Chapter 1
The charter plane lands on the tarmac, dust spinning out everywhere. Hermione hops off with her suitcases in hand, and thanks the pilot. She's then ushered into a jeep with the doors off, trying in vain to calm her hair from the winds.
"This is fun, very Jurassic Park isn't it?"
"I'm not sure what that is, ma'am"
"Oh come on, Spielberg? You can operate a motor vehicle but you don't know about Jurassic Park?"
"I'm sure it's a very exciting place, maybe I'll visit someday."
"No, you can't visit, it's- never mind." They drive in awkward silence. "How much further, do you think?"
"A little ways, we try not to land too close to the birds, it gets them all confused."
"I'm sorry, the birds?"
"Oh! Oh yeah, we call 'em birds here. Makes it less confusing for when we have to talk to locals, easy enough to remember."
"Right."
"Do you have a favorite?"
"Oh right, well I love all drag-"
"Birds"
"Right, birds, equally, but I am quite partial to the Tasseled Thundermaw. Or perhaps the Emerald Bombardier"
"Ohh we've got some absolutely gorgeous Emeralds. You're in for a real treat, my dear."
"How exciting! I can't wait. I've heard that fresh bombardier saliva can be an incredibly exciting potions ingredient when it hasn't been put under stasis for transport."
"Yes yes, well, we strongly discourage the use of bombardieren for anyone without a potions mastery or at least under strict supervision."
"Well, then it's a good thing I have a potions mastery."
"I'm sorry, how old did you say you were?"
"I didn't."
They pull up to a spiny gate surrounded by shimmering air, almost that of an oasis. The driver pricks his thumb on a barb next to the wheel and they pass through the portal.
"Hope you're not squeamish, love. Blood wards. Keeps us all secure."
"I see."
"Well, welcome to paradise"
They pass through the brush and it opens into a gorgeous, sprawling area with tents, dig sites, trees, and mountains. The sound of dragon calls in the distance.
"Wow, this is amazing."
The driver pulls to a stop.
"Well go on, off you get"
She ungracefully climbs out of the jeep while the driver pulls back around.
"You're not my only job of the day, you know."
"No no, of course, have a wonderful day! Uh-"
"Grisham."
"Right, Grisham. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."
...
She hears a voice call after her.
"Well look what the kneazle dragged in!"
"CHARLIE!!!!"
She runs into the arms of the burly redhead who swings her around in a circle.
"It's been too long since we've had a visit."
"It'll be a bit more than a visit. I'm taking over as the liaison for the department of creatures."
"That's so wonderful! I can't believe no one told me you'd be coming! Why didn't you send word?"
"Thought the surprise would be more fun. That dopey look you lot always get"
"Always bashing my family, this one. Too good for my poor dear brother what loves you so..."
"LoveD. Past tense. He'll get over it."
"How anyone could get over a lady such as yourself simply foggles the mind."
"Boggles."
"Foggles, boggles, all those things. Let's get you something to drink, shall we?"
"Let's."
...
He pulls her into a large tent, and she sees a man, bent over a drafting table. His long, muscled arms tanned from being out in the sun all day, his blond hair sandier and windswept. This handsome stranger looks familiar but she would have remembered such a fine-
He turns around, and all the color falls from her face.
"Motherf-"
"Now, Listen,"
"Absolutely not. No."
"Hey I know that you-"
"No. You don't know. I researched this position incessantly, and I would have remembered seeing HIS name attached to the project."
"That's because he doesn't attach his name, officially. It's better that way."
The man in question chimes in. "I think I can speak for myself, Charlie-"
"No, you can't. You absolutely cannot, I don't want to hear another word out of you, you slimy piece of-"
"WOAH woah let's settle down, we don't really have human resources over here but we're gonna have to figure out how to make this work." He pulls her back towards the entrance to have an aside.
"I cannot work with him. I WILL not work with him. After everything he's done after everything his f-family-"
She breaks down a little, cowering behind Charlie's larger frame so as not to appear weak in front of her enemy.
"Look, Hermione, I know. Believe me, I know, right? You think my family would be thrilled about this? No, right?"
