IT'S BEEN 84 YEARS!

Actually it's just been a few months since I updated my baby but I've been working on the big "meet the crew" chapter this whole month. I got laid off from my job which, while making it difficult cuz depresso, made it easier cuz time.

Well, I guess it's time to really fire up those writing cells and get a chuggin'.

I'm also writing a few other stories. And one of them will not be on FFN. (a book, I'm writing a book)

Anyways
TQ Out!

Meeting the Crew

A spray of water took me out of my dream where I was busy exploring broom closets in Hogwarts and I yelped, toppling off the small bed in the dorm I was now settled in. It had been a week and a half. I'd gotten used to the exercise routine. Now it wasn't too bad.

"Wha-what the fuck?!" I spluttered, looking around. The dorms were fairly small. Three beds, a closet, and a few windows. The door was also locked. It was a standard dorm room, but with an extra feature. The beds were not just made for sleeping, they were enchanted to monitor our health and vitals.

"Rise and shine, pipsqueak! Breakfast will be ready soon. Get dressed. We'll have to meet the rest of the crew today." Dragon Handler called out to me. She was standing there, holstering her wand in her robes. She was dressed in her usual outfit: dark jeans, a grey t-shirt and a pair of worn-in trainers, grinning ear to ear.

"Why'd you do that?!" I demanded, indignantly.

"To wake you up. Now get up and get dressed. You have a shower and a change of clothes in the closet. It'll fit you. Hurry up." She replied, and then left, slamming the door shut.

"Ugh, fuck me." I grumbled, getting up and walking over to the closet. Sure enough, my Hogwarts uniform was there, complete with the tie and a pair of shiny new dragonhide boots. But it was different. This was the Dragon Handler version of my Hogwarts Uniform. The robes were thicker and lined with dragonhide, the shirt and pants had been changed to a dark gray, and the shoes were dragonhide as well.

"Wow. Cool." I mused.

"GET DRESSED!" Dragon Handler's voice yelled from the other side of the shut door, way louder than I expected. Sonorous charm, probably.

"FUCKING HELL!" I shrieked.

I quickly got dressed and went out.

Dragon Handler was waiting, standing outside. "Took you long enough."

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Be faster. Now, come. Follow me."

"Ok. So, are we going to see the others?"

"Not yet. There's something I want to show you first."

"What's that?"

"Just follow me."

I followed her as she walked towards a rather large door.

"This isn't the same enclosure as Astrid's." I pointed out uselessly. Of course it wasn't.

"You'll see. Now, come on." She said, opening the door. We stepped into the enclosure. It was similar to the one we had, except for the fact that this one was much, much bigger.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome, to the enclosure." She gestured around the massive cavernous chamber. It was big enough for at least ten dragons. Maybe more.

"The enclosure? As opposed to other... enclosures?"

"Yeah. I wanted to show you the enclosure. See what we have here."

"Ok, but why?"

"Well, because you'll be working here. Eventually."

"What do you mean, eventually?"

"After your training is done, and you're certified, your first year will be here. The crew will handle the enclosures, the food and the other stuff."

"Other stuff?"

"Maintenance, cleaning, the works. And then, you will begin to learn how to transport the dragons. Once you're comfortable with the basics, you'll be allowed to work with the dragons. It's the best part."

"Ok."

"And, then, once you're fully trained, you'll be a Dragon Handler. Not a Dragon Wrangler. A true Dragon Handler."

"So... the Dragon Wranglers are the ones that feed and clean and maintain the enclosures and basically take care of the dragon's day to day?"

"That's right. A true handler is much more than just that. A true handler forms bonds with these noble creatures. A true handler can ride a dragon, care for a dragon, fight alongside a dragon, and survive."

"Huh. Well, that's a lot of responsibility."

"It is. Which is why we you three will be Wranglers, before you graduate to Dragon Handler."

