"Yeah, well, I think Harry is just catching your paranoidness."

Hermione nearly laughs, as she stops in her tracks and faces Ron. "Paranoia," she emphasizes. "Can't be caught, and we're not. We saw it all with our own eyes." She continues walking, "For crying out loud. You saw the dog yourself."

"Still sounds mad to me." He shakes his head, a bit annoyed with Hermione constantly correcting him. "Remind me why we're friends."

"Because the guys in your dorm don't appreciate your unique mind, causing them all to pair up for classes without you, and you'd rather be partnered with me than with Nevil." She gives a questioning look, "You think I'm smarter or something?"

"No. Just less clumsy and forgetful," Ron remembers. "If I had to pair up with him in Potions, I'd probably be dead by now."

Hermione suppresses a laugh as she knocks on the hut door, "In any case, aren't you glad to have me around?"

Ron doesn't know how to answer. On one hand, she was more annoying than his family's ghoul, which kept them awake at all hours. On the other hand, at least she was good enough at school for the both of them. He doesn't want to answer, knowing his unsureness may upset her and he really didn't want to get hexed, and luckily for him the door opened just in time.

"Ah. Hermione. Ron. I wasn't expecting you."

"I have something important to tell you," Hermione hurries, her face filled with concern.

"Ah, well, come in." He steps out of the way. "Come in. I'll put on the kettle." He sniffs the air, "Oh, and I think my cakes are ready too."

Hermione and Ron sit at the small table, and when Hagrid sits down he offers them some of the small cakes. "Those are cakes?" Ron exclaims with shocked disgust. Hermione elbows him underneath the table. "Ow." He turns to her, "What was that for?"

Hermione, having seen Hagrid's confused and hurt look, politely smiles, "Oh. They look great Hagrid, but with dinner being so soon, I couldn't possibly." Her smile only falters for a second, as she sees the hard and blackened circles. "We really shouldn't ruin our appetite." She smiles brightly towards Ron, "Isn't that right?"

Ron takes an extra moment to catch on, "Oh. Yeah. Right." He coughs, "There's no need to fill up on sweets before it."

Hagrid nods and moves the cakes a little off to the side, "Yes. Well, I suppose you're right about that." He hears the kettle and goes to fill up some cups. "So, this important news. What is it? I don't see Harry. He's not in trouble, is he?"

"He's got detention," Hermione explains.

Hagrid shakes his head, as he comes over with the filled cups and kettle, "He's going to have to learn to stop that. Looks bad on the record, you know."

"He got it by saving my life," Hermione defends.

"Oh. Well, then. Can't stop what's bound to happen, then, can we?" He takes a sip from his large cup, "This news. What is it, then?"

Ron answers doubtfully, "Hermione and Harry have this weird idea that you're hiding something underneath the floor of the room where the three-headed dog is, and they're convinced Snape is trying to steal whatever it is."

"Rubbish," Hagrid says, a little put off. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher. He'd do nothin' of the sort."

"Then how do you explain the bite marks on his leg?" informs Hermione.

"Bite marks?"

"I reckon they've gone mad," says Ron in half boredom, half irritation.

"We have not," Hermione shouts back at Ron. She looks back at Hagrid, "I wasn't just imagining it. How could two people conjure up the same delusion?"

Hagrid shifts in his seat, "I'm sorry, Hermione, but I've got to agree with Ron on this." Hermione sees Ron become suddenly smug, clearly happy as his arms cross over his chest in newfound confidence. "I'm not sayin' you didn't see anything." She looks back at the gamekeeper. "But it could have been any number of things: a snake bite, a miscast spell, or even an injury from his Potions class. It needn't have been a dog bite."

Hermione clutches the table's edge, "Well, it was certainly too large for a snake bite."

Hagrid shakes his head, anger seeming to steam off him, "Let myself make this very clear. This is adult business, and you weren't even meant to be near the area the dog is in. So, you forget about Fluffy, you forget about what he's guardin', and you let go of your theory 'bout Snape." He had a finger pointed at them during this, but he lets it fall back down now. "Snape is a Hogwarts teacher, one of the teachers protecting the—" His words stumble. "Object. He's not about to steal it."

"But," Hermione continues. "What if you're wrong about Snape? This object must be really important for it to have so much security. What if he does steal it?"

"Impossible. Now, like I said, stop asking questions—questions about anything top secret that is—and put this rubbish theory to rest."

"Top secret?" asks Hermione. "Why's it top secret?"

"I don't know. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel."

"Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione repeats.

"Dumbledore?" Ron questions.

Hagrid shakes his head and places it in his hand, "I've said too much." He nods to the door, "You'd better leave. Dinner will no doubt be served soon."

"What about you?" asks Hermione. "Aren't you coming?"

"Yeah. Yeah." Hagrid looks around for an excuse to wait, "I just have to wash a couple pans, but I'll be at that table. Don't you worry." When they still don't stand he gives a sterner look, "On with you now. Don't be late." and then they finally stand to leave.

Before exiting the hut, though, Hermione gives a sad look, "I didn't mean to ask so many questions, I swear. I just couldn't help but think."

Hagrid takes a calming breath, "Don't worry 'bout it. Just stay quiet, and everything should be fine." She nods, turns around, and slowly leaves.