Dragon Keys


By Kryptonite


&*&&*&



Hello child. Ash whirled at the noise, her hair flying around her head.


Who are you? Ash's voice refused to come out louder than a whisper.


The wraith smiled. All in good time, my child. He raised a hand, palm out towards Ash. Her necklace started lifting itself out from under her shirt. You hold the Key. You must destroy the terror, before more die.


What key? My necklace? It's just a family heirloom. It's nothing important.


It is the caller of the wisest, oldest and most powerful Lords and Rulers of the skies.


What? I don't understand. The man's eyes flicked up and darkened.


You must go. I will see you again. Remember. The mist thickened, enveloping the spirit. The mist was so thick that Ash couldn't see beyond her nose.



Ash jerked awake on the cold stone floor of the owlery. Oh no. Heart's Blood, go home. Ash ran heavily down the steps, searching for the boy-who-lived.


Harry! Harry's head jerked around at his name. A multicolored little streak of energy darted through the crowd and snagged the back of his school robes.


What's wrong?


Come on. You have to come with me. Ash started tugging him against the flow of students going to dinner.


Where are we going?


Just follow me. Harry tried two more times to find out where Ash was taking him. They came out on the very top of the astronomy tower. Darkness was just starting to fall as they labored up the stairs and through the trap door.


Mind telling me what this is all about? When Ash turned to look at him, the last few rays of sunlight struck her hair, highlighting it and her eyes seemed to glow.


It's a way to destroy the terror. To destroy Voldemort. Ash's face hardened into a look of concentration.


What is? Ash paused before pulling her necklace over her head.


This. The caller of Dragon Lords. It's a gift passed down to each new generation. Starting with Arthur. Ash's voice softened at the memory of her ancestor.


An amulet.


Exactly. They were silent for a moment as the sun took its final plunge beneath the horizon.


What are we going to do?


Call the Dragon Lords. Those old enough, wise enough, and powerful enough to help.


How's it work? Harry stayed where he was, able to drop through the trap door if he felt like it. Wrapping the end of the chain once around her hand she started swinging it in an arc above her head.


The wind whistling through the device made a low, distinct sound howl through the air in all directions. It sounded to Harry like he was in the middle of a rather large storm. She slowly wound down, making the sound disappear just as slowly.


Now what? Harry's voice sounded way too loud in the ensuing silence.


We wait. Ash whispered, never once moving or taking her eyes off the horizon.


For what? A sudden, very large displacing of air happened all around the tower. At least twenty dragons now surrounded the two friends. Ash spoke in a slightly strangled language that Harry vaguely recognized as Parseltongue.


Relax Harry. They say you're annoying them by being afraid. She hissed back at the boy wonder.


I have twenty dragon's surrounding me. Why shouldn't I be afraid? He hissed back.


Because they won't hurt anyone as long as I'm here. What you should be afraid of is me disappearing suddenly.


What are they speaking?


A very old and complicated form of Parseltongue. Even snakes can't speak it. Now shush. Ash resumed talking with the dragons. What felt like hours later but was only half an hour at most, Ash bowed deeply to the dragons and they all left.


What just happened?


We have the dragons on our side. Ash spoke before turning abruptly, robes billowing behind her. We must tell Dumbledore. Harry grabbed her arm. The eleven year old now looked ancient, filled with some unimaginable purpose.


Why do you care? A single tear fell down her cheek.


Those hunters are now working for Voldemort. They've killed numerous members of my family since King Arthur's time. I've spent more of my life learning what to feel for and be afraid of than any kid should ever have to. I want to get them back. Put that fear into them, where it belongs.


Ash said all of this very quietly, and Harry just stood looking at her, his hand gripping her elbow.


I'm sorry. Ash shook her head and smiled up at Harry.


If we don't move soon, more kids will know that fear. We need to tell Dumbledore, and we need to tell him now. Harry nodded his agreement and the two all but fell down the stairs in their hurry.