I do not own nor possess any right over Harry Potter, all rights belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 13

When Shimmer woke up today, he instantly felt the cold.

He had been quite aware of how cold the last days had become, and understood that it would soon be time for him to go sleep through the winter. He stretched a bit, looking at his hoard of exactly 2 Galleons, 11 Sickles and 79 Knuts, along with a collar of white pearls, two pairs of earrings and a silver bracelet. There was a bit of sadness in his eyes, as the last week had been quite bad in his collect of valuables.

The first reason was Hermione who told him, to his great shock and horror, that he couldn't steal any other coin or jewel. She explained that these belonged to the humans who had them, and that he couldn't keep taking any from anyone else. It was such a mind-blowing concept, so absurd that he blanked out for a few seconds once Hermione finally made him understand what she was trying to say. And the worst was, that she used a very good argument: what if someone was to take his coins away from him? Now, that was ridiculous because he would bite anyone trying, but once Hermione got him to look past that, he was very concerned for his coins and quickly told Hermione that he didn't wanted to lose his coins. His worries skyrocketed when she told him that the humans wanted their coins back but that they wouldn't do anything if no more coins or jewels were being stolen.

So, very, very reluctantly, he accepted not trying to steal anymore. It pained him to say it, but was slightly recomforted by Hermione who said that if he found a coin on the ground, then he had the right to take it.

And then there was the second reason, that made the first one work. The humans learned to hide their valuables in places where he couldn't take them: horrible, evil things called chests that once closed, would be impossible for him to open. He knew. He tried many times.

Now left to only get coins from Hermione, and rarely from some of the teachers and even one or two students, Shimmer saw his hoard grow at a pitiful rate. But, he was still happy with it, since he never had such a big hoard in his entire life.

Reaching the window, he looked at the first snowflakes falling in the sky, almost glaring at them as he hated the feeling of cold that spread through his body whenever he had to fly through them. But he had to today, for he absolutely had to see Hermione. He had no idea how to say it, but he had to tell her that he was going to sleep for a long time.

Jumping in the cold sky, he quickly made his way toward an open window in one of the lower floors of the castle, relishing in the heat that assaulted him once he was inside. He didn't know where Hermione was, but at this time of the day she was usually eating, so he made his way toward the Great Hall. Soon, students, teachers and terrified paintings noticed his presence and he quickly entered the Great Hall, where most of the students were eating their breakfast, including Hermione who was at her usual seat.

Flying a bit faster, he let out a small screech and landed right next to her plate, alerting most humans of his presence even if it was quickly ignored by most, now starting to get used to the dragon's presence. But one who didn't ignored him was Hermione, smiling brightly at his arrival.

"Good morning, Shimmer. How are you?" She asked, picking up two slices of bacon for him.

"Hello. Shimmer okay." He replied, happy that he was starting to understand longer sentences and harder words. He was still very far from understanding the human language, but he was progressing.

"This morning we have Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts." Said Hermione, finishing her own breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice.

Shimmer noticed that, while it wouldn't be his first class of Charms, he never saw the other one. He was slightly curious about it, especially since Hermione told him that they were learning about dark creatures, dangerous spells and objects, meaning learning how to defend themselves. At least that's how he imagined it.

His bacon didn't last long against his sharp teeth, and he soon followed Hermione who stood up from her seat.

"Miss Granger? A moment of your time, please." Asked the recognisable voice of the headmaster.

Both the girl and the dragon turned around, even if Shimmer was doing so in the air. Hermione gave Shimmer a brief, slightly worried look, wondering if he did anything wrong, before walking in front of the teacher's table as the students around her started to whisper while glancing in her direction.

"Yes, professor Dumbledore?" She asked once in front of him.

"How are you this morning, Miss Granger?" He replied with his usual smile.

"Good, thank you."

"And you Shimmer?" Dumbledore turned to the flying dragon.

"Shimmer okay." He replied, landing in front of the headmaster, right in his thankfully empty plate.

"Good, good. Now, correct me if I'm wrong Miss Granger, but you are going back to your family for Christmas?" *

"Yes." She answered, not seeing where this was going.

"And I assume that our dear Shimmer will remain here?" He said to her surprise.

"I've never thought about that. I expected him to still be here after the holidays." She replied sincerely, now starting to be truly concerned for her friend.

"Then let ask the most concerned one." Said Dumbledore as he looked down at Shimmer. "Young Shimmer, what will you do in Hermione's absence?"

