Standard Disclaimer:
"Stop!"
Alyx looked up from her keyboard in annoyance. "What?" she snarled.
Bob thrust a thick handful of papers under her nose. "You can't continue the Who who epic! You're in contract violation!"
Alyx snatched the papers from his hand and started looking them over. "Contract violation?"
Bob nodded smugly. "Yep, we are required by our contract to include a certain number of Llamas, technicolor penguins and exploding clowns in our disclaimers. All you've done for the last sixteen chapters is obsess over Draco's who who!"
"That can't be right," Alyx muttered. "Are you sure?"
Bob pointed to the contract. "It's all in there," he replied with a smirk.
Alyx huffed, then she picked up a cup and hurled it into the audience. There was a hideous girlie like scream and more knowledgeable readers recognized the death scream of Ron Weasley. "Damn damn damn!" she moaned. "What am I going to do now?"
Bob shrugged. "You only have two options open to you. You either abandon your Who who epic," Bob said.
Alyx's expression fell and her lower lip quivered.
Bob hurried his explanation along. "Or you somehow find a way to integrate Llamas, Penguins and exploding clowns into your who who epic."
Alyx stared at Bob incredulously, then she sprang to her feet. "Eureka!" she shouted, causing Bob to fall backwards into the orchestra pit. "That's what I'll do."
Bob climbed out of the pit and noted Alyx was busily typing away furiously at her computer. He turned to the audience. "While Alyx reworks her storyline, I'd like to say we don't own Harry Potter or the Dragon Riders of Pern. Additionally I'd like to add it's amusing what a phoney contract can make someone do."
Bob walked off the stage chuckling to himself.
Alyx paused to read. "While the evil Harry Potter slept, Larry the Llama and Pete the Penguin stole into his fortress to steal the precious Who who. Larry and Pete were surprised to discover the Who who vault guarded by Bobo the exploding clown..."
"It's brilliant!" Alyx shouted. "Eat your heart out William Shakespeare! This is literature!"
A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.
- Benjamin Franklin
The Kitchen Hall, Campbeltown Weyr, June 13th...
Harry walked into the hall and nodded in greeting, then he went to the head of the hall. His leg was still bandaged, and he was still officially grounded but that didn't stop him from performing most of his duties.
About once a week he had to make general announcements to the riders and staff of the Weyr. This was easier than calling for a meeting.
"Good morning," he said with a smile. "I have received a request from the Ministry of Magic, asking for a wing of dragons to attend a special ceremony at the Hogsmeade school. Although school is officially out for the summer break, the children and the staff wanted to honor the dragons and the people involved in preventing the attack back in February. Headmistress Early has requested that the children return for a special day of fun and picnicking followed by a short ceremony. Deputy Minister of Magic Sir William O'Hearny and some of his people will be attending as well."
May frowned in her seat and Harry noted her expression. "May, I know I'm still grounded, but this event isn't scheduled until June 20th. If I'm still grounded at that point I'll just ask Remus to make me a portkey. Chekiath can meet me at the school. Will that satisfy my Weyrhealer and Doctor?"
Several chuckled and May looked over at Issac who nodded. "All right Harry we'll do it that way," May replied.
"Harry?"
"Yes Karen?"
"I have contacted the company that made the flight suits. The insulation is a complex polyester mix. Until we brought it up they never even considered the flammability of the material. I've talked to James and he plans on sending a spare suit to SATRA for testing in the meanwhile we'll need to go back to the older suits. Our manufacturer is looking for better material and they'll ensure its tested this time." Karen said. "Normally custom orders like this aren't required to be tested unless the customer demands it, that's why it slipped past the normal consumer testing."
SATRA was a UK company that was dedicated to providing flammability testing for just about anything.
Several people grumbled about that and Harry quelled them with a glare. "What happened to me could have been much worse. For now we'll return to the lighter flight suits. Meanwhile we'll get the issue with the suits fixed," Harry said loudly, catching everyone's attention.
Issac stood from his table. "The existing suits are a danger to everyone that uses them. The material is slow burning, it burns rather hotly, its easy to ignite and hard to put out. I am not equipped to handle severe burns so most likely I'd be stuck sending you on to a burn center. This is an avoidable risk and one that can be fixed so lighten up people. You'll get your suits back after we've found a safer insulation."
Harry nodded. "Thank you Issac. Before I go get my own breakfast does anyone else have anything for me?"
Susan waved from the corner table she sat in. "I'd like to meet with you today to talk about the housing issue. We have enough housing for just two more impressions, and I have a preliminary design on a building we can build to house more riders."
Harry pulled out his list and scribbled a note to himself in it. "Today at ten good enough?"
Susan nodded and turned back to her breakfast.
The clinic, Campbeltown Weyr, June 19th...
Harry blushed and glanced over at Hermione and May who stood off to one side while Issac and Madam Pomfrey examined his leg. The bandage had been removed a few days ago and they were checking to see how well it healed.
May stood holding Harry's pants while he stood there in his boxers, blushing which cause no end of amusement for both girls. At home it wasn't unusual for the three of them to change in the same room. Strict nudity was not the order of the day, but none of them were bothered to see each other naked from time to time.
Of course Harry never counted on being in his boxers in front of Issac and Madam Pomfrey.
"So no sensitive areas Harry?" asked Poppy.
"No, now that the itching has faded, none," he replied. He sat on the examining table watching Poppy and Issac poke and prod at his leg. Issac had even pushed up one side of his boxer shorts to fully expose the burned area.
Poppy straightened up and smiled. "I know the new skin looks strange, but once you get out and get some sun it'll darken up like it should."
"So does this mean I'm cleared for flight?" Harry asked, looking at Issac hopefully.
Issac glanced at Poppy who nodded her agreement, his leg appeared to be fully healed. "Yes, starting tomorrow since I know you have a Weyr function to attend to. But I want your promise, if you start to feel the slightest discomfort, you are to come back to the Weyr using a portkey or have someone apparate you. We know Between can cause problems with wounds, so we don't want to risk further damage."
Harry nodded. He'd promise to eat a goat if it got him flight certified again!
"We'll make sure of it Doctor Sheppard," Hermione said softly.
Harry grimaced and nodded again. "Well with May and Hermione watching I doubt I'll be able to hide anything," he muttered.
"Even if you did, I would still know," Chekiath announced suddenly. "I want you healed so we can fly again."
Harry held up his hand in surrender. Even his dragon was wanting to play nurse maid! "I give," he said in resignation, then he turned to Issac. "Good enough for you?"
Issac grinned. "I have heard all about you as a patient Mr. Potter," he said smoothly with a glance at Poppy who was grinning at Harry. "You would say you were fine and ask to leave while bleeding out on my floor."
Poppy chuckled and shook her head. "I'll say."
May stepped closer and touched Harry on his shoulder. He turned to look at her. "Harry," she said quietly. "Forgetting your relationship with Hermione and I, you are important to the Weyr. I know it seems like we're stopping you from doing what you want, but only because we care what happens to you."
He nodded uncomfortably and took his pants from her. "Are we done?" he asked Issac.
"Yes, you can get dressed now. Tomorrow Harry, and if everything goes well, there'll be no more flight restrictions on you. One more day isn't that bad is it?" Issac said in reply.
Harry sighed. "No, not really."
He quickly put on his pants and held the door open for the girls before following them out.
Issac started to pack up this files and equipment when Poppy stopped him. "Issac, I'd like you to remain here as a consultant for my next patient. I would have seen him back at Hogwarts, but I sent him a message saying I would be here and would see him here."
Issac looked up in surprise. "Albus?" he said. He had been closely monitoring the old man since he moved back to the Weyr to recover from his injury. There were several signs that alarmed Issac greatly and he had spoken to Poppy about them.
She nodded. "As you noted in your reports to me, his blood pressure is not well controlled, and given his advanced age, it poses a considerable risk to his health. I've known about it for some time and have tried to help him control it, but it hasn't been easy at all. There are few potions for controlling blood pressure and they have limited usefulness. It's not a problem most healers see often, except in the extremely older patients."
"Do you want me to prescribe something? We've got a large number of good drugs we can use," Issac offered.
Poppy smiled regretfully, "While that will work very well for your riders, even the magical ones, in the case of a man like Albus who has lived his entire life in the wizarding world it just won't work. His entire mindset is towards magical solutions and if you try applying a non-magical one, he will subconsciously counteract it's effects. He won't even know he's doing it. If I had my way I would expose young wizards and witches to muggle medicine before they come to Hogwarts, let them become accustomed to the idea that there are viable alternatives. I have tried for years, but Albus never saw the need for it, and the Board of Governors would never approve it in any case."
She sighed. "I'm sure you have many ways you could help, but truly, in this case belief in magic is our greatest enemy."
Issac nodded. "So that's why you downplayed the burn cream for Harry? I had wondered about that."
"I don't like seeing a patient in pain anymore than you do, but Harry's injury was superficial and I know he's very sensitive about his scars. He had his pain managed via potion and the burn healed naturally, helped along with muggle medicines to prevent secondary infections. It wasn't much, but it does instill faith in muggle medicine. And he avoided adding a new scar. I helped deliver that boy into this world and when I think of some of the things he's had to endure, I am quite sure Lily Potter is not going to very pleased to see me," Poppy replied.
"But you had nothing to do with most of his problems!" protested Issac.
Poppy pushed a graying lock of hair behind her ear. "I know, but I still could have done more to help him when he came to school."
"We all wish something similar for our patients Poppy, but enough with the maudlin talk, do you have a case file for Albus?" Issac said. "Also I'll continue using regular medicine unless I have a specific need that isn't easily fixed."
Poppy nodded and pulled a small piece of wood from her pocket, with a deft flick of her wand it expanded into a flat board roughly the size of a sheet of paper. She handed it to him and when he touched a corner, his eyes widened as text appeared floating just above the board. It was a sophisticated recording method which was only now becoming available in the muggle world with higher speed computers. He quickly zeroed in on the data he wanted to examine.
The door opened and Albus stepped inside. He was surprised to see Issac sitting on a chair, studying one of Poppy's patient boards.
Poppy glanced at him and smiled. "Good, you didn't chicken out this time. I hope you don't mind but I have asked Doctor Sheppard to offer a second opinion."
Albus looked between the two and then he sighed. "Why do I think you do not have good news to tell me?"
"Hush you, up on the table and we'll talk after I look over your hip," Poppy said in a gentler tone.
Albus nodded and slowly climbed onto the table. The bone had healed, but hadn't healed as well as he hoped. Barely a day went by where he wasn't reaching for a pain potion or the cane.
Poppy ran her checkup with her usual efficiency, silent and giving nothing away to her patient for the most part. As she did, the patient board automatically updated with the information to Issac's surprise. He'd give anything to be able to track a patient's record like this.
"Issac?" Poppy said, holding out her hand.
He handed her the board and watched as she transferred more information to the board, then she took a seat opposite him.
"Albus, I asked Issac here to look at your medical record. He's only had a few minutes to examine it, but I would like you to be present when he gives me his opinion."
Albus nodded and looked warily at Issac. "Albus," Issac began, "it's hard to consider issues when a patient is over one hundred fifty years old, but you do have one very worrying issue. Your blood pressure is too high and according to Madam Pomfrey, difficult to control adequately. Blood pressure can be affected by any number of factors, from hardening of the arteries to excessive stress, to poor diet or any combination of those factors plus others I haven't mentioned.
