(Y/N)'s POV

Filch was escorting us to the forest, it was the dead of night and to be honest I was a bit creeped out. But despite protests from Malfoy, who had been given detention too, Filch insisted we had to serve our punishment and said something about shackles.

I was relieved when we were met by Hagrid and Fang, apparently, they were escorting us through the forest, in search of an injured unicorn. "Poor thing, I hope it's ok" I said worrying about the unicorn.

 Malfoy just snorted and I glared at him as we made our way towards the forest. "We cant go in there, there's werewolves in there" protested Malfoy again, I snorted in retort, which caused another sneer to be thrown my way. 

After a few mishaps, Harry went with Malfoy and Fang, the rest of us went to follow Hagrid. As time went on, I noticed Hermione began to look increasingly upset, she trailed behind us, growing concerned I slowed down to talk to her.

Hermione's POV

"You ok?" came a voice that pulled me out of my thoughts, (Y/N) walked up to the side of me looking concerned, he gave me a playful shove, "What's wrong?" "Nothing, it's silly" I said. He rolled his eyes, "Just tell me."

"This is the first time I've ever been in trouble." "That's not true, there was that time with the troll remember" he chuckled, bumping my shoulder again. I know he meant to cheer me up, but it didn't help, I tried to smile but it didn't work. 

It just made me feel more guilty. This was my second close call. I didn't want to be kicked out of Hogwarts, it was the greatest school in the world. Just the thought of how close we had gotten to being killed, or expelled made me shudder.

He looked at me and I tried to hold back tears. He must have noticed because he added a quick "Sorry" and rubbed the back of his neck like he does when he's embarrassed. He stopped and I did the same, he grabbed me by the sides and turned me to face him.

For a moment there was a tense silence, I raised an eyebrow, he looked as confused as I was. I waited patiently for him to speak, making sure that I could still see Hagrid out of the corner of my eye.

"Listen, don't worry about it, no trouble is no fun, that's what makes it worth it" he said simply, he pulled me into a hug. Once we pulled apart he smiled at me. "That advice is silly." He shrugged. "I know, lucky it's not mine."

"Getting into trouble isn't fun!" I shook my head as I began to walk away, I was going to drop it until I heard him mutter "Speak for yourself" I turned back to glare at him. That turned out to be a mistake. 

As I turned he said "Don't worry, I can get in trouble for the both of us" Before pulling me back and hugging me tighter, "Didn't you hear McGonagall? It's kinda my thing" he laughed, despite trying to hold it back I let out a giggle.

It reminded me of the moment after the troll, I let out a content smile until he said something that threw me for a loop. "Now there's that pretty smile" he said looking at me, as if it was a normal thing to say.

In my shock I pulled away from the hug to hide my blush, luckily it was dark enough I didn't have to try very hard, "Thanks (Y/N)" was all I could think to say though I stammered a little, he gave me a thumbs up and a smile.

Then he grabbed me by the hand before I could fully appreciate the moment. "Now come on, I want to go howl at Malfoy and see if he wets himself." He said with a mischievous smirk, I burst out laughing as we rushed forward to catch up to Hagrid, still holding his hand.

"Wer' yeh bin." The half giant asked, I went to open my mouth but (Y/N) cut me off. (Y/N) simply grinned at him "Sorry Hagrid, had to tie my shoelaces" he explained, trying to look innocent. Hagrid gave him a perplexed look and then shrugged.

"Bin' lookin' for yeh, c'mon, don' go runnin' off" Hagrid warned as he turned and trudged off, holding the lantern higher, Neville was practically hugging the gamekeeper, his eyes bouncing around in the forest, he jumped at the smallest noise.

"Just wait, Malfoys going to freak out, it will be wicked" (Y/N) said absentmindedly at the side of me, but it sounded more like a note to himself until suddenly he let go of my hand, which I had only just noticed he was still holding, and shouted.

