Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.
Last Chapter I made a mistake with the Hippogriff. I have only noticed it a few hours after posting (I reread the chapter before posting countless times, but still missed it) but I didn't want to post a new chapter notice out. I apologize for the mistake.
Eragon descended from Saphira, exhausted. To his surprise, someone was already waiting for them.
"Niduen? What are you doing here?" Eragon asked, taken aback.
"I wanted to check on you," Niduen smiled, but her eyes widened as Saphira pushed Eragon aside, causing him to fall to the ground.
"Saphira! What's the meaning of this?!" Eragon exclaimed angrily, but she remained undeterred. She advanced toward Niduen, spreading her wings and baring her teeth. The elf took a frightened step back.
"Why are you here, elf?" Saphira growled, showing her teeth.
Niduen swallowed. It was the first time Saphira addressed her personally.
"I wanted to see Eragon. I heard what Vanir said to Eragon in the training grounds, Bjartskular."
Saphira lowered her head, her blue eyes scrutinizing Niduen suspiciously.
"You're not telling the truth. Speak why you're really here, elf, of the House Tarmunora."
Niduen's face paled, and her hands trembled. "And what if I refuse?"
Again, a growl emanated from Saphira's throat. "Then I expect you to stay away from Eragon or you will be burned. I don't want Eragon to get hurt."
Niduen clenched her fists and squared her shoulders. "I have no intention of doing so," she said loudly.
Eragon, standing awkwardly beside Saphira, looked confused as he observed the tense interaction between dragon and elf.
"Niduen? Are you talking to Saphira?" Eragon asked tentatively.
The elf didn't take her eyes off Saphira. "Yes, we're just having a heart-to-heart talk between us two women."
Eragon frowned. "What does that mean?"
"That's none of your concern," Saphira said simply, withdrawing from his mind.
"So, elf. Tell me the truth."
"Because he interests me," Niduen confessed, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"As a Dragon Rider?" Saphira demanded.
Niduen shook her head. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Initially, yes."
Saphira growled, but Niduen raised her arms in a placating gesture. She turned to Eragon, whose blue eyes looked at her with concern.
"No one has ever looked at me like that," Niduen said softly. "Eragon is a Dragon Rider, yes, but he's more than that. I want to find out who he truly is, as a human and as a Dragon Rider."
Saphira snorted, releasing a grey smoke from her nostrils that hovered over the elf's head.
"There are elves who say being human is a weakness."
"And I say they're wrong," Niduen argued with conviction.
Saphira stared at Niduen for several long moments. Finally, she folded her wings and withdrew her head.
"You may stay, Niduen," Saphira said. "Whatever happens between you and Eragon, I won't interfere. But if you intentionally harm him... then my entire wrath will be upon you."
Niduen put her hand on her hip and gripped her wooden flute. "I won't hurt Eragon, Bjartskular," she said in the ancient language, feeling the truth of her words resonating within her.
Saphira turned away and spread her wings. "We shall see, Niduen. And call me Saphira; you'll likely be around more often."
Niduen's eyes sparkled, and she nodded happily. "I will... Saphira."
Eragon still stared at them, bewildered. "Where are you going, Saphira?" he asked, and finally, Saphira opened her mind to his.
"I'm going hunting with Artemis. I'll see you later, Eragon, and don't be a fool."
With these words, Saphira bid them farewell and flew into the sky.
Eragon watched her for a moment. "I'm sorry, Niduen. Is everything alright? What did Saphira say?"
Niduen gave him a hesitant smile. "Perhaps I'll tell you one day, but for now, it remains between Saphira and me."
Eragon raised an eyebrow. "I'm her Dragon Rider."
"I know," she said, intertwining her arm with Eragon's, who looked at her in astonishment.
"Come, Eragon. I want to hear about your day. How are you coping with Oromis and Glaedr's training?" she asked, leading Eragon to his hut.
Eragon was just more confused. What was happening here?
Harry was outside his home, nestled between two large trees. He flexed his muscles and dug deep into the earth with a shovel. He planted his foot on the metal and leveraged the soil out of the ground.
He looked up towards the treetops and sighed. The sun still shone above the trees, its golden rays filtering through the dense leaves and branches of the forest, landing on his back. He had taken off his shirt and enjoyed the evening sun on his skin.
