Despite Ron and Harry's doubts however, Quirrell did not seem to be caving to Snape. Assuming that's what was going on. Quirrell certainly looked paler and thinner these days, but he certainly didn't look as though anything major had happened yet.

Every time they wandered along the third-floor corridor, Ron and Harry made a point of listening at the locked door to see if they could still hear Fluffy inside. Y/N and Hermione always exchanged looks when this happened, both still unsure on what to think.

One upside however was that Harry and Ron were now defending Quirrell. Ron was telling people off for mocking Quirrell's stutter and Y/N regularly saw Harry giving Quirrell thumbs ups or reassuring smiles when the passed each other. Snape on the other hand got no such treatment, and continued sweeping around the dungeons in a bad temper.

They were soon distracted however as Hermione had begun drawing up study schedules and colour coding her notes. Y/N was following in her footsteps, using her advice to guide him. Ron and Harry both looked as though they'd been slapped in the face once they'd been handed their own.

'Hermione, the exams are ages away,' said Harry.

'Ten weeks,' Hermione snapped. 'That's not ages, that's like a second to Nicolas Flamel. Besides, Y/N is doing it.'

'But we're not six hundred years old,' Ron reminded her, 'and Y/N has been doing it since February, he doesn't count. Plus, it's pointless for both of you because you already know you're going to pass.'

'Pointless? Are you crazy? You realise we need to pass these exams to get into the second year, don't you? They're very important, I should have started studying months ago. Why didn't you remind me?' said Hermione as she turned on Y/N.

'Unless you've forgotten, I did. Twice. Once the night we found out who Flamel was and once right after Ron perfected Flipendo.'

'You reminded Ron that first time,' said Hermione quietly, going slightly pink.

'While it was aimed at him, it did also apply to you. I just didn't think I'd need to remind you.'

'Well,' she said sharply as she stood up, 'in that case, you can help me catch up,' and she hooked her arm around Y/N's and dragged him out the common room.

Much to Harry and Ron's annoyance however, the teachers echoed much of what Y/N and Hermione were saying over the next few weeks. They gave them homework assignment after homework assignment to the point where much of their Easter holiday was spent studying.

Hermione and Y/N spent a lot of time quizzing each other on their different classes and studies.

'Can you two cut it out?' said Ron hotly one night in the common room as Y/N and Hermione were sat in chairs next to his and Harry's chess game, quizzing each other on The History of Magic.

'Tell you what, Ron,' said Y/N. '5 questions. You get at least 3 right and we will leave and continue this away from where you can't hear. 2 or less right however and you and Harry both come to the library with us.'

'Deal.'

5 wrong answers later and the quartet were in the library with Ron grumbling under his breath.

'Impressive,' whispered Hermione. 'I've never gotten him to agree whenever I try.'

'You demand or tell, that's why,' Y/N whispered back. 'Ron likes to prove himself. So, when it blows up in his face, it just makes it sweeter.'

Ron and Harry did not take to the increased revision time that was now present in their schedule, however.

'I'll never remember this,' Ron burst out one afternoon as he threw down his quill and turned to look longingly out the window. It was the first lovely day they'd had in months and even Y/N and Hermione were feeling the draw to the outside world, even if they wouldn't admit it.

The other 3 continued ignoring Ron. Hermione was just correcting Y/N on his ingredients list for the Wiggenweld potion when Ron spoke again.

'Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?' and the other 3 looked around to see him sliding slowly through the shelves, he seemed to be hiding something behind his back.

'Jus' lookin',' he said in a shifty voice that fooled none of them. 'An' what're you lot up ter? Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?'

'Oh we found out who he is ages ago,' said Ron whilst puffing out his chest. 'And we know what the dogs guarding, it's a Philosopher's St-'

'Shhhhh!' Hagrid looked around quickly to see if anyone was listening. 'Don' go shoutin' about it, what's the matter with yeh?'

