Page 153
After returning to the castle, Kyle was still thinking about it.
The first three days after a fire dragon hatches are the best time for them to get along with each other. At this time, the baby dragon is like just waking up, and its body is still in a state of adaptation. Not only are its violent and aggressive instincts suppressed to the lowest level, but it also has a natural closeness to all creatures it sees.
If you miss it, it will be much more difficult to build a good relationship with them later.
Looks like I'll have to go to Hagrid a few more times in the next three days.
Of course, gifts are indispensable. There is no need to prepare anything special. Dried meat and dried fish will do.
These are things that the Norwegian Ridgeback likes, and they are perfect for improving its favorability.
In a way, raising a dragon is not much different from raising a cat.
In the Transfiguration class, Kyle listened to Professor McGonagall absentmindedly, then raised his wand and turned the rabbit in front of him into an exquisite glittering golden trophy.
"The styling is perfect, and not a single hair has been left. If it was a month ago, I would have given you five points..."
At this moment, Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly came from the side.
"I understand your determination to win the game, but I have to remind you that we are going to change into slippers in this class... You can't walk around wearing the Quidditch trophy."
"I'm sorry, Professor..."
Kyle blushed and quickly waved his wand again, turning the trophy into a pair of fluffy slippers with cat ears.
Professor McGonagall then revealed a satisfied expression.
"Don't let your mind wander next time in class."
"Hufflepuff plus three points."
……
After waiting for a long time until noon, Kyle quickly left the classroom as soon as the class was over, ready to get acquainted with the newly born dragon.
When passing by the entrance of the auditorium, he also saw Harry, Malfoy and others.
But Kyle didn't find it strange. As long as he wasn't in class, you could always find Malfoy near Harry. This was common sense...
Only today they looked a little different.
Malfoy was standing next to Crabbe and Goyle, laughing loudly and triumphantly.
Harry looked at them nervously, as if he was held hostage by someone.
Moreover, the two of them only had eyes for each other, and neither of them noticed Kyle who just walked by.
Tsk tsk...Malfoy successfully squeezed out Ron and took his place?
Kyle glanced back at them curiously.
But ten minutes later, he knew what was going on.
"So, Malfoy saw the Norwegian Ridgeback too?"
"I, I'm not sure." Hagrid said a little depressed: "I only saw him lying on the window, but I didn't notice when he came."
Kyle looked back at the window Hagrid pointed at, frowned and said:
"I think Malfoy just saw something on the table, but he didn't know it was a dragon."
"Really?" Hagrid asked excitedly.
If Malfoy didn't see it, didn't that mean he didn't have to send Norbert away?
"I'm just guessing," Kyle said.
The window was not high and most of it was blocked by curtains, leaving only a small gap. If someone stood in front of the table, it should be able to block the other person's view.
But it is hard to say how much it can block, after all, Kyle was not there at the time and didn't know where Harry and the others were.
But as far as he knew, Malfoy would never miss any opportunity to cause trouble for Harry. If he really saw the dragon, he would not have appeared in the hall just now, but in Snape's office.
Kyle comforted Hagrid a few more words, then took out a small dried fish and went forward to tease the newborn dragon.
I can only say that it is worthy of being called a fire dragon. Although the little guy was just born and is not even as big as a kettle, his teeth are already very sharp and he easily bit the dried fish in half.
"Kyle...is it really okay for you to feed it this?"
Hagrid asked nervously, "I remember the book saying it should drink chicken blood brandy at this time, and it can't be fed for a week."
As he spoke, Hagrid took out the book "Raising Dragons for Fun and Profit" that was under his pillow.
He has been reading this recently. Although the content is a bit outdated, it is very comprehensive and includes the complete process of raising a fire dragon.
"What you said are just the standards for artificial breeding. For dragons living in the wild, they can't find chicken blood brandy."
Kyle took out another dried fish and said, "In fact, for some dragons, such as the Norwegian Ridgeback or the Hungarian Horntail, they can eat normally after they hatch... Those sharp teeth are not just for show."
"Yes, is that so?" Hagrid blinked blankly.
However, seeing how happy Norbert was when eating the dried fish, he chose to believe Kyle's words.
Whether it's brandy or dried fish, as long as it likes it, it's fine.
Soon, the bag of dried fish was empty, and the little guy burped contentedly, with a small cluster of flames coming out of his mouth.
