The next morning at breakfast Harry saw Malfoy was looking rather sullen. Harry suspected that Snape could not ignore Malfoy's behavior and punished him appropriately. He heard whispers at the Gryffindor table that someone cost Slytherin 25 points since dinner the night before. Harry had a pretty good idea of who that someone was.
The next few days were uneventful, the only thing that would change the routine was the training for Harry for his Quidditch team as well the weekends were Harry still trained with John on the obstacle courses as well on the shooting range. The only thing that was in a sense exciting happened shortly before Harry had his second game, as Hedwig swooped down on him while they had some dinner with a letter from Hagrid, telling them that the egg was hatching. Harry almost flew down to Hagrid's hut while Hermione and Parvati tried to catch up with him, Lavender getting Daphne from the Slytherin table to follow the other three.
Harry pulled the door so hard that it was nearly torn from its hinges, to the surprise from Hagrid inside the hut getting the egg out from the flames. Hagrid placed the egg inside a small pan with glowing coal to keep it warm until the dragon would leave its egg. Hagrid just wanted to greet Harry as Hermione and Parvati also came through the door as well soon after Daphne and Lavender. They all wanted to see how a dragon hatched apparently, as they sat around the table and held their breath. The egg shook and wiggled in the pan, a clear sign that it soon would be over. As the shell began to crack, someone else knocked on the door and Hagrid asked Harry if he could go and get it. Harry agreed, and without letting the egg out of his sight, he opened the door.
Outside stood Dumbledore, as he was of course informed from Harry what Hagrid got in his hut as it could be a potentially dangerous situation for the school. Hagrid was not surprised seeing the headmaster, as they had talked about the procedure that would take place as soon the dragon would hatch. Afterwards, Hagrid had also a talk with Harry, where he told the boy that he was not angry for him going to the headmaster, as Dumbledore was a good man and understood the wish of Hagrid wanted to own a small dragon. Harry was glad, as he had taken a liking to the big man outside the school, always looking after the animals the students would study during the Care of Magical Creatures' classes.
The small, black dragon soon left the rest of the eggshell it was covered in and looked around to all the people watching it. Harry could have sworn he heard it talking, looking for its mother. Maybe it spoke the same language as Cindy did with him, but he was not sure. The small dragon burped a small flame much to the enjoyment of Hagrid, who told them that he will call it Norbert. While they watched Norbert so it would not put anyone in danger, they heard another knock on the door. As Hagrid opened this time, Harry looked a bit closer at Norbert, listening if he could really understand it. To his surprise he understood the Dragon, asking him if he knew where his parents are. Harry wanted to tell it that he would soon be picked up by another dragon, but he did not know how he should do it without showing the others that he could speak with snake's and as it seems, Dragons.
In the door stood Borch, like he was summoned by the hatching Dragon. He nodded to Hagrid and walked into the hut, so the space got a bit tight with so many people here, even if the hut was bigger than usual because of Hagrid's size.
"You know why I am here Hagrid? I am here for the dragon to take it with me." Borch came straight to the point, as a dragon himself he did not want to lose too much time before the baby would become dangerous around humans. He was surprised as he saw the baby staring at Harry with an intensity as if those two had a mental conversation, but he did not let it be noticed on his face as he walked over to the table, evading the girls on his way. As he stood behind Harry, the small dragon lifted its head and stared at the old man before it. It froze right in the spot as it recognized the man as a mighty dragon in human form and was afraid for his live as it was not the same species as the golden Dragon before it. It was also much too young to win a battle, so it hoped that he was only here to see if she would let the others in peace and left once more.
"Do not worry little one, I am not here to kill you. I am here to take you with me and raise you like I did my daughter."
The small dragon was relieved, and everyone saw that it relaxed and laid down on the table.
"You speak Parseltongue Mr Borch?" Daphne looked once more to the old, wise man who turned around and said yes, that the humans called it like that. At this remark, Parvati and Lavender looked puzzled, so Hermione told them that she would explain to them when they were back in the dorm. Borch then took the small dragon from the table and cradled it in his arm and said his goodbyes as he left the hut once more, stopping by Hagrid so he could see the dragon once more and Borch promised him to keep him posted about the little dragon.
After he left the hut, Hagrid closed the door once more, as outside there was a loud roar and they all saw something golden fly away. At that moment, Lavender and Parvati ran to a window while Hagrid turned his head so he could look out the door.
"Blimey Headmaster, I did not believe when you told me, but this is one of the moments where I am glad to be wrong. And Hermione, Harry, Daphne how do you know Mr. Borch?"