'There are a few things we wanted to ask you, as a matter of fact,' said Harry 'about what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy-'

'SHHHH!' said Hagrid again. 'Listen, come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here, students aren' s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh.'

'See you later then,' said Harry and Hagrid shuffled off.

'He was hiding something,' said Y/N turning back to his book as Hermione nodded.

'Behind his back,' she said, looking at Harry and Ron's confused faces. 'He was holding a hand behind his back the entire time.'

'Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?' asked Harry.

'Doubt it,' said Y/N, still not looking up. 'What reason would Hagrid have to look up stuff on the Stone? He doesn't want it and Dumbledore's guarding it.'

'I'm going to go see what section he was in,' said Ron, he'd clearly had enough of working. He came back a moment later and slammed a pile of books down on the table. Y/N quickly moved his ink pot out the way.

'Dragons!' he whispered. 'Hagrid was looking up stuff about Dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's guide.'

'Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him,' said Harry. Y/N hit his head on the desk.

'Y/N?' whispered Hermione but he just shook his head and whispered back.

'I'll explain after.'

'It's against our laws!' Ron was saying, apparently having missed the exchange between Y/N and Hermione. 'Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden. Anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania.'

'But there aren't any wild dragons in Britain?' asked Harry.

'Of course there are,' said Ron. 'Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry has a job hushing them up, I can tell you. Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles who've spotted them, to make them forget.'

'So, what on earth is Hagrid up to?' asked Hermione and Y/N lifted his head.

'He's got a dragon.'

'What?' asked the other three, all staring at Y/N.

'Mum's told me stories of Hagrid, harmless as a fly himself, if you're on his good side obviously, but he loves weird and dangerous creatures. He's either thinking of getting a dragon or has one. My money's on the latter. But I suppose we'll find out later, not exactly something you can hide having.'

An hour later and they were knocking on the door of the gamekeeper's hut. All the curtains were closed, and Hagrid called

'Who is it?'

Before bringing them inside and closing the door quickly behind him.

It was stiflingly hot inside. Despite it being such a hot day, there was a burning fire in the grate. Hagrid made tea and offered sandwiches. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all refused; Y/N however was frozen halfway across the room his eyes locked on Hagrid's fire. The others hadn't noticed yet.

'So, yeh wanted to ask me something'?

'Yes,' said Harry quickly. 'We were wondering if you could tell us what's guarding the stone apart from Fluffy.'

Hagrid frowned

'O' course I can't," he said. "Number one, I don' know meself. Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That Stone's here fer a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts - I s'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all? Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy.'

'Oh, come on, Hagrid, you might not want to tell us, but you do know. You know everything that goes on round here,' said Hermione in a warm, flattering voice. Hagrid's beard twitched and it was obvious he was smiling. 'We only wondered who had done the guarding, really,' Hermione went on. 'We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you.'

Hagrid's chest swelled as Hermione finished her sentence. Ron and Harry beamed at her and her eyes span onto Y/N to see his reaction, but upon seeing his expression, her eyes followed his own.

'Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that. . . let's see. . . he borrowed Fluffy from me. . . then some o' the teachers did enchantments. . . Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall.' He said as he ticked them off on his fingers, 'Professor Quirrell - an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape.'

'Snape?' asked Harry.

'Yeah, yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about ter steal it.'

Harry and Ron looked at each other, before Harry spoke again, slowly.

'You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy. aren't you, Hagrid? And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?'

'Not a soul knows except me an' Dumbledore,' said Hagrid proudly.

'Well, that's something,' Harry muttered before he too caught sight of Y/N and Hermione. 'What's up with you two?' he asked, turning to see where they were looking.

'Hagrid…' said Y/N slowly 'You need to get rid of it'

In the very heart of Hagrid's roaring fire, resting under the kettle, was a huge black egg.

'Ah, well, er… ye' see' said Hagrid, nervously fiddling with his beard.

'Where did you get it, Hagrid?' said Ron, crouching over the fire to get a closer look at the egg. 'It must've cost you a fortune.'

