Chapter 64: The Value of a Half-Giant

Thank goodness for Hogwarts’ moving staircases—those everyday nuisances designed to torment students had proven invaluable at a critical moment.

It was thanks to those staircases that Silven had managed to shake off Fluffy time and again.

The beast had broken free, smashing through the doorframe and railing, and with no staircase in sight, it leapt straight down, chasing Silven in a frenzy.

From the fourth floor to the ground floor, Silven had not a single moment to catch his breath—only to keep running.

Finally, in the entrance hall, Silven saw Hagrid outside the door.

He must have heard that Fluffy had broken loose, for he had sprinted toward the castle the instant he learned.

“Get out!” Hagrid shouted.

Silven turned and burst through the door; Fluffy followed right behind.

“Stop, Fluffy, stop!” Hagrid waved his arms.

Normally, Fluffy would have obeyed at once—but not this time.

The three-headed dog acted as if it didn’t recognize Hagrid at all; without hesitation, all three heads opened their jaws, revealing rows of sharp, white fangs, and lunged straight for Silven—the closest target.

Then Hagrid charged forward, unleashing a violent gust of wind that slammed into the central head of the beast.

“Boom!”

It felt as if the earth itself had trembled.

“Crack!”

A sharp snap echoed from the central neck of the dog, which twisted sideways; its massive body rolled several times down the stone steps before crashing to the ground, motionless.

Hagrid staggered back three steps, his face flushed crimson, veins bulging visibly on his forehead.

Silven stood frozen, dumbstruck, unable to speak.

For the first time, he truly understood the value of being a half-giant.

Such a massive three-headed dog—just overturned without even a chance to fight back?

And judging from the sound, the central neck must have snapped; had the beast had only one head, that single blow would have killed it instantly.

No wonder Hagrid loved ferocious beasts with fangs and claws—given his strength, even a werewolf would regain clarity after one slap.

“Oh, Fluffy…” Hagrid, now steadied, stared at the motionless beast, his eyes turning as red as his face. Large tears rolled down through his tangled beard.

“Oh no, Fluffy’s dead—I killed it…”

“No, Hagrid, calm down.” Silven stepped forward and patted his waist.

“Fluffy has three heads. The heart is its true weakness.”

“Huh…” Hagrid choked out, “You mean… it… it’s still alive?”

“Of course.” Silven walked over to the beast; faintly, he could still hear its heartbeat—undeniably, it was still alive.

“Let’s move it somewhere else.” Silven glanced toward the castle. “The commotion probably woke half the school—if anyone sees you with Fluffy, you’ll both be in trouble.”

He wasn’t worried about the professors—he was worried about the students, especially the Slytherins.

Hagrid was already under close watch by the Ministry; if even one student reported Fluffy’s escape to them, even Dumbledore might not be able to save him.

Then Fluffy himself would be executed—the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures existed for exactly this purpose.

So Hagrid lifted the beast, Silven cast a Levitation Charm to assist, and together they carried Fluffy to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, beside Hagrid’s hut.

“I’m… I’m so sorry, Silven,” Hagrid stood helplessly after setting Fluffy down, “You nearly got killed by Fluffy… and I… but I swear… Fluffy usually… it…”

Hagrid wanted to say Fluffy was usually obedient—but the terrifying scene he’d just witnessed made those words impossible to utter.

“I know what you’re trying to say,” Silven said. “And I believe you.”

“You believe me?” Hagrid, honestly, didn’t process it at first.

“Yes.” Silven nodded.

After calming down, he recalled details he hadn’t had time to notice before.

Fluffy was… off. Or rather, terribly off—its eyes were too red, pupils gone, as if coated in blood.

The Fluffy he’d seen before hadn’t looked like this.

It wasn’t hatred making its eyes blaze—it was more like some dark magic had corrupted it.

As for who? It didn’t need asking—only Voldemort. Silven remembered he’d called Quirrell a fool, and then there’d been silence inside.

“Dark magic?” Hagrid frowned after hearing Silven’s explanation. “But Fluffy’s inside the castle—who would cast dark magic on it?”

“The one trying to get past the trapdoor,” Silven said.

“You—you how do you know Fluffy guards the trapdoor?” Hagrid stared at Silven, wide-eyed.

“Harry told me,” Silven said, as if it were obvious.

“He… wait.” Hagrid suddenly realized something, “You mean someone’s trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone?”

“Not trying—already acting,” Silven turned to glance toward the castle.

It had been some time since he’d been chased out; Quirrell should be at the final trial by now.

“I’m going to check!” Now Hagrid forgot about Fluffy and turned to rush back into the castle.

The Philosopher’s Stone was the most important thing—it couldn’t be lost!

“I’m coming with you,” Silven said.

“No, too dangerous,” Hagrid refused at once. “Stay here—or go back to your dorm.”

“I promise I’ll stick right by you, won’t wander off.”

“Still no!”

As the two argued, a tall, thin figure suddenly appeared on the grounds.

The common knowledge that Apparition was forbidden at Hogwarts meant nothing to this person.

Hagrid turned at the sound and his eyes lit up with relief: “Professor Dumbledore.”

“Hagrid,” Dumbledore’s face was grim; he glanced at the fallen three-headed dog nearby.

“Can you tell me what happened here?”

“I was returning from the hospital wing after visiting Fred and George when I saw someone break into the fourth floor,” Silven said quickly. “They broke Fluffy’s chains and used magic to drive it mad—rendering it delirious.”

“I happened to pass by and was chased out of the castle. Luckily, Hagrid arrived and saved me.”

Dumbledore’s expression grew darker… “It seems someone didn’t want me to stay at school today, so they forged a letter from the Ministry.”

Dumbledore strode toward the castle; Silven hurried after him.

“Hagrid’s right, Mr. Ollivander—you should be back in your dorm sleeping.”

“I want to know what happened, Professor Dumbledore,” Silven said. “I can’t just be chased all the way by a three-headed dog for nothing—and with you here, I’m certainly not in danger, am I?”

“Your trust humbles me, Mr. Ollivander,” Dumbledore sighed, and continued walking without insisting Silven return to his dorm.

Silven walked quietly behind him, not asking why he insisted on walking to the castle instead of Apparating… even though he clearly could Apparate within the school grounds.

…

(End of Chapter)