Soon, Winter passed, and Spring was in full bloom. And so was exam season.

Natsu was snoring, a book covering his face and lying down on the benches in the Grand Hall. At his feet, Ron playing with his cards, and Harry scribbling away in his workbook. "Look at you! Playing away with your cards! Pathetic!" Hermione scolded at Ron, who simply rolled his eyes. "And you! Why are you sleeping at a time like this?!" Hermione gasped at Natsu, who was stirring awake. "No need to yell Hermione…" He mumbled, digging his pinky in his ear. "We got final exams coming up soon, and all you two can think about is cards and sleeping?!"

"Hey, ask us any question! We're ready for it!" Natsu said quite full of himself, Ron nodding with Natsu. "Alright, what are the three most crucial ingredients in a Forgetfulness Potion?" Natsu and Ron froze and looked at each other. "I forgot…" They said together. "And what will you two plan to do if this comes up in the final exam?" Hermione asked sarcastically, intrigued for their answers.

"Copy off you."

"Burn down the test hall!"

Everyone looked at Natsu like he was mad. "First, wands are forbidden, meaning no magic…." Hermione started slowly. "Second, according to Professor McGonagall, we are to be given special quills with an Anti-Cheating Spell." Hermione told Ron, like she won the battle. "That's insulting! It's as if they don't trust us!" Ron criticized. "You did say you were going to cheat…" Natsu reminded him. "Dumbledore again!" Ron sighed, throwing the card he had in his hand down.

Neville hopped into the Hall, heading towards Harry and the others. "Why is Neville jumping with his legs together?" Natsu asked, pointing at him. "Leg-Lock Curse?" Ron asked. "Malfoy." Harry sighed, looking at Ron, then back to Neville.

Neville finally reached them, wobbling a bit. "You have GOT to start standing up to people Neville." Ron told him, shaking his head. "How?! I can barely stand at all!" Neville gasped, trying to keep his balance. "We can get even with that guy!" Natsu smiled. "How will we do that?" Hermione asked, still in that cynical tone. "We'll break his legs!" Natsu smiled a bit evilly, standing up and flexing his biceps. "Let's just work on the counter curse first…" Ron said slowly, forcing Natsu to sit back down.

"I can do the counter curse!" Seamus boasted, standing up preparing his wand. "No, That's all I need! You'll just set my bloody kneecaps on fire!" Neville argued. Seamus, in return, gave a mad pout and slammed his wand on the table. "I don't appreciate the insinuation Longbottom!" Natsu snorted, trying not to laugh at Neville's surname. Give it eight months and you'd think someone get over it by then… "Besides, if anyone cared to notice… my eyebrows..." Seamus pointed at his eyebrows, then placed his hands down again. "Have completely grown back!"

Seamus then picked up his wand and marched off. But what he didn't know, was that there was a bald patch in the middle of his head. Hermione tried not to laugh at the sight, but Natsu was a bit more obvious. He was banging his fist on the table, concealed laughs turning into long snorts.

Harry slapped Ron's arm and looked at Hermione. "Here, I found him!" Everyone looked over, while Natsu was still trying not to laugh and Neville still reclaiming his balance. "Dumbledore is particularly famous for defeating the Dark Wizard Grindelwald in 1945." "Go on!" Harry insisted. "For discovering the twelve uses on dragon blood, and his work on Alchemy partner, Nicolas Flamel!" Ron yelled excitedly. Hermione's eyes lit up, and sighed relief. "I knew it was familiar! I read it on the train that day!" Ron told them.

"Follow me!" Hermione whispered to the Ron and Harry, who gathered up all their stuff and followed her in a haste. Neville looked at them all in shock as he saw them leave. "Hey wait! Where are you going?! What about the Counter Curse?!" Neville yelled after them, before losing his balance and falling over.

