Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N - okay so here we go, what's going to happen about the stone? :O Please keep reading I am having so much fun writing this story and keep reviewing! I am so grateful to everyone with their lovely comments already :3 Bailey: I'm afraid for the porpous of this story to work, Hermione will be spending time with Harry and Ron but please hold your breath and let the story develop...you never know what might happen. Also i wan't to warn you ...this story will not stay all happy and relaxed in later chapters it will be getting a lot darker and emotional! so please keep that in mind :) Also Insanegirl190: Thank you so much for your review it really made me smile! I'm and also glad you are not dissapointed!
Hermione found herself sitting in front of Harry and Ron at their usual meeting place. The three of them were sitting on a patchwork blanket with their books open.
"How did you get into the restricted section anyway?!" asked Hermione.
"Funny story that!" said Harry, pulling out the great invisibility cloak. Hermione laughed of course.
"Wow, where, err did you get this?"
"It was a Christmas present from Dumbledore or at least that's who we think sent it, but the note said it was originally my fathers!"
"Bloody brilliant if you ask me!" Ron muttered.
"Either way, like we had said, Hagrid had let slip about the maker of the philosopher's stone being called Nicolas Flamel. So I went to look but when I picked up a book and opened it there was this face that just started screaming!"
"So basically he chickened and ran out.."
"It wasn't like that! I kept trying to go back but Filch just kept hovering outside." Harry continued. Hermione watched the two boys talk.
"Anyway, after running away from Snape and Filch, Harry came across this mirror, which we found out from Dumbledore, it is called 'The mirror or Erised' and we found out that it shows the one who looks into it, their greatest desires!" Ron fell silent then and exchanged a glance with Harry.
"Professor Dumbledore told you?" she asked
"Yeah, he told me not to go back, warning me that people have gone mad due to looking at their desire for too long." Harry told her, leaning back against the rock. Hermione noticed how tired he looked then, remembering back to how he use to have nightmares about his parents being murdered. However, deciding not to press on the subject, she spoke.
"Well as great as that all sounds, I take it neither of you have found any information yet?"
"ACTUALLY-" Ron said, smiling smugly as he pulled out a chocolate frog card, "'Professor Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel'"
"That's it Ron!" She said, looking through her books she opened the book next to Harry. "Nicolas Flamel is the only know maker of the Sorcerer's Stone!" She read out loud. The two boys leaned closer, trying to see what she was reading. Noticing, she pushed the book towards the two Gryffindor's and pointed, "Read that."
The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.
There have been many reports of the Philosopher's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera-lover. Mr Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).
"Wait, I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him, because they're friends and he knew someone was after it. That's why he wanted the Stone moved out of Gringotts!" Harry said triumphantly, waving his hands in the air as if it was obvious.
"Exactly!" Hermione said smiling back at the green haired boy.
"A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying!" Ron said amazed, "No wonder Snape is after it. Anyone would want it." Hermione shook her head.
"What makes you think Snape is after it?" She asked.
"Well Harry said he heard a conversation between Snape and Quirell when he left the library" Harry nodded in agreement, " And then, after the Quiditch match, Harry saw Snape sneaking off into the forbidden forest, when he went to put his broom back in the broom shed but instead followed him."
"I overheard Snape talking to Quirell, Snape had arranged it, he wanted to meet in the forbidden forest because students aren't allowed to know about the sorcerer's stone." Harry continued.
"Bit stupid leaving it in Hogwarts then, if you ask me." Commented Ron, leaning back next to Harry.
"So you were right Hermione, it is the sorcerer's stone and I think Snape is after it! He must be trying to force Quirell to help him get it - I reckon there are other things guarding that door other than Fluffy, and Snape needs Professor Quirell to break through them. Loads of enchantments I bet." Harry finished. Hermione nodded, understanding how this was their initial thought in the "real" world.
"It defiantly seems to add up, but my advice Harry, is not to assume anything just yet. Life has ways of throwing you off guard." Hermione told him before gathering up her things. "Anyway, I better be off I have to go and meet Malfoy."
"Wait, Hermione -would you say you and Malfoy are close?" Harry asked, not meeting her gaze. She sent a quizzical look to Ron who simply shrugged.
"I wouldn't say we are close at all, but we have a lot of history. I mean err, like our parents know each other and that...why?"
"Oh, no reason. By the way, we are going to Hagrids next week, if you want to come you are more than welcome! He couldn't believe it when we told him we were friends with a Slytherin!" Harry grinned. Hermione smiled back at the other two.
"I would love to! See you later." and with that she turned and made her way back to the castle.
Making the way up the many moving stair cases and up a spiral one, Hermione finally arrived at the bottom of the steps that lead the astronomy tower. Out of breath she looked at her watch. shit I'm late. she thought as she pulled herself up the remaining steps.
"You're late." The familiar low voice stated, as if reading her mind. Her blonde ringlets flew around her as she spun round trying to find the speaker. Soon enough he stepped out of the shadows.
"I was with Harry and Ron."
"Doing what? a tea party?" Draco suggested raising one eyebrow before moving towards the railings and sitting down next to Hermione.
"No, I was actually trying to guide them so they found out about the Sorcerer's stone, I'm sure you remember what happened in our first year." Hermione simply stated.
"Ah yes, so tell me what is going to happen?" Draco asked bluntly. Does he really want to know everything?, "I mean if we are going to work together, you might as well explain what is meant to happen."
"Okay, well as you know the Sorcerer's stone is hidden here in the castle, by a three headed dog called Fluffy. Professor Quirell is trying to get to it but Harry and Ron think it is Snape. Soon we are going to have to go and 'get it', last time we had to get past the dog, the devil snare, a room of angry flying keys, a life or death chess board and potions. Harry told me that he was last faced with Voldemort, who was part of Quirell... It's up to Harry to be able to save the stone. I'm a bit worried though."
"Well, you lot sure had an eventful year. And why are you worried? You guys did it before right?"
"Yeah, but it is different now, being in Slytherin." Draco seemed to consider this for a moment before turning to Hermione.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked smoothly. She looked at him for a moment, examining his eyes for any distrust but sighed heavily.
"Well, as much as it might hurt you - befriend Harry. Ron would be difficult, but if you befriend Harry, you would probably be able to help a lot more." To her surprise Draco burst out laughing.
"Yeah, good one Granger. Like that will work."
"Look Malfoy, at least try."
"No way." still laughing.
"Please?" He just continued, wiping a tear from his eye, causing Hermione to roll her eyes and getting up to leave. This is ridiculous. Turning to leave he grabbed her wrist. She stood there for a moment as his cold hands sent a pulse of electricity through her nerves, causing her to pull away and turn back towards him.
"Oh, come on there must of be something that I could help with." Sighing Hermione thought for a moment.
"Alright, next week I am going to go to Hagrids with Harry and Ron, if I remember correctly, we will need to send his baby Dragon to Ron's brother Charlie. You could come with us and I will persuade them to trust you, but please, please don't argue with them. This is very important to Hagrid, plus if you argue them, they may not trust me again and if I don't help them then things could be thrown all out of proportion!"
"Fine...fine, tell me what I need to do and I will do it."
"Good." Another awkward silence passed between the two of them as they caught each others gaze. The wind around them blew their hair in different directions but just as Draco moved to walk forward, Hermione was snapped out of it and dropped her gaze.
"Oh I almost forgot." She said, pulling the Christmas present he had bought her out of her satchel and pushing it into his hands.
"What's this for?"
"Well, I know you may have a lot of money to throw around but I am still the Hermione that is naturally careful with finance. I don't feel comfortable with these sort of things, even if I do come from a rich family now. I'm not use to it. Sorry Draco, thank you anyway -the thought was very kind of you. Besides I felt guilty for not getting you anything." She watched as his expression hardened and he put the small box in his pocket.
"Whatever. Doesn't phase me. See you later." he said abruptly, pushing his way past her and walking down the stairs, leaving Hermione alone, embarrassed and slightly ashamed.