This is a rewrite of my first fanfic. Be gentle

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything in the franchise is the property of J.K. Rowling, Dungeons & Dragons is a property of TSR. Rating is PG-13 for mild violence and swearing, may turn to R in later chapters.

Coming of the Dragon

Chapter 1

The welcome feast had just started for Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts. The 'boy who lived' sat at the Gryffindor Table surrounded by his closest friends and classmates yet he never felt so alone in his life. Sirius, his godfather and one of the last links he had to his parents had died trying to save him; and in Harry's heart of hearts he knew it was his fault.

He revisited that room in the department of mysteries every night in his dreams. Harry relived it all; the fight, Sirius' fall through the veil and the gut wrenching hate that he felt for Bellatrix Lestrange. She had been the one to hit his godfather with the stunner that sent him through the veil and when he'd confronted her at the ministry. The thought of killing her had been present even if he'd held it in check. After school let out he made a vow to himself that prophesy or not Harry Potter would no longer be a victim.

Over the summer he'd distanced himself somewhat from his friends and tackled his studies with an intensity that would make even Hermione jealous. From Flourish and Blotts he'd ordered all manner of books covering hexes, jinxes and charms. Bullying Uncle Vernon he'd even made the trip to Knockturn Alley, in disguise, searching for books on the dark arts. Harry knew however that all his studies would be in vain without practice and for that he would need permission from the ministry to use his wand outside school.

Frustrated one day after rereading a complicated sizing charm that would expand the size of his room considerably he'd grabbed his wand and cast the spell. Walking over and opening the window for the owl he was expecting shortly he then sat down and began writing on a piece of parchment. When the bird arrived he told it to wait and reviewed the note he was sending to fudge.

Dear Minister,

With the return of Lord Voldemort it has come to my attention that I require additional study and practical use of spells outside school. I understand that there have been some misunderstandings over the last few years between us and I hope it has no effect on your decision. If by some chance, however, you are unable to grant me use of my wand; I will be filling my spare time by writing a daily column for the Daily Prophet detailing my experiences with the ministry and your personal involvement in all of them. It should make fine reading, don't you think?

Regards

Harry Potter.

Feeling almost like a Slytherin, the boy sent off the note addressed to Minister Fudge along with the unopened post from the department of underage magic. The Reply came back less than twenty minutes later when a very flustered looking Cornelius Fudge arrived on the doorstep of number 4 with an official dispensation to use magic outside school and his solemn promise that the ministry would provide the boy with whatever aid he desired, 'as it was the right thing to do.'

Now back at Hogwarts he picked at his food and let the noises of the feast wash over him. His two best friends were obviously worried about him and were trying with little success to draw him out. Ron, his mouth stuffed with food, was going on about the Chudley Cannons and their coming fight for the championship cup. Hermione, on his other side, went on at length about their OWL's and was pestering him to find out what he'd scored. Others at the table were carrying on their own conversations but Harry could still catch them sneaking concerned glances in his direction quite often. Looking up he spotted many people giving him the same half-hidden looks his housemates were. All of the tables seemed to have a great interest in his well-being except one.

From the looks on their faces he could tell the Slytherins couldn't care less about how the 'boy who lived' was feeling or if he was eating. He knew that if he dropped dead at that moment there were many among them that would likely have thrown a party. The sixth and seventh year students in particular seemed to be the ones who had it in the most for him while the younger years actually looked afraid though at a glance he knew there wasn't a single person at their table that didn't at some level or another.

One of the by-products of his magical development that summer had been a growing ability to sense auras. It was almost too easy, like refocusing your eyes to see things just a bit differently. When he did it the experience was much like stirring a fire and watching the cloud of sparks rising except that from the colors of these sparks inside a person or object he could tell everything from their magical potential to what they'd had for dinner the night before and how much they'd liked it. At first he'd looked at it as a gift, some kind of toy to play with but after he'd had a visit with his friends he wished that he had never developed it.

