Author's note: I really suck at this whole self-discipline thing, but I'm too excited for this story to hold it back. Suggestions and comments are welcome. If you don't like it, no one is making you read it.

Disclaimer: I wouldn't be in school if I had written Harry Potter.

Chapter 1

Descent and Discovery

"Oh come now, darling! Cave diving is a wonderful experience! I bet your friends at that boarding school of yours will be rather jealous to hear how you spent your summer!"

I grunted in both annoyance and surprise when one of the tour guides copped a feel of my arse while 'assisting' me into a skin-tight wetsuit. Aunt Marina, my mother's younger and much more extroverted sister, shot me a wink and a thumbs up as mum continued to rattle on about this cave I couldn't care less about. I mean being in France is pretty cool and caves are quite fascinating, but I've never liked the thought of actually exploring them. Especially not the ones filled with water. I had seen a few horror films about both caves and water creatures. Sea beasts, both muggle and magical, filled my imagination and had me shivering in my suit. Grindylows, Kelpies, Mermaids, and whole slew of other water dwelling monsters was enough to keep me out of the Black Lake back at Hogwarts. The thought of any one or two of those creatures residing within the cave had me wishing to turn tail and run back home to England. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that. Not without getting a lecture from both my mother and her sister about spending time with my family.

The man leading the tour, along with his two coworkers, made their way to the opening of the cave. A pool of water sloshed against the shore. "Lay-deez and gentlemen! Eef everyone iz ree-dy, we shall begin ze tour. Pleaze say-cure your gogglez and re-gee-lay-torz and follow me."

The floor sloped gently for a few feet before dropping into the depths. I stuck close to my family as we followed after the rather large group and our leaders. Lights were placed at regular intervals to guide us further into the cave. After a good ten minutes, my neck was starting to ache with my constant swiveling and checking my surroundings. I may be surrounded by muggles, but that wouldn't stop a hungry Kelpie. Finally, we reached a sort of halfway point where a large portion of land rose from the water and allowed the group to take a breather. A few teenagers stayed in the water and played while the adults listened intently to the guides as they told of the caves history, it's discovery, and ghost stories that were a total load of rubbish. I hadn't seen one ghost as of yet, so their attempts to frighten me were laughable at best. Besides, ghosts are relatively harmless. It's the flesh and blood creatures that scared me.

I was sitting on the shore, massaging my neck when I felt it.

A small pulse of magic. A cry for help.

Being a fourteen year old witch enjoying her summer holiday, I had not brought my wand with me. One, what's the point when I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school and two, I didn't want to risk losing my wand in the watery depths of the cave. I would have to rely on my senses and wandless magic I've been studying since first year to guide me to whatever poor thing calling for help.

I slipped into the water, doing my best to avoid the playful children (in my eyes as no sixteen year old that behaves so immaturely could call himself a young adult), and dove beneath the surface. A nudge of my own magic made the pulse stronger. It called out to me, guiding me to a somewhat hidden opening. My Gryffindor courage and my compassion for the downtrodden drowned out the cowardly voice shouting at me to go back. That and the fact that there was a ward hiding the entrance from muggles. It was old, but still going strong.

It wasn't like there was a raging madman in the other side of the ward, right?

The tunnel was as wide as Bill Weasley was tall, more so probably, and quite long. The sides were… not smooth, but looked worn down. As if something rubbed down the stone. Minutes felt like hours as I swam towards the weakening magic source. Three or four minutes had passed when I breached the surface.

I floated in the water, frozen in awed shock. The cave was spacious. Just like the tunnel, the stone had been scraped and rubbed down to form a perfect little nook. The floor of it was coated in dead grass, branches, even feathers. Though the nest was startling in and of itself, it was the wingless corpse of a Dragon that kept me from moving. Though the poor thing's scales had faded in death, they still had a pretty tint of blue. Downy feathers, the same as the ones lining her nest, hid the roots of her small, curved horns and trailed down the length of her spine. Right all the way down to the tip of her tail. Her front and hind legs were spaced far apart and tipped with wickedly sharp talons. The only disturbance in her pretty if dirty skin was a giant gash in her side. The ivory of her bones was visible. It sickened me to the point of nausea, but I couldn't look away.

