"Next time you fly, be more careful. Even on a broom, you can't escape that clever wizard!" Since Harry had already apologized, George didn't want anyone to stay angry about what had happened earlier.
Harry repeatedly assured them it would never happen again, and Hermione forgave him.
Harry then began recounting what happened next. "I followed Snape into the Forbidden Forest. I hid in a tall cedar tree, wanting to see what Snape was up to."
"Snape met with Quirrell in private. Quirrell was terrified and stuttered while speaking," Harry said, thinking carefully about how to describe the scene. "Snape asked Quirrell how to deal with Hagrid's creature. Quirrell didn't answer. Then Snape threatened him, saying he wasn't afraid of Quirrell's little tricks and demanded that Quirrell declare his true allegiance. That's what happened."
"So, our earlier guess was correct? The three-headed dog is guarding the Sorcerer's Stone, Snape wants to steal it, and he even threatened Quirrell to help him. He wanted to get from Quirrell how to defeat the dog, and he mentioned Quirrell's tricks," Hermione analyzed the situation systematically.
"Besides Fluffy, are there other protections?" she continued. "Yes, it makes sense. The Stone's defenses include Fluffy, multiple spells by wizards, Quirrell's magic, Snape's power, and even the threat against Quirrell."
"In other words, unless Quirrell resists Snape, the Sorcerer's Stone is in danger?" Ron asked, anxious.
"You're overlooking an important piece of information: the matter of loyalty. Snape and Quirrell are afraid of someone far more dangerous. They serve a mysterious figure," George pointed out, revealing a key detail Harry and the others had missed.
"A mysterious person!" Ron screamed at the word. For years, "the mysterious person" had been a code name.
Harry's chest tightened at the mention of this mysterious figure. No one in the room had a closer connection to him than Harry did.
"That mysterious person is probably dead—or it could be someone else," Hermione said calmly. Coming from a non-magical background, she wasn't intimidated by the idea.
"This person is so powerful that even Snape and Quirrell fear him. It's definitely not Dumbledore," George said first, ruling out one possibility.
"Lucius? He must be connected to Snape," Ron's eyes lit up. He suddenly realized something. "Lucius is the mysterious person's right-hand man. After the mysterious person disappeared, his influence was huge."
"And Lucius is Malfoy's father. Both father and son hate him. So it wouldn't be strange if someone were plotting mischief," Ron continued excitedly, almost convinced that Lucius was behind everything. He added, "After the mysterious person disappeared, many rumors said he would return, and his allies are still active, like Lucius."
Eventually, Ron's voice faded.
"Exactly. As Hagrid said, this adventure involves extremely dangerous people and events. Nicolas Flamel is a great alchemist, and his Sorcerer's Stone is incredibly powerful—a priceless treasure. Someone so strong entrusted it to Dumbledore, and it's still hidden at Hogwarts," George said, sweeping his gaze over the group.
"The Stone is also guarded by a three-headed dog. There are multiple mechanisms and spells set up to defend it against formidable enemies," Hermione added.
"We discovered that Snape might be linked to the mysterious person's right-hand man, Lucius, and threatened Quirrell into helping him get the Stone," Harry slowly summarized, recounting the details.
"Ah!" Ron gasped, stepped forward, and grabbed Harry's robe, his voice trembling. "The Stone can create gold and the Elixir of Life. The mysterious person probably didn't come to Hogwarts for gold alone."
"Even after the mysterious person disappeared, some of their followers remain active. They're helping find the Stone to make the Elixir of Life," George said bluntly, stating the ultimate deduction.
"The followers are trying to use the Elixir to bring the mysterious person back," Harry added, clenching his fists, his face pale.
When everyone absorbed these long-hidden clues and realized the terrifying truth, they were stunned.
They were just first-years, yet they suddenly faced Voldemort—the most powerful, terrifying, and evil enemy in the wizarding world. They had only been following a trail, yet it led them straight into danger, leaving all three of them shocked.
"Don't be afraid. We're first-years, and the professors are still here. It's not our time to confront these mysterious people," they reminded themselves, trying to calm their fear. Though it should have been a huge victory, George didn't want it to be—this conclusion was frightening.
"Yes, I'm sure Dumbledore already knew, which is why he prepared thoroughly, not only with the three-headed dog but also a series of traps and spells," Hermione added, seeking a reason to be optimistic.
"Even though Snape has already tried to steal the Stone," Ron muttered.
"How many times have I told you? You should focus on increasing your own strength," George repeated his familiar warning.
Everyone laughed. At least the process of learning spells and continually improving gave them reassurance and confidence.
Malfoy had grown increasingly angry. He scolded Ron, furious that a Weasley dared to strike him—a blow even Lucius hadn't delivered. Crabbe and Goyle hadn't helped; they were busy cleaning up after Neville. Thinking of Ron's fist hitting his face, Malfoy's eyes stung with pain.
"This isn't over. I have to drive that Weasley out of Hogwarts. And Harry Potter too," Malfoy fumed. The very thought of Harry Potter made him seethe.
"How dare Harry refuse me? He can't refuse me! I am, of course, Harry's true friend. I just remembered—I've known Harry Potter for a long time," Malfoy said angrily.
"Everyone, be sure to give this story a Powerstone! Also, 30 advanced chapters of this story are uploaded on my Patreon—you can go there and read them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"