Chapter 11

Hermione waited until Draco, Malfoy and everyone else for that matter left the library before making her way down the ladder. In silence she collected her things and like a drone, walked to the infirmary. At first Madam Pomfrey scorned her for leaving…until she saw just how pale she was.

"Ms Granger? Are you alright? Sit down girl quickly before you faint." Poppy helped her onto a bed, before Hermione vomited all over the floor. "Right, that's it. You will stay here until I see fit for you to leave." She did a quick scourgify spell and gave Hermione a set of white Pj's to wear. She got changed by herself, but insisted that she kept her bag with her. Poppy went to owl the Headmaster, while Hermione tore through her bag. Where is it where is it. Yes! I left it in here. She pulled out her large Dangerous beasts and where to find them book, and pulled out her piece of parchment with her translation on it. Dragon, Dragon, Condemnation, cruel/harsh. And he can breathe fire? That just isn't normal. He isn't human. Not that that is such a bad thing I guess. I mean, Professor Lupin was a werewolf and he was good. Right? She didn't want to believe he was evil. No, he isn't evil. I know he isn't from the way he held me, and the way he spoke to me when we were alone. She was more determined now than ever to find out what he was, and then who. Hermione scanned through the book, and saw a page with the Hungarian Horntail flash at her. she flipped back to it, and read aloud.

Hungarian Hurntail

Supposedly the most dangerous of all Dragon breeds; the Hungarian Horntail has black scales and is lizard-like in appearance. It has yellow eyes, bronze horns and similarly coloured spikes that protrude from its tail. The Horntail has one of the longest fire-breathing ranges (up to fifty feet). Its eggs are cement-coloured and particularly hard shelled; the young club their way out by using their tails, whose spikes are well developed at birth. The Hungarian Horntail feeds on goats, sheep, and whenever possible, Humans.

"Oh boy. That would explain his temperament." Wait, he isn't a Dragon. Why am I comparing him to…wait… she looked at the translation of his name. "Dragon, Dragon. Both his first names mean Dragon. So he is Dragon twice…why?" he bit her lip and looked back to the passage. The Horntail has one of the longest fire-breathing ranges (up to fifty feet). that was certainly clos to fifty feet in length back in the library when…he…oh I am going to hurl again! Hermione threw up at the side of her bed, but Poppy was there with a pale ready.

"Now you just rest dear. I will take this book and."

"No! I mean, I need it for now, thank you."

"Very well. But you rest." Poppy left, returning to her notes. Hermione felt like a washing machine and looked back to her book. His seal has two dragons on it. One was a Hungarian Horntail…as was one of his portraits in his room. The other Dragon in his seal and the family portrait was the Welsh green I think. she flipped through the pages, until she saw the one she wanted.

Common Welsh Green

The Welsh Green blends well with the lush grass of its homeland, though it nests in the higher mountains, where a reservation has been established for its preservation. The Ilfracombe Incident notwithstanding (see introduction), this breed is amongst the les troublesome of Dragons, preferring, like the Opaleye, to pray on sheep and actively avoiding humans unless provoked. The Welsh Green has an easily recognisable and surprisingly melodious roar. Fire is issued in thin jets. The Welsh Green's eggs are an earthy brown, flecked with green.

"Gosh, well that is like him too. I wondered why his voice seemed to sing. I thought it was charmed." She remembered his laugh and how it had sent her into a daze. "That explains that." -this breed is amongst the les troublesome of Dragons-

so the Hungarian and the Welsh are very different. Like Ying and Yang, balancing each other out. It explains his rash behaviour, and yet how gentle he can be with me…and he did say he didn't like Dragon skin gloves. He said it was cruel. And wait! Hermione felt something click.

The two Dragons in his seal.

The two Dragons in his name.

His temperamental behaviour.

His ability to breathe fire.

Magic seems to be repelled off him, like Dragon skin gloves. Dragon skin repels magic.

He is half Welsh green, half Hungarian Horntail! She gasped, and then shuck her head. No, that isn't right. He looks human. He would still be a huge Dragon if he was half Hungarian, half Welsh. He cant be half and half…unless…he was third and third and third? That would make more sense. Hermione sat back and closed her eyes. If he was part dragon, part dragon, part human, that would explain why he could use magic, but repel it. And he did say to Malfoy that he wasn't a pure blood. Oh gosh, Malfoy. She turned and threw up again.

"Oh dear. Three times since you got here. I am really worried now. What do you think Albus?" Poppy cleaned the sick up again, and Hermione looked up to see Dumbledore.

"Well I would offer you a lemon drop…but I don't think that would be suitable now would it?" Yes! Dumbledore! He will know all about this.

"Headmaster, can I speak with you?" she said groggily.

"Why of course you…can…" he saw the selected books on her lap, and then looked to the translation. "I see we must. Poppy, please leave us."

"But!"

"Please?" he said, the twinkle in his eye gone for the moment. She grunted but left all the same, and he turned other. "Tell me what you know child."

"He isn't human. His name means Dragon, Dragon, Condemnation, cruel and harsh. He can breath fire, repel magic, acts as violent as a Hungarian Horntail, and as gentle as a Welsh green, well, around me, in private anyway. And the same two Dragons are in his seal, and portraits in his room, oh gosh stop looking at me like that. he took me there to 'monitor' me for a while. And I don't know what that means either. And then there is the super strength and the growling and roaring, not to mention the melodic tone to his voice, like the Welsh green. He has the same temper and mind as the Hungarian Horntail."

