Disclaimer – I solemnly swear that JKR owns everything Harry Potter. Whether or not I am up to no good with her characters is for you to decide.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
Harry Potter: Dragon Whisperer
Chapter 19 – Articles and Letters
Monday, 15 August 1995
Weekly Column in The Daily Prophet
.
Seeing Is Believing: The Antipodean Opaleye
by Harry Potter
For those of you who were either there for or perhaps read about or saw magical photos of the dragons at the First Task of the TriWizard Tournament last year, you would have seen four different types of dragon – the Hungarian Horntail, the Chinese Fireball, the Common Welsh Green and the Swedish Short-Snout. One type of dragon that almost no one has seen before in the British Isles is the Antipodean Opaleye.
Over the last few days, I've had the opportunity to visit with this rare and wonderful type of dragon at their home in the Australasian Dragon Preserve – the only place in the world that they can be found.
I can attest that they truly are incredibly stunning. Their pearl-coloured scales which perfectly reflect the sunlight do an amazing job of helping them stay hidden as they can blind anyone who sees them from the wrong angle. But their most distinguishing feature are definitely their eyes! Unlike us or pretty much all animals, Opaleyes don't have pupils, instead their entire eye is like a great opal, hence their name. The truly remarkable thing about their eyes is not just how many colours that they can produce but what those colours mean.
For most of us, body language helps us to understand what the other person is saying, that's not so easy when you're talking with a being that's so much bigger and more impressive than you are. Thankfully, there are ways to understand dragons, too – even for people who can't speak to them as I do. From my talks with some of the Opaleyes, most especially the Weyr Leader, Dankrum and Cantrum, the first of the Opaleyes that I got to meet, I've seen how the colours of their eyes reflect exactly what the dragons are thinking and feeling, something that I've not seen or heard of that anyone else, man or creature, can emulate.
But it's not just their eyes that make these dragons so brilliant. Sitting on your broom as you hover above the ocean as you get to watch the dragon who's flying beside you simply fold in his wings and plunge into the water below before re-emerging with two, three or more fish in his mouth (his breakfast) is a sight that I know that I will forever cherish.
If ever you get the chance to visit Australia, make sure that you visit my friends in the Australasian Dragon Reserve – both dragon and human – I guarantee that it's something that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
10:00am
Tuesday, 16 August 1995
Wizengamot Chambers, Ministry of Magic, London, England
.
"Here ye. Here ye. This fourteenth session of the Wizengamot in the year of nineteen ninety-five is called to order. All members are expected to have taken their Seats."
The shuffling and susurration that had been sweeping the great room ceased with the Herald's announcement.
"Scribe, are you prepared to fulfil your duties?" Chief Warlock Dumbledore asked the traditional question.
The Scribe, young Percy Weasley, didn't even blink at the question, his parchment already lay under his hand, his quill inked up and poised.
"I am," he replied.
Augusta Longbottom swept her eye over the sea of plum robes that made up her peers. She held no hopes that this meeting would be any different from any of the last few dozen that she'd attended. The agenda was well-known and the motion had already been set for more of the same. There were days, like today, when she looked forward to the time when her grandson came of the appropriate age to take his rightful Seat, the one that she currently sat Proxy for, and when she could retire to her leisure.
A soft gong snapped her head to the side, as it did for every head in the room.
Augusta blinked at the sight of Lord Cyrus Greengrass standing, waiting for recognition.
"Lord Greengrass, this is most unorthodox," Chief Warlock Dumbledore stated with what Augusta thought could be the hint of a frown.
"I understand that Chief Warlock and I apologise for the interruption to the regular agenda, but this could not be helped. It is a matter of procedure that must take precedence," Lord Greengrass stated, instantly causing a murmur to sweep the hall.
"Please elaborate," Chief Warlock Dumbledore said, sitting slightly forward in his chair.
"Five days ago, I received a letter that must be acted upon within these very walls," Lord Greengrass stated. "I ask for your indulgence and permission to read out the appropriate section."
Augusta's eyes snapped to Dumbledore. Only the fact that she'd known the man for so many decades and had sat in these very chambers with him for so many years allowed her to see the look of annoyance cross the man's face. It was incredibly brief, gone in an instant, but it was there. Dumbledore, she knew, liked to be in control of everything and this was something new, something that he didn't know about, and someone having knowledge or doing something that he knew nothing of was something that she knew Dumbledore would not like.
"Please," the Chief Warlock said, waving a hand in Greengrass' direction.
Lord Greengrass picked up a piece of parchment – no, Augusta corrected, her eyes narrowing. Paper. Muggle paper! At least, she thought that it was, her eyes not being as good as they once were.
"As you are aware, I was kept from the Magical world for most of my life," Lord Greengrass read, and Augusta felt her heart speed up. "And even since my return, it's taken quite some time for me to begin understanding the roles and responsibilities that come with the legacy of being the last of the Potter line."
