A Rider's Legacy

Chapter 21:

Harry was honestly frustrated. It was only a few days before the first task, he had been working tirelessly for weeks, coming up with strategies to stay alive, training harder than ever. He was exhausted, he was nervous... Alright, he may have been a bit more than just nervous. Completely overwhelmed with anxiety would have been a more accurate description. Not to mention, only a few hours ago, the Riders had informed him of a disturbance, near the outskirts of the forest. The only reason why they had not investigated it yet was because there was too much magic and chaos occurring, and they could not get close enough without risking detection, even with their camouflage.
Hence why Harry was not too pleased with Hagrid who for some reason was insisting that he come meet with the giant of a man in the middle of the night. Harry did not think it would be that bad. Perhaps he could get a glimpse of what the disturbance was. After all, Hagrid knew about practically everything that happened in the Forbidden Forest.
However, he did not think it was necessary for Hagrid to invite Harry to pretty much stalk his date with Madam Maxime.
Why would he do something like this? Was Hagrid nervous and needed Harry's invisible support? Was Hagrid, like everyone else Harry knew, trying to encourage him to express his feelings for a certain bushy-haired friend of his?
Whatever it was, Harry had had enough. If nothing interesting happened in the next few minutes, he was going to turn back and go back to his nice warm bed.
[And people say I'm impatient.]
Piped up a very drowsy Colaen.
[Shouldn't you be in bed?]
Harry asked.
[Yeah, well, I sensed you were close, and guessed you were going to investigate that disturbance thing that we couldn't go near because too much was happening and we would get caught too easily if we went too close.]
Harry sighed tiredly and rubbed his eyes with his knuckles.
[My first thought was that Hagrid was going to show me what it was. But it seems like he wanted me to watch his date with Madam Maxime.]
[I don't know.]
Colaen argued.
[I can smell something. We're definitely going somewhere with this.]
Harry sighed and nodded.
[Fine, I'll trust your senses.]
It seemed as if Colaen was correct. There was something not too far ahead. However, the scene that met them absolutely shocked and horrified Harry right down to the core. He clenched his fists in outrage and disgust. He could sense similar feelings within Colaen, if not even stronger than his own.
[What the bloody hell?]
Colaen growled dangerously.
[It must be for the first task.]
Harry replied.
[Not any more.]
He heard Colaen growl before there was a rustle of trees behind him.
[Colaen, no!]
[If they see you...]
[I don't care!]
Colaen screeched.
Harry raced through the trees to where he could sense his dragon. He clambered onto her back, not minding how Colaen's sharp scales almost tore through his clothing.
[Colaen, calm down! Please.]
Harry pleaded.
[Calm down!] Colaen roared in outrage.
[You expect me to calm down while...]
[Shhh, hold still. Do not make a sound.]
Harry quickly threw a quick camouflage over Colaen. Just in time, as a figure emerged through the trees.
[Karkaroff.]
Harry hissed.
[Great, now Krum will know as well as Delacour.]
[Why are we whispering?]
Colaen asked.
[It's just the two of us in here, you know.]
[I am aware.]
Harry replied dryly.
[And I don't know. Anyway, we should go back and inform the others of this.]

Harry would come to regret his decision. If one angry dragon was bad, it was nothing compared to the pandemonium which erupted at Harry's announcement.
All five dragons stormed around the clearing in absolute outrage. Trees were ripped from their roots, rocks were pulverised into dust, plants were lit ablaze. The Riders tried to calm their dragons down, but doing so was very difficult considering that they were feeling just about the same amount of fury. The only difference was in the way they expressed it. Surprisingly, the Rider who showed the most outward anger was Hurzomna.
Harry was afraid that the dragons would draw the attention of the castle’s residents and/or tear the entire forest down. However, thankfully, through the chaos, Murtagh managed to climb onto the log of an uprooted tree. With his magic, the older red Rider enhanced his voice.
"Enough!"
His voice echoed through the clearing, everyone falling silent immediately.
"Right," Murtagh continued. "Yes, I agree that this is..."
"A completely and utterly disgusting barbaric atrocity?" Hurzomna interrupted.
"Something along those lines." Murtagh agreed calmly. "However, there is nothing we can do about it at this point. These are wild dragons, and the dragons here are less intelligent and in some cases more... Animalistic than the ones from Alagäsia. No, that does not mean it is right for them to be treated in this horrible manner. What I am attempting to say is that, we cannot let them loose, as, according to Harry and Colaen, they are already in an agitated state. For them to be freed now would mean destruction for everything in the area. They are, unfortunately, going to be part of the first task. However, what we can do is make sure neither they, nor their eggs, are harmed."
"I can ensure that I do not harm the dragons, or the eggs." Harry began. "And I can probably do the same with Cedric. But as for the Durmstrang and Boxbaton champions... That may take some persuasion."
Murtagh nodded.
"Good. Now, before we all return to bed, I believe we should clean up this mess."
Harry sighed, resigned to the fact that he would not be getting to his bed for at least another hour.

