Chapter 20 – Starsweeper
She was headed back up to her room when Headmaster Dumbledore approached her. "Miss Granger, if you would please accompany me to my office. I have a few adjustments to the Prefect rounds schedule that I would like to speak with you about." She looked at him curiously, since they have a biweekly meeting to discuss anything that needs doing. "Of course Headmaster." She walked easily with his rolling stride, and Faux accompanied them after a minute. A moment of communication between the two, and the headmaster nodded slightly. There was a low-warbling cry from the phoenix, and he moved to perch on her shoulder.
She smiled at the colorful bird, and he cooed as she lightly scratched under his beak. She looked warily over his head at his owner, but all she received was a twinkling glance. They silently rose to his office, and she was greeted by roaring argument.
Professor Snape was stiffly standing, with his back to the duo. He was speaking in a low voice, which sharpened Hermione's attention. He reserved that tone for only particularly acrid verbal attacks. "-You so much as think of removing that witch from Hogwarts with the danger that presents outside these walls, you are certainly showing why you were left with Dragon Taming as a career."
Charlie's face went pale with two spots of red at his cheeks, and made to retort when McGonagall broke in, "Severus how dare you talk to Mr. Weasley in that way! I know for a fact he excelled in potions, and you sorely wished he could continue on with experiment brewing!" The two obsidian eyes narrowed sharply as the potions professor took in his newest target.
"Sir, if she is able to help even a small amount it would be invaluable service. We need her, especially to figure out what is going wrong."
It was here that Dumbledore decided to gain control of the argument. "Miss Granger, as you can see by this…lively debate your assistance is needed on the Romanian Dragon Preserve. There is a fair amount of risk involved, but with Charlie as your escorts, I believe you are being left in capable hands."
Is everyone forgetting that I can turn myself into a dragon? Honestly, if I came upon a group of Death Eaters I would crisp them. She smiled as she heard Veritas' rumbling laughter in the back of her mind.
What do you think Veritas? It's a distance away, but I need to help whomever is in need, right? I made a pledge to the dragonkin. She felt, rather than heard her nod of approval.
Straightening up her posture, Hermione replied, "Honestly, if it is to help the dragonkin, I will go in a heartbeat. The point of my "gift" or position is to make a bridge from the dragon to wizard. Even if I can't do much to help, the dragons will notice and remember my attempt. That is more important that the slight danger of going to Romania."
Snape's look soured considerably, and Dumbledore nodded while sucking on a lemon drop. "There is one problem though, I don't have my international clearance for portkeys." There the older man gently smiled and pulled a sealed scroll from his desk. "When this problem arose, I thought you might require a boon, so I took the liberty of filing one for you in advance. This way, under the protection of the school and the ministry you are free to travel wherever you wish."
Hermione was flabbergasted, but heartily thanked the aging wizard with a generous hug. McGonagall smiled briefly, but was all business as a small teakettle started to whistle. "Hurry you two, or you'll miss the portkey."
She grinned at the rakish smile the older Weasley gave her and grabbed his hand and the kettle. Her navel was hooked a few seconds later, and she was off to Romania.
It took a lot longer than expected, although she had never used an international portkey before. She was sure the last of the air in her squished lungs was used up, and with a startling burst of speed they landed in a large stone antechamber.
A pair of strong arms caught her quickly, as she casted to the left after such a sharp stop. Mumbling her thanks, she unsteadily walked around the room, trying to get her bearings. The building looked to be as regal as Hogwarts, but decidedly smaller. The room had skylights, and the theme seemed to continue down the hall. After her equilibrium got in check, she looked to Charlie as he nodded and proceeded to walk with her down the hall.
"I would show you around first, but there is another emergency at hand. One of the dragons is sick, and we have no idea. We can account for rough scans of the dragon, but because they are so different from wizard kind, and their magic is more elemental, it is hard to get a good read. I was hoping you might be able to sense what she needs like you did with the other dragon."
Hermione nodded. "Should others be aware I can talk to dragons? I have a few books in my pocket, I can say I was conferring with Dumbledore's books. That should get us a pass."
He smiled at her quick thinking. "Honestly? I'm not even remotely worried about your safety. But you are right. The less people know, the less valuable you are."
