.

NO, I HAVE NOT WRITTEN HARRY POTTER AND I CLAIM ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHTS!

EVERY CHARACTER IN THIS FANFIC BELONGS MERELY TO JKRowling!

I DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY OUT OF THIS!

Book 1 / Chapter 21 / Grand Finale

Yay! We're getting closer to the end of the first book!

Enjoy the next chapter!

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"Hermione." He growled.

"Okay, same time next week?"

When he nodded she finally disappeared. Merlin, what did I put myself into? He guessed it wouldn't be so bad but he decided against telling Draco. The boy was fairly jealous when it came to Harry.

Everything was calm for months. Nothing out of the ordinary happened if he didn't count the dragon that was confiscated from the gatekeeper. He would have gone to prison for a few months if it wasn't for Dumbledore. Weasley got himself a detention in the forbidden forest and loss of fifty points trying to help him, idiot. The whole house hated him since it put them down to a third place.

Hermione's sign language was steadily getting better and he found he enjoyed their little sessions. She was a good student and her determination legendary. Harry himself managed to cast the Accio charm wandlessly by the end of April but Draco was way better than him. Each spell they learned in class he could perform wandlessly by the next week or so.

Harry didn't want to admit it but he was slightly jealous of his friend's abilities. He hoped to learn some defensive wandless magic he could use while staying with his relatives. He dreaded the holidays. Sadly, he couldn't even cast the notice-me-not spell. He was determined to do that before the holidays started though.

All in all, the second term was rather smooth but it wouldn't be Harry Potter's life if things didn't go south, right? It was barely mid-May when it first hit him. They were just about to start the DADA lesson when he got a splitting headache. Except it wasn't really a headache but rather scar-ache. The scar on his forehead felt like it would burn itself into his brain and unfortunately for Harry… it resulted in a real headache afterwards. The second week he realized this was only happening in DADA class. He didn't get it. He told Draco but he wasn't any wiser. He offered to write to his father but Harry refused, he was sure it was nothing.

Well, it wasn't.

It kept on for a month, but once it was unbearable.

Harry was just returning to dorms when he met professor Quirrell. It was getting late and he promised Draco he'd just return the book and come back before the curfew.

"Good evening, professor." He said politely, duly noting his scar was hurting again. What could it mean? He didn't even register his professor didn't reply when he barely avoided a spell. The pendant from Draco went hot so he ducked, he didn't expect to be attacked by a professor, though.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Asked Harry when the man cursed and aimed his wand at him again.

Harry managed to cast Protego but it fell after the fifth curse hit his shield.

"Now, Potter, you will help me get the stone." Snarled the teacher. If Harry ever thought Snape scary he would have gladly hidden behind him now. Quirrell was downright terrifying added the fact his mouth wasn't even moving as he spoke.

"W-what stone?" His voice was shaking. The man took his wand and except casting a levitating charm, he couldn't do anything against him.

"Don't play dumb, boy. The Philosopher's stone, Dumbledore surely told you how to get it!" Growled the weird voice. Harry was struck to realize it was coming from the back of Quirrell's head.

This can't be real, surely?

The man leaned over to pick him up by the corral when Harry bolted. He was very quick, screaming 'help' as loud as he could but he didn't get very far. The spell that hit his back not only send him to the ground but also stopped his lungs. He couldn't breathe.

"How the mighty have fallen."

He lost consciousness after that.

Quirrell didn't hesitate when he pulled the boy up and threw him across his shoulder. He had a master to please and he was close. He crept around those booby traps months ago but he had no idea how to get the stone. The blasted mirror was a tough trap. He managed to get out but only barely. The burns hurt as hell even weeks later. Blasted flames!

But Potter would know.

The idiot headmaster told them he prepared some trials for Harry. That he would try and guide him to become the saviour our world needs. Old blubbering fool. He practically told them to let the boy walk into the forbidden corridor if he was curious enough to go. The problem was the boy was a Slytherin.

The Dark Lord couldn't believe it but when he realized the boy wouldn't even peak into the corridor as others even Malfoy had done… he was a true Slytherin. He wouldn't put himself in harm's way if it wasn't for a good cause. He had no information about the place so he wouldn't go there but surely… he must know about the stone. Even the two annoying Weasels did!

