Chapter 7

The troll incident made for a perfect way to expose Professor Quirrell. Hermione was safely in the hall with the others as Ron had not insulted her this time round over the levitation spell. Harry had spoken to her after potion class and, after she explained why the wolfsbane plant had more than one name, explained that while it was brilliant that she wanted to learn, she needed to ease up on her tone of voice and her persistence in answering questions. She was making the others look bad. She took it very well and while she still offered her assistance it was done with a lot more encouragement, rather than a slightly arrogant tone.

Professor Quirrell had come tearing down the hall in his usual fit of fear. In amongst the panic, a quick spell as the man lay in a faint had his turban coming loose. Dumbledore had no way of stopping the teachers from seeing Voldemort's face. The troll incident was remembered not as the day first years defeated a fully grown mountain troll, but the day Professor Quirinus Quirrell was discovered to be working for the dark lord. Voldemort's spirit released itself the moment it realized it had been discovered, fleeing the school grounds. Professor Quirrell was sentenced to Azkaban. Dumbledore took over the defense position for the rest of the year, unable to do anything about the situation. The public outcry was too strong.

The quidditch match played out much better this time round. Without Professor Quirrell to mess up Harry's broom the game was quickly won by Gryffindor. Another reason Professor Snape was not happy with Harry being in the school. Not that that had ever changed.

Christmas arrived quickly. Harry wrote constantly to Julian, explaining everything that happened. He received a fair few stern warnings, but Julian accepted that it had to happen. He also, grudgingly, accepted that Harry had to stay this Christmas in order to receive the invisibility cloak, and each one afterwards until his plan was complete to avoid Dumbledore becoming suspicious. He would wait until the summers.

Harry was woken by Ron's call and threw on his nightgown, dashing downstairs. They shared a pleasant Christmas morning. Harry noticed that he had a few extra presents, from Julian of course. The card simply wished him a merry Christmas. Unwrapping them he found a selection of home-made sweets, both for him and Ron, some treats for Hedwig and a broom servicing kit. He also received a white gold pin in the shape of a stag watching over a doe. "Everlasting Love" was inscribed on the back. A note inside its box said it held protection charms.

'That's gorgeous mate! Your relatives really got you that?!' Ron exclaimed.

Blinking away tears Harry pinned it to his pajama top.

'Not my relatives. There's a good friend of the family. When I was young he always used to say he had magic powers. I did and didn't believe him. I was young enough to be fascinated by what he said but my aunt and uncle always told me magic wasn't real and he was making it up. Turns out he really was a wizard. When I showed him my letter he confessed. We've been keeping in touch. I knew he had a lot of money, but this was really nice of him. He shouldn't have…'

'Mate he sounds great. I hope you've got him something. You should really thank him. Oh and will you tell your relatives thanks for the sweets' Ron said, pulling Harry into a one armed hug.

Harry smiled as his friend tucked into his treats. He'd made Julian a gift. By focusing his element on a large amount of earth he was able to heat it, and use his magic to mould it into different shapes. The end results were small mineral animals, and an exhausted Harry. He'd done the same thing for Ron, Hermione, Draco, Neville and Hagrid. Julian received a fox done in a red mineral, Ron a lion in the same. Hermione was given a cat in a gold colour. Draco got a bluish green dragon, Hagrid a blue and purple one. Neville was quite hard to decide on an animal. In the end Harry chose a badger in a grey mineral, like his patronus. Ron was chuffed with his, and accepted Harry's explanation that he was trying out new spells to create it. He'd given Harry a book of quidditch seekers of the world and their strategies. Hagrid went teary eyed and put his pride of place on his shelf, pulling Harry into a bear hug and picking out his best wood carving to present back to him. The others received theirs via Hedwig, who also delivered Molly and Arthur Weasley a thank you note for the jumper and the sweets and a Christmas card. With the request to leave them at the Burrow to await the Weasleys return from Romania. He hoped everyone liked their gifts.

Said hope was answered when after the holidays he had a rush of fuzzy hair into his arms and a gift thrust into his hands.

'Harry your gift was beautiful. Thank you.'

'You're welcome. I was worried you wouldn't like it' Harry replied with a relieved smile.

Neville and Draco both gave him a meaningful gift as a token of thanks, and Julian sent him a letter saying he was due for the biggest hug when he got back home. Harry wondered if it would out do Hagrid's.

The incident with Norbert was handled better as well. Hagrid was still reluctant to send the dragon away, but with persistence, decided it had to be done. This time round, to avoid being caught, Draco was called to assist. The main reason for this was that the blonde loved dragons, and in inviting him along, the Gryffindor trio were able to grow closer to him as a friend. He was able to point out a few corridors where Mr Filch rarely patrolled. And acted as a lookout as Harry, Ron and Hermione smuggled Norbert to the tower. Charlie and his helpers collected the dragon and flew off into the night. Ron was unharmed, Draco was overjoyed to finally see a dragon. And no teacher ever knew of what transpired that night. Harry hoped Norbert. That is, Norberta, liked her new home.

With the festive season over the classes started back up. Harry had been called up to the Headmaster's office where Dumbledore had apologized for allowing Voldemort into the castle and went on about how it must have affected Harry to see man who killed his parents. He then rambled on with his usual twinkle about school and asked how Harry was getting along. Harry had let him talk, declining the tea and the sweets, mostly because he was sure they were laced with something. He was annoyed at Dumbledore for taking so long to apologize. If this had happened the first time round he would have been traumatized to find Voldemort so close to him. Another hint at how little the man really cared. He caught Fawkes winking at him from its perch and smiled. He answered Dumbledore's questions about school politely, saying he was doing well and getting used to the magical world. He then said that at first he had no idea what was going on when Voldemort appeared. He was far too busy being terrified about a troll being on the loose, and was happy to hear the thing had been prompted out of Hogwarts. His practice with Wisdom paid off and he left with the satisfaction that Dumbledore had not found out a single thing.

School life flew by and soon it was time to head home. With his trunk packed and Hedwig in her cage, Harry took one last look at his dorm room and smiled. He was starting to feel like a real student and not a pawn in Dumbledore's games. He sat on the train with Ron, Hermione and Neville, with Draco stopping by to wish them a good summer. Once at the station Harry said his farewells and gave his hugs, promising to write. Then, watching his friends head off out of sight, with the excuse that he would be waiting on his uncle, he found a quiet nook, and vanished.

Year one of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, successful.