Facts proved that as long as you applied the right pressure to the Malfoy family, their efficiency could be quite impressive.
Two weeks later, late at night, outside Hagrid's hut.
"Alright, little ones! I've got Norbert packed in the crate."
A rough voice rang out cheerfully. Ethan and the trio turned to look. They saw Hagrid easily carrying a massive wooden crate almost as tall as they were, walking toward them with a beaming face.
Hagrid continued enthusiastically: "I prepared lots of rats for it, and some brandy too, just in case it gets hungry."
The crate rattled and shook as if it contained an agitated bulldog.
"Look how lively it is! I also put its friend, a teddy bear, inside so it won't feel lonely."
A distinct tearing sound came from within.
Ethan heard Ron mutter quietly: "A torn-up friend? What fun..."
Malfoy had come along as well: "I told Prefect Gemma Farley this was something Ethan ordered, so I was allowed out."
Malfoy said smugly. "Besides, that mother dragon was found by our family. Shouldn't I personally inspect the goods?"
He showed an excited expression. Obviously, for wizards this age, dragons were still quite attractive creatures, as long as they didn't have to take care of them.
The moonlight was bright, occasionally obscured by clouds, flickering between light and dark. This added some atmospheric tension to their adventure that seriously violated school rules.
Though Ethan's expression remained calm, his sparkling cobalt-blue eyes revealed his inner excitement.
Blue text flashed across his vision.
Artwork: Universe in the Wardrobe
Type: Item
Grade: Second Tier Blue Precious
Description: Close the cabinet door and find yourself in a phantasmic universe with no exit or entrance
Effect: Can seal external creatures within the artwork; success and duration depend on the user's magical power level
Evaluation: To seal, or to be sealed by something... wait, why did your opponent disappear mid-fight?
Continue painting to possibly summon something
His first second-tier artwork, created using part of the extraordinary pigment Star Color! It could reverse-seal real creatures into paintings!
Ethan raised his hand, and a rectangular card appeared in his palm. Depicted on it was an open dark brown wardrobe. In the center of the wardrobe was contained a dark and vast universe, with dreamlike brilliant spheres floating and rotating within.
Like romantic stars... or like the segmented body reflections of some terrifying otherworldly creature.
Could this second-tier artwork seal an adult dragon...?
Ethan licked his lips, his eyes surging with eager anticipation.
Just then, a scream came from ahead. "What... what is that?!"
Malfoy pointed at the ground in terror. Moonlight illuminated a pool of silver blood on the ground.
Hagrid made a disapproving sound and said grimly: "Unicorn blood... The Forbidden Forest hasn't been peaceful lately. Something's been attacking unicorns. I found a dead one last week."
Malfoy's face immediately turned bloodless. Why didn't you say so earlier?!
However, looking at the dark, rugged path behind them, he knew there was no turning back.
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Ethan offered comfort: "Don't worry. A mother dragon that's lost her eggs is definitely a hundred times more dangerous than whatever's attacking unicorns."
"..."
The atmosphere became even heavier.
Fortunately, Hagrid's massive frame and the stone bow in his hands that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds gave them some sense of security.
They walked in silence, gradually going deeper into the Forbidden Forest, until Fang suddenly whimpered and cowered.
"This is it!" Hagrid excitedly whispered, pushing aside the bushes in front of them.
Then everyone froze.
Ethan looked up, gazing at the massive creature as tall as a house, his eyes gradually lighting up. He couldn't help but breathe: "Beautiful..."
The streamlined elegant body, bone spikes on its back piercing the sky like spears. Black scales reflected moonlight, emanating colorful flowing light. It was sleeping, its massive body rising and falling like mountains. It emanated a terrifying presence that made breathing difficult.
If not just sealing but truly recreating this dragon's majesty, the world would be at his feet. That noseless bald guy would be a mere afterthought.
Ethan breathed rapidly, staring directly at the dragon, his eyes full of artistic desire.
