Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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Who in the wizarding world would refuse to raise a dragon? Hagrid certainly wouldn't. As for his bad temper... so what? Children, a little mischief is normal.
Being rejected by the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary only proves those people are incompetent. They're all as skinny as sticks. How could they possibly raise a good dragon?
"Well, if you become a professor..."
"No problem!" Hagrid said with a wave of his hand before Kyle could finish his words. "I agree to the bet."
He didn't even consider whether Kyle could really convince Newt or whether Dumbledore would agree to allow a dragon into Hogwarts. He simply agreed.
As if fearing Kyle would change his mind, he quickened his pace, leading the three of them to the Mooncalf's cave.
"You'll stay here. Don't go any further."
Hagrid turned and spoke sternly to the three. "The Mooncalf's dance is very energy-consuming, so they must get plenty of sleep during the day. So, be as quiet as possible."
Kanna and Cedric nodded silently before looking curiously at the tent-like caves.
Kyle wasn't with them?
It was just the Mooncalf. He'd seen them countless times at Newt's place.
His attention was now focused on the surrounding guardian trees.
Compared to other places, the guardian trees here were exceptionally tall, thick, and long.
Kyle stepped forward and knocked on a trunk; it cracked hard.
Seeing Kyle's movements, Hagrid explained quietly, "Because Mooncalf trample their feces into the ground, guardian trees tend to thrive where they're around.
Oh, and this is also the Bowtruckle's lair."
Kyle looked up and soon saw countless "little green sticks" on the guardian trees.
This was consistent with what Newt had seen. In that magical box, the Bowtruckle and the Mooncalf were neighbors.
Kyle picked up a branch and asked, "Hagrid, can I collect some branches?"
"Sure, but what do you want them for?"
"Just some ideas."
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When they emerged from the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid had a large bundle of dead branches in his hands.
Kyle had originally wanted to use a Levitation Charm to carry them away, but Hagrid felt that was too much trouble, so he volunteered to help.
After they emerged from the Forbidden Forest, Cedric went back to the castle because he had classes.
Kyle and Kanna stayed behind.
Unlike last time, Hagrid warmly invited them to the cabin.
As soon as they entered the cabin, a large black dog rushed over, tongue wagging, its tail wagging like a fan.
Kyle grabbed its head and stroked it, almost giving it a bald head.
It felt really good.
"Okay, Fang, come here."
At this time, Hagrid placed a basin of gray paste on the ground. Fang immediately rushed over excitedly and dove into the basin.
Hagrid touched its head and said, "Eat slowly. If you don't have enough, there's more."
Taking advantage of this time, Kyle looked around.
There was only one room inside. Ham and pheasant were hanging from the ceiling. A copper kettle was boiling water in the brazier. There was a big bed in the corner with a quilt made of rags.
It looked very inconspicuous, even a little shabby.
However, Kyle noticed that the raw material of the ham was Tebo Warthog, and the "rope" used to hang it was white and shiny, and it looked like it was made of some kind of silk.
Initial speculation suggests it's the silk of an acromantula.
And the cushions they were sitting on—woven from unicorn hair, though not entirely tail hair, were still luxurious enough.
It was his first time sitting on such expensive cushions.
After Hagrid sat down, Kyle introduced them. "This is Kanna, and the one who just left is Cedric. They're both Hufflepuffs, like me, but Cedric's a second-year."
"Hello," Hagrid said happily, taking a rock cake from the nearby plate and offering it to her and Kyle. "You must be hungry. How about trying my cooking?"
As Kanna took the rock cake, she felt a sudden weight drop in her hand, as if she were holding a brick.
Her eye twitched slightly, and she wisely avoided putting it in her mouth.
Kyle didn't eat it either, but he asked Hagrid for another, saying he and Cedric would share it when they got home.
Hagrid was delighted and generously gave Kyle the entire plate of rock cakes, telling him he could always come back for more if he needed more.
Kyle refused, taking two pieces and pocketing them.
He definitely wouldn't eat them. No matter how delicious the rock cakes were, without giant teeth, they wouldn't be enjoyable.
But it was good to keep for self-defense.
Snape's recent torture had nearly driven him to a nervous breakdown. If he couldn't bear it any longer, hitting him on the back of the head with this thing wouldn't be a bad idea.
No, it should be said that he was treating Professor Snape to food, but he simply didn't take it.
Taking the plate from Kyle, Hagrid looked at him and said sheepishly, "Well, I have a dog, but he's been lethargic lately and hasn't had much appetite. What's going on?"
Kyle instinctively glanced at Fang, who was devouring his meal frantically.
Lethargic? Poor appetite?
If he remembered correctly, this was his second serving.
"Not Fang," Hagrid explained quickly, seeing Kyle's puzzled look. "It's another dog."
"Oh..."
With that, Kyle understood. So Hagrid was talking about the three-headed dog.
He looked around again, but found no trace of Fluffy.
"Didn't I tell you before?" Kyle turned around and said, "Just put it in the Forbidden Forest."
"I put it out, but it didn't work." Hagrid's voice was a little aggrieved. "It did get much better in the Forbidden Forest, but as soon as it returns to its room, it becomes listless again."
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Kyle was speechless.
Hagrid's comprehension was incredible. Did he think he was just walking the dog? And he brought it back!
"Hagrid, a three-headed dog..."
"Just one head, just one head!"
Kyle took a deep breath, ignoring Hagrid's frantic denials, and continued, "The three-headed dog is a large, magical creature. They naturally like open, vast spaces.
If they stay in a low, closed environment for a long time, they will feel very depressed."
"I'm not short here," Hagrid muttered softly.
"That's just for you," Kyle explained patiently. "In just one year, the three-headed dog will grow to three meters tall and over five meters long. By then, it won't even be able to turn around here."
[End of the chapter]