A/N: Thanks so much for your reviews, Ghostwriter71 and RoGuE1989. It means a lot to me and I'm glad that you both are enjoying the story so far.

Chapter 15: Nicolas Flamel

When January came around, Cassia felt a little nervous. She was going to have to play against Harry during Quidditch. She tried not to feel too nervous about it, considering that she used to play against him during sports, but this was different. Quidditch was something huge in the wizarding world, but it would be silly for her and Harry to divide over Quidditch.

She wanted to overtake Gryffindor in the House Championship, so she had to beat Gryffindor and she had to beat Slytherin.

She was also a little worried over competing with Slytherin. She loved her friendship with Terence and she didn't want to do anything to damage it either.

It was the day before the students who went out on holiday returned.

Hermione wasn't happy to hear that Harry and Ron hadn't looked for Nicolas Flamel. Cassia tried, but it was hard when she was to busy being nervous about the upcoming Quidditch matches.

It was after the school day finished that Cassia found herself in the library, looking for Nicolas Flamel. She was looking through a book when she heard two people sit down at the table she was sitting at.

"Are you really reading that fast or are you fanning yourself with the pages?" a boy asked.

Cassia looked up to see who had spoken to her. It was Adrian Pucey. Terence seemed amused.

Cassia was so excited, that she almost hugged the older boy out of excitement for finally meeting the guy, but she had to hold back on that display of affection.

The two Slytherins took out their books for homework.

"I hate Quirrell's class," said Adrian. "He's a joke. He's full of it."

"Full of what?" asked Terence.

"Garlic," said Cassia.

The two boys seemed a little surprised and more amused by what she said.

"Better than Emerson last year," replied Terence. "That lady didn't teach anything."

Adrian groaned, "You got a point there. She just sat there and made us read books that were for three-year-olds. Then she just gave us passing marks."

Terence nodded, "I slept through that class and she still passed me."

"She obviously got fired," said Cassia.

Terence and Adrian looked at her.

"She didn't get fired," said Terence. "She got sent to Azkaban."

Cassia felt a shiver go down her spine. She had heard about Azkaban, "For what?"

"Apparently she knew a lot about the Dark Arts," Adrian said.

Terence rolled his eyes, "Don't scare her." He looked at Cassia, "Well, besides that, she was apparently searching for a way to revive the Dark Lord."

For a weird brief moment, she pictured the green light and a high-pitched laughter.

"Now who's scaring her?" accused Adrian. "You know, during my first year here, this Defense professor was a twat."

Cassia was a little surprised at the language Adrian used. She asked, "How so?"

"He just yelled at everyone. He threw a text book at Cassius for no reason," said Adrian. "He also made a Gryffindor cry and gave a Ravenclaw his first mental breakdown at eleven. Thank Merlin that guy was sacked halfway through the school year."

Cassia grimaced at the thought of putting up with someone like that for half a school year.

"Where does Dumbledore find these crap teachers at, anyway?" asked Terence.

Cassia shrugged.

"I'm not sure what's worse: Quirrell's turban or the garlic," said Adrian.

"At least the turban distracts you from the smell of garlic," said Cassia.

"You know, I just want to take Quirrell's turban and just toss it out the window," said Adrian.

"Do it. Never break eye contact, either," Cassia added. "Look him in the eye; just get inside his head as you do it. Make him wonder, 'What did I do to this guy? Was he not happy with the lesson? I thought it went fine. Does he not like purple?'

She was surprised that the two boys busted out laughing. She didn't think it was that funny.

"I'll do that," Adrian said in between chuckles. "I'll tell you how that went, Cass."

Cass.

Not Cassy.

Cass.

"All right," said Cassia. She started flipping through the pages of the book while the boys tried, and failed, to start their homework.

"What are you doing?" asked Terence looking at Cassia.

"I was looking for someone," said Cassia.

"I'll bite," said Adrian. "Who are you looking up?"

Cassia hesitated, but maybe it'll save months of looking. Again. "I just wanted to look up Nicolas Flamel."

Terence and Adrian looked at each other.

"The alchemist guy?" asked Terence.

That was a start.

"Yeah," replied cassia. "Harry and I remember reading the name from somewhere, but we can't remember where."

"He's mentioned on Dumbledore's Famous Wizard card," said Adrian. "Flamel invented the Philosopher's Stone."

Of course it had to be on a Chocolate Frog card.

Wasn't Harry supposed to be collecting those? Cassia wondered. She set the books aside, "Thank you. I have to go tell Harry."

"We're not allowed in other house common rooms," replied Adrian.

"I was hoping that we'll do homework together," said Terence, sounding a little sad.

Cassia looked at them, "I guess he can wait."