Hermione told them as she could explain better than Harry or Daphne does. This way she also could also keep her promise to Lavender and Parvati. "As we were visiting Harry's home over the winter break, Mr. Borch visited us as he wanted to see Mr. Geralt and Miss Yen as he knew them. We got to know him too and because he came in his Dragon form, we also know that he was a very special kind of dragon. But I still did not know that he could speak parseltongue. I have only read about it once in a book about dark wizard's and witches, but I never heard it for real." She looked to Harry because she was not sure if she was correct that he could understand them as Norbert was very calm in his presence while it hissed something. The others did not notice it, so she had to ask him in private.
Lavender and Parvati now had a knowing look on their faces and nodded, as Dumbledore told them that he would accompany them back to the castle as it was dark outside, and they needed a reason to be out of bed.
And lo and behold, on their way back they met the Filch's cat, almost summoning him around the corner looking menacing. As he saw the headmaster, he asked if he found them before him out of the beds, but Dumbledore just said that he showed them something outside because they were interested and needed someone to accompany them outside of curfew. Filch grunted something, but as they were with Dumbledore, he let them be. He then dropped Daphne first, as she was the only Slytherin from their group, right before the entrance down in the dungeons. She wished the others a good night as she told the door the password and entered the common room of Slytherin.
They heard someone talking inside, but they did not think much of it as the older students would still be awake when they were studying for exams or something else. After walking up the castle to the common room of Gryffindor, Dumbledore whished them also a good night and let them go inside.
Dumbledore was now walking up to his office, as he still had some work to do. As he walked to the statue who watched the entrance to his office, he noticed that Snape stood before it, looking at him with a serious face. Dumbledore opened the entrance and asked him inside, as Snape wanted to report his findings.
The next weekend was the next time for Harry to play Quidditch against another house team, this time it was against Hufflepuff. The day arrived fast, with the houses teasing the opposite team like any supporter would do, except the muggles could not hex the other players in hoping they could not play, and their team would win thanks to that. Harry quickly got used to look over his shoulder to evade the small jinxes which was aimed at him and the other players and just ignored the ones who tried to bait him into doing something stupid so he would have to sit in detention during the game and could not participate. As a seeker he was the most important player right after the keeper after all.
Saturday rolled around and Harry was once more in the Great Hall eating breakfast even if he was feeling nervous. When they would win today, depending on the points they would make, Gryffindor would take the lead in the House cup and the Quidditch Cup at the same time. Slytherin as the momentary leader would of course not like to see that happening, so Harry was extra careful today as well as the other Gryffindor took the role of bodyguard for the players of their house, like Hufflepuff did with theirs as they had also a fair shot on the lead on the House Cup. Both teams walked down to the pitch and their locker rooms, as Hermione together with Lavender and Parvati whished Harry luck and walked up to the stands.
Inside the locker room Harry just put on his gear as Oliver came out of the office he was just in with bad news. "It seems we have another referee in this match. Madam Hooch just told us that Professor Snape would look after today's match, and we all can think that he will not be impartial." He then turned to Harry, ordering him that he should catch the snitch as fast as possible, so Snape would not have many opportunities to give Hufflepuff enough benefits to win, as Slytherin could easily beat them in the next match of the season. Harry told him that he would try his best and grabbed his broom from his locker.
"Welcome back to another promising game of Quidditch in this pitch. I hope you are all comfortable, then this match looks breathtaking, as Hufflepuff comes to the field. You can feel their drive to win this match against the Gryffindor team. But the next team that will come to the field wants to have a word about that, please welcome Gryffindor."
Lee Jordan called them out, while the students in the stands, cheered their teams on. While Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were the loudest, Ravenclaws were much more restrained, opposite to Slytherins who booed as the teams came onto the field. They only cheered as Snape flew up after the captains shook hands and were ready to begin.
There was a flash and the chest with the balls opened as the bludgers flew right at someone to hit them, only stopped by the beaters and the Quaffle was caught by Angelina, who flew straight to the hoops for Hufflepuff. But Harry had only eyes for the small, golden ball which flew away from him towards the stands as he gave chase, together with the seeker from Hufflepuff who saw it too.
Harry was lighter and his broom quicker, so he pulled ahead of the older seeker from Hufflepuff as he dived down toward the stands, he heard the whistle from snape because Fred shot the bludger towards a chaser form Hufflepuff and gave them a free toss towards Oliver. The chaser scored, but what happened afterwards was strange. As Katie Bell took the Quaffle, every Hufflepuff flew out of the way until she scored too.
"And it seems that Hufflepuff is against any unfair advantage that the referee wants to give them and let Katie equal the score. That's the famous loyalty from Hufflepuff house, as they want a fair game. So, when they think the referee was unfair, they let their hoops unguarded until the points are won back. It is now 10 to 10 for both teams." Jordan hollered into the speaker and all the other houses cheered for the shown fairness, while the seekers did their job.
