Disclaimer – JK Rowling and various publishers own the world of Harry Potter.
Chapter Six
The Legend of the Dragon Sight
It was late morning in the Burrow. Hermione and Ginny were still sleeping. Ron on the other side was already up. He ate his breakfast and went for a morning stroll. Molly was in the kitchen with Fleur discussing and planning the wedding.
"We'll place the altar in the middle of the garden surrounded by flowers. In front of it will be the guest chairs." – Molly was explaining her idea to Fleur.
"Yes. 'Erry good. But I think it will be better if we could place the altar near the trees. There we can more easily place the flowers."
"Great idea, dear!"
"Thank you, Molly. Then we could put the tables near by in a semi circle on the left, near the dancing floor. "
"Yes, I had the same idea. We'll place the music band slightly on the right. We could make a small stage for them also. Then we'll arrange the guests – your family on the left and ours on the right. Also we have to find some place – oh – we could make like a tunnel."
" A tunnel? I don't understand?"
"I mean to cover the alley – it is like putting a roof of flowers."
"I see. Yes that will be great. I'll take care of the dresses."
"You'll do that. And I'll take care of all other arrangements."
"Sounds fair. Where is Bill?"
"I sent him to the muggle village to buy some things. There are times in which you buy certain stuff from the muggles."
"I see. Ok."
"Hmm how the time flies?" – Molly said looking at her watch. "And the girls are still in bed. Would you care to go and wake them?"
"Yes of course Molly."
Fleur went upstairs. Molly took a parchment and began to sort out her ideas about the wedding. Then she made a list of what she needed more to buy. She was happy that she had the support of Fleur on most of her ideas. But as for the dresses, she had to surrender to Fleur. 'It sounds fair', as Fleur said.
Ron was just coming back to the Burrow when he saw Bill. He stopped and waited for his older brother.
"Good Morning, Ron." – Bill saluted.
"Near noon already, Bill." – Ron answered.
"Yes. Indeed. I am surprised to see that you are not in bed and having a stroll."
"Me too. Well the girls are still sleeping. And since Harry left early this morning with Dad, I had to do something."
"Nothing more healthy than a good walk. Where will Harry go?"
"He had bought something yesterday but he had to pick it today. And after that he will be going to the Ministry to speak with Rufus Scrimgeour."
"Scrimgeour? What for?" – Bill asked stunned.
"He said he wanted to make the Minister let Ginny use legally magic."
"Really? Wow! That is well thought of him. In these dark times, they should amend the Under Wizard Restriction Act. "
"Yes, we thought the same. It would be more practical."
"Ron, I wonder what are you four up to?" – Bill demanded looking carefully at his brother.
"Meaning?" – asked back Ron looking innocently.
"Meaning that we can see that you and Harry are going somewhere, we can't follow you." – Bill answered with a smile.
"Is it really so obvious?"
"Yes. It is my little brother. Mom is not happy with that thought but it will pass."
"I know but there are some tasks that are more important than going to school and being a Head Boy." – Ron averted away.
"Indeed. It is good that you finally understand some of it."
"Some of what?"
"Remember two years ago. You wanted to join the Order and Mom and Dad refused to let you."
"Yes I do."
"Well then two years ago, you were too little to understand some of the principles of the Order. Now you have grown up."
"Thank you, Bill. It means a lot, to be appreciated that is."
"No problem bro."
"How is the wedding going?" – Ron asked.
"I have left everything on Mum's and Fleur's shoulders. I don't want to interfere there."
"Hmm!" – Ron chuckled.
"What?" – Bill demanded jokingly.
"Nothing." – innocently Ron answered back but soon burst in laughter and Bill joined.
Meanwhile Hermione and Ginny were getting up. They entered the kitchen. Molly served them breakfast. After that the girls went outside to enjoy the sun. They sat on the bench.
"Hermione." – Ginny began.
"Yes, Ginny." – Hermione looked at her.
