Christmas Break ended without too much fanfare. Harry waited on the platform for his friends after the new year. Standing beside Hagrid, he watched the Hogwarts Express come down the track, hissing as it slowly came to a stop.

"Hagrid, why do the students always have to ride the train to come to Hogwarts?" Harry asked curiously as the first students disembarked from the train.

"Ahhh, tha's a good question, 'arry. You see, th' wards o' the castle are so strong tha' they need t' be entered slowly. By makin' th' students come t' Hogsmeade and then head t' th' castle, the wards don't register them as a threat."

"And if they didn't, the wards would attack them?" Harry asked, suddenly nervous. Hagrid quickly raised his hands, quickly abolishing the thought. "O' course not! Tha'd be th' war wards. 'Aven't been used in centuries, those. Not since th' Dark Ages. Nay, th' wards would simply preven' th' students from enterin' 'ogwarts."

Harry was about to reply, but stopped as he saw Hermione step off the train. She was followed by Neville and Ron, the three quickly noticing Harry and waving. Harry grinned and waved back, as the three rushed over. As they did, Hermione rushed forward and hugged Harry. "Harry! Did you have a good Christmas?" Hermione questioned after the hug.

"Yes! I got so much reading done." Harry beamed. Ron groaned at the same time as Hermione let out a sigh. "Ron's in a right snit since he got on the train. Even made Draco get another car."

Harry frowned at that and looked over at Ron, who seemed intent on not meeting Harry's gaze. "Ronnnn." Harry whined a bit. Ron looked a bit uncomfortable as he replied, "He was being a slimy git! It wasn't my fault."

Harry crossed his arms, giving Ron a stinkeye. "Still, you should TRY to be friends with him." Ron personally felt like Harry's gaze could beat out his mother's, not that he'd ever tell. The redhead quickly shook his head and spoke up, "He's not like you, you're a GOOD snake. I don't think that's possible for anyone else."

Harry let out a breath, about to reply when he saw Draco and his "guards" step from the train. As always, Crabbe and Goyle were sticking close. Seeing Harry and the others, the trio headed over and joined the group. Draco's mouth opened as his gaze locked on Ron.

Immediately, Harry moved to stop the incoming arguement, "Draco, how was the Ministry Ball? I saw you there in the Daily Prophet." Draco's gaze immediately snapped to Harry, surprised. "You saw that?"

Harry nodded. "One of the students who stayed for Christmas has a subscription and left the paper on a table in the commons. I thought you looked great in those dress robes!" Draco huffed, sticking out his chest with pride as Ron rolled his eyes. "Of course. They were the latest style."

"A'right ev'ryone! Into the carriages and back to 'ogwarts!" Hagrid's voice boomed. Hearing the half-giant's shout, Harry moved over and looked at the carriages. The huge, black-skinned skeletal horses made him shudder. "Those are so creepy."

"What, carriages that pull themselves, Potter?" Draco asked, moving to get in. "It's basic magic." The comment made Harry blink for a second as his brain processed what Draco just said. "No, the skeletal horses. The carriages are pulled by them. Don't you see them?"

Ron looked at Harry. "Blimey. Being alone all this time has left you mental, mate." Harry gave an annoyed yip, hopping in place as he did. "I'm telling you, I can see them!" Harry grabbed Neville's hand, pushing it to the flank of one of the horses.

Neville's face went pale as his hand shot back. "I-I f-feel something! T-there's s-something there!" He seemed about ready to panic, as Hermione walked over, reaching out as well. This started the rest of the group moving to try to touch the skeletal horse, as Hagrid stepped up. "Into th' carriage, you lot. Yer holdin' up the others. Ther'll be time t' pet th' Thestrals later."

"Thestrals?" Harry asked, as Draco hurriedly moved to get into the carriage, the expanding carriages making room for each of the group as they entered. Hagrid gave a smile and a nod, "Aye. Beaut'ful creatures. Y' can see 'em, 'Arry?" Harry nodded, as the groundskeeper rubbed his beard. "Not sure ah like th' impl'cations o' tha. Into th' carriage now."

Curious about the statement, Harry entered the carriage to sit with his friends, finding Ron bickering with Draco about Christmas. Giving a sigh as he heard the arguement, he stomped his foot on the floor of the carriage, making it rattle. "Enough, you two. Or I'll turn into my fox form and bite the both of you on the arse!" Harry clicked his teeth together warningly.

At the comment of Harry's animagus form, the topic quickly changed. Soon everyone was chatting about what they wanted as an animal form, before Hermione turned to Harry. "Do you think we'll be able to become animagi soon?"

"Well, if you have the leaves under your tongues still, then I'd say there's a good chance." Looking around, Harry saw each of his friends nod, except for Ron. Seeing his friend's downcast look, Harry reached out to his friend, grabbing his shoulder. "What happened, Ron?"

"My brothers snuck a prank potion into my food. I didn't know about it until it turned the leaf to dust. I couldn't even tell my mum about it, since it was supposed to be our secret." Harry blinked. "They snuck you a prank potion? And your parents are okay with that?"

Ron shook his head. "They never do more than grounding them. I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Ron said. Harry suddenly realized why Ron ate his food as quickly as he could, sympathy visible on his face. With a sigh, Harry shook his head. "Don't worry, Ron. I'll try to get you a new leaf. You won't be able to do the ritual with us, but it doesn't mean you can't do it at all. At the very least, you could do it sometime this summer!"

