Episode 21- Choices?
May 1992
"Lav what are you doing," Parvati whispered as they made their way back from Herbology.
"Just a little tripping hex," Lav said as Millie slipped and fell in a mud puddle. "Oh come on you know she sold Hermione out," Lav replied.
"Then that makes you just as bad as them," Hermione said, placing a cold hand on her shoulder.
"I am not like them," Lav snapped.
"Then don't act like them," Hermione said.
"But she…." Lavender protested.
"Is afraid of them," Hermione said. "Lav you heard about what they did to someone they don't like, what do you think they would do to Millie if she turned on them. Look I appreciate that you care, but don't make things worse than they already are," Hermione explained before walking and falling into the same mud puddle.
"If that doesn't make her a Gryffindor, I don't know what will," Lavender muttered.
"Hermione…." Millie muttered.
"Come on let's get you cleaned up, and sorry for tripping and taking you down with me," Hermione said.
"Why…." Millie muttered.
"Because you're my friend," Hermione said.
"But…" Millie muttered.
"Daphne's a hair puller, Pansy likes the gut punch, Tracy's got a mean kick, and those are things to be wary of," Hermione said. "But you could blame it on the low grade concussion they gave me."
Break
"Excuse me," Millie said, knocking on the kitchen door watching it slowly open.
"Students are not allowed to have food outside of meal time," an elf wearing nothing but an apron said looking up at Millie.
"I know, but there is nothing against students cooking it themselves in the dorm kitchens," Millie said.
"Those haven't been used in years," the elf said.
"I know, and I was hoping maybe that you could stock it for next year," Millie asked.
"Why," the elf asked.
"Because I would like to use it next year," Millie said.
"Basic ingredients only, and they will be removed if they are not used," the elf said, closing the door.
"Thank you," Millie said to a shut door. "Crap," Millie whispered as she heard voices approaching.
"Professor," Harry called out, flanked by Neville and Ron.
"Yes," Professor McGonagall said.
"We know that the Angelical stone, the Ophidian stone or the Philosopher's stone, is in the castle, and that someone is after it, and with Dumbledore gone," Harry said.
"I don't know how you heard about those stones," McGonagall said. "Which are not here, but even if they were here they would be well protected, and not something you should be going after."
"We saw Fluffy guarding something on the 5th floor," Ron added.
"Boys," McGonagall hissed.
"And we know Snape is probably after it," Neville said.
"Professor Snape has my full confidence," McGonagall said. "And that is the last I will speak on this nonsense. I suggest you leave before you lose house points."
Break
Hermione,
I'm sorry for treating you like dirt and not doing something on the train. I know nothing I do can make up for it, but I'm afraid of them. Daphne, Tracy, and Pansy scare me, but that won't matter. I overheard Neville, Ron, and Harry talking about a stone hidden in the north corridor of the 5th floor. It might be the philosopher's stone. If I can get it, then things can be different.
Millie
"Millie you idiot," Hermione said crumpling the letter as she ran through the hallways. "Must go faster," she muttered feeling her legs tire as she stumbled out of the dungeons. "Why do we have to be on the other side of the school," she panted trying to catch her breath. "Well now is as good a time as any," Hermione said, coming to a stop. "Try and cast a spell, gather the magic, now let it spread out," she whispered assuming the lotus position. Slowly the tiredness started to fade her tired body feeling reenergized. "This better not blow a limb off," Hermione said, resuming her run to the 5th floor.
Break
"Why did you have to wake back up," Millie shrieked, stumbling out of the way of Fluffy's three massive heads.
"Hey, people are friends not food," a voice yelled causing the massive three headed dog to turn.
"Hermione!" Milly yelled.
"Don't you snap at me," Hermione growled, jumping out of the way. "Bad dog," Hermione yelled, jumping up and smacking each of the heads on the nose, sending each one crashing to the ground.
Millie's eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets. Her admittedly fat friend had just leapt into the air and smacked the beast to the floor. A girl who had trouble going to the top of the astronomy tower had just laid the smackdown on one of Hagrid's monster pets. "Hermione what are you doing here, how did you do that, what is going on?"
"Read your letter… Came to stop you…... And do what….. All I did was discipline it for being a meanie," Hermione said, between breaths
"The first one I get, the second one thank you, and the third," Millie said before taking Hermione's face in her hands and turning it towards the cerberus.
"Millie, am I looking at a Cerberus," Hermione said.
"Yes," Millie replied.
"A Cerberus that is whimpering at us," Hermione said.
"Yes," Millie said.
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Because you smacked it on the nose for being bad," Millie explained.
