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:

Guest: Yep;

Winged Seer Wolf: Yeesh, I doubt even Harry's dragon form would be that desperate;

Chronolocked: Bingo;

Fafnir the golden monarch: Not exactly; keep reading to find out;

Nagiten: Oh, you mean the ultimate power in just Harry's world – a non-crossover – well that's obvious: Rameses himself, if not Merlin, should I ever do one where he's still alive; and then there's Nicolas Flamel – he's nearly seven hundred years old, after all; also, the Lily/James mix-up is cleared up in this chapter;

'He will go with you, Headmaster,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 3: Red Plus Blue Equals Purple

For as long as he could remember, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore had always prided himself on being able to show a grandfatherly air about pretty much anything in life.

He'd always have this positive attitude, being ready to help anyone who needed it and offer what few sagely words of wisdom he could, hopefully with the outcome being those who heard it felt better, as would Albus, who felt content in the knowledge that he'd helped another wayward spirit find its true path.

He had tried to honour this way of life so many times over his century-long life: with Ariana and Aberforth, with Newt, Tina, Leta and even Credence/Aurelius, with Gellert – before things turned sour – and, yes, he would admit and regret it, even with Tom. And then, of course, there were Lily and James and their friends and allies – again, a regret and a wish that he could have done more to try and help.

However, here and now, even he would admit to feeling an overwhelming blend of sorrow, curiosity, doubt and even guilt building up inside of him as he watched Harry hug Nyx's snout as the two of them said their goodbyes for now. The elder dragon was growling softly, nuzzling her young hatchling as she shared the pain of leaving him to the world of man while, in the case of Harry, he had clear, silvery tears rolling down his cheeks as he hugged Nyx's snout.

On one hand, Albus actually wondered whether or not he should bring Harry back to Hogwarts, but, on the other, the boy seemed to have made up his mind all on his own – though not without a little nudge from his adoptive Mother.

"I'll miss you, Mama," whispered Harry sadly, earning a low growl of mutual emotion from Nyx before, to Albus' very mild amusement, the elder dragon licked at Harry's forehead, her soft, dark-coloured tongue brushing over what he hadn't seen until he got close enough was a very pale mark on Harry's brow, shaped like a bolt of lightning.

'I will miss you too, my child. When you return, and you will return, I know it. When you do, I give you my word on almighty Draco: I will be waiting for you with open wings, open claws…and even an open maw, little one,' replied Nyx, earning a sad, but also relieved-looking smile from Harry as he looked up into her eyes. 'Never forget, my beautiful boy; this will always be your home and, though you are human and I am dragon, you will always be my son. But now, it's your time…go…be amazing…spread your wings and fuel your flame…and when next we meet, you can tell me all about your adventures.'

Nodding in response, Harry turned and walked out of the nest, though not before Albus, as well as Rameses and Matthias, all visibly jumped in shock and wonder when the entire Peak erupted with the roars of every dragon in the reserve.

It was like listening to a choir comprised of mourning, yet excited crowds, all of whom sang a song of hope, loss, wonder, blessings, magic and fury, the sound of which would seem to echo in the minds of everyone who heard it for a very long time. However, as strange as that was, it was nothing compared to the sight of Harry smiling at them before, drawing himself to his full height, he opened his own mouth and roared like a dragon back at them, his roar also empowered by emotion and the thought of what lay ahead.

The fact Harry could make such a roar without being in his dragon form only fuelled Albus' thoughts on how interesting, if not curious the days, weeks, months and years ahead were going to be.

Though it was some time before he was able to get over the guilt he felt at taking Harry away from such a warm, loving home.

Even one located in one of the coldest, most-remote regions on the planet.

Dragon

Back at the entrance to the Peak, the roar of the dragons still echoing in their ears, Matthias, Rameses, Albus and Harry all made their way towards the magical gateway, with the elder Headmaster leading the way while Harry seemed to straggle behind at the back of the foursome.

Stopping near the gate, Rameses turned once before, looking to Harry, he smiled softly as he told him, "Harry-child, come here, would you?"

Looking up to the wizened mage, Harry hurried forwards, stopping before the Archmage with a curious, but obedient air about him as he asked, "Is there something wrong, Lord Archmage?"

"No, young one," replied Rameses, holding out his hands to the dragon-boy as he took Harry's hands in his grip before, kneeling down, he looked into the boy's unusually-coloured eyes as he went on. "I just want you to know that I think you're being very brave here; it is not quite so easy to leave behind the only home you've ever known for a completely different world. And so, in light of your…unique circumstances, I would like to give you a present."

"A…a present?" asked Harry, earning a nod from Rameses.

