Harry Potter : Cael Vale’s journey to Hogwarts

The trio hurried through the castle's winding corridors, their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls. The weight of what they'd learned from Hagrid pressed heavily on their minds. There was no time to waste — they had to warn Dumbledore.

Reaching the stone corridor outside the Headmaster's office, they stopped in front of the imposing, polished eagle statue that guarded the entrance. Its wings were folded neatly at its sides, its eyes carved with sharp, knowing detail that almost seemed alive.

Harry approached first, standing rigid with urgency. "We need to see Professor Dumbledore," he declared.

The eagle statue remained unmoving, expression carved in eternal indifference.

Hermione quickly added, "It's important — it's about the Philosopher's Stone!"

Still, the statue remained still as marble.

Ron frowned. "Er… don't we need a password or something?"

As if on cue, the stone eagle stirred, its beak clicking slightly as it spoke in a smooth, enchanted voice: "Password required. No entry without authorization."

Harry's shoulders tensed. "We don't know the password! But this is urgent! It's about the Stone — someone's trying to steal it!"

The eagle statue was unmoved. "Password required," it repeated.

Hermione tried reasoning with it. "Listen, we're not here to cause trouble — this is about school security, about You-Know-Who —"

"No password, no entry," the statue interrupted firmly, already returning to its stiff, statuesque form.

The three exchanged frustrated glances.

"Bloody brilliant," Ron muttered under his breath. "We finally figure out what's going on, and a talking bird won't let us through."

Hermione sighed, tapping her foot anxiously. "We can't stand here all day… someone might come by—"

Before she could finish, footsteps echoed from around the corner. A moment later, Professor McGonagall emerged, her emerald-green robes billowing as she approached with sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on them.

"What are you three doing here?" she demanded, arms crossed over her chest. "Lurking outside the Headmaster's office?"

Harry straightened up immediately. "We need to see him, Professor. It's urgent."

McGonagall's brow arched higher. "Urgent, is it? And so urgent that you bypass your Head of House and go directly to the Headmaster?"

Ron shuffled awkwardly. Hermione, however, stood firm beside Harry.

"It's about the Philosopher's Stone," Harry blurted out, watching her reaction closely.

For a split second, McGonagall's eyes flickered with something — surprise, concern, maybe both — but her face quickly returned to its usual composed strictness.

"And how exactly do you three know about that?" she asked, her voice steely, though quieter now.

Hermione stepped in quickly. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that someone's planning to steal it, tonight."

McGonagall's lips pressed into a thin line. "I can assure you, Miss Granger, the Stone is well protected. Hogwarts is not as defenseless as you seem to believe."

"But Professor—" Harry started.

She cut him off, her gaze sharp. "Mr. Potter, I understand your concern, but this is not your responsibility. You are students — your duty is to study, to learn. The safety of the Stone is the business of the Headmaster and the staff, not children wandering the halls playing detective."

"But Dumbledore's not here, is he?" Ron pointed out, earning him a sideways nudge from Hermione.

McGonagall's expression didn't waver. "Professor Dumbledore has his reasons for his absence. Regardless, Hogwarts is under protection — stronger than you might comprehend. Now, I suggest you return to your common room, enjoy the rest of your evening, and prepare for dinner. Leave these matters to the adults."

Before they could argue further, she turned on her heel and swept down the corridor, her robes trailing behind her like a shadow.

The trio stood in frustrated silence for a moment.

"She doesn't believe us," Harry muttered, running a hand through his already messy hair.

"She's not going to help," Hermione agreed reluctantly, arms crossed. "And Dumbledore's not here…"

"Which means whoever's after the Stone will strike tonight," Ron finished grimly.

They exchanged serious glances, a silent agreement passing between them.

"If we can't stop them by telling the professors," Harry said, determination hardening his voice, "then we'll stop them ourselves."

Hermione hesitated, biting her lip. "We don't even know when they'll try—"

"It'll be tonight," Ron interrupted. "Has to be. No Dumbledore, no one to stop them… they'll make their move."

Harry nodded. "We can't risk it. We'll skip dinner, keep watch on the fourth floor corridor. If anyone tries to get through the door with Fluffy, we'll be ready."

Hermione glanced between them, clearly battling her natural instinct to follow rules. But the danger — and the stakes — were too high to ignore.

"Alright," she agreed at last. "We guard the corridor tonight."

With the plan set, the trio made their way back toward the Gryffindor common room, the evening sun casting long shadows through the castle windows.