Chapter 8:

To Miss Calypso Lestrange:

Sorry if we alarmed you with the envelope choice. We don't usually send these but you have told us to inform you of any events to Nott and we are pleased to tell you that he has regained consciousness for the time being. If you would like, you may visit him over the coming weekend before the healers prepare to steady him completely.

So the following weekend, they got permission from Snape to go to to see Theo. It was a cold windy day. Calypso bundled herself up in a poofy winter coat that made her look like a koala and boots. When she got down into the common room, she saw Daphne wearing something awfully familiar.

"Isn't that Theo's jacket?"

Daphne blushed and picked at the zipper. "I never returned it and it's way too heavy to keep in my bag."

"What are you gonna wear on the way back?"

"This" Daphne pulled out a small compact square that slowly expanded into a coat. "My mum got it for me over Christmas after I made her wash Theo's."

"That's nice of her"

"Yeah" agreed Daphne awkwardly.

"Well then, we should go"

Daphne nodded.

When they arrived at the registration desk, the welcome witch upfront kindly told them that Theo had been moved AGAIN and this time, on the fourth floor, second door to the right.

"Thank you"
"Of course dear"

After about a million hours, they walked to the assigned ward and opened the door. Theo was sitting on the bed shooting fireworks in the air.

"Theo!"

He looked around, "What?"

"You're supposed to be resting"

Theo rolled his eyes, "I am! Look at how pretty these are" then he shot some blue ones on the air.

Calypso leaned into Daphne, "I think the mirror messed with his brain"

"I heard that! And it didn't mess with my brain, it messed with my legs. "

"What do you mean?"
"I can't move them!" he shrieked.
"Yeah, it definitely messed with his brain" agreed Daphne.

"How?"

"You're acting like a three-year-old girl. And I thought you were the mature one in your family"

"Hey!"

Daphne shrugged. "Here's your coat"
"Wha- oh t-Thank you?"

One awkward conversation later, we walked out of .

Daphne sighed, "What the fuck is wrong with him?"
"Language" I glared at her, "and he's probably just taking a cheerful edge on life or something. Maybe its puberty"

"Not that! Why is he so bad at taking hints?"
I grinned, "I think he took them, he's just too bloody proud."

"Language!" imitated Daphne. "And why not?"
"Because why should he?"

Daphne slapped my arm, "Merlin you're annoying."

"Thank you"

Once we got back to Hogwarts, we checked in with Snape by interrupting a NEWT potions class, then attended the remainder of our lessons for the day.

After dinner, Daphne and I went to the library to find something when we heard three voices from behind a bookshelf.

"There's not a single book about Nicholas Flamel!"
Daphne looked at me, "Who?"

"Nicholas Flamel"

Her eyebrows furrowed, "How come there are no books about him? He's a famous alchemist"

"He is?"

"Yeah, created the philosopher's stone and stuff. My great-grandma went to school with him. Supposedly brilliant, went to Beauxbatons and all."

"Why didn't you go to Beauxbatons?"
Daphne shrugged, "My dad went to Hogwarts and he got a job in the London, auror unit. So they moved into the Greengrass Manor in London so I got my Hogwarts letter instead."

Calypso thought for a moment, "What does your mum do then?"
"She's a healer in France. But transferred to a higher position in . That's why you got the letter that almost gave both of us a heart attack" Daphne joked.

"-I CAN'T BELIEVE IT" shouted someone from the bookshelves behind us.

I stood up slowly and peered off the side. It was the nasty trio.

"Who is it?" hissed Daphne.

"The trio"

Daphne made a face. "Oh." then she strode right out from our hiding place. "SHUT IT"

Potter looked up in surprise. "Go away Greengrass"

"No, and you three must be awfully really stupid to not know who Nicholas Flamel is. Not even Weasley? You grew up in a nasty-but still pureblood, family. How do you not know?"

Weasley turned red and Granger crossed her arms. "We are NOT stupid. We are just curious-"

"Oh shut it mudblood" I interrupted, striding out from behind the bookshelf as well.

