Hello again, my wonderful and patient readers! I am finally back. I now have a charger to my computer and I don't have to sneak around using my sisters laptop. So I will once again be writing my stories! That being said, I am going to be extremely busy this month and next month, so don't expect frequent updating. On a brighter note, I have been thinking about this story and all of the wonderful back story I have thought of to go with it. Thusly, I have decided to write about the founders, maybe Dumbledore's time at Hogwarts, and Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts. I have the first Chapter of Tom's story already written out, but I won't be posting that for a while, so hopefully I will have a good deal written out by the time I do post it. The founder's story is in its foundation stages at the moment (I'm thinking Tom Hiddleston as Godric Gryffindor and Micheal Fassbender as Salazar Slytherin; Kathy Najimy as Helga Hufflepuff and Connie Neilsen as Rowena Ravenclaw); and I have no idea what I will do with Dumbledore yet.
I am also looking for cover art for this fic, and was hoping if any of you had any ideas. If you do, please PM or email me at illithyafreimann with the image and the artist. I would really appreciate it. I have one in mind already, but I'm still on the look out.
Any who, let's get on with what we are all here for. Please enjoy, and happy readings.
No Warnings.
Chapter 25: Forward Motion Part VII
Andrew was surprised that Quirrell had lasted for as long as he did. The year was winding down and as far as he could tell, Snape hadn't gotten the stone. A down right miracle that was. Andrew still had a bit of a hard time understanding why he would want it; but every time Ron made some good arguments, and he left it a lone. The end of the year was the problem really. It had everyone in a bit of a frenzy. Especially Hermione.
"Don't you care about anything?" Hermione asked one evening while Andrew was trying to snooze. Hermione lifted the book that was on his face and glowered at him.
"Not really," Andrew said and turned over.
"You do realize that you have to pass your finals to advance into second year."
"If I don't pass, I'll just take the remedial classes for a month and get on that way." Andrew said trying to get some shut eye.
"Come on, Andrew!" Hermione pulled on his arm. "I'm going to get you and Ron ready for these finals if it's the last thing I do."
"It might just be…"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything. So why do we have to go to the library to study when there is a perfectly good common room to sleep in?"
"Because I know you'll go back to sleep if we don't go to the library. Ron is going to meet us there."
"Where is he?"
"The Great Hall."
"He's not going to just go and study when there is food around."
"Your brother is sending him up. Has anyone told you that the two of you are nothing alike?"
"Everyone we've ever met has told us that." Andrew yawned loudly. "I mean how can you not like hot dogs…"
Hermione rolled her eyes at Andrew. The two of them had different priorities: Hermione was focused on their studies and Andrew was focused on what was going on in the third floor corridor. Since the professors were also frazzled about the approaching end of the year, Hermione had won a few arguments, but Andrew was confident that he would win the one that counted.
Ron was waiting for the two of them at the library doors. He definitely looked like he didn't want to be studying. Hermione wasn't having no for an answer. They must have been in the library for two hours, and at this point Andrew was convinced Hermione was a robot designed to force others to study for eternity when he spotted Hagrid.
"Hey, look it's Hagrid," said Andrew in an attempt to distract himself from his studies. Ron perked up as well, and waved at him.
"He looks like he's doing something suspicious…" said Ron, and Andrew couldn't help but agree. Hagrid did look a little shifty. He wanted to investigate.
"No, you sit back down this instant," Hermione demanded.
"Has anyone told you that you're the Skynet version of studying?" said Andrew as he got up in clear defiance. He hoped that there wasn't a terminator hiding somewhere.
"Hi Hagrid, have you been keeping yourself busy?" Andrew asked while pretending to look for a book.
"Oh, 'ello there Andrew. I've been tryin'." Hagrid was as jolly as ever. He shifted his books so that Andrew couldn't see them. "Been studyin' hard have ya?"
"Hermione has been working me to the bone." Andrew laughed, as he pulled out a random book. "I'll be seeing you later Hagrid."
"Bye."
Andrew hurried over to Hermione and Ron.
"We are so making a surprise visit to Hagrid's later, or now."
"What! No, you haven't even gone over your charms notes!"
"Hermione, if I study any longer without a break I will literally explode and cause Judgment Day. See, I've even had killer robots and computer programs on the brain. How am I supposed to study?"
