Like A Flower Blooming

Chapter 18

" You saw your parents? In a MIRROR!" Ron's voice squeaked.

" Geez, Ron... I didn't even think a boy's voice could even go up that high!" I answered. We were at breakfast and I was done telling them about my night adventure. Hermione was staring at me with wonder, a piece of bacon hanging from her fork, completely forgotten.

Ron had taken a bad reaction to this. No, that was an understatement. He was furious. For 1) Going on a midnight adventure, 2) NOT taking him, 3) Almost getting caught by Filch and 4) Going on a midnight adventure and NOT taking him... period.

I looked back at Hermione, expecting a lecture and was surprised to see for the first time since I met her, she had no idea what to say.

" Ron... you were asleep. I was excited from what had happened. I thought info about Nicolas Flamel would be in the Restricted Section. I went there. I nearly got caught by Filch. I escaped from him and discovered a mirror that shows my family to me. It's not that bad," I answered.

He opened his mouth and I stepped on his foot hard. " Y- Ow! What was that for?" he yowled. Hermione's shoulders shook with laughter as she looked at her shoes.

" Ron... stop being idiotic. I'm glad someone is trying to find out who Flamel is though I'm not sure how going to the Restricted Section at night would work," Hermione said.

" Thank you.... I think." I scratched my head as I ate some more cereal

" Anyway, did you find anything?" she asked. I rolled my eyes and shook my head like it was obvious. " So... we're nowhere except a freaky mirror that for some reason shows you your dead family?"

" Pretty much. So I'm guessing more looking in the library?" I asked. She nodded and me and Ron groaned at the same time.

" What's the point of looking in the library when we're never going to find the information? There are thousands of books and only three of us. It'd take us years and I don't think we have that kind of time!" complained Ron. I jumped in.

" Ron's right. We're not going to find anything about Nicolas Flamel. Except the fact that he's French and the name sounds familiar! Other than that... we've got nothing!" I agreed. Anything to get out of more chores!

" Wait... Why didn't you tell us he was French, Ari? How do you know he's French?" asked Hermione, looking excited.

" Um... the way his name is spelled and how Hagrid said it. It just sounds French. Wait... wasn't their a philosopher or something who lived in France a really long time ago with the last name Flamel?" I asked.

Hermione squealed then pulled me and Ron up to our feet. In her hurry, she knocked over Ron's full cereal bowl which landed in his lap.

" HEY! Hermione! Seriously! Be careful!" he complained. The Slytherin table started snickering as she rolled her eyes and pushed us out of the Great Hall and towards the library... again.

She made us sit down before running towards the shelves and coming back five minutes later with a huge book. The table groaned as it fell onto the table and I stared at the huge parchment pages.

" Hermione... how exactly is this going to help?" I asked.

" Nicolas Flamel was a alchemist who lived in 14th and 15th century France. But get this... he's still alive today!!" Hermione said, gleefully.

" What?!?" Me and Ron's faces were the same: complete and utter shock. We looked at each other and back.

" Have you guys heard of the Sorcerer's or Philosopher's Stone? ( I put both titles in, depending if you're American or British or whatever)" she asked, clapping her hands.

I had watched the Harry Potter movies a few years ago so I remembered what she was talking about. " Isn't that the Stone that gives you immorality or whatever?" I asked.

She nodded. " That's how Flamel is alive. That's what Hagrid got from the vault. And they have it here somewhere in the castle. Most likely, the third floor corrider with something guarding it. That's what Dumbledore meant by ' die a most gruesome death.'"

Me and Ron looked at each other. " We're in so much trouble, aren't we?" I finally said.

" Yes. Definetely," Ron answered.

" Guys, I think Snape's after it. Remember Halloween? He must have set the troll in the castle as a distraction so that he could get the Stone," Hermione commented.

I mentally slapped myself. How didn't I see that? It was so obvious. " So how do we stop Snape?" I asked, looking at Hermione.

She looked flushed that me and Ron were both staring at her. " What are you looking at me for?" She snapped.

" Well... You ARE the smart one," Ron put in. Hermione went pink.

" Uh.... We should probably snoop around the floor and check out that mirror. I just have this feeling it's connected somehow," said Hermione. I nodded. I remembered there was something important about that mirror. Just not what.

" Tonight? We can look at the third floor corridor with Dad's old invisibility cloak," I suggested. Hermione smiled.

" Great idea, Ari! Tonight. We'll meet up at the common room at eleven then head out. Dress warmly!" She advised. The three of us nodded. It was time to figure out what was guarding the Stone and what was up with that mirror!