"The man is famous for his alchemic works and creating the Philosopher's stone, Weasley! He's over six hundred years old! Of course he will not appear in recent magical inventions!"
For a moment, she wondered if she would have to give even more information to the Gryffindor trio, but it seemed Longbottom and Black had taken the hint. Unlike Weasley which sounded completely lost. In an instant, the Golden Trio ran out of the library wing where Alexandra, Nigel and Hermione were sitting. Alexandra had not even heard a thanks from Longbottom and his sidekicks. The supposed House of nobility had really manners to learn in everyday's life.
"Why did you answer their question and how did you know the answer?" Asked Hermione in a suspicious voice. The two Gryffindors had remained silent thorough the conversation, a manner like another not to attract even more scorn and light bullying from their housemates.
Alexandra dithered for a moment whether she wanted to answer truthfully or not. On the one hand, Nigel and Hermione would probably be safe if she kept the secret until the year was over. On the other hand, with Longbottom searching and putting his nose where he didn't belong, the probabilities were skyrocketing the two Gryffindors would be involved in one manner or another. Not telling them would be not only a breach of their trust, but could also keep them alive.
Alexandra sighed and then choose. It was not going to be a pleasant explanation.
"I heard them discussing the topic with Hagrid," Alexandra stated, rolling her shoulders "and I was curious so I did my research. Of course, I had heard the name in non-magical legends and myths. As for why I did answer their question, I wanted them out of the library. Seeing them search row after row and book after book was no more fun after several weeks. With them in proximity, it was becoming difficult to work in peace. Other questions?" The green-eyed girl finished, hoping her friend would stop there.
"Yes. Why were they searching about Flamel? And why are you calling the muggle world non-magical?" Demanded the auburn-haired boy.
"Do you want the honest answer?" Frowned Alexandra. At the combined nod of approval from Hermione and Nigel she answered.
"They are searching about Flamel because his Philosopher Stone is hidden in the Forbidden Corridor of the third floor." Seeing her friend go white at that information and staring at her open-mouthed. "The entrance is guarded by a gigantic three-headed dog. A Cerberus. Then there is a Devil Snare, some Flying Keys, a gigantic exchequer with massive statues to play, a mountain troll, several poisons and an enchanted mirror. Those are the main traps I saw.
And I don't pronounce the 'Muggle' word because it is an insult to people which don't have any magical powers. Seriously, we are all humans. Do I call Nigel 'pureblood' before engaging every conversation?"
But Hermione didn't seem to have heard the second part of her tirade. She was now pale like death, and looking really terrified.
"A-a three headed dog? A mountain troll?" Hermione slowly spoke, like she was uncertain of Alexandra's words, but the fear in her voice was clear. Alexandra winced. She should have known mentioning the troll was going to unleash a reaction like this. The bushy-haired Gryffindor had endured an awful experience with this sort of creature on Halloween.
"Big paws, big fangs, three heads, yes. And the troll...well it's a troll. Ugly, grey and smell like a dustbin in decomposition."
"I hope they are chained at least. Something that dangerous..." Hermione asked in a nervous voice. "They are chained right?"
"I'm not sure about the Cerberus." Alexandra was forced to admit, making her friends pale further, if it was humanly possible. "But I suppose so. The door is not strongly protected, so there must be something that forces the dog to stay inside the room and not go running in the rest of the castle. The troll is in a room with enchanted doors so it can't get out, that I'm sure."
"Fantastic."Hermione closed her eyes."How long have you known?"
"Christmas." Alexandra admitted. "Honestly, Hermione, I thought you knew of the Cerberus's presence. Most of the boys of your House have gone to the corridor and saw it. Well, except Nigel, of course. He's intelligent enough to stay far away from this place."
Hermione huffed at that, though Alexandra didn't know if that was at the fact she hadn't told her or the issue that most of her own House had chosen to not trust her with such sensitive information.
"I must go back to the Common Room for Nigel's Transfiguration Essay" The bushy-haired Gryffindor stated, standing as she affirmed it. An affirmation, Alexandra knew pertinently false, but let go for the moment. She had figured there would be some pay-back for her not revealing her actions, now she could only hope Hermione and Nigel would forgive her. "You will help him tomorrow for his Charms?"
"Sure." Alexandra said. "Same place, ten o'clock?"
"And don't think I will forget you hid this from me!"
And with another huff, Hermione Granger walked away in the pace of an irritated person, followed quickly by a Nigel Wolpert showing his 'sorry' expression.
"If only you knew..." Alexandra whispered in a low tone, seeing the bushy-haired girl leaving the library.
Frankly, Alexandra had not told the entire truth to Hermione. Far from it. By the beginning of April, she was reasonably sure at least three-quarters of Gryffindor House had seen the Cerberus guarding the entry of the forbidden corridor supposed to guard the Stone (that or they had heard of it from a friend). Being aware of it and having connected the clues would not be a difficult thing to claim if someone came to ask for more information or questioned how she knew. However, she had been unable to confirm whether the trials and defences were specifically conceived to challenge Longbottom, Black and Weasley. Alexandra also didn't know if the Headmaster was aware of the theft she had committed or not.
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