Chapter 2
The morning went smoother than I thought it would. Despite being the Minister and it being Sunday, Kingsley made time to meet with me when I arrived at his office. Kingsley was happy to see me until I told him that I needed to leave. I gave him the vaguest answer about why I had to leave, something about it being too difficult to stay after being cheated on and needing a new experience. He reluctantly agreed and sympathized with me. We sat and chatted for a good hour catching up on how the last year had gone for the both of us.
His secretary, who I remembered was another Gryffindor, but her name escaped me brought in the papers he asked for. He saw that there was an opening in Romania, in their Magical Creatures department. I agreed without a second thought. I told him I would miss him and write to update him on my adventures.
I was given the paperwork for the start time and description of the job. I thanked him again, not checking the details in the papers, before heading to my office and clearing out my personal belongings. Richards was sad to see me go, having been my boss for 2 years we had grown quite close. After a few quick goodbyes to those who were in office, I went to floo to Harry and Ginny’s home.
They were waiting in the kitchen when I walked out of the floo. I cleaned myself of the soot that was present on my robes and shoes. I made my way to the kitchen and sat down opposite to them letting out a long breath.
“Well, out with-it woman. Was there an opening? Are you going far?” Ginny chirped out impatiently, Harry next to her nodding.
“Kingsley said there is an opening in Romania with their Magical Creature’s department. Apparently, he was considering asking me before but didn’t want to impose. I said yes, and I start in 1 week.” I’m smiling because this is the best thing that could have happened. It was far enough to start over, but nowhere near where Draco would think I was. “I get to stay in Europe, I was scared for a minute that I would be sent to America or Asia.”
Ginny jumps up with joy and Harry has a big smile plastered on his face. Ginny ran across the table to give me a hug, while Harry reached across the table to hold my hand.
“Yes! I can still visit you regularly, probably more when the season starts. We play a lot of games in Bulgaria, so I can probably hop over to see you, or you can see me.” Ginny practically screamed, and relief floods through me. The thought of being all alone for a while is scary but knowing I can see Ginny give me a sense of security.
“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Molly is going to hound you tonight.” He said sheepishly. “She’s probably going to ask you all about why you would accept the transfer, so we should get our stories in line.”
“Shit, I forgot about dinner at the burrow tonight. No offense Ginny, but sometimes your mum seems like she knows everything, and it scares me a little.” I shuddered at the thought of Molly finding out that I was pregnant.
“We have some time to sort it out, it’s only one and we need to be there by four or mum will kill us.” Ginny let out.
“Okay, you’re out of manual labor today, Harry.” He threw his hands into the air and howled a yes.
We spent the next hour solidifying our story to Molly. I was only sick yesterday because of food. The transfer was in place for a week, but I am just telling them today to make sure everything was settled. Housing was included with the transfer so there was no need to head out ahead of time to look for a flat. I was already relieved of work at the ministry so I can take the next week to relax and prepare.
By the time it was time to floo to the burrow I was prepared for all types of questions and knew the answers. I went first and then Ginny and Harry followed me. I was greeted by Molly first.
“Hermione, dear, how are you feeling? Ron told me about how sick you were yesterday. I dropped off the soup to Harry when I flooed over, but you were sleeping.” She had concern in her voice, and the guilt of not being able to tell her the truth ate at my heart.
“I’m fine Molly. I think I just ate something that was no good, then the salad just topped everything off.” I explained. “The soup was delicious; I probably woke up an hour after you dropped it off. It made me feel better, homemade soup is always the best.”
She smiled and gave me a hug, that only a mother can give. “Well, yes. I’ll let you rest tonight.” She turned. “Ginny, come help me set up the table before your brothers get here.”
Harry and I sat on the couch waiting for everyone else to come through. Fred and George were the first followed by Ron. Who had many questions as to how I was feeling, I gave him the same response as Molly. Bill and Fleur and their children were next. Followed by Percy, I found out that Arthur was in his shed of muggle trinkets. We all sat around the living room, except for Ron who got talked into helping Molly.
We all started in our own conversations, I was talking to Fleur while holding Victoire, she was smaller than most her age and perfect for cuddling into. It was probably the hormones taking over me. Almost all our chatter stopped when we noticed the floo activate, everyone was already here that should be. The person who walked through was welcomed with our shocked faces.
