Chapter 91: Danger's Coming

Phoenix couldn't concentrate on her exams. All she could think of was what Shaelyn told her. She needed to figure out what she meant. How could she ask her mom and aunts without telling them the entire story? Phoenix gave out a sigh, while waving a makeshift fan. It was sweltering hot. She was used to heat, but with her heavy robes and this old castle, she felt she could pass out. There wasn't any air conditioning, and they did all their written papers in the large classroom while given special new quills for the exams, which was bewitched by an anti-cheating spell.

They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them in one by one into his classroom to see if they could make a pineapple tap dance across a desk. Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox- points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was but taken away if it had whiskers. Snape made all but Phoenix nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a forgetfulness potion.

Phoenix noticed the haggardness on Harry. She asked Ron and Neville, but they shook it off as exam nerves, Hermione did as well. "You okay, Harry?" she asked once they were alone. "It's your scar, isn't it?" she questioned when he shook his tired head no.

"It's been hurting since the forest. Like a stabbing." Phoenix looked at him with pity. "I also hadn't been able to sleep. I keep having nightmares about the hooded figure in the woods."

"Harry, why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to worry you."

"Harry, you shouldn't have to bear this alone." She walked closer to him, placing her thumbs on his forehead with her right thumb over his scar. He jolted, then relaxed, feeling her massage soothing. The pounding feeling slowly decreased. He watched her as she seemed to whisper something, her eyes closed and forehead scrunched in concentration. When she finished, Phoenix removed her hands and looked at Harry. "Feel better?" He nodded, not knowing what to say. "Good, next time you need to talk, I'm here." She lingered, then smiled and headed toward their next exam.

Their very last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who invented self-stirring cauldrons, and they'd be free, free for a whole wonderful week until their exam results came out. When the ghost of Professor Binns told them to put down their quills and roll up their parchment, Phoenix cheered with the rest.

"That was far easier than I thought it would be," said Hermione as they joined the crowds flocking out onto the sunny grounds. "I needn't have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct or the Uprising of Elfric the Eager."

Hermione always liked to go through their exam papers afterward, but Ron said this made him feel ill, so they wandered down to the lake and flopped under a tree. The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were tickling the tentacles of a giant squid, which was basking in the warm shallows.

"No more studying," Ron sighed happily, stretching out onto the grass. "You could look more cheerful, Harry, we've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet."

Phoenix looked over, seeing Harry rubbing his forehead.

"I wish I knew what this means!" he burst out angrily. "My scar keeps hurting-it's happened before, but never as often as this."

Phoenix moved beside him and repeated what she did previously. It looked as it was helping as she felt him relax again,

"Go to Madam Pomfrey," Hermione suggested as she and Ron watched Phoenix.

"I'm not ill." Said Harry. Phoenix stopped, then looked at him.

"Then what do you think it is?" she asked.

"I think it's a warning…. It means danger's coming…."

Phoenix looked at him with understanding. Ron couldn't get worked up it was too hot.

"Harry, relax, Hermione's right, the Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore's around. Anyway, we've never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down."

Phoenix watched Harry. She could tell something was off and he wanted to say something but decided not to when Hermione commented.

"That's just the exams. I woke up last night and was halfway through my Transfiguration notes before I remembered we'd done that one."

"I was sleeping nicely too when you woke me up." Phoenix mumbled. She leaned further back towards the sun and watched an owl flutter toward the school across the bright blue sky, a note clamped in its mouth. Something was working across her mind when the grass beside her moved.

"Where're you going?" said Ron sleepily.

"I've just thought of something," said Harry. He had turned white. "We've got to go and see Hagrid, now."

"Why?" panted Hermione, hurrying to keep up.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd," said Harry, scrambling up the grassy slope, "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? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law?"

"I don't think many." Replied Phoenix

"Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?"

"What are you talking about?" said Ron, but Harry, sprinting across the grounds towards the forest, didn't answer.

Hagrid was sitting in an armchair outside his house; his trousers and sleeves were rolled up, and he was shelling peas into a large bowl.

"Hullo," he said, smiling. "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"

"Yes, please," said Ron.

"Sure," Phoenix answered, but Harry cut them off.

"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?"

"Dunno," said Hagrid casually, "he wouldn't take his cloak off."

He saw the four of them look stunned and raised his eyebrows.

"Is that normal? I mean, I guess it could in that part of town?" asked Phoenix.

"It's not that unusual yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog's Head-that's the pub down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up."

Harry sank down next to the bowl of peas.

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

"Mighta come up," said Hagrid, frowning as he tried to remember. "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… 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't want it ter go ter any old home…. So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy…"

"And did he-did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

"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' ply him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep- "

Hagrid suddenly looked horrified.

"I shouldn'ta told yeh that!" he blurted out.

"Thanks Hagrid!" Phoenix yelled following Ron, Hermione, and Harry.

"Hey-where're yeh goin?"

The four of them didn't speak to each other at all until they came to a halt in the entrance hall, which seemed very cold and gloomy after the grounds.

"We've got to go to Dumbledore," said Harry "Hagrid told that stranger how to get passed Fluffy, and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak-it must've been easy once he'd got Hagrid drunk."

"Harry, it could have been Quirrell too! We still don't have the evidence."

"Phoenix, now is not the time! I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze and Shaelyn might back us up if Bane doesn't stop them. Where's Dumbledore's office?"

Phoenix looked to see where they were, "this way." She guided but stopped when a voice suddenly rang across the hall.

"What are you four doing inside?"

It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione, rather bravely, Harry, Ron and Phoenix thought.

"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated.

Phoenix could tell she didn't buy it.

"It's sort of secret," he said.

