Disclaimer: Same applies as in all the other chapters.

WARNING: I had made changes to chapter 4 and vastly rewritten chapter 5 and if you haven't done so already it would be in your best interest to re-read these. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Chapter 6

After a timeless moment of falling the dragons of argent and black appeared out of nowhere and smashed through the thick ice of a vast lake in the bowl of a cloud breaking snow covered mountain. Submerged in the freezing waters they slowly sank, subconsciously closing their airways until they came to rest in the soft muck below.

Gale was the first to regain her senses and wake up, loosing some of her air before realizing she was underwater. Even with the numbing cold she hurt all over, but she pushed the pain aside when she saw the unconscious black laying barely two feet away. He looked how she felt, but now was not the time to wonder about what had happened and she grabbed his wrist, awkwardly pulling him after her as she swam up with the aid of her wings and tail; every move sot pain through her body. Gale was exhausted when she finally found the broken ice and dragged herself and Snape out with the very last of her strength, collapsing on the spot. She shuddered at the sight of his wounds in the light of day; it was obvious only something her size could have inflicted them. All she could remember is being bitten b the snake; everything else was a complete blank. Looking back at Snape she saw the worse wound on his flank, his blood slowly coloring the ice crimson. The blood flow, however slow now, would have to be stopped or he might very well bleed to death in his sleep. Gale took a deep breath, holding it a moment and breathed a healing mist across his flank. It was all she could do and with all of her energy spent she simply rested her head on the ice and fell asleep.

….

The sun was setting when Snape came to, his body cold and hurting all over. It took a moment before the world made sense again, his eyes instantly focusing on the battered silver dragon next to him. She looked as bad as he felt, making him feel even worse. He knew he had done this to her, however why he did it was beyond him; he felt sick inside. Her golden blood smeared the ice around her, but he could tell her wounds had stopped bleeding, as had his. He was surprised to find his flank had already healed over, distinctly remembering the severity of it before loosing himself to an incredible rage.

Snape rumbled at the memory and pushed himself up, aggravating his injuries and moved close to Gale, checking her over more carefully. He could tell by the way she lay and breathed how exhausted she was and surveyed their surroundings. The winds were starting to pick up and it wouldn't be good to be in the open like this, not with their wounds. They were close to the shore, but he couldn't make out anything but white all around them. Getting Gale to the shore would prove rather awkward, but he had no real choice.

It was dark by the time Snape finally managed to drag her all the way and he hoped he didn't injure her more in the process. He had found a small protected area against a cliff. Wanting nothing more but to rest he settled down next to Gale in a protective half circle and let sleep claim him.

….

It was early morning the next day when Dumbledore was woken by the melodious tune of his phoenix, Fawks. He wasted no time in getting out of bed and putting on his morning robe to meet his feathered friend of ages by his perch.

"And tell me old friend, have you found them?" he asked stroking his belly. "Are they well?"

Fawks affectionately nipped at his finger and squawked.

"I'm very relieved to hear that," sighed Dumbledore. "I thank you for your help."

….

It was the second night when Snape woke, the unnatural drop in temperature being the culprit.

"What are you doing here," he hissed when he spotted the Nightwalker near Gale's head.

Kiasa's eyes shortly flared, but he continued rubbing her snout.

"I should kill you where you lay, wizard," he rasped. "You're lucky Gale likes you so much."

"I didn't mean for this to happen!" snarled Snape. "She attacked first; I tried to calm her."

"A weak attempt it was after which you tore into her without mercy!"

Snape growled, feeling a pressure build up in his chest. He quickly simmered down when Gale twitched.

"What happened to her," he asked. "And to me for that matter; why did I do this to her?"

"She was poisoned with liquid fire," said Kiasa now stroking her neck. "The heat inside drove her insane, she had no control of herself. As for you; your weak mind was dominated by dragon's rage."

"How could this happen," he pushed, ignoring the jibe.

"As much as Gale has advanced in natural magic you can't expect her to succeed in everything," he said. "The spell she inscribed on the scale she gave you has a flaw."

"What do you mean; what kind of flaw?"

"There is no limiter," Kiasa said simply. "The spell has grown beyond its purpose."

"Damn it! Don't keep making me ask!" sneered Snape.

Kiasa fixed his crimson eyes on Snape and he could've sworn if the Nightwalker had a mouth he'd be smiling.

"Can't you feel it?" he asked. "The scale itself is useless now; the spell has incorporated itself into your very being. When you change, you truly are a dragon of black; before you were simply wearing its form."

Snape stared with unseeing eyes as the realization slowly sank in. But how could anyone cast without limiters. The very spell itself should always have limiters in its foundation.

"Gale tired to copy something her kind is born with into spell form," said Kiasa as though reading his mind. "The ability was never meant for humans and even less to be confined to a spell."

"Can I prevent this rage from ever happening again?" he asked finally.

"If you set your mind to it," he said getting to his feet. "It would be in your best interest. If you ever harm her like this again not even her love for you will keep me from killing you!"

