Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

There Be Dragons, Harry	By : Scioneeris Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Slash - Male/Male Views: 58383 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 27
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of its characters. I make no money by writing this story..

Chapter List
- 46
- 47
- 48
See first chapter for disclaimers/warnings/summaries.

NOTE: The end of this chapter features an introduction to the first glimpse of what is happening with Arthur and the Weasley kids.

RECAP: In Nevarah, healer Quinn performs an in-depth scan on Harry and learns that Harry bears 13 different seals binding him. Quinn quickly removes Harry's Blood Seal and personally tends to him in the aftermath, before exhausting himself and sending Harry home, with an appointment card for the next day. Theo and Charlie are happy to see Harry again and immediately whisk him home, after witnessing a scene with a thoroughly exhausted Quinn, who has been rescued by a family member.

NEVARAH : TERIUS SNAPE'S HOME : TUESDAY EVENING

Charlie reached over and helpfully slapped Theo on the back as the pureblood coughed and choked. His incredulity was transformed to concern when the smaller man coughed and sputtered for a few minutes longer than expected.

"Thirteen?" Theo managed to exclaim. "Thirteen seals?" There was a most undignified squeak at the end of his hiccupped exclamation.

Charlie conjured a glass of water and handed it over, wordlessly.

Theo reluctantly took it, looking as if he'd rather drown himself in the glass rather than drink it. "Thirteen." He whispered, half to himself. "Oh Merlin save us by Arielle's-" the rest of the words trailed off in a mutter. Theo's grip on the glass tightened. A pained look registered on his young features. "Thirteen?" He repeated, wearily, as if expecting Harry to laugh it off as a joke.

"Yes?" Harry forced himself not to shrug.

"I take it thirteen is bad?" Charlie looked from Theo to Harry and then back. "It is bad, isn't it?" Theo choked on the sip of water. Charlie thumped him generously again.

"Very bad." Theo scowled, darkly. "I'm fine. Stop introducing my spine to my lungs." He hacked out another cough and suddenly leapt from the bed to dart to the en suite.

Charlie and Harry exchanged a look.

Harry managed a weak smile.

Charlie waved his wand, cleaning up the mess and set Harry's plate on the nightstand. "You want any more of this?" He gestured to the barely touched plate.

The brunet shook his head no. "I don't feel…hungry."

"Eat the vegetables at least." Theo instructed. He emerged from the en suite, his face somewhat red, but freshly washed as if he'd scalded it, scrubbed it and then toweled it dry.

Harry made a face. Vegetables were definitely the last thing on his mind at present.

"It has fiber, vitamins and some degree of protein." Theo countered, accurately reading the expression on Harry's face. "If you don't want that, then at least-"

"I'm full." Harry interrupted, turning away. "I-"

"Harry."

"Please." The emerald eyes winked shut. "I can't—not now, Theo. Please."

"He ate well this morning." Charlie said, helpfully. "And for lunch." He hesitated. "And not that I'm keeping track or anything, but I'm fairly certain he had a little ah, more than me." Here, the redhead blushed a rich shade of red to match his trademark hair.

Theo heaved a sigh, noting Charlie's reluctance to use the word 'blood'. He would have to remedy that some time or another. "Once." He allowed, wearily. "And only because of the present circumstance." He took up residence on the bed once more, his golden eyes set in an unreadable gaze. "I did not mean to interrupt, Harry. Please, continue."

Harry nodded. "One of the seals removed was a Blood Seal." He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, his wizarding robes having been spelled away once they had entered the bedroom.

Theo stiffened.

Charlie looked from Harry to Theo again and then held out his hand again.

Theo lightly brushed his fingertips over the proffered hand. "What caused it?" He asked. "When? The Slytherins never had any blood objects present in their-"

"A dark artifact?" Charlie burst out. His blue eyes blazed. "What kind of a-"

"It was an accident." Harry said, quickly. "Really. It was. I didn't know. No one did. I didn't…" he swallowed hard. "I didn't tell anyone. There wasn't anything to tell."

"There wasn't what to tell?" Charlie's brows furrowed together. "Harry?"

