The Great Hall instantly erupted.
10 Galleons was no small sum for most students, and 100 Galleons was an enormous amount.
Especially for a poor family like the Weasley family, it was an astronomical figure.
Neville was the first to stand up.
"I'll go with you!"
His voice trembled slightly, but his tone was firm.
No words needed, just loyalty!
The Weasley Twins exchanged glances, a grin spreading across both their faces.
"That sounds quite interesting," Fred stood up.
"And there's money involved," George also stood up, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
No sooner had they spoken than more students began to respond.
Ernie and Justin looked at each other, then both rose to support their roommate.
"Charlie, we Hufflepuff will never let you go on an adventure alone!" Ernie declared loudly.
"That's right, we're from the same House!" Justin echoed.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall was instantly ignited.
Gryffindor students rose one after another; they inherently possessed an adventurous spirit, so how could they not participate in such an exciting event?
"For Hogwarts!"
"For the Philosopher's Stone!"
"For a hundred Galleons!"
Cheers rose and fell, and the scene became exceptionally lively.
Hufflepuff students were not to be outdone; they were always united, and Charlie had always been popular.
Even a few students from Ravenclaw, a House usually only concerned with studies, stood up, though they were mostly drawn by the hundred-Galleon reward.
Only Slytherin had no one stand up.
They were always cautious, and most of them were not short on money.
Those who were short on money, seeing that no one from the snake house was moving, quietly sat back down.
Soon, the students willing to participate gathered around Charlie, numbering over thirty.
Most were Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students, with a few from Ravenclaw.
Charlie nodded with satisfaction; this number was already sufficient.
Percy, in the corner, turned pale.
As a Gryffindor Prefect, how could he stand by and watch so many students do something dangerous?
Especially since his brothers were among them!
Percy wanted to step forward to stop them, but looking at so many excited students, and Charlie standing on the table full of vigor, he knew he couldn't stop them alone.
"Damn it, have these guys gone mad?"
Percy gritted his teeth, turned, and quickly ran out of the Great Hall.
He had to hurry and find Professor McGonagall; only Professor could stop this farce.
Charlie, of course, noticed Percy's actions.
Ron had mentioned this serious older brother to him before, always acting like a model student, and loved to report to the teachers.
However, this was exactly what Charlie wanted.
He originally intended to make a big fuss, forcing the Professors to intervene.
"Students!" Charlie shouted again.
"Time is short, let's go now!"
"For Hogwarts!"
"Charge!"
Over thirty students followed Charlie in a mighty procession out of the Great Hall, heading towards the fourth floor.
Other students in the corridor were stunned by the sight.
"What are they doing?"
"It looks like they're going to the fourth floor?"
"Isn't that area forbidden?"
Whispers rose, but Charlie and his group had already disappeared down the corridor.
Meanwhile, Percy ran breathlessly to Professor McGonagall's office.
"Professor!" He urgently knocked on the door.
"Something terrible has happened!"
Professor McGonagall opened the door and saw Percy's anxious face.
"Mr. Weasley, what is so urgent?"
"Charlie said someone is trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone!" Percy blurted out.
Upon hearing this, Professor McGonagall felt a headache coming on.
How did everyone know about the Philosopher's Stone now?
What kind of secret was this anymore?
"Mr. Weasley, don't worry," Professor McGonagall tried to remain calm.
"The Philosopher's Stone has complete protective measures; nothing will happen."
"But Professor!" Percy became even more anxious.
"Charlie took dozens of students to the fourth floor!"
"What?!"
Professor McGonagall's expression instantly changed.
Dozens of students?
What was Charlie going to do!!!
Professor McGonagall's inner thoughts screamed like a banshee... In the fourth-floor corridor, Fluffy was lazily dozing on the trapdoor.
His three heads took turns on watch; the left one was drooling, the right one was getting sleepy, and the middle one was alertly perking up its ears.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from within the wall.
Fluffy's three heads simultaneously lifted, six eyes vigilantly staring in the direction of the sound.
A snake slithered out of the pipe, its black scales gleaming with a cold light under the torchlight.
It was Lord Voldemort.
Fluffy tilted his head, somewhat confused.
Hagrid had instructed him not to let people pass, and this thing wasn't a person.
Lord Voldemort spat out an exquisite silver whistle, a tool he had asked Snape to prepare.
When activated, it would automatically play hypnotic music, specifically designed to deal with Fluffy.
He blew it gently, and a melodious tune echoed through the corridor.
Fluffy's six eyes instantly became hazy, his three heads drooped in unison, and his massive body crashed to the ground.
Loud snores filled the entire room.
Lord Voldemort put away the whistle with satisfaction, twisted his snake body, and drilled into the hole beneath the trapdoor.
The Philosopher's Stone would soon be his!
About ten minutes later, chaotic footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Fluffy slowly woke up, still dazed, only to see a large group of people rushing in.
"Holy cow, this dog is huge!"
"Three heads, what kind of breed is this?"
"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and figure out how to get past!"
Fluffy instantly sobered up, his three heads roaring simultaneously.
"Roar!"
The deafening roar made several timid students' legs turn to jelly.
Just as everyone was at a loss, the Weasley Twins pulled out a music box.
They activated the music box, and a lullaby played in the corridor.
Not again, right? I just woke up!
Fluffy's roar abruptly stopped, and his three heads drooped again.
Charlie led everyone through the various enchantments.
Having gone through it once before, this time it was a smooth journey, reaching the final hurdle.
Seven bottles were arranged in a row, each containing a different colored Potion.
Only by choosing the correct Potion could they pass through the flame-covered door and reach the next room.
But with so many of them, one Potion was clearly not enough.
Charlie, however, walked to the front door, carefully observing the purple flames covering the doorframe.
He had realized last time that these were actually just ordinary magic flames, and the Potion was merely a flame-immunity Potion.
After drinking it, one would not be burned by the flames.
Since that was the case... Charlie raised his wand, pointing it at the flames on the doorframe.
"Aguamenti!"
A thick jet of water shot from the tip of his wand, directly dousing the purple flames.
Sizzling!
Water and fire collided, creating a harsh sound, and a large amount of steam rose.
Moments later, the flames were completely extinguished.
Charlie waved his hand, his voice echoing through the entire room.
"Push through!"
"Push through for me!"
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