Dragon Mama CHAPTER 5

Rain had honestly lost track of time since he leaned up against the scales of his new 'mother', the heat that was naturally emitting through them was enough to nearly lull him to a slumber. It was possibly the warmest and most comfortable warmth that he had ever felt, more so than the blankets back in his bed in the dorm, and more than any heating charm could ever give.

The scales weren't as rough as he thought they would be, and instead they were smooth to the touch, and even more comfortable to rest against. Perhaps it was due to them being around her stomach and heart, otherwise he had no real idea at this point.

However, what he knew, was the fact that he never wanted to leave this warmth. He wanted to bask in it for as long as possible.

He knew that possibly the other dragontamers that were watching this happen - although they couldn't see precisely due to the protective coil that his new 'mother' had formed around him - were possibly confused at what was happening, along with having moments of panic or perhaps, their expressions were that of awe, with a dash of exhaustion thrown into the mix due to them trying their hardest to subdue the beast, yet all it took was one teenager to calm the dragon down and make it purr like a kitten.

A few of the dragontamers were honestly considering to... kidnap or try and convince Rain to leave Carts and continue be with the nestmother, so they could always have a way to know what the dragon wanted and not have to have a wild guess to try and figure it out.

Yet, Rain would be fine with that. If the other dragons were as accepting as this Lung Horntail when he spoke to them, then he would honestly accept it within a heartbeat.

He wouldn't have to worry about Tort, or the torment that he would continue to face from Majuro or Steve. All he had to worry about was talking to the dragons, and possibly dealing with over excited dragontamers.

"Is everything quite alright in there Mr. Lightning?" Maggi called out from the other side of Lung Horntail's warm, sheltering wings and protective coil.

Groaning as he heard her voice, Rain reluctantly left the clutches of her warmth, before going over towards her wings. He had to talk to Maggi about this, hopefully she would allow him to stay here for the night, he was already too comfortable to go back into the dorms, where he would have to deal with Han's obnoxiously loud snoring, along with Nevin's snoring.

"What do the humans want?" The dragon huffed, clearly not impressed by having them interrupt this special moment between them.

"They're just making sure I'm ok, let me talk to them and they should go away." Rain stated, before heading over towards where the wings met, which hopefully his new 'mother' would be able to move them so he could see out of it.

"Mr. Lightning ?" Said the older woman, sounding worried at the lack of reply.

However, the worry was unwarranted, as moments later, the Lung Horntail's wings parted, showing Rain was perfectly fine. Although, she did get a little fidgety when she saw the piercing yellow eye of the dragon glaring at her.

'Rude.' Maggi thought to herself, sniffing lightly at the dragon. Was it really neccessary to be glared at when she was merely concerned for one of her lions?

"It's ok!" He called out once the wings parted and he could see his Professor and a few of the lingering dragontamersm, "Just telling her that I'm fine." He also stated, giving a tender, yet firm rub to the outer wing of the dragon, getting something akin to a rumbling purr from the beast.

Mina and a few of the dragontamers looked baffled at that. They didn't think that a dragon could produce such noise.

"Make them leave, it is late for hatchlings to be awake." The Lung Horntail muttered out, clearly not impressed as she gazed above the treetops and saw that the the crescent shaped moon and many stars were still shining as bright as ever.

It was too late for people to be awake, let alone her poor hatchling, who she could tell was tired!

"Is there any chance of you leaving any time soon, Mr. Lightning?" Maggi questioned sternly, a small frown marring her face.

Rain looked up at the still contentedly humming dragon, who had yet to loosen her grip or the protective coil, "I don't think so Professor." He said with a wince, wiggling around and carefully maneuvering a wing out of the way so he could exit the small coil - much to the displeasure of his new 'mother', "Is there any chance I could stay here with her tonight? It's probably going to take a while to sort this all out."

Maggi's lips pursed, making them look nearly invisible on her face, "I'm not sure, Mr. Lightning it just isn't safe." She said after a moments pause, before continuing, "You really should be back in your dormitory, with your housemates and where it is much safer." She added on.

Rain had to try his best to hold in a small scoff when he heard that he had to be with his housemates, the same ones who were basically fine with one day, yet after something happening that had a rumor attached to him by Majuro or the other Sly's or something as large as him being foricbly entered into the tournament, they would glady turn their backs on him.

Of course, in the following days of that aftermath, he really didn't feel safe at all! He had to sleep with one eye open basically! He didn't want to risk anything happening when he was supposed to be sleeping comfortably in his four-poster bed.

