Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.

Edit 11-03-25: This Chapter was edited by TheDarkRanger1160. This Chapter would not have turned out as well, without your help, thank you!

Any mistakes that remain are my own.

The dragon is the OC tagged for this story.

The next morning, Harry watched in rapt attention as the dragon bounced around the small room, eyeing several of his items with curiosity. As the dragon playfully nudged a stack of books with its snout, Harry couldn't help but recall his training sessions with Tonks.

Tonks, like all the members of the Black family, possessed a fiery spirit and wielded her wand with wild determination. However, her only weakness was maintaining her balance, often taking one foot at a time to avoid getting tangled in a mess of limbs.

As if sensing Harry's amusement, the dragon appeared to possess a deep understanding, almost as if it shared in the very memories that flooded his mind. With closed wings, it gracefully tipped over to him and, with a powerful leap, aimed for his lap. Harry's well-honed reflexes kicked in, a remnant of his days as a Seeker at Hogwarts, and he snatched the dragon out of the air before it shot past him.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry marvelled at the creature now nestled in his lap. Its vibrant white scales shimmered in the soft morning light, and its eyes gleamed with a mix of intelligence and playfulness. The connection between them seemed to deepen with every passing moment, allowing Harry to sense the dragon's emotions and intentions.

Still overwhelmed by the extraordinary bond they shared; Harry couldn't help but be amazed. Never before had he experienced such a profound connection with a magical creature. It was as if their thoughts and emotions were intertwined, creating an unspoken understanding that transcended words.

Noticing the hunger emanating from the dragon, Harry's attention shifted to its needs.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. He felt the intensity of the dragon's hunger through their connection, and his heart swelled with a desire to care for the magnificent creature before him.

To his astonishment, the dragon appeared to comprehend his words. It eagerly nodded its small head, a gesture of eagerness.

Carefully cradling the dragon in his arms, Harry rose from the bed and made his way towards the cupboard. The dragon's tail swayed gently up and down, displaying a mixture of excitement and trust. He got up with a smile and set the dragon down on the floor and grabbed some pieces of meat from his pantry. He cut them into edible sized chunks and laid the meat on the floor.

The dragon's keen senses detected the alluring scent of the meat, and its excitement became palpable. With a quick sniff of the air, it leaped forward, its eyes fixed on the tantalizing stripes of meat laid out before it.

Harry couldn't help but chuckle softly at the dragon's eagerness. It was clear that the creature's hunger had been building over the night, and the sight of the succulent meat heightened its anticipation.

As the dragon approached the plate, its movements were both graceful and swift. With each step, the dragon's powerful muscles flexed, ready to indulge in the nourishment that awaited it. Its eyes gleamed with hunger, reflecting its instinctual drive to feed.

With a gentle nudge from its snout, the dragon delicately picked up a piece of the meat and crunched it between its sharp teeth. The sound echoed in the kitchen, accompanied by the creature's satisfied rumble. It seemed to relish every bite, savouring the flavours that danced across its taste buds.

While the dragon continued to eat, Harry took a moment to reflect on the events that had led him to this point. He knew that their journey together would be filled with challenges and uncertainties, but he also felt an unshakeable determination to protect and nurture the dragon.

It was going to be difficult, but he was certain now that his future was no longer in Carvahall. At the latest, when the dragon was big enough that Harry couldn't hide it any more.

However, the question of where to go next weighed heavily on his mind. He contemplated the elves, knowing that they resided somewhere in the north. Yet, Brom's words echoed in his ears, reminding him that no human had encountered an elf in over a century. If the powerful Black King, Galbatorix, couldn't locate them, Harry understood that it would be a fruitless endeavour for him to try.

Similar doubts clouded his thoughts regarding the Varden. While rumours suggested that they were hidden near the Beor Mountains, Harry hesitated to involve himself in another war. He had witnessed enough destruction and loss during his years in Hogwarts, and the thought of fighting in yet another battle left him wary.

Lost in his internal deliberations, Harry was interrupted by the gentle touch of the dragon's tongue against his hand. Its expressive blue eyes met his gaze, drawing his attention to his own palm - there, etched into his skin, was the unmistakable symbol of the Gedwёy Ignasia - the mark of a Dragon Rider.

He had seen the symbol depicted in various books before and accidentally thought it was a rune. But Brom had enlightened him then, and there was no reason to doubt that he was a Dragon Rider now.

He sighed. There was only one person he knew in all of Carvahall who might know something about dragons. Harry had not spoken to Brom in months, but he was determined to bring Brom to his home, even if it meant grasping him firmly by the collar and dragging him along.

