Chapter 9: The Power of Dragons! The Speed of Dragons! The Fire of Dragons! Basically, Dragons!
The Malfoy dragon sanctuary was in Romania.
It was quite a distance from the British Isles.
Fortunately, Hydrus had planned ahead and "studied the map" long ago.
Before she turned five—back when Voldemort had not yet fallen—she had followed her parents on trips around the world, all in preparation for traveling anywhere later via Apparition.
At that time, her parents were busy with the Dark Lord's affairs and didn't have time to accompany her. The person who took her on these trips was the already-deceased Norsen Grey.
First stop: Normandy, across the English Channel.
Second stop: the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Third stop: Vienna's Golden Hall (Hydrus rested a little here because it was a long journey).
Fourth stop: Romania, the outskirts of Târgu Jiu, at the Malfoy dragon sanctuary.
At this time, Romania was deep in night, silent and still.
The sanctuary was equally quiet.
Clearly, there were anti-Apparition measures here, but they couldn't stop the talents of a house elf.
On the cliff was a series of man-made caves for the dragons to dwell.
The Malfoy sanctuary raised mostly Welsh Green dragons, a type of quadrupedal fire dragon that suited Hydrus perfectly.
Their temperament was considered mild among fire dragons, making them the safest for close contact.
She Apparated to a small villa some distance from the dragon lair.
This was the Malfoy family's vacation home.
She had stayed here for a few days herself once, but after Voldemort's fall, the Malfoys quickly distanced themselves from the Lestranges.
In six years, she had never seen Aunt Narcissa or Uncle Lucius!
Pure-blood families cared little for blood, only for interests; this was no surprise.
Hydrus shook her head—thinking about all that was useless. Time to copy the dragon's magical traits!
Apparition!
The young girl appeared at the entrance of a dragon's nest, the acrid smell hitting her immediately.
She frowned and stepped cautiously into the cave.
Pretending to be mute for eleven years, she hadn't even learned a single wand spell.
If she had known she could copy house elf abilities, she wouldn't have skipped learning magic!
Now she wanted to learn—but the family library had been emptied by the Grey family!
Frustrating!
The deeper she went, the worse the visibility, until she couldn't see her hand in front of her.
Damn, I hope I'm not stepping into the dragon's mouth!
Uneven footing—hard here, soft there.
Hydrus forced herself not to think about the gross stuff, quickening her pace.
Heavy breathing approached—the dragon must be ahead!
Come on! Touch the dragon and retreat immediately!
She thought this, only to jump back at a sudden burst of flame, just four or five feet away—dragon breath!
Next, a wheel-sized yellow eye opened, glowing faintly, watching her silently.
The massive outline was revealed in the dim light.
Oh my!
Up close to such a legendary magical creature, Hydrus finally understood the oppressive presence of a top predator!
She froze in fear.
Quickly rushing in to touch and run?
Forget it—such a thought was long gone!
So this was what Harry Potter faced in the Triwizard Tournament!
Truly impressive!
A child of destiny, indeed.
"Hi, hello!"
Hydrus greeted, ready to flee at any moment.
"I just want to be friends—may I?"
"Shriek!!"
The Welsh Green dragon let out a strange yet beautiful cry, the sound waves hurting her eardrums.
As the dragon howled, the entire dragon mountain joined in!
"Hrgh, hoh!"
The green dragon gave a low hum. Hydrus, about to Apparate away, saw kindness in its eyes!
A chance! Hold on!
Next, the green dragon gently nudged her to the dragon's head with its massive wings. Its cold, smooth forehead brushed against her.
What… does this mean?
Having studied the Fire Dragon Atlas, the Lestrange heiress knew exactly—the Welsh Green dragon's behavior was a mother dragon showing affection for its young!
So… I just made a dragon my godmother?
Next, sensing the dragon's magical physiology, Hydrus immediately switched forms.
!!
By Merlin's seventh uncle's Salazar!
Strength!
Strength!
It's still strength!
The dragon's magical physiology was so powerful that her human body could barely maintain itself!
Her eyes became wax-yellow slits, green scales appeared on her exposed arms, nails sharpened, and her throat began to build heat!
"Roar!"
Unable to contain herself, Hydrus breathed onto the cave ceiling.
"Grr! Oh!"
The mother dragon scolded softly. Hydrus clasped her hands:
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to!"
"Shl!"
"Shl!"
Consecutive Apparition sounds rang out.
Five wizards appeared, wands raised. Hydrus immediately took a defensive stance.
"Lumos!"
One cast a light spell, the other four used unknown spells to force the Welsh Green dragon behind her to sleep.
"Shl!"
More were coming.
With dragon-sight, even without the Lumos, Hydrus could clearly see the approaching people.
Faint gold hair, cold gray eyes, pale pointed face.
Lucius Malfoy.
"Who are you?" Lucius pointed his wand, disguised as a cane, at Hydrus. "What are you doing sneaking into my dragon sanctuary?"
"Ah, I just… got lost," Hydrus smiled, though her scaly face looked anything but friendly. "Sorry to disturb your sleep!"
"Answer me! Intruder!"
Hydrus looked like a young girl, but her abnormal appearance terrified the Malfoys.
"Shouldn't Lucius Malfoy be at Malfoy Manor in England? How are you here?"
She asked, then answered her own question: "Ah! Of course! Your family comes here every year for vacation! That explains it!"
The intruder didn't answer, yet knew their habits—Lucius tensed.
"Ulong out of the hole!"
Hydrus cast a legendary Indian spell, summoning a large snake, its lower body coiled, upper body raised, hissing menacingly at her.
[Die! Die!]
Hydrus immediately responded:
"Shhh shhh shhh!"
[I am not your enemy—leave quickly!]
The snake froze, then lowered itself, turned, and slithered out of the cave.
"Snake-speak!"
Lucius was shocked. "You… who exactly are you—"
Hydrus slowly approached him. His hairline was less exaggerated than in the future, and his face turned pale. She lightly said:
"You're forgetful, Uncle Lucius."
"Uncle?"
Lucius's eyes widened. "You're Hydrus!"
Hydrus smiled: "Uncle, thanks for your dragon. I'm leaving now—perhaps we'll meet again. Good night!"
She dashed past the stunned Lucius, moving at incredible speed.
Her strong legs propelled her forward four or five meters with each step.
At the cave exit, she leapt into the air.
No wings, but that didn't stop her—dragon flight relied on magic; otherwise, such bat-like wings couldn't lift a creature weighing tens of tons.
The wings only helped balance and maneuver in the air.
Hydrus darted up and down, fast and slow, feeling the humid Romanian night wind, exclaiming loudly:
"Shriek!!"
The Welsh Green dragon's magnificent roar came from her throat, stirring the dragon mountain into chaos.
The green dragons: Can dragons even sleep?!
Meanwhile, at the cave exit, Lucius Malfoy squinted at Hydrus soaring through the night sky, his thoughts unreadable.