Harry, Magic, Ron, Hermione and Daphne were sitting in an empty class room not long after Hermione and Daphne had returned from the holidays, and before classes started. Calmly, Harry told them about his invisibility cloak and the adventure he'd had with Ron, as well as what they'd found out in the forbidden third floor corridor.
"So, it seems Professor Dumbledore wasn't mistaken about the painful death." Daphne stated. "It seems obvious that the three-headed dog was placed to guard something valuable. How large was the trap door?"
"One square meter." Harry replied. "The dog stood on it in such a way that it couldn't be opened without moving it, and it wasn't about to let anyone past."
"With your use of Magic, I'm sure you could transport us underneath the trap door, Harry." Hermione said. "Then we'd know what it was guarding."
"That's foolish." Daphne responded. "There's likely a better way to accomplish that goal. Be subtle."
"What, transporting under the trap door to see what's there isn't subtle enough?" Hermione asked.
"No." Daphne replied. "If possible, we should gather clues and observations."
"We'll make a list, then." Harry said. "Hermione, you're good with organization, got anything to write with?"
"Yeah." Hermione said, and Harry heard the sound of parchment being taken from a bag and put on a desk.
"First. There's a three-headed dog standing on a one square meter trap door, large enough to fit a man through." Daphne said, Hermione writing.
"And second, someone strong would probably have to care for it." Harry said. "Hagrid's got a large dog named Fang, and the dog we found in the corridor is certainly a pretty large one. He also sent me a flute for some reason."
"Maybe they're connected." Hermione said. "I don't know how yet, but I'll be researching that."
"There's another thing, too. This is just my suspicion, but someone was trying to steal something from that Gringotts vault a while back. What if that item is here?" Harry asked.
"A powerful dark wizard is likely the one who broke into the vault on July thirty-first." Daphne interjected, reminding Harry of what Ron had said to him on the train.
"Who, though?" He asked.
"There are some who believe that You-Know-Who is not dead, and I've heard rumors that he's capable of possessing people and animals." Daphne responded. "If the rumors are true, perhaps he was attempting to steal the item for an unknown purpose."
"Magic remembers seeing the body of my parents killer disappear, I think it was." Harry said. "If he's still alive but needs to regain a body somehow, what could he use?"
No one responded.
"I've gathered the list of items, anyway." Hermione said. "I'll start researching right away..."
"What, Hermione?" Harry asked, having heard her voice trail off.
"The stone." She said quickly. "Maybe it's... I'll be back, stay here!"
She rushed from the class room and Ron said, "What is there, a fire?"
"Perhaps she found something to further the investigation." Daphne replied. "She's very intelligent and has the best memory I've ever seen, aside from Magic's memory of pure data."
"Why, thank you." Harry said. "Go on, Magic, say it."
"Why, thank you." Magic repeated placidly.
"Nice." Harry said with a grin.
"You enjoy playing with Magic, don't you?" Daphne asked with fascination in her voice.
"Yes, I do." Harry said. "She's very accommodating, and I've even created a number of things to play with before."
"You've conjured objects?" Daphne asked, sounding amazed.
"If you mean created them out of thin air, yes. It's easy. I just need to know exactly what I'm creating, so I can make it feel like it needs to." Harry said. "Acts of magic come like walking. It's natural for me."
"Clearly." Daphne said.
"While we're waiting, I might as well thank you for the timer, Daphne. That'll come in useful in potions, I'm sure." Harry said with a smile.
"I thought you could use it." Daphne responded, then sighed.
"What's up?" Harry asked.
"My family doesn't wish me to continue associating with any of you. If I do, I could be disowned." She said.
"that's terrible." Harry responded.
"Don't listen to them, Daphne, they're just a bunch of idiots like Malfoy, no doubt." Ron stated. "Besides, you've seen for yourself that we're nothing like what your family's told you about people like us."
"Yes, I have." Daphne replied. "You need not worry. I don't plan to stop speaking to any of you, but I'm not going to tell my family the complete truth."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Gathering information from the enemy is wise. At least, that's what they'll hear. It's not exactly a lie, since to them, you Harry, are nothing, Ron is nothing, and Hermione is worthless." Daphne said.
