A/N: Hey guys! So I'm sorry this wasn't posted earlier but the site wouldn't let me log in... Anyway, this is the next to last chapter! Ah! I'm sorry if it doesn't live up to the build up but I just couldn't seem to get it right. Also sorry for any mistakes, my beta didn't have time to go over it :(

A big thanks to everyone who has reviewed! you guys are AWESOME! :)

enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen: Let's Play Connect the Dots!

The walk to Dumbledore's office seemed to take ages. Riley's mind was still so full of questions and facts and she knew one way or another she was going to get her answers. She didn't care if it was going on three in the morning.

Quickly greeting the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the headmaster's office, (She was so distracted she was surprised she didn't run into someone out patrolling.) Riley said the password and ran up the steps. She was barley able to keep herself from just barging in; instead she knocked three times and waited, like she had seen McGonagall do so many times before.

As soon as she heard her cue, she waltzed in and started to pace in front of the headmasters desk.

Dumbledore looked up surprised, and opened his mouth to greet Riley but she cut him off.

"I know who did it— or is going to do it anyway and I know it's going to be very soon. I also know you know who is going to do it, you just don't know when. So don't try to pull that 'I haven't a clue what you mean, Riley', Got it? I want answers— in fact I demand answers, just not in the no from." As Riley finished her little speech, she stopped pacing and stared unwaveringly at him.

Dumbledore stared back. After a moment he sighed and waved for her to sit. So she did.

"I can not promise that you will get every answer you desire, but I will do my best to answer what I can." He said in what Riley dubbed his Headmaster Voice.

"First I need to explain things; otherwise I won't be able to think straight."

Dumbledore nodded for her to continue, watching her with his piercing blue eyes in a way only Dumbledore can. Riley's lips twitched as she tried not to smile. "I've heard things over the year that got me thinking."

Riley decided not to mention Harry, Ron or Hermione in case they got in trouble for snooping. Riley didn't care if she got in trouble but after the dragon incident, she didn't want to get her friends in trouble again.

"During the first Quidditch match of the year, Snape was seen muttering a spell when Harry lost control of his broom. But it was never proven that he was muttering a curse. He could have very well been muttering the contercurse." Riley started pacing again, relieved to finally get all her thoughts out in the open. "Then Snape was heard interrogating Quirrell about what he knew and telling him to figure out where his loyalties lie. Then he was seen heading towards the third floor corridor, and later with a wound from Fluffy.

"Well, all of that could be taken two ways; Snape was either after the Stone… or protecting it. It also raised the question of why he was going after Quirrell. Obviously it couldn't be because Quirrell had put up a protection that Snape couldn't pass, that would just be a ridiculous assumption, after everything I heard about Snape from Remus.

"The other day, a friend heard Quirrell sobbing and then agreeing to something. But he never heard nor saw who was asking for the agreement. Then I remembered something Harry had mentioned in passing, he had met Quirrell in Diagon Alley on his birthday. The same day Gringotts was robbed. But he never saw Snape. It all fell into place after that…

"Quirrell had broken into Gringotts. Quirrell was sitting right behind Snape during the Quidditch game, so he could have heard Snape muttering a curse and as the Defense teacher, should have been saying the counter. He also should have gone to you, if he had heard Snape curse Harry. If he had, I highly doubt you would still let Snape work here.

"When the troll was let in, Snape was sitting at the teachers table, where as Quirrell was missing. And if Quirrell was the first one to see the troll, why didn't he fight it and send a ghost or something to alert the teachers and students? He also fainted in the Great Hall, so why wasn't he taken to the hospital wing? If he had been, Madam Pomfrey would never have let him leave so quickly. So the only logical explanation I could come up with was that he let the troll in.

"Snape had been trying to find out how far Quirrell had gotten on finding out how to get past all the protection. Snape also said that stuff about his loyalties, because Quirrell isn't smart enough to come up with a plan like this on his own. He had to be working with someone.

"The last thing that tipped me off was Snape is always by your side. Quirrell is never around. So that's how I figured out who was trying to steal the stone. But that left the question of who was Quirrell working for?

"And that's where tonight's little adventure comes in. Hagrid told us that something that shouldn't be, was in the forest. That same thing was drinking unicorns' blood and only those truly desperate and scared of death would do that. So, there was only one person I could think of that would do something so disgusting… The person Quirrell was talking to the other night was Voldemort.

"That's what I've figured it out… but most of it is just assumptions. It could very well be Snape and everything else just a coincidence, but I don't believe that for a second." Riley finished, taking the glass of water Dumbledore offered her. She knew she probably wouldn't be able to talk tomorrow, after such a long speech.

Dumbledore watched her for a few moments before smiling.

"You really are quite a clever girl." He said, eyes still twinkling. "You are correct on all accounts. I have had Professor Snape watching Quirrell as you so rightly guessed. We came to the same conclusion as you, I'm afraid. Voldemort is indeed hiding in the Forbidden Forest. I am astounded that you noticed so many things and were able to put them together like you have. It's really quite the accomplishment. You have the potential to be a great witch, but you are still a first year and it would be safer for you to go back to your common room and forget everything. I will be sure to take the proper actions."

