Chapter 21: Chapter -21 Norwegian Ridgeback.
Chapter -21.
After Professor Snape cleared up many of his uncertainties, Brian utilized one witness point to elevate his reaction speed from beginner to mastery level. Simultaneously, this also reset his accumulated witness points to zero.
At present, his overall levels were: [Magic (Mastery)], [Reaction Speed (Mastery)], [Memory/General Knowledge (Mastery)], [Transfiguration (Beginner)], [Charms (Beginner)], [Potions (Beginner)], [Occlumency (Proficient)].
The subjects in which he had not achieved beginner level were those he hadn't had the opportunity to study thoroughly and were not included in the list.
However, the system's evaluation of these skills is indeed stringent. Even though Brian's current level exceeds that of most second-year students, the majority of his courses remain at an introductory level.
After all, they are all broad categories, and each subject covers a wide array of topics. For instance, Charms includes spells from the Charms class, Defense Against the Dark Arts spells, and dark magic curses, among others. Perhaps only after graduating in the seventh year can most students elevate their levels to mastery or even proficiency, while attaining higher levels is certainly uncommon.
From proficiency to expert, then to master and even grandmaster, these are significant distinctions. Perhaps only individuals like Dumbledore and the Dark Lord can reach the grandmaster level in certain areas.
Brian can utilize witness points to enhance his abilities, which is indeed a highly fortunate circumstance.
Of course, advancing his level in the system does not imply he has learned those spells or potion-making techniques out of nowhere; they do not manifest directly in his mind. He still needs to engage in continuous study. The system's level merely signifies understanding, learning speed, and the capacity to apply knowledge to various situations.
However, the dropdown menu for the branches of Charms and Potions in the system also displays the levels of spells and potions he has already mastered. For example: [Levitation Charm (Proficient) +], [petrificus totalus (Proficient) +], [Forgetfulness Potion (Mastered) +], etc.
They also appear to be upgradeable through witness points, which piques Brian's curiosity about the effects. But at this moment, witness points are limited, and he cannot afford to waste them here.
After enhancing his magical power and reaction speed, Brian has also been practicing some spells from Defense Against the Dark Arts.
The Room of Requirement has become his secret base; honestly, it is the most ideal location.
The Room of Requirement can always provide him with the most suitable practice environment, even simulating different terrains. There are also dummies for practicing spells, which can adjust their movement speed to assist Brian in honing his accuracy.
Of course, there are some downsides. If Brian cannot eliminate those dummies in time, he risks becoming dusty and bruised. They can be quite merciless.
Soon, he had mastered a series of Defense Against the Dark Arts spells, including the Obscurus Charm and Disarming Charm.
That afternoon, right after the last class concluded, Brian stood up intending to head to the library to read.
However, Malfoy wouldn't allow him to leave; he pulled Brian aside and whispered, "Brian, I heard some big news!"
"What?" Brian didn't pay much attention; he wasn't particularly interested in children's exaggerated reactions.
"I overheard Potter and the others discussing Hagrid, that big fool. Guess what I heard?" Malfoy teased.
Brian became intrigued; he knew what it was about.
"What did you hear?" Brian played along with Malfoy.
"That big fool is raising a dragon!" Malfoy exclaimed dramatically, "They're going to witness the dragon hatch!"
"If we gather evidence, we can definitely throw that big fool into Azkaban!" Malfoy said excitedly, "This time, I want to show Potter a thing or two."
"They went over there, Brian. Let's take a look; you have to assist me." Malfoy's gray eyes were fixed intently on Brian. "You know a lot of magic that can help us avoid being discovered easily."
"Of course, I'm also curious about what the dragon hatching scene looks like." Brian agreed without hesitation.
"Indeed, how many people get to see a dragon hatch?" Malfoy said eagerly, "And we can deal with that big fool; really, there's nothing better than this."
"It's Hagrid, Draco," Brian corrected his terminology.
"Alright, Hagrid," Draco mumbled, urging, "Let's hurry up and go."
