DRAGON AT HOGWARTS
Chapter Fourteen: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback
"Wait a second? Isn't that a name of a type of dragon?", Lily asked confused.
"That is a type of a dragon. I wonder why the title is like that.", Severus said.
"My god! I think Hagrid has done something really stupid!", Lily said panicking. "And I believe that, Harry is in right in the middle of it!".
"That can't be good.", Severus said shaking his head.
Professor Quirrel certainly seemed to be a really brave man, as even though he was looking worse day by day, he did not seem to be cracked up yet. Snape was still in a bad mood, and was shouting at everyone in the class, which meant that the stone was perfectly safe.
"That certainly means only that, he is still making up his mind, as to whether he wants to do it or not.", Severus said.
"Or maybe he is scared because you are starting to suspect him, and is following you around everywhere, making sure that he will not do anything bad.", Lily added.
"That certainly is a possibility.", Severus said nodding.
The three of them started encouraging Professor Quirrel inside the class, by giving him smiles and even stopping students from making fun of him.
"Talk about encouraging your own enemy. They certainly are making a really bad mistake.", Lily said sadly.
"I hope that it will not encourage him to take the stone.", Severus said. "Getting encouragement from your own enemy, when he is doing it unknowingly gives motivation."
"How do you know that? Do you have some experience?", Lily asked teasingly.
"Nah, I just made it up. But I think it is a true case.", Severus said. "And Marauders certainly does not give any encouragement."
"That is certainly true.", Lily said.
But Hermione had other things in her mind too. She was getting worried about her exams, even before ten weeks. She had started colour coding her textbooks, which she told that, will help very well.
Severus chuckled at this. This was something which Lily did every time. But she did not start it as early as ten weeks before the exam.
"She certainly is like you, Lily. She is doing many things that you do now.", Severus said.
"This practise really helps you know. But I think she is too enthusiastic to start. I start only before seven weeks, and all of my house call me a book worm.", Lily said.
"Well, seven weeks are too early for some people.", Severus said.
"Even you do that with me, Sev! Do your house mates call you the same?", Lily asked.
"The fact is that, they do. Many of them had even wondered why I was not in Ravenclaw.", Severus said.
Hermione was trying to force Harry and Ron to do the same, but it made Ron furious. But Harry took a work a bit seriously, but not as big as Hermione.
"No surprise there.", Lily said. "The Weasley boy did strike me as an idiot."
"I think Harry is now behaving more and more like you, Lily. In the beginning, he struck me as a person who is not so enthusiastic.", Severus said.
"But Hermione there is still so much time for exams. And Harry, I can't believe that you are joining her.", Ron said with a betrayed look.
"The exams are just ten weeks away!", Hermione said. Harry did not tell anything. He had joined Hermione because, he felt that he was lagging behind.
"That is a very long time!", Ron said angrily. "And what are you studying for? I am sure that you know the answers to most of this!"
"Even people like us need to study you know!", Lily said angrily to the book. "You just can't think that, we know practically everything!"
"They think like that, because you answer to practically all the questions that the teachers ask. Some people are just stupid, to jump away into such conclusions.", Severus said.
"You are not any different Sev! Even you answer to almost all of the questions that are asked by Professor Slughorn in potions. Many of the Gryffindors say you are a potions nerd, and I am pretty sure that Ron's argument is true in your case with respect to potions.", Lily said teasingly.
Severus stuck out his tongue, and Lily just started laughing.
"Are you stupid, or are you acting like one? You do realize that, if you want to go into the second year, you will have to pass these exams?", Hermione asked angrily. "I think I should have started this a month ago, I have no idea, what made me not to do that."
Ron looked at Harry. Harry just shrugged silently telling, 'I am no part of this.'
"Did she just tell that, she should have started to study a month ago, ? That is really unbelievable!", Severus said incredulously.
"She will go seriously mental in her OWL and NEWT year, if what I hear about fifth and seventh years are true.", Lily said.
"Speaking about OWLs. You do remember that, we are going to write that this year, don't you?", Severus asked. "How do you suppose we start preparing?"
"I do remember that, Sev! But I have absolutely no idea about how to prepare for this. I suppose that, we should ask the senior students. And I have a strong feeling that, the fifth book in this series will show my son appearing for OWLs. I am sure that, we can pick up some hints from that.", Lily said.
"That is a really good idea.", Severus agreed.
The Easter holidays were very different from the Christmas holidays, as the teachers seems to have the same line of thought as Hermione. They piled them with so much homework that, the three of them had very little time to enjoy.
"That is the case all the time! I sometimes wonder, why they gave that holiday for, if it was not given for enjoyment.", Lily said.
"The teachers act as if all the years are OWL or NEWT years.", Severus said.
