A/N Thank you guys so much for the absolutely wonderful reviews! I love you guys! I got 25 so here's your chapter, in a week too! So happy, I am. I really loved writing this chapter, mostly because of Delacroix, the dragon, so I hope you like it too!
Also, you obviously like HG/SS otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. Have you read my other HG/SS, 'Flight among the Stars'? If not, maybe you could read it...? Maybe review...? ;D
Hermione couldn't speak when she saw the dragon for the first time as it perched on the highest peak of her enclosure, its pure white scales gleaming in the dying sunlight.
"So, do you like her?" Harry asked with a grin.
Hermione gaped for a moment before finding her voice and saying slowly, "She's beautiful… Where did you find her?"
"Remember that time we broke into Gringotts?"
She was taken aback. "You can't mean… this isn't…" she stammered.
Harry nodded, held his wand near his mouth and shouted, "Heyyy Delacroix!"
The dragon lifted her head abruptly at the sound of his voice and stared in their direction before leaping down from her perch and extending her wings to their full length. With a graceful twist in the air, she swooped down at them, letting out a loud roar. Hermione and Harry ducked as she flew over their heads, gusting them with a torrent of air from her wings.
"Dela, here," Harry called again, and Delacroix obeyed, landing a few yards away from them, so Hermione could finally get a good look at her. The dragons icy blue eyes peered back at her with curiosity, and as she tucked her massive wings against her sides, Hermione realised they were slightly translucent.
"Well? Do you want to ride her now?" Harry asked. She nodded enthusiastically and Harry led her over to where Delacroix had landed, the dragon contemplating their every move cautiously.
"How did you tame her?" Hermione asked as they neared her.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I didn't."
"What?"
"I meant, I didn't need to. She loves people. Magic people, that is, who don't have dark magic written all over them." Hermione smiled as she reached her hand out to stroke Delacroix's scales, which were smooth and cool to touch.
"We should probably get going," Harry suggested, causing Hermione to jump slightly at his voice. She nodded and Harry climbed up Delacroix to sit on her back, right between her shoulder blades. When he was situated, he held his hand out to her. "Here—I'll help you up." Hermione took his hand, letting him hoist her up so she sat right behind him.
"Have you ever ridden her before?" Hermione asked as Delacroix rose to her feet, jostling the two Gryffindors; Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and clung to him tightly as Delacroix spread her wings out on either side.
"Nah," Harry replied. "She's never let me before."
At the horrified look on Hermione's face, he let out a cackle. "Don't worry; I never said she hasn't been ridden before. She let Ginny ride her just fine."
Hermione still wasn't convinced, but she could say anything else because at that moment, Delacroix beat her massive wings and a moment later they were in the air, the wind streaming in their faces and Hermione clinging tighter to Harry with her eyes squeezed tightly shut as they ascended into the skies.
Hermione still couldn't believe that she was here, out of that terrible place and here with Harry, on a dragons back at that! She still didn't know where Harry had Apparated them, but what she knew was it was a long way from Hogwarts. She also didn't know how he had Apparated out of Malfoy Manor, and when she had asked, he had responded with an indecipherable mutter, what she took to be a hint that he didn't want to discuss the subject, so she didn't press the matter. Instead, as they walked through the dense forest they had Apparated near, Hermione asked him how he had found her. She remembered their conversation vividly.
"Can I ask you something?" she had asked.
"Of course. Fire away."
She hesitated before asking, "How did you know where I was?"
Harry, as predicted, looked uncomfortable, but nevertheless, he responded, "I saw you leave the castle, and I wondered where you had gone. I wasn't going to go after you until I saw Snape start to follow you, so I got a little worried as to what he might do… you know…"
"Harry, he wasn't going to hurt me or anything," she had sighed with frustration. "He's a teacher, for Merlin's sake! Just because you don't like him doesn't mean—"
"I know, I know, but I couldn't help but be slightly worried, so I followed you. Anyway, I saw you talking to him, and I knew you were probably just talking about homework or something, so I got ready to leave, and that's when… that creature came out, and you greeted it like a friend. Who was that golden creature?"
Hermione had stared at him in confusion, before realising he didn't know about Safire. "Oh, that was Safire, a Frences."
Harry was obviously confused, but he didn't ask about it, instead continuing with his anecdote. "So, of course I was more curious than ever, so I stayed. After seeing you talking to this Safire for a while, I was getting bored until you started crying at something Snape said—"
"It's Professor Snape," Hermione corrected.
"Whatever." Harry rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Anyway, Professor Snape said something that made you start crying, and I was ready to come out and hex him into next week. Then you just walked away." Harry paused. "What did he say?"
Hermione had been slightly uncomfortable, but she answered, "He was just asking me about something I said during my detention the other day. Why do you want to know?"
Harry shrugged, obviously still very curious. "I just wanted to know, in case I still need to hex him."
Hermione had fallen silent, wondering why Harry was asking her that; then, as she thought about it, she had asked him to tell her how he had found her. What really surprised her was how he had followed her all that way without her knowing he was there, but even as she was thinking this, she realised he had probably had the Invisibility Cloak.
"Where did you go when I left?" she asked, finally breaking the silence.
"I stayed to see what Snape—Professor Snape—would do, then followed you, of course," he continued airily. "When I saw that thing attack you I was getting ready to jump out to help when Snape appeared again. By that time, I was thinking he was some sort of bodyguard the way he defended you."
Hermione rolled her eyes in embarrassment. "It wasn't like he was trying to protect me. He still called me insufferable know-it-all."
Hermione was pulled out of her thoughts as Harry called, "Look, Malfoy Manor." She daringly opened her eyes a crack and saw it, looming in the near distance, its turrets and spires ominous in the darkening sky.
"So, you're sure you know the right room?" Hermione asked for the fourth time.
"Yes, Hermione, I'm sure," Harry replied patiently, for the fourth time. "Now, I've never had Dela do anything like this; I'm not sure what she'll do. Hopefully luck is with us…"
As they neared the ground, Harry clung tighter to Delacroix's neck spike in preparation for landing and Hermione tightened her arms around Harry. As they landed, Hermione and Harry were jolted forwards, Harry nearly being impaled on the spike he was gripping. All at once, Delacroix reared her head back, let out a mighty roar or fury, and brought her claws down on the façade of Malfoy Manor, the bricks and stones crumbling like sand from the force of her strike. An empty room was revealed through the hole, and Hermione could see a dark figure standing there; then the figure turned and started stumbling over rocks and debris towards the door.
Hermione recognised Professor Snape instantly, but before she could call out, Harry yelled, "Over here, hurry!" The figure paused and looked back at them and they waved their hands wildly, trying to get his attention. Finally, Snape started towards them and Harry pounded on Dela's back, signaling her to bend down, which she did obediently. Hermione watched as the Potions Master halted next to Delacroix, gazing at her in astonishment.
"Potter," Snape drawled while sneering at Harry. "What is with you and dragons? Perhaps you're spending too much time with our Hagrid and are becoming slightly...obsessive." He didn't even seem to
"I help save your life and all you can do is complain," Harry seethed while ensuring he didn't frighten Dela, "I don't know why you even stick up for him, Hermione. He is just one irritable git in my opinion."
"I see you haven't learnt to control your temper yet Potter," Severus rudely replied as he quickly glanced at Hermione with a gentle gaze that would have surprised her if she had been looking at him at the time. "And you may be aiding my escape however I am your Professor and I do expect respect."
"Harry, don't!" Hermione shouted seeing that Harry was about to retaliate. "Let's just go."
"You heard Hermione, are you coming or not?" Harry snapped impatiently, forgetting in the heat of the moment that he was talking to a professor with the shortest of tempers. Hermione saw irritation flash briefly across his face before he reluctantly started climbing up towards them. Dela stumbled slightly at the extra weight but didn't lose her footing as Snape stiffly sat behind Hermione. She could tell this was like an explosion to his ego, having to accept help from two teenagers, but there was no time to worry about broken egos right now; a glance backwards told her the Death Eaters were already after them, and they didn't look too happy either.
"Come on Delacroix, come on," Harry muttered. "Hurry, we need to get out of here!"
