Chapter 7: The Dragon and Ron's Vision
For Harry, his first Christmas at Hogwarts described in only one word. Unexpected. For the first time, he received the gifts at Christmas. Hagrid gave him a handmade wooden flute that he had carved it himself. He also gets the gifts from Neville and Hermione. Unexpectedly, he receives a gift from Neville's gran too. But this is not the weirdest thing. He received an invisibility cloak from an unknown person. This invisibility cloak belongs to his father before.
At one night at charms classroom, he saw a mirror. The mirror shows him with his parents, holding hands and smiling at each other. He was too shocked to know how to react. He was standing in the middle of his parents. His mother was ruffling his hair affectionately while his father was smiling proudly at him.
He dragged Neville to show the mirror. He too saw his parents. He was teared up with emotions. They both spend their lots of hours watching the mirror. One day Professor Dumbledore explain to them about this mirror. It was called The Mirror of Erised. It shows the deepest heart's desire of the viewer. Professor Dumbledore told them it was not safe for them to spent too much time watching this mirror. Many wizards went mental because of it.
He and Neville kept searching about Nicolas Flamel but to no use. They searched for hundreds of books in the Library. But still, they do not get any lead in their search. Harry had a feeling that he read about Nicolas Flamel before. But he was not able to figure out where. He and Neville are only first years Gryffindor who stayed for the Christmas at Hogwarts. He was grateful that Neville decided to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas with him. He was sure that if it is not for him, he will visit his gran.
Hermione returns after the Christmas holidays. She scolds the both of us for roaming the halls three nights in a row.
"If Filch had caught you!" she snapped.
"But he did not!" Harry snapped back. He wanted to see his parents, and he does not want to scold.
Unquestionably, Hermione does not have any fit with his tamper. She scolds back them back for taking zero time in finding out who Nicolas Flamel was. They spend the next few days looking for Nicolas Flamel in the Library.
One day Harry got the news from Gryffindor Quidditch Captain Oliver Wood that Snape is refereeing the next bloody game. He told the same to Hermione and Neville.
"Don't play!" Hermione said.
"Say you are ill," suggested Neville.
"Pretend to break your leg!" suggested Hermione.
"Indeed break your leg," said Neville.
"I can't," said Harry dejectedly. "There is not a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor cannot play at all."
They all stand up to go to the Library to continue their research on Nicolas Flamel. At that moment Neville winced in pain.
"What happened?" Hermione asked him.
"Malfoy," said Neville, nervously. "I met him outside the Library. We get involved in a small fight."
"He is not worth it, Neville," said Harry.
"Harry is right. Next time go to Professor McGonagall and report him!" suggested Hermione.
"I do not want to get into more trouble."
Harry gave him his last Chocolate Frog. He thanked him.
"Thanks, Harry. Do you want the card, you collect them, don't you?" said Neville.
Harry took the card to see who it was.
"Dumbledore again," he said. "He was the first one I ever-wait."
"I have found him!" he whispered. "Hermione look."
Hermione looked at the card. A look of realization came to her face. She jumped to her feet and ordered them to stay there. Then she explains to them about Sorcerer's Stone. Sorcerer's Stone is indeed precious, and he knows that Snape is trying to steal it.
The match came. Professor Dumbledore was present during the game. He sighed in relief. He knows that Snape did not try anything in the presence of the Headmaster. He looked remarkably pissed. Nothing nasty happened to him during the match, and he caught the snitch again.
On his way back to the common room, he heard Snape threatening Quirrell over wanting his help to retrieve the Sorcerer's Stone. He quickly drags Hermione and Neville to an empty classroom and tells them what he heard. Neville also gets involved in the fight again with the Malfoy during the match.
"So we are right, it is the Sorcerer's Stone, and Snape is trying to force Quirrell to help him get it. He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy, and he said something about Quirrell's hocus-pocus. I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy, loads of enchantments, probably, and Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Art spell that Snape needs to break through." explained Harry.
"So you mean the Stone is only safe as long as Professor Quirrell stands up to Snape?" concluded Hermione.
Weeks have passed, and nothing happened. Quirrell did not look as nervous as he usually did. Hermione started studying for their exams. Both he and Neville thought that exams are ages away.
"Ten weeks," Hermione snapped. "That is not ages away, that is like a second to Nicolas Flamel."
To avoid Hermione's lecture more both he and Neville joined her in the Library. Unexpectedly they saw Hagrid at the Library.
"Hagrid! What are you doing in the Library?" said Harry.
"Just looking," said Hagrid.
"And what are you lot up to?" He suddenly looked suspicious. "You are not still looking for Nicolas Flamel, are you?"
"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," replied Harry smugly. "And we know what the dog is guarding it is a Sorcerer's Stone."
"SHHHHH!" said Hagrid looking around to see if anyone was listening. "do not go shouting about it. What is the matter with you?"
"There are few things we wanted to ask you as a matter of fact," said Harry. "What is guarding the stone apart from Fluffy?"
"SHHHHHH!" said Hagrid again. "Listen, come and see me later but mind you, I am not promising that I will tell you anything."
"See you later, then," Harry said smiling.
"What was he hiding behind his back?" said Hermione.
"Do you think it has anything to do with the stone?" said Neville.
"I am going to see what section he was in," said Hermione and she walked off.
"Dragons!" she whispered when she came back. "Hagrid was looking up about dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From egg to Inferno; A Dragon Keeper's Guide."
"Hagrid always wanted a dragon. He told me so the first time I have ever met him."
"But it is against the laws," said Neville. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by Warlock's Convention of 1709 everyone knows that. It is hard to stop muggles from noticing us if we are keeping dragons in the back garden."
"Yeah, I know. Ron told me about it," said Hermione.
Neville grunted in response and stare at her wondering why she wants to be friend with Weasley. Harry quickly chose to change the subject.
"So what on earth's Hargid is up to?" said Harry.
"There is only one way to find out," said Hermione.
Later that day all three of them gone to visit Hagrid.
Hermione, Neville, and Harry leave the Hagrid's hut. Now they know that the stone is protected by enchantments done by all the professors. But Professor Snape is trying to steal it, and all three of them come to the same conclusion. It is possible that since Professor Snape is also the one who added the enchantments, he well knows how to get past with other professors enchantments, except for Qurriell's and Fluffy. 'How can Hagrid called that dog Fluffy' she thought. She knew that Hagrid is fascinated by dangerous creatures. But this time he has gone too far. He lives in a wooden house, and there is no possible way that he can tame a Dragon.
She knew Dragon's taming at home is illegal and she does not want Hagrid's expulsion. She knew that Harry cared for Hagrid too much. The only way to keep Hagrid from suspension is to get rid of the dragon. She needs to think fast and come up with a brilliant plan as she always did. Well, she already had a plan in mind, but she does not think that her other two companions would like it. She needs to think of an alternative way.
Few days have passed, and still, she is not able to think of any alternative way. At breakfast, Hedwig brought Harry a note from Hagrid. He had written only two words.
IT'S HATCHING!
Harry and Neville together are able to convince her to see the live hatching of a dragon. All three of them made their way towards Hagrid's hut after their Herbology class. Harry knocked at the door.
"It is nearly out," said Hagrid and letting them in.
The egg was lying in the middle of the table. There were deep cracks in it already. All of them staring intently at the egg. Suddenly there was a scraping noise, and the egg cracked open. The baby dragon flopped onto the table. It was all black with spiny wings that were way bigger than his tiny body, it had a long nose, tiny horn stubs, and eyes the color of ripe pumpkins. When it sneezed, sparks flew out of his nose, creating tiny embers on the wooden table.
"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid beamed as he reached out to stroke the dragon's head. The dragon snapped at his fingers.
