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"Eat a little more Harry." Hermione coaxed at breakfast the next morning.
"I'm not hungry." He mumbled.
"It'll all turn out fine Harry and then we'll go see Hagrid after the game." He nodded and walked out towards the field with Ron and Hermione. Minerva came up to them briefly on the way up and gave Harry a pat on the back.
"You'll be fine Harry." She reassured him before walking up to the teacher's stands to sit next to Lee Jordon, and make sure he doesn't say anything inappropriate. Ron and Hermione went and got seats in the second row next to Neville who looked down.
"What's wrong Neville?" Hermione asked. He blushed slightly.
"It's Malfoy, yesterday he put the leg-locker curse on me and I had to hop all the way down to Professor's Sprout's quarters. She took the charm off me but I still feel terrible that Malfoy got the better of me." He said sadly.
"Don't fret Neville, we know the counter-curse we can teach it to you." Hermione told him.
"Yeah anyway you're worth 10 of Malfoy, Neville." Ron told him. "After all you're in Gryffindor, he's in stupid Slytherin."
"Thanks, Ron." He said with a smile. However their peace didn't last long.
"Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want to bet? How about you Weasley." Malfoy's voice came from behind them.
Ron didn't answer him. The match had started while they had been talking to Neville and Snape had just awarded Hufflepuff a penalty for no reason. Hermione was anxiously watching Harry.
"You see the Gryffindor Quidditch team feels sorry for its team. Potter who has no family, the Weasleys who have no money. You should be on there Longbottom you're just all around felt sorry for." He said snidely.
"I'm worth ten of you Malfoy." He said stammering.
"Good job Neville." Ron mumbled not taking his eyes off the game.
"Longbottom if your brains were gold, you'd still be poorer then the Weasley, and that's saying something." Ron turned around slowly.
"I'm warning you Malfoy. One more word." Ron warned.
"Look at Harry!" Hermione yelled jumping up and down. Harry had sped towards the ground and then pulled up and glided down the side.
"You're in luck Weasley, Potter's found some gold on the field to give to you." Malfoy said. That did it for Ron. He leapt over the seat and pulled Malfoy to the ground. Neville hesitantly stepped in to help him taking on Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione was completely oblivious.
"Go Harry, let's go Harry!" She screamed. She screamed even louder when she saw Harry zoom past Snape to grab the snitch. "We won! Ron did you see that! We won." She hugged Parvati who was in the first row. She ran down to field to get Harry's attention. She motioned towards Hagrid's to let him know they'd wait for him there. Once she saw him nod she headed back to the stands.
"How'd you get a black eye?" She asked Ron as he stood up from the stands.
"Fighting Malfoy didn't you see me?" He looked offended.
"I was watching Harry win the match." She said with a frown. He grumbled as they walked and stood for Harry just outside the pitch and once he showed up the pushed their way through the snow all the way to Hagrids. Once they got there Hermione banged on the door.
"Hagrid open up. It's us." He let them in quickly and shut it just as quick. The stifling heat in the cabin was enormous, even the trio who had just come out of the bitter cold quickly shed their cloaks and scarves.
"Was their anything you lot wanted ter ask me?" He asked distractedly.
"Is their any other protection to the Sorcerers Stone?" Hagrid stumbled and hit the fireplace.
"So yeh figure'd it out did'yeh." He gave them mugs of pumpkin juice. "Well you're not gettin' nothin out of me. I don' even know 'ow yeh found out bout Fluffy."
"Well I know you don't want to tell us Hagrid but we know we can ask you. After all you know everything there is to know about what's going on at the school. You're so keyed into everything." Hermione said in what she hoped was her most innocent and flattering voice. Hagrids face became very red. "We really only wanted to know who else had done the protecting. Who else Professor Dumbledore trusted other then you to protect it."
"Well, I see no 'arm in tellin you that. Let's see. Other then meself, there's Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, Quirrel, Dumbledore did a little somethin… o' and Snape did a little thing."
"Snape!" Harry whispered.
"Now jus cause you lot saw Snape that night doesn't mean a thing. He is a teacher, he's protecting the stone. Like McGonagall and the other teacher's."
