Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns it all

Chapter Eight:

April rolled around and though the weather was still blustery with occasional showers the leaves were beginning to bloom on the trees once more and the flowers bursting with colour while the sky overhead was most clear and blue.

Harry had always loved spring and he loved it even more now his team had won their Quidditch match back in February which he was still buoyant over even after two months.

It was the first Saturday of the month and as Hermione had ensured that herself and the three boys had completed their homework the night before they had nothing to do that day except the usual snooping on Snape which they all figured could wait until the evening as the greasy haired potions master would not be stupid enough to go after the stone with a school full of students moving about.

Right now the group of four were sat around in the Gryffindor common room throwing out suggestions "what about wizards chess?" said Ron hopefully only for the other three to shake their heads. All Ron ever seemed to do was want to play chess. It might not have been so bad if the other three weren't so awful at it.

"Why don't we play some exploding snap?" Harry suggested but none of the others seemed keen so he went back to thinking.

"We could go down to the library and do some reading" Hermione said and Harry had to smile at that. He liked reading too but Hermione was obsessed with reading every book she found. He'd never known someone to read so much.

"No that would be boring" Ron yawned, his head being propped up by his hand.

They were just trying to think of something else when Neville jumped in with the perfect suggestion "why don't we go and visit Hagrid? we've not seen him in two weeks".

At these words Harry, Ron and Hermione immediately perked up "great idea Nev" said Ron with another yawn "be good to see Hagrid again".

"Well done Neville" said Hermione with a smile as Harry grinned at him "yeah good on you Nev" he clapped the pudgy boy on the shoulder "well...what are we waiting for?" he said jumping to his feet in his enthusiasm.

A few minutes later after grabbing their warm coats to protect against the swirling winds, they exited the common room and made their way down through the crowded castle and out the front doors into the grounds.

There were a few brief rain showers as the quartet walked down across the sloping lawns to Hagrids Cabin but thankfully, for the most part, the stayed dry due in part to a temporary drying charm placed on their clothing by Hermione.

When they reached Hagrids Cabin with the familiar smoke rising from the chimney they frowned "it's not cold enough to need a fire" Ron said in bemusement.

"Let's see what's going on" Harry said and as he was the de facto group leader the trio followed on behind still looking up at the chimney.

"He might just be cooking something" Hermione suggested innocently but the look she got from the three boys said they didn't believe this at all.

Harry stepped up to the front door and knocked loudly.

For a moment there was no sound inside and then someone cursed loudly as something shattered and the sound of shuffling feet could be heard.

The front door opened to reveal a very sweaty and very flustered looking Hagrid who barely seemed to give the four of them a glance before he said "not today thank you I'm a bit busy" and moved to shut the door in their faces.

"But Hagrid we haven't seen you for weeks!" Harry protested.

"Yeah not since we saw you in the library taking out that book on dragons" Ron added.

The comment from Ron which the four believed to be innocent caused Hagrid to go white "yeh..who tol ye I had a..." he stopped himself causing the four students to look at him oddly.

"Who told us you had a what Hagrid?" Hermione asked softly. Hagrid though just shook his head like it was not important "oh nothin, nothin...come on in!" he said sounding much more like the Hagrid they knew.

The four of them walked past him into the cabin though not without each casting a look at the man and no doubt wondering as Harry was just why he was so jumpy.

As they walked over to the large square table in the centre Harry noticed a shattered teapot on the floor and said "do you want some help clearing that up Hagrid?".

Hagrid waved away the offer of help "no, no, I can manage" he assured them all as he bustled them to four of the empty chairs and set to work sweeping up the pieces of ceramic that littered the floor near the stove.

Once the pieces were swept up Hagrid bustled about making tea as Harry didn't fail to notice that the kettle on the hob already had steam coming out of the spout.

A quick glance at Hermione, the most perceptive member of their little group, told him that Hagrid had definitely been up to something before they arrived and disturbed him 'after all he can't have been brewing tea for us' Harry reasoned 'he had no idea we were coming'.

