Egg Hunt

1st of January, 1999.

The water lay calm in the lake. The snow from Christmas had melted as Harry let the wards go back to normal. Merpeople were slowly appearing to greet the waxing moon and the new year. Harry wrapped his arms tighter around Charlie and leaned forward to rest his head on top of Charlie's. "To the New Year," he said.

"A New Year with new opportunities," Charlie said.

"And a wedding to plan," Harry said.

"Autumn I think," Charlie said. "I don't want it to be the same as Bill's wedding.

"We can make it simpler," Harry said. "I did a lot of the grander things because Fleur wanted them."

"There will be fewer people since you don't have family and I don't feel like inviting everyone the way Bill did," Charlie said. "I can get away with it and set precedence for my younger siblings."

"That doesn't really speak for fewer people," Harry said. "We both have a whole slew of friends we can invite." He smiled softly. "We should set a date so we can send out invitations before summer."

"I'm guessing you have ideas for clothes?" Charlie said.

"Something along the lines of my armour but robes," Harry said. "I'll probably just have a long talk with Sue and see what we can come up with."

"I have my own ideas we should match colour-wise, though," Charlie said.

"Green and gold?" Harry said.

Charlie nodded slowly. "That will work," he said. "I guess Sue should be in charge of my things as well."

"And the wedding party," Harry said. "I'll have a talk with her."

"Who is in the wedding party?" Charlie asked.

"Hermione and Neville for me," Harry said. "I don't think we need more than two each unless you want someone else as well."

"Ellie and Dayan would make the most sense for me," Charlie said. "I have worked closely with both of them for a long time. I guess we're going more for a friend's feel than family for the wedding party?" He thought about it. It made sense if they picked a less formal tone. It would make a contrast to Bill's wedding for sure. He ran his hand down Harry's leg. They had quite a lot of time left to plan everything.

"Can Tanya carry the rings?" Harry asked after a while.

"Sure, she is sweet," Charlie said.

Clouds blew in over the moon slowly. It was time to go to bed soon. They didn't have much to do for a while, but there still were things that needed to be dealt with and planning to be done.

13th of February, 1999.

Sue laughed as she looked down at her sketches. "These look lovely," she said. "I'm so happy you came to me for this, you have no idea what it will mean for my business."

"Will it really matter that much?" Harry asked.

Sue gave him a look. "Harry… you do realise that apart from the fact that you are famous, you are a role model to everyone that attended Hogwarts even remotely near our year," she said. "People think you are cool."

Harry sighed and smiled. "I guess that is a good thing then," he said. "You are great and I would rather have you make our clothes than anyone else."

"I like these designs. They are new and fresh, but they are quite clearly you," Sue said. "I'll see what I can make with these. I will need Neville and Hermione as well as the other two to show up at some point."

"I can get you their measurements. Neville can probably just come by, but most of the others are in other countries," Harry said.

"I'll just work according to measurements at first and then fix it within the last week then," Sue said. "It will demand a lot of my time."

"And I will pay you for that time, Sue," Harry said. He rose from his seat as she gathered everything together.

"Well, I'm glad to have this much time to work in," Sue said. "I'll see you in a few weeks for the first fitting."

"That sounds great," Harry said. He walked her to the door and said goodbye.

Moments later Cedric showed up. "Hey Harry," he said. "Charlie told me to come by."

"He's over in the Sanctuary," Harry said. "Let me show you." They headed out and started walking across the lawn.

"So, Dad is furious with me for quitting my job," Cedric said. "I'm glad Charlie asked though. I don't know how much longer I would have been able to stand it."

Harry chuckled. He had no problems understanding Cedric. A desk job would inevitably drive him up the wall. "These are the Crystalbacks," Harry said. "You'll meet more of them when you leave for Dragon's Breath so you might as well become familiar. Draco and his Master Kato will be going with you as well."

"And you'll be staying here?" Cedric asked.

"Someone needs to run the Sanctuary," Harry said. "I'll see you guys for dinner." He patted Cedric on the shoulder before turning around and heading back to the house.

Cedric walked slowly up to Draco and watched the dragons around him wearily.

"Have a seat," Draco said. "They won't hurt you. They're curious though so they might get close."

"How come you're here?" Cedric asked. He would never have imagined a Malfoy sitting on the ground surrounded by dragons even if it did sound less far-fetched than some other things Draco could be doing.

"Kato Peverell is my Master. He was part of the team that found the Crystalbacks. As a matter of fact, I was there too," Draco said. "We're going back to make sure everything is running smoothly." He smiled as a blue and orange dragon landed next to him. "Taking a pause from the maldovah, little ones?" he asked.

"Geh, Golrii is a good partner," Yolliz said. "Yolliz wants to rest on Kahsotvah."

