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Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter Nine:
"Harry that was the best catch I've seen in years!", George shouted above the noise of the music. The Gryffindor Quidditch victory party was in full swing and despite not liking all the attention Harry was thoroughly enjoying the party itself.
"Succicinctly put my dear Forge", Fred stated, "according to Bill the last time a catch was that good was before we came to Hogwarts. Charlie was seeker and he broke his wrist in the act of doing it". The two older boys had managed to acquire a case of butter beer from somewhere and cracked on open passing it to Harry.
Harry eyed the butter suspiciously and gave his older brothers a doubtful look. He loved them both but given their history of pranking himself and Ron he wasn't so sure he could trust them. He raised an eyebrow at first Fred and then George who gave him mock hurt looks. "He doesn't trust us Gred", George said indignantly and then put a hand over his heart "just this one little bro it's no trick...honest. We're just trying to congratulate you".
Harry eyed Fred and George for a moment longer, shrugged and took a sip of the butter beer. He'd heard of how nice it was before. How tasty the butterscotch and other ingredients combined to create a delicious Beverage but the stories did not do it justice. It was a taste sensation like no other and Harry couldn't wait for the day he was allowed to go into Hogsmeade and order some from the Three Broomsticks.
The rest of the party passed in a bit of a blur for Harry as he danced, laughed and chatted the night away with his friends and siblings. Even Percy let his hair down for awhile and joined in the merriment only going back to strict Prefect mode when an irate Professor McGonagall arrived in the Common Room at two in the morning, berated everyone for still being up, told off the Prefects for not doing their job and sent the whole of Gryffindor house to bed.
As Harry passed Professor McGonagall however, she murmured "congratulations Potter-Weasley. A fine performance".
"Thanks Professor", Harry said quietly as he walked past her. When he was on the staircase heading up to the first year boys dorm his face split into a wide grin. Even his Head of House was happy about his performance in the match and she was usually so stern!
As Harry lay down that night after a long chat with Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville about the match and the result he yawned and closed his eyes feeling elated. The match had gone better than he could ever have hoped for his first time and the following party had been one of the best of his life, topped only by the various Birthday parties he had attended at The Burrow.
The morning after the Gryffindor Quidditch triumph Harry deliberately slept in for once, ignoring the wizard alarm clock on his bedside table as it chimed seven am, his usual time of rising. Instead he lavished in lying in until ten am and even then he only rose due to needing the toilet.
Once he was up Harry yawned, scratched his chin and decided that "I'm already up so I might as well stay up now".
After a shower and a change into some clean casual clothes in the form of an orange t-shirt, blue jeans, in which he realised he had a hole, and an orange jumper bearing a large letter H on it that had been made by his Mum the Christmas before and had since become one of his favourites due to the moons and stars also patterning it, he slipped on his trainers, grabbed his wand and scrawled a note to his brother, leaving it on Ron's bedside table as his brother slept peacefully on, a large smile on his face.
Harry slipped out of the dorm and down to the Common Room which he found rather empty for such a time of the morning. "I gather everyone is still exhausted from the party lasted night", said a voice from one of the armchairs.
"Morning Hermione", Harry greeted his friend with a grin as he approached her and sat down in an armchair opposite her. "It was a pretty good party wasn't it".
Hermione sniffed rolled her eyes and admitted "It was rather fun, but it did go on a bit too long for my liking".
Harry conceded she might have a point and said so "I guess so". His stomach rumbled. He gave Hermione an embarrassed an apologetic look before asking "want to get some breakfast?".
Hermione giggled at his embarrassment and said "I've already had some, don't let me stop you though. Neville headed down there a few minutes ago, you may even meet him on the stairs if you hurry".
Harry smiled at the thought of chatting with Neville, he got on really well with his pudgy fellow first year. "Cheers for the info Hermione", he thanked her and ran for the Portrait Hole, calling out "see you in a little while". Hermione waved back but said nothing as she was engrossed once again in her book.
As Harry hurried down the staircases, carefully watching out for trick stairs, he reflected on the amount of books he had seen Hermione read and mused in his mind 'I've never seen anyone read so much in my whole life!', as he kept walking he then thought 'mind you, she is brilliant and I'd imagine all that reading just makes her even more brilliant'.
Harry spotted Neville on the main staircase. He noted that his new friend had either fallen and been tripped. He rushed over to help him. "Let me help Nev", he said as he held out a hand.