They headed out of the castle, and the small dirt roads lead in branching directions. There were trees, cliffs, rock caves, and the sea farther in the distance. She smiled in contentment. This was a good place. She could see why the dragons were amenable to living here.
Two or three keepers passed by, and nodded or waved to the pair. She smiled hesitantly, but was bombarded by all the incoming queries by the dragons. It seemed here, at least, communication was a little easier. Instead of brief and confused images, simple sentences and syntax could be passed along.
She conveyed her formal greetings, and she was directed to a small rocky alcove, with a grey-haired wizard eating an apple by the entrance. "Hello Rick! This is Hermione Granger." He heaved himself up, and shook her hand, while looking in her eyes. "So you're the one, then? Wee slip of a thing she is." Hermione grinned in response, and introduced herself. Charlie turned to her, and replied, "This dragon was recently brought here from the wild. It was being hunted, and sustained pretty serious injuries to her wings. We searched for a clutch, or a mate, anything really and turned up nothing. Her initial scans indicated that she was barren. She tolerated her transmission here well until two days ago. She stopped cleaning herself, eating, even drinking water. Her skin is turning a mottled color, and we were concerned that it may be contagious to the other dragons."
Veritas was keenly listening, and she seemed content to allow Hermione to inspect the dragon first for more information. She followed the pair of men down a short bend, and the dragon in question was listlessly laying on her side, head on the ground. It was easily apparent that something was seriously wrong. She was taking in shallow, short breaths, without any smoke whatsoever.
That can indicate something wrong with her gullet, Youngling. Try to talk to her. Hermione walked up to the head of the dragon, and gently stroked the soft velvet around the snout. Red eyes opened sharply, but then recognition dimmed in them. Hermione closed her eyes, and attempted to connect.
She felt nothing but an overwhelming pressure in her abdomen. The pain was agonizing, and it felt like she was bleeding internally. Gasping for breath, she kneeled to the ground, ignoring the frantic calls from Charlie.
Shaking her head to disconnect the pain, she fumbled towards the dragon's belly, and began to experimentally push upon it. She felt hardness there, and in multiple segments. She gasped when she realized the problem. "She's bound. The eggs are stuck inside her, and she's trying to have her clutch. Something went wrong. Terribly wrong."
Charlie paced back and forth. "They are only usually bound when they don't get enough nutrients. We try and put some into the livestock the dragons hunt here, especially if we know one of them is expecting. I can't believe the scans turned up negative. She must have been hatching when she was wounded."
This is bad, Animagus. You have to cut her open to save the dragonlings. Hermione was horrified. I am NOT killing a dragon! We protect our young above all else. See if the flame head could be of assistance. You need to help her NOW. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"I need your emergency dragon healing supplies. I also need your help to numb her and monitor her vitals. We need to operate now." Charlie sprung into action, shooting off a Patronus, and turning to apparate. "Rick, you have things here?" The older man waved him off and walked over to Hermione.
"Just tell me what to do." "Is there a way to view her vitals?" He quickly waved his wand, and took a small vial from around his neck. He placed a few drops in the dragon's nose, and she slumped completely over. "We have it for emergencies. This is one of those times. " She half-heartedly smiled, all the while listening to the harried instructions Veritas was giving her.
"We need to make a small diagonal incision, about a foot from the closest egg to her hide. It will offer the path of least resistance, as well we can determine if any internal bleeding has occurred." Rick carefully made the incision, while Hermione grabbed the herbs from Charlie to staunch the blood. There was a small crowd gathered, watching the drama unfold.
She gently pushed on the side of the egg, almost willing it to pop out. She gently sliced the womb, and with that, the first egg emerged. It was a silver color, with blood red speckles. She paused to admire the beauty for a minute, and continue to gently set each of the dragon's clutch aside. She was shoulder deep in the dragon when the creature's heart rate became increasingly shallow.
I've got to find where the blockage is! She rooted around for a few more seconds while the keepers worked to keep the dragon alive. "THERE!" She gently grabbed the egg, as it was lodged sideways in the canal. She gasped in horror the next moment, as her gentle pressure all but caved the egg in. She turned away from the dragon, as the keepers were doing the best they could.