This once beautiful creature was dead. From the looks of the wound, killed by something with very sharp claws…. or a very strong cutting spell.

So if the Dragon is dead, what brought me here? Yes, Dragons are magical beasts, but a corpse cannot emit magic and certainly not in the way it did. I felt magic flare in here, calling out to me for help. No one else is in here. No one but me and a corpse.

I was preparing to turn back when I heard a small tap. The sound bounced off the walls, alerting me that it was, in fact, not my imagination acting up in fear of being alone in a cave within another cave and warded against muggles.

And then I heard it again.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I twisted the knob on my respirator to stop the flow of oxygen from the tank (wouldn't want to waste the precious air) and swam closer to the nest. I recognized the sound. I'd heard it once before. First year in Hagrid's hut. We, me and my two best friends, were having tea with the grounds keeper when he pulled an oblong, smooth rock from a pot of the fire. It shook from the inside, the repetitive tapping revealing the hollow interior was occupied. When the shell finally gave, a Norwegian Ridgeback stood in the remains.

I hefted myself over the edge, quite a feat considering the extra weight, and I immediately spotted the egg. It wasn't exactly hard. Though a bit smaller than the one Hagrid had, the grey-blue egg was shaking on a bed of brown and white.

I dragged myself across the nest as quickly a I could. No matter how dangerous Dragons are, this little baby was in distress. If I left now, the poor thing would die. I have no bloody clue as to how I'm supposed to get it out of here without any muggles noticing, but I'm sure I can come up with something. I'm not called the brightest witch of my age because I slouch about and let others do the work.

"Come on! Come on, little one! You can do it!" It's weakening magic… wavelength I guess, had me feeding it with my own. It's difficult to control my magic without my vinewood and Dragon heartstring conduit, but it would have been impossible if I hadn't been practicing wandless magic for nearly four years. The baby seemed to grow stronger with my steady support and it renewed its attack on the shell. A web of cracks appeared. "There you go, baby! Almost there! Keep at it! Don't give up now!"

A few fractures grew larger and I helped by peeling away one section. One off-white, clawed foot broke out of the membrane coating the inside of the egg. The tiny toes clenched and unclenched before disappearing back into the safety of the shell. I peeled off another portion and a head popped out to greet me. The scales around its face was the same white of its leg the grew slightly darker along it's back. The only splash of color against the monochromatic background was the brilliant pair of amethyst eyes staring up at me with unconditional adoration and trust. Those stunning orbs darkened in frustration as he… she… it fought to free itself from the egg shell. I assisted, of course. The poor dear was making the cutest irritated chirps. As the pieces rained down, I got to look at the fresh hatchling. Something I helped bring into the world.

It was a tiny thing, about as long as my forearm and as thick as two of my fingers. My previous thought on the only source of color being its eyes was readjusted to suit the pure, circular blob of gold embedded into what I assumed was the hollow of its throat. Just like its mother, it had no wings. And instead of tiny horns, the baby had long ear-like appendages. It didn't have the down feathers of its mother, but the beginnings of spikes. A trait from the father? I wouldn't know. The only thing I knew about Dragons was that they are very real and that there are plenty of them.

I don't know much about Dragons, but a certain Weasley does.

Charlie Weasley: a Dragon Tamer currently employed by the Romanian Ministry of Magic. The country had the largest Dragon habitat in the world and contained nearly every species of Dragon. Surely Charlie could determine just what this hatchling is! I'm not even sure it is a Dragon. As far as I know, every Dragon has a set of wings and breathes fire. Though my knowledge on the subject isn't diverse, I do know that Dragons tend to avoid water unless fishing. What I assume is the mother had her egg in a cave inside a cave that she could not have gotten to without going for a swim. I wonder how she even found this cave. What would make an expecting mother so desperate to find a nest.