Riley took a moment to gather her thoughts. She was right… about everything. She had never fully believed that Voldemort was gone for good. For one thing, they had never found a body or anything resembling a body. But to know that he was right now, walking around the forest… well, she was sure she wouldn't be sleeping well for a long time.

Finally, taking a deep breath Riley asked. "So that's what you expect me to do? Absolutely nothing?"

Dumbledore was quite for a moment, then he sighed and said; "Listen to some music, it can even sooth the soul of a ravage beast. Use some light to loosen the tension. Always have a buddy, because you never know when they might have the right answer. Make sure to plan out your next move, you never want to be surprised. And the answer is usually the last one you would expect."

There was silence for a moment while Riley thought over his words. Finally she nodded. "Thank you, Sir."

Dumbledore nodded in response looking at her over his half moon glasses. "Anything else you would like to know?"

Riley thought for a moment. "No, Sir."

"Then you may go. You have classes in the morning and it's late." Dumbledore dismissed her.

Riley stood slowly and made her way to the door, before she could walk out the door she heard a quite voice say.

"Good night, Riley."

"Good night, Professor." Riley replied with a smile.

~{}~

The days crept by, and Riley continued to dwell on Dumbledore's words. She knew there was more to them then met the eye, she just couldn't figure out what. She was frustrated at having Dumbledore brush her off like he did. But the rational side of her mind kept telling her he was right to do so. She was only a first year. The thoughts didn't help the disappointment, but she did at least understand why Dumbledore told her to forget about it.

While Riley was trying to figure out the meaning behind Dumbledore's words, Harry was freaking out. It was as if he was waiting for Voldemort to burst through the front door and kill him. Neville had let slip to Riley that Harry wasn't sleeping, and when he did he would toss and turn like mad.

In light of this news, Riley and Hermione found their common ground and surprisingly bonded over it. They agreed that Harry was not seeing the situation clearly, and it was up to them to make him see that. They spent hours trying to convince Harry that he was safe and that Dumbledore would do something if he wasn't. But he continued to be stubborn and not listen.

Ron wasn't any help either, seeing as he agreed with Harry and was only making Harry more nervous. Riley was sure Ron was going to have permanent brain damage from all the times she and Hermione had slapped him upside the head.

Unfortunately as the exams started, Hermione and Riley had to focus more on them then Harry's bullheadedness.

During the written test's, they were all given new quills with an Anti-Cheating Charm on them. Which Riley was happy to say, she wouldn't have needed as the written part wasn't too terribly difficult.

For the practical exams, Professor Flitwick called them all into the room, one by one to see if they could make a pineapple tap dance across the desk. While Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox— points were given for how pretty the box was, but taken away if it still had whiskers. Riley was happy to say that despite the fact that the box was still the same color as the mouse— including a little pink spot were the nose should have been, the box was still just that, a box.

Snape made most of them nervous by breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion. Riley did spectacularly, if she did say so herself. Yes, Hermione's was a little bluer then hers. But Riley knew she had come in a very close second.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Herbology. Somehow Riley ended up with a broken wrist and badly scratched face. She was sure she was going to fail, but Professor Sprout, in her ever lasting kindness, told Riley that she did what she was told and did it well enough for a passing grade despite how hurt she got along the way.

Their final exam was History of Magic. Riley knew she failed that. She was always getting names and dates mixed up, and at some point she got so frustrated she wrote something utterly ridiculous as the answer to a question; why do I need to know the dates? As long as we know what and why it happened why does it matter? She knew she got at least a low passing grade on all her other exams, so she didn't care about failing that one.

Finally it was over. Cheering loudly with the others, Riley, Ron, Harry and Hermione walked out onto the grounds and sat under their favorite beech tree.

As Hermione went through the exam again, Riley watched Lee, Fred and George tickle the Giant Squid. Sighing Riley said her friends she'd see them later and made her way over to the three pranksters.

As soon as the boys saw her approaching, they went silent and walked to meet Riley half way down the dock.

That's good, right? Riley thought desperately. That means they want to talk too, right?

"Hello boys!" Riley greeted with a slightly forced smile. They didn't reply; they just stared at her.

"Alright, alright." Riley sighed. "I get it. You're angry. But you were the one's who turned your back on me. All I did was lose some points while helping a friend, and you lot ignored me. You barley even acknowledged I was there. If you think I'm going to apologize for what I did, you're surly mistaken. You deserved what you got. I came over here to call a truce and put all this behind us. But if that's not what you want, then too bad for you."

Riley looked each of them straight in the eye and didn't like what she saw. After a few moments she sighed and undid the charms on their clothes. She knew the charms were mostly faded by now, but she figured it would be a show of good faith to just take them off.

Slowly Riley put her wand away and decided to leave the three troublemakers with one last thing before she left.

"I tried. I said my part, and you did nothing. I'm not going to wait around for you guys to apologize, because I know you won't. But if you want to put this behind you too… well, you know where to find me… or maybe you don't…" she added the last part as an after thought, and watched them flinch at the implications.

