Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Star Wars.
Chapter XI: Face-Offs
+- Hogwarts */
So, it's official. Things have taken a worse turn.
While he knew that Quirrell was still at large, Harry knew that he couldn't do anything in his tired state. As such, he resolved to continue his hunt for the Defense professor come morning.
That was where it went downhill. When he went to sleep, he could still sense him. But when he woke up, that presence vanished. When that registered in his mind, he spread out his senses to encompass the castle grounds as best as he could without alerting any of the other professors of another magical presence scouring the grounds but he couldn't sense either Voldemort or Quirrell. That worried and confused him. At first, he thought that Quirrell left Hogwarts, but then he thought otherwise.
It isn't inconceivable that there exist rituals that can hide one's presence and aura from others. It shouldn't be surprising that Voldemort would know such a ritual. Dumbledore has also taken note of the loss of the dark presence in the castle. Even with the distance between the Headmaster's office and the Gryffindor's Common Room, Harry felt Dumbledore's similar alertness at Voldemort's move. So that must mean that he would be more alert at any attempt to the artifact that lay within the third floor corridor. That was both good and bad. It was good because it would hopefully delay Voldemort's plans for a bit longer. It was bad because no one would know what the Dark Lord would do. Harry cursed to himself as he prepared for the day. Thanks to his decision to openly challenge a Voldemort-infested Quirrell in the Forbidden Forest, he just rendered the Dark Lord even more dangerous by being undetectable.
How wonderful.
+- Headmaster's Office – At the Same Time */
"You called for me, Albus/Headmaster," McGonagall and Snape simultaneously asked, making them both glare at each other briefly.
"Yes," Dumbledore solemnly spoke. "You sensed it, didn't you, Minerva, Severus? Quirrell has vanished."
The Gryffindor Head of House sniffed. "I did. I was in the middle of grading my students' recent homework when I sensed Quirrell suddenly disappeared from my senses."
"I was aware of it as well, even from the dungeon," he smoothly replied. "What has happened?"
"I am unsure. It must have something to do with that unusual outburst of magic in the Forbidden Forest last night."
"I told you that sending Potter and his lackeys, along with Draco, was a bad idea," Snape sneered. "Whatever happened in that stupid forest, you can be sure that Potter is in the middle of it. I bet that he was responsible for whatever happened to Quirrell."
McGonagall scolded him. "We can't just make assumptions, Severus. The Forest is large. Who knows what really went on within?"
"I told you. Potter and his lackeys would know. With his father in him, it wouldn't take much to imagine that he dove headfirst into trouble when it appeared."
"Now, now, Severus, don't contradict your own words." Dumbledore chided with a mysterious smile. "After all, didn't you, with that same mouth, utter that Harry has his mother's skill in Potions?"
"And that is all he has," Snape snapped back. "Don't expect me to be all nice to the boy because of that!"
"Regardless, I shall call the involved parties later. Call up Mr. Malfoy into my office after the morning feast, will you, Severus?"
"And what of the Stone," she asked. "We need to increase its security now that there is a security risk in the castle."
"Leave that to me and simply do what I asked of you two."
Snape sneered and McGonagall stiffly bowed as they both left the office.
+- Great Hall */
Breakfast was just as uneventful as always. Students and professors alike would sit at their respective tables and the meal would start after Dumbledore gives his usual morning speeches.
While the Headmaster was giving his speech, however, Harry surveyed every single table. Nothing seemed amiss with the student tables. Even their surface thoughts seemed normal. It was the teacher's table that Harry was more focused on. Of course, Quirrel was absent from it. But his eyes were on Dumbledore. He was as calm as ever, not a single sign of worry in his eyes. If he was right, McGonagall and Snape were supposed to be his innermost circle, the ones Dumbledore trusted more than others. They too were calm and didn't exude anxiety. All the same, their thoughts were just as undisturbed.
"In other news," Dumbledore added to his announcement, "our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell, has taken a…leave of absence due to extreme paranoia. It seems that his trip to Albania and his vanquishing of terrifying monsters that dwell there hasn't quite left him unscarred. Alas, he is, as we all are, human and we humans are not immune to dreams forged from memories. It just so happened that his was far too much for him to ignore any longer and is currently being tended to by Madam Pomfrey in a quiet place to avoid any possible conflict." Murmurs broke out in the Hall but Dumbledore continued, "Since this is the last week of classes before examinations, I feel that nothing would go amiss with cancelling the remaining Defense against the Dark Arts classes for the week." He raised his hands to placate the murmurs amongst the students. "However, please be responsible enough to study for the upcoming examinations."
Harry raised a brow as Dumbledore sat down and started the feast. So it seemed that Madam Pomfrey was in on the plan. She would be the cover for Quirrell's absence and would quell any nosy students that would try to visit Quirrell.