Everyone laughed at him, Neville staring up at the ceiling with embarrassment. "Need help there Neville?" A sweet voice asked him. A blond girl appeared from the top of his sight, looking at him. "Lucy…" Neville whispered, a relieved that someone cared. "Here." Lucy pulled out her wand and spun her wand three times before pointing her wand at Neville's legs.

Neville shook his legs out, and sighed in relief as he sat up. "Here, let me help you up." Gray offered, which Neville smiled and took graciously. "Thanks Gray." "What happened to you?" Natsu asked, leaning over the table. "I don't know. I was just passing, then Malfoy said that I was a shame to pure-bloods. So I told him that he was wrong, and he told me that I should never speak to him that way, and put the leg-lock curse on me." Neville explained. "Of course it was Malfoy…" Lucy muttered under his breath.

"Anyway thanks guys! Nice for someone to care about me." Neville smiled, before walking off. "Hey guys." Gajeel greeted his team mates, waving a hand. "Hey Gajeel." Lucy waved back. "Why was Neville hopping through the hall earlier?" He asked, looking at Neville walking off. "Malfoy." Everyone replied. Gajeel sighed, and placed a hand on his forehead. "Of course it was him…" He muttered.

"Anyway, Hagrid asked me to ask you that he wants to examine Happy. For Magical Creature purposes." "What about Charla and Lily?" Natsu asked, folding his arms and tilting his head. "Already done with them. It's just Happy." Gajeel told him. Natsu sighed. "Sure, I'll go tonight." Natsu promised. "In the meantime, let's keep studying." Lucy suggested, and went back to her House Table. "Fine…." The three boys sighed, heading their own ways to study.

Later that Day

Knock knock knock.

"Why are we here again?" Happy asked, sitting in Natsu's arm. "Hagrid wants to study you. He's already done with Charla and Lily." Natsu explained again for a second time. The door swung open, Hagrid stood there in an apron, greeting them with a smile. "Natsu! Happy! Come in! Come in!" Hagrid invited them in, turning back into his house.

"You want anything? Tea? Cake? Biscuits?" Hagrid offered. "I'll take some cake." Natsu smiled, placing Happy down on the table. "Sure." Hagrid smiled, placing down the cake in front of Natsu.

Happy looked around, then froze at the image of the large, black, panting dog staring him down. "Uh, Natsu…. That dog is staring at me…." Happy pointed at the dog, his paw shaking. "What, Fang? Don't worry about him. He's way past his cat chasing days." Hagrid comforted, getting his writing materials ready.

"Hey, what's that?" Natsu asked, pointing to a golden egg in the pot hanging over the fire. "Oh that? That's a dragon's egg." Natsu jolted up and looked back and forth from the egg and Hagrid. "A dragon's egg?!" He repeated and leaned into the pot. "Got it in town. Lucky I was. Really rare to find one of these." Hagrid explained, quite excited about the egg as much as Natsu was.

"When is it going to hatch?!" Natsu asked, nearly at the point of yelling. "Any time now." Hagrid replied excitedly. "Can I stay until it hatches?!" Natsu asked. "Of course! You interested in dragon's Natsu?" Hagrid asked. "Natsu was raised by one." Happy told him, putting his paw up. Hagrid opened his eyes wider and looked at Natsu. "There are dragons where you're from?!" Hagrid asked. Natsu nodded. "Are they ruthless, gentle, rare, common?" Hagrid shot at Natsu.

"Hey, I thought we were here to interview me!" Happy whined, jumping up a bit. "Oh yes. Of course. But Natsu, you're next!" Hagrid smiled, pointing at Natsu.

Hagrid gleefully rubbed his hands together and opened up his note book, Natsu taking a seat near the fireplace, keeping an eye on the egg.. "Do you have any transformation powers like Lily?" Hagrid asked. "No." Happy simply replied. Hagrid nodded and scribbled down in his book.

"Are you intelligent like Charla?"

"Well, I think I'm WAY smarter! My plans are flawless! It's the people in the plan that's the problem!" Happy said in a boast. "What's that supposed to mean?!" Natsu yelled, feeling a bit used.

