Hermione, her brows furrowed in disapproval, stepped forward, her voice stern. "Harry, Ron, this is utterly irresponsible! We have Herbology class, and you want to skip it?"

Harry and Ron exchanged frustrated glances before Harry spoke up, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Hermione, we're not skipping classes for no reason. You know very well why we must hurry."

Ron crossed his arms, joining in the argument. "Besides, it's not like we're going to miss anything groundbreaking in Herbology. It's just plants, Hermione. We'll catch up later."

Hermione's eyes flashed with pure horror as she continued to argue her point. "Education is important, Ron! We can't just disregard our responsibilities. It's not about missing something groundbreaking, it's about discipline and dedication to our studies."

"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?"

"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing …"

"Shut up!" Harry whispered.

Thomas could see the anger and frustration on Harry's face, and he was about to jump in and berate him for his pointless outburst. But just as he was about to speak up, he caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Malfoy, and he was standing just a few feet away, his face twisted into a sneer as he listened in on their conversation, or at least part of it. So instead of lashing out, he quickly composed himself and tried to diffuse the situation.

"Okay, let's all calm down," Thomas said in a low voice, trying to keep his tone steady. "We don't want to attract any more attention than we already have. Harry, just put the letter away for now. We'll talk about it later, after our classes."

Harry looked at Thomas, clearly torn between his excitement over the letter and his fear of what Malfoy might do if he heard any more. But after a moment, he nodded and carefully folded the letter back up, tucking it safely into his pocket.

Thomas breathed a sigh of relief as Malfoy finally walked away, his sneer still firmly in place. He knew that they had dodged a bullet this time, but he also knew that they needed to be more careful in the future. With a quick glance around the Great Hall to make sure that no one else was eavesdropping, he turned back to his friends.

"Listen, I know we're all excited about this letter, but we need to be careful," he said, his voice low and urgent. "While I can't wait to see it happen, I'd rather not make Snape in our case and Professor Sprout in yours. Besides, from what I've read, it takes a while for that to happen to we are all good, not to mention that I'd rather not wait a few hours in that heat."

The prospect of facing Snape's wrath or getting in trouble with Professor Sprout was enough to make Harry and Ron reconsider their impulsive desire to see the dragon hatch.

James chimed in, his voice filled with reason, something that made his friends worry. "Tommy's right. We need to be patient and find a way to meet Hagrid after our classes. We don't want to get in detention or put Hagrid in a difficult spot. Plus, waiting a few hours in the heat doesn't sound appealing at all."

Adam nodded in agreement, his excitement tempered by practicality. "We can use this time to come up with a plan, a way to get out of the castle without being seen."

Michael added, "I agree. It's important to consider the consequences and not rush into anything. We can't let our enthusiasm cloud our judgment. We're all smart people, after all."

While Harry was persuaded by Thomas and his words, Ron and Hermione argued all the way to Herbology, and in the end, Hermione agreed to run down to Hagrid's with the boys during their morning break. When the bell sounded from the castle at the end of their lesson, the seven of them dropped their trowels at once and hurried through the grounds to the edge of the Forest. As soon as they reached his hut, Hagrid greeted them looking flushed and excited.

"It's nearly out." Hagrid rushed them inside.

The egg was lying on the table. There were deep cracks in it. Something was moving inside while a funny clicking noise was coming from it.

The group gathered around the table, their eyes fixed on the egg with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. The cracks in the shell grew wider, and a small piece broke off, revealing a glimpse of a scaly surface within. The clicking noise grew louder, filling the hut with an air of excitement.

James couldn't contain his excitement any longer. "Oh, it's hatching! Look!"

A tiny snout emerged from the broken shell, followed by a pair of sparkling eyes. The baby dragon blinked up at them, its wings still folded against its body. Its scales glistened in various shades of green and gold, and a thin trail of smoke escaped from its nostrils.

Hagrid beamed with pride, his eyes shining with joy. "Ain't he a beauty? A Norwegian Ridgeback, he is. I've named her Norbert."

Thomas and his friends were in awe of the sight before them. The baby dragon's presence filled the room with both enchantment and a sense of responsibility for Hagrid.

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Ron, who had initially been hesitant, couldn't help but smile as he watched Norbert. "He's incredible, Hagrid. I can't believe we're seeing a baby dragon!"

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid murmured. He reached out a hand to stroke the dragon's head. It snapped at his fingers, showing pointed fangs.

"Bless him, look, he knows his mummy!" said Hagrid.

"Hagrid," said Hermione, "how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?"

Hagrid was about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face and he leaped to his feet and ran to the window.

"What's the matter?"

"Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains, it's a kid, he's runnin' back up ter the school."

When they heard Hagrid's words, Thomas and his roommates exchanged alarmed glances. Without a moment's hesitation, they jumped to their feet and rushed outside. As they reached the open grounds, Thomas quickly formulated a plan.

"James, Michael, go left and cut him off! Adam, with me, we'll go right," Thomas commanded, his eyes focused on the path leading towards the school. A second later, the four of them split into two groups and sprinted toward their designated routes, their hearts pounding with a mix of adrenaline and concern.

