The Bravest Snake

CHAPTER 15

Draco watched Quirell as closely as he could in the coming days. During class, at meals, and he decided to conveniently forget his quill after each Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Maybe Harry's tactics was rubbing off on him. Either way, even though Quirell was getting paler and skinnier by the day, it looked like he still hadn't said anything yet.

The study group met regularly, Hermione taking charge of making study schedules for the coming exams. Daphne's idea of splitting up the subjects was a good one, as everyone completed their homework faster to leave more time for studying. Even though Draco valued academics, he wasn't super stressed about the exams like Hermione was. He was happy with his number two spot.

One day, as everyone packed up to leave the study group and Hermione, Harry, and Draco were re - shelving books that they had borrowed, they saw Hagrid shuffle out of an aisle, holding a book behind his back. ''Hagrid, what are you doing in the library?'' he heard Harry ask. Hagrid rarely came inside the castle, mostly for meals at the teacher's table.

''Jus' lookin' '' he said, averting their eyes. Harry, Hermione, and Draco shared a glance that said, he's up to something. ''An' what're you lot up ter?'' he asked, suddenly looking suspicious. ''Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?''

''No,'' said Hermione proudly. ''Draco found him for us! But we were wondering if there's anything else you know, is there anything else that's guarding the Sorcerer's Stone apart from Fluffy - ''

''SHHHHHH!'' Hagrid hastily shushed them. ''Listen - students aren' s'pposed ter know. Come an' see me later, though I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin'. ''

''See you later, then,'' said Harry cheerfully as Hagrid shuffled off, probably wondering what he had gotten himself into. 

Hermione still looked suspicious. ''What was Hagrid hiding behind his back? Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?'' When Harry and Draco shrugged, Hermione said, ''I'm going to see what section he was in.''

She came back a minute later, with tons of books in her arms and a concerned look on her face. ''Hagrid - he was looking up dragons!'' She slammed the books down on the table. ''Look at these titles! Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland, From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide.'' Draco knew those titles. They were in his manor's private library, read cover to cover by him. He used to be really into dragons when he was little. No, who was he kidding? He was still into dragons.

''Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him. But I read in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that dragon breeding was outlawed in Britain in 1709, so how'd he get his paws on a dragon?''

''There are Common Welsh Greens and Hebridean Blacks here, so Hagrid may have gotten then on the black market or something? I really  don't know,'' Draco said as he ran a hand through his hair. It felt so good to do it after a lifetime of crunchy gel holding it back. No need for his father to worry about his ''image'' when he couldn't see him.

''Well, whatever he's doing, we can't just sit back if there are dragons involved.'' Hermione said haughtily like she'd already made up her mind. ''We need to supervise this.''

''What, are you his mother or something?'' Ron snickered.

''Oh, don't kid yourself Ron,'' Harry said sarcastically. ''I'm sure you're not dying to see Hagrid's possible dragon. Your favorite thing in the world is not sticking your nose into other people's interesting business, especially if it's Hagrid's.''

Ron made a noise between a growl and a snort, but he came with them to Hagrid's hut. The curtains there were tightly shut, which made the roaring fire in the grate that much more stifling. Draco could feel everyone sweating in their robes along with him.

''So,'' Harry pushed up his glasses. ''We have a few questions to ask you.'' Hagrid looked like a deer in headlights. ''First of all, about the Sorcerer's Stone - now don't roll your eyes, you know you'll tell us - what else is guarding it other than Fluffy? There's got to be something else.''

''I CAN'T! Dumbledore doesn't tell us everything, yeh know,'' Hagrid huffed.

''Ah, there's an us! I bet it's the other teachers,'' Hermione said while quickly scribbling something down in shorthand with a pen on her hand.

''Er... yeah, some o' the teachers put their own defenses in place. Like... Professors Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, Quirell, and Snape.''

The four looked at each other in bewilderment. So Snape was in the equation, but as a helper, not after the Stone. Or... he still wanted the Stone, but it was easier to get it now that he knew the teacher's methods to guard it. 

''But who knows how to get past Fluffy?''Draco asked. ''Just you - and I imagine Dumbledore knows too?'' Hagrid nodded meekly, but Draco's suspicions still hadn't waned.

''Uh, Hagrid, can we open a window or something? It's bloody boiling in here,'' Ron muttered, his face as red as his hair.

''I can't, sorry Ron,'' Hagrid said, instinctively glancing at the fire. It pulled everyone's gaze to it, and a dark shape was directly at the heart of the fire. Draco felt his stomach drop. No way. I know that egg. Hagrid can't have gotten a Norwegian Ridgeback?!

''Another thing,'' said Harry. ''Dragons. Know anything about them, as to why you have a dragon egg in your fire?''

''No wonder yer in Slytherin,'' Hagrid growled. ''Just like Lily, in the way yer able to get answers out of anyone.''

''My mum was in Slytherin?'' Harry asked. ''Then how'd she know and marry my Gryffindor father?''

''That's a long and complicated story for another time,'' said Hagrid.

''Yes it is! Hagrid, why do you have a dragon egg? You live in a wooden house,'' said Hermione exasperatedly.

''And it's a Norwegian Ridgeback! A really rare dragon breed, if I may add,'' Draco replied.

''Stop with the questions fer a moment!'' Hagrid exclaimed, holding up his giant hands. ''Why don't yeh four have some tea, and I'll tell yeh the whole story.''