25

Chapter 25: Hatchling

"Hello Professor!" Charlie greeted McGonagall with a smile once they reached the gates of Hogwarts in front of which Professor McGonagall waited clothed in wool cloak in an effort to stave off the slight chill that the night produced.

"Mister Weasley, I received your letter and am willing to grant access to you however I am also aware that there will be students out of bed this evening?" She questioned with a raised brown which would have had Charlie cringing if not for the glimmer of humor that he could see shining in her eyes.

"Well, it is an educational experience that the headmaster would have denied them otherwise," Charlie said with a wry grin as he rubbed at his neck. "Well, that and the bond needs renewed, why waste a perfect opportunity and risk possible punishment for not having adequate exposure? This is an unprecedented case after all," He finished hopefully and was rewarded with the slight upturn of McGonagall's lips as she shook her head with a fond expression.

"Oh Charlie, what am I going to do with you? Even out of school you still cause problems."

"Yes, but you love it," Charlie replied with a smirk.

"Oh very well, come in, all of you. I will make sure that Albus is kept occupied just in case while you extract the dragon. At least you're smart enough to ask for help instead of asking the children to smuggle it out. What would they do? Carry it to top of the astronomy tower?"

"Charlie!" Harry called out in excitement as he ran up and hugged Charlie around the waist tightly before burying his face into the strong broad chest and breathing in the familiar scent of his mate.

With a chuckle Charlie wrapped his own arms around the lithe form of his tiny soul mate and held him close. "It's good to see you too love," Charlie murmured into the silky locks of Harry's unruly hair.

"We'll go set up and check on the egg Charlie," Mary said with a wink as she pulled a chuckling Darius along behind her toward the group standing in front of Hagrid's hut.

"I've missed you," Harry mumbled when they had finally pulled away from desperately clinging to each other and were instead in a loose embrace.

"As did I," Charlie said pulling back so he could look down at those breathtaking emerald orbs, "Though I do have a question for you," Charlie trailed off as he thought back to just what had woken him up the previous night and how worried he had been.

"What is it?" Harry asked curiously as he tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"Well, I woke up last night to a glow coming off of my necklace. Imagine my confusion when it was purple... You wouldn't happen to know why that is would you?" Charlie asked with a smirk as his suspicions were confirmed with the crimson blush which spread across Harry's cheeks. This ought to be interesting...

"W-well... I-I had a... Wierd dream last night," Harry stuttered as he dropped his gaze to look at the ground and began to fidget with the hem of his jumper while he chewed nervously on his bottom lip.

"Hey, look at me," Charlie said gently as he gently lifted Harry's chin so that he could meet his gaze with a kind smile. "It's okay. It happens. Trust me, I know. I just figured that we could talk about it so that you're not confused okay?"

"O-okay," Harry said hesitantly as he chewed on his lip again before taking a deep breath and looking back up at Charlie, "So, you've had them too? The weird dreams?" He asked innocently and causing Charlie to chuckle.

"Yes, I've had them too. Quite a few actually, more so since I met you though," He answered truthfully. He wouldn't lie to Harry about this, or anything else really. Harry was making remarkable progress since their first meeting and he wasn't about to let his own embarrassment cause Harry to revert for something that was indeed natural.

"So it's not... Weird?" Harry questioned looking straight into his eyes.

"Not weird at all. It's natural, some of them are odd and things that you wouldn't do or would never think of doing, some are manifestations of your desires. It's purely natural," Charlie assured him with a grin as they both settled down on the lawn facing Hagrid's hut so that they could talk more comfortably. "So... Would you like to talk about it? Talking helps after all."

"I thought that was nightmares?"

"Those too, but it still helps. Not to mention we can talk about anything that may have confused you and I could answer any questions that you have?"

"Well... I dreamt about us," Harry started and Charlie couldn't help but grin at that. He wouldn't have minded Harry dreaming about anyone else, it wouldn't have been his fault after all but he couldn't help but feel smug about the fact that it had been him his little Harry had dreamt about.

"And?" He encouraged wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders before smiling as Harry snuggled into his side.

"Well, we were lying in bed and you told me that you love me," Harry started and Charlie hummed while he began to run his fingers through Harry's hair. "I said that I loved you too, then you kissed me and it was..." He trailed off, his eyes going far away and Charlie couldn't fight off the fond smile that tugged at his lips.

"Was what?" He encouraged gently.

"Electric," Harry breathed out, his eyes still far away no doubt remembering the previous nights dream. "Then you moved your hands and kissed my neck and your knee moved..." He trailed off with a shiver before his eyes focused again and a blush crept across his cheeks. "Then I woke up."

"And then you had to take a shower?" Charlie asked gently as he gave Harry an understanding smile.

"How did you-?"

"Because it's natural," Charlie said with a chuckle. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Now come on, we have an egg to get back to it's mother." Charlie said with a grin as he placed a kiss on Harry's forehead before pulling him to his feet.

