Chapter 64: The Value of a Half-Giant

Thanks to Hogwarts' famously inconvenient moving staircases—normally the bane of every student's existence—they proved immensely useful in this dire situation. It was only because of these unpredictable staircases that Harold was able to repeatedly shake off the three-headed dog. Because Fluffy had really broken free. It shattered doorframes and railings, and when there weren't any stairs to descend, it just leapt down, chasing Harold like a creature possessed. From the fourth floor to the first, Harold barely had time to breathe, let alone think—his only option was to keep running. At last, in the entrance hall, Harold saw Hagrid rushing toward the main gate from outside. It seemed Hagrid had already heard that Fluffy had broken free and had come sprinting straight from his hut. "Get out—now!" Hagrid roared. Harold turned and bolted out the main gate, with Fluffy right behind him. "Stop, Fluffy! Stop!" Hagrid shouted, waving his arms. Normally, if he did that, Fluffy would obey. Not this time. The three-headed dog acted as though it didn't even recognize Hagrid. It didn't slow at all—three snarling mouths opened wide, revealing gleaming fangs as it lunged at the nearest target: Harold. Then, Hagrid charged in, stirring up a gust of wind with his momentum. He smashed a massive fist directly into Fluffy's middle head. BOOM! The very ground seemed to shake. CRACK! The middle neck let out a sharp crack, twisting violently to the side. The enormous beast tumbled down the stone steps, rolling several times before collapsing with a thunderous thud. Hagrid staggered back three paces, face flushed red and veins bulging across his forehead. Harold stood frozen, dumbfounded. This was his first time fully realizing just how powerful a half-giant truly was. That massive three-headed dog didn't even get a chance to fight back. One hit, and it was down. And judging by the sound earlier, its middle neck might be broken. If it hadn't had three heads, that one punch alone might've ended it. No wonder Hagrid was so fond of creatures with claws and fangs. With that kind of strength, even a werewolf would find its vision "cleansed" after a slap from him. "Oh, Fluffy..." Hagrid finally steadied himself. But the moment he looked at the unmoving dog, his eyes turned as red as his face. Huge teardrops rolled down through his shaggy beard. "Merlin's beard... I killed him..." "No, Hagrid, calm down," Harold said, walking over and patting him gently on the waist. "Fluffy's got three heads—his heart is his real weak spot." "H-He's still alive?" Hagrid choked out. "Of course." Harold crouched next to Fluffy. He could still hear a faint heartbeat—it was alive. "Let's move him somewhere else," Harold said, glancing back toward the castle. "That noise must've woken a lot of people. If anyone sees him—or you—there'll be trouble." Harold wasn't worried about the professors. He was more worried about students seeing them. Especially students from Slytherin. Hagrid was still on the Ministry's watchlist. If any student reported Fluffy to the Ministry, not even Dumbledore might be able to protect him. Fluffy would almost certainly be put down by the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. So Hagrid carried Fluffy in his arms—Harold helping with a Levitation Charm—and they carefully transported the three-headed dog to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, right near Hagrid's hut. "S-Sorry, Harold," Hagrid stammered once they'd laid Fluffy down. "He almost... he almost killed you... I— I swear, Fluffy's never... I mean, usually..." Hagrid tried to say that Fluffy was normally obedient, but after what had just happened, the words wouldn't come. "I know what you're trying to say," Harold said. "And I believe you." "You do?" Hagrid blinked, clearly not expecting that. Harold nodded. Now that he'd had time to calm down, he recalled more of the earlier details—things he hadn't had time to process in the moment. Something had been seriously off about Fluffy. Its eyes were far too red—no pupils, just a blood-like hue. That wasn't how it looked last time. Rather than rage at the sight of an old foe, Fluffy had seemed possessed—as if it were under some dark influence. And as for who that might be... Well, who else? It had to be Voldemort. Harold remembered hearing someone call Quirrell a fool—and then everything had gone quiet. "Dark magic?" Hagrid frowned when Harold shared his theory. "But Fluffy's in the castle. Who'd cast something like that on him?" "Whoever wants to get past the trapdoor," Harold said. "You—how do you know Fluffy's guarding the trapdoor?" Hagrid asked, startled. "Harry told me, of course," Harold replied, completely matter-of-fact. "Wait—are you saying someone's trying to steal the Sorcerer's Stone?" "Not trying. I think they've already started," Harold said, glancing back toward the castle. It had been a while since he'd fled from Fluffy. Quirrell was probably nearing the final challenge by now. "I'm going to check it out!" Hagrid said, all business now. The Stone was too important to risk. "I'll come with you," Harold said immediately. "No, it's too dangerous!" Hagrid refused. "You stay here—or go back to your dorm." "I promise I'll stay right beside you—I won't go wandering off." "Still no!" They were still arguing when a tall, slender figure suddenly appeared on the grass—not walking, but just... there. The usual rule forbidding Apparition on Hogwarts grounds clearly didn't apply to this man. Startled, Hagrid turned and immediately looked relieved. "Professor Dumbledore!" "Hagrid," Dumbledore said sternly. He glanced at Fluffy lying nearby. "Would someone please explain what happened here?" "I was visiting Fred and George in the hospital wing," Harold jumped in quickly. "On my way back, I saw someone sneak into the fourth floor. They broke Fluffy's chains and cast magic to drive him mad—he went completely berserk. "I was nearby and got chased out of the castle. Thankfully, I ran into Hagrid, and he saved me." Dumbledore's expression darkened with every word. "It seems someone didn't want me staying at school tonight, so they forged a letter from the Ministry." He turned sharply and strode toward the castle. Harold hurried after him. "Hagrid was right, Professor Dumbledore—I probably should be in bed," Harold said, "but I just want to know what's going on. I didn't get chased through half the castle by a three-headed dog for nothing, right? And with you here, I'm definitely safe." "Your faith humbles me, Mr. Ollivander," Dumbledore sighed. But he didn't tell Harold to go back. And Harold followed quietly behind, not asking why Dumbledore chose to walk instead of Apparate—despite being one of the few wizards who could do so inside Hogwarts. (End of Chapter)