Happy Holidays!
I'm done done done! With my first semester of college! 17 credits done! Next semester is 19… but 7 of those are music so I should be alright! Now I'm pleased to tell you I have 6 weeks of nothing! Except my jobs, but I consider that nothing, because football season is slowing down so I won't be working at much. I wrote this in one day so I hope you like it! And for those who were wondering cats in the cradle is next, but because I left this at a cliffhanger I thought I'd update this first. This stories almost done!
Disclaimer: If you still believe I own anything your mistaken.
"Okay you have my wand and my robe right?" Hermione asked Ron and Harry, who was holding the invisibility cloak tightly.
"Yes Hermione we have everything." Ron said holding both up to show her.
"Okay yes and you know plan B right?"
"Yes now go!" Harry whispered fiercely. "Snape could be halfway to the stone and back by now!"
"Alright I'm going! Get back into bed you know the signal." They both jumped back into their respective beds while Hermione took a deep breath and pushed the door to their bedroom open stepping out into the hall.
She felt a huge wave of magic rush over her as she passed though the doorway. By the time she had placed both feet into the hallway the magic was gone and she could hear Minerva getting out of bed. Preparing herself she yawned loudly and rubbed her eyes she was just reaching for the bathroom door when Minerva came out into the hallway glaring at her.
Minerva sighed as she leaned against the headboard of her bed. She was completely exhausted. Even covering for Albus for a day was tiring. Not to mention the fact that somehow Harry, Ron and Hermione managed to find out about the sorcerers stone. Some of the teachers don't even know about the stone. Heaven help us if Sybil found out, she thought sarcastically. Minerva sighed again. She had hoped she wouldn't have had to force them to stay in the room but they left her no choice! They had no idea what was beyond the trap door and she was not about to let her cubs hurt themselves through ignorance. If it meant locking them in their room so be it.
She picked up a copy of Transfiguration Today that had been sitting on her bedside table. Correcting a few mistakes in this should take her mind off of the kids for a couple minutes. She was about ten minutes in to consulting the magazine when a wave of magic over fell her. Of course she thought, throwing the magazine aside and grabbing her dressing gown. Pulling it on she mumbled curses under her breath prepared to make the trio feel her wrath. But to her shock it was only Hermione rubbing her eyes and looking up at Minerva.
"Why are you up young lady?" Minerva said glaring. If this was some plot about the Sorcerers stone again…
"I needed to use the toilet." Internally Minerva scolded herself. She had never thought the one of them would have to use the toilet. She wasn't about to let Hermione see that though.
"Why didn't you go before bed?" Minerva asked
"Because I didn't have to then!" Hermione was doing a little hop, skip movement. "I woke up and had to pee, and I didn't know if I should try because I knew you had put something on the door but then I couldn't hold it in and…"
"Fine just go." Minerva said pushing Hermione into the door. Hermione flashed her a quick smile and went into the loo.
Minerva highly suspicious of all this peeked into the trio's bedroom but there were Ron and Harry fast asleep on their beds. Ron's rat was even sitting on his head, which made Minerva cringe a bit.
She leaned against the wall and sighed a breath of relief, all her cubs were safe and sound, well two out of the three. Now that she knew all Hermione needed to do was use the restroom she felt a little ridiculous. Hermione hadn't been doing anything wrong at all. Truth be told it had shocked Minerva greatly to see Hermione out of bed and not Harry or Ron. She knew she should judge them as their own separate people but she could just remember all the sleepless nights James Potter had caused her, not to mention Bill, Charlie, Fred and George. Though Bill and Charlie were nothing compared to their twin brothers. But Hermione was her good girl, the studious one, and although she would never tell anyone her favorite. Harry and Ron were becoming favorites too, not that she'd ever let them get away with anything because of that, she wasn't Severus after all. They like many other students over the years had find a way into her heart. She just wished she could show them that. The sound of running water jolted her out of her thoughts. She had forgotten briefly that she had been waiting for Hermione to come out.
