Malfoy, energized by his temporary status as an essential member of the conspiracy and the promise of a live dragon, was the first to answer the professor. He pushed Harry slightly aside, eager to present the immediate crisis.
"That's exactly the problem, Professor Swann," Malfoy declared, his tone almost businesslike. "The dragon is showing signs of imminent hatching. Cracks are audible. We're discussing pre-emptive damage control and, more importantly, extraction logistics."
He gestured dismissively toward the trio. "Hagrid, in his monumental idiocy, initially planned to simply relocate the hatched beast to a den deep within the Forbidden Forest so he could visit it daily. He genuinely believes he can conceal a Norwegian Ridgeback—a creature that breathes jets of flame and grows faster than a teenage troll—in an area that is frequently patrolled by staff and students, and is the border of a heavily monitored magic sanctuary."
"That," Sebastian conceded, raising a skeptical eyebrow, "is indeed a difficult proposition. The Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts is vast, but concealing a creature that possesses the power of flight and the temperament of a belligerent furnace is challenging. Even if it is a hatchling, its inevitable growth and need to hunt would make secrecy impossible, let alone the unavoidable smoke plumes."
"Who could argue with that?" Malfoy scoffed, throwing an acid glare at Ron, who bristled instantly.
"The Ministry of Magic has particularly severe restrictions on dragon husbandry. If the breach was that simple—if a simple Disillusionment Charm could hide a growing Ridgeback—I assure you, I would have already petitioned my father to procure one for the Manor grounds years ago. The cost isn't the issue; the legal and magical risk is absolute."
Malfoy then lowered his voice, adopting the hushed, confidential tone of a genuine Slytherin plot.
"My initial suggestion was, quite logically, to draft a letter to my father, Lucius Malfoy, asking for a discreet, high-level diplomatic solution—a removal under official pretense. He has contacts in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. But, of course, these three, including Weasley, vetoed the only sensible option."
"We absolutely cannot accept that!" Ron shouted, pushing off the armrest of his chair and his face turning a furious red. "If your father finds out, he will definitely use it to gain political leverage, or worse, expose Hagrid to the Ministry of Magic directly just to show off his power! We'd all be implicated, Professor Swann. He can't be trusted."
"My opinion," Ron insisted, turning to Sebastian, "is still the safest, if difficult. My brother Charlie works with dragons in the Romanian Sanctuary. We could arrange for him to come secretly and collect the dragon immediately after it hatches."
"Hmph! And what precisely do you imagine Hogwarts is, Weasley? A common railway station where anyone can simply apparate in?" Malfoy sneered, his voice laced with superior scorn.
"The entire campus is protected by a complex, ancient layer of magic designed to repel unauthorized entry. Attempting to fly in on a broomstick, even under the cover of night, would certainly trigger wards designed to alert Headmaster Dumbledore instantly. The only reason Hagrid hasn't been discovered yet is that the egg is still dormant, not moving. Your plan is the height of idiotic sentimentality."
Ron was too incensed to formulate a coherent comeback, his eyes seeking validation and support from Sebastian.
"Unfortunately, Ron," Sebastian said, shrugging slightly in agreement with Malfoy, "Draco is largely correct on this point. Flying in without Dumbledore's implicit consent is, for all practical purposes, impossible. The enchantments around this castle are unique. Charlie couldn't sneak past them on a broom, or even using Apparition, without alerting the Headmaster."
Sebastian's mind, always running several steps ahead of the visible plot, briefly reflected on the original sequence of events.
In the original story, the children succeeded only because Dumbledore allowed it. Their success was not a demonstration of their stealth, but of his calculated, benevolent oversight.
Sebastian remembered that shortly after the dragon's departure, Harry's Invisibility Cloak had mysteriously reappeared in Dumbledore's possession, a subtle sign that the Headmaster had been watching, probably utilizing a Disillusionment Charm to observe the entire chaotic removal from a distance.
Dumbledore is aware of the egg, or at least the high probability of its existence, and is using it to gauge the children's loyalty and ingenuity.
