Chapter 898: Hagrid's Dream Come True
Chapter 898: Hagrid's Dream Come True
The Alchemical Mist, one of Beauxbatons' most important defensive measures, was also used by Nicoleme at the entrance of her estate, its purpose self-evident.
Kyle's Alchemy skills might not compare to Viktor's or Nicoleme's, but he didn't need to protect the entirety of Hogwarts. He only needed to create a barrier at the edge of the Forbidden Forest that could block the view from the castle.
It wasn't a difficult task. In a single day, he had almost finished carving the framework of the runes. Hagrid had shuttled between his hut and the castle over a dozen times to ensure everything was in order, and Kyle finally put down his wand.
This wouldn't be completed in a day or two; he could take his time with the remaining details.
"Here, have something to eat. I got this especially for you from the kitchen," Hagrid said, walking over with an entire roast beef leg and shoving it into Kyle's hands.
Kyle's arm sank under the weight, and he almost dropped it, wondering if Hagrid had mistaken him for Grawp.
"Thank you..."
"Hey, don't mention it."
Kyle tugged at the corner of his mouth and held the beef leg, unsure where to start. Finally, he used his wand to cut off a piece.
Hagrid, meanwhile, was sneaking up to the Hungarian Horntail, seemingly forgetting the numerous wounds on his body.
The Horntail, tired after a full day of activity, lay on the ground with its eyes closed, as if ignoring Hagrid's presence.
Hagrid, however, was delighted to finally touch the Horntail's rough scales and sharp, rigid tail spikes.
"Oh, Kyle, look! It finally acknowledges me!" Hagrid's eyes glistened with tears, and he looked like a giant child over three meters tall.
"If that makes you happy," Kyle said, swallowing the beef with difficulty, then waving the remaining meat in front of the Horntail.
Seeing no reaction, he stuffed it directly into the Horntail's mouth.
The Horntail, enraged, lashed its tail at Hagrid and was about to fight with Kyle.
But after chewing for a moment, it lay back down and devoured the roast beef like a bag of chips.
"Hagrid?"
"I'm fine... really," Hagrid said, limping over.
Kyle didn't pay much attention to his condition.
He now understood that the half-giant wasn't just big; he also possessed remarkable resilience due to his size and the combat training he'd received from living with his giant brother. While Hagrid would get injured when dealing with the Horntail, it wasn't life-threatening.
After a few reminders, Kyle stopped worrying.
Hagrid, still fascinated by the Horntail, reluctantly walked over.
"Kyle, are you sure you want to keep the dragon in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Of course. Why else would I go through all this trouble?" Kyle replied. "What, you don't want me to?"
"How could I not? I dream of keeping dragons in the Forbidden Forest!" Hagrid exclaimed. "But I'm worried the Aurors might give you trouble; the crime of dragon ownership is no small matter."
"Don't worry about that," Kyle said, pulling out a piece of parchment. "I have a certificate for legal dragon ownership."
"A Legal Dragon Ownership Certificate?" Hagrid glanced at it, his face full of envy. "No wonder you got this; you were once a senior minister's assistant!"
After Hagrid's expulsion, he had been living at Hogwarts and wasn't aware of the true value of the parchment. He assumed Kyle had obtained it through the Ministry of Magic.
It was similar to clearing Sirius Black's name; Hagrid knew it would be difficult, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact challenges.
Kyle didn't explain.
"There's one more thing you should be aware of," Hagrid said, as if remembering something. "The Centaurs might not be happy about dragons in the Forbidden Forest, and they'll definitely cause trouble."
"They're not from around here, are they? Do they really consider the Forbidden Forest their territory?" Kyle chuckled. "It doesn't matter. If they disagree, they can just chase the dragons away. I won't stop them if they can do it."
Hagrid nodded.
Honestly, he wasn't fond of the Centaurs either. They had given him many cold shoulders when he initially settled Fluffy the Three-Headed Dog.
