Disclaimer: Caught a ride with a McDonald's truck…interesting that. I don't like McDonald's but desperate times and all that. Made it to Kazan. If I get lucky like that again then I should make it to Krasnoyarsk fairly quickly. Two more weeks and my kids will be out of school and I can bring them along. That'll be fun…hopefully. Still no Greek Gods though so I'm still blanketless and poor.

A/N: Again, as I did in my author's note in 'The Great Coffee Quest' I apologize for not updating yesterday. I overslept and there was a workday at my church and I had no chance to upload these chapters. Please forgive me. So the Sunday Blitz has started and here's the first chapter.

The Loch Ness Monster

Chapter Six: Cocoa and Snorkacks

Chapter Summary: Harry brings the Loch Ness Monster some hot cocoa and they discuss Snorkacks and life or something like it.

After Harry disappeared Luna, John and Sherlock decided to pull out lunch as they waited for him to return. Well, Luna and John decided that food would be good, Sherlock turned up his nose and went to stand at the edge of the water to watch for the dragon.

Within fifteen minutes Harry returned seemingly empty handed. Luna looked up at the pop of his apparition and frowned at him. "Where's the chocolate, Harrymine? Nessie will be unhappy if you don't have it."

Harry smirked at her. "Winky was pleased to be able to assist such an incredibly noble creature as Nessie," he told them as he pulled a large cauldron from his pocket. He set the cauldron on the ground and enlarged it with a wave of his wand.

John peered down into the dark depths of the cauldron that was nearly as tall as he was. "It's empty though," he pointed out.

Harry turned his smirk to him. "This one is…for now," he tapped the cauldron with his wand and it filled with steaming dark liquid. "This cauldron is one of a set that Winky had. The other is back at the house in the kitchen."

Sherlock stared at the now bubbling and full cauldron in astonishment. "How did you do that?"

Harry blushed. "I'd love to take credit for this bit of magic but Winky did it. House elf magic." He shrugged. "Don't ask me to explain it. Winky wouldn't tell me. She said it's a house elf secret."

"Couldn't you order her to tell you?" John asked. "She is bonded to you and so she has to tell you if you order her too, doesn't she?"

Harry and Luna both glared at him for a moment. "I wouldn't ever order her to tell me house elf secrets," Harry said tightly. "Winky is a friend."

"I'm sorry," John held up his hand in a placating gesture. "I didn't mean to offend either of you."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," Sherlock said. "Who is Winky and why would you order her to tell her secrets?"

"Winky is a house elf," Harry explained as he watched Luna conjure a wooden spoon and stir the cauldron. "House elves are magical creatures."

"They're parasites," Luna told the cauldron and then cackled with glee. "They support themselves by leeching the magic around them."

"Wait so that creature we met on the train was stealing magic from you?" Sherlock asked in horror. "But he seemed so benevolent…sort of."

"The way Luna explained it isn't wrong, exactly," Harry protested. "It's true but they don't take enough for the average witch or wizard to even notice. They take more from their surroundings and the earth around them than from their masters. It's hard to explain really," Harry shrugged. "The bond gives them access to the magic of the witch or wizard and they serve that witch or wizard until death or banishment."

"It is a symbiotic relationship," Luna amended. "The cocoa is done and Nessie's here." She looked out to the water and the trail of wake the dragon left behind her as she hurried towards the shore.

"Hello, milady," Harry called as the dragon's head rose above the water. "I've brought your chocolate. My house elf enchanted the cauldron for you. Winky says all you have to do is tap the lip of the cauldron and she will fill it any time you want."

The dragon's eyes widened in pleasure. "I thank you, young Potter! And your house elf." The dragon reached out one clawed forepaw and picked up the cauldron. She buried her snout in the fragrant brew and gulped it down. "Just as good as I remember! Perfect!"

"Ask her now, Harrymine," Luna prodded her silent husband.

"Milady?" Harry called out to her. "Have you a name you prefer to be called? And may I know what it is if you do?"

"One of your fathers called me Aleva," the dragon responded opening one great gray eye and perusing the group on the shore. "You would like an answer to your query would you not?"

"If you would like to tell me, Lady Aleva, I would be honored to hear the answer," Harry responded respectfully.

