Chapter 409: The Gap
Chapter 409: The Gap
"Hagrid?"
Albert knocked on the wooden door of Hagrid's hut.
After a moment, some shuffling could be heard from within, and as the door opened a crack, Fang poked his head out excitedly, his tail wagging vigorously as he circled around Albert.
"Come in, I need to ask you something," Hagrid said, his voice raspy as if he hadn't slept all night.
"Are you sick?" Albert asked, raising an eyebrow at Hagrid's disheveled appearance.
"No, I just didn't sleep well last night," Hagrid replied.
After Albert stepped inside, Hagrid poked his head out the door to check their surroundings before closing it again. He also drew the curtains over the windows. The room was cozy with a blazing fire in the hearth, a copper kettle steaming above it, and Hagrid's favorite rock cakes on the table.
"You didn't sleep well because of Nicolas Flamel, did you?" Albert took off his cloak, shook off the snow, and hung it on a nearby rack. He then crouched down to ruffle Fang's head, not paying attention to Hagrid's expression.
In fact, Albert didn't need to see to know that Hagrid's expression was priceless.
Hagrid was indeed stunned, not expecting Albert to bring up the matter so directly.
"Harry came to see you yesterday," Albert stated confidently.
"How did you know that?" Hagrid blurted out, taken aback.
"The day before yesterday, they asked me about Nicolas Flamel, but I didn't tell them anything," Albert said, unfazed by Hagrid's surprise. He withdrew his wand from his pocket and waved it at the kettle boiling over the fireplace. The kettle immediately flew over and began preparing tea for them automatically.
"Then how did you know that what's hidden in the school is the Philosopher's Stone?" Hagrid asked in a low voice.
"Because Harry mentioned Nicolas Flamel," Albert replied.
"I don't believe you," Hagrid said, looking skeptical.
"Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore are friends, and it's mentioned on the Chocolate Frog cards," Albert said, taking a sip from his teacup and smiling. "Anyway, I know Nicolas Flamel personally. I visited him for a few days during the summer break, with Dumbledore's introduction. I heard he's having some trouble... well, you know, some things aren't that hard to guess."
At that moment, Hagrid stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.
"What did you just say?" he asked, as if he hadn't quite understood Albert.
"I said I know Nicolas Flamel, so you don't have to worry that I'm after the Philosopher's Stone," Albert said, looking up at Hagrid with a helpless expression. "Actually, you don't need to worry at all. Even if I were after the stone, do you really think I could steal it without Dumbledore knowing and then escape successfully?"
Hagrid's expression froze.
Indeed! If someone were to steal the stone, would they still be able to continue their studies at Hogwarts?
And could they really steal the stone and escape? It seemed highly unlikely.
This is Hogwarts we're talking about! "Also, Hagrid, how do you know that the Philosopher's Stone is real?" Albert gave Hagrid a look that said he knew Hagrid was out of his depth. "Knowing that someone has their eyes on the stone, would you still use it as bait?"
"Bait?" Hagrid was a bit dazed, feeling that his intelligence might not be sufficient for this situation.
"Of course, to lure out the thief who wants to steal the Philosopher's Stone," Albert said matter-of-factly.
"But... wait, you mean Dumbledore placed the stone in the school to lure out the thief?" Hagrid was thoroughly confused, unable to comprehend what was going on.
"It's likely that Voldemort or one of his followers has their eyes on the stone, so Dumbledore is using it to draw them out," Albert explained his speculation briefly. "As for whether the stone is real or not, it's hard to say. After all, most people have never seen the Philosopher's Stone, so even if it's a fake, it probably can't be distinguished."
"Are you saying the Philosopher's Stone in the school is a fake?" Hagrid's hand was trembling slightly.
"I don't know," Albert shrugged, indicating that it was just his speculation. "Knowing that someone wants to steal it, why would you risk using the real one? There's no need for that."
"You're right, I..." Hagrid started to speak, but Albert shushed him as he pointed to the window. Hagrid walked over, confused, and as he opened the window, he heard footsteps outside.
He froze.
"It's Harry and the others. They were following me when I came here," Albert said, opening the task panel, which showed that the 'Trust Crisis' task had been completed.
This task had appeared when he received Hagrid's letter the day before, stating that Hagrid suspected him due to the matter of the Philosopher's Stone, and he needed to dispel Hagrid's doubts. The task offered 500 experience points and 10 points of goodwill from Hagrid.
"You mean Harry?" Hagrid's face changed as knocking sounds came from the door.
"Don't worry, they've just arrived," Albert said calmly.
Hagrid relaxed a little and opened the door to reveal Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing outside, cloaked.
"Come in," he said nonchalantly.
The three of them looked slightly embarrassed.
"Albert, you know each other, I presume," Hagrid introduced. "These three are Harry, Ron, and Hermione."
"We've already met Hagrid," Harry said awkwardly.
"Alright, Hagrid, I'll be off now. I'll come by another day for tea," Albert said, putting on his cloak and nodding at the trio before leaving on his own.
"What was he doing here?"
"Discussing some matters," Hagrid said, clearly not wanting to elaborate.
"About Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"This matter has nothing to do with you," Hagrid said helplessly. "Forget about Nicolas Flamel. I hope you didn't come here because of that. Don't let your curiosity get the better of you; it could be dangerous."
"What?"
"Curiosity killed the cat," Hagrid said, taking a sip of his tea. "I don't want to discuss this matter anymore."
"Sorry, Hagrid," Hermione apologized, noticing Hagrid's displeasure.
"Don't overthink things. Do you really think someone can steal something that Dumbledore has placed in the school? Or are you planning to go after it yourselves?" Hagrid looked at the trio with a penetrating gaze. "I don't want to talk about other things, but I hope you won't doubt Dumbledore's judgment. That would be an insult to your intelligence."
Harry, who had been about to say something, felt a bit guilty under Hagrid's gaze and closed his mouth. Hermione and Ron also looked embarrassed.
(End of Chapter)
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