"What was it?" Theo prompted again. "How come no one noticed?"

"Because they never do." Harry huffed. "No one ever does." He looked away for a moment, fighting to grasp his emotions and push them aside so he could concentrate. "It was a Blood Quill…it was used during a…detention."

"A Blood Quill?" Charlie exclaimed. "Those—but that—they're outlawed by the Ministry of Magic!"

"Just because it is outlawed does not mean it is no longer in use." Theo said, grimly. "When, Harry?"

"And you didn't tell anyone?"

Harry sighed. "It was a…long year." He said, softly.

"Were there others?" Charlie had to know.

Harry nodded—once.

This time, it was the muscled redhead that leapt from the bed and stumbled to the bathroom to empty his stomach of his recently acquired dinner.

"The bandages on your arms…?" Theo's voice trailed off. "Is there anything…?"

"Oh. No." Harry flexed his hands, experimentally. "It's to channel my wizarding magic. It's returning and it could be tricky."

"I'm glad. Your arms?"

"They were wrapped to channel the energy."

"Ah. Anything that needs to be done?"

"Don't think so."

Theo ruffled his hair, affectionately.

Harry half-heartedly dodged the hand. It felt nice on his head.

When Charlie returned, Theo eyed his Beta with some degree of concern and then his brave Harry. The lips were occasionally nibbled, sucked and worried between his teeth as Harry seemed to work up the nerve to share his story in the least distressing way possible.

Theo wasn't sure how much he'd be able to take.

"I need to touch you." He managed, at last. Unable to keep the words inside, even as his hands twitched imperceptibly towards the shorter brunette. The instinctual need rose up to nearly unbearable proportions. He'd have to be careful. So very careful. In the back of his head, the faint ache, formerly dulled by the potion, flared and throbbed. Theo inwardly grimaced and mentally shoved it aside. He'd deal with that later.

Harry eyed him wearily.

Charlie shot a glance between both of them, before shifting on the bed—having banished the dinner away—to form a little empty space between him and Theo. He wasn't quite able to mask the need as well as the other Dragel. His hands fidgeted anxiously as his blue eyes tracked Harry's every movement. "Sit?" He offered.

Slender shoulders arched upwards. "I want to talk." Harry licked his lips and closed his eyes. A pale pink blush dusted his cheeks. "I want to talk." He repeated in softer tones. "No…sex."

Theo's wings snapped out from his back in a loud, leathery snap. He didn't even flinch at the loss of control as his features schooled themselves into a neutral mask. "I would never try to distract you from speaking your mind and heart when you sincerely desire my undivided attention." He said, seriously. His golden eyes blazed bright as his Inner-Dragel processed the fact that someone had hurt his Submissive—long before there was anything he could do about it.

Weary emerald eyes locked onto his and Harry gave the faintest of nods as his glaze flickered to Charlie.

The Dragon Tamer offered a wan smile. "I would never do that either, Harry. I just—I can't help it." And here, Charlie's hands twitched as his lovely red hair suddenly burst into flame.

Harry flinched.

Theo was off the bed and across the room, holding Harry securely in his arms, wings wrapped tightly around them. He turned, just enough to bare his fangs at Charlie.

The redhead glowered in response, but worked to gather himself together, though his hair continued to burn in its fiery form.

"M'fine, Theo." Harry squirmed and wriggled. He'd been too shocked and surprised seconds before, he hadn't known that Theo could move that fast. Then again, he should've known, Ilsa seemed to have that particular trait mastered. A low growl was his answer and Harry instinctively stilled.

"Wards." Theo muttered, a second later. He released Harry from his arms and wings, before giving him a gentle nudge towards the bed. "Sit. Stay." He muttered and weighted his words with all the sway he held as the Alpha. "Please." He added, catching the faintest flicker in Harry's conflicted expression. Golden eyes flashed as Theo cast a cursory glance around the room and his lips began to move as he made a shallow cut on his chest and using one blooded claw, painted a few symbols along the wall.

"Theo?" Charlie's voice was vaguely apprehensive.

