Beneath Sovereign Skies

by Bobmin356

Harry and the dragons fight to find their place and gain acceptance amidst growing international tensions. Not all is well and good as the Weyrs threaten established powers and offer new opportunities. Follow Harry and the dragons as they try to navigate increasingly turbulent waters of international politics, terrorism and intrigue. On indefinite hiatus.

4. Chapter 4

標準免責事項

Bob stepped from behind the curtain and paused to stare at the section header. Someone, he thought, then he glared at the audience in suspicion, has been playing with Google translate again and converted my 'Standard Disclaimer' header into Japanese!

Bob turned to see Alyx wandering out onto the stage, in one hand she held a bloody foot, in the other hand a rusty hacksaw. Obviously she had been playing with the neighborhood kids again.

"Did you see what someone did!" he exclaimed, then he whirled and pointed to the 'Standard Disclaimer' header.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, "this is just more proof that aliens exist."

Bob shook his head and wondered why he hadn't picked a more normal wife from the catalog. "Just how do you get from that to Aliens?" he asked, pointing again at the 'Standard Disclaimer'.

"Real people don't write like that," Alyx retorted confidently. "And will you stop bolding 'Standard Disclaimer'!"

"You do realize that a significant portion of the world's population uses some form of Calligraphy."

Alyx blushed and hissed at Bob, "Don't talk about that here, this is supposed to be a clean 'Standard Disclaimer'"

"Hah! Even you can't help bolding 'Standard Disclaimer'!" Bob crowed.

Alyx moaned and tugged at her hair, "You've infected me you swine! I bet you work for those aliens!"

"Nope, I don't get a paycheck from any aliens," Bob replied, "but how are we supposed to tell people that we don't own Harry Potter or the Dragon riders of Pern if someone can just change our 'Standard Disclaimer' like that?"

"I got this," Alyx exclaimed, then she tossed the bloody foot into the audience to catch their attention. Once they were sufficiently cowed, she struck a heroic pose and said,

"著者は、誰もが、彼らがハリーポッターやパーンのドラゴンライダーを所有していないことを知っていただきたいと思います。ありがとう。ゴジラが来ている！"

Bob moaned, "I give up, start the chapter already!"

---

Beneath Sovereign Skies
Chapter 04
Wedding Worries

---

Campbeltown Weyr, May 15th, 1998...

Harry stepped up to the podium and smiled broadly. The theater was less than half full for this very special meeting, "Anyone here feel like they want to take a test?" he asked with a broad grin.

A groan rippled through the assembled riders and he smiled broadly at them. Barely a week had passed since they took their A level exams and NEWTS; just the mention of tests caused people to wince. Harry hadn't bothered taking his NEWTS but he was reasonably pleased with his A level results, not quite as high as May or Hermione, but he was in the top ten percent.

"I know how you feel. First off, congratulations to our magical riders who managed to take their NEWTs and their A levels. Your NEWT results arrived this morning. I have them up here along with your A level results, so come up here to get them when I'm done."

Harry looked up from a sheet of paper he was holding and he grinned. "May would you stand up please?"

May stood and looked around uncertainly.

"May, thanks to your efforts, dragons like Lornth survived where only five years ago he would have certainly died. The riders appreciate your efforts, but they aren't the only ones to appreciate what you have done for us. You have set a standard that every person training to become a Weyrhealer has tried to live up to.

"At the request of Her Majesty, the Queen, you have been awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Veterinary College in London. I know for a fact that you had several other people pulling for you, including Sir David, Sir Robert, Prime Minister Blair and myself. Your scores would have earned you a spot but having a royal request pushed you to the top of the list. Well done May."

May was staring at Harry in total shock which only caused Harry's grin to broaden. "Hermione and I are very proud of you. The college has been informed of your unique circumstances and they are eager to meet you and your dragon. I have been told the book you've been working on will have earned you a lot of advance credit."

May gaped at him, her mouth opening and closing silently and Hermione stood from her seat and gave her a gentle hug, then helped her sit again.

"Hermione, while you're standing, I peeked in your letter; you've been accepted at Cambridge for law. Well done also."

In the back of the hall Emma Granger whooped loudly and the crowd broke up in laughter. Emma was an integral part of the Weyr even if she wasn't a rider. Many of the girls came to her as an alternate mom, plus she provided tutoring in English literature. Her love of Shakespeare was legendary. Emma had even been responsible for the very first all dragon presentation of Macbeth.

Hermione stared at Harry for a moment, and then she collapsed back into her seat amidst the snickers from May.

Harry waited until the theater settled down again. "May wasn't the only full scholarship awarded from an outside source. I'm sitting here with a large pile of acceptance letters and NEWT scores that haven't been opened. In a bit you'll be able to come up here and get your letters and NEWT notices. I want to stress this to each and every one of you. The Weyr will pick up your costs for university schooling or for you to attend a trade school. Unfortunately you'll be limited to being a day student, but then, with your dragon you can return home each day so paying for room and board would be silly."

"Harry, if you haven't opened them then how do you know they are acceptance letters?" Karen Khan asked nervously. She was anxious to know if she had been accepted and Harry's assumption that they had was making her nervous.

Harry grinned. "Because over a month ago the Prime Minister's office received more than a dozen inquiries from universities around the country asking about the legality of allowing Dragon Riders to attend. I have been informed by Lord Mills that the PM's response told the schools there were no legal issues involved and considering the quality of the riders, the schools should be proud to be chosen. You will be there as the first of many riders eventually to attend university.

"Each of you will be going out to represent the Weyr among this nation's finest schools. And they are eager to welcome you. While you won't be expected to wear your formal uniforms, I understand May and Mariah have cobbled together some designs of shirts and jackets showing your affiliation. Speak with them and if there is enough interest, we'll have them made up."

Harry waved his hand towards the large stack of letters and parchment and stepped back from the table as the riders dashed forward to find their letter.

"I note that there is no letter in your hands," Lord Mills said from behind him in a noncommittal voice.

Harry shrugged. "I passed my A levels well enough but it was a difficult struggle to do the study needed and run the Weyr. There is no way I can attend university and still run things here," Harry replied, then he rubbed his chin and absently noted his five o'clock shadow was early today. "James honestly I wish I had the time, but I just can't spare it. Look at what we've had to deal with in just the last year. We've had to evacuate Nevado del Huila to Romeral Weyr and I still can't get anyone in the Columbia government to talk to us. And Al has had to pull me into six different meetings just this last month. He has talks going with two different governments, three companies that want to license the power plant design, another two companies hoping to use dragons to sell their product and a production company that wants to include dragons in their movie. I never know when he's going to drag me in on something."

Harry paused and took a deep breath. "Look, find me a way of attending a school part time that doesn't consume all my time and I'll willingly go to school. We're letting the first riders go off to university and I haven't the heart to tell them that they could be pulled from class if we have an emergency. Ever since we agreed to help the Red Cross and the Coast Guard we never know when we might get called out."

James clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him a gentle shake. Harry was almost eighteen and every couple of months things seemed to pile up until he felt totally overwhelmed. "Harry, Harry," he said gently. "I understand. I actually hated the idea of telling you that university would be a bad idea for you."

Harry nodded unhappily, deep down he was a little resentful that everyone else could go to a school, but he seemed tied to the Weyr. He didn't mind doing his part, but sometimes it seemed like he was the only one that couldn't take advantage of what the Weyr offered.

He smiled when he saw Hermione showing her parents her results. She had taken her NEWT and also taken her muggle A level tests. Emma was initially surprised that Hermione wanted to go into law but Harry expected it. She had been helping Margret Sheppard for more than a year and was becoming very knowledgeable in many of the tougher legal issues confronting the Weyr. Emma had been certain that Hermione would choose a magical career and she would have been right had Harry not asked her to help Maggie Sheppard.

Not far from Hermione, May stood, talking excitedly on her mobile phone, undoubtedly telling her parents the good news. Michael and Rosie were very down to earth people that took Harry's relationship easier than the Grangers had. May attending university was a major source of pride for her parents as she would be the first of the McNulty clan to do so. Harry greatly enjoyed his visits to the elder McNulty's, especially after May's grandfather had finally checked himself into a clinic to help with his alcoholism. The man was a lot easier to get along with now that he was sober and Harry really hoped he'd remain sober for May's sake.

Harry turned and walked towards the exit. As he did, Luna looked up and watched him leave with narrowing eyes. She turned and walked over to Hermione and said something softly to the girl.

Hermione glanced over to where Harry had been and frowned when she didn't spot him. A moment later May joined her. May looked around and waved James over.

"James, where did Harry go?" she asked when he showed up.

James looked around with a slight frown, and then he shrugged. "He was here a moment ago. I asked him about his own schooling and he seemed a little unhappy with the reality of it."

"Reality? What reality?" asked May.

"May," James said gently. "Harry is too important to the Weyr to take time out to attend any school. He knows it and he's not happy about it. I've spoken with Prime Minister Blair about it and we have some ideas, but Harry is learning that sometimes a leader can't partake in the fruits of his efforts. He worked tirelessly to arrange schooling for everyone. What he didn't say was that several of the schools were originally less than thrilled about dragons on campus. He personally visited several schools to introduce them to dragons and convince them that dragons would not be a distraction to the campus."

"That doesn't seem fair," Hermione said unhappily.

James shrugged. "It isn't. But Harry is learning that a leader sometimes must work for improving the lives of his people even if he can't take advantage of the improvement for himself. I don't think it's a permanent situation. We are trying to arrange for his tutoring to be credited by a university, plus arrange for more tutoring. As much as I would like to see him attending a university with the rest of you, he's too important to the running of the Weyr and the dragons."

"He knew this was happening, that's why he didn't even bother with the NEWTs," Hermione said softly.

"Trath love, where is Harry?" May asked.

"He and Chekiath left the Weyr. Shall I ask Chekiath where they are?"

May glanced over at Hermione who shook her head. Both of the girls had an idea where Harry was. They would wait until he returned home before dealing with this.

"No, we'll wait until they come home," May replied.

James frowned. "Where is he?" he asked worriedly.

"Probably Disko Island. Sometimes when Harry needs some alone time he and Chekiath go to Disko, there's a spot along the crater rim where he can sit, sheltered from the wind, and just think," Hermione answered.

