Chapter 176 – Captured
Over the next few days, life at Hogwarts settled back into its ordinary rhythm.
Harry lived almost carefree—if not for one thing constantly nagging at him: the upcoming Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
It was complicated. Seamus and Dean were good friends from Gryffindor. Ron's older brothers were Gryffindors too, and the Weasley twins, though mischievous, treated Harry like one of their own. Yet if Ravenclaw won, Harry's own House would claim the Quidditch Silver Cup for the first time in nearly a century.
Captain Jonny of Ravenclaw was completely focused on this match. Normally, the team would already be discussing tryouts for next year—especially since four of Ravenclaw's players, including Jonny himself, were graduating. But Jonny wanted one last glory: if they won, it might open doors for him in the professional leagues.
---
Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy was preoccupied with something else entirely: mending his strained relationship with Hagrid.
Ever since the confrontation about Norberta, Hagrid had been distant. He didn't even allow them near his cabin anymore. Hagrid knew that any visit might mean Charlie's reply had come—confirmation that Norberta would have to be taken away.
Hagrid's mood hadn't softened, but because Draco possessed such impressive knowledge about dragon care, Hagrid still tolerated Draco standing nearby and offering advice. That didn't sit well with Ron, whose bitten, swollen hand was proof of how much he'd helped too. Like Fang the hound, who'd been shoved aside, Ron would occasionally show off his injury whenever Hagrid was in sight.
---
During Transfiguration class one day, Professor McGonagall finally sent Ron to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey took one look at the wound, muttered under her breath, and treated it without asking questions.
As a Slytherin alumna, Pomfrey had a reputation for being brisk and unsentimental. In another world line, Harry and Ron had touched everyone's hearts by visiting Hermione after she was petrified. But Madam Pomfrey? She merely sighed, "Talking to someone petrified is a waste of effort."
---
Quirrell, on the other hand, had begun acting on his own.
Every night, he slipped into the forest, hoping to subdue a unicorn. But unicorn magic was strong, and Quirrell's resolve was weak. He never got further than gathering rare herbs to brew potions for his master.
That was why Charlie's letter arrived earlier than expected. Four days later, Hedwig delivered it to Harry at breakfast.
---
Dear Ron,
How are you? They must not be seen carrying a dragon illegally. Can you take the ridgeback up to the highest tower at midnight on Saturday? Please get back to me soon.
Love,
Charlie
---
To Harry, it was perfectly reasonable.
To Alexander Smith, watching from afar, it reeked of a setup.
Why the Astronomy Tower? Alexander thought. Why not straight from Hagrid's hut? And since when is it that easy to sneak into Hogwarts airspace without the Headmaster's leave?
In the original timeline, this letter took a week to arrive. But now it came early—and Alexander knew why. Dumbledore was moving the pieces himself, hoping to push Harry and Voldemort into a closer encounter, to see if Voldemort realized Harry was a Horcrux.
In this altered world, Quirrell wasn't yet fully under Voldemort's control. He hadn't killed a unicorn, which drew Dumbledore's attention and accelerated his plans.
Dumbledore, you sly old fox, Alexander thought darkly. It seems I'll have to prepare sooner than I planned. Taking the Stone is easy—but shaking Dumbledore while tempering Harry at the same time? That's a real challenge.
---
Midnight arrived on Saturday. Alexander shadowed Harry, Ron, and Draco as they carried Norberta up the darkened castle staircases. He wanted to see how they'd be caught this time.
In the original timeline, they were arrested because they forgot the Invisibility Cloak.
But tonight… Alexander's eyes narrowed. What's this? Dumbledore himself?
He watched as Dumbledore intercepted Professor McGonagall, still in her plaid dressing gown and hairnet, and whispered something about seeing a student in the Astronomy Tower. Then Dumbledore left the castle entirely, a flick of his cloak vanishing him into the night.
Alexander felt a chill. That's not even fair. He's not respecting the rules—he's bringing down a Gundam on three second-years.
After Harry, Ron, and Draco handed Norberta over, Dumbledore returned. With a flick of magic, he caused them to forget about the Invisibility Cloak lying on the tower floor. They strolled back down completely exposed.
---
The three of them turned a corner—and froze.
Standing there, arms crossed, was Professor McGonagall.
"Follow me," she said in a voice calm enough to be terrifying.
Harry felt a stab of guilt when he caught the disappointment in her eyes. It cut deeper than any lecture.
No one spoke as they marched to her study on the second floor. Ron trembled, his ears bright red. Draco's pale face was nearly translucent.
"I can't believe it's you three," Professor McGonagall said at last. "Filch reported students in the Astronomy Tower. Do you know what time it is? One in the morning. Explain yourselves."
Silence.
"Mr. Potter," she pressed. "I thought you were different from your father… perhaps more like your mother. It seems I was mistaken."
Still, silence. The three of them stared at their shoes, shoulders hunched.
"You will each serve detention—and I am deducting twenty points from each of you," she snapped, her voice sharp as a whip. Her nostrils flared as she drew a long, steady breath.
"Professor—please—" Harry began, but the words faltered.
"You don't get to tell me what I can and cannot do, Potter," McGonagall cut him off. "Go back to your dormitories. If you choose not to explain yourselves, then so be it. You can reflect on your actions in detention."
---
And so, the three of them left—Harry, Ron, and Draco—silent, stung, and weighed down by the loss of House points.
High above in the shadowed rafters, Alexander Smith watched, thoughtful.
Dumbledore… you truly are something else.
---
(End of this chapter)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics