Chapter 03

Harry did not see Hermione as often as he would have liked over the next week. Indeed, when he did see her, she was often very busy, and they were surrounded by people. As such, Harry was not able to bring up the ritual. Hermione did not bother to bring it up either for a few reasons, the main one being she had never planned on telling anyone to begin with. The next being only person who did know about her past was Harry, and Hermione had not wanted to talk too much about when she had told him.

The last reason and most noticeable, at least to Harry, was she was becoming slowly depressed. Harry knew what she wanted, the close and sure touch of Rose and Rainbow Dash. Be it mental or physical. And whenever she thought no one was looking she was stare off into the distance tears forming in her eyes. But the moment someone came close, she would hide any signs of this sadness and act semi cheerful.

Harry on the other hand did not speak of it for different reasons. More so because he wished to not hand out information to any of his enemy's. It was not that he did not trust his other friends to try and keep it secret. But the less people that knew this secret the better. After all, becoming a dragon was not something any wizards could really claim, and no one would expect.

Still, the amount of times Harry found himself unable to spend time alone with Hermione was annoying. He did not want to talk about their past around Ron, as the result could cause a lot of problem. Ron, for all his good points, could become rather vicious when he felt wronged. Indeed, some of the worse fights Ron had had with Harry and Hermione had often left them not talking for months on end. And this whole situation had the makings of a big fight.

So, add to that, that revealing their past would basically set Harry and Hermione on course to be boyfriend and girlfriend if not husband and wife, was not a good idea. Ron and Hermione before this had been testing the waters with each other. Indeed, near the start of the year Harry had wondered if they would finally start dating. Now though, any feelings Hermione might have romance for Ron might be wiped out when she realized who Harry really was. And Ron would then get likely very mad at for causing this Harry.

Of course, Hermione could still choose to date Ron even after Harry revealed all. It would not feel right to Harry, but it was her choice and her life. As it was, Harry doubted Hermione would take Ron over him now. The way her eyes filled with longing was such that Harry felt his heart tearing apart as he could not comfort her without causing a scene of some sort.

There was also the small fact that wherever Ron went, Lavender Brown followed. And while she was a good enough person, she loved gossip. IF she found out about Harry and Hermione's secret, it would be common news in the school before the day was over. Which was the final reason why Harry did not share it around Ron.

Finally, almost a week later, on a Saturday again, Harry found Hermione up in the common room studying by herself. Everyone else had gone down to lunch early, but Hermione was still up working. Harry smiled and sat down beside her, noticing she was not actually working on homework, but rather a list of boys and girls.

"Planning something?" Harry asked, nodding to the list.

"I am trying to find out if anyone in this school might be my past mate and loves," Hermione said.

Harry could not help it, he chuckled, typical Hermione, lists rather than listening to one's heart. But he could not fault her, Twilight nor Erik did things by the heart, but rather preferred to do things by the book. They drew up lists, it took Rose or Rainbow to make them follow their heart and instincts over logical thoughts.

"Don't laugh," Hermione snapped at Harry, a lot angrier than she would have done normally.

"Sorry, but you really think drawing up lists will help you find them?" Harry asked.

"It is the only information I have to really work with," Hermione said sounding rather defensive and a slight bit desperate.

"Okay, okay," Harry said holding his hands up in defeat, "I am sorry. So, what traits are you looking at?"

"Flying skills, interests, study habit, temperament, and several other things," Hermione explained showing Harry her lists.

The lists had boys and girls name on them, each given two ratings each of one through ten, with ten being the highest. One rating compared them with Rose, the other with Rainbow. Harry supposed that their raptor life was more instinct based than an actual personality, which was why there was no third column. Right now, Hermione had begun to cross off low numbered names form most of the lists. Harry noticed that he was still on all of them. Ron also somehow seemed to remain on all of them as well.

"You have quite a few people still on the lists," Harry said.

"There is a lot of people to go through. I cannot just be considering Gryffindor house, but all the houses and others people I have met," Hermione explained.

Harry nodded and looked over each list when Hermione was not looking at them. Harry noticed in general, he had scored rather well, indeed Harry always seemed to have been given one of the top two point values. Harry then noticed Ron also had been given similar markings across all the lists. Indeed, in some of them, he actually beat out Harry.

