Hotter Than Most

Authored by Puppy

Based in the World of "Harry Potter"

As created by J.K. Rowlin

Introduction

It was summer and the day was hotter than most. A warm breeze blew cruelly, sweeping back hair tauntingly but offering no actual relief. The residents of the apartment complex had even abandoned the pool, not willing to face the minutes it took to get to the water that was barely still cool. But there were two souls brave enough to face the heat. A little girl sat by the pool splashing her feet in and out of the water trying to draw attention and pity.

"Can I go in yet?" she whined for the hundredth time.

"Not till you mom gets back," came the reply from behind a book. That was me, the evil pool attendant, the enforcer of rules, spawn of satin. . . in their eyes at any rate. Not quite a lifeguard but with all the power.

"Can't I just. . . "

"No" I answered automatically, again not looking up from my book. I was immune to their whines.

It was then when Carlos was about to confess his love for Julia, the wealthy socialite, that it happened. . .There was a shriek and I looked up terrified that she had slipped in and ready to kill her if she did it on purpose. But she was still sitting by the side of the pool. She shrieked again and pointed up at the sky. Not even following her finger I saw the huge shadow zoom closer and pass over me. And then as she screamed it, I whispered "dragon." Before I could think or even tell myself it was impossible it circled and landed in the pool causing a wall of water to hit me. The water had stunned the little girl too but she quickly recovered and too stupid to move just began to scream. The dragon, who had been facing away from us slowly turned its head and I recognized its expression, "Lunch."

I leaped out of my chair and sprinted as the creature turned. Seeing that it was about to lose its meal it let out a roar and a fireball. I reached the child just in time to pull her out of the way and into my arms. I ran the length of the deck remembering ironically how many kids I yelled at for doing the same. I didn't dare turn but I wondered absently how fast a dragon was and how long it would take to reload. I didn't have long to wonder because as grabbed the three foot fence to vault us to safety I heard it roar again and screamed as the blast hit me mid air. We landed with a thud and the girl took off running leaving me to face the dragon alone.

The pain was excruciating and my eyes were already filled with tears but I managed to turn over and see the dragon hovering just above. It took a deep breath and I screamed for all my life was worth . . .

But the fiery death never came. On the edge of my brain I heard lots of shouting and thick lightning erupted all around me. The dragon threw its head with its eyes rolled back and, as if in slow motion fell over the fence. Suddenly all around it were men dropping off brooms with sticks in their hands? Through the bedlam I heard a voice cry, "Levitation spell on three! Charlie see to the Muggle! One. . . Two . . . Three. . . " Suddenly, the Dragon again took flight. It was at that moment that I started to lose it. I knew it was out but I could imagine its great eyes opened and it taking a deep breath. Never being one to sob I simple put my head in my hands and shook as tears poured down my cheeks. I was in this state when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up through bleary eyes. Bright Orange hair was all I remember for that time because of the shock.

"Are you alright?" he asked me with concern. All I could do was shake my head. "Are you injured?" he rephrased. I nodded and the movement caused me to cry out in pain. He kneeled behind me and I could hear his breath catch. He muttered "Bloody. . ." but thought better not to finish the statement. He carefully picked me up and placed me over his shoulder. After a short journey he set me down on a broom. I didn't have time to contemplate it as he sat ahead of me and told me to hold on. We lifted off the ground and passed over the nearby trees. In my haze I leaned closer and told him I had always wanted to fly, before I passed out.

The chapters do get progressively longer

This story was inspired by an image I had while working, as a pool attendant. The heat really did cook my brain a little ;p Please Review. Puppy