"I mean yeah, that's what my mom did to a naughty neighborhood dog once, but that's a monster," Hermione said.
"I know, so how did you do that," Millie asked.
"Tired," Hermione muttered, feeling weak in the knees as her "spell" wore off.
"I would be too after that," Millie said. "But that doesn't explain how you did that."
"Experimental….. Magic…. Can….. Blow….. Your…. Limbs…. Off" Hermione panted hands on her knees. "Just give me a sec."
"I'm not sure we have a second," Millie said hearing several boys yelled from below.
"Crap baskets," Hermione said as Millie heaved the door open.
"Devil's snare, and Piranha plants," Millie said.
"That's bad," Hermione said.
"For us no, for the boys yes," Millie said walking down the steps.
"Millie what are you doing," Hermione said, grabbing her arm. "Those plants…."
"Neville, am I right that those are from the Subfamily Bowseridea," Millie said.
"Pretty sure," Neville said. "And this is why I told you to let Lavender come Ron."
"What she's a girl," Ron said as the plants relaxed their grip, retreating as the girls came down the stairs.
"I feel like I am missing something very important," Hermione and Harry said.
"Short version, the plants of the subfamily Bowseridea are sexist in that they only attack males and retreat from females," Neville said.
"Well I didn't know that," Ron said as Harry punched him. "What was that for."
"Because it was your idea to come here you idiot," Harry said.
"And look now we are one step closer to getting the stone before Snape does," Ron said. "Thanks for coming ladies, but we can take it from here," Ron said.
"No," Millie said.
"Look this is," Ron protested.
"More than any of us can handle but we're here so deal with it," Hermione said.
"Sounds good to me," Harry and Neville said as they entered the next chamber.
"Looks like you're up Harry," Neville said.
"Hey I can fly a broom to ya know," Ron said.
"But you're not on the junior team Quidditch team and Harry is," Hermione said as everyone looked at her. "What Draco drones on about it all the time," Hermione said as Harry took off chasing after a lone real key in a sea of fakes. "Impressive," Hermione said as he made a try for the key only for the others to swarm it. Now alert the swarm turned homing in on him.
"Is there anything we can do," Millie said.
"Nah Harry's got this," Ron said as Harry turned racing towards the wall. "I think," he gulped. Just as he was about to impact the wall he yanked the broom upward kicking off the wall to flip over the swarm as they impacted the wall snagging the lone lagging key with a snitch on it before landing.
"You're crazy, how can you fly like that," Hermione said.
"Practice, and a little luck," Harry said before moving into the next chamber. "What do you think comes next."
"Chess," Ron said looking at the board and the large stone pieces sitting on it.
"That doesn't look like any chess I've seen," Hermione said.
"It's the charge of the light brigade," Ron said. "Or at least the magical variant of it," he said. "And I don't think they are going to let us walk by," he said as the pieces blocked their path. "We'll need to win to pass."
"But there are only 5 pieces," Millie said.
"4 knights and a queen," Harry added.
"Get on and I'll direct you," Ron said.
"Hermione take the queen," Millie said.
"Why me," Hermione replied.
"I like horses," Millie shrugged as the match began.
"Ok," Hermione said, climbing up on the queen.
"Why aren't we taking any pieces," Millie asked as Ron directed them around the board.
"Because as soon as you do, the opposing side will take your piece," Ron said. "Hermione, you can move diagonally and take out the queen."
"What about that other piece Harry asked.
"They used the castle move and the bishop only moves diagonally and it blocks the rook, you'll be fine," Ron said.
"Got it," Hermione said, moving her piece. "Now what….." She said as the queen raised an open hand ice slowly covering the piece. As the ice fully engulfed it, the queen closed her hand shattering the enemy queen.
"What the bloody hell was that," Harry yelled.
"Wizard chess," Ron replied.
"This isn't a simple chess game," Neville said.
"Harry take out that bishop," Ron ordered.
Harry nodded moving his knight into position as it raised a flaming sword cutting the bishop in half.
"Millie take the pawn," Ron stated.
"Where's the fire," Millie said as her knight raised it's lance slamming the but into the ground. The group watched in surprise as vines erupted from the ground tearing the pawn apart before vanishing leaving a pile of rubble in their wake.
"Hermione ice, Harry fire, Millie plants, I wonder what mine will be," Neville said as Ron moved him into position. Unlike Millie's, Neville's own knight drove the head of the lance into the ground, massive spikes erupting from the ground skewering it.