All three of the bloody Gryffindors glared at me and Ron grabbed his wand. I rolled my eyes, "Put that down Weasley, you wouldn't want to accidentally hex yourself. I doubt you could tell one end of a wand from another anyway. Come on Daphne, let them be stupid alone."

But Daphne stayed rooted in her spot. "Why do you guys care who Nicholas Flamel is?"

They all turned red. "Er-" started Potter.

"Uh-"

"Homework!" shouted Hermione, while Potter and Weasley shouted, "Just curious!"
I scoffed. "You don't really think that someone like you could recreate a Philosopher's stone or anything of that nonsense, did you?"

"Er-"

Daphne sneered, "well, it's never gonna happen. The only stone in existence is with Flamel."

"A what?"
"A PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. Don't tell me you don't know what that is?"

Granger's eyes widened. "Oh! Nevermind, thank you!" and she ran out of the library, slowly followed by Potter and Weasley. Why they would ever follow a mudblood, I wouldn't know.

I looked at Daphne curiously and she shrugged, "Hmm. Why would they care? You don't suppose they're trying to steal it?"

I resisted the urge to laugh. "You're joking right?"
Daphne shook her head. "Did you see the news at the start of school when someone broke into the Gringotts vault?"

"What?"

She jumped up and down excitedly. "Wait right here!" Ten minutes later, she returned with a newspaper clipping. "Look, see!"

I furrowed my eyebrows and scanned the paper.

"MASS BREAK-IN TO GRINGOTTS"

"Hey!" I pointed to the date listed. "Look, I was with Narcissa and Gringotts that day!"
"You were?!" asked Daphne excitedly.

I nodded, "Yeah, and…..I SAW POTTER THAT DAY TOO!" I shouted.

Madam Pince scooped out from behind a shelf. "SHHHHHH."

"Sorry" I whispered, before continuing. "So Potter was really trying to steal it that day?"

Daphne sneered, "Yeah, bet he's trying to get some money for the half-breed"

I snapped my fingers as an idea struck my head. "They were there that day together!"

"Perfect!" squealed Daphne. "Now we might actually have a reason to get them expelled for good"

I thought for a moment, "I think I've finally figured out what I want to be later on in life. I'd like to join the Ministry court system. Salazar knows how corrupt they are"

Daphne nodded hesitantly in agreement. "Yeah….I agree with you"

I raised an eyebrow but didn't question it, instead, I asked, "But then why would they not know who Flamel is?"

Daphne shrugged, "Maybe he's really stupid and didn't get the full story about it and the half-breed tricked him. So when the break-in failed, he wanted to do more research."

"That makes sense" I checked the time, "We should get back now. Maybe we could tell Professor Snape in the morning"
"Yeah"

As they walked through the brick wall entrance to the common room, Draco found them. "You won't believe it, Potter's got a dragon!"

"What?"
Calypso narrowed her eyes, "You're sure?"

"Yes! He went down during Herbology this morning to see it hatch in the half-breed's hut!"
"Oh?"

"Yes"

"Well then, you get on with getting him in trouble. We have more important things to figure out."

Draco crossed his arms, "Fine! Want to bet?"

"What for," asked Daphne skeptically.

"Whoever gets Potter in trouble first"
"Deal," said Daphne immediately. "Loser has to…."
"Let the winner copy their homework" answered Draco promptly.

I glared at him, "No, they have to let the winner pick their outfits for a week"

"Fine"

The next morning, they headed to the library to follow Potter before their classes for the day. It was boring work, all they ever did was discuss Flamel, and it seemed Draco was right, dragons.

Weeks passed and one morning, at breakfast, they saw Weasley had a swollen hand. Draco claimed it was from a dragon bite and for once, Calypso had to agree. So when they saw him going to the hospital wing they followed.

"Could we visit him?" Calypso asked politely to Pomfrey.

The nurse glared at her, "No"
"We need to borrow a book from him" Daphne quickly explained.

Pomfrey sighed and snapped, "Quickly!"

Daphne grinned and ran into the hospital wing with Calypso.

