Disclaimer: I alas do not own Harry Potter I wish I did but I don't. All I own is this computer I'm working on and a few other items in this room of mine.
A/N: Hi people. I am so sorry this took so long but my computer was going under upgrades and I only got it back a few days ago. Now then I would also like to say I don't mind getting flames but when I get one like the one I got a few days ago I really do feel like killing for something like that. If you know who did it kick him in the back for me also so you know I well keep posting this story no matter what others say so don't worry those of you who really like it. Now on with the show.
Chapter 15: Dragon Hunt.
/ Telepathic /
27 October 1996 A.D 14:05 PM
Charley walked up to his bothers and nodded to them, gifting them with a serious glare. "Now, I want you all to understand that I'm only letting you come with me because I think this is only a young dragon so I'm not expecting it to be too dangerous. However you can never be too sure with dragons, even young ones. I expect you to stay close to me at all times, do exactly as I say when I say it and keep you wands ready."
Fred and George nodded with their normal cheeky grins on their faces while Ron just looked nervous about going into the forest but he was determined. This was the perfect opportunity for him to learn something about Dragons and this one being so conveniently close to Hogwarts looked like a good one to start with.
Charley studied them for a long moment before he nodded and led the way into the forest with long confident strides. None of the dragon hunters spotted the cloaked figure lurking in the undergrowth that followed them as they moved deeper into what had been his home many years ago. It had been his home in eons past but even though so much time had passed to this day it still remained his home and he felt that the forest itself knew him.
No animal or beast would dare to attack this cloaked hunter who seemed to ooze danger.
The first sign that a Dragon was living in the woods was found a half-hour later on one of the oldest tracks to be found within the forest.
Charley looked over the half-eaten carcass of a deer noting that it had been killed not too long before. He knew that the kill was fresh and he took particular note of the tracks around the body. Ron and the twins stood right behind him as he made his examination, Ron looking a little green and the twins unusually solemn.
"Well, definitely a dragon. It's eaten not to long ago so we can hope that it was happy with this meal and will not be so inclined to start getting sassy with us." He commented before getting to his feet. He had been careful to examine the bite marks on the lower half of the carcass and had noted that most of the blood had been drained from the body.
Ron looked at the body one hand over his mouth and nose to help block the coppery smell of fresh blood and uncooked meat. "How do you know a dragon did this? I mean there are other things in this forest that can do that."
Charley nodded and smiled at his youngest brother pleased that he was asking questions. "True, but the last time I checked there were no animals of any appreciable size in this forest that would take its time with its kill. It takes time to drain, as in suck the blood from a deer of this size. The size of the prints suggest the thing is as large as two horses and I'd say it is a young dragon that is still growing and that is definitely a reptilian spoor." He said pointing to the set of four prints next to the body and the disturbed ground that suggested a sweep of tail.
Fred was looking in one of the prints while Charley was talking "Hey what is this?" he said pulling a silver colour scale out of the print that was large enough to fit in the palm of his hand.
Charley looked at the scale and noted that it bore a couple of small scratches as though it had been pulled off the body but knew that it was more likely to have fallen from the main body and that the scratches were the result of irritated scratching.
"That my brother is a dragon scale and I think the beast is malting which will not improve its temper any. I've never seen a silver before… must be older than I thought. Or it might be a new breed I have never seen before." He looked worried at the thought.
Fred nodded and placed the scale in his pocket then followed his brothers deeper into the forest. Everyone had their wands at the ready ever now and before the site of the kill was hidden by forest undergrowth he glanced back, wondering if this might be a huge discovery. A new dragon species?
After the brothers had left the clearing a figure slipped through the undergrowth and up to the kill. He scowled as he looked around him taking note of the half-eaten carcass and knowing only too well that normally his dragon would have eaten all of the kill and a few more as well.
"She still is not eating probable." Harry sighed and looked up to watch the forest where the brothers were venturing in search of his friend. They were not very far ahead of him and he needed to keep it that way. "Better get moving and get this over with."
