Dragons and Centaurs.

The Gryffindor Vs Hufflepuff quidditch match was upon them, they had been informed that Snape would be refereeing this match, Ron went ballistic and couldn't quite understand why Harry wasn't angry. Harry for his part just shrugged and made a comment that it didn't matter and that he'd get the snitch or kill himself trying. Ron and Neville looked appeased while Hermione gave them a look that clearly stated that she would never understand boys and sports. "Anyway Dumbledore is supposed to be coming, so its not like anything's going to happen, except us pounding the puffs in to the mud." Harry said this as he made his way to the pitch with the others, they saw some Hufflepuffs give him a scowl; they had obviously overheard what he'd said.

Oliver wood made his customary speech then pulled Harry aside, "Now I don't want to pressure you Potter, but we need an early win, before Snape can favour Hufflepuff too much."

Harry had already thought about this and as he hadn't made it to the last match of the year the first time round, he had come up with a bit of a plan just in case he didn't make it to the last one in this timeline "Maybe, but I think that's what Snape wants."

Oliver looked at him oddly "What do you mean?"

"He wants us to finish it early, so we can't run up the score and ensure that we win the Quidditch cup."

"I hadn't thought of that." Wood admitted.

"I think we should play for as long as possible, I'll hold off their seeker if I can, I doubt they will fall for another wronski feint, but I have an idea." Wood seemed taken aback at the evil grin on Harry's face, but nodded all the same, quickly Harry grabbed Fred and George and outlined his plan, earning a smirk worthy of a marauder for sheer nerve, daring and the complete disregard for his own life.

Harry zoomed onto the pitch to a roar of the crowd, it seemed like the whole school was in the stands, Harry did a few stunt flips and dives as he circled the pitch, he saw the other seeker and realised with a start that it was Cedric Diggory…Okay so I am going to save his life this time around, that doesn't mean I'll take it easy on the pitch… The balls were released and the game started, Harry remembered that this game had been very short his first time around, but that didn't mean it would happen that way this time. He leaned forward on his broom and lanced towards the Hufflepuff chasers, who had no choice but to abandon their play or be slammed into by Harry and a broom that could go a hundred and twenty miles an hour. Fred shot a bludger at one of the fleeing chasers and the game was in full swing. Harry blocked the Hufflepuff chasers twice more, Angelina, Katie and Alicia were on top form and before long the score stood at a hundred and thirty to fifty, Harry gave a significant look to George or Fred he wasn't sure which and thirty seconds later their play went into action.

One of the twins whistled at Harry to get his attention and promptly pointed, Harry who was above him dived in a second, pushing every last ounce of speed from the broom. Cedric cursed and was on his tail, just as before the crowd roared and the players stopped to watch, however the Gryffindor players kept playing, earning an extra two easy goals driving the score higher still. At the last second Harry swerved upwards and raced along the pitch, he knew that Cedric was too good a flyer to allow himself to be turfed into the field, but there were other ways to come off your broom… Harry flipped in mid air turning the broom sharply, right in front of Cedric, he screamed and jerked his broom, but he was going too fast and his broom which Harry knew was a newer cleansweap was nowhere near as good as a nimbus 2001 Harry Potter Special. He lost control and was flung off his broom about ten feet from the pitch, Cedric landed in a crumpled heap. Harry saw Angelina put away another goal and heard the voice of Lee Jordan echo around the stadium "And that ladies and gentlemen is why Harry Potter is the Gryffindor seeker, excelled play… Oliver Wood stops a goal and the quaffle is passed back to Katie Bell… SCORE."

A minute later just as Cedric was back on his broom and flying warily. Harry spotted the snitch and smiled, it was just above Snapes head, Harry shot from his position aiming straight for the potions master, at the last second he pulled up, rolled his broom and snatched the snitch. The final score three hundred and twenty to sixty, Harry landed in a heap to be crushed by the Gryffindor team in a massive team hug. Dumbledore had made his way over to them, "Well done," He said quietly so that only Harry could hear "nice to see you haven't been brooding about that mirror." Dumbledore turned and Harry saw Snape give him a murderous look, which Harry promptly replied with a smile.

Harry walked over to Cedric who looked battered and bruised; he was sitting on the grass being fussed over by one of his team mates. Harry held out his hand, "Good game…you fly well."