"He's right Hermione. We're just not like you. You're just too amazing for us." Ron flattered. Hermione sighed.
"Oh all right. But no more movie quotes! I haven't even seen that one…Skynet…"
"You want to know what movie it is don't you?"
"Oh be quiet."
"Great Hall first though!" Ron said. "We might be able to get some snacks on the way to Hagrid's."
The trio walked through the Hogwarts grounds. They probably looked a little ridiculous. Ron was eating biscuits, Andrew was sipping on coffee, and Hermione was jabbering off their charms notes. Andrew briefly wondered if she was afraid of being left behind. Or, well, everyone else leaving her behind. If that made sense.
Andrew knocked on Hagrid's door loudly. The trio was actually a little surprised when Hagrid inquired who was at the door nervously. It was a while before Hagrid actually answered the door. The three of them thought that was a little suspicious.
"I thought I just saw you three in the library," Hagrid said shielding his fireplace with his large form. He wasn't too subtle about it.
"We needed to take a break, and wanted to know if you would have tea." Andrew said. Hermione poked him in the side. "That and we wanted to know what you were up to. Did we tell you we found out who Flamel was?"
Hagrid shook his head in an exasperated manner. "You three are still goin' on about that. You shouldn't be meddlin' in Hogwarts business."
Andrew ignored the faint chirping noise and the heat of Hagrid's hut. Ron asked for water.
"We've come this far. It's only right to see it through to the end." Andrew said.
"If yeh focused on yer school work as well as yeh did the Stone yeh might not have to study so hard."
Hermione nodded, but Andrew somehow thought that was a counter intuitive to Hermione's argument for them to study.
"It's alright, we still have time to study. Besides the stone is probably more important anyway." Ron said Andrew stood back from Hermione, who he knew would explode at that comment. If the look on Hagrid's face was anything to go by, he didn't agree with Ron either.
"Finals are less than five weeks away! How many times is it now, that I've had to tell you that you have to pass finals to get to second year!" Hermione looked like she wanted to drag Ron back to the library.
"Hagrid what're you cooking?" said Andrew who managed to slip around Hagrid and was almost to the fireplace. The chirping seemed to have been coming from the big black pot hanging above the fire. The noise was getting louder.
"Whoa!" Ron suddenly gasped. "Hagrid, is that a dragon's egg?!"
Andrew's jaw dropped when he saw the huge, black egg underneath the kettle in awe. This was the first time that Andrew had ever seen a dragon's egg. Andrew had always wanted to see a real dragon, but they were viciously dangerous creatures, that protected their young and eggs. In fact, a female dragon would die to defend their eggs. How on earth did Hagrid manage to get himself a dragon's egg?
"Where did you get it?" Ron asked in wonder.
"Won it off a stranger, jus' las' night in fact. It was o' good game o' cards. 'Though, he was quite glad ter get rid of it." Hagrid shrugged his massive shoulders.
"I would be too," Andrew said. He had once begged his mother to let him have a pet dragon when he was younger, but his mother went into a long winded speech about the dangers of owning a dragon. "It's illegal to own a dragon no matter the continent. Hagrid, you could get into a lot of trouble if anyone finds out that you have it. Britain is pretty strict about their dragon population, since the Great London Fire. Are you sure that you want to keep it Hagrid?"
"O' course. I always wan'ed a dragon," said Hagrid cheerily. Andrew exchanged a look with Hermione and Ron. Ron seemed thrilled to see a dragon, and Hermione looked less than pleased but also intellectually fascinated. Andrew wasn't sure what he should be feeling, but he knew nothing good could come from having a baby dragon in a wooden hut, next to a school filled with children. Andrew looked at Hagrid uncertainly, but he nodded, secretly vowing that he would try to talk some sense into Hagrid or at the very least, find a way to get the dragon egg somewhere else.
With a sigh Andrew changed the subject; "So, we found Nicholas Flamel, and what's going on with the third floor corridor. We wondering what other enchantments were protecting the Sorcerer's Stone. By the way, did I tell you how adorable Fluffy is?"
Hagrid shook his head at the oldest Holiday twin. "Yeh know I can't tell yeh nothin' about what the professors are doin'."
"So, there are more things protecting the stone other than Fluffy?" asked Hermione as she cautiously peered into the black kettle.