Harry finished up pouring the tea into the five chipped mugs he kept and brought them over on a tray together with a rock cake each he had baked.

The four students took their mugs of tea but declined the rock cakes on the grounds they were full from the lunch they had eaten earlier.

"Help yerselves to milk and sugar" the half-giant instructed as he poured a splash of milk into his own mug and heaped in six...six! teaspoonfuls of sugar.

If the shaking hands and sweaty forehead were any indication Hagrid was up to something which he didn't want anyone to know about, least of all the four first year students.

Harry had just taken a sip of his comforting beverage when Ron asked in total shock "Hagrid, is that a...a dragon's egg?".

Harry turned his head towards the fireplace as did Hermione and Neville. His eyes widened in surprise and alarm as he realised that Ron had guessed right. He had read several books on dragons which mentioned that dragon eggs were ten times larger than that of the largest chicken egg.

He looked at Hermione who grimaced and nodded in confirmation.

The four students looked at Hagrid who now looked very nervous "Hagrid please tell me that isn't a dragon egg" Harry pleaded with the gamekeeper.

Hagrid gulped before answering with confidence "it most certainly is".

That was when the questions started as Neville's eyes widened and Ron asked "why do you have a dragon's egg?" he sounded very nervous not that Harry could blame him. He himself felt very nervous at the idea of a dragon popping up at any moment.

"I'm gonna hatch him" Hagrid replied with a smile causing all four of the first years to gape in shock.

'Trust Hagrid to think that a dragon should be kept as a pet' Harry thought in exasperation.

This was always the trouble with Hagrid. He was a very nice man but he seemed to think that all manner of dangerous creatures were just "misunderstood" and "were really quite nice when you got to know them".

"But Hagrid if you've read up on dragon's you should know that dragon breeding is illegal!" Hermione burst out in exasperation "it's been a banned practice since 1709 because people kept bringing them into populated areas and they would burn everything down!".

"Well I'm not gonna take im up to the castle now am I?" Hagrid responded as he clearly thought Hermione's concern was unwarranted.

"Where did you get it though Hagrid? did you steal it?" Neville asked seeming to regret the question almost as soon as he'd spoken when the half-giant scowled.

"O course I didn't steal im!" Hagrid replied fiercely sounding very angry at being accused of such a thing.

"Sorry Hagrid didn't meant to...well...you know" Neville mumbled.

Hagrid waved it away "I know yeh didn' really mean it" he said with a smile before explaining "no I actually won it off this bloke I met in the pub last weekend".

Harry raised an eyebrow at this. After all dragon's were pretty rare creatures and the eggs they came from even rarer. It seemed distinctly unlikely to him that someone would just happen to have one in their possession and more over would just happen to put it on the line in a game of cards.

"But Hagrid you seem to be forgetting one thing!" Hermione burst out as she gesticulated wildly with her arms "you live in a wooden hut!".

Hagrid looked confused and Hermione sighed "dragon's breath fire...right?" Hagrid nodded "so what happens to your home when the dragon starts breathing fire inside it?".

Judging by the look on Hagrids face the gamekeeper had not thought of this "well we he starts ta do that I can jus keep him in the Forbidden Forest".

All four of the students shook their heads at their friends recklessness "and don't you think Professor Dumbledore or one of the other Professor's will see the dragon flying overhead?" Ron said sarcastically "I mean...you can't exactly hide something that big can you".

"Well we can talk about that another time" Harry said intervening to stop an argument.

"When...when's it due to hatch Hagrid?" Neville asked as he cast a nervous glance at the white speckled egg.

Hagrid grinned "any time within the next seven days according to the man I won him from. I'll send yeh a note so you three can all come down and see it happen".

All of them exchanged worried looks but Harry readily agreed "we'll be there Hagrid" he assured the big man.

Later on when they had finished their tea and were walking back up to the castle Ron blurted out "just what is it with Hagrid and his fascination with dangerous creatures?".

Harry shrugged. He had asked himself the same question for years and still had no answer.

The next week went by very slowly as Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville dreaded at any moment that they would receive a note from Hagrid telling them that the dragon was hatching.

