Author's Note: Tonight I will be finishing the final chapter of this story. There will be a total of 19 chapters, so we are almost there. Thank you for being patient with me as life has had to take me away from writing lately.

Chapter Seventeen

Hermione

Waking up to find a sleeping Charlie curled up behind her back in the middle of the night wasn't exactly a surprise to Hermione. He was breaking one of their most basic rules about their arrangement, but she didn't really care. It was nice to not be alone. After an awful evening, she appreciated the silent support he offered. Or rather, the nearly silent support. Her suggestion about him seeing a Healer about his sinus passages was one he should seriously consider.

When she got back to her tent all of the familiar feelings she normally had after breaking up with a boyfriend, especially Ron, came rushing back in a torrential flood. Ending a relationship, even when it was in the very earliest stages, was never easy. A small part of her had held out a little bit of hope that she and Kingsley might actually make it. Maybe she had been too hasty. Of course, denial and the urge to change her mind was usually what she felt in the immediate aftermath of another lost romance.

Sometimes she worried she would always be alone. While it wasn't the worst fate, as she highly suspected ending up with the wrong person would be much worse, she didn't like it. There were far more cons than there were pros when she made out her mental lists. Seeing other couples that seemed to have found love easily often made her envious. Why was it that some lucky souls just had love fall into their laps? She hated how jealous she felt at times. If being alone was to be her fate, she would handle it.

The dryness of the skin on her face told her that she fell asleep crying. That was embarrassing. She hated when she allowed herself to give in to what felt like petulant dramatics. Hadn't she spent enough of her adolescence hiding amongst the secret passages and empty classrooms of Hogwarts crying? The war took a lot of that out of her, but she could still give in from time to time when she was alone. Thankfully, she rarely lost control of her emotions in front of others like she used to.

Feeling how tightly Charlie held her in his arms against his chest, she nearly laughed out loud. Who knew he could be so possessive in his sleep? He even had one of his legs swung over hers, trapping her in the embrace. She didn't really mind. At least until he woke up, she wouldn't be alone. Why did they make the rule against sleeping over again? It seemed like such a silly rule when she felt so comfortable. She closed her eyes to give in to the promise of sleep again. Neither of them would be expected to be awake any time soon.

"Hermione?"

Hours later she woke up to the sound of her name being called outside of her tent. A light knocking on the wood frame holding up the canvas grew steadily louder with each tap. Slightly confused by what was happening, she tried to sit up. Charlie, also awake, had to release her from his arms before she was able to move.

"Hermione? Are you awake?"

Realizing it was Kingsley outside the tent, she felt a rush of guilt and worry. Even though she had done nothing wrong technically, she didn't want him to know that Charlie was in her tent and in her bed. She worried he might come inside without an invitation if she didn't respond.

"Just a moment."

She pulled on the dressing gown she laid across the foot of the bed the night before. Once it was securely tied around her waist, she pushed open the tent flap enough to see her visitor standing outside already fully dressed and looking terribly uncomfortable about being there. It made her sad. Would their friendship ever be the same again? Somehow she doubted it would. Likely there would always be tension between them. It was a shame.

"I'm afraid I have to cut this trip short. Something has come up…"

"Nothing serious, I hope."

He smiled, but it felt a little forced.

"No, but serious enough to use as an excuse to leave early. My conversation with the director last night was awkward to say the least. I'll have my assistant write up a polite, official thank you note for allowing our visit and then hopefully never see the poor man again."

She could only imagine how uncomfortable telling the wizard about his wife's unwelcome visit to his tent was. There was a part of Hermione that wished she could have been there to listen in at the keyhole. Was it the first time she disgraced herself with an honored guest?

"If you're leaving now, do I need..?"

"No, not at all. I slid a note into Charlie's tent telling him I was leaving early. Didn't want to wake him after all of the excitement last night. The note is a portkey for this afternoon for you both."

Having Charlie in the tent with her made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Again, she had to remind herself that she hadn't done anything wrong. Once Kingsley explained about the portkey, it got awkward between them like before. He could hardly look at her. Was he embarrassed?

