Chapter Five: The Birth of a Weredragon
0~0~0
Sal's Quarters, Hogwarts:
"Shade, we're home dear. Come on, you can let go of Draco now," Fred prodded his youngest brother carefully.
Sniffling Harry shook his head and tightened his hold on his Dragon.
George sighed,
"Shade, please, Sal and Godric are grilling us. You really need to have a shout at them," he tried.
Draco rolled his eyes at the raven-haired wizard with Weasley red highlights, the only sign they were once born Weasleys.
"It's no use Poison, Shadow doesn't want to let his mate go. It's like… of course!" Fred exclaimed suddenly, "Gaia, Shadow needs all his family here. Can you and Myrddin get Burn and Devils Snare? Poison, can you sneak out and bring Firenze, Hagrid and Aragog as well? Professor, would you summon Dobby and Winky please? Sal, please lock up the filth and Godric please make sure Fawkes knows to come down as well."
"I agree but we'll need Bill and Charlie here as well. They might not have undergone the Sibling-bond like us but they would kill for Shadow," Luna ventured.
"Bill, yes. He's mated to Fleur and the Delacours are fiercely protective of Shadow. Professor, would you do the honours? Charlie, no, he's been crushing after Harry since the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He won't take to kindly to Harry's mates. He's got Dragon's blood," George countered as he got ready to do his errand.
"We'll deal with that hurdle when we get there. If Luna says Harry needs all his family, he will have all his family here," Voldemort said before disapparating.
0~0~0
The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole:
Gaia fire-flashed into Ginny Weasley's bedroom, grateful it was the middle of the night so no one would be able to detect her. The youngest Weasley and only girl was pacing the room, the sibling-bond she shared with Harry told her something was wrong. She'd felt the older teen come into his inheritance though she was ignorant of the reason why it had occurred before his 16th birthday.
"Burn, Shadow needs you. Venom has sent me to retrieve you. Will you come? Shadow has chosen his mates but since he has not consummated the bond with any of his mates, he needs his family now more than ever," Gaia ordered, already wiggling her tailfeathers. Ginny nodded, grabbed her wand from the nightstand and took hold.
0~0~0
Vulture's Nest, Gwynedd:
Myrddin tucked in his wings as he galloped through the marsh to the Manor where Neville lived with his Grandmother and Great-uncle Algie. Myrddin rendered himself invisible as he silently trotted into the house up the stairs to his master's brother's bedroom.
"Devils Snare, I am Myrddin, Shadow's bonded familiar. Venom has sent me to retrieve you. Without a consummated bond with one of his mates Shadow needs his family. He is trapped in his mind and has not let go of his Dragon. Will you come?" Myrddin asked the Longbottom heir.
"Let me just leave a note for my gran," Neville said, hastily scribbling a note telling his Grandmother not to fret and he'd be back before his birthday. He'd wanted to say his brother needed him but Myrddin advised him against it. Trusting the Unicorn Neville did as he said grabbed his Herbology kit and wand before swinging himself on to the powerful back of the stallion.
0~0~0
Somewhere in Egypt:
Severus apparated to the location Luna had told him Bill was working. The goblins bowed low as he past, already knowing of his Chosen status with the Subcubus, though how was a mystery only they knew.
"William," Severus called the moment he spotted the eldest Weasley child, "Shadow needs your presence."
"The goblins informed me of his new status. I take it Dumbles is ignorant of his condition?" Bill answered calmly while undoing another ancient curse.
"As far as the traitorous Headmaster is concerned Harry James Potter died yesterday afternoon, if that is what you mean," the Potions Master confirmed.
"Good. Perhaps now the kid will have some peace, though mark my words Snape, if you every hurt him in anyway I will show you every single ancient curse that was invented. Trust me, not even Vampires can withstand those," the Cursebreaker threatened.
"It pleases me to find my Chosen's fate in you was well founded. I promise you I would rather die than hurt my Prince in any way."
