Chapter 53
Through The Trapdoor

Disclaimer: Recognizable sections of this chapter come directly from Chapter 16 and 17 of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling. I do not take claim for these, only my own additions.


Spring continued to bring in lovely weather to Hogwarts, as April passed into May. Gryffindor Quidditch practice was, once again, three times a week, due to the Slytherins' massive victory over Hufflepuff. Gryffindor's best way to win the Cup now, was to win the match, because then they'd be the only team who had won all three of their games. If they lost, they'd have to get at least two hundred points anyway to win the cup.

In addition to practice, Harry, Ginny and Ron had to put up with the continuously growing stack of assignments as end-of-year exams inched closer every week. The first years were required to take constant notes, read chapters at a time and do an essay... and this was a repetitive cycle every week. The usual exercises during the week were cut down to once a week, and were usually dueling or strength exercises.

Most of May 2nd passed by like any other day for Harry and Ginny, because they technically had nothing to celebrate about the day anymore. There was no Victory Day yet, and if fate allowed, Victoire wouldn't exist for eight years. However, that evening, they went to the kitchens and requested two cupcakes, with a candle each, just to mark the memory of the day.

May 3rd, however, which to everyone else was just a typical Sunday full of homework or relaxation, was special to Harry and Ginny because it was the one-year mark since they had woken up back in time. That afternoon, they had a 'reflection period' where they sat together at their oak tree and looked back at the events of the past year and had discussed what had gone on, what needed to be done, and their thoughts of it all. This was now a tradition for them, and they officially labeled the day to be a 'reflection day' every year.

As May passed into the beginning of June, Harry was now keeping an eye on Professor Quirrel, on the map, every chance he could. He was quite jumpy at times too... whenever Professor Quirrel's dot would reach the third corridor, he would hold his breath, but Quirrel always passed it.

Exams began a week into June, two weeks before the end of term. Harry didn't know how he got through them, since he half-expected Quirrel's dot to make his way down to the third floor corridor every chance he had.

It was sweltering hot, especially in the large classroom where they did their written papers. They had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell.

They had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called them one by one into his class to see if they could make a pineapple tapdance across a desk. Professor McGonagall watched them turn a

mouse into a snuffbox — points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was, but taken away if it had whiskers. Snape made them all nervous, breathing down their necks while they tried to remember how to make a Forgetfulness potion.

Finally, at the end of the week, as Friday emerged into Saturday, the last exam of the term, Astronomy, ended, and everyone cheered into the night-sky. Argus Filch glared at everyone as they left the tower to head back to their dorms to sleep.

For most of the students, there was now only two things left to look forward to. The Gryffindor-Ravenclaw match the following Wednesday, and the Closing Feast on Friday evening where the points would be given out. But as Harry had told Ginny and his friends... they had a bigger event to look forward to. At first, Neville was sure that, maybe, just maybe nothing would happen... but Harry knew he was wrong.


That night Harry and Ginny shared another nightmare. A dark black figure was walking through the castle, away from the third floor corridor. Loud, whining moans could be heard somewhere in the distance. And the figure was holding a glimmering red stone... and was laughing victoriously.

Harry woke up in cold sweats two hours after he went to sleep. Soon, with the cloak and map in hand, he met Ginny in the Common Room. He checked the map for Quirrel whose dot was still in his living quarters. But Harry had to know. Ginny stayed in the Common Room, so he could teleport back, or she could teleport to him just in case. Then he put the cloak on and took the long journey to the forbidden third floor corridor.

The walk was nerve-wracking... his stomach seemed to twist... his feet seemed as if they were trying to walk after a poorly-placed Leg-Locking Charm had been lifted. Then he reached the door where Fluffy was... and heard loud snoring. He closed his eyes concentrating for the sound of music, but heard none.

He looked at his map again and found Quirrel still in his living quarters. Fluffy was okay... Quirrel had not come yet.

Harry teleported back to Ginny.

"Well... maybe it was – what did Dumbledore call it – a prophetic nightmare?" Ginny asked, after Harry told her his findings.

"I think you're right," Harry said, "And I have a feeling it will happen tonight."


"Tonight?" Ron, Hermione, and Neville spluttered.