They'd met at the Leaky Cauldron to go shopping for their course materials as they had done or tried to do every year since their first. Greeting his two best friends and feeling his resolve to distance himself from them weaken a bit he let them pull him into Diagon Alley. Wondering what the amazing place would look like viewed through his new sense he'd slipped his vision over and gaped in wonder all over again at the beauty of the place. He turned to his friends to share his revelation when he started back. It was the first time he'd looked at them this way and most of what he saw would be expected. They both held good feelings for Harry, though more-so for each other but what shocked him the most was the fear that shot through them every time they looked his way. His best friends were afraid of him.

Snapping himself out of his little flashback he scanned the Slytherin table with interest. In spite of how much the students of that house hated him, he actually found it a breath of fresh air. Feelings for Harry by them was the same on their faces as it was in their hearts. When it came to that at least they held nothing back. He knew he wouldn't be making any friends with them but at least he knew where he stood.

Having seen enough of them he'd almost turned away when he noticed the lone figure sitting apart from his housemates. Though the blond boy held his misery hidden behind an air of indifference, it was all to apparent to Harry. This boy above all others should be taking comfort if not finding absolute joy in Harry's obvious depression but so wrapped up was he in his own troubles that he hadn't even seemed to notice. Draco Malfoy was in hell.

The summer hadn't been kind to the Malfoys. Lucius, the boys father, had been imprisoned for his actions at the ministry of magic earlier that year. Minister Fudge used the Malfoy family scapegoats and seized all their monies and estates. Draco's mother Narcissa had also been cut off from any access to the Black fortune by Sirius' will that left everything in Harry's name. Desperate, she had sought out the dark lord for help. Draco still remembered the fear he'd felt standing at her side as the dark lord hand sat regarding them from his throne-like chair then laughed at them contemptuously and declared her the penniless whore of a man who, with his son, had failed him so many times. They'd had the Cruatius cast on them both before being dumped in some dirty London Alley.

Left with only a small trust for Draco by one of Narcissa's uncles, they'd been forced to live as muggles and in near poverty. Years of heavy-handedness by Lucius along with his arrest at the ministry had soured the reputation of the Malfoys with the wizarding world at large and Voldemorts followers were instructed by him not to assist either of them on pain of death or worse. When the boy or his mother tried to get any kind of job in the magical world they had been soundly refused. This had been the final blow for Narcissa. Completely unhinged she could be heard in their little apartment hosting lavish parties where she was still the center of wizarding society.

Coming back to school seemed to be no better for Draco either. His fathers disgrace following him, the former 'prince of Slytherin' had been reduced to an outcast. People that had months ago professed themselves and his friends and allies had refused to speak with him or even acknowledge his presence. Harry continued to watch the boy scrumptiously watch the boy, trying to decipher the swirling emotions coming off him when his attentions were suddenly pulled away when the wards about the castle surged so violently that the shock of it knocked him off his bench.

As the boy reeled in shock a loud gong reverberated through the great hall. Galvanized by the sudden noise the professors rallied with a speed and confidence that betrayed practice as they prepared to defend the school. The new DADA professor not having arrived yet, Professor Snape took charge of the teachers defending the great hall. Directing professors McGonagal and Flitwick to secure the windows, he then sent Hagrid and Professor Sprout to calm the students. Finally, teaming himself with the headmaster they began strengthening the wards already in place on the door and walls.

Watching the two with his enhanced senses the boy gaped in shock. He'd known Snape to be a competent wizard but the spells he was casting were not that far from Dumbledore's level. Moving with a speed and efficiency that was amazing to watch, the man wove a nearly impenetrable barrier around the great hall; Harry began to truly understand why the headmaster put so much confidence in the potions master.

When they'd finished, Dumbledore went back to the head table and froze in place for a moment with his head tilted as if listening to a voice only he could hear. When he finally lifted his head he addressed the students. "Everyone, everyone, please stay calm. While the wards surrounding the castle have been breeched by persons unknown, no hostile actions have been taken against staff or students. The hall is quite well protected and you may rest assured that no harm will befall you here."

Professor Dumbledore cocked his head for a moment as if listening to something only he could hear then called again for attention of all of the students. "Severus, you and the rest of the professors may stand down, there is no danger here. While his coming is ill-timed and a bit ill-mannered, our visitor is invited." Dumbledore seemed to be speaking directly to Professor Snape at the last to forestall the expected retort.

