Living as a Dragon (a Harry Potter side story)

Fight or Flight

I snap my head around to see the Potters standing behind me, wands raised, poised to strike. "Leave dragon," growled Mrs Potter. I didn't want a fight. The noise would disturb everyone in the vicinity and then I'll have a whole army on top of me...how fun...  I growl one last time as I spread my wings and lift off into the sky. Blending in with the dark sky, I was pretty much invisible to anyone below.

At last, just before sunrise, I reached a beautiful forest. Birds were singing all around and the familiar faint smell of smoke filled the air. I landed in an empty clearing and looked around. I couldn't see anything except the trees but I could definitely smell something. I made a clicking sound out of my mouth and listened intently. Echolocation was something I was very proud of. Using this skill I found out that there were humans hiding in the trees, maybe about ten. I let of a soft growl and turned directly to the small group. Poachers. I felt the familiar swelling anger in my chest and the back of my throat started to heat up. I took a deep breath in and blew out, releasing a stream of fire from my mouth. I heard screaming and yelling, followed by the hurried sound of fading footsteps. I lept into action and chased after them, my body getting slightly smaller so I could fit in between the trees.

At last I saw them. All of them were men and a few had burnt hair and clothes I thought with satisfaction. I roar loud enough to make the ground shake. The robins that lived in the nearby tree took flight. The poachers started throwing spells behind them but they either missed or bounced off my tough scales. I stopped. "And don't come back!" I snarl and switch back into a human, my familiar black cloak waving around my ankles. I turn around and walk in the opposite direction, moving with the shadows, never staying in full light as to conceal myself. I kept my footsteps light and glided through the ocean of trees.

At last I lay eyes on a huge group of dragons gathering around something. I set off at a run and burst through the trees. The largest one, a male with grey scales and green eyes, turned around and grinned. "Myst! How good it is to see you again. I believe a friend of yours has come to see you," he cheered. I creep closer and see a swish of black hair. "Severus!" I yelled. Severus seemed to be frozen in fear, staring up at the great dragons surrounding him. With varying coloured scales, it truly was a sight to be seen. Snape seemed to snap back to reality and turned to look at me. "You're friends with this lot?" He asked. I chuckled. "I am one of this lot," I said. He looked at me with a very confused expression as the group of dragons dispersed into the forest. I coughed and a jet of flame flew out of my mouth, scorching the ground. "That's fantastic!" Severus cheered excitedly. 

I shrug. "So what brings you here this early? I would've expected you to stay with your family a bit longer before coming to see me," I said. Snape hesitated and kept quiet. "I'm not saying that I'm not glad to see you, Severus. It just curious. But it's your life, I have no right to butt in," I said with the most casual tone I could make. Snape's mood seemed to of changed. His face seemed more pale than usual and his eyes welled with tears as he looked away in an effort to hide them. "Hey..." I say in a soft, comforting tone,"whatever it is, I'm sure it will be alright. Remember that I will always be here with you, no matter what. I promise you that."

I half walk, half run to Severus and put a gloved hand on his shoulder. "I promise..." Severus looked up and I spotted a trail of tears running down his face. The horrible feeling of sadness clenched my heart as he stared into my eyes and I stared back. Almost at the same time, we wrapped our arms around each other, resulting in a warm embrace. So this is what a hug felt like? Watching all those mothers give their children embraces like these, I thought that they were stupid and meaningless. But I guess I was wrong. A feeling of warmth spread through me as I heard Snape's sobs slowly come to an end. I new something was wrong. Severus doesn't cry about anything. And now I need to find out what brought him to his breaking point.

"I promise..."