Harry Potter's : Fantastic Beasts Guide

Alyssa hesitated as she leaned forward, about to place her head into the dragon's mouth, but immediately recoiled, her face scrunched in disgust.

"Your mouth smells so bad!" she blurted out, wrinkling her nose.

The dragon, known as Opayele, said nothing, but David, watching from nearby, swore he could detect a trace of embarrassment in his expression.

Even dragons have their pride, David thought with amusement.

Realizing her mistake, Alyssa quickly apologized. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it."

Opayele gave a solemn nod. "It's fine. Just get the bone out, and I'll forgive you."

Alyssa nodded in return, steeled herself, and plunged her head back into the dragon's mouth. This time, with a firm yank, she pulled out the stubborn bone.

"Wahoo!" Opayele exhaled a massive breath of relief. The force of the gust knocked Alyssa and Charles to the ground, sending them tumbling over one another.

The dragon lifted his head and let out a triumphant roar, sending a burst of red-hot flames into the sky.

"Are you two alright?" he asked, grinning down at them.

With blood still staining his teeth, his smile appeared more menacing than friendly, causing Alyssa and Charles to instinctively step back.

Opayele noticed and quickly reassured them, "Apologies, I got a little too excited."

Alyssa and Charles exchanged glances before Alyssa hesitantly spoke up. "We could heal the wound in your mouth if you'd like."

The dragon's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Alyssa nodded. A soft white glow emanated from her, traveling from her hooves through the air toward Opayele mouth. Within moments, the wound vanished, and the dragon tested his jaw, smacking his lips in satisfaction.

"Ah, much better!" he exclaimed. "How can I thank you? Do you have any requests?"

Alyssa and Charles exchanged another glance before shaking their heads.

"That won't do," Opayele said firmly. "It goes against my upbringing not to repay a favor. How about this—why don't you come to my cave? I have plenty of treasures there!"

Alyssa and Charles hesitated, recalling the piles of bones scattered throughout the canyon. They shook their heads again.

"Afraid I'll eat you?" the dragon teased. "Don't worry, I have a reputation to uphold. Besides, catching food isn't exactly difficult for me. You two wouldn't even be a snack."

Alyssa looked down, hesitant. "It's not that… It's just… those bones… they were terrifying."

Opayele blinked before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

Without another word, he took off, soaring down into the canyon. Alyssa and Charles, curious, peeked over the cliff's edge.

Below, the dragon unleashed a torrent of searing flames. Within moments, the bones scattered throughout the canyon turned to ash, carried away by the wind.

"Better now?" Opayele called up.

Alyssa nodded.

"Then hop on my head, and I'll take you to my cave," he offered, lowering his head to the cliff's edge.

With some trepidation, Alyssa and Charles climbed onto the dragon's broad head.

"Hold on tight. I haven't carried anyone in a long time," Opayele warned.

"You've carried others before?" Alyssa asked curiously.

"Of course," the dragon replied. "Once, I even carried a human."

"A human?!" Alyssa gasped.

David, listening in, also perked up in surprise.

"Yes," Opayele said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "When I was young, a human raised me. An old man, by human standards."

"He taught me to be an honest dragon," the dragon continued, his tone growing somber. "But as I grew, my appetite became too much for him to handle. Eventually, he had to send me away to live here in the canyon."

"In the beginning, he visited often… but it's been a long time since I last saw him."

Alyssa gently pressed her head against his scales. "I'm sure he's just busy. When he's free, he'll come visit again."

Opayele chuckled. "Thank you. I hope you're right."

"What were humans like?" Alyssa asked. "Are they bad?"

The dragon seemed taken aback. "Bad? What makes you say that?"

"My father told me they were."

Opayele let out a low hum before replying, "Then your father lied to you. Humans can be wonderful. They took care of me, and even now, they leave me gifts. That's where all the treasures in my cave come from."

David's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Gifts? Are you sure they weren't stolen?

Alyssa nodded thoughtfully, seeming to accept the dragon's words without question.

After flying for a while, the dragon landed near a rocky ledge. "One moment," he said before dipping his massive head toward the nearby stream. He took a deep gulp of water, swished it around in his mouth, and spat it out in a misty spray.

"What are you doing?" Alyssa asked.

"Mouthwash," Opayele said proudly. "The man who raised me taught me to clean my mouth after eating."

Alyssa, intrigued, slid off his back and into the shallow stream, imitating his actions.

"Yes, yes! That's how you do it!" Opayele praised her happily.

Before long, the trio arrived at the dragon's cave—a massive cavern perched high along the cliffside.

The moment they stepped inside, David's jaw dropped.

Piles upon piles of gold coins shimmered in the dim light, stretching far into the cave. Scattered among them were various magical artifacts and trinkets, some of which looked suspiciously valuable.

David swallowed hard. Did this dragon… rob Gringotts?!

"This is all from humans," Protein Eye said proudly. "Take anything you like. Consider it a reward for your help."

Alyssa and Charles curiously pawed through the golden heaps, fascinated but not particularly interested in taking anything.

In the end, they left the treasure untouched, much to the dragon's disappointment. His education taught him to repay favors, but the best thing he had to offer—his hoard—meant little to them.

So, he made another decision.

"If you won't take anything, then I will protect you," Protein Eye declared firmly. "You will stay here, and I will look after you."

Thus, Alyssa and Charles remained with the dragon, and a strange but heartwarming bond formed between them.

Whenever they needed to eat, Opayele would fly them down the cliff safely. When he himself hunted, he would eat outside, careful not to frighten them.

During their time together, Alyssa grew fascinated by his stories about human society, and Opayele—whose real name, they learned, was Hector—was more than happy to share them.

As the days passed, an unlikely friendship flourished between a dragon and two curious little travelers.