Hermione: [she, Mia, and Ron are meeting in the common room] You mean You-Know-Who's out there right now in the Forest?
Mia: But he's weak. He's living off the unicorns. Don't you see? We had it wrong.
"What now!" Dean exclaimed in frustration, his voice tinged with impatience and exasperation.
"You guys are never satisfied with any answer," Ginny retorted, her tone reflecting a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"Yup," the three of them said in unison, their synchronized response punctuating the lingering tension with a touch of lighthearted resignation.
Mia: Snape doesn't want the Stone for himself. He wants the Stone for Voldemort. With the Elixir of Life, Voldemort will be strong again. He'll... he'll come back.
"You three need to keep my name out of your mouth," Snape said, his voice firm and commanding.
Mia nodded in acknowledgment. "I know we should, but the suspension was killing me alive."
Severus narrowed his eyes at her, his stare penetrating and intense. "I hope you were satisfied with the result."
Mia simply smiled in response, her expression suggesting a quiet understanding that spoke louder than words.
Ron: But if he comes back, you don't think he'll try to kill you, do you?
Mia: I think if he'd had the chance, he might have tried to kill me tonight.
Ron: [gulps] And to think, I've been worrying about my Potions final.
A few chuckles could be heard from the older students and some of the adults as Ron's funny answers elicited amusement and lightened the atmosphere.
Hermione: Hang on a minute. [Mia and Ron both glance at her] We're forgetting one thing. Who's the one wizard Voldemort always feared? Dumbledore. As long as Dumbledore is around, Mia, you're safe. As long as Dumbledore is around, you can't be touched [gives her a reassuring smile; she nods]
"Looks like he's got a healthy fear of Dumbledore at least," Fred said, attempting to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere.
Mia shook her head, prompting puzzled looks from the others. "I don't think it's fear of Dumbledore himself. It's the fear of the consequences if he had to face him alone."
Understanding dawned on the listeners, and heads nodded in agreement, including Dumbledore, acknowledging the insight in Mia's observation.
[Later all the students are rushing out as they finish their exams.]
Hermione: I'd always heard Hogwarts' end-of-the-year exams were frightful, but I've found that rather enjoyable.
"Speak for yourself," the students grumbled in exasperation, their frustration evident.
"Seriously, Hermione, how can someone love exams?" Ron asked, his incredulity turning into a playful jab at Hermione's studious nature.
"Honestly, Ron, it's not about loving exams, it's about loving the opportunity to showcase our knowledge and skills," Hermione responded, her voice carrying a mix of patience and conviction.
"I guess I'd rather showcase my skills on the Quidditch pitch," Mia retorted, a hint of mischievousness in her voice.
Ron: Speak for yourself. All right there, Mia?
[We see Mia walking next to the two rubbing her forehead right where the scar is.]
Mia: My scar. It keeps burning.
Hermione: It's happened before.
Mia: Not like this.
Ron: Perhaps you should see the nurse.
"It would be a good idea," Sirius said, his tone reflective.
"Yeah, I mean scars aren't supposed to hurt you, right?" Pansy asked, seeking reassurance.
Mia simply nodded in agreement. "Yes."
Mia: I think it's a warning. It means danger's coming. [A look of realization] Ah. Oh! Of course!
"Well, danger is always by our side," Ron said, shrugging nonchalantly, a touch of resignation in his voice.
"It always does," Mia responded, her words carrying a weight of experience and acceptance.
"It never left," Hermione added, her tone sober and thoughtful, framing the lingering presence of danger as an enduring reality they all faced.
[Mia starts walking faster making Hermione and Ron speed up to catch her]
Hermione: What is it?
Mia: Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pocket? Why didn't I see it before?
"That's incredibly odd when you think about it," Remus said, pausing to consider the peculiar nature of the situation.
"It actually is," Charlie remarked, his concern for the dragons evident in his voice. "Dragons are precious; you don't just give them away easily."
"Exactly," Remus agreed, echoing Charlie's sentiment, highlighting the significance of such a decision.
[They approach Hagrid's hut who is playing a flute.]
Mia: Hagrid, [Hagrid stops playing] who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?
Hagrid: I dunno. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up.
Dumbledore sighed wearily, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon him. His eyes betrayed a mix of disappointment and concern as he surveyed the scene before him, knowing the potential danger that Hagrid's actions had unwittingly brought upon the school.
