In the Herbology class, Professor Pomona Sprout was discussing the peculiarities of the Devil's Snare, describing it as a formidable plant that, despite its menacing appearance, behaves much like a frightened child when exposed to light. John, however, was only half-listening, his mind preoccupied with the intricacies of alchemy. After numerous failed attempts at using pigeon feathers to inscribe runes on snail shells, he had finally crafted an engraving pen from silver and basilisk feathers. With the blood of certain magical creatures procured from the Forbidden Forest, he had successfully completed his first piece of alchemical work—a bracelet adorned with ceramic pieces derived from the shells of fire-tailed snails. Although its effects were minimal, acting merely as a one-time amulet capable of releasing an Iron Armor Curse in the face of danger, it marked a significant first step. John was already dreaming of the possibilities that dragon's blood could unlock in his alchemical experiments.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were embroiled in a debate. "Should we tell John about the dragon?" Ron mused, clearly enamored with the idea of a dragon. Hermione, ever the voice of reason, frowned in disapproval. "Ron, have you forgotten our promise to Hagrid? The fewer people who know about the dragon, the better. Besides, it wouldn't be good for John, given his current standing in Slytherin."
At breakfast, Harry had received a note from Hagrid, informing them that the dragon egg was about to hatch. Despite Hermione's usual adherence to rules, the allure of witnessing such a rare event prompted her to consider skipping class. Harry was taken aback by Hermione's stance, especially since she and John were close. "I thought you'd definitely tell John. You two get along so well."
Hermione was adamant. "It's illegal! The Wizarding Conference of 1709 explicitly banned the breeding of dragons. John's already in a precarious position in Slytherin. Getting caught could make things worse for him." Harry reluctantly agreed, deciding not to share the news with John.
Unbeknownst to them, John had also received Hagrid's note. Eager to obtain dragon blood for his experiments, he had no intention of missing out. Observing Malfoy's smug expression, John couldn't help but wonder what the Slytherin was plotting. "Malfoy, why the self-satisfied smirk?"
Malfoy's grin widened. "Wick, you can't even begin to imagine the foolishness Potter has gotten himself into this time. I'll make sure he's expelled."
John shrugged off Malfoy's boasting, having heard similar threats before. Opting for caution, he didn't head directly to Hagrid's hut during the break. Aware of the legal implications, he cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and made his way there unseen.
Upon arrival, he found Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid gathered around a table, completely engrossed in the hatching process. Only Fang, Hagrid's loyal hound, seemed to sense John's presence, sniffing the air curiously. A deep crack appeared on the dragon egg, and the sound of movement from within hinted at the imminent arrival of the hatchling. Everyone leaned in closer, holding their breath in anticipation.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of the group, the dragon—named Norbert by Hagrid—emerged from its shell. Its appearance, with spiny wings and a slender black body topped with a long nose featuring white nostrils and horn-like bumps on its head, was less majestic than John had imagined. Yet, he wasn't there for its looks; he was after its blood, intrigued by the potential it held for his alchemical pursuits. Eyes wide with astonishment, Norbert sneezed, sending flames shooting from his nostrils. Hagrid, embodying the role of a doting parent, eagerly scooped up Norbert. "Isn't he magnificent?" Hagrid boasted, though Norbert, in a fit of irritation, promptly bit Hagrid's finger. The sharpness of Norbert's teeth made John think that anyone else would have lost a chunk of flesh in such an encounter.
"It's a shame John missed this," remarked Harry and Ron, both of whom were thrilled at the prospect of raising a dragon. Hermione, ever the inquisitive one, was more interested in the growth rate of the Norwegian Ridgeback.
Feeling it was safe, John was about to dispel his invisibility when he noticed someone spying from outside. Halting his action, he stealthily approached the window to find Malfoy peering in. Just as Hagrid was about to satisfy Hermione's curiosity, he caught sight of the window and his face drained of color. Malfoy, realizing he had been spotted, quickly turned and fled. Hagrid was too stunned to give chase. Harry, peering out the window, recognized the retreating figure. "This is bad, it's Malfoy. He's definitely going to tattle," Harry muttered, convinced Malfoy had seen everything.
Meanwhile, Malfoy, unable to contain his glee, whispered to himself, "Ha, Potter, you're done for. I'll have you expelled!" As he strutted down the corridor, a sudden force yanked him into a room. Terrified, he opened his mouth to scream, but John, revealing himself from under the Disillusionment Charm, quickly silenced him with a hand over his mouth and a finger to his lips.
"What are you doing here?" Malfoy asked, trying to maintain his composure despite his fear. Slytherin House had a favorable view of John, who had significantly boosted their points.
John cornered Malfoy and spoke calmly, "I need you to promise me something. Don't tell the professors about today."
"You mean about that dragon?" Malfoy asked, his eyes darting around as he pieced things together.
John didn't deny it. "Yes, I'm asking you to keep it a secret, at least for a while."
"Why should I?" Malfoy's arrogance resurfaced.
John explained, "We're close to beating Gryffindor in points. If you tell, and Hagrid implicates me, Slytherin will lose its lead."
Malfoy considered this. The thought of losing the House Cup to Gryffindor was unbearable. After a moment, he nodded. "Fine, I'll wait. But not for you, for the House Cup."
John saw a glimmer of reason in Malfoy and extended his hand. "For eternal glory. You won't regret this decision."
Malfoy, reassured by John's non-threatening demeanor, shook his hand, contemplating the possibility of friendship. Despite their differences, aligning with John might not be such a bad idea.
Though they reached an agreement, the trio lived in constant unease, fearing Malfoy's smirks meant imminent doom. Despite Hermione's assurances that the Ministry of Magic wouldn't arrest them for merely seeing a dragon, the fear of being caught loomed large, making every moment in the castle fraught with anxiety. After a week of careful consideration, they consulted with Hagrid and made the difficult decision to send Norbert away. Fortunately, Ron's brother, Charlie Weasley, who was involved in dragon conservation in Romania, offered a solution. They corresponded with Charlie, who agreed to help, providing a safe new home for Norbert.
The situation with Professor Quirrell, however, took a more ominous turn. During their next meeting, John noticed an additional caged worm on Quirrell's desk. Quirrell greeted him with a smile, but the atmosphere was charged with tension. He announced that today's lesson would delve into the dark arts, specifically the Unforgivable Curses. Success in this test would mark John as an ally in the eyes of Quirrell and, by extension, Voldemort. Failure, on the other hand, would not only alienate him but also make him a target for Voldemort's wrath, likely subjecting him to the Imperius Curse.
Quirrell framed the situation as a choice, but it was clear to John that it was anything but. It was coercion, a manipulation designed to corner him into compliance. The options laid before him were stark: either embrace the dark path of using an Unforgivable Curse or face the consequences of defying Voldemort's will. The weight of this decision bore heavily on John, as he realized the gravity of the crossroads he faced. It was a moment that would define his stance in the magical world, forcing him to confront the kind of wizard he truly wanted to be.
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge