Chapter 88 - Another Trouble
After that night, the following days passed peacefully and without any major disturbances.
I focused on my studies and prepared for my O.W.L.s in June, while everyone else continued doing what they did best. Time passed surprisingly fast. Before I knew it, weeks had gone by.
Everything seemed calm, which should have worried me.
One evening, Harry came looking for me in the library. He stood near my table, clearly wanting to say something, but he seemed hesitant.
I looked up from the book I was reading.
"What is it, Harry? Speak up."
Harry scratched the back of his head.
"Arthur, there is something I need to tell you."
I nodded.
"Go on."
"But first, you have to promise that you won't hit me."
I blinked.
"And you won't get angry."
I slowly closed my book.
"Now I'm concerned."
Harry looked even more nervous.
"Promise first."
I studied him for a moment. He looked serious.
"Fine. I promise."
Harry immediately raised his little finger.
"Pinky promise?"
I stared at him.
"Harry, you are a grown child. Aren't you too old for that?"
"Pinky promise?", Harry insisted on it.
I sighed dramatically and hooked my finger with his.
"Pinky promise."
Harry nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
"Now tell me what disaster you've caused."
"I didn't cause it!"
I simply looked at him.
He quickly corrected himself.
"Okay, maybe a little."
I sighed again.
Harry glanced around.
"Not here. Come with me. It's a secret."
That statement never led to anything good. Still, I followed him.
He led me to an abandoned classroom, closed the door behind us and finally explained everything.
As it turned out, Hagrid had somehow acquired a dragon egg. But that was not the issue, because the dragon egg had already hatched.
And now the dragon had grown too large to hide.
Today, after curfew, they planned to hand it over to some friends of Charlie Weasley, who would take it to Romania. Harry wanted my help for this endeavour.
Apparently, transporting an illegal dragon through Hogwarts at night was considered a risky activity. This was the main trouble.
I rested my head in my hands after listening to Harry.
Honestly, I did not know what to do with Harry and his friends anymore.
Sometimes I wondered whether trouble followed them or they followed trouble around.
Either way, they always managed to find each other.
I had been so busy with studying and enjoying the peaceful weeks that I had completely forgotten about the dragon incident from the original timeline.
The dragon itself did not worry me too much.
What worried me more was what would happen afterward.
If I remembered correctly, Harry, Hermione, Neville and Draco would eventually receive detention because of this whole mess and that detention would take place in the Forbidden Forest.
There, Harry would encounter the mysterious dark figure feeding on unicorn blood.
Whether it was Voldemort's wraith or Professor Quirrell serving him, I could not remember exactly.
But I did remember one thing.
It would be dangerous.
Encounters involving Voldemort always carried risks. One wrong move could change everything.
Still, some events needed to happen.
Harry and the trio needed to learn more about the thief trying to steal whatever was hidden beneath the trapdoor. The trio needed clues and their suspicions needed the right direction.
So I listened patiently until Harry finished explaining.
Then I agreed, "Fine."
Harry looked surprised.
"Fine?"
"Yes. I'll help."
His face brightened instantly.
"Really?"
"Really."
"When should I meet you?"
"After curfew."
I nodded.
"I'll be waiting at Hagrid's hut."
Harry stared at me.
"You'll actually do this?"
"Harry."
"Yeah?"
"Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself."
He looked confused.
I continued.
"Think about what would happen if the Ministry discovered that Hagrid was raising an illegal dragon. He could get into serious trouble and would be likely imprisoned. The school could also get into trouble. Everyone involved could get into trouble."
Harry immediately looked guilty and nodded slowly.
"We told Hagrid from the beginning that he should talk to Professor Dumbledore."
"And?"
"He wouldn't listen."
That sounded exactly like Hagrid.
"Only after the dragon bit Ron did he finally agree to send it away."
I rubbed my forehead. Then I pointed at Harry.
"I understand Hagrid's love for big and dangerous creatures. But at least you should have told me, you idiot."
Harry looked embarrassed.
"Sorry."
"I could have convinced him weeks ago."
Harry nodded.
"Okay. That's my fault."
"Of course, it is."
"Next time I'll tell you first."
I narrowed my eyes.
"There will be a next time?"
Harry immediately shook his head.
"No, no, no. There won't be a next time."
"There better not be, Harry Potter."
Then I reached forward and lightly pinched his ear.
"Ouch!"
Harry jumped back.
"Arthur! You promised you wouldn't hit me!"
I crossed my arms.
"I didn't hit you."
"You just did!"
I shook my head.
"Technically, that was just a punishment. I never promised not to punish you for being stupid."
Harry groaned.
"Arthur, that's not fair."
"No it's not, Harry."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry."
"Then what?"
"Be more mindful."
Harry sighed dramatically.
"Yes, Arthur."
"That's good."
"Can you let go of my ear now?"
I released him.
"There, happy now?"
"Yes, very."
"Good. Now get out before I change my mind."
Harry quickly moved toward the door.
I shook my head in exasperation.
Harry has promised many things. Unfortunately, he had a unique talent for immediately forgetting those promises whenever an adventure appeared.
Still, I decided I would go with them tonight. If detention happened afterward, I wanted to be prepared.
As night fell, instead of returning to the Hufflepuff dormitory, I headed outside toward Hagrid's hut.
The grounds were quiet. The castle stood behind me, glowing softly under the moonlight.
Soon I reached the hut and knocked on the door.
From inside, I heard several strange noises which included crashing of things and growling.
Then everything suddenly became quiet.
A moment later, Hagrid's voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
I answered,
"It's me, Hagrid. Arthur."
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End of Chapter 88 - Another Trouble