Since Sebastian's involvement, however, the dynamic had changed; Dumbledore was now waiting to see how Sebastian would resolve the mess, testing the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor's administrative abilities, as much as testing the students.
Realizing that direct action or external intervention was impossible, Sebastian concluded that the solution could only come from within the boundaries of the school, and it had to involve a change of narrative, not a change of logistics.
"We are getting ahead of ourselves," Sebastian announced, standing up. The movement instantly commanded the attention of all four children. "We are debating a solution for a problem that is currently Hagrid's to solve. Before we devise a strategy to eliminate the evidence, we must first consult the chief custodian of the beast. We need to go see Hagrid."
The walk to Hagrid's hut was short, filled with the tense silence of four children who knew they were about to expose a beloved friend to a very serious legal reckoning. Sebastian knocked once, a sharp, authoritative rap that was quickly followed by a heavy shuffle from inside.
The door creaked open, and Hagrid's massive form filled the frame. His face, usually ruddy and beaming, was pale and etched with worry, and he was covered in soot. When his eyes registered Sebastian and, more alarmingly, the quartet of children behind him, his panic was palpable.
"Professor Swann! What—what are yeh doin' here?" Hagrid stammered, his eyes darting wildly. "And yeh four… yeh knew 'bout this from the start, didn't yeh?"
Hagrid's voice dropped to a barely audible rumble, thick with self-reproach. He hadn't expected the children's loyalty to crumble under the pressure of their professor's authority. Now, his biggest fear was realized: the professor knew, and soon, Dumbledore would know, and he would lose his job—his home.
"Everyone, come in," Hagrid whispered, pulling the door open wide. "Don't leave the door open too long, the room won't get warm enough…"
Inside the hut, the atmosphere was oppressive, thick with heat and the faint, sulfurous smell of charcoal. Hagrid knelt by the massive fireplace, staring sullenly at the egg, which lay nestled deep within the burning embers. Tiny cracks had begun to spiderweb across the shell's surface.
Hermione, seeing the genuine, raw distress on Hagrid's face, felt her heart melt and immediately went to his side.
"Don't worry, Hagrid," she said, placing a tentative hand on his massive, trembling arm. "Professor Swann is here to help you. We explained everything."
"Help? I don't need help," Hagrid muttered, his voice choked with emotion, sounding dangerously close to a sob. He rubbed his eyes with a fist the size of a tea kettle.
"This little dragon needs me! It needs my care, or it'll be born alone and die cold! I just wanted to bring one up, to give it a proper start… why is that so difficult?"
Seeing Hagrid's utter devotion, Sebastian chose his moment carefully. He didn't offer a small fix; he offered a life-altering opportunity, a genuine chance to pursue his passion legally.
"Hagrid," Sebastian began, his voice warm and persuasive.
"I admire your compassion. But compassion must be tempered by legality and practicality. I actually know a way you can do this openly and legitimately. A way that ensures you not only raise this creature but become recognized for your passion. Would you be interested in a new job? A Dragon Tamer?"
Hagrid shot up to his full, immense height, his gaze fixing on Sebastian with sudden, desperate intensity. "A Tamer? What method? I'd do anything to raise this little beauty!"
"I have vested interests, Hagrid. I am a shareholder in a large, private Dragon Reserve—think of it as a specialized farm and sanctuary combined. I can arrange for you and this creature to go there. Permanently."
Sebastian began to paint a vivid picture, using the seductive power of a realized dream.
"Imagine, Hagrid. You would immediately transform from a simple Forest Gamekeeper into a Master Dragon Tamer. You wouldn't just be raising this one Norwegian Ridgeback; you could apply your unique insight to other magnificent beasts. You could work with the most docile and visually stunning Welsh Green Dragons, the most beautiful and complex Australian Antipodean Opaleyes, the strongest and most volatile Hungarian Horntails…"
He let the names hang in the air, imagining the sheer joy the work would bring to the half-giant. "You could raise any dragon you wished, legally, respected, and paid handsomely for your passion. Doesn't that sound infinitely better than secrecy and fear?"
