Chapter 39 The Calm Before the Storm (Patreon)

"But who is that Death Eater?" Harry raised his question loudly. "If you have to be cursed for a lifetime, wouldn't it be better to die?"

"That's right," Firenze agreed. "Unless you're using it to extend your life just so you can drink something else. Something that completely restores your energy and magic, something that grants you immortality. Mr. Potter, do you know what is hidden in the school right now?"

"The Philosopher's Stone! Of course, the Elixir of Life! But I don't understand who..."

"Can't you figure it out? Who has been waiting silently for so many years, longing for a comeback... Who clings to life and waits for the right moment?" Firenze reiterated those obvious questions.

For a moment, it felt like an iron claw had suddenly gripped Harry's heart. At that moment, he couldn't even feel the pain in his leg anymore. He was just gasping for air, as if he would suffocate if he didn't do so.

"Are you saying," Harry said in a low and hoarse voice, "that it's Voldemort—"

Macca didn't pay attention to what Harry was saying. At that moment, he was with Hermione, who seemed a bit unwell. Her face was pale, and she remained silent.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Macca asked, looking at her.

"It's nothing, I just..." Hermione pursed her lips, "I just feel that I've read so many books and learned so much. But when it comes to applying it—"

"If I could have used a levitation charm back then, Harry wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Macca shook her head gently and said softly, "It has to be taken step by step. And, you should narrow down the scope of what you're studying. At least, you should learn how to choose first."

Hermione nodded. Macca had said similar things several times before, but she didn't truly take it to heart until now.

"Alright, we've found our target this time. We should go back!" Hagrid clapped his hands.

Just as Macca said, Harry's leg injury quickly healed, even before the next day. Amidst surprised praise, he spent a long time chatting with Hermione and Ron. In the common room, Harry shared his speculation—he believed that Snape's true purpose in stealing the Philosopher's Stone was to give it to Voldemort.

For this reason, Harry excitedly shared his discovery with Hermione and Ron. Instantly, Harry's excitement, Ron's panic, and Hermione's worry were all unmistakable. The three of them approached their end-of-term exams with their own thoughts.

...

The exams varied in their circumstances.

Take Harry, for example. He had been constantly worried about where Voldemort might appear from. Such speculations often kept him restless. But as the days went by, it seemed that Voldemort was still slumbering safely behind the locked door.

As they gathered in the entrance hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged worried glances. The revelation from Hagrid was deeply concerning. The stranger Hagrid had encountered at the Hog's Head pub seemed to have a keen interest in both dragons and Fluffy, the three-headed dog guarding the Philosopher's Stone.

"Harry, do you think that person is trying to get their hands on a dragon egg?" Hermione asked, her voice filled with concern.

"It's possible," Harry replied, his mind racing with possibilities. "Dragons are highly valuable and dangerous creatures. If someone managed to obtain a dragon egg, they could use it for nefarious purposes."

"We need to find out who this person is and what they're planning," Ron added, his face grim.

"But how do we do that?" Hermione wondered, her brows furrowed.

Harry thought for a moment before an idea struck him. "Remember the Room of Requirement that Maca mentioned? It's a magical room that can provide whatever you need. Maybe we can use it to gather information or find a clue about this mysterious person."

"Great idea, Harry!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "Let's go to the Room of Requirement and see what it can help us with."

With renewed determination, the trio made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts, heading towards the seventh-floor corridor where the Room of Requirement was located. They reached the spot where the hidden door to the room should be, and Harry paced back and forth, concentrating on their need.

After a few moments, the door materialized before them. They entered the Room of Requirement and found themselves in a cozy space with bookshelves lining the walls and a large table in the center. The room had transformed into a library, filled with countless books.

"Wow, this is incredible," Hermione exclaimed, her eyes scanning the shelves filled with magical tomes. "We have access to all this knowledge. Maybe there's something here that can help us uncover the truth."

They started searching through the books, looking for any references to dragon peddlers or individuals with a particular interest in Fluffy. Hours passed as they meticulously went through the books, taking notes and discussing their findings.

Suddenly, Hermione's voice broke the silence. "Listen to this, guys. I found a passage about an underground black market where rare magical creatures, including dragons, are traded illegally."

Harry and Ron leaned in closer as Hermione continued reading. "It says that this black market operates in secrecy, hidden from the eyes of the Ministry of Magic. The buyers and sellers are often connected to dark wizarding organizations, seeking to obtain powerful creatures for their own sinister purposes."

