The Dragon Games

Harry was sitting alone behind the stairs in the Astronomy tower. He felt that, maybe, by some stroke of luck, the Angel of Reason would stop by, and he'd be able to confront them.

But no one came.

So Harry was sitting there alone, wallowing in his grief for a good ten minutes. He knew he was going to miss Aiyana's speech if he didn't head back soon, but he just didn't care. Ron would fill him in later, anyway.

Harry sat there thinking about everything. About Ginny, about what was expected of him. Even about the Dragon Games and Draco Malfoy. Harry never felt more miserable in his life; he was even more depressed then when he spent the summers at the Dursleys. Harry let out a great sigh. He hadn't stopped thinking in a very long time.

Harry's thoughts wandered back to the Angel of Reason, and he turned then to the stone wall that was supposed to posses a loose stone. Harry, intrigued, started trying to move the stones one by one till he found it.

He slowly slid out the heavy rock, and found inside the empty space, a note with his name on the envelope. The stone made a loud thump as Harry set it down, and he reached in and pulled out the letter. He took a deep breath and began to tear it open.

"Interesting place to hide, Potter," came a drawling voice.

Harry instantly shoved the letter into his pocket and looked over to see Malfoy peering behind the stairs.

"What's it to you?" Harry muttered.

"Nothing really." Malfoy shrugged.

Harry watched as Draco shifted his cold gray eyes over to where the stone was removed.

Shit, Harry thought.

"Destroying the castle, Potter?" Draco asked, slightly bemused.

"Bugger off, Malfoy," Harry snapped, and instantly regretted it. He needed Malfoy here so he could get information from him.

"Hey!" Draco said holding up his hands accusingly. "I'm not the one who was stalking you this morning."

"I wasn't stalking you, Malfoy," Harry said.

"Oh really?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want, Malfoy?"

"To find out what you were so keen on talking to me about earlier," Draco said.

"What?" Harry asked, surprised.

Draco shrugged and Harry watched him clearly.

"You seemed so hell bent on talking to me, so I decided to grant you that privilege."

"Oh, I'm honored, Malfoy," Harry said sarcastically. "Why couldn't you talk to me earlier, and why'd you slug me?" This caused Draco to smile.

"I didn't feel like talking earlier. And you deserved it for being the nosey prat that you are, Potter."

"Duly noted, Malfoy."

"Right, well, what is it? What do you have to confess to me?"

Harry, however, wasn't in the mood for Malfoy's antics. Standing up, Harry watched as Draco moved back so he could come from behind the stairs.

"You know what, Malfoy?" Harry asked, moving forward. "I don't really want to put up with you right now, so you can just 'grant me the privilege' another time," he said, starting to leave.

"No," Draco said sharply.

Harry turned back around to face Malfoy's stern look.

"I'm not going to grant you another time, so you either talk now, or never again, Potter. And I'm not so generous with my time, so you better make it quick."

Harry glowered at him, but Draco kept a blank straight face. Harry didn't want to be going around under Draco's rules, but he didn't know if Malfoy was serious or not, and he couldn't risk the chance.

"Alright, Malfoy," Harry said. "First, why the hell are you back at school?"

---

Hermione stared at Ron, unsure of what she had just heard. Did he really just ask her out?

Luna gave Hermione a quick nudge in the ribs, and Hermione snapped back into reality. That's right, I have to answer.

"I...I'd...of course, I'd like to go out with you," she answered. Hermione watched as Ron's horror visibly subsided, and he became calm.

"Great," he said. "How about Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"Sure," Hermione answered with a smile.

"Okay..." Ron nodded.

She watched him grow unsure of the situation, and decided she better do something quick before he scampered off, embarrassing himself.

"Okay," she tried.

Well that was rather stupid, she cursed herself.

"I'm going to..." Ron said, pointing at the door.

Hermione inwardly smiled; he could be so cute when he was flustered.

"You'll miss Professor Aiyana's speech."

"Right...then I'll just sit," he said.

Hermione watched him awkwardly decide whether he wanted to sit in Harry's empty seat or next to her. She was please when he finally decided on her, and when he sat down, his aroma made her heart flutter.

"Well," Ron said. "Right then."

