The American Enigma

Why Can't Santa Have A Dragon??

"So, please enlighten me as to why you are here after curfew?" Dumbledore asked calmly, yet the fury wasn't able to be denied. His hands clasped together under his chin, making me feel smaller than ever.

"Well, Sir, I wouldn't do this, but I realize that I'll need your help." I took a deep breath, hoping to all the deities that have ever existed that I wouldn't get Hagrid in trouble. "Hagrid has a dragon. We managed to persuade him into letting Charlie Weasley take it, but I'm fairly certain that to move it, we'd have to do it under the cover of darkness."

"And where, exactly, do you require my support? You seem to understand the risks. You even risked one such punishment by bringing this to my attention."

"Draco Malfoy has also seen the dragon. I believe that he's going to say something about it to get us in trouble. I'm willing to take on the punishments, but I can't let someone else get involved due to Malfoy's scheming." He nodded.

"You are truly a curious student." He said sagely, offering up a relaxing smile. "I shall watch to make sure that nobody but you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger will get in trouble. Which, I will warn you now. Should you be lying, the consequences shall be severe. However, due to the inherit risk of a dragon, I must respectfully ask that you let me take it to Charles."

I agreed, and was escorted back to the common room. Hermione and Harry were sitting up and filled me in on the fact that Ron was in the hospital wing. Apparently Norbert bit his hand and it swelled up. But we were still in a bad position.

"Why did it have to be Malfoy!?" Harry lamented, while Hermione was softly shaking. I threw my arms around her and pulled her into my chest.

"Relax. I've already got everything taken care of."

He was released two days later. Something about it being caught in time or something like that.

When it came time to carry the dragon to the top of the Astronomy tower, I was surprised that Dumbledore wasn't waiting for us. We saw Malfoy being dragged to McGonagall's office, and after completing the transfer, we went down the steps.

"Malfoy has detention!" Hermione said in a sing-song tone. "I could sing!"

"Please don't" Ron said, making Harry chuckle. Until we saw Filch, at least, who was grinning evily.

"What do we have here? Students out of bed?" He cackled as he led us to McGonagall's office. I was a little bit angry at Dumbledore, but I wasn't focused on it. I had to deal with an angry McGonagall.

"Nothing, I repeat, nothing gives a student the right to walk about the school at night. Therefore, as punishment for your actions, fifty points will be taken."

"Fifty!?" Harry screeched, aghast. McGonagall leveled him with a fierce glare, inadvertently making Hermione whimper.

"Each. And to ensure it doesn't happen again, all four of you will receive detention. You'll be meeting Mr. Filch in the entrance hall tomorrow evening at eleven o'clock. Do not be late." We just lost Gryffindor 200 points in one night.

"Professor-" I started, only for her to turn her glare on me.

"Do not try to justify your actions, Mr. Stafford. You all are on thin ice." Draco smirked in the corner, until he heard my chuckle.

"If my word won't do anything, then ask Professor Dumbledore."

"I will. But that does not change the fact that you five will serve detention tomorrow night!" Malfoy's smirk vanished in an instance.

"Excuse me, Professor," he knew how to be polite. Surprising. "But perhaps I misheard you. Five of us?"

"Why yes. Your intentions may have been noble, but you still violated the rules."