Harry was on top of the world. He had recently received a reply from his letter to Mr and Mrs. Weasley. They were ecstatic that Fred and George had been a positive influence to Harry and were more than happy to have him as a friend to the Weasleys. They had been more than apologetic about his encounters with Ron and assured him that no one else in the family thought less of him because of their less than friendly relationship.

Not only was he in correspondence with them but Slytherin had just defeated Ravenclaw in their latest Quidditch match. Flint had been correct that Snape would favor Slytherin and make it easier for them to win. Harry left the locker room alone some time later, to take his Nimbus Two

Thousand back to the broomshed. He couldn't ever remember feeling happier. He'd really done something to be proud of now. That was two games in a row he'd won. No one could say he was just a famous name any more. The evening air had never smelled so sweet. He walked over the damp grass, reliving the last hour in his head, which was a happy blur

All the Slytherin cheering and congradulations. Harry had reached the shed. He leaned against the wooden door and looked up at Hogwarts, with its windows glowing red in the setting sun.

Slytherin maintained their lead. Harry was sure he'd have done it even without Snape's referring.

And speaking of Snape...

A hooded figure came swiftly down the front steps of the castle. Clearly not wanting to be seen, it walked as fast as possible toward the forbidden forest. Harry's victory faded from his mind as he watched. He recognized the figure's prowling walk. Snape, sneaking into the forest while everyone else was at dinner. Harry wondered what was going on.

Harry jumped back on his Nimbus Two Thousand and took off. Gliding silently over the castle he saw Snape enter the forest at a run. He followed.

The trees were so thick he couldn't see where Snape had gone. He flew in circles, lower and lower, brushing the top branches of trees until he heard voices. He glided toward them and landed noiselessly in a towering beech tree.

He climbed carefully along one of the branches, holding tight to his broomstick, trying to see through the leaves. Below, in a shadowy clearing, stood Snape, but he wasn't alone. Quirrell was there, too. Harry couldn't make out the look on his face, but he was stuttering worse than ever. Harry strained to catch what they were saying.

"... d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all p-places,

Severus..." Quirrell whimpered.

"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private," said Snape, his voice icy. "Students aren't supposed to know about the Sorcerer's Stone, after all."

Harry leaned forward. Quirrell was mumbling something. Snape interrupted him. "Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"

"B-b-but Severus, I -" Quirrell attempted again but was silenced.

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell," said Snape, taking a step toward him.

"I-I don't know what you." Harry was started to feel sorry for Quirrell.

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

An owl hooted loudly, and Harry nearly fell out of the tree. He steadied himself in time to hear Snape say, "your little bit of hocus-pocus. I'm waiting."

"B-but I d-d-don't." Harry considered lower himself to better hear Quirrell but didn't risk being discovered.

"Very well," Snape cut in. "We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."

He threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the clearing. It was almost dark now, but Harry could see Quirrell, standing quite still as though he was petrified. Harry quickly and silently returned to Hogwarts and stored his broom away.

Harry thought about returning to the Slytherin common room but with his new information decided he wasn't in a celebrating mood. He made his way to the Library and tried looking for anything on the Sorcerer's Stone he could. By the end of the night he had found reference to it a few times but it always led him to a book that had been taken out already.

When he inquired with Madam Price as to who had the book and when he could get it next she informed him of the waiting list for just such book. In retrospect it should have surprised him at all that the current holder of the book was one Hermione Granger. For the sake of not seeming suspicious Harry wrote his name down on the list, thanked Madam Price and left the library.

He returned to the common room and was pleased to see the festivities had died down. He received many encouragements and boosting of Slytherin from his housemates as he made his way to his dorm. Once there he quickly retrieved his Keeper's Book and wrote to Hermione arranging to meet the next day before lunch so she could give him a summarized version of the Sorcerer's Stone.

Next morning Harry explained to Blaise everything that had transpired with Ron and the Twins. He explained how he was now in correspondence with Mr and Mrs. Weasley and how he was planning on using that to get in contact with Ginny. Before he could go into details the morning mail delivery came in. The near hundreds of owls dropping off post and newspapers.

Harry was a little surprised to see Balthazar leaving him a letter. He didn't get a lot of mail, usually just a delivery owl with the Daily Prophet. No sooner had Balthazar dropped the letter had he taken off. Harry inspected the letter and found Hagrid's chicken scratch.

Harry

Got something to show you. Bring that friend of yours from last time if you'd like, but don't tell anyone else.

Hagrid

Harry made sure no one had seen his letter before placing it in his pocket. He told Blaise in a whisper that Hagrid had invited them over for something secret. That alone was enough to invoke Blaise's curiosity and they both set off towards Hagrid's. On the way Harry ran into Hermione who was just about to find him and explain the Sorcerer's Stone. Harry extended the invite to Hagrid's. Maybe Hagrid would be able to shed more light on the subject.

