Chapter Summary: Hermione and Ron actually have to become friends at some point, and what better way then while trying to help out their mutual friend, Harry Potter.
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"I hate this game," Hermione muttered as she stared down at the wizard's chess board. Against her will, she'd started playing the game with Ron while Harry went to quidditch practices. She would have rather watched Harry practice, but the weather had turned nasty and she didn't feel like standing out in the rain on the ramparts. So Ron had suggested that she play against him because he was tired of only having one opponent.
Hermione used Harry's chess pieces because she didn't have ones of her own. The problem was that wizard chessmen talked and it was always very distracting. They kept shouting directions and suggestions at her and this made it much harder than muggle chess. She'd read several strategy books on the game, but that didn't seem to help.
Ron had perfect control over his chessmen and he liked to rub this fact in her face. He had consistently beaten Hermione in every single game they played and he seemed to get some sort of twisted pleasure out of this. Hermione was beginning to remember why she hated Ron to begin with.
"He's so smug. Just because he can win at this stupid, pointless, barbaric game doesn't make him smarter than me," she thought during one of their matches.
"Are you trying to will your pieces to move with your mind?" Ron teased. Hermione had been staring at the board for quite some time.
"Shut it," Hermione snapped.
Ron grinned from ear to ear. He was trying to intimidate her. This match had lasted longer than any of the others they'd played. Both of them had captured several pieces. There was a good chance Hermione could win if she kept her wits about her. She just needed to open up the king.
Then she got an idea. "Knight to H-3."
"What in the blazes are you doing?" Her remaining knight shouted as it begrudgingly obeyed.
"Check!" Hermione said gleefully. It was of course a trick. She knew as well as the knight did that she couldn't checkmate the king with this strategy. She just needed a diversion.
"Let me take him, let me crush him," shouted Ron's queen. This is exactly what Hermione wanted.
Ron stared at the chessboard. "Hmm, this is going to require some thought."
"Hope you're not trying to move the pieces with your mind, Ron. I hear that doesn't work." Hermione teased.
"Shut it, Hermione."
Suddenly Harry came through the common room entrance and headed straight for them. Hermione could tell instantly that something was wrong, but Ron wasn't paying attention.
"Don't talk to me for a moment. I need to concentrate," he said waving away Harry as he sat down. Then he finally noticed the look on his face. "What's the matter with you? You look terrible."
"Snape," Harry hissed. "I think he's after me again. Get this. He's decided to referee the next quidditch game. The others, they think it's just so that he can be biased towards Hufflepuff so that we won't overtake Slytherin in the house cup, but I think he just wants another crack at me."
"I think it's both," Ron said.
"You're not helping," Hermione snapped. They had both completely forgotten about the game. She turned to Harry. "Don't play."
"Say you're ill," Ron added.
Harry shook his head at this.
"Pretend to break your leg," Hermione offered.
"Really break your leg," Ron said.
But Harry wouldn't hear any of it. He wouldn't back out of the game, not with the team depending on him. They would have continued to think of ways to get Harry to back off if the sight of Neville bunny-hopping through the portrait entrance hadn't distracted them. It looked like someone had performed the leg-locker curse on him. Hermione leapt up to help him.
"Poor Neville. Everyone always picks on him because he's such a bad wizard. Everyone picks on me because I'm such a good wizard. People can be so cruel if you're not exactly like them." She pulled out her wand. "Locomortor Returnus." Neville's legs sprung apart instantly. Aside from his pride, he didn't seem badly hurt. Hermione wished that the other students would stop laughing. It was bad enough as it was.
Hermione led him over to where Ron and Harry were still sitting. Harry had a semi-shocked expression on his face; Ron was trying hard not to laugh. Hermione gave Ron a "don't you dare laugh" look, and he immediately straightened up.
Neville explained that it was Draco Malfoy who had performed the curse on him. Hermione tried to convince him to tell their head of house, Professor McGonagall, but Neville would hear none of it. He was afraid Malfoy would just retaliate more.