Five minutes later, even when Gryffindor where 5 goals ahead, Hufflepuff did the same as they scored once more because of a free toss they got because Angelina took the Quaffle from a chaser of Hufflepuff and Snape counted that as a foul. The seekers meanwhile lost the snitch as both had to evade a bludger form their respective beaters and flew around the field, looking for a golden flash anywhere. Harry saw it once more, right above Hermione's head so he flew directly at her hoping the snitch would fly up so he would not scare the spectators. It did not, but Harry caught it and stopped right on the spot, hanging upside down and looking directly at Hermione grinning. He then flew up with his hand raised ending the game.
"And Harry Potter caught the snitch, giving his team the win. But I am sure that you all agree that the moral victory goes to Hufflepuff as they played as fair as they could, even when they knew that it could lead to them losing the match. Now join me in a giant cheer for both teams for this fabulous game." Three of four houses cheered as loud as they could, while the Gryffindor team flew up to Harry to congratulate him in the speedy catch he did. Snape flew down with a small frown on his face, but inside him he was glad that nothing bad happened like last time Lily's son played, but he noticed that the suspected individual was not in the stands, so it was not necessary but better safe than sorry.
Later in the common room in the Gryffindor tower, the victory party was in full swing with the Weasley-twins getting down to the kitchen and bringing food and drinks. Harry got congratulation from anyone in reach of him, while he was happy that he caught the snitch so quick, but now he was getting tired and just wanted to sleep. So, he tried to sneak up to the boy's dorm room, but Ron always pulled him back to celebrate, much to Harry's chagrin. To his luck, the twins soon saw that he just wanted to go and distracted the rest, so he could go to sleep. He slipped away as George just started a new song for the others to sing along. Only Lavender saw him walking up the stairs, but she kept silent as it was not her business and Hermione was already in bed too.
As the next day was a Sunday, Harry allowed himself the luxury of sleeping longer than normal, as today was nothing planed except studying in the library with his friends. The only thing he did not account for was Cindy climbing up his bed to get some warmth in her, as even when she was disguised as a cat thanks to magic, she still needed external heat like other snakes or reptiles. Harry let out a small yelp as she was snuggling in his arms and resting her head on his chest. As he was used to sleep only in his underwear and a shirt, Cindy found his naked skin quite easy to soak up the needed warmth. Harry looked around if he was alone in the room and saw that Ron was still fast asleep. As he did not want to take any risks, he spoke normal with his scaly friend who was getting warm the more time she got on his skin.
"Cindy, please warn me next time you try to sneak into my bed. You know how I was raised; I could have hurt you if I had not felt the familiar bond we share."
Cindy lifted her head up to look into Harry's eyes apologetically and hissed to him: "I am sorry, but the room is so cold this morning. And before I try to hunt something I can eat; I need to be fully awake, and you know how that works. Oh, on another note. I saw how the medallion vibrates whenever the redhead's animal looks at you. So, I looked at him and it has a similar aura then you humans have, so I asked the other animals if they saw that too. I don't know who he is, but the rat is a wizard."
That surprised Harry, as the rat never showed something like human behavior. He took his glasses and asked Callie if she recorded the conversation he had with Cindy.
"Yes, I did. I also took the liberty to write a report to Cortana and John, so they can look out if they would find more suspicious things about the rat. We also need more information about this transformation, but we may get this from Professor McGonagall as she can change into a cat. I would suggest you ask her." Harry thanked her and as he was already awake, he got out of his bed and got dressed, allowing Cindy to go into one pocket to get more heat in her body before she would sneak out and hunt her food. Harry offered her something from the breakfast table, to which she thanked him, but a snake could not eat human food so she would just look for some mice or other small animals. Harry was a bit ashamed, thinking that Cindy could eat his food too, but she assured him that she never had mention it back home.
In the Great Hall, Harry saw his friends already sitting on the table, eating their breakfast and Hermione reading a book like always. Seeing her without a book was as rare as seeing a golden dragon. And as he thought that he had to laugh as he saw one maybe more than any student in this school since the last holiday. Hermione looked up together with Parvati and Lavender as they heard him laughing, asking him what was so funny. Harry just shook his head and sat down, prepared himself a meal.
