Chapter 8

"I am a bit suspicious of Quirrell" said Hermione.

"I know as he specializes in Trolls but didn't take it out. I even heard that up until this year, he was a very competent teacher" said Harry.

"Also his stuttering pattern is off" said Hermione.

"I suspected that he was faking it but wasn't sure" said Harry.

"But why fake a stutter" asked Hermione.

"Because it makes you appear weak and people will overlook you more" said Harry.

"Do you think he is after whatever is on the third floor" said Hermione.

"Could be because he was in Diagon Alley the day it happened" said Harry.

"Harry are you still having strange headaches during his lesson" asked Hermione.

"Yeah and I know it isn't caused by the garlic. I wonder what he would need garlic for" said Harry.

"Probably to hide some even worst smell" said Hermione.

"I think you might be on to something. Also I couldn't find where a purple turban was some symbol for anything." said Harry.

"You looked into that" said Hermione.

"Yes, because I like being thorough" said Harry.

"Or neurotic" said Hermione.

"The papers this morning don't seem very reliable." Hermione stated.

"Because they are controlled by their owners. Like for example the Daily Prophet is clearly under the Ministry control" said Harry.

"You think we could buy the Daily Prophet out and make it where they could print more the truth." said Hermione.

"We will have to do it slowly and it is a good plan for us to have some control over the media" said Harry.

"We will write to Griphook later and tell him to start buying up stocks for the Daily Prophet. We should also look into other things to invest in as well" said Hermione.

"I agree" said Harry.

Hermione and Harry were doing well in all their subjects and taken a particular interest in Potions. Using their private lab, they were working with easy potions like the Boil-Cure Potion. They had figured out that if you left it on the heat until it turn pink it was more effective. It was an accident how they discovered this. Harry had overheated his potion until it turned pink but decided to keep it. When Harry was hit by a prank that caused boils, he had taken his potion and it worked much faster than the normally red ones so that got them to thinking about how they could perfect the potion or strengthen it.

"We need to get Voldemort to know that the Stone isn't here anymore" said Hermione.

"I know but we know the truth and I am seriously doubting the headmaster's sanity at the moment. He brought something to this school that he knew would draw a lot of baddies and for what to lure Voldemort and a follower, who wouldn't hesitate to harm one of the students" said Harry.

"I agree with you but if there is a way we can expose him without being found out" said Hermione.

During Christmas break, Hermione and Harry each signed up to stay at Hogwarts. They got to know Hagrid over the break and learnt that the Cerberus belonged to him and among some other things. It led them to believe that Dumbledore had meant the Third Floor to be a test for Jake.

It was during the Christmas break that Hermione had the most brilliant idea.

"I think we should contact Madame Bones" said Hermione.

"Why" asked Harry.

"Because even with the stone gone, Voldemort still believes it is here and means students lives are endanger. We can write an anonymous letter and have her check it out. They might can find out who is helping Voldemort." said Hermione.

"Then we will do it" said Harry.

Before students returned from break, Madam Bones along with a few Aurors came to the school.

"Amelia, what can I do for you" said Dumbledore in that gentle grandfather tone but Amelia was falling for it. She didn't making as the Head of the Law Enforcement Department on her looks.

"We have come her to look at the third floor" said Amelia and noticed that Dumbledore had lost his customary twinkle in his eyes.

"My dear lady, I see no need for you to look there as I have everything under control" said Dumbledore.

"Listen, I wasn't asking but telling you out of politeness that we would be checking the third floor. Now bye headmaster" said Amelia walking out of his office. Dumbledore wasn't far behind and lets just say this wasn't a good day for him.

When Amelia had gotten through all the challenges and found that they were easy enough for a determine first year to get through, she was furious. She had a niece attending and if she got curious enough, she could have ended up dead or seriously injured. Lets just say Dumbledore had a lot to answer for when she was done with him.

Hermione and Harry had seen Amelia coming and saw how furious she was when she left and knew Dumbledore was in for it. They didn't like the man and hoped he got into trouble but knew nothing would stick to him. He was a grand master of manipulation and would easily get out of this.

"So do you think Dumbledore realize the stone is gone yet" said Hermione.

"I believe he does" said Harry.

Albus was pacing his office back and forth. He was in some trouble as the stone wasn't in the mirror. He knew someone had been down there especially when they encountered the rotting corpse of the troll. Voldemort couldn't have gotten to it yet and he didn't think Jake or his friends had figure out the clue. He had to find that stone soon or else he was screwed.

Hermione had decided to send off an anonymous letter to a certain reporter at the Daily Prophet.

