Chapter 11 - An Egg and Evolution

Months passed. Hermione continued on the cycle of attending classes, doing homework, and helping her two friends with their homework. Hermione enjoyed the new topic of how to properly groom different types of Pokemon in Pokemon Breeding. It gave her the chance to learn about what her Pokemon enjoyed when getting groomed. This way, she could do it herself rather than take them to a professional to get them groomed, which was on the expensive side.

Both of her two friends' Starter Pokemon and gift given Pokemon had evolved.

On March 23, Hermione realized that exams were just ten weeks away! In a panic, she drew up a study schedule to follow and made a copy for each of her friends.

Later that week, Harry somehow managed to drag Hermione out of her studying frenzy long enough to accompany him and Ron to visit with Hagrid. As they approached his hut, they noticed that all of the curtains were drawn closed. Harry took charge and knocked on the door. Frenzied barking came from inside the hut.

The door cracked open, revealing part of Hagrid's face. He opened the door wider upon seeing Harry. He ushered the trio into his cabin. Inside of the hut was sweltering. Looking around, Hermione spotted what appeared to be an oversized egg in a cauldron in the fireplace.

She questioned Hagrid about the egg. He immediately became defensive. She immediately came to the conclusion that the egg was most likely illegal. She wanted to report it immediately, but she didn't want to get Hagrid in trouble. What could she do to take care of the egg, yet keep Hagrid out of trouble?

"Hagrid," Hermione began gently, "where did you get that egg?"

"I go' I' off some hooded bloke. We played cards for i'."

"I see. Has the thought crossed your mind that the egg might have been illegally attained? That could be why whoever put it up for playing did it, to get rid of it. If it is illegal, then you could get into a lot of trouble with the Ministry. I don't want you to get in trouble." Hermione said as gently as she could.

Hagrid opened his mouth to argue but closed it without saying anything. He thought for a while. "May'e ya go' a poin'. I really wan'ed a dragon for the longes' 'ime. May'e I should look in'a ge'ing one all legal like."

Hermione beamed at Hagrid, glad he was seeing sense. "Okay, here is what we need to do; we need to report the egg. To not get into trouble, we'll say that you saw someone with the egg, and being the concerned citizen that you are, you found a way to get it to the authorities so that they could give it to an experienced breeder or someone with all the proper qualifications to take care of the egg." Hermione said quickly, hoping he would agree to what she had proposed.

It took a little convincing, but finally, the trio managed to convince Hagrid that the best option was to go to Dumbledore with the egg, so he could give it to the authorities.


The Tuesday after they transferred the egg to the government officials, Hermione found herself once again pitted against Draco. They both called out their Starters to take to the field. Hermione bit her lip. Draco's Sneasel had the type advantage. Hopefully he didn't realize that. If he did, he would without a doubt win. Based off of his smirk, he did realize it.

Hermione had Chomper start off with a Dragon Rage. It would have done some serious damage to Draco's Sneasel if it had connected. The Sneasel had dodged and retaliated with an Icy Wind at Draco's command. It hit Chomper dead on. Chomper fell backwards. He struggled to get back up. Hermione called out encouragement to her first friend. Just as Draco called out for his Sneasel to use Icy Wind again, Chomper started to glow a blinding white.

Hermione gasped in excitement and shock. She recognized that glow. The glow meant that Chomper was evolving! When the glow faded, he had grown a couple of feet. He had transformed from a Gible into a Gabite.

With a roar, Chomper charged at the Sneasel. In a quick move, he then strikes at the Sneasel. He delivered two quick chops to his opponent. Draco's Sneasel fell back. It struggled to rise. After a couple of minutes, it stopped trying to get up. Taking a closer look, Hermione realized that her opponent's Pokemon had fainted.

She called Chomper back to her. Hermione gave Chomper a big hug. It was much easier now that he was about the same size as her. She didn't have to bend over anymore. She whispered her congratulations into the ear of her first Pokemon.