With another flash, the three teens appeared again, blinking the sudden spots from their eyes. It was immediately apparent that they were once again in a new location. The pillar in front of them looked the same, but where Ron was reaching for a large red ruby his outstretched hand was now towards a large violet amethyst.

"Um, I think that was supposed to happen?" Ron bashfully stated, looking a bit chagrined at his impulsive actions. His comment earned a scowl from both Harry and Hermione. Looking around, the trio could see a drastic change in scenery. Where before they were surrounded by lush forest now the ground was barren dirt and rock with stones of a variety of shapes as sizes scattered about loosely. The ground was not smooth either, but pockmarked with a variety of pits and gashes of various sizes and depths. A short distance away an immense stone pillar rose up hundreds of feet above them, more of a narrow mountain, with several more scattered in the distance.

"I think we've moved to the valley floor. I just see the top of the other column up there," stated Harry pointing to the top of cliff nearby where the grey of the obelisk stood out against the verdant green of the surrounding forest above.

"See, that was a much better way to get here than trying to find a way to climb down the cliff." Harry smirked at Ron's explanation and Hermione just huffed and began a closer inspection of the obelisk. It proved to be identical to the one they just left, only with one jewel a different color.

"I think it's meant to transport between obelisks. Likely the other sides would take us to different points around the reserve. Much better way to travel than the floo, I think." So saying, Hermione stepped away from the obelisk and looked around for something else to examine, a challenge in the barren area. "Did you want to try one of the other sides to make sure they do the same or look around here more?"

"Let's get a closer look at one of the pillars first. It looks like that one has some caves pretty low down. I think it will get darker in this valley before up top anyway," Harry stated. The shadows were indeed getting quite long and it looked like dusk was just a short time off. The light was noticeably dimmer surrounded as they were by stone cliffs.

The three of them began to walk towards the closest of the pillars. Its immense size was awe inspiring and a number of caves could be made out more by the dark shadows they presented on the otherwise smooth sides.

The ground proved to be strangely brittle as they walked, cracking and giving rise to bits of dust making their progress quite noisy. Ron and Harry contributed even more to the dust and noise as they kicked bits of stone at each other or competed to see who could land one in a more distant pit.

"Hey Ron look at this!" Harry shouted excitedly as he picked up one of the rocks he just kicked over. Holding it up, both Ron and Hermione could see it glittering a deep red color even in the dimming light.

"Alright, Harry. That's more like endless treasure to me. Toss it here." Ron called. Harry obligingly shot the rock towards Ron as if it were a Quaffle not a gemstone. Ron gamely reached out to snag it, but rather than the easy catch expected, Ron's hand lit up with a gold light and the stone dropped to the ground. Harry and Hermione stared in shock at Ron who was looking just as shocked at his own hand.

"Ron, you're brooch lit up!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What? It's not a brooch, it's a cloak pin. Old ladies wear brooches," Ron grumped.

"It's like a shield charm. Guess it's definitely more than just some fancy jewelry," Harry stated as he rocketed another rock at Ron. Ron reflexively ducked, but not enough and the rock was stopped by another flare of gold.

"This is amazing. I don't even have to think about blocking it. Do you think it would work against bludgers?" Harry continued to pelt Ron with any stone within reach and Ron gamely played target, bouncing them off a different body part with each throw.

"Or spells?" Harry dropped his latest rock and pulled out his wand.

"Alright, stop." Hermione intervened. Both boys shot her disappointed frowns. "You can play with it later, but maybe we should save the hexing for when were in reach of a trained healer." Ron and Harry begrudgingly nodded.

"Besides, neither of you seem to notice just what Harry had been throwing at you, Ron."

Looking at the various rocks littered around him, Ron saw what Hermione had meant. The surface of the rocks that had bounced of his shield had been cleared of dirt and showed the glittering surface of the stones shining in many different colors.

"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, bending over to stuff his pockets with the find.

"The number of gemstones certainly suggests that Harry was right about dragons," Hermione remarked.

"What, dragons?" Ron exclaimed. Harry gestured upwards where at the top of the nearby stone pillars where distant shapes could be seen soaring about in the darkening sky.

"I was trying to show them to you from up on the cliff earlier, before our unexpected detour," Harry replied with a smirk. "And, Hermione, why do gems equal dragons?"

"It's part of their digestion. It's a waste product from their high mineral diet."

"Waste product? Wait, dragons crap jewels? How did I not know this? How is it even possible?" Harry spluttered. Ron had meanwhile dropped the glittering stones from his hands and was surreptitiously wiping his palms on his robes.

"Why do you think Gringotts keeps dragons?" Hermione retorted.

"A terrifying theft deterrent?"

"Alright, maybe, but not an overly practical one. They're mainly used to harvest gems." Both boys just gave her confused looks. "So gemstones are formed as magma, melted rock," Hermione continued, "When the right combination cools down it will crystalizes under the correct pressure." Ron and Harry nodded along, well familiar with Hermione's need to explain and shooting each other looks that confirmed they couldn't be blamed for not knowing this.