Augusta leant forward. Her eyes sought out, found and held the eyes of Amelia Bones. She, too, looked stunned. Stunned and hopeful. Was this what they'd been wanting? What they'd been hoping for?
"It is my understanding that, as Head of the Potter Line, there is a hereditary seat waiting for me to take up within the Wizengamot. Unfortunately, I did not understand this when I accepted and signed the contract between myself and the Dragon Reserves of the World. Of course, the Laws within the Wizengamot would preclude me from sitting in my seat anyway until I am twenty-one, regardless of the fact that I am emancipated, however that does not mean that I should not take an active and interested role as my duties as Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter declare that I should.
"It is my understanding that my seat is currently being filled by a person by the name of Elphias Doge…"
Instantly, all eyes within the Chamber snapped to the man in question who was looking quite uneasy, his mouth moving, his eyes big and round as he stared between Lord Greengrass and Chief Warlock Dumbledore.
"… a man that I have never met or corresponded with. I feel that it is only right that I put my faith and trust in a person that I know and respect to sit in the seat of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter as Proxy until I come of the correct age to take my place within that noble gathering myself. Therefore, Lord Cyrus Greengrass, knowing you to be a man of integrity and someone that I can respect and look up to, I ask that you represent me as Proxy within the Wizengamot for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
Augusta sat back in her chair and stared. He'd done it! Sirius Black had actually done what was expected of him. While the letter had been penned by young Harry, there was no doubt in Augusta's mind that it'd been dictated to him by Sirius Black of all people. How … unexpected! But then, on second thought, knowing Black as she did, doing the unexpected was more often the expected with him than not. Deliberately, Augusta stopped that line of thinking – trying to understand what Sirius Black was thinking or what he was likely to do was enough to drive anyone mad.
Around her, the Wizengamot had erupted. People were talking a mile a minute to their neighbours or even to members further away. And in the middle of it all, old Elphias Doge simply sat there, obviously too stunned to speak.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dumbledore's cannon blasts quietened the room, sending members back to their seats.
"This is incredibly unorthodox!" Chief Warlock Dumbledore stated. "While the letter you possess certainly sounds genuine, we will require proof that this is indeed young Harry's wishes. Perhaps the next time he's in Britain, he can speak to this wizened assemblage himself…"
"Lord Potter has affixed the seals of his rings to the bottom of this letter as well as a sampling of his blood which can be checked to see that it was indeed penned by him and that he did so under no compulsions," Lord Greengrass stated.
Dumbledore stared at the man. "Very well. We will have it verified immediately."
And then something must have occurred to the Chief Warlock for he seemed to freeze in place for a moment.
"My apologies, Lord Greengrass," he said, "did you say 'rings'?"
"Indeed, I did," Lord Greengrass replied with what Augusta could see was one of those smiles that true Slytherins seemed to like to wear when they saw someone realise that they'd finally caught on to a game that they were playing and that person had just realised that the Slytherin had the upper hand. "There is more to the letter, if I may?"
Augusta, like all those there, instantly leant forward, eager to hear what was to come next.
"I am unsure whether you are aware of this or not, but I am not the Head of one Most Ancient and Noble House but two. I am also Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell. It is my understanding that there is also a hereditary seat within the Wizengamot for that House as well, although it currently does not have a Proxy. It is my wish that you also sit in Proxy for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell within the Wizengamot."
If Augusta thought that the Wizengamot had reacted before, it was nothing as to the explosion of sound and mayhem that that announcement had caused. Purple-robed members everywhere were on their feet, talking and gesturing to all and sundry. Dumbledore couldn't have looked more shocked, his mouth hanging slightly open as he sat back in his chair, his eyes firmly fixed on Lord Greengrass.
Lord Cyrus Greengrass. A known neutral. A hard but fair man who, while not always liked, was respected for his stance on upholding wizarding laws and traditions and what was best for their society. He had morals and he stuck to them no matter what. For him to gain the Proxy for two additional seats, two Most Ancient and Noble seats in addition to his own, was seriously going to affect the known power blocks. He had just become one of the most powerful men in the room.
Augusta looked across at Amelia and returned the nod. The two of them would be having afternoon tea together, that was assured. Dumbledore's power base had been weakened. It might finally be time to make the moves that they'd been waiting for.
The doors opening into this arena wasn't completely unexpected. The person who walked in was. Augusta hadn't seen the woman in years, unsurprising, really. After all, the woman had been cast from her family and therefore to the fringes of their society over a decade before.
"Excuse me," Andromeda Tonks said, "I have a letter here from Lord Sirius Black of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. He asked me to read it to you today."