Droplets of sweat gathered on his forehead, dripping into Harry's eyes, causing them to sting. He surveyed his work with a satisfied smile. Before him lay a small rectangular bed, which he had dug out of the earth with his bare hands and shovel.
The soil beneath his fingers was damp and sticky, and the smell of fresh earth filled his nose.
"Are you finished?" Artemis asked, lying beside him. She eyed her dirty claw suspiciously, with which she had dug up the strip of land and broken the earth to ease Harry's work. Behind her, a young eagle's head peeked out, nestled against her.
Harry nodded as he continued to work on the sides. "I think so. It was hard work, but it will be worth it. I just wish I had paid more attention to Herbology back then. There must have been a simple spell to dig up the earth."
Artemis heard the sound of footsteps and turned her head to the side. She snorted, releasing a cloud of smoke over the meadow, which ended at Arya and Lily's feet.
"We have visitors."
Lily's eyes lit up, and she tore herself away from Arya and moved to Artemis, while Arya took a deep breath when she saw Harry. Though his upper body was still pale from the winter months, the first signs of a tan appeared on his skin. His tousled hair clung to his head and ran down his back. The physical exertion had brought out Harry's muscles, which protruded beneath the shiny layer of sweat.
But why did he have so many scars on his back, she thought with a frown.
"Harry, what are you working on?" she asked, watching intently as he prepared the edges of the bet.
"A bed for my plants," Harry replied, walking to the side of his house where he leaned the shovel. His wand lay in the open window. He took it in his hand, flicked it once towards the room, and a grey shirt flew out from inside.
Arya watched with dark eyes as Harry caught a shirt from the air and put it on.
He turned around with a grin, and his smile made her cheeks flush. She felt her heart beat faster as she turned away and looked at the many pots standing in the shade of the trees.
"What are you planning to do with all these plants?" she asked him, who pointed his wand at the pile of earth. The earth slowly rose from the ground until it hovered over the hole and then he let it fall until the earth filled it completely.
"Well, Oromis gave us a fireweed sapling. But since I didn't have a place to plant it yet, I thought it was time to plant a bed outside the door," Harry explained.
"What do you need the herb for, Uncle Harry?" Lily asked, sitting on the ground in front of Artemis and stroking the griffin's feathers with one hand.
"Lily, you must know that dragons are incredible creatures, but there are certain things I wish I had known before becoming a Dragon Rider," Harry said with a grin.
"Harry," Artemis growled warningly.
Arya raised an elegant eyebrow and looked expectantly at Harry, while Lily's eyes widened.
Harry counted off on his fingers. "For example, dragons are extremely nit-picking about their scales. Then I also have to keep searching between their teeth for scraps of food, and I promise you, Lily, you haven't smelled anything worse than a dragon's breath."
"Oh, that's what the fireweed is for!" Lily exclaimed, turning to Artemis. "It's for your bad breath!"
Artemis growled loudly, raising her head towards Harry and spewing a white flame in his direction, causing Harry's eyes to widen, but the flame stopped a few meters in front of him.
"Artemis!"
The white dragon didn't even blink. "I warned you, Harry! Besides, my fire would never have reached you. I know what I'm capable of."
"Also, you shouldn't be teaching Lily bad habits," Artemis grumbled. "We dragons do not have bad breath," she said, wrinkling her nose.
"Of course not," Harry said, rolling his eyes. Suddenly, he had an idea as he glanced at Lily. He knelt down and stretched his hands out wide.
"Please forgive me, oh Dragon Queen!" he called out, looking up at Lily who stared at him in confusion. However, a wide grin soon spread across her face.
She wrinkled her nose and looked down at Harry disdainfully. "There's no mercy for scoundrels like you! There's only the possibility of how you can pay for your sins!"
Harry stood up nervously. "I thank you, Queen Lily, I thank you very much! What must I do to fall into your graces?"
Meanwhile, Arya had sat down on a nearby tree stump, watching the spectacle with an amused smile. Lily giggled quietly, looking back and forth between her uncle and Artemis.
Finally, Lily stood up and pointed her hand at Harry. "You want to know how to escape your punishment, scoundrel?" Lily's grey eyes sparkled with joy.
Harry nodded eagerly. "Yes! I'll do anything!"
