Chapter 12
The sun was just beginning to set as Draco carefully unwrapped the dragon egg he had been keeping in the fireplace. The warmth from the fire had done its job, and the egg now lay in a soft bed of blankets, gently rocking. Draco’s eyes were glued to it, his usual confidence softened into something more tender as he waited for the moment he’d been dreaming about.
And then it happened.
With a small crack, the egg split open, revealing a tiny dragon. Its scales shimmered in the fading light, and it let out a soft, sleepy chirp. Draco’s face lit up with pure, unfiltered joy. He reached out carefully, cradling the newborn dragon in his hands, his gaze never leaving it.
“Look at him,” Draco murmured, his voice soft and full of affection. “He’s perfect.”
Hermione, standing nearby, couldn’t help but smile at the sight. The bond Draco shared with his dragon was evident, and it seemed to be a rare moment of pure happiness amidst all the chaos they had been dealing with.
Matthew, who had been fiddling with a makeshift broomstick, looked up and caught sight of the dragon. His eyes widened with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
“Nice,” he said, waving the broomstick in a lazy circle. “I’ve been working on something myself.”
In a bold move, Matthew hopped onto the broomstick and started practicing his flying maneuvers. He’d quickly become adept at handling it, his enthusiasm for the sport evident in his loops and spins.
Perseus, on the other hand, had taken to the skies on an enchanted broom of his own, though his flight was far from graceful. Despite his probable years of experience, he clearly wasn’t thrilled about flying. The way he clenched his teeth and grimaced as he landed suggested he was still very much not a fan of heights and while the clouds had darkened ominously, they seemed to lift a little as Perseus touched down with a sigh of relief. Hermione and Matthew exchanged glances, suspicion flickering in their eyes. Something about the timing and the weather didn’t sit right with them.
Meanwhile, Theo, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly burst into hysterics. He’d been reading the latest chapter of *Bungou Stray Dogs* and was now frantically declaring his newfound ambition to become a doctor.
“I need to help people!” Theo cried, his eyes wide with a mixture of panic and determination. “I have to become a doctor! There’s so much pain, and I want to fix it!”
His outburst was unexpected and, in the moment, both confusing and alarming. Hermione, who had been lost in thought about the strange weather and the dragon’s arrival, was jolted into action.
“Theo, calm down,” she said, approaching him with a steady gaze. “Let’s talk this through. It’s okay to have goals, but we need to be practical.”
Draco, still holding his dragon with one arm, looked over with concern. He had hoped that having the dragon would help soothe some of their group’s troubles, but it seemed like their problems were far from over. He couldn’t help but worry about Theo’s sudden shift in focus and the strain it was putting on everyone.
The group’s dynamic was shifting once more, with each person grappling with their own internal battles. The dragon was a small beacon of hope, but it wasn’t enough to erase the weight of their struggles. Draco, Hermione, Matthew, Theo, and Perseus were all trying to find their way, dealing with their personal demons and the unexpected twists their journey had taken.
As night fell, the group settled into a tense, uneasy calm. The dragon slept peacefully in Draco’s arms, a symbol of the fragile hope they clung to. The clouds outside seemed to reflect their turmoil, dark and heavy, but there was a faint glimmer of light breaking through, a reminder that there was still some beauty amidst the chaos.
The challenges they faced were far from over, but in that moment, they had each other. And as they looked toward the uncertain future, they did so with a mixture of hope and trepidation, knowing that they would need to rely on their strengths and their bonds to navigate the road ahead.
The tranquility of the open sea was abruptly shattered as dark shapes emerged from the water, cutting through the waves with menacing speed. The once peaceful journey had taken a turn for the worse. The boat, Annie, rocked violently as the creatures approached.
Matthew, who had been lounging on deck, jumped up with a determined glint in his eyes. He had been working on his combat skills, and it was clear he was ready to put them to use. The sea creatures—crustacean-like beasts with sharp, glinting claws—seemed to be drawn to the boat with an unholy hunger.
“Everyone, prepare yourselves!” Matthew shouted, his voice carrying over the roar of the waves. He wasted no time, grabbing a heavy oar and using it to fend off the creatures that were trying to board. His expertise in hand-to-hand combat was evident as he struck with precision, knocking several of the beasts back into the ocean.
