2,221Disclaimer – I solemnly swear that JKR owns everything Harry Potter. Whether or not I am up to no good with her characters is for you to decide.
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Harry Potter: Dragon Whisperer
Chapter 37 – Hello and Goodbye
7:35am
Monday, 13 August 1995
Papa Stour, Shetland Islands, Scotland
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§Speaker§!
Harry looked up from where he was bent over the long trestle table set outside the big muggle building that had been converted into the Main Hall for the Dragon Weyr of Great Britain. The last of the plans for the Handler's Village that he and Angus were looking over were shaping up nicely and Harry was sure that the dragons would be happy that the humans would only occupy a small area of the island. It helped that it mostly consisted of 'magically renovating' the existing village that had been on the island, including with space expansion charms.
§Hello, Farlys§! Harry called before frowning; there was something in the way that the Common Welsh Green was flying, as though she was constantly trying to look over her shoulder that had him instantly on alert. §What's wrong§?
§There is a strange dragon winging towards us§, Farlys replied.
Harry's frown deepened even as he stepped across to grab up his broom from where it rested against the nearby wall.
§Strange in what way, Farlys§? he asked.
The great dragon landed but instantly scrambled around so that she was facing back the way she'd come. The fact that her wings remained half unfurled screamed that she was ready to leap back into the air at a moment's notice.
§The dragon is there and not there at the same time, Speaker§, she replied sounding frustrated.
Hearing that and knowing that dragons had probably the best eyesight in the world made Harry's mind up.
§Let's go meet this strange dragon together§, Harry said as he mounted his Nimbus.
As he shot into the air with Farlys right behind him, Harry took note that they weren't the only ones flying. Four others, three Welsh Greens and a singular Hibernian Black, altered course and formed up behind Harry and Farlys. Harry pushed is Nimbus hard, the wind whipping at his clothes. Despite how fast he was going, he knew that the dragons were holding back in deference to him.
It took less than a minute before he first spotted the aberration in the sky. Harry frowned at it; Farlys was right. There was something strange about it, one second it was there, the next, it had disappeared.
But the longer that he stared at it and the closer that they came, the fewer the 'disappearances' there were.
"An opaleye!" Harry suddenly blurted.
Now that he recognised what he was seeing, he understood. One of the most distinguishing features of an Antipodean Opaleye was the fact that their scales perfectly reflected their environment, making them virtually invisible at times. He'd seen it more times than he could count when he'd been visiting his Australasian dragon friends not that long ago.
Bringing his broom to a near stop, Harry waited for the approaching dragon; the dragons around him stiffening their wings and allowing the wind to hold them aloft in a glide.
It didn't take long before the Opaleye came close enough for Harry to recognise, or, more precisely, for Harry to see the distinctive scar that marred the dragon's lower jaw and neck.
§Zanzyn§! Harry called in greeting, punctuating it with a big wave of his arm.
§Speaker! I have found you§! Zanzyn replied wearily.
§Follow us, Zanzyn§,Harry said, whirling his broom around. §You can rest your wings on the island up ahead. It's where the dragons of Avalon weyr§.
As they flew towards the island, Harry cast an eye on his Opaleye friend. It was obvious that Zanzyn was more than exhausted. His long neck drooped, leaving his great head almost lower than the rest of his body. His wings, too, weren't rising and falling with a normal dragon's strength; instead, it appeared that it was taking everything that Zanzyn had to lift them after every downstroke.
Thankfully, it was only a very few minutes before the group landed.
§You flew all the way here§? Harry asked, having approached Zanzyn and laying his hand on his lower jaw.
§It is where you are, Speaker§, Zanzyn replied.
§But halfway around the world§? Harry shook his head in amazement at the feat.
He had no idea that dragons were capable of flying that far. How Zanzyn wasn't seen was covered under the simple explanation of 'dragon magic' but the distance and direction…
§How did you know where I was§?Harry asked.
§All dragons know where the weyrs of other dragons are§, Myrddys answered for Zanzyn as he walked towards them.
§They do§? Harry asked.
§The Council of Weyr Leaders may not gather often, Speaker, but when it does, the location of all dragons worldwide, both those known to two-legs and those still hidden, is shared. When next the Leaders meet, I shall join them§,Myrrdys stated.
Harry blinked at the eldest Hibernian Black. A World Council of dragon Weyr Leaders? He was sure that no dragon handler, let alone any witch or wizard even knew that such a thing existed! Idly, he wondered if, as Speaker, he could get himself an invitation. But that was a thought for another time. Right now, the mystery of Zanzyn's arrival needed to be dealt with.
§I thank you for explaining, Weyr Leader§,Harry bowed before turning back to Zanzyn. §Why have you come, my friend? Is something wrong in the Weyr§?
§No, Speaker, not wrong, something right§,Zanzyn replied, his eyes showing whirling streaks of blue, green and yellow, indicating his happiness and excitement.
§The eggs§! Harry gasped, grabbing onto the first thought that popped into his mind. §Have they hatched? But it's too soon§!