Double checking this on all the lists he could, Harry noticed while Hermione graded Harry rather fairly considering the differences between Rose and Rainbow. She had given Ron, in Harry honest opinion, a very high and bias score. For in terms of flying skill, Ron had been graded the same as Harry, a ten. Which, while Harry knew that Ron was good, he was not anywhere near the same level as Krum or himself.

While in temperament he rated a ten, though this might be slight a bit true as Rainbow and Rose were known for their sometimes-short temper. Yet Harry also knew at other times they were extremely patient. As for study habits, both were actually very hard working. Rainbow Dash, yes, had been a rather lazy pony when it came to studying to begin with, but when she wanted to learn something, nothing could stop her. Ron had yet to truly apply himself to anything but quidditch, which he still struggled at.

But when Harry noticed Hermione had given Ron a ten in loyalty, Harry knew she was lying to herself. Ron might be many things, but he was not truly loyal to Hermione. They had gotten in several fights and only stayed together or made up only because of Harry being both of their friends. Harry knew he had a rough patch or two with Hermione as well, but he had felt rather bad about it later on. Ron, he never once seemed to care when he hurt her feelings, at least till recent.

As Rose, Harry cared for Hermione in such a way that outside one rough spot where it had been Harry or Rose's fault. They had always got along fine, enjoy each other's company and often talking. As for Rainbow and Twilight, while their basic desires at first kept each other apart, one being a bookworm and the other an adrenaline seeking athlete. As they grew older and calmed down, they found they had a lot more in common than they had at first thought. Indeed, out of all of the six of them, Rainbow and Twilight tended to have the least amounts of misunderstands.

"Hermione, aren't you getting a little bias with Ron's score?" Harry asked, handing the papers back.

"No, I graded him fairly," Hermione said dismissively.

"I don't think you did," Harry said, "In flying, he might be good. But even at the risk of sounding boastful. He could never match myself or Krum, who you also marked as a ten."

"He can fly just as good as you can," Hermione said, in the same tone as before.

"Hermione. Ron is good, but I know he is not that good. Ginny, Fred and George can fly better than he can, I know, I have worked with all of them for a while. Watched them fly and train. Ron is good but he is still not on any of their levels let alone mine," Harry said, surprised by Hermione's dismissal of this simple fact.

"Or maybe you are just jealous of him," Hermione countered surprising Harry even more this continued dismissal.

"Not of his flying skills," Harry answered, a bit of confusion and anger in his voice.

Harry could not see what was going on here. Hermione was acting rather oddly indeed, she knew as a fact Harry and indeed Ron's brothers and sister, whom Harry had just mentioned, could all outfly Ron. Yet she refused to accept this, even though she herself had one time said he was just decent. Harry felt something else might be going on, but he could not quite figure out what it might be. But as it was, he felt he should stop dancing around the subject and get straight to the point.

"Hermione, whether you think he is or not. Is beside the point, I can tell you Ron is not who you think he is," Harry said.

"And why is that," Hermione shot back, a hint of anger in her voice.

Harry confused by this sudden anger, continued on, "I know who your loves and mate are. It is me, I completed the ritual to just to see what my own past might hold."

"I doubt it," Hermione said disbelief in every word, even though she herself had marked him down almost as good as Ron.

Harry sighed feeling a pain in his heart as he responded, "I am not joking."

"Then prove it, tell me something only one of my past lives would know," Hermione snapped back.

"As you wish," Harry said, and spoke four lines of versus in the Ancient Language.

As Rose and Erik, they had learned to control magic through the use of the Ancient language. It had a name for everything, one just had to learn it. And by speaking the items true name, they could control it, or at least Erik could. But because of this, all living creatures also had a second true name, a personal name that would allow you to control the person if you knew it.

Rose had discovered hers later on and life with Erik had found his early on. They never told anyone but each other what each of theirs was, and their bond only grew because of this. Harry, right now, was not worried about speaking it out loud and having someone over hear it anymore. Mostly because the Ancient Language was not bound to how people used magic in this world, and also Hermione's true name, if she indeed had one, would be different now than it was before.

Hermione stared at Harry stunned, for several seconds after he finished uttering her former life's true name. But whereas Harry expected sudden recognition from Hermione in realizing who Harry had to be, Hermione acted in a most unexpected manor. She got up glaring at him, both stunned and hurt.

