Two little lions who seemed to be suffering from depression had finally made it through all their final exams.
"I've always heard people say that Hogwarts' finals are really tough, but I didn't expect them to be this easy."
Ron felt he had done quite well this time, and couldn't help but relax. Now that the finals were over, it was time to start thinking about where to have some fun.
"You only feel that way because you're you."
Rubbing his scar hard, Harry Potter felt the familiar pain returning.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Ron asked with concern.
"My scar's been hurting like it's on fire. It's happened before, but never this bad."
As he spoke, another wave of pain shot through Harry's scar.
"We should take you to Madam Pomfrey!"
Ron's reaction was spot-on at that moment, even though no one particularly liked drinking potions and resting in the hospital wing.
"No. I think it's a warning—something dangerous is coming."
Harry knew this wasn't an illness. The hospital wing wouldn't be any help to him.
Just as the two of them stepped outside the Hogwarts castle, they saw Hagrid in the distance, alone, playing a flute, with Hermione standing beside him.
Suddenly, Harry remembered something. Grabbing Ron, he dashed toward Hagrid's hut.
"Hermione! What are you doing here?"
Harry had a head full of questions for Hagrid, but since Hermione was already there, he decided to ask about her presence first.
Of course, Ron was the one who actually spoke up. Sometimes, Ron had quite the talent for playing the sidekick.
Well! She's already in Ravenclaw now—she's not one of us Gryffindors anymore.
"Hmph! Didn't it occur to you? Hagrid has always wanted to raise a dragon, and then suddenly a stranger shows up with a dragon egg. How many people go around carrying dragon eggs?"
Little Hermione lifted her chin proudly as she repeated what Regulus Black had instructed her to say. This way, the three of them would end up gathering again and heading into the Chamber of Secrets for an adventure. Of course, Regulus Black had promised Hermione wouldn't have to go all the way—after all, it was meant to be Harry Potter's trial. Stealing his spotlight would only do more harm than good.
"Of course we thought of that. Hagrid! Who gave you that dragon egg? What did he look like?"
Naturally, Harry brought Ron along for this. After all, Ron had taken plenty of blows on his behalf—how could he not look out for his best mate?
"I don't know. I didn't see his face. He kept his hood up the whole time."
Hagrid had no idea what the kids were really asking, but answering their questions as they came wasn't wrong either.
"Did you talk to this stranger?"
Hermione followed up with another question—there was no way she'd let the two Gryffindor boys look down on her.
"He asked me what kind of creatures I'd raised. I told him that after raising Fluffy, even raising a dragon wouldn't be a problem."
Hagrid was full of pride, especially when it came to talking about the small creatures he'd raised. The look in his eyes practically glowed with the brilliance of motherly love.
"Was he interested in Fluffy?"
Harry pressed further. Clearly, the questions were reaching a critical point. If that person were Snape, he would definitely have asked about Fluffy.
"Of course he was interested in Fluffy! It's not like you see a three-headed giant dog every day. Even rare creature traders don't come across one often."
Just like a parent bragging about their child, Hagrid couldn't wait for more people to know about his Fluffy.
"And then I told him the secret to taming wild beasts—you just have to find a way to calm them down. Take Fluffy, for instance. Play music, and he'll fall asleep."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked like they were about to roll their eyes. Hagrid really was a brainless oaf of a giant. He even blurted out such a crucial detail in casual conversation. Back when he was bartering for the dragon egg, he must have said everything—and in way more detail than now. Without another word, the three kids turned and sprinted back toward Hogwarts. They had to inform a professor. The Philosopher's Stone was in danger.
"Did I just say too much again?"
Hagrid finally realized—belatedly—what he had done.
Racing Forward, Hermione kept to the rear of the group. Her time in Ravenclaw had taught her that sometimes, simply participating was enough—there was no need to stand in the spotlight when someone more suitable could take the lead.
Regulus Black had already explained the entire process to her in detail, and he trusted that the clever Miss Granger wouldn't get anything wrong.
The three of them ran all the way to Professor McGonagall's classroom, where she was sternly and meticulously grading final exam papers.
"We need to see Professor Dumbledore—it's urgent!"
Harry Potter made the request directly to Professor McGonagall, and Ron also placed this matter as the top priority, not even noticing that Hermione had followed them.
"Professor Dumbledore isn't here. The Ministry of Magic sent an urgent message by owl, and he left for London right away."
"He really left? But we need to speak with him—it's important!"
Harry was so anxious he was nearly jumping on the spot. Only Dumbledore could deal with something like this.
"It's about the Philosopher's Stone," Hermione added from the side, thinking to herself, With how Harry talks—never getting to the point—who would ever take him seriously?
"How do you know about that?"
Professor McGonagall hadn't yet heard the full details from Dumbledore, but it was clear now that the secret of the Philosopher's Stone had been discovered by these children.
"Sn… someone is trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone,"
Harry had started to say Snape's name, but stopped himself. Arguing with Professor McGonagall over that would only waste time.
"I don't know how the three of you found out about the Philosopher's Stone. It was meant to be kept secret. Go back to your dormitories—pretend you don't know anything, and don't tell anyone."
Professor McGonagall began ushering them out, but she fully intended to send an owl to Dumbledore afterward to ask what he wanted to do next.
The three children were disappointed. After all the effort they'd spent uncovering the secret, it wasn't being taken seriously. They had been investigating this all term!
"Hagrid met someone in Hogsmeade—it wasn't just anyone. It was Snape. He now knows how to get past Fluffy."
Harry was certain the man was Snape, completely unaware that Snape was standing right behind the three of them.
These troublemakers were still slandering him? Snape remained calm. Ever since becoming Head of Slytherin House, he'd been defamed by plenty of students. But Snape would never retaliate just because of a few insults behind his back—taking house points was merely an educational tool. Besides, he had already discussed a countermeasure with Dumbledore and Regulus Black. He would let them off for now.
"Good afternoon, you three. Such nice weather—why aren't you outside enjoying it?"
Snape's eyes locked directly onto Harry, then shifted to Hermione. Ron was completely ignored.
"We're preparing for an adventure,"
Hermione recalled Regulus Black's advice: if they ran into Snape and Harry already knew the truth, then say they were going on an adventure. Snape was Dumbledore's man and absolutely trustworthy—though Harry didn't need to know that just yet.
"You'd better be careful. Others might think… you're up to something shady."
Snape turned to look at Harry again, giving him the classic I know you're up to something warning glare.
Regulus Black had said during their discussion that when Hermione was present, she should be included as part of the group. That would help the three of them stick together. Under Regulus's guidance, Hermione could help Harry get through the initial trials.
What?! Dumbledore thinks Harry can get through all of it on his own?
Ha! Then what's left to discuss? You might as well just let him die—it'd be simpler.
Recalling the conversation in the headmaster's office, Snape knew it was time to give Quirrell a little push. Since even something as ridiculous as the Ministry summoning Dumbledore with an urgent owl had already happened, they had to make Quirrell believe Snape had truly let his guard down—so that he'd be tempted to make his move tonight.
"We'll go down through the trapdoor—tonight."
Harry was utterly determined. He had to stop Snape from getting the Philosopher's Stone, so he called on the two people closest to him.
Ron and Hermione both nodded in agreement, which boosted Harry's confidence even more.
They each went off to prepare. Hermione escorted the boys back to Gryffindor Tower, then returned to Ravenclaw—only to immediately head for the Room of Requirement.
"Regulus! Everything is unfolding exactly as you said."
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