"SHH!" Harry and Ginny hushed them.

They were walking across the grounds after lunch. The Gryffindor Quidditch team would be on the Pitch all afternoon and Hermione and Neville had decided they would watch, since there wasn't anything better to do.

"Yes," Harry said, "We have to stop him. All of us."

"All of us?" Hermione asked.

"Well, okay," Harry said, "It was done with three of us last time... you, me and Ron. Me and Ginny are going. And we need you, Ron, because one of the protections is a giant chess board. You play chess the best out of all of us."

"A chess match against an unseen opponent?" Ron asked, "I'm in."

"If Ron is going, so am I," Hermione said.

Neville frowned when his four friends looked at him expectantly.

"I dunno," he said, "Shouldn't we just tell Dumbledore?"

"He went to London," Harry said, "I saw an article in the Daily Prophet. There's a trial today where the full Wizengamot are needed. I bet Quirrel Imperiused someone to confess a crime or something. Could be anything."

"McGonagall then?" Neville asked.

"She didn't believe us last time," Harry said, "Thought the stone was perfectly well-protected."

"Harry," Ron said, "Why don't you just sit in front of Fluffy's door and confront Quirrel tonight?"

"If I do that," Harry said, "He'll wonder how I know he'd be there..."

"Right... bad idea," Ron said.

"I still say you should tell a Professor," Neville said.

"Well, I'm not, Neville," Harry said, "I'm sorry. Okay... after practice, I'll go over with you all everything I can remember from that night..."


Quidditch practice lasted for four hours, and by the time Harry and his friends had made their way back into the castle, it was time for dinner. However, Neville didn't join them. Ginny told Harry that she feared Neville would tell one of the Professors about what was going to happen. This didn't help Harry's mood at all.

Thinking he'd return to the dormitory, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione (the latter with a bit of reluctance), spent the next two hours after dinner there, waiting for Neville and watching the map for Quirrel, while discussing what would happen that evening. At one moment, as Harry was talking about Fluffy, Ginny gasped and jumped up. She hurried out of the dormitory, and didn't answer Harry's telepathic questions to her when he asked her what she was doing. She returned a few minutes later, with a wood flute.

"This is Parvati's," Ginny explained, "she plays it sometimes when the rest of us girls are trying to get some sleep."

"Not very well either," Hermione giggled.

"So when you said Fluffy falls asleep with music," Ginny said, "I knew we'd need this."

"Good idea," Harry said.

He looked down at the map... and jumped up.

Quirrel was on the move down the third floor.

"It's time!" Harry said, "Come on!"

Ron and Hermione's eyes widened as they looked at each other. They jumped to their feet, as did Ginny. As Harry led them toward the door of the dorm, Neville arrived.

"You're going to the third floor corridor, aren't you?" he asked.

"We have to get going," Harry said, "Either come with us or step aside."

"No!" Neville said, "You told me to stand up for myself, and I will stop you."

He raised his wand, but Hermione was quicker.

"Petrificus Totalus!" she said.

Neville's eyes widened, as his whole body went rigid like wood, and he fell backward.

"Sorry about this," Harry said, as he used a levitation charm to place Neville in his bed.

He then closed the curtains around the bed and the four of them hurried off down the stairs.

"Er... only three of us will fit under the cloak," Ginny said, when they reached the portrait hole.

"Ginny," he said, "Stay here. We'll go to the third floor, and then you can teleport to me."

Ginny nodded. "Hurry."

Harry smiled and hurried under the cloak. Ginny led them out so the Fat Lady wouldn't notice anything funny, and the trio hurried toward the third floor corridor. They arrived at the third floor fifteen minutes later, and it took another three to reach Fluffy's door.

Now, Ginny, he said, as he concentrated on the floor a few feet away.

Ginny appeared a moment later, with her wand and flute in her hands.

"Phase one," Harry said.

"Good luck," Ginny said, as she leaned toward Harry, hugged him and kissed his cheek.

Phase One was a two-part step. Ginny walked through the door first, playing a tune on the flute. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed her in. Harry and Ron opened the trap door, quietly. He inhaled and jumped down. Cold, damp air rushed past him as he fell down, down, down... then landed on what he knew was Devil's Snare.