"You've got to stand up to him, Neville. He's used to walking all over people but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier." Ron said.
Hermione could have slapped Ron for saying that. Didn't he think Neville felt bad enough? "Boys can be so insensitive."
But Harry, seeming to sense that Neville was on the verge of tears, pulled a chocolate toad from his robe and handed it to Neville saying. "You're worth twelve of Malfoy. The sorting hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy, in stinking Slytherin."
Hermione smiled. It never ceased to amaze her how kind Harry could be, even if he was a bit thick headed at times. He always stood up for Neville when Malfoy or the other Slytherins were picking on him.
Neville headed for bed, leaving the famous witches and wizards card with Harry.
"Dumbledore again," Harry sighed, flipping over the card absent-mindedly.
Hermione was about to tell off Ron for what he said to Neville when Harry caught their attention again.
"I've found him. I've found Flamel. I told you I read the name somewhere before. I read it on the train coming here. Listen to this." Harry began to read the back of the card and then Hermione understood. Nicolas Flamel had worked with Dumbledore in alchemy. Alchemy was the key. And then it hit her; she had read Flamel's name too. She had forgotten all about it, but it was the night she and Harry had first decided to be friends.
Hermione jumped up. "Stay there," and without another word, she bolted for her dormitory.
"Hermione?" Lavender said in shock as Hermione burst through the door. She and Parvati were already there.
Hermione started tossing things wildly out of her trunk. "Can't talk now; gotta find something." She only hoped that she hadn't returned it to the library. Then at the bottom of the trunk, she saw it, a huge book titled "1000 Years in Alchemy."
She heaved the book out of her trunk and flew back down the stairs, slamming it on the table. Harry and Ron jumped.
"I never thought to look in here. I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading."
"Light?" Ron repeated in shock.
"Shut it, Ron." Hermione hissed and she began flipping through the pages. "I know it's in here. I know it. Oh where is that bloody chapter. Ah here it is." She scanned the page. "I knew it. I knew it. Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone." She beamed at the two boys, expecting praise for her discovery but instead she received blank stares. Neither Harry nor Ron knew what she was talking about so she pushed the book over at them so that they could read it. The Sorcerer's Stone was a magical rock that could turn metal to gold and create the Elixir of Life, which made the drinker immortal.
After they read this, it all became clear to the three of them what was going on inside Hogwarts. Dumbledore was keeping Flamel's Sorcerer's Stone and Snape was trying to steal it. No wonder he would do anything, including trying to kill Harry, to get to it. Now they knew what they were up against, but how would they prove it before Snape tried to kill Harry again?
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It was obvious that Harry had made up his mind. He wasn't going to back down from the upcoming quidditch match or from Snape. Hermione was more worried than she'd ever been. Snape had already tried to kill him once and now that he was going to be in the air with Harry, he could do anything.
She sat in the common room one evening, pondering this. It was still raining on and off, so once again she decided against watching Harry practice. Ron joined her shortly.
"Oy, want to play chess?" He asked merrily.
"No," Hermione snapped. She could have punched him for being in such a good mood while Harry's life was in danger.
"Hey, I promise to go easy on you," Ron pressed. "Not that you need it, you almost beat me the other night with that move you…"
"How can you think about chess at a time like this?" Hermione hissed. "In a few days, Harry is going to be up in the air with Snape trying to kill him. Doesn't that bother you? What kind of friend are you anyway? If you were in trouble, Harry would do everything in his power to try and help you but you act like you don't even care what happens to him."
Ron looked at her in shock. He plopped down in the armchair beside her. "Of course I care about what happens to Harry," he sighed. "I'm just as worried about this as you are. I really am. But I don't know what to do. Harry's not going to back down and once he's up in the air, there's nothing I can do to help. I don't know if you've noticed but I'm nowhere near as good a wizard as you and even if I was, I don't know any spells that could stop Snape while he's in the air. It takes powerful magic to stop a broomstick, you know that."
