A Potter Secret

Exams and Safeguards

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"Isabella," Severus calls. She turns to him from her books. "I've arranged for you to take your mastery level examinations in the courses we've agreed on in each professor's free period between exams. All of them were quite pleased to be able to assist in your education in such a way. They'll probably be grading throughout your examination since they don't have to worry about you cheating off your neighbor."

Isabella smiles and nods. "Thank you, Papa." She stands up, hugging him tightly.

Hugging her back, Severus pulls out a piece of paper. "This is your schedule for the next two days. You'll attend the examinations and due to the late planning of these examinations, the professors have agreed to have your results prepared by the end of the first week of summer." Isabella nods. "Better study hard, you start tomorrow."

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Sometime later. In the outdoor courtyard. The three are walking. "I've always heard Hogwarts' end of the year exams were frightful, but I found that rather enjoyable," Hermione says, still looking put together.

Ron's clothing is disheveled and his tie is crooked. "Speak for yourself. All right there, Harry?" Ron asks, noticing Harry rubbing his forehead.

"My scar. It keeps burning," Harry admits.

"It's happened before," Hermione mentions.

"Not like this," Harry assures.

"Perhaps you should see the nurse,

"I think it's a warning. It means dangers coming. Uhh!" Harry explains. He rubs scar and then sees Hagrid across the field, at his hut. "Oh. Of course!" He runs for hut.

"What is it?" Hermione asks, following with Ron.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon, and a stranger shows up and just happens to have one?" Harry explains. They approach Hagrid, who is playing the Harry Potter theme on his flute. "I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pockets? Why didn't I see it before? Hagrid, who gave you the dragon egg?" Hagrid stops playing. "What did he look like?"

"I don't know. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up," Hagrid replies.

"The stranger, though, you and he must have talked," Harry reminds.

"Well, 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.""

"And did he seem interested in Fluffy?"

"Well, of 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 him. I said, "The trick with any beast is to know how to calm him. Take Fluffy, for example, just play him a bit of music and he falls straight to sleep."" The three gape. "I shouldn't have told you that." The three take off. "Where you going?! Wait!"

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McGonagall's classroom. The three come tearing in and run up the aisles between desks. They pass a ghost and stop at the desk. "We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately!" Harry shouts.

"I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London," McGonagall explains.

"He's gone?! Now? But this is important! It's about the Sorcerer's Stone," Harry states.

McGonagall is shocked to hear they know this. "How do you know-"