By the end of the month, Hagrid's hut had become the most popular spot in Hogwarts—again.
Only this time, it wasn't just for pumpkin pasties or a glimpse of a baby hippogriff.
It was for the television.
Morning till night, there was a steady stream of students knocking on Hagrid's door. Even the Slytherins who once sneered at his accent now came by in groups, pretending they were "only curious about Muggle technology."
And Hagrid—bless him—was far too kind to turn anyone away.
So by the third week, the poor man hadn't had a quiet evening to himself. His teapot was always boiling, the chairs always full, and Fang had given up on barking at visitors altogether.
When Draco and Hermione finally came to check on him, they could hardly get through the door.
Inside, students were crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, watching a wildlife documentary. A lioness prowled across the glowing screen while Hagrid beamed proudly beside the box, explaining every animal like an excited tour guide.
"Tha's the king o' the jungle there, see? Not a magical creature, but still majestic as a griffin, he is!"
Hermione barely stifled a laugh. "He's actually teaching lessons with it now."
Draco folded his arms. "Or running a cinema."
At that moment, Professor Charity Burbage of Muggle Studies appeared, looking both delighted and overwhelmed. "Oh, Hermione, Draco! Just the people I was looking for!"
Hagrid turned, relief flooding his face. "Thank Merlin yer here! I can't keep up with all this. Half the school wants ter come in every day!"
Hermione frowned gently. "You could just limit visiting hours, Hagrid."
"Already tried," he said miserably. "They just come earlier."
Professor Burbage adjusted her spectacles and said in her bright, kind voice, "Actually, I wanted to ask something of you both. You see, after observing how captivated the students are, I thought… perhaps we could incorporate the television into my lessons."
Hermione's eyes widened. "You mean… use it for Muggle Studies?"
"Yes!" Burbage said eagerly. "Most of my students have never seen Muggle technology. And truth be told, the curriculum hasn't changed since—well, the Middle Ages. It still says things like 'the proper use of a horse and cart.'"
Draco coughed into his hand, trying not to laugh. "That's… tragic."
The professor sighed. "Even I don't understand half the topics I'm supposed to teach anymore. I was hoping you two could make a second television—one I can use in the classroom."
Hagrid nodded encouragingly. "Aye, yeh two should do it! Then I can finally get some peace!"
Draco exchanged a quick look with Hermione, his business instincts kicking in. "Well, Professor," he said carefully, "enchanting one of these is… rather complex. The materials alone are expensive."
Hermione rolled her eyes, already recognizing that tone. "Here we go…"
Draco continued smoothly, "But for Hogwarts, we could do it for—let's say—fifty Galleons. Maybe… double that if you want it delivered quickly."
Hermione stared. "Double? Draco, that's—"
"—called profit," he whispered back.
Professor Burbage blinked, flustered. "Fifty… Galleons?"
Hagrid looked impressed. "Sounds fair ter me. Yeh two deserve it. It's proper hard work, all those runes an' enchantments."
Draco smiled graciously. "Then it's settled."
Hermione sighed but nodded. "Alright. But there's one complication. You can't install an antenna in Hogwarts—the castle's wards interfere with Muggle signals."
Professor Burbage frowned. "Oh dear. Then it won't work?"
"Not exactly," Hermione said quickly. "If we add a VCR—a sort of Muggle device that plays moving pictures from tapes—you can watch pre-recorded programs instead. No antenna needed."
Draco added, "We can even get you tapes from the Muggle world—documentaries, films, news. You'll have a proper curriculum in no time."
Burbage's eyes lit up. "That's perfect! When can you start?"
Draco thought for a moment. "Two weeks. But we'll need materials—wardstone batteries, rune stabilizers, and a custom box to hold the VCR runes. Harry can get them for us."
Hagrid grinned broadly. "Oh, this'll be wonderful! Finally, someone's gonna learn somethin' useful in Muggle Studies!"
Hermione chuckled softly. "That's the idea."
Later that evening, as they walked back toward the castle, Draco folded his arms smugly. "You realize, Granger, we just made our first official sale."
Hermione groaned. "We're not merchants, Draco. We're inventors."
He smirked. "Inventors who get paid. A noble difference."
She laughed despite herself. "Fine. But promise me you'll actually finish the VCR runes before taking another order."
Draco winked. "Scout's honor."
As they disappeared through the castle doors, the sound of Hagrid's laughter carried across the grounds—mingling with the faint, cheerful noise of the television still playing in his hut.
That Sunday, when Harry stepped out of the shimmering portal into the Shrieking Shack, he was immediately greeted by the sight of parchment sheets, tangled wires, and runic chalk dust scattered everywhere. Draco and Hermione looked exhausted but triumphant.
"Don't tell me," Harry said with a smirk. "You two either built another television or destroyed one."
Hermione turned, beaming. "Neither. We've got a new project."
Draco straightened, brushing soot off his sleeve. "We're building a theater."
Harry blinked. "A what?"
Hermione explained, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Professor Burbage wanted a television for Muggle Studies, remember? But instead of building another, we thought—why not make it something better? A Muggle projector—enchanted to work in Hogwarts!"
Draco added proudly, "We're using an actual Muggle projector and VCR. Not a magical imitation. We'll just adjust it so the castle's wards don't fry it."
Harry grinned, catching on immediately. "So you'll be showing Muggle films in Hogwarts?"
"Exactly," Hermione said. "It's not just about entertainment—it's education. Once the students see Muggle technology for themselves, they'll actually understand the world they're studying."
Draco leaned back smugly. "Plus, it'll be the first step toward our real dream—the grand magical theater in Diagon Alley."
Harry nodded approvingly. "That's smart. Once Hogwarts students get a taste for it, the Diagon Alley theater will have a ready audience."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "You have the equipment already?"
