Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 26: Help!

Harry had jumped to his feet and looked as though he were about to sprint away.

"Harry, what's going on? What's wrong? Does your scar hurt again?" Hermione asked him. She shoved Ron, which woke him from his midday doze under the tree and scrambled to her feet.

"Where're you going?" Ron asked, sleepily. Hermione wasn't sure if he was talking to her or to Harry. Hermione saw Harry's face turn an unnatural pale, white colour.

"I've just thought of something. We have to go and see Hagrid, now" he replied. Hermione began to run after him as he took off down the hill towards Hagrid's hut.

"Why?" Hermione called after him while she tried to match his running pace. There were so many things in that question – why did he have to see Hagrid, why was he so upset, why did something bad have to happen now, once everything was supposed to be okay? Harry, however, only answered the first.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket?" Hermione would have stopped to ponder that but she was still trying to keep up with him. Ron was a few steps behind her, attempting to catch up with his friends.

"How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?"

Hermione didn't attempt to answer these questions as she ran to keep up with Harry. While Hermione was not in terrible shape, Harry had been playing Quidditch all year and it was difficult to keep up with him. Ron attempted to yell at him, asking him was he was going on about, but Harry was already too far ahead to answer.

When they caught up with Harry, he was just reaching Hagrid's small house. He was sitting in a large armchair outside his front door, shelling peas. It was a rather comical sight, with his shirt sleeves and trousers rolled up, but Hermione did not think this was an appropriate time to laugh. Hagrid greeted them with a smile and a wave.

"Hullo! Finished with yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"

Ron attempted to happily accept this offer, but Harry cut him off before he was able to finish. Whatever Harry had thought of, it must be very important to him that he would not stay for a chat with his large friend.

"No, we're in a hurry, Hagrid. I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?"

Hagrid looked up in surprise, but not suspicion, at this question. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Harry – did he think someone planned to give Hagrid a dragon egg? She didn't understand his reasoning or train of thought. What was the purpose of giving Hagrid a dragon?

"Dunno, he wouldn' take his cloak off" Hagrid replied, casually. When he noticed the stunned looks on the trio, he continued. "It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog's Head – that's one of the pubs down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mighn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up."

Perhaps Hagrid thought that this would cheer them up, that knowing that a large majority of the people in this pub – really, Hog's Head? What a name – were a rather secretive bunch. It didn't put Hermione at ease, but she still couldn't understand what was causing Harry so much grief, and Ron looked as confused as she did when Harry groaned and sank down next to the barrel of peas.

"What did you talk to him about, Hagrid? Did you mention Hogwarts at all?"

Hagrid frowned as he continued to shell his peas, remembering that night a few months past. "Mighta come up. Yeah…he asked what I did, an' I told him I was gamekeeper here…He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after…so I told him… an' I said what I'd always really wanted was a dragon…an' then…I can' remember too well, 'cause he kept buyin' me drinks" this was a red flag for Hermione. She was beginning to follow Harry's line of thought, but she still felt like she was a few paces behind him. Clearly, this man wanted Hagrid drunk for information, but about the animals and creatures he cared for? She continued to listen to Hagrid's tale to see what piece of the puzzle she was missing.

"Let's see… yeah, then he said he had the dragon egg an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted…but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn' want it ter go ter any old home…So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy…"

Hermione met Ron's eyes in a panic. Now she understood – Snape was under that cloak! And he was getting Hagrid drunk in order to talk about what was guarding the Stone! Harry, however, managed to mask his panic much better than Ron and Hermione.

"And did he – did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked. Hagrid looked surprised at this question.

"Well – yeah – how many three-headed dogs d'yeh meet, even around Hogwarts? So I told him, Fluffy's a piece o' cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep-" Hagrid stopped, horrified. Hermione wasn't sure if he was feeling that way because he had just told them, or that he had just now realized what he had said in a drunken stupor. Harry had already leapt to his feet and started walking towards the path with Hagrid calling after him – "I shoultn'ta told yeh that! Forget I said it! Hey – where're yeh goin'?"

The three of them were too far away to answer Hagrid now. They were going between a walk and a jog, trying to hurry after Harry to the castle.

"We've got to get to Dumbledore. Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy, and it was either Snape of Voldemort under that cloak – it must've been easy, once he got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze might back us up if Bane doesn't stop him. Where is Dumbledore's office?" They had arrived at the staircase in front of the Great Hall and were glancing about, looking for a way to know where to go. Hermione was frustrated – surely they should hand out maps or something to let students know where everything was! After mindlessly spinning in a circle for a moment, she and Ron turned to Harry to find out what to do next.

"We'll just have to–" Hermione wasn't sure what her friend was about to suggest, because at that moment another voice broke through the silence.

