Silver Hourglass

Year's End Chapter 11

ick old book on the table. "I looked all over, only to find it in this. I forgot I brought it home for some light reading during the holidays."

"This is light?" Ron asked, surprised.

Hermione rolled her eyes and opened the book. "I knew it! I knew it! Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher Stone!"

"The what?" Ron asked.

"Honestly, don't you two read?" Hermione remarked, even though it was only Ron who walked. Look—read that, there:"

She pushed the book towards them, and Harry and Ron read:

The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.

There has been many reports of the Philosopher's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).

"See?" Hermione said when Harry and Ron finished reading. "The dog must be guarding Flamel's Philosopher's Stone! I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him, because they're friends and he knew someone was after it, that's why he wanted the Stone moved out of Gringotts!"

"A stone that makes gold and stops your from ever dying!" said Harry. "No wonder Snape's after it! Anyone would want it!"

"Snape?" Ron and Hermione asked.

Harry looked at them and said "Yeah... at least I think he does." Harry blushed.

"Harry! Why would you think that? He's a professor here and your Head of House!" Hermione gasped.

"I know, but remember when the troll got in during Halloween? I didn't notice it then, but on Snape's leg there are marks, like a dog bite, and he's walking with a limp." Harry said.

"Yeah, but still Harry, he could have gotten that bite from Fang." Hermione pointed.

"I saw the marks Hermione, they were huge! Besides, when was the last time you heard of Fang biting anyone? The worst he would do is bark." Harry said. "Look, I know he's my head of House, but Snape is after the Stone. I just know it."

"Fine, maybe Snape is after the stone, but why?" Hermione asked.

"Easy Hermione," Ron said, "The git wants immorality. That way he could be the bane to every Gryffindor forever."

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "Fine, Snape is trying to steal the Stone." She whispered, "What are we going to do? Because I don't think any of the professors will believe us."

Harry thought and said "We'll have to stop him, when he steals the Stone."

"What!?"

"You're kidding! Harry please tell me you're kidding!" Hermione pleaded.

"I'm not Hermione. Snape, or someone is after the Stone. We need to get to it before they do." Harry said.

Ron nodded and agreed. "Yeah! Harry's right! We need to protect the stone!"

"Fine, we'll go and protect the Stone. But when will Snape try to steal it?" Hermione asked.

The trio was silent, looking at each other. "I don't know," Harry finally said, "but I think we need to just wait for now, until we know more."