"Looks like when Harry tells about teachers, it includes you too, Sev!", Lily said grinning.
"I will never do that!", Severus protested.
"Well, we will have to read and see if you did.", Lily said grinning.
Ron was finding it really hard to enjoy the holidays, as Hermione pulled him to the Library every day during the Easter holidays. Though Harry was less enthusiastic, he did not need much of a push. One day the three of them were sitting inside the Library, and was in a bit of a cheerful mood as the day was really bright one. While Harry was searching the Library books for finding information about an obscure topic, he heard Ron shouting, "Hagrid! What are you doing here in the Library!?"
"What is the big deal about seeing Hagrid in the Library? I am sure that he will have some reason to come there like the students, and the rest of the staff there.", Severus said with a confused look.
"The thing is Sev, even I have not seen Hagrid in the library in the four years I have been at Hogwarts. Even you should know that, as we both go there together most of the time.", Lily said.
"Well, he might have gone there when we are not there. Or maybe he has something, which needs some research.", Severus said. "I have a really strong feeling that, whatever he is researching starts with the letter D."
"I hope that he will be OK.", said Lily knowing what Severus meant.
Harry suddenly looked up from his book, and saw Hagrid. He was hiding something behind his back, and Harry suddenly became interested in what Hagrid was hiding.
"Jus' lookin' fo stuff.", Hagrid said in a really suspicious tone. The trio instantly knew that, there was something really shady here. "An' wha're yeh three doin' here?", Hagrid asked apparently wanting to not talk about what he was doing there.
"That is not suspicious at all Hagrid! If I was one of those three I would get really suspicious.", Lily said.
"Apparently, Harry did. He is your son after all.", Severus said with a grin.
"I have a really bad feeling that three of them will certainly investigate what is happening with Hagrid.", Lily said.
"Oh, yes they will. You all also would have done the same thing if you had anything like this, won't you?", Severus said.
"I certainly would do that, and that is what worries me.", Lily said with a sad face.
"Just doing our extra work for the holidays.", Ron said. "It is not like we looking for the stone or something.". Harry and Hermione facepalmed themselves when Ron said that.
"This guy is certainly one of the biggest idiots I have ever seen!", Severus said doing a facepalm himself. "Why did he have to tell about the stone now?"
"Sometimes even the best of us have the tendency to spill things you are not supposed" But to. Hagrid seems to be the example and Ron seems to have joined the club.", Lily said.
"SHHHH!" said Hagrid again. "Please don' talk abou' this here. People will hear about this, and think that I have tol' yed abou' this."
"But no one over here knows about this!", whispered Ron. "And what are you doing in Library anyways?"
"Listen - come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here", Hagrid said looking around warily.
"We will see you later then.", Harry said, and Hagrid went off quickly.
"Do you think that Hagrid will tell them anything?", Lily asked.
"Reading how Hagrid is an expert at spilling all the secrets, I think he will tell somethings at least unknowingly.", Severus said.
"I also wonder if other teachers helped in guarding the stone.", Lily said.
"I am positive that, they would have. I would have definitely done it. I wonder what I would have done.", Severus said thinking.
"I am sure that, you would have given something related to potions. And something really difficult I am sure.", Lily said.
"That will the most probable thing I would do.", Severus agreed.
"What do you think he was doing inside the Library? I could definitely see that he was hiding something.", Hermione asked to the boys.
"Do you think he might be researching about something related to the stone?", Harry asked. Ron then went to the place Hagrid had come from to see what he was researching about. He then came back, after a minute with a bunch of books, and put those on the table.
"Dragons! He was researching about dragons!", Ron whispered.
"Oh Hagrid! What in the world have you done? Why are you researching about Dragons!", Severus said into the book.
"I am thinking from where did he get the dragon from. It is obvious that, he got something like that from somewhere, and is researching about it to know more about it.", Lily said.
"Dragon breeding is illegal in England! If he gets caught, he will definitely end up in Azkaban!", Severus said.
"I wonder if this situation is related to the title of the third book. Maybe where Hagrid somehow manages to escape it?", Lily asked.
"That I think is highly unlikely. Knowing Dumbledore, I don't think he will allow that to happen.", Severus said shaking his head.
Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide.
"Hagrid had told me that, he always wanted a Dragon as a pet.", Harry said looking at the books on the table. Maybe he actually found one.
"But it is against the laws in Britain. Dragon breeding was abolished in 1709. It was widely demanded by many wizards, when one of the dragons started the London fire if 1666. It was a welsh green I think.", Ron said.
"Well, that is a really interesting information. I never knew that, dragons were the one what started the great fire of London. I always thought that, it was a fire inside a bakery.", Lily said
"That I think is the cover up story that was put up. I don't think muggles will take the truth lightly, if told.", Severus said.