"How dare you use that against me, get out of here," Hermione said, her voice almost going horse with rage.

"Why should I?" Harry asked, his temper growing in spite of his desire to try and calm Hermione down and make her see reason.

"You think using something I told you in my moment of weakness is your ticket into my heart!" Hermione spat, "That is a low, especially for you. Now get Out!"

Harry glared back at Hermione, and though she kept glare at him in anger, she began to shrink back. First her anger began to fade, then a hint of fear filled her eyes. She seemed to shrink under Harry's hard angry look. Harry knew his body had grown and a changed a little, taking on a more dragon like nature, but he pulled it back before he became Rose and thrashed Hermione right then and there.

"Fine, I will go," Harry said, his voice like ice.

Harry then turned and left the room, his robes billowing about him. Within seconds he was gone. Hermione, sat there looking both confused, still scared and stunned. She had seen Harry angry before, he wasn't angry this time, he seemed to be downright furious. And of the times he had been angry with her she had never been scared. This time she actually was worried he might actually hurt her. It was a new feeling to Hermione to fear her friend.

"I don't get it," Hermione said finally, sinking limply back into her chair as the tension drained out of her body.

Though her brain was telling Hermione, it was nothing, her heart was aching in a way it had never down so before. She knew that this should mean more to her, that Harry should mean more to her. But her head told her that was not true, she needed to focus on the list. She needed to focus on Ron.

But Hermione could not focus anymore, her mind and heart were waring with each other. One wanted one Harry, while the other wanted Ron. Her mind and heart began to race as she argued both for and against both boys. Finally, a thought came to her that slowly drowned out all the others.

Raising her wand, she summoned a bottle to her from her dorm room. And popping the cork out, drank it down. She waited for the effects to take place, hoping that nothing would change. This was an all-purpose antidote to love potions. But something did happen, Hermione's mind began to clear slowly, and the full realizations of what she had just did hit her like a ton of falling bricks.

Harry, was telling the truth, and she had just sent him away like he was a first year pestering her to cheat on his papers. Harry knew her true name because he was Rose, not because she had told him it. As Erik, she had never told anyone but Rose, and never even thought about it unless she had to. And of the many things she had told Harry, she sure had never mentioned Erik's true name.

What was more, he was right, she had been very bias in Ron's favor over her lists. She had given him grades in some groups that were well above she would have given him normally. She was not sure when or even why someone had slipped her a weak love potion that would send her after Ron. But she did know now she had to fix this mistake before it cost her one of her closest friends.

Hermione raced out of the common room, tossing the papers into the fire as she went. She passed Ron and Lavender, not even giving them a second glance. The jealously she had felt for so long now gone, instead a longing stronger than ever combined with an ache filled her heart. She knew who could fill it, who had to fill it.

Her only worry now was she would not be able to find Harry. In the past when she had betrayed him, even if it was to save him, by telling Professor McGonagall about the broom he had been sent. Harry had got mad enough to stop talking to her for nearly almost three months. True Ron had been part of the reason Harry had not come back sooner, but it had still happened. This time, he might never speak to her again.

In her heart, Hermione knew this was not true. Harry probably wanted to be back with her just as much as Hermione now wanted to be back with Harry. But her head was filling slowly with thoughts of what Harry would do to her as punishment. Rose, whenever she got in a really nasty temper tended to become a little bitter. She would not even admit she was wrong unless the other party who had caused part of the problem admitted it as well.

Hermione honestly wanted to slap herself as she saw increasing parallels between how Harry and Rose would often act. True Harry was not nearly as vein as Rose, nor did he think they needed to prove themselves to be his girlfriend. But deep down, Rose had wanted Erik as a mate and he was a human, and the only reason she never pushed their bond farther was dragons and humans simple could not mate. Though as Rider and Dragon they were bonded closer than any normal lover could ever be.

"If he ever forgives me, I will make sure to make it up for him, one way or another," Hermione said, hoping she find him soon.

/ With Harry /

Harry had long since left the school. By the time Hermione had thought to summon the antidote to remove the effects of the love potion, Harry, was already striding out the front doors of the Entrance Hall. His body was working on memory alone now. It was probably a good thing, as next thing Harry knew he was falling off the cliff edge wings growing from his back.

