Hey, Snape, You Old Coot!

"Did Hagrid tell you about the Philosopher's Stone?"

A low voice drifted over from ahead.

Dylan shook his head. "I guessed it based on some details Harry told me. Of course, when I went to see Hagrid some time ago, he accidentally let a few things slip. That was what confirmed for me that the thing was the Philosopher's Stone."

The last time Neville had dragged him to see Hagrid, they had gone to Hagrid's Hut again after Hagrid finished preparing the Special Nutrient for the Flame Thorns.

Neville had gone to get the nutrient while Dylan chatted with Hagrid. Hagrid had indeed let a few things slip by accident.

"That fellow." Professor Snape's voice was gloomy.

"You can't really blame him. I suspect that, because he was worried about the Philosopher's Stone being stolen, he hadn't been sleeping well lately and was always suffering from insomnia. That's why he let something slip without meaning to." Dylan added a word in Hagrid's defense.

The reason he had brought up the Philosopher's Stone directly in front of Snape was, first, because Hagrid had accidentally let something slip to him before.

Although Hagrid had not said the name of the Philosopher's Stone outright, he had stopped himself midway through speaking at the time.

But combined with what Harry had described to him, anyone who heard it could easily determine that the thing Hagrid had taken from Gringotts was the Philosopher's Stone.

By exposing the matter directly to Snape now, he could also avoid Dumbledore coming after him later.

He really did not want to have too much to do with Old Dumbledore.

The second reason was that he had not deliberately intended to throw Harry under the bus.

Dylan suspected that these matters had very likely been arranged behind the scenes by Old Dumbledore.

Even if that was not the case, Old Dumbledore certainly knew about some of the things Harry had been doing lately.

Therefore, even though he had used Incendio to cover up the traces of his use of Dark Magic,

with Old Dumbledore very likely watching Harry's actions all along, if Dylan wanted to stay completely out of it, it would be best to tell a professor what he had heard.

And Professor Snape was clearly very suitable for that role.

He intended to present himself as a First-Year Young Wizard who knew about the Philosopher's Stone but had no interest or ulterior motives concerning it—just a young wizard who loved learning and was honest and reliable.

In fact, Dylan did have some ideas about the Philosopher's Stone.

However, he did not want to use the Philosopher's Stone to achieve so-called immortality. He wanted to study it.

In this world, besides the Philosopher's Stone, other ways of extending one's lifespan included drinking Unicorn Blood and creating a Horcrux.

But none of these methods was reliable.

The Philosopher's Stone could extend a person's life, but it could not stop the body from aging.

Unicorn Blood would curse the person who drank it.

And Horcruxes...

They had even more side effects.

Either the soul became incomplete, or one's emotions and mentality gradually became twisted.

The results of those who tried to defy the laws of nature through such crooked means were obvious.

However, Nicolas Flamel had been able to research the Philosopher's Stone through his own efforts. No matter how one looked at it, his eventual fate was far better than Voldemort's or Herpo the Foul's.

Since the Philosopher's Stone could be researched, even though it could not make the human body immune to aging, what if the results of further research could take things a step further?

Magic was just like scientific research.

With enough hard work, progress would always be possible!

Professor Snape led Dylan toward the stairs.

But halfway there, they ran into two people head-on.

"Hm? Dylan?"

Professor McGonagall and Quirrell stood in front of Snape and Dylan.

Professor McGonagall stared at Dylan's figure, somewhat stunned.

Dylan opened his mouth, just about to say something.

But Professor Snape suddenly said, "He used my Potion to deal with a Troll."

Hm?

Dylan was somewhat surprised, but he remained expressionless as he glanced at Professor Snape from the corner of his eye.

Oh, you sly old coot~

"What?" Professor McGonagall froze, her expression turning shocked as even the wrinkles on her face seemed to smooth out. "You killed a Troll? Where?"

Dylan glanced at Quirrell, then pointed toward the underground classroom ahead.

"Over there, in the Lavatory. Harry and the others are there too."

"What?!!!" Professor McGonagall's eyes widened, and she hurried toward the underground classroom.

She went straight to the Girls' Lavatory.

There, she saw a freckle-faced Young Wizard standing awkwardly to one side, apologizing to another young wizard.

"I know what I said was awful. I'm sorry, Hermione."

The instant Ron finished speaking,

the three of them noticed Professor McGonagall rushing in through the doorway.

They were just about to greet her when Professor Snape entered as well, his face dark.

Harry, Ron, and the others immediately shrank their necks and lowered their heads.

"You really are bold." Professor McGonagall frowned and glanced at the Troll lying beside the stall.

The Troll's originally savage body had been burned beyond recognition by the flames. Its four limbs stretched out in twisted positions.

Its basic features had been burned into an indistinguishable blur. Only its two dark, hollow eyes remained visible as it lay on its side, staring toward them.

"Oh, my goodness. Dylan, did you do all this with Professor Snape's Potion?" Professor McGonagall turned around and looked at Dylan, who was walking over from the doorway at a leisurely pace.

"What, Potion?" Ron stared blankly. He was just about to say something when Hermione, beside him, fiercely pinched the soft flesh on his arm.

"Ts!"

Ron immediately widened his eyes, but he did not dare make a sound.

Dylan nodded. "Besides that, my Blaze Spell also made an outstanding contribution."

Snape took two steps forward, pulled out a handkerchief, covered his nose, and looked down at the Troll.

After a long while, he narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

Instead, he turned to Harry. "I heard that you brought Hawkwood and Mr. Weasley here?"

Harry blinked. He did not answer for a moment, instead shifting his gaze toward Dylan.

Dylan, however, kept his eyes lowered and stood obediently to one side.

Harry pressed his lips together. "Yes."

"Very good, Mr. Potter. Your recklessness nearly caused a disaster. For that, Gryffindor loses twenty points!"

Harry opened his mouth. "But we came to find Hermione..."

"A classmate went missing, and instead of informing a professor, you chose to take the risk yourselves. And now you're talking back? Gryffindor loses another ten points!"

Professor Snape's voice grew increasingly severe. "If you have anything else to argue, I will suggest that Professor McGonagall assign you a detention. I have no objection to personally—"

"Professor Snape, I know what Harry did was wrong. I will make sure to discipline him properly."

Professor McGonagall suddenly cut Snape off.

Only then did Snape sweep a cold glance over Harry, though he said nothing more.

Professor McGonagall looked back at Harry, her eyes carrying a warning.

Harry finally shut his mouth completely and lowered his head, though he glanced toward Dylan from the corner of his eye.

Wait, why was he the only one getting scolded?

There were so many people who had come with him!