As they approached Hagrid's Hut Harry took notice that all of Hagrid's windows were boarded shut and Fang sprawled out on his back next to the front steps. Harry shared concerned looks with Blaise and Hermione. He approached and knocked on the door. There was a clatter followed by Hagrid's muffled voice.

"Who is it?" Hagrid shouted sounding less than friendly.

Harry was momentarily taken aback. Hagrid had never been an angry fellow. Hearing him not welcome guest with open arms was odd. "Hagrid! Its Harry, I got your letter. Blaise and Hermione are here with me." Harry shouted in kind.

Hagrid slowly opened the door. Relief washed over him as he saw Harry and his friends. "Well, come on, in yah get." Hagrid said quickly ushering them in. "You lot are in for a treat. Only just hatched last night." Hagrid said putting on a pair of thick leather gloves. "Now, mind yourself, he stills hasn't gotten over his hiccups or his fire breath."

Hagrid then slowly revealed a small moving mound of scales. "Meet Norbert. Ain't he a Beaut!" Hagrid said proudly.

It took everyone a few seconds to take in. Hagrid owned a newborn, baby Dragon. Hagrid, massive, kind hearted, Gameskeeper, Hagrid. "You live in a wooden hut." Blaise pointed out as if everyone else had forgotten. "Not that keeping a dragon in any home wouldn't be a challenge, but everything here is wood."

Harry nodded. "Geez, I thought Hogwarts was tough enough with the crazy stairs, moving suits of armor and giant three-headed dogs!" Harry said exasperated. He almost didn't notice Hagrid's shocked expression.

"Now don't you go giving Fluffy a hard time. He's been busy enough without you and those Weasley Twins snooping around the" Hagrid stopped suddenly. He didn't look away from Harry as he reached into one of his numerous pockets and retrieved a bloody strip of meat. The smell of the blood, the meat or a combination of the two stir Norbert and he was now actively searching for the smell.

"Sorcerer's Stone" said Harry.

No sooner had Harry said the words had Hagrid attempted at words and failed miserably. "What in sam blazes do you lot know about that!?" Hagrid did his best not to shout. "That's a top secret type thing. You shouldn't be sticking your nose into that."

Harry had a rather unconvinced look on his face. "Hagrid, you picked it up the same day you and I went to Gringotts. I was there." Harry said nonchalantly.

Hagrid was rather embarrassed he had forgotten that detail. "Never you mind that. What matters is that you shouldn't be sticking your nose where it ain't meant to be." Hagrid said adamantly. Seeing Nobert had finished the first strip Hagrid reached into the same pocket and produced another.

"Hagrid, what exactly are you feeding, Norbert?" Hermione asked clearly curious but too terrified to approach the baby dragon.

Hagrid was clearly grateful for a change in discussion. "Well, from what I could figure out, the mother feed the babies eviscerated wild turkeys." Hagrid said looking thoughtful. "Now Hogwarts may not have wild turkeys, we do have our fair share of wild hens. Spent all day yesterday and the day before with Fang. I've got my fare share of sliced meat for little Norbert."

Harry shared a glance with Blaise. "Hagrid, you must realize this is no place to raise a dragon. Come summer he won't fit in here." Harry said motion to the entirety of Hagrid's hut. "There must be somewhere for him to go."

There was a snap and a whooshing sound as Norbert hiccupped and blew uncontrollable fire onto his meat slice. "Go? What'cha mean 'Go'?" Hagrid said sounding upset and a bit hurt. "He doesn't have to go anywhere. I'll raise him and train him and get him hunting in the Forest. It'll be fine." Hagrid was sounding less confident as he explained himself.

"Hagrid, what if I told I knew someone that made it their life's work to look after Dragons and to care for them." Harry said looking at Hermione. "What if we could send Norbert to live and grow amongst other dragons?"

There was a moment of silence before Hermione caught on and looked at Harry. "Of course. That would be brilliant." she said reaching for her notes. "It wouldn't even be all that difficult for him to transport a newborn like this."

Blaise could see what they were getting at and decided it best to remain silent. "

"What are you going on about?" Hagrid asked taking a seat at his massive table and dangling his fingers for Norbert to play with.

Harry did his best to explain to Hagrid that he had befriended Fred and George Weasley and that their older brother Charlie was now a Professional Dragon Handler in Romania. He could have the twins bring Charlie to Hogwarts and pick up Norbert before anyone else finds out.

It took some convincing but eventually Hagrid agreed to have Harry ask the twins for help.