"Well, dragons need to eat lots of minerals for all their spikes, claws, and scales. Eating meat or blood just doesn't cut it so they eat rocks as well. Dragon fire melts rock into magma, and a dragon's stomach is under immense pressure, a sort of bellows to aid the breathing fire, and a dragon's very slow digestion process is practically perfect conditions for crystallization so rock waste from a dragon is almost guaranteed to have a gemstone of some sort."

"So dragons eat rocks and shite jewels? I am suddenly regretting sending off Norbert."

"Except for the whole living in a wooden house and threat of imprisonment," Ron muttered.

"Well, yeah," Harry agreed.

"Not just jewels, but the extra minerals do make dragon dung some of the best fertilizer around. It's a wonder that there aren't plants down here as well."

"Just a thought, but we are surrounded by tons of gems, which on one hand is fantastic and what I was hoping that Merlin left for us, but on the other hand also means that dragons live right here. And there are a lot of gems so that sort of points to a lot of dragons, right?" Ron questioned uncertainly.

"And no plants, so something is likely walking around a lot and stomping and breathing fire on everything," stated Hermione, her voice noticeably rising in pitch towards the end.

Suddenly they weren't quite so blasé about where they were and all three abruptly stopped walking. The silence was not comforting as the crunch of their footsteps no longer concealed the muffled scratching and grunting coming from a nearby pit.

"Um, do you both hear that?" As if summoned by their attention, the noises from the pit seemed to increase including a low rumbling growl.

The three began to back away slowly, their eyes locked on the rim of the crater. The dirt surrounding the pit seems to quiver and loose bits of rock drops over the edge. A scaly claw rose from the depths and dropped powerfully to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. The claw was massive with four long and deadly looking talons dug into the ground. It was soon joined by a second claw and slowly rising between them a massive dark head, clearly the dragons did not just stay aloft. The dragon's nostrils flared dangerously on the end of wide snout and a pair of glowing eyes peered out at the three interlopers from under a heavily spiked brow. All three teens instantly froze, eyes wide. The dragon gave a snort that shot a tiny jet of flame at the ground and a blast of heated air rushed over the three.

"Run!" Harry called, breaking the stillness and putting word to action. The three scattered, Ron veering wide right. Behind them an immense body rose up and up and up. The dragon landed hard on the ground, its size seeming to dwarf all surrounding it. The powerful chest muscles of the dragon could be seen to bunch and it let out a massive roar causing the ground itself to shake at the volume. Hermione nearly stumbled as the wave of sound smashed into her, but she kept sprinting after the surprisingly fast Harry.

"The obelisk!" she shouted, "Run for the obelisk." Harry obligingly aimed himself for the only possible escape and Hermione did her best to keep pace with him. Risking a quick glance over her shoulder she could see that Ron had likewise turned, but his earlier track had put him some distance behind the other two. Checking the other shoulder, Hermione could see the dragon looming nearer as it gained on her and Harry. Her breath caught as she saw its jaws opening revealing rows and rows of sharp, dagger like teeth.

Suddenly, Hermione's world tilted on its axis as she was hit full body by Harry sending both of them tumbling down the side of a shallow crater. She barely had enough time to shoot Harry a shocked look before the air was filled with fire. Huddling together beneath the flames, she could feel the heat curl her hair tighter and nearly scorch her lungs. After what seems like hours and was likely just seconds, the flames ceased and the dragon let out another terrible and deafening roar.

Harry and Hermione desperately scrambled up the edge of the depression they had taken refuge in and again began to run as they took stock of their surroundings. Both were relieved to see that the dragon's attention was off them until they realized it had focused on the sprinting figure of Ron. In horror they watched as the dragon bunched its body and then flashed its tail forward in a great swing, smashing into Ron midstride. Ron went down hard, bouncing and skittering across the ground like a skipping stone, his arms and legs flailing. With a cry, Harry shot off after Ron, his top speed rapidly closing the distance. Hermione was left behind with a perfect view of the dragon as it reared back ready to roast both of her best friends. Her brain finally seemed to unlock and she pulled her wand. Casting a single spell she took a deep breath and roared.

The noise from Hermione was a perfect echo of the dragon's earlier roar, just louder making it reverberate around the valley. The dragon immediately turned away from the boys looking around for its challenger. Harry quickly grabbed Ron, hauling the taller boy to his feet and both stumbled the few remaining feet toward the obelisk.

"The amethyst, Harry. Quick!" Hermione called as she sprinted to join them. Harry, still supporting a befuddled looking Ron, glanced helplessly at the column. "What's an amethyst?"

Hermione huffed as she passed by him, reaching up toward the large violet gem. Harry thought the noise may be her out of breath from the sprinting, but expected as least some of it was due to his ignorance. He had enough time to see the dragon wheel back towards them before they disappeared in a flash of light.

They instantly appeared once again at the top of the cliff. All three of them collapsed against the obelisk panting for breath.

"That was entirely too close."

"Yeah," Harry agreed as he staggered closer to the edge looking down into the valley.

