The Spring Term at Hogwarts seemed to fly by significantly faster than the Fall. In almost no time final exams were just around the corner and Hermione had shifted into a gear the others could never have imagined. She was almost non-existent when it came to their down time together, choosing instead to hole up in the library to study.
Harry had also decided to buckle down and properly prepare for the exams but had taken a much more lenient approach to his studies than what Hermione was doing. Although his grades had always been towards the top of the class, his extra effort was paying off and even Hermione was struggling to keep up in some areas.
Obviously, Hermione had him beat on the theory of magic, but in their practical studies, Harry had the clear edge. He'd even been singled out a few times in class for exceptional performance when learning new spells or adding a flourish here and there.
For example, in their transfiguration class, when tasked to turn an inkwell into a candle, the other students did well just to make a simple straight candle with a lightable wick. Harry had turned his inkwell into a candle in the shape of the astronomy tower, including intricate brickwork and windows. The others were impressed, though Ron had called him a show-off and playfully punched him in the shoulder.
Quidditch had also solidified into one of Harry's most treasured activities. While he loved flying, having the opportunity to do so in a game that was as fast as he was felt exhilarating. The House championship had ended with the Slytherins matching with Ravenclaw in a final match for the ages.
Ravenclaw clearly had the better chasing team but the slytherin's were on the edge of brutality with every hit. While none of the hits had been illegal, they were hard and unforgiving. Eventually, the Ravenclaw team was just too tired and couldn't keep up with the Slytherins who pulled so far ahead that it didn't matter when the Ravenclaw seeker caught the snitch. Slytherin won 430 to Ravenclaw's 390.
After that, the pick up games became much more intense. Now the house teams were done for the season and had to start seriously scouting players from these games to replace the players who were moving on.
Harry was a hot commodity for these games, proving himself to be the best flier on the pitch, regardless of who was with him. He excelled in every position except for keeper, mostly due to his impatience with just sitting there for most of the game, waiting for the other team to attempt to score. He was often super aggressive, leaving his position for risky plays that didn't pay off most of the time.
He was a really good chaser and had a knack for finding open passing lanes in the defense. If he found himself surrounded, he had an uncanny ability to simply outfly anyone on the other team, looking for all the world like a falcon weaving in and out of a collection of hot air balloons.
His time with a beaters bat was a little more chaotic. While his swing wasn't the strongest of the players, his aim was exact. He had even figured out how the bludgers decided which players to go after and used that knowledge to lead players or maneuver them into a more precarious position.
But at the end of the day, his favorite and position was also the one he was magnificent at. Seeking for him was as natural as breathing. He could sense the movement of the snitch from across the pitch and his flying ability gave him an immense edge over his competitors. The chase for him was more than just trying to catch the little winged ball, it was a true expression of his love for flying.
Each house had approached him for his skills as a chaser but it was his seeking that had everyone begging for him to join their house. All except Slytherin who seemed to have already chosen Malfoy to be their seeker next year.
Harry didn't mind. Malfoy was also a great flier and the two seemed to be similar in the way they approached the game. Both loved flying and would happily play any position needed, however Malfoy seemed to take it more personally when he lost a match or was beaten in any way. It clearly irked him that those with either less experience or of "lesser" families were capable without having the money and upbringing he did.
Something was off about Malfoy's complaints, however, and Harry felt some of the blonde's words were forced or rehearsed. It definitely seemed like it was a performance at times. Harry noticed the only time Malfoy's true personality came out was on the pitch. The boy would complain about having to play with a certain person or a position that he didn't want to play, but as soon as the Quaffle was in the air, the true Malfoy came out.
And he was a solid competitor. He obviously knew the game inside and out. Even if he was on a team with people he complained about, he was excellent in helping them and clearly a good teacher when showing them how to be better.
Once, he was on a team with the Weasley brothers, minus Percy, and had loudly complained about having to play with team mates who weren't in the same league as him. But when the game started, Harry noticed him talking with Ron and showing him how to shift his weight in a way to get faster turns, thus being quicker to the Quaffle when playing keeper.
Ron still had a bit of annoyance with being talked down too before the match started but was also listening intently and asking questions. By the end of the match, he'd saved at least six shots he'd never would have been able to before Malfoy's teachings.
