Authors Note :

Hey Everyone,

it is now over 3,5 years since I published my first fanfiction called "Heartbroken" here on and I really wanted to write this story years ago already. So here it is.

It is a sequel to Heartbroken so I would advise reading that one first, but I will also try to put a lot of explanations in for everyone who just wants to read this one.

A major plot point is though, that in the alternate Fairy Tail timeline of this story, the GMG arc was heavily altered and everything after never happened.

Also, yes i know the core of the story summary is cliché, but i really want to try and make this story my own by incorporating it into my other story as a sequel.

Anyway, on to the story. I hope you enjoy it!

Prologue : A birthday and a reunion.

Flames filled the room, devouring everything in their path. In the back of the room, a frightened girl crawled backwards, up against the wall while frantically scratching against the red scales forming around her skin. As her skin continued to change, she began crying until she heard the muffled screams of her name, but as she looked up to see who was calling for her the facade of the room crumbled away - leaving her alone in the darkness.

As her eyes adjusted to the sudden change in lighting, she could make out two bright orbs in the sea of black before her and started squinting her eyes as she tried to find out what it was she was looking at, but was soon frozen in shock as she realized that it wasn't lights she was looking at. Her eyes had now fully adjusted to the darkness around her and she realized she was face to face with a giant red dragon covered in scars looking back at her. She tried to scream but her mouth wouldn't open. The dragon stared at her for a moment, then let out a mighty roar.

Nashi jumped from her sleep and took a look at her surroundings. She was currently seated against the roots of a large tree in the midst of a forest bordering Magnolia – probably dozed off while taking a stroll. Nashi and her mother Lucy had moved in with her father Natsu about 8 years ago, after they finally reunited and Nashi loved taking long walks through the nature surrounding Natsu's House, which had been rebuilt to fit an entire family instead of just a single mage.

As she wiped the cold sweat off her forehead, Nashi let out a sigh. The nightmares were getting more frequent. It was the same dream every time, her burning down the basement of the Domus Flau arena in Crocus, although it wasn't as much of a dream as she would hope – she really did almost burn that basement to the ground when she was just 6 years old after all – and now she dreamed about it in increasing frequency, although she had never told anyone about it with just one exception. She also didn't really understand the meaning of the dragon in her dreams. It was true that she possessed her father's magic abilities, but she never had the opportunity to train them properly.

A sudden rustle in the bushes to her left startled her from her thoughts and she jumped up. "Who's there?", she called out. "Finally I found you.", a familiar voice called back as a boy with blonde hair stepped out of the woodwork. "The whole guild is looking for you. Your mother was worried sick when you didn't return from your walk."

"Yuugo! What are you doing here?", Nashi asked – surprised that her best friend Yuugo Eucliffe – was indeed standing before her. "Why are you not in Crocus with your parents?"

Nashi and Yuugo knew each other since they were six years old. Back then Yuugo had bullied Nashi in elementary school. After an incident involving a very mad Natsu and Sting though, they quickly befriended each other as it turned out that Yuugo was just being jealous of Nashi's fangs. He himself did not inherit his father's dragon slayer magic and thus turned to the path of celestial spirit magic like his mother instead. He was also the only one of her old friends that she still saw regularly since moving back to Magnolia as Sabertooth and Fairy Tail were cooperating on a large number of quests, she still occasionally wrote to Kaiko and Marika though.

"Are you dumb?", Yuugo asked. "We're all gathered at the guild hall for your birthday party, pinkie.", he gave her a cocky smirk and Nashi's face proceeded to take on about 20 shades of red and pink. "My birthday? Oh my god I can't believe I forgot.", she cried as she hid her face in her hands.

"Surprise I guess then. And happy birthday Nashi!", Yuugo smiled at her. "You look a bit pale though, everything okay?"

Nashi waved him off. "Yeah, just another dream."

"You know, you should really talk to someone other than me about this. It's not good for you to just pile all of that trauma up and keep it to yourself.", Yuugo said with a worried expression. "Maybe your dad could help yo-"

"No! I don't want to worry him too much while he is busy with work. Besides, you know I can't really talk to him right now.", Nashi interrupted him.

