Ron-Weasly book 1. V2 part 14

Chapter 14 Examination time

Exams have begun.

The Philosopher's Stone was still in place-we regularly approached the door leading to the forbidden corridor. Harry put his ear to it to make sure that Fluffy was alive and well.

It was terribly hot outside. In the huge office where we wrote our exam papers, it was not only hot, but also unbearably stuffy. Before the exams, everyone was given special pens, enchanted so that anyone who picked up this pen would not be able to copy.

We also had practical exams. Professor Flitwick invited us into his office one at a time and demanded that the pineapple on the table dance. After I failed to cast the spell the first time, the professor asked when I was going to change the faulty magic conductor. I had to admit that my parents don't have the money for a new wand, so I'll be with the old one for another year. Professor McGonagall gave us the task of turning a mouse into a candy box. The number of points received for the exam depended on how beautiful the candy bowl turned out to be. But if the box had whiskers or paws, the score was automatically lowered. I still have a small mustache, so I got higher than expected. And at Professor Snape's exam, everyone was terribly nervous, trying to remember how to make a potion that takes away memory. Barely remembering the ingredients, he brewed a potion. It really came out a little thin. Well, that's fine. Harry's is even worse. By the way, the professor has seated those who have learned how to brew potions well and, as he puts it, crooked sheep. Neville, by the way, was sitting in a separate corner away from everyone.

Harry had a severe stabbing pain in his forehead, which had been bothering him since the night of his detention in the woods. Neville was convinced that Harry was just nervous about exams and that was why he couldn't sleep at night. He had nightmares and often screamed and got up. I tried to send him to Madam Pomfrey, but he refused. I had to take my pot and cook Harry a headache relief potion under the supervision of Professor Snape. He checked the quality of the potion and bottled it for me, taking a third for himself for the hospital wing.

Hermione and I were much less worried about the safety of the Philosopher's Stone. The thought of the possible appearance of Voldemort, of course, scared us. But not as much as Harry. Besides, we were so busy repeating what we'd learned that we didn't have time to worry about Snape. I had to admit that my friend has nightmares and a bad headache, but he just doesn't like doctors. All the undergraduates of Slytherin and Ravenclaw did this under his supervision. And it was easier for Gryffindor to run off to Madam Pomfrey's or buy a ready-made potion from someone. And the Halfpuffs went to the hospital wing in a disciplined manner or exchanged potions from the Slytherins for ingredients.

The last exam was history of magic. Within an hour, we had to answer questions in writing about ancient wizards who had lost their minds — which of them invented the self-mixing cauldron and all in the same spirit. And freedom was waiting for us ahead. A whole week of freedom before the announcement of the exam results. And when Professor Beans said it was time to hand in the papers, I rejoiced along with the others.

"I thought it was going to be much more complicated", Hermione noticed when we went out into the sunny schoolyard with the other students. "It turned out that I didn't even have to memorize the codex of the werewolves of sixteen hundred and thirty-seven and the history of the rebellion of Alfric the Impatient."

Hermione always liked to discuss her written work after the exam, but I said it made me feel bad. And we slowly went down to the lake and sat down under a huge tree. I took the Brat out of my robe pocket and sat him on my shoulder, holding out a piece of apple. The twins and Lee Jordan were having fun on the shore, tugging on the tentacles of a giant squid that had swum into the warm shallow water. Hannah and Susan were walking nearby. And I waved to her. She waved back at me.

"No more repetitions," I sighed, stretching out on the grass, and an expression of indescribable happiness appeared on my face. "And you, Harry, could have looked more cheerful — after all, we still have a whole week before the announcement of the exam results."

Harry rubbed his forehead. Last week, I went to Madam Pomfrey's for a new dose of headache painkiller and started giving it to Harry for the night. As soon as Snape found out that I needed another batch of headache potions, he sent me to the hospital wing, asking me to take a friend there.

"Don't you think I'd like to know what's going on with me?!" He exploded. "The scar is constantly in pain — this has happened before, but rarely. And now the pain hardly goes away at all." Damn, he's got a headache again. And I've run out of headache potions in my medicine cabinet. I have to go to Madam Pomfrey's again.

