meant to be (1)

39

So now we had something else to worry about: what might happen to Hagrid if anyone founs out he was hiding an illegal dragon in his hut.

"Wonder what it's like to have a peaceful life" Ron sighed as evening after evening we struggled through all the extra homework we were getting.

"It's just homework" I stated, trying to keep a positive attitude, even though I was severely exhausted and had lost most of my motivation.

"Not everyone is as smart as you" Harry said.

"You're one of those people who are dumb" I said mockingly.

"Nah" he answered "I'm way smarter than you, I just don't show it."

"Definitely." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

Hermione also had started making revision tables for Harry and Ron. To my pleasure, it was driving them mad.

Then, one breakfast time, Hedwig brought Harry a note from Hagrid. He had written only two words: It's hatching.

Ron had already suggested to skip Herbology and go straight down to the hut, but Hermione wouldn't hear any of it.

"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to aee a dragon hatching?" Ron argued.

"We're not going to Hagrid now!" she hissed.

"I hate to say this, Mione, but Ron has got a good point" I supported him.

"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone find out what he's doing-"

"Shut up!" Harry whispered.

"You shut up." I answered not realising that Harry was glancing at someone.

My heart sunk. Malfoy was only a few feet and he had stopped dead to listen. How much had he heard? I didn't like the look on his face at all.

Ron and Hermione argued all the way to Herbolog, and in the end, Hermione agreed to run down to Hagrid's hut with us during the morning break.

When the bell sounded from the castle at the end of our lesson, the four of us dropped our towels at once and hurried through the grounds to the edge of the Forest. Hagrid greeted us looking flushed and excited.

"It's nearly out." he ushered us inside.

The egg was lying on the table. There was a deep crack in it. Something was moving inside; a funny clicking noise was coming from it.

We all drew our chairs up to the tabel and watched with bated breath. All at once there was a scraping noise and the egg split open.

The baby dragon flopped on the table. It wasn't exactly pretty; I thought it looked like a crumpled, black umbrella. It's spiny wings were huge compared to its skinny jet body and it had a long snout with wide nosetrils, stubs od horns and bulging.

"It kind of looks like you, Jules" Harry said playfully.

"Shut up, its skin looks exactly like your hair." I answered.

"Hey, my hair looks wonderful." he said jokingly.

"Yeah, extre-" I went to answer him, but the Dragon had sneezed and a couple of sparks flew out of his snout. Harry pulled me out of the way.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid murmured. He reached out a hand to stroke the dragon's head. It snapped at his fingers, showing pointed fangs.

"Bless him, look, he knows his mummy!" said Hagrid. The boys and I had to turn around, so Hagrid wouldn't see us trying to stop laughing silently. However, Hermione stayed serious.

"Hagrid?" said Hermione gently. "How fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?"

Hagrid was about to answer when the colour suddenly drained from his face - he leapt to his feet and ran to the window.

"What's the matter?" I asked, being slightly worried.

"Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains - It's a kid - he's runnin' back up ter the school."

Harry and I bolted to the door and looked out. Even at a distance there was no mistaking him.

Malfoy had seen the dragon.