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The Division Bell	By : sarcastrow Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 1543 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and I do not make any money from these writings

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
Aldwyn                 The Welsh name Aldwyn means – Old friend               Pronunciation: ALD win

Meudwen              Meudwen means – Blessed hermit                                  Pronunciation: MEED wen

llyn                        lake                                                                                  thlin

Arneg fach         A mountain in snowdonia                                                 aˈrɛnɪ�� ˈvax

The Division Bell

Extras

Part 1: Deleted scenes

1

Are you kidding?

“Hey, Charlie, how’s George doing?” Katie asked as they walked toward the Ironbelly area of the reserve. “I haven’t seen him in…must be two years now.”

“Well enough, I suppose,” he answered. “Getting married and having a kid kind of set him right.”

“I can’t imagine…” she shook her head. “How are you?”

“Oh, I miss him,” he replied, touching his arm where the tattoo bearing his family’s names was. “But he’s always here, and here.” He put his hand over his heart.

“Yeah.” She nodded, and then looked at him, bemused. “You know, I never see you go home. We do get days off, and Surrey’s a hop and a skip from here. I’d have thought you’d be home every weekend the way Fr… the way the boys talked about your Mum’s cooking.”

“Are you kidding?” He turned and looked at her with a half amused, half horrified look. “You’ve never been to a Weasley family dinner have you?”

“No.”

He laughed. “It can be…dramatic.” He laughed again.

She smiled. “Ahh, sibling rivalry still going strong, eh?”

“Hardly,” he chuckled. “No, it’s the girls. Percy seems to be the only one who got it right and, well…”

“Yeah, I hadn’t really thought about that part. Ron and George’s wives…”

“Don’t forget the French one.”

She laughed. “How could I?” She shook her head. “Yeah, they don’t mix well, do they?’

He looked at her sideways. “You have a knack for understatement.”

2

Do you, Pansy Parkinson

“Who gives this woman into holy matrimony?” Pomona Sprout asked the audience.

Aberforth Dumbledore stood beside her. “I do, happily.”

Pansy smiled at her boss and best friend as he placed her hand in Stan’s. To her right, Katie Bell, one of the last people on earth she would have thought would be her maid of honor, looked on and smiled herself. Pansy glanced back into the small church of Hogsmeade. Hogskirk was old, small, and perfect. It held everyone she had invited, and surprisingly they had all come. She chuckled to herself as she turned and faced Stan, remembering the conversation she had had with the occupants of the front row on her side.

“She is my maid of honor and you will be nice!” she told them. “No wands!” she had said pointedly to Millicent Bulstrode. “And no snide little remarks masked as compliments either,” she told Theodore Nott. “And especially no digs about the war.” She told them all, “It’s over, and that moldy, troublemaking, piece-of-shit Riddle lost! So get over it!”

There had been a time in the not too distant past that they would have laughed at her. She wouldn’t have been able to aim accurately, or even draw her wand, but that time had passed. Pansy scared the hell out of them now. She was as fast and as ruthless as ever when pushed, and Pansy was in no mood to be pushed on her wedding day, so she made it plain to her former housemates what kind of behavior she expected from them.

She chose Aberforth to give her away, as he was the closest thing to a father that she had now. Her own father had been murdered by the Death Eaters for not participating in their takeover of the Ministry, and her mother had been driven to insanity by none other than Bellatrix Lestrange in the same manner as the Longbottoms had. They even shared adjacent beds in the ward at St. Mungo’s, which accounted for Neville and Luna’s presence on her side. A small, blonde head of hair was just visible in the swaddle Luna held in her lap.

The Parkinson’s family fortune had been spent by Riddle in his ill-fated attempt at building an empire, and that was why Pansy had taken the job at the Hog’s Head. She smiled back at her boss; he’d saved her life, and she loved him as much as her own father.

“Stanley Shunpike,” Pomona said, “Do you take this woman, Pansy Parkinson, to be your wife? To keep her and protect her, to honor her and cherish her, to love and be loved by her, as long as you both shall live?”

Stan gazed into the eyes of the woman he so loved. He still looked slightly amazed at his good fortune. “I do, I absolutely do.”

A few titters sounded in the audience.

Pomona turned to Pansy. “Do you, Pansy Parkinson, take this man to be your husband? To keep him and comfort him, to honor and cherish him, to love and be loved by him for as long as you both shall live?”

Pansy smiled. “With all my heart, I do.”

All of her old enemies that were now friends, who sat in the audience, were struck by how beautiful she looked when she smiled at Stan. “She never looked that stunning at school,” Hermione whispered to George. In front of her Harry chuckled. They were sitting on Stan’s side along with many of the Knight Bus patrons and Stan’s family.