"Anything?" Lily asked, looking down at Harry condescendingly. He nodded, but something in Lily's eyes betrayed her, and he took a step back.
"Then burn!" she exclaimed, and an evil laugh escaped from her.
Harry decided it was time to get out of harm's way. With a determined look in Arya's direction, he took a deep breath and ran towards her.
"Arya, please! You're my only hope against the evil Dragon Queen!" he cried out as he stumbled through the grass, trying to hide behind her.
Arya grinned and elegantly leapt off her place on the tree stump. "Oh no, Harry, you can defend yourself against Lily just fine!" she called out, beginning to run in a wide circle around Artemis.
"That's Dragon Queen Lily to you!" Lily called out angrily.
Lily then turned to Harry. "Stop! Your queen commands you to halt!" Lily called out, giggling.
"No!" Harry cried out, when Lily started chasing after him. "Arya, I can't take on the Evil Queen alone! I need your help!"
Arya glanced over her shoulder as she ran away from him. "Oh, no. This battle is hopeless. I won't help you!" she called out with a grin.
Lily was laughing as she chased after them in circles, but then had an idea. If she kept chasing them like this, she would never catch up. But what stopped her from simply stopping? After all, they were fleeing from her in circles.
With a mischievous grin, Lily hid behind Arya's flank and jumped out when she heard Arya's laughter.
"I got you!" Lily called out, and Arya stopped with a bright smile in front of her. Unfortunately, Harry saw it too late, and he collided with Arya, both falling to the ground on top of each other. At the last moment, Harry managed to twist them so that he landed underneath her.
"Aagh!" they both exclaimed as they landed on the grass. For a moment, they just lay there, both surprised by the sudden collision.
Harry felt Arya's weight above him, her body so close that he could feel her breath on his skin. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked into her sparkling eyes, which looked at him with surprise and something else - something that made his heart beat faster. The scent of pine needles surrounded him, and he could hear the soft rustle of her clothing as she slowly sat up.
Their eyes met, and everything else seemed to fade away. He could feel his heart racing as he looked into Arya's eyes, noticing the warmth and tenderness that shone in them. She had just landed in his arms, and her hands were resting lightly on his chest while he held her at the waist.
"Thank you for the gentle landing," Arya whispered softly, her eyes fixed on Harry's green gaze.
"You're welcome," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel her energy radiating towards him, and he felt powerless to resist it.
As they stood there, lost in each other's gaze, Harry began to feel as though he was being drawn in by Arya's eyes. It was like they were leading him into the depths of the forest, promising a secret within its shadows. Slowly, he lifted his hand and brushed a black lock of her hair away from her face, feeling an electric sensation course through his body as his finger touched her soft skin.
Arya smiled warmly, but then a hint of uncertainty appeared in her eyes, and she pulled away from Harry slightly.
It was precisely the moment when Lily jumped out and landed with all her weight on Harry's stomach.
"Oof," grunted Harry, glancing aside as something wet brushed against his cheek. It was the tongue of the young griffin, looking down at Harry.
Lily raised her arms and grinned. "I won!"
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you sure about that?"
Lily frowned, but her eyes widened as Harry began to tickle her. Lily laughed loudly and kicked her feet, something Harry should have expected.
"Oh," said Harry as Lily hit him right where it hurt the most.
Arya winced sympathetically.
"Harry, are you okay?" Arya asked while scratching Artemis between the eyes, something the dragon greatly enjoyed, as a deep satisfied hum emanated from her throat.
Arya stepped back as Artemis opened her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. "Well, that was the end of the Potter line," she yawned.
Harry, sitting on the ground with his legs spread apart, looked at her sternly. "A little sympathy wouldn't hurt," he grumbled at her.
"Oh, terribly sorry," Artemis said with an eye roll. "Should I make you a daisy chain to cheer you up?"
Harry flopped backwards onto the ground. "Why is my dragon so sassy?" He looked up at her from the ground. "Did you wake up on the wrong wing today or something?"
Artemis didn't respond. It was only after a few seconds that she said softly, "I had a nightmare."
Harry sat up. "A nightmare?" he asked loudly.
"Who had a nightmare?" Arya asked, following his gaze. "You, Artemis?"
