Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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As the match drew closer to them, Hermione couldn't help but notice that Snape seemed to be appearing everywhere that Harry was. Harry stated that he thought Snape may be following them and may have figured out they knew something about the Stone. Hermione thought he may be a bit paranoid since there was no way Snape could find out. But the more Harry talked, the more she started to think Snape may have the ability to read minds. 

The day the match had come, Hermione and Ron wished good luck and hoped they would see him again. They made their way into the stands right next to Neville. Hermione and Ron were ready for anything. They had been practicing the Leg-Locked Curse since they saw it used on Neville. 

"Don't forget, it's Locomotor Mortis," she whispered to Ron, making sure he remembered. There was no place for any screw ups here. 

"I know don't nag!" Ron shot at her. Soon the teams began to enter the fields and started to take off. 

"I've never seen Snape look so mean," Ron told Hermione, who was too focused on Harry, "Look-- They're off. Ouch!" 

Hermione peered from the corner of her eye to see what was bothering Ron, only to find Malfoy sitting right behind them. 

"Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there." Malfoy shot as Crabbe and Goyle sat right on either side of him, "Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?" 

Hermione shook her head, trying to keep her cool as she tried to focus on Harry. She watched as Harry was looming over the players to stay out of their way. 

"You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" Malfoy said loudly, " It's people they feel sorry for. See there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money-- you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains." 

Neville turned his face to glare at him, "I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy!" 

Malfoy and his goons burst out laughing while Ron was praising Neville for standing up for himself. 

"Longbottom, if brains were gold you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something." Malfoy shot at him. 

"I'm warning you, Malfoy-- one more word--" 

Hermione nudge Ron so he could stop letting Malfoy get the better of his nerves and return his focus on Harry, who was making a dive towards the ground. 

"You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's obviously spotted some money on the ground." Said Malfoy. Suddenly Hermione snapped as she pulled out her wand and pointed it right at Malfoy. 

"Corc Pans!" Hermione screamed. From the end of the wand, a green light in the shape of a crocodile came flying out of her wand. The crocodile snapped its jaws at Malfoy's face, causing him to fall backwards. Ron looked over to Hermione with a surprised look on his face. 

"A spell I read from Delores Bickerman's book. Under the chapter, When in Doubt, Give Them a Snap," Hermione explained to him before returning her focus back on the quidditch game. It wasn't long till Harry went flying past Snape and grasped the Snitch in his hand. Hermione and Ron cheered as they went to look for Harry. However, he wasn't there as they were hoping. 

"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked, looking about the locker room in search for him. It felt like hours till they finally spotted him, rushing from the forest. 

"Where have you been?" she asked as he rushed over to them. 

"We won!  You won! We won!" Ron blurted out before Harry to tell them where he had been, "And Hermione sent Malfoy flying out of his seat! Everyone's waiting for you in the common room, we're having a party! Fred and George stole some cakes and stuff from the kitchens." 

"Never mind that!" Harry suddenly said, "Let's find an empty room, I need to tell you guys something." 

Once they found an empty room and made sure Peeves wasn't in it Harry told him all about Snape and Quirrell talking to each other about the Stone and all how to get past it. 

"So we were right about the Stone! And Snape's trying to force Quirrell to help him! He mentioned something about hocus-pocus, so I think there's tons of enchantments down there." Harry stated. 

"What you're saying is the Stone's only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?" she said in alarm. 

"It's be gone by next Tuesday," Ron growled.