[Romania] - A Sad Farewell

Before Oz knew it a couple days flew on by whilst he spent his time at the sanctuary. Compared to before the climb his sense of urgency to travel was somewhat lessened as his mindset had changed. Taking breaks like this was important from time to time. If he rushed to the next destination especially with the wounds he had made on his climb it would be unbeneficial towards him in the long run.

During this time Oz met Norberta's friend Evy. The meeting was one that made Oz chuckle as he first greeted the aloof dragon in English causing the dragon to look down on him sternly. Soon after though Oz activated his blood and spoke in dragon-tongue shocking the young female dragon completely. From then on Evy grew a level of interest and respect towards Oz as a human who could speak to their kind. Norberta didn't forget to gloat about Oz in the wake of Evy's surprise.

Another event of note in the couple days Oz stayed at that sanctuary was the funeral held by the Romanian witches and wizards, sending off the remains Oz had brought back from the mountain. Oz watched on as they went about mourning their deceased. Charlie explained to him that Romanian custom usually dictates that they would have a wake that last two nights followed by a funeral service and the a burial ceremony. However in the past they had already sent off their deceased this way so they skipped the prior two events laying the bones in a casket.

Just outside the sanctuary on a slightly frosted hill was where the bones of the expedition member was buried. Placed atop the casket that was to be lowered into the ground were flower crowns made by the Romanian witches and wizards present. Oz watched the proceedings continue, standing back with Charlie both of which felt out of place in the situation.

"I think their method of burying the deceased is a bit more traditional than those in our day and age now... However witches and wizards are always known to be behind the times".

Oz nodded at Charlies outspoken thoughts as they both watched the funeral continue. To the side of the burial was a table filled with food and wine. After a long service and slowly lowering the casket with the bones Oz had brought back, the witches and wizards present began to drink and eat merrily, celebrating the memory of the deceased that had passed. Even though they couldn't identify the deceased, they still spoke praise of the expedition teams efforts paying as much homage as they could to the deceased they couldn't identify.

As Oz watched the funeral continue and finally come to a close he had to wonder what happened to his body in his past life. After he was killed he imagined there was some sort of funeral service. He then started to wonder who would have went. The others from the orphanage? The odd school friend that he had briefly? Even as these questions piled up Oz had no way of knowing the answers to them. He simply brushed them aside, focusing on the here and now.

As the night arose after the funeral the Romanians in the sanctuary began to get rather merry. After the excitement of the past few days it seemed to Oz that they wanted to cut loose a bit. Oz watched the mayhem ensue for a while as they danced around the area enjoying themselves before taking himself back to his abode...

.

As Oz woke up on the third day, the day he was set to head off with Alfreda, he felt a slight weight pressed onto him. He understood that this feeling was probably a mixture of things relating to leaving Norberta behind. Getting out of bed he noticed that Alfreda had already woken up and headed out. Oz got himself dressed as he took himself out into the sanctuary, walking through the paths between houses.

From inside the houses he walked by Oz could here the muffled groans of hungover Romanians. Oz felt a chuckle escape his lips as he remembered what had happened last night. Eventually, Oz ended up at the centre of the village in the sanctuary. The centre was eerily quite with only one person present.

"Good Morning Oz... It's like a ghost town this morning isn't it?".

Charlie walked over to Oz with a laugh escaping his lips as he too remembered the situation last night.

"It does feel weird considering its usually so lively...".

Charlie scratched his head a bit before turning his expression serious. Looking at Oz he spoke.

"So todays the day you're heading off huh? It's been interesting having you here this past week and a bit thats for sure...".

"I was only technically 'here' for like 3 days... The other 7/8 were spent on that damn mountain".

"Hahaha, I guess you're right!".

Charlie and Oz continued to converse for a bit as the Romanian inhabitants started to exit their houses. The majority of their expressions showing exhaustion. The only person who seemed lively still was Mihai who looked the same as ever.

"Honestly that Mihai, I saw him drink bottles upon bottles of wine last night and he's completely fine this morning! Maybe he bought a hangover potion...".

Charlie looked at Mihai befuddled by the mans apparent 'wellness'. Oz simply smiled as he turned back to Charlie.

"I guess it's time for me to find Alfreda and Norberta before heading off... You've been of great help to me while I've been here Charlie so thank you for that".