Artemis looked down humbly, watching as two red ants scurried past on the ground when suddenly Arya grabbed her cheeks and held her gaze.
"Every being experiences nightmares. That's perfectly normal," Arya said gently, looking into Artemis's eyes.
Artemis blew warm air towards Arya, causing her hair to flutter. "I'm a dragon. I shouldn't have nightmares in my sleep."
Harry stood beside Arya and tapped Artemis on the forehead with his fingernail.
"And who said dragons aren't allowed to be afraid? Do you remember how you felt back when we were on our way to Yazuac? When you were trapped in that storm?"
"Helpless. Powerless. Vulnerable." Harry tapped her on the forehead with each word.
"You can only be brave if you face your fears. But to do that, you must know what your fear is and admit that it's a part of you," Harry said to Artemis, while Arya and even Lily listened attentively.
Harry slowly stroked her scales. "You're so brave, Artemis... You've faced every danger so far. Don't let your dreams overpower you."
"We will talk about this later, alright?" he told her through their bond.
Artemis slowly nodded her head up and down and nudged Harry with her head.
Even Lily approached her and gave her a tight hug. "My mother always says that nightmares go away on their own when we don't feel alone. And nothing dispels the feeling of loneliness as much as a hug from someone who loves you."
Artemis closed her eyes and conveyed her gratitude to all three of them.
"Thank you, Flower," she said to Lily, who slowly released her. "Your hugs are far better than Harry's," she said with a grin.
Harry threw his hands up in the air and turned toward the house. "Oi! Is today 'Let's Make Fun of Harry Day'?"
He stomped away, and they heard him continue ranting inside the house until he was gradually drowned out by Lily's giggles.
Artemis stood up and spread her wings.
"Where are you going?" Arya asked, surprised.
"I'm meeting with Saphira. We're going hunting," Artemis said, tossing her head from side to side to loosen her muscles after lying down for so long.
"Alright. Just be careful not to do it near the elves," Arya cautioned.
Artemis nodded. "We know. It was one of the first things Glaedr explained to us."
She flexed her leg muscles and leapt through an opening between the branches, flying away.
Arya watched her for a moment before turning to Lily and taking her hand.
"Come on, Lily. Let's see what your godfather is up to," she said to Lily.
They found themselves back in Harry's trunk, and Arya couldn't help but shake her head. Dozens of books flew around like birds, landing on the table in the centre of the hall. Glass vials filled with various potion ingredients were stacked on the other side. It was utter chaos.
Arya had to duck as a book from the ceiling of the hall went into a dive, zooming over their heads. Lily and her Griffin took the flying objects as a challenge and ran around, trying to dodge them.
Ahead of them stood Harry, moving his wand in circular motions. A towel was draped over his shoulders, and his hair was still slightly damp. Drops of water fell from his hair onto his shoulders.
Right. His hair, Arya thought slowly.
It looked as though he had just run his hand through it, arranging it in a way that now Arya knew there was no hope of making it look groomed even after a bath.
She shook her head and approached him. He smelled good. Too good. "You washed yourself," Arya smirked amusedly.
Harry grinned as well. "A certain someone never misses a chance to tell me I'm dirty."
That stupid grin of his, she thought.
Arya lightly nudged him with her shoulder. "That someone sounds very reasonable to me."
Harry shook his head slightly, still smiling. "I know. She means a lot to me too."
There was a warm glow in Arya's eyes as she looked at Harry. "You mean a lot to me too, Harry. Very much."
For a moment, there was a silence between them that said so much more than words ever could.
The silence was interrupted by Lily, who called loudly to her Griffin. "Moony, wait for me!"
Harry turned away from Arya with a red face and awkwardly coughed into his hand.
"I didn't think Lily would call him Moony of all things," Harry said.
"Why?" Arya asked. "Wasn't he a good friend of Sirius and your father? I guess she did it precisely because of that. To feel closer to her father and honour one of his friends."
"That's true. I suppose Sirius told her some stories about his old school days," Harry sighed, then he turned to Arya with shining eyes.
"Have you ever flown, Arya?"
Arya looked at him strangely. "You should know, Harry. After all, I flew with Artemis and you to Ellesméra."
Harry moved his hand to his forehead. "That's right," he said softly. "I must have forgotten."
