Dragons of Twilight
Chapter 03: Arrival in Hogwarts
The momentum of the Portkey sends Severus flat on his ass, but as it is designed for the case that he is severely wounded or otherwise incapable of apparating, it lands them on a huge bed in a special room of the Infirmary, thus sparing him the pain and embarrassment of picking himself off the floor.
The by now almost familiar whimper makes him look down at the dragon, no, Potter. He is trembling violently again and squashed flat against his chest in an attempt to make himself as small as possible. The Slytherin snorts.
"You can stop your pathetic show now, Potter," he says coldly. "We are back in Hogwarts and you are safe now, so kindly get a grip on yourself, let go off my clothes and change back into your usual annoying self."
To his dismay, Potter gives no sign of having heard or understood him, but before he has a chance to vocalize his anger, the door swings open and Poppy comes rushing in, alerted by the surveillance charms on the room. The dragon makes a mewling sound of fear, and tries to hide deeper in the Potions Master's robes, but his actions go unnoticed by the Nurse as she approaches the only patient she has seen more often in her Infirmary than Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom and Remus Lupin together.
"Severus! Albus told me you were gone. How bad is it this time?" she asks with a concerned expression.
The dark-haired wizard growls while trying to prevent the dragon from crawling further under his teacher's robes.
"It seems that this once my being late has turned out advantageous for me," he replies. "This time, it's not I who is in need of your talents. "
Poppy frowns slightly. "Not you? Who then? I don't see anybody else in this room."
Severus sighs in annoyance, still attempting to get the little dragon away from him. If he wasn't so badly injured, he could just grip him by the neck and drop him onto the bed...
"You would, if he'd finally let go off my robes."
The Nurse's eyes drop to the bulge on his chest and widen at what she sees.
"A dragon?! Really, Severus, your idea of a joke is beyond me sometimes. Why didn't you bring it to Hagrid?"
"Because I have reason to believe that it's Potter," he growls.
"Harry?" she gasps. "But how...? What happened?"
"If Potter would eventually stop acting like the spoiled child he is and start to behave like the young adult he is supposed to be, he could tell us," he snaps.
Still staring at the trembling creature, Poppy swallows and does what she is trained to: She switches back into Nurse mode.
"Be that as it may, you said he has been injured?" At his nod she continues: "Well, then let me have a look at him."
"Easier said than done," he grumbles, but shrugs out of his Death Eater robes, which reveals most of the small dragon's body.
The rust-coloured creature whimpers at the loss of warmth and shelter, and rises his head out of Severus' teacher's robes to look for the cause of it. Upon seeing the Nurse with her wand pointed at him, he squeals in terror, pushes under the Slytherin's robes and claws into his shirt, whining in fear.
"Ouch! Potter, that's enough! Stop struggling and get off of me this instant! Your antics will aggravate your internal wounds if you go on like this!" he hisses.
A pain-filled moan implies that the Numbing Potion has worn of in the meantime and what Severus had just predicted is most likely already the case.
Realizing that it might be her proximity that distresses the small dragon so much, Poppy steps back despite her growing concern.
"Internal wounds? Sweet Morgana, Severus, he might bleed to death if he keeps struggling like that!"
The Potions Master is just about to make a sharp retort, when another, gentle voice cuts in.
"Then I suggest we give Severus a bit more room, and he tries to calm his little friend down," Albus Dumbledore advises soothingly.
"He is most certainly not my friend," Severus snaps. "All I want is to get him off me so that I can finally return to my dungeons!"
"Severus, please. In such a state of panic as he is, the dragon reacts on pure instinct and that is flee and hide. The sooner he relaxes, the sooner he might let go off you. Now why don't you try and comfort the poor creature while you tell us what happened at the Ministry?"
Albus looks at the younger wizard with warm kindness, and the Slytherin snarls in annoyance, but can already feel the anger and the tension start to leave him.
"You want to know what happened, Albus? Potter happened, that is what!" he growls. "Your Golden Boy was at the Department of Mysteries this afternoon and almost succeeded in getting himself killed yet again!"
Taking a deep breath, he launches into a report of what he saw.
While filling the other two in on the events of the last hour, he unconsciously steadies the dragon with one arm, raises the other and starts to rub the scaled back in a soothing manner. The lithe figure flinches at his touch at first, and Severus can feel the small heart racing, but then he sighs and stops his struggles. Slowly, the trembling lessens until it finally subsides, and the little body relaxes under his hands. His fingers somehow find their way to the long neck and stroke the smooth crest, making the dragon melt into his arms. He tucks his head under the Slytherin's chin, closes his eyes and winds his tail loosely around one of the wizard's upper legs.
Albus observes the process with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
"It seems he has calmed down at last. Poppy, do you think you could check on him while he stays in Severus arms?"
The Nurse nods. "It's a bit more difficult, but practicable. We examine small children on their mother's arm that way quite often."
To Severus, she adds: "Stay still and relax, and try to make sure he does the same."
The Slytherin nods tiredly, and murmurs soft nonsense in his dark voice to keep the dragon's focus on himself, and for the second time, it works.