"Are you done? No more nightly excursions?" Minerva asked.
"I think I can hold anything else in till the morning." Hermione turned towards the door and Minerva made to follow her in when Hermione turned back around.
"Professor you know we don't try to get into trouble right?" Minerva groaned. What in the world does she say to that?
"So it just finds you?" Minerva asked raising an eyebrow. Hermione nodded.
"Yes remember the troll?" Hermione said before slapping her hands across her mouth. Minerva knelt down to Hermione's level.
"I thought you went looking for the troll?" Minerva asked, "Don't lie to me." She followed up when Hermione nodded. "Talk." Hermione blushed and looked down.
"Some kids had said some mean things to me, I was upset so stayed in the loo the rest of the day. I had just started to come out of the stall when I looked up and saw the troll. I screamed, a couple of seconds later Ron and Harry stormed in and beat it the same way they told you. I didn't want them to get in trouble after they had saved me so I told you I went looking for it instead. That was how we became friends…" Hermione mumbled the last part but Minerva picked it up loud and clear. She placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders.
"Hermione first of all don't lie to me like that again." Hermione nodded. "Second, you should always tell the truth. If you had told me that story when it happened I wouldn't have taken any points from Gryffindor. Yes Harry and Ron broke the rules, but they did it for a noble clause, sometimes rules are overlooked when it comes to more important things… understand?" Hermione nodded.
"I think so." She yawned sleepily. "Good night Professor." Hermione wrapped her arms around Minerva and gave her a hug, which was returned by Minerva with a smile.
"Good night Hermione." Minerva stood to go back to her room. She felt the magic pulse the room again and she looked back at the empty hallway tiredly. I think I'll save the rest of the magazine for another day.
They stood silently until they heard the door shut, and even then they remained still for a couple of seconds. The trio shuffled towards the door and came out into the main hallway.
"Bloody hell I can't believe that worked!" Ron said rather loudly.
"SHH! Be quiet." Hermione whispered, accepting her robe and wand from Harry. "There could be a teacher just around the corner." They set off towards the third floor. "And of course it worked it was my idea after all." Ron made a face behind her head.
"Quiet, we're here." Harry said.
"Alohomora." Hermione whispered pushing the door open. Harry slowly began to play the little flute Hagrid had given him for Christmas and right away the giant dog's three heads began to droop. Stuffing the cloak away, Ron and Hermione ran and opened up the trap door, which led seemingly into darkness.
"Well that's nice. Want to go first Hermione?" Ron asked.
"No I do not!" She cried. Harry tapped Ron on the back of the head pointed to himself and then the trap door.
"You want to go are you sure? Give Hermione the thing then." Harry passed it off to Hermione as quick as he could and she began to play.
"Okay, I'm going to jump, if I don't give the clear or something happens, go get Hedwig and send a letter to Dumbledore that's our last hope. Wish me luck." And he lowered himself down into the trapdoor and fell, landing with a soft thump.
"Are you alright?" Ron yelled.
"Yeah it's fine there's something soft here to break the landing." A couple seconds later Ron fell down beside him. "Come on Hermione." She soon followed landing on the other side of Ron, who grinned.
"Lucky this plant thing's here." Ron said smiling.
"Lucky? Look at the two of you!" She struggled and reached the wall. The boy's hadn't noticed the plant had wrapped around their legs. Ron screamed and Harry was desperately trying to reach his wand.
"Be quiet! This is devil's snare, I'm trying to remember how to defeat it. Oh… what did Professor Sprout say… it likes damp and dark…"
"So light a fire!" Harry shouted.
"But there's no wood." She said looking around madly.
"Hermione are you a witch or not!" Ron yelled. She pulled her wand out and began shooting her blue bell flames at the plant. Which withered its hold on the two boys allowing them to crawl over and meet her.
"Good thing you pay attention to Herbology Hermione." Harry said panting.
