Josh Hotz
"N-n-n-now class y-your f-f-f-final examinations are g-going to be here before y-you know it. M-m-make sure you p-p-pay cl-close attention t-t-t-o the readings," Professor Quirrell said as he was wrapping up class. Exams were in a week so the teachers have been doing a lot of reviewing.
Josh got up and began to collect his things. He noticed that Professor Quirrell was looking exhausted so Josh made a point to give him a reassuring look. Just because Dylan, Harry, Ron, and Hermione wouldn't even look at Josh anymore doesn't mean he was going to stop being nice to Professor Quirrell. Josh wasn't surprised that Ron and Harry were quick to turn on him, but he didn't expect it from Hermione and Dylan. He thought that they would at least give him a chance to explain himself.
"That class is such a joke," Flora said as the group walked out.
"Seriously, I mean does anyone actually believe his story about how he defeated a vampire by tricking him into staying in the sun for too long? Please he couldn't even beat a pixie," Hestia snickered.
"He isn't so bad," Josh said.
"You confuse me. I don't see why you stand up for him," Blaise sighed.
"It is surprising Josh. I mean you never had a problem with people picking on teachers before. Don't you remember how everyone used to make fun of Mr. Myner's tacky clothing?" Derrick asked. Derrick, Cam, and their Hufflepuff crew were walking right behind Josh and his Slytherin friends heading towards their Transfiguration class.
"Yeah in fact I think you were the one who pointed out his squeaky shoes," Cam said.
"Mr. Myner was a joke, but Professor Quirrell has actually seen the world and has done stuff," Josh said.
"So he says," Blaise smirked.
Josh shrugged. He was never going to get his friends to quit making fun of Professor Quirrell, but he could at least try to soften the blow.
They were about halfway to the Transfiguration classroom when Josh realized that he was missing something.
Josh stopped in his tracks and searched his pockets.
"What's wrong?" Derrick asked.
"I left my quill in Professor Quirrell's class," Josh said.
"I have an extra you can use mine," that cute blonde girl Claire said showing Josh her basic Phesant feather quill.
"Thanks, but that was a Fwooper feather that my father gave me after his last trip to Africa. Its my favorite quill," Josh said.
"Just get it after class," Blaise said.
Josh looked back and sighed. If he went to get it he would be late and Professor McGonagall would give him detention for sure if he was late. Plus right now Kemp, Alicia, Massie, Plovert, and Kristen had Defense Against the Dark Arts and if they saw someone trying to take the quill they would stop it. They would recognize that it was Josh's quill.
Josh thanked Claire as he took her quill and promised that he would give it back after class.
It was a good thing that Josh wasn't late because Professor McGonagall did not waste anytime going over the Avifors Spell which was a spell that everyone was having trouble with. After taking pages and pages of notes she let them spend the last 10 minutes putting it to practice. Josh was able to make the small pebble sprout feathers, but did not get the flock of birds that he was hoping for. Usually Josh picks up spells very quickly, but he was a little distracted. Not only was he ready for class to be over so he could get his quill, but he also couldn't stop thinking about how Dylan turned her back on him. Why was she ignoring him? She knows that he would never turn them in to Malfoy. Josh still couldn't stand Malfoy. Josh glanced back and saw that Malfoy was struggling with this spell which made Josh smirk. At least him and his goons were having more trouble than he was.
When class was over Josh headed straight to Professor Quirrell's classroom. When he reached the classroom he noticed that all of the students were gone, but he heard a whimpering coming from the room. Josh heard Professor Quirrell sobbing. He decided to wait until he was done before going in because being caught crying probably would not raise Professor Quirrell's spirit.
"No- no- please not again," he said shaking. Josh heard a quieter voice, but could not hear what it was saying.
"All right. Fine," Quirrell sighed.
In a few seconds he saw Quirrell rushing out of the classroom, straightening his turban. He looked like he wanted to throw up, but he didn't seem to notice Josh standing there. Josh peaked into the classroom and saw that nobody was there, but that the door at the other end of the classroom was open. Josh walked into the classroom and saw his quill on his desk and grabbed it. He looked at the door and was tempted to look and see if the person who Quirrell was talking to was still there, but Josh decided against it because he was sure he knew who it was and did not want to risk being seen.
Josh knew it had to be Snape. Snape must have convinced Quirrell to tell Snape how to get past his barrier to the Stone.
