Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

A/N: Thanks to kaittybee, who beta this story.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Discovering the Plot

The rest of the school year went by in a flash. It seemed like no time at all that they were increasing the amount of time used in their study sessions (on Hermione's insistence), and then even less time before they were taking their finals. Though Harry had by no means forgotten what he had learned on his trip to the forest, he hadn't had much time to dwell on it. He was only able to keep an eye on Snape and Quirrell during lessons, and of course neither one of them acted suspiciously during that time.

He stopped bringing up his thoughts on this matter the closer they got to finals because Hermione would always snap at him. She would often lecture him about how he should study more, and though she agreed that this was a serious situation, she said that there was nothing they could do about it now. However, she didn't know the reason why Harry was so insisted about bringing this up. It was because his scar was constantly giving him a slight sense of pain. Since the moment that he was face with the monster in the forest, his scar constantly twinged, and he feared what that might mean.

Still, he gave in to Hermione's request, for he really did need to study, and by doing that he was able to distract his mind from the mystery. After all, Hermione was right about one thing (and everything, but still), there was nothing he could do right now. So he worked hard on all his classes, finding that none of the exams were too difficult. He was pretty sure that he had easily passed in everything. Not only that, he was sure he was one of the top students of the year, knowing of only one that was better than him in everything class (except for Defense).

"Well, that really wasn't as difficult as I was expecting," Said the object of his previous thought, otherwise known as Hermione. "I didn't even need to know half the stuff that I learned..."

"She's actually right," Ron interrupted, causing Hermione to glare at him. "That was a lot easier than I thought it would be... it wasn't nearly as bad as Fred and George said."

"True, when we were asked to do..." Hermione tried to say.

"I told you to stop listening to those gits, Ron. They just like to egg you on." Harry chuckled.

"Yeah... I don't really believe them most of the time," Ron shrugged.

"... transfigure that..."

"Sure you don't." Harry said, rolling his eyes and smirking. "Oh, Fred and George said that Blahblahblah..."

"Gits!" Hermione said, punching the boys in the arms, clearly they weren't going to let her talk about the finals like she wanted to.

"You were right Ron, that worked brilliantly," Harry whispered to they followed after annoyed Hermione, laughing as they went.

"Hey guys," Neville said, jogging to catch up to them. "I just finished my Transfiguration final... thanks for all the help by the way, Hermione... and I was wondering what you guys were up to."

"Not much," Harry said (hearing Hermione mumble "At least someone appreciates me."). "Though tomorrow it will be ready, you're going to come right?"

Neville looked thoughtful, knowing full well that 'it' meant the potion to see what form they would take if they became Animagi. Though he wasn't sure if he really wanted to go through with the transformation, he was curious about what he would be, so he said "Yeah, I'll be there."

"Cool," Harry smiled. "We'll meet you after lunch to do it, okay? Oh, and er... Ron's brothers Fred and George are going to be there too."

"Merlin Harry, you really are good at keeping a secret aren't you," Neville said. "Pretty soon the whole castle is going to know..."

"They had the Marauder's Map," Harry said pointedly, and then frowned when he realized that he hadn't told Sirius and Remus that the twins had the map, or that they knew his secret too.

"Really?" Neville said, he had heard a multitude of stories that included the map from Sirius. "That's cool... I suppose they noticed that you were up to no good a lot in... er... you know where."

"Yeah, pretty much," Harry chuckled. "I had no choice but to let them in on the secret and you know, let slip that I'm a son of a Marauder... It was pretty funny."

"I bet," Neville chuckled.

Harry flinched than, as a particularly painful stab of pain went through his forehead.

"Harry!" all three of his friends said. A few people looked at them, startled by the outburst.

"It's nothing," Harry said, kneading his scar.

"It's not nothing," Hermione said, "you've been doing that a lot lately."

"I didn't think you noticed," Harry smiled at her.

