Chapter 3
Amelia was not sure to think when she and Susan got to the cave later that afternoon. Harry was leaning against Saphira crying and very down hearted. He barely glanced at them entering the cave before he fired a shot at them, forcing them to dodge out of the way. They both looked at him in surprised but before either one could do anything Harry had moved and pinned Susan to the ground with a claw near her neck as he spoke.
"Where is Cynder?" Harry asked plainly staring hard at Amelia.
Amelia was not sure what to say at first since she had no real clue. "To be completely honest I don't know. Could you please let up Susan you know for a fact we would not hurt you."
"How can I believe you, there were others of your kind that came here today and took her away. I want to know why," Harry asked a little angered. Susan whimpered a little bit as Harry paw pressed down on her chest a little more.
"I am not sure how I can make you believe. But I have no real idea where she is, but I think I may have an idea where she will end up." Amelia said looking a little worried at Susan. She had only see Harry this angry once that was when a dragon had tried to hurt Cynder. The dragon had ended up unable to fly or even walk for over three weeks. With Cynder taken by a group of humans she could only image what would happen to them.
"Fine tell me," Harry said in anger. Saphira watched on, she knew this would happen as soon as Amelia and Susan had shown up. And to be honest she knew better than to try and stop Harry. With the way he cared and loved Cynder she would not be surprised if he could take her on and win if it had come down to it.
"I read in the news paper last week about a tournament taking place back in our home country. The tournament has three different tasks the first one is normally to face done some powerful creature to gain information about the next task. So it is entirely possible that Cynder was taken for that," Amelia said explaining hoping to stay Harry's anger.
"I see I will need you to lead me there." Harry said pulling his foot just a little bit off Susan so that she could breath normally again.
"I must ask why you would trust me to lead you there, especial with how your acting." Amelia asked but instead of answering Harry lean forward and gave Susan a small bite.
Both Amelia and Saphira gasped in shock at this while Susan fainted as magic forced its way into her body. "I do trust you for the most part, but I need to make sure that you will help me no matter what this time." Harry said carefully moving her out from under his paw.
"What did you do to her," asked Amelia in worry and wonder almost running over to check Susan.
"Nothing that cannot be undone, you see I gave her a dragon's mark. Should I activate it your niece will no longer be human but dragon," Harry said carefully.
"That is a dirty trick," Amelia growled a little bit.
Harry growl though silenced her, "And if you lead me incorrectly your love one will be lost to you. Like my love one will be to me." Harry's face soften as he looked at Susan then Amelia sadly, "Look I just want to find Cynder that is all. Please just help me, and this can all be over."
Amelia noticed this and nodded, "We cannot fly there though. It would take at least a two days flight unless we got lucky and hit a got a good tail wind. But I know a way that we can get there today at least."
"Fine we will take that way, but Susan stays here with Saphira," Harry said.
"Okay I will it from my cabin then I will be right back," Amelia said. Then without waiting for response she took off at a run to her cabin, not wanting in tempt Harry with changing Susan.
Harry sighed as he walked over and laid down on his bed he could smell Cynder's scent on it, but that did little of comfort him. He looked over at Susan and sighed again. It was not something he wanted to do, but he would not let anything get in his way of saving her. Though if Susan did end up changing she would be safe with Saphira until he got back and was able to train her himself. He knew that if she was left to herself at this age without any training she would be easy pickings for young male dragons.
Saphira seeing Harry was not going to speak spoke up, "So why did you do that Harry."
"Which part are you talking about," Harry asked not even looking at her.
"The whole thing, you know as well as I do that Amelia would not lie to us," Saphira said a little heatedly.
"True, but you know I will not let anything to happen to Cynder, and any risks need to be removed," Harry said sighing, a lone tear falling down his face.
"I know but what you did was still over the top, you first threaten them. Then you threaten Amelia with losing her niece and the last of her family," Saphira said. Though she knew it was not a very good argument. Amelia and Susan had walked in without warning and since Harry had only seen their shape in general he just attacked. Once he knew who it was he had ended the attack but it was still a close call. As for the threat, she knew Harry would probably not carry it out unless Cynder ended up dead. At which time no one would be able to stop Harry from destroy everything and everyone that had caused this.
