A/N- I own Magentra, Pimpernel, Leah-Jade, King Sir and anything that isn't in the actual books. Contains Spoilers of the first book, but honestly, if you're smart and have read the previous 8 chapters, you should know that : ) Happy Reading
Chapter 9
Mcgonagall led Magentra to the room off the great hall, not speaking a word until they arrived. As she pushed Magentra through the door frame, Magentra surveyed the scene.
Standing by the fireplace was Nicholas Flamel and his wife, both talking in whispers with Professor Dumbledore.
Seated to her right, and scowling, quite menacingly, was Professor Snape. The four chairs to the left contained Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, The Care of Magical creatures teacher Professor Kettleburn, and a rather comfortable looking seat which turned out to be the one Mcgonagall had vacated to come find her.
"Ah, my dear Mage, how wonderful to see you," Nicholas Flamel smiled largely as soon as he saw the pair. Magentra was stunned, Nicholas was an old family friend, and when she said old it was quite the understatement. He was over six-hundred years old and had grown up with her seventeenth great grandfather. He'd come into the posession of the Philosopher's Stone at the age of sixty and hadn't aged a bit ever since.
"Uncle Nick!" Magentra flew at him, hugging him furiously. She hadn't realised how much she missed home and its familiar comforts until she saw him.
Dumbledore and Mrs. Flamel took in the scene with twinkling eyes.
"Miss Riddle, I do believe you should take a seat before you topple Mr. Flamel and hurt the both of you," Dumbledore smiled.
Magentra let go of Flamel and sat down in the chair closest the fire.
"Magentra, we're gathered here to discuss a very important matter," Professor Dumbledore announced once everyone was seated, "And I believe you know what that is."
All the teachers eyed her curiously.
"The Philosopher's, or as it is better known, the Sorcerer's stone," she whispered. It was the stone her father had craved the posession of. The stone her uncle had worked to protect, and the stone her god-father had despised the existence of.
"Yes," Professor Dumbledore nodded. "We are here to discuss it, because, at present, it is right under this very roof."
Magentra racked her brain for any mention of it and only found a thread, "The third floor corridor. It's hidden there. That's why you said you didn't want anyone up there," she replied.
"Right you are Miss. Riddle. I do believe all students were as sharp and intelligent as you there would be no need for schooling. Now we need to discuss the stone because it has been placed under a series of protective charms. I fear that the time is close at hand when perhaps not even those charms and spells can protect it."
"The likelihood is that it won't be the teachers that'll have to protect it Ms. Riddle," Nicholas Flamel spoke gravely. "The stone is very valuable, especially to your father in his present...state."
Magentra nodded, her father was alive, but barely. She shuddered to think of the possibilities if he obtained the stone.
"Am I right in assuming you still have dreams about his whereabouts," Professor Mcgonagall asked nervously. Magentra had had dreams of her father since she'd received the scar that was still quite apparent on her forehead.
Magentra shook her head, "The dreams don't tell me everything. It's as if I can sense him, his presence...his thirst for revenge...when he kills...when he gets close. I haven't had any for awhile, but that doesn't mean anything. I'll let you know if I find out anything."
The teachers nodded. "Ms. Riddle," Professor Sprout piped up, "It is important that you know the challenges that await you if you are required to protect the stone without our aid."
"Yes, yes, thank you Professor Sprout," Dumbledore said, "The challenges are numbered as six. A test of knowledge, a test of abilities, a test of skill, a test of bravery, a test of logic, and a test of heart. If you remeber these six things as you go through them, then not all hope is lost."
Magentra mulled the six tests over in her mind until they were burned in her memory- test of heart...test of logic...test of bravery...test of skill...test of abilities...test of knowledge...
"Also we must inform you that your cousin may be in grave danger as well. Do your best to be his guardien Ms. Riddle, when the teachers cannot," Professor Snape spoke up quietly, his glare boring into her skull as if he were trying to read her mind.
"I shall do everything I can..." she whispered.
"Now Ms. Riddle, I do believe it is time for dinner. Off you go," Professor Dumbledore shooed her out into the hall and turned to the teachers, "While she protects Harry you must protect her and her friend. There will be a time when they will both be greatly needed."
The teachers nodded and one by one exited the room to take their places in the great hall. The Flamels shook hands with Dumbledore and departed for the carriages that would deliver them to the train station in Hogsmeade.
