Hello readers! Year one is finally coming to an end and I am very excited to move on to year two. I hope you all like this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.


June 4th,1992

Exam week was the most exhilarating experience Hermione ever participated in and she was enjoying ever moment of it. It was one of the few ways that she could display her talents without being called a show-off and every student had to fend for themselves rather than hitchhiking off of another student's work. The scratch of quills on parchment paper and the nearly uniform motion of wands was nearly therapeutic, which all but erased the stress that gradually built up throughout the year. Right now Hermione was completing her transfiguration essay, this would be the last essay that she would ever have to write for the rest of the year as this was her last exam, and she couldn't help but allow her mind to wander as she added her finishing touches.

Perhaps the most troubling issue that plagued her mind was caused by her potions professor, who now truly resented her. Ever since the Philosopher's stone incident he ignored her and avoided her saddened eyes, which gave Hermione the impression that he probably wouldn't want to see her after class either so their after school system ended. Hermione knew that she caused this resentment-exploding in an inferno of fire and breaking at least twenty school rules was enough to cause permanent damage to a student-teacher relationship. However, none of the other teachers shared the same disappointment and hatred that Professor Snape displayed, instead they offered the small group of brave students praise and encouragement for their actions. Although their words were nice and appreciated, it still didn't ease the pain of losing the favor of her favorite Professor.

A loud clash boomed through the silent classroom, all heads turned in the direction of the noise which belonged to a brass goblet that tumbled to the ground, Hermione felt embarrassed for Ron who turned a bright red color as he went to retrieve the goblet. A slight scraping was heard as the goblet rolled away from Ron's outstretched hand, he let out a huff of confusion and lunged at it but it rolled at an alarming speed away from him and struck Professor McGonagall's foot, who watched the entire scene with annoyance. She bent down and retrieved the cup then set it on her desk and promptly told Ron to take his seat, the baffled boy nodded his head and scrambled back to his chair while some of the students snickered at him. Hermione had seen the same thing happen many times when it came to transfiguring rats into goblets, Ron's spell wasn't strong enough and although the rat turned into a goblet, it was still retained it's consciousness and was able to move around. With a sigh Hermione turned her attention back to her essay which was finally finished, she neatly set the parchment paper aside and set her quill flat on her desk, she looked down at her hands which were blotched with ink, and she remembered sourly that those hands were once coated with fire.

Hermione stayed true to her word when she pledged to never used that mysterious power in her ever again and so far it was turning out to be a painful experience. She couldn't eat, she couldn't preform magic as well as before, and she was always exhausted from trying to repress it. She felt pain in her heart where it seemed that magic remained restless, and it felt like it was trying to escape her mental hold on it like a crazed animal.

"Students, your time is up. Please leave all of your materials on your desk and exit the classroom, go directly to your dormitories until further notice." Professor McGonagall called.

Hermione got up from her desk and waited for Harry, Ron, and Neville to join her before she left the classroom. Their faces shared the same grim look as they approached her and they all swept out of the classroom as a group, when they got outside they remained silent and looked on at their classmates who were letting out cheers of joy as exam week came to an end. In that moment they all gave each other a look that they had been sharing for the past two months,

Harry offered a look of despair that was caused by the knowledge that two lives would be sacrificed to save his own. Headmaster Dumbledore was forced to destroy the Philosopher's stone which was the only thing that was keeping a very old Nicholas Flamel and his beloved wife alive. It was a sacrifice that Harry appreciated but it still haunted his thoughts and he couldn't help but wonder if this was just the start of a very long list of people who would die protecting the boy-who-lived.

Ron was particularity traumatized when he heard his best friend being attacked by Professor Quirrell behind locked doors, he punched and kicked at the wooden door until his knuckles were slick with blood and until his feet felt sore underneath his shoes. He wished Harry had waited for him to recover from his dazed state before entering the room to retrieve the Philosopher's stone, but his friend went ahead of him and the doors locked behind him, Ron didn't know how to preform the Alohomora spell so he was forced to listen to Harry's and Quirrell's screams. When the screaming finally stopped Ron waited for Harry to burst from the doors with the stone in hand, instead Snape burst into the room and brushed past Ron then easily preformed the spell which flung the doors open with a soft click. Moments later he emerged with a battered looking Harry in his arms, he was unconscious and Ron immediately went to Snapes side who silently led them out of the room and to the infirmary. He let Harry down that day and his friend's screams still echoed in his mind.

Neville always had guilt plastered on his face since the incident, his reaction to the Devil's snare was uncalled for, especially when he knew exactly how to deal with it. He went as far as to ask Professor Sprout to provide him with a young Devil's snare that he may be responsible for, she was of course baffled by his request, but after his numerous pleas she gave in and set aside a young Devil's snare just for him in a secluded part of her greenhouse. Neville took care of the plant ever since in attempt to eventually conquer his fears so that he may never freak out in a situation concerning herbology ever again.

Hermione felt loss and pain from the incident and while the boys would never know- it was all because of her Professor and the raging magic within her.

It was a lot to handle for their first year and as they silently retreated to the Gryffindor tower they secretly felt relief as the year had finally come to an end.


I don't think another chapter was really necessary for the first year, but if you think their should be another one let me know. Reviews are always appreciated and your support means everything to me. Thank you for reading!