Chapter Text
I stare at 19-year-old Charlie Weasley, who feeds a just-hatched dragon. Sighing, I lean on the fence. “I’m fucked, aren’t I?” I mutter to Rick, another caretaker. He laughs. “Yep, you’re whipped, mate,” Rick says, passing with a load of fish for the Welsh Green mother in the next enclosure. I push off the fence. “You’re supposed to be on my side,” I scowl, making him laugh harder. “Sorry, more fun this way.” I groan, mutter “fuck off,” and stomp away, flipping him off. Not noticing Charlie looking up, and watching me leave with curiosity.
Later that day, after my run-in with Rick, I entered the break room for another cup of coffee. It’s past 12 a.m. The room is quiet until I hear footsteps. I look up to see Charlie enter, wearing a tank top and sweatpants. I blush slightly. He pauses. “What are you doing up?” Charlie asks. I look up and lock eyes with him. “I… um, had some reports to finish,” I say, hiding my mug. Charlie steps closer and notices the mug. “Right, and why not finish them tomorrow?” he presses. I can’t think of a reason, so silence answers for me. “As I thought,” Charlie says, taking my coffee. “Hey, that’s mine!” I protest, but he just smirks. “Not anymore—you know the rule,” he replies. He pours my coffee down the sink and puts the mug away. “Bed, before I have to carry you,” Charlie orders. Embarrassed, I huff and head to my quarters, not before catching his smirk as he turns back to his room.
A few days later, I’m wandering among the enclosures. I’m avoiding Charlie, but also checking on the dragons. I want to see if any egg clutches are close to hatching. I spot a small nest in one pen. Several eggs look close to hatching, so I approach to watch. A Swedish Short-Snout approaches, wrapping protectively around her nest. She stares at me, unblinking. I smile and raise my hands, quickly scanning the area to ensure I'm alone. “I intend no harm to your hatchlings,” I hiss softly. The mother dragon studies me with interest. “You ssspeak?” she replies. I nod. “Yesss, and I am here to keep your hatchlingsss safe,” I answer. I sit as one egg begins to crack.
The mother dragon observes me, then nods, though she remains on guard with me. The first egg hatches after a long wait. One by one, the rest crack open. Soon, I count five baby Swedish Short-Snouts blinking in sticky membranes. I chuckle as I check them over from afar, then nod. “You have a strong brood,” I hiss and stand. The mother dragon looks satisfied, so bow and leave her to clean and feed them. I don’t notice the tall redhead watching from behind another enclosure. He witnessed the exchange, though he didn't understand it.
After that, I head to the break room to make up a report about the newly hatched eggs. The report doesn’t take long, so I’m still there when Charlie walks in. He looks confused and surprised until he sees me, then freezes before walking over. I look up from my reports and spot him. “Hey, what’s up?” I ask as he sits down across from me. “Nothing much... Hey, I have a question,” he says, making me tilt my head in confusion. “About?” I ask, and Charlie clears his throat, glances around, then leans forward to whisper, “About your ability to speak with dragons.”
I tense at Charlie’s words, glance around, then lock eyes with him. Leaning forward, “You eavesdropped?” I say softly, with a hint of frustration, He nods without looking apologetic. “Yes. Kind of hard not to when you're hissing at a mother dragon and calming her down,” Charlie shoots back with a huff, leaning back. I glare, then sigh. “Right, whatever. What about it?” I shake my head in annoyance. “I want to know how long you’ve been able to, and if you can teach me?” he asks, hope in his eyes. I raise an eyebrow. “Really? That's it?” I ask in disbelief. “Yes,” he says, and I face-palm. “Right... well, you can’t learn it. I only found out I could when I started working here,” I explain, watching hope vanish from his eyes, replaced with confusion. “Wait, you just learned about it? But if it's innate, shouldn’t you have known after the inheritance test at 11?” Charlie asks, confusing me. “What’s an inheritance test?” I ask, and he blinks, realization dawning. “Oh, right. Forgot you’re muggleborn,” he mumbles, shaking his head. “An inheritance test is done at Gringotts. It reveals Lordships, heirships, abilities, and creature inheritances,” Charlie explains.
I blink at Charlie, then nod when it makes sense. “Oh, that’s convenient,” I say softly. He nods. “Yeah, it is... You should take one,”he suggests, making me hesitate. “Maybe... but how much is it?” I ask, knowing Goblins never do anything for free. I watch him wince, making me narrow my eyes. “It’s...fine, it’s about 10 galleons,” he says, making me blink in surprise. “10 galleons?” I echo. He nods. “Yeah, but it’s worth it. You could be related to a noble family.” He tries to lighten the mood. “Charlie, do I look like I have that money?” I gesture to my thrifted clothes and worn-out boots. “I could pay for it,” he offers, making me glare. “No,” I say, not wanting to owe him.
He sighs, leans back, and watches me. “Fine, but if you change your mind, I’m here,” Charlie says, standing. “Anyway, I should get back to checking on the dragons. Come get me if anything happens.” He said before leaving, I watched him go, sighed, and put my head down on the table, lost in thought.