"Come on, you can explain the Prince-thing to me later. Shadow needs us both to be there for him," Bill said as he took hold of his former professor's arm.
0~0~0
Dragons' Reserve, Romania:
Lord Voldemort arrived at the Dragon Reserve, having apparated. Using his Earth Magic to locate the second eldest Weasley child, he found him within minutes.
"Charlie?" the red-eyed wizard asked. A drawn wand was facing him when the redhead turned.
"Mouldy Shorts," Charlie spat, his breath giving of wisps of smoke, a side-effect of the Dragon's blood that flowed through his veins.
"So that's what Shadow meant, I wondered why he called me 'Mouldy'," the Dark Lord said conversationally.
Charlie Weasley was a wild card, how much did the Dragon's blood influence the wizard before him. Did he understand Shadow's call? Did the Dragontamer still believe Voldemort wanted to kill Harry Potter? Thankfully a rather large Dragon came to his rescue. The Hungarian Horntail seemed to communicate with the incensed wizard before him.
"Norbert here tells me you smell of Harry," Charlie said when the Dragon nipped him.
"Sorry, I meant Shadow."
The Dragon continued its conversation with his handler and Charlie's eyes grew as wide as saucers.
"He what!" Charlie roared, flames actually bursting through his nostrils.
"Oh sweet mother of Merlin, Shadow claimed you as his father and seeks a Vampire and Fae to mate?" Charlie paled with the information the Dragon called Norbert gave him, tears flowing freely down his burly face. It was obvious this young man cared deeply for his son.
With a sigh Voldemort wrapped his arms around the distraught Dragontamer in an effort to comfort the other wizard. Charlie continued to cry for awhile till he managed to compose himself again.
"I never stood a chance did I? Ron told me the only reason Harry hung out with me was because he felt sorry. I didn't believe him, I thought if I could only get him to meet the real me I'd have a chance," Charlie whispered brokenly.
"I do not know if you ever stood a chance but I would not allow the words of one Ronald Weasley to carry so much weight. Shadow discovered Dumbles ordered him to keep him mentally, emotionally and socially crippled. My son has not trusted your brother for a long time. I do know he needs you. I do not know if anything romantic can evolve or not as my son is already messing with his mate-combination, much to the horror of Gaia, his Phoenix. He chose the best combination from the choices he was given and decided earlier tonight to throw all caution to the wind and announce young Malfoy and Lupin as his Chosen as well," Voldemort explained.
"Sounds like Harry," Charlie said with a small smile.
"Charlie, as far as the Wizarding World is concerned Harry Potter is dead. Only Shadow Slythindor remains. Now I need to know if you are not only willing to go to my son but also if you can refrain of attacking his chosen," Lord Voldemort said seriously.
"I'll come with you, let me just collect Ha… Shadow's birthday gift." Charlie accio'd a small box wrapped in silver and green. With a raised eye-brow the Dark Lord apparated them to Sal's quarters.
0~0~0
Privet Drive, Little Whinging:
Jeremiah Dawlins was sitting in a cupboard under the stairs at Harry Potter's former residence. The Head of the Auror department was sickened to the bone. He'd gone over and over the residence after everyone had left. He'd used several spells which the Ministry had outlawed many centuries ago in lieu of privacy. These particular spells revealed any covering up done by magic, whether human magic or not. It also showed what was being hidden.
Jeremiah Dawlins had not been prepared to feel the onslaught of memories and emotions as his spells revealed the truth. How could a child have survived all this and still faced off the Dark Lord? His respect for the Boy-Who-Lived grew even more. He had also discovered the magical creature signatures had belonged to his old mentor Alastor Moody and two of his own Aurors, Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt. The Werewolf signature had belonged to Potter's second godfather Remus Lupin. The only Earth Elemental Dawlins had heard of was You-Know-Who himself. He also found the magical signature of Lucius Malfoy. But that didn't make sense, the wards would not allow anyone baring ill-intentions when did they loose their interest to harm the boy? And why did Lucius Malfoy go straight to Potter after his escape?
Jeremiah had even gone as far as retrieving the memories of the walls to find out more. The more he uncovered the more horror struck he became and with every answer more questions seemed to arise. The Head Auror decided it was time to pay his old mentor a visit. He dug out his old com-mirror which Moody had given him during the last war when he'd saved the old ex-Auror from a stray killing curse. He just hoped Moody would answer his call.
0~0~0
Sal's Private Quarters, Hogwarts:
When those who'd gone out returned with their charges, Harry still hadn't left his safe-haven in Draco's arms. Those who were left behind or had returned earlier were crying softly, even the famed Malfoy mask was no where to be found in the sheer agony of the once strong teen's monumental break-down. Eyes once vibrant green were now dull and lifeless, the sobs had stopped instead a passive, non-responsive Subcubus lay limp in Draco's arms.
"Harry!" Charlie wailed as soon as he set his eyes on the young Subcubus, a loud Dragon's roar following his outburst. Not knowing what was happening to him but somehow feeling he needed to trust his instincts he surrendered to what ever it was that was making him behave more and more like a Dragon in distress. His roar had gained the attention of the others and Sal could be heard cursing along with Godric.
"Sal, Godric what is going on?" Neville asked his respective grandfathers before a distraught Voldemort could say anything.
"The one you call Charlie is turning into a Weredragon to lure Shadow back from his mental prison. It is ancient Love Magic and only the Dragon blood carrier who loves a Subcubus with all his heart and soul will be able to return the Subcubus' sanity after he's lost it," Salazar Slytherin explained.
"But he has to give up part of his human nature to do so. He will be more Dragon than human after this and not only that; he will be the equivalent of a slave to the Subcubus. Simply put, Charlie Weasley will no longer exist. In his place there is only Charlie, the pet-Dragon," Godric supplied sadly. The Chosen Mates stared at the two Founders,
"Are you saying Weasley will become nothing more than a toy?" Draco finally asked, horror struck.
Salazar nodded, "Aye, a creature with only one goal in life, to please his master. The poor lad will only transform into a full Dragon during each Full Moon hence the term Weredragon however during the rest of the month he will still exhibit many traits of a Dragon, much like a Werewolf. Only a Werewolf is still fully human during the rest of the month, capable of his own choices. Charlie Weasley has just sacrificed his free will to save your Mate."
"I am not certain as to your dispositions on this matter however I for one will treat the Dragon with the respect he deserves for saving our Mate. I shall treat him as an equal and share my Mate with him," Severus declared.
The others looked at the Vampire with new respect, for a Vampire to willingly share his mate was unheard of. Of all creatures, the Vampires were the most jealous and deadly. They knew the Vampire already shared with the Fae, the Werewolf and the Veela Hybrid but to willingly add another?
"I'm sorry but I can't. The wolf in me has decided not even a Subcubus is worth sharing so many Mates with. I feel as if Shadow is my cub once more," Remus said regretfully.
Personally he was glad as he did have a bit of a problem with the prospect of bedding his godson but he could not go against the wolf's wishes.
"Oh come off it Moony, you and I are secretly glad you're back to being my godfather again," Harry teased weakly. He'd come round after a couple of Charlie's majestic roars.
"Master?" Charlie whimpered as he crawled on all four towards the teens on the bed. He lay down on the floor at the foot of the bed; oblivious to the horrified stares of his peers.
"Come, Charlie, join us on the bed," Draco coaxed the unsure wizard; hesitantly the Weredragon did as he was told, "Its okay, go to him."
Draco kissed the top of the now maroon mop of hair a clear signal that he was accepted. Harry wept softly at the sight of the once proud and strong Dragontamer before them. The Weredragon lapped up the salty tears, whining softly. Lucius and Severus joined their Mates on the bed and hugged them, placing soft kisses.
0~0~0
Tonks sidled next to Remus and buried her head in his muscular chest.