"Really and you would have done anything different if it was your own love," Harry shot back a little angry.
"Well I guess not. It is just this is very unlike you Harry is all." Saphira said coming over and giving Harry a much needed nuzzle and lick.
Harry nodded, "I don't feel much like myself either without Cynder around."
Saphira nodded, she had seen this happen before when a dragon had lost their mate. The dragons would grow depressed and withdraw as their anger slowly grew. It only took a week or two before they passed the mark of no returned and broke. They would become unstable and very prone to attacking anything and everything around them even their own friends. They would attack villages or just destroying things it did not matter as long as they could take their anger out on something. This would last for about five to ten year before they would burn themselves out and then die about a year later if they had not come to terms by then.
"It will be okay Harry. Now let's get Susan comfortable." Saphira said carefully moving Susan over to by Harry's and Cynder's bed. Harry nodded and moved around collecting grasses and set them out as Saphira laid Susan down who groaned.
Susan as she was laid down slowly stirred and looked around before sitting up holding her head. "Oh what just happened?"
"I gave you the Dragon's Mark," Harry said looking at her.
Susan looked over at Harry in shock for two reasons. The first being the fact Harry had spoken to her with near perfect English. The second was that he had gone that far to save Cynder. Since the mark was made to change humans or any other creature into possible mates. "How come you can speak perfect English?" Susan asked. She had already guessed that she was now basically a hostage.
"What do you mean I am not speaking English," Harry said causing Susan to look at him weirdly.
Most of the time to Susan and Amelia when they listen to Harry's and Cynder's words would have a hard to understand since their vocal cords where not made to talk as humans do. So at best Susan could only understand half of what Cynder or Harry said unless she listened really closely and went over everything they said word by word and sound by sound. Though Amelia could understand a great deal more since she had been working on understand different people for a lot longer. But now she was sure she heard Harry speak perfectly then she remembered the mark.
"Is it because of the mark?" asked Susan in wonder.
Saphira nodded, "Yes the Dragon's mark lets a human and other creatures do many different things, one of which is talk to dragons."
Susan hearing Saphira talking just looked at her and fainted. Harry looked over at Saphira, "Well that was unexpected." They waited calmly after that for Amelia to get back. After she had they at once left at once as Amelia used a portkey to move them about form one location to the next as she did not have enough power to teleport Harry and herself. As it was even with the portkey they had only made it half way to Hogwarts and that was in three jumps. It then took about 10 minutes for the portkey to recharge fully for the next use, and Harry was become very annoyed at this.
But Amelia was able to explain when he asked why it was taking so long. The reason they could only make small jumps was since Harry like any other dragon was magic resistant it drew more power than normal from the object. So it would only take them a sixth of the distance with the same amount of magical energy. Harry then realized he was at fault this time and said sorry for snapping at her for it not going faster.
She nodded and said not to worry too much it. Then as they waited Harry decided to help make sure the next jump went better. He slowly undid and stopped the magic flowing through his body and scales till his resistant to magic was only a little high then Amelia's. Amelia did not notice this as the portkey became operational again. She activated it hoping they would reach the school soon, but to her shock then end up landing at their destination the gates in front of Hogwarts just outside the wards.
"What! How did that just happen?" Amelia asked staring around in shock.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Remember you said it was my magic that causing the short jumps. So I stopped the magic I was using so we could get there in one jump."
"Oh I see," Amelia said a little surprised.
"Yeah now get on my back and hold on tight we need to find Cynder," Harry said looking at Amelia.
Amelia shook her head, "No not just yet. I will have a look around first. I will come back later once I found out what I can and if possible where Cynder is. I would like you to meet me by the cabin at the forest edge."
Harry looked in the direction that she had pointed and shrugged, "fine but hurry back you only got till sun down to find out where she is before I start looking."
Amelia nodded and left quickly. She knew Harry would only play the waiting game for so long before he launched a full scale attack, if his actions so far this day were any indication on that matter. She was not sure if Cynder would be here yet since it did take a while to transport a dragon anywhere. But still if she was or would be here soon, then Amelia might be able to save this from the tailspin it was in. She figured the best place to start was with Albus Dumbledore the current headmaster of Hogwarts. With such she took off at a face walk down the castle drive to the large grounds.