"Of course I noticed," Hermione sighed, obviously trying to stop from rolling her eyes. "I just didn't know what to say about it."

"Or, you just didn't want to disturb your precious studying time," Ron smirked.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, but Harry wasn't listening to their all too familiar arguing. He was trying to think about all that he had learned over the past year. He didn't know why, but he was sure that the pain in his scar was trying to tell him that something was going to happen soon, and he felt as if he had to do something to stop it. What was worse, he felt as if he was missing something important, something he should know but that he just couldn't put his finger on.

It hit him like a ton of bricks, and he was already moving before the thought could even fully form in his head. He could hear his friends calling after him, but he didn't slow down, he had to get to Hagrid's hut as quickly as possible. He didn't answer his friends when they asked what he was doing, they would know once he got there... when he talked to Hagrid.

"Harry," Hagrid beamed when he saw them all, but Harry wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. He launched into to his questions. He wanted to know more about the man that Hagrid had gotten the dragon egg from. How he didn't think of this before was beyond him, Hagrid had told him the first time they met that he wanted a dragon egg. Really, how many people would go around carrying one? After all, they were highly illegal... why hadn't he seen this before?

After his talk with Hagrid, it became clear that whoever it was, they were after the stone. Worse than that, they knew how to get pass Fluffy. Luckily, now Harry and his friends did too. He rubbed his scar again, not because it hurt, but because he knew it was telling him that danger was upon them.

"What do we do now?" he heard Ron ask.

"Go to Dumbledore," Hermione said in a panicky voice, like she thought that Harry would disagree with her, but he had no intentions in doing that.

"Yes, I agree," Harry said, "I'm not sure what we can tell him that he isn't already worried about, but it couldn't hurt, and we have to do something."

"Er... that's all nice and good," Neville said. "but do any of you even know where Dumbledore's office is?"

"Er..." Harry said, looking at his other friends who both shook their heads, "no..."

"We can go to McGonagall's office," Hermione suggested.

"Okay," Harry said, heading for her office.

"Are you sure that's the best move? We could go to Professor Sprout," Neville said, "she wouldn't be as strict..."

"No, we're going to McGonagall," Harry said, he just felt more comfortable dealing with his strict Transfiguration Professor. He wasn't sure if it was because she was the head of Gryffindor, or if it was because McGonagall knew that he was raised by Remus and Sirius (and could therefore be trusted with the facts), but he was going to go to her, and nobody else, in hope that she would bring him to Dumbledore. When he got there, however, he found that it might have been better to have gone somewhere else, because she seemed to be an unmovable force.

"Professor McGonagall," Harry said breathless, for they had ran all the way here from Hagrid's hut. "We need to know where Professor Dumbledore's office is."

McGonagall looked at them with a raised eyebrow, "And why would you need to know that, I might ask?" It was not a question, it was an order.

"Because... well... because I have something to tell him," Harry said, feeling uncomfortably small and helpless in her now frightful glare.

"I'm sorry Potter, but Dumbledore isn't here," McGonagall said, "he received a letter from the Minister this afternoon and left immediately."

"He's not here?" Harry groaned.

"Potter, what is this about?" McGonagall demanded angrily. "I daresay I can handle any situation or problem you may have."

Harry hesitated, but he didn't see what other option he had left. He would have to tell her. "Professor McGonagall, we have reason to believe that someone is going to try and steal the Philosopher's Stone."

He waited as a range of emotions went through McGonagall face, obviously she hadn't expected him to say that. Harry would have found this very amusing, almost laughable, if the situation wasn't one so serious.

"That's preposterous... no one is going to steal the stone," McGonagall finally managed to say. "No Potter, I..."

"Professor please, just listen to what I have to say," Harry begged.

"Very well, Potter," McGonagall said looking at him shrewdly. "but I warn you, if this is some kind of prank, you will regret it."