"And when you say enclosure you mean the 'big' enclosure with the capital E? Instead of where I met Astrid? Just clarifying." I added helpfully.

"Ja, that's correct. And, once you're fully trained, you and your team will be assigned an enclosure and a dragon to look after. You'll also be in charge of transporting and handling them."

"Cool! So what now?" I asked.

"Now? Now we wait. Well, you wait. I will be right back." And with that, Dragon Handler was gone.

I blinked. Well that was anticlimactic.

But then she returned! With three other people. Two blokes. One bird.

"This is Alexei, Daniella and Flávio." Dragon Handler gestured to the three newcomers, who were dressed similarly to her, in jeans and t-shirts. "These are your crewmates. They will train with you, learn with you and, one day, you will lead them."

"Wait, so, does this mean-"

"You'll be working with them to oversee the enclosure? Ja, that's right. These are the three other members of your crew."

"But-why-I'm not-"

"Not yet. No, no. But one day you will be. And you will have me as your wrangler. No one else. Just me. For now anyways. And now... your dragon." She smiled.

"What, seriously?!"

"You'll be taking care of him."

"What is it?"

"A Peruvian Vipertooth."

"A what?!"

"It's a dragon."

"Yeah, I got that."

"He's young, still a juvenile. He needs to be cared for."

"But how will I-wait." I looked over at my crewmates. "Are they...?"

"Yup. Since you're my apprentices, I'm acting as your current handler and you will be my wranglers. When you're fully fledged, you'll be able to acquire trusted wranglers of your own." She then turned to the other door in the enormous enclosure. "OPEN IT UP!" She bellowed and the door opened. And inside the cavernous chamber stood a... dragon. A small, copper colored dragon. It was a little smaller than a Hippogriff, but it looked a lot fiercer. It had a long snout and a tail that was easily four times the length of its body. Like a whip. And it only had wings and two legs. "This is Amaru. And it's a male."

"Oh, shit. That's a dragon." Daniela murmured helpfully, more to herself than to us.

"Yes, it is. It's a Peruvian Vipertooth and a juvenile at that. You'll be taking care of him." Dragon Handler reiterated. "And considering your real training has officially begun, allow me to formally give you my name. I am Dragon Handler first and foremost, and you will call me as such, of course. But my name is Elke Drachenberg." She now rested her hand on the Vipertooth, which seemed to be content to just relax and watch us speak. Elke had us covered so we trusted her not to let him kill us. Not that he would, the adorable baby that he was.

"Yes, ma'am." We chorused.

"Good. Now, I want you all to introduce yourselves. Pipsqueak. You're up first."

I rolled my eyes at the nickname but stepped forward regardless. "Name's Chip! Chip Dangerstone. Gryffindor, Sixth Year. My goal is to be a Dragon Handler. So, I guess we're all in the same boat." I finished, turning back to the group.

"Hello, my name is Alexei Pozharin, and I come from Russia. I wish to learn about the relations between Dragons and Wizarding Physiology. Being Dragon Handler is a step in that goal for me." Alexei said, stoic and imposing. He was freakishly tall. Like 6'5" tall. His skin was deathly white and eyes grey like steel. His hair was blonde. Not like Frau Drachenberg's dirty blond dreadlocks. It was a short crop of platinum blonde.

"My name is Flávio Castilho. And I want to save Dragons." Flávio introduced himself, his smile widening. Flávio had an easygoing attitude, by the looks of it. He had black hair and eyes, chocolate skin. Flávio sported the beginnings of a goatee and his hair was tied back into an afro-ponytail. "And uhh we've met." He added, motioning to the Vipertooth. Dragon Handler nodded and Flávio was quick to make his way to Amaru and start petting his snout, much to the dragon's crooning pleasure.

"Daniella Nimuel C. Luna." Said the fourth one. She was short. Shorter than me. And that's saying something. 4'9". And she made up for it by clearly being the stereotypical short no-nonsense kickass types. Daniella had straight brown wavy hair, tied into a bun and black eyes. "I'm a seventh year and I've been interested in flying since I was a kid."

