Chapter 14: The Egg

March 23rd, 2013,

Raven and Harry sat in Harry's room, cross-legged with a book in between them. Both of them had their wands out and Raven was teaching Harry some new spells.

"Now, the Lumos spell is a very handy to have. You never know when you're going to find yourself in pitch darkness, magical or not," Raven lectured, pointing with her wand.

"Right," Harry nodded.

"Now watch me and then repeat," Raven instructed, before giving her wand a quick flick "Lumos!"

As soon as the spell was cast, the tip of her wand began to glow with the intensity of a flashlight.

"Wow," Harry said, amazed, before performing the same action with his own wand, "Lumos!"

Harry smiled as his wand began to glow with the same intensity as Raven's.

"Very good!" Raven congratulated him, "Now, the Lumos spell can be improved to have combat uses. All you need to do is add a little more power to it. Now don't look directly at my wand as I do this."

Raven held her wand above her head, before making the same flicking motion.

"Lumos Maxima!" she shouted. At the same time, the door to Harry's room opened.

"Hey Harry wh-AUGGH!" Tim shouted as he was blinded by the brilliant light shining from Raven's wand. Covering his eyes with both hands, he stumbled forward, until he reached one of the beds. Grabbing hold of its frame, he steadied himself as he pulled his hand away from his eyes, blinking rapidly as he tried to regain his sight.

"Oh, crap! Sorry about that Tim!" Raven said, rushing over to him, her face stricken.

"What was that!" Tim demanded, as he continued blinking rapidly.

"The Lumos Maxima spell. I was teaching it to Harry," Raven explained.

"Merlin's Beard, it's like the sun exploded in my face," Tim commented, before giving his eyes another rub, "Okay, I think I'm alright now."

"Sorry about that," Raven apologized.

"Don't worry about it," Tim waved the apology off.

"So how was your training with Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"Pretty good, I'm getting the hand of using my magic to do more precise things," Tim stated as he sat on his bed.

"Cool, like what?" Harry questioned.

Scrunching his face in concentration, Tim held his hand out towards Harry, making a gripping motion. Suddenly, Harry's wand jerked out of his hand and flew across the room into Tim's.

"Like that," Tim said, huffing as if he was out of breath, twirling Harry's wand with his fingers, before tossing it back to Harry.

"Cool," Harry replied, grabbing his wand.

"Yeah, but it's not easy. Not yet anyway," Tim explained, "So come on, Harry. Try that super light spell."

"Alright," Harry said, holding his wand over his head and closing his eyes, "Lumos Maxima!"

"Hey Raven, heard you were-OH GOD, I'M BLIND!" Daimon yelled as he walked into the room. He quickly covered his eyes with his hands before stumbling back out again. The three watched the door for a moment before a resounding crash came from outside, followed by Daimon's scream of pain, causing them all to wince.

Later,

The four of them, now accompanied by Ron, Hermione, Misty, Sebastian, Wanda, and Gemma, made their way down towards Hagrid's hut.

"So what did, Hagrid want?" Raven asked.

"I don't know. I would have told you that already, but somebody blinded me!" Daimon grumbled.

"Hey, it was an accident!" Harry shouted back.

"Yeah, cool your jets Daimon," Wanda said with a glare, "Besides, no one is suppose to know we're here remember?"

"Whatever," Daimon grunted.

The continued on their way to Hagrid's hut the sun setting behind the trees of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid stood at his door as they walked up, quickly gesturing for them to come in.

"Keep quiet now, ye 'ear?" Hagrid instructed.

"What's with all the secrecy, Hagrid?" Gemma asked.

"Is that what I think it is!" Hermione shouted, pointing at an object on Hagrid's table.

Sitting on the table, on a frying pan, was a large, black egg. At least it would be black if it weren't glowing red from heat. It seemed to be moving as if something to be trying to get out.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"A dragon egg," Sebastian stated, "Hagrid, how did you get it?"

"I…uh, bough' it?" Hagrid lied.

"Hagrid, you can't buy those, they're illegal!" Hermione explained.

"She's right Hagrid," Daimon said, "How did you really get it?"

"I got it from a man I met in tha bar down in 'ogsmade" he explained with sigh.

"What man?" Raven asked.

"I don' know. 'e was wearin' a 'ood an' I may 'ave been a little drunk," Hagrid said with a sigh.

"Why did he give you the dragon egg?" Wanda asked.

