Compatible Magic
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Fantastic Beast.
Chapter 2: Estelle
It would be about a week to get Charlie's things in order. The Wales Dragon Reserve wanted him right away, just not at this very moment, as they had other problems. Something about a Welsh Green burning down the housing units. Charlie was surprised, wondering how the dragons were going rampage.
"I swear, it's their new management," Mr. Rigdbit said. "The man doesn't understand dragon behavior and not to mess with them when they are aggressive during mating season."
Charlie nodded in agreement, remembering in 1994 as he and thirty other dragon tamers brought four dragons to the Triwizard tournament during their mothering season. The Horn Tail was the worst because she nearly bit his arm off. And when it is mating season, you don't want to be too close. One time two male Chinese Fireballs were fighting over a female, and then the champion had to be approved by the female in another fight. Five wizards were almost crushed in the duel.
Mating season and nesting season are the most challenging times of the year. So, Charlie wonders why, in Merlin's name, the Welsh Dragon Reserve is struggling. Mr. Ridgenot gave him an update, stating the reservation provided new leadership. Apparently, they needed to gain the skills in maintaining the reserve, which resulted in the disaster on the grounds that they had to serve property damage and injury. Once dragon fire is involved, magic can not restore what has been melted. And dragon burns take longer to heal that a simple spell cannot fix.
He hopes to help the new management run the reserve, evaluate possible candidates, and do other things. When he got a letter from his mother, she was delighted that her son was coming home and had told the others. Charlie chuckled, for he was savoring his mother's cooking. However, when Bill's letter arrived, the Eldest said he was glad that Charlie was coming home and that the kids were ecstatic, except the shed was occupied. Apparently, a friend of Bill's had some business in the United Kingdom, and Fleur had offered the expanded shed to them.
Charlie merely shrugged, not bothered by it. As much as he doesn't want to live with his parents, he might take the cabins in Wales. What can a few weeks with his parents do for him? Other than a full stomach and nagged-off ears.
When the time came, Charlie said his goodbye to his friends.
"Be careful over there," Mr. Ridgbits said.
"Thanks," Charlie replied. "I'll need it."
"Don't get eaten by a Welsh green," a friend teased.
Charlie gave a laugh before punching the dragon tamer on the shoulder. After a few more farewells, Charlie was given the portkey to take him back to his destination. All the paperwork was done, and he would be heading straight home. He took hold of the portkey that took the form of a spoon. He felt the magic, as something hooked around his stomach and yanked him out of Romania towards home.
It was a whirlwind, as if flying through a storm, until arriving at his destination. Charlie kicked his legs and landed on the ground outside the ward of the Burrows. He could have apparated, yet apparating meant stopping at many destinations before reaching home. Let alone he was not that skilled in apparating that when he took his apparition test, he materialized five miles south of his target location on top of an old Muggle woman doing her shopping.
Anyway, he corrected himself and cracked his neck. He had left Romania around ten in the morning, so it was eight in the morning in Devon, England. He stared up, seeing his childhood home. It has mostly stayed the same, other than the garden having been tended to and the smell of the country air. So many childhood memories and ones in his adult life. After a while, he easily walked through the ward, opened the gate, and made his way up to the house.
As he entered the house, he noticed how clean it was. He could only assume that the grandchildren hadn't visited in a while. Charlie made sure to arrive on a Sunday. For Sundays were the Weasley family dinners. He walked through the house, heading to the kitchen. Everything was still the same, minus the number of toys in the corner. When he reached the kitchen, he was faced with the clock that told where everyone was. Arthur Weasley had updated the clock to a larger one to hold all the spoons that held everybody in the clan. Charlie noticed his turning from work to home.
Some music was playing as Molly Weasley was singing to her favorite musician, Celestina Warbeck. Charlie chuckled as he set his things down and decided to sing along. However, Charlie had a horrible singing voice. Well, he can somewhat sing, drink or folk songs, but music like Warbeck's he cannot do. As he sang a ballad horribly, that Mrs. Weasley turned around and gasped.
"Charles Lionel Weasley, don't scare me like that," Molly scolded.
