Free of Hermione's clutches, Harry, Ron, and Neville were like three happy little pigs, or something else-happy, at any rate. They would almost have skipped all the way to Hagrid's Hut if Hermione hadn't been coming along too.
Although Hermione was reluctant to sacrifice her precious revision time, she was still very curious about the Philosopher's Stone.
Besides bravery, curiosity was probably another defining Gryffindor trait. In any case, Harry and the others were all very curious. They had all heard the saying "curiosity killed the cat," but none of them remembered it just then.
And so, toward evening, Harry and the others arrived at the gamekeeper's grounds where Hagrid's Hut stood.
"I love the air here. It smells of freedom," Ron said exaggeratedly. "Most importantly, it doesn't smell of anything."
Then Hermione kicked him. "We're continuing the revision plan tomorrow."
"At least today-today I'm free," Ron insisted.
At that moment, Harry was certain Ron and the twins were brothers. The way Ron spoke just then sounded very much like Fred and George.
When they reached the hut's door, Harry and the others were somewhat surprised to find that all its windows were tightly covered with thick curtains. Although nights in the United Kingdom were still a little chilly in late April, the days weren't nearly that cold.
The sun had only just set, and it certainly wasn't cold enough to need everything shut up so tightly.
Something was going on!
Harry exchanged a glance with Ron and the others, then banged on the door.
After calling out a question, Hagrid hurriedly let them in, then quickly shut the door again.
The room was absurdly hot. There was actually a fire burning in the fireplace, and Harry's glasses fogged up thickly the moment he stepped inside.
"Honestly, isn't there some