"Bless him looks he knows his mummy!" said Hagrid.
All three of them shared a look.
"Mummy?" whispered Harry so that only Neville and Hermione could hear it. "Meal was more like it."
"Hagrid," said Hermione. "How fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow exactly?"
Hagrid was about to answer when suddenly his mouth gaped open and he jumped up, eyes staring at the window.
"What is the matter?" asked Harry.
"Someone was looking through the gap in the curtains. It is a kid. He is running back to the school."
All three of them bolted up and looked out. They all caught the flash of the blonde hair. They all instantly knew who the kid is.
It was Malfoy, and he had seen everything.
All three of them bid Hagrid goodbye and left for the castle. All of them are solemn. Hermione knows that they are needed to get rid of the dragon and fast. Now Malfoy knows about the dragon, and if he tells anyone, then it will result in Hagrid's expulsion. She was not able to think of any other alternative plan, and now she does not have any choice. She has to convince Harry and especially Neville.
Neville sees Hermione and saw her demeanor solemn but determined.
"Do you have any plan Hermione?" asked Neville.
She nodded. "Let's head back to the common room first."
They all walked back towards the common room in silence. There are few students in the common room. She looks around, and there no sign of Ron. She sighed. It was better to tell Harry and Neville now.
"I am going to kill Malfoy. That git!" said Harry harshly.
They move towards their favorite spot in the common room.
"Hermione you said you have a plan," said Neville.
Hermione nodded looking at the table. Then she looked at Harry to meet with his hopeful face. She then turned towards Neville and said looking straight into his eyes.
"You are not going to like this."
Neville turned towards Harry. Both boys looked at each other. After a moment both turned towards Hermione and nodded at her to continue.
"Well, you see," Hermione started nervously. "On my birthday, I have a ni-, umm, a chat with Ron-"
"Weasley!" scoffed Harry.
"How do you still remember a chat with him on your birthday. I know you are on friendly terms with him, Hermione, and you two talked very often. I don't know why, though? I already warned you about him on the train."
"You told me about his father Neville," said Hermione as patiently as she could muster not liking the way where this conversation is heading. Most of the time she talked with Ron is when Neville and Harry are not around. Both of them did not ask her anything before. It was the first time they are having a conversation about her friendship with Ron.
"It is just more of the same," said Neville.
"No, it is not," Hermione finally snapped. "He is sorted into Gryffindor not Slytherin for Merlin's sake."
"Anyway, I just remember it preciously because he is the only one apart from my family who wished me a Happy Birthday," she continued.
"Listen, Hermione," said Neville seriously. "We care about you. You are a muggle-born. I already told you that Weasleys are full of pureblood superiority nonsense."
"Well, he treated me nicely from the beginning. I do not think he is a bigot person as you assumed Neville."
"Anyway, what is your plan Hermione?" interjected Harry. He knows that this conversation will lead them nowhere.
Hermione too decided to move to the point.
"So as I am telling, I have a chat with Ron on my birthday in the Library. He is reading the same book we saw at Hagrid's. I asked him why. He told me his brother works with the dragons in Romania. They also look for those who try to tame dragons at home."
"What are you suggesting?" asked Harry.
"Ron's brother can help us. He can take the dragon back to the preserve," concluded Hermione.
"How do you know he will help us?" asked Neville.
"He will if Ron asked him," said Hermione as a matter of fact.
"I don't like it," said Neville grumpily.
"I told you so."
Ron spends his wonderful time at Romania with Charlie. He was very pleased to see Ginny again. Ginny looks genuinely concerned for her brother. His sorting into Gryffindor also shocked her. And after reading his letters, she knew that he does not have many friends. She was also very jovial to have her brother for the Christmas. They also endure to sneak out at night for a fly together.
Ron falls back into his normal routine once he returned back to Hogwarts. Like before he spends most of his time with Theodore and his brothers. He still felt unwelcoming at the Gryffindor common room. He hardly spends any time there. Tonight he is due to a Potions essay. He is sitting in the common room trying to complete his essay as soon as possible.