With that Kiasa vanished and Snape was left baffled.

Her love for me?

It never occurred to him how much she really cared for him and if he was to be honest with himself, he liked her more than he was supposed to himself. However, in retrospect he was rather daft for not noticing it sooner.

You're not allowed to fall in love with her you bloody fool!

Grumbling to himself he shifted to relieve his injured flank and rested his head back on the cold ground. It was true though, he had already shown her more affection than was proper and somehow the notion didn't bother him as much as it should. Even now as he watched her sleeping he remembered their first flight together; just seeing her fly was alluring in itself; her graceful body and sinewy neck and…

You hopeless bastard, he berated himself. Even as a dragon you're attracted to her.

With a huff he turned his head away and closed his eyes, determined to ban all improper thoughts from his mind. It worked until sleep claimed him and his dreams were no longer under his control. A blessing no one could look into his dreams.

….

It was midday of the third day when Snape next opened his eyes and he found that Gale had not even moved an inch. As exhausted as she must be, he had to make sure she was still able to wake up for his own ease of mind. He nudges her snout with his own.

"Wake up Gale; open you eyes."

Her eye opened barely a sliver before falling shut again, her body shifting a little. Snape gave a small smile and touched the side of his snout to hers for a lingering moment before turning away again. It seemed all they could do for now was sleep as the worse of their injuries slowly mended.

Later in the evening as Snape barely dozed, Gale finally stirred for real and slowly opened her eyes as he raised his head.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

It took a moment for Gale to come fully awake and she slowly raised her head.

"I feel weaker than ever before in my life," she rumbled groggily. "And I ache all over…"

"Welcome to my world," he commented dryly.

Gale bowed her head.

"Sir…"

Snape shook his head.

"Don't even start," he said. "We both lost our heads."

Gale rested her head on the ground with a great sigh.

"I'm still sorry," she muttered.

Snape frowned and shook his head when he suddenly felt guilty. Turning away from her he nudged her with his tail.

"I'll make sure this never happens again," he said. "I promise."

Gale chuckled and closed her eyes, the tips of their tails wrapped around each other. The rest of the night was spent sleeping yet again and by the fourth day their strength was finally returning.

Snape watched as Gale shifted around and exhaled the small gathered reserve of her healing mist on his flank and shuddered at the tingling it spread through his body.

"You shouldn't use it all on me," he commented at some point. "You're wounds need healing as well."

"It's better if you're able to walk," she said. "So far we've been lucky, but who knows what creatures live here; I don't even know where we are."

"Good point," he admitted. "But don't overdo it; you're still weak."

Gale couldn't smile but he saw it in her eyes.

"I'm honored you care so much."

Snape looked away and Gale paused.

"I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean…"

"The weather has been steadily declining," he said changing the subject completely. "We might have to find better shelter soon."

"It'll be slow, but you should be able to move by tomorrow," she said. "I'll try and find a way to higher ground."

Without further ado Gale limped off and Snape sighed.

"Of course I care," he muttered.

Gale was gone for a few hours when she suddenly fell from above, ungracefully hitting the ground with a sickening crunch. Startled, Snape pushed himself up on weak legs and limped towards her, noticing the odd angle of her wing and blood coming from her jaw.

"What the bloody hell?!"

A thump behind him was all the warning he got; when he turned he received a club in his face that sent him flying. Swimming in pain he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get the ringing out of his ears as he held his head. Whatever hit him grunted in victory and approached with heavy footsteps, a foul scent reaching the black's nose. Squinting at first, his vision cleared enough for him to identify the frost giant and the danger he was in. But then the creature paused and turned to Gale when she groaned, grabbing her by the back of her neck to raise her with ease.

"Release her!" he snarled fighting the dizziness making his vision fade in and out.

The giant didn't even spare a glance as he shook her, prodding her with his club. Snape snarled and struggled to his feet. Pushing the pain out of his mind, he started running at him.

"Release her at once," he roared.

The giant turned just in time and caught Snape in a crushing hold when the black jumped at him, but his jaws still clamped shut on his right shoulder. The creature jerked him off, tearing a chunk of flesh and threw him to the ground with an angry growl. Snape bounced right back and caught his arm, crushing the thick bone. The giant smashed his elbow down on his head, a marvel he didn't shatter his skull. Seeing stars, he was easily thrown off. The giant took the wicked club in both his hands and raised it high above his head seemingly unaware his arm was broken. Hoping Kiasa was right about him now being a true dragon in this form, Snape turned on his back, inhaled deeply and spewed a stream of acid in the giant's face. The creature dropped the club and held his face, burning his hands as the acid ate away at his flesh. Inhaling again, Snape finished the job and the giant went down for good. For a moment he could only lay there, exhausted and hurting everywhere. Then, gritting his teeth he rolled over and staggered towards Gale.

He never reached her before blacking out.

……..

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to your reviews. Thank you for your reviews so far.

Later Days, Imako the Demon Wolf