A group of people hurriedly helped Hagrid extinguish the flames in his beard. At that moment, Wentworth stepped into the room, carefully observing the Norwegian Ridgeback before them.
"Wentworth, what are you doing here?" Hagrid asked curiously.
Without looking up, Wentworth replied, "Headmaster Dumbledore assigned me a task. I was just passing by and thought I'd say hello. I didn't expect to witness such a fascinating sight."
Before anyone could ask further, Wentworth pointed at the Norwegian Ridgeback and said, "Hagrid, what's your plan?"
Hagrid, his face full of excitement, responded, "I plan to raise him secretly in the Forbidden Forest. You won't tell anyone, right, Wentworth?"
Hearing this, Wentworth smiled and said, "Of course, I wouldn't betray you!"
Just as Hagrid was about to express his gratitude, Wentworth continued, "But have you considered what it means to keep a Norwegian Ridgeback? Are you prepared to lose the entire Forbidden Forest because of it?"
Hagrid was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, Hermione spoke up in agreement, "Wentworth is right, Hagrid. You saw it yourself—it's only just hatched, and it can already breathe fire. Are you sure it won't set the entire Forbidden Forest ablaze?"
Hearing their words, Hagrid fell silent. After a long pause, he said reluctantly, "But it's so small… where else could I send it?"
Draco, unable to hide his excitement, quickly interjected, "I told you, Hagrid! Sell it to me! I'll pay you plenty of Galleons!"
Hagrid gritted his teeth and snapped, "No way! I would never sell my child!"
At this, Ron stepped forward and suggested, "Leave it to me, Hagrid. My brother works with dragons in Romania. We can send it to him."
But Hagrid shook his head wistfully and said, "Romania? No, that's too far! I'm afraid I'll never see him again!"
At last, Wentworth spoke up, "Then leave it to me, Hagrid. In a couple of days, I'll have someone take Norbert away to a safe place where he can be properly raised. You'll still be able to visit him—if you trust me, that is."
Hagrid quickly nodded, "Of course, I trust you, Wentworth! But… where will you take him?"
With confidence, Wentworth replied, "How about Austria? I have a relative who lives alone in a forest there. The Norwegian Ridgeback will make a fine companion for him!"
Hagrid nodded repeatedly at Wentworth's suggestion. "Austria is good! It's not too far. But Norbert is still a dragon, after all. He may be a good lad, but when he gets angry, he's dangerous. Can your relative handle him?"
Hearing this, Wentworth burst into laughter. "Don't worry, for him, this is nothing but a small matter!"
Seeing that the matter was settled, Draco pouted and slumped down, clearly frustrated that he had missed the chance to own a real dragon. Meanwhile, Ron and the others seemed indifferent.
With the dragon issue resolved, Wentworth checked the time and turned to Harry and the others. "It's curfew. Are you lot planning to stay out all night? I just saw Professor McGonagall patrolling the corridors—looks like she's out enforcing curfew."
At Wentworth's words, Harry and his friends exchanged glances before hastily bidding farewell to Hagrid and Wentworth, rushing back to their dormitories.
Watching them scramble away, Wentworth remained seated in Hagrid's hut, completely unbothered. He even picked up a teacup and poured himself a fresh cup of hot tea. Seeing this, Hagrid asked curiously, "Wentworth, it's curfew. Aren't you heading back?"
Wentworth took a sip of tea before replying leisurely, "No rush. Did you forget? I told you—I'm here on a mission assigned by Headmaster Dumbledore."
Realization dawned on Hagrid. "What kind of task? Do you need my help?"
Wentworth's smile widened. "That would be wonderful!"
Then, with a mysterious expression, he lowered his voice and said, "Hagrid, have you heard? The Forbidden Forest hasn't been peaceful lately. There have even been attacks on unicorns. Dumbledore tasked me with uncovering the truth behind it."
At this, Hagrid immediately responded, "Of course I know! I was the one who first reported it to Dumbledore! Don't worry, Wentworth—I'll help you! It's my job, after all!"
Seeing Hagrid pat his chest in reassurance, Wentworth smiled in satisfaction.
After finishing his tea, Wentworth finally stepped out of Hagrid's hut. He strolled around the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest before making his way leisurely back to Hogwarts Castle.
As soon as he entered, he spotted Professor McGonagall standing in the corridor, looking absolutely livid. She was scolding someone loudly. In front of her, Harry, Draco, and the others stood with miserable expressions, enduring her stern reprimand.
"Good evening, Professor McGonagall," Wentworth greeted her with a smile as he approached.
Professor McGonagall turned, frowning at Wentworth's casual demeanor. "Wentworth, I hope you have a very good reason for being out so late."
Calmly, Wentworth pulled out a note from his pocket and handed it to her.
Professor McGonagall took it and read it, her frown deepening. But after a moment, she handed it back and said, "Although this is authorized by Headmaster Dumbledore, I must remind you, Wentworth, to be careful."
Wentworth nodded respectfully. Professor McGonagall then signaled that he could go.
As he walked past Harry and the others, Wentworth glanced back. He saw Professor McGonagall holding up a different note, her voice rising angrily. "If it weren't for a thoughtful student leaving me this note, I wouldn't have believed that four first-years would dare to wander near the Forbidden Forest past curfew! Who gave you the nerve?!"
Hearing this, Wentworth smiled slightly. At the same time, a small green figure crawled up his trouser leg and nestled into his sleeve—it was his Bowtruckle, quietly settling in for the night.
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