Harry returned to the common room and told them that he had discovered Snape and Professor Quirrell in the forest arguing about the stone. Peter tried to remain adamant that Snape wasn't a thief but it was being made continuously harder.

Later that night, Peter and Ron discussed the events of the day. Specifically the match "Wish I could have seen Harry catch the snitch. Oh well at least you showed him what for." Ron complimented Peter who just rolled his eyes.

"He's going to keep bugging and making fun of people, I just wanted to shut him up for a few minutes." He replied studying his book. "Now shut up. I'm trying to focus."

"What for?" Ron asked leaning over Peter's shoulder to find that he was going through his potions book. "For exams Red. They aren't exactly far off."

"What, their ages away?" Ron complained.

"Ten weeks that's not ages." Hermione agreed with Peter.

The teachers seemed to be in agreement with Peter and Hermione as they were loading everyone up with enough homework to keep them busy the whole Easter Break.

One day the library Ron threw his quill which Peter caught without looking. "This is your last quill Red don't break it." He said.

"This is impossible I'll never remember all of this." Ron whined.

Peter looked up. "You ever heard of a Mnemonic device?" He asked.

"No." Ron said.

Gwen nodded looking at Peter. "It's a trick, a way to remember information using a phrase or a connection." She explained to Ron.

"Take for example a bezore." Peter said. "A way to better remember it's properties is to remember that a goat can eat practically anything." He said. "Something that can even eat bees or…" He said. "Anything else."

He looked and saw Hagrid walking into the library and going into an aisle that Peter had been in many times. "Wonder what Hargrid would want with a book about Dragons." He thought out loud.

Peter got out of his chair and followed Hagrid into the bookshelves,

"Hey Hagrid. Whatcha doin'?" Peter asked innocently causing Hagrid to jump.

"Blimey Peter are yeh tryin, ta kill me?" Hagrid asked as he reached high up to grab a book.

Peter jumped and stuck to the bookshelf and looked at the book Hagrid was grabbing.

"Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit" Peter read outloud. 'What do you need to know about breeding and raising Dragons?" He asked.

"Nothin' yeh need to worry about," Hagrid said.

"What about you? Yeh aren't still looking for Flamel are yeh?" He asked suspiciously.

"Huh? Oh nah. We already figured that out." Peter said shooting a webline to the ceiling and hanging upside down.

"Including the thing that he made-"

"DON'T SAY IT!" Hagrid whisper shouted.

"I wasn't. You really think I'm dumb enough to blab about that? I wonder why anyone would want to steal it?" He asked.

"Not you too Pete. Snape's not trying to steal that sto-" Hagrid began annoyed.

"I know." Peter said. "Well actually I don't, he's done a lot of stuff that clearly shows that he doesn't like Harry." Peter said. "He may have been jinxing Harry's broom, he refed the last quidditch game to try and stop Gryffindor from winning, and he attacks Harry verbally basically every chance he gets. He doesn't like other students very much but I know for a fact that he hates Harry with a burning passion. He looks at Harry the way Ron looks at a History Of Magic Assignment." He rambled. "But also Harry said something about him talking to Quirrell in the forbidden forest about the stone. Seemed threatening and he did get bitten by fluffy when that troll got in the castle."

"Alright enough, why don't you and the other three come to me house tonight, I'm not promising to tell yeh anything but it's better to talk about it there than in here." Hagrid said.

Peter nodded, "Alright big man, We'll see you after Dinner." He said.

He went back to his friends at the table. "What was Hagrid doing?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well hopfully nothing stupid but I am very afraid that he is about to do somthing incredibly stupid." Peter said watching the half-giant leave the library.

Later that night, Peter and the other three went down to Hagrid's hut. Peter knocked on the door quickly afterwards he placed his hand on the door. "Warm to the touch." He said.

They heard Fang's barking as the dog scratched against the door, "Back Fang Back!" Hagrid said.

The door opened and Peter felt a blast of hot air. He took off his robes leaving him in a short sleeved shirt. "How are you not dying?" He asked Hagrid, stepping inside.

The first thing he looked at was the roaring fire, there was something in the middle of the fire. Large black egg. Peter gathered that this egg was the reason that Hagrid had picked up that book.

