AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I keep writing stories at the same time! This is my third
fan fic. I'm also writing The Rain Always Falls and The Top 77 Ways to
Annoy Snape. I've had this one in my mind for a while, and I just sat down
one day and said, "I'm writing it." Well, here you go. I hope that you all
like it. Don't forget to review. If you have anything to say, positive or
negative, I would love to hear from you.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story.so far, at least. I do, however, own many people in my other story.
Dedicated: To the reviewers of The Rain Always Falls
What will happen when six Hogwarts students are brought together to solve a murder mystery, and something goes terribly wrong? And what will Hermione do when she's wrong?
*****************THE MYSTERY OF STONE MANSION*******************
Chapter 1: The Participants
"Attention, please. Attention if you will," Dumbledore said over the murmur of voices flooding the Great Hall. Harry and Ron were sitting together with Hermoine at the Gryffindor table discussing quiditch. "I would like to welcome you all to the start of a new school year. It is my goal that by this time next year, you will know slightly more than you do a t the moment," he continued smiling.
"Once again, to those of you who don't know, the Forbidden Forest if out of bounds to all students. Also, Mr. Filch has fourteen new additions to his list of items that are not allowed in corridors." At this, Fred and George Weasley groaned loudly. "Please see the posting in your common room to refer to them.
"Next, I am pleased to inform you that this year, a new contest between houses has been developed: The Mystery of Stone Mansion!" he finished rather dramatically.
"You can't be serious!" Fred called out jokingly for the entire hall to hear. A few laughs sounded from the tables.
"Yes, I am serious, Mr. Weasley. Just like last year," he added with a smile. "In this event, six students chosen by six randomly selected teachers will be invited to spend the next weekend in a large house, somewhere nearby. During their time there, they will need to solve a puzzle involving their whereabouts and the others with them. However, as a bigger challenge, they will not be allowed wands. They will have until sunset on Sunday to find the solution. The person who discovers it will earn their house two hundred and fifty points."
As he was saying this, every head in the hall was turning to their friend's, whispering madly. A few voices that said, "Wicked," could just be made out.
Dumbledore was obviously very pleased at the students' remarks and continued, "The six chosen students will get their invitations at breakfast tomorrow. Each person will be presented with a new name and information about their character. If you are one of the few selected, I urge you to memorize your personal information, which will be presented once you get to your destination, and also to not tell anyone about your character. This information is classified, once again, until your reach the house. So please don't tell teachers, other contestants, or even friends." His eyes did the smallest of double takes to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Then he continued, "Furthermore, please, if you are selected, have fun with this experience, play your role the best you can, and use your mind because it is a terrible thing to waste.
"And now - oh, I'm sorry, I almost forgot. There will be situations there where one may feel that they are in danger. However, don't fear, because it is all perfectly safe." A few people shifted uncomfortably. "Now," Dumbledore said cheerily, "Eat." Instantly the golden plates and goblets filled with delicious food, as always.
"Can you believe how cool that would be?" George asked his friend Lee Jordan. "I mean, you get to pretend to be someone else,"
"Go out of the Hogwarts bounds for the weekend," Fred added.
"And get two hundred and fifty points!
"Do you think one of the teachers may have picked us?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione.
"I don't know. At least we know that Hermione's going," Harry answered, piling some turkey onto his plate.
"And what makes you think that I got invited?" she asked, looking up.
"Well, you're.Hermione. Plain and simple. Common, Hermione, you know that you're the smartest person in Hogwarts! The teachers probably fought each other to pick you," Ron answered as though it was a fact.
"Well, that doesn't mean that they would instantly pick me. There are hundreds of other students here. But, it does seem like great fun. I bet you would learn a lot. This whole situation reminds me of something, though. I just can't remember what," she added. Dinner lasted about another hour. Harry and Ron resumed their quiditch talk, though Harry noticed that Ron constantly threw nervous looks at Hermione.
When the feast ended, Ginny casually approached the trio. "So, who do you think will get to go? I really hope I do, but that'll never happen. I'm not the best."
"Don't be silly, Ginny," Harry responded smiling. "You're good at a lot of things." To her horror, Ginny blushed a little.
They walked up the to the Gryffindor Tower merrily talking about the possible outcomes of which teachers were chosen and who they would pick. "Bet you anything that if it's Snape, he'll pick Malfoy," Harry said.
"Oh, what a joy that would be," Ron said sarcastically, "locked in a house with Malfoy for an entire weekend. Lucky wands aren't allowed, otherwise there would be about a hundred duels going on." Everyone laughed at this.
"Well, we'll find out tomorrow."
************************************************************************
The next morning, everyone seemed to wake early. It took Harry a moment to realize what he was so excited about when he woke up at seven, but then he remembered. That morning, they would find out who got into the contest. He hastily shoved his robes over his head and went down to the common room. When Harry reached it, he found Ron and Hermione already waiting for him.