'Won it,' said Hagrid. 'Las' night. I was down in the village havin' a few drinks an' got into a game o' cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest.'

'Wonder why,' muttered Y/N darkly.

'What are you going to do when it's hatched?' asked Hermione.

'Well, I've bin doin' some readin',' said Hagrid, pulling a large book from under his pillow. 'Got this outta the library - Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit - it's a bit outta date, o' course, but it's all in here. Keep the egg in the fire, 'cause their mothers breathe on I em, see, an' when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An' see here - how ter recognize diff'rent eggs - what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare, them.'

'And ridiculously dangerous Hagrid. Like venomous fangs on top of fire breath dangerous. I read about them in Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them, it learns how to breath fire at 1-3 months-!'

'Hagrid, you live in a wooden house,' Hermione finished Y/N's sentence.

But Hagrid had stopped listening and was humming merrily as he stoked the fire.

'So now we have to deal with Hagrid having that too,' said Y/N as they made their way back up towards the castle 'Never a dull moment.'

'You aren't going to report him to your mum, are you?' asked Harry, looking worried.

'Of course I'm not' said Y/N. 'But it doesn't mean I have to like what he's doing.'

()()()()()()

'Wonder what its like to have a peaceful life,' Ron sighed as evening after evening they sank deeper into exam preparation. Ron and Harry only seemed to be getting more annoyed as Hermione and Y/N stayed up later and later, studying relentlessly and always trying to bring Harry and Ron in on it.

Then, one morning, they were all sat around the tables in the Great Hall. Ves had her face buried in a plate of food Y/N has set out for her. He didn't get many letters as the main people who would write to him were sitting around him or up at the staff table, but he had been regularly updating his journal with his exam prep and day to day life. Leaving out the parts about the stone and Hagrid's new friend.

Before long, a distant fluttering sounded and in flew the hundred or so owls dropping off the post for the students. Harry glanced up and gasped as he saw the snowy white Hedwig fluttering towards him. She dropped a note before sidling over to Ves and helping herself to some of the food on the plate.

Harry opened the note and read it with Ron looking over his shoulder. Ron looked shocked as Harry passed it across to Y/N and Hermione rested her head against his arm so she could read it. However, the note only had 2 words on it.

'It's hatching.'

'If we head down now, we should be able to catch it,' said Ron excitedly.

'Absolutely not Ron,' said Hermione, her head was still against Y/N's arm. 'We have Herbology this morning. What if Professor Sprout gives us something we need for the exam?'

'Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?'

'We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing-' she was silenced however as Y/N threw a hand over her mouth and Harry whispered.

'Shut up!'

Malfoy was only a few feet away and he had stopped when he'd heard the conversation, obviously eavesdropping. The look on his face was horrible.

Ron and Hermione argued all the way through breakfast and down towards the greenhouses. Harry and Y/N were discussing Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was one of the subjects he seemed genuinely excited by. Y/N had just agreed to help teach Harry Flipendo too when Hermione's voice called back to him.

'You okay with that Y/N?'

'Hmm?'

'To compromise with Ron, I've said we'll go see Hagrid during morning break.'

'Yeah, whatever you want to do 'Mione,' he said, turning back to Harry only to see Harry smirking. 'What?'

''Mione, huh?' Y/N felt his face going red.

'Take the mick and we'll see how well you can learn the jinx by yourself,' warned Y/N. Harry raised his hands in mock surrender.

'Just checking I heard correctly. Besides, don't think she minds,' said Harry as he smirked at Hermione. Y/N turned to see she had her back turned to them, however the edges of her ears were definitely bright red.

When the bells rang to signify the end of lesson, the four of them dropped what they were doing and made their way over to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid greeted them looking positively delighted.

'It's nearly out,' he said as he ushered them inside.

The egg was lying out on Hagrid's table, there were several large fissure-like cracks in the egg, and a funny clicking noise was echoing out from it. Harry and Ron moved closer whilst Y/N and Hermione lingered by the door all watching it, waiting.

