Chapter 3
"I've told you already," Tristan said as Allegra stood closely behind him, "they can't hurt you here. There are barriers, you just can't see them." Charlie gave her arm a comforting squeeze.
"Yes, but that's not all that comforting when I can't see them." Allegra stood up on her tiptoes to peer over Tristan's shoulder.
"Well, you'd have one up on the rest of us anyway, wouldn't you?" Charlie added, looking out into the forest expectantly.
"I don't know, I've never fought off a dragon."
"Had you fought off a werewolf before?" Tristan asked, almost rhetorically.
"Unfortunately yes." Tristan turned to look at her over his shoulder. "One of our teachers had a problem."
"Here she comes," Charlie said.
Distant thudding preceded Amethyx's arrival. Allegra watched the dragon-sized hole in the trees and waited. Suddenly the sun glinted off something in Allegra's eyes and she had to squint to prevent being blinded. The glint moved and revealed one of the most beautiful creatures Allegra had ever seen. Amethyx called in a perfect, musical tone and rushed to one of the piles of flesh that had been put out for her. She put one enormous and slightly muddy foot on the top of the pile and started to dig in. A glamourous black claw edged each toe.
"She's beautiful." Allegra said.
"Isn't she?" Charlie said proudly.
Amethyx spread her enormous black and purple wings and gave one mighty flap before holding them loosely above her. Shining black scales framed the purple and the shade faded to a light lilac right in the centre of her wings. From under her and up over her chest to her chin large sliver tinted amethyst scales ran up in pairs, not a single one out of line with the other side. Sprouting from the center of her head, running all the way down to the end of her tale were razor sharp pointed spikes, shaped like waves curving over towards the next. As she ate - sometimes displaying an impressive jaw of cream coloured teeth - an equally long extravagant tail waved contently behind her. Her eyes were such a dark black that had they not caught the light you would almost doubt their existence.
Allegra saw many more Dragon's that day and two more had caught Allegra's particular attention; a completely black one called Dagaumonde and an emerald green dragon called Pele, after the Hawaiian goddess of the volcano. Dagaumonde was so completely black that if you met him at night all you would see was a darker shadow, a glint of the moonlight in his eyes and on his back and the noise that accompanied him whenever he moved. Pele was a mixture of greens, great for blending into her forest surroundings. She had an extremely long tail but a smaller wingspan to Amethyx who had a large wingspan.
For the rest of the day Charlie and Tristan showed her some of the eggs and baby dragons they were looking after. Some of the babies were tiny, but only compared to the adults that roamed out in the surrounding enclosure. Then Charlie and Tristan actually had to do some work and Allegra sat in the cabin with the eggs and chatted to Sinead.
The rest of the week passed easily. Every day the sun blazed down and Allegra soon found herself with a golden-brown tan, and Charlie a burnt nose, a trait the whole Weasley family obtained during the hottest weather.
Soon it was Sunday and Allegra packed her clothes and belongings away ready to leave.
The night before all of Charlie's friends had taken Allegra out to dinner as a final goodbye. Allegra agreed that she would come back soon, but was sure she was lying. If Voldemort became even more active, as she expected he would, she would have to be more careful about moving around, and if Charlie was true to his word and came home then that would be it. Tristan seemed to think he would come over with Charlie as he had never been to England, but Charlie, James and Allegra exchanged glances. The UK wasn't exactly in a state to receive tourists.
Charlie and Allegra apparated back to the Ministry where once in the Travel Office they had a long hug goodbye. Charlie spoke to the man at the booth and she followed him into the back room and waved goodbye to Charlie.
"Hold my arm," he said in an accent that Allegra guessed meant he had just learnt his lines and knew no more English. Allegra did so and without a warning apparated.
The sensation lasted just as long as before, and then her feet met solid ground.
"Ah, this is horrible," Allegra said as the world shook around her. The man opened the door for her and pushed her out, Allegra watched him disappear behind the door and she heard him apparate.
Right, well.
She turned to look for a familiar face and instead found one of the Ministry officials looking at her.
"Allegra Boone?" She nodded. "I'm afraid your dad has not been able to make it to get you home, however the Ministry has arranged for an Auror to escort you." Allegra walked through the archway towards her and jumped when the archway announced who she was. "Ah, here they are."
Allegra looked through the crowd and found Kingsley Shacklebolt striding towards them. He was taller than most wizards and easy to spot.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt?" Allegra looked at the Ministry Attendant, "the Head Auror?"