Neville grasped it and once on his feet said in a grateful tone "cheers Harry. Draco Malfoy had his goons trip me on the stairs, then made fun of me".
Harry grinned. "Think nothing of it mate, it's what friends are for, helping each other. Lets head to breakfast".
As Harry and Neville headed down to the Entrance Hall, Harry scowled at Draco Malfoy's treatment of Neville. If there was one thing Harry hated in this world it was bullying and bullies.
While Harry and Neville entered the Great Hall he glared over at Draco Malfoy and mulled over how to get back at the bully. Apparently the previous prank hadn't dissuade the prat at all from picking on people.
Harry had just finished a bowl of porridge with golden syrup and a cup of strong tea when a voice at his ear said with a yawn "morning".
His brother Ron slipped into the empty space beside Harry, called out a greeting to Neville and immediately started piling food onto his plate.
Neville, who was sitting opposite them gave Ron a bemused look and then asked Harry "how can he eat so much?".
Harry sniggered "between you and me mate, I think he has a bottomless pit for a stomach".
"Oi!", Ron protested through a mouthful of egg and sausage. Food flew in all directions causing Harry and Neville to shield themselves. From further down the table Percy reprimanded him "Ronald, don't speak with your mouth full. Honestly, what would Mother say if she could see you?".
Harry snorted a laugh. "She'd have him in the kitchen washing all the plates as punishment and then a lecture on manners".
"And quite right too", Percy declared, not seeing the funny side of it. Harry shook his head at their older brothers officious behaviour and said to Neville "me and Ron were thinking of visiting Hagrid today. I was hoping you might like to come too".
Neville gave Harry a surprised look as if he had not expected to be included in the plans but then smiled widely "I'd love to, thanks". Harry waved the thanks off. He was the one who was thankful. Thankful to have a friend who wasn't one of his siblings.
"I'll ask Hermione too when we're done with breakfast. I bet she'd like to take a trip down to Hagrid's Cabin too", Harry commented.
"Sounds good", Neville agreed. Ron, however, objected, "do we have to bring her? I know you get on well with her but she's so bossy!".
Harry rolled his eyes while Neville shook his head. "I thought you'd got past your issues with her. She's nice and really clever".
"I didn't say I don't like her", Ron defended, "I just wish that she'd stop telling us what do so much. She's always on at us to do our homework assignments".
In a rare moment of speaking up Neville stood up for Hermione "it's thanks to her that I've improved in Transfiguration and Charms".
Harry grinned and clapped his best friend on the shoulder. "Well put Nev. She's been a great help to me in Potions. Even when Mum taught us the basics before Hogwarts I struggled to grasp it but Hermione just has this amazing grasp of so many subjects".
"Alright, alright!", Ron threw his hands up "you're right, I admit she's helped me too. We'll ask her to come then". Harry smiled knowing how much it cost Ron to admit such a thing. His brother was really stubborn when he wanted to be.
"Of course I'll come down!", Hermione jumped up from the sofa she'd been sitting on and began to hurriedly pack away her quill, ink and books into his school bag. "Just give me a moment to put my bag up in my dorm and I'll be back down".
Hermione raced towards the steps and took them two at a time, deposited her bag on her bed, threw a quick "hi" at Lavender, Parvati and Coleen who were engrossed in a conversation about fashion, and then left the dorm.
"Ready", Hermione said as she re-joined the boys in the Common Room.
The foursome headed across the Common Room, through the Portrait Hole and down through the castle watching out for trick steps and Malfoy and his goons as they went.
Harry and Hermione walked on ahead as Ron and Neville became engrossed in a conversation on Quidditch and which of their favourite teams, Ron's Chudley Canons, or Neville's Wimbourne Wasps would win the league "I'm telling you it's Chudley's year".
"I'm not one to disagree usually Ron but not a chance I'm afraid. Chudley is dead last at the moment", Neville shook his head.
"They'll come back. You'll see!", Ron insisted.
While Ron and Neville were busy Harry whispered to Hermione "Draco Malfoy tripped up Neville on the stairs earlier. I wish there was some way to get that git to back off and leave Nev alone".
Hermione sighed. "He needs to tell a teacher Harry, it's the only way".
Harry looked at Hermione like she was mad and hissed "are you crazy? if Malfoy and his goons find out Neville told a teacher they'd just target him worse when no teacher was around to help and in any case while most of the professors would stop anything in class Snape would just let it go if his precious Slytherins instigated it".