'Sorry,' Y/N whispered to Hermione.

'What for?'

'Calling you 'Mione on the way to the greenhouse. You looked embarrassed.'

'Oh, no its okay, it's just because it was the first time in front of Harry and Ron and Ron started taking the mick out of me for it.'

'Same with me and Harry but I don't really care. They're just jealous they don't get to give each other nicknames,' whispered Y/N as he smirked. 'But in all seriousness, I can not do it around them if you'd prefer?'

'Keep doing it, I like it. They'll just have to get over it,' and Hermione smiled up at him. That familiar smile that caused Y/N's stomach to fill with butterflies. He'd never quite noticed before how she smiled. It really was contagious. 'Mind if I?' she asked before wrapping her arm through Y/N's.

'Of course I don't,' he said, pulling his eyes off her and locking them back on the egg.

Shortly after, there was a loud scraping noise as the egg split open. The baby dragon flopped out onto the table. Y/N heard Hermione's quiet whisper from next to him 'Wow…'

It wasn't the prettiest thing. It looked a little bit like a small umbrella, its wings were huge when compared to its body, it had a long snout with wide nostrils, small stubs where its horns would grow in and very bulging orange eyes. It sneezed and a few sparks flew out the end of its nose.

'Isn't he beautiful?' Hagrid muttered. He reached out a hand to stroke the dragon's head and it snapped at him, showing the short but still highly venomous fangs.

'Bless him, look, he knows his mommy!' said Hagrid.

'Or his dinner,' muttered Y/N, but Hermione shot him a look before speaking herself.

'Hagrid, how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?'

Hagrid turned to answer but suddenly the colour drained from his face. He leapt to his feet and ran to the window.

'What's the matter?'

'Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains. It's a kid, hes runnin' back up ter the school.'

Y/N tore out the door, almost dragging Hermione over, and looked after the retreating figure.

'Malfoy,' he snarled, reaching for his wand.

'No!' Hermione said, grabbing a hold of his hand. 'If you jinx him, now people will know.'

'People will know if I don't!' but Hermione pulled him back inside through their linked arms and closed the door again.

The next week did not improve matters. The smile lurking on Malfoy's face the entire time had them all on edge. Y/N had almost jinxed Malfoy several times just for walking by them.

Hermione and Y/N had even put down their books in the attempt to make Hagrid see reason. They went down almost every day that week to see him, trying to convince him.

'Just let him go!' Harry urged, 'Set him free.'

'I can't,' said Hagrid. 'He's too little, He'd die.'

The dragon was far from little. It had almost tripled in size in just a week and smoke kept appearing dangerously out of its nostrils. Hagrid's hut was also covered in empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers. He didn't seem to have left his hut since it hatched.

'I've decided to call him Norbert,' said Hagrid, looking at the dragon as if it was his own son. 'He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's mummy?'

'He's lost his marbles,' muttered Ron.

'Hagrid' said Y/N. 'Give it two weeks and not only is Norbert going to be bigger than your house, but he's going to be breathing fire in it.'

'And Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment!' said Harry.

Hagrid bit his lip and when he spoke, his voice seemed to be shaking. 'I - I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't jus' dump him, I can't.'

'Charlie!' said Harry, suddenly turning towards Ron.

'Um, I'm Ron remember?' said Ron.

'No you numbskull,' said Y/N. 'Your brother, studying dragons.'

Harry was nodding along with Y/N's words. 'We could send Norbert to him! Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!' he said.

'Brilliant!' said Ron. 'How about it Hagrid?'

In the end, they got Hagrid to agree to write a letter to Charlie to see what he would say.

The following week dragged by. On the Wednesday night, Harry and Y/N were stood apart in the now empty common room. A pile of cushions surrounded Y/N as Harry had his wand raised. Hermione was sitting in the one still intact chair by the fire, watching them.