"Go ahead, malkrein, little sun," Draco said.

"You just finished school though," Cedric said. "How…? You can talk to dragons?" He looked really confused and Draco found it funny.

"I started learning under Master Kato before I ended school," he said while holding laughter back. "We found the dragons in summer. Then Charlie was brought in to take over for my Master. The Sanctuary has been under development for a bit, but we brought the dragons in last summer. Charlie and Harry work here."

Cedric closed his eyes and rubbed them intensely. "What you say makes sense yet it seems insane," he said.

"We have had very busy summers," Draco said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Cedric perked up. "That is kind of what I'm looking for," he said. "I want some adventure and some fun."

"It is also gruelling, dirty and dangerous," Draco said. "But it is certainly worth it." He rose and waited for Cedric to join him before heading over to Charlie. "Any word yet?" he asked.

"We're welcome but Kato needed to look into some things," Charlie said. "I have a site portkey though so we'll head straight there."

"At least that's nice," Draco said. He was itching to get going. Sure, he didn't want to live the rest of his life this way, but he enjoyed the change of pace that travelling offered him. He wanted to make the most of it.

Cedric watched as Charlie and Draco interacted with the dragons. He was nervous but excited. He had given up a steady job with good pay for this and he didn't want to screw it up. He didn't want to prove his father right. Charlie waved him over and started teaching him not only about the dragons but about the site they were heading for. Dragon's Breath was unique in many ways since so few people had been there.

They headed back to the house eventually. Harry was nowhere to be seen, but another man showed up halfway through dinner. He looked troubled.

"Something the matter?" Charlie asked.

Kato shook his head as he answered, "Something is going on over there, but the people I spoke to couldn't give me a straight answer as to what that is " He sat down and looked over at Cedric. "So this is our new addition," he said. "I'm Kato Peverell."

"Cedric Diggory," Cedric said.

"Charlie has gotten you up to speed?" Kato asked.

"I think so."

"Good, we'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I need to know what is going on over there," Kato said. "I expect that you are packed and ready otherwise you have quite a bit to take care of tonight." He looked over at Draco. "Have you decided who is coming with you?" he asked.

"I have, his name is Fozii. He's a little older, but he doesn't feel like settling down."

"I know who he is," Kato said. "He's a good choice." He finished his food and rose from the table. "I will see you tomorrow," he said with a nod of his head before disappearing to who knows where.

"So that was your Master?" Cedric said and Draco nodded. "I thought he would be older."

Draco smirked. "Most people do," he said. "It makes them underestimate him a lot."

"Can see that happening." Cedric chuckled. "Must be frustrating for them when he proves them wrong."

"You have no idea," Draco said. "Funny thing is that Master doesn't care at all."

Cedric sighed. He was full. Harry's house elf made good food. "I guess I should head home and get my things together," he said.

"Be here by seven or we'll leave you behind," Charlie said.

"If you come in early you can have breakfast before we leave," Draco said. "See you then."

"Yeah, see you," Cedric said as Draco headed off. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"See you then," Charlie said. He watched Cedric head off before he headed up to the private rooms. Draco and Remus were sitting in an armchair each while Harry lay on the floor with Leoline. He sat down next to his fiancé and smiled at Leoline. "How is it goin buddy?" he asked as Leoline picked up a puzzle piece and tried to fit it in.

"Blue," Leoline said.

"Yeah, the sky is blue," Charlie said.

"Tigger," Leoline said. "Tigger bounces."

"A lot, right," Charlie said. He sighed. "This is going to be rough," he said. "I don't like pretending."

"But is it really necessary to tell Cedric the truth?" Harry asked.

"It is safer if we don't," Draco said. "Will he be with us for long?"

"Honestly, I'll try to get him in touch with other people like the Elovyns. I don't want to just ship him off, but they might be more his cup of tea than we are," Charlie said.

"True," Draco said. "The Elovyn's are good. He'd get more of a protective detail job with them. I think you might be right. Sure Kato could teach him a lot, but…"

"I have an apprentice already," Harry said. "I don't need another and Cedric can't learn anyway."

"We should head to bed soon if we're going to be up crazy early tomorrow," Charlie said.

"Once Leoline is done with his puzzle," Harry said as he pushed a few pieces closer to Leo.

14th of February, 1999.

Kato placed his backpack down by the door. He had finished breakfast and was heading out to look over the dragons. Draco and Charlie were eating and Leoline was digging in his food. Remus looked tired but happy. As he walked out, he felt the wards ping. He waved over at Cedric. It looked like he was prepared which was good.

The dragons seemed happy that morning. The sun was rising slowly and the dragons liked to greet the sun.

"Monah!" Qozul exclaimed.

