Lolerator – Oops. Did I make it that obvious? =D

Lupinesence – I'm not evil enough to make poor Remus die alone.

AstrisDreams – We'll see. I haven't decided yet.

Shiary – That's a cool idea. Maybe I'll do it that way

Bubblecloudz – Thanks. I'm glad you liked it

Spring Raine – Not to mention, he abandoned his wife out of fear...

Penny is wise – Thanks. But Tonks knew that the only two people that could be behind that were Dumbledore and Voldemort. Not to worry, Tonks always has a plan!

Ferfer94 – Thanks! I'm not a big fan of slash, but I could make them a bit closer...

Kairan1979 – Definitely

Chapter Thirteen: The First Battle

Harry sucked in a sharp breath as he saw before him, not Dumbledore, neither Voldemort. It was Professor Quirrell – the stuttering fool of a Defence professor.

"But – but," began Harry. "You!"

He attempted to throw himself at Quirrell, ready to shoot curses.

Quirrell snapped his fingers and ropes bound Harry. "You didn't expect this, did you...Harry?"

Harry didn't answer. Where was Tonks when he needed her? He forced himself to stop thinking that. He was a Gryffindor. He could fight his own battles.

"How very smart of you to pose as a Black," continued Quirrell.

Harry noticed his stutter was gone. It had been fake.

"Isn't it?" said Harry, playing along. "Funny how you didn't notice the entire year."

Quirrell smiled slightly. "Oh, but I did, Mr Potter. But I was a busy man. My master is very demanding."

"Your master," said Harry. "You serve Voldemort!"

"Release me," Harry heard a voice hiss.

"You're not strong enough, Master," said Quirrell.

Harry's eyes widened. Voldemort was there. Waiting to kill him.

"Where is he?" demanded Harry.

"Mr Potter," said Quirrell. "I'm afraid – you're too curious to live. My master does not appreciate curiosity, especially not from you."

"Frankly, Professor," said Harry mockingly. "I really don't care what he appreciates."

His legs were numb. His head was spinning. Harry was sure he'd pass out. But he couldn't. He had to fight.

Quirrell slowly unwrapped his ridiculous turban.

"Turn around," hissed the voice – Voldemort.

Quirrell obeyed, turning his back to Harry. Voldemort was hideous. His face was white. His wild, mad eyes were the brightest shade of red.

"Harry Potter," said Voldemort coolly. "You're alive."

Harry's breath hitched in his throat. He wanted to throw back some retort, just to show Voldemort he wasn't scared, but this wasn't like Quirrell. Voldemort could kill him then and there.

Harry struggled. The ropes tightened around him.

"I wouldn't recommend that, Harry," laughed Voldemort.

Harry choked. The ropes were burning his arms, pressing into his neck, suffocating him.

"What are you trying to steal?" asked Harry, hoping Voldemort was arrogant enough to tell him. "What's hidden in here?"

Voldemort let out a high, cruel, cold laugh. "Such a Gryffindor thing to do, running into an... adventure without knowing what you're running after. You're so much like your parents..."

"DON'T TALK ABOUT MY PARENTS!" yelled Harry.

"I can bring them back... Only if you join me, Harry."

Harry tried to resist the temptation. Voldemort was lying!

"They were cowards, Harry. They died begging me for mercy," said Voldemort.

"You're lying," said Harry. "They died like heroes."

"You're a brave one, Harry Potter," said Voldemort.

He, or rather Quirrell snapped his fingers and the ropes binding Harry disappeared.

"Come forward and tell me where the Stone is hidden."

"Stone?" demanded Harry. "You're after a stone?!"

"The Philosopher's Stone," said Voldemort, more to himself than to Harry. "It will grant me immortality, wealth, everything every man desires..."

Harry's mind was racing. Uncle Ted used to tell him stories about famous wizards like Merlin and Morgan le Fay and Nicholas Flamel, the celebrated alchemist. Then it hit him.

Nicholas Flamel had created the Philosopher's Stone – the elixir of life – so that he and his wife, Perenelle, could live forever. That's what Voldemort was after.

"Where is it, boy?" snapped Quirrell, speaking as himself again.

"I don't know," said Harry honestly.

"He lies," hissed Voldemort. "Seize him!"

Quirrell flew at him, but his attack was blocked by a jet of light.

"Impedimenta!" yelled Tonks, appearing from behind the chamber wall.

Harry stared in wonder. How had she done that? Where had she been? How long had she been there?

Quirrell regained his normal speed quickly and attacked.

"Flipendo Duo!" he exclaimed.

Tonks skilfully dodged it.

"Fool," hissed Voldemort. "Weak. Useless. Let me fight them!"

"Master, you aren't strong enough!" protested Quirrell, repeating his words from earlier.

"Stupefy!" yelled Tonks, seizing the moment.

Quirrell fell to the floor.

"Will you kill him?" asked Harry, eyes wide.

"Harry, go!" yelled Tonks.

"What?" said Harry. "No!"

Tonks's eyes flashed. "I don't want you to see this."

Harry didn't move.

"He's waking fast," said Tonks anxiously. "SECTUMSEMPRA!"

Large, ugly gashes appeared on Quirrell's skin. Harry stared in horror. "You killed him!" he yelled. "Dora, you killed a man!"

Tonks hugged him from behind, pressing his head on her neck, her arms slung over his shoulders. Even though they were the same age, Tonks was a good head taller than him.

"Hush," she mumbled. "I didn't kill him, Harry. He's going to bleed, but he'll be fine. Better to kill him than to be killed by him."

"How –," said Harry. "I thought you took the potion to leave."

Tonks's lips twitched. "It did look like it, didn't it? No, Harry, I took the wine. I Disillusioned myself followed you into the chamber. I wouldn't let you go alone, Harry, not in a million years," she said quietly, still not pulling away.

"Oh," said Harry lamely. "Uh... T-Thanks... Are the rest alright?"

"I haven't seen them yet, Harry," she said gently. "Now, let's go before Voldemort comes back."

Her tone, noticed Harry, was very similar to Aunt Andy's when Harry had nightmares about a blinding green light and a scream of agony, a high cruel laugh. He had been seven years old the first time. Aunt Andy had held him and gently explained to him what it meant. Ted and Sirius had teased her for months, claiming that her "intimidating Black image was forever destroyed." Andromeda had thoroughly cursed them to prove them otherwise.

Tonks took Harry's hand and pulled a bottle out of her pocket. It was the potion. She swallowed it and pulled him through, successfully appearing in the Hospital Wing.

"How convenient," muttered Tonks in a tone that made it clear that she thought it was anything but convenient. "Let's see how Draco, Neville and the twins are, yeah?"

Harry nodded, all fear gone with Tonks by him. He knew the boys were going to be alright. He was just sure of it.