"That is true. That wizard, whoever had the dragon, should have been more careful. But I do think that it was the right move to abolish this practise.", Lily said.
"Are there wild dragons in Britain?", Harry asked curiously.
"Of course, there are! Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up, I can tell you. The ministry has to erase the memory of the muggles, who spots the dragons.", Ron said.
"Ron has a really extensive knowledge about dragons. He might be really useful in the future.", Severus said.
"That is, I think mostly because of the fact that, his brother is a dragon keeper in Romania if my memory serves right.", Lily said thinking.
"Yeah, he is. He must have told Ron all about Dragons and stuff.", Severus agreed.
"What do you think, Hagrid is up to?", Hermione asked.
"I think we should go today in the evening and check it out.", Harry said looking at the other two. Ron just nodded in agreement.
When they went to the cabin, they found all the curtains closed, as if Hagrid did not want anyone to see what was happening.
"That is absolutely not suspicious at all! I wouldn't dream of even checking it out!", Lily said sarcastically.
"Hagrid has to make it so obvious that, there is something suspicious going on. If the marauders were around, I am sure that they would certainly have checked it out. And remember that, the protagonist of the story is the son of a marauder, and one of the most curious girls in the world! That is a deadly combination!", Severus teased.
Lily grinned and gave a punch on his chest playfully, and said, "I thought you hated the marauders, Sev! It seems as if you nearly gave them a compliment."
"It is just for this situation and nothing else.", Severus defended himself.
They knocked on the door, and Hagrid's voice came from inside, "Who is it?".
"It is us, Hagrid!", Harry answered. Hagrid must have recognized his voice, as the door opened moments afterwards. He closed the door, just after they came in. The room was very hot, even hotter than outside, and had a fire in the grate.
"So yeh wanted to ask somethin'", Hagrid asked with a questioning look.
"It is not something, Hagrid! It is many things!", Severus said into the book. "There are hundreds of questions, we want answers to!"
"It is mainly them Severus! We are just the readers!", Lily said laughing.
"Well, even as a reader I want all the answers now! First question is 'what in the world is your business with illegal dragons!'", Severus said again into the book.
"I am sure that all will be answered now.", Lily reassured Severus.
"Yeah, first of all we need to know if there are further protections to the stone other than Fluffy.", Harry said.
"O' course I can't,'', Hagrid said frowning. "Number one, I don' know meself."
"Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That stone's here fer a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts - I s'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all. Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy.", Hagrid said with confused tone.
"Oh, come on Hagrid. We are sure that, you know almost everything that is going on over here at Hogwarts.", said Hermione trying to make Hagrid answer the question by praising him. Hagrid sat there with even more proudness in his face. "We just want to know, whom Dumbledore trusts apart from you to keep the stone."
"That was a really good strategy, making Hagrid tell the truth by praising him. I am sure that, it will surely work in his case.", Lily said appreciatively.
"I am sure that we would have done the same thing in that situation. It works for many people.", Severus agreed.
"I wonder what the other teachers would have done to protect the stone. We have already established that, yours will be something that is related to potions.", Lily said.
"It is very easy to make theories. Professor sprout would have mostly made something that is in accordance with Herbology, Flitwick something with charms, and McGonagall with transfiguration, I am sure that there will be somethings which are related to things like runes and Arithmancy, which might be a little hard for a learned man to go across, let alone a trio of students.", Severus said.
"I hope that, these three will not attempt to do that thing, because I am sure that it will be really tough.", Lily said.
"Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that... let's see... he borrowed Fluffy from me... then some o' the teachers did enchantments... Professor Sprout - Professor Flitwick - Professor McGonagall -" he ticked them off on his fingers, "Professor Quirrell - an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."
"That maybe a shock to these three who thinks that, you are the one who is after the stone.", Lily said laughing. "I am shocked that, even Quirrel had given a hand in this."
"That is a really clever ploy, as no one will suspect what you are up to. I am sure that, the three of them will think the same about me.", Severus said sadly.
"That is true, Sev!", Lily said. "Do you think that, Hagrid has let out many teachers, or do you think there are very less number of enchantments guarding the stone?", Lily asked.
"I do believe that, Hagrid must have left a few names while telling. As I feel that, three teachers guarding a big stone like this is very less.", Severus said.
"Snape? Do you mean that even professor Snape is also one of the people guarding the stone?", Hermione asked with disbelief.
"Yeah - yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Trust me when I say that, he is one of the people who are safeguarding the stone, not stealing it!", Hagrid said. But the trio had different thoughts in their minds, they thought that it would have been easy to know about the other teacher's enchantments, if he was also a part of it. So, they were still certain that Snape was the one who was after the stone. They concluded that, Snape knew everything except Quirrell's trap and Fluffy.