The only thing that Shimmer understood, was that a question was being asked to him and that it regarded Hermione.

"Shimmer not understand." He answered.

"That may be a bit too hard for him sir." Said Hermione for him.

"So I see. Hmm... how to simplify this." The headmaster started to wonder.

"May I?" She asked. "Shimmer? I am going bye-bye."

Now Shimmer wasn't quite expecting that. Usually, he was the one going bye-bye, so he didn't understood why she was saying it.

"Hermione bye-bye? Not understand." He said.

"Its called Holidays. .Days. Children go bye-bye to their parents." Simplified Hermione, doing her best to recall which words Shimmer knew.

Oh! That made some sense to him. She had explained, not without difficulties, that her parents and the ones of all the other students, were sending them here to learn how to be adult humans. But now that he made that connection, he was starting to worry if she was going to come back. He didn't want to leave her, even less abandoning his now considerable hoard.

"Hermione. Here. Here, again?" He managed to say after a very hard time recalling the words and placing them in the right order.

"Yes, I'll be back here again." She nodded with a smile, petting his head as a small reward.

"Now. I'm going bye-bye. Are you bye-bye too?" She asked.

He barely managed to understand, but he did. He tried to figure a way to answer, but he simply didn't know the words to say that he was going to stay asleep for a long time, until the winter was over.

Looking at his claws, then Hermione, then his claws again, he tried his best to find the way to make her understand what he meant.

"Shimmer not bye-bye. Shimmer... bye-bye?" He tried, knowing he wasn't clear but without any way to make it better.

The confused faces he got from Hermione and the Headmaster told him that he failed.

"You're staying here?" Tried to clarify Hermione, to which he nodded.

"I must confess, that it is harder than I thought to teach a dragon to speak. You've done a really great job so far, Miss Granger." Complimented Dumbledore, also trying to guess what Shimmer was trying to say.

"Thank you professor." Glowed Hermione, happy to be praised.

Meanwhile, Shimmer was trying to figure a way to convey what he wanted to say. He was going to sleep for a long time, but didn't know the words for either sleeping or for a long time or winter.

"Shimmer. Not Hermione. Shimmer. Coins. Coins. Coins. Bye-bye." He attempted, trying to convey the fact that he wouldn't see Hermione because he'd be sleeping in his hoard.

"Huh..." Blanked Hermione. "I think we already know that you're not me and that you like coins."

Shimmer huffed in frustration, blowing out a little bit of smoke, at his second failed attempt. He really wasn't good enough with human words. Why did they had to use so many words?

"It's okay Shimmer, I know that you're not fully voluble yet." Coaxed Hermione, petting his head as she saw how much he struggled. She realised how much work she still had to do.

Instead, going for another tactic, he lied down and took his usual sleeping position, even going as far as giving a fake yawn.

"You're going to sleep?" Guessed Hermione.

"Ah! I remember!" Suddenly cheered the Headmaster, standing slightly more upright with a large smile on his face. "Some species of dragon hibernate when winter comes. Our young Shimmer is probably going to do the same."

"Oh." Simply said Hermione, understanding what hibernating meant, but simply not having expected that. "Will he hibernate for a long time?"

"It does usually last the whole winter. I do not know for sure, but he might be absent until February. Maybe the early days of March."

"Will he hibernate soon?" Asked Hermione.

"Most likely. It is getting quite cold after all. Now, you probably have a class very soon, so don't let me keep you any longer." Indicated the Headmaster, waving at the door of the Great Hall. "Oh, before I forget, does Shimmer knows my name?" He asked quite curious.

Dumbledore didn't expected to see Hermione's cheeks reddened for a brief second as she looked at Shimmer in shame, just as Shimmer was starting at her with no real intent.

"He can't say it well. It would be better to wait a little bit." Deflected Hermione.

"Oh? Why is that?" Asked the Headmaster, amused at his student's embarrassment.

The lack of reply told him that she really thought it would be a bad idea for him to hear Shimmer call him, so obviously, he now really wanted to hear that.

"Shimmer." Said the Headmaster, pointing at the little dragon before turning toward Hermione. "Hermione." And then toward himself. "What is my name?"

"Dumb." Replied Shimmer instantly.

Hermione's hands flew to her face, hiding herself as she couldn't bear how Shimmer was incapable to say the Headmaster's name.

"Really now? I believe that it's the first time I'm called dumb on a first name basis. People usually call me dumb after they learn my name." Smiled the Headmaster, falling back a bit in his chair and staring amused at the little dragon who didn't even understand what was wrong. Nor did he understood much, too many words in one sentence.

