Disclaimer: I acknowledge that I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or universe. No offense is meant by the situations portrayed in this or any other fanworks.
A/N: Some deadlines are popping up at work, so I might miss next week's update. Hopefully not.
And I'll probably keep reminding everyone about the poll for every update!

Chapter Four: The Squeaky Reel

Hermione and the Weasleys arrived home just about the time that Dudley came to stay with Aunt Petunia and Hattie. But there was one problem. Aunt Petunia started renovating Dudley's room, and Hattie had to share with him.

They hadn't spoken since last summer, but they acted as if they hadn't stopped talking. Sometimes there was a tension between them, but they ignored it. Pretending that nothing was wrong was easier than confronting the problem.

A cot was put up in Hattie's room, but Hattie was stuck on it. She lost an arm-wrestling contest, and she realized afterwards that perhaps arm-wrestling wasn't exactly the choice to her advantage. Dudley's fat, or baby fat as Aunt Petunia put it, was turning into thick muscle. Terrifying muscles, in fact. If he were one of Draco's thugs, Hattie would probably thick twice before attacking him. Probably. Okay, probably not.

Dudley got into the habit of snooping through Hattie's belongings when he was bored. He was bored a lot. "What's this?" he asked, holding up the invisibility cloak.

"Oh it's- wait where did you find that?" Hattie asked.

"Under the bed," Dudley replied. "Do wizards wear it on their heads like turbans?"

"No," Hattie said, snatching it from him. She paused for a moment, to wonder what an invisibility cloak would look like that only covered half her head. Would you be able to see inside her head? She continued, "We stick to the pointy hats. You should have seen the hats the Slytherins were wearing last year."

She kept that cloak in her suitcase. She always kept it in her suitcase. What was it doing on the floor? Dudley continued rummaging under her bed. She wondered when the Weasley's would finally get here to keep Dudley entertained. "What's this?" he asked, holding up the Monster Book of Monsters.

"Are you going to do this with everything you find?" Hattie asked.

"Yes," Dudley said. "I'm interested. Mum says I don't seem interested enough in what you do and I say you aren't interested enough in what I do, but now I am acting interested just in case you didn't think I wasn't interested. And seriously why is this book moving in my hand?"

"It's the Monster Book of Monsters," Hattie said. "It's literally a Monster Book. I think it has monsters inside, but I couldn't get it open. Hagrid sent it to me."

"Why is it wearing Mum's favourite belt?"

"How do you know that's Mum's favourite belt?" Hattie asked.

Dudley scoffed. "I live here more than you do," he said. "I have to listen to her prattle on every day. You only have to read letters. Why's it got the belt?"

"Because it's a Monster Book," Hattie said. "It'd bite me."

Dudley investigated the book while it was bound. He ran a hand along the spine and the book suddenly fell limp. "If you do that, I'm not helping you tie it back up," Hattie said as Dudley unbuckled the book.

Dudley scoffed in reply and continued. The book fell open in Dudley's lap, and Hattie could have sworn it purred. Dudley flipped through the pages, looking very pleased with himself. He didn't say anything, and Hattie didn't want to give him the satisfaction of a reply.

So Hattie left.

"Aunt Tuney," Hattie said, leaning against the doorframe to kitchen. "Do you think we can catch a movie at The Squeaky Reel?"

"I don't know, Hattie," Aunt Petunia replied, closing the fridge door. "Neville's parents might not want him wandering the streets."

"But they're having a George A. Romero marathon," Hattie whined. "They're playing all of the 'Dead' series. That's six hours of zombie flicks. And Ron can't even comprehend what a movie is. It's going to be great."

"Well, you can't de-invite Neville, Hattie," Aunt Petunia said.

That's when a noise came from the fireplace. Dudley came running out of their bedroom while Hattie and Aunt Petunia turned to face the fireplace. Ron came through first, gracefully pulling up his jeans. As the rest of the Weasleys filed in, Hermione came to the door. Hermione stepped into their flat, straightening her sweater vest. Neville came through last.

The first few minutes were chaos. Everyone chatted excitedly, Neville pulling Hermione and Percy onto the balcony to show them his gardening. Ginny and Dudley spoke quickly and excitedly. Ron and Hattie spoke in the same manner. Fred and George began exploring the apartment, opening the door to Dudley's room.

"All right, hold it right there!" Aunt Petunia shouted. Everyone froze, even the three on the balcony. "Hattie planned that everyone would go see a movie - some zombie thing that her and Dudley love."

Stepping back inside, Neville said, "I'm not allowed to go out."

