A/N: None here.
Disclaimer: Harry doesn't belong to me, blah, blah, blah. I only own Amelia, Ebony-Crested Dragon snakes, Silecia, and any and all Dark Woods harps. Oh, and I do use some of the same techniques Rowling uses with some fun lines I always enjoyed, so please don't sue me! I need all the money I can get for my student ambassador trip!
Parseltongue will be "~...~"
Chapter 16: Cards and Cautions
Oh, I'll just list the lyrics once, but the song I would most likely call the theme and embodies the mood of this story to me is "The Vampire Lestat" from I'm guessing the Queen of the Damned. Awesome song when you actually listen to it. Not that I'm promoting you to go out and download it or anything... *Turns back to reviewer and whistles innocently as she points behind her back at www.limewire.com*
Finally recover, and the moon is right,
Looking up into a neon sky,
Side of me takes over, 'cause it's been too long
Since the last time that I tried to fly
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles
All I need's a moment just to get away
From the stressfulness of everyday
One final question, and I never doubt
Everything is goin' to be okay
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles
(I don't know if I'll be alright
I don't know-)
Is it okay to be myself?
Or do we always have to fight?
It's alright
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles...
Oh, in case you are wondering why this is the theme, it's because I write the quickest when listening to this song. Okay, back to the fic. I'm sorry this took so long to put up, but like many writers, I've been bogged down with last minute assignments and projects; I haven't had ANY time to write at all. Winter break is here, though, so now I can write for freely the next two weeks! All say "yeah"!
-------------------------------------
"~Wake up, Harry!~"
The boy turned over in his bed, smothering his face in the pillow.
"~Shut up, Amelia...~"
"~Harry, wake up! You have to let the owls in!~"
"~Owls?~"
"~It's your birthday, I believe, judging by the letters I can see that say 'Happy Birthday' on them.~"
The three foot snake hissed in amusement as Harry sat up quickly for someone who had been so adament about sleep only moments ago. Silly humans, she thought. Harry stumbled out of bed and over to the small room's window. Yes, there were several birds wanting in, and so he flung the window open. The birds all landed on his bed, staying cautiously away from Amelia. Harry removed the birds' burdens, and they all took flight right out the window without a moment's pause.
Looking down at his first present, he studied the neat handwriting of Blaise and remembered the tawny owl that had delivered it. When did Blaise get an owl? Is it even hers? Opening up the package, he picked up a small athame, or dagger, and let his mind identify it. The handle was perfectly worked of an odd silverish material with small snakes engraved in it, their bodies outlined in black pearl, eyes glistening opals. A small ring sat at the bottom of the handle, though he didn't know why it was there. The blade had a strange jade hue to it, almost to saying it was luminous, and he could see that the edges were serpentine-like, with the tiniest fang-like ridges which would clearly make pulling the athame out hurt worse than going in. That brought a small smile to his face. An arm sheath of smooth, black dragonhide was included, and he put the athame in it and strapped it to his right arm. It fit perfectly, going from the small ring at his wrist to the tip of the sheath at his elbow. He looked at the note Blaise had provided.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I'm sorry I couldn't deliver your present in person, but my parents took me to a hospital in London. For some reason, my voice has gotten very hoarse and I cough up blood sometimes. That's why I haven't seen you for the past week; I didn't want you to know if you didn't have to. My parents finally were convinced it wasn't strep throat when I violently covered my dinner in blood, and immediately took me to my current location.
You're wondering about your present, right? How I got it to you? Well, when the owl delivering my school letter brought it to me at the hospital (that took a bit of smoothing over), I told my parents I needed to go to Diagon Alley to get school supplies. Well, they weren't very pleased, but they told the hospital I had to leave for the afternoon for that reason. Of course, they just thought it was a regular boarding school, no suspicion here.
Needless to say, my parents were thrilled when we entered Diagon Alley. Hagrid took me around last year for my school things, and they were just like a couple of first-years. After I got all my school things, I convinced them to let me get you a present and an owl. I actually got to go to Knockturn Alley! I suppose you've been there, but that's where I got your present. I think the store was called Borgin and Birkes? Not sure, but I met up with Draco in the alleyway. I couldn't really talk by this point, but I managed to tell him why I was there, anyway. His present should probably have reached you by now. But once back in the main Diagon Alley, we went to Eyelop's and got the tawny you saw. I named him Van, don't know why, you know I'm often impulsive. I want to be able to mail you guys when I want to, and be able to have a familiar.