"He might have other spots he can go to but he always seems to end up there when he needs to think about something hard," May offered.

"Poor Harry," Emma murmured.

"Eh Poor Harry? Why would you say that?" asked a startled Hermione.

"Harry's worked so hard to see that the riders could have all kinds of opportunities. He told me when he asked for our blessing to court you that he wanted to make you proud of him, that he could be as smart as you," Dan said, answering for Emma.

Emma nodded in agreement. "He's very proud of both of you and he's said on several occasions that he hopes his children have their mother's intelligence. And he knows you weren't happy with his decision to skip his NEWTS dear."

"It was the right decision. Once I understood why he was ignoring his magical classes I even helped him learn the spells anyway," Hermione protested.

"Yes it was, but did you tell Harry that? Or you May?" prompted Dan gently.

Hermione's mouth snapped shut and she took a step backwards, she looked over at May who looked just as unhappy. "We need to talk to him when he gets back," Hermione said resolutely.

"Harry's been extremely proud of both you, lord knows he's bragged plenty about you both to us," Emma said. "I think the fact that he can't attend university like the rest of you is going to make him feel like he's failed the both of you."

Both girls knew there was a problem here. They both tended to emphasize grades as a major factor in their lives, even to the point of having a mild competition between them. Until his A levels Harry had his muggle grades which were very good, if not quite as good as the girls.

Five hours later Harry entered his quarters from Chekiath's door. He had missed dinner that night and the only comfort the girls could draw was that their dragons didn't appear to be upset or even worried.

Harry stepped inside with Chekiath and he turned to watch his dragon enter. He had enlarged the space enough that all three dragons could now sleep there. Because of that, the dragons basically shifted their beds almost daily depending upon the order in which they entered. And each bed was equipped with a place they could use as a bathroom at night that Dobby would empty each day. There were also three dragon reader/writers installed against the wall. Most dragons used them to read but a few, like Comaloth were writing their own stories.

Cheki saw his mates already occupying spaces so he curled up in front of the door. The other two looked up from their reading when Harry and Cheki entered.

"You're late," Comaloth said with a remarkably Hermione-like huff.

"May and Hermione have been worried about you," added Trath. "I tried to tell them you were fine, but they were still worried."

Comaloth looked pointedly at Chekiath. "I wanted a shagging flight tonight. I nearly went to Garanoth, but I am your consort, I will not stoop so low."

Harry and Chekiath shared an amused look between them. As the two female dragons became more accustomed to being Chekiath's consorts, they started develop a little attitude. Fortunately they only used it when they were alone. Harry privately thought the dragons used it to badger Cheki into paying more attention to them. Surprisingly both girls agreed with Harry in his assessment since neither dragon acted like that unless they were alone in their house and never did it in public.

"Garanoth is a fine fellow, but that might upset Neruth. And I know Harry doesn't want to cover Karen," Chekiath replied mildly, his eyes shining in amusement. "But if it makes you feel better, I'll cover you twice tomorrow. Unless you want a flight now?"

Comaloth glanced at a window and snorted slightly, causing a small waft of steam to rise from her nostrils. "Tomorrow is fine, it is dark outside. Shagging flights in the dark can be troublesome."

"That is true, remember when Noborth hit that antenna thing near the smith hall? I thought the master smith was going to break his beak he got so upset," Trath offered. "I like to be able to see what I'm doing."

Abbey Rhodes' dragon clipped an antenna tower at the science complex during a nighttime shagging flight causing thousands of pounds of damage in the process. It was only then that everyone learned that shagging took precedence over even the dragon's marvelous spatial abilities. Noborth never even knew she hit the tower she was otherwise occupied and received only minor injuries.

Surprisingly Major Atkins had watched the event with the antenna unfold and then she leaned over towards Sirius, "Now you know why it's a bad idea to grope me when I'm driving," she said quietly. Sirius nodded in understanding, he wouldn't try that again. Harry who had been standing nearby listened to Cheki relay her comment and he broke out in laughter. Within minutes half the Weyr was roaring in laughter at Katherine and a very embarrassed Hermione once again explained that the dragon's hearing is quite acute.

Harry chuckled and he reached up to rub behind one of Cheki's ears. "I'll let you figure out what you're doing," he said, then he turned to see both girls standing there looking at him hopefully.

He sighed to himself. They were going to have one of their 'talks'. He could tell just by their expressions.

"When you left the theater today you left so fast, it surprised us. We wanted to talk to you," May said.

Hermione nodded. "You've worked so hard for all of us Harry. And every day you get up to deal with things we barely understand."

Harry knew that wasn't quite accurate. Hermione had a firm grasp on some of the issues he had to deal with. But on a whole no one but Ronan and Cheki understood all of the things Harry had to do.

"Like those contract talks you had with the US Fish and Wildlife service. Who knew someone would pay for us to fly them around so they can count Caribou?" Hermione added.

Harry had been instrumental in setting up an agreement between the Wildlife service and the fledgling Condron Weyr to survey the Caribou and Elk populations in Alaska. When the survey was first conducted he even drafted several wings from Campbeltown to help fill out the survey teams.

Harry smirked. "And I think they were afraid to complain when Chekiath ate one," he added.

"It was tasty, a bit gamey and different than cow or sheep," Chekiath added from his bed.

"I wanted to taste one, but Hermione didn't think it would be a good idea," complained Comaloth.

Hermione ignored her dragon and smiled at Harry. She stepped forward close enough to touch him. "The point Harry is you work so hard for us."

"We know you're disappointed that you couldn't attend university Harry," May added softly. "But that doesn't matter to us. You have nothing to prove to us."

Hermione nodded. "You've proven yourself to the Weyr every day since you impressed. Some of us wouldn't be here if you hadn't saved our lives. Me, Michelle, Max to name just a few."

"Plus all of the dragons," May said.

Harry looked down at his feet, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"They are right Harry, all of dragon-kind owe their existence to you," Cheki added from his sand bed. "You might not go to one of those schools, but we dragons know you don't need to. And don't forget Sheep Guy said he'd arrange something with the Lord Holder."

He nodded. "I just wanted."

"We know," May said gently, interrupting him. "But we want you to know it doesn't matter. I know how smart you are, so does Hermione. And I think that if my children have their father's intelligence, I will be one proud mum."

Harry looked at her in surprise, and then he glanced over to Hermione who nodded and smiled at him. "Me too," she offered.

May took his hand. "Come to bed Harry, and don't worry about schools or grades. Things will work out."

He nodded quietly and allowed the two girls to lead him into their bedroom. He was puzzled, he was sure Hermione and May would have been angry at him for not attending university but they weren't. He was grateful for that fact but he didn't quite understand why they weren't angry when it seemed to both of them that school grades were so important. It was something he'd have to think about, and maybe talk to Dan Granger or James about it.

James and Dan were about the only male adults he trusted enough to have that kind of conversation. He loved Sirius and Remus, but neither would be able to talk without turning it into a joke.

ICW Headquarters, Paris, France, December 1st 1998...

Jochim Stebbins glanced down at his notes for this last session of the year and only one item remaining.

"Delegates, there remains but one final piece of business remaining before we close for the holidays. I have been informed by our British delegate that he wishes to raise an issue with the membership. He also informs me that he is currently leading a coalition of thirty member nations that wish to bring this information to our attention," he said, then he glanced towards the British booth. "I yield the floor to Delegate Weasley."

Arthur stood, and behind him Blaine Reading held a large poster carrier. The two men had spent months traveling and collecting evidence they hoped would help convince the delegates of the problem.

"Esteemed delegates, I and my colleagues stand before you today highly concerned about a situation which is growing daily and yet is beyond our ability to stop," Arthur said, then he turned and took the poster case from Reading and with a flick of his wand, sent the large images hurtling down to the center section of the hall, just before the Supreme Mugwump's seat.

Stebbins stood and walked around his desk to examine the photos, finally he turned back towards Arthur. "Delegate Weasley, I would like an explanation for these photographs. Clearly they show a number of buildings, but I fail to understand their importance."

Arthur nodded. "Mugwump, my friends, in our desire to preserve our way of life we have ignored the muggle world for far too long. Now we are faced with a situation of our own making. Those images, show Hogwarts, Durmstrang, the Salem Institute for Advanced Sorcery and the Pacific Wizard's school were created with muggle machines.

"Even as I speak to you here today, the muggles have machines that are searching out our hidden places and cataloging them. They have machines that we cannot hide from, or obliviate. Muggle military capabilities far exceed anything we can hope to counter, and they have the ability to destroy the world, including us. We know this, we have seen it in the past. This august body have talked about this before.

"Her Majesty's government has commanded the Ministry of Magic in Britain to develop a plan to reveal our world to the muggles. They have determined that our secret will be out in less than a century even as we try to hide deeper."

Arthur paused and looked around at the alarmed faces staring back at him, some in shock, some in anger and some in fear. "My esteemed predecessor Albus Dumbledore knew this was coming and had even started working on a plan to reveal our world and protect it at the same time."

"Can't we fight this?" whined the delegate from Egypt. The man was clearly frightened.

Arthur shrugged. "Whom would you fight sir? Do you know enough about muggle technology that you can guarantee removing all information about us from their people and their machines? Do you honestly expect to be able to fight your county's army with your handful of Aurors? Most ministries have less than five hundred Aurors and those countries that kept their defense force have a force of less than two thousand. Most muggle nations have armies that number many thousands of trained soldiers. They can overwhelm us by sheer numbers alone.

"Photographs like these are stored in ways that none of us would even recognize as a photograph and I have been told that some of these are literally stored on dozens of machines around the world, how we can understand these machines, let alone find and remove the photographs is a mystery to me."

The Egyptian delegate shook his head in dismay and shuddered in his seat. He had no reply to Arthur's questions.

Arthur gestured and Reading cast a small spell behind him. Elves started popping into the chamber delivering a copy of Arthur's report to every delegate. "Delegates, the information you are now receiving is a copy of our findings as well as an outline of what I and diverse others have planned to deal with this. I urge you each to read the documents carefully and then consult with your governments. Help your ministry understand the disaster that awaits us if we do nothing. We stand on a precipice and we know we have to jump. The question is do we allow ourselves to be forced to jump or shall we control how we do it?"

