Chapter 57: Written Agreement May Not Be Less Effective Than a Magic Spell
"No need for that," Aaron said indifferently. "How long can you keep the Dragon's identity a secret?
At the rate Dragons grow, its size will be several times its current size in less than two weeks, and in a month, this house probably won't be able to fit it.
At that time, can you control it as you do now?
Even if you can, one accidental sneeze from it could burn down your wooden house, and then it would be common knowledge at Hogwarts that the Gamekeeper is raising a Dragon."
"I know I can't keep it forever," Hagrid said dejectedly. "But I can't bear to just throw it away like this. I can't do that."
"That's your business, not mine.
Using the Fidelius Charm for a secret that's bound to be exposed is completely unnecessary."
"Abey!" Harry said, looking at Aaron. "It's also a Magical Creature, isn't it!
It looked like this when school started, and it's still like this now, barely changed.
But Abey grew a lot when it fought, and now it's back to its original form."
"What are you trying to say?"
Hagrid, however, seemed to understand something, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his heart as he pleaded, "You must have a way to help Magical Creatures control their size. Can you arrange it for Norbert, the Norwegian Ridgeback, too?"
"Heh heh! Your imagination is truly rich.
Abey is a Magical Creature. I remember there are some creatures in the Magical World that can control their size, aren't there!
Although not many, the Restricted Section's ancient texts do mention one or two. To give a very simple example, Werewolves transform on the night of the full moon.
Also, I don't understand where you get the nerve to ask me to do such a thing. Don't forget, you just kidnapped my pet!"
"Sorry, I was too anxious.
Let's talk about the confidentiality agreement you mentioned first! How do you plan to handle it?"
"Very simple!" Aaron directly took out a parchment and a pen from his pocket, then began to write, "I learned of Abey's identity as a Magical Creature in February 1992, but I guarantee by all my honor that I will not disclose its identity in any way."
Hagrid picked up the parchment and looked at it carefully, his expression becoming strange.
This paper was ordinary paper, and the content of the agreement couldn't be simpler, but it was a bit too casual.
"That's it? Are you sure?"
"Of course, you just need to sign it."
"Aaron, isn't this a bit too hasty?" Draco frowned. "Even if you don't use magic tools, you should at least write a more detailed agreement!
What if they make Abey's identity public?"
"If they really want to do that, no spell can stop them," Aaronsaid meaningfully. "The Magical World is not lacking Wizards willing to violate contracts with their lives.
Besides, this is a unilateral agreement. They know Abey's identity, but we completely don't know about Norbert's existence. If the Dragon is discovered later, it has nothing to do with us.
In other words, as long as we don't tell anyone that Hagrid is raising a Dragon, they naturally won't fall out with us.
More importantly, Abey cannot be hidden forever. If it can be exposed today, it might be exposed tomorrow. The Magical World will know of its existence sooner or later.
Even the most detailed agreement cannot bind the entire Magical World."
"So that's how it is!" Draco nodded. "Then I'll sign first!"
"You don't need to." Aaron waved his hand, looking at Hagridmeaningfully. "You, the mastermind, sign first!"
Hagrid guiltily picked up the pen and signed his name on the paper, then consciously passed the agreement to Harry.
Harry and Ron also knew they were in the wrong, and after a moment of hesitation, they signed one by one.
Finally, it was Hermione. She lowered her head, her pupils slightly red, sitting motionless in the chair.
"Granger, it's your turn," Draco said indifferently.
"I, I know." Hermione sighed, wiped the corners of her eyes, and trembling, picked up the pen to write her crooked name.
The whole process lasted for more than half a minute, during which she dared not lift her head, fearing to see Aaron's disappointed eyes.
After signing, she felt an emptiness in her heart, as if she had lost something.
"Alright everyone, we'll see you tomorrow." Aaronexpressionlessly put away the parchment, picked up Abey, and walked out the door. "I hope this is the only time, and the last time.
You all, take care of yourselves!"
Draco followed Aaron, but after a few steps, he suddenly thought of something and turned around triumphantly to look at the others in the cabin. "What a wonderful night. Although the moon isn't perfectly round, I feel inexplicably good."
"Malfoy!" Ron clenched his fists. "Stop being so sarcastic."
"Am I? Where am I being sarcastic?
Please, Weasley, point it out to me. I'd be very grateful!"
