The Boy with the Dragon Spirit

Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Recommended Reads: Saviour of Magic by Colt01, Emerald Dragon and Trickshot by JustBored21, Dragon Chronicles 1: Muggle-Raised Champion and Dragon Chronicles 2: Harry Potter, Dragon Whisperer by Stargon1, Harry Potter and the Revival of Soul Magic and Harry Potter: Frost Fire by AlphaPheonix, How To Tickle A Sleeping Dragon by Winged Seer Wolf, Harry's A Dragon, And That's Okay by Saphroneth, Little Dragon by FCTSyndrome, There Be Dragons, Harry by Scioneeris, Dragon Singer by Na'hiel, The Dragon Child by GoddessHecate89, Order of the Dragon by mindofemmette, The Rise of the Drackens by StarLight Massacre and DragonKin by Fyreheart

Key Pairings: Eventual Harry/Luna; Charlie/Tonks;

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Thought-Speech'

/Parseltongue-Draconian/

Review Answers:

BillBrink: As I said in the AN at the top of Chapter 1, this is a rehash of an idea I thought lost to me; hope you still enjoy it;

WhiteElfElder: Time's been good to me;

Winged Seer Wolf: One: I'll consider it; Two: Keep reading to find out; Three: Not my plan, but interesting: you should probably consider it for your own Dragon-Harry story – the HTTYD XOver, hint-hint – and, finally, Four: one I can promise, the other? Meh, on the fence at the current moment;

Master DK: See my response above to BillBrink's review

Nagiten: If it was a crossover – like, say, my two Avengers stories currently on-site – then I'd probably use Oded Fehr – mostly because of how his name's Rameses – or Liam Neeson;

"Semi-human?" asked Albus, looking to Nyx, who growled once before, with a look of shock, the Headmaster asked, "Have…did you tell him?"

"About the dragon's blood in my veins?" asked Harry, earning a stunned look from Dumbledore as he looked to the boy, who then nodded;

"Yes, she did and, thanks to Grandfather's gift, I've taken the power of that blood and made it my own. And neither you, Archmage Rameses…nor even Emrys himself will make me ever disgrace that gift by becoming some disgusting Dragon Torturer and Slayer like the rest of your people, Albus Dumbledore, so if you've come to turn me into that, you might as well go back to where you came from!"

Chapter 2: The Thirteenth Use of Dragons' Blood

After Harry's surprisingly-heated insistence towards Dumbledore, and his adamant argument about why he wouldn't go back to his birth-land with them, Rameses suggested they take a few minutes to gather their thoughts while Nyx curled her tail around her little one, shushing his rage and concerned tones with her soft voice.

'Little one, you knew this day would come,' advised the elder dragon, earning a low whine from Harry as he nuzzled her.

"I know, Mama," replied Harry, speaking in a much-more childish voice as he was comforted by his honorary family, and now he didn't have to put on airs and graces around the Higher Power that was the Archmage. "But I don't understand why! They're not even friendly towards us; many of them would sooner kill us, enslave us, use us for sport or protection and not even give thanks. Why would I ever go back to be with such…insects?"

'Because you are my son,' replied Nyx, licking at Harry's hair, as though she was preening him, before she continued, 'And my son is a proud, noble and honourable spirit whom is never afraid of the next big adventure. You are both boy and beast, drakeling and darling child; and now, as with all younglings, the time has come for you to face the next step in your growth.'

As though her soft, soothing words had been more than enough for him, Harry wrapped his arms around Nyx's snout, letting out a sound like a purr of his own as he whispered, "But what if they try and make me…someone else…what if they want me to be with a new family, Mama?"

In response, Nyx's claws gently moved from underneath her as she reached forwards, before she tilted Harry's head upwards, so he was looking into her eyes, as she told him, 'Never forget this: You're mine. Mine to me. No matter where you go, or what they may call you, you will always be my son. This is your home, and your heart is in me, as mine is in you. Our flames burn as one, and our wings soar as one den. When you feel alone, when you have need of it, never forget: all you need to do is close your eyes and my roar will be your roar.'

Nodding slowly, Harry gulped hard as he asked, "What…what do I do now?"

'Well, I think you should start by offering peace to the Old Ones, in case you have offended them…and I think I know how…'

Dragon

While the Mother Dragon comforted her young, Rameses moved away from the nest before, turning to face Albus, who looked partially-stunned and partially-amazed by what he'd heard coming from Harry's lips, the Archmage insisted, "All right, Albus: start talking! What was that at the end there? What's this I only just hear about the boy having dragon's blood in his veins? What do you know and why do I suspect your last visit has something to do with it?"

"Because you're right, old friend: it does have something to do with it," replied Albus, looking back to the nest of the Byzantine Shadowfire and her hatchling as he swallowed down his whirlwind of emotions before, returning his attention to Rameses, he continued in a soft, but clear tone of voice as he explained, "In fact, it has everything to do with it because, had I not come here that day, and had I not been given the gift that Nyx's forebear bestowed unto me as an act of friendship and an olive branch between Shadowfires and humans, young Harry wouldn't even be alive."

Even Matthias looked surprised by this confession, though when Rameses indicated it was all right for him to do so, Dumbledore looked first to the Chief Dragonmaster as he explained, "You remember my last visit here? How respectful Nyx's sire was towards me when he sensed the power I wielded and the care I have always taken with beautiful creatures such as him."

"Yes," replied Matthias, an amused, but also saddened smile crossing his face as he added, "I remember Erebus enjoyed meeting you and even spoke of how he wished he would meet you again someday, Albus. Sadly, just five years after your visit, he succumbed to old age and the frailties of his mind and body and passed in his sleep."

"He will be missed," agreed Albus, bowing his head before he looked up once, a glint of amused curiosity in his eyes as he asked, "You say his name was Erebus? And he named his offspring, Nyx? Interesting…do all your dragons have such divine namesakes, Matthias?"

"Many do," said Matthias, chuckling softly as he added, "Others are given regal names, like Nero from earlier, or names associated with ancient forces…and not just those of the Divine. In fact, once, many, many years ago, we even had a close-knit quartet of dragons whom were named Godric, Rowena, Helga and Salazar, but that was long before your time here, Headmaster. In fact, I was just starting out as my mentor's apprentice when the last of them, Godric, left this world."

"Extraordinary…and quite proud and honourable of you, I'm sure," agreed Albus, a glint of amusement shining in his blue eyes as he cleared his throat before he went on, "Anyway, as I was saying, when Erebus gave me a vial of his blood as a peace offering between him and the race of Man, as you may remember, I took it back to the entrance to store with my wand. On the way back, however, I found myself approached by an interesting lady who took my hand and told me that, one day, I would use that blood to save the Champion of the Great Beyond and, when I did, I would pave the way for a great spirit of magic to rise up greater than all others, even greater than Emrys at his zenith."

"So," muttered Matthias, a note of realisation in his voice, as well as a distant, but awestruck look in his eyes as he whispered, "That's why she left when she did: she said she was waiting for the signs. Huh, I guess she found her answer."

"You knew her, then?" asked Albus, earning a nod of agreement from Matthias.

"Her name was Artemis Lovegood, an intriguing lady who'd worked with me and my colleagues for nearly a full one hundred years, which was even longer than my mentor's tenure here. She never seemed to age and yet she was never insistent on leaving. When I became Dragonmaster, I asked her why she was still here and hadn't sought retirement; all she would say was that she was waiting for the sign."

"Lovegood, you say?" asked Albus, a note of interest lacing his words before he smiled as he muttered, "That is interesting…anyway, after hearing her words, I didn't really become too obsessed or compelled to find out what they meant. Also, I had the rise of Lord Voldemort to deal with, as well as my tenure as Headmaster of Hogwarts, so, for the longest time, I just let her words become another memory in my Pensieve."

Here, Albus looked back to the nest with a long, searching gaze before he went on, "But then, eleven years ago, I was summoned to St Mungo's at James, Harry's Father's, insistence. When I arrived, I found him doing the one thing I had never seen him do or act: he was on his knees, sobbing like a baby, pain and defeat evident in his eyes. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me Lily had gone into premature labour…a whole two months ahead of schedule."

"You're saying that boy was born at seven months instead of the normal human nine-month period?" asked Rameses, earning a nod from Albus as he asked, "How…why…what…"

"I don't know," admitted Dumbledore, looking to his old friend as he cleared his throat as he explained, "All I knew about it was Lily had been caught in an ambush orchestrated by Bellatrix Lestrange and her family; fortunately, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody were also close by, the latter having been there on a different errand, so they were able to get her away. But, sadly, not before Bellatrix got a curse in, which, when I asked him, Sirius told me was once a Black Family-specific curse, which he hadn't even heard of being used since the late 1800's."

"Merlin's beard," gasped Matthias, earning a saddened look from Albus before the old Dragonmaster asked, "What…what did it do?"

"It was designed to forcibly castrate an enemy by burning up their…reproductive organs," answered Albus, earning a horrified, but also nauseous look from Matthias as he went on, "According to Sirius, it was usually used as a means of punishing one who'd raped or illegally conceived a bastard's child. However, when the curse was used on a…well, let's just call them a member of society who wanted something more than justice, the Wizengamot outlawed the curse and made the use and practice of it punishable by death…how Bellatrix only wound up in Azkaban, not just for this, but for what else she did, I can only guess."

"And…Lily?" asked Rameses, returning the conversation to the fact at hand, "I assume it had never been used on…on someone as far along in their condition as she was."

"Again, you would be right," agreed Dumbledore, his hands trembling as the memories of Lily's trauma and everything he'd seen and done as a result of it passed through his mind.

All the wrong choices he'd made…

The failings he'd committed…

The lives his actions had changed, ruined and destroyed…

In another time and place, he might have said it was all for the Greater Good, but that was bullshit!

There was no Greater Good to justify everything that'd happened, and not just to Harry either, and Albus knew it.

With trembling fingers and tears welling up in his eyes, the old man drew on his years of emotional control as he quickly continued his tale, "The Healers who operated on her said it was a miracle that her unborn son had managed to survive the trauma, though in the ensuing damage and operations, they did have to remove Lily's ability to bear any more children, to keep her alive! In the case of young Harry, it was touch-and-go. The Dark Magic that had infected Lily's womb had also passed to him, causing his health to deteriorate faster than a normal prematurely-born child…his chance of survival…it was next to impossible."

"No wonder the late Lord Potter was so distraught," gasped Rameses, swallowing hard as he explained, "Not only would he risk losing his only son, but, thanks to that curse, he also risked the end of his bloodline, especially since I imagine he and Lily were married in the eyes of Mother Magic as most old families tend to do, right?"

"I officiated that ceremony personally, so yes," replied Albus, a lone tear rolling down his cheek as he added, "And, trust me, even James himself confessed about how he wished I hadn't done it or let him marry Lily that way because, thanks to the vows made, even having a surrogate was not an option…and adoption wouldn't be the same because James' blood and magic was so old and powerful that even Blood Adoption wouldn't give the child the full legacy, at least magically-speaking, anyway…so yes, Rameses, he was desperate. He begged me for anything, he didn't care what it was, but he begged me for a way to save his child…to save Harry…"

"And?" asked Matthias, his face turning a nasty shade of greenish-yellow as he thought about what he was hearing.

"And, at first, I confessed I didn't know a way, even if my phoenix used his tears or I even asked my old friend, Nicolas, for advice…but then, when James broke down, he said something that made me remember the meeting with Madame Lovegood."

"What?" asked Matthias.

"He said, and I quote: he can't die, not before he claims his true legacy…for Merlin's sake, Albus, he's not meant to die…he is meant to live, to see him claim the right and mantle of being the last descendant of the Peverells! The last child of my blood…the last heir of Ignotus! Please; I'm begging you; there has to be something!"

"Ignotus Peverell," whispered Rameses, earning a nod from Albus before the old man added, "The first, and only recorded holder of the mantle…"

"Of the Master of Death, yes," answered Albus, looking to Matthias as he added, "And the true master of the wand I have carried since claiming it from Gellert nearly fifty years ago. James also possesses the Cloak that belonged to Ignotus and was passed onto his son, whereas the Stone was lost some years back…its current location unknown, even to me. The point is, as the last heir of the Peverells, if Harry so wished, when he came of age, he could invoke the ancient bloodline magic of said family and call those items to him."

"And he would become the Master of Death?" asked Matthias, but before Dumbledore could say anything, Rameses intervened.

"Don't be such a novice, Matthias," argued the Archmage, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as he explained, "No-one can be Death's Master, for death has no master. However, you can become a master of the arts of magic that deal with Death: hiding from mortal sight, wielding powers the likes of which none can control, invoking the power of Necromancy as though it's second nature to you…all these are powers tied to the forces that govern Life and Death…but they do not make one Master of Death." (1)

"In the end," added Albus, looking in the direction of the cache where the wand in question was stored as he explained, "We must all pay the same price, whether king or peasant, rich or poor, human or creature…all bow down and answer to the due date coming when the Reaper comes to call."

"And this was what made you remember Artemis' words?" asked Matthias, a note of awe in his voice while his query also reminded Albus and the Archmage of why they were talking as they were.

"Yes," said Albus, nodding back towards the nest as he explained, "Artemis told me that my actions would save the Champion of the Great Beyond and, until that day, I didn't realise she meant the one destined to master Death's powers. But when it hit me, I told James I knew of a way to help, but he would have to take responsibility, as Harry's Father, for the repercussions: being the amusingly-stubborn soul he was, he told me, and, again, I am quoting directly: screw the repercussions, old man, just save my boy…"

"And so, you did," finished Rameses, earning a nod from Albus before he asked, "How? A blood transfusion?"