Arthur turned back to Stebbins and gave a short bow to the Mugwump, then he took his seat and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Stebbins glanced down at the thick folder in front of him for a moment before looking up. "Just a year ago we were faced with exposure of our world thanks to the conflict between Greece and Italy. Thankfully that conflict is behind us, but the underlying threat remains. Delegates, please review the material provided by Delegate Weasley, our next scheduled meeting isn't until February, we'll open the issue up for debate then."

Stebbins grabbed the large rock on his desk and rapped it three times against the desk. "This session of the International Confederation of Wizards is hereby closed. I wish each and everyone one of you a pleasant Yule celebration."

In the British booth Reading leaned forward in his chair. "I think that went rather well Arthur," he said softly.

"I hope so Blaine," Arthur muttered. "You know I always envied Albus Dumbledore for his abilities, but being a member of the ICW is perhaps one of the hardest things he had to do. Now I wish he were still here."

Campbeltown Administration Building, Guest office, December 27th 1998...

Eddie Took looked up from the computer she shared with several others. The office had been set up to allow select guests access to the local network and email. She smiled at the middle aged man standing in the doorway. Father Tomas Pirello was a Roman Catholic priest and of the three clergy people that shared the office, he was also the only person that was openly friendly to her. To the other two clergymen that shared the office, she was an upstart pretender. Eddie portrayed herself as a Wiccan priestess, but in fact she represented a far older and more established sect than any of the clergy assigned to the Weyr.

The clergy had been invited to the Weyr and once Harry saw that some of them were spending considerable time here, he arranged for them to share an office and access to the newly dubbed dragon-net. The net linked Campbeltown, Condron and Sakushima together for the purposes of sharing data and email. And in Eddie's case it allowed her to answer questions that the riders and the dragons had without having to visit each Weyr.

As a healer that tried to keep up with mundane medical advances she had a passing familiarity with computers. She made extensive use of the email system to deal with distant riders and in some cases, dragons that had questions for her.

Eddie also visited each Weyr at least once a month. She was the only member of the clergy to do so, and she was often carried by Momnarth who told her it was an honor to carry her to the other Weyrs.

The Church of England representative showed up at the Weyr once and hadn't been seen since. Father Pirello and Eddie were frequent visitors, and Mohmar Achmed Birmas represented the Muslim faith even if he didn't mix well with the other clergy. He was a brusque individual who showed up once a week, spent a few hours walking around the Weyr and then he'd leave. He rarely talked to anyone even the dragons.

"Tomas! I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you were on holiday in Sicily," Eddie said with a smile. She respected and liked the man, even if he was part of the competition.

Tomas shrugged. "It seems even the almighty cannot prevent an airline strike these days. With the planes in Italy grounded I decided to come in here to see how our friends are doing."

Eddie laughed and motioned for him to grab a cup of tea. She understood that Tomas had a particularly difficult job. The Vatican had yet to make a ruling about dragons, but they allowed Tomas, a Jesuit priest and a renowned anthropologist to come to the Weyr so he could prepare a report to the Holy See about dragons.

He was an easy going individual who didn't seem threatened by the fact that Eddie represented a competing faith. Because of the Vatican's reluctance to agree that dragons had souls, Eddie was the only clergy actively trying to convert riders and dragon alike.

"So have you had any luck with your superiors?" she asked.

Tomas sighed and shook his head. He sat down on a chair next to Eddie's desk. "I fear that my superiors are allowing their human prejudices to color their opinions. Some are interested, some are afraid and some are looking at dragons as the most exciting theological question to be put before the Holy Father since King Henry asked to divorce his wife. The issue of dragon souls confounds them and I fear they will demand substantiative proof before deciding. How about you?"

Eddie smiled at the man; she genuinely liked him and wished he was a little more receptive to the world around him. It saddened her to know that the dragons could see the spirits that were meant to guide him, but she also knew he had no idea they were there and didn't know how to listen to them.

She reached for her tea and sipped for a moment. "As you know we have no hierarchy like you do. I apprenticed under three arch priests for my right to be listed on the rolls of the clergy. Other than that, there are no restrictions and no organization binding me. As a result I have been teaching our ways openly. I have heard from various arch priests around the world and they all express excitement and a touch of envy that I'm here and not them.

"It would not surprise me if I manage to convert the Weyrleader and others here. Many have shown a great deal of interest despite their backgrounds."

Tomas frowned and then sighed again and smiled at Eddie ruefully. He knew that Eddie was in the Weyr at the personal invitation of the Weyrleader. "In that I envy you Eddie. You don't have to follow orders. Just your heart."

"And what does your heart tell you Tomas?" she asked gently.

"That the dragons are people like the Weyrleader has been saying all along. They love, they laugh, they can be every bit as serious or as whimsical as any of us. That they worry about God and their place in the universe says to me that they are worthy of the Lord's love and salvation. I fear that this is one time his church will lose because of the narrow minded men at the helm. I would warn my superiors of how close they are to losing a unique opportunity, but I can't."

Eddie looked at him with interest. "Oh? Why can't you tell them?"

Tomas stood from his chair and walked over to the pot of tea and poured himself a cup. He took a sip, and then turned to face her. "I'm afraid that you can offer things that my superiors are unwilling to offer," he said slowly. He moved to sit down again and he leaned forward, clutching his cup tightly in both hands. "I am a scientist Eddie, a trained anthropologist who is a recognized expert in the area of primitive societies and what happens to them when they come in contact with the modern world. I'm trained to observe and that's part of what I do. It's an integral part of me."

"And what have you observed?" Eddie asked, intrigued now.

He looked up from his cup. "There are things happening in this... this Weyr which defy rational explanation. And while no one has come out and said it directly I know there are some very unconventional relationships happening here. My superiors would never accept or condone relationships that involve one woman and two men, and yet there are two of them if I've observed rightly. And there are six relationships involving two women and one man."

He paused and looked at her intently. "And I know for a fact that your group tries to hide under the banner of New Age Wicca, but your beliefs really suggest a far older theology that predates even my own church."

Eddie smiled and said nothing.

Tomas watched her for a moment, marveling at her ability to give nothing away, and then he snorted in amusement. He pointed a finger at her. "You are going to win this round my dear," he said jovially. "My hands are tied by narrow minded men that would prefer to sit, ponder and debate what it all means rather than actually do something. Oh I know I could tell them that they are about to lose a unique opportunity to what they consider as an unruly and unwelcome upstart but they wouldn't listen to me until it was too late. The truth is that while they are willing to debate, they are unwilling to act.

"You will win because the dragons need what you can offer that I can't. Acceptance. Plus your beliefs allow for multiple relationships. You are closer than you think to converting the Weyrleader, his wives are the real reason he hasn't yet committed. May and Hermione have their faith and Harry isn't part of either. He seems woefully ignorant about any of the mainstream religions in Britain and that suggests he was never exposed to them while growing up."

Eddie arched an eyebrow at Tomas' oratory. "Wives?" she pressed.

Tomas shrugged. "What else would you call them? I have spoken at length to the dragons and they have told me about the dragon bond and how it can influence the riders. Both girls openly wear a ring given to them by the Weyrleader and they all live in the same house. Surely you don't expect me to believe they have separate bedrooms?"

Eddie nodded, acknowledging the point. "If you're so convinced then why?"

"Why am I still trying? Why am I still here?" he said, overriding her.

She nodded again.

He grinned. "Well for one, I have been ordered to investigate dragon-kind by the Vatican. And for two I find the dragons refreshing. People are the same everywhere. I have traveled in some of the remotest parts of the world and found that people rarely change. Even among the primitive tribes you'll find people lie, they steal, they cheat on each other.

"Dragons truly are different. It's refreshing. Every rider that I've asked have said dragons are incapable of lying. Do you know just how different that is from mankind? I have personally witnessed the effect that they have on their riders. I watched one couple have a disagreement where no one raised a voice, there was no violence, it was just point and counter point until one finally agreed that the other had a better argument. That was the dragon bond at work. Just think, the dragons can't lie and it seems like they can influence their riders to do the same. How can we Catholics hold confession when the Riders don't have any minor little sins to confess? We thrive on confession and the guilt that stems from it."

He paused and Eddie chuckled lightly. She knew he was overstating the case, but it was true that dragons seemed to be incapable of lying and they were affecting their riders.

"And finally," he said, holding up three fingers, "Point three, I can be content that the dragons and their riders are interested in a gentle loving catechism that has polished away it's brutality a long time ago.

Tomas sighed and shook his head ruefully, "I wish I could say the same for Christianity, but we still have a long way to go. I remain in a constant state of astonishment that a creed that preaches love and tolerance can breed people that see nothing wrong with committing murder in the name of their religion."

Eddie leaned forward in her chair and pat Tomas on the hand. "Thank you," she replied. "For being so honest with me and with yourself. Tell me Tomas, how hard is it to reconcile your scientific training with your faith?"

Tomas' expression grew serious. "I wish I could say it was easy but it isn't. I have had my crisis of faith in my younger days and I nearly left the order because of it. My faith is stronger now even if it doesn't exactly match church doctrine."

He grinned and nodded to her. "Of course, that is something I would never admit to the cardinals."

Eddie smiled at that, "Do you believe there are things in this world which cannot be explained?"

"I believe there are things which have yet to be explained," he replied cautiously. It was an answer tempered by a scientific education. "Perhaps someday all of the questions will be answered save one. Why? Science can tell us how, but rarely can it tell us why."

She smiled at his reserved answer, and then she reached into her drawer and plucked out a small stone attached to a leather strap. She handed him the stone and he looked at it in confusion.

"This is a calming stone," she said softly. "Often when the mind is troubled it helps to hold the stone and concentrate your thoughts on just the stone. It's a meditation aid, but I think you will be very surprised at what you'll learn about the world and yourself."

Tomas looked again at the stone, it was highly polished and very reflective, but he could see it was just a simple quartz crystal. "So I just meditate while holding this stone?"

"Not quite Tomas, hold the stone in the palm of your hand and close your eyes," Eddie said. "Just think about the stone in your hand. Think about it as a way of touching the world in new ways. Take slow, deep breaths and concentrate on using the stone to see the world around you."

