Chapter 42
Days were flying by and it was time for exams.
It was sweltering hot, especially in the large cla.s.sroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anticheating spell.
They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his cla.s.s to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk. Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox -- points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was, but taken away if it had whiskers. Snape made them all nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion.Their very last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who'd invented selfstirring cauldrons and they'd be free, free for a whole wonderful week until their exam results came out. When the ghost of Professor Binns told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Ryan couldn't help cheering with the rest.
Harry suddenly jumped to his feet.
"Where're you going?" said Tonks sleepily.
"I've just thought of something," said Harry. He had turned white. "We've got to go and see Hagrid, now.""Don't you think it's a bit odd," said Harry, scrambling up the gra.s.sy slope, "that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?" he's finally using his noodle thought Ryan as they reached Hagrid hut and he watched Harry bombard Hagrid with questions until he finally blurted out how to make fluffy sleep while Luna was taking notes on the side."We've got to go to Dumbledore," said Harry. "Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy, and it was most likely Snape" Oh boy would he be in for a surprise.They looked around, as if hoping to see a sign pointing them in the right direction. They had never been told where Dumbledore lived, nor did they know anyone who had been sent to see him. "We'll just have to -- " Harry began, but a voice suddenly rang across the hall. "What are you doing inside?"
It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione, rather bravely "See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. "Why?" "It's sort of secret," she said, but she wished at once he hadn't, because Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once." "He's gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time--"
"But this is important."
"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?""Look," said Harry, throwing caution to the winds, "Professor -- it's about the Philosopher's Stone--"
Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn't pick them up. Ryan watched this whole thing by the side getting more and more excited by the second he had to remember not to charge the 3rd floor not to Sparta kick the door not to instantly steal fluffy not to steal the rare devils snare down the hatch. He was hyperventilating at this point with the girls looking at him strangely. "Professor, I think -- I know -- that Sn -- that someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion."Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest a.s.sured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected."
"But Professor--"
"Potter, I know what I'm talking about," she said shortly. She bent down and gathered up the fallen books. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the suns.h.i.+ne."