Y/N furrowed his eyebrows. God only knows how he hadn't gotten permanent creases between them with how often he now did it. Harry had just told him the absurd thing with no proof.

"That makes absolutely no sense at all." Y/N spoke after a long pause of silence.

"I know he can be biased and outright unfair, but he's a professor. And a good one at that. Let's think with our brains for a second, perhaps he was trying to help you."

His head burrowed into his scarf like a turtle. It was quite a windy day and the temperature made his nose slightly pink. Harry had just told Y/N and Hagrid about his Quidditch match. Y/N didn't attend. He found more use of his time in the library. Harry told the story from his perspective and Y/N could still see the plot holes. Harry's broom goes haywire, Snape is muttering under his breath with his wand. It could very well be Snape protecting Harry's malfunctioning broom. And for Hermione to set Snape's robes on fire to "stop" him? It was very illogical to the blonde.

"He's right! Why would Snape put a curse on Harry's broom?" Hagrid, after initially looking surprised at Y/N's fairness for a moment.

"Who knows?" Harry's sassy tone came out in his voice.

"Why's he trying to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween?"

At this point, Y/N had begun to give up on trying to put logic into his friend's heads. He knew it was hard to put an idea into the head of someone who's already made up their minds.

"Who told you about Fluffy?" Hagrid raised a brow, his tone gaining suspicion.

"Fluffy?" Ron half laughed, in disbelief of the three headed dog's name.

"He was not very fluffy." Y/N chuckled to himself, at least he was able to find humor in the situation.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the Slytherin's comment, elbowing him slightly. Y/N opened his mouth in shock. Dramatic. It didn't hurt or really did anything.

"That thing has a name?" Hermione questioned, furrowing her eyebrows.

Y/N almost laughed. She was very expressive with her face. It was amusing.

"Well, of course he's got a name. He's mine!" Hagrid spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, he almost sounded offended.

"I bought him off an Irish feller I met down at the pub last year. Then I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"

There it was. They had him. Or so Y/N thought.

"Yes?" Harry interrupted, clearly too eager to know what was coming next.

"-Shouldn't have said that." Hagrid spoke almost instantly.

"No more questions! Don't ask any more questions. That's top secret, that is!"

"But Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's guarding, Snape's trying to steal it!" Harry whined desperately, his mind was clearly made up.

"Codswallop! Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher!" Hagrid explained for about the hundredth time since the conversation had begun. 

"Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one! I've read all about them!" Hermione explained before looking towards Y/N.

"You know this too! You've got to keep eye-contact, and Snape wasn't blinking!"

Y/N bit his lip before sighing. She has a point there. There was no way Hermione would mistake a spell.

"But the fact still stands that he could have been protecting Harry from something." Y/N spoke, refusing to drop his opinion on the matter.

"There were loads of people in the stands, you can't identify a spell from a curse from that far.

"Malfoy's right. Listen to me. All four of you." Hagrid made sure to make eye-contact with Y/N along with the others.

Why? Y/N had no idea. They were clearly on the same page.

"You're meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous!"

Ah. There it was. Y/N would most definitely go out of his way to protect his friends. Loyalty was something he valued. Not on his watch.

"What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel!" Hagrid has slipped again.

And Y/N wouldn't lie and say this didn't pique his curiosity. Sure, he was against the idea of Snape being the bad guy. But Hagrid had basically just revealed that it was something deeper.

"Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked, still pushing on for answers.

To tell the truth, Y/N also wanted to hear the answer. But not to the extent his friends wanted. He had things to do. Books to read and quizzes to pass. There was no time to meddle in other people's business, specially not the kind that didn't benefit him.

"I shouldn't have said that." Hagrid muttered over and over under his breath whilst waddling away from the group.

"Nicholas Flame. Who's Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked his friends.

"I don't know." Hermione whispered, not once in her time at the library had she seen that name.

Harry had this sort of look on his face. The kind that Y/N had grown to recognize.

"Harry." Y/N called out as the group began to walk away.

Not again.

"You with us or not? Y/N we need you." His raven-haired friend pleaded, stopping in his tracks.

Y/N gulped. What was in it for him? Absolutely nothing. But could something go bad for his friends if he didn't go? Something he knows he could have stopped? Absolutely.

"Scared, Malfoy?" Ron teased, smirking.

That got to him. He was definitely not losing to a Weasley. Y/N sighed before trudging his feet towards them.

"Mum was right." Another sigh.

"Gryffindor's really do have hero complexes."

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"Granger, hold up!" Y/N waved a quick goodbye to the group he had been chatting to before running up to the bushy-haired girl.

How did he notice her walking by whilst he was busily chatting away? He didn't know. Why did he call out to her? He didn't know either.

"Malfoy number two." Hermione gave Y/N a slight nod, waiting for him to catch up.

"Aw, c'mon! I told you I'm number one!" Y/N complained, feigning a broken heart over the nickname.

