Harry Potter: The Lion of the Serpent House

"So, the school's guarding the Philosopher's Stone?!" Bloom exclaimed.

"It's just a guess, Bloom," Harry cautioned.

"Never thought Flamel's name would pop up on a Chocolate Frog card…" Zabini muttered.

"I've got tons of those cards, but never Flamel's. He made the Philosopher's Stone—why's he so rare?" Ron wondered.

"Cards need the person's consent. Flamel was probably refined, private," Hermione explained.

When Harry spotted Nicholas Flamel's name on Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card, the dorm room buzzed with talk of the Philosopher's Stone. Known for his work with Flamel, Dumbledore helped create the legendary stone—said to be one of a kind, capable of producing endless gold and the Elixir of Life for immortality.

"If it's the Stone, everything adds up!" Zabini said. "The Halloween chaos, the Quidditch attack on Harry—they were distractions to steal it during the panic!"

"It's motive enough," Hermione agreed. "The Stone's priceless."

"I knew it was incredible, but… it's that incredible?" Harry said, half-smiling.

Watching Azrael's excitement as he rambled about the Stone was oddly entertaining. The group's talk shifted from the culprit to what they'd do with the Stone.

"I'd buy the Chudley Cannons with the gold and make them champions," Azrael declared, chest puffed. His wealthy background made his grandiose words sound strangely mature.

"No amount of gold could save them," Ron snorted.

"I'd buy whatever I want—clothes, spellbooks… maybe Dark Arts books," Ron added.

"Owning Dark Arts books is illegal unless you're an expert," Hermione noted.

Farkas was more practical than Azrael—except for that last bit.

"What about you, Zabini?" Harry asked, curious if Zabini, also from a rich family, would choose gold.

"Me? I'd use the Elixir to stay at my peak hotness forever," Zabini said. "What about you, Harry? Don't just turn it on us."

"Very Zabini," Harry chuckled.

"I'd want to grow up faster," Hermione said. "Your turn, Harry."

Zabini's choice of the Elixir to preserve his looks made sense, given his confidence. Harry, meanwhile, pondered the culprit's motives.

(Why does the thief want the Stone?)

"I'd give the Elixir to Asclepius," Harry said. "So he could live longer."

For Harry, his beloved snake's long life mattered more than gold for the future. Asclepius was young, with years ahead, but Harry, able to speak with snakes, keenly felt the difference in their lifespans.

"That's so you, Harry," Zabini said. "But why not splurge on yourself?"

"You really love Asclepius," Hermione said warmly.

"The Elixir and gold have endless possibilities," Azrael concluded.

Harry wondered what the thief planned to do with the Stone.

"If the Stone's behind that door… should we protect it?" Harry asked, hesitation in his voice. His anger at Dumbledore burned hot enough to cast Incendio, and part of him felt the headmaster deserved to lose the Stone to a thief. It might ease Harry's resentment.

Yet, he also pitied anyone—even Dumbledore—having something precious stolen. Harry knew the pain of loss too well.

"We don't need to risk danger," Azrael said. "Dumbledore's handling the Stone."

"As long as Dumbledore's here, the thief won't try anything," Farkas added. "Plus, dealing with a robber's scary."

Azrael and Farkas urged caution. Zabini, after a pause, left it to Harry.

"You're our leader, Harry. If you say protect it, we will. If you say steal it, I'm in. We're Slytherins, after all," Zabini said.

"No, Zabini, stealing's wrong!" Azrael protested. "Slytherin or not, crime's bad!"

"You're one to talk," Zabini shot back.

"Thanks, Zabini," Harry said quietly. "I'll think it over."

Harry held his friend's loyalty close, searching for an answer.

Should he protect the Philosopher's Stone… or let it fall?