'Emphasise the end flick, Harry!' said Y/N. 'You're letting your wand fall limp. You need to keep the rigidity, or the spell will fail.'

'I can't do it,' said Harry defeatedly as his arm fell limp.

'Wrong answer,' said Y/N, pulling out his own wand. 'Flipendo!'

Harry went soaring backwards and hit the wall hard. He staggered to his feet, wobbling slightly. He didn't look impressed.

'Angry at me?' Y/N asked him. 'Good, use it,' he said as Harry nodded. 'Again!'

Harry positioned himself across from Y/N and raised his wand.

'Flipendo!'

The cushions didn't save Y/N. Harry's spell was so powerful he went flying over all of them and hit the desk next to the window hard, slumping to the floor. Hermione screamed and was next to him in an instant as Harry sheepishly made his way over.

'Sorry,' he said, scratching the back of his head nervously as Y/N straightened up with Hermione's helping hand.

'You apologise for pulling off a spell like that again and I'll send you out the common room window,' warned Y/N. 'That was absolutely brilliant. You're ahead of Ron, and that was better than Mione's first time casting it. You've got a knack for spell work, Harry.'

Harry smiled appreciatively as Hermione began checking Y/N's face and arms for marks.

'You're sure you're okay?' she asked worriedly.

'Mione, I got hit by a troll. Nothing Harry can do yet rivals that. Honestly, I'm fine, just caught me off guard.'

'Well, we're still done for tonight,' she said. 'Let's clean up.'

They'd just finished putting all the cushions back when the portrait hole swung open and Y/N felt the familiar pulse through his head. It didn't knock him silly anymore, but it did still make his eyes water. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

'It bit me!' said Ron as he pulled off the cloak. Harry quickly tucked it into his robes to try and lessen the effect on Y/N. 'I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me, he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby.'

'Madam Pomfrey will need to see you, either now or in the morning,' Y/N said, looking at Ron's hand. 'I've told him plenty of times now, that things fangs are venomous. That's not going to go away by itself.'

A moment later however, there was a tap on the dark window.

'Hedwig!' said Harry, running over to let her in. 'She'll have Charlie's answer.'

Harry read it aloud to the others.

'Dear Ron,

How are you? Thanks for the letter, I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.

Could you get the Ridgeback up to the tallest tower at Midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.

Love,

Charlie'

They all looked at each other.

'We've got the invisibility cloak,' said Harry. 'It shouldn't be too difficult. I think the cloaks big enough to cover two of us and Norbert.'

'It's going to have to be you and Mione then, mate,' said Y/N and the others looked at him confused. 'I can't get under the cloak. It'll knock me out. You'll be carrying two of us and I guarantee Ron's hand will get worse. He won't be able to use it soon.'

Y/N's prediction came true as early as the following afternoon. Ron had been nervous about going to see Madam Pomfrey, worrying that she would recognise a dragon bite. However, by the following morning his hand was twice its usual size, and by lunch it had turned a horrible shade of green.

They rushed up to the hospital wing once classes had ended to find Ron lying in bed looking as though his family had disowned him.

'It's not just my hand,' he whispered, 'although that feels like it's about to fall off. Malfoy told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me. He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me. I've told her it was a dog, but I don't think she believes me. I shouldn't have hit him at the Quidditch match, that's why he's doing this.'

They did their best to calm Ron, but it only got worse when Hermione said.

'It'll all be over at midnight on Saturday.' He sat bolt upright in bed and began sweating.

'Midnight on Saturday!' he said in a hoarse voice. 'Oh no, I've just remembered. Charlie's letter was in the book Malfoy took; he's going to know we're getting rid of Norbert.'

They didn't get a chance to answer however as Madam Pomfrey ushered them out stating that Ron needed sleep.

'It's too late to change the plan now,' Harry said. 'We haven't got time to send Charlie another owl. This could be our only chance. We'll have to risk it, and Malfoy doesn't know about the cloak.'