Cedric looked up and gave him a grimace "Not as well as you." He took Harry's hand and shook it, "you really had me with that fake out."

"I am sure we'll get a chance to face off again, till next time." Cedric nodded and Harry walked to the changing rooms to the cheers of his team.

"Party in my trunk after the common room party." His shout was met with both cheers and groans from tired players.

The party had gone well, though once more Hermione bowed out before things got out of hand with a new game Seamus invented Pass the Potcheen, this time however Harry made a simple breakfast in the trunk. It was well after mid day before they managed to sort themselves out and emerge heading back to their dormitories, with hangovers, headaches and in Ron's case a face full of make up that no one told him about. I can't wait to get the photo's developed…Harry thought as he lay back in bed for an afternoon nap before dinner.

That Friday as part of their normal routine Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione made their way down to Hagrid's cabin for tea, as per usual Harry was carrying a large basket of cakes, biscuits and mini treacle tarts just so he could avoid the rock cakes… Maybe I should just be honest and tell him they are awful? And actually as hard as real rocks?

However when they approached the cabin Harry realised something was out of the ordinary, the curtains were closed and smoke was billowing from the chimney…How the hell did I forget about Norbert..? Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville banged on Hagrid's door, who didn't answer at first, so they kept banging on the door with their fists until the half giant answered.

"Oh, it's you lot, might as well come in then."

Harry put down his basket and promptly took off his jacket as the cabin was boiling hot, he spotted Hagrids new one hanging off the back of the door.

"So whats going on Hagrid?" Ron asked.

Hagrid mumbled something and looked a bit guilty, that's when Hermione looked in the hearth and found the egg.

"Hagrid is that an egg?"

Ron turned and looked "Bloody hell…Hagrid tell me you didn't… tell me that's not what I think it is?"

Hagrid sat down, "Yeh right Ron, it's a dragon egg, Norwegian ridgeback, those are rare."

"But it's illegal Hagrid." Ron said still stunned and turning vaguely green.

Neville looked at Harry then back at Hagrid "You could get in so much trouble, a huge fine, maybe even put in prison."

"Nev's right Hagrid, it's a dragon, it's not safe here… you know at a school."

Hagrid started to get a bit upset "It will be fine.. anyway I'm glad yer came today, I er wanted to thank you for your Christmas gift, its wonderful."

"Of course, you're welcome," Harry brushed it aside "But the dragon…"

"Never mind about the dragon I can take care of that."

Screw it…time for some pressure… but maybe I can help as well.

"Hagrid, what happens if the dragon escapes? And ends up killing a student, a teacher?"

Hagrid looked startled and seemed to give in "What do ya think I should do, I can't just kill it."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief "No of course not, we can write to Ron's brother Charlie, he works on a Dragon preserve, we'll see if he can take him, after he's hatched."

Ron gapped at him, "That's a brilliant idea and Hagrid you know Charlie, he'd look after the dragon properly." Hagrid nodded.

"Ok that's settled then shall we have some tea?"

An hour later Ron, Hermione and Neville left, but Harry stayed behind, he still had things to talk about. "I wanted to thank you for the unicorn hair vest, it's amazing." Harry flung his arms around the half giant and gave his best squeeze; Hagrid in turn seemed a bit flustered.

"That's alright…its just after meeting that family o' yours I thought you should have a great present."

"Its amazing and brilliant… you're amazing and brilliant," Harry gushed "you realise this makes us friends for life?" Hagrid flushed red under his beard and started to cry.

"I mean you rescue me, we have tea at least once a week, get great presents at Christmas, now were dragon smuggling together… mind you if we go to prison you better protect me, I am only little." Harry grinned and giggled.

Hagrid snorted "But you have a great big heart."

"You know Hagrid, remember when I wrote to you and told you about practicing magic in my trunk?" The half giant nodded and wiped a tear before pouring another cup of tea for them each.

"Well between you and me, I am getting good, I keep it a bit of a secret from the others because I don't want to show off, but I think I could make you a dragon."

"What?"

"Yeah, maybe out of clay, animate it and give it cold fire, we'd have to keep it small, but I think I could do it." Hagrid gapped at him, his normal crinkly eyes now wide. "It wouldn't be alive you understand, but it would act alive, only a little tamer and it would be safe."

"Not even professor Dumbledore could do that…" He whispered in awe of his young friend.

