Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

26

As the weeks passed, the three of them would take turns to see if Fluffy was still where they had left him. Even though Harry and Ron told her how Fluffy would growl at them, but Hermione would hear lighthearted barks and then whimpers when she left. Of course, while Harry and Ron would be kinder to Quirrell for being brave for still standing his ground, Hermione decided to start studying for the upcoming exams even though they were weeks away. Which Ron told her when she handed them study schedules. 

"Ten weeks," Hermione told them, "That's not ages, that's like a second to Nicolas Flamel." 

"But we're not six hundred years old," Ron reminded her, "Anyway, what are you studying for, you already know it all. Including those cools spells that Bickerman woman has in her book!" 

"What am I studying for? Are you nuts? You realized we need to pass these exams to get to the second years? They're very important, I should have started studying month ago, I don't know what's gotten into me!" 

And the teachers seemed to agree along the lines as Hermione as they handed out more homework on them. Hermione made sure they spent their days in the library to focus on their studying. She was getting annoyed by the fact how Ron and Harry weren't determined to make sure they pass their tests. Hermione was busying going over her notes when Ron blurted out, "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?" 

Hermione turned to see Hagrid shuffling into view, hiding something behind his back. 

"Just looking. And what are you lot up to? You're not still looking for Nicolas Flamel, are you?" he asked them. 

"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago. And we know what that dog's guarding, it's the Sorcerer's--" Ron started when Hagrid hushed him. 

"Don't go shouting about it! What's the matter with you?" Hagrid said to them. 

"There are a few things we wanted to ask you, as a matter of fact. About what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy--" Harry started when Hagrid shushed them again. 

"Listen-- come and see me later! I'm not promising I'll you anything mind you, but don't go talking about it. Students aren't supposed to know." Hagrid warned them. 

"See you later, then," Harry said while Hagrid quickly scurried out of the library.

"What was he hiding behind his back?" Hermione asked. 

"I'll go check." Ron said and headed to the section Hagrid was. Not even a minute later, Ron darted back to his seat. 

"Dragons! Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons!" Ron whispered. 

"Hagrid's always wanted one. He told me so the first time I ever met him." Harry admitted. 

"But it's against the law! Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convetion of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden. Beside, you can't tame dragons. It's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones ini Romania." Ron pointed out. 

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked, "Bickerman says in her book that it's quite easy to tame dragons with the right motivation. But she did state how most of both Wizards and Muggles are more lightly to be burned to death, so she does advise to stay away from Dragons. Though I understand why you shouldn't tame dragons." 

"I need to read Bickerman's book. She seems like a cool lady to hang with." Ron mumbled under his breath. 

"But there aren't wild dragons in Britain?" Harry asked. 

"Yes there is," Hermione stated, "The Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job putting spells on Muggles who've spotted them to make them forget... So what is Hagrid up too?" 

The three of them made their way towards Hagrid's hut. They knocked on his door, where they were greeted with Hagrid's 'Who is it'? before being let in. It was more hot than usual inside the hut. Even though it was a warm day, there was a blazing fire on. 

"So you wanted to ask me something?" he asked while he handed them tea and stoat sandwiches. 

"Yes, we were wondering if you could tell us what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy." Harry went straight to the point. 

"Of course, I can't. I don't know myself, actually. Besides, you know too much already. I don't even know how you figure out about Fluffy." Hagrid told them. 

"Please, Hagrid. You might not want to tell us, but you do know. You know everything that goes on here." Hermione asked him, "We only wondered who had done the guarding really, who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him apart from you." 

"Well, okay. He got Fluffy from me, then there were enchantments, Professor Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, Quirrell... Dumbledore himself, and um... Snape." 

"Snape?" they said in union. 

"Yeah-- you're not still on about that! Snape is helping protect the Stone. He's not about to steal it." Hagrid defended, "Besides, it's pointless if you ask me. I'm the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy, well except Dumbledore. And I'm not about to tell anyone about it." 

"Well that's good.... Hagrid, can we open a window? I'm boiling." Harry pointed out, fixing his robes. 

"Can't Harry, sorry." Hagrid stated. Hermione noticed how Hagrid kept glance between them and the fire. 

"What is that?" Hermione asked, pointing at the fireplace. 

"Oh... that... um..." 

"I know what that is! But where did you get that?" Ron asked, his eyes about to fall out. 

"I won it. Last night down at the pub. He was actually glad to get rid of it." Hagrid said to them with a big grin.