The Fox In A Snake Pit!

Studying!~ Edited Sept. 2, 2023

A few weeks had passed since Harry and Ron had started spending a significant amount of their free time in the library with Hermione and Jade. The two girls seemed to effortlessly breeze through all the additional work, making it appear deceptively simple.

"I'll never remember this," Ron burst out one afternoon, frustrated with the task. 

He abruptly threw down his quill, the ink splattering across the parchment, and gazed longingly out of the library window. The view outside was captivating, beckoning him to abandon his studies momentarily. The sky stretched above in a flawless expanse of forget-me-not blue, a stark contrast to the gloom that had engulfed them for months. Finally, the weather had taken a turn for the better, hinting at the arrival of summer. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as if nature itself was preparing for a vibrant transformation. 

Harry, engrossed in his research, had his nose buried in the pages of 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi,' desperately searching for any information on 'Dittany.' 

The library was filled with an air of tranquility, broken only by the soft rustling of pages as students diligently studied. 

Lost in his quest for knowledge, Harry was startled when he heard Ron's voice echo through the otherwise quiet space. "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?"

Hagrid, the burly half-giant, appeared in sight, his massive frame towering over the four of them. A peculiar expression crossed his face as he entered, his moleskin overcoat contrasting with the surroundings. Curiosity sparked in the eyes of those who observed him, their attention immediately captured by his enigmatic demeanor.

"I'm jus'... looking," Hagrid muttered. 

His statement only intensified the skepticism in Jade's gaze. She couldn't help but wonder what it was that Hagrid was concealing behind his back.

"An' what're you lot up ter?" He looked suddenly suspicious. "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?" 

"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," said Ron impressively. Jade rolled her eyes at him. "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Philosopher's St–" 

Hagrid's eyes darted around the room, his expression growing wary. He noticed Jade sitting with Hermione and his face paled. 

"Keep your voice down, don't go spreading it around," Hagrid whispered urgently. Confusion and concern filled his eyes as he wondered what was going on.

Harry seized the opportunity to address Hagrid's unease. "Actually, there are a few things we wanted to ask you," Harry said calmly, "specifically about what's guarding the Stone besides Fluffy-"

"SHHHH!" hissed Hagrid, his deep voice cutting through the air like a warning. He looked around, making sure no one was within earshot, before beckoning the four of them closer. 

"Listen," he said in a low, conspiratorial tone, "come an' see me later. I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind yeh, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here. Students aren' s'posed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh."

"See you later then," said Harry.

Hagrid shuffled off, his heavy boots trudging along the path. But before he disappeared from sight, he cast a weary glance at Jade, his expression filled with a hint of suspicion. Hermione, ever observant, couldn't help but notice. She furrowed her brow, deep in thought.

"What was he hiding behind his back?" she mused aloud, her eyes fixed on the spot where Hagrid had stood just moments ago.

Jade, engrossed in her studies, shrugged absentmindedly, her attention divided between her book and the conversation unfolding before her. A question lingered in her mind, echoing Hermione's curiosity.