Marauders' Godson Book 1: Sorcerer's Stone

Chapter Nine

Edward, Topaz, and Hermione had wanted to find out if there were other enchantments protecting the Stone (because, as Edward said, something as important and powerful as the Sorcerer's Stone needed more protection than a three-headed dog and whatever Quirrell was using) but the teachers had other ideas. Because exams were getting closer, the professors had added to the load of homework so much that everyone but Edward spent most of their time working on it. Edward, of course, was "as smart as Merlin" (according to Ron and Onyx) or "ahead of his year" (according to Topaz), so he finished his homework quickly.

Unfortunately, Hermione had also started studying for the exams, and nagging the others to do the same. At one point Ron asked hotly what she was studying for, as she already "knew it all."

"What am I studying for? Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into the second year? They're important, I should have started studying a month ago, I don't know what's gotten into me-"

To which Onyx had replied, "The mystery about the Stone got to you."

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On the last day of Easter holidays, the seven of them were sitting in the library, all busy with homework or studying. Hermione and Topaz were quizzing each other on Herbology terms; Onyx and Ron were falling asleep over their Transfiguration essays; Harry and Ruby were trying to find 'Dittany' in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi; and Edward was reading Protective Jinxes, Spells, and Curses, his quill poised over a piece of paper.

Edward was distracted by a quiet thumping noise. Edward had heard this sound many times; without looking up he said, "Good afternoon, Hagrid. What are you doing in the library?"

He heard Hagrid jump and say nervously, "Jus' lookin'."

His friend's shifty voice caught Edward's interest instantly. He looked up and frowned at him sternly.

"An' what're you lot up ter?" Hagrid said quickly. Suddenly he looked suspicious. "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?"

"No," Edward said quietly, "we found out about him before Christmas. He was on Professor Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card, Hagrid," he added serenely when the man's eyes widened. "Anyone could've see that."

"Of course," Topaz said in an innocent voice, "we couldn't help but notice his description in Famous Alchemists, Future and Past. Especially since he's the only one to make a Sorcerer's-"

"Shhhhh!" Hagrid spluttered.

"Topaz, keep your voice down," Edward said softly as he looked back down at the book. "I don't think the teachers want anyone to know. But Hagrid, we do want to know if anything else is guarding it."

Hagrid shivered nervously. Finally he said, "Come an' see me later. I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here, students aren' s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh."

"We'll see you later, then, Hagrid," Edward told him pleasantly.

He felt Hagrid relax behind him, then leave. When he'd gone, Edward said quietly, "Topaz, go see where he was looking."

Topaz instantly stood up and walked over. A minute later he came back and whispered, "He was looking at dragon books. Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide."

Edward looked up sharply. "He didn't."

"What?" Ron and Onyx chorused softly. Harry and Ruby looked up with interest, and Hermione reluctantly stopped staring at her Herbology book.