Chapter 229 : Norwegian Ridgeback Dragon Norbert
Although very few students at Hogwarts took Draco Malfoy's rumor about Hagrid raising a dragon seriously, the issue still led to tension—and detentions. Several students, including Harry and his friends, ended up in trouble over the matter.
When Phineas learned about this, he immediately guessed that Hagrid had obtained a dragon egg. In other words, Harry's first "Forbidden Forest adventure" for the term was about to begin.
"Phineas, um... do you have a moment?"
The day after Phineas returned to school, Harry approached him, looking rather uneasy.
Phineas raised an eyebrow. According to the original timeline, Harry's task around now should've been getting rid of the dragon, not seeking him out.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
Harry hesitated, eyes shifting downward.
"Have you... heard about Hagrid raising a dragon?"
Phineas gave a half-shrug.
"If it were anyone else, I'd call it a ridiculous rumor. But if it's Hagrid? Then yes—it's probably true. He's always wanted one. A fire-breathing creature is just 'adorable' to him."
Harry blinked, clearly taken aback. He had expected Phineas to scoff or at least question it.
"You're not surprised?"
"Not at all," Phineas replied with a calm smile. "Actually, the Black family owns a dragon sanctuary in Romania. If you're interested, I could take you during the holidays. But let's get to the point—why are you really here?"
Harry finally explained. The night before, Ron had been bitten by Norbert—Hagrid's newly hatched Norwegian Ridgeback—while visiting the hut. They hadn't thought much of it until this morning, when Ron's hand had swollen to twice its size and turned an alarming shade of green. They didn't dare go to Madam Pomfrey—what if she recognized a dragon bite?
Phineas sighed.
"Do you know that dragon fangs are venomous? I'm guessing Ron's wound has gone an ugly shade of green?"
Harry nodded grimly. "And it's throbbing—he says it feels broken. Draco's been teasing him nonstop."
"You really didn't take him to the hospital?"
Ron, it turned out, had grown feverish and irritable. He was sweating profusely, couldn't sleep, and was snapping at everyone.
To Phineas, it sounded disturbingly like a magical variant of rabies.
Feeling a pang of sympathy for Ron, Phineas followed Harry to Hagrid's hut. Since they had no classes that day, Ron and Neville were resting there. Due to the wound's condition, they didn't want to risk being seen in the castle.
As they neared the hut, Phineas spotted Ron, Neville, and Fang (with a bandaged tail) sitting outside.
Inside, Hagrid could be heard panting and calling through an open window, "I can't let you in! Norbert's in a right mood. Nothing I can do!"
Phineas frowned and stepped forward. "What's wrong with him?"
Hagrid's eyes darted nervously. "Ah... nothing. Little Norbert's just a bit... spirited. Bit my boots, that's all. He's just playing."
At that moment, a loud crash shook the walls. Norbert's tail had slammed against something inside, causing the windowpanes to rattle.
"Hagrid! You can't be serious. You might be immune to dragon bites, but the others aren't. Look at Ron's hand—it's serious!"
Tears welled in Hagrid's eyes. "Norbert's just a little baby... he didn't mean any harm..."
Phineas shook his head firmly. "To you, he's adorable. But to most, he's deadly. This needs to be handled—now."
Neville cleared his throat. "We wrote to Ron's brother Charlie. He's coming Saturday to pick Norbert up."
Phineas narrowed his eyes. "Let me guess—you left the letter somewhere it could be found?"
Ron groaned. "Malfoy took my book—the one with Charlie's letter inside. He probably knows everything now."
Phineas sighed deeply. "Honestly, trusting Hagrid's dragon to you three was a mistake."
Ron flushed red with embarrassment, clearly about to retort—until Neville held him back.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Phineas stopped teasing and snapped his fingers. Puff appeared in a swirl of smoke, carrying a small box. From it, Phineas took several vials.
He handed one to Ron. "Drink this."
Ron turned his head, reluctant.
"If you don't, you might die," Phineas added simply.
That got Ron moving. He gulped the potion down so fast he choked, but managed to finish it.
Phineas smiled faintly and unwrapped the bandages. The wound, though angry and swollen, didn't seem deep. Judging by its placement, Norbert had likely scraped him during feeding rather than launching a true attack.
That surprised Phineas. Dragons usually bit down once they tasted blood—but Norbert had stopped. Perhaps the dragon was more intelligent—or gentler—than expected.
"Aguamenti!"
A stream of clean water poured from Phineas's wand, washing the wound. Then, without pause, he uncorked the other potions and applied them directly.
Ron screamed in pain and passed out moments later.
Phineas wrapped the wound again with a flick of his wand. The new bandage was neat and glowing faintly with a sealing charm.
"No water, no pressure on the hand. He'll recover in about a week. You can take him to Madam Pomfrey now—tell her it was a dog bite. She won't know the difference."
Harry nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Phineas."
Phineas waved it off. "You and Neville take Ron to the hospital. I'll deal with Norbert—and Malfoy."
"Wait," Neville asked, brow furrowed. "What exactly are you going to do with Norbert?"
Phineas stopped, turning to glance at him in surprise. "You've guessed, haven't you? You know what I'm capable of."
Neville gulped.
"This is the only option. Privately raising dragons is a serious offense—punishable by time in Azkaban."
At that, Hagrid trembled visibly inside the hut.
"If it weren't me here today—if someone else found out—Hagrid would be in prison, and Norbert would be executed."
Harry's face paled. "Wait—are you saying... Norbert has to die?"
Phineas raised an eyebrow. "What else? The Ministry always kills the dragon first. The wizard is sent to Azkaban unless they can pay their way out. Dragon-keeping is reserved for the rich and well-connected. Does Hagrid have gold or influence? No."
"Isn't there any other way?"
"There is one."
Harry perked up.
"You still have your Invisibility Cloak, right?"
Harry nodded. He had received it over Christmas from Sirius—Phineas's older brother—so it wasn't a surprise Phineas knew.
"Then listen carefully. On Saturday night, I'll put Norbert to sleep. You cover him with the cloak, sneak him to Charlie, and be done with it. Hagrid gets off the hook, Norbert is safe—but Draco will still bring Professor McGonagall. You'll be caught and punished."
Harry and Neville exchanged glances—then nodded.
"It's fine," Harry said.
"You're sure?" Phineas smirked. "Last time you were scrubbing trophies. This time might be worse."
Then, turning to Hagrid, he asked, "By the way—any trouble in the Forbidden Forest lately?"
Hagrid looked startled. "Actually, yes. Found a unicorn's body this morning."
Harry and Neville gasped.
"A unicorn?" Harry repeated.
Hagrid nodded grimly. "No normal creature would hurt one. Something dark is out there."
Phineas turned to Harry and Neville. "Then let me warn you—if you're given detention again, you'll probably be sent with Hagrid into the Forest."
Their expressions changed instantly.
Hagrid, seeing this, tried to reassure them. "Don't worry. As long as you're with me or Fang, nothing will touch you."
Phineas nodded. "True. The creatures near Hogwarts know and respect Hagrid because of hagrid's identity."
"Hagrid's identity?" Neville echoed, narrowing his eyes. Something in Phineas's words had caught his attention—something about Hagrid he didn't know yet.