I am incredibly sorry for the delay. It's been written for months but I wanted to finish the chapter after this before posting and got writers block.
As ever concrit is love.
The events of Halloween might have been terrifying but they had one major effect. Sophie Barns, one of the 7th year Gryffindor prefects sat down with Percy and the 1st years and left them convinced that if they didn't stop smothering Lavender or let her chose some of the games they played she would make detention with Snape seem blissful in comparison. Once they were all quivering under her glare she pulled Lavender from her seat and introduced her to the second year girls. The first years learnt to dread the sounds of 4 girls giggling in the corner.
After that life in Gryffindor tower settled down in to a comfortable routine of classes, homework, football, quidditch and playing with the cerberus on the third floor that seemed to blur the days together. It was a shock to realise Christmas was so close when Professor McGonagall called Harry and Hermione into her office to discuss if they wanted to go to the Weasley's for the holidays. Once the wide eyed disbelief and stammered protestations that they would be in the way were dealt with by a quick floo call from Mrs Weasley they found themselves taking the Express to their first real Christmas.
Mrs Weasly's mothering nature had completely enveloped her two new Weasleys and she was in her element. Christmas passed in what felt like a blink of an eye leaving behind only warm memories of sitting in the main room watching Mrs Weasley's knitting needles flicker as they knitted thick warm Weasley jumpers for everyone and she taught Hermione, Luna and Ginny to make knotty gloves, scarfs and hats; the sound of the wizarding wireless mixing with the rhythmic industrial noise of Mrs Weasley's heavily enchanted old Singer sewing machine and the quiet murmurs of contented teenagers into the sound of home. Harry couldn't imagine before Christmas that he would ever not want to go to Hogwarts but he didn't want to leave the Burrow.
The best part from Harry and Hermione's perspective was when Mr and Mrs Weasley took them aside. Comparing notes they found their conversation's differed only in how the Ministry would allow the Weasleys to become responsible for them. In Harry's case the Ministry would not allow him to be adopted so with his eagerly given permission the Weasleys had filed to become his guardians, both residential and legal. For Hermione it was a little more complicated and once she agreed required a full family conference, with Bill and Charlie joining them by a large Communication Mirror Bill had enchanted while practicing for his OWLs.
After her first bout of accidental magic her parents had arranged for her to be magically adopted but due to the war her adoption had fallen through and with the new laws passed after the war making adoption more difficult no one had been able to restart the process until now. By willingly taking her into their home the Weasleys had unintentionally reactivated the dormant magic removing the possibility of them merely being her guardians. As Bill put it, "Ministry willing we will soon have a new baby sister."
The five of them returned to Hogwarts with a new Weasley jumper each, worn but serviceable fitting clothes for class and weekend inter mixed with some new clothes made just for them. The love and care made Hermione, Luna and Harry glow with contentment that spread through Ginny and Ron making them see what they had in a from a warmer perspective.
Seeing Mrs Malfoy take aside Draco for making fun of their second hand clothes probably helped although it was a good thing the didn't see her take Mrs Weasley aside. Draco sloped on to the train, his face slightly pink. Seemingly forced he came to their carriage and began a stilted apology, "It was inappropriate of me to make assumptions about the state of your family's finances or their ability to take care of you. In the future I will do my best of keep my thoughts to myself and consider the information available to me more fully."
Hagrid's weekly requests that they come to tea with him showed no signs of abating nor did his skill at cooking of improving but he would spend the afternoons telling Luna and Harry stories of their parents. One friday after Christmas Ginny made a firm suggestion that they should bring Neville with them from now on saying only "Who did Bellatrix Lestrange torture?" when asked why. Mystified, the mad witch had after all tortured quite a few people, they none the less agreed and soon their friday afternoon teas now involved stories of Neville's parents.
Their weeks continued in this new arrangement growing closer to Neville until the afternoon Hagrid's curtains were closed. When the door opened a wave of hot air escaped that almost knocked them of their feet despite being mid May and the first truly warm day of the year. Hagrid waved them hurriedly inside where they saw there in the fire a huge black egg.
"Please," Luna begged, "tell me that isn't what I think it is?"
Ron followed her gaze. "A dragon's egg."
"They're a class A prohibited item." Ginny's freckles stood in stark contrast to her pale skin.
Looking equally scared Hermione stepped up to stand next to her. "It's 5 years in Azkaban to even know one's been illegally traded in the UK."
Neville's mind took a more practical route. "You live in a wooden house?"