The whole thing confused Harry. He knew by now that the Malfoys were a very prestigious family and very well off to the point of extravagance. He'd also learned about their involvement in the war that killed his parents. While that had angered him he couldn't help but think that Draco was different. Maybe not progressive in the way the Weasleys or the Patils were but not nearly as bad as his father had been.
Eventually, he decided to reserve judgment until he had actual interactions with the other boy. There was no use in getting up in arms about someone with whom he'd had very few real conversations.
Suddenly, the term was ending and final exams were upon them. Harry and his friends felt confident about their chances of passing easily and now it was all about who would come second in the exams. Everyone had given up on being first seeing as Hermione had shown them the meaning of diligence in the final weeks before the exams started.
She practically lived in the library, only appearing for classes. Harry had chastised her for skipping meals and had made a deal with her that he would bring her lunch to the common room on weekends so she would actually get some food and not starve herself.
When the written theory exams began, the group had settled into their own routines. Ron had forced himself to get up early and eat a well balanced meal instead of gorging himself on the last minute breakfasts he'd become accustomed too. Neville made sure to be in bed at a good time so he could get plenty of sleep. Blaise didn't change his routine at all.
Harry and Hermione had made a deal that they would keep eachother on track. Hermione made sure he was up at the right time and he made sure she wasn't up all night cramming things she already knew. He even went as far as to keep her books with him overnight so she couldn't study in her room.
When the last written exam was completed on Tuesday, the group decided to spend Wednesday morning practicing their practical skills. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville had invited the others to their practice room where they each helped each other as much as they could. Harry quickly became the roaming teacher and made sure to spend time with each of them, helping them with a spell or two.
That afternoon the group decided to relax by the lake and maybe do some swimming. Harry was walking down to the shore when he asked the Weasley twins about the end of term party.
"We don't hold it on the night after exams like the Fall term," Fred said. Somehow, Harry was starting to be able to tell them apart. "The O.W.L. and N.E.W.T students wouldn't be able to make it if we held it that night. The most they can do is curl up in their beds and sleep after tests that tiring."
Harry nodded in understanding. From what he'd heard, the tests were brutal to say the least.
When they finally approached the lake, Harry became increasingly nervous about taking his shirt off with all his scars. However, after the potion remedy Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall had him on, many of the obvious scars and damages had cleared up as if they'd never been there.
When they finally were all ready to jump in, the girls inspected the boys from afar, talking in hushed whispers about who caught their eye. Ron was the tallest of the group but could not have been more lanky. His arms and legs were so long he was easily the fastest swimmer, his legs kicking hard behind him. His brothers were a little shorter but had more meat on them and looked like they could quickly put on muscle if they decided to. Neville was the biggest surprise of the group. His face still had a bit of chunk to it which made it seem like he wasn't in as good of shape as the others. But he was right there with the twins on muscle and his arms were well toned.
When Harry finally joined them he heard a wolf whistle from somewhere behind him. Blushing he dove into the water, embarrassed by the attention. He wasn't as thick as Neville and the twins but Quidditch had clearly been good for him as his whole body was like a flexed bow. It looked like he could snap into action with barely a thought which wasn't far from the truth.
The boys played around for a while before turning their attention to the girls who had approached the shore. None of them were joining as swimsuits weren't exactly on their minds when packing for Northern Scotland. Suddenly playful screams erupted from the girls as the boys began splashing them mercilessly.
The boys immediately recognized their mistake when the girls whipped out their wands and froze the lake around them. Only Neville and the Weasley twins were able to avoid the girl's wrath by drawing their own wands and casting counterspells.
"B-bloody hell, Hermione," Ron stuttered as he climbed on the shore, ice stuck in his hair. "I don't think my boys will survive being this cold. My Mum will have your head for ending the Weasley line by freezing us to death."
Hermione laughed with the other girls before replying, "You're mum has three other sons so I'm sure she'll be fine. Besides, I have a gut feeling she'd think you deserve- AGH!"
Harry had snuck up behind her and grabbed her before throwing her over his shoulder and running towards the water.
"DON'T YOU BLOODY DARE HARRY POTTER!"
Harry laughed. "Language, Hermione! Someone might think you are a bad influence on me."