The truth was, she didn't really know how to speak to her father anymore. He had been living with them for 2 whole years before taking on a SS-Rank quest - something about a dragon – when she was eight years old. Since then, the only contact she had with him was him sending the occasional post card from his travels. She still loved her father, but she just didn't know what to talk about or even how his voice sounded anymore.

As it stood, the male role model in her life for the last six years had been Laxus Dreyar, Fairy Tail's 7th guild master. Laxus had taken over the role after Master Makarov – now 102 years old - had chosen to finally retire from his post and named Laxus as his successor. He would occasionally spar with Nashi and oversaw her physical training as he had taken quite a fatherly liking to the pinkette.

"As you wish, just stating my opinion on the matter.", Yuugo said bluntly. "We should really head back though, everyone was really worried about you."

"Sure, lets head back. I don't want to worry anyone more than necessary.", Nashi replied with a fanged grin, adjusted her skirt and followed Yuugo out of the forest.

The Fairy Tail guild hall was busy on that day. Decorations were being hung up all over the ceiling and walls. The bar counter was filled with neatly wrapped-up gifts and in the far corner a stern looking Erza Scarlet was guarding a big birthday cake. Some children were also running through the hall playing catch.

Master Makarov - who was really enjoying his retirement – sat on a stool by the bar and chatted excitedly with Laxus and Mirajane, who was now his granddaughter-in-law.

"Think she's gonna like the surprise?", Makarov asked his grandson. "Or do you reckon she'll just stand there with her jaw on the ground not knowing what to say?"

"We could always bet on it old man.", Laxus laughed. "Though my bet would be on the latter option."

"You think so, dear?", Mira chimed in. "I personally think she'll be quite happy."

"Oh, I think it will be one first and then the other.", another voice joined the conversation. The trio looked over to see Lucy beaming at them. "It's really the perfect gift for her. I can't wait to show her."

As the chatter throughout the guild hall continued the doors to the guild hall were flung open and all eyes turned too see Yuugo enter the hall, pulling Nashi by the hand.

"Guys, I found her. She was napping in the forest!", Yuugo exclaimed and Nashi went red again. "I am so sorry. I totally forgot what day it was. I'm sorry I made you all worry about me!"

Everyone started laughing and moments later they collectively shouted a loud "Happy 14th Birthday Nashi!" across the hall. Nashi was stunned at first, then went around the room to thank everyone for coming to her birthday party. After she was finished talking to the guild members and exceeds she went up to her mother and gave her the biggest hug she could muster.

After that it was time to unwrap the gifts. Nashi wanted to take it slow, but Erza urged her to hurry as she wanted to cut the birthday cake. Nashi wasn't fazed by this though, she started reading the cards on the gifts, followed by neatly unwrapping them and then thanking the gift giver for it.

The highlights of the pile were a never melting ice statue of a dragon made by her uncle Gray, a purple Fairy Tail uniform for next years Grand Magic Games tournament issued by Laxus and a pair of red earrings which were handmade by her uncle Gajeel, the iron dragon slayer.

The best gift of them all came from her mother though, as she opened the box she froze for a second. "But mom, those mean so much to you!"

"Yes they do, they are my dear friends, but I think it was time you got them.", Lucy said with a smile.

Inside the box were a silver and a gold key. Nashi knew instantly which gate the silver one would open. It was the gate of the Canis Minor constellation, which contained Lucy's Nikora she named Plue. The gold key however, was what really stumped Nashi. The symbol upon its handle was the zodiac sign for Aquarius, the water bearer – Lucy's first celestial spirit.

Nashi thanked her mother profusely and gave her another bone-crushing hug. This was truly one of the best gifts she could ever get, especially since she couldn't train her dragon slayer abilities with her father abscent. Her celestial spirit magic on the other hand, she could improve by training on her own. It gave her an alternative.

"May I try them out?", Nashi asked. She had summoned lesser celestial spirits before using her mother's keys, but she really wanted to try summoning a zodiac spirit from a gold key.

