Chapter Text
Reading.
That was what I was currently partaking in.
I was in the library, trying to unravel the mystery of what the cerberus had been guarding, and I was having trouble focusing. Students had been around my person when trying to look for this particular book, but I paid them no mind and directly headed for the alcove I enjoyed. Once I was there, now surrounded by quiet bliss, all my mind could ponder on was Minerva, my fiery Gryffindor, and it was driving me to the brink of insanity.
Minerva.
Minerva…
Minerva….
It didn’t at all help that the new appendage I now had announced itself every time I thought of the older Omega…
“Shite.” I cursed under my breath as I flipped another page.
My nostrils flared, recognizing the scents that wafted up to my nose, and my head lifted from the intriguing words on the parchment to find the two who had become my friends. My one good eye followed there every step as they headed towards me, the portrait closing behind them, and I allowed for a small smirk to display on my face.
“Why was the password Hermione is a genius?” Longbottom whined, as they both sat down across from my person.
Some pride in one's self is needed every once in a while…
“I think it is wonderful!” Luna exclaimed, that airy look still in her eyes. “I see the faeries are more plentiful around you today, Hermione. I assume it went well?”
For a moment, I was startled by Luna’s words and my eyes hardened as they gazed at my fellow classmate. I knew, with certainty, that the Beta Ravenclaw was alluding to the started process of healing one of the cracks in my magic core. Her keen mind was sharp as a whip and I never had bought that she was ‘loony’.
But…
What I didn’t know for certain was her seer abilities. I’ve thought and formulated before that Luna possibly had the ability of foresight, but this is the most damnable evidence to date. No one should know that one of the cracks has started to heal.
Only Albus and Minerva have that information.
Hmmmm…
“Yes, things are going accordingly, thank the Fates themselves, and we’re to have a discussion about the topic soon.” I answered, my answer vague enough to not reveal what I was talking about.
“What?” Longbottom uttered, bewilderment and confusion written all over his pouty face. “Is this some type of joke I’m not in on?”
The Beta Ravenclaw put a hand on his knee and warmly smiled at Longbottom.
“All will be revealed in the future.” Luna answered and Longbottom whined even louder at the vague answer she gave him.
“Whatever…” Longbottom grumbled, his green eyes finding the old tome I was reading. “Is this the ‘light reading’ you said you were doing?”
To be fair…
It was a five thousand page tome from the 14th century.
Researching this particular topic had been a pain in my arse and I had to delve deep into the abyss that was the restricted section, the library more like an armory, to find what I was pursuing. Madam Pince got the tome for me in the end - which is standard practice for sixth and seventh-years - and I was grateful to the librarian.
“Yes, I’ve been thoroughly scouring each piece of parchment that has ink on it.” I started, my hands hovering over said parchment. “I think I’ve found what I was looking for. It might very well be the key to our question.”
“You’ve found what the cute puppy was guarding?” Luna surmised, with a wide smile.
Cute puppy…
The creature was a three-headed hellhound said to be guarding Hades gates in Muggle Greek mythology…
The Omega Gryffindor sputtered at Luna’s comment and I felt that we were finally on the same wavelength.
“Yes… I may have found what the Cerberus was guarding.” I answered, my hands turning the large book to face the two and tapping a particular rendition with my finger. “The Philosopher’s Stone. As it was written here, Nicholas Flammel, a French wizard, was the only known maker of said stone. Of course, he was in House Slytherin, pursued ways to extend his life, and finally found the secret to immortality.”
“Godric’s bloody galleons…” Longbottom whispered, his eyes wide as he stared at the parchment.
“And you think the puppy is guarding the Philosopher’s stone?” Luna airily asked, her hands twiddling with her robes.
“I’ve been researching the stone and the Cerberus.” I started to explain, putting my knowledge on the matter into words. “And I’ve found that Muggle’s also have the concept of a Cerberus and it comes from Greek Mythology. The Cerberus in their tales guards the gates of Hades, a type of metaphysical space that houses the souls of the damned, and keeps out intruders. So I thought on the why. Why the Cerberus? There are numerous other ways to house and protect an object of importance in the wizarding world, but the Cerberus is what is guarding that latch.” I continued, the two listening to me with rapt attention. “I was… perplexed until my mind focused on where the Cerberus was stationed. Hades. Hades, the underworld, the space where souls are housed, and I finally found the connection…”
“And that is?” Longbottom asked, roughly swallowing.
“Life… and Death.” I answered. “The Philosopher's stone cheats death. Who better to guard something that goes against the very principles of Hades than the beast that guards its gates?”
“Brilliant!” Luna responded, her hands softly clapping as if she were giving me a standing ovation. “Brightest Witch of her Age, indeed!”
“I get it, but… is one stone worth guarding?” Longbottom asked.
“It is.” I answered, turning my attention to the Longbottom. “The stone could be used correctly by a wizard like Flammel, but it also could be used incorrectly. Hades is about housing souls after death, housing all souls, but what if someone with evil intentions, someone who was bound to go to Tartarus, took ahold of the Philosopher's stone? Then said witch or wizard would be immortal. Immortal and now unbound by death to do as they pleased. And… if they had the same capability as Nicholas Flammel… could create more stones. More immortal, evil persons, and more imbalance. That is ultimately the why. And I’m certain if we get past the Cerberus, then we will find the Philosopher’s stone at the end of the yellow brick road.”
“The yellow brick… what?” Longbottom said, confusion in his stone, his face scrunched up.