After breakfast, the students returned to their Common Rooms in preparation for their class. As usual, the students were abuzz with chatter as they returned. Harry's attention was on Hermione as she bemoaned the cancellation of a class.
"Oh," she moaned, "I can't believe Defense against the Dark Arts was cancelled. I was looking forward to the end lessons."
"Hermione," Harry replied with an amused smile, "it's the last week. Cool down a bit."
"I can't!" She shook her head at him as they passed by the Fat Lady. "My notes are incomplete and I needed Professor Quirrell to fill them up."
"You do know that you can research on your own, don't you? There are other sources than Professor Quirrell. Besides, isn't research a part of studying?"
As she and Harry stopped between the male and female dorm doors, Hermione let out a disappointed sigh. "I…I suppose you have a point. There goes the need for consistency then. I had hoped to have my notes be on the professor's point of view. I guess we can't have what we all want. At least, the inconsistency wasn't large."
Harry gave a wide smile and patted her on the shoulder. Hermione flushed a bit at the action as he said, "That's the spirit, Hermione. Don't worry! Now, come on! We should prepare for our other classes."
+- Slytherin Common Room */
"Sir," Malfoy spoke with pompous purpose as Snape entered the area, "was what the Headmaster said true? Did that sputtering professor really have bad dreams?" He spoke the last two words with thinly-veiled mockery, bringing some of his friends to laughter.
"Now, now, Draco," Snape replied with a twisted smile. "Let's not make fun of our estranged colleague. After all, it can't be helped that those spoiled garlics in his turban degraded his sanity." His lips curled in a smirk as the entire Common Room erupted in sounds of amusement. Even Daphne let out a small snort at that. "Regardless, just because Quirrell is indisposed, it doesn't mean that you all should laze around the grounds during his class time. I expect you all to be studying. You are all dismissed, except for Draco." The aforementioned Malfoy looked surprised as the rest of his Housemates dispersed, leaving him and his Head of House alone in the common room.
"Yes, Professor," Malfoy respectfully asked.
"Before you head onto your class, report to the headmaster's office. He requires your statement as to what happened in the Forbidden Forest."
"What? Why?"
"I'm sure the gamekeeper told you of the situation. The headmaster wants to know if you had seen anything."
"I didn't see anything! I swear!"
"Whether you swear or not doesn't matter. The headmaster still requires your experience."
"Tch," Malfoy spat, "I don't know what the old man wants. I didn't see anything. Fine, I'll go see him." His grumbling continued until he left for his dorm.
Snape retained his scowl watching one of his snakes leave. It's obvious that he was lying. He answered too quickly to be believable and his eyes didn't look at his when he said that. Regardless, as long as Draco was a student in Hogwarts, he has to abide by its rules.
+- Female dormitory */
"I never get tired of Professor Snape's dry humor." Tracey said to her friend as they prepared their things. "It has that zing that works well with other people's misfortune."
"I know, right," Pansy joined in as she hefted her bag over her shoulder. "His making fun of others would never be matched."
Daphne gave a frown as they started their march towards their Common Room door. "Still, it's suspicious that Quirrell would be so bedridden as to require special attention by Madam Pomfrey."
Millicent scoffed. "He was a coward, a stuttering mess, Daphne. That guy gave a shriek when a Raven first-year walked up to him from behind and prodded his shoulder. Turns out, she only wanted to ask a question. Hmph, if you ask me, it should be more shocking that he lasted this long in Hogwarts."
Lily Moon, a Slytherin girl with unnaturally white hair, brown skin, green eyes, and an odd yellow jewel on her forehead, said, "Hmm, you do have a point. However, with that premise, why did it take him this long to break, at the last week of classes?"
Pansy gave a shrug as they left the confines of the Common Room and started their ascent to the main floor. "Who knows? Besides, it's not like we can just go up to him and ask. For all we know, that guy would probably think that we are vampires and scream for mommy!"
Scrunching her nose in distaste at her rash statement, Daphne said to finish, "Whatever. Let's just get this and next week over with."
+- Library */
Weekend soon hit the castle and Neville, Hermione, and Harry were studying intently in the silence of the room of books.
While the former two were more focused on the books, Harry was busy thinking about Voldemort's next move. He would undoubtedly target the Philosopher's Stone. But the question is when. Logically, Quirrell would go after the Stone during the exams because every student and professor would be busy with them. But, it wouldn't do well to just make assumptions without proof.
"…you listening to me, Harry," Hermione's questioning voice snapped Harry out of his reverie.
"I'm sorry. What was that?"
The brunette huffed as she spoke again, "I asked you what subject you would prioritize. I was thinking Charms or Transfiguration because they require you to understand the basic theories that make up the spell before applying that theory."