"For what it's worth." Lie quickly interjected, getting the attention of his former Professor and Head of House, along with Rain's attention, "With this big mama looking after him she's pretty much as safe as Grins, dragons are known to be very protective of thier hatchlings and clutches." He stated, giving the Professor something to think about, before adding on more to his case, "Plus there's all of us here as well, we always have multiple people on watch at all times as a rule. No one could get through all of us without someone knowing, and I could walk Rain back up to the castle myself in time for breakfast."

The Professor was clearly looking torn between her professional responsibilities and not wanting to stand there in the cold all night while Rain reassured a disgruntled mother dragon.

"I'll be fine Professor, there's no way anyone's getting past Nestmother tonight, even me." Rain admitted, "And you heard Lie, there'll be plenty of adults around to supervise the whole time. If I'm apparently capable of facing a ferocious Basil in my second year, and facing a hostile dragon during a Tournament, surely I'm capable enough to spend the night with one who only wants to protect me?" He said, clearly reminding her that he could protect himself from any danger.

That and the late hour was apparently enough to reassure the older woman, who sighed in defeat, "Very well Mr. Lightning. I suppose considering the… extreme circumstances we can make an exception just this once. I would however like to have a meeting with you in the Headmaster's office after dinner tomorrow to discuss this matter further." She added on sternly, giving one of her famous looks that could unnerve anyone, along with her tone of voice leaving no room for arguement.

"Of course Professor, thank you for this." Rain said, giving a slight smile towards the Professor, before leaning gently on one of the Lung Horntail's wings.

"Don't make a habit out of it Mr. Lightning. I'll see you tomorrow." She turned and trained a stern look at Charlie, "I'm holding you responsible for his well-being Mr. Wensley."

"O-of course Professor Maggi." The redhead replied with a small stutter, clearly still as intimidated by that look as he would have been as a student.

With another appraising look in Rain's direction, Maggi turned and started walking back towards the castle, her wand out in case of any unfortunate encounters during her trek back.

"Well, is there anything you need before I head off for some shut-eye Rain?" He asked, wanting to be completely certain that Rain was comfortable with the night, if not, then he could quickly try and fix the problem.

He shook his head, "I'm fine honestly." He answered, before looking up to the Lung Horntail, who seemed to be eyeing both him and Lie impatiently, "Is there anything you need me to ask Nestmother?"

Lie looked both delighted and overwhelmed, "So tempting! But not just now I think, I'm running on adrenaline and would rather approach this in the morning with a clearer head." He admitted, although it was really challenging to admit that, he had so many questions that he wanted to ask! Shaking his head from those thoughts, he quickly asked, "Do you have any free periods tomorrow?"

"No, but I can come after classes during lunch or perhaps after dinner starts."

"Perfect." He simply said, "I'll take my leave, Rain. If you need anything, there are many dragontamers on duty, just give a holler to one of them and they will come over in a jiffy!"

"Alright then, goodnight, Lie!"

Nodding his head the older Wensley gave a small yawn, before muttering out, "Goodnight to you too." With that little sentiment given, he had wombled over towards one of the many tents in the surrounding area that had been padded with some charms to at least help with fire resistance and a small rune of noise cancelation, it wouldn't get rif of all the noise, but it would lower it so that the dragons roars wouldn't keep them up all night.

With that parting remark, Rain couldn't help but give a yawn himself, before slowly turning around and entering back within the protective coil of dragon.

Almost immediately, the moonlight was quickly taken out as the wings had closed behind him, leaving him in some darkness, with the only real lighting being the tinges on the scales around the belly of his new 'mother'.

"Sorry about that mother, they just like to fuss, they mean no harm by it." Rain apologised to the impatient Lung Horntail.

"Hatchlings should be fussed over." She replied back, before moving around a bit. As one of her wings lifted up, Rain looked over his shoulder and saw that her head was now within the dome that was created by the wings, and her piercing yellow eyes were giving a decent amount of lighting for the area. Within another few small moments, her wings settled back into place, blocking out the moon and starlight once again, "But they should know I would never let you come to harm now I have you safe with me."

Rain was quiet for a while as he moved closer to his mothers head, stroking the smooth scales of the dragon's snout softly, however, it was clear to the Lung Horntail that he was contemplating something.

"Mother." Rain said softly, garnering the attention of the Lung Horntail, keeping her yellow eyes onto her hatchling, she watched as he shifted uncomfortably, and it made her carefully wrap her tail around his thin waist and bring him just that much closer to her.