"Do you possess any other magical-"

Boom boom boom!

Natsu and Happy turned around looking at the door. "Who's here at this time…?" Hagrid wondered, standing up. "Hide under the table, both of you." Hagrid told them, hobbling over to the door. Natsu and Happy scrambling under the table.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!

Natsu heard the door swing open, followed by, what sounded like a boy talking. "Hagrid." The voice said, quite stern and quick. "Oh hello." Hagrid greeted. "Sorry wish to be rude, but I'm in no fit state to be entertaining today." The door was about to close shut, three voices told him something that made him stop.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!"

Natsu and Happy looked up shocked, and looked at each other. "Oh." Hagrid slipped out, and went inside, leaving the door open. It was quiet for a bit, apart from Hagrid's thuds and footsteps of what Natsu thought was three children.

"We think Snape's trying to steal it."

"Snape? You still not on about him are you?"

"Hagrid, we know Snape's trying to steal the stone, we just don't know why."

"Snape is one of the teacher's protecting the stone. He won't steal it."

Natsu and Happy slowly looked at each other, completely silent.

"What?"

"You heard. Go on now, I'm a bit preoccupied today."

"Wait, you said one of the teachers… Of course! There are other things defending the Stone aren't there." A girl's voice asked. "Spells, enchantments." She continued. "That's right. Waste of bloody time if you ask me…" Hagrid sighed.

Natsu peeped a bit from under the table, trying to see who was there.

"Ain't nobody gonna get past Fluffy. Hehe. Ain't a soul knows how, except for me, Dumbledore, and a few special people." Natsu jolted, holding his breath. After all, he was one of the special few who knew how to get past the Cerberus. Hagrid stopped, in his sentence, thinking a bit. "I shouldn't have told you that… I should not have told you that…" Hagrid mumbled and sighed.

Suddenly, the pot began to rattle and shake. Natsu gasped, knowing what it could mean. "Natsu, what's going on? Who is it out there?" Happy asked, whispering to him. "I don't know, but the egg is hatching!" Natsu replied, harshly whispering back.

"Ooo, hot hot hot!"

Natsu could see four pairs of feet crowding around the place he was hiding. He tucked in his feet and placed a hand over his mouth to stop out loud breathing, Happy doing the same.

"Hagrid, what exactly is that?"

"Oh this? It's… uh…."

Natsu looked up from under the table, wondering why Hagrid wasn't so keen on telling them like he was with him.

"I know what that is! But Hagrid, where did you get one of these?"

"I won it. Off a stranger down at the pub. Seemed quite glad to get rid of it as a matter of fact…" Hagrid trailed off, looking at the egg. Natsu looked around, and saw the figures slowly starting to stand back. The egg rattled violently, until smoke burst through the egg, the shell pieces flying everywhere.

Natsu heard skids from tiny claws from above the table. Followed with chirps and lizard like purrs. "Is that…. A dragon?" The girl asked. "It's not just a dragon...That's a Norwegian Ridgeback! One of my brothers Charlie works with these in Romania." One of the boys exclaimed excitedly.

Natsu now had confirmation. "Thought so. It's Harry, Ron, and Hermione." He whispered to Happy. "How do you know?" Happy whispered back. "Like I can forget their voices." Natsu reasoned.

"Isn't he beautiful? Oh bless him. Look, he knows his mummy!" Hagrid smiled.

"Are you my mummy?"

Natsu looked up, shocked. "Natsu, what's wrong?" Happy asked, whispering as usual. "You hatched me. You must be my mummy." Natsu stared up a bit. "I can understand what the dragon is saying…" Natsu whispered again, shocked. "Really? What's the dragon saying?" Happy asked. "That Hagrid is his mother."

"Hello Norbert!"

"Norbert! Norbert like that name!" The dragon purred, nuzzling his head against Hagrid's hand. "Norbert?" One of the boys, presumably Harry, repeated. "Of course. He's got to have a name doesn't he?" Hagrid smiled.

