Chapter 26
I hope so too
Lucius' POV
The reading so far has been amazing and awful all at the same time. Yet knowing that my son has a 50% chance of being Veela, I look at Umbridge and think: "I can't risk her hurting my son or making him feel bad about his inner creature. She has to go." And, as if reading my thoughts, does a letter appear in front of us all.
I look down at the one that appeared in front of me and smirk as I read the questionnaire on the paper asking Do you want Dolores Jane Umbridge to leave or not? With 2 squares under it, one with a yes next to it and the other with a no.I quickly grab the quill that appeared next to the paper and cross the square next to the word yes.
I see my wife, son and many of those around us do the same and then see that the twins have barely read theirs before they almost tear through their paper, marking the yes square with their quills. I smirk and think: "If something like this were to go round at the Ministry, I doubt that woman would be working there much longer."
Then the papers disappear and the blinding white light reappears, shocking Umbridge quite badly and she shouts: "What is going on here? I demand to be told what is happening." To this I use a honing tone of voice as I say: "The students were allowed to decide whether you stayed or left. I guess it's clear what the majority wanted."
The woman screams and curses me before she shouts: "You can't do this I demand to be –!" But that is as far as she gets before the light dies out and takes her away – and just in time too as her curse urged Narcissa to shoot a nasty hex her way in my defense. I smile at my wife and then the second eldest Weasley stands up.
Charlie's POV
Having a fine idea of what will happen next – and feeling heavenly relieved that that damned toad woman is gone from the reading – I stand up and say: "I'm following your lead, bro. I'll read next." My younger brother nods and leaves the Owl stand, high fiving me as we pass and when I stand in front of the Owl Stand, I see that I'm right.
This makes me sigh as the subject of the next chapter had excited me when it happened, but during my flight back had I started to think things over and I wondered why my little brother hadn't been present as well. I feel myself fearing for his health even while this event happened years ago and after taking a deep breath I start to read.
Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback
"I'm sorry." Sirius interrupts me and his soft, deadly tone scares me shitless before he goes on: "But could you repeat that, please?" I gulp and reread the title, before Remus groans: "Hagrid. Has to be him. He after all told Harry he wanted a dragon. I knew that comment was there for a reason." I gulp, fearing the men's wrath and read on.
Quirrell, however, must have been braver than they'd thought.
Now all students that had Quirrell for a teacher look at each other, clearly disbelieving the words I just read and I think: "If he's not brave enough to face Snape, then what is his role in all this?" And while I feel as I was already told the answer just recently, is it impossible for me to grasp it and with a defeated sigh I read on.
Harry didn't really know whether it was bravery or the sheer need to keep a job he liked doing, but he obviously had lots of it – no matter which of the two it was that he had. In the … Quirrell's stutter. They also started to catch Snape glare and suspiciously glance at Quirrell, but Harry stayed firm in his belief that Snape would sooner kill someone he obviously disliked than someone who he just had nothing in common with.
To Ron this was the same and unfortunately did his words convince Hermione even more that Snape had tried to kill Harry during both matches – even when Harry pointed out that Snape couldn't have done a thing during the last one.
He wanted to tell them of his assured belief that Snape didn't want to kill him and might have noble reasons for wanting the Stone, but even he knew that hearing from a possible victim that their possible murderer isn't the one sounded more ridiculous than growing roses during a white winter.
I look around, having to agree with the boy's words and then Harry snickers: "I know something that sounds even crazier. Hearing from someone who's out to kill you that he doesn't want to kill you at all." Everyone looks confused, but I spare a glance at Sirius, who mock-glares at his son and snicker before I read on.
Hermione, however … into me..."
Harry slightly agreed with her, but that was only because he was finding more and more ways to study ancient tomes and learn about the Wizarding world and everything that has been happening in it. Wars and other terrible events he surpassed, but else he was studying as much as he could, mostly the more advanced forms of his subjects and how they were used in Ancient Times.