"You are the only one who knows, how to get past the three-headed dog, aren't you?", Harry asked.
"Only myself and Dumbledore. Not a single sole other than that.", Hagrid said proudly.
"Am I the only person who has the feeling that, Hagrid would have told this to some other person, considering his history of spilling secrets?", Severus asked.
"No. There is a really high chance that, Hagrid must have told that to someone at least accidentally. And also, have a feeling that, Hagrid will spill that thing to these three.", Severus said.
"I hope that, even if Hagrid said that to someone, it will be someone who is not harmful or is after the stone.", Lily said. "He hopefully might have just blurted it out in some obscure bar."
"By the direction that the story is going, I am predicting that it would have been Quirrel that he gives the secret to.", Severus said.
"That will be disastrous Sev! If that is so, then why haven't Quirrel done anything till now?", Lily asked.
"Maybe it is because, Dumbledore is the castle, and Quirrel does not have the guts to steal the stone right under the headmaster's nose.", Snape said. "That means, the stone is safe, till Dumbledore is inside the castle.", Severus said.
"That certainly is reassuring.", Lily said.
"Hagrid, just open the window, can you? I am close to boiling.", Ron said.
"Can't, Ron, sorry," said Hagrid looking at the fireplace. Even Harry saw that, Hagrid was looking at the fireplace.
"Hagrid, what is that in the fireplace?", Harry asked. But he already seen and knew what was there in the place. Underneath the kettle, was a large black egg.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?", Lily asked.
"That is certainly a Dragon egg, if that is what you are thinking. The good thing is that, he does not have a grown-up dragon anywhere near him, otherwise it would have burned him and hut down.", Severus said.
"The question now is, how exactly did he get something like this.", Lily asked.
"I think that it will be something certainly less than legal, and no one gives something like this without getting anything back.", Severus said.
"Ah," said Hagrid, fiddling nervously with his beard, "That's er...". Harry knew what it was, but he wanted to hear what it was from Hagrid's mouth.
"Where did you get this from Hagrid. I know what that is. It is a Dragon's egg.", Ron said. Hagrid Flinched. "I am sure that, it must have cost a fortune.", Ron continued.
"I won it.", Hagrid said. "Las' night. I was down in the village having' 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."
"That is not suspicious at all!", Severus said shaking his head. "I feel so bad that, it is easy to fool Hagrid."
"He should not have accepted it from him anyways. I am sure that, Hagrid knows that he is doing illegal stuff. The man must have been glad to get rid of it, as he knows that it is illegal.", Lily said.
"But don't you find it really strange that, Hagrid meets a random stranger who just happens to have the thing he wants the most, and what are the odds of Hagrid winning a match of cards in a totally drunken state?", Severus asked.
"That is a good question, Sev! The whole thing is mysterious.", Lily said.
"What are you going to do, when the little dragon comes out!? I am sure that dragons will grow to sizes much bigger than this hut!", Hermione said wide eyed.
"Well, I've bin doin' some readin'", said Hagrid, pulling a large book from under his pillow. "Got this outta the library - Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit - it's a bit outta date, o' course, but it's all in here. Keep the egg in the fire, 'cause their mothers breathe on I em, see, an' when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An' see here - how ter recognize diff'rent eggs - what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare, them."
"There is only so much that you will get from reading books, Hagrid. I don't think it will help much in this situation.", Lily said.
"I am sure that Dragon breeding needs an expert help, if you are a beginner. And I am sure that there won't be anyone available at Hogwarts at the present.", Severus said.
"Do you have any idea, how big can Norwegian Ridgebacks get?", Lily asked.
"I have absolutely no idea. But it is sure that, Hagrid will not be able to handle it, if it grows fully.", Severus said.
"I hope that, Hagrid finds some way to get rid of the thing fast. Otherwise it will be disastrous for him, and maybe even the whole school!", Lily said.
Hermione was not impressed by this. Harry was a bit surprised as, she always took what books said as the final word. "For Merlin's sake, Hagrid! You live in a house made up of wood! How do you suppose that, you will raise the Dragon here?", she asked.
Harry was worried about the reaction of other people, when they find that Hagrid was trying to raise a dragon inside his home.
"Even I am worried about what others will think of this. Maybe Dumbledore will not do anything to Hagrid, but if the ministry gets the wind about this Hagrid will be in a big load of trouble.", Severus said.
"I am sure that even Dumbledore may not be able to help Hagrid if it comes to that. Dumbledore is only so much powerful in ministry matters. Raising a dragon is a serious crime, when it is near a place which is full of children.", Lily said.
"They really have to find a way to get rid of that thing, before it is too late!", Severus said.
