Ron, You're Such A Smarty!

Malfoy's strange behaviour confused Harry and the others.

Yvonne understood what was going on. She hadn't expected this affinity to work so well. She wondered if it would last forever.

Ivan was not happy for long, as Malfoy's bad news made it clear that time was running out.

"What do we do now? The Ministry will be here today! Where's Charlie? Hasn't he written back?" Harry asked in an even more panicked voice, not caring that they were in the hall.

"Not yet. I don't know when Charlie's going to write," Ron suggested, equally anxious. "Why don't we just hide Norbert?"

"But Norbert is so big, there's nowhere to hide," Hermione said, frowning.

"Maybe we could put it in the lake!" Ron said confidently. "I mean put a bamboo tube in Norbert's mouth so he won't drown."

Ivan gave him a strange look.

Ron, you are such a clever boy!

Ron was right about one thing, though. If Charlie didn't arrive in time, they would have to hide Norbert.

Given Norbert's size, sinking into the lake was also a possible option.

If Dumbledore could cast a super-large Bubble Head Charm and convince the Murlocs and a sleeping dragon to be neighbours for a few days…

Perhaps Dumbledore will find using the Vanishing Spell easier?

Ivan wanted to curse. What happened to the Aurors always rushing to wrap things up when it was over?

When did the Ministry become so efficient?

After a quick breakfast, Ivan accompanied the class to Defence Against the Dark Arts today, but despite Quirrell's sudden disappearance as a teacher, they did not receive word that they would not be attending.

It was clear that there would be other professors in the interim class.

As Yvonne had expected, a familiar figure in a black robe came into the room just before class.

The moment Harry saw Snape, he thought the lesson must have been terrible.

However, Harry's disgust was futile. Snape managed to get to the lectern without incident, put down his textbook, glance around the classroom, pause briefly at Ivan, and then speak.

"Since your Professor Quirrell is the prime suspect in the murder of the unicorn, the theft of the potion, and the attack on the gamekeeper, the Ministry of Magic has issued an arrest order, and I will temporarily take over the first- to third-year Defence Against the Dark Arts classes!"

The sudden revelation caused an uproar among the young wizards.

What? The murderer was Professor Quirrell? How could that be?

Quirrell's reputation as a weak, good-natured wizard was such that many young wizards were unable to accept his sudden change in status.

How could someone like that be a Dark Wizard? He was so scared he passed out at a Hallowe'en feast…

"So, I'm going to teach you your first lesson in Defence Against the Dark Arts, which is to not be fooled by the appearance of things, as many evil Dark Wizards are skilled at spinning lies… you'd better be careful," Snape said mercilessly, not caring if he was scaring the children's young minds.

Several Gryffindors were scared out of their wits, as they used to think Quirrell was easy to bully and used to tease him in class.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were also surprised to hear this, but accepted it quickly, as they had sensed that something was amiss with Quirrell.

Not to mention Ivan, who had always known Quirrell's personality, and was surprised at how quickly Dumbledore had convinced the Ministry to label Quirrell as the murderer, and wondered if they had found some crucial evidence in his office.

"Silence!" The noise from the audience caused Snape to frown and raise his voice, interrupting the discussion.

"Now, for our first lesson, pick up your books. Today, we will be studying page nine, chapter three…" Snape paused, as if suddenly remembering something.

"Also, I want to inform you that the first year Transfiguration class has been cancelled…"

Hermione raised her hand high, wanting to ask why, but Snape scolded her mercilessly.

"Don't ask me why. It's not something you need to know!"

…

Ivan was pleased with the morning's lessons, as Snape was far more competent as a teacher than Bigelow. At the very least, he was genuinely teaching the subject, rather than reading it over and over again like Quirrell.

Ivan also learned from Hermione that his affinity seemed to be waning, or perhaps becoming more reserved, at least not as obviously as it had been that morning.

This was good news for Ivan, as while his previous talents were powerful, even Harry and Ron were able to detect them. Not only would this not be effective, but it would also cause others to be wary.

Around noon, the other piece of good news was that Ron had received a letter from Charlie, stating that he would come with some friends at three o'clock in the afternoon to take the dragon away, saving Norbert from drowning or being "disappeared".

As luck would have it, the afternoon Transfiguration class was suspended, allowing them to take the time to send Norbert away.

It was two o'clock in the afternoon when they arrived at Hagrid's Cottage. Norbert was still sleeping by the fire, showing no sign of waking up. Professor McGonagall must have come to reinforce the spell.

Fang stayed outside the hut, not daring to enter. When he saw Ivan, he flew at him, whimpering and complaining about Norbert, who had taken over the hut.

After much comforting, Yvonne examined Fang's leg injury, which had been bandaged and apparently treated by Madam Pomfrey.

As three o'clock approached, Ivan saw six figures flying toward them on broomsticks.

"It's Charlie, he's here!" Ron waved excitedly.

The men in the sky descended quickly when they saw Ron, their leader having fiery red hair, freckled face, and tanned brownish-black skin.

The study of dragons was not an easy task. In addition to having to know a great deal about dragons, being able to endure hardships was essential, and sometimes required a great deal of strength…