"How can so much rely on such a young and impulsive person," Snape questioned to nothing in particular as soon as the Flamels were gone.
Dumbledore smiled slightly and turned "We do not choose those that are already chosen Severus. Life has never worked as such. I guarentee you Magentra never asked to be born into the family she was. But she has learned to make the best of it, as should we."
"As always, the fate of the world relying on the littlest of beings."
"Sometimes, the littlest of beings make the biggest difference Severus."
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Dinner went quite well. Magentra loaded up on baked chicken legs, new potatoes, pumpkin juice, buttery corn on the cob and piping hot rolls as she'd barely eaten anything all day. Dessert was apple tarts with vanilla ice cream, which she devoured ravenously before joining up with Leah-Jade and started towards the common room.
"Are you okay? You seemed a bit upset at dinner," Leah-Jade commented as they ambled up a flight of stairs, hopping over a disappearing step.
"LJ, do you know who your father was?" Magentra looked at her thoughtfully. The name Black had been playing at the edge of her mind for quite awhile.
Leah-Jade looked at her curiously, speaking slowly, "as a matter of fact I do. Some say he killed quite a few muggles, and betrayed several decent wizards. I've never believed it but he lives in Azkaban."
"His name's Sirius isn't it?"
Leah-Jade looked at her stunned, and nodded, "Please don't tell anyone. They'd never speak to me again if they knew..."
"I remember him. When I lived with my uncle. He was tall, had long dark hair... he used to put me on his knee and tell me stories. I wasn't very old, three I think, but he was always so nice..."
"Your uncle...you can't be..." Leah-Jade looked at her in horror, "An old woman at the orphanage used to tell me stories of the daughter of Voldemort who was the cousin of the boy who lived. Everyone always thought she was nutty..."
"She wasn't... she was the next door neighbor to Aunt Lily and Uncle James. Used to bring us meals all the time when Dumbledore forgot to have groceries delivered."
Leah-Jade stepped back and covered her mouth with her hand in shock, "There's no way."
"Now I know your secret and you know mine," Magentra smiled wistfully. Friends didn't keep secrets. But she hoped it was a secret Leah-Jade could bare.
Leah-Jade hugged her, "I'm sorry... I wish I'd known."
Magentra smiled, "You don't think Dumbledore didn't bring us both here for a reason? He's a clever man, but he also has his schemes."
Leah-Jade grinned, "A nasty potions teacher, a stuttering dark arts professor, a mischevious poltergist, and a conniving headmaster. Could Hogwarts get anymore odd?"
"Yup," Magentra grinned, "We also have a giant gamekeeper, a ghost for a history teacher, two red-headed pranksters who know more secret passages than Filch and brightly colored owls that forget to bring our post half the time."
"All right you two, it's time for bed," a sour faced Percy interrupted their thoughts.
"Awww...Percy," Magentra jumped up and hugged the tall, read-headed boy, "You know we all love you despite your faults."
Percy brushed her off and straightened up, looking rather disheveled, "Excuse me, but I do not have faults..." he straightened his horn rimmed glasses and did his best to look menacing.
"Oh really," Leah-Jade giggled "Then why is there a sticky note stuck to your butt that says kick me?"
Percy turned pink and tried to grab the note that was just out of his reach, "FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!" he roared.
Leah-Jade mouthed at Magentra "See you later," and waved at Percy "Toodles."
The two took off like shots and were soon snoring contentedly in their respective four posters.
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The next few weeks were uneventful until Quidditch practice began. Three times a week, they met out on the Quidditch field to practice different plays and techniques Oliver came up with, and to teach Harry how not to get killed. Harry, Oliver, Alicia, Anjelina, Fred, George and Magentra arrived out on the field at half past three the first day and flew for over an hour. Harry zipped about on his new broom, a Nimbus 2000 that Mcgonagall had ordered for him, and began catching golf balls and doing loop-the-loops. Magentra, who didn't have a broom yet, used an old Shooting Star and still managed to out-fly Alicia and Anjelina. Harry was an excellent Seeker, and Oliver, pleased with his new recruits spent more time shouting complements and encouragement than protecting the hoops. All in all, despite the bruises, bumps and embarrasments (Oliver got hit by the Quaffle, Magentra fell off her broom twice, Fred got grazed by a Bludger and Anjelina almost took Harry off his broom, twice) they felt ready and prepared to take on Slytherin. But first, they had to take on Halloween.
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