Recently, when he wanted his brother Grawp to stay in the Forbidden Forest temporarily, the Centaurs had strongly objected. It was only after bringing up Dumbledore that they reluctantly backed down.
"Alright, I'm sure you have a plan," Hagrid said.
Kyle nodded and opened his trunk again.
A Fireball Dragon with a metallic sheen on its Ironbelly scales and a Longhorn Dragon with golden horns emerged from the trunk, flapping their wings and flying into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
These dragons were young and full of curiosity, and Kyle had let them out to explore their new environment.
"Clang!"
Kyle thought he heard something—Hagrid's chin hitting the ground.
When he turned back, he saw Hagrid standing there, his eyes wide, sparkling with golden light like two Golden Snitches.
"Fireball Dragon..."
"Ironbelly..."
"Oh, and that's a Romanian Longhorn Dragon, a living Longhorn Dragon... Merlin's beard, I must be dreaming!"
"You're not dreaming," Kyle said, tugging at Hagrid's arm. "Come on, you'll have plenty of time to watch them later."
On the first tug, Hagrid didn't budge. On the second, he still didn't move.
Hagrid stood firmly, rooted to the spot.
"I'm not going anywhere!" he said with determination. "I've decided I'm going to live here from now on."
"That... doesn't seem appropriate," Kyle frowned.
He didn't mind adding an extra bed for Hagrid, but the Horntail was too unpredictable.
While it might not be a problem during the day, Kyle couldn't guarantee that the Horntail wouldn't launch a surprise attack in the middle of the night.
"Please, Kyle," Hagrid pleaded, his eyes still fixed on the distant dragon.
A burly man over three meters tall, with fists larger than a young wizard's head, was now pleading with a hint of tears in his voice.
Who could bear such a sight?
Kyle rubbed his arms uncomfortably.
"Suit yourself," he said, turning to leave.
He needed to make a trip to the castle.
Keeping dragons in the Forbidden Forest was no small matter, and even with his certificate, he had to inform Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.
Only with their approval could he proceed.
If they disagreed, Kyle would have to maintain the status quo and use the Forbidden Forest as a dragon playground.
When Kyle found Professor McGonagall, she was about to consult with Dumbledore on some matters. Upon hearing that Kyle had brought five dragons to the school, the parchment in her hand dropped to the floor.
"What did you say?!"
"Keeping dragons in the Forbidden Forest?" Professor McGonagall completely forgot her original purpose and said firmly, "No, absolutely not. The Forbidden Forest is too close to the castle, and the students will be in danger."
"Don't get worked up, Minerva," Dumbledore stroked his beard. "I think we can give it a try since Kyle managed to obtain a legal dragon ownership certificate, which shows he has the ability to control them, and they might not be as dangerous as we think."
"That's still unacceptable. What if Kyle loses control and the dragons escape?"
"I'm here too," Dumbledore said, "and dragons are not commonly seen. Perhaps Hogwarts could become the only school legally owning dragons, greatly enhancing its status in the wizarding world."
"I'd rather not have that kind of status," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "And Albus, I'm the Headmistress now!"
"Oh, well, then it's up to you," Dumbledore immediately fell silent, calmly taking a sip of tea from the table.
Dumbledore's quick concession caught Professor McGonagall off guard. She had been firm in her stance, but now she wavered.
In her mind, Dumbledore wasn't one to make rash decisions; every choice he made had a deeper meaning.
Even if it wasn't apparent at the time, it would become clear later on.
Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore, then at the well-behaved Kyle beside him, and her gaze inevitably turned to the direction of the Forbidden Forest outside the window. She remained silent for a long time.
After a while, she sighed and looked at a portrait on the wall.
"Principal Dippet, please ask the Heads of Houses and Nurse Pomfrey from the school hospital to come; we need to have a meeting."
"Do we need to make such a fuss, Minerva?" Armando Dippet leaned against the frame of the portrait. "There are already many dangerous magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest, and a few more little dragons won't make much difference."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tightly and glanced up at him.