Luna turned sideways grinning, and cooed, "This is so cute!"

Hermione and Ron didn't say anything.

"It's about time you two got together. I better go talk to Ginny!" Luna said, eagerly standing and rushing off.

Hermione shook her head. This news was going to spread like wild fire.

Ron stared forward, and Hermione felt Ron grasp her hand in his. She took it, and they sat in silence at the breakfast table, holding hands. Hermione had never felt happier.

---

-Summer-

-Leaky Cauldron-

-Two days before the wedding-

"I just got out of a meeting with the Commissioner of Magical Affairs, Zorath Mal. He's a decent man, and is also part of the Department of Mysteries. I went with my boss, just to sort out a few issues that we were having with some of the prophecy disappearances. I'm sure you've heard about them," Percy started to explain.

"Actually, we haven't heard anything about it," Bill said shortly. "And as such, I think you should get to the point."

"I am, just listen to me for a moment."

All the boys stayed quiet, attention focused on Percy.

"Well, when we arrived, we were put into a room filled with prophecy books. I was getting ready to take notes for the meeting, when my boss told me that everything was off the record; we would not be allowed to take notes on what he was telling us. But then he told me to go through the books and document a few of them, and see which ones were missing where."

"How long can you drone on for, Percy?" George asked, interrupting.

"I'm getting to the point, just hold on," Percy shushed him. "Well, I was looking through the books, and in the back section, there was a book missing. I was trying to see which volumes it was between, and I saw this..." Percy reached into his robes and pulled out a thin red, leather bound book, closed shut. On the cover in gold fading lettering were the words Seven Mages of Fire.

"What is it?" Ron asked, confused.

"It's a prophecy," Percy answered, sighing at his easily baffled brother.

"Uh-huh," Fred said. "Your point?"

"It's a prophecy about us, you nit wits!"

---

-Summer-

-Number Twelve Grimmauld Place -

-Two days before the wedding-

Harry and Hermione had escaped the crowded rooms of relatives, and managed to find safety back in Harry and Ron's room.

"They're all bloody mad!" Harry gasped as he shut the door quickly.

"I had no idea Ron had so many relatives," Hermione said, exasperated.

"No wonder they all split."

"We're not going to go back out there, are we?" Hermione asked fearfully.

"No, or at least, not in the immediate future."

"Good. I don't think my cheeks can take much more pinching," Hermione said, rubbing her reddened checks.

"I know what you mean." Harry nodded.

A tap at the window made Harry jump, and he looked over to see Hedwig with mail.

"Hedwig, you've got something for me?" he asked as he opened up the window. In response, Hedwig held up her leg for him to take the letters.

There was a Daily Prophet newspaper, and a concealed white envelope with his name on the front.

"Who's the mail from?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno," he said, picking up the letter and slowly opening it.

Hermione took the Prophet, flipped it open, and immediately gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

"What is it?" Harry asked, setting down the unread letter to look over at the Daily Prophet.

"The Department of Mysteries...Was ransacked last Thursday," Hermione read. "It says that important prophecies have gone missing, and no culprits have been found."

"What?"

"This isn't good, Harry," Hermione said, turning to him. "There's information in these prophecies about the war. Those are the only ones they stole."

"But what can they do with a bunch of prophesies?"

"I dunno, Harry. But I do know that whoever these prophesies entail are going to be in danger."

"You think they'll try to kill the people involved?"

"If they're threatening to destroy His army, then yeah, I think they will."

"I hate these people."

"I know you do Harry," Hermione said with a sigh. "I do, too. But, Harry, what are we going to do?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Harry, you're our leader in this."

"You've given this speech before, Hermione."

"Then I don't have to repeat it."

"No, you don't," Harry sighed. "Let's get this to Mad-Eye and Tonks, and see what they think."

"During the celebration?"

"Yes, during the celebration. We don't have time to celebrate, Hermione. Not if people are in danger."

"People are always in danger, Harry. Especially during a war."

"Well, if I can stop a few more casualties, then all the better."

"If you say so."

"I do," Harry said, staring sternly at her.

You wanted me to take charge, Harry thought angrily, then you better not question my judgment.

---

-Summer-

-Leaky Cauldron-

-Two days before the wedding-

"About us?" Ron asked, bewildered.