I was pulled from my ponderings by the hatchling crawling on top of my thighs. My heart melted at the sight of this tiny, little…. lizard/Dragon wriggling its way up my legs. Its tiny claws and spikes became a lot more menacing when it attempted to situate itself at the apex of my thighs.

"Hey! That's not a place for baby Dragons!"

He, for only a male would have such determined fascination with the female genitalia upon birth, ignored me and turned into a purring ball of content. Since my goods weren't being harmed, I left him alone and thought over our predicament.

"Okay then. First things first: how am I going to get you out of here without you drowning and how am I going to sneak you past the crowd of muggles?"

I considered my options when I was struck with the very reason I was here in the first place and why I had to sneak a baby lizard out of a cave.

"Bloody hell! How long have I been in here?" The tour guide's drivel must be over by now! The group must have left already, if not going absolutely stir crazy trying to find me! "Okay baby. We have to go! I'm going to try to use the Bubblehead Charm on you. I don't know how it will work without my wand, but I have to try. If it doesn't…. Well, I'll give you my emergency respirator. I'm going to squeeze you into the space between my air tanks and my back. That sound good?" The hatchling chittered at me, and nuzzled my leg. I picked him up and released a nervous sigh. "Here we go. Fingers crossed."

I uttered the incantation and nearly cried when a shimmery film appeared around his muzzle. He blinked at me and let out a happy trill. I giggled somewhat hysterically and coated him in a wandless Notice-Me-Not Charm. Both spells were weak and I had no clue how long they would last. Hopefully long enough to get us through the tour.

I slipped back into the water and secured my goggles. "Alright, baby. Go ahead and slip underneath the tanks. If the bubble charm disappears and you need air, feel free to bite and scratch me. Once the tour ends, you slip into my hair. You'll be well hidden."

He chirped in response.

As I slowly pulled myself from the clutches of my dreams, memories flowed into my mind of the near fuck-up that was yesterday's family trip.

I was right to worry about the charms I placed on the baby. A charm that was supposed to last an hour vanished after just ten minutes underwater. I damn near broke my arm to find the hatchling's head and silently cast the charm. Again. Eventually, I gave up and gave him my emergency respirator. I think it was too big for the little guy, but he got his air.

It was when we got out that the baby was almost discovered.

The same pervert that 'helped' me earlier was all too eager to do so again. He must have seen the tail of the hatchling as he dove into my sopping locks because he freaked out. His meltdown attracted the attention of our group and the crowd that was preparing for the next tour. A mumbled Notice-Me-Not saved my arse from imprisonment and the wizarding world of exposure. I didn't feel an ounce of sympathy for the man that now looked like a raging lunatic.

The four… five of us returned to our hotel to shower and change for an upscale restaurant my aunt adored. She forced me into one of her silk and chiffon creations because I'm 'gorgeous darling!' and the semi-formal dress code of the restaurant was heavily inflicted. She even managed to tame my wild hair into a half-pony tailed waterfall of curls that brushed the top of my arse. The hatchling had plenty of space to hide.

Once at the restaurant, I lost count of the several close calls as I tried to feed the baby and myself. I had to reapply the Notice-Me-Not Charm several times throughout dinner, but at least it did it's job.

By the end of the day, I was ready to crawl into bed and stay there for a week. The constant use of magic was tiring, even more so as it was wandless. It's not like I could have used it anyway. Not without activating the Trace and getting expelled from Hogwarts.

Last night's lethargy vanished after… ten hours of sleep?! Oh dear, I've missed the hotel's breakfast!

I heaved a sigh and reached up to stroke the hatchling that had fallen asleep by head. Upon further inspection, I found that he wasn't there. I sat up, growing panicked when I didn't see the opalescent sheen of his scales, when I heard his indignant squawk. I looked down to see him on his back and trying to roll back on his feet.