"Goodbye. I will see you again at the Ministry."

He rushed quickly away from her tent. When she dropped the tent flap back down and turned around, Charlie was sitting on the edge of the bed. There was no possible way he hadn't heard every word they said.

"Are you all right?"

She tried to smile to assure him she was fine, but the smile wasn't convincing either one of them. No, she was not okay. Kingsley was a wonderful man and she was afraid she would never find someone. Charlie stood up from the bed.

"Go take a shower and get dressed. I'll meet you back here in half an hour." Once he snuck out of the tent just as carefully as he snuck in to hopefully not be caught by someone passing by, Hermione did just as he said. Though the shower in her tent certainly left a lot to be desired, she felt much better when she was clean and dressed again. Somewhat relieved that their trip to Romania was going to be over that day instead of later in the week, she spent the rest of the time she was waiting packing her bag. She would be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The trip abroad hadn't been nearly as fun as she hoped it would be.

Charlie returned to the tent with breakfast they could carry. Delicious eggs slapped between pieces of toast, she was grateful for anything that would hopefully calm the rumbling in her stomach that she didn't think had to do with lack of food. At the very least while she was chewing she wouldn't have to talk. She got the feeling that Charlie had a lot on his mind. Would he want to discuss it with her while they waited for later in the day when their portkey would be activated?

"It's a beautiful morning. Let's go on a walk. It would be good to clear our heads."

She couldn't agree with him more. Once out in the fresh air, even with the strange sulphuric smell that seemed to follow the monstrous lizards, she felt much calmer than she had before. For a few minutes, the two of them strolled through the dragon reserve quietly eating their breakfast and just enjoying the feel of the sun on their skin. Of course, as was often the case when the two of them were together, she couldn't remain silent for long. After the last bite of her meal was making its way to her stomach, she vanished the napkin it was held in with a fiery spell.

"Tell me about last night. Is it normal for dragons to break out of their enclosures?"

The question brought a genuine smile to his face. She waited for him to finish swallowing the last of his food. It was a question that had bothered her a great deal the previous night when she wasn't dwelling on Kingsley and the aftermath of that horrible encounter. If dragons weren't secure on the dragon reserve, would their country be in danger when one was opened up within their borders? She worried that there would be a great deal more paperwork in her department if they had to be concerned about rampaging dragons ravaging the countryside. Some days she already felt like there was too much work to do and not enough people to do it.

"It's not normal, but I am sorry to report that it does happen from time to time. Maybe a few times a year?"

"How many would you say was 'a few'?"

Charlie thought about it for a moment and shrugged his shoulders.

"Every other month or so, maybe?"

Hermione didn't care for that answer at all. Far from the dragon sanctuary, she was able to convince herself that they were all safe from the dragons thanks to the brave witches and wizards in charge of their care. If escapes were common, perhaps the Ministry was being too hasty to build their own reserve. The sudden urge to speak to Kingsley about it when she was back in the office was immediately quelled. It was unlikely she would ever again be able to approach the Minister as freely as she had before to express her concerns. The realization made her suddenly quite sad.

"It usually doesn't happen in the middle of the night. That was a strange one. When it does happen, it's most often when we are moving them to a new enclosure or while we are cleaning it. Even the most conscientious of dragon keepers can forget to reapply the security charms when necessary."

She wasn't sure that explanation made her feel any better, but considering there had been only a handful of dragon-related deaths reported to her department in the time she was employed at the Ministry of Magic, she supposed she shouldn't worry. Besides, most of those deaths were due to carelessness of illegal dragon traders or those ignorant souls that dreamed of owning their own dragon as a pet. When she looked back on her first year at Hogwarts as an adult, she was amazed that no one was seriously injured with Hagrid's scheme to hatch his own dragon. Sometimes it felt that a great portion of her life in the magical world didn't end catastrophically due to sheer dumb luck. The older she grew, the less likely she was to jump out to make foolish decisions.

"What happened last night?"

"One of the Romanian Longhorns has a nasty case of dragon pox."

Seeing the horrified expression on her face at that news, Charlie just laughed.

