DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
A/N: The Siberian Shade and Icefang belong to the wonderful Ember Ice and I thank her for allowing me to use her magnificent creations.
Chapter Nine - Dragons on the Pitch
Harry stood on the edge of a precipice, his eyes locked on the churning aqua waters below him. Blinking slowly, he raised his chin and stared at the pale blue sky marred only by the fluffy clouds floating along the horizon. A warm wind tugged at his hair and rustled the long grasses growing along the cliff's edge. Inhaling the strong smell of salt, he raised a hand and shaded his emerald orbs.
Over the broiling surf, two large dragons sliced the air cleanly, wings flaring and flicking without falter. The pair circled and dipped, each movement mirrored by the other in a winding dance almost impossible to follow. Scales glittered a myriad of colours as the pair skimmed along the ocean's surface, forelegs cutting the water effortlessly. With a shrill screech, the darker shot upward, her wings beating tenaciously. Flashing long fangs, the second and smaller followed quickly. Their bodies skimmed ever closer as they circled higher, spiraling till they were mere dots against the blue sky. Then they fell, closing their wings and plummeting straight into the broiling surf only to reemerge shaking water from crest and tail.
The loud rustle of cloth caught by the wind had him turning his head. She stood beside him and stared out at the rolling waves, eyes narrowed against the light reflecting off the water. When she turned to meet his gaze, he found himself staring into glistening emeralds. Small flecks of blue rose to the surface only to be consumed by the dark green seconds later. The red skirts of her dress brushed against his pajama clad legs, making him frown.
"What's going on?" He whispered quietly, running a hand over his forehead and rubbing the lightening-bolt shaped scar absently. Her eyes drifted to the mark on his forehead, a slender hand rising as if to touch the old wound. In her fingers she held the silver flute, the metal shining under the bright sunlight. "What are you trying to tell me?"
Her gaze flicked back to his before the raised hand swung and pointed out at the dragons floating above the ocean. "They come." Raveana murmured, her voice filled with promise. Emerald orbs twinkled happily as they returned to his. Offering him a grim smile, she pushed him off the cliff.
XxXxX
Harry sat up, chest heaving as he looked into Ron's blue eyes. Running a hand over his forehead, he grimaced as his fingers brushed back his sweat dampened bangs. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before flopping back down on his bed.
Arching a brow in question, the redhead offered Harry his glasses. "You okay?" He asked, settling himself on the edge of Harry's bed. In his hands he held a shirt, fingers rubbing the cloth absently.
Nodding, Harry sighed and accepted his glasses. Sliding them on, he stared at the canopy of his bed while organizing his thoughts. "She pushed me off a cliff." He murmured in shock, meeting Ron's gaze with something akin to amazement.
"Who did what?" Ron questioned, resting a hand on Harry's forehead. Frowning in concentration, he sat back and nodded firmly. "You're not sick." He announced with a smile, jamming the red and gold Quidditch jersey into his friend's hands.
"Thanks," Harry mumbled in confusion, looking at the uniform before groaning in understanding. "We play Slytherin today, don't we?"
"Yep, big game. So get up! We should be running some practice drills right now." Ron ordered, standing and grabbing his own uniform off his bed. He raised an eyebrow as Harry continued to lie on his bed, jersey held loosely in his hands. "Come on, Harry."
"You go ahead, I'll be down in a few minutes. We'll discuss battle tactics then." Harry stated, watching as Ron skipped from the room, Quidditch shirt draped over his shoulders. Closing his eyes again, Harry groaned and rolled over. "She pushed me off a cliff." He mumbled into his pillow, dragging red blankets over his head. Moaning softly, he locked his fingers around the edge of his pillow and thought about going back to sleep. Loud cheering from downstairs had him sitting up and rolling his eyes.
"I'm going to bed after the game," he said to the room at large, "and I'm not getting up till dinner tomorrow." Nodding in affirmation of his goal, he crawled out of bed and stalked downstairs to join the pregame celebration.
XxXxX
Draco stood in the empty Slytherin dressing room, staring into the mirror hanging in his locker. His fingers toyed with the silver chain he wore around his neck, playing absently with the small charm swinging at its apex. The light shone on the small flute, making him smile. Dropping the shrunken instrument, he reached into his locker and pulled out the black broom propped in the corner. The clatter of boots turned his head, pausing him in the examination of his broom.
"Draco." Blaise said in greeting as he popped his head around the doorframe. Looking around, the dark-haired wizard nodded and swung the door all the way open, leading Pansy into the room.