"HAGRID!" McGonagall screeched, her stern tone echoing through the tumultuous air, a blend of shock and frustration coloring her usually composed demeanor.
"Oh, Hagrid," Molly said in a tone tinged with agony, her maternal worry evident in the furrow of her brow and the tremble in her voice, feeling a headache and a constant concern for her beloved lions.
Now understanding the gravity of his past actions, Hagrid couldn't help but beat himself up about it. He realized that he had unwittingly allowed a dangerous stranger to gain easier access to the Stone. The profound regret in his eyes reflected the turmoil of guilt and remorse consuming him.
"But in his defense, he didn't know," Mia interjected, her voice calm and empathetic. Her defense of Hagrid was rooted in her understanding of his pure intentions and a desire to shield him from undue blame in what was ultimately a series of unfortunate events.
Mia: This stranger, though, you and he must have talked.
Hagrid: Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told 'im. I said, "After Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem."
"Oh, Hagrid,"
McGonagall whispered in anguish, her voice filled with concern and empathy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean fer any o' this," Hagrid murmured with a heavy heart, his voice reflecting a deep sense of regret and self-blame as he grappled with the consequences of his actions.
Mia: Did he seem interested in Fluffy?
Hagrid: Well, o' course he was interested in Fluffy. How often do yeh come across a three-headed dog, even if yer in the trade? But I told 'im. I said... I said, "The trick with any beast is to know how to calm 'im. Take Fluffy, for example. Jus' play him a bit o' music and he falls straight to sleep." I shouldn't have told you that. [The Trio runs off]
"No, it's a good thing that you told us," Mia said, her tone gentle yet resolute as she sought to offer Hagrid some form of comfort, recognizing the unintended nature of his actions.
"Yeah, you actually helped us," Ron added, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and gratitude as he appraised Hagrid's role in the situation. His words carried a genuine sense of appreciation for Hagrid's inadvertent assistance despite the circumstances.
[Mia, Hermione, and Ron run into the Transfiguration classroom to talk to McGonagall.]
Mia: We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately!
McGonagall: I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London.
Mia: He's gone? Now? But this is important! This is about the Philosopher's Stone!
McGonagall: [Looking shocked] How do you know...?
"You shouldn't have asked that question, Professor. They apparently know everything."
Mia: Someone's going to try to steal it!
McGonagall: I don't know how you three found out about the Stone, but I assure you it is perfectly well protected. Now would you go back to your dormitories? Quietly.
"Did you seriously not believe us, Professor? Or were you pretending not to?" Mia questioned, her tone a mix of curiosity and a hint of accusation.
"There were no reasons for me to not believe and for you to lie," she answered.
Mia nodded her head, relieved and grateful that she had been believed, the weight of validation lifting a burden from her shoulders.
[The three of them leave the classroom talking to each other.]
Mia: That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village. It was Snape. Which means he knows how to get past Fluffy.
Snape shook his head wearily, his eyes reflecting a mix of fatigue and frustration. The ongoing barrage of accusations weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't help but wonder when the relentless scrutiny would finally come to an end. Each accusation seemed to deepen the chasm of distrust that separated him from those around him, adding to the weariness that had settled in his soul.
[Mia sneaks up behind them]
Hermione: And with Dumbledore gone...
Snape: Good afternoon. Now, what would three young Gryffindors such as yourselves be doing inside on a day like this? [The three of them jump and quickly turn around.]
As Snape's figure materialized on the screen, everyone in the room jumped in surprise, caught off-guard by his unexpected appearance.
Hermione: Uh, w-w-w... we-we were just-
Snape: You ought to be careful. People will think you're... up to something. [Walks away]
Hermione: Now what do we do?
Mia: [With a determined look] We go down the trapdoor. Tonight.
"Mia! You didn't?" Remus scolded her.
She shrugged. "I had to."
"No, you didn't," Sirius said.
"Well, Dumbledore wasn't around, and I'm not letting the only place I feel at home get ruined by something and someone I can stop!" Mia retorted, her voice firm with determination, a glint of defiant resolve in her eyes.
[At nighttime, in the Gryffindor Common Room, the three friends come down the stairs and begin to walk across the floor. They stop when they hear a croaking noise. It was Trevor, the toad that Neville carried in his hands, way back at the first day of Hogwarts.]
Harry: Trevor.
