Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
"That girl is a nightmare." Ronald Weasley said causing Seamus Finnigan to break into a fit of laughter.
"Thinks she's better than everyone! I hear Hermione just follows around Potter and Malfoy like a lost puppy and they can't seem to shake her."
Hermione, who had been walking just behind the two boys, overheard everything. Ron had obviously been referring to their time in class where she had tried to help him get his spell right but it had clearly backfired.
As the two continued to laugh on her behalf, Hermione fought the urge to break out into tears before running past the boys, accidentally bumping Ronald's shoulder along the way.
Realizing she must have heard everything, Ron stood silent, thinking of how his mother had lectured him on not treating others cruelly, and he'd done just that.
"Looks like the know-it-all heard you." Seamus said with a grin, clearly unshaken. To him she was a prissy Ravenclaw and nothing more.
With a sigh, Ron kept walking as the guilt began to rise in his chest.
Draco grabbed another handful of candy as Cassia headed for their table. Her eyes were full of worry as she forced herself between Harry and Draco, sitting the opposite direction of the two boys, paying little attention to the whispers of fellows students wondering what the bloody hell a Ravenclaw was doing at Gryffindor table.
"Sorry, did I forget to leave you a space?" Draco said sarcastically as one eyebrow began to raise, feeling annoyed she'd shoved him to make room.
Ignoring him, Cassia began to speak. "I haven't seen Hermione at all. And just yesterday she was talking about how excited she was for today's Halloween feast."
"I actually haven't seen her either." Harry pointed out between a bite of his chocolate. He scanned the room carefully, looking toward the front entrance as if waiting for his friend to enter.
"Have you tried Ravenclaw table?" Draco said dryly.
Cassia's head snapped in his direction before her eyes began to narrow. "I can't believe I didn't think to check there. Thanks for the tip, Sherlock."
Draco smirked. He always enjoyed it when Cassia was up for a game of sarcastic wits and would have spouted something in return before Neville Longbottom leaned in toward them and began to speak. "Parvati Patil said she's been in the girls bathroom and wouldn't come out. Guess she's been in there crying all afternoon."
The three friends exchanged glances before Cassia rose to her feet. "I'll go talk to her." She announced, before quickly snatching one of the candies from Draco's grasp and shoving it in her mouth.
"Oi!" He shouted before Professor Quirrell bursted into the Great Hall. His breaths were shallow as he screamed with fear.
"TROLL! IN THE DUNGEON!" He ran between two of the house tables with his eyes frantically scanning the entire room. "TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!" The professor came to a sudden halt as everyone around him remained silent. "Thought you ought to know." They were the last words Professor Quirrell said before collapsing to the floor in a dead faint.
Most of the students began to scream with terror, rising from their seats as drinks and food spilled to the floor in the midst of the sudden chaos. Cassia's face scrunched together at the sheer amount of screaming before a boy went plowing past her, driving his shoulder into her back, causing her to soar toward the floor. Draco, who had risen to his feet seconds before, reached out his arms, wrapping one firmly across her chest, just in time. His quick reflexes had kept her from hitting the ground as his words were barely audible.
"Got you." Cassia was sure that's what he'd said, though she couldn't be sure as everyone was still screaming and dashing around.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted above the noise, causing everyone to finally be still.
With his hands raised above his head, Dumbledore continued. "Everyone will please not panic." He paused, as his eyes moved across the room with determination. "Now, Prefects will lead their house back to the dormitories. Teachers, will follow me to the dungeons."
With nods of agreement, some of the older students began to rise to their feet.
"Gryffindors this way!" A red headed boy demanded, as Cassia was about to make her way toward the other Ravenclaws. Draco, reaching for her arm, pulled her back.
"Be careful." He said. His grey eyes were serious and full of sincerity. She swallowed and nodded, holding back the urge to grin for fear that he'd ruin such a sweet moment with a sarcastic remark if he saw her light up.
Letting her go, she made her way toward her classmates as they were being lead out the of the Great Hall and toward their own dormitories. With a sudden gasp, she remembered Hermione was still in the bathroom. Cassia paused, as everyone continued to move forward. Looking toward her house Prefect, she knew he would never notice if she ran the other way, considering his eyes were focused straight ahead.