"Do you think Harry will try to go alone?"
"I don't know. When Ron and I spoke with him some time ago, he said that we would be together. But since he came here, I think he began to change his mind. And especially after you and I embarked on our little quest."
"You think he is still angry at us? I mean for not letting them know where were we going?"
"Not angry but he still thinks that we should have told them, as Ron do."
"Yeah." – Ginny chuckled "They began both to have overprotective feelings for us."
"Indeed. I think they've gone a bit far in this."
"And you believe this is the reason why Harry doesn't want us to come with him?"
"One of the reasons I think. He seems obsessed by the idea that he might lose us. And I think this is his main argument. After all he has lost a lot."
"Oh! This is so sweet."
"Yes, it is. But I do not believe he can handle this task without us and I'm sure he knows it. This is the biggest dilemma for him. How to preserve us and in the same time how to succeed in the task ahead without us."
"So what are we going to do? Just let him go?"
"No. We are going to be good friends and follow him wherever he goes."
"That's the spirit. Why can't he see it this way? That we are ready to follow him no matter what."
"I don't know, Ginny. I hope he will see it this way. But we have to show understanding also."
"Understanding? Of what?"
"That all chosen ones are loners. They always go alone."
"No way. He is not going alone. I'm not going to leave him."
"Nor are we but there will be a point in time where we'll have to let him go."
"May be but this time has not come yet."
"No of course not. I wonder where is Ron?"
"Mum said he went out for a healthy stroll."
"What?" – Hermione asked amazed.
"Hmm. Yeah it doesn't sound like Ron now, does it?" – Ginny dreamingly giggled.
"No at all." – Hermione joined in laughter.
"Hey Hermione, Ginny" – Bill shouted.
"Hello Bill. Have you seen Ron?"
"I'm right here!" – Ron came behind Bill.
"I'll leave you three." – Bill moved inside the house.
"Where have you been?" – Hermione asked raising an eyebrow.
"Just walking." – answered Ron.
"Oh. Really?" – Ginny made a grimace.
"Yeah. Why? What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing!" – the girls said in unison and burst in laughter.
"What?" – Ron asked helplessly.
Hermione took him in her arms. Ron didn't resist but still looked confused.
"We are just thinking of you, Ronnie."
"Aha and?"
"And we were missing you. You obviously decided not to take us with you in your little stroll and we were wondering why. That is it."
"Huh?"
"And you can imagine what a girl mind can think of when her beloved wonders somewhere without saying a word."
"Aha. I get it now. Well your beloved wanted to have a private stroll."
"Private why? You don't trust me?"
"Oh. Let me be, Hermie!" – Ron pulled out Hermione's arms and stepped back. "I have the right to walk by myself you jealous fish."
"No one is denying you that right but you could have wakened us too."
"I decided to let you doze off and then wake you with.." – Ron took his wand out and pointing at Hermione said "Aguamenti."
The effect of the spell was eminent. Hermione was soaking wet in seconds. Ginny managed to move away before Ron could cast the spell.
Now Ginny and Ron couldn't stop laughing. Hermione looked offended but joined them soon. She knew that she did provoke him and she got what she deserved. But there will be a time for revenge.
Harry and Arthur had just arrived at the Ministry. Wizards were coming and going through the fireplace as usual. Their faces however looked more concerned and worried. Each day there was bad news. Someone was missing or killed or tortured.
Harry followed Arthur to the office of Scrimgeour. Minster Scrimgeour was busy as never before. There was a hailstorm of owls on his desk. He was just informed that Harry Potter requested an audience with him. The minister wondered what could possibly make Harry come to him.
"Good Day, Minister!" – Arthur saluted.
"Good Day for some, Arthur." – answered Rufus.
"Good Day, Minister." – greeted Harry.
"Ah. Harry. Good to you too."
"I'll leave now, Harry. Must get to work." – Arthur said turning to Harry.
