Harry Potter and the Love of the Dragon

Hermione and Harry were dancing in the middle of the room to a song that Ron described as "a typical Muggle song". Fred and George were trying to force Dudley to try one of their new 'Bunny Bourbons' but he was having none of it. Ron was talking to Belinda by the food table about Draco who was hanging over both of their shoulders. Percy was having a heated discussion with Belinda's elder sister about the importance of foreign languages being taught in schools and Bill and Charlie were juggling full glasses of beer with a large, cheering audience. Ginny was dancing happily with a sizable huddle of boys crowded around her.

"I got Dudley a present," grinned Harry. "I haven't given it to him yet 'cos it's gonna be from all three of us."

"What did you get him," asked Hermione warily.

"I got some Every Flavour Beans and some chocolate frogs. I thought if he didn't want them I could eat them," Harry laughed. "I got a biting teacup too."

Hermione smiled. "When are you gonna give them to him?"

"After everyone has left. I thought there would be some awkward questions if anyone else saw a pink and blue teacup hanging off the end of Dudley's nose."

"Good thinking. I'm staying at Ron's tonight, then I'm going on holiday with Mum and Dad to the Isle of Wight for three weeks."

"Cool. Lucky for some!"

"Are you staying at Ron's too?" she asked.

"No, I can't yet," sulked Harry. "Dumbledore says I have to stay here and practise magic where it can't be detected. I'm visiting during the last week of the holiday though. I can't wait to be honest." Harry spun Hermione under his arm and grabbed her other hand so that he was facing her back whilst they danced. "Even with the Dursley's being afraid it's no fun staying here."

"You're a good dancer," smiled Hermione. "Better than Parvati told me."

"I perform well without an audience," he boasted. "I also had a practise earlier on with Belinda over there." Harry pointed to the girl who was trying with all her strength to make Ron dance with her.

"She's pretty," Hermione observed. "Ron likes her."

"He's welcome to her. Too keen for me."

Hermione caught Belinda glance jealously over at Harry and herself. She squeezed Harry's hand and nodded her head in Belinda's direction. Harry jumped and his hands went hot and sweaty. Hermione, noticing her friend's discomfort, dragged him over to the other side of the room. She turned around to face him once more, and Harry's face had blanched.

"Let's just dance," she suggested, and rested her head on Harry's shoulder whilst they waltzed to the popular Muggle slow-songs.

A couple of hours later, all the party guests had left including Belinda, her sister Liz and Aunt Marge (she had to return to her beloved dogs). The only people that remained in the house were the Dursleys, Harry, Hermione and all of the Weasleys.

"WHY DID YOU INVITE THESE...THESE...THESE FREAKS INTO MY HOME?" bellowed Uncle Vernon.

"Hey," scowled Bill, slightly offended.

"I'd watch what you say if I were you...Uncle Vernon," threatened Harry.

"Leave it Harry," demanded Hermione.

"Is that your girlfriend?" squeaked out Dudley.

The tip of Harry's ears went red. "No. We're just friends. I don't have a girlfriend. However," Harry realised the advantage he held over Dudley. "Belinda is a possibility. Don't you think so, Ron?"

"You...you bastard," Dudley hissed. It was clear that he wanted Belinda all to himself.

"We got you a present Dudley," grinned Harry, changing the topic of conversation.

Harry handed his cousin a box wrapped in red paper with golden snitch pictures flying around it. "It's from all three of us," clarified Ron.

"All three?" asked Dudley warily.

"Yes," Hermione cleared up. "Harry, Ron and myself. We thought you should have a present, seeing as you are sixteen today.

"It's an important celebration," taunted Fred. "You can get married, have sex, buy alcoholic butterbeer...oh, sorry, you won't be doing that I suppose."

Dudley tore the paper off the box before his mother could stop him, and opened it as quickly as he could. "What is this stuff?" he stuttered.

"Look," Harry explained. "These are jelly beans. See. They have every flavour...which is surprising being as the name is 'Every Flavour Beans'. You'll love them. These are chocolate frogs." Harry pulled out a pack of the charmed chocolates.

"Real frogs?" Dudley quizzed.

"No, dumbass," insulted Ginny. "They're charmed. Real frogs, honestly," she muttered under her breath.

Dudley extracted the final package from the larger one. He opened it hurriedly expecting more sweets but withdrew suddenly with a shriek. The striped teacup was hanging off his nose.

"Here," offered Harry. He grabbed the handle and pulled. "I would advise you not to put hot drinks in that. It won't like it."

"Hey, Harry. We need to go," informed Percy. "I'm due back at the Ministry early tomorrow morning."

"Great party Dudley," Bill thumped the trembling boy on his back. "Hope we see you again some time."

"Good luck with Belinda. She's really something," Ron added to the goodbye chorus.

The whole group traipsed into the back garden, including the Dursleys who wanted to ensure that the group truly left. "See you in a few weeks," Harry hugged Ron, Hermione and Ginny. "Have a good holiday Herm."

"Bye," the group chorused. Percy, Bill and Charlie disappeared and there was a horrified gasp from behind Harry.

Harry waved his wand. "Accio trunk. Accio brooms." There was a woosh and the suitcase and broomsticks shot out the backdoor and hovered in front of Harry. There was another noise from behind Harry, which appeared to have escaped Dudley who was hidden behind Aunt Petunia who, in turn, was hidden behind Uncle Vernon. The twins grabbed their brooms and mounted them. Ron and Ginny did the same.

"Shall I get on with you then Ron?" Hermione shuddered. She wasn't particularly keen on flying, even though she was fairly skilled at the subject.

"No, here you go Hermione. Take my Firebolt. If you send it back with Hedwig or something. I'll need it in a few weeks to reach the Burrow." He noticed an apprehensive look on Hermione's face. "I trust you Hermione. You'll be fine." She smiled and mounted the broom gracefully.

"See you in three weeks," the troop waved at Harry and lifted from the ground in a tight cluster.

"Bye," Harry grinned and watched his friends drift off into the night sky.

A few moments of blissful silence passed before the Dursleys spoke the inevitable.

"You fly a broomstick!?"