At long last, the issue with the dragon was finally settled.
Harry could finally stop worrying that Hagrid might be sent to Azkaban over it.
In truth, even if the dragon had been discovered, it wouldn't have been a big problem. With the influence Charles now wielded, Draco Malfoy wouldn't dare make a scene at the Ministry—and even if he did, Fudge could easily have the punishment waived. It was even possible they wouldn't have to take the dragon away at all.
Still, Charles wanted to use this opportunity to help Hagrid change a little.
Otherwise, that kind of personality would one day land him in serious trouble.
"I'll write to Charlie when I get back," Ron said at last, seizing the chance to speak—he'd barely been able to get a word in until now.
"Good." Charles nodded. "If there's nothing else, you can head back. Hagrid, remember to return the Charmander egg. Until I consider you a qualified breeder, I can't let you keep it."
"Alright…" Hagrid mumbled, crestfallen.
"Professor, there's one more thing!" Hermione quickly stood up, afraid Charles might send them away.
"Now that people know Fluffy falls asleep when he hears music, what are we going to do about the chamber guarding the Sorcerer's Stone?" she asked urgently.
"We suggested replacing the creature," Harry said, "but Hagrid couldn't think of anything fiercer or more reliable than Fluffy."
"If Norbert were a little older, that'd work," Hagrid muttered under his breath.
"We were wondering if we could use a Pokémon as the guardian of the first chamber protecting the Stone," Hermione said, ignoring Hagrid.
"I'm afraid not," Charles shook his head. "In fact, I've already placed a Pokémon to guard the corridor on the fourth floor."
What, did they think he'd put a Charizard there? Voldemort wouldn't stand a chance then!
Dumbledore's barriers weren't meant to stop Voldemort outright. If they were, it would've been much simpler—Dumbledore himself could've just stood there, or better yet, slipped the Stone into his pocket.
"But Pokémon come in so many varieties," Hermione pressed. "Couldn't you set up more than one kind?"
"If a single Pokémon's power isn't enough to stop Voldemort," Charles said in an overly serious tone, "then two won't make a difference either."
The line sounded convincing enough to leave Hermione momentarily stunned.
It wasn't exactly true—if the gap in power wasn't absolute, numbers did matter—but Charles didn't want her thinking too deeply about it. He quickly added, "If you really want to replace the guardian, I can request a Sphinx from the Ministry."
"Sphinx?"
Hagrid's eyes lit up instantly. "Now that's an idea!"
It might not be a dragon, but a Sphinx wasn't bad at all. One of the most dangerous magical creatures in existence—what set them apart was their intelligence.
Hogwarts didn't even have one!
"A Sphinx? What's that?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"It's the origin of the Muggle legend of the lion-bodied, human-faced creature," Hermione explained. "To pass it, you have to answer its riddle correctly. Otherwise… it eats you."
Indeed, Sphinxes possessed intellect, though more in the philosophical or rhetorical sense. If they studied the laws of nature instead, humanity probably wouldn't be the dominant species.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Hermione nodded approvingly.
"But what if the Dark Lord actually answers the riddle?" Ron asked. "I mean… he's evil, sure, but he's still a genius, isn't he? Maybe the Sphinx's questions wouldn't stop him."
As a boy who'd grown up hearing stories of Voldemort's infamy, Ron didn't dare underestimate him.
After thinking it over, they all agreed the Sphinx idea was still better.
After all, it wasn't certain Voldemort could solve a Sphinx's riddles—but the secret of Fluffy's weakness was already out.
"In that case, I'll write to Fudge," Charles said casually, summoning a quill and parchment with a flick of his hand.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can—"
"Wait, Professor! One more thing!" Hermione suddenly raised her hand again.
At this point, Charles looked at her differently.
Was she his daughter or what? How many "one more things" could there possibly be?
"What now?" he asked.
"It's about Hagrid again," Hermione said softly, shrinking a little under his gaze.
"Hagrid said there seem to be poachers in the Forbidden Forest lately," she explained. "A unicorn's been attacked. He wanted to ask if you could lend him some Pokémon that can alert him in advance."
"Poachers?"
"That's right," Hagrid said gravely. "The other night on patrol, I met the centaurs. They said a unicorn had been killed—someone murdered a foal and drank its blood!"
"He must've been gravely injured," Hagrid continued angrily. "Unicorn blood has mysterious healing power—but anyone who drinks it will live a cursed life!"
His huge fists clenched tightly; it looked like he was one breath away from smashing the table.
So Voldemort has started moving already? Has Quirrell's body deteriorated that fast? Charles thought grimly.
He'd assumed Quirrell could hold out longer, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
At this rate, Quirrell might not even last until the end of term.
What Charles didn't realize was that Quirrell's current condition was partly his own doing—Gengar had drained his life force almost as ruthlessly as Voldemort himself.
"I'll send a group of Noctowl to patrol the forest," Charles said.
He didn't want to push Voldemort too far yet. The Noctowl would serve as watchful "cameras," but he wouldn't let them take unnecessary risks.
"That'd be great," Hagrid said, visibly relieved. "If anything happens, I'll come tell yeh right away."
He stood up—if the sofa in Charles's office could speak, it would surely sigh in relief.
Hagrid left, but the trio remained behind.
"Professor, one more thing!" Hermione exclaimed loudly.
Charles: "…"
"Go ahead."
"Professor," Harry stood up beside her, "Ron and I want to challenge you—to a Pokémon battle!"
Their eyes shone with determination.
That was more like it. Those were the eyes of true trainers.
And since it was a Pokémon battle, Charles had no reason to refuse.
When two trainers' eyes met, it was an invitation to battle!
"Let's go to the Reserve," Charles said with a grin. "You both have three Pokémon, right? Then we'll make it a three-on-three match. But this time, I'll be stricter than before."
"We're not scared!" Harry declared.
Ron gulped hard, took a deep breath, and nodded firmly beside him.
(End of Chapter)