Chapter 013

"It makes no sense that the Headmaster's office is hidden away behind a locked gargoyle!" Harry yelled fists clenched. "How the bloody hell are people supposed to reach him in an emergency if they can't even knock on his stupid door?"

"Language, Harry," Hermione absently chastised her friend. She tugged on his arm to pull him away from the recalcitrant stone guardian. "Though I do have to agree – Magicals seem rather short on common sense at times don't they? Come on. Neville you too. There's no point arguing with this thing. Let's go try talking to Professor McGonagall instead."

"Good idea, Hermione, she'll definitely help." Neville said nodding with confidence.

"Well, at least she'll probably be able to get in to talk to Dumbledore," Harry grumbled. He stopped fighting Hermione, casting a dark glance back at the gargoyle before turning and quickly stalking ahead of the other two. Their hurried pace had them knocking on McGonagall's office within only a few minutes.

The Deputy Headmistress blinked in surprise at the trio of students standing outside her door as she answered the knock door. "Yes? Mr.'s Potter and Longbottom, Miss Granger? It is quite close to curfew. How can I help you at this time of evening?"

"Professor we – " Hermione began but was cut off as Harry started speaking over her.

"Snape is going to try to steal the Philosopher's Stone!"

McGonagall blinked again. She turned to stare at each student in turn before twisting to Hermione. "Miss Granger, you…you believe this as well?"

"I know it seems far-fetched, Professor," Hermione said nodding, "but we are almost certain of it. Most of our evidence is hearsay and extrapolation but it is the only conclusion that makes any sense."

"I do not know how you three found out about the Stone," McGonagall sighed. "I assure you however that it is perfectly safe. Several different members of the staff have added their own unique protections and no one save the Headmaster has knowledge of the entire scheme. There is no need to worry."

Harry gave a low growl. 'Ignored yet again. How typical,' he thought.

"Please, Professor," Neville said quietly, "if we could at least speak with the Headmaster…"

"The Headmaster was called away to an emergency meeting at the Ministry. He left via broom and is unreachable for the next several hours." She frowned, thinking. 'Could it be possible? Would someone really be daring enough to attempt a theft in the middle of Hogwarts with dozens of adult wizards and witches right there? No, no one was that daring! Not for over a decade.'

"But – "

"Please, I understand your concerns but again, I assure you, the Stone is perfectly safe in Hogwarts and that Professor Snape has no intention to attempt a theft. If you still feel this strongly about it then we can discuss this in the morning when the Headmaster returns. For now, please return to your dormitory before curfew."

"But – " Hermione said.

"Hermione, forget it," Harry muttered. He grabbed her arm and started pulling her away. "Let's just go." Neville narrowed his eyes at Harry before nodding and hurrying along to follow.

"Alright, Harry, what gives?" Neville asked the other boy after they had moved far enough away to avoid being overheard.

"Yes, it's not like you to just give up like that, Harry," Hermione added with her brow drawn in worry.

"There's no way she's going to believe us. I'm telling Shiva instead. Should've gone to her first," Harry said hurrying towards the Ancient Runes classroom.

"You really think she'll believe us when Professor McGonagall won't?" Neville asked with a slight quaver to his voice. McGonagall had evidently sapped at least part of his confidence.

"Worth a try. But yeah I do." Harry pulled up outside his mentor's door and quickly knocked.

"One sec!" came the muffled reply from beyond the threshold. "Just give me a – " Shiva huffed pulling open the door, "minute. Harry?" The young teacher was dressed in a too large T-Shirt and had on a tousled pair of pajama pants. "You know what time it is? What's going on you three?"

"Shiva we need your help!" Harry said with his fists clenched.

Shiva frowned and glared at him. "Harry…"

He waved the rebuke off impatiently. "I know, I know, private! So not important at the moment! We've already been to McGonagall – she ignored us! And Dumbledore is gone which means that Snape's going to try to steal it tonight!"

The older woman opened her mouth to say something before floundering and trying again. "Maybe you three better come inside." She sighed. The trio walking in and collapsed into the nearby chairs as Shiva sat down in front of them with her arms crossed. "Let's try this again. Start from the beginning this time, yeah?"

Harry took a deep breath before leaning forward and starting to speak. "Snape has been acting shifty all year, more so than just his grudge against me. We've noticed a lot of little things and we know that the Philosopher's Stone is hidden in the school underneath Fluffy."

"Fluffy?" Shiva asked, her arms spreading wide for more information.

"Hagrid's Cerberus," Neville supplied.

"Why does it not surprise me he named his monster dog, Fluffy…" Shiva muttered. "Alright, go on."

"I like Hagrid," Harry continued, "he's really, really nice. But everyone knows he's not exactly all that good at keeping a secret, and we just found out that he accidentally mentioned to someone shady how to get past Fluffy, and with the attempt earlier this year with the troll, and now with Dumbledore gone for the night the thief has got to be planning to try again tonight!"

"Breathe, Harry," Hermione muttered from beside him.

Shiva frowned and stared between all three of them. "And you told this to Professor McGonagall as well?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, ma'am. But she just said that the Stone was safe and told us to go back to bed and discuss it in the morning."

"Well, I was assured that the protections were sufficient when I offered to add some wards to it…but this does sound a bit suspicious." Harry's heart fluttered a bit. Would she really help them? "Okay. Here's what we're going to do. I'll go get Dumbledore and we'll check the defenses to make sure that everything is still secure while you three – "

"I thought Dumbledore was gone?" Hermione asked.

"He is, but he should be arriving at the Ministry by the time I get to the ward line to Apparate over there. We should be able to get back within a half hour tops." Shiva replied. "Now I want you three to go back to Gryffindor Common Room. Wait for me there, after Dumbledore and I check it out, I'll come and let you know what happened okay?"

"I…" Harry floundered. She was helping yes, but...shouldn't someone be watching the door until they get back?

"Harry…" the teacher shot Harry a glare. He wilted.

"Okay," he finished with a grunt.

"Great. Now go on you guys, I'm just going to grab a pair of jeans and head out. If I'm not up to talk to you in two hours then go to McGonagall again, and this time don't let her out of your sight until she comes with reinforcements, yeah?"

"We can do that," Neville nodded.

"Yeah, sure. Come on guys. Thanks, Shiva," Harry said as he led the others back out into the corridor.

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