Before shock or fear could even register in his mind, his body angled shifted and he leveled out just above the water, shooting across the lake a frightening pace. But it did not scare Harry, rather the feeling refreshed him, giving him a moment of peace. Using the speed he angled upwards and began climbing his wings working evenly.

As Harry climbed higher, he felt his body shifting. He became smaller, blue fur covering his skin and tail growing as he shifted into Rainbow Dash. Closing her eyes, she felt the air move over her small frame, feeling how it moved as the world began to unveil before her. Moving forward, Harry settled into a powerful updraft, and slowed her movements.

Slowly circling about, she let the column of warm air raise her higher into the sky. As she did memories played before her closed eyes, and tears began to slowly flow as the anger she had felt pumping through her veins faded. She had never felt so hurt before, at least not in this way. She had seen people die in front of her, lost the closest thing she had to a father. Yet the rejection from Hermione cut deeper than any one of those ever did.

"Why Twilight? Why did you do it," Rainbow Dash asked herself, as she reached the top of the warm column of air.

She tipped sideways, and angled towards another more powerful column of air. Her senses telling her precisely where it was. She would have marveled at this picture she was now seeing and understood. She could make out the details of the land for miles about her. Indeed, the details were so good she could sense every ripple of grass across the lawn. But the sight that would have once amazed her as Harry, barely seemed to matter.

She continued rising, her form now barely visible from the ground. Though if someone looked up form tallest towers of Hogwarts, they might have been able to spot the shifting of her tail or mane. Still she rose higher and higher, never once opening her eyes yet never once doubting her next move. Finally, she reached the updraft, high above the school slowly moving about as she bobbed up and down on the top of the column of air.

Rainbow Dahs opened her eyes, rolling slightly and looked down to the ground far below her. The castle looked like a small toy, barely bigger than the end of her hoof. Down there she could sense people moving throughout the school. People running, laughing, studying, playing, or heading out form lunch. But she did not feel like being among those people, she wanted freedom and some time alone.

"I will return tonight," Harry finally decided, and tipped sideways out of the column of air.

As she fell, her body grew rapidly in size. Green scaled replaced blue fur, feathers became powerful yet soft scaled wings, dull teeth became sharpen fangs, and hooves became claws. Lastly Harry's eyes switched from a violet color to a deep forest green. Soon where the small pony had once been, now dropped a massive dragon.

As she fell, her mind spread outwards finding and sensing other minds. Her ability to feel the world was not nearly as strong as Erik's own abilities had become. Yet even limited like it was, she could still sense everyone below her. The generally happy mood was shifting rapidly from joy and contented relaxation to sudden fear and panic.

Harry did not bother guessing the reason, she knew it. Rose was a dragon and was diving right towards the castle. And even those who had great faith in the castle's defenses knew a dragon decided to attack the castle, it would be more than able to tear into the stone walls. Rose, though not the biggest dragon ever at least of her own kind, was still large and very long. She could easily outsize the Hungarian Horntail she had once faced down. And had a temper and fighting abilities twice as vicious as that nesting mother had been.

She kept her dive up, before spreading her wings out a little and rolling away from the castle avoiding the tall towers, she passed right by the Entrance Hall, then all the windows in the Great Hall. She could hear yells and screams of shock and fear as she flew by. Rose did not worry about scaring those inside, if anything, they made her feel rather happy. Dragon's as a whole were rather proud creatures, and not showing them proper respect was a good way to end up dead.

Banking, Rose turned and curved around the castle. She saw into many of the classrooms for a brief moment before coming back around past the front doors. By this time, many students and several were out looking for where the dragon had gone. Rose passed right over the group, the gust created from her passing enough to knock several of them over, and rattle the windows of the Great Hall as she passed it again.

This time she banked in the other direction, and heard several screams behind her as they realized what had just happened. But she did not continue back towards the Entrance Hall, rather Rose turned and headed out towards the nearby mountains and valleys. Soon she was deep in the mountains, their rocky sides hiding her bright scales from view.

/ With Hermione /

Hermione had been looking about franticly for Harry ever since she had realized her mistake. She had not really known where to search for him. She could only hope she would guess right, as she could not summon Harry's map to track him. He now carried it wherever he went and she was sure even if she did summon it, Harry would catch and stop the map's escape long before it reached her.