"O' course, what'ayeh expect. Professor Dumbledore is protectin' a very valuable item o' Nicholas Flamel. It's quite teh honor." Hagrid puffed his chest out a bit. Andrew smiled.
"So, the ones he chose to protect the stone are probably the most capable and trustworthy of the staff. That would probably include the head of houses plus yourself. The five of you must be very trusted by Professor Dumbledore." Andrew said slyly.
"O' course, o' course, but we aren't the only ones protecting the stone. Professor Dumbledore has placed his own enchantments and even Professor Quirrell is protecting the stone." Hagrid said thoughtfully. "That's seven of us all together."
Ron finally left the chirping egg to become apart of the conversation. "I don't know how anyone could trust Snape."
"I know what you mean. Snape doesn't seem like the most trustworthy person. But, I almost can't believe that Quirrell was chosen for the job. He doesn't seem all that capable. At all." Andrew said and Ron snorted with a nod.
"Andrew! You shouldn't talk about the professors that way!" Hermione said scandalously. Hagrid was nodding his head. His bushy beard bounced with every nod.
"Professor Dumbledore trusts Professor Snape an' that's good enough fer me. An' Professor Quirrell is more than capable. He is quite quite capable. Especially with magical creatures." Hagrid said with offense. It was a little entertaining to see Hagrid get worked up. Though, he was glad that he wasn't actually angry, because that would have been terrifying.
"At any rate, we should be studying," said an irritated Hermione; who was interupted by the chirping coming from the dragon egg. "And Hagrid, you do realize that you live in a wooden house, and having a dragon would be completely dangerous while at the school." Hermione turned on her heel, nose in the air, and walked out of Hagrid's hut.
"I think we all just got told." Andrew sighed. Ron groaned.
"She's not gonna let us leave the library until the end of the year is she?"
"I think Hagrid got it the easiest. She won't try to shove One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi down his throat." Andrew said in trepidation.
Hagrid made his way to the black kettle, and stoked the fire happily. He had completely ignored Hermione's warnings.
It was a few days later when one of the school owls brought a letter addressed to Ron. It was a simple note that said two words: It's hatching. Ron's head shot up and turned to Andrew with excitement. Ron conspiratorially passed the note to Andrew. Anthony read the letter over Andrew's shoulder and the older twin passed the note to Hermione. All four students exchanged an excited look. Ron and Andrew suggested that they skip their first class of the day, but Hermione shot them down instantly. Anthony was laughing at them.
"Come on Hermione, when we will ever get the chance to see a dragon hatch?"
"Ron, we have classes. If we miss our lessons we'll get into trouble; and which is more for Hagrid if anyone finds out what he has in his hut." Hermione bit back. Hermione had been irritated since they first found out about the dragon egg. It was probably because it was the only thing on Andrew's and Ron's minds, while all she could think about was studying for their final exams.
Andrew was enjoying watching his two friends bicker, while Anthony nudged his brother and pointed to where the Slytherin table; where Draco was whispering to the other Slytherin first year purebloods. Theodore Nott looked upset and seemed to be arguing with Draco. Draco and Pansy looked really thrilled about something.
"He heard what we were talking about," Anthony whispered to his brother. They shared a look, and they silently agreed to do damage control.
"How about we go to class and then we go see Hagrid. And, Ron, I think you should send a letter to your brother Charlie. I think things are going to get a bit out of hand very quickly." Andrew whispered to Ron and Hermione. He subtly looked over to Slytherin table. Draco was now glaring at Theo and Harry. Harry was boredly mocking Draco by the looks of things.
The two bickering friends noded in understanding. The four Gryffindors were very hush the until they could go to Hagrid's hut. Despite their restrained behavior, the four of them were certainly ecstatic to see a hatchling dragon. So when their lesson was over, they all but raced to the little hut on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Anthony was the only one with the sense of mind to knock on the door. Hagrid answered the door in a rush looking like he was the happiest man in the world.
"He's almost out!" Hagrid beamed. Everyone pulled up chairs to watch the already heavily cracked, black egg. Andrew watched in wonder as a little, leathery wing popped out from the egg. Then with a loud scraping noise the little dragon stumbled onto the table. Andrew found the spindly creature to be extraordinarily adorable. The way its wings seemed too large for it's body and its bulgy eyes, and long snout. It was just so cute.
