You could feel the shift in mood around Hogwarts the next day. The Gryffindor's were still on a high, and made sure the Slytherin's knew it. In turn the Slytherin's had become more bitter and angry than I'd ever seen them before, especially at Harry.
Speaking of Harry, I still hadn't talked to him since the Quidditch game, but when I saw him at breakfast he looked...odd. I expected him to be jubilant looking, he was the hero, but instead he looked nervous, worried, and every so often was glancing up at the high table at Snape.
Obviously he still thought Snape was after him.
"I thought he'd look more cheerful." Cho commented during breakfast. "I would be ecstatic to be in his shoes." She added, a look of regret flashing across her face.
"First off, it's not your fault Cho, Slytherin was to good." I said trying to comfort her, she looked at me like she didn't believe me. "Our Chasers just aren't..."
"Good." She replied, and I nodded.
"Yeah, heck the only reason we beat Hufflepuff is because of you." I added, and she gave me a small smile.
"I guess." She replied sighing. "Just wish I would have been a little quicker."
"You can't win them all, besides, I'm sure Harry will have the hardest time against you." I said firmly, and she looked at me hopeful.
"You think we can beat Gryffindor?" She asked, and I nodded.
"I know we can."
Cho thought for a moment before nodding. "I sure hope so." She replied. "If Harry's as ill as he looks know we might have a chance." She added, again nodding to Harry.
"He's not ill, just..." I tried to reply, struggling to find the word.
"...delusional" Anthony, whom been reading a book from under the table, said suddenly. And Cho's eyes went wide in shock.
"What do you mean?" She asked, and I sighed.
"Lets just say my brother has some...interesting theories." I said, and Cho tilted her head curiously.
"Theories?" She asked.
"I'll tell you when they've been disproven." I promised, and she shrugged.
"Fine by me." She replied, and went back to eating and chatting the Marietta.
As breakfast finished we all began to file out of the Great Hall and head for class, today we had Defense. We began to head in the direction of the corridor when I felt someone grab my arm.
"Huh?" I asked, and turned to see Harry looking at me nervously, and I sighed.
"Hey Harry." I replied, already guessing what he wanted to talk about.
"We need to talk." He begged, and I sighed.
"I have defense in thirty minutes..." I began.
"We need to talk." He reassured me, and by the tone in his voice, I could tell this was serious. At least to him...
"Fine." I said, then turned to my housemates ."I'll meet you there." I assured them, most nodded unsure what Harry wanted. Though Lisa looked annoyed, and Anthony sighed.
"See you then." Anthony said, and I turned and let Harry lead me to a empty classroom where Ron and Hermione were waiting, both looking anxious.
"So what's Snape up to now?" I asked sarcastically, and Harry just shook his head.
"Sarah, just listen to what I heard yesterday, it proves Snape's after the stone." Harry assured me, and I sighed, yet nodded.
"Go ahead." I said motioning with my hand to continue.
"Last night, after the game, I was taking my broom back to the shed, when I saw Snape." He began, and I nodded.
"Okay, so Snape likes late night wal..."
"This is no joking matter." Ron interrupted fiercely, and I could tell by his voice and the looks on all there faces, to them at least, this was serious.
"Fine, I'll try and keep and open mind, continue." I replied, trying my best to keep a serious expression.
"He headed into the Forbidden Forest, and I followed him on my broom..."
"You followed him into the Forbidden forest?" I asked suddenly, and Harry froze.
"Yeah, he was actin..."
"Harry, do you know how dangerous that sounds? What if your broom broke? Or you hit a tree? What if you where stuck in there all by yourself?" I asked, my sarcasm replaced with worry, and Harry sighed.
"I'm sorry...but I had to follow him." Harry defended. I swallowed, then took a deep breath.
"Just...keep going." I eventually replied.
"Okay...eventually he stopped in a clearing and I landed nearby and listen. He wasn't alone, Professor Quirrell was there."
"Professor Quirrell?" I asked, now confused what my favorite Professor was doing in the forest.
"Yeah, Snape asked to meet him there." Harry explained. I nodded, and Harry continued. "He told Quirrell how he wanted to meet in private, how student's aren't supposed to know about the Sorcerer's Stone." Harry said, and I took another deep breath.
"So you three were right on that, Fluffy is guarding the Sorcerer's Stone." I admitted.
"Theirs more though." Harry cautioned me. "He asked Quirrell if he knew how to get past Fluffy yet." Harry added, and I froze.
"But Quirrell would never do that. "I replied. "He may have...issues, but's he would never try and get past Fluffy." I replied, confused.
"He's not, but Snape's trying to force him" Hermione interjected, and I turned to her in confusion.
"Force him?" I asked, and Harry nodded.