"Not the same as what humans get. It can't be transmitted to humans, but it can be given to other dragons. They moved the dragon into quarantine until it clears up. Her mate has been difficult to handle since she was taken away. He broke through the security enchantments covering their enclosure last night."

"How?"

He shrugged his shoulders again.

"Determination. Not every breed of dragons mate for life, but the Longhorns are ferociously protective of their mates. They should have remembered that and doubled the security."

"Was it hard to get him back?"

"Yes. Very. We were fortunate that it didn't take as long as it could have. There was a giant hole in the fence and he was halfway to the quarantine site before anyone even knew he was out."

As he continued to tell her all of the details of the previous night's adventure, she was amused to see how animated he became as he spoke. Despite describing a harrowing ordeal that could have very well ended the lives of every human on that reserve, he clearly loved every minute of it. She could tell that he was really happy in Romania. It was a shame that he ever had to leave.

Charlie had real passion for the dragons he worked with, something she only vaguely remembered having herself after growing up and spending so many years working at the Ministry. Being an adult wasn't all that she expected it to be when she was much younger and far more idealistic. There was a time when she knew that she lit up just as Charlie did when she talked about her projects and the hopes she had for the future of the wizarding world. It was a shame that that had all dimmed.

"It took several of us, but we got him back inside. Then we repaired the damage and reinforced the enchantments. Mihai said that until the dragon's mate was back, they would have a dragon keeper watching him at all times. He's probably going to try to escape again, but next time, hopefully, they can stop it before it happens."

Near the entrance to the reserve where their feet had carried them as he told his story, Charlie stopped abruptly. His shoulders tensed up. Confused by his change in demeanor, Hermione followed the direction of his gaze. It didn't take a genius to understand why he was bothered.

Anca approached the main gates of the reserve carrying a large suitcase. Clearly annoyed and frustrated, some of her beauty was marred by the scowl on her lips. When she caught Charlie staring, the expression morphed into an amused smirk. Did she enjoy seeing the wizard angry? He held his breath and clenched his jaw. If it was possible, Hermione hated the horrible woman even more than she already did for how badly she had hurt Charlie. She wanted nothing more than to curse her in the face. Maybe then she wouldn't be so quick to insult other women for their looks.

The entire event lasted only a few seconds though it seemed like much longer. Anca disappeared past the gates. Evidently, her husband hadn't appreciated what he heard from Kingsley the night before.

"Do you mind terribly if we return to our tents and I activate our portkey early?"

Hermione shook her head. No, she wouldn't mind at all. She would be very glad to leave Romania at the first chance she could.

Charlie

The morning after Charlie returned from Romania he didn't even bother getting out of bed to make it to the Ministry on time for work. What was the point? He had already been given permission from his direct supervisor to be gone for the rest of the week as a personal favor to the Minister. Maybe he was wrong to think so, but he didn't see why that had to change just because the trip to the dragon reserve was cut short. It wasn't his fault how it ended. No, as with so many other parts of his life, Anca was the one at fault.

As soon as he returned to his Diagon Alley flat, he played every second he was at the reserve over and over again in his head. For months, nearly a year, since he abruptly left Romania because of his shattered heart, he assumed that a day would come when he would be ready to return to his life there. All he needed was just some time and space to lick his wounds clean. The main reason why he had been so reluctant to accept Kingsley's generous job offer was because he had always planned to return to Romania.

After just a little over a day back at the dragon reserve that had been his home for over twenty years, he couldn't help but feel like that time of his life was over. He no longer felt like he belonged in Romania. It was sad but also a little freeing too. No longer did he have to wonder if he made the right decision to leave because he knew he did. A chapter in his life was over. A very important chapter. It was all so bittersweet.

When he finally got out of bed, he looked around the flat that had never really felt like home. He knew that whatever he was supposed to do next, wherever he was supposed to land next, that Diagon Alley wasn't the place for him either. Nor was his stupid little desk with the uncomfortable swivel chair at the Ministry. He never wanted to go back to that building again. How could his father and his brother endure decades of the torture of buzzing lights and inanity of daily interactions with officials he cared nothing about?

