Esmeralda woke up with a hand on her shoulder, shaking it. I jumped and stared wide eyed at Hermione, dressed in her robes in the late hours of the night. I was about to say something when she hushed me. Handing me my own robes and wand, she looked at me with urgency.

"Get changed and meet us downstairs. We'll explain on the way out."

I wanted to ask her what was going on, but trusted her and nodded, grabbing the robes and wand from her hands. She left quietly, careful not to wake anyone. I stared at the door for a moment, before quickly changing out of my night clothes. What could possibly be needed of me at this time of the evening? And what was Hermione looking so excited I was about to leave when I glimpsed my ring on the mantle, I quickly grabbed it and headed out to the common room.

I saw Neville on the ground in a frozen state when I reached the bottom of the stairs. I gasped an looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione for answers. Ron looked innocently at me and shrugged his shoulders.

"He was trying to stop us from going out."

I rubbed my eyes and gazed down at Neville. I knelt down and pulled out my wand.

"Windgardium Leviosa"

The boy was lifted off the ground and up the stairs to the boys chambers. I put my wand away and crossed my arms, like my mother when she was being stern.

"I would appreciate some answers now"

Harry walked forward and placed his hands on my arms, making me lower them.

"We are going after the Philosopher Stone so Snape can't use it to bring back Vol-... You-Know-Who."

I gaped at him. The Philosopher Stone? Neither my mother nor father had ever mentioned what exactly it did, only that it was powerful. I looked at all three of them an sighed. They were determined to complete this conquest and I walked out the door, practically dragging them behind.

"Then lets not waste any time then..."

I was growing as determined as they were to stop Snape, but a fear was causing panic in my mind.

"Mothers going to kill me..."

We got to the door to the three headed dog, Fluffy. We all poked our heads in to hear harmonious music playing from the harp in the corner. The large dog snored loudly as he slept.

We all stepped in quietly and watched Fluffy to see any signs of waking. We were saw a trap door under one of Fluffy's paws and attempted to move it away. After a few minutes of struggle, the paw slipped off the door. As soon as it was moved though, I heard the harp stop playing. I felt Fluffy stir as my friends opened the door. Ron looked down only to get a bucket load of drool slobbered on him. I backed up slowly. Fluffy glared at me and advanced. I was growing more terrified of this creature then, dare I say, my mothers rage. I looked at the terrified looks on my friends faces.

"Go! I can handle this!"

They looked hesitant but jumped one by one into the darkness. I had just lied to myself and them saying I could handle a vicious, three headed dog. I looked up at the snarling dogs heads and became frightened again. I began to cry softly and slumped to the floor.

I looked up daringly into the dogs faces to see them hesitate. They sniffed the air around me and frowned. I glanced into their eyes and didn't find them filled with malice or hate, but with innocence. I hesitantly reached a hand up and petted the side of each heads face. They sat on the ground and panted happily. I smiled tenderly.

"Your not a bad dog..."

Fluffy panted for more attention. I laughed at their reaction to the pets I gave and continued. A yawn escaped their mouths and I began humming a song I knew from the orphanage softly. Fluffy nudged me and laid their heads in and next to my lap. The humming turned to gentle singing the lull the dog to sleep.

"The wind blows low and mournful,

Through the Strath of Dalnacreich,

Where once there lived a woman,

Who would a mother be,"

Their eyes slowly drooped, a peaceful smile gracing their faces as I sang.

"For twelve long years,

A good mans wife,

But ne'er the cradle filled,"

I sadly smiled at the dog after the last line. My greatest desire was far from me, but I hoped it would be true that I could obtain it. I sang again with a hint of longing in my voice.

"Mother of a changeling child,

From 'neath the fairy hill,"

She smiled again softly at the peaceful dog before singing again.

"She traveled to the standing stones and crossed into the green,

Where all the host of elfin folk,

Were dancing there unseen,

Through the night she bargained,

With the queen and fairies all,

Who sent her home at dawning,

With a babe beneath her shawl..."

Fluffy was barely asleep, just as both the entrance and the trap door opened. Fluffy bounced up and growled, inching towards the door.

"Fluffy! No!"

I ran in front of my shocked parents and teachers, but Fluffy couldn't stop from pouncing, scratching my arm deeply. I held back the excruciating wail and frightfully gazed at the three thin lines, bleeding intensely. My friends looked mildly wounded and tired looking. Harry had a red stone in his hand as he looked at me with fear. I groaned in agony and my legs collapsed beneath me.

"Esmeralda!"

I felt my mother and father grab me as tears streamed down my face. I looked up to see Fluffy looking ashamed and hurt. I pulled away from my parents and petted Fluffy's fearful face.

"It's... Ok,... Fluffy... It was an... Accident..."

I gasped as the pain increased and this time I let a whimper escape. My father looked at my friends as he picked me up like a child asleep in his arms. I groaned and cried softly into his cloak when more pain hit me like a wave.

"Teachers, please lead Harry, Hermione, and Ronald to the hosital wing."

No one protested and hastily ushered them out, leaving me and my parents in the room. My mother grabbed me and father and led us out of the room, where Fluffy sat in shame.

I looked weakly down at my ring as I was carried down the enchanted stairs. As I looked at it, I thought of something.

"I desire for a bandage to be wrapped around my arm..."

The wish was granted, making father look down at my bandaged appendage. I squirmed a little to be put down and father chuckled a little as he did. Mother smacked him as we came to the door of our home. She led us in and I thought again with fright.

"Yep, she's definantly going to kill me..."