Chapter Seven

Hermione knew this was coming, but it still couldn't prepare her for it actually happening. The past couple of weeks she'd been hard at work, learning how to be a Dragon. Flying. Hand-to-Hand combat (that was more like claw-to-claw). Fire-breathing. You name it, she learned it. Thankfully, she'd always been a fast learner, and she'd always been part Dragon, and so a lot of it came naturally, making the learning process go by that much faster.

But now, she and her uncle were about to share her secret with the Weasleys. And she could only hope that they wouldn't decide to hate her and kick her out for being something . . . less than human. She took a deep breath as she paced by the lake, waiting for her uncle to come back with the Weasley clan. She bit her lip softly, running a hand through her messy hair before she turned towards the small congregation heading her way.

"Hermione, dear, what's wrong? Is everything okay? Severus said there was something you both wanted to tell us?" Molly was already in Mother Hen mode, much to Hermione's amusement, and she gently looked towards her uncle at his approaching, searching for his guidance.

Understanding, the older man turned towards the group, "Hermione and I wanted to share you all in on a secret of ours . . . but you must understand that it is for our safety that you must keep it a secret." Hermione's gaze moved over the Weasleys who were watching her curiously, all except Charlie, who seemed expectant, his gaze jumping from her and her uncles pendants to her face before almost seeming to smile. Expect a Dragon Tamer to know what was going on.

Severus spoke again, bringing Hermione out of her thoughts as she turned to her uncle with a hint of nervousness, "Hermione and I are not mere wizards . . . . our families have held a secret close to their core for a couple thousand years (perhaps even longer). We're . . . . Dragons." There was a brief moment of silence as the clan seemed to struggle to take this in.

But the twins spoke first, glancing at each other and then at Hermione, "How many galleons-" Fred started their question off.

"-would it take-" That was George.

"-for you to let us-"

"-have a ride?" George finished, their grins huge, causing the Weasley clan to laugh slightly and Hermione to manage a faint, small smile.

Severus rolled his eyes, ignoring the twins to focus on the clan, "It's imperative that you keep our secrets to yourselves. We are trusting you with this knowledge. Wizards in the past were not so kind to Dragons, and our people are nearly extinct because of it . . ."

Hermione lowered her gaze softly, hesitantly adding, "Uhm, so . . . . any questions?"

Charlie was the one to speak up first, "What do you both look like." Again, expect a Dragon Tamer to be all for this.

Hermione turned towards him, staring him in the eyes before slowly transforming, growing up until she stood as a sleek, young dragoness, sun reflecting off her off-white colored scales, tilting her head for his – and the rest of the group's reactions. She wasn't disappointed.

"Hermione, you're gorgeous!" Again, it was Charlie who spoke first, but the others quickly agreed as the dragon looked embarrassed, hiding her features slightly beneath one of her wings as he uncle chuckled. She quickly reverted back to human form – and before she knew it, many more questions were being tossed her way.


Hermione had been absolutely terrified of how the Weasleys would handle her Dragon at the beginning of the day, but it looked like all that fear and nervousness had been for nothing. Everyone was handling it extremely well, talking animatedly about it, and seeming to coo in delight at having been included into the secret.

She'd never felt so relieved to be accepted, not that it was such a surprise considering her rocky start not just into the wizarding world, but also into Hogwarts itself. Haven't been a muggleborn (or assuming she was one) had made it difficult to have any kind of recognition, and it was only by studying as hard as she could that she had gained enough status to be on par with many of the other more heavily magical-blooded students. But even then, members of her house had treated her just as terribly as some of the other students thanks to the difficulties that came with being raised to do your best.

Sure she knew all the answers in class, but being labeled a know-it-all was not the best part of the day for her. Thankfully all the trouble that surrounded Harry had led to her gaining the three best friends she could ever hope to have. Three friends who stood by her no matter what – even now when she was . . . a bit of a beast sometimes. Complete with scales and horns.

So to have not only Harry, Ron and Ginny's support – but the entire Weasley clan's support . . . it was a huge weight off her shoulders. But there was still one Weasley she needed to talk to. She walked casually through the house before finding him sitting in an armchair in front of the fire, flipping the pages of the book he was reading. "Charlie," She greeted casually.

The older red-head looked up with an easy grin, "Hello Hermione." He greeted back, his expression curious as to her sudden appearance. She and Charlie really didn't know each other well, considering he was usually in Romania, and she was often running around saving the world with Harry and Ron.

Hermione sat in the chair across from him, watching him for a moment, "How long have you known . . . about what my Uncle and I were?" She finally asked. When the older man raised a brow at her, amusement on his features, she had to giggle softly, "You, unlike the majority of the others, were not surprise by what my uncle said, nor when I changed. Instead you seemed almost expectant . . . you knew already. How?"

Charlie inclined his head to her, giving her the point for figuring him out – not that one could really be surprised. She wasn't called the Smartest Witch of her Age for anything. "Well, one of the women at the Reservation is a Dragon. When I realized I'd seen your pendant somewhere before, it was on her. I found it in a book as well, one on Dragon Lore. So, when I finally started to piece it together, I went to find out if it was all the truth from her.

"It took a while to convince her to tell me . . . and even then I had to swear not to approach you about . . . but, are you really all that surprised. Something odd happening around my family that relates to dragons? Surely you'd have assumed I'd figure it out eventually." He grinned as Hermione rolled her eyes faintly, adding, "I'm glad you told us yourself though. You know we see you as part of the family . . . and we'll do anything to help you."

Hermione smiled softly, leaning back against the comfortable chair, "Sometimes, I'm extremely grateful to the troll that bonded Harry, Ron and I . . . it's hard to imagine what life would be if things had gone differently."

This time it was Charlie to look curious, having not heard some of the smaller stories of the Golden Trio during Hogwarts. Sure he knew the major stuff. The philosopher stone fiasco. The Chamber of Secrets. Even what happened the night of the final task in the Tri-Wizard (or was it Quad now) Tournament. But he hadn't heard the story of a troll.

Hermione smiled faintly, standing up, "That's a story for another day . . . It's been a long one as it is, and I'm ready for bed. Sleep well Charlie . . . and thanks, for being supportive about this all." She stated, before turning to head upstairs to the room she and Ginny shared.

Charlie couldn't help but to smile as she went. A Dragon. It definitely explained a lot about the bushy haired gir- no, woman. Her eager need to learn. The way she hoarded knowledge – her personal greatest treasure. Even the way she seemed mature beyond her years. Charlie had always admired his little brother's friend for her unique mannerisms . . . and now that he knew the truth, he could definitely see the Dragon in her . . . and oddly enough, the young man could only admire her more for it.