Harry Potter And The Lord Of Darkness - Chapter 22

“Hermione, the exams are ages away.”

“Ten weeks,” Hermione snapped. “That’s not ages, that’s like a second to Nicolas Flamel. Could you check over this for me Arthur, to see if I haven’t missed anything?”

As Arth took up the series of notes Hermione had taken, Ron scoffed.

“But we’re not six hundred years old. Anyway, what are you studying for, you already know it all.”

Arth took it upon himself to answer, “It helps to refresh your memory from time to time-”

“What am I studying for? Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into the second year?”

“. . . .”

“They’re very important,” Hermione continued, “I should have started studying a month ago, I don’t know what’s gotten into me….”

“It’s ok to to be concerned about your grades but I think-”

“Blimey Hermione, you still have more than two months left. You need to learn how to have fun a little.”

“. . . .”

“Fun? How can anyone have fun when exams are ten weeks away? Are you ok Arthur? You seem a bit annoyed. Is something bothering you?”

“. . . . It’s nothing.”

“Now that you mention it, why are you quiet these days?” Asked Ron innocently, “I mean you weren’t much of a talker before but now it’s almost as if you are invisible.”

“. . . .”

Corvus, who sat on top of Arth’s head gave Ron a derisive look.

As the Exams got closer and closer, the teachers handed out more homework than ever before. Students started cramming into the library more frequently and the overall air of the school got more tense.

Arth happened to be in the library one morning, attempting to ignore the giggles of a particular batch of students when he saw a big man enter.

Arth recalled the man as the person who had led them from the train to the castle on the first day of school. He also remembered that Harry considered the man as a close friend. He also vaguely remembered that the man was allegedly the game keeper of Hogwarts and a man trusted by Dumbledore.

Arth observed the man called Hagrid with a curious gaze as he walked around the isles, looking nervous and suspicious.

Arth packed his stuff and made his way to Hagrid, curious at what he would be looking for.

Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland, Arth raised an eyebrow. “Hello Hagrid, friend of Harry, if you want to learn about a certain dragon species, I recommend the book, Dragons and their Native Areas: Edition thirty six. It provides a simpler description but includes a variety of species from those in America to the eastern Philippines.”

“Blimey! Yeh scared me er-”

“Arthur, I’m Arthur Kingscrown. A friend of Harry as well.”

“Oh! You’re Arthur. Harry mentioned yeh a couple of times indeed he did. Called you as smart as Hermione but a little less talkative and a lot less stressful.”

Arth shrugged. “Do you need help with dragons? Did you find a particular species that you can’t identify? Or maybe you wish to tame one? It could always be just to sate your curiosity, I’m fine with that too.”

Hagrid let out a chuckle. “I thought Harry said that you weren’t a talker?”

Arthur smiled back. “It’s because we are talking about dragons. They are fascinating creatures really, and seriously misunderstood.”

Arth noticed that Hagrid’s face seemed to glaze over. “Yer right about that, er, yer don’t happen to have books on raising dragons do you?”

“On the contrary, I have a lot. From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper’s Guide is a good one. It tells you the basic from incubation the egg all the way to what to do when the dragon hatches.”

Hagrid nodded his head as he bustled to go find the book. After he found it, he sat down and started to read while squinting his eyes. “Er, Arthur?”

“Yes?” Replied Arth eagerly, “what is it?”

“Yer read this book right? Do you still remember what’s in it?”

“I do, it was one of my favorites.”

Hagrid hesitated, “can yer keep a secret?”

Arth raised an eyebrow. “Depends.”

Hagrid glanced around to see if anyone was listening before leaning in to whisper. “I got me self an egg down at me hut. Would yer like to help me. . . . Raise it?”

Arth widened his eyes before whispering back to Hagrid. “Hagrid, it’s illegal to keep dragons in England! Do you who know what the consequences will be if you get caught?”

Hagrid looked as if he was regretting his decision as he stared at Arth with pitiful eyes. “Will yer help me or not?”

Arth quickly grabbed Hagrid’s arm and pulled him out of the library. “Why the heck would I refuse? It’s not everyday someone is given the chance to raise a dragon. Lead the way Hagrid, friend of Harry. I feel like breaking a few laws today.”

No wonder Dumbledore trusted Hagrid, Hagrid was a man of culture.