Chapter 5: All That Glitters Part 2

One evening, nearing the end of his stay Lord Elrond approached him with a box. He offered the box to Harry who took it, already having some idea of what was in the long thin box.

Harry opened the box to find a metal a long, gleaming metal wand nestled inside. It was made of a shining silver colored metal. The handle was smooth and solid with a rounded end while the wand itself was carved with thin intricate strands woven together to form a sharp tip. It looked sharp enough and strong enough to also stab someone in a pinch. It was several of inches longer than his other wand.

“Is this?” Harry asked in awe.

He couldn’t help but reach inside and pull out the wand. The minute he did Harry could feel his magic surge up to connect to the wand in his hand. A shower of fiery sparks rained from the tip of his wand like fireworks, and Harry knew that he would once again be able to practice his magic.

“Yes, I thought on your difficulty in channeling your magic. I have a bit of skill in metal work. I believed a metal wand would serve you better than a wooden one. As I mentioned my father, Earendil, slew Ancalagon the Black. I recalled that I was in possession of one of his scales. I shaved off a sliver of the scale to use as the core of the wand, and forged the rest of the metal myself. I did not know if I would be successful in this endeavor so I did not tell what I was doing. I wanted it to be a surprise. Now go on, see if it works for you,” Elrond encouraged, smiling widely.

Harry didn’t waste any time. “Wingardium Leviosa,” Harry swished and flicked his new wand at a nearby stand. The stand rose into the air as perfectly as it once would with his phoenix feather wand.

“I’m pleased to see that your magic has bonded so well to it,” Elrond said, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

“Thank you. How can I ever repay you for all of this?” Harry asked.

“Well, perhaps to begin with you can return all of the golden objects you have systematically removed from various places throughout Rivendell?” Elrond lifted an eyebrow.

Harry flushed. “I’m really sorry. I’ve really been trying to work on that. It’s just this is really the first time I’ve been around a decent amount of gold in a while. The dwarves wear small bits and pieces in their hair. But they don’t have larger objects made of gold in Ered Luin like you have here. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’ve picked up something until I find myself trying to stuff it under the covers of my bed.”

“It’s all right. They are your natural instincts, and you are doing quite well. You haven’t gone on any rampages for gold. I think the more exposure you have, the better you can work on resisting it,” Lord Elrond explained calmly.

“Thank you, again,” Harry laughed.

“Second, I believe that there will a come time that you will be needed. I only ask that heed that call, and come to the aid of Middle Earth should there ever be a need,” Elrond stated solemnly.

“Why me? What would I be protecting Middle Earth from?” Harry demanded.

Harry had already defeated one Dark Lord. What was Lord Elrond asking him to fight?

“You misunderstand me, Harry. I simply ask that you stand beside the free people of Middle Earth if a darkness were to arise.”

Harry could understand that but making a promise like that would bind him to Middle Earth. It was a promise that he was going to be around in the future. But Harry was never one to back down from a fight. His life facing Voldemort had assured that. If there was someone out there trying to impose their will on others than Harry couldn’t just sit by and watch. He loved Middle Earth too, and the thought of anyone trying to destroy it, made fire swirl angrily in his chest. Harry would protect it if he could.

“I will,” Harry swore.

Lord Elrond smiled, a warm genuine smile that lit up the normally placid elf’s entire face. “Thank you, Harry.”

“I’ll plan on leaving tomorrow night as soon as the sun sets,” Harry explained.

“Of course. I look forward to getting the chance to see you in your true form,” Lord Elrond smiled.

The next day Harry went around Rivendell saying his goodbyes to the various elves he had spent some time with. They were all very kind to him during his stay but he missed his dwarves a great deal. Harry missed living under a mountain, and all of the loud, boisterous dwarves that went with it. He hoped he would see them again soon, and their own journey to the mountain was safe. Hopefully, he would have convinced Smaug of giving them back their mountain by then.

Only Lord Elrond and Glorfindel saw him past the borders of Rivendell. Harry had informed Glorfindel of the truth a few days prior. The golden haired elf had practically already guessed the truth anyway. He could be trusted with the knowledge of just what Harry was.

Once the three of them had reached a relatively secluded area Harry shifted forms, reveling in the stretch of muscles and bones. Changing into his true form always felt like removing a suit that was a couple of sizes too small. Lord Elrond and Glorfindel stared up at him with undisguised awe.