"I'll make yeh some tea." Hagrid said.

"Hagrid… I was hoping that you'd be able to tell us more about the stone." Peter said, looking at the fire.

Before Hagrid could respond Peter spoke again. "No I'm sorry, why do you have a dragon egg in your tiny wooden hut?" He asked, "Where did you even get it?" Peter asked.

"I won it, from a man in a game of cards last weekend. Seemed rather fond to be rid of it actually," Hagrid replied.

Harry looked around at the others, all of whom had to be thinking the same thing that he was. This was a very bad idea.

"Gee Hagrid maybe it's because the guy didn't want to get caught with an illegal dragon egg." Peter said.

"This is… oh Hagrid," Hermione said in a worried voice pinching the bridge of her nose unable to come up with the right words

"It'll be fine, I've been doin' some reading. Yeh just got feed them o' bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour." He said proudly.

"But it's against the law,. Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that." Ron said surprising everyone in the room.

"Besides that's a lot of chicken. That's a lot brandy. Still haven't told us your plan for when that thing starts to breathe fire." Peter said.

"I'll deal with it as it comes. Don't worry yerselves." The half-giant said.

"Hagrid you live in a wooden house." Hermione exclaimed.

Peter leaned his chair back his feet on the table. He pointed his thumb to Hermione. "What boss said." He agreed.

"Not to mention how huge that thing will get." He went on. "I mean dragon's grow to be at least the size of your average bus." He said. "And certain species are the same size as the Malfoy manor."

Hagrid was having no more of it and changed the subject. "So. Yeh've been gettin' yerselves into more and more trouble. What has yeh so interested in the stone anyway?" He asked.

"We think someone's trying to steal it." Peter said. "Possibly… Snape." He said.

Ron looked at him. "Finally come 'round have you?" He asked with a grin.

"I never said that I thought it was him for sure. I'm sure that he probably helped set up the defences but… I don't know anymore. After that conversation he had with our own defense against the dark arts teacher…" Peter said,

"Now yeh jus hold it." Hagrid said. "Snape isn't about to steal the stone. He was one of the most adamant about protecting it."

"But he's gotta be. Otherwise why would he have gone to the third floor when that troll got let into the dungeons." Ron said.

Peter listened to Hagrid and the others bicker back and forth about who was trying to steal the stone. He was thinking about the troll. To be honest the troll thing didn't add up. Snape had a mastery of his subject that wasn't in question. But finding and luring a troll onto school grounds and then into the castle. That didn't seem within Snape's expertise.

It seemed more in line with something Quirrell could do but Peter seriously doubted the man was brave enough to try something like that. Considering the man's fearful nature of all manner of creatures he didn't think that the man would want to risk facing the three headed guard dog anyway.

After tea they headed back to the castle and Peter's mind was full of questions once again. He looked at the other three. He pushed the stone from his mind. There were other things to worry about. Like what to do with Hagrids new dragon egg.

They tried to go about as normal not daring to talk about what they had seen that day in public. Then early morning the next week Hedwig landed next to Harry and stuck out her leg. He had mail. Peter could guess what it was about as today was the only day he could remember that Hagrid had not come to the castle for breakfast.

Harry showed the letter to Peter, Ron, and Hermione. Deciding that they would all go down to Hagrid's after dinner, Peter had to cancel his and Gwen's study session together. She was curious as to why but allowed him his secrets believing that he had to have had a good reason for keeping his reason so… vague.

"Just stuff with Hagrid. Nothing too important, but I'd like to deal with it now." He had excused himself and joined the others at the grounds.

They knocked on the door to the hut and Hagrid quickly let them in. Everyone gathered around the main event. They watched the black egg wordlessly. It shook and has several large cracks.

Complete silence. Everyone was holding their breath. Egg shells went flying everywhere Hagrid and the others shielded themselves. Peter just let the shells bounce off his durable skin.

He couldn't identify by the egg but now that he actually saw the dragon he recognized it as a Norwegian Ridgeback. Great Hagrid not only had a dragon, but he had one of the most aggressive dragons out there.

At the very least it wasn't a Horntail. Peter studied every inch of it. His thirst for knowledge overpowering his reservations about what was going on. "I've read about Ridgebacks, but seeing one live is a whole other league." He commented to no one in particular.

