The Ironbelly

"Harry, is there something wrong?" Professor Tero asked the only Auror student.

"Not really, Ma'am." Harry answered.

"Harry, there isn't anyone else around. You can call me Kim." Kim reminded him.

"Ok, well there is something bothering me. Christmas is coming." Harry finally said.

"What's wrong with Christmas?" Kim asked slightly chuckling.

"Nothing usually. But this year I have a feeling Tom will choose to attack during the holidays." Harry answered. "I don't think he is going to let me finish Hogwarts before he makes his attack."

"I see. Harry, that may be for the best, an attack outside of Hogwarts puts less students at risk and makes more Order members available." Kim tried to re-insure Harry.

"It's not just that though, Kim. It's my Christmas gift for Ginny too." Harry added.

"You don't know what to get her?" Kim asked.

"No, I have already bought it, I just don't know how she will react to it."

"Well, what did you get her?"

"I got her a..." Harry didn't get to finish his story as a silver Phoenix flew into the room.

Harry and Kim immediately followed it out of the room and out onto the school grounds. At first Harry didn't see what Professor Dumbledore had summoned them for. Instinctively Harry dove to his left and pulled Kim out of the way with him, as they hit the ground a jet of flame flew over the top of them. Harry lifted his head to look up and saw a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon on the grounds. All the teachers were sending stunning spells at the dragon but all were bouncing off of its hide. Ron, Hermione and Ginny were the last to arrive following Dumbledore's silver Patronus.

"What do we do, Harry?" Ron asked excitedly.

"I don't know!" Harry answered. "I've never had to fight a dragon before, only steal an egg from one!" Harry yelled as the Ironbelly roared.

"Aim for its eyes!" Kim shouted. "Cast stunning spells at its eyes."

All attempts were failing as the dragon was moving quickly and the spell would deflect. Then Harry decided he had to do what he could to defeat the dragon. He pointed his wand at the castle and shouted a spell.

"Accio Firebolt!" Harry waited for a moment then saw his broom come flying out of the castle. Harry caught the broom in his left hand when it came to him. "Keep it distracted as long as you can."

Harry mounted his broom and kicked off the ground. Harry circled around behind the Ironbelly while the others kept trying to stun it. The Ironbelly began swishing it's tail as Harry flew low. The tail narrowly missed hitting Harry as he made his way toward the dragon's back. Harry flew out in front of the Ironbelly and cast a stunning spell. The spell just missed hitting the dragon in the eye but hurt it enough to make it even more angry. The Ironbelly was now focusing solely on Harry and his Firebolt, a large stream of fire was sent at Harry. He quickly avoided being hit as he turned to the left and headed for the lake.

The Ironbelly charged after Harry leaving the others behind. When Harry was successful in bringing the dragon to the edge of the lake he turned and flew straight back at the dragon casting stunning spells in fast succession. The spells missed but delayed a second attack from the dragon long enough for Harry to get in close to it and cast another stunning spell. It hit the Ironbelly in the left eye and caused the dragon to stumble, before it fell it regained it's footing and swung its arm at Harry. One of it's claws hit the back of the Firebolt, Harry lost his grip on the handle of the broom and fell. He landed on the back of the Ironbelly and took hold on one the ridges on its back. Harry began climbing up the Ironbellies back and grabbed onto one of it's horns. Harry wrapped his leg around the horn and leaned forward.

"Stupefy!" Harry shouted while he pointed at the dragon's eye. The spell hit its mark and caused the eye to turn completely white, the dragon stumbled to the left while the unaffected eye glazed over. Harry heard the dragon give one last long breath of fire as it fell forward, Harry again summoned his broom and jumped on as it came to him before the dragon fell to the ground. Harry cautiously landed in front of the Ironbelly as the rest of the Order joined him.

"That was wicked, Harry!" Ron shouted as he ran over to his friend.

"Thanks, Ron. But I think its dead." Harry replied as Ginny wrapped her arms around him.

"I think you are right, Harry." Albus spoke from the front of the gathering crowd. "Your spell from that close must have been too much for it."

"Where is Hagrid? Can we get rid of it before he finds out?" Hermione asked knowing how it would affect him.

"'Fraid not, 'Ermione." Hagrid said from the back of the crowd. "Poor fella, I wonder 'ow 'e got 'ere. Don't worry though, Harry. It weren't your fault, you did w'at 'ad t' be done."

"Thanks, Hagrid." Harry spoke relieved his friend wasn't angry with him. "Professor Dumbledore, where do you think it came from?"

"I don't know, Harry. I do intend to find out though. Thank you for your efforts today, would you mind if the school used the dragon for supplies?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"If that is the proper thing to do, I wouldn't see it as a problem. Hagrid?" Harry replied.

"Yeah, tha' is th' rig't thing t' do. I will make th' arrangements." Hagrid answered with tears in his eyes.

A week later Harry, Hermione and Ron had just finished their N.E.W.T. tests for their shortened classes when Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore approached them in the corridor.

"I trust your N.E.W.T.s went well?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.

"Yes, Sir." They answered in unison.

"Ready, for the holidays?" Dumbledore asked again. "I've heard Dobby and Winky have already decorated the house."

"That's great, I can't wait to go home for a little while to relax." Harry said smiling.

"'arry, we are all done with th' dragon. Professor Snape 'as enough dragon's blood and o'her parts for 'is potions, Professor Sprout 'as more dragon 'ide gloves than she coul' imagine, an' all th' Quidditch team 'ave new dragon 'ide protective wear. We sold th' heart t' Mr. Ollivander, 'ere is th' gold we got for it."

"I'm glad that all of that was able to be used, but I don't want the gold. The school should keep it for other things." Harry replied.

"Very well, Harry." Albus told him. "You will be using Portkey tomorrow to get home. We don't want to risk anything happening on the train."

The next day the four went to Professor Dumbledore's office with their belongings and waited for the Portkey to activate. Once it activated they found themselves in the entry way of Grimmauld Place being greeted by Molly, Arthur and Remus. They went upstairs and put all of their things away before returning to the kitchen for a spot of breakfast. After breakfast Harry went to his master bedroom and pulled a small box out of his Bloodline Box. He began to open the box when there was a knock on his door, Harry put the box back and called for the person to enter.

"Hey, Harry how about a trip to Marauder's Meadow?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, sure." Harry answered.