They also had to put up with insults from Malfoy and the continuous snide remarks from Snape.

To both their surprise and horror the note they expected did eventually find its way to them on Saturday afternoon as they were eating lunch with it arriving courtesy of Fred and George Ron's older brothers who had apparently met the half-giant in the Entrance Hall and had the note flung at them as he called back that it was for Harry and the others before racing off into the grounds.

"So guys..." began Fred.

"What is in this note..." continued George.

"That Hagrid wants only you to read?" finished Fred.

"None of your business!" Ron ground out through gritted teeth causing his brothers to laugh "temper temper Ickle Ronniekins".

"Don't call me that!" Ron said loudly as he started to turn red and the two twins walked away chuckling to meet up with their friend Lee Jordan.

"Always embarrassing me" Ron grumbled as he passed the note to Harry who opened it with trembling fingers, unfolded it and read the few words with growing dread.

"He says its on" Harry told the others "the dragon is hatching this afternoon". He put the note down and exchanged looks with his three friends "well I suppose we should get down there and give him some support" he said.

The others nodded while Hermione said "remember what we agreed though Harry. He's got to get rid of it".

"I still don't see why I have to be the one to tell him" Harry groaned "why can't one of you do it?".

Hermione grinned "because you are the leader Harry".

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes "fine" he said "but you three better back me up on it. He's bound to be really upset at having to get rid of that dragon. He's always wanted one".

The foursome finished their lunch and exited the Great Hall deciding to head immediately down to Hagrids for the hatching and so Harry could persuade Hagrid not to keep the dragon.

All the time they were walking Harry kept turning over arguments in his head from "the Headmaster won't like it" to "your cabin is made of wood" and "dragon's aren't meant to be pets".

Harry only hoped that his arguments had the desired effect and convinced their large friend to see sense otherwise he had reluctantly agreed with Hermione that Professor Dumbledore would need to be told and he knew if that happened Hagrid could get in a lot of trouble.

As the foursome arrived outside Hagrids Cabin on the edge of the Forbidden Forest Harry knocked loudly on the door as was custom to let their large friend know they had arrived.

There was much shuffling of feet, a stumble, a few choice curse words that made Hermione blush and the boys nod admiringly and soon the door was opened to reveal a red faced Hagrid with sweat running down his face and dripping off his beard.

"Come in!, come in!" Hagrid gestured them in boisterously.

To Harry he seemed to have the excitement of a child who was opening a Christmas present.

'Of course' Harry thought 'to Hagrid this is a present' he had to shake his head at that thought feeling some of his resolve slide at seeing the man's happy face.

It was then that Harry was struck by the immense heat inside the hut. Within moments of walking over to the square table he was sweating profusely and one glance at his friends told him they were as well.

"Hagrid do you need it so hot in here?" Ron moaned "can't we open a window?".

"Sorry Ron can't do that" Hagrid said apologetically but also sounding excited "the egg is going to hatch any minute now and needs all the heat it can otherwise the dragon won't hatch properly".

Harry sighed at his large friends enthusiasm and went to pour a glass of water each for his friends and handed them over to the three who were, not surprisingly, gasping with thirst due to the heat.

Harry decided that he might as well try to speak to Hagrid now and so he approached the large man "look, Hagrid, the thing is..." he took a deep breath "we don't think you should..." but Hagrid put up a hand indicating silence was needed, not because he wasn't prepared to listen but because he had obviously heard something.

Very soon Harry and his friends heard it too. It was a very audible cracking sound that resonated through the hut. Harry gulped. He had to admit though while he felt very nervous about being there while a dragon was born he also felt intrigued as he had never seen such a thing before.

Beside him Ron, Neville and Hermione tense though he could see that Hermione for all her logical arguments was intrigued as well.

The cracking sound got louder and as Harry and the others stared at the egg in the fireplace it split open in multiple places.

Harry breathed in sharply in anticipation as the sounds of scrabbling could be heard together with the sounds of snapping.