"I understand," Harry said. He took a breath, and then proceeded to tell McGonagall everything that he had learn this year, though he keep some of the details secret (such as the whole dragon egg part), which he knew made his story sound only more suspicious.

After Harry was done explaining, he was surprised to see that McGonagall looked thoughtful. "That is an interesting theory you have there, Potter."

"It's not just a theory!" Harry exclaimed. "With Dumbledore gone now, it has to be tonight!"

"As you have already said yourself, and as I already knew, the Stone is protected by enchantments, no one can get to it," McGonagall, "I thank you for telling me this, but this isn't something you have to worry about."

Harry, recognizing a dismissal, left the room disappointed.

"What are we going to do now?" Ron groaned. "She's not going to do anything to tighten security, and it sounds like Snape... or Quirrell (he seemed to add on reluctantly) already knows how to get by all the enchantments..."

"You don't know that," Hermione said in an almost pleading tone, as if willing Ron to be wrong but not believing it.

"Ron's right... and whoever's trying to steal the Stone is going to do it tonight," Harry said. "With Dumbledore gone, it's the only time they have..."

"I bet the Minister will be surprised when Dumbledore shows up there," Ron muttered.

"Yeah, I bet that he will," Harry sighed. "Come on, let's find the twins."

"Why?" Ron questioned.

"I'm going to ask if we can use the map, I have a feeling we're going to need it," Harry said, "and I think we'll be able to see once and for all who's really after the stone."

"Good idea," Hermione said.

"Er... am I supposed to come with you too?" Neville questioned when they were standing outside of the Gryffindor common room.

"No, but if you take off your tie, I doubt anyone would know what house you're really from," Ron observed. "We can trust that you wouldn't use our password against us, right?"

"Of course," Neville said, almost looking offended that Ron thought he needed to ask that question.

They found the twins easily enough, they were in the common room talking to the rest of the Quidditch team about the game that was to take place the next day. They smiled and greeted Harry easily enough but they raised an eyebrow when they saw Neville... it seemed like someone did notice he wasn't supposed to be there.

"So what do you want, little Harry?" George said.

"And why is it so important that you have to let an enemy behind the lines?" Fred added.

"I was wondering if I can use the Marauder's Map today," Harry asked.

Fred and George exchanged an uncomfortable look.

"Actually Harry, we were thinking about giving you the map..." George sighed.

"Seeing as you're a son of a marauder and all," Fred grimaced.

"What are you talking about mates?" Harry shook his head, "that map's yours... though if you want to give it to me after you get out of here I wouldn't mind."

"You're seriously turning down our generous offer," Fred said flabbergasted.

"Sort of, but that's only because Padfoot and even Moony would kill me if I took the map," Harry shrugged. "Padfoot went to great lengths to make sure that he would help the next generation out... to find the most suitable heir to their pranking throne, that it would be blasphemy for me to take the map just like that."

"Hm... that does make sense," George smiled.

"Er... but can I at least borrow it now," Harry said, after that speech he felt awkward asking for it now.

"Sure, as long as you swear that you're up to no good," Fred chuckled.

"Oh, I solemnly swear," Harry chuckled along with the twins.

"So, is this anything that we want to get in on?" Fred questioned.

Harry was tempted to tell them, and indeed get their help with this, but something held him back. He didn't think his plan would work if more people were involved, so he just shook his head and then rejoined Ron, Hermione and Neville.

"Okay, I got it," Harry looked pleased with himself, before he thought of what he was going to have to do now. He decided that it wasn't the best idea for them to be overheard by people, so they left Gryffindor Tower and went to the first empty classroom. After he cast the spell on the door to make sure no one could hear them, nor would want to come in the room, he opened the map, trying to find his two suspects.

"Harry... I was just wondering what you were planning?" Hermione questioned.

"Well, I'm going to keep an eye on Ouirrell and Snape for now, though I doubt they'll do anything until nighttime," Harry said. "If they don't make a move until night, I'm then going to give the map to Neville... er... that is if you're coming?"