As the space between her housemates and herself began to grow, Cassia made a hard left down an empty corridor and headed straight for the girl's bathroom.
Taking another turn, Cassia stopped mid stride as she watched the troll enter the bathroom. Fearing for Hermione's safety, she dashed toward the bathroom, pulling out her wand and hoping she could think of something to defeat the unintelligent but massive creature.
Just as she entered, Hermione let out a hurtling scream as the troll used the cleaver in its' hand in an attempt to smash the young witch. Dodging to the side, Hermione rolled across the floor out of the way, barely missing the troll's crushing blow.
"Hermione watch out!" Cassia yelled, as the troll took another swing at Hermione as she ducked just below it. Three stalls shattered as pieces of wood soared across the room, while Hermione crawled desperately out of the way.
With her wand outstretched, Cassia pointed it toward the cleaver before speaking the spell she'd gotten down to an art form over the last few weeks.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" She said, as the cleaver quickly raised above the Troll's head and out of his grasp.
Grunting in confusion, the troll looked up at the cleaver. Cassia released her concentration, causing the cleaver to fall, hitting the troll square in the head with impressive force.
The troll teetered back in forth, as Cassia quickly moved out of the way realizing the beast was about to collapse. It hit the floor hard, as the ground seemed to rumble from the impact.
"Woah." The two girls seemed to say in unison.
Rising to her feet, Hermione was about to speak before Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell entered the room with a gasp.
Cassia turned to face them, before quickly placing her wand at her hip.
"My goodness!" Professor McGonagall started out. "Explain yourselves, both of you!" She demanded, as her eyes fell from Hermione to Cassia.
"When I left the Great Hall, I remembered Hermione was still in the bathroom, unaware of the troll. I was worried about her, so I went to warn her and get her back with our group."
"That's when Cassia used a levitation spell to get the troll's cleaver out of its hand." Hermione added. "It was trying to crush me. Honestly, if it wasn't for her I'd probably be dead."
"I understand your desire to protect your friend, Miss Picquery, but this was quite foolish. You should have told your house Prefect immediately." Mcgonagall said, as Hermione glanced toward Snape, who rushed to cover the blood on his leg. Narrowing her eyes for a moment, she turned her attention back to McGonagall.
"I honestly would have expected more rational behavior on your part." She finished, causing Cassia's eyes to avert to the floor, feeling a little shameful. "You're right. Sorry Professor McGonagall.
"That being said, you clearly managed to stay calm and protect your friend in the process. Five points will be rewarded to Ravenclaw. "McGonagall stated, causing Cassia's head to immediately rise as a smile emerged on her face. "For sheer dumb luck."
Snape and Mcgonagall exited the bathroom, leaving Quirrell alone with the two young students. "Perhaps you two ought to go." He started out. "M-Might wake up." He shuttered, as his eyes stayed on the seemingly unconscious troll.
With a soft grunt the troll shifted unexpectedly, causing Quirrell to scream and jolt backwards. Trying to laugh off his behavior he ushered the girls to exit the bathroom once more.
Cassia and Hermione began to walk toward their dormitories in silence, until they were out of the Professor's earshot.
"I can't believe you came looking for me alone like that." Hermione started out. "I'd expect it from Harry and Draco but not you."
Cassia turned to face her friend in anger, wondering if she'd heard her right. She couldn't understand how she could come off so rude after having just kept her from getting hurt. She was about to speak before Hermione interrupted.
"But." She started out. "That doesn't mean I'm not grateful you did. I could have been killed back there if you hadn't" She paused, pulling her friend into a warm embrace. "Thank you." She whispered.
Cassia smirked, returning the hug in full force. "You would have done the same for me." She chuckled before continuing. "And left without thinking it through in order to protect me."
Pulling away, Hermione laughed. "Maybe even that."
Hermione took another bite of her breakfast as her eyes remained on Harry. She'd been eyeing him from across the Great Hall all morning, fully aware he still hadn't taken a single bite of his food.
"He's got to eat." She said, causing Cassia to look up from her mound of food.
"Hmm?" Cassia said, with her mouth still full of egg.
"Harry still hasn't eaten. He won't stand a chance if he just skips eating all together." Hermione said, shaking her head in concern.