"It is your birthday tomorrow, isn't it?" asked the Archmage, earning a blush from Harry before he nodded in response. "Then, I suppose I am well within my rights to give you a gift for your birthday, am I not?"

Another nod.

"All right, then," added Rameses, looking once to Matthias before he asked, "May I have my staff back now, Matthias? To give him this gift, I will need to draw on the full force of my magic."

"Of course," agreed Matthias, moving towards the cache where the elder wizards' wands and staff had been stored.

Retrieving them from the cache, Matthias returned the wands to Dumbledore while he handed the staff to Rameses, who nodded graciously.

"Now," said the Archmage, looking back to Harry with a firm, not to mention powerful air about him that seemed to make his eyes shine like the sun itself as he went on, "The spell I am about to cast on you, Harry, is very powerful and, for that reason, I would like to believe it is not one you would abuse, but it is my gift to you, nevertheless. Now, if you would be so kind as to give me your hand…either one will do."

In response, Harry held out his left hand before, watching the movements of the Archmage carefully, but also with curiosity in his gaze, the young wizard's eyes widened when he saw the staff glowing with pale, silvery-coloured magic that seemed to come to a point at the tip of the staff.

At the same time, Harry heard a string of low, indistinct murmurs flying from the Archmage's lips as he waved his glowing, magically-empowered staff over Harry's outstretched hand. As he continued his chanting, Rameses seemed to invoke the power of the magic within his staff, using it to tattoo Harry's hand with a silver, seven-pointed star, which he then filled with a mark shaped like the claws of a dragon.

With a final cry, Rameses smacked the mark with the head of his staff, but Harry didn't even wince, not even when a great swell of magic coursed through him, passing from the brand on his hand, up his arm, along his collarbone and right up into his mind.

At the same time, the air within the Peak rippled before, lowering his staff, Rameses sighed as he told Harry, "There you go, child: with the magic in this brand, you now have unlimited free access to the Peak. And as funny as it will sound, all you have to do is open a door, but when you do, be sure to open it with the marked hand and turn the handle upwards, because if you turn it normally, it will remain just a door to wherever it goes."

"But…if I…if I turn it up?" asked Harry, a note of awe and full-blown shock in his voice as he stared at the mark on his hand.

"It will open a temporary gateway that will deliver you straight here," answered Rameses, earning an awestruck look from Albus while Matthias nodded, a mixture of pride and understanding filling him as he knew Rameses was telling Harry this with him there, so if the young one appeared, he could do so without being questioned.

As for Harry, he had fresh tears in his eyes, only this time, they were tears of gratitude.

Before Albus or Rameses could say anything more, however, the Archmage gasped when the young boy hugged him graciously, stammering over his thanks as he did so, earning a soft laugh from Rameses as he petted Harry's hairline. "You're very welcome, young man: a very happy birthday to you…and remember; use it well."

"I…I will, I…I swear it," gasped Harry, earning a proud smile from Rameses.

As the young boy pulled away, however, Matthias suddenly cleared his throat before he told Harry, "In that case, in keeping with the spirit of this special day, I also have a birthday present for you, my little friend."

Even Albus seemed curious by this, though not as much as Harry, who watched with bewilderment as Matthias made his way back to the storage cache, though this time, he continued walking, stepping into a spot that Harry knew led to the quarters of the Dragonmaster and his colleagues.

A few minutes later, Matthias returned, carrying a small, but tightly-wrapped parcel, as well as a long, thin box, which he handed to Harry as he told him, "Ever since I knew the day might come where you would take your learning and implement it on the magical world of Man, I have kept these gifts safe, having decided a long time ago that only you would be worthy of them, young one."

Taking the box and the parcel, Harry gulped as he opened the box first.

To Albus and Rameses' combined surprise, as well as Harry's awe and curiosity, inside the box was a pale, whitish-coloured wooden wand, but this wand also had a sleek, straight shape to it, which was occasionally broken by small, circular ridges like berries along the shaft.

"Matthias!" gasped Albus, his fingers subconsciously gripping his famed wand – the Elder Wand – as he whispered, "Is…is…is that…elder?"

"Actually, Albus, it is Yew and Elder, infused as one," replied Matthias, looking to an awestruck Harry as he added, "With a core of crystallised fire from a Solaris Soulwing, a very old breed of dragon breed that is, sadly, no longer with us, not even here on the Peak, which should tell you just how long I've had this wand in my possession."

Harry could only nod dumbly, while he listened as Matthias went on, "It is eleven inches in length and has been with me since I was your age, but when I became Dragonmaster and my magic grew stronger, I realised I had no need for it, so I kept it in storage until the day one would come who'd use the power wisely and with the respect for the Old Ways of Mother Magic that I myself held in such high regard."

