DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER
A/n: Freefall is the name of David's pteranodon in Dinotopia good miniseries you should watch.
THE RELUCTANT SLYTHERIN
CHAPTER 24: FREEFALL
Tory quickly walked into the rookery where the so called white Chocodragon chick was kept. The chick looked up from his pen his wings obviously too large for him as his feathers grew out wrong. His face was light yellow as he tried to sleep. "There, there," Tory said as she knelt by his side and stroked his white feathers. The chocodragon whistled low and soft for Tory as she petted the creature. "Why are you afraid?" she asked seeing the juvenile and the chocodragon made a noise and showed Tory its ruffled wings. It clearly was beaten up beaten up so bad that it is only in its white downy feathers still and all its normal feathers are plucked. Tory feeling bad began to clean the pen. "Hey Tory," Harry said as he came to check up on her, "Hey," she said as she finished the pen, "Had fun on your dragon?" she said, "Oh yes it is nothing like a broom but it feels as if I am flying on my own," Harry said, "Me and Shadow are enjoying our flight so much," he said. "Shadow?" Tory asked, "Yeah that is the name of my dragon," Harry replied and Tory looked down, "Don't worry Tory I am sure that you will fly a dragon," he said and looked the time, "Shit I was supposed to help Ron with his grappling technique see ya Tory," he then ran out the door.
Tory sat there next to the smaller Chocodragon her face silent and without feeling as she finished cleaning the pens. When she was done she then walked towards the white chick. "Why are you pulling your feathers out?" Tory asked the dragon as she noticed the amount of adult feathers on the ground, "Don't you want to fly?" she said softly as she stroked the dragon and the dragon peeped softly. As Tory looked small tears began to form from its eyes and she quickly gathered a jar to collect the tears. Dragon tears are used in a variety of healing potions for they can help as a disinfectant and a healing solution aside from phoenix tears.
The dragon chick continued to cry till Tory had nearly two four gallon buckets full of tears and called for someone to take the to the potion's lab. She then hugged the dragon, "There, there is it something I said?" she asked and the dragon peeped again in an affirmative, "Why don't you want to fly?" she asked and the dragon growled under his breath and Tory leaned in and felt bitter hatred for another under his skin.
It was then that Kama fluttered in and landed on the stall. He was soon followed by Arbok as the basilisk now twice the size as he used to be slithered inside. 'Is something wrong Tory-mama?' he asked, 'Yes Arbok this dragon refuses to grow his adult feathers to fly he is angry at something?' she said and the basilisk then slithered up to the dragon chick. The small chick recoiled back in fear as Arbok flicked his tongue in and out and began to hiss and chirp at the dragon. 'Arbok where did you learn that?' Tory asked, 'I learned it from listening to the other dragons,' the basilisk replied and Tory smiled when he told her. Arbok was really a smart serpent and he likes to learn when Tory is not around. The snake had learned to read English while they were at Hogwarts as well as remember various potions and spells even though he can't perform them. Arbok became truly a smart Basilisk.
Tory then glanced at the sleeping dragon as he lay curled up and flapped his wing stubs in sequence to flying. She then turned to Arbok, "So why doesn't he fly?" Tory asked, 'He is afraid because the other dragons hurt him that is why,' Arbok replied, 'Hurt him?' Tory asked, 'Yes they constantly pick on him because he is the runt of the clutch so he could not get the best portions and even when he tries to fly they would hurt him.' Arbok replied, 'I don't think that is fair!' Tory replied, 'I don't either Tory-Mama and I don't like it at all it reminds me of when you were at that castle starved and nearly dead," he said and Tory nodded. 'I am going to put everything in my power to make him fly again,' she said and the Basilisk nodded, "Kama are you going to help me?" Tory asked and the owl having learned how to speak snake nodded as well. He hooted his reply and then settled himself next to the dragon. "Well might as well," Tory said as she curled up with the sleeping chick.
The very next day found Tory practicing her balancing on the rails after tending to the chick and performing numerous exercises with it. The others had long since went to practice and are now doing aerial maneuvers in the air by leaping off their dragons and summoning their brooms which have been shrunk and tucked behind their ears it was a Chinese spell. They would then spin to the ground and do a turn before landing on their feet. Tory knew these maneuvers already since she had to practice then with some of the older dragons but she did not mind. As she watched them fly around the island in laps for their morning flight Tory smiled sadly wishing she could join them.
The hooting sound of Kama came in to keep her company and she longed for Chris's company but she had been deployed to South America. The young witch sighed as she leaned down and stroked her Pueo on the head, "I am all by myself again Kama," she said but the owl gave her a nip on the fingers and huffed, "Of course I have you and Arbok to keep me company." She said as she stroked the owl's soft feathers. Kama hooted a reply as he burrowed his head into her hand.
While she was interacting with Kama a yellow eye slowly opened as the young Chocodragon watched the woman who was caring for him. He saw her slowly stroke the owl her mind to the skies and the dragon vowed to himself that he would let her fly just once. Content he fell asleep again.
Later that evening found Tory in the rookery with the radio blasting a local song and she practiced her hip hop by the time Snape found her. The others had already gone to bed leaving the potions master to walk down the halls an old habit from back at Hogwarts. He had forgotten that here at the academy he does not have to worry since it was not his responsibility. But as it has old habits die hard and the potions master was the first to notice the lights on in the rookery. He did not hear anything until he walked inside and realize that there were silencing charms around the buildings. "Professor?" said a voice and Snape turned to find Harry, Ron and Hermione with him, "How did you three get out?" he asked and then slapped his forehead and muttered a curse remembering that this was not his school anymore so you can't hear them leave the dorms. "We were worried about Tory," said Hermione and Snape nodded and then turned to let them peek into the building.
They found Tory doing the splits when she dropped on her knees before getting up again and continued her little dance as she finished cleaning the shed. The four watched as the other dragons looked on in amusement with a few barn owls that are the only introduced species. They all ate at the mice that were caught trying to steal a few bits of food as they stared amused at the witch as she danced. She weaved her body this way and that as she dropped to the floors for a few spins and shoulder rolls. She bounced like a fighter yet graceful like a dolphin (sorry there are no swans here in Hawaii) she then ran and did a cartwheel and a few flips before landing on the other side of the hall.
When she was done she smiled to herself and then was surprised to hear the clapping of many hands. Turning she found the Gryffindor Trio, Professor Snape, Neville, Blaise, Ginny, Cho, Dean, Seamus, Luna the entire group had filtered in from all corners of the school to watch Tory and she felt highly embarrassed. "Um sorry," she said softly, "Sorry? What are you sorry for that was bloody brilliant," Ron said happily. "Can you show us again?" Cho asked and Tory smiled, "Well that was the hip hop dancing I was going to teach you after you were familiar with all the forms." She said embarrassed. She then waited till another song came on this one more of reggae beat to it. Tory began to hop around as if climbing stairs but keeping her body as loose as possible. She then got on the floor and began a few shoulder rolls and got up and called a few of them inside, "Alright I want you guys to loosen up first so do some stretches." She said and they did so.
She began to move hopping from one foot the other. She moved back and forth and then swung her legs under her and began a few moves such as shoulder roll, head spin and robot. When she did so the others clapped and then Seamus came in and began to dance with her. He showed some moves of his own as he did a few flips and that followed by getting on his hands and swinging his legs around in a circle and a shoulder roll.
While the music played the small white dragon watched as being awoken from all the clapping. When he turned his head to look he was amused by the antics of the humans as more joined the dance. It was fun and he wanted to join in the group but alas he was a dragon and not a human. He finally made a decision that if this human was willing to let him have some fun by watching (for she turned around and smiled at him) he was going to fly for her. He saw how sad she was for him and for herself so he promised himself that he would impress this human come flying day. He looked down at the feathers that started to grow and was tempted to pluck but stopped himself. Yes he would fly for this human he would.
Tory had the time of her life as she led others to learn how to dance hip hop and was surprised when she somehow convinced Professor Snape who at first flat out refused. It took a while before Tory made a deal with him and got him to dance and showed him how. The professor was surprised that he got it the first try. Tory was going slow and so when he finally got it he found that he enjoyed himself but hid it well. The others laughed and told him, "We won't tell anyone at Hogwarts Professor so don't worry," and he eventually gave in feeling out of place.
As the night wore on everyone enjoyed the break they had from the constant training and began to enjoy the music and dance. As the night wore on even the professor was surprised by this course of actions. When the last of the songs drew to an end the group found that they fell asleep in the rookery. From the shadows Professor Irwin conjured some beds for them as they fell asleep around the area.