"Maybe start with Plue, dear.", Lucy said. "Aquarius is a good friend of mine, but now that I gave her key away I don't quite know how she'll react. Maybe she'll try and drown the whole guild hall."

Nashi laughed. She knew about Aquarius' violent tendencies, but she obliged her mother's wish and took the silver key out of the box.

"Open! Gate of the Canis Minor! Nikora!"

Instantly a golden magic circle formed at the end of the key and in a puff of smoke a little creature closely resembling a snowman appeared and looked back at Nashi with a questioning look.

"Hey Plue.", Nashi called. "My mother apparently decided, that I should have your key. Do you want to enter into a contract with me?"

Plue gave an approving "Pun Puu~n" and Nashi started asking him when he would be available to summon. After they were finished with the contract Lucy tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"Sweetie, now that you're finished. There is actually another gift for you."

At that moment the guild door flung open once again. Nashi turned and froze. In the doorway stood none other than Natsu Dragneel - her father – carrying a wrapped box. He slowly came up to her, set the box aside, gave her a hug and wished her a happy birthday. Nashi tried her hardest not to burst into tears right then and there. She was so happy he was finally back.

"Hey Nashi.", Natsu started while awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "Sorry it took me so long. I didn't mean to stay away for 6 years. You've really grown up."

"Dad.", Nashi said being just as awkward. "Promise me you'll never leave us again."

"By my father's honor!", Natsu said while still hugging her. The whole guild let out a collective "Aww."

"I brought you something from the quest. Thought you might like it.", Natsu broke the hug and gave her the box. Nashi slowly opened it, she couldn't believe her eyes. "Are those real?"

"Yeah. Took them off the dragon myself.", Natsu answered her.

Nashi held her present up for everyone to see, which caused multiple gasps from the attendees. In her hands she held a scarf made of deep red scales. Natsu's quest involved hunting down a dragon tyrannizing another continent. As he was finished with it he took some of it's scales and sent them home before his return, where Lucy made a scarf out of them.

"When did you get home?", Nashi asked. "Can't be too long, I would've noticed"

"Maybe 3 hours ago.", Natsu grinned. "I just picked up the box from home and went here. Then slipped out the side door as you entered to surprise you later."

"Huh, I suppose either my nose isn't trained well enough to make you out in a crowd or I forgot your smell then.", Nashi laughed. She was surprised how easy it was to talk to her father after all this time.

"Speaking of training", Natsu replied. "I see not only you but your muscles have grown aswell. Who has been training you?"

"That would be me.", Laxus spoke. "Though I think she would've rather spent that time not only training her body but her dragon slayer magic aswell and with her real father instead of the guild master."

"Yeah I guess.", Natsu answered his old friend. "But I'll do everything to make up for it. Nashi, do you want me to take over the training from Laxus? Of course i'll also start training you to control those flames of yours."

Nashi beamed up at him. She was excited at the thought of finally learning how to summon her flames deliberately, as she hadn't seen them come out in 8 years.

"I don't want to cut this reunion short, but can I cut the cake already?", a tired looking Erza cut into the conversation.

Nashi laughed. "Sure Erza, I wouldn't want to keep you from it."

The rest of the party was filled with chatter, laughing and catching up. Natsu and Lucy were catching up with Sting and Yukino while simultaneously planning Nashi's new training schedule. Yuugo and Nashi were sitting together with the other children of the Fairy Tail members, most of which were younger than Nashi, the only exception being Asuka Connell who was now almost 18 years old.

After the party had ended. Nashi and Yuugo said goodbye to each other. While walking home Natsu teased his daughter relentlessly about her friend before being shut down by his wife.

"I just want to know if I gotta watch out for him is all!", Natsu whined. Nashi was blushing fiercely and shaking her head.

When they got home Nashi went straight to bed. She was tired beyond all belief, but at least she slept peacefully that night.

That's it for chapter one. Don't worry we're gonna get into the HP aspect of the story soon enough, but I really wanted to take my time with the story building here and I think it's gonna be better if I take my time on this ^^

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of my new story. If you did feel free to review and follow the story.