Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 73: Death without surprising words

“Let’s go see Madam Pomfrey,” Hermione suggested, the perceptive little witch also noticing Harry’s often painful scars.

“Harry, relax. Hermione’s right. As long as Dumbledore is around, the Philosopher’s Stone won’t be in danger. Anyway, we haven’t found any evidence that Snape found out how to subdue Fluffy. He almost had his leg bitten off last time; he won’t rush to try it again. If even Hagrid betrayed Dumbledore, then Neville can be selected for the English Quidditch team.” Ron said lazily, lying on the grass. It was too hot, and without the threat of exams, Ron was a bit listless.

Harry nodded, but he couldn't shake the vague feeling that he'd forgotten to do something, something very important. When he tried to explain this feeling, Hermione said, "It's all because of the exam. I woke up last night, busy reviewing my Transfiguration notes, and then it suddenly dawned on me that we'd already taken the exam."

Suddenly, Harry leaped up and grabbed Tyella, running toward Hagrid's hut.

"Where are you going?" Ron asked sleepily.

“I suddenly remembered something,” Harry explained as he ran, his face turning pale. “We have to go find Hagrid right now.”

"Why?" Hermione asked breathlessly, as she and Ron struggled to catch up with him.

“Don’t you find it a little strange?” Harry said as he hurried down the grassy slope. “Hagrid’s greatest desire is a dragon, and a stranger just happens to have a dragon egg in his pocket? How many people carry dragon eggs around all day? You know that’s against wizarding laws! Don’t you think they’re incredibly lucky to have found Hagrid? How come I never thought of that before?”

"What exactly do you want to do?" Ron asked, but Harry just kept running across the field toward the forest and didn't answer his question.

Hagrid sat on a chair outside the cabin, his trousers rolled up high, busy shelling peas in front of a large bowl.

"Hello," he said with a smile, "Are you done with your exams? Do you have time for a cup of tea?"

“Okay, thank you,” Ron said, but Harry interrupted him.

"No, we have something urgent. Hagrid, I have something to ask you. Do you remember the night you won Norbert at cards? What did that stranger you played cards with look like?"

“I don’t know,” Hagrid said casually. “He won’t take off his cloak.” He saw the immediate look of astonishment on the faces of the three children and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What's so strange about that? Pig's Head Bar, the one in the village, always has some weirdos around. That guy's probably a dragon seller. I never got a good look at his face; he was wearing a hood."

"What did you say to him, Hagrid? Did you mention Hogwarts?" Harry plopped down next to Hagrid.

“Maybe he mentioned it,” Hagrid frowned, trying to remember. “Right, he asked me what I did, and I told him I was the gamekeeper here. He asked a little more about which animals I looked after, and I told him that. Then I said I’d always wanted a dragon, and then… I don’t remember exactly, he kept buying me drinks… and told me to think about it… Ah, right, then he said he had a dragon egg, and if I wanted it, we could play cards to bet on it… but he had to make sure I was capable of handling the dragon; he didn’t want it to run away and cause trouble… so I told him I could even keep Luwei under control, a dragon was nothing to me…”

"Does he seem... seems very interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked, trying to keep his tone calm.

“That’s right, I’m particularly interested. After all, what are the odds of you running into a few three-headed dogs, even near Hogwarts? So I told him that Fluffy is actually quite easy to deal with. You just need to know how to calm it down, play some music for it, and it’ll fall asleep immediately…”

A look of horror suddenly appeared on Hagrid's face.

"Well," Tyra sighed inwardly, "Hagrid keeps his mouth shut."

"Oh no! I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't have told you... Hey! What are you guys doing?"

When Hagrid revealed how to tame Fluffy, Hermione was the first to react, and even the slow-witted Ron realized something was wrong.

The four young wizards—Tierra had no choice but to be dragged along by Harry and hurriedly run towards the castle.

Tierra knew that Harry would be exploring the Chamber of Secrets at the Philosopher's Stone tonight.

Tyrell knew his chance had come. Harry prepared to tell Dumbledore.

But they encountered Professor McGonagall halfway there.

"What are you four doing here?" Professor McGonagall walked towards us, carrying a large stack of books.

“We want to see Professor Dumbledore,” Hermione said.

"Want to see Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated, as if their idea was highly suspicious. "Why?"

“It’s a secret,” Harry said, swallowing hard.

He immediately regretted his words, because Professor McGonagall was angry, and Harry could see her nostrils flaring.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," Professor McGonagall said coldly. "He received an urgent letter from the Ministry of Magic delivered by owl and immediately flew to London."

"He's gone?" Harry said anxiously, "At this time?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a very important wizard, extremely busy, and his time is very precious..."

"But this matter is very important."

"Is what you have to say more important than the Ministry of Magic, Harry?"

“It’s like this,” Harry said, casting aside his caution, “Professor, it’s about the Philosopher’s Stone…”

Clearly, Professor McGonagall never expected this to be the case.

The book in her arms fell to the floor with a clatter, but she didn't pick it up.

"How come you..." she stammered.

“Professor, I think, I’m pretty sure, Snape… someone’s trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone. I have to speak with Professor Dumbledore.”

Professor McGonagall looked at him with a mixture of astonishment and disbelief.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she concluded. "I don't know how you found out about the Philosopher's Stone, but rest assured, no one can steal it. It is under tight protection and completely safe."

"But Professor..."

“Potter, I know what I’m saying,” she said impatiently, then waved her hand, and the book that had fallen to the ground returned to her hand automatically. “I suggest you go outside and get some sun.”

Thank you xiaotang246 for the 100 coins!

This chapter is just a transitional one. There will be another chapter tonight, and we'll soon be entering the final dungeon of the first year.

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(End of this chapter)