"Yes," replied Dumbledore, taking a breath as he explained, "I even used my authority as Chief Warlock to ensure no-one spoke of what I'd done, out of fear of the repercussions not only for James, but little Harry too. I fed the dragon's blood right into his tiny heart, which was a risky procedure, but, fortunately, I had experience studying the twelve uses of dragon's blood, so I knew the spells and runes I'd need to carve and draw power from to ensure success. However, while I always suspected the blood's magical properties might affect Harry's own in one form or another, I never would have guessed anything like the changes that have been made clear to me today."

"He does have this strong air of magical power," agreed Matthias, looking in the direction of the nest as he explained, "Like many breeds of dragon, he does not feel the heat or the cold; his body naturally adapts to all temperatures and seems to be fireproof itself, if what he said about Nyx's fire helping to restore him is anything to go on. He's also always had this incredibly-potent magical resistance and a strong sense of endurance…then there are his reserves as well as his immune system. I don't even think I've ever heard him sneeze, let alone get ill from human ailments…though he does eat, drink, sleep and even act both human and draconian at times, especially when it comes to protecting him and his."

"He's also much smarter, more-observant and instinctively-driven than any human child his age," reasoned Rameses, snorting in amusement as he added, "That also explains why he says a semi-human mage: if his inner self is draconian, he sees himself as something similar to creatures like elves, fae, Veela and, as sorry as I am to say it, vampires and werewolves…half-human, but also…more!"

As the other two nodded in agreement, Rameses frowned suddenly before, looking to Matthias, he asked, "Hold on, there's something I still don't understand, Dragonmaster: Harry has been living here on the Peak for ten years, give or take a few months, correct?"

"Correct."

"Well, I came here on an inspection four years ago," added Rameses, earning a surprised look from Albus while Matthias suddenly smiled slyly as he went on, "And I distinctly remember meeting and inspecting Nyx back then, inside and out, from tail to tips and even all around her impressive size. So, would you mind telling me why I do not remember the boy back then?"

With a smile, as though he suspected this question would arise, Matthias cleared his throat as he explained, "At that particular time, Archmage, I can tell you Harry was hiding, because he feared you had come here to take him away from his Mama. From out of that fear…well, I suggest you come back and see him for yourself."

While even Dumbledore was surprised by this, Rameses drew himself to his full height as he followed the Dragonmaster back towards the nest of the Byzantine Shadowfire where, to Dumbledore's amusement, Harry seemed to be content sat on top of one of Nyx's large, talon-tipped feet, his hands rubbing at her sharpened claws as though he was massaging her.

When Nyx sensed their approach, however, Harry looked up before, at a nudge from his Mother, he slid off her claw and moved forwards, bowing his head as he did so, "I…I'm sorry for losing my temper back there, sirs. Mother says I wasn't being respectful and I agree. I just…I hate the thought of being taught or even made to hate the ones who helped me live."

"No apologies necessary, child," replied Rameses, though as he did so, he couldn't help but smile at the sense of honour Harry had in him. 'Another dragon trait, no doubt.'

Clearing his throat, the Archmage looked from Harry to Nyx and back again before he asked, "Actually, I was wondering if you might be so kind as to show me how you…hid yourself away from me when I came here four years back. Because, I don't know if you remember it, dear boy, but I don't remember meeting you, let alone being introduced to you back then."

With a slightly-guilty, if not worried expression on his face, Harry glanced once to Nyx, who nodded softly before she replied, 'It's all right, little one: like I said, this is how you prove your sincerity of your apology. It's time you show them what you can do…go on, you can be free.'

Smiling in response – albeit with a weak, slightly-pained smile as well as a lone tear that rolled down his cheek – Harry turned back to the three magic users before, drawing himself to his full height, he told them, "You'll like this bit."

Then, as Dumbledore smiled at the cheeky attitude of the hatchling, his eyes widened suddenly when he saw Harry shift in front of him, much like how an Animagus like Minerva or even James himself might shift from human to animal.

However, what made him gasp most of all was the fact that, when Harry changed, he didn't become just any animal;

When he changed, he shed his human skin in favour of a cute, but also fierce-looking purple dragon hatchling!

"Merlin's beard!" gasped Rameses, looking from the little dragon in front of him to the much-larger Nyx before, looking over to a shocked Albus Dumbledore, the Archmage asked, "When was the last time any Animagus could shift into a magical animal's form, Albus?"

