I do not own Harry Potter or anything related.
Sadly though Hermione was wrong. Harry soon realised that it was either Eago or Loki who gave Hagrid the dragon egg, and later questioned him if the stranger who gave him the egg was interested in Fluffy. Hagrid said he was, but rationalised that anyone would be interested in a gigantic three-headed dog, and also mentioned that after a few drinks, to keep him under control, all you needed was to play him some music. It was then Harry and his friends realised that Loki now knew how to get past Fluffy. They tried to find Dumbledore, but had no idea where his office was. They later ran into Professor McGonagall, who told them that Dumbledore had left the castle. They tried to tell McGonagall that someone was after the Philosopher's Stone, without saying who it was. Although McGonagall was shocked that they knew about the Philosopher's Stone, she did not take their concerns seriously, and told them to enjoy the sun. Now understanding that they were on their own, Harry decided to take it upon himself to stop Loki from acquiring the stone and reviving Eago. What he was not counting on, however, was that his friends would want to join him, and he could not dissuade them.
Later that night, the foursome set off to the room that Fluffy guarded (Along the way, Hermione petrified Neville, who tried to stop them). Harry took out his dad's map, deciding that it should be useful in determining where everyone is, and more importantly, how far Loki and Eago are to the stone. He unfolded it.
"Where about is Loki now?" Ron asked.
Harry scanned the map for Loki's dot.
"He's still in his room next to the Potions classroom! We can still get there before he does!"
As they started to run, a horrible thought now occurred to Harry. Where was the stone being kept? Harry knew that it was in the west wing of the castle, but whereabouts? His look of horror was clearly visible, for Darren said, "Look for Fluffy."
Of course! Harry scanned the map of the West Wing for Fluffy, and there he was! According to the map, there was a room beneath where Fluffy was being kept, and five successive rooms linking it.
"The Philosopher's Stone has to be in the furthest room!" Harry pointed to his friends, "That makes the most sense! Let's go!"
As they journeyed to the West Wing, hidden by the invisibility cloak, Harry kept glancing at Loki's spot, which remained fixed in his room. He also looked out for any passers by, and they managed to avoid things like Filch and Mrs Norris and Peeves the poltergeist. Loki remaining in his room made Harry glad, thinking that they can probably get to the stone before he does, and avoid trying to fight a full-grown wizard. As they got closer to the West Wing, Loki's fixed position was now starting to confuse Harry, the feeling getting stronger and stronger as they got closer towards their goal. By the time they had reached the wing, and Loki still hadn't moved, this was now starting to worry Harry.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Harry whispered, "I was sure that tonight would be the right opportunity to take the stone!"
"Maybe he decided to chicken out," Ron suggested.
"Or maybe we were wrong about Professor Loki altogether," suggested Hermione. It was odd to hear her call him by his title after merely referring to him as 'Loki' all year, "I mean did we really have any core evidence that he tried to kill Harry because of the stone?"
"Well he did try to kill Harry, you can't deny that," Ron told her.
Harry unfolded the map again to pinpoint Fluffy's location.
"Well okay, you may have a point. But maybe he wasn't trying to kill him because of the stone at-Harry, what's wrong?"
Hermione noticed that Harry had gone pale, as did his other friends. When he had taken a look at the chambers again that protected the stone, it felt like his heart had leapt in his rib cage and stayed at the top, beating furiously. He was so fixed on Loki's location, and any nearby obstacles, that he never thought of taking a look at the chambers to see if anyone was in there. There, in clear black ink, was a name:
Cain Eago.
He had accepted that Eago was back, but still, to see his name and dot there, to see the undeniable fact…
He was still around. He really was still around! The wizard who had tried to kill him, who had almost killed his parents and scarred his mother as well as himself! The wizard that everyone feared, and who had killed so many people, was still here! Even worse, he had already reached the fourth room to the stone! But that wasn't the most shocking thing Harry saw. It was the name next to Eago's.
Quirinus Quirrell.
"Quirrell?" Ron exclaimed, "It's Quirrell who's working for Eago? That doesn't make any sense!"
"Oh God!"
Everyone turned to look at Darren. He clearly realised something that the others hadn't.
"That wasn't a curse Loki was casting! It was a counter-curse!"
"What?"
"He wasn't trying to kill Harry! He was trying to save him! He must have realised that it was Quirrell who was casting it, so he was trying to counter it!"
"But Loki hates Harry!"
"Hating him doesn't give him a reason for wanting him dead," Darren answered, paraphrasing what Hagrid had told them after the match. Harry felt shocked. Loki was trying to save him? It was unbelievable!
"So-you-mean-?" Hermione stuttered, "That when we-when I-caught his robe on fire, we stopped him from saving Harry?"
"Good thing we knocked Quirrell over when we were rushing over to Loki," Ron remarked, "That's what must have broken the curse!"
No one looked more distressed than Hermione, who was probably guilt ridden that she had attacked an innocent teacher.
"We suspected the wrong teacher," Harry muttered, "All this time, we thought Loki was after the stone, when it was Quirrell all along!"
