"It's tonight," declared Harry, as the footsteps of Professor McGonagall faded away. "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs, and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note; I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."
A moment later, I saw Snape rounding the corner.
"Hi, Professor Snape," I said loudly, waving.
Instantly, I could hear scuffling as Harry and Ron retreated.
"Mr… Anderson, was it?"
I nodded.
"What are you doing inside on a fine day such as this?"
"I was getting a headache outside," I said. "Probably should be getting something to drink. Thanks for your concern, though!"
~~~Break~~~
The portrait opened silently, with no one visible behind it.
"Good evening," I said.
There was a short rustling sound, and Harry's head appeared.
"William!" he hissed.
"What's this about a stone?" I asked nonchalantly.
"You wouldn't—"
"You believe Professor Snape is going to try to steal the Philosopher's stone tonight. You are going to try stop him. Am I wrong?" I asked.
I shall not allow my actions to communicate either the presence or the location of the Philosopher's Stone in this castle to those who are not already aware of both. They already knew that it was involved, and they knew it was behind a trapdoor in the third floor corridor.
At Harry's reluctant shake of his head, I said, "Then I'll help. I'll follow you, either under that marvelous cloak of yours, or outside it. Your choice.
After a bit of hesitation, he ordered "Get in."
~~~Break~~~
I reached forward for the door. Behind me, Harry, Ron, and Neville had drawn their wands.
It opened, leading into the statue-filled room, where the Zeno Trap held reaching the end was impossible.
Silently, we walked forward.
Halfway to the end of the room, l turned.
"Harry," I said. "This room used to be the first defence!"
He nodded. "Then someone's already gone through."
We reached the end of the room. The door slightly open.
"More proof," I whispered, pushing it open wider. It emitted a loud creak.
Then, from behind the door came a loud growl. I took a quick peep inside; it was a three-headed dog.
"Cerberus," I said. "Ancient Greek myth. There are two people who defeated him. The first was Heracles, the son of Zeus. He was the strongest man, who as a baby, strangled two constrictors sent to kill him. He wrestled Cerberus and won. I don't suppose any one of us is the strongest man alive?"
I looked back at the shaking heads.
"The second man was Orpheus. He played a lyre, a sort of musical instrument, until Cerberus slept."
"I have a flute," offered Harry.
"Hmm," I said, dragging my wand through the air and releasing a pure whistling sound.
Then, recalling a song from so long go, I sang.
"Nighttime softens, heightens each sensation,
Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination.
Silently the senses abandon their defences.
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour,
Grasp it; sense it, tremulous and tender.
Turn your face away from the garish light of day!
Turn your thoughts away from cold unfeeling light,
And listen to the music of the night.
"Close your eyes, and surrender to your darkest dreams,
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before
Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before…"
Softly, the low rumbling of snoring came through the door.
"Quickly," I said.
Then, the dog began to stir.
"Lift the trapdoor," I said, before quickly returning to my song.
"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you,
Hear it; feel it, secretly possess you.
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness which you know you cannot fight:
The darkness of the music of the night."
Then, as one, we jumped into the gaping hole of the trapdoor.