The HP universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and I'm just publishing this for fun.
What could have changed if the Dark Lord came back in 1992 at the ending of Harry's first year?
The air was heavy with anticipation, Ron had proved them before that he was a budding chess master, never the less his experience in the game showed and apparently Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall enchanted this chess set with her 57 years of experiences as an excellent player, and she still had some lessons that she could impart on a 12 year old Ronald Bilius Weasley. Here it was the moment of truth and Ron immediately understood defeat.
Every single thought in defeat passed through his mind, someone, must probably the greasy haired git of Potions Teacher Severus Snape, was just a few chambers ahead of them stealing the Sorcerer Stone for his own gain and that scared de pants out of him. His friends, just like he, were part of this game, and in defeat collateral damage was expected, so their health was also on the line. His friends had already done their part, Harry with the brooms and Hermione… Hermione was on a league of her own she had literally already saved their lives and dragged them all the way up to this point, and then… then there was him the best chess player of the group, the strategist and the looser.
However he was a Gryffindor, and oh! how they love to charge ahead with disregard of their own wellbeing for the sake of everyone but mainly of their loved ones, and Ron knew in that instant that although he may love his family without doubt, Harry and Hermione were on their own separate place all on their own they were his chosen brother and sister, he made the choice in that instant. So cutting his loses he started to strategize how to lose with minimum casualties.
He took a deep breath and mustering all of his courage procured a smile "Hey guys, it's going to be all right, we already lost but I will keep you safe" He moved his own piece, a knight, it's versatile and perfect for offence, although in this case it was proving useful in defence by blocking the pathway of the opposite bishop that would be in perfect position to make a check mate in just two movements, coincidentally by moving it also helped to protect the vulnerability in which Hermione was.
With this move they just had to wait "Ron what's the matter? We lost?" suddenly Harrys voice cut through the silence, he had a bewildered expression that matched his tone "What about the stone?" All of them knew that they were the only ones left that could be there on time. The last line of defence had fallen and Harry really couldn't blame Ron, after all they were just first years, besides if he was nowhere near Ron's level in chess what was actually his chances at this or even more real beating his head of house at chess, he held no illusions.
Then it happened, apparently the mind set in this opponent had a rather aggressive and definitive strategy so it attacked the read headed leader of the opposition "Ron!" Hermione cried in desperation knowing full well that it could have been her, her logical mind told her that she should stay in her square on the chess board, however the sorting hat is never wrong, never ever, and Hermione proving why she was part of the lion's den jumped right after her red headed friend.
Harry watching the slowed down scene in his own square from halfway across the board, had the opportunity to observe just as the defecating material made contact with the proverbial fan.
The chess pieces all understood one thing, there was a cheating penalty, and all rules were off and so they began defending the territory just as they were programed to by enchantments. Every single chess piece drew their weapons and turned towards the door forming a barrier that protected the entryway, barricading the only way forward.
Harry made a run for his friends hoping that everything was all right with Ron, having suffered an attack and Hermione being in the middle of all the pieces shifting… Just as he made his way over to them he could see that they were all sweaty and grim but there was no blood in sight, it still didn't confirm their safety but it was a start "Are you guys all right?" was the logical inquiry.
Hermione turned to him with determination written all over her childish features "He's all right, but we have to get him moving in case there's something wrong, you know… Internally" That sent Harry in a twist. The decision was an easy one, on one hand there was figure out a way to get past through the chess pieces warding the door with a liability in the form of Ron's unconscious body. On the other hand they could go back up from the way they came and fetch help for Ron and just maybe this time someone would believe them and prevent the thieve from escaping Hogwarts.
"You are right 'Mione he needs help and so do we, it's time to accept our loses and regroup, maybe this time they'll believe us. I mean I'm sure these aren't the only wards protecting this place" And with that both friends made the return journey through the already beaten trials. Helping each other along the way making sure no one got any more hurt and levitating Ron's body with utmost care along the way.
Upon the stairs leading to the trap door were the Cerberus was sure waiting for them they were really nervous, I mean how were they supposed to charm an object to make music from the inside of the trap door, or what if Fluffy was asleep on top of said door. So really quiet they climbed up the stairs leading to their probable doom, the closer they got the louder an instrument playing could be heard.
It was a flute and they recognised it instantly "Hagrid!" Harry shouted as soon as the door opened, he took a look at his surroundings and understood it might not have been the best of ideas as Hagrid was distracted in the middle of putting Fluffy back to sleep. Thankfully his experience with his 'Puppy' proved effective as he kept playing the tune lulling the beast. Meanwhile Hermione levitating the rest of the golden trio got out of the secrete passage and finally to the safety of the third floor of the main part of the school.
They took notice of their surroundings and besides Hagrid playing the flute so Fluffy could be kept in a calm state there was also both Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and his Deputy Minerva McGonagall with looks of astonishment. Surprised that three just recently out of first year students were coming back from a room where they knew was a Devil's Snare, one of the deadliest plants in the wizarding world, and if they remembered correctly there was a large amount of it down there.
"Headmaster!" Harry shouted as soon as he saw the venerable old man "We couldn't make it. We weren't able to pass through one of the tests, He's there! Down there stealing the Stone! Snape is…!" In that moment the door to the chamber opened and having his cloak billowing behind him as always was none other than Severus Snape, disproving every belief that the golden trio had about the man being the one after the Stone.
"I assure you Potter" he said with disdain "that I have been cooperating the whole time with keeping the peace in the hallways as is my duty" He sneered at the two conscious and one unconscious Gryffindor students and with palpable glee he added "And I must say, students out of their common's after curfew in a explicitly forbidden part of the castle" by now he was sporting an exotic Severus Snape small smile. Everyone knew he hated this three lion's above any other student at Hogwarts, and that was something.
"I assure you Severus, that these three students have a pretty reasonable explanation for their deed's this evening" Dumbledore's voice interrupted Snape's moment of joy "I believe they have evidence that in fact there is a trespasser in the hidden chambers below us" This had the immediate effect of waking the golden trio out of their stupor, so as is reasonable both of them began their tale at the exact same time in the exact same tone of voice just altering here or there the order in the contents of their stories. Making it really hard for the four adults in the chamber to understand a single thing.
"One at a time!" came McGonagall's expression with the common authority she commanded over her lions.
This prompted both friends to have a quick nonverbal exchange which consisted in Harry looking at Hermione pleadingly knowing full well that she would be the one to better explain their actions tonight "We tried to warn the teachers but they weren't available so we had to take the matter in our own hands, we knew that with you gone tonight, and the return home just around the corner, this was the best chance for the burglar to steal the Philosopher's Stone" Ignoring for a moment the teachers various looks of awe and indignity she pushed through "Ever since we got to this room there have been signs that the traps have been bested an enchanted harp in this room, the key with its broken wings already easy to spot when we got to the room, the debris from a previous chess match played"
"And that's it" She looked disappointed at herself, she wasn't able to beat the whole obstacle course "We lost the game of chess and Ron got hurt so we made sure he was immobilized and we made our way back thinking that maybe we would be listened to this time around" They were sporting twin looks of apologetic regret and kept staring at the floor, so they missed the proud looks that crossed three of their teachers faces, for one being as young as eleven years old to beat traps set up by fully qualified instructors was a great feat.
"If you excuse me I must go ahead and face the damage done and most probably the crook that has visited us tonight" The grey haired headmaster intoned and made his way to the trap door, "I would thank you Minerva if you could take care of things up here" he added as he was going down the stairs to what he hoped was not a situation as bad as he expected it to be. Meanwhile the head of the lion's started inspecting her charges and was convinced that they needed a more professional opinion.
"Up to the infirmary you go, report to madam Pomfrey directly and have her make you a whole physical if it's necessary" She sent all three of them and kept the Slytherin head of house and the grounds keeper company. Just as the trio was making their way out of the door, the thieve having camouflaged himself with the disillusionment charm took the opportunity as a distraction and got out of the open trap door and towards the edges of the room. Waiting for his opportunity to make a break for it I can't figure out a way to get the stone from out of the mirror, I know its inside I can feel it, there was no other way I had to steal the mirror too. The thieve known as Quirinus Quirrell better known as a professor at Hogwarts thought to himself The master forbade an encounter with Dumbledore, he is weak and wouldn't be able to handle the old coot, so I have to leave this place before he comes back so we can restore the master to full health.
