Spellbound Sacrifice: The Hidden Truth (Book 1)

Chapter 8 - The Detail is in the Dragon

Chapter 8 - The Detail is in the Dragon

Hermione avoided Harry over the next few days as she made her excuses not to visit him in the hospital,

"I can't believe you get out on the day I'm leaving" Ron moaned as his friend escorted him to the school's entrance with his bags.

A small crowd gathered at the front of Hogwarts as the students hung out of the windows to view the spectacular object causing attention in the grounds.

The enormous dragon's red scales shimmered in the hazy morning sun like roaring fire as Luna pulled on the reins to keep control of the impatient beast.

The meek ex-student's long pale blonde hair flailed in the breeze as she slid down off the gigantic animal tail and went to greet her old friends,

"Professor Dumbledore, it's such a pleasure to see you again" Luna purred as her Irish accent lulled the crowd into a sense of ease.

Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hagrid greeted the placid witch as Ron and Hermione went over to the dragon and inspected the animal's pedigree.

Ron cautiously approached the anxious creature as it studied his every move,

"It's OK...I just want to pet you" Ron stuttered as he held out his trembling hand, waiting for acceptance from the towering beast.

A nervous silence fell upon the grounds as the previously lively crowds from the windows held their breath with trepidation.

The animal slowly turned its head and inspected Ron's perspiring hand as it sniffed and brushed against his shaky palm.

Luna smiled and nodded as the animal allowed Ron to stroked his face, accepting him as a friend not foe,

"Hermione look!" Ron smiled as he excitedly patted the obedient animal, beckoning Hermione to join him.

Hermione looked back at the Professors as they continued to update Luna on the Hogwarts army as Harry awkwardly avoided eye contact with the friendly Dragonlogist,

"Put your hand out carefully" Ron whispered as Hermione slowly approached the curious beast and held out her quivering hand.

Hagrid broke away from his conversation with the group and looked on with anxiety.

The dragon's shriek shook through the foundations of the school as the windows struggled to remain in their frames and the students slapped their hands to their ears as the animal's high pitched scream assaulted their hearing.

The beast's enormous red wings swung open and began flapping frantically as the erratic thrashing built up a gust of wind restricting Luna getting closer as she tried to control the spooked creature.

Ron jumped back as the panicked dragon attempted to leave the grounds,

"What the heck is it doing? It's gone mad" Ron shrieked as he backed away from the flaying animal and ducked from its oncoming wing.