The Ministry Attendant smiled at her, "I believe you are considered precious cargo, these days."
"Hello Miss Boone, I haven't seen you in a while," he said, flashing two rows of bright white teeth. The Ministry Attendant smiled and took her leave.
"I believe I saw a glimpse of you that night I escaped -"
"Yes, you did."
"- I assume that is why I get the Head Auror to take me home." Kingsley gave her a knowing look and led her out and back to the Atrium. A few people seemed to notice Allegra but mostly they were busy scattering out of his way.
After having to jog to keep up she found herself outside in normal muggle London.
"Take my arm please, Allegra," Allegra did so, trying not to feel nauseous about apparating again.
With a pop she appeared in front of the large black metal gates of her home.
"Here we are, I'm sure I don't need to escort you inside."
"Thank you," Allegra smiled and went to the box on the wall.
"Tell Mike I say hello." There was a loud pop and he was gone.
The speaker box glinted in the sun that had followed her back from Romania, it seemed to be just as hot in England as it had been there. Allegra pressed down on the warm rubber button and waited for Cassia to answer.
"Hello?" she said nervously.
"Don't worry, Cassia, it's just me."
"Good! I'll just let you in then," Cassia said, not sounding convincingly relieved.
"Thanks, see you in five minutes." Allegra started the long walk down the drive.
One of the large white doors was unlocked and Allegra pushed her way inside.
"I'm here!" She took her tiny suitcases out of her pocket and put them on the table. A pitter-patter of feet preceded Cassia running in from the kitchen.
"Allegra!"
"Cassia!" Allegra dropped to one knee to give her a hug.
"Did you have a good time? How was Charlie?" Cassia said in a rush.
"Yeah, it was -"
"There's someone here," Cassia whispered.
"There's what?" Allegra's eyes went wide and she looked around.
"No, no," Cassia held onto her, "someone on that list you gave me."
"Oh," Allegra sighed with relief and tried to calm her heart, it felt like it had just been jump-started. "Who?"
"I've forgotten."
Allegra narrowed her eyes at Cassia.
"What! He gave me his name and it was on the list so I let him in and the barriers didn't spit him back out so he is who he says he is and -"
"It's okay."
"- he's been here for a couple of hours maybe, he seems ... troubled."
"Where?"
"I left them in the library." Allegra raised an eyebrow and decided to investigate. She took the left corridor from the hall and walked through the door on the right opposite the living room. She closed the door quietly behind her and snuck forwards to peer around the bookshelves.
Sat by the large bay windows in a beanbag was Draco. He looked peaceful, just sat reading a book. That was, until Allegra realised that it wasn't a book at all; it was a photo album.
Draco jumped out of his skin as Allegra stampeded towards him and leapt into his lap, removing the album from his hands.
"Hey," she breathed, standing up and putting the album on the desk behind her.
"Hello," he replied. There was a moment of silence where they just looked at each other. "You know, you were a cute baby," he smirked and Allegra growled, dropping into a blue beanbag.
"How much have you seen?"
"Enough." Allegra glared at him. "That was my second album."
"Draco!"
"What? I don't know what to do in your house! Your elf led me in here and I didn't think there would be anything interesting but oh, how wrong I was."
"I hate you."
"You've got an interesting elf -"
"You've been nice to her, haven't you?" Draco looked like he was going to be sarcastic but then saw the real worry on Allegra's face.
"Yes, I have."
"Good, because she's here on her own free will. I treat her as my equal."
"Okay, I've got it."
"Good." Allegra breathed. Her eyes scanned him and she was about to ask why he was here when he seemed to notice the question coming up.
"Your owl seems to like me, brought me a dead mouse and everything."
"Lucky you," Allegra laughed.
"I know. I gave it back to her, which she seemed pleased about."
"I bet. Right, up to my room."
"Wow, I didn't think I'd hear that this soon, but -"
"Draco!"
"Your right, I'm sorry." He grinned, not sounding sorry at all. Allegra shook her head at him and led him upstairs to her room. Once inside Allegra went to the balcony doors and opened them to let some cool air in.
"You know, I think your house is bigger than mine."
"Don't lie, Draco."
"I'm not; why would I lie about that?" Allegra just made a noise of agreement.
"Has Cassia given you a room yet?" Allegra asked.
"No, she just put me in the library." Draco sat down on Allegra's bed and looked around. "I think my room's bigger than yours, though."
