Nicholas Flamel and Suspects
It was after New Year’s when the rest of the students came back. Harry found some time to thank Draco for the gloves in person. One day after the Easter Holidays during lunch, Hermione came over “I had you looking in the wrong section,” she slams down a heavy tome, “I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading”
“THIS is LIGHT?” berates Ron, his mouth full of a turkey sandwich. Hermione glares at him, as she opens to the right page. “ Nicholas Flamel was a revered Alchemist back in the early 1300s. Most famous for creating the Philosopher’s Stone.”
“The what?” the boys interrupted, “ Honestly do you ever read… anyway, the Philosopher’s stone was said to turn iron into gold, and a key component for the Elixir of Life which will make the drinker immortal.”
“Immortal” dreamed Ron, “ It means you’ll never die of old age” quipped Hermione still scanning the passage in the book.
“ I know what Immortal means” spat Ron.
“ Okay,” Harry interjects, “ So that’s what the dog is guarding then, and I think one of the teachers is going to steal it.” Both Ron and Hermione gave Harry quizzical looks, Harry shifted uncomfortably, “ Look it all makes sense, Hagrid gathers the stone for Dumbledore the same day someone tries to steal it. Second I saw Professor Snape limping the day after we saved you from the troll. I bet you anything he tried to get past that three-headed dog…” Harry froze, something dreadful came across his mind. “ We need to talk to Hagrid” he got up and ran out of the Great Hall, Hermione and Ron followed.
Harry gave a quick explanation of his theory going all the way back to Norbert the dragon. Hagrid was sitting on his front step as the trio came to a full stop.
“ Afternoon Harry, Ron, Hermione.” Greeted the giant. “ Hagrid, we know about the Stone,” Harry said out of breath.
Hagrid looked somewhat frightened, he looked around “Who told you about the stone. Now go away and mind your business if you know what’s best for you.
“Someone’s going to try to steal it,” says Hermione exasperated.
“Who would tha’ be then hmm,” Hagrid asks
“Snape,” Ron told him gleefully.
“Nonsense, Professor Snape is one of the few teachers guarding the stone, he’s not going to steal it.” Replied Hagrid.
“Of course,” exclaimed Hermione, “ There are more things protecting the Stone, spells, enchantments; obstacles to stall whoever tries to steal it.”
“ You bet; my bit was Fluffy” Hagrid beamed. Harry took the opportunity to ask his question, “ Hagrid, when you first got Norbert, what did the man look like?”
“ couldn’t tell ya, Harry. Kept his hood up. But wanted to know if I could handle a dragon. And I said,“After Fluffy a dragon shouldn’t be too hard to handle."
“ And was he interested in Fluffy?” prodded the boy.
“ O’ course he was interested. How many three-headed dogs do you come across? See the trick with animals is to know how to calm it. Take Fluffy, for example, play a little music and he falls straight to sleep” that’s when Hagrid noticed his mistake. “ I’ve shouldn’t have said that.”
But the trio took off towards the castle before he could stop them.