Draco, Hermione, and Theo quickly joined the fray, grabbing whatever improvised weapons they could find. Draco’s new dragon, sensing the danger, let out a fierce growl and tried to intimidate the attackers, though it was still too small to be of much use in battle.
Hermione, her practical side taking over, used her quick thinking to enchant various items on the boat to create barriers and distractions. She muttered spells under her breath, her wand moving in practiced arcs to defend against the creatures.
Theo, still frazzled from his earlier outburst, managed to channel his fear into determination. He fought alongside Draco, his movements less fluid but driven by a desperate need to prove himself. His eyes were wide with a mix of adrenaline and dread, but he pushed through, not wanting to be a liability.
Perseus, meanwhile, was standing at the edge of the boat, looking surprisingly calm. It was almost as if he was doing nothing, but in reality, he was subtly influencing the water around them. The waves seemed to obey his unspoken command, pushing against the attackers and keeping them at bay.
The sea creatures, despite their initial aggression, were struggling against the turbulent waters. Perseus’s control over the ocean was creating a chaotic environment for them, and it became evident that he was manipulating the tides to their advantage, though he wasn’t making a show of it.
“Why aren’t you helping?” Hermione shouted at Perseus, her frustration evident as she struggled to keep the creatures away.
“I’m doing my part,” Perseus replied coolly, though he made no move to elaborate. His gaze remained focused on the water, where the creatures were being driven back by the surging waves.
Matthew, meanwhile, continued his relentless assault on the attackers. His earlier comments about his “cute little brother” were forgotten as he threw himself into the fight with a fervor that left no room for doubt about his combat skills. His punches and kicks were precise, taking down the creatures one by one.
As the battle raged on, Draco kept a vigilant eye on Theo, making sure he didn’t get overwhelmed. The struggle was intense, and the chaotic nature of the fight tested everyone’s resolve. But the combined efforts of the group—Matthew’s fighting prowess, Hermione’s magical support, Draco’s strategic positioning, and Perseus’s control over the water—began to turn the tide.
Eventually, the remaining creatures, battered and disoriented, retreated back into the ocean. The boat rocked gently as the threat receded, and the group finally had a moment to catch their breath.
“Everyone okay?” Draco called out, looking around at the exhausted but relieved faces of his companions.
There were nods and murmurs of agreement. The boat was battered but still afloat, and the sea was beginning to calm.
The night had fallen, and the full moon cast a silvery glow over the ocean, its light reflecting off the waves with an eerie beauty. The boat, Annie, swayed gently as the crew took stock of their situation, their earlier battle still fresh in their minds.
Theodore, who had been unusually quiet, now seemed to be affected by the moon’s light. His eyes, which usually carried a touch of vulnerability, were now glowing with an intense, almost feral light. It was clear that the moon was having a strong effect on him, and it didn’t take long for the group to notice.
“Uh, Theodore?” Draco said, his voice tinged with concern as he noticed the change. He had been casually leaning against the railing, Hermione asleep on his shoulder, when Theodore’s transformation began.
Theodore’s fangs had extended, and his movements took on a predatory grace. He was shifting between his human form and something more monstrous, his demeanor growing increasingly intense. Matthew, who had been observing with a mix of fascination and delight, looked at Theodore with an expression that suggested he was actually enjoying the transformation.
Matthew’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oh, now this is interesting,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t realize you could look so… captivating as a vampire, Theo.”
Draco, meanwhile, seemed unperturbed by the sudden change. He barely gave Theodore a second glance, his primary concern being Hermione’s comfort as she slept against him. The situation was strange, but it didn’t seem to faze him much.
Perseus, who had been attempting to enjoy a rare moment of relaxation, sighed heavily. He was clearly not thrilled by the new development. “I didn’t sign up for vampire shenanigans,” he muttered under his breath, though he was too exhausted to put up much of a fight. “I just want to retire and be done with all this madness.”
Luna, who had been sipping her tea and observing the scene with her usual calm demeanor, glanced up at Theodore with mild interest. “Looks like the moon is having quite the effect on him,” she noted, though her tone suggested she was more intrigued than worried.
Theodore’s transformation was a sight to behold. He seemed to be struggling between the beast within and the human he was trying to hold onto. His movements were fluid and graceful, but there was an underlying tension, a battle that was visible in his eyes.
