His Goodwitch

Chapter 11: Hunting for Nicolas Flamel, a mystery present and Mirror of Erised

Third person point of view

The next day after the quidditch match, the quartet decided to go and visit Hagrid at his hut that afternoon. "Oh hello there you four" greeted Hagrid cheerfully when he opened the door to see the quartet. "Hello Hagrid, how are you?" greeted Lizzie politely as she stepped into the hut and sat down at the large wooden table. "I'm splendid Lizzie thank you. You and 'Arry played an exceptional match yesterday" complimented Hagrid before stating "although I 'ave no idea what 'appened with your broom 'Arry" while pouring everyone tea.

"We think we have got an answer to that. We think Shape was trying to kill me by jinxing my broom" explained Harry. "Codswallop Shape is a Hogwarts teacher" exclaimed Hagrid in protested. "Hogwarts teacher or not. I know a spell when I see one. Lizzie and I have read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact and Shape wasn't blinking" said Hermione with authority. "Exactly, it could be even connected to the three headed dog and whatever it's guarding. Snape could be trying to steal it" theorised Harry. "I'm not so sure if it is Snape. I mean sure, he is a creepy and mean teacher to you Harry but Dumbledore trusts him. Not only that but it could have been anyone in stands during the match. Besides that I think it is best to keep an open mind and that what we often see only what we want to see or believe. At least that was what I was told" advised Lizzie, despite her friends' incredulous looks towards her. "Lizzie, I trust your judgement and advice but you didn't see what Ron and I saw. He was literally muttering spells under his breath with his gaze locked on Harry" explained Hermione.

At this Hagrid stopped eating a rock cake and enquired "how do you know about Fluffy?" cutting across Lizzie who opened her mouth to add another reason of potentially why it wasn't Snape. "Fluffy, that thing has a name" exclaimed Hermione. "Of course he does, he's mine. I bought him of an Irish fellow at the pub last year, then lent him to Dumbledore to guard the ----"he trailed off. "Yes" prompted the quartet. "I shouldn't have said that. No more questions. Don't ask any more questions. That's top secret that is" instructed Hagrid.

"But Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's guarding. Snape's going to try and steal it" protested Harry. "That's enough, now you four listen to me very closely. You're meddling in things that aren't supposed to be meddled with. It's dangerous. What that dogs guarding is the business of Albus Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel" warned Hagrid before saying "Now you four best be off, it will be dinner soon and I expect you have studying to do" and rushing them out of the cabin.

Before they had gone fully, Harry asked the other three "Who's Nicolas Flamel"? "No idea" replied the other three. "I know I've heard that name somewhere but where" admonished Harry. "Damn it, I should not have told you that. I should not of told you that" muttered Hagrid as he hurriedly bid the four students goodbye and retreated back into his cabin.

"Well, looks like we have got a proper mystery on our hands here that will require some searching in the library" said Lizzie cheerfully as the four walked back up the path towards the school. At her remark the boys groaned. "Lizzie it's been a mystery way longer since now. It has been since we found Fluffy and faced the troll" reminded Harry while trying to rack his brain on where he has heard that name before.

Time went on, November faded into early December. The weather around Hogwarts worsened and Hogwarts was covered in snow, ice and sleet like a glistening blanket. It was warm in the common rooms and great hall but in the halls were gusty as the window shook from the wind. The worst was the dungeons, with the only way to heat up was to get as close you can to the flames beneath their cauldron's as their breath arose in white wisps