But as she reached the first floor, Hermione heard yells and screams of shock and terror. Harry driven from her mind for a few moments, she hurried down to the marble staircase, and came to a stop at the bottom. Everyone was hurrying outside, to look at or for something. As a third year hurried out the door, Hermione heard the girl say to her friend.

"Was that really a dragon?"

Hermione's heart skipped a beat and she raced out the door to help with the search. It was only a few moments later when the dragon they had all were talking about flew in low over their heads. Hermione was almost knocked sidewise but was able to remain standing. She searched the sky and soon spotted it curving away from the school.

It was Rose alright; her scales were bright emeralds and her size and shape was more serpent like than most dragons of her own kind. Hermione was sure that this was Harry, or Rose. There were of course dragons in this world that looked similar to Harry's current form. Common Welsh Green, but their scales had a waxier hue compared to the gem like quality Rose's held. They were also about half Rose's size, which was noticeable even at this distance.

"Everyone back inside," Professor McGonagall shouted from the doors that lead into the Entrance Hall, "You are to proceed directly to your dorms. Prefects, make sure all students are in their dorms. You head of house shall inform you when you can come back out!"

Hermione knew she could not listen, she had to escape and follow Harry. But right now she could not easily escape to follow him, even if she wanted to. Professor McGonagall would not believe Harry was that dragon not without proof. Allowing herself to be swept back into the castle with the other students, Hermione slowly worked her way to the back of the crowd till finally as the Ravenclaws and Gryffindor house split to different sections of the school, Hermione was able to slip away.

She ran along a corridor towards the south side of the castle and stopped by a window. opening it up, the cold winter air came in rushing in, rapidly chilling the room. Hermione did not notice but focused on the broom Harry normally used to fly. Casting the Summoning charm and focusing on the broom, she waited, hoping it would show up. Only a few moments later it did, coming in through the open window.

It came to a stop hovering only a few inches to Hermione's side. It was waiting for her to climb on. Hermione was a little worried, as Erik, she had loved flying. As Twilight, Hermione had been good but not great. As herself, well she personally preferred both feet firmly on the ground. But in order to find Harry she had to leave her comfort zone. A small laugh escaped her as she realized this. Leaving her comfort zone, she was about to face down a very badly tempered dragon and she was worried about leaving her comfort zone!

"I suppose having a past life living with dragons does change one perspective," Hermione said, and mounted the broom.

She leaned forward and carefully flew out the window. She was not about to break any air records like Harry seemed so fond of doing on this broom, but she was not going to hang around either. Flying out in a wide arch, Hermione came to land by the Whomping Willow which was still within the school grounds. She knew that powerful spells currently protected the school and only a few things could get through. Harry in his dragon form was for sure one of those, however, she on the broom was not.

Thus, she cast a quick-freezing charm on the willow, it was called a Whomping Willow for a reason. Then carefully slid down into the hidden passage at the base of its roots with the broom. Lighting her wand, she hurried along the passage as fast as her legs and stooped figure would allow. It was not the fastest she could run, but she had no other choice, all the other passages in and out of Hogwarts were being watched currently.

Finally, she came up in an old run down house. This house, long since abandon by the village nearby, was considered the be haunted. Hermione knew this to be untrue, the yelling and howling they heard for a few years was caused by a werewolf. Even though it was no longer used for this, and the house had remained quiet for years, no one came near. This meant the years of neglect and a thick layer of dust remained, it also meant the spells that had strengthen the walls were now much weaker.

Aiming her wand at the main door, Hermione began blasting it with spells. It took three with only minor marks on the wood, then when the fourth hit, it caused the door to actually bow outwards several inches as the sound of wood cracking was heard. Hermione sent out one last spell and the door was blasted apart, leaving only fragments hanging from the hinges.

Leaping onto the broom, Hermione took off into the sky. She angled off toward the mountain, and pushed the broom towards its limit. Wind wiped through her hair, as she soon reached the mountains. Moving around the edge of the mountains, she began to search for Harry. Looking all around her, she looked for any hints of green among the snow-covered mountains.

A wind gust struck her from the side, and Hermione was forced to slow her speed. As the wind continued to blow, Hermione was soon forced to land in a small clearing. Getting off the broom, she pushed through the snow till she was near the clearings edge. She could actually see out across the valley between the mountains.