"Sounds like a smart plan worthy of a Slytherin to me. Glad you're learning to be subtle, not like a blunt axe." Harry said, then heard footsteps hurrying back.
"Got it." Hermione said, and Harry jumped at a loud bang.
"What was that!" He shouted.
"Just a book I got for some light reading." Hermione feverishly said. "I just thought that he might want something like this because he's obsessed with living forever, at least that's what I read about him."
"What, the killer of my parents?" Harry asked.
"Yes, and he's called Voldemort." Hermione responded absentmindedly.
Ron and Daphne gasped as if terribly startled by the name, but Harry was glad to finally know his name.
"Thanks, Hermione." He said. "Now I know what to call him."
"Mate, you don't want to go around saying that! Do you realize just how terrifying that name is to people?" Ron asked.
"It's just a name, Ron, a silly word. It won't hurt you to hear Voldemort every once in a while." Harry remarked. Again, Ron and Daphne gasped.
"Stop saying that." Daphne hissed.
"I thought you'd be the calmest of all, Daphne, but it's Hermione and I, and of course Magic, that don't seem affected." Harry said.
"Of course you wouldn't be." Daphne said. "You've been raised by Muggles."
"Here.' Hermione said, then dramatically stated, "Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone."
"What?" Ron asked. Harry wasn't the only one confused.
"Oh, honestly, don't you two read? Look, read that, there." Hermione said.
"Magic." Harry stated, and Magic leaned over the page Hermione had apparently indicated. Her voice was calm as she read.
"The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Sorcerer's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle, six hundred and fifty-eight."
"See?" Hermione said after Magic finished reading. "With the stone, he'd be able to get a body perhaps. I bet that's what was in the vault, and what's being guarded by the dog."
"So, the only thing is this, then." Harry said. "How does one get past the dog?"
"You think Hagrid might really take care of something like that?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe." Harry responded. "It's only a theory I've got."
"One we can put to the test." Hermione said.
"We don't want to cast suspicion on ourselves." Daphne stated. "The questions you pose should be worded in such a way to avoid that possibility."
"The questions you pose." Ron said. "Why not take that Slytherin subtlety you're known for these days, and put it to good use. You can ask him, then tell us what you find."
"I'm willing to proceed." Daphne said after a long moment, sounding impressed at Ron's insight.
As the days passed, Harry noticed that Professor Snape seemed to be growing more irritable and short tempered, though wasn't sure why. His ire wasn't limited to the Gryffindors, either. In fact, he'd even snapped at some of the Slytherins. Most of all, however, he would be furious at Harry if he did anything wrong, and when he'd snidely asked him once if he was capable of following the simplest instruction, Harry briefly explained some of the challenges involved with being blind, apologized, and told him he'd do the best that he could to do better. He decided it wasn't the time to try and over think Professor Snape's teaching style, as he obviously had something stressful on his mind.
While everyone else went to the next Quidditch match, Harry and Magic remained inside, studying and learning the theories and explanations behind the charms, transfigurations, potions, and various other things they were learning. Though Professor Quirrell stammered his way through his lessons, they were still able to gain a great deal of useful information. The silent study time was brought to an end when the Gryffindors came in, loudly chatting and gleeful about winning the match. Harry, not a fan of the loud sounds, went up to the dormitory with Magic and finished the homework he'd received.
As the days and weeks passed, the teachers were piling more work on top of what they already got, likely in preparation for the exams. Hermione was laying out schedules and notes, studying hard and nagging Ron to do the same. All of Harry's free time seemed to be taken up with study and work, but one cold day in February, Daphne ushered the four of them from the library and into an empty classroom. After the door was closed, she stated in an intent voice, "Hagrid does take care of the three-headed dog in the corridor. He's named it Fluffy."
"He named that thing Fluffy?" Ron asked. "That thing's a beast, not some cuddly toy."
"How does he even take care of it?" Harry asked.