"Poppy has described some of her measures in detail in the record but we're still facing the fact that your blood pressure hasn't been properly controlled. If you were my patient I would tell you to seriously think about cutting back on the fatty foods and perhaps retire and take up fishing or some other sedate, relaxing endeavor to enjoy your time."
"And if I don't?" asked Albus with a frown.
"Albus!" exclaimed Poppy.
Issac held up a hand. "Poppy, Albus is perfectly within his rights to reject medical advice. But I see this resulting in several possible outcomes. You could stroke out, most likely, or have a heart attack. In either case given your advanced age either is likely to be fatal."
Poppy nodded. "Albus, I'm your friend, and your healer. I want to remain so for years still, but if you don't slow down that isn't going to happen."
Albus sighed and looked down at the floor for a moment. "I suppose I could retire," he said quietly. It was obvious that he wasn't happy with that.
"Albus, if I may suggest. You were generally fine while you were living at the Weyr and just tutoring the students. If that is what relaxes you maybe you should consider doing some part time teaching. I think the stress from the government work is what is causing your problem," Issac suggested gently. Issac knew that he had just delivered a shock to the old man, now it was time to help him see this could be an opportunity.
Albus looked up at the man with interest. Perhaps this wasn't a bad idea. "I wonder if Harry would mind me moving back here?"
Issac smiled. "I'm sure he'd welcome you with open arms. You know how the dragons feel about you," Issac said. "And with you nearby I'll be able to help you with your diet. Hopefully it won't take much to bring your blood pressure under control."
Albus slid off the table. "I cannot quit the Ministry right away, but I will speak to Sir William and inform him that by the end of the summer I intend to retire for health reasons."
Poppy stood and walked over to him. She gave him a brief hug which shocked him silly. "You're making the right decision Albus," she said warmly. She was pleased that he hadn't put up much of a fight over this.
The old man smiled wanly and then nodded to Issac. "Thank you both, but now I best see if I can find Harry and speak to him about moving back to the Weyr on a permanent basis."
The two watched him leave the room, then Poppy turned to Issac who was frowning. "What is it? He listened finally, I would think that would be a good thing."
Issac shook himself and stood up. "It is a good thing, I'm just hoping it's enough. This could still be a case of 'too little, too late'."
Poppy's expression faltered, she understood where Issac was coming from. Both of them had seen positive measures taken in cases and the outcome was still bad.
"Only time will tell Issac, but thank you for your help." Poppy said softly.
He nodded, then turned back to the thick file he had on Harry Potter and wished he had a patient board like Poppy had.
The Port of St. Petersburg, Russia, June 19th...
Jin Tan Mu stared out of the office window and looked at the rusting hulk, optimistically named 'Sea Pearl' and shook his head in disgust. He had been sitting in this run down warehouse for three days waiting for the delivery of a ship that wouldn't be missed. Now he wished he had asked for something that would be missed. He had nearly one hundred men and the transportation was barely big enough if he crammed eighty of them aboard.
She was old and slow, a coastal freighter made by the Soviet Union in the mid thirties and she had seen better days. Originally christened the Dejnev, she had been renamed to Sea Pearl when she passed into private hands with the fall of the Soviet Union. Since she had been poorly maintained and could barely make ten knots, down from her original top speed of twelve knots. She had the bare minimum electronics required by maritime law and no functional radar. The radar set was old and waiting on some parts to be delivered which should remedy that problem.
The Pearl stank of oil and was filthy. He had inspected the room that the captain called his "stateroom", it reminded him of some pig farms back home that were cleaner than this floating rust bucket. The only saving grace was the fact that the sheets were clean.
Jin Tan Mu turned from the window with a heavy sigh. He was unused to having such poor equipment to work with. "We will have to make do."
"It is not too bad my friend," Janus, the leader of his mercenary band said. "She's not pretty, but few will believe anyone is going to use her for anything illegal."
Mu nodded. "Few are going to believe anyone would be brave enough to use that tub for anything, but what you say is true. Unfortunately the state of our transportation will require us to change plans. That scow out there is hardly capable of reaching Scotland and we can't afford to sail long in British waters without attracting attention. I'm afraid we're going to have to abandon that scow when we arrive."
"Then we'll need some trucks to load up the equipment then. I take it you plan to make landfall somewhere near Dover?" Janus asked. Dover was one of the closest points to mainland Europe. They would need to remain relatively close to the coast as they sailed, but still far enough out to avoid the coastal patrols.
Mu glanced over at him and nodded. "Yes, we will and we'll need some small boats to off load the ship. Its not like we're going to pull up to a wharf and unload. A customs inspection would have us arrested in seconds."
Janus nodded. "I will take ten men and we will fly to Britain," he said, then he peered at the map they were looking at. "I will meet you here, this place has a beach ideal for us to use some motorized inflatable boats."
Mu looked at the map, Janus was pointing to a place just north of the town of Kingsdown in southern England, and near to the narrowest point in the English channel. "It's going to take us at least twenty days to make that spot. That tub isn't very fast."
Mu glanced up at a calendar and thought for a moment. "Our 'captain' says he'll be ready to sail on the twenty fifth. Be ready to meet us on the seventeenth. We'll pace the trip so that we arrive then."
Janus nodded in approval, a single glance at the wall calendar showed him that the seventeenth would be a moonless night.
"Then I will wait ten days after you have departed and then go to Britain to hire the trucks we'll need," Janus proclaimed.
Mu looked up from the map and stared at the burly Russian with speculative eyes. So far Janus had been extremely helpful to Mu, he had told Mu he missed the days of the great Soviet Union, and he was still a party member, although he had little faith in the existing form of the party.
There was an issue of trust, but Janus had done nothing to suggest that Mu couldn't trust him. In fact, he had been extremely helpful. The other issue was simple. Money. He was nearly out of real currency and the only cash he had left was the cache of counterfeit US dollars. He would have to give Janus at least twenty thousand US dollars to hire the trucks and put up ten men for two weeks while they waited for the ship to arrive.
"Very well, I will give you money to use. You will have to exchange it for British pounds when you arrive in England. Make sure you hire enough trucks to hold our equipment and our men. I don't need to tell you to split your men into smaller groups. We do not want to alert the imperialists by having so many arriving at one time." Mu said. "Try to keep in touch with your phone."
Janus nodded with a defeatist shrug. "My friend, you know as well as I that even a few miles offshore and you'll be out of range."
Tan sighed and waved an acknowledgment. It was true that most mobile phones would have trouble making connections and the Russian telecommunications companies were still struggling just to cover all of Russia.
Janus turned back to the map. "You sail in six days, we'll leave for England on July 2nd, my friend. And perhaps when this is done, your country might find room for us yes? We will need a place to hide for a while."
Mu smiled. "When this is done my country will consider us both heroes. You will be welcome with open arms as heroes of the revolution."
Jin Tan Mu wasn't lying, he truly believed his crimes would be forgiven. If he could just explain it fast enough, given his prior record he was certain his superiors would want to talk to him before dragging him in front of a people's court. Once he explained his actions, they would approve, he was sure of that.
Hogsmeade School for 'Gifted Children', June 20th...
School had been out for two weeks, but today was a special day. All of the staff, and the staff of Hogwarts as well as the students from both schools had returned to the school for a day long celebration.
The parents and businesses of Hogsmeade had turned out in full force to help with the event. There were many activities planned, including broom races, apple dunking and even a Pee Wee league Quidditch game. The students were also eagerly watching the skies for the appearance of a wing of dragons that had been invited to attend.
Later, the Deputy Minister of Magic would make a brief speech and present several awards to people, and the dragons that had been responsible for preventing the attack. Neville Longbottom and Elmith were both schedule to receive Orders of Merlin, second class for their efforts, and the Weyrleader would be presented with a plaque from the children, thanking the Weyr for protecting the school.
Edna Early, the headmistress of the Hogsmeade school, stood talking to several parents when the dragons appeared overhead. She looked up and gasped. The skies were full of dragons! Harry had decided that all four manned wings and the rest of the Weyr would attend the celebration, he wanted the non-bonded dragons around to witness Elmith and his team being honored by the Ministry.
The four manned wings flew low over the field behind the school. There was an eerie silence amongst the people watching then the students started cheering for the dragons. Harry and several others waved as they passed over people's heads, then they circled around to discharge their riders in an open area of the Pee Wee Quidditch field. Some of the smaller dragons landed on the Quidditch hoops and stands that had been erected by the businesses of Hogsmeade for the children. These hoops were half the regulation height and used only by the upper years on brooms that were themselves height and speed restricted. Flying was a skill that was being taught earlier now, with Madam Hooch putting the final touches on the student's skills and helping them make the transition to adult brooms.
The non-bonded dragons took up positions wherever they could find the space. In a matter of seconds the roof of the large school was literally covered in dragons.
Edna smiled as the children waited patiently for all of the riders to dismount. They wanted to talk to the dragons very much. Before the attack on the school the children hadn't known the dragons where there, and the dragons hadn't made themselves known to the children. In fact most of the children had been fearful of dragons prior to the attack. After the attack the children spoke to the dragons as much as they could get away with. In that one moment where the dragons rose up to defend the school, the children lost their fear entirely. The dragons never interfered with classes, but were always on hand in the mornings and during the lunch break to talk with the students.
Harry walked over to where Mrs. Early stood. She eyed the approaching young man with interest, he wore his dress uniform in honor of the occasion and she thought it looked very good on him. "Good morning Headmistress," he said with a slight bow. "When we heard that you were making a day long celebration out of this, some of my riders volunteered to give dragon rides to the children. Where would you like them to set up?"
"Dragon rides?" she gasped.
Harry smiled. "Don't worry, they won't go Between, just a loop or two around the school. Many of your students have seen the school from a broom, but there's nothing quite like doing it from dragonback."
Edna looked a bit wistfully towards the line of waiting dragons and Harry smirked. He could easily see what the woman was thinking. "Perhaps it would be best if the Headmistress of her school go first?"
"You mean I can?"
Harry laughed at her reaction. "Unlike a broom you don't need magic to fly a dragon." He turned and signaled to Ronan who trotted up to the pair. "Headmistress, this is Ronan Clark, Garanoth's rider and my Wing second. He'll take you up on his dragon, then when you come back down you can tell him how to organize rides for the children."
Ronan grinned at Harry, then he motioned for Edna to follow him to where Garanoth was waiting.
Harry spotted Frances Sheppard who had come with her parents. Issac was lifting her up into Luna's waiting arms. The little witch was very popular among the girls who seemed to treat her as a little sister and it wasn't uncommon to see her on the back of some dragon. The riders were especially careful with her, no flights Between and nothing too high, but they loved giving her rides and she loved the dragons.
Harry reminded himself that he needed to speak to Margret about legal council for the Weyr. She was the only lawyer he knew and he really hoped her firm could handle the job. The British had suggested some firms, but Harry wanted to keep his options open.
"That was nicely done Harry," said a voice.
He turned and saw Headmistress McGonagall standing nearby with a thin smile on her face. "Edna wouldn't admit it, but I think she always wanted to ride a dragon," she said.
