Everything

The morning sun had already risen higher than usual by the time the team gathered in the communal dining area for breakfast. The late hour was a result of their early morning visit to the Ministry. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and scrambled eggs filled the air as they settled in for a delayed but much-needed meal. Viktor entered the room, his expression a mix of irritation and suspicion. He glanced at the clock on the wall before addressing them.

"Where were you all earlier this morning?" Viktor's voice was sharp, cutting through the hum of conversation. Nita met his gaze without flinching.

"We were checking on the dragons, making sure the effects of the potion had subsided." Viktor's eyes narrowed as he turned to Charlie and Bogdan.

"And? Did they?" Charlie nodded, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"Yes, the antidote worked. The dragons are back to normal." 

"We documented everything. The dragons are showing no signs of the love potion's effects anymore." Bogdan chimed in. Viktor, seemingly satisfied for the moment, grunted.

"Good. I'll be in my office, documenting the results." As Viktor turned to leave, the atmosphere in the dining area lightened. Nita exchanged a knowing glance with Charlie, who couldn't help but smirk.

"Did you see his face?" Bogdan whispered, leaning closer to the group. "Like he just bit into a sour lemon." Charlie chuckled.

"He's probably going to write himself up as the savior of the Reserve in his report." Katrin rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, the hero who nearly wrecked everything." The group erupted into quiet laughter, their spirits buoyed by the shared moment of levity. Nita leaned in, lowering her voice.

"Alright, let's finish up quickly. We still have work to do and can't afford to let our guard down." Charlie nodded, his expression turning serious.

"Absolutely. We need to stay focused and make sure everything is documented properly." As they finished their meal, the team felt a renewed sense of purpose. They knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but they were united in their resolve to expose Viktor's true nature and protect the dragons they loved. After breakfast, Charlie made his way to Viktor's office, where a thick stack of parchment lay waiting for him on the desk. Viktor's eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and challenge as he handed Charlie a detailed document.

"I have a task for you, Weasley," Viktor said, his tone dripping with a smug sense of superiority. "I need you to conduct a comprehensive survey of the entire dragon habitat. Every dragon's health status, behavioral patterns, and habitat conditions need to be documented. I want detailed reports on each dragon, along with recommendations for any necessary changes." Charlie glanced at the hefty stack of parchment.

"And when do you need this by?" Viktor's smirk widened.

"By the end of the week." Charlie raised an eyebrow.

"That's in three days. This is a task that usually takes weeks." Viktor leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"I'm confident you'll manage, Weasley. Unless, of course, you think it's beyond your capabilities?" Charlie bit back a retort, knowing full well that Viktor had set this up as an impossible task designed to push him to the brink or, ideally, out the door.

"Understood," Charlie said curtly, taking the stack of parchment and leaving the office. He found Nita and Katrin near the dragon enclosures, both of them busy with their morning rounds. They looked up as he approached, concern evident on their faces.

"What's wrong, Charlie?" Nita asked, noticing his troubled expression. Charlie sighed, holding up the stack of parchment.

"Viktor's given me an impossible task. He wants a comprehensive survey of every dragon's health, behavior, and habitat conditions, complete with detailed reports and recommendations. And he wants it done in three days." Katrin's eyes widened.

"That's insane! Even with a full team, that would take at least a two weeks." Charlie nodded, his frustration evident.

"I know. It's a setup. If I fail, he'll have an excuse to fire me." Nita put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"We know why he's doing this, Charlie. He wants you out. But you're one of the best handlers here. We can't let him win." Charlie slumped against the enclosure fence, feeling a mix of sadness, annoyance, and frustration.

"I knew this was coming, sooner or later. But it doesn't make it any easier." Katrin stepped closer, her voice determined.

"We can help you. We can divide the work and cover more ground together." Charlie managed a weak smile.

"Thanks, both of you. I appreciate it. But even with your help, this is a monumental task." Nita squeezed his shoulder.