"Ok. Thanks for coming with me, Arthur." – Harry replied.
"So Harry what can I do for you?" – Rufus looked questioningly at Harry.
"I came here to ask you to allow some of my friends who are not of age yet to use magic legally."
"You want me to bend the law in other words."
"Minister. The times are different now."
"Yes indeed they are. All right but what would we gain from that?"
"Ah. You are still on the same tune as last year. But it is not going to work, sir."
"So I guess I can't help you out, Mr. Potter."
"You don't understand, do you?" – Harry looked furiously at Rufus.
"Huh?" – Rufus threw a puzzled look.
"It doesn't matter now the damn Under Age Restriction Act. I just came to smoothly make things easier. But if you are still counting on me becoming your puppet, you are certainly mistaken." – Harry explained angrily.
"No matter of the law?" – repeated as echo Scrimgeour.
"Yes. No matter. We need as much people to be trained as possible. And if we are restraint by one damn Act that would prove difficult, won't it?"
"Yes. I understood you very well, Mr. Potter. Oh ok. For whom should I bent the law?" – the minister surrendered.
"Ginny Weaseley, Luna Luvgood and all sixth and seventh years in Hogwarts."
"That's what you call some of your friends? All right. By tomorrow's decree of the ministry all of them we be allowed to use legally magic. Does this satisfy you?"
"Yes. It is very generous of you. One more thing." – politely replied Harry.
"Yes, Harry."
"I want you to make sure no Aurors are anywhere near me. It draws too much attention."
"But Harry they are there only for your protection."
"Yes. I know that. I really appreciate the effort but the Order of the Phoenix will take care of that. You need your aurors to protect yourself and all the other people. They are also important, aren't they?"
"Of course you are right, Harry. Very well."
"Thank you for your time, Minister. I won't keep you. I see you are very busy."
"Of course Mr. Potter."
"Good bye Minister and thank you again."
"You are welcome. Good day to you, Harry."
Harry left the minister office and headed to Arthur's office.
"Arthur."
"Already done, Harry."
"Yes. All done. I need to register for the Apparition Test."
"Not to worry Harry, I'll register you."
"Great. Could register Ginny as well?"
"Yes of course."
"All right. I'm going back to the Burrow."
"Good. Go through the fireplace. I'll be back home sometime in the evening."
"Ok. See you then."
Harry made his way to the Atrium. He went through the fire and landed in the Burrow. Molly saw him and beat the dust out of his clothes.
"How did it go, Harry?" – Molly asked
"Perfect. Everything is perfect. The Minister agreed to my terms. By tomorrow many under age wizards and witches will have the right to do magic legally."
"Good job, my boy!"
"Where are the others?"
"I believe the girls went outside. Ron is in his room."
"Thank you, Molly."
Ron was sitting on his bed when Harry entered. He looked at his friend and saw him smiling.
"What's going on that makes you smile so wide?"
"I made the minister do my bidding." – Harry replied.
"Your bidding? Hey mate you sound like a Dark Lord." – teased him Ron.
"Really? Hmm. That's interesting too." – Harry smiled.
"There is nothing interesting mate. It is really disturbing."
"Harry Potter – Lord of Darkness. It sounds interesting. Don't you think?" – Harry continued thoughtfully.
"It sounds scary and…" – Ron interrupted himself. "You are pulling my leg."
"Yes, I Am." – Harry laughed. "Lets find the girls."
"Ok."
They found Hermione and Ginny on the field under a tree. The girls were discussing many girl things.
"Hey girls!" – Harry shouted.
"Hey Harry Boy!" – Ginny shouted back. "Where have you been?"
"Making history." – Harry replied.
"Wow! What did you do, Brave one?" – Hermione teased him and Ron threw a jealous look.
"Well. I coerced Scrimgeour to bend the Under Age Restriction Act for some of my friends. Like saying all sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts, Luna and Ginny."