Augusta could only shake her head. Sirius Black. The man lived on mayhem and especially creating it for others. She may never have liked the pranks that he pulled and especially the ones that Frank had been a part of but there were definitely days when he made life a lot more interesting than one would otherwise have expected.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
7:10pm
Tuesday, 16 August 1995
Australasian Dragon Preserve, Australia
.
Dinner had been in full swing for a while now. Normally it was a boisterous affair with lots of stories – both from the day's work, as well as some that less … tame – laughter and teasing. Tonight, as with the last couple of nights, tension permeated everything. Everyone was on edge, waiting, waiting for something that they both hoped would never come and something that they needed to happen.
The trap.
It was set. Ready. The slightest touch of the plastic that Sirius had placed underneath Shiklyn's eggs would be enough to set it off. The dragons, they all knew, were watching. Not that there was much that Harry, Andy or any of the dragon handlers thought that they could do against a predator that invaded from underground but they were on guard regardless.
It was a race, really, to see which would happen first – the trap being sprung or the eggs, the fledglings, hatching. And with there still being a couple of weeks until the latter was expected, the scales were definitely tipped towards the first.
"Weasley, got something here for you," Sharon called as she walked through the Lodge's door.
Not just Charlie's head but also those of Harry, Sirius and Remus who were sharing the table with him, all looked up and around.
"Came in by albatross," Sharon continued, waving a thick piece of folded, sealed parchment in the air.
"Albatross?" Charlie repeated. "Who'd be sending me an international letter?"
"Alexander?" Harry guessed.
"Possible but unlikely," Charlie replied.
"Not … Molly," Sirius asked, looking queasy, not that Harry could understand why.
"I didn't know you knew my mother!" Charlie said, sounding incredibly surprised.
"I met her and Arthur once back when the war was on," Sirius replied. "They came with Fabian and Gideon to an event. Your mother got it into her head that she needed to matchmake me some cousin of hers."
"That's right!" Remus exclaimed, "I remember that now. What was her name? Anna?"
"Althea," Sirius corrected. "Not exactly my type. There was an age gap."
"I thought that my godfather was a lady's man who wouldn't judge women on something as little as a few years age difference," Harry grinned.
Sirius' eyes narrowed. "A few years? Seventeen is not 'a few'! And she had a better moustache than me!"
Charlie stared at the man before finally pulling himself out of the conversation with a shake of his head.
"In answer to your question, no, it's not from Mum. For one thing, it's not red."
Harry shuddered. He'd had his fair share of Howlers back at Hogwarts and never wanted to experience another one again.
They watched as Charlie cracked the seal, unfolded the letter and then read it through. His jaw dropped and Harry was sure that he was reading it through a second time.
"Well, that was unexpected," he finally said, dropping the letter to the table.
"What is it?" Remus asked.
"Go ahead," Charlie said, waving at the parchment.
"Dear Mister Weasley," Remus read aloud. "As you are no doubt aware, Great Britain is the home for two distinct dragon species, the Common Welch Green and the Hebridean Black. Both of these dragon types live scattered throughout the Isles in small pockets of secluded areas. Whilst the Ministry of Magic has always done its utmost to ensure that our dragons are protected from both magicals and muggles alike, we feel that we can do more.
"To this end, a Committee was formed last year to investigate our dragon population and their needs. Recently, that Committee was upgraded to sub-Department status with a mandate for doing everything within our powers to protect and preserve our dragon population. We have already purchased an island within the Shetland Islands and are having it warded with the very best wards imaginable to hide it from the muggles and to ensure that the dragons there will be looked after. This island will be the new Dragon Reserve of Great Britain. We anticipate locating and moving all of the dragons within Great Britain to the Reserve within six to twelve months.
"Your name was recommended to us as a British-born Dragon Handler with a great deal of experience. We understand that you are close to attaining your Beast Mastery which makes you the perfect candidate to offer you the role of Head Dragon Handler of the Dragon Reserve of Great Britain.
"This position comes with a lucrative stipend, travelling costs to relocate from your current assignment and all of the tools and finance that you would need to build our dragon reserve into the best Reserve in the world. We would, of course, immediately sign off on your Beast Mastery upon your signing of a contract with us.
"We look forward to your owl and would be very happy to answer any questions that you have.
Mathilda Grimblehawk
Chair of the sub-Department for the Regulation and Monitoring of the Dragons of Great Britain"
"Um, what?" Harry asked, breaking the silence that had descended over not just their table but also the two adjacent tables as well.
"Yeah, that was my thought," Charlie said.
"A new Reserve," Andy whistled. "Impressive. And long overdue, especially if it'll get the dragons in Britain somewhere safe. Are you going to accept?"
Charlie looked up at him. "No. Don't get me wrong, it's a great offer. Extremely flattering. But it certainly doesn't feel right. They'd sign off on my Mastery straight away? No way. I've still got more to learn and I want my Mastery to mean something."
