Hidden Intentions
The dragon handlers stood outside the gates, their collective frustration almost tangible in the air as they awaited Matei's arrival. When he apparated before them and strolled inside, the tension among them escalated. Matei exchanged courteous greetings with Viktor before tentatively approaching his former colleagues, who instinctively tightened their grips on their wands.
"Ah, it's good to be back among familiar faces," Matei declared, his tone attempting to project warmth, yet falling short in the face of their palpable distrust. "No need for such hostility, my friends. I come in peace." Nita's eyes flashed with anger.
"Peace? You expect us to believe that after what you did?" Katrin's voice was sharp with accusation.
"You nearly got us killed!" Bogdan's stance was rigid, his expression stern.
"You're lucky to be standing here." Matei held up his hands in a placating gesture.
"I understand your anger, but I assure you, I mean no harm. I've served my time, and I'm here to make amends." Charlie's eyes narrowed skeptically.
"Make amends? You've got a funny way of showing it." Viktor interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.
"Now, now, let's give Matei a chance to prove himself. He's a valuable asset to the team." Charlie couldn't help but roll his eyes at Viktor's assertion.
"Sure, if you say so, Viktor," he muttered under his breath, his skepticism lingering like a shadow amidst their uneasy reunion. Matei's gaze swept over the group, his eyes lingering on the absence of one particular member.
"And where is our dear Harry?" he inquired with a casual tone, though a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes. Charlie's lips quirked into a sardonic smile.
"Oh, you know Harry, always fashionably late," he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. The others stifled chuckles, but Matei merely raised an eyebrow, waiting for a more substantial answer. When the laughter subsided, Matei's expression remained expectant as he repeated his question. Charlie hesitated briefly before fabricating a response. "Oh, Harry's on time off for a week," he stated smoothly, his tone falsely casual. Viktor, seemingly preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn't question Charlie's explanation, his attention already drifting elsewhere. The others returned to their duties, their initial hostility towards Matei gradually giving way to resignation as they resumed their work routines. Meanwhile, Matei began unpacking his belongings in his old cottage, his presence a lingering reminder of past grievances and uncertain futures.
As the days stretched into weeks, the tension that had initially greeted Matei's return gradually ebbed away. Contrary to their expectations, he fulfilled his duties diligently, following Viktor's instructions without deviation. Moreover, he proved to be a helpful presence to his coworkers, offering assistance whenever it was needed.
"I must admit, Matei's been surprisingly cooperative," Katrin remarked one afternoon as they observed Matei working with one of the younger dragons. Nita nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, he hasn't caused any trouble at all. Maybe we misjudged him." Charlie listened to their conversation but remained silent, his mind still clouded with suspicion.
"He's been helping out a lot lately," Katrin added, casting a sidelong glance at Charlie. "Maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt." Charlie forced a smile, though his unease persisted.
"Maybe you're right. It's just... something doesn't sit right with me." Nita frowned, her brow furrowing in concern.
"You think he's up to something?"
"I can't shake the feeling that Matei's here for more than just a job," Charlie said, his voice low but resolute. "He's most likely after that piece of the broken wand of Dragomir." Nita and Katrin exchanged wary glances, their expressions mirroring Charlie's apprehension.
"Do you think he knows Harry has it?" Nita asked, her voice tinged with concern. Charlie shrugged, his gaze fixed on Matei as he continued his tasks in the distance.
"Hard to say. But given his history with Harry, I wouldn't put it past him to try and track it down." Katrin nodded solemnly.
"We need to be careful. If Matei gets his hands on that piece, who knows what he'll do with it." Charlie's jaw clenched, his mind already racing with plans to protect Harry and the broken wand fragment from Matei's grasp. As much as he despised the idea of confronting their former colleague, he knew they couldn't afford to underestimate the threat he posed.
"We'll keep an eye on him," Charlie declared, his voice firm with determination. "And if he makes a move, we'll be ready."
Charlie and Harry strolled through the quaint streets of the nearby town, the warm glow of the setting sun casting a golden hue over their surroundings. As they walked, Charlie couldn't shake the weight of their earlier conversation about Matei, but he was determined to enjoy this rare moment of peace with Harry.
"So, any updates on the legalities of capturing Matei?" Charlie asked, his tone casual as they meandered along. Harry glanced at him, a faint furrow creasing his brow.
"The aurors are on it," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. "They're keeping a close watch on him, but we need to stay vigilant too." Charlie nodded, grateful for Harry's calm demeanor in the face of uncertainty.
"Right. We'll do our part," he said firmly. As they continued their walk, the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics, and soon they found themselves teasing and flirting like old times. Laughter echoed through the streets as they exchanged playful banter, their worries momentarily forgotten in each other's company.
"Remember that time you accidentally turned my hair pink?" Charlie chuckled, nudging Harry playfully as they reminisced. Harry grinned sheepishly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I still maintain it was a perfectly innocent mishap," he protested, feigning innocence.
"Of course, innocent," Charlie teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But you did spend the next week trying to fix it."
"Well, I couldn't have my boyfriend walking around with bubblegum-colored hair, could I?" Harry retorted with a grin, reaching out to tousle Charlie's hair affectionately. Charlie feigned offense, pretending to swat Harry's hand away.
"Hey, watch it! My hair's perfect just the way it is," he teased, running a hand through his tousled locks. Their laughter mingled with the soft murmur of the town around them, enveloping them in a bubble of shared happiness. Despite the uncertainty lurking on the horizon, in this moment, they were content to simply enjoy each other's company, finding solace and joy in the simple pleasures of love and laughter. As they settled into their seats at the quaint restaurant, Charlie and Harry couldn't help but notice the occasional sideways glances and disapproving stares directed their way. Ignoring the judgmental looks, they focused on each other, their bond unshaken by the opinions of strangers. As they perused the menu, Charlie couldn't help but notice the waitress lingering nearby, casting furtive glances in their direction. Sensing her approach, he exchanged a knowing glance with Harry before she finally approached their table.
"Bonsoir, gentlemen," she greeted them with a smile, her eyes lingering on Charlie. "Can I take your order?" Charlie returned her smile politely, but firmly replied in Romanian.
"We'll have the spaghetti carbonara, please. And a bottle of your finest red wine." The waitress nodded, jotting down their order before pausing, her gaze lingering on Charlie.
"You have beautiful eyes," she remarked, her tone flirtatious. Charlie chuckled nervously, exchanging a glance with Harry before responding in Romanian.
"Thank you, and I'm taken." The waitress blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Charlie's response. Recovering quickly, she offered them a smile.
"Very well, your food will be out shortly. Enjoy your meal." she said before hurrying off to attend to other patrons. Harry chuckled as he watched her retreating figure, nudging Charlie playfully.
"Looks like you've still got it," he teased, a hint of amusement in his voice. Charlie rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile at Harry's teasing.
"I only have eyes for you, love," he replied, reaching across the table to squeeze Harry's hand affectionately. Under the warm glow of the restaurant's ambient lighting, Charlie and Harry shared a meal filled with laughter and affection. With each bite of pasta and sip of wine, their bond grew stronger, the worries of the outside world fading into the background. As they finished their meal, Harry reached for the bill, ready to settle it without a second thought. But before he could even pick it up, Charlie's hand covered his, halting his movements.
"Let me take care of this," Charlie insisted, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he reached for the bill himself. Harry's brow furrowed in confusion, about to protest, but Charlie's next words caught him off guard. "You're worth more than money, Harry," he said softly, his eyes filled with sincerity as he met Harry's gaze. The words hung in the air between them, a testament to the depth of Charlie's feelings for him. Harry's heart swelled with emotion, overcome by the depth of Charlie's love and generosity. Unable to find the right words to express himself, Harry simply reached out and squeezed Charlie's hand tightly, a silent gesture of gratitude and affection. With the bill settled and their hearts full, Charlie and Harry stepped out into the warm summer night, the gentle breeze brushing against their skin as they walked hand in hand, content in each other's company. Under the canopy of stars, Charlie and Harry found themselves standing at the crossroads of the night, their breath mingling with the cool evening air. As they prepared to part ways, Charlie couldn't help but reflect on the fleeting hours they had just shared.
"You know," Charlie began, his voice soft with emotion, "this has been the best few hours I've had in a while." Harry turned to him, a curious look in his eyes.
"Is it because of Matei?" he asked, sensing there was more to Charlie's words than met the eye. Charlie hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Partially," he admitted, his gaze drifting away for a moment before returning to Harry's. In the quiet stillness that followed, Charlie felt the weight of everything that had transpired at the Reserve pressing down on him. Unable to contain his emotions any longer, he poured out his heart to Harry, recounting the challenges they had faced and the uncertainty that still loomed over them.
"It's just... Matei's presence, it's like a dark cloud hanging over everything," Charlie confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know how much longer we can keep pretending that everything's okay." Harry listened intently, his expression a mix of concern and empathy. As Charlie's voice trailed off, Harry moved closer, enfolding him in a warm embrace. With gentle hands and tender kisses, Harry offered comfort and solace, his presence a soothing balm to Charlie's troubled soul. Feeling Harry's arms around him, Charlie felt a sense of peace wash over him, the tumult of his emotions slowly ebbing away. With a grateful smile, he brushed a stray strand of hair from Harry's face.
"Would you like to spend some quality time together?" Harry's response was immediate, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection.
"Of course," he said, a hint of mischief dancing in his gaze. "But maybe not at your hut, with Matei lurking about."
And so, hand in hand, Charlie and Harry set off into the night, their hearts light and their spirits buoyed by the promise of each other's company. As they made their way to Andrei's, they are united in love and unwavering in their devotion to one another.