On Pansy’s side, Adrian sat next to a heavily pregnant Cho Chang. Rumors about who was the father of the child abounded in the community, but Cho wouldn’t say. Adrian, Katie, Luna, and Neville knew, but they would never tell. Neither would Mrs. Goldstein. After Cho discovered Anthony’s final gift to her, she had gone to Mrs. Goldstein. With Luna by her side, she told the grandmother of her child about the miracle of his creation. When Anthony Goldstein Jr. was born less than a month after Pansy’s wedding, the two women wept and rejoiced.

The rest of Pansy’s side was filled with her friends from the Hog’s Head and Hogsmeade, some of her class mates, and sticking out like a fire in the crowd, Charlie Weasley. “You’re stuck now, Stan!” he said from his chair, and the crowd giggled.

“Happy to be, Charlie!” Stan called back to his old classmate.

Pomona tapped her foot and smiled at the two men. “If you’re quite finished, there’s a bit more.” Another titter ran through the crowd, and Pomona continued. “The giving and receiving of rings is a long tradition, and we will keep it here. Stan, do you have a gift for your bride?”

Stan’s best man, Ernie, pulled a plain gold band from his pocket and handed it to the groom. Trembling slightly he slid the ring onto Pansy’s finger. “With this ring I pledge my love forever. Thank you, Pan, you’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been, than I ever thought I could be.”

Pansy held out her hand and Katie put another plain gold band in it. “Stan, you are my one true love,” she said as she pushed it over his large knuckles. “I never thought I’d find love after… after everything, but there you were. Thank you for loving me.”

A loud sniff sounded from Aberforth. Katie looked over at him and saw that large man dabbing at the corners of his eyes. She’s the daughter you never had, isn’t she, Ab?

“Witches and wizards,” said Pomona loudly. “As Pansy and Stan have made their pledges and exchanged rings, I now pronounce them husband and wife.” She looked at the couple in front of her. “Well?”

Stan didn’t need any more encouragement. With a grand smile he drew Pansy into a kiss.

“All right, Stan!” his brother shouted from the front row. His outburst was followed with laughter and applause.

“Pansy, I have gift for you,” Katie said quietly. They were standing together at the head of the reception line next to the bar in the Hog’s Head, the last of the guests having just passed them.

The dark haired witch, still in her wedding costume, turned to face her friend. “Something you want to give me in private?” she asked astutely.

Katie smiled, “Yes.”

“I could use the loo anyway,” Pansy said. She rose on her toes and kissed her husband’s cheek. “I’ll be right back, Stan.”

He turned and the joyous smile he had worn all day shown on his bride. “Just don’t run off, Mrs. Shunpike,” he said cheekily.

She kissed him soundly. “Never.”

Katie motioned to Adrian, and they followed Pansy to the back room of the Hog’s Head. She led them through another door that let into the office and beyond it the private loo. As they entered the office Katie touched Pansy’s shoulder. She turned and found Katie with her and Adrian’s wands clutched in her hand. Adrian’s hand wrapped around Katie’s and they raised their wands and pointed them at Pansy. “Ready?” Katie asked with a smile.

“I…” said Pansy, looking conflicted.

“We’ve talked to Ab,” said Adrian. “If he even gets a hint that you’re backsliding we’ll be here in a flash.”

Pansy nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

Adrian straightened. “One, two, three…”

“Finite!”

3

Sung into the world

Lost in thought and lost in time

While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted

Katie pried herself off the cot, Adrian helped her walk a few steps, and she leaned against Asgre’s leg. Producing an egg is far less troublesome, Katie felt from her friend. The sentiment was wrapped in humor.

“Lucky you,” Katie said, and groaned as another contraction made her double over. Ariadne lowered her head to near the ground and looked at Katie. Is there great pain, Friend Katiebell?

Katie straightened and walked to Ariadne. “Yes, some,” she said as she laid her hand on Ariadne’s cheek. “But women humans have endured it before me, and so will I. Ohh.” She leaned on Ariadne. “They’re close now. It’ll be soon.”

Asgre nodded and reared on her hind legs. A loud trumpet sounded through the valley as Asgre sang the call. To me, Dragoness, to me. The time has come.

They will come quickly? Owena asked her mother as Asgre settled back to earth.

Yes my child. The Dragoness are required to come when we call. Katie could feel the love coming from Asgre. It is one of the powers of the Dilys Banon.

Terrwynpucey is afraid, Owena sent to her mother.

Comfort her then, my heart of hearts. Send to her that her greatest friend awaits her arrival, Asgre told her daughter.

Owena crept close to Katie and laid a whisker across Katie’s round belly. Have no fear, my truest friend, the world is wonderful. Your mother and mine await you.

The shape of a very small hand shown on Katie’s belly where Owena’s whisker lay.

She knows, she hears me, Mum, Owena thought gleefully.

A great rushing surrounded them, a wind blew from every direction, and then the ground shook as more than three dozen Dragoness landed in the field around them. The females of the Kind spread in a tight circle around Asgre, Ariadne, Owena, Adrian, and Katie. Leslie, a Hebridean and trained healer, strode onto the common field from the Friends compound.

