The Boy Who Wanted to Live

So.... It's a stone?

Harry sat at a table in the library with Ron and Hermione. Hermione was still extremely pale and would shift from leg to leg as she watched Harry with suspicious eyes. Ron however seemed more excited by Harry being with them and continued to watch Harry with wide eyes, as if hoping that knowing the way Harry picked up his pencil might reveal how exactly he did it. Harry tried to ignore the looks of his two friends, but slowly anger filled him and he sat up straight. 

"What?! What do you want?" He yelled, making Hermione jump.

"How'd you do it?" Ron asked, leaning forward, excitement in his eyes. 

"For the last time," Harry whispered angrily "I don't know!" 

Hermione's eyes filled up with tears at Harry's angry tone and Ron sat back in his seat with disappointment. 

"I don't know how I did it or even what happened, okay? I don't remember!" Harry said, slamming his book closed. 

Hermione winced at the mistreatment of the book, but didn't say anything about it to the angry boy. She knew that Harry wouldn't hurt her, but she still was terrified any time that he was around. The memory of blood soaking through her robes made a shiver go down her spine. A shiver quite similar to the one that went down Ron's any time the incident was mentioned, but hers was of disgust, whereas his was one of excitement. Harry sighed and slumped over on the book. 

"I don't remember what happened," he said softly "It was like I fell asleep, and when I woke up it was dead" 

"We believe you, Harry" Hermione said in a soft voice, that didn't betray her fear. 

"Thanks, Hermione" Harry said, giving her a small smile that she returned. 

Ron leaned heavily on his hand, propped up on his elbow and sighed. 

"You never did tell me what's in the third floor," He said offhandedly. 

"You went to the third floor corridor?" Hermione asked, surprised. 

"No. I didn't go there. Look I," Harry sighed "You need to keep it a secret okay?"

Both of his friends nodded seriously and Harry sighed. 

"I was talking to Professor Sprout a while ago and she told me what was down there." Harry sped up at the look in his friends eyes"But she only told me so that I wouldn't go down there looking for it. She was trying to help."

Hermione appeared as if she was severely disappointed in their professor, where Ron looked disappointed at the lack of excitement in the explanation. He had imagined some cool tale about sneaking off in the night and getting trapped. The reality was far less exciting. 

"So what is it?" Ron asked, keeping his voice down. 

"I don't know," Harry said, softly "Some type of rock that brings people back from the dead."  

Ron and Hermione looked confused and leaned forward. 

"But, that's good isn't it?" Hermione asked softly.

"Oh think will you?" Ron said, exasperated with the girl "Who would you bring back from the dead then? Hitler? You-Know-Who?" he whispered, angrily "It is very dangerous to play with life and dead! When I was little my brothers told me this story about this man who wanted to bring his wife back from the dead and so he used a spell on her body. But it didn't bring her soul back, it just brought life to her body and she tried to eat him! 'Zombies' muggles call them" 

Harry nodded seriously as well and also leaned forward. 

"Exactly. That's why it's so dangerous. It could bring back evil people and we would all be in danger!" He whispered. 

"But..." Hermione said, looking at Harry "Why would they hide something that powerful in a school? It doesn't make any sense"

"There's no place in the world safer than Hogwarts" Harry replied, watching as an owl flew outside the window.