Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

28

However, the plan had a hitch in it. By the next morning, Ron's bitten hand had swollen to twice its size. At first, Ron tried to hold off going to the infirmary for fear of Madam Pomfrey may recognize a dragon bite but he had no choice when the cut turned a nasty shade of green. When visiting Ron in the hospital wing, they found him in a terrible state. 

"It's not just my hand," he whispered, "Malfoy told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me. He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me. I lied and said it was a dog, but I think she sees through it." 

"It's be over at midnight on Saturday." Hermione said but it didn't soothe Ron. Instead it made him bolt upright in his bed. 

"OH no! Charlie's letter! It was in the book Malfoy borrowed! He's going to know we're getting rid of Norbert." 

They didn't get a chance to answer when Madam Pomfrey came and said they needed to leave. 

Hermione wanted to find away to cancel the plan, but it was too late. They didn't have time to send Charlie another owl and this could be their only chance to get rid of Norbert. They were going to have to risk it. With all the trouble they were going through, Saturday couldn't come fast enough. 

They would have felt sorry for Hagrid when they time came for him to say good-bye to Norbert but they were too worried about being caught. They quickly slipped from under the dark, cloudy night and made their way to Hagrid's hut. Norbert came rushing out of Hagrid's hut and wrapped itself around Hermione. 

"Bye-bye Norbert!" Hagrid cried out as Harry and Hermione slipped Norbert underneath the cloak and headed up to the castle, "Mommy will never forget you!" 

Norbert was thankfully well behave around Hermione. He did exactly as Hermione ordered him to do, which made it easier for them to get around the castle. Then they paused when they saw movement ahead of them. Hermione ordered Norbert to stay put as Hermione and Harry hid behind a few statues. They watched as McGonagall came storming down the hall with her hand clinging to Malfoy's ear. 

"Detention!" She shouted, "And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you--" 

"You don't understand, Professor. Harry Potter's coming-- he's got a dragon!" 

"What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on-- I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy." 

Soon they were able to slip up up to the tallest tower. Not until they stepped out into the cold night did they pull the cloak off Norbert, who was thrilled to be free of it. While Norbert went wandering about, checking out its new environment, Hermione chuckled. 

"Malfoy's got detention! I could sing!" 

"Don't." Harry told her. 

They waited for Charlie's friends while watching Norbert rolling around like a dog. About ten minutes later, they spotted four broomsticks came swooping down out of the darkness. Hermione whistled, causing Norbert to get back on his feet and came scurrying over towards them. 

"Okay, Norbert. You behave yourself. Don't cause any trouble. Don't attack or kill any of these people," Hermione informed the dragon. Norbert let out a whimper before brushing its head against hers. Soon Norbert stepped out on the edge before jumping into the air and went soaring in the air in between the four people... flying away and away. Hermione was about to celebrate of finally getting rid of Norbert until... 

"Well, well, well," They turned to find Filch standing at the top of the stairs, "we are in trouble." 

Filch dragged Hermione and Harry down the stairs til they were reaching McGonagall's study. Hermione was trembling, thinking of all the horrible things that could happen to them now. It was bad enough they were out of bed but found at the top of Astronomy Tower, which was out of bound except for classes. And Hermione didn't know if Filch had seen Norbert or not, which could add to their troubles. If it wasn't bad enough, it got worst when McGonagall appeared and she was leading Neville behind her. 

"Harry!" Neville burst out, "I was trying to find you to warn you about Malfoy. He was saying he was going to catch you because you had a drag--" 

Harry shook his head violently, but McGonagall saw it and she appeared like she was ready to breathe fire. 

"I would never have believed it of any of you. Mr. Filch says you were up in the Astronomy Tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves!" McGonagall demanded them. For once, Hermione couldn't answer. How could they without getting themselves and Hagrid into trouble. 

"I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on," McGonagall said, "It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a draong, trying to get him into trouble, which I caught him! I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it too?" 

Neville looked hurt and stunned. Hermione wanted to tell Neville they were telling the truth and that they had been dealing with a dragon, but it would only get them in trouble. 

"I'm disgusted! Four students. out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! You Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense! I thought you were more like your Grandmother Elka but it turns out you may be more like her sister Delores! She did this sort of thing! As for you Mr. Potter! I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this. All three of you will receive detentions! And fifty points will be taken from Gryffindors... each!" McGonagall told them, "Now off to bed with you all! I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students! You will await for me to tell you when you'll serve your detention."