He understood what Hermione was going through because, like her, he wanted to be the best he could be, prove he was more than a Potter, a Halfblood and a Muggle-raised student and that there was more to his character and strengths than his scar.
The entire Hall is touched by the words and Hermione asks: "But Harry, if that was your goal, then why not show it?" Harry lowers his head and says: "Slightly because of what was read after the Halloween chapter and because I just really first wanted to see if there was even anyone I could show what I could do to." The girl nods and I read on.
Unfortunately, the … wand movements. Harry of course understood her need to practice things that would surely not come up in the exams, but really hoped that, with time, she would understand that individuals study in their own individual way – something he learned from growing up with Dudley for a cousin.
The girl blushes and Harry, who seems to feel a little bad for having this read out so bluntly, smiles as he tells her: "I admit that we learn way and way more if we study with you, Hermione, but your need to pass the exams sometimes works on our nerves and makes it harder for us to really learn and understand what we learn.
So from now on, we'll all study in the library, common room or outside separately and we'll divide the time in those locations equally with a schedule, so we each get the time we need to study where we want to and where we have to. Is that agreed, guys?" The two other friends nod and I smile, knowing this will be great for the O.W.L.s studies before I read on.
Moaning and … the library?"
"Hagrid?" The teachers and some of the elder students all ask in unison and McGonagall says: "As far as I know the last time he was in the library was when he was still a student." This makes me get a bad feeling about this and I mutter: "I think this is linked with the chapter title." Making the woman worry, before I read on.
Hagrid shuffled … shuffled off.
"Interesting conversation, don't you think?" One of my twin brothers asks, his tone of voice only slightly betraying his own growing worry and the other, whose voice hides this better, replies: "Yes, especially the fact he didn't try and change the subject." His brother nods and says: "Quite right you are, my fine twin."
And the other goes on: "Thank you. And do you agree that he did not try to change the subject –." And his brother ends for him: "Because he was trying to hide something and didn't want to reveal it. Yes, I quite agree." I shake my head at their antics, but have to give them right at their suspicions, making me sigh again and I read on.
"What was … said Harry.
"I told you!" Remus shouts, almost shocking me and making me glad I am not holding the book as it definitely would have fallen if I had before he goes on: "I told you that conversation wasn't there without reason." But then he gets interrupted and Sirius asks: "What is Hagrid thinking? A Dragon? With First years as close friends?"
He then turns to his son, slightly looking furious, but mostly looking very worried for the boy's health and says: "Please tell me you didn't go looking for the dragon and that you had nothing to do with it." To which Harry says: "I promise, mum, I wanted nothing to do with that Dragon. I was excited, but I wanted it gone."
The man nods appeased and while he was tense and almost out of the sofa at first does he now lean against the back rest comfortably with his arm pulling his son close against his form as he does, but I noticed Harry's choice of words and with a growing suspicion for what he, his friends and Hagrid had done, do I read on.
"But it's … knows that."
This shocks me and I say: "I didn't discover that until I was in my Sixth. I told you that myself a few times while trying to memorize Dragon laws and history. That you remember that." My brother looks slightly abashed, but proud and I smile at him widely, feeling very touched that he remembered my words, before I read on.
It's hard … were closed.
Harry hated the sight of this as it reminded him, not only of his dark cupboard, but of Dudley's Second bedroom where Uncle Vernon always closed the curtains if he punished Harry or showed Harry what Finar had 'taught' him. Now that he understood that what Vernon had done was wrong and why the curtains were always closed, Harry sacredly hoped he was wrong and that Hagrid wasn't hiding something the Wizarding World would be better off not seeing.
This, while many turn angry at the reminder, makes Mss. Crenson hug the boy, who is still on Viktor's lap and Harry seems to shudder badly, making me wonder what kind of man exactly this Finar person was. But I shudder myself as I think of finding out and decide to let some Hit-Wizards or other Ministerial members find out.
