"But, Ron," Potter said, "Hagrid spoke as if Dumbledore and Flamel were having their own squabbles. I mean, our Flamel's alive, and this one's long dead."
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron looked at Potter like he was stupid. "Flamel created the Philosopher's Stone, so he survived to this day. Richie, tell me, how did you know about Flamel?"
"From the historical literature of ordinary people," Richard answered calmly, although in fact he was burning with curiosity.
"See, Harry!" Ron declared triumphantly. "These are Muggle books. I'm surprised Muggles even know about Flamel."
Harry Potter's face lit up with delight. He exclaimed joyfully:
"I get it, Ron! The Philosopher's Stone is hidden in Hogwarts. It's right there in the Forbidden Corridor on the third floor."
"Friends," Richard said, holding out his palms. "Break! Hold your horses. What makes you think there's a Philosopher's Stone hidden in this school?"
"You see, Richie," Potter turned to Rich, "it all started when Draco Malfoy challenged me to a duel and didn't show up. We escaped from the Awards Hall, where Filch was the caretaker, and accidentally ended up in the restricted wing of the third floor. I unlocked the door, and there was a giant three-headed dog behind it."
"Cerberus? A Cerberus at school?!" Richard was stunned.
"Yeah," Ron confirmed. "I nearly shit myself when I saw that monster. Those huge teeth, the drool dripping off it, the roaring so loud it made my knees shake! Creepy."
"Lucky he was chained," Harry Potter chimed in. "I noticed there was a hatch in the floor underneath the Cerberus."
"Okay," said Richie, "I understand that there's a reason they banned access to the third floor; they keep a rare magical animal there. I also understand that Malfoy has no honor, since he didn't show up for the duel. I can't say I approve of duels, but I certainly don't approve of dishonor. But what makes you think there could be such a treasure hidden in this school? That's just stupid."
"Richie, we asked around," Harry began to answer, "and we found out Hagrid loves all kinds of monsters. He's the only one who could have brought a Cerberus to school."
"Let's say so. And?!" Rich raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Richie, remember how we went to Diagon Alley this summer," Potter blurted out. "That was when Gringotts was robbed and Hagrid was the suspect."
"That doesn't prove anything," Richard said.
"No, but," Potter whispered, "Ron and I decided to follow Hagrid. He spoke with Professor Quirrell. The professor asked Hagrid how his dog was doing. Hagrid replied that it was none of his business, and that it concerned only Dumbledore and Flamel."
"It's very interesting, but I don't see any connection with the philosopher's stone yet," Richard said skeptically.
"Richie, what's wrong? It's obvious," Harry continued. "I think Hagrid stole the Philosopher's Stone from Gringotts on Headmaster Dumbledore's orders, hid it in a locked corridor, and posted a Cerberus to guard it."
"Wait," Richard couldn't hide his wide smile. "Wait, Harry, did I understand you correctly-the headmaster of a wizarding school, a respected wizard himself, sends a 'completely inconspicuous' gamekeeper to steal the Philosopher's Stone from a bank, and then they hide such an incredible treasure in a school full of children?"
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed triumphantly.
Richard couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Oh, my God!" he said. "Harry, you have a great sense of humor."
"It's true!" Harry said, his voice slightly offended. "Richie, I know this sounds crazy, but look. Uncle Scott found out that Dumbledore dropped me off at the Dursleys'. Before you came to the Dursleys, they weren't paying my upkeep. And that could be because Headmaster Dumbledore put a spell on the people in the child welfare office."
"Dumbledore placed you in the care of your immediate family, Harry," Richard countered. "He didn't even know Scott existed. And the child welfare system is a complete mess. Your aunt and uncle, for example, might have been afraid to apply for benefits simply out of fear that you were a wizard. What would be the Headmaster's point in stealing the Philosopher's Stone?"
"He's old," Ron noted. "Mum and Dad said Headmaster Dumbledore was a great wizard, but they never said he was kind. He defeated the Dark Lord Grindelwald in a duel and fought You-Know-Who. My parents fought on his side against You-Know-Who. But who knows why all this was started? Maybe Headmaster Dumbledore is just pretending to be good, but is actually the Dark Lord, eliminating his rivals under the guise of fighting for a just cause."
Ron's words made Richard think.
"Hmm," he drawled. "You know, Ron, there's a grain of truth in what you're saying. If you think about it that way, then... Why not? I wouldn't rule it out. But if it's true and the Philosopher's Stone is hidden in the school..."