Poisonous

After October, the weather cleared up, Albert left Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who were engrossed in their homework, and took his Tom out for a walk by himself.

Some people say that walking the cat is not a good choice, but Albert has walked the cat several times. When Tom goes out with him, the cat stays close by his side. If the cat runs around, it will be summoned back by Summoning Charm.

After being summoned Summoning Charm a few times, Tom knew he couldn't just wander off when he came out.

When the person and the cat were passing by the fourth floor, they encountered Professor Quirrell.

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor's complexion was far worse than when he first arrived at Hogwarts. Perhaps it was because he was possessed by Voldemort, or perhaps he was being tormented by Voldemort because he had been unable to steal the Philosopher's Stone.

Good morning, sir.

"Good morning."

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor gave a dry response.

"Professor, I have a question about banshee." Before Professor Quirrell could refuse, Albert quickly began to talk about the banshee Choir at the first-year Halloween Party.

Professor Quirrell opened his mouth. He really didn't want to run into Albert right now. Every time they met on the way, as long as he wasn't in a hurry, Albert would pull out one of those strange questions that you had to admit was actually quite insightful.

"The banshee ' voices are deadly because their screams carry curses. I think that's where the Choir started. As for other reasons, I don't have any clue yet." Quirrell spoke slowly, hesitantly. "I'll tell you when I find the reason!"

After saying that, Professor Quirrell slipped away, afraid that Albert would come up with some strange question again.

Watching Professor Quirrell's departing figure, Albert picked up Tom, scratched his chin, and muttered softly, "Tom, you're really not very reliable!"

Perhaps Dumbledore to have the professors set up mechanisms to Protect the Philosopher's Stone worked, or perhaps Quirrell himself was waiting for the perfect moment to avoid being discovered by the professors while taking the Philosopher's Stone.

In short, Quirrell is still lying low, and his efficiency is appallingly low.

Of course, it could also be that Ravenclaw House students are generally more cautious! If Quirrell were a Gryffindor student, he would probably have acted recklessly first and done nothing, instead of having the time to slowly gather information and figure out what the professors had set up.

Although the efficiency was low, Quirrell did a good job and successfully navigated the traps set by the professors. However, he did not find out how to break Dumbledore's traps.

If Harry hadn't happened to show up, Albert even doubted that Quirrell would ever have been able to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone from the Magic Mirror.

Yes, that's right. Albert thinks it's possible that having Harry Potter confront Voldemort was a scheme orchestrated by Dumbledore.

Halfway there, Albert encountered a minor setback.

Tom and Mrs. Norris met, one very fat and the other very thin, creating a stark contrast.

The two cats stared at each other and bared their teeth in a show of defiance as soon as they met. Albert thought they were going to fight and was about to pick up his own cat when he saw Tom raise his paw and swing it at Mrs. Norris. After Mrs. Norris dodged it, Tom quickly ran to Albert's feet, looking like he had a powerful backer.

"Okay, stop fooling around."

This scene made Albert want to laugh. He took out some dried fish from his pocket, placed it in front of Mrs. Norris, and then left with his Tom.

I don't know if it's because he's been exercising lately, but Tom's physical fitness has improved a lot. At least when he goes downstairs, he's not so tired that he collapses on the ground.

Along the way, quite a few girls wanted to pet Tom, but he refused them all, complaining that Albert had given his dried fish to other cats.

Albert led Tom out of the castle and headed towards Hagrid's Hut.

He didn't let Tom run around in the surrounding bushes. It had just rained yesterday, and the ground was very dirty. If Tom got himself all dirty, Albert would have to spend time bathing him. Bathing a cat is hard work, even if it's a cat that takes baths regularly.

Tom was suspended in mid-air by Albert's Levitation Charm. It had gotten used to the feeling of floating in mid-air and was not as panicked as it was the first time. It paddled with its four feet off the ground, as if it were taking a space walk.

Albert raised his hand and knocked on Hagrid's wooden door. A moment later, he heard scratching sounds coming from inside; Fang was scratching at the door.

A moment later, the door opened, Hagrid, wearing an apron and humming a tune, appeared to be preparing lunch.

Tom was startled by Hagrid and meowed.

"Your cat?" Hagrid glanced at Tom and stepped aside to let Albert in.

"It's really fat."

"Yes, Tom is a bit chubby. I've been trying to figure out how to help him lose weight." Albert put Tom on the table, Fang curiously came over, put its paws on the table, and stretched its head to sniff Tom intensely, which startled Tom, who ran to Albert's side and squatted down.

"Hagrid, what are you doing?" Albert asked, watching Hagrid stir with a spoon.

"Mushroom soup, would you like some? The fresh mushrooms are delicious," Hagrid said excitedly.

"Fresh mushrooms?" After feeding Fang some dog food, Albert came to Hagrid's side, looked at the mushroom soup in the pot, and then looked around before his gaze fell on a basket in the corner.

"Where did these mushrooms come from? Did you buy them?" Albert asked casually as he walked toward the basket.

"Bought? No, no, there are always plenty of delicious mushrooms in the Forbidden Forest on rainy days. I went into the forest this morning and just picked some to bring back."

"Is it edible?"

"Of course you can eat it." Hagrid pointed to the strangely shaped mushroom that looked a bit like an animal's brain. "It grew when it rained. Would you like to stay and try my cooking later?"

Albert raised an eyebrow. It looked a bit like a deer flower fungus.

If it is a deer antler mushroom, it must be cooked thoroughly before consumption; eating it raw can lead to poisoning.

However, Albert quickly expressed doubt about Hagrid's claim of being able to eat.

"Hagrid, I have to remind you, according to common sense, most brightly colored mushrooms are highly poisonous." Albert saw a bright red mushroom with unique white spots on it, looking like a cute red mushroom from a fairy tale or cartoon.

Hmm, poisonous... mushrooms.

"You mean this? I call it the Drunken Mushroom. It's pretty good; eating a small amount will give you a slightly intoxicating feeling, like you've had too much alcohol," Hagrid said casually, clearly having already eaten some.

Albert thought carefully and realized he seemed to have seen similar records.

Yes, it's a poisonous mushroom. Small quantities can be used to make Potions, but if used directly, it can cause hallucinations and drive you insane.

Albert glanced into the basket again and thought that most of the mushrooms Hagrid had brought back from the Forbidden Forest were poisonous. Perhaps Hagrid himself was more resistant to poison, but if Albert ate even a little bit of the poisonous mushroom soup, he might have to be carried sideways into the School Hospital later.

"Hagrid, I have to remind you..." Albert was about to speak when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

He went to open the door, and there were Harry and Ron.

The two looked at Albert, who had opened the door, with surprise.

"Harry, Ron, would you like to have lunch here? Try my freshly made mushroom soup," Hagrid said, turning to the visitors with a smile.

Mushroom soup?

The two were drawn to the cat on the table and the dog lying beside it, and paused for a moment after hearing Hagrid's words.

"Albert, you really should have some, these mushrooms are really delicious." Hagrid scooped a big spoonful into his bowl, and the rich aroma of mushrooms filled the room.

"This smells delicious," Ron said.

Give me some.

Harry walked over and looked at the mushroom soup, which looked pretty good.

Albert's lips twitched. If the famous Harry Potter were to die from eating poisonous mushrooms, it would truly become a joke.

And you?

Hagrid served Harry another bowl.

Before Harry could start eating, a hand was placed on his shoulder, stopping him from doing so.

"Weasley, you'd better not touch that stuff if you don't want to get poisoned," Albert warned.

Ron was startled and almost dropped the wooden spoon in his hand.

"Don't talk nonsense, how come I'm fine after eating it?" Hagrid was stunned, scooped up a spoonful and put it in his mouth, smacked it a couple of times, and looked at Albert in confusion.

"Just because you're okay doesn't mean everyone else is okay," Albert said, shaking his head. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can go and see the mushrooms Hagrid picked from the Forbidden Forest; eight out of ten of them are poisonous."

Harry looked at Albert suspiciously, thinking that the other man wouldn't make things up, nor would he need to.

"Real?"

Ron looked at Harry, puzzled, then at Albert, and walked toward the basket. Of course, he couldn't actually tell which mushrooms were poisonous.

"Mushrooms with bright colors are usually poisonous," Albert warned.

"Ron's expression was really not good."

"Really?" Hagrid asked suspiciously. "Those mushrooms tasted quite delicious. He's already eaten almost half a bowl, and nothing seems wrong with him."

"Eat it if you don't believe me." Albert shrugged, indicating that he had said everything he needed to say, and there was nothing he could do if people didn't believe him.

P. S.: Just a quick rant: the author doesn't get paid for subscribing to this book elsewhere besides Qidian.