The Scars That Were Left Behind
Alice had been to the sanctuary once, when she was very little her family had gone on a holiday. She had been barely five when they visited. She couldn’t remember everything, but she remembered feeling small as she looked at the large beasts above her, towering in their beauty. Their scales reflecting the sunshine and the sand. She remembered that very well.
She also remembered her mother not enjoying the trip. Minnie had gripped onto her mother's hand with fear in her eyes.
"Mummy, I'm not so sure I like being around the big dragons." Minnie had whispered only loud enough to barely make out her words.
"That's just fine baby girl." Her mother had said before kissing her on the forehead. "Mummy's not the fondest of the idea herself."
Alice on the other hand had gotten so close to the cages her father had to pull her back.
"Oh no you Little Terror!" Her father had yelled as she walked closer to a dragon with large silvery scales.
"But daddy she is shiny!" Alice exclaimed as he scooped her under her arms.
"Yes, but dragons can burn you baby girl."
"Duke wouldn't burn me." Alice argued back. "He's a dragon."
"Yes, well Duke knows better." Her dad asked as he carried her back to her mother and sister, "Where is Duke anyway?"
"He always flies ahead when we visit." Alice's mother insisted as the bright son cast shadows of the curls that fell about her face, "I think he likes to take a moment alone to visit with Kai."
Alice didn't know what that meant but her father nodded solemnly.
"Now girls, we're going to meet someone very special." Her mother said before wiping a bit of dirt off of Alice's face. "Her name is Queenie. Be the best you can be please."
"Ok mummy." Both girls responded.
Alice remembered meeting Queenie and how her home smelled like lemonade. Alice didn't remember much else at all, but she remembered her time there was happy.
Today, entering the dragon sanctuary felt different. She was older and knew not to come too close to the cages. It didn’t deter her desire to know everything she could about every dragon.
From the moment that they arrived on the ranch in Arizona, Alice was again captivated by the beasts. The sulfuric smell fueled her excitement as they thrashed around in their cages which rivaled Quidditch fields for size. Charlie and Felix had been incredibly patient in letting Alice stare for long moments as they began their walk up the path through the large cages.
Horntails, Fireballs, Welsh Greens and every other breed that had simply existed in books to her now seemed so real. Felix knelt beside her as he explained every detail of each dragon’s rehabilitation and their journey to the ranch.
As they approached a new and incredibly large cage containing a particularly excited Welsh Green, Alice noticed a man climbing out. The dragon’s tail was slashing about and it roared with a great raging fire leaving it’s mouth.
The was covered in a black powder that left a trail behind him as he ran to greet them. Only his teeth was white as he smiled at the little trio.
As he came closer, Alice noticed the man seemed slightly deformed, with what visible skin he had being covered in veiny scars. Bandages covered his ankles and wrists.
“How are you Howard?” Charlie shook the young man’s hand.
“Well once I get Gertie calmed down I’ll be better.” The young man wiped the soot from his eyes, revealing nearly red skin beneath. A large bulbous scar covered his left eye and the cornea was white. “She’s been a bitch today. Won’t let me get close enough to get her injection in her.”
“I assume by the bandages its been more than just today.” Charlie laughed. “Need help?”
Howard laughed along holding up his arm and re-bandaging his wrist, “No, I’ve got it managed, Queenie is waiting for you all at the cabin. She’s been so excited for your visit. This must be Alice, you probably don't remember me do you?"
Alice shook her head, "No offense but not a smidgen. I only remember a little bit from when I was here years ago."
"I remembered you tried climbing into a cage with a Chinese Fireball." Howard laughed, "Bravest damned five year old I'd ever met."
"I did?" Alice asked feeling confused, "I don't remember that at all."
"It's just fine you don't." Howard coughed as he wiped off his hands that were practically garnet, "Your mother told us dragons were your favorite, I suppose they still are then?"
"Of course they are!" Alice exclaimed.
"She's going to be a Dragonologist like us soon." Charlie bragged wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"Oh." Howard's smile wiped from his face, "That's certainly a brave career choice."
“Well, we will let you get back to burning to a crisp.” Felix laughed awkwardly gauging Howard's reaction, before motioning for Charlie and Alice to continue walking.
“He seemed burnt to a crisp already!” Alice exclaimed as she heard Gertie’s roar. “There were scars all over him. That one over his eye! It was horrible.”
“That was nothing, look at this one!” Felix said unbuttoning his collar, showing her a winding scar up his neck. It looked like a crater winding through a desert.
“I suppose that had to hurt?” Alice asked looking it over, feeling her heart begin to race faster.
“Of course they did.” Felix exclaimed as he buttoned his collar back up. “Not immediately when it happened, but afterwards, yes. You don't ever truly get used to the pain, you just sort of expect it.”
"Mum says something similar." Alice shrugged, "She told me once that being on fire only felt like putting her hand on a hot stove when it happened."
"You asked your mother about that did you?" Charlie asked fixing the scarf on his neck.
Alice shrugged, "She told us we could ask her anything."
"That's certainly something." Felix responded with a nod.
