The Bad Gryffindor

Chapter 13:

A Norwegian Ridgeback Dragon.

The following weeks were as normal as it could get, Fred and George pulled pranks everyday, I jinxed a few students here and there in the halls and my extra classes with Snape were doing great, too! But there was one change I noticed, Professor Quirrell seemed to be getting paler and thinner by the day. A change I thought was beyond strange and each time I passed him in the halls I'd narrow my eyes in suspicion. I followed the third years into Defense Against the Dark Arts class and took my seat next to Cassius. The boys greeted me the minute I sat down and I greeted them back, "Mornin', boys!"

"Morning."

"So have you guys notice that Professor Quirrell's been looking sick lately?" I asked as I pulled out my notebook, quill, and ink.

"What do you mean?" asked Adrian, who sat in front of us but was currently turned around in his seat.

"He looks like he's getting thinner and pale." I commented and nodded my head toward said Professor who just came out of his office and nervously took his spot at the front of the class. Everyone turned around and faced the front to look as if we were paying attention.

"G-G-Good mor-morning, everyone." greeted Professor Quirrell. I narrowed my eyes at him as he started his lecture about Red Caps. I jotted down notes that I thought were important then doodled in the blank spaces of the page. When Professor Quirrell stopped lecturing he gave us all extra homework, some being reviews for the upcoming exams in ten weeks. Exams... how was I going to do exams this year? I'm mixed into two different years, how does that work for exams? With a sigh I packed up and followed my Slytherin friends out of the classroom. I split from the third years halfway down the stairs and headed down another staircase that would lead to the second floor.

I entered the library and pulled a few books out of my bag and handed them to Madam Pince, the Librarian, before going off in search of another book I needed to help me revise what I've learned for the end of the year exams.

"I'll never remember this!" a shout came from the isle behind the one I was currently browsing. Raising an eyebrow at the familiarity, I set down my book and took a look around the corner. On the other side was my brother, Ron with his friends Harry and Hermione. With a smile I approached the group who seemed to be studying.

"You know," I whispered in Ron's ear, causing him to jump out of his chair and fall to the floor causing me to laugh. "This is suppose to be a Library, keep your voice down, Ron."

"Merlin, Raven! You scared me outta my skin!" shouted Ron. He scrambled to get up and back into his seat.

"Are you guys studying for the exams?" I asked as I looked at Ron's book.

Hermione nodded enthusiastically and replied, "Yes, even though it's only ten weeks away I thought it was best to study now!"

I nodded in understanding, "Good, it's best to get ahead of the group!" I replied "I'm about to start studying myself."

As Hermione and I talked studying strategy for the exams, Ron called out to Hagrid who came into the Library. "Hagrid! What are you doing in the Library?"

I looked over to Hagrid as he hid something behind his back and looking very out of place in his moleskin overcoat. Kinda like when Fred and George stepped foot into the Library to talk to me earlier in the school year. "Jus' lookin', " Hagrid said, in a shifty voice. "An' what're you lot up ter?" Just as he asked, suspicion crossed his features, "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?"

Nicolas Flamel? Wasn't that someone Ron and Harry were talking about finding over Christmas break? "Oh, we found out who he was ages ago!" said Ron impressively. "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Sorcerer's St-"

"Shhhh!" said Hagrid, who looked around to see if anyone was listening. "Don't 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." said Harry, "about what's guarding the stone apart from Fluffy-"

Fluffy? That dog's got a name.. Oh! So it's Hagrid's pet, why didn't I realize this sooner? Only Hagrid would have a huge three headed dog. "SHHHH!" Hagrid hushed again, "Listen- come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don't go rabbitin' about it in here, students aren' s'upposed to know. They'll think I've told yeh-"

"See you later then." said Harry, and with that Hagrid shuffled off with a book in his hands.

"What was he hiding behind his back?" asked Hermione as she tried to get a look.

"I'm going to see what section he was in." Ron said, having enough of all the studying. He checked the section and came back with some books in his arms and slammed them down on the table.

I raised an eyebrow as I looked at the covers, "Dragons?" I mumbled as I picked up one of the books.

"Dragons!" Ron said quietly, "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide."

