The Lost Legacy || hp

|1.10| House Points

Hermione let out a great sigh.

"Brilliant," said Hermione. "This isn't magic — it's logic — a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven't got an ounce of logic, they'd be stuck in here forever."

"But so will we, won't we?" said Harry miserably.

"Of course not," said Grace. "Everything we need is here on this paper. Seven bottles: three are poison; two are wine; one will get us safely through the black fire, and one will get us back through the purple."

"But how do we know which to drink?" Harry asked.

"Give us a minute."

Hermione and Grace read the paper several times. Then she walked up and down the line of bottles, discussing among themselves and pointing at them. 

"Got it," Grace said. "The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire — toward the Stone."

Harry looked at the tiny bottle.

"There's only enough there for one of us," he said. "That's hardly one swallow."

They looked at each other.

"Which one will get you back through the purple flames?"

Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.

"You both drink that," said Harry. "No, listen, get back and get Ron. Grab brooms from the flying key room, they'll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy — go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, we need him. I might be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him, really."

"But Harry — what if You-Know-Who's with him?" 

"Well — I was lucky once, wasn't I?" said Harry, pointing at his scar. "I might get lucky again."

Grace stared at Harry with worried eyes, before dashing toward him and enveloping him in a hug. Hermione, who's lip was trembling, joined  the group hug.

Hermione's lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him. Grace too joined the group hug.

"Hermione! Grace!"

"Harry — you're a great wizard, you know." said Hermione. 

"I'm not as good as you two," said Harry, very embarrassed, as they let go of him.

"Books!" Hermione said. "And cleverness! There are more important things — friendship and bravery and — oh Harry —be careful! "

"And please don't get hurt." said Grace.

"You two drink first," said Harry. "You are sure which is which, aren't you?"

"Positive," said Grace. She took a long drink from the round bottle at the end, and shuddered then passed it to Hermione.

"It's not poison?" said Harry anxiously as Hermione took a sip.

"No — but it's like ice." said Hermione shuddering.

"Quick, go, before it wears off."

"Good luck"

"Take care."

"GO!"

Hermione and Grace turned and walked straight through the purple fire.

++

"Harry!"

Grace, Ron and Hermione sprinted inside the Hospital Wing. It was a big relief for them to his Harry alive and well.