Author's Note: Several years ago, the BBC made a "Natural History" programme which considered dragons to be real, biologically viable animals. Most of the things in this chapter are based on that programme. Thank you, Auntie Beeb.
To all the reviewers - thank you for taking the time to write. It is appreciated. On with the plot.
The biggest problem in a new relationship isn't getting along together, or arguing about who does the washing up. No. It's the perennial question "Who are we spending Christmas with this year; your parents, or mine?"
For Ron and Hermione, it was particularly tricky. Her parents wanted to see them, as they had missed out on last year. His parents – Molly in particular – wanted everyone at home, as it was the first holiday without Fred. In the end, it came down to a compromise. Christmas Eve and Day at "The Burrow", Boxing Day with the Grangers.
The celebrations were obviously muted, and Molly cried quite a lot, but at least people were there for her, and that seemed to help. It marked an important watershed for them all. They could remember the past and look forward to the future.
It was after lunch when they finally managed to get to Charlie, that quiet couple of hours whilst the turkey dinner is being digested and you are steeling yourself for the turkey sandwiches and trifle for tea.
'…. then it vanished over the mountain. Do you think we stand any chance of finding it again?'
It was Hermione who had been telling Charlie everything she could remember about the dragon. Ron secretly hoped the answer would be a resounding 'No'.
'Tricky one' Charlie said, after thinking for a moment. Hermione had always liked Charlie. He was a typical outdoor sort. His strong muscular arms and burns gave him a sense of reliability. He also knew a lot about dragons.
'Dragons are like most animals. They want somewhere to live – invariably a cave – food and water. Now, your dragon probably wouldn't have wandered too far after you left it. He'd been chained up, so probably wasn't very fit, and he'd just had a long flight. You said he'd been breathing fire, as well. So that would have used up his methane supply'
Hermione and Ron assumed Charlie had said something logical, but it went right over their heads. Charlie could see confusion writ large on their faces.
'OK, basic dragon physiology. They're big heavy animals, as you know, so they use methane to help them fly. It's a gas produced during digestion and it's lighter than air. Unlike you, Ron, the dragon doesn't just waste it doing morse code botty burps'. Ron blushed and started stuttering. Hermione giggled. 'No, the dragon stores that methane in sacs around the body. He sort of turns himself in to an air balloon, if you like. Methane is also highly flammable, so if needs be, he can use the gas to shoot flames, but he can't do both. A dragon only has a few decent blasts in him, then he has to wait to replenish his supplies, and whilst that's happening, he can't fly too far. Plus, he'd taken on a lot of water, you said. That would weigh him down even more. I would say that, as long as he found a cave and food supplies nearby, he probably won't have gone too far.'
Hermione looked pleased, but Ron could see problems ahead.
'The trouble is, Hermione, we don't really know where we were and secondly, even if we did find it, we wouldn't actually know what to do next. I mean, it is a dragon, after all. It can look after itself'
Hermione was not the brightest witch of her generation for nothing. She could deal with a counter argument from Ron in her sleep.
'We've been through this, Ron, remember? We decided we owed it, and as for where we were, Harry can help us. He was steering.' Ron wasn't too sure about the last bit. 'Even if we don't find it, we've got to try'
She sat back and smiled at him. He knew when he was beaten.
She turned to Charlie. 'When's the best time to search, Charlie? Do they hibernate?'
'No, not as such. Dragons are reptiles, so they're exothermic – cold blooded, Ron. In cold weather, they'll be less active, but remember they can use flames to warm up the cave and keep active – as long as there's food around. You're probably dealing with a Hebridean Black, which is used to low temperatures as well. Even so, winter is better than summer, it'll be slower. You could start straight after the holidays. I wish I could come with you, but I need to get back to Romania.'
Harry was found and brought in to the conversation.
'Well, I wouldn't go a far as saying I steered it, Hermione. It sort of flew where it wanted. I know it went north, and we didn't cross any water. I got the feeling we ended up not far from Hogwarts, the country looked similar.'
In the end, Ron and Hermione (well, Hermione) decided they would return to Hogsmeade straight after the holidays and start the search. Ron could use his broom to identify where they had first landed, and they could then camp during the search.
Charlie had some final advice for them.
'Look, I love dragons, as you know, but I rate you two higher. Be careful, please. There's an old saying "Do not trifle with dragons, for you are small and crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Dragons don't just use their eyes. They've got other senses, better than ours. They've got an incredible sense of smell, and almost a sixth sense. They can detect vibrations.
Don't do anything in a hurry. The best bet is to try and find the cave - there may well be bones outside, but then keep a look out. Don't try to go in to the cave and don't get yourselves caught in a blind alley. Dragons can roar alright, but they can also move very quietly when they have to.
Finally, don't tell mum, OK?'
Hermione smiled at him. 'It'll be me and Ron. We fought You-know-who. Trust us. What can go wrong?'
Next time round
"It
does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you
live near him."
-J. R. R. Tolkien
