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Chapter 352: Rules
Chapter 352: Rules
"Come in!"
A gentle knock sounded on the door of the headmaster's office.
The door opened, and Professor McGonagall stepped in. After a quick glance at the mirror on the desk, she handed a document to Dumbledore.
"Mr. Albert Anderson and Miss Katrina McDougall's application for a Time-Turner has been approved," she informed him.
The Ministry of Magic was very strict about lending Time-Turners, and aside from students of Hogwarts, they were generally not lent out. The final step of the stringent review process required Dumbledore's signature of approval.
Well, this had nothing to do with the headmaster's position, but rather the fact that Dumbledore currently oversaw this particular item. For this reason, it was relatively easier for Hogwarts students to apply to borrow a Time-Turner for their studies.
Dumbledore picked up a quill and signed his name on the application before handing it back to Professor McGonagall. "Anything else?" he asked.
"Are you really planning to keep the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts School?" Professor McGonagall inquired, a furrow forming between her brows.
A few days ago, Dumbledore had invited several professors from the school to help design protective mechanisms for the Philosopher's Stone, ensuring its utmost security and preventing anyone from stealing it.
"Aside from Gringotts, I'm afraid only Hogwarts can be considered safe," Dumbledore said, feigning a hint of embarrassment. "Though I must admit, it does sound a bit boastful."
"You don't need to be humble, Albus," Professor McGonagall said with a hint of exasperation. "Everyone knows that the only person the Dark Wizard fears is you!"
Although Dumbledore hadn't mentioned who had their eyes on the Philosopher's Stone, Professor McGonagall's sharp instincts had picked up on something amiss.
The Dark Wizard, Voldemort, might still be alive and targeting the Philosopher's Stone.
While Professor McGonagall found the idea laughable, there was no doubt that whoever had their sights on the stone was a formidable dark wizard.
Almost no one could intrude upon Hogwarts without a trace, much less steal something from under Dumbledore's nose. However, Professor McGonagall didn't want the Philosopher's Stone to bring unnecessary danger to the students of Hogwarts.
After all, the intruder had managed to break into Gringotts and escape the wrath of the goblins, clearly indicating they were not to be trifled with.
"I still think it's not a good idea, and Harry Potter will be coming to Hogwarts this year," Professor McGonagall added softly.
Initially, Dumbledore had entrusted Harry to his Muggle relatives to keep him away from danger.
"It's safe here," Dumbledore said calmly. "Believe me, if Hogwarts isn't safe, I doubt there's anywhere else in Britain that can be considered secure."
Just then, there was another knock on the door, and Snape entered. He glanced at Professor McGonagall and addressed Dumbledore. "I've set up the mechanism, but I doubt it will stop those accomplished dark wizards from coveting the Philosopher's Stone, even if most wizards have mediocre logical abilities."
"It doesn't matter. I don't expect the mechanism to completely deter others from attempting to steal the stone," Snape said, clearly skeptical of Dumbledore's approach. "By the way," he continued, "Professor Quirrell intends to hire a troll as a security guard to watch over the mechanism, as you know..."
Snape's face twitched a few times as he added, "Those trolls have brains the size of walnuts, and they're more likely to create additional problems."
"I'm sure Professor Quirrell will handle it appropriately," Dumbledore said.
"Are you serious?" Professor McGonagall asked, her brow furrowed, after Snape had left. "Do you really intend to allow trolls into Hogwarts Castle?"
The idea struck Professor McGonagall as absurd.
Dumbledore didn't expect the mechanism designed by the Hogwarts professors to completely stop intruders, but if someone wanted to dismantle the mechanism, it would take them some time, and that was exactly what he needed.
Hogwarts was impervious to apparition, and the castle itself was the biggest trap for Dumbledore. As for ensuring that the Philosopher's Stone wasn't taken away easily, Dumbledore had devised an excellent plan. Even an accomplished dark wizard wouldn't be able to obtain the stone quickly, and by then, Dumbledore would have them cornered. This wasn't Gringotts, with secret passages for escape.
And when it came to battle, Dumbledore had never feared anyone.
"Tom, what are you planning?" Dumbledore murmured, his hands clasped together.
...
In the office for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Quirinus Quirrell had just seen Snape out after the latter had granted his request to hire troll bodyguards to watch over the mechanism.
"What should I do now?" Quirrell wondered aloud as he gazed out the window.
The mechanism set up by the Hogwarts professors seemed laughable to Quirrell; it was unlikely to stop him. However, stealing the Philosopher's Stone without causing a ruckus as he navigated the mechanism would be challenging.
This meant that he had to play by the rules and dismantle each mechanism left by the Hogwarts professors one by one, which would undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time.
While a brute force approach would undoubtedly be faster, it would also bring a lot of trouble. It would attract not only Dumbledore's attention but also put him on the Ministry of Magic's wanted list, leading to a host of subsequent problems.
What's more, Dumbledore had instructed the professors not to reveal the method for dismantling the mechanisms to anyone else. Was he suspecting the professors at the school?
Was he suspecting me?
This was not good news.
"Don't do anything unnecessary. It's not the right time yet. You need to find a suitable opportunity," a hoarse voice whispered from the turban that Quirrell wore.
"Dumbledore doesn't value the mechanisms they've set up. He's merely establishing rules that force those with designs on the stone to play by his game. Those mechanisms guarding the stone are merely bait to lure people into a trap. His true strength is his ultimate safeguard," Voldemort explained, seeing through Dumbledore's ploy. This was Hogwarts, Dumbledore's territory, and any disturbance would immediately draw his attention.
Even if one managed to get their hands on the stone, they would still have to face Dumbledore directly. Aside from him, almost no one could walk away unscathed from an encounter with Dumbledore at Hogwarts. That was the old wizard's true intention.
However, how could he, in his weakened state, possibly be a match for Dumbledore?
Quirrell fell silent. Ever since his attempt to steal the stone had failed, he had been subjected to terrible punishment, with Voldemort taking up residence in his body.
Up until the moment of possession, Quirrell had regretted not fleeing or simply betraying Voldemort outright.
But it was too late. Far too late.
Ever since Voldemort had taken up residence within him, his body had started to weaken. If Quirrell wanted to survive, he had to obtain the stone as soon as possible to concoct the Elixir of Life. Without the stone, his life would come to an end in a matter of months.
Quirrell did not want to die.
"I must find a way to figure out what mechanisms the other professors have set up," he muttered to himself.
(End of Chapter)
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