"We came to wish you good luck." Pansy said, eyes narrowing on the necklace he wore. Extending her fingers to capture the dangling charm, she glared at the blond as her hand was slapped away.
"Don't touch it." Draco muttered, turning around to face his locker. Running a smoothing hand over his pale hair, he nodded his head and smirked smugly at his image. Tucking the chain under his uniform, he pulled his broom from his locker and slammed the door closed.
"Please tell my why you insist on carrying that thing with you?" Blaise asked quietly, flopping down onto one of the wooden benches and propping his feet up on another. He crossed his arms over his chest as Draco sat down beside him and laid his broom across his lap.
"It's good luck." The blond mumbled, fingers caressing the dark shaft of his broom. His pale eyes were narrowed on the wooden handle, hands searching for any sign of foul play or damage from practice.
Blaise closed his eyes in exasperation, rubbing his temples with the fingers of his right hand. "You haven't had it long enough to know whether it's lucky or not. And as far as I'm concerned it's bad luck. The dragons are looking for that thing and so is Potter. You're only tempting fate in wearing it openly." The wizard said, opening his dark eyes and staring at Draco as the blond shrugged his shoulders in indifference. "I really don't know whose going to get you first, Potter or the dragons."
Snorting, Draco stood and stretched. Swinging his broom up over his shoulder, he walked toward the door leading out into the hall that opened onto the pitch. "Potter doesn't stand a chance." He snarled, raising a hand and pushing through the door.
"Good luck!" Pansy called at his back, waving goodbye merrily.
Blaise's brow drew down as he glanced at the Slytherin witch. "Come on." He muttered, grabbing her hand and dragging her from the change room.
XxXxX
Draco strolled onto the pitch and glanced around. The Slytherin Beaters and Chasers circled the pitch, brooms slicing easily through the air as they tossed a practice Quaffle. Smiling, Draco mounted his broom and flew into the sky amidst the cheers and fanfare from the Slytherin stands. Joining his flying teammates, the blond dipped and dove as he warmed up for the coming game. Pausing to look over the field, his eyes met angry emeralds. The Gryffindor dropped his gaze to Draco's neck, eyes narrowing on the flash of silver sparkling against pale flesh.
Grinning, Draco made a show of adjusting his jersey so the chain was completely concealed. Flipping the angered raven-haired wizard off, Draco dropped down to hover above the perfectly manicured lawn, his full attention on Madam Hooch.
Waving the two teams in, the referee glared at each of them tight-lipped, hands planted on her hips. "I want a clean game this time." She called loudly, having to holler in order to be heard over the screaming students in the stands. Shaking her head as the Slytherins smirked, she picked up the Quaffle and flung it skyward, blowing her whistle to begin the game.
Players shot in every direction, Bludgers already screaming through the air. Skimming along the ground, Harry gave Ron a thumb up before climbing higher in the sky. A flash of silver and green drew his gaze and had him sneering as Malfoy shot by him. "You're mine, Malfoy!" Harry yelled, at the Slytherin's retreating back.
"Bring it on, Potter!" Malfoy yelled over his shoulder, smiling smugly as he drew to a halt several feet above his team's goals. Glaring across the pitch at the angered Gryffindor, he raised his hand and rubbed the lump the small flute made in his jersey in a silent taunt. The tightening of the Gryffindor's lips had him chuckling softly before raising his eyes to the cloudy sky above him and beginning his hunt.
XxXxX
Harry circled higher on his broom, eyes searching the darkening sky above him. Thunder rumbled softly in the distance, forewarning the brewing storm advancing slowly. The first drop of rain splattered against the lenses of his glasses, making him sigh in regret. Raising his hand and wiping the glass with the cuff of his Quidditch jersey, he froze when a dancing ball of gold shot beneath him. Swearing softly, he swung the tip of his broom around and hurtled after the snitch. The winged ball dropped toward the ground quickly, zipping between the Chasers and Beaters without pause.
Gritting his teeth as the grass of the pitch grew ever closer, he locked his eyes on the snitch. Circling teasingly above the earth, the small ball danced back and forth before shooting down the pitch and vanishing. Groaning over the momentary loss, Harry drifted slowly upwards. A flash of black had him flattening himself against the handle of his broom, watching with narrowed eyes as the Bludger continued its path.
Swinging around in anger, he glared at the Slytherin Beater. Smirking, the green and silver cloaked player waved his paddle at Harry before shooting off after the Gryffindor chasers.
