Dragon Hunt

The foursome entered the mates’ suite through the magical glass door from Draco’s unused Head Boy suite. Dobby practically saluted when Harry and Draco entered. “Dobby has done his job well, Harry Potter,” he announced happily.

“Thank you, Dobby,” Draco said with a smile. “Why don’t you go get some rest?”

“Would Master Draco like Dobby to bring breakfast?” Dobby asked. Draco was about to refuse when he heard a low rumble from his mate, a sound he assumed to be Harry’s stomach.

“That would be wonderful,” Draco said. Dobby disappeared with a pop.

Harry smiled nervously at his friends and gestured to the couch for them to sit. “Make yourself comfortable,” he said aloud. Are you sure about this? he asked silently.

As sure as I am about being with you, Draco replied. Without another word he reached into the bed and lifted the blanket wrapped around their egg. He stepped over to the sitting area and took a seat in the large arm chair across from the couch. Harry followed and balanced on the arm of that chair and looked only at his mate.

“I must insist on an unbreakable,” Draco said quietly, looking at the confused Gryffindors across from him.

Ron looked about to argue when Harry nodded. “Even I wouldn’t allow them this knowledge without that,” Harry said before turning to face his friends. Hermione nodded and withdrew her wand. Ron reluctantly did the same. They went about with the vow as Dobby returned with a tray of food and placed it on the low table. Draco and Harry sat silently for a long time until the Gryffindors were ready and the elf had left again.

“What’s so secretive?” Ron asked gruffly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Slowly, Draco unwrapped the blanket and revealed the shining surface of the egg. Ron’s response was his head cocked to the side and staring blankly. But Hermione gasped and stood, stepping closer. She knelt beside them to study it closer. Tentatively she reached for it, but stilled her hand before looking up at Draco. “Can I?” she asked.

Draco nodded, pleased that she had asked. Hermione laid her hand on the smooth surface and sighed. “It’s amazing! How—I mean—“ She frowned, confused as to how to phrase her questions. Before she had sorted them all out, Ron began laughing. Draco rolled his eyes, prepared for this response from Charlie. “Ronald!” Hermione scolded.

“Malfoy laid an egg!” Ron laughed. The three others just watched him until he had laughed so hard he was choking. “That’s too hysterical!”

“How long since, well, since you laid it?” Hermione asked.

Ron continued laughing, falling from his seat when he couldn’t control himself. The other three in the room rolled their eyes and ignored him.

“A couple of days before the last time you were here,” Harry answered, giving his friend a significant look. Hermione instantly understood the reasons for Harry’s insecurity and better understood the coldness he had perceived from his mate.

“You really laid an egg?” Ron asked when he’d gotten his breath back. His humor was replaced with awe. “When will it hatch?”

“According to your brother, it’ll be at least another four months. But, then again, time might be off because we’re not really dragons,” Harry said. “But it is the reason I’ve been so tired.”

“Of course!” Hermione chimed in. “A dragon egg needs fed magical energy from its parents for as long as two months before it can self-sustain. It’s very draining for the parents.”

Draco nodded. “It’s been particularly difficult for Harry. We’ve both been taking magic restorative potions, but Harry still hasn’t caught his balance so to speak.”

“How much longer until it is cooked or whatever?” Ron asked.

Draco sent him a glare. “The egg should be self-sufficient in the next two weeks or so. Then it’s three to five months after that that it will hatch.”

“You’re going to be parents!” Hermione cried out suddenly. “I’m going to be Aunt Hermione!” Draco raised an eyebrow at her. She blushed and looked down. “Sorry, that was presumptuous of me.”

Harry reached forward, laying a hand over hers that was still resting on the egg. He didn’t know what to say, not having actually discussed any of this with Draco. It was actually Draco’s voice that broke the newfound tension. “I was actually thinking godmother,” he said softly. Harry’s gaze snapped to his mate.

“What?” Hermione asked, astonished. Draco only nodded reassuringly. “I would be so honored, Draco,” she said seriously. “Thank you.” She stared again at the smooth, green and silver swirling surface of the egg. “I’m just in awe.” Hermione stood and stumbled backwards on the couch, settling close to Ron.

Draco turned and smiled up at Harry. Is that all right? he asked silently. Harry’s only response was to lean down and kiss his mate. I’ll take that as a yes. “We should take care of the egg and then you should get to sleep,” he said softly.

“Can I watch?” Hermione asked. They both turned to look at her, confused. “I find it fascinating,” she shrugged. They both laughed while Ron rolled his eyes.

“You sound like Charlie,” Draco complained quietly. “But you’re welcome to watch. I don’t think it’s that exciting to see.” Harry nodded his agreement as he slid his arm over Draco’s shoulder. At the moment of contact, their magics began swirling together, blending immediately, as they always did.

Hermione watched with rapt attention and Ron with mild interest, but they could both feel the magics combining and strengthening. And it was Hermione that noticed the pair begin almost to sparkle. “Look!” she whispered, elbowing Ron. Ron followed the point of her finger to see Draco pale skim shimmer and then Harry’s tan skin seem to glare and reflect darkly. “Wh—“ she started, but the pressure of the room changed. All the magic that had been building and swirling around them seemed to vanish, but they both saw the air itself bend and rush into the egg. They watched the egg shine.

And then the movement between the pair was so fast, neither caught it. Draco stood, sliding the egg onto his vacated seat as he caught Harry in his arms just before the brunette hit the floor face first. Ron stood automatically and helped hoist his friend into Draco’s arms, who hurriedly got him to the bed. “Gods you’re heavy, love,” he groaned, but Harry remained unmoving and unconscious. His breathing had turned shallow. “This can’t go on much longer,” he whispered, though Hermione must have heard, as she’d been right on his heels to check on her friend.

“Agreed. When was the last time you spoke with Charlie?” she asked. “Did he tell you to expect weakness to this extreme?”

Draco nodded grimly. “He joked about it, but—“ Draco turned and faced Ron. “Could you contact your brother and get him back here? As soon as possible?”

“You’re really worried?” Ron commented more than asked. Draco nodded, turning back to look at Harry. “I’ll owl him as soon as I leave McGonagall’s office?”

“McGonagall’s office?” Hermione asked, confused.

“I’m going to report that these two got into another brawl,” Ron shrugged. “I’ll tell her that Harry is unconscious and Draco is gloating, but that Snape is handing out the punishments.”

Draco smiled awkwardly. “Thanks,” he breathed. “Hermione, can you stay here with Harry while I let Severus know that he has to cover for us? It shouldn’t take long.”

“Of course,” Hermione said happily.

Draco stepped towards the magical doorway to the dungeons, but turned back abruptly. “Not that I think you’ll do anything wrong, but no magic on the egg of any kind, okay?” he asked.

“Of course,” she nodded. She watched the two guys leave from opposite doors before lifting the egg to cradle against her chest before resting it beside Harry. She took up post of sentinel, watching her friend sleep.