Harry couldn’t help but preen a bit as he brought his head down beside them so that he could say his goodbyes. He was grateful for all of Lord Elrond’s help and thrilled to have a wand that actually worked for him in his possession. Harry was also eager to get going. He was tired of constantly wondering about Smaug’s reaction. Harry was ready to take action, and just get it all over with. He was finally ready to face his father.

With his goodbyes made, Harry launched himself in the air. The elves were barely able to keep their feet from the powerful gust of air from his wings. Harry soared up into the night sky. He set his course towards the Misty Mountains, and there was no looking back. He was on his way.

His days and nights passed in a blur of flying and sleeping. Harry was pushing himself to fly as fast as he could in order to reach the Lonely Mountain as soon as possible. He was making good time but it still took him a couple of weeks to reach Laketown. The sight of the large, dark lake was beautiful in Harry’s eyes for it meant he had almost reached his destination.

Harry was honestly just happy to have finally gotten past the Greenwood or as it was now known the Mirkwood. Harry could understand why the name had changed. Even just flying over it, Harry could smell the rot and decay wafting up from the forest floor. Harry hoped the dwarves wouldn’t have to pass through the awful place.

Harry flew right over the lake, heading straight for the mountain. He could see the distant lights from Laketown. A thick fog hung over the city built on stilts but Harry could still make out the rickety buildings. The sun was just starting to rise when Harry finished crossing the lake. He landed on a cliff over looking the ruins of Dale. It sent a pang through Harry knowing that Smaug had been the one to cause such ruin.

Harry turned his attention towards the large, intricate doors leading into the Lonely Mountain. Harry was filled with a bunch of nervous energy at the sight of the front door. A part of him wanted to just go right up and knock on the doors but he knew he had to take a quick nap. He’d been flying for so long that he really needed to be better rested before he could face Smaug.

Harry slept until around noon. He’d stayed in his dragon form while sleeping for once. It was clear that there wasn’t anyone in the area to spot him. Now that he was a little more prepared, Harry flew the short distance towards the front doors of Erebor. He landed quietly on the ground in front of the doors, and carefully approached the door. His heart was racing as he got closer and closer. It was finally happening after months of thinking about it. Harry would finally be reunited with his biological father. Whether the reunion went well or not was anyone’s guess.

Once he finally reached the door, he lifted one winged forearm and knocked on the door. The force of his knocks caused a loud ring to echo through the valley and mountain. Harry waited patiently to see if his knocking produced any response. There was no sound of stirring within the mountain. Harry knocked again, a little harder this time. It dented the door a little bit but at least this time there was a reaction.

A massive roar tore through the peaceful silence followed by the entire mountain quivering. Harry started back peddling away from the door. Despite himself, he was a little frightened by the anger that sounded through that roar. It turned out to be the right decision for only moments later the large metal doors were flung open, and a truly colossal dragon burst out. His teeth were bared and pure rage was written plainly across his face. He was ready for a fight.

Harry took a moment to simply stare at his father. Smaug had grown even larger over the years they had been separated, and was still easily twice the size of Harry. More scars littered his scales, and there were bits of gold and other things stuck to his underbelly. Harry wasn’t quite prepared for the utter feeling of happiness he felt when he saw Smaug. His tongue flicked out to eagerly take in his familiar scent.

Smaug obviously hadn’t been expecting to face another dragon when he came bursting out of the mountain. He stared at Harry, looking completely baffled to find him there. It didn’t take long for him to shake off the confusion. As soon as he realized that there was indeed another dragon at his doorstep his features once more arranged themselves into pure rage

“Have you come to challenge me for the mountain, little fool?” Smaug demanded, advancing on Harry with a dangerous gleam in his fiery gold eyes.

Harry quickly backpedaled further, making sure not to step on his own tail in his haste, “What? No, of course not. I came—”

“I will destroy any who dare try to steal from me. It is my mountain and my gold. I will not part with a single piece of it!” Smaug cut him off with a roar.

The larger dragon coiled himself, preparing to strike.

“I promise I did not come here for that,” Harry shouted.

“And why should I believe you? What other purpose could you possibly have to come to my mountain if it is not to steal from me?” Smaug retained his aggressive posture but there was the smallest hint of curiosity in his golden eyes.

“If you would only let me explain, I’ll tell you,” Harry declared.

“I suppose I have a bit of free time. You are still but a youngling. You pose no threat to me. You would stand no chance against me if you did try to take the mountain from me,” Smaug proclaimed smugly, a hint of warning in his voice.

Harry didn’t doubt his words. If Smaug really wanted to, he would be able to seriously hurt Harry. Not only was he twice Harry’s size but he also had ten times the experience that Harry did in fighting other dragons. Harry would have to work quickly if he wanted to convince Smaug of who he was.

“When I was younger I was taken from my father,” Harry began.

He gave a quick, heavily edited list of events, which had led him to the front doors of Erebor. Smaug listened, his entire body completely still, reminding Harry of a snake about to strike.

“So I flew across Middle Earth to find my father, and here I am,” Harry concluded.

Smaug blinked once, “You wish for me to believe that you are…”

“Your son,” Harry agreed.

A rumbling chuckle sounded from deep within Smaug’s chest. “Do you truly think that you can deceive me with such an outlandish tale? It was amusing at first. However, it is obvious this is all a scheme to gain my trust so that you can get inside and steal my gold.”

“For Merlin’s sake! There’s no nefarious plot to take your gold! It’s really me. I’m your son,” Harry maintained.

In the next instant Smaug was baring his teeth, and snarling menacingly. “My son is dead!”

“No, I’m not. Give me a chance to prove it,” Harry insisted, scrambling to think of a memory that would convince Smaug of his claim.

“No! No more talking,” Smaug hissed.

“Just look at me. Don’t you recognize me?” Harry asked desperately.

Smaug’s gaze flickered over Harry and for a moment a spark of recognition passed across his features. It fled as soon as it had come, and was replaced by a look of devastated rage.

“I understand now. I am still asleep. This is just another nightmare come to torment me for my failure. You aren’t really here. You’re never really here, and I will prove that you are just another nightmare come to haunt me,” Smaug started to advance towards Harry.

“You aren’t dreaming! I’m really here, I swear. Just use your senses! You’ll realize the truth,” Harry cried, scrambling to find a way to prove himself and keep Smaug at bay.

“Don’t bother trying to confuse me. I won’t allow myself to be fooled again. I will destroy you, and perhaps then your memory will cease to haunt me,” Smaug lunged at him, snapping his massive jaws at Harry.

Harry just barely managed to dodge his wicked looking teeth, probably one of the few things actually capable of breaking through the armor of Harry’s scales. In the next instant Smaug’s tail came smashing into him, sending Harry sprawling across the ground. Pain lanced through his body, and the blow disoriented him for a moment. He was just clambering back to his feet when Smaug’s powerful jaws were clamping around his throat.

“Sire, please!” Harry shouted in panic as the pressure of Smaug’s teeth grinding against his scales grew stronger.

Smaug stopped short. He pulled back for a moment, gold eyes locking with Harry’s own. His forked tongue flicked out to scent the air.

“This isn’t real. It cannot be real. No matter how much I wish it otherwise. No matter how much my senses deceive me,” Smaug murmured, but he was looking less certain of himself.

“It is real. What do I have to do to prove it to you that I am Ancal?” Harry demanded, although he was more than a little relieved that Smaug was backing off.

It was more than a little terrifying having the larger dragon literally at his throat.

Smaug stared at him. There was the smallest bit of hope blooming in his eyes.

“My son was just a drakeling when I lost him. I have never dreamt of him being older,” Smaug murmured to himself looking thoughtful.

“Yes, because this is real! I’ve grown up,” Harry explained.

Without warning Smaug lunged at him and slammed into his side. Being unprepared for the sudden attack caused Harry to flip over onto his back.

Instantly Harry was on guard. He snarled warningly as he tried to flip back over onto his feet. He would do his best to defend himself from Smaug if he had to.

Smaug didn’t let him up. One large clawed hand settled on Harry’s chest to keep him pinned while his fiery gaze flickered over Harry’s underbelly. Finally his gaze locked on something there. Smaug used one of his clawed fingers to trace a small mark on his belly.

“You have to be real. For such a small detail to be here,” Smaug murmured to himself.

“Does that mean I can get up now?” Harry asked warily.

Smaug stepped back, and Harry slowly rolled to his feet. He kept his eyes on Smaug watching him closely for any signs that he was going to try and attack him again. But it didn’t seem like his biological father was going to any time soon. The larger dragon was pacing on the ledge lost in his own thoughts and occasionally sending a glance to Harry.

All at once he stopped moving. He whirled around to look at Harry, and Harry instantly tensed in preparation of another attack.

“I’m not dreaming?” Smaug questioned.

“No,” Harry swore.

“Ancal,” Smaug breathed, happiness shining in his eyes as he finally came to accept that Harry was actually real.

Harry nodded, not bothering to correct him about his name. That could come after Smaug had the chance to settle down, and accept the fact that Harry was alive.