Terence seemed to smirk at that and Cassia found herself thinking that it kind of suited him.

She took out her books to get started. She figured she might as well start on her Defense work.

"Can you cure a werewolf bite?" Cassie asked herself, looking at her parchment.

"Dittany mixed with silver can cure a werewolf bite," said Adrian. "It stops you from bleeding to death but it won't prevent you from turning into a werewolf, though."

"I think you can get some traits after being scratched by a werewolf though," said Terence.

"Probably," said Adrian. "What would I know? I'm not learning any Defense."

"Snape would be a better teacher at Defense," said Terence.

Cassia asked, "Because he knows a lot about the Dark Arts?"

"No, well, besides that, it's because he at least knows what he's doing and talking about," said Adrian.

Cassia nodded, "Oh."

They finally finished their homework and left the library, only to run into a small problem.

"Higgs, Pucey, good to see you, both," said Malfoy, completely ignoring Cassia's presence. "I just learned the Leg-Locker Curse. Want to see me use it on Longbottom?"

"Not really, Malfoy," said Higgs. "I think we have better things to do with my time then watch a prat hex someone for existing."

"Like what? Hang out with your Hufflepuff girlfriend?" sneered Malfoy.

For a brief moment, Cassia wondered who Terence's girlfriend was and realised that Malfoy was talking about her.

Adrian wasn't amused and just stared blankly at Malfoy.

Malfoy added spitefully, "Or were you crying on her shoulder over the fact that we all know that I'm taking your place as Seeker next year?"

"At least he didn't have to buy his way on the team unlike you," Cassia pointed out.

"At least I followed the rules and didn't get forced onto the team unlike you and your brother just for being Dumbledore's pets," replied Malfoy coldly.

It kind of hurt knowing that it was probably true.

Before Terence can say anything, Cassia passed him her messenger bag and books, pulled her hand back and slapped Malfoy right in the face with the back of her hand as hard as she can, taking all of the boys by surprise.

"At least I'm not a spoiled brat like you, Malfoy," said Cassia as darkly as she could.

"What is going on out here?" demanded Madam Pince, opening the library door.

"Nothing," they claimed and scattered in different directions.

Cassia had no choice but to go with Adrian and Terence, since Terence had her stuff.

They ran down a hallway and almost knocked Professor McGonagall down. However, the professor ended up dropping all of her books.

"Sorry, Professor!" yelled Cassia over her shoulder.

"That's twenty points each from Slytherin and Hufflepuff! You also get detention Higgs, Pucey, and Miss Potter!" yelled Professor McGonagall.

She stared at the sight of the three running around a corner.

Two older Slytherins and a Hufflepuff together.

Inter-house friendship wasn't an unusual thing, it actually was very welcome…but Slytherins usually stuck together.

So, seeing two older Slytherins willingly being with a Hufflepuff, a first-year at that…now that was strange.

The three got down a hallway and they busted out laughing over everything that happened.

"Did you see the look on his face?" asked Adrian in between laughs.

"Serves the git right," said Terence.

"That made my year, Cass," said Adrian. "Thank you."

After calming down, they stood around in the hallway some more.

"You know, you could've jumped in to defend us," Cassia pointed out as she took her belongings back.

"I could have, but I think that you both have to learn to defend yourselves," said Adrian. "I'm not always going to be around whenever you get into your petty little arguments with Malfoy."

Cassia had to agree with that logic.

"We better get going before Malfoy tells Snape that we ganged up on him and beat him up or something," said Terence.

Cassia nodded, "Yeah."

"You both didn't deny it though," said Adrian.

"Deny what?" asked Terence.

"He said that Cass is your girlfriend and you both didn't even say anything," Adrian pointed out.

"That's because it's not true," said Cassia. "Denying it just makes it worse. Besides I'm eleven. That's not dating. That's baby-sitting."

Adrian seemed even more amused. "I like you, Cass. That's says a lot." He looked at Terence, "You have interesting taste."

Terence seemed confused as Adrian walked off. Cassia felt her face burn.

"He doesn't know anything," muttered Cassia.

"On the contrary, he knows a hell of a lot more than you're giving him credit for," said Terence. He hurried away.

Meanwhile, Neville burst through the portrait of the Gryffindor common room.

Harry had gotten back from a Quidditch practise, and was in the middle of telling Hermione and Ron about Snape refereeing for the upcoming Hufflepuff and Gryffindor match, noticed Neville, who was pale and shaking.

"What's wrong, Neville?" asked Hermione looking concerned at him.

"I ran into Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle in front of the library," said Neville in between pants.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione.

"He wanted to perform the Leg-Lock Curse on me," said Neville.