"And good thing Harry doesn't lose his head in a crisis. 'There's no wood' honestly." Hermione went bright red and glared at him. They walked along the hallway into the next room. A bunch of birds were flying above them. Hermione strode over the door and tried to unlock it, but to no avail.
"Maybe these birds have something to do with it." Ron said. Harry looked at them sharply.
"There not birds they're key's!" He said excited. "One of these must open the door."
"But there must be a thousand key's up there, how are we going to find the right one?" Hermione asked. Ron examined the doorknob.
"We're looking for one a bit old fashioned, most likely silver like the handle."
"I see it!" Harry shouted a few seconds later. "The one with the broken wing! But how…" And then he saw them. Three broomstick, old and falling apart, but still broomsticks lying on the other wall. "It's too easy." Harry whispered.
"This one will be easy, you're the youngest seeker in a century." Ron said.
"Yeah but I'll need help." He handed Ron and Hermione the other brooms. "Hermione stay low keep it from coming to close to the ground. Ron you fly up and keep it pushed down. Then I'll catch it from there." They took off, Hermione a little wobbly, and assumed their positions. Ron and Hermione circling above and below while Harry weaved his way through the thousands of keys to get the old sliver one. Finally he managed to pin it against the wall. Flying back down they unlocked the door and raced into the next room that lit up as soon as they walked in.
It was a chessboard and they had no problem realizing whose challenge they were about to face. Ron turned and looked at them.
"Okay it's obvious what we have to do here and since you two are no good at chess…"
"No by all means go right ahead." Harry said letting Ron lead.
It didn't take Ron long to place them into the chessboard and the game begin. They all got their first scare when their other knight was taken. It hadn't occurred to them that it may have been a game of wizard's chess. None of them spoke except for Ron but it was thought among all of them that Ron had to protect the queen, but also himself, Harry and Hermione. It didn't appear that they'd have a problem. Ron played confidently taking as many of their players as they did. everything looked to be in their favor until there was only a couple of pieces left.
"We're nearly there," Ron muttered suddenly. "let me think – let me think…"
The white queen turned her blank face toward him.
"Yes… It's the only way… I've got to be taken."
"No!" Harry and Hermione shouted.
"That's chess." He snapped. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I make my move and she'll take me – that leaves you free to take the king, Harry!"
"But—"
"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"
"Ron—"
"Look if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!" There was no alternative. Harry nodded. Ron stepped forward and the white queen struck Ron hard across the head with her giant stone arm. He crashed to the ground and stopped moving.
"What if he's—" Hermione started.
"He'll be all right." Harry said stepping forward to win the game. They both immediately ran to Ron who they were thankful to see was breathing deeply as though he was asleep. "What do you think is next?"
"We've had Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall and Hagrid. That just leaves Quirrell's spell and Snape's." They reached another door. Harry pushed it open.
A troll larger than the one that they had fought on Halloween lay in front of them. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief seeing the lump on its head.
"I'm glad we didn't have to fight that one." Harry whispered and they stepped over it and went into the next room.
The moment they entered the room a fire appeared behind them. A bright purple fire that swayed back and forth as if the wind was hitting it. Fire surrounded the other doorway too, a black flame. They were trapped.
"Look!" Hermione said striding over to the table where a plethora of bottle lay. They both bent over the paper and read the riddle on it. Harry looked baffled at the end of it. Hermione however was beaming.
"This is amazing Harry! It isn't magic – it's logic – a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven't got an ounce of logic, they'd be stuck in here forever!"
"But so will we?" Harry asked.
"Of course not, just give me a minute." She started walking up and down the line of bottles. She couldn't help smiling as she did this; this was nothing more then a puzzle. She loved puzzles, and everything to solve it was on this little piece of paper. Wishing she had a quill to jot down notes, she made due with pointing at them. Finally after checking herself twice she turned back to Harry.
"The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire- toward the stone."
