and after a moment, the familiar voice of her former Head of House called out, "Enter."

Hermione stepped inside, her eyes immediately finding Professor McGonagall seated behind her desk, a stack of papers before her. The older witch looked up, her expression softening as she saw who it was.

"Miss Granger, to what do I owe the pleasure?" McGonagall asked, gesturing for Hermione to take a seat.

"Professor, I've been giving a lot of thought to what I want to do after Hogwarts," Hermione began, her voice steady but filled with anticipation. "I've always loved magical creatures, and I've been thinking that I might like to pursue a career in that field."

McGonagall's eyes twinkled with interest. "Ah, a noble pursuit indeed. Have you considered a specific area within the field of magical creatures?"

"Yes, actually. I've been corresponding with Charlie Weasley, and he mentioned an opening at the dragon reserve in Romania. The more I think about it, the more it feels like the right fit for me. I'd like to experience all areas, but perhaps the medical side of caring for the dragons would be what interests me the most"

McGonagall nodded thoughtfully. "Dragons are certainly fascinating, though working with them requires a great deal of courage and knowledge. I believe you have both in spades. However, it would be wise to gain some practical experience before committing to such a path."

Hermione's eyes lit up. "That's exactly what I was hoping you might say. Do you think it would be possible to arrange a work placement during the year? I could spend time at the dragon reserve and see if it's truly what I want to do."

The corners of McGonagall's mouth lifted in a rare smile. "I think that is an excellent idea. Gaining hands-on experience will be invaluable. I'll help you make the necessary arrangements. Of course, it will require approval from the Headmaster and coordination with the reserve, but I don't foresee any significant obstacles."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I'll write to Charlie right away to get more details."

McGonagall leaned back in her chair, her expression contemplative. "You've always been one of the brightest students we've had, Hermione. I have no doubt you'll excel in whatever you choose to pursue. Just remember, it's important to follow your passion, but also to be mindful of your well-being. Working with dragons is no small undertaking."

"I understand, Professor. I promise I'll be careful and take all necessary precautions."

Satisfied, McGonagall nodded. "Very well. I'll contact the Headmaster and begin the process. In the meantime, focus on your studies and continue being the exemplary Head Girl that you are."

Hermione left McGonagall's office with a sense of purpose and a new spring in her step. She couldn't wait to tell Ginny about the conversation and start making plans for her work placement.

Later that evening, Hermione found herself back in the common room, a quill and parchment in hand. She penned a detailed letter to Charlie, explaining her conversation with McGonagall and her eagerness to visit the reserve. As she sealed the letter and set it aside for Hedwig to deliver, she felt a surge of excitement.

The days that followed were filled with anticipation as Hermione awaited a response from Charlie. In the meantime, she threw herself into her studies and Head Girl duties, her mind often drifting to the thought of working with dragons.

One afternoon, as she was leaving the library, she saw one of the school Owl's soaring through the castle's corridors. The tawny owl landed gracefully on her shoulder, a letter clutched in her talons. Hermione took it eagerly, recognising Charlie's neat handwriting.

Hermione,

I'm thrilled to hear you're interested in the dragon reserve! We'd be delighted to have you. There's always work to be done, and I know you'll find it both challenging and rewarding. I'll speak to my superiors and get back to you with the details. Looking forward to seeing you here! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write.

Charlie

Hermione's heart raced with excitement as she read the letter. She felt as if a new chapter of her life was beginning, one filled with adventure and discovery. The idea of working with dragons, of contributing to their care and understanding, was a dream she hadn't realised she had until now.

With her plans falling into place, Hermione felt more determined than ever to make the most of her final year at Hogwarts. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on, confident that she was on the right path.

Hermione smiled to herself as she began to write her reply to Charlie, her mind going crazy with all kinds of questions, he would probably find her mad but she couldn't help it.

Dear Charlie,

Thank you so much for your encouraging response! I can hardly express how excited I am at the prospect of visiting the dragon reserve and getting some hands-on experience. Your support means a lot to me.

I've been giving more thought to the kind of work I might do there, and I'm particularly interested in the medical care of dragons. I know this is a very specialized field, and I have so many questions about it. Could you tell me more about what working in the medical tent entails? What kinds of injuries or ailments do the dragons typically face, and what treatments are commonly used?

Additionally, I'd like to know what kind of training or skills would be most beneficial for this type of work. Are there specific spells, potions, or other magical techniques that I should familiarize myself with before coming to the reserve? Any preparatory reading you could recommend would be greatly appreciated.

I also wonder about the day-to-day responsibilities of the medical staff. How is the work structured, and what role would I be able to play as someone just starting out? I'm eager to learn and willing to take on any tasks that might help me gain a better understanding of dragon care.

Lastly, are there any particular safety protocols I should be aware of? I want to ensure I'm as prepared as possible and understand the importance of taking all necessary precautions when working with such powerful creatures.

Thank you again for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to your guidance and to hopefully joining you at the reserve soon.

Best regards,

Hermione

While Hermione was so swept up in her reply, she had barely registered that the door to the common room had opened, or that Ginny had snuck up behind her

"Whatcha got there Mione"

Hermione jumped from her seat, her quill falling to the floor as she turned to glare at her friend. "Not funny Gin, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

Ginny clutched her sided as she laughed, "I couldn't help it! You were so engrossed in your letter" She peered over her shoulder and while she was still distracted, Ginny pinched the letter from her desk.

"Ginny" Hermione attempted to grab the parchment back but Ginny danced away from her

"Someone has it baddddd" Ginny grinned

Hermione blushed, "I don't know what you mean"

"Come on Mione, after what happened at home you and Charlie have been inseparable"

Hermione shrugged, "I...Okay fine, I may have a tiny crush on Charlie but that's it! Plus it's not like he would even think of me in that way, what happened back home was just because Fred and George put him up to it"

Ginny stared at her in disbelief, "For the brightest witch of her age, you really are blind you know that?" She handed the letter back to Hermione and left her friend standing their feeling puzzled