The boys walked into the common room and were immediately engulfed in hugs.
"You should have seen the feast!"
"Potter and Weasley stayed behind, of course-"
"They had these giant crackers at the table! I've managed to get seven tins of chocolate frogs from them!"
"It's a pity you lot didn't come to the manor this year. "
"Oh yeah! We were going to play Muggles and Wizards-" Blaise was cut off with a book to the head from Draco.
"Shut up you idiot! She's muggle born!"He hissed, praying Hermione wouldn't question it. She did.
"What's Muggles and Wizards?"
There was a lot of fidgeting from the other pure bloods. No one would make eye contact.
"Hey! Is that a book on-"
"Daphne. What is Muggles and Wizards?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Well...it's a game we play as children..." The poor girl was desperately looking around for help, so Theo jumped in.
"To...to celebrate the day we successfully went into hiding!" He yelped.
Draco quickly changed the subject.
"Tell me, did you lot manage to find anything on him? Only I couldn't see anything in Father's library. We looked everywhere I'm sure. "
Classes began again, Theo having borrowed Hermione's essays for 'reference'. If Pansy nicked the parchments when he wasn't looking, well, Theo never said anything.
Wednesday morning was Herbology with the Ravenclaws. Professor Sprout assigned them to feeding and placating scufflagors, something which didn't require much focus.
Nearby, a trio of Ravenclaws were snickering, not even bothering to whisper.
"What're the odds she's getting Greengrass and Parkinson to give her the answers?"
"Honestly she's not even that creative she just shoves her hand in the air and quotes the textbooks."
Hermione heard them, of course, and stiffened. Beside her, Daphne immediately grabbed Pansy who was all too willing to 'teach those nerdy upstarts a lesson'.
"Really, it's fine." Hermione said quietly to her friends. "Just wait till exam time, when I crush them, right? Pansy?" Hermione anxiously looked at her friend. After a long moment, the girl loosened and Daphne dropped her arm.
"Whew. Listen, Hermione..." Said Daphne, turning to the insulted girl with a worried expression.
"No it's fine. Believe me, the bathrooms are worse. Now, this has to be happy and full or we won't get full marks."
The boys stood nearby feeding their plant and eavesdropping.
"So, she's being targeted still. "
"Obviously." said Draco . "Hermione's going to be targeted as long as she's alive, unless we can create some distant better world. "
Blaise kept quiet, thinking on Draco's words. Didn't they all want a better world?
"We need to find out what Potter and Weasley are doing, and the deal with Flamel. How are they connected?" He announced.
"Again, the only way to know is to get the notes from Weasel. " said Theo shortly before shoving pieces of lettuce at the scufflagor.
"And if we still agree that borrowing a book from him is best, then it should be you Draco. He doesn't know either of us, and hates Hermione. "
"I agree. So after Defence against the Dark Arts, ask him, when he's in a rush and not thinking. "
Draco nodded, distracted by the plant in front of him and the possibilities that went through his mind.
"Alrighty now, enough o' that. I want all y'all to clear up any drastic messes, and then you're free. Watch the Devil's Snare on the way out!" Said Professor Sprout gruffly. Fortunately the Slytherins hadn't make much of a mess and left to avoid the Ravenclaws. Daphne and Theo were intent on discussing the prejudice problem, but Hermione only dismissed it saying she was off to-
"-The library yeah we know. Get going then, lunch won't wait for you. "
She nodded, and sped off.
"Wonder what she gets up to in there?" Said Theo curiously.
"Well whatever it is, hopefully the other houses bugger off and leave her alone."
"Not likely at this rate. Did you see the insolent brats this morning? " Pansy felt fury rising, again at the thought of them dismissing her friend so quickly.
"Didn't have to. But I heard them, if that's what you mean."
"Well, we need to do something. Win the house cup, catapult her into stardom, I don't care just make them leave off. "
"Pansy be reasonable." Said Draco miserably. "She'll probably have to deal with this all of her life. Unless she marries a pureblood, and one of the Classed ones, this will always follow her."
Hermione quickly wound her way to the back of the library. Hidden behind a tapestry was a small reading nook she'd found several months ago and it was freshly stocked with candles and soft blankets. Hermione tumbled onto the plushy chair before her and shut the tapestry, then began to cry.
"She missed lunch. Should we go look for her?"