Withdrawing his wand from the confines of his robe's sleeve, Harry endeavoured to cast protective wards, only to be met with a disheartening realization – his efforts yielded no discernible effect.

An overwhelming wave of disappointment engulfed him, leaving Harry standing there with a lingering sense of his magic remaining inactive and unresponsive. However, deep within himself, he detected a glimmer of light, a skill he had acquired through his practice of Occlumency.

Even though Harry's proficiency in this area was less than stellar, he could perceive a faint spark within him. It resembled a feeble glow, struggling against the darkness that resided within. As he reached out to grasp this spark, he encountered a formidable barrier, a force that vehemently hindered his progress.

He withdrew himself, glancing over at the slumbering dragon, Harry couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and curiosity. While he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for his magic acting wayward, he couldn't help but wonder if the bond he shared with the dragon played a role in this unexpected turn of events.

Shaking his head slightly, Harry realized that dwelling on the cause wouldn't yield immediate answers. He had important matters to attend to in the village, and his priority was to ensure the safety of the dragon during his absence.

He could sense from the connection that the dragon was getting sleepy, which immediately made himself comfortable on Harry's bed.

He reached into his pocket and retrieved a smooth rune stone, its surface etched with ancient markings. Carefully, he placed the stone on the floor, its presence a reminder of the latent power he still possessed.

Tracing the intricate pattern of the rune with his finger, Harry focused his concentration. As he followed the pattern, he could almost sense a faint hum of energy, a connection to a different source of power.

ᛉ

"Algiz!"

With a practiced motion, Harry completed the tracing of the shielding rune. A surge of anticipation filled him as he awaited the rune's activation. His eyes shone happily, when the rune glowed softly, casting a subtle light onto the surrounding area. Though different from his wand magic, the runes offered him a glimpse of hope - a temporary solution to navigate through the challenges he faced.

Leaving the rune on the ground, which continued to pulse with a faint glow, Harry prepared to leave for Carvahall. He took one last look at the sleeping dragon, his gaze filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination.

He had to solve the mysteries surrounding the emergence of the egg for his own sake and that of the dragon.

Harry packed his backpack with goods to trade with the traders and closed the door quietly behind him with a soft click. A grimace etched across his face as a biting gust of wind swept through the surroundings, which caused the snowflakes to dance and swirl in front of him.

Harry was met with loud laughter as he approached the village. It reminded him of the few times his aunt Petunia had taken him to the market.

"Oh Harry. It is nice to see you," greeted Tara, the wife of Morn, the innkeeper of Carvahall.

Harry could only nod in greeting, for on his back he carried his large bag in which he kept his containers for the Diptam.

"Good morning, Tara. How's your husband? Is he still trying to replicate my recipe for the pastry?" Harry asked with a grin.

Tara gave him a big smile and started to chuckle.

"My husband is doing well. Even if he's still trying to figure out how to replicate your delicious recipes."

Harry shook his head, recalling the incident when he had prepared a special dinner for Gertrude, Horst, and their family as a token of gratitude for their assistance. The meal had evidently left a lasting impression on them because Morn had promptly appeared at Harry's doorstep the very next morning and demanded from Harry to prepare him the same meal.

Ever since then, Morn had been relentlessly striving to replicate Harry's recipes, much to Harry's delight. It amused him to no end that he persisted in requesting that Harry treat him to his culinary creations at least once every fortnight.

"I just don't understand why he just doesn't ask for help," Harry said with a frown.

Tara sighed.

"My husband is a very proud man, Harry. He took pride in providing Carvahall with the best meals," Tara said, and with a gentle sweep of her hand, she moved a strand of hair away from her face.

"Then you came along and for the first time in his life he had competition."

"That was never my intention," Harry responded with a frown.

"You misunderstand me, Harry. My husband has finally found pleasure in cooking again. Competing with you and experimenting with the many recipes has reignited a fire in him, for which I'm very grateful," Tara explained with a grateful smile.

Harry mumbled something unintelligible and ran a hand through his windblown hair.

"I must go back, but I hope to see you later, Harry," Tara said as she walked briskly to the tavern.

Harry, on the other hand, chose to walk in the opposite direction, making his way towards the merchants' camp. Inwardly, he hoped to find the man he was looking for.

He wandered around the busy vendor stalls; his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. Observing intently, he witnessed Garrow and Eragon vanish from sight as they slipped behind the concealment of a vendor's tarp.

Just before they disappeared behind the tarp, his attention was caught by an object nestled within Eragon's arms. It was swathed in a simple blanket, yet a small area remained exposed, revealing a glimpse of profound blue to Harry's keen eyes.