Harry faced Minerva. "Sometimes I think Wizards have done a great disservice by hiding from the rest of the world."
Minerva blinked and looked at him with narrowing eyes. "Oh?" The idea of Harry dismissing a foundation of their society didn't sit well with her.
"Professor, a muggle child grows up in a world filled with magical people and characters, Peter Pan, Santa Claus, Tinkerbell even Gandalf the wizard and a friendly ghost named Casper. Slowly they come to realize that there is no magic, no greater power, just a life that isn't always fun and is often filled with pain. Mrs. Early looks around at all the magic at Hogsmeade and the accidental magic from her students and can't help feel a little wistful like she once felt when she was seven, just before she realized that Santa Claus isn't real. Now she knows magic is real, but only for a small group of people."
He gestured towards Ronan who sat behind Mrs. Early on Garanoth as they swooped through the skies overhead. "Riding a dragon, even if for only an instant, puts a little magic into her life and just for a little while that seven year old girl is back. Wizards hid that from the world. More than anything else, by taking away the magical world and hoarding it for only themselves, they made the muggle world a place with less hope and less joy."
Minerva looked at him in shock. "I never thought of it quite like that." Harry's explanation made sense to her and she found herself no longer sure about some long held beliefs.
Harry smiled. "I know, and you weren't the one to hide the truth from the world. Someday the truth will be known and people will come to see the unicorns and griffons. They will be uplifted by knowing that there are some truly pure creatures in the world. And overhead dragons will fill their skies, sharing the world and the wonder of it. People don't need to be magic to enjoy magic Professor."
Minerva was silent for a moment, then she reluctantly nodded. "And what is this I hear about you having an unusual relationship," she asked disapprovingly.
Harry sighed and shook his head. "Professor, as much as I hate to disappoint you, I'm afraid my relationships are not for public consumption. Dragons and their riders are groping for a path and coming to grips with the idea that their bond is a two way street. My dragon has instincts that influence him and me, just as I have feelings that influence us both. For the first time in my life I find myself in a situation where I know someone loves me. First it was my dragon, then came two very special girls and their dragons."
Harry paused and his gaze sought out one person, then he pointed in her direction. "Millicent Bulstrode found love with two muggle boys. Who am I to say it's wrong? The dragons found the grouping to their liking and that influenced the riders. In a way both human and dragons reinforced the concept. I can point out two other groups of three riders forming up, and others that are in traditional pairs. The world will have to understand that our ways aren't always going to be considered normal. If that disappoints you, I'm sorry, but it's not going to change. I now have a family that consists of two wonderful girls and three dragons and I wouldn't give that up for anything."
Comaloth bellowed nearby and Minerva started. Both Hermione and May left their dragons, heading for Harry. Minerva looked surprised to see Hermione striding up to Harry and she was shooting Minerva an angry look.
Harry smiled and held out a hand to Hermione who took it, then May took his other hand. Both girls seemed to calm with Harry's touch. He turned back to Minerva. "This isn't some teenaged wild fantasy Minerva," he said softly, surprising her by using her name. "This isn't about one boy with two girlfriends or one man with two wives, it's about six people who care enough to believe they can be a family. Our dragons are here, in our minds every second of the day just as we are in theirs."
"We can feel the love all the time," Trath announced suddenly. "It's especially strong when Harry covers May or Hermione, but it's always there, always growing. And Harry loves me no less than he loves my rider."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything," Minerva replied, a bit surprised by Harry's heated reply.
Harry smiled. "I know. I asked around when I first realized what was happening and found it's illegal even in the magical world with the exception of either a mistress or a concubine bond and I refuse to let either of my ladies submit to that. It is our intent to avoid discussing publicly our relationships. But the Weyr will have to forge a new path for itself. You are important to us, hence why we're willing to explain it. There are other people that we won't explain it to."
Minerva eyed him quietly for a moment, he stood there with an arm wrapped around two girls. His attitude wasn't defensive or apologetic like it would have been for the old Harry. It was a very different Harry than the one she was used to.
"Are you happy?" she asked suddenly.
Harry smiled and pulled the girls a little tighter to him. "We are," he replied, answering for all of them. Both girls echoed his smile.
"We are very happy Professor," Hermione said. "It was very hard at first and very strange. I think I was the one to fight the hardest against it, but even I saw the truth in the end."
"The truth?"
"Dragons influence their riders, and the riders influence their dragons," May replied softly. "Chekiath wanted Trath and Comaloth as consorts. That was enough to allow us to consider the idea. Harry loves us both and we knew if he was pushed him to choose between us, none of us would be happy. Did Harry's feelings for me and Hermione influence Chekiath in his choice? Probably. It's not one of those spells you wizards use to force people to do stuff, it's more subtle and gentle. The dragons felt a certain way, and that was enough to try to see what they saw."
Several children yelled happily and they all turned to watch a group of very young students crowding around Elmith and his four companions. Those were the school's dragons if you listened to the children. Some of the older children had even spent the time listening to some of the dragons and doing a report on their personal memories, a history of Europe from a dragon's perspective Mrs. Early called it.
Minerva cracked a small smile as she watched Luna showing several children how to brush and oil a dragon.
A small chime sounded from a roped off section nearby, then suddenly a group four of aurors appeared. The aurors left the roped off area and took up position around it. A moment later Albus Dumbledore, Alejandro Croaker and Sir William O'Hearny all appeared. Both younger men had a hand on Albus, steadying him.
Mrs. Early's assistant hurried over to greet the men, then she pointed skyward. The three men all smiled spotting Mrs. Early. Garanoth made a sharp banking turn and neatly landed so she could go greet her special guests.
Minerva turned back to Hermione. "So which one of you will become Mrs Potter?" she asked.
"We both will," May said, "well sort of. We were told that the Irish druids had a service that they could perform and Mister Dumbledore was kind enough to introduce us to a druid priestess he knew."
Harry closed his eyes and groaned slightly and Hermione turned to him in alarm. "Harry are you all right?"
"We weren't supposed to mention that," he muttered.
Minerva's eyes flared. "Eddie? Eddie Took? He introduced you to my little sister after he promised he'd not speak to her anymore? The conniving old sneak!"
Minerva's nostrils flared and she looked about. "Albus Dumbledore! I want a word with you!" she shouted.
Albus looked up in alarm to see Minerva steaming towards her and his complexion paled dramatically.
"Oops?" said May in confusion.
"I meant to tell you guys that we weren't supposed to mention Eddie to Professor McGonagall," Harry said sheepishly. "I forgot."
Hermione looked towards the now largely vacated area where only Minerva and Albus stood. Albus looked to be trying to placate her and she was waving her arms about wildly. The fact that this was done in total silence signaled the presence of a silencing charm.
"I wonder what that is all about?" Hermione murmured.
Harry shrugged. "I don't know the story but I got the impression that Eddie was something like Sirius Black, the black sheep of the family."
May frowned. "That doesn't seem right, she seemed like a very nice lady. I like her."
Harry repeated his shrug. "I can only tell you what Albus told me and I'm sure he didn't tell me the whole story," he offered.
"Incoming Weasley alert," Hermione cautioned.
Harry looked in the direction of Hermione's gaze and spotted Arthur and Molly Weasley approaching. Arthur seemed genuinely pleased to see Harry, but Molly was scowling up a thunderstorm.
"She doesn't look happy at all," murmured May in alarm. "Should I be concerned?"
Harry nodded. He stood holding the hands of both girls who were standing very close to him. Just from their position they were implying something that was sure to set the Weasley matriarch off. Not wanting them to bear the brunt of her ire, he released their hands and wrapped an arm around each girl's waist, pulling them closer.
"Harry Potter!" exclaimed Molly, her face slowly turning redder than her hair.
"Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, how nice to see you again," Harry said softly. His eye picked up some movement behind the Weasleys, but he ignored it for now.
"Harry, so very good to see you again," gushed Arthur. "It's a wonderful day isn't it? I am surprised to see so many here. And Hermione, just look at how lovely you look!"
May smiled, all of them were wearing their dress uniforms today, so as far as she was concerned, a compliment to Hermione about her looks was also a compliment about their uniforms which she helped design.
"Thank you Mr. Weasley," Hermione replied. "Are the rest of your family here today?"
"The twins are looking for Lee, and I know Ron and Ginny are with their classmates," Arthur replied. "Percy is still recovering, but he wished he could be here."
Harry nodded. "We heard about that. What he did was incredibly brave, he is a credit to his family and to Gryffindor," Harry replied.
"Enough!" thundered Molly. "You stand here as plain as day, canoodling with two. TWO young girls, what have you been doing Harry Potter! Ginny mentioned this but I didn't want to believe it was possible."
Arthur took a step back in surprise and anger flitted across his expression. May moved slightly back and a little behind Harry and Hermione started to say something when Harry spoke, silencing her immediately.
"Mrs. Weasley," he said quietly. "what I do in my personal life is no concern of yours. I have a deep abiding respect for you and your family and now I have to ask, if you continue with your tirade, do you wish for me to lose that respect?"
"Molly be silent," Arthur said commandingly. "Harry is like one of our own, but he lives a life that we can't imagine. We have no say in that, nor any right to question it."
Arthur turned back to Harry and bowed slightly. "My apologies Weyrleader," he said, then he eyed May with interest. "My only comment would be to express a fervent wish for you to be happy in your life, however it unfolds."
Harry smiled at the older man. "I am happy Mr. Weasley and someday I hope to be able to bring our children to your home to play with their Weasley cousins."
Arthur beamed a huge smile and Molly stared between the two in confusion. Neither girl was pregnant and wouldn't be for years yet, but already Harry was thinking ahead. He might not consider himself a wizard anymore, but he wasn't cutting himself off from that world either.
"Harry is Weyrleader and my rider. I know he is happy with his Weyr and his private life," Chekiath announced. The large dragon had moved right up behind the Weasleys and dropped his invisibility.
Harry grinned and pointed. "Mrs. Weasley, I'd like you to meet my bonded dragon, Chekiath."
Molly Weasley turned and gasped. Arthur stepped closer to Molly in case she needed support. He had met Chekiath once before and knew how big the dragon was.
"Cheki, this is Arthur and Molly Weasley, they are the parents of some friends of ours. Arthur works with Albus at the Ministry of Magic," Harry added.
"It is nice to meet you both, may you find peace and shelter under our wings," Chekiath replied.
Molly had turned into Arthur's chest and she was trembling against him. He smirked, for once, someone had silenced his wife without having to outshout her or use magic on her. "Thank you Chekiath, Molly and I hope you take good care of Harry."
Chekiath eyed him for a moment, then his huge head bobbed. "Harry is my family, we take care of each other." Chekiath lifted his head and looked over the pair towards Harry. "Harry, one of the wings aloft report there is a group of men approaching the school from the forest. They are trying very hard to remain unseen. They bring danger to the school, they mean to cause hurt and fear."
Harry frowned and he released both girls. He turned to Hermione. "Go tell Albus, tell him I strongly suggest the Ministry O'Hearny return to the Ministry building immediately. Arthur, can you and Molly explain to Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Early, then start moving the children into the school. I'll go speak with Croaker and the auror in charge of the Minister's security detail."
Harry turned and looked towards his dragon. "Do we have time to evacuate the students?"
"I don't think so. Timath reports they are not far away, but are approaching slowly to keep quiet," replied Chekiath.
