hERE IS WISHING ALL MY READERS OUT THERE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. HOPEFULLY BY 2011 YOU WILL HAVE REMEMBERED YOU PROMISED TO REVIEW EACH CHAPTER IF I CONTINUED THIS STORY, AND I MAY ACTUALLY HAVE ENOUGH REVIEWS TO POST A NEW CHAPTER. YOU'D GET A NEW CHAPTER EVERY DAY, IF YOU ACTUALLY REVIEWED.

Harry was growing desperate, they were almost done their project, and he needed to find a way. He had finished all the translation work for the bank, some of it simply to prove he was also doing his job, but also because he hoped it would help. He had about two books worth of it, and another at least on his talks with the dragon, and there was already a promise for a contract on all three of them. He was not one for fame, though he liked the idea of the one on his talks with the dragon being published, but he felt some pride. He would feel even better if he knew he had a way of setting the dragon free. He didn't want to leave China, and leave him down there alone, for all eternity. Both Bill and the dragon assured him he had done his best, but that wasn't enough for him.

Harry was up all night, a few days before they were to leave, which was becoming a bad habit for him. Bill came into the room for breakfast, and was worried about Harry; the lack of sleep was wearing on him. He had to get Harry to sleep before they went back, or Remus might tear him apart, for not taking good care of Harry.

Bill cleared his throat. "Harry?"

Charlie came up beside him as Harry did not even look up. "Harry!"

Harry's head popped up but not in response. "I got it, I got it."

Bill watched as Harry collected his journal and made a beeline passed them. "You got what?"

Charlie acciod an apple and followed after them. "I don't know how he moves this fast without any sleep, unless he was in the coffee or something."

Bill shook his head, and explained after they apparated, that was not possible. He had all the coffee removed, or at least hidden, in the house. It was not like back home, where Harry could have gone to a coffee shop, and he had never called an elf since coming. Harry didn't need any more reasons to be awake, and Bill was not about to leave caffeine or sugar around, to give him even more of a buzz then he already had.

There had been no doubt where he was going, even if they had not been some where so remote. They followed him into the work site, and found him all the way down into the lair where the dragon was, and followed him with caution.

Sang-Li spoke. "Ah my young prince, and some of your servants, it seems a bit earlier then usual."

Harry spoke in Parselmouth so they could not understand. "I have done it. I have come up with a way to release you."

Bill was shocked when Harry repeated it in English. "You found a spell finally?"

Harry nodded. "I found an old ritual in one of the last scrolls I have translated for you."

Sang-Li was impressed. "I would like to be reunited with my wife, and our young, but only if this is safe."

Harry assured the dragon, he had come to understand just how deeply he took his place here. Harry did not feel wrong knowing the spell would end the dragon's life, he lived centuries longer then he was meant to, only in taking him from his duty. Harry found there was an old spell, which could be used but a dragon prince; it was actually in a way similar to freeing a house elf. With a house elf it was done as dishonour, the elf no longer served well, this was a reward. A dragon, who had served faithfully for at least one century, could be freed, to go on. There was an amulet, set within the door which led to the tomb, which was key. If the amulet, a ying and yang, was broken, the dragon would be free. The dragon half was to be cast into flames, and the phoenix, was to remain in the door, sealing it. Only a dragon prince could remove the amulet once broken, meaning the emperor would be safe, for eternity.

For the first time Harry was allowed near the door, and he traced the amulet, feeling the power in it. He knew they had to wait, the bank would not be done here for a few more days, but he felt such relief, he found a way.

Sang-li was pleased. "I knew you had sworn you would look for a way my young prince, but I admit I had my doubts there was one to find."

Harry smiled. "I don't mind you doubted me, I doubted myself, but I knew there had to be a way. Your mate will be there, she will not have been in a tomb?"

He nodded. "She was not born on the day of an emperor, and neither were our young. They will all be waiting for me in the eternal valley."

Harry had wondered. "I know the human concept of heaven, or the after life, but not yours."

Sang-Li smiled. "For dragon emperors and their family, it is the same as ours. The eternal valley, a serene place in the mystic mountains, a place of peace."

Harry sunk down, Bill and Charlie took their leave, and listened as he was told about the valley. He knew it would be one of his last lessons, and though he'd be sad to say goodbye, he was happy as well. He was happy the dragon would go to somewhere so beautiful, to be reunited with his mate and young, as well as his emperor, for all eternity. The eternal valley, the dragon's concept of after life, sounded like a beautiful place unlike this cave.