Ron nodded, but went silent for the rest of the trip. Harry started to talk with the others about spells and runes he had learned, tracing their outlines in the air to help the explanation. He explained about his work on reinforcing runes, keeping the fact he was using them on a muggle drill model a secret. He didn't want to get in trouble, after all.

"Being alone in the castle sounds wonderful. You sound like you had the library to yourself." Hermione said dreamily. Harry grinned at Hermione. "It was ruddy brilliant. Other than a couple of other students who came to research something, I pretty much could be in there from morning till night."

Hermione had a wistful, jealous look on her face as Draco's face scrunched up, thinking about something. Harry peered over at his friend, worried for a moment. "Everything alright, Draco?"

"...I asked Father about what you told me to look up."

Instantly the conversations in the carriage went silent, everyone turning to Draco. "You were right. The Dark Lord and his men have been responsible for wiping out three families, and nearly wiping out another six. And that's only members of the Regal 40. That's not even counting the newer magical families."

Crabbe and Goyle looked pale, as Harry reached over, placing a hand on Draco's as he spoke softly, "I'm sorry." Draco was quiet for a moment, before his gaze moved to look at Harry with a confused glance. "You're sorry? For what?"

"For making you look that up. I know how important the Regal 40 are, especially to you as an Heir. Finding out that someone you looked up to was responsible for that. I'm sorry." Harry let out a soft sigh, as Ron peered at Harry with a look like Harry had just excused someone for murdering puppies. Thankfully, Neville reached over and clapped a hand over Ron's mouth before he could say something. It took a few seconds and a whisper from Neville, as Ron seemed to calm.

Draco took in a breath, and after a few seconds, released it. "I accept your apology, Heir Potter. But there's something more I wanted to tell you." Harry looked at Draco curiously, waiting for him to continue.

"Father says the Dark Lord wasn't always like that." The statement made Neville and Ron both look a little queasy, made worse by all of the talk of Voldemort. Hermione was the first to speak up. "Of course he was. Dumbledore himself says how evil He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was!"

"But Father says that originally, it was a political movement. The Death Eaters didn't exist; they were a group of purebloods who worked to prevent the degradation of our traditions. They were named the Knights of Walpurgis." Draco took a breath, and then crossed his arms. "He didn't tell me more than that, though."

Neville spoke up. "V-v-voldemort-" Harry saw his friends flinch at the name. "Is the reason m-my p-parents are in the J-janus Thickey ward! H-he's totally evil!" Harry nodded to Neville, speaking up as he did, "And he killed my parents too. Whatever he was like before, he became nothing but a murderer, Draco."

The only response from Draco was silence.

School quickly got back to normal with the return of classes. Harry went to supper after his Monday classes, making his way into the Great Hall. It had been a nice day in Transfiguration, and Harry took some time to thank the Professor for her help with the photo album for Christmas. McGonagall had seemed all too happy for the thanks, and had given him a bright smile.

As Harry moved to begin eating, the post owls soon flew in with the evening mail. Harry saw a large brown owl winging towards him, with a long, thin box.

"Whoa, Potter. What did you get?" Nott asked from across the table as the owl dropped the package, flying off again afterwards. Harry moved to reach for the small note that came with it, opening it to see ornate handwriting using a deep, onyx ink.

Congratulations on making the team, Harry.

I got you this to help. I'm not sure about you being in Slytherin, but I do know for a fact that regardless of that your father would be proud of you. Youngest Seeker in a hundred years. He would be over the moon.

Never let your spark die out. No matter what happens, you are a special lad. I believe you will do amazing things.

- Mister Dark

Draco looked at the note as he seemed curious. "Mister Dark? Friend of yours, Potter?" Harry nodded, grinning up a storm. "Yeah, he's an old friend. I met him when I was five. He's really an amazing person, and helped me through a lot of issues"

Moving to the package, Harry quickly tore the seal on the box and opened it to reveal a long, thin broom with golden filigree. At the base, Harry could see a plaque that read:

Nimbus Two-Thousand

For a special, talented lad.

Flint suddenly stood up. "Merlin's Beard, Potter! That's a Nimbus Two Thousand! We're going to win the House Cup every year until you graduate with you as our Seeker!"

Harry heard a commotion from the Gryffindors, as a red-haired prefect who seemed one of Ron's brothers stood up and shouted. "How is that allowed? Professors, that's blatant favoritism. First-year students are not allowed to bring their own brooms!"

"What's wrong, Percy? Can't stand us winning for the sixth year in a row?" Flint sneered across the Great Hall at the prefect. Snape stood up immediately, his voice echoing across the hall, "Enough of this. Percy Weasley, ten points from Gryffindor for being an arrogant little snitch. We are aware of the rules and do not need to have them reiterated to us."

McGonagall stood up as well, wiping her lips with a handkerchief, "Harry Potter, if you will come to the Headmaster's office after supper. Please bring the broom as well."

Draco winced. "Hope they don't take that away, Potter. It'd be a lot of help to the team, with you riding that." Harry grinned and nodded to his friend, "Well, here's hoping, okay? I might as well get it over with. Hopefully I can convince the Headmaster to allow it."

Quickly eating his meal, Harry grabbed the broom and hurried to follow Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. He was led out of the Great Hall to the sneering and jeers of the Gryffindor table.

Being led down the hall, Harry saw they were headed to the fourth floor to a large gargoyle that he had found in his explorations. "Sherbert Lemon," McGonagall said. The gargoyle leapt aside, stairs appearing and a way upwards formed. "Wicked," Harry whispered to himself.

