Dragons Wyld

A/N: No specific warnings for this chapter. Please enjoy.

Chapter 1

Andrew Malory paced the carpet along the same line thousands had paced before; she was late and it irritated him no end. It was the middle of the night and he was waiting for some woman who couldn’t floo alone, the nerve of her, making him wait, didn’t she know who he was? The Chancellors didn’t make him lead for nothing! He deserved; no, demanded respect, and punctuality was utmost in his book!

He was pulled from his fuming abruptly as the air wobbled just beyond his pacing point. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen stepped from the distortion. He didn’t believe it, she was even more enchanting then the last time he’d seen her. Her name hadn’t registered when he’d read it. God, she was stunning and oh, how he wanted her. Her raven hair cascaded freely down her back and over her midnight grey Warden’s robe. Her light blue eyes held a keen interest and swept the entire room thoroughly before resting on him. She smiled softly as she stepped forward.

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I had had the day from hell. I was supposed to have the day off to finish packing and say goodbye to friends and family, but tragedy had other plans. The brutal slaying of an entire Centaur family and the complete ineptitude of my successor kept me in Haven until nearly 11 pm. I was almost an hour late and was positive I’d never hear the end of it from my New York counterpart.

Master Malory and I had met nearly five years ago at the National Chancellor’s Ball. I dreaded seeing him again; the man was such a lecher! I would have to spend the remainder of this year and probably most of next under his supervision. Luckily for me, he was on the diplomats’ side and I would only have to see him at full meetings. Goddesses give me strength for even having to deal with him for that long, I silently prayed.

“Good evening, Master, my apologies for being late. My successor isn’t completely trained yet and my assistance was required,” I said formally, curtsying and directing my gaze at his mouth. Protocol dictated I not look him in the eyes and I was only too willing to comply.

“Of course, Mistress, I’ve already sent word to London, they’re expecting us whenever we are able to get there. They were running a bit behind last I checked anyway,” he replied, holding out his arm. He continued, “Shall we then?”

I sighed inwardly and took his arm. I hate flooing. Most people just find it bothersome; slight dizziness or a bit of nausea is usually all they experience. I end up passing out usually. Only if I’m holding on to someone do I manage to stay conscious, and even then it’s iffy. The common theory is my closeness to the Wyld. All the women in my family are afflicted with it. Not for the first time, I wondered why on the Goddess’s green earth the Ministry of Magic couldn’t employ gates like we did. It was so much easier, and at least gating I could do by myself. The dependence upon another grated on me as I hated showing weakness of any kind; particularly in front of, and to, a Consealium official.

Master Malory reached toward the mantle and a china pot drifted to float just beyond his hand. He reached in and gathered a handful of white powder. Tossing it in, he waited until the fire turned clear and all we could see was the heat distortion.

“International Office for Magic, British Ministry of Magic,” he stated. As the flames turned a brilliant white he stepped forward and holding my arm tightly, walked into the flames.

We appeared in a huge fireplace a moment later. I was immediately ushered to a chair and given a glass of water. People bustled around me, making sure I was alright and fawning over Master Malory. A gentle hand was placed on my shoulder and I looked up in to kind dark brown eyes. With a shock I realized who I was looking at. I hadn’t seen him since the battle. Hastily, I got to my feet.

“Minister, it is an honor to be met by you,” I said as I started to curtsy. I got about half way when I remembered that that custom wasn’t followed here and I sheepishly straightened and offered my hand instead.

He smiled down at me and replied “It is an honor to formally meet you, Madam Colte. You were such a help in the Final Battle, we surely would not have been so victorious had it not been for you. Are your uncle’s well? I was so sorry to hear of the murder of your father, you have my deepest condolences. I regret I didn’t have the opportunity to know him better, he was a great man.”

My smile faltered as I replied, “Thank you Minister, he was a great man, one of my idols. My uncles are well thank you. You should be seeing my uncle Charles in a few weeks actually, he’s heading the new Skull Taskforce. I understand they’ll have an office here as well as one in Paris and in Rome,” I replied as I swayed slightly, I prayed he wouldn’t notice.

“Ah yes, I look forward to working with him,” Minister Shacklebolt replied. Frowning slightly he continued, “Are you alright, Madam?”

Blast! I really must get better at hiding this flooing discomfort. Mustering a hopefully believable smile I replied, “I will be Minister, yes. I don’t floo well and this was a rather long trip.”

“Right, I’m sorry, please sit.” He took me gently by the elbows and lowered me back into the chair. “We have a few more minutes until all of the delegates arrive. Can I get you anything?” He asked concern etched into the lines at the sides of his mouth.

I sat gratefully and replied, “Thank you, Minister. Please forgive my lapse in manners. No, thank you, just sitting helps a great deal.”

“Nonsense,” he replied, waving his hand in “A don’t worry about it gesture”. “you sit and recover, I’ll make sure you get everything you need.” He motioned to a hovering employee, “This is Helena, and she will make sure you’re well taken care of.”