"What are you three doing inside?" asked Professor McGonagall who was currently carrying a rather large stack of books. With the ease in which she carried it, she must have put some sort of spell on it to make it lighter or to make it unable to fall. Hermione didn't have time to ponder this bit of magic before she decided to break through the silence.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore" she said as Harry and Ron nodded behind her.

Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed – was it not normal for the students to want to see their Headmaster Hermione wondered? Their Transfiguration professor glanced at them suspiciously before answering, "See Professor Dumbledore? Why?"

So much for an answer, Hermione thought. She glanced helplessly at her two friends, trying to think of a reason to need to see the Headmaster without explaining to Professor McGonagall. Harry spoke up – "It's sort of a secret" he said. From the look on Professor McGonagall's face, that was the wrong reasoning to give – her nostrils flared and her eyes narrowed. She bit out the next words to her three students – "Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

Hermione could feel her stomach sink – Dumbledore was gone? There was no way the Stone was safe now. Looking at her friends' faces, she knew they were thinking the same thing. Harry was spluttering, "He's gone? Now?" but Professor McGonagall continued to look at him coldly and replied, "Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time –"

Harry interrupted the Professor, which was never a wise decision. Professor McGonagall did not take kindly to people assuming they had more important things to say than herself, especially from three first years who were known for getting in trouble.

"But this is important–" Harry started to say, but Professor McGonagall stopped him before he could complete his thoughts.

"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?" Professor McGonagall was practically seething at the trio. Hermione gulped – what were they going to do? Luckily, Harry – the true Gryffindor he was – decided to just go for it.

"Look Professor – it's about the Sorcerer's Stone–"

Professor McGonagall blanched and her books tumbled to the ground. This was surely not the explanation she was expecting when she was questioning the three friends about their motives to seek out Professor Dumbledore.

"How…How do you know…?" she sputtered, trying to make sense of the statement that Harry had just made. Harry, however, continued to plow through with an explanation.

"Professor, I think…I know that Sn-…someone! Someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

Hermione grimaced – she had seen Professor McGonagall's face frown at the slightest mention of Professor Snape. Her eyes narrowed at Harry, and then she glanced at Hermione and Ron. Harry, however, kept his gaze on the Transfiguration professor. Finally, she said, "Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow. I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it. It's too well protected."

Hermione's hope soared – perhaps Snape did not know how to get through all the obstacles after all! Surely there was more than Fluffy and whatever Quirrell's trap was. However, Harry was unrelenting and began to try and argue with Professor McGonagall again. She immediately cut him off – "Potter, I know what I am talking about. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine." She began picking up her forgotten books on the floor and eyed them again, suspiciously. The three friends continued to huddle together near the door while Professor McGonagall eyed them before walking towards her office, muttering about their insolence. Once she was out of sight and hearing range, Harry began whispering to them.

"It's tonight. 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."

Ron turned to him, confusion evident across his face as he began to question Harry's plans. But it was not Ron that Hermione noticed – a tall figure in sweeping black robes was coming close to them. She gasped and her friends quickly fell silent as Professor Snape suddenly loomed above them.

"Good afternoon" he said evenly. The three friends continued to stare at him – where had he been? How much had he heard? What was he going to do to them now – would he lock them away, before they could spoil his plans? Or would he pretend he hadn't heard a word in hopes that he could scare them away from attempting to foil his plans? Snape, however, continued to stand in front of them – and he wasn't wearing his usual sneer on his face. Instead it was an odd, almost bitter smile.

"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this."

Harry began to explain some form of a story on what they were doing but Snape cut him off almost immediately. Honestly, why did teachers always assume that their words were more important than those of their students'?

"You want to be more careful. Hanging around like this, people will think you're up to something. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points, can it?"

All three of them flushed – even Ron, who hadn't been involved in the scandal that had cost Gryffindor 150 points earlier this term. As they turned to go back outside, Snape called out one last warning to the students.

"Be warned, Potter – any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you." And with that, he walked off towards the staffroom.

Hermione shook her head – while she assumed that her two friends hadn't read all the rules regarding Hogwarts, at least she knew that they wouldn't be expelled for being caught out after curfew, at least not this time. They hadn't made sneaking out an event that they often took part in – Snape could surely take away house points and give them detentions, but there was no chance of expulsion. When the three friends walked onto the steps leading to the front lawn, Harry turned to them.

"Right, here's what we've got to do. One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape. Wait outside the staffroom and follow him if he leaves it. Hermione, you'd better do that."

Hermione reeled back slightly. Why her? When she asked that question, Ron simply snorted and said, "It's obvious – you can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick, you know…" When she gave him a blank stare he put on a false, girly voice and said, "Oh Professor Flitwick, I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong…"

Hermione blushed – while she knew her voice didn't sound like that, it was disheartening to hear how her friend thought she would sound and act. After telling Ron to "shut up" she agreed to Harry's demands.

