Making a Friend

He paused, deliberately drawing out his words, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"If you want to explain, why don't you save it for the investigators at the Ministry of Magic, or go to Azkaban and have a chat with the Dementor?"

Hagrid's legs buckled, and he fell heavily to the ground. Tom, seeing his utterly terrified state, couldn't help but grin and chuckle.

They say dogs resemble their owners, Hagrid is even more timid than his big dog; the mere mention of Dementor sends him into a panic.

"I'm not going to Azkaban! I'm not going!" Hagrid sat on the ground, muttering repeatedly like a wronged child.

The way he looked at Tom was exactly the same as how he looked at Tom Riddle fifty years ago—full of fear.

Tom, seeing that things were going well, softened his tone. "However, I wouldn't benefit from sending you in."

Hagrid looked up abruptly, his eyes instantly igniting with hope. His heart was pounding like it was about to jump out of his chest, as if he'd been on a rollercoaster.

"I am Slytherin," Tom said casually, leaning back in his chair.

"We Slytherin only recognize those who are valuable. If you can give me something in return, we can be friends, right?"

"This isn't making friends..." Hagrid muttered under his breath, but when he met Tom's instantly cold gaze, he immediately changed his tune.

"Fine! I'll be your friend! But I have my bottom line. I'd rather go to Azkaban than betray Albus Dumbledore!"

Tom rolled his eyes, looking at him like he was an idiot. "Is your brain filled with giant spider venom? Why would I, a student, ask you to betray the principal?"

Hagrid paused, scratched his head, and looked a little embarrassed; he had overthought things.

"So what exactly do you want me to do so you won't report me?"

Tom glanced at the dragon egg by the fire, then at Hagrid: "You must have some serious connections to get your hands on a dragon egg."

"I need some Potions ingredients and herbs. If you help me gather them, I won't report you, and I'll even help you deal with that troublesome Malfoy."

"That's it?" Hagrid looked incredulous. "You can just pick this up anywhere in the Forbidden Forest!"

He genuinely had no idea how difficult these materials were for others to obtain.

They had to avoid the dangerous creatures in the Forbidden Forest and find all the rare species. Only he and Newt Scamander could be as comfortable in the Forbidden Forest as if they were at home.

Tom didn't waste any words with him. He picked up a parchment and a quill pen, wrote quickly for five minutes, and handed him a long list.

Hagrid took a look and breathed a sigh of relief. Most of them were in the Forbidden Forest, and he had acquaintances in Knockturn Alley who could get the rest.

"No problem! Three days! I'll gather the money for you in three days!" Hagrid patted his chest and promised, determined to be a "Dragon Mom" in peace.

Tom held up three fingers, his tone serious. "Three days, not a day less, and it has to be top quality. Don't try to fool me with a defective product. Otherwise, just wait and see the disappointment in Albus Dumbledore's eyes."

Hagrid nodded repeatedly, readily agreeing.

Tom got up to leave, but stopped by the fireplace, frowning and saying disdainfully, "You're going to use this broken fire to hatch a dragon? Ordinary flames aren't hot enough; it'll just hatch into a weakling."

Hagrid looked even more aggrieved, hanging his head. "This is already the best I can offer."

Tom didn't say anything, but took out his wand and extinguished the embers in the stove with a single wave. Hagrid cried out in fright, thinking he was going to destroy the dragon egg.

Then Tom whispered a few incantations, and a ball of white flame shot out from the tip of his wand, landing steadily in the fireplace.

Instantly, the temperature in the entire cabin rose sharply, leaving Hagrid dumbfounded. "What... what kind of flame is this?"

"The Gubraithian Fire, the kind that never go out," Tom said calmly. "Don't touch the fireplace for now. Call me to extinguish the fire when the fire dragon is almost hatched."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Hagrid standing there overjoyed. He had long heard of the fame of the Gubraithian Fire, a magic that only top wizards could cast!

As Hagrid laughed, he suddenly shivered, a chill running down his spine: What kind of monster is this Tom Riddle? He even knows this kind of magic!

Malfoy has been riding high these past few days, holding onto the fact that Harry is hiding the dragon egg, and deliberately flaunting it in front of Harry every day.

Goyle and Crabbe followed behind him, wondering to themselves: Is the young master flirting with Potter? Something seems off.

Malfoy didn't care about any of that; he was still happily dreaming, planning to have his fun before complaining and getting Harry and Hagrid punished together.

But he never expected that this beautiful dream would shatter after only three days.

Three days later, Tom received a message from Hagrid via owl. Hagrid had gathered all the materials Tom needed, and the two completed the transaction in the cabin.

"The venom of the Acromantula is of very good quality. I'll continue to collect it next time.

He used Shrinking Charm to put the materials into his pocket and said casually, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, except Daphne and Hermione. I'll bring them to see it after the dragon hatches."

"I'll warn Malfoy, don't worry."

Hagrid was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly said, "Thank you so much, Tom! Just let me know if you need any materials in the future!"

Tom smiled. Hagrid's value, really, was limited to this.

Back in the Slytherin Common Room, Tom didn't see Malfoy and sent Nott and Zabini to look for him.

Half an hour later, Malfoy appeared before Tom with trepidation, his heart pounding. He hadn't offended this powerful figure.

It wasn't until Tom pulled him into the dormitory alone that Malfoy completely panicked: Oh no, was it because he hadn't been attentive enough to the other two that they were now settling scores?

"Malfoy, I also know about Hagrid raising dragon eggs."

Malfoy was taken aback, then became excited and sidled up to Tom: "Boss! Are you going to tell Professor Snape?"

"I suggest you wait. Once the dragon eggs hatch into fire dragons, their crimes will be even greater! I can toy with Potter for a few more days!"

Tom glanced at him, his tone icy. "If you dare tell anyone about the fire dragon, I'll skin you alive."

Malfoy's smile froze instantly, his face filled with disbelief, even forgetting his fear, and he immediately bristled. "Why?!"

"First, Hagrid gave me a bribe. I took his money and did his bidding." Tom held up one finger.

He paused, then extended a second one. "Secondly, even if you said it, it wouldn't matter. Albus Dumbledore would definitely protect Hagrid and Harry, and in the end, nothing would come of it."

Malfoy's face turned bright red, and he trembled with anger. He had been holding back for so long, just waiting to see Potter suffer, and now he couldn't even say it? This was too frustrating!

He stubbornly retorted, "Impossible! Professor Snape would definitely deduct points from them, lots of points!"