"I asked the very same question." Daphne responded. "As we were simply talking, and I was expressing my curiosity to him about such creatures, he freely gave me the information that music is used to make Fluffy sleep."
"Great." Harry stated. "If it's that easy for you to gather the information, then who knows if Voldemort will be able to do the same thing."
Daphne and Ron flinched at his use of the word Voldemort, but they didn't say anything.
"Got anything else for us?" Harry asked.
"No, nothing more." Daphne replied. "Unless you want to know about several other creatures, and Hagrid most desiring to care for a Dragon."
"Hagrid wants a dragon?" Hermione sounded aghast.
"He told me that, compared to Fluffy, a dragon wouldn't be difficult to care for." Daphne replied. "I think it's a rather dangerous, not to mention, illegal venture myself."
"Are we talking about fire breathing Dragons?" Harry asked.
"Those are the only kind I know of." Ron replied. "There are different types of Dragons of course, some of them more aggressive than others, at least, that's what Charlie's told us before."
"Wasn't Charlie your elder brother that's learning to take care of Dragons?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." Ron responded.
"Well, Hagrid wouldn't be smart to get a Dragon. Besides, his house is made of wood, and having something that lights fires in something like that, dangerous." Harry remarked.
"Well, you know how Hagrid is." Ron said. "He's not the smartest person."
"No, I suppose he isn't." Harry stated.
About a week later, Harry was sitting at a table in the library, reading his charms book under the table, his Brailler sitting on the table in front of him. Magic wasn't with him at the moment, and Harry guessed she was in the Gryffindor common room from the feeling of distance between them. He'd told her to do whatever she liked as he went to study, enjoying the silent, solitary environment in the library. As he stopped reading and began brailing more on the essay he was writing about possible uses for a heating charm, he heard the sound of someone's footsteps heading deliberately in his direction. He didn't stop brailing until he heard the person sit down across from him at the table.
"Hi." He said quietly to the individual.
"Harry Potter, I'm Tracey Davis, one of Daphne's friends." She replied. Her voice sounded somewhat uncomfortable as she spoke to him, which was nothing new to Harry, as he'd often received discomfort by people speaking with him, such as those who didn't know how to react to his blindness.
"Hello, Tracey." Harry responded.
"I um... Well, I thought I'd say hello. You know, your reputation you've got with performing magic so easily and being blind, with Magic, your helper, always with you... It's not a good one." Tracey said. She sounded nervous, Harry realized.
"I'm used to having a bad reputation." Harry stated in reply. "Where did they get the idea that Magic's my helper, anyway, because she's always with me?"
"We've all seen you help her, heard the story many believe is fake about her actually being your magic in some physical form." Tracey said, sounding more confident now than before. "I want to know the truth from you."
"This isn't the best place for that discussion." Harry said. "But if you want, we can go elsewhere."
"Yes, I'd like that." She replied.
Harry packed up his items in his backpack, then stood and unfolded his cane. Tracey walked behind him and gave him directions on when and where to turn as he navigated his way from the library. Once out of the doors and into the corridor, Harry turned around and said politely, "Tracey, could you please stop? I know my way around the library for what I do there."
"Sorry." Tracey muttered, sounding a little contrite.
"It's not that bad." Harry responded. "I'll tell you what I tell everyone else. Don't help me unless I ask for it."
"Well, since you wanted to talk somewhere else, I've got a good place for that. Want to come with me?" She asked sincerely.
"Sure." Harry replied. "I'll follow you."
The two of them walked down to the entrance hall, then into the dungeons, but not any place Harry was familiar with. He felt uneasy at walking somewhere like this with someone he didn't know or trust, but was fairly confident he could find his way out if he needed to. The dungeons weren't too much of a maze, and he still had his compass with him. When they stopped in what felt like the middle of a corridor, Harry turned toward Tracey and asked, "Where are we, exactly?"
"I suppose you wouldn't know." Tracey responded with some coolness in her voice before Harry felt a fist slam into his face, sending him staggering back. His cane was ripped from his hand next, then used to hit him hard enough to send him to the cold, stone ground.
"We're getting sick of you outshining us in class, Potter, and it's time you got taught a lesson." Tracey stated viciously.
