Chapter 3: Quirrell
The Knight Bus came to a stop in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Harry followed Hagrid into the Leaky Cauldron. The Leaky Cauldron was as Harry had remembered it, dark and shabby. As they stepped in, the chattering ceased and there was silence. A few of the patrons smiled and waved at Hagrid.
'Usual?' asked Tom the barman.
'Sure!' replied Harry automatically. He had often patronised the Leaky Cauldron during his Auror's years.
'Erm….Do I know you?' asked Tom, looking at Harry curiously.
'Oops!' Harry thought, 'I shouldn't have said that! Tom didn't know me yet!'
'Erm… I am Nev…'
Just then, a wind blew in from the opened windows. It blew at them, causing Harry's fringe to be swept sideway, revealing his scar for a split second. Tom apparently noticed the scar as he stared at Harry's forehead.
'Good Lord!' exclaimed Tom, seizing Harry's hands. 'Welcome, Mr Potter, welcome back!'
Harry forced a smile in reply. It was no use denying that he was the famous Harry Potter, the boy who live, now that Tom had seen his scar. Harry felt many pairs of eyes staring at him. Same as previously, there was then a great scarping of chairs, and in matter of seconds, he found himself shaking hands with everyone. Harry decided that he had no other choice but to go through the rounds of handshakes. A pale young man, in turban, finally made his way to Harry. It was Quirrell.
'Professor Quirrell!' said Hagrid, 'Harry, Professor Quirrell here teaches Defense against the Dark Arts.'
'Harry? Why do you keep looking at Professor Quirrell's turban' inquired Hagrid, when he realized that Harry was not listening to him but instead had his eyes fixed on Quirrell's turban.
Harry was in fact, not really staring at Quirrell's turban but rather the back of his head. Harry gave a slight shudder at the thought of Voldemort's face at the back of Quirrell's head. This was a scene he could never forget. Had Voldemort possessed him yet? Harry wondered. He had an idea…
'Nothing!' lied Harry smoothly, recomposing himself. 'There is a fly on your turban Professor Quirrell!'
Upon saying this, Harry deliberately swung his hands hard at Quirrelll's turban. Harry succeeded! Quirrell's turban fell on to the ground with a soft thud. Harry eyes then focused on the back of Quirrell's head. Everyone gave loud gasps.
'Professor Quirrell!' 'What happened to your head?'
Professor Quirrell's bald head was full of red rashes.
'A—Allergy to—tooo Gar-Garlic!'
Hmm, Harry thought amused, so the rumors that Quirrell put Garlic in his turban to ward off Vampires were true? Too bad the garlic could not ward off Voldemort thou…
'I have some medicine which might help ya, Professor! Wait a moment' said Hagrid, rummaging in the numerous pockets on his cloak.
'It's o—ok Ha-Hagrid…. I ha—have to g-goo… See yo---you in Hog-Hogwarts.' said Quirrell, bending down to pick up his turban.
With that, Quirrell walked out of the Leaky Cauldron, holding his turban awkwardly in his hand.
Harry knew that he would had scared all the people in the Leaky Cauldron if Voldemort had already possessed Quirrell, with his eerie snake-like face showing on Quirrell's bald head. However, Harry reasoned that if Voldemort had really possessed Quirrell, Quirrell will not let someone sweep his turban off so easily. That was why Harry dared to take the risk. So, Voldemort had not possessed Quirrell yet. Maybe he could do something to prevent Voldemort from possessing Quirrell. Harry knew that Quirrell's was not an evil man. Quirrell was only intimidated by Voldemort to do his biddings. If possible, Quirrell's should be saved. It will do them good to have one more person on their side. But, what could he do? Cast some protective spells around Quirrell? Warned Quirrell? Maybe the best thing he could do will be to warn Dumbledore. Doing so will exposed his real identity, for Dumbledore was a smart wizard, but it is better than letting him die thou, Harry thought.
'Letting who die, Harry?' asked Hagrid, looking at Harry curiously.
Oops, Harry had not realized he had said those last few words of his thoughts out loud.
'Oh, nothing, I was remembering the time when I had saved a stray dog and I just thought that saving him was better than letting him died' explained Harry, covering the slip of his tongue.
It was a pathetic attempt at lying but still that was the only lie Harry could come up with within that few seconds. Harry thought Hagrid would believed him thou. Hagrid was simple minded and trusted people quite easily. The incident when he let slipped the way to get past Fluffy to a mere stranger was a very good example.
'Oh' said Hagrid, 'It is good that yeh saved him! Let's go to Diagon Alley now.'
'Ok. Let's go' said Harry, relieved that Hagrid had indeed find nothing suspicious about his behaviour.
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