Chapter 16
Voldemort entered the Three Broomsticks, wearing a hood over his head. He could feel Quirrell's excitement and nervousness and again wondered how the man had gone from terrified to respectful of him.
He spotted Rubeus Hagrid sitting at the bar (Madam Rosmerta had charmed one of the stools to be larger and stronger for the half-giant) and strode over, making sure the Concealment Charm on the Fire Crab egg was properly in place.
He was lucky that Hagrid was pretty drunk anyway, because otherwise, giving the man a Fire Crab egg would not have yielded the information Voldemort 'needed.' Had Hagrid been sober, the only thing that would have worked would have been a dragon egg. Voldemort refused to put something that dangerous anywhere near children. He trusted Hagrid to handle a Fire Crab, since the half-giant apparently had the license to own one.
"Butterbeer, half a pint," he said quietly to Rosmerta as he sat down next to Hagrid. She nodded and began pouring him one.
"G'morning," Hagrid slurred. It was seven o'clock at night, Voldemort thought wryly. "Wasser name?"
"Thomas," Voldemort replied shortly, accepting the glass from Rosmerta. He handed her a few Galleons.
"M'name's Hagrid, I work a' Hog'rts," Hagrid said deliriously. "Whadaya do?"
"Retired," Voldemort replied, taking a sip of butterbeer. He was letting Hagrid steer the conversation.
"Wadaya do now, 'en?"
"Light gambling, or reading," Voldemort responded, pretending to warm up to the man.
"I play cards, 'oo,' Hagrid beamed, swaying in his seat. "Le's 'ave a game, 'en?"
Voldemort smirked inwardly. He could feel Quirrell's mind shaking in excitement. "You're pretty drunk to play poker," he said dryly.
"Tha's fine! I'm pretty good, e'en drunk!"
It had been surprising to learn that Hagrid, who was terrible at keeping secrets, had such a good poker face.
"Fine," Voldemort said, with a note of interest. "I don't have a lot of money on me at the moment. I have something else I'd like to stake instead." He showed Hagrid the egg discretely.
Hagrid's eyes widened. "'s that-"
"Hush. What are you staking?"
"I got money," Hagrid replied, eyes still on the egg. Voldemort slipped it back into his cloak. "Le's play."
Voldemort had to win the first two games, so that Hagrid wouldn't get suspicious. While they were playing, he asked Hagrid questions about his pets, letting Hagrid blabber on about Fluffy. When Hagrid won the third game, he said, "I don't have anything else to stake right now, but I'll be sure to come back and play you again. I want to see how much better you are when you're sober."
He slipped the Fire Crab egg into Hagrid's pocket -- the man was almost falling off of his seat, but was still managing to remain awake enough to play -- drained the butterbeer glass, and left the Three Broomsticks.
The next, when he saw Harrison and his friends in the hallway, he nodded to the elder twin.
Phase one complete.
Hagrid was putting the trees away on the last day of Christmas break. He was trying to hurry, because he wanted to get back to his Fire Crab egg.
It was getting close to hatching, and he was very excited. He'd already decided to name the crab Norbert -- or Norberta, if it was a girl. And this time, no one could take the Fire Crab away, because Hagrid had a license.
A group of Slytherin first-years passed by. One of them, a boy with messy, fiery-red hair exclaimed, "But I want a Cerberus, Harrison! Fluffy is amazing!"
Hagrid almost dropped the tree he was carrying. "How d'yeh know about Fluffy!"
"Mr.s Potter-Black, Mr. Zabini, no running in the halls! Why are you in such a hurry?"
"We think someone's going to steal the Sorcerer's Stone. We need to speak to Uncle Severus and maybe Headmaster Dumbledore."
"...I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well-protected. Your godfather has gone to speak -- or more likely yell -- at Sirius Black, and the Headmaster has gone to the Ministry, apparently it's urgent. They will be back tomorrow."
"But, Professor-"
"Mr. Harlequin Potter-Black, I know what I'm talking about. I suggest you return to your common room or go to the library."
"Harrison," Hermione demanded sharply, "what is going on?"
Neville was looking curious and worried as well.
Harrison didn't respond for a long moment, but Hermione could see that he was concerned about them. Finally he said, "Hermione, Neville, there are times we need to be doing something that's dangerous. I don't want either of you to get hurt. And I need you as an alibi," he added.
Hermione was about to scold him, but she paused. Harrison was a very clever and careful child. He wouldn't do anything dangerous unless he had to. "Is there anything else we can do to help, without knowing what you're up to?" she finally asked. Neville looked nervous, but he nodded in agreement.
Harrison gave them a fond look. "We might need you to lie to teachers."
Hermione made a face, and Neville paled a little. "This is really important, isn't it," she said quietly. Harrison nodded grimly. "All right. I don't like it, but I'll do it."
"I will, too," Neville said, even though he looked scared.
"Who else knows what's going on?" Hermione asked.
"Blaise and Harley know the whole plan," Harrison said after a tiny pause, "while Draco and Ron only know bits of it. I promised to tell them everything tonight when we got back to bed. The only reason I'm not telling you both everything is so that if asked, you can truthfully say you know nothing," he added when Hermione looked indignant.
Hermione knew there was another reason he wasn't telling them everything, but she knew if she was patient, Harrison would tell her everything. "Fine," she grumbled. "You owe me, though, Potter-Black."
Harrison chuckled. "I've already owl-ordered some wixen fairy-tales for you."
"That's right, you wouldn't have read any," Neville said, when Hermione looked intrigued.
"Neville, why don't you tell Hermione about those?" Harrison suggested. "I'll see you both tomorrow morning."
Hermione nodded distractedly while Neville began talking about the Tales of Beedle the Bard. She didn't see Harrison slipping into the shadows.