Disclaimer: All recognised Harry Potter characters and events belong to JK Rowling :)
A/N: Would just like to say a big thank you for all those who have constantly reviewed and to those who have put this story on story alert/favourite story, it really does motivate an author. Now on with the chapter…
Chapter Eight: Some 'Fluffy' and mystery.
O.o.O
London Station
Hermione appeared outside the barrier for the Hogwart's Express, chastising herself again for running late, unlike earlier that year when she was about to board the train she was jumpy and excited, today however, she had overslept since her cousins had kept her up all night these past 3 nights; since they stayed at their house for the remainder of the Christmas holidays. Fortunately though, she had awoken just in time to have a bite to eat and get dressed, running around the house like a headless chicken barking to her parents about where her trunk was – it was standing right by the door where she had placed it the night before. Therefore, we find her gazing at the clock and realising that she still had ten minutes to board the scarlet engine. She turned around and hugged her parents fiercely, then faced the barrier again and raced through it.
The steam was billowing out of the engine, a sure sign that it will be leaving soon, so she hurried onto a carriage and fell into the nearest compartment as the train pulled out of the station.
"Nice way to make and entrance Granger, I bet my dashing good looks had you falling head over heels for me," commented Draco as he looked down upon the ground of where she had fallen, her locket slipping out from underneath her blouse, catching Gregory's eye.
"Hey Granger, what's that piece of shit hanging around your neck? Looks like a cheap imitation of a locket I once saw my mum wear," as Goyle said this, Draco to looked at the dim locket hanging around her neck, it looked familiar, but he was distracted and was not able to hold his gaze on it.
"Cheap imitation my arse, my parents are wealthy dentists, and would never once give me anything cheap," replied Hermione, turning her nose up at both Goyle and Malfoy as she once again climbed to her feet; already sick of the comments that they were making regarding her person and possessions.
"Run away all you want Granger, but we know that you will come back to us, me especially, you can not resist me," snarled Draco as he saw her picking herself up and turning away from them.
"Resist you my arse Malfoy," huffed Hermione as she once again left the compartment that those two buffoons were residing in.
O.o.O
Hogwart's
"So let me get this straight, you boys found absolutely no information on Nicholas Flammel or the Philosopher's Stone in the restriction section whatsoever? Instead you find a mirror that shows what you want most? Honestly boys, do I have to do all the work around here?" asked Hermione as they were sitting in a secluded spot in the Gryffindor common room, out of earshot from everyone else in the loud and boisterous room - no thanks to Fred and George, Ron's older twin brothers.
The two boys looked a little guilty as they listened to Hermione berate them for not trying hard enough, but really, as soon as they step foot into the massive library at Hogwart's they get lost, so it actually wasn't their fault at all, it was Hogwart's fault for having way too many useless books.
"But Hermione, we have a book list sent to us for a reason, so I have no idea why we even need a library," commented Ron with a sigh on the tip of his tongue after listening to Hermione drabble on and on.
"Is that what you think Ronald? Well, we need the library…"
"Looks like you've done it now mate, now she will never stop her babbling about how we need to research properly," muttered Harry to Ron as Hermione ranted on about the importance of higher educational books.
"Alright, alright, we get it. We're sorry for not researching properly, OK?" Ron said exasperatedly, putting a stop to Hermione's tirade.
Hermione, knowing that she was done for the time being smiled at Ron in acknowledgement as Harry nodded his head in agreement "Good, now, since you two were terrible at researching I found out information about it. Nicholas Flammel created the philosopher's stone so he can make an elixir so he will live forever," read out Hermione, simplifying the language so those two were able to understand what she was saying.
"So that must be what that three headed dog we ran into on the third floor corridor is safe guarding," commented Harry as he remembered the time when the three of them stepped off at the wrong floor and entered that room with the heinous three headed dog.
"Let's go down to Hagrid, I'm sure he know something about it, after all, he did bring a dragon into the school," suggested Hermione.
The three of them then tramped down to Hagrid's hut, which they saw he was playing on what looked like a flute of some sort.
"Hagrid!" called out Hermione, Harry and Ron.
Hagrid stopped playing on his flute and looked up at them. " 'Ello 'ermione 'arry and Ron, what brings you three down here? Not that it isn't always a pleasure to see ya of course" asked Hagrid as the three of them sat down on tree logs surrounding Hagrid's cabin.
"We were just wondering about that three headed dog, it seems odd that it is in a small room in Hogwart's," queried Hermione, since she was the one who suggested to come down here.
"Are you talkin bou' Fluffy? All you need to do is play her music nd she calms right down…I shouldna told you that," realised Hagrid as he burst out information about 'Fluffy.'