Hagrid called … abou' Fluffy."
Harry would have loved to tell Hagrid, in exchange for some information, but then he would have to give away his ability to handle Peeves, which was growing better every month.
"You're right there, Harry. Peeves only annoys you if something major happens that affects the entire school. Else you always know how to get him off your back." Ron smiles at his best friend and this change of subject seems to calm Harry down enough to softly lie himself in the egg-shape that are Viktor's arms wrapped around him.
I worry for the boy as he seems to fear something of his past – or something that will happen in the books. Fearing it to be the second, I quickly conjure a chair of my own near the boy's sofa and sit down next to him, hoping to offer him comfort and reassurance wherever he needs it before I continue the chapter.
"Oh, come … at Hermione.
"The two ways to get Hagrid to talk." The twins chorus, both of them looking at Hermione with so much pride she actually turns red at seeing their gazes and one of them says: "Get him drunk." And the other ends: "Or flatter him endlessly." But then McGonagall asks: "And how do you boys know this exactly?"
They both sigh before one of them says: "We discovered the second when we were trying to let Lee's help with one of our products and its testing." And the other ends: "And the other we discovered when he wanted to celebrate an amazing prank we pulled." The woman nods, while Lee grumbles, making me snicker before I read on.
"Well, I … Snape." "Snape?"
Hermione and Ron were the ones to exclaim this, but Harry was valiantly trying to hold onto the idea of Snape wanting the Stone to get rid of Quirrell, so he wasn't too surprised. "Yeah – yer … past Fluffy. Was this done on purpose? Had Hagrid only let Fluffy in after Snape had set his enchantments? And was Quirrell perhaps just too much of a scared pants and worry wart to tell Snape his enchantments? If so, it would fuel Harry's theory that Snape thought Quirrell a bad teacher and co-worker and thus wanted rid of the man.
"You're the … be honest."
This alone worried Harry as he had checked a few books on Magical plants and animals after Ron's explanation that day and apparently Dragons were exceedingly rare as they were only to be wild in places wizards could keep an eye on them and those entering their environment or to be tamed enough to live in reserves where Dragon Keepers could help them and their species stay alive – something which was illegal in Britain as there was not enough magical ground to build a proper reserve on.
Everyone looks shocked and Ron says: "That – I didn't know." Harry shrugs and says: "I checked the book Ancient Rare Creatures and their feedings. Helped loads, really." The boy nods and Mss. Crenson, who is still petting Harry's hair says: "You really always did know what to find in what book, didn't you Harry?"
But Harry groans, confusing her and me and says: "I wish. Flamel, remember?" The woman snickers behind her hand, making Harry huff, but then Viktor softly kisses his cheek and that makes his insulted huff turn in a sweet smile, something that makes all of us, especially those that care, feel happy for him before I read on.
"But what … rare, them."
"Rare?" I ask, suddenly remembering something I forgot in my excitement to get a Dragon last time and while feeling like a right fool for forgetting this, do I say: "Hagrid, that specie has a very important reason to be called Norwegian and its reason for being endangered is even more bloody valid. How could I have forgotten this?"
I ask myself, but I of course know the answer and groan, before a timid first year asks: "Why are they endangered?" And I answer heavily: "It's because from 1665 to 1712 their species have been used in several wars and during the period 1712 to 1719 Russian and Fining teens were raised to ride these Dragons, which had terrible results."
The girl gulps and asks: "What results? If you don't mind me asking, that is?" But I shake my head and say: "I don't. The results were that half the teens from Finland were killed due to heavy burns, poisonous bites or their Dragons throwing them off their backs. In Russia mostly the same, only the falling was more common.
It caused parents to kill off the Dragons and when the Norwegian Ministry discovered this, they used their Department for Regulation of Magical Creatures to create a gigantic reserve where the Dragons were brought to and International Confederation laws were put up to never more use a Dragon for teenage joyriding."