Thomas and Adam raced along the right side of the grounds, their footsteps echoing in unison as they pursued the figure that Hagrid had spotted. They knew that catching up to the boy was crucial to prevent him from spreading the word about the baby dragon and that every second mattered.

Their breath came in ragged gasps as they pushed themselves to their limits, their determination driving them forward. Thomas's mind raced, strategizing their approach, and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Both of them kept their eyes peeled for any sign of movement, their gazes darting from tree to tree. The forest seemed to come alive with mysterious sounds and fleeting shadows, playing tricks on their senses. Every now and then, they would catch a glimpse of movement in their periphery, making their hearts skip a beat, only to realize it was a squirrel or a harmless creature.

As they pressed on, the underbrush grew thicker, making their progress more challenging. Vines entwined around their ankles, and low-hanging branches threatened to impede their path. But Thomas and Adam pushed through, driven by their determination to protect the secret of the baby dragon.

A hushed voice reached their ears, carried by the wind. They exchanged a glance, recognizing it as Draco's unmistakable voice. He was close, and they quickened their pace, closing the gap between them. Suddenly, a flash of silver caught Thomas's eye. Draco emerged from behind a cluster of trees, a triumphant smirk plastered across his face.

Without a moment's hesitation, Thomas and Adam run after Draco, their footsteps pounding against the ground. The chase intensified, adrenaline coursing through their veins, as they weaved through the labyrinth of trees. The forest seemed to twist and turn, disorienting them, but they never lost sight of their goal.

Draco glanced back, his eyes widening when he realized that he was being chased. His pace quickened, desperation replacing his smugness. He darted between trees, hoping to lose them in the maze of foliage, but the two boys chase after him, determined to catch the Slytherin boy before he reaches the castle.

They leaped over fallen logs, ducked under low-hanging branches, and maneuvered through the labyrinth as if they grew in the forest. The chase became a test of agility and endurance, fueled by their relentless pursuit.

As they closed in on Draco, his footsteps grew heavier, his breath ragged. He stumbled, tripping over exposed roots, but quickly regained his footing, unwilling to get caught by some filthy mudbloods.

Finally, Draco reached a clearing, his eyes widening in terror. He had reached a dead-end, with nowhere to go. Thomas and Adam surrounded him, their chests heaving, their gazes fixed upon him. There was a brief moment of silence, broken only by the sound of their heavy breathing.

Thomas's voice pierced the stillness. "You've reached the end of the line, Malfoy!"

Draco's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and defiance as he locked gazes with Thomas. His mind raced, searching for a way out, refusing to accept defeat. The familiar arrogance that had defined him throughout his time at Hogwarts resurfaced, fueling his determination to escape their clutches.

A sly smirk curved Draco's lips as a mischievous idea took hold. He knew he couldn't overpower Thomas and Adam physically, but perhaps he could outwit them. With a flick of his wand, Draco cast a disorienting spell, hoping to create a diversion and seize the opportunity to flee.

A burst of colorful lights erupted from Draco's wand, filling the clearing with a dazzling display. Thomas and Adam jumped out of the way of the spell, both hitting the ground.

Seizing the moment, Draco sprinted towards the edge of the clearing. He could hear their voices behind him, as the thud of their footsteps grow louder. Panic coursed through his mind as he realized that escape was slipping through his fingers.

Just as Draco thought he might escape, a figure emerged from the shadows of the forest. James, lunged forward, tackling Draco to the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of Draco, his body crashing against the earth with a jolt.

James, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and anger, hovered above Draco, ready to unleash his frustration upon him. His fists clenched, and his face contorted with rage that had been building throughout the chase. But before James could deliver a blow, Michael, the level-headed member of their group, intervened.

"Stop, James!" Michael's voice rang out, firm and commanding. He rushed forward, forcefully pulling James away from Draco's defenseless form. His grip tightened around James's arm, holding him back, and preventing him from crossing a dangerous line.

Reluctantly, James relented, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his anger. He understood Michael's reasoning but still, he would have given everything just to punch that snobby little bugger.

Breathing heavily, Draco scrambled to his feet, his robes dirtied and disheveled just as Thomas and Adam reached them. He cast a venomous glare at the four Ravenclaw boys. It was a temporary setback, and Draco vowed to make them pay for this humiliation.

With a mixture of disdain and resentment, Draco uttered a parting threat. "This isn't over, Grayson. You and your friends will regret this. Mark my words."

"Oh, believe me, Malfoy, the feeling is mutual."

James, though still restrained by Michael, couldn't help but add his own warning. "You think you're untouchable, Malfoy, but let me tell you something. We may not have your family's wealth or influence, but what we have are the guts to fight back, rather than hiding behind our daddy's influence, you bloody wanker!"

"We'll see about that," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "You can't protect everyone, Grayson. Sooner or later, you'll realize that you're no match for me!"

"We'll see, Malfoy. We may not be able to change your misguided beliefs but mark my words, we won't back down. Next time you pull something like this, I swear to God, the only way you will leave Hogwarts will be in pain."

With a final glare, Draco turned on his heel and run towards the castle, trying to get as far away from those madmen as possible, leaving Thomas, James, Adam, and Michael standing there, looking as the Slytherin boy run away in fear.

"Let's get back to Hagrid's hut."