It was Charlie Weasley. The dragon tamer.
Who normally only visits for holidays and birthdays just walk in. Around the room is shocked expressions. Everyone looking to one another to see who was in on the surprise but no one moved from their spots. From the kitchen Molly seemed to notice. “Is there someone else coming? No manners any of you, to not let me know of your guest”-Molly is cut off by her own shriek.
“Charlie! What are you doing here?” She rushed over to give him a hug.
“Thought I would surprise everyone today. I have a couple days off. Happy to see me?”
“Of course! You are always a welcomed surprise! I am almost done with dinner.” Molly let him go to examine his face. Her nose twitching at the site of his hair, she let him go to go back to the kitchen to finish dinner.
He gives a smile and looks around to the gawking faces. All at once the room erupts in hellos and small conversation. Charlie looks the same as always. Shoulder length wavy hair, small scars that show on his face, just as tall as the rest of his brothers. A little shorter than Bill but still over six feet. All his siblings fight to give him the first hug, resulting in them falling over. Ginny was the only one not in that dog pile, waiting until they all fell to jump on them. After a few minutes of untangling limbs and curses they all got off the floor.
I was the last of everyone to give him a hug. “Hey, Charlie. It’s good to see you.”
He stepped back from our hug and smiled, “It’s nice to see you too Hermione. If I squint, I can see that you grew a few millimeters.”
I swatted his arm and laughed. He always made fun of the fact that I stopped growing after fourth year. “Keep saying things like that and I’ll point out some new scars on your face to Molly.” A small threat, but one he took with caution. Molly would hound him all of dinner about them and criticizing his dangerous job.
“I concede this battle.” He chuckled. “How’s work going for you?”
“It’s going good, I have some news for everyone tonight about it. But I’ll keep that for dinner. What about you? Any new dragons on the reserve?”
“Not recently, the Ironbelly that came to us last Christmas is still there recovering.” He explained.
I was about to respond when Molly called that dinner was ready.
We all took out places at the table, mine between Ron and Harry. Charlie sat next to Bill and George. We all made our plates and began eating, there was small talk around the table for a while until Harry nudges by arm and motioned for me to tell everyone my news. I took a deep breath in worried that my tone might come out strained. My heart was beating a million a second it felt like.
“So, everyone I have news.” They all stopped to look at me. “Kingsley offered me a position to work with the Romanian Ministry and I have accepted it. I start next week in the Magical Creatures department.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, Molly looked like I told her I was dying. Harry gave me a supportive smile. Charlie was the one who broke the silence. “That’s awesome. I know they were looking for someone to fill the liaison position for a few weeks. I guess we will be seeing each other often.” He gave a smirk.
I looked stunned; how could I have forgotten that Charlie works at the reserve in Romania. My perfect plan to escape just became a little more complicated. “What do you mean liaison? As in with the reserve? I haven’t been given the whole details yet.”
“Hermione Granger not getting the full details before agreeing? Who are you? And why was I not told?” This was from Ron next to me, feigning hurt on his face.
“Sorry Ron. I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone.” I looked at him sheepishly.
“Yeah, it’s mainly desk work as far as I know, but you will be in the field once or twice every few months.” Charlie explained. “At least it will be with someone can trust, the last person was a half-wit who knew nothing.”
Molly shot him a stern look. Then the room was full of noise as people asked questions and chatter. I spent the better part of an hour answering questions and replaying the answers that we had prepared.
Once everyone was settled, we made our way to the living room to relax. Most of them were enjoying a game of chess on the floor laughing as the pieces destroyed each other. I felt someone sit next to me on the couch. I turn my head and see Charlie, his flannel opened to show off the white shirt underneath, his muggle jeans have some rips in them. The flannel is the same color as his eyes, a deep blue. Reminding me of my mothers’ eyes. I wonder what I would have looked like with them instead of my father’s rich brown ones.
“So, what are you really coming to Romania for?” He says in a low whisper. I turned my face from his. I feared that my eyes would away the truth, that I am running from something. I look out the window past him and notice that it’s about sunset. Late March is the best time to stroll around the orchards. I know that I must let Charlie in on my secret, because in a few months I will start to show and there will be questions. He might just be the right person to let in, a friend in an unknown country.
