I do not own Firebreather. Or Harry Potter, I wish I did.
Last chapter:
"So, my son. You appear to have figured out more than your brother has on your own." The gravelly voice broke the shocked silence.
The few death eaters remaining raised their wands to the cry of "Avada Kedavra!" and with simultaneous motions they flung green light at the beast.
He treated their attacks like flies buzzing annoyingly around his face. No, even less than that, he didn't bother to move a muscle, just stood there regally as the lights came into contact with his scales.
The Death Eaters were shouting blood-thirstily, sure that their attacks would be the end of it- it never took more than one hit of the killing curse to kill.
Harry hated everything about it, the way someone with no effort could kill even the most powerful, all on a whim. The weak were given power, and he didn't mean weak physically. Even a weak person could be strong, it just took fortitude of will.
That's one of the things about magic. It gave bad people power that they shouldn't have, and there was almost no way to think of all of the things.
But he didn't want someone coming into the fight unprepared for the danger. And something told him that the creature was obviously sentient, even without the knowledge that he was able to talk.
He wasn't even going to focus on its words till he had to.
He lunged forwards, trying to warn the dragon "LOOK OUT!"
But it obviously wasn't necessary, as the lights only met the scales and melted into the dark color in a slight ripple of green light like the displacement of still water.
The dragon snorted, before turning a disdaining eye on its attackers. "Fools. You dare attack me?"
A spark of anger had ignited in his eye, and when his great maw opened to speak, fire could be seen swirling in the back.
The Death Eaters weren't shaking in their boots, but they were obviously unnerved. It was like they didn't know what to do now that their ace in the hole was rendered useless. One of them, his skull mask looked like a grinning skull, deciding to take the lead. With Bellatrix dead, there was no real reason to stay, and their Lord would most likely benefit more from the knowledge they could potentially bring rather than their deaths. He might spare them. Might.
And that was better than what was sure to be certain death at the hands of an unknown entity.
So 'Fight' was out. That leaves only flight. So 'Smiley' dove to the side as if sensing danger, shouting a slightly panicked "Stupefy!" at the creature, and he turned ready to apparate away.
Only, he found himself lifted unceremoniously lifted off the ground. Hundreds of feet in the air, he could still hear what must be dull to those around him. Their screams as they were slowly crushed in the hands of a giant, "Monster!" The sound of sizzling and popping flesh as he breathed fire onto his clenched hand, searing only the face as the rest was safe in his clenched fist. Save for the creaking and cracking of bone within its midst.
A savage grin came upon its face, lipless skin pulling up to reveal sharp teeth as tall as a man, and Harry could only stare as droplets of blood rained down like sparse rain.
A wet splatter fell on his face. He went to wipe it away, only to notice his hand. It was crusty, dry and sticky. Brownish splatter layered his skin, with wetter parts still blared a garish red. It was morbid, and he didn't know how he didn't smell it in the air.
He knelt slowly on the ground, and tried to wipe the blood on the dead and browning grass. It wouldn't come ignored the crash in the forest nearby and the sickening crunch of impact. He didn't look up, as he heard foot steps behind him, and a soft hand upon his shoulder.
"Harry. Harry." He didn't respond.
"Harry!" and Harry jerked his head so fast that he almost gave himself whiplash.
He was sure there was blood everywhere, he didn't even remember how he got it all over him, just that it was everywhere. And he was sure it wasn't his. But he wasn't ready to be a murderer, wasn't ready to be a killer. It was against everything that he had ever believed in and he wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
"My boy… you did what you had to, but do not dwell on it. It drives the truly just to madness. I have seen friends go down the wrong paths for that reason."
His face was sad, even a little teary. "Now…" he turned to the creature that stood silently across from them, watching the exchange with keen eyes that glowed eerily.
"Who might you be, kind sir?"
One large lip curled, "How kind of you to ask. It saves me the trouble of killing you. If you had been as irritating as your little friends, I would have had to eviscerate you for daring to attack me."
Dumbledore didn't even blink," Oh, I am glad that you didn't have to go the trouble."
Dumbledore seemed to be getting back to his normal tone. Up to this point, he had been grave, and his jovial demeanor had been absent. But it seemed it was on its return journey.
Another snort, and another jet of flame shot into the sky. "So you say. But still, what keeps me from destroying you on the spot, and taking back what is rightfully mine?"
"I might say that it would be more troublesome than it was worth. It would draw unwanted attention to you, and your kind."
"We are more than prepared for any kind of interference from you… wizards." Wizards sounded like something worse than it was, coming out of its mouth.
"For the most part. But we wizards are an adaptable sort, much more trouble than we're worth. And we don't often stray out of Britain, and the American brand are much more forgiving…. In a way. They care a bit less about differences, while we" here he looked a bit regretful, and shot a glance at Harry, "Seem to be a bit less forgiving."
"Hmm" the dragons tone was thoughtful.
The Minister stuck on the ground spoke up, "DUMBLEDORE! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS…. THIS … CREATURE! OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION?!"
The dragon looked on with disinterest, and returned his penetrating gaze to Harry, who looked nervously from side to side at anything but Bellll…. Belock? Or the conspicuous corpse in the middle of the ground.
He saw Percy cowering beside the Minster trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. While at the same time supporting his side. To Snape returning from the outer edge of the forest, gritting his teeth and unconscious Death Eaters floating behind him.
At the sight of the giant creature, he didn't seem very surprised. But Harry knew he should have been able to hear all that went on while in his absence.
Snape noticed him watching, so he treated Harry to his usual sneer.
