Chapter 277: The Arrival of Fluffy
Chapter 277: The Arrival of Fluffy
Albert followed Professor Smith quietly, turning a corner and stopping in front of a sphinx statue.
"Chocolate Frog!"
Professor Smith uttered the password to the statue.
The sphinx statue came to life, leaping aside as the wall behind it split open, revealing a staircase.
"After you."
Professor Smith stepped through the opening in the wall and began ascending the spiral stone staircase. Albert hurried to follow, and the entrance sealed shut behind him.
In the next moment, the staircase slowly ascended on its own, bringing the duo to the door of the headmaster's office.
Professor Smith knocked on the door.
The door silently swung open, and they stepped into the office, one after the other.
This was Albert's second time in the headmaster's office. Nothing had changed since his last visit, and the portraits of witches and wizards lining the walls resumed their pretend slumber as the pair entered.
"Albus, what brings you here?"
Dumbledore, who had been writing a letter at his desk, looked up at his guests and inquired.
"Albert has something to discuss with you regarding Hagrid. I think it's best he explains it himself." Professor Smith moved aside to allow Albert to address Dumbledore.
"Hagrid?" Dumbledore's gaze shifted to Albert as the parchment on his desk automatically rolled into a scroll, sealed with wax, and transformed into a letter.
He picked up the letter and handed it to his phoenix, Fawkes, who was perched on the branch of a walnut tree. The phoenix took the letter in its beak and flew off.
Using a phoenix as an owl messenger?
Albert snapped his gaze back from the phoenix to Dumbledore and began explaining Hagrid's situation: how Hagrid had secretly been raising a three-headed dog named Fluffy in the Forbidden Forest, and how Fluffy had suddenly escaped and might be roaming the outskirts of the school.
He provided a detailed account, including how Hagrid didn't want to cause trouble for Dumbledore and was currently searching frantically for Fluffy in the Forbidden Forest.
As Albert spoke, he studied Dumbledore's expression for any signs of change, but the headmaster's countenance remained calm and composed as he listened quietly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, you won't expel Hagrid, will you?" Albert asked, feigning concern.
"No, Mr. Anderson. Your judgment and handling of the situation were correct, 20 points to Gryffindor." Dumbledore smiled at Albert reassuringly. "A three-headed dog is indeed a dangerous magical creature, and you did the right thing by bringing this to our attention. It's best we find and secure Fluffy before he causes any trouble."
"Headmaster, how do you plan to deal with the three-headed dog?" Albert inquired further.
"Sending him back to his homeland is the best option." Dumbledore did not hide his intentions regarding Fluffy's disposition. Turning to Professor Smith, he asked, "Are you available to assist, Professor Smith?"
"Of course, I'm always happy to help. I can venture into the Forbidden Forest at any time to search for the three-headed dog," Professor Smith replied with a smile.
"Then let's go find Hagrid," Dumbledore said, preparing to leave.
"Headmaster, may I come with you?" Albert quickly interjected. "I promised Hagrid I would help him find Fluffy."
Dumbledore gave Albert a penetrating look before nodding in agreement. "Very well, you may join us."
Albert had great faith in Dumbledore, and with his help, he was confident they would locate Fluffy swiftly.
This mission was as good as accomplished.
The trio left the castle and made their way toward Hagrid's hut on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid was in the midst of his lunch, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth when he heard the knock on the door. He opened the door, his mouth still full, and exclaimed, "Albert, what brings ye here..."
His voice trailed off as he spotted Dumbledore standing behind Albert, and he immediately looked flustered. His gaze shifted downward, landing on Albert, and he instantly understood the situation.
“I'm sorry, Hagrid, but I think it's best that the headmaster knows about this before Rue causes any trouble,” Albert said apologetically. “I don't want to see him hurting any Hogwarts students, and even less do I want you to get into trouble because of it and be expelled.”
He felt that after taking the Felix Felicis, his acting skills had exploded, and winning an Oscar for this performance would be a sure thing.
“Mr. Anderson's judgment is correct, and we'd better find that three-headed dog quickly,” Dumbledore said with a smile.
“How should we proceed?” Hagrid stepped aside from the doorway and asked anxiously, “I've been searching the forest with Albert all morning, but we still haven't found any trace of Rue.” “We will find him,” Dumbledore reassured them. “Rovenus, do you have any suggestions?”
“I apologize, but I'm not very knowledgeable about three-headed dogs. However, we can seek the expertise of someone who is,” Professor Smith proposed. “Professor Kettleburn is a specialist in protecting magical creatures; perhaps he can offer us some advice.” “That's a good idea,” Dumbledore agreed, nodding.
The four of them walked into the Forbidden Forest together, heading toward Professor Kettleburn's cabin.
"Albus, what brings you here?" Professor Kettleburn, who had been feeding his beloved Flobberworms, looked at the group with a puzzled expression.
"Something has happened," Dumbledore said, explaining the situation regarding the three-headed dog.
"A three-headed dog?" Professor Kettleburn was intrigued. "So that's what the black shadow I saw before was? I was wondering what those strange footprints were as well."
"Professor Kettleburn, do you have any suggestions on how to find it?" Hagrid asked hastily.
"Unfortunately, it won't be easy to locate it in the Forbidden Forest," Professor Kettleburn admitted, offering them some advice instead. "Food is scarce right now, so you could try that angle."
“Food?” Hagrid muttered to himself. They had already searched all morning without finding any useful clues.
“We should get going,” Dumbledore said, deep in thought about how to lure the three-headed dog out. “I’ll have the house-elves prepare some fresh meat.” “Headmaster, can’t we use a reverse tracking spell?” Albert asked tentatively.
“Unfortunately, that won’t work,” Dumbledore replied. While he was familiar with reverse tracking magic, the problem was that he currently knew nothing about Fluffy, making it difficult to directly use magic for tracking.
“Can we try the Summoning Charm? Let’s directly summon Fluffy,” Albert suggested further. With the Elder Wand, Dumbledore might just succeed.
“Of course we can,” Dumbledore suddenly stopped in his tracks. “Why don’t you give it a try?” “I already tried, Headmaster, but it didn’t work,” Albert explained. “My magical power wasn’t enough, and the spell might have been resisted.”
“That’s not surprising at all,” Professor Smith chimed in. “Large magical creatures have strong resistance to spells. Plus, we don’t know where it is right now, and it might be too far away for the spell to work.” “We can try casting the spell together,” Dumbledore suddenly suggested. “If the three-headed dog is nearby, we should be able to succeed.”
“How do we cast it together?” Albert asked, curious.
“Just chant ‘Fluffy, come here,’ and on the count of three, we’ll chant together!” Professor Smith explained.
“As soon as Fluffy appears, I’ll be able to subdue him immediately,” Hagrid said, thumping his chest confidently.
“Then let’s begin.” The three of them drew out their wands, exchanged glances, and began to count.
“Fluffy, come here!” they shouted in unison.
(End of Chapter)
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