"I won it of a fellow in the Hogshead." Hagrid muttered shamefaced. "He was asking lots of questions about Fluffy."
"Fluffy?" Harry remembered the twins tales of Hagrid's pets. Normally vicious, venomous or some combination of the two treated like a loveable kitten by the massive groundskeeper.
"My cerberus." Hagrid beamed. "He's gentler than Fang drifts right of to sleep if you play him some music."
"I guess you told this fellow at the Hogshead that too?" Hermione's distrust was clear in her tone.
"Charlie!" Harry said to break the accusative turn. Seeing blank looks all round he elaborated, "Didn't Mrs Weasley say Charlie was trying to get a job at the Welsh dragon reserve?"
"Of course." Luna jumped on the balls of her toes at the thought of her favourite Weasley brother. "He's been making lots of contacts in Wales and has been offered a job there replacing one of the older keepers in September."
"If Lu writes to Charlie he's sure to arrange for the egg to be taken to the reserve just for a chance to see LuLu!" Ron finished their thoughts. "Hermione." Ron beckoned. Waiting for her to scowl at him and pull out a scrap of parchment and a pencil from her dress pocket and hand them to Luna.
Luna wrote with her normal deliberate strokes unhurried by Ron's impatience. Finished she read it through before passing it to Ginny.
"Too obvious. Lose the second sentence." Was Ginny's verdict passing it to Hermione.
"I doesn't make sense without." Hermione mused. "Instead try 'am having a wonderful time at Hogwarts and am eagerly looking forward to seeing you at Easter.' Subtler but still thinking of him."
Luna took back the note and made the changes. "We'll send it now."
Charlie met them on the lakeshore two nerve racking weeks later. "Little sister of mine." He caught Luna spinning her with abandon before clasping her tight to his chest.
Once they were settled and twins and Percy had joined them he began to regal them with the tale of Norberta the Norwegian Ridgeback hatched one week previous in Hagrid's wooden hut. "When I got LuLu's letter I immediately contacted the Welsh reserve but they don't have anyone better qualified to handle a Norwegian Ridgeback than Professor Kettleburn who as you know deputised Hagrid. The reserves specialising in Ridgebacks are severely understaffed and the only reserve with space and suited to a Ridgeback is the Romanian reserve. It took us every minute of the two weeks to prepare for a infant Ridgeback.
"Our team arrived last night to examine and contain the dragon before portkeying across to Romania. I got permission to tag along as an extra hand during containment as I was coming to England anyway."
"Luna's letter." The twins asked in unison. "You mean they kept a dragon a secret." They glowered accusingly at the quintet but were quickly silenced by their older brother's disapproving hands.
It was a joyous reunion that ended far too quickly for any of them and all too soon they were back to the grind stone of rapidly approaching exams.
Exams spun closer seemingly spurred on by the spectre of unbidden knowledge. Not only was something valuable or powerful enough that it needed a cerberus to guard it hidden in the castle with someone conspiring to steal it but the thief knew how to get past the cerberus. The only reassurance they could gleam was that even You-Know-Who had been afraid of Dumbledore so while Dumbledore was in the castle the object was safe.
Their fears about the object were realised the morning after their last exam when they looked up to the head table and for the first time since Hagrid had won the egg Dumbledore was gone.
"He could be sick?" Neville offered.
"Or too busy for breakfast." Hermione suggested.
"Or called to the Wizengamot to debate the first attempted adoption in 7 years." Luna laid the Prophet down on the table open to a page blaring 'Weasleys Press for First Adoption in 7 Years' in smaller writing 'Dumbledore declares "Adoption damages family ties"' followed by '"Adoption of Muggleborns is a traditional and normal part of the Wizarding world" says Lord Malfoy'.
"Or he could be arguing about something that's none of his business and attempting to prevent our family from growing in the way we want it to." Ron agreed.
"While simultaneously needlessly endangering students." Ginny attempted to sound like Percy. "Percy's OWLs aren't done yet and mum will kill the twins if they don't do well in their exams."
"So it's just us." Harry sighed.
"We could try telling Professor McGonagall." Neville sounded unsure even as he posted the option.
"We ought to." Hermione answered scanning the head table. "She's not there. We'll have to wait till her office hours."
"Outside then." Ron gathered a pitcher of juice and six glasses, "There's no reason for us to remain inside on a glorious day."