Harry arched an eyebrow, finding the situation rather peculiar. It struck him as unusual, since Garrow had never displayed any inclination towards purchasing jewellery or exhibited any indication of owning such items.

"Harry!" A familiar voice called out.

"Heinrich," Harry greeted the man with relief, and accepted his outstretched hand.

The man Harry encountered boasted a head adorned with dark brown locks. His physique was characterized by a lean build, showcasing a subtle strength in his frame.

"How were your travels?" Harry asked.

Heinrich sighed heavily. "It could be better, Harry. The way up here was very strenuous."

"In what way? Were you robbed?" Harry asked, concerned.

Heinrich chuckled heartily in response. "Robbed? Absolutely! We've had our fair share of such encounters. But, I dare say, it would be more entertaining to regale you with stories of the rare instances when we managed to escape such incidents unscathed."

Harry's expression shifted into a frown as he voiced his concern, "That doesn't sound good."

Heinrich shook his head. "Not at all. We have been ambushed several times by Urgals. I miss the times when they never dared to attack us," Heinrich murmured.

"But alas, those times are over," Heinrich sighed, gesturing to a silver axe leaning against a barrel.

After a moment of silence, Harry asked, "So it's true?"

At Heinrich's questioning glance, Harry quickly added, "The rumours about the Urgals."

"They're all true. Those monsters are a menace to us, Harry. I can't understand the king not doing anything about it."

Harry nodded absently and remained lost in his thoughts for several moments.

"So, how much do you want for each bottle?" Heinrich asked with an eager face.

Harry took a moment to sort himself out and finally responded with three crowns.

"Three?! Last time I paid five crowns for a jar of Diptam," Heinrich gushed in an incredulous voice.

"That's right. But I still have enough money saved, and you have given me a lot to think about," Harry answered and shrugged his shoulders.

Heinrich continued to stare at Harry in disbelief, and Harry left a very pleased trader a few minutes later.

Harry did not find Brom until the evening. He almost gave up and finally joined the others to watch the troubadours' spectacle.

But to Harry's surprise, he found Brom a few minutes later. The storyteller stepped forward and told the tale of the Dragon Riders' downfall.

A story that Brom has told him only once so far. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Eragon, Garrow's nephew, listening intently to the story.

Harry sat in his seat, waiting for Brom to finish his story, until the people left to go back to their homes and tents.

Brom started to move away with the other troubadours, but Harry quickly followed him.

"Brom!" Harry exclaimed, and the storyteller turned around.

His eyebrows drew together when he saw Harry.

He pointed his empty mug at Harry and snapped at him.

"What do you want, Harry? Have you finally decided to get your lazy ass up and do something?" Brom sneered at him.

"Nice to see you too, and I hope those were just the words of the alcohol that just came out of your filthy mouth," Harry countered.

But before Brom could open his mouth to reply, Harry took a step closer and grabbed him by his collar. He dragged a protesting drunk Brom with him until they were alone behind a tent.

"Shut up and listen for once in your life. Come to my house, something far-reaching has happened, and only you can help me."

Brom just looked at him questioningly, but when Harry showed him his hand, the old man dropped his beer mug in surprise. His eyes grew wide like Christmas balls, and he grabbed Harry's hand with trembling hands.

Brom slowly traced his thumb across Harry's Gedwёy Ignasia.

"How is that possible?" Brom whispered, looking absently into the shadows of the night.

"Stop daydreaming, Brom," Harry urged, and grabbed Brom by the shoulders.

"Come on!"

Brom stood there, utterly astounded, unable to believe what his eyes were telling him. His gaze locked onto the scene before him, disbelief etched across his face.

"How is that possible?" he repeated his earlier question to the room as his gaze fell on the enraged dragon.

"Before we ask ourselves how that can be possible. Any tips for calming a young, raging dragon?" Harry asked, who had his left hand wrapped in a cloth.

As soon as Harry had opened the door to his hut, the dragon leaped at him and bit into his hand.

Brom just laughed at him. "You shouldn't have left her alone. The first days are the most important to strengthen the bond with your dragon. So, no more leaving her alone for now!"

"And how exactly do you know that?" Harry inquired, his tone tinged with scepticism, as Brom continued to gaze in awe at the diminutive dragon. Meanwhile, the small creature fixed a piercing glare upon Harry, seemingly locked in an intense exchange of wills.

"I have been around, Harry," Brom answered vaguely.

Harry snorted inwardly. That answer reminded him heavily of Dumbledore.

He carefully went to his pantry and pulled out some meat. He placed the bowl at his feet, and the dragon just snorted, pushed the bowl angrily away with its head and settled itself on his bed.

"Great, what am I supposed to do now?"

Brom walked over to Harry and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"She'll calm down over time," Brom explained.

