Chapter 73 - Black Lake

"Shhh-" Hagrid quickly silenced Ronald upon hearing his exclamation.

"Hey, Hagrid, how did you get this dragon egg?" Ronald asked, astonished by the sight.

Charlie, his brother, studied dragons in Romania after graduating from Hogwarts, making him aware of the dangerous nature and high value of fire dragon materials.

"Forget it, come in and talk," Hagrid sighed, letting them inside his small and messy hut. In the center, a dragon egg the size of a pumpkin rested on the table.

"Keep it quiet, especially from Headmaster Dumbledore!" Hagrid warned the little wizards. Raising fire dragons at Hogwarts could cost him everything, even Dumbledore's protection.

"Don't worry, Hagrid, our lips are sealed!" Harry and Ronald assured, eager to keep the secret.

Hermione and Luke, engrossed in dragon egg research, also promised confidentiality.

"I just baked a rock pie. Want some?" Hagrid offered, presenting a plate of hard, tooth-shattering delicacies.

"Hard!" Harry and Ronald bit into the tough treat, while even Hermione struggled to take a bite, wrinkling her nose at the taste.

"Ordinary taste," Luke commented, crunching the rock skin cake with ease.

"Yeah, not bad," Hagrid agreed, recalling Luke's assistance and goodwill.

"Some Butterbeer... Oh, forget it, you're all first-year students," Hagrid realized the beverage wasn't suitable for them.

"By the way, Hagrid, do you know about the three-headed dog on the third floor and Nicolas Flamel," Harry finally got to the purpose of their visit, passing the unchewable rock skin cake to Fang, Hagrid's dog.

"How do you know about that three-headed dog?" Hagrid reacted with wide-eyed surprise.

"No magic stone there, so don't take the risk!" he warned, covering his mouth.

Luke and Hermione, intrigued by the mention of the philosopher stone, looked at Hagrid, who seemed to regret saying too much.

"Did I... say anything?" Hagrid questioned, a bit uncertain.

As soon as they pushed further, Hagrid spilled out the whole story. In Hagrid's account, the Philosopher's Stone belonged to Nicolas Flamel, who crafted the elixir of immortality with the help of that magical stone.

"Nicolas Flamel seems to be a friend of Headmaster Dumbledore," Hermione whispered to Luke as they walked behind.

In their free time, the two often explored the forbidden books area, and Hermione had just finished reading Nicolas Flamel's biography.

"But why stash the Philosopher's Stone in the basement and let the three-headed dog guard it? I don't understand," she questioned.

"Do you remember Professor Quirrell we saw that night?" Luke pondered for a moment. "He was very interested in the elixir of the Philosopher's Stone. Nicolas Flamel, who created this potion and the Philosopher's Stone, is also a legend."

"You mean Professor Quirrell wants to get the Philosopher's Stone?" Hermione recalled.

"Oh it's actually Tommy who wants to," Luke mused. If he remembered correctly, Voldemort needed the power of the Philosopher's Stone to restore his body.

Seeing Harry deep in thought in front of them, Hermione suggested he might as well go to the forbidden area and look for it. The two then separated at the fork in the road.

Having promised Hermione a date the previous day and planning to skip the afternoon magic history class.

...

On the edge of Black Lake, he lay on the lawn, watching Hermione engrossed in studying Hagrid's manuscript.

"I skipped class to date you, and you're here reading the manuscript?"

Although the characters in this manuscript were a bit unattractive, they were still readable. Hermione turned her head to see Luke, who was half-squinting at her. It was only then that she remembered they were on a date.

"Are you angry?" she asked, raising her lips.

"It's one word."

Luke hadn't finished speaking when he noticed Hermione leaning in directly, her brown curly hair tickling across his cheeks.

Time seemed to split in a fraction of a second.

"Can you do it again?" Luke touched his cherks, a soft chuckle escaping.

"Nope!" Hermione's attractive brown eyes held a playful glint.

Ripples adorned the lake water, and owls gracefully cut through the blue sky, flying into the distance to deliver letters.

The time spent on their date always passed quickly. After strolling hand in hand around the Black Lake, the night had overtaken the setting sun.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow – for what?"

As they parted on the stairs, Hermione looked Luke in wonder.

"Suprise!"

....

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