Harry went and picked up the bottle. "There's hardly enough for one swallow, which will get us back?" She pointed to bottle all the way on the right end. "Okay you take that… Listen to me, get back and get Ron. Grab the brooms and fly out of the trap door. Go get Hedwig and send a message to Dumbledore, we probably should have done that originally but we need him now. I may be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him."
"What if You-Know-Who is there?" She asked.
"Well I got lucky once, maybe I'll get lucky again." She dashed at him and threw her arms around him.
"Hermione!"
"You're a great wizard Harry."
"Not as good as you." He said blushing.
"Me books, cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery and – oh Harry – be careful!" She stepped away and drank from the bottle shuddering.
"It's not poison is it?"
"No but it's cold like ice." She waved goodbye and walked though the door. Not wasting anytime she leap over the troll's giant arm and walked back into the chess room.
"Wake up Ron!" She said slapping his face. No luck, he didn't budge. Running into the key room she grabbed the most dependable looking broom and ran back. She rolled Ron on top of the broom and slowly climbed on behind him. She held Ron in place with one hand and gripped the broom tightly with the other. She glided them out of the key room into where the devil's snare was still recovering. The trapdoor was still open and she heard Fluffy panting above her. Not trusting her ability to zoom out before he would get them, she managed to grab Harry's flute out her pocket. Holding it in her mouth she blew notes into it until she heard Fluffy fall down. How she managed to get though the trapdoor without dropping Ron she'll never know, but she flew out and collapsed into the corridor. Planning to leave Ron there for the moment and go grab Hedwig, she was very shocked when Professor Dumbledore appeared running down the hallway.
He looked very shocked to see them in the hallway.
"Harry's gone after him hasn't he?" Dumbledore asked, and all Hermione could do was nod. Dumbledore looked at both of them quickly. "Get him to the Hospital wing now." And Dumbledore ran into Fluffy's room. Hermione did not have to be told twice. She managed to guide the broomstick like a horse all the way to the hospital wing. She dropped Ron on a bed, heart hammering and ran to knock on Madam Pomfrey's door. The matron looked at Hermione in confusion, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Miss Granger what are you—"
"There's no time! I'm sorry Madam Pomfrey but you have to help Ron." Hermione pulled her to the bed that Ron was on and immediately Madam Pomfrey got to work. Hermione perched herself on the bed next to Ron and watched Madam Pomfrey work silently. After a couple of minutes Madam Pomfrey finally spoke.
"What happened?" Hermione blushed and glanced down.
"Chessboard… Sorcerer's stone…Ron got hit" She mumbled softly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Madam Pomfrey's eye's widen in shock.
"I don't want to hear anymore." Hermione nodded mutely and stared at her shoes. Suddenly the hospital wing doors flew open and Professor Dumbledore strode into the hospital wing holding Harry gently in his arms.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted and she ran at Professor Dumbledore who lowered Harry onto the bed across from Ron. "Is he alright?" Hermione asked staring at Harry concerned.
"I'm sure under Madam Pomfrey's care he will make a full recovery." Professor Dumbledore stood up and whispered something. Hermione watched in wonder as a beautiful red bird appeared in a ball of fire near Dumbledore. The bird looked at Dumbledore, who nodded, and then as quickly as it appeared the bird was gone.
"What was that?" Hermione said wondering aloud. Professor Dumbledore chuckled softly at her face.
"Fawkes is my phoenix, Miss Granger. He has been my consent companion for many years. He is also very useful for delivering quick messages." He stared deeply at Hermione over his glasses. "However I do believe it's time you and I have a talk." He turned briefly. "Madam Pomfrey, may I bother you for the use of your office?"
"Go right ahead." She said waving her wand in many complex movements over Harry.
"Thank you Poppy, lets have a chat Hermione." The Headmaster turned back and led Hermione into the office. All Hermione could think was how much trouble she was about to get into.
Let me know what you think! And Review!
Plus Happy Hanukah, Merry Chirstmas, Happy Kwanza or whatever you celebrate!