"Hagrid, we think Hogwart's isn't safe anymore, after Harry saw that creature drinking the unicorn's blood, and now… Fluffy is safe guarding the philosopher's stone, we feel that… you-know-who will be coming, or that Professor Snape is trying to steal it. Who else have you told about Fluffy?"
"Oh you know, the man at the pub where I bought the dragon, asked if I would be able to look after the dragon nd said it was simple after lookin after Fluffy,"
Hermione and Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances.
"Thanks Hagrid, but I just remembered I have an essay due for Professor Snape tomorrow, come on boys we have to go do it."
….
"Well, isn't it Potter and the Weasel and Granger, why in such a hurry? It's not like you three have anywhere important to be, unlike Crabbe, Goyle and I," snarked Draco as he saw the 'Golden Trio' running through the halls.
"Shove off Malfoy! As if you have anywhere to be at the moment anyway," shouted Ron as he pushed past Malfoy, trying to make him trip, but tripping himself in the process.
"Ahahahaha, is that the best you have Weasley, looks like you need to learn how to walk first without tripping over,"
"Ron, put your wand away, we have to see if Dumbledore is here, come on, worry about Malfoy later," Hermione said as she and Harry restrained Ron and turned him around to go to McGonagall's office.
….
"Well, isn't that bloody great, Dumbledore is gone. What the bloody hell are we supposed to do now?" asked Ron in a despondent tone as they trudged their way back to the common room.
"Looks like we have to get it tonight then," claimed Harry as they walked through the portrait hole.
….
Later that night
*croak* *croak* *croak*
"Oh no, Trevor! What is he doing out here?" whispered Harry as they made their way down the stairs.
"Neville!" cried Hermione as she saw his head pop out from the chair he was sitting in.
"Look, I don't want you guys to sneak out and make us lose more house points, we're already coming fourth place, it wouldn't be right if we lost anymore," Neville exclaimed in a somewhat nervous manner in his blue pyjama's with teddy bears dotting them.
"I'm sorry Neville, but I have to do this. Petrficus totalus," Hermione said as she made Neville go stiff as a board and fell to the floor.
"Now, let's go before anyone else comes, Harry, get out the cloak," Hermione intoned as they made for the portrait hole.
….
As the Golden Trio were fighting for their lives, getting through Devil's Snare, Harry catching the flying key, facing a giant chess board and figuring out which potion is the correct one, Draco and Gregory were also up to something.
"Look, I don't know why, but can't you feel it to?"
"Yeah mate I can, something is off. Do you think we should contact our father's?"
"Perhaps, but I don't want to lose Slytherin any points for sneaking out, I've already done it once and had to serve detention with Potty, Granger and the Weasel,"
"True, what about we go to your godfather's quarters then? That way, he could perhaps shed some light on what we; and you in particular are feeling,"
"Sure, let's go then…"
….
The last day of first year
"Silence, now, I'm sure all of you are ready to be going, but we have yet to award the house cup, and there have been some recent events that must be awarded," proclaimed Dumbledore.
The whole hall quietened down, the sense of excitement filling the room.
"To Hermione Granger, for her ever outstanding wit and forthrightness, 50 points,"
Trust the mudblood know-it-all to be awarded points, outstanding wit though? He has got to be joking what I say is ten times better compared to what comes out of her dirty mouth thought Draco as he saw a beaming Hermione smiling up at Dumbledore.
"To Ron Weasley, the best chess player Hogwart's has ever seen, 50 points," spoke Dumbledore as more people cheered.
"To Harry Potter for exceptional nerve and pure courage, 60 points," awarded Dumbledore, with even a louder cheer from three houses
"Shit man, Gryffindor is tied with us," whispered Greg to Draco.
"I know, this sucks," responded Draco.
"And last but not least, to Neville Longbottom, for having the courage to speak up to his friends, 10 points," a loud cheer came over all three houses as they realised the Gryffindor had now won the house cup.
"If my arithmacy is correct, I believe that the house cup now belongs to Gryffindor," the loudest of cheers overtook all three houses, except for Slytherin, where Draco shoved his hat off his head and departed for the first of the many carriages taking them down to the Hogwart's Express.
O.o.O
London Station
"Mum, dad, over here!" shouted Hermione as she ran into her parents waiting arms, it felt good to be with them, this was her home, and she carried it where ever she went in her locket…
O.o.O
A/N: Hi, I really hope you liked the chapter, since it took me a while to write some of it since I felt stuck in some of the areas when writing it.
I'm not sure how I feel exactly about this chapter, can't say it is one of my favourites, so please let me know what you think.
What do you think of the locket in this chapter? How was the interaction between Malfoy and Hermione along with the rest of the cast? And what do you think of the bit just between Draco and Goyle whilst the three were fighting Fluffy and Co?
Please review and if you want to see anything in the following books in this story, let me know :D
~ BelleBelles