"You really don't want to try anything." Harry said as he struggled to his feet.
"Don't I?" Tracey coldly asked as she moved close to him, then tore his backpack from his back.
Harry turned around and lunged at her, heard her move to the left, then slammed into her. Tracey only grunted a little, but he felt her hand grasp his hair in a vice-like grip.
"Where's your helper now, Potter?" Tracey asked in a mocking voice. "Maybe she's just as blind as you are."
"I'll tell you once." Harry stated, feeling his heart pounding hard in his chest, he trembling. "Give me my cane and my backpack. Or I'll get them back."
"How, by fighting like a common muggle?" Tracey sneered. "Petrificus Totalus."
Harry felt the magic hit him, felt his entire body lock in place, felt himself as he started to fall backward. He couldn't even shout, though at least he was still breathing, even if it wasn't completely under his control. Harry remembered reading about this spell, the body bind. It seemed Tracey was proficient at it, but his natural ease with magic would give him an edge. He touched his flame of magic, felt the spell on him, and rather than dissipate it, simply pulled it from him and sent it back where it came from. He stumbled as his body unfroze and quickly regained his balance as he heard a thud of a body hitting the ground. Getting on his hands and knees, Harry touched Tracey's face and rolled her over after jerking his backpack from her rigid grip. As she lay on her back, Harry calmly put his backpack on, then felt around the floor for his cane. It took him about a minute to find it, but once he had, he returned to where Tracey lay.
"Tracey Davis, I'll remember this encounter, and I'll remember how vicious and cold you've been toward me. I'll also remember the information you've given me about the others, presumably just the Slytherins. Thanks. By the way, I'll find my way out of here within a half hour, maybe an hour. I doubt your spell will wear off by that point, unless someone comes to remove it. Please don't curse me again, I'll just do the same thing I did before, but next time, I won't be as slow to react. And, I think it's quite sad you've let your jealousy get in the way of knowing the truth about me."
Harry turned and started to make his way along the corridor, then stopped when he heard Malfoy's familiar drawl. So that was what he'd sensed arriving, then, Harry thought, though he hadn't heard anything, perhaps due to some type of silencing magic.
"Think she was alone, Potter? We all know about how you use magic so well."
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy." Harry said conversationally as he turned to face him. "I guess you'll be helping your friend."
Harry knew that he could easily best Malfoy in a fight should he try anything. He knew of the power he possessed, well beyond anything anyone else had. He wasn't sure how the others might react to such a blatant use of his abilities, though, as it could make things worse. He was at a loss as to exactly what to do, but didn't show it.
"Sure, Potter, and we'll let you go after you give us that backpack and your little cane." Malfoy stated angrily. "Davis is right, you know. We're getting sick and tired of you showing how high and mighty you are. We're putting an end to this right now, Potter."
"You've got really poor tactics, you know that?" Harry asked.
He quickly began walking off again, and as Malfoy shouted a spell, Harry jumped to one side, slamming the top of his head on a protruding rock he hadn't known was there. Feeling dizzy, but still determined to get out of the dungeon, Harry began to run, his cane never leaving the ground as he swept it back and forth. He turned in any path that felt like it was going up hill, hearing the echoing footsteps of people running after him. Tracey was particularly angry, and shouted, "You can't outrun us, Potter!"
Harry slammed into someone going the opposite direction and heard items of theirs go flying, and both he and the other fell to the ground. Tracey laughed.
"Greengrass! You got here just in time!" Tracey said snidely.
"So it would seem." Daphne's voice was cold, and Harry felt her pull him to his feet with strength he didn't think she possessed.
"You're just as bad as him, Greengrass." Tracey stated coolly. "I thought we'd be friends, but you sully yourself with the taint of not only Potter, but Weasley, and that of the Mudblood Granger."
"I'm far more dangerous than Potter will ever be." Daphne's voice sounded like ice and Harry shivered. "If you harm any of my friends, you hurt me. I won't be forgiving. Leave, and I'll consider dropping this incident. Don't leave, and..."