Eddie watched her friend slip into a meditative trance. She knew he could, it was part of his training to learn to meditate. The difference was the inclusion of the stone. It wasn't magical, but by using it as a focus she hoped he'd be able to reach beyond his own perception of the world.

She turned back to her work and continued working on the letter she had been writing. When it was finally done, about thirty minutes later she put down her pen and touched Tomas on his shoulder. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her in wonder. "What was that?" he asked breathlessly.

She smiled. "That was the world my friend. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge to alter one's perceptions of the world. That's what I did. I helped you see what you already saw, but in a new way."

Tomas nodded slowly, and then he looked down at the stone in his hands.

"Keep it Tomas. I have more," she said gently.

He had meditated while holding the stone, and everything seemed normal until he imagined himself looking at the world through the stone, then things seemed to alter. His friend had a glow around her, and there were other people in the room, but they were alone! Somehow he was certain he had witnessed a truth that he didn't understand yet.

"I... I think I'll go walk around the Weyr, who knows, maybe I'll find a dragon that wants to convert," he said halfheartedly.

Eddie smiled; she knew he wanted to go off to think about what he had experienced. She watched him walk from the office and started to go back to her paperwork when she paused. She could feel the touch and approval. She reached with her magical senses and felt her spirit guides were pleased. Tomas would never be of her faith, but she had started him down a path that just may someday allow him to reach out to his own guides.

ICW Headquarters, Paris France, February 1999...

Arthur and Blaine Reading slipped into the British booth in the chamber and sat quietly waiting for the session to begin. The member delegates has taken the report home with them over the holiday and hopefully had presented it to the individual Ministers.

For both men, the time between the last ICW meeting and this one had been a hectic whirlwind of international travel as they visited countries trying to drum up additional support. To his great dismay Arthur only managed to squeeze in three days with his family over the holiday.

"Almost showtime Arthur," Blaine said quietly.

He was a strange wizard, but very competent, thought Arthur. Young by Arthur's standards, Blaine Reading was a wizard who was working on a muggle doctorate degree in sociology. Arthur was comfortable enough in his own abilities to know that Blaine had been invaluable in the effort to bring the Dumbledore plan to the ICW.

A chime sounded in the chamber and delegates scrambled into their boxes. A half minute later a small door down on the bottom floor opened and Jochim Stebbins stepped out. Stebbins climbed into the high chair behind his desk and sharply rapped his desk with the enchanted rock that always sat on his desk.

"I call this meeting to order," he said in a soft voice. He knew that the enchantments on his desk allowed his voice to be heard easily in every delegate box.

"Supreme Mugwump!" shouted one voice.

Stebbins noted the box that had the lit rune and he suppressed a scowl. It was the Russian box. "Delegate Danakov, you have something you wish to say?"

Sergei Danakov stood slowly and nodded to Stebbins. "I do Mugwump. I know that the first order of business for this meeting is the ridiculous proposal put forth by the British and American delegates. The countries that are agreeing to go along with this, this so called Dumbledore plan, are deliberately playing with fire and intend to expose our world to the muggles.

"My Ministry is one hundred percent against this dangerous endeavor and we strongly urge this body to vote this proposal down. My Minister has instructed me to call for an interdict against all nations joining in this plan since they obviously do not care for the well being of the wizarding world. It is for the greater good of all wizard kind that we do not allow this measure to pass."

Danakov sat with a satisfied smile on his face. Around him the chamber erupted in noisy debate as proponents argued with those that were in favor of Danakov's proposal. Danakov knew that many Delegates personally opposed the plan, but had been ordered to vote for it by their government.

Arthur stood and signaled to Stebbins that he wished to speak. The Mugwump signaled to the Hit Wizard in his control booth and a silence fell upon the chamber as he invoked the silencing runes in each box.

"Delegate Weasley, as this is a British proposal do you wish to rebut Delegate Danakov?" asked Stebbins. It was impossible to miss the hope in his voice.

Arthur placed both hands on the box railing and leaned slightly forward. "Delegates and honored guests, Delegate Danakov raises a point that I find shocking. The very first page of the documentation we supplied outlined the plan in broad terms, including the fact that we cannot continue to hide for much longer. That my esteemed Russian friend seems to think this was a secret and cause for alarm is a surprise to me. The very intent of the plan is to reveal our world under controlled circumstances.

"If you want to be alarmed, then be alarmed over the fact that our world cannot remain hidden for much longer. If we do not start now, working in conjunction with the muggle governments, who can control what information reaches their people, our world will be exposed in an uncontrolled and most certainly violent manner."

Arthur paused and took a deep breath. "One of the fundamental foundations of the ICW is that they have no jurisdiction within a country's borders unless that country puts the entire world at risk. Our plan is designed to minimize that risk and since we last met, over ninety other nations have agreed in principle to support our proposal. This is no longer just a British plan. No my friends, this is a Wizarding plan to save our world."

A large swelling of sound washed through the chamber as the delegates realized that Weasley had over one hundred of the one hundred and ninety six members agreeing to join with them. Weasley had a majority, but it was a slight one.

Arthur turned to Danakov who was scowling heavily at him. "The British people have no wish to tell you how to run your own country Delegate Danakov. If you wish you can continue as you have been and in the end your non-magical people will learn about our world from non-Russian sources. By our estimates there is less than a century before our world becomes common knowledge and I've seen some studies that suggest fifty years as being more likely. You can use that time to hide yourselves deeply and pray that your fellow Russians can't find you, or you can work with your government to ease into it. It is your choice."

Danakov shot to his feet. "You claim you have no wish to dictate but here you are setting terms! We are a sovereign nation and will not bow to your wishes or to the wishes of the lower species!"

Stebbins gestured and the Russian box runes flared again, silencing the man.

"Friends," Stebbins said, "Perhaps it would be best if we discuss this plan in detail and I will remind you all that I will not allow this to degenerate into a shouting match."

Stebbins glared at Danakov who reluctantly nodded, then sat back in his chair. Satisfied, he turned to the British box. Arthur bowed slightly and took his seat.

"I think that we should first hear from someone that has questions about the Dumbledore Plan," Stebbins said, hoping one of the uncommitted countries would step up.

The delegate from Sumatra stood and Stebbins nodded towards the man. As he leaned back in his seat to listen he would have been shocked to know that a lot of the delegates had the same thought.

This is going to be a long session, they thought. And they would be right, it would take a further eighteen hours before a vote was held approving the plan, seventy two percent for, twenty eight percent against.

Science Building 15, Weyr Research Complex, Campbeltown, April 14th 1999...

Sir Robert closed the file on his computer and leaned against the back of his chair. He was beyond tired. He had told Prime Minister Blair that he would be resigning as Scientific Adviser at the end of this year and this time he meant it.

There were a number of bright, younger men that could slip into his role as adviser to the government. He even provided the Minister with a list of names of people who he thought could fill his role. He would remain as an adviser to the Weyr for a while longer, but even now he was looking forward to retiring.

His computer beeped, signaling the file save was complete. Satisfied he snapped off his desk lamp and picked up his brief case.

Exiting his office he paused when he heard the loud voices.

"It's just not possible to make it as a single piece, the interface has to be made separately," exclaimed a voice in dismay.

"We have to make sure the seal between the two halves is perfect. Do you know how hard that is?"

Frowning he turned towards the room where he heard the voices and opened the door.

Ronan Clark and Wayne Hopkins looked up from the drawing board they were leaning against. Both were surprised to see the old man was still in the building, they had thought they were alone. "Sir Robert, I'm sorry, did we disturb you?"

Sir Robert smiled. "Not at all my boy, but when I heard you talking, it piqued my interest. What are you two working on so diligently at ten o'clock at night?"

Wayne leaned back from the drafting table and tossed a pencil onto the table. "It's this mechanical drawing class. We're supposed to work on a project together. Most of our fellow students are working on some sort of automotive product, but Wayne and I thought it would be useful to design a container that could protect an egg from the cold of Between."

Sir Robert blinked in surprise then he nodded approvingly. "Marvelous, simply marvelous. Simple in intent, but sufficiently challenging," he said, and then he stepped forward to examine the drawing. The design was a simple metal egg with a foam cushion interior that would conform to the shape of the egg. Since eggs tended to be irregular in shape, they needed to cushion to hold the egg in place and protect it from the metal egg shaped exterior.

He bent over the drawing examining it in detail. There were two rough sketches nearby showing how the two halves connected, one was a simple clasp connection while the other was an elaborate interlocking and overlapping seal. "I take it that you are concerned about the cold leaking in between the top and bottom halves?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Ronan replied, "you know eggs taken Between have a high chance of failing to hatch. Wayne and I are worried that even a small amount of cold could cause problems. We don't know how much cold it takes to damage an egg. Wayne thinks it can survive a small amount and I'm thinking we shouldn't even allow that."

Sir Robert nodded approvingly. "Excellent. You will make a fine engineer someday Ronan, the tendency to over-design in compensation is admirable."

Wayne looked down and Sir Robert caught his glance. Wayne was following a study course that was geared towards basic biology rather than engineering, but both boys enjoyed constructing things and opted to take this elective course together. "On the other hand, let us look at the physics involved for a moment. The interface between your two halves seems to contain the same foam material as the interior foam. I know this material, it's a poor conductor of heat and cold. I daresay it would take many minutes of exposure to the cold of Between before it would seep into where it could affect an egg. A simple clasp connection would be quick to use and safe for most journey's between."

Wayne looked up at Ronan with a look of triumph on his face, but then Sir Robert added a cautionary note. "Mind you, this design is predicated on known conditions. You would be unable to transport an egg in this design through an environment like outer space. Ronan's design with the interlocking lips and rubber coatings may be more suitable for a harsher environment like the vacuum of space."

Both boys shared a resigned look, they had been arguing about something in which they were both right, depending upon the conditions they needed to face.

Sir Robert laughed softly. "Boys, this is nothing to be unhappy about. You have a design that is sure to give you a good grade and with your permission I'd like to pass a copy of this to one of our people to finalize. We could have saved more eggs from Nevado del Huila had we had this then."