"There you are! You almost gave me a heart attack." I reached down and picked him up for a good cuddling. I am a certified cuddler, but Crookshanks is not unless he initiates it. This little guy, however, seemed to bask in the attention.

I glanced at the clock and gasped in surprise, truly noting the time. Never in my life have I woken up after nine and it was eleven in the morning! It could have been my use of magic yesterday, but I've done harder and more taxing spells and never slept in so late. I rise with the sun everyday as I had done growing up. My father had been in the military and had me running with him since I was six. I hadn't been able to run due to school rules when I first attended Hogwarts, but maybe Dumbledore would cut me some slack this year.

I scooted out of bed and began my journey to the kitchenette. I passed by the open door leading to the room my parents had claimed for our stay. The bed was unmade and empty. The bathroom had been used, their towels hanging to dry, but parent-free. The living/dining/kitchen area was empty as well. I found a note from them on the counter.

Hermione,

Your mother and I will be gone for the rest of the day. We are acting as honored guest speakers and will be served lunch and dinner at the conference. Marina will meet you in the lobby at 1800 hours to take you to dinner. Please use the money we gave you and go explore the city. Buy yourself something nice. You've more than earned it.

With love,

Daddy

I snorted at the thought of leaving the privacy of my room and walking around town with a baby Dragon curled in my arms. This wasn't Hogwarts where I can wear my student robes with its deep pockets to hide the baby. This is summer in Paris. However, I can't stay in the hotel. I didn't eat that much for dinner as I had shared it with the hatchling and my stomach was aching for nourishment. Room service is dreadfully expensive and we didn't have much in the fridge or cupboards. I guess my only option is to wear an extravagant dress to distract muggles if my Notice-Me-Not Charm fell to early.

I guess having a fashion designer for an aunt wasn't all bad.

As I changed for the day, I thought about my aunt. She wasn't present in my life as I grew up for personal reasons. It wasn't until last year that I received a letter from her right before school ended. I had been sore and tuckered out from not only taking Harry into the past with me, but going again to capture Peter Pettigrew. I had received an Order of Merlin First Class for my bravery in subduing a werewolf and facing the true traitor of James and Lily Potter and the real mass murderer. I even have a scheduled appointment to have my own Chocolate Frog card made on the 20th of August. According to the Ministry of Magic, especially the Department of Law Enforcement, I am now a huge deal. Sirius was cleared of all charges and swore fidelity to me for my part in making him a free man. From the last letter I got, delivered by Hedwig, Harry was happy living with his Godfather.

I slipped my feet into some plain, black flats and looked at my reflection. The dress aunt Marina designed was beautiful. The dress was roughly based off japanese kimonos, though the only similarity they shared was the robe-like front and long, flowing sleeves. The dress was Gryffindor red with gold and black accents. The collar was low and the sleeves off-shoulder, falling gracefully down my arms and ended at the hem of the flared skirt. The thick, gold fabric shimmered proudly under the light from my waist to just beneath my bust. It was rather tight, acting as a belt to hold the somewhat stiff dress up and keep it from falling. The giant bow in the back could be seen peeking out from behind my arms while the two tails fell mid calf. Since my hair only had a fraction of its usual frizz, I decided to put some of my new accessories (gifted by none other than Marina McNair). I pulled my hair into a tight, twisted bun at the crown of my head and secured it with matching simple hair sticks and a black collar necklace with teardrop rubies dangling from gold chains.

My shoulders and legs were bare, but I could deal with that. I'd worn more revealing things. Admittedly, they were swimsuits, but Paris didn't have a strict dress code. The important thing was that the baby could hide beneath my loose sleeves.

My stomach growled in hunger, and another growl from my left arm followed after. I guess the hatchling is hungry, too.

And since I would be seeing them anyway, I knew just where to go.

I grabbed my purse and the room key before leaving the hotel. My first stop was the street market to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits. Then I stopped at the butcher's to buy some roasts. Weighed down with groceries, I headed for the last place I saw a wizarding rest stop. They were relatively easy to find.