After a few days, a letter arrived for the three of them at breakfast. It was Hagrid's and was very brief:
Egg is hatching.
Ron wanted to go to the hut immediately, skipping one or two classes but Hermione dissuaded him from it. "Hermione I want to see the egg hatching! It is a once in a lifetime experience!", Ron said.
"Please don't go guys! If someone catches you, it will be really bad!", Lily said.
"That too, there is a real possibility of them getting hurt due to this! I think even baby dragons can breathe fire!", Severus said with a sad face.
"Dumbledore trusts Hagrid with his life, and Hagrid is raising a dragon right under his nose! That is a clear breach of trust!", Lily said.
"Don't you think, you are reading too much into all this?", Severus said laughing.
"Oh, come on Sev! You know that what I say is perfectly true!", Lily said.
"Think about it Ron! If we skip the classes and go, the teachers will ask what we were doing and where we went. If we are forced to tell the truth, we all including Hagrid will get into trouble.", Hermione said.
"Could you both just shut up for some time.", Harry said. Harry saw Malfoy who was passing by, and Malfoy had stopped and listened to hear what they were talking about.
"This is just great! Now the Malfoy idiot has got the wind that, something is happening!", Severus said shaking his head.
"This just made the whole situation even more complicated. I have no idea what they will do now.", Severus said.
"The best option would be, not to go to the hut today so that, Malfoy will forget about what had happened on the next day.", Severus said.
"That is a really good idea. But Ron looks like he wants to the hatching of the egg very badly.", Lily said.
"Let him go to hell! Unless these people want to get caught, this is the best option!", Severus said.
But Ron and Hermione argues with each other on the way to the greenhouses. Hermione then agreed that, they will go to Hagrid's place during the morning break.
"Great, you are just asking to get caught by that idiot Malfoy!", Severus said shaking his head.
"At least they are going during the break time! I am sure that the teachers will not get suspicious!", Lily said.
"But what if they stay beyond the break time, or Malfoy follows them and finds out the secret, and tells it to some teacher?", Severus said.
"Then god help my son and his friends.", Lily said sadly.
At the end of the lesson, they dropped their trowels and ran to Hagrid's cabin very quickly. Hagrid greeted the three of them with a really sweaty and tired face. "It will come out anytime now!", he said as he ushered the three of them inside. The egg was sitting on the table. Harry could see that there was something moving inside it, and a clicking notice was coming from the inside. They all went near the egg, and watched the egg hatching with bated breath. The egg opened with a scraping noise, and a baby dragon came out. Harry thought that, it looked really nice. It had a long snout with wide nostrils, the stubs of horns and bulging, orange eyes.
"Awwww… My son thinks the dragon is cute!", Lily said with a smile.
"The book never mentioned that, Harry thinks that it is cute.", Severus said with a confused look. "He just said that, it looked nice."
"Still, he did like the dragon, didn't he?", Lily asked.
"Is that a really big thing? I am sure that there will be many people in the world, that thinks the same.", Severus said.
"Maybe, but it is still a cute thing to know.", Lily said.
A few sparks came out of its snout as it sneezed. "Isn't he the most beautiful thing in the world.", said Hagrid with awe. Hagrid stroked the Dragon's head. The dragon snapped at his fingers.
"See! He knows who his mommy is!", Hagrid said happily. "Hagrid, can I ask you something?", Hermione asked still looking at the Dragon with wide eyes.
"Of course, yeh can.", Hagrid said.
"How fast does this breed grow?", Hermione asked.
"That is a really good question. If you want to know, how much more time Hagrid can keep the Dragon, the answer to this Question is necessary.", Severus said.
"How much time do you think that Hagrid can keep the Dragon, without someone noticing it?", Lily asked.
"I had given it a month, or a month and a half at the most. Hagrid must find an alternative home before that.", Severus said.
"But what do you think the chances are that, they will find some place?", Lily asked.
"One good idea is to give it to, Ron's brother Charlie. He is a dragon keeper, isn't it?", Severus said thoughtfully.
"That is a really good idea, Sev! They can definitely do that. But problem is how?", Lily wondered.
"I am sure that they will find a way, if it comes to that.", Severus said.
Hagrid was about to answer the question, but Harry noticed someone peering from outside from the window. Even Hagrid noticed that, and became pale at once. He ran to the curtains, and peered out. "What is the matter?", Ron asked with confused look.
"Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains - it's a kid - he's runnin' back up ter the school.", Hagrid said with a fearful tone. Harry rushed to the door, to see who was the person. He saw the figure running to the castle was Draco Malfoy.
"Great! It happened just as you predicted Sev! The Malfoy dunderhead has seen the dragon.", Lily said shaking her head.
"I don't think that, he will inform the teachers right away. The teachers will never believe him, without any definitive proof.", Severus said.