"Silence and privacy." Theo muttered, continuing his work. A few minutes later, he returned to the bed where Harry sat stiffly beside Charlie, his hands in his lap, twisted together. "I do not wish for anyone to overhear anything that you do not wish to share with them." He said, by way of explanation. The golden-eyed brunette, settled down, his wings shifting and moving to arch forward and form an incomplete cocoon around his two mates.

Charlie relaxed almost at once.

Harry copied the redhead's weak smile from earlier. "Thanks." He looked away. The pink darkened a tad more. "Didn't think of that."

"Slytherin second-nature." Charlie murmured, but the teasing sounded off, even to his own ears.

Theo simply smiled.

"Please…" Harry took a deep, steadying breath and held his head high. "Please don't interrupt." He said, quietly. "I don't really fancy repeating myself."

"It started in DADA class when I mentioned that Voldemort was back." Harry stared off at the far wall in the room. His eyes glazed over and his voice seemed to drop a few decibels. "I guess I didn't…think, at first. I just wanted people to know, for them to be aware, I mean." Here, he smiled, ruefully. "Guess it didn't matter. People only hear what they want to hear, see what they want to see, believe what they want to believe. No one wanted him back, so to them, he wasn't back." There was a little scoff. "Because they couldn't see Voldemort with their own eyes, they didn't believe."

Silence danced through the room.

"I don't really remember what I said." Harry admitted. His hands continued to twist themselves together in his lap. "I really don't. I just know that, all of a sudden, I had detention and Hermione was asking me why I'd stood up to a teacher." He rubbed the back of his left hand, absently. "Ron worried, maybe. He didn't like her either. None of us did. But there wasn't anything we could do about it. She kicked out Dumbledore." Harry swallowed. "Because of her, Dumbledore left." The hands stopped twisting and clenched into fists. "Not that it was a problem. He didn't talk to me much, that year."

More silence filtered through. Theo's wings fluttered, faintly. Charlie's hair continued to silently flame.

"The first detention—it was strange. I was to write lines—that was nothing new—but when I took out my quill, she stopped me. She said she had one of her own. It was especially for…people like me." He swallowed. "I didn't think anything of it. I took it from her." He shuddered. "I took it right from her hand."

Theo gave a low, soothing rumble. Charlie answered it with a faint, half-whine.

Harry almost smiled. "At first, the ink was red." He continued, calmly. "I thought it was different, kind of nice when everything's in black. I didn't realize until I'd written the first few lines that the burning pain on the back of my left hand was—the quill."

Here, Charlie snatched up Harry's left hand to squint and scowl at it.

Harry tried to tug it free, his lips parting in a silent whine.

Theo gave him a warning growl and then shook his head, understanding Charlie's reaction and prompting his Beta to release the hand. "Any scars Harry would've had, should have healed with his inheritance."

"Not this one." Harry gave a bitter laugh as he touched his forehead, to show the lightning bolt etched into the flesh there. "Not the one that should've disappeared."

Theo's hand flashed out and caught Harry's chin. He gently turned Harry to face him, then leaned forward and pressed a kiss directly over the offending scare. "It will not haunt you forever." He murmured.

"You can't promise me that." Harry turned away. He pulled his hand back from Charlie and tucked it beneath his thigh. "There were many detentions." He admitted. "And she used the quill on some of the younger year students. Everything was for the ministry, by the ministry and because of the ministry." He snorted. "Then Hermione had an idea." He smiled, fondly. "She's a real smart witch, you know. Brilliant." He grinned. "Scary, but brilliant." He echoed Ron's once famous words that seemed to sum up Hermione Granger. "She decided we should start up a club of sorts and somehow I ended up teaching everyone." He gave a quiet, shuddering sigh. "It was to be something to help, since Umbridge insisted on a book that had nothing to do with defense. We used the Room of Requirement. We called ourselves Dumbledore's Army." Harry's hands twitched, faintly. "I had fun." His voice was light, almost.