The two teachers led him up the stairs, opening a door into a magnificent and large office. Rows of bookshelves lined the enormous room, some filled with books and others filled with different objects. Some had an air of darkness, some swirled with rainbow magic, and still others seemed quite similar to Harry's own wild magic.

However, as they walked in, Harry's eyes immediately caught a magnificent fiery-orange bird sitting atop a perch and peering at him. Its magic was wild and flickered like a powerful wildfire, looking for all intents and purposes like a crimson flame that burned and writhed around it. The magic breathed in and out every so often, like the bird's magic itself was alive.

The bird itself was beautiful, and it seemed to regard Harry curiously. As Harry examined the magic more closely, he felt something off about the underlying tones of the creature's magic. The bird's magic, underneath the fiery exterior, seemed to have a deep, almost shadowy sensation to it. The shadow, Harry noticed, was wrapped around the core of the flame. If Harry didn't know better, he'd think it was almost like a chain. His mind shifted to think about the golden chains he had seen before. Was the shadow similar to a Life-Debt?

Harry's train of thought quickly screeched to a halt as Professor Dumbledore appeared at a doorway nearby, walking out into the room. "Minerva. Severus. Is something wrong with dear Harry?" He asked, the old man's eyes twinkling once more.

"Headmaster, someone seems to have given the brat a broom, directly against the rules of Hogwarts. As you know, there is a rule against students of First Year owning their own brooms." Snape's voice was stern as he pushed Harry towards the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. It wasn't a rough push, but more felt like one of urgency. Harry moved to take a seat, setting the broom on the Headmaster's desk.

Professor Dumbledore quietly looked over the broom, studying the plaque and then taking the note. Reading it over, he spoke up as his gaze fell on Harry. "Harry my boy, do you know of this Mister Dark person? I have never heard of such a name, but they obviously must be a wizard to be able to purchase such an expensive broom."

Harry shifted in the seat, a little worried now. "Yes sir. He's a friend I met on Privet Drive." Dumbledore set down the note with a sigh, "Please tell me, dear boy, he didn't tell you of magic before Hagrid explained it to you?"

"Yes sir, he did. Why is that a problem?" Harry blinked, confused at the question. Why was that an issue? "Because, Harry my boy, the Statute of Secrecy says that muggles cannot be made aware of magic. It is one of the founding tenets of our world. Surely you know of this?"

"Don't worry, sir. We always discussed it alone, hidden from prying eyes. I have kept the Statute of Secrecy even before I knew it was a thing." Harry didn't add WHY he kept his magic a secret. The Headmaster didn't need to know.

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled once more. A few moments later, he shook his head. "Regardless, my boy, you must realize the risks you are placing yourself in by contacting a magical before your eleventh birthday. I need you to write back to this Mister Dark, and tell him to stay away from you during the summers for your own safety. He is welcome to come and visit you here in Hogwarts, however."

Harry frowned. "We really don't talk about it in front of any muggles, sir. Please?" Harry's look made the old wizard give a gentle, morose sigh. "Harry my boy, my job as Chief Warlock puts me as a judge for the Wizengamot. I cannot make exceptions, and should you continue to contact this man in a muggle neighborhood I am afraid that, at worst, you could end up with your wand snapped and your memories of the wizarding world Obliviated. Meaning you will never see your friends again."

Harry was horrified. "T-they can do that s-sir?!" Dumbledore's gaze looked heavy as he gave a quiet nod. "I am afraid so, my boy. So please, for your sake, I beg of you. Inform him to stay away from Privet Drive."

Harry frowned, but nodded after a moment. "If I have to, sir." Harry thought about something for a second, as a memory surged to the front of his mind. "Oh, um, sir?"

Dumbledore nodded. "If that is established, then I see no reason to prevent you from keeping this wonderful broom. And yes, my boy?"

"Do you know who brought me to Privet Drive?"

Dumbledore frowned slightly and looked up at McGonagall and Snape. Snape nodded at the wordless request, taking Minerva's shoulder as the two quietly left the room.

As the door closed behind them, Dumbledore stood up, his technicolor robes flowing around him. "Harry my boy, that night was a time of chaos, one that I am unfortunate to say someone capitalized on, possibly the man who betrayed your parents, Sirius Black. As Hagrid already explained to me your questions to him, he and I both were Obliviated of the memories of heading to your home. But I shall not go too far into this, my boy. Such things are not to be discussed while you are so young."

Harry sat up a bit. "I'm a grown-up, sir! I can handle it!"

"Indeed you are, my boy. But relax, and enjoy your childhood. There will be time to look into such mysteries when you are older. Rest assured, I am doing everything I can to investigate the matter, and the man who is responsible for your parent's death is behind bars in Azkaban."

Harry sighed, and looked downtrodden. "Alright, sir… I just really don't like not knowing something."

Dumbledore gave a wide, grandfatherly smile. "An admirable and wonderful trait, my boy. Now, would you like a lemon drop before you leave? They're quite delicious." Dumbledore unwrapped one from a silver bowl on his desk, reaching over and handing it to the fiery bird, which snapped it up happily.

"No sir, I just had a quick supper. But thank you. Do you like candy?"

Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle. "It is one of my few vices, my boy. The sweetness goes quite well with the sour. I am also a fan of the many types of muggle chocolates, but don't tell anyone." Dumbledore winked at Harry with a smile.

