Chapter 73: Let Me Touch It

On the second Thursday of May, Ted and the others visited Hagrid and Norbert again.

Facts have proven Ted's prediction to be conservative. In just over a week, Norbert had already grown as big as a normal dog.

The weather was warming up, yet Hagrid, in his moleskin coat and dragonskin gloves, struggled to restrain Norbert, who was gnawing everywhere.

During this period, the aggressive Norwegian Ridgeback showcased its capacity for tearing down structures. Even the mixed-breed hound Fang became a casualty of one of its tails. 

Hagrid encountered challenges handling Norbert, unwilling to be harsh with the creature. Eventually, Norbert unintentionally bit Ron's finger. Despite being a minor wound, the dragon's saliva turned out to be toxic. 

The group hurried to the campus hospital, and midway, Ron's fingers swelled, resembling red and thick carrots.

"Ma'am, Ron was bitten by a strange bug," explained Harley.

Madam Pomfrey from the campus hospital gave her a skeptical look, silently implying, "You continue to lie."

Finally, Ron's hand was treated with medicine and bandaged, giving the appearance of amputation.

Even though Ted and the others were already on guard against Malfoy, Ron's noticeable appearance after the battle was too conspicuous. 

Malfoy's suspicions were now confirmed! Ted and the others deliberated on the issue with Hagrid and concluded that it was no longer manageable. How much time had elapsed? This young dragon was on the brink of wreaking havoc. If it had to wait a month, Hagrid would need to grapple with it in the Forbidden Forest.

"I can't control it now; it's too wild! The fire dragon is so wild!" Ted had considered domestication when Norbert was newly hatched and discussed it with Professor Quirrell. Professor Quirrell, however, laughed it off.

"Haha, Ted, you are a bit fanciful. Many wizards have tried to tame the fire dragon throughout history. It is very difficult. Many would rather cultivate new powerful monsters themselves than try to tame that thing."

Professor Quirrell and Ted got along in private, understanding each other well. The Ministry of Magic tolerated Professor Quirrell's unconventional research, and Ted, in turn, paid little attention to legal provisions.

Professor Quirrell lacked someone who could appreciate and engage in discussions about his research. Unfortunately, Professor Tom on the back of his head attempted to instill some dark magic ideas into Ted, which proved to be annoying. Ted pondered on the future of black magic and questioned whether he would sacrifice the entire forest for a crooked-neck tree.

Speaking of Norbert, even Hagrid had to acknowledge that he might not be able to keep him anymore. Although too small to burn a house, if raised for a few more months, Norbert would pose a threat to people.

The looming question remained—how to deal with it? Releasing Norbert into the Forbidden Forest was not an option. This invasive alien species lacked natural enemies and could fly.

Ron proposed a solution: "My second brother Charlie is a dragon trainer in Romania. I can ask him!" 

Charlie, who graduated last year, became a dragon trainer in Romania. Their destination would be the "Fire Dragon Breeding Base" of the local Ministry of Magic. Ron wrote a letter to his second brother, and Charlie agreed to come with his colleagues the next Saturday on a flying broomstick to transport the baby dragon away.

An unexpected turn of events occurred when Hagrid, prepared to send Norbert away, sent a text message to Ted and the others. The school's public owl was intercepted by Malfoy. Unaware of Malfoy's knowledge, Ted and the others, oblivious to Malfoy's awareness, faced a situation where Malfoy saw an opportunity to take advantage of Ted's group.

The two groups met at the Astronomy Tower on Saturday night. Although the Astronomy Tower was not far from Ravenclaw Tower, the Gryffindor quartet handled the situation themselves.

Utilizing an invisibility cloak to conceal the sizable wooden box containing Norbert, they adeptly transported him to the tower. As they descended, they unexpectedly encountered the three Malfoy members who were squatting. Harley and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief, having successfully unloaded a significant burden.

Hagrid's vague letter contributed to Malfoy's interference. When Malfoy received the text message, he only knew that Harley and the others were planning to transport the baby dragon to the castle on Saturday night, prompting Hagrid's distress call that he was ready.

This led to Malfoy blocking Harley's escape, unaware that the young dragon was destined to be sent away.

"Haha! Night tour! If I tell Professor Snape, he will definitely confine you until the holidays! Maybe even expel you!" Malfoy said with a wicked smile.

He had eagerly anticipated this day for far too long, and a sense of profound satisfaction enveloped his heart. 

Harley stood up, "It's you again, Malfoy! What do you want?"

"What do I want? Hehehehe~" Malfoy laughed like a villain.

"Of course I want... want the dragon! Hand over the dragon, and I won't have to tell the professor."

"Ha!" Harley smiled disdainfully, "You also want a dragon?"

Malfoy couldn't suppress the smile on his face; he nodded, feigning restraint. "As you are aware, raising a dragon privately is against the law. Nevertheless, I can persuade my father to keep one at home." 

Taking a few steps, he emulated his father's approach and glanced sideways at Harley and the others. "Therefore, you should entrust the dragon to me. It's beneficial for everyone~" 

In this moment, Malfoy's spirit soared, and his feelings of satisfaction and joy almost spilled over.

"It's so cool! Right, that's it! Ha ha ha ha! I'm turning over~" Malfoy screamed ecstatically within his heart. 

However, Harley's response burst his bubble: "Pfft~ I think you haven't woken up yet."

"You..." Malfoy felt that his joy was gone.

"You can't hide it. Leave it to me, and I promise I will take good care of it!"

Malfoy tried his best to persuade the other party. He wanted the dragon so much. Malfoy was a little less fond of dragons than Hagrid, considering his name "Draco" means dragon.

Of course, if he had been raised, he probably wouldn't like it. Nobert is just a dragon~

Harley, in a playful manner, didn't disclose that Norbert had already been sent away, enjoying the banter with the foolish boy. The situation quickly reversed, and Malfoy pleaded with Harley to give him the dragon.

Harley responded with confidence, "Go ahead and tell the truth, I'm not afraid! Want a dragon? No!"

Malfoy tried to persuade, "Think about it carefully. How good would it be to leave it to me? Don't be so stubborn!"

However, Harley's helpless expression heightened Malfoy's despair, his tone even sounding a little pleading. Malfoy promised that as long as Harley gave him the dragon, he would not cause trouble for Harley and the others in the future, willingly conceding.

The friends on both sides were left dumbfounded. Was this even possible? Weren't they (us) taking the initiative to block us (them)? Why was Malfoy still begging me?

In the end, Malfoy's joy vanished, and his pride crumbled. He resembled a defeated rooster, a clear sign of complete loss of morale. He almost cried out, "You are bullying people~"

He said pitifully: "Then let me touch it, okay? I'll just touch it!"

Harley raised her chin slightly, "Didn't you see Ron's hand?"

"I can't be bitten," Malfoy retorted.

"You mean you're thicker than Ron?!"

"I...I don't care!" Malfoy had given up on himself and almost rolled on the ground.

"You have to let me take a look! Let me take a look~"

Harley suppressed a smile and said: "Haha~ It's too late, I've already sent him away!"

"What? You're kidding me!" Malfoy's voice rose an octave.

However, a cold female voice came from not far away: "Who is it? Who is wandering at night!"

Professor McGonagall, wearing pajamas, turned around the corner.

(End of this chapter)

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