As she walked she tried to figure out why Cynder would be taken for this part of the tournament. The only conclusion she could reach as that the person that had chosen her thought since she was well under half size of most dragons she would be safer over all. But that idea was dismissed since any true dragon handler would know that is not very true with dragons. In fact the one of the smallest breed outside the still mostly unknown Night Fury, Harry's kind. Was by far consider more dangerous them almost any other dragon for its ability to spit acid.
She as hurried up to the castle entrance she noticed ship and a large carriage park on the lack and lawn of the grounds. Figuring they were likely for the other school to get around she kept moving. As soon as she reached the doors she opened and entered into the school. The remembering the path up the Headmasters office she took off at once heading towards it. She soon reached the entrance to it a large stone Gargoyle. Now she did not know the true password which would open the passage up even if the headmaster was busy. But she knew the secondary one which would open up the passage if he was not busy, and so said "Open."
Amelia sighed when the passage did not open up at all meaning either Dumbledore was busy or more likely once she realized what time it was, not in his office but more likely eating dinner. She turned and left to check the Great Hall where all the means were held. She hurried down but saw he was not in the great hall. She sighed and turned to head back up to his office and hope he would be in. But as she walked towards the stairs to head up to his office Amelia spotted Dumbledore walking towards the entrance hall. Quickly she ran over and yelled to grab his attention.
"Albus," Amelia called out yelling.
"Why hello Amelia it has been a while," Dumbledore said not seeming to notice that she yelled.
"Yes it has, and sorry about the yell, but I have been all over looking for you." Amelia said as she stopped in front of him.
"Oh that is okay Amelia, but if I may ask why are you looking for me?" Dumbledore asked wondering.
"I have found out a dragon was taken from the preserve I live by and I came to reclaim it before anything goes wrong," Amelia said going straight to the point.
"Why are you coming to me with this complaint? You know full well there is nothing I can do about the dragons. Also why would anything go wrong?" Dumbledore asked.
Amelia was not sure how to answer, "Let's just say if one of the dragons is what I think it is we could have a big problem on our hands."
"Well in that case you should talk with Ludo Bagman he would be able to help you more than I can," with that Dumbledore moved off without another word.
Amelia sighed and left to find Ludo Bagman. But she knew even if she told him the whole story he would not likely listen. He was a grand person who never really listened to others unless it was something that helped him, and for one of the dragons to go missing on the night before the first challenge he would likely have a royal fit. But as it turned out he was not even on the grounds for that matter. Defeated Amelia realized that there was no way currently of getting Cynder free, at least not at the moment.
Amelia walked back outside and went towards the cabin but before she made it even half way there, something grabbed her. Next thing she knew she was flying as Harry flew before placing her on one of the castle turret. He then landed on the end looking at her closely before asking, "Well what happened."
Amelia sighed, "It did not work out. I tried through the Headmaster of this school but he brushed me off saying that I needed to talk to someone else. I looked all over for that person but he was nowhere at all to be found. So in short we have no clue where Cynder is currently or how to help her escape at the moment."
Harry nodded and sighed, "I see. And what do you think we should do?"
"To be honest we need to wait until tomorrow around when the first challenge starts. At that time all the dragon keepers will be watching the ring where it will take place, rather than the cages where the dragons will be. At which time we will be able to get Cynder free. I am sorry but that is the best I can think of at the moment," Amelia said. Not realize that Cynder might be the dragon starting in the arena.
Harry nodded after a few seconds before he spoke again, "Okay go and find a place for the night. I am going to stay around here and see if I can find Cynder while you're gone."
"But If you attack when you find her you will get caught and…" Amelia began.
"Remember who you are talking to Amelia. Me and Cynder did not decided to call ourselves Night Fury without a good reason," Harry said before jumping off the tower and soaring over the grounds vanishing from all but the keenest of eyes.
Amelia sighed as she went down into the tower and left the school. Harry was not easy to reason with at the best of times when it came to Cynder's safety. But right now it was near impossible. She knew Harry would likely attack the castle if he thought it would help. But she also knew there was nothing she could do to stop it. Even if she told everyone it would not help as the castle was just too big to defend against a creature that could hide perfect in the night sky. She also knew he was right about his name. He was indeed the Fury of Night.
Once she had passed the edge of the wards she used her magic and teleported herself off to London and booked at room at the Leaky Cauldron. This was because she knew that any inn or hotel even close to Hogwarts would be booked full for tomorrow's game. But she hand another reason being that if Harry was indeed going to attack tonight she did not want to have any part of it. Either stopping or helping him.
Amelia, Susan, Harry, and Cynder did not sleep that well, each for their own reasons. Amelia because of the risk her daughter and with what was coming up tomorrow. Susan for the risk of losing her mom and become a dragon. Harry because Cynder was taken. And Cynder for being stuck in a cage and having no clue if she would see Harry again let alone survive. But as the sun rose the next morning all was calm, Amelia woke up bright and earlier.
She paid the bill off and set out at once before nine the next morning. She made her way over to Hogwarts to see if anything had happened while she had slept. As she finally got into view of the great school she was pleasantly surprised to see that it had remained untouched over the night. But her heart sank as she knew that would not last long. She at once set off around the edge of the grounds looking for any encampments where the tamers would be living. She knew this because most tamers and handlers would want to sleep semi close to the dragons they had to watch.
She finally found one a little way out and went towards it. Noticing some kids seemed to be walking not far away towards a large arena. As she got to it she was meant by one of the men working there and he stopped her, "Sorry Miss but you cannot go past this point."
"Oh and why not? I am a dragon handler same as you," Amelia said pulling out her badge as proof. She had gotten one since she was keeping any eye on Harry during his many years on the preserve.
"Well that changes things a little bit go see Mr. Weasley," The man said pointing to a tent.
Amelia just nodded and walked over a little surprised that only half the camp was up and about already. As she drew close to the tent indicated out stepped a young man who looked around a little bit smiling. Amelia walked over to him, "Are you Mr. Weasley?"
"Yes I am one of them, Name is Charlie, and how may I help you today?" Charlie asked smiling at her.
"I need to check the dragons you have here and possible bring one of them back the reserve." Amelia said in none joking tone.
"I can show you them. But why would you need to take one back, none of them are marked yet." Charlie asked leading the way through the camp.
"Let's just say one of the dragons probably should have been marked, I have carefully watched the pair and trust me even unmarked he will still chase and hurt anyone that looks at her wrong. As it is I want to get her back before he goes on a rampage." Amelia said as they drew closer to the cages.
"I see well I almost do hope we have her then so we can get her back where she should be," Charlie said.
Amelia looked at him surprised, but nodded as they walked over to the cages. She quickly looked at the dragons in them and shook her head. Neither one was Cynder which meant she was possibly in the Arena already. Turning towards Charlie she said, "Where is the third dragon, I do not see it here?"
"It is already set up for the Challenged," Charlie said leading the way over, "It is set to start in a few minutes."
"You had better hope that is not the dragon," Amelia said as they walked towards the stands.
"Why not it is not like we are in any risk here this far from the preserves," Charlie said.
"Charlie I am ashamed you just underestimated a dragon looking for its mate. Especial a dragon that wizards have just recently discovered and still don't have any real solid information on," Amelia said. She then sped up towards the stands not wanting to risk the challenge starting. She could only hope that the dragon inside the arena was not Cynder. As they drew closer to the Amelia noticed stands were already packed with students, teachers, and other people, many of which were talking amounts themselves about the upcoming match or looking into the arena at the dragon. When Amelia finally got to the stands and was able to see in the arena she gasped. It was Cynder alright and she looked very angry.
"So is this the dragon then?" Charlie asked checking the wards that would keep the crowd and judges safe.
"Yeah, this is her alright. We need to get her out onto the grounds at once," Amelia said feeling a little fear as Cynder looked at her with great hate forming in her eyes.
"Are you joking? Do you realize just how long it took the men to get her in there safely," Charlie asked in shock.
"No nor do I care. We need to get her out at once. Why do you think I have come here to check, her mate I have been tracking was near here yesterday night! Do you really want a rouge dragon ready to attack as soon as the challenge starts?" Amelia almost said lying a little bit as she almost yelling at Charlie.