Smiling up at her, he took a deep breath, before asking something that would change the very world, for good or bad, no one was truly certain.

"Would you take me with you, back to your den?" He asked softly, clenching his eyes shut and shaking slightly, he was scared to hear the response that she would give.

To be truthful, Rain had absolutely no idea where the Lung Horntail's den was. He had to guess that it was possibly in Hungary, going from the species namesake, however, he didn't know where the reserve was or what it actually was.

Was it like a zoo? Only filled with firebreathing and tremendously large dragons much like her? Was it close to any civilisation whatsoever, or was it in some place obscure and hard to reach, and the only way that you could find it was if you worked for the reserve, or were on a task to work with the dragons for whatever reason.

As Rain didn't hear a response from the Lung Horntail, he honestly expected the worse. However, as he heard the distinct sound of her moving about, he was about to open his eyes to see what was happening.

However, that was quickly stopped when he felt her long, fleshy tongue come into contact with his body.

Almost lifted up from the ground itself from the force of the lick, he also idly noted that his scarf, and quiet possibly the upper half of his robes were absolutely sodden with dragon saliva.

He had no idea if that washed out easily or not, although, what surprised him though was that he actually wasn't as bothered by the smell of the saliva as he should have been. Perhaps that had been something else that happened when the ritual happened in the arena.

"Of course, my little hatchling. If that is what you wish, then I will do my best to make that happen." She said, she sounded very happy that her little hatchling wanted to come home with her, "Do you have any idea on how to do this?" She asked, wanting to know if her little hatchling had a plan to make this happen.

Feeling absolutely relieved that she would allow him to come with her when she was due to leave back to her den - whenever that was to happen, he had to find out - and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement rush through his body.

However, shaking his head away from those thoughts for now about his new life that might be coming up, he brought his hand to the hood of his robe and brought out the invisibility cloak, "With this, hopefully it will be enough to make this happen." He said, holding up the cloak so that the Lung Horntail could see it.

Narrowing her eyes at the piece of fabric, she couldn't help but feel a little confused by it. How was that simple piece of fabric suppose to help with this?

"I'm afraid I don't understand, hatchling." She simply said, confusion clear in her voice, although it was a clear indicator for her hatchling to try and fill in the blanks for her. She didn't really understand about human magic, fancy schmancy stuff, nor did she understand all of that mumbo jumbo.

To her, dragon magic and using the traits from the dragons respective species in a fight was better. That way, it was all up to pure strength along with age and wisdom that helped win skirmishes between colony members and invading colonies.

"Oh." Rain muttered out, feeling a little tinge of pink appear on his cheeks from the embarrassment he just felt.

Taking the cloak and draping it over his shoulders, he gazed upon his mothers gleaming yellow eyes as they watched with confusion at what was happening, "This is an Transparency cloak, and like the name suggests, it renders whatever it covers invisible." He said, gesturing to the fabric that was draped over his shoulders.

Blinking twice in confusion once more, Rain realised that she may need a more physical approach to it, "I'm not entirely sure it works on animals or magical creatures though, never really tested that in the past." He stated, feeling a little stupid that he hadn't tested that yet.

Well, sort of, although he couldn't really count the two encounters of Mrs Norry as experiments, it was just too risky if it didn't work, because then he would've been caught by August Finchley.

No one ever wants to be caught by him or be in his presence for more than five seconds, and from the tales and rumors that he heard about his punishments, he really didn't want to confirm if he was as bad as they say he was.

Fully draping himself with the invisibility cloak, he made sure to keep the cloak underneath his chin, leaving his head free from the effects of it. Not only was this for the fact that he really couldn't be bothered to do it, but he wanted to see if his new mother could see or sense the difference between it.

"Hmmm?"

Humming out a little, she kept her gaze on her little hatchling, seemingly piercing through his very being as she eyed him up and down, and focusing on him greatly.

At first, she didn't see nor sense any difference, however, once she allowed herself to 'unfocus' on her hatchling, it was then that she felt something. Turning her head so she wasn't fully facing her hatchling, out of the corner of her eye, she did sense some sort of difference. To her, she couldn't hear her hatchlings heartbeat, nor could she sense the magic naturally coursing through his body, however, she could see his head, yet the rest of his body seemed... blurry in a sense.

"It seems that the... transparency cloak has some sort of effect on me, when I am not focusing nor paying full attention." She said, turning her attention back to her hatchling, and confirming her own theory, she could now sense everything, from the magic coursing through his body, and from hearing his heartbeat.