"Damn," Harry swore under his breath.
Arthur dragged Molly off towards where Minerva stood. Molly was stunned by the sudden change of events, it astounded her that Harry would start issuing orders and even more shocked when Arthur jumped to obey. Meanwhile two wings of dragons on top of the school faded from view and then lifted skyward on Cheki's orders. Another wing lifted off and glided to the ground in a position where they stood between the forest and the school. They faded from view also.
Elmith bugled loudly and Chekiath turned his head towards the leader of the school guard. Harry listened to Elmith complain that protecting the school was his task. Chekiath told him to take command of the airborne wings and monitor the progress of the men while Chekiath and the rest of the Weyr made sure the children were safe.
Satisfied, Elmith leapt skyward, calling to the others of his original four dragon team. They joined him in the air and followed him to link up with the wings watching the men.
A group of the children still waiting to be ushered into the school cheered and waved when Elmith took to the air with his fellows. To them he was a hero that they could reach out and touch.
Chekiath turned to Harry who grinned at him. "It was the right decision Cheki," he sent. "Elmith feels responsible for the school and the children. While he monitors their approach we can ensure the safety of the children."
Albus walked up to Harry who was talking to several dragons. "Harry?"
He held up a hand holding off the old man for a moment while he listened to Elmith, then he turned to Albus. "Elmith says they are approaching very cautiously, but should be here soon. We don't have the time to evacuate children that have never ridden a dragon or gone Between before. We don't have portkeys and we'll still be evacuating people via floo by the time they arrive."
Albus nodded gravely. "The teachers are taking the children inside the school, if necessary Mrs. Early's magical assistant will activate the full wards locking it down. Alejandro has alerted the ministry and director Shacklebolt is calling in all available aurors, but it will take time for them to floo to the ministry and take a portkey to here. Sir William activated his emergency portkey taking him to a secure office at the Ministry of Defense. Even as we speak, he's spreading the word of the danger but for now we're on our own."
Harry looked around and did a quick count in his head. They had many adult wizards who were not trained for this, and four aurors from the Minister's security detail. Quite a few of the parents had entered the school with their children rather than stay outside. "Wonderful," he said dryly, "all right, Chekiath, lets get all non-magical riders airborne, we don't have enough time to get our bows."
"Harry!" May protested.
"May," he replied turning on her, "you can't fight against wizards when you don't have your bow. At least on Trath you'll have your dragon protecting you."
She nodded reluctantly. "All right, but you be careful Harry Potter, I don't like sitting in a hospital waiting room waiting to hear how badly injured you are."
He smiled and sketched a quick salute. "My lady, I don't think any of us will be in danger, but it is better to not risk it." Satisfied that May would do as he told her, he turned towards Hermione. "Stay with Comaloth, but keep your wand ready.
Hermione nodded and ran back to her dragon. She clambered onto her back and pulled her wand, then the dragon shimmered as it's inherent magic made the pair invisible. Around her, the magical riders all climbed onto their dragons and shimmered out of view.
Harry turned slightly looking to the area where two wings of dragons were hidden, blocking the school from the forest. "Dragons," he called. A hush fell over the area as the wizards turned in stunned amazement at the power flowing off of Harry. Around him every dragon stopped and turned to look in his direction. "Campbeltown Weyr stands ready to fulfill our ancient duty. Let our actions today show the world just what we have always stood for. Let no one pass our wings who means harm."
He could hear the dragons acknowledging his command, and beyond that, an echo of other dragons around the world who made ready should their Weyrleader need their help. The ancient imperative to protect mankind was still strong in Sidraneth's children.
Harry turned towards Momnarth. "Momnarth, stay near White Beard. If necessary grab him and take him to Campbeltown. With his injury he is no longer as agile as he once was." he sent silently.
Momnarth broke from her wing and landed nearby. "It will be as you order Weyrleader," she replied privately.
Satisfied, Harry walked towards the dragons standing between the school and the forest. He wanted to be nearby if things turned sour.
The Forbidden Forest...
Alberto looked around, he had eight men with him, all good solid men that he knew personally. He had brought them in from Spain over the course of the last week. Alberto despite his brutish appearance, was not a stupid individual. He knew that this mission was deadly serious, and getting out after making the hit would be harder than getting in.
All of his men had specially designed portkeys that were made to punch through a quickly erected ward. These were the most expensive kind of portkey available because they took hours to create and even then, they were only useful against the temporary portkey wards used by most law enforcement agencies. Permanent runic wards carved into stone were impossible to break through with any kind of portkey. The ward had to be drained, or the ward stone destroyed before they would work.
Their mission was to hit the deputy Minister of Magic and perhaps his two undersecretaries. One man was a muggle, and the other two were old men who had not participated in a serious fight in many years. He and two others would concentrate on those targets while the remaining five would attempt to sow as much confusion and fear among the parents, press and children that were attending this event.
Alberto paused and listened carefully, they were about two hundred meters away from the school now, when they arrived they were more than kilometer away. He frowned, even from this distance he could tell the sound of the children laughing was diminishing. A rustling sound from overhead increased his frown. Looking up he spotted some crows overhead and relaxed a bit.
"Wait," he hissed. Then he froze in his position and tried to listen as hard as he could.
Around him his disillusioned fellows paused in their slow march towards the school and Alberto listened carefully. Suddenly the silence was broken by children cheering and Alberto relaxed. He knew there may be dragons present today and four of his men were armed with magical devices designed for Nundus that the Spanish Ministry of Magic thought would knock a dragon from the skies if they dared to interfere.
"Go," he said quietly, reassured by the sound of the children. He figured one of the teachers must be talking and the children were being quiet for that. The cheering was probably in response to something a teacher told them.
"Alberto, what about the dragons?" hissed a man nervously to his left.
"We have that covered. We were surprised the last time, this time we won't be surprised," he stated, then he started forward confidently. The last time the school was attacked, it was thought there may be one dragon, instead they confronted four. This time they were ready, his men were armed with four strangler globes that were designed to bring down a full sized Nundu and suffocate it. It was thought that a dragon wouldn't stand a chance against a strangler globe. If there were still dragons guarding the school still, they would be prepared for them.
Hogsmeade School for 'Gifted Children'...
"Harry, the men are nearly here," Chekiath called in warning. Harry nodded and took a quick look around. Albus and Alejandro were busy creating an illusion that made it look like there were many more people in the field than there were. Albus was even making sure a number of the illusionary people were children.
Hermione was with the wizards of her wing, sitting on the ground for now and waiting for a signal to go airborne. Overhead flew the non-magical riders, ready to attack with dragon fire.
Suddenly one of the carriages owned by Hogwarts exploded and several men burst from the tree line. Harry ducked and fired off a stunner with his Jordan wand that threw a man back into the trees. "Now Cheki!" he shouted, then he turned and sprinted back, towards the school. He deftly slipped between the dragons who had been waiting patiently. Once through their line he turned and ran for his dragon.
"Now!" called Chekiath. The two wings of dragons sitting on the ground reared up and became visible, then they extended their wings, blocking access to the school. Overhead Elmith and his dragons screamed and bathed the tree line in fire, blocking the retreat for the men in the open.
There was now a solid line of forty dragons between the attackers and the school!
Harry climbed up on his spot and Chekiath launched skywards in a tremendous leap. Harry watched as these men handled the surprise a lot better than he thought they would. They quickly conjured cover for themselves and set about firing spells at the dragons and any human who offered themselves as a target.
A man popped up from behind a conjured boulder and leveled a strange tube-like device to this shoulder. With a wet pop a large gelatinous ball fired from the device, then the man dropped back behind his boulder.
The ball impacted a dragon in the center of the line blocking the men from the school. Within seconds the substance seemed to flow around the dragon, covering every square inch. The dragon bellowed in fear just before his head was sealed into that strange substance. The dragon reared back in panic as the substance covered him from head to tail. As soon as the covering was complete, it started to contract.
Harry blinked in shock as the dragon collapsed to the ground writhing in agony. From Harry's position it looked like the dragon was fully engulfed in a soap bubble, but this was no ordinary soap bubble, even in the air Harry could hear the wing bones snapping.
"Cheki!"
Instantly his dragon changed direction and dove for the injured dragon. As they dove a second man fired his weapon and the large liquid ball sailed by, just missing Chekiath. It would be later found on the other side of the Pee Wee Quidditch pitch, having crushed one of the spectator stands.
Cheki had barely landed when Harry slid to the ground and ran to the stricken dragon. Lornth lay on the ground quivering, unable to move and unable to breathe. And what was worse was Harry was exposed to the attackers. Harry ducked a spell sent his way and Elmith bellowed from above and his group of dragons swept in to attack with claw and tooth. The Weyrleader was in danger!
A third Nundu weapon failed to fire and the men started hurling lethal curses. The attackers tried to fall back, but the fire in the forest was too intense and it blocked their escape.
Alberto realized the attack had failed. Already two of his men activated their portkeys, he could hear the whistling sound they created as they made ready to punch through any wards.
The dragons that had been had been in line with Lornth rushed to join their fellows and Alberto activated his portkey just as a dragon plucked him from the ground. Alberto screamed in agony, he could feel his ribs snapping and he futilely beat at the dragon paw with his fists. Then the portkey activated, taking him and the dragon along with him.
Unlike Hermione's trip via portkey which had only been across Campbeltown, this trip was much longer. Hermione had dangerously exhausted himself traveling just over a mile, Alberto and four others would not survive the drain of powering themselves and a dragon via portkey to continental Europe.
Harry never noticed the cessation of fighting as he struggled with the gooey substance covering Lornth. Finally he threw all of his power into his attempt to tear a hole in the substance. His hands glowed blindingly white, and he reached down, into the substance coating the dragon and pulled with all of his physical and all of his magical strength. It parted with a heavy plop, opening a space only a few feet wide, but wide enough for him to grab onto and tug at. "Help me!" he shouted as he tore at the tough covering. Suddenly more hands appeared and the hole opened more. Several attacked it with hand knives, sawing desperately. Every rider present could hear the dragon screaming in their minds.
Harry collapsed to one side panting heavily and Chekiath stepped up. With one huge paw he carefully slid his claws under the coating and ripped a huge hole open that extended up Lornth's neck. It was enough to allow the dragon to ease his head out of the globe and take a huge gasping breath. Then the dragon moaned in pain.
The dragon would have survived without breathing for up to thirty minutes, but no one wanted to take that chance, besides no one knew how long the material would continue to contract.
"Stop!" shouted Ronan. "We have Lornth breathing, now we can work this properly. Everyone grab hold near his rear legs, let's free his torso, then we'll work on the wings."
"Lornth stay!" commanded Chekiath. Harry's dragon seemed torn, he wanted to go help pull that stuff from Lornth, but he didn't want to leave Harry who had seriously exhausted himself breaking into the strangler globe.
Hagrid appeared overhead, loaded with medical supplies. He had been away at another Weyr tending a very ill dragon when he heard Chekiath's call. His strength and sword sized knife made quick work removing the remaining globe material. Lornth lay moaning piteously on the ground, his wings were badly broken.
Harry felt a pair of arms gently grip him and pull him up to a sitting position. "That was hard," he panted. He felt like he had spent a full day running the runway of Campbeltown, pulling a wagon – with Chekiath on it.