"Good, good." Elke smiled.

"What about you, Handler? What's your history?"

"Very well. I am Elke Drachenberg. I have been a Dragon Handler for 20 years and I am currently 40 years old. I studied in Drumstrang Institute and took a mastery course in Dragonology under Professor Hagrid."

"Wow, you knew Professor Hagrid?" I replied. Hagrid basically was the reason I was here. Him and Charlie Weasley.

"Yup. He taught me a thing or two. And then he sent me to Charlie Weasley."

"That's incredible!" I breathed reverently.

"Now, Flávio has already familiarized himself with Amaru. It is time for you to do the same." Elke instructed.

"Um... alright."

"Now, go." She nudged me towards the dragon.

"Um... hello." I waved at the Vipertooth, which regarded me with a cocked head. Flávio, who apparently already knew the protocol, stepped back so as not to crowd Amaru.

"Now, reach out with your hand."

"Ok..." I did, slowly and carefully. Amaru watched, sniffing. "I don't think he likes me."

"Give him time." Elke reprimanded with very little bite in her tone. "He comes to you. You are on his turf. You work on his terms."

"Ok, ok." I reached out, and, just as Amaru was about to crouch down and open his jaws wide about to pounce on my idiot arse, Flávio, without any warning, stepped in front of him. Thank fuck. I was sweating buckets but ready to stand my ground.

"Amaru, ele é um amigo, não um alimento. Se você o comer, eu conto ao papai." Flávio murmured softly, in a soothing voice. This was Portuguese! Flávio spoke Portuguese. Of course he did. He was Brazilian. What he was saying was, of course, beyond me.

"Você quer tentar novamente?" Flávio asked, his hand resting on the dragon's side. He was, of course, still addressing Amaru who was now nuzzling his snout against Flávio's rib. Then he looked to me. "Sorry. I raised him since he was a hatchling." He said with an easy grin to me. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak while he stepped away from Amaru.

"Good work making sure your fellow Handler isn't harmed, Flávio." Elke praised. "Now, let him come to you." she barked, stepping back.

Amaru regarded me, looking at me with a cocked head. "Uhhhh..."

Then, he slowly lowered his head and stepped forward to reach my hand and started sniffing it.

"Ok. I think he likes me. Maybe."

"That's good."

"Yeah, I think I'm gonna die."

"No, no. He's just curious."

"That's the same thing!" I was internally panicking but I held my ground. I was a Gryffindor, damnit. I had the guts. I steeled myself. And then Amaru, in an act of pure defiance, decided to bite my shoulder.

"FUCK!" I yelped

"Amaru, no! Muito mal!" Flávio was quick, pulling me away. Amaru, for his part was looking rather playful about it. Upon further haphazard inspection, it was clear that the bite was not hard at all. In fact, he hadn't even punctured skin. He did, however, dent it. Ever so lightly. "Ele é um amigo, carinho."

"Ouch."

"Oh, stop being a baby. You'll survive." Elke drawled, looking quite unamused.

"You know, for someone who is supposed to be caring and loving towards dragons, you don't seem to care very much if a dragon is about to eat one of us." I grumbled.

"Oh, you'll be fine. And besides, we're here to teach you not to get eaten. Besides, the signs were there. Amaru wouldn't bite to hurt." She pointed out.

"And what are those signs?" Alexei asked, clearly interested.

"He didn't bare his teeth. Nor did he hiss or growl. Those are signs that he was curious. He's still a baby. He doesn't know any better. You have to be firm with him. If you noticed something, those dents aren't very pointed. Viperteeth have retractable teeth. Hence the name. Vipers can do it too. You were basically gummed by a baby." Elke pointed out.

"Still, it hurts."

"Yes, yes. He still has the jaw force of a caiman. Now, let's try again."