"He's just nervous." Cassia said. "Once he gets his first match in, all those nerves will be gone. It is Harry afterall."
Hermione nodded as Cassia continued to eat. She couldn't argue Cassia's point. Harry was meant for Quidditch, and most days he was exceedingly confident. It was simply first day jitters.
As she took another sip of her juice, Hermione watched as Professor Snape approached Harry. Saying something, she tried to read his lips carefully before failing miserably. Soon, the professor walked away but Hermione instantly took notice in his limp.
"Guess that would explain the blood."
Swallowing her food, Cassia's eyebrows instantly rose up. "Sorry. Blood?" She asked surprised.
"The blood I saw on Professor Snape's leg last night." Hermione said, facing Cassia once Snape was out of sight. "I wondered what happened to him, but didn't see a wound. I wonder if he-." Hermione paused before shaking her head. "Shouldn't jump to that."
"Jump to what?" Cassia asked curiously.
"Well." Hermione said, whispering so the others at their table couldn't overhear. "I wonder if he got the wound from the troll."
Cassia pondered what Hermione had said for a moment. She knew he'd been in the Great Hall when Quirrell had come barrelling in with the news of the troll. She'd seen him with her own eyes. Her face seemed to scrunch together as Cassia tried to understand where Hermione was going with this. When it finally hit her, Cassia's head jerked toward her friend as her eyes widened with sudden realization.
"You think he let the troll in himself?"
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. It seems odd he would want to risk hurting someone, but trolls aren't that smart and couldn't have gotten inside the school without a little help."
"Maybe he hoped it would be a distraction." Cassia added as the wheels inside her head continued to turn.
"A distraction?" Hermione asked, taking another sip of her juice.
"So he could try to get passed the three headed dog"
Hermione's mouth fell open. The two girls were clever and it seemed that when they put their minds together, not much could get passed them. "Maybe-" Hermione paused before shaking her head. "But we can't be sure and it's not enough that anyone would actually believe us."
Cassia nodded. "Ain't that the truth."
Remembering the events of last night, Cassia decided a change of subject was needed.
"So." She started out. "Are you going to tell me why you're entire face was red from hours of exhausting tears? Even after we talked to the boys abojt what happened last night, you still wouldn't tell me. Did you think I would let it go forever?"
Hermione's eye shifted to those closest to them, hoping they hadn't heard. "Not here." She whispered.
Cassia shrugged before wiping a few crumbs from breakfast off her hands. Fine with me, I'm done eating." Rising to her feet, she adjusted her school clothes. "Where should we go before the match begins?"
With a deep sigh, Hermione rose from her seat. She had come to realize just how persistent Cassia could be and knew she would have to explain yesterday's events, even if she wished she could simply forget them altogether.
As the two made their way down out of the great hall. Hermione's eyes looked toward Ron. Much to her surprise, he had already been looking her way. His eyes were filled with regret, until Ron realized she'd witnessed him staring and had quickly turned away.
It was clear he was regretting having said such cruel things, but it didn't change that he'd said them. A part if her wished to confront him while the other thought it wasn't worth the effort.
When the two had reached an empty corridor, Cassia leaned against the wall. "So what upset you so much?" She asked, getting straight to the point.
Hermione bit her lip before gripping her arms around her waist. "Remember when we left Professor Flitwick's classroom and I headed for the courtyard while you went back to our dormitories?
"Of course." Cassia started out. "I wanted a Moon Pie."
With a smirk at her very American friend, Hermione continued. "Well- I overheard Ronald Weasley saying some very cruel things about me."
Cassia gave a gesture for Hermione to continue, obviously wanting to know what it was he'd said. "He said I was a nightmare. That I think I'm better than everyone and that I follow my friends around like a lost puppy and none of you can get rid of me.."
Cassia rose a single brow. "Do you think myself, Draco, or Harry really feel that way?"
"Well, no but-" Hermione started out before Cassia interrupted.
"Then it doesn't matter what someone else says. I am glad to have become friends with you, Hermione. He's just peeved because you corrected him in class and turns out you were right. It's called jealousy and it ain't a pretty look." Cassia spoke her last words, letting out that southern drawl, as she so often did before smiling at Hermione.