She made her way through the dragoness and faced Asgre. “I heard the call, my Queen,” she said to her. Then she turned to Katie. “It’s time?’

“Yeah, less than a minute aparARRT! OH, Fuck!” Katie grabbed the other woman’s shoulder and squeezed hard.

Leslie smiled. “Let’s have a baby, then.” She placed her hand on Katie’s belly. “Your Friends and the Kind are anxious to meet you, Terrwyn,” she whispered, and then looked at Owena. “One in particular.”

The Kind closed around them, shielding them from the world with wings and strong scales. Asgre, the great Dilys Banon, joined claws with her sisters and let her magic flow. The dragoness started to weave back and forth to a slow rhythm, then they raised their heads to the stars, and they sang. It was joyful, and it was mournful, and Katie was swept up in the swirl of magic and dragonsong. The melody sounded throughout the valley, and the other Friends emerged from their cabins and the common building to gather around the dragoness. Charlie and Alice joined hands, and all around them the other friends did the same. The humans spread around the circle of the Kind in pairs and small groups, and then they too began to sing.

Everyone in the valley, human and Kind, sensed a great magic building. In the distant lairs and rookeries the bulls, fledglings, and adolescents felt an irresistible pull. In a vast rushing of wings they took flight and soared down onto the common field to gather around the humans and dragoness. They were enveloped in the immense swirl of magic, and they added their song to it.

The entire population of the reserve was singing in the common field.

Katie could feel them all. She could feel Asgre directing the Kind, she could feel Owena comforting Terrwyn, she could feel Adrian’s strong hand in hers, she could feel the unconditional love for her child from everyone, and she could feel Terrwyn. They were ready.

Katie took her place on the delivery cot Leslie had transfigured out of a normal one from the compound. At the next contraction Leslie felt her, sliding her fingers over her and into her. Katie smirked at the intimacy and casualness of her healer friend. And then another contraction made her howl like Lavender on a full moon. “I want to push,” she told Leslie when she could talk again.

“Okay, you’re effaced and dilated, let’s do it.” Leslie turned to Asgre. “Now, my queen.”

The dragoness song ramped up in volume and intensity. Quavering ripples sounded throughout the strange melody, and then the bulls joined the chorus. Thunderous basses counterpointed the dragoness, and sprinkled in throughout the song were the trills of the young. Owena was producing a high counterpointed melody to her mother’s as she too weaved, eyes closed in a trancelike dance.

“TERRWYN!!!” Katie screamed as she bore down and pushed with the contraction.

Adrian’s eyes crossed from the pain. He’d have Leslie look at it later, but his wife might have just broken his hand.

“We have a crown,” Leslie yelled. Her face appeared in front of Katie’s. “Next one give it all you have, okay?”

“Yeah, okay, I… AIIEEEEE!!!!!” Katie pushed with all her might.

The valley shook with an incredible amount of pure sonic volume. The bulls long thrumming bass vibrated everything, from the stones on the path to the walls of the buildings, and many Dragon Friends found things from shelves on the floors when they returned to their cabins. The dragoness song floated over the bulls in a spectacular crescendo, and above all of it Owena sang out a welcome as her friend emerged into the world.

“We have a little girl,” Leslie shouted at Katie and Adrian, trying to be heard over the song that had turned spirited and joyful.

Adrian read her lips and relayed it to Katie. Then Terrwyn Pucey was placed in her mother’s arms. The huge magical field that surrounded the residents of the reserve pulsed perceptively with Terrwyn’s breathing, and Katie smiled down into her daughter’s closed eyes. “You are the chosen of the Kind, my darling.” She laid her hand on Terrwyn’s head and held the other high over her head. Asgre and Ariadne each lay a whisker in her hand, and Owena laid a whisker into Terrwyn’s outstretched hand. The tiny fist closed, and the field collapsed in on itself to become a blinding white ball of energy hovering above the center of circle. Another crescendo sounded in the song, and the ball of light dropped straight down and into Terrwyn Pucey.

The tiny newborn opened her eyes and joined the song.

It wasn’t a cry, it was a simple note along with the rest. A burst of magic flowed out from the small group surrounding Katie and Terrwyn, spreading through the Kind and Friends, and then the song was one of celebration, and Katie felt love from all sides pouring into the small group of dragons and humans in the center of the circle. One by one the dragoness leaned in and stroked Terrwyn with their whiskers; even the Vipertooth females were gentle and delicate as they bonded with the newborn.

Owena lay half curled around the cot, eyes closed and enraptured, her whisker still gripped in Terrwyn’s hand. She will hear us always, Asgre sent to Katie, Adrian and Leslie. And she will know us even better than you, my Friends. We name her the Dilys Wyn, the true companion, for she now carries a part of us in her.

As each dragoness finished, she backed away to allow others to come forward to bond with and bless the child. When all the dragoness had taken their turn, the bulls came forward and did the same. I give you my fire whenever you have need of it, Kaddyl sent as he stroked his daughter and her dearest friend with his whiskers.

