Lucy Rose

Chapter 5

"This is Norberta," Charlie said, patting the snout of a smaller black dragon, "she's a Norwegian Ridgeback, she's one of our friendlier resident, with both people and dragons...I think it's because she was brought up with Hagrid, that man doesn't have a bad bone is his body."

"Hagrid?" Lucy asked, "how'd Hagrid get a dragon?"

"From what I heard...betting," Charlie laughed lightly, "don't quote me on that though, it was actually Harry, Ron and Hermione who wrote to send her here."

"My idiot brother," Lucy shook her head, "always getting into some trouble."

"Going off what I know," Charlie started, "you're not too different yourself."

"Oi!" Lucy grinned, "at least I've got half a brain in my head, I'm convinced Harry has none."

"Come on," Charlie chuckled, "that's low, the poor boy isn't even here to defend himself, besides, he did the right thing sending her here."

"He always gets there in the end," Lucy smiled fondly, stepping forward to touch the dragon's rough scales.

"Excited for your first hatching season?" Charlie asked, watching Lucy with an excited fire in his eyes.

"I am," Lucy said, "I have an 8 galleon bet with Rory that the first egg will hatch after sundown tonight so in about---" she checked her watch "--three hours, I'll be eight galleons richer."

"I don't know," Charlie said, "last I checked it was pretty close, I don't know if it'll hold out until sundown."

"Shhh," Lucy glared at him, "get that bad mojo away from me. I want to win, her ego's already doubled in size since they beat us last match."

"That was rigged and everyone knows it," Charlie frowned, still bitter about their recent loss.

"No it wasn't, you're just a sore loser," Lucy laughed as Noberta flew away, "Rory caught the snitch fair and square."

"She punched me in the nose!" Charlie exclaimed. "That's a foul!"

"After she had already caught it," Lucy said, "that means the game was over, it couldn't be a foul...besides, it was an accident, she was just excited."

"Whatever," Charlie sulked, "it felt malicious to me."

"Don't be a baby, Charles," she shook her head.

"Don't call me Charles, Lucille."

Lucy stuck her tongue out at him, "I'm going to Inigo's for dinner, do you want to come? I think he's making stew."

"Stew?" Charlie's face perked up.

They hiked back through the grounds to the 'U'.

"Inigo!" Lucy announced, walking into his cabin, "It's me and Charlie!"

"Oh, good, good," Inigo came out from the kitchen, a dragon-print apron tied around his middle. "The stew is just about done, perfect timing. Lucille, can you set the table."

Lucy groaned, setting off towards the cabinets.

"She seems to be doing better lately," Charlie said when he thought Lucy was out of earshot.

"Everything gets better with time," Inigo's voice was softer, "and Lucy's strong...stronger than she'd ever let on. But the loss of someone as significant as Sawyer was to her is going to take a toll."

Lucy took a sharp breath in, almost shattering the plates on the tiled floor.

"Lucille!" Inigo scolded, "either join the conversation or walk away, what have I said about eavesdropping!"