"We learned the Patronus Spell and-"

"The Patronus Spell?" Charlie's eyebrows danced upwards. "That's—Harry, that's—wow." He settled, at last. That was an impressive bit of spellwork for fifth years. The redhead snuck a glance at Theo, whose neutral mask had eased, faintly.

"Who taught you?" Theo asked, softly.

"Remus." Harry's hands clenched tight. "Remus Lupin."

"The werewolf?" Theo blinked.

Harry glowered at him. His emerald eyes burned eerily. "Remus is a friend." He said, coldly. "A very good friend. Don't speak of him like he's something that-"

"How do you know?" Charlie's blue eyes directed the question to Theo. He knew through The Order some of the secrets among their members. Remus Lupin's werewolf status was old news. It didn't bother him, he worked with Dragons after all and there was little to worry for after that. He frowned, mentally wondering where their little Nytura had wandered off to. It was odd that it hadn't come to greet them. Then again, the last he'd seen of it, the little thing had been curled up on Hermione's chest.

The Slytherin's lips twitched, faintly. "We are Slytherins." He said, softly. "When Severus insisted on the lesson for werewolves, it was more of a cue for all of us to know exactly why we were to keep our distance."

Harry scowled. "He didn't have to ruin Remus-!"

"He was only trying to do what he thought was best." Theo interrupted. "There were things that happened that year that-"

"Remus didn't hurt anyone!" Harry snapped. "He was trying to-"

"I am not saying that he did." Theo soothed. "I am only saying that-"

"We said we'd listen." Charlie reminded. His voice effectively cut through the near argument, settling it with a single look. "Theo." He said, mildly. "Harry."

Charlie's blue eyes flared faintly and he hissed, softly—a warning to both mates.

Theo bowed his head and looked away. His wings fluttered in agitation.

Harry's shoulders twitched in answer, but he remained seated between the two of them.

"What's a Death Seal?" Charlie asked. His blue eyes betrayed the worry for his calm voice.

"I'm not sure." Harry admitted. "Quinn just said that I had one and it wasn't good. Said it was bad because I was young and a Submissive."

Theo now turned a lovely shade of pale, the former pink flush having faded away. "It's like a ticket stub." He said, wearily. "Gheyos—fighters—they use them. It allows the caster to place a mark on the intended, so that should they die before their score is settled. They will be forced into a state of stasis until the other party is revived. Once they are revived, the two are 'ported in somewhere together and may settle their differences to an agreeable end."

"Agreeable end?" Harry spluttered. "How can that—is that even—how?" He faltered. This time he stared down at his stomach in confusion.

"Some people can hold grudges for centuries." Theo sighed. "That can affect their souls, their magic, everything about them over such a long period of time. A death seal allows you to settle a grudge to the satisfaction of both parties. It also means that if you were about to die, you will not, until you've settled all your debts."

"Sounds like a rather cruel practice." Charlie commented.

"It depends on whether you are the caster or the intended." Theo countered. "Mainly only the Gheyos use it. They might postpone a fight indefinitely, if they are experienced enough to predict the outcome and only settle it when upon their deathbed. As such, they are free to live their life without the consequences of a brutal battle resulting in crippling injury or significant magical loss. A carrier might bear one, if they happened to lose a child, allowing the circle that contracted them, permission to exact whatever punishment they deem fit before death."

"And people are happy with that?" Harry demanded.

"Absolution." Theo answered. "For the soul to rest in peace. If you come from a family with a history of being Caspered upon death, there is a chance you will not rest in peace. A Death seal allows a peaceful death, if your debts are all settled."

"Caspered?" Charlie held out his hand—again. The explanation he'd been afforded while traveling to Nevarah, hadn't made much sense at all.

Theo and Harry both reached forward. Harry shrank back. Theo withdrew his hand and gave an encouraging gesture. "Go ahead. I'm sorry. I didn't realize you knew it."

"Quinn…explained." Harry hesitated.

"Splay your fingers like so" Theo demonstrated. "Then think very hard on what it is you want to share. When you have in your mind's eye, think of how you'd like to share it with Charlie. Do you want to touch him? Hold him? Or quickly bring him up to speed?"

Charlie managed a light blush at that.

Harry's was slightly milder. "Just bring him up to speed."

"Then make that your focus as you concentrate on what you want to share, then touch your fingers to his." Theo watched, carefully. "The first time might be a bit jumbled. It takes practice to share with ease."

Harry followed the instructions and both he and Charlie jumped when a faint, static spark leapt between them.

"Nicely done." Theo murmured. "Charlie?"

"It's fine, it's just-" Charlie squeezed his eyes shut and then nodded. "I'm with Harry, that's…uncommonly cruel, isn't it?"

Theo sighed. "Some believe Death Seals are too cruel a practice. Others know better than to interfere. The Gheyos—who mainly employ it—and use it, would be the first to revolt if any action were ever taken to ban it." He frowned.

"But why would I have one? I don't have any—debts." Harry paused and paled rather rapidly in the next few seconds. "I don't, do I?"

"I don't know, Harry. You're the only one who could say."

"Alpha's rights?" Harry repeated. The paleness had yet to leave. He'd finally finished his tale of the pink toad-faced witch, complete with Hermione's brilliant plan and it was only afterward, that the Slytherin had mentioned a rather disturbing term. "Theo—Theodore, don't!" Harry scrambled frantically for the best words to use to articulate this new horror.

The young Alpha merely perked a brow in silent question.

"You can do that?" Charlie looked from Theo's grim face to Harry's suddenly frantic expression. "He can?"

"No! He can't! I don't want him to." Harry shot to his feet, holding himself tall. There was a sudden wariness lurking in his emerald eyes. "Please, Theo." Harry heaved a breath. "Don't." He said, softly. "It's not worth it. She's not worth it. You're better than that."

"Harry-" Charlie began, in protest.

Theo raised a hand. "Are you absolutely certain, Submissive?" He asked, formally.

"Yes, Alpha." Harry said, steadily.

The golden eyes flickered and Theo gave a short nod.

"You're nothing to me if you're in Azkaban and killing doesn't solve anything!" Harry exclaimed, passionately. "Please, Theo. Killing her won't make me feel any better nor will take away this—this nothing." He rubbed the back of his now scarless hand. "Killing never solves anything. It just causes bitterness and problems for the people left behind." He frowned. "Do you have to claim those—rights?"

"I can refuse them, if you require it of me." Theo sidestepped the question. "Harry, you do realize that-"

"Yes." The word was bit off and Harry sighed. "I do. I realize that bad things happen to good people, but it doesn't mean that I have to agree with certain things. Revenge—this whole thing-"

"An Alpha's rights do not necessarily mean revenge in-"

"But that's what it is, isn't it?" Harry said, bluntly. "It lets you stand up on my behalf and carry out whatever kind of retribution you think is fitting."

Conflict warred on Charlie's expressive face. "I don't know, Harry." He allowed. "If—it's like, if something were to happen in the wizarding world, it falls to the head of house to seek the appropriate repayment for whatever the offense is."

"Even if the price is death?"

"In the old days, yes." Charlie sighed. "It actually used to be settled with duels. A duel to the death. It is a matter of honor."

Harry blinked.

"I was only asking." Theo said, quietly. "I will abide by your wishes, if that is what you wish."

"Honor?"

"You are everything to us." Theo gestured between himself and Charlie. "As such, anything, any perceived insult or injury to you—is the same to us—I, more so than Charlie, am obligated to respond to it in some fashion or another. However, it is acceptable to defer my rights if you request it, or if you have need of me beside you."

Harry swallowed. "I have need of you beside me." He said, thickly. "You and Charlie."

"Then I shall remain." Theo smiled, thinly.

So they talked.

For hours.

Theo ended up with Harry sitting practically in his lap at one point, his arms tightly wrapped around the younger brunette. Harry had given up trying to fight the impromptu embrace, settling down instead, with his back to Theo's chest, head resting on one strong shoulder. He stared at the ceiling as he talked and tried not to censor the words.

