Touched by Death – Chapter 24
It had been a few weeks since Minerva was appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts. The change for Headmaster or Headmistress was very sudden. Turns out that the duties for Headmistress were the same. Dumbledore had been pushing all of his duties on Minerva without her even realizing it. The man had been doing so for years. If the man hadn't already been taken into custody, she would have loved to aimed a few curses at the old man. McGonagall huffed as she looked around her new office. There were a lot of artifacts and objects in the office. It would take a while to sort through them, no doubt the goblins would want an inventory. There was some strong belief that a lot of the objects may have been stolen. She had already received the letter about the orphan's fund and the woman was livid. The Goblins had already taken every penny back, so she needed to go through how much was needed for the fund per student. And not what Dumbledore had said was left, it would make a huge difference and impact on future students.
Minerva had worried that the duties of Headmaster might overwhelm her since she was still teaching Transfiguration. She would need a temporary deputy until she had time to think and appoint one. There was also the matter of if she would remain Head of House for Gryffindor. She knew she could do it and with a Deputy, there would be less duties she'd have to worry about. She went through a possible list of who to pick from. They couldn't prejudice against of the houses, so that definitely kicked Severus out of the list. The man had gotten better about Gryffindor these past two years, but she would not pick him. She would not have a deputy that was prejudice against any of the four houses. It had to be someone who knew the students and interacted with them. So, that mainly left two people, Filius and Pomona.
There was a lot of internal debate within the new Headmistress' mind before she made a quick decision. She would notify them tomorrow of their new position. And then they could focus more on the tournament. She had already been communicating with several dragon handlers. They were already supposed to start transporting the dragons and probably would be there next week. Since the first task would in the next few weeks. November 24th was approaching very fast and she felt a little fear for the 4th year Gryffindor. Minerva might have been more worried, but she noticed the protectiveness of Slytherin house over the raven. She even saw first hand of her Headboy being overprotective of the Gryffindor. Despite the danger, she knew that Mr. Potter was in safe hands and he might survive this tournament.
Marcus had been outside when he had been confronted with Krum. Terence was doing some catching up with Harry on 5th year material. The Slytherin Champion would still refresh Harry's mind with the fourth-year spells and charms. He had finally got to witness Harry's magical prowess first hand. His boyfriend was very gifted at magic when those two ex-friends of his weren't buffering his abilities. The removed magic blocks definitely helped with that.
Marcus looked up at the Bulgarian.
"Would you give this to Harry?" his accent was still thick, but easy enough to know what he was saying.
Marcus looked at Krum with suspicion. He knew the seeker did try to help him and Harry. He still couldn't help the spike of jealousy that ran through him. "What is it?" Marcus knew that his tone was harsh and winced slightly.
Krum smiled, not taking offense. "I do not like the idea of your betrothed facing such dangerous tasks. He is underage, and your headmaster does nothing. It will help him in the tournament. It is very unwise for a boy that age to be unprepared for a time such as this."
Marcus was taken back before he felt a slight blush, something he didn't do often. He knew that he wanted to bond with Harry, for someone to notice was touching. The Slytherin didn't think it was embarrassment. Though he loved the thought of Harry being his betrothed, officially. He might have the Black Heir ring as Sirius' blessing. But he wanted Harry to wear a bonding ring.
Marcus was curious on what Krum meant by 'a time such as this.' If he was talking about the tournament or the idea of the previous war continuing. Something that even Marcus knew was inevitable.
"He will appreciate having another friend on his side. It's ex-headmaster now. We have a new Headmistress. Dumbledore has already been sentenced to Azkaban. But thank you, Krum," Marcus' gratitude was genuine.
Viktor's eyebrows raided, "That is good news."
Marcus nodded in agreement, "very good, thanks again, Krum."
"Viktor," the Bulgarian corrected. "We are friends, no?"
Marcus nodded, "Of course we are. I would be a fool if I said no to such an offer."
Kr—Viktor nodded. "I can see why Harry treasures you so. I regret that I cannot introduce you to my beloved. He is back in Bulgaria."
Marcus physically took a step back. That was something he was not expecting to hear. "It would have been an honor to meet them," Marcus almost forced himself to reply. He was still stuck speechless a little. And here he was being jealous for nothing.
"With hope, you meet him at Yule. I would not let such an opportunity pass. I miss him as well. It is difficult sometimes," Viktor said with a smile. His words had become easier to understand. Maybe it was because Marcus was getting used to hearing the accent and deciphering his words.
The Slytherin nodded, he understood what Viktor meant. He probably would be in the same situation if he went months without being able to see or talk to Harry. The Gryffindor had become his entire world. It was almost clinch to say Harry was his light in the darkness. But it had been true. Ever since he met the Gryffindor his entire world had shifted. He had thought he would have been forced to get the Dark Mark, now he would never have to worry about that. Despite that the Dark Lord was still gone, he wasn't a fool to think he wouldn't be back. Even the lingering worry that his parents would try to make a marriage contract didn't hit him as hard as it would have years ago. Sirius would easily overturn that decision. His parents could not touch him, and Sirius made that perfectly clear.