Kato smiled. "Ready to go?" he asked.

"Geh, Qozul arkh Kaanaaz are ready," Qozul said.

"Do you know where Fozii is?" Kato asked.

"Qozul will find Fozii."

Kato smiled as he watched his little dragon take off to find his companions. Kaanaaz flew over and landed on Kato's shoulder. "Kaanaaz will go with Yolfronin. Kaanaaz likes Yolfronin."

Kato chuckled. "Tol los lot, that's good," he said. "Mu yolov do hi, we care about you as well, maltoor."

"Ol nii fent kos, as it should be," Kaanaaz said. She curled up closer to Qozul as he came back. Fozii landed on Kato's arm so he could travel through the barrier to the house. The dragons were not allowed to fly around outside their sanctuary without permission from Harry or Charlie. They could be brought through but only by the owners of the wards.

"Ready?" Kato asked.

"Ready," the dragons answered.

Kato walked back to the house with the little dragons as Charlie and Draco finished off breakfast.

Draco headed upstairs to fetch his backpack before coming back down. He smiled as Fozii flew up to him. "Drem yol lok fahdon, greetings friend. Excited to head out?" We'll be heading back to the caves first, but after that, Krinahkro promises that we will travel the land."

"Pruzah, good," Fozii said.

Draco pulled on his backpack and adjusted it. Kato walked up to him and pulled at the straps so it would fit. He reached out and did the same for his Master before moving on to help Charlie.

"Everyone ready?" Charlie asked. "Let's head out." He held a piece of golden chain out and they grabbed on. "Activate!"

The four of them, plus dragons, were pulled away from Ennerdale. They landed in a dark cave. The goblins had been working on the walls, but it was clear to see that they were trying to be careful and not dig too deep. Bridges floated on the water in several directions. The opening they had created towards the dragons was still warded tight.

"Greetings General Rourk!" Kato said clearly in Tamrielic as they approached the living area. "I have heard many disturbing things. What is going on here, brother of my clan?"

"Clan brother Kato," Rourk said. "The dragons seem uneasy. We found rope in the water tunnels and sealed them off from humans, but the dragons do not speak to us even with those who know how to speak."

"Sounds like I should have a talk with Koss before heading over there," Kato said.

Rourk nodded. "Please go ahead. We opened up new tunnels just this morning. We found more remains and more texts. Koss will be there translating."

"Then we will leave you to it, General. I will return to you with my findings," Kato said. He turned to his group and led them away a little bit. He told them what the General had said.

"Charlie and I could go speak to the dragons, Master," Draco said. "Cedric could go with you. I'm sure we can figure out what is going on."

Kato smiled at his apprentice. "Very well," he said. "Cedric with me." He turned around and headed towards the tunnel Rourk had pointed out to him. "We have found inferi in these caves before so be careful and stay close," Kato said. "We should be relatively safe considering the goblins have already moved in. Do you know how to cast a patronus?"

Cedric looked like a deer caught in headlights for a moment before catching himself. "No, I do not," he said.

"We'll have to take care of that then," Kato said. Goblins greeted him as they walked.

Cedric had never seen goblins act that way before. It was strange, but he didn't feel like commenting on it was wise. He didn't want to piss off any goblins.

The tunnel opened up to a bigger cave. Skeletons lay lined up side by side.

A goblin was writing down long chunks of text taken from the walls. He looked up as Kato got closer. "Master Peverell, good I have some words here I do not understand," Koss said.

Kato reached up and placed his hand against the wall. He read quickly and gave Koss the words he was after. "The dragons are uneasy," he said as he moved away from the wall. "What can you tell me?"

Koss rubbed his forehead. "Well, I'm not as good at speaking as you are, Master," he said. "However, I can say that the dragons are not happy with either the humans or the Clan."

"Then I ask you this, has someone left recently even if it was planned or logical."

Koss grimaced and rubbed his scalp. "Not that I can think of, but I have been busy lately. The General would know. No one goes in or out without his permission even the Clan."

"I will check with him then," Kato said.

"One more thing," Koss said. "They sealed a room because they didn't know what to do with it. There are runes but not like these ones."

Kato looked concerned. "May I?" He held his hand out for Koss' notebook. It was handed to him and he drew several runes. "Did they look like this?" he asked as he handed the book back.

Koss looked through the runes slowly. "It looks right," he said. "You can read these, Master?"

"I can," Kato said gravely. "It isn't knowledge I'm willing to pass on. This world isn't ready for the Daedric Princes. I will take a look at it."

Koss looked thoughtful as Kato left. If the runes belonged to something that made his Master worried, it was certainly a good thing that they had sealed the chamber.

