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Heavy is the Crown (Harry Potter) Chapter 78: Dragon Maintenance
🕑 Added 2025-07-26 15:14:10 +0000 UTC[Third person POV]
“Where did yer get her!?” Hagrid asked in utter disbelief, his eyes wide with wonder as he stared at the tiny dragon nestled in Arthur’s arms. The creature blinked, her silver-scaled body shimmering softly in the morning light.
“I didn’t exactly find her,” Arthur began, offering a sheepish smile as he looked down at the baby dragon affectionately. “Her mother gave me her egg some time ago—entrusted it to me, actually. I’ve been taking care of it ever since, and just last night, it finally hatched.”
Hagrid’s mouth opened slightly in astonishment. “Blimey... a mother dragon willingly handed over one of her eggs? That’s almost unheard of! Dragon mothers are known to be extremely fierce and territorial when it comes to their young. Most wouldn’t even let another dragon near their nest, let alone a human.”
“I know,” Arthur nodded, his expression growing more thoughtful. “I was just as shocked when it happened.”
‘Speaking of her mother, I should plan a visit soon… Maybe during Christmas break. I’d like her to see that her daughter is safe and cared for,’ Arthur thought silently, already beginning to schedule it in his head.
Hagrid stared at the little dragon in awe. “Well, I can tell ye’re not lyin’. You don’t strike me as the type to make up tales. There’s an honesty in yer eyes, lad. It’s rare. Not to mention if the mother willingly gave you her egg it speaks volumes of your character”
“Thanks,” Arthur replied warmly, appreciating the half-giant’s kind words.
“You called her Sylvia, right?” Hagrid asked, slowly crouching down until he was eye-level with the baby dragon. He braced one massive hand against his knee while the other he extended gently toward Sylvia for her to sniff. “Is that her name, then? Sylvia?”
Arthur nodded. “Yeah. I figured since her scales look like polished silver, she deserved a name that reflected that elegance. Sylvia just felt right.”
Sylvia gave Hagrid’s large fingers a curious sniff, then slowly leaned her head forward, nuzzling him. Her tongue flicked out briefly in a gesture of affection, and Hagrid’s heart visibly melted.
“Aww… Sylvia,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion. “That’s a beautiful name. And she’s just about the cutest little baby dragon I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Hagrid hesitated, glancing up at Arthur with hopeful eyes. “May I… May I hold her?”
Arthur considered Sylvia’s body language—relaxed, content, curious. “She seems to like you,” he said, carefully transferring the baby dragon into Hagrid’s enormous arms. “So go ahead.”
Hagrid cradled her as if she were made of glass, his massive hands trembling ever so slightly with awe. Sylvia looked up at him, then reached out with her tiny claws, gently grabbing one of his thick fingers and beginning to nibble on it softly.
“She’s precious,” Hagrid whispered, enchanted by her delicate movements. “Just what kind of dragon is she, though? I’ve never seen one quite like her before. Her features are… unique. Was her mother like this too?”
Arthur’s eyes softened. “Yes, she was spectacular. The most majestic dragon I’ve ever seen. Her presence alone was enough to make you stop breathing for a moment.”
Hagrid let out a deep chuckle, resonating like a rumble in his chest. “Aye, I know that feelin’. Sometimes a beast can be so beautiful it’s like starin’ at a masterpiece. Nature’s finest artwork.”
He then squinted at Sylvia’s mouth and gently opened it to examine her teeth. “Hmm… her teeth are tiny, even for a hatchling. While she’ll be able to chew soft meats, anything too tough or rich might be hard for her to digest right now. Best to keep her diet gentle until she grows stronger.”
Arthur, quick to act, reached into his robe and retrieved a notepad and quill. Scribbling rapidly, he muttered under his breath, “Soft food items only… hard substances difficult to break down…”
When he finished writing, he looked back up at Hagrid with earnest eyes. “Alright. What else should I know?”
Hagrid blinked in surprise, then grinned broadly at how seriously Arthur was taking it. That level of dedication warmed his heart. “Well, since she’s still a baby, her diet should mainly consist of protein and dairy. She’ll need a lot of milk to grow up big and strong.”
“Milk, got it,” Arthur said, nodding.
“Not just any milk, though,” Hagrid added thoughtfully, glancing back at Sylvia with a furrowed brow. “Dragons are delicate when they’re young, and regular cow’s milk might not be good enough. Dragon milk would be best… though it’s rare and expensive. Hard to come by, but I might be able to reach out to a few folks and see what I can do.”