Charlie stared at her slowly paling, "Why did you not say that before?!"
Charlie had only once seen a dragon lose it once before and to be honest he never wanted to again. But before he could really do anything or get an answer Ludo Bagman voice floated out over the crowd, "Welcome ladies and Gentlemen to the first round of the Triwizard Tournament. Today our contestants will be facing down a dragon in an effort to collect a Golden egg each dragon will be guarding."
A roar meant Ludo words as Charlie ran off to alert everyone of his fellow tamers. But Amelia knew it was too late as she ran off to the tent were the champions would most likely be in to warn them. But before she could even move three feet a high pitch screech was heard. She did not even cast a look at the sky as she yelled, "EVERYONE GET DOWN."
Barely anyone heard her as a sudden blast hit and shimmered over the shields and wards as a black blur flew by them. In an instant everything went quiet. It did not take long before someone realized what that was. A dragon had just attacked the stands. But before anyone could even think of moving a second blast hit the shields again and caused them again making them shake with the force of the blast. In that instant everyone panicked until cannon sound was heard causing everyone to fall silent looking towards the new sound.
Dumbledore was standing with his wand raised as he spoke his voice easily carrying over the packed stands. "Everyone remain in your seat while we deal with this problem. It is far safer here inside the wards then running for your lives."
Thankfully everyone listened as two more shots rained down from out of nowhere and hit very close to the entrances of the stands. The teachers, tamers and judges all at once got out of their seats and proceeded to look around for the dragon. They soon spotted it circling high above them well out of spell range, but realizing they should be out of its range as well. Soon the dragon started into a dive, heading towards the stands again. Everyone got ready to launch the counter attack. But as the Dragon came within 200 feet of them it opened fire and fireballs raced down from it towards the stands. Then as it reach the 100 foot mark it pulled up and got ready to make another passed as the ten shots rained down on the wards and shield.
Everyone realized as this continued two more times that they were very out matched. The dragon could fire at over a 100 feet at a target that was not moving. While they had to hit a small very mobile target that was well outside the range of any good spell caster. Yes while it was possible for a spell to reach well over 200 feet it was very hard to hit anything at that range. The best were only skilled to hit targets at 60 feet. And most normal wizard had a good aim for 40 feet. But the third pass did not come as the dragon seemed to be watching something. Then someone noticed what the dragon was looking at calling out to the rest of the crowd.
Done in the arena the dragon had pinned the female contestant for Hogwarts. No one moved seeing this. Albus had not realized his wand going off had indirectly made the first contestant think it was time to start. She had entered into the arena only to see the battle going on. She recognized the dragon she was facing at once from a movie she had seen as a kid. It had been one of her favorite dragon because of how the movie had shown the dragon. Noticing her own dragon had not seen her or heard her she moved forward trying to steal the egg before anyone noticed she was in the arena. But two feet from the egg she tripped and fell hard causing the female Night Fury to pin her. As everyone looked out over at the dragon a few got the main message. "Release me or she dies."
Amelia at once jumped into the arena and set about at once undoing the bonds that held Cynder. But they were very heavy and head together by magic, so it was taking a while to undo the ones needed. This caused Cynder to growl a little bit as she leaned down as if to bite the contestants head. At once 20 wands were pointed at Cynder but a blast from the dragon above them made them rethink this plan to stun her. Then Charlie and two other dragon tamers jumped down into the arena and at once to help Amelia.
As they freed the dragon a smile passed her face for a second as she shook her body now free. Then without warning she grabbed the girl and took off taking her with. The people at once went to cast spells to get the girl back or hit the dragon with a stunner, but they had to stop as a hail of blasts came hammering down on the shields and wards. It took only a few seconds before they both failed causing everyone to change their spells casting to shielding that barely held back the barrage of fireball raining down on them. Then once the shots stopped and calm returned to the stands everyone let out a collected breath they had not realized they had been hold. Amelia could not help but shake her head as she walked off out of the arena and to find Harry and Cynder.
She knew that Albus and other people would follow once they noticed she was gone. But to be honest she did not care as she needed to get Harry and Cynder back to safety and soon. With that she disappeared fully off the field while Ludo who was still standing with the spell activate to make his voice loud said what everyone was think, "that was close."