Charlie's wings eventually came forward and the two older Dragels alternated in calming each other and resisting the urge to further smother the perpetually calm Harry. At one point, Charlie snatched Harry from Theo, only to receive a smack for his efforts from a ticked off Harry.

"I am not a toy!" He snapped, at both of them, expertly wriggling free of their grasp. He'd improved in his escapes. "You're worrying, fine. I understand. But stop grabbing and squishing me to death!"

Charlie growled.

Theo rolled his eyes and sighed. It was enough of a difficulty to keep his Dragel instincts from moving up to smother said Submissive. He had a feeling that he was the last notch in the belt keeping Charlie from completely running on pure instinct. "Believe me, Harry. I am trying my absolute best."

"Try harder." Harry took a shaky breath. He'd succeeded when he now stood up on his own. "Because it isn't any easier for me to do this when you're acting like-"

Charlie put a finger to those dry, pink lips. "I know." He said, simply.

Harry's watery smile was rather heart-breaking.

The various threads of conversation were not always so easily resolved.

At one point, Harry feared that the Dragel wings, claws and fangs would all burst out in a shower of blood and tempers. He hadn't yet dared to breathe a sigh of relief that it hadn't happened so far.

"How many times have you almost died?" The words were clipped, cool and precise as Theo's golden eyes blazed merrily. He was doing an admirable job of controlling his temper, but the shadows that lurked beneath the surface, promised that he held back—only for Harry's sake.

Harry resisted the urge to squirm beneath that penetrating gaze. He knew from that tone, what exactly Theo wanted from him. He wasn't sure that he could give it. It had never occurred to him that someone might actually care about how many times he'd risked his life and limb for the sake of another. He hoped Theo wouldn't ask the impossible of it—he knew he'd never be able to give up that 'hero complex' bit.

"More times than he should." Charlie answered for him, correctly interpreting the look on Harry's face. "I don't think it's something he can measure like that."

"Then perhaps we should start with the simple parts?" Theo suggested. "The really obvious instances where you were in grave physical danger?"

Harry snorted. "That would be every waking moment." He huffed and yawned. It was rather late to be up and chattering, especially after the day's events. Not to mention, he was fairly certain that Quinn would put him through his paces the next day. "Why would it matter?"

Charlie reached for Harry and drew him close in bone-crushing hug. "It matters because we care." He murmured. "We care about you." He rubbed one large hand up and down Harry's weary shoulders. "Has it been that many?"

"Many." Harry wearily eased his head down to rest on Charlie's available shoulder. "Quirrell." He listed. "Basilisk. Lockhart. Tourney. Toad…" There was a great big yawn and then a soft, snuffling sound.

"Asleep?" Theo prompted.

Charlie listened for another moment and then nodded. "Did you…?"

"Did you?" Theo retorted.

A bittersweet smile was shared.

"In my fifth and sixth years, I didn't have anything to worry about." Charlie half-laughed. "Sure there were things to worry about, but I didn't have to worry about it all on my own." He sighed. "I had—Mum." A pained expression settled on his rugged features.

"You need to see her again." Theo stated.

Charlie gave a jerky nod.

"Then you will."

Surprise reflected clearly in the blue eyes. "When?"

"Preferably after Harry's seals are off." Theo said, quietly. "Is that soon enough?"

"I suppose." Charlie shifted to better hold the sleeping armful. "I don't know what I want to say to her yet."

"Think on it." Theo murmured. "And sleep on it." He slid off the bed and moved up to turn down the covers. "Set him in the middle here." Theo cast a tempus and quickly did the math in his head. "A few hours of sleep and hopefully a sugar-charged breakfast." He muttered to himself. "I see that Medic Kyle took the liberty of setting our appointments at lunchtime tomorrow."

Charlie set Harry down in the middle of the bed and with a wave of his wand, transfigured the sleeping teen's clothes into pajamas. Theo returned the favor with a single wave of his hand. "Thanks." Charlie mumbled, crawling between the sheets and cuddling up to Harry's sleeping form.

"Good night." Theo murmured in reply.