He set out to follow the team at a smart pace without making a sound, his cloak falling out behind him in a brief flare of silver.
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Tonks looked at the still suffering Silvenestri and sighed. She was alone with the dragon, Hermione having recently taken a path back to the school that was very unlikely to bring her face to face with the hunters. Tonks did not want there to be any chance that Hermione would be caught with her and the Dragon.
"Its all right Silvenestri. Harry will take care of everything. Just rest and you'll feel better for it. I know you didn't eat much but I bet you are feeling better than you did before." She walked over to Silvenestri and rubbed her chin softly.
Silvenestri nodded her head a little and purred softly at Tonks's soft touch and even opened one eyes outer lid in mute appeal. Another sigh escaped her when in answer to the appeal Tonks rubbed a spot that was starting to itch.
"Thank you, and yes, I am feeling a little better than I was, but I need more time." Her voice was low, barely audible as she was very aware of the danger that the Dragon Hunters represented.
While she knew that the Dragons were a protected species and the hunters were not going to hurt her, merely remove what they assumed to be a wild dragon from the vicinity of the school and to a safe reserve, she was not inclined to be either hunted or removed. Nor was she happy with the notion of being recognised as a greater dragon.
"Shhhh save your strength and don't worry about Harry. He'll be safe and he'll be able to stop any one from seeing you." Tonks assured her softly and settled down next to Silvenestri.
After a moment she began to sing softly to the dragon and the looming circle of trees seemed to amplify the song, causing it to carry though the woods. It was a song her mother would sing to her whenever there was s storm when she was younger and would be frightened.
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Charley heared the sound of singing coming from up ahead and froze, listening carefully before he relaxed. It was not the song of a Dryad or other wild sprits that could pose a danger to his brothers but a human song sung in a soft and melodious voice. A decidedly human voice and a soft soothing song to that any mother would sing to calm a scared child.
"Hey, do you guys know if anyone has gone missing in these woods over the last couple of days?" he glanced over his shoulder at his brothers while listening to the singer.
The twins shook their heads in a prompt negative but Ron scowled before shaking his head in the negative. He moved up closer to Charley, unwilling to raise his voice if there was a dangerous creature somewhere in the neighbourhood… and this was the forbidden forest, after all. There was always something dangerous lurking around.
"No. Tonks was at the castle but she and Harry's daughter, Silvenestri, left the other day. He said that they were going into Hogsmeade to get out of the castle for a day or two. The little girl wanted to explore and visit Hogsmeade alone but Harry asked Tonks to go with her. No one is missing as far as I know."
Charley nodded having heared about Harry and the little girl he was looking after before continuing on into the forest and not noticing the cloaked figure that was moving parallel to them. Harry had been moving alone side of them for a few minutes now, any sound that he might have made was hidden by the sound of the wind moving in the canopy of the trees. He moved in the lower branches of the trees, ghost like, a wraith and his eyes never left the Weasley Brothers down on the forest floor.
It was time to distract the hunters and Harry was still torn as to what he must do, but he would not have anything happen to part him form Silvenestri.
George was the first to hear the low whistling sound and paused, reaching for his twin who was frowning and now glanced behind them. Charley paused as the whistle wafted eerily through the forest and Ron froze, looking about him, not knowing what to expect. At a signal from Charley they moved back along the path they had taken trying to find what it was making the sound. After a moment of cautious creeping and intense listening to the low whistle the sound stopped and the sharp cracking sound of a tree branch snapping off from its parent was heard. Charley glanced up and threw himself at Ron and yelled for the twins to move. The four red heads dived out from under the falling branch that came crashing down to lie where they had been standing only seconds before.
"What the hell did that?" Fred stared up at the tree and then bent to examine the branch. He whistled softly at sight of the clear cut marking the branch.
Charley stared at the cut for a long moment, then looked up into the tree, unable to see the point from which the branch was originally cut. He knew that it had to be fairly high up in the tree and the cleanness of the strike sent a chill up his spine. A single cut.