""E said 'e was a lover of animals like me. 'E kept askin' questions 'bout Fluffy," Hagrid explained.

"Fluffy?" Gemma asked.

"Wait, you named that giant, three headed dog, Fluffy!" Ron said, incredulously.

"Aye," Hagrid nodded, before a confused looked crossed his face, "Wait, 'ow do you know 'bout Fluffy?"

"We've run into him before," Misty explained.

"You've been keeping a giant, three headed dog in the castle?" Daimon asked.

"Aye," Hagrid answered.

"What did you tell him?" Harry asked.

"Basic things. What I feed 'im, 'ow I groom 'im, tha' music puts 'im right ta sleep," Hagrid explained before realization crossed his face, "I shouln't a told 'im tha'"

"No, you shouldn't have," Hermione commented, "But still, I bet I could guess who this stranger was."

"Quirrel," Ron snarled.

"Aye," Hagrid nodded, "Though I suppose we don' 'ave ta worry 'bout 'im anymore."

"Yeah, but Dumbledore said Vol…You-Know-Who, might still be out there," Harry commented.

"Right, but he doesn't have Quirrel anymore. So he doesn't have his inside man in the castle anymore," Raven said.

"That's true," Harry replied.

"Hey Hagrid," Daimon said, standing next to the table, "Is this supposed to be moving?"

Everyone else looked at the egg on the table, which began to glow brightly and rock violently. Suddenly, a piece broke off and a small squeak came from inside. The egg continued to shake before more pieces broke off, eventually the top broke off. Inside, a small reddish brown lizard lay, before shaking its tail and unfolding its bat-like wings. Small ridges ran from its head to its tail.

It squeaked before breaking completely out of the shell, and crawling across the table.

"Oh, would ya look at 'im!" Hagrid exclaimed, rushing over to the table.

"What type of dragon is it?" Raven asked.

"A Norwegian Ridgeback," Hagrid stated.

"Hey, my brother Charlie works with those in Romania," Ron commented.

At the same time, the baby dragon had continued to crawl across the table, eventually coming to a stop in front of Hagrid.

"Ah, look at 'hat, 'e knows who 'is mommy 'is" Hagrid said gleefully.

Raven was about to make a comment about Hagrid being a mommy, when the dragon suddenly belched out a small fireball. The flames lit Hagrid's bushy beard, quickly burning the hairs. Hagrid let out a small cry of alarm before he quickly began patting at his beard, extinguishing the flames with his large hands.

"Hagrid, are you alright!" Raven exclaimed.

"Don' worry, I'm fine," Hagrid said nonchalantly, as smoke rose from his beard.

"Fine? Hagrid, it lit your beard on fire!" Hermione pointed out.

"Ah, but Norbert didn't mean it, 'e's just a baby after all," Hagrid explained.

"Norbert? You already have a name for it?" Sebastian questioned.

"Forget the name! Baby or not, that's still a dragon, Hagrid," Wanda stated.

"Look Hagrid, I know he's cute and all now, but what happens when he gets bigger?" Misty asked, her voice calm, "I mean, he's going to grow incredibly large. What are you going to feed him?"

"I-I'll figure somethin' out," Hagrid said nervously.

"Even if you did, you know keeping a dragon is illegal. How would you hide him?" Misty pressed.

"Yer right," Hagrid said with a sigh, "But what will we do with him?"

"Wait, Ron didn't you say your brother works with dragons?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, in Romania," Ron replied.

"You think there would be anyway we could contact him and have him pick up Norbert?" Tim asked.

"Yeah sure, I could owl him. Then he could bring Norbert to live in Romania!" Ron exclaimed.

"Hey, that's a pretty good idea, Tim!" Daimon exclaimed.

"Thanks," Tim said with a smile, scratching the back of his head.

"I don' know," Hagrid said, looking down sadly at the baby dragon before him.

"You know this is what best for Norbert," Raven insured him.

"But wha' if tha other dragons are mean to 'im? I can' be there for 'im if 'e's all the way in Romania," Hagrid said sadly.

"Hagrid, you've got the biggest heart of anyone I know, and I don't mean that literally," Raven said with a smile, patting the large man's shoulder, "He's a dragon, Hagrid. I'm sure he can take care of himself."

"Come on," Gemma said, "We should get going, or we'll get in trouble."

"Right, I'll make sure to send my brother an owl tomorrow," Ron stated as they all headed out the door.