That was when Viktor took his leave after handing Marcus the roll of parchment. Letting curiosity become the better of him, Marcus opened it.
Marcus and Harry,
I know that Harry will need all the help he can get in the first task coming up. My headmaster had revealed to me what we will be facing. No doubt the champion from Beauxbatons is aware as well. It has been decided we are to face dragons from all corners of the magical world. They will have four, one for each champion. I am unaware what the actual task will be to be concerned with dragons. But they are very vicious creatures. I warn you to be prepared, because their talons can be razor sharp and carry poisonous fangs. Dragons are very dangerous and deadly creatures. Some scales are soft while others are equipped like steel.
I wish you the best of luck,
Viktor
Marcus rolled the parchment up, stunned. He had been thinking of what possible tasks there might be. But he never imagined that they would bring dragons. The Slytherin knew that the tournament would be dangerous. But bringing a dragon to Hogwarts had been unthinkable. The task was only a few weeks away, Harry was going to need all the help he could get. Though, if Marcus could, he would have Harry pulled out of the tournament quick as a heartbeat. But that chance had already been missed. So, he was stuck with the second best, protect and prepare Harry as much as he could.
"Dragons!?" Harry's voice was high pitched and scared.
Marcus and Terence winced. The three boys were currently in Marcus' Head dorms.
"How the fuck am I supposed to fight a dragon!? Ask it to give up nicely…" Harry's voice was shaky as his tone grew sarcastic.
Terence's eyes lit up, "that's exactly what you're going to do!" The 7th year looked proud of himself.
"What?" Harry was caught off guard by Terence's statement.
Marcus' eyes had narrowed at the Slytherin before he realized what the champion was getting at.
"Do you want me to die!?" Harry's voice was still hysterical.
"Calm down, Harry. You'll be just fine," Terence commented.
"Calm down?" like the term was unfamiliar. "How the bloody hell will I be able to do that? I'm going to get killed!"
Terence rolled his eyes, "No you won't. Dragons are related to serpents, more specifically the Basilisk. You can speak Parseltongue and they would understand you."
Harry bit his lip and took a deep breath in and out. "I still think your idea is completely barbaric."
"Which it is…" Marcus cut in. "Harry's still going to get fire resistant runes. There's no avoiding that."
Harry smiled at Marcus, slightly calmer than he was five minutes ago. He then frowned, "least I won't burn to death then…"
"Marcus, your boyfriend is being dramatic," Terence stated like it was obvious.
Harry gapped at Terence, "maybe I should tell the dragon you said hello, and have it burn you to a crisp then…"
Terence frowned for a moment, so maybe lightening the mood wasn't working too well.
"We still don't know what breeds of dragons it will be," Marcus remarked. "They're not going to have the same breed of dragon for all the champions.
"Could be any, Marcus," Terence cut in.
"We know there's going to be a Peruvian Vipertooth," Marcus remarked.
Harry stared at Marcus before it sunk in. "The Gryffindor password! Or… was the Gryffindor password… Professor McGonagall changed it again and I don't even know what it is anymore."
"Are they trying to kill us!?" Terence basically shouted. "That dragon is known for being fast and very venomous."
Marcus winced, he was familiar with the history of that dragon as well. They had even remarked that it had a particular taste for humans as well. Marcus felt pity for whoever had to face that dragon.
"It's not like they're going to tell us what dragons we'll be facing. And according to Viktor's letter. I need to be ready in case of their fangs and scales. Though I rather not get burnt by a dragon either," Harry commented.
Marcus nodded, "which is why I'll be adding runes to extra protection. And where you're not as likely to get burnt by a dragon. Some dragons' fire would kill a person instantly."
Harry looked scared but tried to make a brave face. He wasn't facing this alone and had help. He wasn't going to be left defenseless. Though he wasn't sure about the fact that he would just 'talk' to the dragon. He would know spells, that was a given. He didn't doubt his Parseltongue ability, Sirius had explained to him about how strong that magic could be. But was it enough to subdue a fire-breathing dragon? Harry hoped so.
Before Harry knew it, the day of the first task was here. His whole body was itching with nerves. They weren't making him to run away in fear, so that part was good. He was currently in the tent with the other three champions. Terence had given a reassuring smile and a pat on the shoulders to him.
His skin was still aching, but least it wasn't covered in blood. Not even an hour ago, Marcus had demanded that Harry to take off his robe. And only wear his undergarments.
The Gryffindor had blushed heavily, not sure what idea was forming in the Slytherin's head. That was when he saw the dagger.
"What are you going to do?"