"Well," Neville suggested, "I would prefer to go with Herbology. Always start with the ones you can understand. That's my motto."
Harry gave a nod of understanding and gave his two cents. "Personally, I agree with you, Hermione. I would start with the subjects that place emphasis on theory which would be the major component in application, like Defense against the Dark Arts. In addition, I also prefer the subtler subjects, ones that would seem minor at first but yield major results when applied correctly, like Potions or Astronomy."
"Ooh, do my ears deceive me," Tracey Davis asked upon approaching their table from a bookshelf. "A Gryffindor actually likes Professor Snape's lessons? I thought only someone like Granger would be so bold."
"His cold personality emphasizes the seriousness of his lessons and the heartlessness of a wrong potion. One would have to have an open mind to grasp that meaning. This brings to mind a particular quotation. 'Though this be madness,'" he trailed off, hoping to have someone finish.
Hermione completed his statement, "'Yet there is method in't,' by-"
"William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2," Daphne suddenly added, surprising them all. She raised a brow at them and said, "What? My mother is a lover of poetry and she was open-minded enough to delve into Muggle poetry. She would show us her collection as part of her literacy curriculum."
"Whoa," Tracey exclaimed in awe, "I knew you were well homeschooled as a child like the rest of us pureblood children but, damn, I never expected you to actually take interest in poetry. Heck, I never thought you to be the Muggle poetry type."
Daphne scoffed. "I am not some robot, Tracey. I am just as human as you are."
"Regardless," Harry interjected, "would any of you like to join us? We are having a study session. For now, we are self-studying. Later on, we will move onto cooperative study."
Despite her coldness, Daphne smirked. "It would be a good idea. Tracey would really need it."
"Hey," she indignantly exclaimed, "what's that supposed to mean?"
"Uh," Neville managed to utter. "Wouldn't your other Housemates notice you hanging out with us?"
Daphne said coldly, "We are not hanging out, Longbottom. This is a group-study session. Its current occupants are a matter of coincidence. You just happened to be in the library and you were the ones we saw first so we invited each other into it."
"Oh," he blushed, "um…okay."
Harry chuckled as Daphne and Tracey took their seats with the group. "Anyway, we welcome you into our study group."
Behind another bookcase, no one noticed a figure with bright red eyes watching the group with a malevolent grin on his face.
+-*/
The exam days flew by so fast and the entire student body couldn't be any happier with each passing exams. Harry, for his part, seemed amused by his Housemates grumbles after every exam. He particularly didn't find the exams too difficult.
He couldn't help admiring Snape's ingenuity in making the class brew a Forgetfulness Potion while he hovered over each student's cauldron. The psychological torture he was inflicting upon each of them was truly sadistic. Thankfully, he was trained to work outside of and under pressure. Thus, his flawless performance in Potions and Snape's consequent glare at him for it gave Harry some satisfaction.
On the other hand, Harry almost laughed out loud at Binns' supposed craftiness – note the sarcasm. He recognized a vast majority of the questions as copied directly from the book. Binns simply removed the important parts of each question and posed them as questions. At least, Binns' had the decency to assign an essay portion at the very end about Self-Stirring Cauldrons (But Harry guessed that Binns wouldn't even read a single word).
He gave a sigh of relief upon lounging by the Common Room couch, where Seamus, Dean, and Ron were chatting nearby.
"That was tough," Seamus exclaimed. "I can't believe I actually managed to remember the important bits about those stupid cauldrons!"
"At least you managed to remember," Ron complained, "I forgot every single thing and had to make stuff up!"
"Only someone like Hermione, who actually paid attention to Binns' lectures, would have a snowball's chance in hell in passing Binns' exam."
Harry felt a jolt go up his spine. He was distracted by listening to the trio at the side and relaxing that he had forgotten that Hermione wasn't present. After their exam, she was with him as they walked back to their Common Room. Halfway to the Fat Lady, however, she said that she had forgotten something and went back to get it. She also told him not to wait for her and just return to the Common Room, saying that she'll be back soon. He felt nothing amiss and did as told.
She should have been back by now, Harry thought to himself. He closed his eyes and expanded his senses. His eyes then snapped open. I can't sense her at all! Her presence is not on the school! His eyes narrowed as he immediately gave a conclusion: Quirrell.
That Dark-Lord-infested-professor took advantage of his lack of presence and kidnapped Hermione. He must have taken her on the way back from getting whatever she had forgotten and used the same ritual that erased his presence.
He reluctantly praised Voldemort's foresight and cursed himself for his lack thereof. Harry had grown complacent due to the lack of activity over the past days since Quirrell's absence and focused more on the examinations. In addition, Dumbledore couldn't have detected Hermione's absence because he left Hogwarts earlier on. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume that Voldemort must have done something to draw him away temporarily.