A flash of pale hair had Harry whipping after Draco as the blond shot toward the overcast sky. Chest pressed close to the shaft of his broom, he locked his fingers and pushed his broom to a greater speed.
The Slytherin looked over his shoulder and stuck his tongue out at Harry, fingers reaching for the snitch still beyond his grasp. "Can't keep up, Scarhead?" Draco hollered, fingers of one hand clutching the broom he straddled as the other flexed in preparation for grabbing the snitch. He shot into the fluffy white storm clouds without thought, hand swinging recklessly above his head.
"Right behind you, Ferret!" Harry bellowed in warning, a strong gust of wind forcing the tip of broom skyward. He grinned fiercely as he slammed his shoulder into Draco's, knocking the other wizard off course. Rain pelted down upon them suddenly, the drops stinging with the force of their speed. A crack of lightening drew both their gazes, giving the snitch the chance it needed to disappear.
Swearing, Harry halted his flight and looked around. Several meters away, Draco stopped and hovered while glancing disdainfully around him. Water dripped off the tip of Harry's nose, making him swipe at the drop while searching the surrounding sky. Thunder screamed angrily, the resounding boom causing Draco to jump.
Snickering at the blond's fear, Harry glanced up and narrowed his eyes at the shimmer of gold among white. His mouth fell open as the small ball seemed to grow in length, stretching out over his head. The transparent cloud solidified suddenly, long gold talons grabbing recklessly at him.
Yelping in fear, he dodged and rolled under the clutching claws. The white dragon rumbled in outrage as Harry maneuvered from his path, flaring wings edged in gold. Staring in open-mouthed shock, Harry watched as the Mage vanished seamlessly back into the clouds. Swallowing, he looked around quickly before pointing the tip of his broom downward and diving toward the safety of the school.
A piercing shriek had him slowing his descent and looking up. Draco shot by him without slowing, the silver cloak he wore slapping Harry in the face. Shaking the pain-inflicted stupor off, he looked up and found himself staring into the gaping jaws of a second dragon. Jerking on the shaft of his broom, he swung to the left in hopes of avoiding the large animal. In a liquid maneuver, the dragon tucked black and silver wings and followed easily.
Spinning into a dive, he hissed in relief as the brilliant green of the pitch appeared before his rain-blurred gaze. In the stands, students screamed and pointed at him, causing Harry to look over his shoulder and meet the malicious gaze of the dragon trailing him. Silver eyes shone with pleasure as she snapped at the trailing end of his cloak, lips drawn back to reveal long fangs.
Eyes widening, he shot toward the ground, yanking the handle of his broom up at the last minute to avoid slamming into the soggy pitch. The dragon flared her wings and swung her head around as she soared past him, choosing height over collision.
Players were screaming and shooting around the pitch, not knowing whether they should stop playing or continue despite the pair of dragons circling lazily above them. Teachers were clambering down from the stands, waving their wands and yelling at the students.
Harry hovered above the grass, looking around at the chaos caused by the pair of Mage Dragons. In a moment of comprehension he remembered Raveana's whispered words. They come, she had said, pointing at the dragons dancing above the heaving ocean. They had indeed come, Harry thought, following the animals slow movements as they floated above the Quidditch pitch.
The black tucked her wings neatly, mouth opening in a roar that blended with the booming thunder. She fell toward the pitch, forelegs outstretched as she sought to grab her unknowing prey. Harry followed the dragon's path and grimaced as he saw Draco running across the pitch, hands waving wildly in front of him as he fled the dark dragon. Screeching in glee, the black flared her wings and grabbed at Draco. The brush of her talons sending him tumbling to the ground and rolling through the mud.
A blur of white and gold collided with the black and silver dragon, the pair tumbling to the ground and skidding through the muck. Talons raked and fangs tore in anger, leaving lines of blood in their path. Hissing in warning, the white dragon wiggled free of the black's grasp, opening his large wings and growling as he gave a liquid hop backwards. Snarling and snapping, the pair glared at each other, wings arched in threat.
Harry heard Ron screaming his name and looked over his shoulder, meeting the redhead's frantic gaze. The Gryffindor team stood before the entrance to their change rooms, waving their hands to try and get Harry to fly toward them.
The thunder of a dragon's cry had him jerking his gaze back toward the squabbling pair and Draco. Crawling across the grass, the blond was watching anxiously over his shoulder while making his way toward the line of teachers standing nervously upon the grass.
