"I wish you could tell me what you are doing here."
Ron opened his mouth, and his eyes subconsciously fell on Snape's dusty robe.
Just as Draco was about to speak, Harry had already answered first.
"Professor, we were just helping Madam Hooch take care of the students, and we also cleaned up the aisles."
Snape slowly raised his eyebrows.
He looked at Madam Hooch not far away. After receiving a positive nod, the cold gaze fell back on the three of them.
"It seems that you finally know how to do something appropriate for your age when danger occurs."
"Yes, Professor." Harry nodded seriously, "I think you should be happy for us."
Ron suddenly turned his face to the side, and Draco also pursed his lips.
Snape looked at him and said nothing.
Before the dust on the hem of his robe had even settled, this kid had already made him realize again what it meant to have a headache.
"Potter, if you just ran away from the Great Hall, now it's time for Madam Pomfrey to appreciate your gratifying appearance."
"You are right." Harry answered very sincerely, "That's why we never went out."
Snape's mouth moved.
He followed every sentence he said, but after listening to it, I didn't feel at all comfortable.
"Very good, then keep it up."
He was not prepared to discuss this issue with Harry anymore, and turned his head to look deep into the Great Hall.
The frightened students had already sat back at the long table, and a few children were still holding their wands and staring at the entrance.
Harry also stopped laughing.
"Professor, where is Quirrell?"
Snape glanced at him.
"Escaped. Headmaster Dumbledore has chased away with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick."
Chased out?
Harry suddenly raised his head.
In an instant.
It was as if a bolt of lightning suddenly struck in his mind!
All the things that I had not figured out before suddenly connected together.
Quirrell knew that he was no match for Dumbledore, but he took the initiative to attack Hogwarts.
Why?
Is he stupid?
Of course not!
Quirrell came to Hogwarts not just to blow up a few pillars.
What he wants is Philosopher's Stone!
If he had a way to come back, then now, Dumbledore was led out of the castle by him.
"Professor!"
Harry took a step forward suddenly.
Snape just turned his eyes away, but he called him back again.
"Potter, you'd better be ready to tell me again what earth-shattering secret you discovered."
"It's a pity, Professor." Harry looked at him, "I'm afraid so."
Ron almost couldn't hold it back. Just as he was about to lower his head, he realized that Harry's expression had completely changed.
He didn't laugh.
Snape also saw it. "Say."
Harry took half a step closer. "Quirrell probably didn't intend to leave Hogwarts at all. He just wanted Headmaster to chase him out so that he could make time for himself."
Snape's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your basis?"
"He has always hidden himself very well, but today he took the initiative to attack four professors."
"It's impossible for him not to know the consequences of doing this."
"Wouldn't it be easier to just run away and leave quietly while everyone is having dinner?"
"Maybe he has no other choice."
"Maybe, all he needs is someone to chase him."
Harry looked at Snape again.
"Professor, what if what he really wanted was in the castle all along?"
Snape did not answer.
Harry's voice became a little lower.
"The third floor. What's there is probably his goal."
After the words fell, Snape's expression finally changed.
"Potter, what exactly do you know?"
"Professor, don't rush to ask this yet." Harry met his gaze, "I can't guarantee that I guessed it right."
"But if he really has a way to come back, we can't wait for him to walk into the third floor to confirm whether we are overthinking it."
Snape stared at him for a moment, then suddenly raised his wand.
A ray of silver light flew out from the tip of the staff, passed over Entrance Hall, and quickly disappeared into the dusk.
He has subpoenaed Dumbledore.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, but heard that deep voice falling from above his head again.
"Reminding Headmaster does not prevent me from remembering a question."
"Why would a first-year student know things on the third floor that he shouldn't know?"
Harry's smile froze.
"It might be a little troublesome to explain this..."
"Really?" Snape answered coldly, "Is it more troublesome than explaining what you did that night Christmas?"
Christmas Eve?
Wait.
Could it be...
Harry's heart skipped a beat.
He raised his head, looked at the unsmiling face in front of him, and suddenly realized something.
"You found out it was me that night?"
Snape didn't answer, but that look on his face was enough to explain the problem.
Harry didn't know what to say for a moment. It turned out that he had been discovered that night.
But Snape did not arrest him, let alone send him a confinement notice.
Harry blinked his eyes and suddenly understood something.
I see, Professor Snape, are you a tsundere too?
It seems that Christmas's gifts and blessings are indeed not in vain. Although this professor is unforgiving, it seems that there is no room for strategy.
Harry quickly put away those messy thoughts and spoke seriously.
"Thank you, Professor. When the matter is over, you can ask whatever you want to ask slowly."
"I'll try my best to answer."
"As much as possible?"
Harry nodded.
Snape suddenly felt that maybe he should have handed this kid over to Madam Hooch just now.
It's better to find another rope.
"But, Professor." Harry added before he could speak, "I know that you have been paying attention to Quirrell, and you know the protection on the third floor better than us. So, I will tell you my guess first."
He looked at Snape with a very serious tone.
"I'm sure you know what to do."
Snape's gaze suddenly stopped.
The boy in front of him had messy hair, and behind his glasses, his green eyes were looking at him quietly.
No doubts, no waiting to prove how great you are.
This Potter is actually waiting for him to make a decision.
Snape was silent for a moment, then snorted coldly.
"You'd better not think that just saying a few nice words will make me forget your troublesome behavior in the past."
Harry nodded immediately.
"Of course. However, you can write down what you are going to say to scold me first, and then we can scold me together when the matter is resolved."
Ron finally couldn't hold it back and let out a short laugh.
Draco quickly turned his head and his shoulders shook slightly.
Snape glanced over, and the two of them immediately stood up straight.
"It seems that you also have a lot to say."
Ron shook his head vigorously.
"No, Professor."
Madam Hooch quickly took over the arrangement of taking care of the students. Professor Sprout had also rushed to the entrance and was asking if any students were injured.
Snape briefly explained a few words, then looked at the three of them again.
"Stay at the Great Hall and you are not allowed to go anywhere."
His gaze finally stopped on Harry's face.
"Especially you, Potter. I don't want to see you on the third floor later."
"I remember, professor." Harry answered very nicely.
Snape glanced at him again, then shook his black robe, turned around and walked out the door.
When he reached the entrance, he suddenly stopped for a moment.
"Potter. The judgment just now is good."
Before Harry could reply, the black figure had disappeared deep into the corridor.
Ron stood there and was stunned for two seconds. "Merlin, Harry, was he praising you just now?"
"It should be."
"That Snape, compliment you?!"
"Weasley, you have already asked me this question once." Draco snorted lightly, "What's so strange about this? Potter is not stupid to begin with."
Harry turned to look at her.
The girl's expression suddenly froze, and then she added, "Of course, I'm just a little smarter than your potato head."
Ron was immediately unconvinced.
"What's wrong with Tudou? At least Tudou won't cause trouble!"
After saying that, he suddenly paused and pointed at himself.
"Wait! What does this have to do with me?!"
Harry couldn't help laughing, but when he looked at the door again, his smile slowly faded away.
What's more, it's not just Quirrell himself who is hiding in Quirrell.
"Harry." Ron moved closer, "Are you still worried?"
Harry did not deny it.
"I want to take a look around. I only go to the Moving Staircases entrance outside the third floor and make sure that Professor Snape passes smoothly and does not enter the restricted area. If you find any other abnormalities, come back and notify the professor."
Draco folded his arms.
"Sure enough, with the look on your face just now, I knew there was nothing good going on."
"Is it obvious?"
"Very obvious!"
Ron had already grasped the wand tightly. "Then let's do it together."
Harry looked at him, Ron shrugged.
"Don't look at me like that. I still remember what you looked like when you came back in the middle of the night last time."
"Next time you encounter trouble, call me. This is not something you say casually."
Harry was slightly startled, then nodded.
"Okay."
"Where is this lady?" Draco's voice came immediately from the side.
Harry turned his head.
"Draco, you just came back, how about..."
"Potter." The girl narrowed her eyes, "Have you forgotten what you promised me before and just now?"
Harry opened her mouth, and finally swallowed back the words that persuaded her to stay.
Draco then raised his chin with satisfaction.
"Without me watching, you two Gryffindor don't know what trouble you might cause. Don't get me wrong, I'm just here to supervise you."
"It sounds like we are two dangerous creatures who will tear down the cage." Ron whispered.
"Weasley!"
"I didn't say anything."
Harry suppressed a smile and gently turned Winter Key with his fingertips.
The silver-gray fabric fell silently into the palm of my hand.
Using the cover of the long table, the three of them squeezed under Invisibility Cloak.
Harry stands in the middle, with Ron on the left and Draco on the right.
The place is really too small.
As soon as Draco squeezed in, her shoulder lightly touched Harry's arm. She subconsciously wanted to move to the side, but there was a long table behind her and there was no extra space.
Therefore, the two could only maintain this too close distance.
The moment he lowered his head slightly, a few strands of hair gently brushed his cheek, bringing a tickling sensation and a faint fragrance.
Harry paused subconsciously.
As soon as Draco raised his eyes, he met those green eyes that were very close at hand.
The distance between the two of them was so close that she could even see clearly her own image reflected in the eyes behind the lenses.
They both had a meal at the same time.
"..."
"..."
Draco was the first to look away and pretend to tidy up.
But as soon as she stretched out her hand, her fingertips touched the collar of Harry, and the Silver Feather Brooch happened to be pinned there.
The corner of the girl's mouth quietly raised, but she quickly suppressed it. She stretched out her hand to straighten Harry's wrinkled collar, and her fingertips inadvertently brushed his neck.
Harry's body stiffened slightly.
Draco also seemed to suddenly realize something, and quickly retracted his hand, a thin layer of red appeared at the base of his ears.
"The collar is crooked, idiot Potter."
She whispered softly, as if this could cover up what she had just done.
"... thank you."