Several spells later, Poppy sighs and steps back again.
"Numerous fractures, bruised kidneys and a ruptured spleen, plus the after-effects of several curses. You did a good job on the broken bones, Severus. You would have made a fine Medi-wizard."
She gives him a small, warm smile before she continues.
"I mended the bones and the spleen, and took some of the pressure off the kidneys. Now I'm going to give him some potions for the injuries, the pain and to make him sleep. He will need a Nutrient Potion, too, for he is obviously malnourished. What do you suggest we use, Severus?"
They discuss their possible options briefly, before they settle on a selection of five potions.
Prodding the dragon softly to wake him from the dozing state he has fallen into, Severus gently encourages him to take the potions, and makes sure he swallows them. Another sigh tells him when the concoctions take effect and the small creature goes limp in his arms as the Dreamless Sleep kicks in. Heaving a sigh of his own, the Slytherin gently lays the prone figure down on the bed, feeling strangely bereft without the warm, living body at his chest. He quickly squashes the thought, though, and turns back to Albus who had remained in the background the whole time and just now comes to the bed and sits down next to his younger colleague. Poppy, satisfied that her patient will now get the rest he needs, excuses herself with the remark that she has an injured member of the Order to see to and leaves the room.
"And what now, Albus?"
"Now, we watch over the little one's rest and try to reconstruct what happened today," the old wizard replies calmly.
Severus scowls slightly. "We already know what happened. Potter and his friends went to the Department of Mysteries. Voldemort got wind of it and was waiting there for him. A battle ensured, Potter changed into his Animagus form and fried the room. Three Death Eaters died in the flames and one was severely burned. What else should there be?"
The Headmaster looks thoughtful down on the sleeping dragon, and reaches over to trace the lightening bolt scar on his forehead, before trailing his fingers down the golden crest and coming to rest on the bronze back between the coppery, bat-like wings. The creature stirs uneasily, but doesn't wake, and Albus takes his hand back when he sees his discomfort.
"There are several facts that don't fit in with this explanation. Where are Miss Granger and Mister Weasley, for example?"
His Potions Master frowns. "The burned corpses were too large to belong to them, they were most probably Death Eaters. Perhaps the Dark Lord has taken them hostage?"
Albus strokes his beard absent-mindedly. "We will have to check that. But somehow I doubt it. They would have needed preset Portkeys to do that, and the fire erupted so fast that four of them weren't even able to get out in time. But there are other inconsistencies."
Again, he gives the little dragon a pondering look.
"You know, Severus, that an Animagus can turn into the form of the animal that represents him best at will. But a dragon isn't an animal, it is a mythical creature. In the last thousand years there has been no reported case of an Animagus taking on a form that was not that of a mundane animal.
Furthermore, I may not be an expert on dragon breeds, but I have never seen one like this before. The built, the colouring, I've never heard of a type of dragon that looks like him.
And there's something else."
He looks up at the younger wizard, and cerulean eyes meet onyx.
"This dragon is very young, not more that a child. If I'm correct in my assessment, his current age equals that of a four or five years old human."
Severus draws a deep breath at the revelations, and lets his gaze drop at the sleeping figure between them. The dragon makes a soft, mewling sound in his sleep, and unconsciously scuttles closer to the Slytherin.
"So what do you think happened at the Department of Mysteries, Albus? Surely you have something in mind?"
"I have some ideas about what might have taken place, but we will have to wait for Mr Rookwood to recover before we get any affirmations.
I think that Tom planned his ambush better than we thought, so good, in fact, that there was no chance of escape for Harry and his friends. I suppose he tortured them, by magic and otherwise. Faced with a slow, painful death, I fear they took the only way out they could think of: They went through the Veil.
Harry must either have distracted the Death Eaters to buy them time or was prevented from following them by someone. Cornered and with no hope left, his survival will took over and he transformed into the dragon."
"That doesn't explain his unusual form and his young age," the dark-haired wizard replies.
Albus smiles mildly.
"I'm not omniscient, my dear boy, as you well know. We still have much to inquire. I will talk to Minerva about the Animagus affair. If I remember correctly, there is a spell that can force an Animagus back into his human form, but I think we'd better wait with that until his condition has stabilized further.
In addition, I will ask Charlie Weasley to send me informations about dragon breeds that fit his appearance. As a member of the Order, he will know how to be discreet about it.
If Voldemort calls you, you will tell him that the dragon died of his wounds and that there were no survivors. I will see to it that St. Mungo's tells the Ministry the same about Mr Rookwood and keeps his continued survival a secret.
Until we have figured this out and have Harry returned to his normal self, this will stay between Poppy, Minerva, you and me. The less people that know about him, the better. You might even think about an other name for him."
"Me?" Severus narrows his eyes in suspicion. "Why should I think about a new name for Potter?"
"Because he trusts you. He needs someone to rely on right now. We have no idea what he has been through, and you have seen how badly he reacted to Poppy's and my presence. It will only be temporary, until he is human again and fully recovered. Please, Severus. This isn't the adolescent student you know, but a lonely, frightened child. He needs someone to protect him and to take care of him."
