HP and Godric's Vault - Chapter - 46 (Patreon)

Life had turned tense for the Order of the Stars members. Draco Malfoy, always lurking and observing, now seemed intent on tormenting them. He never outright revealed that he knew about Hagrid’s dragon egg, but his hints were relentless. Every chance he got, he made sly references to dragons or dragon eggs, all while casting pointed glances at Theo, Blaise, or Harry, his gaze dripping with smugness.

“Did you know, Potter, that dragon eggs are highly valuable in potions?” Draco mentioned one day in Potions class, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I heard they’re especially useful in restricted potions... dangerous ones.”

Or he’d make a show of casually commenting in the corridors: “Funny how some people are careless with secrets, isn’t it? Personally, I think dragons are fascinating—my name even means ‘dragon,’ after all. Imagine the mischief one could get up to with an egg…”

Each of these remarks set their nerves on edge. They knew it was only a matter of time before Draco decided to tell the wrong person—or worse, his father—about what he’d overheard. The constant, unspoken threat loomed over them, like a dark cloud ready to burst.

Finally, after another subtle dig from Draco during Herbology, the Order decided they couldn’t take the risk any longer. They needed to move the dragon egg to a safer place, no matter what. Even if they had to persuade Hagrid by force, they had to make him see reason.

That evening, they gathered in their usual spot in the Clubroom. Theo voiced what everyone was thinking: “If we don’t act now, Draco’s going to get Hagrid in serious trouble—and us with him.”

Blaise nodded, his face grim. “Hagrid’s going to hate this, but we can’t leave the egg in his hut. Malfoy’s seen him going in and out all the time; it’s practically a beacon now.”

Hermione, who’d been listening intently, sighed. “Hagrid’s too attached to that egg to think logically about the risk. But if we explain that it’s only until things settle down... maybe he’ll agree.”

They all exchanged determined glances. If Draco’s sly game forced them into action, they’d have to outmaneuver him before he exposed their secret. Their loyalty to Hagrid, and to each other, demanded it.

As the Order of the Stars members gathered around, deep in discussion on how to convince Hagrid to move the dragon egg, a sudden tapping interrupted their planning. An owl was pecking insistently at the clubhouse window. Tracy hurried over, unlatching it to let the bird swoop into the room, a small note tied to its leg.

Harry stepped forward, untying the note, and opened it. His eyes widened as he read the single sentence scrawled in Hagrid’s familiar handwriting: “It’s hatching.”

For a moment, the entire club was silent, everyone staring at the note in Harry’s hand. Then, as the meaning set in, excitement buzzed through them.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!” Blaise whispered, a grin spreading across his face. “A real dragon hatching...”

Daphne’s eyes sparkled with the thrill of it. “If we don’t go, we’ll regret it forever!”

Without another word, the group sprang into action. They didn’t even stop to put away their notes or tidy up. Harry, thinking quickly, grabbed his camera from the clubhouse shelf. “We’ll want pictures,” he said with a grin. “Whatever happens, this is going to be a memory we’ll want to keep.”

Together, they dashed out of the castle and down toward Hagrid’s hut, the brisk evening air stinging their faces. There was no time to worry about being spotted or what they would tell Hagrid about their original plan. In this moment, they were only kids again, racing to witness something magical, something unforgettable.

The Order members arrived at Hagrid's hut in a frenzy, knocking on the door with such urgency that Hagrid, looking both cautious and excited, opened it only a crack at first. But when he saw that it was just them—his trusted friends—he grinned and threw the door open wide.

“Come in, come in!” he whispered excitedly, waving them inside.

As each member filed in, Harry was the last to enter. He took a quick look around the cramped hut, then, with a flick of his wand, quietly cast an Enlargement Charm on the space and the worn couch, making room for everyone. Once they’d all settled in, Harry waved his wand again to close the curtains, ensuring that no wandering eyes could see what they were about to witness.

“Best to be careful, in case anyone’s pokin’ ‘round,” Harry muttered, earning nods of agreement from the others.

In the center of the room sat the dragon egg, set on a pile of towels in front of the now dimmed fire. The egg was covered in cracks, its dark shell quivering with each tremor, as though the creature inside was impatient to meet the world. Hagrid gingerly lifted the egg from the fireplace, cradling it with a thick, old towel to protect his hands from the scorching heat.

“Look at it go!” Hagrid said, his eyes wide with pride and awe. “Ain’t no finer sight, if yeh ask me.”

The club members gathered around, their faces filled with excitement and a touch of nervousness. They watched in total silence, as the egg rocked and wobbled, each crack spreading wider than the last. The anticipation in the room was palpable; no one wanted to miss a single moment.

A sudden snap echoed through the hut as a chunk of shell broke away, revealing a tiny, scaly snout. A collective gasp went around the room. Slowly, a claw pushed through, then another, and, finally, a pair of gleaming eyes blinked open, peering at the group from within the shell.

And there it was—their first glimpse of a baby dragon.

Harry eagerly snapped photos, capturing every moment of the dragon's hatching. He documented the dragon’s first glimpse of the world, Hagrid’s proud grin as he cradled it like a newborn baby, and even the instant the dragon let out a tiny breath of fire—straight into Hagrid’s beard, which immediately caught fire.