I give you my claws, Atlas sent.

I give you my vigilance, Wu Tsi, Si Lyn’s mate sent. For most of the Kind, sleep was second only to mating as their favorite activity, but male Fireballs slept rarely. They were nearly always awake and alert.

On and on it went. Every male of the Kind came forward and gifted Terrwyn. Then at last the young crept carefully to Owena’s side. They lay their whiskers on Owena, and another great burst of magic flowed from the young dragons into Owena and Terrwyn.

Terrwyn squirmed in her mother’s arms and gave a mighty yawn. Her tiny fist released Owena’s whisker, and Leslie reached in between Katie and Owena to cut the umbilical cord. She summoned a bowl of warm water and a flannel from the infirmary, and set about cleaning Terrwyn. A few minutes later she delivered the placenta. That was far easier than producing Terrwynpucey, Asgre thought.

“Yes, my queen,” Leslie said. “But Katie has had a very hard day, and I think now everyone should get some sleep.” She turned to Adrian. “Nice job of staying upright, by the way. Let me see your hand.”

“Huh, what?” Adrian said. He had been remarkably quiet throughout the whole affair. It was all just so intense that he had nothing to add. Plus, he was in a state of minor shock.

Leslie laughed. “I saw that look when she crushed your hand. Here.” She squeezed Adrian’s hand and he jumped in pain.

“Ouch!”

Leslie nodded, and cast the healing charm on his hand. “Better?”

Adrian managed a nod. “Yeah.”

Leslie shook her head and cleaned Katie, who was on the verge of passing out. “Go ahead, go to sleep, Katie. Adrian, the Kind, and I will keep watch.”

Katie nodded, eyes closed, and in moments her breathing became deep and regular. “And you, Little Spark,” Leslie said, giving Terrwyn the nickname that would follow her for years, “You need sleep, too.”

Terrwyn yawned widely again as Leslie swaddled her and placed her in Katie’s arms. Then Leslie conjured a cot for Adrian, and watched as he too lapsed into unconsciousness in moments. She thought of casting the warming charm on them, and then laughed to herself at the absurdity of the thought. All around her the Kind were settling down to sleep in the common field. Their combined body heat would keep the humans warm even if it began to snow, which in mid April was unlikely at best. If it began to rain, Asgre could simply cover them with a wing.

Thank you, Mum, Owena sent to her mother, and she rubbed her neck against her mother’s.

You are very welcome, my heart of hearts. Terrwynpucey will be a great friend to you and the Kind. Perhaps she will even be a new kind of human, we will see. We imparted a great amount of The Magic Of The Kind into her. She will know us as well as we know ourselves, perhaps better. You and she will have a long time to explore this special bond we have created here today. Owena felt her mother’s warmth and love through their bond. Now, my sweet daughter, sleep calls us. And without further ado, Asgre, the great Dilys Banon, coiled herself around the humans and her chick. She nuzzled Owena once and fell fast asleep.

All throughout the common field Owena could see the others of the Kind doing the same. Her father and all but one of his friends followed her mother into that land most loved by the Kind. As Owena herself felt sleep dragging her into its bliss, she looked at Wu Tsi. The proud male Fireball nodded to her and resumed scanning the sky. Welcome to the world, Terrwynpucey. Thank you for being. Owena laid a whisker across Katie and Terrwyn, sighed contentedly, and joined them in their dreams.

4

The story of Aldwyn and Meudwen, the first Friends.

And with these words I can see

Clear through the clouds that covered me

Just give it time then speak my name

Now we can hear ourselves again

Terrwyn Pucey hurtled across the common room, and launched her four year old body into the lap of one of the Friends. “Story time, Uncle Charlie!” she said loudly.

Charlie smiled at Adrian and Katie sitting on a bench nearby, and Adrian waved his hand in acquiescence. Terrwyn had decided that Charlie was the best storyteller this month. Last month it had been Albert, and the month before it was Leslie Anne. He smiled down at the little girl snuggling into his lap with her blanket. “What story tonight, Little Spark?” he asked, although he knew the answer.

“Tell the story of the first friends, Aldwyn and Meudwen.”

Charlie heard the scraping of bench legs as many of the Friends turned to face him. He smirked at them and hugged the little girl. Alasdair waved his wand at the lamps and they dimmed. “Seven hundred years ago the Kind were friendless and alone.” he said, and let the tale sweep him up. “Then one day, not far from her, Aldwyn and his wife Meudwen were fishing in Llyn Arenig Fach. Aldwyn had just cast out his line into the water when a great crash sounded from the lake. He and Meudwen looked out across the llyn to see two of the Kind sinking into the water. Unthinking and unafraid, Aldwyn and Meudwen cast the summoning charm, and with great effort, brought the two dragons to shore.”

Terrwyn had already closed her eyes and was smiling along with the story while she cuddled into her blanket. “That was Urien and Tegwedd, Owena’s great grandparents,” she said without opening her eyes.

Charlie smiled and chuckled. “Do you want to tell the tale?”