The brunette simply raised a brow at him, unamused. Y/N wouldn't admit it, but he liked that about her. She never feigned interest in him nor had she treated him like a king simply for his name. Nothing about her was fake. She was real. And that's something he valued. He just didn't quite know it yet.

"Nevermind, have you seen Harry?" Y/N pulled the question out of his ass, did he really care for that in that moment?

Probably not. He almost regretted calling out her name. But he had already left his group to run to her, he might as well see it through.

"He's at the great hall." Hermione answered simply before walking away.

Though she didn't speak another word. Hermione subtly walked slower for Y/N to catch up and walk alongside her before walking at her normal pace. Y/N smiled at the fact. She acted coldly towards him but Y/N could sometimes feel the warmth. Not that he wanted it or anything...

"Queen to E5." Ron's smug voice was hard to miss, given how loud it was anywhere they went.

Also because the hall was empty due to the Christmas holidays. But that's besides the point. Y/N watched Hermione's disgusted expression as the chess pieces moved, decapitating Harry's king.

"That's totally barbaric!" Said the brunette, mouth wide, face scrunched and all.

Y/N couldn't help but let out a small laugh. How concerned the girl was for little pieces of stone.

"That's wizard's chess." Ron explained quite proudly.

His win could be compared to a 7th year beating a 1st year in a duel. Not very impressive. At least not to our blue-eyed protagonist.

"I see you've packed." The ginger made the obvious assessment after seeing Hermione's luggage trudging behind her.

"I see you haven't." Hermione replied sarcastically.

Y/N took a seat next to Harry as the two spoke. At least hostility was something consistent in the group. Unless when speaking to Harry, at least.

"Change of plans. My parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie." Ron explained quite smugly, as if he was the one going.

"He's studying dragons there."

"Not enough money to bring the family along?" Y/N had been silent for too long and decided to make his comment whilst beginning and chess game with Harry.

"Oh, shove off." Ron groaned, his smug smile had disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"You can help Harry, then. He's going to go and look in the library for information on Nicholas Flamel." Hermione ignored their banter, ordering Ron.

By this time, Y/N had already beaten Harry in chess. In two moves, no less. It was a trick he and Draco had figured out. Mind tricks. Look at the right pieces, look concerned and they play right into your hands. Harry was an extremely empathetic person. Y/N had figured this the moment they met. Which also meant he was easily manipulated. Was that a good thing? No. But Y/N would never betray Harry. Not after establishing their connection.

"We've looked a hundred times!" Ron's whiney voice cut young Y/N's thoughts short.

Hermione smirked, leaning in close to lower her voice.

"Not in the restricted section." She said in a serious tone before stand back up straight.

"Happy Christmas."

And with that, she was gone. Y/N also began to stand up. Draco was probably already waiting for him.

"I think we've had a bad influence on her." Ron sighed, defeated.

"Cheer up, Weasley." Y/N smiled, placing his head on Harry's shoulder.

"I'll search our library for any information too."

It was Y/N's turn to leave. Obviously happy that he was going on holiday while the two boys were forced to turn the restricted section upside-down. He stopped in his tracks, 1/3rd of the way out.

"Miss you already!" He waved, teasingly and sarcastically, specifically at Ron.

"I'll send presents!"

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Light crunching of snow filled the air as well as laughter. Two twins were at the big big age of 11, that meant that they were very grown. Right? They'd agree. But that didn't mean they couldn't have fun. Both boys had the same expression on their faces, tongue sticking out. They were focused. Why? Of course, because mother dearest and father had challenged them. May the best snowman win!

"You boys are going down!" Narcissa's voice rang out.

The glow of the sun setting made the mansion look magical. The light reflected by the soft, powdery snow. No would would believe you if they explained the memory that the Malfoy family was currently creating. The stern, strict, Lucius Malfoy along with his wife, building snowmen in the cold snow. You'd have to be there to believe it.

"No way, Draco and I have the best snowman!" Y/N giggled, patting the snow tighter together.

No one could bring out his childishness like his own family could. This was a side to Y/N and Draco that no one would see. While their family seemed stoic and without love from the outside, the truth would always be that the Malfoy's just simply did not love anyone except for each other.

"Y/N, look!" Draco ran up to his younger twin, holding up two twigs.

The perfect arms for their little snowman. Y/N took a glance at his parent's snowman whilst Draco added to their snowman. These moments where they were all together, having fun, was rare. But that made Y/N treasure it even more. No one could take his family away from him.

"Tada!" The older twin made jazz hands, showing off their finished product.

Both teams took a step back, admiring their hard word.

"What do you think?" Y/N boasted proudly, folding his arms as their parents walked over.

"We've done it again, haven't we?" Draco made the same expression as Y/N.

Lucius smiled. Actually smiled. It didn't last long, but he smiled.

"I don't know, your mother and I's snowman overdid it this year." Those words didn't sound like it belonged in Lucius' mouth.