"I don't think any Animagi have ever done that, old friend," gasped Albus, kneeling down as he inspected the little dragon in front of him.

The little one was about four feet tall, measuring about the same size as a full-grown Bengal tiger from nose to tail; like Nyx, his scales were also a strong shade of Byzantium purple, though he also had a few faint, nearly-completely-invisible pale-green flecks on his neck and tail. On his head, the little dragon had two slightly-curved horns poking up from the back of his head while a pair of straighter-shaped horns crested along the top of his head, which when combined with the other two, gave the impression he was wearing a horned crown on his head.

Unlike Nyx, Harry's new form had a proud, if not awe-inspiring golden-coloured underbelly that ran from the base of his throat right down to the underside of his tail, which also had a golden spike on the tip; when he looked closer, however, Albus was surprised to see the spike was ridged in places, suggesting the possibility of the tail being used as a spike or as a three-pronged weapon of sorts. (2)

Also, unlike Nyx, Harry only had two wings, which were a dark shade of reddish-purple with a golden-coloured bone structure that ran along the edge of the wings; he also had four clawed feet with darkest-golden-coloured talons that seemed to have hints of green and red on the underside, though for what purpose, Albus didn't know. (3)

All in all, the little dragon looked cute, but, again, as with all dragons, fierce and not someone you'd want to meet if they were in a bad mood.

As he stared at the little one, Albus' eyes widened again when Harry's voice addressed them, 'I'm sorry I hid this from you, Archmage…and you too, Headmaster. When the Archmage came here before, I was new to my power and scared of what you'd think, so Mother had me fly up to the top of our mountain and hide in the shadowy space. I didn't show myself until she told me you were gone…and since then, only Matthias knows of my gift.'

"And, since he is technically your charge, you chose to keep this a secret, honouring the code of silence in the secrets of the Peak," said Rameses, earning a slight blush from Matthias as he nodded.

Albus, meanwhile, smiled as he looked back to Harry before he told him, "It is an amazing gift, Harry, and I suspect it is only the first of many hidden gifts you have. Therefore, we shall honour and understand your wish to keep this secret and do the same. However, now we've seen this and know what has become of you, may I ask, as a friend and someone who would only wish you to be the best you can be…"

'He will go with you, Headmaster,' replied Nyx, earning a surprised look from Albus while Harry drew his draconian body up, though as he did so, he shifted back into human as fast as any Animagus might do.

At the same time, Nyx leaned over and nuzzled Harry affectionately, earning a sad smile from the young boy while the elder dragon told the other humans, 'We talked about your visit and its purpose and, while my little one was wrong to judge your intentions, his desire to survive and be greater-still has helped him come to this choice, so you may take him with you.'

"Thank you, dear lady," replied Albus, though as he did so, he noticed a smug smile cross Harry's face before Nyx went on;

'But…if anything happens to my child because of you and your intentions, I swear, on Almighty Draco, I will raze your Hogwarts to the ground!'

Chapter 2 and, wow, the surprises continue, but, aside from what we've learned, what else could this very unusual were-dragon be capable of if and when he reaches his full potential?

Also, now that it looks like he's on his way home, how will he handle the trials of a world that has no idea what he's capable of?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Harry says goodbye to the only home he's ever known, but not before he receives some gifts, including an interesting one from Rameses himself: also, Albus gives Harry a temporary place to rest, which brings him into an inevitable encounter with some very familiar faces, one of whom our little one seems to like right from the off…

Please Read and Review

AN (1)

The information here on the Master of Death was inspired by Harry Potter and the Revival of Soul Magic by AlphaPheonix; the wording's a little similar, but with a different effect concerning Harry;

Anyway, all rights to the original creator for it and, if you haven't read the story itself yet, I strongly suggest you do so…

AN (2)

The idea for Harry's tail came from Drake's tail in Dragonheart: A New Beginning; weird and random, yes, but still interesting;

(Also, not the only DH reference that will appear in this story.)

AN (3)

As a lot of people might have already realised, the overall idea for Harry's very surprising Animagus form came from the adorable little powerhouse known to us as Spyro the Dragon; weird? Maybe, but I was already inspired by StD with Nyx's breed, so I thought: hey, why not? Cheesy? Maybe, but it works…

AN: Draco

Also, before anyone asks, the name 'Draco' used by Nyx is not pronounced the same way as our favourite ferret – Dray-co

Instead, it's pronounced like the name of the character played by Mads Mikkaelson in Clash of the Titans – Drack-o, as in the way you'd say words like black, drac-ula, frack, etc.