[Note: Read up to Chapter - 188 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
.
.
.
.
Headmaster's Office.
Hagrid was in the middle of reporting last night's events to Dumbledore.
"That's how it went, Professor. Aris reckons the mysterious bloke might be hiding somewhere in the castle, biding his time till he can finish whatever plan he's brewing…"
Hagrid frowned, then shook his head, clearly not the type to overthink such matters.
"I'm not much good at puzzling out other people's schemes. Maybe you've got a better idea, sir?"
"Well, I'm aware of it," Dumbledore replied, lifting his eyes from the letter he'd been reading. He turned to Hagrid with a calm look.
"Don't worry yourself, Hagrid. Leave this matter with me."
He rose from his chair, rubbing his temples, then added, "I've also heard from Severus that you've been keeping a dragon. Is that true?"
At once, Hagrid stiffened, his face turning anxious.
"Professor… I know I shouldn't have, but the poor little thing's only just hatched. It'd be heartless to abandon him now. Let me raise him for a while, just till he's big enough—then I'll hand him over, I swear…"
Dumbledore shook his head, his gaze deep and unreadable.
"And where's that little dragon now?"
Hagrid hesitated, let out a weary sigh, then admitted honestly, "Aris said he'd take Radish in for the time being—just in case anything went wrong."
"Taken away by Aris?" Dumbledore was visibly taken aback.
"Yes, Professor," Hagrid nodded earnestly.
"And where could he possibly keep a dragon?" The silver-haired wizard frowned, looking genuinely puzzled. "In the centaur tribe, perhaps, or… ah, I see…"
After a moment's thought, Dumbledore seemed to realise something, and he let out a helpless sigh.
"In that case, let's leave it be for now. If Aris doesn't want the dragon discovered, I've no doubt he'll find a way. But I must remind you, Hagrid—this dragon isn't like Iris. It could well bring trouble down on Hogwarts."
His voice turned a little firmer.
"So if things change, I may have no choice but to see it rehomed."
"I understand, Professor…" Hagrid muttered sadly, his shoulders slumping. It was plain he saw the little fire dragon as his own child.
"Very well. Off you go now—I've got thinking to do."
"Yes, Professor!"
Hagrid gave a firm nod before lumbering out of the headmaster's office.
Once the giant had gone, Dumbledore turned and strolled to the balcony, his gaze drifting toward the shadowed line of the Forbidden Forest.
"Aris… that lad really can't sit still, can he?" he murmured.
"I only hope that dragon doesn't stir up trouble in the forest. With Iris about, things should stay under control… though I daresay the centaur tribe might not be quite as forgiving."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, quickly replaced by a quiet chuckle and a shake of the head. Yet soon after, his expression hardened, the weight of his thoughts returning.
"No, the real worry isn't the dragon… it's him."
His eyes narrowed, silver spectacles catching the light.
"I just hope things play out the way I intend."
—
Weekends at Hogwarts were a blessing for the little wizards.
Second-years and above could nip down to Hogsmeade, stock up on sweets from Honeydukes, or enjoy a frothy glass of butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.
Of course, only the older students were allowed the butterbeer. For the younger years, there were plenty of other drinks—sweet and fizzy concoctions that went down a treat.
Although first-years weren't allowed out, they still had a rare two days of rest.
For most of the young wizards, it was a cheerful break.
But Aris didn't see it that way.
That morning, he had barely stepped out of the Ravenclaw common room when the Weasley twins pounced.
"Aris, when are we heading out?" Fred asked, practically bouncing with excitement, his eyes gleaming. He'd clearly been itching for their little adventure—and the Marauder's Map only fuelled his enthusiasm.
"I reckon today's going to be a right belter—proper exciting!" George chimed in, grinning ear to ear.
"You two are up at this hour?" Aris yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Don't you fancy a lie-in for once?"
He'd been holed up in the lab until late the previous night, and if it weren't for his stomach growling, he'd likely still be asleep.
Still, with the twins already pestering him, he knew there was no chance of wriggling free. If he didn't take them through a secret passage today, they'd never let him hear the end of it.
Half an hour later, after polishing off their breakfast, they slipped out of the castle in a hurry.
"Although there's a secret passage under the Whomping Willow, do we really have to be the first to poke about in it?" Fred muttered, trailing alongside Aris with George at his side, both of them looking a tad guilty.
"No one dares mess with that tree. Word is, anyone who gets too close ends up getting walloped and strung up like laundry…"
"Why? Getting cold feet?" Aris shot them a half-smile, eyebrow raised.
"What a joke!" Fred puffed out his chest. "For the noble cause of magical pranks, we must march forward bravely—even if we're quaking inside. It's only the Whomping Willow… We'll handle it!"
"That's all well and good," George cut in, giving Aris a pointed look, "but where's the actual entrance, then?"
"According to the map, the opening's somewhere in the stump of the Whomping Willow. Just a tiny hole, really. But…" Aris paused deliberately, "the map doesn't say where the passage leads."
Of course, he knew full well it ended at the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. But for now, it was far more fun to let the twins stew in suspense.
"Just thinking about it gets me buzzing. What if this secret passage leads to some hidden cave? Maybe there are magical artefacts stashed away in there—proper powerful ones…" Fred was already off in his own fantasy.
"I reckon it's more likely there's a dragon waiting at the end!" George added boldly.
Aris nearly burst out laughing, but kept a straight face. "I've got a hunch it might just be a haunted house at the end of the tunnel…"
"Haunted house?" the twins echoed, exchanging a look before grinning like mad.
"This is brilliant—it's exactly the sort of adventure we've always dreamt about!"
"You'd best think about how you're actually going to get through that willow before you start counting your treasure," Aris said dryly, shaking his head. By now, they'd already reached the spot.
In front of them stood the massive Whomping Willow, looming quietly, its trunk and branches swaying with an odd rhythm in the breeze. It didn't just look like a tree—it looked like a full-on tree demon.
Clunk—clunk—
George and Fred swallowed hard, their steps faltering as nerves kicked in.
"Er… how about we try one of the other secret passages today?" George muttered, voice trembling.
"Are you serious?" Aris flipped open the Marauder's Map. There, clear as day, the Whomping Willow was marked—and right beside it, a neat little note: Touch the raised knot on the stump and the Willow will stop moving.
The twins lit up at once.
"Of course we're only joking—we've got to crack this secret passage today!" Fred declared.
"Even if Merlin himself turned up, he couldn't stop us!" George added with a dramatic flourish.
.
.
.
.
Drop Power Stonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 188 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]