Chapter thirteen: Sorcerers Stone
Explanations and Examinations
"Honestly! What did they think they were doing!"
"The thing I would like to know, is what did you think you were doing, keeping the stone in a school! Did you think of their safety!?"
"Of course we do, why do you think I held the conference?"
"Well just look at them! Two of knocked out on a giant chess board, one with potions spilled all over her, unconscious. What next!?"
"Miss Granger woke up an hour ago, she said all five would explain there selves fully."
"If you would have asked me, I would have said keep it at Gringotts."
"Have you read the Prophet!? The day Hagrid took the stone from the vault, was the day it was broken into."
"What's going to happen to it now?"
"Dumbledore is working it out with Flamel,"
"That'll be a relief if we get it out of here, and that mad thing Fluffy!"
"But you must admit, they showed a lot of courage, going past Fluffy and Snape's potions, and I have no clue how they got the stone! I asked Dumbledore, and all he said was 'it will come to whom desire it for good'. What was that supposed to mean!?"
I woke up, dazed, rubbing my head. I was laying on a bed in the Hospital Wing. I looked to my right, Harry was lying next to me. When he saw me starring at him he push his finger to his mouth and silently said
"Shhh,"
On my left was Ron. He looked pretty beat up, he had a big, purple lump on his forehead, a black eye, and a big scar on the side of his face. It made me wonder if something happened while we were fighting Quirrel.
I moved my head slightly, looking for Hermione and Valerie but all I saw was McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey, who were the ones having the conversation about the stone, Fluffy, and our safety.
"Miss Granger has gone back to the common room. She only had a bruise. Once these four wake up, we will finally figure out who did this too them." Madame Pomfrey said gesturing toward us.
"Four," I thought "Valerie must be in the room," I relaxed more that I new she was safe.
The door opened and Dumbledore walked in.
"I would like to see the four, Miss Granger is awaiting in my office." Said Dumbledore in his same calm voice.
We followed him up the stairs and through his oak doors. Hermione jumped when we entered.
"Oh thank goodness your all ok!" She sobbed. It was clear to everyone that she had been crying.
"I would like to hear everything, details and all," Dumbledore said and Harry and I said our story, ending with the green smoke.
"That's what I saw!" Gasped Hermione. "About ten minutes after you two went through the fire, I saw the same smoke-like gas!"
"As for the stone, Nicolas Flamel has told us he would like me to destroy the stone."
"But then he'll die!" Ron blustered out.
"Yes, yes, Nicolas was a well friend of mine, but he, and his wife, have both thought it best. You know, it's better to give a life, to spare a life, then to give a life to take a life." He gave a little chuckle.
"Now lets go down the the feast." The six of us walked down to the Great Hall, which was decorated with the Skytherin symbol.
"Looks like Slytherin won, again." Ron's brother Fred muttered in disgust.
"That's bloody terrible!" Snapped his twin.
"What another wonderful year! Before we eat I have some last minute points to hand out. To Valerie Blue and Ron Weasley, I give ten points each for braveness!" Applause was everywhere (except the Slytherin table).
"Also to Hermione Granger, ten points for intelligence." The immense clapping was wild.
"And finally, to Harry Potter and Amber Jackson, twenty points each for their effort and bravery." The applause to that announcement was insane.
"I believe we need a change of decorations." And with a flip of his wand, it turned from a silver snake to a red lion.
* * *
Exams were seemingly easy. I doubt I would get an Outstanding on Transfiguration or Potions. I really thought I had done pretty well in Charms and Herbology though. I thought of Jessica having to wait in anxiety for her N.E.W.T.s and not finding out till the summer.
"Wow." I was speechless thinking about the past six months. It had gone by so fast, yet so much had happened.
"You ready?" Valerie asked coming into the room.
"Ready? For what?"
"Getting on the train. It leaves in an hour."
"Oh yeah…"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm… I'm just really going to miss this…" I said looking dreamily onto the floor, then throwing my gaze to my four poster bed.
"It's ok. You've got six more years here. There's a lot of time to have a lot more adventures."
"Your right… now come on, we don't want to be late."
I smiled, she was right, I've got six years. We linked our arms together and skipped happily out of our room and down into the common room. Harry was down there, and smiles broadly as we entered. Friendship was such a magical thing, much more magical than any wizard or wand.