A dozen people ran toward them. Some were from Ron's brother Charlie's team, others from the Malfoy family.
After communicating with Hagrid, the wooden crate was carefully set down. The Norwegian Ridgeback hatchling writhed and walked out, looking around dazedly for a moment.
Then, its nostrils twitched, and following instinct, it struggled to crawl toward the mother dragon.
"Oh, how adorable," Hagrid looked like his heart was melting.
But those wizards weren't so carefree. They were still complaining internally about why they had to bring a bunch of children along. To add to the dragon's meal? Didn't they know how dangerous a mother dragon that had just lost her eggs could be?
Once enraged, even they, as professionals, would only have time to flee for their lives.
Sleep-removal spells shot out one after another. The dark shadow slowly moved. The protective membrane opened, and orange-red vertical pupils immediately focused on the hatchling running toward it.
It struggled to get up, lowered its body, and slowly sniffed and observed.
"Shh..." a wizard said nervously, "The mother dragon is confirming the hatchling. It can't be disturbed at all!"
After several seconds, the mother dragon's arched back relaxed, and tenderness appeared in its eyes. It lowered its head, about to nudge the little dragon with its snout.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, looking at each other joyfully. "Success..."
Just then, Ethan's pupils suddenly contracted. The flow of magic in the air changed abruptly! Something was coming!
Ethan waved his hand. Beneath Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy... these underage wizards... pitch-black doorways suddenly opened! They let out short screams as they were teleported to safety!
Hagrid and the other wizards stared at Ethan in shock. "What are you doing?!"
The wizards angrily whispered, about to get upset.
The next second, a shrill wail suddenly erupted! A silver figure darted out from the side, blood splashing, and the air immediately filled with a thick, bloody scent!
Not good! The mother dragon was disturbed!
Except for Ethan, everyone present instantly turned pale!
"Crack, crack, crack!"
Several explosions. The Malfoy family wizards immediately Apparated away.
"ROAR!"
The earth shook. The mother dragon suddenly reared up, its pupils instantly contracting to needle points. No more tenderness. Its eyes were replaced by bloodlust and rage!
Its claws swept up, and with a tremendous bang, it sent a figure chasing the unicorn flying like a meteor.
Ethan squinted: Hm? That looked like... Professor Quirrell?
He wouldn't die, would he! Don't! He still needed to play in his wonderful ancient city!
However, this obviously wasn't the time to worry about Professor Quirrell's safety.
"Quick, quick, go!" Charlie's wizards shouted in terror, grabbing Ethan and Hagrid to Apparate.
"Wait!" It wasn't Ethan who spoke, but Hagrid.
This thoughtful half-giant pushed the wizard away and lunged forward, scooping the hatchling into his arms!
"Are you insane?!" the wizard shouted, eyes wide. "A maddened mother dragon won't care about someone else's hatchling! It'll crush you flat!"
As soon as he finished speaking... "BOOM!"
A massive crash, the earth cracked. Hagrid was knocked to the ground but still held the hatchling tightly, protecting it in his embrace, using his broad back to face the mother dragon.
The mother dragon's massive claw was about to strike down...
"Second-tier artwork: Seal."
A soft murmur arose. The black-haired boy who had first sensed the anomaly also broke free from the wizard's grip. His black hair flying, his cobalt-blue eyes staring intently at the maddened mother dragon, shining brilliantly!
"Swoosh..."
A massive dark brown wardrobe appeared before his open palm. The cabinet doors opened, and an infinitely deep and phantasmic universe poured out! Forming serpentine chains that bound the giant dragon! Freezing the descending claw in midair!
"Cough."
Ethan coughed lightly, frowning as he felt a metallic taste in his throat, his face turning snow white. Meeting the shocked and stunned gazes of those wizards, he said calmly and clearly:
"Sleeping spell, quickly. Knock that mother dragon out for me."