"I'm really sorry professor, I tried but he has difficulties with long words." Hermione apologised before looking at Shimmer, pointing an opened hand at the headmaster. "Its Dumbledore. Dumbledore."

"Dumb. Dor." Said Shimmer, attempting to use the word even if his lips had difficulties with the sound of the middle.

"Hmm, I do believe that no one called me 'dumb door' before." Mused aloud Dumbledore. "I guess I'll have to wait before he can properly address me. Be on your way, Miss Granger."

Not wanting to embarrass herself any longer, Hermione nudged Shimmer toward the door and quickly left the Great Hall, Shimmer flying right next to her.

"That was bad Shimmer, you can't call the Headmaster dumb. Out of all the people to say this to." She admonished as he flew around her head.

"Dumb dor not Dumb dor?" He guessed, not really sure what he did wrong.

"I'll make sure to make you a lesson on bad words." Hermione affirmed, right before stopping as she realised her words. "Or maybe not. Giving you the bad words now is definitely a bad idea."

Not really knowing what she was talking about, Shimmer simply followed her as they went back to the Gryffindor tower for Hermione to get her classroom books and feathers.

They made it in time for the Charms class, Hermione sitting next to a slightly sleepy Ron, while she was busy opening her book the page they stopped at during the last lesson, only to have Shimmer walk right on it.

"Shimmer! Don't walk on my books." She pushed him away gently, yet keeping her voice stern.

"Shimmer sorry." Apologised the little dragon.

"Apology accepted." Instantly replied Hermione.

"I was wondering..." Cut them off Ron. "Don't he have a mother? He is very, very small for a dragon."

"I thought about that, but its more likely that he simply differs from the other dragons. I've read every book in the library about dragons, at least the ones not in the forbidden section, and all states that a hatchling doesn't have horns." Started to explain Hermione, entering teacher mode. Shimmer, having grown used to her speaking like this, not capable of following her speed or the words used, chose to fly up to the ceiling beams where he lied down, enjoying the view he had on the whole class from up there.

"But he isn't an adult yet. Most dragon species adults are very agressive, and are distinguishable thanks to many details either on the horns, tail, wings or claws. But Shimmer have none of them." Continued Hermione.

"So... he's like us? An adolescent dragon?" Understood Ron.

"Pretty much, yes." Agreed Hermione, happy to see that he followed her until the end. She was trying to work on her tendency to speak too much, in an effort to be more friendly with everyone else, but being heard was quite a pleasing feeling. "He's probably going to grow a little bit more, but I think he'll probably be among the smallest dragons species."

"Good morning children!" Came the cheerful voice of professor Flitwick, the very small wizard barely coming to the level of the tables as he got up the aisle, before reaching the pile of books around his desk that allowed him to be visible by the whole class. "Today, we will continue on the Wand-Lighting Charm, also known as the Lumos spell. I hope you all read the last chapter as I asked you, otherwise we may have a few surprises."

A few of the students shared uneasy glances, well aware that the jovial nature of the little wizard meant that they sometimes had to face unwanted consequences for badly done spells. And among these students, were mainly those who never read the said chapter.

Shimmer watched, not without some enjoyment, as the young humans started using their wands to cast magic spells. Even after Hermione gave him a brief explanation of the wands and magic, he still had a very hard time picturing how it worked, quickly giving up as he simply couldn't follow all the concepts involved. He let out a little huff of laughter when Ron, who apparently didn't revised the last chapter of the book, lit up his wand. But instead of having a clear ball of light at the tip of the wand, the wood of the wand itself was flashing between red and yellow lights, providing quite the show.

In contrast, Hermione, who did everything asked by her teacher, managed a perfectly cast Lumos. She wasn't the only one who managed the spell on her first try, but it was enough for the little teacher to be happy with his students.

"Very good! I see that some of you still require further practice. For those who succeeded to cast the spell right, please help your neighbours until you all are capable of casting it." Ordered professor Flitwick, coming down from his tower of books to go help Neville who still hadn't cast any light.

"Ron?" Tentatively reached out Hermione, not wanting to have the same reaction where he got mad at her.

"I'm sure I spelled it right." Complained Ron, though without any bad feelings against Hermione.

"It would be hard on a two syllable word. Can you cast it again? It's probably your wand movements that are wrong."

"Sure. Lumos!" He said, casting the spell, only to have his wand turn into a bright purple colour.

