After her warning, Professor McGonagall explained that Adrian's transfiguration would naturally break through its current limitations as his magical power increased with age. Until then, he could improve by using magic to study the structural differences between objects more carefully. The better a wizard understood what they wanted to transform, the easier the spell became and the less magic it used.
"Wingardium Leviosa"
McGonagall waved her wand and gently lifted Hagrid onto the stretcher with a floating charm, then levitated both stretcher and patient as they began walking back toward the castle.
Along the way, Adrian took the opportunity to ask about transfiguration techniques, how to avoid common mistakes and increase casting speed. Professor McGonagall answered openly while maintaining the levitation spell, sharing knowledge she'd built up over decades of teaching.
By the time they came out of the Forbidden Forest, Adrian felt he'd learned valuable new concepts, though his transfiguration level remained frustratingly unchanged. He wondered if drinking the unicorn blood might break through the bottleneck, but kept that thought to himself.
Near Hagrid's hut by the lake, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had been waiting anxiously. They hurried forward when they saw Adrian and Professor McGonagall approaching, especially worried when they spotted Hagrid on the stretcher.
"Hagrid, are you okay?" Harry barely looked at Professor McGonagall before rushing to the half-giant's side.
"I'm fine... but Cecilia, she..." Hagrid had recovered somewhat during the walk, but mentioning the unicorn brought fresh tears to his eyes.
The others looked confused, so Adrian explained: "Cecilia was a unicorn. She took the Killing Curse to save Hagrid."
"Avada Kedavra? That's an Unforgivable Curse! Who would use such a thing?" Hermione's voice was sharp with shock.
Harry had never heard of it, and Ron only knew the name of the Imperius Curse, so Hermione immediately launched into an explanation.
"I've read about it. It's a terrible killing curse that instantly takes someone's life, pure dark magic. The Ministry lists it as one of the three Unforgivable Curses, and anyone caught using it goes straight to Azkaban. When someone is hit by it, they die immediately. There's no counter-curse, no way to survive..."
She paused, looking embarrassed. "Well, except for Harry. He's the only person who ever survived Avada Kedavra, when You-Know-Who cast it."
Harry automatically touched the scar on his forehead, which had started tingling. He'd never known he'd survived such a dangerous curse. People always said he'd defeated the Dark Lord and saved the wizarding world, but no one had ever explained exactly what that meant.
"Whoever attacked Hagrid doesn't care about Ministry rules. Don't expect dark wizards to follow the law," Adrian said, thinking Hermione was being rather naive.
"All right, children, we can discuss this later. Right now we have more pressing matters, like hiding a certain dragon and getting Hagrid to the hospital wing." Professor McGonagall had to interrupt their conversation.
"Norbert can stay in Hagrid's hut. We just need to keep him unconscious with a sleeping spell," Adrian suggested.
McGonagall considered this and found it workable. She had Adrian guide Norbert inside, then raised her wand swiftly.
"Stupefy!"
She moved so quickly that Norbert was unconscious before he realized what was happening.
Considering dragons' natural resistance to magic, McGonagall cast the stunning spell several more times to ensure a long sleep. For good measure, she used transfiguration to bind his limbs, wings, and mouth. Even if he woke early, he wouldn't cause trouble.
Adrian stared at Norbert, now tied up like a holiday roast, and remembered McGonagall's earlier suggestion to "handle" the dragon situation with a Vanishing Spell. He made a mental note never to get on Professor McGonagall's bad side, her solutions were terrifyingly thorough.
After securing Norbert in the hut, they quickly returned to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall told Adrian and the others to wait in the Great Hall while she took Hagrid to see Madam Pomfrey.
When Adrian entered the Great Hall, he found it full of students seated at their House tables, much like during the Welcome Feast. But the atmosphere was far more tense. Students whispered in small groups despite prefects' attempts to maintain order. Adrian caught bits of excited chatter about dragons and fires.
The arrival of Adrian's group drew immediate attention, especially from third-years who'd witnessed Hermione, Harry, and Ron dragging Professor McGonagall away earlier.
Adrian had barely found a seat when George and Fred Weasley squeezed in beside him.
"Adrian, what happened in the Forbidden Forest? Someone saw dragon fire, and we heard roaring from our classroom. Was it really a dragon?" George asked eagerly.
Every nearby student turned to stare, hungry for gossip to satisfy their curiosity.
Adrian shook his head apologetically. "I can't say. The professors will explain everything later."
He didn't know what story Dumbledore or McGonagall would tell. If his version contradicted theirs, it would only cause problems.
George and Fred exchanged glances but didn't push further, they knew Adrian well enough to understand he'd share if he could.
Other students weren't so understanding. They were convinced Adrian, Harry, and the others were hiding juicy details, and the questions came fast and demanding.
"Nothing happened! No dragons, nothing at all!" Hermione finally snapped, her patience exhausted.
Harry and Ron also looked miserable under the constant questioning. Knowing the truth but being unable to share it was deeply uncomfortable.
But even Ron, usually unable to keep secrets, didn't let slip a single detail. Adrian had made it very clear before they entered the hall: if anyone wanted to see Hagrid sent to Azkaban, they should keep talking.