“You don’t have as many scars do you Charlie?” Alice asked leaning closer to Felix.
“Not as aggressive as Felix has of course.” Charlie laughed as he pulled his sleeves back. His scars were ugly, but they weren't as veiny as Felix's. “Arms, back and calves. I am a bit more cautious than Felix.”
“And I’m a bit more cautious than Howard.” Felix laughed in response.
Alice felt a tug at her stomach, she’d been thinking about scars a lot lately, "I'm not sure I'm ready for that quite yet."
“Your mum would murder me if I let you get any scars on this trip.” Charlie exclaimed, “Not to worry yet Miss Alice. Besides, with proper training you can keep them off your face.”
Alice took a deep breath before asking, “But I will have some scars someday?”
“Every dragonologist gets them.” Felix repeated but laughed, “Don’t be too eager, they hurt like a mother f-.”
“Felix, we have young ears please.” Charlie interrupted.
“Oh yes, I mean she’s going to end up hearing those words someday.” Felix argued. “She probably learned plenty of them from her mother.”
“I have.” Alice exclaimed, changing subjects as she saw the large outline of an exceptionally large and white dragon. “The Ironbelly.”
“Yes, Irene.” Charlie laughed as he followed Alice closer, “Bloody nightmare getting her to the states, even worse a nightmare to keep her there. Gringotts put up quite the fight. The money for the legal battles alone, quite beyond us.”
“Besides, Irene is quite a devilish one, she’s incredibly damaged from her time in servitude.” Felix explained, “Poor thing.”
“She’s beautiful.” Alice sighed as she looked at the majestic creature.
“Come on, you can get to know her more tomorrow after we all get some rest with Queenie!” Charlie put his hands on her shoulder pulling her away.
Alice would have known the small unremarkable cabin anywhere. She didn’t just remember it from her childhood, but she did remember it from reading her mother’s stories.
She could almost see Kai Jones sitting on the porch, grimacing at the prospect of her mother’s approach. His fedora misaligned as Duke flew from his shoulder as his beautiful blue eyes dashed over the sunlit roads.
Alas, that was not the case now, instead a silken figure opened the front door with a gracious and enrapturing smile upon her lips. Her age did not preclude her from racing to meet them.
“Oh Charlie!” Queenie exclaimed embracing him with vigor. She turned to Felix and pinched his cheeks, “Oh and my dear Felix.”
“Hello Queenie. Looking as fine as ever.” Felix exclaimed before pulling his face from Queenie’s grasp. He took her hand delicately and kissed it.
“Oh you old liar.” Queenie laughed before looking back to Alice, their eyes catching. “And you must be Miss Fyre’s daughter?”
“Yes, that’s me. Alice Longbottom at your service mam.” Alice said reaching out a hand. “I’m very excited to meet you. Well, meet you as an adult or older anyway, I don't remember much from when I was last here, but all that to say I'm so happy to see you again.”
“And I you.” Queenie took her hand for a quick shake, then tucked Alice's hand beneath her arm.
“I’ve heard all about you and I’m so excited to be here.” Alice explained with more giggles than she meant to have. “I can’t believe it honestly, mostly that mum would let me come alone or that I’m really here.”
“Good. I quite enjoy your enthusiasm.” Queenie giggled back with a pinch of her nose. “Now where is that little dragon who’s caused so much trouble?”
Alice reached into her pocket and pulled Dusty out. Dusty’s eyes fluttered open and she released a large gaping yawn.
“Oh my Dusty!” Alice exclaimed and pet her head, “Not the friendliest greeting.”
“She must be tired from the journey.” Queenie suggested with a tilt of her head at Charlie.
“How can she be? She’s been asleep most of the journey. She’s only really awoken to eat a few times.” Alice exclaimed before nudging Dusty a little more.
“That is slightly odd.” Charlie said taking her out of Alice’s hands and looking her over, “But it is possible she isn’t a fan of travel.”
“Or Freya trained her like that. She did bring her from America.” Felix considered.
"Please Felix, do me a small favor, do not utter that woman's name in my presence." Queenie snapped.
"Apologies Queenie." Felix nodded back.
“Best get the little dragon to bed then. Honestly, you all look tired from the journey. I think you three could all do with a bit of rest.” Queenie admonished before she led them inside the little hut that was warmly lit and exquisitely furnished. After feeding them a dinner of tomato soup and salads, she showed them all to their rooms.
It was a very warm and cozy room, with dark purple rugs and curtains. There was a large window overlooking the ranch. Alice could see the dragons perched in their cages and the sun beginning to set.
She was happy to see a little doll’s bed set up.
“Here you are Dusty.” Alice said placing her down onto the bed. The little dragon wrapped herself in a ball. “Time change must be odd for you.”
Dusty’s eyes closed peacefully. She seemed perfectly content in her surroundings.
Alice took a deep breath. She also felt very content. This was such a wonderful day already. Not to mention Charlie had promised she could help inspect the dragons the next day. She hoped maybe they’d let her in one of the cages. She’d be a cautious dragonologist and attempt to avoid getting those scars. She wondered how Freya had managed to escape getting scarred.