Chapter 78: Studying

"Ten weeks," Hermione snapped. "That's not ages. That's like a second to Nicolas Flamel."

"But we're not six hundred years old," Ron reminded her.

"Just please, Ron, don't get her started." Phoenix chimed, as she has been on the same paragraph since the start. She really wanted to get today over with.

"Anyway, what are you studying for? You already know it all," Ron ended.

"Oh boy, you did it now," Phoenix told him shutting her book cause there was really no point in reading now.

"What am I studying for? Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into the second year? They're very important. I should have studied a month ago. I don't know what has gotten into me…."

"I can give you some guesses if you would like." Phoenix whispered to Harry, who only just smiled at her in return.

"But… but… I'll never remember all this!" Ron busted, pointing at the page he was on. "I rather be out there." He said quietly and gazed out the window. It was a very nice day, one of the very few they have had since winter.

"We all do Ron, just hummer Hermione a little while longer. Maybe if we are really good, mommy might let us go outside and play." Phoenix said, looking over at a glazing Hermione and stuck out her tongue. She could hear Harry laughing.

Ron took his gaze away when he saw a huge reflection in the window. The moleskin overcoat gave the person away. He turned around to see him. "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?"

The remaining three looked over as Hagrid shuffled closer, hiding something behind him.

"Jus' lookin," he said, in a shifty voice. That got the four Gryffindors attention. "An' whater you lot up ter?" he said, looking at them suspiciously. "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?"

"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," Ron proudly said as the rest nodded, "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's the Sorcerer's St…"

"SHHHH!" looking around quietly to make sure no one was listening, Hagrid continued. "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," Harry started, "about what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy."

"Harry! What did Hagrid say!" Phoenix yelled only loud enough for the five of them to hear.

"Listen, come an see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anyth', mind, but don't go rabbitin' about it in here, students aren't, s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh,"

"Okay, see you later than"

"Bye Hagrid."

As Hagrid left, Hermione turned toward everyone. "What was he hiding behind his back?"

"Do you think it had anything with the Stone?"

"Why Harry, when he could just simply ask Dumbledore?"

"I'm sick of working. How about I check which section he was at." Ron said taking off. Minutes later, he came back with a pile of books he plopped down in front of everyone. "Dragons!" he whispered. "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons! Look at these!" He said, showing everyone the titles of each book.

"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon. He told me so the first time I ever met him," said Harry.

"But it's against our laws," Ron stated. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1707, everyone knows that. It's hard to keep Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the backyard. Anyway, you can't tame dragons. It's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania."

"Wait, wait," Phoenix interrupted. She was trying to take everything she heard in but couldn't stand it any longer. "Let me get this straight, breeding? Dragons? Dragons are real?"

Ron looked at her like she was crazy for asking, "Of course they are! You never seen one?"

"Uh, no, I honestly can say I haven't."

"Well, maybe they don't fly in your area? I know there are dragons in America."

"So… you are saying they're real." She stated.

"Yes, they are. Here in Britain, we have Common Welsh Green and Hebridean blacks. The Ministry of Magic 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."

"Oh, well…. ok." Phoenix took in, still not believing it fully.

"So, what on earth is Hagrid up to?" Hermione interrupted.

"That is a brilliant question." Phoenix answered.