The next day, Harry tracked down the three other champions and dragged them to an empty classroom.
"What is ze meaning of this?" Delacour demanded.
She and Krum were glaring at him, while Cedric merely looked at him in confusion.
"Alright, first of all," He began. "Cedric, you are probably the only one who does not know at this point, and don't you two start acting like your school heads have not already told you, because I know they know, and I know they would have told you.“ He added, shooting a glare at the two other champions.
"What is it?" Cedric asked.
Harry clenched his fists.
"The first task." He began. "It involves dragons."
Cedric paled. The other champions did not even flinch, confirming Harry's suspicions.
"Anyway," Harry continued. "I have called you all here to make a simple request."
Delacour huffed.
"We are not going to help you, if zat..."
"No," Harry interrupted. "I don't need your help. What I need is assurance that you will not harm the dragons, or their eggs, in any way shape or form."
Krum huffed.
"Why should we do anything you say?“ he demanded.
"Because," He began, his voice dangerously low as he stepped closer to the Bulgarian. "I would be very angry if they were hurt. And you would not like me when I am angry."
He let some of his magic swirl around him in an attempt to make himself appear more intimidating. It clearly worked, as the older wizard actually stepped back in slight fear.
"Fine." He muttered.
"Fine." Delacour echoed.
Cedric nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be careful." He said.
Harry nodded and smiled.
"Thank you."

Upon the morning of the first task, Harry was a bundle of nerves. He had had to sneak down to the forest, just so he could cuddle with Colaen in an attempt to get some sleep. Thankfully, he had been able to sneak back to the castle in time to not cause suspicion.
"Don't worry mate." Ron said, patting his shoulder. "You've faced worse things than a wild dragon."
Harry nodded numbly.
"I'm sure you will be fine." Hermione agreed, squeezing his hand.
Harry sucked in a breath and his voice was noticeably dull when he finally spoke again.
"Thank you."
Eventually, it was time for them to part, Ron and Hermione for the spectator stands, and Harry for the champions tent.

Harry stared at the miniature dragon. The Hungarian horntail. Of course he'd get the most dangerous one. Just his bloody luck. The fact that he was the last champion to go was only a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gave him more time to go through his plan in his mind one last time. On the other hand, it gave his anxieties more time to work him into a state of panic.
Suddenly, he felt a familiar presence in his mind.
[Harry.]
Harry perked up immediately.
[Father? What are you...?]
[Do not worry, we are all here.]
His father replied.
[You did not think we would not come here to watch and support you?]
Harry sighed.
[Thank you.]
He replied.
[Do not worry, you will be fine.]
His father said comfortingly.
[You have faced far worse, and I know you are capable. You have nothing to fear.]
Harry's lips twitched in a smile.
[Thanks.]
He said.
[For saying that, and for being here. It... It really makes me feel better, knowing you're here.]
[You are never alone, not any more.]
His father replied.
[And if you do get hurt, then I just may stab someone. Preferably whoever thought it would be a good idea to have teenagers face nesting mother dragons.]
Harry snorted.
[I'm pretty sure the ten of us want to punish whoever brought the dragons in anyway.]
His father sent his amusement through the bond.
[Just remember,]
The older rider began.
[You can do this. I believe in you. We all believe in you.]
The presence faded, and Harry sagged in his seat. His father was right, he had faced far worse.
But those dangers had not been in front of an audience.
Still, there was nothing to worry about. He could do this. He could face this dragon.

