Chapter Twenty-Four: Escalations

The trio made their way up to the seventh floor, each step thudding with the weight of anticipation. Harry walked just behind Professor Flitwick, with Hermione at his side, quiet and clearly nervous. As they approached the stone gargoyle, Flitwick gave the password and the statue obediently slid aside.

Flitwick opened the door to Dumbledore's office, and sunlight streamed through the high windows, glinting off strange silver instruments and ancient bookshelves. Fawkes stirred on his perch, watching them with calm, intelligent eyes.

Dumbledore looked up from a parchment as they entered, his half-moon spectacles gleaming.

"Professor Flitwick! Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, what a pleasant surprise."

"Apologies for the interruption, Headmaster," Flitwick said, bowing slightly. "We come with a rather unique matter requiring your attention."

Dumbledore gestured to the chairs. "Then let us discuss it properly. Tea?"

As the headmaster conjured a polished tray, Flitwick exchanged a glance with Harry. Harry gave a slight nod. It was time.

Flitwick began with professionalism and clarity, giving the facts outlining Hagrid's possession of the dragon egg and his refusal to consider its implications.

"He means well, of course," Flitwick said. "But he is... as ever, enthusiastic to a fault."

Hermione jumped in with a flurry of facts. "According to Section Three of the Beast Classification Statute, classifying and housing a dragon requires full departmental oversight and habitat assessments. Hagrid has none of that."

Dumbledore listened without interruption, fingers steepled beneath his chin. When they finished, he closed his eyes briefly.

"I had hoped," he said softly, "that he would resist the temptation. As long as I have known our dear Gameskeeper he has wanted a dragon. I have always told him it would be impossible for him to look after such a creature, majestic as they are, they are also incredible dangerous."

Harry's voice was calm but firm. "We didn't want to betray his trust. But something needs to be done. Quietly. I hope you agree, headmaster, that Hagrid shouldn't face charges for this."

Dumbledore opened his eyes and regarded Harry with something like approval.

"You were right to come to Professor Flitwick," he said. "And you were right to bring this to me. I appreciate you trying to solve this with words, but I feel we will need to proceed with caution from here on."

He stood and moved to the tall windows behind his desk, gazing out at the distant peaks.

"Did any of you have any thoughts as to alternative solutions?"

Flitwick glanced at Harry and nodded.

"I had a couple of ideas, headmaster."

"I'm all ears, Harry. Please talk me through them."

"Well, I'm not proud of my first idea, but at the time it seemed the simplest way to remove the egg and make sure Hagrid didn't get into trouble. I thought perhaps we could simply remove the egg when Hagrid is away from his hut and send it anonymously to the dragon reserve in Wales."

Dumbledore looked back at Harry, waiting.

"But," Harry continued, "I don't want to become a thief, and my second idea could work a lot better if we can pull it off."

Dumbledore returned to his seat. "I am pleased to hear you thought better of your first idea, Harry. Whilst I agree it would be easy, I cannot condone stealing from Hagrid. What, pray tell, is your second idea?"

"It would be difficult…"

"Things worth doing often are." mused Dumbledore.

"My second idea was that we could keep the dragon here, at Hogwarts. We could create a reserve enclosure on the far side of the lake and raise the dragon there. It could become part of the Care of Magical Creatures syllabus for the N.E.W.T students, and Hagrid would get to keep looking after it for years. Obviously I don't really know if this is even possible, but I thought it would be good for the school, and good for Hagrid."

There was silence for a moment. Not oppressive or uncomfortable, just a break in conversation while everyone digested Harry's words.

Dumbledore pondered Harry's suggestion.

"If we do not wish to remove the egg, and we are obviously not prepared to turn Hagrid in, then we must explore the possibility of accommodation. However unlikely it may seem. I will contact the Welsh reserve, not to take the egg, but to request a consultation. A reserve architect. Someone who can assess the feasibility of maintaining a dragon habitat on school grounds."

Harry blinked. "You'd really consider it?"

"I would not make a promise," Dumbledore said gently. "But I will make an inquiry."

He met each of their gazes in turn.

"If this is to happen, it will happen aboveboard, with safeguards and supervision. No secrets. No subterfuge."

He looked toward Flitwick.

"I trust you to liaise with the reserve once I make contact."

Flitwick, looking slightly stunned, nodded. "Of course, headmaster."

"Thank you, all of you. For your honesty and your restraint. If nothing else, you've reminded me that cleverness and compassion need not be strangers. Harry, I will summon you, and you too Miss Granger if you wish, once I have met with the reserve architect."

Harry nodded once. "Thank you, sir."

~OvO~

They walked back to the Ravenclaw Tower through a corridor filled with golden afternoon light. Hermione was deep in thought, muttering something about minimum territory size and feeding costs.

Professor Flitwick had departed for his own quarters, already pulling out his quill to write up a follow-up list for the reserve.

Harry, meanwhile, was quiet, until he gave a soft laugh.

Hermione looked at him. "What?"

"Oh, nothing, sorry. This is all just slightly absurd."

Internally, Harry was thinking about how Sirius would react to this.

That evening, he ducked into the Room of Requirement and activated the mirror.

Sirius's face appeared, squinting slightly. "Harry?"

"Evening."

"You look far too pleased with yourself. What did you do?"

Harry leaned on his elbows. "You know I told you about that dragon egg Hagrid's been hiding?"

Sirius blinked. "You still haven't stolen that thing?"

"Actually," Harry said, trying not to grin, "we're looking into keeping it. Legally."

Sirius stared at him.

"You're joking."

"Not even a little."

Sirius groaned. "How the hell would that work?"

"I'm just the ideas man, Sirius. Dumbledore is contacting a reserve architect from Wales to come to Hogwarts and see if it's even possible. I'll have more news on it soon."

"You're all mad," Sirius muttered, rubbing his forehead. "But fine. Let me know when it hatches and eats a professor."

"I'll try and save you the bones."