"We'll do what we can. We'll work late, start early, whatever it takes. We won't let Viktor push you out without a fight." Charlie took a deep breath, feeling a spark of hope.

"Alright. Let's get started. We've got a lot of work ahead of us." With renewed determination, the three of them began planning their approach, ready to tackle the impossible task that Viktor had thrown their way. Charlie stood in front of Norberta's enclosure, the Norwegian Ridgeback's scales gleaming in the early morning sunlight. He held a clipboard in one hand, a quill in the other, and a look of determination on his face. The dragon snorted, sending a plume of smoke curling into the air.

"Alright, Norberta," Charlie murmured. "Let's get this started." He began his observations, noting the dragon's physical condition, the sheen of her scales, the clarity of her eyes, and the strength of her limbs. Norberta, sensing Charlie's focus, seemed to cooperate, moving slowly so he could make accurate notes. As he worked, Charlie's thoughts drifted to Harry. What would Harry do in this situation? He closed his eyes for a moment, reaching out telepathically, something they had learned to do during their time together.

Harry, I need your help. Viktor's given me an impossible task. I don't think I can do this alone. Almost immediately, he felt a warm, reassuring presence in his mind.

I'm on my way, Charlie. Hang in there. Charlie's heart lifted at Harry's swift response. He continued working, documenting every detail of Norberta's behavior and health. The dragon's eyes followed him, almost as if she understood the pressure he was under.

"Just a little longer, girl," Charlie said softly. Seconds later, Harry apparated near the edge of the enclosure. He walked quickly towards Charlie, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

"Charlie," Harry called out, making his way over. Charlie turned, relief flooding his features.

"Harry, thank Merlin you're here." Harry reached him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Tell me everything. What exactly do we need to do?" Charlie handed him the clipboard, explaining Viktor's unreasonable demand.

"We have to document every dragon's health, behavior, and habitat conditions in detail, and he wants it all done in three days. Nita and Katrin are helping but I don't think we will be down in three days." Harry scanned the notes quickly.

"Alright, let's divide and conquer. I can take a few of the dragons and start documenting while you finish up here with Norberta." Charlie nodded, a sense of hope returning.

"Thank you. I couldn't do this without you." Harry smiled, squeezing Charlie's hands.

"We're a team. Now, let's show Viktor what we can do." With renewed determination, they split up, each taking on a portion of the task. Charlie felt a surge of energy knowing that Harry was there, supporting him. Together, they could tackle anything, even Viktor's impossible demands. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dragon reserve, Charlie made his way back to the main building alone. Exhaustion was etched on his face, his movements slow and weary. He had only managed to document three dragons, and the enormity of the task ahead loomed over him. Inside, the dining hall was filled with the scent of hearty stew and freshly baked bread. Katrin and Nita were already seated, their expressions mirroring Charlie's fatigue.

"How many did you manage?" Katrin asked, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Three," Charlie replied, sinking into a chair with a heavy sigh. "Just three." Nita glanced at Katrin before speaking.

"We only managed two. Out of twenty-six dragons, we've done five." Charlie rubbed his temples, frustration bubbling up.

"We're doomed." As if on cue, Viktor strode into the dining hall, his eyes immediately locking onto Charlie. He sauntered over, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"How's the task coming along, Weasley?" he asked, his voice dripping with false concern. Charlie straightened in his chair, not wanting to give Viktor the satisfaction of seeing him defeated.

"Five dragons," he said, his voice steady. "I documented five today, alone." Viktor's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of worry crossing his face.

"Five, you say?"

"Yes," Charlie confirmed, holding Viktor's gaze. "And I'll have the rest done soon enough." Viktor narrowed his eyes, clearly assessing the truth in Charlie's words.

"We'll see about that," he muttered, turning on his heel and walking away. Katrin and Nita exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.

"We'll keep at it," Katrin said. "Tomorrow, we'll work faster." Nita added, "We'll find a way to get it done." Charlie felt a wave of gratitude for his friends' support.