"Well, Loki does seem like the type," Darren pointed out, "Next to him, who would have suspected Quirrell?"
It still didn't feel right, Harry thought. Humble, mild-mannered, stuttering Professor Quirrell in league with Eago? He tried to make sense of it.
"Maybe Eago's forcing him to work for him?" Harry suggested.
"Yeah, I can imagine Quirrell being forced into something he doesn't want to do!" Ron backed up. When Harry glanced at the map again, he saw something else that surprised him.
"What is it, Harry?"
Harry whipped out his wand and pointed it to the thin air behind him.
"Harry, what did you see?" Hermione asked.
"All right, I know you're there! Come on out!"
Adam and Michael shimmered before them.
"What are you two doing here?" Ron demanded.
Hermione had gasped.
"You two can perform disillusionment charms! That's really, really advanced magic!"
Everyone looked at her.
"What, it is!"
"What are you two doing here?" Harry demanded.
"The same reason you are," Adam answered, "We're here to save the world!"
"No you're not, you're here to take the Philosopher's Stone for yourself!" Darren accused.
"Can't we do both?" Michael pointed out.
"How do you guys even know about the Philosopher's Stone?" Ron asked.
"Well I did happen to be there listening to Firenze and Harry's conversation," Adam told him.
"But I didn't mention the Philosopher's Stone!" Harry told him.
"Oh yes, I'm sure that there are plenty of artefacts in the world that begin with 'Philosopher's'!"
"Well anyway, we share the same goals, can't we tag along?"
"Fine!" Harry said, looking at the map, "We don't have time to argue, Eago's almost at the stone!"
Adam and Michael joined them under the cloak, much to the others' protests, but Harry didn't have time to argue. When they had reached the door, they went in. Harry was shocked to see how big the three-headed dog was. It was almost unreal. Harry kept the animal at bay with the flute Hagrid gave him for Christmas. With Fluffy asleep, the sextet was able to get past the trapdoor. Unfortunately Harry and Ron got stuck in what turned out to be a plant named Devil's Snare. Hermione was just in the middle of trying to think how to kill it when Darren snapped out his wand and cried 'Incendio!' at the plant. A stream of fire shot from his wand at the Devil's Snare, which writhed away from the flames and freed Harry and Ron.
"I remembered that Devil's Snare is sensitive to light and warmth," Darren explained modestly, "So I thought that it wouldn't like fire."
"Good thing Darren pays attention in class!" Harry remarked.
"Good thing he's able to keep his head in tight situations as well!" Ron added.
Hermione looked offended.
Harry looked at the map. Eago and Quirrell had barely moved from where they were. They could still catch up with them!
The next chamber contained a swarm of flying keys. The door at the other end would not open; not even 'Alohomora' could do it! The sextet guessed that only one of the flying keys could open it. After getting the right key, Harry was about to open the door to the chamber that Eago and Quirrell were in.
"Wait!" Hermione shouted.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"If Eago and Quirrell are in that next room, then what are we going to do? What can six First Year students do against a teacher and one of the most powerful dark wizards for over a hundred years?"
"Hermione, you wanted to come!" Harry snapped angrily at her, "Even after I tried to convince you not to!"
"I know," She said desperately, "But now that we're so close to them, it's got me thinking! What are we supposed to do? Besides, I never really believed that Eago was back; I thought that'd it just be Loki!"
"Well you've overlooked Hermione," Adam was telling her, "That there are three outstanding wizards among us!"
Ron chuckled.
"Well it's nice that you think Harry, Darren and Hermione are outstanding wizards-"
"I was talking about myself, Michael and Darren you idiot!" Adam snarled.
"I'm flattered that you think of me as an outstanding student, Adam," Darren grinned.
"Hey, just because I'm not fond of you, doesn't mean that I underestimate your ability-"
Harry turned back to the map. Eago and Quirrell were now leaving the chamber. He quickly put the key in the hole and turned it.
"Harry, no!" Hermione shouted, "Don't go in there!"
Harry pushed the door open, just when the door at the other end closed.
"NO!" He shouted.
They were so close to stopping Eago. He turned his attention back to the map. The next chamber contained a dot labelled 'Troll'. The Troll advanced towards Eago and Quirrell. Then it disappeared. What happened? Harry thought. Perhaps he had teleported it out of the castle?
Harry saw before them a giant chessboard. It was clear that they had to win a game of Chess. Harry now understood why it took Eago and Quirrell so long to get through this chamber, and why they barely moved. Likelihood that either one of them was playing a king. With Ron's expertise at the game, they were able to win (Although Ron was knocked unconscious by a Queen after sacrificing himself in order for them to win). Adam and Michael had been forced to play as pawns, with neither of them too pleased with their position. They both got sacrificed pretty early in the game. While they played, Harry turned his attention towards the map. Eago and Quirrell had left the chamber that had contained the troll, and were stationary in the next one. Harry noticed something peculiar. Eago and Quirrell appeared to have the same dot. Harry didn't understand that at all. Halfway through the game, they had left the chamber and entered the final one where the stone must be held. Harry's heart dropped. Had they failed? Was it all for nothing? Towards the end of the game, Eago and Quirrell were still stationary. If they had got the stone, they would have left it by now. Now a trio, they opened the next door, and had to cover their noses with their robes because of the smell. Looking inside, Harry almost vomited.
