Linus had always done his utmost to avoid being dragged to Hagrid’s by Harry and Ron.
Although he genuinely had a packed schedule, his main reason for refusing was the daunting rock cakes inside that hut—he had long passed the age of losing baby teeth, and every single one he had left was precious.
Unfortunately, after dodging it for nearly half a year, he finally found a reason he couldn’t refuse: Hermione told him Hagrid was raising a dragon.
A dragon hatchling didn’t pose much danger to a giant of Hagrid’s size, but to first-year young wizards, it would prove lethal—once it grew for a few weeks.
After Potions that Friday, Linus set off for Hagrid’s hut on the grounds alongside Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
Linus rarely walked this secluded path, but Harry and the others traveled it frequently and knew the way by heart.
Along the path, whenever Linus saw two-eared grass, he plucked a few leaves and slipped them into a glass vial in his sleeve.
“Linus, where did you get that glass vial?” Ron asked curiously.
“An Undetectable Extension Charm,” Linus replied, tapping the small pouch at his waist.
“Magic always finds a way.”
“I wish I had a way like you,” Harry said enviously.
Hermione bit her lip off to the side; her reading list for the upcoming break was about to gain a few more books.
Hagrid spotted them from afar and shouted joyfully, “Come on over, kids!
Harry, Ron, Hermione—and isn’t this our famous top student of the year?”
Hagrid jogged forward a couple of steps, taking Linus’s small hand in a giant hand as big as a trash can lid.
As he led them back, he said, “This is your first time here, Linus!
Come inside and try some of my rock cakes.”
Linus had to trot to keep up with Hagrid’s stride.
Moving his short legs as fast as he could, he said, “Thank you, Hagrid.
I suggest putting me down first—I might walk a bit more comfortably on my own.”
“Oh, sorry, Linus!” Hagrid immediately let go of Linus’s hand, looking as though he were about to burst into tears.
“I was just so glad you were willing to come to my hut.
I always thought you didn’t want to visit because you found my place too messy!
You’re so close with Harry and the others, yet you never came to visit.”
“You’re overthinking it, Hagrid.” The moment Linus stepped inside, he made himself at home by brewing a cup of barley tea and settling into a comfortable armchair.
“I’ve just been far too busy—classes, the library, after-school tutoring, assignments from the professors…
As you know, adapting to Hogwarts isn’t easy for a first-year.”
Linus cupped the mug of barley tea in both hands, ensuring he wouldn’t have a free hand to accept any rock cake Hagrid might suddenly offer.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron, who followed him inside, each found a small stool to sit on.
Hagrid dropped his heavy rear onto his sturdy long bench.
“Hermione told me the same thing. New chapters come out on g.com first.
But, lad, you know…
I was still a bit afraid that a good kid like you wouldn’t like me.” His voice wavered again.
“There’s no need to worry at all, Hagrid.
Your place is fantastic,” Ron consoled him.
“Yeah, Hagrid.
For instance…” Harry stood up, wanting to offer a compliment or two, but couldn’t think of anything on the spot and looked to Hermione for help.
“You can find so many Potions ingredients here.
It’s practically Linus’s paradise,” Hermione picked up the baton.
Hagrid hastily stood up, grabbed a large handful of white unicorn tail hairs, and offered them to Linus.
“Here, take these, Linus!
You should be able to use them.”
“Thank you, but please put them back for now, Hagrid.
That’s not the main reason I came today.” Linus sat up straight, painstakingly declining the pile of gleaming Galleons in raw material form.
“Let’s take a look at the little dragon first.
What’s her name?”
“Norbert.
Her name is Norbert, and she’s a Norwegian Ridgeback.” Hagrid went to the back of the hut and brought out Norbert, who was already half as tall as Harry, introducing her to everyone.
Hermione covered her mouth in shock.
“Goodness, it’s only been a week!
How is she growing so fast?”
Linus hopped down from the armchair, crouching down to observe Norbert up close.
Knobby bumps protruded from her head, her orange-red eyes bulged outward, and her entire body was pitch-black and heavily wrinkled.
Her spiky wings were folded behind her back, and she tilted her head to study Linus as he approached.
“Wonderful!
Linus, she likes you!
I’ve never seen Norbert not attack a creature approaching her for the first time!” Hagrid shouted excitedly.
Linus offered Norbert a gentle smile, then looked up at Hagrid with a grave expression.
“But Norbert won’t like every Hogwarts student, Hagrid.
And to other students—even upperclassmen—an adult dragon is extremely dangerous.
It might only be two or three months before Norbert reaches adulthood.
Have you made any plans?”
Hagrid instantly stammered, “I’ll…
I’ll figure something out.”
“Bu-but she’s still so small!
If she leaves me, she might not be able to take care of herself.” The sentimental Hagrid began to sob once again.
Seeing Norbert acting friendly toward Linus, Ron tentatively reached out his hand, wanting to pet her head.
Norbert wasn’t having it at all; she clamped her jaws right onto Ron’s hand.
Ron pulled back his hand in a panic.
Linus stepped forward to inspect it—the tooth marks weren’t deep, but a green fluid mixed with red blood was oozing from the wound.
“Harry,” Linus decided instantly, “help take Ron to the hospital wing.
Right now!”
“Ah!
Is it that serious?
Am I going to die?” Ron cried out in terror.
“I promise you, Madam Pomfrey will fix you right up,” Linus held Ron by the shoulders, giving a solemn guarantee.
Beside them, Norbert had no idea she had just committed a major blunder.
Plumes of smoke puffed from her nostrils as she wagged her head, preparing to draw closer to Linus.
Terrified that she might attack Linus next, Hagrid hurriedly scooped her up into his arms.
After Hermione and Harry hurriedly gave Ron a basic bandage, they rushed him off to the hospital wing.
Linus intended to follow, but Norbert bit firmly onto his school robes and refused to let go.
Left with no choice, he stayed behind to help Hagrid feed Norbert her dinner and waited until she fell into a deep sleep before leaving.
When he returned to the common room, Ron was nursing his heavily bandaged hand, grimacing in pain while watching Hermione and Harry play Gomoku.
“I’m telling you, if it really hurts that bad, you ought to go back to the dormitory and get some sleep,” Linus said, walking over to the board.
“No way.
Lying in bed hurts even more.
Besides, without me, Harry won’t win this match,” Ron gritted out, doing his best to control his facial expression.
“Thank you so much.
With your enthusiastic help, I’ve already lost five games in a row,” Harry replied coldly.
“At least we had a great chance every single time!” Ron’s competitive spirit momentarily defeated his perception of pain—though only for a second, before he curled around his right hand again, groaning softly.
Linus stood beside Ron and Harry, looking over at the young Hermione.
The young girl with her mop of bushy brown curls sat composed, resting her chin on her hand as she concentrated on the board before her, her brows knitting tight before smoothing out again.
Sensing Linus’s gaze, Hermione looked up with a blank expression.
As their eyes met, Linus let out a silent smile.