"The theatre's just down the block, Neville," Aunt Petunia said. "You can tell your parents that I let you. And you're with Percy, he's the good one."

"I'm not sure," Neville said. "I mean, you guys can go, but maybe I should just go home."

"No way," Hattie said. "Come on, it'll be fine. Percy's here and we'll all keep an eye on you."

Neville hesitated. "What's the movie about?"

"It's a marathon!" Dudley said, excitedly. "It's about zombies."

"Muggle representation of zombies," Hermione added.

"Is it going to be scary?" Neville asked.

"Not really," Hattie said. "They're old so the special effects are kind of iffy, but they're a lot of fun to watch."

Neville looked at them. "I'm sitting between Hattie and Hermione," he said. "And I want Percy somewhere nearby."

Hattie was hoping to sit next to Ron, so she hoped that would still pan out for her. Ginny would probably sit with Dudley, but would she want to sit with Hattie on the other side? So they headed outside. Neville trying to center himself among his friends.

The walk was quick, like Aunt Petunia promised. Hattie bought the tickets and they loaded up on popcorn, sweets, and drinks. Luckily, Hattie converted some of her wizarding currency to muggle money, and she paid no problem.

They took their seats, Hattie snagging the seat behind Ron. The quartet sat in the third row from the front. The twins and Percy sat in the row behind them, with Percy directly behind of Neville. Ginny and Dudley sat in the row in front, with Ginny being directly in front of Hattie. The theatre was pretty much empty, possibly because no one wanted to watch a zombie movie marathon in the middle of the afternoon. One couple sat in the back corner of the theatre, clearly snogging (though Ron commented they probably couldn't keep it up for six hours, and Hattie bet against him), and there were a few other pairs and trios scattered throughout the theatre being less intimate.

After 30 minutes of chatter amongst themselves and 20 minutes of previews, the marathon finally started. Hattie whispered to Ron throughout most of the opening, explaining actors and credits. Neville kept leaning over to overhear. Hattie had to explain several times that movies were works of fiction.

Neville felt tense throughout the first movie. Hattie and Dudley laughing and whispering to Ron and Ginny the same jokes they used to tell to each other. Hattie heard Hermione remind Neville a few times again that the movies weren't real.

"That was a brutal ending," Ron said during the intermission.

"Devastating," Fred agreed.

"Brilliant," Hattie and Dudley said in unison.

A quick stop at the loo and they were back in their seats munching in popcorn. A good ten minutes into the second movie. "Bugger," Ron whispered. "I didn't refill my bag. I refilled George's lousy bag and forgot about mine."

"I'll get it," Hattie said, "I've seen this one countless times."

"You'll miss pointing out Romero to him though," Dudley said, leaning back in his seat.

"But I'll be back for Savini," Hattie said, grabbing Ron's bag. "I'll be quick."

Hattie found herself squinting to see the aisles. She saw the trio laughing and whispering like Hattie and her group were. The couple snogging. The single man watching it alone in the back of the theatre, next the exit. She found her eyes hesitating on the man. Short peach fuzz brown hair. Non-descript face. Almost no chin.

He waved Hattie over.

Quirrell.

She looked to make sure her friends couldn't see her. Then she walked over and sat down beside him. "This one is my favourite," she whispered.

"I remember," Quirrell responded in a low voice.

"Have you been here this whole time?" she asked.

"Yes," Quirrell replied. "You wouldn't believe what I paid to make them have a marathon. It was the only way I thought I could contact you."

"Yes, because hitting us with a car didn't work," Hattie noted.

Quirrell cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I never thought I would have found you. After your Aunt's divorce, she was hard to pin down. Then I saw you two, and the Longbottom child, driving down the street. I didn't know how else to stop you. So I drove into you."

"Right," Hattie said. "You didn't think of maybe following us?"

Quirrell rubbed his chin. "I'd been searching for six months. I wasn't thinking clearly."

"You were laughing hysterically."

"I just couldn't believe it," Quirrell repeated. "I'm not the best driver, I didn't think I'd be able to follow you. So I pinned you down, disapparated into an alleyway, and then watched the chaos from the crowd. I headed to St. Mungos, waited for you there, and then I followed you home. I then bribed The Squeaky Reel to have a Romero zombie marathon. I thought about picking 'The Crazies' too, but I didn't know how you felt about that one."

"I haven't seen it," Hattie said. "So why are you trying to find me?"

"Voldemort has set me loose," Quirrell said. "He doesn't think I'll be a loyal follower, but he knows I won't do any damage to him and his Death Eaters because who would believe I was a good guy?"

"Dumbledore," Hattie replied.

"Probably not after I betrayed his trust," Quirrell said. "And how would I even get close to perhaps the most powerful wizard in the world?"

"Buy a candy factory," Hattie suggested.

"I thought perhaps you would trust me, Hattie," Quirrell said, "because we have similar taste in movies. And Merlin knows what I would be if I hadn't spoken to you."

"What do you need?" Hattie asked. "And are you going to hit me with another car if I say no?"

Clearing his throat uncomfortably again, Quirrell handed Hattie a small package. "You won't say no. This is the Philosopher's Stone. Voldemort plans to have a body by the end of this year, but he's saved enough elixir to the end of next year. He gave it to me so that I can live out the rest of my life wealthy and, well, alive. If it's in my hands, he knows where it is."

Hattie's hands gripped the package. She wished she had pocketed the Pocket Sneakoscope instead of leaving it on her desk. "What happens when he finds out it's gone?"

Quirrell shrugged. "Torture, death, blown to bits," he said. "Something that would inspire Tom Savini, I'm sure."

"You're hoping if I give this to Dumbledore, he'll protect you," Hattie said, suspiciously.

"I'm hoping you take enough money to fund the biggest fortress you can use to defend yourself against Voldemort and then destroy the stone," Quirrell replied. "When… If Voldemort gets a new body, he won't need the stone. Chances are I'll never hear from him again. The other thing in the package is a mirror."

"Not like-"

"No, not the mirror of Erised," Quirrell said. "It's a mirror so that we can communicate with each other. If I catch wind of Voldemort's plans, I thought I would let you know. And if there's any reason you need to contact me, any reason at all, you can."

"Why should I trust you?" Hattie asked.

Quirrell smiled at raised his hand to show the theatre. "This is why. If Voldemort wins, all of this would be destroyed," he said. "Why would I destroy my first love?"

"Muggles," Hattie said.

"Muggle arts," Quirrell replied. "Muggle science. Their inventiveness. Their ability to adapt without magical support. All of that would be gone, and what would we have left?"

"Magic," Hattie said.

"Yes," Quirrell replied, sighing. "Only magic."

"I'll take this," Hattie said. "And I'll be in touch."

"If you never need a place to hide, I'll be the last place he looks."

"I'll remember that," Hattie said.

She walked out of the theatre, clutching Ron's popcorn bag in one hand and the package with the stone in the other. The stone that she failed to get first year. She was shaking. She could feel the bile rising in her throat. She got a refill of popcorn, sweat dripping down her back.

"You all right?" the attendant asked.

"Yeah, just the gore," Hattie lied. "It gets to me."

Hattie walked back into the theatre to sit beside Ron. She handed him the popcorn bag. "You were gone for ages," Ron whispered. "Did you remember the butter?"

"I don't know," Hattie whispered back.

"Doesn't taste like there's butter on this," Ron said.

"I don't know how you can eat during this," Neville said, leaning over Hattie.

Hermione shushed them. "I'm trying to understand the social commentary."

"It's zombies, there's no social commentary," Ron scoffed.

"It's about consumerism," Hattie said, smiling. She leaned over Neville, "Hermione, did you bring a purse?"

"No," Hermione said, almost disgusted. "Ginny had a bag."

Hattie leaned over to the seat between Ginny and Dudley. "Did you bring a bag, Ginny?"

Ginny raised her bag, open, watching the screen intently. It was a patchwork bag, and Hattie squinted through the darkness to see if Ginny made it herself. Hattie tossed Quirrell's package inside, hoping it would be fine. She knew Hermione would be able to defend it, but Ginny? Ginny was younger. Ginny hadn't been through the same things.

Hattie watched the rest of the marathon with an uneasy stomach, and not because of Savini's cow intestines. Dudley had to turn around to remind her of some of her normal commentary.

Hattie was a step behind the rest as they left the theatre. She watched them all chat excitedly to one another. She would have been glad that they enjoyed the films, if she hadn't been worried about so much else. Should she not tell the others and simply keep the stone? It would be good to have the extra finance. Maybe there would be a war, and maybe the money would help keep her friends safe. Protection definitely wasn't cheap.

When Hattie raised her head, she almost stopped walking. In between her and her friends was an enormous black dog. Its eyes locked onto her as if it was a dog on a mission. She stopped walking. Her friends hadn't noticed her lingering. Hattie relaxed. Big dogs she could handle. After wrestling with Dudley, she was certain she could take down a lion. "Hey puppy," she said, keeping her tone friendly. "Are you lost?"