While the rest of first year and the second years relaxed in sultry June sun, the sextet found themselves unable to relax. They'd settle with a beloved book, start a pick up game or curl together and their minds would be drawn inexorably to the third floor corridor. It was a strange relief when the clock hands dragged themselves round to 3pm and Professor McGonagall's office hours began,
They hurried up to McGonagall's tower office and joined the queue of upper years waiting for her to answer their last minute transfiguration questions before their OWLs and NEWTs arrived. She was scowling and sweat slick when they were let in, her little office ripe with the smell of unwashed bodies and her desk teeming with rough piles of parchment.
"You're going to the Weasleys this summer I believe, Mr Potter, Miss Lovegood?" She asked when they entered. After Luna and Harry nodded she continued, "You are content with this arrangement?'
"Yes" Luna answered.
A heartbeat latter Harry added, "It's brilliant."
The scowl slipped from Professor McGonagall's face and suddenly she looked very sad. She blinked and her face went impassive, "Miss Granger, whatever the result of the Wizengamot sesion today Madame Entwhistle assures me that you will be returning to the Burrow." A wide relieved smile broke out over Hermione's face her hands automatically slipping into those nearest to her. "Now have I answered all your questions?"
"The object." Ron began. "The thief knows how to get it and Dumbledore isn't here."
Shock rippled visibly through Professor McGonagall's countenance; raising her brows, thinning her lips and tightening her hands in to claws that grasped at the edge of her desk. Finally in a strained voice she spoke, "I'm not sure who you know of the Stone but I assure you it is protected."
"But he'll hurt Fluffy." Luna pleaded plaintively.
"Enough." McGonagall's quiet voice cut the room, "The stone is protected. Go enjoy the last of the sunshine while it lasts or I'll make you start your summer homework early."
They scurried from the room, Ron's quiet whisper, "Of course we won't let anyone hurt the vicious three headed dog." following them.
They pulled the rest of their year into their quiet anxious huddle that evening in the chilly corner they had marked as their own their first week. Sharing fraught glances as the common room slowly cleared and Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Sally Anne finally made their way to bed.
Only once the common room was silent did they slip from the room and glide down the familiar corridors to Fluffy's room. The cavernous room echoed with the harmony of three rattling snores overwhelming the light notes trickling from the enchanted harp. Luna gasped and ran to Fluffy running her hands over its massive heads and digging her fingers through its fur.
"The doors open." Neville's eyes fell on the open trapdoor.
"Didn't McGonagall say there were other protections?" Harry asked.
"What do you want to bet the thief found out how to get round them?" Ginny asked.
Hermione moaned. "Why? We're just first years?"
"Lu, you staying here?" Ron fell into his normal role of leader. At Luna's nod he open his mouth and closed it rapidly. Finally he nodded, "Right here's how we're going to do this. Harry you're going to go down. Gin and me are gonna levitate you. Cast Lumos and tell us what you see."
They arranged themselves around three sides of the trapdoor. "Ready." Harry called out and jumped as Ginny and Rod cast. Slowly they lowered him down until he started speaking, "There's a plant, it's got vines and is moving away from light."
"Devil's Snare," Neville said, "it likes damp and dark."
"Start a fire." Ron added.
"How?" Harry's plaintive question floated up.
"Try Incendio with the wand movement up and then down like a flame." Hermione said.
They could hear Harry desperately trying to cast the spell, then the whoosh as the spell worked and the fire caught. The sweet smell of the plant burning. After a while Harry called up, "It's gone, I can see a door."
"We're going to lower you to the ground. Move far enough aside that Ginny can join you. Check out the room. If it's clear we'll join you. If not yell "stop", come to the door and we'll levitate you out." Ron told them. He waited for Harry to move and waved Hermione forward. Together they lowered Ginny down.
There was an anxious pause in the room while the could hear nothing then Ginny's voice rose, "It's clear."
"Right, Hermione and Neville will lower me down. We will lower Hermione down. Then Luna will remove the charm on that harp and Neville will go and get one of the Professors." Ron told them.
Hermione was lowered down into the dark room below and they heard the music and Fluffy's snores stop. They walked towards the door, Harry first, Ron and Ginny together with Hermione bringing up the rear their wands held tight in their hands. Harry's damp hand reached out and twisted the handle. To his surprise it swung open to reveal a high vaulted room filled with glittering birds.
Gingerly Harry stepped into the room. When nothing happened he walked across the room and pulled the on the door. "It's locked!" He yelled back across to the rest.
They hurried across to join him. Hermione and Ginny pushing him aside to whisper spells Harry and Ron had never heard off. Harry turned and scanned the room, "They aren't birds!" He whispered, "They're keys!" His eyes fell on the brooms stacked in the corner. "Guys we have to catch the key."
