[Note: Read up to Chapter - 128 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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"No?" Disappointment flickered in Hagrid's eyes.
"It's not that I don't want to teach you," Aris said quickly, "It's just that this kind of magic... it's seriously complicated."
"Even Professor Dumbledore would have a tough time learning it."
Hearing that, Hagrid blinked in surprise. "There's magic out there that even Professor Dumbledore can't master?"
The big man clearly worshipped the silver-haired headmaster, and the idea seemed utterly baffling to him.
"We can talk more about it another time," Aris said, glancing suddenly in Dumbledore's direction as he sensed a shift.
The gentle glow that had surrounded the old wizard was now fading, the shadows creeping in once more.
"It's over," Aris said with a small smile.
"Looks like Professor Dumbledore's learned a fair bit."
"Yes, just as you said," Dumbledore replied, slowly opening his eyes. A strange brilliance danced behind them.
With a flick of his wand, he conjured another soft orb of light, casting a warm glow around them once again.
"Marvellous... simply marvellous." His voice was tinged with awe. "The world of elemental energy... it's beyond anything I imagined."
"Professor," Aris asked with genuine curiosity, "Has this changed your view of magic?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded slowly.
"It's like... comparing a stream to the vast ocean. We've been dreadfully narrow in our thinking."
A quiet, self-deprecating chuckle escaped him as he shook his head.
"We were all a bit too ignorant, weren't we?"
"If there's ever time," Aris added with a smile, "I'd love to chat more with you about what you felt just now."
"Maybe it'll help me get a better grasp of elemental energy," Aris said with a smile, glancing at Dumbledore. "After all, talking things through helps us spot our own blind spots, doesn't it?"
"Absolutely," Dumbledore replied warmly, nodding in agreement.
Off to the side, Hagrid stood looking thoroughly puzzled, clearly having followed none of the conversation and not quite knowing when to chime in.
"Oh, Hagrid! I'd almost forgotten you were there," Dumbledore said, turning toward the half-giant with a twinkle in his eye.
"Professor, you gave me quite the scare just now!" Hagrid said with a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.
"No need to worry. I feel better than I've felt in years," Dumbledore replied, spreading his arms as if to embrace the night air. He could feel the elemental energy lingering within him, still humming faintly through his veins.
"If it's all the same to you both, I'd rather keep what happened tonight just between us," the old wizard said quietly, first giving Hagrid a wink, then looking meaningfully at Aris.
He knew full well this is what Aris wanted. A red dragon and a brand-new magic system weren't things the world was ready to know about.
"Course, Professor. I won't breathe a word," Hagrid promised earnestly.
"Well then," Dumbledore said cheerfully, "since everything's sorted, let's head back to the castle, shall we?"
Aris gave a tired nod. After running around all night, his bed was starting to sound like heaven.
But Hagrid still hadn't let go of one very specific thought.
"Aris... would it be alright if I had another look at that... erm, little dragon of yours?"
He glanced over with a sheepish but hopeful grin, his massive hands fiddling awkwardly in front of him. That big, childlike eagerness on his face made it genuinely difficult to say no.
"Looks like Hagrid's already met your pet?" Dumbledore asked with a hint of amusement.
"Yes, but Iris doesn't exactly enjoy the company of strangers. I'm afraid—"
Before Aris could finish, Hagrid jumped in eagerly.
"Aris, you've got to trust me. There's no magical creature I can't handle. Professor Dumbledore'll back me up on that!"
"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded, smiling. "Hagrid does have a remarkable gift in that department."
"But Iris has a bit of a... temper," Aris muttered with a sigh.
"I reckon she'll take to me just fine!" Hagrid said, eyes gleaming with excitement and determination.
"If your pet spends time in the Forbidden Forest, having Hagrid keep an eye on her wouldn't be such a bad idea," Dumbledore added, supportive as ever.
At that, Aris blinked, a little taken aback. He'd half expected the Headmaster to ban Iris from setting foot near the forest again after what happened in the spider's lair.
But now, from the sound of it, Dumbledore was actually giving her permission to return?
"Wait, Professor... do you mean...?" Aris asked cautiously.