§Shiklyn's eggs have not hatched yet, Speaker, but very soon, sooner than any dragon expected. Both Shiklyn and Dankrum agree. All dragons of the Weyr wish for our Speaker to be there when the hatchlings emerge. I was given the honour of finding you, Speaker and ensuring that you were there in time§,Zanzyn said.
A great thrum of approval burst forth from the assembled dragons and Harry could see the approval and excitement running through the whirring eyes of the dragons of the Weyr. The eggs that would be hatching might not belong to this weyr, but they belonged to all dragon-kind.
§The Speaker was not there when my hatchlings broke shell but that was a time before he was Speaker. He will be for my next laying§,Ramaranth declared.
§I wouldn't miss it§, Harry smiled at his favourite dragon. §How soon must I be at the weyr, Zanzyn§?
Zanzyn looked up at the sun for a moment before fixing his gaze on Harry once more.
§Sooner than I can fly home. Two, three suns at the most. Can two-legs can fly faster than dragon wings§? he asked.
Harry laughed at the dubious looks the dragons were giving his broom.
§Not on this, I can't§,he agreed. §But there are other ways, both magical and normal that can get me there in time§.
§That is good, Speaker§,Zanzyn replied, nodding his great head.
§But what of you§?Harry asked.
§I have served my Weyr by bringing you the message. I will rest and then return to the weyr when I am able§,Zanzyn replied.
§You are welcome here in our Weyr for as long as you need§, Myrddys told him.
§You must go, Speaker, you have far to travel§,Ramaranth stated.
Harry nodded even as he looked up and around at the gathered dragons.
§You're right, Ramaranth. I need to make travel arrangements, but I promise to return here either later today or tomorrow before I leave Avalon§, he said. §Until soon, my friends§.
And then, after taking out the small carved grim that Sirius had given him, he tapped it with his wand and disappeared in a swirl of portkey blue.
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7:50am
Tuesday, 14 August 1995
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
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"Now, remember, we can't stay long," Remus stated as the four of them walked through the front gates of Hogwarts.
"We know, Moony, quit being a worry-wolf," Sirius snarked back.
"Half an hour at the most," Charlie added, checking his pocket-watch. "Our portkey is scheduled to leave at eight thirty and we need to be at the International Portkey Departure Point before that."
Harry ignored the three of them, after all, they'd been over this more times than he could count that morning already.
Indeed, it had taken a bit of convincing to get the three men to agree to this quick stop before they left England in the first place. Strangely enough, it was only after Sirius had received a very early morning owl that he had also joined in on the idea of visiting Hogwarts before they left that had settled the question.
"Your friends know that you're coming, don't they?" Remus asked.
"I spoke to Daphne this morning on the mirrors," Harry replied. "She would have told the others by now."
Rounding the path brought the great castle into view and Harry couldn't help but smile. It was magnificent and, even though living there for most of a year had been a huge adjustment from what life had been like before, he cherished what the castle had brought in his life. Friends. Magic. A godfather and honorary uncle. And, of course, dragons.
"I'll send them a quick message to let them know that we've arrived," Harry said before raising his hand and bringing to mind the last time that he was flying on Ramaranth, Daphne squeezed into the space between the great dragon's spine ridges behind him, her arms wrapped around him, her laugh right beside his ear. "Expecto Patronum!"
Instantly, a dazzling white mist burst forth before forming into the shape of a dragon that flew off, its misty wings propelling it towards the side of the castle.
"Wand, Harry, wand," Remus sighed in what sounded like defeat.
Harry simply grinned and shrugged. "Sorry. Forgot. Besides, it's easier without."
"Looks like your friends are coming to see you off," Charlie remarked.
Harry frowned. His eyes might not be as good as a dragon's but even he could see that they were only people visible anywhere on the school grounds and the Castle Entry was still closed up tight.
"I don't see them," he replied.
"Not them, them!" Charlie laughed, emphasising where to look by pointing up and off to the side.
Looking that way, Harry couldn't help but laugh and jog off the path towards the large open patch of ground. His eyes tracked the six huge dragons winging their way towards him, each a different size, colour and type of dragon.
Ramaranth. Grouleth. Norberta. Myrddys. Farlys. Zanzyn.
§Speaker§!
§What are you all doing here§? he asked as they came into land in a great arc around him.
§You are leaving our Weyr and our shores, Speaker§, Myrddys replied. §Farlys and I wished to see you off properly§.
§We three are leaving here, too, Speaker, to return to our own Weyr§, Grouleth added.
§It has been too long since I have been parted from my fledglings§, Ramaranth stated.
Harry nodded. §I miss them too. Please say 'hi' to them for me and tell them that I'll be back soon§.
§Of course, Speaker§, Ramaranth replied, lowering her head in acknowledgement.
§And after all that I have heard of this two-leg place where you first Spoke to Ramaranth and Farlys, I wished to see it for myself§, Zanzyn said.
"Harry?"
He turned to find that Daphne, Neville, Hermione and Susan had arrived while he'd been talking with his dragon friends.
"Daph!" he exclaimed, leaping forwards to catch her up in his arms. After soundly kissing her, he grinned at the rest of his friends. "Hey, guys, good to see you all."
"Well, at least he acknowledged we were here," Susan said, barely hiding her smile.