"I don't know. What I do know is that it was a clear cut and it was a single fast stroke. Something is not right about this." He whispered. "Something is very wrong." He looked at each of his brothers, wondering briefly if perhaps he should not send them back to Hogwarts, but that would mean sending them alone through the forbidden forest. "Be on the look out all of you."
The three brothers exchanged looks, Ron gulping visibly and staring up into the trees. Each considered the other for a long moment and they nodded agreeing to watch each other's backs silently and walked on. Charley sighed and slipped around them into the lead.
Harry sighed softly as he watched the four young men vanish into the trees yet again. He was seated on a branch mid way up a tall tree down the trail from where the incident happened and he extended his hand before him after a moment to receive the magically returning sword from seemingly thin air. He twisted his wrist to catch the hilt of the blade as it spun in the air, as it appeared, not considering the danger or catching the spinning device. He had hoped that Charley would have sent them back.
"Why did you not send at least Ron back?" He sighed and shook his head. It was dangerous for Charley to continue with his brothers but it would be dangerous to send them back too. He had known it was not likely to work, but he had to try. "Well I'll just have to try again. The trail divides into a fork just ahead and I had better make certain you take the right trail."
Harry stood carefully, balancing on the branch and transferred the sword to his left hand, removing his wand with his right. Chanting a summing charm on the next tree he twisted the charm delicately so that instead of summoning the tree to him, he appeared on a designated tree branch but instead of pulling the tree to him he went to the tree. Repeating the charm and the delicate twist of the magic required he travelled in this manner until he reached the fork in the trail where he must decide quickly how best to delay the brothers or better still how to get them to abandon the search for the dragon entirely.
Ron was leading when they're come around the bend in the trail to see the fork. He hesitated before continuing on, calling over his shoulder to where his brothers followed though none of them were as yet in Harry's line of site. "Which way Charley?" Ron was using a lighting spell, the tip of his wand glowing brilliantly to enable him to see where he was placing his feet in this dim area of the forest.
Charley came into view the twins on his heels and glanced quickly around, getting his bearings. Before he could answer however that haunting whistling came again. Considering the events that had occurred last time it had been heard Charley dropped into a crouch and everyone glanced wildly about looking for trouble.
"Duck!" Ron yelled.
Something silver and vaguely giving the appearance of a spinning disk appeared, flying out of the woods ahead of them and whirling over their heads with an odd whistling hum. A great resounding crack echoed throughout the forest and a series of sharp reports as tree branches crashed into other branches drew all eyes up into the forest canopy. The sound of the tree falling sent them all scuttling backwards and they watched as the tree crashed to the ground ahead of them, coming to rest so that it effectively blocked one fork of the trail ahead.
Fred climbed to his feet and stared at the fallen giant then walked over to the tree as Charley checked on first Ron and then George. He had to push his way into the tangled mess of branches to angle himself so that he could get a good view of the tree trunk and the very neat, very precise cut
"Charley, I think we are being hunted. This was done on purpose not by mistake."
Charley glanced at the tree, more concerned with picking himself up and eyeing the now blocked trail, which was the way he had intended to go. The tree had fallen in such a way that it blocked the access and unless he wanted to take his brothers over some very rugged and dangerous terrain he was not going to be going in that direction. To take the other fork was going to add unwanted time to reaching the most likely place to find the dragon.
"I think your right Fred." He stared at the fallen tree, his frown deepening as he considered who would want to delay him or stop him from finding the dragon. It was for the creatures own safety that he was here hunting it.
Ron walk up and around the tree as far as he could go before the matt of broken and dangerous branches stopped him and then angled toward the other side, heading for the unblocked fork in the trail. "I…" he was cut off, as once again there was a weird whistling and the silver disk came back into view, this time aimed at another tree ahead of him. Felling that tree would block both forks. He backed a step and followed the arc of the disk and his eyes widened as he caught sight of the shadowed form.
"Charley! Third tree on my left!" Ron cried out bring his wand up to fire a spell at the tree, Fred and George quickly aiming their wands.
Charley was lightning fast, not wasting breath or time on replying but spinning to fire off three jinxes in quick succession. The spells were all aimed not at the figure itself but at the tree and at the branches surrounding branch where the person was sitting. The younger brothers followed his example, their jinx spells all aimed around the branch the person was seated on.
The sound of a body hitting the ground with a respectable thud followed was heard just before the crack of the tree hit by the spinning disk shattered the quiet of the forest. Fred and George both started to run as fast as they could to see who it was who had been attacking them.
Harry layed on the ground and stared up at the canopy of the tree above him and closed his eyes with a groan. That was a stupid mistake to make and he deserved the tumble for his carelessness.
'Next time I sit on a higher branch and don't be seen. There is nothing wrong with Ron's eyesight.' He could hear the sounds of the brothers as they came closer and he managed to draw his hood to shadow his face as Fred and George pounded closer.
Fred slipped and slithered to a stop, staring at the figure lying on the ground. It was a tall man who if he had been standing would have measured around 6' 3" tall. He remained lying on the ground, his silver armour glowing softly in the dim light, a metallic silver cloak around his shoulders and his face hidden beneath the cloak's hood. George came to a halt beside him and eyed the odd choice of clothing with disbelief.
Ron and Charley run up to join them and Charley winced but stopped himself from going to the man's aid. It was obvious that the fall had dislocated his left arm but he had to remember that this individual had been threatening the safety of his brothers. He could see about medical attention when he had some answers.
"Who are you and why have you been attacking us?" Charley growled his wand pointed at the man and looking as if he only wanted an excuse to fire off another spell.
The man stirred and barked out a short harsh laugh as he motioned behind Ron and Charley heard again that whistling and shoved Ron to the side even as he bellowed for George and Fred to get their heads down. The whistling filled the air and Charley looked over his shoulder to see the silver disk coming back at them fast and low, at waste hight and he twisted, striking out at Fred to take him down flat to the ground as the disk came in at his back.
The stranger leapt to his feet and extended a hand, and the spinning disk resolved itself into a sword, which was caught neatly by the hilt. In a flash the figure threw itself at the nearest tree before any of the Weasley's could gain their feet.
"A word of advice. Never leave an enemy unguarded for a second. Time for this hunt to pick up the pace. You have until midnight to find this dragon or I assure you that you will never find her until I'm ready." A wand appeared grasped awkwardly in the fingers of the dislocated arm and the stranger vanished then appeared on a tree further from the watching brothers, vanished again and was gone.
Fred slowly picked himself up and stared at the tree from which the stranger had vanished. After a moment he helped his older brother up and tried to calm his racing heart. He had caught the flash of that spinning sword just before Charley had kicked him clear.
"Thanks." He managed to whisper.
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/ I hurt. Ah, Charley is quick. Guess you have to be when you hunt dragons. I know just how fast they can be. I… He got Fred out of the way. I just could not reach the sword in time. It… it would have killed Fred. I have to be more careful. /
Through a haze of pain that made it increasingly difficult for Harry to think let alone cast the repetitive modified summoning charm Harry moved through the forest, clinging to the need to reach Tonks and help. He needed something done about his shoulder and he heaved a sigh of relief as he glimpsed Silvenestri's gleaming hide through the trees.
Silvenestri was resting beside Tonks, curled up into a neat compact ball of gleaming muscle and silver hide, her tail wrapped tightly around her. Sitting with her back nestled to the warmth of the dragons hide and beside the huge wedge shaped head was Tonks, sing softly in a very sweet, low voice. For a moment Harry allowed the song to surround him, marvelling at the gentle sound that lulled the dragon to sleep and rest.
A soft sound stirred Tonks who stood and looked around the bulk of the dragon to see Harry hit the ground on the far side of the clearing, his left arm hanging at his side. With a soft gasp she moved away from the dragon. "Harry?"
"Tonks, please say you're good at healing charms?" Harry said driving his sword into the ground and pulling his hood back from his face.
