Chapter 88 Two on One, and Calling for Reinforcement
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall said awkwardly, "I'll have them write a thousand-word essay for you later.
Unjustifiably suspecting a school Professor without any evidence is clearly irrational."
Snape snorted, somewhat dissatisfied with this explanation.
But Professor McGonagall had already spoken, and as a fellow Professor and Dean of Hogwarts, he had to give her face.
"Didn't Aaron also suspect Professor Quirrell?" Ron said, a little unconvinced, "Does he have evidence?
And why did you all rush over just because he sent a pet with a message?
Harry and I went to you in person, but you ignored us. That's not fair."
"Not fair?" Professor McGonagall paused, then explained, "It seems you've misunderstood something.
Aaron also doesn't have evidence that Professor Quirrell is plotting against the Philosopher's Stone, but he made a deal with Dumbledore to call upon two Professors once, on demand."
Ron was instantly dumbfounded, and Hermione also stared blankly for a while before a look of sudden realization dawned on her.
They finally understood why Aaron didn't want to enter the trapdoor, and why he was so confident that he could stop You-Know-Who.
A Dean could be considered the strongest combatant at Hogwarts apart from the Principal. If he could mobilize two Deans at once, he naturally had nothing to fear.
The only challenge was to determine the timing of You-Know-Who's actions. Only by seizing this opportunity could he achieve a lasting solution, which explained why he was waiting at the corridor entrance tonight.
"So that's how it is!" Hermione chuckled sheepishly, her feelings particularly complex.
Ron also reacted, "But why didn't Aaron tell us earlier?
If he had, we wouldn't have had to enter the trapdoor, and we wouldn't have had to go through so many complicated obstacles."
"What good would it have done?" Hermione rolled her eyes, "He said he was confident he could stop You-Know-Whofrom getting the Philosopher's Stone; we came ourselves.
He advised us to go back more than once; we were the ones unwilling to leave.
After getting through the Devil's Snare, he suggested we wait there, but we were worried You-Know-Who would take advantage of that time to get the Philosopher's Stone, so we insisted on going to the next challenge."
Ron's mouth twitched; it seemed that was indeed the case.
They were the ones who insisted on getting into trouble; Aaron tried to stop them, but couldn't, and instead was dragged in by them.
"So, we came for nothing?"
"Not for nothing. You'll make Gryffindor's already few points drop another notch," Professor Snape said coldly.
"What?"
Hermione and Ron's hearts sank, both somewhat unable to accept it.
They had already caused Gryffindor to lose 150 points, which was already a historical record. If it happened again, they would truly be too ashamed to face anyone.
"Don't listen to his nonsense; at least your intentions were good," Professor McGonagall comforted them. "If someone truly intended to steal the Philosopher's Stone, then your actions tonight would not only not be a mistake, but a meritorious deed."
"That's good," Ron sighed with relief.
"But why Professor Quirrell?" Hermione asked, "He doesn't seem like a daring person!"
"We don't know if it's true or not, but it's always right to come and check," Professor McGonagall said.
"Let's not talk about that for now," Professor Snape said with a grim face, looking at the two. "Where is my student?
Which challenge have he and Harry Potter reached?"
"If nothing unexpected happened, they should be at the last challenge," Hermione said hesitantly. "The next challenge is the Troll, but it seems to have been subdued beforehand.
As for the second-to-last challenge designed by you, Professor Snape, Aaron passed it in twenty seconds."
"Twenty seconds? Are you kidding?"
"I'm really not kidding."
Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall were both stunned. They had both thought this challenge would delay the two students, but now it seemed their plans couldn't keep up with changes.
Having an excellent student is a good thing, but when that student is too excellent, so excellent that it exceeds the teacher's expectations, it becomes awkward.
Snape took a deep breath and quickened his pace, running towards the next door.
Professor McGonagall was also worried. "Granger, take Ronand leave here quickly.
If what happened is true, this place could be very dangerous.
In the previous challenge, there were magic brooms that could let you fly out of the trapdoor. As for Cerberus, it's asleep now, so don't worry."
"But…"
"No buts. You staying here would only be a burden. We can't afford to be distracted now."
