Author's Note: Wow! 12 reviews within the space of a day and a half. I'm quite impressed that this story has reached such heights. In all honestly I didn't think it would get this, err, liked? *Shrugs* Well I thank you all, reviewers new and old. Also for the constructive criticism. Please realize that what with my growing impatience with this story (I'm sort of at a bit of a loss) And the fact that I'm juggling about eight OTHER stories besides this one, I realize this may be moving fast in some areas and slow in others, as well as not everyone's character development being 100 percent. Not all characters are as easy to hit on the head as others, remind you, but I will do what I can to bring more of their soul into what I have here. For the moment, I hope you like all I've got here.
Growing Quandaries
Dumbeldore sensed the evil that flew through the skies at midnight. He sensed their heartless gazes and voices calling silently to one another. He knew what they sought, and knew they knew where to find him. For the first time in many years, Dumbeldore found himself trembling. Voldemort was indeed a fool to raise such an ancient evil with little knowledge on how to control the beasts. He must be truly desperate. With a sigh, Dumbeldore came to his fireplace and grabbed a small helping of Floo Powder. The others must know, for none were safe from the piercing gazes of the Dragon Riders.
* * *
Giving the time, Dumbeldore was not surprised to find no one in the sitting room. His patience waning with the time given to him, he left a letter addressed to Sirius. Then he left, heading towards Hogsmeade. Upon entering the Shrieking Shack he suddenly realized that Harry was no longer there. He was gone. But not taken by the Dragon Riders. No, Dumbeldore sensed that much.
Yet a flurry of panic crept its way into the otherwise calm and strong man's frame. Harry had not left, not willingly, and he had the sense of an unwelcome presence within the vicinity of this old house. He turned and left, not bothering to search further. He moved swiftly and silently across the Hogwarts grounds and found a rather gruesome looking Hagrid stumbling clumsily to the door of his cabin.
'G'night, Professor!' he called. He was drunk, for his speech was slurred beyond much recognition.
'Hagrid, have you seen anything...odd, tonight?' Dumbeldore asked, ignoring Hagrid's previous statement.
'Odd....no sir Professor. Ain't seen nothin' round here lately that's odd.' The dismayed expression upon Dumbeldore's face sobered the giant. 'Somethin' I can do fer yeh, sir?'
'No, Hagrid. Thank you.' with that he left the giant to his cabin, his foot steps quickening with every horrid thought in his head. Things were definitely getting worse by the moment.
* * *
It was not Sirius who found the letter, but Ron. He awoke to find the house void of life, for everyone else was sleeping. It was Christmas morning, and Ron had found that there would be no joy in it. He didn't bother with manners or caring, but ran through the halls and straight to the main bedroom that was Sirius'.
'Sirius! Get up!' Ron bellowed fearfully through the door. There was some random shuffling and in fifteen long seconds he stood at the door. The sight might have been humorous, save the situation at hand.
The shoulder length black hair was a tangles mess upon the man's head and around his ears, giving the impression of a bird's nest falling apart. There was some dried drool on the side of his face and the fact that his shirt was on backwards made Sirius all the more entertaining to observe. Ron, however, saw none of this as he handed him the letter Dumbeldore had left that morning on the kitchen table.
'Where did you find this?' Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.
'The table. In the kitchen. No one else was up.'
Sirius nodded. 'Get the others, I'll meet you down there.' Ron nodded and started waking the rest of the houses inhabitants. 'Merry Christmas.' he whispered sarcastically as he made himself only slightly more presentable. Writing a quick letter to Dumbeldore he sent it with Hedwig, and then joined the Weasley's in the basement Kitchen along with Remus. 'We've got a problem.' he stated.
* * *
'Dragon Riders?' Ron raised an eyebrow. It was the second time in the last few days he'd heard of something he thought to be gone for good. 'What good are they for Voldemort?'
