https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-899-Deduction-a-Must-Have-Deduction/13017521/
Chapter 898: Hagrid's Dream Come True
Chapter 898: Hagrid's Dream Come True
The Alchemical Mist, one of Busbyton's most crucial defensive measures, was also utilized by Nicoleme at the entrance of her estate, its purpose self-evident.
Kyle's alchemy skills, though not on par with Viktor and Nicoleme, didn't need to protect the entire Hogwarts School. He only needed to create a barrier at the edge of the Forbidden Forest to block the view from the castle.
It wasn't too difficult to accomplish. In a single day, he had almost finished carving the rune framework. Hagrid had traveled back and forth between his hut and the castle over a dozen times, ensuring there were no issues in any direction, before Kyle finally put down his wand.
This wouldn't be completed in a day or two; the remaining details could be slowly perfected.
"Why don't you eat something? I brought this especially for you from the kitchen," Hagrid said as he approached, holding an entire roasted beef leg and forcing it into Kyle's hands.
Kyle's arm sank, almost dropping the leg, and for a moment, he wondered if Hagrid had mistaken him for Glop.
"Thank you..."
"Hey, don't mention it," Hagrid replied.
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, had sidled up to the Hungarian Firebird, seemingly forgetting the numerous wounds on his body.
The Firebird, exhausted after a full day's work, lay on the ground with its eyes closed, as if it hadn't noticed Hagrid at all.
Hagrid, however, got his wish as he touched the rough scales and hard, sharp tail spikes of the Firebird.
"Oh, Kyle, look! He finally acknowledges me," Hagrid said with tears in his eyes, looking like a child over three meters tall.
"If that's what makes you happy," Kyle said, swallowing the beef in his mouth with difficulty. He waved the remaining meat in front of the Firebird's eyes.
Seeing no reaction, he simply stuffed it into the Firebird's mouth.
The Firebird, enraged, lashed its tail at Hagrid and was about to fight with Kyle.
But after chewing for a moment, it lay back down on the ground and began to chew the roasted beef leg like a bag of chips.
"Hagrid?"
"I'm fine, really..." Hagrid limped over.
Seeing this, Kyle didn't pay much attention.
He now understood that not only were half-giants large in stature, but their bodies were also incredibly sturdy. Combined with the resilience developed from living with his giant brother, Hagrid might get injured when dealing with the Firebird, but he was never in any real danger.
So, after reminding Hagrid a few times, Kyle let it go.
After admiring the Firebird for a while, Hagrid reluctantly walked over.
"Kyle, are you sure you want to keep the Fireball Dragon in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Of course. Why else would I go through all this trouble?" Kyle said. "What, you don't approve?"
"How could I not? I dream of keeping a Fireball Dragon in the Forbidden Forest," Hagrid exclaimed. "But I'm worried the Aurors will cause trouble for you. The charges for keeping a Fireball Dragon are no small matter."
"That's not a problem," Kyle said, pulling out a piece of parchment. "I have a certificate for legal dragon keeping."
"A Legal Dragon Keeping Certificate?" Hagrid glanced at it, his face full of envy, said, "No wonder you could get such a valuable item! You were once a senior assistant minister."
After Hagrid's dismissal, he had been living at Hogwarts School most of the time and wasn't aware of the true value of the parchment. He assumed Kyle had obtained it through the Ministry of Magic.
This was similar to helping Sirius clear his name, which Hagrid knew was difficult, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact challenges.
Kyle didn't offer an explanation.
"There's one more thing you might want to pay attention to," Hagrid said, as if something had occurred to him. "The Merpeople might not be happy about a Fireball Dragon in the Forbidden Forest. They will definitely cause trouble."
"They're all from other places, and they really think the Forbidden Forest is their territory?" Kyle laughed. "It doesn't matter. If they don't agree, they can just chase the Fireball Dragon Keeping Certificate. If they can do it, I have no objections."
Hagrid nodded.
To be honest, he didn't like those Merpeople either. The three-headed dog, Fluffy, that he had placed there had received nothing but scowls from them.
Recently, when he wanted his brother, Glop, to temporarily live in the Forbidden Forest, the Merpeople had vehemently disagreed. It was only after he invoked Dumbledore's name that they reluctantly calmed down.
"Okay, you must have a plan," Hagrid said.
Kyle nodded and opened his box again.
The Fireball Dragon, with its entire body a fiery red, and the Romanian Longhorn, with its metallic-shining Ironbelly and golden horns, emerged from the box one after the other, flapping their wings and flying deep into the Forbidden Forest.
These Fireball Dragons were still young and curious about their new environment, so Kyle let them out to play.
"Clang!"
Kyle vaguely heard a sound, as if Hagrid's chin had hit the ground.
When he turned back, he saw Hagrid standing there, dazed... Kyle swore he had never noticed Hagrid's eyes were so big, and they were shimmering with a golden light, like two tiny, golden thieves.
"Fireball Dragon..."
"Ironbelly..."
"Oh, I must be dreaming! Merlin, I must be dreaming, right?"
"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 there as if rooted to the spot, his stance as firm as his words, "I'm not going anywhere. I've decided to live here from now on."
"This... doesn't seem right," Kyle frowned.
He didn't mind adding an extra bed for Hagrid, but the problem was the unpredictability of the Firebird.
During the day, the Firebird might not be able to do much to Hagrid, but Kyle worried that the beast might launch a surprise attack in the middle of the night.
"Please, Kyle." Hagrid begged, his eyes still fixed on the distant fireball dragon.
A burly man over three meters tall, with fists larger than a young wizard's head, now had a hint of a whine in his voice.
What a situation.
Kyle rubbed his arms.
"Suit yourself," he said, turning to leave.
He needed to make a trip to the castle.
Keeping fireball dragons in the Forbidden Forest was no small matter. Even with his certificate, he had to inform Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall.
Only with their approval could the work continue.
If they disagreed, Kyle would have to maintain the status quo, using the Forbidden Forest as a fireball dragon playground.
When Kyle found Professor McGonagall, she was preparing to consult with Professor Dumbledore about something. Upon hearing that Kyle had brought five fireball dragons to the school, the parchment she was holding dropped to the ground.
"What did you say?!"
"Keeping fireball 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 excited, Minerva. I think we can give it a try." Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard.
"Since Kyle was able to obtain a legal dragon-keeping certificate, it shows that he has the ability to control those fireball dragons, and it's not that dangerous."
"That's still not acceptable. What if Kyle isn't careful and the fireball dragons escape?"
"I'm also here," Professor Dumbledore said, "and fireball dragons are not common. Perhaps Hogwarts can become the only school legally possessing fireball 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 Headmaster now!"
"Oh, okay, then you have the final say." Professor Dumbledore immediately fell silent, calmly picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip.
Professor Dumbledore's quick concession made Professor McGonagall hesitate. She had always been firm, but now she was wavering.
In her impression, Professor Dumbledore wasn't one to cause trouble. On the contrary, every decision he made had a deep meaning.
Even if it wasn't apparent at first, it would become clear later.
Professor McGonagall looked at Professor Dumbledore, then at the well-behaved Kyle beside her. Her gaze involuntarily turned to the direction of the Forbidden Forest outside the window, and she remained silent for a long time without speaking.
After a long while, she suddenly sighed and looked at a painting on the wall.
"Principal Dippet, please ask the three Heads of House and Madam Pomfrey from the school hospital to come; we need to hold a meeting."
"Is it necessary to make such a fuss, Minerva?" Armando Dippet leaned against the frame, "The Forbidden Forest is full of dangerous magical creatures. A few more fireball dragons won't make much difference."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips tightly and glanced up at him.
"Okay, I understand." Dippet immediately straightened up, "I'll go right now."
Soon, the Heads of House and Madam Pomfrey arrived.
They had already learned the general situation from Dippet and started arguing as soon as they entered.
Interestingly, the Heads of House were once again evenly split.
Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape agreed to let the fireball dragons settle in the Forbidden Forest, while Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey, representing the school hospital, strongly opposed the idea.
The reasons were simple. Professor Sprout was concerned that the temperamental fireball dragons might destroy the nearby greenhouses, and Madam Pomfrey opposed all potentially dangerous creatures, including but not limited to Three-Headed Dogs, Basilisks, Dementors, Fireball Dragons, and Voldemort...
3:3
The situation was at a stalemate again.
What Kyle didn't expect was that Professor Snape had voted in favor.
Of course, he had his own agenda.
"I need some fireball dragon materials for research, and you must provide them to me unconditionally." He narrowed his eyes, his tone full of threat, trying to pressure Kyle.
Kyle's response to this was... impossible, not a chance, not even dragon dung.
So Professor Snape quickly changed his vote.
But the situation remained 3:3.
When they heard about dragon dung, Professor Sprout also changed her vote.
She suddenly realized that with fireball dragons in the school, she would have an endless supply of natural dragon dung fertilizer, saving money to buy more plants.
Kyle even promised to donate twenty Mandrake plants, one hundred Venomous Tentacula, and one complete Devil's Snare to the school greenhouses after the task was completed.
Professor Sprout changed her vote without hesitation.
Professor Snape's teeth ground audibly.
The debate continued late into the night until Professor Dumbledore suggested a snack and some pumpkin juice to soothe their throats. Everyone agreed to a break, except for Madam Pomfrey, who immediately left the Headmaster's office.
Her attitude was clear; there was no changing her mind, and there was no need to continue the discussion. Professor McGonagall didn't stop her.
She was lost in thought, her head bowed, after Professor Flitwick's words.
Professor Flitwick had said that the fireball dragons in the school could be a helpful force. If Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts, they might have an unexpected effect.
These words made Professor McGonagall's heart wavered even more.
She was only concerned about the students' safety, but compared to Death Eaters, fireball dragons didn't seem like much of a threat.
However, this reason alone wasn't enough for her to agree to the proposal of keeping dragons in the Forbidden Forest, so she was still hesitating.
House-elves brought steaming snacks for their midnight snack, and with Professor Dumbledore's approval, they also brought a few cups of wine.
It wasn't much, just one cup each, not enough to get drunk.
Professor Flitwick held a cup of mead and approached Kyle.
"Kyle, did you really get a legal dragon-keeping certificate?"
"Of course it's real." Kyle nodded, "Otherwise, I wouldn't dare put the dragons in 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 epitome of 5X beings.
Wielding a wand amidst the flames, watching a colossal dragon descend from the sky and crash before them, was a scene every dueling wizard fantasized about.
But it remained just a fantasy.
Dragons were rare, and the reserve would never permit duels with them, so the title of 'Dragon-Conquering Wizard' hadn't been bestowed upon anyone in a century.
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
Professor Flitwick rubbed his hands together, eagerly glancing at the Forbidden Forest outside the window.
This was why he cast his vote in favor.
As for student safety, he didn't share Professor McGonagall's concerns; with Dumbledore's presence, he wouldn't worry about five dragons, even if the reserve were relocated next door.
Moreover, the headmasters weren't made of clay; this was Hogwarts' confidence and the reason the Forbidden Forest existed.
The forest was teeming with dangerous creatures, including the most sinister Eight-Eyed Spider that considered wizards a delicacy, yet it had never dared to provoke Hogwarts.
A few dragons, though troublesome, weren't a significant concern.
Meanwhile, curfew had arrived within the castle.
Ever since Fred and George's graduation, Hogwarts had become much quieter at night.
After a period of counseling, the Fat Lady had returned to her post on the eighth floor.
The dark and quiet corridor tempted her to take a nap, oblivious to the two pairs of sneaky shoes that appeared out of thin air, pushed her from within.
"Harry, move over a bit, I can't breathe," a voice whispered.
"But I'm already at the edge..."
"Shh, be quiet, or Filch will catch us," another voice cautioned from the side.
"Easy for you to say, Hermione, why don't you squeeze in and see how uncomfortable it is."
"It's your fault for not learning the Invisibility Charm."
"That spell is too difficult; I bet it's beyond any student's capabilities."
"Then how did I learn it?"
"You...you're different...you're not normal."
It was clear that 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 didn't back down but decided to try again at night.
"What if Kyle is an impersonator, a Death Eater, Hagrid could be in danger."
They comforted themselves and found a reason for their actions.
However, they overlooked one detail: while the Invisibility Cloak perfectly concealed three people when they were younger, now that they had grown, it was a struggle to cover even two.
This presented an awkward situation.
Harry and Ron looked at their exposed shoes, wishing they could hide them.
But the cloak was only so big; unless they crouched and walked, which they attempted but quickly abandoned.
It was impossible; they couldn't manage it.
With Hermione, they wouldn't just expose their shoes; their calves might show as well.
Helpless, the trio proceeded, whispering and tiptoeing down the stairs.
Whether it was luck or not, even with their exposed shoes, they didn't encounter Filch or Mrs. Norris, the cat, on their way out.
The group stealthily exited the castle and sprinted under the moonlight to Kyle's cabin.
"Should we knock?"
"Are you crazy?"
"But if we just barge in, he'll definitely notice. He's not as easy to fool as Hagrid."
"Don't worry, Colin told me he saw Kyle go to the headmaster's office," Harry's voice echoed, "I just checked, the light was 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 caught Hermione, who was ready to cast an Unlocking Charm with her wand, off guard.
How did the door open when it was securely locked during the day?
But she didn't dwell on it, instead, she nervously peered inside and then stepped in.
"Great, no one's here."
"Hermione, do you think what we're doing is a bit inappropriate?" Harry trailed behind, speaking cautiously.
However, Hermione didn't respond.
Her mind was filled with images of her wandering aimlessly in the Forbidden Forest yesterday, leaving her no room to address Harry's question.
This dilemma had tormented her all afternoon; she borrowed at least twenty books from the library but found no magic that could turn everything before her into a mirage.
If she didn't figure it out, she felt she wouldn't be able to sleep.
Yet, she had visited several times yesterday—noon, afternoon, evening—and received no response at any hour.
Not even Hagrid was around.
Whether it was out of concern or some other motive, this led to their night-time exploration of the cabin.
The cabin was spotless, and no one was in the bed.
Hermione's gaze immediately turned to the opposite wall.
As expected, the door was there, seemingly only visible from that spot.
Hermione's heart raced, and with excitement, she gripped the doorknob and turned it gently.
"Roar!"
In the instant the door opened, a scorching flame rushed towards them, growing larger in their pupils...
...
...
Book Recommendation: 'Hogwarts: How I Became a White Wizard in a Family of Dark Wizards'
My uncle is in Azkaban, my grandfather sells bombs in Diagon Alley! My parents and aunts are poachers, and I've transferred schools three times. What now?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