Riley shook her head sadly and walked back to the castle. She spent the rest of the day wandering around, trying to organize her thoughts. So much had happened these past few weeks, let alone the past year. She felt like her head was going to explode from all the things going on.

Riley didn't get back to the common room until late that night. All she wanted to do was just go to sleep, but that thought was immediately erased from her mind the moment she saw Neville lying on the ground, stiff as a bored.

At first she freaked out thinking Neville was dead. But then Riley heard him make a noise and realized he was just paralyzed by a spell. Quickly Riley tried a few counter-curses until at last, she got the right one.

"What happened, Neville? Who did this to you? I am so going to beat them." As she said this Neville shook his head frantically.

"It was Hermione."

"What?"

Neville hurriedly explained how he knew the trio was going to break the rules again and he didn't want to lose more points. So he stood up to them and told them he wouldn't let them leave. Then Hermione apologized and cursed him. He had been laying there for about an hour before Riley found him.

Riley's mind went into overdrive, what were they doing? She couldn't leave them for five minutes before they went and got themselves in trouble.

Then it hit Riley. Harry had been acting strange all day, complaining about his scar hurting and how he thought it meant there was danger. Riley knew he only needed the flimsiest of excuses to go after the Stone himself if he thought it was in danger.

With that in mind Riley ran up to her dorm, grabbed her wand and then hesitated. Dumbledore's words coming to mind; always have a buddy because you never know when they might have the right answer.

Nodding to herself, Riley walked back to her bed and grabbed Elephant before bolting for the door. She could hear Neville calling after her as she left the common room, but she didn't have time to explain.

Quickly and silently, Riley ran through all the short cuts and secret passages she knew of until she found herself outside Fluffy's door.

Riley opened the door as quietly as she could and desperately looked around for anything to calm the giant dog down. Like a giant dog bone, or maybe a really big rubber ball. She spotted a harp and a little wooden flute lying on the ground and her mind recalled another piece of advice; Listen to some music, it can even sooth the soul of a ravage beast.

Music! That's how you calm it. Riley thought triumphantly. Then she frowned; she was a terrible singer and she couldn't get to the flute or the harp.

Riley only paused for a moment more before shrugging and deciding it didn't matter. Quickly she started singing the first song that popped into her head, which to her amusement was a lullaby.

Cautiously, Riley tiptoed over to the trap door, never taking her eyes off the dog as it snuffled and snored. She lifted the door open— flinching when it squeaked, and dropped down into the hole praying she didn't break anything or squish Elephant at the bottom.

As soon as she hit the bottom, she noticed something was off. Why would there be a soft landing? Isn't this supposed to keep thieves out? Then she heard a squeak and sighed in relief. Good I didn't squish Elephant. Riley's thought were cut short when she noticed something start to wrap around her legs and chest. Riley tried to move but what she thought were vines, only squeezed tighter.

Use the light to loosen the tension. Dumbledore's words once again floated to the front of her mind. OK. Let's give it a try, shall we? Riley wiggled her hand out of the vines as best she could. Quickly, before the vines could wrap around her neck, Riley gasped out; "Incendio!"

The vines around her loosened as part of the plant caught fire. Riley jumped up, gasping for air and ran for the next room, not daring to stay near the plant longer then necessary.

In the next room, Riley could see keys with wings flying around and a couple of brooms leaning on the wall. There was a door across from where she entered, but it was locked.

Riley grimaced at the brooms; she was worse at flying then she was at singing. She looked up hopefully at the keys and smiled incredulously at her luck. The wing's on the key she was looking for were damaged, so it wasn't flying very well.

Riley pulled Elephant out of her pocket and hoping her luck wouldn't run out; she asked the shape-shifting mouse to catch the key. Surprisingly, Elephant understood and turned into a little dragon (which she had noticed was his favorite form) and caught the key in his claws. Riley thanked him and then told him to go back to her dorm. She didn't want him to get hurt.

As Riley walked into the next chamber, she was momentarily amazed at the giant chess set before her, but a cry brought her attention else where.

"Riley!"

She looked over to see Hermione helping a badly beaten Ron off the ground.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked apparently curiosity won over concern.

"Saving you lot." Riley replied looking around for Harry. "Or at least, that was the plan…"

"Harry's already gone ahead to face Snape! You have to take Ron to the hospital wing and get help. I'll go help Harry as much as I can."

Riley immediately shot that plan down. "No. No offense Hermione, but you look like crap. I'll go help Harry, you take Ron."

Hermione nodded, looking slightly relieved. But before Riley could rush off again, Hermione told her about the potions and the riddle, telling her which one to drink to get through. Riley quickly thanked her and left.

Riley knew she wouldn't stand a chance against Voldemort. But Harry was her friend, and she wasn't about to let someone else she was close to die.

Hold on, Harry. I'm coming.

~{}~

So there it is. I hope you all liked it. Next chapter should be up by next Friday, so make sure to look for it. Also, don't forget to check out my poll! Review!