As they strolled through the Hogwarts grounds, Hagrid piped up with his usual gruffness.
"Nonsense! Why'd Snape go and curse Harry's broom?"
“Wouldn't you want to know?” Sirius commented as disapproving glances were directed at the particular Slytherin.
Snape could only muster a sneer in reply, as if he had just bitten into a sour lemon.
Harry shrugged. "Who knows? Why was he tryin' to sneak past that three-headed dog on Halloween?"
Hagrid's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Who spilled about Fluffy?"
"Fluffy?" Ron exclaimed.
Hermione spoke. "That beast's got a name?"
Hagrid chuckled, a twinkle in his eye. "Course he does. He's mine. Bought 'im off some Irish bloke in a pub last year. Lent him to Dumbledore to guard the..."
Harry leaned in eagerly. "Yeah?"
But Hagrid's demeanor shifted. "Shouldn't've said that. No more questions! Don't go pokin' yer noses where they don't belong. Top secret, that is."
As Hagrid spilled the beans like a leaky cauldron, causing many adults to shake their heads in exasperation,
Mad-Eye Moody grunted in rough voice. "Looks like ol' Hagrid's got a few screws loose up there," he growled, jabbing a finger toward his temple. "Needs a bit of tightening before he spills the whole cauldron.”
Harry pressed on. "But, Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's protectin', Snape's after it."
Hagrid waved it off. "Rubbish. Snape's a Hogwarts teacher."
Hermione, always analytical, jumped in. "Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one. Read all about 'em. Gotta keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinkin'."
Harry nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
Hagrid let out a resigned sigh. "Now, listen up, all three of yeh. Yer meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous. Whatever that dog's guardin' is between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
“You tell ‘em Hagrid.” Dorcas nodded her head in agreement who seemed to not have heard the last words.
But there was a collective groan of frustration from the adults.
“Well, he messed up... again” Isabella grimaced wondering what his slip-up would lead to.
Harry's interest was piqued. "Nicholas Flamel?"
Hagrid muttered to himself, clearly regretting his slip. "Shouldn't've said that. Should not've said that."
With a muttered apology, Hagrid shuffled off, leaving the trio to mull over the mysterious name.
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Fanfiction"My lord," Cyril hummed in reply. Theo always preferred this title. Theo asked, referring to the future they all would be witnessing, "Are you okay with what tomorrow brings? It's like privacy being snatched away, and secrets won't be secrets anymo...