"But where will you guys be going? When and where should we meet?"

They looked at each other for a second before Harry decided, "We'd better stay outside the third floor. Come on."

So they separated. Hermione walked off towards the Staff Room, which luckily was not that far away. She eased herself down the wall and sat on the floor by the door. Almost an entire thirty seconds passed before she had to jump up and begin pacing back and forth, wondering what was going on, was Snape even in here, would he hurt her, what was going to happen…Her thoughts were racing up until the moment Professor Snape walked out of the door.

"Miss Granger, are you needing something?"

"Oh! Professor Snape…I – uh, I just needed…I needed to talk to Professor Flitwick about a question I had on my exam…" she faltered and he simply raised an eyebrow at her.

"One second." He retreated into the staffroom. In simply moments he returned with Professor Flitwick.

"Here she is, Filius. She said she had a question for you regarding her exam. Now, I must be off. Talk with you later." And with a nod at each of them, he exited.

Hermione was at a loss – now what? She wanted to run after him, but Professor Flitwick was staring at her, waiting for her question.

"Yes, Hermione? What was your question?"

"Oh, yes…uh…the…wand movements! I was struggling to remember if I adequately explained the wand movements necessary to complete the levitating charm."

Professor Flitwick gave her a look that was equal parts confusion and sympathy.

"My dear girl, you explained perfectly! I completely understand what is wrong – you have been studying so long and so hard that you are unable to relax. But you must! Go on outside and enjoy the sunshine, drink some butterbeer, play with one of the many banned items on Filch's list if you must. But you need to rest and relax or you'll drive yourself crazy! Now go on, and stop thinking about the exams." He lowered his voice here, and glanced around the corridor. "Now, I'm not supposed to tell a student their grades before results come out, but I can tell you yours, if it will put your mind at ease. 112%!" Hermione couldn't help herself, she smiled at her professor.

"Thank you Professor…perhaps I'll go relax a bit now…" Professor Flitwick simply patted her back, well as close to her back as he could reach, before returning to the staff room. Hermione panicked – Snape was long gone now. She decided to go up towards the third floor corridor to find Ron and Harry. However, she ran into Professor McGonagall along the way.

"Miss Granger. I trust that you are making your way to the Gryffindor common room? I have just sent Misters Potter and Weasley there on the threat of deducting 50 points for going near the third floor corridor." Professor McGonagall eyed her suspiciously, coldly. Hermione managed a weak nod and made her way to the common room. At least she knew where her friends were now. As the portrait opened for her password, she saw Harry and Ron sitting in two of the poofy chairs near the door. Her eyes immediately welled up with tears – she had failed.

"I'm sorry Harry! Snape came out and asked me what I was doing, so I said I was waiting for Flitwick, and Snape went to get him, and I've only just got away, I don't know where Snape went!" she wailed.

Ron patted her back both gently and awkwardly and Harry took on a stony silence before looking at the two of them.

"Well, that's it then, isn't it?"

She glanced at Ron before looking at her other best friend. What was he on about?

"I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get to the Stone first."

Hermione gasped and Ron harshly whispered, "You're mad!"

Hermione followed up with, "You can't! After what McGonagall and Snape have said? You'll be expelled!" It didn't matter to her if he believed the threats or not – he was not leaving the common room alone to go retrieve the Stone – it was a death wish! But their oppositions meant nothing to Harry.

"SO WHAT?" he shouted. Several heads whipped over to where they were sitting. Harry calmed down and lowered his voice – "Don't you understand? If Snape gets hold of the Stone, Voldemort's coming back. Haven't you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over? There won't be any Hogwarts to get expelled from! He'll flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts! Losing points doesn't matter anymore, can't you see? D'you think he'll leave you and yoru families alone if Gryffindor wins the House Cup? If I get caught before I can get to the Stone, well, I'll have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me there, it's only dying a bit later than I would have because I'm never going over to the Dark Side! I'm going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?"

Harry glared at them. Hermione sighed – everything he said was true.

"You're right, Harry."

"I'll use the Invisibility Cloak. It's just lucky I got it back…"

Ron looked at him questioningly. "But will it cover all three of us?"

Harry looked surprised. "All – all three of us?"

Ron laughed, "Oh come off it, you don't think we'd let you go alone?"

Hermione grinned a bit as well and remarked, "Of course not. How do you think you'd get to the Stone without us? I'd better go and look through my books, there might be something useful…"

Harry faltered – "But if we get caught, you two will be expelled too…"

Hermione smirked, remembering her earlier conversation. "Not if I can help it. Flitwick told me in secret that I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam. They're not throwing me out after that."