Chapter 16

Seething with frustration, Snape reached the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. He muttered the password, "Lemon drop," and the gargoyle leapt aside, allowing him access. Ascending the spiral staircase, he tried to compose himself, though his anger was palpable.

Upon entering the office, he found Dumbledore seated behind his desk, a serene expression on his face. The headmaster looked up from the parchment he was reading, his blue eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore greeted warmly. "What brings you here so urgently?"

Snape didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "I demand to know why Potter and his dunderhead friends were absent from my Potions class today," he began, his voice tight with barely contained fury. "I was informed they have private tutoring. Why was I not consulted about this?"

Dumbledore sighed, folding his hands on the desk. "Severus, it was a decision made by their parents. Given the delicate circumstances and the history between you and the Potters, it was deemed best for their education and well-being."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "Their parents? And what, pray tell, are these 'delicate circumstances'?"

Dumbledore's expression became serious. "Severus, it has come to our attention that there have been complaints about your use of Legilimency on students."

Snape's face darkened. "Complaints? From whom?"

"Nymphadora Tonks, a student well-versed in the Mind Arts, has reported instances where she felt you attempted to invade her mind," Dumbledore explained calmly. "Her proficiency allowed her to trace these attempts back to you. This information reached the parents of Harry and his friends."

Snape's nostrils flared. "I have never used Legilimency on a student without cause. It is a tool for discipline and understanding, nothing more."

Dumbledore held up a hand to forestall further argument. "Regardless, Severus, the perception of such actions is troubling. The parents of these children have made it clear they do not wish for their sons and daughters to be subjected to such invasions of privacy. They have requested private tutoring to ensure their children can learn without fear of having their minds breached."

"This is outrageous!" Snape spat, his composure slipping. "They are undermining my authority and questioning my integrity!"

"Severus," Dumbledore said gently but firmly, "we must prioritize the trust and comfort of our students. This decision is final. I trust you will continue to teach your other students with the same diligence and care you always have."

Snape's face was a mask of barely controlled fury. "Very well," he bit out. "But know this, Headmaster: this will only make it harder for me to maintain order and respect in my classroom."

Dumbledore sighed, a conciliatory tone entering his voice. "Severus, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I do. You are an invaluable member of this staff, and your expertise is unmatched."

Snape remained silent, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"However," Dumbledore continued, "the conditions set by the parents of Harry and his friends are non-negotiable. They have made it clear that their children will leave Hogwarts if we do not honor these arrangements. Losing them would be a great loss to the school, both academically and for the spirit of unity we strive to maintain."

Snape's lips thinned into a tight line. "So, you would appease these parents at the expense of undermining my authority?"

"I would seek a balance, Severus," Dumbledore replied gently. "These children need to feel safe and supported, just as all our students do. Their parents are merely trying to protect them in the best way they know how. We must respect that, even if it challenges our usual methods."

Dumbledore leaned forward, his eyes sincere. "You are an excellent teacher, Severus. I have faith that you can adapt and continue to provide a high standard of education to all your students. This is merely a different approach to accommodate the unique needs of a few."

Snape's expression softened marginally, though the fire in his eyes did not fully dim. "And what if their demands grow more unreasonable?"

"Then we will address them as they come," Dumbledore said. "For now, let's focus on making this arrangement work. I trust you to rise to the occasion, Severus."

Snape gave a curt nod, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Very well, Headmaster. I will do as you ask. But I hope you understand the precedent this sets."

Dumbledore nodded. "I do. And I appreciate your willingness to cooperate, Severus. Together, we will ensure Hogwarts remains a place where every student can thrive."

With that, Snape turned and left the office, his steps heavy with reluctant acceptance. Dumbledore watched him go, a mixture of relief and concern in his eyes. He knew that balancing the needs of his staff and students was a delicate task, one that required constant vigilance and understanding.

—

Meanwhile, free from having to attend Potions with Snape, the 'New Marauders' gathered in their base of operations, plotting their next venture. This time, their curiosity was piqued by the mysterious room guarded by the three-headed dog.

Harry activated his communication bracelet, projecting a holographic map of Hogwarts into the air. "So, we know that the three-headed dog is guarding something on the third floor. The question is, what is it?"

Neville leaned in, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It must be something important if they need a creature like that to guard it."

Tonks nodded, her hair flashing a vivid pink in excitement. "I heard Hagrid talking about it. He said the dog's name is Fluffy, and that it belongs to him. Maybe we can get more information from him."

Zatanna, always the strategist, suggested, "We need to find out what it's guarding without alerting any of the teachers. We could ask Hagrid some questions, see if we can piece together more of the puzzle."

Lana grinned mischievously. "And while we're at it, we could plant a few surprises for our dear professors. Nothing harmful, of course, just enough to keep them on their toes."

Harry agreed, "Alright, let's split up. Zatanna, Tonks and I will go see if we can talk to Hagrid. Neville and Lana, you keep an eye on the third floor corridor. But before that, I'll see if I can find any clues in the library about what I can find about that Three-Headed dog."

Harry decided to use his super speed to gather information more efficiently. The library was vast, and scouring it the usual way would take hours, but with his abilities, it would be a matter of minutes.

In a blur of motion, he dashed out of the abandoned classroom and through the corridors, arriving at the library in seconds. The room was silent, the only sound being the rustle of pages as a few students pored over their books. Harry quickly found a secluded corner and began his search.

With his enhanced speed, he zipped through the aisles, skimming through titles and flipping through pages at a rate that would have been impossible for anyone else. Books on magical creatures, enchanted objects, and ancient artifacts all passed through his hands as he searched for any hint about what might be hidden on the third floor.

Within minutes, Harry had amassed a small pile of potentially useful books. He slowed down just enough to skim their contents more thoroughly. His eyes flicked over the pages, absorbing information at a rapid pace. There were mentions of powerful artifacts, guarded treasures, and magical traps, but one particular book caught his attention.

"Magical Creatures and Their Habits," he muttered to himself, reading the passage that described a creature known as Cerberus, a three-headed dog. "This could be it."

Armed with this new knowledge, Harry sped back to the 'New Marauders' base of operations, the book clutched tightly in his hand. He arrived just as the others were gathering back, their expressions eager.

"I think I've found it," Harry announced, placing the book on the table. "The three-headed dog is a Cerberus, and it's definitely guarding something important."

The others crowded around, reading over his shoulder. Neville looked up, eyes wide. "If that's true, then it's even more important that we find out who else might be after it."

Tonks grinned. "Looks like we've got our next mission. Let's figure out how to get past the three-headed dog and see what's really going on."

Harry nodded. "We'll need more information. Maybe Hagrid can help us out."

"Good idea," Zatanna agreed. "Let's go talk to him. He might know something useful."

The trio slipped out of their base of operations, casting a final privacy charm before heading towards Hagrid's hut. The grounds of Hogwarts were quiet, with most students either in classes or relaxing in the common rooms. As they approached the hut, they could see smoke curling from the chimney and hear the faint sound of Hagrid humming to himself.

Harry knocked on the door, and it swung open to reveal Hagrid's massive form. "Harry! Tonks! Zatanna! What brings yeh here?" he asked, beaming at them.

"We were hoping you could help us with something, Hagrid," Harry said, giving him a hopeful look.

"Sure thing, come in, come in!" Hagrid stepped aside, allowing them to enter the cozy hut. Fang, Hagrid's boarhound, wagged his tail lazily from his spot by the fire.

Once they were seated, Tonks leaned forward. "Hagrid, we were wondering if you could tell us more about magical creatures, specifically three-headed dogs," she said, trying to sound casual.

Hagrid's eyes narrowed slightly. "Three-headed dogs, yeh say? That's a bit specific."