As Harry looked up at him in surprise, as well as disbelief, Matthias walked towards the young boy before, placing his hands on Harry's shoulders, he added, "I truly believe, as I did when I saw you do the impossible and claim a magical Animagus form, my true successor is going to be you, Harry. So please, if you never do me another favour for the rest of my life, please grant me this request and take my wand."

With awe and wonder in his eyes, Harry licked his lips before, nodding slowly, he looked back to the box as he reached out, wrapping his slender fingers around the hilt of the wand. As soon as he did so, an all-consuming wave of sheer magical energy swept through Harry's body, making his hair rise up until it blew about him in a powerful, non-existent wind.

At the same time, his eyes shone so brightly, they actually changed colour, becoming a perfect blend of Byzantine purple and mystical, esoteric silver, which swam together in Harry's eyes until, as the magic died down, the young boy's eyes returned to their former colouring, though if anyone looked close enough at his eyes, they would have seen tiny flecks of silver shining amidst the green of his irises and within the purple ring around the edges of the irises.

Swallowing hard, his body still buzzing with the aftermath of the magic, Harry looked up at Matthias before he whispered, "I've never felt such power! Are…are you sure you want me to have this, Master Matthias?"

"Actually, son, it would honour me," replied Matthias, indicating the second gift he'd given Harry as he added, "As would you taking that: in there, you'll find the Grimoire that, normally, can only be given to the Dragonmaster and their chosen apprentice. Now, I have the original and the only other person to own a copy is Cassius, but, in my opinion, if anyone is worthy enough to have this, it's you, young man…use it well."

"I…I will," agreed Harry, picking up the parcel and holding it close before, looking back to the Dragonmaster, he bowed respectfully as he added, "I swear…on Almighty Draco, I will take great care of these gifts, Dragonmaster Matthias. I will not disgrace the power you've bestowed onto me."

"I know you won't," agreed Matthias, watching as Harry slid the wand back into the box before, handing both gifts to Albus, he turned and hugged the old Dragonmaster, earning a chuckle from the old man as he told him, "Good luck…may Draco guide you to your true destiny."

"And the same to you, Master," replied Harry, turning on his heel before he walked alongside Albus, both of them passing through the gateway as they returned to the main bulk of the world.

Dragon

As for Rameses, however, he stayed back for only a moment as he looked to Matthias before, swallowing down whatever other emotions he might have been feeling at that moment, he asked in a respectful tone, "So you've finally chosen, then?"

"I have," replied Matthias, looking to the gateway of the Peak as he added, "Artemis may have foreseen Albus setting the wheels in motion, but I have known that child is my chosen one long before he was even conceived by his parents. In him, I have witnessed the rise of an age of ancient, powerful and glorious magic that will be far greater than all others: a world where the mistaken and ignorant black-and-white views are abolished and Magic becomes whole…if and when he is ready to take that path."

"You know what that means, though, don't you?" asked Rameses, his voice edged by a note of sorrow as he explained, "If that time does come and Harry chooses such a path, you will no longer be…"

"I know," said Matthias, his eyes shining as he looked again to the gateway before, sighing deeply, he shrugged ruefully;

"But, as Albus said: in the end, all bow down when the Reaper comes to call."

Rameses actually shivered at the accepting tone in Matthias' voice, before the aged Dragonmaster chuckled softly as he looked to the Archmage.

"Or, to put it another way, as you yourself know, Archmage…all magic comes with a price…and now, my time has come to pay it…"

Dragon

After saying a fond farewell to the Archmage, and with a little help from Fawkes – whom he was surprised to see bow to Harry when he appeared in a blaze of fire – Albus flashed Harry away from the Himalayas and back to Britain, though when he did so, he made sure to keep some distance from their destination so he could talk to his charge.

Appearing in a small woodland up the hill from their destination, Albus turned to Harry before, drawing his wand, he waved it once, conjuring a set of comfortable clothes – which, ironically, had a picture of a Byzantine Shadowfire printed on the front of the t-shirt – before he smiled as he told the young boy, "Now, for today, I thought I'd let you get settled and then, tomorrow, I'll come and collect you and we can go to Diagon Alley and acquire your school things."

When Harry nodded in agreement, Albus took a breath before he went on, "Before that, however, I thought I might introduce you to your guardians for the foreseeable future, Harry. They are good friends of mine and, in the past, through some other friends of ours, they have had…acquaintances with your…your birth parents, so I hope you're comfortable here."

"Will they let me go home?"

