Hogwarts: This Wizard is Unscientific 79
by adminChapter 79: Peaceful Days and Heavy Burdens
Mid-January, another heavy snowfall blanketed the castle.
Over a fortnight back at Hogwarts, Andy’s life had returned to its usual calm. Classes, reading, practicing magic, and teasing the younger witches. That was his daily routine.
However, unlike before the Christmas holidays, Andy occasionally visited the Ravenclaw library – purely for leisure. Whether or not he could trigger a hidden quest was irrelevant; the important thing was his love for reading.
Unfortunately, despite multiple visits, Andy still hadn’t achieved the “Read all the books in one night” accomplishment.
Last week, Andy finally accumulated five more potential points, raising his [Transfiguration] talent to level 5. This improvement made Transfiguration much easier for him. Even Professor McGonagall commented that Andy was ready for higher-level courses.
Actually, Andy had already been doing that.
Professor McGonagall also gave Andy a set of notes on Bio-Transfiguration for self-study. Andy treasured it.
…
However, people’s experiences often differ.
While Andy enjoyed peaceful days, Harry and Ron were burdened with a heavy task. Since discovering Snape’s “conspiracy” and learning about Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone from Andy, Harry felt a strong sense of responsibility. He had to do something.
This story begins a few days earlier.
The day after writing to Dumbledore, Harry and Ron received a reply.
It’s undeniable that Dumbledore had put a lot of thought into Harry’s training. After learning that Harry didn’t even know the Unlocking Charm, Dumbledore changed his approach.
Harry actually had quite a bit of talent in magic, but he disliked studying. Since magic wasn’t working, let’s cultivate courage! Harry certainly excelled in that area. This seemingly thin and timid boy possessed remarkable bravery.
However, to confront Lord Voldemort, courage alone wasn’t enough; wisdom and strength were also essential. So Dumbledore had been trying to find Harry some assistants.
However…
Look at Harry’s roommates! Ron was as reckless as Harry, Seamus was a demolition expert, Neville was forgetful, and Dean Thomas didn’t have a very good relationship with Harry.
The girls were even worse. In the entire Gryffindor first year, not a single competent young witch could be found.
Ron’s older brothers were okay, but older and younger students didn’t mix well.
As for Ron’s other friend – Andy Collins. Dumbledore had tried, but Andy wasn’t cooperative!
Over these days, Dumbledore had hesitated several times. Maybe… he should just call off the plan. This savior… let’s just leave it to fate!
But Harry didn’t think so. He felt a heavy responsibility; he had a duty to protect the Philosopher’s Stone.
After classes on Friday, Harry and Ron quickly ran out of the castle.
“Harry, where are you going?” Ron asked hurriedly.
“To see Hagrid. I’ve thought of something,” Harry said seriously. “The Ministry of Magic sent people to investigate the fourth floor of the castle, but Professor Dumbledore hasn’t moved the Philosopher’s Stone.”
“You mean…” Ron looked enlightened.
“That’s right!” Harry nodded excitedly. “Hagrid said he’s also responsible for protecting the Philosopher’s Stone, and nobody can get past Fluffy. If Snape wants to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, the easiest way is to get the method to deal with Fluffy from Hagrid.”
Ron hesitated. “But Professor Dumbledore said that the person who wants to steal the Philosopher’s Stone isn’t Snape.”
In his letter to Harry and Ron, Dumbledore clarified that someone did want to steal the Philosopher’s Stone; its owner, Nicolas Flamel, had personally entrusted him with its protection for a while. And the person attempting to steal it wasn’t Snape.
“No matter who it is, if they want to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, they have to get past Fluffy,” Harry said confidently. “And the only way is to get information from Hagrid.”
Ron nodded in agreement, then curiously asked, “Harry, what exactly *is* Fluffy?”
Poor Harry and Ron, since their nighttime adventure and subsequent deduction of 100 points, they’d developed a phobia of the fourth-floor corridor, never daring to set foot there again. They hadn’t even seen a single hair from the three-headed dog.
“We’ll ask Hagrid later!” Harry said.
They soon arrived at Hagrid’s hut. Harry stepped forward and knocked. A few dog barks echoed from inside, and a moment later, a huge figure opened the door.
“Oh, it’s you, Harry, Ron!” Hagrid calmed his large dog Fang while warmly inviting them inside. “Come in, it’s cold outside.”
Hagrid’s hut had only one room, with a rather cluttered layout. Many dried meats and hams hung by the window, and there was a fireplace, with a patched-up bed against the wall to the right.
“Come and sit,” Hagrid greeted them warmly, offering Harry and Ron some rock cakes.
Harry and Ron twitched their mouths. They had tried rock cakes on their first visit, and almost chipped their teeth.
“Thank you!” Harry politely thanked him, but declined.
“How’s your studying going?” Hagrid asked.
Ron made a sour face. “Same as before. Snape’s gone completely mad recently; he’s deducted more than twenty points from us.”
Hagrid grunted, unwilling to comment on Hogwarts’ professors.
“Hagrid!” Harry asked, “Has anyone contacted you recently?”
“What?” Hagrid looked puzzled.
Harry explained his suspicions, then stated confidently, “If someone wants to get through the fourth-floor corridor, the best way is to find out how to get past Fluffy from you.”
“This doesn’t concern you!” Hagrid was a little angry. “I shouldn’t have revealed Nicolas Flamel’s information. Harry, Hogwarts is safe. Nobody can steal the Philosopher’s Stone, and nobody can get past Fluffy.”
Ron looked at Harry; he also believed the Philosopher’s Stone was safe in Hogwarts.
“Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore has admitted that someone wants to steal the Philosopher’s Stone.” Harry looked at Hagrid seriously. “Hagrid, have you encountered anything strange recently?”
Strange things? Hagrid’s eyes widened. He wavered between thinking Harry shouldn’t be involved and recalling if he’d encountered anything strange recently.
“No! Nothing strange!” Hagrid, pressed by the questioning, waved his hand irritably. “If anything’s strange, it’s the Forbidden Forest lately, but that’s unrelated to the Philosopher’s Stone.”
The Forbidden Forest!? Harry and Ron exchanged glances; they seemed to have discovered something.
(End of Chapter)
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