With the Yule Ball memories fading, the young wizards returned to Hogwarts, and the hunt for the Philosopher's Stone resumed.
One crisp morning, Harry and his cohorts assembled in the library.
"Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone. Not only can it transmute any metal into pure gold, but it also produces the Elixir of Life. Flamel himself has lived to the ripe old age of 665 thanks to it," Hermione read aloud from her book, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Blimey! That's brilliant!" Malfoy declared, suddenly finding the Philosopher's Stone even more appealing than his father's Galleons.
"Now that we know what's guarding that trapdoor and how to deal with the beast, it's time we acted." A spark ignited in Harry's eyes as he leaned in, proposing his plan.
"I care little, so long as your 'rumor' proves true," Cassandra remarked, her gaze fixed on the surrounding mountainous stacks of books.
"How could I be mistaken? Professor Dumbledore himself informed me!" Harry puffed out his chest, recalling the information he had fought tooth and nail to obtain – nearly being silenced by Snape himself!
"Alright, alright, quiet down. Just tell us when to start," Hermione said impatiently.
"How about after classes this afternoon?" Malfoy pondered, stroking his chin with a sly smirk.
The other three looked at him suspiciously.
"Everyone will be busy with their own affairs after classes. Besides, Filch is always lurking about at night." Malfoy raised his chin, practically sniffing the air.
The trio gave Malfoy incredulous looks.
Then, Cassandra softly chuckled, as if a thought had suddenly struck her. "It matters not. Capture is capture, no matter the time. Let us do it after classes this afternoon."
...
As the sun dipped below the horizon, night crept across the castle.
The young wizards, weary from their lessons, sought solace in various hobbies — perhaps a game of Wizard's Chess or a spirited match of Quidditch.
But there were exceptions. Harry and his friends crept toward the restricted corridor on the Third Floor.
Peeking around the corner, Harry, draped in his Invisibility Cloak, cautiously made his way forward.
With Harry leading, and after confirming the area was safe, Hermione, Cassandra, and Malfoy followed.
A nearby feline meow nearly sent Harry's heart into his throat.
But it was just a false alarm, and the four reached the forbidden room unscathed.
"Ready?" Malfoy asked, turning to Harry, Hermione, and Cassandra. Hermione and Cassandra each clutched two different potions, while Harry carried a peculiar radio.
Seeing them nod seriously, Malfoy inhaled deeply and shoved the wooden door open.
Creak—
The four scrambled into the room, items raised defensively.
But to their surprise…
"What? Already asleep?" The monstrous three-headed dog, Fluffy, lay sprawled on the floor, drool pooling from each of its maws. Beside it, a harp played a soft lullaby.
Beside Fluffy, the trapdoor was swung wide open.
"Did someone get here before us?"
"It must be Snape!" Harry declared, having developed the firm habit of blaming Snape for any unexplained mischief.
This time, he was correct. Snape had indeed done some mischief, and everyone now assumed he was guilty, except Tom and the others who knew the truth.
"Damn it! We cannot allow Severus to get the better of us!" Harry and Malfoy, blinded by impulse, dove for the trapdoor – only to be ensnared. "What in the Devil's name is this thing!"
Hearing their cries for help, Hermione rushed to the edge.
Cassandra, face impassive, hesitated for a moment before joining her.
Peering into the gloom, Hermione recognized the writhing vines. "It's Devil's Snare! It shrinks from fire! I shall free you!"
"Incendio!" Hermione drew her wand and pointed it at the Devil's Snare.
A roaring flame erupted from Hermione's wand.
Sizzle...
The Devil's Snare, scorched by the flames, emitted a strange, fetid odor.
As the flames spread rapidly, the Devil's Snare was reduced to ashes, and Harry and Malfoy tumbled to the stone floor below.
Hermione and Cassandra quickly descended the ladder revealed by the burning Devil's Snare.
"Where's this Philosopher's Stone? It's quite dark down here!" Harry and Malfoy searched frantically.
"Lumos!" Hermione and Cassandra cast together.
Hearing the twin spells, Harry and Malfoy turned to see Hermione and Cassandra, wands ablaze with light.
Seeing Hermione's smug little grin and Cassandra's disdainful expression, Harry and Malfoy scratched their heads sheepishly.
In their haste, they had nearly forgotten they were wizards – a side effect of relying on brute force for too long.
"Lumos!" Harry and Malfoy cast the illuminating spell, too.
The faint light illuminated their path as they ventured deeper.
After walking for some time...
(A whoosh of fire suddenly rang out)
The dungeon flickered with light. A dozen oil lamps flickered to life along the walls.
"What's going on?" Harry whispered.
Malfoy nearly jumped out of his skin, wondering if they had been discovered.
"Come and see this!" Hermione shouted.
Harry and Malfoy hurried over.
At the far end of the room lay a stone door, and before it sat a copper basin atop a stone pedestal.
"What is that?"
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