DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY MUSIC NOR DO I OWN HARRY POTTER!
THE BOYS WHO LIVED
Chapter 17: The Dragon Emperor
Quidditch proved to be a hard game as Gryffindor and Slytherin went at it for the title of the Hogwarts Quidditch cup. Swooping and diving the chasers dove in and scored which evened everything out. "Bloody hell both teams have gotten better!" said Draco as he watched from the sidelines with Harry and co.
The snitch zoomed past them as Harry started to think of what he should do now that he was not seeker. Draco thought the same, "Hey that moron should not have done that," he said pointing to one of the players. "Well next year we can get our teams to be better," Harry said, "Or we practice to join a professional team," Harry said Ron smirked and yelled at the Gryffindor keeper yet again, "Aw come one Mickey you can do better then that!" he yelled and they all laughed at his antics.
With only three weeks till the end of the school year the game went kind of quick. But the thing that ended the game was not the two seekers catching the snitch at the same time, but the very large shapes that flew across the sky.
Dark shadows flew across the sky flapping mighty leather wings as hundreds of dragons flew past them. They all headed towards castle grounds as students began to panic. Dumbledore then made the announcement, "ALL STUDENTS ARE TO RETURN TO THE CASTLE AT ONCE, PREFECTS LEAD YOUR HOUSES BACK TO THEIR COMMON ROOMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!" he announced and the Prefects hurriedly guided the students back towards the castle.
The students nearly ran each other over as they ran into the castle before running up to their common rooms. When the students returned did Dumbledore and the professors tried to lock down the castle. The dragons suddenly landed and all seemed to be waiting.
In the meantime Harry and co. could not make it back to the castle and thus hid in Hagrid's hut. The half giant along with fang waited patiently as the dragons landed on all corners of the castle, and along the walls on the grounds and awaiting rock faces. "What do you suppose they are waiting for?" asked Hermione.
As if the answer their question they all scattered into the air as hundreds of dragons suddenly took flight and away from Hogwarts. A monstrous shadow overtook the grounds as the sound of immense flapping took place as the large shape became know to them all.
As the shadow passed over Hagrid's hut they all became well aware of another dragon flying overhead. A roar like that of thunder took the skies as it landed next to Hogwarts.
To say that this dragon was truly a monster of legend was in fact colossal as it was clearly the size of the great hall. Its forearms being its wings were clearly immense as it generated a storm with each flap. As it landed however it walked on all fours like a leopard. It was graceful even for its immense size; it truly was a monster.
Its deep red scales the color of blood made it look formidable. It looked like the bull dragon out of some Muggle movie save for the catlike reptilian face which reminded them of another famous monster. The dragon gave a thunderous roar that shook the foundations of Hogwarts down to the very last stone.
Other dragons flew in to join the monster as they too added their voices. The dragons all landed around the castle as the monster there seemed to wait.
As they were waiting the group noticed that the dragon's scales were not as glossy as the rest of them. In fact they looked rather dull and old. The dragon seemed more wrinkled and aged then the rest of the group. One of the dragons a rather young one began to hop around the giant and many of the dragons looked at it nervously before the monster growled at it.
The young dragon then turned and flew down the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. When he landed he clicked his tongue and hissed gently. It then began to chirp and whistle.
Hagrid had been sitting rather nervously in the house for even though he loves dragons this many made even the half giant nervous.
The little dragon then cocked his head as he hopped onto the door chirping excitedly, but did not burn down the door. Hagrid getting curious opened the door slightly which was just enough for the dragon to leap into the house and began to lick his face.
"Gr off!' he shouted as the dragon continued to lick his face and then bury his head into his beard purring. "Fer da love of…..Norbert?" he asked the dragon. The dragon after hearing his name barked sharply and swished his tail slowly so as not to break anything else in the house.
"Is dat really u?" Hagrid asked and the dragon backed up to let the giant up. The dragon then turned to Harry and friends and barked happily. "Glad you remember us too," Harry said and the dragon then crawled up to them and sniffed. By taking in their scent the dragon gave a confused whistle before bounding out of the door again.
The others looked at the dragon as it stood there as if beckoning them to follow. Getting up they began to follow the dragon out fromon the steps and up the grounds till they were at last under the great monster.
The dragon in the meantime bent down low towards the ground when the little dragon came up to him squealing. The great giant bent his head down low and rumbled to the little one, and Norbert backed away before bowing. Then in small little grunts, squawks, and chirps he explained to the dragon about the humans behind him.
The great wyrm listened as the small ridgeback flapped his wings and after he was finished he sighed. Other dragons started to move in for the kill and the wizards grew afraid until a rumble from wyrm made them back off.
Dumbledore watched as the monstrous dragon lowered his head towards the group and took in their scent. It then gave a low hiss as it raised its head and barked at the others. From what the old wizard could see there as if every species of dragon on earth was present.