Hermione smiled with her eyes facing the ground. "I thought you might go punch him in the face or something."
Cassia laughed. "That sounds like Draco or Harry." The two girls laughed in agreement, picturing the boys punching their way to victory. "Besides." Cassia started out. "I save all my anger for the Slytherins.
The two girls continued to laugh and chat, before making their way toward the quidditch field.
"Speaking of the boys." Cassia started out. "They are going to want to know what upset you and they won't stop pesterin' until they do."
Hermione's eyes went wide. "How is it that everyone knew?"
Cassia explained all that Neville had said causing Hermione's shoulders to slouch as she faced the ground. "I suppose I will just have to tell them, but under the condition that they don't do anything stupid."
Cassia snorted. "Fat chance."
"Speaking of fat things, what do you bet your enormous cat, Bilbo, and Crookshanks have knocked over my books again?" Hermione said, with a laugh. "I'd love to go back to our dorms just once and not find a mess."
Cassia eyebrows lifted as she smiled. "I'd say they did that ages ago." She giggled. "Now the two are napping innocently on our beds while our books are scattered all over the floor."
The two shared a knowing laugh. Ever since their cats had mett, it had been one disaster after the next. The cats were partners in crime, constantly chasing one another, swiping items off desks, and having absurd climbing contests until papers and quill ink went soaring. It was about as messy as Harry and Draco could be in their conquests, and the thought made Cassia smile. Apparently she was just destined to be surrounded by chaos, and if only she realized then how true that statement was….
Draco and Harry sat across from Cassia and Hermione, who both studied quietly while Draco finished his apple.
Harry, who was still beaming from catching the snitch, smiled to himself at the memory and how proud Sirius had been watching from the visitor's stand.
"Cochlea Transfero." Cassia said, waving her wand three times, with her eyes remaining on the small snail to her left.
"Poor little guy." Cassia said as the four friends stared at the creature that was currently half himself and half a teapot.
"I think we aren't moving our wrist correctly in the last motion." Hermione pointed out, as she too had failed to transfigure the snail into a proper tea pot yet.
"Reparifarge." Cassia said, reversing the spell altogether. "Right. Maybe a tad sharper?" She finished, in regards to Hermione's point.
"You're brains are going to explode concentrating that hard." Draco said before taking his final bite of apple, leaving only the core. He tossed it at Harry's head who seemed to be in some gitty trance.
Harry gave Draco an annoyed expression before Cassia spoke out. "Maybe your brain would work if you actually used it."
Draco smirked. "I bet you three galleons I can do that spell right now."
Hermione raised an unconvinced brow. "You've hardly studied at all. While the two of us have been practicing not stop."
Cassia narrowed her eyes. Draco was a natural at spells, and his confidence could be annoying but he wasn't one to make a false boast. Still, she was intrigued to see whether or not he could actually do it and a measly three galleons was nothing to her.
"Fine. Let's see you do it."
Harry, finally out of his daze, smiled with intrigue. "This ought to be good."
Sitting up right, Draco moved his wand effortlessly, reciting the same spell Cassia had said just moments ago. With all eyes on the snail, the four watched as it turned into a perfect teapot.
Cassia sighed shaking her head while Hermione's mouth fell open in both shock and frustration. After so much hard work and to watch her friend who gave 60% effort at best do so with ease was a little more than nauseating. "That is not fair! Why does everything come so easy to you? I work five times harder than you and yet-"
"Don't get your wand in a knot, Granger." Draco interrupted. "I was up last night practicing just so I could win this bet."
Harry laughed. "I love it when a plan works out."
Cassia smirked rolling her eyes. "Figures."
Hermione let out a frustrated grunt before looking back at her spell book, trying to get passed the fact that she'd fell right into his little prank. Both Harry and Draco had a way of getting under Hermione's skin that was all their own.
"By the way, Hermione." Harry said, taking on a much more serious manner. "What happened yesterday? I mean, other than the incident with the troll. What made you cry?"
Hermione sighed. She'd known they would bring it up but had tried to keep it from coming up. Fiddling with the grass, she shrugged. "Someone said something rude about me. Called me a nightmare and said I think I'm better than everyone. And- well- that you two don't really like me and I just follow you around."
