Soren walked toward the Training Grounds after receiving an unexpected summons from Dumbledore.
When he arrived, he saw Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Fang waiting for him.
Hagrid waved enthusiastically.
"Ello, Soren! Glad yeh made it!"
But Soren immediately felt something was off, students nearby were staring at him… whispering… even avoiding eye contact.
"Everyone's acting strange… What's going on?"
Dumbledore smiled calmly, as if he already knew what Soren was thinking, "Thank you for coming, Soren. Hagrid and I have some urgent business in Hogsmeade, and we require your help."
Soren straightened, "Of course. What should I do?"
Dumbledore gestured toward the giant boarhound, "Babysit Fang."
Soren blinked.
"Babysit… Fang?"
Fang drooled happily and flopped onto Soren's feet.
Hagrid laughed loudly, "He likes yeh already!"
Dumbledore nodded.
"We will not be long. Take good care of him."
And with that, Hagrid and the Headmaster disappeared toward the gate.
---
Soren waited with Fang, who occasionally tried to chew on a broomstick.
Suddenly, a Ministry carriage pulled up near the grounds.
A tall, well-dressed man stepped out—brown hair, neatly trimmed beard, wearing green and black Ministry robes.
Amos Diggory was a respected Ministry official, working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
Enthusiastic, proud, and known for bragging about his son, he often handled magical beast transport and inspections.
He walked toward Soren carrying a cage. Inside was a shimmering, jewel-shelled creature.
Amos Diggory asked him, "You must be Soren Whitlock! The Headmaster told me you needed something special for Hagrid's birthday."
Soren nodded quickly, "Yes, sir. A rare magical beast."
Amos tapped the cage lightly, "Well, here yeh are—one Fire Crab! Harmless enough if yeh know what you're doing… Explosive if yeh don't."
Fang barked at the creature, which hissed sparks.
"This will definitely make Hagrid happy."
Amos grinned proudly.
"Of course it will! Now, I should mention—my son Cedric will be joining Hogwarts soon. Bright boy, that one. A natural talent!"
Soren nodded politely, "I'm sure he'll be great here."
Amos puffed up proudly at the compliment, and returned back.
---
A few minutes later, Hagrid and Dumbledore walked back into the Training Grounds, "We're back! Fang give yeh any trouble?"
Soren looked at Fang, who was now asleep on his leg, "Not really… Just heavy."
Hagrid laughed again.
Dumbledore turned toward Soren.
Dumbledore, "And how go the preparations?"
Soren straightened "Everything is arranged inside the Great Hall. All that's left is for everyone to gather."
Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Well done, Mr. Whitlock."
Hagrid didn't know what they were talking about?"
---
The Great Hall looked nothing like it did during normal dinners.
The enchanted ceiling shimmered with warm golden lights, floating lanterns drifted around like gentle fireflies, and long tables were pushed aside to make space for games, snacks, and magical creature decorations.
Students and professors filled the hall, dressed nicely for the occasion.
Soren wore a fresh, neatly-pressed Slytherin robe and green scarf. His hair was combed properly for the first time in days.
Jacqueline wore a soft emerald dress beneath her robe, her black hair tied back with a silver ribbon.
Penny had her usual neat braids, with a small gold necklace shaped like a star.
Cassie wore a pale green robe with elegant silver embroidery.
Selene Avery, the prefect, looked perfect: sharp uniform, polished badge, hair tied in a sleek bun.
Ben Copper wore a slightly oversized Gryffindor robe and nervous smile.
McGonagall appeared in rich tartan robes with a matching pointed hat.
Flitwick wore festive navy-blue robes lined with silver.
Madam Hooch still wore her flying jacket, but with a bright yellow scarf for the occasion. Snape as usual on his robe.
Hagrid, the man of the hour, wore his best brown moleskin coat, beard freshly brushed, and a huge grin.
Dumbledore looked as radiant as always: rich purple robes with tiny stars embroidered across the sleeves.
Even Fang wore a green ribbon tied awkwardly around his neck.
And in the center of the room, a Fire Crab, sitting in a reinforced cage, glowing like a jeweled furnace.
---
As everyone applauded his arrival, Hagrid wiped his eyes, "I… I can't believe yeh threw me this wonderful birthday party, Soren. All o' this… fer me?"
Soren smiled, "You deserve it, Hagrid."
Hagrid looked at the glowing Fire Crab, "And yeh even got me a Fire Crab! Look at 'im—beautiful creature!"
Soren shook his head, "You should thank Headmaster Dumbledore and Amos Diggory for that."
Amos Diggory stepped forward proudly, "I only delivered the magical creature. This whole idea was Mr. Whitlock's."
Soren blushed slightly, "It was actually my prefect's idea—Selene suggested the magical creature."
Selene crossed her arms, pleased, "It was everyone's contribution. A house works together—remember that."
Hagrid sniffed loudly, "Yeh all are too kind… I don't deserve this."
Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on Hagrid's shoulder, "We are here because you deserve far more than you think, Hagrid."
He turned to the hall, "And though many helped in the preparations, this celebration happened because Soren took the responsibility and brought everyone together."