His eyes roamed over the Common Room. None of them seemed worried about Hermione's absence. He frowned as he started thinking. There was only one logical place where Quirrell would have taken Hermione. He has taken Hermione to the third floor corridor and into the hiding place of the Philosopher's Stone. After all, that's Voldemort's ultimate target.
Time was of the essence but it wouldn't do well to just rush into things. Voldemort's intent was to probably have Harry retrieve the Philospher's Stone and trade it for Hermione. Most likely, Voldemort won't kill Hermione, despite her being a Muggleborn, for her usefulness in getting his attention. He may harm her but it was a more likeable outcome than death.
The most logical time to chase after Hermione and Quirrell would be at nighttime. All the students and most of the professors would be asleep and would not take note of his absence.
+- Later that night */
Harry's senses were active as he silently left the Fat Lady's door with his Force Stealth ability active beforehand. He warily walked through the stairs, keeping his eyes, ears, and senses open to anything. He reached the third floor and suddenly jumped behind a pillar upon feeling his senses flare up.
"My word," McGonagall's voice exclaimed in shock. "Who could have done this?"
"It should be fairly obvious who did this, Minerva," Snape's silky voice replied. "It's that buffoon, Quirrell. He must have snuck back into the school with advanced cloaking capabilities and blasted Dumbledore's barrier open."
"The timing is almost coincidental. Just when Albus is gone to visit the Minister, Quirrell returns and breaks into the corridor."
"If we were alarmed to Dumbledore's barrier breaking, he should also be alarmed as well."
"Albus is the only actual obstacle between him and the Stone. He probably removed the connection between the barrier and him. After all, compared to the headmaster, we are not all impressive."
"He is but a normal wizard, even with his special gifts. Regardless, would the threat of a man who eluded Dumbledore's senses stop you?"
"No. It wouldn't. Ms. Granger was reported missing by Mr. Longbottom during my curfew rounds."
"And Misses Greengrass and Davis were reported missing by her circle of friends during mine."
Those two statements caused Harry to freeze.
"Come then, Minerva," Snape called. "We should hurry. There's no telling what Quirrell is doing to them." Then, the sound of footsteps heading further into the corridor reached Harry's ears and, upon hearing the silence, he stepped out of the pillar and gave a frown.
Revan would totally scold him for his oversight. Not only did he not anticipate Quirrell's actions, he also wasn't clairvoyant enough to sense Daphne's and Tracey's absence as well. Granted, it was just earlier during the day that they must have been taken but Revan often taught him about the importance of planning beforehand and on the fly.
He narrowed his eyes upon seeing what McGonagall and Snape were talking about. In front of an unhinged and broken door was a translucent dome that covered it. However, it was broken through, shattered like glass, with the remnants scattered across the floor. He bypassed the shattered barrier and the fallen door and went through the hallway that followed. Getting past another doorway, he came upon an unconscious three-headed dog with an open trapdoor in front of it and a destroyed harp thrown off to the side. He peered within the trapdoor and saw a spiralling staircase with flames as the cage that covered it.
He went down the stairs and saw that, at the very bottom, it ended in a bridge that connected to the door, which was also blasted open. Rushing past it, he delved deeper down the chamber and came across yet another broken door.
As he entered the next room, he saw a huge amount of broken keys with fairy wings scattered across the floor and a broomstick snapped in two. Further on, the door was wide open with the oldest and rustiest key of them all jammed into its keyhole. Sighing at Quirrell's destructiveness, he continued his way.
The next room was dark but as soon as he entered, flames erupted from the torches along the walls and illuminated the area. It revealed a completely destroyed, massive chess set. Rubble and debris littered the marble and checkered floor but Harry paid them no mind as he walked through the board towards the other door. Entering past the door, a foul smell forced its way up Harry's nose.
He almost gagged at that but he held it back. He sensed another life form up ahead and it was familiar. It felt like the troll he faced in the bathroom to save Hermione and, judging by the troll ahead, it was way larger and more brutish than the previous one. He approached the doorway and peered inside. The troll was sprawled in the middle of the large room, unconscious with its club at its side.
He didn't spare the fallen troll a glance and just pressed forward. The next room he entered was a plain room with a single table in the center that held seven potion bottles of varying sizes and potion colors. In front of the potions was a written parchment. Just as he entered, purple flames erupted from the doorway behind him while black flames burst from the doorway ahead. He looked at the flames behind him and furrowed his brows.
These are not ordinary flames. He raised his hand towards it and channeled the Force towards it. The flame only flickered slightly. They are highly resistant to supernatural abilities that are applied to it. He turned his attention to the table of potions. He walked to it and picked up the parchment.
