Chapter 195: Main Quest

"What are you talking about, Professor Dumbledore?"

Professor McGonagall, puzzled, took the letter and frowned after reading it.

"Oh, I see," she understood, "there seems to be some misunderstanding here."

She glanced at the students who were gradually leaving the classroom. "I happen to have something to ask your opinion about regarding the fourth-floor corridor. But this isn't the place for that discussion. Let's go to my office."

After the professors left, Hermione emerged from beneath the stairs, full of confusion.

Was the robbery at Gringotts related to Hagrid?

And what was the matter with the fourth-floor corridor?

But since the flying lesson was about to start, she had to gather her emotions and prepare to go downstairs.

...

Meanwhile, in Professor McGonagall's office.

This room resembled a library on the second floor, with a glass window offering a view of the Quidditch pitch. At the moment, dozens of freshmen were gathered outside, ready for their first flying lesson.

"Can you explain now, Professor McGonagall?"

"Of course, Murphy," nodded Professor McGonagall, handing back the letter to Murphy, "Actually, Headmaster Dumbledore has already explained this to the Aurors. But this matter is highly confidential, and the Auror handling this case might not be aware of the details."

"Oh?"

"In fact, it's all about the Sorcerer's Stone..."

Professor McGonagall explained the entire situation: Nicolas Flamel had found out someone was after his Sorcerer's Stone. He discussed it with his friend Dumbledore and handed over the stone to him for safekeeping.

Dumbledore had Hagrid retrieve the stone from Gringotts Vault 713 during the summer and brought it back to Hogwarts. Then the robbery happened at Gringotts, but nothing was stolen.

"The Sorcerer's Stone..." Murphy pretended to ponder for a while. "So, Hagrid was on a mission to retrieve it. He's unrelated to the robbery. But what about this so-called 'terrible record'?"

"Ah, that's an old story, about fifty years ago," Professor McGonagall explained, "Hagrid was accused of opening the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts, leading to a student's death..."

"Of course, Dumbledore vouched for Hagrid's innocence. If you have met Hagrid, you'd know, despite his rough appearance, he's a very gentle soul."

Murphy looked relieved, "I see. You're right. I've been talking to Hagrid a lot lately, and I like him. I can hardly believe he would do something terrible."

"What about the fourth-floor corridor you mentioned earlier?"

"To protect the Sorcerer's Stone, Dumbledore asked several professors to set up traps behind the trapdoor in the fourth-floor corridor. If you have time, you could also set up a puzzle."

"So, is that why the fourth-floor corridor is off-limits?" Murphy frowned. "To protect the Sorcerer's Stone?"

"Yes."

"Those traps must be dangerous, especially for the students?"

"Indeed, that's why students are prohibited from going there."

"Why do it this way?"

"What do you mean?" Professor McGonagall didn't understand his point.

"Hogwarts is not a bank or a vault, but a school. Why should a school protect the Sorcerer's Stone, even at the risk of harming the students?"

"I respect Headmaster Dumbledore, but I don't agree with this approach."

"The children should not have to bear risks for the Headmaster's personal commitments."

"This..." Professor McGonagall was taken aback.

Why did every word from her former student seem so reasonable, leaving her unable to rebut...

But after thinking about it, she felt Murphy's words might be a bit exaggerated.

"Headmaster Dumbledore asked for help personally, not as the Headmaster, to protect the Sorcerer's Stone," said McGonagall. "Besides, that corridor has been abandoned for a long time."

"Oh, okay, of course," Murphy did not press further. "Sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to question you or Headmaster Dumbledore. As a board member, it's my duty to consider the students more."

Murphy was curious what Dumbledore would do if he heard this conversation.

If he truly prioritized student welfare, he would remove or alter the corridor's setup.

But if he didn't, it would prove that he had other plans and considerations for the students — or specifically for Harry.

This was a point that needed confirmation.

It represented Dumbledore's two different intentions: either simply protecting the Sorcerer's Stone or testing Harry.

If it's the latter, the story involving Harry couldn't change much.

In that case, Harry Potter had to be the one to retrieve the Sorcerer's Stone.

Changing this would mean directly confronting Dumbledore.

...

Meanwhile, just as the young wizards started their class, Neville flew into the air and broke his arm, leading Madam Hooch to take him to the infirmary.

"Poor Neville," Hermione dared not even touch the broom.

"Maybe we should look into that kind of flying Dean mentioned," Tom frowned at the broom on the ground, not very fond of it either.

It was a joint class between Gryffindor and Slytherin, so both Tom and Harry were beside Hermione.

Harry, however, was eager to try, but Madam Hooch's strict warning not to touch the brooms made him sigh and stand still.

"What do you think is really in the fourth-floor corridor?" Hermione suddenly asked.

"It's off-limits, right?" said Harry.

"Why do you want to know?" asked Tom.

Because I'm curious!

Seeing the secretive manner of the two professors, there must be a secret in the fourth-floor corridor.

"Hey, look what this is?!"

Suddenly, a voice drew everyone's attention. Malfoy held up a remembrall.

...

Back in the office.

Murphy had already left, saying he would consider adding to the traps.

Professor McGonagall was in deep thought.

She had never questioned Dumbledore's decisions or thought there was anything wrong with keeping the Sorcerer's Stone at the school.

But now, she wondered if they were too negligent of the students' welfare.

Murphy was indeed an extraordinary child. He always raised questions from unexpected angles and saw things others missed.

Maybe she should ask Dumbledore why he wanted the Sorcerer's Stone at the school.

Lost in thought, Professor McGonagall almost missed the drama outside her window.

It was only when Harry Potter made a beautiful stop near her window, catching the remembrall, that she came back to her senses.

"Harry Potter?"

She saw the small ball in his hand and thought: This child should be a Seeker!

As for the rule against first-years playing Quidditch?

Well, there are always exceptions.

Suddenly, she understood Dumbledore's approach.

Teaching is important, but professors also have their own lives. Always placing students' interests at the forefront could mean professors losing their personal lives.

For students, Hogwarts is a school. But for many professors, it's their home.

As Headmaster, Dumbledore is responsible not only for the students but also for the professors.

This, Murphy might still find hard to understand.

...

At the moment of Harry and Malfoy's argument, Tom sensed something.

Seeing the crowd distracted by Harry, he turned away and pulled out a notebook.

"Main Quest: Discover the Secret of the Fourth-Floor Corridor."

"Quest Objective: Find out what's hidden in the fourth-floor corridor."

"Quest Reward: Magical power increase. Flying spell."

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT