Dragons Wyld

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

Chapter 2

As one the delegation turned at the clearing of a throat. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce Fritz Druvetskoi, Minister of Magic.” The speaker then stepped aside as an archway opened behind him. An extremely heavy set balding man in his mid-fifties stepped through; his dark green robes brushed the floor as he lumbered to the center of the room.

The announcement had been in such accented English that I knew my services would be needed. Letting go of Helena I stepped forward so I could see everyone. My hand reached into one of the many pockets of my robe and produced eight black disk shaped objects. After counting to make sure I had grabbed them all, my hand snapped in an arch and with the exception of one, each disk sailed to its owner. These were my latest invention, Reddo Disks. They were enchanted personally by me with translation spells. With them, one hundred languages could be written, read and spoken. The final disk I extended to Helena as I stepped back beside her. She looked slightly confused until she saw the others affixing the disk behind an ear and did likewise. Once the disk was attached, the color changed to match their skin, or hair depending on where they put it.

“Understand?” I whispered to her in Romanian. Comprehension dawned as she smiled and nodded.

The Minister glanced my way and I smiled and nodded. I didn’t manage to catch myself before I curtsied this time, but that only made his polite smile change to one of acknowledgement. Amusement danced in his eyes and I blushed profusely as I rose again.

“Good morning Delegates and thank you for coming. I welcome you with open arms to Romania. I hope you will find your stay productive and peaceful. If you need anything while you are here, please speak to Mister Malory, the delegation head.” Minister Druvetskoi indicated Master Malory with a wave of his hand as the Master smiled politely back at him and nodded to the crowd. The Minister then continued. “That is all for now, we will meet next week at this time for a progress update. This will not be a full meeting; those at the reserve itself are not required to attend. Good day to you all.” The Minister then turned and lumbered back through the archway.

Once the Minister finished speaking, the noise level rose dramatically. Master Malory swept over to me and began speaking.

“Warden, you will tell the delegates how to use these disk things.” His tone was gruff and abrupt and left no room for argument.

“Of course Master.” I replied, my smile was polite, if a little forced. Turning to the waiting crowd, I began to speak. “Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Warden Nicolette Colte; I am the designer of the Reddo Disks you all now wear. These disks are designed to function as automatic translators for both written and verbal communications. They do not need replacing, will not short out under daily use and may be worn at all times. Does anyone have any questions?”

One of the women from the French delegation raised a finger. “Must we wear it for it to be affective? It is not the most fashionable of items.”

“You must, yes Madame; however, if you look to the gentleman standing next to you, you will notice that once applied, the disk blends to match your skin tone. If you wish, you can also hide it in your hairline, though that is discouraged as most hair is typically not all the same color. Oh and in case any of you are wondering why you hear Madame Jandreau in French and not your native tongue, the translator does not translate languages you already speak. Any other questions?”

I waited for a few minutes then, smiling continued. “Alright then, have a pleasant day everyone.” I turned back to Master Malory. “Is there anything else you require of me Master?”

“No, Warden that will be all.” Malory stated and turning on his heal stalked away.

“Well my dear, shall we find Misters Patrick and Weasley? I’m to escort you to the Reserve before flooing back to London.” Helena said brightly as she beckoned me to follow and started weaving through the crowd.

We had taken only a few steps before the latter of the two found us. I looked up into the bluest eyes I had ever seen. I remembered those eyes, the last time I saw them they held so much pain and anguish; it was good to see them clear again. I don’t like to think of those days, two and a half years had passed and they still gave me nightmares. I had never prayed so much as I did in those four grueling days. It had taken me an entire month to convince my superiors that, not only was it necessary that at least I be there, but that as many as could go would only be beneficial.

Shaking myself lightly, I genuinely smiled up at Charlie. “It’s so good to see you again Mr. Weasley, I look forward to working with you.” I said and extended my hand.

“Please, its Charlie, please call me Charlie.” Charlie stammered. He couldn’t believe it, she was right here, right in front of him. He could finally, truly say thank you. So many others would want to as well he knew. She hadn’t been able to save everyone, but, without her and the 4 others wearing Wardens Robes, many more would have been lost. He saw recognition in her eyes, she knew who he was, she remembered. The sensible part of him cautioned that anyone that lovely, with that big of a heart obviously had someone already and wasn’t looking for anyone more, but the side of him that was one-hundred percent male, lonely and maybe just a little bit in lust with her danced with glee and joyfully pointed out that, one, there was no wedding ring on her finger and two, she’d signed up for an undetermined amount of time with the Dragon Program, so maybe, just maybe, both sides of him; practical and, well let’s face it, horny, might have a chance. With a start he realized she was still holding out her hand for him to shake. Her smile had turned from one of genuine greeting to the polite one she’d used with that git Malory. He blushed and quickly took her hand. “It’s very nice to see you again, Warden. I hope this will be fun for both of us.” ‘I hope this will be fun for both of us!’ Oh My God Charlie! What are you thinking? Rein it in boy. “I’ll, um, just go find Patrick then and we can be on our way.” He stammered as he released the hand and hurried off. He was glad he’d turned away so quickly, maybe she’d missed him blushing to the roots of his hair. His face was scarlet with embarrassment, but at least he’d talked to her. That was more than he had hoped for. Ever since she had saved Fred he had been gathering the courage to speak to her again, then, she had disappeared out of his life. She had returned to America and her job as a Warden. He now knew that meant she was an Auror, that’s what they called them over there. He knew she spent most of her time in the field. He wasn’t able to find out more than that as his requests for information had been politely refused. He couldn’t’ find out where she lived, or how to contact her. His International Posts came back unanswered and she didn’t have a floo. All he really wanted to say was a proper “Thank you”. If anything happened from there then he would be a happy man, but if not, at least she would know how grateful he was.

I watched him hurry away and grinned to myself. We were both flustered at seeing each other again, that much was obvious, but, why was he all worked up? My agitation was explainable; we’d met under very bad circumstances. But his, it was almost like he was attracted to me. Oh Goddess. I silently prayed. Please let him not be on a hero worship kick. Relationships like that never worked, someone always ended up getting hurt. He certainly was handsome though, but wasn’t he married? I remembered something about a Tri-Wizard Champion marrying a Weasley, wasn’t it him? He didn’t have a wedding ring on though, so perhaps I had my brothers wrong; there were 6 Weasley brothers if I remembered correctly.

I was brought abruptly back from my musings by Helena’s hand on my arm and a whispered “Warden, Mister‘s Weasley and Patrick are approaching.” I jumped guiltily and turned to face the direction Helena was indicating.

The positively huge man beside Charlie gave me quite a start. His file hadn’t indicated he was half-giant, nor had it said he disguised himself. I just caught the disguise in time not to react. I stuck my hand out at the appropriate height for a shake and politely smiled. “You must be Brian Patrick, it’s nice to meet you, I‘m Niki Colte.”

He saw me see him, I know he did, because when he spoke, I heard and felt astonishment. “Greetings Sister. It is an honor to meet one so Wise. We have much to talk about Sister; many things were left out of your file.” He bowed low over my offered hand and taking it gently touched his forehead to it.

“May the Goddesses bless you and may your eyes be open and your vision clear Brother.” I intoned. The blessing and greeting were standard among those of the faith. It hurt to say them, not since my mother had been murdered had I said them. I had kept myself apart for five years; I needed that long to heal and to find my faith again. Now, listening to myself say them, a little more of my shattered heart healed.


I was very proud of myself; I didn’t miss a beat when he spoke again. It had been a very long time since I’d heard the double speech of the faith; a conversation that only those initiated could hear and truth that only we could see. It was refreshing, it made me sad and made me long for the days before the Skulls had come, but a part of me knew this too was part of healing. That same part of me knew this man would be there, through the best and the worst, to the end, he would be my rock, my brother, my Sentinel.

As this realization struck my vision clouded and I saw.

Wind buffeted a house at the top of a cliff. I couldn’t see the surroundings other then to determine that it was night and there was no moon. Laughter floated to me on the wind and snatches of conversation whipped passed as fast as the wind could carry them. Lights were on in the house and there appeared to be a party in full swing. The accents of the party goers told me nothing, they were from all over, from France to Egypt.

AS I watched, five figures in black robes with skulls painted on their faces appeared on the rocky outcropping east of the house.

Blood and screams filled the air as I watched the massacre. No one made it out alive, they were brutal in their debauchery.

One face looked up and directly at me. Brian’s body lay crumpled at his feet; thin cuts in his flesh the only indication of his demise. With a shock, I realized he was still breathing.

“We are seen brothers!” was screamed into my mind as the world went blank.

I saw, between one blink and the next, the probable death of the man holding my hand.

“I am sorry Sister, I did not know you See. I will be more careful when I touch you from now on.”

“It‘s a pleasure to meet you Miss Colte. I look forward to working with you and Mr. Weasley at the Reserve.” Brian said smiling and shaking my hand.

“Shall we go then?” Charlie asked.

Both Brian and I nodded and with Helena, we moved to the floo.

“You need her to floo Sister?” Brian asked.

“I do yes, I’ll be so happy when I can just Gate!” I replied.

“I can take you Warden, that will allow Madame Helena to return to London and her duties quicker” Brian said addressing me.

I smiled and shook my head. “Thank you, but I require Helena’s assistance for a little longer.”

“The Wyld is too strong in me to floo safely, I thank you for your offer, but with your Glamour, it’ll only make it worse; I’d pass out for sure. Women help the most. ”

Brian frowned at me and opened his mouth to retort but changed his mind and simply nodded. He went first, followed by Charlie, then Helena wrapped an arm around me once again and we stepped through the emerald flames. Helena stated our destination clearly and we were off.