Harry arched an eyebrow. "She?"

Brom nodded. "The dragon is female."

"I won't even bother to ask how you know all this," Harry said.

Brom seemed to know a great deal more than he was letting on.

"That's right. You have your secrets, and I have mine. It should stay that way for the time being," Brom replied in a firm voice.

After a moment of silence, Harry asked, "I think I should give her a name. Do you know any dragon names? No book I have read has ever mentioned one."

Brom leaned forward and supported his head on the table with his hands. He seemed deep in thoughts. His eyes were glazed over with memories of his past.

"I only know a couple of names. There was Jura, Hírador, and Fundor, who fought a giant sea serpent. Then I learned about Galzra, Beroan," Brom spoke the name so softly that Harry barely heard it, "... and Saphira."

Harry watched his dragon, who listened intently to Brom. He mentioned a few more names, but the dragon shook her head at each name. Only with Saphira did the dragon seem to think twice, but even then, she shook her head.

"It seems your dragon is very picky," Brom remarked, amusement evident in his tone.

"Well, many of those were only male names... if you're right about the dragon being a female," Harry shrugged his shoulders and sat down carefully on the edge of his bed.

The dragon turned its slender head in Harry's direction.

Deep blue eyes met dark green eyes. Harry mentioned several more important names that he knew, like Rowana and Helga. However, the dragon rejected all of them.

"Hmm, how about Artemis?" Harry asked.

He got an excited squeak in response. "Do you like the name? She is the goddess of the hunt, the moon and childbirth, protector of young women and the goddess of the wilderness," Harry explained to the dragon.

She took a few minutes and bobbed its head back and forth. Finally, she jumped into Harry's arms and started to affectionately lick his cheeks.

Harry laughed and started stroking Artemis under her jaw. A few seconds passed before she made herself comfortable in his lap and a soft purr was heard.

"Artemis... A unique name," Brom said with a warm smile.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps here. In my world, the name was widely known."

He looked at the dragon in his arms. "And I am convinced that she will be the greatest hunter of them all."

After a moment, Harry asked, "Anything else you can tell me about dragons?"

"Oh," Brom looked quite amused. "I could tell you so much about dragons that we'd be sitting here until next winter. But first I need my pipe!"

Harry woke up to a purring sound. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and realized it wasn't purring - it was a soft grumbling. At the same time, he noticed two small blue eyes staring at him intently.

The dragon… No, her name was Artemis… tilted her head as Harry observed her. She unfolded her wings, which were several times longer than her body. Her head was nearly triangular, and two tiny white fangs protruded from her upper jaw.

Artemis stretched forward, arching her back like a cat. She pulled her wings close to her body and stepped forward slowly. Harry could feel every step of her tiny feet on his chest. She continued moving until she reached his chin. Then, she opened her mouth slightly, and her red tongue flicked out, licking him.

Harry began to giggle as Artemis playfully attacked him.

"Stop - stop it, Artemis!" Harry laughed, holding the young dragon at her flanks with his hands. He lifted her above his head, and she tilted her head again as if she wasn't sure whether she had done something wrong.

Sitting up, Harry placed Artemis beside him, and she immediately nestled against him.

"What am I going to do with you, hmm?" he murmured, stroking Artemis under her chin.

The white dragon closed her eyes and purred contentedly.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Good to know, in case you get the urge to chew on my fingers again."

Artemis opened one eye, as if to say, That was your fault. See that it doesn't happen again.

Harry snorted and ran a finger over the thin wing membranes as Artemis curled up against him.

"You're really clingy, you know that?" Harry observed. Artemis lifted her small head, crawled onto his lap, and snuggled in. She let out a satisfied snort, and a tiny puff of dark smoke escaped her nostrils.

Before long, a deep hum came from Artemis's throat, and Harry assumed she was resting. He reached out with his mind until he sensed her consciousness. It felt strange to connect with her mind - unlike Voldemort, this bond wasn't foreign. It belonged to him.

As he brushed against her consciousness, Artemis opened her eyes and looked at him curiously. He felt her searching for him in return, as if they were exploring each other's presence.

Finally, Harry pushed forward cautiously, and it felt as if he were falling into a vast space. Emotions flooded him, one stronger than the other. But one stood out. He didn't know how, but he felt Artemis's affection - directed at him. The realization froze him in place.

Harry withdrew and pulled the young dragon tightly against him. Artemis buried her head in his shoulder, and they stayed like that until Harry heard a faint growling.

He leaned back and looked into Artemis's blue eyes. "Are you hungry?"

The dragon bared her tiny fangs, and Harry got out of bed. Artemis jumped after him as he opened the cupboard - only, to his dismay, he found he was out of meat.