Harry heard some movement from Daphne, and guessed she'd pulled out her wand. Tracey let out a huff, but her voice sounded less confident when she said, "It's not worth it. Not yet. Let's go." The footsteps receded and Harry let out a sigh as they faded into the distance.
"Thanks." He said. "And I'm sorry for knocking you down."
"That's not a necessary apology, Harry." Daphne replied, sounding at ease and calm now. "Though, I should tell you that such things aren't going to stop. You need to learn to stand your ground. Use all of your abilities. Don't be so naive."
"I could have ended it then and there, used all my abilities, made Magic come to me so she could help me, but I don't want to make things worse." Harry said.
"You won't." Daphne responded. "In the long run, things will be better. Short term, perhaps not. But I know you have the ability to defend yourself with ease."
Daphne was moving from one side of the corridor to the other and picking things up, placing them into a bag. Feeling awkward, Harry started to move to try and help her.
"Don't worry about helping me, Harry." Daphne said. "I'm nearly done."
"People picked on me at Muggle school, also, but things never got quite this bad." Harry said.
"They're jealous of what you can do." Daphne responded. "I was also, at first, but I've gotten over that. I would expect worse."
"Well, then, I'll just give them nothing." Harry stated. "Shield myself against their magic and spells, and any physical violence, and I won't react."
"And hope they don't go after your friends." Daphne responded. "I'll help you proceed from the dungeons if you wish it."
"I'd like that. Thanks." Harry said, taking her arm.
The bullies along with Daphne's warning was on Harry's mind as the weeks passed. Ron and Hermione had been briefed about what had happened by both Harry and Daphne, and as a result, had both been learning any defensive spells they could. They picked ones that were simple and quick to learn, and as for Harry, he could simply duplicate their magic once they successfully completed a spell. He generally didn't, though, and was more worried for his friends than he was for himself. As a possible deterrent against bullies toward himself, Harry kept Magic with him at all times, which she didn't mind at all. Harry asked her to be sure, as he'd sensed that Magic was gaining more autonomy than before. Her loyalty toward him was still absolute, however, and she simply told him that she would follow his wishes for her, that, as his magic, it was logical she do so, and also stated he was incorrect about her becoming more independent.
The weeks passed, the homework assignments grew, Hermione was practicing and studying so much it bordered on the fanatic, though luckily, they hadn't been attacked by jealous students yet. Harry knew it was only a matter of time, though, and decided it wise to keep his guard up. The temptation to use Magic's perfect knowledge was with him more than it ever had been before, as he would then have an advantage over the bullies if he was aware of them before he heard them. Instead of doing that, however, Harry had simply instructed Magic to shield him against attacks by others, and felt fairly safe with her complete willingness to comply.
Harry was in the library with Ron, Hermione, Magic and Daphne, all of whom were studying together, except Magic, who simply sat next to Harry. Currently, he was looking up Dittany for a potions assignment, cataloguing its uses and detailing what its advantages would be over using other plants for similar purposes. The day had been off-handedly described by Ron as a day he'd want to go out in, and wished he didn't have to study so much work with such good weather. Harry was curious as well, but was more focused on studying for the upcoming exams so he could come back again next year.
"Hagrid, it's rare to see you here." Daphne said. Harry only then realized he could hear Hagrid's shuffling footsteps, chiding himself for losing track of things so easily.
"Well, jus' lookin' up some things, research." Hagrid replied, sounding a bit shifty.
"Yeah?" Harry asked curiously. "What are you researching, Hagrid?"
"Nothin', nothin'." Hagrid replied. "And what you lot up ter?"
"Just studying for the exams and our homework." Hermione replied.
"Heard yeh got in ter a bit o' trouble, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
"I did. Hopefully, no one else will attack me, but I doubt the jealousy of others has ended yet." Harry responded with a sigh. "I even spoke to Professor McGonagall, but without any evidence, there wasn't anything she could do."
"Well, yeh stay out o' trouble, Harry. Don' let people put yeh down. Yer better than they are, jus' remember tha'." Hagrid said fiercely. Harry smiled.
"I'll keep reminding myself of that." He said.
