Chapter Text
Charlie stood there full of confidence, his sleeves were rolled up, one gloved hand was raised in a calming gesture toward the dragon. There was a streak of soot across his jaw, and his hair, which was longer than she remembered, was tied back loosely, some strands were already escaping and falling down to the nape of his neck. Hermione felt something flutter in her chest, she opened her mouth ready to greet him but a sound from the dragon made her second guess that
The dragon snapped, it's wings were beginning to twitch but Charlie didn't twitch.
"Easy" He murmured. "No one's taking anything from you"
Hermione's heart climbed into her throat. "That is entirely inappropriate" she said sharply
Charlie turned, ready to give whoever spoke a piece of his mind. But he was pleasantly surprised when he seen the young witch on front of him. Recognition setteled in, following by something else he couldn't quite place. But he would recognise those curls anywhere
"Well" He said, grinning. "If it isn't Hermione Granger"
Hermione gulped, he didn't move any closer to her but his presence was overwhelming even from a few meters away. He looked the same but also...different. He certainly looked older. Broader. There were new lines at the corners of his eyes, and faint scars along his jaw that hadn't been there before.
But the ease in him. That wild, unshaken steadiness had remained the same
"You're conducting a lesson" Hermione said, already scanning the area. "With an under restrained Class...What species is that?"
"Peruvian Vipertooth cross" Charlie said. "Young one. Basically a puppy"
"A cross?" Hermione repeated, incredulous. "And you have students observing this?"
"From a safe distance" He said, gesturing towards a group of students gathered well behind a ward line
Hermione followed his gaze. The students were watching with a mixture of awe and terror. She turned back to Charlie with a frown on her face. "This is reckless" she said flatly
Charlie's expression shifted, not defensive but alert. "It's controlled"
"It's a dragon"
"And they're learning"
"At unnecessary risk" Hermione bit back
"They're perfectly safe" Charlie rolled his eyes. "They're behind a ward line, which I made myself with numerous charms and spells. I know what I'm doing Granger. They're safe"
Hermione let out a short, disbelieving breath. "Your definition of 'safe' is highly questionable, Charlie"
"And yours" Charlie shot back, "is probably impossible"
The students watched in amusement as the two had a stand off, the magical was slightly crackling in the air with neither of them backing down.
The dragon hissed again, turning Charlie's attention back to her, the sole was curling thicker now. Hermione's wand was in her hand before she consciously registered the movement. But Charlie noticed
"Don't" He said, sharper this time
Hermione cocked an eyebrow, wand still in hand. "The dragon is clearly agitated"
"It's reacting to you" He stated this like it was so obvious.
"To me?" Hermione questioned
"Really Granger, for the brightest witch of her age, you surely are clueless" Charlie rolled his eyes. "You're tense. Dragons can pick up on that very easily. They can with any emotion"
Hermione stared at him, "I am not"
The dragon snapped again, this time louder. Hermione winced ever so slightly. Charlie stepped forward, placing himself slightly between Hermione and the Dragon, to make her feel even a bit more at ease.
"Hey" He said softly, his hand still raised in a kind gesture towards the dragon. "Ignore her. She doesn't mean it"
Hermione's jaw tightened. "I beg your pardon?"
Charlie glanced back at her, a grin flashing briefly despite the tension. "You're glaring at it like it's broken the law"
"It has broken..."
"It hasn't" He said. "It's just being what it is. Which is a Dragon"
Something in that simple but infuriating sentence, hit a nerve with her. Hermione lowered her hand slowly, but her grip didn't loosen any. "This environment requires stricter regulation" she said. "Clearer boundaries. Document protocols..."
"And less understanding" Charlie said
Hermione sighed, "Understanding does not preclude safety"
"Neither does safety require stripping the lift out of the lesson"
Hermione met his gaze and for a moment neither of them moved. Even the students behind the ward were holding their breath. It was like Charlie and Hermione had finally met each other's match. Hermione remained poised, the wind tugging at her hair while the smoke was drifting around them. There was something in Charlie's expression, not just disagreement, but a challenge. And she loved a challenge. But there was something else that resembled...interest
Behind them, McGonagall cleared her throat. They both jumped, having completely forgotten that she had been there in the first place. "Mr Weasley" she said, stepping forward. "You may consider this your formal introduction"
Charlie straightened slightly, though the ease didn't leave him.
"Professor Granger" McGonagall continued. "Will be overseeing the curriculum reform across all subjects"
Charlie's brows lifted, he gave a quick glance at Hermione who was fighting a smug grin from appearing. "Is that so?"
Hermione held his gaze, not backing down. "It is"
There was a brief pause before Charlie smiled. It wasn't a mocking or dismissive smile, but a deliberate one. And one that put Hermione on edge. "Right, this should be interesting then"
Behind them, the Dragon physically relaxed, exhaling a puff of smoke, but a lot quieter now. Hermione didn't look away from Charlie this time. "Interesting" she repeated. "That's not the word I would have chosen"
Charlie's eyes flickered, something like amusement but also something deeper, settling in.
"No. I would have used necessary"
Hermione smirked, turning round to leave, but she could still feel his attention on her. It felt like his eyes were boring through her back and it was sending heat throughout her. Not uncomfortable. It felt steady and curious, but not unwelcome. But it was also very inconvenient and could lead to her job becoming more difficult if she wasn't careful.
This certainly was going to be interesting.