Light of the Dragon




I. Of Skrewts and Spies

The new school year awas fast approaching, and Hermione Granger was busily going over the
contents of in her trunk for the fourth time, checking that she hadn't forgotten anything. This was her seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of WItchcraft and Wizardry. She eagerly awaited riding the Hogwarts Express with her two best friends, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
It was on that very train, in their first year, that Hermione had stormed into their compartment looking for Trevor, Neville Longbottom's toad. She recognized Harry at once, of course by the scar as the breeze tousled his already untidy hair. He was amazed to learn that she had read about him in Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. Ron had been merrily reading from a rather large pile of wizard cards, no doubt from the lot of empty chocolate frog boxes that were scattered among the floor. At Hogwarts, after the somewhat nerve wrecking boat ride across the lake, excitement filled the air from the massive hoard of first years who anxiously awaited the sorting. She and her new friends were sorted into Gryffindor, and from then on they were unseperable.
Now it was their final year. Hermione sat in the floor, resting her back on the footboard of her cherry sleigh-shaped queen sized bed. She thought about the adventures of the previous years that had brought Ron, Harry, and herself so close together. "What would this year bring? she thought. "It wouldnt be the same at Hogwarts without some kind of great commotion." Her daydreaming was cut short by the sound of her mothers voice. "Hermione?? We have to leave in 10 minutes if you want to meet your friends in London on time."
The flurry of excitement found its way to Hermiones stomach, and she gave one last scan of her room, closed the lid of her trunk and made her way downstairs.

The trip to London didnt take nearly as long as usual. Perhaps it was because Hermione had her nose in the newest addition to her expansive library, "Charms, Amulets, and Talismans: A Guide to Self-Protection with Ancient Magic." It was indeed a fascinating book. She had learned about the uses of these things from Professor Flitwick, her Charms teacher at Hogwarts, but this book carried info on some of the more rare and one of a kind items used in the chambric era up untill the late 1700's.
Or perhaps it was because her father pressed a little further on the gas pedal than normal. He was a perfectionist and hated being late. Hermione used to think he was afraid of being hexed by his own daughter if he didnt get her to platform 9 and 3/4 on time.

London was absolutely stunning at this time of year. The air had that "end of summer" feeling. White popcorn shaped clouds floated slowly acroos the deep blue sky. The hustle and bustle of the people in the city seemed so organized to Hermione, almost like they were running on clockwork. She had to remind herself that Hogwarts wasnt the only school session opening tomorrow.
By the time they reached the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione stated feeling the excitement fill her once again. She felt happy seeing the other witches and wizards sitting in the dimly lit tavern, all conversing over butterbeer, starlight sippers, and flutter rum fizzes.
"Why Hello Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Granger."
Hermione startled, but she knew the voice immediately was that of her Transfiguration and Head of House, Professor McGonagall.
"Hello Professor! What are you doing here?" she asked hinting at surprise.
She had never expected to see her in here. The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade was one thing, being that it was a center for all Students of Hogwarts, third year and above to hang out after a days shopping, but the Leaky Cauldron? Yes, it was the gateway between the muggle world and the wizarding world, but it was also known for its rough crowds. Stragglers, Gambling Goblins, and old wizards comparing plots on how to take over the world during games of Wizard Chess, were a common sight. It wasnt a rare occasion to see Severus Snape lingering at a nearby table also. It was well known that he wanted the DADA position at Hogwarts, and used to be a death eater in the days before Hermione was born. Luckily for everyone, he had changed his ways, and and was now not only a teacher, but a spy for Dumbledore. The fact that he trusts him gave Hermione a sense of ease about him, even though he was her strict, unrelenting and usually unfair Potions teacher.
But to see Professor McGonagall here was uncomfortable to her.

"Its nice to see you all. I was having lunch with an old friend before i had to be back in time for the students to arrive." the professor said.
They chatted a few minutes more, and Professor McGonagall bid them farewell, and disappeared. There was no need for her to follow the same path out back of the tavern, as Hermione would, from here the professor could simply apparate, unlike on the grounds of Hogwarts.