In moments a small black creature with ridges on its head and a scaly back that looked very much like a crumpled umbrella emerged from the remains of the egg shell and chirruped a few times looking around curiously.

Even while he knew Hagrid couldn't keep the creature Harry watched in fascination as the baby dragon looked at them and tilted its head as if trying to make up its mind about them.

"Aw bless im!" Hagrid burst out. Tears were forming in the large man's eyes as he lifted the dragon off the remains of the egg shell and brought him over to him sit down on the table.

Harry and his friends backed away a bit uneasily. They may be fascinated by the creature but they didn't really want to get this close to it, not when they knew that the dragon could set fire to them.

Once the foursome realised the dragon meant them no harm they sat down and watched, in bemusement in this cases of Harry and Ron and horror in the case of Neville and Hermione, as Hagrid tickled the baby dragon under the chin.

The dragon seemed to like this and begun chirruping contentedly, purring almost before his eyes fixed on Hagrid and the large man smiled happily "bless, he knows his mummy".

The foursome exchanged bemused looks at these words and Harry was once again about to reason with Hagrid when the large man tickled the dragon under the chin a bit too much and the dragon sneezed accidentally setting fire to his beard.

"Oh!, oh!" Hagrid cried out in surprise as he patted his beard down in order to put the flames out. He soon succeeded but was left with a very singed beard to the amusement of Harry, Ron and Neville who were struggling to hold in their laughter.

Despite a glare from Hermione and a muttered comment about "boys" and "childish" the couldn't hold it in any more and began to howl with laughter at the sight of Hagrids beard.

The large man seemed very confused by this reaction and looked to Hermione in silent question as to say "what are they laughing for?".

Hermione shook her head in resignation and said "don't worry about it Hagrid. They're being idiots...as usual".

Eventually the laughter subsided.

Harry knew that now was the time to speak to Harry. The time to reason with him and so he said "Hagrid I know you really care about that dragon but...".

"Norbert" Hagrid interrupted causing Harry to frown in puzzlement "sorry?" he said.

"I decided on his name last night for if he was a boy" Hagrid said with a grin "I decided to call im Norbert. It's all in that book on dragon breeding".

Harry smiled and said "it's a nice name Hagrid but..." he sighed "you can't keep him".

"Oh I know that" said Hagrid surprising them all at his blunt reply.

"You...you do?" Harry gaped having expected a much harder fight to convince the man.

Hagrid nodded only for his next words to show Harry he was wrong "I'll raise him here in me hut until he's old enough and then he can live in the forest".

Harry felt like banging his head on the table in frustration. Hagrid hadn't listened to a word he had said. For all that Hagrid was a decent man he could be very stupid sometimes and this, Harry reflected, was one of those times.

"No you don't understand Hagrid" said Harry carefully "as Hermione has said before you live in a wooden hut and anyway..." Harry looked to his friends for inspiration.

Ron jumped in "Professor Dumbledore wouldn't be happy about a dragon being in the school. That three headed...Fluffy, is one thing but he's guarding something. He won't make an allowance for this Hagrid".

The words were hammered home by Hermione "he couldn't live in the forest he'd be spotted" and then Neville clinched it "besides which Hagrid he'd be all on his own. He wouldn't have his own kind around him and he'd get lonely while you're busy".

"I don't care what reasons ya have" Hagrid replied stubbornly "he's stayin here with me".

Harry was about to press home the point and convince him until... "ouch!" he looked at Ron as did Hermione and Neville.

His best friend was holding his hand and glaring at the small black dragon "he bit me!" he exclaimed angrily "he bloody bit me!".

Hermione looked at Ron's hand which had turned very red and seemed to be swelling "we need to get you to the Hospital Wing" she said practically "if I remember correctly norwegian ridgebacks fangs are venomous, your hand is probably infected".

Ron glanced down at his hand in alarm and was helped from his seat by Neville as Hermione opened the door.

Before the four of them departed Harry had some last words for their large friend "think on it Hagrid" he said "please just...think. We don't want you getting in trouble and we don't want anyone getting hurt".

On his way to the door he froze "oh no" he breathed.

"What?" said Hagrid.