The dog lowered its head, as if it was bowing to her, and then darted off into an alleyway. Hattie turned to follow it, but felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on," Percy said. "We can't have you wandering off. Keep up."

"Did you see that dog?" Hattie asked.

Percy shrugged. "You can't go following every dog you see," he said.

"It bowed to me," Hattie said.

"Probably had rabies," Percy said.

"Uh, rabies are supposed to make dogs nuts, not polite," Hattie said.

"I'm not having this stupid conversation with you," Percy said.

Hattie smirked, and changed her tone to a teasing one, "Would you rather have a conversation about your girlfriend?"

Percy scoffed. "Go stand with Fred and George. They'll appreciate your moronic conversations."

Hattie joined the Weasley twins, feeling her mood lifting slightly.

They ended up at the Weasley's house for the evening. Molly prepared a large dinner for everyone, and she dragged Aunt Petunia with them, complaining that she's been staying in far too much. Hattie grabbed her package out of Ginny's bag and stuffed it in her own satchel before leaving to the Weasley's.

The evening was spent stuffing their faces with food, practicing Ginny's Defence Against the Dark Arts charms, and running around to kill a sugar high. Like the summer before, Hattie, Ron, Neville, and Hermione found themselves laying on the grass together.

While they talked aimlessly about school, Hattie tried to decide how to bring up Quirrell. She decided that she couldn't – that she shouldn't – keep it to herself. She ended up just blurting it out, "I saw Quirrell at the theatre today."

Hermione and Neville gasped. Ron said, similarly appalled, "Is that why you forgot my butter?"

"Yes Ron," Hattie said, rolling her eyes.

"Did he try to hurt you?" Hermione asked, giving Hattie the once-over.

"No," Hattie said, sitting up and digging through her bag. "He gave me the Philosopher's Stone."

"You're kidding," Neville hissed.

"And he gave me a mirror that I can talk to him through," Hattie said. "I think he's on our side."

"It could be a trap, Hattie," Hermione warned.

"I trust him," Hattie said.

"Big surprise," Ron replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hattie asked, frustrated.

"Well," Ron said, "you always like the people who are the most terrifying and the people who are the nicest, you ignore. Look at Snape and Lockhart."

"But Lockhart's a prat," Hattie said. "And Snape's hiding something."

"You want the attention of whoever pays attention to you the least," Ron said. "My brother, Percy. He's a prat too and you hang off him."

"I don't hang off of Percy," Hattie said.

"Come on," Neville said. "She made friends with me, and I'm more like Lockhart than Snape."

Hattie and Ron looked at each other, suppressing a smile. Of course, neither of them directly befriended Neville. It just sort of happened. If he hadn't wedged himself into their group, he probably wouldn't be in it.

"Regardless," Hermione said, trying to make peace, "you officially have the Philosopher's Stone. What are you going to do with it?"

"Quirrell said I should build a fortress, but it might have been a metaphor or something," Hattie said. "Sometimes I don't understand what he says."

"So he thinks you'll need the financial support," Hermione said. "At least he doesn't think you'll need eternal life."

"Maybe he doesn't think we'll live long enough," Ron replied.

"The question is, do I give it back to Dumbledore?" Hattie asked.

"Why wouldn't you?" Neville asked.

"Well, Quirrell suggested that Voldemort will literally rip him apart if he finds out he doesn't have it," Hattie replied. "He will be a more valuable ally alive than dead."

"Hold on," Hermione said. "You seriously are suggesting holding onto the stone yourself. Do you realize how dangerous that is?"

"Voldemort doesn't know it's missing," Hattie said. "I'll tell Quirrell to tell me if he needs it back. It's not like anyone will know I have it."

"Well, do you realize how selfish it is?" Hermione asked. "Are you seriously going to use it to get extra money?"

Hattie shrugged. "We don't know if we'll need it or not," Hattie said.

"New brooms for Gryffindor team," Ron said. "Purely for morale purposes."

"You better be joking," Hermione said, pointing at Ron while she stood up. She turned to Hattie, adding, "And I can't believe you're thinking about holding onto it."

"What do you think Dumbledore will do with it?" Hattie asked. "He's certainly not going to protect Quirrell."

"He'll destroy it," Neville said.

The three turned to look at Neville. "Why do you say that?" Hermione asked.

Neville shrugged. "That's what I'd do. It's better in no one's hands than my hands. I mean, I think Hattie will do a good job protecting it, but I saw what was protecting it before and I know I couldn't do that."

