DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Nineteen - An Age Old Battle
Draco awoke to the soft patter of rain on the windows. He blinked sleepily and cuddled back into the warmth pressed against him, peering through half opened eyes at the slip of gray sky visible before him. Thunder rumbled angrily somewhere in the distance, the booming sound reverberating through the old manor and shaking the glass in its frame. Sighing, the blond molded himself more firmly against Harry, ignoring the screaming voice in his head.
He lay still for several minutes, enjoying the warmth and feeling of contentment that filled the room. The feeling of being watched had him opening his eyes and twisting carefully around, expecting to find himself staring into a pair of blazing emeralds. Instead, twin balls of amber fire greeted his pale orbs.
"Go," he mumbled, waving a hand over the raven-haired wizard's body in an effort to shoo the small Sandtongue away. Groaning, he lifted a hand and pushed his hair back as the Mage pranced eagerly around to his side of the bed. Compressing his lips, Draco frowned at the little dragon. "I don't want to play with you." He informed the Sandtongue.
Hissing, the Mage reared back and balanced easily on its hind legs. Unfurling her long wings with a snap, she parted her jaws and revealed glistening fangs. Strings of highly venomous saliva slid down the dripping canines to splatter on the floor.
Draco narrowed his eyes at the threat; reaching up and pulling the silver chain free of his green and silver Quidditch jersey. Swinging back and forth upon the chain's apex, the Dragon's Maw whispered silent promises, its length shining seductively. The blond smiled as the Mage's pupils dilated, the tip of her nose shifting left and right in time with the miniature instrument. He detached the flute carefully, resting it in the palm of his hand while he searched for his wand.
Grinning at the expression of delight on the Sandtongue's face, he murmured a charm and watched as the instrument resized itself. "You want to sing, do you?" He whispered, shooting Harry's still form a quick look before sliding free of the blankets and standing. Beneath his feet the floor was cold, the hard wood retaining no warmth. Shouldering deeper into his Quidditch cloak, he crept toward the window and stared out.
Rain pounded the ground mercilessly, the trees rolling and bending with the strong wind that whistled through their branches. Along the cliff's edge, a large black form could just be seen huddled among the hissing grasses. Lightning flickered high in the sky above the manor, tendrils of gold stretching toward the choppy waters of the broiling ocean. Thunder clapped and banged fiercely, spooking the blond momentarily.
Chuckling over his own fear, Draco lifted the flute to his mouth and wiggled his fingers over the intricately engraved keys. He closed his eyes as he began to play, allowing the music to consume him. The roar of thunder and the tapping of rain faded from his ears, replaced by rounded notes and the melodic rumble of the Sandtongue. His fingers flew gracefully, landing without fault or error. Without thinking, he shifted from an old lullaby to the music recorded in the journal. Brow drawing down as he played the piece from his memory.
"Stop!" Harry barked from the bed.
Draco whirled around and lowered the flute, glaring at the raven-haired wizard with arched eyebrows. "What?" He asked sharply, his ears ringing from the high pitched squeak of a misplayed note. The silence of the room had him frowning and turning back to the window, his pale eyes widening at the sight before him.
The thunder and lightning had halted, leaving the sky empty and quiet. A gentle spring rain tinkled against the windowpane, almost nonexistent as it too drew to a finish. The sun peeped past fluffy white clouds, chasing away the dark gray shadows that had hung over the dilapidated manor.
"Merlin," the blond breathed, arms falling to his sides.
"Something's not right." Harry said, crawling across the bed to get to the window. His steps were harried as he paused next to Draco, narrowed eyes sweeping the horizon. Tipping his head as if to listen to something only he could hear, the raven-haired wizard let out a loud curse and swung around.
"What's going on?" Draco snapped, chasing after Harry as the Gryffindor swept from the room. He rolled his eyes as the other wizard shook his head, sliding the flute away in favour of being able to draw his wand with his dominant hand. "Harry, explanation please."
Glancing back over his shoulder, Harry arched an eyebrow before giving a slight bob of his head. "Something feels off. In all the time we've been here, the weather has never been bad. The Mage Dragons control the elements, Draco. That storm was created by one them."
"So?" Draco demanded in confusion, clattering down the stairs behind Harry. "Maybe they just wanted a change."
