It turned out to be true.
As long as the Malfoys were put under a little pressure, their efficiency could skyrocket.
Two weeks later, deep into the night.
Outside Hagrid's hut.
"Alright, my little fuzzballs! I've packed Norbert into the box."
A rough voice rang out.
Ethan, Harry, and the other two turned to look.
They saw Hagrid effortlessly hoisting a massive wooden crate nearly as tall as they were, striding toward them with a flushed face.
Hagrid said, "I've prepared plenty of rats for him, and some brandy too, just in case he gets hungry, you know?"
The box rattled and shook, as if a bulldog were trapped inside.
"Look how lively he is! I even tossed in his favorite toy bear so he wouldn't feel lonely."
A ripping sound echoed from within.
Ethan heard Ron whisper, "A torn-up friend? How... inventive."
Malfoy arrived as well.
"I told Gemma Farley, the prefect, that this was something Ethan had ordered, and she let me out."
Malfoy said triumphantly.
"Besides, that dragon was discovered by our family—shouldn't I personally inspect her?"
He wore an excited expression.
Clearly, for a young wizard of his age, dragons were still incredibly alluring creatures.
As long as he didn't have to care for them.
The moonlight shone brightly.
It was occasionally veiled by clouds, shifting between light and shadow.
This lent a certain thrill to their rule-breaking adventure.
Ethan's expression remained composed.
But his gleaming cobalt-blue eyes betrayed his inner excitement.
In his vision, a subtle blue subtitle flickered by.
[Painting · Universe in the Wardrobe]
[Type: Item]
[Grade: Second-Tier · Blue Precious]
[Description: Close the cabinet door, and you are in a psychedelic universe with no exit and no entrance]
[Effect: Can seal external creatures into the painting; success and duration depend on the user's magic level]
[Evaluation: Sealing, or being sealed by something—wait, how did your opponent disappear in the middle of the fight?]
[Continuing to draw may summon something]
The first second-tier painting created using those extraordinary pigments, [Star's Color]!
It could seal creatures from reality right back into the artwork!
Ethan raised his hand, and a rectangular card materialized in his palm.
It depicted an open, dark brown wardrobe.
At its center, a vast and shadowy universe was contained, with colorful orbs drifting and spinning like a dream.
Like romantic stars—and also like the glint off some terrifying alien insect's segmented exoskeleton.
I wonder if this second-tier painting can seal an adult dragon...
Ethan licked his lips, a mad, dark gleam swirling in his eyes.
Just then, a scream pierced the air from ahead.
"W-what is that?!"
Malfoy pointed at the ground in horror.
The moonlight spilled down, revealing a puddle of silvery blood on the earth.
Hagrid huffed and said in a deep voice, "Unicorn blood... The Forbidden Forest hasn't been peaceful lately; something's been attacking the unicorns. I found one dead last week."
Malfoy's face immediately drained of color.
Why didn't you mention this earlier?!
But glancing at the dark, rugged path behind them, he knew turning back was impossible.
Noticing the heavy atmosphere, Ethan spoke up to reassure them:
"It's fine. A mother dragon who's just lost her egg is definitely a hundred times more terrifying than whatever's hunting the unicorns."
The mood grew even heavier.
Fortunately, Hagrid's enormous build and the stone crossbow in his hand—which looked like it weighed a ton—provided some sense of security.
The group pressed on in silence, venturing deeper into the Forbidden Forest.
Until Fang the hound suddenly whimpered and cowered.
"This is it!"
Hagrid whispered excitedly, parting the bushes ahead.
Then, everyone froze.
Ethan looked up, gazing at the colossal creature before them—as tall as a house—his eyes gradually igniting with wonder.
He couldn't help but murmur:
"So beautiful..."
Its streamlined, elegant form, with bone spurs jutting from its back like spears aimed at the sky.
Its black scales caught the moonlight, reflecting iridescent shimmers.
It slumbered deeply, its massive body rising and falling like a mountain range.
It radiated an oppressive aura that made breathing difficult.
If it weren't just a seal, but could truly replicate this dragon's majestic form...
Then the world would bow at his feet.
Dealing with a certain noseless bald man would be as simple as a swat.
