Chapter 11: Dealing with Purebloods and Halloween

School settles into a routine for Harry and Hermione as they do their lessons and earn points for their house. As they are walking down the hall towards the dungeons one day for potions they hear some screaming coming from down the hall around the corner from the entrance to the dungeons. Harry looks at Hermione and they hurry around the corner to find out who is doing the screaming and why. As they round the corner they come into view of a scene with Malfoy and his gang along with a few older Slytherins surrounding Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot. Susan is being held by one of the older boys while Malfoy is pointing his wand at Hannah.

"You are just a half blood, while she is a blood traitor. All you're good for is torturing and making into slaves for us purebloods." Malfoy sneers," you will soon see who runs this school."

Harry speaks up and asks, "And whom might that be Malfoy. Apparently you didn't listen when I spoke to you at the beginning of the year."

"My father says I don't have to listen to you. He holds a seat on the board of governors and can have you expelled. You're just a half blood, like Abbott, and she is worse," Malfoy sneers and says, pointing at Hermione," she's just a mudblood, not worthy of learning magic. She probably stole it from someone else."

Harry looks at Hermione smiling and asks," You want to handle this sweetheart?"

"I'd love to darling," she smiles back.

She looks over at Draco and says smiling," Oh look, this mudblood is about to do something even purebloods can't do."

Not bothering to take out her wand, she waves her hand and all the Slytherins find themselves stuck to the hallway wall five feet off the floor, freeing Susan and Hannah in the process. She waves her hand again and all of their wands come floating into her hand.

She has a smirk on her face as she floats up to be eye level with Draco, who swallows nervously. Hermione starts pacing backs and forth in front of the group then starts off with her rant:

"You should be nervous Draco. You obviously don't know how to think for yourself and you are letting your father brainwash you into his bigoted way of thinking. Your father doesn't acknowledge he is working for Harry and I, does he? He is nothing more than an advisor for this private school, which is a position that he can be fired from by this little old mudblood. By the way, my bloodline happens to go further back than yours. My husband and I own this school and your father is trying his best to ruin your life. Does your mother also agree with him or is she subservient to him without a say in her life. After all she was sold to him like a side of beef by the Black family," she spat," disgusting way to get a wife."

"It's always been that way between pureblood families." one of the older Slytherins said," its tradition."

"That tradition is why you purebloods are dying out. With only one child per family, and only about fifty families to choose from, just to keep your blood pure. The inbreeding has gotten so bad that in the not so distant future all that will be born to pure-blood families is squibs, because you are breeding the magic right out of your families. That's alright though; plenty of healthy halfbloods and mudbloods to fill in the gap so at least magic will still be around."

"Just wait till my father hears about this outrage. He'll put you in your place," Draco declares arrogantly.

Hermione just shakes her head and sighs saying to herself," well, I tried."

Then more loudly hoping to make a point to the dunderhead," Draco, where are you and what am I doing right now?"

Draco says," I'm near the dungeons in Hogwarts and you are talking to me."

One of the older Slytherins snorts and says," You must be comfortable being stuck to a wall five feet off the floor. Me, I don't want my legs broken by a wrong landing when she lets us go. I will not listen to you about how important your father is again. It's obvious to me who has the power to back up her words."

After hearing that, she asks the other older Slytherins," Do you all agree to that?"

They all nod their heads yes and she says," very well, you may go if you promise not to pick on the younger students. However, if you have a problem with someone that involves family honor, convince me or Harry and we will allow you to fight a legal duel for that honor. We have nothing against tradition, except that the marriage contracts are killing you off and we would like to see that changed to preserve the families important to Britain."

She waves her hand and lowers the older Slytherins who nod to her and after getting their wands back go on down the hall. She looks back at Malfoy and his two bookends, Crabbe and Goyle and then says:

"Where was I, oh yea, Malfoy, you are stuck to a wall five feet off the floor and what am I doing?" she asks.

He looks at her and realizes she is standing on air with no support.

"You must be doing a levitation charm or something." Draco reasons out.

