Red's Squadron: Declaration of War
"Oh, Red! What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be at the new school with Harry and the others," said Hagrid in astonishment as he watched the red dragon emerge proudly from the forest, striding as if parading in his own military ceremony.
Behind him came Fluffy, the enormous three–headed cerberus, who wagged his tail with such enthusiasm at the sight of Hagrid that he scattered dust and branches everywhere. In a second he pounced, knocking Hagrid flat as if he were nothing more than an excited puppy, and covered his face in slobbery licks—one for each head.
At their side, a small unicorn with scars across its belly—the very same one Red and Harry had saved in the Forbidden Forest—approached with a cheerful neigh, proudly standing next to the dragon as if they were part of a royal procession.
"Well, looks like the gang's together again. You lot aren't going to cause any trouble, are you?" Hagrid asked with a wide grin, still struggling to get up while Fluffy's tongues flopped all over him.
"Woof, woof!" barked the three heads in perfect unison, like oversized lap dogs. Red, however, simply sat down with exaggerated dignity, puffing out his chest and gazing toward the school in the distance. The unicorn mirrored his solemn stance, though it couldn't resist doing a few joyful hops in place.
Far off, Hogwarts was surrounded by dozens of witches and wizards. Wands in hand, they worked carefully to dismantle the ancient enchantments and take the venerable castle apart, stone by stone. They weren't destroying it, but disassembling it down to its very foundations so it could be rebuilt. The money required was so outrageous that even Minister Fudge had nearly lost his mind—until four of the richest families in England stepped in to cover the cost.
Dumbledore, of course, had tried to stop it. But during the inspection, cursed books, dangerous artifacts, and even an enchanted tiara had been found hidden within the walls. That forced everyone to accept the reconstruction. Even the Dark faction in the Wizengamot voted in favor, purely for the pleasure of watching the old headmaster squirm.
For the first time in history, Hogwarts—long a symbol of permanence—was being packed away as if it were a shop closing down for good.
Hagrid gazed at the scene with sadness. He loved the castle as it was, but understood that the students' safety came first. Still, it left a bitter taste to see his headmaster losing to bureaucracy.
The animals around him, on the other hand, seemed to be waiting for something.
That was when Hagrid noticed someone approaching. A figure in a deep blue robe speckled with stars, with a white beard that nearly brushed the ground and heavy, deliberate steps.
"Headmaster!" Hagrid exclaimed, standing quickly and shoving Fluffy aside. He hurried toward Dumbledore with a serious expression.
"Hello, Hagrid. I need to ask you a favor," said Dumbledore with a calm smile, though his eyes showed unusual weariness. If one looked closely, the smile seemed forced, like a poorly fitted mask. "I recovered some items from the Ministry, and I need you to safeguard them. They're… important."
"Of course, Headmaster!" Hagrid replied immediately, taking the small chest the old wizard handed him.
Red, however, sensed something strange. A dark magic seeped from the chest. Familiar, unsettling. He couldn't recall from where, but the stench made him wrinkle his snout. His yellow eyes locked onto the old man.
"Well, it seems the group is complete—even without their master. Fawkes will be glad to see them," said Dumbledore, glancing at the three animals. At the sound of his voice, all three turned their gazes toward Red, then slowly circled the headmaster, as if forming a ring.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Then I'll go put it away now, Headmaster," said Hagrid, oblivious to the tension, as he trotted off toward his hut with the chest in his arms.
"Very well. In that case, I'll take my leave," Dumbledore said, though he couldn't resist casting one last look at the animals. Especially at Red.
But when he turned to go, the dragon was no longer behind him.
He was in front.
Red leapt, jaws wide, fangs aimed straight for his chest.
"Repulso!" Dumbledore cried, reacting instantly. The dragon froze mid–air, roaring, while the wizard whipped his wand into his hand in a single fluid motion.
A triple roar thundered above him: Fluffy's three heads lunged, snapping from different angles. The headmaster's wand traced a circle, conjuring a gleaming barrier that caught the fangs mere inches from his face.
Then—a flash of light. The unicorn charged, horn aimed directly at his side.
"Levioso!" Dumbledore cast, and the unicorn floated upward, legs flailing in the air like a bewildered foal.
With a sharp crack, the old wizard vanished and reappeared several yards away, frowning and breathing heavier now.
"There must be… some sort of misunderstanding," he said softly, though his wand remained raised. The three animals glared at him with hostility, ready for another strike.
"Eh, Headmaster? Something wrong? Thought you were heading off already," Hagrid asked as he came back out of his hut, scratching his head in confusion.
"No… nothing," Dumbledore murmured, slowly lowering his wand. With one last glance at Red, he disappeared without another word.
The dragon snorted, smoke curling from his nostrils like an angry bull denied his charge. But he didn't lunge again.
