I say this every year, but this year was the hardest round of exams I'd ever have to do. But, I can assure you that I'd say that next year, during my O.W.L's. It was almost entirely quiet in the hall, save for the scratching of quills and the breathing of the students. Of course, we were given Quills that had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell. In addition, a charm was cast over the room to not allow any Legilamancy to weasel in. In addition to the written exams, we had practicals as well. Professor McGonagall watched us as we performed a Cross-Species Switch, a Zebra to Donkey, and back again. We lost points if the Zebra made Donkey noises, or if the Donkey has stripes. Professor Flitwick made us summon an object from outside the classroom, and then banish it. Professor Snape was breathing down my back as I brewed a Doxycide. Professor Quirrell had us perform a counter-curse on an object. At night, for Astronomy, we were to correctly identify all the stars in a given constellation. In Herbology, we were judged on how well our Shrivelfig plants had grown over the year. Professor Kettleburn had us wrangle Nifflers. History of Magic and Muggle Studies had no practical, so that was a small relief.
After the exams, we had a week to relax before the results would be available. "That was far easier than I thought it would be." Hermione said as we headed onto the main grounds of the school. I was re-wrapping my fingers from the Niffler bites they suffered during the practical. "I needn't have learnt about the sixteen-thirty-seven Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager." The four of us settled under a tree near the Black Lake, my twin brothers and their best friend Lee were tickling the tentacles of the Giant Squid. I'd ask her to release them later after they'd learned their lesson.
"No more revision." Ron sighed happily, stretching out. "You could look more cheerful, Harry, we've got a week to find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet."
"Are you ok, Harry?" I asked, turning to the boy who was furiously rubbing his forehead.
"I wish I knew what this means!" Harry exclaimed angrily. "My Scar keeps hurting, it's happened before, but never as often as this."
"Go to Madam Pomfrey." Hermione suggested.
"I'm not ill. I think it's a warning, it means danger's coming."
"Harry, relax." Ron tried to soothe. "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 let's Dumbledore down." Harry nodded, but he tries to explain that he had a feeling as if there was something that he'd forgotten to do something important.
"It may just be exam jitters." I reminded him. "If we don't know what the pain is, then we can't give an accurate guess as to why it hurts." I pat the Chosen One on the arm. Turning to watch the Black Lake, we were silent and content for a moment before Harry lept to his feet.
"Where're you going?" Ron asked groggily.
"I just thought of something." Harry stated. I looked up at him, and he had turned white as a sheet. My hair turned bright lavender as Hermione, Ron and I got up to follow him. "We've got to go and see Hagrid, now."
"Why?" Hermione panted as we ran up the grassy slope after Harry, my hair returning normal.
"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants anything else is a Dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an Egg in his pocket? How many people walk around with Dragon Eggs if it's against Wizard Law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before!?"
"What are you on about?" Ron asked, but Harry was already sprinting across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. We followed after him. Hagrid was perched in an armchair outside his house, shelling peas into a large bowl. He looked up as he approached.
"Hullo." Hagrid greeted, smiling. "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"
"No we're in a hurry." Harry but in, speaking over Ron. "Hagrid, I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were laying cards with look like?"
"Dunno, he wouldn' take his cloak off." Hagrid noticed our raised eyebrows. "It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny fold in the Hoges Head, that's one of the pubs down in the Village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up."
"What did you talk to him about, Hagrid?" Harry asked. "Did you mention Hogwarts at all?"
"Mighta come up. 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 wanted was a Dragon, an' then…I can' remember too well 'cause he kept buyn' me drinks…lets see…yeah, then he said he had the dragons eg an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted…but he had ter be sure I could handle it, and he didn' 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?" I could hear Harry's voice struggling to stay 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' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off to sleep-" Hagrid cut himself off, his face falling into a mask of horror. "I shouldn'ta told yeh that! Forget I said it! Hey! Where're yeh goin'?!" Hagrid's calls were for nothing as we headed to the Entrance Hall, which seemed even colder.
"We've got to go to Dumbledore." Harry stated. "Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak, it must've been easy, once he'd got Hagrid drunk, I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze might back us up if Bane doesn't stop him. Where's Dumbledore's office?"
"I'll show you." I prompted. "Come on, let's-"
"What are you four doing inside?" Professor McGonagall demanded, her arms laden with books.
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore." Hermione informed.
"See Professor Dumbledore? Why?"
"It's sort of a secret." Harry admitted, which caused Professor McGonagall's nostrils to flare.
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago. He received an urgent Owl from the Ministry of Magic, and flew off for London at once?"
"He's gone!? Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very great Wizard, Potter, he has many demands of his time-"
"But this is important!"
"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?"
"Look, Professor, it's about the Philosophers Stone-" At that, Professor McGonagall's books fell from her arms, I don't think she was expecting that. I reacted quickly, drawing my wand and pointing at the books.
"Wingardium Leviosa." I chanted quickly, and the books stopped.
"How do you know-" Our Head of House sputtered.
"Professor, I think, I know that, that someone's going to try and steal the Stone, I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow." Professor McGonagall said with finality. "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."
"But Professor-"
"Potter, I know what I'm talking about." Professor McGonagall collected her books. "Thank you, Kenzie. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine. We didn't move, and watched as Professor McGonagall moved out of earshot.
"It's tonight." Harry stated. "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs to know 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 shows up."
"Good afternoon." A smooth voice greeted. We turned around to see Professor Snape eying each of us. "You shouldn't be inside on a day like this."
"We were just passing through, Professor." I said calmly.
"You want to be more careful, hanging around like this, people will think you're up to something. And Gryfindor really can't afford to lose any more points, can they? Be warned, Potter, any more night-time wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you." Professor Snape turned, and with a swish of his cape, he swept off towards the staff room. The four of us headed to a set off out of the way stairs to talk.
"Right, here's what we've got to do." Harry whispered urgently. "One of us has got to keep an eye on Snape, wait outside the Staff Room and follow him if he leaves it. Hermione, you better do that."
"Why me?" She demanded.
"It's obvious." Ron said. "You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick." Ron put on a high-pitched voice. "'Oh Professor Flitwick, I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong'-" Ron was cut off when I slapped him upside the head.
"That's rude." I scolded. "Don't do that." However, Hermione agreed to take that post.
"We'd better stay outside the third-floor corridor." Harry told Ron and I. Harry's plan fell apart rather quickly. For one, as soon as we got to the door, Professor McGonagall showed up.
"I suppose you think you're harder to pass than a pack of enchantments!" Professor McGonagall demanded, storming up to us. "Enough of this nonsense! If I hear you've come anywhere near here again, I'll take another fifty points from Gryffindor! Yes, Weasley, from my own house!" We were forced to head to the common room, hopeful that Hermione would be more successful than we were… until the Fat Lady's portrait swung open and Hermione rushed in.
"I'm sorry Harry!" Hermione said. "Snape came out and asked me what I was doing, so I said I was looking for Flitwick and Snape went to get him, and I've only just got away. I don't know where Snape went."
"Well, that's it then, isn't it?" Harry said. I looked at him. "I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get the Stone first."
"No!" I protested. "That's crazy, Harry, it's the worst idea I've ever heard. You'll be expelled if Professor McGonagall or Professor Snape find out wha you've done."
"SO WHAT?!" Harry demanded. "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 win 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 done, because I'm never going over to the Dark Side! I'm going through that trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?" I looked down for a moment.
"Yeah." I said softly. "You're right, Harry, I remember what it was like before he was defeated, and it was bad, I don't want to go back to that."
"I'll use the Invisibility Cloak." Harry said to us. "It's just lucky I got it back."
"But will it cover all four of us?" Ron wondered.
"All…all four of us?" Harry repeated.
"Oh come off it, you don't think we'd let you go alone."
"Of course not!" Hermione huffed. "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 can revise my own spells." I added, gripping my chin. "There may be some useful ones you don't know…"
"But if we get caught, you three will be expelled too." Harry reminded us.
"Not if I can help it." Hermione said seriously. "Flitwick told me in secret that I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam, they're not throwing me out after that." After dinner, we sat around the common room, not doing much. I was watching the flames in the hearth, hoping that tonight would run smoothly. Once Lee Jordan headed up to sleep, Ron told Harry to get the cloak. He came down to meet up with Hermione, Ron and I.
"We better put the cloak on here." Harry said. "And make sure it covers all four of us, if Filch spots one of our feet wondering along on it's own-"
"What are you doing?" A voice squeaked from the corner of the room. We saw Nevil stand, moving from around the armchair, clutching his toad, Trevor.
"Nothing, Nevile, nothing." Harry assured, hiding the cloak behind him.
"You're going out again." Nevile accused.