"Hagrid look!" (Y/N) pointed at some movement to our left and then got in front of me. Malfoy came running out of a clearing at full sprint, Fang at his heels. He said something incomprehensible and pointed off behind him.

The fear of the moment passed when  (Y/N) sighed, "Damn, my joke won't work if he's already wet himself" he muttered, I smirked but elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up. A few seconds later a centaur came carrying Harry on its back. I was thoroughly confused.

Later that night Harry gathered me, (Y/N) and Ron and told us about how he was attacked in the forest, Harry was convinced that You-Know-Who was who attacked him, and that's why Snape was going after the stone, He was convinced he would be attacked at any moment.

"Whatever, to get to you he will have to get through me, and Dumbledore as well I suppose" (Y/N) said with a smile as he flourished his wand, Harry scoffed, and we all laughed. "What?" (Y/N) said blankly. We laughed harder, he frowned as he fumbled his wand. "What?!"

About a week later all our exams were finished, but that was the least of our concerns, Hagrid had let it slip how to get past Fluffy, apparently all you need is some music to make him nod off, "Not a very good trait for a guard dog to have" (Y/N) commented.

Harry quickly rushed off. We were going to see Professor Dumbledore to warn him about Snape. "What are you four doing inside?" Professor McGonagall said behind us. "...Studying?" (Y/N) tried, she managed a stern frown before Harry spilled the beans.

"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," he answered quickly, probably too quickly. "Why?" she then straightened up "Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

"He's gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?" "Look, Professor" there was a pause as we all looked at each other "it's about the Philosophers Stone." Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that.

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected." "But Professor-" "Potter, I know what I'm talking about."

We walked to the common room and waited until everyone had left for class "It's tonight," said Harry, "Snape's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs, and now he's got Dumbledore out of the way."

"I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get to the Stone first." "You're mad!" said Ron. "You can't!" I demanded "You'll be expelled!" "SO WHAT" Harry shouted. "It won't matter if Voldemort gets the stone"

Honestly, I felt embarrassed by this, he was right, how could I be worried about house points or being expelled at a time like this, there was so much more to be worried about. Not that some of us were worried at all.

"Cool, let me know when we're off, I'm always up for some adventure, and I've always wanted to fight a dark wizard, I suppose Snape will do" said (Y/N) with his boundless confidence. I knew I had to do my part too.

"I'll go and check the library for anything useful" I offered. "I'm going to go take a nap to get ready" he said as he began to walk off. "No, you're not" I grabbed his wrist, "I need your help." "Need to reach a high shelf?" he asked, giggling to himself as I pulled him away. "Prat."

(Y/N)'s POV

As we got to the library, we walked past Madam Pince, I smiled at her and she simply rolled her eyes and put her finger over her mouth as if to shush me. I frowned, "I didn't even say anything." She glared at me harder for speaking.

"So... why are we here?" I asked Hermione, curious about why she literally dragged me here. "There will be enchantments and spells protecting the stone, I'm sure of it, you are going to help me rule out some."

I groaned "Hermione if I wanted to go to sleep I would do it in my bed. The cushions in the library are all lumpy." Hermione frowned at me, sort of like Madam Pince. Before pulling a book from a shelf and plopping it down in front of me.

 "Don't act stupid, everyone knows you are at the top of Charms class, along with me of course" she said proudly "Professor Flitwick told me we got the same score on our exam." "That doesn't mean I enjoy it, it was just easy" I shrugged.

She clearly wasn't buying it and scowled at me so I relented. "Fine I will help, but I'm not going to like it" I smirked, she beamed back at me. We spent the next few hours going over notes and books about defensive enchantments.

We were sure the teachers would have a strength they would play to so we tried to narrow it down, unfortunately we didn't know what these would be so we simply sorted them by class.

We looked at the most complex spells unfortunately there were so many different variations we made no real headway. Hermione might be brilliant and I'm pretty good at charms, but we are still first years.