"Of course," Dumbledore said with a knowing smile. "She can't stay cooped up in the castle forever, can she? Or do you plan on never summoning her again?"
This old fox... he's definitely figured something out.
Aris chuckled sheepishly. "It'd be brilliant if Iris could play in the Forbidden Forest now and then."
With a thought, he summoned the little red dragon from her pet space.
He exchanged a glance with Dumbledore. They both knew full well what just happened, but neither said a word about the convenience of summoning at will.
"Oh, what a charming little beast!" Hagrid beamed, practically glowing with joy. "Look at those big, sparkly eyes, that sleek red hide, and that mark on her forehead... She's hands down the prettiest dragon I've ever laid eyes on!"
"This is incredible! I swear I've never seen a dragon species like this before... It's so stunning, it doesn't even feel like it belongs to our world!"
"My name's Hagrid — hello there, little one!"
Hagrid couldn't stop gushing as he gazed at the little red dragon, completely taken in.
Still, despite his excitement, he didn't dare reach out to touch her — likely remembering Aris's earlier warning.
One thing Hagrid wasn't exaggerating about: he truly did have a natural way with magical creatures.
Unfortunately, Iris might not fall under that category.
She was, after all, a dark red dragon from a different verse — a proper legendary beast out of some fantastical tale.
"Ah—"
Just as Hagrid continued with his flurry of compliments, Iris suddenly sneezed.
A strong gust of wind blasted out from her nose, sending poor Hagrid flying through the air like a rag doll.
"Arresto Momentum!"
"Molliare!"
Aris and Dumbledore reacted in perfect unison, wands raised.
A flash of blue light enveloped Hagrid mid-air, instantly slowing him down. Then, Dumbledore conjured a cushion of air where the big man would land, completely absorbing the impact.
"Nice reflexes with Arresto Momentum!" Dumbledore commented with a grin.
Aris gave a casual shrug and smile.
The two shared a knowing look, and Dumbledore couldn't help but admire the boy inwardly.
In that brief moment when the spell was cast, he had felt the ripple of wind element magic — unmistakably elemental in nature.
It confirmed just how finely attuned Aris was becoming with his elemental control.
"Your pet's power is... quite something," Dumbledore remarked, turning his attention to Iris, who now looked adorably clueless about what she'd just done.
Aris let out a weary sigh.
That sneeze from Iris wasn't random — she clearly found Hagrid a bit too loud and did it on purpose…
But when it came to acting all innocent, she was an absolute natural.
"That's exactly why I didn't want Hagrid getting too close…" Aris said, throwing his hands up in resignation.
Off in the distance, Hagrid — who'd just been blown clean off his feet — came jogging back with a huge grin, looking more amazed than ever.
"Blimey! That sneeze packed a wallop!"
"This little lass wasn't even trying, was she? She's not been out in the world that long, has she? What potential!"
His excitement hadn't dimmed in the slightest. If anything, he looked even more enamoured with Iris — as though being launched across the forest had only made him more impressed.
"Hagrid, I've got to warn you again… best not get too cosy with Iris. If she gets cross, even I can't say what might happen," Aris said firmly.
"I know, I know — I was a bit hasty. No wonder she got a bit fed up with me!"
"I'll keep me distance, gain her trust slowly. Don't worry, I'll handle it!"
Seeing the absolute confidence in Hagrid's face, Aris could only resist the urge to smack his own forehead.
This bloke had no clue just how powerful Iris actually was.
And now here he was, talking about winning her trust — like she's some housecat and not a mythical red dragon.
Was he asking to get smacked again?
Sure enough, in the very next moment, Iris gave an oh-so-casual flap of her wings…
And up Hagrid went again, like a massive kite caught in a gale.
Aris was ready this time — he fired off another spell to slow Hagrid's fall.
Dumbledore, sighing at the whole scene, added a cushioning charm of his own.
"Iris, come on now," Aris said, gently scolding her. "Hagrid means no harm. You don't have to keep battering him about."
"Well, he had it coming, saying such daft things right in front of me!" the little red dragon huffed, holding her head high with pride.