Draco and Harry exchanged stern looks before Harry spoke up. "Who said that?" He asked, making no attempt to hide his anger.
Hermione raised her hand, as if gesturing for them to relax. "Honestly, I saw how guilty he looked today in the Great Hall. I don't think he meant what he said."
"He?" Harry and Draco said in unison.
Cassia rolled her eyes. "It was Ronald Weasley."
Hermione snapped her head towards her friend. "Cassia!"
"They would have found out either way." Cassia answered.
"There he is now." Harry said before rising to his feet. The others quickly turned their heads watching Harry walk aggressively towards Ron, with Draco not far behind him.
"Oh no." Hermione said feeling anxious.
"Oi! Weasley." Draco called out, causing Ron to come to a hault before turning toward Draco.
Even from a distance, Cassia and Hermione could see the frantic expression on the young wizards face. Looking at one another the girls began to rise, realizing there was a chance they might have to get involved.
Ron gripped his wand in his pocket. Thinking he might get jinxed by two of the most renowned boys in school. The boy who everyone thought would be like his imprisoned father but seemed to be proving them wrong, and the boy who lived.
Looking toward Hermione, Ron's grip began to loosen from his wand, feeling as if in some way he likely deserved whatever they had planned.
As soon as Draco and Harry reached Ron, a small crowd began to form. Each of the students curious as to why both Potter and Malfoy looked so angry, and hoping to see a good fight.
"You think she's a nightmare?" Harry asked aggressively.
"N-no." Ron said sheepishly. His eyes seemed to rapidly shift between them both as if he expected one of them to pounce
"Harry stop. It doesn't matter any-" Cassia started out before she was cut off.
"You don't get to talk to our friends like that and just because you're a Gryffindor doesn't mean you get a free pass." Draco snapped.
Harry nodded in complete agreement, never once taking his eyes away from Ron.
Though Cassia didn't want there to be a fight, she couldn't help but somewhat admire how quickly the boys were to jump to protect Hermione. Sure it wasn't the rational thing to do, but it was evident how much they both cared. Despite all their pranks, sarcastic comments, and snarky behavior(especially when it came to Draco who was somehow worse than even Harry) the two cared deeply for Cassia and Hermione, and often showed it in their own irrational way.
"I shouldn't have said it." Ron mumbled almost incoherently. His face was as red as his hair when he looked toward Hermione. "I take it back." Holding out his hand for her to shake, Ron swallowed, hoping to make peace before his mother found out everything and rung his neck for teasing a girl.
Harry and Draco looked surprised as if his gesture was the last thing they were expecting.
Hermione, who smiled sweetly at the boy, took his offered hand. "Forget it ever happened." she said politely.
"Well, that was boring." Draco mumbled to Harry who nodded in response.
"Yeah, not a single hex, jinx, or punch was thrown." Harry said.
Cassia smiled at Hermione and Ron before facing the boys. "Glad that's worked out but we forgot to tell you both something."
Harry raised a brow. "About what?"
Even Hermione, who wasn't sure what Cassia was referring to look confused.
Cassia turned to Hermione. Her eyes met Ron's for a moment before looking back at Hermione and trying to be cryptic. "Regarding the other night." She started out, waiting for Hermione to catch on. "With the Professor." Her last word was drawn out before continuing. "And the troll."
"I heard about that!" Ron interrupted. The whole school's been talking about it! That was wicked!"
Cassia smirked. "Trust me, it wasn't as exciting as it sounds." She grabbed the boys by their arms and pulled them away from Ron. "Bye!" she waved before motioning Hermione to follow.
"I'm still miffed you didn't at least look for me before going off to find Hermione." Draco said as his eyes narrowed at Cassia when she'd finally stopped dragging Draco and Harry.
"You'll live." She replied waving him off. "Besides, Hermione and I forgot to tell you both something…" She paused, trying to think of the right word. "Strange."
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Well." Hermione started out. "I noticed Professor Snape had blood on his leg the night the troll came in, and then he was limping the morning before your first match."
"And?" Draco said, urging her to get to the point.
"Well." She said, looking to Cassia for a moment. "We don't have proof but what if he let the troll in as a distraction?"
Harry glanced at each of his friends with contemplation in his eyes. "A distraction?"