When I finally spotted one, a nice bistro bustling with activity, a little body stepped into my path. She was a pretty blonde that would no doubt turn into a stunning woman. The girl was soon joined by what men would call a jaw-dropper. Probably the little girl's mother or big sister. She outshined her two other brunette companions like a torch in a room full of glowsticks. Men around us were stopping or walking into things just to look at her. I don't know if she hated it or if she was an arrogant tart that let the attention get to her head, and I wasn't too keen on finding out. "Je suis désolé. Puis-je vous aider?"

The taller blond shook her head. "Non, nous voulions juste dire combien nous aimons votre robe."

"Merci beaucoup. Maintenant, si vous me excuser, je dois quelque part, je dois être." I smiled sweetly and continued on my way. I entered the tidy bistro and was not shocked to see a pristine environment. This is Paris, after all. I saw the wall of large fireplaces and pots filled with floo powder mounted on the wall between them. They didn't look very busy, only the occasional flare of green as someone left or arrived. I approached the counter to see if I needed to pay in order to use the floo. I didn't have much on me concerning galleons, but hopefully enough if they do charge.

"Excusez-moi madame. Je dois utiliser la cheminée . Dois-je payer une redevance?" I asked the too perky woman wearing clothes not made for ladies in their forties or fifties. Maybe even seventies. You never know with magical folk.

"Aucun frais. Faites juste attention à votre sortie." She waved happily at me and went back to checking her make up. After memorizing the name of the bistro, La Fleur de Glace, I carried my bags over to the closest fireplace. I moved all of the bags to one hand and grabbed a fistful of floo powder in the other. "The Burrow." With a wave of my hand, a flare of green, and the nausea-inducing feeling the floo gave me, I was stumbling into the organized chaos of the Weasley household. The first thing to greet my vision was the sight of Harry and Sirius laughing as Ginny and Ron were trying their best to bring down their taller brother, Bill. A rare, carefree smile was spread across his face.

Arthur, relaxing in his well loved armchair, peeked over his newspaper. "Hermione, is that you? A bit early aren't you?"

All activity ceased and eyes locked onto me.

"Hermione!" Harry threw himself at me and caught me into a tight hug. "Is it really you?! You look so different! Good different."

Ginny was next to hug me. "I love this dress! Where did you get it? And what concoction did you use to tame your hair?"

I laughed heartily at their compliments before embracing Harry's Godfather. "Good morning, Sirius. How are you adjusting to your life of freedom?"

"It feels great knowing that Pettigrew is rotting in my old cell. Harry and I have been staying at one of my family's summer homes while Curse Breakers like Bill here go through Grimmauld Place. They say they're almost finished, but I'm having them go over every inch one more time. Can't be too careful knowing my hag of a mother. But enough about that. I see you've improved in the looks department since I last saw you. Your cat seems to be enjoying the sunshine. He misses you, though."

I picked up the sound of pounding feet moving their way down the stairs. "Yes, well, I am a bit of a celebrity now. I thought I'd take some pride in my appearance and try to give less ammunition for that harlot, Skeeter, to work with. It doesn't help that my aunt is so encouraging, though some would see having a fashion designer in the family a boon. Thanks again for taking care of Crookshanks."

Before Ginny could start in on me for not telling her about my aunt or Sirius could brush off my gratitude, Fred and George came flying into the room followed by a green haired Ron. The twins tripped when they spotted me. Ron followed them to the ground. "Hey dad? Who's the pretty bird?"

"I'm taking that as an insult. I bear no resemblance to any form of avian and I detest flying." I smirked at the total shock that came over their faces.

"Granger Danger?"

"No, it can't be."

"Our little 'Mione is a short, bushy haired know-it-all."

"This lady is gorgeous."

Ron looked to be choking on his own spit as he stuttered out my name. I paid them no mind as I transfered my bags to the other hand. "Harry, be a lamb and help me get these groceries to Molly. I thought if I'm going to have lunch with my favorite purebloods, I might as buy a few things to feed the masses."