Then he held out his arm to Arya, who tilted her head. "But you haven't flown on a Griffin yet, have you?"
Arya's eyes widened. "No, I haven't. Do you think they would do that?"
Her heart trembled with excitement.
Harry shrugged. "Griffins are very shy, but they can sense who they're dealing with. They know we're good friends, and I believe there's at least one who would fly with you."
A wide grin spread across Arya's face, and she hooked her arm under Harry's. She pulled him along with her, who followed her laughing.
Outside, the Griffins were already waiting for them, flapping their wings. Harry approached first and stroked one with brown feathers through its plumage.
Arya stood in front of the Griffins, who looked at her suspiciously. But eventually, the largest of them moved forward toward her. He stopped in front of her and scratched the ground with his front feet.
"Ask him if he'll fly with you," Harry called to her.
Arya nodded and stared into the Griffin's yellow eyes, which challenged her.
"Will you let me fly with you?" Arya asked, and the Griffin took a step toward her with one foot.
Arya had a bad feeling about this and took a step back until Harry rode the brown-feathered griffin towards her.
"Do not move, Arya. He won't harm you."
"That's easy for you to say," she growled and heard a clicking sound. Arya could swear the Griffin was laughing at her.
Once again, the Griffin stepped towards her, and this time Arya stood still. When he was right in front of her, he lowered his head next to hers and nuzzled her.
His black feathers brushed against her face, and finally, the Griffin gently nipped at her ear.
Then he pulled back and nodded his head toward his body.
"Climb up onto his back, just be careful not to pluck out any feathers. He doesn't like that," Harry said.
Arya did as instructed and hoisted herself onto his back. Her legs dangled down on either side of the Griffin.
She heard a screech and saw Harry's Griffin rear up on its hind legs and run past them.
Suddenly, a panicked thought struck Arya. "Harry! Where do I hold on?" she called out to him.
"Wrap your arms around his neck!" Harry shouted back, and she watched as Harry's Griffin spread its wings and lifted off the ground.
It seemed Arya's Griffin was done with waiting. She felt his muscles move underneath her as he tensed his legs, and she quickly wrapped her arms around his lower neck as the Griffin took off in a gallop.
"Who's making all this noise?" asked an annoyed voice. Lily jumped in the air in surprise when she heard the unfamiliar voice. She looked around but could only see Moony.
"Did you speak?" she asked her familiar, but he shook his head.
"Who's there?" the voice asked again. Lily turned around once more but couldn't see anyone.
"Here, you brat!" a voice hissed angrily. Lily's round eyes narrowed like those of a cat as she followed the voice. She stopped in front of a painting covered with a black cloth. She hesitantly grabbed the cloth with her hand and pulled it off forcefully. The cloth fluttered to the ground, revealing a painting. She stared at it in disbelief.
"Are you the one making all that noise?" she asked with feigned innocence.
Arcturus closed his eyes and counted silently to ten. It wasn't her fault that she was a child. It definitely wasn't her fault that she was getting on his nerves with her first words that left her mouth. She couldn't know what a cynical old coot he was.
"Yes, I was the one who called you," Arcturus said gruffly, looking down at Lily.
"You can really speak!" she exclaimed, shocked, as she looked into the storm-grey eyes of the old man. Arcturus's eyes widened as he looked more closely at the child. She was definitely an elf, but her features... She resembled Melania so much.
"What's your name, child?" he asked.
"Lily," she replied shortly.
Arcturus sighed. "Your full name."
Lily put her hands on her hips. "Then you should have said so. I have many names," Lily said, counting on her fingers.
"My name is usually Lily, but Rhunön has called me brat a few times, which I consider a success. My grandmother calls me Liliana when I annoy her, and my mother calls me Liliana Black when she's mad at me." Lily shuddered, as if she were remembering something terrible. Moony came to her side and tucked his head under her arm.
Before Arcturus could open his mouth, Lily continued quickly, "My father sometimes calls me his little storm-cloud. What's your name?"
Arcturus's eyes looked at Lily's, whose eyes had the same colour as his storm-grey eyes.
"My name is Arcturus Black, young lady," Arcturus said, straightening up in his painting. "So, you're a Black... I suppose my grandson, Sirius Black, is your father?"
Lily's eyes widened into large orbs. She nodded silently.