"We're just curious," Zatanna said quickly. "We've heard some things and thought you might be able to tell us more. Like, how are they usually handled?"

Hagrid relaxed a bit at that. "Ah, well, they're not common, but they're good guard dogs if yeh know how to manage 'em."

Harry seized on that. "Manage them? How do you do that, Hagrid?"

Hagrid looked a bit suspicious. "Why d'yeh want to know that?"

Tonks quickly covered. "We're just interested in magical creatures and how they're taken care of. You know, in case we ever need to handle one ourselves."

Hagrid seemed to buy this. "Well, if yeh must know, music's the trick. Play 'em a bit o' music and they'll fall right asleep."

"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said, exchanging a quick glance with Tonks and Zatanna. "That's really helpful."

"No problem," Hagrid said, standing up. "Always happy ter help. Just be careful, alright? Those dogs aren't bad, but they can be a bit... excitable."

"We'll be careful," Zatanna assured him.

As they left Hagrid's hut, Tonks turned to the others with a grin. "Looks like we have our answer. Now we just need to get our hands on something that can play music."

Harry's eyes lit up with realization. "Wait, Tonks, didn't you mention that 'Pretty boy' Diggory plays a mean guitar?"

Tonks chuckled at Harry's reaction. "Yeah, he does. Cedric is quite the musician."

Harry's cheeks flushed slightly, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Right, well, maybe we should find him and see if he's up for helping us out."

Zatanna giggled at Harry's reaction. "Oh, come on, Harry. You're not jealous, are you?"

Harry's blush deepened, but he shook his head. "No, of course not. I just... think he might be able to help us, that's all."

Tonks grinned at Harry's response. "Sure thing, Harry. We'll just focus on the task at hand for now."

She then turned to Zatanna with a playful wink. "But who knows, maybe in a couple of years, Harry might be old enough for us to take an interest."

Zatanna chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, maybe. But for now, let's stick to pranking and saving the day."

—-

Meanwhile, back at the base of operations, Lana and Neville were poring over the holographic map on their communication bracelets, studying the layout of the third-floor corridor.

Neville frowned, tapping a spot on the map. "This area seems to be the main entrance to the room with the three-headed dog. We need to find out how to get past it without getting caught."

Lana nodded. "I hope the others are having better luck with Hagrid. If anyone knows how to deal with a magical creature, it's him."

Just then, the door opened, and Harry, Tonks, and Zatanna walked in. Harry looked excited as he approached the group.

"Guys, we've got a lead," Harry announced. "Hagrid let slip that the dog likes music. If we can play something, we might be able to get past it."

Tonks grinned and added, "And guess what? Cedric plays a mean guitar."

Zatanna smirked, "And Harry's jealous because he saw Tonks making out with Cedric. He's afraid it'll ruin his lifelong dream of having his own harem."

Harry's face turned beet red. "That's not true!"

Lana groaned, covering her ears. "Ugh, I don't want to hear about my cousin's perverted thoughts. Can we focus, please?"

Tonks laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. Let's get back to the plan. We need to convince Cedric to help us out with his guitar skills."

Zatanna nodded. "Right. Let's find Cedric and see if he's willing to lend a hand."

The group left their base, determined to enlist Cedric in their next mission and get one step closer to uncovering the secrets hidden in Hogwarts.

—

The gang tracked down Cedric in the courtyard, where he was enjoying a rare moment of peace between classes. Tonks sauntered over, a playful smile on her lips.

"Hey, Cedric," she purred, leaning in close. "We've got a bit of a favor to ask you."

Cedric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What kind of favor?"

Tonks's eyes sparkled as she brushed a hand against his arm. "We need someone with musical talent. You know, someone who can play a mean guitar."

Cedric chuckled, glancing at the group. "And you think I'm your guy?"

"Absolutely," Tonks said, her tone flirtatious. "We heard you're the best."

