Something

Days passed at the Reserve, Harry found himself immersed in the daily routines and responsibilities of taking care for the magical creatures under their watchful eye. Yet amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, a familiar sight greeted him one morning—a majestic owl swooping down from the sky, a letter clutched tightly in its talons. With a sense of anticipation, Harry reached out to receive the letter, his heart racing with excitement at the prospect of hearing from his dear friends, Ron and Hermione. Breaking the seal with practiced ease, he unfolded the parchment and began to read, Hermione's elegant handwriting leaping off the page.

"Dear Harry and Charlie," the letter began, its words filled with warmth and affection. "We hope this letter finds you both well and thriving at the Reserve. Ron and I have been thinking of you often and eagerly await news of your latest adventures." As Harry continued to read, Hermione's curiosity about the investigation into the broken wand piece became apparent. She expressed a keen interest in any progress they had made, her insatiable thirst for knowledge driving her to seek answers to even the most elusive mysteries. But it was their heartfelt inquiries about their day-to-day lives that truly warmed Harry's heart. They wanted to know how he and Charlie were faring amidst the challenges and joys of their life at the Reserve, their genuine concern for their well-being shining through in every word. With a smile playing at the corners of his lips, Harry reached for a quill and parchment, eager to pen a response to his dear friends. He detailed their latest findings in the investigation, sharing any progress they had made and promising to keep them updated as the situation developed. But it was Hermione's and Ron's genuine interest in their personal lives that touched Harry the most. He poured his heart into his response, sharing anecdotes and stories from their time at the Reserve, painting a vivid picture of the love and camaraderie that filled their days. He sealed the letter with wax and sent it off with a grateful nod to the faithful owl, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the friendships that sustained him, even from afar.

With the idea of a matching bracelet for Charlie's birthday gift firmly planted in his mind, Harry sought out Nita, the keeper of the Reserve's storeroom, in search of the perfect material. As he approached her, a friendly smile gracing his lips, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of creating something truly special for his beloved.

"Nita," Harry greeted her warmly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I was wondering if I could borrow some dragon scales from the storage room. I have a special project in mind for Charlie's birthday." Nita returned his smile, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Of course, Harry," she replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "But you know the drill—you'll need to update the inventory and pay for what you take." Harry nodded eagerly, already mentally calculating the cost of the dragon scales. He was more than willing to pay whatever price necessary to create the perfect gift for Charlie.

"Absolutely," he agreed, his voice brimming with excitement. "I'll take care of everything." With a spring in his step, Harry made his way to the storage room, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he entered the dimly lit space, row upon row of neatly labeled shelves greeted him, each one filled with a treasure trove of magical artifacts and creature remains. Carefully perusing the shelves, Harry's eyes alighted on a collection of dragon scales, each one shimmering with iridescent hues of emerald and sapphire. His breath caught in his throat at the sight, his mind racing with possibilities for the bracelet he envisioned for Charlie. After a moment's deliberation, Harry reached out and selected a handful of scales, each one carefully chosen from the hoard of treasures before him. With a sense of reverence, he cradled them in his hands, marveling at their beauty and craftsmanship. Among the scales he chose were those belonging to the Hungarian Horntail, one of the most formidable dragons in the wizarding world. Their dark, gleaming surface held a hint of danger and mystery, a perfect representation of the strength and resilience he admired in Charlie. Satisfied with his selection, Harry made his way back to Nita, his heart soaring with excitement at the prospect of bringing his vision to life. With the dragon scales in hand, he knew that Charlie's birthday gift would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Harry made his way to Alexandru's office to inform him of the change in the inventory, he couldn't shake the feeling of excitement bubbling within him. The dragon scales clutched tightly in his hand seemed to pulse with anticipation, a tangible symbol of the love and devotion he felt for Charlie. But before he could reach his destination, a familiar voice called out to him from across the canteen, interrupting his thoughts. Turning, Harry spotted Charlie, Bogdan, and Katrin seated at a nearby table, their faces alight with laughter and camaraderie as they enjoyed their lunch together.

"Love!" Charlie called out, his voice warm and inviting. "Come and give me a kiss."

Harry smiled for a moment, torn between his desire to share his lips with Charlie and his need to fulfill his task. He nodded in agreement, promising to join them in just a moment.

"I'll be right there," he called back, his voice carrying across the bustling room. With a quick glance toward Alexandru's office, Harry made his way through the crowded canteen, his heart racing with anticipation. As he entered the office, he found Alexandru seated behind his desk, his expression curious yet welcoming.