Arcturus's normally cold face, covered with wrinkles and memories of a fulfilled life, showed a rare emotion: He smiled.
"Then you're my great-granddaughter. You look very much like my wife. You have the same nose and chin. At least the idiot accomplished one thing," he muttered into his old white beard.
Arcturus needed a moment, and he breathed deeply in and out. Then he furrowed his brow as he saw Lily's desperate face.
Lily put her hands in front of her face, and her lips trembled up and down as if an earthquake were imminent.
"What's wrong, child?" he asked uncertainly.
Lily knelt down and held her head desperately in her arms.
"I don't want to end up like this!" she cried, sobbing.
Arcturus looked down at Lily, dumbfounded. Why couldn't children express themselves more clearly?
"By Merlin's beard, what are you talking about?" Lily looked at Arcturus with her tearful face and pointed with a trembling hand at his painting.
"I don't want to end up as a painting! I-I still have so much to do," she said with a trembling voice, counting again with her fingers. "I wanted to eat the cake Uncle Harry told me about, and then I wanted to participate in the Agaetí Blödhren, and then explore Alagaёsia with Moony!"
She looked at Arcturus, distraught, while he, to his own surprise, waited patiently. Meanwhile, Moony looked at Arcturus with angry eyes and clacked his beak several times, as if to say, 'Look what you've done, you fool! Apologize immediately!'
"Is that all?" he asked slowly.
Lily nodded, rubbing her nose and letting her shoulders slump dejectedly.
"You truly are your father's daughter," Arcturus sighed and continued. "You probably would have become a Gryffindor just like him... You won't turn into a painting, Lily. Not today, not ever. You are not cursed."
"Really?" Lily sniffed. Her eyes sparkled with hope.
He gestured around him. "This painting was enchanted before my death, that's the only reason I can still speak to you, child."
Lily stared at Arcturus in disbelief. "My father said our family was cursed. A-Are you sure I won't turn into a painting?"
Arcturus nodded. "No, there is no curse," he said, adding quietly so Lily couldn't hear, "Except for the foolishness that has plagued our family for decades."
Lily beamed. "Thank goodness you're already dead! Becoming a painting would have been an absolute nightmare for me."
Arcturus tilted his head to the side like a curious animal.
"Then I'm glad to dispel your fears with my death," he said, smiling.
Lily looked embarrassed as she stood up straight again. She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.
"Sorry you're already so dead, Grandfather," she said as she stood up.
Arcturus snorted. "It's been several years since I died. At least, I think so, because I didn't see it happen. So, I've gotten used to my death," Arcturus said and stared after the girl who was now looking at everything carefully.
"Even death can't hold children's attention for long," he chuckled.
"Granddaughter!" Arcturus called out, and Lily turned to him again.
"What? And call me Lily, Grandfather. I do have a name, you know," Lily said, crossing her arms.
Arcturus made a face. "But it's not a proper name for a Black! For generations, every wizard and witch in our family has been given a name related to the stars," Arcturus said, raising his eyebrows.
"You shouldn't be named after a Muggle-born!"
Lily furrowed her brow. "Who do you mean?"
"Are you saying you don't know that you were named after Lily Potter?" His grey eyes peered over his hooked nose at Lily, who looked at him in surprise.
"Lily... Potter," Lily murmured. Her eyes widened. "Is this Lily related to Uncle Harry?"
Arcturus snorted. "Of course! Lily Potter was his mother."
Lily stared at Arcturus with her mouth open. "I'm named after Harry's mum?"
Arcturus rolled his eyes. "I just said so! Now listen carefully, because I'm going to teach you what it means to be a Black!"
Lily still stared at Arcturus and only listened absently.
Arya was happy. They were flying together over the small forest, a few miles beyond the stream.
Harry flew ahead of her and turned around for a moment. "Follow me!"
And with those words, Harry's griffin descended and flew into the sea of trees below them. Arya and her griffin watched them for a moment as it turned its head towards her, looking challengingly.
"After them," Arya called out, holding on tight as the griffin also plunged towards the forest. The trees grew closer and closer together, forming a dense thicket of green leaves. The branches brushed against Arya's cheeks as they flew through the dense forest at breathtaking speed.
As they followed Harry's griffin's flight, the trees flickered past them like green shadows.
