Disclaimer – I solemnly swear that JKR owns everything Harry Potter. Whether or not I am up to no good with her characters is for you to decide.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
Harry Potter: Dragon Whisperer
Chapter 15 – Mysteries Revealed
12:15am
Wednesday, 10 August 1995
Near Valbonë, Albania
.
The forest was wild, uninhabited. Few animals lived there. Fewer humans ever ventured within its borders.
Superstition and rumour ran rife throughout the surrounding countryside. Whispered tales of dark magic and ancient secrets, death and chaos, disease and enchantments filled pubs, sending shivers racing up and down spines and causing people to look over their shoulders more than they watched where they were going.
This was true not only in the magical enclaves that dotted the country, but also in the non-magical villages as well.
Even the animals sensed the wrongness that shrouded the forest, refusing to go near it, bucking and pulling and racing as far away as they could get.
Well, most animals. Not all. And not all humans.
Some actively sought out that bastion of darkness, drawn to a place where those like them could find a place to hide from the outside world, a place where they could strike out from and prey on those weaker than them.
One such animal, a snake, as it turned out, had slipped into the forest some days before having escaped from the captivity that had held it for longer than it cared to remember. It had travelled far and wide, over many lands and seas in its captivity, seeing things that many like it had never encountered before
While at first the fear of captivity, of the men that had encaged it had been its driving force, that fear had recently been replaced by hunger. This was a cold place, this forest, with prey far and few between. Cold-blooded creatures needed warmth and nourishment to sustain it.
From where it lay coiled about a branch, the weak moonlight doing nothing to warm the scarce patches on its skin, it flicked out its tongue, tasting the air as it had done countless times already since it had taken up its position.
This time, though, this time, there was something new, something different, something alive.
Again, its tongue tasted, gathering information on distance and direction.
Prey was close and coming closer.
Slowly, the snake worked its body around, shifting about so that it could strike the prey as it passed below.
Again, it tasted and was pleased to note that the prey had stayed true to its path, a path that would bring it directly below where the snake lay hidden, still as a stone.
Finally, when the last warmth of the day's sun had disappeared and the coldness of the ground and air had begun to assert even more of its hold, the prey came into sight.
The snake watched it, judging distances.
The mouse was small, barely even a meal at all but in these woods, all food was precious and the snake had no intention of letting it escape.
At long last, the prey was there! Directly below and the coiled snake struck out, its mouth wide, its fangs bared.
The mouse below froze and the snake struck.
But before it could do anymore, a sharp pain stabbed it through its eye and all consciousness evaporated. But just before all thoughts of itself were lost, however small and fleeting that had been, the snake once again saw the strangest of sights that it'd seen in its travels: a great fire-breathing dragon standing perfectly still, conversing with a small man in the ancient tongue. Why it remembered this, it had no idea, nor did it have the time to wonder for the snake was gone, in its place was something … else.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
9:25am
Wednesday, 10 August 1995
Australasian Dragon Preserve, Australia
.
It took a surprisingly long time before Harry saw his second Antipodean Opaleye. Why that happened to be the case, Harry wasn't sure.
It could have been because there simply weren't any dragons any further out. Or it could have been because they were hidden under the sand, the same way that Cantrum had been. Or maybe it had more to do with Cantrum himself? For all Harry knew, he was being guided into the Weyr by a circulatory route which ensured that the other dragons were kept away from him.
Whatever the reason, the second Opaleye that Harry saw was perched atop a sandhill. It was crouched right down on its feet, its tail curled up around it and, for all intents and purposes, looking the other way. Its ears, though, gave it away. The dragon was very aware that he was there.
It's like a cat, Harry chuckled to himself.
Unexpectedly a delegation of six Opaleyes appeared directly in front of them, blocking off their progress forward. Two had stalked out from behind the dune to the right, another two from the left, while the final two had swooped in low, landing in a crouch between the two pairs. A thump behind him had Harry glancing over his shoulder, only to see another three landing there, their wings still raised.
§Why have you brought the two-leg§? the largest Opaleye in front of them demanded.
§Weyr Leader§, Cantrum replied and Harry was certain that the given designation was for his own benefit, §this two-leg bears the Mark§!
Instantly, six dragon necks snaked out towards him, their heads vying for space as they each craned their heads to get a good look at him.
§What is your name, two-leg? How came you by that Mark§? the Weyr leader demanded.
At once, Harry bowed low, ensuring that he gave the Opaleye before him the same level of respect that he would afford Memzath, Weyr Leader of the Romanian Dragons.
§Weyr Leader, my name is Harry Potter§, he said, straightening and looking the dragon in its great multifaceted blue, green and indigo eye. §This Mark was given to me by Memzath, Weyr Leader of the Romanian Dragons after I was found worthy to not only Speak to dragons but also to Speak for all dragons of the world§.
§How came you to Speak to Memzath? Weyr Leaders do not lower themselves to deal with two-legs§.
Harry blinked at that. While it was true that Memzath tended to hold himself apart, Harry had seen him with the dragon handlers. But then, on second thought, that had really only begun after that episode with the poachers.
§I befriended a Hungarian Horntail by the name of Ramaranth during a two-leg competition§, Harry replied. §After learning that I had the ability to speak to dragons and learning of my friendship with Ramaranth, I was invited to learn more of dragons at the Romanian Reserve, an offer I eagerly accepted. While there, I was brought before the Weyr Council where I met Memzath§.
Harry could see that the dragons were listening and considering his words; their necks had retracted somewhat and their wings which had been half-furled to make them appear larger, had been folded back properly against their backs.
§May I ask your name, Weyr Leader§? Harry asked, deciding to be bold.
§My name, Harry Potter, Speaker for Dragons, is Dankrum§, the Weyr Leader replied, tipping her head down towards him slightly.
§It is a pleasure to meet you, Dankrum§, Harry replied, adding in another bow. §It is a pleasure to meet all of you§.
The dragons surrounding him offered short greetings or dips of their great heads.
§Why have you come, Speaker for Dragons§? Dankrum asked and Harry had the impression that, even with the Mark on his forehead, the Weyr Leader at the very least, was wary of him.
§As I told Cantrum§, Harry said, §my ability to Speak to dragons has made the two-legs very excited. They want to learn all that they can about dragons, just like I do. They've asked me to teach them what I learn, to tell them your words and to help all two-legs respect and treat all dragons properly§.
§As they should§, Dankrum stated with a sharp jerk down of her chin.
§I agree§, Harry replied quickly. §A part of my role with the two-legs Handlers is to visit all of the dragons around the world, in all of the Weyrs, to meet you all and to learn about you§.
§And this is what brought you here§? Dankrum asked.
§In part§, Harry replied, deciding that honesty was always the best policy when dealing with dragons. §Mostly, though, it was an unexpected trip so early into my training and learning about the dragons in Romania. I was always supposed to come, just not yet§.
§Then I ask again, Speaker, why have you come§? this time, there was a harder edge to her voice.
§I am here now because the two-legs are worried§, he replied. §They think that something is wrong and, because they can neither Speak to you nor come in to your Weyr, I was asked to come§.
The dragons all around Harry shifted slightly, their feet shuffling – an odd sight indeed in creatures so large. In humans, Harry would have thought that that meant that they were uncertain, anxious even. But he'd learnt that human emotions shouldn't always be attributed to dragons.
§What do you think, Speaker of Dragons§? Dankrum asked after a longer pause than Harry was comfortable with.
§I think that I cannot know unless you tell me§, Harry replied carefully. §But I do know that if there is a problem, then I will not leave until it has been fixed and I promise that I will do everything that I can to help. I know that the two-legs will assist me in that. They may not be dragons and may not know much of the draconian way but they care and only want what's best for you§.