"Yes! It might work on other animals and magical creatures." Rain cheered out softly, pumping his fist up in the air.

Not understanding what her hatchling was saying due to him not speaking in the 'speakers tongue' she merely rolled her eyes at him, "Hatchling, it is too late to be up. It is time to sleep." She said, glancing at Rain as he stopped cheering, and instead looked a little embarrassed.

"Ok, mother." He spoke out, feeling a little disappointed that he had to go to sleep.

Was this how kids felt when their parents told them it was time to go bed? If it was, he could see why many of the younger kids from what he could remember from his childhood always hated the reminders. Yet, at the same time, it made something within him tingle with joy. Having someone care for his well-being and telling him that he needs to go to bed in such a way made it feel special.

However instead of settling where they were, the Lung Horntail started moving just a little deeper into the enclosure that they were in, "Where are you going?" He couldn't help but ask.

Stopping for a brief moment, the Lung Horntail turned her gaze towards her new hatchling, her eyes shining in something that he couldn't quite recognise, "Towards the eggs." She simply said, before using the tip of her tail and manipulating it in a rough gesture for him to follow, "It is where we will sleep, for me to keep the eggs warm, and you will also sleep with them, bonding with your new brothers and sisters."

With her statement said, she continued to stride towards her clutch of eggs - not her eggs, but the eggs of the colony.

Rain seemed to blank for a moment.

He knew that this 'adoption' ritual would do a lot of things to him, mainly concerning family, but at the same time, he was going into it with hesitation. However, as his new mother said that they would sleep with the eggs - his unhatched brothers and sisters - he couldn't help but feel a small bout of excitement, yet nervousness at that.

The closest thing that he had to a 'brother' was Duddon, and that was a major roadblock, as he had been nearly as bad to him then Venice and Rosey most cases, mainly due to the upbringing that he had, and for the fact that Venice and Rosey encouraged that type of behaviour from him, which in turn led him to the bully and troublemaker that he is today.

Although Han and Harmony sort of counted, it still wasn't the same, as they weren't blood related.

However, with these new eggs, and his new 'blood' within his system, he would have another chance. This time, being an older brother towards the new hatchlings, where hopefully, he can play with them - the best he can without being put in danger or injured - and hopefully teach them about the humans - considering that he is one, and he would have more experience with his own kind than the dragons in the colony.

Shaking his head from those thoughts, he followed after his new mother.

He soon came into the sight of his new mother laying around the outside of the nest, where the cement colored and slightly spiked eggs were nestled into the middle, with very little chance for them to fall out of the nest itself.

Seeing a spot in which he could be close to the eggs, and close to his new mother. Worming his way past the eggs - making sure to give a small rub on the top of them, almost like he was wishing them goodnight himself - he soon came to out of the nest of many pointed and sharp sticks, before making his way to the 'softer' ground. With his invisibility cloak in hand, he laid it down like a pillow, before snuggling up towards the stomach of his mother, where the heat emanating from her was the strongest.

"How long until they hatch, mother." Rain murmured out, flicking his gaze towards the handful of cement colored eggs in front of him. He was interested in knowing how long they would have to wait to welcome the new dragons into the world.

"Hopefully within the next twenty moons, they will hatch. Unless there is one that prefers to stay within the egg for an extra sun or two." She replied back, before curling her body and wrapping her tail around to meet under her chin, then her wings came down next, making a large dome around himself and the eggs to keep the heat within, "For now, I am content to look after the eggs and one stubborn hatchling." She added on, somehow sounding a little smug.

He didn't know how he could tell she was smug, but he just could.

Ignoring the fact that the Lung Horntail called him stubborn - technically he was - he blinked a few times at what she said it, he quickly realised that with the 'moons' were nights, and the 'suns' were the days. Maybe the dragons had a different system to call night and day, and maybe even the seasons.

"Goodnight, mother." He muttered out, yawning loudly as he did so, before he snuggled just a little closer towards his mothers stomach, and deeper into the invisibility cloak, which provided some extra softness to the ground.

"Goodnight, my little hatchling. I will guard your dreams." She said, before lowering her head onto the end of her tail and closing her eyes, before her breathing became minimalistic.

With her piercing yellow eyes closed, there was no longer a source of light within the small dome that the dragon had created, and within a few minutes, Rain was welcomed within the land of dreams, where he would have the best sleep of his life.

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