Not to outsiders anyways. Narcissa dusted both Y/N and Draco's heads off. Snow had piled itself onto their blonde locks.

"I do believe they had won again." Her gentle voice soothed the boys, taking their side.

"Obviously!" Y/N spoke proudly before chuckling.

They have had this family tradition for YEARS. Their family always took Christmas seriously. Family together. As per Narcissa's request. Each time, Y/N and Draco would win. The twins never believed it to be rigged, of course they were the best at snowman building!

The sun had practically set already and the Christmas lights filled the manor. Hundreds of twinkling lights. Without the sun's warmth, the cold had begun to settle in. Y/N sneezed. And again. And again.

"Time to head in." Lucius ushered his boys in upon seeing his boy almost rocket up from the aggressive sneezes.

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Their father's laughs and smiles were unfortunately short-lived, but that didn't mean the two boys couldn't have fun on their own. The living room was practically a mess, covered in a sea of blankets that Y/N and Draco had laid out. Both had been eyeing the presents under their overly large Christmas tree for hours now. Y/N was busily writing letters as Draco paced back and forth, staring at their clock. The younger twin had already sent out presents to his favored friends, along with Draco's presents to Crabbe and Goyle. Thankfully, Lucius supported Y/N's friendship with Harry. Him being influential and all. Ron and Hermione, however? Not so much. But he didn't have to know about them.

"It's nearly time!" Draco squealed excitedly.

Narcissa and Lucius watched from the couch, sipping on their hot cocoas. Y/N stood up, joining his brother on their final countdown. This was DEFINITELY not a side they'd show their peers.

"3!" Y/N counted down.

"2!" Draco's turn.

"1!" Y/N finished, turning to Draco.

Both of their first instincts were not to rush at the presents, despite hinting at it. But instead, to embrace one another.

"Happy Christmas, Y/N." Draco patted his back after their hug.

"Happy Christmas, Draco." Y/N did the same, his grin so wide it almost hurt.

"Well?" Lucius spoke up, nodding towards the stacks of presents underneath the tree.

That was their cue to begin the unwrapping! Toys, gadgets, books, lollies, you name it! The twins had everything they had ever wanted. Another Christmas to their parents paying attention to what they wanted. Y/N picked up a small box, labelled with his name. It was abnormally small compared to the others. A red velvety material revealed itself as soon as the wrapping was taken off. A box. Y/N opened it to reveal a necklace, but not just any ordinary one. He recognized it. Matching the gem of his ring, it belonged to his mother. An heirloom. He turned. His mother smiled back. The blonde, widely grinning immediately ran to hug his beloved mother.

"Thank you, thank you!" Y/N was more than grateful.

"I love you." His mother kissed the top of his head.

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"Look at you, playing with your cards. Pathetic!" Y/N recognized the voice almost as soon as he had heard it.

The holidays had ended way too quickly for Y/N. He wished he could laugh and spend time with his family more often. But alas, the masks were back on and the family was back to however it was the world saw them as. Y/N took a seat next to Hermione just as she spoke.

"We've got final exams coming up soon!"

Y/N plopped down his book. Harry seemed bored out of his mind, reading a book Hermione probably encouraged him to read. Ron however, just had his collection of cards laid out on top of his book.

"I'm ready. Ask me any question!" Ron spoke smugly with the bushy-haired girl, cards still in hand.

"Alright, what are the 3 most crucial ingredients in a Forgetfulness Potion?" Hermione didn't miss a beat when asking.

Ron's smile was instantly wiped off of his face.

"I forgot..." His head lowered.

Y/N and Harry both shared an amused look. Their smiles took over their expressions.

"And what, may I ask, do you plan to do if this comes up in the final exam?" Hermione spoke like a mother scolding a child.

"Copy off you!" Ron's tone mimicked the vibe, he was the child.

"No you won't!" The brunette glared.

"Besides, according to Professor McGonagall, we're to be given special quills bewitched with an Anti-Cheating Spell."

"That's insulting! It's as if they don't trust us! Dumbledore again!" Ron gasped, creases forming on his face.

"Speaking of quills, could I borrow one, Granger?" Y/N finally spoke up, turning his pages.

It wasn't often that Y/N Malfoy would forget a crucial item to studying.

"Why haven't you got your own?" Hermione knew that, questioning the boy.

"I forgot..." Y/N mimicked Ron from earlier, gaining a giggle from Harry and a groan from Ron.

"I left in a hurry. Draco's back to causing trouble. Do not want to get involved."

The trio raised suspicion to Y/N's choice of wording. Back to? There's a version of Draco that wasn't cruel? They chose not to believe it.

"Here." Harry reached across the table, handing one of his own quill's to him, Y/N whispered a quiet thanks.

Just as Y/N began to write, thumping was heard throughout the hall, encouraging echoes of laughter.  Everyone turned to see who was causing the ruckus. It was revealed to be none other than Neville Longbottom.

"Leg-Locker Curse?" Ron examined the boy making his way over to them.

"Draco." Y/N groaned, rubbing hand on his face.

Draco's constant bullying and hexing was something Y/N would never agree to. But it was also something he'd never stop. It didn't affect him. But it was still draining. Though he himself could be an asshole sometimes, he'd never go far as to hurt anyone. Not physically anyways.

"You have got to start standing up to people, Neville." Ron expressed his concern.

"How?! I can barely stand at all!" Neville wobbled on the spot, nearly falling onto Hermione.

"I'll do the countercurse!" Seamus immediately grabbed his wand, rolling down his sleeves.

"No!" Y/N shouted a little too loudly.

He cleared his throat, grabbing his own wand. He knew Seamus' spells always backfired.

"I'll do it."

Y/N quickly and smoothly casted the spell, causing Neville's legs to spring apart. Neville trembled a little but stood up straight eventually.

"Thank you, Y/N." Neville muttered before taking a seat on the other side of Hermione.

Y/N only nodded. He always felt responsible for Draco's actions. Therefore, fixing it was the least he could do.

"I found him!" Harry exclaimed, taking back the blonde's attention.

"'Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945.'" Ron read out from the card.

Who knew their answers would come from Chocolate Frogs.

"Go on." Harry urged Ron to read all of it.

"'For the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon blood... and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicholas Flamel'!" Ron finished excitedly, they finally had a lead.

Y/N watched Hermione practically jumped from her seat, immediately packing her bags.

"Follow me!" She whisper-yelled before rushing away.

"But I just got here..." Y/N sighed, packing his things away before running to catch up.

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"I had you looking in the wrong section!" Hermione scolded herself, walking towards the table that the boys had gathered around.

"How could I be so stupid!"

Hermione dropped an oversized book on the library table. It was so large that it shook the table, making a large noise.

"I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading!" She spoke as she took a seat. 

"This... Is light?" Ron was in shock, how could he not be?

"You never fail to amuse me, Granger." Y/N instead chuckled, leaning closer to her as she flipped through the pages.

Hermione glared at Ron before letting out a gasp. She pointed at the words on the parchment.

"Of course! Here it is!" She recalled, tapping at the page.

"Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone!" 

"The what?" Ron and Harry spoke in sync, sharing confused glances.

Y/N and Hermione in turn rolled their eyes in sync. Both looked away from each other as soon as they realized their twin reactions.

"Honestly, don't you two read?" Hermione sighed, giving both confused boys a glance.

"I'm surprised Weasley can read at all." Y/N commented, leaning back in his chair.

"The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It'll transform any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life which will make the drinker immortal." Y/N paused every now and then, making sure Harry and Ron took in his explanation.

"Immortal?" Ron furrowed his brows.

"It means you'll never die." Hermione answered for him before turning back to the book.

"I know what it means!" Ron scowled loudly, Harry shushed him.

"You sure?" Y/N raised a brow at him.

Ron poked his tongue out at Y/N before Hermione began to read.

"The only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist who last year celebrated his 665th birthday." She read the page word for word.

"That's what Fluffy's guarding on the 3rd floor! That's what's under the trapdoor! The Philosopher's stone!"

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The moon shined brightly at the grass field that the quartet scampered across. They were on their way to Hagrid's, clearly past curfew.

"Hagrid!" Harry banged on the door loudly.

"Oh, hello." Hagrid spoke as soon as he saw the children after opening the door.

"Sorry. Don't wish to be rude, but I'm in no fit state to entertain today."

He attempted to shut the door right after the last word. Y/N thought it was quite rude but understandable. It was the middle of the night.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!" They all said in sync.

"Oh." Hagrid let them in.

Y/N found it odd that Hagrid was wearing mittens and an apron. It was hardly the time for baking.

"We think Snape's trying to steal it." Harry spoke up, leading the group as always.

"Correction." Y/N interrupted.

"They think Snape's trying to steal the stone. I'm here simply because they are my friends."

It felt weird to call Hermione and Ron his friends out loud. And even more strange that it didn't feel wrong. Y/N leaned down to the big dog that immediately made his way over to him.

"Snape? Blimey, you're not still on about him, are you?" Hagrid sighed, tending to his fireplace.

"Hagrid, we know he's after the Stone. We just don't know why. If you and Y/N had seen it-" Harry argued back, taking a seat next to Ron.

"Snape is one of the teachers protecting the Stone. He's not about to steal it." Hagrid interrupted Harry, turning to the group.

"That's what I've been saying!" Y/N exclaimed, finally glad to hear something that made sense.

Hagrid took a moment to watch the young boy. He had been playing with Fang whilst the other three explained.

"Surprised he took a liking to you." Hagrid praised, happy that the blonde made friends with Fang.

"Usually tries to bite anyone from Slytherin."

"Surprisingly, I'm not as wicked as them." Y/N smiled, being proud of his uniqueness.

"Anyways, Harry. You heard right. Come on, now, I'm a bit preoccupied today." Hagrid changed the subject, trying to usher them out.

