Malfoy's bizarre behavior left Harry and the others completely bewildered.
Adrian understood what had happened. He hadn't expected the affinity talent to work so effectively, though he wondered if the effect would be permanent.
His satisfaction was short-lived, however. Malfoy's news made it clear that time was running out.
"What do we do now? Ministry investigators are coming today! Where's Charlie? Hasn't he replied yet?" Harry panicked, lowering his voice but clearly agitated despite being in the Great Hall.
"Nothing yet. I don't know when Charlie will write back," Ron said anxiously. "Maybe we should hide Norbert somewhere."
"But Norbert's huge, where could we possibly hide him?" Hermione frowned.
"We could sink him in the lake!" Ron declared earnestly. "I mean, put a breathing tube in Norbert's mouth so he won't drown."
Adrian gave him an incredulous look.
But Ron had a point, if Charlie couldn't arrive in time, they'd need to hide Norbert somewhere. Given the dragon's size, the lake was actually a viable option.
Assuming Dumbledore could cast a massive Bubble-Head Charm and convince the merpeople to neighbor a sleeping dragon for a few days.
Maybe Dumbledore would find it easier to use a Vanishing Spell?
Adrian wanted to complain about the Ministry's sudden efficiency. Whatever happened to Aurors always arriving after everything was over?
When had the Ministry of Magic become so competent?
After rushing through breakfast, Adrian joined the others for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Though Quirrell had vanished, they hadn't received notice that class was cancelled.
Obviously, another professor would substitute.
As Adrian expected, a familiar black-robed figure emerged from the classroom as class time approached.
The moment Harry saw Snape, he knew this lesson would be miserable.
However, Harry's disgust wouldn't change anything. Snape strode to the podium, set down his textbook, scanned the classroom with his dark eyes, pausing briefly on Adrian, then spoke abruptly.
"Since Professor Quirrell is now the prime suspect for murdering unicorns, stealing potions, and attacking the groundskeeper, the Ministry has issued an arrest warrant. I will temporarily teach Defense Against the Dark Arts through the holidays."
This revelation caused uproar among the students.
What? Professor Quirrell was the murderer? How was that possible?
Quirrell had always seemed cowardly and harmless, many students couldn't accept this identity shift.
How could someone like that be a dark wizard? He'd been so timid he'd fainted at the Halloween feast...
"Therefore, I'll begin your first real Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson: never be deceived by appearances. Many evil dark wizards excel at weaving lies... You'd better learn to think critically," Snape said mercilessly, unconcerned about frightening young minds.
Several Gryffindors paled with fear. They'd considered Quirrell weak and had secretly mocked him during class. Now they worried he might return for revenge.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione showed surprise at the news but accepted it quickly, they'd already suspected something was wrong with Quirrell.
Adrian wasn't surprised at all. He'd always known Quirrell's true nature, though he was impressed that Dumbledore had convinced the Ministry so quickly to brand the missing man a murderer. They must have found crucial evidence in Quirrell's office.
"Quiet!" The classroom noise made Snape's frown deepen, and he raised his voice to interrupt the discussions.
"Now, let's begin. Take out your books, today we're studying Chapter 3, page 9..." Snape paused, as if remembering something. "Additionally, I must inform you that first-year Transfiguration class this afternoon is cancelled."
Hermione raised her hand to ask why, but Snape cut her off ruthlessly.
"Don't ask me for reasons. That's not your concern."
Adrian found the morning's Defense Against the Dark Arts class quite good actually. Snape proved more competent than Quirrell, actually teaching relevant knowledge instead of just reading from textbooks.
Adrian also learned from Hermione that his affinity talent seemed to be weakening and becoming more subtle, at least not as obvious as it had been at breakfast.
This was good news. The previous effect had been powerful but so noticeable that even Harry and Ron had detected it. Rather than being helpful, it would have raised suspicions.
At noon, better news arrived. Ron successfully received Charlie's letter, stating he would arrive with friends at three o'clock to take the dragon away. Norbert was spared the fate of being submerged in the lake or "vanished."
The cancelled Transfiguration class gave them perfect opportunity to send Norbert off.
When they reached Hagrid's hut after lunch, it was already two o'clock. Norbert remained sleeping by the fire, showing no signs of waking, Professor McGonagall must have reinforced the sleeping spell.
Fang stayed outside the hut, refusing to enter. Upon seeing Adrian, the boarhound immediately bounded over, whimpering accusations against the dragon who'd commandeered his home.
Adrian comforted Fang briefly, then checked the bandaged leg where Madam Pomfrey had obviously provided treatment.
As three o'clock approached, Adrian spotted six figures flying toward them on broomsticks.
"It's Charlie! He's here!" Ron waved excitedly.
Seeing Ron, the airborne group descended quickly. The leader had fiery red hair, freckled face, and clear skin, clearly weathered from his work in Romania.
Dragon research wasn't simple work. Beyond extensive dragon knowledge, it required resilience, hard work, and considerable physical strength.