"Professor Snape Harry and you can't know that for certain", Hermione objected.
"Yes I can", Harry fired back and added "Snape's a git. Even more so than that snob Malfoy".
The foursome reached Hagrid's Cabin. Harry walked up the steps, knocked loudly on the large wooden door and stepped back as a booming bark answered from within, followed swiftly by shuffling feet and a loud voice calling "get back ye daft thing. I can' get to the front door!".
The door opened and Hagrid appeared in the doorway looking much the same as he always did in his moleskin overcoat. A warm smile split his face and lit up his beetle black eyes "hallo you three. Come on in, yer always welcome!", he gestured at them to come inside which they duly did.
"Sit yerselves down an I'll make some tea", Hagrid said as he stepped over a panting and slobbering Fang and muttered "you daft dog, nearly tripped me up".
Fang approached the foursome. Harry smiled affectionately and scratched the big boarhound behind the ears. Ron was a bit more reserved, he'd never liked large animals too much, especially large dogs. Neville hung back trying to avoid being slobbered on.
Ron was unable to prevent it and exclaimed in disgust "eurgh!", shaking his hand out and trying to wipe the slobber away. Harry and Hermione sniggered and giggled and as Harry took a seat at the table Hermione stroked Fangs head and back causing him to make a contented noise.
"You attention seeking softy", Hagrid commented with affection as he patted Fang and set the tea tray down on the table.
Hermione joined them all at the table and reached out for a biscuit. Harry stopped her picking it up as Hagrid turned away for a moment and shook his head "Hagrid's great but his cooking skills...well...they aren't".
Hermione took the hint and took her hand away to instead spoon a modest amount of sugar into her tea mug. "Not having more?", Harry asked and then recalled that her parents were dentists and might not approve.
"Mum and Dad don't like me having much sugar. Being dentists they're obsessed with teeth health", Hermione told Harry.
"Sorry Hermione, forgot for a moment", Harry apologised.
"How about yesterday then eh?", Hagrid said with a grin as he slurped his tea and then set it noisily down on the table. "That was some catch Harry", he enthused, "best I've seen since Charlie four years ago. That was against Slytherin too as it happens".
Harry grinned. He always enjoyed being compared to his older brother who he, quite frankly, thought was the best Quidditch player there was. He'd always thought it a shame that Charlie never took up Quidditch professionally. "Shame Charlie never took up the sport professionally", Hagrid commented voicing Harry's thoughts.
"He was amazing. Still is when he plays, which is isn't often given how busy he is with his job in Romania", Harry enthused and then lamented.
Hagrid's comments on the previous days Quidditch match reminded him of something that, what with the amazing party the night before, had clean gone out of his mind until this very moment. Namely the fact that someone or something had sabotaged his broom, whether to kill him, hurt him or just prevent him from getting to the snitch he didn't as yet know.
"Hagrid, you know how my broom went out of control yesterday", Harry began.
"Me heart was in me mouth. I was that worried for ya Harry", Hagrid replied.
Harry sipped his tea and then blurted "out Snape was behind it, Ron, Neville and Hermione caught him keeping eye contact with my broom and whispering words towards it".
Hagrid stared at Harry for a long moment and then shook his head. It was obvious he didn't believe it. "You all must have got it wrong, there's no way Snape would do that or any teacher for that matter".
Harry was sure Hagrid couldn't be so naïve. "But Hagrid we know that Snape is trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone! Don't you see, must know we know and is trying to silence us starting with me".
Hagrid shook his head harder and denied it "no, you're wrong. Professor Snape may not be the most friendly person in the world but he cares about doing a good job, he wouldn't harm a student. More than likely he realised what was causing the problem with your broom and tried to counter it. Not only that but Snape isn't trying ta steal the Stone, he's trying to protect it!".
Harry gave up arguing with Hagrid as a bad job. It was clear that without evidence his large friend would not believe him and sadly there was no proper evidence beyond Harry's word. It did hurt that Hagrid refused to believe him.
Harry's hurt feelings lasted for only a few moments for as he was in the act of heaping sugar into his mug of tea his eyes fell upon the fireplace and the fire that was burning. It wasn't the fire itself that drew Harry's attention, no. The thing that made him freeze in place as if he had been struck by lightning was a very large blue egg with white speckle upon it which rested securely just out of reach of the flames.