Hermione thought about this for a moment. "You're right. But we can't just sit here and do nothing. There's got to be a way to help Harry when Snape tries to attack him."
"You're the clever one. If you can think of something, I'm all ears. I'll do anything to help Harry."
Hermione could tell he was sincere. It seemed that she had underestimated how worried he had been about their friend. She thought long and hard, trying to formulate a plan, some way to give Harry an edge… and then it came to her.
"Ron do you remember when Neville lost control of his broom during our first flying lesson?"
Ron nodded vaguely. "Yeah… so?"
"I've got a plan." Hermione grinned slyly.
----
Ron hadn't known about what really happened during their first flying lesson even though Hermione had eventually told Harry. So she explained what Pansy had done, performing the levitation spell on Neville to make everyone think he had just lost control. If Pansy could do it, then it should work for them too. They didn't need to jinx Snape's broom, just Snape. They decided that night to start practicing the leg-locker curse. It was simple, but it would definitely distract Snape if he tried to curse Harry's broom again, and that was all they needed.
The next night, while Harry was at practice, Hermione and Ron left the Gryffindor common room and ventured down to the empty transfiguration classroom to practice the curse. Hermione already knew it, but Ron was having difficulties and they both agreed it would be best if both of them mastered it.
"Okay Ron, you'll have to try it on me since we don't have any other targets." Hermione told him as she stood against one of the walls. Ron raised an eyebrow, uncertain. "Don't worry, I know the counter-curse. I'll be alright. Now go ahead; it's Locomortor Mortis."
Ron tried, and tired, and tried. Over and over again, he called out the magical words, waving his wand frantically, but with no results.
"Ron you're not saying it right," Hermione said for about the hundredth time that night.
"I know I'm not saying it right," Ron snapped. "You telling me isn't helping." He plopped down in a nearby chair. "I give up."
Hermione stormed over to him. "You can't just quit. You need to keep practicing or you'll never learn how to do it properly."
"I don't think I ever will learn how to do it properly. I'm just no good at this. You of all people should know I'm not exactly the most adept when it comes to spell-work. I mean, you practically rub it in my face every day."
"I do not!" Hermione said indignantly. "What are you talking about?"
"Every day it's the same. Guess who's the first to get the difficult charm down, guess who's the first to transfigure her quill, guess who's the first person to finish her potion. It's always you, Hermione. No witch or wizard in our year can even come close. I don't even know why I bother. You can help Harry all by yourself. You don't need me. I'm useless. Sometimes I wonder why Harry even hangs around with me. I mean, he's famous. You're smart and all the teachers love you and all the students are jealous of you so it's no wonder he respects you. But what am I good for? I can't even get one stupid spell to work."
Hermione stared at him for a few moments. Of course she knew that Ron often got mad at her for being an overachiever but never in her wildest dreams did she think that he actually felt worthless.
"Ron…" she started. "You're not useless. Why would you ever think that? You don't have to be a great wizard to be a great friend and that's what you are to Harry. That's why he likes you. If there is one thing I've learned about Harry, it's that he doesn't choose his friends by what they can do for him. If he did, Malfoy would be his friend."
Ron shuddered at that.
"Ron, you shouldn't compare yourself to me. Sure I'm good at doing spells and memorizing books, but there are things that you're good at too. You're great with strategy, that's why you keep beating me at wizard's chess. You're much braver than I am, that's why you could take on that mountain troll."
Ron managed a slight grin. "I guess you're right."
"Look, Harry needs us, both of us. Snape is going to be up there with him and we both need to know the curse in case one of us misses. I know you can do it. It's just going to take some time. I tell you what, we'll stop for tonight and pick it up again tomorrow."
Ron nodded and they both left the room silently. As they headed back to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione became lost in thought again.
"Wow, I would have never guessed Ron would ever feel that way. It must feel awful to wonder whether or not you're good at anything. I mean at least I know I'm good with spells and potions. I've never had to worry about that. I guess having so many older brothers that have been in Hogwarts before him must make it difficult for him to carve a place for himself and make his own identity. It can't help that his best friend is famous and that I'm the class genius," she looked at Ron who was deep in thought. "Maybe he's not as big a jerk as I thought he was. I suppose I've been a bit hard on him. I've got to stop judging people so harshly. I should give Ron more of a chance. I mean, he'd do anything for Harry. That's got to mean something."
Ron gave the password and the portrait door swung open. "Hermione, do you really think we'll be able to help Harry if he does get in trouble."
"With his two best friends looking out for him, there's no way Snape will have a chance." Hermione said determinedly. "Wait here. I have something for you." She bolted up the stairs.
"Hermione?" Lavender said in shock as Hermione burst through the door. She and Parvati were already there.
Hermione started tossing things wildly out of her trunk again. "Can't talk now; gotta find something." She pulled out a small book and ran out the door again.
Lavender turned to Parvati in shock. "She keeps doing that."
Hermione ran back to Ron and handed him the book, which was titled "Curses and Counter-Curses."
"What's this for?" Ron asked as he flipped through the book.
"It's how I learned the leg-locker curse and the counter curse. It'll help you, I promise."
"Only you would think a book could help me," Ron said with a half grin.
"Just try it, Ron. It's worth a shot. You don't have to read the whole thing, just the part about the leg-locker curse."
"Oh, alright," Ron sighed. "But I resent being given more homework by you."
At that moment, Harry stepped through the portal. "Hey you two, what's up?"
Ron slipped the book up the back of his shirt casually. "Nothing; how was practice?"
-----
"Ron, you've got it, you've finally got it." Hermione said as she pulled out her wand to perform the spell that would undo the leg locker curse. Ron had successfully jinxed her for the third time that night. It had been three days since they started practicing but now it seemed that all their hard work had paid off.
Before Hermione could un-jinx herself, Ron waved his wand again. "Locomortor Returnus." Hermione's legs returned to normal immediately.
"Ron, you've got the counter curse down too? That's a lot of progress since yesterday."
Ron scratched his head awkwardly. "Well to tell you the truth, it's because I finally read that book you gave me. I figured it was worth a shot. There was actually a lot of good information in there. I guess it worked."
"See I told you. Reading isn't such a bad thing."
Ron nodded. "Yeah but it's not going to be a habit, trust me."
"Alright, I guess that's enough for tonight. Harry will be back soon." Hermione started for the door. "Unless you want me to teach you another spell?"
"No, no, no." Ron said immediately. "My head hurts from all that learning."
Hermione laughed as they started down the corridor. She'd spent three nights practicing the leg-locker curse with Ron and it seemed to have done wonders for their friendship. Of course they still fought, but at least they understood each other a little better. "I guess it's good that Harry's two best friends actually get along. I mean a while ago I thought I was going to kill Ron, then I figured I'd have to tolerate him since he was Harry's friend, but now… well now I guess he's my friend too. So I really do have to tolerate him now. What have I gotten myself into?" Hermione giggled at this thought.
"What's so funny?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," Hermione said immediately, but she giggled again.
"Hermione sometimes I worry about you, but I guess you can be pretty cool sometimes."
"Thanks Ron, you're pretty tolerable yourself," Hermione quipped.
Ron nodded at first but then he thought for a moment. "Wait a minute…"
-----
"Now don't forget, it's Locomortor Mortis," Hermione told Ron as they took a seat in the quidditch stands beside Neville and just above Parvati, Lavender, and Padma.
"I know, don't nag," Ron snapped. He was agitated and Hermione couldn't blame him. They were both nervous.
"Look," Ron said as the two teams converged on the center of the field. "I've never seen Snape look so mean."
The players were off and Hermione's full attention was on the game now. Nothing else mattered. Her eyes darted back and forth from Harry, who seamed to be looking frantically for the snitch, to Snape who vindictively awarded penalties to Hufflepuff for apparently no reason. She sat with her fingers crossed in her lap. "Come on Harry… just catch the snitch. Find it and catch it so we can all go home. Come on… you can do it. You're not the youngest seeker in a century for nothing."
