Eggshells
16th of September, 1999.
"So you found a Hist tree and carried it in the body of a young naga?" Rhavaniel said. "You utter turnip. At least you weren't alone in this. Do you have any idea how this would have turned out without Charlie?"
"I'm pretty sure the Hist can't handle a dragonsoul," Harry said. "I could be wrong of course, but I don't think I was in any danger. It was more an idea of whether I would have survived. My soul won't join the Hist."
"Still you could have died," Rhavaniel said. She was sitting with Daliniin in her lap. "You could at least try to stay alive for your children."
"Someone still has to do the things no one else has the guts to deal with," Harry said.
"That's what Katla says too," Daliniin said.
"Oh, I know," Harry said. "Who do you think taught me?"
"She is going to teach me how to make things," Daliniin said. "I want to be a blacksmith like her."
"That sounds like a good idea," Harry said.
"I want to learn some magic too and I want to learn how to fight," Daliniin said.
"Sounds like you have a full schedule ahead of you," Charlie said. "Have some fun too."
"I will don't worry," Daliniin said. He messed his hair up even more and looked at Harry. "Some of my friends say you aren't real," he said. "We got into a fight. They say no one can control dragons except the Queen."
"Your mother can do it too, and you don't control dragons you ask them very politely to help you or you have to fight for your life," Harry said. "As to the idea of me not being real, you can always point them in the direction of any of the hundreds of things I left an impact on."
"Yeah, I know," Daliniin said. "They just want to rile me up. Mom says I shouldn't listen to them, stupid turnips."
"Your mother is a very wise woman," Harry said. "You should probably listen to her, though with her temper I don't know if she is one to talk."
"Watch your mouth love or I'll convince that dashing husband of yours to do it for me," Rhavaniel said. "I'm sure he can figure out how. Or you could show him what a fun time with Ria was like."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" he said.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Not in front of Daliniin love," he said in French.
"Later then," Charlie said.
"Ria is nice she is a Companion. I think they are pretty cool but I don't think I want to be a werewolf," Daliniin said thankfully unaware of any deeper meanings in the conversation going on around him.
"So Charlie will join me as a Dragon Knight?" Rhavaniel said. "I guess that makes sense."
"Harry worries his death would kill me," Charlie said.
Rhavaniel shook her head slowly. "It shouldn't," she said. "Him leaving was not pleasant, but his soul left me. If he dies his soul would sort of stay with you I think. Katla and I have been looking at these things since she doesn't want me to just fade away the day she dies."
"So it shouldn't be a problem?" Charlie said.
"Not as far as I can tell," Rhavaniel said. "Of course, I could have missed something, but I spent almost a year working on this so we'll be fine. Not that Harry should assume he'll die."
"We have a daughter now. I have to at least consider the possibility," Harry said.
"You should plan better and not carry strange magic around that you don't understand," Rhavaniel said.
"Love you," Harry said.
"Hmmm go make your husband a Dragon Knight. I have things to do," Rhavaniel said.
"Bye, dad!" Daliniin said.
"Bye son," Harry said.
The connection ended and Harry sighed. "I guess we should get started," he said. He turned around so he was facing Charlie.
"Meys zu fron. Dovah kogaan kos hin. Aav zu. Bo se dovah kos hin. Meys zu fron. Ahkrin zu fahnen. Dovah los sahrot. Sahrot kos hi. Kruziik mir do suleyk. Thu'um kos hin zu fron," Harry chanted. He reached out and touched Charlie's chest. He slumped forward, but unlike when he had turned Rhavaniel into a Dragon Knight he didn't faint. He could see the magic take hold and Charlie closed his eyes and groaned in pain. Rhavaniel had said that changing felt strange. She was Rhavaniel though. Her idea of pain was warped sometimes. He moved closer to Charlie and hugged him. "She said it didn't hurt," he said. "I'm sorry."
"No I'm fine," Charlie wheezed. "This feels really strange." He shifted and held back a scream before collapsing.
"I guess I should get you to bed then," Harry said calmly. He looked over to Keyara. He called for her before walking inside. They could go back out once he had Charlie in bed. "Your turn," he said. "Sleep well." He headed back downstairs and brought Keyara with him to the dragon sanctuary. He sat down next to the Jill egg and placed a hand on it. They were taking care of the little dragon as best as they could. The egg shook beneath his hand. He petted the shell slowly and started singing in dragon-tongue.
"Egg break," Keyara said. She sat down next to Harry and watched as the eggshells spread out around the flailing dragon. Shiny blue scales became visible. The dragon huffed and fire spread from its mouth towards Keyara. Before Harry could do anything the fire stopped as if it had reached an invisible wall. "Good girl Keyara," Harry said. "Dremyollok mal gein. Zu'u Krinahkro." he breathed in. "Yol," he breathed fire on the dragon while making sure the flames weren't too hot. He looked up as Qozul came flying over. "Malbriinah," he said. "Little sister finally hatched."
"Geh, rek drey, she has," Harry said. "She can use a good big brother to show her the ropes."
"Vulonkest," Qozul breathed.
The little dragon spread her wings and breathed fire. She seemed pleased that he knew her name.
"Little Vulonkest it is," Harry said. "We have a lot of learning ahead of us, little one." He hugged Keyara closer. "Our little family has grown once more."
2nd of October, 1999.
Qozul sat next to Vulonkest. She had grown considerably in just a few weeks. The two of them had been permitted to fly around the entire grounds. Vulonkest didn't speak much but it was clear when she did that she understood quite a lot.
Charlie moved through stances slowly. He turned out towards the lake. "Fus Ro Dah!" he shouted. The water rippled.