"Norbert nose is ticklish… Norbert's going to… Achoo!"

A orange glow could be seen from under the table. Natsu had to hold himself from laughing at how cute this dragon must be. Though when he grows up is going to be the problem. "Oh my! Oh oh oh!" Hagrid fanned his beard down, trying to get the fire out. "Course, he'll need some training…." Hagrid chuckled.

"Who's that?"

There was a bang on the window. Natsu and Happy jumped a bit, looking behind them.

"Malfoy!" One of the boys cried out. "Oh dear…. Go…. Go now!" Hagrid walked hastily, shoving the three people out the door. "But Hagrid-" One of the boys, probably Harry, protested. "Go now!"

Slam!

Natsu and Happy scuttled out from under the table and looked around. "What was that?! What happened?!" Natsu asked, panicking around. "You two better get going as well. Before you guys get caught. Sorry this interview was short." Hagrid gently pushed Natsu and Happy out the door. "Wait! What about the dragon?!" Natsu asked, trying to see past Hagrid. "I'm sorry, just go! Go now!" Hagrid pushed them out the door, and closed it behind them.

"What was that about?" Happy asked, looking up at Natsu. Natsu just picked up Happy, and sped walked towards the school. "Natsu?" Happy asked, confused of what was going on. "We're going back. Draco found Harry, Hermione, and Ron. And if we know Malfoy, he's going to tell, meaning detention. And if we get caught, then-"

GRAB!

A violent hand grabbed Natsu by the collar, resulting in Happy flinging forward and skidding into the dark hall. "And what do we have here? Someone out of bed?!" Happy looked up and saw Natsu being lead away by the one and nd only: Mister Filch. "Hey! Wait a minute! Let me go!" Natsu squirmed, trying to get out. "Let's see what Professor Scarlet says about you out of bed!"

"Wait what?! No! Anyone but Professor Scarlet! ANYONE!" Natsu cried out, squirming more than anything. Erza stood there, eyes closed, folding her arms, tapping her index finger. Her whole body supported by the desk behind her. "Natsu." She started. "Why were you out after dark on a school night?" She asked, trying to be calm as possible.

Natsu didn't reply. He kept looking at the ground, avoiding her gaze. He was actually scared that one word would tick her off. "You know full well that you aren't allowed to roam around unless you are on patrol. And you're still a student, and I must abide by the rules of the school. Therefore, detention tonight and fifty points taken off."

"WHAT?! Erza, cut me some slack!" Natsu yelled, flopping down. "As long as the First does not give orders, I will live by this school's code!" She scolded. "But Erza-" "And if you complain again, it will be a hundred points!" She yelled. Natsu instantly shut up, and looked at his feet. "Good. Filch will accompany you to detention."

Filch marched down, Natsu stiffly following down the hill, pouting. He growled and grumbled along the way, looking forward at the path, kicking the dirt beneath him. "A pity they let the old punishments die." Filch sighed. Natsu looked up at the caretaker, wondering what he was talking about. "Was a time detention found you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God I miss the screaming..." Natsu's face became wide and bewildered, as his head slowly turned back towards the front. "You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight. Along with four other naughty students. A job for you five. Inside the Dark Forrest." Filch explained gruffly. "But I thought-"

Once they reached about ten feet of Hagrid's hut, strange men burst out of Hagrid's door, carrying a covered cage. The cage was screams and screech like roars, the cage rattling. Natsu's eyes opened wide, and he stopped in his tracks. "What's going on? What are they doing?" He asked Filch, pointing to the strange men.

"Norman's scared! Don't take Norman away from mummy!"