"That is a really good thing to know. Hopefully these three and Hagrid will not make any more mistakes.", Lily said.
"I hope so to. The earlier the dragon gets out of Hogwarts, the better it is for Hagrid and these three.", Severus said. "And their best option certainly is to contact Ron's brother."
The three of them were becoming more and more nervous, due to the smile that Malfoy was having for the days that followed. They were now trying to convince Hagrid to give away the Dragon to someone during the free time they got. "Please let him go Hagrid! Let him free! If they find out you are raising a dragon, you will be in big trouble!", Harry pleaded.
"I can't," said Hagrid. "He's too little. He'd die."
"You know, for a moment there I think I have to agree with Hagrid. We can't just let a baby dragon free!", Lily said.
"They would have to give it to someone who will definitely take care of that. I am sure that the Dragon keepers of Romania will take care of it properly.", Severus said.
The three of them looked at the Dragon again. It had become three times bigger than it was at birth. The dragon was emitting sparks from its mouth every now and then. Hagrid was not doing his game keeping duties, and was instead fully focused on the Dragon. It seems to becoming some sort of obsession for the big man.
"A really dangerous obsession if you ask me. It can literally kill you, if you are not careful.", Severus said.
"That is a really good statement Sev! Talk about playing with fire!", Lily agreed nodding.
"I wonder if Hagrid can hold on to the Dragon any longer without anyone else than, these three and Malfoy noticing it.", Severus said.
"I really don't think that he can hold on much longer as, the other staff members will surely start noticing Hagrid's absence anytime now.", Lily said.
"I've decided to call him Norbert," said Hagrid, looking at the dragon with misty eyes. "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mummy?"
"He has gone completely mad.", Harry whispered to Ron, who nodded in agreement. Hermione was just shaking her head, and watching Hagrid.
"I agree with my son here. Hagrid has totally lost his mind. There is only a small difference between obsessive love and insanity, and this is clearly the latter.", Lily said.
"I seriously would recommend going to a therapist, after the Dragon is in the hands of someone else.", Severus said.
"That is a really good suggestion, Sev! I am sure that, it will do some good to Hagrid.", Lily said agreeing.
"Hagrid, Norbert is going to become as large as this house in a few weeks. We really have to do something about this, before Malfoy tells Dumbledore about this.", Harry said trying to make Hagrid see some sense.
"I - I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't jus' dump him, I can't.", Hagrid said sadly.
Harry then suddenly got an idea, turned to Ron and said, "Charlie."
"Yes! He got the idea that I suggested!", Severus said happily. "He is bringing the topic of Charlie!"
"Thank god, that my son has some really good thinking skills. At least he is making a plan that is a good one.", Lily said smiling.
"I hope that, they can give the Dragon to Charlie without anyone noticing it. But the problem is that, it will take really long time for Charlie to come, and Hagrid has to be really careful.", Severus said.
"That is true. But I am sure that, they will figure out some way.", Lily said.
"Have you also lost it, Harry?", Ron asked confused. "I am Ron!"
"No! I am talking about your brother working in Romania. He is a Dragon keeper, isn't it? I am sure that, we can send the Dragon to him. He can release the Dragon into the wild.", Harry said excitedly.
"That is a really brilliant idea! What do you say, Hagrid? Hagrid agreed to their plan, without much persuasion.
"Well, that is a relief. I was afraid that, he will refuse to do even that.", Lily said sighing.
"I am sure that, Hagrid is not stupid enough to do that. Even he knows that, he cannot hold on to the Dragon any longer without someone else noticing.", Severus said.
" I hope that, Charlie will consider his brother's request. If he doesn't, the three of them will have more problems.", Lily said.
"I am sure that Charlie will accept the request. He is Ron's brother after all.", Severus said.
On Wednesday night, Harry and Hermione was still sitting in the common room even though the others had gone to sleep long back. Ron came bursting into the common room through the portrait hole, just as the clock struck midnight. He was helping Hagrid with Norbert.
"It bit my hand!", Ron said. The hand was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I don't think I can do much schoolwork, for a week. That Dragon is just the most horrible creature I have ever met!"
"Now, Now Ron! You can't expect to go and try to look after a dragon and not to expect getting burned by it!", Severus said.
" I thought he would have learned that, through his brother. Some people just won't get the important things that, others are trying to tell you.", Lily said shaking her head.
"I do hope that he will be OK. I hope that, the teachers, or Madam Pomfrey will get any suspicions about this. But I know that, it might be too much to ask. People are bound to get suspicious at Hogwarts.", Severus said.
"But the matron never asks too many questions, does she?", Lily asked.
"Nope she doesn't. But they have to be careful with the other staff, especially me. I am sure that, I am bound to get suspicious.", Severus said.