Hermione answered for them "I thought I saw someone at the window...it was Draco Malfoy".

"Oh dear" Hagrid said in understate fashion.

"You need to make a choice Hagrid. Think on it but think quick. Malfoy is certain to tell on you to Professor Snape".

He then walked out the door and closed it behind him seeing as he did so the thoughtful look on Hagrids face.

Needless to say Ron was in substantial pain as the foursome ran all the way up the sloping lawns back to the castle and was complaining about the hand itching badly as they reached the Hospital Wing.

As the doors to the Hospital Wing banged open and they ran in a furious Madam Pomfrey walked away from one of the beds "do you mind!" she said hotly "this is a Hospital Wing!".

Her eyes soon clapped onto Ron's hand however and the hostile tone evaporated as she said "I won't bother asking how you got this. In my experience students rarely say".

She gestured to them "come on to this bed" Neville helped Ron over to one of the beds on the right hand side nearest the door where he was sat down by Madam Pomfrey who wasted no time in beginning an inspection tutting as she did so.

"Good heavens!" she exclaimed in shock "these are bite marks!. See these little puncture wounds?" she indicated the two holes on his swollen hand "whoever or whatever did this has injected poison into your hand Mr Weasley".

Ron gaped at her looking horrified and stuttered "p..p...poison?!".

Madam Pomfrey nodded and replied "I'm afraid so. It's what's cause the swelling and the redness and I presume an intense amount of pain and itching".

Ron grimaced and nodded in confirmation.

"Well worry not Mr Weasley" she said in a businesslike but also reassuring tone "I simply need to put this needle in and withdraw the poison and then give you a potion that will remove the swelling, pain and itchiness".

Ron looked so grateful that he might kiss Madam Pomfrey, a thought that highly amused Harry as he pictured it.

For the next month Harry and his friends were too busy to visit Hagrid while he was always kept busy with his gamekeeping and groundskeeping duties.

Much to Harry's surprise also was that Draco Malfoy had not yet told on Hagrid.

Harry couldn't understand this but put it out of his mind.

As a result of this it was not until the 20th of May that Harry and his friends were contacted by Hagrid.

It was the 20th of May and a lunchtime when Hagrid passed a not along to them asking to speak with them in the Entrance Hall.

The four students followed him out of the hall and to Harry's relief the half-giant's first words were "you were right. I have to get rid of Norbert" he sniffed "and incidentally it turns out he is a she so I changed her name to Norberta".

The four friends looked at Hagrid in surprise at these words but after a few moments they broke into sympathetic smiles "it's the right thing to do Hagrid" Hermione assured their large friend while Ron said "I can send a letter to my brother Charlie in Romania. You know he works at the dragon sanctuary there...well I reckon he'd be willing to take Norberta and look after her".

Hagrid gave a weak smile "I'm just sad that's all and...what if he don't like Romania".

Neville patted his arm "he'll be with his own kind Hagrid" he said.

The other three nodded "he'll be a lot happier Hagrid".

Hagrid patted Ron so hard on the shoulder the freckle faced boy nearly fell over "you send the letter to Charlie Ron. If he'll take him then we can work out the details".

Ron looked relieved that Hagrid had agreed and the four left Hagrid after Ron promised to let him know soon what Charlie's reply was.

That very day Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville wrote the letter to Charlie "do you really think he'll help?" Neville asked Ron as the four of them walked back from the owlery.

Ron nodded "he cares a great deal about dragons and he's always got on well with Hagrid I'm sure he'll help us".

True to Ron's words when Hedwig returned to Hogwarts on the 22nd of May she brought the reply they'd all been hoping for.

Dear Ron,

Of course I'd be willing to help Hagrid. You know I've always got on well with him and in any case this dragon will be better off in a sanctuary.

Meet me and my three friends on top of the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower on the 23rd of May at midnight. Make sure you have Norbert in a crate ready to be transported.

We won't be able to hang around long so be on time.

Charlie

P.S. tell Harry I said congratulations on becoming Gryffindor Seeker.