Rumbling, the white dragon flipped his wings and leapt into the air suddenly. Hovering close to the ground, he dipped forward and snatched the Slytherin from the grass. Ignoring Malfoy's squeal of fright, the animal flapped its wings hard. Shrieking in triumph, the white dragon shot up into the sky. Colourful charms and hexes slammed into his flanks, splattering along his white scales before dissipating. With one final flap of his wings, he vanished among the pale clouds, precious cargo held tightly to his chest.
Harry glanced in open-mouthed shock at the teachers, noticing the stunned expressions on their faces. Wands were held loosely in their fingers as they searched the sky, forgetting the larger black dragon still sitting in the middle of the pitch. Hearing Ron bellow his name, he looked over his shoulder and shook his head before aiming his broom at the cloudy sky.
Rain bit at his exposed skin as he hurtled into the clouds, his shouted name ringing in his ears. Gritting his teeth, he floated slowly into the mass of white, searching for a flash of gold. "Malfoy!" He called loudly, praying to Merlin that the fact the blond had possession of the flute would stop the dragon from eating him. Sheet lightening lit the sky, causing his hair to stand on end. Gliding forward nervously, he narrowed his eyes and peered around.
The whisper of gold among white had him pushing his broom forward and darting after the quickly moving cloud. A flick of gold tipped wings revealed the white dragon's position, ruining his attempt at camouflage. Smirking over the small victory, Harry chased after the dragon. Hollering taunts and empty threats at the animal, he circled before its jaws and waved his arms. Blue eyes rolled to follow his motions but the dragon remained oblivious to his taunts, wings rising and falling slowly.
A thunderous roar had Harry glancing downward and moaning as the black dragon flew into view. The animal shrieked in warning, tail lashing the air as she climbed. Silver talons swiped angrily, forcing the white dragon to roll sharply in order to avoid the swinging claws. Gold filled Harry's vision before the smaller dragon's tail connected with his broom, sending him cart wheeling into the clouds.
Screaming, Harry was thrown loose of his broom. His arms swung as he tried to slow his fall, fear rising as his speed increased. Below him, the Quidditch pitch and stands came into view and continued to approach quickly. Life flashing before his eyes, he was unprepared for the sudden force that slammed into him from above. Claws bit into his skin as he was hauled up and pinned to the dragon's heaving chest. Black scales were warm to the touch, the dragon's heart beating steadily against his back. Wrapping his arms around one of the silver talons, he tucked himself against the dragon and sighed as the creature opened long wings and swept over the grass.
The teachers startled faces flashed through his line of sight before vanishing behind the dragon. Roaring in victory, the animal flapped its silver edged wings and shot skyward. Thunder boomed and lightening crashed around them as they slipped into the clouds. Rain hissed upon the Mage's scales, evaporating upon contact.
Shivering from the cold, Harry pressed his back against the dragon's chest and looked around. Beyond the silver tipped wings, lines of gold rose and fell continuously, alerting him to the presence of the white dragon.
Humming quietly, the black dragon tightened her grip on him and aimed her silver muzzle in the direction of home. Tucked firmly against the dragon's warm chest, Harry allowed himself to be lulled by the warmth and rhythmic beat of the Mage Dragon's heart.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review. I hope everyone had an excellent New Year's Eve and wish you all the best in the year 2007.
zafaran – Draco and Harry will probably eventually see the light and join forces to protect the remaining Mage Dragons. I haven't really got around to planning either Lucius' or Voldemort's role in this story but I feel both shall be making an appearance in the near future. As for the Sandtongues, I believe with the right leadership they will learn what's right and wrong.
wizli – It was time, I couldn't control myself. Harry's appearance and relationship with Raveana will play a major role the next few chapters.
Ember Ice – Thank you very much for your lovely contributions. However, you forgot to give me their names! I have their breed but not what you want them to be called. I'll need this info soon, so if you could christen these two lovely beasts that would be great.
IvySnowe – Writing the Malfoy/Potter history was fun. Harry and Draco will eventually work this out, but as always, it will take time.
NinjaoftheDarkness – I love being able to incorporate my ideas with my reviewers. It adds a bit of a challenge as well as making it more fun. By the end of this story, I'll have introduced a total of 10 or 11 dragons. So far I've created three and Ember Ice gave me two of her babies to play with (the Icefang and the Siberian Shade, both introduced in this chapter). When you have your dragon, send him/her to me and I'll find a place for him/her.
kasmo – Harry and Draco will work something out. Draco may be willing to teach Harry but how long would he be willing to put up with Harry's efforts? lol