Vekk was overseeing the opening of another tunnel when Harry and Cedric walked up to him. Cedric watched in fascination as rubble was cleared and the walls reinforced. He wondered how it was done. He turned to Kato who had drawn his wand and smiled as he was given instructions on each spell and their uses.

"Of course, the goblins have their own ways of doing these things, but they are better adapted for smaller tunnels. Since we want humans to be able to move through the tunnels it is better that they lay the groundwork."

"We also don't want them to get lazy," Vekk said. He glanced over at the working humans. "You wish to speak to me, Master Peverell?" he said, giving Kato his full attention.

"The sealed-off room. Koss confirmed runes I know to be in there," Kato said. "Would you like me to take a look?"

"As soon as we have broken through this tunnel," Vekk said. "I need to be here, and I don't want to send you in there alone."

"Fair enough," Kato said. "I'll deal with our dragon problem first then."

Vekk nodded. "Until next we meet brother," he said.

"Let's find hidden treasures together," Kato responded before he placed a hand on Cedric's shoulder and led him back out to the main cave. He considered heading after Charlie, but he wouldn't really be of much help there. Instead, he headed over to General Rourk again. The goblin was busy with something so Kato sat down with Cedric and showed him how to perform the Patronus Charm. A big golden raven sat on his leg and watched Cedric. Kato had figured out just what made a Patronus change. He knew that his had been a stag. It was a stag because the memory he used back then was of his parents. It wasn't so much a memory as it was a hope. Happiness was what mattered to the spell not reality. Thinking of his time in Skyrim and Katla had his Patronus turn into a Dragon. The raven was for Rhavaniel specifically. If he thought of no one at all and only gathered the happiness itself his Patronus became a feline much like Kali. He was trying to weave the two together now, but it wasn't the easiest thing to do.

"So I need to feel happy?" Cedric asked.

"That is how the spell is cast," Kato said. "I can't teach you exactly how to do it. It is different for each of us. I do not cast this spell the same now as when I learnt how to cast it."

Cedric nodded. "Can I really practice in here?" he asked.

"He will not mind, though you could go out to the lake as well and wait there," Kato said. "Remember that many do not know how to cast a Patronus. Several Aurors can't cast it. That most likely is because it is emotion-based. It is harder to cast with emotions."

Cedric nodded. "I see," he said. "I'll head out if you don't mind."

"Don't go swimming," Kato said. "I'll join you soon."

Cedric nodded as he headed off. It was clear to him that Kato knew a lot. The Patronus was only one of the spells he had heard of that day alone. He wasn't sure he wanted to become a warder though. He wasn't that interested in learning how to lay the groundwork for safe tunnels. That wasn't really his thing.

Kato watched Rourk as he handled their Clan brothers and sisters. The general was very efficient in his way. People came in and left quite quickly. "What do you need?" he asked Kato as he had a moment.

"A list of everyone who left the last two weeks or so and has not returned," Kato said. "Anyone that might have carried eggs with them out of here."

Rourk closed his eyes and sighed. "If anyone has stolen from these dragons I will personally deal with their punishment," he said. "If you give me a moment I will give you that list. Do you want only those who have not returned?"

Kato sighed. "We might need the ones that have come back too if they were away for long enough to sell the eggs."

"Anyone who has gained new wealth is of extra interest," Rourk said. "Sounds like we might want to bring cousin Dumac in."

"That would be appreciated," Kato said. "The list first though. I can cross people off quite easily."

"You'll be able to tell if they have handled the eggs?" Rourk asked.

"And I can teach my apprentice to do the same," Kato said.

"Good. Then we have a good foundation. I'll get you that list, it might take me a bit of time. We could just question them all."

"And we could scare the culprit off and make it harder to find them. I need to know what happened to these eggs too," Kato said.

Rourk nodded slowly. "Then we will need a reason to pull in Cousin as well. Something no one will question too much."

"We'll keep that on the back burner for now," Kato said. "If I can't find who this person is in a few days we'll just have to use a more direct method."

"Deal," Rourk said.

"The dragons will hopefully give Charlie a timeline," Kato said. "They want their eggs back." He rose. "I shall leave you to it however and make myself useful elsewhere until that list is ready."

"Very well," Rourk said. "Of you go."

Kato would have laughed if Rourk was human, but it would be considered rude to do. He didn't want to end up on the General's bad side. He found a frustrated Cedric sitting be that water. "Take a break and try again some other day," he said calmly. "Let me teach you a few tracking and detection spells." He led Cedric over to their tent which still stood where he had left it. They settled down and he started moving through several simple and some more intricate detection spells.

Hours later Draco and Charlie returned.

"There are a lot of angry mothers in the caves," Draco said. "Kaanaaz and Fozii stayed behind for now to try to calm them. They want their eggs back."