"And to keep him out of trouble, that's what you mean, isn't it?" Severus growls, but he can feel exhaustion catch up with him, now that the adrenaline the stress and tension had provided him with has worn off, and he doesn't have the energy for a discussion with the clever old coot. Albus gets his will in the end most of the time anyways, so he might as well spare himself the effort. "Oh, well, I'll do it, but only as long as it is absolutely necessary. And I will most certainly not cuddle him, do you understand me?"
The silver-haired wizard smiles knowingly.
"Perfectly. Who knows, perhaps we will find a way to restore him to his former self tomorrow, and he won't need you any longer."
The Potions Master snorts. 'Somehow I doubt that.'
"Well, it has been a long day, and you look like you could use some rest as well. Would you mind staying here for the night?"
Severus rolls his eyes. "Yes, I would, but before you ask, yes, I will stay. Is there anything else?"
Albus's gaze falls back on the dragon, and to Severus' dismay, he realizes that his hands have developed a mind of their own again and are currently caressing the dragon's slender neck once more, who in turn has somehow managed to wind his coppery and golden body around the wizard with his tail curling loosely around his right leg again and his scaled head resting in the Potions Master's lap.
"No, Severus," the old wizard tells the Head of Slytherin with a sly smile, "I believe that was all. A goodnight to you, my dear boy."
Without waiting to decipher the younger man's muttered answer, the Headmaster turns and leaves the room, the familiar twinkle returning to his eyes.
'Maybe this works out to the best for us all.'
Back in the room, Severus sighs in annoyance and calls a House-Elf to get him his sleeping attire.
After a last, pondering look, he gently disentangles himself from the dragon, and changes into the black silk pajamas that the Elf brought him. Sliding under the blankets, he can feel the dragon snuggling into his side, and sighs again.
'In the same bed with a Potter,' he thinks with a grimace, 'I have really sunken low.'
Oblivious to his thoughts, the dragon sighs in his sleep and tries to curl around the tall Slytherin again. Torn between indignation and amusement, the dark-haired wizard puts an end to the attempt, but allows the small creature to curl up beside him.
'He really does look like a child. And he seemed pretty subdued today. Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought.'
The corners of his mouth quirk up in a small smile without his notice.
'At least he doesn't snore.'
Settling his head down on the pillow, he watches his hand once again finding its way to the warm, smooth bronze back while he slowly drifts of into slumber, but he is way too tired to question it.
'Aenëus,' is the last coherent thought on his mind before sleep finally claims him, 'that's a good name for him.'
When Poppy quietly opens the door to check on them some ten minutes later, both dragon and wizard are sound asleep, snuggled closely together.
And she leaves them silently, with a tender smile on her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N:
Thanks for your kind reviews!!!
You people are great!!!
Although I should have done some work instead of writing, I decided to post this early, since there really seem to be readers out there who are waiting for it.
*shakes her head in happy wonder*
I guess after the slow feedback I got on my other story, I'm a bit overwhelmed. *smiles happily*
Now, before you hit me, I know that the interaction between Severus and Harry, or rather, Aenëus seems a bit OOC.
But:
It was after an extremely stressing experience for both of them (The Wizarding World almost lost its saviour, after all).
Harry's mind is that of an five-years-old at the moment and he also looks quite cute as a child-dragon. There is a thing called paternal instincts, and I firmly believe not even Severus is immune to it. (And before you ask, yes, his feelings will go in a completely different direction later. I just need them to get to know each other better and get over their prejudiced opinions of each other.)
There also is a deeper reason to it and you will learn it eventually.
Things will go back to a more normal state in the next chapter, so don't worry, Severus didn't go soft over an injured dragonling.
Aenëus by the way is Latin and means copper-/bronze-coloured.
@ ennui2, Resqgal, athenakitty concerning your question about Ron, Hermione and Sirius: You will definitely see them again later. I can't tell you more at the moment, but once Rookwood wakes up and Harry is better things will become clearer.
@ Grayswandir: Hm, I'd rather wonder what Severus will think... *winks*
@ Cassa_Andra: Glad you liked it! Your spelling isn't that bad, and even if it was, I have a spellcheck in my writing program. What I need a beta for is to make sure I didn't use a word in a completely wrong context (dictionaries can be misleading sometimes, believe me...), to correct terms typical for the English language that I simply don't know of, and to provide me with a second opinion. Since George knows both languages and I can meet her at university, this arrangement is most likely the best for me. Thanks for your kind comments about Dragon!Harry. If you would like to see what kind of dragon I have in mind when I think of Aenëus, I can try to dig out the link to the picture and tell you. Oh, and thanks for the yummy cake!!! It was just the thing I needed with this depressing weather we have at the moment: Grey sky, rain and cold...
@ ennui2: Well, as you see Harry wasn't exactly himself when Severus picked him up. But don't worry, his embarrassment will most certainly catch up with him when he is feeling better, or should I say older again. *chuckles*
And last but not least a BIG HUG to George for betaing the first two chapters!!! THANKS!
Questions? Suggestions? Comments?
Well, you know what to do... *hint*
Greetings,
Scheckie