Even though he knew the question would arise, Albus still felt a little pained at how soon Harry was ready to go back. "As long as you tell one of the grown-ups: you don't have to give them the details. I will explain you have been given a special privilege and, if you tell them you're going out, they can't ask questions. They're just your temporary guardians, my boy, not your family. As long as you're responsible, I see no reason why not."

Nodding once, Harry looked off towards the distance, though as he did so, Albus' eyes widened just slightly when he saw Harry's eyes shift just slightly, their pupils now becoming slit-shaped, like the eyes of a dragon.

"I can see the house," said Harry, his voice edged by a note of bewilderment as he added, "It's funny-shaped for a human home…and I can see your friends, Headmaster; one, two, three, four, five…six of them; wow, that's a lot."

"Six?" asked Albus, earning a nod from Harry before he hummed thoughtfully, a part of him entranced by Harry's exceptional senses as well as how easily using them came to him, as he mused, "Hmm…Arthur must be home…still, you should know there are also two others: one works with the goblins in Egypt and the other, rather ironically, has recently been appointed as an Apprentice Dragon Trainer at a reserve in Romania."

"Really?" asked Harry, earning a nod from Albus before the young boy asked, "Do…do you think I could meet him, sir? It'd be nice to talk to someone about dragons who knew what they were talking about."

"I'm sure if you ask them nicely, my friends can arrange something," replied Albus, placing a soft hand on Harry's shoulder before he cleared his throat as he went on. "Now, some added information: the family's name is Weasley and is headed by Arthur, as well as his wife, Molly. Then, apart from Bill, who works with the goblins, and Charlie, whom is the boy I mentioned in Romania, there's also Percy, as well as Fred, George, Ron and, finally, Ginny. Young Ronald, to use his full name, is actually going to be in your classes this year while Fred, George and Percy are older. And, as for Ginny, she is going to be at Hogwarts next year, but that's no reason for not striking up a friendship with her."

As Harry returned his attention to the Headmaster, his green eyes returned to normal before he sighed as he said, "I…I'll try, Headmaster; I'm not really good with new people, especially if they…they think that my family are monsters."

"Lily and James…" began Dumbledore, but he was cut off when Harry shook his head, his eyes glowing again as he argued that point.

"I don't mean that family, Headmaster," insisted the young boy, drawing himself to his full height before he went on, "All I really know about them is what they did for me."

Here, Harry blushed softly as he explained, "I also accidentally overheard you talking to the Archmage and Master Matthias about my past; so I know how my Dad begged you to save me…"

"Only when your life was threatened in your Mother's belly, Harry," replied Albus, earning a surprised look from Harry as Dumbledore went on. "It was actually Lily who convinced me to use the dragon's blood I'd been given to…well, I suppose the term anoint won't go amiss here. Yes…anoint you with your special new powers and your unique form: James was grateful enough and, to be honest, were it not for the threat of the Dark Magic from Lily's cursed state potentially killing you, I imagine he might have even been content raising you as a normal, possibly, non-magical little boy."

"A Squib?" asked Harry, earning a nod from Dumbledore. "But…but don't some magical humans frown on them, sir?"

"Some, but James was friends with many from many walks of life, some of which people may even call Evil," explained the Headmaster, earning an amazed look from Harry, before Dumbledore continued, "However, while James did ask me to seek out a way to protect you and diminish, if not expel the damaging magics from the curse in you, it was Lily who told me she was willing to deal with the fallout…regrettably, Fate, it seems, had other ideas for them."

For a brief moment, Harry felt a lone tear roll down his cheek, before he sniffed once as he whispered, "I…I will always hold them in a special place in my heart, sir, even moreso now I know what…what they were willing to…to do for me. But…but other than that, and…and defending their honour if and when it matters, like any other dragon would defend their nest and clutch, the truth of it is that I didn't have them for a family…my family is my Mother and my extended family of nest-mates back home."

"Of…of course," agreed Dumbledore, a part of him realising he should have known Harry meant Nyx and the other dragons.

In truth, they were the only family he'd ever known, so if anyone else tried to fill that hole, humanly-speaking, they'd have one hell of a task.

He didn't want to think it, but Albus couldn't help but muse how good it was Sirius was out of the picture – if only until the old man could convince him to finally let him help set things right now that Harry was confirmed alive and, soon, going off to Hogwarts.

Suddenly, Albus felt cold as he looked off towards the direction of the Weasleys' home: if anyone tried to fill that hole, he'd said.

It was no secret that Molly liked making guests feel at home and had a very strong, often-too-strong mothering personality.

'Oh Merlin,' thought Albus, swallowing down his nerves as well as hoping this wasn't going to turn out to be another fatal mistake on his part.

