Catching Her Heart Pt. 1

Chapter 15

Sorry for such a late posting... got up late and it was hard to focus on writing fully until my husband was home and went to sleep because all I heard from the time I got up to when he got home (when my father-in-law wasn't napping) was my in-laws fighting. This is getting REALLY old. Anyway, here's the new chapter, and I've already started the next one. Nearly done with Act 1! Woo Hoo!!

 

 6 January 1992
Madam Pomfrey,
I didn't want to disturb you in case you were busy, so I thought it better to just write you a note. I want to thank you again for your help after Halloween, and I wanted to let you know that I spent some time talking about things with my mum. She helped me get things set up for when I am not in school in case I need them there. You were right, I think it was just the stress of the arguments with Ron because nothing happened after we settled our differences. My mum and I spent four days just the two of us, shopping, talking, and getting things ready for when I go home in the summer. Thank you again for your help and for listening.
Hermione

She sent the letter off that morning at breakfast, as she had sent letters to Oliver, and saw her dove wing it's way over to the matron who opened and read it

One day, shortly after the holidays, Hermione entered the Great Hall to sit with Harry and Ron, dropping a heavy tome on the table with a loud thump. "I had you looking in the wrong section," she said when they looked up. "How could I be so stupid? I checked this out weeks ago," Hermione continued, "for a bit of light reading."

"This is light?" Ron asked, arching a brow.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she opened the book and flipped through the pages. "Here it is!" she exclaimed when she found the page she was looking for. "Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone!"

"The what?" Harry and Ron asked in confusion.

"Honestly," she said, shaking her head. "Don't you two read?"

When they didn't answer, she sighed and read:

"The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It can transform any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal."

"Immortal?" Ron said in awe.

"It means you'll never die," Hermione said.

"I know what it means!" Ron retorted.

"The only stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist, who last year celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday."

Hermione paused looking at them before sighing.

"See?" she asked. "That's what Fluffy's guarding on the third floor. That's what's under the trap door. The Philosopher's Stone."

Hermione, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team were dreading the 22 February match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff for different reasons, though all centred around Professor Snape being referee. Harry and Hermione were worried that he would try jinxing Harry's broom again. Hermione hadn't been able to convince Oliver of what she'd seen. He still believed, like Hagrid, that Snape wouldn't harm a student. Instead, Oliver and the rest of the team were worried about fair calls, even if it wasn't Slytherin they were going up against, they figured he would make calls in Hufflepuff's favour over them.

"Now don't forget," Hermione said as she and Ron took their seats. "It's Locomotor Mortis."

"I know!" Ron snapped, having heard it for the thirteenth time just that morning. "Don't nag."