“No, you’re best.”

Titters sounded from all around, and Charlie smiled at the Friends. This precious child belonged to everyone. She knew her mother and father were Katie and Adrian, but she had twenty-four doting aunts and twenty-four overprotective uncles who would literally walk through fire for her. “Thanks, Little Spark, I’ll keep that in mind next month when you’re in someone else’s lap. Now, where were we? Oh yes. Aldwyn and Meudwen found they had two Welshies before them. They could have killed them for their meat and skins, but Aldwyn and Meudwen had hearts. They levitated the two dragons to dry land and cast the warming charm on them.

“Aldwyn and Meudwen were good people.”

“Yes they were, Little Spark, very good.” He winked at his fellows and continued. “The dragons were hurt and confused when they awoke. They were not accustomed to human help and used fire on the two people, but Aldwyn and Meudwen were powerful and shielded themselves. When the dragon’s fire was spent, and Aldwyn and Meudwen approached again, the great Queen Tegwedd regarded them with uncertainty. Humans had always been a danger to the Kind.”

“We didn’t know,” Terrwyn said quietly.

“We do now, Little Spark. We do now.” Charlie shifted her in his lap and continued. “Queen Tegwedd wondered to Urien why the two humans would help their enemies, and to her great good fortune, Meudwen heard her.”

“Meudwen!” Olaf said, and held up his mug in a toast. Around the room many mugs were raised.

Charlie smiled. “For Meudwen was sensitive, and she could hear people even when they didn’t talk. That was why she and Aldwyn lived far from others. People feared her, and so she also knew the Kind’s torment. Aldwyn was shocked when his wife handed him her wand and walked to the dragon unarmed. ‘I am Meudwen, and I would be your friend,’ Meudwen told Queen Tegwedd. The Queen of the Kind had never seen a human so brave. With a sweep of her claws she could have wiped her from the earth, but Queen Tegwedd stayed her hand.”

“Queen Tegwedd!” Leslie Anne said, and held her mug aloft.

“Queen Tegwedd” echoed around the room.

Charlie nodded at his friends. “’I am queen of the Kind’ Queen Tegwedd told Meudwen. ‘Why do you not fear us? Why do you not kill us?’ she asked, and Meudwen answered, ‘We are not as those you have met before. They have never heard you, never felt you. We are different from them, and we are not so different from you.’ With that answer Queen Tegwedd began to understand that there were many kinds of people.”

“She was very smart, like Owena.” Terrwyn said, almost asleep.

“Yes, Little Spark, just like Owena,” he whispered. “Queen Tegwedd then decided to test Aldwyn and Meudwen. ‘What would you do to show your friendship?’ she asked the humans, and Meudwen answered, ‘Anything we can, my Queen.’ Queen Tegwedd was pleased, and she showed them her spurs. ‘We have these for defending ourselves, but in age they become a trouble and a source of pain,’ she told Meudwen. Then Queen Tegwedd showed Meudwen where the spurs made a hurt on her side when she tucked her legs to fly.”

Terrwyn rolled over in Charlie’s lap and muttered, “They’d never been trimmed.” Charlie was sure the little girl was nearly asleep, but he continued. “That’s right, Little Spark, they’d never had their spurs trimmed. Meudwen called to her husband and Aldwyn stepped to her side. Then Meudwen took up her wand and trimmed the spurs of one of the Kind for the first time. When she finished trimming Queen Tegwedd’s spurs and had healed the hurts, Aldwyn turned to face Urien. Aldwyn was a brave and true Gryffindor, and he strode to Urien’s side. Though they could not talk to each other in the way Queen Tegwedd and Meudwen could, they understood one and the other. Aldwyn trimmed Urien’s spurs, healed his hurts, and then noticed that many pests had taken refuge in the dragon’s scales.”

“Ugh, dragon ticks, I mmbh…” muttered Terrwyn.

Charlie shook in a silent laugh. “Aldwyn cast cleansing charm after cleansing charm on Urien until all the pests were gone, and Urien was pleased. Then he did the same for Queen Tegwedd. ‘How can we help you, new friends,” the dragons asked Aldwyn and Meudwen. ‘We want only your friendship,” Meudwen told Queen Tegwedd, and the Dilys Banon knew it to be true.”

“Queen Tegwedd and her mate, Urien stayed with Aldwyn and Meudwen for many days after, learning one about the other. Then Aldwyn had an idea, for he could not converse with the Kind as his wife could, and he desired to. Aldwyn was first to take the mark, first to declare himself Dragon Friend, and the first to ride. Aldwyn and Meudwen told all their secrets to Queen Tegwedd and Urien, about the magical world, about the Muggles, and about themselves. When they had finished Queen Tegwedd and Urien decided they could trust Aldwyn and Meudwen with their secrets, and so they told Aldwyn and Meudwen about the love of the Kind and its danger.”

Terrwyn was clearly asleep, but Charlie continued for the rest of his friends. “Queen Tegwedd and Urien told them of the peril of mating, and the joy. They told of how so many of their friends had died, crashing to the earth in a lovers embrace, how they themselves had almost died in the attempt to bring more of the Kind into the world, and Queen Tegwedd and Urien wept.”

Charlie looked up from the sleeping girl to grim faces and nodding heads. He smiled. “But Meudwen would not be detoured from her quest to help the Kind. One day she came to Queen Tegwedd and asked, ‘My queen, we would fly with you, Aldwyn and I. We would fly with you in your mating and wake you from the bliss before you fall to earth. Will you allow this?’ Queen Tegwedd and Urien agreed, and that night was the first flight of Kind and Friends.”

Charlie stood with the sleeping girl in his arms. “And that is how the Dragon Friends came to be, Terrwyn.” He kissed her forehead and handed her to Adrian. “Good night, Little Spark, dream big.”

5

The Meeting

Terrwyn raised her hand. “Yes, Miss Pucey,” Neville Longbottom said with a smirk, “I thought you might have something to say on this topic.”

They are called “The Kind, sir.”

He smiled. “Only by the Dragon Keepers, why is that?”

Terrwyn smiled sweetly. “It’s a secret, but I can say, ‘Because they are.’”

“Yes, Miss Pucey, I’ve heard that one before, too.” He laughed. “So what Kind of dung is this?”

“Ironbelly,” she said instantly.

The rest of the class sniggered, and Neville raised his hand. The class quieted. “She’s absolutely correct, ten points to Ravenclaw. And this one?” he asked, holding up another basket of dragon dung.

“Short Snout, sir,” was the immediate reply.

“Another ten, very good, Terrwyn.” He looked at the class, and asked her, “How did you know?”

Terrwyn stood by her desk. “Ironbelly dung is dense, holds together well and, as you can smell, not as pungent as the Snout’s. The Snouts eat primarily reindeer, so there are little bits of antler and bone in it. See those white and brown flecks amid the black, that’s the bone and antler material.”

Neville smiled. “Twenty more.” He turned to the black board and waved his wand across it. The chalk leapt from the tray and began writing. “Everything Terrwyn has just said, plus information on all the other species’ dung, will be on the board. Copy it down and condense it into three sheets by tomorrow,” he said, and smiled to himself at the groans from the class. “And just so we don’t have anybody taking advantage of our resident dragon expert, Terrwyn, you are excused from this assignment.” Before the outrage could build, Neville loudly added, “You will, however, report to the greenhouses after dinner for an extra credit assignment.”

“Yes, Professor,” she said as she sat.

“Oh, don’t think it’s a punishment. It’s nothing you haven’t done before.”

She nodded. “Yes, Professor Longbottom.”

It was full dark with no stars as Terrwyn made her way back to the greenhouses after the evening meal. Professor Longbottom had been right to make her come. The questions hadn’t stopped from the time she left the Herbology classroom to her hasty exit from the great hall. Her holly wand with one of Owena’s whiskers in the core lit the path as she walked from the courtyard to the greenhouses. Light streamed from greenhouse one, so she entered. A tall boy with a shock of unruly blond hair sat reading a book at one end. She walked up to him.

“Hi, I’m Terrwyn Pucey. Professor Longbottom told me to report here after dinner,” she told the boy. He appeared to be a fifth or sixth year. The young man looked up, smiled, and she recognized his features immediately. Even though she hadn’t met him, she knew who he was. All the girls had talked to her about this particular boy. They were right, Tiresias Longbottom was astoundingly good looking, and it wasn’t lost on Terrwyn.

“Ty Longbottom, a pleasure,” he said, and held out his hand. “So you’re Terrwyn Pucey, the ‘dragon girl’, eh?”

Terrwyn rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s me.” She took his hand and an electric shock passed between them.

Tiresias looked at their clasped hands and laughed. “You’ve got a little spark there.”

Terrwyn released his hand, and she blushed at his accidental use of her childhood nickname.

He cocked his head to the side. “Really, it was your nickname?”

So, you are sensitive like your Mum, she thought. Terrwyn had met and studied with his mother several times, developing and expanding the bond between Owena and herself, but Tiresias was either absent or at Hogwarts on those occasions.

“Yeah, but I’ll pull back. Mum says it’s not polite.”

“It’s not, but I’ll forgive you,” she said with a shy smile. “Why are you here?”

“Same as you, ducking questions.”

She looked at him, bemused. “What questions? Doesn’t everyone know everything about you already?”

He laughed. “Yeah, but it doesn’t matter. They ask all the time anyway. ‘What is your dad really like? Is it true your Mum spent four months as a prisoner of Scorpius’ dad? You really know Harry Potter?’” he laughed, and shook his head. “It’s never ending, especially from the girls.”

She chuckled. “You have looked in a mirror, haven’t you?”

He shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t see it. They all think I’m handsome just because of who my parents are.”

Terrwyn snorted, and intentionally sent as hard as she could, You couldn’t be more wrong, Ty.

