25 Chapter-25: Snape is the Culprit

As Easter was approaching, Ronan started becoming stressed out a lot. He wanted to complete the second-year course before the exams of the first year. But things were not going smoothly, with his Occlumency practice, Spells practice, and his telekinesis practice along with his studies, he was being consumed by exhaustion little by little. He was always tired and would fall asleep, as soon as his body touched the bed.

If that was not enough, The Tale of Three Brothers had been a source of his nightmare as well. He knew that he had heard the story before, and if his suspicion was right then this story might be central to the Harry Potter plot. So between his classes, he would venture to the Library to do some research about the subject, trying to find a clue whether this is just a mere bedtime story, or does it holds some historical significance as well. But till then, he had no luck in his research.

That day as well, to try his luck, he picked up the oldest history book that he could find and looked around to find someplace to sit. As the exams were approaching, teachers had started giving them too much homework, because of which most of the Library was full. He started looking around, to see that Neville and his friends had occupied a table at the far end of the Library, so he went there.

"Hey guys" he greeted them, "Do you mind if I sit here?" Ron looked annoyed to see him, which didnt come as a surprise. Neville and Harry passed him a smile, while Hermione on the other hand was busy reading the uses of Dragon blood and was practicing the wand movements at the same time, she couldnt be bothered by his presence.

He sat down with his book before him, which astonished Ron, "Mate what are you reading?"

"Significant Achievements and Historical Events," He spoke nonchalantly,

Neville looked nervous just seeing the book, "Hey, will we need to read that as well for the History of Magic exam?"

"Oh no. I am reading this because I am searching for something. You could say that this is just light reading for me,"

Ron was astonished, "You call this light reading?" He smirked and then went back to reading.

"Hey Ronan," Neville spoke, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure man, whats up?"

Neville looked around, seeing whether someone was eavesdropping on them. Ronan noticed that Harry and Ron looked nervous as well, even Hermione had also left her homework and was looking at him. "Do you think that Professor Snape is capable of doing something wrong?"

That was a very weird and specific question to ask, but still, he replied, "Everyone is capable of doing some wrong Neville."

"No, I mean.. If you found out that Snape was going to do something wrong, what would you do?"

He thought about it for a second, "If you are asking me whether I would become a snitch, and report Professor Snape if something he does is wrong, then it depends on circumstances."

Harry asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well to understand what I mean, first you guys need to know something about me. I will not some goody two shoes. If I catch Professor Snape doing something like scamming money from school, I will probably blackmail him rather then reporting him. But if I find him committing a very serious crime, like murder, only then I would report him."

Ron then asked, "What if he is trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Then he needs to be reported," He lied, if that was indeed true then he would have killed the man and taken the stone for himself. If he was strong enough to pull it off. "That stone is too powerful to be left out in the world. And it is certainly a very dangerous artifact. If what you said is indeed true, then I would report him." Those guys looked at each other, and then Neville nodded, so did everyone else.

Harry then spoke, "Ronan we are now sure that it is Snape that is trying to steal the artifact."

"Really? How?" Then Harry started recalling the incident…

***

During the month of February, when the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff took place, Snape was umpiring the match. Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team were worried that Snape would be a terrible umpire and would make their life a living hell. Their strategy was to make Harry catch the Golden Snitch, as fast as they could. And he achieved his team goals, ending the match pretty easily and pretty fast.

Harry left the changing room alone that day, he was taking his Nimbus Two Thousand to the broom shed. There was a certain skip in his steps that day, because of how happy he was.

When he reached the broom shed, he noticed a hooded figure who came swiftly down the front steps of the castle, clearly not wanting to be seen as it was walking as fast as possible. And that figure was heading toward the Forbidden Forest. Something felt fishy, so Harry decided to check out the figure for himself.

He hopped on the broom and got in the air, and went a height to keep an eye on the figure. To his surprise, he recognized the figure's prowling walk, it was Snape.

Snape sneaking into the forest, when everyone is at dinner? Something is very wrong here. Harry thought, and with that, he started following the man.

The trees were so thick he couldn't see where Snape had gone. He flew in circles, lower and lower, brushing the top branches of trees until he heard voices. He glided towards them and landed noiselessly in a towering beech tree. He climbed carefully along one of the branches, holding tight to his broomstick, trying to see through the leaves.

Below, in a shadowy clearing, stood Snape, but he wasn't alone. Quirrell was there, too. Harry couldn't make out the look on his face, but he was stuttering worse than ever. Harry strained to catch what they were saying. "...d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all places, Severus..."