"Understandable. We need to decide how long we're willing to take before we call in the big guns," Kato said. "Rourk is compiling a list of everyone that has left in the past two weeks. We're going to have to look into everyone on that list."

"Eggs started disappearing just over two weeks ago," Charlie said. "The dragons didn't turn aggressive until days later. Those eggs could be halfway across the world."

"I know," Kato said. "That is why we need to find these people. If we scare them off we're screwed."

"Won't they be suspicious of you guys though?" Cedric asked.

"Yes, and no," Kato said. "Some people here know we work with the dragons. A lot of them are new though. I doubt anyone we travelled in with would do this. We're still going to look at them of course, but I doubt any of them is our culprit."

"Could it be a goblin?" Draco asked.

"We will look at everyone regardless of race," Kato said. "If it is a goblin they will try to leave or they have left already. If that is the case, it will turn into a clan matter and they will push resources into this."

"The dragons won't be happy," Charlie said. "Some of them are already blaming us."

"That is inevitable I think," Kato said. "They lived here in peace for millennia before we showed up."

"It does prove your point to the young ones though," Draco said. "Humans are dangerous and greedy."

"An unfortunate truth," Kato said. "One I had hoped they wouldn't have to experience." He rubbed his eyes and sighed. "We'll just have to do our best," he said.

16th of February, 1999.

Kato looked up towards the sun. It was about midday. He was at Midgard far South of the Caves. He was tracking one of the humans who had worked on the latest dig but had left not long after it finished. He was the third person on their list and so far the hardest one to find. After leaving the dig he had moved all over the country very quickly. The people they had spoken to hadn't told them much. All they had been able to glean was where to go next; information they had mostly gained by cheating. Midgard was just the latest place they went to. Someone there knew their wayward worker.

Tourists moved about happily. A couple speaking German passed them by as they headed towards the farmstead.

"Looks like we finally caught up," Draco said calmly. He looked over at his Master as the air around him shimmered.

"Very local anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards," Kato said quietly. "I'd rather not lose him now." They made sure they weren't noticed as they calmly walked up to their target. He was speaking to a finely dressed gentleman while sipping a drink. They weren't speaking in any language Kato or Draco knew, but that was more or less inconsequential. Kato placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "So Simeon, we have some questions for you," he said.

The man across the table looked alarmed. More so than Kato or Draco would have expected. Subtlety, Draco forced him to stay seated. If this was an egg exchange they couldn't let the buyer leave with the goods.

Kato moved fluently and sat down next to Simeon. "You haven't been easy to find," he said.

"Who are you?" Simeon asked.

"Kato Peverell," Kato said. "I work with your former employer at Dragon's Breath. We would like to know why you left so abruptly. You worked hard to get your position then as soon as the first dig was done, you left."

Simeon looked both relieved and terrified all at the same time like he expected someone else to show up before realisation hit and he understood who Kato worked for.

"I was allowed to leave," Simeon said.

Kato wasn't playing games with this so he had Draco read surface thoughts during these meetings. Draco had taken to Illusions like a fish to water once Kato had finally started teaching him.

"That was before it was discovered that a handful of dragon eggs were stolen," Kato said.

Simeon looked confused for a moment. "You think I stole eggs?" he asked. "The dragons are sacred. I would never steal from them."

Kato nodded slowly. Someone was either telling the truth or a really convincing liar. So far, he was certainly willing to believe that the man was telling the truth. Draco hadn't moved to show any differently either.

"Then I guess we shall take our leave," Kato said.

"One moment," Draco said. He turned to the man next to him. "You are far too tense for someone just caught up in another's mess. What are you hiding, hmmm?"

"Noting," the man spat.

Warning bells went off in Kato's head. "Truly? You weren't doing something you maybe shouldn't?" he asked. He turned to Simeon. "This man is thinking very hard about how to get rid of us so he can get the money you are carrying," he said. "Normally I wouldn't get involved, but both wolves and potions seem to be on both of your minds."

Draco's eyes narrowed.

"Now, we can either talk this through or I could get local authorities in play," Kato said. He noticed how Simeon reacted. Something didn't sit right with him about calling in the Aurors. "We could take it to the goblins as well," he said. The reaction from Simeon was instant. He was far more inclined to ask help from the goblins than the Aurors. Something was certainly going on.

"I think we're heading back to Dragon's Breath for a bit," Kato said. He weaved out an illusion and grabbed Simeon's shoulder again. Suddenly the sun was gone. They were sitting in a tent by a heavy table. "So Simeon," Kato said. "Why did we have to hunt you across the country?"