"Well do any other of the teachers know how to get past Fluffy?" Hermione asked.
"Nope not a soul knows how except me an' Dumbledore." He said confidentially leaning back in his chair.
"Great." Ron said copying him. "Hagrid can we open a window or something it's scorching in here."
"No sorry Ron." Hagrid mumbled looking at the fireplace.
"Are you cooking something Hagrid?" Hermione asked peering over to look at the fireplace.
"Eh no."
"I know what that is." Ron said suddenly. "Where'd you get it Hagrid."
"Well from tis Irish fella I met down in the pub." He admitted knowing that if Ron knew it would come out.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"A dragon egg right Hagrid? Charlie told me all about them last summer."
"That's dangerous Hagrid! Not to mention you're breaking the law!" Hermione scolded. "If you get caught…"
"I'm not gonna get caught, but you lot might if you don't get back to Professor McGonagall I'm sure she gonna start lookin fer yeh." They looked up to see it was already past lunch. They said goodbye to Hagrid and walked back up to the castle.
"Honesty I don't know what he's thinking. He lives in a wooden house!" Hermione exclaimed.
"We know Hermione!" Ron shouted back. "And we didn't even get anything else out of him about the stone."
"We found out that the other teachers helped set up defenses against it." Harry said. "Including Snape."
"True." Ron said some what gloomily.
"Look there goes Professor Snape." Hermione said pointing across the field. "He's with Professor Quirrell."
"Quick let's follow him." Ron said eagerly.
"We'll get caught." Hermione said firmly.
"Not with this." Harry said pulling the invisibility cloak out from his Quidditch bag. "I brought it just in case Hufflepuff won and I wanted to get away quickly." He threw it over them.
"We're still going to get caught." Hermione mumbled but was walking briskly next to them.
"Not if you be quiet." Ron snapped. They slowly made their way towards the edge of the forest. Snape had Quirrel up against the tree and was whispering fiercely.
"You don't want me as your enemy Quirrell." He said in a low voice.
"Se Se Severus… I .. I ."
"Stop stuttering you fool, if you don't tell me what I'm looking for you hear from me again." He said and with a twist he stalked backed up towards the castle.
"Man we missed what he said." Ron said. "Thanks for slowing us down Hermione."
"Hey, it wasn't my fault plus we did learn that Snape needs to Quirrell to tell him something."
"You don't think that the Quirrell is the only teacher Snape hasn't learned what protection is there?" Ron asked.
"That's exactly what I think. Snape by some manner must have found out the other teacher's protections and now he only needs Quirrel's" Harry stated.
"It'll be gone by the end of next week."
"Way to be optimistic Ron."
They headed back up into the castle and went into Professor McGonagall's quarters on the first floor.
"Where did you three head off too?" She asked as they walked in. She was in what the trio dubbed as "her armchair" because she never let them sit there.
"We went down to Hagrid's."
"Oh, well you messed lunch." She said going back to her book. They groaned, Harry especially was very hungry having not eaten any breakfast. "That was a very nice save Harry." He grinned sheepishly.
"Thank you Professor, though now I'm really hungry." He said hopefully as a hint that she could get them some food.
"Well I do have an idea… what happened to your eye Ron?" She asked looking at the boy's black eye. His hand flew to his eye in shock, he had forgotten about it.
"Um well…"
"We tried to get down to the field to see Harry and one of the other students was to excited and hit Ron in the face." She said giggling at her lie. Ron's ears turned bright red at the mortifying lie. Minerva sighed and pointed her wand at his eye.
"Episkey." She said. "There is that better?"
"Yeah…" He said feeling his eye.
"Well anyway I thought that since you are missing from the normal Gryffindor common room party after a game, yes Mr. Weasley I know there are parties, I thought that maybe you three would like to come with me to Hogsmeade for a quick bite to eat. If you don't want to be seen with a teacher I completely understand but I thought you three would like seeing Hogsmeade." She trailed off. Hermione's eyes got big.
"Oh, yes, yes." She said smiling. "Let me get my other cloak though. This is so exciting." She ran into the bedroom to get her cloak.