As Harry floats up to stand next to her she says," No Draco, we haven't had that lesson yet. This is just something Harry and I can do. It is why we are so good on brooms. My point here is you have nothing to back up your boasting with. You haven't the power or the nerve to accomplish anything because you listen to your father."

"When my father," Draco rants.

She cuts him off," Draco, you're hopeless and helpless."

She releases the sticking charm holding the boys up, allowing the them to fall three feet then slows them, lowering them to the floor while Harry and Hermione come down to the floor by walking down what look like steps of air. You can see the air shimmering.

She says to Draco," Go to your dorm and think on what I have said."

"I don't have to do what you say mudblood." Draco sneers with his nose stuck up in the air.

"Enough!" Hermione exclaims. She waves her hand and Draco disappears.

"Where'd he go? Hannah asked.

Harry looks over at the two girls and says," Draco was sent to his dorm to spend a week away from other students. He has a sign around his neck that says 'I don't know how to keep my mouth shut'. He won't be able to talk to anyone but Professor Snape for the week." Then asks concerned," Are you two okay? Do you need to go to the hospital wing?"

Hannah answers," I'm okay now; I was just scared with all those older boys surrounding us and not letting us get by. We were on our way to potions."

"That's where we are headed as well. Why don't you come with us?" Hermione asks.

"We'd love to," Susan says.

They head off down to the potions classroom for their next lesson.

Professor Snape comes out of the shadows, having watched as the Potters handle the situation with his Slytherins while his opinion of them rises even more. He agrees with their punishment of Draco as it didn't hurt him physically and he might learn something.

The year progresses normally until Halloween day. Harry is a little depressed as he and Hermione are walking along a hallway on the way to breakfast on the morning of the holiday. It is storming something fierce and it looks like it will not be a nice day to go outside.

They hear one of the other students in the hall commenting," Looks like we will be celebrating inside this year. I feel sorry for anyone having to go out in that," while pointing out the window.

"Harry," Hermione says, taking his arm and snuggling up to him," we can have a little ceremony for your parents if you want. I don't like seeing you depressed like this once a year. This should be a day of celebration."

"That would be nice Hermione," Harry says perking up a little," When and where do you want to hold it?"

"We could use one of the unused classrooms and set up an alter or something to burn some incense and have a small sacrifice of our blood to the elements to honor your parents." Hermione says," We could hold it right after breakfast."

Harry looks at her and smiles nodding his head in agreement.

After a delicious breakfast, they proceed down an unused hallway to find an empty room they could use for the ritual. When they find one, they go in and close the door. From the desk that was in the room, Hermione transfigures a small sacrificial alter with the runes for Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire on each of the four sides on top with a Pentagram in the center for balance. They kneel facing each other and reach out their hands across the alter and clasp left to right and right to left and hold on tight. They will their probes to release the blood for the sacrifice and when they feel the blood start to flow they rise up off the floor a couple of inches and start rotating to the left with the Alter as the center. As each rune is filled by the mixed blood of the elders, it starts glowing and flashes red once, with the glow locking at a steady level. Once the runes are filled and activated, they put a drop of blood on each point of the star which then starts to glow a bright white, lighting up the room, and then chant in unison:

"To the Gods of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire, and to the Creator of all things, we offer this sacrifice of our blood in honor of James and Lilly Potter, for sacrificing their lives that the Prophesy would be fulfilled. May their journey through the next great adventure be filled with joy and happiness? We give them our love and we miss them."

There is a loud clap of thunder outside and the storm clears swiftly with bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures as the Gods accept the sacrifice. When Harry and Hermione come down from their chant and look at the Alter, there is a planter with White Lilies and Red Carnations going around the perimeter with the names of James and Lilly in script across the top. The Nano-probes had drawn the remaining blood back into their hands leaving them clean.

Harry looks at the Alter and sees his parents name scrolled across the top and grabs Hermione's hand and pulls her to him.

