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Richie had been using magic around the house ever since he got home, so his parents barely blinked when he casually resized the doorframe.
"So, Professor Hagrid," Mrs. Harland asked almost immediately, "how is Richie doing at school?"
"Er…"
Hagrid scratched his wild beard. He didn't keep close tabs on classroom stuff, so he wasn't exactly an expert on Richie's grades. But from what he'd seen, the kid was sharp.
The first time he'd noticed Richie was back on the boats to Hogwarts—first year, first night. The boy had been holding up a bright Lumos charm like a lighthouse while the rest of the nervous first-years huddled in the dark.
Then there was the night Richie helped calm Norbert during the dragon-egg crisis. Not every eleven-year-old knew a proper dragon-massage technique.
"Richie's a very bright lad," Hagrid said carefully. "Works hard… looks out for his classmates… kind to animals…"
Mrs. Harland waited, eyes bright with expectation.
And?
Hagrid's brain stalled. He scratched his head again, searching for more words and coming up empty.
Richie took pity on him—and on himself. "I answer questions in class a lot. The professors praise me pretty often."
Hagrid lit up. "Right! That's what I was gonna say!"
Richie kept going. "I stay active in sports and get along great with everyone."
Hagrid nodded vigorously. "Exactly! That too!"
Richie finished with a grin. "And at the end of the year I earned seven Outstandings—one for every subject. Only first-year to do it."
Hagrid beamed. "Spot on!"
It sounded a little like bragging, but Mrs. Harland knew her son didn't exaggerate. Her face lit up with pure maternal pride. She reached over and pinched Richie's cheeks, squeezing them hard.
"Oh, little Richie! You've been home all this time and never said a word? That's not very nice."
Richie tried to squirm free but gave up. He wasn't a little kid anymore; he didn't need his parents' applause for good grades. He'd simply forgotten to mention it.
He definitely hadn't expected Hagrid to drop in and turn it into a parent-teacher conference.
Hagrid saw his opening. "So, to reward such outstanding performance, I've decided to take him on a special trip to the… the dragon…"
"Dragon?" Denton's head snapped around, eyes gleaming. "Did you just say dragon?"
"Er…"
Hagrid glanced at Richie, confused by the sudden excitement.
Richie jumped in fast. "It's a study trip. Professor Hagrid is taking me to an animal sanctuary so I can learn about conservation."
Before Denton could ask anything else, Richie added smoothly, "Just ordinary animals—tigers, lions, elephants. And the sanctuary only allows teachers and students."
Denton deflated instantly. "Oh. I see."
Mrs. Harland was more practical. "How long will you be gone?"
"Two days and one night. We leave tomorrow morning. I'll keep him completely safe," Hagrid promised, thumping his chest.
Mrs. Harland studied Hagrid for a moment, then nodded. Annabelle had always spoken well of him, and the trip sounded harmless enough. "All right. Take good care of him."
Hagrid let out a relieved breath. "Of course!"
He shot Richie a quick wink.
Richie smiled politely. The story had more holes than Swiss cheese. If he hadn't stepped in, Hagrid would've been politely shown the door five minutes ago.
"Well," Hagrid said, standing up, "now that that's settled, I should head out. Got to pick up some feed in… in Diagon Alley as a gift for the little ones."
Richie's eyes sharpened at the slip.
Knockturn Alley.
The clerk at Flourish and Blotts had told him exactly where to look for advanced curse books.
Hagrid was heading to Knockturn Alley?
Richie turned to his parents. "I need to go to Diagon Alley too. I just remembered a few things I still have to buy."
He fell in step right behind Hagrid.
"Got enough money?" Mrs. Harland called.
Richie paused.
Right. He'd spent most of his Galleons already.
Denton was at his side in an instant, pressing his wallet into Richie's hand. "Spend whatever you need. Your old man's got a little stash saved up." He winked.
Hagrid frowned and opened his mouth to refuse, but Richie cut him off with a quick wave.
"We'll talk outside."
Hagrid swallowed whatever he'd been about to say and ducked through the magically widened doorway.
"Hey, Richie," he said the second they were clear of the house, "I'm going to Knockturn Alley for something important! It's complicated and—"
"Knockturn Alley," Richie repeated calmly. "You're buying dragon feed there, right?"
Hagrid's face froze. He realized he'd let the name slip earlier.
"Blast it," he muttered, embarrassed. "I really need to watch my mouth."
Richie just nodded. "Since you're going anyway, take me with you."
"No, Richie!" Hagrid's expression turned serious. He shook his head firmly. "Knockturn Alley is dangerous. It's crawling with Dark wizards doing all sorts of illegal business!"