As they made their way towards Hagrid's hut an excited shout spurred them to go faster. Before they could even reach the doorway Mary had run outside, grabbed them both by the wrist and pulled them inside of the hut with only the rambled 'it's hatching!' telling them the reason behind the sudden urgency.

Once inside of the hut they joined the others as they huddled around the table in the middle of which the glittering black egg was slowly rocking back and forth, deep cracks running along its length and slowly spreading with each click that was issued from within the egg.

As they huddled closer to the table, each with bated breaths, the three dragon handlers could be heard giving hushed explanations as their eyes remained zeroed in on the precious egg that resided in the center of the table where it was now shuddering.

"The clicking is being made by a sharp horn like attachment on the Hatchlings snout, it will fall off sometime in the next week, it's only purpose is to help penetrate the eggs shell. It's almost as hard as a rock, sometimes stronger depending on the dragon species."

With a sharp scraping sound the egg was finally split and the small hatchling fell out and onto the table in an ungraceful yet still beautiful pile.

The hatchlings scales were the same color of the egg though if you were to look closely the scales on he body were a shade lighter than the small bumps running along the spine. It's snout was long and narrow with large nostrils, showing that the dragon was a female. The horns which in time would be at least a foot in length were currently little more than half inch stubs and their eyes were a large bulging orange much like their mothers.

As the hatchling gazed around at them it let out a sneeze releasing a few sparks before it shook it's head and continued to observe it's surroundings.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid breathed out as he grinned at the small dragon on his table.

"It's a she Hagrid," Charlie said with a chuckle before looking at Harry. "Do you think she can talk yet?"

"Only one way to tell," Harry murmured with a smile before leaning onto his elbows with a smile and speaking in parseltongue to the hatchling. "Hello beautiful...

Scents, sounds and colors overwhelmed my senses.

Where exactly am I? This place is so odd, it is small and weak, if I were larger I could smash it with a flick of my tail, and who are these people around me? They are very odd too.

Four of them have hair of fire, these are males, two of which look like egg mates. Fascinating. Judging by their scents they share a Sire and Mother as well. Their bond is close though they are all from different clutches besides the egg mates. Their Sire and Mother must have a strong bond, or be true mates for their Mother to have not forced the Sire away.

The oldest of these fire heads' mate is there as well, they are true mates, to have found each other so soon is very lucky. This one smells pure and like dragon as well. His mate and the other set of mates do as well but this one is different... Blessed and... Is he part of my clutch? No... But chosen. Yes, my Mother has chosen him. He must be a chosen one. We are very lucky.

The large man looks nice, he would make a good sire, though he seems attached. Since my Mother is not here is he the one who has taken care of me? Yes, yes I can smell it on him. I am thankful. Perhaps I will see this one again?

The young girl by the chosen and the youngest fire head had hair that could hold many nice mice in it. Though she does not smell like she does, I must remember this.

The other young one smells of nature, of these young ones only he and the chosen smell this way, why is that? I must remember to ask Mother when they return me, I can smell her on the oldest fire head, excited and anxious. She has missed me.

Oh! What is that scent!? Its... Earthy, and oddly... Peppery? Oh!

I sneeze and hear the large one make a comment before the old fire head speaks before speaking to chosen. Hmm, they are conversing. I must ask Mother if she can help me learn what they say, such a strange language.

Oh! Chosen can speak to me! Chosen has a nice voice, they would make a good Mother.

"Hello Beautiful."

"Hello, where is Mother? Why is it that she is not here?"

"A bad man took you from Mother, she is anxious to see you again though. My friend here," Chosen said pointing towards the large one, "has been taking care of you for her. My mate and his friends and going to take you back though so there is no need to worry."

"How will they do this? I can not fly."

"They will fly for you, darling. They have a special carrier which you will stay in while you fly and in a few hours you will be back with Mother."

"And in the meantime? What of milk?"

"We have no milk but there is a substitute here, it's of Brandy and chicken blood. Not quite as good but it will fill you until you reach mother."

"Very well. Do I have a name yet then?" I ask curiously. Has Mother given me one or am I to wait?

"Mother has not named you yet though Hagrid," That must be the large one's name, "Wanted to call you Norbert. For now you could use Norberta until Mother gives you a name."

"Why Norberta and not Norbert?"

"Because Norbert is the male version."

"Ah, I will use Norberta then. I would like to feed though, I am hungry."

"Are you sure I will not fall in this?" I ask in concern. This box does not seem safe.

"Positive." Chosen said with a smile as he set me down in the box. Oh, so it is nice and warm in here! I was worried. It is soft as well. I suppose it will do. "My mate and the other two will take you in this back to the reserve and Mother. On the way there I suggest a nap. There's not much else to do I'm afraid."

"Thank you. I think this will work. As long as they don't move me too much."

"I'm sure they'll do their best. Greet Mother for me when you get there," Chosen said with a smile before I curled up inside the box as a wave of exhaustion hit me. Yes, a nap would be nice just about now.