Dragon(s)

Pairing: Harry/Charlie

Summary: The ministry of magic says that there are ten breeds of dragon, not counting any of the rare crossbreeds. So why is there an adult dragon the size of a house cat sitting of Charlie's coffee table looking at Harry like he's the best thing since the discovery of the Wolfsbane potion?

Rating: ~

Warnings: M/M

"Talking"
'Thinking'

Charlie groaned as he rolled over in his bed to look at his clock, a muggle item he like very much, and groaned again when he saw the time. It was 2:31 AM, and some bloody, inconsiderate, person was knocking, just shy of pounding, on his door. With a sigh he slid out of bed, grabbing his wand as he headed for his door. Maybe there was trouble with one of the three dragons that had just been moved to the reserve, goddess knew there'd been more than a few problems just moving them here.

As he was just about to open his door the knocking became pounding. Yanking the door open he snarled, "Do you have as idea what ruddy time it is! It's 2:30 in the damned morning!" He would have gone on but a small, terrified squeaking stopped him. Blinking at the sound he looked down to see his baby brother's best friend, Harry Potter, standing of his door step. What really surprised him was what seemed to be a baby red dragon curled up in Harry's arms, shaking in what Charlie assumed to be fear. Gentling his voice Charlie said, "Sorry for yelling Harry. Please come in."

Stepping inside Harry said, "its okay Charlie. I didn't stop to think about the time here, or even in England when I found this little guy curled up on my pillow an hour ago. You were the only person I knew who might know anything about him." Harry paused for a second, then said, "Or her, I don't really know."

Charlie gestured for Harry to have a seat. "Would you like something to drink or eat? I think I have some sushi from lunch yesterday that this little guy might like." Charlie absent mindedly reached out to stroke the tiny dragonets head, jerking back in surprise when it nipped his finger.

Harry chuckled. "Little One did the same to me." He held up his right hand to show faint teeth marks on his index finger. "But I don't think there's any poison. At least not if the skin isn't broken." Looking down at the tiny creature in his arms he smiled, gently running his fingers down its back. "Tea would be great, and the sushi for Little One, I don't know when it last ate."

Charlie nodded. "I'll be right back."

As he heated the water for tea he pulled the left over sushi out of his fridge. 'I wonder who would leave a baby dragon in Harry's flat, let alone his bed. Besides that, it's so tiny. I've never seen even a hatchling that small.' Charlie was yanked from his thoughts by the whistle of the tea kettle, and the resulting cry of fear from the baby dragon.

Putting two mugs on a tray with the sushi and tea bags Charlie rejoined Harry in the living room. "I hope Scottish Breakfast (1) is okay."

Grinning Harry poured the water while Charlie added tea bags to each mug. "This is my favorite tea, so it's perfect." As he let his tea steep Harry stroked the tiny dragons head. Glancing up at Charlie he asked, "Do you know what kind of dragon this is? And how do I find out if it's a boy or girl?"

Charlie sat back with his mug in hand. "Well your little dragon could be a couple of different breeds. I think it's either an Antipodean Opaleye (2), they do not gain the iridescent pearly sheen to their scales until they are about a year old, and they are all different colors; or you could have a Chinese Fireball (3), they do not grow the fringe of spikes around their face until 6 to 10 months." Pausing to look over the baby currently eating sushi Charlie sighed. "There's a small chance that this is a cross of two breeds, but there's no way of knowing for sure until it's at least 6 months old. As for the gender, that is much easier, it's a simple charm."

Charlie lifted his wand and gave it a small flick, "Ostendō Tuus Mōrēs." (4) A soft pink glow surrounded the tiny dragon. "Well you have a cute baby girl there Harry!" Charlie grinned playfully at Harry. The little dragon gave him a look that practically shouted, 'What did you think I was, a boy?'