The blood in Hermione's ears was pounding. All of the sound seemed to turn off as she watched Harry intently. The whole game seemed to be going in slow motion. It had only been a few minutes but it already seemed like forever. "No game in the world should be this intense."
Suddenly, Harry went into a dive. "Ron," she said catching his attention, "Harry!" She jumped out of her seat, watching Harry even more intensely. If he saw the snitch he was the only one. She couldn't see the flying gold ball anywhere. But she trusted Harry's seeker instincts and bounced from toe to toe in anxiety as Harry sped past Snape. And then, in a few fast paced seconds, it was over. Harry had done it… he had caught the snitch.
Hermione let out a gasp of excitement and relief. She turned to hug Ron, but he was gone. "Ron? Ron, where are you? The game's over. Harry's won! We've won! Gryffindor is in the lead!" Parvati, Lavender, and Padma were also cheering and Hermione ended up hugging Parvati instead.
Hermione looked around for Ron again and finally noticed that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were also there. It seemed that they had all been in a fight. Even Neville had gotten in on the action from the look of things. He had a swollen eye and was out cold underneath his chair. Apparently Hermione had missed the whole thing because now Malfoy and his lackeys were leaving. They had their share of bruises too and it seemed they were leaving to lick their wounds.
"Oh Ron," she said helping him up. "How could you fight at a time like this?"
"I just snapped," Ron said through a bloody nose. "He shouldn't have been talking about me and Harry."
"Well it's over now. Gryffindor won and that means we're ahead of the Slytherins. We're going to win the house cup for sure now. Let Malfoy chew on that!"
"And Harry's safe. That's all that matters now," Ron said gleefully. He jumped up on his seat to get a better view of the quidditch field. "Would ya look at that. The whole house is down there lifting Harry up on their shoulders." Ron started cheering. "Way to go Harry. I knew you could do it." He turned to Hermione, "That had to be the fastest catch of the snitch in… forever."
Hermione was staring at Ron's bloody nose. "Oh Ron, we should get you and Neville to the hospital wing." Neville was moaning.
"Huh?" Ron looked down and realized Neville's condition for the first time. "Oh you're right." They helped him up and headed down the stands with Neville between them.
"It was really childish of you to get into a fight, and dragging Neville into it with you. What were you thinking?" Hermione scolded as they carefully descended the stairs.
"I told you; I wasn't thinking. Malfoy just hit a nerve and Neville jumped in on his own. I didn't make him."
"Still, you could have gotten in trouble," Hermione hissed.
"He was talking about me and Harry," Ron reminded her. "I would have done the same thing if he was talking about you. It's just the way I am. I can't stand Malfoy, especially when he's talking about one of my friends."
Hermione fell silent as they started across the field. "He would have done the same for me," she thought to herself. "Well I guess that's saying something if Ron considers me enough of a friend to stick up for me the way he does Harry."
As they made their way back to the castle, Professor Dumbledore crossed their path. "Professor, were you at the game?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, it was very exciting, although I wish it could have lasted longer. I so seldom get to watch quidditch these days. Nevertheless it was an exciting few minutes."
"Yeah, Harry did great." Ron said.
"I see Mr. Longbottom was… overcome with emotion." Dumbledore said as he peered at the student they were practically carrying.
"Uh… yeah," Ron said, well aware that his nose was still bleeding. "Sometimes watching quidditch can be just as rough as playing it."
"I see." The headmaster seemed to be willing to accept this vague explanation as he started off again. "Oh by the way Ms. Granger," he said suddenly.
Hermione turned her head to face him. "Yes, sir?"
"I'm very proud of you. It seems you were able to help Harry without magic after all." He turned and walked away. Hermione beamed.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," Hermione said quickly. "Come on; let's get to the hospital wing." They both lifted Neville's limp body and continued to carry him towards the castle.