Ron: Trevor, shh, go! You shouldn't be here!
Neville: [appears behind a chair] Neither should you. You're sneaking out again, aren't you?
"Oh shit!" Sirius laughed.
Mia: Now, Neville, listen. We were-
Neville: No! I won't let you! [stands] You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again! I-I'll fight you. [Neville holds out his fists.]
Hermione: Neville, I'm really, really sorry about this.[takes out wand] Petrificus Totalus. [Neville is frozen for a second and he falls backward onto the ground. Hermione puts her wand back.]
"Sorry Neville," Mia said with a tinge of regret, her eyes reflecting genuine remorse.
"Yeah Neville, we're really sorry," Hermione added, her voice filled with sincerity.
"It's fine, I accept your apologies," Neville responded with a kind smile, his forgiving nature evident in his demeanor.
They exchanged smiles with Neville, gratitude and relief evident in their expressions as they acknowledged his understanding and willingness to move past the situation.
Ron: [Gulp] You're a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant, but scary.
Mia quirked a small smile. "She is, right?" she agreed, nodding in reluctant acknowledgment of Ron's jest about Hermione's occasional intimidating demeanor.
Ron chuckled nervously. "Yeah, she's a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure," he added, a hint of playful admiration in his tone.
Hermione rolled her eyes with a good-natured sigh. "Oh, come on, you two," she said, feigning annoyance while a small smile played at the corner of her lips.
Mia: Let's go. [Walks by Neville] Sorry.
Hermione: Sorry.
Ron: It's for your own good, you know.
[The three are under the Invisibility cloak, sneaking along the corridor.]
Hermione: Ow! You stood on my foot!
"What a gentleman," Bill said with a smile, directing his comment to his brother, Ron.
Rolling his eyes, Ron responded with a hint of skepticism, while Hermione simply smiled,
Ron: Sorry. [A flame lights up. Hermione draws out her wand and points it at the door.]
Hermione: Alohomora. [The door opens as the three friends step inside.]
Ron: Wait a minute. He's.... [a blow of air, and the cape flutters off them.]
Ron: Snoring.
"It just means one thing..." Sirius said, his voice low and filled with grim realization. "Snape is already there."
Anxiety and fear for the trio permeated the room, casting a palpable sense of unease that settled over everyone present. The weight of the impending danger hung heavy in the air, each person grappling with the unsettling uncertainty of what might await the trio.
Mia: Snape's already been here. He's put a spell on the harp. [They approach the sleeping dog.]
As the words of warning hung heavy in the air, some in the group gulped in fear, their apprehension evident in the anxious movement of their throats. The sound of nervous swallowing broke through the tense atmosphere, a physical manifestation of the growing unease that had settled among them.
Ron: Ugh! It's got horrible breath.
Mia: We have to move its paw.
Ron: What?!
Mia: Come on! [grabs paw, which is blocking the door.] Okay. Push! [They strain and move it. They open the door.] I'll go first. Don't follow until I give you a sign. [Fluffy's eyes open.]
"Turn around and run!" Cho's voice echoed with urgency, her eyes wide with fear as she urged them to flee from the impending danger.
"Get out of there right now!" Ginny's voice reverberated, filled with concern and a sense of urgency as she implored them to escape the looming threat.
"You three are JUST CRAZY!!" Draco's panicked exclamation cut through the tension, his voice trembling with a frustration as he reacted to the unfolding situation.
The air crackled with tension as the urgency in their voices underscored the gravity of the situation, and a sense of impending danger permeated the atmosphere, adding to the palpable unease that gripped them all.
Ron: If something bad happens, get yourselves out. Does it seem a bit quiet to you?
The Great Hall fell into a hushed silence as all eyes fixated on the trio, who stood frozen in dawning realization as they discerned that the three-headed dog had been roused from its slumber. The weight of imminent danger filled the air, casting a tense and foreboding atmosphere over the onlookers.
Hermione: The harp. It stopped playing. [Drool from one head comes down on Ron's shoulder.]
Ron: Ew! Yuck! Ugh.
"EW!"
Most students yelled in disgust, their expressions reflecting a mix of repulsion and revulsion, while some gagged, struggling to suppress the urge to vomit.
"THAT'S DISGUSTING,"
someone exclaimed, their voice cutting through the chorus of reactions, encapsulating the collective sentiment of horror and revulsion that had gripped the watchers.