"But you can't go round blasting Hagrid into the trees every time he opens his gob!" Aris said, half-exasperated.
"Fine, then next time I'll just singe his beard with a bit of fire breath!" she replied with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Watching the quick-fire back-and-forth between Aris and Iris, Dumbledore finally understood why poor Hagrid had been knocked flying — twice.
He hadn't realised until now just how clever this little red dragon really was.
Clearly, creatures like her weren't meant to exist in this world — this only reinforced what Aris had told him earlier.
An old wizard, a teenage boy, and a cheeky little dragon plodding through the dark depths of the Forbidden Forest — it was quite the sight.
Not far off, Hagrid's voice rang out again as he stumbled through the undergrowth. Still completely unfazed, he was rambling on about how to earn the red dragon's favour.
As the big fellow drew nearer, Iris narrowed her eyes and her little snout started glowing faintly — a few sparks of flame flickering at her mouth.
Just as she was about to let loose, a sharp whistle of air cut through the night.
An arrow came streaking from the shadows, thudding into the ground just in front of them.
"Oi! Who's there?" Aris barked, his brow furrowing.
Dumbledore reacted instantly, raising his wand and casting a bright flare toward the source of the shot.
As the light spread through the trees, a group of figures emerged — upper bodies like men, but the lower halves those of horses.
"Ah… Bane, is that you?" Dumbledore called out, surprised.
"But why on earth would you attack us?"
"No, Dumbledore, you've got it wrong — the shot wasn't meant for you," came the response.
A centaur stepped forward — wild black hair atop a powerful black horse's frame. He looked a touch feral, but calm as he approached Dumbledore and Aris.
Oops…
The moment Aris saw the centaurs, Hermione's words came rushing back to him — something about an intruder being wanted by the centaur tribe.
And that intruder… wasn't it Iris?
So, these centaurs had come for her?
But what in Merlin's name had the little red dragon done to wind them up so badly?
"Bloody hell…"
He turned and stared at Iris, hoping to get some clarity through their mental link.
But before he could even ask, the little dragon spoke up rather sheepishly, "I, uh… burned their house down."
"…You what?"
"Those huts built between the tree trunks — absolutely vile! I couldn't stand looking at something that ugly any longer!"
Aris clutched his head. It was starting to ache.
She's getting more and more out of hand…
You torched their homes — just because you thought they were ugly?
That's mental!
"No, no, you've never been this obsessed with aesthetics before," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Come on then, tell me the real reason. What really happened?"
He almost believed her for a second, but something didn't sit right. That explanation didn't fit her usual behaviour at all. She'd never acted like that before — not without a proper reason.
"..."
The little red dragon suddenly looked sheepish.
"If you don't tell the truth," Aris warned sternly, "you're not getting any supper tonight!"
"Master, I was wrong…"
Iris gave in straightaway. Getting a scolding was one thing, but going without her midnight snack? That was practically a death sentence.
"There were loads of gold coins and shiny gems in the centaurs' houses," she admitted. "I only meant to borrow a few… but I might've used too much fire and, um… burned the whole place down. Honest, Master, I didn't mean to! You've got to believe me!"
"Gold coins… and jewellery?"
Aris was gobsmacked.
Since when did centaurs keep treasure? And even if they did, it was probably stuff they'd hoarded over generations.
And you nicked it all?
And torched their houses?!
The cheek of it all!
Worst of all — you've got the gall to say it wasn't on purpose?!
No, this little menace — when exactly did she become so obsessed with shiny things?
She'd never shown this kind of greed before…
"You've got to understand, Master," she mumbled in his mind, clearly feeling wronged. "I am a dragon. Of course I like gold and sparkly things!
You never buy me anything nice, so I've got to get it from somewhere…"
Aris's eye twitched. He genuinely felt the urge to pick her up and give her a proper walloping.
Before he could say anything, a furious voice echoed through the trees.
"Intruder of the Forbidden Forest, come out and face us if you've got the guts!"
It was Bane. And he was fuming.
"I, Bane, swear — even if it costs me my life, I will not suffer this humiliation again!"
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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!
[Note: Read up to Chapter - 128 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]