He speaks very emotionally," Dad, Mum, even though you didn't know there was a Prophesy about me, I would like you to meet Hermione, my soul mate and wife. You'd lover her mum, she is just like you, I've been told. She is smart and beautiful and the most wonderful thing to ever happen to me. She keeps me in line just like I am sure you do for Dad. Dad, she is my biggest responsibility and I promise to love her and treat her as a proper husband should. We are equal partners in everything and couldn't be happier. I miss you Dad and Mum; We miss you. This will be your room from now on and we will come here when we need to talk to you. We will always love you, bye for now."

When they look up from the Alter, they notice the room has changed into a chapel type room with some mats for people to sit and pay their respects or just meditate quietly. There is a portrait of the elder Potters on the wall opposite the door. They hear movement by the door and turn to see the Headmaster standing there.

"That was a nice thing you did for them Harry and Hermione. This room will always be theirs now. The wards won't allow anyone with malicious intent to enter the room." Professor Dumbledore says," In case you are wondering why I am here, I felt the release of magic from this room and came to investigate. Apparently your sacrifice pleased the gods because the weather outside is beautiful now. You should go out and enjoy it while you can."

"Thank you Headmaster, I believe we will." Hermione replies.

Harry and Hermione walk out the main doors onto the grounds to enjoy the day, he with his arm around her and her with her head on his shoulder. As they are relaxing under their favorite tree, they keep overhearing other students commenting on the miraculous recovery of the weather. They look at each other, smile, while thanking the gods again. They stand up after a while and start strolling around the grounds hand in hand when they were bowled over by a girl their age that is crying. She gets up and after apologizing runs off still crying. Hermione calls after her but she keeps running.

She looks at Harry and asks," I wonder what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know, but I hate to see anyone crying like that." Harry replies.

Hermione agrees, when someone speaks up and says," That was Camilla Carmichael, a Muggle born first year from Ravenclaw. She is doing real well in class, but some of the first year purebloods have been threatening her about mudbloods not being allowed to have grades better than theirs. Her friends are too afraid to stick up for her as they are always outnumbered. Disgusting really."

"Thanks," Harry says," we'll keep an eye out for her to make sure she is alright."

They eventually go back inside to have dinner. While they are eating, Hermione looks over at the Ravenclaw table and notices Camilla isn't there. She gets up and walks over to the Ravenclaw table where she asks:

"Has anyone seen Camilla Carmichael?"

"She was in the second floor girl's bathroom crying a few minutes ago. She is a very emotional girl and it doesn't take much to set her off. I suppose that is why she always gets picked on, but she is usually alright after a few minutes." someone says.

"Thank you for the information. Harry and I will take care of it." Hermione states.

She walks back to her seat next to Harry and says," She's in the second floor girl's bathroom crying. Her housemates say she cries easy and that is why she gets picked on all the time. I want try and help her so she can fit in better. I know what it like getting picked on to tears in school."

"Harry nods and says," Looks like we have some more purebloods that need to be put in their place."

She nods back agreeing and is about to leave to go find her when the doors to the Great Hall slam open with Professor Quirrell running in and yelling:

"Troll, Troooll in the dungeon," he yells, then squeaks," thought you ought to know."

He then fell on the floor face first in a faint. In that instant, before the panic set in, Harry and Hermione look down at the professor on the floor; looking back at them with hatred was a face on the back of Quirrell's head.

"Do you see that, Hermione?" Harry asks.

"Yes Harry, looks like we can see through things when the situation warrants it. That must be the dark presence we have been sensing in his classroom. He has never had his back to us that I can remember so we didn't notice. If he is being possessed, we need to find a way to clear the possessor out without killing the host."

Harry agrees as the panic sets in and everyone starts screaming and getting up from their seats.

Professor Dumbledore stands up and says," SILENCE. Prefects will lead their houses back to their dormitories while the teachers will head to the dungeons."

Hearing this Harry stands up and says," Hold."

Everyone stops and looks at him.

Slytherin house will stay here, where it is safer, as their house is in the dungeons. The other houses may proceed to their dorms," Harry says, then looks at the Slytherin head of house," Professor Snape, would you proceed to your house and make sure they stay there for now? You may assign a prefect that is already there to take charge while you help the teachers."

Snape nods at Harry and hurries off while the Slytherin students sit back down sighing in relief.

