Fluffy

Trenton noticed Rocky's unusual behavior as he started intensely sniffing around trying to determine where it was coming from before letting out an excited bark as it took off with Trenton scrambling to keep up from behind, speaking in a low voice- "Rocky, where are you going? And don't bark, it's late, are you trying to get us into trouble?"

Hermione who was just about to head off to her dorm saw the commotion and shook her head as she quickly decided with a sigh to help him out, promising to make him pay if they get in trouble.

They followed Rocky up and around a side staircase that led to the forbidden 3rd floor which made Trenton realized with the barrier down, Rocky must have caught Fluffy's scent.

Rocky stopped at the top as it carefully sniffed around and began to slowly follow the trail as the scent got stronger.

Realizing where they were, Hermione commented- "This is the 3rd floor, we're not supposed to be here, what happened to the barrier?" she wondered.

"Maybe they took it down because they're opening it back up," said Trenton, playing it off so she wouldn't be worried about breaking any more rules then she already was by walking around at night.

Rocky then took off again and gave another excited bark as it closed in on its goal, screams were heard soon after as Ron and Harry ran by in fright down a different hall with Ron cowardly exclaiming- "Run Harry, I can hear it right behind us."

Trenton and Hermione saw them in the corner of their eyes as they approached Rocky who was scratching at the door they just left, barking excitedly.

Trenton rushed up to quiet the dog- "Shhh, no barking please, at this rate it'll be a miracle if we don't get caught."

Hermione whispered- "I think that was Harry and Ron, I wonder what had them so spoked?"

"Who knows but I don't think Rocky is willing to go anywhere till he sees what's behind this door, come on let's open it up," said Trenton as he moved to open the door, giving a gentlemanly bow while saying- "After you, my lady." receiving a sheepish grin from Hermione.

Rocky immediately bolted in with Hermione chasing right after- "Rocky, don't just take off like that." she reprimanded the panting dog who just ignored her as he stood there wagging his tail excitedly, looking up.

Feeling a draft, Hermione followed Rocky's gaze as her eyes settled upon the giant 3 headed dog looming over them, going bug-eyed as she was scared stiff, frozen in place.

Trenton entering just behind was surprised to find a very frightened Hermione staring at Fluffy who was confused about what to do with Rocky who smelled like one of his kind and the intruders.

Fluffy quickly determined it was best to follow orders first even if it was interested in Rocky and began to growl menacingly as it took a step towards Hermione who let out a terrifying scream.

Rocky sensing the bad intentions of Fluffy and the fear of Hermione, the other one who gives him good belly rubs, he instantly turned from a friendly dog into a fierce protector.

Trenton also didn't stay idly by as he drew his wand ready to act but was momentarily stunned by what he saw next.

Fluffy who ignored the small dog was about to reach over when suddenly it had to back off as Rocky size doubled then tripled, then quadrupled until eventually, he reached the same size as Fluffy.

The three-headed dog was taken aback by this change as it saw another giant dog, matching its size right before it. Not backing down they began to growl at each other with Rocky staring directly at the Middle head, giving a loud bark that shook the area. The three heads hearing him bark stopped there growling as they decided to once more confirm who Rocky was through sniffing, the two dogs now cautiously began sniffing each other, introducing themselves as dogs do.

Seeing that the most dangerous part was passed, Trenton moved over to see how Hermione was doing who still hadn't moved a muscle.

"Hermione are you okay? Hermione?" Trenton asked as he stepped in front of her to break her unwavering gaze towards the dogs.

Hermione waking up from her daze, grew a little tearful as she quickly embraced Trenton- "Trenton! I was so scared!"

Trenton didn't know what to say as he hugged her back, he didn't read about this in the book. She must have done what most do and made it seem like she was far braver then she was. It made sense though, which child wouldn't be scared to death of a life-threatening situation.

"There, there, Hermione, everything is okay," he said feeling guilty for putting her in such a situation, he should have known better despite what was written in her book.

He then put her at arm's length, wiping a few stray tears, smiling as he said- "There's my brave girl, come on, I think it's safe now, Rocky's got it under control, let's check out Fluffy."

Hermione paled again- "I, I think I'll wait here, do you really think that's the one Hagrid was talking about?" not believing for a second that Hagrid raised such a vicious creature.

Trenton sighed- "Alright, you can stay here, I'm going to go check it out, I want to go pet them." he said with a grin.

As he went to move though he found that Hermione was still tightly clutching his Robes.

Trenton- "Um, Hermione?"

Hermione whispered- "Don't go."

Trenton started to question if all his actions made her way to reliant on him, he didn't wish for the strong girl in the books to be ruined by him.