Hattie's confidence dropped to the pit of her stomach. "But it's different this time," Ron said. "No one's looking for it. Not even Dumbledore. Everyone's looking for Quirrell."

"And what if they find Quirrell without the stone?" Hattie asked. "We have to hold onto it for his sake. For his safety."

"Since when is it our job to protect Quirrell?" Hermione asked. "You remember he tried to kill you two years ago."

"He tried to protect me," Hattie repeated. "You're forgetting that he talked Voldemort out of killing me."

"By telling Voldemort it would be more fun to kill you with his own body," Hermione said.

"Hold on," Ron said, raising his hands. "Maybe we should just hold onto the stone for now to think about things. We're in school for, what, ten months? That's ten months the stone is safe at Hogwarts, and ten months we have the opportunity to give it directly to Dumbledore."

Hattie nodded. "Right."

"I don't understand," Hermione said, folding her arms across her chest. "You asked for our opinions and the only one you listen to is the one that is what you wanted to do in the first place. Are you just looking for us to agree with you?"

"Hermione, you know I just want to keep as many options open as possible," Hattie said. "We don't know what's going to happen this year. We might need the stone for leverage."

"For leverage?" Hermione let out a bark of laughter. "I can't believe you. You talk like you think a war's going to start."

"Quirrell thinks there is," Hattie said. "And if he thinks there is, then that means Voldemort is planning one. And if he's planning one, you know there's going to be one. And who's going to be his main target? Me."

The Quartet was silent for a moment.

Neville smiled, touching Hattie's arm. "Come on, Hattie, You-Know-Who barely has a body," he said. "It's not like he can start a war."

Hattie nodded. "Of course, you're right."

"And we'll all be here to help you," Ron said. "Come on, he'd have to go through Dumbledore himself to get to you."

Hattie repeated her nod, smiling. Hermione replied, "Well maybe you're right. Maybe we should hold onto the stone. But I want to approve everything you buy with it, okay?"

Hattie said, "Of course."

"And the first sign of trouble, you hand it over to Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said.

"Yes," Hattie agreed. "Right."

"And-"

Hermione was cut off by yelling coming from the backdoor of the Weasley's house. The Quartet turned to look at them. Alice Longbottom was screaming at Aunt Petunia.

"I can't believe you let him out of the house!" she yelled. "I have specifically told you now and again that if he's going to be at your place he has to stay inside. Have you let him out before?"

"No," Aunt Petunia said. "Of course not. I just thought-"

"You just thought you could risk his life because your crappy little flat can't hold all of your daughter's friends! I ask you to do one thing, Petunia, just one thing that your little magicless body should be able to do, and you go against that!"

Hattie almost didn't see Frank Longbottom approach. "Come on, Neville," he said, lightly pulling Neville up by his arm. "Let's drag your mum out of her before she ruins the poor woman's self-esteem."

"'Bye guys," Neville said.

Hattie stood up, feeling the anger rise through her, as Alice continued to spew out her anger at Aunt Petunia. "I mean, I could overlook the car accident," Alice said, "someone else hit you then, but I'm beginning to feel that maybe you're just careless! Or reckless!"

This time Hermione touched Hattie's arm. "She was just scared," Hermione said. "Don't get mad at her."

Hattie unclenched her fists, but clenched them again. Aunt Petunia looked absolutely devastated. Hattie could see the tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm not mad," Hattie lied through gritted teeth. "I'll see you guys later. We're going to Diagon Alley together, right?"

"Me for sure," Ron said.

"I'll probably meet up with you guys later," Hermione said. "My parents like to spend the time with me before I go."

"All right, I'll see you then."

By the time Hattie reached her Aunt, the Longbottoms had left. "Are you sure you don't want a cup of tea before you leave?" Molly asked.

Dudley, also sensing the trouble, was right with Hattie and her Aunt. Hattie took her Aunt's hand in hers. "No," Aunt Petunia replied, sighing. "I think it's best we just head home."

With the help of the Weasley's, the three arrived back home. Aunt Petunia sat down on the couch, in a daze. Hattie sat beside her, and Dudley sat in the chair next to them. Hattie tucked her hand back into her Aunt's.

"Neville was fine," Hattie said. "Mrs. Longbottom was just scared."

"But what if he wasn't?" Aunt Petunia asked. "What if I sent all of you kids out to face this Black character? I mean, she was right. This rubbish flat couldn't hold everyone and I just wanted them all out of it."

"Mum it's nothing to worry about," Dudley said. "Hattie's right, Mrs. Longbottom just overreacted because she was worried."

Aunt Petunia lowered her eyes. "I wish you two were right."