He could see Ridgebacks, Horntails, Iron bellies, Vipertooths, Welsh Greens, Blacks, Fireballs the like of which he has ever seen. The monster of a dragon standing above Harry however was a dragon he had never seen before. Fawkes who sat on his perch nervously looked out the window before fluttering his wings flew out of it.
The phoenix flew out the window and down the tower before landing gently on Harry's shoulder. Taking that as a cue to also accompany her master Hedwig who had been nervously watching from the owlry also landed on Harry's other shoulder. She was followed by Pig and Nightshade.
Other familiars began to approach as well and it was surprising that Mrs. Norris also walked out. The dragon looked down at all the animals present and roared to the skies above and the animals sensing danger moved to stop him when a screech was heard above.
A black dragon flew overhead with a white underbelly and a white streak. It gracefully soared over the black lake. Its Pterodactyl-like wings and birdlike body made it stand out among the other dragons. Dipping its wing it circled around the towers of Hogwarts before landing gracefully on the ground.
Harry and co. were surprised to see the dragon and the monster reared back in surprise. The dragon before them screamed at the large dragon puffing out its chest and spreading its wings. Harry and friends looked at the strange dragon before Draco whispered, "It is an adult Thunderbird!" he said and everyone looked at him, "Say again?" asked Ron, "It is an adult thunderbird in its full plumage! Or a young juvenile they get like this after they shed their down," he said and Harry turned to the dragon now staring defiantly at the old wyrm.
Dumbledore watched as this foolish storm dragon refuses to back off while the monster drooled acid on the ground. It then did something that no one else has ever done. It purred! He could hear the purring noises from all the way up in his office.
Harry and friends were shocked to see the dragon back off and rumble deep in his throat. He then did something that shook the foundations of Hogwarts to the core. He roared so loud and thunderous that the other dragons followed suit adding their own voices to the old wyrm's.
What was unexpected was the dragon bowing down low to the ground in front of the thunderbird with his wings spread. A deep rumble could be heard and the others did the same. He then circled Harry and company inspecting each and every one of them. He then locked eyes with Hagrid before touching his wing claw to Hagrid's face.
When he did so he rumbled something and Hagrid glowed golden for a few seconds before he saw Norbert's happy screech as he jumped at Hagrid licking his face.
The dragon then turned to the group and did the same except differently. He touched their foreheads and with a final roar began to flap his wings and caused a hurricane before flying up into the heavens followed by the other dragons.
Harry then turned to the dragon in front of them. It was the Thunderbird that remained, "Um thank you," he said and the dragon began to shift his form to that of a very familiar face. "Kai!" he said and ran up to her giving her a hug. After breaking away from him Hakkai Hunter turned to her friends. "Miss me," she said with her eyebrow raised up.
They all ran up to her and gave her a hug, "Hakkai why?" they asked, "Because you are my friends after all," she said, "What was that dragon?" asked Draco, "That was the dragon emperor himself," she said, "Dragon emperor?" asked Hagrid whom had Norbert next to him, "Yes and that glowing thing you just had was his blessing seeing as Norbert remembers you. He stood up for you after all," she said, "Well Aye an animagus?" Hagrid asked, "No I am an actual dragon," Hakkai said smirking.
Hagrid was even more stunned, "Nah Possible!" he replied, "Only my kind and the royal dragon himself have the power to become human," Hakkai said, "Indeed," said an old and wizen voice and they turned to see an old man dressed in regal robes of Asian origin walk up to them. Hakkai bowed low as the elder walked up to Hagrid. "Rubeus Hagrid?" he asked and the half giant walked up.
"I am Skyrunner; Emperor of dragons," he said extending his hand. Hagrid stunned for words shook it. "I understand from what Norbert's nurse dragon said he speaks highly of his adopted father." He said, "He does?" Hagrid asked, "Yes and because of this it shows me that you have what it takes to take care of Norbert," the emperor said and Hagrid beamed, "I can keep him?" he asked, "Yes the Ministry of Magic can't say a thing about it or else they will have to deal with me and the entire dragon nation." He said and Hagrid bowed in respect.
"You must be the famed 'boys who lived'?" the emperor said and bowed low. Stunned they tried to bow lower but a growl stopped them, "Don't fret yourselves with politeness young ones it is I who should bow. After all it is not every day that wizards meet someone such as myself," he said and Harry and others looked stunned.
"Who are you exactly?" asked Harry, "I am Skyrunner also known to all of dragonkind as emperor I have ruled the dragon nation for nearly 12,000 years," he said bowing to them. A low rumble alerted them to all the other dragons around them. They turned to the dragons that surrounded them and they too bowed low. "Um we are honored," said Draco nervously remembering his etiquette he bowed to show respect. "It is we who should bow to you; after all you did return one of our own," he said.