Ronan nodded. "That's what made me try this Sir Robert. We lost more than fifty percent of the eggs evacuating that Weyr. If only we had a way of protecting them."

When the volcano ward on triggered for that Weyr, it did so with very little warning. In fact Harry and Campbeltown had just arrived to discuss the move to Romeral Weyr when the volcano exploded. In the rush to move the Weyr some twenty eggs were taken Between. Only eight of the twenty eggs survived to hatching. The riders were appalled by the loss of so many eggs.

A protective casing still wouldn't have helped in that case since they didn't have time to load the eggs into the casings. If they had had more warning it would have been a simple matter of straight flying out of the danger zone, and then landing to put the eggs into the casing before taking them Between.

"It's a good idea boys, well done," Sir Robert said into the gloomy silence that had descended upon them.

Both Ronan and Wayne smiled at the compliment. Sir Robert was in their mind the penultimate scientist, cool and objective and yet passionate about all science. He didn't realize it, but a lot of the riders looked up to him as a role model.

Weyrleaders Meeting, Hangar Two, Campbeltown Weyr, May 1st, 1999...

Yuko Isikara paced in front of the table nervously. "With your permission of course, but we'd really like to start working with the JDF on rescue..."

The Weyrleader of Sakushima Weyr trailed off when Harry shook his head. "Yuko you do not need to ask my permission, or for that matter, even ask the leaders council for permission. I know you're still getting used to the idea of leading the Weyr but it is your Weyr," Harry said. "None of us would dream of interfering unless dragons and riders were being put at risk."

Lobsang nodded next to Harry. "Indeed, in a way I envy you. The People's Liberation Army would try to exploit us which is why we do not make the same offer."

Yuko Isikara was new to the post. The original Weyrleader for Sakushima had been killed in an automobile accident, causing his dragon to jump Between.

The loss of a rider and a dragon was a major blow to the Weyrs, especially since Kato Jinku had been Weyrleader for nearly a full year and he had been exceeding Harry's expectations. The accident was one of those senseless things that highlight how fragile life is. Kato had entered a cafe to meet with his girlfriend when a truck plowed into the building killing Kato and his girlfriend instantly.

Nearby and in full view of the public, Kato's dragon, Frafeth, bellowed in anguish and leapt into the air, vanishing just a moment later. Frafeth's public suicide deeply touched the Japanese people. It reflected their own ancient values of Bushido in a way. Suicide based on loyalty was not an unknown subject to the Japanese nation even if modern Japan looked down on such things. The dragons were highly popular before the accident, but afterward they achieved a status that placed them just below the royalty.

Half a world away Campbeltown tumbled from their beds as the dragons woke in mourning. Ordinarily they didn't mourn dragons that weren't part of their Weyr, but a Weyrleader's dragon was special. Within an hour Campbeltown, Condron, Maziang and Svartvatn Weyrs and leaders descended upon the stricken Sakushima Weyr.

The dragons and riders were devastated by the loss and the older non-bonded dragons weren't in any better shape. Harry called in elves from Campbeltown to help provide meals while the council of Weyrleaders took over the Weyr temporarily and helped the riders deal with the loss.

The incident shocked the world as it distinctly highlighted the strength of the Human/Dragon bond. Japan was especially hard hit causing Harry to remain at Sakushima for two weeks while a memorial service was held and the Weyrleaders conferred among themselves over finding a replacement Weyrleader.

In the short time from its opening to the present, the dragons had wormed their way into the hearts of the Japanese and especially among the Japanese children. In little less than a year Japan had seen the creation of three different Anime cartoons based on dragons and their riders.

The Weyr was literally buried with flowers and requests for people to visit and pay their respects to Kato and Frafeth. In an unprecedented event the Emperor and Empress came to the Weyr to lay flowers and incense at the small shrine built by the riders.

And that brought them to today with Yuko Isikara, the new Weyrleader of Sakushima. He had been a wing leader at the time and his name hadn't been mentioned when the dragons were considering who would be Weyrleader. Harry questioned Bonth extensively about the choice but he was relieved to know that the dragons had felt the year of being a rider had matured Isikara. The dragons had confidence in him and that was good enough to satisfy Harry.

Harry nodded to Lobsang. He was aware of the issues facing the Tibetan Weyrleader, then he turned back to Isikara. "I think if you contact the local representatives of the Red Cross they will leap at the chance to accept your help. You can also turn to them for courses on basic and advanced first aid as well as training in disaster responses."

Harry glanced down at his notes, then he reached for some papers. "Another issue and one that should be considered good news by all, the Weyr has reached an agreement with both a Japanese and a Scandinavian company to license the power plant design. Both companies have been contracted to build plants to replace existing ones. Plans are in the works to break ground within the next four months."

Harry looked up with a broad smile, "And next month Campbeltown will be attending the first power station opening Denmark. I know they started later than the British, but there were several nasty legal battles that delayed the British efforts. I have promised at least one Wing to be present when the power company holds their opening ceremony."

Harry looked intently at his Weyrleaders. "I think it would be to our benefit if we can be at these plant openings for the next couple of years. We need to drive home the relationship between dragon-kind and these power plants."

Everyone grinned in agreement with Harry. The first of the power stations going on-line would mean a shift in how the dragons would be perceived by many. The Weyrs had been fighting against the impression that the Weyrs had little to offer humanity. Dragon powered power stations replacing aging nuclear reactors would go a long way to dispelling that image.

"I do have one piece of good news to add," Kat offered.

Harry turned to Kat Mathews, an American witch and co-Weyrleader for Condron Weyr. "Do share please," he replied.

"Jasper Brady was approached by a company in the US that specialized in camping and survival gear. We've signed a contract to supply small heated stones for a line of camp stoves and space heaters. The company called Coleman, seems to think they can market the stoves and people will snap them up since they can do away with carrying fuel for them.

"I was skeptical of the idea at first, but Jasper tells me that we're dealing with a one hundred million dollar a year camping gear industry just in the US alone."

Harry nodded and made a note to talk to Karen about a similar arrangement. Kat Mathews might be a witch, but she was quickly becoming Condron's business manager. She seemed to have a nose for sniffing out business opportunities. She also managed to settle her differences with Skip Taylor and last Harry had heard they were seriously dating.

"Excellent, thank you Kat."

Harry glanced down at his notes, then he looked up. "I have a note here from Hagrid and May concerning the Weyrhealer classes," he said, then he frowned slightly. "They say that they will be able to accommodate forty people to attend the planned autopsy of Dracth from Cheeseman Weyr."

He looked up to see the unhappy expressions all around and he sighed. "I know it's distasteful. I hate it and every fiber in my body screams out against it. But when your dragon gets sick and Hagrid is able to save your dragon you will thank Dracth for his willingness to help our healers."

"Harry it's just that..."

"I know Skip," Harry replied, overriding him. "I don't like it any more than you do. I like it even less because May is involved, but as uncomfortable as this is, it's necessary if we are to learn enough to save our dragons when they get sick. You all know about Practh, he would have died had it not been for what May learned from these autopsies. You've seen the numbers, each month we lose a dozen or more dragons among the non-bonded. I refuse to believe that all of them were fatally ill, if only we knew more about our friends we'd be able to help them. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm tired of losing dragons. If we can prevent it, we will."

The other Weyrleaders nodded, albeit with reluctance. Harry didn't realize it, but he had just set a policy decision for all the Weyrs. Each Weyrleader understood the need for it, but as a dragon rider the idea of someone cutting up a dragon, even a dead one, made them very uneasy. Just getting to the point of a dragon passing on without going Between was difficult enough. Lots of dragons attempted it, but only a handful succeeded.

When Spath passed away he had prevented himself from jumping Between, offering up his body for study. Spath had set an example for all dragons everywhere, but it was an extremely hard instinct to overcome. They were getting bodies to study from all over the world, but it was slow going with perhaps one body being available every other month. The only plus that Harry could see was that those studies were resulting in valuable knowledge and life saving techniques.

Practh was a dragon from Indonesia who had contracted a rare infection of his wing sails, causing them to rot away. It was terribly painful for the dragon. He had been brought to Campbeltown in a sling. May, with the help of several of her professors had struggled for nearly a week to fight the infection off. When that failed they opted to do something very radical, May cut out two major sections of wing sail in order to prevent the infection from spreading.

Practh was shattered and only an order from Chekiath prevented the Chinese fireball from jumping Between. May and her father put their heads together at that point and found a strong polymer material that they were able to stitch into place, replacing the missing sail area. The wing sail area was mostly skin and some blood vessels, so removing a piece and patching it with a thick polymer sheet that was sewn to the surrounding sail was easy.

Although that operation would go down in the Guinness book of records for the greatest number of stitches, topping in at over seven thousand. I had taken ten Weyrhealers eighteen hours of working in shifts to get just one patch in place.

Practh would fly again, even if he couldn't fly as well as before. And on the upside a biopsy performed on the material cut away from the wing allowed a consulting pathologist to identify the culprit. A jungle fungus that had managed to get into the wing membrane through a small nick or tear. Future cases might respond to an anti-fungal treatment, saving the partial sailectomy as a final resort.

"Getting back on topic, have your people email May so she can make the necessary arrangements. May says this will take a week. So plan carefully. The entire procedure will be videotaped and I'm told it will be broadcast live on our dragon net. This way your primary healers can participate without leaving the Weyr. We'll house any people that you send since it's going to be done here at our science complex."

Harry looked up from his notes. "Does anyone have anything for me?"

"Jasper says the final report on the dragon's should be made available next week," Skip offered. "We should get an advance copy but there are no surprises in it. NASA is excited by the fact that dragons can withstand the cold of space, and the vacuum, they have even offered to outfit some riders in suits."

Harry held up his hand and Skip trailed off. "It's a good idea Skip, but there are too many dangers in that to jump in without careful consideration. I'm willing to consider it further, but I think we should look at it very carefully. There's a reason why people get sent into space in space ships and not strapped to the outside of a rocket. A rider would be effectively strapped to the outside of the rocket."

Several chuckled, but they all saw the sense of what Harry was saying. It was one thing to know that your dragon could easily handle up to thirty minutes in space without breathing, but what good was that if the only protection for the rider was a flimsy suit.

