Chapter Eight - From a Different Point of View

Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked out of McGonagall's classroom without pausing. Harry was being kept after class again, and had told them not to wait. They slowed for a moment, while their classmates continued ahead, and then Hermione led them down a side-corridor and into an empty classroom. She shut the door behind them. "Tell me, again, what you overheard, Neville."

Neville sighed, "I really don't know if we should be talking about this, Hermione. Hagrid said it's between Professor Dumbledore and whoever Flamel is. Harry also clearly doesn't want to involve us, or he would have already said something. Also, he was talking to Sirius Black, so it's not like an adult isn't involved already."

Ron shrugged. "We've waited a whole week already, Neville. Harry's clearly not going to say anything. What are we going to do— sit back and do nothing?"

Hermione nodded her agreement, "Besides, what's the harm in a bit of research. It's not like we're going to interfere."

"Fine," Neville said "but if Harry finds out and gets mad, I'm not taking the blame."

"Yeah, yeah," said Ron. "Just remind us what you overheard."

"I didn't hear much." He glanced at Ron. "Someone was snoring through most of it."

Ron rolled his eyes.

Neville continued, "It was just the end of the conversation, and I could only hear what Harry said, not whatever Sirius Black was saying."

"Have you figured out what he was using to talk with him yet?" Hermione asked, turning to Ron.

"No," Ron snorted. "I'm not stupid enough to go through his stuff."

Hermione sighed. "Okay, well what did you hear then?"

Neville frowned. "I heard something about Flamel, a stone, and the third floor corridor. Then, Harry mentioned something about Snape being the only one. I couldn't tell what Sirius Black said."

"And there was nothing else? No more details?" Hermione pressed.

"No, not that I can remember."

"Very well then," Hermione sighed. "I suppose we'll have to go off of that. If only we could find something on this Nicholas Flamel person."

"Well at least we know his first name now, thanks to Hagrid. We haven't been able to find anything else," Ron grumbled.

Hermione looked equally annoyed. "I know. It's very frustrating. I'll have to spend some more time in the library, I just don't want to lag behind on my studies because of it."

"I don't think that'll be a problem, Hermione." Neville said, "You're always the first to get a spell in class. After Harry, of course."

"That's what's frustrating, though. He rarely seems to do any work, yet he always seems to do the spell perfectly on his first try. McGonagall's even given him extra homework." She looked very put out by that.

"Not sure that's something to complain about," said Ron. "Anyway, I have an idea for how we can make some progress." He turned to Neville. "You said he mentioned the third-floor corridor. That's got to be a clue, right? Why don't we just go over there and have a quick look. Maybe we'll find something about Flamel there."

"No way, Ron," said Neville. "That corridor is forbidden. Do you want to lose house points?"

Neville turned to look at Hermione, expectant, but she was clearly wavering.

"Maybe we should. As long as we're quick, nobody should notice. It would be useful to find a clue of some sort."

Neville's shoulders slumped. "Fine. But if we run into Professor Snape…"

Ron and Hermione looked hesitant.

"He's usually in the dungeons. We should be fine." Ron said.

"If we see Snape at all, we'll turn back." Hermione agreed.

"Why do you think Harry mentioned him?" Neville asked.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know."

"It can't be a good reason." Ron said.

"We don't know that." Hermione said, but she was clearly unconvinced.

They made their way out of the classroom, checking down the corridor for any sign of a Professor, or Filch. When it seemed the coast was clear, they scurried towards the staircases to head up to the third floor. The castle was quite busy, as students hurried to their next classes, but soon the flow began to ebb. They stepped onto the third floor, stopping outside the door to the forbidden corridor.

"Are you sure?" Neville asked, as Ron placed his hand on the handle.

The sound of steps echoed through the stairwell. They rushed through the door, closing it quickly behind them.

The corridor was cast in a dim light, most of the torches unlit. At the end was a closed door, which seemed to be the only thing present in the corridor apart from some suits of armour and paintings.

The three of them walked slowly to the door at the end, stopping just outside.

"I guess we should look in here?" said Ron.

Neville shrugged and Hermione bit her lip.

Ron tugged on the door, but it wouldn't move. "Hey, it's locked."