'Please let this work…for Harry's sake, if nobody else's, please let this work.'

Dragon

The home of the Weasleys was named the Burrow.

A surprisingly-misshapen home that looked like it might topple down at any moment.

Aside from a small garden and vegetable patch, there was also a separate shed, outside which, a small blue car – a Ford Anglia, as Harry later learned – was parked and currently empty. Here and there, small critters moved through the gardens and out into the fields beyond while, off to one side, a large field of tall grass seemed to conceal a swampy marshland.

The path they'd just walked down led straight to the main gate, as well as back to the woodland at the top of the hill, though, as Harry looked up at the house, he gulped hard as he asked, "Sir?"

"Yes Harry?"

"You…" Harry began, looking to Dumbledore with a mixture of fear and concern as he asked, "You're not…I mean, I don't have to tell them about my…my dragon's blood, do I?"

"Not unless you'd like to, and the same applies to your friends, should you hopefully make any, at school," replied Albus, looking now to Harry as they stood outside the gate. "On that note, if you'd like to, Harry, I would like to extend an invitation for sessions, either in the evening or during a free period, for you to learn more about your…your hidden gifts. These lessons would take place in my office and only you and I would be privy to their details while, if you so wish, you and I may find a way to explain any gifts you'd like to use at Hogwarts."

"Like what, sir?"

Hearing this, Albus thought on it before he asked, "Well, out of curiosity, Harry, in your Animagus form, can you breathe fire?"

"Yes sir," answered Harry with a big, goofy grin stretching across his face, a note of pride in his young voice as he added, "And ice, as well as something Mother calls my Dragon's Breath, which is like a burst of pure magic from my maw! Oh, and she's also been teaching me to breathe lightning and other elements too: when I asked why, she said it's in our blood to be master of them all."

"Well, from what I know of Shadowfires, I imagine she's right," agreed Albus, a note of awe in his voice as he added, "Even so…what would you say if I told you that you could harness that power in human form? We would be able to hide it by claiming you're a prodigy with Elemental Magic…or in the case of your exceptional strength, resistance factor, draconian senses and even your speed or other natural powers, you just say it's a gift. Do you see what I'm saying?"

"I…I think so," replied Harry, earning a proud smile from Albus before he asked, "Can…can we go inside now, sir?"

"Yes, of course," answered Albus, opening the gate for Harry before he led the boy inside.

When they reached the door, Albus knocked twice, earning a clattering sound from inside before, a few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a slightly-portly woman with red hair, a warm air about her and, curiously, a large pot of some warm, tasty-smelling stew.

"Oh," gasped the woman, whom Harry assumed was Molly Weasley since she was a grown-up and not a child, "Albus: you're early. I imagined you wouldn't have come by until later tonight, if not tomorrow."

"Time was on my side, Molly," replied Albus, placing a soft hand on Harry's shoulder before he asked, "May we…"

"Oh, of course, come on in," said Molly, moving back so Harry and Albus could walk into the house; despite its outwards appearance, Harry was soon taken aback by the size and comfort factor given off by the house.

Everything seemed to be meshed together, making it hard to tell where one room ended and another began, while a flight of stairs went up the centre of the room, joined onto a fireplace and next to a large clock that, weirdly, had words around the edge instead of numbers and, instead of hands, there were spoons with faces on them, most of which were pointing at home.

As Harry took in the house and all its features, he jumped suddenly when Molly lifted her voice as she yelled, "Boys! Ginny! We've got company!"

"No Arthur?" asked Albus, keeping one eye on Harry, who seemed to be in awe of the house, but also surprised by Molly's loud voice, and the other on their host, who shook her head in response.

"No, he got called in on an emergency concerning some exploding tea kettles! Honestly, why Muggles even buy such ridiculous things, I'll never know…ah, here they come now. Harry, come over here, dear; it's all right, they won't hurt you."

From up the stairs, several pairs of feet could be heard making their way downstairs.

While Harry moved to stand with Albus, he was aware of the owners of the feet appearing in the main room, each one of them with the same red hair and freckled features as their Mother and each other.

As Albus had said, they were also of different ages, though, to Harry's surprise, there was one of them who caught his eye more than the others.

He seemed to be the eldest of them and had tanned skin, suggesting he'd spent a lot of time recently in the sun: his fiery-red hair was cut short, but also tied back in a way that emphasised the rough, but surprisingly-warm features of his skin. He had a sprinkling of reddish-coloured stubble on his chin from an early-forming beard while his eyes were warm, but dark, like the colour of turquoise or midnight.