Ron looked up from the letter beaming widely "I told you he'd help" he said happily.

"We'd better let Hagrid know about this. I'm sure he can get Norberta ready to transport".

"We'll have to carry him up there and only two of us will fit under the cloak with the crate" Hermione pointed out.

Harry nodded "I'll go".

"We should toss a coin for it" Ron argued. Neville nodded.

Harry sighed "alright fine" he took a trick coin from his pocket knowing what Ron would call.

"Tails" Ron called as did Neville.

Harry flipped the coin which landed on heads. Both Ron and Neville seemed satisfied though disappointed "it's fine guys" Harry assured them "me and Hermione can handle it. Stay in the tower as our alibi".

That night the foursome took a trip down to Hagrids Cabin and informed the half-giant of Charlie's willingness to help.

Though sad he agreed to find a crate large enough for Norberta and get it up to school on the night in question so they could take it to Charlie.

Saturday night rolled round faster than Harry would have liked and it was with a large amount of trepidation that he and Hermione exited Gryffindor Tower under the cloak to take Norberta up to the Astronomy Tower.

After a lot of walking the pair of them reached the Astronomy Tower and found the storage cupboard in which the crate had been hidden.

Once they had the crate under the cloak they walked slowly and carefully along the corridor that led to the staircase up to the Astronomy Tower only to freeze in concern when they heard the voice of Professor McGonagall "you had better be telling the truth about this Mr Malfoy" she said sternly from nearby. Harry saw her frowning through her spectacles at the blonde haired boy.

"Git" Harry muttered quietly enough for only he and Hermione to hear.

"What do we do now?" Hermione hissed sounding worried.

"Hang on let me think" replied Harry ponderously.

After some time he said "we'll just go around them. As long as we're careful they need never know we were here".

Hermione's scowl said she didn't think much of this idea but she didn't say anything as they began to walk again.

"As they carefully sidestepped their Head of House and Malfoy the Professor spoke up sounding irritable "you said they would be here at midnight Mr Malfoy and it is now..." she paused to check her watch "twelve o five precisely".

"I promise they'll be here Professor Malfoy replied "I'm not lying" Professor McGonagall looked sceptical but continued to watch for Harry and Hermione who as luck would have it were now halfway up the staircase.

In a short time the pair of them, crate in between, reached the very top of the Astronomy Tower and Harry grinned in relief at the sight that met their eyes as he saw Ron's brother Charlie together three other wizards hanging in the air on their broomsticks, chains dangling between them clearly waiting for the pickup.

Harry gestured to Hermione and at the same time they lowered the crate to the ground, throwing off the cloak which Harry then pocketed for later.

"Ah there you are Harry" said Charlie with a grin "good to see you again. How are you?" he asked.

Harry smiled "good thanks. You?".

"Can't complain" replied Charlie before his eyes fixed on Hermione and he introduced himself cheerfully "hi, Charlie Weasley, Ron's brother, you must be Hermione".

Hermione nodded and cast an anxious glance back at the stairs "nice to meet you Charlie, can we get this done quickly?".

Harry and the other wizards grinned as Charlie replied "of course, no time to waste" he turned to his friends "guys".

The four of them landed and set to work fixing the chains onto the crate as it rattled around.

"See you soon Harry and tell Ron I said see you in the summer". Harry nodded "you take care Charlie, I'll pass the message on".

The four wizards were soon mounted back on their brooms and after a brief wave had taken off into starry night sky headed back to Romania.

Harry and Hermione exchanged relieved looks "well I'm glad that's over with" Harry said happily.

Hermione nodded "me too. Let's get back to the tower". Harry and Hermione began to cautiously descend the tower stairs to the tower corridor.

They had reached the bottom before Harry realised to his horror that something was wrong "we're visible!" he exclaimed as he fumbled about in his pocket to retrieve the cloak.

"You're right there you little troublemaker!" an angry but triumphant voice burst out.

Harry and Hermione's eyes snapped up and locked onto those of Argus Filch the permanent sour caretaker.

"Oh dear...we are in trouble" he said with an evil grin.