Hermione nodded, about to help Ron leave.
Just then, Harry screamed and rushed out of the Troll's room, nearly colliding head-on with Snape who had just reached the doorway.
"You won't get away, Harry Potter," Professor Quirrellsneered, "Hand over the Philosopher's Stone."
But when he followed Harry out of the room, he was completely flustered, several black lines instantly appearing on his pale face.
Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall were both here; he had genuinely walked right into trouble.
"Professor, save me!" Harry exclaimed with joy, as if grasping a ray of light in the darkness, and quickly ran behind Professor McGonagall.
"Are you alright, Mr. Potter?"
"I'm fine for now, and thankfully you arrived in time."
"Where's Aaron?" Snape asked.
"He…" Harry hesitated, looking at Hermione and the others whose gazes were fixed on him, and lowered his head in shame, "I, I don't know."
"How can you not know?" Hermione couldn't help but ask, "Weren't you going to the next challenge together?"
"Yes, we got the Philosopher's Stone from the Mirror of Erised.
Dumbledore put the Philosopher's Stone in Aaron's pocket, and he gave it to me. Then, to buy me time to escape, he chose to face Professor Quirrell alone.
Oh, and Professor Quirrell is possessed by Lord Voldemortnow; he's incredibly terrifying."
Hearing this, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.
If Quirrell was here, it meant Aaron's fate was grim.
"This isn't true," Hermione stumbled back a few steps, her vision blurring, unable to accept the cruel reality.
"Hermione," Ron pursed his lips, "Pull yourself together."
"How can I pull myself together?
If something happened to him, at least half of the reason would be because of us."
Snape was also not feeling well, but compared to these young Wizards, he had seen many storms and quickly calmed down. "What have you done to my student?"
"That's not a question you should ask me, Snape," Professor Quirrell said calmly, "Lord Voldemort did it himself."
"I didn't kill him."
A hoarse voice suddenly rang out, and at the same time, a hideous face shifted from the back of Quirrell's head to the front. "That little fellow's talent and temperament both exceeded my expectations.
Such a promising seedling, I couldn't bear to let him go.
And Dumbledore, I know him too well. I understand his thoughts perfectly and wouldn't fall for it.
I just didn't expect to be outsmarted by such a young Wizard. Gaius said he notified Hagrid, that reckless Giant, before coming, but I didn't expect it to be you two.
However, to be able to trick me with such a small trick is also a testament to his ability."
"What have you done to him?" Snape asked again.
"Nothing much, just cast a small magic spell on him, making him suffer from insomnia for a month, that's all," Lord Voldemort sneered. "Severus, I'm giving you a chance.
Abandon the darkness and join the light! Help me get the Philosopher's Stone, I…"
"Professor Snape won't help you," Aaron suddenly walked out and said, "I thought you two would fight! But this is all? A bit disappointing!"
"How could you?"
"How am I alright?" Aaron spread his hands. "I made thorough preparations before coming: letters to inform the two Professors, a music box to make Cerberus sleep, Felix Felicis to boost luck, and a magic item that can withstand a Grand Magister's full-power attack to save my life, and so on.
Most of them were used, but your magic spell had no effect on me at all.
The situation is very clear now: two against one, you're dead."
"Is that so?" Lord Voldemort sneered, then gave Snape a meaningful look, "That's not necessarily true."
"No, you're really dead," Aaron looked at the silent Professor Snape, thoughtfully. "Even if you have any other tricks up your sleeve, they won't work.
Have you ever wondered why Hagrid isn't here?"
"That Giant?" Lord Voldemort paused slightly, an ominous premonition rising in his heart.
Everyone else could be absent, but given Hagrid's concern for these three Gryffindors, he should be here, and he had to be here.
"Could it be…"
"That's right.
After learning that Dumbledore had left school, I guessed you would act.
Hagrid, aside from not being able to keep secrets, is quite capable in other areas. I convinced him to help deliver a message to Dumbledore.
With Dumbledore's strength, if he moved quickly, half a day would be enough for him to return to Hogwarts.
I imagine Lord Voldemort in his current state shouldn't be a match for the White Magic King at his peak, right?"