"Harry, since when do you have a kitten?" Hermione looked at him from the side, seeing the head of the disguised Cindy peeking out of his robes. Hermione cooed and wanted to pet it, as Cindy retreated into the pocket where she was hiding before. Hermione was a bit sad, as she thought that it was afraid of her as Harry reached into his pocket and took Cindy out, holding her in his hand. Cindy was looking at him accusingly and because of her good disguise the girls heard her growl. "Come on Cindy, she is nice. Just let her pet you a few moments, and then you can go back into my pocket." Cindy turned her head and sniffed Hermione's hand, before she pushed her head into the awaiting palm. After the three girls had gotten their "awes" out, Harry put her back into his pocket and began to eat his breakfast.
"You still did not answer since when you had a kitten. Back in Kear Mohen we did not see any cats." Hermione asked him once more, as Lavender and Parvati wanted to know more about the castle Harry grew up in. Harry made up a small lie, telling Hermione that he found Cindy in the castle, maybe she was lost. As no other student missed a cat, he assumed that he could keep her. Hermione accepted this answer, but she felt that it was not the whole truth. But now Harry was answering the questions from Lavender and Parvati that he could answer, like the view from his room or how nice the air is. But he had to make them understand that he could only answer all the questions when no other could be listening in like right now in the Great Hall, as Callie told him that Malfoy was near them and seemed to listen in. Once more he was annoyed, but he just ignored him and stood back up, asking the girls if they could go to the library now to study.
As the girls were going up the library, Harry was going over to the Slytherin table to ask Daphne if she would like to come too while he ignored all the hateful looks, he got from the Slytherin table. When he met Daphne, she was more than happy to accompany him to the library but asked if her friend, Tracey Davis, could come too. Harry nodded, wanted to walk out of the hall.
"Stop right there, Potter. What do you think you are doing?" An older Slytherin student stood in his way, having his arms crossed over his broad chest. Harry was a whole head shorter than him, leading Harry to look up into his eyes.
"Well, if you ask me this way, I was asking my friend if she would like to study with me and she than asked if I was okay with her bringing her friend with her. But please tell me, why do you want to know? Who are you, by the way?"
"Marcus Flint, the captain of the Slytherin team. And for why I must know, it is unbecoming for a Slytherin being friends with a blood traitor like you. We are proud of our heritage, and it seems that you do not, for you have talked bad about almost the whole house."
Harry stood his ground, with Daphne and Tracey standing behind him not knowing what to do.
" I see. So, Mr. Flint , do tell me, who or what gives you the right to take away their free will? If they have chosen on their own accord to study with me in the library. Are you saying it is against the school rules for students from other houses to study together? Also I'd point out I never talked bad about Slytherin. If I had, do you think I'd still be friends with Daphne? You shouldn't listen to Malfoy's lies. He has an unhealthy habit of making up stories." Harry answered with confidence, which only angered the older boy more as Flint took his wand out and aimed at Harry. But Harry was still standing calm and relaxed on the same spot.
"So, you are now calling me a liar? Prepare for a duel, you dirty half-blood."
"What is going on here?" the deep voice of Snape called from behind of Flint, looking stern at all the standing students before him.
Flint got pale, as he turned around, his wand still in his hand.
"Mr. Flint, you know it is forbidden to attack other students without the supervision of teachers in the dueling club. Please go to my office and wait for me there." Snape ordered the older boy. "Now to you Mr. Potter, do you know why he wanted to attack you?"
Harry did not know why exactly but told Snape what Flint had told him. Snape was listening, seeing more and more that Harry was not like his father. Harry was humble and honest, trying to be just to everyone he knows and would not attack unprovoked. Snape then looked to the girls and asked if they would know anything. Both said no, so Snape let them go.
"I just can't understand why Gryffindors and Slytherins hate each other that much. I mean, while we are in school, we live under the same roof. I can understand some rivalry, but that still needs some respect if the rival is better in some things." Harry was ranting, while he and the two Slytherin girls were walking up to the library.
As Daphne was agreeing with him, Tracey told him that some wizards were to old fashioned and were clinging to past times like a drowning man to a lifejacket. A point that was almost proven immediately as they met Ron on his way down for breakfast. He looked at them with so much anger, that Harry was sure if he was not with them, he would have attacked them. He watched as Ron was walking into the Great Hall. Harry then ran after the two girls up the staircases they needed to climb to get to the others. Harry would need to talk with Ron, this could not be healthy in any way at all.
As they arrived in the library, Madam Pince looked over to them and nodded, knowing that Harry and Daphne knew the rules for the library on a Sunday.
Harry nodded too to say hello to her, as they walked down the isles to their little corner were Hermione, Lavender and Parvati did already have some books spread out for the different topics they would study and doing their homework on. Daphne introduced Tracey to the other three girls, as Daphne knew her longer than Harry did. Hermione was glad to have on more friend, as they all sat down once more to learn more.