That question made them both pause.
Draco gave a sheepish grin. "Well… not exactly. We were kind of hoping you could help with that part."
Hermione nodded quickly. "We need you to get a Muggle projector and a few VHS movie tapes. We can't exactly sneak into London ourselves—not without someone noticing two first-years carrying boxes of electronics."
Harry chuckled. "Let me guess—you want a proper screen and maybe a VCR too?"
Draco grinned. "And a spare one wouldn't hurt. You know—just in case something explodes."
Hermione groaned. "Draco!"
Harry laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll get what you need. What kind of movies?"
Hermione's eyes sparkled. "Something simple. Maybe The Lion King or Jurassic Park. Something that will amaze everyone without scaring them half to death."
Draco added slyly, "Speak for yourself. I say we start with Star Wars. It's got magic—well, not magic, but close enough."
Harry smiled. "Done. I'll bring all three. But I'm holding you responsible if McGonagall faints when Darth Vader walks onto the screen."
Before long, they switched topics to another recent success—Harry's installation of televisions at both Highlands Manor and Malfoy Manor.
Draco couldn't hide his excitement. "So, did they work? Properly?"
Harry grinned. "Perfectly. I installed the one you and Hermione enchanted in Highlands Manor last week, and it's flawless. Sirius and Remus practically fight for the remote every night. They've been watching Muggle shows nonstop. I think Remus is obsessed with nature documentaries."
Hermione laughed. "That sounds exactly like him."
Harry continued, "And the one in Malfoy Manor works just as well. Your mother was absolutely fascinated, Draco. She spends hours watching Muggle art channels and dramas. Said it's more entertaining than wizarding gossip."
Draco's face softened. "She… liked it?"
Harry nodded. "She loves it. Said the house feels less empty now. I think she really needed the distraction."
For a moment, Draco said nothing, just stared down at his notes. Then he cleared his throat and said quietly, "Thanks, Harry."
"Don't mention it," Harry said. "Now—tell me more about this Hogwarts theater plan."
Hermione pulled over a parchment filled with precise sketches. "The projector will go here, in the Muggle Studies classroom. We'll use a rune circle to draw power from a wardstone battery. The VCR will sit right beside it. That way, we can play movies directly from the tapes."
Harry examined the diagram, impressed. "You've thought this through."
Draco smirked. "Of course we have. Once Hogwarts students see what a film looks like, they'll be addicted. When we open our theater in Diagon Alley, it'll be packed from day one."
Hermione smiled proudly. "Education and business in one project. Not bad, right?"
The evening sun cast long golden rays through the cracks of the old Shrieking Shack. The workbenches were cluttered with parchment rolls, tools, and empty ink bottles—a sign of another productive day. Draco and Hermione were cleaning up their workspace while Harry leaned against the window frame, his green eyes distant yet gleaming with curiosity.
"Well," Harry said finally, turning toward them with a grin, "I suppose that wraps up today. The theater plans are solid, the runes are ready, and I'll bring the projector and the tapes next time."
Hermione stretched her arms, exhausted but content. "It's coming together perfectly. Professor Burbage will be thrilled."
Draco smirked. "And the entire school will lose their minds once they see it."
Harry chuckled softly. "Speaking of losing minds, there's something else I want to see next week."
Draco looked up suspiciously. "Oh no. What are you plotting this time?"
"The Cerberus," Harry said simply, his grin widening.
Hermione froze mid-movement. "Harry, no! You can't mean that Cerberus'?"
"The same," Harry said cheerfully. "You two told me about it, remember? A giant three-headed dog guarding a trapdoor. Sounds fascinating."
"Fascinating?" Hermione exclaimed. "It's dangerous!"
Harry waved a hand dismissively. "I've read plenty about Cerberus these past few days. Ancient Greek texts, magical bestiaries, even some Asgardian writings on multi-headed guardians. I know how they behave, how they sense movement, and what they guard. I just want to see it."
Draco groaned. "I knew this would happen the moment we told him."
Harry stepped forward, his expression serious now. "Come on, Draco. You know you're curious too. What could a three-headed dog possibly be protecting inside Hogwarts? If I'm right, it's something valuable. And besides…" he smirked, "you owe me for setting up those televisions."
Hermione sighed, her tone caught between exasperation and affection. "You're impossible."
Harry tilted his head. "So that's a yes?"
Draco exchanged a helpless look with Hermione before shrugging. "Fine. But only if we plan it properly. We'll escort you next Sunday—quietly. If anyone finds out we're sneaking you into the castle, we'll all be expelled."
Harry grinned triumphantly. "Deal."
Hermione groaned again. "You'll be the death of us, Harry."
"Probably," he said with a wink. "But at least we'll die discovering secrets."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the three of them stepped out into the cool evening air. The Forbidden Forest rustled softly in the distance, and faint lights from the castle flickered through the trees.
Harry turned to his friends one last time. "Next Sunday then. The Cerberus awaits."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You sound like you're announcing a quest."
Harry's smile deepened. "Maybe I am."
He opened a small, star-shaped portal beside him, the edges shimmering with silver light. Before stepping through, he added, "Don't be late."
Then, with a faint hum, he vanished—leaving behind the faint scent of magic and the quiet certainty that their next meeting would be anything but ordinary.
That night, back in Highlands Manor, Harry sat in his room, surrounded by open books on mythological creatures. Sketches of Cerberus lay scattered across his desk—diagrams of anatomy, behavioral notes, and rune symbols for calming beasts. He traced one clawed pawprint sketch with his finger and murmured to himself,
"I've seen many magical creatures… time to add a three-headed dog to the list."
The thought made him smile.
Next Sunday couldn't come soon enough.
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