DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Eighteen - Embrace the Dragon
Harry fell toward the water, his arms waving as he frantically grabbed at the face of the cliff. With a screech of fear, he slammed into the breaking water, the strong pull tugging him beneath the rolling waves. Kicking and paddling with his arms, he fought for the surface, his lungs burning.
The weight of his clothes dragged him deeper, his movements slowing as his vision spotted and blurred. Cheeks puffed out and internally screaming for air, he blinked against the saltwater. A shimmer of metallic blue and brilliant purple exploded from under him, a swirling lavender eye meeting his wide emeralds. Darkness fell upon him as he sank, that shimmering eyes the last thing he saw.
XxXxX
Harry sat up with a gasp, finding himself in knee deep water on a beach. Shaking water from his eyes, he rose unsteadily and stumbled away from the liquid. A flash of colour resting upon the golden sand drew his eye, bringing him a halt with the ocean licking at his heels. Mouth falling open, he walked toward the witch.
Tilting her head, Raveana arched a dark eyebrow and smiled. "Lost your balance, did you?" She queried, rising liquidly and sinking her fingers into the emerald skirts she wore. With a flick of her wrists she sent sand flying into the air. "I told Reggie that was a bad idea, but he insisted."
"He killed you," Harry muttered in confusion. "How can you speak of him like that when he was the one who killed you?"
A sad smile played across the witch's lips. "You haven't figured that out yet?" Shaking her head in amusement, she turned away from Harry and glided down the beach, indicating he should follow with a wiggle of her fingers. "Dragons are the most loyal of creatures. As long as I had lived, they would have remained here. They would have been slaughtered merely because I called them to me."
"I don't understand, you were trying to protect them." Harry stated, trotting after the raven-haired witch.
"And I was doing a lousy job of it. All the magic in the world wouldn't have stopped the dragon hunters. They were merciless men, Harry. Murderers without feelings." Raveana halted suddenly; turning to face the crashing waves. "Reggie knew as well as I did that I would have to die for the Mage Dragons to live. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make."
"It was all a ploy?" Brows drawn down, the raven-haired wizard peered into glowing eyes that mirrored his. "You let yourself die?"
Lifting a delicate hand to restrain the curls whipping about in the wind, Raveana nodded slowly. "I died and Reggie took care of the rest. He took the Dragon's Maw and locked up my library. It was Reggie who wiped the blood from my skin and dressed me in my favourite gown." Letting go of her hair, the witch pointed at the shape emerging from the water. A dragon broke the surface with a snort, drops of water running over its nose and neck. "Now tell me, Harry, who had it worse? Me, who died. Or Reggie, who had to live?"
Narrowing his eyes on the beast slowly hauling itself from the water, Harry thought over the question and everything he'd seen in the pensieve. "So, Reginald Malfoy really loved you?" He called as the witch began to fade.
Laughter filled the air as the witch glanced over her shoulder, emerald eyes dancing brightly. "Embrace the dragon, young Harry, and you'll have what I once had but was forced to release."
"Physically or metaphysically?" Harry murmured as the dream slipped away.
XxXxX
Draco screamed as Harry vanished beneath the crashing waves. His hands snatched at the grass as he leaned forward, pale eyes wide as he searched vainly for the raven-haired wizard. When the Gryffindor failed to appear, his mind leapt into motion, thoughts conveying that he should at least attempt to rescue the other wizard. Without rethinking that thought, he leapt into action.
Drawing a deep breath, he rose shakily and closed his eyes, preparing himself for the plunge he was about to take. Exhaling slowly, he shuffled forward until the tips of his toes felt nothing and bent his knees to leap. He counted down, muscles tensing as he neared one. As he shouted the last number out, he froze, his body stiffening in rebellion.
"For Merlin's sake," he muttered angrily, opening one of his eyes and glaring down at the churning water.
The earth began to shake beneath him suddenly; thunder growling as lightening crept across the horizon. Blue eyes widening, Draco leapt back from the edge of the cliff and spun around, holding his hands out before him as the white and gold Mage hurtled out of the forest. Roaring angrily, the dragon flowed toward him, wings traced with gold unfurling. As the dragon shot past him, one of its fore paws reached out and grabbed him.
Draco screamed as he was hauled over the edge of the cliff, hands scrabbling at the rough gold talon wrapped around his waist. He sucked air into his lungs as the Mage spiraled into the sky, wings fighting against the cold wind building. Lightening crashed next to them, fingers of fire reaching toward the waves rolling under them.
A roar ringing like thunder splintered the afternoon sky as the black Mage dropped past them, wings ribbed with silver tucked close to her large body. The dragon carrying Draco answered with a screeching roar, its call deafening. Covering his ears, the blond allowed himself to be born through the air, eyes tearing from the wind whipping around him. Through his blurred vision he saw the scarlet dragon fall gracefully from the sky, the snow white Mage trailing closely.
Letting out a coughing cry, the Icefang dipped his own wings and followed, his descent causing Draco to search the ground for the reason. He rubbed his eyes as he saw the length of golden sand running beneath them, noted the group of dragons gathered upon the beach shining like expensive gems. Arching their wings and snarling, the dragons pranced elegantly as they waited. Instead of dropping him, the white dragon landed gently before placing Draco upon the beach. Furling his wings, the dragon walked over the blond to reach the clutter of dragons.
Draco pushed himself to his feet and padded toward the dragons, creeping around swinging tails and drooping wings. His mouth fell open when he saw what they were gathered around. Crying out, he rushed toward Harry's limp body, dropping to his knees in the sand and resting a trembling hand upon the wizard's chest. "Harry!" He yelled, hands digging into the red and gold Quidditch robes.
A snort drew his gaze away from the raven-haired wizard to the scarlet Mage hovering over them, its emerald eyes focused intently on Harry. "Do something!" Draco snarled, turning back and tapping one of Harry's white cheeks. When his light touch garnered no response, he drew back his hand and slapped him harder. "You're supposed to be powerful! Are you just going to let him die?" He growled, pushing a lock of damp black hair off the wizard's forehead.
A soft crooning filled the air as the Mage tipped its head, pupils dilating. Before the blond could realize what was happening, he found himself torn away from Harry and pinned against the Icefang's narrow chest. Squealing in anger, he swung his feet and slammed the heels of his boots against the beast's scaled hide. He quieted as the red dragon lowered its sleek head, halting with its mouth open inches away from Harry's chest.
The dragon exhaled slowly, eyes drifting closed as if in concentration. All of the other dragons breathed in as the scarlet breathed out, a golden glow creeping over their bodies and dancing through the air above them. A flicker of pale green dragged Draco's eyes back to Harry, his pale orbs widening as a ball of magic consumed the raven-haired wizard's body. In a rush of wind, the gold magic that had been sliding free of the Mages crashed into Harry's green encased body, sending sparks of silver flying. Two pairs of emerald eyes exploded open, lungs sucking oxygen deeply as both dragon and wizard gasped for air.
"He loved her!" Harry hissed as his eyes flew open, body jerking up and off the sand. Shaking his head, he collapsed back onto the ground, his eyes rolling as he passed out.
Draco let out a croaking laugh as the Icefang released him, collapsing to his knees next to the Gryffindor's unconscious form. Raising a hand, he wiped a finger over his cheek and stared in shock at the damp digit. Lifting his eyes, he met the shimmering orbs of the red mage and smiled slowly. "Thank you." He murmured, picking one of Harry's hands and holding it against his chest.
Around him, the Mage Dragons lifted their muzzles skyward and sang sweetly.
XxXxX
Harry opened his eyes and stared at the dark ceiling above him. Blinking, he gasped as everything came into focus, the room brightening in a heart's beat. Stretching cautiously, he stilled as his arm brushed the warm body cuddled against his side. Turning his head, he stared at Draco's pale face, slack in sleep. He held his breath for fear of waking the blond as he peered at his face, his eyes widening as he realized he could count every eyelash and pore upon the soft skin.
Taking a gulping breath, he slid out of bed and walked toward the window, freezing as a low hoot cut through the room. He twisted slowly around, eyes falling on the owl perched upon the corner post of the bed. "Hedwig." He said, holding out his arm. The bird dropped from its roost silently, floating toward him on wide spread wings. With light flap, the owl landed on his arm, talons digging gently into his skin.
"You found me, did you?" He murmured, running a hand over her feathers. A shiver traced its way up his spine at the feel of the feathers. Never before had he been able to liken Hedwig's feathers to the richest of velvets but tonight, under his stroking fingers, it was like caressing silk. He gasped at the realization, stepping closer to the window and lifting his gaze to the sky. The moon glowed lightly but his eyes could pick out every leaf and branch upon the trees in the distance. Separate each scale adorning Basta and Druid's sides from the ones around it.
"Are you okay?" Draco's voice cut through the silence, the rustle of sheets frighteningly loud as he slid off the bed and anxiously walked toward the raven-haired wizard.
"I don't know." Harry whispered, setting Hedwig on the ledge of the window and placing his hands carefully to either side of her. He rested his forehead upon the thick glass of the window, sighing as the cold soothed his aching skull. "Everything looks different."
Draco reached out and grabbed Harry by the chin, tipping his head and staring into his eyes. He bit his lip at the sight of the other wizard's pupils. "You're eyes, they've changed." He breathed. And indeed they had, for now Harry sported the narrow pupil of the dragon; the emerald around it shimmering like never before.
"What happened?" Harry questioned, looking away from the blond's face as a blush rode his cheeks. He brushed Draco's fingers away from his chin and peered out into the brightest night he'd ever witnessed.
"The red dragon saved you. There was green magic and gold magic then you sat up and said 'He loved her' and fainted." The blond informed, glancing at the snowy owl blinking amber orbs at him.
"Basta bonded with me?" Harry whispered, dark eyebrow arching as he stared up at the sky.
Draco gave him a confused look before shaking his head. "Sure." Reaching past the other wizard, he poked Hedwig lightly in the side. "She brought a letter from Hermione and Blaise, we should probably write back immediately."