Arya felt a tingle of excitement in her stomach as they moved through the dense forest. Gradually, the trees began to thin out, and the sun rays filtered through the leaves hovering above them.
The forest was opening up, and the sky above them was widening. With one final powerful flap of their wings, they flew out of the dense canopy of leaves and entered the open sky.
Finally, her griffin screeched one last time as they landed, and Arya dismounted with a bright smile. She walked in front of the griffin, which lowered its head for her, and she stroked its beak and the sides of its head with her hand.
"And how was it?" Arya heard a familiar voice behind her.
She turned around and saw Harry standing in front of her, a broad grin on his face. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his hair was even more tousled by the wind than before.
"It was incredible," Arya said with a wide grin that split her face in two. She stepped towards him and surprised Harry when she threw her arms around his neck.
"Thank you, Harry," Arya murmured into his neck. Harry smiled into her hair, and Arya felt his arms wrap around her, holding her tightly.
He leaned into her embrace, allowing the comfort she offered to wash over him.
"You don't need to thank me for anything," he said, and Arya pulled away from him. She looked into his face and could see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" Arya asked.
Harry looked at her confused. "Yeah, why do you ask?"
"I heard about your fight with Vanir. It's good that you and Eragon didn't respond to his provocations."
She gave him an amused look. "Especially since I know your temper. The dwarves weren't too thrilled with you back when we were in Farthen Dûr. Why did you hold back this time?"
Harry walked slowly by her side. "I guess as a Dragon Rider, I can't afford to have such a bad reputation, can I?"
Arya gave him a sharp look.
"Alright," Harry said, looking ahead. "I didn't want to make the same mistake as with the dwarves. I don't think it would sit well with your people if the new Dragon Rider, who is somewhat related to the Royal Family, behaves like a clumsy idiot. And..." Harry hesitated.
"And?" Arya asked softly.
"I didn't want our friendship to suffer," Harry admitted quietly.
They were now standing at the entrance to the hall. "I appreciate that, Harry." She stood in front of him and took both of his hands in hers.
"But please don't think that I would jeopardize our friendship over a... heated dispute with an idiot. You mean more to me than that."
Harry snorted amusedly, but Arya tightened her grip on his hands.
"Did you understand that? I don't want you to pretend who you are because of me," Arya said, looking at him with a serious expression.
"Alright," he said, but then he smirked at her.
"You know, Arya, you really can pull off that expression that makes me feel like I'm a little boy again," Harry said, grinning.
"What?!" She furrowed her eyebrows.
Harry nodded, laughing. "Exactly like that!" he confirmed.
She gave him an intense look and then turned away. But soon after, she stubbornly held out her hand, while still looking away. Harry hesitated for a moment, before finally reaching out and taking her hand in his own, his fingers gently enveloping hers.
Together they walked to Lily, who was still sitting in front of Arcturus' painting.
"And as soon as you're 13, Harry will take care of a marriage contract for you," Arcturus said, and Lily grimaced.
"No way!" She turned her head and looked at Harry with wide eyes. "Please tell me what Grandfather said isn't true! I don't want to marry someone I don't know," Lily said, challenging her godfather.
Harry groaned inwardly. His head was hurting him again. "Hold on, Lily. What nonsense did Arcturus tell you?"
"That all Blacks enter into a marriage contract at the age of 13," Lily explained, quickly adding, "But I don't want to!"
Harry sighed. "You won't have to marry anyone, Lily. Neither I nor your father will ever force you to do something like that. Besides I was told that elves do not marry."
Lily let out a relieved breath and hugged Harry. "Thank you, Uncle Harry!"
He stroked her head with his free hand. Harry then looked at Arcturus, who was staring at him with a red face.
"What do you think you're doing, Potter? It's the Black family tradition-"
"And I don't care," Harry said in a determined tone. "Sirius didn't flee to my grandparents for no reason. He wanted to escape from this entire family, not just his mother, and I certainly won't allow these traditions to continue."
Arcturus reared up in his painting. "You are the Lord of my house! You can't simply ignore our traditions as if they never existed!"
Harry shrugged. "Traditions that involves putting down those who are not pure bloods? Exploiting or even torturing them?"
He shook his head. "I want nothing to do with such traditions!"