The dragon sent Harry off to bed, it seemed Harry listened to him better. "I said it before, and believe it more now, you do your ancestor proud young prince."


It was the last day on the dig, they'd be leaving that day to Beijing, and then on to home. They had done a lot, like the Forbidden City and wall, as well as the pandas and more. They had even spent some time in Shanghais one weekend as well. The months had passed quite quickly here, and Harry had loved the work and experience, and could not wait to find out what would be next. They would have a month back home, before they took off again, some time after the New Year.

Today as the dig finished, and the tomb was sealed up again, it was time. The upper levels, those the muggles knew about, were not to be sealed, only theirs. Harry was accompanied by Bill and Charlie down into the bowels, where he had one last duty to perform before they left.

He looked at the dragon. "The tombs are sealed, and no one will enter again. Are you ready?"

Sang-li answered by setting a torch on fire with his fire. "As long as I know the tomb is secure, I am ready to join the others in the after life."

Harry moved towards the pendant and spoke. "A human once said, or so I am told, that death is but just the next great journey."

Sang-li gave his melodic laugh like sound. "There are wise humans out there my young prince. When you have lived as long as I have, it is true."

Harry removed the piece with the dragon on it, and moved towards the fire. "Say hi to my ancestor, and the others for me."

He placed the pendant in the dragon fire, and as it burned, Harry watched. He was not sure what to expect, but it was beautiful, nothing like death. The dragon was surrounded by lights of all colors, and slowly he faded away, until gone. Harry could admit he had a few tears in his eyes, but in the months since they came here, he had grown so close to the dragon. He simply reminded himself he had not killed Sang-li, he set him free, as he should have been.

Bill and Charlie came to his side, and led him out, knowing it would have been hard on him. Bill knew the words Harry said, Nicholas Flamel had once said them, shortly before his death. Harry of course had never met the man, or read his book, but it was the headmaster who passed the words on.

The others were waiting for them at the international portkey terminal in Beijing. Bill turned to John."So I hear you and the men are not coming back."

John shook his head. "Some of us old man are not taking a month long vacation. I have been asked, with my men, to go help finish work in Nepal."

Charlie shuttered at the thought. "Better you then me. I thought the Romanian mountains were cold, the Himalayas will be worse."

John shrugged. "It is like this one, I am just going in as Bill did here as a finisher. I'll be back in the UK in time for Valentine's day for my own few weeks."

Bill clapped him on the back. "We will be long gone by then, but the bank will know how to contact us. Keep in touch."

Harry was reminded the month was not uncommon, between projects, they often had time off. Bill had been in Egypt for several years, as they had a number of digs and sites to work on there, not just one. A project could run anything from a few months, to five or six years, depending on the assignment. John and his team had arrived in China October of the previous year, so nearly fourteen months ago. Harry and Bill would likely be at their next assignment much longer then China, the bank was looking for a new one for Bill to head up and start. They could be in the UK longer then a month, depending on the prep work.

Harry took hold of the portkey, and he was excited to leave, and get home. Happy Sang-li was free, he was looking forward to Christmas with Remus, and others like the twins. He knew there was a chance he'd not be back again until his birthday, but was fine with that, he was enjoying their work a lot. He wondered if it would just be him and Bill next time, he knew Charlie only came, if there was a chance at dragons or such.

He was drawn out of his thoughts by happy voices when his head cleared back in the UK. "Harry."

Harry looked up and saw Remus and the twins. He threw himself at Remus. "I missed you."

Remus kissed his head. "I missed you too, but the trip seems to have done you good. And we have a month to catch up."

Fred put Bill in a headlock as they headed for the bus, these three too tired to apparate. "What is this about you making moony eyes on our little brother?"

Bill groaned. "Oh Merlin, Charlie spread his little delusions to you, I should have fed him to the dragon. Perhaps next time."

Charlie smirked. "I may be looking for a different team with that attitude. And the twins here agree with me, you two are just too blind to see it."

Bill looked over, now on the bus, to where Harry was talking with his godfather. Okay maybe he could admit they were not too crazy, on how he felt, but they were wrong about Harry. And he would not act on his thoughts, Harry was his apprentice for the next two years. He had taken on Harry to free him from Albus, and he would not make Harry feel trapped, as he was certain Harry didn't feel the same way.

Fred whispered to Charlie. "We have a month to help you. Perhaps when Harry's eyes are corrected, he won't be so blind to our brother's obvious attraction."