Natsu gasped in horror and ran forward, Filch stopping him by grabbing his collar and pulled him into some sort of headlock. "Hey! What are you doing?! Stop it! Don't you dare take that dragon away from Hagrid!" Natsu yelled in fierce movement. He flashed back to when Igneel raised him, then to the day he disappeared into the unknown. "Grr…. IF YOU TAKE THAT DRAGON AWAY I'LL KILL YOU!" The men who were carrying the dragon, who were ignoring Natsu up till now, gave Natsu a sharp, threatening look.

Filch immediately restrained his head and covered his mouth. "Sorry about that. Violent mouth this boy. Please ignore him." Filch apologised. The men taking the cage away hummed, then continued. Filch then leaned next to his ear and held Natsu's head still. "Don't mess with them boy. Professor Dumbledore ordered this, and what he says….Goes."

As Filch explained, the men vanished in a blurry suction. Filch finally let him go, and Natsu ran forward. "Norman!" He cried out. He turned to Filch, who was already making his way back to the school. "HEY! WHERE DID THEY TAKE THAT DRAGON! TELL ME!" Natsu demanded. All Natsu got was a silence, as Filch hobbled off into the castle to collect the rest of the students.

About thirty seconds later, the other students came down to serve detention. Natsu looked at them, not surprised that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were there. But he was curious as to why one of students was there. "Draco? Why are you serving detention?" Natsu asked, pointing at the snobby kid. "That's what I was going to ask you Dragneel." Draco snarled back. "Draco does have a point. Why are you out here?" Ron asked, curious as the others. "Uh…. Happy ran out and I tried to find him." Natsu lied. "That talking freak show? Why bother with him? Get a normal pet like the rest." Draco scoffed.

Natsu scrunched up his face, but before he could have a screaming match, the door from Hagrid's hut opened, everyone shifting their attention to the half-giant. "A sorry lot this, Hagrid." Filch said, holding up the lantern. Hagrid didn't reply, his face looking at the fire. "Good God, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?" Filch growled. Hagrid sniffled, as he picked up his crossbow and looked at his college and students for the night.

"Norbert's gone." He cracked, looking down on the crossbow. "Dumbledore sent him off to Romania. To live in a colony." Everyone looked at each other, not seeing what the problem was. "But that's good isn't it? He'll be with his own kind." Hermione reasoned, not seeing the reason why this was a big deal. "Yeah, but what if he don't like Romania? What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's only a baby after all…" Hagrid rambled.

Filch just rolled his eyes before addressing Hagrid again. "For God's sake, pull yourself together man. You're going into the Forest after all. Got to have your wits about you..." Filch gritted. "But it still doesn't make it right!" Everyone looked at Natsu, who was looking at the ground clenching his fists. "Hagrid hatched that dragon… Norman wanted to stay with him… I am thankful that he is somewhere where he can grow without worry…. BUT VANISHING LIKE THAT IS NOT RIGHT!"

Natsu flashed back to when he stood in the open field, waiting for Igneel to come back.

"It's not…" He cried, trying to keep it together. "Natsu…" Ron whispered. "Hold on a minute… How did you know the dragon's name?" Hermione asked, looking at Natsu. "I told him. He was there when they took Norman away." Hagrid explained, clearly covering for Natsu.

Filch rolled his eyes once more. "Are you going into the bloody forest now or not?!" He yelled. "The forest? I thought that was a joke! We can't go in there. Students aren't allowed and there are…" Draco eyed the forest in fear, a howl in the distance. He took a gulp, and looked back at Filch. "...Werewolves…" He whispered.

"Ah, there's more than werewolves in those trees lad." Filch smiled cruelly. "You can be sure of that." He cruelly teased, emphasizing on the "T" at the end of his sentence. The kids looked at each other, scared of the horrors that awaited them. "Nighty-night." Filch said, as if he just finished a ghost story, then left it there for the children to be scared of.

As Filch left, Hagrid brought the children back to attention, signaling them to go into the forest. The children watched Hagrid hobble in first, making sure there was nothing at the entrance. "Right." Ron said shortly, clapping his hands together, before turning to his classmates to ask them a question.

"Who wants to go in first?"