After a lot of thinking, he knew that there was only one right decision for him to make. Why he couldn't have made it from the very start, he wasn't sure. No, that wasn't the full truth either. He had to go back to Romania to see for himself that the future he had once dreamed of would never be possible. Anca was not his future. For the first time, he could breathe a sigh of relief.

He was going to accept Kingsley's job offer to head up the new dragon reserve. There was no reason for him not to do it. Maybe he was exactly where he was meant to be. What did his brother Ron say?

"Sometimes it all has to fall to pieces before you can rebuild your life the way it was meant to be."

Well, he couldn't imagine his life being any more in pieces than it already was. Everything was broken. Despite wishing he could forget her entirely, his mind kept going back to thoughts of Anca. As difficult as it was to be around her, he was glad he got to see her when he was in Romania. It showed him her true nature and he could no longer deny it. Instead of merely suspecting there was a side to her that he didn't know about, he got to see it on display.

The feelings that he thought he could never get over were gone. A weight was off his shoulders and though he still felt like an idiot for falling for her lies in the first place, he was comforted knowing he wasn't alone. She was a snake and he'd been blinded to the truth because he believed he was in love with her from the first moment he saw her. He loved a lie. What he had with Anca had never been real. Maybe going to Romania was exactly what he needed to see the rest of his life with fresh eyes.

By mid-morning, Charlie decided he had had enough hiding away in his flat. His mind kept traveling down paths better left undisturbed. Following a quick shower, he dressed and headed to the Ministry. There seemed to be no reason to delay speaking with Kingsley another minute. When he arrived at the familiar building, he went straight to the Minister for Magic's office.

"Good morning, Mr. Weasley."

For the first time, Charlie took a good look at the witch seated outside Kingsley's door. Smiling like she was pleased to see him, the assistant made him smile too. Maybe he shouldn't be so quick to dismiss her as he had done the other times Kingsley mentioned her. With the spectre of Anca gone from his mind, he could finally see her as a woman. That was new. Perhaps he would be able to notice other women he'd ignored in the months since he returned. His mind had been so wrapped up in the witch that broke his heart, there hadn't been space for anyone else.

"Is Kingsley busy right now?"

Her smile slipped a little, but she quickly recovered.

"I'm afraid he's in a very important meeting over the floo. I'm not sure when it will be over. He's asked that I not allow any interruptions."

With no other plans for the day, Charlie made himself comfortable in one of the chairs in the waiting area. No matter how long Kingsley was busy, he would wait. Too much time had gone by since he was offered the position he desired. If he wasn't careful, the Minister might find someone else to fill it instead.

"I don't mind waiting."

In the end, it was only half an hour of flipping through old issues of the Daily Prophet before the door to Kingsley's office opened again. Surprised to see his visitor, the Minister was quick to invite him inside. At first he seemed a little uncomfortable. Charlie hoped that their visit to Romania hadn't permanently altered their friendship. Maybe he already knew what Charlie wanted to talk to him about. The moment the door closed behind them, Charlie blurted out his thoughts.

"If the position is still available, I would very much like to accept the job."

The last bit of tension between the two men disappeared with Kingsley's wide smile. He clapped Charlie on the back and then shook his hand.

"Of course it's still yours."

Kingsley led his guest over to the armchairs by his fireplace to pour them both a celebratory glass of fire whiskey to toast Charlie's new job. Though it was around lunchtime, it seemed a little early for such heavy libations.

"Isn't it a little early?"

"Nonsense. It'll just be a little one. Besides, after that horribly boring call I was just forced to endure for over an hour, I need a little pick-me-up."

There was no convincing Kingsley otherwise when he made up his mind. With a little reluctance Charlie accepted his glass and took a seat in one of the chairs. He didn't really want to drink. Was that proof that he was improving already? Just a few short weeks earlier, maybe even just days, he would've been more than happy to down a large glass of fire whiskey for breakfast. He chose to feel encouraged by his new feelings.

For a minute or two, the two men sat in silence sipping at their glasses. The details of his new job could be discussed later. Neither of them rushed to start making plans. As the silence wore on, there was a shift in the atmosphere between them. Somehow Charlie knew that when Kingsley opened his mouth again to speak, it would have nothing to do with the dragon reserve or how much his new salary would be.

