Hermione strode across the bowl, every inch the epitome of a Bronze rider. She had developed well in the last few months, she was smart, powerful, confident and just a little arrogant. Although her hair had been cut short to fit under her riding helmet she was still feminine, her werehide riding gear cut to emphasise her figure not to hide it. Pulling her jacket open roughly she walked into the lower caverns, seeing Minerva and Rons little sister Ginny sitting together she grabbed a cup of Klah and headed over.

"May I join you?"

The other women smiled up at her, Ginny had impressed a Green by accident two years before and was starting to be harassed by male riders as her Green was getting ready to rise. Ginny blushed and averted her gaze from Hermione, surprised at her friends' reaction she turned questioning eyes to Minerva. The older woman just smiled enigmatically and gestured for her to sit.

"You came in here very purposely, is something wrong Hermione?"

Hermione recognised the change of subject and grimaced. "We were training with V'morts wing today."

"I see."

"The man infuriates me."

"Well, he is not exactly fond of women or of the Holder bred."

"He just…..arrgh!!"

"Very articulate," Minerva said dryly. Hermione glared at the older woman before smiling at her, they had gotten into the habit of teasing each other and had become friends.

"So what were you two talking about?"

Ginny blushed further and Minerva tried unsuccessfully to stop herself smiling. "The young lady has a problem that she thinks you may be able to help with."

"Spit it out then Gin."

"What…uh…what does Seth think of Lillith?"

Hermione stared at the younger girl incredulously. "Huh?"

"As you know Ginny is being harassed by most of the male riders, but trying to get through to riders influenced by a randy dragon is difficult to say the least."

"So where do I come in?" Hermione said sharply, she was angry that they had been making plans about her.

"Its more about what Seth wants isn't it?" Ginny said almost in tears.

"Don't I have a say in anything?"

"Seth may well respond when Lillith rises to mate anyway."

"Do you think I don't know that!" Hermiones voice cracked suddenly.

"Are people still giving you a hard time?"

"Not so much Minerva."

"But you are still sensitive about it?" Ginny looked between them realising that there was a back story here.

"How can I not be?"

"I told you that you'd have to face this."

"I know."

"I think that you are still in the Holder mind-set, in the weyr we do not limit sexuality. Mainly due to the dragons influence."

"I know that but I just don't want to be ostracised any more than I am now."

We are accepted by most

"Unfortunately you are in a difficult situation, there are some male Green riders if you feel that you have that much control over your dragon to restrict his choices that much. Although given his size he is likely to prefer to pursue Queens."

Hermiones eyes bored into Minervas, anger the dominant emotion in those dark brown depths but within their depths the older woman could see another emotion she could not read.

"Ask Seth what he thinks of Lillith." Ginny insisted.

'Seth' Hermione closed her eyes partly to hide from that intense gaze and also for her own privacy.

Lillith is a striking young Green, I would like to twine necks with her

Minerva sat watching the play of emotions on the girls face, noted the slight flush that worked its way up from the collar of her jacket. It had been a long time since she had just sat and watched the young Bronze rider. Her eyes were drawn to the long lashes that fluttered against soft skin like porcelain, high cheekbones and soft lips pursed in concentration.

Do you not wish for me to desire her

'Are there other Greens you like?'

Plenty but she will be the first

Something like draconic laughter followed that statement, Hermione couldn't help but smile. 'I guess this means I'll be like any other Bronze rider then.'

Minerva was caught unaware as Hermiones eyes opened suddenly, resolution evident in all aspects of her appearance from the set of her jaw to the stiffness of her back. "Hermione?" Ginny said, her concern plain.

"I guess we'll find out when she rises, won't we?"

Hermione nodded at the Weyrwoman, "Excuse me."


A few weeks later a high pitched cry was heard around the Weyr, it was the sound of a proddy Green rising to blood her kill. Minerva walked to the entrance of the Weyrleaders quarters, looking out from Braths high ledge. Lillith was drinking the blood from her kill, her hide glowing iridescent Green. Already Bronze, Brown and Blue riders began to gather around Ginny, crowding her at the entrance to her weyr, their lust as evident as that of their dragons. Hermione however was nowhere to be seen.

'Brath, where is Seth?'

At Hermiones former Hold

Hermione? Minerva was shocked, for dragons rarely refer to other riders by name, Brath even called D'dor Areths rider. She couldn't dwell on it for long now though, she had to help Ginny.

'Call them.'

They are coming

Ginny meanwhile was searching the sky for her friend, trying to keep the greedy hands of the amorous riders off of her. Soon Lillith would be finished gaining her strength and would fly and she would have to…

A flash of shining Bronze appeared above their heads as Hermione and Seth apparated into the Weyr. She dismounted making an effort to appear casual, her eyes unerringly met those of the Weyrwoman high above, and even at that distance she appeared to be asking a question. Minerva gave a small approving nod; brown eyes communicated with green briefly and Hermione turned away to face Ginny.

Elbowing her way through the crowd Hermione leaned against the wall by Ginnys side, "Hi lads, did you miss me?"

The assembled riders turned to her aggressively obviously about to say something but they stopped as the strong muscles in the Greens legs bunched and she launched herself into the sky. The male dragons followed suit, Seths bugle was the loudest of them all.

The Blues were faster and more agile than their Bronze and Brown counterparts, but the larger dragons were soon catching them up. The Green led them a merry dance, performing stunning acrobatics. Hermione looked up at her mentor once more her eyes darker now, she was reeling with the desire inspired by her dragon caught in the pursuit. As he drew nearer to his quarry Hermione felt her mind merge with his, could see what he saw, feel what he felt. She gasped as she felt a wave of desire grip her body, desire for the rider of the dragon trying to avoid hers.

Although she could still see her surroundings Hermione was more aware of the pursuit in the sky. Dragons began to fall by the wayside until only a few were still flying, the Green began to tire and Seth made his move, swooping between the other males he changed direction far more rapidly than most dragons his size could. Fouling the much smaller females wings, he entwined his neck with hers.

Hermione found herself being kissed passionately and her desire was so strong that she had to respond, drawing the other girl into her arms they pulled each other frantically into Ginnys bedchamber. Clothing was ripped off and they tumbled together in her bed.

The joined dragons began to fall from the sky, Seth opened his wings to their impressive span and they soared through the sky. The ecstasy of the riders complimenting their dragons.


Hermione came back to her senses, suddenly aware that she was naked and sweaty in bed with another woman. Looking down at the red hired girl she smiled, the immediate draconic influenced desire had been partially sated but she was aware of a more human desire that needed to be resolved. Pulling the other girl up for a kiss her hands began to trace a more languid path down the red-heads body.


Minerva meanwhile was still standing on the ledge. She had known that Seth stood a good chance of catching the Green but the reality of watching it was something different entirely. She didn't want to admit it but the emotion she had felt was jealousy. She was jealous when she had seen the young brunette crushing her lips to the other womans, seeing those hands exploring anothers body and despite the distance her cat-like ears had caught the sounds emanating from Ginnys bed chamber.

Mating dragons affect everyone nearby and Minerva was not unaffected but if she were to be honest, that was not the only reason for her arousal. Pulling shut the curtains and ignoring her dragons usual disgust she went in search of D'dor.