Harry was down at Hagrid's again, about the only place where Ron Weasley was worth hanging around. Shared suffering and all that. Hermione was there too, of course, but she was always tolerable.

Hagrid was telling them about getting the Dragon's Egg, and how he'd told the bloke at the tavern about Fluffy... and incidentally, how to get around Fluffy.

Ron was looking at them, and saying, "We have to tell Dumbledore!"

Harry wanted to sigh. Actually, no, he'd rather just run straight into the Forbidden Forest for a few leagues. That would be saner. If Hagrid had told someone about his protection, there were still a dozen other protections, weren't there? From all the other teachers?

Harry rather thought that Hagrid's terrifying puppy would be the least dangerous. Flitwick was a champion duelist, who liked charms. Snape seemed to enjoy creating poisons a little too much, if you know what I mean. Sprout might have a non-lethal protection, but she was a badger - they guarded their dens fiercely.

This didn't seem like something to tell Dumbledore.

Besides, weren't strange adults not allowed on Hogwarts soil? Harry knew that muggle schools knew better than to leave themselves open to randos snatching children. With brooms, they could probably get out of the wards before someone could find a teacher...

Still, Hermione and Ron wanted to go, and so Harry regretfully gave his excuses to Hagrid, "Ah, doncha mind daft ol' me. Just maundering in me old age, I swear!" Hagrid said with a grin.

People seemed to be inordinately fooled by Hagrid's strong accent. He was perfectly capable of using complex thoughts, and did so frequently.

He also apparently couldn't hold a secret to save his life.

Thanks, Hagrid.

The three of them raced to the castle (Ron, the tallest, winning by three strides), and then they scrambled upwards to the Headmaster's office, tossing out passwords to see if one stuck. Suddenly, the door beside the gargoyle opened, emitting Prof. McGonagall. "We need to see Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione said excitedly. "Urgent news! Interesting news!"

Leave it to Hermione to think interesting news would get Dumbledore's attention, Harry thought wryly.

"Well, I'm afraid that's impossible," Prof. McGonagall said, "He's just left for London, won't be back till morning."

"But... but we think Prof. Snape is after the Stone!" Ron said, and Harry rather abruptly wanted to curse Ron. He didn't think that, not at all. Not that he appeared to have convincing reasons, if he couldn't convince two Gryffindors.

"I would trust Professor Snape with my life." Prof. McGonagall said, shaking her head ruefully, "I do trust him with yours, on a rather continual basis." She smiled at them, and it looked worn-thin, but still quite genuine. "Do you children have any idea how many potions injuries we used to have?" Prof. McGonagall looked sternly at them, "I thought not. Now, off with you, then. Daylight's a-burning, and this is the first day I'm allowed to send you out-of-doors."

Ron and Hermione shared a disgruntled look, but they dragged Harry out of sight of McGonagall regardless.

And then the fool was Harry, for who else would have assumed they'd listen to a teacher?

[a/n: Through the trapdoor, and into Narnia. Or puzzleland, in this case. Do leave a review!]