When Hagrid left the library, Hermione immediately said, "He seemed a bit dodgy there. What was he hiding behind his back?"
"I'll go look." Ron said as he got up.
As he moved off, Daphne asked, "Can you read any of the books in the library, Harry?"
"Nope, just the ones I've got translated. I'm glad I can do all my school work just using them, because if I couldn't... Well, maybe Specialty Magical Needs would have something, but I don't know." Harry replied.
"Even if they don't, Magic could help you." Hermione said.
"Yes, she could read the books to me, but I'd rather have you, Daphne, Ron, or someone else do that." Harry said.
"That's wise." Magic stated, the only statement of agreement she'd made with Harry's policy so far.
Ron came back a few moments later, slamming something down on the table that made Harry jump.
"Dragons." He said. "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 did mention to me he always wanted a Dragon." Daphne responded thoughtfully. "Why, then, would he be reading about them now? It seems odd."
"Dunno, but it's against the law to have one." Ron said. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden. Anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania."
"Are there actually wild Dragons here in Britain?" Harry asked.
"Of course." Ron replied. "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic 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."
"So what on earth's Hagrid up to?" Hermione asked.
"We could ask him." Harry said. "Or just pay him a visit first, and probably find out for ourselves."
"It seems obvious to me." Daphne stated. "Hagrid's planning to get a Dragon, so he's learning about how to care for them. It's the only explanation I can think of."
"He wouldn't be that thick, would he?" Hermione asked.
"I wouldn't put it past him." Harry said, leaned closer to them, then whispered quietly, "You know how easy Daphne got information from him."
"Yeah, I do." Hermione responded in a tone of voice that indicated how unfortunate it was that she'd been able to gain secrets from him with such ease.
An hour later, they were at Hagrid's hut, having walked through the enjoyable warm weather. From the feel of the sun on his neck, Harry guessed the sky was clear. Daphne knocked on the door after they approached, then Hagrid opened it.
"Who is it?" He asked quickly, scanning them.
"Just us, Hagrid." Harry said, standing behind Daphne.
"Come in, quick." He announced.
Harry stepped inside the stifling hut after Daphne, Magic behind him and Ron and Hermione behind her. The door closed as soon as they entered, and Hermione asked, "Hagrid, why do you have the curtains closed, what's going on in here?"
"Oh, nothin'." Hagrid replied in a shifty way.
"You have a dragon. Don't you." Daphne stated.
"How'd yeh know." He asked, his voice shocked.
"It wasn't hard to guess." Hermione responded.
"Hagrid, we won't tell anyone else, but you do realize it's illegal to have the dragon. You won't be able to keep it." Daphne said.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Hagrid dismissed her claims.
"Hagrid, you're being irrational." Magic said. Harry felt delight that she was joining into conversations more actively than before. "Someone will eventually find out you have the Dragon."
"We're only trying to help you, Hagrid. We don't want to see you hurt in any way." Hermione said.
"I know, it's jus'... I thought I had a home fer... I even had a name already picked out..." Hagrid sounded like he was starting to cry. "At least let me let it hatch firs'."
"We may have little choice." Daphne said. "It depends on when, exactly, we can get someone to procure the Dragon."
"I'll ask Charlie about it." Ron said.
"Be discrete." Daphne indicated.
"Why?" Ron asked. "It's not like anyone would read it."
"When dealing with such things as this, don't take any chances." Daphne said. "I'll help you compose a letter if you'd like."
"Yeah." Ron responded. "Yeah, I suppose that'd work."
"Very good." Daphne said, and Harry guessed she was smiling from the sound of her voice. "We'll get to work on that now, then. Hagrid, I'm sorry that you weren't able to find happiness with your Dragon. I do hope you can find your paradise one day."
As Daphne and Ron left, quickly closing the door behind them, Hermione was looking thoughtful.
"Hagrid, how'd you get the egg, anyway?" She asked.
"Won it las' night." Hagrid replied. "I was down in the village havin' a few drinks an' got into a game o' cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest."
"Since it's illegal to have, I'm not surprised." Harry responded. "Who was it, did you look at his face?"