Harry chuckled. "I guess I do." Taking a drink of his tea he went on. "Is there a way of determining her age?" Truthfully Harry really liked this tiny dragon, but he knew that she wouldn't stay that way, and he'd have to leave her here at the reserve. Maybe he could visit her, plus it would give him a good excuse to see Charlie. 'Whoa, wait a minute, where did that thought come from. Not that I mind the idea, he is gorgeous, but I don't even know if he likes guys. Even if he did I doubt he'd look at me that way, I'm his baby brother's best friend.'

Charlie watched as a flurry of emotions flit over Harry's face, none lasting long enough to be recognized. "There is one spell I can try, but it doesn't work most of the time. The gender spell is one of the few that always works." Charlie lifted his wand but was quiet for a long moment before waving his wand. "Vīta Tempus Vīvus." (5) After a few moments Charlie shrugged. "I guess it's not going to work. But we guess at her age depending on the characteristics she starts showing."

Harry smiled as the little dragon curled into a red ball in his lap. "Well I guess we wait." Looking back at the baby as she slept, Harry bit his lip. Without looking up he asked, "Would it be okay if I came to see her from time to time?"

"Of course you can Harry. Even though she has to stay here, this little one is your dragon. Anytime you want to see her just ask for me." Privately Charlie wished Harry would come to see him too, not just his dragonet.

The happiest smile Charlie had ever seen curved Harry's lips. "Thanks! I know it probably sounds odd, given that I've only had her a couple hours, but I'm already attached to her." Gently stroking his finger down the baby dragon's spine Harry continued. "I've always loved dragons, even before I knew that magic and dragons were real. The Dursley's were furious the when they found out that I was reading books about dragons." Harry snorted. "They forbid me to read them anymore. That didn't stop me, if anything that made me want to learn more. I was five when that happened. Over the next six years I learned every bit of muggle lore about dragons I could find. Then when I looked through 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' I learned that dragons were real. I wanted more than anything to learn everything I could about them. Sadly I never got the chance." Harry wasn't sure why he'd just told Charlie all that, but he realized he was glad that he had.

Charlie watched Harry as he watched and stroked that little dragon in his lap. "What stopped you, Harry?" Charlie didn't understand. There was so much passion in Harry's voice as he spoke about how he'd learned the muggle myths about dragons, and sadness in his voice that he hadn't learned about real dragons. What could have stopped him?

Harry sighed. He hated that he'd not followed his passion to learn about the real dragons. But even more, he hated that he'd let anything stop him. "In first year I was trying to learn so much. I'd only just learn that magic was real. There was so much that I didn't know that I almost always felt like an idiot." He paused, not sure if he really wanted to tell Charlie the rest.

Charlie could hear in Harry's voice that there was more, but he looked unsure about telling him. "I won't judge you, or think anything bad if you tell me. But if you don't want to, you don't have to, Harry."

Taking slow, deep breath Harry plunged in. "I felt guilty taking time to do anything that wouldn't help me stop Voldemort. And I didn't see how learning about dragons, no matter how much I wanted to, would help me. I know that it was stupid to think that way, but its how I felt." Harry sighed and dragged his fingers through his hair. "Hell, Charlie, some days I still feel that way. Sometimes I think the only reason I'm an auror is that it's what everybody in the bloody world thinks I should be!" By the last word Harry was shouting. Slumping back against the couch he all but whimpered. "I just want to do something for myself for once. Is that so very much to ask?"

There was such anger and anguish in the younger man's eyes that Charlie felt like he would drown in it. On impulse he moved to Harry's side. Gently wrapping his arm around Harry's shoulder he spoke softly. "Harry it's not too late to do something for yourself. Plus you have every right to do what you want. You gave up more than anyone had a right to ask you too. And you did it not for yourself, but to save everyone else." Pulling Harry closer to his side he asked, "Do you still want to learn about dragons Harry?"

Harry leaned back looking up into Charlie's eyes. "Do you really think I could? I really do want to learn about dragons, everything I can."

There was so much hope shining in Harry's eyes. "Of course you can." Glancing down for a second and blushing very lightly. In barely more than a whisper Charlie said, "I-I can t-teach you." The blush deepened a bit at his words. Then in a rush, "If you want me too I mean!" Charlie didn't think he'd ever been so nervous in his life. After all he did want to get to know Harry better and this was a perfect way to do it. If Harry agreed to it that is. "If you wanted to you could even train to be a Dragon Handler. They are always trained as an apprentice."