"Alright, sir, I won't! But I have one final question."

"Yes, my boy?" Dumbledore fed another lemon drop to the bird, who seemed to be quiet happy at the proffered sweets. Harry raised his hand, pointing at the crimson bird. "What's that bird?"

Dumbledore gave a soft smile. "This, Harry, is Fawkes. He is a Phoenix, and my familiar. He chose me to bond with him around seventy years ago and was the reason I defeated Grindlewald in our duel." Dumbledore closed his eyes, seeming to reminisce.

Harry's eyes sparkle. "A Phoenix? Is it a Sun Phoenix? A Moon Phoenix? What about a Royal Phoenix?" Harry asked quickly.

Dumbledore stopped for a moment, and regarded Harry curiously. "You certainly have spent your time in the Library well, Harry my boy. Few know of the different delineations of Phoenixes. Alas, I have never been able to find what type of Phoenix that Fawkes is. He has never shown me his true form."

Harry's face lit up in surprise before he nodded. "I see, sir. That was my last question." Dumbledore gave a final grandfatherly smile. "Very well, Harry my boy. I shan't keep you for any longer."

With the conversation finished, Harry stood up and took the broom before hurrying out the door.

As it closed, Harry realized something was off about the Headmaster's words. However, no matter how hard he thought, the thing that troubled him evaded him until the Gargoyle jumped back into place. It came as a sudden clarity, as he remembered a line from the book on Familiars he had read months prior.

"Familiars are powerful magical creatures and closer to wizards than any other. A Familiar can only bind itself to a wizard in its true form, with the bond becoming true and unbreakable as the true form manifests before their bonded."

Harry frowned as he re-read the passage from the book in his mind, clarity overtaking him. If Fawkes was his Familiar, how had he not seen Fawkes' true form?

The next day was the last practice before the Quidditch game on Friday; Harry spent most of it experimenting on his new broom. The broom was incredibly fast and responsive to his touch; it seemed to take any magic Harry fed it like a hungry animal, eager to move in any direction Harry wished.

Marcus Flint seemed even more surprised than Harry, and approached him after the fifth Snitch catch of the practice. "Merlin, Potter. That's a fifteen-second Snitch capture." The Slytherin Captain said, peering at a pocketwatch he had been using.

"I don't think that one counted, Mister Flint. I saw its path once it left the box." Harry said.

Flint sighed. "Potter, I've told you. Call me Flint. Mister Flint is my father. Well, technically Lord Flint but he doesn't really demand that courtesy much."

"Sorry, Mister Flint." Harry grinned slyly. Flint grinned, showing off his scraggly smile, "I swear to Merlin, Potter. One of these days I'm going to strangle you in your sleep. Mark my words, you little menace." Harry's grin got wider as he stuck his tongue out at the older student, zipping off to practice more with his broom.

Harry continued to fly around, purposefully letting the Snitch go out of sight. At the same time he would move to intercept the Quaffle, preventing scores and otherwise intercepting passes. He felt amazing, zipping between his fellow players, the speed and power of the broom making it so he was there one moment, and gone the next.

Finally, Flint's whistle could be heard. "Alright, that's it for tonight. We have class tomorrow. I think we're good for the first match of the year. Wood's definitely going to give us a run for our Galleons on Friday, so be prepared."

Harry stayed in the air for a bit longer than usual when he noticed a sudden surge of magic, fiery and hot, that seemed to come from the direction of Hagrid's Hut. It was like a star forming inside of the building, swirling and coaxing Harry to investigate.

Before he could, however, Harry heard Flint's voice. "Come on, Potter. It's time to wrap up!" Flint shouted from the floor of the Pitch. With a resigned sigh, Harry flew down and landed next to the team captain. The stop was simple as he dismounted next to the sixth-year.

"You're going to win us the House Cup, Potter. Mark my words. No one in Slytherin will be able to say anything about you once they see your flying, that's for sure. And if anyone gives you any grief, you tell me, got it?" Flint said, clapping his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Got it, Flint. Thanks." Harry nodded with a smile. His gaze flickered towards the side of the Pitch that led to Hagrid's hut, mind wandering.

Carrying his broom in his hand, Harry walked back to the castle. Every so often he found himself stealing a glance at Hagrid's hut in the distance. The same flare of magic flickered to life every so often, as Harry found himself eager to check it out. He'd go and get Draco and the others. With the group he could make an excuse of wanting to visit.

"I'm telling you, I felt something from Hagrid's hut. We should go investigate!" Harry said to his friends in their normal meeting place outside the Library. Hermione looked up from a book she was reading, giving a huff. "I'd rather go to the Library. You have me beaten for books read, Harry Potter, and I won't accept that. I'll read the library before you do!"

Draco rolled his eyes at Hermione's antics. "Well, Potter, I'm in. You always find some interesting things. But isn't it close to curfew?" Harry shrugged at the statement, before looking at Neville. The round-faced boy nodded his head. "I'm just happy to be a part of things, Harry. I wouldn't mind joining you."

Turning to Ron, Harry was disappointed by the redhead's response. "Sorry, Harry. I promised Seamus I'd play him in a doubles Wizard's Chess match. I can't just break a promise."

"Alright, Ron. Maybe next time?" Harry asked. Ron gave a nonchalant shrug before saying, "Sure."

Hermione seemed ready to explode, as she hopped up and down. "Fine! I'll go! But I won't let you be more well-read than me for much longer, Harry!" The bushy-haired witch pouted. Harry laughed, and gestured. "Come on, guys, let's go!"