Ethan's breath quickened as he stared at the dragon, his eyes brimming with longing.
A dozen people came rushing toward them.
Some were from Ron's brother Charlie's group, others from the Malfoys.
After exchanging words with Hagrid, the crate was carefully set down.
The young Norwegian Ridgeback wriggled out, letting out soft whimpers, disoriented for a moment.
Then, its nostrils flared, and guided by instinct, it struggled to clamber toward the mother dragon.
"Oh how cute"
Hagrid looked as if his heart were melting.
But those wizards didn't share his sentiment.
They were still grumbling inwardly about why they'd been saddled with a bunch of kids.
To serve as extra snacks for the giant dragon?
Didn't they realize how dangerous a mother dragon fresh from losing her egg could be?
Once she rampaged, even these professionals would have to flee for their lives.
Spells to lift the sleep charm were cast one after another.
The dark shadow stirred slowly.
Its nictitating membrane parted, and as its orange-red slit pupils focused, they locked onto the hatchling scampering toward her.
She struggled to rise, then bent down, slowly sniffing and observing.
"Shh—" a wizard said nervously, "The mother dragon is verifying the hatchling; she can't be startled at all!"
A few seconds later.
The mother dragon's arched back eased, a touch of gentleness softening her eyes.
She lowered her head, about to nuzzle the little one with her snout.
Everyone exhaled in relief, exchanging joyful glances.
"Success!"
Just then.
Ethan's pupils constricted; in the air, the flow of magic shifted abruptly!
Something was approaching!
Ethan waved his hand.
Beneath Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy—these underage young wizards—a dark portal suddenly yawned open!
They let out brief screams and were instantly teleported far away!
Hagrid and the other wizards stared at Ethan in shock.
"What are you doing?!"
The wizards cursed under their breath, on the verge of exploding in anger.
The next second, a piercing wail shattered the air!
A silver figure darted out from the side, blood spraying everywhere, and the air filled with a thick, metallic scent!
No!!!
The mother dragon had been disturbed!!!
Except for Ethan, everyone's face blanched in an instant!
"Bang, bang, bang!"
With several sharp cracks, the Malfoy wizards Apparated away at once.
"Roar!!!"
The ground trembled.
The mother dragon reared up, her pupils narrowing to slits.
The gentleness vanished, replaced by bloodthirsty fury in her gaze!
She lashed out with her razor-sharp claw, and with a boom, she hurled the figure pursuing the unicorn like a shooting star.
Ethan: ?
Hmm? That looks like... Professor Quirrell?
He's not dead, is he?!
Don't be! He still needs that wonderful ancient city of his!
But this was hardly the time to fret over Professor Quirrell's well-being.
"Quick, run!"
The wizards from Charlie's side shrieked in terror, grabbing Ethan and Hagrid, preparing to Apparate.
"Wait!"
It wasn't Ethan who spoke, but Hagrid.
This compassionate half-giant shoved the wizard aside, charged forward, and scooped the hatchling into his arms!
"Are you insane?!" the wizard bellowed, eyes bulging, "A rampaging mother dragon won't spare anyone else's young! She'll just crush you flat!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth.
"Boom!"
With a thunderous crash, the earth split.
Hagrid was flung to the ground but clung to the hatchling, shielding it in his embrace, turning his broad back to the mother dragon's massive claws as they descended—
"Second-tier painting · Seal."
A soft murmur echoed.
The black-haired boy, who had first sensed the disturbance, also shook free from the wizard's hold.
His dark hair whipped in the air, and his cobalt-blue eyes fixed on the rampaging mother dragon, blazing with intensity!
"Swish—" A massive dark brown wardrobe materialized before his outstretched palm.
The doors swung open, and an infinite, profound, kaleidoscopic universe spilled forth!
It morphed into a scorpion-tailed chain, ensnaring the giant dragon!
Halting her lethal claw mid-strike!
"Cough."
Ethan coughed softly, frowning as a metallic tang rose in his throat, his face paling instantly.
Under the wizards' stunned and incredulous stares, he spoke calmly and clearly:
"Hypnotic spell, quickly."
"Knock that mother dragon out for me."
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