Amused, Shimmer jumped from the rafter he was on, flying down and landing right before Ron, who was scowling at his wand. Shimmer looked at the wand, feeling a continuous scent coming from it that tingled his nostrils.

"What is he doing?" Asked Ron.

"I don't know, he never did that before." Replied Hermione as puzzled. "Can you stop your spell?"

"Nox!" Said Ron, finally grinning as his wand successfully returned to its usual appearance.

And just as it did, the scent that Shimmer smelled disappeared, leaving him a bit disappointed. But he didn't got the time to do more that professor Flitwick came to their table, his short head standing a little bit above the table.

"So? Still having troubles with your wand, Mister Weasley?" Asked the professor, bringing a hand toward Shimmer who gave a little growl. Only Hermione could touch him, and Shimmer was proud to see the hand being retracted at his threat.

"Yes, professor." Admitted Ron, looking down at the wand resting in his hand.

"He used the correct movements professor, I don't know why it didn't work." Added Hermione, certain of herself.

"Hmm. May I see your wand, Mister Weasley?" Asked professor Flitwick. Ron didn't protested and handed him the wand, carefully examined by the experienced professor who gave it back shortly after. "It is most confusing, I can't see anything wrong with your wand. May I ask where you got it? Perhaps it has a defect?"

"I- huh... it comes from Ollivanders sir, I don't think it has a problem." Nervously replied Ron.

"If it really does come from his shop, then there's no chance for your wand to not be working. Is there anything else you could tell me about this wand?" Continued the professor.

"Well... my mom said that I shouldn't speak about it." Mumbled Ron as a weak counter.

"Mister Weasley, I only want to help you and I cannot do that if you don't tell me what's wrong with your wand. Wouldn't you like to be able to cast spells like your friend here?" Asked Flitwick, pointing at Hermione.

"Yes, but... It's my brother's wand." Finally let out Ron in a big sigh.

"Ron! The books of 'Wands and Everything about them' says that you must not use another wizard's wand or the spells won't be cast properly!" Gasped Hermione.

"Indeed Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor for knowing the safety aspects of your wand. Now, why would you use your brother's wand?" Asked Flitwick.

"We're poor." Harshly whispered Ron, not glaring but almost, at the two. "We couldn't afford another wand, so Charlie gave me his."

"I'm sorry to hear about this, Mister Weasley." Sympathised the little teacher. "I don't really know how to help you, but I will note this and bring it to the attention of the Headmaster. Perhaps, you could convince your mother of how important it is for you to have a wand of your own?"

"I tried, but she said it wasn't important." Dejectedly replied Ron.

"Well, let's hope the Headmaster will have something to help you then. Meanwhile, I want you to learn the wand movements and spelling as much as possible. I will be holding on on you in the future, but as soon as you have a wand of your own, I'll make sure that you're knowledgeable in your spells." Demanded the little professor before walking to another table, not without a last glance at Shimmer who was busy licking his claws.

Sighing again, Ron fell down on his desk, looking at the wand still clutched in his hand.

"I'm sorry Ron, I didn't know." Said Hermione, not really knowing what to say in this situation.

"It's not the first time, you know?" Said Ron sadly, turning a bit to look at her. "Before it was my brother's clothes, their stuff, their books. And now Charlie's wand. I'm tired to always have their old, broken stuff.

"I wouldn't know. I'm an only child."

"Lucky."

With that said, the rest of the class went with a small, uncomfortable silence between the two of them, until it was time to move to the next one. The Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Shimmer started coughing as soon as he entered the DADA's room, his nostrils assaulted by the overwhelming scent of garlic and so many other things that it overwhelmed him a bit. But, even if this was annoying, the worst was the scent of death that lingered in the room. And not the scent of a dead animal, but of death, simply wrong and disgusting.

"Shimmer? Are you okay?" Asked Hermione worried, seeing the little dragon retching as he landed.

"Is he sick?" Asked Ron.

"P-p-please, g-g-go to your s-s-seats." Said professor Quirrell as he came in, only to jump backward at Shimmer's sight. "W-w-what is that d-d-dragon doing here?!"

Hermione knew that their professor was easily scared, especially when she was told that he fainted when he entered the Great Hall to warn them about the troll in the castle, but she couldn't help but think that he was overreacting.

"I can take him outside?" Suggested Hermione.

"Yes! T-t-that will do!" Shakingly agreed Quirrell as he took a wide berth around Shimmer to join his desk.