"Coming where?" Neville questioned.

"I'm going through the trapdoor that Fluffy is guarding tonight," Harry said firmly, "none of you have to come... I won't ask you to risk your lives (which I'm sure we would be doing), but I'm going even if I have to do it alone."

"I'm with you," Ron answered even before Hermione could, but her words echoed his. Neville on the other had was looking at him like he was trying to figure something out.

"I... I don't see why it's so dire if they get the Stone..." he said.

"You... you don't... do you really think I'm going to just stand by and let Voldemort take over again!" Harry shouted. "He killed my mum!"

"What?" Neville gasped, "what does this have to do with Voldemort?"

"Argh," Ron said shivering, "you say his name too."

Harry didn't pay Ron any attention as he smiled sheepishly at Neville, "er... it seems I forgot to tell you something."

"You think," Neville grumbled, and than Harry told him everything that he had discovered in the forest. Though Voldemort's name didn't make him shiver (he was raised in a house that refused to fear the name), what he heard then did.

"Okay, I'm with you," Neville said determinedly.

"That's more like it, it really caught me off guard that you wouldn't help," Harry chuckled. "Anyways, I was saying that after dinner you should take the map, so you can get to the third floor without being caught. Ron, Hermione and I will use my Invisibility Cloak. If you watch for when we leave the common room you should be able to time our meeting."

"Sounds good," Neville said and Ron and Hermione nodded their heads.

"Good, now you can help me find Snape and Quirrell on this map," Harry said, and the other lean over his shoulder to look. Hermione found Snape first, her eyes traveled to where she knew his office would be and he was there. Quirrell was a lot more difficult to locate, but eventually he had walked into his own office, and Harry pointed him out.

"Hm... I wonder who this Tom Riddle bloke is," Harry said, as he squinted at the names. He realized that was why it was so difficult to locate Quirrell's name before, because this other name was so intwinged amongst it that it made it a lot harder to read.

"No idea, but it looks like he must be getting punished or something," Ron said, thinking that that was the only reason someone would want to be around Quirrell. Harry figured that Ron had to have been right, for why else would this Riddle bloke stay in Quirrell's office for three hours.

"It's dinner time," Ron said to the other, and Harry folded up the map, saying mischief managed, and handed it to Neville.

"Don't use this unless you're alone," Harry said. "Make sure that you say 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,' or the map won't work for you. If you have the opportunity to look at it, check to see where Snape and Quirrell are. Around eleven is when our common room usually empties, hopefully with the game tomorrow, no one will stay up too late... We'll be leaving the common room around then so keep a lookout for us."

"Got it," Neville said. They all headed down to the Great Hall in a tense, somber mood, and even Ron didn't eat his normal amount of food. Still, they stayed at the hall for as long as they could for they knew that the wait in the common room was going to be worse. It was, Harry was so anxious to be going that he was practically bouncing in his seat.

Harry was right, it was only a few minutes after eleven that the common room emptied, and he and his friends were able to get under the Cloak. It was definitely a lot slower walking in the invisibility cloak with the three of them. If they went any faster than a slow stroll, the Cloak would move too much, exposing their feet sometimes. However, even their slow pace, they still beat Neville there. It was five minutes after they got there that he showed up, panting slightly.

"Sorry... there were a lot of teachers and prefects out there that I had to get past," Neville said, handing the map to Harry. He looked at Ron, and added "at one point I had to wait for your brother Percy to pass before I could move out of the tapestry I was hiding in."

"That's cool," Harry shrugged, talking out the wooden flute that Hagrid had given him for Christmas, "Did you happen so see if anyone came here?"

"No, sorry mate, I was too busy trying to get here," Neville said.

"That's okay," Harry said, taking a deep breath, his hand was on the handle. When he let the breath out, he turned the handled and opened the door that lead to the killer three headed dog, and more dangers that might even be worse than that.