Harry and Hermione look at each other and say together," Camilla!"

"She doesn't know Harry, we have to hurry," Hermione says.

They leave the great hall and run towards the second floor bathroom. They notice a foul odor in the air that gets worse the closer they get to the bathroom. When they arrive, they hear a scream coming from the bathroom and run in to see what they can do to help. Harry and Hermione enter the restroom just in time to see a twelve foot mountain troll about to swing its club down onto Camilla who is crouched down in a corner scared to death. Harry grabs a piece of debris and throws it at the trolls head to get its attention away from Camilla. It works as the troll turns around and swings its club at Harry instead. Harry catches the club in both hands and holds it there. While holding the club he asks Hermione to Help Camilla get out.

"Don't kill it Harry," Hermione says.

"I'll try not to Hermione. Let's see if it will talk to me." Harry responds.

Harry takes the club from the troll and lays it across his shoulder like a bat and floats up until he is eye level with the troll. The troll looks at him and scratches it head and grunts.

"What's your name?" Harry grunts at the troll.

"Glug," the troll grunts back.

While Harry is talking to the troll, the professors come in and see Harry up in the air in front of the troll standing there with the club on his shoulder.

"Why are you in here trying to kill a little girl and how did you get in here?" Harry grunts and squeals.

"Glug hungry, man with funny hat said lots of food here. He brought me here with pretty lights and pointed that way and said I could have all the food I want." Glug says with lots of grunts and squeals while pointing down the hallway towards the Great Hall.

"Do you have food at home, and where is home?" Harry grunts.

Glug nods and grunts," Forest."

"Think of home and I will take you there" Harry grunts and squeals.

"Be right back, Hermione and I will handle Quirrell when the time comes, just keep an eye on him." Harry states.

They nod and just as Quirrell arrives, he sees Harry reach out and touch Glug. He watches as they phase out and after about a minute of waiting, Harry phases back in on the ground standing next to Hermione.

Harry looks at Camilla and asks," Are you all right?"

She looks at Harry in awe and says shakily," I will be in a little while once my knees quit shaking. That was awesome. You're not afraid of anything, are you?"

"Not really," Harry said," Hermione and I are fairly good with situations like this. I'm just glad we got here before you got hurt. I think you should be looked at by Madam Pomfrey just to be sure though."

Said healer is nodding her head in agreement and she takes Camilla up to the hospital wing for a thorough check up. You can bet Camilla will tell her dorm mates what she witnessed and the whole school will know by morning. The legend of Harry and Hermione Potter continues to grow.

Harry looks at the headmaster and asks," May we meet with you in your office?"

The headmaster nods and dismisses the other professors to check after their students before leading them to his office.

"Albus," Harry says after they arrive," Professor Quirrell has a face on the back of his head underneath that turban he wears all the time. We believe he is possessed by an evil spirit or soul; quite possibly Voldemort himself."

Albus sits back in his chair, his face paling.

He sighs and says," It may be my fault. He was under a lot of stress last year and I suggested he take a sabbatical in Albania to relieve the stress."

"Why Albania, headmaster," Hermione asks?

"The weather is pleasant there in the summer and the scenery is nice with lots of magical tourist places to visit." He replies.

Harry says," Then it isn't your entire fault. Voldemort must have thought so too and may have possessed more than one tourist till he found the right one to bring him here. He must be looking for something in the school."

"It will be the Philosophers Stone then. Professor Snape caught him trying to sneak onto the third floor while the troll was loose." Albus says.

"You don't mean it is real," Hermione exclaims?

She and Harry had read the muggle legend that told of a stone that could extend life and change any metal into gold.

"I guess there must be other muggle myths and legends based on things from the magical world as well." She states, nodding her head in thought.

Harry asks," What's it doing at the school?"

"The Flamel's wanted to take a yearlong vacation and didn't want to leave the stone at their home where they couldn't protect it. I told them the wards at Hogwarts were stronger than Gringotts and that I would watch it for them while they were gone." Albus answers.

"Is there a way to exorcise Voldemort from Quirrell without killing him?" Hermione asks hopefully.