"Come on, Harry. We've been waiting forever for you to get up," Ron told him. "Let's go down to breakfast."
Though Ron was overly excited, Hermione was trying to remain calm. Harry could tell that she desperately wanted one of the six spots. Her hands gave her away. They were shaking.
When they reached the Great Hall, they found that half of the school was already waiting impatiently for the decision. It was just like last year. Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat near the end of the table. As soon as they sat down, Hermione began bouncing her leg up and down. They spotted Ginny, sitting with some of her fourth year friends. She waved happily down to them and mouthed, 'You'll get it, Hermione.'
Several tense and silent minutes later, the mail arrived. Dozens of different kinds of owls appeared, delivering their mail to the appropriate receiver. Then, six towering, yet oddly graceful eagles flew into the hall. The entire hall fell silent, watching, as they glided across the room. All eyes upon the largest bird, it came swooping down to the Gryffindor table, and dropped a large envelope of parchment on Hermione's plate. She almost squealed with pleasure. She looked up at the smiling Ron in front of her, but soon, everyone's gaze was on the remaining five eagles.
The next flew over to the Slytherin table, and a large smirk appeared on Draco Malfoy's face as he was delivered an invitation. Hermione's smile faded a little but returned almost immediately as another letter was dropped in front of none other than - Ron! "I didn't think I'd get one!" he said with great pleasure. He caught Hermione's gaze once more.
There were now only three eagles left. One of them seemed to be a little confused because it flew to the teacher's table and turned around again, noticing that it obviously wasn't where he was supposed to be. He turned to the Ravenclaw table and left an invitation for Cho Chang. Harry's heart skipped a beat. 'Oh, please let me get one,' Harry thought hard. He closed his eyes tight and hoped. A heavy something fell onto the top of his head moments later. He felt like he would explode. 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!' he said silently. He opened his eyes and glanced in the direction of the Ravenclaws to see that Cho was grinning.
There was now only one eagle and invitation left. Dozens of people watched it hopefully. It soared over to the Hufflepuff table - no, wait - then the Slytherin. It glided across the entire hall and flew over the Gryffindor table. With one final swoop, it dropped the letter and flew out of site. Several people stood up to get a better look at who was the last person chosen. Harry leaned over his plate and saw that it was - Ginny.
************************************************************************
~Well, what do you think? The contestants include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Cho, and Malfoy. Nice combination, huh? The next chapter reveals some of their character information and then they're off for the actual mystery! Please review! I practically live for them!!! Love always, Carmen Willows
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story.so far, at least. I do, however, own many people in my other story.
Dedicated: To the reviewers of The Rain Always Falls
What will happen when six Hogwarts students are brought together to solve a murder mystery, and something goes terribly wrong? And what will Hermione do when she's wrong?
*****************THE MYSTERY OF STONE MANSION*******************
Chapter 1: The Participants
"Attention, please. Attention if you will," Dumbledore said over the murmur of voices flooding the Great Hall. Harry and Ron were sitting together with Hermoine at the Gryffindor table discussing quiditch. "I would like to welcome you all to the start of a new school year. It is my goal that by this time next year, you will know slightly more than you do a t the moment," he continued smiling.
"Once again, to those of you who don't know, the Forbidden Forest if out of bounds to all students. Also, Mr. Filch has fourteen new additions to his list of items that are not allowed in corridors." At this, Fred and George Weasley groaned loudly. "Please see the posting in your common room to refer to them.
"Next, I am pleased to inform you that this year, a new contest between houses has been developed: The Mystery of Stone Mansion!" he finished rather dramatically.
"You can't be serious!" Fred called out jokingly for the entire hall to hear. A few laughs sounded from the tables.
"Yes, I am serious, Mr. Weasley. Just like last year," he added with a smile. "In this event, six students chosen by six randomly selected teachers will be invited to spend the next weekend in a large house, somewhere nearby. During their time there, they will need to solve a puzzle involving their whereabouts and the others with them. However, as a bigger challenge, they will not be allowed wands. They will have until sunset on Sunday to find the solution. The person who discovers it will earn their house two hundred and fifty points."
As he was saying this, every head in the hall was turning to their friend's, whispering madly. A few voices that said, "Wicked," could just be made out.
Dumbledore was obviously very pleased at the students' remarks and continued, "The six chosen students will get their invitations at breakfast tomorrow. Each person will be presented with a new name and information about their character. If you are one of the few selected, I urge you to memorize your personal information, which will be presented once you get to your destination, and also to not tell anyone about your character. This information is classified, once again, until your reach the house. So please don't tell teachers, other contestants, or even friends." His eyes did the smallest of double takes to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Then he continued, "Furthermore, please, if you are selected, have fun with this experience, play your role the best you can, and use your mind because it is a terrible thing to waste.