Harry knew what the egg must be. Had read about them and seen pictures in a book on dragons. It was a dragons egg and not just any egg but that of a Norwegian Ridgeback.
Harry swallowed hard and stammered "Ha...Hagrid, is that what I think it is? Is that a...a dragons egg?".
Hermione, Ron and Neville turned to stare at the fireplace as did Hagrid. Hermione seemed shocked "where did you get that from? dragons eggs are supposed to be really rare from what I've read!".
"Not only that Hermione but it's one of the rarest dragon eggs. It's a Norwegian Ridgeback", Ron informed her.
"But isn't it...you know...illegal to have dragons?", Neville cut in tentatively, "I thought they were supposed to be kept on special dragon reserves and protected by keepers to deter poachers".
Harry sighed and eyed Hagrid whose proud look had vanished at the reproachful look on their faces. "Yes...it is", Harry said heavily and asked "where did you get it from Hagrid?".
Hagrid shrugged. "I won him from a man down the pub. In a game of cards".
"The person who had that should not have been gambling it away", Hermione declared, "it's irresponsible and unfair on the dragon".
Hagrid gave Hermione a hurt look. "I'll take good care of him Hermione, you can bet on it. I've been reading all about dragons in that book of there", he gestured a meaty thumb at a large leather bound book which was lying open on his bed.
"That isn't the point Hagrid and you know it", Harry cut in, "your house isn't big enough for a dragon to live in".
"And if you're caught you'd be fired, perhaps even arrested for this...is that what you want?", Ron said.
Hagrid was unrepentant however. "Well he can go and live in the forest. Plenty room there fer him and plenty of food too".
Harry and the others exchanged despairing looks.
Over the next week Harry and his friends had so many distractions it was hard to think straight. First and foremost they had to focus on their school work and homework in order to keep up good grades, secondly they were taxed with keeping an eye on the untrustworthy and bat like Professor Snape, convinced as they were that he was after the Stone, and thirdly they agonised over ways to convince Hagrid that he needed to give the dragon up to a reputable sanctuary when it hatched as he could neither look after nor legally keep it.
The tipping point for the dragon egg situation came a week after Harry, Ron and their friends had first found out about the egg. It was on Saturday morning at breakfast in the Great Hall when Hagrid approached them looking really pleased. He informed them that "the dragon is about to hatch, it's due to happen this afternoon and I'd love yeh all to be there".
"Of course we'll come Hagrid", Harry answered for everyone. The others looked unsure but Harry felt that they needed to try convincing Hagrid once again and could only do so if they were actually there when the dragon hatched out.
When Hagrid had walked out of earshot Ron hissed "why did you say we'd be there! Now we'll be in as much trouble as he is when someone finds out!".
Harry loved his brother but for someone so good at strategy Ron could be quite dense at times. He rolled his eyes and said "we need to be able to persuade him to give that dragon up when it hatches. He won't listen to us unless we're there".
"Harry's right", Hermione agreed and added "as much as I'm worried about it we have no other choice. He could get the sack".
"And no matter the mistakes he's made before he doesn't deserve that", chimed in Neville.
Ron groaned. "Fine, but I want my opposition noted".
Harry grinned and replied "duly noted".
The foursome hung out in the Common Room until one o'clock, attempting to distract themselves with games of chess, homework and talking to each other.
The tension became too much for Harry. Never one to relax when there was something that needed doing. He got up and started to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace. The other students noticed it though no one said anything. Only Fred and George gazed suspiciously at Harry as if they knew something was up.
"Sit down, Fred and George are looking", Ron hissed at Harry and pulled him down onto the sofa he was sitting on. Harry sighed and stayed reluctantly seated.
"It's time", Hermione informed the other three as one o'clock arrived. The foursome got to their feet and headed over to the Portrait Hole. They were, unfortunately, intercepted by Fred and George who, despite smiling, questioned where they were headed to "and just where...", began Fred.
"Do you think...", continued George.
"You're going?", Fred finished.
Harry thanked himself for his ability to think on his feet. "We're going to confront Malfoy over his treatment of Neville. Do us a favour and stop Perc over there from sticking his nose in".
Fred and George exchanged a grin. "We'll do it", Fred replied.
"But we want something in return", declared George.
Harry sighed. "What do you want?".