Harry sucked in a breath. The sound of the crowd as well as Bagman's commentary faded into the background, all of his attention drawn to the massive dragon before him.
He clutched his wand, to make it seem like he was actually performing magic. However, he had no intention of doing so. He did not want to risk the safety of the dragon or her young. Nor did he want to play their sick game. It was bad enough that he was being forced into this, but that they would risk the lives of a mother dragon and her eggs...?
Harry shook his head and stepped forward tentatively. Immediately, the dragon’s head shot up and she growled in warning. Harry raised a hand and stepped back.
He closed his eyes and focused, attempting to make a connection with the dragon's mind. While he could not communicate with this dragon as easily as he could with Alagäsian ones, Murtagh had informed him that it was still possible. The older Rider, during his last visit to Europe, had experimented with communicating with the new, less intelligent species of dragon. He had discovered that it was possible to communicate with them, through images and emotions. And it was this method that Harry planned to use to convince the mother dragon to let him take the fake golden egg.
Finally, he made a connection with the dragon. It was more wild, more instinctual, than Colaen or any of the other dragons he had connected with. Harry could sense the raw emotions. Anger, fear, protectiveness. The only thing on her mind was to protect her hatchlings. She would destroy anything that tried to harm her eggs. She would rather die than see them hurt.
This struck a chord in Harry's heart. It reminded him so much of his Mum. She had been willing to die for her child, just as this dragon was.
New fury burnt through him. How dare they use this beautiful, innocent creature and her unhatched children in their sick death tournament. It was despicable, disgusting, and it made Harry want to brutally maim whomever came up with this sick task.
He felt another, slight presence in his mind.
[Focus Harry.]
His father said.
[Your anger is only flowing through your connection with the dragon, making her more agitated.]
He was right. As Harry refocused, he realised the horntail had her wings half spread, her tail hovering dangerously in the air. She was glaring right at him.
[Thanks.]
He replied.
[Just concentrate, and be careful.]
Murtagh replied calmly before he ended their connection.
Harry turned his attention back to his connection with the horntail. He sent her feelings of comfort, of calmness, and of safety. It worked, somewhat. The horntail did lower her tail, slightly. She folded her wings, and seemed less tense. However, she still glared at him and puffed smoke out of her nostrils.
Harry risked a step forward, waving his wand to cause the impression of casting a spell. In reality, he was sending more calming emotions to the horntail. He sent her a message through images, saying that he had no intention of harming either her or her eggs. He told her of how a fake egg had been placed with the others, and how he wished to remove it, so no harm came to the real ones.
Eventually, the dragon calmed down, enough so that Harry felt he could safely approach her without being burnt alive.
Slowly, he approached the horntail. Step by step, he came closer. Eventually, he reached the dragon and the cluster of eggs. Slowly reaching out a hand, he gently stroked the dragon's snout. She snorted, blowing smoke into Harry's face. He coughed, but smiled.
"You are so beautiful." He said gently. "Well, not as beautiful as Colaen, but mind you, I am biased."
He slowly walked around the dragon, keeping a respectful distance from her eggs, until he reached the golden one, shining in the sunlight. With the horntail's eyes on him, he slowly approached the egg. He crouched, picked up the egg in his arms, and stood back up. He bowed to the dragon, sending her feelings of respect and thanks.
Relieved, he left the arena.

The events just after the task were a blur. He remembered cheering, Ron and Hermione hugging him, and a feeling of relief. Later, he would find out that he had scored pretty high. Apparently, the judges thought he had used some sort of magical compulsion to charm the dragon into submission. He was in second place, just behind Krum. But Harry did not care. All he cared about was that he had survived, and no dragons or eggs were hurt.
Later that evening, they all had a party in the clearing. Even Sirius and Remus were there. They even brought refreshments, including several bottles of firewhisky, courtesy of Sirius. Murtagh eased up on his usual hover-parenting and let Harry have as much alcohol as he wanted, though the younger Rider could only drink a couple glasses.
During the party, everyone's attention was drawn to the egg.
"So, what does it do?" Ron asked.
Harry frowned.
"There are hinges on it, and a line around the middle, so I guess it's supposed to open."
"Then open it." Brinla insisted.
Everyone exclaimed their agreement. So Harry slowly opened the egg. Only to drop it a few seconds later. A very loud shrieking came from the opened egg. Harry felt as if his ears would bleed.
"Close it!" Sirius yelled.
Quickly, after some fumbling with the egg, Harry closed it, mercifully silencing the egg.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked.
There was a long silence.
"I believe I may have heard something like this during my travels." Murtagh said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Remus nodded.
"I believe I have heard something like that as well. It almost sounded like mermish spoken outside of the water."
Murtagh nodded.
"Yes, perhaps we should try to listen to it underwater."
"Well, let's have a crack at it." Sirius slurred, fumbling with his wand. He had clearly had far too much to drink.
"Oh, let me do it." Remus said in frustrated amusement. "Before you blast a hole in your pants again."
He conjured a basin of water, large enough for someone to put both the egg and their head underneath.
Harry stepped forward.
"I should do it." He insisted. "Its my task."
So he took a deep breath and plunged both his head and the egg beneath the water. After about a minute, he resurfaced, gasping for air and dripping wet from the neck up.
"Okay, I don't remember the exact wording,“ He began. "But I've got the basic gist."
He sucked in a breath.
"Apparently, they're going to take something very precious to me, and I will have an hour to get it back."
"And I presume it will be hidden in the water?" Eragon asked.
Harry nodded.
"Guess so."
"Well then," Hermione began. "We should focus on finding ways for you to survive underwater for an extended period of time."
"Yeah, we're going to have a slightly bigger problem than me being able to survive underwater." Harry said hesitantly.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
Harry shuffled his feet sheepishly.
"I can't swim." He muttered.
"What!" Everyone exclaimed.
"Well," Harry began. "The Dursleys never bothered to sign me up for lessons. Guess they didn't want to waste the money on me, or they probably just hoped I would drown."
Murtagh clenched his fist and sucked in a deep breath.
"Fine. Harry, I will focus on teaching you how to swim. Finding ways for you to breathe underwater will be useless if you cannot even swim. Fortunately, we have until February."
"Seriously, a challenge involving a lake in the middle of February." Brinla muttered. "These wizards are insane."
Harry grinned.
"You've only just realised this now?"