"That was bloody near impossible my young friend. You used most of your magic to open a hole in a strangler globe that was supposed to be used to subdue a Nundu. I had heard that some people were experimenting with them, but I have never seen one before," Albus said with a gentle smile. "It had to be strong enough to withstand a full grown Nundu. You must rest, you drained yourself dry punching a hole in the globe."
Harry shook his head. "Lornth?" he asked, brushing aside Albus' comments.
"Rest Harry, Hagrid and May are tending to him. He's hurt, badly to be sure, but alive, thanks to your efforts. I'll leave you in Hermione's capable hands, I must talk to Alejandro," Albus replied.
Harry gripped Albus' hand briefly in silent thanks, then Hermione stepped closer and knelt next to him. She pulled him closer and he leaned against her, still breathing deeply. Albus stood and looked around for Alejandro. As he did, more aurors started arriving to help.
Alejandro was swearing sulfurously, he had three dead men, burned almost beyond any ability to identify, one more dead because a dragon landed on top of him while attacking his mate. Four other attackers were missing, and one stunned and badly injured man who might never regain consciousness given the severity of his head wound. Harry's stunner had thrown the man back through the tree line, right into a tree. They found a forth strangler globe weapon at the base of that tree, he had never gotten the chance to fire it.
"White Beard, Elmith reports that he and three other dragons are someplace else, and the men they were holding are dead," Chekiath suddenly announced.
Hermione looked up from where she knelt next to Harry. "A portkey?" she asked.
Chekiath turned to look at her. "Elmith says the world is spinning crazily and he can barely stand," Chekiath replied.
She glanced at Harry. "It must be a portkey then. Comaloth had the same complaint."
Harry nodded wearily.
Albus looked over to where Hermione was. "What's this?"
Hermione looked at him and grimaced. "Not too long ago we discovered that a dragon cannot power a portkey. But if a dragon is in contact with a wizard when the portkey goes off the dragon will be transported along with the wizard. The problem is that the wizard is exhausted because of the mass of the dragon. I nearly drained my core dry going barely a mile, if they went any significant distance, it would have drained them entirely."
"Killing them in the process," murmured Albus in shock.
Hermione nodded. "Harry was very angry at me for experimenting with that portkey. But Comaloth had the same complaint afterward, extreme dizziness."
Harry squeezed her hand letting her know they were past that point. "Are Elmith and the others in danger?" Harry mumbled.
"No I don't think so Harry," replied Chekiath.
"Send a wing to guard them, and when they recover have them return here with the bodies of the men."
"Yes Harry."
Harry straightened and Hermione let go of him. He struggled to his feet and looked around. He was dreadfully tired, but there was too much to do for him to rest now. He'd rest later, first he had a Weyr and a badly injured dragon to see to.
With the danger apparently past, the doors to the school opened and the children, parents and staff filed out. Many had watched the fight from the windows and now were silently watching May and Hagrid struggle to help a badly injured dragon.
A wing of dragons lifted off and vanished from sight at Chekiath's order, then the large dragon moved closer to Harry and extended his long neck, bringing his head nearly nose to nose with Harry. "You're very tired," Chekiath observed.
Harry chuckled and reached out to caress along Cheki's jaw line. "You don't have to tell me mate, I know how tired I am. But first we need to bring back our dragons and see to Lornth."
Hermione stepped closer to the pair. "I'll watch him Cheki, but I also intend to have him fly with me back to the Weyr. I'm not going to risk you both with him too tired to give good jump imagery."
Chekiath turned slightly and eyed Hermione for a moment, his eyes twirling with amusement, then he turned back to Harry who was trying to work up the energy to protest. "Comaloth says that I might be the Weyrleader's dragon, but there will still be times when the females can order us around. I don't understand it, but Comaloth says it is the way of things."
Harry opened his mouth, then he yawned. "Fine," he agreed. He was too tired to care, instead he turned and watched Hagrid and May working on Lornth.
"Lornth, I know you're in pain, but your Weyr will do everything possible to help you get better," he sent to the dragon.
Lornth turned his head to look at him and Chekiath crooned softly at the injured dragon. "Thank you Weyrleader. The Weyrling master has already given me something for the pain."
Lornth lifted his head a little higher, his eyes were heavily mixed with streaks of yellow and black signaling his intense anxiety. "What use will I be if I cannot fly again Weyrleader?"
Harry sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "Your Weyr needs you Lornth. Give your healers a chance to help you my friend. You may be surprised with the results. Have faith in them Lornth, I do."
"Yes Weyrleader I will try."
Hermione conjured a large tree stump and they both sat on it while they watched May and Hagrid struggle with the large dragon. From the look of things they had decided to bring in the harness so that Lornth could be moved onto that, then returned to the Weyr. May and Hagrid were carefully trying to fold Lornth's wings enough for him to fit in the sling and not cause any additional damage.
After nearly twenty minutes they had everything arranged properly and four dragons gently eased Lornth into the air and vanished. Harry stood and was shocked to see the children watching in silence. It was obvious that a number of the children were very upset that a dragon had been hurt. They had seen the short fight from the windows of their school, there had been no time to protect them from witnessing the violence.
Mrs. Early stepped forward. "Weyrleader, will... will your dragon be all right?"
He smiled, trying to reassure even when he was very worried about Lornth. "Our Weyrhealers are the best. They will do everything they can for Lornth."
Mrs. Early nodded, it wasn't exactly good news, but it wasn't dire news either. "Weyrleader, once again your dragons have..."
She trailed off into silence when Harry held up a hand. "Mrs. Early, no thanks are really necessary. The dragons have a saying, 'May you find peace and shelter under our wings'. That expresses our primary goal, the dragon riders and their dragons will always stand up for what is right, and protect those who can't protect themselves. The Weyr did what we've pledged to do, protect people. It is what we were meant to do."
Around the school hundreds of dragons thrummed with approval and every rider stood just a little bit taller.
Mrs. Early swallowed nervously and she nodded. "Nonetheless Weyrleader, your dragons protected the children and our school from attack again. On behalf of the students and their parents, I offer our deepest thanks."
Harry bowed slightly and Albus walked over to him. "Harry, the Minister would like to speak with you."
Harry nodded and turned back to Mrs. Early. "Mrs. Early, as a precaution I'll ask Elmith and his team to maintain a watch over the school until we're sure it's safe. I know that school is out, but I do recall hearing something about some summer classes?"
Mrs. Early smiled in relief, the dragons had been pulled when school officially ended. Now she was relieved to hear they would be protecting the school through the summer as well. "Yes, some of our students will be receiving summer tutoring and we do have a full evening class of adults wanting to know more about the muggle world."
Harry nodded. "I'll see to it," he said, then he turned to Albus and motioned for him to show him the way.
Deputy Minister O'Hearny had returned to the school once the fighting was over, he brought with him a much larger auror force who quickly secured the area. Albus walked up to where he now stood with Director Shacklebolt. O'Hearny spotted Albus, then he saw Harry and Hermione close behind him and his face broke into a huge grin.
"Weyrleader," O'Hearny said with a broad smile. "it seems that Britain owes yet another debt to you and your dragons."
Harry shook his head. "No minister, there is no debt. I prefer to think that between friends, we can work together for the benefit of us both. You know our history, this is what we were meant to do. It is why dragons were created."
O'Hearny nodded. He knew the full and true history of dragons and he realized that Harry was merely ensuring that the Weyrs continued the tradition of protecting mankind. "That might be true Weyrleader, but tonight I will be telling my cousin, the queen, of what happened here today. I cannot speak for Her Majesty's government, but please feel free to ask for any assistance you might need to help nurse your dragon back to health."
O'Hearny glanced around then he sighed. "I daresay today's activities will have to be scheduled for another time. The aurors are going to want to question any witnesses and there is still quite a mess to clean up," he said.
Harry glanced in the direction O'Hearny was looking and he sighed. His dragons had created a small, but significant fire in the forest and most of the auror force were busy trying to extinguish it. They were fortunate that the kind of fire that made hot rocks wasn't the usual fire the dragons produced. Like their ability to hide, permanent fire had to be consciously invoked.
O'Hearny turned away from the fire, he was certain that it would be put out as more wizards were arriving from the town to assist the aurors. "Director, do you need to question the dragon riders now?"
"No sir, I can send a team to the Weyr later, or tomorrow to take their statements," Shacklebolt replied.
"Four of my dragons were portkeyed away from the school when they grabbed one of the attackers. Unfortunately the trip drained the attacker to the point of death, but I've ordered the dragons to return here with those bodies as soon as they recover from the vertigo induced by the portkey. Hopefully they will return here within an hour. Comaloth took less time to recover from her portkey trip, but she went a shorter distance."
Kingsley looked startled, then he nodded in disappointment. He had hoped that the dragons might have captured one alive.
Harry turned away from Kingsley. "Cheki, let's get them in the air and go home," he said, then he shivered.
Hermione looked at him in alarm. "Harry?"
He looked down. "I'm sorry, I just realized how close we really came to losing you and Comaloth. If you had traveled any real distance..."
She gave his arm a squeeze, then climbed up to her position on Comaloth. Harry smiled to himself watching her. She still didn't like heights and it showed in how she mounted and dismounted her dragon. She looked down at him and he sighed, then he climbed up behind her. There was a bed in Campbeltown with his name on it and he desperately wanted to crawl into it.
North Fambridge, Essex, England, June 20th...
Anna flipped off the Wizarding Wireless and turned to look at Carlos who was shaking his head. "Nothing," he muttered. "They didn't report on any attack at all."
"It should be obvious, the attack failed," Anna said in annoyance. Alberto struck her as pure muscle without a brain to his name. The decision to attack the school again was a bad one she felt, there had been other places to hit the Minister, but Carlos and Alberto thought the school would provide the best amount of terror and notoriety for their little group.
Obviously someone had made an error and in all likelihood the entire group of men had been captured she was certain of that now.
"You can't know that," Carlos snapped.
"Oh please, I know my own countrymen very well. An attack would have created a furor in the press. That there is no news suggests the government is suppressing the report, probably while they interrogate their prisoners. Had the attack succeeded the Ministry would have been too busy trying to help people to stifle the press. The fact there is total silence does not bode well for your plan. Alberto should have scouted the area and if necessary, called it off," Anna replied scathingly.
Anna looked around and frowned heavily, her family home was now in danger and so was she. She stood and walked over to a cabinet, then fished a heavy iron key from a pocket.
"What are you doing?" demanded Carlos.
She turned and arched an eyebrow at the wand pointing at her. "If you must know, I'm preparing to preserve my family home. Alberto knows of this place Carlos, we must flee before it's too late. Even if he doesn't know where we are, they will be looking for us soon."
Carlos blinked and one hand slid into a pocket that held an emergency portkey. Alberto has never failed me, he thought, but if he has Anna is right, we must leave before someone can pry the information out of Alberto. If he escapes Alberto is smart enough to know to meet up with me at the Madrid safe house.
Carlos sighed and then he nodded in resignation. "You are right, if the attack failed, then we must move swiftly. I will return to Spain for a while, then reconsider my options. Do you wish to come along?"