WEASLEY MANOR : UNPLOTTABLE : MONDAY MORNING (Earth Time)

They stood in front of the ornate, ancestral home of the Weasley Torvak Clan. Arthur ran a hand through his thinning red hair and paused to throw a warning glare over his shoulder at his fidgeting children.

Specifically, the fidgeting twins.

George had taken the news surprisingly well, but Fred had been rather vocal in his disagreement of it. The ending of everything had come when their former discussion session had turned into a shouting match on account of the left-behind Ginny. Bill was on his way, as per his father's urgent instructions and he'd messaged back with word that Fleur would most likely accompany him.

Now Arthur stood in front of the tall, burnished doors he never thought he'd seek again. The knocker was heavy and old as he took it in his hand and rang four and a half times, the coded answer to admit him to the warded grounds.

Percy shifted uneasily in the background and accidentally stepped on Ron's foot to interrupt his younger sibling's whining about their long and confusing journey. They had been traveling via floo and portkey steadily for the past night, with the exception of a few hours for dinner and the troublesome conversation. Ron had been absolutely fascinated at the thought of being a creature, seeming to think it was a brilliant turn of luck.

Arthur had worried briefly over this, when he'd heard Ron's exclamation as to now he had something 'over Harry'. He'd filed those words away for later as he'd always known there was a jealous streak in that particular son. He'd hoped a friendship with the selfless Harry Potter would've rubbed off on Ron, but some things would never occur as long as the fates had their hands in things. Ginny had become infatuated with Harry since his heroic rescue of her from the horrible Chamber of Secrets.

In light of the Boy-Who-Lived being a Dragel, Arthur was suddenly glad he'd never given in to Molly's subtle hints of pushing Harry and Ginny together. A Dragel and Torvak bonding was rare and most likely wouldn't last. He didn't know of any that had. The ones he did know had ended with the Dragel fighting to the death or the Torvak dead.

He shuddered to think of it, worrying over his precious baby girl as he turned back to the door to lift the knocker again.

It opened.

For a moment, there was a hush as children quieted.

A taller, distinguished version of Arthur hovered in the doorway, his face set in a neutral expression, his posture regal and intimidating. He was dressed in rich, elegant robes that added to the respectful air around him. The main difference was the pale blue eyes and the salt-and-pepper look to the rich red hair. As if on cue, a lovely lady appeared at his elbow, her hair a mass of crinkled, honeyed ringlets as she peered curiously around him to see who had come.

"Septimus, who is it-oh." There was a long pause and then sad, hazel eyes fixed solely on Arthur before flickering up her husband.

He patted her hand, reassuringly and gave a nod of his head, directing her back into the inner shadows of the manor. The same sad look in his wife's eyes flickered briefly through his own pale-blue ones. "Arthur." He said, simply.

"Father." Arthur responded.

"Bloody hell!" Ron sputtered.

A/N: Hopefully the next chapter shouldn't take too long, as my houseguests have flown back to their own homes and I have some time again. I'm glad to see that most of you are finding your way over to the forums. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

If you have questions, ask away. I'll answer what I can.

Unneeded--Bharin's a stand in as an authority figure for Quinn, since Quinn's family Alpha and Sire are often busy, since they come from a large circle. Quinn's mother is an equally busy woman between her own work and her mates, so Bharin fills in gaps and as a fighter(gheyo), he can handle Quinn and is also well-versed in Earth Dragel Sign Language, as well as Whistlespeak, which Quinn uses on occasion. Yes, the orphaned and abandoned are almost always adopted, or they can form a temporary family circle amongst themselves. That is the beauty of Dragel circles and why Aracle was so horrified at the fact that Harry had to suffer through his inheritance alone and Terius is upset that Harry's mentor never showed. I was probably subconsciously channeling Percy when I wrote Matron O. She is an idiot. >_> Arthur and Co, Voldysnorts and 'Mione coming up next chapter, at last, Death will make an appearance probably the chapter after, I think. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

To everyone who reviewed, thank you! If I missed you in the replies, 'tis purely by accident. Thanks for reviewing/faving/alerting this little fic. ^_^
- 46
- 47
- 48
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

There Be Dragons, Harry