"How did you get away?" asked Ron.

"Well, Cassia, Higgs, and Pucey were coming out of the library," said Neville.

"Together?" asked Harry rather harshly.

"Yeah," said Neville. "And Malfoy talked to Higgs and Pucey, asking if they wanted to see him curse me—"

"And did they agree to it?" asked Hermione.

"Actually, Pucey didn't say anything, but Higgs said no, because he didn't want to waste his time watching a prat make an bigger prat out of himself, that was directed at Malfoy," said Neville. "And Malfoy gloated about how he was taking Higgs's spot on the Quidditch team."

"So that is true," mused Harry.

"Of course it is," muttered Ron.

"And Cassia cut in saying that at least Higgs didn't bribe his way on the team and Malfoy said something about how you and her got on the teams because you're both Dumbledore's pets," said Neville.

Hermione gasped, "He didn't."

"He did," said Neville. He started laughing and grinning, "The best part is that Cassia actually slapped him. The look on his face, though…"

Ron started laughing, "I wish I would've seen it."

"We ran away when Madam Pince came out to see what was going on," said Neville. "She went with Pucey and Higgs."

Harry groaned, "Of course she did."

"I think it was because she handed Higgs her bag and books," said Neville.

Harry rubbed his eyes, "I don't like her hanging out with them."

Neville shrugged, "She's allowed to make friends with whoever she wants."

"Just not with Slytherins," said Harry. "Before she started hanging out with them, she wasn't a violent person."

"Except for that day on the train," said Ron. "When Malfoy came in and started insulting me, she jumped to our defense."

"I think it's more of a Hufflepuff trait," said Hermione.

"What?" asked Ron.

"Badgers are known to live peacefully until provoked, and then they attack and can kill larger creatures, like a wolf," said Hermione. "She was just hanging out with her friends, and then Malfoy had to provoke her by saying you and her are Dumbledore's pets."

"Some friends when they didn't even jump into defend her," muttered Harry.

"Well, Higgs looked like was going to say something, but Cassia slapped Malfoy, so he didn't have time to say anything. I'm not entirely sure about Pucey because he didn't say anything, but he didn't look to happy with what Malfoy was saying either," explained Neville. He turned and went to the boys' dormitory.

Harry still wasn't happy. He just didn't get why his sister had to befriend Slytherins. He looked at Ron, "What does your dad know about Pucey's and Higgs's parents?"

Ron thought about it, "As far as I know, their parents weren't Death Eaters. I'm not sure; I have to ask Dad about it."

That didn't make Harry feel better. Now he didn't have a reason to hate them.

"Come on, Harry. If you or Cassia win the next Quidditch match, you'll overtake Slytherin for House Cup," said Hermione.

Harry couldn't even be happy with that thought. Just what did Cassia see in Pucey and Higgs that she was hanging out with them?

It was at breakfast the next day when Cassia came up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were heading to the Great Hall.

"I found out who Nicolas Flamel was," whispered Cassia to the three Gryffindors.

"You did?" asked Hermione.

Harry led them to an empty hallway.

Cassia held out the Famous Wizard card. "Nicolas Flamel invented the Philosopher's Stone."

"How did you find that out?" asked Harry. Cassia's face turned red and Harry groaned, "You asked them for help?"

"Well, we obviously weren't finding out for ourselves," said Cassia. "And I was looking for him in the library and they came up to me. They just asked me what I was doing and I told them that I was looking for Nicolas Flamel. They told me about the Famous Wizard card. I told them that we read the name somewhere and couldn't remember. That's all that was said. They didn't push on why I was looking for some alchemist. That's all."

"Did they also tell you that Snape decided to referee our Quidditch match?" asked Harry darkly.

Cassia was confused, "No. They didn't. That's weird. Why would he do that?"

Harry looked slightly relieved. "I don't know. But it can't be good." Cassia shrugged. "Do you want to hang out with us in our common room today?"

Cassia shook her head, "Sorry, can't. I would love too, but I have to see if I get a detention slip today from either Professor McGonagall or Professor Sprout."

"For slapping Malfoy?" asked Harry.

"No, actually we ran down a hallway and accidentally knocked some books out of Professor McGonagall's arms," said Cassia. "But if I don't get a detention notice today, I'll hang out with you guys, okay?"

Harry nodded, "As long as you don't bring Higgs or Pucey with you, then we'll be good."

Cassia rolled her eyes.

"The good thing is that we now know what Fluffy is guarding. It must be the Philosopher's Stone," said Hermione.

Ron nodded, "Yeah, but why is the Philosopher's Stone here?"

"It has to be really powerful, so that is has to be guarded in the safest place," said Cassia.