"Glad to hear it," Andy nodded, clapping Charlie on the back, echoing the murmurs from the other dragon handlers in the room. "We may be called 'Dragon Handlers' and get paid for what we do, but we're here to ensure the dragons can live their lives free from harm or interference, not to serve politicians."
Harry nodded in agreement even as his mind wandered to the dragons in Great Britain. They'd all be rounded up and moved from their homes to somewhere new and Harry had a suspicion that they weren't going to like that.
"Hey Charlie?" he asked as a thought occurred. "If there's a new Dragon Reserve, will we need to add that to the roster for Reserves that I visit?"
"Is the Dragon Reserve of Great Britain on your contract" Charlie asked.
"No."
"Then there's your answer," Charlie stated.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
9:30am
Wednesday, 17 August 1995
Longbottom Manor, Birsay, England
.
Amelia had not long arrived to 'visit' with her friend Augusta when they were interrupted. The tray with the teapot, cups and plate of biscuits had barely been placed on the coffee table when the Longbottom's house elf, Trinny, had popped away and then back again moments later.
"Mistress, there be a Misses Andromeda Tonks at the door to see you," the tiny being said.
Amelia raised her eyebrow at the statement. That was … unexpected, to say the least. Not, quite as unexpected as the events of the day before, but still. Amelia knew that the odds of the two events being unrelated were quite low.
"Please show her in, Trinny," Augusta instructed.
The two of them waited patiently, after all, a few more minutes before they could begin discussing the latest happenings was very little, especially considering that the Wizengamot session had lasted much longer than anticipated, meaning that their meeting was already half a day later than expected.
"Thank you for seeing me," Andromeda said, appearing in the doorway, before pausing, obviously taking in Amelia's presence. "My apologies, I didn't realise that you have company."
"Please, come in and join us," Augusta said, having risen from her chair to greet her guest.
"Are you certain?" Andromeda asked, looking uncertain.
"Let me ask you this," Augusta said in response. "Was your coming here your idea or was it suggested by another?"
Andromeda blinked, a fact that gave Amelia all the answer that she needed.
"Actually, my cousin, Sirius, suggested that I should talk to you," Andromeda replied. "Actually, to both of you."
"And knowing that reprobate, he left out some crucial details," Amelia smiled.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Andromeda laughed.
"Trinny, another cup, if you please," Augusta said into the air.
But when her house elf appeared, it was with not one but two cups as well as an extra guest.
"Cyrus Greengrass," Augusta sighed. "I should have guessed."
"Guessed?" Cyrus asked.
"After yesterday's stunt, it doesn't surprise me that Sirius Black is still manipulating events to cause as much havoc as possible," Augusta stated.
Amelia couldn't help herself. She snorted in amusement, an act that she instantly regretted when both of the other women pinned her in their gazes.
"Do not sit there and act all innocent," Andromeda accused. "Sirius may be my cousin but if any one of us knows what he's like the most, it'll be you Amelia Bones. You did date him once upon a time."
"And likely would have married the man if events had turned out differently," Augusta added.
In response, Amelia simply sipped her tea, ensuring that she neither confirmed nor denied the accusation.
"Would I be right in thinking that we're all here because of Sirius Black?" Cyrus asked.
"Most definitely," Amelia replied.
"In that case, would you care to enlighten me?" Cyrus asked. "All I had was a separate note in with the letter that Harry sent telling me that I should come here at my earliest convenience as soon after the Wizengamot session as I could."
"I received a similar one," Andromeda admitted.
"Cyrus, after the events of earlier this year, I would have expected that you would have been able to deduce the reasoning," Amelia replied.
Cyrus blinked at her and she tipped her cup at him when she saw the light of understanding gleam in his eye.
"The Second Task. Dumbledore."
"Exactly," she nodded.
"I guess that also explains why Harry appointed me as his Proxy for his seat on the Hogwarts Board of Governors as well," Cyrus mused.
"He did, did he?" Augusta said, sounding more pleased than Amelia had heard her being in a long time.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Andromeda said, shaking her head.
"Our esteemed Headmaster has been playing very loosely with certain rules, laws and people's lives," Amelia informed her. "That little stunt yesterday of Sirius' – I think we can all agree that that was pure Sirius Black, regardless of it being Harry Potter's name on the letter – may just have been enough to start the quaffle rolling to enable us or more specifically, me, in bringing Albus Dumbledore to heel."
"What do you have in mind?" Cyrus asked, a glint of unadulterated pleasure in his eye.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
11:53pm
Wednesday, 17 August 1995
Australasian Dragon Preserve, Australia
.
SPEAKER!
Harry bolted upright in bed, instantly wide awake. Not that he'd really been asleep.
SPEAKER!
He clapped his hands over his ears, even though the roar was as much in his head as an audible sound.
SPEAKER!
His eyes widened as realisation hit. It'd happened. The trap! The eggs! In an instant he was up and racing for the door.