The toad matter had finally come to an end, and Solim found himself in a good mood. At least he no longer had to worry about Evans causing trouble or acting with bad intentions.
But the resolution of Evans' situation did not mean that Solim was entirely at ease. He had not forgotten the strange appearance of his name on the Marauder's Map. Ever since that discovery, he had been trying to understand it.
Why can't my name be displayed on the Marauder's Map? Solim recalled confirming with Elrond during the last Christmas vacation that his name was not cursed, nor had he been affected by any strange spells. Yet, there had to be a reason his name wasn't showing up.
If a concealment spell had been cast on the name, it would not appear on the map. But his name appeared as a blob of ink, which puzzled Solim. Everything had a reason, and now it was his task to figure out why his name remained invisible.
Solim knew this would not be an easy task. The secret of the name could not be uncovered by simply flipping through books. Still, he wasn't overly anxious. The map's inability to display his name was curious but not urgent.
Meanwhile, the first-year students were beginning to feel the pressure of the approaching final exams. Hermione had already made a review timetable for herself and Neville, who, aside from completing his homework, rarely practiced spells in the small classroom now. Hermione considered exams extremely important; in her eyes, it would be unforgivable to fail due to spending too much time practicing spells instead of reviewing.
Today, however, Hermione came to the small classroom alone. She knew Solim often came here when the Slytherins were not in class.
"Hermione, why are you free to come here today?" Solim asked. Usually, she would be in the library.
"I discovered something," Hermione replied, walking over and sitting down.
Solim looked at her, waiting for an explanation.
"Today, I noticed Ronald's hand was badly swollen and hurt. He's been running to Hagrid a lot lately," Hermione said.
"What do you care about them? They bring trouble upon themselves; they'll have to deal with the consequences," Solim said lazily, knowing full well what was happening with Ronald.
Hermione frowned. "If you really want to help, you can't do it voluntarily. They need to come to you first and ask for help. Only then can you act, remembering what happened before."
Despite her eagerness to help, Hermione had learned the hard way that people are not always grateful.
As Solim spoke with Hermione, Draco suddenly burst into the room.
"Solim! Guess what I found?" Draco shouted, almost out of breath. "They're raising dragons! I'm going to report them! Scar and Weasley will be fired! And, of course, that big fool!"
Solim glanced at Draco calmly. "Speak clearly. What's going on?"
Once Draco caught his breath, he began to explain what he had discovered. Like Hermione, he had noticed strange behavior from Potter and Weasley recently. After observing them for some time, Draco saw that the two were frequently running to Hagrid's hut.
If it were anyone else, Draco might not have cared, but since one was Scarhead and the other a Weasley, both people he disliked, he decided to follow them. It turned out that Hagrid was secretly raising dragons—a serious violation of wizarding law.
In the 17th century, the wizarding community had banned private dragon breeding. Selling, breeding, or hatching dragons without official permission was considered extremely dangerous and illegal.
Dragons were uncontrollable creatures. If one flew into a Muggle city, the consequences would be disastrous—personnel and property losses would be inevitable. The Ministry of Magic would face enormous pressure.
The Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters would be the first to respond. The accident reversal team would work tirelessly to erase any evidence from Muggles' memories. The Misinformation Office would coordinate with the Muggle Prime Minister to provide plausible explanations for the incident. The Department of Management and Control of Fantastic Beasts would intervene to subdue the dragon, often collaborating with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Investigations would follow, and reports would have to be filed meticulously.
The Department of International Magical Cooperation would need to inform other nations, and, if overwhelmed, might request assistance from the International Federation of Wizards. Meanwhile, the Department of Magical Transport would have to manage the influx of foreign wizards, creating emergency Floo network lines near the incident site. Only the Department of Mysteries and the Department of Sports could relax during such an event.
Private dragon keeping was forbidden for good reason. History had shown that fire dragons could attack Muggles, risking exposure of the wizarding world. If Hagrid were caught illegally raising dragons, he would face years in Azkaban and an enormous fine.
Draco, nearly jumping with excitement, could barely contain himself. Solim, however, remained calm. "Do you really think Potter and Weasley are capable of obtaining a dragon egg? Do they know how to hatch one?"
Draco paused, realizing Solim had a point. Even if Potter and Weasley were found nearby, the Ministry would likely not hold them responsible. Hagrid's reputation and Dumbledore's influence would ensure that the incident remained a minor affair.
Hermione, on the other hand, was terrified. Though she didn't particularly like Weasley, she could not bear the thought of either him or Potter facing such severe consequences. "Solim... Draco... I know you don't like Harry and Ronald, but... can you just let them be? They've caused enough trouble already," she pleaded, clenching her fists.
Draco's initial excitement was replaced by a reluctant calm. He realized that, despite the laws, the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined. Solim's words had reminded him that appearances could be misleading, and the real danger lay not with the students but with the consequences of meddling.
Solim, true to his nature, remained detached yet thoughtful. He had observed enough to understand the seriousness of the matter. Though Hagrid was likely the real culprit, the lives of Potter and Weasley could be affected by the wrong assumptions. Careful observation and strategy were needed.
Hermione sighed, relieved that Solim and Draco seemed to be considering the broader picture. It was rare for her to feel so dependent on Slytherins, but today was one of those days. She hoped reason would prevail and that no one would be unfairly punished for curiosity and mischief.
Meanwhile, the first-year students continued their review and preparation, oblivious to the brewing drama around them. Solim, still pondering the Marauder's Map, remained quietly aware of everything happening in Hogwarts. Even as others rushed to action, he measured every word, every movement, knowing that patience and observation often yielded better results than impulsive reporting.
Draco, though still brimming with energy, began to appreciate the value of thinking twice before acting. Hermione, although anxious, found some comfort in Solim's calm logic. And Hagrid's secret, for now, remained just that—a secret.
The tension in Hogwarts persisted, but in the small classroom, a different energy flowed: one of quiet calculation, careful observation, and a sense of restrained responsibility.
Even the Marauder's Map, mysterious as it was, had lessons to teach about patience, caution, and the consequences of curiosity. And Solim, for all his quiet demeanor, was determined to uncover its secrets in his own time, without endangering anyone—or himself.
The story of dragons, mischief, and hidden names was far from over, but for now, a fragile balance had been maintained. Every student, every spell, and every decision had its place in the intricate web of Hogwarts, and those who could see beyond appearances were already preparing for what came next.
Solim glanced at the map once more. The blob of ink that hid his name still puzzled him, but he knew it had a purpose. He would uncover the secret, step by careful step.
And for today, he let the small classroom hum with quiet activity—Hermione reviewing, Draco simmering with restrained excitement, and himself, calm and observant—knowing that patience, above all, was the true magic that would guide him through the challenges ahead.
The dragon, Hagrid's secret, and the map's mystery were all pieces of a larger puzzle. Solim intended to solve it, and in doing so, he would prove that intelligence, caution, and careful planning could outshine even the most fiery of dragons.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Johnybairstow