Y/N got up to leave. Clearly their presence wasn't wanted at the moment. How come he was the only one to pick up on that?

"Wait a minute." Harry insisted on the topic.

"'One of the teachers?'"

This would take a while. The blue-eyed boy took a seat on the arm of the chair Hermione sat on. She began to speak.

"Of course!" Hermione eruptively stood up, causing Y/N to lose his balance, nearly falling off his seat.

"Bloody hell, Granger." Y/N held a hand to his heart, letting out a breath.

The brunette muttered out a quick sorry before sitting back down and continuing.

"There are other things defending the Stone, aren't there? Spells, enchantments!"

"That's right." Hagrid admitted subconsciously.

"Waste of bloody time, if you ask me. Ain't no one gonna get past Fluffy. Ain't a soul knows how, except for me and Dumbledore- I shouldn't have told you that."

The other three took that as a hint. Y/N, however? Took that as a challenge. Just before anyone else could put in their word, the pot that Hagrid had been tending to began to shake. Hagrid instantly took out a giant... egg? It was hot, urging him to place on top of a table. The quartet gathered around it.

"Uhm... Hagrid?" Harry couldn't take his eyes off of the egg.

"What exactly is that?"

"That? It's..." Hagrid stuttered, not exactly knowing hot to explain.

"I know what that is!" Ron recognized, leaning in closer.

"But, Hagrid, how did you get one?"

"I won it! Off a stranger I met down at the pub!" Hagrid told the children as the egg began to... shake?

"Seemed quite glad to be rid of it, as a matter of fact."

Almost all of them reacted, inching away from the egg once it began to shake more vigorously. Almost all of them. Y/N instead, leaned in closer. Curious. Startled, he jumped back when the egg cracked, causing the shell to fly across the room in different pieces.

"Careful, Granger." Y/N moved to shield the brunette.

"Thank you." Hermione mumbled under her breath.

Both their faces turned a light shade of pink. Y/N didn't even realize his first instinct was to shield her and Hermione definitely did not expect him to do so. Not even he expected it.

"What are friends for..." He muttered under his breath.

Their attentions were grabbed completely when they realized what sat on the table. A dragon. Covered in slime. Y/N felt strangely drawn to the dragon, both staring at each other and tilting their heads. 

"Is that..." Hermione tried to speak but the words were caught in her throat.

She took a moment to compose herself, tilting her head towards Hagrid.

"A dragon?"

"That's not just a dragon. That's a Norwegian Ridgeback." Ron showed his knowledge stemming from his brother.

"My brother Charlie works with these in Romania."

"Isn't he beautiful? Oh, bless him. Look he knows his mummy." Hagrid stared in awe at the dragon which cooed at him.

"Hello, Norbert."

"Norbert?" Harry questioned, eyebrows knitted together.

"Yeah, well he's gotta have a name, don't he?" The half-giant answered, causing the quartet to let out a light laugh.

"Don't you, Norbert?"

They watched as Hagrid played with the dragon, scratching it's chin only for it to breathe out a giant burst of flames at Hagrid's beard.

"Aguamenti." Y/N casted with the intention of helping, but dousing Hagrid in water by accident.

"Woops."

Hagrid reached for a towel, wiping himself down.

"It's alright, Y/N." Hagrid spoke before squinting towards a window.

"Who's that?"

They followed Hagrid's gaze at the tinted window. It was none other than Y/N's beloved twin.

"Draco..." Y/N grumbled, dragging himself up from the chair.

It was time to rush back. They did so in a light sprint.

"Hagrid always wanted a dragon. He told me so the first time I met him." Harry shared as they walked through the halls, now out of breath.

"It's crazy. And worse, Malfoy knows." Ron said in distraught.

"I don't understand. Is that bad?" Hermione asked, tilting her head at the ginger.

"It's bad." Y/N groaned, knowing Draco and the power of his family, anything could happen.

Ever since Harry had rejected Draco's friendship and embarrassed him, he did everything in his power to bring him down. How dare he be more influential than him, right? Y/N begged to differ.

"Good evening." A certain Professor's voice quickly snapped Y/N out of his thoughts.

Draco emerged from behind her. Y/N sighed. Here we go.

"Nothing, I repeat, nothing... gives a student the right to walk about the school at night." Professor McGonagall scolded sternly.

"Therefore, as punishment for your actions, 50 points will be taken."

"50?!" Harry gasped out in shock, each and every one of their mouths were dropped.

"Each." McGonagall didn't flinch.

Draco nodded slowly and smugly. Y/N elbowed him in the side. No words were shared between them as they were scolded.

"And to ensure it doesn't happen again, all five of you will receive detention." McGonagall continued on with the punishments.

"Excuse me, professor, perhaps I heard you wrong." Draco finally spoke up, stepping up from his spot.

"I thought you said the five of us?"