"But why is it called a Norwegian then? Because most of its species have lived in Norway since the 17 hundreds?" Draco asks and I shake my head and while trying to feel happy to share this info as I say: "The nickname for a Norwegian Ridgeback is the Poisonous Viking, because most Magical Vikings come from Norway.
It's kind of a combination of their usage during the wars, their ingrown behaviour thanks to those wars, what they can do if let loose on cities or villages and their home-country for the last 200 almost 300 years." The girl nods and Ron and his friends look shocked, before I read on, hating myself for forgetting these important facts.
He looked … them nuts.
The girl looks at her friends and Harry says: "You just insisted that we studied three hours right after each other, four days a week. You didn't allow us a single break and we knew this would make it impossible for us to study and remember what we studied. I only used the long hours to catch up on what I was never able to learn at Primary school."
The girl nods and one of my twin brothers says: "Performing and wanting to do your very best is fine, Hermione." And before the girl can feel as if an insult is coming, the other says: "But everyone's mind works and responds to things differently. And you, Harry and Ron were only 11 years old." And then they chorus:
"You were way too young to be able to study so efficiently. It would only backfire on you, especially if it's only done every so often." The girl looks at the two shocked, actually with the same shock I feel for their caring, intelligent speech and I think: "Those two really know what to say at what times." And with a proud smile do I read on.
Then, one … at all.
"I didn't hear much, really. Just the question, but I couldn't hear enough of it to know what kind of creature would hatch. It was more your need not to let me know that spurred me into wanting to know." Draco tells his cousin and the black-haired boy raises his eyes sky-ward, while I snicker and continue the chapter.
Ron and Hermione argued all the way to Herbology, Harry making sure they only argued when there was no one around and else making sure they walked somewhere no one heard them and in … bated breath. Harry drew his wand and held it under the table. The night after visiting Hagrid he had checked up on Norwegian Ridgebacks and apparently they weren't the safest of Dragon species to hang around with. He knew the Dragon would be only an infant, but he was ready to cast a Levitation charm if it tried to attack any one of them at any time.
All at … pointed fangs. Harry felt himself pushing his body back a bit and quickly hid his wand out of sight of the Dragon – before it could burn it to a crisp.
"Bless him … said Hagrid. Harry didn't know what was worse about this situation. That Hagrid wanted to raise a fire-breathing creature in a wooden hut, that he believed he could be the mother of a dangerous beast or that he thought a bite from a poisonous dragon was a sign said Dragon recognized his mother. This situation was going from bad to worse.
"You can say that again." I whisper as I have seen some baby Norwegian Ridgebacks get born and none of them bit their mothers. Then again, Hagrid was handling the birthing all wrong as the baby Norwegian Ridgeback was supposed to be bitten in the neck right after hatching. That way it would always recognize his mother.
"He made a fatal mistake. He was supposed to have made the first move and it was not supposed to be a gentle pat. Had he hit or softly kicked the Dragon it would have been able to be tamed. Now – I don't know what it'll do." I shudder as I speak and Sirius whimpers: "Not very comforting, Charlie." Making me cringe before I read on.
"Hagrid," said … the dragon.
Now Narcissa turns to her son and says: "And you immediately went to professor Snape or the Headmaster with this news, knowing it, in the long term, could endanger the entire school. Am I right?" But the boy lowers his head and mumbles: "I actually wanted to hold this over their heads and kept quiet."
The woman sighs and the boy says: "But it wasn't for very long. And when I did talk, the teacher I told didn't even believe me." This makes my Head of House, shockingly enough, lower her head in shame and instantly I get a terrible feeling and think: "This just can't end right." And with a heavy heart do I read on.
Something about … its nostrils.