"Hey Weasley"

"Yeah POOR Weasley" cooed Daphne.

"What do you want?"

"We just wanted to borrow a book"
Weasley glared at them and stuffed a random book into their hands. "Go!"

"Wouldn't want to get in trouble would you?" taunted Calypso.

Daphne nodded, "Yeah, make sure to tell your brothers to stop bothering us."

Weasely turned an interesting shade of avocado green. "Shut up"
"Bye," said Calypso cheerfully and they walked out of the wing together.

Daphne took the book from her, "What's it about?"

Calypso shrugged and flipped to a random page where a piece of parchment was wedged between.

Dear Ron,

How are you? Thanks for the letter - I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon. Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.

Love, Charlie

Daphne's eyes widened. "I can't believe Malfoy was telling the truth. You don't reckon we could get them caught could we?"

Calypso shrugged, "Let's try it. See her-" she pointed to the letter. "-it says that they're going to do it at midnight. We can tell Professor Snape. I bet he knows all kinds of tricks that they might use to avoid getting caught."

"Good idea"

They walked down to the dungeons and knocked on the office door.

"Come in"
Calypso stepped in. "Good morning Professor. We have something to give you"

Snape looked up without expression. "Oh?"

Calypso opened her bag and took out the letter. "Yes, here. Goodbye Professor"
"Bye"
She slowly closed the door behind her. "Well, I've given it to him"

Daphne smiled, "Great, okay. We should start picking out outfits for Draco."

"Yeah, after I finish breakfast."

Daphne nodded. "I can't wait to see if you've got more candy!"

Calypso grinned, she was glad that some things never change.

Sure enough, at breakfast, Artemis flew down with a large package of candy.

Calypso gave her a piece of waffle. "Your so smart, Narcissa's owl got injured and Artemis went to get the package instead," she explained to Daphne.

Daphne nodded, then pointed to an envelope, the same one as before. "What's that?"

Calypso shrugged and opened it. Praying that it was good news.

"Hi Calypso, and Daphne too if she's there. I'm dead, yay! Don't bother telling Zeren or my father. Don't wanna give them an excuse to celebrate. See you on Sunday."

-Theo

Daphne ripped the paper from my hands. "I swear, when I see him, he's dead for real"

Calypso nodded. "Yeah."

On Sunday, Calypso slowly walked into the Great Hall with Daphne to see Theo casually sitting at the Great Hall, eating breakfast.

"THEO! YOU ARE SO DEAD OH MY GOD!"

He looked up and grinned, "Nice to see you too"

She ran towards him, ignoring everyone else, and hugged him. Daphne slowly walked towards them awkwardly. "Hi"

"Hi" replied Theo, with equal awkwardness.

"Oh, gods."
Awkwardly, as usual, Daphne shook Theo's hand. "Er-"

Theo ignored her and turned back to his food. Calypso resisted the urge to slap him. "You two are so-"

"Hi Lestrange," said a voice from behind them.

Calypso whipped around to see Potter, Granger, and Weasley. "You thought you were so smart, didn't you? Ratting on us to Snape"
Suddenly, an idea struck in her head. They couldn't get mad at her without the whole school knowing that they had an illegal dragon. Hopefully, that would be enough to sack Hagrid and make sure the Stone was safe wherever it was.

"I didn't do anything," said Calypso innocently.

"No she didn't!" shouted someone from behind her and Calypso turned to reveal a heavily blushing Blaise.

Potter narrowed his eyes behind his ugly, old glasses. "You told Snape about- about us, didn't you? And now you've lost Gryffindor all of our points again!"

"Awww" cooed Daphne. "Poor Gryffindors in the last place again. Haven't been trying to steal anything lately have you, Potter?"

"Steal what?" asked Granger testily.

Daphne waved a dismissive hand, "Oh you know, dragons, points, STONES?" she put emphasis on the last word.

Potter's face went red. "I- we- aren't-"

Theo slowly stood up. "I don't even know what you talking about and even I know your lying."

"Wh- Oh, you're back Nott."
"I am" agreed, Theo.

"Wish you weren't" sneered Weasley.