"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private," said Snape, in a icy voice. "Students aren't supposed to know about the Philosopher's Stone, after all."

With that Snape asked the question, "Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"

"B-b-but Severus, I…"

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell," said Snape, taking a step towards him.

"I-I don-t know what you.."

You know perfectly well what I mean.'

An owl hooted loudly and Harry nearly fell out of the tree. He steadied himself in time to hear Snape say, "...your little bit of hocus pocus. I'm waiting."

"B-but I d-d-don't…"

"Very well," Snape cut in. "We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."

Snape then threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the clearing. It was almost dark now, but Harry could see Quirrell, standing quite still as though he was petrified.

***

Ronan and Neville's gang were all hurdled up together when Harry was recalling the event. And when was done, Ronan acted as if he was lost in thought. While all four of them were looking at him for some answer.

"From the looks of it.. It seems that you guys were right. Snape is indeed trying to steal Philospher's stone." He said, making everyone nod. "But.."

"But what?" Hermione asked, "Did you notice something weird about the story?"

"Yeah," he said, "But it is probably nothing."

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"Well… The thing that I find more interesting or glaring is why would Snape go to Quirell to ask about the dog?"

Neville then spoke, "What is so weird about that? Quirell is the teacher of Defense against Dark Arts. That subject teaches us how to handle attacks against beasts as well. And Fluffy is a beast, isn't he?"

Ronan shook his head, "Alright, let me put in a perspective, that you guys would understand." Ron then spoke swiftly, "Dont treat us as if we are dumb!" he snapped at Ronan.

"Ron, I never said that you guys are dumb. It is just that you guys dont have the cunningness of a Slytherin." Ronan spoke with a smile, "So let me put in perspective… As we know Dumbledore is one of the strongest wizards of this time. So if I wanted to steal something from under his nose, considering that I could be caught whenever Professor Dumbledore would get wind of the theft, I would make sure to delay Dumbledore as much as I could. Do you guys understand what I am trying to say?"

All the boys looked clueless, while realization hit Hermione, "You are trying to say that Snape would try to get past Fluffy without killing him. Because Fluffy's death will alert Dumbledore."

"Correct. So, if I wanted to know how to get past that dog, I would not go to Quirell. Because Defence against Dark Arts does not teach us how to subdue the dog. It teaches us the way from which we could evade that dog and tend to the wounds given by that dog. And if were in Snape's shoes, and I would have to subdue the dog to get past him, I would ask Professor Silvanus Kettleburn about the way from which I could get past the dog."

Ron then spoke, "Well, I have heard that Quirell was a very talented lad before his trip to Albania. He was not such a stuttering mess that he is now."

Ronan then spoke, "Maybe… But you know what would be more effective?" They all leaned forward, "Ask the person to whom that dog belonged."

They all looked at each other, "Getting answers from Quirell might be easy, but no disrespect… Getting answers out of a wizard who doesn't have a wand would be more easy." And from their faces, they all imagined Hagrid being questioned by Snape

It was then Ron said, "Hagrid! What are you doing in the Library?"

Ronan, Neville, and Harry turned around to see that man himself standing behind them. Hagrid was clearly hiding something behind his back.

"Just looking around," Hagrid said with a smile, "And what are you guys doing here?" Then big guy suddenly became suspicious, "You are not here discussing.. Fluffy are you?"

Neville spoke, "Something like that. Now that we know that Fluffy is guarding Philospher's…" Before the poor boy could, "SSHH!!!" Hargrid sush them.

"Dont go shoutin' about it, what is the matter with you?" Hagrid said,

"Speaking of which," Harry spoke, "Hagrid, what else is guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy?"

"SHH!!" Hagrid then shushed them again, "Listen, come to see me later. I am not promising I will tell you anything, mind you. But go speaking something like this out loud, students arent suppose to know that you know. Someone would think that I told you guys."

"See you later then," Harry spoke, and Hagrid turned around with a book cluctched in hsi hands.

"What do you think that he was hiding behind his back?" Ronan asked. Ron then got up from his seat, "You know what, I will go and take a look."

No one minded Ron, and every single one of them went back to what they were originally here to do. But soon Ron returned with a stack of books in his hands.

"Dragons!" Ron whispered after slamming the book on the table. "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide."

Then Harry added, "Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him,"

Ronan didnt comment on anything. Surely Hagrid is not planning to raise a dragon in his small wooden cottage. Maybe the poor bloke wanted to see whether he could raise one or not. He felt a little bad for Hagrid, because breeding dragons was illegal in England.

Then he pushed aside his thoughts and went back to his research, trying to find the clues about the three brothers…