Running a hand through his hair, he looked at Artemis apologetically. "Sorry, I don't have anything left. I guess I'll have to go to Sloan later and get more meat - Oi, stop that!"

Artemis had climbed up his leg, trying to reach his fingers.

Harry pulled his hands away, and Artemis let herself drop back down. "Alright, alright - I'll go now. Even though I hate Sloan," he grumbled, starting to get dressed.

When he was finished, he turned around and saw no sign of Artemis. He was about to worry that she was hiding when he noticed a white tail sticking out of his backpack.

Sighing, he grabbed the bag, placed it on the bed, and looked inside.

Artemis had made herself comfortable in his backpack, and Harry doubted he'd be able to get her out - at least not without receiving a few affectionate bites.

She looked up at him with wide eyes, and something in him relented.

Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Fine. But you stay put."

Artemis chirped contentedly, and Harry closed the backpack, ensuring she still had enough air.

Shouldering the bag, he set off toward Carvahall - with a dragon in tow.

"Look, that's the village," Harry said, as Artemis poked her head through the opening of the backpack. The roofs of the wooden houses were covered in snow, glittering like diamonds in the sunlight.

Her blue eyes darted curiously from one place to another. As they neared the village, Harry made sure Artemis wouldn't be seen. He weaved his way between the houses toward the butcher shop, from whose chimney black smoke was billowing.

At the side of the building, a door opened, and to his surprise, it was Katrina who stepped out. Harry watched as she carefully closed the door behind her.

Grinning, Harry walked up to her.
"What are you doing?" he asked curiously, tapping her on the shoulder.

Katrina gasped, letting out a small squeak. She turned around and smacked Harry on the arm. He could feel Artemis shifting inside the backpack.

"Harry!" she hissed. "What are you doing here?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Seeing your charming father. What else do you think?"

Katrina put a hand on her hip. "Ha-ha. Very funny. Do you need more meat?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, and unfortunately, Sloan is the only butcher in Carvahall. But you still haven't answered my question."

A blush crept onto Katrina's face - that was answer enough for Harry.

"You're meeting with Roran," he said with a grin.

Katrina lowered her gaze. "He's leaving for Therinsford soon-"

"And you want to spend as much time with him as you can," Harry finished with a smirk. "Go on, then. Don't let me keep you."

Katrina gave him a quick hug before hurrying off behind the houses.

Just as Harry was about to enter the butcher shop, he heard his name being called. He turned and groaned internally. Adjusting his backpack, he ignored Artemis's little squeak as Odele ran up to him.

"Harry!" Odele panted, stopping in front of him. She was a slender young woman, about Katrina's age, with delicate features and silky blonde hair tied into a neat bun.

Harry pulled a face as she beamed at him. "Odele, nice to see you."

She nodded, grinning widely. "I was looking for you everywhere yesterday, Harry, but I couldn't find you."

Harry frowned and tilted his head. "Why?"

Odele leaned forward slightly, a playful smile on her lips. "I wanted to invite you to dance. But you just vanished."

Harry blinked, shifting awkwardly. "Oh… uh… really? I… well…"

"Yes, really." She let her gaze drift over his face, as if studying him. "Were you avoiding me?"

"What? No! Of course not! I… uh… I was just… busy."

Odele tilted her head. "Aha. And what was so important that you had to miss the entire festival?"

Harry opened his mouth, then closed it again, shifting from foot to foot. "Well… I mean…"

She giggled softly. "It's okay, Harry. I just would've liked to dance with you." Her finger traced lightly over the fabric of his sleeve - just enough to make him nervous.

"Oh. Uh… yeah… dancing." Harry scratched his neck. "That… that would have been… I mean, it probably would have been fun."

"Probably. Especially with you, Harry," Odele said, watching him with a small smirk. "Maybe next time."

She turned and walked away, leaving Harry staring after her. Inside his backpack, Artemis was growling.

Harry shook his head. He would never understand women.

Pushing open the door, he glanced around. The room was large and well-lit, sunlight streaming through the windows. A fire crackled in the hearth, filling the space with a pleasant warmth.

Behind the counter, Sloan was working, his face twisting into a scowl as Harry approached.

"What do you want?"

Harry set his backpack down in front of the counter, not noticing that the opening had loosened and Artemis's head was peeking out.

"Meat. And unfortunately, you're the only one who can sell it to me," Harry said.

Sloan grumbled, tapping his fingers on the counter. "Then show me your money first. It's bad enough that Garrow's boy tried to sell me a worthless stone."

"A stone?" Harry frowned and pulled out his coin pouch. He placed several crowns on the counter, which Sloan swiftly scooped up.

"Yeah, a stone. What, are you deaf?" Sloan laughed.

Harry ignored him. His eyes had widened in horror as he spotted a piece of meat wiggling behind Sloan.

His gaze snapped to his backpack. It was empty.

"So, what'll it be?" Sloan asked impatiently.

"Your best cut… and slice it into strips, please," Harry said, flinching as another piece of meat disappeared.

Sloan clapped his hands together. "I'll get your meat, but you can cut it yourself."

With that, he disappeared through another door.

Harry wasted no time, vaulting over the counter. There, he found Artemis tugging at a piece of meat far too big for her.

"What are you doing?!" he hissed.

He yanked her away from the meat, but not before she tore off a chunk and happily chewed on it. Quickly, he rushed back in front of the counter, stuffing Artemis into the backpack.

"And you're staying in there," he ordered. Reaching out with his mind, he tried to impress the thought upon her. "Stay in the backpack."

She continued chewing, tilting her head at him. A faint sense of agreement brushed against his mind.

Harry eyed Artemis warily just as Sloan returned, his arms full of wrapped meat.

"What are you doing down there on the floor?" Sloan asked.

"Nothing," Harry replied quickly.

Sloan narrowed his eyes. "Then get lost. The day's just started, and I'd prefer to see as little of your face as possible."

Harry packed the meat into his backpack. "Yeah, yeah, go back to work. Next time, I'll bring you a gift from the Spine."

Sloan's face turned red with anger, cursing loudly as Harry stepped out of the shop.

"Well, that was a pleasant experience," Harry muttered, about to leave when Brom appeared around the corner.

He strode toward Harry, his expression stern. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay with her? Not to leave her alone?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, you did. And no, I didn't."

Brom's brow furrowed. "But if you didn't leave her alone, and you're here…" His eyes widened as they fell on Harry's backpack.

"No, you didn't bring her with you," Brom said, his voice laced with disbelief.

Harry looked sheepish. Brom peered into the backpack. Over the wrapped meat, Artemis stood, stretching her head out.

Brom's expression softened, and he gently stroked the young dragon's head before she pulled back. He shut the backpack and fixed Harry with a glare.

"You will never bring her to the village again, do you hear me?" he snapped. "Do you even realize the risk you're taking? What do you think will happen if someone sees her?"

"I know exactly what risk I'm taking," Harry shot back. "But she was hungry, and I was out of meat."

Brom ran a hand over his face. "Then from now on, you wait for me. I don't want Artemis seen by anyone until she can defend herself - or until you can use your magic properly, Harry."

Harry pulled a face. "Fine."

Brom nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I'll come by later - I have things to take care of."

"If you must," Harry grumbled and left, leaving Brom standing in the cold.

Two weeks had passed since Artemis hatched, and Harry and Artemis sat side by side on a large rock on a cliff, giving them a view of the village. The wind gently rustled through the trees. Below them, the village lay quiet, the small houses casting long shadows in the light of the setting sun.

Artemis spread her wings and looked up at the sky, a deep rumble resonating in her throat. The dragon's shoulders reached up to his elbows, and her white scales were as tough as a breastplate.

Harry absentmindedly ran his hand over the white scales. "I really don't know what we're supposed to do."

Artemis lowered her head and stared at Harry. She blinked and moved closer, resting her head on Harry's lap.

Harry looked up, only able to see the dragon's chin. He lifted his hand and touched her cheek. The scales were warm.

"Have I ever told you about my friends?" Harry asked. He grinned as Artemis' consciousness touched his, and he felt her curiosity.

"And by friends, I don't mean Katrina," Harry said, leaning back against his dragon.

"Their names were Ron and Hermione. They were my best friends, and we went through everything together… Well, until the day we parted ways," Harry murmured.

"Harry."

Harry sighed and let his gaze wander over the village. "Ron - he was a bit clumsy, but until the end always loyal. And Hermione, she was the smartest witch I knew. She probably would've already figured out where you came from… But at least they both could have told me what to do now. I just can't fight in another war, I-"

"Harry."

The word echoed in his mind. It sounded like an unbreakable pact being made. Artemis moved her head, and Harry stared into her deep blue eyes.

"Brom said it, but… you really can speak?" Harry asked in amazement.

"Harry."

Artemis nudged him again with her snout and leaped off the cliff. She spread her wings, tilting slightly to the right as she soared in wide circles toward his hut.

A wide grin spread across Harry's face. He didn't know what the future held, but at least he wasn't alone.

And that was the most important thing.

"Harry!"

Harry woke up and promptly fell out of his bed. Through the Dragon Rider bond, he could sense Artemis' amusement.