"Runes," the Slytherin answered. "I have to carve them into your skin. It will hurt for a moment, but they will self-heal. These runes will only last for so long, so long enough to help you against dragons."
Harry was still scared of the notion of a dagger being carved into his skin. But he nodded, "okay."
The Gryffindor watched as his boyfriend knelt and starting drawing runes. Some of them he recognized. Marcus had been teaching him runes. So, he knew a few, protection, healing, endurance.
It had only taken a few minutes before Marcus vanished the excess blood from the dagger. The Slytherin was standing at this point. "This should help you. I wish I could do more."
Harry leaned in and pecked Marcus' lips briefly. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I'll be fine."
Marcus' smile was brief, but genuine. He cupped Harry's face, "stay safe."
Harry watched as his boyfriend left. He tried to steel his nerves, he needed to make his way to the Champions tent.
Harry was staring at his dragon figurine in his palm. The Gryffindor was a little familiar with the breeds of dragons. He had been looking up each one and trying to prepare for the worst for each one.
Terence had been the one to get the Peruvian Vipertooth. Harry honestly felt scared for the Slytherin champion. He remembered from reading that the Vipertooth carried venomous fangs and was wicked fast. The dragon wasn't as long as others, only reaching 15 feet. But apparently the dragon had an appetite for humans. Harry caught a glimpse of Terence's dragon figurine. The scales looked smooth and had copper colored scales. There was some kind of black ridged markings on the head near his short horns.
The girl from France apparently got a breed called the Ukrainian Ironbelly. It was said that it was the largest dragon species. They carried the eye color of blood red and had a metallic colored scale. They were said to have scales as touch as steel. The one thing that worried Harry about that dragon was exactly how hot their fire could be. It had been rumored that they could burn a human alive within three seconds. Harry had never been so glad to not get that dragon and thank that Marcus knew runes.
The next dragon that Harry noticed was Viktor's. He had gotten a breed called the Hebridean Black. Harry didn't know much about them except that they had purple eyes and dark, thick scales. He could tell by Viktor's figurine that it had a tail with an arrow shaped spike. No doubt it was an aggressive dragon.
That brought Harry's attention to his own dragon. He was familiar with the breed, a Hungarian Horntail. They were known to be very aggressive and dangerous dragons. It almost had the quality of a lizard. Especially with its yellow eyes, almost giving it a cat look to it. There were small spikes on its tail, no doubt they could create a lot of damage if provoked. Hopefully, Terence's idea would work.
It wasn't long that they were told the task was simple. They had to pass a mother dragon and collect a golden egg. Harry wanted to scoff, there was no way that would be easy. They were basically asking for a death wish.
The Gryffindor didn't pay much attention to the champions before him. He was to go third after Krum and Terence. He at least listened enough to know they had passed the first task. No doubt he would find out later what they did and hopefully they both managed to get back unscathed.
When Harry finally left to face his own dragon, he had to physically take a step back. The dragon was huge, she had to least be fifty feet or more. That was when he heard her.
"Who dares to threaten my nest!?" the she-dragon looked enraged as fire left her mouth.
Terence had been right, he would have been able to understand her. He gently took a knee as he gazed at her golden eyes.
The she-dragon actually calmed down, though let steam exhale through her nostrils.
Harry took a death breath and focused on talking in Parseltongue. "My Lady, I am not here to do you any harm."
The she-dragon looked taken back. As if she never expected a human to communicate with her. If you could call it that.
"You speak my tongue, human…."
"Yes…"
The crowd was dead silent, watching the encounter between wizard and dragon.
"It has been a long time since a mortal has shared my tongue. Tell me this… why have I been held prisoner here?"
Harry had to blink up at her, "Prisoner? Not for long," his voice was strong.
The she-dragon almost looked amused.
"I have one thing to ask of you. Your captors have placed a fake egg in your nest. It's golden and derived of life." Harry just hoped his words couldn't get him burnt to a crisp.
The dragon's temper was back. The rage that a puny human was meddling within her nest. There was a reason why you never messed with a nesting mother. It took a little bit before she breathed fire around her nest and found the fake. She was not happy.
"You may take the fake, but if you touch one of my own. Death cannot help you, human," the she-dragon was still enraged. But she was going to help harm the one that spoke her tongue. Even dragons had more pride and compassion than that. Any other, would be killed if she had anything to do with it.
Harry had not dared to come any closer until those words. He watched at the dragon moved slightly to reveal her nest. He walked slowly, fully aware that her golden eyes were watching his every move. After Harry grabbed the imposture egg, he looked at the chain holding the mother down. Not wasting as second, he held his wand, so he could break the chain. It snapped easily.
Harry watched intently as the she-dragon smelled the air, steaming rising from her nostrils. Her huge wings fluttering slightly. "Home calls to me. You are forever in my debt, young speaker."
Harry smiled, "I see no debt. But now, you're not a prisoner and free to go home."