After assuring Hermione they would not be expelled for figuring out one of Hogwarts more modern secrets, the two put their books back where they found them and gathered their belongings (Hermione's bag, which she took with her everywhere, apparently. Magnolia strongly believed this was full of more books) to make their way to Professor Quirrell's office. He was the teacher closest to the library, and though she didn't express this, Magnolia was certain that of all people, terminally frightened Professor Quirrell would take what they had said most seriously.
Hermione knocked on the door, more meekly than Magnolia had ever seen her; Hermione was a very matter-of-fact, waspish person, and didn't do anything halfway. Perhaps it was out of respect for stammering Professor Quirrell that she didn't hammer the door as Magnolia may have had it been her. Or perhaps she hadn't been convinced they were not going to be expelled for their privy of information.
Professor Quirrell opened the door a crack, an iron chain keeping them from pushing through. He shared only his eye to them, peering suspiciously at the girls.
" M-M-Miss P-P-Potter," he said. " M-M-M-Miss Granger. What a p-pleasant s-s-s-surprise t-t-to see you at my d-door." It did not at all seem that way. Magnolia tried to offer him a smile, but it came out more of a grimace. Quirrell peered at her especially, looking suspicious, and yet, somehow scared of her. This wasn't strange; Quirrell seemed to even fear his students. Magnolia cleared her throat to avoid sighing in place, somewhat impatient with the professors quirks.
" Professor Quirrell," said Hermione. " We're, er, sorry to barge in on you... Can we come in?" Magnolia nodded in agreement, eyes stuck on Quirrell as she did. She looked at Hermione anxiously as she realized they'd been staring at each other for too long.
" Erm, please," Hermione added.
Quirrell seemed to recognize Hermione suddenly, and he said, slowly, " O-Of course, Miss Granger, Miss P-Potter." Magnolia and Hermione kept their heads down as Quirrell closed the door, undid the lock, and let them in.
His office smelled much like his classroom, reeking of garlic and basil, confounding Magnolia's senses. She snuck a peak at Quirrell, his back to her as he circled around his desk, and found her scar burning much like it did her first night in Hogwarts, a passionate, adrenaline-spiking hot feeling piercing her head. She wondered if Harry could feel her pain, like she did his that night. Professor Quirrell stared at her, looking shocked. He stood once more and studied her closely. She felt very much like an animal in a cage.
" A-a-alright, Miss Potter?" He asked. Magnolia, holding her head, nodded in response, still reeling.
" F-fine," she muttered, ignoring Hermione's concerned gaze. " Hermione, I mean, we... have something to tell you." She looked to her friend for help. Hermione cleared her throat.
" It's about the corridor on floor three, professor," Hermione said. " We think... We think it's dangerous to keep... what it is you're keeping there."
Quirrell's eyes widened comically. " K-K-Keeping there? I-I-I'm sure I have n-no idea what you are talking about."
Hermione looked crushed.
" You know, Professor," said Magnolia. " The thing kept in the vault from the Gringotts' report on The Daily Prophet the other day." If possible, Quirrell's eyes grew larger as he shook his head.
" N-N-No, Miss Potter, I'm sure I have n-n-no idea what you mean." Magnolia felt greatly annoyed - Hermione had to have been right. Right?
" W-well," Hermione said nervously, as though she swallowed Professor Quirrell's nervous behavior. " I-If, if you're keeping something there, then I would say, sir, to... consider..." She cleared her throat and tried again. " To consider moving it, sir. Students are beginning to connect the dots. I mean..." She stammered slightly. " I did, anyway."
Professor Quirrell stared at them. " You do s-s-suppose something is hidden there, d-do you?" He asked, mostly to himself. He seemed to consider them, and Magnolia found their eyes met again, and they stared at each other before Quirrell said, " W-W-Wait here, M-M-Miss Granger, M-M-Miss Potter."
He left them in the office, and after the door closed behind him, Hermione snapped her head to Magnolia, face pale, and with her bushy hair, looking like a frightened cat. Before she could ask, Magnolia answered.
" I know he's lying, 'Ione," she said assertively. " Whatever it is, they're hiding it here at Hogwarts. You said it yourself, it's the safest place after Gringotts'." Hermione's lip quirked up.