It was Just then that Harry noticed a glow approaching the entry doors from the outside. Whoever was approaching was extremely powerful and their mere presence was enough to make the magical protections on the room shudder. The wards to the doors suddenly vanished as if they head never been cast, the doors themselves swept open revealing a figure wrapped in a hooded cloak of forest green.

A pair of tanned, slim hands reached up from inside the cloak and pulled back the hood. Revealed was a man, beautiful was the only description for him. His skin was smooth and without blemish, his eyes even greener than Harry's and seemed to glow slightly. His hair was the colour of wheat and long enough to flow over his shoulders and half-way down his back. A band of silver circled his brow, holding his hair in check and exposing a pair of elegantly pointed ears.

Stopping before the head of the table, the man nodded a slight bow toward the headmaster, who returned it in kind. "Greetings Albus Dumbledore from the High court of the elves and the clan Silverheart." The man spoke with a melodic voice and the strangest accent Harry had ever heard before. He couldn't place it but the sound made him think of the wind a breeze rustling forest leaves. A smile broke out the elf's face and he continued "I see the years have kept you well old friend. I've come at your request and am quite pleased to tell you that your protections on the castle are much improved."

Harry gaped at the man. He 'd said the wards were improved? They'd all watched as the schools defenses were brushed aside like a curtain by this man.

A twinkle in his eye, the headmaster responded, "Your coming is highly appreciated Lord Silverheart, the years have left you untouched as always. I have prepared, as you requested, a tower for your charges during your stay." Bidding the man to turn and face the hall, the professor spoke to them all. "This is Lord Silverheart, a representative of the high elves. He teaches at a school somewhat different from our own in the Americas. He will also be, at my request, the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher this year. There will also be a number of his students joining us from Davens Institute, where he teaches. They've come to learn of our world and from us, as well as have you learn of them. Each house will have seven students from his school, one to each year, who will share class time and meals. Treat them as you would have yourselves treated were you in their place. We shall divide the new students and return to our feast."

"Of course." The elf turned towards the open space left by their combat and raised a hand. Moments later a swirling vortex of purple energy opened itself and a group of twenty-eight children ranging in ages from eleven to seventeen walked through the portal into the hall.

"These are my students. They do not use magic as you do but practice powers of the mind. Both of your kind have lived here since times immemorial yet suspicion and hatred have kept you divided. The time is coming for your world where the strength of all will be needed to survive. You must learn to accept those different from yourselves and open yourselves to question that which you thought you knew. This is what I ask of you all." with that the man turned and took his seat at the head table where he began to chat easily with the other professors.

Harry and the other Gryffindors greeted their guests and the introductions started. Eldest and easily the tallest of them was Dwayne. At six and one half feet tall the cocoa skinned boy seemed imposing but with a soft voice and delightful accent common to the Boston area where he grew up. The boy began talking to Ron and they fell into a spirited discussion of chess.

A sixteen year old with shaggy brown hair and Mediterranean features introduced himself as Alec Wilson. The boy seemed to communicate in just a look that he understood some of Harry's pain, even though he'd said nothing of it. Holding out his hand he introduced himself and said he'd heard about them from the current events class at school. Harry was flummoxed that he'd been heard of across the ocean and felt a little better when the other boy assured him that nobody made a big deal about it.

Next was a brown headed youth named Bobby. He moved with grace and was quite shy but seemed overly protective of his younger brother, Adam. The younger of the two brothers was whip thin and wiry. His exuberance seemed to go into everything he did and he quickly paired off with the newly returned Weasley twins.

The last three; Dustin, Cory and Earl were all younger children and Harry didn't think he'd get a chance to meet them till a bit later .

Harry studied the boys auras and realized that they were indeed different than the mages. Their auras were brighter and Alec's seemed to pulse with some silvery rim that Harry hadn't seen before. He turned to compare the elf lords aura to his students and was slightly shocked that the mans had vanished all together. The boy put his chin in his hand and decided that this would indeed be another odd year.