Norberta

The winterbreak started and I don't know if everything happens like the plot, but my little help shouldn't change much. Hermione was the only one of the trio that returned, so she and Neville shared a compartment with Cedric and me. She said because we are a few she knows, but I guess questioning us on different topics is her main goal, as she talked the most out of us four.

I was happy to spend time with my family and if Dumbledore didn't intervene we would Harry with us, but the old man wanted him to find the mirror. Or at least that are my thoughts, as I couldn't be sure if it is intentional or not, but seeing that he wouldn't let Harry meet his remaining family, I see a certain intention.

The holidays were still a nice gathering and as every year, Cedric visits us in the second week. I hope he had a good friend in canon as it would be sad otherwise. Nymph only got the first week free, but took of the next weekend as she doesn't see me as much as before and wanted to spend time with me as long as I'm home. As this year we had a good amount of snow, the three of us build a winter-wonderland where everyone made something with magic to create a personal corner. Nymph made houses or people, but we found out later she added some secret passages. Cedric made a miniature Quidditch field and I made a little zoo with different magical beasts. The familiars that wanted were released to play in the white fluffy pulversnow at the side.

That gave me the idea to make a snowfield in my Dimensional Home' for them to visit and play in. So one evening I snuck out for a couple of minutes to put some snow from across the hill into my space. I could convert it myself, but it would use more time and energy, so now I just needed an area in the north where I decreased the temperature. It wasn't really a spacepocket like Ash's volcano, but more like a membran to leave the heat in the main area and let the pets through whenever they wanted. Now even Buck, Mani and Asteria could play in the pretty scenery.

On that note I really want to let my parents know, but didn't find a good opportunity yet.

So after a wonderful time, we get back on the train. Hermione was a little quieter this time or it was the feeling as everyone spoke about their break.

-

An event I only had in mind for a month or two later was brought up on one morning walk with Hagrid a few weeks after winterbreak.

"Say Nic', what would you know 'bout dragons?"

As soon as he said this to me, I connected the points that he already won the egg from Quirell. But as it was only the end of February and in canon the trio only learned of Norberta in late March and she was born in April.

But nevertheless I replyed as calmly as I could, while thinking I am a great alternative to a dragon reserve. Well a less legal option, but a secret and available option that he could visit whenever he wanted. There were still a few issues, but they could be taken care of with few helping hands.

"Dragons are giant, fire-breathing, winged reptilian beasts that are even known to most muggles through folklore of asia or europe. Like reptiles they are born from eggs and have a great number of different breeds that behave differently. They are great to protect, but nowadays are held for materials, such as their heartstrings to make wands or scaled leather to make protective wardrobes for dueling or aurors."

"Ain't you knowled'eable when it comes to animals.", he says slightly surprised by my prolonged explanation.

"Aren't you the same? I don't think your combined knowledge of other topics comes even close to magical beasts. No offence."

"Non taken, hahaha. You'r 'ight.", he laughs.

"What else do you want to know?", I ask him.

"Any ideas on incubating a' egg?"

"Mother, foster mother or artificial?"

"What are the diff'rences?", he responds.

"The rarely occasions of mothers, who don't intend to take care of an egg, aren't going to take them back, as they think something is wrong with it. But I read about a breeder who, after checking the egg for any cracks or the like, would paint the egg golden and puts it in her nest. If you want to give an egg to a foster mother, she would normally take it back to her nest, if you leave it in the same enclosure. The human or artificial approach differs greatly from place to place. Some cook it in a bonfire, others bath it in fresh blood for nutrition or depending on the race of the Dragon it could differ in a wider range, such as Eastern water dragons, who will be boiled in water by breeders."

He looked pensive.

After that I couldn't just let him have it so I asked with a little smirk on my lips: "Why are you asking? Did some green Welsh come to the forest to breed?"

"No nothing like that, just some inquiries for a friend.", he says, but the sweatpearls on his forehad expose his lie.

"Hagrid, we know each other so well and you know of my secret, so why not sharing yours?", I try to convince him.

"How would you think I have a secret?", he asks in such a high tone that even a stranger would think he is untruthful.

"I can tell you are lying. Now why are you keeping me in the dark?"

" 'kay.", he sighs. "Won an egg this weekend in Hogsmaede.", he whispers.

"WOW! But you know it is illegal to raise one if you don't have the qualification, don't you."

"Yeah. But as long as nobody knows, it can stay with me.", he says while stars appear I his eyes at the second sentence.

"And how do you want to keep a giant, fire-breathing dragon hidden in your small, wooden house?", I question him.

"Not the best place, is it."

"Clarly not.", I laugh.

Then he looks at me as if he had the most brilliant idea on the planet.

"How 'bout the little guy lives in your space."

"I thought of that but there are two issues I can think of.", I reply.

"What 're they?"

"Well I know dragons are fine on their own, but the happiest live with a flock of conspecifics. The other problem is food. Depending on the breed it has a different diet and even if I could get some in the kitchen, the mass is too small. I mean McGonnagal already cusses about the increased food expenses, as I get a lot for Anluan and the others and even while sharing some of the increased pocket money from Sirius, I feel a little bit guilty already.", I answer him honestly.

"But he would have company from your other pets and I can pay for food expenses.", he says stubbornly.

"Hagrid, I didn't say I wouldn't hide the Dragon, I simply put some problems we need to solve on the table. And yes the others could become her flock as long as she accepts them, but the main problem is still food. Your salary isn't that high to begin with and you need to feed Fang and Fluffy, so unless you get a raise, I'll not take your money."

"Then I just need a raise?"

"Is it that easy to get one for you?"

"Well the school gets money from the Hippogriffs and Thestrals I take care of, so if I want one, I should get a small."

"That's good Hagrid and to be honest you deserved one long ago, but I will think of something for later."

"Then let's go back. Pretty late already."

"Sure."

-

And after that a few more weeks gone by. The trio believes Snape is the mastermind, who wants the stone, but found time to visit Hagrid and discovered his egg. He is calmer, but thought about the idea of the reserve, they brought up. And now in April we gather to see it hatch. We'll Hagrid, and I, as Cedric had training, but just at that moment we hear a knock on the door.