Sage Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
As winter approached Hogwarts, the castle transformed into a magnificent display of holiday spirit. Snow blanketed the grounds, the Great Hall was adorned with towering Christmas trees decorated with enchanted icicles and twinkling fairy lights, and the warm, spicy scent of mulled cider filled the air. For Sage Potter, this was her first real Christmas—a celebration she never experienced at the Dursleys’. This year was already full of revelations and emotions, but nothing compared to what awaited her during this festive season.
Neville had decided to go home for the holidays to spend time with his grandmother, leaving Sage feeling a touch sad but understanding. Before he left, he handed her a carefully wrapped box with a grin. “Open it on Christmas morning,” he said. She promised she would, hugging him tightly. Draco, who usually maintained a composed façade, was downcast as he read a letter from his parents. They had expressed their disappointment at him being sorted into Gryffindor and informed him that he wasn’t welcome home for Christmas. Daniel, always the cheerful one, merely shrugged when asked about his plans. His parents were preoccupied with work, as always.
Sage, Draco, and Daniel decided to stay behind, secretly pleased they would have each other’s company. Despite the gloom that sometimes shadowed Draco’s pale features, he was determined to make the best of it. On Christmas morning, Sage awoke to a surprising array of gifts at the foot of her bed. She pulled her emerald-green blanket around her shoulders and smiled, eyes wide with awe.
Draco handed her a velvet-bound book, its gold lettering shimmering in the morning light. “A Potter family genealogy book,” he said softly. “I thought you might want to know more about where you come from.” Sage’s eyes welled up as she hugged him, whispering a heartfelt “thank you”.
Neville’s gift was next. She unwrapped it carefully to reveal a small, elegant plant with delicate, evergreen leaves and a single lily flower blooming in the center. The vase was etched with intricate patterns of vines and petals, glowing faintly with an enchanted warmth. Sage touched the petals gently, feeling an inexplicable sense of connection to her mother, Lily Potter.
Daniel’s gift was playful yet practical—an emerald headband. “It’ll help keep your hair out of your eyes,” he said with a cheeky grin. “And it matches your Slytherin uniform. Plus, it makes those green eyes of yours stand out even more.” She blushed, fiddling with the headband and placing it in her hair.
Lastly, she found a package from Ron. Inside were assorted sweets and a hand-knitted jumper in warm maroon, emblazoned with a golden ‘S.’ It felt cozy as she slipped it on, though unbeknownst to her, runes stitched on the inside subtly influenced her emotions, making her feel more inclined towards Ron, Ginny, Molly, and, indirectly, the guidance of Dumbledore.
The days following Christmas were filled with laughter, snowball fights, and lazy evenings by the common room fire. Sage spent hours poring over the genealogy book, tracing the names of her ancestors and feeling closer to the family she had never known. The flower from Neville remained on her bedside table, its glow constant, a reminder of her mother’s love and the friendship that surrounded her.
In January, the excitement of the Quidditch season intensified. Slytherin had a strong team this year, and Sage’s skill as Seeker was unmatched. Draco and Daniel, though each slightly less nimble on a broom than Sage, were fierce competitors who pushed her to her limits. Each practice session left her exhilarated, the wind rushing past her ears as she dove and weaved in pursuit of the elusive Golden Snitch.
The day of the final match between Slytherin and Gryffindor was electric with anticipation. The stands were filled with cheering students, their scarves waving in a blur of green, silver, red, and gold. Draco’s father, Lucius Malfoy, sat in the crowd, his steely gaze unwavering as he watched his son on the field. Draco’s mother, Narcissa, had managed a rare, supportive smile, which bolstered his spirits.
The game was fierce, with both teams neck-and-neck in points. Sage’s emerald eyes darted around, searching for the Snitch. Suddenly, she spotted the glint of gold flitting near the Gryffindor goalposts. With a burst of speed, she leaned forward, the handle of her broom vibrating as she pushed it to its limits. Draco Malfoy, the Gryffindor Seeker, noticed and raced to intercept her. The crowd gasped as they flew side by side, inches apart.
Sage’s fingers closed around the Snitch just as Draco reached out, and a resounding roar erupted from the Slytherin stands. Slytherin had won both the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup, thanks to Sage’s unmatched performance throughout the season. Her teammates lifted her onto their shoulders, cheering wildly as the banners of green and silver unfurled above them. Draco and Daniel, though competing on different teams, exchanged a nod of respect.
As the school year progressed, Sage, Daniel, Draco, Neville, and even Ron found themselves drawn into the mystery surrounding the Sorcerer’s Stone. Whispers of a dark plot to steal it filled the castle, and Sage’s curiosity wouldn’t let her rest. The group formed an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth, sneaking through the halls at night with Daniel wielding the Marauder’s Map like a seasoned mischief-maker.
The night they discovered Fluffy, Hagrid’s three-headed dog, guarding a trapdoor, the tension between them crackled. Draco’s usual arrogance was tempered with genuine concern, while Neville’s bravery shone in his unwavering support. “This is bigger than anything we’ve faced,” Neville said, glancing nervously at the growling beast.
With Ron’s knowledge of chess, Draco’s quick thinking, Daniel’s humor and encouragement, and Sage’s determination, they navigated through each obstacle guarding the Stone. The enchanted chess game tested them to their limits, and Draco, playing the role of knight, took a dramatic hit to ensure their victory.
When Sage finally reached the chamber holding the Stone, she found herself facing Professor Quirrell, his turban removed to reveal Voldemort’s ghastly visage on the back of his head. Fear churned in her stomach, but she stood firm, gripping the Stone. “You’ll never win,” she said, her voice steady despite the terror clawing at her heart.
Quirrell lunged, and as he grasped her, a searing pain shot through him. Sage watched in shock as his skin blistered and burned. Voldemort shrieked in fury, the sound rattling her very bones. Quirrell collapsed, and the shadowy form of Voldemort fled, leaving behind only the silence of the room and the pounding of her heartbeat.
Dumbledore arrived moments later, his eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and concern. “You have done something remarkable today, Miss Potter,” he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Your mother’s love runs deep in your veins.”
In the aftermath, Sage woke up in the hospital wing, surrounded by her friends. Draco, with a bandaged arm, sat by her bed, smirking. “Told you we’d make a great team,” he said. Neville handed her the glowing lily plant, and Daniel plopped down at the foot of her bed with a grin. Ron, still dressed in his chess-ravaged robes, gave her a thumbs-up. For the first time, Sage felt like she belonged. She wasn’t just surviving anymore; she was living—and thriving.
Slytherin was awarded the House Cup at the end-of-year feast, their emerald and silver banners draping proudly from the enchanted ceiling. Sage, Daniel, Draco, and Neville exchanged knowing smiles. They were an unlikely group, bound by loyalty, friendship, and a shared journey that had changed them all.
For Sage Potter, the year had been one of discovery—not just of her legacy but of the family she had found in the most unexpected of places. And as the train pulled away from Hogwarts, carrying them back to the world beyond, she knew this was just the beginning of the story.