" Maybe safer," she corrected, and the girls shared shaky, nervous smiles.
Quirrell came back, around thirty minutes (of silence) later, with Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall, and... Magnolia's breath was caught in her throat.
Headmaster Dumbledore.
" Professor Quirrell has informed us two student's have discovered one of Hogwarts' many secrets," said the Headmaster, his voice soft and kind. " I am not surprised to find it is Hermione Granger, and her good friends' minds to have done so."
Magnolia smiled, quivering. " Honestly sir, it was all Hermione. She's brilliant."
The Headmaster bowed his head and faced Hermione. " I am not surprised. Your teachers tell me of your cleverness. I am, however, surprised you did not come with your other companions. Do they know our secret?" Hermione shook her head quickly.
" No, Headmaster Dumbledore. I only told Magnolia. S-she said to come to you."
The Headmaster bowed his head again, and upon looking up, had a mesmerizing twinkle in his eye.
" It is most often our friends who give us the bravery needed to step up for a cause," he said. " I suppose it is fair to say, yes, Miss Granger, there is something hidden in the third floor corridor, and yes, it is what someone had - attempted - to steal from Gringotts Bank. I must ask you, a few things, though. Does anyone else, to your knowledge, know of the secrets of the third floor corridor?"
" No, sir," Magnolia said. " Hermione only just told me."
The Headmaster nodded, and there was a moment of silence. " Do not falter, Miss Granger. Your cleverness is not to be frightened of, nor am I." Hermione had been practically shaking by Magnolia's side. " But I must impress upon you that you retain your wits, and do not inform anyone of what you have just discovered. Although," he added jovially, " I daresay this is one of Hogwarts' less well kept secrets. If only The Daily Prophet had not announced the attempted robbery, I should have hoped my students would never find this out." He looked at the pair seriously. " I ask this secret stay within this room, between us. Your other professors are aware of the situation, and do not need to be told. And should anyone else work out what you have, I ask you come to me, or your Head of House, so we may inform them of the seriousness of this matter. I daresay, we may need new protocols for our less-than-best kept secret." He smiled at the first years. " Thank you for coming to us. We will handle it from here. Off you trot."
" Thank you sir," Hermione said, as if releasing a breath.
" Thank you," Magnolia echoed.
They almost ran out of the room, chests a hollow casket for adrenaline to vibrate in. They finally stopped running when they made it to a corridor with a ginormous painting of a fruit basket and the smell of apple pie.
" I can't believe we met Dumbledore!" Said Magnolia, heart racing still, out of breath but beaming. " The prefects are right, he's so brilliant. I know he didn't say much, but you could just tell, couldn't you?"
" Any book could tell you that," said Hermione, wheezing, but smiling as well.
Magnolia nodded, grinning sloppily. " I thought you might throw up when Quirrell told you he had no idea what you were talking about. I'm so pleased he ended up taking you seriously - If first years could do it - But then again, you are brilliant, even by seventh-year standards."
Hermione blushed.
Magnolia sighed wispily, still out of breath, holding her knees. "... Dinner smells amazing." She did not see Hermione roll her eyes.
" I'm just glad I only told you, imagine Harry and Ron in there with us," said Hermione.
" I thought you liked my brother?" Asked Magnolia. Hermione groaned.
" I do, but him and Ron are so..." She blushed. " Sorry, it's just - you should see them in class, they're very... silly."
Magnolia grinned, glad her brother finally had friends besides her. " Wish I could. Oh, Hermione, can't we tell them?"
" No!" Said Hermione, looking aghast. " Headmaster Dumbledore - "
" They won't tell anyone else," said Magnolia defensively, " and it's not like they're aching to go near that corridor - "
" Absolutely not," said Hermione. " You need to promise me you won't tell your brother." She held up a pinkie and looked at Magnolia very seriously.
Magnolia stared at the gesture and giggled wildly, taking her little finger in her own. " Okay, fine. I won't tell Harry."
She probably wouldn't be able to see them during meals anymore anyway...
sorry for taking down then reposting this chapter. i found a few grammatical mistakes. i'm currently working without an editor (she's in school), so that's fun! QwQ wish me luck, next chapter is coming later tonight (i accidentally deleted it all a few days ago, whoops)