Hagrid's eyes widened, shimmering with the beautiful scenes Sebastian had described—a life lived in communion with the most powerful magical creatures. He could practically feel the rough hide of a full-grown Antipodean Opaleye, see the protective mothering of a Welsh Green.
But the joy was short-lived. A sudden, crushing realization forced his shoulders to slump. To become a Dragon Tamer, he would have to resign his post as Gamekeeper. He would have to leave Hogwarts, leave the Forbidden Forest, leave Dumbledore.
Hagrid's eyes slowly narrowed, the longing replaced by deep, abiding loyalty. "I'm sorry, Professor Swann. I can't accept your kindness. I appreciate the offer, more than ye can know, but as long as Albus Dumbledore is Headmaster of Hogwarts, I must remain here as his guardian of the Forest. I promised him I'd look after the place."
He then looked down at the cracking egg, his expression utterly defeated. "I know I can't keep this little thing here. I just… I wanted to hatch it. Just a month. Give it a start before I found it a good home."
Sebastian had expected the rejection. Hagrid's loyalty to Dumbledore was absolute and immovable. However, the offer had established Sebastian as an ally, not an antagonist. Now, it was time to deploy the leverage.
"One month, Hagrid?" Sebastian's voice echoed softly, filled with a tone of severe disappointment. "That is simply not an option. You misunderstand the rate of growth of a Ridgeback. In a month, this creature will be the size of a small pony, capable of incinerating your entire wooden hut, and certainly beyond your physical control. The secret will be out in days, not weeks."
Sebastian shifted his weight, using his full rhetorical force to paint the worst-case scenario. This was not a threat, but a statement of inevitable consequence.
"Hagrid, I ask you directly: Do you want to force Headmaster Dumbledore to resign?"
Hagrid recoiled, his face stricken with horror. "How could ye even suggest that, Professor? I would never demand Albus's resignation! He's the best wizard who ever lived!"
"Then why are you forcing this crisis upon him?" Sebastian countered, his voice sharp but quiet.
"In one month, your little home will be structurally insufficient. Your dragon breeding secret will be revealed by the subsequent fireball and the frantic chase through the grounds. At that point, the Ministry will have no choice but to intervene. You will be sent to Azkaban, Hagrid, but more significantly, Dumbledore, who championed your employment despite your history, will be forced to answer for a flagrant breach of the Statute of Secrecy. His position as Headmaster will be permanently compromised, and he will be forced to relinquish it in disgrace."
He held Hagrid's terrified gaze. "Is this what you wish to see? Azkaban for you, and the end of Dumbledore's reign over Hogwarts because of your momentary selfishness?"
Hagrid slumped, the immense weight of the argument crushing him. "No… never. Not that, Professor. Anything but that."
"Good," Sebastian affirmed, his voice returning to a kind but firm register. "Then we agree on the timeline. You may keep the creature only for one week after it hatches. One week for it to imprint upon you and for you to say your goodbyes. Then, I will personally see to its secure transfer to the Dragon Reserve."
Hermione let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief, the tension draining from her shoulders. One week was a manageable disaster.
"But Professor," Hermione asked, her concern returning, "how do we hide its existence, even for a week, and how can you send it off without the Headmaster knowing? We don't want him thinking you are involved in illegal activity!"
"Hide it?" Sebastian smiled, an expansive, disarming expression that promised brilliant mischief. "Miss Granger, why would we hide anything? Not only will we not hide it from the Headmaster, but we will formally notify the Ministry of Magic and call the Daily Prophet to ensure this little dragon gets the most stylish, public farewell on record."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged stupefied glances. Malfoy's jaw dropped slightly. They looked at Sebastian as if he had just spontaneously decided to teach Transfiguration while wearing a tutu.
"Are you insane?" Ron mouthed silently.
"Do not worry," Sebastian said confidently, waving a hand dismissively. "We simply need to execute a perfect white lie. A change of narrative so profound, so admirable, that the problem instantly becomes a heroic solution."
He paused for dramatic effect, ensuring he had the undivided, captivated attention of all five occupants of the hut.
