Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 1 - Your Slytherin Admirer

Hermione arrived back at Hogwarts after Christmas break was over. She went up to Gryffindor common room, where Harry and Ron were sitting by the fire.

"Harry! Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. 

Both of their faces lit up. "Hermione!" Hermione embraced the two of them in a group hug.

"Whoa," she said. "Ron, did I just hug you?"

"Yeah, I think so," Ron laughed.

"Progress," Harry said. "Ron and I are going to the library to search for some more information. Do you want to come with us?"

"I'm going to go put my things away," Hermione said. "But I'll join you afterwards. She brought her trunk upstairs and said hello to her dorm mates. She went over to her nightstand where the book she was reading sat. She looked at it and remembered. She picked it up and raced to Harry and Ron who were already at the library. She loudly thumped the book down on the table. Harry slightly jumped. "I had you looking in the wrong section! How could I be so stupid? I checked this out a few weeks ago for a bit of light reading," Hermione said as she sat down.

"This is light?" Ron asked, looking at the thick book.

"Of course! Here it is! 'Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone!'" Hermione read.

"The what?" Ron and Harry said.

"Honestly, don't you two read? '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.'" Hermione read.

"Immortal?" Ron asked.

"It means you'll never die," Harry said.

"I know what it means!" Ron groaned.

"Shh!" Harry whispered.

"The only stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist, who last year celebrated his six hundred and sixty fifth birthday!' That's what Fluffy's guarding on the third floor. That's what's under the trapdoor... the Philosopher's Stone!" Hermione explained with wide eyes. The trio exchanged looks with each other.

"You're brilliant, Hermione!" Harry whispered. "We have to tell Hagrid."

"Agreed," Hermione said. She stood up and picked up the book and tucked it under her arm. "Come on then," she gestured for the boys to follow her. They crossed down the damp hill to Hagrid's hut. Harry banged on the door. Hagrid opened the door dressed in an apron with an oven mitt on his left hand.

"Hagrid!" Harry said.

"Oh, hello. Sorry, don't wish to be rude, but I'm in no fit state to entertain today," Hagrid said as he closed the door.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!" the trio said in unison. The door slowly reopened.

"Oh," Hagrid said as he let them in.

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

"Snape? Blimey, Harry, you're not still on about him, are you?" Hagrid scoffed.

"Hagrid, we know he's after the Stone. We just don't know why."

"Snape is one of the teachers protecting the Stone! He's not about to steal it!"

"What?"

"You heard right. Come on, now, I'm a bit preoccupied today." Hagrid tried to usher them out the door.

"Wait a minute," Harry looked over at Ron. There was a big black boarhound sniffing Ron. Hagrid's dog, Fang. "One of the teachers?"

"Of course! There are other things defending the Stone, aren't there? Spells, enchantments," Hermione said as she sat down in a big chair.