Students clapped. Jacqueline, Penny, and Cassie all grinned proudly at Soren.
Dumbledore raised his glass.
"For that, twenty points to Slytherin."
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers.
Selene smirked. "Well done, Whitlock."
---
Music filled the hall, soft wizarding folk tunes played by floating instruments.
Students laughed while, Fang chased enchanted bubbles
Fireworks shaped like tiny dragons flew overhead
A cake the size of a cauldron floated onto the center table.
The Fire Crab snapped sparks at anyone who got too close.
Hagrid hugged everyone at least twice, Penny created floating streamers with Charms, Cassie helped control the decorations, and Jacqueline kept Fang from eating the cake.
Even Snape arrived briefly, arms crossed… then quietly left when Hagrid hugged him too tightly
Everyone was laughing, eating, dancing, and enjoying the warm glow of the celebration.
---
As the music softened, Hagrid motioned for Soren to step aside with him, "Soren… I've got summat for yeh too."
"For me?"
Hagrid nodded excitedly, "I've arranged a little surprise down in the Magical Creatures Reserve in the Grasslands. Thought yeh might like ter see it after the party."
Soren's eyes widened, "A magical creature? For me?"
Hagrid grinned. "Let's just say… Yer sister Elara liked this creature a lot too."
A quiet hush fell between them.
Soren nodded slowly, "I want to see it."
Hagrid clapped him on the back hard enough to nearly knock him over. "Good lad! We'll head there once the festivities settle."
---
After the celebration ended, Soren followed the path down to the Magical Creatures Reserve, just as Hagrid instructed.
The air was fresh, the moon was bright, and soft rustling sounds came from the tall grass.
He stepped into the Grasslands section, amazed by the open meadow stretching into the distance.
That's when he saw Hagrid waving.
Beside him was a small creature, black fur, long snout, tiny claws, shiny eyes, a Niffler, clinging to Hagrid's coat pocket and trying to steal his buttons.
Soren asked him, "Hagrid… what's my surprise?"
Hagrid grinned proudly, lifting the Niffler into his large hands. "Yeh see, Soren… in the Magical Creatures Reserve, we've got lots o' creatures from all over the world. Some rare… some tricky… some downright adorable."
The Niffler squeaked and tried to grab Soren's sleeve button.
Hagrid chuckled, "If a student makes a good bond with one, they can adopt it. Not take it home, the creature stays here in the Reserve, but yeh can visit, play with 'em, and they'll recognise yeh as their own."
Soren nodded, fascinated, "So… I can form a bond?"
"Aye! And that's why—"
He gently placed the wriggling creature into Soren's arms.
"—this little rascal is your surprise."
The Niffler immediately tried to steal the shiny stitching on Soren's robe.
Soren laughed, "A Niffler?"
"Aye! Nifflers love shiny things, but they're loyal once yeh earn their trust."
---
Hagrid knelt down beside Soren, pointing to a small pouch of treats.
"First rule—feed him proper. Small bits o' shiny beetle shells, sweet roots, or little charms yeh can get from the school store."
The Niffler sniffed the pouch eagerly.
"Let him take somethin' shiny from yeh.
Not too important—just enough so he feels comfortable."
Soren reached into his pocket and handed the Niffler a tiny silver button.
The creature eagerly snatched it, stuffed it into its belly pouch, and nuzzled Soren's hand.
Hagrid beamed.
"See that? He's already showin' affection. When Nifflers trust yeh, they get playful— they'll let yeh scratch their belly, follow yeh around, or dig for treasure near yeh."
Soren smiled at the creature curling into his arms, "What's his name?"
Hagrid scratched his beard. "Tha's for yeh to decide. Once yeh name him… that's when the bond becomes official."
The Niffler squeaked as if agreeing.
Soren looked down at the tiny creature and felt a warm connection forming.
This wasn't just a magical beast. It was his first companion in Hogwarts' magical world.
And perhaps… a small piece of the world his sister Elara once explored.
—
Here is a clean, smooth, novel-style scene of Soren choosing the Niffler's name:
---
Soren looked down at the little creature, thinking.
The Niffler tilted its head and squeaked, then proudly pulled the silver button from its pouch and held it up for Soren to see—almost as if showing a trophy.
Soren couldn't help laughing, "You like shiny things… you're playful… and you steal everything that glitters."
He scratched the Niffler gently under the chin, "How about… Glimmer?"
The Niffler squeaked excitedly, a loud, happy sound, and immediately pressed its nose against Soren's cheek.
Hagrid beamed.
"Oh, he loves it! Glimmer—tha's a perfect name for 'im."
The Niffler, now officially Glimmer, climbed onto Soren's shoulder and tugged at his hair affectionately.
Soren laughed again, "Alright, alright—Glimmer it is."
Hagrid nodded with satisfaction, "Congratulations, Soren. Yeh've made yer first magical creature bond."
Soren felt a warm pride swell in his chest.
Glimmer chirped and nestled into his robe pocket, already treating Soren like he belonged to him.