It snapped at Peter as he reached out to touch it. He quickly pulled his hand back and at an amazing speed placed his finger on its underdeveloped wings. It felt cold and a little rubbery to the touch.

It snapped again and failed to bite him a second time. "Oh bless him. Little Norbert already made a friend." Hagrid said clearly smitten with the small monster.

"Yeah. Friend. Right." Peter said with such a passive expression that only Ron, who used the same expression himself, recognized it as a jab at Hagrid's intelligence.

Peter stopped messing with the dragon suddenly. He heard footsteps outside. He spun around and went wide eyed panic written across his hazel eyes.

"Snow-White." He pointed out.

Everyone turned and saw what made Peter so on edge. Malfoy turning away and running back to the castle.

A million thoughts raced through everyone's minds. None of them were good. "Hagrid you can't keep Norbert." Peter said.

"I know that but… I can't just throw him out." Hagrid replied.

Peter tried to think of a solution but this time Harry beat him to it.

"Charlie!" He exclaimed looking at Ron.

"Are you losing your marbles mate? I'm Ron." The redhead replied.

"No Charlie. He works with dragons. We could send Norbert to him." Harry suggested.

He earned a pat on the back from his loudmouth friend. "Good call Four eyes." He said making a teasing joke about Harry's round glasses.

"I can send a letter to Charlie." Ron said.

Peter nodded. "In the meantime. We'll do the best we can to help keep the dragon a secret." Peter laid out the plan before them. A solid if not somewhat foolish plan. They were, after all, agreeing to babysit a dragon.

The next coming week ,while they waited for Hedwig to get to Charlie and come back with a response, was very stressful for everyone involved. Norbert not only grew rapidly. But became increasingly violent and ferocious. Peter, Harry, and Ron traded off days helping Hagrid deal with Norbert. Hermione of course wanted to help but Peter had convinced her that between the three of them they could handle it. She conceded to that fact and instead focused on her studies.

None of them came out without a scratch though. Harry had scratches on his arms from, Peter, although showing no physical signs the next morning, almost always came back with burns on his hands, and Norbert bit Ron on the finger.

"It really hurts." He complained as the finger began to swell. "I think I should see Madam Pomfrey about the finger but…" Ron trailed off.

"She might ask questions." Harry finished.

Peter finished inspecting the finger. "Well the swelling's not a good sign." He decided. "Keep it wrapped. We'll check it again in the morning." He said.

The next morning, of course, things only got worse for Ron. His finger was turning green and he looked pale. He tried to power through the day and lasted just long enough for Hedwig to come back with a response from Charlie stating that he'd be happy to take the dragon.

They had their instructions. In three days time they'd take Norbert to the top of the astronomy tower where two co-workers of Charlie's would come pick him up. After getting excited that this was finally almost over. Ron failed to keep his breakfast and had to be taken to the hospital wing.

Peter was tasked with getting him there safely as he was the fastest between them and the best at dodging questions.

"How did he end up like this?" Madam Pomfrey asked as Peter set him on a bed.

"I dunno maybe he ate something." Peter said leaning over Ron.

"No I'm talking about his finger." Pomfrey huffed.

Peter looked at it with a thoughtful expression. "Dipped his finger in a bad potion maybe?" He asked.

"I know a bite when I see one Parker. What happened, what bit him?" She practically demanded losing her patience.

"Something venomous I'd say." Peter answered with a cheeky grin.

Pomfrey, now thoroughly ticked off by his lack of an answer, sent away. "Fine begone you stupid boy. He needs rest." She said ushering him out of the hospital wing.

Peter returned to the great hall as the others finished up their breakfast. "How's Ron?" Hermione was the first to speak.

"Sickly and whiny, so really only a little different" Peter quipped. "A few days under Madam P's care and he'll be complaining about classes again in no time."

"No time? What happened to your friend Parker?" A familiar face drawled.

Peter spun on his heel. Draco Malfoy looked at them. Crabbe and Goyle in tow. Peter had to watch what he said to Malfoy. He knew about Norbert. Peter wondered if he had shared this knowledge with his lackies, and why he hadn't told anyone if authority. Just what was he playing at?