Hakkai was stunned, "Um I don't mean to be rude or anything but why is it that the dragon emperor shows himself to us when he has not before," she asked, the old man rose, "Because one of our own greatest treasures has returned to us," he said and Hakkai looked stunned, "those wizards have fought bravely to rescue you my lady Hakkai named after the god Seiryuu lord of the east. You have honored us well by being free from the snake demon's clutches." He said, "These wizards may not know it but they have become bound to you. The dragon nation will forever be in your debt," he said once again bowing. "For years we have searched for our missing Storm dragon chick.When we have heard that the parenting pair was killed by a snake demon many of us feared the worse. I have watched their numbers decline because of wizarding kind, and now we hold every one of them dear." He said, "As for your deeds you will be gracefully rewarded as well as having us align to you and only you no one else," he said.
To say that the guys were stunned was beyond words, "I thought…." Ron was about to say until he was hit in the gut by Hermione, "It is alright my people hide their sentience from all but those who are truly worthy." Skyrunner said as he then held out his hand. He walked up to each and every one of them putting his hand on each of their foreheads. "You are now blessed with the dragon's song. Should the need arise turn to us and we shall be there always." With that he walked backwards, "I heard that you have a concert to perform is that correct?" he asked and they all nodded, "Good I will see you then," he said and in a cloud of smoke he was gone.
"Blimey! That was one hell of a surprise!" Seamus said as they sat at the Gryffindor table. Draco was sitting with the Slytherins but rather then gloat about things he was rather quiet. "Hey man you think Draco looks a little lonely," he said, "Yeah not even Crabbe and Goyle seem to hang with him anymore." Said Dean as he got up and turned to the Slytherin table, "Hey Draco want us to sit with ya?" he asked and the blonde boy turned around to look at the Gryffindor.
Some of the Slytherin seventh years glared at him all that is except his fellow year mates. His fellow sixth years no long held any resentment towards the blonde boy. With encouragement from the sixth years Dean sat by Draco. The two talked for a while before the rest of the group sat by the Slytherins.
High on the table Dumbledore smiled as he watched his students start to mingle. After watching the display by the Gryffindors and the Slytherins other students began to mingle, Ravenclaw to Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff to Gryffindor, Slytherin to Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw to Gryffindor, all the students from sixth year started to mingle and slowly they were followed by their fellows including the first years.
It was the kind of spirit that Albus Dumbledore enjoyed a lot. He was simply twinkling even more in the eye now that all the students started to mingle with each other. With that he clapped his hands and the great hall was silenced, "As you all know the visit from the dragons has scared this school quite a bit. I should know I nearly wet myself from staring at that big one," he said and they all laughed.
"Now then on to announcements! As you all know the end of year is something to be cherished am I right?" he asked and they all nodded, "Mostly being the end of exams," with that they continued to agree.
"This year however will be a special end to another glorious school year. This year we have a special treat. Our very own Hogwarts students will be performing a special concert just for you!" with this said the students gave a sort of applause, "Oh don't go on to be like that they have performed marvelously at Winchester High School as you have heard from your fellow students. That is right I am talking about Draco Malfoy, Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter, Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomasand finally our special guest," he said and just as he said it the doors flew open with a gust of wind.
Hakkai stood outside looking uncaring as she walked in. "Sorry about that," she said. She looked at all the intermingling students, "Students may I present a special guest. She has come all the way from Winchester High School to be with us for a time. Please meet Hakkai Seiryuu Hunter student and music instructor for our boys who will also be performing with them is that correct?" he asked and Hakkai nodded. "Other guests include the Weird Sisters and also some other Wizarding groups." He said and the students began to mutter, "I've also added them for this concert. It will benefit those who have lost someone due to Voldemort's influence," he said and they cheered.
As if to emphasize this someone began to play music and Hakkai smirked, "This is also a dance, but dress casually so I suggest wear some Muggle clothes if you want." She said, "No dates so you fellahs don't have to worry unless you want to rules to change?" she suggested in a very Snape like fashion. All the students blanched as she then ran up doing a bit of cartwheels before somersaulting in the air before landing on the staff table.
The students began to chat, "Oh and one more thing," Hakkai said her voice carried over the hall, "There will be other guests there as well and it will be covered on the Wizarding Wireless," she said smirking to the delight of everyone present, "There will be booths there for those of you willing to shop so you can all enjoy yourselves," she said and then started to eat.
The excited bunch walked away towards the room of requirement but Hakkai directed them to the Chamber of Secrets to discuss the concert. They all agreed before heading down to the chamber.
TBC
A/n: kind of a cliff hanger and a sort of in between thing eh? Caught you off guard didn't I? Well I hope you read the next chapter for it will be the big day. And I guarantee it will be long.