Chapter 24: Pruna

Christmas break was just around the corner, students were getting ready to leave school to go home, snow was falling from the sky covering the ground and smiles were everywhere.

All Hogwarts was being decorated for the holidays, and students were waiting to receive their presents.

Many students decided to go home to celebrate the holidays, of course that was not the case for William who did not want to see his family, after his little interaction with his siblings he knew that he did not have to go near home, things would not go in a good direction for him. The wisest decision was to stay near the library where no one would bother him or else study the griffin egg next to Hagrid.

"Is this a dragon egg?" asked William looking at that oval golden colored object on the table, there was still no apparent reaction to herald its hatching but with the stories of his old world William had high expectations.

"Of course it's a dragon egg, this one is one category above your griffin, it will be much harder to raise but I know with love it will be a good dragon" Hagrid laughed out loud as he tightened his belly.

"how did you come by this egg?"

"One day not long ago I was playing cards with a stranger in the hogshead, maybe I drank a little mead, well maybe a little is too unrealistic an estimate but the truth is I wasn't drunk yet, I won the egg from him fair and square and agreed to help him with his research on the three headed dogs, It's unusual to see them and I just happened to have trained one" Hagrid told his story to William as he adjusted a pair of gloves on his hands "It's still early to hatch but I learned a method that will help you with your griffin."

"A new method?"

"No, it's not that new it's just something that isn't written about much in books, you know in books they usually use the more difficult methods" Hagrid said with a somewhat nervous smile as he took the egg from the griffin and placed it inside a metal bucket and set it over the slow fire in the fireplace "You don't have to be afraid, I used special wood to make the eggs hatch faster"

Both boy and half-giant chatted at length about magical creatures and breeding methods, William even made a list of all Hagrid's advice, no one else knew but when it came to breeding dangerous magical species, Hagrid deserves a medal with honors.

CRACK!

The sound caught the attention of both inside the hut, Hagrid used the gloves to take the egg out of the bucket and placed it on the table, the egg began to wobble and the shell soon cracked.

"Here it is" Hagrid said excitedly then pushed William so that he was in front of the egg "You are his father, you have to be present, it has to be the first thing he sees!"

William on one hand wanted to laugh at Hagrid's comment but he knew it was true what he said, it is important that he is present so that the affectionate relationship between wizard and magical creature starts in positive points.

"Hello little one" William extended his finger towards the little griffin who could barely and barely blink, his body was covered in fluids, he had some fluff on his body but that was all after all he was still a newborn.

"Isn't it beautiful William?" asked Hagrid with an expression full of tenderness "Magical creatures are truly beautiful, to see one of these creatures being born is an experience that few can appreciate, I'm really glad to have you here with me."

"I am grateful for your help Hagrid, I really couldn't have pulled this off without your help, perhaps this little one would never have been born if it wasn't for you"

Hagrid shook his head at William's comment "That's not true, with your intelligence you would have solved this somehow."

"There is a lot of distance between theory and practice, maybe the information is in the books but I can't always execute it correctly, I would like to do it of course but that doesn't mean I am a genius that's why I am grateful, you helped me with my problem even knowing who my relatives are" William extended his arm towards Hagrid with his hand wide open "Thank you very much."

Considering the half-giant's temperament he couldn't hold back his tears and shook hands with Hagrid.

"w-what's the name going to be?"

"The name?"

"Yes, the name for the little griffin."

"Ah, I hadn't really thought about it until just now" William stroked his chin thinking of a name for his little friend, as he thought he noticed among Hagrid's things there were several jars among one in particular there were small fruits "plum jam, plum, tree, prune..... Prune!"

"Prune?" asked Hagrid intrigued looking at the small pureblood wizard.

"Yes, her name will be Pruna" said William contentedly causing Hagrid's eyebrows to rise mingling with a forced smile.

"William you're not very good with names."