Outside the door, the three of them waited anxiously.

Since Christmas, the kind of solitary search that they have awakened as students has reached a bottleneck.

Although they received the exact origin of the name 'Nicol Lemay' from Connor, they also found that crucial thing in the books: the pinnacle of alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone.

Among the rumors in the wizarding world that he knew, the Philosopher's Stone was a very powerful creation.

Not only can it turn stones into gold and push Transfiguration to its peak, but more importantly, it can also shape its body at will, and even create magical potions that break the boundaries between life and death.

In short, there are so many legends about the Philosopher's Stone that Harry and Ron spent the whole Christmas sorting out the 'information', including gossip.

But, that's it.

Other than that, they couldn't look any further.

Even if he asked Professor Quirrell, he kept his mouth shut.

Unlike his previous candor, he now forbade them to investigate more deeply, and no longer mentioned the 'secret' under the trapdoor on the right side of the fourth floor.

It's all been investigated to this point, and it's only one step away, but he feels like he can sort out everything here, so he can't get stuck here anyway.

"So, Harry, do you really think the Philosopher's Stone will be in Hogwarts?"

While waiting outside the door, Ron couldn't help but ask.

"That's right."

Harry nodded earnestly.

"Otherwise, Snape has no reason to keep an eye on what's under the trapdoor, and Headmaster Dumbledore doesn't have to put up layers of protection."

"Oh......"

Ron subconsciously sensed that something was wrong, but looking at Harry's well-founded appearance, he couldn't tell.

However, Hermione on one side was different.

"But...... Harry, have you ever wondered why the Philosopher's Stone is in the Headmaster's hand if there is really only one piece in the world as described in the books? ”

This actually reveals a very simple truth.

"According to the book, Lemay lived for a long time, and the help of the Philosopher's Stone must have been indispensable to it...... He must not be able to do without the Philosopher's Stone. ”

"I don't know."

Harry couldn't help but shake his head at Hermione's equally well-founded question.

"Actually, I just had doubts about this and wanted to ask Professor Quirrell about it, but the professor didn't want to say."

With his mobility regained, Professor Quirrell no longer relied on them as students.

"Okay, you've done enough, but that's it, as students, you've done enough and done well enough, don't put yourself in danger."

No matter how much they asked, Professor Quirrell just said the same thing to them.

Harry could understand Quirrell's kindness, and he also knew that Quirrell must be reluctant to let him interfere for his own good.

But the more he said that, the more uneasy Harry felt.

For those of them who are Gryffindor students, it was clear that the answer was right in front of them, and they might even be one step away from figuring it out, but this step was itching for them.

"But luckily, Hagrid must know the inside story."

After all, his three-headed dog was there, and the name Nicol Lemay originally came from him.

But at this time......

"Where's the burnt smell?"

"Hey! Harry! You watch the door! ”

"Oh my God, what the hell is Hagrid doing......"

Still, the flame didn't do anything bad.

Before the three children could do anything, the flames were forcibly extinguished by the flowing water.

When Harry tentatively opened the door, he saw Hagrid holding his small pink umbrella and patting his muscular chest with his big hands.

'Bang Bang Bang'

It might have been an ordinary force to him, but it rang out in Harry's ears with a muffled sound.

Combined with the extinguishing of the flames, the dripping of water, and the unpleasant smell, the big room was filled with an indescribable sense of oppression.

"Oh, Harry......"

But soon, Hagrid himself broke the inexplicable horror.

"You may have come at an inappropriate time, and I may have encountered a little problem here."

When the giant hybrid spoke, the sense of innocence that Harry was familiar with crept in.

"Oh...... What's the problem? ”

"Well, it's just some little pets."

"Small pets?"

"Gah!!"

Suddenly, some kind of hoarse voice came from the cupboard.

This made the scene awkward.

"What's that called?"

"Yes...... It's tooth tooth! ”

Hagrid spoke.

"Tooth is barking."

"But isn't Tooth a dog?"

Hagrid was clearly not very good at lying.

Even though he had cold sweat on his forehead, his mouth was glued together, and he couldn't say anything.

'Knock knock'

Eventually, in the midst of this eerie silence, the sealed cabinet made a muffled noise, as if it had been hit by something from within.

And then......

'Bang'

A fireball explodes, and the door to the cabinet is blown off.

"It's ...... Norwegian Ridgeback? ”

Ron's mind quickly snapped up the dragon's name.

However, this matter does not seem to matter now, but the meaning of the dragon's existence is important.

"Why are there dragons in the school?"

"Uh......"

Hagrid was obviously unable to answer the question, and he quickly invited the three children into his room, and then quickly closed the door.

"Don't tell it, don't say it, I spent a lot of effort getting this kid from a wizard on Hogsmeade, and if I don't bring it here, I don't know where this poor kid will go."

As she spoke, Hagrid's tears began to fall.

Obviously a half-breed giant who has lived for decades, but he is acting like a poor child who has met a roadside puppy.

"Calm down."

Seeing Hagrid's appearance, Harry felt helpless.

"We're not going to say it to anyone else, just about ......"

"About what?"

"About the 4th floor...... Wrong. ”

At first, Harry subconsciously wanted to talk openly and honestly with Hagrid.

But when he thought of his apparent avoidance before, he quickly changed his tune.

The boy looked around, and finally fixed his gaze on the arrogant young dragon:

"Nothing, just wanted to ask, where did you get the dragon from?"