Frost here, coming with the second chapter of Inheritance. I own nothing, but if I did, Eragon and Arya would have ended up staying together and becoming a couple at the end of the fourth book! Anyway, on with the story!

Chapter 2: The Start of School

Harry and Hermione were sitting in a compartment. They were the only ones there. Ron had gone practically ballistic when he found out that Harry was taking Hermione's side, that he was going to do more than the bare minimum to stay in Quidditch. Ron absolutely refused to listen to Harry's reasons, before storming out saying that Harry had betrayed him. So they were sitting alone, speculating about what the new courses would be like. Suddenly a girl poked her head in, the two looked at their older housemate. "Hi Katie!" Hermione greeted. Harry grinned at her.

Katie Bell smiled, "hi Harry, Hermione. Mind if I sit here?"

They answered in the negative and she lugged her trunk up onto the luggage rack before dropping into the seat across from Harry. "So Katie, why you in here?" Harry asked in curiosity.

She smiled, "actually, I couldn't find Angelina or Alicia. I don't want to listen to Oliver's Quidditch lectures any longer then I need to, and I don't especially want to be around Fred or George yet. So when I found you, well perfect."

The three continued to talk, crack jokes, and laugh, until the train began to stop. "What's going on? It's too soon for us to already be there." Hermione asked in confusion.

Harry was looking out the window, "I don't know. It looks like some people are getting on though."

As they waited the air seemed to get cold, and then from the next car they heard scream! Instantly Harry was up, he flung the door open and headed to the next compartment. The door was open and inside were two girls, one his age, one a year younger. The younger girl was on the ground, her hands covering her face as a black cloaked figure hunched over her. It had almost skeletal hands, and was slowly pulling her arms away from her face. The other girl seemed paralyzed. Harry noticed that the cloaked figure was floating. And then he kicked it, hard. After that he felt some kind of energy build up in him, he felt like he had to do something. He felt as if he'd burst if he didn't release the energy. So he did, brilliant green lightning shot from his hand and collided with the creature, causing it to screech in pain. Suddenly it fled, and he collapsed, almost immediately falling unconscious.

When Harry awoke he was in a very familiar place, the hospital wing. He groaned, and reached for his glasses. As he put them on he noticed that it must be very late, but the pair of girls he had saved earlier were sleeping in chairs next to him. Also there was Hermione. Now that he had time to properly see the two girls he recognized them. Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, both Slytherins. Suddenly the lights flared as madam Pomfry bustled over. "Mr. Potter, how are you feeling?"

Harry groaned, "like my head had a dragon sit on it. What happened?"

"You did something very foolish, but it seems to have worked out well. You attacked a dementor, a being that embodies despair. You managed to drive it off in a way that has never been done. And you managed to save the younger miss Greengrass's soul from being sucked out."

Suddenly there was an exclamation of, "Harry!"

Then Harry was covered by a sobbing Hermione. Her exclamation woke the two Greengrass sisters, who looked nervous. Daphne said, "thank you for saving my sister."

Harry smiled over the bushy hair in front of him, "it was my pleasure. Contrary to what Malfoy would have you believe, I do not hate all Slytherins, just the bullies."

Then Astoria spoke up, "really?"

Harry smiled, "had I not met Malfoy, I would probably be in Slytherin myself."

Although Daphne didn't show it, Harry knew she was surprised. "How are you in Gryffindor then?"

"I asked, the hat allowed me to go where I wanted." Harry told them.

Before Harry could say anything else Hermione said, "don't do that Harry. I thought you were going to die." She was still sobbing. "If I lost you, I would have no one. You're the brother I never had, I don't want to lose you."

Harry hugged her, "I'm sorry 'mione, you're the sister I never had too. I'll try not to almost die again."

When Hermione finally managed to stop sobbing and retook her seat Daphne asked, "so what kind of magic did you use to hurt and drive off the Dementor?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I remember kicking it, then I felt an overload of energy. After that it's hazy, I remember green, then I think I blacked out."

Daphne said, "well you somehow managed to get green lightning to shoot from your hand, wandlessly."

As Harry looked stupefied a new voice spoke up. "I believe I have a good idea of what happened." The voice was soft, and seemed to have an almost musical quality to it. The four looked up to see a man, who was not wearing the normal wizards robes. He also had a sword strapped to one hip. "I did something very similar in my youth. It was the first time I had used magic. I was fighting a pair of Urgals, large powerful beings, and my only weapon was my bow. I felt a build up of energy, and as I loosed an arrow at my foes I spoke the first thing that came to mind. At the time I believe it was a curse, but it turns out it was actually a word that described the true nature of fire. The result was a fiery explosion that killed both Urgals. The difference between me and you is that I used a word, you did not."

Harry looked dismayed, "does that mean I'm not normal?"

The man smiled, "yes, it shows that you have a great deal of power, as well as a powerful mind. Anyone can do magic without the words, but it requires a mental strength that few have. For example, if you spoke the words, in ancient Alegesian, burn that door. Magic would burn the door, even if your thoughts shifted to me. However if you attempted to do it wordlessly, and your attention shifted, so then would the focus of magic."

Harry was quite for a moment, "can you teach me? I want to be able to do so again if I ever have to fight a Dementor again."

The man cocked his head, "I believe, I might be able to. During free periods. But probably not. I shall be quite busy. Should you pass the dragon's test however, I will be happy to teach you. Although I do not believe you will fail the test."

Astoria asked, "um, sir? Who are you? And what's the dragon's test?"

