𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 - ʰᵖ

16.

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SIXTEEN:
THROUGH THE TRAPDOOR

    The next day Elsie had forced herself to temporarily forget about the Stone and Voldemort. She couldn't risk failing the exams.

    After long, countless hours of writing and racking her brain, the first years had finally finished.

    "I'd always heard Hogwart's end-of-year exams were frightful, but I've found they're rather enjoyable." Hermione admitted as the four walked through the courtyard.

    Elsie scrunched up her face and stared at the bushy haired girl with concern, "Hermione sometimes I wonder if you're even human,"

    "Seriously," Ron nodded in agreement before glancing at Harry who was rubbing his scar again. "All right there Harry?"

    "My scar, it keeps burning." Harry grunted in pain.

    "Its happened before," Hermione spoke timidly.

    "Not like this," Harry shook his head.

    "Perhaps you should see the nurse," Ron offered.

    "I think its a warning. It means dangers coming," Harry said.

    Before Elsie got a chance to question that statement Harry paused in his tracks, "Of course!"

    He started walking again, this time much faster. Elsie had to practically jog in order to keep up. "What is it?" Hermione asked as she sped along side him.

    "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 shook his head and continued running for Hagrid's hut.

    When they eventually reached the hut they saw Hagrid sitting outside on a wooden chair, playing a tune on the flute.

    "Hagrid," Harry cut off the mans music. "Who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?"

    Hagrid frowned, "I dunno. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up."

    "This stranger though, you and he must have talked." Harry tried.

    "Well, he- 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 chuckled lightly.

    At those words Elsie felt dread begin to creep through her insides. Hagrid did have a nasty habit of saying things he shouldn't.

    "Did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked hurriedly.

    "Well, o' course he was interested in Fluffy! How often do you come across a three-headed dog, even if you're in the trade? But I told 'im, I said, I said, 'The trick with any beast is to know how to calm 'im. Take Fluffy, for example, just play him a bit o' music, and he falls straight to sleep."

    Hagrid paused as if the words had just sunk into his brain, "I shouldn't have told you that." But the four didn't stay around to hear the rest of his words.

    Wasting no time they raced back into the school, headed straight for McGonagalls class room.

    "We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately!" Harry breathed heavily as they stopped in front of her desk.

    She looked up at them curiously, taking in their panicked state. "I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London."