Harry snorted, breaking into a light jog as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "I highly doubt that. They spend half of their day lounging around on the cliffs basking in the sun." Shaking his head, he pushed through the front doors and halted on the stone steps. He glanced at Draco as the blond stopped next to him and tipped his head back.
"I don't see anything." The Slytherin whispered, scanning the soft blue sky for anything. Turning a full circle, he searched the horizon diligently before shaking his head.
"Do you hear anything?" Harry asked rhetorically, a smile curving his lips as the blond's gaze jumped to his.
"No."
"Exactly." Murmured the raven-haired wizard, sliding smoothly down the wet stone steps. Around them, everything was completely silent. Except for the occasional drop of rain, the lawn and forest seemed to have been abandoned. The trees should have been full of birds cheerfully calling. The overgrown gardens teeming with buzzing insects and bees but they remained seemingly empty.
A screech of pure rage cut through the silence, causing the pair to jump and whirl in the direction of the cliffs. Without thought, the pair took off around the corner of the manor, skidding on grass slicked by the pounding rain. They hurtled forward, casting anxious glances at each other as another shriek sliced the air. When the writhing grasses of the cliffs came into view, the pair slowed and walked forward cautiously.
"There," Harry snapped, a finger jerking up to point at something only he could see.
Or maybe not, Draco thought, his eyes locked on the Mage Dragons crowded together. "What do you see?" He asked quietly, stepping closer to the raven-haired wizard as the blue and silver dragon bawled loudly. The entire clan shifted nervously, opening and closing their wings while they dipped their heads in some strange dance.
Narrowing his eyes, Harry focused on the shapes hovering in the distance. "It looks like wizards on brooms." He turned and looked at Basta, noting the uneasiness with which the red dragon sat. Frowning, he shifted his gaze back to the approaching figures and examined them carefully. Under their feet, the ground rolled and pitched before resettling.
"We're saved!" Draco cried, throwing his arms around Harry's neck and squeezing tightly. Bouncing up and down in excitement, he failed to notice the tensing of the dark-haired wizard's body.
"I don't think they're here for us." Harry stated calmly, grabbing the blond's arms and tugging himself free. Reaching into his pocket, he drew his wand and began to walk closer to the dragons.
"What? Why not?" Draco whined, planting his hands on his hips and glaring at the dark dots just becoming visible to his eyes. Seeing that Harry had pulled his wand out, he groaned deeply before searching his pockets for his own.
"Because they have long bows and swords." Harry whispered bitterly.
Beyond him, Basta reared up on his back legs and screamed, wings lined with gold unfurling in a crash. Druid and Silverhawk answered the call, their rasping cries twining together and shaking the earth as they lashed their long tails in warning. From her place within the group, Black Lady opened her wings and launched herself into the sky, rolling thunder sliding from her parted jaws. Hissing and spitting, both F'lar and F'lor cat called, one picking up the battle cry when the other slowed.
"They're after the dragons." Draco breathed, icy eyes flickering from the massive Mages to the figures speeding toward them.
XxXxX
The Great Hall was fairly quiet as everyone ate their lunch. What once might have been an unusual occurrence now seemed to be the norm for the students as they gazed silently into their plates. Other than the odd scrap of a fork or knife, everyone remained relatively silent.
A sudden outcry drew Blaise from his reverie, eyes immediately searching out the cause for the rumble of voices. His mouth fell open at the sight of a blur of white feathers hurtling toward the Gryffindor Table. Hooting wildly, the snowy owl settled gracefully on the table before Hermione and extended her leg.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore called, rising with a frown.
The witch straightened, her eyes widening as she fumbled the message and dropped it to the floor. Both Ron and the brown haired girl ducked under the table to retrieve it, emerging moments later with Hermione clutching the piece of pale parchment and Ron rubbing the top of his head.
"Please bring that note here. We're currently under quarantine, you know the rules." The old wizard rumbled, holding his hand out as the witch slid free of the bench and walked sorrowfully toward him.
"I apologize, professor." Hermione whispered, presenting the perfect picture of a good and honourable Gryffindor. She laid the note in his hand and hurried back to her house table, pausing only to snatch up her bag before fleeing the Great Hall with Ron close on her heels.
