Charley's reply didn't take long to arrive. A/N: Although this chapter did…. Harry was at breakfast not a week later when Blaise flew in, looking rather proud and unruffled as he landed in Harry's eggs and held out his leg in a very regal fashion. Harry chuckled and began to untie the parchment, nervous about the reply, but more amused by his owl's presence that seemed to ask him to kiss it's foot. As he read the letter, Blaise flew up and perched on his shoulder, occasionally nipping his ear lightly to remind him to share the bacon.

Harry was surprised b the enthusiasm with which his letter had been received. Apparently, Ron hadn't had much time to write to Charley about his relationship with him.

Dear Harry Potter,
When I opened your letter, I was sure it was a joke! (Is this a joke? Your owl seemed rather serious about it…) Anyway, I'm assuming your contact with me is connected with Ronald in one way or another. Say hello to him for me. I'm glad to hear his getting on well with you, at least.

As for the problem, I won't put anything in writing for risk of interception (even though your owl seems strong enough to fend for itself in such a case), but I have a feeling I know who our rather large friend is, and I would be happy to help.

I won't be able to meet you and clear up the problem, but I've arranged for some friends to come by the North Tower at midnight next Friday.

Good luck! And be on time!
Signed,
Charley Weasley

Harry breathed a sigh of relief as one problem fell from his shoulders and another dropped on. How on earth was he going to sneak Norbert to the North Tower after hours?

That evening, after classes, Harry ran out to Hagrid's hut, trying very hard not to break curfew. Lord knew he was in enough trouble as it was. Plus, he still had detention...Snape still hadn't told him how long he was going to have to serve these nightly detentions, but they were taking a toll. It hadn't been a week and he was already feeling worn down. After he was done with whatever vile, medial task he was assigned, he headed back to the dorm and worked until nearly dawn on homework and studying. At least he had Sean working along aside him for another two days…after that, there would be no consolation.

When he knocked on Hagrid's door, he knew it was pointless. All the noise inside…the barking, yelling and overall sound of chaos guaranteed he wouldn't be heard. So, Harry entered the cabin, trying to make as much noise as possible, hoping his presece would somehow be noticed.

The scene inside the hut was worse than it had even sounded. Hagrid, sporting a very singed beard and a pair of charred eyebrows was trying to hold back Norbert, who kept snapping at Fang and blowing little fires licks at him. Fang, in turn, stood just out of range and taunted the dragon, barking and snapping while nursing small burn wounds on his paws.

Hagrid turned around and spotted Harry. "Harry!" he yelled over the din, "Get Fang outta here!"

Harry promptly obeyed, attempting to pull the large dog out of the hut by its collar. Finally, with much struggle, Harry kicked Fang out of the backdoor as Hagrid crooned to quiet the dragon.

Harry listened for a while, waiting for Hagrid to finish with the dragon and take notice of him again. Harry was more worried now…the dragon was larger than he remembered…apparently growing rapidly. How much bigger could he get by Friday? Not to mention how rowdy the young dragonling seemed to be. Surely, if Harry even managed to move the beast, it would make such a racket that every teacher in the school would come running to wherever he was.

"Hagrid," Harry said at last to get his friend's attention. "I've found a place for Norbert."

Hagid stopped attempting to console Norbert and turned to face Harry slowly. "And?"

"Charley Weasley works on a Dragon Preserve in Romania, and they're willing to take Norbert there. Some of his friend's will be coming to pick Norbert up on Friday."

Hagrid turned away and blew his nose on a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. "R-right." he sniffled. "Charley Weasley…there's a good lad. Always had a fine way with creatures. I'm sure…I'm sure Norbert will be ha-ha-happy there!"
And Hagrid dissolved completely into a heaving, sobbing mass.

"There, Hagrid," said Harry, awkwardly patting the large man's back to comfort him. "Norbert will be happy there. It's for the best."

"I can never thank you enough, Harry. Just…just tell me what to do."

"Just have him ready for me Friday at midnight. I'll take care of the rest."

Come Friday, Harry was in no mood to be out late. He'd scrubbed lavatories, disemboweled two barrels of toads, cleaned out the Owlery, and a number of other deeds to despicable to mention. He was exhausted, and looking forward to his weekend, which would be, thankfully, detention free. Professor McGonagall had, surprisingly, intervened on his behalf…in a way. Harry had overheard her berating Snape for not giving him the weekend off to catch up on his studies. Snape had, therefore, agreed to give him Saturday and Sunday off for homework on the condition that he only be seen in the dormitory and the library, with the exception of meals…he was still allowed to dine in the Great Hall.

With this "reward" in mind, he went up to his dormitory, and started on his homework with the night's task weighing heavily on his mind.

At 8, Harry left for detention. With Sean's help, they managed to clean the dinner dishes before it was too late. Given, Sean had broken the rules and snuck in his wand.

Come 11, Harry began getting his things together as indiscreetly as possible. Since there were people in the dormitory and down in the common room, he shoved pretended to rummage through his trunk as he shoved his invisibility cloak under his pajama top, shivering at its coolness. Then, in the bathroom, he slipped on the cloak and crept out, careful not to bump into anybody on his way out of the common room, and waiting impatiently for an opportunity to leave.

It took him a quarter of an hour to leave the common room and considerably longer to get out to Hagrid's place than he had planned. He was going to have to hurry after he got Norbert…andhe didn't see how that was possible. He hoped Charley's friends would be willing to wait. Interrupting A/N: How the Hell do Charley's friends fly onto Hogwarts grounds if Dumbledore had to take down the spells to enter the grounds on broomstick in book 6?….just a question…. When Harry knocked on the door, he found Hagrid waiting, his beetle eyes glistening and tears shining in his beard. "'Ere, Harry," he said, pushing Norbert's cage forward befor blowing his nose like a trumpet. "I can't stand to say goodbye again."

Harry nodded and turned to the dragon. He lucky the dragon was still fairly small and young, because he was about to try something very risky. Crouching down and pointing his wand at the dragon's smooth underbelly, he whispered "petrificus totalus."
He hoped Hagrid hadn't heard. It was not a particularly gentle spell. So, as soon as he saw that, thankfully, it had taken to the dragon the first time, he threw the invisibility cloak over Norbert's cage. He'd been practicing that spell ever since he found it in search of a means of subduing Norbert for the trip.

"Well," he said to Hagrid. "Wish me luck."
Turning to the cage, Harry invoked wingardium leviosa, and then lifted the the cloak and pulled it over himself as well.
"Good luck, Harry."