"No, you heard me correctly, Mr. Malfoy. You see, honorable as your intentions were, like your brother, you too were out of bed after hours." McGonagall shook her head at him.

Y/N snickered. Serves him right for snitching.

"You will join your classmates in detention."

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"A pity they let the old punishments die." The balding man spat out, holding out his lantern to lead the group.

"There was a time detention would find you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming."

"He's a bit crooked, isn't he?" Y/N whispered to Harry who could only gulp.

"You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight." Filch explained, leading them to the half-giant's hut.

"He's got a little job to do inside the Dark Forest. A sorry lot, this, Hagrid."

Hagrid sniffled whilst preparing his equipment.

"Oh, good God, man, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?" Filch grumbled, as Hagrid fiddled with his crossbow.

"Norbert's gone." Hagrid explained upon seeing the confused faces of the quartet.

"Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony."

"Well, that's good, isn't it? He'll be with own kind." Hermione tried to reassure, but it proved to be of no avail.

"Yeah, but what if he don't like Romania?" Hagrid whimpered, stubbornly.

"What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's only a baby, after all."

"Oh, for God's sake, pull yourself together, man. You're going into the Forest, after all." Filch spat out, rolling his eyes.

"Got to have your wits about you."

"The Forest? I though that was a joke! We can't go in there!" Draco exclaimed, shuffling closer to his brother.

"Students aren't allowed. And there are-"

A howl coming from said forest interrupted him, sending shivers down his spine.

"Werewolves..."

"You got us into this mess, Draco." Y/N rolled his eyes at his brother, moving to stand next to Harry.

His younger twin was clearly not impressed. And a bit hurt at the betrayal.

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad." Filch warned, scaring them even more.

"You can be sure of that. Nighty-night."

"Right. Let's go." Hagrid exhaled before leading the group.

The walk through the forest was eerie. Specially at this time of night. The only light leading their path was the moon and Hagrid's lantern. Multiple squeaks and howls and twigs snapping only made their fears rise. Y/N could see Hermione inch closer to him with each noise the forest made. He chose not to tease her about it. Not this time.

A strange puddle stopped the group in their tracks. The group watched as Hagrid leaned down to inspect it.

"Hagrid... What is that?" Harry questioned as Hagrid dipped his fingers in.

"What we're here for." Hagrid explained, watching the gooey liquid flow from his fingers.

"See that?"

Y/N leaned in, inspecting it. It was silver and of weird consistency.

"Unicorn blood." He recognized it from a book.

"Right you are." Hagrid praised, lowering his hand.

 "I found one dead a few weeks ago. Now, this one's been hurt bad by something."

As if they weren't scared enough. A strange rustling of leaves and grass interrupted Hagrid. All of their gazes were captured. A strange hooded figure walked across the distance. By now, Hermione was clutching onto Y/N's robes.

"You alright, Granger?" Y/N questioned, not teasingly, but of pure concern.

Hermione didn't respond. Her eyes stayed locked onto the place the figure walked through. Her grip on the boy grew tighter.

"So, it's our job to go and find the poor beast." Hagrid spoke up after a gulp, in an attempt to capture the scared children's attentions.

"Ron, Hermione, you'll come with me."

"Okay..." Ron's voice shook, croaking at the tone.

"And, Harry, you'll go with the Malfoy's." Hagrid grouped them up.

Draco almost immediately walked up to his brother. He tried to look brave. For his little brother.

"Okay. Then we get Fang." Malfoy tried to make the groups fair.

"Fine. Just so you know, he's a bloody coward." Hagrid muttered, giving the signal to the dog.

Fang whimpered, rubbing his head against Y/N's leg. Y/N, in attempt to calm the big dog, scratched behind his ears.

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"You wait till our father hears about this. This is servant's stuff!" Draco spat, holding the lantern and leading the two.

"If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd say you were scared." Harry teased with a smirk.

"He definitely is." Y/N chuckled, knowing his brother.

Most of the times where Draco is strangely acting brave, it was because Draco wanted to show off to him. The older brother is never scared! Or so he says.

"Scared? I'm not scared." Draco kept up his front until groaning echoed throughout the forest.

"Did you hear that?"

Y/N and Harry looked around anxiously. Whoever's idea it was to send off a group of first-years into the forest labelled as "forbidden", they clearly were not thinking straight.

"Come on, Fang." Y/N called out, trying to get the cowardly dog to keep moving.

Before any of the boys noticed, Y/N had been left behind. He looked all around him to no sign of the other boys. No sign of the lantern. The fog had eaten them up. Y/N gulped but tried to be brave. Nothing would ever come from doing nothing. So he began to walk. Cautiously. At least until he saw a faint blue light, hidden beneath the bushes. Curiously, Y/N began to job up to it. As he approached, he realized that the light came from a creature. A tiny one, resembling a bird. Blue flames surrounded it as it chirped continuously at the Y/N. Not knowing what to do, Y/N reached out a hand to it, careful not to be hurt by the flames as they died down. The bird tilted it's head at Y/N.

"I won't harm you..." Y/N whispered gently, prompting the bird to hop towards him.

The bird finally reached Y/N, hopping onto his hand. It was warm to the touch. It rubbed against his hand, chirping once as Y/N brought it up closer to his face. He studied the bird. Or beast. As Y/N had now identified it.

"You're a phoenix, aren't you?" The blue-eyed boy questioned the bird who seemed to understand him.

The phoenix chirped again, hopping on Y/N's hand. Though it didn't have many feathers, it was blue. Fascinated, Y/N stared in awe. He had never heard of a blue phoenix.

"Where's your family?" He asked as if the phoenix could answer.

It didn't chirp this time, instead tilting it's head at Y/N. Y/N imitated it, tilting his own head before the phoenix began to flap it's wings. It was wobbly due to not having all of it's feathers, but managed to fly at least to Y/N's shoulder.

"Then... Wanna come along with me?" Y/N gently grabbed him from his shoulders, making eye-contact with the bird.

It chirped happily and jumped on his hands. Y/N smiled. Creatures have always been fascinating to him.

"You'll need a name then!" Y/N learned this fact from Hagrid.

"How about... River!"

The phoenix bit his hand, causing him to jolt back a little, but careful as to not drop the phoenix.

"Not a girl? Okay..." Y/N pondered for a bit before speaking out another name.

"Sparky?"

This time, the phoenix turned around before plopping down. Clearly that name was still not good.

"Okay... Not a hit..." Naming was definitely not one of Y/N's strong points.

"How about a constellation? Like my mother's family... Cepheus?"

The phoenix turned right around, chirping happily and bouncing up and down.

"Cepheus it is! Cephy for short!" Y/N smiled, patting the small bird with his finger.

"AHHHHHH!!!" Draco's scream echoed throughout the whole forest, interrupting Y/N and Cepheus' little moment.

Without missing a beat, Y/N placed Cepheus into his pocket before sprinting towards his brother's voice. He hopped over any tree roots, hoping in his mind that Draco would be okay.

"Draco!!!" Y/N called out, yelling when he finally reached them.

Draco ran off screaming, past Y/N while Harry was on the ground. Fang followed after Draco whilst Y/N ran to Harry's side. Before the robed creature could do any harm, another creature appeared. A centaur. It scared away the robed figure, saving them.

"What in the bloody hell was that thing?!" Y/N yelled in distraught, helping Harry up.

"I don't know..." Harry answered Y/N but kept his eyes locked onto their savior.

"Harry potter, you must leave. You are known to many creatures here." The centaur warning, getting close to the two boys.

"The Forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you."

"What was that thing you saved us from?" Harry questioned.

"A monstrous creature. It is a terrible crime to slay a unicorn." The centaur replied, gesturing towards the dead unicorn on the ground.

"Drinking the blood of a unicorn will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death. But at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure... that from the moment the blood touches your lips, you will have a half-life. A cursed life."

During the explanation, Y/N had taken Cepheus out of his pocket, making sure the phoenix was okay after their journey to Draco's screams.

"A Phoenix... it has taken a liking to you. A blue one at that. Extremely rare, only one had been recorded to like a wizard. You must take great care of it and it will be loyal to you." The centaur took notice of the small bird in Y/N's hands.

Y/N could only nod, placing the blue bird onto his shoulder.

"Where did you get that?" Harry asked, staring at Cepheus who in turn, did the same.

The blonde shrugged, staring at the centaur.

"Do you mean to say that thing that killed the unicorn, that was drinking it's blood, that was Voldemort?" Harry shifted his attention back to their savior.

"Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?" He asked the two boys who's faces screamed confusion.

"The Philosopher's Stone." Both of them realized at the same time.

"Harry! Y/N!" Hermione called out to them just as she had arrived with Hagrid.

Y/N was taken aback. That was the first time she had called him by his first name alone.

"You've finally fallen for my devilish charms, Granger?" Y/N smirked, teasing the concerned girl.

Hermione rolled her eyes, punching him in the shoulder.

"Hello there, Firenze. See you've met our young Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy." Hagrid recognized the centaur.

Before Firenze could respond. Hagrid looked to Y/N with his jaw dropped.

"Is that a phoenix?!" Hagrid's voice both had jealously and shock.

Y/N nodded slowly.

"I found him in the forest. I think he likes me." Y/N explained.

Cepheus chirped loudly, nuzzling against Y/N's cheek. 

"Goodness me, you must show Dumbledore when we get back." Hagrid instructed to which Y/N, once again, nodded.

"Harry Potter, this is where I leave you." Firenze said his goodbyes.

"You're safe now. Good luck."

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Phoenix's were extremely loyal creatures. Dumbledore knew that. That's why Y/N was allowed to keep Cepheus. A special cage had been granted to Y/N, one that would alert him should anyone ever try to touch it. Though Draco was at first jealous of Y/N for finding Cepheus, he grew to be proud. Even being there to take care of Cepheus when Y/N was out with the trio.

