AN: I do not own either HP or the Inheritance Cycle. Those privileges go to JK Rowling and Christopher Paolini.

This is the second part of the series, "Dragon Riders".

Harry landed with a thump on solid ground, feeling his legs shake. Luna landed right next to him and her legs gave out from under her, causing Harry to startle at the miniature earthquake under them. He took a step toward her and leaned into her flank, seeing her begin to shake.

Harry…

Harry walked over to face her, dully taking in their new surroundings. There was fog around them, curling around them and almost hiding them. But Harry wasn't… He didn't know where they were or possibly when they were. All he could see in front of them were buildings, a row of what looked like apartments that he vaguely remembered seeing before he had been taken to live in Alagaesia. Though those memories were blurry and distant.

Luna's blue eyes were bright with grief and rage and her mind was raging, with hints of fear.

I think we're okay, my moon. I don't know where we are but I can't sense Galbatorix.

Luna dipped her head in a nod and curled her wings around him, able to sense his shaky words when even he couldn't tell. You don't need to be strong for me, Harry. We are together in this.

Luna stretched her head through the fog surrounding them and glanced around. There are things here that remind me of your memories and dreams.

Harry leaned into her, placing his forehead on her right left shoulder. That was the highest he could reach without climbing up onto her back. Her scales were warm, fever warm, probably from the adrenaline that had shot through her just a few minutes ago.

Well, let's figure out where we are, shall we?

Harry pulled back from Luna and looked around, reaching into his mind to where his magical cores were. "Vaetna rakr." [Dispel the mist]

The fog around them disappeared and now they could both see the people walking across the street. The two of them were in a small park with grass under their feet and the rows of buildings, maybe apartments, were across a street from them. But the people… As soon as the few people saw them, they freaked.

Given that it was, night time and the moon and stars were out, there weren't very many people out. But the few who were… Their eyes widened, their skin paled and they screamed and ran away.

You should probably hide us, partner of my heart.

Yeah, I guess wherever we are, dragons aren't common. Here…

Harry whispered one of the spells that he had found in one of those books and felt as the magic took affect. It felt like an egg had been cracked on top of his head and he felt as Luna shivered, shaking her wings like they were wet.

That was weird.

Harry snorted and patted her neck. "Yeah, if we make a habit of this, we'll get used to it."

Luna huffed, producing some smoke from her nostrils. We better not. If everyone's like that here, they'll just have to get used to me.

Harry laughed and then turned to focus on the apartments across from them. His sword was a comforting weight against his hip as he took in the unfamiliar buildings and the… cars, if he recalled correctly. He remembered, with Luna's help in his mind, a roaring motorcycle and strange pointy hats.

Magic flared across one apartment in particular so that's where Harry started first and he walked across the grass, waited for the street to clear then crossed it. Luna took off and with a running leap into the air, cleared the sidewalk and the street and landed right below the steps that went up to the door.

I suppose you'll have to wait outside.

I don't like it. What if this is a trap?

Harry peered at Luna, who at six years old, was much taller than him and was perfectly equal with him even now that he was a few steps higher than the ground. Her blue eyes were wary but fond, her claws digging into the cement.

Then it's a trap. But it doesn't feel like a trap to me.

Luna lowered her head to be at level with his eyes and nudged him gently. You think this will answer your questions about your past? About your family?

Maybe. The dreams came to me for a reason.

Luna stared at him then dipped her head. I shall wait here for you then. Or see if this apartment has a yard.

Don't eat anyone.

Luna sighed. You take all the fun out of this.

Harry snorted again. "I'll make sure you have something to eat. After our frantic flight from Galbatorix, I'm hungry too."

You may want to clean your armor of blood before you knock. Unless you want to give that impression. In my opinion, it would be a good impression.

Harry glanced down at his armor that the quartermaster in Illirea had given him. It was splattered with blood, none of it his. "Yeah, well, you're a dragon. I'm a human. I'll clean it off."

Ah well, I'll make a dragon out of you yet.

Harry glared at Luna and she made that rumbling noise deep in her throat that meant she was laughing. He sighed and muttered a word or two in the ancient language and watched as all of the blood vanished. His armor, some mail and some leather, went back to being clean and not covered in blood.

He turned to the door, removed the… disillusionment charm on him then knocked. And waited.

Sirius Black went to open the door before his mother could start screaming.

"Sirius! It's not safe! At least for you! Let me open the door!" Remus yelled, walking toward him. "You're still suppose to be on the run."

"Yeah, I don't think the aurors would knock," Sirius remarked teasingly. He pulled Remus into a short kiss before opening the door, not expecting to see the person they found on the porch. A young man, perhaps in his early 20's, was on their porch. Long, wild black hair had been hastily pulled back and uncovered pointed ears. Sirius studied the light green eyes and as he looked upon the younger man's forehead, his own eyes widened upon seeing the scar there.

"Harry?"

The man tilted his head and glanced behind him for a second before turning to look at both Sirius and Remus.

"You know me?" The man's accent was mysterious, more light than Sirius had ever heard before. The man, who Sirius was almost certain was his godson, was wearing armor and had a sword attached to his waist. Sirius could also see that Harry was not a small man. He was tall and muscular enough that Sirius readily believed that Harry was skilled in wielding that weapon.

"Harry?" Remus muttered, exchanging a bewildered glance with Sirius.

"Yeah, that's me," Harry replied, his green eyes lit up with curiosity. Harry's eyes were also haunted, shadows in them that indicated something but Sirius didn't know what it meant.

"Where've you been?" Sirius asked, feeling the younger man's magic flare around him. "How… You look like you're in your mid twenties. You should be only 15."

"Who are you?" Harry questioned, narrowing his eyes. "You two know me, that much is certain but all I can remember is a green light racing toward me. At least what I can remember from this world. And you're not wary of me either."

Sirius' eyes widened and turned to look at Remus only to raise an eyebrow at the other man. Remus' eyes were wide and his skin was pale.

"Moony?" Sirius whispered.

"I smell… something, something akin to a dragon," Remus said, glancing at Harry. "Have you been running from a dragon?"

Harry sighed but snorted. "Something like that. So you're… Wait… My dreams. Were you the one that turned into the mutated wolf like creature?"

Remus gasped and Sirius' eyes widened even more.

Sirius stared and stared at Harry, growing more and more bewildered by the minute. Where had Harry been? And what were the dreams he had spoken of?

"Well, I guess you should come in," Remus remarked hesitantly. "We have a lot to talk about."

"So that's a yes," Harry said, shrugging. "Huh. I've seen a few elves change shape but not like you. That was just creepy."

Sirius and Remus both saw the little gesture that Harry sent behind him. It was like he was giving a thumbs up to something behind him then Harry stepped inside as Sirius moved back to let him in.