"I'm mortified by what happened in Romania. That was…"

Kingsley sighed and down the rest of his fire whiskey in a big gulp. Seeming to be at a loss for words, Charlie spoke up for him. He needed to know that he wasn't at fault, at least not entirely, for what happened their one and only night at the dragon reserve. The poor man couldn't have known what sort of predator he was up against.

"Anca has never needed a lot of encouragement when she set her mind to something. I believe that you didn't invite her inside your tent."

"Did Hermione tell you the details?"

"She told me enough. I know she feels terrible about what happened too, but I don't believe she blames you."

It was evident by the scoff and the slight roll of his eyes that Kingsley wasn't ready to trust what he was saying was true. He reached for the crystal decanter holding the fire whiskey to pour himself another full glass. Hopefully, he didn't have any other important appointments or meetings for the rest of the day. If he consumed every drop, he would be more likely to fall asleep on his settee than be capable of conducting important political business.

"I'm still not sure how that even happened. I was asleep one moment and then the next, I… I know it sounds all too easy, all too convenient but I really didn't give the woman any encouragement, any indication at all that I wanted her."

"She doesn't need it."

Knowing that he was about to unburden himself of more details about his past than he really wanted, Charlie picked up the decanter and refilled his own glass. Despite not wanting the drink when he first walked in the room, bringing up mention of his ex made him want to chug straight from the bottle. Hopefully, as time progressed and he was able to move on even further, he would no longer seek the comfort of alcohol to deal with the screaming thoughts in his troubled mind.

"Anca is the reason I left Romania."

Kingsley looked up to meet Charlie's eyes, clearly intrigued by his statement. Though he didn't offer audible encouragement, just the expression on his face was enough to encourage his guest to continue.

"I was in love with her. I thought I would marry her and spend the rest of my life growing old with her right there on that dragon reserve. She has a way of making you believe that she wants what you want too."

Everything came out. He spoke of how their relationship started, how she insisted they keep it secret because it wouldn't be appropriate for two coworkers to be so involved, and how it ended so terribly. It was easier to tell the story than it was when he was telling Hermione. Maybe it would continue to get easier the more times he told it. As much as he didn't relish the thought of disclosing all of the sordid details, he recognized that it would be beneficial for him to get to the point where he wasn't consumed with his past.

"She slapped me when we first arrived. I probably deserved it. What she did was wrong. Mihai didn't deserve it. He's a good man."

"Our conversation was very uncomfortable. I hated being the one to tell him, but I just couldn't pretend that it didn't happen."

"Most people wouldn't have gone straight to the wronged spouse. That was very decent of you, Kingsley."

He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing. Even Charlie couldn't say for certain that he would have done the same. When he learned that Mihai proposed to the woman he was in love with, he left the country instead of confronting Anca and telling his friend the truth. Though he would never know for certain, maybe Charlie could have even saved him from making the mistake of marrying the woman who clearly had her own agenda.

"It was a dismal night all around. I knew Hermione would be upset, but I didn't think she would… well, she said it wasn't because of her, but I wonder. Do you think there is anything I could say or do that would get her to change her mind?"

Speaking candidly about Anca had been uncomfortable enough for Charlie. Once Hermione was brought up, he wanted to bolt out of the room. That felt like a topic that wasn't safe for the two of them to discuss. He felt caught in the middle, a place he never wanted to be, but he could look back and see how his actions were entirely responsible for where he ended up.

"I don't think there is. You know how determined she is when she makes up her mind. I think it would be better for you to move on, find someone else."

A big part of him felt guilty saying so, but it was the truth. Hermione wasn't going to change her mind. He knew that without question. Once she had it in her head that she and Kingsley weren't going to work, she wouldn't have been convinced otherwise.

"You're probably right."

No more mention of Hermione or Anca was brought up. Kingsley made a promise to speak to Charlie's current supervisor the next morning to inform him that he would need to find a new employee. They would start working on the reserve as soon as possible. Charlie felt excited and a little nervous about his future.