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

"He can't be raising a dragon. It's against our laws." I told them as I skimmed through A Dragon Keeper's Guide. "Dragon breeding's been outlawed since the 1709 Warlocks' convention. Kinda hard to conceal a dragon in the backyard from Muggles."

"Yeah, besides you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania!" added Ron.

"But there aren't any wild dragons in Britain?" asked Harry.

"Of course there are!" replied Ron, "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry 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."

"Then what on earth's Hagrid up to?" asked Hermione.

I gathered up the rest of the books, "I think I know, not that hard to figure out." I said as I went to place the books back. "Shouldn't you continue studying?" With that I left the group alone and went back to pick up the books I needed then left the library.

Later in the day when I went down to the courtyard for fresh air after a few hours of studying, I realized I hadn't seen the trio since this morning, which was odd. I shrugged it off and took a seat in the courtyard and opened my Standard Book of Spells: Grade Three textbook and looked over the spells. Committing everything inside my textbook to memory up until a pair of shadows blocked my light. I gave a silent sigh and ignored the pair in front of me as I turned a page and memorized what was on it.

"Hey!" called George.

Ignoring them I continued my studies, which caused my book to be snatched from my hands. I snapped my head up and glared at Fred and George and got up to try and reach for my book. "Give it back!" I hissed as I reached up but Fred held it higher out of my reach. Curse my shortness! I stood on my tiptoes and didn't notice how close I was to Fred until I felt my body pressed up against his in an attempt to retrieve my book. Ignoring the blush I was sure that spread across my face I reached further and pressed against Fred more before I manage to get a small grip and tug it out of his hands and jumped away from him. I reached into my robes, feeling for my wand as I looked around and lucky enough no one was in the courtyard. Lowering my hand from my robes I glared at Fred and stomped on his foot before turning my nose to the air and stomping away. I entered the Entrance hall and turned to walk up the Grand Staircase and in mid step I was forced to stop and trip as the twins popped up in front of me, causing me to fall onto them.

"Told ya she'd fall for us, Fred." chuckled George.

I mentally face palmed at his pun as I stared up at them with a blank look. Fred laughed as I pushed them away with a scoff. Fred grabbed one of my hands and George grabbed the other then pulled me into a hug. I blushed and mentally thank Merlin that the students were in class and not in the halls. They intertwined their fingers with mine and held me as close as possible. My blush deepened as we stood there in the hall way for what felt like hours but were just mere minutes before the bell rang. I pushed away the Twins and stomped past them with the blush still dusting my cheeks. I bounded up the stairs and looked behind me to see Fred and George following me with smiles on their faces. Frowning just a tad in confusion I kept walking up the stairs and down a few corridors until I was inside the charms classroom with the third years. I quickly sat beside Adrian and pulled out my book trying to ignore the glances the twins gave me until Professor Flitwick came into the classroom.

The week flew by in a flash and each day I noticed that the trio of first years were acting odd, like they were sneaking about and afraid to get caught. It wasn't until later that very same day did Draco go around hissing about a dragon they were going to smuggle out of the castle, apparently he got the idea from a letter he found in a book he took from Ron. I looked over the letter and raised an eyebrow at who it was from. Charlie? I shrugged and tossed the letter back nonchalantly but on the inside I couldn't be more worried. A dragon? How on earth did they manage to get hold of a dragon and now they got to smuggle it out without getting caught? Oh boy...This was going to end badly. When I caught the group of first years up late in the common room Friday night I approached them about this dragon.

"Oi." I hissed standing in front of the group with my arms crossed. "What's this I hear about a dragon?" Ron, Harry, and Hermione looked shocked that I knew their secret and Ron looked like he was about to piss himself. "Tell me now, or I go to Percy, Ronald Billius Weasley."

"Ah... you s-see, Ha-Hagrid manage to get himself a dragon and was a-able to hatch it." Ron stuttered out. "We've manage to convince him that it's not a good idea and told C-Charlie about it, he said he'd take Norbert to Romania."

I narrowed my eyes at him looking for some sort of lie but his eyes held the truth. "Very well. But I cannot allow you to leave after hours Saturday."

"But-!"

"Absolutely not, Ron. You are to stay here and that's final, I'll see to it that this dragon reaches the tower."