Foam foamed at Arcturus' mouth. "I knew it! I knew your mother tainted your blood too much! You are not worthy of being Lord Black!"
"Shut up!" Arya cried out angrily, clutching Harry's hand. "You have no idea what it means to be worthy! You talk about blood, but you have no heart!"
Arcturus' painting shook with anger. "How dare you-"
But Arya had had enough. She stepped resolutely in front of the painting, dragging Harry with her, and fixed Arcturus with a piercing gaze. "Listen to me, Arcturus Black. Harry may not have the purity of blood you so desire, but he has something you will never have – a good heart. He is strong and brave, and he stands for what he believes in!"
Something inside her reared up. It was a power, but she had felt the same when she fought against Durza and Nott.
She waved her hand in front of the painting, and Arcturus Black fell silent. He couldn't even move anymore.
Arya took a deep breath and turned to Harry and Lily, who were looking at her with wide eyes.
"Wow," Lily said, and Moony clicked his beak next to her as if to say, 'Well done!'
"Incredible," Harry said, his eyes darkening. "You're truly brilliant, Arya! But how did you do that without using the ancient language?" Harry asked, surprised. "Wait, Islanzadí did something similar!" Harry remembered.
"I've also seen Grandmother Del do that!" Lily chimed in.
Arya shook her head, staring at Harry with a pale face. "Harry... I didn't use the ancient language!"
Harry, Lily, and Moony simultaneously dropped their jaws... or in Moony's case, his beak.
"What?!"
Urû'baen
There was nothing to be heard but the steady dripping of water, trickling through the cracks in the stones and falling from the ceiling into a bucket of water. The floor in front of Murtagh was damp and slimy. From the corners of the walls, a spider crawled slowly in front of him. The spider was large as his hand, yet it wouldn't live long. He knew that.
From his shadow leapt a red figure, catching the spider with its mouth. The legs wriggled between its teeth. There was a single crack, and the dragon emerged with its head held high, placing the spider before Murtagh on the ground.
"Well done, Thorn," Murtagh praised, stroking his dragon's head. Thorn nudged the spider in Murtagh's direction and looked at him with his red eyes, gleaming like rubies.
"I think he wants you to eat it," Nott murmured from the cell next to Murtagh.
Murtagh smiled weakly. "Thank you, Thorn, but I still have some food," he whispered, holding his slice of bread up to the light. Mould was already forming on the side of the slice.
Thorn chirped sadly and laid his head on Murtagh's lap. Murtagh tilted his head upward and stared at the wall when suddenly the door to the dungeon burst open.
Murtagh didn't move, yet his eyes were filled with hatred as he saw the Ra'zac.
They stood in the darkness outside his cell, staring at him and Thorn. Their black eyes, as large as a man's fist, glared at them.
"Another traitor hasss hatched," hissed the smaller Ra'zac. The larger Ra'zac opened its beak, revealing a long, lilac tongue with barbs. Thorn chirped threateningly.
"Ssshould we kill it?"
The smaller one clicked its beak and opened Murtagh's cell door, stepping inside. Murtagh took Thorn protectively in his arms. "Disappear, you monsters! I will kill you before you can harm Thorn!"
The Ra'zac clicked its beak again, sounding like laughter.
"We are not here becaussse of you, young Dragon Rider," said the larger Ra'zac, pulling something behind them into the light.
As he held it up, Murtagh recognized what it was. Or rather, who it was.
It was a young woman with copper-coloured hair. She wore a long dress that reached her knees, torn in places, and her arms were covered in dozens of bruises. Her eyes were covered by a white, dirty cloth.
The Ra'zac threw her at Murtagh's side on the floor, and the smaller Ra'zac chained her legs.
The Ra'zac stood up and locked the cell behind them. They left behind a nauseating stench of rotting flesh and a biting burnt smell that brought tears to Murtagh's eyes. It smelled of brimstone.
He rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the Ra'zac were gone. There was nothing to be heard but the soft breathing of Thorn and the woman's sobbing.
Thank you for reading and I hope you like it!
If anyone has ideas what Harry and Artemis could make as gifts for the Agaetí Blödhren, please tell me about them. At the moment I have close to no idea what they should do, because I vaguely remember that the gifts were supposed to be done without magic.
As I said, any ideas are welcome!