David walked along the stone road, his eyes catching sight of some low houses in the distance. As he approached, wooden cottages—none taller than two stories—stood arranged neatly before him. The stone road branched off, forming a square around the cluster of homes. In and around the buildings, wizards of varying ages moved busily, their robes fluttering as they walked.
"Charlie, did you pick up the kid from the Scamander family?"
A rough, booming voice came from David's right. He stepped around Charlie to get a better look and saw a man standing at least 1.9 meters tall. His muscular arms were marked by scars, remnants of burns from dragon fire. He wore a pair of shorts, exposing powerful legs—one of which ended at the knee, replaced by a rugged prosthetic.
"Oh, I didn't see you there!" The man waved energetically. "Welcome to the Dragon Farm!" His grin showed no trace of apology.
"If you're interested, I could take you to see the dragon I take care of. Of course, that's if you don't get scared and faint," he added with a broad, teasing smile.
Before David could respond, a stern female voice rang out from a nearby wooden house. "Jason! Are you scaring the new kid again?"
The grin vanished from Jason's face. He looked toward the house, his shoulders sagging. "I was just joking," he mumbled.
From the doorway emerged a woman whose long, golden-blonde hair shone in the sunlight. Her features were beautifully proportioned, and her sun-kissed skin gave her a healthy, vibrant look. She wore an oversized white T-shirt that, when caught by the breeze, revealed graceful curves beneath.
She shot Jason a disapproving look before turning to David with a gentle smile. "Don't mind him. He's all bark, no bite."
David smiled back. "No worries."
She turned back to Jason, her voice firm. "Come inside and take the things out, now."
Jason sighed and shuffled toward the wooden house, but halfway there, he looked back at David. "The offer's still open. If you want to see a dragon up close, come find me. I'll make sure you're safe."
David nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
After Jason disappeared inside, Charlie leaned in. "That's Jason Brown—one of the best dragon handlers we've got." He paused, his eyes twinkling. "And the lady who put him in his place? That's his wife, Anna Brown. She's a nutritionist who specializes in crafting meals for dragons. She's the one who made the dragon treats I sent you last time."
David raised an eyebrow. "His leg... What happened to him?"
Charlie sighed. "That's quite the story. Want to hear it as we walk?"
David nodded, following Charlie down the path.
"Jason and Anna joined the dragon farm together," Charlie began. "They were naturals—Jason with his dragon-handling skills, and Anna with her talent for nutrition. They made the perfect team."
Charlie's expression darkened. "But then, one day, Jason got caught up with visitors and forgot to tell Anna where he'd be. She got worried when he didn't come home for dinner. Jason never missed a meal, and he always sent word if he was delayed.
"When Anna went to check on him, she accidentally crossed the boundary into a dragon's territory. It was a young, ferocious black dragon—the most aggressive kind. It had never seen Anna before and immediately saw her as an intruder."
Charlie's eyes grew somber. "The dragon roared and charged. Anna froze, paralyzed by fear. At that very moment, Jason returned. He saw the dragon bearing down on her and acted without thinking. He Apparated right in front of her, pushing her out of harm's way."
"But the dragon didn't stop." Charlie swallowed. "It attacked, and Jason lost his leg. Anna was safe, but Jason paid the price. From that day on, Anna never left the residential area of the dragon farm, and Jason never forgot to send word when he was running late."
David looked down, his voice low. "And the burns on his arms?"
Charlie managed a weak smile. "Those are just part of the job. Anyone who works with dragons gets burned at some point." He lifted his own sleeve to reveal a scar. "Comes with the territory."
David looked at him, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Were you ever scared?"
Charlie laughed, his face lighting up. "Of course! But the fear disappears when you see these creatures flying free under the sky, knowing you helped them grow strong."
They stopped in front of a modest wooden house. Charlie turned to David. "This is where you'll stay. John will take you inside. I've got something to do, but I won't be long. I'll catch up with you later."
David smiled. "Thanks, Charlie. Be careful."
Charlie grinned, waving a hand. "I'm not Jason!" And with that, he strolled away down the street.
Inside, David was surprised by how spacious the house was. There were several rooms surrounding a wide, open living area. It was clear that someone had used a Traceless Extension Charm to make the interior larger than it appeared outside.
John led him to a door at the far end of the house. "Mister is inside."
David followed quietly. When he entered, he found himself in a cluttered study. On the right, a massive bookshelf overflowed with books, with even more piled haphazardly on the floor. To the left, strange magical instruments sat amidst leafy green plants. In the center, a long wooden table was buried beneath stacks of handwritten notes.
Leaning over the table, his face lined with exhaustion, was Newt Scamander.
"Grandpa," David called softly.
Newt looked up slowly, his eyes weary but warm. "David, you're here." He glanced at John. "Mix the potion outside and feed it. If it's healed by tomorrow, we can call it a day."
John nodded. "Alright." He turned to leave, but David quickly asked, "Can I come too?"
Newt considered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But listen to John. Do not enter the dragon breeding area on your own, understood?"
David's eyes lit up. "Understood!"
John smiled, motioning for David to follow. As they stepped outside, David couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. He was finally here, at the Dragon Farm. And with his grandfather leading the way, adventure was just beginning.