Draco Malfoy and the Obnoxious Stone

Chapter 12

He usually hated having his birthday overshadowed by looming exams, but it was by no means forgotten. His parents sent two owls bearing sweets and gifts, and the first year Slytherins took the day off from revision to celebrate with him in the common room. If anyone noticed any lack of enthusiasm from him, Draco didn't hear about it. He had to admit to himself just how strange it felt to celebrate a twelfth birthday when he should be reaching adulthood.

Finally, the dreaded exams they spent so much time preparing for came around. Every morning they woke up to heated arguments between some of the N.E.W.T and O.W.L-level Slytherins, who couldn't decide on the best answer to one of the exam questions from the previous day, or couldn't find their notes for last-minute revision. The first years weren't much better - Crabbe tried to leave for breakfast still wearing pyjamas, while Pansy and Daphne Greengrass bickered about Spellbound, their favourite all-witch band.

The written exams caused him little trouble, except for History of Magic. He was certain he misremembered the dates and names of inventors who created some of the first prototypes of a self-stirring cauldron - the ones which refused to stop once they began. He made up for it, however, when he had to ask for a whole extra foot of parchment to finish his potions essay, or an exemplary forgetfulness potion, and when even McGonagall called the elaborate snuff box he transfigured impressive. On their last day of exams, he only felt relief when his pineapple started to tap dance across the table.

His newfound peace didn't last long. He barely made it to the courtyard before Potter dragged him in the direction of Hagrid's hut, Granger and Weasley following close, as surprised as him at this development.

"Let go of me, Potter. I can walk by myself."

He obviously didn't realise he was still grabbing onto Draco's forearm until then, and sheepishly let it go.

"Erm... right. I had an idea."

"A good one? Don't answer, I shouldn't even hope." Draco snapped back, rubbing the freed arm. His hand was getting some blood-flow back again.

"Don't you think it's a tad odd," he said as they strayed off the winding path and cut across the grass, "that Hagrid always wanted a dragon, and now that his pet is guarding the Stone a stranger just happens to turn up with one in his pocket? Lucky they found Hagrid, right? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law?"

Draco had to reluctantly admit to himself that Potter might actually have a brain cell or two rattling in his head. He wouldn't admit it out loud.

Weasley's question - "What are you going on about?" - went unanswered as they approached. The gamekeeper sat outside his hut, happily shelling peas into a bowl.

"Hullo," he greeted them. "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"

Weasley almost took him up on the offer before Potter cut him off.

"No, we're in a hurry, but I've got to ask something. What did the stranger you won Norbert off look like?"

"Dunno," Hagrid answered, unconcerned with the sudden question. He probably was used to Potter's inquisitive streak, Draco thought. "He wouldn' take his cloak off."

"And you didn't even attempt to find out his identity? Why would you trust a stranger to dump a dragon egg on you? What if he reported you to the ministry for the illegal dragon?" Draco questioned, as the other three just looked on, stunned.

"Now, not ev'ryone's out ta get yer, Malfoy. It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog's Head. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up."