"Are we really going to Hogsmeade!" Ron said excitedly. "Ha! I can't wait to tell my brothers that I get to see Hogsmeade in my first year."
"What's Hogsmeade?" Harry asked. Minerva took pity on him.
"It's the wizarding village nearby. The train station is actually on the edge of Hogsmeade." Minerva told him. After Hermione came back they headed out. "We're going to eat at Three Broomsticks, it's a local pub and restaurant."
"Wait are we allowed to leave the school?" Hermione asked as a second thought.
"You are allowed if you are with me. Keep in mind you won't be able to come here by yourselves until you're in you're 3rd year." She warned them. "If I or any of the other teachers catch you trying to sneak out you will get detention." They nodded and understanding and followed behind her as she made a path in the snow.
"Hello Rosemerta!" Minerva said as they walked in.
"Hello Minerva. Would you like a room in the back?"
"Please Rose." They followed Madam Rosemerta into the back room were no one else was seated.
"What would you like to drink?"
"How about three butterbeers and my usual please Rosemerta." Minerva dictated.
"Butterbeer?" Harry asked.
"It's quite a good drink, I think you'll like it." She told them as Madam Rosemerta came back. They all tentivelly took a sip and their faces lit up with delight.
"Wow it's like a mix of cream soda and butterscotch." Hermione said.
"What's cream soda?" Ron asked.
"Never mind." She said taking a bigger sip. They quickly ordered their food and ate happily. Harry was happily reacting his thought's during the game and how surprised he was to see the snitch hovering right above Snape.
"And Snape's face as I grabbed the snitch, priceless." Harry said with a smile.
"Professor Sanpe, Harry." Minerva said lightly. "By the way I didn't hear a thank you for this wonderful meal." She said jokingly.
"Thank you Professor." Harry and Ron chorused. Hermione, who hadn't said any thing for a while, reached over and gave her a hug.
"Thank you." Hermione said softly.
"You're welcome kids." She returned Hermione hug. "I guess we had better head back up to the castle."
"Can't we see the rest of the village?" Harry asked.
"Oh yeah please." Ron pleaded.
"We'll miss dinner." She told them looking at the clock.
"We're not hungry now though." Ron said to all their amazement. "Please."
"Alright, I suppose that I could get the new quill I need from Devish and Banges." The boys cheered and ran for the door. Hermione followed them not quite as quickly. Minerva bought her quill and showed them the inside of Dervish and Banges. Then they went into Honeydukes as Minerva needed more ginger newts. Minerva saw the boys staring at the fizzing wizzbees and got them some, and got Hermione a packet of sugar quills.
"If anyone asks you bought them yourselves." She told them. Harry and Ron wanted to go into Zonko's but Minerva turned down that idea.
"What kind of teacher would I be if I let two first years go into a joke shop, with my permission?" She gave them a penetrating glare. "Unless they promised to use what ever products they bought on a certain two twins and only those two. Otherwise I see no reason to let them into a joke shop." She turned away from the shop. "Hermione would you like to come with me to see the post office. I need to send a long distance letter, and I don't like to use the school owls to do that. It should only take 10 minutes. Come on." She said and they walked over to post office. Harry and Ron stood with their mouths hanging open.
"Do you have money?" Ron asked.
"A little bit."
"I can't believe she did that."
"Me neither." They shared a quick look and took off for the store. Meanwhile…
"I can't believe you did that." Hermione said looking up at Professor McGonagall.
"I don't know what you're talking about I didn't do a thing." She pushed open the front door. "Look up." Hermione did as she was told and gasped. Owls of every different color and size were above her.
"Wow." Minerva chuckled at her face and headed over to send her letter. We they exited the building Harry and Ron were waiting outside for them, and they headed back into the castle.
"Did you all have fun?" Minerva asked them as they made it back to the castle and shed their damp clothes.
"Yeah!" Harry and Ron cheered. It was true it was the best day they could remember having in a long time. They had won the game, seen Hagrid, and visited Hogsmeade two whole years before the rest of their year would.
"Honeydukes was amazing." Ron said. "And thank you for the sweets Professor."