"Then let's hope that you won't.", Lily said.
"But Hagrid treats him like, he is the cutest thing in the world! He just kicked me out of his hut, when I got burned saying that, I was not treating the dragon properly.", Ron continued.
"Hagrid is getting more and more insane by the day. I have no idea, what to do with him, if it happened in our time.", Lily said.
"Hopefully we will not have to deal with insane Hagrid in our time.", Severus said. "I do have a strong feeling that, the reason for why Hagrid was expelled will surely be along these lines."
"I also have that feeling, Sev! And I wonder what sort of creature it would have been", Lily said.
"Could it have been something worse than a dragon?", Severus asked.
"What could be worse than a dragon?", Lily asked.
"I have no idea.", Severus said.
Just then Hedwig came to the window and tapped on it, so as to alert the trio. Harry went and let it in. They knew that, Hedwig must be carrying Charlie's letter. They took the letter from the owl, and read it together.
Dear Ron,
How are you? Thanks for the letter - I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.
Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.
Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love, Charlie
"That is a big relief. Now Hagrid can give the Dragon to Charlie.", Severus said sighing with relief.
"That letter does solve a lot of problems. Now the problem is getting into the tallest tower without getting noticed by the teachers.", Lily said.
"Harry has an invisibility cloak, isn't it? I am sure that he can use it to make it to the tower.", Severus said.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot about the cloak. That makes the thing so much easier.", Lily agreed.
The three of them then agreed to use Harry's invisibility cloak to go to the tower. But a small problem arose in the next morning as the pain in Ron's arm got more and more worse. The hand had grown twice its normal size. Ron was reluctant at first to go to hospital wing at first, as he feared that the matron will recognize the bite, but by afternoon they had no choice but to go, due to the extreme pain.
"That bite must be extremely painful, as to make them go to the hospital wing risking getting caught.", Lily said.
"I have heard that, sometimes dragon's bite is more painful than the burn it causes.", Severus said.
"What if Madam Pomfrey identifies, the bite as a dragon bite?", Lily asked.
"Then these three and Hagrid are in really big trouble.", Severus said sadly. "But the thing is that, sometimes Madam Pomfrey does not ask much questions about the injuries you have, if she can cure them without asking. It happens many a times with me, when I go to hospital wing, after a really bad prank from the marauders."
"That is really sad, but that can be a useful thing this time.", Lily agreed.
When Harry and Hermione went to the hospital later, they found Ron in a really bad state laying on the bed. "My hand feels like it is going to fall off anytime.", Ron said moaning. "I had told Madam Pomfrey that, this was a dog bite, but I don't think that she had believed me. The worst part was that, Malfoy came here with an excuse of borrowing a book from me, and threatened that he will say the truth to the matron."
"What a git! He just wants the information to blackmail others. But I am not complaining, at least he hasn't already gone and inform the teachers.", Severus said.
"He is just a big-headed bullying coward. It kind of looks like the rivalry between you and Marauders, where marauders are the bullies, and you are the victim", Lily said.
"To be frank, Marauders are a bit better than this idiot. They don't do shameless blackmail to get their things done.", Severus said.
"Wow Severus! I never thought you would ever say that, the Marauders are better than anyone.", Lily teased. "But I do agree with you. The Malfoy idiot is worse."
Harry and Hermione tried to calm Ron down, by saying that everything will be over by Saturday. But what Ron said afterwards made their hearts sink. He then sat upright and was sweating. "Oh Merlin! I just realized that, the letter from Charlie was inside the book that was taken by Malfoy!", Ron said with a horrified face.
"This just gets better and, better doesn't it?", Lily said sarcastically.
"He is really a big dunderhead. He should have torn the letter or burned it, as soon as they had read it. That would have been the best option.", Severus said.
"They are only eleven Severus! I don't think they will have such ideas in such early age, though they are facing things that most of the adults have never faced even in their first year of Hogwarts.", Lily said.
"That is true. They are just eleven.", Severus said nodding in agreement.
"We can't change our plans now! We have got to do it on Saturday. There is no time to send another letter to Charlie. We will have to risk it, by taking the invisibility cloak and go to the tower.", Harry said. The Saturday night was dark and cloudy and had a really gloomy feel to it. But Harry brushed it off, and thought that nothing will go wrong that night.
"Good to know that, Harry is slowly becoming an optimist. He was such a pessimist in the beginning of the book.", Severus said cheerfully.
"I have a really bad feeling that, something is going to be wrong this time, Sev! I just know it!", Lily said.
"Hey Lily! Did your son's pessimistic mind get transferred to you?", Severus asked.
