Everlasting
By LadysWords
Previously on Everlasting:
As he walked down the rugged staircase in the depth in the castle Ed saw the room that he had entered had flames dancing around it and the Mirror of Erised stood in the middle, holding him in a trance. He blinked as looked around. Potter was unconscious and gripping the stone tightly. He frowned when he saw Professor Quirell's clothes and dust.. 'So, the man failed retrieving it. Good.' He sighed in relief.
As he stood in front of the mirror he saw strangers that he did not know. Or perhaps he did once before, though he did not know. He saw a boy that looked similar to himself, though he was younger. He had a gentle face, and had less height than him. He wore different attire then Ed was used to seeing around. He had a long brown coat with a white shirt and a beige vest and beside him was a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes that wore a white dress. Both were smiling and waving at him. He stared blankly and turned around thinking that they were here with him, though when he looked around he saw no one there.
He thought 'Did I know them before I lost my memories?'
Then he heard door open once more, and he turned around to see Dumbledore. The man looked at him sternly an asked. "I trust that everything is solved then?"
"I suppose it has been. We should take Potter to the infirmary."
Dumledore nodded and said "Indeed." as he did he waved his wand to create a stretcher and used levitation to place the boy onto it. As they left Ed couldn't help but glance at the mirror once more, though this time a bit more longingly. He wanted to see the people of his past once more.
Chapter 9: Celebrations and Understandings
"To use the same words is not a sufficient guarantee of understanding; one must use the same words for the same genus of inward experience; ultimately one must have one's experiences in common."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Ed soon found himself brooding at the staff table once more; grimacing, as he looked at the Slytherin decorations in the Great Hall. His house had, once again, not won. 'Why is it that my House never wins? You'd think that with our intelligence we would outsmart the other houses and actually win it. But no, we don't.' He thought. He glanced at Snape who, he supposed, was glaring at him. Then again he did not know him that well, and could only assume such. Most of the staff, and quite a few of the students, believed that he and Snape were friends… 'More like acquaintances…' he thought. 'Why on earth do people believe that?' He supposed the reason was that he and Snape generally spoke to each in a civil manner. He rolled his eyes. Just because of that so many people jumped the gun and thought such silly things. He slightly chuckled to himself. They were far from being friends. Their so called 'relationship' had issues to be fixed, but at least for time being they knew where they both stood. He frowned remembering their conversation in Quirell's office...
OoO
"Explain. Now." He heard Snape say and he grimaced.
"Alright, lower the wand and I will." Snape shook his head, defiantly.
"No. Not until I know that you are not a threat."
He rolled his eyes… 'He thinks I'm steal trying to steal the stone.' he thought and chuckled inwardly.
"Not a threat?" he repeated. Ed sighed. "Fine, I suppose I should tell you. Why should I steal a stone that's already mine?" At that the man's eyes widened.
"What did you say?"
"That stone that were are protecting, it's my father's and the Headmaster's results...of their partnership of years ago…" he drawled, and continued while he had the man's attention, "I've been searching the stone for a long time. That's why I kept disappearing during the breaks, it was only this past summer that I found it in Grindelwald's old cottage in Bridlington . I was lucky to find out that he hadn't managed to reach it before he dueled the headmaster, and that it had not been found in a raid by one of his accomplices or enemies. After all, it had been there for over thirty five years."
'I really hate explaining this.' he silently added.
"Now I understand." He saw that Snape he stowed his wand slowly and relaxed. "You've been keeping an eye on Quirell."
"Yes." He nodded, agreeing to what he said. "As much as this has been interesting, to say the least, I need to find Potter. I have a feeling he will go after stone to try to protect it."
Snape narrowed his eyes. "That's true. However, one thing that is still puzzling is that you survived the Killing Curse. How?"
"Simple, I possess a portion of my father's stone within me. That's how."
At that Snape eyes widened and then he finally understood. "I see."
He sighed loudly…making Snape stare at him.
"As much as I would like to continue this conversation now is not the time to do so. We have Quirell to stop, and Potter to protect."
'From his naivety' he added slightly.
"Alright, I will fetch Dumbledore and inform him on the matter." Ed raised his eyebrow and nodded.
"And I will stop Quirell from getting the stone."
Both of the men quickly departed into the hallways once more, as if nothing had happened, though they both knew otherwise.
OoO
Professor McGonagall tapped her glass to grab the attention of the students. The Great Hall became quite once more, and he too became more attentive to the festivities. He saw Dumbledore stand up.
"Another year, gone. And now, as I understand it, the House cup needs to be awarded. The points stand thus: in fourth place Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points," the students clapped, and Dumbledore waved them to be silent and continued.
"Third place, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two points. In second place Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty-six points, and in first place Slytherin with four hundred and seventy two points."
Immediately the house cheered, happy that they had won, even Snape had joined them. Ed chuckled. 'I don't think I've ever seen him clapping that much, but then again he did just win the House Cup.'
"Yes, Yes well done. Well done Slytherin. However-,"Suddenly the house wasn't cheering as much. "Recent events must be taken into account, and I have a few last minute points to award."
Ed raised his eyebrow and thought 'Well, this is new'. He sat up his chair a bit more to listen. 'I wonder who the points are going to-ah I think I know.'
"To Miss Hermione Granger, for her cool use of intellect when others were in grave peril, fifty points."
'That's what I had thought.' He grimaced, 'Most likely, he'll let Gryffindor win.'
"Secondly, To Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has ever seen, fifty points."
"Third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, sixty points." The house cheering mad as it realized it was tied with Slytherin.
"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up against your enemies, though a great deal more to stand up to your friends. Therefore I award 10 points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
He sighed shook his head amused. 'I knew it'.
At the end of the feast he was held back by the Headmaster, curious as to what he had to say to him he asked. "Dumbledore? What is it?"
"We need to have a chat about the Philosopher's stone, Edward."
"Ah-Agreed." He nodded to him, after the feast they did just that.
OoO
After the feast, he found himself standing with the Headmaster in the man's office mulling over what was to be discussed.
"What will you do with the stone?" Dumbledore asked him in his office, as the man saw he was eyeing it.
As he looked at the stone, he pondered to himself 'What to do with it, indeed?' "The Philosophers stone is perhaps the most dangerous and bloodiest of all stones." He picked up the stone and looked at the Headmaster. "I will take care of it, to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
"Fine by me," Dumbledore waved his hand. "It is your choice, after all."
OoO
He was in his office later that day when he wondered how to keep the stone safe from its pursuers. He found himself looking at the stone once more, and frowned. 'Where to keep it?' he thought to himself. Then he had an idea. 'Ah-I know, the best way to keep it safe is to combined with my own.' He grinned, 'It's just like that saying: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer...or something of the sort.' He gripped the stone in his hand and then concentrated as he let red alchemic energy expand throughout his office. Then he allowed his alchemy to fuse the two philosopher's stones together. When the alchemic reaction finished he smiled. He felt stronger. He felt he could live on forever. Yes, he knew he had a heart that could beat forever, one that could withstand anything, despite everything. But he definitely needed to find out his past, even if he had an everlasting heart. He walked toward the window. 'Well…. until next year then ' He mused to himself idly while staring at the blood red sunset.
Author notes: Reviews will be appreciated.
Edited by Kanathia
TBC