"Right, stall them," Skip muttered, then he made a notation in his own book and looked at Harry. "I'll suggest to Jasper that NASA look at it further and mention that you're concerned about rider safety. I'm sure they have a think tank somewhere that can consider these issues."

Harry nodded and leaned back in his chair. "I'm not against the idea. Lord Mills even mentioned to me the idea of dragons being able to place satellites in orbit. Right now it's just an idea, and it's a dangerous one. I'm not saying we won't do it, I'm saying that we won't do it as its been presented."

Harry looked around carefully, and then he pulled out his wand and cast a privacy charm. The wizards among them raised an eyebrow at his actions. "You all know my second, Ronan Clark? He expressed an interest in studying this field for us. He and I have sat over many a cup of tea in the evening talking about just this topic. If you listen to him there are countless worlds out there to explore, including worlds that men could travel to and live on."

Skip nodded. "There are, although there are none to be found in our solar system."

Harry nodded. "I've given this some thought and I think that space is something we need to be extremely cautious about. Ronan has my permission to work on this for us once he's done with school. If you have any riders with similar interests, encourage them to talk to Ronan, but tell them to keep it as a Weyr secret. Let Ronan organize this as a private Weyr effort. Karen is already setting up a fund to help with the effort and Ronan has plans to put together a design group that would act as a cover for their real purpose."

A hush settled on the Weyrleaders and Kat Mathews leaned forward in her seat. A Weyr secret was something that could only be discussed with other riders. No outsiders were to know of it. "A Weyr secret Harry? Why?"

Harry shrugged. "Honestly Kat I'm not entirely sure so I'm being cautious. If Ronan is to be believed and I have no reason not to, space could offer more to humanity than even our hot rocks. Hot Rocks and their uses are our ticket to being accepted by society. What will space be? I don't know, but I do know that unlike hot rocks, we'll control our own involvement. If we get involved in any sort of outer space ventures, it will be of our own doing and entirely under our own control."

Harry glanced around. "Is that it?"

When everyone nodded, he dropped the privacy charm, and then he turned to Hermione who had been sitting quietly in the corner, recording the meeting. "Hermione, make sure everyone gets a copy of this meeting with an appropriate security stamp. Since we're done with this portion I'll open the meeting now."

Hermione nodded and placed a fresh sheet under her dicta-quill. She took the notes she already had and placed them in a briefcase that only she and Harry could open. Later Hermione would type up the notes and send out email copies in a couple days.

"Norendrath is there anyone wanting to speak with us?" Harry asked.

"Smelly Dog says that Sheep Guy and the Master Smith want to talk to you. Smelly Dog also says that Sheep Guy seems annoyed that the Weyrleaders are meeting in private."

Harry grimaced and nodded. "Very well, tell Sirius that it's alright to let them in now."

A minute later the door to the conference room opened and Sir Robert and Lord Mills entered. Sir Robert seemed unconcerned about the delay and as usual, seemed excited about something. James on the other hand seemed unhappy that Harry had decided to hold a closed door meeting that he wasn't invited to.

Harry looked up and smiled. "Gentlemen, good morning."

James stopped and looked a little confused by Harry's greeting. Meanwhile Sir Robert plowed on. "Harry my boy, look look!" he said excitedly, waving some blueprints around.

Harry leaned back in his chair and smiled. "What have you got there Sir Robert?"

Sir Robert blinked and looked a bit surprised as if he were unaware of anyone being in the room, then he spotted Harry. "Oh Harry! It's marvelous. Our friends at British Railways dug through their engineering archives and they managed to locate the blueprints for the 'Evening Star', the last steam locomotive engine built in Britain back in 1960.

"They farmed out the design to an engineering company to replace the firebox with a hot rocks source and update the rest of the design. These are the finished designs updated with today's technology. It will look like an old fashioned steam engine, but its fully modernized to be lighter and more efficient. British Railways is debating whether or not to proceed, but still, it's a wonderful thing. I remember steam trains..."

The old man trailed off and the others smiled at his excitement.

Harry leaned forward and made a quick notation in his book. "If we can help convince British Railways, we'd be happy to help. Powering their electric grid has got to expensive."

Sir Robert nodded. "It is my boy, it is. Even if they don't use this design they may still start using our smaller power stations. I'll talk to Lee about this?"

Harry nodded. "Please do. Lee can coordinate whatever you need Sir Robert."

Lee Jordan was head of the public affairs office for the Weyr and occasional spokesperson although that job was given to Mariah. Lee was also the person to see if you needed dragon resources for some event outside of the Weyr. Harry expected that at some point British Railways would want to talk to the Weyr about hot rock production and Lee as the PAO would the first person they would contact.

Harry turned his attention to James. "James, I apologize for keeping you out of our meeting. But honestly, can you tell me about every conversation you've had with the Prime Minister?"

James frowned and sat down in an empty chair. "No lad, some of them were classified."

Harry nodded. "I know James and I have trusted you despite that," he replied, and then he waved to the other riders present. "We're doing something new in our existence James. Look around you and you'll see people whose names will be remembered alongside Washington, Jefferson, Wellington and Churchill. Lobsang, Taylor, Mathews, Gustavson and Isikara are just the first.

"The first Weyrleaders and their riders are building a nation. Quite a lot of that, most of it in fact, will be done with your help and willing support. But just as your nation requires you to keep secrets, somethings we discuss need to be kept within the Weyr."

"Don't forget Potter," growled Hermione from her seat. Harry glanced over and gave her a soft smile, and then he turned his attention back to James.

James ran a hand through his hair, then he turned to look sourly at Sir Robert who was chortling merrily at him. "I warned you," Sir Robert said. "I told you this would happen once we started teaching him diplomacy and politics."

James nodded sourly. "You did, but I didn't think it would happen this soon," he said with a grunt, then he shook from his mood. "I'm sorry Harry, but you are correct. The Weyr is entitled to its secrets. They are a necessary evil of statecraft.

"And Hermione is right, Potter is the name that will lead that list," he said, and then he paused and took a breath. "Anyway I wanted to give you an update on our first power plant. The last legal battle cleared the courts yesterday and they are ready to begin testing. The official schedule is for the plant to go on-line in three months. I've been asked by Minister Blair to tender an invitation to the Weyr for the opening ceremonies. Her Majesty is also expected to attend."

Harry nodded and made a notation in his book. "The Weyr would be honored and proud to attend my Lord," he replied formally, then he relaxed somewhat and said in a teasing tone, "But the Danes still beat you to it."

James nodded ruefully. "Yeah they did. They were fortunate that they were able to avoid several court battles but better late than never. Honestly I never expected an attempt to prevent the plant from coming on-line after it was built."

Both plants had been started around the same time, but there had been two minor suits that delayed the British by a few months. The last suit came as a surprise just months before the plant was due to begin testing before connecting to the grid. The outfit bringing the suit was supposedly an environmental group, but investigation had revealed they had backing from several oil companies. Needless to say, once that fact came to light the suit lost a great deal of credibility.

The Weyr was pleased to discover that neither British Petroleum nor Exxon were behind the suits. Both companies had partnered together to build the heat transfer chambers that each power station would require.

The lawsuits had resulted in delays resulting in Britain being beaten by the Danes.

Harry grinned and the others chuckled, they all knew that the British had hoped to lead the way with the dragon powered power stations. There had been some gentle competition between the two companies building the plants that the Weyr and the press had focused on.

James smiled along with the others, he was glad that Harry was willing to talk to him, but he would still have to report that the Weyr was keeping secrets to the minister.

Later that evening Harry crawled into bed with a scowl. This was the fifth night in a row where May was spending the night down in London rather than coming home. Hermione spotted his expression and she sighed to herself. She missed May as well, but she knew Harry would miss her deeply. May and Hermione were like sisters now and it bothered her that May would be away so often of late.

"I'm sure she's missing you too Harry. I know I would be if I were her," Hermione offered.

He looked at her with a hopeful expression. "Do you think so? I don't like her being away from us."

She nodded and moved closer to him. They were a family and without May both felt like something was missing. "I do. I also miss our nighttime talks between the three of us. It's just that she's working so hard on that project of hers."

She didn't want to mention that she had a similar school related project that could consume most of her free time, but she refused to let anything interfere with her evenings with Harry. Her mum had told her that no matter how driven she had been in university, she never let it get in the way of her relationship with her father. If there was one woman in the entire world that Hermione admired, it was her mother and she took that advice to heart.

Harry nodded and sighed for a moment, and then he wrapped his arms around her a little tighter than usual. Hermione didn't need to be a mind reader to know what was bothering him. She made a mental note to herself to call May tomorrow and arrange for them to talk, and then she smiled wickedly in the darkness. Since May isn't here, I might as well make good use of having the bed to just the two of us, she thought, then she lifted herself slightly and slid her body over on top of Harry, kissing him deeply.

Harry was initially surprised, then he enthusiastically returned her kisses.

Harry's Quarters, Campbeltown Weyr, May 25th, 1999...

May paused and held the door open for Hermione who had a armload of books. The two girls were even closer now, thanks to Hermione pulling May aside and explaining exactly what her absence was doing to their relationship. It had been a sobering experience for the young blond woman, and one she vowed not to repeat.

Hermione entered and placed the books down on a nearby desk with a sigh of relief. Since they were her muggle textbooks she didn't dare cast a featherlight charm on them. There was always a risk that one of her books might be picked up by one of her fellow students who would instantly know the book didn't weigh the correct amount.

May stopped next to Hermione and nudged her gently, then motioned with her head towards the coffee table in front of their large couch. On the table was a platter with a large chocolate cake and a steaming pot of tea.

"Uh oh," Hermione muttered.

"Harry's baked a cake," May replied. "That means he thinks he did something wrong."

The girls were surprised to discover that Harry was very good at cooking, but he didn't do it often because he didn't want Dobby to be offended. Most of the time he cooked, he did it to relax, but on two previous occasions he had done it as a peace offering.

Hermione glanced at May. "Do you know what he's done?"

"No, you?"

She shook her head, then sighed. One of the times he baked a cake it had been to apologize because Weyr duties kept him from being able to make love to either girl for two weeks. Neither girl felt that way and were shocked at his apology and peace offering. Both girls understood why he felt the need to spend two weeks at Sakushima Weyr. Popping back and forth every day would have been too much because of the time difference.