'I'll buy you the time you need,' said Y/N. 'I'll keep an eye on him, waylay him where I can. Hopefully, all going well, I can buy you enough time to get Norbert up to the Astronomy Tower.'

'Y/N no!' cried Hermione. 'You'll definitely get caught!'

'It's worth it to see that dragon out of here. Plus if I'm careful, I may be able to knock him out before he gets to anywhere we could get caught.'

They made their way down to Hagrid's hut to give him the news, then made their way back up to the common room. Harry went straight to bed, however Hermione grabbed Y/N's hand and pulled him down onto the sofa in front of the fire.

'Do be careful, won't you?' she asked him. He could see tears forming in her eyes.

'Of course I will, Mione. We need to do this, this dragon will only cause more trouble for Hagrid. we don't have much time before it's running a rampage around the grounds. I promised you, didn't I?' he continued as she still didn't look convinced. 'I won't turn my back on an opponent again. I won't let myself get caught out. Malfoy doesn't stand a chance.'

Hermione wrapped her hands around Y/N's waist and pulled herself in, her head resting on his shoulder.

'You don't mind, do you?' she asked.

'Of course not,' said Y/N, blushing slightly. He placed his hand in her hair and began running his fingers through it.

She sighed contentedly and the two sat there for a long while staring into the fire, before eventually agreeing that they should go to bed. Y/N spent a long time lying awake in bed that night, staring at the roof of his four-poster. Trying to figure out why his stomach kept feeling the way it did around her.

Saturday night rolled around and Y/N was crouching in a cupboard on a corridor that he thought housed the Slytherin common room. He'd definitely seen a lot of Slytherin's moving up and down here. He'd said his goodbyes to Harry and Hermione after their evening meal, and after a quick hug from Hermione he'd made his way down to this abandoned broom cupboard. He'd definitely seen Malfoy walk down here. But he hadn't seen him walk back yet

It reached half 11 and suddenly Y/N heard it, the distinct shuffling of someone who was out of bed and trying desperately not to get caught. He waited until the noise was right outside the cupboard before swinging the door open loudly.

Y/N wasn't sure whether the crash or Malfoys scream was louder, but the moment Malfoy had realised who had appeared, he looked murderous.

'Well, well, well. If it isn't L/N. The teacher's pet. Tell me, do you grade your own papers, or do you just say you'll do the dishes if she gives you top marks. What was that?' he asked, suddenly sounding very worried as Y/N closed a small leather-bound journal with a snap and tucked it away in his pocket.

'Nothing Malfoy, nothing at all,' said Y/N, now drawing his wand. 'But I'm afraid I can't let you leave this corridor, no matter what.'

'Trying to help them cover for the oaf of a groundskeeper?' Malfoy sneered. 'Thinking you can help get his little pet safely out of here and no one will be any the wiser?'

'That's exactly what I'm doing and thinking Malfoy,' said Y/N, talking slowly. He just had to keep Malfoy here. 'And I'm not prepared to let you ruin that.'

'And what exactly are you going to do to stop me?' Malfoy was smirking now.

'I'm so glad you asked. Locomotor Mortis!' he cried, spinning his wand onto Malfoy, but Malfoy ducked and rolled out the way, drawing his own wand as the spell ricocheted off the wall behind him.

Y/N ducked back into the broom cupboard as Malfoys counter-spell went soaring away up the corridor.

'Levitation doesn't work like that, Malfoy,' said Y/N, ducking back out. 'Vermillious!' A shower of red sparks shot out the end of his wand towards where Malfoy was hiding. Malfoy ducked out the way but Y/N did not stop. He began slowly advancing up the corridor still sending the loud red sparks at the pale blonde boy.

'Vermillious! Vermillious! Come on out Malfoy! They want to play!' Y/N shouted.

'You idiot,' hissed Malfoy's voice. 'You're going to get us both caught.'

'Good,' said Y/N, and at that moment the door to the dungeon corridor flew open and there stood Professor McGonagall, she looked furious.