"Now," said Molly, the sound of her voice pulling Harry back to the present as she explained, "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Harry Potter: at the request of Professor Dumbledore, he's going to be staying with us for a while. Harry, these are my children: my youngest, Ginny…"

"Hi…" said Ginny, whom was also the only girl child in the group, as was evident by her blushing as she took in Harry's own youthful attractiveness, though Harry didn't seem to notice.

"My youngest boy, Ronald…"

"Actually, if you don't mind, mate, it's Ron, nice to meet you," said the youngest boy, offering Harry a warm smile, which the timid young boy barely managed to return.

"Then we have the Twins, Fred and George."

"He's not Fred, I am!" argued one of an identical-looking pair of redheads, scoffing in disbelief as he folded his arms.

"Honestly woman, you call yourself our Mother," argued his double, earning a soft laugh from Harry, which made the Twins smile while the one who said he was actually George cocked an eyebrow, "What's so funny, Harry?"

"You're Fred, he's George," said Harry, earning a surprised look from the Twins before Molly scoffed in disbelieving amusement as they both seemed reluctant to correct him, which told him he was right.

And Molly, on the other hand, had nearly fallen for a trick, but she let it slide as she added, "Yes…well, next we have my charming boy, Percy, who we hope will be a Prefect next year."

"Now Mother, that's up to the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall," insisted Percy, his tone edged by a note of authority and snobbishness as he added, "But, regardless, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr Potter."

While Harry nodded in response, he found his attention drawn to the last of the Weasley children while Molly, smiling softly at his curiosity, explained, "And, finally, aside from Bill, who you'll hopefully meet at some point, this is Charlie. He works with dragons, you know?"

"I heard," replied Harry, smiling at Charlie in the same way he'd smiled when the Twins had tried to play their joke.

While Albus was both relieved and a little amused at how the others reacted to Harry's answer, Charlie nodded once before Harry walked over to him, extending a hand in greeting as he asked, "Do you think we could spend time talking about them, Charlie?"

"Uh…yeah, I…I mean, if you want," replied Charlie, accepting the hand before he smiled as he asked, "You like dragons, do you, Harry?"

"You have no idea," laughed Harry, earning a soft chuckle from the eldest of the gathered Weasley children before, as Harry shook Charlie's hand, he looked to the others as he added, "It's nice to meet all of you, especially you two and Charlie."

He indicated the Twins as he said the last part, earning proud, though bemused smiles from the dynamic duo, while Ron looked like someone had just shot his cat and Ginny still blushed, but also seemed happy at the fact that Harry seemed so warm and welcoming, if only to her brothers.

As for Dumbledore, he just smiled with relief as he knew, if not strongly-hoped, Harry would be all right here after all.

Only time would tell…

Dragon

Because of the time difference between the UK and the mountain regions of Nepal, Harry wasn't too surprised to see the Weasleys going ahead with a routine of morning tasks, chores and hobbies.

When he asked how he could help them, he was a little surprised to discover that he was allowed to just relax and get settled in; at Dumbledore's request, Harry was also given a spare bed in the same room as the youngest Weasley male, Ronald, who seemed both excited and humbled by the request, which, given it had come from Albus Dumbledore – whom Harry had heard was a very well-respected figure in the Magical World, especially Britain, he wasn't too surprised by.

However, when the Headmaster said he had to go, promising Harry he'd return the next day to help the young boy, Harry was sad; plus, he was also a little worried about staying in an unfamiliar place on his own.

Even when Dumbledore assured him he'd be all right, Harry still felt a little sick inside, but that sickness seemed to vanish suddenly when Charlie Weasley piped up, "Tell you what, Harry: why don't you come and help me de-gnome the garden?"

To Albus' delight and the amusement of the Weasleys – especially the Twins who wolf-whistled and made a passing, but funny remark about how cute it was that the little guy apparently had a crush on their big brother – Harry flew from his seat so quickly that he might as well have sprouted wings as he moved to Charlie's side.

While Dumbledore asked Charlie to stay for a moment – which, given how much Albus wanted Harry to feel comfortable, made the young dragon think that he was thanking Charlie for his aid, whilst taking advantage of the distraction to go and take care of business – Harry made his way out to the gardens, which stretched out to the tall grass beyond the gates.

In the open air and the freedom of nature's grasp, Harry breathed a sigh of freedom and delight while, a few moments later, Charlie led him around the back to the large garden, which Harry could see was as large as the grass to one side.

"Now then," said Charlie, indicating the garden ahead of them while he told Harry, "I don't know if you can tell, Harry, but these little buggers are a bit sneaky; no matter how many times we de-gnome the place, they always manage to find a way back. So, what you've got to do is seek them out and then, when you find one, you grab his pointed hat and swing him as hard as you can off into the marshes."

