Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Realizations and Dangers

"I can't believe I could be so stupid," Hermione declared, dropping a huge textbook on the table with a resounding thud.

Estella looked up from where she was studying a potions book and her mouth dropped open. "Of course!" she groaned.

Ron looked between the two girls, annoyed. "Will one of you just spit it out already?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Penny and I checked this out WEEKS ago for a bit of light reading."

Estella leaned over the library table and began flipping through the worn pages.

Ron looked horrified. "This. Is light?"

Estella and Harry both snorted while Hermione looked less amused. She shook her head before pointing a finger at the passage Estella had stopped on. "Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone."

"The what?" Harry and Ron asked incredulously.

Estella shook her head wryly. "Honestly, how do you two even pass your classes?" She pulled the book over so she could read. "The Sorcerer's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will turn any metal into pure gold and also produces the Elixir of Life, which makes the drinker immortal."

"Immortal?" Ron repeated incredulously.

Hermione sighed. "It means you'll never die."

Ron rolled his eyes. "I know what immortal means," he retorted indignantly.

Harry sat quietly before looking up into his friends' gaze. "So that's what Fluffy's guarding. That's what Snape wants."

Estella leaned forward seriously. "And there's only one person who will give us answers."

The four students stood at Hagrid's door, waiting under the cloak anxiously in the twilight. Harry raised his fist and knocked firmly. After a moment, the half giant appeared in the doorway. Hagrid seemed nervous and look around wildly before noticing the children.

"Oh it's yeh four," he grunted. "Sorry bet I'm not fit ter entertain today."

"Hagrid." Harry stated simply, his green eyes glimmering. "We know about the sorcerer's stone."

Hagrid looked like he was about to faint. "Oh that." He shook himself. "Well come on in."

The four climbed into Hagrid's hut and Estella observed the space for the first time. There was a large unmade bed in the corner while pots and pans and strange objects hung all over the ceiling. The was a fire burning and Estella was rather nervous that the wooden hut was going to catch on fire.

"We think Snape's after the stone." Harry's voice pulled Estella back to the present.

Hagrid sighed. "Harry. Snape is a teacher. 'e's not going ter steal..."

"He just fancied a stroll to the forbidden corridor on Halloween then, did he?" Ron pointed out.

Hagrid patted his belly in frustration, large oven mitts on his hands. "Snape is one of the teachers PROTECTING the stone.." Hagrid's face paled and he turned back to the fire where something appeared to be cooking.

"Of course!" Hermione's face brightened. "There are other things protecting the stone. The teachers placed different spells and enchantments!"

Hagrid stirred the fire and snorted. "Bloody waste o' time if yeh ask me." He beamed proudly. "Ain't no one who can get past Fluffy, 'cept me and Dumbledore." His confession was cut of by popping sounds from the flames. "Ooo," Hagrid breathed. "He's comin'!"

Estella watched in confusion as the half giant reached into the flames but her eyes widened as he pulled out a large, glistening egg. "Hagrid." Her voice was horrified. "Where did you get a dragon?"

Harry looked at Estella, incredulous. "That's a..a dragon?" His attention was drawn to the egg as it began to crack on the table. Little by little the egg broke apart, sometimes poked by a sharp looking talon, other times a pointed snout. The five watched in astonishment as a tiny baby dragon lay on the table, breathing heavily from its excursion.

"Not any dragon," Ron breathed. "My brother Charlie studies those. That's a Norwegian Ridgeback."

Hermione looked horrified as Hagrid chuckled merrily, tickling the creature under its chin. "What are you going to do with it?"

"Why keep 'im of course," Hagrid didn't take his eyes off the baby dragon, who had begun to crawl around. "I think Norbert would do nicely, don't yeh think?" he cooed. The dragon looked up and snorted flames, catching Hagrid's beard on fire. Hagrid just patted it out and looked as happy as Estella had ever seen him. Harry and Ron looked revolted.

"Hagrid," Harry pointed out warily. "You live in a wooden house."