Hermione knew it was time for her to go as well. Usually her parents accompanied her throughout Diagon Alley, but now that she was 17 she was considered an adult in the wizarding world, and could do things on her own. She said goodbye to her parents, as she stood in the magically opened brick archway between the two worlds, and watched her parents untill the back door of the Leaky Culdron has shut behind them. As she backed up to fit her "Trunk-on-Wheels into the alley, it caught on something and she lost her grasp on the golden handle. Her balance off kilter, she flew backwards, and anticipating the fall she stuck her hand out behind her and grabbed for whatever would break her fall. Realizing that she hadnt hit the ground, and her hand was in the palm of anothers, she straightened herslef up.
"Oh thank you so much," she said without looking up. "I dont know what happned, are you alright?"
"I will be as soon as you let go of me, filthy mudblood."
Hermione's eyes widened. "oh no.." she thought.
"Draco Malfoy what ARE you doing?" Lucius' voice boomed so loudly that she had the nerve to cover her ears.
"It seems to be raining muggle-bornes" Draco replied "And if you dont mind father, i need to stop and wash my hands, hopefully the stinch will come off." He sneered down at her, his grey eyes sparkling. "What would your friends think Granger? You flinging yourself at me like that? A spark of panic that would cause, dont you think?"
He strolled off, his father still standing a few feet away from her, looking as if she were something on the bottom of his shoe. Her face reddened as she watched him turn and follow his son down Knockturn Alley.

Harry and Ron sat on the white marble steps that led up to Gringott's. They had been there for ages it seemed, waiting for Hermione. Fred and George ahad taken off to Borgin and Burkes, the joke shop on the other end of Diagon Alley, and Mrs Weasley had whisked Ginny off to Madam Malkin's for new school robes. It was a rare occasion that any of the Weasley children got anything that wasnt a hand-me-down, but Ginny had not only grown three inches over the summer, but had also recieved a letter stating that she would be a Gryffindor prefect in this, being her 6th year.
Harry stood up to stretch his legs and saw Hermione strugging with her trunk among the great crowd of people. He pointed her out to Ron, and the two of them ran to help her.
"Crikey, what took you so long? I was starting to think youd had a coniption and werent coming." Ron said grabbing her trunk.
"Dont try pulling it Ron," Harry said as he pointed to the broken wheel "You wont get very far im afraid. What happened Hermione?"
She flistered, remembering the embarassing scene between her and Draco a few minutes before. "Nothing." she lied "Just fell off after so many years of use i suppose." There was no way she was going to tell them the truth, she'd never hear the end of it. Or Ron would immediately look for Draco just to give him a good pounding. SHe knew he would love to have a reason to sock him one, so she changed the subject.
"Have you guys seen the new firebolt accessory kit? Im sure it will be all the rave at school."
Ron and Harry exchanged glances. Hermione never talked like this. She usually cared less about things like brooms and Quidditch. Flying class was her least favorite subject. After six years, she still wasnt very good at manuvering her broom, a Comet260, but somehow she managed to stay at the top of the class.
They walked along the cobble stone street, looking in the windows of each shop, admiring the newest items of the season. At the apothecary, Harry and Rob had stopped to admire a witch twice their age. Hermione sighed. "Boys..."
She turned her interest to the window, looking at the new supply of dragon scales, when a streak of white broke her gaze. She was face to face with Draco Malfoy once again. "Thats all I need, Draco thinking im spying on him." she thought, turning her head quickly, hoping he hadnt noticed her.
"Spying on me now, eh Granger?" his voice muffled through the glass panes. "Dont look at him." she told herself. The urge overtook her, but when she looked again, he was gone.
"Would you quit admiring yourself in the window and come on? Weve got to meet the rest of the Weasleys at Flourish and Blotts," Harry said. Hermione just nodded and looked at her feet as they walked, to hide the redness that had creeped onto her face.
After a while, she told the boys about her trip. "You will never guess who i saw in the Leaky Cauldron," she said. The two looked at her and shrugged. "I dunno, who?" ron said.
"Professor McGonagall," she replied. "McGonagall? What in Merlin was SHE doing there?" Ron stopped, almost tripping Harry, who had a puzzled look on his face. "I dont exactly know," said Hermione. "She said she was there having lunch with an old friend, but i dunno..."
"Bah," Ron said waving his hand, "So what. Youre always looking for something more than what is right in front of your face, Hermione. She was having lunch with a friend, big deal. Get your knicks untwisted for once."
"What i think Hermione means, Ron," Harry interjected, "Is the fact of how strange it is for the professor the be there in the first place. Friend or not, thats not the kind of place to have a cordial visit." Rons eyes widened as he looked at them both, shaking his head. "Harry, youre as mad as she is.."
"Hallo children!" a screeching voice could be heard through the streets. Rons ears instantly went red, knowing immediately that it was his mother.


