Chapter 75

"Aye, that I did." said Hagrid "I spent years o' me life chasin' yer father and his friends away from the forest. And yer mother was a sweethear'. Always kind ter everybody."

The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke his teeth, but Harry pretended to be enjoying them as Hagrid told him endless anecdotes about his parents. In return, he told him all about his first lessons. Fang rested his head on Harry's knee and drooled all over his robes.

The moment Harry heard Hagrid call Filch "that old git" after he'd told Hargid an edited version of how Filch had almost caught him outside bed, he'd decided that he liked Hagrid. The half-giant wasn't the brightest of bulbs, but he was incredibly honest and lovable.

"An' as fer that cat, Mrs. Norris, I'd like ter introduce her to Fang sometime. D'yeh know, every time I go up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her…Filch puts her up to it I tell yeh!"

There was a small pause in the conversation as Hagrid sipped at his mug full of tea. Harry picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cozy. It was a Daily Prophet:

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown.

Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day.

"But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon.

"Hagrid…" said Harry suddenly feeling a sinking feeling in his stomach, "…this Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday. It might've been happening while Professor McGonagall and I were there shopping at Diagon Alley."

Hagrid seemed to not want to meet Harry's eyes. He grunted and offered him another rock cake. Harry read the story again. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied earlier that same day. Was it actually that far a conclusion to draw that the vault and the third floor corridor were related?

The thief wouldn't have been after money, it'd be much easier and less suicidal robbing a house for that. It had to be some precious treasure or a valuable artefact. After all, the only place safer than Gringotts was Hogwarts. So it made sense that it was moved to Hogwarts on the same day. In fact, it was probably McGonagall who emptied it while Harry was selecting his wand.

Everything fit. Whatever was taken from Gringotts was now at Hogwarts, and Quirrell was after it. He'd have to get some more information out of Hagrid. Putting down the paper, he took another sip of tea.

"So Hagrid," he said casually, "Is there really a three-headed dog in the third-floor corridor?"

Hagrid dropped the teapot and started coughing. "How do you know about Fluffy?" he said in between coughs.

"Fluffy?" Harry asked incredulously. He'd named a giant three-headed dog so fierce it was said to guard the gates to the underworld, FLUFFY!

"Yeah, he's mine…bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year."

"But why is he in the school Hagrid? I mean, isn't it dangerous to the students?" Harry pressed. In the back of his mind, he felt bad for trying to take advantage of his new friend. He promised himself that he'd get him a good Christmas present to at least try to make up for this.

"Rubbish! Fluffy wouldn' harm a fly. Spo' o' music and he jus' falls asleep." Hagrid said, waving his concerns away. Harry filed away that information for later.

"There are rumors spreading in the school that Fluffy's up there guarding something Hagrid. And there are kids who've been trying to get past it. I just want to know if they'll be safe."

Ping!

Skill levelled up

Bullshitting Lv-4 (35%)

A combanation of lying and the truth said in a very confident manner!

"Musta' been thos' two Weasley twins up ter no good again." Harry grumbled quietly before he spoke in a louder voice. "Dont' yer worry abou' it Harry. Dumbledore's himself got me to put him there an' he'd never let any student in danger. Grea' man Dumbledore. Now, don't ask me anymore," said Hagrid gruffly. "That's all top secret, that is."

Harry tried to push for more. "But-"

"I'm tellin' yeh Harry don't go lookin' into all this!" said Hagrid hotly, "Now, listen to me…yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget abou' Fluffy, an' you forget what it's guardin'. That's all betwee' Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel-"

Harry's expression grew triumphant for a second before he schooled it back into a polite smile. Hagrid looked furious with himself.

.

.

.

🐉 patreon.com/William777🐉

Subscribe to my Patreon for more advanced chapters