"Calm down. I bet she got lost in a book. " Right on cue, Hermione came running up.
"Hey! I'm not late right? Sorry, there was this book...and I got distracted..." The others laughed. Quirrell swept through the rows of the classroom and stumped onto the dais at the front.
"Y-yes hello. To-today we w-will cover the d-different fairies o-of Gr-great Britain. "
"I don't think the man can get a single sentence out without stuttering." Daphne whispered to Hermione.
"Shush! And be respectful. He's a professor after all."
After class, the girls walked slowly, dragging their feet, in an effort to avoid study hall. Wednesdays were monitored by McGonagall.
"But you know it will be worse if we're late." Said Hermione in a know it all sort of tone.
"Well we won't be late, just very on time. Thus, minimal amount of time with that Dragon. "
"Pansy! She's a teacher! Anyways, where are the boys? "
"I don't know? Does it matter? They're probably trying to get back at Potter for something. He was rather mouthy today. "
Inwardly, Hermione groaned. Draco would quickly find himself in detention at this rate, losing them the points she had gained on knowing about the effects of mint leaves on powdered horn of bicorn. But it didn't matter. At the last moment, the boys came strutting up, grinning like they had hung the moon. Altogether very suspicious.
"What were you doing?"
"Oh don't worry Miss Greengrass, we were just ensuring all the answers to your questions. " said Draco with a knowing sort of smile. Blaise snickered. None of the girls appreciated their less than satisfactory answers.
"What were you doing?" Hermione hissed, careful to avoid McGonagall.
"We got the book. From Weasley. Easy as pie, the idiot. " answered Theo, coming up behind them. The attitude at the table shifted instantly.
"You got the book from Weasley? The correct one?"
"Like I would ask for the wrong one. We waiting until after Transfiguration, to make sure it was correct. "
"What if you're caught?!"
"Hermione, he literally just asked to borrow a book. There's nothing wrong with it. "
"Miss Granger. I expected better of you than to sit talking during study hall, when it is so clearly against the rules. All of you, focus on your work now. "
McGonagall's administration shut them all up, though time seemed to drag by after that.
When all of their classes were finished, Hermione rushed away again to the library, whist the others sat down for dinner.
"Ok so do we crack it open here or..."
"Pansy think! I wouldn't want any of the older students to ask questions, so we wait for the common room. And Hermione. Ten galleons says she'll understand the most from this. "
"Fair enough. "
But Hermione didn't show up for all of dinner. Nor did she appear on the walk down to the common room. The girls saved a bit of her favourite foods, though not much, but when there were thirty minutes to curfew and she was still missing, they began to worry.
"What do you expect? She met another troll?"
"Nah can't have. And anyways, I heard the craziest gossip today.
"Pansy you consist of nothing but gossip. "
"Doesn't matter." Pansy waved the comment away. "I heard that Potter and his friend snuck into the third floor corridor. "
A collective sigh emitted from the others.
"Pansy that's not new. "
"Yeah pretty sure we could have figured that out anyways."
"And really, we all know Potter and Weaselbee get away with anything, so it's not exactly surprising they did that. "
"Did what?"
The group turned. Hermione was strolling down the steps towards Daphne who was gesturing for her to join them.
"Potter snuck into the third floor corridor with Weasel Bee, back at the beginning of the year. And then of course there was the troll fighting." Theo said, reigniting the conversation.
"Ridiculous, if you ask me. He and his friend fight a dangerous troll when they were explicitly told to go in the opposite direction,and get points for it. Is it any wonder we have to fight tooth and nail to win?" Said Hermione vehemently. Daphne frowned.
"Well, when you put it that way...how did the troll get in? That's not a very funny prank, considering trolls are massive, stupid, and dangerous. That sort of trick comes more from malicious intent than pure humour. "
"Well, let's check their notes eh? About time I expect. " Draco grabbed the book and flipped it open while the others huddled around.
Do you think someone's trying to hide the dog?
I dunno. I think the dog is guarding something. Remember how you and Hagrid emptied that vault, and then someone tried to break into it?
"The first person's Potter then. Hagrid is closer to him." Said Hermione.
"Good to know," Draco muttered.
Yeah, but the package was tiny. Fit in my hand it did. Mind you that doesn't mean it isn't the thing.
There was quiet for a moment, and then a lot of talking.
"If someone is after whatever the dog is guarding, a troll is a perfect distraction!"