Hagrid's hut was easy to locate; it was situated at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and appeared quite shabby.
Brian cast a Silencing Charm on the two of them, and they crossed the grounds, arriving near the hut. [Probably disillusionment charm]
"Here," Brian silently mouthed, pointing towards the window.
The window was not closed but was covered by heavy curtains. The two crouched at the bottom of the window, and Brian gently lifted a corner of the curtain, peering inside the hut.
Malfoy lifted the other side and peeked into the hut as well.
The inside of the hut was dark and rather stuffy. As soon as Brian opened the curtain, he felt a wave of heat hit him.
The fire in the stove burned brightly, illuminating Hagrid's disheveled face and the slightly anxious faces of Harry and the others.
The dragon egg was placed on the table, and at that moment, it had already cracked open. Brian could vaguely see the wrinkled little dragon inside, energetically flapping around.
The little dragon finally crawled out of the eggshell, sneezed, and sparks flew from its nostrils. Brian could only make out its wrinkled black body and large black wings.
He saw Hagrid joyfully stroking the little dragon's head, declaring it beautiful. The little dragon bit down fiercely on his finger.
Brian noticed Malfoy next to him pulling the curtains open wider, leaning his head closer to the window.
Brian tugged at his clothes, wanting him to hold back a bit.
But it was too late; he saw Hagrid looking pale and leaping over, rushing towards them.
With Hagrid's large frame, his aggressive charge was indeed intimidating.
Malfoy turned pale and sat down on the ground, then quickly turned and ran towards the castle, not forgetting to tightly grip Brian's robe.
Brian had no choice but to follow him, looking somewhat flustered.
Hagrid stood in front of the window, making a sobbing sound.
Harry and the others also ran over, standing in front of the window, witnessing the hurried backs of Brian and Malfoy leaving.
"Malfoy and Walker saw the dragon, Hagrid, you have to send it away!" Harry said, looking frightened.
"No, it's too small to be sent away in the wilderness," Hagrid sniffed.
...
[Witnessing the birth of the Norwegian ridgeback, Witness Points +0.3]
Brian looked at the newly gained witness points with satisfaction, thinking that witnessing the event of sending away the dragon should also earn him some witness points.
He needed to find a good way to witness it.
Fortunately, he could easily control the course of events, as Malfoy kept babbling various bad ideas in his ear.
Days passed, but Malfoy didn't bring up the matter.
"I wanted to tell my dad directly to have someone come and take that big idiot away," Malfoy said slowly, "but that's too boring, right? I want to think of a way to get him to capture Potter and the others too."
"Speed is essential, Draco. Greed is a bad habit; delay can lead to change," Brian instinctively retorted while practicing his occlumency.
Malfoy took this in and pondered, "You're right, they saw us; we can't be too greedy this time, or they might get rid of the dragon."
"I'll write to my dad right now and have him bring someone to catch that big idiot," Malfoy said, excitedly unrolling a piece of parchment.
Brian blinked, waking from his trance, staring blankly at Malfoy.
Did he just say something significant?
Unfortunately, he had no reason to stop Malfoy. Watching the owl take the letter away, Brian twitched his lips.
If Hagrid got caught because of him and ended up in Azkaban, the plot would be completely altered.
But unless he brought that owl down or something, he couldn't prevent Lucius Malfoy from discovering this.
Perhaps the Ministry of Magic's investigators would arrive soon.
With no other option, Brian wrote a letter to Hermione:
"Hermione, that day Draco and I witnessed that dragon hatching from the egg. Sorry, I was just curious; who wouldn't want to see a dragon?"
"This morning, Draco just wrote a letter to his father, informing him about the dragon. You should know that privately raising a dragon is illegal, and if you all want to prevent Hagrid from ending up in Azkaban, you must find a way to send the dragon away."
"The Ministry of Magic's investigators might come tomorrow, so you must send the dragon away before then."
"If you encounter difficulties, you can seek my help. I think I might have a way."
" yours sincerely, Brian."
After finishing this letter, he contemplated for a moment and then wrote another letter.