Later that evening, as Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking back up to the castle, his two friends brought up an important matter.
"Harry," Hermione began. "We've been thinking."
"A lot." Ron added.
"Yes, well," Hermione continued. "We have both decided that we do want to be tested."
Harry froze mid-step. He turned to his friends.
"Are you sure?" He asked. "Maybe you should make this decision when you are more sober."
"I will have you know, Harry James Potter Murtaghsson, that..."
"You forgot Deathsbane." Harry interrupted.
Hermione blinked.
"What?"
"Deathsbane. It's what the Riders call me. Long story."
"Stop trying to change the subject. Anyway, as I was saying, I am completely sober. I did not participate in your underage drinking, unlike some people."
She glared pointedly at the two males.
"Hey, my father gave me permission." Harry argued.
"And I'm definitely not telling my parents." Ron added. "Mum will have a fit. Anyway, Harry, we both made this decision long before any alcohol was involved. We want this. Hermione and I want to become Riders, and learn all that magic and become protectors and stuff. Guess your saving-people thing has rubbed off on us a bit."
Harry sighed.
"Fine, I will tell my father and Eragon about your decision. But the process takes hours, so we will have to wait until Saturday at least."
They both nodded.
"Great." Hermione said, smiling.
Ron also smiled.
"Can't wait.“ The redhead slurred, before almost falling onto his face. Fortunately, Harry and Hermione caught him.
"Okay, let's get you up to bed." Harry muttered. "And make sure no one catches you. The twins will tease you relentlessly for weeks if they caught you in this state."

Saturday came all too quickly for the three friends. In the early morning, Ron and Hermione stood facing Murtagh and Eragon. Harry was sitting on a log with Hurzomna and Brinla, their dragon's behind them.
"We should do this one at a time." Eragon began. "So, who shall be first?"
The two exchanged a look.
"Maybe you should go first, Ron." Hermione suggested nervously.
Ron blinked.
"Umm, okay, if that's what you want."
The redhead turned and followed the two elder Riders into the tent they were using to store the eggs. Soon, Murtagh and Eragon emerged, leaving Ron in the temporary egg chamber.
"This may take a while." Murtagh said calmly. "Perhaps you should take a seat."
Hermione sighed and sat on the log next to Harry. She began to fidget nervously with her fingers.
"Hey, you okay?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded shakily.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She replied, though she did not sound very convincing.
"Hmm." Harry mused, trying to find a way to calm Hermione down.
"Hey, would you like something to read, to calm your nerves."
Hermione nodded eagerly.
"Thanks." She sighed in relief.
Eragon smiled.
"I am sure there is something I have that you have not read yet."
He went into his and Murtagh's tent to track down a book. While he was off searching, Harry clasped Hermione's hand.
"It's okay." He said gently. "I understand your nervousness."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
Harry smiled.
"Yeah, believe me. When I was tested, you would not believe how terrified I was."
He squeezed her hand.
"But there is nothing to worry about."
"We are all nervous before the testing." Brinla said gently.
Hermione's eyes widened.
"Does it hurt?“ She asked.
Hurzomna shook his head, his lips twitching in an indulgent smile.
"It is an incredible feeling." He said wistfully. "As if you have found... A part of yourself, that you never realised you were missing."
"As if you finally have someone who understands you." Brinla added, smiling.
"As if you have found someone who will love you, no matter what you do." Harry finished.
"Wow." Hermione sighed. "But what if... what if an egg doesn't hatch for me."
Harry laughed.
"Hermione, you are one of the greatest people I know. You're smart, you're brave, you're kind, you're bea... If anyone is worthy of being a Dragon Rider, it's you."
Hermione smiled, her face becoming pink.
"Thanks.“ She replied quietly.
Eragon finally returned with a book, and Hermione was quick to begin devouring it.
Hours passed, before Ron finally emerged from the tent. In his arms was a little blue dragon. A wide, surprised smile was on his face.
"Ron." Harry said, getting to his feet. Hermione gently placed the book onto the log and joined the two of them.
Ron's smile widened as Harry and Hermione joined him in a joyful embrace.
"Look at this little guy." He said, in a somewhat shocked tone.
Harry smiled.
"Congratulations." He said, smiling at his oldest friend. "I knew you could do it."
He guided the still slightly shocked new Rider to the log, where Brinla and Hurzomna proceeded to congratulate him.
Hermione sucked in a breath.
"Well, I suppose it's my turn." She said shakily.
Harry clasped her hand.
"Don't worry, you will do great."
Hermione smiled, and turned to follow Murtagh and Eragon into the tent.