"Oh I am sure he could, but this would be my way of thanking you for everything you've done, we might have to keep it quiet though, for now… what do you say want to give it a try?"

"O'course…what can I do?"

"Well I will need some clay, a buckets worth should do it." Hagrid nodded enthusiastically.

"But we need to take care of this dragon first, anyway where did you get it?"

"Oh I won it off a fella I met down the pub, he seemed glad to get rid of it."

"I can imagine," Harry nodded grimly "so what else have you been up to?"

"Not a lot really, the centaurs have been a bit agitated and something has been killing unicorns in the forest."

"Oh" Suddenly Harry felt guilty but he knew he couldn't do anything about it yet.. Damn you Tom…

"Any news about that break in at Gringotts, there's been nothing in the Prophet but I wondered if you knew anything." Harry tried to ask as innocently as possible.

"No, it's a good thing I cleared out that vault when I did or… I shouldn't have told you that.." He gasped.

"You emptied the vault, when we were in Diagon Alley?" Harry made it seem like he was stunned.

"Well yeah, but you're not to say anything, that's between Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel…oh I shouldn't have told you that either…"

"Dumbledores friend… the alchemist?"

"How'd yeh know that?" Hagrid asked in wonder.

"It's on Dumbledore's chocolate frog card…so that means… that means it's the stone isn't it."

Hagrid didn't confirm anything he just blanched and said that he couldn't answer, Harry gave him a hug and headed off to find the others to fill them in on what he had found to their shocked and dismayed faces, he also sent a note to Dumbledore asking to talk in private, while Ron wrote to Charlie begging him to take the dragon.

Later that night Harry stood in front of Professor Dumbledore.

"Thank you for seeing me on short notice sir."

"Oh think nothing of it my boy," Dumbledore chuckled "now what can I do for you?" I wonder if he knows what Hagrid told me…

"Sir a delicate situation has come up, my friends and myself are taking care of it, but I thought you should be aware just in case."

"Oh?"

"Hagrid won himself a dragon egg." Dumbledore lost the amused smile instantly.

"You are sure of this?"

"Yes, it's in his hut right now, we have already written to Charlie Weasley, we should hear back in a day or so, it's my hope that he can take the dragon off our hands, whilst keeping things quiet. Hagrid's been fantastic to me and I don't want to see him get in trouble."

"Nor I… but a dragon."

"At the moment it's still an egg, and even after its born I am sure Hagrid can manage for a few days."

"What is your plan for getting the dragon out of the country?" Dumbledore asked intrigued and dismayed at the same time. How on earth does Harry keep getting into dangerous situations like this?

"Well at the moment that's up to Charlie, but I would imagine either transport with a friend or a portkey to Romania."

Dumbledore seemed to take this in and come to a decision, "Harry, I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention, not many students would have. I will let you continue with your plan, I believe students should bend the rules from time to time, however if at anytime you need help, I ask that you come to me, night or day.. you understand?"

"Yes sir and thank you sir, I knew you'd understand."Harry left the office.

What on earth will that boy get up to next? He's a magnet for trouble…Not a good sign, but wanting to keep the students safe and help Hagrid is…

It was three days later when Ron received a reply from Charlie, just like before he arranged for some friends to collect the dragon. Harry knew the dragon would be much smaller and easier to get to the astronomy tower, but he also knew he had to prevent being found out by Draco Malfoy, who Harry knew had been acting a bit strangely since Christmas. So as part of his plan he burned Charlie's letter after taking it off Ron.

"Hey." Ron almost shouted indignantly in the common room.

"Ron, if there's one rule to learn when doing something illegal it's that you don't leave evidence around." Ron blanched then agreed, Hermione gave Harry another odd look and Harry knew she was about to ask when he had learnt his lessons in crime.

"It must be my Slytherin side coming out either that or picked up more than I thought watching the television." He said before she could ask, this earned him an eye roll from all his friends.

Then at the same time Neville and Ron spoke up "What's tele..vison?" Themselves earning an eye roll from Harry and Hermione.

Harry had many conversations with Kandar since Christmas, their plans coming together; however it seemed recruitment was going slowly, it would be nearly summer before Kandar would be ready, but they managed to move on with other projects. A few days later at breakfast Harrry received a note from Hagrid It's Hatching… Silently he groaned and sent thanks that Charlie's friends would be collecting the dragon the next night. That afternoon after class they trudged down to the hut and Harry made a point to warn his friends that Dragon bites were very painful and would need Madam Pomfrey to cure. "How do you know?" Hermione asked intrigued.