The man laughed, "ah yes, I had forgotten, none of you were at the feast. Very well, I am Professor Eragon Shadeslayer. Although I'd prefer it if you called me Ebrithal. I'm your DADA and Weapons professor. I'm also the rider of a true dragon. The dragon's test is when you touch a dragon's egg. If an egg hatches, you touch the hatchling and become a dragon rider. And yes I'm aware of the laws about dragon breeding, they do not apply as true dragon's are sentient beings, not magical creatures. They are capable of speech, via a mind link, and are born with more natural wisdom and cunning then any other species. They also live forever, providing they are not killed. As do their riders." Then he smiled, "now I believe it's time for you to go back to sleep. I shall take my leave." With that, he rose from the chair he had sat it, and left the hospital wing.

The next day was the start of classes. When the four of them got to the great hall they split up. Part of the way through the meal they each got their timetables. Harry's schedule was: Monday; Transfiguration, 10-11 am. Charms, 3-4 pm. Tuesday; Herbology, 9-10 am. History, 2-4 pm. Wednesday; Runes, 10-11 am. Astronomy 11:30-12:30 pm. Thursday; DADA, 10-11 am. Mental Magics, 1-3 pm. Friday; Weapons, 8-10 am. Potions, 2-3 pm.

Hermione's timetable was a bit conflicting however. Monday; Transfiguration, 10-11 am. Enchanting, 2-4. Charms, 3-4 pm. Tuesday; Herbology, 9-10 am. History, 2-4 pm. Wednesday; Runes, 10-11 am. Astronomy, 11:30-12:30 pm. Thursday; DADA, 10-11 am. Arithmancy, 1-2 pm. Mental Magics, 1-3 pm. Friday: CoMC, 1-2 pm. Potions, 2-3 pm.

Harry would latter find out what Daphne and Astoria's schedules were. Daphne had: Monday; Transfiguration, 10-11 am. Herbology, 1-3 pm. Tuesday; Charms, 9-10 am. History, 2-4 pm. Wednesday; Runes, 10-11 am. Thursday; DADA, 10-11 am. Arithmancy, 1-2 pm. Astronomy, 11:30-12:30 pm. Friday; Politics, 9-11 am. Potions, 2-3 pm.

Astoria however had: Monday; Transfiguration, 9-10 am. Tuesday; Charms, 10-11 am. Astronomy, 11:30-12:30 pm. Wednesday; History, 10-11 am. DADA, 3-4 pm. Thursday; Potions, 1-3 pm. Friday; Herbology, 10-11 am. She had a much easier schedule due to only being a second year, and not yet having any electives.

But for now, Harry was content, no new classes yet.

It was now Thursday. Harry had already had most of his classes. Transfiguration consisted of review of last year, as did charms. Herbology introduced them to the next greenhouse. History was more interesting then it ever had been before. Runes was an introduction to the class, and astronomy was also review. And now Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors and Slytherins were sitting in the DADA classroom. Around the room were about fifty smooth oval stones. They were in nearly any color you could imagine, from the deepest blues to the brightest reds, from vibrant greens to golden yellow. Also around the room were different weapons, and many bookshelves full of both books and scrolls. There were also several vivid images, non-moving, but incredibly lifelike. After waiting about five minutes the professor, Eragon, finally arrived. He spoke lightly, his voice strong yet musical. "Wands away class. Today's lesson is not a practical one." There was a bit of grumbling at that. "Today you shall be taking a test, the test of the dragons. Where I am from, every person between the ages of eight and twenty take this test once a year, hoping to pass. I will be blunt with you. The chances of anyone in this room passing is below a one in a hundred chance. However, I have found, that where one passes, there is often more in the area. So do not be too surprised if three or four of you do." Some people were obviously confused by that, but no one spoke. "I will not go into the history of the test much, so allow me to say this. Where I come from, there are five main sentient species. Humans are one. The dwarves are another, as are the high elves. There are Urgals, beings similar in looks to an Orc, but as smart as a human. And finally, there are, the dragons. You may have noticed the four dragons outside, they are true dragons, from my homeland. Insult them at your own peril, for they are born with more wisdom, cunning, and intelligence then even the founders. Or most of them are anyway. These stones around the walls, they are true dragon eggs. The test is simple, these eggs were entrusted to the dragon riders, of whom I am the leader. Just after being laid, a spell is placed on them. They only hatch when the person they choose touches the egg. You shall each go around, and touch the eggs for a few moments, until either one hatches, or you have tried them all. Should one hatch you must touch the hatchling with your wand hand. This will bond your souls, giving you a chance to eventually gain abilities that would otherwise be impossible for you. But be warned, should you touch another's hatchling, before they themselves have, you will be severely punished. And I don't mean point deduction or detention. The actual punishment for stealing another's hatchling, is death. Of both the thief, and the hatchling, as to do so messes up their heads, turning them insane and unable to function properly. You have been warned. Now get to it."

As the group moved around the room many of them were nervous. The first one to get a dragon was Hermione, a sky blue egg rocked when she touched it, before breaking open. Hesitantly she touched it with her right hand, before collapsing onto a cushion, and the hatchling crawled up next to her. Next was Neville, his dragon was golden. Then Tracy Davis got one, a grey dragon. Next was Daphne Greengrass, who got a deep blue dragon. And finally Harry got one. The hatchling the exact same shade of green as his eyes. When he touched it, he understood why the others collapsed. Cold fire ran through his veins, until he sank into darkness.

So here you have a few of the people who will become dragon riders. Korin Dragoon, some of those were correct, and some of them weren't. More dragon riders will be introduced next chapter, and not all of them will be cannon characters. I already had written a few chapters on this, so all the dragon riders for this year at Hogwarts have already been chosen, although more could be chosen for next year. Anyway, Frost out.