"That is bad. That is really bad." I mutter, the things I am reading and remembering making me worry for the situation more and more and then an inquisitive First year Hufflepuff asks a friend of hers: "Wait a minute. Wasn't Potter a Parsletongue? Wouldn't he be able to understand the dragon, seeing it's a certain kind of reptile?"
But Harry shakes his head and says: "I checked right after discovering about the talent. I would have needed months of extensive training and the ability to fluently switch from English to Parsletongue, before I would be able to understand Dragons. The magic residing within them would prevent me from being able to do so." The first year nods, students look intrigued and I continue the chapter.
Hagrid hadn't … the wild!"
This shocks me and I say: "Apart from the setting back in the wild part, that plan was brilliant." And Hermione says: "Yeah, too bad Harry's long termed-plans always end up faulty one way or another. It's the on the spot plans that are both genius and work without fault." I sigh and mutter: "I feared as much." Before reading on.
"Brilliant!" said … to bed. Harry was now using his invisibility cloak every few days to mask away the books he was studying, which made him able to loan more books and read for longer hours than before.
Unfortunately the 'Harry Potter is an average wizard' persona seemed to have gotten a life of itself and seemed to have permanently settled in the minds of the teachers and so Harry didn't see the need to slowly build up his actual abilities and if they wanted to keep him as average instead of what he could do, it would only mean he could have more time to be good at everything he was working on – including his growing amount of Potion ingredients and the self-made potions.
The teachers look down that they, in their own blindness, made Harry think he had to perform under his actual ability and Harry says: "It's not really your fault, professors, I had to work and hold up a semi-normal mask for the neighbours of Privet Drive for years, so I was used to doing the same. I just have trust issues and they too are not your fault."
Viktor then hugs the boy close and whispers: "At least now you are rid of all the factors harming your life and you can start to heal and show everyone – especially those you love and who love you – what a wonderful person you really are." The boy smiles at his boyfriend, obviously reassured by his words and I read on.
The clock … invisibility cloak. Harry had wanted to use it to study some extra, but they needed to help Hagrid get ready to send Norbert off. The better Hagrid thought Norbert was doing the quicker he would send him off.
He had … bloody handkerchief.
"HE WHAT?" I scream, suddenly understanding why my little brother hadn't been present when we came to pick up Norbert and I whimper: "Please tell me Hagrid went and gave that Dragon a rant like never before for that." But Ron nods and says: "Just read on. It's crazy, that's what it is." I sigh, shake my head and read on.
"I'm not … a lullaby."
This, while it makes many students share looks with each other of great disbelief, makes me hit myself on the head and I say: "He really should not even try to raise a Norwegian Ridgeback. He's going over it all wrong. He would have gotten killed if you guys and I hadn't stepped in. I repeat, not rare and dangerous without reason."
"And then to think that you were always Professor Kettleburn's favourite student, Mr. Weasley. This sure is a turnaround from how you went around at school." Professor McGonagall praises me and while I can clearly her from her voice that she wants to ease my worries, do I smile at the woman before I say:
"Yeah well, if there's one thing I've learned from being a Dragon Tamer, it's that you have to be headstrong and tough if you want to handle anything more dangerous than a Hippogriff. Show the slightest hint of fear and they'll feast on it like a cheetah on an antelope." And to my deep concern do Ron and Harry nod at this before I read on.
There was … Love, Charlie
"Mr. Weasley, might I ask why you didn't write us teachers about this and what exactly was going through your head when you heard of the Dragon?" Professor Snape asks me and I blush as I now realize what a stupid story really went through my head when I wanted to find a possible excuse for the Dragon being at Hogwarts.
I sigh and say: "I thought Professor Kettleburn had used the Dragon for her N.E.W.T. class and that she then gave it to Hagrid, but that Ron and the others thought that too dangerous, because of his wooden hut, so they asked for my help." The man nods and says: "Valuable, Mr. Weasley. Too bad it's incorrect." I nod, sigh and read on.
They looked … and Malfoy.