Harry nodded in agreement, offering the white owl his wrist as Draco gestured for him to follow. The pair made their way quietly downstairs in search of a quill and some ink. Though the halls were heavily shadowed, he navigated them easily, guiding the blond around rubble and destroyed furniture without error. They ended up in the library, the sconces along the walls leaping to life as soon as they stepped into the room.
Setting Hedwig down on the mantle of the fireplace, he collapsed into one of the dusty chairs. He propped his feet up on a stack of books as Draco settled himself in the chair behind the large desk, scrabbling through the clutter in search of a writing instrument.
"I can't find a quill." The blond muttered, shooting Hedwig a calculating glance. He shrugged his shoulders when Harry frowned at him.
"Use the tip of your wand if you have to." Harry instructed, ignoring the disgusted look the other wizard shot him. Rolling his eyes at the blond's unhappy mumbles, he slid deeper into the chair and stared into the empty fireplace, picturing a roaring blaze burning upon the empty hearth. With a loud snap and whoosh, flames leapt into existence upon the stone, fiery fingers disappearing up the chimney.
"What the hell did you just do?" Draco barked, the tip of his wand dripping ink all over the piece of parchment he'd been about to write on.
Harry shook his head slowly, blinking against the glow produced by the magical blaze. "I have no idea." Rubbing his forehead, he closed his eyes and let his head fall against the back of the chair. "Lets just write the letter so we can go back to bed." He mumbled, fighting back the headache that was fast blooming within his left temple.
"Don't be so bossy," muttered Draco, shooting an anxious glance at Harry before quickly beginning to write. He thought hard about everything that had happened over the past few days, including any important facts that might help Blaise and Hermione locate them on a map. He waited for the ink to dry when he was finished, glancing at Harry's still form. Chewing on his bottom lip, he waved the parchment through the air before folding it quickly. "I'm done."
Harry's eyes flew open at the sound of Draco's voice, body tensing as if he were under attack. He bobbed his head as he rose, calling Hedwig to him as he accepted the note from the blond. Using a frayed piece of ribbon, he tied the message to the owl's leg and carried her from the room.
Minutes later he watched the owl vanish into the night, her wings flapping as she gained height. Sighing, he turned and looked in the direction of the cliffs, bowing his head as he met eyes that glowed eerily like his own. A slow smile crossed his lips as he heard Draco cursing from deep within the manor, his words followed by a crash and the sound of breaking glass. Shaking his head slowly, he turned and went back inside to rescue the blond from the dark corridors of Shirestra.
XxXxX
Lucius knelt before Voldemort's throne, his hair falling over his shoulder and pooling upon the dirty floor. With every breath he drew, he inhaled the coppery smell of blood, his blond hair falling closely to the red pool inches away. His back tensed as the Dark Lord shifted, running his wand between his fingers.
"I have waited long enough, Lucius." Voldemort hissed, the narrow toe of one of his boots scuffing the ground. He reached over ad rested a bony hand atop the small box sitting next to him, fingers flipping the catch to reveal the silver flute. "It is time to call them."
Lucius pressed his lips together, darting a quick look at the wizard kneeling beside him. "My lord, he's too young." He protested, knowing the words would mean nothing to the evil wizard. His pale eyes slid shut at the sharp intake of breathing, lithe body tensing in preparation.
"You dare question me?" Voldemort snarled, the tip of his wand swinging around and leveling at the senior Malfoy. "Crucio!"
Lucius dropped to his stomach as the curse struck him, fingers scrabbling for a hand hold as his body twisted in pain. He bit his lip and squeezed his eyes closed, reminding himself his son's life rested upon his shoulders. When the spell faded away, he lay on the floor gasping for air, the tips of his fingers covered with blood. "It will not happen again, my lord." He croaked, shakily pushing himself to his hands and knees.
"I will expect you to bring your son to me within the next three days. Do not fail me again, Lucius." Voldemort growled, eyes glowing red as he stared down at the blond's bent head. A low laugh escaped his lips at the blood staining the floor, pleasure over the wizard's pain colouring his devilish chuckle. "Soon, I'll have a clan of great Mage Dragons at my command and the wizarding world as its known will fall."
The Dark Lord's laughter boomed around the room, the gathered Death Eaters not knowing whether they should clap or drop to their knees in thanks. Shivering at the sound, Lucius shot the wizard beside him another look, his pale eyes locking with chips of obsidian. The slight bob the other gave was almost imperceptible but Lucius returned it just the same.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review.
NinjaoftheDarkness – lol, I'm a little bit Irish as well. And of course, give me a good reason to drink and I'm there.
fragonknight01 – Yep, Reginald loved Raveana.
Shinigami – Sorry for the confusion; Reggie did love Rave.
PleiadesWolfe – Exactly!
IvySnowe – I know cliffhangers suck . . . I just can't stop myself from writing them.
kasmo – Remember that before Raveana bonded with Basta her eyes were blue, therefore this memory occurred before that incident. As for Reginald, I imagine he regretted what he did for the rest of his life.