And so, I reached out once more, and, this time, when Amaru decided to chew on my hand, I was prepared and pulled it back. Thankfully his teeth were still retracted. But he let out a whining noise, looking like a disappointed cat. I couldn't help but go "Awww."

"Good. You're learning. Now, let him come to you again." Elke instructed. I nodded and reached out again. Amaru did the same, and we ended up doing that for a while. Repeatedly he would try to gum me. Repeatedly I'd stand firm in my instruction. No gumming. No mouth on body part. Bad. But I wouldn't harm him. Not even a stinging hex. I'd been tempted, of course. But I didn't want to do that. I had to gain Amaru's trust.

"Good, good. See, you're a natural. A bit of a softie, but you'll learn. Now let's have Alexei do it."

Alexei stepped forward, setting his notebook aside. I took a peek. He'd been drawing! It was a pretty impressive picture of me and Amaru, with Flávio and Elke off to the side.

"Alexei, you can pet Amaru." Elke prompted.

"But first, I'd like to know a bit more."

"Oh, what would you like to know?"

"Well, for starters, why does Amaru not have feathers? I remember learning something about Peruvian Viperteeth being partially related to Occamy and to Quetzalcoatls."

"Yes, you're right. Peruvian Vipertooths are a bit special. They're sort of a proto-draconic species. They have a similar body structure to that of an Occamy or a Quetzalcoatl. But clearly you can see the beginnings of the Draconic line with Amaru here. Unlike the 'coatls and Occamy, he has strong well defined legs, even if they look like bird legs. You can also tell because he doesn't have feathers. They've evolved out of that. Hatchlings have feathers which merge into scutes and scales within the second week." Elke explained. "Amaru is about 3 months old, so his feathers are long gone."

"Oh, I see." Alexei murmured, scribbling furiously into his notepad. "I also want to ask. Why did you choose a Peruvian Vipertooth?"

"Ah, well, it wasn't a question of why, it was a question of who."

"How do you mean?"

"It's not like you can choose a dragon. We are assigned to the dragons. The dragons choose us. It's a symbiotic relationship. They need us. We need them. Amaru needed a Handler. That's where we come in."

"But how can a dragon choose its handler?"

"We're not really sure. It's different for every dragon. Ollivander says something about the wand choosing the wizard. Nature's creatures will often choose wizards to work with. Wand cores are from those creatures so wands choose wizards. In the same vein, Dragons choose their handlers."

"Fascinating. How does that work, then?"

"Well, in most cases, the hatchling will come out and start interacting with its mother, imprinting on it, like a gosling would to its mother goose. In Amaru's case, however, its mother was dead and it imprinted on Flávio. Most dragons will not interact with humans until they're adults. And when they do, they will test them relentlessly before even thinking of choosing to associate with the handler in question. Flávio got lucky that Amaru essentially sees him as his mom. An adult dragon will will choose a handler and no other after rigorous testing and exercises in trust. It is a special bond that cannot be broken. If it were, the dragon would perish."

"How come?"

"Depression. It's a deep emotional bond. Nothing magic related. Just pure emotion, and love really. Amaru has chosen Flávio already."

"Interesting. Fascinating. Can Amaru not bond with any one of us?" He asked.

"No but if Flávio vouches for you he will not mind your presence or touch. It's why Mr. Dangerstone here is still with his hand." I rolled my eyes but chuckled goodnaturedly at Elke's comment.

"But, if Flávio is his handler, won't that cause problems?"

"Nope."

"But, isn't that unfair?"

"Not really. Flávio is a special case. You see, he came here to study about learning how to take care of dragons specifically because of Amaru." Flávio cleared his throat and Elke gave him a pointed look and then nodded. This was territory personal to Flávio and he wouldn't have anyone but him share it in his own time. That much was clear.

Alexei too knew a dismissal when he saw it and nodded. Then he looked to Flávio, asking a non-verbal permission to pet the dragon. Flávio smiled and nodded, gesturing to Amaru. Alexei slowly approached, hands up.