"Snape said Quirrell didn't want him as an enemy, then tried to find out about Quirrell's Hocus-Pocus." Harry continued.
"Hocus-Pocus?" I asked, and Harry turned to Hermione.
"Outside of Fluffy, Dumbledore would have had all staff member's place protections on the Stone. Snape must have figured our all but Fluffy, and Quirrell." She explained.
"Yeah, he's the defense Professor." Ron added. "If anything other than Fluffy would hold Snape off it would be his protections."
I took a deep breath. If what they were saying was true. It was a lot to take in, and seeing as I was quite fond of both Professor Quirrell and Snape...
"What else did Snape say?" I asked.
"He said Quirrell needed to decide where his loyalties lie, then strode off, Quirrell looked horrified." Harry explained.
"Yeah, if he's all that left between the stone and Snape, it'll be gone by dinner." Ron added worriedly.
"Don't be so sure." I replied and the trio looked at me confused.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"I have a good relationship with Professor Quirrell. He's not as much of a coward as you think, and if, and I do mean if, what your saying and Professor Snape is true, I think Quirrell can hold firm." I said confidently, the the Gryffindor's looked at me unsure.
"I don't know...Quirrell looked ready to break yesterday." Harry said, and I sighed.
"Listen, I'm still not totally convinced about Snape trying to steal the Stone..." The trio looked at me shocked but I held up my hand. "...but, I will talk with Quirrell, give him a pep talk. I'm not saying anything about the Stone or Snape..."
"We wouldn't want you to anyway. "Harry said.
"Yeah, if Quirrell did break then Snape would know where on to him." Hermione added.
"Like I said, I won't. Heck I have defense in a few minutes. After class I'll try and make sure Quirrell know that one of his student's believes in him. Hopefully that'll make him stand up to Snape better, if what your saying is true." I promised, and the trio nodded.
"If you could get Quirrell not to break, it would be a miracle." Harry said, and I shrugged.
"It's not a big deal anyways. Like I said I have a good relationship with Professor Quirrell."
"Well, it's the best you can do." Harry replied, and I nodded.
"It is. Now I really need to get to class." I replied, and started heading for the door. "By the way." I said turning back to the trio. "Great game yesterday brother."
Harry gave me a small smile. "Thanks' I'm glad Dumbledore was there, he kept me alive." Harry said, and I gave a uncommitted sigh.
"If you say so."
I arrived at Defense just as the class was starting. Despite what Harry had said, Professor Quirrell didn't seem any different that usual. He stuttered his way through class, had us do some theoretical questions, lectured us on how to correctly perform the Knockback Jinx, and then class ended.
"Well that was...something." I heard Anthony tell Lisa in a soft tone, she nodded.
"Yeah, something." She agreed, then turned to me. "No offence." She said, and I nodded.
"I know what you mean." I replied, despite me liking Professor Quirrell, he still wasn't the most hands on went it came to Defense.
"Well, we best get to the library, that history essay's not going to write itself." Anthony said eagerly, and Lisa slouched over.
"Yay." She said sarcastically, and I nodded.
"I'll meet you two there, I need to talk to Professor Quirrell." I explained, and the two nodded.
"Of course you do." Lisa said smirking.
"We'll see you there." Anthony added as the two left the room, and I approached Quirrell desk.
"Professor." I said, and Quirrell looked up, when he noticed it was me he went pale, and looked terrified.
"M...Miss P...P...Potter." He said, pulling his hands back, making me feel like I was death itself.
"Are you okay sir?" I asked, wondering if Harry and company were right, and Snape really was threating Quirrell.
"I...I...I h...have a c...c...cold. D...don't want y...y...you to g...get s...sick. " He said, leaning back in his seat.
"Oh." I replied, looking at him in concern. "Do you need anything sir?" I asked in concern.
"J...just g...get b...back. W...wouldn't want y...you to g...get s...sick." Quirrell explained, and I could tell by his face he really meant it.
"Oh, sorry sir." I said, and took a step back, and he seemed to calm down.
"T...That's better." He said giving me a small smile. "W...what can I d...do for y...you M...Miss P...Potter?" He asked.
"Nothing Sir, I just wanted to ask how you're doing?" I replied, and he gave me awkward smile.
"N...Never b...better." He replied in a way that made it seem that was far from the truth.
"Has anyone...attacked you any more sir?" I asked. "Like on homework assignments?" I added, and Quirrell shook his head.
"N...None." He replied, and I sighed.
"If you say so sir." I said, and then turned to leave. "Just wanted to let you know, your better than you think you are." I said trying to assure him, and he gave me a odd look.
"W...What do y...you mean by t...that?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"Just...don't let people push you around sir." I told him, and after a moment of pure confusion on his face he gave me a small smile.