The second time he apologized it was because he had broken a favorite cup of Hermione's that her grandmother had given her. It was a careless accident on his part and magic had easily repaired the family heirloom, but Harry was certain that Hermione would be furious with him for breaking the cup.

Harry came into the living room and spotted the girls. He gave them a weak smile and waved them forward.

He moved to sit in an armchair facing the couch.

"What have you done that you think we're going to be mad at you Harry," May said, sitting on the couch.

Harry blinked and chuckled softly, then shook his head. "Nothing yet but I do want to bring up something to both of you."

Hermione looked up from pouring herself and May some tea. "What would that be?"

Harry fidgeted for a moment, then he took a deep breath. "Would it bother either of you if I asked Eddie to accept me into her faith?" he asked uncertainly.

Both women looked at him in surprise. One of the fundamental differences between May and Hermione was religion. Hermione was a Catholic and May belonged to the Church of Scotland.

Hermione sighed and looked over towards May. "I suppose in a way, this is our fault. Neither of us really tried to convince Harry of our beliefs," she said softly then she turned back to Harry. "Can I ask what your reasons are?"

Harry leaned back on his chair. "No matter how hard I try to forget it, I still remember being locked in my cupboard, hungry and in pain. I tried praying to Jesus for help but it never came," he said softly, refusing to meet their gaze. "I remember hearing about the Dursleys who thought they were great Christians but they would spend hours sniping at their neighbors. The only exposure I had to religion was what I heard on the telly and I couldn't help thinking about what I had done wrong that Jesus wouldn't help me."

Harry's expression took on a faraway troubled look and Chekiath crooned softly in his stall. The large dragon lay watching the three of them intently. He was obviously interested in the conversation and didn't like the fact that his rider was getting upset.

Harry blinked and shook his head, then he shot a quick grin at his dragon before turning back to the others. "Out of all of the religions that have visited the Weyr, only Eddie is truly accepting of us. Father Tomas wants his superiors to accept us, but they are unwilling to commit to anything. Vicar Stafford has visited just once and that Muslim guy, Imam Birmas visits once a week, walking around and scowling at everything. Each of these groups preaches tolerance, but the undeniable fact is they don't really mean it." He lifted his gaze and met Hermione's. "Tell me that you're not disappointed by the fact that the Catholic church refuses to say one way or another if dragons have souls," he said, then he turned to May. "The Church of Scotland didn't even bother sending a representative, and the Church of England seems split between acceptance of dragons and a call to slaughter them as devil spawn. The one representative they sent didn't want to be here and has never returned. The Archbishop spoke highly of meeting with us and then got bogged down in church politics.

"Where is the gentle, tolerant behavior they profess to teach. Where is the understanding and willingness to adapt to new situations?" he said firmly. "Eddie Took offers an alternative, and something more. Hermione will understand this part."

Harry held out a hand and whispered something unintelligible. A small golden flame appeared floating above his palm. "I feel no pull on my core Hermione," he said softly, his voice was tinged with awe. "No pull at all."

Hermione frowned and leaned forward on her chair. "How did you do that?"

"I asked for a light to guide me," Harry replied. "It's an old Gaelic prayer to Ernmass the Earth Mother."

"Harry, that could just be you invoking some powerful spirit," Hermione cautioned. The golden light deeply troubled her. The fact that he couldn't feel any pull on his core bothered her even more. Of all the wizards she knew, Harry was the one most attuned to his core. It was a function of being a mage. That he could invoke an exterior entity to create an obviously magical light shouldn't have been possible.

"Isn't that what praying to Jesus is? Calling on a powerful spirit for aid?" he countered. "Seriously you have faith that some guy who died two thousand years ago can help you. What's the difference between your faith in Jesus and Eddie's faith in a deity that is thousands of years older than yours?"

May shook her head. "He's got you there Hermione. It boils down to faith. I have to admit that Eddie troubles me. Her religion seems more active than any other. I won't say she can do miracles, but I've seen her do things that really make me wonder."

May turned to Harry. "I did not fall in love with you because of your religious beliefs. You are a good and kind man Harry Potter, the kind of man I want to be the father of my children. Religion is a deeply personal thing and I think that if you find comfort in the teachings that Eddie offers you should seek it out. You have valid questions that I can't answer and the Clergy that have visited don't seem to want to confront."

May paused and one hand reached up to twist some of her hair, it was a sign Harry recognized that she was thinking hard. "I will admit I was unhappy that the Church of Scotland did not send a representative to the Weyr. I spoke to my parents local vicar and he said the church elders were unwilling to commit at this time. I explained to the vicar that their unwillingness to commit might cost them converts, but he brushed me off. He had no interest in a congregation that wasn't human."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I am not trying to convince anyone to convert here. The more I think about it the more troubled I feel about the Christian faiths. I've spoken with Father Tomas several times now and I find him a likable fellow, but his answers to my questions seem - forced, as if he had trouble believing in them himself. If either of you are against it, then I won't speak to Eddie about it. I probably will never be a good Christian but your opinion is what matters to me the most. Say no and I'll drop the subject and forget about it."

Hermione crossed her arms and scowled. "What about our children? I don't know about May, but my faith expects me to raise my children as Catholics."

Harry leaned back in his chair. "Well that was never going to happen was it Hermione?" he replied harshly. "Not unless you were planning on convincing May to also convert, and then figure out how to get the pope to forgive the fact that you're in a relationship involving three dragons and three people."

Harry sighed and continued in a softer tone. "My take on it is simple. Expose the children to all three faiths and let them make their own decisions when they are old enough. The harder issue is the fact that for you two, your faith will never accept your relationship. What would your church do if they knew what kind of life you're living Hermione?" he asked.

"I don't know," she whispered.

"They'd excommunicate her," May said. "Mine would do the same."

"They'd refuse to talk to you?" Harry said incredulously.

May chuckled at Harry's misunderstanding and Hermione smiled. "No love, they would kick us from the church and claim we were destined to go to hell," May replied.

"They don't do it often, but the church has done it for less reasons these days. There was a time when just getting a divorce would earn an excommunication," Hermione added softly then she sighed. "I am starting to see what you've been saying Harry. They preach tolerance and forgiveness, but in some ways they aren't tolerant or forgiving."

"Hermione," Harry said uncomfortably. "I never meant to force you to question your faith."

Hermione placed her cup down on the table and stood, she walked around the table and knelt by his chair. "Sweetheart," she said. "If there is one thing I have learned about you is that you look very carefully at something before making a decision these days. You have obviously thought a great deal about this and have brought up issues I hadn't considered. If I sound annoyed it's because I've been refusing to look at this logically. I wanted you to convert to Catholicism, May too. I wanted us to share that experience."

Hermione leaned back on her knees and shook her head ruefully. "You were right to point out the flaw in that idea. But at the same time I don't think I'm quite ready to give that up either."

"Harry isn't asking you to Hermione," May pointed out gently.

Hermione smiled at her. "I know. I also know that Harry still has one more reason he hasn't told us yet."

Harry smiled at her. "Oh?" he challenged, she knew him too well!

"You know you do. As much as you want to share this with us, you also want to share it with your dragon," Hermione countered.

Harry chuckled. "Can you imagine the riders and dragons attending mass at Saint Peters in Rome?" he asked.

"Or just a local church on Arran," May murmured. "There'd be no room in Saint Brides in Brodick."

Harry smiled at that. May had shown Harry around Brodick which was the largest settlement on the Isle of Arran, and the place where she went to school. He remembered well the quaint little church that he attended Christmas services with her and her family. Just trying to fit Chekiath into the building would require knocking out a wall!

Hermione stood and walked back to her seat where she took a sip of her tea. "Harry, if this is what you want to do I wouldn't try to stop you. In fact you've given me pause. I believe I am a good catholic, but I know according to my teachings I am sinning even if it doesn't feel like I am. I also know they would never accept what we have. Between you and Eddie you've presented a powerful case that I can't argue against."

She held up a hand stifling Harry's protest. "I know, you're not asking to argue about it. The simple fact is that the more I look at your case the less convinced I am that my own case is the right one," she said, then she shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's not unreasonable to accept that Eddie will be taking in a lot of us, even me eventually. I'm not willing to give up yet, but I am deeply disappointed in my own faith."

"Maybe that's the singular problem with all religions," May offered softly. "Ultimately there are people in control, making human mistakes. We hope they won't make mistakes, but we all know they do."

Hermione nodded grimly, then she brightened. "Well enough with the glum talk. I feel the need for a big piece of Harry's cake. If he even quits being Weyrleader he'll certainly be able to get a job as a bakery chef."

"Harry would never quit being Weyrleader," Chekiath said from his stall. "I know he doesn't like it, but he does it for all of us."

May chuckled and glanced over at Harry who had covered his face in his hands. "We know Chekiath, but Harry does make a wonderful cake. It's a shame that dragons don't have a sweet tooth."

"I know. It's strange, I have so many teeth, but none of them are sweet," Chekiath replied.

Both girls stared at the dragon who was opening is huge mouth and exposing over one hundred teeth. Harry on the other hand slid off his chair in laughter.

Campbeltown Weyr, May 30th 1999...

"Eddie are you busy?"

Eddie looked up from her desk and smiled at the people standing in the doorway. "Millicent, hi there. Come on in."

Millicent entered the room followed by Bob Malwich and Sammy Hinnerman. The three riders had been asking her some rather deep questions of late and she was sure that sooner or later they would ask to be taught about the Goddess. The only one that seemed to be even more interested was the Weyrleader and she was certain he wasn't going to make a decision until he had examined it from every possible angle.

Harry seemed to know instinctively how to react to serious situations, but when he had time to consider a course of action he would examine every aspect before picking a path.

Eddie motioned to the chairs and the trio sat down, each of them was looking a bit nervous albeit for different reasons. Eddie liked Millicent who came from a family that still upheld many of the old traditions. Millicent herself had rejected many of her family's beliefs, but she was very interested in what Eddie had to offer.