Hermione came next followed by Ron.

"Lumos Solem!" Harry said, as the Devil's Snare started to wrap its vines around his feet.

The vines gave way, and the trio fell to the ground. Harry grumbled in slight discomfort as he stood up.

Teleport, he said to Ginny.

A moment later, Ginny appeared feet from them.

"Phase Two," Harry said.

They walked forward down the stone passageway, until they reached the room full of flying keys.

"This is me and Ginny," Harry said, as he spotted the two brooms in the center of the room.

Ron and Hermione crossed the room to the other door, which was locked. Harry and Ginny walked over to the brooms and looked at each other.

"Rusty key, wilted wing," Harry said, reciting what they had planned earlier.

"I catch the key, give it to Ron or Hermione," Ginny said.

"I distract the rest of the keys," Harry said.

They nodded and quickly mounted the brooms. Harry pointed his wand at a key, and hit it with a spell. The keys immediately flew toward him, and he flew off into the air. He could hear Ginny through his mind, through she seemed to be talking to herself.

Where's the key? Where is it? Rusted, wilted... there! Can't hide from me. Ooh, nice turn, but can't fool this Chaser. Reach... reach... reach! There! Got it!

"I got it, Harry!" Ginny yelled.

Harry flew around the room, as he watched Ginny fly toward Ron and Hermione. Ron caught the key, when she tossed it, and started to unlock the door.

"Hurry!" Hermione yelled.

The door opened Harry and Ginny headed toward it, as Ron and Hermione ran into the next room. Ginny flew in first, and Harry followed. Ron and Hermione forced the door closed, and they heard a rat-tat-tat as the keys collided with the other side. Harry and Ginny landed, and the four friends headed into the next room.

The next chamber was so dark they couldn't see anything at all. But as they stepped into it, light suddenly flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight.

They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.

"Am I alive?" Ron asked, "Because this is heaven."

"Very funny," Harry said, "Phase Three."

"Ginny, Queen," Ron said, "Harry, bishop next to Ginny. Hermione, Queen-side castle. As for me... I'll be a knight."

Three of the black pieces moved off the board as their human counterparts replaced them. Ron, however, climbed onto the back of the knight.

"White always plays first in chess," said Ron, peering across the board. "Yes..."

A white pawn had moved forward two squares. Ron started to direct the black non-human pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them.

"Harry — move diagonally four squares to the right."

Then their other knight was taken. The white queen smashed him to the floor and dragged him off the board, where he lay quite still, facedown.

"Had to let that happen," said Ron, looking shaken. "Leaves you free to take that bishop, Hermione, go on."

Every time one of their men was lost, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall. Ginny took out the last of the white pawns, and when white moved next, it had trapped Ginny into a corner. Fortunately, Harry was able to take out the castle that would have gone for Ginny their next round.

"Oh... crap," Ron said, "I was hoping I'd have to avoid this after you told me what happened... but after you saved Ginny, it gave you the way to checkmate the king... as long as the queen is out of the way. I can check the king, but the queen is blocking me too. I have to be taken."

"NO!" Hermione and Ginny yelled

"I'll be all right!" Ron bellowed, then looked at Harry, "Right?"

Harry nodded.

"Hermione has to go into the next room, as do you, Harry," Ron said, "Phase Four. You know what Phase Five is."

"Okay," Harry said, "Do it."

"I'm sorry," Ginny said, "I shouldn't have gone for that pawn."

"We can't all go into the last room anyway," Harry said, "Just me."

"I'm going," Ginny said, "You can't stop me."

"Two of us then," Harry said, "Go, Ron."

Harry saw Hermione's lips quiver as Ron commanded his knight forward. The white queen pounced. She struck Ron's knight, and he was thrown off and fell to the ground with a mighty thud as the knight exploded. Ginny and Hermione screamed but didn't move. Harry moved forward two spaces and looked at the king.

"Checkmate!" he said, in a clear voice.

The white king took off his crown and threw it at Harry's feet. They had won. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear.

"Stay here, Ginny," Harry said, as Ginny ran over to Ron, "When Hermione comes back, teleport to me."

Ginny nodded. Harry and Hermione ran forward until they reached a door. Harry pushed it open.