Heading out with his friends, Harry noticed the absence of Crabbe and Goyle quite quickly. "Draco? Where's Crabbe and Goyle?"

"They got detention, Potter. Some prank of the Weasleys' got pinned on them and they are scrubbing the fourth floor loo with Filch tonight." Draco shrugged. Harry winced in sympathy, giving a sigh. "Darn, I bet they'd like having another Rock Cake. It is bollocks how they got blamed for that."

The group hurried out of the castle as the sun was beginning to sink in the sky. Harry saw how close it was to curfew, as he carefully judged the position in the sky. They'd make it back in time, right? He shook his head as he led the group to Hagrid's hut.

When they arrived, Harry moved up to the door and knocked upon it. He heard a startled voice call out, "One mo'mnt!" It didn't take long before a frazzled-looking half-giant opened the door, wearing a pair of enormous oven mitts.

"Ah, it's yeh, 'Arry. Come in, come in. 'urry!" The group was ushered into the hut, the door closing behind him as Neville groaned as a wave of hot air hit his face. "It's boiling in here, Hagrid!"

"Well yeh, Ah felt like ah wanted things a'bit toasty t'day." The giant said, his gaze flicking over to his iron stove. Harry saw the man's glance, looking as well. The sight of the cast iron stove made Harry freeze.

A rainbow of crimsons, oranges and reds seemed to swirl around the stove. It glowed with a magical energy Harry had never seen before, pulsing with a continuous, rising intensity. It was like an orchestra building up to its climax ever so slowly.

"Hagrid? What's in your oven?" Harry asked quickly.

"Ah… uh… nuthin'." Hagrid said, looking more like a child caught with their hand in a cookie jar than a twelve-foot-tall half giant. Harry wasn't going to accept that, crossing his arms and giving the man his 'look'. "Hagriiiiid."

Hagrid sighed, relenting. "Well, ah met a stranger at the 'og's 'ead las' weekend at 'ogsmeade, and we got t' talkin'. He asked me abou' diffr'nt creatures Ah have seen, an' th' topic got to… special creat'res."

"Hagrid, what did you do?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Nuthin'! He 'eard all th' creatures tha' Ah 'ad tended n' offered me—" Draco, who had been inching towards the iron stove, tried to peer into it but was forced to step back due to the heat. "It's some sort of egg."

A split second later, there was a loud cracking noise that echoed from the stove. Without a second of hesitation, Hagrid hurried over and opened the stove. Reaching in, he pulled out a large, golden orb, bringing it over to the table as the crackling got louder.

"Hagrid? What sort of egg is that?" Neville asked, nervousness in his voice. Hagrid had a sheepish look on his face, as he continued his story, "As ah was sayin', th' man off'rd me this egg. Sayin' I'd be able to hatch it."

"Hagrid…" Harry warned, hearing the half-giant evade the question once more. Before Hagrid could respond, the egg split down the middle, shattering on the table as a tiny, squeaking lizard with long wings fell out of it, peering directly at Hagrid.

"...th' man gave meh a dragon egg." Hagrid finally admitted, his gaze quickly moving to the small reptilian spawn on the wood table.

All four first-years almost fell over in surprise.

"A dragon? Like, breathe fire and can devour a cow whole dragon?" Neville asked, a terrified look coming over his face. Hagrid nodded, grinning. "Yeh. Isn't 'e a beaut?"

"But those are class five dangerous animals! And owning a dragon egg without credentials is illegal in Britain!" Hermione squeaked in fright, more about the broken rule than the danger of the dragon. Hagrid quickly waved his hands, trying to calm them. "Ah'm work'n on mah Mastership f'r Magic'l creatures wit' Pr'fess'r Grubbyplank. She says ah can get it in 'nother two years." Hagrid puffed out his chest with pride.

Draco shook his head. "You really are a big oaf. You wouldn't just lose your job for this, but you could end up in Azkaban! Who would take care of the castle's grounds then?!" Draco said, crossing his arms and sneering.

"Y' won't tell, will yah?" Hagrid pleaded, the small dragon squeaking, and trying to climb on Hagrid's beard. Suddenly it gave a hiccup, which caused a small blast of fire to shoot from its muzzle and set the half-giant's beard aflame!

Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as the man shouted in surprise, quickly slapping the fire with his oven mitts as the scent of burnt hair wafted into the air.

"Hagrid, you can't keep them." Harry said after a minute, the man looking at Harry like he had kicked his puppy. "Hagrid, if you don't have a license, you could get locked up. I don't want that for you!"

Hagrid frowned. "But Norbert 'ere doesn't 'ave a mommy. I was going to be that for 'im."

"Norbert?" Harry asked, looking at the half-giant with incredulity. Hargid beamed, picking up the little dragon and showing him off, making the little creature squeak happily. "I's name!" Hagrid said as he held the beast.

Draco facepalmed, while Neville looked ready to bolt. Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times before Harry spoke up. "Hagrid, you can't keep him." Harry reiterated himself. "This is a school! You can't keep such a creature at a school. What happens when he grows up?"

"Bu' I manag'd t' keep Aragog 'ale 'n 'earty." Hagrid protested. This prompted Harry's eyes to narrow at the large man. "Who's Aragog?"

"I should' have told yeh that." Hagrid said with a frown.

Harry sighed, deciding not to push the subject. "Alright, look. Hagrid. What if you got a professional in here? You said Professor Grubbyplank was mentoring you, right? What if you got her to help you tend the dragon?"