Simeon looked down at his hands for a moment. He seemed nervous but determined. "Two weeks ago my sister was attacked," he said, his voice unsteady at first. "She was cursed with moon fur. Our mother started trying to find a way to help her. She got in contact with some people, but she didn't dare approach them herself. I left the dig as soon as I could so I could help." He looked Kato straight in the eyes. "If the government find her they will kill her." He said.

"I see," Kato said. He wondered if they couldn't fix that on a national level. He really needed Draco to figure the cure out because more people needed to be able to create it. Of course, the demand in the United Kingdom and nearby countries had gone down significantly since most people had been cured already. "Did you know that I presented a Cure in the UK and that the Clan that works here distributes that Cure? You could have been given a vial here to cure your sister."

Simeon's eyes widened. It was clear he had not known.

"Lies," the man across from them said. "Only one cure for fur… death is only cure," he grinned manically. "She'll die because they haven't heard from me."

Kato was out of his chair and out of the tent in seconds. He called Clan to him and spoke quickly with them. Dumac was called in with as many vials of the Cure as he could bring.

"Do you still have samples?" Kato asked Draco as he returned.

"I do," Draco said.

Kato turned to Simeon. "Bring us to your sister now," he said. "If we are fast enough we can still save her."

Draco rushed out of the tent to grab vials of the Cure he had yet to use for his studies. It was an amazing potion. He had seen Kato's memories of Rhavaniel making it and what had gone into it. He was sure he could recreate it if he just got enough time. He jogged up to his Master and Simeon grabbed them. Kato stabilised their travel and they landed on a sunny street in a magical district. Kato and Draco had been there the day before to speak to Simeon's mother. She had been nice enough if a little reserved. Now that made sense.

"Ma!" Simeon shouted as he pulled the door open. He rushed in and moved through the rooms quickly. His mother was sitting with his sister in a dark room hidden behind panels.

"Simeon!" his mother said. She spoke quickly and neither Kato nor Draco could keep up with her.

"You had a cure?" Simeon said as he turned to Draco.

"Only if she is actually affected though," Draco said. "If she takes this without the affliction it could be poisonous."

"Normally we would establish the affliction first and then give the Cure," Kato said. He moved into the room slowly and knelt next to the girl. His eyes closed as he heard the door being forced open and several people moved into the house. He built a shield and felt how Draco joined him.

"They are here," Simeon said. He could hear them tear his mother's home apart.

"Why aren't they just using detection spells?" Draco asked.

"Fear," Kato answered. "They want to cause fear." He didn't move away from the girl as several men tore down the drapes covering the door to the room they were in. Wands were held out and raised voices called out commands. Kato held his hand out and documents appeared in his hand. "Clan mater!" he stated. Calling the belief of lycanthropy a clan matter was a bit of a stretch, but Kato knew he could get away with it as a healer of the clan.

One of the newcomers grabbed his papers and looked through them. He didn't look happy. "You will come with us," he said.

"As long as I stay with my patient," Kato said. He was met with a rather alarming grin as they were grabbed and taken out of the house. Kato could have complained more, but he could just take this whole ordeal Clanside once they were out. They were brought to a different city and straight into holding cells located in hot rooms with barred windows. Kato and Simeon's sister were thrown into one cell while the others were split up.

Kato sat down on the floor and closed his eyes leaving the bed to the girl. He took a deep breath and lowered the temperature of the room.

It took less than fifteen minutes for a higher-up in the local Auror department to walk into Kato's cell. "Master Kato Peverell?" she asked.

"That is me," Kato said. He rose slowly. His wand had been taken from him, but that wouldn't stop him from casting magic if he wanted to. "Member of Clan Alfknif. Master Healer, Warder, and Dragon handler among other things."

"You stand in our way in regard to the young woman behind you. Our laws quite clearly state that anyone who catches Lycanthropy must be handled immediately before they can infect anyone else."

"How do you tell that they are cursed?" Kato asked. "The curse is, as far as I know, impossible to detect unless the full moon is near."

"There is a set of spells," the Head Auror said.

"Is there?" Kato said. "I would very much like to see this. In the north, we have no such spells. It would make the distribution of our Cure to the curse much faster since we have to know the person is in fact a werewolf before we cure them. This usually means that we have them transform in a secure location before the distribution of the Cure."

"Cure?" the Head Auror said. "There is a cure available? That is news to me. Do you mean we could force them to take this cure rather than kill these people? The curse is a northern one. We eradicate it by any means necessary when it makes its way here."

"It sounds to me like we could benefit from cooperating with each other," Kato said. "How extensive is your cross-referencing of these spells?"

"We have tested it quite extensively," the Head Auror said.

"May I make certain in this case for my own peace of mind," Kato said. "The Cure is dangerous to a human not affected by the curse. I don't want to give it to someone who isn't properly identified."