A disgusting smell filled their nostrils, making both of them pull their robes up over their noses. Eyes watering, they saw, flat on the floor in front of them, a troll even larger than the one they had tackled, out cold with a bloody lump on its head.

"That smell is horrible," Hermione sad.

They hurried across the room and pulled open the next door. They entered the next chamber and found the table with seven differently shaped bottles standing on it in a line. Behind them, a large purple fire sprang up in the doorway. Black fire covered the exit. Hermione shuddered.

"Phase Four," Harry said, "Yours."

Hermione nodded and walked over to the table. Harry followed her and found the piece of 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 forevermore,
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 onward, 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.

"I... take it you don't remember the answers?" Hermione asked.

"It has been ten years, Hermione," Harry said.

"Right," Hermione said, "Let's see."

Hermione read the paper several times. Then she walked up and down the line of bottles, muttering to herself and pointing at them. At last, she clapped her hands.

"Got it," she said. "The smallest bottle will get you through the black fire — toward the Stone."

"Which one will get you back through the purple flames?" Harry said

Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.

"That is yours," Harry said, "Don't wait for me and Ginny. Take Ron to the Hospital Wing."

"Should I get help?" Hermione asked.

"Dumbledore already knows," Harry said, "I hope."

"Good luck, Harry," Hermione said.

She hugged him then drank from hers, and walked through the purple flame.

Harry drank from the small bottle. It felt like ice was flooding his body. He put the bottle down and walked forward; he braced himself, saw the black flames licking his body, but couldn't feel them — for a moment he could see nothing but dark fire — then he was on the other side, in the last chamber.

He closed his eyes and opened them. Ginny was standing there.

Ginny, he might not like two of us being in there, Harry said, Be ready to duel. I love you.

I love you too, Harry. This better not be the last time I say that to your face.

Harry took Ginny's hand in his, and they walked forward into the final chamber. Professor Quirrel stood there in front of the Mirror of Erised.

"Hello, Professor," Harry said.

"Potter! Little Weasley!" Quirrel said, "Why am I not surprised? You two are inseperable! I could see that at the Opening Feast. Youngest first year... and the Boy Who Lived."

"Expected us did you?" Harry asked.

"I knew you were a threat to me, right from the off," Quirrel said, "But I couldn't do anything to either of you. Then, one week after the term started, I see the two of you up in the air on brooms. Her broom was jinxed... and I thought... ha, someone is doing my job for me. But you saved her."

"I always will," Harry said.

Quirrel didn't seem to hear him. "I knew then you two were going to be a force to be reckoned with. Of course... I still couldn't do anything... so I let the troll in as a diversion. I was desperate, but Snape decided to stop me... a flea I cannot step on."

He scoffed.

"Then I come to find out that you defeated my troll," Quirrel said, "You and your little friends. Always hanging around them, you were. Protecting you... so I had to wait until the first Quidditch match. But what to do? Then... I figured... I'd jinx your broom. Copy whoever tried to end you first. Dumbledore had cleared me the first go-round, so I was able to do what I wanted this time. And I would have succeeded if Snape didn't mutter his little counter-curse. And then I got hexed. Still haven't figured out who did that."

Quirrel scoffed and turned to the mirror, "Wait quietly, you two. I need to examine this interesting mirror. And please... do stay there."

He snapped his fingers, and fire surrounded Harry and Ginny.

"This mirror is the key to finding the Stone," Quirrell murmured, tapping his way around the frame. "Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this... but he's in London... I'll be far away by the time he gets back..."

"I hexed you," Ginny said.

"Did you?" Quirrel asked, as he walked around the mirror to examined the back, "Smart little tart, you are. I'll get you back for that one soon, mark my words. Quiet now, while I do my work."

Quirrell came back out from behind the mirror and stared hungrily into it.

"I see the Stone," he said, "I'm presenting it to my master... but where is it?"

Quirrell cursed under his breath. "I don't understand... is the Stone inside the mirror? Should I break it?"

"Use the boy!" the cold voice of Voldemort said.

Quirrel narrowed his eyes toward Harry through the reflection of the mirror. He snapped his fingers and the fire circled around Ginny instead of Harry.

"Come here, Potter!" Quirrel ordered, "Or her fiery hair will be more than a metaphor!"