"All right," agreed Harry, looking to the grass before, checking to see if Charlie was watching him, he returned his attention to the garden, though as he did so, he switched his eyes to their draconian form.

This allowed him to see not only the garden, but several small clumps of shapes that moved and skittered through the long grass, some of them shaking in such a way that it made him wonder if they could sense his presence.

Regardless, once he had his prey in his sights, Harry leapt forwards like a beast possessed.

Before Charlie had a chance to see what he was doing, he snatched up three gnomes in one hand before, spinning around, he put all his strength into the effort as he launched the gnomes high into the air, sending them flying so far, they actually flew over the marsh, landing in the pond on the far side with an audible splash.

"Merlin's beard!" cried Charlie, earning a gasp from Harry as he turned, reverting his eyes back to normal as he did so.

When he saw Charlie, he felt a mixture of embarrassment and pride well up inside him when he saw the older boy smiling, a look of sheer disbelief in his eyes as he remarked, "I'll tell you this for free, Harry: if you decide to become a Chaser at Hogwarts, I pity the Keepers who get between you and the goal. I don't think anyone has ever thrown one that far, not without magic anyway, but you're underage, so…"

"I…I guess I don't know my own strength," argued Harry, earning a soft laugh from Charlie before he asked, "Do you want me to keep going?"

"Hey," laughed Charlie, taking a step back before he gestured to the young boy as he explained, "You go right ahead, Harry; I'll wait here."

Dragon

Unbeknownst to Harry, as Charlie watched him go to work, flinging the gnomes he scooped up so far that several others actually started to try and run away from him, heading for the safety of the marshes, a look of awe crossed the older boy's face as he watched the boy's skill.

While he did so, he also flashed back to the talk he'd had with the Headmaster before he'd left.

Flashback Start

"Tell you what, Harry: why don't you come and help me de-gnome the garden?"

"Yes please!" cried Harry, racing from the chair he'd sat in faster than anyone else could have predicted, earning a round of jeering laughs, but friendly ones, from the Twins.

"Oi, watch out, Char…" laughed Fred Weasley, earning a sideways glance from his elder brother.

"Looks like the little guy's got a crush on you," chuckled George, earning a scoff from Charlie before, deciding to send the taunt back to its sender, the dragon tamer laughed softly.

"What can I say? He's got good taste; certainly better than you two uglies."

While the Twins face-faulted and left, taking Charlie's ribbing as their cue to cry Uncle, the elder redhead made to follow Harry outside.

When he did so, however, he was stopped suddenly when Professor Dumbledore spoke up, "Charles, wait a moment, would you?"

"Oh…Headmaster, how many times do I have to tell you?" asked the elder Weasley, running a hand through his red hair while he laughed, "It's not Charles: it's Charlie…honestly, even when I've graduated, you still forget."

"As you seem to forget I am not your Headmaster any longer, my boy, so I suppose age is catching up with both of us, wouldn't you agree?" replied Albus, a twinkle appearing in his eyes as he looked to the young man with fondness and warmth. After only a moment, the two of them shared a laugh, as though they'd just indulged each other in a joke known only to the two of them, before Albus sighed softly as he looked to the elder Weasley. "Seriously, my boy, I just wanted to say thank you: he's only been here for an hour or so, but Harry certainly seems to have taken quite a shine to you already."

"He's a good kid," agreed Charlie, leaning against the kitchen unit while he looked to the front door of the Burrow as he explained, "Don't worry, Head…um…Professor Dumbledore…"

"Just Albus is fine," replied the old man.

Nodding once, Charlie went on, "All right…Albus…wow, that's going to take some getting used to…ahem…anyway, I'll keep an eye on him when I can…and you know Mum's going to make him feel welcome too. But he'll be just fine here, I know it."

"I imagine you, more than anyone, will be something of a favoured member of the household with my young charge," chuckled Dumbledore, earning a small smile from Charlie before he added, "This is actually what I wanted to talk to you about, if you could perhaps do me one small favour."

"What's that, sir?"

Looking to Charlie with a cool, but still-warm expression, Albus took a breath as he asked, "When next you return to Romania, would you mind asking any of your mentors for any books or learning aids they might have on the lost tribe known as Dracomancers?"

"Why?" asked Charlie, a note of surprise in his voice as he looked to his former Headmaster with a mixture of disbelief and awe. "They're…well, they're tales told to Tamers like me and kept in the annals of the Dragonmasters: why would you need some information on them, Albus?"