Again, Dankrum stared at Harry for longer than he would have cared for. The only clue that she was considering his words was the way that her eye swirled with different colours – different thoughts maybe or different emotions? – blues of all shades, greens, deep indigos and purples and even a smattering of reds and yellow.
§Your words are well spoken, Speaker and I am inclined to believe you. Your magic tastes of truth and of strength and of assurance§, Dankrum stated. §The fact that you bear the Mark also speaks in your favour§.
Her pause then was shorter than it had been, although it still meant that Harry had to exercise a great deal of self-control to remain patient and not fidget.
§We will trust you Speaker of Dragons, friend of the Romanian Weyr§, Dankrum stated and there was an answering rumble from the assembled dragons around them with an added bugle as well.
§I will not fail you§, Harry promised, bowing.
Dankrum sat high, her rear legs down, her front legs at their fullest extension and her tail wrapped around her. Her neck rose up before curving back down so that her snout was pointed straight down at him, her multifaceted eyes swirling with a riot of colour that was almost too fast for Harry to comprehend, let alone even attempt to understand.
§This season, the first for many, four of our females laid a clutch of eggs§, she began. §All dragons rejoiced and looked eagerly forward to the day when the shells would crack, revealing the fledglings. Our joy was taken from us on the night of the new moon when the clutch of one of the mothers was taken from beneath her§.
Harry swallowed hard, his mind racing back to the very first time that he'd ever seen a dragon. Ramaranth had been standing protectively over her clutch of eggs, her tail and neck whipping backwards and forth. His Task, the same task that Cedric, Fleur and Victor had been given, was to retrieve a golden egg that had been mixed in with the true dragon eggs. The fact that someone had taken the eggs of a nesting Opaleye mother resounded deeply with him and filled him with shame, despite the fact that he, himself, had not participated in the Task.
§Do you know who took the eggs§? Harry asked.
The nearly subaudible keening that had filled the Weyr from the instant that Dankrum had begun her story intensified even as the Weyr Leader slowly shook her great head from side to side.
§We never saw who or what it was, Speaker§, Dankrum replied.
Harry frowned and began to pace, his head down and his fists clenching and unclenching.
§Do you have any clues at all§? he asked.
§None, Speaker§, Dankrum replied. §Our desolation was not yet complete at the loss of this first clutch§.
Harry froze, his eyes wide. Surely she didn't mean …
§More eggs were taken, weren't they§? he asked, dreading the answer.
§Two more clutches have been lost to us since the first. Now only one remains§, Dankrum confirmed sadly.
§And that's why your entire Weyr is standing guard, not letting any two-legs in§, Harry nodded.
It made complete and total sense. Merlin, if he'd been the dragons, he would have done exactly the same. It was a wonder that he'd been allowed in!
§The very first dragon that I met, a Hungarian Horntail by the name of Ramaranth had a clutch of eggs§, Harry told Dankrum and all the dragons that had arrived during the telling of their story. §Those four fledglings that hatched from the eggs are very special to me. Ramaranth even named them after me§.
§What are their names, Speaker§? a dragon to his left asked.
§Harreth, Potteth, Spekith and Painzz§, Harry replied, no less embarrassed this time than he had been any other time that he told anyone about how the Fledglings were named.
§They are good names§, the dragon replied, a feeling emphasised by the sounds of joy coming from the rest of the dragons.
§I will do everything that I can to ensure that your clutch remains safe§, Harry said. §I think the first and most important thing to do is to try to work out who or what took your eggs§.
§We do not know, Speaker§, a frustrated sounding Dankrum stated. §None of the mothers noticed the eggs being removed and no dragon tasted the magic of the thief§.
No magic? Harry had paused at the words, an entirely distasteful thought running through his mind.
§Do you think that the eggs could have been taken by a muggle§? he asked.
§There were no two-legs in the Weyr on those nights§, Dankrum stated. §All two-legs, even those without magic, make far too much noise not to be noticed§.