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here for evermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onwards neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
His eyes roved over the parchment, his mind working its magic. All the while, he thanked Revan and Meetra for working on his logic skills.
He discerned the riddle and picked up the third bottle from the left. It was the smallest of them all and was blue in color. He removed the stopper and dipped the potion to his mouth. As he swallowed, he felt ice within him. He set down the empty vial and parchment back on the table and went around the table towards the black flames. Looking back, he saw the vial return to its original position and fill up again. He passed through the flames and traversed forward.
Stopping at another open door, he could feel the darkness within without even actively sensing it. He took a deep breath and entered it.
There he was: Quirrell. He was standing in front of what Harry remembered to be the Mirror of Erised. Unconscious around the room were Hermione, Daphne, and Tracey. Hermione was by one of the room's pillars, her back against its surface; by the base of the stairs was Tracey, who was between the two furious professors; and right beside Quirrell himself was Daphne.
"Quirrell," Snape spat, "turn around and face us like a man."
The turban-wearing professor remained silent.
McGonagall added, "We have caught you red-handed, Quirrell. It is no use fighting the inevitable. Just surrender."
Silently, Harry walked down the stairs and stopped a few steps behind them. That was when Quirrell turned around. Harry's eyes widened while the two professors gasped in shock.
Quirrell's eyes were no longer pale blue; they were now red. His pale skin was even paler in the chamber's fire sconces. Finally, on his face was a smirk uncharacteristic of the stuttering professor. All in all, it made him look malevolent.
"Welcome." Quirrell spoke in a whisper but its evil sent a shiver up their spines. "I hoped it would take a while for you to notice these three's absence. I never expected Dumbledore's alarm wards to actually hide yours, such that I never sensed it until I shattered that stupid barrier." He shook his head. "It's a shame. I considered sending a hostage letter, detailing what I have done and what I will do if I didn't have what I need. We must respect the classic hostage clichés, after all."
"Spare me your words, Quirrell." Snape snapped. "Come quietly and Dumbledore might show you lenience."
"Show me lenience," He mocked with a laugh. "What makes you think that I would still be here when he comes back?"
"We are here to stop you from getting the Stone and to make sure you stay here to face your punishment," said McGonagall.
"I wonder," he tilted his head in amusement, "would that desire change if I taunt you about the deaths of James and Lily Potter?" Immediately, both adults tensed and glared hard him. "Two of Hogwarts' best students and I killed them. They tried to stop me from getting their child. They fought in vain. My power is vastly superior to theirs and they paid the price for their insolence."
Snape's teeth were gritted and McGonagall's mouth was set into the thinnest line it could go. Both their hands were white, gripping their wands tightly.
"Does it make you angry," Quirrell continued to taunt. "Does it fuel your fury? Does it ignite your rage? Will you last long enough for Dumbledore to return or will your patience run out by then?" His eyes gleamed in sadistic triumph. "These two seem to want to kill me badly. What about you, Harry Potter?"
Like cold water rushing their bodies, McGonagall and Snape froze and hastily turned around to face the narrow-eyed Gryffindor behind them.
"Potter," they both exclaimed.
"Professors," he casually greeted, "Fancy seeing you two here."
"You fool," Snape shouted. "This is no time for your father's childish need for heroics, Potter!"
"I agree with Severus, Potter. What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for the same reason as you two. I'm saving Hogwarts' students." He suddenly whipped out his wand and cast two fireballs in their direction, causing both to tense and raise their wands in defense. However, as they cast dome barriers around them to block the fireballs, they were surprised upon seeing ropes surround their shields. Turning around, they saw the ropes originate from Quirrell's wand. Quickly reacting, they cut the ropes just as the barrier dropped.
"You are quick, Harry," Quirrell praised. "I never expected you to have such reflexes."
"Quidditch," Harry replied with a shrug. He then narrowed his eyes. "You are no longer Quirrell, are you? He cannot replicate such evil. I also recognize those red eyes anywhere. What have you done with Quirrell, Voldemort?"
The hearts of McGonagall and Snape almost stopped at that. Quirrell, now identified as Voldemort, smirked widely.
"You really are interesting, Harry Potter. To have remembered the events of that night eleven years ago so clairvoyantly that you can even remember my aura, it is nothing short of marvelous." His high laugh sent another shiver up the three's spines. "Yes. I am no longer relying on Quirrell's incompetence to survive. I have cast him aside and taken over this temporary body." He scoffed. "The fool didn't even realize that, while he was making the Praesentia Remotio (Presence Absence), I had him add a secondary function to the ritual: the Anima Ejectio (Soul Ejection). With it, Quirrell's spirit left his body, allowing me to possess it completely. Then, it was a simple matter of ridding this world of his incompetence." He waved it off. "No one would miss him anyway. Don't worry. This body is crude, temporary, and not mine. This won't last long."
