A little bit different, we are going to see things from Snape's point of view... A lot shorter than my normal chapters but...
Disclaimer: Nope.
Severus Snape was very confused. How did it make sense that the Malfoy scion had made friends with Ivy Potter? He understood Weasley and Granger, and even the hopeless Hufflepuff Longbottom. But a Malfoy? It was unheard of. And now another one of his young snakes was being drawn into their little group, the Zabini boy. Of course, the two had been friends long before Hogwarts, so it only made sense that where Draco went, Blaise would soon follow. But he was also more friendly with Potter than the others, as if he had known her for longer than them. But that was not possible, was it?
He kept a lazy watch on them, as did all of the teachers. The Headmaster seemed smug that the House rivalries were being breached, and that his little Golden Girl was 'converting Slytherins'. McGonnagal seemed to think them cute, and was wondering if Draco and Ivy were sweet on each other. They certainly seemed to be, in Severus' opinion. They were very close, and did seem to care for one another deeply. Severus wrote about it to Lucius during one of his regular letters to his old friend, purely to see what reaction it would bring. But whatever he expected, it was not what got. He had guessed to see outrage, or news that Narcissa was already planning their wedding. Perhaps even some good old Slytherin resourcefulness, asking Severus for more information that Lucius could use to his own advantage. When he received the return letter, there was only one short sentence that commented on the subject.
"I am sure that whatever my son feels toward the Potter girl is purely platonic."
And that was it. It did not sound like Lucius at all. Severus' interest was piqued, and he began watching the friends closer, wondering what Lucius knew that he did not. All it serviced him was to grow more and more suspicious about what it was that they were up to. They whispered to themselves, huddled together with serious expressions on their faces and solemn faces. It was not until after final exams did everything come to a climax.
Malfoy and Zabini came running into his office while he was grading like the devil himself was on their heels.
"What on earth is the meaning of this?" he said, getting to his feet as the two first years caught their breath.
"Some-someone is going to steal the Sorcerer's Stone-" Draco panted.
Severus could not remember the last time he lost composure like he did then and let his jaw hang open.
"Excuse me?"
"We think someone is going to steal the Sorcerer's Stone tonight while Dumbledore is gone. We told McGonnagal, but she didn't believe us!"
Quirrell.
"How do you know this?" he snapped at them. The boys shifted uncomfortably.
"We've been piecing it together all year." Blaise explained. "But today, Iv- a friend of ours heard Professor Quirrell talking to someone, and crying, and we think he gave in and told them how to get past his enchantment."
Severus suddenly felt very cold. Too much information was swimming around inside of his head. First years had been able to figure out everything. Dumbledore was gone. Quirrell was striking tonight.
"Go back to your dorms and stay there. It is almost curfew. I will take care of it." He assured them. They nodded and shuffled out of the room. Severus headed straight up to the third floor. His heart and adrenaline were both thrumming inside him when he reached Fluffy's domain, but to his annoyance, nothing seemed to be wrong. The cerberus had not been disturbed. He turned around, wondering whether to keep watch here tonight, or to go flay two young Slytherins alive, when he heard the cold voice without one hint of a stutter.
"Stupefy!"
When he finally came to again, Dumbledore was over him, wand being put away.
"Damn impostor stunned me!" he growled.
"No time, Severus. I believe Ivy is down there with him."
"What!" he shouted, getting to his feet. Damn Quirrell, damn Potter! This just couldn't be easy, could it?
"I told you not to keep that stone in the castle." he said bitterly as he followed Dumbledore down the trapdoor.
"Now is not the time, Severus." the headmaster said sternly, casting a lumos to cause the Devil's Snare to shy away.
"We won't get there in time..." Severus said, thinking about the chess set, and the mad flight for the keys.
"We have to."
They caught the right key easily enough, it was horribly hindered by being caught and stuffed into the keyhole twice. They were lucky with the chess set too. Granger and Weasley were still there, the former trying to wake the later, so the board had not reset itself.
"Severus, get these two to the hospital wing." Dumbledore said, running through to the next room without stopping. Severus did as the Headmaster said, picking up the unconscious Weasley and carrying him out without a word. He wanted to yell at the foolish children who had put their lives in danger, but found himself unable to say a word.
Once back up in the hallways, Severus was surprised yet again by running into Draco and Blaise for a second time, along with the Longbottom boy. Draco had ugly bruises around his neck that looked suspiciously like it was made by Devil's Snare.
"You are okay!" Draco sighed once he saw the Granger girl. His voice was hoarse and scratchy, as if damage had been done to his voice box.
"We went to go send an owl to Dumbledore, but he was already back. He took one look at us, asked if Ivy had gone after him and ran off!" He said.
"Is Ron okay? Where is Ivy?" Blaise asked.
"Mr. Weasley is unconscious, but will be fine. As for Miss Potter, the Headmaster is retrieving her." Severus told him. He just hoped that he returned with her alive. The students seemed surprised not to hear anger in his voice. There would be plenty of time for that later. For now, he was just concerned about the wellbeing of the children. He might be a coldhearted bastard, but he was not heartless. Their health came first. Punishments would come later.
"Come on, all of you, up to the hospital wing." he told them before shepherding them all to Madame Pomphery.
Nearly twenty minutes later, Dumbledore came in carrying a thankfully alive Miss Potter. Once she was under the formidable nurse's care, he and the headmaster sat the conscious students down to tell their tale. And what a story it was. Severus had never heard the likes of it, and had never been so furious in all of his life.
The Headmaster had been all for letting them completely off for saving the stone, but Severus had insisted that they at least get two detentions. He wanted to make it two weeks worth of detentions, but Albus had reminded him that they had saved the world from Voldemort's return while he had been stupified on the ground. He was humiliated into silence, and seethed in indignation. He would just have to make those two detentions very memorable indeed..