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Harry and Hermione made it to the infirmary without trouble, no prefects in the hallways and no Filch, Mrs Norris or Peeves in sight, they could still feel the tension in the air, as if the castle's sentiency was alert, it felt as if this night in particular would be in Hogwarts a History next edition. As soon as they entered the hospital wing the simple proximity wards layered in the doors to welcome in new emergencies lit up the corridor and alerted Madam Poppy Pomfrey. She came out running from her living quarters and immediately took the role that every Hogwarts student knew of 'The nesting mother dragon' she took them in as their charges instantly.
Ordering them around they settled Ron down first, and providing them first with a calming draught and instructing them to drink it up she started diagnostics on the still unconscious Ron. The result was trauma to the head and a mild concussion, so filling him up with head restoratives and a calming draught she turned to Harry and Hermione. Even as they claimed to be alright she kept checking and double checking them, asking if they hurt anywhere. Finally convinced that they were alright she got them 'proper attires for sleeping' so itchy robes for tonight it was, soon they fell asleep.
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He knew this was a special dream in an instant, so focusing on what was around he let it envelop him allowing him to fully experience what was about to come. He was running across the school grounds right pass Hagrid's hut, he had made it he had stolen the damned thing from right under that old fool's nose, and it all was thanks to those three kids, and they provided the perfect distraction for his escape. He kept running towards the doors just a few more meters he kept going until he reached his destination, leaving the doors and more important the wards behind, he apparated out of there.
His dreams became the regular one's after that, flying on a broom, a feast in the great hall, chatting Hedwig up and enjoying the signs that his companion loved it.
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As he woke up he recognized the distinct familiar scent of the infirmary, he felt refreshed after a good night's sleep induced by a calming draught, he woke up and took a look at his surroundings noticing the next two beds occupied by a snoring Ron and a reading Hermione I just hope some things never change he kept his inspection of the ward and noticed two girls just outside the matron's door explaining to said matron about something that he couldn't hear due to the distance. He noticed that both girls were quite cute, both of them brunette however one of them had brown hair and hazel eyes with an easy going smile and thin lips a really petite nose that looked like a pinch and really big round eyes, her hair style consisted of having it held back by a black bandana.
Then he took a look at the other visitor in the room and was suddenly floored with infatuation, he kept thinking that she was the cutest girl he had ever seen. She had rich deep black hair flowing to just beneath her shoulders cascading in soft curls, the whitest of skins the texture was that of porcelain and this contrasted perfectly with her light blue icy eyes. Her aristocratic looks painted the perfect picture with a small but straight nose, thin pink lips and narrowed big eyes she had this frown on her face as she kept explaining Pomfrey something about probably her head, at least that's what he got from her subtle mannerisms.
Both of them in school robes and that's when Harry noticed something else, the green and silver motifs of the Slytherin House embroidery on their uniforms, quickly making the connection he remembered sometimes passing by both of them in his way to classes they were always part of the Slytherin group of students however as he saw it they were always on the side lines, way away from all of the drama that always seemed to emanate when lions and snakes shared classes.
He fell back on his pillow making a soft huff which alerted Hermione that he was awake "Harry" putting aside her reading material for a while Basic's in anatomy: a beginner's guide she turned to him "How are you feeling?" She scanned his face hoping to read the answer out of him knowing full well what his answer would be, noticing a hint of disappointment with a touch of confusion she kept waiting for the expected answer.
"Fine" He said this repeated word that summed up to nothing, there was no real feeling to it, and besides both were aware of what happened last night.
"I know you can't be fine Harry, I'm not fine, we failed last night it… it felt worse than getting an EE on an exam" Trust Hermione to compare life and death situations with doing not so well in a test. "I mean we don't fully know how it ended, and we did our part we made sure that the Headmaster was fully aware of the situation and left fully capable wizards to do the job they are supposed to do" This left harry with a stray thought, why was such a powerful thousand year object hidden in the school? I mean this wouldn't be the first robbery attempt that someone made on the stone, so what about the previous protections.
"I know Hermione it's just… you know I think perhaps the real identity of this burglar will be thousands of ways worse than Snape" He was nervous since turning around last night to regroup as he told them in the chess game chamber. They settled for a comfortable silence and while Hermione picked up her book again he stared of in to the nothing, thinking about what could have happened if Ron bested the game? What could have been the end result, them stopping the robber? And just as he was about to steal another glance towards the pretty girls he noticed the movement out of the corner of his eye and he saw them turning around towards the Hospital Wing door, watching their retreating backs.