She put the dragon quickly on top of her patented blue flame spell. Keeping the egg completely hot was all important now. She gently poured some of the egg potion on the egg, and disaster struck. The egg started to foam. She grabbed her wand, and configured a rock into a small incubator. She placed the egg into the device, and quickly sliced the egg open, hoping to keep the small dragon alive. Banishing the foaming material, she heated the incubator to the right temperature, and well as filling it with a warm saline solution. She checked for vitals, finding none. She gently prodded the dragon again, with a little spark from her wand. Again nothing.
Timed slowed for her, and she decided that this wasn't it. She grabbed the dragon, while heating the area around her. She gently covered the snout of the dragon, and breathed into it. She tried again. And again.
Finally, as her heart was surely going to break, and weak nudge from the wing was in response. Hermione started to cry, and laugh at the same time. She gently placed the dragonling back in it's incubator, and turned to find Charlie.
There was what seemed to be the entire compound waiting at the mouth of the cave. Charlie was a short distance away, with his eyes bright in triumph. The mother dragon and her eggs were all okay. It was a close call, but the older dragon was sleeping peacefully.
No one made a sound, but Charlie hugged her until she couldn't breathe. "I am SO amazed and proud of you Sparks. You really did it. You saved a dragon."
In deference to the new sleeping family, people patted her on the back and en-masse headed back up to the main building. There she was toasted a few hundred times and dined in the hall in a spot of honor. She shook her head, and wanted to return to check on the dragon as soon as possible. Charlie was by her side, introducing her to the wizened old tamers, as well as the director of the compound.
She walked the moonlit path arm in arm with Charlie. She was laughing to something he said, and stopped for a moment to close her eyes. There was the gentle rumble of a sleeping dragon, an amused roar from another. The path was lined with floating lanterns, and fireflies danced among the sweet-smelling blooms.
So there they stood, taking in the living, breathing utopia around them. She gently focused loving and positive thoughts towards all the dragons, and was met in kind. "They think I did well." Charlie turned to her, and squeezed her hand. "Of course they do, Sparks. You did a fantastic job."
She nodded, unsure if she was supposed to mention that. "It's like if you're doing Occulmency. I can see their forms in my mind's eye, and can easily talk to them internally."
"That...must be different. Do they use images? Or basic thoughts to convey what they need?"
She turned to him and inspected him critically. "They are more intelligent than most wizards I know, and they have the added benefit to live for centuries and not breaking a sweat. The thing of it is, they need social interaction, and proper guidance by elders to learn and rise above their baser instincts. In the wild, they have this. In captivity, they amount to nothing other than large toddlers."
Youngling, save your fire for someone who deserves it. You've made him upset. Hermione winced, "I'm … I'm sorry Charlie. I know this reservation is the best in the world, and I do appreciate all the innovations here. I just feel that people chaining them up in their basement is barbaric, and it's ghastly to have that happen to such an intelligent creature."
He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, and smiled. "Don't worry Sparks. I understand you're passionate about the little guys, especially if they can't properly speak up for themselves. They've picked well, for their Animagus."
She smiled back, "You think so? I'm trying my best." "I'm a dragon tamer. I know so." And with a smug grin, he led her back to the dragon's lair, only to see the family still peacefully resting. She gently applied some salve to the eggs, and patted the sleeping mother comfortingly.
"Dumbledore knows that you'll be staying the weekend, especially because of an emergency. He thinks it would be good to meet and greet other dragons, as well." She nodded while unleashing a giant yawn. He turned to her, as if unsure.
"Dragon tamers have the option of living out in smaller stone huts. It's a rite of passage, as well for growing families. The older tamer's tend to stay up at the lodge, because it's easier going for them. "I have a small stone cottage on the outskirts, next to some of the more aggressive dragons. I help to calm and subdue if anyone gets tetchy. I wasn't sure if you wanted to stay here, or go back up to the castle. It's up to you. I'm not far, and if there's any problems, your patronus will be seen quickly."
"I do, however, want you come down to the Grog. It's just a little setup for the bachelor tamers, and you can meet some of my friends." She smiled. "No problem. Just lead me to the cottage so I can freshen up. Then we'll head over." He nodded, "You've already won everyone over, but I think the fact that you are staying at a cottage will cement you in everyone's good graces."
