Harry Potter and the Children of the Clan

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The grounds of Meadow Crest had been the scene of some unusual events in the past but none could compare with what was taking place under the early summer stars on this particular night. The naked bodies of the two dead Eastern European wizards were laid out on the ground at the edge of the meadow, about fifty feet from one another. The great green dragon was crouched in the uncut grass, the large head moving back and forth between the two.

Harry had had a hard time believing that the two unfortunates had absorbed the kind of damage that Anthony had described to him as indeed there was not a mark of violence to be seen on either one. However, a closer look would show that regardless of how carefully they had been laid out, some of the limbs tended to be at odd angles, indicating that all was not well.

Finally, the dragon raised his head and looked at Harry. Despite his repeated assurances that the two could easily communicate without proximity, the dragon was picking up on Harry's habit of maintaining eye contact while they 'spoke'.

"These two have been sorely used, Wizard."

"Yes, we know. A lot of skeletal damage," Harry replied.

"It is more than that, Wizard. I can still smell the fear on them, and not only their own. This was not a thing done quickly or in private."

"So, you're thinking this was torture done with a purpose. To compel the silence of the others, maybe?" Harry surmised.

"Possibly, or to command continued obedience. And as you thought, to punish earlier shortcomings. Whatever the reason, it was done with power wielded cruelly."

"Is any of this something you can track?" Harry asked.

"The fear, I doubt, but the power was applied heavily and over time. Its traces are in their very bones, such as they are. Allow me some time."

The dragon placed his head on the ground exactly in between the two bodies. He closed his eyes and went still. Harry stepped back; he had no idea how long this was going to take. And he was waiting alone. After Anthony and several of his investigators had arrived with the bodies in tow and placed them at the edge of the meadow, they had retreated to the house. The dragon had been explicit that no one but Harry be present while the 'examination' took place.

As Harry watched the great beast do whatever it was he was doing, he thought about how the sound of back winging brought his attention to the sky as the dragon had arrived moments after full dark. Looking up he saw what appeared to be the dragon manifesting out of nowhere, the dark green being so effective a camouflage in the dark. He was startled out of this line of thought when those great eyes snapped open.

The head rose up and swiveled from side to side and then continued to rise until the neck was fully extended and the snout pointed to the night sky. Then Harry 'heard' the voice, layered with satisfaction.

"I have it. Soon, we will have them. I leave you now, Wizard. When I know, you will know."

"I'll be here."

Without further word, the dragon rose up and with a great push off and sweep of his wings, he was gone into the night sky. Feeling it would somehow be wrong to leave the dead bodies lying in the meadow alone, he took out his wand and fired a stream of sparkling fire into the night sky. In short order, the entire household, plus their official visitors were hurrying to meet him.

Ginny wisely kept the children back until the Aurors had the bodies in hand, so to speak and vanished with them. Anthony was the last to go.

"Did it work, Harry?"