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Chapter 44: Snape's scepticism

After all, with Hermione spending Christmas at home, Harry knew well enough that he and Ron, who were both not very good at research, had limited ability to dig up information on their own.

"We've gone through at least a hundred books and haven't found a trace of him. Just give us a little hint. I know I've seen his name somewhere!" Harry said.

"I won't say a word," Hagrid said, covering his mouth and sounding rather dry. "I promised Dumbledore I'd keep my mouth shut."

Just then, a silver-haired figure holding a glass of red wine happened to pass by. He walked over to the entrance courtyard where they were and curiously looked at them.

Seeing the newcomer, Harry, Ron, and Hagrid all suddenly tensed up.

"Good evening, Professor Dracula!" they said in unison.

"Good evening, Hagrid, Potter, and Weasley," Dracula said, taking a sip of the red wine and giving a slight nod to those present. Then, with great interest, he asked, "I believe I heard you discussing Nicolas Flamel?"

"Professor Dracula, do you know Nicolas Flamel?" Harry's eyes lit up as he quickly asked Dracula. "Hagrid said he would keep silent and not tell us about Nicolas Flamel. But we've definitely seen that name before; we just can't remember where!"

"Hagrid, Dumbledore certainly believes you'll keep quiet," Dracula said, looking at Hagrid with a hint of amusement. "Don't worry too much about it."

Hagrid, still covering his mouth, gratefully mumbled, "Professor Dracula, I'm so glad you said that."

"Yes, the problem isn't with the bottle, but with the opener. Even if you slip up a bit, it's not the end of the world."

With that, Dracula finished the red wine in his glass, set it floating in mid-air, and pulled out another elegant bottle of red wine from his pocket. With a flick of his index finger, the cork popped out with a "pop."

Dracula poured himself another glass of red wine and then looked at Hagrid.

At this point, Hagrid looked at Dracula and then back at the cork he had just put back into the bottle. Thinking about what Dracula had just said about keeping secrets and the corkscrew, he couldn't help but start crying sadly.

"Professor, is it really appropriate to tease Hagrid like this..." Harry quietly leaned towards Dracula and whispered.

Ron, meanwhile, took a step back, looking at Hagrid's face buried in a dirty handkerchief and distancing himself from the intimidating Professor Dracula.

"Don't worry, Hagrid will pull through," Dracula said, ignoring Ron's actions and addressing Harry. "By the way, what are you looking for Nicolas Flamel for?"

"I... we..." Harry was momentarily at a loss for words.

Most of what they knew about the three-headed dog and the forbidden area on the fourth floor came from breaking school rules. How could Harry explain this to a professor?

However, Dracula seemed not to care about the reasons. Before Harry could explain, he asked with great interest:

"It seems you've been to that forbidden area in the fourth-floor corridor. How was it? Did you pass Hagrid's little test?"

"What? Hagrid's little test?!" Harry exclaimed, looking at Dracula in shock and then turning his gaze to Hagrid, feeling his understanding shaken.

Ron, who had just distanced himself, couldn't help but exclaim as well and sneaked back to Harry's side, looking at Hagrid with curiosity.

"So Hermione was right; that terrifying big dog is really guarding something beneath the trapdoor?" Ron asked. "Is it the thing that Nicolas Flamel and Dumbledore are helping to guard?"

"What do you mean by terrifying big dog? That's Fluffy! He's very well-behaved and doesn't bite," Hagrid said, clearly annoyed by Ron's description.

Harry and Ron stood side by side, looking at him skeptically.

"Hey, what kind of look is that? I'm telling the truth!" Hagrid said loudly. "And Nicolas Flamel's business has nothing to do with you. Why not focus all your energy on studying instead?"

Dracula watched the amusing performance of Harry, Ron, and Hagrid while sipping his red wine, feeling like he was watching a good show.

"Professor Dracula, these kids are just too curious," Hagrid said, casting a pleading look at Dracula. "I don't understand why you're telling them about Fluffy. I'm really afraid I'll slip up and say something I shouldn't..."

"It's okay, Hagrid," Dracula said with a light laugh, raising his glass to Hagrid. "Even if you did slip up, it's not a problem. Everything is still within Dumbledore's plans!"

"But I can't be sure if I'll delay Dumbledore's plans..." Hagrid mumbled quietly.

Seeing Harry and Ron's hopeful gazes, Dracula thought for a moment, then once again placed the glass in mid-air. He then pulled out a copper mirror engraved with a phoenix motif from his pocket.

"You two, if you want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, then come with me," he said, playing with the copper mirror as he walked towards the marble steps at the entrance of the hall. The glass of red wine floated steadily beside him as he moved forward.

Harry and Ron hurriedly followed.

"Professor Dracula, you can't..." Hagrid tried to stop them, but before he could finish, Dracula interrupted him with a look.

"Don't worry, Hagrid, I know what I'm doing," Dracula said.

He smiled at Hagrid, then turned his head and led the two young wizards around the corner of the stairs.

The three of them went straight into the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office on the third floor of the castle.

Dracula settled comfortably into a soft armchair, and the floating glass of wine gently landed on the desk. Harry and Ron stood awkwardly at the door, nervously fidgeting with their clothing.

"Make yourselves comfortable," Dracula said, glancing at them and gesturing to the sofa in the office.

He then lifted the copper mirror and gave a relaxed smile.

"Nicolas, there are two interesting little fellows who want to know who you are. Do you want to say hello to them?"