"What can you expect? We're not dragons or his girlfriend," Neville retorted, stepping forward to shake Harry's hand.
"You're truly off to Australia again?" Hermione asked, her eyes darting between him and the Antipodean Opaleye.
"Yep," Harry replied. "The eggs are due to hatch either tomorrow or the day after. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see dragon eggs hatch, I'm not going to miss it!"
"Somehow, Pup, I suspect that you're going to see hundreds of dragon eggs hatch in your lifetime," Sirius laughed.
Harry simply shrugged, sure that his godfather was probably right.
"Ah, good, we're not too late," a new voice exclaimed, making the group turn.
"Daddy? Mum?" Daphne exclaimed, quickly disentangling herself from Harry to rush across to give her parents a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, a little birdie…" Cyrus began.
"Sent by a rather big dog," Penelope interrupted.
"… told me about something special that was happening," Cyrus continued, "and he might have invited us along."
Daphne's eyes bulged as she realised his meaning. "You're going to Australia with Harry to see the dragon eggs hatch!"
"Not quite, dear," Penelope smiled.
"We're going to Australia with Harry to see the dragon eggs hatch!" Cyrus beamed. "We're here to pick you and your sister up to join us."
Daphne stared at him, then her mother, then Harry, back to her father and promptly squealed a very un-Daphne-like squeal.
"I'm going too?"
"Sirius?" Harry asked.
"As you said, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sirius grinned. "So, I thought it only fitting that your girlfriend gets to experience it with you."
"Ooh, I am so jealous!" Susan remarked. "But so excited for you, too! You'll have to tell us all about it when you get back."
"I'll take pictures to send to you guys," Harry promised.
"We will hold you to that, Harry Potter," Hermione stated.
§Speaker? Is your life-mate well? She keeps jumping up and down. It is most peculiar§, Ramaranth asked.
Harry laughed. §She's just excited. Daphne and her family are going to be coming with us to the Australian Weyr to see the hatching§.
§Your life-mate will be welcomed in our Weyr§, Zanzyn said. §She will be safe under our wings§.
"Ah, here comes Professor McGonagall now with Astoria," Cyrus commented.
Harry looked to see the two striding down the path. Harry's heart swelled at how neither of them even paused at the sight of the six great dragons around the humans that they were walking towards. It seemed that even in his short time as Speaker for Dragons, a change was beginning to sweep over witches and wizards. At least, the ones here at Hogwarts and a select few others. And, as Newt was fond of saying, if you could change even just one mind about a dragon or magical creature, then you've done a good thing.
"Professor. Astoria," Penelope greeted the two.
"Good morning, all," Professor McGonagall said before pausing and bowing slightly towards the dragons.
"My word," Harry heard her mutter when six great heads dipped towards her in response.
§I like this one, Speaker§, Myrrdys stated. §She shows us respect like Our Two-Leg does§.
§We have seen a change in the two-legs at our Weyr, too, since the Speaker visited§, Zanzyn remarked.
§I believe that this will be discussed when the Weyr Leaders next gather. There is much here to think about§, Myrrdys mused.
"As much as we'd like to stay and chat, we've got a portkey that won't wait for us," Remus reminded everyone.
Harry's friends were quick to close in around both he and Daphne, once again expressing their envy and wishing them well.
§Safe flight back to the Weyr, Ramaranth, Grouleth, Norberta§, Harry said, stepping forward to give each of the three an affectionate slap on their necks. §And what of you three? Are you going straight back to the Weyr now§?
§Not yet, Speaker§, Myrrdys replied, his eyes on the nearby castle. §The towers there look good places to rest and soak in the sun. I believe we will spend the day here, observing the two-legs some more§.
Harry blinked at them. §In that case, enjoy yourselves§.
"Professor McGonagall," Harry said, drawing her attention. "I should probably let you know that Myrrdys, Farlys and Zanzyn are planning on spending the day here at Hogwarts. They said something about sunning themselves on the towers and observing the students here."
"Oh my," Professor McGonagall said, laying a hand on her chest. "I dare say that Hagrid will be ecstatic. The children will be safe?"
"As long as they show the dragons the proper respect, most definitely," Harry nodded.
She nodded once before her eyes narrowed as though a thought had occurred. "If you'll excuse me, I think an announcement before breakfast finishes is in order."
§Until soon, Speaker§, Ramaranth said, capturing his attention once more.
§Until soon, Ramaranth§, Harry smiled.
Moments later, all six dragons were aloft. Quickly, they separated into two groups of three, one group headed towards the castle, the other winging their way east.
"We'd best be off, too," Sirius said.
"Until Soon," Harry said, giving his friends staying behind a last wave.
Then, taking Daphne's hand in his, Harry led the others towards the gates and past the wards where they could apparate away on their next great adventure.
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Although there is much more of the story still to tell, Dragon Whisperer is already bigger and longer than Muggle-Raised Champion, thus this feels like a good place to stop. If and when the story continues, it will be in a new volume.
To everyone who has read, enjoyed, reviewed, given kudos, favourited and followed, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, each and every one has meant a lot.
Until soon.