"Well, that was fun" I sighed, exasperated. "Time to got dark wizard hunting!" I said putting up an enthusiastic high five to Hermione, she didn't seem impressed, someone cleared their throat, I turned to see Madam Pince scowl at me "Sorry." I whispered, realising how loud I was being

"Come on, we have to get to the common room" Hermione said as she pulled my arm. We got there in record time, I still wanted to nap but Hermione was having none of it, so we waited in the common room. 

I stroked Bones for a few hours and sent her on an errand and then everyone finally cleared out to go to bed until night. I looked around the common room and saw Harry and Ron were ready and waiting, the invisibility cloak was in hand.

"Everyone suited and booted?" I asked, there were nods all round. "Let's go" said Harry with confidence but I could tell it was to hide nerves. "We should put the cloak on in here just in case, we should walk slowly so Filch can't-"

"What are you doing" said a timid voice behind us. Neville was sitting in an armchair with Trevor, I kicked myself for not seeing him but quickly tried to dismiss him. "Nothing Neville, just talking, go to bed, I need to borrow your Herbology notes tomorrow, I can't do it if you fall asleep on me."

"You're lying, you're going to go off somewhere and get Gryffindor in trouble again, I won't let you" he stood up and steeled himself. "I'll f-fight you" he said balling up his fists and standing in front of the exit.

"Buddy, there are four of us, don't be dumb" he just raised his hands higher and grit his teeth. "Neville move out of the way, this is important!" Ron hissed. "You were the one that said I needed to be brave!" he argued.

"We don't have time for this" I saw Hermione draw her wand and stepped out of the way. "Neville, I'm really really sorry about this. Petrificus Totalus" she pointed her wand at Neville.

He fell down stiff as a board, arms locked to his sides and landed with a soft thump. "Hermione, you are scary sometimes, brilliant, but scary" said Ron. "Yeah, I'm glad you're on our side" I added as I walked over to Neville.

"I'm proud of you buddy, I promise this will all make sense in the morning...if we all live" I placed a blanket over him so he wouldn't get cold and a couch cushion under his head and stepped over him, I made sure to use the least lumpy one.

We hurried over to the third floor corridor, I was cautious opening the lock in case Snape had jinxed it behind him, but there were no issues and we made it to Fluffy, who was snoring in tune with a harp that had been bewitched to play constantly.

We all looked down the trapdoor and saw nothing but darkness. "Anyone just get the image in their head of Snape going mental on a harp?" I asked. "No? Just me? Ok." They all shushed me, "I'm sorry, I'm nervous!" I hissed back. 

"So ladies first" I smirked at Hermione, she just scowled "Beauty before age?" I tried, she still just looked at me disapprovingly. Harry demanded to go first "If anything happens to me get Hedwig from the owlery and send her straight to Dumbledore" 

We all nodded, after he landed, he gave us the all clear. Ron gritted his teeth and jumped. I coaxed Hermione to go next and she was getting ready to drop, her legs dangling over the end but she looked scared. 

"Don't worry, I'll be right behind you" I said, she nodded. Once she finally managed to jump, and I was about to follow her. But what happened next shook me to my core and sent shivers up my spine, I felt hot breath on my back, and the room was completely silent, the harp had stopped playing.

I heard growling, I slowly turned to find myself face to face, to face, to face with Fluffy, acting on instinct I tried to turn back, but he snapped his jaws at me, the harp was behind him so I couldn't use it. "Nice doggy" slipped out of my mouth. "Doggies?"

I did the first thing that popped into my head, I started to try and whistle a tune, unfortunately despite being a wizard and having multiple spells at my disposal I had not mastered the art of whistling.

I let out a couple of dry rasps, Fluffy became irate and started to growl deeper and bark, so I switched to humming, it wasn't the best tune, just three simple notes played in turn, something my mother used to sing me to sleep with, but it worked almost immediately, his eyes started to droop.

Using this time to my advantage, I made a mad dash to the trapdoor and jumped feet first into it. I landed in something strange, it wasn't slimy, but it wasn't dry, and it wasn't firm, but it wasn't soft, weird.

I looked around and suddenly realised what I was on, Devils Snare. "Oh, hi guys" I said waving at Ron and Harry, trying to calm myself down, but to be honest the fact a vine tangled my arm the second I tried to give them a wave did not help me relax.

"Try and relax" said a voice below me, it was Hermione, who must have gotten through already, honestly just hearing her already helped me to relax. "Holy Cricket!" "Is that my conscience?" I laughed.

This was the only thing I could do to relax, that and mentally humming the same tune, luckily it worked, and I slipped through the vines, Harry almost immediately followed me. Unfortunately, Ron wasn't so calm minded, he stayed there thrashing about.

I immediately started to rack my brain to figure out how to help him "This is why I needed Neville's Herbology notes!" I shouted in frustration. "Devils snare, likes the damp, something something, the sun" I said aloud hoping somebody remembered what Professor Sprout said.

Luckily, as always Hermione had clocked it and pointed her wand at the Devils Snare, "Lumos Solem." suddenly there was a blinding flash of light emanating from her wand and Ron fell from the plant onto the floor below.

"Lucky we relaxed" Ron said picking himself up and dusting himself off. "Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology" said Harry who walked off to the next room. "Good job" I said to Hermione and put my hand up for a high five, she had to jump for it but with that we chased after Harry.

"Can you hear something?" Ron whispered. I cocked my ears to the noise. "Bees?" "I don't know... sounds like wings to me." replied Harry. We entered a huge room with one other door at the other end, there were some creatures flapping around above us.

"Not bees." I corrected, for a second we thought they were birds, it was Harry who first realised. "They're keys! Winged keys- look carefully. So that must mean... " he looked around the chamber. "... yes -- look! Broomsticks! We've got to catch the key to the door!"

Ron examined the lock on the door. "We're looking for a big, old-fashioned one probably silver, like the handle." Suddenly I had a lump in my throat, I wanted to keep my feet on the ground if I could help it, so I debated trying to charm them.

"We could just use magic?" "No, there is probably counter curses for that, that's why the brooms are here" said Hermione. I knew she was right, I looked at the brooms lined up, then at the hard stone floor.

I took a deep breath to calm my pounding heart, "Well, guess I'm gonna have to ride a broom eventually anyway, why not now" I thought, with a sigh I grabbed a broom. "Let's get to it then."

I felt unsteady at first, throwing my leg over the broom and kicking off was easy enough, but the moment I felt weightless, and saw the floor get further away, my stomach seemed to curl. "Don't throw up. Just look at the keys!" I reminded myself.

In my desperate attempts not to look at the floor, I got into the swing of things pretty quick, it would have been fun if these keys would just sit still, they weren't all that fast, just awkward to grab, suddenly I had a new appreciation for the Seekers in Quidditch, this was a pain.

Once we had determined the right key, I actually got close to catching it a few times, one time it slipped out of my hand, leaving a small gash in my palm where its wings were, but we all knew this was all on Harry, he was the youngest Seeker in a century after all, after a few more failed attempts, he finally caught it.

Harry ran to the door, the key struggling in his hand. He rammed it into the lock and turned - it worked. The moment the lock had clicked open, the key took flight again. "Ready?" Harry asked, his hand on the door handle. We nodded. He pulled the door open. We quickly rushed onwards.

We were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than us by a lot and carved from what looked like black stone. Facing us, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.

"Now what do we do?" Harry whispered. "It's obvious, isn't it?" said Ron. "We've got to play our way across the room." Behind the white pieces we could see another door. "How?" said Hermione nervously.

"I think," said Ron, looing around at the vacant pieces, "we're going to have to be chessmen." "Can't we just play with what we've got?" "Can you use spells with half a wand?" argued Ron. "Touché."