"I'm glad Moony decided Shadow is not a qualified Mate," she whispered softly. She hadn't meant for him to hear but with his enhanced hearing Remus was able to pick out her muffled words.
"Tonks, I'm a Werewolf. I don't do normal sex," Lupin told her matter-of-factly.
"That's okay, I'm part Veela remember? There's too little of the blood in me to actually be classified as a Veela but it still has its perks," the Metamorphmagus answered, batting her eyelashes seductively.
Moony could feel the wolf in his thumping his tail in anticipation and he barked out a laugh.
"You, Ms. Tonks, are incorrigible."
"Why thank you, Mr. Big Bad Wolf. Now are you going to show me just how bad you are? Those kids will be occupied for another couple of hours by the looks of it."
Indeed the group of Mates had curled up around each other and fallen into a peaceful slumber. Most likely from all the stress they had felt these past hours. The sun was already rising and most would need to return to their regular business.
The siblings, bar the twins, decided they would remain here with Shadow in the event he needed them. The twins however needed to return to the shop as to avoid suspicion. If push came to shove they would need as many spies as they could get.
0~0~0
Neville led Ginny over to their bedroom in Sal's quarters with the explicit instructions to the adults not to disturb them.
"Are those two a couple? Voldemort asked his ancestor, he too had decided to stay behind.
"Aye, you will find that not everyone is as averse to the idea. Most of these kids were lacking something. Yet together they compliment each other. Devils Snare, much like Shadow, has known little love in his young life. Burn on the other hand has received much love in her lifetime but was always treated like a baby, never as an equal. Together they found what they needed most in each other. The Serpents are a couple to though I find that slightly more disturbing as they not only share a Sibling-bond but are siblings in blood too. Mist is older than the rest of them, again much like Shadow, though she prefers to bat for the same team."
"Aye, I noticed she was furious when she saw Lady Malfoy in the state she was in. Even after Gaia healed the Veela woman she was ready to slowly rip her aggressors apart," Myrddin agreed.
"Then why hasn't she made a move? Narcissa is unmated, the marriage to Lucius was a farce as it was forced," Alysia asked, curious.
"Mist is their best spy, her faked dreaminess causes others to believe they can say anything they want around her as she won't pick up on them. She is also a true seer; she will only act when the time is right. My best guess is that she knows something will happen in the future which would not have a pleasurable outcome if she would pursue her own interests," Godric offered.
"Like me then?" Alysia whispered with renewed respect for the young teen, nodding off on the sofa.
"Yes, very much like you Alysia. What of the other members of Shadow's extended family?" Gaia asked the Founders, the two ethereal entities seemed to know everything about her baby-brother.
"Hagrid was the one to retrieve Harry as per Dumbles' orders but he was also the first person to ever stick up for him. He had baked the young lad a birthday cake which his fat pig of a cousin promptly ate. Hagrid gave him a pig's tail for his efforts. The Half-Giant had also given the boy his first ever birthday present, an owl. Hedwig is presumably still at the Burrow in Ronald Weasley's care. Shadow and Hedwig share a deep bond, she knows she is to play along and she does. Just last spring the Ministry ordered the death of Grawp, Hagrid's half-brother, Dumbles did nothing to stop them. With the help of Aragog and the Siblings, Hagrid was able to re-locate his brother to one of Hogwarts secret gardens. Hagrid has always loved the boy but after that his love for the boy gained new heights," Godric said.
"Shadow gained Aragog's respect when he managed to kill many of his offspring at the age of twelve. The Acromantula offered his loyalty and mark of his family when he led several Ministry Aurors working for that toad Umbridge to them as a thank you gift," Sal explained.
"Family mark? A thank you gift?" Voldemort asked not understanding what his ancestor was saying.
"Aye, just above his heart there is a small tattoo of an Acromantula, marking Shadow as family. No spider shall ever dare to harm the lad because of this nor will any spider-venom harm him. And yes, a thank you gift for that is what he called it. He thanked them for eating his adversaries."
