Robert's gaze turned fervent as he observed the two Mythical Level abilities before him: Legendary Life and Legendary Power. Compared to magic itself, these abilities were his greatest reliance. If the blood emerald's reward could truly bring a breakthrough in either, its significance to Robert would be immense. After all, he had already experienced the vast difference between Mythical Level and Legendary Level at the roots of the World Tree. The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
So, when Hagrid invited him to witness the Dragon egg hatching that evening, Robert nodded immediately.
"I'll definitely be there tonight," he assured.
Hagrid's expression softened with relief.
"That's truly wonderful. Otherwise, if I went alone and something went wrong during the hatching, I wouldn't know what to do."
Robert blinked in surprise.
"Hagrid, didn't you invite Harry and the others?" he asked instinctively. In the original story, Harry and friends going to see a Dragon egg hatch often led to trouble—like being punished in the Forbidden Forest for attempting to send the young Dragon away. So, why weren't they coming this time?
Hagrid's face fell with a hint of regret.
"Ah, that blasted subject review from before. Robert, after you were confined in the Little Greenhouse, Hogwarts was in chaos for a while. Those review committee members sat in on classes and checked assignments, causing a lot of trouble. Except for Snape, the professors were nearly exhausted. Harry and his friends believe Snape was behind the incident, trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone. So they've been keeping an eye on him every day, taking turns. It only ended two days ago—they're too tired to stay up tonight."
Robert suppressed a mix of amusement and frustration. How had Snape taken the blame for the review committee? Only Snape could pull off such a feat. Still, perhaps it was better if the trio stayed away; otherwise, they'd surely rant about Snape's "evil plots."
"I understand, Hagrid," Robert said. "Don't worry, I'll be there for the hatching. But…" His gaze fell on the Hufflepuff students nearby, and he smiled apologetically.
"The Hufflepuffs seem to have prepared a welcome feast for me. I probably can't arrive too early. Do you want to come? There should be the best butterbeer."
Hagrid hesitated, tempted, but shook his head.
"No, no, never mind. I'd worry about Norbert. Go enjoy your welcome feast, Robert."
As Hagrid hurried off, Robert was soon surrounded by cheering Hufflepuff students. Returning to the common room after three weeks away, he barely recognized the place. Banners adorned the walls:
"Welcome Home, Robert!"
"Hufflepuff's Strongest Beater!"
"Hufflepuff's Glory!"
The long common room table was covered in food, and above it floated a massive cake nearly touching the ceiling, depicting Robert riding a Nimbus 2000 broom while swinging a Beater bat.
Cedric patted his shoulder with a playful wink.
"Is it grand enough? We prepared for a whole week with the Dean's support. You know, the Hufflepuff girls have been fighting over who gets to eat the part of the cake with your lips first. Want me to introduce some senior girls?"
Robert laughed, slightly embarrassed.
"Cedric, can you go back to being the upright gentleman I first met? Why are you so sly now?"
Cedric just laughed and hugged him warmly.
"Hey, Beater, welcome back! We're one match away from the championship. Three weeks away, and your hands didn't go soft, did they?"
Robert returned the pat firmly, making Cedric wince. The other Hufflepuffs eagerly examined the long table of food, while the girls' eyes were glued to the cake above. Warmth surged in Robert's chest.
He raised his wand, releasing colorful smoke that transformed into a miniature Dragon spinning through the common room. Amidst cheers, Robert shouted:
"Everyone has worked hard during this time! Now, let's eat!"
Butterbeer, cakes, and pies flew into the air as the room erupted in joy.
Meanwhile, a hooded figure hurried through Hogsmeade Village, entering the Hog's Head Inn. Aberforth immediately recognized him as a Hogwarts student, most likely Slytherin. Aberforth merely raised an eyebrow and served him a butterbeer.
Another figure entered shortly after, speaking in a sickly sweet voice:
"My dear, you called for me. Have you brought news?"
The Slytherin student tensed.
"Can you really get me a position in the Ministry of Magic? I heard you were sidelined after that hearing. You're not fooling me, are you?"
The voice replied with cold confidence.
"No matter how cold the bench, I once held a high position. Popular, easy positions? Difficult. But a Ministry post? I can still manage that. The Wizengamot? They'll send a couple of outsourced employees to pacify any complaints. That's the least of your worries."
A plump face emerged from beneath the hood: Umbridge. Her eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
"You know why I chose you? Seeing you reminds me of my past self. A half-blood in Slytherin, life is hard, isn't it? You're about to graduate while your well-born classmates already have secure futures. Those with fallen families rely on connections. But for people like us, every opportunity must be seized, or regret will haunt us forever. Have you obtained the information I need?"
The student hesitated, then said,
"I found out secretly. Hagrid has obtained a Dragon egg, and tonight Robert will witness its hatching."
Umbridge's fingers clenched, but her face remained calm.
"Good. Wait for your offer letter. With your skills, you will rise high in the Ministry."
The student left quickly. Umbridge leisurely sipped her butterbeer before exiting the pub, a twisted smile forming.
"In life, chances to change fate are rare. I've endured hardships to climb from low clerk to high-ranking official. I won't let my career be ruined. Tonight, Hagrid's hut in the Forbidden Forest…"
Late that night, Hagrid's hut shook with anxiety. The black Dragon egg had several bulges, but no cracks.
"Robert?" Hagrid asked, panicked.
"How is Norbert?"
Hagrid shook his head, eyes welling.
"Trying to break out, but the hatching rate of wild Dragon eggs is only about one-third. Hungarian Horntail eggshells are the hardest. Norbert might be too underdeveloped to succeed."
Robert's heart sank. Failure wasn't an option—this Dragon's successful hatching would influence the mass production of blood emeralds and his progression in Legendary Life and Legendary Power.
He noticed faint magical glimmers escaping from the darkness outside. Instantly alert, his platinum-level night vision identified them. This magic was familiar.
"Umbridge?!" he muttered.
She had taken evidence with her camera. Hagrid's face went pale.
"It's over! Azkaban!" he gasped.
Robert's expression hardened. The toadish Umbridge had underestimated him. If she exposed this, the Dragon and Hagrid would be at risk. Determined, Robert pressed a dent into the floor and shot forward like a leopard.
Umbridge realized a deadly gaze was upon her. Panic set in. She fled into the Forbidden Forest, thinking its lawless nature would protect her. But her steps slowed. Something wasn't right. Even in lawless territory, fear gnawed at her. The mark on her hand throbbed.
"I'll teach him again that fairness is only for the strong," she whispered, her eyes blazing. "And I am stronger than him."
Back in the hut, Robert placed the Dragon egg into the little silver bucket, pouring hot chicken blood brandy over it. A faint Dragon roar emerged. Hagrid poured more, and the young Dragon pounded harder, the dents on the eggshell multiplying. The shell thinned, the aura of the Hungarian Horntail evident even before it hatched.
Finally, a tiny crack appeared. The Dragon erupted, black with metallic spikes, still slimy, roaring into the sky. Hagrid almost cried, hugging the creature despite a sharp bite on his finger.
Robert's eyes narrowed toward the window. Faint magical lights streaked away—the evidence was gone, but the hunt was far from over.
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