"You did what?" – Hermione shouted.
"You heard me!" – Harry chuckled.
"And did he?" – Ginny asked.
"Yes. He did. By tomorrow's decree you can officially use magic outside school and home as you'll be considered an adult."
"Wow! Good job mate!" – Ron said.
"It is not good to encourage such an act, Ronald. Although Harry has some reason, it is still wrong to ask to do it for all these students." – Hermione added.
"But Hermione. If I had asked only for Ginny, it is obvious that it becomes a precedent for future demands. So isn't it better to make it for all?" – Harry asked amused by Hermione's furor.
"Well. Yes you're right!" – Hermione admitted.
"You see. That is the right course."
"Did you take the Task Hand?" – Ginny asked.
"Yes I did. It will be very useful. I am sure." – Harry replied.
"What are we going to do now?" – Ron asked.
"We are going to the arena, Ron. We have new spells to learn."
The afternoon, they passed in the arena practicing brand new spells. Harry even got training with Sentinel, which as it seemed pleased, her. Later when they were all exhausted, they decided to stop.
After shower, they went downstairs. Arthur was already home. He was in the living room reading the latest from the Daily Prophet. Fleur was explaining something to Bill. Molly was still in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Harry sat near Arthur and they began to discuss the latest while Ron and Hermione engaged in a game of wizard chess. Ginny went to help her mother in the kitchen. Soon she came out to call them for dinner. Everyone jumped from their seats and moved to the kitchen.
Molly was satisfied as everyone enjoyed her meals. She stood up and to the lavatory when she looked at the clock. She saw that the clock hand showing Charlie has moved to home. She gasped. Arthur looked at her but before he could say a word Charlie entered the kitchen.
"Hello everyone!" – he greeted.
"Charlie!" – exclaimed Arthur. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too Dad." – smiled Charlie.
"I am sorry. I am happy to see you Charlie. We just didn't expect you."
"Yes, I know Dad. I came here first."
"Why? Did something happen?" – Molly asked worried.
"It depends how you look on It." – answered Charlie amused.
"What do you mean?" – asked Arthur puzzled.
"Well, the dragons behaved in an unusual way these last three days."
"How unusual?" – Hermione asked interested.
"Well. To be honest with you they acted very unusually. Actually no one ever recalls a dragon to behave in this manner."
"What did they do?"
"Well a story must begin by its beginning." – started Charlie. "But before that the teller needs some food and drink."
"Right away." – Ginny said and served his brother.
Charlie smiled but he was so hungry he didn't have the time even to thank his sister. As soon as he finished, he motioned towards the living room and everyone moved in there. Charlie sat on the sofa, took a deep breath and started.
"It all began in a dreadful storm three days ago. We had to put the eggs to safety. We didn't want to lose them. This year we had very healthy dragons. So we secured the eggs and I went to bed. It was quite exhausting day." – Charlie paused for a minute.
"In the morning, I woke up to take my post. The day was pretty much normal until early afternoon when the first symptoms. The Dragons are usually separated males from females. The female dragons are more aggressive when they are laying eggs."
"That is normal to all species." – Hermione said.
"Yes indeed. The dragons, when they see us usually start to attack with claws and flames. That is why you have sedated them permanently. However today was different. There were no claws and no flames. They were absolutely calm. They actually barely moved. It was a most interesting behavior. Moreover when we began the routine cleaning and checking they didn't resist at all."
"Wow!" – Ron said.
"Ron shush!" – Hermione hissed.
"We thought that perhaps the next day they'd behave normally again. But we were wrong. They started to behave even more oddly. The male dragons seemed as though they were having a conversation."
"What do you mean? The dragons obviously communicate with each other." – Hermione inputted.
"Yes of course they do but this was different. It sounded almost like an understandable language. It was very odd. Then the females started to bow. Soon the males began to do the same. And then there was a roar I've never heard before. A roar that scared the Merlin out of me and the others." – Charlie stopped suddenly.
