The Niffler darted ahead, its stubby legs pumping furiously.
Charlie trailed behind leisurely, fully concealed under a Disillusionment Charm.
"This little guy can really run," Charlie muttered.
"But no matter how fast you run, you're still in the palm of my hand."
The Niffler dashed through dense underbrush, scurried beneath fallen logs, and finally stopped in front of an unremarkable little mound.
Charlie ducked behind a large tree, eyes narrowed in observation.
The mound looked completely ordinary, its surface covered in moss and wild grass.
But moments later, two other Nifflers popped out from a hole on the side.
"Chii-chii-chii!" The returning Niffler squeaked, gesturing wildly with its tiny paws.
The other two crowded around, their beady eyes full of suspicion.
"Chii-chii-chii-chii!" it went on, even scratching something into the dirt with its claws.
Charlie couldn't understand their language, but it wasn't hard to guess, they were talking about the missing gold.
Sure enough, the other two immediately looked furious.
With the den discovered, Charlie canceled the Disillusionment Charm and stepped from behind the tree.
All three Nifflers froze, slowly turning their heads toward him.
The two guarding the den glared daggers at the returning one.
You brought a wizard to our home?! You're banned! Banned! No tail, no entry!
The returning Niffler was devastated, frantically waving its paws in protest, it clearly hadn't noticed Charlie following.
"Enough," Charlie raised his wand, smirking. "None of you are getting away."
The three Nifflers scattered instantly.
"Stupefy!"
"Stupefy!"
"Stupefy!"
Three spells, three hits. Charlie blew on his wand tip and gave a satisfied nod.
Now for the main event.
He approached the mound and inspected it. It was about two to three meters tall, blanketed in thick grass.
How should I dig this up? Blasting it might damage the treasure.
After a moment's thought,
"Transfigure!"
Charlie waved his wand, casting a large-scale Transfiguration spell on the mound.
The earth and stone transformed into honey badgers, which scurried away under his control.
In no time, the mound vanished completely, revealing a hollow space underneath.
"So this is the Nifflers' nest?"
Charlie's eyes widened.
The underground chamber wasn't that big, about the size of a classroom.
But inside was a chaotic collection of shiny junk.
Fragments of glass glittered on the floor, and there was a small pile of Galleons and Sickles in the corner, around thirty coins in total.
There was also… a red pair of underwear bedazzled with rhinestones?
Charlie's own gold stood out clearly amidst the mess.
He picked out the gold and Galleons and tossed them into his extension trunk.
As for the rest, it was pure garbage.
He hesitated for a moment. Leaving it behind meant the Nifflers could keep their junk.
But no. They had dared to touch his gold.
They would pay.
Raising his wand, Charlie cast a fire spell.
"Incendio!"
Orange flames burst from the tip of his wand, instantly igniting the fabric scraps.
Within minutes, the entire nest had turned to ash.
All that remained were bare dirt walls and charred black dust.
Charlie dusted his hands off, grabbed his trunk, and left in a good mood.
An hour later
The three Nifflers slowly regained consciousness.
They blinked groggily, then froze.
Where's our house?
They rubbed their eyes, hoping it was a bad dream.
"Chii-chii-chii!"
They cried out in horror.
…
Back at Hogwarts, Charlie made his way to the Hufflepuff dormitory.
He passed several classmates who nodded in greeting.
Once in his room, Charlie placed the extension trunk on the bed and, following Dumbledore's instructions, poured magic into it.
A faint blue glow shimmered over the trunk's surface before fading.
"Now only I can open it," Charlie said with a satisfied nod.
He shoved the trunk under the bed and pulled a blanket over it.
Sometime soon, I'll transfer everything to Gringotts. Keeping it at school's just too risky.
If someone steals the whole trunk, I'm done for.
After tidying up, Charlie's stomach growled.
He had been squatting in the forest all afternoon, he was starving.
Following the delicious scent of dinner, he headed to the Great Hall.
The warm light poured out as he pushed open the doors.
The long tables were covered in tonight's feast.
Charlie's eyes sparkled.
White-cut chicken? Nice!
I wonder if it's free-range and raised for 180 days.
