Author Notes

Btw: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Henry, John and Jean are all currently 18 years old.

Alright, without further ado, on with chapter 9.

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After another fruitless attempt at trying to convince Mr Flamel that stone was better off protected at Hogwarts Vault, the trio were at a loss of what to do. Mr Flamel also did not see it fit to reveal the location of the stone within his castle.

"Now, what do we do? We have painstakingly ventured all the way here, only for Nicolas to reject our attempts to protect the stone," Ron complained.

"We need more time... if we can just convince Mr Flamel but I really have no clue how..." Hermione said.

"Time? We don't have any more time" Ron said incredulously. "Hogwarts continent is in grave danger and if Lord Voldemort gets his hand on the stone, he will be able to regain a temporary body! The world could be in even more danger!" Ron argued.

"Well, if you are so smart, then come up with a plan! Go on!"

This only resulted in Ron and Hermione to bicker for the hundredth (or perhaps thousandth) time. Harry resisted the urge to sigh. The uncooperativeness of Nicolas Flamel was giving him intense stress and the news of someone hurting unicorns in the Ancient Forest, a sacred forest within Thunderbird empire, also did not serve to soothe his nerves.

Deliberate attacks on unicorns was seen as morally wrong in the magical world and anyone found attempting to kill or hurt these pure creatures would be sent on a one way ticket to Azkaban for 10 years or even more, depending on the circumstances.

Azkaban prison is an international prison, used by all the major magical nations of the world. Dementors from the dementor nation serve as the prime guards of the prison but recent events have led to many nations being skeptical and wary of them, due to the huge threat they pose.

Harry and his friends were currently standing at the entrance hall. Nicolas Flamel and his wife were currently out town meeting with the King of Thunderbird Empire, discussing who-knows-what at who-knows-where until who-knows-when. Harry just needed to make sure that no one would exploit this opportunity to steal the stone.

All of a sudden, Snape was suddenly limping in with a bruised leg. Snape immediately went up to Quirrell and pulled him to an empty room. Leaving Ron and Hermione to their bickering (it would take ages for them to stop), Harry silently crept towards the room.

"Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"

"B-b-but Severus, I-"

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell," said Snape, taking a step toward him.

"I-I don't know what you-"

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

An owl hooted loudly, and Harry nearly shouted out loud due to being startled. He steadied himself in time to hear Snape say, " - your little bit of hocus-pocus. I'm waiting."

"B-but I d-d-don't-"

"Very well," Snape cut in. "We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."

He threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the room. Harry immediately ducked down the corridor and hid behind one of Knights stature. Snape gave a frown down the corridor Harry had just been in and limbed back the opposite direction The room was quite dark now, what with night fast approaching and no lights or candles being placed in the room Snape and Quirell had just been in, but Harry could see Quirrell, standing quite still as though he was petrified.

It was then that Harry started to form suspicions of Snape's character, what with him seemingly very keen about the stone. Snape's eyes always seemed to glean whenever the stone is mentioned and almost seemed disappointed whenever Nicolas Flamel failed to mention about its defenses and traps in place. The only thing Harry knew was that the third floor corridor of the left wing was forbidden for the trio to enter and Harry was willing to bet his entire kidney that the stone is located there.

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Author Notes

Wonder who's hurting those unicorns...