Chapter 226: The Stone Wall Finally Opens
Phineas shook his head, offering no reply. He had already decided—he would confirm the existence of Hufflepuff's secret chamber and investigate it himself. If what lay within proved beneficial to the others, he would share it with them. Otherwise, he wouldn't mention it.
Phineas knew not to bite off more than he could chew. Without the system, even Ravenclaw's inheritance would have been enough to study for a lifetime. Nicolas, Pandora, Lily—even Dumbledore—had reached great heights largely due to their inheritances.
So, unless Hufflepuff's legacy offered something essential to the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan, he would let them focus entirely on Gryffindor's teachings. In the magical world, transfiguration was invaluable in both combat and everyday life. With mastery of Gryffindor's inheritance, the trio could certainly become great wizards. Of course, reaching the level of a legendary wizard required more than strength or spellwork—it demanded something beyond conventional growth.
Seeing that Phineas didn't want to explain further, the twins and Jordan refrained from pressing him. After more than two years of camaraderie, they trusted him. They knew he would never harm them—and that he would always share what was worth sharing.
If Phineas chose silence, then perhaps it was something they weren't ready—or meant—to know.
There was a celebration that evening in the Gryffindor common room, so after a few more words, the trio returned to join the festivities.
As they stepped out of the unused classroom, they were startled to find three familiar figures lingering near the door.
"Harry?"
"Ron?"
"What are you doing here?"
The three groups exchanged questions in quick succession.
Harry, Ron, and Neville looked at one another awkwardly, faces flushed with guilt—they'd clearly been trying to eavesdrop.
"Um... we were looking for Phineas," Ron said hastily, eyes darting. "Yes—we needed to speak with him."
The twins rolled their eyes. They knew Ron's relationship with Phineas wasn't exactly warm. He had never approached Phineas alone like this before—not since that summer at the Burrow. Ginny had occasionally sought his advice on magic, but Ron had always kept his distance.
It was obvious Ron was lying—but none of them called him out. Compared to themselves, Ron held far more apprehension around Phineas.
Harry could sense it too. He knew about Ron's criticisms of Phineas in private, which was likely why he grabbed Ron and Neville and pulled them into the classroom before the twins or Jordan could say anything.
After checking that Peeves wasn't around, Harry shut the door and turned to Phineas.
"I saw something near the Forbidden Forest," he said. "I think you'll want to hear it."
He relayed what he'd seen.
"So," Phineas said, "do you believe me now—that what Dumbledore's hiding is the Philosopher's Stone?"
Harry, Ron, and Neville nodded at once.
"And you still suspect Snape?"
Harry said quickly, "He threatened Professor Quirrell—demanded to know how to get past Fluffy—and warned him about some 'tricks.' I don't think Fluffy is the only protection. There must be more enchantments, right?"
Phineas sighed. "I told you before Christmas that the Philosopher's Stone is guarded by a series of protections set up by various professors. Didn't you pay attention—or did you just forget?"
Harry frowned. "But I heard Snape with my own ears. I thought maybe Quirrell had added some anti-dark magic to the protections, and Snape was trying to break through it."
"Harry," Phineas said, rubbing his temples, "Quirrell couldn't have stopped Snape, even if he did use anti-dark spells. Snape's magical combat ability is vastly superior. At Hogwarts, only three professors are renowned for their dueling prowess—Dumbledore, Flitwick, and Snape. The others might be powerful in theory, but in terms of combat? Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald. Flitwick was once a European Dueling Champion. And Snape... well, he spent years fighting during the war. He was on the front lines—against Death Eaters, Aurors, and members of the Order alike."
Phineas paused, letting it sink in.
"Snape's skill isn't in question. And he contributed to the protections around the Stone. The trap at the end of the fourth-floor corridor is his work. So your assumptions are off."
Harry opened his mouth to object. "But I heard him—"
"And you're not wrong," Phineas interrupted. "You did hear him threaten Quirrell. But what did they say before you arrived? You already dislike Snape—so you hear what you want to hear. But if you look at the facts: Quirrell is suspicious. Snape helped guard the Stone. It's not unreasonable to consider that Snape might be protecting it."
He fixed Harry with a firm stare. "Stop overthinking it—especially you, Harry. The Stone has nothing to do with you. The professors are handling it. And I'll tell you this: by next Tuesday, the Philosopher's Stone will be relocated, and the danger will pass."
Harry blinked. "So… if Quirrell can hold out against Snape for a week, the Stone will be safe?"
Phineas stared at him, stunned. Even after all that explanation, Harry still believed Quirrell might be innocent—and Snape the villain.
Typical Gryffindor—stubborn, self-righteous, and convinced the world revolves around them.
Phineas sighed. He wasn't going to keep arguing. After sending the trio away, he turned to Puff.
It was time.
Puff had never been to the Gryffindor secret chamber, so he couldn't travel there alone. Phineas, unable to Apparate directly within Hogwarts, needed Puff's help to reach the entrance.
Thankfully, he'd marked the location when he last visited. They wouldn't have to go through the mermaid colony in the Black Lake again.
After a long journey, Phineas and Puff finally located the hidden cave. Before him stood a massive, dark cauldron.
It reminded him of a legendary artifact: Devyn Cei's Cauldron—one of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain. Said to cook only for the brave, it would reject the cowardly.
In normal circumstances, he wouldn't have dared to tamper with it. But if something went wrong, Puff could still get him back to Hogwarts.
He cast a transfiguration spell, turning a piece of candy into a spoon. With trembling hands, he scooped up a spoonful of the dark, unappetizing liquid and braced himself.
He swallowed.
Despite its grotesque appearance, the liquid tasted like rich, savory broth. Warmth spread through his body, his limbs filling with energy.
But the real effect was deeper—his magic surged with renewed strength, and a calm clarity settled over his mind. He felt braver, more prepared to face hardship.
This... this was a gift worth sharing. He would bring George, Fred, and Jordan back here.
He didn't dare take the cauldron itself—it was massive, unwieldy, and perhaps the liquid lost its properties outside the cauldron.
Instead, he filled Hufflepuff's golden cup with the broth and returned with Puff to the Forbidden Forest cave.
He placed the cup into its pedestal, aligning it with the golden sculptures.
A glow pulsed from the base of each sculpture. The ground trembled—not like an earthquake, but something localized and intentional.
The stone wall ahead cracked, parting slowly from bottom to top, revealing a hidden tunnel.
Phineas exhaled, relief washing over him. Days of tension vanished in an instant.
The passage didn't lead forward as he expected—but down. Of course. Hufflepuff had always favored the underground. Her common room, the kitchens, the house-elf graveyard, and her dungeon—all were deep beneath the surface.
But this passage was unlike any he'd seen. Its walls were smooth, the air silent. No bones, no torches. Only darkness.
Phineas summoned light with his left glove, wand at the ready in his right. Puff and Egg Roll flanked him, alert and vigilant.
If danger struck, Egg Roll would hold the line while Puff escaped with Phineas—no matter the cost.
They descended deeper.
After ten minutes, they'd passed the equivalent of a single Hogwarts floor. But they walked for over forty.
And still, the tunnel went on.
Why build a secret chamber so far beneath the Forbidden Forest?
Helga Hufflepuff's dungeon beneath Hogwarts was ten floors down. Yet here, Phineas hadn't even reached the end.
Finally, after fifty minutes, the passage ended.
A blank stone wall awaited them. No door, no runes—just silence.
Had the journey been for nothing?
Phineas stared at the wall, heart pounding, wondering if the secret chamber still had one last test.