Dark Deals: The Vampire Who Owns Hogwarts

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"Come on, Hagrid, why not just tell us about Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore? Spare us the trouble."

Harry's voice was laced with a mix of impatience and curiosity as he stood at the door of the Great Hall. He hoped to pry the secrets from Hagrid directly, knowing that with Hermione at home for Christmas, it was up to him and Ron to piece together the mystery on their own.

"We've scoured at least a hundred books, and yet his name eludes us," Harry continued, eyes gleaming. "We've definitely seen it before... but it's just slipping away from us. Please, Hagrid, a little hint?"

"I won't say a word." Hagrid's gruff voice barely masked his discomfort as he covered his mouth. "I gave my word to Dumbledore, and I'll keep it."

Just then, a silver-haired figure appeared from the shadows, a glass of red wine elegantly swirled in his hand. As the figure drew closer, Harry, Ron, and Hagrid froze in anticipation.

"Good evening, Professor Dracula!" they all greeted in unison, their voices ringing out with unexpected reverence.

"Good evening, Hagrid, Potter, and Weasley," Dracula replied smoothly, sipping the wine as he studied the trio. "I couldn't help but overhear. I believe you were discussing Nicolas Flamel?"

Harry's eyes sparkled with sudden hope. "Professor Dracula, you know him?" he blurted. "Hagrid says he's sworn to secrecy, but we know we've seen that name before. We just can't remember where!"

Dracula chuckled, casting a knowing look at Hagrid. "Well, Hagrid, it seems Dumbledore truly trusts you to keep your lips sealed."

Hagrid mumbled something under his breath, clearly grateful but also uncomfortable.

"Don't worry, Hagrid," Dracula continued, his voice amused. "It's not the bottle's fault that it was opened, but rather the opener's. Don't be too distressed if something slips."

With a flick of his finger, Dracula's wine glass hovered in the air as he casually took a new bottle from his pocket. With a swift twist, the cork popped open. He refilled his glass and then raised it, casting a sideways glance at Hagrid.

Hagrid, watching the cork, couldn't help but groan, realizing he was being playfully mocked. "Professor, I'm not sure teasing Hagrid is a good idea..." Harry whispered under his breath, sensing the unease growing in Hagrid.

Ron, equally uncomfortable, took a small step back from the professor, his eyes wide in caution.

"Don't worry," Dracula said, unfazed by Ron's retreat. "Hagrid's tougher than he looks."

Then, shifting his attention to the two young wizards, Dracula's smile became more enigmatic. "By the way, why is it that you're after Nicolas Flamel? Is it the three-headed dog or perhaps something more?"

Harry, caught off-guard, struggled for an answer. What they had learned about the dog and the restricted area came from breaking the rules, and he wasn't about to share that with a professor. But Dracula, as if reading his mind, pressed on.

"Ah, so you've already ventured into the restricted corridor on the fourth floor, have you? How did you find Hagrid's little 'pet'?" His eyes gleamed with a mischievous twinkle.

"Hagrid's little pet?" Harry echoed, shocked, as he turned to the large man for answers.

Ron, equally stunned, stumbled backward and whispered to Harry, "So it's true? The dog really is guarding something? Something important? Dumbledore and Flamel, too?"

"Scary dog? Fluffy is not scary at all! He's well-behaved, really," Hagrid replied indignantly, though Harry and Ron exchanged uncertain glances.

"Come on, Hagrid," Harry said, unconvinced. "You can't expect us to believe that."

"Enough," Hagrid muttered, his face reddening. "Stop poking around where you don't belong."

Dracula, meanwhile, was quietly enjoying the show, his red wine swaying with his every movement. "Don't worry, Hagrid. If something slips, it's all part of Dumbledore's plan."

Hagrid's face grew even more concerned. "I'm not sure I should be part of this plan," he whispered.

But Harry and Ron's curiosity was insatiable. With a knowing glance at the two boys, Dracula finally relented. "Alright, if you want to know about Nicolas Flamel, come with me," he said, holding up a bronze mirror, its surface etched with an intricate phoenix relief.

"Professor Dracula, you can't..." Hagrid tried to intervene, his voice filled with concern, but before he could finish, Dracula turned back, his gaze sharp and knowing.

"Don't worry, Hagrid. I'll be careful," Dracula said with an almost playful smile, as if the words held a deeper meaning than they seemed.

With a final glance at Hagrid, Dracula turned away, the faint rustle of his cloak trailing behind him as he led Harry and Ron down the marble steps. They followed him, their curiosity mounting, while Hagrid stood rooted to the spot, helpless to stop them.

As Dracula and the two students disappeared around the corner of the stairs, Hagrid let out a long, resigned sigh. He could only watch, knowing the path they were about to walk could reveal far more than he had intended.

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The three of them made their way through the stone corridors, Dracula leading the way as his wine glass floated beside him, undisturbed. Harry and Ron trailed behind, full of questions but unsure of where this path would lead.

When they reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts office on the third floor, Dracula gestured for them to sit. The air was thick with anticipation as Harry and Ron, a little nervous, settled on the couch.

"Now then," Dracula said with a smile, lifting the bronze mirror. "Nicolas, there are two very curious young wizards here who want to know all about you. What do you think? Do you want to say hello?"

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