He walked up to a black knight and put his hand out to touch the knight's horse. At once, the stone sprang to life. The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at Ron.

"Do we- er -have to join you to get across?" The black knight nodded. Ron turned to us. "This needs thinking about... " he said. "I suppose we've got to take the place of four of the black pieces..."

We stayed quiet, watching Ron think. Finally, he said, "Now, don't be offended or anything, but none of you are that good at chess--" "We're not offended," said Harry quickly. "Just tell us what to do." "Speak for yourself" they all gave me a look, so I just put my hands up.

"Well, Harry, you take the place of that bishop, and Hermione, you next to him instead of that castle, (Y/N) you be the pawn." "Typical" I said but followed his instruction. "What about you?"

"I'm going to be a knight," said Ron. "White always plays first in chess," said Ron, peering across the board. "Yes... look..." A white pawn had moved forward two squares. Ron started to direct the black pieces, he took a breath and got ready.

"Harry move diagonally four squares to the right." Our first real shock came when the other knight was taken. The white queen smashed him to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay quite still, facedown.

"Had to let that happen," said Ron, looking shaken. "Leaves you free to take that bishop, Hermione, go on." These chess pieces were brutal, the white pieces showed no mercy, they smashed up anything they took.

"Of course I'm the most expendable piece, why wouldn't I be?" I found myself thinking as I watched the white queen brutalise one of my pawn brethren. "We're nearly there," Ron muttered suddenly. "Let me think -- let me think..."

The white queen turned her blank face toward him..."Yes... " said Ron softly, "It's the only way... I've got to be taken." "NO!" Harry and Hermione shouted, I frantically tried to look for an alternative.

Again my head began to throb, as I looked at Ron, then to the board, and as he spoke, it came to me. "That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me -- that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!"

"But-" "Do you want to stop Snape or not?" "Ron-" "Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!" "There is no other way." "Yes, there is!" I piped up "Look there" I pointed at a gap behind the queen, remembering all the times Ron had clobbered me at wizards chess over Christmas.

"Move me up, if she takes me, you can jump her and put the king in checkmate... I think." "But-" Ron went to protest. I tried to explain. "Listen, if you get taken and they make a move we don't expect we are in trouble." 

"Think of it like chess, logically it'll make more sense if I get taken and you stay safe and deal with anything that comes up, besides I can barely hold a wand now so I won't be much help later on anyway" I commanded him, motioning to my injured hand from the keys. 

He nodded but I could tell he didn't want to. Honestly, Ron's plan was better, safer even, but I just didn't want to watch as any of my friends got hurt, I would much rather take any risk in their place.

"Besides, you have Hermione with you, she's smarter than me so I'm sure you will be fine with anything that comes up next" I was intentionally looking away from them, locking my eyes with the queen, I feel like if I saw them I would talk myself out of this, but my mind was made up.

"If anything happens to me, Harry you get my Chocolate frog card collection and all my stuff, Ron you get my wizards chess set, Neville gets my space in the dorm, and Hermione you take care of Bones, she likes you the most, but don't spoil her too much, otherwise she thinks she's the boss."

"Ready?" Ron called, his face pale. "This is gonna suck" I laughed, "Once you've won, go forward ASAP, and hit Snape with a curse of the bogies from me" I took a deep breath, not knowing if it was my last, and moved a space forward.

I turned to see them, but I wish I hadn't, all three of them had looks of horror on their faces, Hermione was in tears, Ron's lip was quivering, and Harry was pale as a ghost. I did the only thing I knew that might bring them comfort, I stuck my tongue out, and gave them a wink, just like my brother.

The white queen attacked, just as I had hoped. She struck me hard across the face, this knocked me off my feet, she suddenly lurched forward and grabbed my ankle with a vice like grip, she dragged me off the board and I landed on a pile of shattered pieces, honestly I don't remember much after that, just the taste of blood in my mouth.