The Intelligent Potter

*** Hogwarts

School continued, boring as ever, Harry and Hermione continued their research in the library, far beyond their age group in terms of research.

Harry and Hermione competed for top spot in most of their classes, Harry got top in Transfiguration, Charms and DaDa (as useless as that was), Hermione got top marks in Potions, History and Astronomy.

Over time, Harry and Hermione started to become close friends, as close a friend as Harry had ever had.

*** Library

Harry had called Hermione to their spot in the library, which they had feebly protected with a notice-me-not charm that wouldn't even affect any strong a.d.u.l.ts looking for them, but did its job to keep out the random Ravenclaw looking for a place to sit.

Hermione came second, Harry already there with a large book open.

Without waiting for pleasantries, Harry pointed at a passage in the book.

The Philosopher's stone, one of the rarest alchemical wonders of all time is rumoured to be able to produce the elixir of life, capable of extending life indefinitely and lift all curses, perhaps even up to 6x curses.

Hermione looked puzzled, "What does that have to do with Voldemort possessing Quirrell, the philosopher's stone extends lifetimes but it doesn't prevent death from a straight up AK."

Harry shook his head, "The Philosopher's stone can lift 6x curses!"

"So?"

"The regular ministry ratings for curses go up to 5x, which promises 50 years in Askaban minimum, but then there's 6x, only 4 curses fall into this range, The Cruciatus, the Imperius, the HellSpawn and… The curse of the half-life… the same curse that drinking unicorn's blood gives!" Harry said excitedly.

Realisation dawned on Hermione's face, "So if he can get his hands on a philosopher's stone then he could…" She trailed off in horror.

"But why would he be in Hogwarts then?" Harry asked.

"Maybe that's what's on the third floor that Professor Dumbledore doesn't want us to see!" Hermione said excitedly.

Harry frowned, "But why would the Professor specifically tell us not to go there?"

"There must be protections of some sort."

"We need to check."

"Are you crazy, Harry! There could be al sorts of traps."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Obviously we aren't going to go inside, we're going to use the window spell to see inside the room at the end of the corridor."

*** Later, third floor corridor

Harry stood outside the door, and channelled the amount of energy that was needed for the 3rd year spell, it had caught his eye, the window lasted as long as you poured energy into it, it was double sided, which made it risky for spying but Harry was relatively sure that there was no human being on the other side of the door. There was a version of the spell that was taught to sixth years that was one-sided but even Harry's big-for-his-age magical core would not be able to manage the 6th year spell until his 2nd or third year.

"Fenetrus." Harry incanted, instantly feeling the drain on his magical core, and found he could only hold it for a few seconds but in this case a few seconds was enough.

On the other side of the door, there was a huge Cerberus and it lunged at the magically created window which vanished just before the Cerberus broke through.

The gargantuan dog thudded against the wall and the big doors.

*** Later

"Did you see what it was standing on!" Harry said excitedly.

"The trapdoor" Hermione nodded.

"Exactly, the Cerberus was definitely hiding something, its very likely it's the stone!"

Hermione looked somewhat sceptical, "It could be, I suppose…"

Harry looked thoughtful.

"The Cerberus seems like the kind of pet that Hagrid would keep, I'm going to go talk to him…"

*** Hagrid's hut

Hagrid had given Harry a standing offer that Harry could visit him, when Harry had first politely refused his first invite.

Harry and Hermione trekked down to Hagrid's hut and rapped on the door. The friendly giant opened the door and smiled down kindly at the two first-years.

Harry smiled back sweetly.

"Hello Hagrid, mind if we come talk to you, we've been doing some research on magical creatures and we heard that you were the best source on all sorts of magical creatures, especially misunderstood ones!" Harry gushed slyly.

Hagrid rubbed his chin, "Course Harry! Yer always welcome here, I used to know yer parents!"

Harry started conversation about random magical animals about questions that he was actually trying to find answers for in his other CoMC research. He found himself enjoying Hagrid's company.

Harry cleverly started talking about Cerberus'.

"Ya know Hagrid, I've always wanted to see a Cerberus. It must be so cool to have 3 sets of eyes! Say Hagrid, do you know where one of those might be?" Harry asked.

Hagrid puffed out his c.h.e.s.t proudly.

"I raised one meself, Fluffy his name was!"

"Really? Where is he now?"

"Helping Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel with the protections for something." He said, not realising that he was releasing valuable info as Harry was reasonably smiling throughout the entire thing, not giving Hagrid any idea that he had just revealed potentially dangerous information.

*** After the chat with Hagrid, library

Harry and Hermione had raced back to the library, Flamel was the only known maker of the philosopher's stone in the modern day, Dumbledore was storing it in the castle for some reason and Voldemort was there, trying to steal it.

Harry was seriously contemplating putting the Cerberus to sleep using music, which was something Hagrid had told him, and look down the trapdoor but finally decided not to.

*** Halloween afternoon

"Wingardium Levioosa!" Ron snorted, "Stupid know-it-all!"

Hermione rushed out from behind Ron and ran to the girl's bathroom with Harry chasing behind her.

Harry glared at Ron and decided to give Hermione her space.

*** Halloween feast

Quirrellmort arrived in the Great Hall dramatically, and shouted out loud about a troll before pretending to pass out, his breathing pattern was indication that he was indeed conscious and just pretending to be asleep.

Harry narrowed his eyes and was about to walk up with the rest of the Gryffindors when suddenly he remembered something.

Hermione.

*** End of Chapter