"Enough, there's no point in teasing them. Let's go!"
"Wait a moment!" Draco said with a forced smile, then looked at Hermione. "Don't worry, I won't call you a Mudblood anymore, but I definitely won't lose to you in the final exams."
Hermione uncharacteristically didn't retort, just nodded weakly.
"Draco, pay attention to your demeanor as a Pure-bloodWizard," Aaron said speechlessly, not wanting to stay here any longer. He opened the door and walked out.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Draco hurriedly followed, not forgetting to close the door for Hagrid.
After the two left, the atmosphere in the cabin became somewhat heavy.
Harry, Ron, and Hagrid all looked at Hermione tacitly. Tonight, apart from losing some face, they had no other losses, but Hermione was different; she was probably feeling very bad.
"Hermione!" Harry wanted to comfort her, but the words caught in his throat.
"If you want to cry, just cry! Don't hold it in," Hagrid sighed melancholically. "We're all family here, no one will laugh at you."
Hermione slightly raised her head, her red eyes beginning to well up, and crystal tears fell like broken strings of pearls.
"Sorry," Ron said remorsefully. "It's all my fault. I forced you into this plan."
"It's not entirely your fault." Harry patted his shoulder. "I also bear half the responsibility."
"Didn't you say it was foolproof?" Hermione sobbed. "Now look, I won't be able to face him again. Are you happy?"
Harry and Ron were too embarrassed to look up. Before the operation, they had sworn it would be foolproof, but who would have thought they'd be caught red-handed? There was no way to get Hermione out of it.
"It's all Malfoy's fault," Ron pursed his lips. "If he hadn't tattled, everything would have gone smoothly."
"Not necessarily," Hagrid interjected. "Before Aaron and Malfoy kicked the door in, Abey and Norbert were already fighting, and some of his clothes were singed.
Even if Malfoy hadn't come, it would have been exposed tomorrow anyway."
"You heard that," Hermione said, filled with regret. "I shouldn't have helped you. He trusted me so much.
He even entrusted his Magical Creature to me, but I...Woo..."
"Don't, don't cry, Hermione.
We were wrong, there won't be a next time, really." Harrysaid incoherently. He had never comforted a girl in his life.
Ron was also flustered, not knowing what to do.
He had experience comforting his younger sister, but the current situation was completely different. It wasn't something that could be forgotten by giving a few candies, saying a few nice words, and then having a good night's sleep.
They had really messed up this time. Even with his carefree nature, he knew he had wronged Hermione, but he didn't know how to comfort her.
Hagrid also felt bad. Although he hadn't participated in the action, he was the cause of the problem.
In Aaron's words, he was indeed the mastermind.
"Alas! Apologize!"
"Hagrid, you're confused," Ron said with a bitter smile. "If apologizing could solve the problem, Harry and I would have apologized long ago."
"I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about Hermione.
From just now until now, Hermione hasn't apologized to Aaron yet!
I think she should at least admit her mistake first and show her attitude, right?"
"But you saw it just now, he didn't give Hermione a chance to speak," Harry said.
"That's better than doing nothing and just crying here, isn't it?"
"Yes, you're right." Hermione wiped the tears from her face, barely pulling herself together. "I need to catch up and apologize to him. Whether he accepts it or not, even if he scolds me, it's better than saying nothing."
"Good that you understand, go quickly!
It's best not to wait until tomorrow. Apologize before he returns to the dormitory," Hagrid said. "The sooner, the better, the earlier, the better."
"Got it, thank you, Hagrid." Hermione thanked him and quickly opened the door, chasing after them.
"We're going too," Harry said, about to pull Ron away.
"Don't drag me, I'm not going," Ron said stubbornly. "Dracois probably next to Aaron. If I go, it'll be too embarrassing."
"Ron, Hermione, a girl, has the courage to apologize. If we two boys don't go, what's the difference between us and cowards?
If I were Malfoy, I would look down on you even more."
Hearing this, Ron gritted his teeth, "Embarrassing is embarrassing then!"
Having made their decision, the two didn't linger and quickly ran towards the door.
However, after only a few steps out of the cabin, their speed slowed, and their expressions became particularly unnatural.
Filch was waiting for them outside with a lantern, Madam Norris was squatting obediently by his right foot, and worse, there was also a disappointed Professor McGonagall.