Harry Potter and the Darker Path

Chapter 9: The Dragon's Gambit

The castle grounds were awakening to the first hints of spring, but the icy winds still lingered, whipping across the Black Lake and sending shivers through anyone venturing outside without their cloak. Inside Hogwarts, the students were abuzz with rumors, as usual, but Harry had little interest in the idle gossip. His mind was fixed on one thing: the Sorcerer’s Stone. 

Ever since his and Draco’s failed attempt to get past Fluffy—the gigantic three-headed dog guarding the trapdoor on the third floor—Harry had been searching for a way to move forward. They had barely made it out of there before being caught, and while Draco had been shaken, Harry’s resolve had only grown. He needed to understand the next steps—how to bypass the enchantments, and most importantly, who else might be after the Stone. 

Draco, for his part, had been a constant companion in their scheming. The two boys were now inseparable, though their alliance was built on mutual ambition rather than trust. And though Draco had a knack for gathering useful information through his family's connections, it was Harry’s boldness that often pushed them closer to their goal. 

But lately, Harry’s attention had been diverted by something—or rather, someone—else: Hagrid. 

 A Curious Find 

Hagrid had always been something of an enigma to Harry. The giant groundskeeper had taken a liking to him from the start, but Harry knew there was more to Hagrid than his simple, friendly demeanor. After all, anyone trusted by Dumbledore was someone worth keeping an eye on. 

One afternoon, after a particularly dull Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, Harry noticed Hagrid lurking around the edge of the Forbidden Forest with an odd, furtive expression on his face. Normally, this wouldn’t have caught Harry’s attention, but there was something about the way Hagrid kept glancing over his shoulder, as though he were guarding a secret. 

Harry’s curiosity was piqued. He waited until Draco was distracted by Pansy Parkinson’s latest rant about Gryffindors before slipping away to follow Hagrid at a distance. Cloaked in shadows, Harry watched as Hagrid disappeared into his hut, glancing nervously around once more before shutting the door behind him. 

Harry’s mind raced. What was Hagrid hiding? 

 Hagrid's Secret 

Later that evening, Harry made his move. Slipping on his Invisibility Cloak, he crept out of the Slytherin common room, making his way through the castle and down to Hagrid’s hut. The cold air stung his face, but Harry hardly noticed, his thoughts consumed by what secrets the giant could be keeping. 

When he reached Hagrid’s door, Harry knocked softly. After a brief pause, the door creaked open, and Hagrid’s enormous frame filled the doorway. 

“Harry!” Hagrid exclaimed, looking both surprised and pleased. “What are yeh doin’ out here this late?”  

“I just wanted to check on you,” Harry said, giving Hagrid his best innocent smile. “You looked worried earlier. Is everything okay?” 

Hagrid’s eyes darted around nervously, and for a moment, Harry thought he might send him away. But then Hagrid sighed and stepped aside, allowing Harry into the hut. 

Inside, the fire crackled warmly, casting flickering shadows across the walls. Fang, Hagrid’s massive boarhound, wagged his tail lazily from the corner. But what caught Harry’s attention immediately was the large, round object sitting on the table—a stone-colored egg, larger than any bird’s.