He looked terrified as he remembered that day. Everyone looked at each other. Charlie regained his speech moment later.
"It was a moment in which we are all terrified. The dragons on the other hand bowed to the ground, all of them, even the dragon children. After that they behaved as they always do. In the end, we still don't know what provoked such behavior." – Charlie finished.
"It sounds like they were bowing to a king or a master." – deduced Hermione.
"May be to Merlin himself. It is ridiculous, Hermione." – Ron opposed.
"Ronald, zip it! It is possible. May be there is a dragon we haven't seen yet."
"Yes, Ron. We thought of that as well. Their behavior was pointing that they might have heard or seen their higher master or something like that. Although most of wizards and the dragon-slayers would agree with Ron."
"You see that there are some who can still see reason and logic. Higher Dragons, Dragon Master it is preposterous." – Ron argued mockingly.
"Ronald you're a hopeless case." – Hermione affirmed.
"Stop calling me Ronald!"
"Ok. Ronnie!" – Hermione teased him.
The others were actually enjoying this little altercation. Harry, however, was thinking about what Charlie told them. He didn't look like he was imaging things or making them up. He was thinking about the strange events and dreams he had lately.
"Also before I came here I had a surprise visit." – Charlie continued.
"Who came?" – Arthur asked.
"Well, it is difficult to believe."
"Who was it?" – Ginny asked with interest.
"Victor Krum!" – Charlie answered.
There was an awkward silence. Everyone was surprised by the news.
"Victor Krum?" – Hermione spoke first.
"Yes. He sends his regards to you four and a present."
"Present? What present?" – Hermione asked anxiously.
"Who cares?" – Ron shot.
"A present for the four of you." – Charlie added calmly. "Meaning to Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron."
"Oh." – Ron sighed.
"So what is it?" – Ginny and Hermione were very impatient.
Charlie reached in his pocket and took out his wand. Then he enlarged a tiny looking straw, which turned into a golden box. Inside there were four Medallions. Each medallion was in gold, silver, blue and dark red. In the middle of the medallions there was a polished stone colored in the colors mentioned above. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione moved to take them but Charlie pulled it back to him, still smiling.
"Victor also mentioned that whoever gets the medallions has first to hear the legend."
"Legend? What legend?" – Ron asked.
"Obviously, Ronald. The legend connected with those medallions!" – Hermione informed.
"Another fiction story." – Ron grinned.
"Now Ron. There are a handful of artifacts that will prove you wrong." – Arthur intervened.
"Let's hear it." – Molly concluded the altercation.
"It is the Legend of the Dragon Sight!" – Charlie began dramatically. "In ancient times all magic creatures including man were equal and in good relations. Each creature respected the other. They all lived in perfect harmony.
The man at this time was not well acquainted with the use of magic. There were only few who possessed the gift. But they were wearing off with each generation because there was no one who could teach them how to master their abilities.
At this time, only a handful of creatures known to men were capable of using magic. They were dragons, snakes, eagles, unicorns, giants, harpies, pixies, centaurs, and phoenixes. The greatest of them were the dragons from the mountains and the snakes from the swamps.
It was believed that the dragons and the snakes could take human form. Thus they were able to walk among the humans and to teach them the ways of magic. Each year a dragon and a snake master were coming. They taught them not only the values of magic but values of life as well. Generations have passed before the man mastered magic and the visits of the master were slowly reduced to once a generation.
In return for the help the master were providing, the men decided to present them with crafty gifts. From the depths of the ground, men dug up precious metals. Their craftsmen made for the dragons chain-armours so shiny and strong that could withstand almost any weapon. For the snakes, they made shields and crests jeweled with diamonds and pearls.