"O...of course n...not. Now r...run a...along M...Miss P...Potter." He replied, and I nodded.
"Of course sir, have a good day." I said.
"Y...you as w...well." Quirrell replied as I shut the door.
Quirrell watched the back of Sarah Potter disappear behind his office door. This was only the most recent time that girl had stayed after class, or saw him in the hall. Of course some of it was his doing, he'd tried to get close to her, yet now that he knew the truth, that if she touched him he died...he was glad when she left.
Still, despite the fact that her and Harry where literal walking death to him...he couldn't help the fact that the girl did seem to care about him, was worried about him, and he couldn't help feeling horrible every time he saw her in the halls, knowing what he needed to do.
"Even the Potter girl sees your weakness." His master voice filled the air as the back of his head ached and Quirrell gave a small squeal.
"M...master. You know what would happen if she touched me." He said, and Voldemort gave an annoyed hiss.
"Of course I do, all the more reason for you to hurry and collect the stone." His master replied, and the back of his head ached once again.
"I've done as you've asked, I've gotten the Dragon's egg. I'm just waiting for Hagrid to head for the pub, then I shall obtain the information." Quirrell replied, and his master gave paused, thinking.
"The brute has been unusually abstinent." Voldemort admitted. "Still, this wouldn't be an issue if you'd just gotten to stone sooner!"
Quirrell felt another bolt of pain in the back of his head, and he grasped the side of his desk in agony.
"P...please master." He begged, and after a few more minutes the pain stopped.
"Your lucky I need your body." Voldemort admitted. "I do hope our plans begin in earnest soon, for your sake."
And with that his office went silent, and Quirrell sat, hoping that Hagrid would soon be foolish enough to deal with a hooded figure.
After all, did love his dragons.
I made my way through the corridors towards the library, nervous thoughts running through my head. Quirrell was...worse than usual. I began to wonder, was Harry on to something? Did Snape threaten Quirrell? Was Snape really after the Sorcerer's Stone?
"Potter."
My thought's where interrupted by a voice I hadn't heard in a while. With a frown on my face I looked around and saw Smith leaning against the wall, looking at the grounds. And I was instantly nervous, and annoyed.
"What do you want?" I spat at the boy. "Come to burn me again?"
Smith muttered something in barely a whisper.
"What?" I asked annoyed.
"I...I didn't mean to." Smith said in a tone so low I still could barely hear, and I tilted my head.
"Speak up." I demanded.
"I-didn't-mean-burn-you." He said, finally looking up at me, a mix of dread, annoyance, and anger on his face.
I looked at the boy for a moment. Shock plastered on my face. I blinked a couple of time, and then finally replied.
"You didn't mean to." I said, not believing what he'd just said.
"I didn't." He again said quickly, and I just shook my head smirking.
"Then what did you mean to do? Test my potions properties on my skin." I replied, and he just glared at me.
"I meant to spill your potion...but I didn't mean for it to get on you. Just on your desk." He explained, and I gave a small chuckle.
"Right." I said sarcastically. "You didn't mean it. Well, if that's all I have many different thing's I'd rather be doing than talking to you...so." I began to walk off, and I heard the boy's footsteps behind me.
"Come on Potter, you don't think I'd actually..." Smith said, and I turned to him fiercely
"Yes, I do, now leave me alone." I demanded, and tried to leave.
"You little..." Smith began, but cut himself off before he finished his sentence. "The only reason I spilled that potion, is because of your stuck up attitude." He said, pointing at me accusingly, and I rolled my eyes.
"Theirs the Smith I know and love." I replied sarcastically, then shook my head. "Let's hear how else I've wronged you."
I was surprised when Smith didn't just reply with another rage induced rant, but took a deep breath, he still looked angry, bitter, and annoyed towards me. But at least he tried to think for a moment...tried.
"When I saw you smirk at me, I...I lost control." He admitted, and for a split second I saw...regret in his eyes, but it faded quickly. "It doesn't mean I take anything back, you're still a stuck up git, but I would never intentionally hurt someone."
I stared at him for a moment, then shook my head. "Just leave me alone." I told him, and he scowled.
"I...I just apologized, I never meant to burn you, you should be happy." He said, seemingly at a loss for words.
"I'll be a lot happier when you're no longer in my field of vision." I replied, and his face went red with rage.
"How dare you talk to me like that, I'm a much better person than you Potter, I just wish this damn school saw it." He said, and I rolled my eyes.
"Like I've told you a dozen times, just leave me alone, then you won't have to experience how much of a stuck up git I am." I said, then turned to leave.
"I told my housemates you'd be to stuck up to except an apology. I was right, I wish they saw it..." He said, and I turned around one more time.
