Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 213: The Dragon Egg
"Oh, I'll leave it to you, Sheen. After you've fed the Thestrals, come with me to the library to get some books."

Hagrid seemed a little hesitant; he appeared to want to say something, but hesitated to speak due to some concern.

"What do you think of fire dragons? Those tiny, oh, cute little guys."

On the way to feed the Thestrals, Hagrid asked tentatively.

"The newly arrived dragon eggs should be placed in the fire."

Sheen recalled the large egg that was kept under the blanket in Hagrid's hut and said.

"Oh my God!"

Hagrid threw down the raw meat he was carrying.
"Please go with Yaya, Sheen! I have to go back, my stomach isn't feeling too good..."

Hagrid's voice faded into the distance.

Sheen sighed. It seemed he needed to borrow the books for Hagrid as soon as possible, such as "Raising Dragons for Entertainment and Profit." Although the book was a bit outdated, it was very comprehensive.

At least there won't be a situation where a dragon egg is placed in a blanket.

Hagrid should have known, but he was too excited all day, and Sheehan thought he was probably too excited to remember.

Just as Sheen was a little less skilled with the Thestrals, he walked briskly to the woods.

A tall, rugged, jet-black Pegasus appeared before Sheen.

Sheen stroked the top of its neck, which made Thestral feel comfortable; it was also a technique taught by Professor Hagrid.

[You have gained the favor of the magical creature Thestral (U-U) using your expertise; proficiency +10]

A new title in the Fantastic Beasts realm has been unlocked. Please check it out.

Ok?
Sheehan realized he seemed to have forgotten about this: the Master level title in the Fantastic Beasts realm requires the close proximity (Master level) of three Fantastic Beasts.

So far, the magical creatures that are close to Sheen include Lady Lorice the cat, Uww the Thestral, and Tira the Bowtruckle.

The Fantastic Beasts genre seems to discourage the widespread acquisition of magical creatures for close interaction, instead encouraging the cultivation of genuine companionship among those already in one's life.

Therefore, the standard for the entry-level title is three slightly familiar magical creatures, while the expert level still requires three, except that they need to be close to the wizard.

After figuring it out, Sheen looked down:
[Title: Fantastic Beast Affinity]

[Significantly increases affinity with and understanding of magical creatures]

Before Sheen could even grasp the meaning of "significantly friendly," the usually elusive Bowtruckles suddenly stirred. When Sheen looked at them, their whiskers curled upwards, a gesture signifying "curiosity and delight."

Uwoo cried out, and the Bowtruckles hid again. Only Tira, perched on Sheen's head, dared to reach out her branch-like hands to touch Uwoo.

Hmm... it seems that the bond between the magical creatures has increased because of me.

The Thestral Biscuits completed the most important preparations, and Sheen took out the planning map after finishing the feeding task.

The red exclamation mark above the Forbidden Forest has now disappeared, and the red exclamation mark above the Alchemy Office has lit up.

With the International Alchemy Conference fast approaching, Shinn doesn't have much time left to make Thestral Cookies.

On this sunny and breezy day.

Sheen entered Hagrid's cabin.

Ya Ya rubbed against Sheen's feet. Sheen patted its head and prepared to leave.

Toothbrush may seem docile at Sheen's feet, but it is actually the overlord of the Forbidden Forest, as Hagrid told Sheen:
"As long as you are with me or Yaya, no creature in the Forbidden Forest will harm you."

Sheen noticed that right in the center of the fire, under the kettle, lay a large, blackened egg.

Sheehan knew that it was what made the cabin unbearably hot.

It was also this that made Hagrid add firewood to the roaring fireplace on such a warm, sunny day.

Goodbye, Hagrid.

Sheen was preparing to leave. It seemed difficult for him to gain the affection of an unhatched fire dragon. "I don't know how to thank you, Sheen. Please have some tea before you go..."

Hagrid got out of bed and hurriedly made tea for Sheen.

Sheen took a sip, but politely declined the ferret sandwich that Hagrid offered.

"Alright, Sheen, I think you've already guessed... You're such a keen observer, nothing escapes your eyes..."

He said, half embarrassed and half expectant.

"I can't manage alone, of course. I'd like to ask you to help me take care of this little one. Would you be willing...?"

“I’d be happy to help.”

Sheen nodded, and Hagrid hummed a little tune with delight before seeing Sheen off to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Goodbye, see you tomorrow.

He wanted to give Sheen a hug, but Sheen, who had almost broken his ribs from being hugged last time, quickly dodged away.

Then the two fell into a long eye contact.

"Ha—sorry, it's all my fault, I forgot again—I'll definitely remember next time—"

Hagrid blushed deeply with embarrassment.

……

The Thestral Cookie Ceremony went very smoothly. With the experience from the previous two times, Sheen became increasingly familiar with the whole process.

While making cookies, Hagrid asked him to help him go to the library to get some books.

But Hagrid later gave up reading books and discovered that he had a library right next to him.

“Let me see, vertical stripes, black eggs… Oh, Sheen, what kind of dragon is this…”

"Norwegian Spinosaurus".

"How rare! This is a reminder about what to do after the cubs hatch..."

"After it hatches, feed it a bucket of chicken blood brandy every half hour. This is the content of 'Raising Fire Dragons for Recreation and Profit'."

"It says to be careful, but it doesn't say what to be careful about..."

"Beware of its venomous fangs and its early-developed ability to spit fireballs."

Hagrid lacked knowledge about raising dragons, but fortunately, he felt embarrassed by constantly asking Sheen, so he eventually mustered the courage to ask and resolved his embarrassment.

The two were clearly different sizes, one big and one small, but the big half-giant always had to listen to the little wizard.

Harry and Ron, who were visiting, always felt something was off.

What struck them as odd was how familiar the two seemed with each other, as if they had been doing this for years.

April is coming.

A warm breeze came from the Scottish coast, making the entire Hogwarts Castle feel cozy.

The cold of winter seemed to be almost over, and Sheen's alchemy had made great progress.

He completed half of the advanced tasks for the expert title and also created Thestral Cookies.

In the days that followed, after the fire dragons hatched, he would have plenty of time to observe them, increase their affinity, and build his dragon army.

But now they face a problem – what name should they give the fire dragon?

　There will be another chapter later

　　
　
(End of this chapter)