ANIMUS

The first one I ever saw was a girl with raven black hair and kind brown eyes. I was just newly hatched then, and she was a student of Master's. I was one of many dragons to be hatched in the south tower, nothing special, just another Ukrainian Ironbelly, we are rather common here. Suppose we pay of the best because of our size.

I think I remember her because she was the first one I saw, as dragons do, but she was far kinder than any other human I've ever met. Much kinder than Master, but that goes without saying.

Master. Master has students during the summer, sometimes during those cold winter holidays when the dungeons are freezing. I remember a pale blond boy coming quiet often. Parents entrust Master with their children, I don't know why. He never hurts them of course, he's actually quiet nice to them. Even the boys. They are nice back, out of fear or just respect I don't know, we obey him because we know what hides behind that handsome face and cheery eyes. I really doubt they do.

I never quiet figured out why almost all of Master's students have that mark burned into their left arm. Master doesn't have it, and never talk about it. I would never ask, even if I could.

Most of us never have to experience it, but we all know about it. I know first hand, and I can only blame myself.

I saved his life once, I still don't know why I did it. But I did. Master is heavier than I am, and my wings aren't big enough to carry myself after Master's friend transfigured me, but I still succeeded to drag him away from the flames. I regret it though. If he had died, if that boy (although I believe he was close to 30 he still looked like a teen. It's quiet hard to tell with elves though) had gotten his wish fulfilled we might have been happier.

I shouldn't complain, I know that. Master rewarded me when he woke up again. I don't live in the dungeons anymore, and I'm thankful, and I don't have to fear getting my throat cut once I reach a certain age, which I have now passed with several years, unlike the other dragon-men. What I'm most thankful about is that he won't sell me to another wizard. Master might be cruel and harsh but at least I'm not only used as a sex toy. That is after all what most of us end up doing. Not that Master cares. Nobody cares.

The Ministry barely knows about us, and if we are not known we can't be classified as neither being nor beast, and then we have no rights. We lose our rights as beasts the moment we are transfigured into almost-humans.

At least none of us will get any nightly visits this year, as Master has gone away to teach at some wizard school and left me in charge. His friend will come by now and then to transfigure the young ones. We don't have to worry about him though, he won't get paid if he hurt us, which is good because Master's friend is as sadistic as Master, if not more. Of course Master's friend only hates humans, supposedly they killed a girl he liked over a thousand years ago. Claims that that was when he started to hate them, but I'm sure he's hated all his life. I'd be surprised if I find out that that girl is anything but a cover up for what he's done after she was burned.

That doesn't matter anymore. Master is a human wizard and they get along just fine. Suppose its because they are the same, although I can't remember Master saying that he ever killed any of his kind. Not even a muggle. And he tells me everything he feels like talking about, I never argue. I can't.

I can't speak his language, even though I understand it. My tongue isn't made for it. I don't mind, because Master loves to argue, and he gets so mad when he does. So violent. Afterwards he always laughs it away.