The five of them pressed against the door, holding their breath as they listened for movement outside.
Filch's footsteps grew louder, accompanied by Mrs. Norris's distinct meow.
"Blasted little brats, I know you're in there!" Filch cursed, yanking violently at the doorknob.
The door didn't budge.
When he couldn't get it open, Filch assumed the room was empty. Still muttering under his breath, he eventually wandered off.
The footsteps faded. Only then did the five let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Thank Merlin. He's gone," Harry said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"We should head back to our dorms," Hermione whispered.
Just then, Neville's voice trembled through the dark:
"Guys… turn around."
The four of them slowly turned. And then, froze solid.
A massive, three-headed dog loomed before them, its hulking body tense, all six eyes glinting in the shadows.
Each head was the size of a bucket, and from its gaping maws dripped saliva that splattered audibly onto the stone floor.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
All four of them screamed in unison, except Charlie.
Charlie's eyes bulged, his thoughts a chaotic stampede.
Who the hell said Dumbledore wouldn't leave dangerous creatures lying around the school?!
Without hesitation, he whipped out his wand.
"Incendio Maxima!"
A wall of blazing fire erupted before him, forming a barrier between him and the beast.
Charlie didn't want to hurt it, just slow it down and protect the others.
He turned to shield his companions, only to find,
...no one was there.
"What the, where'd everyone go?!"
The others had bolted. Not even a shadow remained.
"Damn those cowards!"
Charlie cursed aloud.
Just as he prepared to retreat, he noticed something strange.
The dog didn't move. It growled... but remained where it stood.
Wait, it wasn't attacking?
A daring idea formed in Charlie's mind.
"Billy," he whispered.
With a pop, Billy the house-elf appeared at Charlie's side.
"What do you need, Mr. White?"
Ever since Charlie tipped Billy a Galleon, the little guy had been alarmingly loyal. Every morning, Charlie woke up to warm breakfast beside his bed.
"I need a fresh piece of meat. Big one."
Without another word, Billy vanished.
Ten seconds later, he returned with a massive slab of raw beef.
Charlie carefully approached Cerberus.
"Here, doggy… here, boy."
No idea if magical dogs responded to "here, boy," but it was worth a try.
The left and right heads immediately perked up, drooling rivers. The middle one tried to stay menacing, but its wildly wagging tail betrayed it.
Charlie chuckled.
"Looks like we've got a deal."
[Your Majesty has bribed a treasure guardian. Indulgent tyranny! Tyrant Points +1]
...
Meanwhile, Harry and the others had only just stopped running.
"Wait… where's Charlie?" Harry panted.
"We left him behind!" Ron went pale.
"We need to tell Professor McGonagall!" Hermione gasped.
Ron scowled. "By the time she gets there, he'll be dog food."
Harry clenched his fists. Guilt was all over his face.
"We left him. That was our fault. We have to go back!"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and sprinted back down the corridor.
Hermione hesitated, then followed. Rules be damned, someone's life might be at stake.
Ron and Neville shared a terrified glance. They were scared witless, but still followed.
"Merlin save him," Neville muttered, shaking.
Back at the room, they crept toward the heavy door.
Inside, strange crunching noises echoed, wet, loud chewing sounds.
Harry turned ashen.
"Oh no… that sound… Charlie's…"
Ron slapped a hand over his mouth in horror.
"He's… he's not even making noise. That dog's probably chewing on his, "
"Don't say it!" Hermione snapped.
She was terrified too, but at least she was logical.
She reached out, trembling, and pushed the door open a crack to peek inside.
What she saw made her jaw drop.
The three-headed dog was lying on the floor, happily chewing a massive hunk of beef. Its three heads were buried in the meat, slobbering contentedly.
And right beside the beast, calmly petting its central head, was Charlie.
"Good boy, Sancho. Good dog," he murmured, his tone warm and gentle, like praising a household pet.
The side heads nudged in, vying for head pats.
Charlie laughed and rubbed them both.
"You're all good boys."
Harry's eyes widened.
"Charlie! You're okay!"
He nearly rushed in, but Ron stopped him.
"The dog's friendly with him. Doesn't mean it likes us."
Charlie turned and saw them peeking inside. A genuine smile crossed his face.
At least they came back. They hadn't really abandoned him. That counted for something.
The three-headed dog noticed them too, but after a glance, went back to its meal.
After all, Hagrid's instructions were clear: guard the trapdoor. As long as no one messed with that, it didn't care.
Hermione, relieved, now turned curious.
"Charlie, where did you get that meat?"
"Magic," he said with a shrug.
Ron's eyes sparkled.
"You can conjure food?!"
Hermione frowned.
"No, you can't. Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration clearly states that food can't be conjured from nothing."
Charlie sighed. Smart girls were so annoying.
"Fine, you got me. It was the house-elves."
Hermione looked intrigued, but Charlie changed the subject quickly.
"Anyway, shouldn't you all be more focused on that?"
He pointed toward the floor, beneath the dog.
There, right under Sancho's enormous furry butt, was a trapdoor.
Harry blinked.
"What do you think's under there?"
"Who knows?" Charlie scratched his chin, eyes glinting.
"But if Dumbledore's got Sancho guarding it, there's bound to be something juicy down there."
Just then, the dog, apparently done eating, let out a satisfied burp and stood up straight. Its faces tried to look dignified, as if it hadn't just inhaled a cow.
"Sancho," Charlie patted its leg,
"Mind letting us have a look underneath?"
The dog ignored him.
"Oh come on, I know you understand me."
"Just a peek, promise."
Still no reaction.
Charlie grumbled, raising his wand.
"Don't make me use Stupefy on you."
The middle head slowly turned and gave Charlie a look of pure disdain.
Given its magical resistance, even an adult wizard would struggle to knock it out.
Things got awkward real fast.
Charlie cleared his throat and slowly lowered the wand.
"Just kidding. Ha ha. Love you, buddy."
Someday, someday… I'll get strong enough to knock you out, you smug mutt.
Harry and the others muffled their laughter.
Charlie might not be able to beat the dog, but them? That was another story.
Finally, the dog got tired of the pestering. It flopped down on the trapdoor again and pretended to sleep.
"You ungrateful mutt!" Charlie grumbled.
"Eat my food and then pretend you don't know me. You really are a Sancho."
He gave the dog a light kick, then turned to leave.
On the walk back, Hermione predictably started again.
"I told you we shouldn't go out after curfew!" she huffed.
"We almost died! Or worse, got expelled!"
Ron muttered under his breath,
"Does she seriously think expulsion is worse than death?"
Charlie and Harry burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright, Professor Mini-McGonagall," Charlie teased.
"My ears are gonna fall off from all the lecturing."
Hermione glared at the lot of them, but the nickname did make her secretly happy.
McGonagall was her idol, after all, and being compared to her felt… oddly satisfying.
She lifted her chin with pride and strode ahead.
"Hmph! You boys don't understand how important academics are!"
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35 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
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