As he did so, Shimmer's head snapped upward as he frowned at the man, instantly noticing how the scent of death came from him. He started to growl which only prompted the teacher to go away faster. He didn't know how it was possible for a human to have this scent, but it was clear that he was dangerous and shouldn't be anywhere near young humans. Shimmer only felt this distinctive smell a very few times, and it always came from either some parts of the dark forest that he did his best to avoid, or some of the more abandoned parts of the castle. And the scent of this teacher in particular, he remembered it well. He smelled it on the troll, mixed with the filthy stench of the troll.

"Come on, Shimmer. You can't stay here." Said Hermione, doing quite the effort of grabbing Shimmer as he was still glaring fiercely at the man. And even while he was being carried away, he kept glaring until Hermione put him down outside the classroom, huffing as he was no light weight.

"What's going on Shimmer?" She asked curious, lowering herself to his level, not having seen that specific behaviour before.

"Hermione not understand. Human..." He said before looking for the right word. "...bad."

"That's not very nice." Frowned Hermione.

"Shimmer understand. Hermione not understand. Human bad." He tried again, slightly angry.

"I'm sorry Shimmer, but I don't think I can understand what you're trying to say." She said before standing up.

"No!" Shouted Shimmer, biting down on her robe to stop her from going back to that death smelling human. "Human bad!" He growled through gritted teeth.

"Don't bite me Shimmer! Bad dragon!" Hermione sternly said as she gave him a light tap on the head.

Well, if she didn't want to understand, it was her problem. He still had more important to do, like stuffing his belly before taking his long sleep tonight. Letting go of her robe, he gave her a small glare as she did the same.

"Shimmer bye-bye. Sleep." He spat, showing his teeth a bit, barely recalling the word used by Hermione this morning.

Without leaving her the time to reply, he left her alone, frustrated at not being understood and that Hermione couldn't see what was wrong with staying near such a dangerous human. He flew through several corridors before reaching the Great Hall, where there was actually nobody.

Landing on a table, he waited for a few seconds for the food to appear but nothing did. Getting even more frustrated, he let out a small roar.

"Meat!" He shouted.

A small clatter next to him made him look to his left, where five slices of meat had suddenly appeared. He quickly got to work and ate them all.

"Meat!" He called again.

Another plate appeared, replacing the previous one. He ate it all and repeated the process one more time before being satiated.

Taking flight again, he flew to an open window that was usually left open for him, and went back straight to his lair. The snow was even thicker than earlier, and he pushed himself to go faster until he reached the window of his lair. Getting inside, he shook himself of the snowflakes and started working on his winter nest.

Where the coins, jewels and precious trinkets, were previously stacked in the center of the room, he moved them all toward the side opposite the window, as far away from the source of cold. It took a little while to move them all, and to put them all back in the exact order he wanted, before he turned toward the window. He had been gathering dried wood, hay and grass for a couple of days now, and he promptly put himself to work, using all of it to seal the hole and cut the cold wind from coming in.

After half an hour of placing, pressing and strengthening his seal, he was happy with the sight of a stuffed window.

Walking toward his nest, he thought about Hermione. The human that smelled of death was bad, there was no doubt in his mind, but he had been here since the beginning and no humans were harmed. Though there was still the fact that he had smelled him on the troll.

For the umpteenth time, he cursed his lack of human skills. He wanted to warn Hermione, but couldn't do it. He told himself that he would have to learn more once his long sleep over.

Yawning, he curled around himself, laying on his comfortable pile of coins, ready to sleep.

The end of the day had come, and Shimmer still hadn't come back.

Hermione was in tears, sobbing, sitting on her bed with Parvati trying to cheer her up, without success. Hermione was constantly remembering her last words to Shimmer, the little slap she gave him, and how angry he had been.

How could she not blame herself? He even told her bye-bye. She knew he probably went to hibernate, but she was crying over the possibility that he may have left for good.

She didn't know what she would do without her best friend.

AN:

Hi! Valexto at the keyboard!

Its been a while, hasn't it? Yeah, two years.

Ouch.

Really, really sorry for not updating since last time. Life took its way, I came back to my home country, had a grandfather dying, and simply moving on. I forgot about the story for quite some time, but I've started going back to my stories and my writings in general. So, I don't know when the next update will be, but you won't have to wait two more years for the next chapter, this I swear.

I hope you enjoyed this one, our little Shimmer is going for quite the nap. While Hermione will not have the happiest of Christmas.

See you soon!