This letter's really long, and the hospital people should be coming in really soon, so I need to say goodbye. Don't worry about me; they can't even figure out how I'm sick!
Blaise
"~Well, that's not good. I've only seen people cough up blood after they've gotten in some sort of trouble, and her voice is giving out. I wish her owl had stuck around so I could give her a reply. She must have told the owl to leave after delivering. Damn her,~" he whispered, and Amelia gave him a small squeeze on the arm in a comforting way. He shook his head and picked up a package from Draco.
The moment he opened the package, a bunch of confetti flew up into the air with a minor explosion, and the box of the package was ripped apart as the present inside grew to its regular size, apparently shrunk for transportation sake. He didn't even notice the letter at first that had fallen on his lap; he sat staring at the two presents from Draco in front of him: a mini dragon, a two-foot tall Hungarian Horntail from the look of it, which sat resting on a mount-ready Nimbus Two Thousand One.
"Oh, Gods! It's the new broom! The one I heard about in development last year! And the dragon! Draco, you've outdone yourself!" And in happy giddiness which he normally did not have, he ripped open Draco's letter. A small black book also fell out of it, but the excited boy tossed it lazily onto his desk and read the note.
Hey Harry,
Happy Birthday! You didn't think I'd forget it, did you? How's life with the Muggles? I know you're probably having them wait on you hand and foot, so I won't worry about you too much on that issue.
Do you like your birthday presents? Well, really the dragon's the real present. My father is planning to furnish the entire Slytherin team this year with the Nimbuses; since I'm trying out and you with me, I figured I'd just send the broom along, too. I know you wanted to last year, so we have to try out for the team this year! Whether you admit it or not, you're great Seeker material, friend.
Now, about the dragon. Yes, as you have most likely guessed, this is a real, miniature, Hungarian Horntail. A new acquisition of Mr. Nott's store. It's got all the spells on it that post owls do, so it can locate and deliver mail to anyone pretty much anywhere. Now of course, a dragon will be spotted much easier than an owl, so you'll have to be careful, but a common bird just didn't seem good enough for you. Besides, if someone tries to intercept your letter, the Horntail can put up a nasty fight!
My father is sitting at the desk opposite me and is reminding me of what he wants me to tell you. You must be very careful, Harry. The Deatheaters are divided between loyal and nonloyal. They know Tom's gone, and you will be stepping in as soon as you finish school in his absence. However, the traitors want to kill you, and our spies among their forces, whom I can't name in case this letter is intercepted, say they're planning to attack very soon. It wasn't hard for them to find the papers saying where the Muggles live. Be on your toes.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Draco
Harry picked up the little dragon, who seemed to know he was its new master because it didn't attack him, and sat it down next to Amelia, who seemed to be quite interested in this new familiar, seeming to talk to it in its hidden ear, the dragon letting out small chirrups and snorts.
"~Amelia, can you understand the tongues of dragon?~"
"~Oh, yes. Fortunately, all dragons know Parseltongue, because my body is incapable of speaking in Draconis. You or myself could address him in regular Parseltongue, and he'd understand.~"
"~Ah, well that's useful. And he can deliver mail, too. Very nice,~" said Harry and turned to the dragon now looking at him with its slit eyes. "~Hello, my name is Harry. What's your name?~"
The dragon let out a small roar, though diminuitive because of its size, and Amelia turned to Harry.
"~He says his name is Mithra.~"
Harry smiled as he watched the dragon curl up and go to sleep amid Amelia's coils.
"~He really is a young thing, Harry. Quite young, I'd say only a year old. He'll grow to be twenty feet tall by the time he hits three. He'll need to learn how to change sizes like I do. And to think that's still qualified as a miniature dragon.~"
"~Yes, yes,~" murmured Harry, standing next to the desk. He was distracted by something outside the window. It was still dark outside, rightly so, as the clock read 3:30. But, he thought, or rather... _felt_... something moving on the street below. Several somethings...
"~Amelia, we have unexpected company.~"
The dragon snake shifted on the bed, careful not to wake Mithra, and brought her body up Harry's, so as to see out the window.
