Chapter 10: Third Floor Forbidden Corridor Revisited

'Well, now we have to deal with the other complication…' said Dumbledore with a serious look on his face, his eyes flickering towards the Marauders' Map on the table.

'I don't want to cause any alarm…' added on Dumbledore, 'I think we have to settle this as quietly as possible'

'Dumbledore, I am going together with you to help you out' announced Remus, standing up from his seat.

'Your help will be greatly appreciated Remus' said Dumbledore.

'I am coming along too Professor.' said Harry.

'Harry, it is dangerous…' began Dumbledore.

Harry noticed that both he and Remus were giving him strange looks. Harry realized that no normal 11 year olds in their right state of mind will go hurling themselves in to this kind of precarious situation. However, Harry wanted to be there to help, to do something…

'I know Professor….but I will like to….' interrupted Harry, 'I…'

'No' said Remus firmly, putting a hand on Harry's shoulders 'It's too dangerous Harry, I will not allow it'

Harry knew that he had no way to convince them. Moreover, there might not be much that I can do if I go together with them… Dumbledore will be able to handle it, Harry thought, reassuring himself.

'Remus, I think we have to go!' Dumbledore urged, 'I just took a look at the map and, Quirrell is now on the third floor forbidden corridor!'

Harry was shocked. He had not been expecting this to happen so soon. It was just the second week at school!

'Why…?' asked Remus, confused, not knowing the implication of Voldemort being in the third floor forbidden corridor.

'I will explain on our way there…' said Dumbledore.

"Harry, please help to explain the situation to Professor Mcgonagall and asked her to come along to the third forbidden corridor immediately' said Dumbledore, turning to Harry.

'Yes, Sir' said Harry giving an affirmative nod.

With that Dumbledore and Remus left the office. Harry made a move to follow after them, when something familiar, hanging on the wall caught his eyes. It was James' invisibility cloak! Harry quickly took the cloak off from its handle, folded it and stuffed it into his jeans' pocket. With the cloak he could follow Remus and Dumbledore to the third floor corridor without them noticing. Therefore, he will not appear suspicious as an 11 year old who deliberately put himself in a precarious situation. But first, he had to inform Professor Mcgonagall about the situation. After a few minutes, Harry soon reached Professor Mcgonagall's office. He knocked softly on the door.

'Come in…' Professor Mcgonagall called out.

Harry entered.

Harry was not surprised to see that her office was tidy and organized and was filled with shelves of leather bound books.

'Mr Potter?' said Professor Mcgonagall, apparently surprised to see Harry.

'Yes Professor… I have a message from Professor Dumbledore' replied Harry.

Harry took a minute to explain the situation to Mcgonagall. Harry noticed that Mcgonagall's face turned pale at his mention of Voldemort possessing Quirrell. Harry did not think that it was possible, but her face turned even paler at the mention of Voldemort being at the third floor forbidden corridor. Of course, Harry to feign ignorant of the implication of Voldemort being at the third floor forbidden corridor.

'I am going off to join Professor Dumbledore now' Professor Mcgonagall, standing up immediately after Harry had relayed to her the news, 'Mr Potter please go off to your bed and don't say a word about this to the other students, understand?'

Harry nodded obediently and followed Professor Mcgonagall out of her office. Once Professor Mcgonagall turned around the corner, Harry took out the cloak from his pocket and draped it over himself. With that, he followed Professor Mcgonagall to the third floor forbidden corridor.

As expected, Harry could hear a soft music playing the moment Professor Mcgonagall opened the door. Harry slipped through the door just as Mcgonagall was about to close it. He trailed McGonagall footsteps to the trapdoor. Hitching up her skirt, Mcgonagall jumped down the trapdoor. Harry hurled himself in to the darkness after her, falling into the mass of Devil Snarls below. Just as Harry fell on to the mass of Devil Snarls, Harry saw a flash of fire emitting from Professor Mcgonagall's wand, directing at the mass of Devil Snarls. Before Harry knew it, he was falling through the mass of Devil Snarls.

'Slienco' thought Harry, pointing the wand between the point of contact of floor and himself.

The non-verbal silencing spell worked as Harry silencing fell onto the ground. Quickly but softly, Harry picked himself up and followed Professor Mcgonagall through a door at the end of the passageway. Just as Harry remembered it was full of flying keys. How is Professor Mcgonagall going to get the key? Harry wondered. Then Harry heard Professor Mcgonagall uttering a spell and a key zoomed into her hand right before her very eyes.

'Oh!' thought Harry, 'What didn't Hermione thought of using a summoning charm in the first place? ', 'Maybe you need to know the exact words to say to summon the key if not… maybe one would have been stabbed by the numerous keys flying around the room…'

As Harry roused himself from his train of thoughts, he saw Professor Mcgonagall already opening up the door on the other side of the room. Harry quickly slipped through the door behind her.

'Wow' exclaimed Harry silently as he saw the gigantic chessboard, 'I have forgotten how big the chess set is…'

Is Professor Mcgonagall going to play the chess? Harry wondered yet again.

Professor Mcgonagall answered his silent question by transfiguring the chessboard back to its original size and proceeded to the door at the other side of the chessboard. Harry yet again slipped through the door behind her. Harry caught a glimpse of the chessboard regaining its gigantic size as the door closes with a soft thud. Even now, Harry could not fail to be amazed by the gigantic chessboard. 'I bet it was Professor Dumbledore's idea….' Harry thought, 'I always heard the rumors that he likes to play chess…'

Professor Mcgonagall had now positioned herself in front of the table and was drinking from one of the potions vials on the table in front of her. Then, Professor Mcgonagall walked through the wall of flames separating the room and the other room containing the Mirror of Erise.

As Harry had guessed, the empty potion vial refilled itself. Harry had worked out that since both Dumbledore and Remus have managed to get through the flames the bottle must have refilled itself. Dumbledore could have just disabled all the traps so far… but he must have let them remained as a precaution to guard the stone after they had deal with Voldemort… There might be others who wanted to get their hands on the stone too, reasoned Harry. Clearing his thoughts, Harry took the vial and tipped all its content into his mouth with one swift bend of his wrist. Feeling an icy sensation all over his body, he stepped through the wall of flames to what was awaiting on the other side….

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