Hermione could tell Snape was itching to berate them, or demand they explain why they were doing this, but he couldn't have spoken if he wanted to because the words would have been forced back down his throat as Dela took to the air. She had gotten used to the ride and was now actually enjoying it, despite the fact that she usually despised flying. Her joy was soon smothered as spells and curses started firing towards them as the Death Eaters shot after them furiously. She leaned forward against Harry as Delacroix's wings beat a rapid rhythm on either side of them, getting them further from the danger and closer to safety.
All at once the dragon let out a roar of pain as the curses hit her, and Hermione wondered briefly if they would even escape sufficiently to escape injuries.
"Potter, Hermione!" Severus roared, not realising he called Hermione by her first name. "Assist me; put some wards around the dragon!"
Hermione nodded shortly and pulled out her wand, then a thought hit her and she began to say, "Come on Harry, we need you to help too! Put wards around Dela. If not for him, do it for me!"
Hermione looked straight ahead. "Cave Inimicum… Cave Inimicum…" she chanted quickly, even as Harry did the same. A faintly purple sphere began forming around Delacroix, deflecting most of the spells aimed at her and causing them to ricochet back at their casters. In less then five minutes, more than half of the Death Eaters had either fallen back or been knocked off their brooms.
But there was one masked figure still coming strongly at them, not even wavering as Harry and Hermione fired hex after spell at him. His wand flicked curses at them faster than they could retaliate back at him, and his broom was easily keeping pace with Dela.
"We'll never get away in time," Harry shouted over the wind whistling past their ears. "Keep firing at him; I've got an idea!"
Abruptly, Delacroix snapped her wings tight against her side and fell into a steep dive, straight down through the opaque clouds; Hermione glanced up and saw that Harry was holding what appeared to be giant reins and was steering the dragon where he wanted her to go. Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as the harsh, stinging wind blasted her in the face, freezing her to the bone; that time of year wasn't the best time to go on a dragon ride, she thought coldly. Then: How ironic.
As they spiraled down towards the unforgiving ground to what was undoubtedly their ultimate death, Hermione wondered how this could possibly be Harry's idea. What good would they be if they were dead?
"You might want to duck!"
Harry's warning shocked Hermione for a moment, and she just sat there a moment wondering what they were ducking under; then her mind caught up with her and she ducked against Harry, who was laying flat on Delacroix's neck. She was about to ask what was on the other side of the clouds when they broke through…
Right over the ocean.
When Delacroix saw the raging waters, she extended her wings, but not fast enough; then, instead of trying to stop, she folded her wings over her passengers and dove straight into the dark water, her wings keeping the water off of them as effectively as any spell or charm.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked, his voice reverberating eccentrically off Delacroix's wings.
Hermione nodded, then twisted her head around to see how Professor Snape had fared during their crazy flight. She wasn't surprised to see that his face was, as usual, a blank mask; if he was nervous, he certainly weren't showing it. When she turned back around, she saw Harry rummaging through his pockets, obviously searching for something.
"Harry, is this how you said the plan would go?" Hermione asked. "I don't remember anything about going underwater when you explained it to me."
"Uh… what did you say?" he replied absentmindedly. "Oh, well not really; I mean, I didn't expect it, but it worked didn't it?"
"Yeah… yeah I suppose…" Hermione trailed off. She had seen his distracted expression, concealed movements, and when she spoke he had started slightly. Harry was hiding something, she concluded, but what? Then something else hit her: Harry was speaking to her. Not a week ago, he had been ignoring her, acting like she wasn't even there; now here he was, rescuing her from the most dangerous place known, and acting as though their argument had never occurred. Not that she wasn't glad for the change, it was a relief to finally be speaking to him again, but why the sudden change of heart? What had made him do it?
She opened her mouth to ask him just that when Delacroix shuddered; one might think a dragon shuddering would not be any different from a human shuddering, but when Dela shuddered, her wings opened a fraction and water poured all over them, Harry was once again nearly impaled on her neck spike and Hermione slipped down the dragons' side, almost falling before someone grabbed her arm and hauled her back upright. She almost said thanks to Harry when she realised he was still trying to control Delacroix, his drenched hair and clothes sticking to him, and was not paying any attention to her. Confused, she twisted her head around and saw Snape sitting a ways back, his hands wrapped around another spike and his eyes pointedly adverted from ahead.