"Who could be after it? A teacher? My dad says the best way to get the job done is to-"
"We need to deal with this!"
"Draco. Are there any more notes?"
He frowned for a moment, rifling through the papers.
"Yeah. A letter. Here…Dear Ron, How are you? Thanks for the letter-I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing we be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon. Can you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.
Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love, Charlie. "
Once again, the little group sat silent, thinking things over.
"Listen, did he say dragon?"
"Norwegian Ridgeback is certainly a type of dragon, known for being fairly large and aggressive." Hermione recited.
"So they're planning to sneak away a dragon? "
"Where the bloody hell do they get a dragon?!"
"Blaise! Language!"
"Hermione that doesn't matter right now! They've got a bloody dragon!"
"Yes they do, and maybe we should sit and think for a moment! So they are sneaking out a dragon. At midnight on the highest tower...which would be the astronomy tower. They cannot possibly carry a baby dragon from Hagrid's cabin to there without getting caught. Your best bet would be turning them in with this letter. Things have gone on far too long, with their undisciplined cavorting. "
"Hermione, you may be doing this for justice, but I'm sure not. If we do this right, we can get the information on what they're doing." Draco said firmly.
"Or maybe we can let them just do their thing and observe. They'll tell far more when they don't realise they're telling. "
"Blaise that's brilliant!" Said Daphne excitedly. "So...what? We follow them around, hoping they talk loudly enough about everything?"
"No," Hermione said. "We're still missing something. They aren't just poking around a three headed dog for fun. Draco let me see those notes. "
She was quiet for a moment, then looked up slowly, dread written all over her face.
"They think someone's after it. "
"Oi! Firsties! It's past your bedtime innit?" A third year yelled loudly.
"They're right. We'll get to this in the morning. I'm heading to bed, anyways. " Hermione nodded to the others, then left for the dormitory. This new information was quite troubling, and confusing. What was the object?
Breakfast the next day started grimly. Nobody was talking very much, they were all lost too deep in thought. There was just one more day before Saturday.
"Oh cheer up you lot." Said Millie bracingly. "The worst that happens is that those idiots manage to get the dragon away and we do nothing. But those odds are astronomical. They'll probably get caught, lose a bunch of points, and hand us first place for house cup. " Millie had been with Greg and Vince recently, so she wasn't around as much, but Daphne had filled her in on the way to breakfast. When the boys came into the Great Hall a few minutes later, they seemed rather smug.
"Ok I'll bite. What gives? Why're you lot looking as if Potter just died?" Hermione asked, looking suspiciously at the little group.
"Theo's found the-"
"I've found him. Flamel. " Theo cut Draco off, speaking low and leaning in.
"Where?! I scoured the library for hours!" Hermione demanded.
"More importantly, what's the thing being guarded?" Daphne asked. Theo swished his robes back dramatically, then opened a book.
"Mr. Malfoy gave me this for Christmas. I've been reading it. Listen: 'Nicholas Flamel and his wife Perenelle Flamel are the only alchemists who have successfully created the philosopher's stone. '"
The result was rather anticlimactic, as nobody other than Theo and Hermione actually understood what exactly a Philosopher's Stone was.
"Great. So this dude in the 1400's made a stone with his wife. " Draco summarised sarcastically.
"Don't you understand? Alchemy has only one goal: to craft the Philosopher's Stone! "
"Ok that's nice Hermione. But whatever is a Velociphets Stimp?" Daphne asked.
"First off, it's a Phil-os-o-pher's Stone," Hermione sounded out slowly and bossily, "and second, let me go something from the dorm. " With that, the girl up and ran out of the Great Hall.
"Well, we know what the item is now. Not what it does or how it's valuable or why someone would want it or who, but darn it we know what it is."
"Oh honestly Pansy. I could explain that for you, but knowing Hermione she's gone to fetch another book to do it for me." Theo smiled, and turned back to his breakfast.
"Ok. I've waited all day to hear about this thing, since the universe decided to run interception. What is it?" For the third night in a row, the six were sprawled across couches and armchairs around the fireplace, scribbling on parchment or checking books. The homework load had practically doubled since holidays and they couldn't afford to lounge about for nothing now.
"Well, here." Hermione pulled out a ginormous old book, and shoved it towards the light.