"~Those look like the Deatheaters at the chateau. Do you think Draco's information was correct?~"
"~This is proof,~" growled Harry, turning towards the door as he heard footsteps come up the walk. "~Amelia, this will not be pleasant. You can stay here, if you'd like.~"
"~No, I'm coming with you. Just let me grow closer to my true size. Give a shock factor.~"
"~Fine, I'm putting a sleep spell on Mithra. Sopor!~" he hissed, aiming at the dragon's young eyes. The Horntail glowed periwinkle blue for a moment and went on sleeping. Satisfied, he turned back to where Amelia had been before and was staring into two large silver eyes. Looking closely in the dark room, his friend had been forced to curl in upon herself to even fit in the room. She had to be close to thirty feet long.
"~This isn't even your true size?!~"
Amelia shrugged as only a snake could and said, "~Well, no. I'm much longer in true form, though I'm about as wide as I am right now.~" She was roughly four feet wide.
Both turned towards the bedroom door as they heard the front door blasted open with an "Alohamora!"
The Dark Heir held his wand in his right hand and his athame in his left. It looked like he would be getting early practice with it.
"~Come on, my friend. Let's go greet our unfortunate guests.~"
And both left the room, Harry leading the way downstairs. They both met the Deatheaters in the entry hall. Harry noted in amusement that several looked startled by the huge snake hovering over Harry's shoulder, foot long fangs exposed and threatening.
"Sssso, Deatheatersssss," said Harry, copying Tom in the silky quality of voice and his way of severely pronouncing his sss's when angry. He smirked at the horror on the Deatheaters' faces, then the sudden realization. Harry couldn't use magic. Take out the snake and then he'll fall easy. What idiots.
"Impedimenta!" shouted one of the masked number. From the voice, it sounded like Avery.
Harry quickly blocked the spell with a simple shield charm. He quickly saw the glances between the men here.
"Ah, you all thought the Great Dark Heir couldn't even ussse magic. Bad missstake, one that will mosssst likely prove fatal before the end of thisss night."
-------------------------------------------
A/N: Again, sorry for not updating, but yeah, school blows dogs for quarters, as my brother so lovingly puts it. Next chapter should be out quick. Thanks for being so patient!
Review responses:
Forgive me once more! In all my school papers, I seem to have misplaced my review list, and the mail has disappeared from the "Old mail" section. Argh! Sorry about that! Please don't hate me! I know the linch party's already out for me for not updating in like a week!
(December 18, 2003)
Disclaimer: Harry doesn't belong to me, blah, blah, blah. I only own Amelia, Ebony-Crested Dragon snakes, Silecia, and any and all Dark Woods harps. Oh, and I do use some of the same techniques Rowling uses with some fun lines I always enjoyed, so please don't sue me! I need all the money I can get for my student ambassador trip!
Parseltongue will be "~...~"
Chapter 16: Cards and Cautions
Oh, I'll just list the lyrics once, but the song I would most likely call the theme and embodies the mood of this story to me is "The Vampire Lestat" from I'm guessing the Queen of the Damned. Awesome song when you actually listen to it. Not that I'm promoting you to go out and download it or anything... *Turns back to reviewer and whistles innocently as she points behind her back at www.limewire.com*
Finally recover, and the moon is right,
Looking up into a neon sky,
Side of me takes over, 'cause it's been too long
Since the last time that I tried to fly
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles
All I need's a moment just to get away
From the stressfulness of everyday
One final question, and I never doubt
Everything is goin' to be okay
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles
(I don't know if I'll be alright
I don't know-)
Is it okay to be myself?
Or do we always have to fight?
It's alright
Finally I find, when I lose control
Inside, my body crumbles
It's like therapy for my broken soul
And inside my body crumbles...
Oh, in case you are wondering why this is the theme, it's because I write the quickest when listening to this song. Okay, back to the fic. I'm sorry this took so long to put up, but like many writers, I've been bogged down with last minute assignments and projects; I haven't had ANY time to write at all. Winter break is here, though, so now I can write for freely the next two weeks! All say "yeah"!
-------------------------------------
"~Wake up, Harry!~"
The boy turned over in his bed, smothering his face in the pillow.
"~Shut up, Amelia...~"
"~Harry, wake up! You have to let the owls in!~"
"~Owls?~"
"~It's your birthday, I believe, judging by the letters I can see that say 'Happy Birthday' on them.~"
The three foot snake hissed in amusement as Harry sat up quickly for someone who had been so adament about sleep only moments ago. Silly humans, she thought. Harry stumbled out of bed and over to the small room's window. Yes, there were several birds wanting in, and so he flung the window open. The birds all landed on his bed, staying cautiously away from Amelia. Harry removed the birds' burdens, and they all took flight right out the window without a moment's pause.