“How do you feel about a stroll in the orchards?” I stand up to go out the door. Grabbing my jumper on my way out. He follows behind me, neither of us looking at the people behind us. I walk forward and I don’t stop until I reach the bench in the orchard, far enough away that I cannot see the people in the living room, and where I know they cannot see me.
Charlie takes up the remainder of the bench, looking curious as to why I dragged him out here. I take a few moments to gather my courage, but he speaks first. “Sorry Hermione, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that. It’s just that the job opening has been available for a long time, and no one wanted to take it. So, I didn’t think you would take it without a reason.”
“Charlie Weasley, what if I just wanted to live with the dragons like you?” I give him a smirk. “But, no, you are right I have an ulterior motive and begged Kingsley to give me the job.”
“Have you read yesterday’s issue of the prophet?” He nodded. “Well, only Harry and Ginny know but I was in a relationship with Draco until yesterday. I didn’t tell anyone because we wanted to see how things would play out.” I huffed. “I guess I am the one who got played because he went and got engaged to our friend Pansy. She didn’t know we were together, but it still hurts. Anyway, I felt sick after reading it and Harry took me home. A little after we got to my flat, he showed up, not knowing I already read the Prophet.”
I took a breath before explaining how I came out to Harry, and how Harry and Draco got into a fight. He had a calm anger on his face the entire time, never taking his eyes away from mine, until I finished the story.
“Damn him Hermione. So that’s the reason you’re coming to Romania?” He looked out to the sunset then turned back with a smirk on his face. “Are you coming to be protected by the strongest Weasley?”
I laughed. “Thank you, Charlie. Though I’m not too sure about the strongest Weasley. I really hope it never comes to that. Hopefully that splicing hex is enough to deter him. That’s not the entire reason I am leaving. I am pregnant.” I feel my chin wobble as the emotion is coming out. “He doesn’t know, and I’m not going to tell him. I cannot imagine a life where it’s better for him to know or a child born a half-blood in that type of pureblood society that his mother is still a part of. And the danger that will come if this gets out into the public.”
Charlie looks at me, and for a moment I think that I broke him. I manage to reel in my own emotions to ask if he’s okay, but once again he beats me to the punch. “That’s a lot of information. So, you are leaving Britain, to have a child without Malfoy knowing?”
“Yes, and no one other than Harry and Ginny know. None of your family know. I don’t think I could tell Molly, without her all but demand Draco marry me. And Ron would probably all but kill him. This makes it also your secret to keep, if anyone else were to find out I don’t know what I would do.” I look at him pleading. “I am hoping that because my genes are stronger that my baby won’t look like him. I mean my father’s side has won out in the eye color department for a few generations. My mother had blue eyes, they almost looked like the ocean. I think it would be cute if I had a little mini me.”
Charlie laughed at that remark. “All Hogwarts would need is another bright witch. Someone to get her friends out of all the trouble they get into.”
“Merlin help me if my child makes friends like your brother.” I laugh thinking about all the messes we got into during our few years there. “I don’t need anymore big adventures. I just need some clarity in life after this.”
I place my hand on my stomach, thinking about the little creature growing inside of me. How their future will shape out, and the troubles we might face.
“How far along are you?” He asks me, somewhat squinting, the sun light is fading around us.
“About 10 weeks according to my healer. I didn’t figure it out until a week ago. Did you know that I thought I could never get pregnant?” He shook his head. “After what happened in Malfoy Manor, what Bellatrix did to me, I thought children were a fleeting dream. But I was wrong, the healer last week said that there appeared to be nothing wrong with me.”
“I didn’t know,” he said quietly. I nodded.
“No one knew, except Harry and Draco.” I remembered when I cried the day the healers told me and then how sad I was when I confided in Draco all those months ago.
He sighed and pulled me close to him, the darkness enveloped us and once more my tears fell. I couldn’t keep them in any longer, the raw feeling surged through my body. Charlie just held me as I cried. Gently patting my back until it stopped, I looked up and noticed how the stars were so bright. I looked up and remembered how my mother told me as a child that the first star you see at night is lucky, so if you make a wish hard enough it will come true. I closed my eyes and made my first wish in ten years, praying that it will come true.
We sat for a while longer before heading back in. I said my goodbyes and flooed back to my flat. Letting sleep take me and dreaming of a brighter tomorrow. Pleading once more with the stars for everything to turn out right.