- •It was staring down Privet Drive as though it were waiting for something.
- •It winked.
- •I want my letter!" he shouted.
- •I want --" he began, but Uncle Vernon was tearing the letters into pieces before his eyes. Uncle Vernon didnt go to work that day. He stayed at home and nailed up the mail slot.
- •It started to rain. Great drops beat on the roof of the car. Dud ley sniveled.
- •In danger of being speared on the end of an umbrella by a bearded giant, Uncle Vernon's courage failed again; he flattened himself against the wall and fell silent.
- •It was a tiny, grubby-looking pub. If Hagrid hadn't pointed it out,
- •Vampires? Hags? Harry's head was swimming. Hagrid, meanwhile, was counting bricks in the wall above the trash can.
- •I never know," Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the cart,
- •Vault seven hundred and thirteen had no keyhole.
- •In the middle, nothing at all.
- •I think he's been knocked out," Ron said to Harry. He looked closer at Scabbers. "No -- I don't believe it -- he's gone back to sleep-"
- •It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open on to the heavens.
- •I'll eat myself if you can find
- •It happened very suddenly. The hook-nosed teacher looked past Quirrell's turban straight into Harry's eyes -- and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Harry's forehead.
- •I've never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?"
- •It's really very selfish of you."
- •It quickly, and pressed their ears against it, listening.
- •I went looking for the troll because I -- I thought I could deal with it on my own -- you know, because I've read all about them."
- •It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry showed him.
- •In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen.
- •I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I've read all about them!
- •I'm waiting."
- •It was stifling hot inside. Even though it was such a warm day, there was a blazing fire in the grate. Hagrid made them tea and offered them stoat sandwiches, which they refused.
- •It sneezed. A couple of sparks flew out of its snout.
- •It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other two agreed with him. Anything to get rid of Norbert -- and Malfoy.
- •Into a sweat.
- •I can't handle."
- •It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
- •It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on. He'd had it
- •It sounded as though someone was threatening him. Harry moved closer.
- •I'll take over from here."
- •It will be quicker this way.
- •It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.
- •I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong....'"
- •I won't let you do it," he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. "I'll -- I'll fight you!"
- •I must lie, he thought desperately. I must look and lie about what I see, that's all.
- •I will be able to create a body of my own.... Now... Why don't you give
- •I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even. Then he could go back to hating your father's memory in peace...."
- •It seemed to be a handsome, leather-covered book. Harry opened it curiously. It was full of wizard photographs. Smiling and waving at him from every page were his mother and father.
- •It was the best evening of Harry's life, better than winning at Quidditch, or Christmas, or knocking out mountain trolls... He would
It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione, rather bravely, Harry and Ron thought.
"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. "Why?"
Harry swallowed -- now what?
"It's sort of secret," he said, but he wished at once he hadn't, because Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."
"He's gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time -"But this is important."
"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter.
"Look," said Harry, throwing caution to the winds, "Professor -- it's about the Sorcerer's tone -- "
Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn't pick them up. "How do you know --?" she spluttered.
"Professor, I think -- I know -- that Sn- that someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion.
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected."
"But Professor --"
"Potter, I know what I'm talking about," she said shortly. She bent down and gathered up the fallen books. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine."
But they didn't.
"It's tonight," said Harry, once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot. "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs, and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note, I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."
"But what can we -- "
Hermione gasped. Harry and Ron wheeled round.
Snape was standing there.
"Good afternoon," he said smoothly.
They stared at him.
"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said, with an odd, twisted smile.
"We were --" Harry began, without any idea what he was going to say. "You want to be more careful," said Snape. "Hanging around
like this, people will think you're up to something. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points, can it?"
Harry flushed. They turned to go outside, but Snape called them back.
"Be warned, Potter -- any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you."
He strode off in the direction of the staffroom.
Out on the stone steps, Harry turned to the others.
"Right, here's what we've got to do," he whispered urgently. "One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape -- wait outside the staff room and follow him if he leaves it. Hermione, you'd better do that."
"Why me?"
"It's obvious," said Ron. "You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick, you know." He put on a high voice, "'Oh Professor Flitwick,