“I think it's some Muggle… path?” Luna guessed, her head tilted to the side. “A gold road doesn’t seem very practical though…”
I shook my head and wanted to bang my head against the table.
How is it that Muggle and wizarding culture is so divided?
We both live on the same planet for Salazar’s sake!
Muggle’s are ignorant because we want them to be, but wizarding society is very much aware of Muggles…
Maybe it's arrogance…
Ignorance?
A mix of the two?
“It’s from the Wizard of Oz…” I replied and huffed in annoyance. “The wizarding world is sorely lacking in the arts department.”
“Wizard?” Longbottom repeated, his mind locking onto the magical aspect of the name. “Was this wizard also famous in the Muggle world? I haven’t heard of Oz before…” He moronically added, eyebrows furrowed in thought.
“Just… It's of no importance.” I replied, waving my hand in the air so we could move this conversation along. “What is of importance is the Philosopher’s stone. I’ve reason to believe that a particular Professor is after it.”
Two sets of eyes widened at my words and I was pleased by the reaction.
It showed the Beta Ravenclaw and Longbottom understood this was paramount.
Merlin himself would use everything in his power to keep the stone from anyone’s hands and we were going to do the same.
“Who?” Longbottom asked, his voice frazzled, his pheromones leaking and showing that he was anxious, Luna had to comfort him, but the anxiety in the air on the ebbed and receded some. “It’s Professor Snape… isn’t it? I always thought she was bloody suspicious. Who wants the D.A.D.A. position that badly?”
“Someone who enjoys being dark and broody, Longbottom.” I answered, my voice laced with humor. “And no it isn’t Professor Snape. I partially know this because of a conversation I overheard when using the invisibility cloak. I was… out after our curfew and came upon two Professors. One was filling the air with their Omega pheromones and the other was growling lowly. I knew from the scent that the Omega was Professor Quirrell and recognized the voice… It was Professor Snape’s. They were arguing. Professor Snape said not to cross her. That might sound incriminating, but… I’m going to reveal something to you two. This needs to be kept secret. Swear on both Godric and Rowea’s name that you won’t tell a soul about what I say next.”
Luna and the Omega Gryffindor look at one another, eyes determined, and then look back at my person.
“We swear.” They both instantly replied, their tone of voice serious.
“The conversation was only one factor. The other? I have a familial bond with Headmaster Dumbledore. And… I am also close with Professor Snape. I know Severnia and Albus does as well. She has his confidence. She was the only one to extend a hand to me when no one else would. She had no reason to entertain a wayward orphan, but she did. She continues to do so until this very day. People say many things about Severnia, but under all that inclemency… She cares. She would never undermine Albus like this. Just as you have sworn on your House's founders' names, I swear it on the Fates themselves and all the other important figures who would strike me down if I was lying.”
“Alright… Okay… So if it isn’t, Professor Snape then-” Longbottom started to say then got interrupted.
“Then it's Professor Quirrell.” Luna finished, a knowing twinkle in her eyes.
I nodded at the Beta Ravenclaw’s words.
“I don’t know why he’s after the Philosopher’s stone, but the answer is all the same. He is and we have to retrieve it before him.” I replied while drawing in a large breath, my body starting to ache from the prolonged seated position, but my robes' protections made it manageable.
“Why us?” Longbottom asked. “Surely, Headmaster Dumbledore or even Professor Snape could handle this… Right?”
“Did I forget to mention I am now Albus’s hands and feet?” I responded, ignoring the confused looks from the two.
“Hands and feet?” Longbottom repeated, his current expression one of confusion. “What does that mean?”
“I think what Hermione is saying is that she can act with his authority, you know? Like she herself is an extension of his hands and feet.” Luna answered, her Ravenclaw intellect shining through the Gryffindors confusion.
“You are indeed correct, Luna.” I replied, a small smirk making its way onto my face. “I wasn’t before. I was only his eyes and ears, but the troll incident changed my role.”
“And you can do this? We can do this?” Longbottom asked while shaking his head, his need for affirmation evident in his tone.
“We can, but…” I started, drawling my words. “There is one rather large wizard who can help us with this matter…”
“Large wizard…” Luna muttered, her pale-silver eyes alight with thought. “Ah! Hagrid! He’s always caring for magical creatures and such. I very much like him!”
“Hagrid? Does he have something to do with the Philosopher's stone?” Longbottom asked, more to himself than to me. “He is pretty close to Headmaster Dumbledore… But why not go to Professor Snape? She could help us more than Hagrid could, couldn’t she?”
“We shouldn't.” Luna answered, before I could reply. “She has her own problems to deal with, so asking Hagrid would be wiser.”
“But-” Longbottom started to say, but his mouth remained open before it shut. “Alright. If you say so, Luna.”
I chuckled, a low rumble flowing through the space, and slowly stood up from where I had been sitting.
“That should about cover this discussion.” I said. “The three of us should meet at Hagrid’s hut that's right on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It’s a small little thing, but it’s distinct and you two shouldn’t be able to miss it… Fino ad allora, amici miei.”
(Until then my friends)
With those parting words, I turned on my heel and walked off away from the two. I could hear Longbottom asking what I had just said and the Beta Ravenclaw answering that I called him a scaredy cat. He seemed aggrieved by this, but I found Luna’s little lie humorous and decided to not bother with it.
All I knew was that we were one step closer to getting the Philosopher’s Stone…