The Last Gaunt:Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [Book 1]

Chapter XIV: Helping the Quartethru the Trap Hole

Third Person POV

                     The day after detention, Kieran sat alone on a few benches in the Transfiguration courtyard, trying to study. His strongest subjects were Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Charms, while he was merely competent in Potions and Herbology, and average in Astrology and History of Magic. The latter two subjects were particularly challenging for him: one was held at midnight when he was exhausted, and the other had a teacher whose monotone delivery often lulled him to sleep. As he studied, he occasionally glanced up. On one of these occasions, he noticed Harry and the others approaching.
                                                          "Kieran, we need to talk," Harry said, his tone serious. The others—Ron, Hermione, and Zach—scanned the area, clearly looking for privacy.
                                                          "Oh? What's this about?" Kieran asked, closing his standard book of spell grade 1.
                                                         "This isn't the place," Zach said, and he and Hermione began walking away, with Ron and Harry following. They glanced back, signaling Kieran to join them. Kieran sighed, tidying up the books scattered on the bench and stuffing them into his bag. With a resigned nod, he got up and followed the group. The quartet led Kieran through a series of winding corridors until they reached an empty classroom. Once Kieran entered right after Ron, Harry closed the door to ensure a bit of privacy for the five of them. 
                                                        "Alright, now we can talk," Harry said, his gaze steady as he looked at Kieran.
                                                           "Okay, first of all," Kieran began, "What was your detention about?"
                                                          "Malfoy and us had to go to the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid," Zach replied quickly. "Someone was killing unicorns and drinking their blood."
                                                          "What?!" Kieran's voice was a mix of shock and anger. "But that's... a crime. Unicorns are pure creatures. You have to be a monster to kill one, let alone drink its blood."
                                                         "Yeah, and there's more, Kieran," Hermione said. "Harry and Zach were found by a centaur named Firenze, who protected them from—"
                                                         "Voldemort," Harry quickly interjected before Hermione could finish.
                                                      "Don't say his name," Ron said, covering his ears, while Kieran shuddered at the mention of it.
                                                        "So, you guys were attacked by... You-Know-Who..." Kieran said, mulling it over. "So, he must be alive."
                                                    "Yes, and Snape—" Hermione began.
                                                       "Or Quirrell," Zach quickly interjected.
                                                          "Might want the Philosopher's Stone to bring him back to life with the Elixir of Life," Hermione finished.
                                                        "That... makes some sense," Kieran said thoughtfully.
                                                           "Really?" Ron asked, surprised that Kieran seemed to believe them.
                                                         "Yeah, I mean, for You-Know-Who... Aside from Professor Dumbledore, who else is a threat to him?" Kieran asked them.
                                                         "Harry," Zach said, and Kieran nodded in agreement.
                                                             "Exactly," Kieran said, looking at them. "Let's hope that whoever wants the Stone doesn't know how to get past Fluffy." He glanced out the window, clutching the strap of his bag. "I'm going back to study, guys. Just stay out of trouble and... don't lose more points." He said as he walked out of the classroom, leaving the quartet staring after him.