Chapter 36: “Staying Away”

When the two were walking to Hagrid’s hut, Hermione still looked at him suspiciously.

“A different type of magical beast that I’ve never seen before?”

Sean put his hands in the bag and replied with a smile, “Hermione, this description is not accurate. There are too many animals you haven’t seen.”

She glanced at him unconvinced, “It’s written in the book, and there are pictures of them.”

“The pictures are still quite different from the actual animals.”

“Well…” Hermione muttered.

When the two came to Hagrid’s hut, they found a temporary shed beside it, which was covered with black cloth. Hagrid just came out from the other side of the shed and greeted them when he saw them.

“Oh, Sean, there you are. Who is this?”

Before Sean could speak, Hermione quickly introduced herself, “Hermione Granger, sir. A first-year Ravenclaw student, I’m Sean’s… friend.”

Hagrid wiped vigorously on his coat, then shook hands with Hermione.

“Nice to meet you, Hermione.” He turned his head to Sean again, “I was just about to ask an owl to bring you a letter, but I didn’t expect you to come by yourself.”

“Are the MacFustys coming soon?”

Hagrid nodded, “Yes, they set off in a hurry when they heard the news. It is estimated that they will arrive in the afternoon.”

“MacFusty?” Hermione’s voice interjected, “The wizard clan responsible for raising the Hebridean Black Dragon?”

“Oh, are you also very interested in dragons?” Hagrid suddenly became more enthusiastic.

“Interested?” Hermione glanced at Sean suspiciously, then suddenly widened her eyes again, “Wait, you?!”

Sean lifted the curtain of the shed, “See it for yourself.”

Hermione poked her head over and was surprised at what she just saw, “A dragon?!”

Sean walked into the shed. The dragon was still drowsy. It smelled Sean’s scent and then turned its head in the direction of Sean.

Sean smiled and stroked a few times, then turned his head to Hermione and said, “Would you like to touch him? It feels good, as long as you are careful with those thorns.”

Hermione lowered her voice, “Unbelievable, Sean! You actually raised a dragon with Hagrid?! My God, you guys are going to be in a lot of trouble.”

“No, Hermione.” Sean repeated what happened last night.

“So that’s how it is.” Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

Sean winked at her, “Do you want to touch it now?”

When the three of them sat in Hagrid’s hut, Hermione still had an excited look on her face, “I actually touched a dragon!”

“There’s still a chance in the future. Thank you, Hagrid.” Sean thanked Hagrid for bringing hot tea and cookies.

After secretly reminding Hermione not to touch the rock cake, Sean chatted happily with Hagrid. It has to be said that Hagrid’s knowledge of magical beasts is extremely rich. Both Sean and Hermione are fascinated by this.

In the afternoon, the members of the MacFusty clan came. They were wearing dark robes and thick windproof cloaks and brought a huge specially-made cage.

“Thank you.” After putting the dragon in, they shook hands with Hagrid and Sean.

The dragon had already woken up most of the time. It bit the cage eagerly and looked at Sean aggrievedly with its big bright purple eyes. Sean smiled and put his hand on its head, conveying his feelings earnestly.

“Act nicely. This is not the place for you to stay. You are going back to your place now.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The dragon let out a pitiful cry. The dragon’s might was gone. Instead, it was like a puppy that was about to be abandoned.

Sean rubbed its head hard, “It’s time for you to go home. If there is a chance in the future, I will come to you again.”

With the reluctant roar of the dragon, the MacFusty’s wizards rode on their brooms.

The person in the lead looked at Sean deeply, and he stroked his chest to greet him, “Thank you again for your help. The door to the Hebrides is always open for you, and I look forward to seeing you again.”

Sean sighed melancholy when the broomstick and the cage hanging below disappeared into the sky.

Hagrid patted his shoulder and said sadly, “I understand how you feel. It’s a pity that we can’t raise a dragon.”

Sean smiled helplessly. He always felt that Hagrid meant something different from what he thought.

When the two said goodbye to Hagrid, Sean suddenly remembered something. He asked Hagrid, who was about to leave for the Forbidden Forest, “When did Professor Kettleburn leave last night?”

“Last night? After I moved the dragon, he helped me dispose of the animal corpses on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Poor animals. Professor Kettleburn and I were busy until the early morning, and it was almost dawn when he returned.”

Sean’s expression froze. Then who was the Kettleburn who was chatting with him yesterday?

“Didn’t Professor Kettleburn leave on his way back to the castle?” He asked.

Hagrid gave him a strange look but answered truthfully, “It’s been a while since there’s a lot of stuff going on that night, but I think he left earlier than me. What’s wrong?”

Sean breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows were still furrowed because that wasn’t what Professor Kettleburn said last night.

Sean told Hagrid about his encounter with this Professor Kettleburn.

Hagrid laughed loudly, “Professor Kettleburn is always like that. He likes to joke around and frame me from time to time. Because he’s trying to gain everyone’s attention on who should care for the animals. There’s nothing to worry about that, Sean. It’s all alright.”

Sean didn’t continue to ask. There must be something wrong with Professor Kettleburn, and Professor Quirrell’s behavior last night is not normal.

Saying goodbye to Hagrid, Hermione was a bit curious about his story, but Sean didn’t want to involve her. Moreover, he didn’t find any clues about Voldemort existing, and there should be no problem with Dumbledore at Hogwarts.

To add, Dumbledore has a partner whom he has a still relationship with. Sean decided to tell Dumbledore about the bathroom conversation he heard last night and leave it to the adults.

Back at the castle, he directly told Professor Flitwick what he had heard last night. The professor nodded, indicating that he understood, and sent him back to his common room.

Sean shrugged after leaving the office. He said everything he needed to say. If he could, he would prefer to stay away from all of this.