"Thanks," she said awkwardly looking towards Severus. "That was nice of you."
"You are welcome Miss Granger." Severus responded with a small nod, "There is no need to thank me; after all you have put your life on the line for my own. Far many more times than you should of," he added with a dark look.
"D-don't worry about it." Hermione said blushing as she slightly stumbled on her own words, "I owe you as well."
"Huh?" Harry had regained control and was looked at her strangely. "For what?"
"Nothing," she replied hurriedly, abruptly glancing at Severus who had turned the other way.
Harry shrugged and turned back around just as Delacroix exploded from the water, sending glittering arcs of water droplets through the air as she soared higher and higher. She glanced around the skies but there was no sign of the Death Eater; he must have retreated thinking there was no way they could have survived underwater.
Even as the brief thought whipped across her mind, a flash of black appeared out of the corner of her eye and she saw the same Death Eater that had been following them last had just emerged from the thick clouds that were gathering overhead. As they sped away, the Death Eater easily kept pace. Hermione fired hex after hex at him but his nimble broom dodged them all as he returned fire. Harry had his work cut out for him just trying to keep Delacroix in control; at one point, he allowed her to whip around and breathe a torrent of white-hot flames at the Death Eater but that caused her wings to tangle and she plummeted towards the ocean below until Harry could disentangle them, nearly causing them to be slammed into the ground below. He didn't let her do that again.
It was then Hermione realised Delacroix was tiring from her extended, pressured flight; her breath was coming in rapid gasps and she was definitely slowing down. The Gryffindor rested her hand of Harry's shoulder and muttered, "Dela is going to collapse if we force her to go any longer." She hoped he would get her unspoken meaning. As was Harry, he did.
"But if we don't keep going, he—" He gestured towards the sneering Death Eater with a jerk of his thumb— "will catch up and most likely kill us." His eyes grew frantic. "What should we do?"
Hermione shook her head, then something hit her; something so outlandish, so absurd, so ridiculous, she hardly thought it, but it was the only way.
She reached down, grabbed her wand, and poked Harry in the back with it.
"Ow!" he yelped in shock. "What was that for—Hey!"
She had just sent a shocking spell straight at his back, sending jolts through him; she felt terrible doing this, but it was the only way. If she could purposely summon the Xi'an in Harry, maybe he would attack the Death Eater and give them an advantage. It was the most absurd thing she had ever done.
As she continued to cast small spells on him, he steadily grew more angry until he finally grabbed her wand hand and glared into her eyes, all thoughts for steering the dragon forgotten. "What has gotten into you, Hermione?" he shouted in her face. "Why are you doing this?"
Hermione didn't answer for she noticed his complexion growing darker, and brown fur started sprouting all over his face and arms; her idea had worked, but would the Xi'an know to attack the Death Eater? Or would he attack them? But it was too late for that. Harry's eyes were narrowing and the fur grew longer until it was more then four inches long, and he growled, sending shivers down her spine at the thought that her best friend would even think about attacking her, no matter his situation.
From the corner of her eye, she could see Severus on guard; he had maneuvered himself slightly so he was directly behind her.
"Miss Granger," he whispered close to her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "I want you to move behind me. Potter is not in his right mind, he is dangerous and he may hurt you; I cannot let that happen."
Touched by his unexpected kindness, Hermione almost agreed, however she knew, deep down that she wouldn't get hurt. "With respect, there is no need, sir. Harry wouldn't hurt me," Hermione whispered back while tilting her head somewhat back, "Watch!"
All at once Harry released a howl that made her blood run cold, and the fully transformed Xi'an swung his shaggy head around, sniffing the air madly. When he spotted the Death Eater on his broom barely three metres away, his claws slid out and with a snarl he leaped at the Death Eater. He slammed hard into the shocked man, knocking him from his broom and sending him hurtling downwards towards the ground and most likely his death; Harry landed precariously on the narrow broomstick, gripping to hold on as it bucked wildly.