"It seems that Norbert likes to eat fish..." Hagrid said happily, "Oh, by the way, you probably don't know yet, Norbert is the name I gave it."
.........
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 215 Ron's Collapse
In addition to having a hard time keeping secrets, Hagrid also has a talent for naming magical creatures.
This time is no exception.
The name Norbert does sound good, but this is a female dragon... What's the difference between this and a little girl named Tiedan?
It was a good thing it didn't understand, otherwise it would have sprayed dragon flames onto Hagrid's beard.
"Hagrid, I think this name is a bit inappropriate, called Zhuo... Uh, what are you doing..."
Just when Kyle was about to choose a new name, he saw Hagrid covering Norbert's ears and looking at him nervously.
"Don't tell me, Kyle, it's called Norbert..."
Hagrid was really nervous.
He thought of the owl named Rodan, which no longer recognized him after Kyle changed his name.
He was worried that it would be the same this time.
"Its name is Norbert..." Hagrid repeated, covering his hands more tightly.
But his hand was so big that it almost covered Norbert's entire head.
The little guy with his head grabbed was completely stunned. After he came to his senses, he started kicking his legs and flapping his wings on the table.
Finally, he simply blew out a breath of dragon fire. The flame landed on Hagrid's hand, causing him to gasp in pain.
There was a burning smell all around, but even so, Hagrid did not let go of his hand and continued to stare at Kyle with a nervous face.
"Okay, I'll listen to you." Kyle also guessed what Hagrid was thinking.
In order to avoid being kicked out, he tactfully stopped talking.
Let's just call him Norbert. He is still young now and can't remember it. At worst, he can just change it after a while.
Anyway, Hagrid couldn't keep it forever.
Hagrid obviously had no idea what Kyle was thinking. After hearing his assurance, he let go of Norbert and quickly went to a large barrel full of water and put his hand in.
Kyle smiled and said, "You're too nervous, it doesn't understand the meaning of the name now."
But Hagrid didn't say anything. Instead, he changed the subject abruptly, "I never knew dragons liked to eat fish. The book says their favorite food is sheep."
"Whoever wrote that book probably had it in mind for the Australian White Eye, which loves to eat Australian sheep and also loves to drink brandy."
Kyle raised his eyebrows and said, "Of course, other fire dragons are similar. Sheep and cattle are their main food."
"But the Norwegian Ridgeback is different. Because of the environment in which it grows, it is the only fire dragon that will find food in the water."
Hagrid threw the book "Raising Dragons for Pleasure and Profit" aside in annoyance. "I really should read a different book... This one is all wrong."
"It's just a small part. Most of the content is fine." Kyle said, "Or you can borrow a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It has a detailed introduction to the Norwegian Ridgeback."
……
Hagrid could be said to be doting on Norbert.
In the next few days, all the dead minks on the shelf outside his cabin disappeared, and were replaced by whole beef legs and carefully processed fish.
And these fish are all very large, even the smallest one is over a foot long.
During this period, in addition to Kyle, Harry and his friends also came here often, but they stayed in the dim hut most of the time, presenting facts and reasoning to Hagrid, persuading him to send the dragon away.
"You can't keep it forever, Hagrid!"
Hermione repeated what she had said countless times before, "In two weeks, it will be as big as the house, and you won't be able to hide it!"
"I know, but that's still too early, isn't it?" Hagrid said vaguely, "It's still too young. What if it gets bullied in the wild? I'm worried."
Norbert looked at them, tilted his head to look at Kyle, and called out in confusion.
"Oh, they are discussing what to eat for the next meal." Kyle touched the scales on its neck and whispered, "How about Tebo warthog leg, with some corn and cabbage."
Norbert let out a cry of dissatisfaction and began to roll on the ground.
"No, you must eat all of these things. Even if you are a fire dragon, you can't just eat meat."
On the other side, Hagrid was still arguing with Harry and the others for the custody of Norbert, and none of them noticed anything unusual on Kyle's side.
"Malfoy has found it." Harry advised: "This is too dangerous, Hagrid."
Hagrid shook his head. "But Kyle said before that the window was very small. He might not have seen it at all."
All of a sudden, everyone's eyes were focused on Kyle in the corner.
"Don't look at me, it has nothing to do with me."
Kyle said quickly: "That's just a possibility. Given Malfoy's character, if he really saw the dragon, he would have reported it to the professor long ago. He would not have endured it until now.
Of course, it could also be that he wanted to use this news to threaten Harry...it's all possible."