Chapter 213: The Dragon Egg
"Oh, I'll count on you, Sean. After feeding the Thestrals, come with me to the library to fetch some books."
Hagrid seemed a little bashful. He appeared to want to say something but held back out of worry.
"What do you think of dragons? Those tiny... oh, cute little things."
On the way to feed the Thestrals, Hagrid asked tentatively.
"Newly arrived dragon eggs need to be kept in the fire," Sean said, recalling the large egg tucked under a quilt in Hagrid's hut.
"Oh—blimey—"
Hagrid threw down the raw meat he was carrying.
"Please go with Fang, Sean! I have to go back. My, uh... my stomach's feeling a bit funny..."
Hagrid's voice faded into the distance.
Sean sighed. It seemed he needed to get those books for Hagrid quickly, like Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit. Although a bit outdated, its content was comprehensive.
At least it would advise against putting dragon eggs under quilts.
Hagrid likely knew this, but he had been so excited all day that Sean reckoned he had simply forgotten in his enthusiasm.
Since his proficiency with Thestrals was just a sliver away from the next level, Sean walked briskly toward the patch of woodland.
A tall, skeletal, jet-black winged horse appeared before him.
Sean stroked the base of its neck upwards, a technique Hagrid had taught him that Thestrals found very comforting.
[You have gained the affection of the Magical Beast Thestral (Wuwu) to the Adept standard. Proficiency +10]
[A new Magical Creature domain title has been unlocked. Please check.]
Hmm?
Sean realized he had forgotten about this. The Adept-level title in the Magical Creature domain required affinity with three magical creatures at the Adept level.
So far, the magical creatures close to Sean were Mrs. Norris the Kneazle, Wuwu the Thestral, and Tila the Bowtruckle.
The Magical Creature domain didn't seem to encourage widespread affinity with random creatures, but rather turning those around you into true companions.
Therefore, the Novice title required three slightly friendly creatures, and the Adept title required three as well, just at a higher affinity level.
Having figured this out, Sean looked down:
[Title: Magical Beast Affinity Holder]
[Significantly increases affinity with Magical Beasts. Significantly increases understanding of Magical Beasts.]
Before Sean could even ponder what "significantly increases affinity" entailed, he saw the usually reclusive Bowtruckles suddenly stir. When he looked at them, their antennae perked up, signifying curiosity and happiness.
Wuwu let out a cry, and the Bowtruckles hid again, except for Tila, who lay on top of Sean's head and dared to reach out a twig-like hand to touch Wuwu.
Hmm... it seems because of me, the affinity between the magical creatures has also increased.
The most crucial preparation for the Thestral Biscuit was complete. After finishing the feeding task, Sean took out his Planning Map.
The red exclamation mark over the Forbidden Forest had disappeared, while the one over the Alchemy Office lit up.
The International Alchemical Symposium was drawing near, and Sean had little time left to create the Thestral Biscuit.
On this sunny and breezy day.
Sean walked into Hagrid's hut.
Fang rubbed against Sean's legs. Sean patted his head, preparing to leave.
Fang seemed docile at Sean's feet, but he was a powerhouse in the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid had told Sean:
"As long as you're with me or Fang, no creature in the Forbidden Forest will harm you."
Sean noticed a large, black egg sitting right in the center of the fire, underneath the kettle.
Sean knew it was the reason the hut was stiflingly hot.
It was also the reason Hagrid was stoking a roaring fire on such a warm, sunny day.
"Goodbye, Hagrid."
Sean prepared to leave. It would be difficult to gain affinity with an unhatched dragon.
"I don't know how to thank you, Sean. Please, have some tea before you go..."
Hagrid stood up from his bed and bustled about to make Sean tea.
Sean took a sip but politely declined the stoat sandwiches Hagrid offered.
"Alright, Sean, I think you've guessed it... sharp-eyed lad, nothing escapes you..."
He said, half-embarrassed and half-expectant.
"I can't do it alone, of course. I'd like to ask you to help me take care of this little fellow. Would you be willing..."
"I'd be happy to help."
Sean nodded. Hagrid hummed a tune in delight and walked Sean to the edge of the forest.
"Goodbye. See you tomorrow."
He wanted to give Sean a hug, but Sean, remembering how his ribs nearly snapped last time, dodged nimbly.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
"Ha—sorry, my fault, I forgot again—I'll remember next time—"
Hagrid's big face turned red with embarrassment.
The ritual for the Thestral Biscuit was perfected smoothly. With the experience from the previous two times, Sean was becoming increasingly familiar with the process.
While making the biscuits, Hagrid asked him to help fetch some books from the library.
But later, Hagrid gave up reading them when he realized he had a living library right beside him.
"Let me see... vertical ridges, black egg... Oh, Sean, do you know what kind of dragon this is..."
"Norwegian Ridgeback."
"That's rare. It says here to remember something after it hatches..."
"Feed it a bucket of brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. That's from Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit."
"It says here to be careful, but doesn't say what of..."
"Careful of its venomous fangs and its ability to breathe fire at an early age."
Hagrid lacked much knowledge about raising dragons. Fortunately, his initial embarrassment about constantly asking Sean faded, and he eventually just asked shamelessly, solving the embarrassment problem.
Despite one being huge and the other small, the giant always seemed to listen to the little wizard.
This made Harry and Ron, who came to visit, feel a bit strange.
Even stranger was how practiced their interaction was, as if they had been getting along like this for years.
April was approaching.
A warm wind blew from the Scottish coast, warming the entire Hogwarts castle.
The cold of winter seemed to be passing, and Sean's alchemy had made significant progress.
He had completed half of the progression tasks for the Expert title and created the Thestral Biscuit.
In the days to come, after the dragon hatched, he would have ample time to observe it, increase affinity, and build his dragon army.
But now they faced a problem—what to name the dragon?
(End of Chapter)
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