Anna shook her head. "Carlos, Carlos, you should know better than ask that. I'm a prostitute, you can dress me up and present me to the finest nobility, but the truth will still emerge about my past. And then where will you be. You may be an assassin, but still you mix with important people, they fear you and you use that against them. They have no weapon against you, but I would provide them with that weapon."
Carlos nodded, what Anna said was true. "So what will you do?"
Anna shrugged. "I think it's best if we part without knowing the plans of the other, but don't worry about me. I can easily slip into the muggle world for a bit before coming back."
Her family often crossed into the muggle world to commit a crime, then returned to the magical one to hide. Now she'd just reverse the process.
Carlos smiled grimly. "Very well, I shall pack my belongings and then use my portkey. I should be gone within the hour."
Anna waved a hand at him, then she turned back to the book that controlled the wards around her home and she started activating some of the more dangerous ones. Three hundred years of living here had provided ample time to ward the property beyond what was considered normal.
Twenty minutes later, she entered her room and started packing what she considered her essentials.
"Anna?"
She looked up towards the door where Carlos stood. She had spent the last months as Carlos' bed partner, but she quickly discovered he didn't want anyone sleeping with him on a regular basis. For this reason she had her own room even here.
"Yes?"
"I am ready to leave. I will walk about a kilometer from the house, that should get me out from under your wards," he said, then he appeared to hesitate before placing a card on the dresser by the door. "That card contains a phone number of someone that can always get in contact with me. If you find yourself needing help. Contact me."
Anna smiled at him. So the tough guy has a heart after all, she mused. "Thank you Carlos."
He started to turn away and she called out to him. "Carlos, take... take care of yourself. We may yet meet again."
He nodded and walked out of her sight. She walked over to the dresser and picked up the card, fingering it and examining the fine embossed lettering. It contained a single name and a Madrid address and phone number. A soft ping signaled someone leaving the house and she shook from her melancholy, she slipped the card into a pocket and went back to packing.
Pressing a hand against one wall a panel opened and she reached in to pull out a sack containing a large number of bank notes and ancient gold coins which she knew had value in the muggle world. She wouldn't be penniless while she hid.
When she was done she picked up her small bag and slung it over her shoulder. She'd be back, she was well trained and would hide among the muggles for a year or two before starting over again on Knockturn Alley. She knew her way around the muggles and had some business contacts she could use there. She would be safe.
Dumbledore's quarters, Campbeltown Weyr, June 22nd...
Albus walked wearily into his quarters after another very hectic day at the Ministry. Despite the news blackout, word of the attack had finally leaked out and the ministry had been under siege by wizards wanting to be reassured that this wasn't a renewal of violence.
It wasn't until today, three days after the attack, that the ministry could hold a press conference over the matter. Part of the delay had been due to Harry. He had returned to the Weyr after the attack and slept for twenty six hours straight. Hermione became so worried she had Madam Pomfrey check him out, but he was just sleeping while he recharged. Poppy explained that while Hermione had drained her core and slept for several hours after the portkey accident, Harry's core was a full order of magnitude bigger and took longer to refill.
Needless to say the whole Weyr breathed a sigh of relief that Harry was going to be fine. And no one seemed to care if Hermione spent more time in their quarters watching over Harry than attending to her duties. May wanted to be there, but Lornth was badly injured and she was the person who came up with a way of healing him. As a result of that she set Trath to keep a close eye on Harry and frequently spoke to her about him, or called Hermione using the Weyr phone system.
Lornth had been moved back to the Weyr and made as comfortable as possible. A memory of a visit to a hospitalized cousin and a call to her father gave her the solution she needed.
Momnarth was sent to Arran to pick up Mike McNulty and after several hours of discussion with May, they had a plan. Lord Mills and several riders were sent out armed with a shopping list to scour the surgical supply houses and building supply houses in the area.
Then May spent most of the first day bracing his wings using surgical stainless steel rods and clamps and pulleys. The arrangement resembled a super sized version of something she had once seen a cousin use when he broke his leg skiing and it took the help of her father to assemble the unique framework.
With Hagrid assisting, May carefully sliced small slits in Lornth's wingsails to allow a clamp to be attached, then she bolted them to an external steel rod running the length of each broken bone. Extra care was taken to ensure that the broken spots were aligned as best as possible. Even with Hagrid's help and the help of two others, it had taken twelve grueling hours to align and bind two badly broken wings.
Once installed they brought in a portable x-ray machine and took nearly forty x-rays of each wing.
Opinion was divided over whether Lornth would fly again, but both Hagrid and May pointed out that there were no broken wing joints, so they believed he would. After the operation, Hagrid scooped up an exhausted May and carried her to Harry's quarters, he blushed heavily when Hermione had her placed in the bed next to Harry.
Albus lay down in his bed and picked up a book for a little light reading. "Today was a busy one my friend. Let us hope we do not have many more like it," he said to Fawkes, "And it should come as no surprise that Harry did very well again."
Fawkes trilled smugly. He always knew Harry would do well. He saw the scene in his companion's mind, and enjoyed watching it replay for him.
"Weyrleader, do you think it was necessary to kill the attacking wizards?" shouted a reporter for an English language paper published on the continent.
Harry glanced at the Minister O'Hearny who nodded to him, then he stepped up to the podium. "At the time no one went into that fight intent on killing. My dragons are pledged to protect mankind, but they responded to the fact that lethal force was being used to attack unarmed and defenseless children. And one of their own was already cruelly injured; his life was in danger. If you ask me if I'm sorry that those men are dead I will reply that I am sorry that they gave us no choice but to kill them. Finally I believe that the parents of the students are grateful that we were able to protect their children."
Harry looked at the man directly and he nodded uneasily. Harry wasn't backing down and laid the fault of the deaths at the feet of the attackers.
"What about those that escaped? Why did they die?" shouted another reporter.
Albus stood up and walked over to stand next to Harry. "In each case the wizard was being held by a dragon when they activated a portkey. It is not commonly known, but a wizard's own magic is used to power the portkey enchantment. Many of you have carried your younger children while using a portkey and since they are so small, you do not feel the extra drain on your magic. Around the age of five to six your child's core matures enough to start helping you power the portkey. So you never notice the extra magic they provide.
"In this case the wizards were being held by the dragons. The portkey needed massive amounts of power in order to move the wizard, and the attached dragon. Since dragons cannot power a portkey the enchantment drained those wizards until they died of core collapse. Truly no blame can be assigned to the dragons, they were trying to stop criminals from escaping and the criminals own escape method led to their deaths."
"Weyrleader, one more question if I may, but why did the dragons get involved in the first place?" asked Xenophilius Lovegood.
Harry smiled at the man. "The dragons are pledged to protect mankind. It is our primary duty. We were there that day to mark an occasion when dragons protected the children of the school and we were fortunate to be able to help again. The dragon riders will always protect mankind, it is what we were meant to do."
With that Harry stepped away from the podium and took his seat again, ignoring the buzz created in the room by his words.
Fawkes trilled again. He knew if Harry hadn't bonded with a dragon, he would have been eagerly sought after by one of the other phoenixes. Now that he had bonded to his dragon he couldn't bond to a phoenix, but they would always watch him with great interest.
"It's funny old friend, Harry works diligently to reinvent himself into something other than a wizard, and yet, in a way I think he's making himself even more important to the wizarding world than he imagines. A great many parents were present today that wanted to thank him and his dragons for saving their children."
Albus smiled when Fawkes trilled again then he opened the book and started to read. The last few days had been very hectic for the old man and the ministry. Now it was time to take a breath and relax but Albus truly felt worn down because of this incident.
The hours passed slowly, then he heard a voice he had not heard in many years. "Albus."
"Albus."
He looked up from his book and squinted, there was a blinding flash of light like from a flash gun and he felt a momentary stab of pain in the back of his head. The bedroom door swung open and filled with blindingly bright light. In that light stood a female figure, but he couldn't make out any detail.
"Yes? Who are you? How did you get in here?"
She stepped from the light into the room proper and smiled gently at him.
"Ariana?" he whispered in shock. She was as beautiful as he remembered her to be.
"Dear Albus, it was not right to torment yourself over the manner of my passing. It was my time and my passing freed me from the physical suffering I endured. You mourned and fought with Aberforth over imagined slights and it was all so unnecessary. That sad misunderstanding has colored your entire life, and its only been in the past year that you've worked to correct many of your mistakes. You have lived your life in balance until this very last year. But what a year it has been dear heart, you have more than earned your reward." she replied.
He sighed and closed his book, placing it on the bed beside him. "It is time then? I had hoped I would have had more. There is still so much to do."
Fawkes trilled mournfully from his perch and Ariana laughed softly. "Fawkes you know this is the way of mortals. Albus has earned his place and a great many old friends are eager to see him again. Be at peace dear heart for this is not an end, but a new beginning."
Fawkes trilled again and settled down. He knew that this was more than just the shade of Dumbledore's long dead sister.
"Come now Albus, it's time," she said, smiling gently.
Ariana held out a hand and Albus reached, then he hesitated. "But what about Harry? He still needs me." he asked in alarm. He didn't want to leave Harry like this! Not now when so many things were still in flux!
Ariana smiled. "Harry is stronger than even you suspect Albus, his mates will help him weather this. And he will help them. You have no need to be afraid for him. The Gods are very pleased with Harry Potter and what you have taught him. Now come beloved, there are many waiting for you."
Albus nodded and took her hand. Albus glanced over at Fawkes and smiled. "So here we must part ways old friend. Live well Fawkes and keep an eye on things for me please? Perhaps someday we'll meet again."
Fawkes trilled sadly at his companion. He couldn't bond with any of the riders so staying here would only increase his pain, he would return home, where he could heal like so many other phoenixes that lose their companion. The other phoenixes would watch and safeguard the light like they have been doing since the dawn of time.
The book seemed to slowly slip from Albus' fingers and his eyes closed as the massive stroke hit him. His chest rose and fell in longer and longer intervals until it rose no more. Fawkes watched for a moment longer and then he dipped his head and cried.
Albus and Ariana walked back through the doorway into that blinding light and the door softly closed behind them.
Overhead, the watch dragon on patrol immediately broke from his route to land on the roof of Dumbledore's quarters and started to keen despite his rider's assurances. A wave of sadness swept through the Weyr as the dragons awoke to mourn the loss of a good friend.
The riders and non-riders alike were shaken from their beds as the dragons mourned. The sound of the dragons keening was heard as far away as the town of Campbeltown and gave rise to the rumor of ghosts haunting the surrounding countryside.
Very early morning in the Kitchen Hall, Campbeltown Weyr, June 23rd...
The Weyr assembled slowly in the Kitchen hall, no one had said anything, it was just that people felt a need to be around others rather than stay in their homes. Dumbledore's death had come as a great blow to the Weyr who truly loved the old man. They had worked so hard to make him safe!
Everyone sat quietly with the silence broken only by the occasional sniffle.
Harry sat with Hermione and May, he stared at the table while both girls leaned against him, sniffling a little. Dobby carefully placed mugs of hot chocolate in front of each. "Harry Potter sir should drink. Master Albus wouldn't want you to be sad."
Most of the riders and non-riders were in the hall just waiting for Issac and Madam Pomfrey to arrive.
Harry had awoken at the first cry from Chekiath, in a flash he was up and out of the bed, waking both girls in the process. He ran from his quarters, wearing little more than a robe and his boxers while Sirius scrambled up onto Norendrath in a bid to get Madam Pomfrey.