"I don't know how you survived let alone kept moving after it swatted you like that," Hermione gasped, "I thought you were dead for sure, Ron."

"Almost. I tell you what, I am never taking this brooch off again."

Snorting, Hermione asked, "I thought boys didn't wear brooches and it was a cloak pin?"

"Well, it saved my life. I think I get a pass on the old lady jewelry. I don't know if it would survive a direct blast from dragon fire though. How did you let out that roar? I thought Harry and I were goners."

"It's the spell the twins use for the screaming yo-yos. It mimics and amplifies any noise. They had Ginny and me giving screams for them this summer and taught me the spell in exchange. I'm just glad it worked and we made it out. "

"Sorry, but it's not over yet," Harry called, his attention riveted to the valley below them. "I think it saw the flash when we moved up here." Both Hermione and Ron looked at Harry with concern. "And its wings are not just for show." Turning from the cliff, he began to run up the path into the forest. Ron and Hermione were not slow in following him with the dragon rising above the cliff on massive wings just as they crossed the tree line.

Passing under the trees brought attention to how late it had gotten. While still bright enough to see the path clearly, the darkness seemed to highlight the jets of flame the dragon shot sporadically as it closed in on them. Each flame a little bigger and brighter than the last and each made their pace just that much more pressing. All three of them were panting desperately by the time the large arch of the Astria Porta came into view.

Hermione practically crashed into the pedestal and leaned against it gasping for breath with Ron and Harry bent over their knees a few steps ahead likewise trying to catch their breath. Digging through her pocket she pulled out her notes from earlier, grateful that she had the sequence for Avalon written as her scattered thoughts could not recall it from memory. Fortunately, although the sky was dark enough light remained to make out the writing. Frantically pressing the symbols, she paused.

Harry glanced at her frantically, "Hurry, finish it! It's almost here." In emphasis of his point the dragon let out another roar and they could practically hear the beat of its wings as it circled near.

"I can't," Hermione called desperately, "It's not here. It's missing." Her gaze swept repeatedly back and forth as she frantically glanced between her notes and the pedestal. Harry pulled up next to her, staring over her should at the six lit up symbols on the top of the pedestal. "What's missing?"

"The seventh symbol! The starting one. I've looked and looked." He could hear her practically in tears as she shook the parchment at him. "Thirty nine symbols are the same as at Hogwarts, but none of them are the last one, the one that started it."

"So this one has less than the other one?"

"No there's still forty, but the last one is just different."

"Well, press it anyway. Not like we have much to lose."

Hermione hesitantly pressed the last symbol and gave a relieved sigh as the red bulb in the middle lit up. Harry raced by her and gave a tug to Ron's shoulder urging him to move as she hurriedly slapped the red light and followed. The Astria Porta immediately lit up and a large wave pulsed out sideways from it. Startled, Harry pulled back dropping onto his rear and barely missed having his head splashed by the unexpected burst. The wave retreated immediately leaving the shimmering blue surface. This time it was Ron that pulled Harry to his feet as all three raced into the circle, not looking back as the dragon roared a final time at their escape.

A reality twisting freezing ride later and the trio were finally able to stop, all three sprawled across the stone floor. A quick glance showed that they had returned to the room at Hogwarts and the blue puddle behind them disengaged and was again replaced by the seemingly solid stone surface melting back up into place.

"Well, we can add dragons to the list of Halloween Horrors," gasped Ron.

"Next Halloween I'm hiding in the Forbidden Forest," Harry panted, "It has to be safer."

"Next Halloween, I'm hiding from you, Harry," retorted Hermione. There was no sound for the next several minutes except for gasping breaths as the three slowly caught their wind.

"Do you think we went all the way to Romania?" Ron asked. "Charlie works at the largest dragon reserve in the world and I can't think of anywhere else that would have them so big."

"I think we went much further than that," Hermione stated as she reluctantly dragged herself to her feet and began straightening her robes and hair. "Didn't you notice the sky while we were running back?"

"Yes, I noticed the enormous dragon flying after us and trying to eat me." Harry answered as he likewise stood and began patting off the dirt and dust from their adventure.

"No, Harry, I meant how bright it was even though it was evening."

"Dragons lighting everything on fire tends to be bright, Hermione."

"I was distracted by all the running and screaming and almost dying horribly again to really enjoy stargazing."

"Not the stars, the moons," Hermione huffed.

"Was it a full moon? I should keep track of that." Harry wondered.

"Not moon. Moons!" Hermione emphasized. "It was bright because of the moons, as in more than one." This drew both boys up short. "I don't know how far we went exactly, but it definitely wasn't on Earth. I think I know what Astria Porta means now. It is literally a Gateway to the Stars – to other worlds!"

"So each of these places," stated Ron gesturing to the carved wall panels, "goes not to a reserve or something, but to a different world?" Hermione nodded eagerly.

"So magical travel to different planets in search of the lost treasure of Merlin?" Harry grinned. "Oh, we are going to have so much fun this year."