"Hi! Ron!" he heard a familiar voice.
He looked up in the direction of the voice and saw Hermione followed by Potter and Longbottom behind her. He smiled inwardly. He knew precisely why they are here. He was wondering for a few days about it. He had a doubt that Hermione will remember about their talk or not. Apparently she remembered.
"Oh! Hello, Hermione!" he greeted her. He also greeted Potter and Longbottom with a nod.
"Mind if we join you?" asked Hermione.
"No."
Hermione sat beside him while Potter and Longbottom sat opposite to him.
"What are you working on?" said Hermione. Potter made an impatient sound.
"Potion's essay," replied Ron.
"Do you guys want something?" asked Ron.
"Yes. Well, we need a favor from you," said Hermione.
He heard a disapproving huffed from Longbottom. Ron tried very hard to keep his face straight and not broke into a grin. He knew what was coming.
"Go on," he motioned towards Hermione to continue.
Hermione explains all about Hagrid and dragon to him. So the dragon is already hatched. He has to write Charlie soon.
"So we are hoping that you could help us. I remember your brother works with the dragons. We do not want Hagrid to get caught and expelled," said Hermione.
He nodded.
"We wanted to move dragon out of here secretly. So make sure of that. Malfoy already knows about it. So ask your brother as soon as possible," said Harry.
He sometimes wonders why he was helping them? Why he talked with Hermione about his brother long ago? He did not know Hagrid, and he still volunteered to help him. But deep down he knew why. At first, he felt very lonely at Hogwarts. He wanted to be nice towards Hermione. She is the only one who joined his company from the Gryffindors. He also remembers his conversation with the Sorting Hat. Sorting Hat wants him to prove everyone that he was a different person. He also desperately wanted to prove himself.
"I will write Charlie a letter tomorrow, and tell you when he answered," assured Ron.
"You owe me this one, Potter," said Ron.
Longbottom glared at him. "We owe you nothing. You-"
"What do you want?" said Harry cutting Neville off.
Ron thought about it for a moment. Then he replied.
"I don't know now. Maybe, you can help me in the future."
Harry nodded. He extended his arm to shake with Ron and confirm the deal.
"Deal," said Harry.
"Deal," replied Ron taking Harry's hand.
Ron glanced around to see Longbottom looking rather pissed. He saw Hermione beside him with a small smile on her face.
And suddenly she was gone. And in front of his eyes is only blackness, as he felt himself spinning, and falling. He gasped and pulled out his wand and whirled around. He looked around for any sign of danger in the common room, but he was not in the common room anymore.
He was in a vast Hogwarts corridor. He recognized it as the third-floor corridor.He saw Potter is whispering something in a low voice to Longbottom and Hermione. He saw Hermione opened a door with her wand. He goes behind Harry and saw a giant three-headed dog for the first time. The harp was playing at the dog's feet. Harry pulled out a flute and started playing it.
Then suddenly everything went black again, and he saw his surrounding begin to change. He saw a long thick black rope or whatever it is chocking Longbottom's neck followed by the bright light. His surrounding changed again. Now he was in a room with a lot of flying keys. He watched Potter hovering over a broom chasing a key. His surrounding changed once again, and now he was on the giant chessboard. He looked at Hermione who was playing with the enchanted opponents. Longbottom and Potter are also playing with Hermione. He gasped in horror as he realized a mistake made by Hermione. It was a checkmate. She is playing as a king. They lost the match. The white queen raised her arm and hit Hermione directly on the head. She was unconscious instantly. Longbottom and Potter looked at her with their mouth wide open. The white queen kicked her out of the board like she was a rag doll, blood flowing all along the way.
Ron blinked and gasped. The blood was pounding in his ears. He was back in Gryffindor common room lying on the ground.
A/N:
Chapter 7 is up. I hope you like it. Please read and review.
