A/N: Hi guys, I know this is shorter than usual but the way I want to cut up this story has already been weird since it's from Aurora's POV. I'm sure you guys don't care but anyways, have a safe Thanksgiving this year. Please make responsible and safe decisions, we are still in a pandemic.

Days had passed and though Aurora was skeptical about finishing the rest of term without incident, there was no doubt that Fluffy was still alive and well behind the locked door. Exams began at Hogwarts and Aurora was unsure if they qualified as a cruel or unusual punishment. She found herself often too hot or cold while writing her essays, and the practical exams were the worst of all. One-by-one, Flitwick and McGonagall would call them up to their desks in front of the class to perform their spells. Snape was no better, breathing down their necks as they tried to remember how to brew a Forgetfulness Potion. But nevertheless, the group prevailed.

Their very last exam had been A History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about the old wars, and wizarding inventions they'd finally be free. Well free for a week. Then they'd find out the results of their exams. Waiting almost felt as terrible as taking the exam. Though when it came time for Professor Binns to tell them to put down their quill and parchment, Aurora couldn't help but cheer with the rest of their classmates, many of whom you had already forgiven her despite the disappointment of losing all those house points a couple weeks before.

"That was far easier than I thought it would be," Hermione said as they joined the flocks of students spread among the castle grounds, enjoying some of the best weather in months. "I needn't have learnt the sixteen thirty-seven Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager."

"No more revisions!" Ron sighed happily, leading the group to sunny patch of grass near the lake where the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were tickling the tentacles of the giant squid. "You could look more cheerful, Harry. We've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet."

"Only you have the exam results to worry about, Ron," Aurora tease. Ron only scoffed at her, no energy to bicker after the exhaustive testing.

"I wish I knew what this means!" Harry replied, wincing while rubbing his forehead.

"It's your scar again?" Aurora asked. It was intriguing to say the least. On top of the nightmares Harry's admitted to having, he's always awoken with a searing pain shooting from his lightning bolt mark.

"Yes, it keeps hurting. It's happened before, but never as much as this."

"Go to Madame Pomfrey," Hermione suggested.

"I'm not ill. I think it's a warning... like danger's coming."

"I think it's interesting that it's started to hurt more since the forrest," said Aurora.

"Harry, Rory, relax. Hermione's right, the Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore 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 lets Dumbledore down."

Harry nodded at Ron's words, but he didn't seem any more convinced by what Ron had to say than Aurora. She tried to explain the feeling in her gut, the feeling that told her something was deeply wrong, but Hermione explained it away by the nerves of the term ending. Though Aurora was positive it had nothing to do with the exams, she did nothing. What more could be done? Then, it struck her.

"Where're you going," Ron droned sleepily from where he was laying on the grass. Harry jumped up to his feet again as Aurora's epiphany seemed to spark his own.

"I've just thought of something," said Aurora. And it was a terrible thing.

"We need to see Hagrid. Now," Harry added, his face going a stark white. He must realize too.

"Why?" Hermione panted hurrying to keep up with the rest of the group.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange that what Hagrid wants more than anything is an illegal dragon, and he just so happens to meet someone with an egg in his pocket, ready to gamble it away?" Aurora answered. If her hunch was correct, this was no stranger at all.

"So?" Ron said, clearly irritated that his afternoon plans of lounging around were ruined.

"How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think?" said Harry.

"What are you two on about?" Ron replied and looked to Hermione, perhaps to see if she was as confused as he was, but Aurora and Harry had taken off further, sprinting for Hagrid's cottage.

Hagrid was sitting in an armchair outside of his small hut, his arm sleeves rolled up and a large bowl of shelled peas in his right hand. He looked up form his snack as the group rushed towards him.

"Hullo," he said smiling. "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"

"Yes please," Ron said, still panting lightly, but Aurora smacked his outstretched hand down and hissed "focus," to him, before facing Hagrid once again.

"No we're in a hurry, Hagrid. We've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Nobert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?" Harry asked. He rocked his feet, tensely waiting for Hagrid's response.

"Dunno, he wouldn' take es cloak off." Hagrid watched all four of them share stunned responses. Perhaps Aurora and Harry had been correct after all, an unfortunate thing. "It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog's Head, that's one of the pubs down in the village. Might bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, kept his hood up."

"What did you talk about with him, Hagrid? Did you mention Hogwarts at all?"