"Bloody hell, what happened to the Golden Boy of Gryffindor?" Voldemort exclaimed.
"Golden? My grandson is anything but golden, to his enemies he can be as ruthless as a Basilisk. No, be thankful young Shadow never truly saw you as his nemesis else you would not have stood here Marvolo. He could have defeated you each and every time, even as an 11 year old yet instead he chose to merely expel you. Now, with his Magical Inheritance, he is an even more dangerous adversary," Godric answered with a laugh.
"But first he needs to consummate the bond with his Mates and Pet to stabilize his magic. There is no Charlie Weasley this time if he tries to keep his magic in," Sal said seriously.
"How do you mean keep his magic in, Grandfather?" Voldemort queried.
"The Subcubea's magical outburst is extremely powerful and destructive or constructive depending on the mood. My guess is that something happened which set him off however in lieu of al of your safety he kept it bottled in him, thus losing his sanity in the process."
"My baby-brother truly is an enigma then. I've seen and sensed his soul, he remains as pure as the day he was born, yet he is also as dark as one can get. Perhaps that is the reason why you turned into a Dark Unicorn after bonding with him, Myrddin, and I into a pure white Phoenix. It would also explain why his Mates must be opposites of each other in order to stabilize his magic. He shall need a new staff, his old wand will no longer work for him," the Phoenix mused.
"Might I suggest that we wake them and tell them they need to bond? Then afterwards you can have your discussion with him on the Adoption Ritual. But I warn you, Lord Voldemort, Lady Alysia, you must adopt all of them if you are to survive the ritual," Myrddin advised.
The Dark Lord and Lady looked deeply into each other's eyes, unspoken questions and answers passed between them before Alysia informed them of their decision, "We agree, though Severus better have some pain-potions for me nearby after the Ritual."
When the group of Mates were properly awoken Harry gazed sadly at his great-grandfather several times over.
"Isn't there anything we can do for Charlie, father? It hurts seeing him like this," the youngest of the group choked, tears once more flowing over his cheeks.
Voldemort shook his head sadly, it wasn't so much that he cared that the red-haired Dragontamer was now a mindless catamite, it was the fact that it hurt his son which clenched at the older wizard's heart.
"I'm sorry, Precious, he will never be the same old Charlie you knew. He choose to sacrifice his free-will to save your sanity and for that he shall always have my respect and protection."
"Your father is correct, Little One, your Charlie will never be the same but there is a way how he can gain some free-will and have his mind restored to him albeit he will always be submissive to you and your mates," Helga Hufflepuff joined in, having just entered Sal's Quarters with Rowena Ravenclaw.
"Helga, you can not possible mean…" both the male founders stuttered in shock.
"Shush you two, we promised we would never keep any secrets from our young charge nor take away his choices," the founder of the Ravenclaw House reprimanded her two co-founders sternly.
"Let me explain, Little One, if you choose to proceed with this rather gruesome and painful ritual Charles will regain his mind and will be much like your Werewolf. The Dragon will still be there but only rise to the surface during the nights of the Full Moon. You and your mates will always be dominant over him and he shall always remain you sub whether you keep him as your catamite or choose to elevate him to the status of Mate. The reason why your grandfathers are so distraught is because you have to order him to violently rape you and during each Full Moon when he is a full Dragon this must be repeated. The Dragon will violently claim you and you can not do anything to prevent this. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, Shadow," Rowena cautioned.
"I understand Auntie Ro, Harry answered dutifully. In reality Harry considered it a small price to pay if it meant having his friend back.
"Good, now I believe Alysia has to return to Dumbles as I can hear him cursing your absence already," Helga stated kindly though her voice broke no room for argument, "As for you dearest nephew, I believe you would do wise to discuss your heart with these people who wish to bond with you. Remember Little One, I'm only a thought away."
Harry gave the protective spirit a small smile before leading the group of Chosen to his personal chambers.