"Ah don' think she's a licensed dragon 'andler." Hagrid frowned again. Harry pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation "And you are?"

"I can take care o' 'im!" Hagrid protested, sounding like a child trying to convince his parents to let him keep the puppy that just came home with him.

Harry took off his glasses for a second, rubbing his eyes. "Okay. Okay. Okay." Harry repeated, trying to calm himself. He could feel his inner fox trying to claw its way free, angry both at Hagrid and territorial against the dragon.

An idea slid into his mind, as Harry looked up at the Half-Giant. "You know, the mountains near the school are pretty big." Harry said, as everyone looked like they had whiplash from the sudden change of topic.

"Aye, they are. Keeps th' school safe from th' muggles 'n all." Hagrid said, nodding. Harry siezed on the initiative, and continued, "And I read in Hogwarts: A History that the Forbidden Forest is a magical creature preserve, correct?"

Hagrid nodded. "Ah can't put Norbert there, 'arry. He'd burn th' forest down."

Harry pointed a finger at Hagrid. "And the mountains do not count as part of the Forbidden Forest?"

"Well, naw." Hagrid said. "It's too large to be tended withou' a large amount o' people." Harry smirked, seeing that he had Hagrid now. "And if you allowed Norbert to stay, where would Norbert want to go?"

Hagrid's face scrunched up as he realized what Harry was saying. "Tha' mount'ns." Harry felt a desire to cheer as the half-giant was beginning to see reason. "So if you keep him…" Harry trailed off, hoping Hagrid got what he was saying.

Hagrid sighed. "'e wouldn' be able to live in th' place 'e wants." Harry clapped his hands together with a grin, the others in his group staring at him as if he had just sprouted dragon wings himself. "Now we're getting somewhere! Meanwhile, there's an island off the north of Scotland named Hebrides. It has a Dragon Preserve that is the second largest in the world."

Hagrid sniffed. "But wh' if the oth'r dragons make fun o' him? Or call him names?" Norbert seemed to take exception to this, and let out an indignant chirp at the comment.

"And what if they don't? I'm sure that if you mention you rescued a dragon egg from a poacher, they'd be more than happy to allow you to visit." Harry led on.

Hagrid perked up. "Yeh think so?" Harry grinned. Gotcha. "I mean, if there's a large donation to cover Norbert's care, I wouldn't be surprised if they would." Harry said, thinking of the gold in his vault. If he could help Hagrid with it, then he'd be able to do some good in the world.

Hermione and Neville exchanged glances, before Draco face switched to a rather pompous look, a smirk plastered on his face as he added, "Potter is right. My father's made sure that many groups have been given large donations, and basically tripped over themselves in gratitude. Potter is from a Most Noble and Ancient Family. With him at your back, Norbert would be treated as a dragon prince!"

Hagrid dried some tears in his eyes. "I s'pose so… yeh'd really do that, 'Arry?" Harry beamed at the man, feeling pride surge through him. "Of course, Hagrid, you're my friend. Gold isn't more important than making sure such a beautiful magical creature is free, safe, and has a home."

Neville's eyes sparkled at the comment, looking proud of his friend as Harry nodded. "So, we'll have to contact someone in Hebrides and mention the donation. Hermione?"

Harry turned to the bushy-haired witch, who was standing there stunned for a moment before jumping in place. "Oh! Huh? What, Harry?" She asked. Harry grinned at her, and gestured at Norbert. "Can you try to find some information on who runs the Hebrides Reserve? Preferably tonight?"

Hermione nodded and gave a yawn. "I'll go to the Library first thing in the morning. I'm much too tired to do it tonight" Harry nodded in acknowledgement as he turned to Neville. "Neville, do you think you could get us something that would keep Norbert calm?"

"Dragonnip has a calming effect on them, and the Greenhouse carries several plants for use in potions. I bet I could earn some leaves by doing extra work for Professor Sprout." Neville said, growing excited as he realized how he could help.

Harry nodded once more, and then turned to Draco. "Draco, could you contact your father? He's one of the most politically connected people in our group, and he'd be able to help me manage a donation to the Dragon Preserve through appropriate channels. If it helps, you can mention to him that I wouldn't mind him getting most of the attention for it."

Draco nodded, looking deep in thought about how he would spin it to his father. "Father should be able to talk to me tomorrow by Floo, if I say it's urgent. I'll ask Professor Snape for permission to use his fireplace."

Harry nodded. "See? All of us can help, Hagrid. Thank you for telling us about Norbert." Harry grinned. Hagrid looked ready to burst into tears again, lifting Harry up in a huge hug before he did exactly that. "Thank yeh, 'arry! Thank yeh so m'ch!"

Harry yelped at the embrace, unable to even return it due to being buried into the large man's muscular body. He could thankfully feel his magic protecting him from the weight of the hug, else he might have had to go visit Madame Pomfrey after such a squeeze.

Putting Harry back down on the floor, Harry took a few gulps of air, having lost most of it from the relieved hug of his friend. "N-no problem… Hagrid…" Harry wheezed out between gasps of precious air.

Hagrid looked over at his large clock on the wall. "Yeh lot 'ad bett'r head back t' the castle. It's late. I don' think yeh'll be able t' make it back bef'r curfew." Hagrid said, before turning to the windows and noticing the moon shining through.

