Everlasting ⁂ Harry Potter [1]

Chapter Nineteen

By the time the four first years came close to Hagrid's hut, night had already fallen and by now they were all running to get to his door before they were seen by any of the other teachers. As they reached the door, Olivia let her eyes scan over their surroundings, looking to see whether anyone might've seen them while Harry and Ron both banged on Hagrid's door. It didn't take long before Hagrid appeared, swinging the large wooden door open and looking down at the four of them in surprise.

"Oh hello. Sorry, I don't wish to be rude but I'm in no state to entertain." Hagrid quickly spoke in a dismissive tone, ready to close the door right after he finished his sentence. However, Ron, Hermione and Harry knew just what to say to make him stop.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!" The three exclaimed, and just like that, Hagrid's door opened once again as he let out a simple and defeated 'Oh' knowing that now he had to let them in. With one last glance at the castle behind them, the four quickly rushed into Hagrid's hut, letting him quickly close the door behind them. For a moment, his beady eyes jumped to Liv, a face he hadn't seen in Harry's little group yet, but before he could question it, the Potter boy was quick to start sharing their theories.

"We think Snape is trying to steal it." Harry was quick to state, not even hesitating or doubting his beliefs. All four of them made their way around the hut, taking of their cloaks and finding a seat.

"Snape? Blimey, yer not still on about him are ye?" Hagrid questioned in disbelief. As he spoke Olivia found herself sitting on the same bench as Ron as Harry, with Hagrid's large dog occupying the space between Ron and herself. Of course Liv took to petting the dog instantly, Fang rubbing his head against her small hand happily while the rest of them continued the conversation.

"Hagrid, we know he's after the stone, we just don't know why." Harry tried to convince him with his determined tone, refusing to budge from what he was so convinced to be true.

"Snape is one of the teachers protectin' the Stone. He's not about ter steal it." Hagrid spoke reassuringly, confused looks passing amongst the first years as they learned this. Now things were starting to make even less sense.

"Well maybe he's pretending to protect it so nobody would suspect him when he steals it?" Olivia observed thoughtfully, her hand scratching behind Fang's ear while she sent Hagrid a curious look. In her mind it would definitely be a good way to throw suspicion off himself.

"Trust meh, Snape isn't goin' to steal the Stone. Right, come on now." Hagrid said dismissively, motioning with his hands towards the doors as he continued to politely tell them to go back to the castle. "I'm a bit preoccupied today."

"Wait a minute, 'one of the teacher's?" Harry didn't even notice Hagrid's subtle signs to get going but instead hung on to what he had said only moments before.

"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed in realisation, making everyone's eyes turn to her. Looking at her friend, Olivia had to stifle a small giggle as she spotted tiny Hermione sitting in Hagrid's enormous arm chair. Now was not the time to laugh at the disproportion of the sizes. "There are other things defending the Stone, aren't there? Spells and enchantments." Hermione spoke knowingly; it would make sense after all.