Authors Note: I DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT own any of the Harry Potter characters, names, places, things, etc. All of this belongs to the ever legendary J.K Rowling.

Hey there! So sorry for the LOOOOOONG wait... Please, please, please, DON'T kill me for what I'm about to do... Kay? I swear, I'm nearly done with the next chapter! I swear! *runs and hides underneath my bed* Also, Overlordred dear, please don't kill me... I know how you got last time when I kept stalling the actually 'nabbing of the Stone'.

Thank you all for the continued support, it really means a lot.

Don't forget to review, follow and favorite!

Bye! :)

Everything seemed to have either gotten louder or everything seemed to have become more defined. It was suddenly easier to absorb myself in the rather boring task of counting the number of cracks in the dormitory ceiling. Usually a task I granted on sleepless nights.

Tonight was huge, as were the snores emitting from my slumbering dorm mates. Lavender mumbled absentmindedly in her sleep. Parvati shifted underneath her covers constantly, sticking one foot out at an awkward angle. Fay was- well, Fay. She was as silent and nonexistent as she was when she was awake. It felt like the millionth time that night that I wished that sleep would also lure me into a peaceful slumber, but I was who I was and nothing ever came easily or willingly.

The dormitory was dark, an eerie glow splashing against the dark walls and making them glow softly. The moon would play hide-and-seek with the surrounding clouds, dipping in and out of the foggy puff effortlessly. I turned my head silently towards the small candle flame that lapped at the candle core, swaying sighting as Hermione flipped through yet another book. Her huff of irritation echoed throughout the room, she had yet to find anything that might be useful for the journey ahead and she seemed to be reaching the end of her tether.

I popped my lips together repeatedly, my hair fanning out around me as I furrowed my head into my pillow. I breathed deeply through my nose, gazing at the clock that sat on my nightstand. It was getting late, almost time to stop Snape from stealing the Stone. Almost time to drag myself out of my cozy bed and down the steps into uncharted and dangerous territory. Yippie.

There was a rather large crash coming down from the common room, jolting Hermione and I into a sitting position. I quickly clambered out of my bed, nearly tripping as I got tangled up in the sheets and poked my head out the girls' dormitory door, Hermione tiptoeing around my shoulder. I stifled a giggle by placing a hand over my mouth, gently slipping down the stairwell. I slowly walked towards the large object that must have fallen over, somewhere near the boys' dormitory staircase. I blinked down at the predicament I found my dear friend in. "Hello..."

"It's not funny." Ron muttered nearly immediately around a groan.

"Course not." I agreed offhandedly, waving my hand around in a vague manner.

Hermione then appeared behind us, the side of her lips quirking into a smirk. "Hello Ronald."

I guess Ron's little trek down the stairs in pitch darkness didn't go to well. Ending with the freckled teen bumping into a nearby table and tripping over its surface, creating that loud crash. It was quite a sight to see the boy tangled up in the table's wooden legs, elevating his arms and legs oddly.

I cracked a smile, struggling to keep my amusement at bay. If only for his sake. "You need help?"

Ron glanced around at his limbs, moving them around before looking back at me helplessly. "Maybe..."

I slanted my brow slightly, gazing down at the redhead. I pursed my lips and grabbed ahold of the man's arm, hauling him up. Hermione helped steady the boy and we both watched with barley hidden amusement as he teetered on his feet. After a moment he let out a breath, arms still outstretched to help with his balance. "I think I'm good."

I nodded my head self-importantly. "That's good."

Hermione's eyes flickered between the two of us and flicked out her wand, twirling it and muttering a spell that swiftly fastened the table together. It looked as if nothing had even happened.

"Blimey Hermione." Ron said as he dutifully kicked the table. When it didn't tumble to ground in shambles he shook his head in amazement. "You're getting good at those."

I nodded my head in agreement as Hermione looked at Ron in surprise. "Oh, thank you Ronald."

Ron nodded his head, waving her off in a boyish manner.

"What are you doing?" A voice asked from halfway up the boys' staircase, his young voice vibrating throughout the silent room. We all froze like deer caught in the headlights.

"Nothing, Neville, nothing." I told him nervously, focusing on his large toad Trevor, who was clutched fiercely in the boy's hands.

"You're going out again." He accused, looking from each guilty face to the next.

"No, no, no," Hermione shook her head anxiously. "No, we aren't. Why don't you go back to bed, Neville?"

I quickly looked back at the large grandfather clock that was stationed in the middle of the common room. We were running out of time.

"You can't go out, you'll be caught again. Gryffindor will be in even more trouble." Neville told us tensely.

"You don't understand, Neville. It's important."

"I won't let you do it. I'll- I'll fight you!" Neville steeled his face and held his hands up in a defensive posture.

"Neville, get away from that hole and don't be an idiot-" Ron exploded hotly. What a redhead. Wait- I've got no room to talk.

"Don't you call me an idiot!" Neville cried drearily.

We'd be lucky if no one heard us with all this screaming going on right now.

"I don't think you should be breaking any more rules! And you were the one who told me to stand up to people!"