"As soon as Hagrid told us, I went and read up about them in the library, did you know there are ten breads of dragon?"HrarH

Harry made a point of shutting all the curtains and used sticking charms to keep them closed to ensure no one could see in. Thankfully Draco Malfoy didn't have a clue about the dragon, but later that night Harry once again stopped off to see the headmaster.

"Its all set for tomorrow night, myself, Ron and Neville will be taking the dragon up to the astronomy tower at midnight to meet some of Charlie's friends they are taking the dragon by broom, we'll be under the invisibility cloak you gave me at Christmas so no one should see us." That seemed to take the professor back.

"I wasn't aware I signed the note."

"I recognised the handwriting, thank you for giving it to me, I should have said when I met you at the mirror but I was a bit distracted at the time, you know with almost stunning you." The headmaster chuckled.

"Well your plan seems sound, I should congratulate you, but I'll save my praise until after the deed has been done."

"Thank you sir, there was one thing… I was er hoping you could come with us, invisible of course, just in case we run into trouble, other teachers or trouble with the dragon. I want to ensure my first and last attempt at illegal dragon smuggling goes smoothly." He gave the headmaster a cheeky smile.

"Yes, I think that's an excellent idea." So together they made plans to meet at Hagrid's hut at eleven thirty the next night, once Harry left the heads office he made his way to the kitchens and was greeted by a house elf.

"What can Ducky do for young master?" The happy elf asked bouncing up and down on his small feet.

"I was hoping for half a dozen raw steaks."

"You don't want Ducky to cook them for you?"

"No, they're not for me, they are for an animal." The house elf nodded which caused his large ears to flap and returned a few moments later with six wrapped steaks.

"Thanks, this is brilliant." Harry said which earned him a pleased smile from the small elf.

Later that night Harry made a powerful calming and sleeping draft in his potions room inside his trunk, he then left the steaks to soak up the potions when he went to bed.

Harry was nervous and excited when they made their way down to Hagrid's hut under the cloak. Hermione had wanted to go, but Harry had talked her out of it, saying that the cloak was barely big enough for three and they would need someone to make sure they could get back into the tower in case the fat lady left her portrait during the time they were out. So Harry stuck his mirror on the front of his jacket and activated it so that she could see what was going on at all times. It's times like these that I miss the map…still my one will be ready soon… Harry lifted the face of his watch, at least that would give us some warning he thought to himself.

Harry handed over the steaks to Hagrid and gave a silent nod to the invisible headmaster who was standing in the corner of the hut, he was awarded a very pleased smile when Harry told the others what he had done to the steaks, in a few moments the small dragon that Hagrid had once again christened Norbert fell into a deep sleep.

"Right, I hope this works, I have been reading up on feather light charms." Harry waved his wand and mumbled under his breath, he saw the headmaster waiting with his wand just in case Harry failed, which he didn't, again earning him a pleased smile, which grew even wider when Harry cast a silencing charm on their shoes.

Now that Norbert's cage was easier to handle and they were silent they quickly made their way to the astronomy tower to meet Charlie's friends, who didn't hang around once the dragon cage was in its harness, together they walked back to Gryffindor tower.

"I can't believe we got away with that." Neville grinned as he opened the entrance.

"I know, I felt sure that McGonagall was going to pop up and hand us all a detention." Harry grinned to himself and hung back with his cloak. "I'll come in soon."

"What's going on?" Ron asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you… but one day I will." Harry grinned and closed the portrait, a moment later Dumbledore became visible.

"A thoroughly thought out and well executed plan, I was impressed with your preparation and your spell work, hmmm lets see…. Fifty points to Gryffindor for truly excellent work in protecting a friend."

"Thank you sir and thanks for the back up."

"You are most welcome Harry, though I get the feeling you would have carried out your plan even if I hadn't been there."

Harry smiled "Of course, we Gryffindor's are supposed to be reckless." Harry was given a particularly nice smile from his headmaster.

"Good night, it's late." And with that Dumbledore became invisible once more and walked off… Now all I have to do is get the stone…then the diary…