adored by him | *under editing*

first year × 12

The castle was no longer a winter wonderland as the Christmas period has flown by and the new school term had begun. Nadia, Harry and Ron were in the library, studying, when Hermione came over and slammed a huge book on the table, looking rather frustrated. The trio jumped as she sat herself with a huff. "Of course! I had you looking in the wrong section. How could I be so stupid? I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.

Ron eyed the thick book and scoffed. "This is light?" Hermione sent a glare his way that Lord Voldemort himself would be scared of. Ron immediately quietened. Hermione then opened the large book and began scanning through the pages until her finger halted.

"Of course! Here it is! 'Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone'." She exclaimed, pointing to the page.

"The what?" Ron and Harry asked in unison as they all moved closer to get a better look at the page.

"Honestly, don't you two read?" Hermione shook her head in disapproval as Nadia smirked at the boys' eye rolls. " 'The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It will turn any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal'."

"Immortal?"

"It means you'll never die."

"I know what it means." Ron defended, giving the bushy-haired girl a pointed look.

"Shhh." Nadia hissed, cutting the pair's argument short before a war was created.

Hermione silently thanked her and continued reading. " 'The only stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicolas Flamel, the noted Alchemist, who, last year, celebrated his 665th birthday.' That's what Fluffy's guarding. That's what's under the trap door. The Philosopher's Stone!" She concluded. The quartet exchanged excited glances.

***

Night had quickly consumed Hogwarts as the quartet hurried down the Hagrid's with their newfound information. Harry reached out a fist and knocked the large door which swung open to reveal the half-giant clad in an apron and oven gloves. He gave the children a small smile and cleared his throat. "Oh, hello! Sorry, don't wish to be rude but I'm in no fit state to entertain today." He made to shut the door but was stopped by the frantic whispers of the four before him.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!"

"Oh." Was all Hagrid said before ushering them inside. Hermione and Nadia plopped themselves down in his armchair, since it was big enough for the two, whilst Ron and Harry took a seat on the bench.

"We think Snape's trying to steal it." Harry said.

Hagrid huffed in disbelief. "Snape? Blimey, Harry. Yer not still on about him, are yer?"

"We know he's after the stone, Hagrid. We just don't know why." Nadia added, earning nods from the others.

"Snape is one of the teachers protectin' the Stone! He's not about ter steal it!" Hagrid exclaimed. The group was dumbfounded.

"What?" Harry breathed.

"You heard." Hagrid nodded. "Right. I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment." He turned towards the roaring fire as Hermione grimaced at the large, black Boarhound - Fang - getting comfortable beside Ron.

Nadia then had a thought. "Wait a minute. One of the teachers?"

Hermione gasped. "Of course! There are other things protecting the Stone, aren't there? Spells, enchantments."

"That's right. Waste of bloody time if you ask me." Hagrid grumbled as Ron tried to shuffle away from the enormous dog, earning quiet giggles from the girls. "Ain't no one gonna get past Fluffy. Hehe, not a soul knows how. 'Cept for me an' Dumbledore." He sighed at himself. "I shouldn't 'ave said that. I should not 'ave told you that."