Smaug launched himself at Harry for the third time. But this time it was not an attack. The larger dragon curled around him, nuzzling him affectionately. Harry was thrown off by the drastic change in demeanor but he found it quite easy to relax back into Smaug’s embrace. It was natural for Harry to butt his head beneath Smaug’s chin in sign of trust, and affection. He instantly remembered how to interact with Smaug. It was as if it had only been yesterday that they had seen each other. Harry felt safe and comfortable with Smaug.

“You must tell me everything that has befallen you since we were so cruelly parted,” Smaug insisted, still curled tightly around Harry. It was as if he were afraid that if he let Harry go, he would disappear and never be seen again.

Harry told him everything. It was surprisingly easy for Harry to open up to Smaug. His father was very intelligent, and he was able to quickly understand and accept the information that Harry was telling him. The concept of other worlds full of wizards didn’t confuse Smaug. He was angry that Voldemort had tried to hurt him when he hadn’t been around to protect him. Smaug was pleased that Harry had defeated him in the end. His biological father was much more concerned by the fact they still didn’t know just who had taken him or turned him into a human.

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In turn Smaug told him about his own life. Harry couldn’t help the swelling of sorrow as his biological father calmly and indifferently told him about his experiences. Smaug had spent the last several centuries alone. The older dragon didn’t come out and say it but Harry could recognize the bitter loneliness in his voice. Smaug insisted that dragons normally lived alone. It didn’t change the fact that Smaug had been lonely, and had been affected by that loneliness. Harry wanted to change that.

“I am beyond overjoyed that you are alive. I had resigned myself to the belief that I would never see you again. It is incredible to be reunited once more,” Smaug nuzzled him for the hundredth time.

Harry was still surprised that Smaug was so affectionate to him. He had been when Harry had been younger but Harry didn’t think it would be the same after their years apart and now that Harry was older. This wasn’t the case. Smaug still seemed to view him as still being a child. Harry knew this was probably going to be a problem in the future. For now he accepted the treatment, just enjoying being reunited with his father’s familiar and comforting presence.

“I’m happy to have finally found you, too,” Harry wholeheartedly agreed.

“Yet, I worry that whoever took you will try again. Of course I will not allow such a thing to happen,” Smaug growled, his eyes glowed and smoke rose up from his nostrils.

“Someone already tried,” Harry informed him.

“What! Who would dare?” Smaug roared, the spikes at the crown of his head bristling.

“It was a pack of orcs. They had been sent to take me back to their master the moment I arrived back in Middle Earth. They never said who he was. The orcs had some black potion that made me sick and weak,” Harry explained.

“How dare they try and harm you? I will burn every last orc in Middle Earth to ash until I wipe out their stench once and for all. I should have done it long ago,” Smaug growled.

“I wouldn’t have been able to escape them if it weren’t for the dwarves,” Harry admitted.

He’d decided it was better to just get the issue of the dwarves over with as soon as possible.

“Dwarves?” Smaug rumbled.

Harry felt his heart sink. It seemed that Smaug had a similar attitude towards dwarves that Thorin held towards dragons.

“They saved me from the orcs. The orcs were giving me a potion to make me weak. If the dwarves hadn’t come along I never would have escaped,” Harry repeated, hoping the kindness the dwarves had shown towards Harry would help to alter Smaug’s opinion of them.

“Dwarves?” Smaug muttered again as if still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Yes, they were very kind,” Harry nodded.

“I’m indebted to dwarves for returning my son to me?” Smaug hissed, his tail twitching in suppressed anger.

“Well, they saved my life so I suppose I do owe them,” Harry agreed, cautiously watching Smaug for a reaction. “Not that they asked me to repay them or anything.”

Smaug didn’t say a word. He continued to brood, glaring fiercely at the sky.

“I know they talked a lot about Erebor. It’s actually how I found you. After all, for me it’s only been about fifteen years. I had no idea where you were,” Harry hedged.

“I’m not giving them back the mountain,” Smaug snapped.

“It was their home,” Harry pointed out.

“And now it is ours,” Smaug insisted.

“They miss their home. They want to come back,” Harry admitted.

“Did they ask you to plead their case for them?” Smaug demanded, his eyes flashing with rage.

“No, most of them don’t even know that I was coming here,” Harry explained.

“I will not let the filthy dwarves back into the mountain. It is one of the most well protected places in all of Middle Earth. Now that you have returned to me we need a safe den. And I will not give up the treasure,” Smaug’s body coiled tighter around Harry’s, a silent proclamation that he wasn’t going to give up Harry either.

