Harry was training just as intensely as Wood, hoping to win the next crucial match. If Gryffindor could defeat Hufflepuff again, seven years later, they might beat Slytherin in the House Cup once more.
Harry had originally assumed their odds against Hufflepuff were high—until everyone heard that Snape would be officiating the match.
"Don't play," Hermione said, her concern for Harry's safety amplified by their previous experiences.
"That means you're sick," Ron agreed with Hermione and suggested a solution.
"Pretend your leg is broken," Hermione sincerely advised. Better to sit out than risk injury.
"Actually break his leg," Ron added, thinking that he would rather Harry's leg be hurt than have him miss the game.
"Alright, don't scare Harry," George said, noticing how extreme Hermione and Ron were getting. "Having Snape as the referee might even help—at least he can't pull any tricks on the field."
"Yes, I can't run away," Harry said. "I'm the only Seeker on the team. If I quit halfway, the team can't play."
"Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on you on the field. If you fall, I'll cast a Floating Charm on you," George promised seriously.
"Oh, that doesn't comfort Harry at all," Harry thought, now even more anxious.
At that moment, Neville stumbled into the common room, his legs magically glued together—someone had cast a Leg Locking Charm on him. He hopped upstairs like a rabbit.
Hermione, furious, rushed over and dispelled the charm. Neville stood trembling.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, guiding Neville to sit with the others.
"Malfoy," Neville stammered. "I ran into him outside the library. He was practicing spells on me."
"Go tell Professor McGonagall," Hermione instructed.
"I don't want trouble," Neville mumbled, shaking his head.
"You have to face him bravely," Ron encouraged. "Malfoy is bossy. We can't let him win."
"Malfoy said I don't deserve to be in Gryffindor. I know I was too brave," Neville sobbed.
Harry took a piece of chocolate from his robe pocket—the last one Hermione had given him before Christmas—and handed it to Neville. "You're braver than Malfoy. The Sorting Hat chose a courageous person for Gryffindor. Malfoy only got Slytherin."
Neville unwrapped the chocolate, managing a small smile.
"Thanks, Harry. I'll go to bed now. Do you need this card? You should keep it," Neville said, placing the chocolate card down and heading toward the dormitory.
Harry took a deep breath, staring at the image of Dumbledore on the card before looking up at everyone.
"I remember now. I said I had heard of Nicholas LeMay. I remember where I heard it—on the train to Hogwarts. One of Dumbledore's greatest contributions was defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald. Dragon blood has twelve uses, and the last was his and his partner Nicholas' outstanding contribution to alchemy."
"Nicholas LeMay was Dumbledore's partner," Hermione repeated, then looked at George. "Now you should tell us who Nicholas LeMay is."
"If you still want to know," George said. After Christmas, he had told everyone about Nicholas LeMay. During the holidays, nobody cared much about him, but now Harry remembered.
"Don't tell me!" Hermione suddenly jumped up and ran toward the girls' dormitory. Everyone stared at her in confusion as she ran back holding a thick, old book.
"I already know. You don't need to tell me," Hermione whispered excitedly. "I borrowed this for fun from the library a month ago."
Seeing Hermione discover Nicholas LeMay's information, George didn't interrupt her excitement but waited for her to find it herself.
Hermione quickly flipped through the pages, her fingers gliding over the lines of text. "I found it! Nicholas—the only one to ever create the famous Philosopher's Stone."
"Philosopher's Stone? What's that?" Harry and Ron asked, having never heard of it.
"Don't you read books? You don't know these famous sayings?" Hermione pushed the book toward Harry and Ron, pointing at a phrase. "The Philosopher's Stone is a magical product of ancient alchemy. It can turn stone into gold and produce the Elixir of Life."
"History mentions the Philosopher's Stone multiple times. The only existing one belongs to the great alchemist Nicholas LeMay. He and his wife Perennial celebrated his 665th birthday last year. Now, they live in seclusion in Devonshire."
"Now you understand, right?" Hermione continued, browsing the website www.uukanshu.com. "The big dog Rooie on the fourth floor guards Dumbledore's Stone! It must be Dumbledore's protector for LeMay. Dumbledore knew someone would try to meddle with the Stone. The Stone has been moved from Gringotts to Watts."
"It can turn things into gold and grant immortality," Harry said. "Everyone would want it. No wonder Snape wants to counter it."
"I want some Philosopher's Stone too, but of course, I'd rather have the method to refine it," George said, stroking his chin. If he had the chance, the Philosopher's Stone was useful—but he desired the refining method more. With it, he could confidently create even more powerful magic stones.
"Ha! I want some too," Hermione said, inspired by Harry and George's discussion.
"Alchemy!" Ron added. Working at the Mutual Aid Society had made him less awkward, and he claimed he could produce gold-like Philosopher's Stones.
Even the next morning, everyone was still debating the Stone's whereabouts.
If resources allowed, Hermione planned to build a library as big as, or bigger than, the Watts library.
Ron said that if he obtained the Stone, he would buy a Quidditch team of his own.
Harry hadn't thought much about what he would buy yet. He was more interested in the potions the Stone could produce. Though he hadn't used it, he seemed somewhat afraid of death.
George realized he had already fulfilled Hermione and Ron's dreams. Harry's dream wasn't hard to achieve. The Philosopher's Stone was more about understanding the principles behind the miracle.
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