The Weasley Twin (Harry Potter Love Story)

[20] Norbert's Escape

Something about the smile lurking on Malfoy's face during the next week made Harry, Ron, Hermione and I very nervous. We spent most of our free time in Hagrid's darkened hut, trying to reason with him.

"Just let him go," Harry urged.

"Set him free," I suggested.

"I can't," said Hagrid. "He's too little. He'd die."

We looked at the dragon. It had grown three times in length in just a week. Smoke kept furling out of its nostrils. Hagrid hadn't been doing his gamekeeping duties because the dragon was keeping him so busy. There were empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers all over the floor.

"I've decided to call him Norbert," said Hagrid, looking at the dragon with misty eyes. "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mommy?"

"He's lost his marbles," Ron muttered to Harry and me.

"Hagrid," said Harry loudly, "give it two weeks and Norbert's going to be as long as your house. Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment."

Hagrid bit his lip. "I -- I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't jus' dump him, I can't."

Harry suddenly turned to Ron. "Charlie," he said. I thought for a moment before I realized what he meant.

"You're losing it, too," Ron replied. "I'm Ron, remember?"

I rolled my eyes as I slapped my twin's arm. "No -- Charlie -- our brother, Charlie. In Romania. Studying dragons."

"We could send Norbert to him. Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!" Harry explained.

"Brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "How about it, Hagrid?"

And in the end, Hagrid agreed that we could send an owl to Charlie to ask him.

The following week dragged by. Wednesday night found Harry, Hermione, and me sitting alone in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to
bed. The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open.

Ron appeared out of nowhere as he pulled off Harry's invisibility cloak. He had been down at Hagrid's hut, helping him feed Norbert, who was now eating dead rats by the crate.

"It bit me!" he said, showing us his hand, which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby."

There was a tap on the dark window.

"It's Hedwig!" said Harry, hurrying to let her in. "She'll have Charlie's answer!"

Hedwig few in and landed on my lap. I smiled as I petted her smooth, white feathers.

The four of us put our heads together to read the note.

Dear Ron and Rory,

How are you two? Thanks for the letter -- I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.

Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.