Josh knew he had to let Dylan and the rest know. He knew that they weren't talking to him, but he would make them listen. They had to stop him from getting the Stone.
Josh figured that the group would be in the library studying for their finals because that is where most of the students go after class now.
Josh rushed over to the library and sure enough he saw the four students sitting with each other going over Astronomy.
Ron was the first to notice Josh approach them and he gave Josh a mean look.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. The rest looked up at Josh. Harry scowled, but Dylan and Hermione looked more uneasy. Dylan even looked a bit guilty.
"Look I know that I am not your favorite person right now, but you have to listen to me," Josh said quietly enough so that he wouldn't bring attention to himself.
"Go away traitor," Ron said. Josh ignored him.
"Quirrell caved," Josh said.
Harry's look of disgust turned to curiosity.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Josh told the crew what he had just heard from the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"Why should we trust you? You have proven that you aren't on our side," Ron said.
"I didn't turn you in. Not purposely at least. You have to believe me. We have to do something," Josh said.
"Josh stop," Dylan said quietly. Josh looked over at his old friend.
"Of all people I would think that you would trust me," Josh said.
"I do trust you and I'm sorry for ignoring you recently, but we've gotten into enough trouble putting our noses where they don't belong. We need to stay out of this one," Dylan said.
"You can't be serious," Josh said crossing his arms.
"I am. Besides there is still Fluffy," Dylan pointed out.
"Professor Snape isn't stupid. He could've figured out how to get past Fluffy without Hagrid," Josh said.
"Then go to Dumbledore. Its what we should've done in the first place," Hermione said.
"But I can't prove it and if Professor Snape figures out that I am onto him he will make my life hell. I need your help," Josh said.
"I'm not buying it. He is just trying to get us expelled," Ron scoffed.
"Seriously Weasley I have done nothing, but help you guys. I should've done a better job hiding my letter from Dylan, but I did nothing wrong. Look you guys don't have to care, but I do," Josh said starting to get annoyed. This is not how this was supposed to go.
"Josh please let it go. It does not concern us. Just study for your finals and forget about it," Dylan begged.
Josh could not believe that everybody was giving up. He knew that he could not stop Professor Snape alone and if he couldn't convince this group to help him how was he supposed to convince Professor Dumbledore that Snape could not be trusted?
"This is unbelievable, but if you don't care, then I guess I won't bother you anymore," Josh said shaking his head as he walked away.
Josh didn't know what he was going to do. He knows that Blaise and the Carrow twins weren't going to help him. He knows that Massie wasn't going to help because she has checked herself out from this mess. His other friends probably wouldn't believe him, but Josh didn't want to give up.
Josh thought about trying to convince Professor Dumbledore, but decided against it. He would just have to keep an eye on Professor Snape to make sure he didn't do anything shady. That is when Josh had an idea that he couldn't believe he didn't have before.
He started to rush over to Professor Snape's office, hoping that he was there. When Josh knocked on the door, he heard that dry voice tell him to enter.
"What exactly are you doing here Mr. Hotz?" he asked giving Josh his famous cold stare.
"Professor Snape, since finals are almost here I was hoping that I could get some extra help with Potions," he said.
"Why would you need that?" he asked.
"I just really want to ace my exam and since you are the most intelligent professor I figured that this could give me the extra edge," Josh said turning on the famous Hotz charm.
"Flattery gets you nowhere with me, Mr. Hotz, but you are one of my few students who is not a complete waste of breath. You should have no trouble passing my exam," he said.
"I know I'll pass, but I really want an O. As I'm sure you know my parents are very strong potioneers and I really want to make them proud. Plus I have always wanted to follow in their footsteps so any extra help I get would be greatly appreciated," Josh said.
Snape gave Josh a very suspicious look and just stared at him for what seemed like forever before speaking.
"Very well, but don't waste my time. You will be here after class every day and you will not leave until I dismiss you, is that understood?" he asked.
"I wouldn't ask for any less," Josh smiled. Snape gave him a curt nod.
"Very well. Be here tomorrow. Don't be late," he said.
"I am looking forward to it," Josh said before leaving.
It was a great plan to stay close to Professor Snape and keep him busy to give him less time to strike.
It may not be perfect, but at least he was trying unlike some people.
Looks like Josh isn't giving up despite having no support. Will he succeed? Next we will check in with Massie as she attends detention with the rest. How she will she act towards Harry? Then after that we will jump to Dylan as she has a very informative conversation with a centaur. Stay tuned
