Dec 21:

From SheWhoScrawls - Mycroft appeals to Scotland Yard for help when a baby dragon is anonymously delivered to him in the mail.

Scotland Yard had no clue where to start with this mystery. And, as was usual when this was the case, they went to the one man who might be able to help.

"That's odd," Holmes commented, looking out of the living room window and seeing Inspector Lestrade approach their front door. "Very odd..."

"What is?" Watson asked from his writing desk.

"Lestrade appears to be suffering from burns."

"Really?" Watson looked up from what he was writing. "How did he do that?"

"I don't know," Holmes replied, and went to grab a pipe before settling himself into his armchair. "How very refreshing."

The story Lestrade related was a strange one indeed.

"And you say it was my brother this... creature was sent to?" Holmes asked.

Lestrade nodded. "Yes. Arrived in the post apparently, so he brought it to our attention."

"Hm." Holmes's lips quirked into a brief smile. "How intriguing. I rather think I'd like to see the beast Lestrade."

"It sounds a fascinating creature to study," Watson commented. "Like something out of a fairytale!"

The Inspector's expression darkened. "I'd rather it had stayed in the fairytale Doctor. The police surgeons have been treating burns for days now. And the fire brigade have had to come twice! It's a wonder the Yard hasn't burnt down completely..."

"He- he seems to like you, Doctor." Hopkins - who had been nominated amongst the Yard Inspectors as chief dragon-sitter - was stunned. The creature wasn't growling, biting or breathing fire. In fact the sound it was currently emitting sounded almost like... purring?

"She," said the Doctor, absently scratching at one of the scales running down the dragon's spine, much as you might scratch a dog behind the ears. "And I'm afraid her gender is all I can reveal of her - I've never seen anything like this before!"

"Neither have I," Holmes muttered, looking a little sour. Although it had taken to Watson quite readily, it had reacted to Holmes much the same as it had the rest of the Yard - with disdain and much fire-breathing. "In fact I've never heard of a creature, bird, mammal or reptile, (and this could very well be a mixture of all three) with six limbs. Though I do wonder if the... creature can employ the use of its wings..."

"Really Holmes, we may as well start calling it a dragon," said Watson.

Holmes sniffed disdainfully. "I refuse to indulge in such irrationality."

The dragon let loose a loud and sudden growl, spitting a few sparks in Holmes's direction. He jumped, and cleared his throat.

"Perhaps in this case, however, I might make an exception."

A/N - I'm leaving it there but the idea of Holmes and Watson owning a dragon has really grown on me, so maybe there'll be a follow up some day...

LET'S SEE HOW MANY OF THESE I CAN DO BEFORE THE NEW YEAR.