𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 (𝟏) || HARRY POTTER LOVE STORY

36

Harry and Julie jumped back on their brooms and took off. Gliding silently over the castle they saw Snape enter the Forest at a run. They followed.

The trees were so thick they couldn't see where Snape had gone. They flew in circles lower and lower, brushing the top branches of trees until they heard voices.

"Let's land on a tree" Julie whispered quietly. They landed noiselessly in a towering breech tree. They climbed carefully along one of the branches holding tight to our broomsticks, trying to see through the leaves.

Below, in a shadowy clearing, stood Snape, but he wasn't alone. Quirrell was there too. Julie couldn't make out the look on his face, but he was stuttering worse than ever. They strained to catch what they were saying.

"... d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all p-places Severus..."

"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private." said Snape , his voice icy. "Students aren't supposed to know about the Philosopher's Stone, after all"

Harry and Julie exchanged quick looks, before leaning forward. Quirrell was mumbling something, but Snape interrupted him.

"Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"

"B-b-but Severus, I-"

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell." said Snape, taking a step towards him.

"I-I don't know what you-"

"You know perfectly well what I mean"

An owl hooted loudly and Julie nearly fell out of the three, but luckily Harry caught her just in time. She steadied herself in time to hear Snape say. "-your little bit of hocus-pocus. I'm waiting."

"B-but I d-d-don't-"

"Very well." Snape cut in. "We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie.

He threw his head and strode out of the clearing. It was almost dark now, but Harry and Julie could see Quirrel standing there quite still as though he was petrified.

"Come on" Harry said as he jumped back on his broomstick. They quickly put their broomsticks in the broomshed and ran back to their friends without exchanging a single word. They both were only thinking about telling Ron and Hermione what they just saw.

"Harry, Julie, where have you been?" Hermione squeaked as the two of them walked in.

"We won! You won! We won!" shouted Ron, thumping Harry on the back. "Harry, I didn't even tell you yet that I gave Malfoy a black eye and Neville tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle single-handed! He's still out cold, but Madam Pomfrey says he'll be alright - talk about showing Slytherin! Everyone's waiting for you guys in the common room, we're having another party, Fred and George stole some cakes and stuff from the kitchen."

"Ronald, could you please just be quiet for a second?" Julie asked, sounding slightly annoyed. She mentally cursed herself for saying that while he was so excited

"Let's find an empty room, you wait 'til you hear this..." Harry said breathlessly.

They made sure Peeves was wasn't inside before shutting the door behind them, then they told Ron and Hermione what they'd seen and heard.

"Harry and I saw Snape running towards the Forest while we were putting our broomsticks in the broomshed, so we decided to follow him and landed on some trees above where he went and saw that Quirrell also was there." Julie started, trying to calm herself down

"So we were right," Harry continued. "it is the Philosopher's Stone, and Snape's trying to force Quirrell to help him get. He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy - and he said something about Quirrel's 'hocus-pocus' - I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy, loads of enchantments, probably, and Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Arts spell which Snape needs to break through."

"So you mean the stone's only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?" said Hermione in alarm.

"It'll be gone by next Tuesday." said Ron.