"You're a monster," McGonagall whispered with distaste. "What have you done to these girls?"
Voldemort pleasantly replied, "Thank you for your kind words, Minerva. As for these three, I used them in my attempt to acquire the Philosopher's Stone." His face actually frowned in anger. "I've got to praise Dumbledore for his ingenuity." He gesture to the mirror behind him. "I know that the Mirror of Erised is his defense against those who would steal the Stone. He even counted on this mirror to prolong my objectives. I'm sure you all know how this works, how it reflects the heart's deepest desire? And I'm also sure that you all know what mine is. I saw myself at my peak, ridding this world of the unworthy. That will soon be a reality but I was no closer to the Stone than I was before I looked into the mirror. So, I persuaded these three to help me." He sighed in frustration. "Greengrass and Davis were just as useless as their neutral parents and Granger was of Muggle blood. What else did I expect?" His red-eyed gaze went on the two angry professors and scowling boy. "So I suppose you three will do." He removed his wand – conquered from Quirrell – and pointed it at them, causing them to tense. "I offer you three this chance. Retrieve the Stone and I'll leave you three and these three alone. Refuse and you'll have to fight me while protecting them."
"We won't hand over the Philosopher's Stone to you," she sternly declared, raising her wand. Her two companions joined her, raising their own wands at Voldemort.
Smirking, Voldemort said, "So be it." Before he could cast a hostile spell at Daphne, Snape pulled her back from him. Fortune was with them because the spot she was at before shook and cracked from Voldemort's spell.
McGonagall stepped forward and erected another dome barrier that shielded them from Voldemort's next attack. Then, she dropped it and engaged him in magic combat.
Turning at Harry, Snape begrudgingly said, "We'll hold him off, Potter. Get these three out of here and get Dumbledore here as soon as possible. You are no match for the Dark Lord."
Before Harry could reply, Snape pulled Hermione at them just as another spell arrived at the pillar, reducing it to rubble.
For now, Harry's priority was these three girls. Pointing his wand at them, he said, "Wingardium Leviosa." They levitated in the air and he led them out the door. However, just as they passed, he placed the three girls on the ground beside the doorway and ran back inside, drawing his wand.
Inside, sparks of various colors flew across the room. During the combat, Voldemort, Snape, and McGonagall were maneuvered around the back of the mirror. He was about to move to help them when something caught his attention.
What the hell?
It was the Mirror of Erised. Rather, it was what the mirror showed. The mirror Harry stood calmly with his wand in his pocket, unlike the real one. Then, he watched as Revan, Meetra, Lily, and James appeared behind his mirror self, who stood straight. The ones closest to him, namely Lily and Meetra, dropped to one knee to match his height, placing a hand on his shoulders. Lily took something out of her pocket and presented it. It was a stone the size of a closed fist and blood red in color. She gave it to the mirror Harry, who took it. He didn't pocket it yet because he used his other hand to cup Lily's cheek and kiss her chastely on the lips.
Then, as their lips separated, the real Harry saw a small blue light leave his mirror self's mouth and go to Lily's. Afterwards, Meetra took his attention by turning his head towards her and kissed him just as chastely as he had Lily. Similarly, when their lips separated, another small blue light went from the mirror Harry's mouth to Meetra's.
Then, the two women turned to the real Harry and mouthed, 'We are waiting for you.' Behind Lily, James gave his son a proud look, a shit-eating grin, and two thumbs-up, mouthing, 'Make me proud, kiddo.' Behind Meetra, Revan placed his hands on Meetra's shoulders, as a parent would to a child, and nodded at him. In the very middle, the mirror Harry raised the red stone before pocketing it.
Something seemed to come into being in his pocket and Harry froze at that. It didn't take a genius to figure out what the red stone was: the Philosopher's Stone. Somehow, through some weird machination, he had gotten the Stone. Whatever Dumbledore's defense against thieves was using the Mirror of Erised, he seemed to have overcome it.
A pained scream snapped him out of his focus on the mirror and onto what caused it. His eyes widened upon seeing the current state of the battle. Snape was in front of McGonagall, who was on the ground, grasping her torso with a pained grimace, her wand on the ground beside her. "Are you alright, Minerva?"
"I," she gasped. "I'm fine! Just focus!"
Ropes burst from Voldemort's wand but Snape made some slashing motions and an invisible blade sliced through it. Continuing, Snape conjured fire and swirled it around him before sending it at Voldemort like a whip.