"Не волнуйся, маленький дракончик. Я не причиню тебе вреда." He murmured softly in Russian. Amaru chirped and tilted his head. And then the gumming started. Alexei, unlike me, had the benefit of witnessing firsthand what to expect and was much quicker in taming the gumming tendencies of the little guy, much to my further chagrin.

And then it was Daniella's turn. She decided on a much more different approach. Instead of gently approaching to pet him, she fucking pounced on him to play with him! Amaru was, of course, taken aback but soon found himself engaged in a very energetic and competitive game of tag with Daniella.

"She's certainly very spirited." Elke said. Daniella let out a yelp, not of pain but of elated euphoria bouncing back and forth between chasing Amaru and being chased by Amaru.

"She's very athletic." Alexei pointed out.

"Yeah, she's not exactly what I'd expect." Flávio added.

"She's a Maharlikan." Elke pointed out. "One of the newer schools. She's got a fair grounding in magical creatures in general and her interests in dragons probably means she understands how to work with them no problem. Amaru possibly sees her as a playmate more than anything."

"Yeah, but she's going to break her neck." Flávio added.

"She won't. Amaru knows to not actually harm her. It's a game to him. And she seems to be well in control. Look how she moves. She's an athlete." She noted

"She's very agile." Alexei pointed out.

"Ja, she is. She'll be a good rider, no doubt. She has the agility and the speed. And she's a fighter. "Her records show her to be a dueling champion of the Asian Under 17 Circuit."

"Wow."

"So, what now?" I asked

"Now? Now we wait."

"For what?"

"For dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yup. Class dismissed. Today's lesson was simple. You needed to get acclimated to each other and your charge. Your apprenticeship will be essentially to raise Amaru to adulthood."

Had I been drinking something I'd have choked on the spot. "Sorry, what?"

"Raising him."

"You want us to raise a dragon? For real?"

"Yup."

"Is that even possible?"

"Of course. Why do you think we have dragon reserves? We raise orphaned dragons. Every single dragon here has dead mothers."

"Wow."

"So, yeah. You four are in charge of Amaru."

"Why is he so special? He's just a baby."

"That's exactly it. He's from the clutch of a very rare subspecies. The Andean Vipertooth."

"Andean Vipertooth?"

"Yeah, a special subspecies. They live in the Andes, mostly. We rescued the eggs from a den. Unfortunately the mother had already perished, leaving us with five eggs."

"What happened to the other four?" Alexei asked as Daniella and Amaru rushed past us.

"Poachers." Flávio growled darkly.

"Ah, well, shit."

"Yeah. They don't understand the true beauty and majesty of these creatures." Flávio grumbled.

"Andean Viperteeth have more potent venom than their more common lowland rainforest counterparts." Elke educated.

"Oh, ok. So, Amaru has, like, more powerful venom?"

"Yes. Which is why we need you all to train. We cannot afford to have him lose control and accidentally kill someone. And we cannot afford to lose him. There are less than thirty of his subspecies left in the wild. He can definitely have viable offspring with the lowland Peruvian Viperteeth but it would screw with the population genetic pool."

"Oh, damn."

"Yeah. So, you four are going to be his parents. For the next three years."

"But, how will we do that?" I asked.

"This is going to be your home. You'll all have a room adjoining this enclosure. You will learn through experience and you will take time to keep up with your studies to pass your NEWTs or your equivalent examinations."

"Anything else?"

"Yes. You'll be learning from a different Dragon Handler tomorrow. This is the Enclosures. Each enclosure has two handlers. One to handle the actual care and feeding and the other to educate. Usually I'm the educator but I want you to get a feel for the other guy too. His name is Buck Sterling. All the way from Texas."

"Oh, cool."

"He'll be giving you the rundown on what to expect. You're gonna be in for a bumpy ride. Now, come. Dinner."