"Alright, I understand," Dippet straightened up immediately. "I'll go right now."
Soon, the Heads of Houses and Nurse Pomfrey arrived.
They had already heard the general situation from Dippet, and as soon as they entered, they began arguing non-stop.
Interestingly, the Heads of Houses were once again evenly split.
Professor Flitwick and Snape agreed to let the dragons settle in the Forbidden Forest, while Professor Sprout and Nurse Pomfrey, representing the school hospital, were strongly opposed.
The reasons were simple. Professor Sprout worried that the temperamental dragons might destroy the nearby greenhouses, and Nurse Pomfrey opposed all potentially dangerous creatures, including but not limited to the Three-Headed Dog, Basilisk, Boggart, dragons, and Voldemort...
The vote was tied again, 3:3.
What surprised Kyle was that Snape had voted in favor.
Of course, he had his own agenda.
"I need some dragon materials for my research, and you must provide them to me unconditionally," he said, his eyes narrowed and his tone threatening, attempting to manipulate Kyle.
Kyle's response to this was... impossible, not a chance, not even dragon dung.
So Snape promptly changed his vote.
But the vote remained tied at 3:3.
When she heard the mention of dragon dung, Professor Sprout also changed her vote.
She realized that with dragons in the school, she would have an endless supply of natural dragon dung fertilizer, saving money that could be used to buy more plants.
Kyle had also promised to donate twenty Mandrake plants, a hundred Snargaluff plants, and a fully grown Devil's Snare to the school greenhouses once the task was completed.
Professor Sprout switched her vote without hesitation.
Snape's teeth ground audibly.
The debate continued for a long time until late at night. Dumbledore suggested a snack and some pumpkin juice to soothe their throats, and after a short break, they would resume the discussion. Everyone agreed.
Except for Nurse Pomfrey, who stood up and left the Headmaster's Office.
Her stance was clear; there was no room for negotiation, and there was no need for further discussion. Professor McGonagall didn't stop her.
She was deep in thought, her head bowed, after Professor Flitwick's earlier statement.
He had said that the dragons could be an asset in case Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts, and they might have unexpected effects.
These words made Professor McGonagall's heart waver even more.
She was only concerned about the students' safety, but compared to the Death Eaters, the dragons seemed less threatening.
However, this reason alone wasn't enough for her to agree to the proposal of keeping dragons in the Forbidden Forest, so she remained undecided.
House-elves delivered hot snacks, and with Dumbledore's approval, they also brought a few cups of wine, not enough to get anyone drunk.
Professor Flitwick approached Kyle with a cup of mead.
"Kyle, did you really get a legal dragon ownership certificate?"
"Of course," Kyle nodded. "Otherwise, I wouldn't dare release the dragons into the Forbidden Forest."
Professor Flitwick's eyes lit up.
While he didn't share Hagrid's intense passion for dragons, he was an avid dueling enthusiast.
Dueling wizards relished challenging formidable opponents, which naturally included powerful magical creatures, and dragons were the ultimate 5X beings.
Standing in the midst of flames, wand in hand, watching a colossal dragon descend from the sky and crash before them, was a scenario every dueling master had fantasized about.
But it was just a fantasy.
Since dragons were rare, and the reserves would never permit dueling with them, the title of "Dragon-Conquering Wizard" hadn't been bestowed upon anyone for over a century.
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
Professor Flitwick rubbed his hands together, eagerly glancing out at the Forbidden Forest beyond the window.
This was one of the reasons he had voted in favor.
As for the students' safety... he didn't share Professor McGonagall's level of concern; with Dumbledore around, he wouldn't worry even if there were five dragons, let alone if the dragon reserve was moved next door.
And they, as headmasters, weren't made of clay... This was Hogwarts' confidence and the reason the Forbidden Forest was allowed to exist.
There were countless dangerous creatures within, including the most sinister Acromantula, which considered wizards part of their diet, but they had never dared to provoke Hogwarts.