"So they don't know? Ron, George-"
"No of course not. Keeping it under the table keeps the peace."
"I just don't understand why they would go to all th- why YOU would go to all this trouble for the likes of him."
"It's simple really. He's amazing."
"What?"
"He really is the best at what he does. He's a fantastic flyer, he knows everything about every species, and he just really has a way with them. It's quite miraculous."
"I can't imagine him being good at anything, other than being a right foul evil git-"
"Now you're sounding like Ron. Do you want that? Want to sound like Ron?"
She pouts at that. "No..."
"Then get yourself together, and keep an open mind. That's probably why they offered this to you. You're famous for your bleeding heart understanding nonsense."
"I, I wouldn't say nonsense..."
"Well come along, lets get you set up in your quarters maybe."
"Yeah, let's."
Charlie wraps an arm around her shoulder and guides her out of the tent. She sneaks a peak over her shoulder, and Draco eyes her suspiciously as they leave.
...
Hermione and Charlie walk toward a dilapidated shed with suitcases in hand.
"I don't understand what happened back there."
"Yes you do, he's the worst."
"Well yeah but, you spoke at the trial, right? I remember."
"That was different."
"How exactly was that different?"
"Because my personal distaste for him and his family doesn't impact the fact that in the eyes of the law, he didn't actually do anything wrong. He was a child. We were children."
"Well then let's turn over a new leaf here, shall we? You're right. You lot were kids when everything went down. You're all grown up now, and it's time to act like it."
"I know that probably wasn't the most professional display, back there."
"No, it wasn't. I'm not going to go so far as to suggest you apologize-"
"Good, cause I won't"
"But next time do try to be a bit more...civil. If that's possible."
He stops her, searching her eyes. She lets out a breath she'd been holding and nods.
"Civil. That can be arranged."
Charlie's eyes light up, and it's impossible not to smile under his cheeky gaze.
"So where are we going? I'm assuming you'll not have me sleep in this shed."
"No, of course not. That's just the entrance."
"The entrance? to what?"
The shed doors open to reveal stairs. They make their way down, and the sight is nothing short of magical.
A huge underground concourse with tunnels and people milling about.
"This place was originally built as a-"
"Bombardier shelter! That's right!"
"Yes, It was expanded in the early 20th century for research purposes. Eventually, it became kind of the primary basecamp of operations here at the reserve, since it allows us protection should we need it."
"From the dragons?"
"Yeah, from the birds, in a way, but it's not their fault. Every so often we get a territory battle, usually around mating season, and they wipe everything above ground off the map. We just hunker down in here until it passes. It seems big, but it gets cozy after a while. That's why it's best to not hold too many grudges with folks here."
"Yes, thank you, I get your point."
"Hermione, I understand why you're upset. Believe me, I do. But I didn't know him back then when you lot did. I only know him now. And he's a real stand-up bloke, if a little snarky at times, and one of the best damn birdkeepers I ever saw. But don't tell him I said that, don't want that massive head to swell any further."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"And here we are."
They had made it down a damp hall lit with colorful lantern flames and approached a door. If you look closely, you can see the engraving "Liaison".
"These are the Liaison's quarters, mine are just on the other side of the concourse if you should ever need me. And Malfoy's actually right down the block from you! You'll be neighbors!"
"I truly can't picture him living like this."
"Yeah, well you'll see for yourself soon enough I suppose."
"I suppose."
"Well, why don't you get settled in, maybe take a look around. We can give you the proper grand tour tomorrow, how's that?"
"That sounds wonderful."
He pulls her into a bear hug.
"Always a pleasure, Hermione."
"Likewise, Charlie."
He closes the door behind him, and Hermione sits on the surprisingly huge bed with a thud. Dust flies everywhere.
...
She said she wanted a fresh start, and she's getting it. The universe works in mysterious ways, and if this is how she's meant to be finding herself, so be it. Surprising herself, she begins to notice some homesickness creeping up on her already. No Crookshanks to make a mess of her new bed.
But she's exhausted and jet-lagged from the journey, she'll floo call her friends later. Right now, what she needs is a nap.