"Did you have to wake me up like that?" Harry asked, rubbing the spot where his head had hit the bedpost.

"Yes, I had to. You won't believe what I just saw," Artemis exclaimed excitedly.

She showed the memory to him, and his eyes widened.

"A blue dragon?" Harry asked and all he heard was a loud blunt noise and saw Artemis poking her head through the door of his hut.

It's been about a month now since Artemis hatched from the egg. She had grown significantly and, according to Brom, would continue to grow at this rate until she was fully grown.

It was extremely strange for Harry, as the dragons in his world didn't grow that fast, but he saw with his own eyes how quick Artemis grew.

"Where do you think the egg came from?" Artemis questioned him.

Harry walked over to Artemis and stroked her between her favourite spot, between her eyes.

"Brom said the Varden managed to get hold of an egg from Galbatorix. I suspect it'll be the same egg," Harry replied.

Artemis leaned her head against his hand. Her scales were warm.

"I think you are right. I'm just glad I'm not the only dragon any more," Artemis said.

"Besides the king's," she grumbled.

She raised her head, to look him into the eyes. "Do you want to follow them?"

Harry looked at her with concern. "We do not know who they are. It could be dangerous if they find out who we are."

"But it's too important to find out who the dragon hatched for."

Harry made a face. Artemis was right. Any additional Dragon Rider could be important in the fight against Galbatorix.

Artemis snorted in his face. Her warm breath tickled his nose.

"Of course, I'm right. Now grab the saddle that Brom did for us, the sooner we can follow them," she demanded.

Giving her a wide smile, Harry nodded and grabbed his black cloak. It was time to find out who the blue dragon hatched for.

The icy wind felt like it cut him to the bone as it blew against Harry's face as he rode Artemis through the sky. In addition, he was getting tired, because they had been looking for the dragon for hours and found nobody. He didn't know the spine too well for that. Despite all of these facts, Harry had a wide grin on his face.

Artemis was stuttering a lot compared to his old Firebolt, but he was finally flying again.

Flying was always something that took Harry's mind off of everything, and he let his mind go.

Harry laughed out loud, sensing Artemis' enthusiasm as they flew together.

"Can you see something?" she asked him.

Harry slowly stroked her scales with his fingers, and Artemis grumbled loudly.

"Stop that. It tickles." She leaned in the wind, and they heard the screech of birds far below them, when Artemis flew over them.

Harry narrowed his eyes at the trees but could not make out anything.

"Nothing. Do you think we should head back? I'm getting cold."

Suddenly, Artemis tilted into a shallow dive. Harry looked past her neck and saw that she was heading towards a small clearing in a valley.

She pulled back as the ground neared, filled her wings with air, and landed on her rear legs.

Harry was about to slide off Artemis when a loud roar rang through his ears. Artemis' head buckled and focused on the dragon in front of her.

The dragon had blue scales and was about the size of Artemis. Its front legs were bent, and its wings were flared. Artemis took a step forward, but the dragon growled dangerously and hissed like an angry cat.

"Careful," Harry said and petted her flank. "We don't know whether the dragon is alone."

Harry could feel the emotions raging inside Artemis. Frustration. Impatience. But mostly hope.

"Harry?" voiced a confused voice.

Eragon emerged from behind the dragon, leaning on the dragon for support.

"Eragon?" Harry called out. "I knew it was him, after you had shown me the memory of the blue dragon. I remember seeing Eragon with a blue item. It must have been an egg," he told Artemis.

"Are you the rider of the dragon?" Harry questioned Eragon.

Eragon nodded wearily. He turned to his dragon, and it seemed like the two were having a heated conversation.

"You can come down now. Saphira will not harm you," Eragon promised.

Harry slid off Artemis and they slowly approached Saphira and Eragon.

"You look awful," Harry commented as he looked at Eragon. His face was all pale and the boy was shaking. Eragon could barely stand on his feet.

Harry looked over at Saphira and met her blue eyes. "May I?" he asked.

She eyed him for a moment before nodding her head once, and then turned her attention to Artemis. The two dragons slowly started to get closer and started sniffing at each other.

While the two dragons got to know each other, Harry helped Eragon sit down.

"What happened?" Harry demanded of Eragon.

"Two Strangers have come to Carvahall," Eragon groaned as Harry helped him remove his pants.

"That doesn't look good," Harry remarked dryly. Eragon's legs were marked by bleeding wounds, displaying visible evidence of his injuries. At that moment, Harry really wished he could use his magic.

Saphira turned to them and looked at them with concerned eyes.

"Can you help him?"

Harry was startled when he heard a female voice in his head.

