Hermione Granger and the Philosopher's Stone (Completed)

Chapter 15 - Down The Trapdoor

Hermione didn't think about Voldemort much for a few weeks, as the exams were going on. She didn't think that she would get a decent night sleep until the day the final exam - history of magic - finished. When she gave in her paper, she couldn't help but cheer with the rest of her peers. She, Ron and Harry walked out into the sunny grounds
"That was far easier than I thought it would be" she told them, sitting down under a tree and getting out a book "I needn't have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager"
Hermione liked to review her exam papers, as it helped her nerves, but Ron generally put a stop to it, very quickly
"No more studying" he sighed "You could look more cheerful, Harry, we've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet"
Harry kept rubbing his forehead. He looked very annoyed
"I wish I knew what this means!" he exclaimed angrily. "My scar keeps hurting - it's happened before, but never as often as this"
"Go to Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said instantly
"I'm not ill" said Harry. "I think it's a warning... it means danger's coming..."
"Harry, relax" Ron yawned "Hermione's right, the Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore's around. Anyway, we've never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down"
Harry nodded
"I just have this feeling I've forgotten something"
"That's just the exams" said Hermione "I woke up last night and was halfway through my Transfiguration notes before I remembered we'd done that one"

Harry nodded again, but Hermione could tell he was still thinking about it. He suddenly turned white, and jumped to his feet, and started walking in the direction of Hagrid's cabin
"Where're you going?" asked Ron
"I've just thought of something" said Harry "We've got to go and see Hagrid, now"
"Why?" panted Hermione, going after him. The heat wasn't helping her already appalling running skills
"Don't you think it's a bit odd" said Harry "that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against wizard law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?"
"What are you talking about?" said Ron, confused, but Hermione had cottoned on. Hagrid was sitting outside and smiled when he saw them
"Hullo" he said cheerfully "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"
"Yes, please" wheezed Ron, but Harry interrupted him
"No, we're in a hurry. Hagrid, I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?"
"Dunno," said Hagrid casually, "he wouldn' take his cloak off. It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot o' funny folk in the Hog's Head - that's the pub down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up"
"What did you talk to him about, Hagrid?" Harry continued "Did you mention Hogwarts at all?"
"Mighta come up" said Hagrid slowly "Yeah... he asked what I did, an' I told him I was gamekeeper here... He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I took after... so I told him... an' I said what I'd always really wanted was a dragon... an' then... I can' remember too well, 'cause he kept buyin' me drinks... Let's see... yeah, then he said he had the dragon egg an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted... but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn' want it ter go ter any old home... So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy..."
"And did he - did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked nervously
"Well - yeah - how many three-headed dogs d'yeh meet, even around Hogwarts? So I told him, Fluffy's a piece o' cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep -"
There was a pause. Hagrid looked shocked
"I shouldn'ta told yeh that!" he said quickly "Forget I said it! Hey - where're yeh goin'?"
But they were already walking very quickly back inside

"We've got to go to Dumbledore" said Harry "Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy, and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak - it must've been easy, once he'd got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Firenze might back us up if Bane doesn't stop him. Where's Dumbledore's office?"
Unfortunately, none of them had been anywhere near the headmasters office. Harry was getting more agitated with every step they took
"We'll just have to -"
"What are you three doing inside?" demanded Professor McGonagall, who had appeared behind them. Hermione summoned all her courage before speaking
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore" she said. She noticed the expression on Ron's face, a mixture of shock and pride, and smiled at the floor
"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated slowly "Why?"
Harry gulped
"It's sort of secret," he said, realising too late that it was a stupid thing to say. Professor McGonagall's eyes flashed
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago" she said dryly "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once"
"He's gone?" said Harry "Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, 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 recklessly "Professor -- it's about the philosopher's stone-"
Professor McGonagall dropped the books she was carrying in shock
"How do you know -?" she stuttered
"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 eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion.
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow" she said firmly "I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected"
"But Professor -" Harry began
"Potter, I know what I'm talking about" she said curtly "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine"