Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

27

A couple days had passed and Hermione was trying to keep her focus on her school work but studying. But it was kind of hard when she was also worrying about what might happen when Hagrid is discovered holding onto a dragon. Even Harry and Ron were worried of why may happen if the dragon was discovered. Then one breakfast, Hermione got a note from an owl from Hagrid saying it was hatching. Ron had suggested to skip Herbology and go straight to Hagrid's. Though she wouldn't admit it out loud to Ron or Harry, She did wanted to do the same. But she knew it would make them suspicious if they did. So on their way to Herbology, Ron argued with her about the hatching. 

"How many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" Ron asked her, dragging his feet. 

"We've got lessons, Ronald. Besides it will make us look suspicious if we up and skip Herbology and we'll get into trouble. Which is nothing to what Hagrid will have to deal with when someone finds out about that dra--" Hermione started when Harry slapped his hand over her mouth. She was about to yell at him until he pointed over to the side. Malfoy was standing a few feet away and he had stopped to hear them. Hermione gulped while her mind raced about wondering how much did he hear. She didn't like the look on Malfoy's face. 

All throughout Herbology, Ron argued with Hermione, who kept insisting they wait till the end and go see it during break. Once the bell rang to dismiss them, they dropped their trowels at once and went hurrying to the grounds to Hagrid's hut where he greeted them. 

"It's nearly out." Hagrid ushered them in. The egg was on the table with cracks running over the shell as something moved within. They all drew their chairs close to watch as the dragon suddenly popped out of the shell all at once and flopped onto the table. It shook its head before sneezing, sending out a few sparks from its snout. 

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid said while he held out his hands and stroke the dragon's head, "Bless him, look, he knows his mommy!" 

The dragon shuffled from under Hagrid's hand as its gaze landed on Hermione. It made a squeaking noise before charging at her. Hermione shot her arms up, ready for it to claw at her, but it merely jumped into her lap then began petting its head against her face like a hairless cat. 

"Oh! Look! He loves you Hermione! Not surprising, your Grandmas had animals all loving on them as well. Dragons, I daresay prefer your Grandma Delores more though." Hagrid stated. 

"Wait, Delores? Like Delores Bickerman?" Ron asked before turning to Hermione, "Hermione is Delores Bickerman really your Grandma?" 

Hermione sat stunned. She couldn't be related to Bickerman. She looked and seemed cruel. At least in her book and the way her picture made her seem. But then again, Bickerman did look just like Grandma Elka. Maybe they were twins? 

"Well she wasn't a Bickerman back than... actually she was a.... I shouldn't have said that." Hagrid mumbled turning his focus back to the Dragon. Before Hermione could ask, Hagrid's face turned a pale color. 

"What's the matter?" Harry asked him. 

"Someone was looking through the gap in the curtains-- it's a kid-- he's running back up to the school." Hagrid stated. Hermione bolted alongside Harry, clinging to the dragon in her arms as they both gazed through the window. Running right up to the just out in the distance, there was no denying who it was. Malfoy had seen the dragon. 

Hermione didn't enjoy seeing the smile that lurked on Malfoy's face during the next week and it made her and her friends nervous. Most of their breaks, which Hermione wished she was studying, were spent with Hagrid trying to convince him to release the dragon. 

"Just let him go," Harry urged, "Set him free." 

"I can't. He's too little. He'd die." Hagrid defended as he watched the dragon curl around Hermione feet. The dragon had grown three ties in length in just a week and nearly reached Hermione's knees. 

"I've decided to call him Norbert," Hagrid stated, "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mommy?" 

"He lost his marbles." Ron mumbled in Harry's ears but Hermione could hear. 

"Hagrid," Hermione spoke out, "give it two weeks and Norbert's going to be as long as your house. Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment." 

"I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't just dump him. I can't." whimpered Hagrid. 

"Charlie!" Harry soon blurted out, "Your brother, Ron. You said he's studying dragons, right? We could send Norbert to him! Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!" 

"Brilliant!" said Ron, "how about it, Hagrid?" 

In the end, Hagrid finally agreed they could send an owl to Charlie.  

The following week dragged by. On Wednesday night, Hermione and Harry stayed up alone in the common rom, long after everyone else had gone to bed. They were waiting for Ron to return from Hagrid's to see what is happening. Soon after, Ron came bolting into the common room. 

"It bit me!" He blurted out, "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met! But with the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. He actually told me off for frightening it, claiming that's what made it bit me. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby." 

Ron's rantings were interrupted by a tapping on the window. 

"It's Hedwig!" Harry stated to them, "She'll have Charlie's answer!" 

Soon they were huddled around reading...

Dear Ron, 

How are you? Thanks for the letter--I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think it's best to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon. 

Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark. Send me an answer as soon as possible. 

Love, Charlie 

They glanced between each other. 

"We've got the Invisibility Cloak," Harry stated, "It shouldn't be too difficult-- I think that cloak's big enough to cover two of us and Norbert." 

Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement with him. It was best to get rid of Norbert as soon as possible.