Harry looked out the window, letting out a loud yelp as he realized the time. "Bugger! We need to get back now, before we all get detention!" Harry said, hurrying to the door. The others quickly moved to follow, as Hagrid opened the door for them and waved as they hurried back towards the castle.

The group rushed down the path and to the castle, making good time. They ran at the door, preparing to sneak inside, as Harry's heart suddenly sank when he saw a figure at the door.

There, standing at the threshold, was a very angry looking Professor McGonagall.

"All four of you, out of the castle two hours past curfew! Not only that, out and about as night fell on Hogwarts grounds! Do you have any idea how dangerous the grounds can be at night?" McGonagall shouted, sitting behind her desk. She had brought the four to her office immediately and was currently glaring at them from over the rim of her glasses.

"I was informed by a concerned student that the four of you might be in trouble, and might be wandering outside. Imagine my shock when three of the top students in our first year, and the top herbology student, are indeed out after curfew for no good reason!"

"But Professor, we did have a good reason. We-" Harry started, then felt Draco's elbow hit his ribs. "Ooof!"

"Yes, Mister Potter? Why were you out past curfew, so close to the Forbidden Forest?"

"We— wanted to go and see Hagrid." Harry said, looking down. Draco had stopped him from making a big mistake; if he had said what they did, Hagrid would probably get in trouble.

"I see. Then I have no choice but to take thirty points from EACH of you for being out after curfew. And all four of you will have detention with myself. I believe your friends, Crabbe and Goyle, have recently found themselves with several detentions due to being found with pranking supplies in a hallway. You will be joining them next week in detention with Filch."

All of them groaned, as Draco huffed. "This was our first time being caught out after curfew! Can't we forego the detention, Professor?"

McGonagall shook her head gently. "I'm afraid not, Mister Malfoy. If it had been merely one, or perhaps two of you, I would have considered. But all four of you? No, the detention stands. Be here at seven this Friday."

Harry winced as he heard the time of the detention. Thanks to when it would be held, it meant that they wouldn't have much free time this weekend, what with the Quidditch match.

"All of you are dismissed. Back to your dorms, or I will triple your detentions." Professor McGonagall looked at the four sternly, as they shuffled out of the room.

After they left, McGonagall let out a breath and returned to her office, sitting in her chair with a sigh, "That boy has gotten more detentions this year than James had in his entire stay at Hogwarts! Even if most of them were for his condition, it seems he's following in your footsteps, James."

The Quidditch Pitch was put up in banners of red and gold, and green and silver, a majority of the castle taking seats in the stands. "Alright, remember. The Gryffindors hate our guts; if they try anything, you give it back tenfold." Flint grinned. "Potter, you're our crown jewel. You catch that Snitch fast enough and those poncy Gryffindors won't know what hit them. Show them Snakes can't be pushed around."

Harry took a deep breath, as Draco walked beside him and gave him a nudge. "I bet I can get ten goals before you catch the Snitch, Potter." The silver-haired boy grinned. Seeing an opportunity to make a wager with his friend, Harry returned the grin with a smirk. "You think you can manage that, Draco? Then why don't you name the terms."

"I wager three sugar quills against two squares of your Christmas Hondeydukes' chocolate."

"You're on. And to add to it, if you don't even get five goals, then you have to make it seven sugar quills." Harry crosses his arms, looking rather smug.

Draco snorted at that, sticking his nose in the air. "As if you'd catch it that fast, Potter. You have a deal." With that, Draco and Harry shook hands as they both grinned. It wasn't long before the starting bell rang, with the Slytherin Team getting on their brooms and shooting out of the Pitch's entrance.

Madame Hooch, sitting atop her own broom high above the Pitch, put her wand to her neck as a spell made her voice boom over the roar of the crowd. "After a wait due to the donation of several brooms by the Board of Governors, the season's first Quidditch game of Slytherin Versus Gryffindor now begins!"

The two teams flew up next to her, lining up and looking at each other. Harry looked at the Gryffindor Seeker, a rather timid looking fifth-year who seemed ready to jump out of his own skin. Every few seconds he peered down to the ground below them. Harry didn't think he had anything to worry about with this Seeker.

"I want a nice, clean game. Begin!" Madame Hooch let out a bang from the tip of her wand, and at the same time the Snitch shot into the air and out of sight. Madame Hooch threw the Quaffle into the air as the Bludgers shot in different directions from a box on the floor of the Pitch. The game had begun!

Immediately dodging a Bludger, Harry zipped higher into the air. He moved to the top of the Pitch and peered down, his eyes flickering between different parts of the pitch. His vision swept quickly across the field in an attempt to find the telltale golden glimmer.

After ten minutes of riding his broom in circles around the pitch, Draco had already made his first and second goals. Harry grinned and waved at the silver-haired boy, before suddenly having to move his broom and dodge a Bludger that narrowly shoot past him. From where the Bludger had spun from, Harry could see one of the Weasley Twins grinning maliciously at him. What were their names again? Ted and Georg? Something like that.

Harry didn't have much time to react as he noticed a deep gray magic appear out of thin air and twist around his broom. It wasn't his own, nor was it the gray that had helped him with the animagus form. This one felt sick and disgusting, the color and sensation like it was being forced through an old sewer pipe. It took mere moments before it completely surrounded his broom.

It was at that moment Harry's broom started to violently buck back and forth, the magic seeming almost malicious as Harry grabbed tight. Harry's his own magic rushed out of him, attempting to fight it off to no avail.