"Na." Hagrid responded. "Had his cloak on, didn't want anyone ter see him."
"And you trusted him?" Hermione asked.
"It's not tha' unusual fer folk at the Hog's Head, get a lot o' funny people there." Hagrid said, sounding unconcerned.
"Who else knew about your desire for a Dragon?" Harry asked.
"Well, Professor Dumbledore of course, Daphne, yer friends, and Professor Quirrell." Hagrid said.
"I doubt Professor Dumbledore would have done this, and Professor Quirrell's too timid. He has a hard enough time doing what he's actually supposed to do." Harry said thoughtfully.
"What are you on to, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Someone else obviously knew, and it seems strange that the Dragon was given to Hagrid, that he won it down at the Hog's Head." Harry said. "Did you tell this person anything, Hagrid? What did you talk about?"
"Well, think we talked abou' Hogwarts a bit, an' I told him what I did. He wanted ter make sure I could take care of a Dragon, so we got into talkin' abou'... Let's see... Yeah. He wanted ter give it ter someone who could take care of it. I told him abou' Fluffy, an' said after him, a Dragon would be easy."
"Was he interested in that?" Harry asked, his heart pounding, thinking he might have seen a connection. Who the person was, however, was still a mystery.
"Sure he was." Hagrid responded. "O' course, he wanted ter know how I handled Fluffy, so I told him, jus' play him a bit o' music and he'll go straight off ter sleep."
"You told him, even though you know someone's trying to steal the stone that's protected up at the school right now?" Harry asked, appalled. "Why would you do that, you could have just given the person trying to steal the stone a way past one of the protections that it's got, yours!"
"Well..." Hagrid sounded mortified. "Didn' think o' tha'."
"Hagrid, I... That was so stupid! Why would you do that?" Hermione asked.
"I wasn' thinkin', yeh know how it is when yer drinkin'." Hagrid mumbled.
"Yeah. And that's probably a great reason not to start." Harry said, trying to calm down. The stone, its protection, it was none of his concern. Voldemort was, though, and the strong possibility that he might be the one after it gave him something to worry about.
Harry, Magic, and Hermione met up with Ron about fifteen minutes later, and Harry noted he sounded satisfied. The three of them were near Gryffindor tower.
"Just got back from the Owlery." Ron said. "We sent it out, asked Charlie if he could help us take something from his trade. He'll probably get back to us within the week. Of course, Daphne said it wasn't subtle enough, but would have to do. She's almost as bad as you, Hermione."
"I'm sure she just wanted to make sure you were being thorough." Hermione said. "Besides, it's worth it if no one finds out, right?"
About four days later, Ron got an answer back from Charlie, telling him he'd be able to have some people come get the Dragon two Saturdays from now, and asked if it could be taken to the tallest tower at midnight. Ron wrote back in agreement, and Harry said to Magic, "Remind us about that the day before. And Ron, don't keep that letter anywhere, we don't want anyone to know about it."
"Right." Ron responded, tossing it in the fire where Harry heard it burn.
"It's great we've got you, Magic." Harry said with a smile.
"Yes." Magic stated in agreement.
Not long after Ron got his response from Charlie, the trio of Gryffindor friends and Magic received a note from Hagrid indicating the egg was hatching. Harry wasn't interested in joining them to see it, but in case Daphne was, he sent Magic to tell her so only she would hear. After Herbology, while Ron and Hermione went to Hagrid's hut, Harry went back up to the school and into the library with Magic, working on the assignments from the teachers that seemed endless. After what seemed like a short time, Ron and Hermione found him, both of them panting hard as if they'd been running.
"Malfoy... Saw..." Ron gasped. "We think..."
Harry sighed.
"I've been thinking about how to get the item where we need it." Harry said, standing. "Magic, teleport us to the other side of the table."
Harry was then standing on the other side of the table without physically moving his body. The feel of Magic's brand of teleportation was far different from apparation, and made no sound. Harry rather enjoyed it, as if his entire flame of magic was wrapping around him and embracing him as he was moved from one place to the other. Hermione gasped.