"Go to Madam Pomfrey's," Hermione suggested

"But I'm not sick, and Ron brought me some painkillers," said Harry. "I think it's a warning... And it means that I'm in danger..."

I smiled serenely. I was too hot to really think about Harry's words.

"Relax, because Hermione's right," I advised. "As long as Dumbledore is nearby, the stone is safe. "And besides, we have no proof that Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. Last time, the dog almost bit off his leg, so now he won't act in a hurry. And Hagrid would never tell anyone how to subdue Cannon. Neville would rather be accepted into the England Quidditch team than Hagrid would betray Dumbledore."

Harry nodded. I stroked the rat, who was relaxing in the warmth, and closed my eyes.

"It's all the exams, Harry," said Hermione. "For example, I woke up last night and started flipping through my transfiguration notebook, and only an hour later I remembered that we had already passed this exam."

By the way, Lavender and Parvati complained to me about Hermione that she interferes with their sleep at night.

But it sounded convincing. My friend stared up at the bright blue sky, noticing an owl flying towards the castle. I followed his gaze. Oh, there's a letter in someone's beak.

Harry jumped to his feet.

"Where are you going?" I asked sleepily. I wanted to lie on the soft green grass, not run after this hurricane. My friend is running so fast that I can't keep up with him. Even though I run in the morning.

"I just remembered something," Harry explained. His face turned white. "We need to go to Hagrid's right away."

"What for?" Ten minutes later, Hermione asked for the hundredth time, trying to keep up with Harry rushing ahead. My friend was running so fast that I could barely keep up with him. And Hermione was already panting.

"Don't you think it's all very strange?" Harry finally said, climbing the grassy slope. The grass, damp from the recent rain, slid underfoot. Damn, not only is there a steam room today, but you can also climb up on the slope.

"Strangely, Hagrid dreamed of a dragon more than anything else in the world. And then suddenly a stranger appeared, who miraculously had a dragon egg in his pocket. After all, dragon breeding is prohibited. How many people do you think are wandering around England with dragon eggs in their pockets? And how many people are lucky enough to meet their Hagrid? Why didn't I think of that before?"

"Do you think they brought it to him on purpose? But why?" I asked, puzzled, but Harry had already started running and therefore did not answer.

Hagrid was sitting in an armchair two steps away from his hut, with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his trouser legs rolled up, peeling peas. There was a large pot at his feet.

"Hi!" He said, smiling. "Well, did you pass everything? Would you like some tea?"

"I'd love to..." I began, but Harry cut me off.

"No, Hagrid, we're in a hurry. We just stopped by to check something with you. Do you remember the night you won at Norbert's cards? Who did the stranger look like?"

"I don't know." Hagrid shrugged his shoulders. The question clearly didn't bother him. "He was wearing a hood."

Hagrid noticed how Harry, Hermione, and I froze, and raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

"Yes, this is a common thing at the Boar's Head... well.. in this... in the village bar. There's a lot of stuff... uh... Strange people hanging around. You can meet anyone, for sure," he explained. "Maybe it was a dragon trader, so he hid his face, it's illegal. So I didn't see who he looked like."

Harry sank to the ground.

"What were you talking to him about, Hagrid? Did you say that you work at Hogwarts?"

"Maybe." Hagrid looked unusually serious. It seemed like it took an effort for him to remember that evening. "Yes... He kind of asked me what I was doing. And I told him that I work as a forester at the school... He also asked me... uh... about the various animals I'm looking after here... Well, I answered him... And then he said that he always... well... I dreamed of having a dragon... And then... I don't remember very well, he was buying me drinks all the time... Now, now... Yeah, he said later that he had an egg, and if I wanted to, we could play cards on it... And yet... here... He asked me if I knew how to handle dragons. He didn't want to lose it to anyone... And I told him that... That one... After the Fluffy, I can easily handle the dragon..."

"And he is... Did he ask anything about Fluffy?" Harry asked.

"Well... yes... What's the big deal? Do you think there are a lot of Cerberus roaming the world? Well, I told you about the Cannon... well... That he's cute if you know how to treat him, yes! Just sing to him, or play the flute a little, or some other instrument, and he'll fall asleep right away..."