"Hagrid," Hermione started with worry; apparently she didn't find the Ridgeback as adorable as andrew did, "exactly, how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow?"
Hagrid was about to answer, but his cheery face suddenly turned pale. Andrew was surprised at how fast Hagrid was able to move, as the giant of a man ran to the window.
"What's wrong?" the Holiday twins asked together.
Ron bolted forward and swung the door open. Ron stood rigid for a moment, before he turned. As pale as a ghost he said, "Draco...he saw."
The only person more irritated than Ron, Hermione, and the Holiday twins with Draco's behavior was Harry, Theo, and Blaise. Theo's brow twitched as Draco went on and on about how he was going to out the "four Gryffindorks and the big oaf" when it benefited him the most. All he did was spout nonsense about some dragon. No one would be stupid enough to bring a dragon onto school grounds. It had been almost two weeks since he started this nonsense.
Theo could almost see Harry's anger coming off of him in waves. Harry had been very touchy these last few months. Well, mostly since the winter holiday, but Theo had ignored it. He figured it was just because something happened over the break and it wasn't really any of his business. If Harry wanted him to know then he would tell him.
Blaise was taking it the best. When Theo talked to Blaise about it, the dark skinned boy said that he had a sister named Jacklynn that lived in America that liked to brag about herself all the time and everything that she did; and that it was because of her that he was able to handle Draco's behavior so well. Theo envied Blaise.
Vincent and Gregory were able to ignore it pretty well, because they were concentrating very hard on their studies. Especially so when Professor Snape told them that if they didn't raise their grades soon that they would have to take a month of remedial classes. In fact the two of them had gotten up early that morning to go to the library to study.
Draco made another off hand comment about how he couldn't wait to get the "Granger Mudblood" into trouble and get her kicked out of school; and Theo finally snapped.
"Draco, for the love of Sahmin! Would you please shut up about this stupid lie! They don't have a bloody dragon!" Theo all but shouted. The other three Slytherins stared at Theo in shock. "You go on and on. If you really want to impress us, then get some bloody proof!"
Theo pulled on a light cloak and threw his tie onto his small dresser and stormed out of the dorm. Draco just stood there, floundering as his first friend just called him a liar and left. Harry couldn't help but laugh at Draco. Harry laughed as he too left the dorm. Blaise followed after moments later without saying anything.
Draco stood alone in the Slytherin first year boy's dormitory. Anger built in his chest. So he was just making a fool of himself? No, Draco knew what he saw. He knew that those stupid Gryffindors and the half-breed had a dragon. One of them had even been bitten by the bloody thing. He was going to prove that he wasn't lying. He would catch them tonight, no matter the cost.
With purpose, Draco marched himself out of the Slytherin Dungeon and let his feet take him to the Great Hall. Draco was on a mission, and he wasn't going to let anyone stop him from outing those stupid Gryffindors. Theo wasn't going to get away with calling him a liar. When Draco sat down at Slytherin table next to Pansy and Daphne. Daphne was reading a letter, probably from her sister. Draco found it both refreshing and annoying that Daphne didn't give him immediate attention. Pansy on the other hand could be ridiculous when she was being all clingy. But it wasn't too bad, considering the fact that she was the only one that believed Draco in the first place. Although that didn't inspire confidence in the Malfoy heir. And that was a downright shame.
Draco buttered his crumpets and thought on how he was going to catch the dragon bunch. Several plans ran through his head. He should just tell one of the professors. If none of his dorm-mates believed him, then very few of the professors would believe him as well. The only one likely to believe him was Snape. Of course his godfather would probably a right git and not believe him right away. It would take a good amount of convincing, unless…
"I'm going to do it tonight," Draco said aloud without really meaning to actually say it out loud. Daphne and Pansy looked up at Draco in confusion.
"What are you talking about now, Draco?" Daphne asked in confusion. Pansy looked perplexed and listened very carefully.
"I'm going to catch Weasle, Granger, and the Griffindork twins red handed with a dragon," said Draco, not realizing that Neville Longbottom and Anthony Holiday walked by. The two Gryffindors shared a concerned look, as Draco Malfoy was imagining Theo's surprised face smugly.