"If you want you three can call me Minerva in private." She smiled. "Don't take advantage of that." She warned them. They nodded.
"I liked the butterbeer." Harry said beaming. "What about you Hermione?" She looked up at him slowly.
"I thought Honeydukes and the Post office was very cool." She said softly. Minerva frowned.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes I'm fine. It's just been a long day." Hermione assured her. Minerva didn't look fully convinced but let it go.
"Okay I have a meeting to go to now, I'll be back in about an hour." She left the room with out any other word.
"She is a weird lady." Ron said.
"I think I'm liking McGonagall more and more." Harry admitted. Hermione nodded. "Are you okay?" Harry asked her.
"My head hurts. I'm sure it's nothing but the excitement we've had today. I'm just going to read a book for the rest of today." They nodded and deciding not to ruin a mostly perfect day, pulled out the chess board instead of doing their homework. They played until McGonagall came strolling back into the room, rubbing her head from the meeting. She swore that Albus was being difficult on purpose to make her life harder.
"Hello again." She said walking in. She waved her wand sending all her notes from the meeting back to her bed room. She settled on the couch next to Hermione to watch the boys play. Not even 5 minutes later Ron beat Harry.
"You know I just give up. I'm never going to beat you." Harry said tiredly, but with a smile.
"Giving up after only one game Harry?" Minerva asked.
"Not one, five in a row." Harry told her. He went to sit next to Hermione. "Why don't you play Ron, Hermione?" She shook her head.
"I'm too tired Harry." She told him. "I think I'm going to go to bed." Minerva gave her a questioning look, that Hermione ignored. "Good night."
"Night." The boys responded. Minerva rounded on them as soon as Hermione left the room.
"Is she alright?" She asked the boys who both shrugged.
"She told us she was tired from all the excitement today." Ron explained dodging Harry's shot at his side. Minerva gave them her best glare.
"She just read her book for the last hour." Harry admitted. Minerva nodded and sat back down. A few minutes pasted with out a word.
"Professor…" Harry started softly. "Is their any chance we could have some more hot chocolate?" He asked with a slight smile. She turned and looked at him as if she was considering it and then nodded without a word and walked into the kitchen. She came out after a couple minutes and sat two mugs in front the boys, who smiled and said thank you. She took the other mug and headed into the kids bedroom. Hermione had drawn the curtain shut.
"Hermione can I come in?" Minerva asked. When she received no answer she pulled the curtain back. Hermione was still up, lying on her back.
"The boys wanted some hot chocolate I thought I'd see if you were still up and would like some?" She asked. Hermione nodded and accepted the cup taking a long drink. Minerva stared at her. "Can I sit?" She said sitting down.
"Thank you." Hermione said as she sat the cup down on the counter.
"Now tell me the truth Hermione, are you feeling alright? You've been very quiet ever since lunch." Minerva questioned for what seemed like the tenth time that day.
"Yes, Professor I'm fine." She said before sneezing. Minerva automatically put her hand on Hermione's forehead and frowned.
"You're burning up."
"I'm just tired. Generally my temperature spikes when I'm in conflicting weather. Between the Quidditch game, going to Hagrids, where he kept it nice and toasty, to back to the drafty castle, to Hogsmeade, and staying outside." She explained. Minerva wasn't convinced. It sounded to much like Hermione's 'I know the answer' voice she uses in class to define an definition. She gave Hermione her stern look. Hermione looked back just as stubbornly.
"Fine!" Minerva said a bit loudly. "I'll let you go to sleep. But," She added on softly. "If you feel worse come get me alright, just wake me up." Hermione nodded in understanding. "Drink some more hot chocolate, it'll help you sleep. Good night." She said giving Hermione a worried look.
Now before all my hopefully loving readers decide to hunt me down and kill me, in my defense I should tell you how completely hectic my life has been the past few weeks. Between school starting and having my first college classes, and working I haven't had much time to update and I'm sorry. Though in my defense again my first college class petrified me, but now I'm better so it's all good and please excuse my spelling and grammar. I read over it, but I'm not a big grammar person so please bare with me, I know I need a beta.