Blaise elbowed Pansy and rose, picking up his books and mincing from the hall without so much as a glance at the head table. A smile slid over his lips as he turned toward the entrance doors and saw Hermione and Ron waiting impatiently for them. Arching an eyebrow, he saw the brown haired witch give a quick nod before slipping through the door and outside. By the time the pair of Slytherins got onto the steps that led out onto the narrow driveway, the Gryffindor witch had already unfolded the note and was reading it with teary eyes.
"They're okay," she announced, handing the message to Blaise so he could read it for himself. Shifting her gaze to the lawn, she froze and narrowed her eyes. "Is that Lucius Malfoy?"
Blaise looked up and stared slack-jawed as the tall blond stalked toward them, his long black cloak whipping around him. Flicking his gaze to the Gryffindors, he whispered, "disappear."
"We'll catch up with you later," Hermione stated, grabbing her bag and Ron and dragging them back inside.
"Good afternoon, Mister Malfoy." Pansy called, waving cheerfully as the older wizard frowned and glared at them.
"Where's Draco, Blaise?" Lucius Malfoy snapped, cane dangling threateningly between two of his fingers.
"Ah, Dumbledore. He's with Professor Dumbledore." Blaise said. Smiling he folded the note and slipped it into his pocket before stepping back and opening the front door for the blond. He cringed as the senior Malfoy swept past him and prowled down the hall.
"That's the best you could come up with?" Pansy sneered.
"Sadly, yes." Blaise grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. Shaking his head, he wrapped his arm around his girlfriend's waist and swung her around. "Let's go find Hermione and Ron."
XxXxX
"What do we do?" Draco asked, anger making his voice quiver. Narrowing pale eyes, he ran his wand through his fingers and searched the sky for the black dragon. A smirk curved his lips as he located the Mage, her sleek form circling high above the gathered clan.
Harry smiled grimly and waved his wand absently before him. "We fight," he announced calmly, turning his head and peering at the blond. Arching an eyebrow in silent question, he continued to walk quickly toward the dragons.
"Ah, Harry? I think you should rethink that plan." Draco muttered, wincing as he counted the wizards who appeared to be regrouping a short distance off. Under the sun's rays, the blades of swords glinted, whispering promises of death and pain.
"You have a better plan?" Harry called back, halting in a defensive position before Basta. Without thought, he rubbed his fingers together, coaxing the scarlet dragon to his side. He was faintly surprised when the entire clan moved forward, grumbling and hissing as they followed the flying wizards with their bright eyes.
"The manor wards! You're a Potter! Activate the wards." Draco yelled, snapping his fingers together. He bit his bottom lip as the dark-haired wizard shot him a startled look, emerald eyes widening in understanding.
Before he had a chance to respond, Basta stretched out his neck and roared. Harry was grabbed unceremoniously by golden talons and hauled tightly against the dragon's chest, red wings coming forward to shield him from the blur of lavender magic hurtling toward them. "No time!" He cried blindly, hearing the charm connect with Basta's scales.
Taking offense to the strike, Druid screeched and broke from the pack, powerful wings lifting him into the sky. Harry heard more than saw the Mage's departure, his eyes filled with dark red scales as Basta attempted to protect him.
Magic crawled through the air in a wave, bending back the branches of trees and setting his hair to twisting in the wind. In a show of strength, the red dragon lifted his wings suddenly and leapt into the air. The rasp and thunder of half a dozen other wings unfurling filled his ears, setting his eyes to searching for Draco. He heaved a relieved sigh when he found the blond tucked against Silverhawk's chest, the small dragon climbing at an amazing speed.
Basta sideslipped quickly, blowing past a wizard wielding a long blade. Harry's mouth fell open as the man swung blindly at the dragon. "Stop!" He screamed angrily, wiggling in hopes of getting his right arm out from under one of the dragon's clutching talons. His wand was useless he realized, dragging air into his lungs as the dragon performed an aerial maneuver that would have had seekers everywhere drooling to perform.
Their attackers were blindly throwing charms and curses, the magic flying through the air and spattering against heavily armored sides and wings. The attacks seemed to have no affect on the dragons, merely forcing them to fly harder and deflect magic quicker.
