Gerald heard Hagrid's words and, for a moment, did not know what to say.
Heaven be my witness, that wasn't what I meant!
Cute was cute, but who said cute things weren't dangerous?
"Where are you planning to keep him? The Forbidden Forest?" Gerald changed the subject.
"Oh, I originally wanted to keep him in the house. I even built him a kennel, right beside the fireplace. But Dumbledore found out. I don't know how he knew either-probably the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest told him. He came to see me specially one evening last week. I thought he was going to make me send Fluffy away, but he didn't."
"You know, Dumbledore is the greatest wizard there is. He's incredibly broad-minded..."
"Hagrid, I've known all that for ages. Dumbledore's greatness is beyond question," Gerald hastily interrupted his lengthy speech.
"Yes, yes. Dumbledore just told me not to let too many people know about this for now, so that's why I'm keeping him in the box for the time being. I'll definitely keep him in the Forbidden Forest later. There's enough room there. That's also why I was so nervous just now. Gerald, you mustn't tell anyone."
Hagrid's little beetle-like eyes fixed on Gerald, looking somewhat nervous.
"Don't worry. I won't." Under Hagrid's anxious gaze, Gerald nodded solemnly.
"Right, what was that you said about the thunderbird?" Hagrid straightened up, visibly growing excited again.
He covered Fluffy with the old blanket again, then turned and took the storm lantern off the wall.
"How big has Lightning grown? The last time I saw him was two months ago, and he was already bigger than an eagle then."
"We'll probably need to go outside for that." Gerald smiled.
The two went outdoors, where the cold February wind blew into their faces.
Hagrid