Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Bailey and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic Chapter 44
The cheerful atmosphere the student body of Hogwarts is riding following the last day of their final exams can be blackened by the foreshadowing darkness looming over the horizon just waiting to strike.
At least for four individuals who have a lot more on their minds besides waiting to see if they passed their tests or not pertaining for future reference to the lingering crisis at hand that puts them all in jeopardy.
Of the three kids Ron and Hermione came close to nearly having nervous breakdowns throughout both the written and practical examinations. But they made it through and seem to be riding the high all of the other students are in now that the stress-filled part of the school year is over and done with.
In a good mood, as they meander across one of Hogwart's numerous courtyards, Hermione said "I'd always heard Hogwart's end-of-year exams were frightful. But I found that rather enjoyable."
Staring at Hermione as if she's gone bonkers, Ron said "Mental you are. Speak for yourself." He then notices Harry rubbing the scar on his forehead. "All right there, Harry?"
Grimacing from the flashing sharp pains over the flesh, Harry admits "My scar. It keeps burning."
"It's happened before," mentioned Hermione.
"Not like this," said Harry, angrily.
"Perhaps you should see the nurse. Madam Pomfrey," suggested Ron, helpfully.
Shaking his head in refusal, Harry said "I think it's a warning. It means danger is coming. Uh!"
Harry ends up tripping over his robes, dropping his book bag onto the ground, and spilling the contents.
As Harry bends to arrange everything back neatly into place Bailey laps her tongue gently over his scar, whining, trying to alleviate some of the pain.
Rubbing her ears and kissing her head, Harry said "Thanks, Bailey."
Bailey barks, wagging her tail as she leans against his leg supportively.
Straightening up, Harry hears Hagrid playing his flute in the distance at the hut. Seeing their friend sitting on his stoop with Fang at his feet makes Harry figure out what's been bothering him the last few days.
It's been right in front of them all this time.
"Of course," murmured Harry, beelining it for Hagrid.
"What is it," asked Hermione, eagerly.
"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pockets? Why didn't I see it before," said Harry, now in a dead sprint.
"Hello," he said, smiling. "Finished your exams? Got time for a drink."
No time to be polite, not mincing words, Harry said "Hagrid, who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?"
Putting his flute down to stroke Bailey's back as she was sniffing the bone Fang had, Hagrid said "I don't know. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up."
Worriedly, Harry said "This stranger, though, you and he must have talked."
Shrugging casually, Hagrid said "Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told him that after Fluffy, a dragon was going to be no problem."
Alarmed, Harry said "Did he seem interested in Fluffy?"
"Well, of course, he was interested in Fluffy," said Hagrid, indignantly. "How often do you come across a 3-headed dog, even if you're in the trade? But I told him that the trick with any beast is to know how to calm him. Take Fluffy, for example. Just play him a bit of music and he falls straight to sleep."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all gasped.
Horrified at the slipup, Hagrid said "I shouldn't have told you that. Where are you going? Wait!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione run at full speed back into the castle, Bailey abandoning Fang to dutifully follow.
They have to tell the Headmaster. Because they don't have a clue where his office is they go to the next best person to get in contact with him.
Professor McGonagall.
The Deputy Headmistress is, at present, grading papers in her classroom.
She snaps her head up, surprised to see the four of them inside on such a nice day and even more so hastening so frantically over to her.
"We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately," said Harry, hands on her desk.
Bemused, Professor McGonagall said "I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London."
"He's gone? Now? But this is important! This is about the Sorcerer's Stone," proclaimed Harry, heatedly.
Whatever Professor McGonagall was expecting to hear it certainly wasn't that.
The quill she's holding tumbles from her fingers onto the desk, Professor McGonagall spluttered "How do you know-?"
"Somebody is going to try and steal it," said Harry, persistently.
"I don't know how you three found out about the Stone, but I assure you, it is perfectly well protected. Now, would you go back to your dormitories? Quietly," said Professor McGonagall, firmly.
Dismissed the three Gryffindors march dejectedly out of the classroom.
Once out of earshot of Professor McGonagall the three of them huddle together unaware their convergence has caught Professor Snape's attention down the hallway.
"That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village. It was Snape, which means he knows how to get passed Fluffy," said Harry.
Nodding in agreement with the analysis, Hermione said "And with Dumbledore gone-."
"Good afternoon," interrupted Snape, smoothly, stepping behind the trio.
Bailey barks, wagging her tail in greeting as the children freeze out of fear. They wheel around to face him.
"Now what would three young Gryffindors such as yourselves be doing inside on a day like this," said Professor Snape, suspiciously.
Hermione stumbles over her words, attempting to conjure up an explanation.
"You want to be careful. People will think you're…," advised Professor Snape, trailing off at the intense glower Harry aims at him, "up to something."
Snape then leaves them be, departing with a dramatic flourish of his robes.
"Now what do we do," whispered Hermione.
Displaying an unbending and obstinate attitude, Harry said "We go down the trap door. Tonight."
Authors Note:
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D