Harry Potter and The Silver Fox

The Sorcerer's Stone

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Ending of first term)

Our four first years had just finished the last of their finals exams for the year, as they traversed through the grounds of Hogwarts.  "I'd always heard Hogwarts' end-of-year exams were frightful. But I found that rather enjoyable." Hermione spoke fondly. "Speak for yourself." Ron replied rather annoyed. Cyrus turned to see Harry rubbing his forehead while having a pained expression. "You all right, Harry?" Cyrus asked with concern. "My scar. It keeps burning." Harry stated. "It's happened before." Spoke the young Gryffindor girl. "Not like this." Harry replied. "Perhaps you should see the nurse?" Cyrus suggested. "I think it's a warning. It means danger's coming." Harry stated. 

Just as they exited the school grounds, the four of them passed by Hagrid's Hut when suddenly they began to hear music. It was Hagrid playing the flute. "Of course." Harry spoke suddenly as he began to make his way over to the Half-giant's hut with the other three closely behind him. "What is it?" Cyrus asked. "Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pocket? Why didn't I see it before?" Harry explained as his quickened pace turned into a sprint.

Once arriving Harry and Cyrus were quick to question the groundskeeper. "Hagrid, who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?" Harry asked a bit out of breath. "I don't know. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up." Hagrid answered. "This stranger, though, you and he must have talked." Cyrus spoke as Hagrid began to think. "Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told him. I said, "After Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem." Hagrid mentioned. "Did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Cyrus asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"Well, of course he was interested in fluffy. How often do you come across a three-headed dog, even if you're in the trade?" Hagrid questioned. "But I told him, I said-- I said, "The trick with any beast is to know how to calm him." Take fluffy, for example. Just play him a bit of music, and he falls straight to sleep." Hagrid stated as the four first years looked at each other in shock. "I shouldn't have told you that." Hagrid said as the four of them ran back to the castle.

 After a couple of minutes of running they entered Professor McGonagall's empty class room where she had been grading papers. "We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately!" Harry exclaimed once they reached her desk. "I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London." The older witch stated. "He's gone? Now?" Harry asked in disbelief. "Minerva this is really important!" 

The head of Gryffindor House raised her eyebrow at the blonde boy, knowing that the matter must be serious indeed, if he is referring to her by her first name. "This is about the sorcerer's stone." Cyrus said, now earning McGonagall's full attention. "How do you know--" "Someone's going to try and steal it." Harry stated. For the first time in his life Cyrus witnessed a new expression on Minerva's face. Worry. "I don't know how you four found out about the stone, but I assure you it is perfectly well-protected. Now, Cyrus would you escort them back to their dormitories? Quietly." Minerva instructed as the four of them made their way back to the Gryffindor common room. 

"That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village, it was Snape, which means he knows how to get past Fluffy." Harry stated as Cyrus rolled his eyes, still not fully believing Harry's Snape theory. "And with Dumbledore gone--"