“Oh, blimey!” Hagrid yelped, patting his beard with his huge hands until the small flames were extinguished. The club members burst into laughter, and Hagrid joined in, his cheeks flushed with both pride and a bit of embarrassment.

Once the dragon settled down, Hagrid introduced him with a wide grin. “Meet Norbert,” he announced, gazing fondly at the small, scaly creature in his arms. The club members shared delighted looks; this was a memory they knew they’d cherish.

They took turns carefully holding Norbert, marveling at the delicate wings tucked against his sides, his warm scales, and his curious little eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. As each person held the baby dragon, Harry made sure to snap a picture, capturing the mixture of awe, excitement, and joy on their faces.

For a few blissful minutes, all thoughts of rivalries and secrets faded away. Each member of the Order of the Stars felt a bond not only with each other but with this rare and magical creature they’d welcomed into their world.

The excitement in Hagrid's hut was palpable as the club members cooed over Norbert, their hearts melting at the sight of the tiny dragon. Even those who had been initially skeptical about Hagrid keeping a dragon egg found themselves enchanted by the creature’s charm and charisma. The small dragon curled up in Hagrid's arms, its soft, warm scales glinting in the firelight.

However, as the initial joy settled, Harry’s pragmatic nature kicked in. He cleared his throat, drawing the group's attention. “Okay, everyone, as adorable as Norbert is, we need to remember that dragon breeding is illegal in Britain. If anyone finds out Hagrid has him, he could end up in Azkaban before we can even blink.”

The mood shifted as the weight of Harry’s words sank in. The laughter died down, replaced by the hushed tone of concern. Hagrid’s expression faltered as he glanced at the dragon cradled in his arms, worry creeping into his features.

“But, Harry,” Blaise chimed in, “we can’t just let Norbert go! He’s a baby dragon; he needs care, and Hagrid’s his best shot at a good life.”

“True,” Tracy added, looking at Hagrid with a pleading gaze. “But we have to be smart about this. We can’t let anyone know he exists, especially not Draco Malfoy.”

As if summoned by the very mention of his name, the door to the hut creaked open slightly, sending a chill of anxiety through the group. They collectively held their breath, glancing at Hagrid, who quickly set Norbert down into a makeshift nest of blankets, his expression anxious.

“Malfoy’s been sniffing around,” Theo warned. “If he catches wind of this, it’ll be bad news. His father will pull every string he can to get you into trouble, Hagrid.”

Hagrid’s brow furrowed in concern. “I know, I know. I just wanted to do something good, you know? Dragons are brilliant creatures, but I didn’t think it’d be this risky.”

“We’ll help you, Hagrid,” Terry assured him, determination set in his voice. “We’ll keep Norbert a secret. We can take turns caring for him when we’re not at Hogwarts, and maybe even help you find a safe place for him outside of school.”

“Right,” Hagrid nodded, looking more hopeful. “That’d be good, yes! I can’t keep him here forever. We’ll have to figure out where he can go once he’s older.”

The group began brainstorming ideas, energy buzzing as they discussed how they could keep Norbert safe. But Harry knew they had to act quickly; time was not on their side, especially with Draco Malfoy lurking around, keen to uncover their secrets.

As the group continued to discuss their options, Fred Weasley’s voice cut through the tension. “Why don’t we just send Norbert to Charlie? He’s a dragon handler in Romania, and he’d know how to take care of him properly.”

At first, it seemed like a good idea. Hagrid’s face lit up with a glimmer of hope, but that spark quickly dimmed as the other members of the Order shook their heads in unison.

“No way!” Tracy interjected, her voice firm. “we are not sending Norbert to any dragon reserve, and everyone knows those places are more like zoos. Dragons are kept in cages and handled like… well, like exhibits! We can’t let Norbert end up in a place like that.”

Blaise added, “He deserves a life where he can roam free, not stuck in some enclosure. Besides, we can’t risk sending him to a place where he’d be locked away.”

Harry nodded, his brow furrowing as he considered their options. “What if we hide him in the Forbidden Forest? Hagrid knows it better than anyone, and there are plenty of secluded spots where Norbert could stay safe and hidden. I could set wards around a cave or a large hollow ditch to keep it concealed from anyone who might stumble upon it.”

Hagrid’s eyes brightened again at this suggestion. “That sounds brilliant, Harry! I know the forest like the back of my hand. There are plenty of places I can keep Norbert safe.” He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “The centaurs can help, too. They know the forest and have a respect for magical creatures. They’ll keep an eye on him when I can’t.”

The club members exchanged glances, relief washing over them as they began to feel more confident about the plan. “That could work,” Theo said. “With the centaurs watching over him and Harry warding the area, we might just pull this off.”

“Yes!” Hagrid exclaimed, practically beaming. “And there is a cave not far from my hut, so I can visit Norbert whenever I want.” He looked at the dragon, who had now curled up and fallen asleep, its tiny chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. “We’ll make sure he has a good life. He’s not going to end up in some cage.”

With a sense of renewed hope and purpose, the Order of the Stars set about planning the logistics of their secret dragon hideaway. They would need to work together, coordinate visits, and make sure that Norbert was safe from the prying eyes of Hogwarts.