Hagrid waved as he saw them out before turning his attention back to the baby dragon before him. He smiled as he watched it explore the rest of the table.

"Well Norbert," he said, "I may not be able ta keep ya, but I'll make tha best wit' tha time I got."

Later that night

Satanna was currently sitting in front of her mirror, brushing her long, red hair. She was dressed in a low-cut black nightgown with spaghetti straps and ended at her upper thigh. She was lost in thought as she stared into her mirror, admiring her own beauty.

Suddenly, her image began to fade as the mirror seemed to fog up. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, she tried to wipe it away. Touching the mirror, she found that not only could she not wipe the fog away, but that the mirror was now icy cold to the touch.

"SSSSSatana," a voice whispered, coming from the mirror.

Satanna quickly pulled her hand away from the glass and looked at it with a perplexed face.

"SSSSSSatana Hellssssstrom, thatssss your name, issssn't it?" the voice hissed.

"Yes," Satanna replied, "Who are you?"

"I think you know who I am, girl," the voice said. At the same time, the image of a twisting snake appearing in the glass, hissing at her.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, calm and collected.

"I have an offer for you," the snake replied.

"I'm listening," Satanna answered, a smile appearing on her bright red lips.

Two weeks later

Night had fallen over Hogwarts. The moon had sunk behind a thick layer of clouds, adding to the layer of darkness already covering the castle. It was the perfect environment for smuggling an infant dragon.

Up on the top of the castles astronomy tower, a black pool of shadows formed. Slowly, Raven poked her head out before looking around carefully, making sure the coast was clear. Satisfied, she rose fully out of the pool, before turning around and pulling Ron and Harry out as well. The two boys were currently occupied with carrying the box that contained Norbert.

"Merlin, how did he get so big in just two weeks!" Ron asked.

"Hell if I know," Harry responded.

"So where's your brother, Ron?" Raven whispered.

"He should be here any minute" Ron answered.

As if on que, four men descended from the dark sky on broomsticks. Landing silently, the four men stepped off, lead by a red haired man. He had blue eyes, was covered in freckles, and possessed a muscular build.

"Hey Charlie," Ron greeted friendly, still struggling with the box.

"Hi, Ron," Charlie said with a smile, before turning to his partners, "Why don't you help him with that boys?"

The other men nodded before walking over to the crate and hoisting it out of Ron and Harry's hands.

"Thanks," Harry said to the men. One of them nodded back at him.

"Hey Charlie, long time, no see," Raven greeted Charlie.

"Hey Raven, getting my little brother into trouble?" Charlie asked.

"I try," Raven said with a smile.

"And you must be Harry Potter," Charlie greeted.

"Yep," Harry replied with a smile.

"So this is the dragon Hagrid got his hands on?" Charlie asked, looking into the box.

"Yeah, that's Norbert," Ron answered.

A belch of flame erupted from a hole in the box, forcing Charlie to jump back or be burnt.

"Oh, he's a nasty one," Charlie said with a smile.

Turning back to his partners, he made his way back over to them. Hopping back onto his broom, he drew his wand along with his partners. Together, they cast a spell on the crate, causing it to float up between them.

"Well we better get going before we get seen," Charlie said, giving a wave with his free hand, "See you around, little brother!"

"See you, Charlie!" Ron yelled, waving as did the others.

With that, the four wizards turned and flew off into the night, disappearing into the darkness.

"Alright guys, come on," Raven said, creating another pool of shadows. Harry and Ron stepped up to her and they all descended into it, disappearing.

Meanwhile,

Charlie and his partners flew silently above the trees of the Forbidden Forest. The dragon roared and breathed fire in its crate, though it had calmed down since they had left. Charlie smiled with exhilaration as he helped carry the dragon, the wind blowing through his hair.

Suddenly, a light flashed below Charlie. Before he could react, two red beams of energy shot up from the forest, incinerating two of his partners in a blast of light and heat. As their flaming remains fell to the ground, the box containing dipped, now having only two wizards supporting it. Charlie quickly grabbed his wand with both hands, pouring more energy into the spell.

"What the bloody hell was that!" Charlie's associate shouted. Before Charlie could answer another blast shot from the forest, killing the man as well. As his remains plummeted to the ground, the crate lurched downward. Charlie quickly ended the spell before he was yanked off his broom. Norbert roared as the crate fell to the forest below.