Without a word, Arthur reached into the other side of his robe and pulled out a small pouch. He placed it on the nearby table with a quiet clink of coins.
“Please,” he said sincerely, “take this. If it helps even a little, I want you to have it.”
“W-What? I can’t take yer money!” Hagrid stammered, eyes wide with disbelief. “I was going to pay for it meself. I’d never let a wee dragon go without.”
Arthur offered a calm, kind smile. “I appreciate that, truly. But I promise you—this isn’t about wealth. I’ve been fortunate in life. I don’t lack for money. What matters to me is that Sylvia gets the absolute best—be it food, supplies, or care. If this helps make that happen, then it’s already served its purpose.”
Hagrid stared at him for a long moment, visibly moved. “You’re a good lad, Arthur. Sylvia’s lucky to have you.”
Arthur looked down at the dragon in Hagrid’s arms and softly said, “No… I’m the lucky one.”
“I…” Hagrid stared at Arthur’s earnest expression, then down at the pouch of galleons resting on the table. He knew better than most how expensive it could be to raise magical creatures—especially dragons. Food, grooming tools, enchanted heat sources, medical salves… it all added up quickly.
After a long pause, Hagrid let out a deep sigh and finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll take the gold—but only because I know how much it'll help to get her the best quality materials. You can count on me to make sure this little lass gets everything she needs.”
Arthur’s face lit up with gratitude, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank you, Hagrid. Really.”
“Ah, jeez, there’s no need to thank me, lad,” Hagrid mumbled, scratching the back of his head, clearly flustered. “It’s an honor, truly. Not just that you trust me, but that I get to help raise a baby dragon. It's been a dream of mine to raise a dragon you see…”
Clearing his throat to dispel the wave of emotion creeping in, Hagrid straightened up. “Right then, let’s talk about groomin’ her. Normally that’d be the mother’s job, but since you’re her caretaker now—her parent, really—it falls to you.”
Arthur sat up straighter, immediately flipping open his notepad and readying his quill. “Alright. I’m listening.”
“Well,” Hagrid began, glancing down at Sylvia as she let out a soft snore, “even though dragon scales are tough, she’s still a hatchling. Her scales haven't hardened properly yet. At this age, they’re delicate—kinda like how a baby’s skin is softer than an adult’s. If you’re too rough with her during grooming, it could damage the scales and weaken their integrity over time.”
Arthur nodded as he quickly scribbled: Gentle grooming—scales delicate. Avoid rough scrubbing.
“Now,” Hagrid continued, “it’ll get even trickier since she has feathers and plumes. It’s rare in dragons, but not entirely unheard of, only rarest of dragon species develop wings with feathers. You’ll need something like a paintbrush, or a grooming wand with a soft charm on it. Something gentle enough to get between her feathers without causing her discomfort.”
Arthur's quill danced across the page as he whispered, “Feathers… gentle brush or wand…”
Hagrid continued his instructions with growing enthusiasm, explaining the importance of maintaining scale sheen, the kind of salve to use for irritation, and how to tell if Sylvia’s shedding was healthy or a sign of stress. His voice was animated, his gestures wide and passionate as he went on tangents about magical molting cycles, scale oil blends, and even temperature-controlled bedding.
Arthur listened intently the entire time, soaking up every word like a sponge. He asked questions, clarified things, and made sure every bit of knowledge was recorded. The two of them spent nearly the entire morning talking in Hagrid’s hut, the fire crackling nearby and Sylvia snoozing between them, occasionally twitching in her sleep.
By the end of the lesson, Arthur chuckled softly, shutting his notebook. “You know… you should consider becoming a teacher. Maybe even one that specializes in magical creatures. I think you’d be fantastic at it.” He said, his voice carrying a teasing edge.
Hagrid blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “You think?”
“I know,” Arthur said, smiling warmly. “You’ve got passion, experience, and it's obvious you care for magical creatures”
Hagrid chuckled, clearly touched by the compliment, though he tried to brush it off. “Ahh, you’re too kind, lad… But thank you. Really.”
Comments
l K
And are the true dragons like the “asura” from tbate?
l K
Arthur n Sylvia 🥹🥹. Hey author does tbate Arthur beat this Art at the same age?