"No, no, no, no we're not." Hermione argued. "Why don't you go to bed, Nevile."
"You can't go out! You'll be caught again! Gryffindor will be in trouble again."
"You don't understand, this is important." Harry added.
"I won't let you do it!" Nevile raced in front of the portrait hole. "I'll fight you!"
"Nevile!" Ron shouted. "Get away from that hole and don't be an idiot-"
"Don't you call me an idiot! I don't think you should be breaking any more rules! And you were the one who told me to stand up to people!"
"Yes, but not to us, Nevile, you don't know what you're doing."
"Go on then, try and hit me!" Nevile exclaimed, dropping Trevor and raising his fists. "I'm ready-" Nevile's arms snapped to sides and his legs snapped together as if bound. He went rigid, and then fell forward, stiff as a board. Hermione, Harry and Ron turned to look at me. I had my wand out, having cast a very quick spell under my breath.
"What?" I asked, tucking my wand into my pocket again. 'We weren't getting anywhere." I walked up to Nevile and picked him up, setting him on the couch and laying a blanket on him, so it looked like he had fallen asleep. "I'm sorry, Nevile." I apologised. "This is urgent, and you'll understand once this is over." I gave Nevile a small smile before moving back to the group, the four of us pulling on the Invisibility Cloak. We went through the Poertiat Hole, and at the first set of stairs, Mrs Norris was sitting at the top. Ron suggested kicking her, but I argued against it, and we moved around her. We didn't seem to encounter anything else, until we got to the staircase leading to the third floor. Peeves was about halfway up, and was loosening the carpet so that people would trip the next morning.
"Who's there!" Peeves demanded, floating towards us, narrowing his eyes at our positions. "Knows you're there, even if I can't see you. Are you a ghoulie or ghostie or wee student beastie? Should call Filtch I should, something's a-creeping around unseen."
"Peeves." My voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, and Ron had to do a double-take, looking around to see if the Bloody Barron was actually around. "I do not need to explain my reasons for being invisible to you, do I?" Peeves seemed to almost fall out of the air and off the stairs in pure shock.
"So sorry, you're bloodiness, Mister Barron sir! My mistake, my mistake, I didn't see you, of course, I didn't, you're invisible, forgive old Peevsie his little joke, sir."
"If you leave here at once, I will forgive this transgrecance. Stay away from this corridor tonight."
"I will sir, most certainly will. Hope you're business goes well, Baron, I'll not bother you." And with that, Peeves floated away.
"Brilliant, Kenzie." Ron breathed.
"I've been practising." I muttered. "Come on, let's go." We headed up the stairs, found ourselves outside the third-floor corridor, and noticed that the door was already cracked open.
"Well, there you are." Harry said quietly. "Snape's already got past Fluffy." Harry turned to us. "If you want to go back, I won't blame you, you can take the Cloak, I won't need it now."
"Don't be stupid." Ron scoffed.
"We're coming." Hermione added.
"Whether you like it or not." I finished. And with that, the door was pushed open. "Wait." I said, and we all paused in the doorjamb. "Fluffy's awake." I peeked around the door. "There's a harp near it's paw. Give me a moment." I slipped my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at the harp. "Cithara Satus Ludens." I muttered. The Harp then lifted from the floor and started playing, and after a couple of seconds, Fluffy drooped off and started to play. We took off the Invisibility Cloak, and talked in soft voices as to not overpower the harp.
"I think we'll be able to pull the door open." Ron said, looking over Fluffy's back. "Want to go first, Hermione?"
"No I don't!" Hermione protested.
"Alright." We all stepped over Fluffy's legs, Ron grabbing the trapdoor ring and pulling it open.
"What can you see?"
"Nothing, just black. There's no way of climbing down we'll just have to drop."
"I'll go first." Harry spoke up. He lowered himself through the hole, and hung by his fingertips. He looked up to us. "If anything happens to me, don't follow, go straight to the Owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, right?" We nodded. "See you in a minute, I hope…" Harry let go, I watched him disappear into the darkness. After about half a minute, I heard him call up. "It's ok!" He shouted. "It's a soft landing! You can jump!"
"You two go ahead, I'll be last." I said. The two first-years nodded. Ron hopped down first, and then Hermione. I listened to Fluffy's thoughts for a moment, he was dreaming of chasing puny humans and protecting the stone. I then turned to the trapdoor and headed down myself, down into the dark unknown.