Unknown to them 'The nesting mother dragon' had noticed both of them awake and as per instructions previously given to her by the Headmaster she made a quick fix for the girls that needed a head relief potion and went in to her office to alert the Headmaster that Harry was up, she went for her wand and summoning her happiest thought along with the message she wanted to send and summoned her patronus, a koala bear, fierce protectors of their cubs and fairly territorial, and banished it towards Albus Dumbledore's office.
About twenty minutes had passed and while Hermione kept reading something useful, she wanted to start on the basics of first aid and healing, Ron kept snoring loudly and Harry kept thinking about his failure last night and sometimes distracting thoughts on a black haired witch who he knew was in his year but inapproachable due to her being in Slytherin. Just then the doors to the Hospital wing swung open allowing the Headmaster through, he was wearing orange robes with little swirls of a lighter orange etched as a pattern through the material, he made his way to the last bed of the hall occupied by Harry watching the teenage boy intently along the way as if he was expecting him to burst any minute.
"I see that you find yourself in good health Harry, you should always be thankful for that" he said after a few brief instants of watching him from across the bed "I was hoping we could clarify some things while I was here, you see last night the thieve was successful in stealing not only the stone but also the Mirror of Erised a powerful enchanted object that belongs to Hogwarts inventory, I'm at loss I made sure to check every nook and cranny of the chambers but wasn't able to find anyone at all" He kept glancing to both of them, hoping to see something that he might have missed, but he already was aware that their knowledge on the matter was more limited than his.
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He had been perceiving something through the year it was just a hunch at first, he always thought following hunches was the first step in really feeling ambiance magic, as it became apparent to him that there were spells camouflaging unmentionable acts of magic done in possessions to human beings and these very beings or being was inside his school the danger became apparent to him he knew said enchantments had a power requirement quite high, so as of late he felt them slip occasionally not knowing who was the person that was willing to submit himself to said semi form of living he decided to 'spring the trap' as they say and make a big announcement about him leaving the premises for a whole day, removing his presence from the castle and waited for the wards to spring.
Then as his old friend Murphy said 'Anything that can go wrong will go wrong' he had some sudden Wizengamont meeting, he just couldn't believe his luck, so making sure Minerva knew he just had to be present at the meeting and leaving all matters regarding the protections of the stone entrusted to Minerva.
Then comes the greatest enemy of every powerful hominid, hubris, in his haste to leave and his trust in his every plan and his every move he forgot to mention to his Deputy about three little Gryffs that were already in on the secret. He was aware of them getting some truths out of Hagrid the half giant had confessed to him about his slips. So he wanted them in on the secret, he might had thought of this as a test of character, a chance to observe young Harry developing with such sensitive info.
He was following the dark trail across the chamber up until the troll chamber that's when he noticed that the stench was more powerful in the chamber he just had left, this meant that the chase had already begun and he was already behind. So summoning Fawkes to him and grasping on its tail feathers he asked his faithful companion to take him towards the entrance of the school, taking a quick scan and expanding his senses he caught the trail like a hound, making his way towards the gates he got to the place where he felt an apparition trace, holding on to it with his intent firm on caching the thieve and a soft pop later and he was gone.
After five different apparition spots some of which were a tad familiar to him, like a sea side view of a cliff with an island in the middle, or a trip to Godric's Hollow he lost the trail just as he apparated over the ocean and surprised at his lack of forethought plunged in to the mass of water barely sensing a portkey trail around. Not being able to follow the trail anymore he came back to school, surprising three fully adult wizards by appearing on the opposite door that he had left from.
Oh he was in trouble, not just because he had lost the stone to some madman, but also because his mentor Nicolas was going to be pissed, he didn't even want to think about Pernelle. He had a brief suspicion of who the burglar was so ordering emergency staff meeting was de easiest way to go. He was well aware of his Achilles heel, his giving people a second chance thing, so it was Quirinus he felt that maybe the curse would be more lenient as it had been as of late and not get rid of his DADA teacher in a dramatic way this year.
What didn't add up was that Quirinus was no great mage, he had not that much power to conceal or dabble in to the dark that much, and possession was something you had to prepare your mind for, not something that a former muggle studies professor could know about. He had to unravel the mystery, this could very well be the genesis of a new Dark Lord or the coming back of a former, a Dark Lord with experience, one of the worst in recent history, one he was sure wasn't completely gone, so he had to wait out the night and check his most reliable source on information the boy who was in the infirmary once again.