"Potter! What's wrong with your broom?" Madame Hooch shouted, shooting up towards Harry and moving near him. At that moment, Harry's broom whipped around and a sudden jerky movement caused it to shoot forward and slam the tip of the wooden broom right into Madame Hooch's forehead.

There was a wet, sickening CRACK sound, as the Quidditch Professor went limp, falling off her broom and down to the ground. Harry panicked, but he didn't really have time to worry about her when his broom started to buck even harder, almost like it was energized by the harm it had done.

Harry felt the gemstone at his neck warm and pulse with magic, sending a rush through his body as he grabbed his broom tighter. The sickly magic was keeping him from influencing his broom, but what about the world's influence on himself?

Harry remembered one of his books, explaining how the world worked. Gravity was fundamental when on the Earth, but if his broom no longer felt the effects of gravity, what would the runes on it do?

Harry was suddenly spun around roughly as the broom seemed to alternate between bucking and twisting. It was obvious that it was trying to throw him off. Harry could see Madame Pomfrey rushing out onto the Quidditch Field, assisting Madame Hooch where she fell and gazing up at him.

Seeing a telltale glimmer of gold under him made Harry's heart stop just as the bucking resumed. In the back of his mind, something burned. The broom is jinxed. It's preventing our freedom. I want to be free.

Harry felt those words resonate inside of him, burning brighter and brighter as suddenly he latched onto the sensation and tried to release it from within him. There was a sudden white fire that sparked and then burst around him, mixed with a cooling blue core. It whipped and lashed around, and Harry could see the sickly magic forced back as the white fire lashed out against it, causing it to retreat.

As the sickly magic fled, Harry saw a green, structured magic between it and the broom before it too fizzled away. The green magic felt familiar, as Harry filed it away in his mind for later before pushing into a dive straight down.

Shooting towards the Snitch, the crowd gasped. Harry reached out just as the white flames dissipated around him, straightening out his broom to skirt the grass as he chased the golden orb.

However, the sickly magic returned just as Harry's fingertips made contact with the Snitch. All it took was for the hostile magic to cause his broom to freeze in place, and Harry's momentum shot him forward like a bullet.

Harry's mouth opened for a shout of surprise as he felt something metallic click against his teeth, slamming into the back of his throat before he fell to the ground. Harry fell head-over heels a few times before ending up sitting upright, dazed and groaning.

It was then that he could hear the Gryffindor announcer's mocking tone, "Potter's had one crazy tumble! He looks like he's going to be sick! So much for the youngest Seeker in a century!"

Harry heaved, feeling movement in his throat press upwards. Heaving again and again, he felt something metallic push from his throat and spat out a familiar golden ball into his hands.

"It's the Snitch!" Lee Jordan groaned, shouting to the school. "Potter's caught the Snitch! Slytherin wins, two-hundred-ten to ten!"

Harry groaned as he held up the Snitch, but then smiled and let the little golden ball buzz in his hands. Behind him, Harry's broom had fallen to the ground without magic from its master.

Harry's mind suddenly remembered Madame Hooch, causing him to hurry over to Madame Pomfrey. "Is Madame Hooch alright?" Harry asked quickly, looking at the Quidditch Professor, who was slowly coming to.

"I should be asking you that, after such a fall, Mister Potter! Rolanda will be fine, her skull was fractured but that's simple enough for magic to repair. My magic will make her right as rain in a few more moments. But what was that? Was your broom faulty?" Madame Pomfrey said incredulously.

"I believe I can explain that, Poppy." Professor Snape's drawling voice said, the man stepping forward. "It appears someone was trying to hex Mister Potter. No doubt a rather pathetic attempt to secure the victory for Gryffindor. I'm afraid we will have to take your broom for investigation, Potter. The one who cast that hex will be expelled; such an act could be considered an attack on the Heir of a Most Ancient House and would otherwise be a matter for the courts." Snape sneered.

Harry suddenly realized the origin of that green magic on his broom. "It was you, wasn't it, Professor? I saw magic on my broom once my magic managed to push away that hex. You were protecting me, weren't you?"

"I do not know what you are talking about, Potter." Snape blinked, looking at Harry for a second and then resuming his glare. Harry immediately went silent; thankfully it seemed Madame Pomfrey hadn't heard and was instead casting diagnostic spells on Harry. "Other than quite a bit of magical fatigue, Mister Potter, you are in good shape. I believe your teammates wish to congratulate you. Off you go."

"Quite." Snape agreed, giving his characteristic sneer. Harry grinned and hurried over to the Slytherin team, who had landed and were in the process of cheering. Once Harry arrived in their ranks, Flint picked the boy up onto his shoulder as the team started to chant. "All Hail the Serpent Seeker!"

The cheer was contagious, and soon all of Slytherin was chanting it, and even some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs as well.

So enthralled by the feeling of success, Harry never saw the angry looks he was getting from the Gryffindors.

-Author's Notes-

Thanks for reading! We're nearing 30,000 views, and I want to thank all of you for reading my story. Right now, the concensus is to release all of the series, all 8 books I have planned, in one single fic on Fanfiction. If you have any thoughts, please leave a review! AO3 readers will not have to worry, I already made a series collection and will be releasing it as different books there.

If you're interested in helping to beta and catch mistakes before they are fully released, please send me a PM on Fanfiction or leave a comment on AO3! Betas are very important, because my story will have quite a lot of plot later on and the more eyes to search for loose threads means the less chance I will mess up somewhere along the line!

Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, not me.