"Thank you. All of you." The next day dawned with a crisp, clear sky, and a renewed sense of determination among Charlie and his team. They knew the task was daunting, but with Harry's help, they felt more confident. Harry had managed to sneak into the reserve under the cover of his invisibility cloak, staying hidden to avoid any confrontations with Viktor. As the team gathered, they quickly divided the tasks, each taking on different sections of the reserve. Charlie and Harry worked together seamlessly, moving from one dragon to the next with efficiency and precision. Harry's presence boosted everyone's morale, and the dragons seemed to sense his calming influence, making the documentation process smoother than usual. By the end of the day, they had documented twelve dragons in total. Exhausted but triumphant, they gathered their reports and headed back to the main building. Viktor was waiting for them, his arms crossed and a scowl etched on his face.

"Well?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the group. Charlie stepped forward, holding the stack of reports.

"I've documented twelve dragons today." Viktor's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Twelve? How is that possible?" Charlie met his gaze with a steady confidence.

"I'm capable of it," he said simply, handing over the reports. Viktor snatched the papers from Charlie's hands, flipping through them quickly. His face turned red with anger as he realized there were no errors, no discrepancies. The documentation was flawless.

"This isn't over, Weasley," Viktor hissed, glaring at Charlie. "I'll find a way to prove you're lying." Charlie remained calm, unfazed by Viktor's threats.

"We're just doing our jobs, Viktor," he replied. "And we'll keep doing them, no matter what obstacles you throw our way." Viktor's fury was palpable, but he had no choice but to accept the reports. With a final glare, he stormed off, leaving the group to bask in their small victory. Harry emerged from the shadows, a satisfied grin on his face.

"That went well." Charlie chuckled, clapping Harry on the back. "Couldn't have done it without you, love." Nita and Katrin joined in, their smiles reflecting the team's shared sense of accomplishment.

"Let's keep this momentum going," Nita said, her eyes shining with determination. Katrin nodded.

"We're stronger together." As they headed to the dining hall to celebrate their hard-earned success, the bond between them felt unbreakable. Despite Viktor's attempts to break their spirit, they had proven that teamwork and resilience could overcome even the most impossible tasks. The next day dawned with a sense of urgency hanging in the air. With only nine dragons left to document, the task seemed within reach, yet tensions remained high. As Charlie made his way to work, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Viktor silently trailing behind him. It was clear that their chief was keeping a close eye on him, likely searching for any opportunity to sabotage their efforts. Charlie knew they couldn't afford any slip-ups, especially with Viktor lurking nearby. He reached out to Harry telepathically, urging him to remain vigilant and be prepared to gather more evidence against Viktor at a moment's notice. Harry's response was swift and determined, assuring Charlie that he was ready to act when needed. Despite the added pressure, Charlie and his team pressed on with their task. They worked diligently, methodically documenting each dragon they encountered. The reports began to pile up, inching them closer to their goal. But just as they were about to complete the final report, Viktor suddenly revealed himself, his presence casting a shadow over the otherwise sunny day. With a furious expression, he stormed towards Charlie, his voice booming with anger.

"What do you think you're doing, Weasley?" Viktor bellowed, his eyes flashing with fury. "You dare to defy me?" Charlie remained calm, though inwardly he felt a surge of frustration.

"I'm just doing what you've asked me for, Viktor," he replied evenly, refusing to back down in the face of Viktor's intimidation tactics. Viktor's face contorted with rage, his fists clenched at his sides.

"You think you can outsmart me? You're nothing but a traitor!" But Charlie stood his ground, unwilling to be intimidated by Viktor's outburst. Behind him, he could feel Harry's presence, a silent but unwavering source of support. Viktor's words were like a hammer blow, each accusation hitting Charlie with renewed force. His heart raced as he struggled to maintain his composure in the face of Viktor's relentless onslaught.

