At this moment, even Hermione, who had never admitted defeat, had to concede that when it came to Potions alone, she truly could not compare to Sean.
Harry took the small bottle, looked at the potion inside, then at the potion in Sean's hand, and said to Hermione, "Hermione, Sean and I will go on ahead and find a way to stop whoever's inside from getting the Philosopher's Stone. You go back through the purple flames and tell Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore what's happening here. Especially Professor Dumbledore—you have to write to him by owl and tell him what's going on."
Hermione looked at the Fire-Resistant Potions in Harry and Sean's hands. There was probably only enough for two people, and both Sean and Harry were quite capable—at least more capable than she was. Especially Sean; Hermione knew very well what had happened during the Slytherin duel. She knew she could not take either of their places.
"Okay. I'll get the message out as quickly as I can. You... both of you, be careful."
Hermione picked up the bottle containing the calming potion and drank it in one gulp. Without another word, she turned and rushed into the purple flames at the entrance, vanishing from Sean and Harry's sight.
At that moment, Harry glanced at Sean and said, "Sean, let's go in."
"Okay!"
The two of them drained their Fire-Resistant Potions and walked straight into the black flames ahead.
The moment he stepped out of the black flames, Sean's vision returned. But before he could make out the situation, a flash of green light bloomed before him. Then he heard Harry scream in rage and grief, and soon after, Sean lost consciousness.
Click, click, click...
Click, click, click...
Ding...
Like being jolted awake by an alarm clock from deep