Percy Jackson and the Mirror of Erised [Book 1]

35) Finding Flamel

Harry had stopped going to the Mirror of Erised after having a talk with Dumbledore. He commented about how I must have been the happiest person on Earth, because I couldn't see anything in the mirror of desire.

Hermione quickly countered that, "He watched his mother die, Harry. He's got nightmares. He has to listen to people's problems all of the time, Harry. I imagine there's just something else going on."

Harry quickly shut up after that.

Hermione had come back the day before term started. We'd spent the day catching up, and then it was back to school.

We spent our breaks in the library searching for Flamel. I was in the Restricted Section the majority of that time. I didn't like what I saw in some of those books.

I hardly had any time to chat. Between Quidditch practice, training with Luke, and homework, I had hardly any time for anything at all.

I'd been having Hermione help me with my homework while she played chess with Ron when Harry explained that Snape would be refereeing this match.

That was fine. He'd pick on Gryffindor, because they would pass Slytherin in the tournament if they won. So that's good for me.

Not for my friends.

And not for Harry, since they all believe Snape was evil.

"Don't play," Hermione said quickly.

"Say you're ill," Ron said.

"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione suggested.

"Really break your leg," said Ron.

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

Then Neville stumbled into the common room, which was pretty amazing, considering his legs were stuck together. Leg-Locker Curse.

Everyone laughed save for Hermione, who jumped up and performed the counter curse, "What happened?"

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

"Go to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione urged. "Report him!"

"I don't want more trouble," Neville mumbled. I knew the true reason. Draco probably hadn't done it, or if he did, it was because Neville had lost a bet. This was all part of Draco's cover.

"You've got to stand up to him, Neville!" Ron said. "He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier."

"There's no need to tell me I'm not brave enough to be in Gryffindor, Malfoy's already done that," Neville said.

"Bravery is doing something even when you're afraid. You are brave, I've seen it. You jump back from the blade, yes, but that's not a bad thing. Then you jump back in to give a swipe yourself, putting yourself at risk. Sounds brave to me," I said, watching Harry hand his last chocolate frog to Neville.

Neville look like he was about to cry.

"You're worth twelve of Malfoy," said Harry. "The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin."

Neville smiled weakly, opening the frog and giving the card to Harry. Then he looked back at me and spoke in Greek, "It wasn't Draco. It was Crabbe. He'd been practicing that spell for weeks."

I nodded and Neville left Hermione and I scowling. Ron just looked confused while Harry gasped at his card.

"I've found him!" Harry whisper-shouted. "I've found Flamel! I told you I'd read the name somewhere before, I read it on the train coming here — listen to this: 'Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel'!"

"Stay there!" Hermione shouted, sprinting up the steps, extremely excited.

"I never thought to look in here!" Hermione held a massive book in her hands. "I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading."

"Light?" Said Ron. Hermione shushed him then flipped through the book, struggling to find whatever she was looking for.

"I knew it! I knew it!"

"Are we allowed to speak yet?" Said Ron grumpily. Hermione ignored him.

"Nicolas Flamel," she whispered, "is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone!"

"The what?" Ron and Harry said.

But my eyes were wide, "I've read a story about that! It's a magical stone that grants immortality to someone who can make it into the Elixer of Life! It turns anything to gold and can transmute objects!"

Hermione nodded, showing the boys the book so they could read up on it too.

"See?" Hermione said. "The dog must be guarding Flamel's Sorcerer's Stone! I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him, because they're friends and he knew someone was after it, that's why he wanted the Stone moved from Gringotts!"

"A stone that makes gold and stops you from ever dying!" Harry said. "No wonder Snape's after it! Anyone would want it."

"And no wonder we couldn't find Flamel in that Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry," said Ron. "He's not exactly recent if he's six hundred and sixty five, is he?"

The next day in Defense Against the Dark Arts my friends were discussing the upcoming Quidditch match. I ignored them and watched Quirrell.

I wondered how his second face came to be. I was kinda terrified.

I decided not to think of it, instead doodling on paper.

I couldn't wait for the match, unlike my Gryffindor friends.

It would be awesome. I'd actually get to play with Harry.

I don't really know what to write down here. I don't like it. The other day, Kadee and I went to my grandparents house. We stayed with Emblem. Her boyfriend came over. We had waffles. We played tag (I found I am not a good runner). Kadee and Emblem did their makeup while Brianna and I worked on a puzzle. Then we had Pizza Bites. All in all, it was pretty fun, but I'm not sure how to write about it. It's weird.

Have a good time. Do your makeup. Finish a puzzle. Don't play tag. Next chapter on Wednesday.