"And now - oh, I'm sorry, I almost forgot. There will be situations there where one may feel that they are in danger. However, don't fear, because it is all perfectly safe." A few people shifted uncomfortably. "Now," Dumbledore said cheerily, "Eat." Instantly the golden plates and goblets filled with delicious food, as always.
"Can you believe how cool that would be?" George asked his friend Lee Jordan. "I mean, you get to pretend to be someone else,"
"Go out of the Hogwarts bounds for the weekend," Fred added.
"And get two hundred and fifty points!
"Do you think one of the teachers may have picked us?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione.
"I don't know. At least we know that Hermione's going," Harry answered, piling some turkey onto his plate.
"And what makes you think that I got invited?" she asked, looking up.
"Well, you're.Hermione. Plain and simple. Common, Hermione, you know that you're the smartest person in Hogwarts! The teachers probably fought each other to pick you," Ron answered as though it was a fact.
"Well, that doesn't mean that they would instantly pick me. There are hundreds of other students here. But, it does seem like great fun. I bet you would learn a lot. This whole situation reminds me of something, though. I just can't remember what," she added. Dinner lasted about another hour. Harry and Ron resumed their quiditch talk, though Harry noticed that Ron constantly threw nervous looks at Hermione.
When the feast ended, Ginny casually approached the trio. "So, who do you think will get to go? I really hope I do, but that'll never happen. I'm not the best."
"Don't be silly, Ginny," Harry responded smiling. "You're good at a lot of things." To her horror, Ginny blushed a little.
They walked up the to the Gryffindor Tower merrily talking about the possible outcomes of which teachers were chosen and who they would pick. "Bet you anything that if it's Snape, he'll pick Malfoy," Harry said.
"Oh, what a joy that would be," Ron said sarcastically, "locked in a house with Malfoy for an entire weekend. Lucky wands aren't allowed, otherwise there would be about a hundred duels going on." Everyone laughed at this.
"Well, we'll find out tomorrow."
************************************************************************
The next morning, everyone seemed to wake early. It took Harry a moment to realize what he was so excited about when he woke up at seven, but then he remembered. That morning, they would find out who got into the contest. He hastily shoved his robes over his head and went down to the common room. When Harry reached it, he found Ron and Hermione already waiting for him.
"Come on, Harry. We've been waiting forever for you to get up," Ron told him. "Let's go down to breakfast."
Though Ron was overly excited, Hermione was trying to remain calm. Harry could tell that she desperately wanted one of the six spots. Her hands gave her away. They were shaking.
When they reached the Great Hall, they found that half of the school was already waiting impatiently for the decision. It was just like last year. Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat near the end of the table. As soon as they sat down, Hermione began bouncing her leg up and down. They spotted Ginny, sitting with some of her fourth year friends. She waved happily down to them and mouthed, 'You'll get it, Hermione.'
Several tense and silent minutes later, the mail arrived. Dozens of different kinds of owls appeared, delivering their mail to the appropriate receiver. Then, six towering, yet oddly graceful eagles flew into the hall. The entire hall fell silent, watching, as they glided across the room. All eyes upon the largest bird, it came swooping down to the Gryffindor table, and dropped a large envelope of parchment on Hermione's plate. She almost squealed with pleasure. She looked up at the smiling Ron in front of her, but soon, everyone's gaze was on the remaining five eagles.
The next flew over to the Slytherin table, and a large smirk appeared on Draco Malfoy's face as he was delivered an invitation. Hermione's smile faded a little but returned almost immediately as another letter was dropped in front of none other than - Ron! "I didn't think I'd get one!" he said with great pleasure. He caught Hermione's gaze once more.
There were now only three eagles left. One of them seemed to be a little confused because it flew to the teacher's table and turned around again, noticing that it obviously wasn't where he was supposed to be. He turned to the Ravenclaw table and left an invitation for Cho Chang. Harry's heart skipped a beat. 'Oh, please let me get one,' Harry thought hard. He closed his eyes tight and hoped. A heavy something fell onto the top of his head moments later. He felt like he would explode. 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!' he said silently. He opened his eyes and glanced in the direction of the Ravenclaws to see that Cho was grinning.
There was now only one eagle and invitation left. Dozens of people watched it hopefully. It soared over to the Hufflepuff table - no, wait - then the Slytherin. It glided across the entire hall and flew over the Gryffindor table. With one final swoop, it dropped the letter and flew out of site. Several people stood up to get a better look at who was the last person chosen. Harry leaned over his plate and saw that it was - Ginny.
************************************************************************
~Well, what do you think? The contestants include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Cho, and Malfoy. Nice combination, huh? The next chapter reveals some of their character information and then they're off for the actual mystery! Please review! I practically live for them!!! Love always, Carmen Willows