Charlie felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead as he heard Oz thank him. As he looked at the boy in front of him he seemed to get flashbacks of a few nights ago staring at Dumbledore's shocked and concerned face. His words echoing in his mind to 'Not aggravate Oz'.

"T-Think nothing of it... It's been a ride having you here. Anyway I better get off to work".

Charlie quickly walked off leaving Oz behind on his own. Oz stood in the centre of the village letting out a sigh.

"Now... where did those two run off to?".

Activating his eyes via his blood Oz scanned the area for any traces of their aura. After some time looking he eventually saw Alfreda's aura which seemed to head in the direction of the mountain range. Soon after he also noticed Norberta's aura that headed in the same direction. Oz followed along using the aura as a trail to follow eventually finding himself at the mountain range. As he entered he saw Alfreda and Norberta ahead of him, seemingly conversing with one and other.

Judging from the expressions he could read, Norberta seemed to be showing a sad expression whereas Alfreda was showing a comforting expression. It didn't take a genius to realise the situation that was going on. Oz slowly walked towards them and as he got close enough to be in ear shot, he called out to both.

"Alfreda, Norberta".

The two turned around to look at Oz. Alfreda showing a difficult expression whilst Norberta showed and expression of sadness. Oz walked over to them both, giving Alfreda a pat on the shoulder 'tagging' himself in as he stared at the emotional Norberta.

"Norberta... I understand that parting will be hard. It's going to be hard for both me and Alfreda too. Understand however that this place is the place you need to be in order to grow...".

Oz sighed as he looked up towards the mountain peak. He may have imagined it but it felt like there were eyes looking down at him and this situation. If it was anyone's eyes Oz knew the main culprit.

"Back when I first met you Hagrid had traded for you at the Hog's Head, still an egg at the time. Harry called me down to Hagrid's hut to see an 'interesting' thing and to my surprise I got to see your birth. Since then we've been attached. Seeing you grow into the dragon you are now has already made me proud however in this long game called life you need to continue growing else you may be left behind...".

Norberta's eyes seemed to well up in tears as she understood what Oz was trying to say. Alfreda also seemed emotional as she hid her face stealthily. Norberta reached forward hugging Oz tightly, Oz reciprocating by patting her head as he's always done.

"This also isn't goodbye forever Norberta, we will definitely come visit you. By the time I next see you though I expect you to be double the size and four times as strong".

Norberta's head seemed to nod as she still held on tightly to Oz.

{Don't worry papa, I'll make you proud}.

Oz showed a warm smile as he patted the dragon on the head one more time before stepping back. As he did so he noticed the young dragons had gathered around this area, Evy included. Oz looked around at all of them with a smile.

{Make sure you all treat her kindly, else I'll ask Arauthator to freeze you all over}.

The young dragons looked startled at Oz's threat and seemingly bowed back as he mentioned Arauthator so willingly. Alfreda took this time to also hug Norberta bidding her farewell. As the farewells were finished, Oz and Alfreda headed back towards the sanctuary leaving Norberta behind in the mountain range along with the rest of the dragons.

Oz turned back one last time to see Evy consoling Norberta who was still emotional. Oz knew that this parting would hurt for everyone involved however Norberta was becoming far too reliant on him. As someone who had decent knowledge on dragons, he knew that her reliance towards Oz was holding her back greatly. Whilst he was sad to part from her, he was looking forward to seeing how she would improve from here on.

With that one last look back, Oz and Alfreda then headed off from the sanctuary heading towards their next destination...

.

[On the Mountain Peak]

{So he's finally departed from this domain...}.

Arauthator was currently looking down towards where Oz had left. He seemed to be in deep thought as he looked down at the sanctuary below.

{This world and era really is in for a treat with him running about...}.

Arauthator let out a rare chuckle as his eyes glinted with expectancy. He hadn't looked forward to anything like this in a long time...

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A/N - I decided to finally bite the bullet and make a discord. It's both in my bio and here:

https://discord.gg/67CVXqSf

I've worked on it for a while now and it should be all good to go. It's got games, tons of channels etc anything to entertain. Also now on Ko-Fi there are membership tiers that correspond with the discord server roles. So if you feel like it, take a look at my Ko-Fi page too!

ko-fi.com/boigeorge

I hope you all enjoyed the Romania arc! It wont be the last time being here though...