Hermione Granger and the Sorcerer's Stone

Nicolas Flamel's True Identity

When Hermione arrived back at Hogwarts Ron was quick to tell her about everything that had happened.

"Harry got an Invisibility Cloak! The letter said it was his father's! He used it in the middle of the night to go snooping in the Restricted Section and accidentally left his Cloak so he went back to get it when he found this weird mirror where he saw the both of his parents! He saw his whole family, which is strange, seeing as their dead -"

"Ron!" said Hermione.

" - and he came to go get me but I only saw myself as Head Boy, Quidditch Captain, and I was holding the House Cup! I was older though and quite handsome. . . . Harry kept going back every night. I warned him not to but he didn't listen. I sorta felt like you."

"Well now you see what it's like not to be listened to when you know you're right!" said Hermione.

"And you, Harry! I can't believe you! You should have listened to Ron! If Filch had caught you!"

"I know, I know, I know, Hermione. What would you do if you were me. You have parents, and they're very well alive."

This silenced Hermione.

"Well, it sure does stink that we found nothing on Nicolas Flamel," said Ron.

"I know," sighed Hermione. "My parents knew nothing, but I assumed that perhaps you two would find something even if you didn't send an owl."

"Maybe it's just not in a library book," suggested Harry.

Ron and Hermione shrugged.

.           .            . 

Ron was attempting to teach Hermione the rules of Wizard Chess and how to play when Harry arrived back from Quidditch practice.

Hermione was beginning to get the hang of it.

His knight had just sliced Hermione's queen's head off though. She was much worse than Ron.

"Don't talk to me for a moment," said Ron. "I need to concern -" Ron took a look at Harry's face. "What's the matter with you? You look terrible."

Harry bent down to whisper to them.

"I was at Quidditch Captain and I found out that now Snape for some reason wants to referee the Quidditch game. I'm sure it's to make Gryffindor lose to Hufflepuff."

Hermione couldn't see any other way out of this.

"Don't play," she said plainly.

"Say you're ill," Ron agreed.

"Pretend to break your leg," suggested Hermione.

"Really break your leg," said Ron.

"I can't. There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all," sighed Harry.

They all turned their heads to see Neville hop into the Gryffindor common room, his legs stuck together. Everyone began laughing madly except Hermione who thought this was more immature than funny.

"What happened?" asked Hermione as she guided him to Harry and Ron.

Hermione did care for Neville. He was her first friend.

"Malfoy," answered Neville. "I met him outside the library. He said he'd been looking for someone to practice that on."

Hermione couldn't believe Draco Malfoy. She'd had enough!

"Go to Professor McGonagall!" she told Neville. "Report him!" 

Neville shook his head.

"I don't want more trouble."