A few dragons were nothing, troublesome perhaps, but not a significant concern.
Meanwhile, within the castle, it was already curfew time.
Ever since Fred and George graduated, Hogwarts had become much quieter during curfew hours.
On the eighth-floor corridor, after a period of counseling, the Fat Lady had returned to her duties.
The dark and silent corridor made her feel drowsy, and she didn't notice the painting being pushed open from the inside, nor the two pairs of sneaky shoes that appeared out of thin air.
"Harry, move over a bit, I can't breathe."
"But I'm already at the edge..."
"Shh, be quiet, or Filch will hear us," came another voice from the side.
"You make it sound easy, Hermione. Come and squeeze in, it's unbearable."
"It's your fault for not knowing the Invisibility Charm."
"That charm is too difficult. I bet it's not something students can master."
"Then how did I learn it?"
"You... you're not normal..."
It was clear that the trio of Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the ones in the corridor.
After knocking on the door for a long time during the day with no response, they hadn't given up. Instead, they decided to investigate the cabin at night.
"What if Kyle is a Death Eater in disguise? Hagrid might be in danger."
They comforted themselves and found a reason for their actions.
However, they overlooked one detail: while the Invisibility Cloak could perfectly conceal three people when they were in their first year, they had grown since then, and it was now a struggle to hide even two.
This was awkward.
Harry and Ron looked at their exposed shoes, wishing they could cover them.
But the Invisibility Cloak was only so big; unless they crouched and walked, which they tried and quickly abandoned as impossible.
There was no way they could manage it.
If Hermione joined them, they wouldn't just have exposed shoes; their calves might be visible as well.
Helpless, the trio could only proceed as they were, lowering their voices and tiptoeing down the stairs.
Whether it was luck or not, despite their exposed shoes, they didn't encounter Filch or Lady Loris's Cat on their way out.
The group easily slipped out of the castle and sprinted through the moonlight to Kyle's cabin door.
"Should we knock?"
"You must be joking."
"But if we just barge in, Kyle will definitely notice us, and he's not as easy to fool as Hagrid."
"It's fine. I heard from Colin that Kyle went to the Headmaster's Office," Harry's voice carried over, "I just checked, and the light there is still on. He might not be back yet."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Ron stepped forward and tentatively pushed the door.
It opened.
This made Hermione, who was holding her wand and preparing to use an unlocking charm, feel a bit embarrassed.
Why did the door open so easily when it was locked tightly during the day?
However, she didn't think too much about it and cautiously peered inside before stepping in.
"Good, no one's here."
"Hermione, is what we're doing a bit inappropriate?" Harry asked cautiously from behind.
But Hermione didn't answer him.
Her mind was filled with images of her wandering around the Forbidden Forest at noon the previous day, leaving her no room to respond to Harry's question.
This matter had tormented her all afternoon. Hermione had borrowed at least twenty books from the library, but she couldn't find any magic that could turn everything into a mirage.
If she didn't figure it out, she felt she wouldn't be able to sleep.
But she had visited several times yesterday—at noon, in the afternoon, and in the evening—and no matter when she knocked, there was never any response.
Even Hagrid was nowhere to be found.
Whether it was out of concern or some other motive, this led to their nighttime cabin investigation.
The cabin was clean, and the bed was empty.
Hermione immediately looked at the wall opposite.
As expected, the door was still there, seemingly only visible from this spot.
Hermione's heart raced faster, and with an excited grip on the doorknob, she gave it a gentle turn.
"Roar!"
In the instant the door opened, a scorching flame rushed towards them, growing larger in their pupils...
...
...
Book Recommendation: _Hogwarts: How I Became the Only Pure-Blooded Wizard in a Family of Dark Wizards_
My uncle is locked up in Azkaban, my grandfather sells bombs in Knockturn Alley, and my parents and aunts are all poachers! What should I do after being expelled three times?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
