Evening settled gently over the castle.
In the courtyard, Noah stood alone.
Cold air drifted through the stone arches while torches flickered along the walls.
He raised his hands.
Energy sparked between his fingers.
"Dragon Genesis."
Flames spiraled upward like a miniature tornado.
Normally, the dragon would appear briefly and vanish.
Tonight was different.
The fire twisted into shape.
Claws.
Wings.
A long blazing tail.
The dragon burst free from the swirling flames.
It roared.
But it did not disappear.
Instead, it hovered above Noah, wings beating slowly as glowing embers drifted down like orange snow.
Noah blinked.
"You're… still here?"
The dragon tilted its head.
Almost like it understood him.
Then it leapt into the sky.
The creature circled the towers of Hogwarts, its wings slicing through the night air. Students inside the castle gasped as a fiery shape streaked past the windows.
After several loops around the towers, the dragon descended again and landed beside Noah.
Its massive head lowered near him.
Like a loyal guard.
Or perhaps a curious pet.
Noah laughed quietly.
"Well… I guess you're sticking around."
Suddenly, the dragon froze.
Its wings stiffened.
The creature slowly turned its head toward the dark forest beyond the castle grounds.
A low growl rumbled in its chest.
Noah felt it too.
Something ancient stirred out there.
Watching.
Waiting.