Over the next few hours Harry, Hurzomna and Brinla eagerly spoke with Ron about his new powers, and gave him some tips on how to handle the new bond.
"Mum's really going to freak out this time." Ron said, chuckling.
Harry smiled amusedly.
"Well, if you want me to come along when you tell your parents... you are going to tell them, aren't you?"
Ron sighed.
"Of course I am." He replied. "I know you want to keep this a secret but..."
"I understand." Harry interrupted. "There should be no secrets in families. And don't worry, I'll just get your parents to say the same vow of silence I got you and Hermione to do on the train."
Ron smiled.
"Thanks."
Their conversation was interrupted by a surge of energy. Everyone looked up to see Hermione emerging from the tent, a little green dragon cradled in her arms.

Later, Harry and Hermione sat alone near the edge of the forest. Hermione was going through a book of dragon names.
"Anything so far?“ Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head.
"We still haven't come to an agreement." She replied.
Harry smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll agree on something eventually."
Hermione smiled. The light filtering through the leaves lit up her face in such a beautiful way, that it made Harry's heart skip a beat.
No, stop...
But what was stopping him?
A little voice in his mind said.
Both of you are Riders now. You will no longer outlive her. You will stay young forever.
But what if this ruins our friendship?
Another, more cynical part of his mind argued.
Hadn't Father said it was worth the risk?
"Harry?" Hermione asked, breaking him from his mental debate.
“Yeah?”
"Are you okay?“ She asked.
"Yeah, I..." He began hesitantly, sucking in a deep breath. “Screw it.”
Mustering up every inch of his Gryfindor strength, he lent over and placed his lips on hers.
The kiss was clumsy. Hermione's lips were slightly chapped from the cold weather, and he didn't want to think about the state of his own. But finally kissing Hermione filled him with such a thrill... It was as if fireworks were going off inside of his stomach.
When he pulled away, Hermione's face was painted in shock, her lips slightly parted.
"Errr, sorry." Harry said nervously, afraid he had done something terribly wrong. "I err..."
Hermione interrupted him by pulling him back for a second kiss. After pulling away, Harry stared at her in surprise.
"It took you long enough." She muttered.
"Really?" Harry asked. "You umm... feel the same..."
"Yeah." Hermione replied, smiling awkwardly. "For a bit, actually."
"Why haven't you said anything before?" Harry asked.
Hermione fiddled with the book in her lap nervously, her little green dragon climbing into her bushing hair.
"I errr... Was afraid. I mean, you were one of my first friends ever and I was... well, I was afraid that if something did happen between us, then well... We could never go back to being friends if something went wrong and... I didn't want to lose what I had..."
"Yeah, I felt the same." Harry replied. "Father's been trying to encourage me for months."
Hermione laughed.
"Seriously, after all we've faced, and it's our feelings that causes us to run away and hide."
"Yeah, I know, right?" Harry agreed. "We've both been acting like idiots."
"No, we've just been normal teenagers." Hermione retorted.
They both laughed.
"So umm... Do you want to umm... Try this whole ummm... Relationship thing?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled.
"Of course. No going back now."
Harry chuckled.
"No, I guess not."
He smiled. It felt good, now that most of what had been previously causing him great amounts of stress was now dealt with. He had survived both the first task, and expressing his feelings to Hermione.
And now he had until February to plan for the second task.