"Harry, get back over here!" Hermione screeched as he slowly lost his grip, now clinging on with a single claw. "Harry!"
When she spoke the second time, the dark furred creature turned his head with a growl and bared its teeth at her before trying to himself slowly on top of the broom, which was still zigzagging and bucking. He had almost gotten up when it gave a mighty surge and he lost his grip completely, plummeting downwards.
Hermione mustered her courage and grabbed Dela's reins and with them, yanked Delacroix's head downwards so the dragon was pelting after the twisting, howling creature below. The wind whistled past their ears, making it so even if she did try to yell at him, she wouldn't even hear herself. But there was no need, because they quickly caught up to him, passing him, and Hermione pulled up, only having to wait a few moments before he landed with a startled yip as the breath was driven from his lungs on Dela's back a ways behind Hermione. Hermione would tell him later how lucky he had been to have missed one of the dragons' pointed spikes.
But for now she had to make sure he was alright. Glancing behind her, she saw that the Xi'an's fur was slowly turning a lighter shade, and she thought quickly, coming up with the solution. Handing the reins to Snape, who glared at her callously, she scrambled unsteadily past him with a muttered, "keep her going straight," and started towards Harry, who was himself again except that his skin was still the dark fur colour.
"Hermione…" he gasped as she neared, his eyes wide with shock. "What just happened?"
"It alright, Harry," she assured him. "You saved us."
"I—what?"
"You knocked the Death Eater off his broom," she explained. "You saved us all."
Harry gazed at her, speechless. "But… how? How did I save you?"
"The Xi'an came out. It had to, or we would have all died. Harry, please understand why I did it, it was for us…" Hermione trailed off, unsure how to continue. "Harry, come on; we need to get back up there. I'm not sure how Snape likes his new job…"
"You let him steer Delacroix?" Harry asked incredulously.
Hermione started at the unexpected response. "Yes. Why? Did you not want him to?"
Harry shook his head. "It's not that, but… you would trust him that much, with something as important as that?"
She nodded slowly, her eyes wandering to where the dark cloaked man was sitting, his shoulders tense with… apprehension? Hermione couldn't tell. "Well, should we go back up there then?"
Harry shook his head. "No, not yet. I—I need to talk to you for a moment. About what's been going on between you and Snape."
Hermione was taken aback by the question. Going on between her and Snape? Why would he ask that? There was nothing going on with her and the Potions Master, unless Harry was referring to their talk on the lakeshore. But that wasn't even a proper talk, and she had explained what they had spoken about, so why would he be referring to that?
"What do you mean?" she finally asked, a slight tremor in her voice. "Nothing's going on between us."
Harry tilted his head. "What about the way he looks at you, and you look at him? And I heard about what happened in your detention, and how you gave your life for him." A confused expression twisted his face. "Please, Hermione; tell me what's going on."
Hermione shook her head and frowned. "Harry, I already told you: nothing is between us. What do you think is going on?"
"I don't know, but whenever he's around you get all quiet."
She couldn't deny it; she did get nervous around the dark man, but not in the way Harry was implying; not even close, in fact. She just got nervous because of all the things they'd been through together; bringing the other back from the dead; getting taken hostage by those bizarre creatures; and now escaping Malfoy Manor. It was starting to make Hermione think someone was setting them up, and she shuddered.
"Are you okay?"
Harry's inquiry startled Hermione, and she nodded. "Fine," she replied and she gave him a small smile.
Harry still looked dubious, but he just shrugged it off and turned his head to stare off into the distance for a moment, his eyes glazed as he sat there, deep in thought. Hermione wondered why he was so curious, but she didn't dare ask in case he took it badly. She would have to just wonder and imagine why he might have, but his questions had unnerved her. Did he think she was plotting with Snape? Or was it something else?
She realised she was just making a big deal out of this. "Harry," she started. "Can I ask you something?"
Harry shook himself out of his daze and turned his gaze towards her, his eyes glittering curiously. "Yes?"
Hermione took a deep breath then asked, "Why are you all of a sudden talking to me? I mean, before I left, you acted as though I wasn't even there, but now you're rescuing me on a dragon and talking to me as if we had never argued. What happened? What made you do…" she paused, uncertain. "…this?"