The others turned around. "Merlin's sweaty balls" Ron swore. He held his arms out trapping Ginny and Hermione at the door. "Me and Hermione with come at it from the sides. You and Ginny mirror each other, when one of you spots it call us and we'll flank you. What kind of key is it Gin?"
"Big, old fashioned, simple key but ornately carved to hold the enchantment. Probably silver like the lock," Ginny replied.
"Mount up." Ron's voice was grimly determined, "We better hope these brooms aren't cursed."
Luckily the weren't and between Harry's sharp eyes and Ron's plan the key was crushed quickly against a wall in Ginny's hand. She flew to the door fighting the key every inch. Once she'd managed to twist the lock open they flew through and found themselves hovering over a giant chess board with a door behind the white side.
"I think we're supposed to play our way across." Harry said dubiously.
"Why don't we just fly across?" Ginny asked.
"Harry." Ron nodded.
Slowly Harry began, staying just above the chess pieces to reduce the fall. There seemed to be nothing impeding his way. Once he was at the door he climbed out of reach of the white king and waved the rest across.
"The question is will they attack us when we try to open the door?" Hermione's logical mind grasped the obvious solution.
"Which of you knows the most ways to unlock doors?" Ron asked, Ginny quickly pointed to Hermione. "The rest of us will line up in front of you. Combine, incendio with ffwordd and reducto."
They lined up as per Ron's orders and Hermione slipped her hand around the solid brass door knob. The moment her hand touched the knob the chess pieces attacked. She could hear Ginny, Harry and Ron's voices mixing as the yelled spells and spells impacting as she desperately pushed the unlocked door open.
"Guys it's open through." She spun through and hovered above the door. Once the others hand rammed through she slammed the door. "Coloportus."
"Oh God." Harry moaned. They dropped to the ground and shook. When they finally opened their eyes they saw a dead troll.
"Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall and I guess this one's Quivering Quirrel." Ginny said. "Who in Morgana's name is next?"
"Snape and Dumbledore." Hermione said marching to the empty archway. "People at Hogwarts the headmaster trusts.
The four of them stepped through the archway and behind them flames leaped up. "No." Harry said.
Hermione's eyes swept the chamber, "This is Snape's" She picked up the parchment, "A riddle."
"Can you solve it?" Ron asked.
"Give me some time." Hermione replied walking up and down the line of potions. After the several long minutes she picked up two vials. This one sends you back through the purple flames, this one forward through the black." She handed them to Ron.
Flicking the caps off he eyeballed the contents. "There's enough for two each way if we're careful. Harry, you and Gin will go forward. Me and Hermione will go back and hopefully meet the teachers heading this way." He stepped forward and wrapped Ginny in a crushing embrace. "Don't die."
Hermione copied Ron's actions with Harry squeezing the breath from his lungs. Harry found his eyes wet and he nodded taking the vial from Ginny. Swallowing the last little bit they stepped hand in hand through the flames.
In front of them was Quivering Quirrel. "Harry Potter. I knew you'd come." Quirrel turned from the mirror. "My master told me you would know how to get the stone from this mirror." He roughly dragged Harry by his robe in front of the mirror seeming not to notice Ginny. "What do you see?"
Harry looked, "My family; My parents, and two men who are familiar. The Weasleys and Ginny, Hermione, Luna and Ron. And their smiling and happy and proud of me."
A high hissing voice came from behind Quirrel, "Let me speak to the boy."
"You are too weak Master," Quirrel pleaded.
"Not for this." The voice said. Trembling Quirrel reached up and unwrapped his turban. Ginny gasped from her position in the corner and Quirrel turned his back to Harry. In the back of Quirrel's head was a deformed snakelike face. "Where is the Stone boy?"
"The Stone?" Harry asked seeing Ginny finger her wand.
"Do you want to die like your snivelling parents boy?" The face asked and approached walking Harry back against the wall his hand outstretched. Harry tried to catch Ginny's eyes and get his plan across. Had to hope it had worked as the wall bumped up against his shoulders and still Voldemort approached his hand raised.
As the hand touched Harry's face it hurt and Quirrel cried out wrenching his arm away. "It burns master!"
"Hold him!" Voldemort cried out and grasped Harry's face again.
As Harry cried out reaching up to hold Quirrel's wrist Ginny acted, "Incendio!" She cried catching Quirrel's robes on fire. Even as the world went black Harry fought to keep hold of Quirrel as he flailed.