The moment Y/N's eyes fell on her, his wand arm dropped. The sparks fizzled out, and Malfoy came back out of his cubby hole, wand raised.

'That's right L/N, learn your place. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go-' but he was caught off as he'd turned to face the stairs.

Y/N could almost see the steam coming off Professor McGonagall's ears as she descended the stairs towards them. It was the first time he'd been genuinely afraid of her.

'I don't believe this,' she said. 'Detention! And 30 points from both Slytherin and Gryffindor. Out in the middle of the night duelling? I expected better from you, Y/N.'

Y/N hung his head, but Malfoy began speaking quickly.

'You don't understand, Professor. Harry Potter's coming, he's got a dragon!'

'What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! I will be speaking to Professor Snape about you tomorrow, Malfoy. Back to your common room. Y/N, come with me.'

McGonagall watched as Malfoy made his way slowly back down the corridor, disappearing into what seemed to be a concealed doorway before she turned and swept into the entrance hall. Y/N following, they'd just gotten to the marble stairs when Y/N felt a familiar pulse.

He sent out his marks and felt the cloak in the doorway from the grounds, stood completely still. He gave the door a thumbs up so McGonagall couldn't see him and continued following her to her office.

'Sit,' she said sharply the moment they entered. Y/N sank onto one of her chairs, watching her carefully. She moved round to the other side of her desk and pulled out her journal slamming it down onto the table. 'Explain.'

Y/N pulled out his own and opened it to the corresponding page, rereading the message inside.

Corridor to the Slytherin common room, come quick

'Professor. You aren't going to believe me, but I'm going to give it my best shot.' And Y/N explained everything. Hagrid's dragon, Malfoy finding out, the letter to Charlie, the book taken from Ron and finally Y/N's plan to distract Malfoy long enough to get him in trouble and make sure he couldn't interrupt them seeing the dragon out of school grounds.

'I have never been prouder of you for being willing to put yourself on the line for them. AS YOUR MOTHER,' she said as Y/N had looked delighted. 'However, I am not your mother right now, I am your head of house and Professor. Detention for you and for Mr Potter and Ms Granger. I will also be taking 20 points off them and Mr Weasley for refusing to see sense and coming to see me.'

'They were worried Hagrid would get in trouble,' said Y/N quickly.

'Hagrid is a careless man at times, however I have told you before he has a good heart. His decision to keep the dragon was foolish, it should have been sent away immediately after he won it. Or not even bet on in the first place. However, it is good that you are finally being rid of it. That said however, next time you must tell me when something like this is going on.'

'Of course' said Y/N. 'I was thinking about it, but Harry made me promise not to.'

'Then don't tell him you did. I can act and help without directly intervening, even if it meant ensuring the Slytherin common room was being given a surprise inspection this evening. Tell me, and I shall help. I do not wish to see Hagrid removed from this school nor should anyone else. It is safer we remove the dragon whilst keeping our Gamekeeper.'

'Thanks mum. Just please don't tell them I told you,' said Y/N quietly.

'I am not happy with you, Y/N, and we will discuss this more in the future. But thank you for being honest. You may go.'

Y/N nodded and stood up. He was about to turn for the door when it swung open. In marched Harry, Hermione and Argus Filch.

Hermione was visibly trembling and threw herself into Y/N's arms the moment she saw him. Y/N looked at Harry, who just shook his head.

'Caught them wandering around by the Astronomy tower, Professor,' wheezed Filch.

'Thank you, Argus. You may go.' said Minerva, turning her eyes on the two new arrivals.

Filch nodded, looking gleeful, and shuffled out of the room.

(A/N: Hi Everyone! Very sorry this chapter is late but today (Saturday) is my birthday. I spent most of yesterday working and barely had an hour or two to spare before some friends appeared for us to go out somewhere so busy day and it completely slipped my mind Won't happen again, I promise! (I can't promise that)
Hope you're all having a wonderful 2022!)