'They are very loyal to those who would call them from their prison.' Dumbeldore answered calmly. 'At least for some time.'
'How did he find a way to raise them?' Sirius asked. He was pale, but remarkably well contained in his frustration and worry. In these past few weeks, he had grown as a parent.
'Very carefully.' Dumbeldore hinted.
'But that takes resources, concentration, sacrifices, and I don't mean with time.'
Ron and Ginny both shuddered, knowing quite well what Sirius meant.
'Yes, it does, and none of these Voldemort is unwilling to give up or gain to find what he wants.'
'But he must know the risks!' Remus came in. 'He must know their loyalty is limited.'
'Of course he does. Voldemort isn't a fool.' Dumbeldore stated, perhaps a bit more harshly than he had meant. Remus seemed unaffected, however. 'There is a way to cast them back into their fiery abyss, and though it involves all the same qualities as the spell that released them, again I say Voldemort is willing to give up or gain nearly anything to retrieve what he desires. He will send them after Harry, and then when they have delivered the prize, he will either send them back or have them slain.'
'That's possible?' Arthur commented.
'It is. Though he who slays the Dragon Rider dies himself. Again Voldemort would risk his Death Eaters to gain his prize.'
'Harry.' Sirius sighed noticeably. Dumbeldore nodded, sadly.
'Yes.'
'Well, what a Merry Christmas this is turning out to be.' Ron stated sarcastically. Somehow that brought smiles to all the faces in the room.
'I feel for now he is safe. But with these growing quandaries, I fear no one is safe. Harry was correct long ago in his assumptions, Sirius, when we talked to him about going into hiding. Voldemort would know to strike out at someone he cares for to bring Harry out of hiding. I fear that if the Dragon Riders do not succeed, or their loyalty wears thin before their purpose is complete, Voldemort would sink to such a level.'
'So we're all screwed.' Ron remarked bitterly.
'In a less than poetic sense, yes.'
Everyone sighed.
* * *
That night, Ron sat down on his desk and wrote a long letter to Hermione. He wasn't quite sure what to say, so much had happened in the stretch of her absence. He bitterly felt that stretch, and everything seemed to sting so much easier with her gone. Her presence was reassuring, and now that Ron didn't have that, everything was going. Pig delivered the letter eagerly, oblivious to his master's true feelings at this moment. He was starting to feel hopeless, lost, and slightly useless.
'They're all feeling that way.' he told himself and collapsed over his bed, replaying memories, thoughts, and fears in his mind till sleep found him.
* * *
Hermione,
It's very hard to find words at this moment in time. I wish you were here, I know right now that would make things a lot easier. I miss you, and Mum wishes you a Happy Christmas. Ours has not turned out so well, its near midnight and we've yet to open our presents. Dumbeldore arrived today with terrible news.
Have you ever heard of Dragon Riders? Well, somehow Voldemort's brought them up and has them searching for Harry, and he also reckons now that none of us are safe. Mum wants to have you sent back with Ministry Guard, but Moody's said that you can't just scoop an Auror out of his or her work. I trust you're doing okay, and I hope to hear from you. Please respond to this as soon as you can.
Love,
Ron
Hermione read the letter over and over again, hardly believing what she interpreted. With Dragon Riders, Harry was doomed! Her heart fluttering, her hands shaking, Hermione wrote well into the next night a response to her friend.
Ron,
Thank you for telling me these things. If I can I will come back to London and insist that the both of us work on this case. Have they still not given you work? My but trouble is growing for us all, isn't it? I do hope Harry is all right, and I hope that these matters have not been too pressing on you. I will be back when I can. Keep your chin up and know that Harry can take care of himself. Give my love to everyone, and tell Ginny I said hello. Keep your head up, all of you. I will come back as soon as I can. Be careful.
Love from,
Hermione
* * *
'The time is at hand.'
'Yes Master.'
'Potter is in our grasp?'
'Yes.'
'Let the reign of doom begin.'