"Sorry, Mum, I couldn't resist," Charlie chuckled.
Mrs. Weasley smiled as she made her way over and hugged her son. Charlie hugged her back.
"I'm so glad you are here," Molly said.
"Same," Charlie answered.
"I thought you would be here this afternoon. If I had known, I would have gotten your room ready." Molly said.
"It's alright," Charlie assured. "What's for breakfast?"
Molly shook her head. One thing is for sure, Weasley men have a large appetite. Charlie tried to help his mother cook, but she shushed him to sit down and gave him a cup of tea. It would be several minutes before his father came down the steps entering the kitchen.
"Charlie, my boy, glad to see you home," Arthur said.
"Thanks, Dad," Charlie said.
"So, is it true you are moving back to England?" Arthur asked.
"Well, until the Welsh Reserve is back in order," Charlie answered.
Arthur nodded, "I recall Hermione talking about it being hectic at the Department of Magical Creature Regulation. After the change of command for the Welsh Reserve and the incident. Knowing you're here can calm my nerves."
Charlie nodded, giving a smile. He is glad his father believes in him. Molly set food on the table as they began to eat. Charlie enjoyed the peace and quiet, knowing later tonight it would be hectic with everyone coming in for Sunday's roast.
Once breakfast was over, Charlie helped his parents around the Burrow. Making sure all the chairs were set and dishes pulled out. Afterward, he went to his room to put his things away. Pulling out his wand, he enlarged the bed before sitting down. So much was going through his head as he wondered what this year would bring.
After taking a nap, Molly called for him to help. Charlie corrected his attire before coming down to help his parents. It would be an hour when people started showing up. As Ron and Hermione appeared with Rose. Followed by Ginny and Harry with James and Albus. George and Angela with baby Freddie. Then Percy with his wife Audrey, along with Little Molly and Baby Lucy.
Molly had already given him an update that Hermione was pregnant again. In other words, don't get on Granger's bad side.
There was a flash of green from the fireplace as more Weasleys arrived.
"Sorry we're late," Bill called out as he and his girls came through the fireplace. "We got distracted."
"Uncle Charlie," Victorie squealed, rushing over to hug him. Charlie knelt down, hugging his niece and lifting her up. He smiled as Victorie gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I missed you."
"I miss you too," Charlie said.
The fireplace came to life again as Fleur and another person came through. Charlie looked up to see Fleur holding a person's hand. Her companion was another woman. For a moment, he thought he recognized her. She was average height though tone and lean. She had fair skin, but there were scars along her body, as if she had made contact with a magical creature. He stared at her face, seeing it held a simple beauty, contrasting to Fleur, through her eyes held warmth in hazel. Her brown hair was cut short, reaching her shoulders, yet there was a strand braided that was longer and decorated with carved rune beads.
There was something about her that was unique.
Fleur smiled at Charlie and gestured for her companion to follow her as they brought the dishes. Charlie watched them, eyes on the mysterious woman.
"Who is that?" Charlie asked.
"Oh, that's Estelle," Bill answered.
"Estelle," Charlie repeated, setting Victorie down.
Soon Fleur and Estelle were pushed out by Molly into the living room. The two ladies chuckled as they made their way over.
"Estelle, this is Charlie, Bill's brother," Fleur introduced.
Estelle looked at him with hazel eyes, "I believe we met at the wedding."
"Oh," Charlie said, not recalling seeing her at the wedding.
But what caught him off guard was her American accent. She was American, and her accent was not defined like those he had seen in muggle movies. All he knew was that she was not from the United Kingdom or Europe.
"It was very active, wouldn't you agree," Estelle said.
"No doubt," Charlie agreed, since Death Eaters decided to crash the reception. Now that he thinks about it, she looked familiar, although her hair was longer then. "So how do you know my brother? Or are you a friend of Fleur?"
"Bill and I used to work together in Egypt," Estelle answered.
"Estelle is a magical zoologist," Bill added. "She would examine the mummified animals in the tombs as well as handle the scarabs."
Bill gave a shudder.
"Scarabs?" Charlie asked.