Harry seemed faintly uncomfortable at this. "I overreacted, that's all," he muttered. "Sorry about that."
Hermione still wasn't satisfied. "But why?" she pressed. "Why did you suddenly start talking to me? Harry, I want to know what happened. Please."
Harry inhaled deeply, then sighed. "Hermione, I—I can't talk about it here, not when there's someone around who would hear me. I'll tell you later, I promise."
"Harry—"
"Later," Harry repeated with a meaningful glance at Snape, who still had his back turned to them. "I promise." He fixed Hermione with a gaze so warm, so full of affection, she turned her face away as a blush spread through her face.
"Potter!"
Professor Snape was getting impatient. Harry and Hermione had been talking for a lot longer than they first thought, and he was wondering what they were talking about. Maybe escape tactics, or the best Quidditch matches ever. He snorted to himself; yeah right.
It was then the two Gryffindor's moved back up front; Harry took the reins from Severus with a curt nod as he sat down, and Hermione smiled warmly at the Potions Master as she took her seat between him and Harry. Severus was well aware of the little room between her back and his chest, and for some very odd reason he felt the urge to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her closer to him, breathe in her aroma.
But he needed to resist these temptations. Even though she was the one he needed to fall in love with to reclaim his magic, he still needed to keep from pushing her so far away until there was no hope she would fall for him. He was actually surprised at the attraction he was starting to feel for her, and was even more shocked at the way she seemed to be reciprocating it, how she had backed him, insisting to Potter that they return for him. It still left him speechless when she smiled at him, or looked at him in her intoxicating way.
When he had whispered to her to move behind him, he had been surprised when she didn't make any move to avoid him; instead, it was as though she was savouring his closeness, and he wondered briefly if she had any feelings for him at all, or, that is, positive feelings. If she had negative feelings for him, he wouldn't be surprised, but it would hurt him more than anything. Not because he was falling for her, but because then he would never get his magic back, and he couldn't imagine going any longer without it. He was slowly deteriorating as his last memories of the incantations slipped from his mind. He had tried writing them down while he had still been at Hogwarts, but when he only managed to copy down eight of the countless spells, he had drunk himself senseless, furious with himself for not thinking of that sooner.
He would never let her go. If he had to duel Harry Potter, and anyone else who tried to date her, to get her, he would, but anything to retain his magic. Already he was feeling the emptiness building inside him, and he wondered how much longer he could last.
Suddenly, he realised Hermione was watching him intently, her eyes wide. "Professor, look!" She gestured with her arm and he followed her gaze to see Hogwarts standing proudly about two leagues away.
Home.
Hermione was getting apprehensive, and to Severus' surprise she leaned back against his chest, lightly, with her arms folded across her stomach. He let in a sharp intake of breath and Hermione instantly sat straight up, glancing at him quickly before turning to face forward, but not before Severus saw the embarrassed, guilty look on her face. He smirked. What a girl. Then he corrected himself: What a woman.
"Alright, Hermione," Harry suddenly called over the rushing wind. "When we land, I want you and Snape to get off quickly and stay somewhere where no one will see you." Before Hermione could protest, he hurried to continue. "I want to take Delacroix back to her enclosure, then Apparate back here to you."
"Harry, are you sure?" Hermione asked, her voice filled with worry.
"Yes, Hermione." Harry turned around to gaze into her eyes. "Please, just stay safe, alright?"
Hermione nodded. "You too," she whispered. "And please hurry."
With that, they landed with a bone-jarring thump, and Hermione took Harry's hand as he helped her to the ground. She swayed, unsteady after the flight, and when she recovered, she saw Severus had already disembarked and was standing a ways away. Glancing up at Harry, she saw an uncertain expression across his face before he gave one last wave and took to the skies. She watched until he vanished, then she suddenly realised how exhausted she was, and with that last thought, her eyes rolled back in her head and her knees buckled beneath her; she barely noticed she fell into strong, safe arms that caught her as she fell.
A/N Ok, can we try for 40 reviews? I want to know what you thought of this chapter, and if I should make any changes in it. Thank you for reading this! I love you guys!