Harry saw Druid dip sharply and open his mouth, white fire spilling from his parted jaws as he mercilessly struck at the wizard harassing F'lar. The icy magic connected with the tail of the broom, creeping slowly up the handle toward the man who was watching its assent with wide eyes. In a crack, the brook faltered and began to fall toward the rolling water of the ocean, carrying its screaming rider with it.
A blur of blue magic filled Harry's vision suddenly and he screeched in fear, feeling Basta's talons loosen around him. For the second time in his life, he found himself dropping toward the ground, his arms and legs swinging wildly. Warmth bathed his legs, followed by dozens of tiny daggers that buried themselves deeply into the muscles of his left calf. Twisting as his descent was slowed, the raven-haired wizard peered thankfully into Esdra's twinkling amber eyes.
His eyes jerked up as a ball of green sped through the air on a crash course with them. He raised his hand as if to halt the magic, crying out loudly as fire crawled up his arm. His ears rang with the piercing whistle of magic, eyes widening as a wave of black reached out and consumed the ball of green. And then he was falling again, his weight having become to much for the small Sandtongue to bear.
The wizard who had flung the magic at him cried out loudly, pointing the tip of his broom after Harry and dropping into a hair-raising dive. Roaring angrily, Basta shot past the wizard, wings tucked close to his sides for maximum speed. Reaching upward, Harry caught at the extended talon, allowing his body to be jerked up against the dragon's chest as they rolled over and buzzed along above the choppy waters of the ocean. Water exploded upward in their wake, a dragon with a metallic blue hide shooting free of the ocean's grasp and snapping blindly at the wizard.
Basta flipped neatly over and flared his wings, circling back in the direction of Shirestra. Above him, the other dragon's fell in quickly, all of them winging toward the safety of the manor's grounds. Snarls and roars bounced around as the dragons dipped and twined in a deadly dance, barely managing to avoid each other at times.
The edge of the cliff appeared suddenly beneath them, the grasses fanning in welcome as the dragons dropped to earth. As soon as Basta's back legs touched the ground, a wall of fiery green magic erupted from the soil and enveloped the clan, growing steadily larger as Harry was set gently upon the ground. Shaking his head to get rid of the stars blurring his gaze, the raven-haired wizard looked at the wall and grinned. "The wards!" He called to Draco as the blond was dropped to the waving grass.
Draco nodded in agreement, his pale eyes following the length of pulsing magic that swept into the sky and completely covered the manor and all of its grounds. "I suppose Basta was able to awaken them." He mumbled, rolling over and rubbing his pale face as Harry walked toward him. Sudden hollering had both wizards jumping and looking in the direction of the mob gathered outside the magic wall.
It was a scene Harry could've sworn he'd seen before; the wizards milling outside the pulsing wards as the dragons took solace within. Panting, he walked toward Draco and pulled the blond to his feet, checking him over for any injuries before returning his gaze to the shouting crowd banging upon his wards. "Go away!" He roared, cringing as Basta bellowed for emphasis. Silence settled as the wizards beyond the gates looked at each other, talking softly before frowning in his direction.
"Harry Potter!" Alastor Moody yelled, limping closer to the glowing wards. "Get out here!"
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review!
RoughIslandSunrise - Well, this chapter answers your first question. As for the ring and flute, I think Draco will most likely keep the instrument seeing as Harry can't play the flute and Draco can.
DestinyEntwinements - lol, that's going to put a major cramp in his plan, eh?
kasmo - Metaphysically means visionary, so kinda like how he's been talking to Raveana. Apologies for the spelling mistakes, I guess I was having a bad week and was in a hurry to get it uploaded.
Evil Ball of Fluff - lol, me too. Poor guy . . .
Beth Weasley - lol, that's alright. I'm glad you're still enjoying it. As for your dragon, it did make an appearance in this chapter and a brief appearance in the last one. I'll be introducing him or her in the next chapter.
fragonknight01 - lol, I'm a sap when it comes to love stories. And Lucius, well, I guess we're going to have to pity him, especially after what's going to happen over the next few chapters.
NinjaoftheDarkness - I can't really say who the bottom in this relationship is. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding so I end up switching them and their behaviour back and forth. lol, I'm a little Irish, a little Scot, a sliver of french, a whole lotta Dutch, and 100 percent Canadian!