Don't Play Dumb
Charlie Weasley threw his duffle bag over his shoulder. He brought a little. Honestly, he had little. Not after what happened. The sun blinded him as he stepped out of the train station. It was unusually warm for a spring day. Buildings touched the sky. This was nothing like where he was. From and he didn’t like the feeling he got. There were too many people, that is why he liked his job, he didn't have to talk to many people. Just the babies and they couldn’t talk back.
Today was the day he started his new job, his new life. Charlie thought his life was over two years ago. Why would he want to live if he couldn’t do what he loved to do? With a shake of his head, he walked to an empty alleyway and pulled out the tarnished flask. Magic pulled and whirled him around.
Charlie hadn’t used a port key since the accident, and it showed. When he landed, his knees buckled, sending him to the ground. With a growl, he pulled up his khakis and made sure his prosthetic legs were okay.
“Ya okay there Charlie?” A deep voice said from above him. Looking up, he saw kind brown eyes looking down at him. A large hand reached down to him and he took it and with a pull, he was standing on two feet.
“Yes, I’m good. Just a rough landing, haven’t done that in a while.” Charlie ran his finger through his long shaggy hair. He normally kept it a little longer but hadn’t had the motivation to cut it in a while.
“Well, let’s get ya settled, and then we can take a tour if ya want.” Hagrid smiled at him and took his duffle bag from him. Charlie dusted off the grass and dirt from his hands. New start. This is a new start.
Charlie looked around the property. He didn’t think that America could be this beautiful. This place didn’t look like where the train station was located. Not here. It was open and beautiful.
There is a blue old two-story house standing in front of them, and there are small cabins around the main house.
“Here is the main house. Right now is where ya be staying. Sorry, I don’t have ya cabin ready yet. It should be ready by the end of the week. We had a bunch of hatchlings this week. I have ya in the bedroom on the first floor. My son just recently moved out into a cabin but you will see him around he is usually in the kitchen when he isn’t working. He loves to cook.” Charlie briefly wondered about the new babies and what they were.
Charlie listened as he followed Hagrid up the creaky stairs to the front porch and then into the house. It felt homey, and there was a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. He didn’t even know he was hungry until that moment.
“He must’ve put something on this morning while I was out. Come on, here's ya room.” Hagrid opened the door to a clean bedroom. The walls were a pale gray, and there was a full-size bed. With a deep blue comforter. On the opposite side had an oversized chair with a dresser. It wasn’t his cabin at the Dragon Sanctuary, but that wasn’t his home any longer.
“Thank you, Hagrid. Do you mind if I rest for a while?” Charlie didn’t want to admit he needed to relax and fix himself from the fall earlier, and he never liked to do that with an audience.
“That’s fine Charlie, I’ll be feedin’ the Grindylows. If you wanna meet me there.” Hagrid smiled and walked out of the room. His footsteps were loud as he heard the door close.
Charlie sat on his bed and pulled up his pants again. His prosthetics came off easily with his wand and he said a quick cleaning spell. Grindylows! He knew that the half-giant was crazy, but he couldn’t wait to see what else this not-so-little zoo had.
His brother Bill is the one that talked him into doing this. His mother was happy with him being at home for the rest of his life. All the rest of his family was gone, living their life.
Charlie laid back on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. He promised his brother that he would try. He would love to make enough to get the better magical prosthetics. The Dragon Sanctuary didn’t have enough to help him with them. He didn’t expect them to. What happened wasn’t their fault. It wasn’t even his fault. It just happened.
He rubbed his face. He hated the burn of tears in his eyes. Charlie growled as he stood up. He could do this, he was going to do this.
——-
Harry was feeding the Mini Kelpies. His arms were elbow-deep in their water habitat. He prided their zoo was more of a natural park. It kept both the creatures and guests safe.
The Zoo was growing fast. He couldn’t keep his dad from rescuing every living thing he came across.. Not that he wanted to; he loved them as much or more than his dad. Though Harry just got his Creature Studies Mastery and added another hippogriff named Puddlefoot. It was good that they were getting a retired Dragon handler hired on to help lighten the load.
“Dad, did the new guy get here? I thought he would be with you.” Harry asked as the older man fed the Grindylow carefully.