Hermione kept yelling at him as he approached the water before she felt herself being thrown.
She screamed and squished her eyes shut just as she was about to hit the water. Except she never hit the water. Slowly she opened one eye to see what was happening only to find she was floating about a foot over the water. Confused, she looked back at Harry who was on the shore laughing with the others, his wand in hand.
"You cast Wingardium Leviosa wordlessly?" she asked, astonished.
"Leave it to Hermione to focus on the magic and not the fact that she's hovering over the water fully clothed," said Daphne, laughing.
Hermione blushed and then tried to right herself so she was right side up over the water, her hair falling in her face no matter where she turned.
"You bring me back to the shore right now Mr. Potter or I will make you regret it!"
"I think you need to reassess who is in charge here, Miss Granger," he replied with a mischievous smirk.
Hermione looked down at the water again and swallowed before looking up at him again.
"Uh… well, I guess I am in a bit of a pickle. Could you, uh… bring me back… please?"
She did her best to give him puppy dog eyes but it was a bit lost as she couldn't quite hold still being stuck in the air as she was.
"Well, what do you think guys? Should I bring her back or drop her?"
The boys all yelled for him to drop her, most of them still shivering in the towels they'd brought down.
Harry looked at Hermione and almost dropped her on accident. She was biting her lip and giving him the saddest look ever before she spoke. "Please, Harry?"
He smiled back at her before floating her back on shore and setting her down safely.
"Well somebody's whipped," Ron murmured before yelping and rubbing his arm where Harry's stinging hex had hit.
"How am I supposed to mess with a look like that? She's just so adorable with the puppy eyes and pleading. No man could withstand that."
Hermione was now beet red and doing her best to hide it by fixing her hair which had gone everywhere while being suspended in mid air.
Harry grabbed his towel and dried off before laying it on the ground and stretching out on it.
"Next year, I think we need to figure out a way to heat this part of the lake, or maybe transfigure it into a beach or something. There's too much water here for us to not enjoy a swim every now and then."
"Plus, girls in swimsuits would be ni- AGH! Why do you guys keep stinging me?!"
Ron was rubbing his other arm where Padma had gotten him with the same stinging hex.
"Keep your mind out of the gutter, Weasley."
The group laughed before settling into small groups and enjoying the afternoon. Hermione had calmed down and joined Harry, Ron, and Daphne to talk about their summer plans.
"I'm still not sure what I'm going to do," Harry said, his arms behind his head and eyes closed. He didn't see the girls stealing glances as they talked. "I definitely am not going back to the Dursley's but I don't think I can afford to live at the Leaky Cauldron all summer."
"I know some of the others offered for you to stay with them," Hermione said. "Did none of them work out?"
Harry shrugged, uncomfortable with the subject.
"Neville's Gran said I was welcome to stay with them but I don't think I want to spend a whole summer being a burden on any one family. It's the same with the Weasley's. Blaise did offer as well but I think he's going to try to travel with his mother some time and I don't want to take away from that."
"I'd offer for you to stay with my family," said Daphne, "but I don't think my parents would want a teenage boy in their house with two teenage daughters."
"Oh the possibilities…" Harry said, grinning and giving her a wink. Hermione lightly slapped his arm and rolled her eyes.
"I don't think you could handle two Greengrass girls at the same time, Mr. Potter," Daphne said, before her smirk morphed into a devilish grin. "You'd need practice with one first."
"Daphne!" Hermione cried, her eyes wide, scandalized.
Harry laughed and sat up.
"I don't think I'd come out of that experience alive," he said, giving Hermione a wink.
"Probably not," Daphne conceded, "plus I think you're too stubborn for me. I need someone I can mold into what I want."
"Yeah, I don't think Harry can be molded by anyone," Ron said. "If anything, he molds those around him without even trying."
"What does that mean," Harry asked, truly confused.
"He's right," Daphne said. "You don't realize it because you aren't familiar with our world and the way the families interact, but you've done something I don't think even Dumbledore has been able to accomplish."
At this point, Harry was sitting up and looking at the witch with a flabbergasted look.
"What could that possibly be?"
Daphne thought for a moment before speaking.
"Look at this group. You've got the widest assortment of people you could in a group all hanging out as friends. Some of these people would never have hung out together had it been up to our families to get together."
"Right," said Ron, sitting up. "If you would have told me before the year started that I'd be sitting here with a Greengrass, I'd have laughed you out of the room."
Seeing Harry's bewilderment he continued. "It's not that I had anything against the Greengrass family, but that our families don't always get along politically so we probably would never have thought to hang out socially. Because of the way our society works, you don't cross politics and friendships. But you didn't know that and clearly wouldn't have cared if you did."
"Exactly," Daphne added. "We even have muggleborn, half-bloods, and pure bloods all here without any issues. It's kind of amazing in a way. Maybe our generation can finally pull our society out of the dark ages and actually get some things done."
Harry was flattered his friends thought so highly of him but still felt like he hadn't done anything special.
As the sun finally set the group went inside for dinner and to prepare for the next day. Most of them called it an early night and went to bed, ready for the practical exams.
The exams went about as they had the first term. Charms was first and Harry's tap dancing pineapple had impressed Professor Flitwick to the point of earning him a few extra points and a jealous look from Hermione.
Transfiguration was also a piece of cake. They'd been tasked with turning a mouse into a snuff box, with extra points for making the box pretty and losing points if it had whiskers.
"Wonderful, Mr. Potter," gushed Professor McGonagall. "Adding a mouse motif in gold leaf was an exceptional touch. Five extra points!"
Again, Hermione playfully glared at him as he walked out.
The big difference between these exams and last term's was, this time, Snape didn't show up at all. In fact, a rumor was going around that he and the Headmaster had been called away to London for some reason.
"It's happening tonight," Harry said to Hermione and Ron after they left the practical potions exam.
"I think Quirrell will be going for the stone, probably while dinner is happening so all the other staff are in one place."
Hermione bit her lip nervously.
"We should tell a professor," Ron said. "Maybe they can increase the protection on the stone or something."
Harry thought for a moment before nodding.
"Let's go to McGonagall."
The trio made their way through the castle to the headmistress' office and knocked.
"Enter."
Harry pushed the door open feeling like the three of them were going to be doing this somewhat often.
"Professor, I'll get right to it. We think…" Harry hesitated, not sure he wanted to accuse a professor of stealing only to end up wrong. "Someone might try to steal the Philosopher's stone tonight."
The professor who had been marking up a written exam almost fell out of her chair when she heard him.
"How in the world do you know about that?"
The three students were silent, not wanting to get Hagrid in trouble. Eventually she spoke again.
"It doesn't matter. The… object is in a safe place and has many safeguards protecting it."
"It's under the trap door on the third floor guarded by a giant three headed dog."
The professor gaped at them before shaking her head as if to rid herself of cobwebs and stood to walk around her desk. She paused looking each of them in the eye with a serious expression.
"I want to be perfectly clear; the stone is extremely safe. The protections have been placed by many of the teachers here on top of what the Headmaster has also done. I don't believe anyone other than the headmaster can reach the stone and he is in London on ministry business."
"But prof-"
"Enough, I don't know how you found out about the stone and its location but you need to realize that regardless of what you think may happen, the chances of it are exceedingly slim. I advise you to return to your common room and relax with your friends before the summer begins and you go your separate ways."
Harry sighed and nodded before leading Hermione and Ron out the door and back towards the common room.
"Well, we tried, mate," Ron said with a shrug.
Harry nodded, his mind was racing, trying to determine another course of action. Hermione could see it and hoped to keep him from doing something extreme.
"Harry, if Professor McGonagall is that confident in the protections, everything should be fine."
Harry forced himself to relax, Hermione's words striking a chord in him.
"I suppose you're right, Hermione," he said before taking a deep breath and looking at his friends. "Alright, let's head back to the common room, I am ready to collapse on the couch by the fire and just waste the night away."
The common room felt like a tomb when they got back. Since the school year began it felt like the room always had at least one person studying or relaxing next to a fire. It was clear most students were exhausted from finals and had decided to simply go to sleep when they were done.
The trio said goodnight to each other before heading to their rooms to get some rest. Only, Harry couldn't seem to fall asleep. For an hour he laid in bed, mind going through a million scenarios all focused around one subject.
I know Quirrell is going for the stone tonight.
With that, Harry took a deep breath and rolled out of bed.