Draco's eyes seemed to light up. "To get passed the three headed dog."
Hermione nodded. "Exactly what we thought. But it's not like we can prove it, and who is going to believe first years anyway."
"You've got a point there." Harry started out. "But, I know someone who will believe us. And might be able to help us figure all this out."
Hermione tilted her head curiously. "Who?" She asked.
Draco, on the other hand, seemed to know exactly who Harry was referring to before he even spoke.
"My Godfather, Sirius." Harry said with a prideful grin.
"Looks like it's time to use the other two way mirror tonight." Draco said, as he side smiled at each of them.
"When you do." Hermione started out, wishing she could be there but understanding they would do it late at night and in their common room.
The two way mirrors were useful but also quite risky. Not only were they a violation of school rules but if anyone saw or overheard it could mean all sorts of trouble.
Still, each of them knew how helpful they'd been in keeping in touch with one another and knowing Sirius might be able to give them some much needed insight as to what was really going on, made it all worth the risk.
"You'll tell us everything once you've spoken?" Hermione said, making it clear she was demanding this and not just asking.
Harry nodded. "Quicker than you can say Quidditch."
It had been several months since the boys had spoken with Sirius. He'd actually given them some extremely good advice on how to figure out what was really going on, and that was to not only befriend Hagrid the groundskeeper, but to figure out if there was anything he knew(Sirius had called him a giant buffoon but a kind one at that).
Sirius was likely the only living adult willing to aid four eleven year olds in discovering something that could ultimately be extremely dangerous, but Sirius wasn't exactly what someone might call mature. In truth, he was just as curious as they were, and hoped aiding them would lead to answers(besides it wasn't like he had been the safest student at Hogwarts. Between himself and James he was lucky he'd lived to tell the tale).
For the kids, getting to know Hagrid better had him opening up and at what point he had let slip that Dumbledore had been aiding Nicholas Flamel and that it was none of their business what Dumbledore been guarding for him.
Of course once they told Sirius about Nicholas he explained to them who he was and the powerful stone he'd invented. To him, it had made sense why someone would have wanted to steal it, but he wasn't entirely convinced it was Snape. The man was insufferable, greasy, and pompous but Dumbledore trusted him with his very life which kept Sirius unsure if it had really been him trying to steal it. Dumbledore, after all, was one of the wisest wizards Sirius had ever known.
Eventually, Sirius had made the kids promise him they wouldn't do anything reckless and if they did discover the truth they would immediately inform a teacher rather than do anything on their own to which each of them had agreed, albeit reluctantly(Draco and Harry most of all).
For a while, there search had gone cold, and when Draco and Harry decided to leave their dorms late at night to explain to Hagrid that they were afraid someone was going to try and steal the philosopher's stone, he'd merely reassured them that was impossible.
It was that same night that things began to change. Having been caught by Professor Mcgonagall on their way back to their dorms, the boys had been sentenced to detention. Which meant a trip to the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. It was there that Harry had survived an attack against Voldemort when Firenze, a centaur, protected him.
Firenze hadn't spared Harry any details, explaining who was really after the Philosopher's Stone and why, which had Harry and Draco chomping at the bits until the moment they could explain everything to the girls and Sirius.
Upon doing so, Sirius had urged them to immediately tell Dumbledore everything. He knew someone would need to help Voldemort retrieve and regardless of who, there was no time to lose.
It was how the four friends had ended up sprinting down corridors together in order to speak to Dumbledore right away. If Sirius had said waist no time they wouldn't. Especially when he told them he would be on his way and retrieve both Cassia's parents as well as Draco's mother. Each of them knew there was no time to lose. Cassia and Hermione did their best to keep up with the boys but found it was harder then it seemed, though they were not far behind, and pushed down the halls till the very end.
"Professor Mcgonagall!" Harry yelled, causing Minerva to quickly glance up at the four children barreling toward her desk. She dropped her book in concern, giving each of them her full attention.
"We have to speak with Dumbledore immediately!" Cassia said with urgency.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid he isn't here. He's been called away on urgent business."
Cassia sighed in utter aggravation. It was as if the four of them had the worst timing ever. Her hands ran through her curly locks as she tried to relax with no avail. "You don't understand!" She said, doing nothing to hide her current frustration.