Eddie looked over the trio, Millicent had blossomed in the Weyr, changing from a dour girl who had few friends to a budding scientist who found reason to smile often. Eddie had been told the tales of her life before the Weyr, and of the family that tried to bargain her away for a business advantage.

Now she was in a three way relationship with two muggle riders and all three seemed to be very happy.

"Goddess' blessing on you," she said mostly out of habit. All three riders bowed their heads briefly then looked up at her again.

"So what can I do for you three today?" Eddie asked.

Milli glanced at the others, then took a deep breath and plunged right in. "Eddie, I, that is, we would like you to perform a handfasting, if possible, on this coming solstice."

Eddie smiled broadly. "I would be honored to perform the service, and that would give me enough time to instruct you in the ritual. Tell me, will you also want to perform the marriage bonding afterwards?"

Millicent shook her head no; it was obvious she was not happy with that answer. Bob reached for her hand and said, "We're not sure Eddie. Milli has told us about it, and what it would do to her. Sammy and I don't want her to go through with that and she disagrees. In fact it's been just about the only thing we've disagreed about since Tarianth and Pandorth rose for their first mating flight."

Eddie looked over to Millicent for a moment in thought then she turned to the others. "I presume this is about how the bonding will shorten Millicent's life?"

Both men nodded, neither of them wanted that to happen.

Eddie nodded, this was something she had seen many times before in mixed marriages. And it was something she was used to helping the non-magical understand.

"Bob, Sammy, Milli isn't offering this option as a way of hurting herself," Eddie said gently. "Marriage, especially among magical people is supposed to be a joining of equals. Milli is a powerful witch who could well live to one hundred and forty years old. As muggles your lifespan is only half of Milli's. Are you willing to condemn her to fifty years or more without you? Her magic through the bonding will reach out to share itself with you both. Her lifespan will drop, and yours will increase. It will try to even everyone out so that there is less of a difference between you all. It may mean that all three of you could live to one hundred instead of two of you living to seventy while Milli lives to one hundred and forty."

"We know all that," Sammy protested.

"Then what is the problem?" asked Eddie in confusion.

Sammy laid a hand on Millicent's arm and she gave him a weak smile. He turned back to Eddie. "We understand what it means and what it will do, but Bob and I don't like the idea that we would be responsible for shortening her life."

Bob nodded. "I would feel terrible about it. My mum used to buy my grandda his cigarettes after he retired. When he died of lung cancer she blamed herself, she thought she killed him," he said with a shudder. "I couldn't ask that of Sammy and I certainly won't ask that of Milli."

"And yet I would willingly do this for you both," Millicent said fervently.

"You all are very being silly and I think it's time to stop this!" Tarianth exclaimed. Tarianth was a Hebridean Black dragon and nearly twice as large as the vipertooths that were bonded with Sammy and Bob. It was very obvious in her tone that Tarianth was clearly the alpha dragon in this triplet.

Eddie couldn't help but wonder if Millicent was also the alpha in the triplet.

Millicent started and looked towards the ceiling, "Tari?" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry Milli but this fight has been going on and on for months and all it's doing is delaying your happiness," replied Tarianth. "You could have spent all that time happily shagging instead of endless talk talk talk."

"Tari, don't you see? If we do this, Milli will lose years off her life!" Sammy said brokenly.

"No she won't," Tarianth replied firmly. "You three have been fighting over this for months and I'm tired of listening to it. You have all forgotten one very important thing."

Milli glanced over at Bob who shrugged, he couldn't think of anything they had forgotten. Both turned to Sammy who shook his head.

Eddie leaned forward on her chair. "Tarianth, what have they forgotten?" She wasn't surprised that the dragon had joined the conversation, but it did surprise her that Tarianth seemed so certain of something.

"Am I not magical? Or Pandorth? Or Rasilorth? Can we not also be part of the bonding, adding our magic to Milli's?" Tarianth asked indignantly. "Will that not insure we all share in a longer life? Together like we were meant to?"

Millicent's mouth dropped open and she looked around at the others. Eddie laughed lightly, "Leave it to the dragons to see what we have been overlooking. Harry's been saying all along that even the human couples are really four people. The bonding doesn't require any special spells cast by anyone but the bonder. Since Milli would be the bonder for the ritual, all she would need to do is include the three dragons in her casting."

"Wouldn't that shorten their lifespans as well?" asked Bob worriedly.

Millicent shook her head. "I don't believe so. Dragons have a higher magical index than wizards. And don't forget we really don't know what the natural lifespan of a dragon is. All of the older dragons today grew up in the wizard reserves where they weren't treated well. A bonded dragon has a lifespan of whatever their rider is. If I were to include the dragons... who knows what changes that would make to our lifespans."

"Your lifespan is what it is," Tarianth said, "How long you live is less important than you think. How well you live is more important."

"Very wise words," Eddie said softly, "Wise words indeed, and an idea we would all profit from. Thank you for that Tarianth." The Druid priestess turned her attention back to the three dragon riders. "I take it that solves the problem?"

Milli looked at Bob who nodded, then they both looked to Sammy who also agreed. "It more than I expected," he admitted, "I'm game, the idea that our lives might be longer is appealing, especially if we're together."

Eddie marked down the date on her calendar then she looked up. "I want to meet with each of you, both together and privately during the next two weeks. Milli I'll help coach you on the bonding spell."

Millicent nodded, her mind was already whirling with a list of things she'd need to get done and she hoped she could get some help from Emma Granger who acted as a surrogate Mum for most of the girls. The thought of Emma made her consider something else.

"Oh my," she said suddenly and everyone turned to her.

"Milli, is something wrong?" asked Eddie. She wondered what obstacle the young woman had thought of.

Milli shook her head and grimaced. "You need to talk to Hermione," she blurted. "If our dragons can share in our bonding, what kind of bonding will a Mage, an above average witch and three of the largest dragons on the planet have?"

Eddie leaned back in her chair. "Oh my indeed," she said softly as it hit her. The Weyr's bondings would undoubtedly be different than the usual ones she participated in, but The Weyrleader's bonding would be unique. Eddie made a mental note to send an email to Hermione about it.

Bob chuckled and shook his head. "The Weyrleader never does anything by halves."

"Of course he doesn't," Comaloth said suddenly. "He is more like his dragon than anyone knows. And like his dragon he is capable of covering his consorts as often as they need it. Chekiath is Harry in dragon form and Harry is Chekiath in human form."

All four humans stared at each other in shock. No one knew that any dragons were listening in other than Tarianth.

Milli suddenly blushed. She recalled several times when both Bob and Sammy were too tired to continue and she wanted more. And Harry can handle that? She wondered to herself. Damn! Hermione and May are lucky girls!

---

Author's Notes and Mockeries:

* Still a lot of building and scene setting in this chapter, but next chapter things will start picking up as we see some of the results of the Weyr's efforts.

* A special shout out to Timefreak who tried to convince me he had confused one of my stories with someone elses. Alyx is heading your way with a pickup truck loaded with power tools and a donkey named Pete. Don't run, resistance is futile, oh and yeah, Pete bites.

* A lot of people seem to think autonomy means a completely separate state. It doesn't. If you look at any of the Indian tribes here in the US, while they can create their own laws, they are bound to abide by federal law and cannot pass a law which violates said federal law. They do have some additional freedoms that regular citizens do not have, but they are a part of the US as much as any other non-Indian citizen. I really wish people would stop equating autonomy as 100 percent freedom because it isn't.

* EdenAthene wants to know why Campbeltown hasn't changed it's name to Spath's Weyr. Probably for the same reason that they waited over one hundred and fifty years after George Washington's death to build the bridge in his name across the Hudson River in NY. You'll note that I never said when they changed the name, so it'll happen, but perhaps it won't happen until the end of this book.

* A lot of people want to know if anyone from the Japanese royal family will be searched as a rider. I can say with certainty that no, none of the immediate family will be selected. Will a more distant relation be selected? Maybe, I'm still writing sections and I haven't made up my mind about it. And no, that isn't a call to know what you think. My plot file contains things I need to write and things that might be nice to include. That particular nugget is in the nice to include pile.

* Dragonknight1775 next time you leave a review, please make sure it's clear what you're asking because I haven't a clue what you mean. I sent your review out to be translated and it came up with a post it note stating they can't translate drunk.

* Shiaira73, to answer your question, this story is possibly the last multichapter HP story you'll see from me. After this is complete I do have an idea for an original work that I hope will earn a few dimes and nickels along the way. All I have right now is an idea file where I've been tossing things in concerning the plot, but once I have finished this book I'll start working on that, and try to figure out how to market it online. Needless to say I have time still before I have to worry about that new tale.

* Several people wanted to see the Weyr handle the dementors, but they are forgetting that they have already seen that several times in this story line. How many times can I write about seeing dragons swoop down and snatch a dementor to take Between before it becomes old? Seriously seeing the hunt really wasn't necessary.

* Trichorse, you are right, I have thought of it already and you'll see some of it in the next chapter.

* Sleepygirl68. WAKE UP! Heh, but seriously don't be afraid to leave a review. Authors like to know what works and what doesn't. As to the Weasleys my take is simple. Do not let your personal distaste for Ron or Ginny or any Weasley to cloud your judgment. A good author can make a case for a good Weasley just as easily as a bad one. I'm notorious for knocking Dumbledore and yet, in this story he was a good guy that everyone accepted. I can read Harry/Ginny or Harry/Hermione or Harry and any other female because I don't let what I've read previously in fan fiction cloud my feelings for any character. Don't fall into that trap and you'll find Fan fiction a lot more enjoyable because you have a lot more choices.

* And FINALLY, please do not ask me to critique your "Multi-chapter epic story" if;
- The chapters are less than 2k in size and you have 21 chapters for less than 12K words.
- If the term Character Development and Motivation sounds like a foreign film title to you.
- If you are writing a cross over between a well known universe and some obscure Manga drawn by a friend of yours who lives in his parent's basement.
- If during your writing you've asked the readers what they want to see. Personally I like my readers, but I consider asking them anything to be a cardinal sin. May your soul burn forever in hell, or worse may you discover that the bulk of your readers really do want to see you write a Harry/Hagrid/Minerva story where Hagrid is a world famous sushi chef. It's your story, write it your way and don't ask the readers for input.