I can't just sit here when I know something is going down. I have to stop him.
Harry took a deep breath and got dressed, careful to stay quiet and not wake up Neville. Turns out he needn't have worried. After he'd pulled his father's cloak from his trunk he opened the door to the small hallway he shared with Neville only to find him standing there, leaning against the wall.
"Neville? What are you doing up?"
"I had a gut feeling that you were going to try to do something crazy tonight. Am I wrong?"
Harry hesitated, feeling like the dog that knocked over a vase.
"Uh… kind of?" he said lamely.
Neville sighed and pushed off from the wall.
"Look, I know you've gotten into some crazy shenanigans over the last year. Each time you've come out unscathed but you need to be careful."
Harry nodded, touched at the concern in Neville's voice.
"I'm not going to stop you because, honestly, I don't think I could. But if you aren't back here tomorrow morning and in one piece, I'll personally hunt you down and make sure you regret pissing me off, okay?"
Harry smiled and nodded, offering his hand to his friend. Neville smiled back and shook it before entering his own room. Before he closed the door he said one last thing.
"Be safe, and don't do anything stupid."
Harry opened the main door before looking back with a smirk.
"No promises."
With that, he closed the door and looked out over the common room. It was around eleven o'clock and the room was still deserted. He crept along the walkway and down the stairs throwing the invisibility cloak over his shoulders. As he approached Rhomos' portrait hole he felt the cloak suddenly pulled off of him.
Whirling around and drawing his wand he saw a tired and slightly annoyed Ron Weasley standing there outside the entrance to the boys bathroom.
"And just where do you think you're going, Mr. Potter?"
Harry winced as he recognized the voice coming from behind him. He turned with an embarrassed smile to see Hermione approach from where he assumed she was hiding in the small library.
"Uh… I guess saying I was going to the loo would be too far-fetched, yeah?"
Hermione gave him an exasperated look as she came closer.
"Ron and I knew you would be doing something like this but we'd hoped you might ask us for help."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed to be caught out.
"Seriously, mate. We just want you to be safe," Ron said, offering the cloak back to Harry who took it sheepishly.
"Well… Are you going to stop me?" he asked, unsure what was going to happen next.
"Well, seeing as, unlike you, we are both dressed in dark colors and clearly ready for a night time adventure, I think the answer should be obvious."
Hermione's words made Harry actually take note of their clothes. Ron was in a dark gray t-shirt and dark jeans with sneakers. He'd strapped his wand to the inside of his left arm for easy access.
Hermione was in dark leggings that Harry was fairly certain that she'd never worn before and a black top with three quarter length sleeves. Her wand was in her hand.
He looked down at his regular jeans and red t-shirt before wincing again.
"I didn't know there was a dress code for these kinds of things…" he said with an embarrassed smile, trying to ease the tension.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Come on. If we're going to do this, we might as well get moving."
Harry nodded, his expression changing from a little embarrassed to serious in a flash. Turning, he led them out of the portrait door.
"Where are you going," said Athena behind them. "I know it's after exams but school rules still apply."
Harry winced, having forgotten about the portrait. He was struggling to come up with a response when Hermione spoke.
"We believe someone is going to try to steal something from the castle tonight. A dangerous object on the third floor."
Athena's expression changed from tired annoyance to interest. She stared at the trio for a moment before slowly nodding.
"I have heard the other portraits speak of the third floor corridor being cleared of paintings. If what you say is true, you will not be able to call for help through the portraits."
Harry hadn't thought of using the paintings in the castle to gather information but it seemed obvious now. He thought for a moment longer before speaking.
"How difficult would it be to get a message to the Headmaster?"
Minerva's eyebrows rose and she gave him a small smile.
"Clever, Mr. Potter. I believe I can relay a message fairly quickly, though not quickly enough for him to return to the castle in the next few hours."
"Understood. Please tell him we believe there will be an attempt to steal the stone tonight. We'll do what we can to stop them but there is only so much a trio of first years can do."
"I think you'll find that you three are more capable than you think. But I will relay the message. Good luck, Mr. Potter."
Harry wasn't quite sure how to respond to the unexpectedly supportive painting but decided not to dwell on it. He nodded and turned, leading the others to the central staircase and what was sure to be a night to remember.