"We want you to give us all your chocolate frogs up until Christmas", the Twins said in unison.
Harry gaped at them. "But that's nearly two whole months worth of chocolate frogs!", he protested.
"And a small price to pay for keeping Percy out of your hair", George pointed out.
"We're the one's that have to come up with ways to keep him busy", added Fred.
Harry groaned. "Fine, it's a deal!".
Harry shook hands with them both. "Pleasure doing business with you Ickle Harrikins", the Twins said as they both ruffled his hair.
"Get off!", Harry protested and walked off with a scowl.
As Harry and the others exited the Portrait Hole and headed down through the castle Hermione voiced the opinion that "that was excellent thinking Harry".
"It was bloody brilliant!", Ron declared and stated "don't want Fred and George getting involved with it all, they'd probably want to use the dragon to prank someone".
"They wouldn't...would they?", Hermione asked.
"They would!", Harry and Ron answered together.
The foursome soon reached Hagrid's Cabin. "There's more smoke coming out of the chimney than usual", Harry commented as he headed up the steps and knocked on the front door.
"Yeah, Hagrid trying to hatch that soon to be terrifying dragon", Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It won't be that terrifying to start with Ron".
Ron glared at her and demanded "oh yeah? want to bet on it when it tries to breath fire at you?".
"Will you two stop arguing", Harry chided them "we don't want Hagrid picking up on an atmosphere if we want any chance of persuading him".
Ron and Hermione fell silent as the familiar booming bark emanated from Fang and Hagrid's shuffling footsteps could be heard approaching the front door.
The front door opened and a smiling Hagrid beckoned them in. "In ya come", he said. "I've just made a fresh pot of tea. Sit yerselves down and wait, the dragon will hatching any minute now".
Ron and Neville gave Harry panicked looks and even Hermione looked somewhat nervous though she tried to hide it. "It'll be fine", Harry assured them all in a whisper.
The four of them and Hagrid had just finished mugs of tea and were making small talk when a distinctly loud cracking sound could be heard. Five heads shot up and looked at the fireplace. The egg had cracked open and a small, scaly creature, black as a lump of coal with ridges on it's back stood up, coughed slightly and blinked at the five humans.
Hagrid was smitten at once. The half-giant rushed over to the fireplace, carefully scooped the dragon up out of the remains of the egg shell and brought him over to the table. Harry and Hermione just barely restrained an urge to back away while Ron and Neville nearly fell off their chairs.
"Aw ain't he adorable?", Hagrid declared. He tickled the hatchling under the chin. Hagrid looked at the foursome and told them "I'm going to call him Norbert".
The foursome blinked in surprise while Norbert made a chirping noise. "He likes it", Hagrid beamed at the dragon. He tickled Norbert under the chin only for Norbert to sneeze, cough and release a small amount of flame from his mouth along with a puff of steam from his nostrils "oops!", Hagrid urgently patted away the fire in his beard and chuckled as it smouldered slightly.
"Hagrid that sort of thing was what we meant when we said you need to give the dragon...I mean Norbert, up. It's too dangerous to keep a dragon", Harry cautioned.
"He'll be no trouble", Hagrid argued.
"Hagrid look around you!", Hermione cut in exasperatedly. "Your home is made entirely of wood. The moment Norbert is capable of spouting large flames your house will go up like kindling, you can't keep him here!".
Hagrid countered "well what if I send him away to the forest when he gets too big?".
The foursome shook their heads at Hagrid's stubbornness.
It was as Harry was trying to think up another argument with which to convince Hagrid that he heard footsteps by one of the windows and a voice that said "bugger, nearly twisted my ankle!".
Harry turned towards the sound outside and froze in place. For outside the window peering in, was a familiar head of slicked back blond hair. Draco Malfoy was watching them. 'The must git must have followed us' Harry thought with panic.
"Uh, Hagrid...I think we may have a new problem", Harry called to his large friend.
Hagrid and the others turned to see what Harry was looking at.
"Oh crap!", Ron exclaimed.
"Oh no", Hermione said simply.
Neville shook his head and moaned miserably.
"That...is that the Malfoy boy?", Hagrid asked.
Harry nodded as Malfoy disappeared. "Yes...it is and this thing just got more urgent to deal with". He turned to face Hagrid and said seriously "now will you listen to us Hagrid?".
Hagrid nodded, looking very worried and rather upset. He didn't say a word as Harry began to speak.