Chapter 67 - 67 Petrified three-headed dog

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Petrified three-headed dog

Before heading to the forbidden area, Hermione suggested they first visit Hagrid to find out how to deal with the three-headed dog.

Since dogs have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, Harry's invisibility cloak could only conceal their appearance but not their scent, which likely wouldn't be effective against the three-headed dog.

Harry and Ron agreed, confident that they could extract information from Hagrid. After all, Hagrid was known to be tight-lipped, but that was only if you didn't have a bottle opener...

So, the three of them went to Hagrid's hut.

"Hagrid, what happened to you?"

Harry looked at Hagrid's bandaged face, his half-burnt clothes, and the large patches of missing hair and beard, and asked in surprise.

"Oh, it's nothing. I accidentally burned myself while adding too much wood to the fire last night," Hagrid said somewhat evasively.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged glances, sensing there was more to this than met the eye.

"Hagrid, did you do something against school rules?" Harry asked.

"No! Absolutely not!" Hagrid jumped, shouting agitatedly, "Don't go spreading rumors, or I'll sue you for defamation!"

Hermione furrowed her brow in suspicion and moved closer to Hagrid to examine him more closely.

"There's something wrong," she said. "You don't just have burn marks, but also scratches from some animal."

Hagrid hurriedly covered his coat with his hands, taking a few awkward steps back, causing the entire hut to shake slightly.

"No, it's probably just a scratch I got myself," he stammered.

"Hagrid, I remember you wanted to get a dragon," Hermione said with sharp eyes. "Burn marks, scratches from animals... Did you really get a dragon?"

"I didn't!" Hagrid blurted out, "Look closely, the scratches from a scorpion tail beast are different from those of a dragon!"

After saying that, he regretted it immediately and quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late.

"So you did get a scorpion tail beast?" Hermione asked. "Then what are the burn marks from? I've read 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' by Scamander, and it doesn't mention that scorpion tail beasts can breathe fire."

"If you want to back out now, I won't blame you," he said. "It's Voldemort I should be facing. I don't want to drag you into this. You don't have to join me in thwarting his plans. Even if he does return, you'd have a chance to save yourselves."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ron said.

"Let's go in together," Hermione said firmly, shaking her head.

Harry took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

As he stepped through, his mood became somber, as if he was walking into a destined fate...

However, instead of the deep growling of the three-headed dog, they were met with darkness and silence.

"Hermione, didn't you say the three-headed dog would definitely smell us out and that the invisibility cloak wouldn't work?" Harry asked in a low voice. "There's no movement now—could it be because the cloak hides our scent too?"

Hermione frowned, took a few steps forward, and suddenly lifted the invisibility cloak.

"Hermione!"

"Hermione, what are you doing?"

But Hermione ignored their concerns and extended her wand into the darkness.

"Lumos!"

A small light appeared at the tip of Hermione's wand, illuminating the dim room.

Harry and Ron were astonished to see a huge three-headed dog, nearly filling half the room, standing motionless.

One of its heads had wide open eyes, glaring angrily, while the other two heads had their eyes closed, as if they were still half asleep.

The three-headed dog remained perfectly still, not even breathing.

Harry mustered up his courage and walked up to it, patting its body, but found its fur and flesh were as stiff as wood.

"Quirrell must have used a curse we don't know about to petrify Fluffy," Hermione said quietly. "We need to be prepared; he's far stronger than we imagined."

Her tone was heavy with concern.