"Yes… it's mine… I bought it from a Greek guy I met in a pub last year. I lent it to Dumbledore for safekeeping..."
Hagrid's large mouth kept babbling.
"What?!" Harry asked excitedly.
Hermione and Ron stared at him as Harry's question abruptly interrupted Hagrid's train of thought.
"Alright, don't ask any more questions! That's an absolute secret, do you understand?"
Hagrid said gruffly, making it clear he wouldn't say anything further.
Harry, however, wasn't convinced. "But Snape wants to steal it!"
"Rubbish," Hagrid glared at Harry. "Snape is a professor at Hogwarts! He'd never do such a thing!"
Hermione retorted, "Then why did he try to kill Harry?"
What had happened during the Quidditch match had completely shifted Hermione's opinion of Snape. Having decided that Snape was guilty, she was no longer inclined to respect someone who had tried to harm her friend.
"I'm telling you, if someone is casting a curse, I know it, Hagrid!" Hermione pressed. "I've read all about them in books! You have to maintain eye contact with your target, and Snape's eyes didn't blink. I saw it!"
Hermione tried to explain.
"Well, I'm telling you, you're wrong!" Hagrid said irritably. "I don't know why Harry's broom acted up, but Snape would never try to kill a student!"
"Now, listen up, the lot of you!" Hagrid said sternly. "You're meddling in things that have nothing to do with you. It's dangerous! Forget about Fluffy and whatever it's guarding. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel..."
Hagrid's voice grew serious.
"Aha!" Harry jumped to his feet. "So this is about someone named Nicolas Flamel, isn't it?"
Nearby, Irina slapped her forehead, speechless.
Hagrid, Hagrid!
Were you raised drinking Veritaserum?
Irina thought so.
"I shouldn't have said that, really shouldn't have let that slip, definitely shouldn't have said that!"
Hagrid muttered, furious at himself.
Hagrid refused to say anything else. He briskly shooed all four of them out of his hut, not even offering his usual rock-hard biscuits.
On the way back to the castle, Hermione declared firmly, "Now that we know it's related to someone named Nicolas Flamel, we'll start looking for information about him in the library!"
Irina couldn't help but interrupt. "No, Hermione, I already know who Nicolas Flamel is!"
Irina couldn't stand the thought of her best friend wasting time chasing a name when she already knew the answer.
At this, Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned their attention to Irina.
Irina hesitated briefly before saying, "Nicolas Flamel is the most famous alchemist in France. He created the Philosopher's Stone!"
Hermione asked, "Irina, what's the Philosopher's Stone?"
In the original timeline, Hermione had borrowed a book from the library a few weeks before Christmas, which mentioned the Philosopher's Stone. However, in this timeline, she hadn't yet read it.
Irina explained, "This is recorded in a book in the library. Ancient material magic involves refining the Philosopher's Stone. This magical substance has extraordinary properties, allowing any metal to be turned into pure gold. It can also create the Elixir of Life, granting immortality to anyone who drinks it."
Throughout history, there had been numerous rumors about the Philosopher's Stone, but the only known stone was created by Nicolas Flamel.
Hermione's eyes widened in realization. "I understand! That three-headed dog must be guarding Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone! I bet Nicolas Flamel asked Professor Dumbledore to protect it because they're friends, and he knew someone was trying to steal it. That's why the Philosopher's Stone was removed from Gringotts!"
Irina nodded repeatedly.
However, if Lynn had been there, he surely would have countered that reasoning.
After all, if Professor Dumbledore hadn't asked Nicolas Flamel to use the Philosopher's Stone as bait to lure Voldemort, the stone would likely still be safe in France, far out of Voldemort's reach.
After all, Nicolas Flamel wasn't just a renowned alchemist; he was also a high-level wizard. Even at over 600 years old, he was far beyond the capabilities of a fragmented Voldemort.
"If that's the case, then it makes sense why Snape would want to steal the Philosopher's Stone," Ron said. "Who could resist immortality?"
As they returned to the castle, the group unanimously decided to keep a close eye on Professor Snape.
Of course, Irina's actual focus was on Quirrell, the wolf in sheep's clothing.
---
Time flew by, and December was already halfway through as Christmas approached.
Over the past month, Lynn had refined even more Forbidden Fire, enough to fill half of Slytherin's dormitory.
Based on his calculations, Lynn estimated that by the end of the school year, he would have enough Forbidden Fire to fill the Potions classroom. If these flames were unleashed, they would likely obliterate the entire chamber housing the Philosopher's Stone.
One morning, Hogwarts Castle awoke to find itself blanketed in several feet of snow. The castle's sturdy silhouette was now cloaked in a thick velvet-like cover of pristine white.
Outside, the Weasley twins were using magic to control several snowballs, directing them to pelt Quirrell until they burst against the back of his head.
Not far away, Irina silently prayed for the twins, hoping Voldemort, hidden beneath Quirrell's turban, wouldn't hold a grudge.
"Hey, Lynn, good morning!"
At that moment, the twins stopped their snowball assault and greeted someone at the castle entrance.
Lynn approached, smiling. "Still playing with snowballs? How's your progress in alchemy?"
The Weasley twins exchanged a glance before George replied with a grin. "Oh, come on, don't underestimate us. We've finished the alchemy books you lent us and can now engrave simple series of alchemical circles."
Lynn nodded approvingly.
The mention of "series," a term not native to the magical world, suggested the twins had genuinely studied the Muggle electrical books he had shared.
Just then, Lynn turned and noticed Irina not far away.
"Senior Lowell!"
Irina spotted Lynn and quickly waved to him.
Fred said, "Oh, Lynn, let me introduce you. This is Irina Lowell, our little brother Ron's friend. But it seems you two already know each other?"
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