Everything

The next morning, Charlie, Nita, Katrin, and Bogdan gathered for breakfast in the common area. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft glow over the camp. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked bread filled the air, creating a momentary sense of normalcy amidst the lingering tension. Charlie picked up the morning edition of Gazeta Vrăjitorilor, the leading wizarding newspaper in Romania. He scanned the headlines, his eyes widening as he read a particular article.

"Matei has escaped from prison," Charlie announced, his voice barely above a whisper. Everyone stopped eating, their eyes snapping to Charlie in shock.

"Are you serious?" Katrin asked, leaning closer to look at the newspaper. Charlie nodded, his expression grim.

"It says he broke out last night. The authorities have no leads on his whereabouts." Nita's face paled.

"Do you think he might come here?" Katrin added,

"He always held a grudge against us, especially after Alexandru took over." Bogdan clenched his fists.

"If he comes here, it won’t be good. He'll want revenge." Charlie looked around the table, seeing the worry etched on everyone’s faces.

"We need to prepare. If Matei is coming, he’ll be after more than just revenge. He’ll want to reclaim his 'legacy'—the legacy of Aurelian Dragomir." Nita nodded.

"Agreed. We can’t let Matei get anywhere near the Reserve or the dragons." Katrin looked determined.

"We’ve dealt with threats before. We can handle this too." Charlie placed a reassuring hand on Bogdan’s shoulder. Just then, Charlie remembered an important detail. "And there's something else. Matei doesn't know Harry isn't working here anymore. He might come looking for him because Harry has the broken piece of Aurelian Dragomir's wand." Bogdan’s eyes widened.

"The wand piece... If Matei gets his hands on that, it could be catastrophic." Charlie felt a surge of resolve.

"Right. Let's get to work. We don’t know when Matei might strike, but we’ll be ready for him." The team dispersed, each member heading to their tasks with a newfound sense of urgency. Charlie felt the weight of responsibility heavier than ever but was determined to protect their home and the creatures they cared for. He knew he had to inform Harry about Matei's escape and make sure the wand piece was kept safe. Charlie felt a surge of urgency as he made his way to a quiet spot behind one of the dragon enclosures. He needed to reach Harry immediately. Closing his eyes, he focused on the telepathic link they had established.

"Harry, can you hear me?" Harry’s voice came through almost instantly, sounding slightly startled.

"Charlie? What's wrong?"

"Matei has escaped from prison," Charlie relayed quickly. "We think he might come here looking for the broken piece of Aurelian Dragomir's wand. You need to hide it somewhere he can't find it." There was a brief pause before Harry responded.

"Got it. I’ll take care of it right away. Stay safe."

"You too, Harry. I’ll keep you updated." With that, the connection faded, and Charlie felt a bit more at ease knowing Harry would secure the wand piece. Meanwhile, at Grimmauld Place, Harry hurried to his bedroom, his heart pounding. He retrieved the small, ancient-looking piece of Aurelian Dragomir's wand from his belongings. It had been a valuable artifact they had kept safe, not fully understanding its power but knowing it was dangerous in the wrong hands. Harry found an old, ornate box in his room, one that had once belonged to Sirius. It was charmed with multiple protective spells, making it the perfect hiding place. He placed the wand piece inside and sealed the box with a series of complex incantations, ensuring it would remain hidden and secure.

"There," he muttered to himself, feeling a bit more secure. "That should keep it safe." He then hid the box in a secret compartment within the floorboards of his bedroom, a place he knew was almost impossible to find without knowing its exact location. Satisfied, he took a deep breath and contacted Charlie telepathically.

"It's done. The wand piece is hidden at Grimmauld Place. Matei won’t be able to find it."

"Good," came Charlie’s relieved response. "Now we just need to stay vigilant and make sure everyone here is safe."

"Be careful, Charlie," Harry urged. "Matei’s dangerous. If he comes to the Reserve, you’ll need all the help you can get."

"We’ll be ready," Charlie assured him. There was a pause before he added, with a playful tone, "Besides, I’ve got to stay safe so I can come back to you." Harry chuckled.

"Is that so? You better not get yourself in trouble then." Charlie grinned, even though Harry couldn’t see it.

"I’ll do my best. And Harry?"

"Yes?"

"I miss you," Charlie said softly. Harry’s voice was warm and teasing.

"I miss you too, Charlie. Maybe when this is all over, we can have some time just for ourselves." Charlie’s heart lifted at the thought.

"I’d like that. Stay safe, love."

"You too. See you soon." As the connection ended, both men felt a renewed sense of determination. They had work to do, but the promise of being together again kept their spirits high. Charlie, Nita, Katrin, Bogdan, and Ghita gathered late in the morning, the sun peeking over the horizon. The air was hot, filled with the sounds of the forest around the Reserve. They knew the importance of their task, especially given the heightened threat of Matei's escape. The dragons, now in hatching season, were more protective and unpredictable than ever.

"Alright, everyone," Charlie began, addressing the group as they huddled near the entrance of the dragon enclosures. "We need to check on each dragon. I know they’re shielded by enchantments, but we can’t take any chances, especially with Matei out there." Nita nodded, her expression serious.

"The females are already on edge. We’ll need to be extra careful." 

"It’s not just about the shields. We need to ensure the dragons themselves are calm and not agitated by any external disturbances." Katrin added. Bogdan and Ghita agreed, their faces reflecting the gravity of the situation. Together, they split into pairs to cover more ground, each equipped with protective gear and wands at the ready. As Charlie and Nita approached the enclosure of Norberta, the Norwegian Ridgeback, they could hear her low growls from a distance. The ground vibrated slightly with her restless movements.

"Easy, girl," Charlie murmured as they stepped closer, his wand emitting a soft light to soothe the dragon. Norberta’s eyes followed them warily, her massive body coiled protectively around her clutch of eggs. Nita scanned the enchanted barrier surrounding the enclosure.

"The shield seems intact," she said, her eyes darting over the shimmering boundary. "But we should still reinforce it." Charlie casted a strengthening charm over the existing enchantment.

"Better safe than sorry," he said. "Norberta, you’re safe. We’re here to protect you." Meanwhile, Katrin and Bogdan were checking on the Horntail, whose fierce reputation was well-known. The dragon’s spiked tail lashed out as they approached, a clear warning to stay back.

"She’s more aggressive than usual," Bogdan observed, keeping a safe distance. "Could be the heightened protection instinct." Katrin agreed, casting a calming spell.

"Let’s not provoke her. We just need to ensure the shield is strong." Back with Charlie and Nita, the pair moved methodically from enclosure to enclosure, reinforcing shields and calming dragons. The tension in the air was palpable, but their experience and teamwork kept them focused. As they regrouped after several hours, Charlie addressed the team.

"Every dragon seems secure. We need to maintain vigilance, though. With the females so protective, any disturbance could be disastrous." Ghita, who had been checking on the Chinese Fireball, added,

"I’ve never seen them this fierce. It’s like they know something’s wrong." Charlie nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.

"They might. Dragons are perceptive. Let’s keep our guard up and check in regularly." The canteen buzzed with the usual end-of-day chatter as Charlie, Nita, Katrin, Bogdan, and Ghita sat together, their plates filled with a hearty dinner. The stress of the day's work had left them drained but satisfied with their efforts. They spoke in low tones about the enhanced shields and the protective measures they’d taken. As they were about to dig into their meals, Viktor strode into the hall, his presence immediately drawing everyone's attention. He approached their table with an air of authority.

“What were you all doing today?” Viktor asked, his tone sharp. Bogdan looked up, meeting Viktor's gaze evenly.

“We enhanced the shields around the enclosures, given the situation with Matei.” Viktor's eyebrows shot up.

“Matei?” Charlie, sensing the need for clarity, spoke up.

“Matei is an ex-coworker who tried to kill us all. He used a love potion that affected the dragons, making me fall in love with him. It was a dangerous situation, and we can't take any chances with him on the loose.” Viktor’s face broke into a slow, mocking clap. The sound echoed through the hall, causing everyone to fall silent.

“Bravo. Very diligent of you all. However, you might want to reconsider your actions. Matei is now your coworker again.” The room fell into a stunned silence, every pair of eyes on Viktor. The shock was palpable, and then the reality of Viktor's words sank in. A wave of outrage swept through the group.

“What?!” Nita was the first to find her voice, her eyes blazing with fury. “You can't be serious!”

“After everything he did?” Katrin added, her voice shaking with anger. “This is insanity!” Bogdan stood up, fists clenched.

“You’re risking all our lives!” Ghita, usually the quietest, shouted.

“Have you lost your mind?” Charlie felt a cold anger settle over him. He locked eyes with Viktor.

“You’re putting us all in danger. This isn’t just irresponsible—it’s criminal.” Viktor raised his hands in a placating gesture, though his expression remained condescending.

“Calm down, all of you. Matei has served his time and has been cleared to return. He deserves a second chance.”

“Not here!” Charlie retorted. “Not around us, not around the dragons. This is a disaster waiting to happen.” The din of voices grew louder, a chorus of protest against Viktor’s decision. It was clear that no one was willing to accept Matei back into their midst, not after the trauma and betrayal they had suffered. Viktor, seemingly unfazed by the uproar, took a step back.

“Your opinions are noted, but the decision is final. Matei starts tomorrow. I expect you all to behave professionally.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the handlers seething with anger and disbelief. The dinner that had begun with cautious optimism now felt heavy with tension and dread. Charlie looked around at his friends, their faces mirroring his own turmoil.

“We need to figure out what to do.” Charlie's sudden appearance at Andrei's house caught Harry off guard. His expression was urgent, his words hurried as he relayed the news of Matei's escape and subsequent return to the Reserve. Without waiting for a response, Harry reached out and seized Charlie's hand, the action swift and decisive. Before Charlie could process what was happening, they were enveloped in the familiar sensation of apparition, hurtling through space and time. When they materialized in the bustling entrance hall of the Romanian Ministry of Magic, Charlie's mind was still reeling from the abruptness of Harry's actions. He opened his mouth to speak, to question Harry's motives, but before he could utter a word, Harry cut him off.

"I've had enough of this," Harry muttered through clenched teeth, his voice tight with emotion. Charlie glanced at him, concern etched in his features.

"Harry, what's wrong?" he asked, his hand reaching out instinctively to touch Harry's arm. Harry shook his head, his jaw set in determination.

"I'm tired of always doing the dirty work," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Why is it that we're always the ones fighting these battles? Why can't the authorities do their job for once?" Charlie's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I know, Harry," he replied, his voice gentle. "But right now, we're the ones who can make a difference. We can't let Matei's return go unchecked. We have to do whatever it takes to protect our friends at the Reserve." Harry took a deep breath, his resolve solidifying.

"You're right," he said, determination ringing clear in his voice. "Let's make sure Matei doesn't cause any more harm." With that, they set off through the corridors of the Ministry, their footsteps echoing through the corridors.