March came to Hogwarts like a slow exhale.
The air softened, carrying the scent of thawing earth and wet grass.
Snow retreated from the hills, leaving patches of green in its wake.
The lake shimmered like dark glass beneath the returning sun, and the castle's ancient stones finally began to lose their winter chill.
Students walked to class without scarves for the first time in months.
The chatter in the halls turned lighter.
Laughter returned.
But not all was as peaceful as spring suggested.
Cassius had noticed the subtle shift before anyone else — a ripple in the school's routine, a shadow under the sunlight.
It wasn't Dumbledore this time, nor another attempt at manipulation.
No, this was something far more… naïve.
Something that smelled faintly of rule breaking, and i mean that beyond just mere school rules, more like national laws breaking broken.
It began with Hagrid.
The half-giant had been spending far too much time in the library.
Not that anyone found that suspicious at first — after all, the man could barely read past a third-year level, and his visits to the shelves usually ended with Madam Pince shooing him out before he could spill tea on the books, only managing to smuggle a few out as he fled.
But this time was different.
He came often.
Sat in the farthest corner, muttering over old tomes about dragon husbandry and creature incubation.
Cassius had seen the titles himself — one glance at the spines was enough to confirm it.
And he wasn't the only one who'd noticed.
"Strange, isn't it?" Ron had said one morning after breakfast, his face still dirty with the remants of breakfast taken just moments before. "Hagrid, in the library? Bet he's just looking for recipes for better rock cakes."
Harry laughed, though half-heartedly.
"You think he's up to something?"
Cassius, walking a few steps behind overheard the duo conversation, grinning at their lack of understanding.
If either had actually gone to the library or had the gall to ask the giant what he was up to, the man would be hardpressed to keep the secret, afterall he was just so please about it, that he would tell just about anyone he trusted even just a little bit, all while knowing what he is doing was beyond illegal in its entirity.
Cassius on the other hand was not brainless, or witless enough to let the opportunity pass.
Because that very afternoon, when he returned from Charms, he caught sight of Hagrid lumbering through the courtyard, carrying a large, suspiciously lumpy parcel wrapped in burlap and tied with twine.
Subtle klinks sounding off as he walked.
Approached immediately seeing even the giant struggle not because of his loads weight but the uneveness of the contents.
Cassius quickly stepped in to assist.
Quickly using a levitation charm chantlessly to free both from the burden before following after the happy giant who could now make his way home unburdened.
Along the way Cassius did simple small talk, mostly about how he was looking forward to his third year when he could finally take care for magical creatures.
Which caused Hagrid to perk his ears.
Cassius was no newt scamander, but he was trained in subtle maniulation.
Hearing of his interest in magical creatures hagrid invited him inside his hut when they arrived.
The heat within was almost drastic, the fireplace lit up like a furnace with a large pot boiling over the flames.
He'd already begun the birthing ritual it seemed.
As the bottle clanked being set upon the ground, Cassius finally broke his silence.
"Hagrid... you're not doing what i think you are... are you?"
The giant seemed stunned to hear Cassius say this before coming to the conclusion that Cassius from a dragon house, or even as well learned as he is would know such basic knowledge of what he could see around him.
A fire raging, boiling a large pot of red liquid.
Next the parcels contents which spilled out upon the ground (intentionally) when he'd put it down, revealing a massive amount of blood and brandy.
Clear means to feed a baby dragon as stated in stand books about them.
"Figured ya to know, being a draconis n' all. It's almost time fer the birth ya know, you're welcome to stay if'n you want?"
"But Hagrid you know private dragon ownership is illegal dont you? If you're caught thats a life sentence in Azkaban!"
Cassius feigned worry, only for Hagrid to reply that he wasnt owning a dragon he was just raising one, and he could handle it no doubt about it, afterall he'd trained up a cerberus like fluffy already.
Cassius did not argue further, seeing as to do so would only hinder his motive.
Night began to fall as Cassius remained in the hut, enduring the high heat like it was nothing, helping Hagrid to fetch more wood from time to time, stoking the fire to keep it hot enough.
When the time finally was right the blood within the pot had all but disappeared, allowing Hagrid to reach in and extract the egg, before placing it down on the table.
And there it was.
A massive, speckled egg, black as volcanic glass, its surface faintly pulsing with inner heat.
A knock sounded from behind, shocking Cassius a little, he'd been here all day so it was unlikely Cho or Hermione had come for him, so if not them... then.
Hagrid cautiously opened the door trying to shoo the pair of boys away.
But then came a shout
""We know about the sorcerors stone!""
This declaration shocked even Cassius, how the hell had they figured it out without Hermione's help?
Had dubledore stacked the deck realizing his current plan was failing faster than ron in potions?
Hearing this Hagrid sighed deeply before relenting, one secret known, what use was keeping another right.
Ron's eyes went wide when he saw the egg.
"Blimey… it's huge!"
"Don't touch it," Cassius warned, his tone low and sharp. "Its been broiling all day and the residual heat would be enough to scorch you hand in an instant.."
Ron paled. "I… I didn't know—"
"Of course you didn't." Cassius sighed. "You just wanted to poke the unknown."
But before he could say more, a deep crack split the air.
The egg shuddered.
A faint, red glow leaked from the fissure spreading along its shell.
"Merlin's beard…" Ron whispered. "It's hatching!"
Hagrid's face lit up like a child's on Christmas morning.
"Look at 'er go! She's comin'! Oh, this is it, lads!"