"I promise, it wouldn't kill you to read, Pansy. Anyways. Listen-The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. There have been many reports of the Stone over the centuries, but the only known Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who recently celebrated his six hundred and sixty fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife Perenelle (six hundred and fifty eight)."
She fell silent.
"So there's a stone that makes gold and an immortality drink here in the castle guarded by a three headed dog? " Draco questioned.
"Well I'm starting to see the appeal now. " Pansy snorted.
"Hey, those notes from Weasley said that when they emptied the vault of it, it was broken into later that day right?"
Theo nodded to Daphne, unsure of where this was going.
"Yeah why? "
"Not just anyone can break into Gringotts," she started, rather unsure. "but that aside, if the Stone is actually at Hogwarts, someone's trying to steal it. And all of the professors are old and have been here for years, except for Quirrell, who Snape hates. "
Everyone was paying attention now.
"Snape hates Quirrel? What makes you say that?"
Daphne blushed, and looked down.
"I only know that he's quite unwell, been getting thin and pale, and...and Snape doesn't trust him. "
"How do you know this?" Hermione asked, wonderstruck. Draco cackled, a mean look on his face that was usually only present around Potter or other Gryffindors.
"Got a crush, Daphne?"
"No! I just see more than you do, Drakey-poo. And anyways, it was around Christmas or so. I missed my sister and couldn't sleep. So I wandered around the lower levels a bit at night to help. Except someone broke into the restricted section of the library. Noel night I was in the area and heard Filch telling Mrs. Norris that the intruder had to be nearby, and so I ran away only to turn a corner and see Snape threatening Quirrel. " Daphne finished.
"Snape threatened Quirrel? So you're saying that Quirrell's the person? "Asked Theo.
"Maybe? I'm not really sure, other than the fact that my Father said Snape was absolutely trustworthy. I'm not sure why, but there is no doubt whatsoever. So it can't be Snape. "
"Not to mention the fact that Snape is our head of house and I think we'd know if he was after the whatchamacallit. " Pansy stated drily.
"Oh honestly it's a Philosopher's Stone! Do none of you read? Well, I know you do, Theo. But anyone else?"
"I don't really need to while you're around, since you can tell me all the important bits in half the time anyways. "
"Draco!" Hermione hit him with a book. "You're on your own for exams. "
"Meanwhile,what about Saturday? We know what the item is, but there's something a lot more pressing coming up. " Blaise reminded them.
"Oh, just send Draco at them. I'm sure he's dying to get the Gryffindors back ever since Potter joined the quidditch team." Said Pansy airily.
"Quidditch? Hang on, there's a match on Saturday!" Hermione screeched. "We've got to be present, all of us. Can't make it seem like anything is wrong. " At this, she looked each of them in the eye, even Draco, who had muttered 'first time Hermione's willingly going to a match I'll bet'. Theo pursed his lips.
"Hermione, technically nothing is wrong. Even if someone is trying to steal it, it's not our problem. We would get expelled trying to deal with it, which is stupid anyways because we're what, first years?" Try as he might, Theo was worried that Hermione wouldn't see sense. So he turned to the others with a pleading look.
"He's right Hermione. "
"And it's so Gryffindorish. Completely stupid. "
Draco held up a hand for silence, then turned to Hermione.
"So someone steals the Stone. What happens? The Ministry takes care of it. Or Dumbledore! Dumbledore's into this isn't he? He wouldn't let that Stone fall into enemy hands. It's why the blasted thing is here eh? So that he can bait the bad guy into coming and showing himself?"
Normally Draco would never be heard defending Dumbledore, but he knew Hermione had respect for the guy, and if talking him up or making him seem wise was what got Hermione to see sense, then that was what Draco would do. And sure enough, she slowly nodded.
"You're saying they've got it under control, and just let the thief show himself, do nothing?"
"Precisely. What happens if we try to help?"
Defeat finally began to show in her eyes, despite the previous appearance of agreement. To try and clinch the deal, he pressed one last time while the others remained silent.
"It's going to be a fully grown and trained witch or wizard, against some first years who can do nothing more than shoot sparks. "
Hermione slumped a little. "Alright. I guess so. It just feels wrong, leaving it when we know something will happen. And it's entirely unfair about that dragon."
Pansy and Daphne glanced at each other.
"Come on Hermione, I think it's time we went to bed, okay?"
A/N: This chapter has been revised and edited.