Looking down at his first present, he studied the neat handwriting of Blaise and remembered the tawny owl that had delivered it. When did Blaise get an owl? Is it even hers? Opening up the package, he picked up a small athame, or dagger, and let his mind identify it. The handle was perfectly worked of an odd silverish material with small snakes engraved in it, their bodies outlined in black pearl, eyes glistening opals. A small ring sat at the bottom of the handle, though he didn't know why it was there. The blade had a strange jade hue to it, almost to saying it was luminous, and he could see that the edges were serpentine-like, with the tiniest fang-like ridges which would clearly make pulling the athame out hurt worse than going in. That brought a small smile to his face. An arm sheath of smooth, black dragonhide was included, and he put the athame in it and strapped it to his right arm. It fit perfectly, going from the small ring at his wrist to the tip of the sheath at his elbow. He looked at the note Blaise had provided.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I'm sorry I couldn't deliver your present in person, but my parents took me to a hospital in London. For some reason, my voice has gotten very hoarse and I cough up blood sometimes. That's why I haven't seen you for the past week; I didn't want you to know if you didn't have to. My parents finally were convinced it wasn't strep throat when I violently covered my dinner in blood, and immediately took me to my current location.
You're wondering about your present, right? How I got it to you? Well, when the owl delivering my school letter brought it to me at the hospital (that took a bit of smoothing over), I told my parents I needed to go to Diagon Alley to get school supplies. Well, they weren't very pleased, but they told the hospital I had to leave for the afternoon for that reason. Of course, they just thought it was a regular boarding school, no suspicion here.
Needless to say, my parents were thrilled when we entered Diagon Alley. Hagrid took me around last year for my school things, and they were just like a couple of first-years. After I got all my school things, I convinced them to let me get you a present and an owl. I actually got to go to Knockturn Alley! I suppose you've been there, but that's where I got your present. I think the store was called Borgin and Birkes? Not sure, but I met up with Draco in the alleyway. I couldn't really talk by this point, but I managed to tell him why I was there, anyway. His present should probably have reached you by now. But once back in the main Diagon Alley, we went to Eyelop's and got the tawny you saw. I named him Van, don't know why, you know I'm often impulsive. I want to be able to mail you guys when I want to, and be able to have a familiar.
This letter's really long, and the hospital people should be coming in really soon, so I need to say goodbye. Don't worry about me; they can't even figure out how I'm sick!
Blaise
"~Well, that's not good. I've only seen people cough up blood after they've gotten in some sort of trouble, and her voice is giving out. I wish her owl had stuck around so I could give her a reply. She must have told the owl to leave after delivering. Damn her,~" he whispered, and Amelia gave him a small squeeze on the arm in a comforting way. He shook his head and picked up a package from Draco.
The moment he opened the package, a bunch of confetti flew up into the air with a minor explosion, and the box of the package was ripped apart as the present inside grew to its regular size, apparently shrunk for transportation sake. He didn't even notice the letter at first that had fallen on his lap; he sat staring at the two presents from Draco in front of him: a mini dragon, a two-foot tall Hungarian Horntail from the look of it, which sat resting on a mount-ready Nimbus Two Thousand One.
"Oh, Gods! It's the new broom! The one I heard about in development last year! And the dragon! Draco, you've outdone yourself!" And in happy giddiness which he normally did not have, he ripped open Draco's letter. A small black book also fell out of it, but the excited boy tossed it lazily onto his desk and read the note.
Hey Harry,
Happy Birthday! You didn't think I'd forget it, did you? How's life with the Muggles? I know you're probably having them wait on you hand and foot, so I won't worry about you too much on that issue.
Do you like your birthday presents? Well, really the dragon's the real present. My father is planning to furnish the entire Slytherin team this year with the Nimbuses; since I'm trying out and you with me, I figured I'd just send the broom along, too. I know you wanted to last year, so we have to try out for the team this year! Whether you admit it or not, you're great Seeker material, friend.
Now, about the dragon. Yes, as you have most likely guessed, this is a real, miniature, Hungarian Horntail. A new acquisition of Mr. Nott's store. It's got all the spells on it that post owls do, so it can locate and deliver mail to anyone pretty much anywhere. Now of course, a dragon will be spotted much easier than an owl, so you'll have to be careful, but a common bird just didn't seem good enough for you. Besides, if someone tries to intercept your letter, the Horntail can put up a nasty fight!
