Two Against One, and He Called in Reinforcements

"I'm sorry, Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall said awkwardly, "I'll have them write a thousand-word self-criticism for you later."

It is clearly irrational to suspect a school professor without any evidence.

Snape snorted, somewhat dissatisfied with this explanation.

But since Professor McGonagall has already said so, and as a professor and head of Hogwarts, we have to give her face.

"Didn't Aaron also suspect Professor Quirrell?" Ron said somewhat unconvinced. "Does he have any evidence?"

And why did you all rush over in such a hurry just because he had his pet deliver a message?

Harry and I went to see you in person, but you ignored us. That's not fair.

"Unfair?" Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, then explained, "It seems you've misunderstood something."

Aaron also had no evidence that Professor Quirrell intended to harm the Philosopher's Stone, but he Dumbledore for the ability to summon both professors once, at their beck and call.

Ron was stunned, and Hermione was also stunned for a moment before she showed a look of sudden realization.

They now understood why Aaron didn't want to enter the Trapdoor, and why he was so confident that he could stop the You-Know-Who.

The Headmaster is arguably the strongest force at Hogwarts besides the Headmaster himself. Since he can mobilize two Headmasters to his side at once, he naturally has nothing to fear.

The only challenge is to determine the timing of the You-Know-Who's actions. Only by seizing this opportunity can the problem be solved once and for all. No wonder he was waiting at the corridor entrance every night.

"So that's how it is!" Hermione smiled awkwardly, her feelings quite complicated.

Ron also realized what was happening, "But why didn't Aaron tell us sooner?"

That way we won't have to go through the Trapdoor or navigate through so many complicated checkpoints.

"Was it useful?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "He said he was confident he could stop the You-Know-Who from getting the Philosopher's Stone, and we came here on our own."

He urged us to go back more than once, but we ourselves were unwilling to leave.

After we passed through the Devil's Snare, he suggested we wait a bit, because we were worried the You-Know-Who would use that time to get the Philosopher's Stone and rush off to the next level.

Ron's lips twitched; the image was indeed like that.

They insisted on getting involved. Aaron tried to stop them, but he couldn't, and they dragged him in instead.

"So that means we came for nothing?"

"Your trip wasn't in vain. You'll cause Gryffindor's already limited grades to drop another level," Professor Snape said coldly.

"What?"

Hermione and Ron were immediately disheartened and found it hard to accept.

They've already deducted 150 points from Gryffindor, which is a historical record. If they do it again, they'll be too ashamed to face anyone.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. At least your initial intentions were good," Professor McGonagall comforted her. "If someone really wanted to steal the Philosopher's Stone, then your actions last night were not only not wrong, but actually commendable."

"That's good." Ron breathed a sigh of relief.

"But why Professor Quirrell?" Hermione asked. "He doesn't seem like a brave person!"

"We don't know if it's true or not, but it's never a bad thing to come and see," Professor McGonagall said.

"Let's not talk about that now," Professor Snape, looking at the two of them with a stern face. "Where are my students?"

What stage are he at with Harry Potter?

"If nothing unexpected happens, we should be at the final level by now," Hermione said embarrassedly. "The next level is Troll, but the monster has already been defeated."

As for the penultimate challenge you designed, Professor Snape, Aaron beat it in ten seconds.

"Ten seconds? Are you kidding me?"

"I'm really not kidding."

Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall were both taken aback. They had both thought this hurdle would slow down the two students, but it seemed that plans couldn't keep up with changes.

Having an excellent student is a good thing, but when a student is too excellent, to the point of exceeding the teacher's expectations, it becomes embarrassing.

Snape took a deep breath and quickened his pace to the next door.

Professor McGonagall was also very worried. "Granger, take Ron and get out of here right away."

If this is true, then this place could be very dangerous.

The previous level had Magic Broom that could fly you out of the Trapdoor. As for Three-headed Dog, he's currently asleep, so don't worry about him.

"But..."

"No buts. Your presence here would only be a burden. We cannot afford to be distracted from now on."

Hermione nodded and was about to help Ron leave.

Just then, Harry screamed and rushed out of the Troll's room, nearly bumping into Snape who had just reached the door.

"You can't escape, Harry Potter," Professor Quirrell sneered. "Hand over the Philosopher's Stone."

But when he rushed out of the room, he was completely taken aback; several dark lines instantly appeared on his pale face.

Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall were both there; he had truly walked right into the line of fire.

"Professor, help me!" Harry was overjoyed, as if he had grasped a ray of light in the darkness, and ran quickly behind Professor McGonagall.

"Are you alright, Mr. Potter?"

"Everything is alright for now, and thankfully you arrived in time."

"Where is Aaron?" Snape asked.

"He..." Harry hesitated, looking at Hermione and the others who were staring at him, and lowered his head in shame. "I... I don't know."

"How could you not know?" Hermione couldn't help but ask. "Didn't you fight the next level together?"

"Yes, we obtained the Philosopher's Stone from the Mirror of Erised."

Dumbledore put the Philosopher's Stone in Aaron's pocket, then gave it to me. To buy me time to escape, he chose to face Professor Quirrell alone.

By the way, Professor Quirrell is now possessed by Voldemort, and he's incredibly terrifying.

Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.

With Quirrell here, it means Aaron is Elphias Doge.

"This can't be real." Hermione staggered back a few steps, her vision blurred, unable to accept this cruel reality.

"Hermione," Ron said, pursing his lips, "Cheer up."

How can I pull myself together?

If anything happens to him, we'll be responsible for at least a large part of the reason.

Snape wasn't in a good mood either, but compared to these young Warlock, he was used to all sorts of things and quickly calmed down. "What did you do to my student?"

"You shouldn't be asking me that question, Snape," Professor Quirrell said calmly. "It was Voldemort who did it himself."

"I didn't kill him."

A hoarse voice suddenly rang out, and at the same time, a ferocious face moved from the back of Quirrell's head to the front, "That little guy's talent and temperament have exceeded my expectations."

I can't bear to part with such a promising talent.

Besides, I know Dumbledore too well; I know his thoughts perfectly well, so I won't fall for it.

I never expected to be tricked by a young Warlock. Gaius said he informed Hagrid, that brute, before coming, but I didn't expect it to be the two of you.

However, it takes skill for him to fool me with such a little trick.

"What did you do to him?" Snape asked again.

"Nothing much, just a little spell that put him in a slumber for a month," Voldemort sneered. "Severus, I'll give you a chance."

"Abandon darkness and embrace light! Help me get the Philosopher's Stone, I..."

"Professor Snape won't help you," Aaron suddenly interjected. "I thought you two were going to fight! This is the end? That's a bit disappointing!"

"What's wrong with you?"

"How come I'm fine?" Aaron shrugged. "I made thorough preparations before I came. I sent letters to the two professors, a music box to put the Three-headed Dog to sleep, Felix Felicis to improve luck, and a magical item to save my life and withstand a full-force attack from Grand Archmage, and so on."

I used most of my spells, but your spell had absolutely no effect on me.

The situation is now clear: one against one, you're dead.

"Is that so?" Voldemort sneered, then gave Snape a meaningful look. "That's not necessarily true."

"No, you're really going to die." Aaron glanced at the silent Professor Snape, lost in thought. "Even if you have any other tricks up your sleeve, they won't be of any use."

Haven't you ever wondered why Hagrid isn't here?

"That Giant?" Voldemort paused for a moment, a sense of the Grim washing over him.

Everyone else can choose not to come, but given Hagrid's concern for these three Gryffindor, he should be here, and he must be here.

"Could it be..."

That's right.

After I learned that Dumbledore had left the school, I guessed that you were going to make a move.

Aside from his inability to keep secrets, Hagrid was otherwise quite capable, so I persuaded him to help deliver a message to Dumbledore.

With Dumbledore's abilities, as long as he's fast enough, half a day is enough time for him to return to Hogwarts.

I think Voldemort in his current state wouldn't be a match for the White Lord at his peak!