"The next full moon is in March," the Head Auror said.

"I have time," Kato said. "Innocent life is worth the time."

"I shall bring our lycanthrope expert in," the Head Auror said.

"Thank you," the girl said as the Aurors left. "You really can cure me? I don't have to die?"

"I have a Cure," Kato said. "It has been proven to work. If this all works out for us it will not just save your life."

She smiled sadly. She was still scared. She wasn't sure what was going to happen. She wished her mother and brother could be there with her.

The Head Auror returned with a tall man. He raised an eyebrow as he looked between Kato and the girl. "So which one is the werewolf?"

"Shouldn't you be able to tell?" Kato asked. "If you have spells to tell if someone is a werewolf just cast them."

"You don't believe me," the Expert said. Kato shrugged and backed away. "Prove me wrong," he said calmly. He wasn't sure what to think, to be honest. He didn't think new spells couldn't originate in Namibia. Of course, they could. The situation they were in had a lot of holes in it though. Who had tipped off the Aurors, and who was the man held in custody in Dragon's Breath Cavern? Not a wand but an idol of sorts was held out as the Expert chanted. Kato felt the magic touch upon him and his eyes glowed as he pushed against the magic as it tried to bring his blood attribute forward. Behind him wings had spread out and scales seemed to cover his skin.

"You are not entirely human yet you are no wolf," the Expert said.

"Born with the soul of a dragon," Kato said softly. "I can turn once in my life, but there will be no going back." If the spells could do the same for the girl next to him then he was willing to believe that it worked. If it could find his dragon, then why wouldn't it be able to find her wolf? He moved aside and let the Expert cast upon the girl. Fur seemed to grow from her skin. She launched forward and growled.

Kato reached out and calmed her until she sat back down on the bed. "I still want to see her turn," he said. "But I am inclined to believe that you can do this. The next question is, can you teach another?"

"Only if your magic is receptive," the Expert said.

"Is the dragon dangerous?" the Head Auror asked.

The Expert shook his head. "He is not as far as what you mean. Nothing will force him to become that dragon. It is a choice in his future that he must make himself," he said.

The Head Auror walked up to the bars and opened them up. "You are allowed to leave. She is not," she said.

"As long as she isn't killed and is treated like a human that is fine," Kato said as he walked out. "I will return for the full moon. I would like to bring my apprentice with me."

"He was captured with you?" the Head Auror asked.

"Together with the girl's mother and brother," Kato said.

"We might as well test the lot of them. If they come up negative we will handle this like normal," the Head Auror said. "Hiding a potential werewolf is a crime. They will have to pay for that crime."

"I see," Kato said. He didn't really have the power to oppose the judicial system of a country even if he didn't agree with it. He watched the spell being cast three more times and analysed it. First of the Expert was using magicka not magic. He recognised the elements and it was actually a rather simple spell for someone like him that knew as much as he did about the magic. Instead of casting the spell out, he folded his arms and placed a hand up against his temple. His eyes glowed slightly, but only Draco noticed. He could have rolled his eyes. Of course, the expert was a victim. It was interesting how he had managed to hide it unless certain people knew and were keeping him alive against the laws. He glanced over at the Head Auror.

"They are all clean," the Expert said.

"Take your apprentice and leave, Master Peverell," the Head Auror said. "We expect your return on March the second."

"What happened back there?" Draco asked as they left. "Will she be alright?"

"We shall see," Kato said. "I did my best to protect her. For now, we have to look for the rest of the people on the list."

Draco shook his head. "You better expand on that," he said.

20th of February, 1999.

Draco sighed as he collapsed in their tent back in the caves. They had found all the people they were after, but none of them had the eggs. They had to call in the cavalry now. Charlie and Cedric had found nothing either. Now the goblins were doing a deep dive into everyone's lives. He doubted it would be pleasant for anyone. He knew the entire Clan and everyone who had worked anywhere near Dragon's Breath would be held under a looking glass.

"This is crazy," Cedric said. "They are checking us too?"

"Just to make sure they can't be accused of special treatment," Draco said. "That is why it is royal inquisitors that are asking questions."

"Do you think Peverell will be alright?" Cedric asked.

"All he has to do is tell the truth," Draco said. "I doubt there will be a problem though it might take some extra time since he will show positive to questions that the thief would also show positive to. He has handled dragon eggs back at Sanctuary."

Cedric shook his head. This was a mess. "Won't that make things harder for you too?" he asked.

Draco shrugged. "Probably," he said. He didn't seem the least bit concerned. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong so why would he need to worry? Kato didn't seem any worse for wear when he returned to the tent. He sent Draco in before he started cooking dinner.