He eyed the blue dragon with interest.

"Are you Saphira?"

"Yes. Artemis allowed me to speak to you. Can you help Eragon?" She asked him worried about her rider.

Harry nodded determinedly. "I can help him. Artemis, can you bring some branches over here? I need to make a fire."

While Artemis searched the environment for suitable wood, Saphira lifted her tail and struck downward at the ground. With a powerful stroke, she cleared the frozen ground from hardened ice.

Harry moved Eragon to the cleared floor and carefully helped him lie down.

"O-Ow," Eragon murmured as he had to bend his legs.

Meanwhile, Artemis came back with enough wood between her teeth and put the wood in front of them on the ground. Harry walked over to her and stroked her between the eyes.

"Thank you," Harry said, rummaging in the saddlebags for bandages, a rune stone, and Diptam.

He went back to Eragon and rubbed the Diptam into the bandages.

"This is going to hurt a little now, but it will be over in a few minutes," Harry warned, bandaging Eragon's legs under the watchful eye of Saphira.

Eragon bit his cheek to stifle the pain. It only lasted a few minutes and to his surprise the pain in his legs quickly subsided.

"Leave the bandages on until at least tomorrow morning. While Diptam is very good at healing injuries, you should take it easy," Harry said in a stern tone.

Eragon started to complain, but a scowl from Saphira silenced him.

"Fine," he sighed.

He looked wide-eyed at Harry when he placed a stone inside the pile of wood.

"Kenaz!"

Harry traced a strange pattern with his finger, and suddenly the stone burst into flames, igniting the surrounding wood with a blazing intensity.

ᚲ

Hot green flames appeared before their eyes, emanating an intense heat that gradually engulfed the frost-laden branches.

Eragon sighed as the warmth caressed reached his body.

"What did you do?" Eragon asked with curiosity.

Harry smiled at him. "I can explain that later. It is too dark to fly back, and you're in no condition to fly anyway."

Eragon scowled at Harry but had to agree with him.

"Go to sleep, Eragon. I will stay awake. We can talk tomorrow," Harry said and leaned back as Artemis laid down at Harry's side and curled up protectively around Harry.

Saphira did the same with Eragon and kept looking at Harry and Artemis.

"She doesn't trust us," Artemis observed.

"Would you trust someone you have never met to heal me?" Harry asked dryly.

She growled at him. "No, I would not, but they have no choice. They will need us."

"As we do them," Harry agreed.

"Together," Artemis promised.

"Together."

"How do you feel?" Harry asked Eragon as they stood up.

"Sore," Eragon said. "But my legs would be a lot worse without your help. Thank you, Harry."

Harry smiled at him. "Good to hear. Come on, we should go back and find out what has happened."

Harry held out his coat to Eragon. "Put this between your legs and Saphira's scales to avoid further injury."

Eragon looked at the coat and accepted it gratefully.

"Who do you think were the strangers Eragon was talking about?" Harry asked his partner.

"I do not know," Artemis replied slowly. "But there seems to be something wrong here."

They flew over the trees and Harry watched as Saphira picked up her speed.

"She's fast," Harry noted.

"But not as fast as me."

Harry had to hold on tight, because Artemis had quickly caught up with Saphira after a few wing beats. It wasn't long before they landed in the fields near Garrow's farm.

Eragon was too distraught seeing the burned farm and crashed to the ground from Saphira's landing.

The house had been blasted apart.

Harry ran after Eragon, who was searching for his uncle in the rubble.

"Uncle!" Eragon shouted, but there were no signs of survivors.

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't flown away with me!" Eragon raged at Saphira.

"Eragon!" Harry yelled, but he didn't hear him. Eragon's shoulders shook as tears ran down his cheeks.

Artemis roared so loud that Harry was afraid the villagers would hear her.

Eragon looked up in fright, and Harry pointed towards a cupboard. A hand extended from under a section of the collapsed roof.

"I think he is still alive!" Harry shouted and with Eragon's help, the two quickly freed Eragon's uncle out of the ruins.

Much of Garrow's skin was blackened and burned. Dried blood clung to his temple and his body was covered with wounds.

Artemis looked over his shoulder and flashed her teeth in anger.

"He was tortured," she growled out.

"Can you help him?" Eragon asked desperately.

Harry shook his head. "Not here. We need to get him to Carvahall."

Eragon quickly found a board, and they rolled him onto the board.

Artemis and Saphira flew above them, while Harry and Eragon moved slowly forward.

It felt like hours before they arrived in Carvahall. Harry was gasping for breath and Eragon straight out collapsed.

Brom was one of the first people to see them and quickly called for help as they brought Eragon and Garrow inside.