An elderly woman in the Ministry’s dark blue robes stepped forward and smiled softly at me. “Good morning, Madam, how may I be of service?” Helena enquired.

“I‘m fine at the moment, thank you, Mater.” I winced. “Please forgive me, Madam, I‘m so used to anyone older then myself and female, being addressed as Mater. I apologize,” I stated blushing.

“Tosh, don‘t worry about it dear, I rather like that word.” Helena replied, smiling and laying a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I smiled back in response and breathed a sigh of relief. See, I thought to myself, you can do this politics thing, and you just have to remember what country you’re in. Smiling slightly, I sat and listened to the commotion around me.

A few moments later, several loud whooshing sounds heralded the arrival of the remainder of the delegation. Four men and two women joined me, Master Malory and two other men from the British Ministry. Why on the Goddess’s green earth they needed eight people to be diplomatic was beyond me, but that’s why I was on the “only deal with diplomats if I absolutely had to”, side.

Minister Shacklebolt looked around at all of us, made sure everyone was assembled and then began to speak.

“Good morning everyone and welcome to the Ministry of Magic. I would like to thank all of you for assembling so early, particularly our American counterparts for whom it is still last night. “

A polite smattering of chuckles greeted this statement and the Minister paused for them to subside. When they did, he continued, “In a few moments your floo will be ready. It will take you directly to the International Office of Magical Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Magic. From there, Warden Colte and Mister Patrick will be going directly to the Reserve, and the rest will go with Master Malory to the new IMCCA Headquarters. Any questions you have can be directed to the Romanian Minister upon your arrival in Romania. Good luck everyone and safe travels.”

The Minister then moved through the crowd and shook each person’s hand. When he reached me, he took my hand in both of his and helped me rise again. He leaned forward and whispered “Tell Charlie hello for me and don’t be surprised if we see each other very soon, I’m sure they’ll all want to thank you personally.”

I smiled, nodded and returned his handshake.

Master Malory appeared at my side shortly after the Minister had moved on to the others. He leered down at me “Quite chummy with the Minister aren’t we, Warden?” He asked

I sighed softly and reminded myself I’d only have to occasionally deal with him. “No Master, he was merely asking that I pass on a message.” I replied.

He huffed in response and held out his arm again. “Let’s get this over with shall we? Merlin knows I have better things to do than escort you about.”

“But of course, Master,” I replied as I took his proffered arm. He wasn’t the only one who wished to get this part over with.

A voice behind us made me pause and glance over my shoulder. Helena stood there, a heavy winter traveling cloak thrown over her robes and a small handbag in her right hand.

“I am to accompany you as well Warden, Master. The Minister feels the Warden would be more comfortable if a woman supported her as well.” She directed her gaze at me and continued, “We were given to understand that a female presence helped your mother when she had to floo; we are hoping the same is true for you.”

“Thank you Mat… Madam, it does help yes.” I replied smiling and holding out my other arm.

“Well, I guess you don’t need me then.” Master Malory stated and extricating himself from my grip, walked away to join the queue waiting for the International Floo.

Helena stepped forward and took my waiting arm. “Doesn’t much like you does he?” she murmured and smiled.

I shook my head slightly and whispered, “Not in the least, though, watch out for him, he’s quite the letch.”

“Oh? Hit on you did he?” Helena enquired.

I nodded. “Me, my friends, my aunts, my grandmother, my mother, basically, every woman he laid eyes on regardless of their marital status. Makes me sick and decidedly uncomfortable. I‘m very glad the Minister thought of having you accompany me,” I said smiling over at her.

“Oh not at all dear, I would have volunteered had he not asked me too. My sister is afflicted with the same sickness as you are. I used to take her everywhere. She couldn’t even apparate by herself, poor dear. It only affected her after her children were born though. I thank Merlin she only had two, any more and I think we would have had to drug her to floo at all.”

Helena continued on about her sister for the next few minutes whilst we waited. As our turn neared, she moved me in front of her slightly and wrapped one arm around me while holding tightly to my other arm.

“This worked best for Mary, is it alright for you dear?” Helena asked.

“It is yes, thank you,” I responded.

We stepped into the flames and moments later stepped out onto a marble floor much like the one we’d just left.

Quickly, I decided Helena was a genius, I felt almost one hundred percent. I was a little dizzy and my mouth was a bit dry, but I wasn’t nauseous or in danger of passing out at all. A glass of water was placed in my hand and Helena’s soft voice told me to drink slowly. I did as I was told and the cool water washed away the dryness and helped with the dizziness as well.

“You look better this time dear, how are you feeling?” Helena asked.

“You were right, that position was definitely the right one!” I enthusiastically replied, “I‘m much better this time around. Thank you so much!” I made a mental note to tell my Gran and aunts at the first opportunity. My Gran didn’t travel over here much, but both my aunts loved visiting our further extended family in France.

“Of course dear, I’m glad I could help.” Helena replied.

As we were the last to arrive from London, we joined the fully assembled delegation and waited for the Minister of Romania.