September 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry and Hermione sat in one of the empty classroom and it was time for Harry to answer Hermione's question.
It was only the next morning after his previous visit to headmaster office when Hermione approached Harry and informed him that she had already finished the book.
Though Harry had expected, Hermione to finish the book very soon, he had not expected it to be so soon.
"So, you are a rich lord in the Wizarding World?" Was Hermione's first question.
Harry nodded, "Yes. I am the heir of the Potter family and its vast riches. Probably Black also."
Hermione frowned, "And you were unaware of all of this till now?"
Harry nodded, "Yes Hermione. I am just a muggle raised just like you. And no one talks or explain these things to the muggle raised students."
He continued, "Even the library does not have a single book having even simple information about the Wizarding world."
Harry sighed, "Even when a normal person visits a different or new place, they try to gather some information about the place and its culture. Yet here, the muggle born wizard and witches enter into a whole different world but get no information about the world."
"A 11 year old kid overwhelmed with magic does not even have the common sense to try to find out about the world they are entering. In all their school life they know nothing more than Hogwarts."
Though Harry wanted to inform Hermione about the discrimination a muggle born faced after their graduation from Hogwarts, he withheld that information and decided to take things slow.
"So you are somewhat angry at Ron that he did not told you all these things?" Questioned Hermione.
Harry rebuked instantly, "I will not deny that I am angry over the fact he never told me anything about my family and its legacy. But in the context which, you are asking, things are different."
"I never expressed my anger towards him and behaved normally during the world cup. If you would focus on your memory then you would remember that it was Ron who got angry at me because I mentioned about the legacy of my family."
Harry continued, "And he would most probably consider me a dark wizard because I mentioned about me being Lord apparent of Black family. But it does not matter if I become Lord Black or not. My grandmother was a Black and if Ron Weasley badmouths the Black Blood, he is insulting my grandmother."
Hermione wanted to speak something more probably about mending the relationship but Harry cut her off.
He stated, "Look Hermione, I know you would want me to mend our friendship but I will not approach him. If he approaches me, I will treat him well. This is what I could do the best for him at the moment."
"To make you clear on this matter, I will tell you one thing clearly. The issue between me and Ron is not simple. There are a lot of complexities involved and for now, even I am not completely sure about how I handle them. So, when the time will be right, I will tell you."
Hermione nodded and there after continued to ask her questions and the little doubts she had after reading the book. The conversation was almost coming to a conclusion until somehow it shifted to Dumbledore.
Harry knew for a fact that Hermione idolised Dumbledore to the extent of almost worshipping him.
"So the first day you were summoned in headmaster's office was related to all this?" Questioned Hermione.
Harry nodded, "Dumbledore wanted to find out how I learned all this and then wanted me to enjoy my childhood and stay away from my family legacy."
Hermione admonished, "Harry, its Headmaster Dumbledore."
Harry simply shrugged his shoulders and decided to test the waters and then he put on a knowing expression on his face.
Hermione took a moment to realise then her eyes widened in shock, "Harry, are you implying that Headmaster Dumbledore asked Ron to not tell you these things?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know this but, what I know clearly, is the fact Dumbledore was my magical guardian, so he was the person responsible to teach me about my family, its legacy and the responsibilities I would have on my shoulders in the future."
Hermione defended weekly, "Maybe he really wanted you to have a worry free childhood."
Harry wanted to immediately retort and ask where was Dumbledore when he had been tortured during his first 11 years of the life, but he took on something of which Hermione was a part of.
"Tell me one year in the last three year when death was not looming over my head? Is this what he meant by enjoying my childhood?" Harry asked calmly.
Hermione took some time to answer but replied meekly, "Harry, those were all accidents. I don't think Headmaster could have predicted anything about the future."
Harry smiled, "Tell me Hermione, why was the Philosopher stone hidden here at Hogwarts?"
"For its safety, of course," answered Hermione immediately.
"Safety. Safety from whom?" Harry followed up with his question.
Hermione went into silence and did not speak.
Harry continued, "In the first instance, let us assume that Dumbledore was not aware of the existence of Voldemort's wraith hidden in Quirrell's turban. Then the stone was hidden in a school full of children to protect against whom?"
Harry continued, "The answer is, from someone capable enough to steal it from the Flamel couple. The very same couple who had kept the stone safe for 600 years. Then it must be some powerful wizard. Isn't it Hermione?"
Hermione could only nod her head and she knew where this was going.
"So against a powerful wizard; powerful protections were set up. And the protections were so powerful that it took three 1st year students to reach the stone," mocked Harry.
"The most powerful protection and perhaps the only thing that could have stalled a powerful wizard for some time was the Mirror of Erised which was not added till the Christmas," continued Harry.
Hermione sat in silence processing all what Harry told Hermione. It was not an information which Hermione was not aware of but was a just different perspective.
At one point Hermione wondered that if the magical world has slowed down her logical reasoning and rational thinking.