He looked at her in mild shock. “Well, there’s a bit more to you than meets the eye, isn’t there?”

“She has her secrets just like we do, son,” Neville said from the doorway. “And some are very important.” Neville grinned. “Particularly to you two,” he muttered under his breath. Then he looked at his charges. “Tonight we sort the delivery from the reserve, shouldn’t take but a half hour or so.”

“Why do you need me for that, sir?” Terrwyn asked.

“Oh, I don’t really. But it does go faster with extra hands, plus Ty needs the break and the unflattering company. Besides, as I said in class, I don’t want them cheating off you, and I don’t want you to be put in a position where you have to be firm about the secrets.” He turned and walked toward the rear door of the greenhouse. “I’ll be right back.”

Tiresias looked at Terrwyn. “It’s tough being unique around here.” He smiled. “I had the Weasleys to help me when I started.” He cocked his head to the side. “How ‘bout I help you?”

Terrwyn looked at him. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Well, like I said. Being unusual means some folks will want to be your friend just because of who you are, and some will dislike you for the same reason.” He looked at her quizzically. “You know any of the Weasleys?”

“Just Uncle Charlie,” she said with a smile.

He chuckled. “Well the only one left here is Althea; she’s Ron and Lavender Weasley’s youngest daughter.” He shook his head. “A Slytherin Weasley, who’d have thought?”

“My dad is Slytherin.”

“Oh, don’t get the wrong idea. I know Slytherin doesn’t mean evil. No, no, it’s just that all of them have been Gryffindors, like me, since – well, forever.”

She nodded. “The hat considered both, but then it put me in Ravenclaw.”

“And it was right to do so,” Neville said as he came back through the door pulling a trolley. It was piled with large burlap bags. “What have we got here, Terrwyn?”

She scanned the bags and grinned. She’d filled many of these in her life. “Dung sacks, professor.” She walked to the trolley and began sorting through the bags. “Green, Green, Snout, Horn, Ball,” –she paused and raised and eyebrow at Neville- “Vipertooth?”

He smiled wide. “Ten points. Yes, Vipertooth. It’s for the NEWT students.”

“They know how dangerous it is?”

“They will after they write five sheets on it.” He patted her shoulder. “It is The best venomous tentacula fertilizer there is. They just love it.” Terrwyn saw Tiresias shake his head; the love of plants seemed to have skipped a generation. “The Snout goes under the benches for tomorrow’s assignment. The rest goes in the back. Let’s get to it.”

My Dearest Luna,

When you’re right, you’re right, my love. Ty met Terrwyn Pucey for the first time tonight, and he volunteered immediately to help her fit in. Even though he’s sixteen and she’s eleven, their age difference wasn’t very apparent. She’s amazing, my love, definitely the most mature first year student I’ve ever had.

Luna sat back and laughed to herself. Of course she is, Neville my darling. She grew up around adults. I don’t think she’s been around her age group much, if at all. She looked back down at the letter.

By the time we were done with sorting the delivery from the reserve they were chatting and laughing and carrying on like they’d know each other their whole lives. They stayed in greenhouse one for hours after. I had to hurry them out at half nine so they wouldn’t break curfew. These next three years will be very interesting with the two of them here.

I see what you meant about their natural affinity. Ty was grinning like mad as we walked back to Gryffindor tower after escorting Terrwyn to the Ravenclaw door. He was jabbering on about how he was going to make sure she didn’t have some of the problems he and the Weasley brood had. I had to stifle a laugh when he said, “And Dad, she’s going to be a real heartbreaker, too. Did you see how pretty she is? And she’s only eleven!” He’s smitten. The best part is that they’ll be friends, real friends, like you and I were.

Luna nodded and drew her hand lovingly down the page. Yes, and that changed and grew for us. It will, in time, for them too, my love.

I always doubted Sibyll, but it seems what you saw in her mind when she met Ty was correct, even if she didn’t know it at the time. It still amazes me that she can be so oblivious to her real talent, but now I know why Dumbledore kept her around. When she’s hot, you know, really got her power flowing, the woman glows in the dark!

Expect an excited letter from our son.

Your husband and forever friend,

Neville

Extras

Part 2

An Economy of Scales:

Dragon Keeping in the new age

A primer in the operation of a reserve

By Charlie Weasley

Welcome, new Dragon Friend. After the great treaty of 2003, wherein the trading of dragon products was severely limited, the Dragon Friends moved into the dominant position in the world of dragon keeping. With the establishment of the International Dragon Reserve (IDR) in northern Canada, and the preservation and establishment of the smaller reserves in Wales, Tibet, Turkey, and Scotland (we’re working on the Romanians), the trade in legitimate and legal dragon products commenced. This trade supports the International Dragon Federation (IDF) and the individual reserves.