The day was nearing its end and everyone was tired from the days sihopping and returned to the Burrow happily, to the inviting meal waiting for them at the scrubbed wooden table. Mr Weasley had charmed it so it was big enough to fit everyone accordingly. Three helpings and twelve games of exploding snap later, everyone, without saying a word, unanimously decided it was time for bed.
Harry followed Ron up to his room at the top of the house. Hermione had always stayed in Ginnys third floor room, since fourth year. They had become close over the yeras, and Hermione trusted Ginny with any secret. She was thankfull, although that Ginny had outgrown her crushings on Harry. Her stories and constant interrogation was enough to drive anyone mad. But in Ginny's third year, Dean Thomas had asked her to join him at the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer, on the first Hogsmeade trip of that term. The two were as inseperable as Hermione, Ron and Harry.
Dean was also a Gryffindor, so it wasnt unusual to see the two snuggled on a couch in the common room, going over homework, or feeding each other chocoballs.
Thinking about Ginny and Dean caused her to feel a pang of lonliness. After she and Viktor broke up, she put all of her interest back into books. THeir long-distance relationship had been hard, as she knew it would be, but it was also boring. Viktor ate, slept, and loo-ed Quidditch. The initial interest passed after the Yule Ball, held before the ill-fated Triwizard Tournament. It was the first real "date" for them both, and even though they had nothing really in common, the excitement of it all had deluded them into prolonging their relationship as long as possible. After countless letters, and a Quidditch Cup Final later, they decided to end it, bu remained friends.
This pleased Ron to say the least. Viktor Krum was his favorite Quidditch player, and he questioned her about him as much as Ginny did about Harry. But the ugly green head of jealousy had overcome him at the Yule Ball as he watched them enter the dance together. Hermione didnt know that Ron had eyes for her untill Ginny had mentioned it in an owlposting that the summer. Flattering as it was, she pushed it aside as mere silliness. Putting her and Ron together was like rooming with a blast ended skrewt.
"Ugh... That Malfoy," she thought, fluffing her pillow with a little more vigor than normal, "Id like to put HIM in a room with a blast ended skrewt." Ginny rolled over, grumbling for Dean to "do something about that dragon". Hermione stilled herself untill Ginny's breathing returned to its rhythmic fashion, and then nestled herself snugly under the thick quilts, and fell into a deep slumber.


Hermione found herself standing in the Potions classroom. Fear enveloped her as she looked around, realizing she was alone. "How silly," she thought "If im the only one here, then what am i so afraid of of?"
"I thought I'd lost the Majestor somewhere..." a voice whispered, just inches from her ear. Turning quickly to see who it was, she stumbled as the floor behind her crumbled into the bottomless pit beneath it. She saw that it was littered with ash and flames from the dragons flying through its thick blackness.
Hermione looked up again and became hypnotized by the deepness of the grey eyes that reflected in her own.
"I dont understand..." she said
Draco smiled, reaching out his hand for her to take. She gingerly laced her fingers with his, almost afraid it would bite her like a snake. They stood there, her face inches away from his. "Are you looking for me?" she asked. He nodded, the smile leaving his face. "Indeed," he said in a low voice as he looked into her eyes, "but you were never really there at all Hermione... My Hermione..."