Chương 99: 99
Chapter 99: Dense Forest
The roar of the fire dragon shattered the tranquil night sky above Hogwarts.
"Hagrid!"
Harry yelled and swiftly mounted his broom, soaring out.
"Gryffindor..."
Wade sighed helplessly.
Hagrid had only just entered the Forbidden Forest and was at least a mile away from where the fire erupted. There was no immediate danger.
Wade also took to the air on his broom, ascending to a higher altitude to survey the dark canopy below.
Ahead, Hagrid carried a barrel, calling out "Norbert!" as he charged through the Forbidden Forest toward the source of the blaze, his faithful hound at his heels. By the time Harry confirmed Hagrid's safety and flew towards the fire dragon, they had already arrived at a cave. Wade spotted Harry standing nearby, looking pale beside Norbert—a massive creature with gaping wounds on its eyes and chest, blood glistening crimson.
"Norbert——"
Hagrid wailed in anguish, rushing to embrace his injured dragon, trembling as he checked for signs of life.
Faint puffs of smoke escaped Norbert's nostrils.
"Don't worry, my dear... I'll fix you right up now—" Hagrid's hands shook as he fumbled for healing potions in his pockets.
Meanwhile, Wade remained airborne, scanning vigilantly. The dark forest was eerily silent save for the fire dragon's roar, drowning out all other sounds. Only the wind, Hagrid's lamentations, and crackling branches consumed by the flames filled the air.
Wade cast two red sparks into the sky and placed detection spells around the area before landing.
Hagrid poured essence of dittany over Norbert's wounds, but the blood continued to flow, washing away the potion's effects.
"These are dark magic wounds. Ordinary healing potions won't work," Wade declared, aiming his wand at Norbert's injuries and murmuring a counter-curse he had learned from Remus just two days prior. Half a minute later, the bleeding finally ceased.
Helpless, Hagrid asked, "Will he be alright?"
"No," Wade replied. "This is the best I can do for now. We need more specialized help. But at least... his life should be spared."
"Thank you, Wade... thank you so much!" Hagrid wept openly. "If Norbert dies, it'll be like losing a piece of my heart."
He cradled the dragon's fierce head. Norbert weakly opened his eyes, watching Hagrid sob while emitting hot gas from his nostrils.
"What happened here?" A cold, angered voice interrupted, causing Harry to pale in surprise.
From the darkness emerged Snape in black robes, eyes fixed on them as though draining them of life. His robes billowed behind him like a dark cloud, giving the impression not of running, but of flying.
Shortly after, a tabby cat leaped down from a branch, transforming into Professor McGonagall in her nightwear. She surveyed the scene and exclaimed, "A wounded fire dragon! What is going on here?"
Before Harry could respond, two more figures arrived—Professor Quirrell stumbling through the woods with a scarf, and Dumbledore appearing suddenly with a burst of flame.
The scene mirrored that of Halloween, albeit with Dumbledore instead of Professor Flitwick.
Only—
Harry trembled slightly, instinctively moving closer to Hagrid.
"Someone harmed Norbert, Dumbledore!" Hagrid produced a large handkerchief, wiping away tears. "Please save him; the poor thing's badly hurt!"
Dumbledore leaned over to inspect Norbert. The dark magical wounds were unmistakable, showing signs of reduction. Dumbledore seemed mildly surprised but quickly deduced which of the three could have achieved this.
"A very effective dark magic counter-curse, Mr. Grey," Dumbledore praised.
Wade nodded, saying nothing.
"Do not fret, Hagrid," Dumbledore reassured gently. "Madam Pomfrey will tend to him. Minerva, please find a suitable place for him."
"—Of course."
Professor McGonagall fixed a stern gaze on the two students. Upon receiving Dumbledore's instruction, she levitated Norbert away.
"Hold on, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid cautioned. "He's just a baby! It's my fault for not watching him better..."
"Private ownership of dragons is forbidden," Snape interjected caustically. "Hagrid, I thought you knew that."
Hagrid bit his lip, his large frame appearing dejected.
"We shall discuss this later," Dumbledore said calmly. "Harry, Wade, why are you both here? Venturing out of the castle at night into the dangerous Forbidden Forest was not a wise decision."
"I couldn't sleep. I was in the dormitory... staring at the starry sky," Harry stammered. "I saw Hagrid heading into the Forbidden Forest... then heard the fire dragon's cry... and saw the flames. I was worried something happened to Hagrid, so I flew over... and Wade followed."
He omitted the fact that they had broken curfew and wandered around the school.
"Did you see who harmed the dragon?" Dumbledore inquired.
Harry shivered, still visibly shaken. Wade replied, "No. By the time we arrived, this was already the scene."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, examining the pool of blood. His expression remained inscrutable as the others waited anxiously.
From within the cave, footsteps echoed, and a white, ethereal creature emerged. Radiant light shimmered from its body, its slender legs limping as silver-white blood trickled down.
"Merlin!" Hagrid exclaimed. "Who dares harm a unicorn!"
The unicorn approached Dumbledore, then turned to Hagrid, seeming to seek assistance.
Dumbledore cast a spell to heal the unicorn's wound and instructed Hagrid, "Take it to Madam Pomfrey as well. Bring Wade and Harry with you—I believe they may need a calming potion."
Hagrid nodded, scooping up the unicorn without hesitation. "Come along, children—thank you for your concern. But I must say, it's too dangerous out here. Far too dangerous. Don't do this again."
Harry mumbled an acknowledgment, turning to see Snape frowning. It seemed Snape wanted to object to Dumbledore's leniency, but Dumbledore added, "Severus, Quirrell, would you please patrol the Forbidden Forest tonight? The individual who harmed the fire dragon might still be lurking. For safety, it's best you stay together..."
The dense forest obscured Harry's view.
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