Something

As Harry approached the scene of chaos, his heart pounds with adrenaline. The sight of the albino dragon spewing flames sent a shiver down his spine, but he knew he must act quickly to help. Rushing forward, he joined Charlie, who was already using his wand to douse the flames with jets of water.

"Charlie, what happened?" Harry called out, his voice urgent as he surveyed the damage. Charlie grimaces as he continued to work his magic, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"It's the new dragon, the albino one," he explained tersely. "She got spooked by something and started breathing fire everywhere. We managed to contain most of it, but she's still agitated." Harry nodded, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to calm the distressed dragon. He knew that albino dragons can be particularly sensitive to stimuli, and it was crucial to handle the situation with care.

"Let me try something," Harry said, his voice low and soothing as he approached the dragon slowly, his wand held out in front of him. "Easy there, girl. We're not here to hurt you." The dragon eyed Harry warily, its scales shimmering in the sunlight as it watched him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Harry kept his movements slow and deliberate, hoping to convey a sense of calm and reassurance.

"It's okay," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're safe here. We won't let anything happen to you." To Harry's relief, the dragon seemed to respond to his words, its movements were becoming less agitated as it sensed his presence. Slowly but surely, the flames died down, until all that's left was a smoldering pile of ash. Charlie watched in awe as Harry successfully has calmed the dragon down, his admiration for his partner growing with each passing moment. As Harry turned to face him, a tired but triumphant smile on his face, Charlie couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the man he loves.

"Nice work, Harry," Charlie said, his voice filled with genuine admiration as he kissed Harry on the cheeks. "I don't know what we would've done without you." Harry smiled wearily, the adrenaline starting to ebb away as the immediate danger passes.

"Just doing my job," he replied modestly. "Now we need to figure out what spooked her in the first place." As the adrenaline from the dragon incident begins to subside, Charlie and Harry find a moment to catch their breath and regroup. With the immediate crisis averted, Charlie turns to Harry with a curious expression.

"So, love, what did you find out about Aurelian Dragomir?" Charlie asks, his interest piqued. Harry takes a deep breath, his mind still reeling from the revelations he uncovered in the Romanian Ministry of Magic.

"It's... complicated," he begins, choosing his words carefully as he recounts the information he gleaned from the ancient tome. Charlie listens intently as Harry explains Aurelian's remarkable life story, from his humble beginnings in a small village to his rise as a legendary hero. But as Harry delves deeper into the darker aspects of Aurelian's past, Charlie's eyebrows furrow with concern.

"I remember the Kneazles. They were so adorable." He said dreamily. "Sounds like quite the character," Charlie remarks, scratching his head thoughtfully. "A hero and a villain all rolled into one." Harry nods, a heavy weight settling in the pit of his stomach as he grapples with the complexities of Aurelian's legacy.

"Yeah, it's... a lot to take in," he admits, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Sensing Harry's need for a distraction, Charlie launches into a series of lighthearted anecdotes and amusing tales, regaling Harry with stories of the sanctuary's latest antics in his absence. As they share a laugh together, Harry feels a sense of warmth and gratitude wash over him, grateful for Charlie's unwavering support and companionship. Harry and Charlie approach their cottage, their hearts sink at the sight of the damage wrought by the fire. The roof is gone, leaving charred beams exposed to the sky, and the walls bear scorch marks from the intense heat. Anxiety gnaws at Harry's insides as he worries about the extent of the damage, but as they step inside, relief floods through him like a wave.

"Everything looks okay," Charlie observes, his voice tinged with relief as he scans the interior of the cottage. Despite the devastation outside, their belongings appear to have escaped unscathed, spared from the flames that had threatened to consume them.

Harry lets out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders at the sight of their undamaged possessions.

"Thank Merlin," he murmurs, grateful that they won't have to replace everything they own. Just then, Nita appears at the doorway, her expression sympathetic as she takes in the scene before her.

"I'm so sorry about the fire," she says, her voice filled with genuine concern. "But I'm glad to see that you're both okay." Harry offers her a grateful smile, touched by her kindness.