"None that I know of," Albus answers; he looks at them with hope in his eyes also and says," But I also thought the dark mark couldn't be removed either. Maybe with your powers it could be accomplished?"

"We have to try Harry," Hermione says.

"I agree Hermione. I would rather not kill anyone if there is a way around it," Harrys says while looking at Hermione, then turns to Albus," We will have to destroy the stone Albus. Are the Flamels going be alright with that?"

"Harry, the Flamels are over six hundred years old and have found out immortality isn't all it is cracked up to be and want to die, but the curse of the stone won't allow them to. With the stone gone, they can finally pass on to the next great adventure together." Albus says," I hope you and Hermione don't find immortality something you can't live with and are stuck with it."

"We have a great purpose that will keep us occupied for millennia. Maybe sometime in the far future the Creator will look at us and say job well done. Then we will go in peace gladly." Hermione says. "We need to set up a situation to allow Quirrell to go after the stone."

"I'm sure we will come up with something. Why don't you go to your rooms and get some rest. It has been a rather exiting day." Albus suggests.

"Good idea," Harry yawns," See you in the morning Headmaster."

Harry takes Hermione's hand and they walk slowly back to their room and climb in bed to fall instantly asleep.

The next morning they get up and go down to breakfast where they have pleasant conversation with their friends. The first class of the day is History of Magic class where after listening to the professor drone on about goblin wars again they have had enough. Harry and Hermione double checked their books and found nothing newer than four hundred years ago. They look at each other and nod; it is time to talk to the Professor about the class. Everyone else was asleep anyway, which is unacceptable for an important a class as History.

Hermione raises her hand and clears her throat to get his attention.

He looks up and says," yes miss?"

"Hermione Potter, your boss." She answers back. This gets the classes attention and most of them wake up.

He looks at her irritated at the interruption," Do you have a question about goblins?"

"No, I was wondering why you don't teach anything newer than four hundred years ago." She stated.

"This is recent history, the goblin wars only ended less than fifty years before." He says. Apparently, when Binns died in his sleep, he didn't realize he was dead and kept coming to his class and teaching.

"Sorry to have bothered you Professor," she says.

He just grunts and goes back to his lecture.

Hermione looks at Harry and says," We need to have a talk with Professor Dumbledore."

He agrees and they pack their things and head to the Headmaster's office. They arrive at the gargoyle and it moves aside for them with no command. The pair proceeds up the stairs to Dumbledore's office and Harry knocks on the door.

"Enter," the Headmaster says.

Harry and Hermione enter the office and sit in the chairs Harry conjures.

"What can I do for you?" he asks.

Hermione says," We have to have a different History of Magic teacher."

"What's wrong with Professor Binns?" The Headmaster asks." He's been with us for a long time and no one complains."

"He thinks the goblin wars took place fifty years ago instead of four hundred. I think he has just been coming to class and droning the same thing for four hundred years because he is a ghost and can't change. He can have the classroom he is using and anyone that needs his lessons can attend, if they can stay awake, to complete their OWLS. He's just quoting directly from the book anyway, plus he can't give essays to be graded because he can't pick them up. We need a class that teaches more recent history and it wouldn't hurt to have classes on how the government works. Maybe they can be integrated into one class and I will leave who you get up to you. Put an advert in all the magical newspapers and see who answers the ad." Hermione says decisively," Offer to better their current salary, if needed, as incentive to win them over."

"Yes ma'am, I will get the ad out tomorrow and see what happens. Maybe we can get some students interested in NEWTS for History of Magic." He replies.

"With it being a proper class, we will be among them, when the time comes." Harry says," I've always liked history in muggle school."

Harry and Hermione leave the Headmaster's office and continue with their day. Professor Quirrell is behaving himself and teaching his class, wary of the Potters after the way his troll incident is foiled. He will have to do something soon though as he is feeling weaker and more tired every day. He needs that stone, but can't risk it as long as Dumbledore is in the castle. The days and weeks pass uneventfully until soon the Christmas Holidays are upon them.

ooOOoo