“What if we shared the mountain and the gold?” Harry blurted out.

He was fairly certain that Thorin wouldn’t agree to such a thing. To be honest, Harry was at a bit of a loss. All of this time getting to Smaug he’d been so worried about what his reaction would be that he hadn’t really spent a lot of time figuring out how he would possibly convince Smaug to give up the mountain. He wasn’t expecting this level of hate Smaug held for the dwarves. Or maybe it was more a reluctance to let go of the treasure he’d been hoarding for over a hundred years.

Honestly, Harry wasn’t sure if he could blame him. Harry knew just how strong the lure of gold could be. He wasn’t even sure he would be able to look at the treasure inside the mountain without going completely gold crazy. Smaug had been living with the gold for years. He’d grown attached to it. He’d also never attempted to resist the temptation of gold that all dragons instinctively had. Harry couldn’t expect him to completely change just because he’d shown up, and it wasn’t exactly fair of Harry to ask him to.

“I do not wish to waste any more time thinking about the dwarves,” Smaug snarled.

“It’s probably a bad time to tell you that a small group of them are on their way here already,” Harry confessed.

The sooner Smaug knew the sooner he could get used to the idea.

“What!?” Smaug roared.

Or not.

He was on his feet in an instant. His whole body was alert, and his eyes scanned the area as if the dwarves were laying in wait.

“They’re still quite a distance away. I flew ahead of them,” Harry explained.

“To warn me of their coming?” Smaug questioned.

“I was hoping to find some way that you, and the dwarves could come to some sort of agreement without killing each other. I’ve grown close with them. They’re my friends,” Harry shifted uncomfortably.

“I don’t like dwarves or really any other race of Middle Earth. Dragons do not share, my son,” Smaug imparted.

“I don’t know how to be a dragon,” Harry admitted, and suddenly he was certain that Smaug would reject him for it.

“Then I will teach you. We have lost so much time with one another I do not wish to waste anymore of it by arguing with you,” Smaug sighed, looking at him sadly.

“I agree, but the dwarves are coming…”

“I will think about what you have said. As you said, we have time before they arrive. Let us get to know one another once more. We will worry about the dwarves when they arrive,” Smaug told him calmly.

It was quite the turn around from his earlier, vehement refusal.

“All right,” Harry agreed slowly, wondering why Smaug had changed his mind.

The two of them were both silent for a moment. Lost in their own thoughts.

“You have spent most of your life believing you were a man, I fear I have lost you even though you are standing right before me,” Smaug said softly.

“You haven’t lost me, only if you don’t want me. I’ll be honest, I probably think more like a human than I do a dragon,” Harry clarified.

Harry knew he had to be upfront with Smaug from the beginning. Harry wasn’t going to change who he was just to get Smaug to like him. Of course he wanted to know his biological father. But if Smaug wanted him to be something he wasn’t then he would save them both the trouble by just breaking ties now.

No matter how much the thought hurt.

Smaug was silent for a long time before he spoke again.

“You are my son. Nothing can change that. Not even if you were still stuck in your human form. I have spent so many years regretting your loss, agonizing over what I could have done differently that day. I will not lose you now. It may be difficult. I am not the dragon I once was. I am aware of that, and until your arrival I saw no reason to change. It may take some time but I believe I am capable of making some adjustments. We will both have to make some adjustments if we are going to become reacquainted once more.”

“I can do that,” Harry agreed.

Harry moved to butt his head under Smaug’s chin, and Smaug curled around him once more. The two of them stayed like that for a time each of them taking comfort just from the presence of the other.

Eventually Smaug’s stomach growled.

“It has been a long time since my last meal,” Smaug explained.

“Then let’s get something to eat,” Harry leapt to his feet.

Smaug flashed a grin that was all teeth.

“Teaching you to hunt on your own is a milestone I missed out on. Perhaps I can still give you some hints,” Smaug climbed to his own feet.

“Just as long as we don’t hunt anything sentient,” Harry added, just in case.

“Very well,” Smaug nodded. “It would be difficult to eat something that until recently you believed yourself to be.”

“Exactly,” Harry sighed in relief that Smaug understood.

“We will have to travel a small distance in order to find some prey. Any game has long since fled due to my presence in the area,” Smaug smirked.

“That’s fine. I love to fly,” Harry assured him.

Another note of sorrow flashed through Smaug’s eyes.

“Yet another thing I lost the chance to teach you,” Smaug remarked.

“I’m sure there are still things you can teach me. Although I should warn you, I’m a pretty decent flier,” Harry boasted.