Another flash caught Charlie's eye, allowing him to roll out of the way just in time. Pulling hard on his broomstick, Charlie performed a U-turn and began rocketing back towards Hogwarts. The blasts started coming rapid fire now, and it took all of Charlie's skill, honed while playing Quidditch, to stay alive.

Just as Charlie felt he had a chance of making it to the castle, one of the blasts hit the back of his broom, destroying its bristles. Smoke trailed from the broom as it plummeted towards the ground. Charlie let out a shout as he hit a tree, bouncing off a few branches before hitting the ground with a sickening crack. He let out a wail of agony as he pulled his left arm close to him, his face contorted in pain.

Charlie was so blinded by his pain that he failed to notice someone approach until they hefted him off the ground by his shirt. He groggily looked at the person. It looked like a troll, though it was far too small. As he watched, a third eye opened up in the middle of its forehead. This was the last thing Charlie saw before passing out.

Later, in a cave deep in the forest

Ulik sat brooding in his cave, staring deeply into the fire before him. His defeat had been months ago, but Ulik was nothing if he couldn't hold a grudge. Still, he had no way of getting back at those who had wronged him. That included that wizard with the cloth wrapped around his head. He had been a fool to trust him, and now look, Ulik's home was destroyed and his people dead or scattered, while that wizard had probably gotten whatever it is he had been after.

"Master, I return," Orikal said, "and I believe I found something interesting."

Ulik looked up and saw Orikal walk into the cave with something slung over his shoulder.

"What'ca got there, Orikal?" Ulik asked.

In response, Orikal unceremoniously dumped a young, red haired human in front of Ulik.

"Seemz kind o' scrawny ta me," Ulik commented.

"Yes," Orikal agreed, "That's why I thought you'd prefer my other discovery."

With a wave of his hand, Orikal dragged Norbert into the cave as well.

"A dragon," Ulik commented, a smile crossing his face, "I do like thiz."

"It's still young," Orikal commented, "But could no doubt be a useful asset in the future.

"No doubt indeed," a voice said from the caves mouth.

Turning, Ulik could see two young witches standing there. One had bright red hair while the other had pink and both were dressed in school uniforms. Ulik also noticed that a smoke cloud seemed to hang around the girls, shaped like a snake.

"Who are youz?" Ulik demanded, leaping to his feet and pointing his spear at them.

"Why Ulik," the snake hissed, "Don't you recognize me?"

"Yer 'at wizard who got me into thiz mess!" Ulik growled, taking a threatening step forward.

"Calm yourssssself troll," Voldemort's spirit snapped, "My plansssss didn't work out all that well either."

"So wha' you wan' now?" Ulik asked.

"To renew our allegiance," Voldemort explained, "I've concocted a new plan and acquired some new asssssssssetssssssss, as it appearssssss you have as well."

"A scrawny wizard an' a puny dragon ain't gonna make up for the loss o' me boyz," Ulik countered.

"Master," Orikal interrupted, "I do not believe all of your servants were lost with the destruction of the village. Given time, you might be able to gather another host together."

"Time isss a resssource that we have a sssssurplusss of," Voldemort agreed.

"Alrigh' if you help me regathe' me boyz then we'll help you break into th' castle and keep it when yer done," Ulik stated.

"Very well," Voldemort said with a nod, "Perhapssss we sssshould get ssssstarted then,"

"Right," Ulik responded as he began to lumber out of the cave.

"Youz comin'?" Ulik asked Orikal, glancing over his shoulder.

"Go on with out me, Master. If you don't mind, I wish to perform an experiment with our two guests," Orikal explained.

"Knock yerself out," Ulik said dismissively as he walked away.

It was at this point that Charlie began to stir. Groaning in pain, he slowly opened his eyes. Standing before him was Orikal, who was smiling down at him.

"This might hurt a bit," Orikal stated as he held his hand forward, opening his palm eye.

There was a bright flash of light from the eye, and then all Charlie knew was pain.

A/N: So got this chapter out quick, hope you liked it. The climax of the story is right around the corner, so stay tuned! Hopefully I'll get the next chapter out in a week. Also, the thing with Voldemort's speech, I realize he doesn't normally talk like that. I just thought it would be interesting if his spirit form talked with an exaggerated hissing noise. Once he gets another body, I plan to drop it. Until next time, Later True Believers!

P.S. I'm going out on a limb here again, but to Phygmalion, I'm not sure if you know this, but you've disabled private messaging. I can't respond to your reviews unless you turn it on.