Hermione had initially been reluctant, but the moment she heard they were going to visit Harry's baby dragon, her eyes lit up.
"You were just acting like I was distracting you from studying. Why are you suddenly so excited?" Harry asked.
"Hmph, it's not because I'm interested in your dragon," Hermione said, turning her head away.
It was nearing noon. Hagrid was behind his hut, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, feeding Harry's baby dragon.
"Wow." The moment she saw the dragon, Hermione couldn't help gasping in surprise.
The dragon fully lived up to the name Harry had given him—completely black from head to toe. Big Black was indeed a fitting name.
Harry's eyes widened as he looked at the dragon, now two-thirds the size of Hagrid's hut. "That's Big Black?"
"Yep," Hagrid said, sounding a little disgruntled. He still preferred the name Norbert, but Big Black clearly liked the name Harry had given him. Every time Harry called him, the dragon would happily scamper over.
"I've only been gone a few days! Last time I saw him, he was about the size of your bed. How did he grow ten times bigger all of a sudden?"
While Big Black hadn't reached an absurd size yet, he was definitely over two meters tall—at least a meter taller than Harry. Even sitting down, he loomed over him.
And he'd only just been born.
"Yeah, baby dragons grow fast," Hagrid explained. "Just think—I have to feed him a barrel of brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. Imagine how much that adds up to in a day."
Next to Big Black lay over a dozen wooden barrels. It was clear he had devoured an incredible amount since hatching.
Harry suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. He had been a completely hands-off owner—only visiting occasionally and never once thinking about what Big Black was eating.
Now, seeing how much the dragon consumed, Harry began to worry—was Hagrid going broke feeding him?
After all, Harry was Big Black's owner. He hadn't helped at all—not even paid for a single meal.
All this time, it had been Hagrid footing the bill.
Hagrid, being the honest man he was, hadn't complained once. He just wanted to raise Big Black well.
But Harry couldn't just take advantage of Hagrid's kindness. Especially not when he wasn't short on money.
Big Black lay sprawled on the grass. Hagrid had built a large, simple shelter for him—barely enough to block some sunlight, and completely useless against rain.
Hagrid had explained that Norwegian Ridgebacks were fierce creatures, and giving them too comfortable a life would dull their instincts.
Harry thought he was right. Big Black was a dragon, not some delicate pet who needed pampering.
That would only make him weak.
Once Big Black could defend himself, Harry even planned to send him into the Forbidden Forest. What better place to toughen up?
Inside were all kinds of magical creatures—goblins, trolls, werewolves… the danger would help Big Black grow stronger.
But that would have to wait until he had at least some ability to protect himself.
As soon as Big Black saw Harry, he jumped up, flapping his wings and running over. He lowered his head and rubbed his long neck against Harry's side, breathing heavily in excitement.
He already looked much better than he had when he'd just hatched.
His black scales were dense and gleaming, and his claws were as strong as steel.
Of course, he was still just a hatchling—more cute than fearsome. His bright, curious eyes and flawless, gleaming scales made him look more like a pristine new toy than a fearsome beast.
Right now, no one would find him frightening. Even an average troll was more intimidating.
At least trolls had bronze, scar-covered skin and bloodstained clubs. Their eyes were full of violence.
But Harry believed Big Black would grow into a truly powerful dragon.
Hermione cautiously patted Big Black. Because she stood beside Harry, the dragon didn't show any signs of aggression—likely thanks to his young age.
Hagrid said cheerfully, "The book says in a little over ten days, he'll leave the hatchling stage and enter the juvenile stage. That's when he'll start eating meat—and grow even faster!"
After playing with Big Black for a while, Harry and Hermione said goodbye.
"You're in a real hurry," Hermione noted.
"I've got something to do."
"Let me guess—you're going to lunch?"
Harry sweatdropped. "Do you really think I only ever think about food?"
The truth was, he always felt a little guilty around Hagrid—especially after hearing Big Black would soon need meat.
"I need to go out for a bit. Want to come with me?"
"Go out? Where to?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"To Diagon Alley."
"How? Professor McGonagall would never allow that."
"Ever heard of the Room of Requirement?" Harry asked.
Hermione, known as the brightest witch of her age, looked stunned. Most students had never heard of it, but from her amazed expression, it was clear she had come across it in some obscure book.
"You don't mean—you actually found the Room of Requirement?" she gasped.
Harry smiled. "Come on, I'll show you."
Soon, they arrived at the blank wall where the room was hidden.
Hermione looked around in confusion.
Harry walked back and forth three times—and a door appeared, startling her.
"Alright, let's go," he said, grabbing her hand just as she was about to touch the frame, and stepping inside.
In a blink, they arrived in a quiet courtyard.
Hermione looked around. "Is this… the Leaky Cauldron?"
"Yep."
She still hadn't quite processed the fact that she'd suddenly returned to the place she'd visited a year ago.
Harry glanced at the pub. A certain idea was forming in his mind—but that would wait until summer.
He took out his wand and tapped the bricks.
A path opened in the wall.
The two of them made their way to Gringotts.
"What are we doing here?" Hermione asked.
"I'm worried my dragon's going to eat Hagrid into poverty. I'm getting some money to help."
Only then did Hermione remember Big Black's terrifying appetite.
"Wait—you've got money in Gringotts?"
"My parents left it to me."
Harry withdrew two thousand Galleons. At current prices, even if Big Black ate twenty chickens a day, that would cover him for two or three months.
Instead of going straight back to school, they wandered around London, buying a bunch of things. Hermione only reluctantly stepped into the Room of Requirement to return.
Harry handed the gold to Hagrid, who didn't even pretend to refuse. He just accepted it happily.
That night, lying in bed, Harry thought again of Dumbledore's enchantment.
And suddenly—he realized there might be someone who could retrieve the Philosopher's Stone…
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⚡ The Rebirth of Harry Potter
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