As he neared the gate keeper's puppy he conjured a playing harp. He did not want to end up like Snape with a bitten egg. That idiot actually tried to stop him.

He should have realized the Potions Professor wasn't truly Voldemort's spy but rather Dumbledore's.

When he jumped down the trap door he didn't even realize he'd been followed. "Hold on Harry, I'll get help." Whispered the blonde before he bolted down into dungeons. Dumbledore was called away to the ministry for something and he had no idea where McGonagall's chambers were. It was already after curfew so the only option was Severus.

He went to meet Harry when he saw him get struck by the spell. He followed Quirrell to find out what was going on but he was none the wiser when he disappeared down through the floor.

"Professor!" He was banging the door as much as he could.

If the situation wasn't so dire he would have laughed at the man's expression. "What is it, Mr. Malfoy? Need I remind you it is after curfew and you're sup-"

"Save it! Harry was kidnapped by a teacher and taken down through some trap door in the third corridor!" Screamed Draco as he snatched the man by his hand and pulled him along.

"Is this one of Mr. Potter's jokes? I assure you I have no wish to take part in it." He said in a cool voice. Draco couldn't believe him. Here he was, trying to do the sensible thing by informing a teacher instead of going head first right after Harry and all his godfather thought was that he'd been a target to a prank?

"You know what? Forget it, I'll help him myself." Growled the blonde, after that he sprinted back. He couldn't believe he was such an idiot to ever ask for help. He should have known the man wouldn't believe him. Everything considering Harry was a lie according to him.

"Twenty points from Slytherin for being out after curfew!" Yelled Snape after him. "Come back here or it's going to be another twenty!" He added. "Draco!" But the boy didn't return.

Dammit! And it's all Potter's fault. Who else would put his godson up to such bull?

Severus cursed once again when he realized he left his chambers without his cloak. He wasn't cold but he had to admit the castle was rather chilly this time of the day.

I'm going to spank their bottoms with a wooden spoon after I catch them.

He wavered in his thoughts when he saw the harp. It was very advanced, something neither boy should be able to know. Is it possible someone went down there?

Thanks to that Troll incident they had no idea who was trying to steal the stone. Things were calm the entire term they hoped Voldemort retracted his man for some reasons. Severus should have known the Dark Lord wouldn't have backed down.

To his bitter amazement, he found Draco standing in front of his potions. The boy was quick on his feet. "I wouldn't drink that one." He said when the boy reached for one particular vial.

He would have rolled his eyes as the boy jumped in fright from him if he didn't notice the big gash on his godson's face.

"What are you doing here?" Growled Draco.

"Saving your life, it seems." He said as he stole the vial from the boy's hands and threw it over his shoulder. "That was poison." He clarified while he inspected the wound. It was clear his godson was rather worn down but that determined look told him he wouldn't back down.

"Aaa!"

Both of them shared a shocked look when they heard the agonizing shriek. Severus thought he would puke, it was Potter and he was certain he could pinpoint the curse that was held on him. He didn't even notice his godson follow him as he took a sip from one vial and rushed to the flames.

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Harry was woken up by a pool of freezing water that Quirrell magicked right on him. "Get up Potter and tell me what you see." Growled the professor as he pointed towards the mirror of Erised. Harry swallowed. He tried to find the mirror again but it disappeared, one day it just wasn't there anymore.

"NOW!" Roared the terrifying voice.

Harry rushed to comply but then the worst pain ever cursed through him. He would have kissed his uncle if he offered to bring his own punishments instead of this pain. He didn't even realize he was screaming. Suddenly the agonizing pain disappeared but the aches still resumed.

He didn't want to feel that kind of pain ever again.

As he stood in front of the mirror he didn't understand his professor. What did he want from him? He looked and looked, trying to find anything the man would long for but there wasn't anything. Only his family, his parents. His mother.

Not Harry! NO!

Harry threw himself onto the man and kicked him in the shin. "Bombarda!" Screamed Harry when he managed to usurp the man's wand. He thought he was going to be sick when Quirrell's knee exploded. Unfortunately, as he was distracted Quirrell fainted and Voldemort took over the body creating a silver leg to stand on. Harry did puke when the body turned around and revealed the mauled face.