"Harry, where are you?" Hermione asked herself looking out over the land.

Almost as if answer to this question a roar was heard echoing up the valley. Hermione felt her breath hitch, as she knew that roar, it was a challenge roar. Harry was about to face down something, she felt it was in some way a worthy fight.

"Oh no," Hermione said, and got back on the broom, she would fight the wind, no stopping anymore.

Taking off, Hermione flew down the valley. The wind knocked her about, unseating her twice. But she was just able to keep her grip, and get back on allowing her to continue forward. Deeper she went into the mountain range till she saw black smoke rising up form an increasingly large clearing. Hermione angled down and cutting low over the tree, looked out over the large now barren area.

Rose was at the center of it, growling but looking very pleased with herself. Across from her, was some sort of massive bear. It could have passed for a Beor, or the bears for the southern mountain in Alagaesia, where some of the bears were as big as a large house. However, the bear was retreating back into a cave it apparently had come out of. If Hermione was to guess, it had somehow been awakened by Rose.

Rose, growled one last time, and the bear finally vanished form view. Hermione, worried, zoomed down and set down in the snow. The sound of her dismount caused Harry to wheeling about, her fangs and claws at the ready. But stopped when she spotted Hermione standing before her. She studied Hermione for a few moments, before she began moving forward.

As Rose put her foot down, there was a dull thud, and the ground shook slightly. Her teeth were very visible, long and sharp like sabers, and a trickle of smoke was escaping from her jaw. It was not the sight most would want to see let alone face. But Hermione could see it, and she had no choice but to face down the dragon before her.

But it was talking all her control not to turn and run. She had been sure of herself when wanting to chase down Harry and find him. But there was a big difference between doing that, and facing down the dragon that was before her. Rose, Hermione realized, was a lot bigger than her memories served to tell her. Indeed, Rose, if she so desired, could eat Hermione in one bite and right now, she might do just that.

"H-Harry," Hermione said trying to keep the trembling from her voice, "I-I'm sorry. I made a t-t-terrible mistake."

A voice suddenly rushed through Hermione's mind, it felt like a tidal wave hit her, and it wasn't Harry's voice, it was Rose's, "Terrible mistake! I said your name!"

Hermione, strong as she was, was trembling with fear. Raw anger, and hurt unlike any she had seen or felt before was aimed right at her. And unlike any other time, she had faced down Rose as Erik, she did not have any way to keep Rose from hurting her. No spells would work on her, and Hermione doubted a ward would work even if she could somehow make one. She was quite literally, risking her friendship, future happiness, and possibly her life in her next few words.

"I know," Hermione said, unable to look anywhere but Rose's massive emerald eye, "But I was not in my right mind."

"Show me," Rose said, her thoughts gentler for a moment, yet the anger still noticeable just under the surface.

"I cannot. I cannot connect to you mind anymore, even though I have tried," Hermione said, ashamed of herself.

"Then I am coming in," Rose answered, "Do not fight!"

Hermione tried to relax and bring the memory to the forefront of her thoughts. But even though she expected it, and had dealt with a mind examination before, it was still worse than she had expected. Rose was none to gentle in her search, indeed, Hermione was sure that Rose was doing it more out of revenge for the pain Hermione had caused her, than because she was clumsy.

Finally after a minute or so, Rose pulled out, and her anger had returned. Hermione knew by the feel of it, though, that it was not aimed at her. Rose lifting her head let loss a roar that went echoing down the valley before it was cut off by a spout of flames. Hermione covered her ears as they began to ring, and ducked close to Rose's shoulder to avoid any danger.

When Rose settled down, she turned head on her long neck and looked at Hermione. Anger was still visible in the shield sized eye, yet a tenderness that had been missing had finally returned. Hermione, feeling it was safe, moved forward till they were once again feet from each other.

"Touch my snout," Rose said, though Hermione heard hints of several voices in it this time.

"Why?" Hermione asked, confused.

"Trust me," Rose said, closing her eyes.

Hermione a little confused now, raised her right hand, and placed it on Rose's nose. Suddenly a feeling she had only felt once before rushed through her. Magic coursed through her body, her mind was suddenly released from binds she had not realized she had. And suddenly, she could feel Rose's mind weaving and bonding with her own.