"I wouldn't doubt it." Allegra sat on the wooden box at the end of her bed and looked at him. "So this will sound rude, but why are you here?" The smile fell from Draco's face and sighed.
"I can't really tell you."
"Why?" Allegra asked, seeing that something was wrong.
"I can't tell you that, either." Allegra frowned at him.
"Well tell me something, anything." Draco looked up at her through pained eyes and then dropped them back to the floor.
"Okay. Ever since my Dad got caught, things have been going downhill." He sighed. "Now ... well, I don't want to be at home. My mum's a mess ... I can't be around that lot. Here they can't reach me." Allegra nodded and smiled at him.
"Well stay here as long as you like, come and go as you please."
"Thanks, I had a feeling you'd say that."
"But I have a few rules." Allegra stood in front of him and held up a finger.
"Rules?"
"Number one, you have to be nice to Cassia at all times. She will do what you ask, but she's not a servant."
"Can do."
"Number two," Draco rolled his eyes, "I will be having people over and these people will be mainly Gryffindors, people you don't get on with. On these occasions you must either play nice or stay out of the way."
"I'll try."
"Number three," Allegra put three fingers in front of him, "you must join in quidditch practice with me and worship the ground my dad walks on."
"You made that a rule? What did you think I would do?"
"Number four -"
"Oh dear god, woman."
"- while you are staying in my house you shall treat me like a princess and you shall cater to my every whim." Draco raised an eyebrow. "I'm joking ... about the second part."
Allegra took Draco around and gave him the grand tour. She ended it with a crash course in using the TV and he seemed pleased with himself after.
"And this one works the same as the one in my room?"
"Yep, and the same the ones in all the rooms."
Draco grinned, "and I can do whatever I want in my room?"
"Yes," Allegra eyed him suspiciously, "within reason."
Draco went off to the room Allegra had assigned him to play with the TV controls so that Allegra could unpack and sort out her mail.
Allegra couldn't stop thinking about what could have gotten Draco to want to leave so suddenly and for such a prolonged stretch of time. It was obviously something big and unpleasant as he had managed to grow up and live with psychopaths around so far and still be fairly well adjusted. Allegra had a gut feeling it had something to do with Voldemort. But he'd made it clear he didn't want to tell her, and that was fine with her. It did worry her, though.
Allegra sighed to herself and picked up a letter.
Hello Little Miss Lucky,
I hope you are having a good holiday, I can't imagine you wouldn't be. My life is still positively dull, but at least I'm allowed outside. Only a couple of weeks until my birthday, I can't bloody wait. I'm practically counting down the seconds. Write back and tell me how exciting your holiday was.
Love Your Bored Friend,
Harry x
Allegra went up to her room to write a reply with her proper stationary.
Hello Bored Friend,
Holiday was indeed amazing. Charlie is great and I met all of his work friends who were also lovely. The Dragon's were amazing, Charlie gave me photos of a couple, I can't wait to show you. I also brought you an awesome present (to accompany your birthday present) so all is not lost. Two weeks is hardly any time. I reckon you could stay here instead of with your crummy relatives next summer, Dad and Cassia would love it.
See you soon,
Allegra x
Allegra gave the letter to Midnight and she flew off with it at once. After, she strolled down the hall to Draco's room. She pushed open his door to find Draco sprawled across his bed with the two TV remotes on his chest.
"Comfortable?" Allegra asked, closing the door and sitting on the bed in the space left between an arm and a leg.
"Very." He smiled. Allegra looked at the screen to find him watching Family Guy.
"Good taste."
"It's funny," Draco said and moved his arm so that Allegra could settle in for the long run.
After dinner Allegra, Draco and Cassia went into the living room to watch TV.
"You know, you're a really good cook," Draco said, looking across the room to Cassia as she sat down.
"Oh, she knows." Allegra laughed and Cassia shook her head.
"You two aren't going to be much good when you're off on your own." Cassia said, taking control of the remote.
"Why?"
"Because neither of you will be able to do anything."
"Like what?" Draco asked, his eyes glued to the screen.
"Anything, you are both waited on hand-and-foot. Can either of you cook?"
"I try!" Allegra exclaimed, "you won't let me!"
Cassia just grunted and settled back into her seat.
"I think these skills are learnable by instinct," Draco said.
"Can you wash your own clothes?" Cassia asked.
"There are spells for that."
"Do you know them?"
"Nope," Allegra said proudly.
Cassia folded her stick-like arms behind her head, "I rest my case."