"Hmm let me see, Rory. Er well yea, it mightn' come up" Hagrid said straining to remember the events of the night from so long ago. "Yeah... he asked about what I did, an I told him I was the gamekeeper here... He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after... so I told him... an' I said what I'd always really wanted a dragon... an' then... I can' remember too well, he kept buying me drinks... Let's see... yeah, then he said had had the dragon egg an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted... but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn't want it ter go home ter any old home... So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy."

"And, did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry pressed on with a calm voice. The last thing they needed was to panic Hagrid.

"Well, yeah, how many three headed dogs d'yeh meet? Even around Hogwarts that's rare. So I told him, Fluffy's a piece o' cake if yeh know how ter calm him down, jus' play a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep." Hagrid looked utterly horrified when he finished speaking. "I shouldn'ta told yeh that! Forget I said it!" Hagrid blurted. But it was too late, the group that run off, Hagrid calling out for them, "Hey- where're yeh goin'?"

Aurora didn't stop running until she hit the the Entrance Hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stopping with her. She thought she might have a panic attack. Oh God. Here they were, and if they did nothing, Snape could bring back Voldemort.

"We've got to go to Dumbledore," said Harry. Yes, Dumbledore. There was still a chance that this would all be nothing, that Snape would be caught in his act of treachery and Hogwarts would be safe, the Wizarding World would be safe. "Hagrid told the stranger how to get past Fluffy and clearly, it was Snape or Voldemort underneath that cloak."

"It was Snape," Aurora said licking her lips. Why was her mouth so dry? "Voldemort wouldn't ask questions, he'd kill for answers. Also I don't think he's fully alive yet, that's why he needs the Stone, to bring Voldemort back."

"But where is his office?" Ron asked. "There's not exactly a sign hanging around or anything."

They looked around hoping, hoping to find anything revealing, but there was nothing. None of them nor anyone they had known had been sent to see the Headmaster.

"Well we'll just have to," Hermione began, but a voice suddenly called out to them from across the hall.

"What are you four doing inside?" It was McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione.

"No we need to see him. It's very important, Professor," Aurora added. Perhaps if they stressed the direness of the situation, they'd be taken more seriously.

"See Professor Dumbledore? Why?" McGonagall repeated, as if their request was strange.

"It's sort of a secret," Harry said, which Aurora could tell he immediately regretted once they heard McGonagall's response.

"Professor Dumbledores left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

"He's gone?" Harry said frantically. "Now?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time-"

"But Professor, I swear it's important," Aurora cried. This would be the downfall if nothing was done.

"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Greengrass?"

"Look" Harry said throwing caution to the winds, "Professor it about the Philosopher's Stone-"

Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected them to say, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn't reach down to pick them up.

"How do you know about that?" She asked sharply.

"Professor, I think- I know- that Sn- someone is going to try and steal the Stone. We've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

McGonagall eyed the group suspiciously, squinting down at each of them as if testing the validity of Harry's words.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow. 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-"

"That's enough Miss Granger. I know what I'm talking about," she said shortly then flicked her wand and waited as the books collected themselves again in her arms. "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine.

But they didn't.

"It's tonight," said Harry once he was sure Professor McGonagall was out of earshot. "Snape's going through the trap door tonight. He's found out everything he needs and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note I bet the Ministry of Magic is going to get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."

"But what can we-" Hermione gasped. Harry, Ron, and Aurora wheeled around. Snape was standing now in front of them. Maybe he would get rid of them first Aurora thought gravely. They were the last obstacle in his way. He must have some idea by now that they knew something.

"Good afternoon" Snape greeted smoothly. They only stared back at him. Aurora forced herself to look him in the eye. She would not be afraid. "You shouldn't be inside on a day like this" he remarked with an odd, twisting smile. He was taunting them. Of course he knew that they knew. He would not get away with it.

"We were-" Harry began.

"You want to be more careful," said Snape. Hanging around like this people will think you're up to something. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points can they?" He smirked down at them. A horrible bully of a teacher, only there to remind them of their shortcomings and their biggest failure of all if they could not defeat him tonight. But they would. They had to.

Aurora's face flushed with burning anger at his words but remained quiet. her mouth that gotten her into plenty of trouble already. They would go back outside and regroup. What they needed right now, was a solid plan. They turned to go back outside, but Snape called them back.

"Be warned, Potter. Any more night-time wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you," Snape finished striding off to the staff room.

"I really hate that prick," Aurora muttered once he gone.

"Here's what we need 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'd better do it."

"Why me?"

"It's obvious," said Ron. "You can pretend to be waiting for Professor Flitwick, you know." He put on a high pitched voice "Oh Professor Flitwick, I'm so worried, I think I got question fourteen b wrong!"

"Oh shut up, fine I'll do it" Hermione agreed begrudgingly.

"The rest of us better stand outside the the third floor corridor," Aurora said to Ron and Harry. They had to make sure that no one came close to the Stone during the duration of Dumbledore's visit to the Ministry of Magic. But that plan didn't work. No sooner had they reached the door separating Fluffy from the rest of the school did
McGonagall appear again, this time losing her temper with the trio.

"I suppose you think you're harder to get past than a pack of enchantments! Enough of this nonsense! If I hear you've come anywhere near here again, I'll take another fifty points from Gryffindor!" McGonagall howled. Ron stood shocked at her words. "Yes, Weasley, from my own house!"

Harry, Ron, and Aurora went back to the common room. There was nothing else left for them to do. They were keeping tabs on Snape the best they could and Dumbledore was away. Harry and Aurora had also taken enough points away from Gryffindor this year, they couldn't afford to lose any more or else the entire Gryffindor house might expel them from the school themselves.

"At least Hermione is on Snape's tail," Harry said, attempting to sound optimistic. It was hard for Aurora to not be discouraged. She didn't like to think of herself as a pessimist, but she couldn't see how today would improve. Tonight, Snape and the Stone will be gone, she and her friends powerless to stop it.

"I'm sorry, Harry!" Hermione cried as the portrait hole swung open "Snape came out and asked me what I was doing, so I said I was waiting for Flitwick, and Snape went to go get him, and I've only just got away. I don't know where Snape went."

"Breath, Hermione," Aurora said soothingly, getting up to guide her friend to the scarlet sofa. "This isn't your fault."

"Well that's it then," Harry seethed.

"We did everything we could Harry," Ron said back, his voice hardly above a whisper.

"No, we haven't," Aurora uttered. "Maybe we should've alarmed Hagrid. Then McGonagall would consider our concerns more." No, she could not give up yet. There was a reason she was sorted into Gryffindor, and she damn well would use those abilities to save Hogwarts, even if it killed her.

"Rory's right. I'm going out of here tonight, and I'm going to try to get to the Stone first."

"You're mad!" Ron cried.

"You can't!" said Hermione. "After what Snape and McGonagall have said? You'll be expelled!"

"So what!" Harry shouted. "Don't you understand? If Snape gets ahold of the Stone, Voldemort's coming back! Haven't you heard what it is 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 any more, can't you see? D'you think he'll leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor wins 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 to the Dark Side! I'm going through that trap door tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me! Voldemort killed my parents, remember?" Harry exclaimed. If there was one thing Harry James Potter could do, it was be selfless. Aurora's heart swelled in her chest for her compassionate best friend. He had already given up so much at his age, why should he have to be the one to keep sacrificing? He couldn't stop though. There was nothing but the four of them in the way of Snape now. If they gave up, this would be the end of the world all over again.

"You're right, Harry," said Hermione, in a small voice.

"I'll use the Invisibility Cloak. It's just lucky I got it back." That's right. Mysteriously, the Invisibility Cloak lost in the midst of the dragon handoff heist, was returned safely to Harry's bed, folded neatly with a handwritten note. It was not signed, but nevertheless Aurora was grateful they would have some protection for tonight. Better yet, they might not even be caught.

"But will it over all four of us?" Ron asked.

"All- all four of us?"

"Harry, do you really expect us to let you go alone?"

"Rory, it's not going to be easy."

"Oh come off it," said Ron.

"Of course you won't be going without us. How do you think you'll get to the Stone without us? I'd better go look through my books, there might be something useful," Hermione murmured, smoothing her hair down before getting up from the couch.

"But if we get caught, you three will be expelled as well," Harry muttered.

"Not if I can help it," said Hermione grimly. "Flitwick told me in secret I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam. They're not throwing me out after that."

"And I don't care. You're my friend Harry. I'd rather die than let you risk your neck alone."

"No need to be so dramatic, Rory," Ron teased. "She's right though. We're with you."

"Tonight then," Harry said. Aurora wondered if his heart was beating as fast as hers.