"Ah, no, I'm not but I can get that shoulder back into position with out magic if you like?" Tonks hurried over to Harry and threw her arm around him, supporting him as she guided him to Silvenestri's side.
"Anything. Just do it!" Harry grated out past the flair of pain where her hand rested against his shoulder. The pain he had been suppressing in the need for immediate action finally breaking from his control and hitting him full force. He closed his eyes against the pain that was flaring thought his shoulder and telling himself to hold still and take whatever Tonks needed to do.
Tonks felt around the shoulder joint well aware of the pain she must be causing Harry and when she was sure that there were no ligaments in the way to pinch she grasped his arm and began to rotate the arm. She could clearly see the sweat breaking out on Harry's face and heard the hiss of breath at the flare of pain and with a sharp short motion she popped the arm back into place. Harry gasped but otherwise made no sound that might alert anyone who might be in the vicinity. She had no idea if he had succeeded in turning the hunters aside.
"That is the best that I can do here. It will need time to heal and you really should see Madam Pomfrey and get it properly checked." She ran a hand over Harry's good shoulder.
Harry shocks his head and carefully took a series of slow and deepening breathes until he trusted himself to speak. "Can't now. Charley… Charley and his brothers are about a half-hour away from here. I have to keep them occupied. I can see that Silvenestri needs another few hours before she is recovered."
Tonks looked up at the open area of sky, judging by the light that the sun was approaching early evening and would be soon setting. The day had seemed so long to her, but perhaps it had raced for Harry.
"Well… If you like I can help slow them down? What have you been doing so far?"
Silvenestri stirred, one lid lifting and Harry reached out to stroke her back to somnolence. "Shhh. Sleep and get well. We can manage."
Harry tested his arm, pleased that the excruciating pain had abated somewhat but the arm was stiff and sore and he knew that he was going to be restricted. There was no help for it however. It was not an injury he had ever sustained before and he fervently hoped he would never again have a dislocated shoulder.
"Nothing much I can do if I do not want to openly confront them. I've just dropped some branches and a tree of two in their path. I… have been trying not to cause any injuries." He tried to ignore the vision of his sword coming in at Fred's back and again blessed Charlie's quick reflexes. " I don't think I have much of a choice at the moment. I will have to take a more straight forward approach." He allowed Tonks to steady him as he wavered a little, pushing his arm a touch too far and inciting another wave of pain.
Tonks considered what might be best to do. Silvenestri was in the middle of digesting her meal and sleep would help heal her. If the dragon remained here and resisted the urge to wander then she could assist Harry and perhaps the best way to do that would be to split up.
"Well, if you like we can divide and conquer. I'll take Charley and Ron and you can take the twins. Sound fair?"
They had to do something and if he could separate Charlie from the others then it might make things easier, but would Charlie permit himself to be separated? With a sigh Harry nodded and retrieved his sword then removed his cloak and passed it to Tonks.
"You'll have more use for this than I will. I know how to move in these woods without making a sound and there is nothing wrong with Charlies hearing."
Tonks smiled and wrapped the cloak around herself and inhaled deeply of Harry's scent. "Thanks but you had best make certain that they don't see you seeing. If I have this then your disguise is gone." She warned as she watched Harry give his sword the once in a search for any nicks in the blade.
"I know." Harry nodded and told her quickly where the hunters should be about this time.
After giving her a quick kiss he was gone at a flick of his wand, into the trees again and moving quickly to where he estimated the Weasley hunter should be. Tonks inhaled deeply, her eyes going to the sleeping dragon and then she was off, running silently through the woods, the clock pulled tightly around her shoulders.
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Thanks to the following Reviews:
Silverscale, athenakitty, David M. Potter, bandgsecurtiyaw, lucy-lollipop, Kayasha, Delta T, Darkepyon, jollander, jollander, Musings-of-Apathy, highbrass, Fire Gazer, padfootstwin2, DANIELC, gaul1, Bobboky, phoenix catcher, Dobbey, fireflashphoenix, bommor, Zesuit, Nocez, Aria-Chan, benwa, Eagle-Eyes, mosleyn001.