Harry, standing a bit behind, couldn't help but clench his fists. He tried to keep his jealousy in check, but it was a struggle seeing Tonks so close to Cedric.

Cedric noticed Harry's reaction and smiled good-naturedly. "Alright, I'll bite. What's this all about?"

Zatanna stepped in to explain, hoping to steer the conversation away from Tonks's heavy flirting. "We need you to play some music to help us get past a... well, a magical creature. It's for a bit of an adventure we're planning."

Cedric looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "Sounds interesting. When do you need me?"

Tonks beamed, giving Cedric's hand a squeeze. "Thanks, Cedric. You're the best! We'll let you know when."

As they walked away, Harry couldn't help but mutter under his breath. "I could've convinced him without all the flirting."

Tonks overheard and laughed, ruffling Harry's hair. "Don't worry, Harry. You're still my favorite troublemaker."

Zatanna giggled, and even Lana and Neville couldn't suppress a smile at Harry's expense. They had their guitarist, and the next phase of their plan was ready to roll.

—

Hermione and Pamela exchanged concerned glances as they listened to Harry and the gang's conversation with Cedric. Worried that their friends might be getting themselves into trouble, they decided to take action. After Harry and the others left, the two girls quickly gathered their friends.

In a quiet corner of the courtyard, Hermione and Pamela explained what they had overheard to Susan, Hannah, Daphne, Tracey, and Harleen, who insisted they call her Harley.

"I'm really worried about what they're planning," Hermione said, her brow furrowed. "It sounds dangerous."

Pamela nodded in agreement. "They're talking about trying to get past a magical creature. What if something goes wrong?"

Susan bit her lip, her eyes wide with concern. "We can't just let them do this on their own. They could get seriously hurt."

Hannah nodded, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a look of worry. "We should try to stop them or at least make sure they have a backup plan."

Daphne crossed her arms, thoughtful. "We need to figure out exactly what they're planning and find a way to help without them knowing. If we can keep an eye on them, we can step in if things get out of hand."

Harley grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or we could join them and make sure things don't get out of hand. After all, what's a little adventure without some friends to back you up?"

Tracey chuckled. "Harley's right. If they're determined to go through with this, it might be safer if we're there too. Plus, it sounds kind of fun."

Hermione sighed but nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but we need to be smart about this. We can't let them know we're onto their plan. We'll need to be discreet and make sure we don't get caught either."

Pamela looked around at the group and then back at Hermione. "Should we involve Ron?" she asked, her voice low and hesitant. "He might know something useful."

Hermione shook her head. "I don't think we should. He's not really close with Harry, and involving more people might just complicate things."

Susan nodded in agreement. "It's better if we keep this between us for now. Too many people knowing could increase the risk of getting caught."

Hannah chimed in, "Alright, so no Ron. Let's figure out how to keep an eye on them without raising any suspicions."

Harley grinned. "Sounds like a plan. We'll need to be sneaky, but I think we can manage."

Daphne added, "We should take shifts. That way, we can keep track of their movements without drawing too much attention."

Hermione nodded, feeling more confident with their plan. "Okay, let's do this. We'll keep an eye on them and make sure they don't get into any trouble."

—

Later that evening, the 'New Marauders' and Cedric gathered near the third-floor corridor. Cedric had his guitar slung over his shoulder, ready for their secretive mission. Harry, still a bit jealous, tried to focus on the task at hand.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Tonks asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Everyone nodded, and they cast the necessary spells to ensure they wouldn't be seen or heard. With Cedric playing a soothing tune, they made their way to the door guarded by the three-headed dog.

Cedric strummed his guitar, and the magical notes filled the corridor. The three-headed dog, entranced by the music, began to calm down and eventually dozed off. Taking advantage of the moment, Harry, Tonks, and Zatanna carefully opened the door and slipped inside, with Cedric continuing to play outside to keep the dog asleep.

Inside, they found a trapdoor. They carefully opened it, revealing a dark descent below. As they descended into the darkness, the air grew cooler and the atmosphere tense. The trapdoor creaked open, revealing a gaping hole leading into the unknown depths below.

Without hesitation, they leaped into the darkness, landing with a thud on a mass of tangled vines. Neville's sharp eyes immediately recognized the danger. "Devil's Snare!" he exclaimed, his voice urgent.

"Devil's what?" Harry asked, his senses on high alert.

"It's a magical plant," Neville explained, his voice tinged with unease. "It hates heat and light. We need to get out of here fast."

Thinking quickly, Harry focused his powers, summoning his "Heat Vision." With a determined gaze, he directed the intense golden heat towards the thick vines, cutting through them with precision. The plant recoiled at the sudden onslaught of warmth, allowing them to break free from its grasp.

—

Hermione and the others watched intently from their vantage point as Harry and his companions entered the mysterious room that Dumbledore had alluded to in his welcoming speech. Cedric Diggory stood guard at the door as he played the guitar, his posture alert and vigilant, as if anticipating trouble.

"They're going in," Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible over the faint hum of activity in the corridor.

Pamela nodded, her gaze fixed on the door where Harry and the others had disappeared. "Should we follow them?" she asked quietly, her tone tinged with uncertainty.

Hermione considered for a moment, weighing their options. "I think we should wait here for now," she decided, her voice firm. "We don't know what they're up against, and we don't want to risk getting caught. Let's keep watch from here and be ready to act if anything goes wrong."

Agreeing with Hermione's cautious approach, Pamela and the others settled into a tense vigil, their eyes trained on the door, their ears straining for any sign of trouble from within. As Cedric continued to strum his guitar, the melody providing a strange counterpoint to the tension in the air, they remained on high alert, ready to intervene if necessary.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as they waited, the silence broken only by the occasional murmur of conversation from passersby in the corridor. With each passing moment, their anxiety grew, mingling with a sense of anticipation and apprehension. What were Harry and the others facing inside? And would they emerge unscathed?

As the seconds ticked by, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at her insides. She knew they had to trust in Harry and his friends, but the unknown dangers lurking beyond that door weighed heavily on her mind. All they could do now was wait, and hope that their friends would emerge from whatever lay ahead, safe and sound.

—

Harry surveyed the room, his gaze taking in the sight of countless keys fluttering through the air, their wings flapping furiously as they darted and danced in a chaotic frenzy. The air was filled with the sound of fluttering wings and the jangling of metal, creating a cacophony of noise that echoed off the stone walls.

"We need to find the right key to unlock that door," Zatanna remarked, her voice barely audible over the din of the flying keys.

Neville frowned, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scanned the room. "But how do we know which key is the right one?"

Harry nodded, understanding Neville's concern. "We'll just have to try them all until we find the right one," he said determinedly.

With a determined look in his eyes, Harry soared up into the air above the swirling mass of keys. He moved with incredible speed, darting from key to key as he plucked them from the air and tried them in the lock one by one.

The others watched in awe as Harry moved with such speed and precision, his movements a blur as he searched for the elusive key. Each time he tried a key and it failed to unlock the door, he discarded it and moved on to the next, undeterred by the challenge before him.

Within moments, Harry's efforts bore fruit as he found the key that fit the lock perfectly. With a victorious shout, he signaled to the others, holding up the key triumphantly.

"We did it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement as he beckoned for the others to join him. "The door is unlocked!"

Neville couldn't resist chiming in with a playful quip. "Oh, I see, Harry. 'We' did it, as in 'you' did it, and 'we' watched," he teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. 

Harry chuckled, acknowledging Neville's humor. "Alright, alright, you caught me," he admitted with a grin. "But hey, teamwork, right? Couldn't have done it without your moral support." 

With laughter echoing in the room, they shared a moment of camaraderie, united by their triumph and their unbreakable bond as friends.

---

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