Harry whipped his head around, fixing his gaze on Ron, who was munching on a chicken drumstick, and exclaimed, "It's got to be Snape! He stole my invisibility cloak, look at him, guilt written all over his face..."
Ron shot a quick glance at Snape, caught the man's eye, then jerked back in alarm. Swallowing the last of his chicken, he muttered nervously, "What now? Should we go to the headmaster?"
"We've got no proof," Harry shook his head. Though he held Dumbledore in high regard, he wasn't eager to involve him in this mess. Their friendship hadn't yet deepened to that level.
"I'll sneak into his office when I get the chance..."
"Good plan... but you'll need to learn a bit of lockpicking magic," Ron suggested, his gaze drifting toward Hermione and Artel, his eyebrows raised. "Remember last year when Snape fell ill? Word was, he lost something, and ever since, his office has been under some heavy enchantment. Regular unlocking spells won't cut it."
"Well, I'll have to reconsider," Harry mused, wavering for a moment before making up his mind. He couldn't bring himself to ask Hermione and Artel for help with Snape's office. What if they took matters into their own hands?
"Then count me out," Ron shrugged, grabbing another drumstick and tucking in.
Meanwhile, Hermione's suspicious gaze swept over the two boys from across the table.
"They're definitely plotting something," she whispered to Artel.
"Let them be. Sometimes meddling only leads to trouble. You might think you're doing them a favor, but they might see it differently... They might even resent you for it," Artel replied, nodding in agreement. "I guess you're right. By the way, why do you seem so mature... Kids aren't supposed to worry so much, are they?"
"I suppose I've just grown up a bit," Artel took a sip of his juice, dabbing at his mouth with a napkin. "Even though I didn't attend school... I did have a philosophy teacher from Oxford..."
Hermione parted her lips, but no words emerged, leaving Artel with an eloquent yet silent glance.
After dinner, the students filed back to their respective dormitories.
Meanwhile, Nagini departed Hogwarts in the company of Dumbledore. From his office window, Quirrell observed their departure, contemplating for a moment before donning his invisibility cloak and discreetly trailing after them.
Aware of the risk of being detected by Dumbledore, Quirrell kept a safe distance. Although he couldn't overhear their conversation, he shadowed them until Dumbledore led Nagini to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
Inside the bustling establishment, populated by locals and passing wizards, Dumbledore was greeted warmly by many. Acknowledging each with a smile, he guided Nagini to a secluded table in the corner.
Quirrell slipped into the bar, navigating through the crowded space with caution. Finding refuge near a heap of refuse, not too distant from Dumbledore's table, he strained to catch fragments of their conversation amidst the cacophony.
"Newt... Tina... on their way... two beers," Dumbledore's voice intermittently reached Quirrell's ears. Struggling to make out the words amidst the din, Quirrell edged closer for better clarity.
This time, the dialogue flowed more smoothly. "I haven't seen them in decades. I wonder how they've changed," Nagini's voice betrayed a hint of apprehension. Would decades of separation render erstwhile comrades strangers to each other?
"They were still the same, in fact. When I mentioned you, Newt and Tina immediately dropped everything and rushed back," Dumbledore remarked casually, taking a sip of beer as he glanced towards the door with a knowing smile. "They're here."
Nagini turned to see two familiar figures entering the bar: Newt Scamander and his wife, Porpentina Goldstein. Despite their age, they retained an aura of youthfulness that Nagini instantly recognized.
"Newt, over here," Dumbledore beckoned, and the couple made their way to the table.
As they settled in, both Newt and Tina cast astonished gazes upon Nagini's youthful appearance, though their seasoned wisdom quickly masked their surprise.
"Nagini, it's been too long!" Newt exclaimed warmly, his words stirring emotions within Nagini.
Suppressing a wave of nostalgia, Nagini managed a nod, her voice tinged with emotion. "Yes, it has been. You and Tina have aged..."
At 94 years old, Newt's age was remarkable, with Tina just a few years his junior at 90.
"It's truly remarkable that you remain so youthful," Tina remarked, her gaze reflecting a mix of envy and curiosity. Could it be the result of the blood curse?
Indeed, Nagini had spent decades in snake form. Even with her human form restored, such youthfulness seemed inexplicable. Yet, the Elessa gem held the answer. Described as a gem capable of reversing aging, its magical properties were not to be underestimated.
Nagini shook her head, her expression troubled as she confessed, "I'm as baffled as you are. Perhaps it's connected to lifting the curse and reclaiming my true form... Speaking of which, Voldemort recently entrusted me to a man named Saruman..."
.....
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