My father is sitting at the desk opposite me and is reminding me of what he wants me to tell you. You must be very careful, Harry. The Deatheaters are divided between loyal and nonloyal. They know Tom's gone, and you will be stepping in as soon as you finish school in his absence. However, the traitors want to kill you, and our spies among their forces, whom I can't name in case this letter is intercepted, say they're planning to attack very soon. It wasn't hard for them to find the papers saying where the Muggles live. Be on your toes.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Draco
Harry picked up the little dragon, who seemed to know he was its new master because it didn't attack him, and sat it down next to Amelia, who seemed to be quite interested in this new familiar, seeming to talk to it in its hidden ear, the dragon letting out small chirrups and snorts.
"~Amelia, can you understand the tongues of dragon?~"
"~Oh, yes. Fortunately, all dragons know Parseltongue, because my body is incapable of speaking in Draconis. You or myself could address him in regular Parseltongue, and he'd understand.~"
"~Ah, well that's useful. And he can deliver mail, too. Very nice,~" said Harry and turned to the dragon now looking at him with its slit eyes. "~Hello, my name is Harry. What's your name?~"
The dragon let out a small roar, though diminuitive because of its size, and Amelia turned to Harry.
"~He says his name is Mithra.~"
Harry smiled as he watched the dragon curl up and go to sleep amid Amelia's coils.
"~He really is a young thing, Harry. Quite young, I'd say only a year old. He'll grow to be twenty feet tall by the time he hits three. He'll need to learn how to change sizes like I do. And to think that's still qualified as a miniature dragon.~"
"~Yes, yes,~" murmured Harry, standing next to the desk. He was distracted by something outside the window. It was still dark outside, rightly so, as the clock read 3:30. But, he thought, or rather... _felt_... something moving on the street below. Several somethings...
"~Amelia, we have unexpected company.~"
The dragon snake shifted on the bed, careful not to wake Mithra, and brought her body up Harry's, so as to see out the window.
"~Those look like the Deatheaters at the chateau. Do you think Draco's information was correct?~"
"~This is proof,~" growled Harry, turning towards the door as he heard footsteps come up the walk. "~Amelia, this will not be pleasant. You can stay here, if you'd like.~"
"~No, I'm coming with you. Just let me grow closer to my true size. Give a shock factor.~"
"~Fine, I'm putting a sleep spell on Mithra. Sopor!~" he hissed, aiming at the dragon's young eyes. The Horntail glowed periwinkle blue for a moment and went on sleeping. Satisfied, he turned back to where Amelia had been before and was staring into two large silver eyes. Looking closely in the dark room, his friend had been forced to curl in upon herself to even fit in the room. She had to be close to thirty feet long.
"~This isn't even your true size?!~"
Amelia shrugged as only a snake could and said, "~Well, no. I'm much longer in true form, though I'm about as wide as I am right now.~" She was roughly four feet wide.
Both turned towards the bedroom door as they heard the front door blasted open with an "Alohamora!"
The Dark Heir held his wand in his right hand and his athame in his left. It looked like he would be getting early practice with it.
"~Come on, my friend. Let's go greet our unfortunate guests.~"
And both left the room, Harry leading the way downstairs. They both met the Deatheaters in the entry hall. Harry noted in amusement that several looked startled by the huge snake hovering over Harry's shoulder, foot long fangs exposed and threatening.
"Sssso, Deatheatersssss," said Harry, copying Tom in the silky quality of voice and his way of severely pronouncing his sss's when angry. He smirked at the horror on the Deatheaters' faces, then the sudden realization. Harry couldn't use magic. Take out the snake and then he'll fall easy. What idiots.
"Impedimenta!" shouted one of the masked number. From the voice, it sounded like Avery.
Harry quickly blocked the spell with a simple shield charm. He quickly saw the glances between the men here.
"Ah, you all thought the Great Dark Heir couldn't even ussse magic. Bad missstake, one that will mosssst likely prove fatal before the end of thisss night."
-------------------------------------------
A/N: Again, sorry for not updating, but yeah, school blows dogs for quarters, as my brother so lovingly puts it. Next chapter should be out quick. Thanks for being so patient!
Review responses:
Forgive me once more! In all my school papers, I seem to have misplaced my review list, and the mail has disappeared from the "Old mail" section. Argh! Sorry about that! Please don't hate me! I know the linch party's already out for me for not updating in like a week!
(December 18, 2003)