Daphne grabbed her wand, "YOU DARE YOU FILTHY BLOOD-"
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" interrupted McGonagall.

Calypso rolled her eyes, "Oh shut it, lady. How did you like it in the Ministry?"

McGonagall's hand was halfway to her wand, "Miss-"

"Whatever. You'll favor them anyway. How come they aren't expelled for having an illegal dragon huh? How come you bought a filthy rich student the best broom in the world while genuinely good players-" she pointed to Fred and George, "-have to ride moldy logs? How come Potter didn't get in trouble for sneaking around at night, how come he didn't get in trouble for going in the restricted section? How come-"

"MISS-" started McGonagall angrily.

"Know your place, one day, ONE DAY, you'll finally know what's good for you." Calypso slammed her hand down on the table and strode out of the hall.

She wondered what would happen if she just skipped all of her transfiguration classes that year? Their futures only relied on their test scores anyway.

"Nevermind" Calypso muttered to herself and found herself at the Owlery. "Hi Artemis," she said absent-mindedly.

Artemis flew down and perched on her finger, sensing her owner's distress.

Calypso slowly sat down on the bench beside her. "Oh what have I done now?" she said to no one in particular, and it gave her quite the scare when someone responded.

"Well you just told McGonagall everything Potter's done wrong and she's given him a month of detention, offering to buy us a new broom-"
Calypso turned around. "Oh, hello…."

"Fred"

"Hello, Fred. Why're you here?"
He whistled nonchalantly. "Just a morning stroll to the Owlery where you happened to be."

"Really?" Calypso raised an eyebrow.

"No" admitted Fred. "This was totally on purpose."

"And you've ditched your annoying twin?"
"Yup. But I don't want to talk about him. Why's such a lovely girl like you doing, crying up here alone with no one but an owl for company?"
Calypso crossed her arms, "One, I wasn't crying, I was venting my anger up here where there was no one to injure. And two, where's George?"

"Ahh look! You remember our names. Well, dear, Georgie is talking to Ronniekins and Potter."
Calypso huffed. "Why aren't you talking to them as well?"
"Because I don't want to" Fred plopped himself on the bench next to her.

She sighed, "I guess you can stay. But I'm leaving"
"Why?" Fred whined.

Calypso crossed her arms. "Because it's not good for either of us if anyone sees you talking to me"

"What if I don't care?"

"Well I do!" with that, Calypso stomped off to the Slytherin dormitories.

The next morning, she really wasn't in the mood to get up so she didn't. Instead, she stayed in bed doing her homework and eating candy instead. Honestly, she had never noticed how much she had until she got a stomach ache from all the chocolate and gummies.

She just hoped that in the time she was absent, Theo and Daphne had made up.

Days passed quickly from then on, and she preferred to concentrate on her grades in every class but transfiguration, instead of being an owl between Theo and Daphne.

Calypso had never seen any of her fellow first-years studies but as the exams were coming nearer, the Slytherin common room was full of people. Some of the older kids, mostly sixth and fourth years, had taken it upon themselves to help their fellow snakes if they had finished already which was extremely helpful since Calypso didn't know if she would be able to pass anyway.

The exams were sweltering hot, especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an AntiCheating spell. They had practical exams as well.

Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk.

McGonagall also told them to make snuffboxes or whatever and Calypso quite enjoys watching the expressions on her face as she changed the mouse into a beautiful, crystal box. To be fair, Calypso would be astonished too if she had a student that skipped every class of hers and still managed to get a good grade and not get expelled.

Her favorite exam was easily Professor Snape's who had them make Forgetfulness potions and offered the whole Slytherin class that he would drink each of their potions as long it wasn't poisonous. If it worked, even for a few moments, then he would give them full marks and pretend to forget that he had caught them doing the wrong steps.

The History of Magic exam was also okay but it was a little boring if she was honest. Luckily, Theo was great at it and helped her study for it so she was sure that she had done fine.

When the exams had ended, they were finally free of studying, and to celebrate, they all went outside.