"Someone is going to try to steal the Philosopher's Stone!" Draco added. In his mind, if anyone needed to be stopped it was Voldemort. He'd tried to kill Harry, succeeded in killing Harry's parents, and created a monster out of the father Draco would never know.
Minerva's eyes filled with fear and shock as she tried to take in the magnitude of what they were saying. She also didn't understand how they could have possibly discovered such information but the fact that they knew was jarring and she knew it was likely that the stone was in danger of being found. She couldn't, however, keep them involved. They were, after all, just kids. Trying to reign in her emotions, Minerva gave a straight face.
"I don't know how the four of you have found out about the stone but I assure you it is perfectly safe." Giving each of them a stern expression, she continued."Now, each of you will return to your dormitories at once, and not discuss this further with anyone."
Each of them were shocked. They couldn't believe how quickly she'd turned them away, but Draco was the most stubborn of them all, and wouldn't give in to her demand that easily. "Professor, you don't understand." He started out. "Someone doesn't want it for themselves, they are getting for-"
"That is quite enough, Mr. Malfoy. I have already explained the stone is safe. Now, before I am forced to have you all spend the week in detention, quite possibly during the hours of quidditch practice." She made a point to look directly at Harry as she said this. "Then I suggest you head back to your dorms at once."
The four of them looked defeated, glancing at one another in both shock and disappointment before slowly turning around and walking away with their heads toward the ground.
When each of them were out of sight, Minerva immediately stood from her seat. The breath she'd been holding finally released, as she gripped her wand. There was no time to lose, she needed to speak to Severus, hoping the two of them could stop who ever was after the stone….
As Draco, Harry, Hermione, and Cassia reached a corridor where the friends would need to part in order to head toward their own dorms, each of them came to a halt.
Cassia's arms crossed over her chest. She could see it on Draco's and Harry's faces that neither of them intended to actually listen to the Professor. They were much too headstrong and willing to save the day without a second guess. She too was willing to save the ones she cared about, even if she didn't have everything planned out, but she also knew that without herself and Hermione the boys might not be able to make it to the stone. She also had a feeling the giant man eating dog would not be their only obstacle. Dumbledore wouldn't make it so easy.
Draco looked to Harry, who nodded in response as if they could read each other's thoughts. In a way, they could but not really. They were just similar and knew if something had to be done, no one would stand in their way.
"You need us." Cassia said with her eyes moving from Draco to Harry.
"No, we can't!" Hermione started out, realizing what her friends were planning and hoping she could stop them. "Mcgonagall will have our heads! Besides, even if we get passed the dog do you think that will be our only obstacle? Dumbledore-" She was throwing everything she could at her friends to make them stop before Cassia raised a hand to silence her.
"Hermione, even if you and I walk back to our dorms do you really think that will stop either of them?" She paused, letting Hermione consider this. "Without us, they could get hurt." Cassia pointed a stern finger at them both before continuing. "Don't even say it's not true."
Harry smirked. "I wasn't going to say anything." He turned to Draco with a grin.
"Besides, if Voldemort has something to do with this, we could use the backup." Draco added, knowing he could rile up both girls with that one.
Hermione looked aghast as her fists went into tight balls. "Back up?"
Cassia rolled her eyes, not in the mood for Draco's games. "Don't worry Hermione, if anything I can punch Draco in the face and hopefully he can be live bait as we sneak pass the dog."
Harry ignored each of them before pulling out his wand. "We go now, and stop whoever is after the stone together."
The four of them could butt heads easier than most, but Harry had been right. They would do this together.
A/N That was chapter four! I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter will only be a portion of PS then we will move on to COS. As i have said before, the first two books/movies I plan on moving through quickly. Just to establish a little of how the characters feel along with my my story.
I know how different Draco is, but I hope you all feel it makes sense. I mean, he did have COMPLETELY different morals instilled in his life at a young age by a interacial couple, who would have faced a lot of controversy, especially in the eighties. My parents are interacial and because of this, it has made me who I am.
I also think relying on Sirius for help makes sense. He tends to make more childish decisions and I think it fits that he would help them but step in if things got out of hand.
Anyway, leave a review if you like!