Delphinium || Harry Potter [SPORADIC]

viii. aquilegia

"Simple minded people do things
like gossip, lie, spread rumors, and cause troubles.
But, I know you're more intelligent."
• Amaka Imani Nkosazana •

AQUILEGIA / COLUMBINE
foolishness, strength, fidelity, winning, fortitude, wisdom

Andromache, Adelaide, Harry, and Ron stand around one of the tables in the library, waiting—the latter two rather impatiently—for Hermione to return with a book with information on Nicolas Flamel.

When the younger twin reappears, it's with a large book that thumps loudly against the table as it's put down.

"I had you looking in the wrong section! How could I be so stupid?" Hermione remarks with a sigh, opening the large book and starting to page through it as she adds, "I checked this out a few weeks ago for a bit of light reading."

"This is light?" Ron questions as the bushy-haired brunette flicks through the book.

Hermione ignores her ginger friend, and exclaims quietly, "Of course! Here it is! 'Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone'!"

While Harry and Ron ask about the Philosopher's Stone, Adelaide pages through the journal she received from Andromache for Christmas, stopping at a page mentioning the Elixir of Life.

Andromache, however, stares silently at the book her twin reads from, her blue eyes unfocused as she ponders the new information.

"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—" Hermione quotes aloud, Adelaide interjecting with the rest she reads aloud from her Healing Journal, "—which will make the drinker immortal."

Harry glances at the equally-silent Andromache as she seems to be deep in thought—he wonders why she looks like she's piecing together a particularly difficult puzzle nobody else is even aware of.

"The only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist, who last year celebrated his 665th birthday," Hermione finishes reading.

Slamming the book closed, the brunette Granger states, "That's what Fluffy's guarding on the third floor. That's what's under the trapdoor... the Philosopher's Stone!"

"Why does that sound like nothing good?" Adelaide questions softly as they all look at each other in concern.

»»» ☼ «««

Night falls over the castle grounds, but that doesn't deter the five friends from running across to Hagrid's hut with the new information fuelling their strides.

When Hagrid finally opens the door—after many knocks—Andromache grins at the sight of his apron and oven mitts.
Their friend is oozing nervous excitement—although the blonde seems to be the only one to pick it up.