Harry eyed the bags. "A few?"

"I brought roasts."

Sirius, Harry, and Ginny perked up and took the bags.

Arthur smiled sheepishly. "You didn't have to do that, Hermione."

"I wanted to do something. It's not like Molly would let me back into her kitchen after the magic flare of '93. Though it was Ron's fault for making me lose my temper."

The Weasley patriarch barked out a laugh. "He did and he has been punished. I'm just glad you got your magic back under control so quickly."

I laughed with him until the hatchling tightened his grip on my arm. It reminded me of the reason I was here. "Actually, Arthur, lunch wasn't the only reason I came. I know Charlie will be coming home from Romania and I was wondering if I could speak with him."

He shook his head, never dropping his soft smile. "Charlie is scheduled to arrive on the 21st. However, I more than willing to listen. Tell me what's on your mind."

I wrung my hands, trying to calm my racing heart. Arthur is a Ministry worker. He could at least have Aurors sent to the cave. He can't do anything about the baby, but I can care for him for a while. "Okay. My family and I went cave diving yesterday and…"

"Cave diving you say? What is that?" He asked excitedly.

"It's basically putting on scuba gear and swimming through caves filled with water."

Arthur eyes sparkled with interest. "How fascinating!"

"Yes. Anyway, I encountered a ward down there. It was rather old and so weak a first year could break it, but was undisturbed. Behind the spell was… a corpse."

Arthur's fatherly demeanor melted away. He was now a Ministry employee that was scared of our world's exposure to the muggles. "Do you know who?"

"No no. It wasn't a human. It was a… well, I don't know what it is. I've been calling her a Dragon as she is certainly big enough to qualify."

Mr. Weasley was not appeased. He gestured for me to take a site in the sofa opposite him. "Tell me everything. Leave nothing out."

And I did. I told him about the pulse of magic that led me to the cave, described the dead creature, and how I carried the hatchling out of the cave. Arthur listened attentively and asked questions to fully understand the situation. He stood up after I finished and collected his Ministry robes. "I'm going to go and tell the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes to send the Invisibility Task Force to that cave. I'm sure someone from the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures will send someone to ask you questions and take the hatchling."

Said baby squirmed unhappily, his movements frantic and jerky. To be perfectly honest, I was just as uneasy as he. "They're going to take him? Take him where?"

Arthur took a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. "I don't know, Hermione. Maybe some place where he'll be protected and cared for. Tell Molly I'll be back as soon as I can. Ministry of Magic!" He threw the powder at his feet and then he was gone.

I placed a hand over on the baby and smiled when I felt him twitch under the fabric.

Is this what being a mother felt like?

I haven't had him for a full twenty four hours and I already feel so protective of him. I didn't want a group of strangers man handling the baby I watched hatch. Who knows what those creeps would do to the poor, defenseless thing.

It is no secret that I have a soft spot for the weak and bullied. This baby was no exception. In fact, my feelings for him far surpassed anything I had experienced before. And I have thrown myself in front of werewolves for a boy who was better at dueling than I am.

The hatchling purred in content. And my decision was made.

They won't take this child from me. I will raise it as my own, and may the gods have mercy those who would seek to stop me because I certainly won't.

The baby purred happily, safe and sound and very much loved.

Translations:

Je suis désolé. Puis-je vous aider? - I am sorry. Can I help you?

Non, nous voulions juste dire combien nous aimons votre robe. Il est absolument magnifique. - No, we just wanted to say how much we love your dress.

Merci beaucoup. Maintenant, si vous me excuser, je dois quelque part, je dois être." - Thank you very much. Now if you excuse me , I have somewhere I have to be.

Excusez-moi madame. Je dois utiliser la cheminée . Dois-je payer une redevance? - Excuse me madam. I have to use the fireplace. Do I pay a fee?

Aucun frais. Faites juste attention à votre sortie. - No charges. Just be careful on your way out.