It was the very next day that the group woke all that is except Tory who could sleep in late. They did their normal stretches and were once again with their dragons doing maneuvers. When they left Arbok slithered into the rookery, 'Tory mama wake up now,' he said and slowly Tory opened her eyes to glare at the basilisk. Arbok only smirked as he slithered up to her and flicked her with his tongue. 'Come on Tory mama wake up Arbok wants you to read something for me please?' he begged and Tory stretched and turned to him, 'What do you want Arbok,' she said and Arbok dropped the notice on the ground and Tory read it and was surprised, 'Another flight schedule?' she said and the basilisk nodded, 'Professor Irwin said that because of the war more fliers are needed so at noon tomorrow there will be another graduation ceremony,' he said and Tory nodded as she put the notice down. She needed a swim badly.
The ocean felt good against Tory's skin as she swam in the waves as a dolphin. Arbok was beside her and Kama had gone off hunting. She splashed and swam enjoying the ocean as she dove under. Being a dolphin is a lot of fun and she missed it. It would have been better if Chrisanne was with her but she was in Indonesia at the moment. Pumping her tail hard she glided through the sea with relative ease. The ocean felt good after nearly a year and a half of constant training and less fun. Voldemort had left a mark that was inevitable on the world. For now though Tory can relax and nearly laugh as Arbok swam like an eel and played with her. He leaped from the water and even adjusted his tail to allow fins to grow from them and his side. The basilisk turned out to be a metamorphmagus a strange shape shifter as it will. When he grew hungry he would turn on his death glare and kill a few fish to eat and an occasional shark.
When it was over Tory strolled out of the ocean and dried herself off with a wave of her hand. She even conjured up some water to rinse in. When she and Arbok were done she helped in washing the basilisk. It turns out that when a basilisk sheds his skin the new skin underneath is extra itchy. She got the scrubber and bucket from the rookery and began to scrub his scales which he loved so much. When she was done she cleaned his teeth and oiled his skin. When done with that she put her things away and sat down to rest enjoying the afternoon off.
It was well into the setting sun that the ceremony was to begin as the twelve new recruits gathered around the platform to confirm their way to riding a Chocodragon. The new batch of hatchlings flew around in circles as one by one the recruits began to call their dragons. Tory stood behind with the rest of the gang. When one called a dragon would answer and flew down to be saddled and ridden. When it came Tory's turn once more she got rid of all the fear in her heart and called. Once again there was no answer. She called again this time with tears beginning to stream down her face, no answer.
Barely made wings flapped in the wind as one struggled to rise above the water. After his flight feathers grew back he flapped them again and again to strengthen them as he flew out of the rookery. Up into the sky he could hear the humans calling for their chosen. He flapped higher and higher catching the wind as he rose higher and flying towards the meeting place.
"Tory come down already," said Professor Irwin and the others only smirked as Tory called again and Professor Irwin sighed, "Tory you tried already they will not come love now come down." He said and sigh as Tory once again called….
And this time there was an answer
The group stopped pointing fingers and stared as the call came again and even Harry's group stood stunned. Flying out of the clouds was the very same dragon that she took care of in the Rookery. Tory began to cry tears of joy as the dragon swooped low and made the other candidates duck as he flapped once and landed on the platform. He landed with ease on the platform as if practicing and turned around. Tory hesitated, well what are you waiting for come on the dragon said cocking his head and Tory ran up to the dragon throwing her saddle on and fastening it together before leaping on. Giving a final cry the dragon leaped off and took off into the sky.
Cries of joy greeted Tory as she flew and by her side was Kama as well as the rest of the group. Tory screamed with joy as the dragon flapped his wings around the island's highest peak. The clouds and the green that stretched gave it the feel of traveling through time. Tory held on as the dragon went barely over them and then dove down. Um do you have a name?she asked and the dragon chuckled, Freefall I decided to call myself that after a certain dinosaur you loved so much he said and Tory smiled even brighter as she turned and Kama glided by her side but he was joined by others birds of various colors joined as Tory laughed it off. The sounds of other dragons filled the skies as she rode on Freefall and like Professor Irwin said….
"The greatest sensation is when you ride a dragon for the first time,"
TBC