Dragon Keeping is an expensive endeavor. Each full grown dragon consumes three to five large animals per week. Multiply that by the population of even a small reserve like the Wales Dragon Reserve (WDR) and a substantial deficit is generated. To offset this, certified and stamped dragon products are produced by the reserves. A black market in stolen and wild harvested dragon products sprang up almost immediately, however the Dragon Friends responded to it with a marshal corps that defends the reserves, investigates unauthorized interference in the wild population, and polices the trade in dragon products.

At three galleons per bag on average, the dung trade accounts for fifty to sixty percent of revenue. The Kind also shed skin and whiskers twice a year; when The Friends found a way to preserve and make supple the shed skin, it killed the illegal trade in dragon skins overnight. The black market price for dragon skin was twenty to thirty galleons per square yard, whereas certified dragon skin goes for ten. Supplized dragon skin accounts for thirty-five to forty percent of revenue. Dragon heartstring, a long-sought component in wand making, has been supplanted with dragon whisker. At ten galleons per whisker, this accounts for five to seven percent of revenue on average. It is a small percentage however this was our greatest triumph, as the primary reason for the slaughter of the Kind has been eliminated.

Dragon Blood, a chief component in a wide variety of potions, was the hardest product to deal with. After much discussion in the council, the Kind decided to allow limited collection. At the reserves, volunteers among the Kind allow a painless collection of a few pints of blood every few months. On average ten to twelve gallons of blood are produced at the WDR each month. At one hundred galleons per pint this accounts for approximately fifteen percent of revenue. The remainder of revenue comes from scales, eight percent, and Dragon Fire services (destruction of dark objects). Currently the WDR is in a position of relative stability. We run a small surplus that is directed in into a fund that will support us should hard times fall, and, if it reaches two years’ operating expenses, the remainder will be used to buy adjacent Muggle land and expand the reserve.

We are not a zoo. We don’t do tours.

As of this writing the WDR has a small but growing population of ninety-five: thirty-five bulls, thirty-five dragoness, and twenty-five chicks and adolescents. The Kind could easily overpopulate our little reserve if they chose, but they do not. The dragoness can conceive at will for the five days after a mating flight, but they keep their own council on who is to have a chick next. The Dilys Banon is the final arbiter.

Procuring feed stock is another challenge. Because we must buy from the Muggle population it became necessary to form the front cooperation, Draconis Major. This false front for the reserve purchases stock in bulk on the open market. The bi-monthly purchase of twenty five steers, fifty sheep, fifty goats, and twenty reindeer are shipped into Shrewsbury, and then they are picked up by the team of Friends trained as drivers in our lorries. From there they are driven to Mawddwy. A small farm outside the village acts as our delivery point, stock yard, and vehicle storage facility. Most of the stock is kept there, and we portkey animals as needed to the reserve. The reserve grounds produce enough rabbits for the chicks.

The Dragon Friends are paid a small salary relative to the general wizarding population. This is offset, however, by the fact that most of us live at the reserves, and we pay nothing for room and board. We are chosen to be Dragon Friends because of our dedication and trustworthiness, not for our ambition to wealth. The expenditures on the employee population of the reserves are overseen by the council. Everyone is paid equally after the probationary period, and everyone has similar living accommodations. The Dragon Friends are a group of peers, and we intend to keep it that way.

In Wales and Scotland the Council of the Friends does answer (with a bit of humor) to the British Ministry of Magic, and through it, the Queen. Her Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, and His Royal Highness Prince William are the four Muggles that have been allowed onto the reserve. Her Majesty especially was impressed and delighted with our success. The grounds of the reserve were given over to the Dragon Friends by Her Majesty’s father, His Royal Highness King George the Sixth. An avid dragon lover himself, His Royal Highness gave into our care a large portion of the Royal estate in Wales. Her Majesty thoroughly enjoys her yearly inspection, and has continued the royal family’s patronage, and her son and grandson are committed to our success as well.

The Dragon Friends are determined to end the killing of the Kind for any reason. To that end we have employed a marshal corps. This grew from an incident at the WDR; four eggs went missing and we called upon the Ministry for help. It arrived in the form of two special agents who took the mark and became Friends themselves. After they solved the crime and brought the perpetrators to justice, the council and the Dilys Banon decided they should be offered the permanent position of marshals. The other reserves were told of this development, and they too brought marshals of their own into the circle of Friends. There are two at the WDR (the same couple who originally accepted) and two at each of the smaller reserves. At the IDR there are ten. These marshals are paid as any other Dragon Friend, however they have a small budget for travel should they need to go into the field on an investigation. They are also overseen by, and an integral part of, the council.

This is how we, the Dragon Friends, have managed our duties and charges for the last fifty years. Our economy seems stable, and we are growing the population of the Kind. The ministry does not interfere with the council, and we have only been called upon once to assist them in a difficulty (the escaped prisoner from Gringotts in Nineteen-Ninety-Eight). With perseverance and dedication we intend to continue caring for the Kind into the foreseeable future.

In service to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, and Asgre the Dilys Banon,

Charlie Weasley, Dragon Friend
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