"Don't be scared Hermione, you don't need to be brave, but remember to keep your head on your shoulders, don't forget what Hagrid said, and don't forget what you read, you can do this Hermione, now think about it, tell me how you would deal with this if Rocky wasn't here."

Hermione hesitated as she tired recalling everything she's learned before saying- "Music, I would use music to put it to sleep since its far too resistant for any regular magic to harm, I will trust what Hagrid said."

Trenton smiled as he rubbed her head- "Correct, that's my girl, you'll be just fine, better then fine even, you'll be a great wizard one day, I just know it, now you can wait here if you want, but I'm going to go over there and pet them."

Hermione lowered her head saying okay as she let him go.

Trenton then heads over to the two dogs who were quietly walking around themselves sniffing each other's butts, each head taking a turn at Rocky's leading to some awkwardness as Rocky was already done sniffing his and wanted to turn back around only for Fluffy to try and get back around for his other heads to get a turn.

Trenton dodging out of the way as the two scrambled around. Rocky thinking it was a game as he started getting excited and began to play with him.

Trenton then wondered if Rocky was weak to music like Fluffy, he couldn't recall a time when music was playing for him in an enclosed place like this.

Trenton called out to Hermione so she could regain some of her courage- "Hermione, put some music on, let's see him fall asleep and whether or not Rocky will also. and then I'll get to pet him all I want." he said with an evil grin.

Hermione slowly took up her wand as she took a breath to calm herself before confidently casting a music spell.

The room was suddenly filled with classical music, it wasn't long before Fluffy was staggering to keep his eyes open and stay awake only to crash moments later in a deep sleep.

Rocky on the other hand was perfectly fine as he sniffed in confusion at Fluffy who was out for the count.

Trenton grinned as he saw it worked and Rocky was fine, walking up he complained to Rocky as he headed towards Fluffy- "Rocky, I can't believe you can grow your size, how come you never told me."

Rocky only tilted its head doing its classic confused look despite understanding.

Trenton- "Yeah, yeah, you keep looking confused, I'll just pet Fluffy instead." he said reaching out his arms to embrace Fluffy, who was in fact very fluffy to the touch, Hagrid gave him a good name after all.

Rocky didn't like this though as he nudged Trenton away with his nose and gave him a big disgusting lick across his entire body making him wet from head to toe in dog slobbers.

Trenton with arms out in shock as drool now dripped off of him with his hair standing up, whined- "Rocky, yuck, you soaked me in drool."

Hermione who saw his new hairdo couldn't help but giggle a little.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he said fixing his hair while wiping away dog drool.

Suddenly the hatch that fluffy was guarding was flung open as Dumbledore levitated up into the room.

Hermione and Trenton froze as Rocky instantly shrunk to hide behind Trenton, never one to go out of its way to interact with other humans it doesn't know well.

Dumbledore- "It seems many students were eager to explore the 3rd floor as soon as the barrier came down."

Hermione stammered- "We, um, we, we were just chasing after Rocky so he wouldn't get into any trouble."

Trenton backed her up- "Yes, we were heading back to the common rooms when Rocky caught Fluffy's scent, we ended up chasing him here."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow- "Fluffy, how do you know that name? And the music, how did you learn about that, no one has ever documented such findings, I believe only Hagrid has ever discovered it."

Hermione grew scared for Hagrid- "It wasn't his fault, honest, please don't punish him because of us."

Dumbledore- "This is a serious offense, he's told students things they should never know."

Trenton unsure if Dumbledore was serious or not tried to defend Hagrid- "It's my fault, Mr. Dumbledore, sir, I went to Hagrids and explained about my dog and it sort of slip that he also had a Cerberus named Fluffy."

Dumbledore- "Ah, I believe you are the two Professor McGonagall told me about, Trenton Epperson if I'm not wrong, and you even found an interesting familiar too." he said as he gazed upon Trenton and Rocky.

After a long grueling silence with the three sweating under his stare, Dumbledore finally spoke- "It's quite late, shouldn't you two be going off to bed now, I believe you stayed up long enough."

Sighing in relief the two headed for the door with Rocky close behind only to stop once more when Dumbledore spoke again- "I don't think I need to remind you but don't go around telling others about this place, and I'm sorry to say this will be the last time you see Fluffy for a while, I'll be putting the barrier back up once you leave."

Once they were gone Dumbledore stroked his beard as he dispelled the music so his guard dog could do its job while he thought to himself- 'That Hagrid is a bit to lose lipped, I want Tom and Harry to find the trap so the prophecy can be fulfilled as soon as possible, but I don't want every student in the school making their way down here.'