"But the heart of a Welsh Green and the troubled, wronged soul of a mere human." Hermione blinked and let her mouth hang open for a minute.

"So you do know about him."

"My dear, I was there when he was born. As was Moody, Remus Lupin, James Potter and Cornelius Fudge."

"So…you know his parents?"

"You could say I knew his father." Dumbledore raised a hand to silence her. "And it is not my place to tell you any more. That is up to him."

"Is that why he wares a mask? Is he like the dragons I described?"

"He is indeed part Hungarian Horntail, part Welsh Green, and finally, part human. Wizard of course. A very powerful one too." He looked to her pale face. "My dear, you looked just fine this morning in the hall at breakfast, why are you so ill all of a sudden?"

"Well…I may have seen Draco breathe fire…against…"

"a mister Luscious Malfoy?"

"How did you know?"

"My dear, I just had to apparate him to St. Mungo's for immediate attention. He lost a lot of skin and blood. Master Draco is currently locked in my office. It appears, that he was more than distressed at the news."

"News?"

"Well my dear, we were both in my office…talking…about the affair when Madam Pomfrey's letter arrived by inter school owl post. I made the mistake of reading aloud and after the first sentence, I feared I shouldn't have. As, as soon as your name, violently ill, and infirmary, were spoken in he same breathe passed my lips, Draco demanded to see the rest of the note. I obliged and read the rest of the letter aloud and let him read it himself." He chuckled. "I had quite the job restraining him to my office. My magic, as you know now, does not work against him, so I had to summon a large, unbreakable rope and tie him down myself. But I fear with my flittered strength, it will not hold him long. I have never heard such profanities in my entire life as I did in those few moments." He chuckled again, and saw Hermione raise a brow. "Come now child. surely you have noticed how highly Master Draconian holds you in his priorities."

"Well I-"

"Ah! What are you doing here?"

"OUT OF MY WAY!" There was a skidding and crashing noise from outside the curtain, and Hermione couldn't believe the smile on Dumbledore's lips.

"I asked Professor Moody, Snape, and several other male teachers to accompany me, as if he walks in now, he will surely see the contents of you lap." He chuckled as she hurriedly stuffed everything, including the translation into her satchel, and smoothing her clothes out. She ran her hands over her hair, and saw Albus smile at her. "We must be presentable, mustn't we?" she blushed as he stood up, and called out. "It is alright now, you can release him."

"Get you hands off me! And you! I have half the mind to-" but he stopped as he saw her. his threatening fist fell to his side and he stepped in front of Albus. "Hermione…"

"Hello Draco." She smiled and Albus smiled too. Perfect. Everything is back on track. She hasn't rejected him for not being human. Good. this is just what he needs. "You seem to cause trouble no matter where you go, don't you?" she chuckled and felt the thud of Draco sitting on the bed. One hand shot out to her forehead, and the other took one of her hands.

"How are you feeling? What happened? If it was Malfoy then I swear I will."

"No! no, no it wasn't." she interrupted him with a smile. "I've just had a little shock, that's all. But I'm going to be ok. I think escaping the infirmary may not be an option this time though." She chuckled and he laughed too, making her go into a daze again. Melodious indeed. She thought as she blushed.

"Have you been sick?"

"Yeah, three times." She closed her eyes and chuckled.

"I think that perhaps you should." But Poppy saw Albus shake his head and lead her away.

"I think perhaps we should leave them alone for a while."

"But." But she sighed. She knew she wouldn't win this, and so left.

When they were alone, Draco looked around to make sure.

"Hermione…I was going to say something to you before."

"Oh?" is he about to…?

"I was…well…I warned you! I did! I said that I have a fowl temper, no mercy and no tolerance. I am bitter, twisted and vengeful. You know I have never had a friend and do not now the proper way of conduct. And-" but she placed her hand over where his mouth was under his mask.

"And I don't care." She opened her arms, and couldn't have sworn she heard him sniffle. He opened his arms and embraced her.

"I am so sorry Hermione. I truly am. But, if you teach me, I could try to be less of a bastard. I promise I will at least try."

"I know you will Draco, I know." She looked down his back and bit her lip to stop herself from gasping. There, coming out his back, sticking out from his robes was a long, thick tail. It was wrapped in a black sleeve, but it was there none the less. He must have felt her tense up, as he raised his head from her neck.

"Hermione?"

"Yeah?" she relaxed and hugged him back. "I am a little tired though. I think I just lost my breakfast, and all the food up to yesterday's breakfast."

"Then rest." He laid her down and pulled the cover over her. "I will watch over you as you sleep." one of his hands interlocked with hers, and she closed her eyes.

A chance, that is all he needs. And I will teach him. It will take a while, and it will probably won't be easy…but I will do it. and I will find out who your parents are, and why you are two thirds Dragon, one third human. Because that just isn't natural or even possible. She sighed and fell asleep, holding onto Draco who soon joined her in sleep, sat on a chair but his upper body on the bed with her.

"Hermione…" he whispered in his sleep, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug as they slept.

Poppy came back later, and smiled. They looked so cute like that, that she closed the curtain around them both and left them there, sleeping in each other's arms.