The Mystery of the Philosopher's Stone.

Chapter 19: Through the Trapdoor

In years to come, Harry would never quite remember how he had managed to get through his exams when he half expected Voldemort to come bursting through the door at any moment. Yet the days crept by and there could be no doubt that Fluffy was still alive and well behind the locked door. The weather was very hot and the large classroom where they took their exams was even hotter. They were given quills with anti-cheating spells on them to write with.

Also, they had practical exams. In Charms they had to make their strawberries tap dance in unison. Transfiguration saw them changing a small rabbit into a wooden clog. Potions required a Forgetfulness Draft. Harry tried to ignore the pain in his scar and his recurring nightmare which now included a hooded figure dripping blood.

Ron and Hermione were not as concerned about the stone as Harry and revision stopped them dwelling on it too much. After their last exam they headed down to the lake. It was a whole week before they found out how they had done. Harry was agitated and frustrated about his scar hurting because he did not know what it meant. Hermione suggested going to the hospital.

But Harry said, "I'm not ill, I think it is a warning, of danger coming."

Ron was unconcerned. 

"The stone's safe as long as Dumbledore's around," he said, "We have no proof that Snape has got to the stone and Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down."

Harry nodded but thinking that he still felt there was something wrong. Harry felt sure Hagrid would never tell anyone how to get past Fluffy, except if drink was involved.

"Isn't it more than a coincidence that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon egg and a stranger turns up who happens to have one?" Harry asked as he jumped to his feet.

Ron was baffled but he and Hermione followed Harry to Hagrid's hut.

"Hagrid, I need to ask you something," said Harry breathlessly, "What did you talk about with the stranger who gave you the egg?"

"He asked what I did and about the creatures I look after. I said I'd always wanted a dragon and then I can't remember much after that as he kept buying me drinks," Hagrid replied, "We played cards to see if I could win the dragon egg he had, but he wanted to be sure I was capable of looking after a dragon. I told him after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy?"

"Was he interested in Fluffy," asked Harry eagerly.

"Of course, how many three-headed dogs are there? So, I told him, Fluffy's a piece of cake if you just know how to calm him, just play him a bit of music and he goes straight off to sleep," Hagrid looked horrified.

"I shouldn't have told you that," he blurted out.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their excuses and left as soon as possible.

Once in the school, Harry whispered, 'Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy and it was either Snape or Voldemort."

They wanted to go straight to Dumbledore's office to tell him but did not know where to go. Professor McGonagall saw them and called out to them.

"Why are you inside?" she asked briskly.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Harry.

"Why?" she questioned suspiciously.

"It's very important," said Harry.

"He left ten minutes ago for the Ministry of Magic," she said, as if this settled the matter.

Harry did not know what to do now so he said, throwing caution to the wind, "It's about the Philosopher's Stone."

Professor McGonagall was so surprised she dropped the books she was carrying.