"Are you finished?" I asked, and he looked at me with utter disdain.
"I'll show them all Potter, that you're nothing more than an annoying, entitled, stuck up, git, riding your brothers coattails." He said
"I'm sure you will." I replied, and without another word quickly sped off, making my way to the Library.
The next few weeks passed without much incident, the Slytherin's beat Hufflepuff, and though I would never tell Harry, it was amazing to see Smith disappointed face once again.
Speaking of Smith, he'd gone back to insulting me. Though he was much wearier to make sure we were alone, he never glared at me in potions. Though Snape didn't seem to care what Smith did and continued to make his life in class a living hell. Something which, despite everything Harry and friends said, endured me to him.
Speaking of the Gryffindor's, I'd noticed they'd been trying to do what I'd done all term, encourage Professor Quirrell. Harry had started giving him encouraging smiles, and Ron had told off some people for laughing at him. Still, Quirrell seemed to always get the most nervous when either me or Harry were around, and I had to admit, after everything I'd done for the Professor, it hurt that he seemed to be...pushing me away, literally.
The amount of homework we'd been getting had increased substantially. With exam's approaching, the Professor's wanted to make sure we were ready. I wasn't too worried. I knew most classes pretty well...almost all of them.
Transfiguration was still a major sore spot for me, and it drove me crazy. Professor McGonagall had assured me that if I practiced hard enough I'd pass. Yet it seemed like nothing I did was enough. It was even more frustrating because I did so well in every other class...why was Transfiguration any different.
Speaking of homework, I continued to work on my essay about Grindelwald, and even I could admit I was a bit...obsessed. Every day I'd read a book on the man, and every time I wasn't doing other homework I'd work on the essay, which was now well past five pages. But could you blame me? Crazed lunatics were the most interesting kind of people...
Though given the fact I already had more than enough material in my essay...some thought I should focus on other subjects...
"Did you know he was the best seer since..."
"I-don't-care." Lisa told me firmly, and I frowned.
"Oh come on Lisa, this is interesting stuff." I said, and Lisa just sighed.
"Maybe instead of reading about a over hundred year old mad man, you could focus on making sure you pass Transfiguration." Lisa replied, and I sank into my seat.
"But...Grindelwald is so much more...interesting." I replied turning to Anthony, and he just smirked.
"I mean, Lisa has a point's. What number book is that." He said motioning to the book I'd been reading, and I went red.
"Nine." I admitted in a low whisper, and Anthony gave a small laugh.
"Even I don't get that obsessed." He told me and I sighed.
"I guess." I said, marking my place and putting the book in my bag before pulling out my Transfiguration homework, and groaned. "Torture, he I come." I said softy and began to suffer through the worksheet.
I spent the next few minutes of trying to understand how on earth I was going to turn a mouse into a snuffbox, every second that passed I got more agitated, and I was happy when I saw Harry, Ron, Hermione walk into the Library.
"I can't believe we have to study during Easter Holiday's." I heard Ron say in an annoyed tone.
"You'll be fine Ron." I heard Harry say, then notice me. "Hey Sarah." He said
"Hey Harry." I said in a low tone, trying to stand up "How are y..."
"Oh no." Lisa said, pulling me down by my arm. and I turned to her with faux confusion.
"What?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"You are not getting out of this." She said motioning to my worksheet, and I gave her a annoyed look.
"I just want to talk to Harry." I said, looking at the Gryffindor's as they sat down at a nearby table.
"After you're done with that." She demanded, and I groaned.
"You can't tel..."
"I've listen to you go on for hours about an over hundred year old mad German. Don't tell me what I can do and not do. You are doing Transfiguration." She replied, and I sighed.
"Fine." I replied, and turned back and continued to slog though the worksheet.
"I'll never remember this." I heard Ron burst from the Gryffindor table, and I nodded in solidarity.
"Neither will I." I replied in a low whisper as I glared down at the worksheet.
The next few minutes were agonizing as I slowly finished each problem. Finally, after what seemed like hours of intense homework I gave a satisfied sigh.
"Finally." I said in a low voice then turned to Lisa. "Here, I'm finished." I said showing her the paper, after quickly glancing at it she smiled and nodded.
"Good, see what happens when you don't waste your time some old German, and focus on your school work." Lisa said, and I rolled my eyes.
"Not my fault Transfiguration..."
"Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?" We all heard Ron suddenly asked.
We all turned to see Hagrid shuffle out from behind a bookshelf, clearly hiding something from behind his back. Me, Lisa, and Anthony shared quick glances.
"Have you ever seen him in here before?" Anthony asked quietly.
"No." I replied.
"He certainly looks...out of place." Lisa added, and we all nodded.
Hagrid had always been more of the outdoors's sort.