DUMBLEDORE ENDANGERS STUDENTS

By Rita Skeeter

From an anonymous source, that instead of contacting the Department of Defense to secure the third floor at the school. He left it opened for any curious student to venture inside. I was told that many dangers awaited on the floor and only been dealt with when Madam Bones the head of the defense department found out about it just recently.

He even told the students that if you dare go on that floor expect to die a horrible death. Is this the man we should trust with our most precious treasure our children.

I am wondering if old age has finally caught up to him and he is making grievous mistakes without even realizing it. People it is our responsibility to keep our children safe and we need to contact the school governs and ask them to do something.

Hermione and Harry had to fight from keeping from laughing. Severus looked down at them and felt they had a hand in this but didn't say anything. Albus needed it for bringing that blasted stone to this school. It endangered all them and he knew that Albus was using this to test that Potter brat. It was beyond stupid in his opinion and he had been keeping a good eye on his students making sure they hadn't gotten curious about the third floor.

Albus was wondering who could have done such a thing to him. He had to send all his mail to his office as he had gotten a few howlers last night that were rather nasty. What he was doing was for the greater good and simple-minded people just didn't realize that. Jake Potter had to be test so he could prove himself when it was time to face Voldemort. Albus was sadden that the boy had to die but it was for the greater good. Sighing a little to himself, he popped another lemon drop in his mouth and tried not to think about his upcoming meeting with the Board of Governors.

When the lessons started back, Harry and Hermione made a discovery in the Potion classroom. It was an old Potion book that belonged to someone who went by the name of the Half-Blood Prince. It had a sorts of tips on brewing better potions and the different techniques you can use. Hermione had forgotten her book once and borrowed this book from some of the extras when she made this grand discovery. She decided to keep the book as no one would miss it. It was helping them tremendously in Potions. They even found spells but was cautious about trying them as they didn't know what they could do.

It was in mid-January when Quirrell disappeared and his new replacement a man named Lucas Quib came. He was a better teacher than Quirrell especially since he didn't have a stuttering problem. All the students were thankful for that.

With Quirrell and Voldemort gone, Harry and Hermione relaxed. They began working with their elemental abilities.

Hermione started with water and Harry started with fire.

Hermione started with a drop of water. She could control the moments of the drop and even manipulate its shape to a point. Harry used a lit candle for practice. He would stir the fire up and lower it until it almost went out. They haven't gotten to the point where they could conjure it or handle anything large. And was using mediating techniques to help with his control over the wind.

The books said when they advanced enough they could communicate and even travel using their element.

Their use of wandless magic was improving as well.

"We know that you don't even have to do any movement to cast the spells. Visualization is very important but we don't even need that when you perform accidental magic" said Hermione.

"But remember that is wild magic and could do anything. We have the make we just have to will it to do what we want" said Harry.

"Okay" said Hermione. Closing her eyes, she focused on her make first. She pictured her core being in the center of her body than her veins were like passageways. She pushed a ball of energy from her core to her hand than she imagined it following from her hand into the book in from to her. She thought of it just floating in the breeze. Opening her eyes slowly, she remained calm as she noticed the book doing as she wanted and held it for a few minutes before letting go. She felt a little drain.

"That was great" congratulated Harry.

"Yeah, but it really drains you" said Hermione.

"We have to get use to performing magic like that so we will not put too much magic in it" said Harry.

The school year ended not long afterwards and Dumbledore was still fretting over the missing stone.

"Another year has gone by and now as I understand it the house cup needs awarding. In fourth place Gryffindor! With 200 points! Third place Huffelpuff with 250 points! Second place Ravenclaw with 490 points and first place Slytherin house with has an outstanding 510 points!"

The Slytherins were beyond happy about winning the House Cup once again. Harry and Hermione cheered as they earned most of the points for their house or so they believed.

"However, I have last minute points that needs to awarded, " said Dumbledore. Everyone paused confused by this. "To Jake Potter I award 170 points for courage!"

The Gryffindors' cheered, "And to Ron Weasley who showed courage beyond any first year, I award Gryffindor another 145 points" shouted Dumbledore.

"That's my brother!" yelled Percy. And he proudly puffed his chest up importantly.

The Gryffindors began went wild with their cheers of happiness but none of the other houses shared that feeling as they had been cheated out of the house cup. They had worked hard for their points and for Dumbledore to just do something like this was upsetting. He basically told them that the points they earned meant nothing.

Looking over at the Slytherin table, they had this defeated look about them and it hurt to see it. No mask could hide their hurt and anger over what just been done to them and Harry realized that Dumbledore had just made the house rivalry even more worst.

The trio hated him even more for denying them their House Cup. He had made it mean nothing.