"Wha-"

"It's late, get to bed." I told him with a soft smile and turned to the other two. "As should you." I waved them a goodnight and walked up to the girls dormitories. The minute I got inside I pulled out a piece of parchment, my quills, and my ink and wrote a letter to Charlie.

Charlie,

What's this about you asking Ron to smuggle out a dragon?! Do you know how much trouble he could get in? Or worse, how mum would react when she found out the reason he returned home was because he got caught SMUGGLING a dragon out of the castle and got expelled! I don't want to hear that lecture when I return for the summer. Expect that the next time I see you I'll have some colorful words for you.

…..

But please take care of the dragon. Oh who am I kidding. I know you will! Speaking of dragons, do you think I could come see the reserve over the summer?

Love,

Raven

I placed the letter in an envelope and placed it in the drawer of my bedside table before curling up and falling asleep. I awoke around one o'clock in the afternoon the next day. I took a shower and brushed my teeth before pulling on a plaid green skirt, a black long sleeved turtleneck, and combat boots. Using my wand I straitened my hair and left it cascading down my back before leaving the dormitory. I went down to the common room and seen it full of students who were doing homework after they got filled up on lunch or played wizard chess or exploding snap, usual things they'd do on a Saturday. I left the common room and wandered down to the kitchens to grab some lunch but only to find out I wouldn't be dining alone. When I reached the kitchens I was seen to by a house elf before I noticed Fred and George eating at a table closest to the entrance. Fred was the first to notice me as he perked his head up and nodded to George. George turned around and they both broke into a grin.

"Raven! Beginning to wonder about you when you didn't show up for breakfast this morning!" greeted George.

"Or lunch! So we'd figure we'd dine down here to wait for you." said Fred, then he got up and bowed to me, "Care to dine, my lady." I giggled at how posh he sounded and nodded as he offered me an arm, which I gladly accepted. Fred escorted me to the table where one of the house elves presented me with a plate of cornish pasties, chips, and carrots. The elf poured me a cup of tea before it scuttled off to continue its duties in the kitchen.

"So why are you so late today?" George asked casually as I took a bite of my Cornish pasty.

I blinked at him in confusion before replying, "I woke up late that's all. Why? Worried about me now are you?" I teased as I finished off the pasty I was eating. They chuckled and I manage to finish my food in peace but felt them eye me every so often as they finished their meal.

"There a reason you keep staring?" I asked as I got up and straitened my shirt.

"Nope, just looking at a pretty girl." they replied with a smile.

I felt my cheeks heat up at his compliment and tried to play it off with a turn of my head and a scoff, "Oh please." I made an attempt to leave but was stopped when the twins got up and grabbed my hands. I looked back at Fred and George and stared at their hands that held mine. They brought my hands to their lips, placing a gentle on my hand and smiled at me. "We mean it." They said and pulled me into an embrace. I nodded and pulled away from them with a small smile one my face. "Thanks." I said before I left the kitchen.

The day flew by and it was two hours before midnight. I was relaxing in the common room with Harry, Ron, and Hermione; who were all up late waiting for their chance to slip out and head down to Hagrid's hut. Well, until I stepped into the room then their little hopes were crushed. Only Harry was allowed to go with me seeing as how he had the invisibility cloak and all. I was reading my charms textbook and writing down notes for the upcoming exams. Hermione and I would compare note taking ability to see who had the easier method to help memorize things. Ron, who pouted at me, and Harry were playing a game of exploding snap while we waited until it was the right time to leave. I looked at my wristwatch and nodded to Harry after he won a game of exploding snap to head upstairs and get his cloak. We'd have to be quick about this after we get outside the common room. Malfoy told me that he'd plan to get the two boys off guard by fetching Filch and catching them red handed. Harry came back downstairs with the cloak in hand and I stood silently at the doorway for him.

"Don't see why I can't go..." mumbled Ron.

I rolled my eyes and looked to Hermione, "Keep him out of trouble while we're gone." I told her. She nodded and Harry threw the invisibility cloak over us and we made our way out of the common room and down the Grand Staircase. I pulled Harry over to one of the portraits on the grand staircase and mumbled the password to the sleeping portrait, who unconsciously swung open for us. We appeared at the base of the Clock Tower and hurried past the bridge and down the hill towards Hagrid's hut. When we got to Hagrid's the dragon, Norbert he called him, was packed and ready in a large crate.