"You wanted rid of me?" Draco asks a hint of fear and pain in his tone and Harry says: "Not really rid of you, just wanted to get you off our backs and stop worrying about what you'd do to get Hagrid in trouble." The Malfoy heir nods, obviously relieved and Sirius and Remus smile at their son, before I read on.
There was a hitch.
"There always is. At least where Harry's long-termed plans are concerned." Hermione snickers and Harry says: "Oh really? Prove it." The girl shrugs and says: "This plan had a hitch, the Peeves plan at the end of the year didn't." Harry grumbles, having to give her right and I snicker, wondering what Peeves had to do with anything before I read on.
By the … dragon bite?
"I would, Mr. Weasley, seeing as how Voldemort used several dragons during the last war. Luckily for us, but unluckily for you, did he never use Norwegian Ridgebacks or I would have been able to help you better than I did." The boy shrugs at his Matron's words and says: "I don't mind, you did great." The woman smiles and I read on.
By the … doing this."
"Actually I was furious you got the chance to have the Boy Who Lived as your House and year mate and best friend – and the Weasley-Malfoy feud wasn't really helping the case." Draco tells the boy and Harry asks: "What feud?" But Sirius whispers: "I'll tell you later, I want that Dragon gone." And wanting the same, I read on.
Harry and … of Norbert."
"Why did you put it in a book anyway? Why not just in your book bag or something?" Dean asks and Ron says: "Hermione was making sure we studied that book every day. So as a motivation that I would only have to take that Dragon a few more days, I kept it where I could see it most of the time." His fellow House Mate nods and I read on.
Harry and … after all."
"Not true, Hagrid. A Norwegian Ridgeback infant at almost 2 weeks old has teeth sharp enough to cut through the walls of Hogwarts like they're made of cake. They're like that, because their mothers then send them things like giant lizards and other creatures with hard scales for a skin. It helps them learn what to hunt for later."
I mutter to myself in raging fury, wanting nothing more than to give Hagrid a rant about Dragons, magical creatures and what dangers they form to society, while hating the fact that he had been there for the last reading, but not this one. And with a sigh of defeat, I decide to calm down, read on and rant at Hagrid later.
The baby … gets lonely."
This makes me hit myself on the head and I mutter: "No wonder he was so rough to transport. Some iron plates would have been loads better." To which Bill says: "At least he's almost gone from Hogwarts. And you'll make your entrance soon, won't you bro?" I nod, smile at my older brother and then read on.
From inside … much easier.
"And he really knew almost all of them by that time. Except for the ones out, but he discovered those soon enough." Hermione says, sending a secret smile at the twins, who in return wink at Harry, who nods in agreement – making me wonder what they know that I don't. But as none of them speak up, do I sigh and read on.
"Nearly there!" … advised her.
"Because she's a bad singer?" Collin asks and Hermione huffs, but Harry says: "No, because I knew of Professor McGonagall being a cat Animagus and I knew that any sound louder than a soft jump would let her know we were up there." The boy nods, while professor McGonagall raises her eyes skyward and I read on.
Chuckling about … going... gone
This makes everyone sigh in relief and Bill says: "Not really a grand entrance, huh Charlie?" I shake my head and say: "I forgot. I kept my broom flying above the tower, keeping a look-out through the windows to make sure no one would see us." My brother nods, smiling at me in pride and I read on, glad the chapter's almost over.
They slipped … their happiness?
"Harry's long-termed plans always going wrong and that question jinxing it? How on earth could we have thought this would work?" Hermione asks with a cringe and Harry says: "We thought so, because none of us knew my long-termed plans were often useless." The girl nods, while others snicker and I read on
The answer … the tower.
"Yes, you are really getting lessons in how to keep that on you all the time, young man. Even if I have to put a charm on it that only you can use it." Sirius grumbles and Remus says: "I just hope Filch won't go too harsh on them." Before another voice says: "I hope so too."
