The Wand Makers Apprentice

Chapter 21

I felt a spring in my step as I walked down to the lake the night after. George hadn't spoke to me, but are you surprised. I felt happier than I had done because of what he had done to me, and I felt well and truely in love with him, but now feel more upset than ever, as him and Angelina are still all over each other.

I saw a light coming from Hagrid's cabin and the curtains were drawn,w which was unusual for Hagrid. I abandoned the lake as my curiosity over powered me and sludge through the pumpkin patch to the front door.

I didn't even bother to knock, but instead barged straight in. I wish I hadn't. Hagrid was talking to an egg which could only be one thing. A dragon egg.

Her didn't notice my arrival at first, but when he did finally turn around to see me, fear flooded his face. My eyes must've been a pretty bizarre colour, because Hagrid's face looked like he'd just seen you-know-who naked.

The door swung open unexpectedly, and Hagrid quickly got up and ushered three bodies through into what was stifling hot inside. Even though it was such a warm day, there was a blazing fire in the grate. Hagrid made them tea. it was none other than Ron, Harry and Hermoinie.

"So -- yeh wanted to ask me somethin'?"

"Yes," said Harry. Rosie had taken a seat in the back corner and was stroking fang, Hermoinie next to her. "We were wondering if you could tell us what's guarding the Philosphers Stone apart from Fluffy."

Hagrid frowned at him, Rosie had heard of the philosophers stone, but it was only a legend, Her father spoke very highly of Mr flammel, and was proud of the fact that it was his great grandfather who made his wand.

"0' course I cant," he said. "Number one, I don' know meself. Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That Stone's here fer a good reason. It Was almost stolen outta Gringotts - I s'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all? Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy."

"Oh, come on, Hagrid, you might not want to tell us, but you do know, you know everything that goes on round here," said Hermione in a warm, flattering voice. Hagrid's beard twitched and they could tell he was smiling. Rosie looked suspicouslgy at the three. Soemthign was definetly going on. "We only wondered who had done the guarding, really." Hermione went on. "We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you."

Hagrid's chest swelled at these last words. Harry and Ron beamed at Hermione, while Rosie shot her a questioning glance.

"Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that... let's see... he borrowed Fluffy from me... then some o' the teachers did enchantments... Professor Sprout -- Professor Flitwick -- Professor McGonagall --" he ticked them off on his fingers, "Professor Quirrell -- an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."

"Snape?"

"Yeah -- yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about ter steal it."

I knew what Harry, Ron and Hermione were thinking. They'd hated Snape and were trying paint him as this horrible man.

  "You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy. aren't you, Hagrid?" said Harry anxiously. "And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?"

"Not a soul knows except me an' Dumbledore," said Hagrid proudly.

"Well, that's something," Harry muttered to the others. "Hagrid, can we have a window open? I'm boiling."

"Can't, Harry, sorry," said Hagrid. I notice him glance at the fire.

"Hagrid, what,s that?" harry asked, making my eyebrows prickle up