The dragon tapped a claw on the lip of the cauldron and let out a rumbling growl of pleasure at it filled again. "In exchange for this lovely brew I will tell you what you wish to know."

"Lady Aleva," Harry interrupted. "The cauldron is yours to keep for eternity whether you give us the information or not. You are a noble creature and deserve to be a little pampered now and then."

The dragon set the cauldron on the shore and lowered her head to stare into Harry's green eyes. Her blue scales shone blindingly in the sun. Finally after silent moments she lifted her head and picked up the cauldron again. "You too are a noble creature, young Potter. I thank you for the chocolate. I will tell you what I can of the Crumple Horned Snorkack."

"We thank you, Lady Aleva."

"I cannot tell you much. The Crumple Horned Snorkack is very powerful magically and has bespelled itself so that only those that know it already may hear of it." She seemed to shrug. "Or those that it wants to know of it. I cannot explain the magic behind it."

"I understand that, my lady."

"Very well, then, young Potter. To find the Crumple Horned Snorkack, the ruler and leader of ALL magical creatures you must find The Library and the Librarian."

Harry pondered the information for a moment or two and then sat in front of Aleva. "Which library, Lady?"

Aleva let out a rumbling chuckle. "That I cannot tell you, young Potter, for I do not have that information. I can tell you that the Crumple Horned Snorkack is not what you think it is and that you could walk right by it without ever knowing you did. Seek The Library." She finished off the chocolate in one gulp. "Will this vessel rust?"

"No, milady," Harry answered in a vague tone. His brain was spinning as he tried to figure out which library and librarian Aleva meant. "I've charmed it to be waterproof."

"Very good, young Potter," Aleva stretched out her neck again and snuffled into Harry's chest. "I wish you good luck on your quest and please come back to see me again. Next time I shall teach you how to do a spell that will allow your friends to speak with me as well…if you bring something to trade."

Harry couldn't help but chuckle at her. "Of course, my lady Aleva. What would you like for trade?"

Aleva closed one eye in a slow blink. "I shall leave that up to you, young Potter. Potters always bring the best items for trading if you let them use their imaginations."

Harry laughed again and waved as Aleva sped off into the water. The others joined him by the water's edge and waved as well.

"So what did she say?" John asked in an eager tone.

"Aleva said to seek the library and the librarian," Harry told them. "She didn't know which one just the library and she said that the Crumple Horned Snorkack is not what we would expect. That we could walk right by it and never know."

"Well that's a big help," Sherlock scowled. "There are millions of libraries! How are we supposed to find the right one?"

Harry shrugged. Luna stared off after Aleva. "I think we should start with the Hogwarts library," she suggested. "There are fewer magical libraries and that is one of the best in the U.K."

Harry groaned loudly. "I hate going to Hogwarts anymore," he whined dramatically. "You go and we'll wait for you to tell us what you find out."

Luna smacked his arm lightly. "Why don't you want to go to Hogwarts, Harry?" John asked. "Remus said you loved it there. He said it was like home to you."

Luna giggled. "He did love it. But now there are portraits and ghosts that he'd rather avoid only he can't. They follow him every time he sets foot on Hogwarts grounds."

"Ghosts?" Sherlock asked skeptically. "Seriously? And how can portraits follow you? Are you having us on?"

Luna snickered. "I guess you'll see when we get there, won't you?"

"Luna," Harry pouted. "Can't it wait? I mean I'm sure John and Sherlock would like to go back home now, right guys?" He turned pleading eyes on them.

John chuckled and shook his head. "I've been hearing about Hogwarts all my life and I've always wanted to see it. Sorry, Harry, but I vote we go."

"I don't believe in ghosts," Sherlock said with a scowl. "You'll have to prove it so I guess you're taking us to Hogwarts."

Harry groaned and flopped down on the blanket. "Can I at least have lunch first? I'm starving and you know they'll stop me from eating at Hogwarts."

Luna knelt down beside him, dug through the basket and finally handed him one of the sandwiches Kreature and Winky had packed for them. "There you are, Harrymine, you'll need your strength to run from Peeves and the others."

Harry took a vicious bite from the sandwich and glared at her. "You are the meanest wife I have."

Luna only laughed. "I'm the only wife you have."