Chapter 457: I'm Going to Spill the Beans
Chapter 457: I'm Going to Spill the Beans
Ever since reading about the dragon egg in the Prophet, Albert had been secretly observing Quirrell's movements, and he was fairly certain that the man had managed to get his hands on one.
Upon reaching this conclusion, a bold idea suddenly popped into Albert's mind. What would happen if he sneaked into Quirrell's room and stole the dragon egg without a trace?
Perhaps Quirrell would be so angry that he'd vomit blood?
After all, he hadn't succeeded in stealing the Sorcerer's Stone yet, but someone had already stolen his prize.
Without the dragon egg, would Quirrell still be able to get information from Hagrid about how to overcome Fluffy?
Would he try to get another egg, or would he resort to violent means to bypass Fluffy's challenge?
Would Hagrid end up with another dragon egg, and would Harry, due to sending away the dragon, be caught by Professor McGonagall in the middle of the night and end up in the Forbidden Forest with Malfoy?
To be honest, if the rewards from the panel tasks were rich enough, Albert wouldn't mind taking the risk to make the future more interesting.
However, the benefits of preventing Voldemort from stealing the Sorcerer's Stone were considerable, but not enough for Albert to go crazy and alter the course of the future recklessly.
While the known future was indeed a bit dull, it was safe! Albert had already been thinking about how to use the dragon egg incident to his advantage and complete tasks for his own gain.
Compared to the unicorn incident, the dragon egg incident seemed much easier and safer.
After pondering for several days, Albert decided to stir things up a bit.
The identity of a Seer could be quite useful, especially when it came to influencing (manipulating) Potter in the future and gaining more benefits for himself.
"I'm indeed a very realistic person!" Albert couldn't help but mock himself at this thought.
He was prepared to go to Hagrid and spill the beans, telling him that his dream of raising a dragon would soon come true and conveniently leading Hagrid to believe in his prophetic abilities.
Before dinner, Albert parted ways with his roommates and hurried toward Hagrid's hut, only to be stopped midway.
"Is something the matter, Miss Granger?" Albert halted, looking quizzically at Hermione, who had called out to him.
"It's nothing, really. I just found it odd that you'd leave the castle at dinnertime," Hermione said, a hint of embarrassment on her face, though her curiosity was evident. "May I come with you to see Hagrid? Of course, if you'd rather be alone, I understand."
"It's no trouble at all. If you don't mind missing dinner and going hungry, then I don't mind the company," Albert shrugged.
In truth, when he had told Fred, George, and Lee Jordan that he was off to see Hagrid, he had intended for Hermione to overhear.
Albert didn't deny Hermione's intelligence, but even smart people could fall prey to subtle influences without realizing it.
Curiosity killed the cat, as they say, and Hermione's curiosity had already been piqued by Albert's unusual behavior.
Of course, if his plan failed, it wouldn't matter much.
"What business do you have with Hagrid?" Hermione asked cautiously as they walked.
Albert didn't immediately answer her question. Instead, they continued along the gravel path until they reached Hagrid's hut. Without hesitation, Albert knocked on the wooden door.
"What're you two doin' here?" Hagrid asked, surprised to see Albert and Hermione at his door at such an hour, as he was in the middle of his dinner.
"There's something I want to tell you." Albert hurried into the hut, immediately looking around and walking over to the fireplace to observe carefully, as if searching for something.
His unusual behavior left Hagrid and Hermione perplexed.
"What are you looking for?" Hagrid asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"I had a dream last night," Albert said casually to the bewildered Hagrid. "I dreamt that you got your hands on a dragon egg, hatched it, and kept the dragon here in your hut. Then, your hut caught fire, and Fangfang was inside."
"Wait, what dragon egg? Are you talking about your dream?" Hagrid looked at Albert, perplexed and worried. "Are you feeling alright?"
Hermione also found Albert's reaction strange. Why was he taking his dream so seriously?
"It seems you haven't gotten the dragon egg yet?" Albert said, as if realizing something. "Soon, you should be able to get your hands on a dragon egg and attempt to hatch and raise it here."
"Albert, it was just a dream," Hermione reminded him, feeling awkward.
"Of course, I know it was just a dream," Albert replied impatiently, "but for someone skilled in divination like me, it's clear what it signifies. It was a prophecy."
"Prophecy?"
Hermione stared at Albert, dumbfounded, wondering if he had lost his mind.
"Are you saying I'll get a dragon egg and raise a dragon?" Hagrid asked, incredulous. Although he instinctively felt that it was unbelievable, he couldn't think of a reason for Albert to deceive him, nor was there any need to do so.
At least, Albert had never lied to him before.
As for divination, Hagrid had already pushed the thought aside.
"You can divine?" Hermione recalled the rumors about Albert's prophetic abilities.
Could he truly predict the future?
Ignoring Hermione's confusion, Albert looked at Hagrid, his expression complex, and said, "Recently, the Forbidden Forest hasn't been very safe. If you go there, be extra cautious."
"The Forbidden Forest?" Hagrid was even more bewildered. He had ventured into the forest not long ago and hadn't noticed anything amiss.
"Things are not peaceful in the Forbidden Forest. I once made a prophecy related to it, and I have a feeling that it might come true soon."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Hagrid asked, concerned. "You seem rather mysterious lately."
"I know it's hard to believe, but before something happens, no one believes it will," Albert shook his head. "A little faith won't hurt you. Soon enough, you'll realize that what I say is true."
Hagrid opened his mouth but finally nodded stiffly.
He couldn't deny that Albert had come to him out of the blue to share these strange things. Unless... he had gone mad?
But Albert didn't seem insane.
So, what was the second possibility?
Did Albert truly possess the ability to predict the future?
Before Hagrid could gather his thoughts, Albert turned and left without any intention of lingering.
On their way back to the castle, Albert noticed Hermione's puzzled gaze and explained, "You know, Hagrid caused quite a stir when he raised Fluffy. If he were to raise a dragon this time, it would be a disaster. You should know that wizards are not allowed to keep dragons as pets."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