"The key to this entire operation," Sebastian explained, his voice low, measured, and hypnotic, "is simple: Hagrid's job description. He is the Gamekeeper, the Ranger. He is tasked with patrolling the Forbidden Forest and maintaining the border with the rest of the school."
The children nodded in unison.
"While patrolling the Forest," Sebastian continued, pacing slowly across the crowded hut floor,
"Hagrid, in his dutiful capacity, encountered a dark wizard—a rogue element, a smuggler of illegal goods—who was secretly attempting to incubate a dragon egg on the school grounds for nefarious purposes. Hagrid, utilizing his immense strength and intimate knowledge of the area, chased down the villain, who, in his haste to escape the vigilance of the Hogwarts staff, abandoned the dragon egg and fled."
He paused, letting the first piece of the new narrative settle. "Makes perfect sense, does it not? A Dark Wizard leaves illegal loot behind."
The children nodded again, already seeing the compelling logic.
"Secondly, upon discovering that the dragon egg was on the verge of hatching," Sebastian continued, his voice rising in triumphant admiration, "Hagrid, demonstrating a profound sense of responsibility and compassion for magical creatures, took the egg upon himself to ensure the successful birth of the creature, preventing the death of an innocent, albeit dangerous, magical life. This shows him as a gentle custodian, not an illegal breeder."
"Finally, and most crucially," Sebastian concluded, his eyes shining with the brilliance of his own political maneuver, "Hagrid then proactively reports the entire incident to the Ministry of Magic, informing them that he has secured the illegal contraband and requires the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to dispatch a team to retrieve the endangered creature for transfer to a secure, registered reserve."
"Do you see?" Sebastian asked, a slow, wide grin spreading across his face. "We are not smuggling a pet out of the country; we are participating in a high-profile, law-abiding seizure of illegally obtained magical contraband, ensuring the creature's welfare and enhancing Hagrid's reputation as a vigilant, courageous Ranger. Hagrid becomes a hero, a law-abiding wizard whose quick thinking saved a rare animal."
The silence in the hut was absolute, broken only by the faint, rhythmic tap-tap of the dragon's heartbeat inside the egg.
Then, Malfoy let out a low, drawn-out sound of pure, unadulterated awe. He stared at Sebastian, his face suddenly alight with fervent respect, his earlier resentment completely forgotten.
"Brilliant," Malfoy breathed, the word a reverent whisper. "Professor Swann, that is the single most beautiful piece of narrative reversal I have ever witnessed. You didn't solve the problem—you simply re-contextualized the crime as a civic duty."
Ron, momentarily forgetting he hated Malfoy, nodded vigorously, his mouth agape. "It makes perfect sense! The Ministry can't arrest Hagrid if he called them first! And Dumbledore can't be mad if Hagrid was just doing his job!"
"It's flawless," Hermione confirmed, her eyes bright, her relief tangible. "We spin the story, Hagrid tells the truth about finding it in the Forest and contacting the authorities, and it all works perfectly."
Sebastian leaned back, basking in the glow of their collective approval. This, he thought, was the true power of a Slytherin mind combined with an alchemist's understanding of narrative: controlling the chemical reaction of perception.
"Exactly," Sebastian confirmed. "Everyone wins. Hagrid is safe. The creature is safe. And those who benefit from the blessing—Hagrid, the children, and I—are simultaneously grateful to those we saved."
Sebastian looked at Hagrid, who was still slightly dazed but clearly relieved. "Now, Hagrid. The egg is hatching. Time for the final push. Keep it warm. The moment that creature breaks the shell, you have one week.
The clock starts then. I will handle the necessary communication with the Ministry to ensure the extraction is both official and publicly embarrassing for the Dark Wizard who allegedly dropped it."
Harry, energized by the clear path forward, finally spoke, his eyes shining with admiration for the professor's political savvy. "What do we need to do to help with the hatching, Professor?"
Sebastian smiled. "You need to get the dragon a proper, temporary meal. We need food that will keep its focus off Hagrid's hut until the extraction team arrives. Now, I suggest a trip to the local butcher. Not for a few chickens, but for several large buckets of something suitably bloody and raw to meet that Ridgeback's immediate needs." The operation was afoot.