"Thanks, Nita," he replies, feeling a swell of gratitude for her support. "We're just relieved that no one was hurt."

Nita nods in understanding, her eyes flicking briefly to the damaged walls before she turns back to them with a determined expression. "Well, come on then," she says briskly, gesturing for them to follow her. "Let's go get some breakfast. You both could use a hot meal after everything that's happened." Alexandru made his way to his office, his gaze fell upon Harry, and he quickened his pace to catch up with him.

"Harry," he called out, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What have you discovered about the broken wand piece?" Harry turned to face Alexandru, his expression serious as he considered his words carefully.

"It's made from Pseudobrookite," he explained, his voice low with concern. "It's a rare mineral that enhances the caster's magic, making spells more powerful and potent." Alexandru's brow furrowed in thought as he absorbed this information, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Interesting," he murmured, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "That would certainly explain why it's such a coveted object." But Harry's expression grew grave as he continues, his voice tinged with unease.

"There's something else, though," he added, his tone somber. "I've uncovered some disturbing revelations about Matei and Aurelian Dragomir." Alexandru's eyes widened in surprise at Harry's words, his interest piqued by the mention of such a renowned figure from wizarding history.

"Go on," he prompted, eager to hear more. Harry took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to reveal.

"It seems that Aurelian Dragomir's legacy may not be as heroic as it's been portrayed," he explained, his voice heavy with regret. "There are whispers of darker deeds—of violence, coercion, and even atrocities committed in his name." Alexandru's expression darkened at the revelation, his mind whirling with the implications of Harry's words.

"And what of Matei?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. Harry's jaw tightened at the mention of Matei's name, his expression grim.

"He's a descendant of Aurelian Dragomir," he explained, his voice tinged with frustration. "It seems that he's been using his connection to Aurelian to gain access to powerful artifacts, like the broken wand piece, for his own nefarious purposes." A heavy silence fell between them as Alexandru absorbed the gravity of Harry's words, his mind racing with the implications of what he's learned.

"This changes everything," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll need to proceed with caution from here on out." Harry nodded in agreement, his expression determined. Nita, Charlie, and Harry made their way towards the canteen, their path was interrupted by Bogdan rushing towards them, excitement radiating from every pore.

"Guys, you won't believe it! I was right about the albino dragon!" he exclaimed breathlessly, his eyes wide with exhilaration. Nita rolled her eyes at Bogdan's exuberance, but Charlie's arm immediately wrapped around Harry, pulling him close. He peppered Harry's forehead with soft kisses, a gesture of reassurance and affection amidst the chaos.

"Aww, you two are too cute," Nita teased, a fond smile tugging at her lips as she watched the display of affection. With the fire already extinguished, the urgency of the situation dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief. However, the damage to the cottages was evident, and they knew that there was work to be done to repair and rebuild.

As the days passed and the winter chill settled over the reserve, the team set to work repairing the damage caused by the fire. Despite the cold, they were determined to restore the cottages to their former state, and perhaps even improve upon them. Bricks and clay became their tools as they rebuilt the structures, their hands working tirelessly to shape the raw materials into sturdy walls and roofs. By the time they were finished, the cottages stood stronger and more resilient than ever before, their walls expanded to accommodate the needs of their inhabitants. Within their own cottage, Harry and Charlie set to work creating a cozy kitchen area, a space where they could prepare meals together and share quiet moments away from the hustle and bustle of the reserve. Harry's face lit up with joy as they put the finishing touches on their new sanctuary, the warmth of their love filling the room with a sense of peace and contentment.Once the repairs were complete, they ventured out into the reserve to assess the extent of the damage caused by the fire. It was then that they stumbled upon the gaping maw of the catacombs, a stark reminder of the battle that had taken place months ago. Harry's heart clenched at the sight, memories of that fateful night flooding back with painful clarity. He exchanged a solemn glance with Charlie, their shared history weighing heavily on their minds as they gazed into the depths of the cavernous abyss.