Smaug chuckled, “We shall see, my son.”

With another quick smirk to Harry, Smaug launched himself skywards. Harry startled, shocked at the ease with which the massive dragon managed to spring into the air.

He quickly shook it off, and followed Smaug into the sky. To Harry’s surprise the moment he caught up with him, Smaug engaged him in a tag-like game. The two of them spun and dived at each other. It was exhilarating to fly with another dragon, and even more so because it brought back happy memories. This had been the reason Harry had wanted to search out his biological father. Without realizing it, Harry had missed the company of another dragon. He wanted the chance to know more about himself, and who better to teach him than his father?

Smaug led them away from the Lonely Mountain. True to his word, he directed them away from Laketown and the Mirkwood.

“You are an adept flier,” Smaug praised him once they had settled down to a more relaxed pace.

“Thank you,” Harry felt a flush of warmth at the praise.

“You get it from me,” Smaug claimed smugly.

Harry snorted, a burst of smoke shooting from his nostrils.

They flew companionably for another hour. The farther north they flew the rockier the area became.

“If we continued this way we would eventually return to the location of our old den,” Smaug commented offhandedly.

“The Grey Mountains, and the Withered Heath, right?” Harry questioned, recalling his lessons with Ori.

“Yes, that is what they are known by. Dragons rarely assign names to land,” Smaug replied.

“Right, must be confusing then if you’re trying to talk about different places,” Harry commented.

“We don’t communicate enough for it to be a problem,” Smaug added sardonically.

Harry nodded, more and more convinced that the life of a dragon was devastatingly lonely. Of course not many seemed to care. Substituting gold and treasure for actual companionship seemed to be enough for most of them. But for Smaug who had that companionship and lost it seemed to realize what he had been missing out on.

Eventually the two of them caught sight of a herd of very large mountain goats running across a rocky slope. They had thick shaggy fur, and the rams had large curling horns.

“Watch me, my son, and do as I do,” Smaug ordered.

He folded his wings, and dropped into a steep dive straight towards the herd. Harry dutifully watched as Smaug snapped out his wings at the last possible moment to sweep over the herd. His back legs struck out and with expert precision snatched up two of the mountain goats. Smaug quickly and easily climbed back into the air with his struggling prizes.

“Now you try,” Smaug nodded towards the panicking herd.

“It’s easy for you to say, you had the element of surprise on your side. Now they’re all scattered everywhere,” Harry complained.

He’d never tried catching something from the air. He’d only hunted on the ground before.

“It will be a good test of your skills,” Smaug insisted, unrepentant.

“Uh huh,” Harry rolled his eyes.

But he couldn’t deny that he was slightly excited about the thought of chasing down the mountain goats. It sent a primitive thrill down his spine. It really went to show how much he had changed since realizing he was a dragon.

However, folding his wings and diving towards the ground was an all too familiar sensation. It reminded him of the many times he’d done the same thing during a Quidditch game. Doing it with his own wings was a little different, and he almost didn’t manage to pull up in time as he was trying to impress Smaug with just how low he was willing to go.

As it was, he still had to drop a little bit lower in order to snatch up the goat he’d been aiming for. He just barely managed to catch the goat before wobbling and crashing into the ground. Rocks and earth everywhere flew everywhere as he flipped over the ground, and landed in a pile of his own limbs.

He pulled himself out of the crater he created, shaking dirt and shrubs off himself. If he’d been in human form his face would have been beet red. He’d completely embarrassed himself in front of his father. At the very least he’d managed to hang on to the mountain goat even if it was a little crushed now.

Smaug touched down beside Harry.

“Are you all right, my drakeling?” Smaug questioned.

Harry nodded unable to quite meet Smaug’s gaze.

“The first time I went hunting on my own, I failed quite miserably,” Smaug commented mildly.

“What happened?” Harry asked, interested in hearing more about Smaug’s life.

“I was very young. My dam had just forced me from the den—”

“Wait, you mean your mother kicked you out?” Harry asked in surprise.

“It is what is normally done when a drakeling is old enough to care for themselves or when the female is about to have a new clutch. Dragons are not social or tender creatures. Normally we only care for our offspring long enough to see them capable of fending for themselves. Sometimes not even that long,” Smaug explained.

“Then why did you do it? Why do you want me around now?” Harry wanted to know.

“I am not like other firedrakes. I have lived a very long life, and have had a lot of time to think. Your dam, Ancia, did not want to care for you. However, there were few great firedrakes left so she did not crush your egg. She left you to me, and though it is rare for a male to care for offspring I decided to keep you. You were my offspring, you see. I wanted to give you a proper chance at life. I did not expect to form an attachment to you. Raising you changed me. When I lost you, I realized how strongly I cared for you. I do not want to lose you again,” Smaug almost seemed to be embarrassed as he answered.

“I don’t want to lose you either,” Harry assured him.

Smaug butted him affectionately. “Eat your goat before the meat gets cold.”

“I will but you have to finish telling me all about your failure,” Harry teased.

“It was not a failure. I do not fail. It was simply a miscalculation, which I assure you never happened again. As I told you I am not your average firedrake, I am better,” Smaug declared.

Harry smirked at Smaug’s wounded pride. But he did as he was told and the two of them went about eating their meals. Smaug continued to tell him about his first hunt.

Harry’s biological father was obviously arrogant and prideful. He didn’t know if it was a trait of all dragons or if Smaug was a special case. Harry couldn’t find it within himself to care. While those traits of his personality leaked through that wasn’t how he was with Harry. Smaug was being completely honest with Harry. Smaug did care about him, and just like when Harry was younger, Smaug was doing all that he could to ensure his wellbeing.

Once they were finished they cleaned the blood from themselves, and stretched out, sunbathing themselves.

Harry took the time to note the differences between Smaug and himself. At first glance the most obvious difference between them was the color of their scales. Harry was as black as an inkwell while Smaug was a deep wine red with hints of gold. There were actually pieces of gold stuck in his scales from years of lying in piles of treasure.

Harry noticed that Smaug had three fingers on his hands, a thumb and two fingers. Harry had four, a thumb and three fingers. Smaug’s body was leaner than Harry’s, and his head was a bit thinner. Harry’s head was more wedged shaped. His brow was wider. Yet it was obvious they were related in the color of their eyes and the shapes of their bodies.

Smaug was likewise taking in his features. The older dragon was obviously pleased to recognize the similarities between the two of them.

Smaug and Harry returned to the mountain once they sufficiently soaked up all of the sun that they could. It had been years since Smaug was outside, and he seemed to have enjoyed lounging in the sun.

Once back at the mountain, Smaug led him inside the mountain. Harry instantly understood why Thorin always went on about Erebor. Even with all the dust, and rubble that littered the hallways, Erebor was far superior to the Blue Mountains. The hallways were massive with intricate carvings lining the walls and ceilings. They were big enough to easily fit Harry and Smaug walking side by side.

Like the Blue Mountains there were hundreds of staircases crisscrossing over vast open spaces. The mountain was huge, and Smaug led him deep inside. Harry had a sinking feeling of just where he was bringing him. He wasn’t sure if he should stop him. Harry had no idea how he was going to react to seeing the treasure hoard of Erebor. According to Thorin his grandfather had amassed piles and piles of gold, and there was no way that Smaug would have left whatever wealth he had originally accumulated behind. At some point he must have brought his own wealth into the mountain at some point too.

However, none of it prepared him for reality of it.

“Now, my drakeling, welcome to my to the vast wealth of my hoard,” Smaug waved a clawed hand towards the treasury.

Harry could only stare dumbly at the sight before him. The room before him was huge. He couldn’t even see the entirety of the chamber. Every single bit of space was filled to the brim with gold coins, gold objects, and large gemstones. Harry couldn’t even see the floor. The gold had to be meters deep upon meters deep.

It was like nothing he had ever seen before. He wanted to dive into it and just roll in the piles of gold, and then never leave it again. Harry’s entire body was vibrating with the effort of resisting the urge to leap into the endless piles of treasure.

“Go ahead,” Smaug nudged him with his muzzle.

Harry didn’t need any further encouragement, and leapt into the gold. He ran and rolled across the surface of the gold trying to take in every little detail of the treasure. He dove into the gold, and buried himself. He dug little tunnels for himself as he moved beneath the heaps of treasure like a child playing the snow.

Harry forgot about everything while he was in the gold. But it wasn’t to the extent that he had feared. It was just like he was a kid again, and completely focused on the game he was playing. He was fully surrounded by gold for the first time since the curse keeping him human had broken. It was an overload of gold that completely satisfied his senses and the craving that had been nagging at him from the depths of his consciousness.

Eventually he surfaced, the initial thrill of the gold having slowly faded. Smaug was sprawled out on one of the mounds of treasure, his eyes closed. His eyes opened when Harry approached him.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” Smaug questioned.

“Yes,” Harry replied sheepishly, embarrassed by his behavior.