"Ate some bad eggs that's all." Peter said cooly.

The two of them stared each other down. Malfoy didn't know who he hated more. Harry Potter or Peter Parker.

"Well maybe I'll go pay him a visit. Which a get well soon. Maybe drop off a few sickles. It's probably the most money he'll ever lay his eyes on." He said mocking Ron's poor status.

"Hey being poor builds character. Being rich creates spoiled brats. Like you." Peter said.

"Oh. Very impressive Parker. Thought for a second you had a brain in that brutish body of your-" Malfoy stopped when Peter out his hand on his shoulder.

He froze up as if expecting Peter to break it. "Weird. Cat got your tongue?" Peter asked letting go.

He wasn't going to break it. He would never. Even if he thought Malfoy had something coming. He didn't think he was the one to give it to him. "Don't so scared Snow-White." He said.

Malfoy turned around angrily. "What are you brutes just standing there for? Come on." He said.

The two of them followed giving Peter threatening looks. He responded with a toothy grin. He dropped the smile when they turned away.

"Three days. So long as no finds out we'll be fine." He said more to himself than the others.

Unfortunately, the next day when they went to visit Ron they found that Malfoy knew when they moving Norbert. "He took one of my books. Said he needed to 'borrow' it. Charlie's letter was in that book. He knows." Ron said

"We can't move Norbert tonight if Malfoy knows." Hermione said in a defeated tone.

"We have to." Harry said.

"Scarhead's right." Peter agreed. "We don't have time to reschedule, Norbert is already getting way too out of hand. We have to do something about him now. Besides, don't forget. We still have the cloak."

Hermione nodded. They decided to go through with the plan even with the added danger. By drawing straws it was decided that Peter would go with Harry the next night. On that night, Hermione wished them luck on their quest and sent them off.

Peter and Harry stayed under the cloak on their way to Hagrid's. Once they reached his hut and confirmed that they were alone they removed the cloak. Peter knocked on the door. It was red hot.

"Ouch!" He yelped before clamping his mouth shut and making sure that no one had heard. He knocked again, no better prepared for the heat, he didn't flinch this time.

"Hagrid it's us we need to get in." He said. "Hold on. I still need to cage him." Hagrid said.

Peter waited about 30 seconds before knocking again. "Hagrid," He called out,

"Just a few more minutes." Hagrid replied. He was stalling.

"Hagrid let us in right now or else I'm gonna knock this door down." Peter threatened.

Hagrid sighed and let them in. Norbert was in a wooden crate with a handle on each side. "I just wanted him to be comfortable. I put some food in for him, an' his teddy bear. In case he gets lonely." Hagrid sniffled.

From the sounds of it that teddy bear was very quickly becoming an unrecognizable pile of cotton and fur. Peter felt shivers go up his spine at the thought of that thing reaching adulthood. Well it wasn't his problem anymore.

Covering themselves under the cloak Peter and Harry made their way to the astronomy tower. The real highlight of their trip was seeing Malfoy getting chewed out by McGonagall.

"Professor Potter and his pals are out of bed. They're moving a dragon." He kept swearing that it was true.

"Honestly Malfoy. I know you and Potter are at odd but this is low. Come, we will be discussing how to punish such blatant lying in my office." She grabbed the boy's wrist and practically dragged him off.

Peter felt a little bad for Malfoy but not at all guilty. "Ya think maybe he was trying to do the right thing?" Peter asked. "Nah. Nevermind."

"Yeah absolutely not." Harry agreed.

They got to the astronomy and they pulled off the cloak. Then they waited. Waited as the moon rose higher and higher into the air. Until they saw two silhouettes flying to them on broomsticks. They gave Norbert to Charlie's co-workers without a moment's hesitation. They were ready to be done with it.

Peter watched his heart elevating as the two flew off with Norbert. He sighed and looked at Harry. "Well that was more trouble that we signed up for. Let's get back to the common room." Harry nodded in agreement.

As they traveled down the stairs Peter's Spider-Sense went off. He looked at Harry and realized with horror, that they had left the cloak back at the astronomy tower.

"Well. Look what we have here." Filch said with a malicious grin. "I wonder what you'll head of house will have to say to that." Peter and Harry looked at each other both with very pale faces.