Y/N had just finished the exams when he walked out with his friends. 

"I'd always heard Hogwarts' end of the year exams were frightful, but I found that rather enjoyable." Hermione spoke, stuffing her books into her bookbag.

"I agree, Granger. It was quite fun." Y/N nodded, folding his robes around his arm.

"Speak for yourself. Alright there, Harry?" Ron said before turning his attention to the raven-haired boy.

Harry groaned, clutching his head. More specifically:

"My scar." Harry explained to his friends.

"It keeps burning."

"It's happened before." Hermione recalled.

"Not like this." Harry swallowed a lump in his throat, wincing in pain.

"Perhaps you should see the nurse?" Ron suggested.

"I think it's a warning. It means danger's coming." Harry shared his thoughts as they exited the gates.

"You think?" Y/N raised an eyebrow.

Harry continued to groan until they saw Hagrid. To the other three, Hagrid was just peacefully playing his flute by his hut. To Harry, however. He made a realization.

"Of course!" He exclaimed, speed-walking.

"What?" Y/N and Hermione questioned in sync.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon... and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one?" Harry explained to the group, leading them faster towards Hagrid.

"I mean, how many people wanders around with dragon eggs in their pockets?! Why didn't I see it before?"

By now, the quartet were sprinting, panting as they reached the hut.

"Hagrid, who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?" Harry questioned Hagrid whilst trying to catch his breath.

"I don't know, I never saw his face. He kept his hood up." Hagrid replied, a bit in shock as the group came out of nowhere.

"The stranger, though, you and he must have talked." Harry questioned him further.

"Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after." Hagrid started, recalling the night he gained Norbert.

"I told him. I said, 'After Fluffy a dragon's gonna be no problem.'"

"And did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asked.

"Well, of course he was interested in Fluffy!" Hagrid exclaimed.

"How often do you come across a three-headed dog, even if you're in the trade? But I told him. I said, 'The trick with any beast is to know how to calm him.' Take Fluffy, for example. Just play him a bit of music and he falls straight to sleep."

Now all of them gasped, exchanging glances. A hint. A clue. The answer to getting past.

"I shouldn't have told you that."

Without another word, the group sprinted off once again, straight towards Professor McGonagall's office which must've been at least 3 flights of stairs up. All of them were out of breath at this point, but their realization of the danger kept them going.

"We have to see Professor Dumbledore. Immediately!" Harry practically begged the professor who, just a minute ago, was grading exams.

"I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here." McGonagall replied calmly whilst also being in shock of the group's arrival and request.

"He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London."

"He's gone? Now? But this is important!" Harry nearly yelled.

Y/N clicked his tongue, there was no way this was all a coincidence. Voldemort? And the situation with Snape? This was way bigger than he had ever thought.

"The Philosopher's stone is in danger!" Y/N rose his voice for the first time in front of a professor.

"How do you know...?-" The green-themed professor was in shock at their knowledge.

"Somethings going to try and steal it!" Harry added in, cutting her off.

"I don't know how you four found out about the stone, but I assure you it is perfectly well protected." McGonagall lowered her voice, now speaking sternly.

"Now would you go back to your dormitories? Quietly."

The professor seemed to have made up her mind, causing the quartet to feel defeated. Silently, they made their ways out. And Y/N thought that was the end of that. The professors would tend to things as they would, now that they have been warned. Harry, however, thought differently.

"That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village. It was Snape." Harry's opinion on Snape hadn't changed even after the events of the forest.

"Why are you still so insistent, even after the forest? Snape is a professor!" Y/N argued, defending the Slytherin head.

"Keep an open mind, Y/N! He knows how to get past Fluffy! We need to stop him!" Harry argued back, obviously being the one who can't keep an open mind.

"We do know one thing. No matter who it is, someone is trying to steal the stone. And with Dumbledore gone..." Hermione started, not sure as to who's side to take anymore.

"Good afternoon." Snape's voice startled the quartet, making them stand up straight and face him.

"Now, what would four young students such as yourselves... be doing inside on a day like this?"

"We were just-" Hermione stuttered.

"I've decided to tutor the Weasley, his extremely dense head disappoints me, and our school." Y/N quickly came up with a lie.

"We were just heading to the library now."

"Right. You ought to be careful. People will think you're up to something..." Snape warned them, using his usual eerie tone.

Y/N wouldn't admit it out loud. But he did sound very suspicious in that moment.

"Now what do we do?" Hermione spoke up, whispering as soon as Snape walked away.

"We go down the trap door. Tonight." Harry made up his mind.

Though Y/N thought it unnecessary. He wasn't going to let them go alone. He gave a slight nod. Hopefully Harry would be proved wrong at least.

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(A/N: I cannot wait to get to year 3+, I have so many ideas and stuff and wanna get to continuing the story. Unfortunately I am slow.)