Harry nodded. While he didn't know all of the ways that dragons sensed people, he was fairly certain that they couldn't be fooled; their hearing and eyesight was a thousand times better than any humans' and their ability to sense magic was something that Harry still couldn't grasp.
Still, the possibility was there, however remote.
§What about animals§, he asked, deciding to explore the next most likely option. §Could the clutch have been taken by an animal§?
Bellowing roars erupted from multiple dragons. Others hissed. Some rumbled deep in their throats and stomachs as only dragons laughing could achieve. Three even shot vivid red gouts of flame high into the sky.
The instant that it'd begun, Harry'd thrown himself to the sand, clapping his hands over his ears and screwing his eyes up tight. It wasn't until his shoulder was nudged that he opened his eyes, only to gasp at the sight of a dragon claw inches from his face.
§You have nothing to fear here, Speaker§, Dankrum told him. §You are safe. You understand how dangerous dragons can be. You are smart. And you are our friend; nothing can harm you while you are with us. Not all two-legs are smart but all other creatures are. Nothing can challenge us§!
Harry wondered about that. Yes, dragons were one of the most powerful species on the planet but didn't Dankrum just tell him that three of their four clutches had been taken and that they could hear and sense all two-legs that ventured into the Weyr? How then, if all creatures were smart enough not to challenge dragons and dragons were the ultimate apex-species, had their clutches been taken?
Whatever the reason, Harry was sure that, at least a small part of blame, could be attributed to the dragon's very own confidence. None could oppose them and all others would be sensed by them.
Except that wasn't true.
Or, more precisely, someone or something had found a way to overcome those limitations and to do precisely what the dragons least expected.
It was definitely a mystery, a mystery that Harry was determined to solve. There were lives at stake, unborn lives even.
And Harry was smart enough to know that he couldn't solve it on his own. He needed help.
§Weyr Leader, Opaleye dragons, I thank you for the trust you have placed in me in telling me what has happened to your clutches. I ask for your permission to relay what you have told me to the two-leg Handlers so that they can assist me in finding the one responsible§.
Dankrum stared down at him for one of those long pauses before she slowly nodded her head.
§You have our trust Speaker for Dragons. Go. Speak for us and fulfil the promise that your Mark bears§.
/ ( 0 v 0 ) \
10:45am
Wednesday, 10 August 1995
Australasian Dragon Preserve, Australia
.
When Harry walked out of the Weyr, it was to find a crowd standing there. Most had their wands in their hands; all looked scared or at the very least apprehensive.
"Harry! Are you alright?" Charlie called, racing forward.
"I'm fine," he replied. "Honestly, I didn't think that I was gone all that long."
"It wasn't the length of time, Pup … surely you heard the dragons roaring? Some of the Handlers even saw dragon flame," Sirius stated.
"Oh, I heard it alright," Harry replied. "It wasn't anything to worry about, though. They wouldn't hurt me."
"I said it last night, Potter and I'll say it again, you're something else, something that none of us have seen before," Steve, the oldest of the dragon Handlers said, sheathing his wand at the same time.
"Have you found out what's got the dragon's scales all twisted up?" Andy asked.
"Yeah, they told me," Harry replied grimly.
That statement was enough to catch and hold the attention of every handler there. Within seconds, Harry was once more surrounded, this time by men and women. He honestly wasn't sure which was more intimidating: being surrounded by sixty tonne dragons or a couple of dozen humans.
"Well? Don't keep us in suspense," Andy said, his deep brown eyes staring intensely at him.
"You know how you suspect that the way they're acting could have something to do with the fact that this is the first time in a few years that they've laid eggs?" Harry began.
"Yes," Andy replied, his eyes narrowed. "But they've never acted like this before in the years that they have laid eggs … are you saying that we're right?"
"Yes," Harry replied grimly. "As you know, four dragons laid clutches of eggs this season. What you don't know is that three of those clutches are gone."