Phoenix rolled her eyes.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," Professor McGonagall said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

"He's gone?" said Harry franticly. "Now?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time- "

"With all do respect Professor, but this is important." Phoenix said.

"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Miss Matthews?"

"It's about the Sorcerer's Stone-" Phoenix started.

Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that. Phoenix watched the books tumble out of the Professor's arms.

"Please, Professor," Phoenix stated.

"How do you know-?" she spluttered.

"Professor, I think-I know-that Sn," Harry turned around after feeling Phoenix nudge him. He looked back at the professor. "That someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. "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."

"Are you sure about that?" Phoenix murmured as she bent down to help the Professor gather the fallen books. She looked at her with worried eyes, noting the Professor have heard her.

"I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine." The Professor said while keeping her eyes on Phoenix. Once the books were off the floor, the Professor glanced at the others and left.

"It's tonight," said Harry, once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot. "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."

Phoenix rolled her eyes, "again with Snape? It could be Quirrell."

"Come on, Phoenix." Ron groaned. "Do you really think he is smart enough to do all this?"

"Don't underestimate people, Ron," she snapped. Hermione placed her hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

"But what can we," Hermione gasped while Phoenix took a step back. Harry and Ron wheeled round.

Snape was standing there.

"Good afternoon," he said smoothly.

They stared at him.

"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said, with an odd, twisted smile.

"We were," Harry began, without any idea what he was going to say.

Phoenix saw him struggle for words and came up with an idea, "we were just thinking about heading outside, but wanted to figure out where to go." She looked at Harry then back to Snape who smirked at her before turning his attention back to Harry.

"You want to be more careful," said Snape. "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?"

Phoenix noticed the flush forming on Harry's face. They looked at each other and silently agreed to do what Phoenix mentioned. They turned to go outside, but Snape called them back.

"Be warned, Potter- any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you."

He strode off in the direction of the staffroom.

Phoenix gave off a sigh of relief when they reached the stone steps.

"Right, here's what we've got to do," Harry whispered urgently as he turned to them. "One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape-wait outside the staff room and follow him if he leaves it."

"I vote Phoenix." Ron piped in.

"Why me?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "It's obvious. He likes you and won't get too angry if all you are there for is to ask him questions."

"Why can't Hermione do it?" Phoenix looked over at her. "All you have to do is act like you are there for Professor Flitwick."

In a high voice Ron added, "Oh Professor Flitwick, I'm worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong…"

"Oh, shut up," said Hermione.

"Why don't both of you go and watch out for Snape?" asked Harry.

"Who will watch Quirrell?"

Ron and Harry sighed.

"Why don't you and I go and keep an eye out on both? I'm sure they will both be in the staff room." Hermione suggested.

"Fine, let's go." Phoenix looked back at the boys. "Whatever you two decide, don't get caught."

The girls headed towards the staff room at an easy pace. They were quiet for a while until Hermione couldn't keep her question to herself,

"Do you think Professor McGonagall is right? Do you think the Stone is well protected?"

Phoenix glanced over at her, thinking. "Define well protected." She shrugged. "Against witches and wizards, possible, against demons, I don't know."

They stopped and looked at each other. "We don't know…"

Before the two of them could finish, the door to the staff room opened, revealing an annoyed Professor Snape. Once he noticed who was outside, his face relaxed. "May I help you two?"

"Uh," Hermione started but was caught off guard.

"Hermione wanted to see Professor Flitwick. She had some questions for him. And I for you."

Snape eyed them, not believing a word. "Very well, I will retrieve Professor Flitwick Miss Granger and Miss Matthews, I will see you in the potions classroom." He left, closing the door behind him.

Hermione started wringing her hands, her nerves taking over. Phoenix gave her a playful nudge before seeing her take off down the corridor. Phoenix looked between the door and her friend who wasn't planning on stopping. When she heard the Professors coming, Phoenix orbed out before the door opened.

Phoenix orbed back in front of Hermione, who was pacing in front of the Gryffindor entryway. "What happened?" Phoenix asked, grabbing Hermione by the shoulders to stop her.

Hermione stared at Phoenix. "I don't know. I got nervous."

Phoenix sighed, "Let's give the boys the news."

The two went through the portrait hole, finding the boys in the common room. Phoenix could see the disappointment and color drain from Harry's face.

"I'm sorry, Harry!" Hermione wailed. "Snape came out and asked us what we were doing. Phoenix said I wanted to see Flitwick, and Snape went to get him, and We've only just got away, I don't know where Snape went."

"Probably to the potions room. He was expecting me there."

"Well, that's it the, isn't it?" Harry said.

The other three stared at him. He was pale and his eyes were glittering. "I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get to the Stone first."

"You're mad!" said Ron.

"Harry, you don't know what you are up against."

"You can't!" said Hermione. "After what McGonagall and Snape have said? You'll be expelled!"

"SO WHAT?" Harry shouted. "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 your 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 three say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?"

He glared at them.

"You're right, Harry," said Hermione in a small voice. Phoenix looked at him with sadness and understanding. Harry didn't understand why and made a note to ask later.

"I'll use the invisibility cloak," said Harry. "It's just lucky I got it back."

"But will it cover all four of us?" said Ron. "From what I remember, it barely covered the three of you."

"All-four of us?"

"You don't think we'd let you go alone?" Phoenix smiled.

"Of course not," said Hermione briskly. "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…."

"I think I saw something that could help with invisibility."

Hermione looked at Phoenix cautiously.

"But if we get caught, you three will be expelled, too."

"Not if I can help it," said Hermione grimly. "Flitwick told me in secret that I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam."

"And I got a hundred and ten. They're not throwing us out after that."