Despite the chaos, Matthew’s reaction was almost humorous. He leaned closer to Theodore, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and playful flirtation. “Well, this is certainly a side of you I didn’t expect,” he said, almost as if he were trying to get Theodore’s attention.
Theodore, caught between his more primal instincts and his desire to maintain some semblance of control, gave Matthew a look that was both intrigued and slightly annoyed. “Now is not the time for your games, Matthew,” he growled, though there was an almost affectionate undertone to his words.
As the night wore on, the group tried to make the best of the situation. Draco, still holding Hermione, was trying to keep an eye on Theodore, though his main concern was ensuring Hermione stayed comfortable. Luna continued to sip her tea, her gaze occasionally flickering to Theodore with a thoughtful expression. Perseus, grumbling about his misfortune, tried to ignore the chaos unfolding around him.
Matthew, for his part, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the drama, though he kept a safe distance from Theodore’s more dangerous moments. The vampire’s presence was both unsettling and fascinating, and Matthew wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by without making the most of it.
The night was long and filled with tension, but as the moon reached its zenith, Theodore’s transformation slowly began to wane. The intensity of his vampiric traits lessened, and he was left feeling exhausted but relieved.
Eventually, the moonlight began to fade, and Theodore’s usual self began to return. His fangs retracted, and his eyes lost their otherworldly glow. He looked around at the group, his expression a mix of embarrassment and fatigue.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered, though his voice was still slightly strained. “I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble.”
Draco, still holding Hermione, gave Theodore a reassuring nod. “It’s alright. We’ve dealt with worse.”
Perseus, with a tired sigh, began to make his way to his quarters. “I think I’ve earned a break tonight. You lot can handle the rest.”
Matthew, ever the opportunist, flashed Theodore a flirtatious smile. “Don’t worry about it, Theo. You’re even more interesting with those fangs of yours.”
Luna, always the voice of reason, nodded. “Just make sure to rest and take care of yourself. The moon’s influence can be draining.”
Theodore's life had always been shrouded in mystery and a certain unease, stemming from his very origins. His father had been a pure-blood wizard with a reputation for ambition and cruelty, while his mother, a vampire, had been a figure of both allure and danger. Their union had been one of dark necessity rather than love, and their child was born into a world of conflicting legacies.
When Theodore was born, his vampiric heritage was not immediately apparent, but it became increasingly clear as he grew older. His mother’s nature had left him with a duality that was both fascinating and frightening. His blood carried the strength and allure of his mother’s vampire side, and as he approached adolescence, the changes began to manifest more prominently.
By the time Theodore turned eleven, his vampiric traits had become more pronounced. It was during this period that his uncle, a figure in Theodore's life both feared and respected, took on the responsibility of managing his vampiric nature. This was not a task Theodore’s uncle took lightly. His obsession with Theodore's vampirism was not merely about control; it was about domination and understanding, driven by a deep-seated need to master something he found both disturbing and alluring.
To contain Theodore's vampire nature, his uncle employed a series of powerful runes. These were not ordinary protective spells; they were intricate and ancient runes that bound Theodore’s vampiric side with a level of precision that was both intricate and painful. The runes were placed on Theodore's body at various points, ensuring that his vampire instincts were suppressed but not eliminated. This suppression was intended to be a permanent solution, sparing Theodore from the periodic spells that had previously been used to manage his condition.
His uncle’s fascination with the vampire side of Theodore was almost pathological. He was captivated by the power and the potential that lay in Theodore’s blood, and he saw Theodore’s vampirism as both a curse and a gift. This obsession led to a series of cruel and rigorous training sessions, where Theodore was forced to confront his vampire nature in ways that were both physically and emotionally harrowing.
The combination of these runes and his uncle’s harsh methods had left Theodore with a conflicted sense of self. On one hand, he had inherited incredible strength and resilience; on the other, he was burdened by the constant struggle to keep his darker instincts at bay. His uncle's influence had been pervasive and controlling, leaving Theodore with scars both visible and hidden.
As Theodore matured, he found ways to cope with his vampiric nature, though the internal battle was far from over. The full moon had always been a particularly challenging time, amplifying his vampire instincts and making the struggle to control them even more difficult. The recent events on the boat had been a stark reminder of how easily his carefully maintained control could slip, and the experience had brought back a flood of memories and fears associated with his uncle’s treatment.