"But you can't apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts!" She whispered fiercely. "How do you do that!"
"I ask Magic, just like that." Harry said. "I don't know how I use magic, I just think about things happening, or ask Magic, and they happen. I can't explain it."
"Teach me." Hermione said.
"Okay." Harry replied. "Feel the flame of magic within you, first."
"What?" Hermione sounded confused. "What flame of magic, I don't feel my magic, it's just there."
"Yeah, what are you going on about, mate?" Ron asked.
Harry sighed, then said, "I can feel my magic in me like a flame, and I can also feel my flame of magic stretching and such when I'm far from Magic. It's hard to explain, but that's how I know she's my magic. When I want to do something, I either tell Magic, or I feel the flame in me, want it to do something, and it does, with Magic guiding it if I can't tell precisely what to do. Or, I can think to Magic, and it happens."
"Have you always felt that way?" Hermione asked. "Felt your magic like that?"
"As far as I know, I have." Harry said. "But, teleportation's the best bet, I think. It'll be quick, easy, and the best way to get this done."
"I agree with that, but I still want to learn." Hermione demanded.
"I don't think I can teach you, Hermione. I tried." Harry said.
Hermione, of course, didn't give up. She was still at it by the time Saturday came along. While Ron, Hermione and Harry argued about who would go get the Dragon to bring it to the tower, Harry insisting he and Magic go alone, and Ron and Hermione thinking it was too dangerous, Magic observed with her usual stoic serenity, and Daphne was silently in the room with them. Just as Ron and Hermione made to explain how dangerous it was for him to go alone with Magic for the third time, Daphne broke in.
"Harry and Magic have the best means to get the Dragon to the tower safely, and unseen. We don't. It's almost time."
"Right." Harry said.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've just wasted five minutes! Now you'll never get down there in..." Hermione was saying shrilly.
Harry silently thought what he wanted to Magic, and the two of them appeared in front of Hagrid's hut. Harry felt the instant change in the environment, but having expected it, wasn't disoriented. He hoped that they would all make it back to their dormitories in time. He heard Hagrid let out a startled gasp of surprise.
"Harry, Magic, yeh startled me." Hagrid said.
"Sorry about that." Harry responded. "We're here for the Dragon, Hagrid."
"Oh." Hagrid responded in a depressed sounding voice. "Well, got Norbert in this crate here. Got lots o' rats and brandy for the journey. And I packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely."
"Hagrid, seriously?" Harry said, chuckling as he heard ripping sounds from within the crate. "Sounds like the teddy is getting itself torn to pieces."
Hagrid was starting to cry, and Harry felt the somber emotions settle over him. While he might have thought the situation was a little funny in its own right, that wasn't how Hagrid felt.
"We will take care of Norbert." Magic said, stepping forward toward Hagrid, who lifted her up in a hug.
"I know yeh will." He sniffed, patting her back so hard it sounded more like back slamming. Magic was in no discomfort, though, so Harry wasn't worried. If it had been him, though, he imagined the force would have knocked the wind out of him.
After Hagrid put Magic down, she took one end of a large crate and Harry, after bumping into it, found the other. They lifted it by its handles, Harry felt the feel of the flame wrap around him soothingly, then they were standing at the top of the tallest tower. Magic had known where it was, as Harry had sent her out the previous night, invisible. While he slept, she found the place they'd transport to.
Harry waited for what seemed to be an eternity, shivering a little in the cold and hoping no professors would come and find them. The only people that did were Charlie's friends, and after they identified themselves, they strapped the crate into some type of harness system that Harry found fairly interesting. They hadn't had time to show it to him in great detail, though, and afterward, Harry heard them fly off on their brooms for only a moment, the flight mostly silent. Grasping Magic's hand, Harry teleported back to his dorm, appearing safely behind the closed curtains of his bed. As he quietly took off his shoes and got ready to climb into bed, Magic appeared in the empty common room, and as Harry went to sleep, Ron and Hermione quietly entered. Harry never heard Ron enter the dorm, however, as he was asleep almost the instant his head hit the pillow.