Hagrid’s hut

Olivia didn’t know why she didn’t want Isabell and Amelia to come with her, but she went alone. It was almost dark. Olivia walked slowly towards the Entrance hall and outside to the Grounds. She found a small house, almost a hut, surrounded by pumpkins.

‘This must be it,’ Olivia whispered as she approached the wooden door.  

She knocked.

‘Who is it?’ a loud voice asked.

‘Olivia.’ 

‘Oh, hello!’ 

The door opened to reveal a giant of a man standing in front of the door. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.

‘Hullo Olivia! Long time no see! Scared yeh wouldn’ come!’

Olivia grinned and Hagrid led her inside. 

It was a small wooden cabin, filled with weird things Olivia had never seen before, though some things she had used in potions. It felt really warm. A large, black boarhound came running at her, licking her face.

‘Hello! Who’s that, Hagrid?’

‘That’s Fang, he may look scary but he’s really warm-hearted,’ replied Hagrid.

‘Hi Fang!’ 

Fang barked happily at her and then jumped on her.

‘Oof-’

‘Sorry Olivia, he’s not used to new visitors,’ said Hagrid, carrying Fang and throwing him on a chair.

Olivia got up and sat down on a chair in front of a circular table.

‘Why is it so hot?’ she asked herself. ‘What did you need help with?’ she asked Hagrid.

‘Oh, I almos’ forgot!’ yelled Hagrid, jumping in surprise. ‘Ok, as yeh didn’t bring yer friends I assume they aren’ trustworthy?’

‘Wh-what?’

Olivia gaped at him.

‘Oh, uh, they are trustworthy. I-it’s just that-’

‘It didn’ feel righ’ to get them?’ 

By now, Hagrid was making Olivia stress out. He realised that. 

‘Righ’. Now, I asked yeh to come ‘cause I needed help with somethin’ obviously.’

‘Sure. What’s up?’

Hagrid looked a little bit guilty then rushed to a corner of the hut, which was where all the heat was coming from and he then got something that was covered with a dirty handkerchief. 

‘What is that?’ asked Oliva, looking at it closely. 

Hagrid uncovered the thing, revealing a scaly, green-silver egg.

‘Oh, no Hagrid, no… It can’t be… where did you get it?’ 

‘Won it.’ 

‘When will it… you know…’ 

Olivia looked at the egg in concern. 

‘I got it ‘bout two months ago… I don’t really know when!’ 

‘They hatch after two months!’ 

Olivia looked shocked, while Hagrid looked delighted. 

‘Oh dear…’ she said as the egg began to shake slightly. 

The egg shook more and a big crack appeared. Then, a hole appeared in the egg and a big orange eye was visible. 

Olivia yelled in surprise. 

‘Hagrid! Why on earth would you want a dragon in your house?’ 

By now, the baby dragon was punching its egg with its legs and arms. 

The egg broke open. It revealed a tiny dragon which looked like a crumpled black umbrella, with large spiny wings, a skinny body and a long snout with wide nostrils, horn stubs and bulging, orange eyes.

‘Isn’ it cute?’ asked Hagrid, his black eyes tearing up.

‘Cute?’ 

Olivia looked horrified. 

‘It could set fire to your house!’ 

‘Nah, baby dragons can’ possibly breathe fi-’

The baby dragon melted Hagrid’s silver kettle by breathing strong fire.

‘They breathe fire when they are young for protection, the mothers leave them when they are born,’ Olivia said as the baby dragon tried attacking its tail. ‘This was a bad idea, Hagrid,’ 

But Hagrid ignored her.

‘What should I call him?’ he asked.

‘Call him? Call him? Are you insane?’ 

Hagrid still ignored her. He hummed happily as he stroked the dragon to calm it down.

‘Norbert might as well suit him! He’s so shiny with his scales and it breathes fire on anything!’ Olivia yelled angrily as the dragon looked at her in interest. 

‘It’s perfect!’ said Hagrid as he carried Norbert and his eyes started tearing up again.

‘So that’s why you wanted my help? To name him?’

‘Uh… not really…’ 

‘Then what?’

‘I kinda wanted yeh to help me hide him,’ 

‘Hide him?’

‘Maybe in yer room?’

‘IN MY ROOM? HAGRID, YOU MIGHT GET ME EXPELLED IF I DO THAT!’

Norbert approached Olivia slightly. Norbert hopped on her hair. She tried her best not to hesitate as he rested on her. 

‘Yer righ’,’ Hagrid sighed as he helped her remove Norbert from her hair. ‘But he’s just a baby an’ I don’t want him to feel lonely while I do me gamekeeper duties.’

‘Hagrid! Dragons don’t feel lonely!’ 

Olivia looked very angry now.

‘Righ’. But he likes yeh! When he rested on yer head yeh know,’ Hagrid said, trying to convince Olivia. 

‘An’ he’s just a baby,’ he added hastily, looking at Olivia's angry expression.

‘Hagrid, sorry, but no. This is too much of a responsibility. And I don’t want you to be the reason I get expelled!’ 

‘Fine, but can yeh at least come visit?’ 

‘Sure.’