"That must be it," Harry said, realization dawning on him. "The person Hagrid encountered might be involved in this black market. They wanted to gauge Hagrid's capability to handle a dragon before revealing their true intentions."

"We need to gather more information about this black market and find a way to stop them," Ron asserted, his expression determined.

The trio continued their research, delving deeper into the underground network of the black market. They discovered possible locations, suspected individuals, and even a few leads that could help them unravel the mystery.

As the night wore on, their determination grew stronger. They knew they were onto something big, and their pursuit of the truth had only just begun. With newfound knowledge and a plan forming in their minds, Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the Room of Requirement, ready to face the challenges ahead and protect the wizarding world from the dangers lurking in the shadows.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron were in a state of urgency. They needed to find Professor Dumbledore immediately to warn him about Severus Snape's plans to steal the Philosopher's Stone. However, they were informed that Dumbledore had left Hogwarts just ten minutes ago upon receiving an urgent letter from the Ministry of Magic.

Disheartened by the news, Harry paced back and forth, trying to come up with a plan. Just as they were contemplating their next move, Professor McGonagall appeared behind them, seemingly out of nowhere.

"If you insist on finding Professor Dumbledore, he left a few minutes ago," McGonagall said in a cold tone. "He received an urgent message from the Ministry and flew to London immediately."

"Gone?" Harry exclaimed, his anxiety evident. "At a time like this?"

"Dumbledore is an extraordinary wizard, always occupied with countless responsibilities. Time is precious," McGonagall explained, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and suspicion upon hearing Harry mention the Philosopher's Stone.

"How did you know?" she stuttered, clearly taken aback.

"Professor, I believe that I know... I know that Snape... someone is attempting to steal the Philosopher's Stone. I must speak to Professor Dumbledore," Harry urgently confessed.

McGonagall scrutinized Harry with a gaze intertwined with astonishment and doubt. She seemed hesitant to believe their claims, likely having confidence in the Stone's protective measures.

Ultimately, after a moment of contemplation, McGonagall left them with a simple piece of advice. "I suggest you go outside and enjoy the sunshine." With those words, she hurriedly departed.

As soon as McGonagall was out of earshot, Harry shared his plan with Hermione and Ron. "Tonight is the night," he whispered anxiously. "Severus Snape will be going through the trapdoor tonight. He has everything he needs, and he has managed to deceive Dumbledore, too. That letter was undoubtedly sent by him, and I'm certain the Ministry will be surprised to see Dumbledore suddenly appear."

"But what can we do?" Ron asked, perplexed.

Suddenly, Hermione took a sharp breath, causing Harry and Ron to turn around. To their surprise, Severus Snape stood menacingly behind them.

"Good afternoon, little lions," Snape sneered, his face contorted with a strange smile. "You shouldn't be wandering around like this in such weather. Others might suspect you of mischief. Gryffindor can't afford to lose any more points, can it?"

Harry blushed, realizing the truth in Snape's words. They turned to leave, but Snape called them back, issuing a chilling warning. "I'm reminding you, Potter. If I find you wandering around in the middle of the night again, I will personally ensure your expulsion. Have a delightful day."

Once outside on the stone steps, Harry couldn't contain his urgency. "Alright, we need to proceed with our plan," he said in a hushed voice. "One of us will keep an eye on Snape and wait outside the staff room. If he emerges, follow him. Hermione, I think you should take charge of this."

Hermione was about to question why she was chosen, but she decided against it. "Why don't we consult Maca first?" she suggested, her trust in their mysterious ally evident.

Harry considered Hermione's suggestion, realizing that Maca always seemed to have a solution and remained composed even in dire situations. However, their search for Maca proved fruitless. They had scoured the entire school and couldn't find any trace of their elusive friend, leaving them perplexed.

"Where could Maca have gone?" Ron scratched his head, baffled by the absence.

"It's as if he vanished into thin air. We've searched everywhere," Hermione added, equally puzzled.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Harry made a firm decision. "Let's stick to our original plan for now," he asserted. "We'll split up and closely monitor Severus Snape."

With their minds set and determination in their hearts, Harry, Hermione, and Ron embarked on their mission to protect the Philosopher's Stone and uncover the truth behind Snape's actions. Little did they know the challenges that awaited them and the secrets yet to be unveiled.