Putting aside the usual camaraderie and helpfulness among colleagues, Dumbledore could no longer bear Hagrid's pitiful gaze. With a sigh, he took the initiative to calm the agitated Fluffy and lulled him to sleep.
After all, this incident wasn't really Fluffy's fault. There was no need to continue punishing him.
Receiving Dumbledore's signal, Professor McGonagall also gave Fluffy a bit of leniency.
"Thank you, thank you…" Hagrid wiped away his tears, walked forward, and began unfastening the chains.
As he did so, Dumbledore suddenly noticed a few pieces of torn cloth caught in the teeth of Fluffy's middle head.
"What's that?" Dumbledore asked.
Prompted by his words, Hagrid also noticed the cloth. He removed it carefully and examined it closely. "Clothing from a Troll?"
"Trolls don't wear clothes," Dumbledore replied.
"Oh, sorry, Professor Snape," Hagrid mumbled and handed the torn pieces to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore raised his hand and pointed lightly.
"Reparo!"
More than just the visible piece responded—other fabric fragments flew from corners of the room and attached themselves to the main piece.
Soon, a pointed hat took shape in midair.
"Is that a school uniform hat?" Professor McGonagall was surprised at first. Something seemed to click in her mind, but she quickly shook her head.
"That's impossible. We arrived immediately after hearing the commotion. If any student had left, I would've seen them."
She glanced toward Professor Flitwick, who had just arrived.
Professor Flitwick instantly understood and replied, "No one left from upstairs either. I've been watching."
"What about Mr. Ollivander?" Dumbledore asked suddenly. "I heard he didn't attend the feast."
"Robert Ollivander?" Flitwick blinked, then nodded after a moment's thought. "Yes, he was there too. Helping to maintain order. I clearly remember."
"Where was he?"
"Second floor, near the library," Flitwick said.
"Ah, it seems Potter lied," Snape said coldly. "Just like his father—arrogant and full of deceit…"
"Severus." Dumbledore's voice was calm but firm.
Snape looked displeased but said no more.
"Should we check all the students' hats?" Professor McGonagall offered quickly, steering the conversation away.
"No need," Dumbledore replied with a small wave. "It was probably brought in accidentally by the Troll. It's not important."
This type of plain pointed hat was standard with Hogwarts uniforms and extremely common. Moreover, the student who lost it wouldn't have done nothing, so checking it now served no real purpose.
"I should go to the hospital wing," Professor Snape said, stepping forward. "I will brew a special potion for Professor Quirrell. Perhaps we can get the truth from him."
Of everyone present, Snape remained focused on his goal: investigating Quirrell.
As for whether his "special potion" would include anything…extra—if you asked, he'd say no.
But Dumbledore didn't agree.
After staying at the scene a bit longer and ensuring no clues were left behind, the Professors dispersed, leaving only Hagrid to tend to the injured Fluffy.
On the Way Back
"Dumbledore," Snape said again, "I still think leaving Fluffy in the castle is dangerous."
"You saw it yourself. Even with two heads, it was able to kill an adult Troll in minutes. What if one day it gets hungry and storms the castle..."
"Don't worry," Dumbledore replied. "Fluffy can't break through that door. And the house-elves in the kitchens will look after him well."
"But—"
"I assure you, it will be fine."
Snape had more to say but finally gave up. Instead, he muttered, "I'll keep an eye on Quirrell. It must be him behind this."
"I appreciate it."
The two separated at the staircase landing.
Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor Common Room on the Eighth Floor
"When did you get back?!" Harry, who had just returned, stared in shock at Robert sitting comfortably in an armchair.
"I came back with everyone," Robert replied, puzzled. "I was wondering where you went. Everyone said they didn't see you."
"We went looking for you—to warn you about the Troll," Harry explained.
"You guys?" Robert looked between him, Ron, and Hermione. "Since when did you three start getting along?"
"Who's getting along with her?!" Ron quickly scooted away. "If she hadn't begged Professor McGonagall for Harry, I wouldn't be caught dead with her!"
"I just told the truth!" Hermione snapped, glaring at Ron. "Did you think I wanted to be near you?"
Robert looked at the three in surprise.
Soon, Harry explained the full story.
Before the Halloween feast, Hermione had approached Professor McGonagall and confessed what really happened in flying class. She told the Professor that Malfoy had broken school rules and Harry was only trying to protect a classmate's item.
Whether it was entirely factual or had a touch of exaggeration, the result was the same: after speaking to McGonagall, Harry's detention was cancelled.
Then, during the feast, Quirrell came rushing in with the news of a Troll.
The three of them immediately thought of Robert—who wasn't in the Great Hall—and decided to go find him together.
Honestly, Robert felt moved.
Maybe it was just Gryffindor bravery, but they had acted without hesitation when something happened.
More importantly, they'd rather risk facing a Troll than rat out where he was to a Professor.
These were friends worth having.
Robert felt a little warmth in his chest.
"Don't worry," Harry said confidently. "Professor McGonagall only took points from us—not from you."
Wait a second…
Robert's smile froze. "She didn't deduct my points? Does that mean… she knew I wasn't at the feast?"
"Yeah," Ron nodded as if it were obvious. "But we told her you hadn't gotten there yet, and you didn't know about the Troll, so you didn't leave halfway."
"…Thanks a lot," Robert said expressionlessly.
So much for being touched.
Ten minutes ago, using the Marauder's Map that Fred and George had secretly given him, Robert had successfully sneaked into a hidden passage before Professors Snape and McGonagall arrived. He took a shortcut to the second floor, blended in with the student crowd, and even made sure Professor Flitwick saw him.
Everything had gone smoothly.
He had thought he'd managed to dodge trouble this time.
But clearly… no.
Robert sighed.
Fine, whatever.
Even if the Professors knew, so what?
He had helped them, indirectly, with the Troll situation.
They wouldn't punish him for that, surely.
As for Fluffy's injuries, that was the Troll's doing.
What did that have to do with him—Robert Ollivander?
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