The Stone

Chapter Thirty-One

"We've got to go to Dumbledore," said Harry. "Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak - it must've been easy, once he'd got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze might back us up if Bane doesn't stop him. Where's Dumbledore's office?"

They looked around as if hoping to see a sign pointing them in the right direction. They had never been told where Dumbledore's lived, nor did they know anyone who had been sent to see him. 

"We'll just have to - " Bella began, but a voice suddenly ran across the hall.

"What are you four doing inside?"

It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books. 

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said, rather bravely, Bella, Harry, and Ron thought. 

"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. "Why?"

Bella swallowed - now what?

"It's sort of a secret," Harry said, but he wished he hadn't because Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once"

"He's gone?" Bella said frantically. "Now?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Swan, he has many demands on his time-"

"But this is important-"

"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?"

"Look," said Harry, throwing caution in the winds, "Professor - it's about the Philosopher's Stone-"

Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms but she didn't pick them up. 

"How do you know -?" she spluttered.

"Professor, I think - I know - that Sn - that someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore"

She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion. 

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. "I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected"

"But Professor-" Bella started. 

"Black-"

"-For goodness sake! It's Swan! Why do people keep calling me that?" Bella hissed but then gasped. "I'm sorry- I didn't mean to snap"

Professor McGonagall nodded understandingly. "Anyway, I know what I'm talking about," she bent down and gathered up the fallen books. "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine"

But they didn't. 

"It's tonight," Harry said, once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot. "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note. I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."

"But what can we -"

Hermione gasped. Bella, Harry, and Ron wheeled around. 

Snape was standing there. 

"Good afternoon," he said smoothly. 

They stared at him.

"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said, with an odd, twisted smile.