Huh, he never thought he would find it endearing how the man he hated so much always treated him the same.
"I tire of this tomfoolery. I have come for one reason and one reason only, and that is not to be in the presence of you foolish creatures."
Dumbldore agreed." I feel that I must tell you of what has brought us to this point, however. It might be in your best interest to know what you have become involved in."
Another snort, "I am more than able to counteract any measure on your part."
"I agree. But not all of you would be able to." A nod at Harry. The dragon's eyes contracted, seeing it as a threat.
"Fine. Tell me your story. After that, I want to finish this business."
"It all began many years earlier…"
All throughout the story Belloc didn't say a word, only listened with a face that portrayed extreme annoyance. At the end, he only said, "Is that so." A statement not a question.
"I thought you should know, as more than likely, at one point or another, you may find yourself encountering someone related to this."
"Pah. Should one of you wizards, or anyone, ANYONE threaten my family, they will quickly find themselves wishing that they had never. Even. Been. Born. "It was velvety and soft, not a threat. A promise.
He turned to Harry, "Son, I think it is time we be going. Your mother was looking forward to your arrival.- And even I do not dare go against that woman's wishes."
Harry balked, "Son?! I had a father, and he was James Potter! My mother was Lily Evans! And they aren't alive anymore. This is bullocks!"
Dumbledore stepped forward, shadowed by Snape, who had finished dealing with the enemies, leaving them in crumpled heaps, "Harry-"
"Quiet." The dragon murmured. He leaned forward until his hand was just next to Harry, and motioned for him to stand on it. "Get on." The black haired boy hesitated, "Now."
He hesitantly moved forward until he was right next to the hand and lightly jumped upon the rough warm surface. He stumbled a bit, because, as soon as he landed it was in motion and it caught him by surprise.
He knew that before the change he would have ended up tipping over the edge and falling to his death.
But now he caught himself. Belloc brought him up till he was eye, to well, eye. Or body. And he could feel the rumble in the air as he spoke, and the smell of sulfur as he breathed.
"My son, you must be able to feel it." His voice was stern, but strangely soft and gentle.
"The bond that runs between us like spilt blood, dripping from me to you. I also feel it. We are bound at the soul. You look much like your mother in your human form. But I? You take after me in soul. Feel the fire that burns inside it, and trace it back to me. You can feel that I am right, even if you do not want to believe. I, Belloc, king of the Kaiju, am your father. Your mother is Margaret Rosenblatt. You have a brother, Duncan, my heir."
"A brother…?"
How could he have a family he never knew about?! He only knew about his mother and father through the words of others, and how could he do anything but believe them? Especially since his personal life is the same as written history.
So how was it possible that he had a family?! How?! If it was true, why had they not come for him earlier?!
He voiced his thoughts aloud, almost screaming with indignation. His 'father's' only response was to chuckle. "A spit-fire, much like your mother. Ahh, but it is not my place to explain. It is your mothers. It was her decision."
He still didn't want to believe it. But he could feel it inside, something about the creature in front of him called to him, and he felt he felt an answering reverberation within himself. The feeling that if he let the creature in front of him stake the claim that he was family, that he would never let Harry be alone, and the Harry would always be protected.
And it scared him.
No one had ever been like that to him, not even Sirius. Sirius offered no solutions to his problems, he was more of a listening ear. Someone to offer advice, and to come to in the case of an emergency. But never someone that he could call upon to protect him time after time. And when Sirius did… it killed him.
But this creature, this thing, would never fall in battle. Not when he was as massive and powerful as he was. And he was offering something that no one else ever did. Not Sirius. Not Dumbledore.
He was offering a way out. There was no way that he could not take it.
There was no way he was going to reject what was sure to be his only way out. So he grabbed onto the lifeline.
"I believe you." And the words felt true. Even if on the way out they were hollow. Somewhere, in more primal part of himself, they were.
That said, the dragon placed him on the ground, and turned away.
"Say your goodbyes." It was gruff, but an oddly kind gesture.
So Harry turned to Dumbledore and the rest and walked up to him.
Harry hesitated before speaking, "I took his offer."
Dumbledore nodded sagely, "I thought that you would, though in a way I suppose that I had hoped differently." He sighed. "Harry, my boy, I wish you the best. I would offer you some parting wisdom, but I do not know how applicable it would be where you are going." But he smiled wryly, "Watch out for those American wizards, they can be a bit strange. And their magic, is less, how should I say, fanciful. Less merciful, and more battle oriented. It might be an interesting change from what you know." The twinkle was back.
"Of course you would encourage learning."
"Of course my boy, you would never know when it should come in handy. And your mother is quite a wonderful battle mage."
His breathe caught a bit in his throat," So… its true?- What he said?"
"It is. But do not blame the Potter's or Ms. Rosenblatt too much, they meant well. And it was done out of love."
"Why didn't you tell me? It would have most likely saved me so much grief!"
"Harry, it might not make sense to you right now, but often, knowing changes the outcome of events, for the better or worse. And in this case, I don't think it would be for the better. – Now, it is time to be off. Say your goodbyes to the Minister, Mr. Weasley, and Severus."
He didn't. Save for a half-hearted, "Figure yourself out." To the traitorous Weasley. And turned to leave.
"Harry, you wont be able to leave this behind forever. Remember what I said about fate. It wont stay out of the way for long. As it is, this is just buying precious time."
He paused, "I know." And he did.
Then he was swept up in a strong hand and was whisked away into the wind.
Ps. If you see any major errors, please tell me, they only cause me shame if left unchecked. Thank you. Have a nice day! :D