"Yes." Percy nodded.

"Percy, how'd they let you out of there with this?" Bill asked bemusedly, taking the book from him.

Percy didn't answer, and the five boys crowded around the book, examining it.

"They don't know you have it?!" Bill asked, closing the book.

"No, they don't," Percy said softly.

"You...You stole this from the Department of Mysteries?" Bill questioned with a sharp intake of breath.

The others turned from the book and looked at Percy, shocked.

"Borrowed..." Percy corrected, voice low.

"So they know you borrowed it?" Bill asked.

"Not exactly..." Percy sighed.

"What exactly is in this book that would make you steal it, Percy?" Charlie asked, as intrigued as the rest of his brothers.

"Well, it's all very complicated in the book, but I got a, erm, translator," Percy explained.

"You got someone to translate this?" Bill questioned, stunned.

"Is that illegal?" Ron asked, perplexed.

"Highly. Especially for a confidential Prophecy book," Bill replied. "How did you find a translator?"

"I found a place," Percy said vaguely.

"Okay, enough with the suspense. What the hell does it say?" Fred finally let out.

---

Ginny smiled, satisfied, as she exited the hall. She had just helped Ron finally stuff his ego and ask Hermione Granger out on a date. Ginny headed towards the Room of Requirement, but stopped shortly when she heard Luna calling out her name.

"Ginny!" Luna caught up, short of breath. "He did it! He asked her out."

"Good for him," Ginny said brightly. "What did she say?"

"She said yes," Luna smiled.

"It's about time," Ginny said with a squeal of delight.

"Where were you heading?"

"Room of Requirement."

"Reading more?" Luna asked curiously as the two started towards the room.

"Yeah, I was trying to figure out more of my powers. Like, can I control it?"

"Is it still coming in random bursts?"

"Yep," Ginny sighed. "I don't understand it, but it usually comes when someone is thinking something really big."

"Does that happen a lot?" Luna inquired.

"Not too often; mostly around Harry. It happened once around Draco, too."

"Draco?"

"Yeah, in the common room. It was like a blast of fury, fear and pain, all at once."

"Is it still scary?"

"Not as much as before." Ginny shrugged. "But still, being around Harry...his mind blows me away. Like, I actually feel like his thoughts will rip me apart. They're so strong."

"Harry's very special that way." Luna nodded.

"More then special. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders. It's too much pressure."

"Does it happen every time you're in a room with him?" Luna asked curiously.

"Mostly. Yesterday evening, when we were looking for our common rooms, it didn't happen then.

But this morning in the common room it happened. I just feel really bad because Harry doesn't know what's happening to me, but I can't very much talk to him about it without getting knocked out by his thoughts."

"Maybe you should get Ron or me to talk to him for you," Luna suggested.

"No, I have to take care of this. It's a really big thing, and I want to tell him myself. That's why I have to figure this out."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," Ginny smiled. "Don't worry about it; I'll handle it. Harry will understand. He always does."

"So you're not still mad-"

"Ginny!" a voice called, cutting Luna off.

The two turned around to find Dean hurrying to catch up with them.

"Oh boy," Ginny muttered so only Luna could hear, who nodded grimly.

"Should I leave?"

Ginny stared at the approaching Dean for a moment, and then nodded.

"I'd better deal with him now, alone."

"Good luck," Luna whispered, then said aloud, "I'll tell you what Aiyana has to say." With that, she took off as Dean stopped in front of Ginny.

"Hey, Dean," Ginny said with a forced smile.

"Ginny, can we talk?"

"I guess nothing's stopping you," Ginny said roughly. Why can't you just leave me alone?

---

Draco sighed, folded his arms across his chest, and then looked back up at Harry.

"I'm back because I was forced to be."

"By who?"

"By people, Potter," Draco growled. "Why do you care so much, anyway?"

"Because I think you might have something for me."

Draco let out a little laugh.

"You think so?"

"Now I know so, Malfoy," Harry said, annoyed. "So why don't you just tell me already?"

"Now's not the time or place," Draco said.

"Then when?"

"Soon. Really soon," Draco said ominously.

"Malfoy, don't be such a git! Just tell me."

"I don't wanna," Draco sneered, mimicking a bratty child.

Harry shook his head.

"Anything else?" Draco taunted.

"Yes. What do you know about the Dragon Games?"

Draco's face became blank again before answering, "It's a series of tests in game form, and there's a prize at the end."

"What kind of prize?"

"Depends on what you want."

"What's that mean?"

"It means the prize can vary, depending on the winner."

"How do you know about this stuff?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's black magic, Potter, to rise up the Stadium for the Dragon Games. No one in their right mind would raise it up without a lot of very good wizards around."

"Okay...that still doesn't answer the question," Harry said. "Do you know of it because it's dark magic?"

Draco shook his head, and then shrugged.

"A bit because of that, but also because I've studied it."

"What for?"

"I want to play."

"You want to play The Dragon Games?"

"That's what I said." Draco shrugged.

"And who exactly were you planning on playing with?"

"I wasn't exactly planning on anything," Draco muttered. "But they tell me it's you, Potter. I'm supposed to play with you."

---

-Summer-

-Number Twelve Grimmauld Place -

-Two days before the wedding-

"Harry, is this really the time for this?" Arthur Weasley asked as he and his wife entered an empty room.

"It's important. Just contact Mad-Eye and Tonks. I'll get Lupin," Harry said.

"Okay, Harry." Arthur nodded.

Harry left the room and turned to Hermione.

"Get the Weasleys if you can."

"Alright," Hermione agreed, nodded, then apparated.

Harry moved through the house, looking for Lupin. He even summoned up enough courage to ask some of the relatives if they had seen him, but none of them had. He made his way up through the house and to the attic. He didn't know why Lupin would be there, unless he was hiding from everyone like he and Hermione had been.

He heard a rustle of noises as he got closer to the attic, and his mind immediately thought of Kreacher. However, he knew the foul creature was with Dobby, or at least, he was supposed to be.

Harry moved to open the attic, and the moment he did, he immediately regretted it. Harry turned away from the scene, and Lupin and Tonks, still dressed, but clearly going at it, jumped apart.

Harry's face turned red in embarrassment as he turned back to them.

"Erm, sorry to er, interrupt. I'm sorry."

Lupin and Tonks had turned red too, and Tonks was quickly buttoning up her shirt.

"Harry, what's g-going on?" Lupin stuttered.

"There's a meeting going on...Er, I'm really sorry to interrupt," Harry muttered again.

"It's okay, Harry," Tonks assured him. "We probably shouldn't have been doing that, anyway."

Lupin looked at her for a moment, and then turned back to Harry.

"Do you need us at the meeting, Harry?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, we'll be right down," Tonks said with a smile.

Harry nodded and quickly shut the door.

Oh man, he thought. That was awkward.

---

-Summer-

-Pansy Parkinson's House -

-Two days before the wedding-

Pansy and Millicent both stood in front of Blaise with their hands folded, looking stern. They were in Pansy's over-decorated dark bedroom, with books sprawled out.

"I will not turn into a woman!" Blaise shouted. "What, are you both bloody mental?"

"It's just for a little while, Blaise," Pansy cooed. "I promise. But in order for this to work, you have to do it. Otherwise, we'll just have to find someone else. It'll wear off by the time we get to school, I promise."

"You two are evil," Blaise grumbled.

"Purely," Pansy agreed with a wink.

"I have the spell right here," Millicent said.

"Do I have to? Right now?" Blaise groaned.

"We have a special party to crash, so yes, now."

"Why couldn't you get your boyfriend to do this?"

Pansy angrily grabbed Blaise by the robes.

"Because a) he's not my boyfriend, and b) because I hate him."

"Why? He's practically in the inner circle now, since he killed Dumbledore."

Pansy just pursed her lips and let Blaise go. She, unlike the two next to her, knew that Draco Malfoy had not succeeded in his mission. She knew it, because Draco had practically given it away when Snape and he showed up at the Death Eater celebration after Albus' death. He may have fooled the Dark Lord with his lie, but she knew him better then that. He denied it all when she had talked to him alone, but she knew there was something that he was not telling her.

"Yes, well, let's just do the spell already," Pansy muttered. "The faster we do this, the faster we can tell the Dark Lord of our plans for his little assignment."