Hermione pushed his arm to the side. "Let me try." She pointed her wand at the door, "Alohomora."

The door made a clicking sound.

"Woah, nice one, Hermione," Neville breathed.

Hermione flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "Not bad, for my first try."

Ron snickered, pulling the door open. He froze.

A low growl reverberated through the corridor and the three students looked up.

The giant three-headed dog barked at them, but it sounded more like a roar.

"Shut the door, Ron!" Hermione yelled.

Neville yanked the back of Ron's collar and shoved the door closed with a bang.

The sound of growling and barking dampened, but the scent of the beast's breath lingered.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked, face pale.

"I think that was a Cerberus," Hermione said. "I don't actually know if that's the magical name, but that's the only three headed dog I've ever read about."

"That," Neville said, "is why we shouldn't go sneaking into forbidden corridors."

"That was brilliant though," Hermione said, and the two boys turned and looked at her.

"Are you insane?" Ron asked.

"Didn't you see what it was standing on?" Hermione asked, excited.

Neville and Ron shared a look, "I was a bit distracted, Hermione," said Ron.

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled, "It was standing on a trapdoor."

They both continued to look at her and she sighed, "Which means, it's guarding something. Something important."

Neville nodded. "So do you think it's guarding something to do with Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel? Maybe Snape is trying to protect it."

"Or," Hermione said, "maybe he's trying to get to it."

Ron shook his head, "Sorry to interrupt but can we discuss this later. I want to get as far away from that thing as soon as possible."

"Let's head to the library," said Hermione. Neville nodded his agreement.

"Fine," said Ron. "Anything's better than here."

A breeze drifted through the open window, rustling a pile of loose parchments, and fluttering through the robes of the gathered witches and wizards.

Fawkes let the wind carry him through the window, where he landed on the tall back of a studded leather chair. One of Dumbledore's hands reached up to stroke the bird, and Fawkes trilled in response. Dumbledore continued to occasionally flick through a large tome with his other hand.

"Before we begin, Professor McGonagall," Sprout said, turning to Professor Quirrell, "How is your illness progressing? Are you much better?"

Quirrell, who had just entered the room, smiled gently. "Thank you very much for asking. I am much better, now. The stutters only affect me rarely."

Professor Sprout smiled kindly.

"That is good news, Quirinus. Let's begin, shall we?" Professor McGonagall said, taking a seat in the loosely formed semi-circle around the headmaster's desk.

"How about we begin with a congratulations?" Professor Flitwick said, sitting up. "To Professors McGonagall and Quirrell for so quickly responding to the giant squid attack at the start of term."

There were a few murmurs of 'well done' and 'yes, excellent job' and McGonagall nodded politely at the praise. From his position, leaning against the wall, Professor Quirrell nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Filius. We should also not forget Hagrid's brave actions."

"No, quite right." Professor Grubbly-Plank piped up.

"I'd like to discuss the Dementors," Professor Sinistra said, looking annoyed. "They keep congregating above the wards on the astronomy tower and getting in the way of my classes. The students are too scared to look for Jupiter, and the alignment is nearly over."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "I understand, Aurora, but there is little we can do. Albus has already requested the Dementors be withdrawn immediately, but these things take time."

"Perhaps we should simply send Harry Potter to scare them away," Quirrell said, with a smile.

A few teachers laughed.

"I am still in awe of that. In fact, I would doubt it, were it not for the fact that Kingsley Shacklebolt told me himself, and you confirmed it, Quirinus." McGonagall shook her head.

"It is an incredible feat," said Professor Flitwick. "I daresay I've never met a student with more potential for casting charms."

"It is similar with transfiguration," said Professor McGonagall. "I've been giving him additional homework and he has already demonstrated levels of control and precision I don't see even in some of my OWL students."

Snape grunted. "I fear it is yet too soon to judge his skills entirely, but even in potions, where no wand is required, he has shown remarkable aptitude."

Quirrell looked at Snape, "Even in my subject, which students often take time to develop the intuition for, Harry has demonstrated perfect spellcasting and instincts. He has a keen mind."

Snape's mouth was a line, but the hints of a sneer appeared. "His instincts are indeed better than most."

