Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

A few days had passed since their late-night run-in with Fluffy, but the trio hadn't stopped thinking about it. With the help of Cael they were able to make out and not get Caught, and thankfully no one got expelled but the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone still hung over them like a storm cloud.

Dinner had just finished in the Great Hall. The candles floated gently above, the plates now empty, and the students were heading off to their dormitories.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked together down the quiet corridor, their footsteps echoing softly as they made their way toward Gryffindor Tower.

"Merlin , I'm stuffed," Ron groaned, patting his stomach. "Could've done without the boiled cabbage, though."

"You complain every night after cleaning everything on the table ," Hermione muttered, though she smiled a little.

Harry wasn't listening. His thoughts were still on the Stone, on what they had discovered… and on what—or who—might be after it.

Suddenly, they all froze.

Voices drifted from around the corner.

It was Professor Snape's cold, sharp tone—and Professor Quirrell's nervous, stuttering reply.

The three of them crept closer, pressing against the wall, careful not to make a sound.

"—warning you, Quirrell," Snape's voice cut through the air, low and dangerous. "You've been sneaking around the fourth floor, and I don't like it."

"I—I wasn't—" Quirrell stammered, his voice weak and trembling.

"Don't lie to me," Snape snapped. "I've seen you near the Forbidden Corridor more than once. Dumbledore made it clear—no one is to meddle with what's hidden there."

There was silence for a moment, except for Quirrell's nervous breathing.

"I have my eyes on you," Snape continued, his voice quieter but full of threat. "One wrong move, and I'll report you to Dumbledore myself."

The sound of footsteps followed as Snape stalked off down the hall, his robes billowing behind him.

The trio stayed hidden until the hall was silent again. Then, they exchanged wide-eyed looks.

"Did you hear that?" Ron whispered, his face pale.

"Of course we heard it," Hermione hissed back. "Snape's watching Quirrell… but did you notice? He never exactly said why."

"Because Snape's the one after the Stone," Ron said quickly, like it was obvious. "He's just trying to scare Quirrell away, so he can get it first! And let's not forget that He has been very aggressive towards Harry from the start of the school year and also he is a former death eater who was very close to you know who "

Harry frowned, thinking it over, but Hermione shook her head.

"No, Ron. It's Quirrell," Hermione insisted. "Think about the Quidditch match—the one where Harry's broom went out of control?"

Harry's eyes narrowed as he remembered that terrifying moment, nearly falling from the sky.

Hermione continued, "I was in the stands with Cael. When your broom started acting strange, I saw it with my own eyes—Professor Quirrell was muttering some kind of spell. So Cael and I planted a little prop under his seat, and when it went off, Quirrell was thrown out of the stands… and your broom went back to normal."

"You did?" Harry asked, surprised.

Hermione nodded. "The moment we hexed him, your broom stopped going crazy. It can't be a coincidence."

Ron frowned. "Or Snape was jinxing the broom, and Quirrell was just… trying to save Harry?"

"Or Quirrell's the real problem, and Snape's suspicious of him too," Hermione argued. "Why else would he threaten him about the Forbidden Corridor?"

They walked on, the air heavy with worry as they turned toward Gryffindor Tower.

Harry stayed quiet, his thoughts racing.

Two professors. Two suspicious adults. One hidden Stone.

"It doesn't matter who's after it," Harry finally said. "The Stone's in danger either way."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, and if either of them gets their hands on it…"

"We have to be ready," Hermione finished firmly.

They climbed through the portrait hole, the Fat Lady swinging open as they stepped into the cozy warmth of the Gryffindor common room.

But none of them felt very cozy tonight after what they heard at Corridor.

They sat by the fire, still deep in thought.