Damn, we did say that didn't we…

"Yes, but not to us." Ron told the boy in pure exasperation, fitting an eye roll into the notion and everything. "Neville, you don't know what you're doing."

"Go on then, try and hit me!" Neville cried, raising his fists when Ron advanced slowly. "I'm ready."

Hermione and I traded a look.

"Mione." I whined desperately.

She sighed deliberately, taking a step forward. "Neville, I'm really, really sorry about this."

Neville only had a few seconds time to shoot the brunette a confused look.

"Petrificus Totalus!" She cried, pointing her wand at Neville.

Neville's arms immediately snapped to his sides, his legs springing together. His whole body went rigid, swaying as he stood and then fell over, stiff as a board. Hermione ran over to him to turn him over, gazing at his horror struck eyes.

"What have you done to him?" I whispered, inching closer.

"It's the full Body-Bind." Hermione shook her head miserably. "Oh Neville, I'm so sorry!"

"We had to, Neville, no time to explain."

"You'll understand later, Neville." Ron told the boy, stepping over him.

"We all set?" He asked after a tense moment of silence.

"No." I said quickly, watching as Hermione nodded.

They both sent me a perplexed look as I swiftly dashed into my dormitory and stealthily snatched something out of my trunk. I met them at the portrait hole a moment later.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "What did you get?"

I held up the wooden flute Hagrid had given me for Christmas and shrugged. "I don't know about you, but I don't plan on singing Fluffy to sleep."

Ron's eyebrows stayed up in his hairline, but an impressed look flashed across his face. "Smart."

Hermione rolled her brown doe eyes at our expense. "Come on, we've got to go met the others."

"Where are we meeting them again?" I questioned as we pushed the portrait open, stepping out into the dimly lit corridor.

"Now, what are you three doing up at a time like this?" The Fat Lady demanded hotly.

Ron shot her an annoyed look. So, when none of us stepped up to offer any plausible excuse the Fat Lady simply snorted, vanishing from her own painting as she went off to go visit someone else. Muttering something like 'not my fault if they get caught'.

Hermione sniffed. "Well, come on then."

I spun around on my heel, taking one step forward before smacking into- well, actually nothing, and fell back to land on my bum. I cursed, rubbing at my back as I glanced up. "What the heck?!"

There was a shimmer before us and suddenly two heads were popping out of nowhere. It would look quite odd I assure you if anyone were to turn around the corner. Seeing two disembodied heads flying around in the air. Breathing and blinking.

Both of the heads snickered.

Ron's eyes widening comically, a rush of breath leaving his lungs in one long gush. "Bloody hell."

Hermione tsked with pursed lips, hands on her hips. "Honestly, Ronald."

"What?" He huffed, turning to look at her in annoyance. "What did you expect me to do when two heads pop out of nowhere."

"Well," Hermione stressed the word. "If either of you would have been listening, you would have realized this was where we were meeting."

My eyes bounced between the two, the whole motion feeling like watching a tennis match. Upon realization that no one was going to help me up, I slowly clambered to my feet, wiping any dirt or dust from my skirt. I rolled my head around, popping the bone a few times. "Alright you lot, we're wasting time."

"She's right." Daphne agreed, pulling the Cloak off of her shoulders.

I inclining my head slightly in her direction, almost like a silent 'thank you'. She smiled softly, inclining her head back. My eyes traveled and locked onto Harry's own green ones. My brow furrowed when I went to look to his left. "Where's Theodore?"

"Oh, he got detention during Charms." Daphne made a face, one that was stuck in-between sympathy and irritation.

Harry glanced around us as he spoke. "He did say though that he was going to try and get out of detention early and meet us at the third corridor."

"Well he better get out soon." Hermione glanced down at her watch.

My head tilted to the side. When did she get a watch?

Harry nodded, pushing his glasses further up on his nose when they slipped slightly. "We should get going actually, before someone catches us."

I narrowed my eyes at the Invisibility Cloak and bit the inside of my cheek. "So... can you even fit five people under that?"

"I dunno, maybe. We can fit three under it pretty snuggly." Harry commented with a shrug, also glancing down at the silvery fabric.

"If not, we can always fit three under the Cloak and have the three lead and stop the other two if there happens to be anyone up ahead." Hermione suggested meekly.

"What if someone comes up from behind?"

"Do you have a better idea? Hmm? I didn't think so."

In the end, not all of us could fit underneath the Cloak without someone's feet showing or without someone tripping over one another. In a way I was slightly happy Theodore wasn't here, it would have complicated the whole cloak thing anyway and with there being three girls and only two boys, it was fairly easy to override the boys on the matter. Thought it would benefit us if he could meet us later on...

Both Harry and Ron glared daggers at us as we slipped the Cloak over our heads.

In hindsight, leaving Neville lying motionless on the floor didn't leave us in the best mindset. It felt like karma was going to come back around and bite us hard in the rears. Every damn shadow looked like Filch. Every danged breath of wind sounded just like Peeves. Our nerves were certainly frayed by the time we had neared the third floor.

