Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 347: The Signal

By the third week at the Dragon Reserve, Kyle had settled into the rhythm of its mix of busy and relaxed days—and was reaping the rewards. Just from selling damaged or lower-quality dragon materials, he’d managed to earn a tidy sum of 125 Galleons, enough for two pairs of Shield Gloves. But his luck was about to run dry.

In the second week, the dragons had gone into their most intense and prolonged battle yet. Even Kyle, usually content with his quieter role, couldn’t sit still. Together with Newt and Chris, he scrambled to tend to three injured dragons—more than they’d had to care for in the previous two weeks combined.

When the dust settled, only two dragons remained in the sky: a Hungarian Horntail and a larger Ukrainian Ironbelly—though not the one they’d dealt with before. This one was even bigger. After just a day’s rest, the two dragons resumed their fight, vying for the highest cliff, the most coveted spot in the reserve. The dragon keepers and other observers gathered, eager to see the final outcome.

Despite the Ironbelly’s intimidating size—Charlie estimated it weighed around seven tons, dwarfing the Hungarian Horntail—it didn’t have his confidence. “Size isn’t everything. This one lacks the experience of old Pinot. If he’d seized his chance when everyone else was grounded, he might have had a shot. But now…” Charlie shook his head. “A big body means big energy needs, and one day of rest isn’t enough. The Horntail knew this and struck first—he doesn’t stand a chance.”

Sure enough, after only three hours, the Ukrainian Ironbelly’s movements had slowed, its flight becoming sluggish and unstable. Meanwhile, the Hungarian Horntail, with a hunter’s precision, used its speed to its advantage, wearing down its opponent with sharp, calculated strikes. The crowd could see that the outcome was inevitable; it was only a matter of time.

As the tension waned, Professor Lochneal, looking a bit bored, strolled over to Kyle. “Hogwarts starts up again soon, doesn’t it?” he asked in a low voice. “In September?”

“September 1st,” Kyle confirmed. “Just under two weeks away.”

“That would make you a fourth year, yes?” Lochneal continued.

“Right,” Kyle nodded.

“Have you ever considered transferring to Beauxbatons?” Lochneal asked suddenly, with a glint of enthusiasm. “I’d personally ensure you’d have access to the finest materials for your alchemy studies.”

Kyle blinked at him, thoroughly confused. Is this a standard Beauxbatons tactic? Persuading students to transfer at first meeting? Their headmistress, Madame Maxime, had done the same thing. Is this part of their training?

“Thanks, but I haven’t really thought about transferring,” Kyle replied after a pause. “Besides, the O.W.L.s are coming up next year, so it’s not the best time.”

“Oh, no worries, no worries!” Professor Lochneal waved his hands dismissively. “I was just asking. But… truthfully, Madame Maxime asked me to bring it up. When I wrote to her the other day, I mentioned some of the students here, and she seemed especially keen on the idea of you coming to Beauxbatons. Do you two know each other?”

The professor himself seemed somewhat mystified. When Madame Maxime had tasked him with trying to recruit a Hogwarts student, he had been completely thrown. Although he’d found it a bit awkward, he couldn’t ignore the request; after all, it was for his funding.

He wasn’t just buying the damaged goods. He’d also picked up high-quality materials, including valuable dragon blood—items that racked up a hefty bill. Though his purchases weren’t extravagant, they added up, costing him nearly a thousand Galleons. Of course, he intended to expense it all through Beauxbatons.

In his recent letter to Madame Maxime, Lochneal had subtly reminded her about the reimbursement, only to receive instructions on trying to lure a Hogwarts student instead of the promised funds.

But either way, Professor Lochneal had fulfilled his task.

“Madame Maxime?”

Kyle thought for a moment. “I met her once in Paris last year during the holidays.”

“Oh… that explains it,” Professor Lochneal nodded thoughtfully. “I remember she rarely leaves France, so she probably doesn’t know many of the young witches and wizards at Hogwarts.”

As they spoke, the battle between the two fire dragons reached its final moments. As expected, the Hungarian Horntail emerged victorious. It perched triumphantly on the cliff, roaring and spewing mushroom-shaped plumes of fire into the sky, and one by one, the other dragons roared back in submission.

“It’s finally over,” Charlie sighed, rubbing his forehead. He hadn’t had a proper rest in over a month. The constant vigilance had worn him down, and now that the tension was lifting, he felt the full weight of his exhaustion. At last, he could look forward to a few days of rest.

Just then, another dragon roar cut through the air—a furious, defiant sound, unlike the previous roars of submission. Charlie snapped out of his reverie, startled.

Everyone turned to see the source of the commotion. An Antipodean Opaleye, unlike the other dragons that were lying low, was hovering in the air, spitting flames at the ground below. At the same moment, a blinding red light flared beside it, casting a large, spherical pattern in the sky.

“That’s the dragon keepers’ signal,” Charlie muttered in alarm. “Damn it… those cunning hyenas!”

He immediately mounted his broom and flew toward the signal.

“Someone’s after the dragon eggs,” Professor Lochneal explained in a low voice, as if reading Kyle’s thoughts. “That red light is the unique signal of the Dragon Reserve. Red indicates an unknown intruder, and the spherical shape signals a threat to the eggs.”

“Should we go help?” Kyle asked.

“No need; they’re already on it,” Chris said, walking over and shaking his head.

“That’s right,” Lochneal agreed with a small smile. “The reserve anticipated this. For the past two weeks, each nest has had someone stationed nearby, and the eggs are under protective enchantments to prevent Apparition.”

As they spoke, more and more dragon keepers arrived near the agitated Opaleye. But just minutes later, two more red flares erupted in the southern part of the reserve, followed by two more in the north… A total of seven locations had sent out signals, all spread out and in different directions.

“So many intruders, all at once… This was carefully coordinated,” Chris said, a hint of surprise in his voice, though his expression remained calm.