Artel's New Pet

"It's nothing... just..."

Harry hesitated, choosing not to disclose that Professor Snape had caught him last night, resulting in a deduction of house points.

However, shifting gears, he asked Artel, "Do you know Nicolas Flamel?"

Ron appeared slightly surprised, not anticipating Harry bringing up Nicolas Flamel.

"Nicolas Flamel?" Artel feigned contemplation for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I know that guy. He's on a Chocolate Frog wizard card, right? A famous alchemist, if I recall correctly?"

Sitting beside them, Hermione slammed the table with a thud, snorted softly, and lifted her head.

"Harry, you should've asked me about this."

"You knew him?" Ron eyed Hermione skeptically. She gave him a sidelong glance and began explaining, consulting her vast knowledge.

"The List of Famous Magicians of Our Time" features Nicolas Flamel, a distinguished alchemist known for his many years of work. His most renowned accomplishment is the creation of the Philosopher's Stone—a gem capable of transmuting anything into gold. Additionally, the Philosopher's Stone can be used to brew elixirs..."

Harry and Ron stared at Hermione, annoyance flickering in their eyes.

"I should have asked you earlier... If I had asked earlier, I wouldn't have..." Harry trailed off, realizing Hermione's extensive knowledge could have saved him from Snape's disapproval.

Harry was a bit annoyed, realizing that if he had asked Hermione earlier, he could have avoided sneaking into the forbidden area and getting caught.

"It's no use asking me earlier," Hermione remarked. She smiled and explained, "I only read this book during the holiday at home, and I didn't know if you had asked me earlier..."

Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Now, they knew who Nicolas Flamel was and what the three-headed dog, Fluffy, was guarding on the fourth floor—the Philosopher's Stone.

"Snape must have tried to steal the Philosopher's Stone! He wants to live forever," Harry muttered under his breath as he took a sip of soup, devoured the baked potatoes on his plate, then abruptly stood up and rushed out.

Ron opened his mouth, finally looking at Artel with a hint of embarrassment, and said, "He's probably just too excited. This problem has been bothering him for a long time..."

"Don't worry about it, Ron. How was your vacation?" Artel reassured Ron, steering the conversation away from the peculiar exchange between Hermione and himself.

"Oh, this holiday... that's all. My parents visited Romania to see Charlie, while George and Fred went to Hogsmeade. Harry and I had to hit the library daily to find materials..."

Ron shared, his lips puckering in frustration, "This holiday was terrible. Harry got caught by Professor Snape, and something crucial his father left him was confiscated by Snape."

Swiftly finishing his drumstick, Ron stood up and announced, "I'm going to check on Harry. I think he should talk to Hagrid; something is going on. Sorry, can't chat with you."

With that, Ron exited the hall.

"They are hiding something from me, hum!" Hermione huffed disapprovingly.

"Everyone has their secrets, and it's not good to be too curious," Artel advised Hermione, a smile playing on his lips as he observed Ron's departure.

Artel's intervention had accelerated Harry and Ron's knowledge about the Philosopher's Stone by almost two months, and he pondered how it might alter the unfolding plot.

In the original narrative, the day Harry and his friends learned about the Philosopher's Stone coincided with the day Hagrid hatched the dragon. Yet, with Artel's involvement, Quirrell likely didn't entrust the dragon to Hagrid.

Artel intended to keep a close eye on Quirrell and lay claim to that dragon himself. He needed a new pet.

.....

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