He skidded to a halt in the open doorway of Albus' little cottage, the door bashed in by a dragon so that Issac could enter. Mutely he watched Issac frantically try CPR on the old wizard. The image of Doctor Sheppard working frantically on Albus while Fawkes wept would be forever burned into his brain.
He was still standing there when Sirius returned with Poppy. She glanced meaningfully at Sirius and he nodded, then he gently steered Harry away from the cottage while Poppy hurried past him.
That was a little over an hour ago.
Harry looked up and smiled weakly at Dobby, then he reached for a cup. "No he wouldn't." He looked around and wasn't surprised to see the entire Weyr sitting in the hall despite the extreme hour. It was barely four in the morning when the riders were awakened by the dragons keening in distress. They marked the passing of Albus like they would of another dragon. The non-riders might not understand, but the riders and dragons did. He was theirs and now he was gone.
Issac Sheppard and Poppy Pomfrey stepped into the room and walked over to Harry, speaking to him briefly. Poppy handed him several envelopes which he stuffed in a pocket, then he nodded to the pair and stood. Poppy grabbed Harry in a brief hug and he smiled weakly at her before turning to walk to the front of the room as he did, the noise in the room dropped to nothing.
"The Weyr," he said, then he choked for a moment and took a shuddering breath. "The Weyr has lost a good friend and Britain has lost a great man. Albus Dumbledore passed away shortly after two this morning. Madam Pomfrey tells me that it was his wish to be buried in the Dumbledore family plot. She will be taking his body from here to Hogwarts and from there on to Godric's Hallow where he will be laid to rest with his family the day after tomorrow. She has already sent messages to the Ministry of Magic and I know Major Atkins is contacting the British Ministry.
"A service will be held graveside which we will attend. I did not always agree with Albus Dumbledore, but I know that since I impressed Chekiath, he has worked ceaselessly for the Weyr and for his country. We will honor our friend when he's laid to rest."
Harry turned slightly towards Ronan who was now officially the Weyr's second in command. "Ronan, starting this morning, we'll fly our flag at half mast for thirty days. Also contact Condron and Maziang and request they send a wing or two to the service. Albus worked for all dragons everywhere, its only fitting that all dragons are represented. I intend to enter Albus Dumbledore in our record as a member of our Weyr like any other rider."
Ronan nodded and Harry glanced at the clock. "It's after four, go back to sleep if you can. The next few days are going to be difficult I'm sure," Harry said, then he walked over towards the door to wait for May and Hermione.
The three walked back to their quarters in an uneasy silence. "I can't believe he's gone," May said finally. "I didn't have the same level of interaction with him as you two, but he helped me learn the basics of potion brewing and he always had such wonderful stories to tell me."
Harry reached out and placed an arm around her shoulder then he snagged Hermione with his other arm. "For all of his faults and flaws, he still tried to do what he thought was best. I suppose in the long run that is all any of us can do."
"I will always have fond memories of him," Hermione added, then she glanced sideways at Harry. "But you won't, will you?"
Harry paused mid-stride and both girls turned to look at him. "Albus was a good friend to us and I will try to always remember what he did for me and for us after I impressed Cheki. After I impressed, he changed, became less sure of himself and more open to the opinions of others. Albus made mistakes and he tried hard to fix them," He sighed and he looked saddened by the sudden turn of events. "May you probably won't understand, but I know Hermione will when I say I don't think I have it in me to hate a dead man. I'm not like Snape."
May looked at Hermione quizzically. "Professor Snape was our potions professor at Hogwarts. He also held a grudge against Harry's father for something that happened when they were in school together. When Harry started Hogwarts, Professor Snape took out his animosity for Harry's father on Harry."
"That's not right!" protested May. "Harry's father is dead!"
Harry smiled. "Of course it isn't. But like I said, I am not Snape. Albus Dumbledore worked diligently to correct what he perceived as his failings. I think its an admirable quality. Hating him for the other things he did serves no purpose. I think if I can learn to recognize my own failings and work to correct them then Albus would have taught me a very valuable lesson."
He reached out and took their hands. "Tomorrow will be here soon enough, tonight I think I would like nothing more than to curl up with my ladies. Having you both cuddling against me in bed always lightens my mood. I feel like I have lost a family member."
Hermione tugged on his hand and he started walking again. "It lightens our mood too, and tonight I really need that," she said.
Harry smiled sadly and they continued their walk towards their quarters.
Godric's Hallow, June 25th...
Harry watched stoically as Dumbledore's coffin was levitated into the marble cairn, then several wizards levitated the lid over it, closing it.
Six wings of manned dragons lowered their heads in respect and a mental command from Harry had all of the riders removing their berets.
Eddie Took walked forward until she was in front of the cairn and she placed a hand against the cold marble for a brief moment and whispered a farewell to a lifelong friend, then she turned and faced the crowd. Minerva stood not far away, somewhat surprised by her reaction to the events of the morning.
Albus had arranged for Eddie to give the eulogy service and have left a personal letter to Minerva asking her to find room in her heart to make peace with her little sister. Poppy had found the letters on his night table and realized that she hadn't done as good of a job hiding her concerns for his health as she thought she had. Per his instructions she gave Minerva's letter to Harry to deliver.
When Eddie arrived this morning via dragon back, Minerva watched in shock as Harry assisted her down from Chekiath. Harry then took Eddie by the hand and brought her over to Minerva. Minerva knew that Harry had met her sister, but she wasn't aware that she would be attending this service, let alone officiating it.
"Family," Harry said flatly. "Life is too fleeting and once they are gone from your life, all you have is regrets about what was said and what wasn't. Albus asked for your sister, and he left me this letter to give to you Professor. I think that Albus might have suspected something like this would happen. We found a small pile of letters on the table in his quarters."
Harry handed Minerva the letter and she took it with a trembling hand. "I would kill to have a sister Professor," Harry said softly, "Or a brother. I'm sure we'd fight, but I can't imagine a fight that lasts for years... Minerva, I don't know what this fight was about and I'm sure I don't want to know. But take it from someone that knows, being alone hurts. You have a chance to change that."
Harry stepped back, then he gave Eddie a deep bow. She had been to the Weyr several times since her first visit and had given Harry a book that defined her beliefs as a Druid. He wasn't of her faith, but she also knew he had no personal faith, and that made him fair game in her book.
"Goddess blessings to you and your dragon. I thank you both for bringing us here safely," she said softly.
"You're welcome," Chekiath replied for them both.
Eddie's eyes widened slightly and Harry smiled at her, then he went to be with his girls. Eddie watched him for a moment longer than she turned her attention back to Minerva who was trying to read the note through tear filled eyes.
It was only a short note, expressing his deepest admiration for her and a personal request that she make peace with her sister. Minerva sniffled and she carefully folded the note and placed it in a pocket. She looked at Eddie who was offering her a handkerchief. Minerva took the handkerchief and wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry Eddie, I guess..."
She trailed off as Eddie stepped closer and wrapped her arms around her sister. "Later we'll have time to speak of this and other things. But there is blame enough for both of us. I would think that instead of chewing over old, bad, memories, lets talk about the two nieces you never met, or your two grand nieces and grand nephew who want to meet you very much."
Minerva tightened her grip on her sister and wept softly. She was appalled at what she had missed out on due mostly to her own stubborn pride.
Eddie sighed and looked at the cold stone cairn containing her friend. She said a silent prayer for the spirit of her friend and considered the impact his death had on others. A 'wee bit' of good had emerged from what was a tragic day. She had wanted to make peace with her older sister for years, she just wished that it hadn't taken the death of a dear friend to make that happen.
Eddie turned to face the large crowd of people. Mostly they were magical folk, but off to one side stood the Dragon Riders in a shocking display of numbers. Campbeltown had five manned wings now, all of whom were present, and there was a wing from Condron and Maziang as well. Nearly one hundred and fifty in all, dressed in their formal dress uniforms. Behind them were row after row of dragons and there still wasn't enough room for every dragon present. The skies overhead were full of dragons in their classic V-formation staying just below the clouds.
Next to the Weyrleaders stood Chekiath and Spath along with Lobsang's Jekrith and Menth and Lokith from Condron Weyr.
Not far from the Weyrleaders stood a small contingent of important muggles, including the Prime Minister and his highness Charles, the Prince of Wales.
Off to one side sat a WWN commentator, quietly broadcasting the service to the rest of magical Britain.
The day was overcast and gray as if all the color had been sucked from the world. It aptly reflected the mood of the crowd. Albus Dumbledore had been a fixture of British Society for over a century and that society was shocked and saddened at his loss.
Eddie smiled then pulled out her wand and cast a quick sonorus on herself. "My friends, we're gathered here today to celebrate the life of Albus Dumbledore and to bid farewell to a dear friend. And what a life our dear friend had! To some of us, he was a friend, to others he was a figure to admire, and to still others he was a mentor. Not a single witch or wizard that grew up in Britain can honestly say their lives weren't touched by Albus Dumbledore in some manner. In whatever role he played in your life, the simple fact remains that for the past one hundred years, Albus Dumbledore played a key role in all of our lives.
"For much of his life, Albus Dumbledore was a man of peace who worked very hard on things that most of us know little about. It seems sad to me to know that my friend is so well known for defeating Grindelwald, and yet he was responsible for the laws that made it illegal to hunt Centaurs and Giants in this country. If Albus Dumbledore had a true legacy to leave us, then it was a legacy of peace and acceptance. He championed unpopular causes and tried to teach us the value of tolerance.
"Albus wasn't afraid of tackling tough issues even when most of society didn't care about those issues. He authored the Intelligent Species Protection act that was approved by the ICW and here at home he championed the rights of the muggle born and squibs.
"And in his final days he helped ease our world through the dragon crisis and out the other side where we're stronger and better able to deal with the changes. He helped open our eyes to a bigger world than just our little corner of it.
"Every religion says we go onto a better place when we die. That means that heaven will be greatly blessed by his arrival, even if our world is made poorer by his passing. So then instead of mourning the passing of a friend and great man, let us celebrate his life and pray that he will be hard at work making even that place better."
She paused and smiled gently at the mob of somber people. "Having Albus personally involved in your life was a unique experience. I know that to me his influence in my life seems like a personal blessing from the Goddess herself. Goddess' blessing Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. God speed and safe journey my friend we will miss you but your lessons will be etched in our hearts for the rest of our lives."
Eddie turned and started to chant in Gaelic, as she did, the cairn started to glow at the base. The glow then started to move up the sides of the stones.
"What's happening?" whispered May.
"She's sealing the tomb. By the time the glow covers the top stone it would take dynamite to open it again," Hermione replied, then she sniffed a few times.
"But how, she's not using a wand!" May said softly.
Hermione looked troubled and Harry answered for her. "According to the book that Eddie loaned me what you are seeing is the power of her faith, her personal deity, working through her. She is bound to Ernmass the loving mother, the giver of life. Her relationship with her patron goddess allows for Ernmass to act through her. More modern wizards claim it's just wandless magic but if you ask Eddie she'll tell you she's incapable of wandless magic."
May looked over at the sight again with an expression of awe. "That's her god doing that then?"
Harry shrugged. "Maybe," he admitted carefully, there was a lot more involved including Eddie's claim that even muggles can invoke the gods, but this wasn't the place to have a theological discussion. "She believes it is, isn't that all that matters?"
May nodded and looked at the glowing cairn. "I will still miss him," she said with a sniffle.
Harry reached into a pocket and pulled out a handkerchief which he offered to her. She smiled her thanks and wiped at her eyes.
Just as the glow hit the top stone Fawkes appeared in the sky and dove for the tomb of the cairn. He flashed to flame just as he touched down on the top of the lid of the cairn. The sealing spell enveloped him as well as the cairn and he started to sing, still in his flame form.
A shudder of emotions rushed outwards like a tidal wave and everyone took a step back in surprise. Fawkes had barely started singing when the dragons surrounding the graveyard joined in the song. The addition of the dragons seemed to deepen the emotional effect. It was a sad melody, Fawkes was mourning the loss of his faithful companion. The humans by the grave were stunned into total silence by the emotions the music generated within them.
Eddie ended her sealing spell and Fawkes leaped into the air. He circled the cairn several times still singing before he flamed away.
Fawkes left, having accomplished what he had set out to do; it was the last time he was ever seen in Britain. With Fawkes gone the dragons finished the chord and settled into silence, allowing the humans a chance to recover their composure.
Deeply moved Harry reached with his ability to speak to any dragon. He wasn't sure if Fawkes could hear him or not, but he sent out a simple, "Thank you Fawkes, we will miss you too."
Chekiath turned to look at Harry in surprise, then he also sent out his thanks. Hundreds of dragons added their thanks and then Harry suddenly had a flash of an image. It was Albus peering over his half rim glasses and smiling. Hermione gasped and leaned against Harry. "Was that Fawkes?"
"Who else could it be?" May replied also deeply moved by the image that came over her dragon bond.
"A sad day," said a voice behind them. "I don't think I will ever grow comfortable with attending funerals, especially like this one."
Harry turned to see Prince Charles standing nearby. He released his grip on May and Hermione and bowed to the Prince. "Your Highness."
"The queen deeply regrets being unable to attend, but she had a schedule conflict that couldn't be resolved. Also I bear a message from my sons who now know of the plans for next month. They ask if they can come visit just prior to the press conference? I believe they hope to be present and perhaps help in some small way."
Harry smiled. "We would be honored to host your sons sir. If they wish, they can arrive a week ahead of time, I daresay we can keep them occupied just by showing them how we care for our dragons."
The Prince nodded his head. "A week would be too much of an imposition on our part, but if possible I'll see about them arriving a few days ahead of scheduled press conference and plan on bringing them home with me that day."
"They would be welcome sir," May said, surprising Harry.
Prince Charles smiled softly. "Thank you Miss McNulty," he said eying her with interest. He had been briefed on some of the relationships forming in the Weyr and in particular the one involving the Weyrleader. He turned to look towards Hermione who stood close to Harry.
Harry blinked then he shook his head. "I'm sorry, I should... Your Highness, may I introduce you to Weyrhealer May McNulty and Wing Second Hermione Granger."
He nodded in greeting. "The riders of Chekiath's consorts. I have heard about the relationship imposed on you."
May leaned against Harry and shook her head. "Sir, with all due respect, but it's not really an imposition. The dragons might have been the instigators of things, but we accepted it. Hermione is like a sister to me."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "It works, Harry loves us and I'm surprised to find that we all have equal respect and love for each other."
Charles shook his head in amazement. "I admit I find it rather odd, but a year ago I would have said talking dragons were equally strange. Just do me one favor and when my boys visit don't let them start thinking it's acceptable. I would hate to discover Prince Harry wants to build a harem because his good friend the Weyrleader has two girlfriends. The press would crucify him," he said with a chuckle to show he was only kidding.
"The funny thing is I can see something like that happening," Hermione said a bit sadly.
"We'll just have to work harder to make sure it never does," Harry said firmly. "The Weyr would be very pleased to host your sons sir. If we have your permission we could even take them flying."
Charles grinned, then he glanced over towards the Prime Minister who was gesturing to him. "I will allow it, but I won't tell them that. It can be a surprise for them."
Harry returned the grin, then bowed slightly again when the Prince stepped away to see what the Prime Minister needed.
"Is the service over?" Harry asked.
"It looks like it is, people are milling around now," May replied.
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "Cheki, tell Garanoth that the Wings may stay or return as they want. The Condron and Maziang Wings are welcome to join us for dinner if they wish. Also tell Eddie Took that if she needs a ride home we'll be happy to provide it."
"I'll take care of it Harry."
Harry walked towards the exit of the family graveyard, it opened into a much larger graveyard. He wasn't surprised to see Remus and Mildred O'Connor standing by the gate.
"I figured I'd find you heading this way," Remus said. "You want to see their graves."
"Don't you think I should?" Harry asked suddenly sounding unsure. Both Hermione and May immediately figured out what Remus was talking about. Harry's parents and family were in the larger cemetery.
Remus shook his head. "No, I'm surprised none of us considered this sooner."
Harry smiled softly. "I only thought of it this morning to be honest. We've been really busy of late."
"Harry?"
Harry stopped mid-step. "Yes Cheki?"
"The Green Lady says that she wants to stay with the Harper today, but thanks you for the offer," Chekiath replied.
Harry nodded. "Thanks mate," he said, then he motioned for Remus to led the way.
"Harry, do you want to be alone for this?" asked Hermione.
He shook his head. "No, it's only fair that my family meets my parents," he answered, then he looked at May. "I think this is one time when I wish you did have some magic. We can see, and talk to ghosts. Hogwarts was full of ghosts."
May blinked and stared at him in shock. "You don't think your parents..."
Harry shook his head. "As much as I would like to be able to really speak to them, they aren't ghosts, just like Albus didn't remain behind. There is so much we don't know, but we do know that we each have a spirit that leaves our bodies when we die."
"I can see them for her Weyrleader," Trath announced.
Harry turned to look in the direction of May's dragon. "That's right, you should be able to see them."
May shivered slightly and she looked troubled. "So when my Grandmother died it wasn't the end?"
"Albus used to say that death was merely the way to the next great adventure," Hermione offered. "I understand what Harry's trying to say. Hogwarts has many ghosts and by being exposed to them we learn that life continues. It's a comforting thought and does help ease the mourning."
"Eddie Took wasn't kidding when she said that Albus is probably working on improving the after life May," Remus added, then he pointed, "Your parents are this way."
Remus lead them down a narrow footpath that ended in another gated area. "Twenty generations of Potters are here," he said softly, then he pushed the gate open. "Your parents are over by the large oak."
Remus stopped and waited by the gate while Harry walked over to tree. Underneath it were a pair of joined headstones. He stood silently for several minutes, then he sighed. "I used to dream about what I would say to my parents if I ever got the chance. For a while when I was growing up I thought maybe they had just dumped me with the Dursleys and I was dreadfully angry at them. The Dursleys always put me down and said no one would ever want me. I believed that, even to the point of thinking my parents would have left me with them. One of my teachers at school finally explained what being an orphan really meant. I went home that night and cried in my cupboard. I think that was the last time I ever cried no matter what the Dursleys did or said."
Hermione opened her mouth and May shot her a quelling glare. Harry was rarely this revealing about his past and she didn't want Hermione breaking the mood.
Harry fell silent and he looked down again at the marble stone, after a minute he sighed and reached for the hands of both girls. "Come on, we have guests waiting for us at the Weyr."
Hermione pulled free and stared at him in surprise. "That's it? That's all you have to say?"
Harry ran a hand though his hair and he shuffled his feet, a sure sign he was uncomfortable. "What can I say Hermione?" he asked gently. "I don't remember them except for a few seconds of bad memories that the dementors dredge up. I can't be angry at them, they didn't abandon me, they were murdered. All the things I wanted to say to them would have been great if they were alive but they're not. The only thing I can do is hope I haven't disappointed them too badly."
He paused and took a deep breath. "What is it the dragons say? What matters is what we do now. I'm sorry I didn't get to know my parents, but I can't mourn something I don't remember. My children will still have two sets of grandparents and two wonderful mothers. That is what I have to focus on. My living family, not the one I can't remember."
"But Harry," she protested.
"Hermione, where are my parents?" he asked.
She looked at him in confusion, then glanced over his shoulder towards the grave.
He shook his head. "No, they are not there, they are not ghosts either. They have moved on to their next great adventure if you believe Albus. I can be anywhere in the world and talk to them. I don't remember them but I imagine my mum would have been like your mum Hermione, only with red hair and magic. And my dad would be like a mix of Sirius and Remus. I've held a few conversations in my head with my mum, trying to explain the both of you, but really all I can do is go forward. Someday when it's my time I hope that my mum will be there to welcome me and I'll spend a long time explaining about you both to her. And I know Chekiath will be there, throwing in his comments."
"I go where you go Harry," Chekiath said seriously.
Harry smiled broadly and gently squeezed the hands of each girl. "I know mate. For now we have each other and that's good enough."
Author's Notes and Mockeries:
- It's been a while and those of you that belong to my Yahoo group know why this file has been delayed so long. For those that don't belong, the simple fact is my father passed away on the 8th of last month. I rushed to his side in New Jersey and afterward discovered I was the executor of his estate. It took a full month to clean out his house and put it up on the market. During that time I was nearly a full continent away from my files. And while my father had internet access, he never bothered to record his password anywhere that I could find it. So I was disconnected until the middle of January when I purchased a portable wifi hotspot.
Finally to make matters worse, upon returning home, both Alyx and I came down with a wonderful case of the flu, probably picked up while we traveled back to Idaho.
So that answers the question of why this chapter has been so long delayed. We're sorry if this bugged some folks, but honestly, you ain't paying me yet, so I can still set the schedule. Hopefully we'll now go back to our regular two week update from the date of this chapter.
- Feynor complains he's losing sleep due to our stories. Sleep? What's that? Sleep is a privilege not a right. Suck it up Feynor and join the bleary eyed set.
- Harriverse, you're reading this wrong. The Weasleys aren't off the friends list. They just aren't important to the story. In fact they will pop up from time to time but will never assume an important role to the story.
- TEMOS, a review is not the way to contact an author about a writing project. At least I think it was a writing project. Seriously I don't know what drugs you were on, but I'll pass, your review made less sense than an IRS instruction booklet.
- Normally I use these notes to mock various reviewers and generally intimidate people. Psay for example, rarely has anything of note for me to comment on. But I thought it would be fun to single out one person for special mention and mockery and Psay won the draw. Should Psay be worried? Most definitely. Should you be envious of Psay? Well only if you're a masochist. So here's to Psay, who leaves good reviews and seems to be a nice person. But now we're onto you and you're on our official watch list. Don't step out of line.
- Moof has been reading our stories in front of the fire. I just hope he isn't drinking while he reads. Reading in front of the fire could result in a dangerous spittake. He recommends that we take Alyx to see Doctor Who Who to fix the disclaimers. Seriously. Doctor Who Who, I know him, he's down the hall from Doctor No No.
- Rexnos, dangerous territory is my middle name! I married Alyx didn't I?
- I know we normally close off the chapter with a recommendation. Unfortunately I been a bit busy so I really don't have one this time around. Perhaps next chapter.