Harry smiled as the smallest kelpie swam up against his arm. “Hello, Peanut!” He whispered.
“He's here Harry. I told him to meet us out here. He seemed like he needed a few minutes alone.” The half-giant spoke softly. “Ya know, it’s been hard for him.”
Harry nodded and finished up with the Kelpie. “I can only imagine, Dad. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t do this every day.” He finished up with the Kelpie and went to help his dad.
The older man hummed in agreement. “We need to be there for him. I know you will be.”
Harry smiled up at his father. “Of course Dad.” The most important thing that he learned from his father was loyalty and being there for someone when they were down.
“He ain't too bad lookin’ either.” Harry laughed. His dad was always trying to set him up. He was always too busy with his mastery.
“Dad, how about we find you someone first, and then we will find someone for me? How about that sweet man who owns the exotic creature store? I see how he looks at you and how you look at him.” Harry saw his dad’s cheek flush a deep pink. He knew that the half-giant had a thing for the short blond hair man who wore polka-dot bow ties and bright red glasses.
“A man like Barnaby would want nothing to do with a half-giant who can’t properly do magic.” His father mumbled and walked away from his task. Harry followed behind him and sat down next to him on the bench.
“Barnaby would be lucky to have someone like you, Dad! You are a catch! You are kind, sweet, and handsome. The most loyal man I know! You should give it a chance, Dad. Next week we will go together and get the feed and you’ll ask him over for dinner and I’ll cook. Then, after dinner, you can give him a private tour!” Harry clapped his hands together. That would be a perfect date! He might not have been on a lot of dates, but Harry couldn’t help but read romance stories to the baby creatures. It’s not like they understood what any of it meant. Harry would love for the one to be on that date was him.
His dad sighed and wiped a stray tear from his eyes. “Alright Harry, if ya think he will go for it.”
Harry beamed up at his dad. The older wizard deserved to be happy.
“Okay then! Oh, I have a new recipe that I can try out! I hope he is not a vegetarian!”
Harry jumped when he heard a deep cough. He turned around to see a tall, muscular man with hair the color of fire and eyes piercing blue.
“Charlie! I’m guessin’ you are ready for the tour? I was just helping my son Harry here with the feeding. Charlie Weasley, this is my son Harry, Harry, this is Charlie. The older wizard stood up and Harry stumbled to his feet, holding out his hand.
Charlie moved closer, and Harry could see his features clearer. Freckles covered his face and arms like little constellations. The man was breathtaking.
The redhead stuck out his hand, and Harry took it. He could feel the calluses on the other wizard’s palm.
“Nice to meet you, Charlie. We are glad that you are here! It’s nice to have someone who has worked with bigger creatures and beasts.” Harry gives his best smile. He could see the sadness in those blue eyes.
“Nice to meet you, Harry.” Charlie snipped, not returning his smile... “Hagrid, I'm ready for that tour.” Harry let go of the redhead's hand, instantly missing the feel of him.
“Great! Harry, show him around. I’m going to finish feeding the rest of this area. I’ll meet you at home for dinner.” His dad smiled at him and walked back toward the Grindylow. Harry wanted to laugh because he knew what his father was doing.
“Okay, I guess I’m going to be your tour guide. This place is enormous, so we can either walk or take the cart. It’s been a long day, so I wouldn’t mind sitting.” Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets as they walked towards the path.
Charlie grunted and glared ahead. “You don’t have to do that. I can walk just fine.” The growl in his voice made Harry jump. What was he doing? Harry tilted his head and questioned him.
“I’m not sure what you mean. I’m not doing anything.” Charlie huffed and moved to stand in front of Harry. His blue eyes burned into his.
“Don’t play dumb. Just because I don’t have two proper legs doesn’t mean I can’t walk, or do my fucking job.” The redhead spit out and Harry’s eyes widened and then his own temper kicked in.
“I didn’t know about you not having two proper legs. In fact, it is none of my business. But trust me, I didn’t suggest the cart because of you. I’ve been up since 4 am so I’m exhausted, but sure we can walk.” Harry didn’t wait for Charlie to say anything to him. He pushed past the taller wizard and stomped off. Not caring if Charlie kept up or not.