"He's got lots o' rats an' some brandy fer the journey," said Hagrid in a muffled voice. "An' I've packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely."

I smiled sympathetically at Hagrid, poor guy really loved the little beast. "You're doing the right thing, Hagrid."I told him softly as ripping noises came from inside the crate. "He'll be alright with Charlie, in fact it's the safest place for him. I'll be happy to check up on him over the summer for you."

"You'd do that?" asked Hagrid, I gave him a nod and he gave me a bone crushing hug in return. After that it was time to go, Harry and I threw the invisibility cloak over the crate and stepped under ourselves and we left Hagrid's hut with him sobbing out a goodbye to Norbert.

It took all our might just to heave Norbert up to the Clock Tower courtyard. I nodded over to the shortcut we took earlier and managed to cut our struggle in half. We struggled down the small hall and stairs but we manage to pop out on the other side. I looked up at all the remaining staircases that we had to climb and mentally groaned before we continued on. We trudged up the never ending stairs one after another until we reached the corridor beneath the tallest tower. A sudden movement in front of us made us almost drop the crate out of shock before shrinking into the shadows. Harry and I looked at the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other ten feet away. A lamp flared and the shadows turned into Professor McGonagall, in a tartan dressing-gown and a hairnet, who had Draco Malfoy by the ear.

"Detention!" shouted McGonagall. 'And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you-"

"You don't understand, Professor, Harry Potter's coming – he's got a dragon!"

"What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on – I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!"

The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seemed like the easiest thing in the world after McGonagall dragged Draco off. We reached the top of the tower and ripped the cloak off breathing in the cold air, happy to be able to breath properly once again.

"Well, well, I have to say it's a pleasure to see Malfoy get detention." I sighed to Harry. Maybe that would reign him in a bit. Harry chuckled and sat down next to the crate as I leaned against it instead. The wait didn't last long, I was keeping watch to the sky looking for Charlie or anyone from the reserve that would head our way, and sure enough I spotted four people on broomsticks come swooping out of the darkness about ten minutes after we arrived. I waved my arm to Charlie's friends who raced towards us. I could tell they were a cheery lot by how they greeted us. They showed us the harness they rigged up to carry the Norwegian Ridgeback to the reserve before we helped strapped Norbert in. Harry and I shook hands with them and before they left I pulled something out of my pocket, the letter I wrote earlier today.

"Can you give this to Charlie?" I asked giving the letter to one of the the four. Said person nodded and they left carrying Norbert into the night.

Harry and I watched until we could no longer see the outline of the group and the swinging crate. Harry and I turned around and as Harry went down the spiral staircase, I caught sight of the invisibility cloak. I picked up the cloak and went to meet up with Harry in the corridor below. As I did I seen Filch drag Harry down the corridor, Harry looked over his shoulder and looked at me. I held up the cloak to show him why I didn't come down and realization dawned on him. He look like he wanted to smack himself in the forehead before he disappeared down the hall. I threw on the cloak and followed them down to the first floor, heading to McGonagall's office. I stood outside and waited for Harry but it sounded like there were more than just him and McGonagall inside. I pressed my ear against the door, inside I could hear McGonagall scold whoever else was in there with Harry, come later it turned out to be Hermione and Neville. I raised my eyebrow as to how Hermione and Neville got caught. Wasn't Hermione still suppose to be in the common room with Ron? How'd she get involved?

After a few more minutes the group came out at a cost of fifty points each, meaning they just lost Gryffindor a hundred and fifty points... Good thing I didn't get caught, although I'd be cheered on by Slytherin's as a hero for getting them ahead in the house cup. No one in Gryffindor was going to be very happy about this. I followed the three young Gryffindor's back to the common room and took off the cloak revealing myself to them. "Sorry, Harry." I apologized when we got back to the common room. "I shouldn't have let you leave after I stopped to grab the cloak... I really am sorry."

"It's alright." said Harry. "Just wish I wasn't stupid enough to forget all about it."

"A common mistake." I told him, "Honestly I forgot it too until I seen it out of the corner of my eyes."

Harry smiled before him and Neville retired to their common rooms and I walked with Hermione up to the girls dorm. She stopped at the first year dorms and retired to bed and I continued onto the second year dorms and also retiring to bed.