So everyone was happy under the sun until the days of chaos. An unknown evil was spreading quickly devastating and ravaging the lands. By the time, everyone realized what was happening many things have changed. The wizards managed to resurface after the disasters. But the contact between the magic creatures and the wizards has ceased. Many of the wizards believed that the great were responsible for the disaster. And the gap between grew with each passing century. Until the day, the Great War started.
Many died in this war and no longer has a dragon or a snake master been seen. In the centuries following this tragedy, there were few among the wizards that possessed the ability to talk to animals. Soon the majority discovered that the dragons and snakes perceiving the great evil have granted a few humans the ability or the gift to speak their languages. However, those individuals were feared and soon they were hunted.
Through time, the feared one became fewer and fewer. The gift was wearing off. Once or twice a generation possessed the gift. Then it became very rare." – Charlie decide to make a break.
"Wow! This is a great story." – Ron said.
"This explains why some have the gift or the ability to speak to snakes. But as we know only few now can speak this ancient language." – Charlie explained.
"Yeah, Voldemort." – Harry added not noticing the reaction to the name of the Dark Lord.
"And you, Harry." – Hermione added.
"Yes and me. But what about the gift of the dragons?"
"Nobody knows actually, Harry. Many believe that the gift was lost entirely." – Charlie added.
"So what about the Dragon sight and the medallions?" – Ginny demanded.
"Ah yes the medallions. As you heard, the dragons and the snakes were able to walk among humans. However since the time their visits became fewer and after that they completely ceased, there was no way to communicate with the dragons. And thus the dragons decided to create other means of communication. It is believed that four great dragons crafted those four medallions. In them they concealed the dragon's sight, sense, strength and power. The bearers of the medallions, according to the legend, would gain those abilities. The ones possessing the gift of the dragon would become more powerful than any wizard in the use of dragon magic. Their strength, magic power and senses would be significantly increased. They will also have the sight and thus the ability to communicate with dragons at a greater distance.
In this way, the dragons kept their presence while the snakes retreated into the swamps. And so the snakes became a symbol for Dark Magic. Since then the wizards believed that anyone studying or possessing the gift to speak to them snakes is marked to be a Dark wizard or worse.
The dragons on the other hand became wilder. Some believe that the great dragons were no more and all it is left of this ancient creature is now spread through the various species of dragons."
"Wow. So the medallions would give the strength of a dragon?" – Ron asked dreamingly.
"According to the legend they should. However many have found before the medallions and no one actually gained any sort of power. So it is believed that they are simply medallions with no power at all."
"Charlie, you said that the medallions make you more powerful in the use of Dragon Magic? What is Dragon Magic?" – Ginny asked.
"No one can answer this question any more. I've to admit that Victor knew a great deal about dragons and their history. So I used the time to ask him as many questions as possible. And he told me that no one has seen in the last 14 generations, a person possessing the gift of the dragons."
"Did you ask him where has he learnt so much about the dragons and their history?" – Ron asked.
"Yes, I did. He said that when he was little his father took him to a private tutor. There he learnt a lot about the dragons. He also said that recently he had been seeing a magic master to further his training. The master also had a great knowledge about the dragons. He told him the meaning of the runes on the medallions."
"So his master possessed the gift?"
"I don't know about that. Victor wasn't sure either. He wanted you nonetheless to have them."
"That is very nice of him." – Arthur said.
"Well put them on." – Molly encouraged.
"Did he say which one for who is it?" – Bill asked.
"Yes he did. Now. This one is for Ron." – Charlie handled the medallion to Ron.
Ron took his and looked at it. Although the colors were the same as the others, they were positioned differently – gold and blue with fading dark red and silver.
"This one is for Ginny." – Charlie said and handled it to his sister.
The medallion was dark red and gold mixed with blue and fading silver. Harry's medallion was dark red and silver surrounded by gold and intermixed with blue.
"And at last Hermione."
The last one was dark red and blue chained in glowing silver and gold. Also it leaved the illusion that is the other way around.
They put their medallions but nothing happened, not yet!