Without thinking about what he was doing, Harry lay back against Charlie's side. 'I really do want to learn more about real dragons. Plus with Charlie as my teacher I could get to know him better; find out if he's into guys and maybe see about a relationship with him. But could I really apprentice to be a Handler? I like the idea. It sounds fun and definitely challenging. True it would be dangerous, but it's not like I'm any stranger to danger. At least it's not some mad man out to rule the world and kill me.'

Shifting against Charlie a bit so he could look up at him Harry asked, "What does becoming an apprentice entail?" Harry figured he'd have to quit his job as an Auror, which would most likely upset most of the wizarding world, but he didn't care. He did care that it might make Ron mad at him, but it was time he did something for himself. And if his best friend couldn't understand that then Harry didn't know what to tell him, other than get over it.

"Well first you'd have to leave the Aurors. You'd move to one of the Dragon Reserves around the world, likely moving in with your teacher. At first you wouldn't be working with the dragons themselves. Instead you'd be doing book work and learning how to treat injuries, to both dragons and humans. After your teacher decides your ready you'd start working with the dragonets in the compound. Finally you start working with the dragons outside the compound, in the reserve its self. When your teacher thinks you're ready, you'll be given a final exam. If you pass you get your Dragon Handlers license and you can go work at any reserve in the world, provided that they have room for or need of a new handler." Charlie paused and grinned at Harry. "Just to let you know though, the new guy always get the shit jobs. As in shoveling, packing and hauling dragon dung. It makes a great fertilizer for magical plants, and even goes in a few potions." Charlie laughed at the disgusted look on Harry's face. "Not in any drinkable potion. Stuff like cleaners and hair color potions. I think the twins use it in a few of their products too."

Harry chuckled, "I'm sure they do!" Closing his eyes he thought about his options. 'I can quit a job that I really don't like and never wanted and take an apprenticeship that sounds like fun, and actually interests me, or I stay in a job that I will quickly start to hate, and just might end up taking that hatred out on everyone around me, and let my dreams die.'

Turning to fully face Charlie he grinned. "I'll do it! And I'd like you to be my teacher. I just need a few days to settle everything back in England." Not even waiting for Charlie to say anything Harry jumped to his feet, gently settling the dragonet on the couch, and headed for the door.

Laughing, Charlie fallowed Harry to the door. "I'll see you in a week Harry. Everything here will be ready, and you'll room here with me."

"I'll see you then!" Harry waved and disapparated.

'Well life is about to get a lot more interesting. I can't wait!' Chuckling he shut his door and went to settle the dragonet for the rest of the night and get a few more hours of sleep. He had an apprentice's room to prep, and his boss to tell.

Romania is about 2 hours ahead of England & Scotland.

1- Scottish Breakfast is a tea very like English Breakfast, just much stronger. There is also Irish Breakfast that is between the two. I highly recommend the Scottish Breakfast.

2 & 3 - The Antipodean Opaleye and the Chinese Fireball are both from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I did tweak the Opaleye just a bit, the color, to fit the story.

4 – Ostendō Tuus Mōrēs is Latin and roughly translates as 'show your character'.

5 - Vīta Tempus Vīvus is Latin, roughly translating to 'life time alive'.

AN: This did not come out at all how I planned. LOL! That's okay though, I like how it turned out. Well all except the end, it feels a bit rushed to me. But I did leave it open to write a part two. I'm not sure if I will or not, but it is a possibility. Also I'm sorry about the long wait for a new chapter.

Okay I have a question for everybody who's been reading this set of stories. Should I rewrite and expand chapter 6/5 History? At least one person has said that it ends just as they were getting into it. I have one or two ideas that I can work in. So please let me know, should I rewrite it adding more to it, or should I just do a part 2? Thanks!

Next Time: Bra (I've never seen anyone use that as a prompt. LOL!)