"Jus' lookin." He replied to Ron, then looked at the Gryffindor's suspiciously. "An' what're you lot up ter? Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?" Hagrid asked the trio.
"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago, and we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Sorcerer's St..."
"Shhhh!"Hagrid said, Interrupting Ron's proud speech as Hagrid looked around. When he noticed us he looked nervous.
"We already know about their ideas..." Lisa told him, nodding to the Gryffindor's and Hagrid looked back at Harry and company grimly.
"Bad enough yeh three know, but yeh brought 'em inter it." Hagrid scolded.
"Don't worry, where not going to do anything." Anthony assured him, and Hagrid let out a deep breath.
"Yeh three at least have some sense." He said looking at us before turning back to Harry and the others. "Yeh three need ter stop digging. Supposed ter be top secret. Then yeh go shoutin' about it, what's the matter with yeh?" " He scolded.
"There are a few things we wanted to ask you." Harry replied unfazed. "As a matter of fact, about what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy —"
"SHHHH!" Hagrid stopped him again "Listen — come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here, students aren' s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh —" Hagrid replied, looking back and forth between our table nervously.
"See you later, then." Replied Harry.
"Bye." I added. Then Hagrid shuffled off.
"What was he hiding behind his back?" said Hermione thoughtfully.
"You noticed that." Anthony said, looking over at the section where Hagrid had been.
"Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?" Harry asked.
"I'm going to see what section he was in." Ron said standing, and walking over to where Hagrid had been standing.
"You think's he's also obsessed with Grindelwald?" Anthony asked me in a hushed, yet teasing, tone, and I gave a low chuckle.
"Knowing Hagrid it's some type of beast." I replied,
"Dragons!" We turned to see Ron walking over to the Gryffindor's table with stack of book. Me, Lisa, and Anthony all looked at each other, then walked over and gathered around as Ron laid down lot's of dragon books.
"Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide." Ron explained, going through different books.
"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him, " Harry explained, and I nodded.
"Yeah, said he's always wanted one as a pet." I added.
"But it's against our laws," Ron explained. Anthony nodded, while the rest of us looked at each other nervously. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden — anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania."
"Not to mention that Dragon's fire is much more dangerous than regular fire." Anthony added. "Surely your brother's told you about that."
"Load's of time. when he went to Romania our Mum was a nervous wreck." Ron said, nodding at Anthony.
"But there aren't wild dragons in Britain?" Harry asked nervously.
"Of course there are," Ron replied. "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up, I can tell you. Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles who've spotted them, to make them forget."
"Especially after the dragon plague of 1345, it spread to the muggles and was disastrous." Anthony again added, and Ron nodded.
"Dangerous things." Ron replied.
"So what on earth's Hagrid up to?" asked Hermione.
"Knowing Hagrid." I began in a nervous tone. "Who knows."
The six of us made our way down to Hagrid's hut an hour later. For the first in week's the weather was nice. A clear sky with a gently breeze, no rain or snow in sight, the flower's were starting to bloom, you could clearly tell it was spring.
"Why are his curtains closed?" Lisa's asked as we approached Hagrid's hut.
"Especially on a day like today." Anthony added.
"I don't know." Harry said, a suspicious tone in his voice.
We approached Hagrid's hut and Harry stepped forward and knocked.
"Who is it?" Hagrid asked in a nervous tone.
"Us." Harry replied, glancing back and forth between all of us.
Hagrid cracked the door, seemingly to confirm, then quickly ushered us all inside. As soon as we were all inside he slammed the door shut, and instantly I felt like I was in an oven.
"Why is it so hot in here?" I asked Hagrid, he just shrugged then got a plate of stoat sandwiches.
"Anyone want some?" He offered with a nervous smile.
"No thanks." Hermione said, he looked around and every shook their heads.
Hagrid placed the plate back on the table, then turned to the Gryffindor's specifically.
"So — yeh wanted to ask me somethin'?" Hagrid asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Yes, we were wondering if you could tell us what's guarding the Sorcerer's Stone apart from Fluffy." Harry said straight forward, Hagrid frowned then turned to us.
"Before i go any further wha' d'you three know?" He asked, and Anthony gave a small shrug.
"Something about a stone, and a three headed dog, and Snape...it was all rather jumbled." Anthony answered. I noticed Harry sigh and Ron rolled his eyes, while Hagrid nodded.
"Well...at least your wise enough ter stay out o' it" He told us before turning back to the Gryffindor's.
"As fer your question O' course I can't," He began, and I noticed the Gryffindor faces dampen with disappointment. "Number one, I don' know meself. Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That Stone's here fer a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts — I s'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all? Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy."
"Oh, come on, Hagrid, you might not want to tell us, but you do know, you know everything that goes on round here, "Hermione began in a flattering voice. Me, Lisa, and Anthony all shared a look and shook our heads.
"They're stubborn, I'll give them that." Lisa said, and I smiled nodding.
"Yeah, Harry always has been."
We only wondered who had done the guarding, really. We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you." Hermione continued, and by the twitch in Hagrid's beard you could tell he was smiling, that he was falling for it, while Harry and Ron were beaming at Hermione for her parlor trick.
"Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that… let's see… he borrowed Fluffy from me… then some o' the teachers did enchantments… Professor Sprout — Professor Flitwick — Professor McGonagall —" Hagrid began ticking them off his fingers. "Professor Quirrell — an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."
"Snape?" The trio asked in utter horror, and I saw Lisa roll her eyes.
"He we go." She again whispered, and I shrugged.
"Yeah — yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about ter steal it." Hagrid said, and Anthony nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Snape's been working at Hogwarts for over a decade, why would he suddenly try and steal this...stone from the school?" He asked, and Ron jumped at the chance.
"Money, fame, fortune, and the fact's that he's tried to get past Fluffy before." Ron said, and Anthony sighed.
"You say all that like you have hard evidence." Anthony replied, and the Gryffindor's seemed at a loss for words.
"You're never going to believe us are you?" Hermione asked, sounding defeated, and both Lisa and Anthony nodded.
"Unless you have video evidence." Lisa replied, and Anthony looked at her confused.
"What's video evidence?" He asked.
"Muggle form of viewing something back, if that make's sense." She said and Anthony tilted his head.
"Kind...of." Anthony said, and Lisa just sighed.
"Good enough."
"Do you believe us?" Harry asked turning to me. "After all we've told you, do you?" He asked hopefully.
I was silent for a moment. Harry had told me more about Snape's activates than Lisa and Anthony, such as his confrontation with Quirrell in the forest, but even with all that...it's hard to hate a man who relentlessly bullies your bully. Add the fact that he treats Smith like pure dirt, and seemed to actually be furious when I'd been burned...
"I...I don't know." I eventually replied. Harry looked at me in shock but I've held up my hand. "I've never told you this but...remember when I was burned in potions class." I said, and Harry nodded.
"Yeah." Harry replied, wincing at the memory of my hands.
"Some Hufflepuff...accidently." I said, not wanting Harry to go after Smith and get himself into trouble. "Spilled it on me. Snape was furious at the student, and instantly ordered me to the hospital..."I explained, and Harry's face went from shock a that I didn't believe them, to total confusion.
"Yeah, he wanted to expel the kid." Anthony added.
"Any way's, that's why I just don't see it. Snape...seems to at least care somewhat about his students." I said motioning to myself. "And if that's the case then he would never have let the troll in, that's why I'm so...hesitant to truly believe Snape's after the stone. It just...doesn't make sense." I finished.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all had faces of pure shock and confusion, there was about a minute where they all looked at each other confused, like they couldn't believe what I'd just told the.
"Why does treat Harry so bad, and treat you so...good then?" Ron finally asked.
"Clearly he's jus sticking ter his Slytherin roots." Hagrid, whom been busy with...something by the fire, explained. " I mean Slytherin an' Gryffindor have always had huge a huge rivalry. On'y makes sense he'd not treat yeh three good."
"That's not it." Lisa replied instantly shaking her head. "Even with us and Hufflepuff, he treat's most of us horribly, but not her." Lisa said, and Harry's face again was filled with shock.
"Snape...treats you well?" He asked me stunned, and I shrugged.
"Not really, I mean he mostly ignores me." I said.
"True." Anthony interjected stroking his chin. "But compared to the rest of us, she's royalty, heck if you're her partner he ignores you to."
"Yeah, we all take turns avoiding Snape for that week." Lisa added, and Harry face looked slightly pale.
"So let me get this straight?" Hermione said, clearly is disbelief. "The only person in our entire year outside of Slytherin Snape doesn't seem to Hate, is you." She finished pointing at me, and I shuffled my feet.
"I...I guess...But's it's not like I have tea with him or anything, he simply...ignores me." I reaffirmed.
"Still better than the rest of us." Ron said, a hint of jealousy in his voice, and I sighed.
"If I knew why Snape ignored me I'd tell you, but he just does." I said, and Harry just sat down and put his face in palms.
"I don't get it. He hates me yet, in comparison to everybody else not in Slytherin, you're his favorite." Harry said, and again I shrugged.
"Like I said, no idea." I replied, and again their was a moment of silence.
"Maybe it's a trick." Hermione said suddenly, and everyone turned to her. "I mean...if he really is after Harry, it would be a good excuse to say he liked you." Hermione said looking at me.
"Rubbish." Hagrid said, still doing something by the fireplace.
"I guess that could be it." Harry began nodding. "And despite what you three have said." He continued motioning to us. "I know what I've heard, I know what Hermione saw at the Quidditch pitch against Slytherin, and I know the only reason he didn't try anything in our game against Hufflepuff is because Dumbledore was there." Harry said, seemingly reaffirming his theories on Snape, before turning to Hagrid.
"You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy. aren't you, Hagrid? And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?" Harry asked, and Hagrid turned back to us from the fireplace.
"Not a soul knows except me an' Dumbledore," replied Hagrid, clearly proud of the fact.
"Well, that's something," Harry muttered to us. "Hagrid, can we have a window open? I'm boiling."
"Yeah, it is quite warm in here." I added, noticing myself starting to sweat.
"Can't, Harry, Sarah. Sorry," He told us, and we all looked at each other confused, before noticing Hagrid again glance towards the fire.
"Hagrid — what's that?" Harry asked.
"In the fire?" I added.
"Ah," Hagrid replied while fiddling nervously with his beard, "That's — er…"
It was to late as we all noticed, that under the kettle, was a massive, black, egg. And the reactions were mixed by house...
"Where did you get it, Hagrid?" Ron said as he approached the fire and kneeled down in awe. "It must've cost you a fortune."
"Is that..." Lisa added nervously and Anthony, who's face had paled nodded.
"A...A dragon egg." He confirmed.
Me, Lisa, and Anthony all looked at each other nervously. I noticed that Anthony's nervously twitching, while Lisa was slowly backing further away, as for me, I looked at Hagrid in horror.
"Won it, Las' night. I was down in the village havin' a few drinks an' got into a game o' cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest." Hagrid replied eagerly, and again me, Lisa, and Anthony shared horrified looks.
"But what are you going to do with it when it's hatched?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I've bin doin' some readin',"Hagrid replied, then went over and pulled a book out from under his pillow. "Got this outta the library —Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit — it's a bit outta date, o' course, but it's all in here. Keep the egg in the fire, 'cause their mothers breathe on I em, see, an' when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An' see here — how ter recognize diff'rent eggs — what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare, them."
"A...A...Norwegian Ridgeback." Anthony asked in barely a whisper which only me and Lisa could hear.
"Is that bad?" I asked worriedly, and he nodded.
"At minimum they're fifty feet long." Anthony replied, the terror clear in his voice.
"Hagrid, you live in a wooden house," Hermione said with clear disapproval.
"And it's clearly not fifty feet long." I added, the horror evident in my voice.
Hagrid didn't hear either of us as he hummed merrily, me, Lisa, and Anthony all looked at him like he was crazy, Hermione disapprovingly, while Harry and Ron looked nervous, but intrigued.
"Also Illegal. Dragon's are illegal." Anthony whispered to us, and this time we all looked at the door.
"I hope you know what your doing Hagrid." Hermione was saying. "I'm sure you three would..."
Hermione never got tell us what she was sure we three would do, as we all hurried to the door.
"Well Hagrid, good luck. Hope it's makes all your dreams come true." I said, giving him a final nod. "Tell me when it's...left the nest.", though Hagrid didn't seem to hear me as he continued to hum merrily, I then quickly turned to Harry. "Good day."
Harry looked at us with Pity, a look he'd given me many times when I was scared throughout the years. "Are you three scared?" He asked worriedly.
"You'd be mad not to be." Lisa replied, and Ron gave us a confused look.
"It's only an egg." Ron said in a confused tone, and Anthony shook his head.
"Dragon eggs can explode if not properly cared for." Anthony replied, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"But Hagrid's doing a good job." Ron said, and Anthony still shook his head.
"You never know." I replied, glancing at the eggs in terror.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked.
"Far away from here." Anthony replied, and the three of us bolted.
"I know he's your friend, but that's mad." Lisa said as we marched back to the castle.
"Yes it is." I agreed, taking deep breath, trying to get the nerves out of my system.
The day's passed into a mundane routine. Get up, breakfast, have classes, do homework, bed. The occasional worrying talk with Harry about Snape and the stone, Smith annoying me in the halls, and my self admitted obsession with Grindelwald fitting in whenever it could. Me, Lisa, and Anthony had so much going on, that we had forgotten all about Hagrid Dragon, well at least until Harry and friends approached us in between classes, a note in hand.
"It's hatching." Harry read to us in a low voice. He'd supposedly received a note from Hagrid at breakfast, a the three of us looked all glanced at each other nervously.
"What's Hagrid going to do?" Lisa asked in a nervous tone, and the Gryffindor's looked as lost as we were.
"No idea." Hermione admitted in a worried tone. I sighed, then shook my head.
"Well, tell us how it goes." I said, and Harry looked at me surprised.
"You're not going to see it?" He asked, and I shook my head.
"Of course not, even baby dragons are incredibly dangerous." I said, and both Lisa and Anthony nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I like Hagrid, but it's not our...business, what he's up to." Lisa added, and Harry sighed.
"Well, we'll have to figure out what to do after Herbology." Hermione said, and while Harry nodded, Ron looked at her in shock.
"I thought we were going straight to Hagrid's." He told Hermione and she gave a confused look.
"Why would we skip Herbology, exams are coming up?" She asked, disgusted at the idea.
"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" Ron replied, and Hermione shook her head.
"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing—"
"Shut up!" Harry whispered to the pair, and that's when we all noticed Draco listening nearby, he was looking straight at Harry with a devilish grin, then walked off.
"You think he..." Ron said, and Harry shrugged. "Hopefully not."
"Anyways." I began. "You three have fun with Hagrid's...See you at lunch." I finished as the three of us sped off, all giving each other worried glances.
"Like I've said multiple times, I hope Hagrid knows what he's doing." I said as we entered the Charm's classroom.
After Charm's we had Transfiguration, which was again a struggle for me, and by the time Lunch rolled around I was ready for a nice relaxing meal with no stre...
"Malfoy saw the Dragon." Harry told us in the entrance hall, and I turned to him, eyes wide.
"Really?" I asked, a nervous lump forming in my throat.
"Yeah." Ron confirmed, a nervous look on his face. "What's he going to do?"
"He's waiting for the right moment." I deduced and sighed. "I wish Hagrid hadn't gotten it." I admitted, and shook my head.
The next week saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione spend much of their free time at Hagrid's, supposedly trying to get him to quote "see reason." as Hermione put it. As for us three, we hadn't been within ten feet of Hagrid's, because dealing with a Dragon at elven was not something I'd sighed up for.
Still, I did feel guilty for the Gryffindor's. They were putting themselves at risk helping Hagrid, and I felt bad...not enough for me to go help with Norbert, the name Hagrid had given the thing, but enough to cheer from the sidelines, and jump for joy when Harry and the other's had a plan.
"We wrote to Ron's brother." Harry explained. "He's a Dragon handler, hopefully he and his friend's can take Norbert."
"Hopefully, then you can stop putting your life in danger." I said, and Harry shook his head.
"If you say so."
It seemed we were right about Norbert being to dangerous. Given the fact Ron's hand had swelled up horribly, and that wasn't the worst part.
Draco knew the entire plan.
Supposedly Charlie had written back and offered to take Norbert Saturday at midnight, but when Ron had gone to the hospital wing for his hand, Draco had asked to borrow a book. The book had Charlies reply in it, and all the details about the plan, and given the way he was looking at Harry and the others...clearly he was planning something.
"We'll be fine, we have a invisibility cloak." Harry tried to assure me, and I sighed.
"I know you have to...but I don't like you going out at night." I admitted, and Harry shrugged. "Hagrid's our friend." He said, and I nodded.
"He is..."I admitted.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine." Harry said, as he headed off to the Gryffindor common room, and sighed.
I knew Harry had been doing way more for Hagrid lately, and I felt...sick about it. But I truly was terrified of the Dragon, but we both owed Hagrid a lot. And I felt an obligation to do something to help, anything to help...maybe.
I strode off determinedly and finally found Draco sitting in the courtyard. He was talking to Crabbe for Goyle excitedly.
"I can't wait for Saturday night. When they find out that oaf is hiding a Dragon they'll..."
"Draco." I said in a low voice, and he turned to me grinning.
"Ah, hello Sarah. Come to join the fun." He said, showing me Charlie's reply letter, and I sighed.
"Can I just...talk to you for a second, in private." I practically begged.
Both Crabbe and Goyle laughed, yet Draco frowned, then smirked, and finally nodded.
"Sure." He said, stood up, and followed me to an empty classroom.
"Please don't get Hagrid into trouble." I begged, and Draco laughed.
"Why not, the oaf has a Dragon. As soon as I tell he's as good as gone." Draco replied beaming, and I winced at the thought.
"Come on Draco, what's he ever done to you?" I asked, and Draco shrugged.
"Exist."
"Listen, don't tell on Hagrid, don't tell about Norbert...please." I begged, and Draco's expression changed from smug smirk, to...conflict.
"Fine." He finally answered, and I looked at him in shock.
"You're not going to tell on Hagrid?" I asked, shocked it actually worked.
"Yes, I promise I won't tell on Hagrid." Draco said, and I nearly was at a loss for words.
"Thank you." I said, and he shrugged.
"No problem, see you later." He said, and with that Draco turned and walked away. Making me hopeful that Saturday night might go well after all.