Vulonkest flew over and turned to the water. "Fus Ro Dah!" she shouted and the water swelled out from the beach before coming back.
"Show off," Charlie said with a smile. It was harder to learn Tu'um than he had thought it would be. Harry basically had to hold his hand every step of the way while Vulonkest could simply shout any word she knew, and Harry was talking to her a lot.
"Are you being a little smug," Harry said as he walked stopped next the Charlie. Keyara was playing with Leoline inside while Remus was talking to Felac about the house that was slowly being built over by the forest. Dealing with the old house had been easy, Harry had moved some furniture into their extra rooms until the new house was done. He had poked at the number of rooms Remus would have and pointed out that there could very well be more children. It was better to have a room too many than one too few. So a two-story house with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a large kitchen and living room, as well as a study, had been drawn out. It would be built in the same style as the main house just so everything matched. It was Ennerdale after all. Remus wanted it to look like his home belonged.
"Fus Ro Dah!" Harry shouted. His voice pushed the water along the beach for several yards before it all came back at them and touched their toes.
"Now who is showing off?" Charlie asked.
Harry laughed. "With age comes wisdom… and power," he said.
"You will always be stronger than me," Charlie said. "You have a dragonsoul."
"Vulonkest will catch up with me eventually," Harry said. "She'll keep me on my toes."
"Paathurnax could understand Tamrielic," Charlie said. "Will Vulonkest learn English?"
"Probably," Harry said. "Jill are highly intelligent. It might take a few years though. Paarthurnax has lived for thousands of years. He has had a lot of time to learn many things." He moved. "Fight me, love," he said. He moved in and struck.
Charlie danced out of the way. He was smirking. It would be fun to learn how to use Thu'um in battle. He knew that the moment he did Harry would return the favour though so he was better off waiting. He punched Harry. His wrist was grabbed and he was sent flying. He really had to learn to not be overconfident.
Both Charlie and Harry were breathing heavily when an owl came flying in. Harry pulled away so he could take the offered letter. It was from Alice. She had several questions she wanted to be answered and Remus was probably a better person to ask in concerns to some of them.
Keyara smiled as they entered. "Look house," she said in English as she pointed at the pile of wooden blocks she was placing one on top of the other.
"It looks lovely," Harry said. He sat down and worked through Alice's questions. According to her letter, Neville had introduced her to Dean so she now had someone making illustrations, but she still wanted him to look everything over before publishing it. She had questions about publishers. Harry would have to check with Remus.
Leoline let out a whiny grunt. His blocks had fallen over again. "Stupid blocks," he said. "Blocks are for babies."
"Leoline," Harry said in a stern tone.
"Sorry Rye," Leoline said.
"Maybe we can get you some Lego if you don't talk down on toys just because things aren't quite working out for you," Harry said.
"How about I help you," Charlie said. He sat down next to Leoline and helped him rebuild. "I think we might need a lot of Lego," he said after a while. "Otherwise we can't build anything big."
"I guess we'll have to head to a store then," Harry said. "We can get some for the both of you."
"Ah ha," Leoline said. He had finally managed to get his blocks to stay.
Harry smiled as he noticed his husband pointing his wand at the blocks just so they wouldn't fall.
Draco walked in and flopped down. "I'm close," he said.
"Do you want to talk to Rhavaniel about it?" Harry asked.
Draco rubbed the back of his head. "Not yet," he said. "If I can manage without her help that would be great."
"That is entirely up to you," Harry said. "We're going shopping tomorrow. Is there anything you'd like?"
"Magical or non-magical?" Draco asked.
"Non-magical," Harry said.
"I'll come along if that is alright," Draco said.
"Great then you two can take the children and go," Charlie said. "I have a few things to take care of."
"And I am meeting Dora," Remus said. He was smirking.
Harry sighed and shook his head. "Of course," he said. "Of course the both of you have plans."
"You are just scared," Draco said.
Remus nodded. "Sure," he said. "Let's say that's it."
30th of November, 1999.
"Yes!" Leoline shouted as he pulled the paper from the last box. He had seen the space rocket when they bought Lego weeks ago and he had wanted it so badly. He really wanted to build it. "Thank you, Draco," he said.
Draco chuckled. He had easily landed himself as the favourite by buying that Lego set. He knew the other gifts would be appreciated as well though so he didn't feel too bad. Keyara was playing with the colourful strings. She seemed happy enough that Leoline was happy. Harry picked her up as Leoline ran up to his father with the Lego. "Can I build it now?" he asked.
"I don't see why not," Remus said. "Keep it on the table Dusty made for you so we don't have to step on the pieces." He looked exhausted. He had just published another book and there had been more to do than he expected. He was glad Harry and Charlie were home to take care of Leoline when he had to be away. Dora leaned closer to him and smiled. "He is sweet," she said.
"Mmhmm," Remus hummed. He wrapped an arm around her and Dora's hair turned pink."
Keyara pointed and a ball of light appeared next to her hand and turned pink just like Dora's hair. "Pink," she said happily.
"Yes, it is pink," Harry said. He reached out and touched the candlelight. "Keyara made a light," he pointed out.
Keyara looked at the candlelight and squealed. She grabbed the orb and it was snuffed out. Her little orange eyes filled with tears and Harry had to conjure a light to replace the orb she had lost. She grabbed it and smiled up at Harry making the orb glow orange in her hands.
"She is young to use magicka isn't she?" Charlie asked softly.
"She has it all around her thought and Candlelight is a very simple spell," Harry said. "I'm not surprised." He watched their daughter play with her ball as Leoline excitedly put his rocket together. Remus looked over at Dora and smiled at her from time to time until she joined him and Leoline by the low table.
It was one of those good days that could last forever.
