Chapter 38: Deductions and Determination

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Hermione's expression grew increasingly peculiar. Others might not know, but how could she and Glenn not be aware? The Philosopher's Stone was safely stored in the amulet Glenn had given her, which she wore constantly and had enchanted with an anti-loss charm.

Hermione touched her chest, confirming the amulet was still securely in place.

This is getting more and more absurd, Hermione thought as she quietly distanced herself from the two excited boys. The emotional ups and downs had left her thoughts somewhat scattered.

Never mind, I'll talk to Glenn about it later and analyze it then.

After briefly bidding farewell to Harry and Ron, Hermione returned to the Gryffindor table, found her girlfriends, saved a seat for Glenn, and joined their conversation. She temporarily tucked away her complicated feelings and thoughts, her furrowed brows gradually relaxing.

Meanwhile, Glenn had shared his observations and speculations with Dumbledore. Though the headmaster expressed surprise, Glenn left without showing any emotion. Let Dumbledore continue his act, Glenn thought, not believing for a moment that Dumbledore was unaware of Quirrell's movements. He felt the headmaster was plotting something.

Farewell, I'll take my leave.

Heading downstairs into the Great Hall, both Draco and Neville greeted him in turn. Glenn acknowledged them with a nod and made a gesture indicating evening training would commence, causing their faces to fall immediately.

Ignoring their reproachful looks, Glenn walked straight to Hermione's side and sat down. Hermione, who had been teased relentlessly by her dormmates, finally saw her savior. She quickly pushed away Lavender's wandering hands and turned to whisper in Glenn's ear, telling him about Harry and Ron's theory.

"Harry says he knows what's behind that door on the fourth floor - it's the Philosopher's Stone. He saw Hagrid take a small pouch from a special vault at Gringotts before school started. They also found out that Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel had discussed its protection together, and Dumbledore was to guard it. So they think the fourth-floor corridor and the three-headed dog are designed to protect the Stone," she paused to catch her breath, as speaking so much at once was quite tiring.

Glenn handed her a glass of pumpkin juice. Hermione took a small sip before continuing, "Let's set aside the matter of the Stone - you know about that - but why do they think Professor Snape would want to steal it? It's strange. Is it just because Professor Snape keeps targeting Harry in class?"

Glenn shook his head, equally unsure of the reason.

But Dumbledore's preparation...

Glenn pondered, taking Hermione's hand and writing his thoughts on her palm: "I think Dumbledore might have prepared a fake Philosopher's Stone and deliberately leaked information about protecting it. Remember when we visited Nicolas before summer vacation? Dumbledore said he had business there, but he didn't actually do anything."

"You mean..." Hermione's eyes lit up, clearly following Glenn's logic. She wrote back on his palm: "And the professor specifically returned via Apparition before we left. He might have 'accidentally' leaked the information during that time."

"I just remembered something - do you recall that issue of the Daily Prophet we read?" The young girl thought of something related to Harry's story.

"The 'Gringotts Break-in'?" Glenn clearly remembered, as collecting information had become second nature to him, especially unusual incidents like this.

"Yes, and Harry told us the break-in happened shortly after he and Hagrid retrieved the item. It's too much of a coincidence," Hermione's fingers moved nimbly as she nodded, confirming Glenn's thoughts.

"Dumbledore is fishing," Glenn concluded. "Someone definitely wants the Stone, but it's not Snape. He's probably just an insider who knows about the Stone but doesn't know it's fake." Glenn explained how Snape had been bitten by the three-headed dog during the troll incident.

"So Quirrell wants the Stone?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. So that was Quirrell's objective.

She finally understood. She had previously thought Dumbledore wouldn't allow someone with ill intentions to teach at Hogwarts, but it was all part of his trap.

She then complained to Glenn, somewhat puffed up: "You made all these deductions and never told me?" Her small hand slipped inside Glenn's robe, lightly pinching a bit of flesh to show her displeasure.

Glenn remained unmoved and spoke softly: "This doesn't concern us. Knowing would only add to your worries. I didn't want you wasting energy on unnecessary things. You're already busy enough."

His concern was evident in his words.