He rushed to the Hufflepuff table and started devouring the food.
The chicken's skin was thin and tender, its meat juicy and delicate, dipped in ginger soy sauce.
Each bite exploded with flavor.
"Now that's proper taste," Charlie mumbled, eyes half-closed in bliss.
Just then, Harry, Ron, and Hermione came rushing over.
"Charlie!" Harry called, panting.
Charlie looked up. "What's up?"
Ron plopped down beside him and grabbed some bread.
"We've got a big discovery!"
Hermione sat too, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Since losing House points, the Gryffindors had ignored the trio for days. They spent that time hanging out at the Hufflepuff table with Charlie.
Only after the brawl with Slytherin were they welcomed back.
But even now, they often came to find Charlie.
The Hufflepuffs had long stopped questioning it.
"Charlie, I was studying for finals in the library today-"
"Hold up." Charlie raised a hand. "Finals? They're months away."
Ron rolled his eyes and mumbled through a mouthful of bread, "See? A normal person."
Hermione shot him a glare.
"What's wrong with preparing early?"
She turned back to Charlie.
"Anyway, the point is, I saw Hagrid reading books about dragons!"
"And he was being really sneaky, like he didn't want me to see."
Charlie paused mid-bite and wiped his mouth.
"Hagrid reading books. That's unusual?"
Hermione lowered her voice, glancing around. "I think Hagrid wants to raise a dragon."
Ron scoffed. "Please. Private dragon ownership is illegal. It's a Ministry law."
"And where would he even keep a dragon at Hogwarts?"
Even Harry looked doubtful.
"Hagrid does like dangerous animals… but he wouldn't go that far."
The group exchanged looks.
A long silence.
"…Actually, he might."
They agreed to visit Hagrid's hut for answers.
Charlie was intrigued.
I wonder what kind of dragon he's trying to raise. How does it compare to my Animagus form?
"Let's go," Charlie said, setting his utensils down.
The four of them left the Hall, cutting across the moonlit grounds.
The scent of grass filled the cool night air. Moonlight silvered the stone paths.
Hagrid's hut glowed warmly in the distance.
Harry knocked.
Knock knock knock.
Inside, they heard chaos.
"Just a sec! Hold on!"
Clattering sounds followed, and Hagrid shouted something incomprehensible.
Charlie exchanged a look with Hermione.
Normally, Hagrid would've rushed out at the first knock.
Tonight's hesitation? Definitely suspicious.
"Alright! Come in!" Hagrid opened the door, forcing a stiff smile.
His hair was messier than usual, and his forehead was beaded with sweat.
"Harry! You're here!"
The greeting was forced and awkward.
The four stepped inside.
A wave of heat hit them.
Charlie immediately felt his clothes stick to his skin.
It was much hotter than usual.
"Hagrid, why is it so hot in here?" Ron asked, tugging at his collar.
"Oh, well… It's cold tonight, so I lit more firewood."
It was clearly a warm spring evening.
Hermione frowned and scanned the room.
"Want something to eat?" Hagrid asked quickly. "I've got some rock-cakes and-"
"No thanks," Charlie cut in. "We've eaten."
Hagrid's cooking could be used as blunt-force weaponry.
"So, what brings you lot here?" Hagrid's eyes darted around, avoiding theirs.
"We just wanted to chat," Harry said with a shrug.
"Since we've got detention later, figured we'd come early."
"Actually, now's not the best time. I've got some things- "
He abruptly shut his mouth mid-sentence.
That only confirmed their suspicions.
Charlie scanned the room.
Steam curled from the teapot.
The curtains were shut tight.
"Hagrid," Charlie pointed at the fireplace, "if you don't take that blanket off, your house is going to catch fire."
A thick blanket had been thrown over the hearth. Only Hagrid could come up with something that dumb.
Hagrid followed his finger and froze.
In a panic, he pulled the blanket off.
Flames surged upward.
And nestled in the coals was a giant black egg.
Its shell shimmered like metal, with irregular ridges, ten times the size of a chicken's.
"Aha!" Hermione exclaimed, arms akimbo. "You ARE hatching an egg!"
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35 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed