Disclaimer - The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership.
A/N: Thanks to my beta Vettesr, and those kind enough to review.
Chapter 9: Norbert
Harry and Hermione were in the library researching spells when they spotted Hagrid skulking around the restricted section with a book in his hand. He tried to hide it when he saw them, but they cornered him and asked him what he was doing in the library.
"Oh, just a bit of light readin'," Hagrid said shiftily, trying to hide the book.
"Hagrid, is that a book on dragons?" asked Hermione.
"Yeh, thought I'd read up a bit on them."
"But Hagrid, you do know that keeping dragons is illegal in this country, don't you?" Hermione said.
Hagrid definitely looked shifty, and tried to change the subject. "How's lessons goin'?"
"Hagrid, do you want to tell us what you're up to with that book?" Harry asked, not taking the hint.
"C'mon down to me hut later. Keep it quiet, mind yeh. I'll have a surprise to show yeh."
Later, after classes and supper, the foursome made their way down to Hagrid's hut. Knocking, they heard the booming bark of Fang. Hagrid opened the door beckoning them in.
It was hot inside and Hagrid had a roaring fire going with a large kettle sitting atop it. Putting on a large pair of mitts, Hagrid reached into the kettle and retrieved a large egg. Placing it on the table, he bade them sit down.
"It's jus' about ready."
"Hagrid, is that a dragon's egg?" asked Hermione.
There was a series of small cracks starting to appear on the egg and suddenly it burst open. A strange scaly winged creature popped out, staggered a bit, hiccoughed and spit a bit of fire.
"Hagrid, that's a dragon!" Harry exclaimed. "You know it's illegal to raise dragons?"
But Hagrid didn't pay Harry any attention.
"Inn' he cute," sighed Hagrid. "Oh look, he recognises his mummy! Hello Norbert."
"Norbert?" asked Ron.
"Well he has ter have a name du'nt he?"
"Hagrid, you have a Wooden House!" exclaimed Hermione.
But again Hagrid seemed not to hear.
A movement at the window caught Harry's eye. "Malfoy! He's seen the dragon."
"Oh dear!" said Hagrid.
"We'd best be going," Ron said. "We don't want to be caught outside after dark."
Trooping back to the castle, they couldn't help but think that this could turn out very bad.
***
One evening the Headmaster called Harry and Hermione to his office. Thinking Malfoy had reported seeing them at Hagrid's with Norbert, they approached the Headmaster with trepidation. However, they were surprised when he addressed them.
"Harry, Hermione, I'd like to suggest a trip to Hermione's home to talk with her parents concerning your soul bond. Professor McGonagall and I can apparate the two of you there for a short visit if you'd like."
The two were very nervous about this not knowing how her parents would react.
Hermione was the first to react. "Um err… I know we have to talk to them, but I'm not sure how they will react sir. My father in particular was very wary in sending me here. Finding Harry and I soul bonded might be enough for him to withdraw me from school."
"Miss Granger, that won't be allowed to happen. When you entered the school, a magical contract was invoked and only I or the governors can have you removed. They can request you be removed, but if you or I disagree, there is nothing they can do about it. We would hate to lose your brilliant mind, and on top of that, the soul bond would not allow the two of you to be separate for any length of time. After a few weeks or months, you both would become very ill and unless brought together, could die. Minerva and I will of course accompany you to support you and help explain to your parents."
Hermione let out a breath she had not realized she had been holding. She hoped with the added support they could overcome this hurdle.
Harry also breathed a sigh of relief. He had been dreading this moment for weeks, but now that it had come, it seemed that they would have some support when they faced her parents.
"When can we go, sir? They both asked.
"Tomorrow morning, if that would be convenient, as it's a Saturday and there are no classes."
***
When they arrived at the Granger house, Mrs. Granger met them at the door.
"Hermione, what a surprise! Dan! Hermione's home," she called. "Come in, come in. And who have you brought with you?"
"Mother, may I introduce our Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, our Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall and this is Harry Potter, my best friend.
Harry smiled and nervously shook her hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you at last Mrs. Granger. Hermione has talked so much about you and Mr. Granger.
`What a fine looking boy, and so polite', she thought. `So this is the boy she's found as a friend.' "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Harry, Hermione has written so much about you."
After introductions were made to Hermione's father, they were invited to sit down.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I've taken the liberty to bring these two fine children home to you to tell you about a most unusual occurrence," the Headmaster stated. "I'll let Hermione tell it as it happened and I will provide some background on the matter. Be aware that this may be upsetting, but we at the school fully support them."
"Mum, Dad, I don't know how to say this, but something magical happened on the train to Hogwarts. I felt a strange sensation on the platform even before I boarded the train; almost a vibration inside of me. It got stronger as I boarded and continued as I made my way down the aisle.
When I met Harry, I shook his hand, and the most amazing thing happened. Somehow, we connected and a jolt of strong magic passed between our bodies. Both of us were dazed and couldn't speak for a couple of minutes. Neville and Ron noticed it as well, but had no explanation.
We sat down and started talking, getting to know each other. This is the weird part, suddenly I could hear Harry's thoughts, and he, mine. We could also see what the other one saw.
Harry turned a bright red in embarrassment at this.
"When we arrived at Hogwarts, I was sorted into Gryffindor House, but the sorting hat asked where my other half was. I was shocked! What did the hat mean? Then I thought of Harry, and a suspicion grew that maybe the hat meant him. When Harry was sorted, he confirmed my suspicions.
Harry told me the hat had said we were bonded! We weren't sure what that meant, so we asked Professor Dumbledore. He told us that we Soul Bonded and the bond would magnify our magic. The bond would eventually complete itself and form a marriage bond."
The Grangers were shocked at this revelation. Mr. Granger started to say something but the Headmaster interrupted at this point.
"I realize that this is a bit of a shock, and believe me, we were just as shocked when we found out. Since they are both powerful Witch and Wizard, we believe some ancient magic has selected them for a task that is beyond our present knowledge. Their magic seems to be bound together and separating them could prove fatal. Until we learn the reason for the bonding, we must do everything in our power to protect them. Even a few weeks apart could do serious harm to them both. A permanent separation would most likely kill them."
Harry continued the narration. "We've discovered that we really care for each other. The magic of the bond is pushing us, and it's hard to resist. This is an ancient magic and no one knows how it formed or why. We managed to find a book in the restricted section of the school library about Soul Bonding. It says that until the bond is complete, we will not be able to be separated for any length of time. I know that we're much too young to even think about marriage, so you don't have to worry about that. We're just sorting our feelings about each other now."
"I hope you will accept Harry as I have. We do everything together and our classes have shown that we are the top students.
The only people that know of our bond are Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, our friends Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom, and now you. We've sworn everyone to secrecy as this would cause an uproar in the school if anyone else knew."
Her Parents could only stare with open mouths, unable to comprehend what this meant.
Professor McGonagall took over. "Hermione and Harry are the top students in their year and are much more powerful than the rest their year. They've found good strong friendships with several others at the school and are well adjusted."
Mr. Granger finally found his voice. "Sir, surely you realize this can't be allowed to progress. Hermione's only twelve, hardly old enough to date, let alone be in a permanent relationship!"
"I'm afraid we have no choice Mr. Granger, to do otherwise would spell disaster for both of them. I urge you to accept the fact that they are magically bonded and, by the way, seem to be exceptionally happy about it."
"This is going to take some time to get used to. I'm holding you Headmaster, responsible to see nothing inappropriate happens between my daughter and this young boy. I don't want to be a grandfather just yet!"
"Dad! You can't be serious! We would never betray you like that.
"Mr. Granger," Harry interjected, "I have only the utmost respect for your daughter. I would never disrespect her. We may grow to love each other, but we both know we're too young for a family. I hope you can believe me when I say that Hermione's happiness is my first priority. I intend to protect her with my life if necessary."
"Harry, I know that I can trust you," Mrs. Granger replied. "My husband and I will try to understand the situation this puts everyone in regards to this matter. I can't say that we're too happy about this, but Hermione's happiness and safety is our first concern.
Mr. Granger looked like he might protest further, but a quick jab in the ribs by his wife silenced him. He most definitely didn't look happy.
After the group had portkeyed back to school, Mrs. Granger cornered her husband and prodded him in the chest. "Now you listen to me Dan, those two are not going to get married anytime soon, so get used to it dear. Can't you see how happy they make each other? Hermione hasn't had that look in her eyes before. She adores Harry, and it looks like Harry feels the same. A mother can always tell."
"But dear, they're so young! And the Headmaster said they would be drawn inexorably towards marriage when the bond is completed. I don't like this one bit!"
"Get used to it dear, unless you want the death of OUR DAUGHTER on your head! Not to mention Harry's as well. He's a sweet boy, Hermione could be very happy with him."
(Grumbles loudly). OK Jean, I give in, I certainly don't want to loose my daughter. I'd sure like to know how this happened though. (sighs).
***
Over the next few weeks, Hagrid refused to allow anyone to visit him. "Norbert's at a tricky stage right now. Nothin' that I can't handle tho."
They noticed several burns on Hagrid's arms.
Ron had received a nasty bite and was currently in the hospital wing. The bite had turned a nasty green, and he'd not wanted to go to Madam Pomfrey, but in the end, had to.
"You'll have to get rid of him Hagrid. If the ministry gets wind that you have a dragon, there'll be hell to pay. Besides, he's getting too big for your hut. He's already set fire to it once," Harry explained. "Ron's brother Charlie can take him to Romania where he'll be with his own kind."
Hagrid sniffed. "I know he can't stay here, but I've grown attached to him. I'll crate him up and have him ready when Charlie comes for him."
Ron had owled Charlie and Charlie said he'd be able to pick Norbert up on Saturday night after midnight, so people wouldn't notice.
At eleven thirty Harry, Hermione and Neville carried the crate with Norbert up to the Astronomy Tower. Getting everyone under the invisibility cloak was a bit tricky, but they made it unseen.
Charlie and three friends came by right at midnight and picked Norbert up, slinging the crate between them. After Norbert was out of sight they heard footsteps and Argus Filch came wheezing around the corner.
Caught! Harry had forgotten to put the invisibility cloak back on.
Hauled in front on Professor McGonagall, they were surprised to find Draco there as well.
"Draco was telling me some tall story about you three and a dragon. Well, nothing excuses being out of bed at this hour. Fifty points each will be taken from the four of you, and you'll serve detention."
"Excuse me Professor, perhaps I misheard you, you said four of us?" Draco asked.
"You heard correctly Mr. Malfoy, as you were out of bed as well," said the Professor.
They had lost Gryffindor one hundred and fifty points in one night!
The next day, the students of Gryffindor thought there must be a mistake. It looked like they had lost one hundred and fifty points overnight! They soon learned that a certain three students were responsible. Dirty looks and caustic comments followed the trio around all week. Only Ron understood what happened, but since he couldn't tell anyone, they had to suffer in silence. Even Wood and the rest of the team wouldn't talk to them. Harry offered to resign, but Wood refused to accept, saying that then they wouldn't have any seeker, since Hermione was in his bad books as well.
Even Neville didn't escape the torment, even if he was looked on as only a bit player in the fiasco. Shamefaced, the trio kept their heads down and eyes on their books.
A week later, they were told of their detention; they were to serve it with Hagrid. Feeling a bit better, they prepared for the late evening visit to Hagrid's hut.
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