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Chapter 114 — Snape's Daily Trek!!
Harry dragged Darren toward the castle. He looked tense, glancing around until he saw Hermione catching up.
"We need to find Dumbledore," Harry said quickly. "Hagrid told someone how to get past Fluffy… And we have proof. Firenze can testify—oh, Darren, Firenze is the centaur who saved me that night."
He explained everything in a rush while leading them through the corridors. Harry had no idea how to find the Headmaster's office, but thankfully Darren did.
They hurried to the stone gargoyle guarding the door—only to discover Dumbledore wasn't inside.
"This is bad," Harry said, panicking. "Snape must be trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone now. All the professors are busy grading exams, and Dumbledore's gone—this is the perfect time!"
As they turned to leave, Professor McGonagall appeared, her arms full of exam scrolls.
"What are you children doing here? Darren, especially you—why aren't you enjoying your peaceful afternoon?"
"Professor McGonagall, we need to speak to Headmaster Dumbledore. Do you know where he went?" Hermione asked urgently.
"Why do you want to see him?" McGonagall asked, puzzled.
"Can't tell you!" Ron blurted.
McGonagall's expression hardened. "Headmaster Dumbledore left ten minutes ago. He received an urgent letter from the Ministry and flew to London at once."
"London?!" Harry repeated, horrified.
"Can you contact him?" Harry asked immediately. "We have something urgent to tell him—about the Philosopher's Stone."
At the mention of the Stone, McGonagall dropped her scrolls. She didn't even try to pick them up.
"How—how do you know about that?" she whispered, stunned.
"I think Sna—someone is trying to steal it!" Harry said quickly.
McGonagall was pale. "Headmaster Dumbledore will return tomorrow. The Stone is heavily protected, and it is not something for students to involve themselves in. Go back to your dormitories."
She dismissed them and hurried away.
Harry clenched his fists. "By the time he comes back, Snape will have already taken the Stone to Voldemort. That letter wasn't from the Ministry—Snape must've sent it!"
"But we can—"
Hermione froze, eyes widening.
Snape stood behind them.
"Good afternoon…" he drawled.
"Hello, Professor Snape!" Darren responded sweetly, full of trust.
Snape blinked, startled. For a moment, his expression faltered before he turned his glare on Harry.
"Potter, I suggest you refrain from wandering the corridors at night. Gryffindor has no points left to lose."
Harry braced for the usual insult.
"And if I catch you again," Snape added calmly, "I'll expel you. Personally. Good luck."
He walked away looking annoyingly satisfied—another day, another torment delivered.
Harry nearly exploded. Only the fear of being hexed into next week kept him from shouting after Snape.
Hermione and Ron dragged him outside to calm down. After a while in the sunlight, Harry steadied himself.
"Okay," he said. "We need someone to watch the staffroom. Hermione, you go—Snape won't pick on you as much."
"Let me go," Darren said immediately. "Even if the professor finds me, he won't take points."
"He'll punish you," Hermione argued. "He won't hit girls."
She ran off toward the staffroom before Darren could protest.
Harry turned to him. "Darren, I have a task for you, too."
Darren nodded obediently, green eyes steady. Harry softened—this was his little brother.
"Go to the Slytherin common room. If Snape goes back there, try to stall him. Just keep him away from the third floor."
Darren hesitated—Snape would never go to the common room now—but if his brother asked, he would listen.
"If he comes back, I'll stop him," Darren promised seriously.
"Good man. Go!"
Harry pushed him gently and turned to Ron.
"You and I are guarding the corridor outside Fluffy's room."
They took positions near the forbidden door—until Professor McGonagall stormed toward them again.
"I suppose you two think you're better than the professors?" she snapped. "If I see you near this corridor again, I'll take fifty points. Yes, Weasley, even from my own House!"
Ron looked mortified. They had no choice but to retreat.
Just when they were counting on Hermione, she came running back—eyes red, breathless.
"Snape came out," she hiccupped. "He asked who I was looking for, and I said Professor Vector, so he said he'd go fetch her—and then he just walked away. I don't know where he is now!"
All three of them stared at her, horrified.
Snape had slipped free.
And somewhere in the castle… he was moving toward the Stone.
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