======Norbert (Norberta)======
=====Introduction=====
Norbert was a [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] [[dragon]] who was illegally hatched and briefly raised by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] in 1992. The effort to care for and later smuggle Norbert off the [[Hogwarts]] grounds was a significant event for [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] during their first year. It was later revealed that Norbert was, in fact, female, and she was renamed **Norberta** upon her arrival at the [[Romanian Dragon Sanctuary]].
=====Biography=====
====Hatching at Hogwarts====
The [[dragon egg]] that would produce Norbert was won by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] from a hooded and disguised stranger (later revealed to be [[Professor Quirrell]] acting on behalf of [[Lord Voldemort]]) during a game of [[cards]] at the [[Hog's Head]] pub in [[Hogsmeade]]. [[Hagrid]] eagerly took the [[egg]] back to his hut on the [[Hogwarts]] grounds and incubated it in his fireplace.
[[Harry]], [[Ron]], and [[Hermione]] were present in [[Hagrid's Hut]] when the [[egg]] finally hatched. The newly-born [[dragon]], which [[Hagrid]] named Norbert, was described as looking like a "crumpled black umbrella". Despite his affection for the creature, whom he treated like a baby, [[Hagrid]] quickly discovered how dangerous a young [[dragon]] could be. Norbert grew at an alarming rate, developed a fiery temperament, and his bite was venomous, as [[Ron Weasley]] discovered when Norbert bit his hand, requiring medical attention.
====Departure to Romania====
Realizing that raising a [[dragon]] at [[Hogwarts]] was both illegal and unsustainable, [[Hermione Granger]] convinced [[Hagrid]] that Norbert had to be sent to a proper sanctuary. They contacted Ron's older brother, [[Charlie Weasley]], who worked with [[dragon]]s in [[Romania]]. [[Charlie]] agreed to have some friends, who were visiting on business, pick up the [[dragon]].
The trio planned a covert, late-night operation to transport Norbert in a crate to the top of the [[Astronomy Tower]], the tallest point in the [[castle]], where [[Charlie]]'s friends were scheduled to meet them. Using [[Harry Potter]]'s [[Invisibility Cloak]] for concealment, they successfully handed Norbert over. Unfortunately, they were caught on their way back to their dormitory by [[Argus Filch]], having been discovered by [[Draco Malfoy]], which resulted in a severe loss of house points and a detention in the [[Forbidden Forest]].
====Life in Romania====
Norbert was safely transported to the [[Romanian Dragon Sanctuary]], where he could live among other [[dragon]]s. Years later, during the buildup to the [[Battle of Hogwarts]] in 1998, [[Hagrid]] reunited with [[Charlie Weasley]], who provided an update. [[Charlie]] informed a delighted [[Hagrid]] that "Norbert" was actually a female [[dragon]] and that the keepers in [[Romania]] had renamed her Norberta. He also noted that she was "a right vicious little thing," which was typical for [[Norwegian Ridgeback]]s.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
As a hatchling, Norbert was a black [[dragon]] with spiny wings, a long snout with wide nostrils, bulging orange, ping-pong ball-sized eyes, and stubby horns. His fangs were noted to be venomous.
Despite [[Hagrid]]'s view of him as a harmless baby, Norbert was inherently wild and dangerous, as is the nature of his species. He sneezed sparks and set fire to [[Hagrid]]'s beard on one occasion. His bite was severe enough to cause Ron's hand to swell to twice its normal size and turn a sickly green color from the venom. [[Charlie Weasley]] later confirmed Norberta's aggressive nature was normal for a [[Norwegian Ridgeback]].
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As a [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] [[dragon]], Norbert possessed abilities inherent to his species from birth.
  * **Fire Breath:** Like all [[dragon]]s, Norbert could breathe fire, even as a hatchling.
  * **Venomous Fangs:** The fangs of a [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] are venomous. Norbert's bite on [[Ron Weasley]]'s hand required specialized care to treat the effects of the venom.
  * **Exceptional Strength and Hide:** Though not fully developed as a baby, he would grow to have the immense strength and magically-resistant hide characteristic of adult [[dragon]]s.
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Rubeus Hagrid]]:** [[Hagrid]] acted as Norbert's surrogate mother, affectionately calling himself "Mummy". His love for magical creatures, especially dangerous ones, was fully evident in his deep emotional attachment to the young [[dragon]], and he was heartbroken to see him go.
  * **[[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]]:** The trio assisted [[Hagrid]] with Norbert's care and were instrumental in his safe removal from [[Hogwarts]]. The experience bonded the three friends but also landed them in significant trouble. Ron, in particular, bore a physical scar from his encounter with the baby [[dragon]].
  * **[[Charlie Weasley]]:** As a [[dragonologist]], [[Charlie]] provided the crucial connection to the [[Romanian Dragon Sanctuary]], enabling Norbert's safe and legal relocation. He was responsible for overseeing Norberta's care after her arrival.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Norbert:** A Germanic name derived from //nord// ("north") and //berht// ("bright" or "famous"). The "north" element is a direct reference to his species, the **Norwegian** Ridgeback.
  * **Norberta:** The feminized form of Norbert, given to her after her handlers in [[Romania]] discovered her true sex.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation, //[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]//, Norbert's hatching and departure are depicted largely as they occur in the book. However, the revelation that Norbert is actually female and was renamed Norberta, which comes from the book //[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]//, is omitted from the film series.
  * According to Pottermore, the [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] is one of the rarer [[dragon]] breeds and is known to be particularly aggressive towards its own kind. They feed on large mammals and, unusually for [[dragon]]s, also on water-dwelling creatures (Pottermore).