Voldemort responded by grasped its end with his wand and pulled on it. Snape lurched forward, making him lose grip of the fire whip. Just as Voldemort took advantage of Snape's recoil and returned the whip to him, McGonagall grasped her wand and raised a barrier in front of Snape, clashing with the fire whip, creating sparks upon impact.
Regaining his step, Snape propelled Voldemort a fair distance from him. Just then, Harry took advantage of his stunned opponent and jumped at him. His hand shot out and grasped his neck as they both flew to a nearby pillar.
"Potter," the two professors once more exclaimed. Snape added, "I told you to take those girls and run! What are you doing back here?!"
Without pause, Harry replied, "They are safe. I took them outside the danger zone and returned. This is more important."
"This is no time for heroics, dammit!" Whatever Snape was about to add was cut off when Voldemort let out a scream.
Harry's eyes widened and he hastily let go and jumped back to prepare for whatever his opponent was planning.
He was, however, unprepared for Voldemort's neck to start blistering. Even further, the blisters spread towards his face. He grasped his face and howled in pain. Soon, blisters appeared on his hands and the rest of his body. Very soon, Voldemort fell to his hands and knees. Then, as he started to crumble, Voldemort wrote something in mid-air with his free hand, one of his remaining fingers leaving glowing markings in the air. Then, when it seemed that he finally completed it and when Voldemort moved to activate it, his entire body turned to dust.
Silence ensued in the chamber. Harry stared at his hand in confusion. What happened?
"Potter," McGonagall asked while she pointed her wand at her torso, its tip glowing with light green. "What did you just do?"
"I…I have no idea. I just…gripped his neck…then it happened."
A sneer drew Harry's attention. It was Snape. "What power you wielded against the Dark Lord doesn't matter. What matters is that you ignored a direct order and endangered yourself. We have the situation well in hand. We could have handled the Dark Lord if you hadn't interfered."
"It is not a matter of 'could have.' It is a matter of dealing with the threat as quickly as possible. Voldemort was distracted in fighting you two to notice me and I took advantage of that."
Snape's face turned red and was about to speak when he hissed in pain and grasped his left arm. Harry's eyes darted to the limb when he sensed an incoming attack. Turning to the spot where Voldemort fell, he widened his eyes upon seeing his spectre rising from it and soared towards them at high speed. He quickly reacted and jumped away while simultaneously casting Flipendo at Snape, pushing him to the side. Upon landing, he turned to the leaving spectre and casted a spell, "Incendio Maxima!"
A big ball of fire burst from his wand and chased Voldemort's ghost. Unfortunately, the ghost went through the back of the Mirror of Erised and out the front end. The spell hit the mirror and, while it caught fire, fell to the floor. He ignored the sound of the mirror shattering and ran after Voldemort. As he passed the door, he caught sight of the ghost passing through the ceiling to avoid a red spark that was now headed towards Harry, who easily swatted it away.
The one who casted the spell was Dumbledore, who was pocketing his wand as he neared Harry. "Are you alright, Harry," he asked, his eyes twinkling with worry and the subtlest of anticipation.
"Yes, Headmaster," he replied, "I'm fine. However, you should check up on Professors McGonagall and Snape inside. She was hurt during the fight and he was grasping his left arm just as Voldemort left."
Nodding, the aged headmaster headed inside with Harry following suit.
"Albus," said McGonagall with a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin you've returned. I thought the worst when You-Know-Who's ghost went to leave."
"There is no need to worry, Minerva," he soothed his fellow professor. "As he is now, Voldemort wouldn't dare try anything. But that's enough of him. How are you two?"
Snape didn't remove his hand from his arm as he snarled, "Potter is truly his father's son! I gave him a direct command to get those three students out of here and he just left them outside and returned here! I don't care what skills he has with Potions or other subjects! Disobeying a professor's order to chase after glory and revenge should be punished!"
"I seek neither glory nor revenge." Harry calmly replied. "Voldemort was a threat to this school and I dealt with him as such. I simply capitalized on his distraction and struck."
"Regardless of your beliefs, Potter," the Potions professor spat, "that doesn't excuse you for disobedience and attempted insubordination. The safety of the students is top priority."
"And I have ensured it by getting them out of the line of fire," he retorted. "Then, I returned to help you against Voldemort."
"Your Potter blood will get you killed one of these days, Potter. Your desire to gain glory and honor will be the death of you."
Harry's eyes were ice cold as he said, "Honor is a fool's prize. Glory is of no use to the dead."
Since Harry's eyes were on Snape, neither of them noticed Dumbledore tense at Harry's declaration. Deciding to take action, he stood and turned to them. "Enough!" Dumbledore raised his voice to silence the two arguers. "Severus, I'm sure Harry has the greater good in mind when he returned here to deal with Voldemort. Let us leave it at that and be grateful that no lives were lost this day." Snape sneered as Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Harry, please don't antagonize Professor Snape. He is just as much a professor of Hogwarts as I and Professor McGonagall are. We value the health, safety, and security of the students." Harry stiffly nodded in response. "Now, we must return and prepare for the last few days of school. Minerva, Severus, would you two mind moving ahead of us and take Misses Granger, Greengrass, and Davis with you back up to the castle? I need to talk to Harry first." McGonagall nodded and moved to leave. Snape first scoffed and then left. When both of them left, Dumbledore gestured to the stairs and said, "Let's have a seat, Harry."
Harry obliged and sat down, watching Dumbledore do the same beside him. "Yes, Headmaster, what do you need?"
"I'm confident that my questions are less important than yours."
"Well…I'm confused as to how I turned Voldemort, rather his temporary body, into dust just by touching him."
"Ah, that is rather simple to explain but difficult to comprehend. The reason why Voldemort's body turned to dust when you touched him is that you were protected by love." He turned to Harry, whose brow was raised. "Voldemort is the Dark Lord. As the name suggests, he has delved into the darkest arts of magic. As such, he cannot comprehend the other end of the figurative spectrum. For someone who has given in to so much hatred and darkness, something as pure and holy as love is something that he shall never comprehend. Against you, who have experienced the greatest of all kinds of love, sacrificial love, gained from your mother, Sohe is no match, especially since his entire being reflects his darkness. That is why he cannot touch you." He smiled. "Love is the most complex of all magic. No one has ever studied it in its entirety as love is, for all intents and purposes, purity itself. We sentient beings, broken and tainted in some fashion, cannot touch it, taint it, or even recreate it."
Harry was silent briefly before he said, "Why place such things as the Cerberus, the Devil's Snare, a large chess set, and poisons in a school, especially since a school with pranksters?"
"The Cerberus and the Devil's Snare were trained and conditioned to not harm students. They were instead told to intimidate and restrain intruders. The chess set can differentiate between the living and objects. Again, they were charmed to restrain intruders. The poisons in Professor Snape's obstacle weren't poisons. Rather, they were powerful sleeping agents, designed to incapacitate students."
He snorted. "I hope you'll forgive my lack of faith in these obstacles. It seems to me that you were the only one who actually thought of the students with these tests, with that mirror."
Smiling, the headmaster replied, "It's alright, Harry. I admit that the previous obstacles presented were very dangerous. However, they were a necessary precaution. I will tell you a secret. I placed a very powerful enchantment on the door of the third floor corridor such that only professors can only break it." Harry narrowed his eyes but Dumbledore had another topic. "Speaking of the mirror, Harry, is it truly shattered?"
The Boy-Who-Lived nodded as he gazed at the back of the fallen mirror. "Since this is the key to the Philosopher's Stone and is now broken, I assume that the Stone is gone forever?"
He sensed Dumbledore's anxiety at his statement. "Did you see anything in the mirror?"
"I saw the same thing as last time, those I lost. However, by then, I was more focused on Voldemort battling the two professors to give them any attention."
"I…I see," Dumbledore uttered as he stood up. "I will be sure to relay the fate of the Philosopher's Stone to Nicholas. Well, we should head on up and rest. This has been a taxing day."
Harry did the same. As Dumbledore went past him up the stairs and he turned to follow, his palm opened and a small shard of the shattered mirror flew over to his hand silently. He slipped it up his sleeves as Dumbledore turned around in confusion. "Is there something wrong, Headmaster?"
His twinkling eyes peered around the room before landing at Harry. "No, it's nothing, my boy. I just double-checked if we were missing something. Come, let's go."
Harry wasn't fooled by his declaration and he knew that Dumbledore was wary of him. After all, he used a power directly behind him. There is no way that he wouldn't sense it. Regardless, Dumbledore knowing something off about him was bound to happen anyway. It was worth it. He has two artifacts with him: the Philosopher's Stone and a shard of the Mirror of Erised.
Did it make him feel bad that he lied to Dumbledore? No. Revan taught him that only the lies told to one's trusted people should be regretted. Dumbledore wasn't really someone he trusted just yet.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore was thinking just as deeply as Harry. He was aware that Harry did something behind him but he can't prove that he really did something. The boy's mental defenses were just as raised as before. There wasn't any change that signalled Harry did something and his eyes and stance were not ones belonging to someone who did something wrong. So he let it go but he would have to watch Harry very closely. Hmm, the Weasley would be more than happy to take him in before his second year. Moreover, he would have to watch Misses Granger, Greengrass, and Davis for any side-effect from exposure to Voldemort.
Oh, so many things to do, so little time, he bemoaned.
And that's done.
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