"Ah, Harry," Alexandru greeted him warmly, gesturing for him to take a seat. "What brings you here?" Harry approached the desk, the dragon scales clutched tightly in his hand.

"I just wanted to inform you of a change in the inventory," he explained, his voice tinged with excitement. "I borrowed some dragon scales for a special project." Alexandru's eyes sparkled with interest as Harry revealed the reason for his visit. His boss listened attentively as Harry shared his plans for the bracelet he intended to create for Charlie's birthday, his words filled with passion and devotion. When Harry finished speaking, Alexandru's smile widened, a look of fondness and approval crossing his features.

"That's very sweet of you, Harry," he remarked, his voice tinged with warmth. "Your romance is as sweet as cotton candy." Harry's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the compliment, but he couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at his lips.

With the inventory updated and Alexandru's approval secured, Harry felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him. As he made his way back to the canteen to join Charlie, Bogdan, and Katrin, his heart felt lighter, buoyed by the knowledge that Charlie's birthday gift was one step closer to completion. Entering the bustling room, Harry spotted Charlie sitting at their usual table, his eyes lighting up with joy as he caught sight of Harry. With a grin, Harry approached, the dragon scales safely tucked away in his pocket. Settling onto Charlie's lap with practiced ease, Harry leaned in close, his breath warm against Charlie's ear. Bogdan and Katrin exchanged amused glances at the sight, their laughter bubbling up in infectious giggles. But Harry and Charlie paid them no mind, lost in their own private world of shared secrets and stolen moments. With a playful glint in his eye, Harry whispered softly to Charlie, his words meant for him alone.

"I got a letter earlier today," he confessed, his voice filled with excitement. "From Ron and Hermione." Charlie's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, his curiosity piqued.

"What did they have to say?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. Harry's smile widened as he shared the contents of the letter, his words a testament to the enduring bond they shared with their friends. With each word, Charlie's expression softened, his love and gratitude for their friends shining through.

With the onset of winter, the dragons in the Reserve had begun to slumber more deeply, their movements slowed by the chill in the air. As a result, the tamers found themselves with more free time on their hands, their daily routines lightened by the temporary lull in their responsibilities.

After completing his chores for the day, including washing clothes and hanging them above the crackling fire to dry, Harry seized the opportunity to work on Charlie's birthday gift. With the dragon scales carefully laid out before him, he made his way to Matei's abandoned cottage, the perfect spot for a bit of privacy and solitude. Entering the empty cottage, Harry flicked on the lights, the soft glow illuminating the dusty interior. But as his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he noticed something amiss—a strange, unsettling feeling creeping up his spine. Moving cautiously through the cottage, Harry searched for a suitable workspace, his senses on high alert for any signs of danger. But when he reached the main room, what he found sent a shiver down his spine. Laid out on the table before him were rows upon rows of vials and potions, their contents glimmering in the dim light. Harry's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the telltale signs of dark magic—the twisted symbols etched into the glass, the sickly sweet scent that hung heavy in the air. For a moment, Harry stood frozen in shock, his mind racing with the implications of what he had discovered. Matei, the disgraced former tamer who had once posed a threat to their safety, had been dabbling in forbidden magic. With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Harry realized that their troubles were far from over. Matei may have been defeated once before, but it seemed that he had not been idle in his exile.

Despite the unsettling discovery in Matei's abandoned cottage, Harry pushed aside his concerns and focused on the task at hand—the creation of Charlie's birthday gift. With determined hands, he set to work, his mind filled with thoughts of love and devotion. Gathering the dragon scales he had borrowed from the storage room, Harry carefully sewed them together, each stitch a testament to the bond he shared with Charlie. With practiced precision, he fashioned the scales into a bracelet, securing clips on either side to ensure a perfect fit. As he worked, Harry couldn't help but smile at the thought of Charlie's reaction when he presented him with the gift. He imagined the look of delight on Charlie's face, the way his eyes would light up with joy at the sight of the bracelet crafted with love. But there was one final touch that Harry knew would make the gift truly special—a carving in the center of the bracelet, a symbol that reminded him of Charlie in every way. With careful strokes, he etched the design into the metal, his hands steady with purpose. As he put the finishing touches on the bracelet, Harry felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. Despite the challenges they faced and the dangers that lurked in the shadows, he knew that their love would always prevail. And with this gift, he hoped to show Charlie just how much he meant to him. With a smile of anticipation, Harry carefully wrapped the bracelet in tissue paper, tucking it away safely until Charlie's birthday arrived.