If trolls smelt bad when living, then they smelt even worse when dead.
And especially bad when fried.
The troll that had guarded the chamber, now lying on the floor, had been reduced to a blackened corpse, lying in a puddle of green ooze. Hermione was in tears.
"Which of them could have done this?" She asked.
"It was probably Cain," Darren answered, "This looks like his work."
After leaving this chamber, they arrived at one with a row of potions lying on a table with a riddle underneath, where you had to get the right one in order to proceed. Thanks to Hermione's sense of logic, she was able to deduct which one allowed someone to enter the next chamber, and which one enabled one to go back. Then they found the problem: One of them had to remain in the chamber, and there was not enough in either of the bottles for two of them.
"I'll stay behind," Darren decided.
"Darren, no-!" Harry began.
"I'll be fine," Darren insisted, "If one of you go back and send Dumbledore an owl, then I shouldn't be in here too long. Besides it's not like this place is dangerous anyway!"
"Darren-" Harry began again.
"Don't argue!"
He took the bottle that allowed someone to go to the next chamber and shoved it in Harry's hands.
"You go on to the next chamber, I know that it's meant to be you who goes in there!"
He now took the other bottle and forced it in Hermione's hands.
"And you're the most worried about Ron, so go back there and wake him up! Check on my brothers as well! The sooner you send a letter, the sooner I won't have to stay here! Now go!"
Without warning, Hermione jumped on both of them, hugging them.
"You're great wizards!" She cried, "Both of you!"
After getting her off of themselves and helping her to get a grip, Hermione drank her potion in one gulp and ran back through the entrance they came in. Harry and Darren faced each other. Darren gave him the thumbs up.
"Good luck."
Harry smiled.
"Thanks."
Harry walked towards the other exit. He was not afraid of the fire, but of the person beyond it. He took another glimpse of the map. Eago and Quirrell hadn't moved. He had never been more terrified in his life. He gulped the potion. Stuffing the map and cloak in his robe pockets and taking out his wand, Harry ran through the fire, having no idea what he would be facing on the other side.
He was not expecting Quirrell to be facing him as he ran into the next chamber. This unnerved him. Quirrell smiled.
"Hello Harry. We've been expecting you."
He was no longer the kindly, humble nervous teacher that Harry had known all year. This Quirrell seemed to be far more confident and evil. Quirrell frowned.
"You do not seem surprised to learn that it was I who was after the stone."
Quirrell chuckled.
"Surely you could have not seen through my acting!"
Harry could not believe it. He had convinced himself that Eago was forcing him to get the stone, and could imagine a sobbing and reluctant Quirrell. This Quirrell however did not seem concerned at all that he was helping an infamous dark wizard. As Harry tried to shout a spell at Quirrell, he realised that he didn't know any offensive spells. Quirrell never taught them. He thought of the only spell that could be useful in this situation.
"Wingardiem-"
Quirrell raised his hand, and Harry's wand shot out of it and into his.
"We'll have none of that, thank you."
Eago was nowhere to be seen. Harry took out the map. It didn't make any sense! According to it, Eago was right next to Quirrell, yet he was nowhere to be seen. Was he perhaps invisible?
"I'll take that," Quirrell stated as he raised his other hand and the map flew into it. He examined it.
"Oh, so this is why you were not surprised! A map of the entire school…! How did you get your hands on this? Well, it does not matter. I knew that you would try to stop me from getting the stone, and now Eago gets to kill two birds with one stone!"
He snapped his fingers, and ropes from out of nowhere tied themselves around Harry. Harry resorted to his one last hope that Quirrell was being forced into this.
"Quirrell, you don't have to do this!" He shouted, "Stand up to Eago! Don't let him have-"
He was interrupted by Quirrell's burst of laughter.
"You think that I-that I am being coerced into getting Eago the Philosopher's Stone?" He managed to say through his fits of laughter, "You think that I don't want him to be restored? That I am being forced against my own free will?"
He got a hold of himself.
"Of course you would think that. You have been led to believe that Eago is some kind of 'dark wizard', a cruel, uncaring tyrant, concerned with only gaining power by whatever means necessary, who considers his enslaved servants to be nothing more than pawns! Eago is nothing of the sort! All those who served Eago served him willingly! He saw the evil of the ministry and sought to overthrow them, and in retaliation they have made him out to be some kind of dark lord! And who would argue? Anyone who would would be considered to be a supporter, and a traitor to the wizarding world, and be locked up in Azkaban!"
Quirrell laughed again.
"It seems so long ago that I would have agreed with the Ministry!"
And so he began to tell Harry how he joined Eago.