Hagrid suddenly looked scared.

"I shouldn't have told you that!" he roared. "In short, forget what I said here! Hey, where are you going?"

Harry, Hermione, and I didn't say a word to each other until we were inside the castle. It was very cold and gloomy here, not like in the open air.

"We need to go to Dumbledore," said Harry. "Hagrid told that stranger how to get past the Cannon. And it was either Snape or Voldemort, hiding his face under a hood and getting Hagrid drunk so that he couldn't recognize him. I hope Dumbledore believes us. And maybe Firenze will confirm my words, if Bane doesn't stop him. By the way, where is Dumbledore's office?"

We looked around, hoping to see a sign. We were never told where Dumbledore lives and works. And we didn't remember anyone ever being called to a professor.

"We're going to have to..." Harry began, but was cut off by a distant voice.

"What are you three doing in the castle? The weather outside is just wonderful."

Professor McGonagall was approaching us. She had a stack of books in her hands.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore." Hermione stepped forward bravely, surprising Harry and me with her courage.

"To see Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall asked again, looking as if she found these words suspicious. "And why?"

"Harry took a deep breath and spoke quickly."

"It's a secret," the professor's nostrils began to flare angrily.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," Professor McGonagall said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and immediately went back to London."

"Has he left?" Harry said in a weak voice. "At this hour?"

"You see, Mr. Potter, Professor Dumbledore is a very famous wizard, and he often has urgent matters."

"But it's important," Harry insisted.

"Potter, you mean." Professor McGonagall didn't add her usual "mister" to his last name. This meant that she was already beside herself and was only holding herself together with an effort of will. "Are you saying that your case is much more important than the one that sent Professor Dumbledore to the Ministry of Magic?"

"Listen, Professor," Harry began in an uncertain tone. "This is about the Philosopher's stone..."

It is unknown what Professor McGonagall expected to hear from him, but clearly not these words. The books fell out of her hands, but she didn't even notice it.

"Where from... How do you know that?" She said nervously.

"Professor, I think... I know... like a dream... Sna..." Harry broke off, immediately correcting himself. "That someone wants to steal the Philosopher's Stone. I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall was shocked by what she heard. But she didn't lose her suspicion and continued to stare at Harry intently.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow" Finally, she said after a long pause. "I have no idea how you found out about the stone, but be sure that it is very well guarded and no one will be able to steal it."

"But the professor..."

"Potter, I know what I'm talking about." Professor McGonagall snapped. She bent down and began to pick up the fallen books. "I think it's better for the three of you to go outside and enjoy the good weather properly."

She left, but we didn't follow her advice.

"It's going to happen tonight," said Harry, as soon as Professor McGonagall was far enough away that she couldn't hear us. "Snape is going to the hiding place today. He found out everything he needed to know and waited for Dumbledore to leave. I'm sure he's the one who sent Dumbledore the owl, and everyone at the Ministry of Magic will be terribly surprised when Dumbledore shows up."

"But what about us..." Hermione gasped for air. Harry and I, noticing that she was looking behind us, quickly looked around. Snape was standing behind us.

"Good afternoon," he greeted politely. We stared at him in silence, our eyes wide open.

"Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the good weather," Snape said with a strange crooked smile. Then he touched Harry's forehead and cursed. "Potter, why haven't you been to the hospital wing yet?"

"We..." Harry began.

"You should exercise reasonable caution", Snape finished for him. The professor reached into his belt pouch and pulled out painkillers and anti-inflammatory potions. "Drink this and go for a walk. Lie down on the grass by the lake. You look like you're up to something. And your department can't afford another hundred penalty points, can it?

Harry blushed deeply. We had already turned our backs on Snape when he called out to Harry.

"I'm warning you, Potter, one more night walk around the school and I'll personally make sure you get expelled. And now, have a nice day."

Snape turned around and walked towards the staff room. Damn, how did he know that Harry was walking around the school? Or was he the only time McGonagall caught him?

We were leaving the castle, descending the stone steps, when Harry turned to us.