Hermione began to fall backwards as her mind was filled with new sensations, but before she could even begin stumbling to catch herself, a hand on her back halted her movement. Hermione blinked, as she suddenly realized Rose was gone and Harry was holding her tight. Hermione gasped as tears of joy began to leak from her, as she pulled Harry into a tight hug.

The feeling she had been missing and longed for ever since the ritual were being filled. Harry, Rainbow, Rose, and the raptor were back with their mate and lover. Their minds began to meld and mix on a level they had not done in ages. Nothing was left hidden from each other; memories, secrets and desires were all shared till finally all that was left was just their own identities weaving together. It was an embrace so intimate, that for several seconds Hermione and Harry disappeared, and only their fused beings existed.

Finally, the pair's mind began to pull apart. They were soon Harry and Hermione again, but so many hurts and worries the other had been feeling were now comforted and soothed. They knew that even though worse was still likely to come, as long as they held each other they would never be alone again. Hermione smiled as she opened her eyes, her brown eyes connecting with Harry's own green ones.

"Wow," Hermione said, chuckling a little.

"Indeed," Harry said.

Hermione nodded as the wind shifted and a chill ran down her body. She shivered, though Harry seemed to be completely unaffected. Harry however, noticed her discomfort and laughed a little.

"We should get headed back to the castle, want a ride my rider?" Harry asked, a small smirk forming on his face.

"I will fly back on the broom, I think you will scare everyone if you show up as a dragon," Hermione said, laughing a little.

Harry smiled, and said, "Then take the broom back, I will follow in just a little bit."

Hermione nodded and took off soon, but as she circled the clearing and Harry changed shape, something unexpected happened. Near the edge of the recently burned tree line, several wizards suddenly apparated in. Harry's mind, which was sending a constant stream of information, told Hermione one thing. These were Wizards from the Ministry of Magic, come to capture her.

"Run," Hermione said to Harry, as Harry flexed her wings, watching the group.

Harry did not flee though, watching the group carefully listening to them chat as they came up with some sort of game plan. It seems they had not planned on appariting right to where the dragon was. It also seemed, since Harry was not attacking them, they figured Harry was calmer. IT also helped that currently they were well out of range, or so they thought, of Harry's fire.

"That… that is no Welsh Green, it is a bigger than an Ironbelly!" One was saying.

"I know, but it should be simple enough, stander stunner, wide spread," Another said, Hermione and Harry realized it was Charlie Weasley who just spoke.

"Stander formation!" the man form before said, sounding like this was a mad idea, "Charlie, I might not know everything you know but that won't work."

"Do you have a different idea Hicks?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, get more help," Hicks answered.

"We don't have a choice. If we run now it will either fly or follow. Now get ready," Charlie said, and drew his wand.

Before anyone else could move Harry let loss a jet of flame. It was bright emerald green, traveling the entire span between him and the group before it was suddenly stopped by a set of shields cast by the group of wizards. Harry though did not push her advantage and leaping into the air while pumping her powerful wings took to the skies.

Hermione not wanting to hang around took off down the valley, staying low to avoid being spotted. Harry, went high up, choosing to pass right over the top of the mountain rather than going around it. Hermione could already sense Harry's plan and hoped it worked. Pushing the broom to its limit, Harry's own knowledge and skills aiding her, Hermione was soon safely out of the valley.

It was only a few minutes later when she was setting down outside the old house. Dismounting she turned to see where Harry might be. She could tell Harry was getting rapidly closer, but she could not tell precisely where he was. Suddenly a flicker of color caught Hermione's eye. Turning, she opened her arms up just in time to catch the small pony that was Rainbow Dash.

"I made it," Harry said, looking up at her with Rainbow's red violet eyes.

"Indeed, you are so small," Hermione said, entering into the house.

"Hay, I cannot help it," Harry said, sounding defensive.

Hermione smiled, "It is okay, we are safe. Now we just need to get back into the school without being seen and we will be home free."

Harry nodded and jumped out of Hermione's arms. She did not change back, but rather Harry continued down into the secret passage her rainbow tailed flicking back and forth as her wings folded flat to her back. Hermione shaking her head, followed quickly behind Harry. This was going to take some getting used to.