"Gone? As in … the eggs died?" one of the female Handlers gasped.
"No," Harry replied, shaking his head. "Gone as in one night, the eggs of one of the clutches were stolen right out from under one of the mothers. And another two clutches have also disappeared since then."
"That'd explain it," Steve nodded. "The dragons are doing everything that they can to protect the eggs that they have left."
"Exactly," Harry nodded.
"Do they know what took them?" Andy asked.
"I wouldn't have thought anything could get near a female dragon sitting on her eggs!" another of the Handlers exclaimed.
"That's exactly how the dragons feel," Harry told him. "And, no, they have no idea. They didn't sense any magic; they're adamant that no two-leg … er, human could get into the Weyr without them hearing or noticing; and they know that no creature would be stupid enough to challenge them."
"That sounds like the dragons have a mystery on their hands," Remus stated, one hand rubbing his chin while the other cupped the opposing elbow.
Harry grinned at his honorary uncle.
"No magic, huh?" Brian, a stick-thin man with long shaggy hair asked. "Muggle, maybe?"
"You heard Potter. The dragons can hear any human within a mile!" Steve countered.
Harry chose not to correct the exaggeration. "I did have the same thought."
"It's an angle worth pursuing," Andy nodded. "Even if it doesn't pan out, we can be doing something that will hopefully help the dragons understand that we're on their side. Brian, organise a team of flyers. I want a continuous flight around the Preserve. Minimum of two pairs at a time. Jessie, you've got the right connections. See if any dinosaur egg fossils have turned up recently."
"Dinosaur egg fossils?" Harry asked confused.
"Yeah," Jessie nodded, stepping forward and flicking her long braid back over her shoulder. "I'm guessing that you've never seen any Opaleye eggs? Well, have you seen any dragon egg fossils?"
"Does pictures in books count?" Harry asked.
"Good enough," Jessie replied. "Opaleye eggs are an off-white, very much the same colour as dinosaur bones. More than a few have been mistaken over the years, mislabelled and put in museums for the muggles to look at."
"Really? Fascinating," Remus exclaimed.
"That's all well and good," Steve remarked, "but what happens when both of those things turn up nothing. The wards here are too good to allow muggles to just wander in. And if'n any did, the odds of them seeing a dragon, stealing her eggs and then not telling the rest of the world what they saw is about as big as finding a croc in the middle of the bloody desert!"
"Maybe, maybe not," Andy replied. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting that it's a creature," Steve stated. "Has to be."
"Then why didn't the dragons see it or detect it?" Andy asked.
"How do I know?" Steve replied. "Maybe it's non-magical. Maybe it's magical with some ability that dragons can't sense. How do I know?"
"Alright, Steve, let's see you put that Beast Master qualification of yours to the test," Andy grinned. "You're in charge of working out what creature – muggle or magical – would have the ability to get into the weyr undetected by the dragons."
"What about the rest of us, Boss?" another Handler asked. "If the dragons aren't letting us in, we can't do our regular jobs."
"Walk the perimeter," Andy replied after a moment's thought. "Look for any clues or tracks or anything out of the ordinary to identify how whatever this is, is getting into the Preserve."
Lastly, Andy turned to Harry.
"As for you, young Speaker, I want you back in there with the dragons. Make sure you tell them that we're doing what we can but also make sure that they know that we need more information. See if you can get a close look at the nests the eggs disappeared from. Perhaps you can find something there."
"Can do," Harry nodded.
A clap of Andy's hands was enough to send everyone scattering. Harry, too, turned to go straight back into the Weyr to carry out his assignment. That was before a hand landed on his shoulders.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sirius asked.
A vague wave of his hand towards the sand dunes was enough to have his godfather shaking his head.
"Not until after you've had something to eat," Sirius stated.
The slight rumble of his stomach told Harry that that wasn't a bad idea at all.