Harry touched his nose, but neither of them spoke anymore.
Ron next to her has maintained this posture for a long time.
He held up the edge of Invisibility Cloak with one hand, and had to try hard to hide his shoes with the other hand, his arms shaking with soreness.
He looked at Harry, then at Draco.
What happened to these two people? Were they immobilized Magic?
Ron finally couldn't bear it anymore.
"Hey! What are you doing standing there?" He lowered his voice through gritted teeth. "My hands are almost sore to death!"
The two finally came to their senses, and while the professors were checking the long table on the other side, the three of them quietly left Great Hall along the side passage.
They did not follow the footsteps of Snape, but went around to the adjacent Moving Staircases.
On the stone steps, Ron spoke in a suppressed voice.
"I suddenly feel that next time we Potions Class, we may have a very difficult time."
"So, don't let him see it." Harry replied.
Draco snorted slightly, but his hand had already reached over and grasped Harry's cuff.
"Idiot Potter, don't go too fast."
"I will, Miss Malfoy."
Three footsteps crowded together gradually approached the third floor.
Outside the castle, the snow suddenly lit up under the cursed light.
The three professors did not neglect at all. At this moment, Hogwarts was already far behind.
Looking back, the lights of the castle were hidden in the night, and even the towering towers were only vague outlines.
The black shadow in front is still fleeing further away.
The rattan rope conjured by McGonagall was broken by a black light just as it wrapped around the corner of his robe.
Flitwick went around the other side and the wand was raised again.
"Albus, there seems to be something wrong with his Charms!"
Dumbledore also noticed it. He no longer chased along the footprints left by the other party. With a wave of his wand, a ray of light circled behind the low wall.
At this moment, a ray of silver light came from the direction of the castle and stopped beside him.
The voice of Snape sounded immediately.
"The purpose of Quirrell is Philosopher's Stone. He may be trying to turn back. The third floor needs to be inspected. I will go there now."
Dumbledore's eyes suddenly darkened.
McGonagall also heard that sentence clearly.
"Philosopher's Stone?"
The black shadow in front suddenly paused.
Dumbledore The light just sent out had already blocked his path. The man raised his wand, but his body was still forward. There was an extremely weird dislocation between his movements.
The old man's wand flicked again.
The black robe tightened suddenly.
Then, that pale face quickly distorted like a disturbed reflection.
Snap!
The entire figure suddenly collapsed.
A piece of bloody clothing fell on the snow, and a few strands of black air tried to swim forward, but were firmly suppressed by the bright curse light and completely dissipated.
McGonagall's expression suddenly changed.
"Substitute?"
Dumbledore looked at the piece of fabric, and the magic power belonging to Quirrell still remained on it.
It was not a simple illusion. From escaping from the Entrance Hall to crossing the courtyard, it had always carried its own magic power, and could even cast Charms that had been reserved in advance.
But that's all it can do.
"He didn't intend to lie to us for too long." Dumbledore raised his head, "He just needs us to leave for a while."
Flitwick looked sharply at the castle.
"The real Quirrell may have gone back!"
Dumbledore didn't stop any longer. A ray of silver light flew out from the tip of his staff and swept towards Hogwarts first.
"Go back."
The three of them immediately turned around and hurried towards the castle in the direction they came from.
An old wooden door slowly opened from the inside.
Quirrell held on to the door frame and staggered into the corridor. The material on his shoulders had been torn, and the blood on his right wrist was dripping down his fingertips.
Finally, I came back alive.
Quirrell As soon as he let go of the door frame, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
He bent down, and suppressed coughs sounded one after another in the empty corridor. When he finally put his hand down, there was already a bright red in his palm.
Dumbledore... That old guy is really scary.
He had made so many preparations for tonight's action, and even thought of several ways to escape in advance.
But even so, he almost died at the hands of Dumbledore.
Quirrell couldn't even imagine what would have happened if his movements had been slower by just half a second.
Is that the greatest white wizard of our time?
He finally understood why the master was so afraid of this old man.
In order to make the double look realistic enough, the magic power he stripped away was making his already weak body even more unbearable.
"Quirrell."
A cold voice came from under the purple turban.
Quirrell's shoulders trembled suddenly.
"Master, master..."
"You've wasted too much time."
"I'm back, Master. I'll be right away..."
Before he finished speaking, a sharp pain suddenly struck from the back of his head. Quirrell's knees hit the ground so hard that he could hardly hold the wand.
The magic power connected to the substitute was broken.
He raised his head, and finally a trace of fear appeared on his pale face.
Dumbledore has been discovered.
"Stand up."
There was no mercy in that voice. Quirrell held on to the wall, his fingers trembling.
"But, Master, my body..."
"If you can't get Philosopher's Stone, how long do you think you can last?"
Quirrell gritted his teeth and forced the breath that he had not yet fully breathed back into his chest.
Of course he knows.
When the old man comes back, he will never get a second chance.
Quirrell Stand up straight and hold the wand again.
But fortunately, he had second-hand preparations.