It wouldn't take long to go through the people at the site. Then no one else would be let in until the rest of Clan Alfknif and their human allies had been questioned. It was a little overkill but necessary because the Clan had a Monopoly on a very rare species. They held that Monopoly with sanction from the Council and Royal House, but they had to do this right or the other Clans would not let them live it down.

Charlie returned about half an hour later. He joined Kato in the kitchen and helped him prepare the chicken he was working on. Slowly, the tent filled with mouth-watering scents. Rice was put on the stove eventually.

Draco returned as the food was served. He sat down and started eating, not saying much. The questions were extensive. He felt tired. He hoped they would find the thief soon. The dragons were not happy. "Think you need to talk to the dragons, Master," he said.

Kato nodded slowly. "I will," he said. "As soon as we have cleaned up."

An hour or so later Kato was heading towards the dragon pools. Qozul poked his head up and looked at his brethren. "Rahgol, rage," he said softly. "Monah, dov bah."

"Yes, they are angry. Zu mindoraan dov, I understand them," Kato said. "Eggs have been sizaan, lost to them."

Sahqosos came flying over to Kato. "Pogaan voov Krinahkro, many distrust you. They blame you for the loss of our young, but I see this for what it is. You warned us that jul gahrot rul nust laan, humans steal when they want. They are greedy and have killed our kind for scales."

"It might not be jul, humans," Kato said. "Dwemer could have done this too. The Clan is interrogating everyone. Even me. We have sealed every way in here for anyone but us and even then we have to be cleared to enter. I would like to unt lah voth hin, try magicka with your help. I cannot promise that it will work, but we can try." He sat down. He wouldn't force anyone to join him, but the more dragons that did the easier it would be for him. The problem was that he hadn't been in contact with these eggs specifically. If eggs he had personally handled disappeared somehow he would have easily been able to find them. Now he would have to cast a much wider net. He felt dragons join him slowly. He borrowed from them as the gems glowed around his belt. He was casting Clairvoyance. Maybe he should have brought Draco and Charlie with him as well. It was too late to get them now.

Kato's skin glowed blue as he cast. He opened his mind and touched upon every Crystalback egg in the cave. His essence moved further and he reached for threads in different directions. He could not follow them all. If the eggs had been brought to any country even near Britain he couldn't tell them apart from other eggs at their Sanctuary. He could feel eggs in three other distinct locations though. Far to the west across the Atlantic there were eggs. He could sense eggs to the Northeast in Russia maybe though it could be several other countries. The last string reached south. He could sense water and cold in that direction. There was also something slightly off with these eggs. South of them was Antarctica. Maybe similar dragons were living on the ice? His senses frayed and his world went dark.

21st of February, 1999.

Draco walked out of his room in the tent he shared with Kato, Charlie, and Cedric. The kitchen was dark. He walked over to Kato's room and looked inside. The room looked undisturbed. A book he had returned to his Master the day before still lay on the bed. Kato hadn't been back. He walked over to Charlie's room and snuck inside. Charlie was still sleeping and Kato wasn't there either. Draco walked up to Charlie and grabbed his shoulder shaking him gently.

"What?" Charlie said groggily.

"Kato didn't come back last night," Draco said.

Charlie sat up and pulled his covers off. He looked worried. "He was going to see the dragons, right?" he said.

"He was," Draco said.

"We better go over there and check," Charlie said. He pulled a shirt on and they headed out. Kato wasn't in the cave with the dragon pools. The dragons weren't flying around quite as much as they usually did, otherwise, everything seemed normal. They headed back out and split up. Vekk hadn't seen Kato. Koss hadn't seen Kato. The General's tent was sealed. No one they spoke to knew anything about Kato.

They returned to the tent defeated and worried.

Sounds were coming from the kitchen, but it was just Cedric who had gotten up to find no one and decided to make some breakfast. "What's up?" he asked.

"Kato's gone," Charlie said.

"He was here a moment ago. He looked kind of tired. He showered and changed I think. Then he left again. He didn't really say anything. He looked like a man on a mission."

Charlie sat down with a huff. "He must have figured something out," he said. "He'll let us know once he has done what he can."

"He probably did something utterly foolish knowing him," Draco said.

Cedric gave Draco a strange look. Most apprentices didn't speak that way about their Masters. Most Masters would punish their apprentices for that kind of behaviour. He guessed Kato wasn't quite that uptight. He certainly didn't act like he was.

Late that evening Kato returned. He told the rest just what he had been up to. The goblins had sent people off towards the places he had pointed out to them… well most of the places. No one actually thought there were thieves in Antarctica.

"At least they have something to go off," Draco said. "Do you think the eggs will be alright?"

"They are pretty durable," Kato said. "Hopefully everything will be alright."