Pressing Flowers [ Harry Potter AU ]

Chapter 2 - Badass Pansy Parkinson

The next day was a pretty interesting day for Hogwarts. Everyone expected the usual from Harry and Draco: ignoring each other, or constantly bickering, or threatening to duel each other in the halls, or firing out insults. What they most definitely did not expect, however, was to see the two boys walk side by side into the Great Hall for breakfast, laughing with each other for once, and not at each other. 

It wasn't silent in the Great Hall, no, instead it got much louder. As the students turned to each other and started gossiping, whispering, laughing, or just talking in confusion and astonishment. 

The Slytherin table was particularly unusually loud, especially when Draco sat next to Harry at the Gryffindor table instead of next to Crabbe and Goyle like he usually did. 

When Hermione sat down across from them, Ron following behind, she looked at Draco and said "Harry told us about what happened last night. And I have an idea as to what that thing might've been." 

Draco immediately stopped his conversation and looked up in interest. "Really? What d'you think, then?" 

"Well, I read up on the effects of unicorn's blood. It's cursed; if someone drinks it, they'll live even if they're an inch away from death. But the drinker is cursed if they do, 'cause from that moment forward they can never live properly. It's kind of confusing, but here's how I understand it. Whoever drinks the blood can survive, but they'll never really live, if that makes sense. Like- a half life," she rambled as she started buttering a piece of toast. 

Harry squinted in confusion. "How does that help us figure out who it is, though?" 

Hermione sighed. "For goodness sake, Harry- you honestly can't think of anyone who might want to do that?" 

And then his eyes widened in realization. "Voldemort." 

She nodded, taking a bite of toast. "That makes sense as to why my scar burned, too- but that means he's in the forest, Mione, and he could just walk in at any moment. Besides, isn't he dead?" 

Shaking her head, Hermione replied, "No, Harry. That's the whole point of the unicorn's blood. And no, I don't think he would just walk in. Who is the one wizard You-Know-Who was ever scared of? Dumbledore. As long as he's here, you're safe. Plus, he might be alive, but like I said- he can only live a half-life. He's bound to be weak, he wouldn't just storm into a school with a bunch of powerful wizards. He would have to be a complete idiot." 

"You're right. Thanks, Hermione." 

"Course." 

"Wait," Draco suddenly joined in, "why would he be here, though? If he's too weak to kill Harry, which I'm sure is what he wants, then what does he want, like what does the school have that can benefit him?" 

"Well, I think we have an idea. A while back, we stumbled upon what was in the third-floor corridor." 

"Well?" 

"It's a giant three-headed dog. And it's guarding something- it was standing on a trapdoor. Hagrid let slip a few weeks ago that the only people who know what it's guarding are Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel. And we found out what Flamel is famous for; he's the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone. So I looked into what it does, and it can turn metal into gold and produce the Elixir of Life. That must be what You-Know-Who wants, so he can become immortal. And we think Snape's trying to get it for him." 

Draco just sat wide-eyed in shock at all the information he was just given, trying to process it. "Wait, Snape? I think I would know if he was up to something. He hovers over me like some sort of weird cloud. If he was up to something, I would've seen it."