“Now can you see why we shouldn’t share the gold with the dwarves?” Smaug commented.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded, before he even realized he was agreeing with Smaug.

At the moment he couldn’t imagine sharing this gold with anyone but his sire. Their scents were similar enough that the primal part of Harry didn’t recognize him as a threat.

Smaug smirked in triumph.

“Wait, no. There’s plenty of gold for us to share,” Harry had to force the words out, and they still tasted bitter on his tongue.

“Are you certain?” Smaug lifted one ridged eyebrow.

“Yes,” Harry nodded firmly.

“The dwarves will spend it,” Smaug coaxed.

“They can also dig up more. That’s what dwarves do, they mine for precious metals and stones, and there’s plenty of gold buried in this mountain,” Harry attempted his own persuasion.

Smaug looked thoughtful. “The dwarves could work for me, mining me more gold?”

“Yeah, kind of…” Harry agreed.

“Perhaps they aren’t completely useless creatures after all,” Smaug murmured. “However, I still don’t like the idea of them crawling about the mountain making noise, and disturbing my sleep.”

“We could have a separate wing of the mountain set up with your part of the treasure, and away from everyone else,” Harry offered.

He figured the dwarves wouldn’t exactly want Smaug close by either. If Harry even managed to convince Thorin to share the mountain with them. At least he had Fili and Kili on his side. Hopefully the three of them would be able to knock some sense into Thorin and Smaug. It was the only way that every one was going to make it out alive.

“That would be acceptable,” Smaug nodded after a moment of deep thought.

“You still don’t have any intention of giving up the gold, do you?” Harry asked.

“No,” Smaug stated blandly.

“Right,” Harry sighed.

“I will speak to Oakenshield once he arrives,” Smaug announced.

Harry frowned, “How did you know he’d be the one coming?”

Harry had told him that dwarves were coming. He hadn’t mentioned them by name.

“Who else would it be? He is the grandson of Thror, and the only one with any strong claim to the mountain since his father’s death by the hands of Azog, the pale orc,” Smaug explained.

“How did you know all that?” Harry was confused.

For a dragon who hadn’t left the mountains in a few hundred years he was quite up to date about the world outside of the mountain.

“We dragons are capable of several gifts. The older a dragon grows the stronger we become. We dragons can potentially live forever unless slain,” Smaug shifted in the gold, making himself more comfortable as he settled in to explain this to Harry.

“So which ability did you use to find out about what was going on outside of the mountain?” Harry moved closer, and settled on the mound of gold beside Smaug.

“When in a deep sleep, we firedrakes can cast our consciousness across the land. The older and more powerful we become the further our mind’s eye can see. I use this ability every now and then while sleeping to watch over Middle Earth in order to keep an eye on things, and ensure there is no threat to the mountain,” Smaug informed him.

“Cast your consciousness?” Harry murmured, a little confused by the concept.

“It is a skill that will take quite a few more years for you to develop yourself. I’ll teach you when you’re older. When I first developed the skill I used it to search for you. However, I was not able to use it properly until decades after your kidnapping,” Smaug glanced away.

“It sounds useful,” Harry nodded.

“It is,” Smaug agreed.

Harry’s thoughts drifted to the dream he’d had while captured by the orcs. It was a little blurry considering the influence the black potion had on his mind. He remembered just wanting Smaug. All he had wanted was to see Smaug, and he had willed himself to see him with every part of his being. When he had fallen asleep he was fairly certain that he did actually dream about him.

He’d dreamt of Smaug here in this very chamber. But now that he knew about this ability had it actually been dream? Had he been able to somehow access this ability to see things while asleep?

It didn’t seem probable considering Smaug hadn’t been able to access this ability until he was much older. Unless his free use of magic, and his magical education at Hogwarts had unlocked abilities that normally wouldn’t manifest until much later. The only real way of knowing was to try it out, and see if he was capable of using it.

He told Smaug about it.

“Perhaps, you were able to access it through your period of stress and need. We won’t know for certain until you try, and for that we must sleep,” Smaug began scooping out a hole in the gold.

He settled down into the hole, and motioned for Harry to join him.

“You do realize I’m not a baby anymore, right?” Harry muttered, joining him anyway.

“It will take me a bit of time before I stop seeing you as my little drakeling. You still are only twenty-five years old. A twenty-five year old dragon is normally still nothing but a child. Being locked in the form of a human made you age faster than you normally would have,” Smaug curled tightly around Harry.

Harry felt utterly safe and content surrounded by Smaug and gold. His eyes drifted shut, and he slipped into a deep sleep.