With a glint that told Charlie he knew more than he was letting on, but seemed reluctant to share for some reason, Albus nodded to the door;

"I think Harry's still waiting for you…better not keep him waiting, dear boy."

Flashback End

As he watched Harry go on with his task, snatching up gnomes like an eagle or falcon swooping down on its prey, a curious look crossed Charlie's face as he watched and wondered about the boy, and the old man's last words.

'The Dracomancers! I remember reading about them on my first visit to the reserve in Romania; apparently, they were a very select tribe of magical humans who were born and blessed with the means of harnessing the sacred powers and hidden magic of the dragons, so much so that their soul was practically a hybridisation of man and beast…resulting in supernatural, fantastical abilities that mere magi could only dream of possessing.'

Suddenly, Charlie's eyes widened when Harry let out a roar of effort as he threw what had to be the last of the gnomes as far as he could, though when he roared, it was a sound that made Charlie's heart soar with warmth and magical presence.

Even as the young boy gasped and panted, finished with his task, Charlie gulped as he wondered, 'Is he…could he possibly be…'

"I…I think that…that's all of them, Cha…Charlie," gasped Harry, sweat forming on his brow as he drew himself up before he added, "I hope they don't come back too quickly."

"Given how far you threw them, I…I don't think they will be back in too big of a hurry," laughed Charlie, beckoning Harry back to him before, drawing his wand, he conjured a towel for the boy to wipe himself down with; as Harry did so, however, Charlie frowned as he asked, "Harry…feel free to say no, because I know you might feel a bit weird in answering this, but…I don't suppose you can tell me about where you were raised, can you?"

As Charlie expected, Harry blushed before he told him, "I…I can't. I…I'm meant to keep it a secret, except for people I can trust…but I'm not saying I don't trust you, Charlie," he quickly added, earning another smile from the older boy.

"That's all right, I respect your privacy, of course," agreed Charlie, his eyes looking Harry up and down as he told him, "I was just curious because of your strength and…and that sound I heard when you threw the last of the gnomes away…but don't worry; I won't tell anyone about it and you don't have to tell me…or anyone else about your home, not until you're ready to trust them, all right?"

"Oh…okay," replied Harry, earning a smile from Charlie as he tousled the boy's hair.

When he did so, however, Charlie laughed when Harry's stomach suddenly let out what had to be the loudest roar of protest he'd ever heard – and considering he had Ron, who was a black hole when it came to his appetite, for a brother, that was definitely saying something.

As Harry clutched his stomach, Charlie laughed again as he told him, "Come on, little one: let's get cleaned up and then we'll see if Mum's made dinner yet. Honestly, you're going to love her cooking."

With Harry by his side, the young boy continuously massaging his belly hungrily – and groaning in an overdramatic manner, as though trying to drop the hint that he was starving – Charlie's eyes drifted to the image on the front of Harry's T-shirt; as a trainee dragon tamer, he'd been introduced to many different breeds of dragons in Romania, as well as some that might be known to their sister reserves all over the world.

Then there were the really rare breeds, whom were so few in number and the chance of meeting them so slim that they were believed extinct.

And, right at the top of that list, at Number One on the Most-Endangered and Believed-Extinct of Dragon Breeds was the one on Harry's shirt.

The Byzantine Shadowfire.

A dragon that hadn't been seen by any recorded human, let alone a Tamer, in any part of the world for nearly three hundred years.

'Yet Harry has one on his clothing,' thought Charlie, once again remembering Dumbledore's explanation, his strange request and the way he'd hinted at Harry in response to Charlie's question.

'Could he really be one of the Dracomancers? And, if so…oh Merlin…oh, Draco…what have I gotten myself into?'

Chapter 3 and, aww, it looks like Harry's found a friend, while he also seems to have warmed up to the idea of being around our favourite troublemakers: oh boy, how badly will this make things at Hogwarts, especially for anyone who sees the Twins as the Demons we know and love?

Also, wow!

Harry might actually be a member of a lost clan of magic users, but, if so, what does the future hold for the potential Dracomancer?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Charlie discovers something very interesting and a little cute about his little shadow – who does not have a crush on him! Also, the morning after brings a very interesting new surprise for Harry as a certain lovable lady makes their debut, with a nice surprise thrown in for good measure;

Please Read and Review

AN: Dracomancers

So, now we have a name and, weird though it sounds, it was the simplest means of using it;

I based the thought on an old idea I used to have about Dragon Sorcerers and then, using the classic 'mancy' suffix for magical-based study, I tweaked it a little…et voila, we have Dracomancers;

AN2: Portrayal

Charlie Weasley: Kit Harington

(I know: the thought of him with red hair is a bit weird, but it's who I see)