McGonagall frowned at the two Professors and interrupted, "Yes, well I do hope you will all continue to support his education, and let me know of any further attempts to downplay his ability. If he continues to excel like this, I am certain he will surpass even his parents considerable skills."

"Most certainly," Quirrell agreed.

Conversation moved away from Harry, as teachers brought up various issues or positive notes. Eventually, McGonagall called an end to the meeting, and the teachers began to stand up to leave.

"If the heads of houses, and Quirinus, could please stay," McGonagall announced.

McGonagall flicked her wand and the empty chairs vanished.

"Professor Dumbledore, would you like to begin?"

Dumbledore looked up from his book for the first time and surveyed the five teachers before him. "Another fine start to a new year at Hogwarts," he said, and then paused, his eyes twinkling. "Magical creature attacks notwithstanding."

The corner of Quirrell's mouth twitched and McGonagall frowned.

"I have inspected the extra defences that you all kindly took the time to escalate before the start of term," he continued. "I hope the additional work was not too taxing?"

They all shook their heads. "No, it was the right thing to do, Professor Dumbledore," Flitwick said. "Even if it turned out that Black was innocent and we needn't have worried."

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Yes, with such an artefact, one never can be too careful."

Dumbledore turned to Quirrell, "I was most impressed with your ingenuity, Professor Quirrell. It is quite the feat to move a creature so large into the castle."

Quirrell bowed slightly. "I always welcome an interesting challenge."

Dumbledore smiled. "Indeed, the sign of a good teacher— challenge is the birthing room of experience after all."

He turned to McGonagall. "Any word on the applications?"

McGonagall looked between Dumbledore and Quirrell. "Albus, do you not want to wait until Professor Quirrell is out of the room. I'm sorry Quirrell—"

Quirrell waved it off with a laugh. "I am well aware of the propensity of those in my current position to not… uh, linger. I take no offence at practicality."

"Very well," McGonagall said with a sigh. "I hope you can break tradition, Quirinus. The students are already very fond of you, and there are very few viable candidates for the role next year if you are gone."

"Are there any?" Snape muttered.

"Unfortunately," McGonagall said, giving a half-hearted glare to Snape, "almost none. We have received interest from Gilderoy Lockhart, but…"

At the mention, quite a few eyebrows were raised.

"Is there no one else?" Flitwick asked, hopeful.

McGonagall hesitated. "I did contact a former student, with excellent NEWT results and a practical knowledge of defence against dark creatures."

Dumbledore sat forward. "Who might that be, Minerva?"

"Remus Lupin."

Snape scoffed. "You can't be thinking of bringing a werewolf into Hogwarts." He turned to Dumbledore. "We know the risks that can bring."

Dumbledore frowned. "I will consider it. However, the board of governors may refuse if Gilderoy Lockhart is the alternative. We shall see."

Snape looked disgusted, but held his silence.

"One last thing," Dumbledore said, sitting back in his seat. "I have a question for you all, that I'd like you to take away, to think about. How is Harry Potter?"

McGonagall looked slightly confused, "How is he? Whatever do you mean?"

"The trial of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew brought some information to light, which I'm sure you are all aware of, and I have come to realise I was lax in my duty of care to him. I would like your opinions on his state of mind, and his personality. How is he coping at Hogwarts?"

McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout looked thoughtful , Quirrell, looked intrigued, and Snape looked at Dumbledore suspiciously.

"He is more withdrawn than either of his parents were," McGonagall said. "Though not without charm. He already has Weasley, Longbottom, and Granger trailing after him everywhere he goes."

"He shows no signs of James Potter's attraction to trouble," said Flitwick. "If anything, he seems much more like Lily in his temperament. He is very controlled."

"I would agree," Snape said. He looked at Dumbledore squarely. "He is a boy who has clearly had a difficult home life, but is now thriving and making friends. I see nothing to worry about, now that his guardianship has transferred from those revolting muggles."

"Severus!" McGonagall said sharply.

Snape gave her a look, "I know Petunia Dursley, Minerva. Harry had no business living with people like her."

Dumbledore sighed tiredly. "Thank you, my friends. I ask that you keep an eye on him in any case."

"We will, Albus." said McGonagall. "Though, I doubt it will require much extra effort. Mr Potter seems to do little but draw attention to himself, as accidental as that might be."