"Well then, since you're all here… how about I whip up something tasty?" Hagrid suddenly suggested. The three animals instantly lit up like children promised sweets. Fluffy bounced with his tongue out, the unicorn neighed happily, and even Red wagged his tail with excitement, momentarily forgetting his role as a fearsome beast.
Even if he'd have to spit it back out later, the dragon decided to enjoy the meal.
…
POV Red
Hmph. War has been declared. That attack was only a greeting, a reminder.
Old man… you'd better keep your tail tucked between your legs. That wand belongs to my master by right. And if not for his wish to drag you into madness and self–destruction, my flames would have already incinerated your life.
You don't even realize your enemy is seated at your own table.
I stared toward the place where the old man had vanished, my companions gathering at my side.
This will be a great year.
A year of chaos.
—----
"Harry, this is bad… Luna's in trouble," said Astoria as she ran toward him in the second–year common room.
The place was spacious and elegant, painted in a pale blue that radiated serenity. A fireplace cast warm light over portraits of renowned magical painters hanging on the walls. In one corner stood a grand piano, accompanied by other smaller instruments, while tea tables and cozy chairs were scattered near bookshelves filled with volumes for all the second–years to share. From there, a spiral staircase descended to the first–year common room, connecting both spaces like a single nest.
Astoria's face was serious, her worry clear. Harry, seated on a sofa with a book Flamel had lent him, immediately frowned and stood up. For a brief moment, his eyes glowed faintly red as he followed the younger girl with firm steps.
"There," Astoria pointed.
Crossing the archway that led into the girls' wing, the first thing Harry saw was Luna sprawled on the floor, arms and legs stretched wide as though she were a fallen victim of some battle. When she noticed him, the blonde tilted her head and offered him a dreamy smile.
Harry sighed. "Again…"
Before he could take another step, something lunged at him from the side. With a quick motion, he dodged, and Daphne went tumbling across the floor, having failed her ambush.
"Tsk," she hissed from the ground, annoyed that her plan had failed.
Harry looked at her silently, raised his hand, and made a small flicking gesture with his finger. A tiny red sphere shot out and smacked her right in the forehead.
"Ouch!" Daphne yelped, clutching her face indignantly.
Astoria and Luna immediately stepped back, raising their hands as if they were innocent bystanders caught red–handed. Their guilty expressions only earned another resigned sigh from Harry.
That was when he noticed something peeking out from behind a sofa: Hermione's head, sticking out awkwardly. Clearly, she had been hiding with Daphne.
"It was Daphne's idea!" she blurted at once, throwing her friend under the bus before Harry could even point a finger.
"Hey, don't be such a snitch!" Daphne protested, still rubbing her forehead.
"It's true, you forced Astoria and Luna into it because you wanted to see what Harry would look like as a girl," Hermione defended herself.
"Yeah, but you didn't stop us either. You were curious too!" Daphne shot back, dragging her down with her.
Harry glanced at the two of them bickering, then turned to Luna, who calmly gestured for him to come closer. He flicked a small red sphere at her forehead as well—much softer than Daphne's—and Luna immediately pouted, rubbing the spot with mild annoyance. Astoria giggled and tapped Luna lightly on the head for ruining the plan.
"By the way… where's Draco?" Harry asked, realizing it was unusual for the blond not to be part of these kinds of schemes.
"Well…" Daphne began, breaking off her spat with Hermione and laughing nervously.
At that moment, a furious voice echoed down the hallway:
"You two troll–heads!"
Daphne and Hermione paled and darted behind Harry for cover. The boy turned just in time to see a blonde figure storming toward them with quick, sharp steps. The figure wore the boys' uniform but had distinctly feminine features. It was Draco… transformed. His grey eyes were icy, though blazing with anger.
"Ah," said Harry, immediately understanding. With all the calm in the world, he stepped neatly aside to clear the way.
"Traitor!" Daphne muttered as she saw him move. Without hesitation, she shoved Hermione forward as a shield, then bolted alongside Astoria and Luna.
Hermione, slower to react, was instantly caught by female Draco, who grabbed her cheeks with both hands and began stretching them mercilessly.
"What were you thinking? I actually believed Luna was hurt!" Draco scolded, voice high–pitched but filled with fury.
"Whaitd, eehho hhuurrhs. I'm shhhohry…" Hermione mumbled, her words mangled by the hands pulling at her face. Her eyes darted to Harry in desperate plea.
But instead of helping, Harry calmly pulled a small camera from his bag and snapped a picture of Draco. The flash lit the scene, and by the time the blond turned in surprise, Harry was already running off with a satisfied grin.
Hermione, however, wasn't so lucky.
"Trahitooors!" she wailed as best she could while watching her friends flee without looking back.