"Well, I'll forgive you then," Hermione said haughtily, pretending to be magnanimous. She withdrew her mischievous hand and turned her head away to hide her obvious pleasure.

Glenn cares about me! (＾▽＾)

"What are you smiling about, Hermione?" Parvati, who had been watching their intimate gestures, asked with a knowing smile, exposing the young girl's delight.

"I'll~ for~give~ you~ then~" Lavender imitated Hermione perfectly, though with an even more coquettish tone.

"Oh, you two!" Hermione exclaimed in exasperation, immediately getting into a playful tussle with them. Glenn, seeing his part was done, quietly sipped his tea.

Quirrell's target is the Philosopher's Stone?

Glenn didn't dismiss this matter as he had before, but rather took it seriously. Others might not know, but how could he not be clear?

Since the real Stone was with him and Hermione, even if Quirrell fell for Dumbledore's trick, as long as he remained alive, he would still be a potential threat.

Only a dead enemy is a good enemy - Glenn firmly believed this.

Now the enemy was exposed while Glenn remained hidden, giving him the temporary advantage. If he didn't strike now when the iron was hot and arrange a complete burial service, how could he live up to his assassin identity?

Glenn marked everyone and everything opposing him with a dangerous tag. Though he couldn't understand why Dumbledore, such a powerful wizard, didn't simply take down someone like Quirrell, instead allowing this dangerous individual to roam freely around Hogwarts, exploring and gathering information.

After all, on Halloween, Quirrell had released a full-grown troll to create a diversion and buy time to investigate behind the fourth-floor corridor door. Although he failed due to Fluffy, if that troll hadn't encountered him and Hermione, or the professors, but instead met other young wizards, the consequences would have been severe. Serious injuries would have been the least of it - given a troll's destructive power, there might have been fatalities.

So, was it fear? But here at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore in charge - Dumbledore, Britain's strongest wizard, the greatest wizard of the century - what could possibly make him hesitate?

The fragments of information reorganized themselves in Glenn's mind until suddenly, his pupils contracted as an unlikely but logical thought occurred to him.

That man.

Voldemort, not completely dead.

Could he be behind this? Coveting the Stone's power?

Was it possible?

It seemed plausible.

After all, the Philosopher's Stone could create the Elixir of Life.

That would explain Dumbledore's behavior.

Fear of alerting the serpent in the grass.

But wasn't this fishing attempt too obvious?

Could Voldemort not see through it?

If you really didn't want Voldemort to get the Stone, why not carry it yourself?

Could a crippled Voldemort really defeat you?

Never mind, Glenn couldn't fathom Dumbledore's thoughts.

But it didn't matter. Regardless of who the opponent was, Glenn had made his resolution.

Since you won't act or tell us the truth, don't blame me for disrupting your plans.

Glenn's eyes grew cold beneath the black silk. Before, when Quirrell's objective was unclear, he could ignore him since it didn't affect him or Hermione. But now, knowing Quirrell was after the Stone, and possibly backed by an not-quite-dead Dark Lord, Glenn had no reason to let Quirrell continue operating at Hogwarts.

Quirrell had to die.

But he couldn't act rashly. If his earlier speculation was wrong, that would be one thing, but if Voldemort really was backing Quirrell, or if Quirrell was Voldemort in disguise, then acting without a plan would be suicide.

I need a precise plan, suitable conditions, and unexpected methods of attack, Glenn immediately determined his general approach to dealing with Quirrell.

Since raw power wasn't enough, he would have to use strategy, preparation, and equipment to bridge the gap in strength.

In that case, he'd have to use "that."

Glenn had established the broad strokes of his plan, but the details needed refining.

He stroked Hermione's fluffy hair beside him.

I will protect you.

Glenn's expression remained calm, betraying none of his thoughts.

Hermione turned her head curiously but didn't brush away his hand. She had noticed Glenn's increasing tendency to pat her head lately, and since her protests went unheeded, she had given up trying to stop him.

If you can't fight it, enjoy it, she thought calmly as she continued chatting with her friends.

Nearby, Parvati, Lavender, and the other girls: Thanks, we're shipping it!

They smiled knowingly, thinking to themselves.

If these two don't end up together, we'll eat our hats!

Slytherin: ?

What did we do to deserve this? Hm?