"No Sev! I just have a bad feeling about all this. There are many things that can go wrong in this plan. What if someone comes to the tower, just when they are giving the Dragon? What if the dragon hurt my son, or Hermione?", Lily asked.
"I am sure that, nothing will go wrong Lily!", Severus reassured her.
They had arrived a bit late to the hut, because of Peeves. Hagrid gave Norbert to the duo, in a cage. "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.". There was a noise from the inside the cage, which was like the dragon was tearing the teddy bear into pieces.
"That is so bad! I like teddy bears very much!", Lily said sadly.
"What did Hagrid expect, when he gave the teddy to the dragon. Even the kids sometimes tear their teddys into pieces, and that too what can an animal do with a toy for human kids?", Severus asked.
"We have already established that, Hagrid has gone totally insane. So, this is nothing big.", Lily said.
"At least he will be able to get rid of the Dragon for now. So, his insanity will surely wear off, thanks to Charlie's friends.", Severus said.
"Bye-bye, Norbert!" Hagrid sobbed, as Harry and Hermione covered the crate with the invisibility cloak and stepped underneath it themselves. "Mummy will never forget you!"
Harry and Hermione exchanged looks of relief, as they knew that Hagrid would finally be free of this headache. They managed to get to the tower really fast, thanks to the Harry's shortcuts.
"Wow there goes the marauder inside him. They seem to know all the shortcuts inside the castle.", Severus said.
"Yeah, I know. Sometimes I really wonder how do they do it. Sometimes I feel that, they have some kind of map with them. Also, they seem to know the location of many people inside the castle.", Lily said.
"That is a really mysterious thing.", Severus said nodding.
When they nearly reached the tower, they heard a sudden noise that startled him. They then hid themselves forgetting that they were invisible. They could see outlines of two people. They identified Professor McGonagall who had Malfoy by his ear.
"Yes!", Lily and Severus shouted happily.
"That git must have been up to catch Harry and Hermione in the act. That just is a really wonderful turn of events for this idiot.", Lily said laughing.
"I hope that, he will get a really good detention. He will certainly learn a lesson.", Severus said.
"Detention! Twenty points from Slytherin. You are out of your dormitory at such late hours!", she shouted.
"You have to listen to me Professor! Harry potter will come any minute now! He has a dragon in his hands!", Malfoy tried to convince the angry professor.
"What sort of rubbish are you talking, Malfoy! I am going to take you to professor Snape!", Professor said.
"I hope that, I will give him an appropriate detention. What do you suggest I give him?", Severus asked Lily with a grin.
"How about cleaning the dirtiest closet in the castle for a month? Or helping Hagrid with some dangerous creature?", Lily suggested.
"Those are really awesome plans. How about a detention in the forbidden forest?", Severus asked.
"That will teach that coward a big lesson.", Lily said laughing.
The two of then climbed the staircase really fast, with really happy faces. They threw off their cloak only after reaching the top, and checking that there was no one there. Hermione was jumping happily, but Harry stopped her, saying that there was job left to be done.
"Wow, I think he is going to be a good leader and a strategist in the future. He knows when to get excited, and when to wait for it.", Lily said.
"It will certainly help him in the future. But let me ask you. Would you have behaved any different from Hermione?", Severus asked.
"To be truthful, I don't think I would have had any different reaction than her.", Lily admitted.
The two of them waited for about ten minutes, and four broomsticks came down. The four of them were really nice and cheery people, who accepted the dragon immediately. They showed Harry and Hermione the place where they were going to keep the dragon. Harry and Hermione shook hands with them and they flew off with the Dragon.
"So, at last the headache of dragon is gone without much problems.", Severus said with relief.
"But there is still the problem of the stone. They need to still worry about that, and I hope that it will also be solved as easily as this.", Lily said.
"I hope that, I will catch that Quirrel idiot before he does any big problems.", Severus said.
"Me too, Sev. Me too.", Lily said.
They went down the staircase with smiling faces, and light hearts as the problem with Dragon was gone. They were sure that, nothing could go wrong that would make their cheerfulness go away. But as they got to the foot of the stairs, they saw Filch's face coming out of the darkness. Harry's heart fell as Filch looked at them with a wicked smile. "Well, well, well. We are in trouble."
Harry realized that, he had left the cloak on the top of the tower.
Both Lily's and Severus's faces widened in horror. Severus facepalmed himself.
"Idiot boy! You should have been more careful with yourselves.", Severus said.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Lily muttered shaking her head. "How could they have been so careless? Just when I thought that, everything went well, this happened."
"Now I think they are going to be in the same fate as Malfoy. I am now going to take back all the suggestions for detention.", Severus said. "I hope that, they will only get lines to write."
"Me too Sev!", Lily said.
"Well, this is the end of this chapter.", Severus said.
"Let's take the next one then.", Lily said.