The Odd Potter

After the Stone

The exams were a breeze for Percy and quite easy for Draco. Although Crabbe and Goyle, no matter how much studying was done, could not seem to comprehend what Percy and Draco were teaching them, by some miracle, they managed to pass.

It was sweltering hot, especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell.

They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them individually into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tap dance across a desk. Professor McGonagall watched them turn a mouse into a snuffbox – points were given for how pretty it was but taken away if it had whiskers. Snape made them all nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion.

Percy still thinks that Crabbe and Goyle cheated somehow because there was no possible way for them to pass from what he saw the night before. After their testing was done, Percy was walking with Professor McGonagall, talking about classes for next year. 

"We'll just have to –" Harry began, but a voice suddenly rang across the hall.

"What are you four doing inside?" Professor McGonagall called out.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione, rather bravely, they thought.

"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. "Why?"

Harry swallowed – now what?

"It's sort of secret," he said, but he wished at once he hadn't because Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

"He'd gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?"

"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, and he has many demands on his time –"

"But this is important."

"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?"

"Look," said Harry, throwing caution to the winds, "Professor – it's about the Sorcerer's Stone –"

Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn't pick them up, so Percy decided to help her.

"Mr. Potter, this is not for your ears, Please leave while I talk to your brother," she said softly.

"I already know about it, too, professor," Percy said, grabbing the books.

"How do you know -?" she spluttered.

"Professor, I think – I know – that Sn – that someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."

She eyes Harry with a mixture of shock and suspicion.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. "I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can steal it, it's too well protected."

"But Professor –"

"Potter, I know what I'm talking about," she said shortly. She motioned for Percy to continue walking with her. "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine."

"Listen here, Potter. I want you to make sure your brother does not do anything stupid," she said, giving him a side glance.

"Trust me, professor, I'm already ahead of you," Percy said as he gave her the books and started walking away. "Thank you for your time!"

Percy stumbled back into the three, having a conversation with Snape sneaking up behind them.

"-He sent that note, I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."

"But what can we –"

Hermione gasped. Harry and Ron wheeled around.

Snape was standing there.

"Good afternoon," he said smoothly.

They stared at him

"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said with an odd, twisted smile.

"We were –" Harry began, without any idea what he was going to say.

"You want to be more careful," said Snape. "Hanging around like this, people will think you're up to something. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points, can it?"

Harry flushed. They turned to go outside, but Snape called them back.

"Be warned, Potter – any more nighttime wanderings, and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you."

He strode off in the direction of the staffroom.