The small hut was perfect, in her opinion. She loved being outdoors, and everything was literally pulsing with life around it. The small clearing had wildflowers, with a slightly crooked whitewashed fence. Moss was growing all over the stone structure, and the small round windows with curtains was perfect. As she crossed the threshold, the sign above the fence unfurled a loose script, "Hermione Granger: Dragon Specialist." She turned and gasped at Charlie, "Does this mean it's mine?" Charlie looked surprised, but nodded. "I'm not shocked, but it seems like you made a very big impression here."
He followed behind her, pointing a few things out. "Every cottage comes fully furnished, so that way a new hire can start immediately. Just tap the wall with a Lumos to light the room, or double tap to light the house."
She peered in to see a slightly crowded cottage, but perfect for her. The walls were dark,but the fireplace crackling merrily as Charlie lit it. A table was to the right of the door, with a few well-worn chairs. A two bookshelves covered the wall with the fireplace, and the farther wall held a small ice-box with cupboards. Peering into the bedroom, there was a sturdy bed with midnight-colored spreads, an armoire, and a furnished desk with an owl perch. She looked into the final room, which housed an old claw foot tub with a small vanity sink and toilet. She grinned excitedly, "Charlie, this is perfect!"
She opened all the windows, used the loo, re-tamed her hair, and met him at her door. She crouched down to the soil directly outside her house, quickly scrying. She noticed a large colony of ants, plus a cluster of three bird families in one tree. That, with the combination of the nearby cave, she would easily be able to find it again.
They walked about a half a kilometer to an open-air barn with a giant dark wooden table. She was instantly reminded of the rowdiness that accompanied Weasley family meals, and was soon ensconced into the fold. She was handed a hearty bowl of stew, with a wooden cup of water. She ate quietly, taking in the fresh food, and the delicious bread that was served.
She noticed that Charlie was a little gruff with his friends, but she supposed that's how they acted towards one another. She was exhausted, and stretched as she said her goodbyes. Her night rituals weren't interrupted, and after she warded and locked her new little house, her head hit the pillow and she was asleep.
A light buzzing noise accompanied her into wakefulness. She stretched and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She set a kettle on the fireplace, finding tea and a bit of honey. As she puttered about, she opened the windows, allowing the pre-dawn dew to carry the heady smell of roses in the air. She saw an over-laden bush and harvested a few, transfiguring two knives into pretty but plain glass vases. She set one one her table, and the other on her desk. Taking a few rose hips from each, she filled her bath and used the bath salts that were thoughtfully left for her.
Her bath didn't take her long, and she dressed and hurried, thanking her lucky stars she had thought to bring her bag with bountiful amounts of clothing. She slipped on a peach sundress, with serviceable sandals, spelling her hair into a french braid to keep it tidy.
As her path was lit from the sun, she jotted a quick note onto her sign to tell Charlie where she went. She approached the cave with caution, leaving herself open to communication and actively announcing her presence. The mother dragon lazily awoke, recognizing who it is and dropping her guard. It is an honor, Animagus. My name is Fen and I want to thank you for your assistance. I was attacked as I was about to lay my clutch. I tried to stave off until I was in a safer place, but I fear it was too late.
I have thought long and hard about this, Youngling. What is it that the dragonkin hold most dear?
The dragonlings, Fen, are the most important thing to dragons. I'm just glad that I was able to help a fellow dragonkin in need. I made an oath, and I will stop at nothing to fulfill it.
The dragon rumbled in approval. Yes, the fates chose wisely with you, Youngling. I have thought long and hard about what would be a proper token of thanks, and I wish for you to keep the smallest dragonling, her name is Starsweeper.
Thank you, Fen, but I simply cannot - Animagus, that is the highest honor any being can bestow on the other. If she feels that you can take care of her hatchling better than she can, she is allowing you to essentially have and protect a member of our species. I understand, as your mentor, you may not understand or want extra responAnisibility. There is a reason for this, a reason for you saving Fen and her clutch. Do not argue with the fates, youngling.
Hermione nodded her head, Thank you, Veritas, for helping me to understand. Thank you Fen, for your greatest honor.
She walked up to the incubator, and gently picked it up. She added extra support on the sides, so the egg would not roll as much. She nodded to the dragon once again, and set off down the path. Charlie was headed up, clearly going to see her and to check on the dragon.
"Hey Sparks, I just - is that one of the eggs?!" Hermione nodded and let out a shaky laugh. "It seems, well, it seems as if I'm going to be a mother."