Chapter 215: Fire Dragon Emerges from the Shell

Ron’s shout shattered Hermione’s impression that he still understood some knowledge.

“Don’t be foolish, Ron. Dragon eggs must be hatched over fire.”

After Hermione explained again, exasperated, Ron finally pulled his dropped jaw back up.

Then the young wizards all crowded onto the few small stools in Hagrid’s cabin.

After greeting them, Wizard Sean studied the knowledge on dragon rearing while using a fire spell to warm the egg—this mimicked the mother dragon breathing on her egg.

The searing flame scorched the egg and turned Hagrid’s cabin unbearably hot.

Especially since Hagrid had closed every window and pulled the curtains tightly shut.

Harry felt he was about to sweat through his robes.

“Glad to see you all—and you too, Jia Jia Siting.”

Hagrid first spoke to Harry’s trio, then turned to Jia Jia Siting.

“Wizard Sean’s mentioned you many times, Hagrid. I’m truly glad to meet a magical creatures expert today.”

Jia Jia Siting said.

“Oh, how can you say that? There’s so much to know about magical creatures—how could I possibly be an expert?”

Hagrid grew shy in return.

Harry and the others were skeptical; while Harry vaguely trusted Hagrid, Hermione and Ron thought Jia Jia Siting was overdoing it—this wasn’t like him at all.

But after Jia Jia Siting’s next words, everyone nodded with expressions of “Ah, that explains it.”

“Wizard Sean said so.”

“Is that true?”

Hagrid turned eagerly toward Wizard Sean, whose head was hidden behind his book.

The book slowly lowered; Wizard Sean’s calm green eyes met Hagrid’s and gave a silent nod.

He was more than an expert—Hagrid was barely a step from being a master; just the fact that he could befriend centaurs was extraordinary.

Hagrid puffed out his chest; his emotions were always obvious, and now his grin wouldn’t fade—he insisted they try the weasel sandwiches.

Only after much polite refusal did the young wizards manage to decline.

Then they began discussing the dragon’s name.

Seizing the moment, Jia Jia Siting asked:

“Hagrid, I remember this is my first time visiting your cabin...”

His meaning was clear: how could Hagrid possibly know him?

“Oh, you’ve been here a whole week already—”

Hagrid pointed to a parchment map with only three names: Wizard Sean, Hagrid, Jia Jia Siting.

It was Wizard Sean’s latest experimental version, slightly larger than the previous one.

It now included most of the castle and the Forbidden Forest.

For corridors on different castle floors, the map even projected a precise 3D miniature—leaving Jia Jia Siting momentarily stunned.

“Truly remarkable alchemy...”

He murmured.

The dragon was ultimately named Norbert.

Everyone was satisfied with the name; they left Hagrid’s cabin under the night sky.

“When the dragon hatches, I’ll use ‘it’ to notify you!”

Hagrid held up the plan map at the door; Harry and the others had no idea what it was.

“Wizard Sean—if I’m not mistaken—”

Hermione instantly recognized it as Wizard Sean’s plan map.

“Still in testing.”

Wizard Sean nodded.

Harry and Ron were utterly confused; they assumed the two were using some encrypted communication.

But soon they had no time to wonder about it.

Professors assigned more and more homework, and the first-year year-end exams drew nearer.

Hermione’s revision plan grew more urgent; each day was filled with both enrichment and exhaustion.

Wizard Sean remained busy, placing everyone in the cabin on the plan map and casting the Disillusionment Charm. When needed, names appeared; when not, they vanished.

Similarly, if someone didn’t wish to share their location, they could deactivate their trace by touching a button.

After all, constantly exposing one’s whereabouts was simply unacceptable.

That day, Wizard Sean’s plan map was ten experience points shy of [Expert]. Just as he prepared to make one for each cabin member, the label “Hagrid” flashed a red exclamation mark.

After Wizard Sean tapped it lightly with his wand, Hagrid’s large headshot popped up, reading: “Request for Gathering.”

The cabin members were still studying; Wizard Sean tapped the table lightly, and all eyes turned to him.

“The dragon’s about to hatch.”

Ron immediately wanted to skip Herbology and rush straight to Hagrid’s cabin.

Hermione firmly disagreed.

“Hermione, how many times in our lives will we see a baby dragon hatch?”

“We have class—we’ll get in trouble if we skip. If anyone finds out what Hagrid’s doing, he’ll suffer worse than we will—”

Their argument carried from the cabin to the greenhouse, until Harry suddenly spoke up:

“Stop—”

Hermione’s words seemed to have come true: Draco Malfoy stood there, listening—no telling how much he’d heard.

Their expressions darkened instantly.

Though the faces of the cabin members inside the castle were grim, Wizard Sean near the edge of the Forbidden Forest looked expectant.

He had no classes that afternoon and arrived early; now he sat with Hagrid, watching the egg.

Some creatures form stronger bonds with the first being they see after birth; Wizard Sean didn’t know if dragons did the same, but he couldn’t help feeling curious.

The egg lay on the table, cracked deeply; something inside moved constantly, producing a playful clicking sound.

“Oh—Harry, why haven’t they arrived yet—”

Hagrid paced anxiously inside the cabin.

Finally, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jia Jia Siting arrived—Ron still clutching his Herbology spade; they’d slipped out during recess.

Under everyone’s gaze, the dragon hatched.

Newborn creatures always seem charming through a filter; though it resembled a crumpled black umbrella, it still stirred in them the joy of welcoming new life.

Amid this joy, Wizard Sean heard the system’s voice:

【You gained the affection of the magical creature Norwegian Ridgeback (Norbert) by meeting master-level standards. Experience +300】

The voice startled Wizard Sean—he didn’t even notice the dragon crawling toward him.

The baby dragon sneezed, spitting a few sparks; then Hagrid cried out excitedly:

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

Hagrid’s “beautiful” baby dragon curiously crawled toward Wizard Sean, then toward his wand; when its nose brushed Wizard Sean’s finger,

Hagrid couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke its head.

The dragon bit his finger, revealing sharp, elongated fangs.

“Good heavens, look—it recognizes its mother!”

Hagrid exclaimed.

“I think... it prefers Wizard Sean.”

Hermione was unconvinced.