Voldemort had Harry's wand that Quirrell snatched earlier. And he put it to good use. Harry wouldn't even call it a battle, it was an onslaught and he was so afraid.

Sectumsempra and many other curses fell on Harry as rain would. Protego could only do so much and after Harry cast it for the 16th time it didn't conjure.

He was thrown against a wall and heard few of his ribs snap, then he hit his head when he tumbled to the ground. There was blood everywhere on him as the huge gash on his torso bled. Merlin, it hurt.

"Come here!"

Harry felt some force invade his mind. It was propelling him to do as the man said. It was compelling him! And soon, he found himself on his trembling feet.

But then he remembered his mother and those awfully dull eyes. He didn't want to see it again!

"NO!" Yelled Harry as he threw the man's compulsion off.

His breathing became very hard when he hit the floor a second time. The fight took a toll on him but it was in vain since Voldemort was at his side in a moment. The kick to his stomach would have him throw up if there was something left in him. He could barely see anything with all that blood seeping into his eyes. Another kick to his head pushed him down a few stairs. After that, he was picked up and pulled by his hair back to the mirror.

"Now Potter, tell me how to get the stone!" Snarled Voldemort as he threw him down on the ground.

"I-I dunno wha'ya mean…" Seeped Harry through the blood he felt in his mouth. "What wud'ya do wid'a stone?" Asked the boy confusion evident on his eyes.

"You're worthless!" Screamed Voldemort when he realized the boy truly knew nothing about the precious item he came to retrieve. "Crucio."

Harry sank into the world of pain.

He screamed.

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Severus froze in his spot when he ran through the flames. The boy was beaten down to a bloody pulp, there were gashes all over his body, no doubt done by Severus' own spell. And Potter kept screaming as he was held under the Dark Lord's crucio.

Quirrell. All this time it was Quirrell.

"Harry! Expelliarmus!" Yelled Draco when he came in after Severus. To the Potions Master's surprise, the boy actually managed to disarm Voldemort. Unfortunately, it was only Harry's wand, the man had his own right back in hand.

"You! Malfoy! Step aside if you know what's right for you!" Growled the dark lord nastily as he trained his wand at the blonde.

"Never!" Screamed Draco as he started casting. He learned a lot from father and his books. The spells he was using were borderline, to say the least, but still… it wasn't enough. Soon, Severus pushed him out of the day and took the duel upon himself.

He has only a mere fraction of his power and still, I can't keep up with him.

"Severus… I should have known you would betray me one day… tell me. When did you decide to change sides?" Asked Voldemort with a sick smile on his face.

"After the first meeting, I started spying within a year." Smirked the Potions Master. Really, he wouldn't be able to spy even if he wanted so what if he mocked the man a little. Suddenly pain flared through his left forearm. The dark lord was royally pissed.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Severus was preparing to dodge when he was pushed aside by Draco.

"I guess I should teach the brat some manners if daddy couldn't. Crucio!"

"Severus!" Yelled Draco when he was sent tumbling down the stairs. The curse hit his godfather instead. Draco had never heard him scream before. Not in agony such as this.

Draco didn't know what to do, each of his spells was turned against him without Voldemort even batting an eye. He was at wit's end so he decided for desperate measures and tackled the Dark Lord himself to the ground.

Harry was looking at the battle barely able to move when his wand rolled over to him. Draco must have dropped it when he jumped onto Voldemort. Snape was still trying to shrug off the remaining pains from being held under the curse for so long when Draco was pushed off of Voldemort.

"You little, bastard. Crucio!"

"Draco…" Whispered Harry. It was as if being struck by that curse again when he saw Draco curl up on himself and scream. Harry willed his limbs to listen as he reached for his wand. What was the spell that cut across my chest? Sectumsempra?

Harry took a shallow breath and aimed at that monster's neck. "Sectumsempra." He whispered. Voldemort had no idea what hit him when suddenly… a spell slit his throat. It did what it meant to, it stopped him from torturing Draco. It didn't kill him. Harry didn't realize the man was actually backwards. He should have aimed for Quirrell's side.

It was too late the dark lord was already turning to him. Harry didn't want to see. He turned away his head and locked his eyes onto the mirror.

She was there. She was always there in the mirror. He didn't feel it when his body was put under cruciatus once more.

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Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Till next time!

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