Harry looked at Ginny and she nodded. She did not look afraid.

"Come here," Quirrell repeated. "Look in the mirror and tell me what you see."

Harry walked toward moved close behind him. Harry closed his eyes, stepped in front of the mirror, and opened them again.

He saw his reflection, pale and scared-looking at first. But a moment later, the reflection smiled at him. It put its hand into its pocket and pulled out a blood-red stone. It winked and put the Stone back in its pocket — and as it did so, Harry felt the Stone in his pocket.

"Well?" said Quirrell impatiently. "What do you see?"

Harry smiled.

"I see myself shaking hands with Dumbledore," he invented. "I — I've won the House Cup for Gryffindor."

Quirrell cursed again.

"He lies... the boy lies..."

"Tell the truth!" Quirrel growled, "What did you see? I'll kill her!"

"Let me speak to them..."

"Master, you are not strong enough!" Quirrel cried out.

"I have enough strength... for this..."

Harry backed up toward Ginny as the flames around her died down.

Where there should have been a back to Quirrel's head, there was a face: the face of Voldemort. It was chalk white with glaring red eyes and slits for nostrils, like a snake.

"Harry Potter," Voldemort said.

Harry felt warmth in his mind, and knew it was Ginny calming him down.

"See what I have become?" the face said. "Mere shadow and vapor... I have form only when I can share another's body... but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds. Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks... and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own. Now... why don't you give me that Stone in your pocket?"

Harry shook his head.

"Don't be a fool," Voldemort said, "Better save your own life and join me... or you'll meet the same end as your parents... They died begging me for mercy..."

"LIAR!" Harry shouted.

"How touching," Voldemort hissed. "I always value bravery. . . . Yes, boy, your parents were brave. . . . I killed your father first, and he put up a courageous fight . . . but your mother needn't have died . . . she was trying to protect you. . . . Now give me the Stone, unless you want her to die in vain. Unless you want her to die."

His red eyes went to Ginny. Harry twisted his hand and hid his wand from view.

"Try it," Harry said.

"KILL THEM!" Voldemort screamed.

Harry yelled "Protego!" as soon as Quirrel snapped his fingers. Ginny screamed and was flung through the air. She slammed into a wall and collapsed.

"Ginny!" Harry cried out.

"Give me the stone, boy," Quirrel said, "or you are next."

I'm alive, Harry, Ginny said, but... I can't open my eyes. Something's wrong!

Harry felt the fury rise in his mind. He raised his wand and screamed: "MALEFICTO INCENDIUM!"

Suddenly, a flame rose out of the ground around Quirrel's feet. Not just fire... Fiendfyre. Quirrel screamed in immense pain as the flame wrapped around him. Harry counted down... if he kept the fire up too long, he wouldn't be able to stop it. It would consume him and Ginny as well. Quirrel's horrible screams soon died down.

"FINITE MALEFICTUM!" he screamed.

The fire dissipated at once. The floor where Quirrel once was, was now completely black and charred. A pile of ash was all that was left of Quirrel.

I killed him... I... couldn't control myself.

That's okay, Harry... come over here and help me. Something's wrong with me. Everything is dark. I can feel you, but nothing else.

Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound and a mist of some kind rose into the air. It gave a great roar, and flew toward Harry. Harry ducked and the mist flew through the wall of the room.

Was – was that –?

Voldemort's current form, I think.

Harry walked over to Ginny and kneeled next to her. He took her hand... it was very clammy and cold. Yes, something was very wrong. Harry held both of her hands in his, and he felt his hands grow suddenly warm, followed by the rest of his body. It wasn't from fire... the room was completely void of fire.

Harry – I – something's happening! I think whatever your doing is helping me!

Harry nodded and pushed strength from his mind to Ginny's through their link. As he did, he started to feel very tired.

"H-Harry?" Ginny's voice said.

Harry looked down at her. She was looking at him, with a smile. He could only return the smile, before he collapsed to the ground and all he saw was black.


Cliffhanger!

Next couple of chapters are story-changing! In the span of the next two chapters, you will get two things you've been wanting, and also something that is – perhaps - unexpected will happen!

And that is all I'll say for now!