Estelle chuckled, "Carnivorous insects that the Egyptians used long ago to protect the tombs of pharaohs and prisoners. Compared to their non magical counterparts."
Charlie shuddered, recalling Bill encountering a scarab that dug into his skin and trying to crawl toward his brain. The brain is the first to be consumed if a few get under your skin. But a swarm…dead in a second.
"So, what brings you to England?" Charlie asked, changing the subject.
"I was hired to work on the Welsh Reserve." She answered.
Charlie was surprised, looking at her. She didn't appear to be one who rangles dragons. Yes, she seemed physically fit, but not like the female dragon tamers back in Romania. Do the Americas even have a dragon reserve? Last he recalls, the closest thing to a dragon in North America was the Horned Serpent and Snallygaster. Although, there is a rumor that the Jersey Devil is actually a dragon.
"As a tamer?" Charlie asked.
Estelle laughed, shaking her head, "They need help organizing the records in the research department. Apparently, a Welsh trampled through it."
Charlie scoffed, shaking his head. A magical zoologist doesn't really step into danger to tame a beast unless it's the last resort. But seeing her scars, she had her fair share of wrangling beasts. He wonders what magical creature gave her what. Especially the scar on her neck, no doubt a near-death experience.
"Estelle is staying with us until the Welsh Reserve has the cabins ready," Bill explained.
Charlie nodded, "Ah, so you're the one who stole the shed."
Estella raised a scarred brow, "Huh."
"Nothing," Charlie assured, smiling, then noticing something in her hair. It was green, almost like a leaf. He reached out to get it when the leaf actually bit him. Charlie winced, pulling his hand back and getting a closer look.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Estelle apologized as she adjusted her hair to reveal the cause of the bite.
What caused the leaf to bite him was not an actual leaf. Well, it had a leaf, more like leaves, on a walking stick, a bowtruckle. The little green creature glared at him with brown eyes before focusing on Estelle's hair, making a braid.
"You have a bowtruckle," Charlie noted.
"Yes," Estelle said as she gently patted the woodland creature. "Ivy can be very protective."
Charlie glanced at his finger, where a slight dip of skin could be seen. "I can tell."
Estelle nodded until Victorie grabbed her by the hand and literally dragged her away. As Victorie wanted to show Ivy to her cousins. Estelle chuckled as she allowed it and was taken to the other children. Bill and Fleur chuckled, shaking their heads.
"The girls adore her," Bill said.
Charlie nodded, "I can see why. So how long have you known each other?"
Bill paused, doing the math in his head, "Since 93. She was an apprentice at the time, fresh out of Ilvermorny."
Charlie nodded.
"She is also the witch I told you about," Bill added.
Charlie paused, staring at him, confused.
Dominique rushed over to her mother, holding her hand, saying she needed help. Fleur chuckled, murmuring in French as she followed her youngest daughter. Once they were alone, Bill stepped closer to Charlie.
"Remember the magical zoologist I told you about over a decade ago. The one who has compatible magic?" Bill reminded quietly since it was a sensitive topic.
Charlie paused momentarily, recalling his brother trying to set him up with one. He stopped realizing that he was referring to Estelle. She seemed so natural in conversation, especially being close to other men. Witches have it worse when it comes to Compatible Magic than wizards. Unless she learned how to tolerate it well when close to others of the opposite sex so close. Then again, nothing intimate was going on, standing close to two men with ease. Unless Fleur standing there helped.
"That's her?" he asked, baffled.
Bill nodded, "She's good. Give her a chance if you are interested."
"And how do you know she has the same condition as I?" he asked.
Bill chuckled, rubbing his neck, "I flirted with her, only to get repulsive gestures and apologies. Took me a moment to realize when one of the crew kissed her, and she ended up puking on him."
Charlie shook his head.
He doubts they are a match. Despite the theory that two people with Compatible Magic can be satisfied together. Maybe a good shag, but nothing else. Right now, he needed to focus on the Welsh Reserve. It's not like he was going to stay here long. Only a year.
As he watched Estelle presenting Ivy to the children.
The scarabs mentioned are from The Mummy.
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