"You've gone against my commands, Weasley," Viktor growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You've defied my authority and acted without my approval. You're nothing but a troublemaker." Charlie's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing to find a response that would deflect Viktor's accusations. He glanced around, searching for any sign of support from his teammates, but they remained silent, watching the confrontation unfold with bated breath. But then a spark of inspiration lit up Charlie's mind, and he seized upon it with a newfound sense of determination.

"I didn't go against your commands, Viktor," he stammered, playing the fool in a desperate bid to turn the situation to his advantage. Viktor's eyes narrowed suspiciously, his expression skeptical.

"Explain yourself, Weasley," he demanded, his voice tinged with impatience.

"I multiplied myself," Charlie blurted out, his words coming out in a rush. "I thought it would help me work faster, you know, get the job done more efficiently. But I never meant to disobey you, Viktor. You never told me it's not allowed." There was a moment of tense silence as Viktor processed Charlie's explanation, his gaze flicking between Charlie and the reports scattered on the ground. It was clear that he was considering Charlie's words, weighing them against his own suspicions. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Viktor let out a frustrated sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Fine, Weasley," he muttered grudgingly. "But don't think this excuses your behavior. You're still on thin ice." Charlie breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that his impromptu excuse had managed to appease Viktor, at least for the time being. But he knew that their conflict was far from over, and that they would need to remain vigilant if they hoped to emerge victorious in the end.

The weight of the day's events hung heavy in the air as Charlie sat down in the canteen, a sense of exhaustion settling over him like a heavy blanket. His teammates gathered around him, offering their congratulations and words of support, but Charlie's mind was elsewhere.

"I couldn't have done it without all of you," Charlie admitted, his voice tinged with gratitude. "You were there for me every step of the way, and I couldn't be more grateful." Nita, Katrin, and Bogdan exchanged smiles, their eyes reflecting the camaraderie and solidarity that had carried them through the challenges they'd faced together. In that moment, they were more than just colleagues – they were a team, bound together by shared experiences and a common purpose. But even as they celebrated their victory, Charlie couldn't shake the sense of longing that gnawed at his heart. He missed the old days, when Alexandru had been their leader, guiding them with a firm but fair hand. Despite his occasional sternness, Alexandru had always been there for them, supporting them and looking out for their best interests.

"He may have been tough, but he always had our backs," Charlie mused, his thoughts drifting back to their former boss. "He never cut our salaries without a proper explanation, and he always let us take our PTO when we needed it. He was like the parent-friend of the group." Then Bogdan's revelation hung in the air, a weighty truth that settled over them like a heavy fog. As his words sank in, the gravity of what he was saying became all too clear.

"Wait, you mean to tell us..." Nita began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to process the information. "Alexandru went to such lengths for Harry?" Bogdan nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed on the table in front of him.

"Yes, he did. He knew that Harry's journey to the Ministry was risky, but he also believed in him. He contacted a friend at the Ministry to plead his case, offering to take full responsibility if anything went wrong." Katrin's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping open in astonishment. "I can't believe it," she breathed.

"Alexandru risked everything for Harry." Charlie felt a lump form in his throat as he absorbed the magnitude of Alexandru's sacrifice.

"But why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why would he go to such lengths for Harry?" Bogdan's expression softened, a bittersweet smile touching his lips.

"Because he believed in him," he replied simply. "He saw something in Harry that the rest of us couldn't. He saw potential, courage, and a willingness to fight for what's right. And he was willing to do whatever it took to help Harry succeed." As the realization dawned on them, a profound sense of gratitude washed over Charlie, Nita, Katrin, and Bogdan. In that moment, they were reminded of the depth of Alexandru's character and the impact he had made on their lives.

"He truly was one of a kind," Charlie murmured, his voice filled with reverence. "And we owe him more than we can ever repay."

"To Alexandru," Nita said softly, raising her glass in a silent toast. "He believed in all of us."

"To Alexandru," they echoed in unison, their voices filled with solemn gratitude for the man who had shaped their lives in ways they could never have imagined.