Hogwarts: This Wizard is Unscientific 96
by adminChapter 96: The Final Falling Out
“What clues did you find?” Andy asked.
Harry was the original protagonist, after all. Andy didn’t dare underestimate the clues he’d found; they might prove crucial.
“We asked Hagrid. A three-headed dog named Fluffy guards the entrance to the Restricted Section on the fourth floor,” Harry said. “We know how to deal with it.”
He looked at Andy expectantly, awaiting a response.
“The clues?” Andy raised an eyebrow.
*Harry: Isn’t this the clue?*
Andy rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
*I thought you guys had tracked Quirrell’s movements. It turns out your so-called clues are actually… puzzle solutions?*
“And then what?” Andy asked patiently. “After you get inside, what are you planning to do? Are you just going to stand guard there?”
Harry was taken aback.
He knew someone was trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, so he’d been doing his best to protect it. But he hadn’t actually formulated a plan *on how* to protect it.
He had considered telling the professors. He and Andy had even written to Dumbledore and spoken to Professor McGonagall, who’d told him: the school would handle it; he just needed to focus on his studies.
After their failed night-time foray into the Forbidden Forest, Harry had almost given up. But Professor Quirrell and Malfoy’s subsequent attacks, coupled with the misunderstandings and suspicions of others—driven by his sense of justice—finally made up his mind. He would protect the Philosopher’s Stone and catch the attacker himself.
“We could take the Philosopher’s Stone and hide it somewhere no one will ever find it,” Ron offered a ‘reliable’ suggestion.
Andy: …
Hermione: …
Andy couldn’t comprehend Ron’s train of thought.
“Dumbledore could handle this perfectly well on his own,” Andy said flatly. “And I suggested to Dumbledore that he could put the Philosopher’s Stone in a Muggle rocket and launch it into outer space, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“What’s a rocket?” Ron looked completely baffled.
“You actually know what a rocket is?!” Harry and Hermione exclaimed in astonishment.
Andy shrugged. “So what? I can also write computer programs. Am I bragging?”
“In short, your plan is completely unreliable.”
Andy didn’t want to elaborate, gesturing to Hermione. “Let’s go, I’m starving.”
The clever little witch pondered, “Why do you think Dumbledore put the Philosopher’s Stone in Hogwarts?”
Of course, it was to set a trap!
Andy remembered from the movie that Dumbledore ultimately destroyed the Philosopher’s Stone. In other words, the Philosopher’s Stone was Dumbledore’s bait, specifically for catching a thief.
Whether this was right or wrong was debatable. But Andy believed Dumbledore shouldn’t have done it in his capacity as Headmaster, nor should he have done it at school.
“Who knows?” Andy replied evasively.
…
For the next two days, the castle was on edge. Professors patrolled constantly; students were only allowed to move around in groups of three or more. The Head Boy and Girl, and prefects from each house, were assigned to different floors.
Under this immense pressure, everyone seemed tense, as if a major battle was imminent.
“Mr. Collins, Miss Granger.”
Penelope Clearwater, the Ravenclaw prefect, stopped them, her tone weary. “School rules require at least three people to move freely around the castle. I’ve told you this many times already.”
Andy sighed. “I remember explaining it multiple times too. Two of us is fine.”
“That’s not good enough for me.”
Clearwater’s tone was serious. “The school is facing a serious threat. The professors and prefects are working hard to maintain order in the castle. If you don’t follow the rules, I’ll have to send you to Professor Flitwick’s office.”
At the mention of ‘telling a professor’, Hermione panicked. “Andy…”
Andy sighed. “Fine, I’ll be careful.”
In truth, Andy didn’t think having more people would help. With the skill level of these students, if an attacker appeared, they’d probably all run for their lives—possibly even causing a stampede. But saying that would be hurtful, as Clearwater was simply doing her job conscientiously.
“Bye, senior!” Andy waved.
At the Great Hall entrance, Harry and Ron intercepted him again.
“Andy, Professor Dumbledore has left the school,” Harry said urgently.
Andy froze.
Was Voldemort finally making his move?
Not only Andy, but Hermione also thought of this. Harry and Ron coming to find Andy meant they had the same thought.
Hermione was about to speak when Ron hastily interrupted, “Don’t even suggest telling a professor; we just came back from Professor McGonagall.”
Hermione pursed her lips. “What did Professor McGonagall say?”
Ron shrugged. “She told us to go back to the dormitory and rest. The professors will handle this.”
“I think Professor McGonagall is right,” Hermione said, chin slightly raised. “Anything we can think of, the professors can probably think of too. Or… do you guys think you’re the only smart ones?”
“You…!” Ron was furious.
“Alright!”
Andy interrupted. “Hermione’s right. This isn’t something we can interfere with.”
“I shouldn’t have looked for you!”
Ron was angry. “Harry, let’s go!”
Once Harry and Ron left, Hermione looked apologetically at Andy. “Andy, I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay,”
Andy smiled, unconcerned. “You meet many people in life; if you get along, you walk together for a while; if you don’t, you part ways. It’s nothing.”
To be honest, Andy was relieved after Ron and Harry left. They lacked common ground, their worldviews were incompatible; their parting of ways was inevitable. Sooner rather than later was better.
That’s why, this time, when Ron and Harry came looking for him, Andy didn’t stop Hermione. Especially as Hermione herself was already somewhat unhappy with them. In a way, Andy had taken advantage of the little witch.
“Forget about it,”
Andy shrugged. “I just got lectured by a senior and fell out with my friends. I need a big meal tonight to soothe my wounded heart.”
The little witch didn’t share his good mood. “Do you think Quirrell will really act tonight?”
“How would I know?” Andy shook his head.
From the current situation, Quirrell seemed far more intelligent than his movie counterpart. At least he knew how to use diversions and deception.
“We should trust the professors,”
Having gotten rid of Harry and Ron, Andy was in high spirits. “Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of the 20th century; he surely can’t fail to catch a single Dark Wizard, can he?”
(End of Chapter)
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