We hadn't seen anyone or ran into any close calls along the way up until we reached the staircase to the third floor. Daphne peeked her head around the corner and froze. There was Peeves, bobbing around as he loosened the carpet so people would trip.

"Who's there?" He called back suddenly and we all made a mad dash to stuff Harry and Ron beneath the Cloak, hoping and praying Peeves wouldn't notice a peeking foot.

It got hot under the Cloak, all of us packed and stuffed together like a pack of nasty sardines. I winced when someone stomped on my foot.

"Know you're there, even if I can't see you. Are you ghoulie or ghostie or wee student beastie?" Peeves narrowed his eyes. "Should call Filch, I should, if something's a-creeping around unseen."

We all traded a nervous look.

"Peeves." A hoarse whisper filled the corridor, causing all of us- even Peeves- to jump. "The Bloody Baron has his own reasons for being invisible."

"So sorry, your bloodiness, Mr. Baron, sir," Peeves said greasily. "My mistake, my mistake- I didn't see you- of course I didn't, you're invisible. Forgive old Peevsie his little joke, sir."

Harry and I traded confused frowns.

"I have business here, Peeves," The voice continued to croak. "Stay away from this play tonight."

"That doesn't sound like the Bloody Baron." Daphne whispered to us.

We all immediately shushed her.

"I will, sir, I most certainly will. Hope your business goes well, Baron, I'll not bother you." Peeves hurriedly scooted off.

"Thought you would need some help." A voice echoed as soon as Peeves was out of earshot.

We all jumped again, another foot in the air, Hermione emitting a small squeak as Harry accidently smashed into her foot.

Daphne snatched the Cloak off of us all, shaking her head in disbelief. "Theo?"

"Sorry." Harry muttered to the brunette.

The dark-haired Slytherin emerged from the shadows with an overly cocky grin taking up his face. "Hey."

Ron sniggered. "Impressive Nott, impressive."

"Thanks Weasley." Theodore smirked.

I rolled my eyes and watched Harry as he began to bundle up the Cloak and stuff it into his pocket. "I'll admit it, I'm with Ron. That was pretty brilliant."

Harry grinned and clapped the boy on the back. "That was awesome! How'd you get away from Flitwick?

"I've got my ways, Potter."

"You finished early didn't you?" Daphne questioned flatly.

Theodore looked at the blonde sheepishly. "Maybe..."

"Thought so." She said proudly.

After a moment Daphne grinned smugly. "That didn't sound anything like the Bloody Baron though..."

"Did too!"

"Nope!"

I looked up and spun around, catching Hermione as she walked stealthily up the stairs. Clearly fed up with all the small talk. I smirked and dashed towards after her, waving animatedly when she turned back to look at me. We both edged closer and paused when we found the door slightly ajar.

"Guess you don't have to sing or play that flute, Hope." Hermione whispered to me.

"Oi, guys." I whisper-yelled. "Hurry up, Snape's already gotten past Fluffy."

The other four's heads snapped up to look at us, surprise coloring their features.

"Last moment to turn back." Harry muttered as he rested a hand on the doorknob.

"Don't be stupid."

"We're coming."

"Thought you knew that, idiot."

Harry gently pushed the door open, creaking slightly and revealing the large three-headed dog dubbed 'Fluffy'. The dog's low rumbling filled our ears, their massive noses twitching in their sleep.

"Is- is that a harp?" Daphne muttered lowly, motioning towards the golden instrument that was placed at the dog's feet.

"Looks like." Ron agreed, stepping forwards lightly, glancing up to see if the dog had moved. "Snape must have left it here. They must wake up the moment it stops playing."

I gulped, taking a few tentative steps towards the trapdoor. I made a face as the dog's smelly, hot breath washed over me.

"I think we'll be able to pull the door open." I mused aloud.

"Want to go first, Daph?" Theodore asked cheekily.

"No, I don't!"

"Oh, alright."

Ron suddenly appeared by my side, bending down and pulling the trapdoor open. I carefully grabbed at his elbow as he bent forward to peer into the darkness.

"What can you see?" Harry asked anxiously by Hermione's side.

"Nothin', just blackness. I don't see no way of climbing down either, we'll have to drop."

"Who wants to go first?" Daphne asked, the full impact of what we were about to do crashing down on us with the weight of a freight train.

"I will." I spoke before my mind could fully process the full intent of what I was just about to say.

"Are you sure?" Harry looked at me with a deep look of concern.

I shrugged my shoulders, feeling my stomach churn. "Um, yeah, why not... But, hey, if anything happens to me, don't follow."

"Well no duh." Theodore muttered, definitely earning that punch Daphne gave him.

"Go straight to the owlery and as much as I hate to say this- get Hedwig or something to get Dumbledore, 'kay?"

After a moment of silence it was Daphne that replied, albeit nervously. "Right..."

"Be careful." Hermione told me, wiggling her fingers around agitatedly.

I slowly walked to the side of the trapdoor and crouched down. "See you in a minute, I hope..."

"Don't say that!"

I gave a quiet chuckle and let go of the floor, jumping down.

Darkness immediately consumed me. Cold, damp air rushing up at me as I fell down, down, down.