"I've found it—here!" Hermione exclaimed, pointing to a page in a book on alchemy.
"Nicolas Flamel, the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone."
"What stone?" Ron asked, frowning. "Sounds familiar…"
Harry looked equally puzzled.
Hermione sighed. Of course they didn't know. She began explaining:
"It can turn any metal into pure gold, and it can produce the Elixir of Life—drink it, and you'll live forever."
Harry and Ron immediately exchanged a glance, both thinking of the same thing.
The Elixir of Life… Kevin had once asked Professor Snape during Potions: Does the Elixir of Life require the Philosopher's Stone?
Their eyes darted toward Kevin, who was lying pale and weak in the infirmary bed.
Hermione had been reminded of Kevin the moment she found the reference, so they'd brought their books straight here.
They weren't in the library—they were gathered around Kevin's bed, reading aloud over the patient.
Kevin groaned. "Has it occurred to you that I'm still sick? Keep this up and Madam Pomfrey will throw you all out."
He had been admitted yesterday after overexerting himself, and now the three of them had descended with a pile of alchemy books, chatting noisily and ignoring the fact that he was a patient.
"Oh, come on, Kevin. Don't play dead—you know something. Tell us!" Ron urged, shaking his shoulder.
Kevin sighed. "The book already says it—yes, the Elixir of Life is tied to the Philosopher's Stone. That's the important part."
In truth, his whole body still felt awful, his stomach churning. He hadn't been able to eat since last night, and even Snape's medicine had come back up. That's what he got for trying to take advantage of kindhearted Hagrid…
"Yes, the Stone," Harry said suddenly. "Snape must want it—he's trying to make the Elixir of Life!"
Ron nodded vigorously.
Hermione frowned at Kevin. She trusted Snape more than they did, but all the current clues seemed damning.
Still, Kevin wasn't saying anything, so she decided not to push. She'd keep watching and trust him.
"Let's tell Hagrid," Harry suggested.
No one objected, and Hermione noted that Kevin made no move to join them.
"Go ahead," Kevin murmured. "Just… don't mention me. I've got a reputation as a model student to uphold. If you want trouble, leave me out of it."
So off they went without him. This time, Hermione kept Kevin's name entirely out of it, telling Hagrid only that they'd found Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone in the library.
Hagrid shushed them quickly and ushered them inside, clearly worried about being overheard.
When Harry accused Snape of wanting to steal the Stone, Hagrid strongly denied it—Snape was one of its protectors.
Only Hagrid and Dumbledore knew the method to bypass the three-headed dog, and Snape wasn't among them.
They argued in circles until Hagrid finally ordered them to tell no one else and sent them away.
Back in the infirmary, they relayed everything to Kevin. He wasn't surprised things were simply playing out ahead of schedule.
Harry hadn't yet seen Voldemort drinking unicorn blood, and Hagrid hadn't yet received the dragon egg that would reveal how to get past the dog. That part was supposed to happen after Christmas.
"Why rush?" Kevin told them. "No one knows how to get past the dog yet. Focus on yourselves. Get stronger so you're ready when the time comes."
Ron suddenly had a "brilliant" idea: "Kevin, you should talk to Hagrid for us!"
Kevin gave him a look. "First, I'm not exploiting Hagrid's trust again. Second, even if we knew the way past the dog, what would we do—steal the Stone? Our priority is making sure no one else learns how."
Hermione agreed, backing Kevin up, and Harry and Ron reluctantly dropped it.
To lighten the mood, Kevin quoted something he'd once read:
"When you're lost, move forward boldly. Life's one big adventure—destiny will lead us where we're meant to be."
Ron broke the silence. "You sound like my mum."
Still, they all felt a bit better and turned their attention to the upcoming exams.
Kevin stayed in bed for two more days. Hagrid visited once, and Snape came bearing medicine—warning that if Kevin vomited it up, he'd dunk his head in the cauldron and make him drink it all again.
Snape's potion worked, and Kevin was back on his feet.
After that, it was back to classes, long hours in the library with Hermione, and "extra" work assigned by Snape.
Hermione seemed to enjoy his company more and more, talking not just about studies but about their lives. Kevin was happy to share his own stories, making her laugh.
He also chatted with Hagrid occasionally, learning about magical creatures—Hagrid was practically a walking encyclopedia.
One day in Snape's office, as Kevin ground ingredients for a potion, he spoke up:
"Professor, I was thinking of brewing some potions to sell in Diagon Alley."
Snape paused mid-stir and looked up at him. Instead of mocking him outright, he considered the idea.
Kevin was startled by the serious reaction—he'd hoped to use some of Snape's contacts for buying ingredients and selling finished potions, something a student could never manage alone.
At last, Snape smirked. "Oh, certainly. After all, Mr. Kevin is already an accomplished potioneer. A splendid idea."
The look on Snape's face made Kevin's stomach drop. Whatever this was, it wouldn't be good.
Snape led him down to his private workshop. With a wave, he summoned shelves' worth of herbs and ingredients.
"Use whatever you like," Snape said smoothly. "I'll value them at two thousand Galleons. Adding my labor in acquiring them, that's three thousand. You owe me that much."
Kevin stared. Labor fee—one thousand Galleons? Really?
"I'll buy the potions you produce at market value," Snape continued, "minus a thousand Galleons in sales fees. And another thousand for use of my facilities and equipment—per batch."
He concluded with a thin smile. "So, Mr. Kevin, if you wish to make a profit with your… modest skills, you'll need to brew potions worth over five thousand Galleons. Otherwise, I'll happily remain your creditor."
And with that, Snape swept out, leaving Kevin alone with the ingredients.
It didn't take long to realize the herbs were worth maybe fifteen hundred Galleons—Snape had inflated the price outrageously.
Kevin sighed. Another lesson from Professor Snape. He had the sinking feeling this "debt" would be hanging over him for a long time.