Calypso suddenly frowned and stood up. "Wait a moment here. Actually" she added, "Someone come with me as a witness in case I die"
Blaise, Altaira, Helena, Leta, Theo, Daphne, (basically everyone), gaped at her. "What?"

"I want to apologize to McGonagall."

Altaira frowned. "Who are you and what have you done with Calypso?"

Calypso shrugged. "I just want to apologize. I should've waited until after the school year to humiliate her and Potter. And besides, she was a decent teacher. She's also asking to buy the school new brooms so everything's equal. I think she's changed honestly"

Leta shrugged. "I'll go with you. We still have to cope with her for six more years, remember? And we'll probably need some type of recommendation letter from her later on."

Calypso nodded. "Yeah"

So a few minutes later, they were in the transfiguration classroom.

"Er- Professor? I just wanted to apologize for what happened a few weeks ago."

McGonagall looked at her strangely. "Thank you, Miss Lestrange."

Calypso smiled. "And I really hope that one day Dumbledore will become as sensible as you have become"
Then she quickly walked out of the room before McGonagall could take points off of her.

All in all, it had been a pretty eventful year. So she CERTAINLY, had not expected more drama. She had assumed that in the hectic of exams, Potter would give up on his thievery of the stone but nooooo, he was still on and on about with it.

When they got back to the grassy field outside, all of their friends were staring at the trio running to Hagrid's hut. A few minutes later, they ran out, looking very flustered, back to the castle. Calypso jumped again, "Oh gods…"

Daphne's eyes widened and she jumped up as well., "Oh! Wait let me see… Altaira, Leta, can you watch the forbidden corridor entrance? Blaise, tell Malfoy that he needs to get his arse here right now if he wants to make his own fashion choices, Theo...you do whatever you want I suppose, maybe tell the auror office to get ready, me and Calypso, we'll try to find Snape. And Dumbledore too if he knows what's good for him" added Daphne.

Surprisingly, nobody questioned Daphne's weird choice of instructions.

Calypso slowly grabbed her wand. "You don't suppose they'll try to steal it now, do they?"

Theo answered, "No obviously not, whatever it is. They'll wait till night when all the professors are asleep." he rested his chin on Daphne's shoulder. "And what is it anyway"

Daphne's face slowly turned red. "The P-philosopher's stone"

"Oh. Yeah, they'll wait till night. Honestly, you shouldn't be worried. There's like a million obstacles in their way"

Calypso crossed her arms. "You knew all this and didn't bother to tell us?" and they ran towards the castle.

Theo shrugged innocently, "I can't tell you unless you tell me"
Daphne narrowed her eyes, "You've been spying on us."
"No, I haven't" denied Theo. "Draco told me. He heard you talk about it in the common room"

"He TOLD YOU?!"
"Hey, don't act so surprised, I have a great personality" Theo wiggled his eyebrows at Daphne. "And charming looks"
Daphne's face turned even redder. "Shut it Nott if you want to stay pretty." she then 'accidentally' whipped her hair in his face. "Where is everyone anyway?"

Calypso pointed ahead to Potter and Weasley, who were arguing with McGonagall.

Daphne turned to Theo. "well -it-all, why are they having a chat with McGonagall?"

"I bet she's done something to protect the stone. All the teachers have anyway, they probably just haven't figured her's out completely."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS" demanded Daphne.

Theo waved his hand dismissively. "I'm amazing, I know. Now, how about we follow those two. Where's the mudblood?"

Calypso shrugged. "Theo follows them because they don't hate him as much."

Theo looked at her incredulously, then turned back to the two. "WHERE'S YOUR MUDBLOOD SIDEKICK?" then he turned back to them. "There, they hate me now."
Calypso huffed, "Fine, I will. Try not to kill each other. You know who to suspect if I'm dead by tomorrow morning."

Daphne nodded seriously. "I wouldn't put it against them. I'll go see where Snape is. Theo can walk around spying on people"
"You make it sound like a bad thing"
"It is"

Theo huffed. "Fine. Meet you in the Slytherin common room at midnight. That should be enough time to find/stop them. Spread the message"