"Ron is actually good at this," Hermione said watching the game play out. Piece after piece being shattered into dust as the game wore on. "But why didn't Ron's use an elemental attack, and why were ours all so different," Hermione said as the over three to 1 disadvantage was slowly whittled away all to the sound of the sound of shattering stone as the room as piece after piece was destroyed.
"We're two moves from the win," Ron said.
"Great," Harry said.
"But I'm going to have to take a hit for it to work," Ron said.
"Overruled," the others replied.
"No wait," Millie said.
"But he'll be…" Neville and Harry said.
"Between the Munchers, Piranha plants, and Devil's Snare you should already be dead," Millie said.
"She's got a point," Neville added.
"What does that have to do with anything," Harry cried out.
'It means when Ron takes the hit he won't be killed but captured or incapacitated somehow," Hermione said.
"Good, and if I die, I am going to haunt you for the rest of your life," Ron said moving into position.
"Ron," Harry called out as the boy fell to the ground unconscious.
"Finish it," Millie said as Hermione ended the game.
"Look Ron's fine, but we need to see this through, and as soon as we're done we'll come back for him," Neville said placing the few spells they knew around Ron to protect him.
"Let's hurry," Harry said.
"Good idea," they said moving to the next room.
"Oh… great…. A troll," the group said slowly backing away from the beast and it's rather large club.
"Herimone, Harry Go, we got this," Millie and Neville said.
"Ok, but let's level the playing field first," Hermione said, pulling her wand.
"Hermione your transfigurations…" Millie muttered.
"Transfiguratione particularum," Hermione said sending a ice blue jet of magic at club making a loud creaking noise. The creaking grew louder as the troll began looking at it's club, before exploding in a shower of splinters.
"That's not how it works," Harry yelled.
"How does she know, explosion spells," Neville said.
"Wood has a tendency to explode when the sap is frozen causing it to expand," Hermione said as they raced into the next room.
"Lift and flip," Neville yelled as the troll chased them back into the chess room.
"That's a bad plan," Millie shot back.
"You have a better one," Neville shot back.
"Salamanda," Millie said, whipping her wand out shooting a small jet of flame lighting the troll's clothes on fire.
"Well now he's angry," Neville cried out as the troll roared wildly throwing the remains of the chess pieces at them.
"Well someone had to do something," Millie screamed as they grabbed Ron dragging him along as the Troll ripped the remains of it's burnt tunic off.
"You yell like a married couple," Ron groaned.
"Shut up Ron," Millie and Neville snapped.
"Wait, I've got an idea," Neville said.
"I'm listening," Millie said.
"The plants," Neville replied.
"Brilliant," Millie said as she hurried through the key room, the plants finally coming around. "Excuse me Mr. Piranha plant," Millie said, walking up to one of the venus fly trap like plants sticking out of a pipe.
With a rustle of leaves the plant turned to her direction, the red and white bulb closed.
"You see there is this big meanie troll, that's coming after me and my friends, and I would really appreciate it if you could help us," Millie said gently caressing the bulb as it slowly retracted into the pipe. "I know trolls can be scary but if you can scare him off, I'll make sure you get lots of fertilizer," she said as the plant stopped for a moment before fully exiting the pipe, as several more joined it.
"Did a plant just shoot fireballs at a troll," Ron groaned as multiple piranha plants began launching large fireballs at the troll.
"Yes, Ron," Neville replied.
"Ok good," Ron said. "And did that really just…" He said as a Piranha plant slithered out of it's pipe the long vine traveling along the floor sneaking around behind the troll. Slowly the large bulb opened revealing a mouth filled with fangs hesitating for just a moment before clamping down on the Troll.
"Yes, Ron, it did just bite the troll between the legs," Ron groaned as the troll writhed in pain.
"Yes, Ron," Neville said, equal parts amazed and horrified as the plants beat the troll into submission.
"Well that's what it gets for attacking me," Millie huffed, crossing her arms as more plants began using the troll as a chew toy.
"Amazing," Neville said. "I mean I knew they would do something, but I never expected this."
"My first time flirting and it was with a plant," Millie sighed flopping to the ground, head in her hands. "Not cool," she groaned as the vines of the devil's snare came over and patting her on the shoulder. "Thank you, you're a good boy," Millie said, stroking the vine as the Devil's Snare restrained the troll.
"Mental that one," Ron said as Neville dropped him on the floor.
"So cool," Neville squealed.
Break
"No turning back I guess," Harry said as flames erupted around the door as they raced through.
"No going forward either," Hermione said looking at the flaming doorway on the other side of the chamber.
"This must be Professor Snape's challenge," Harry said looking at the bottles lined up on a table.
""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." hermione read looking at the potions.
"We don't have time for this crap," Harry said glaring at the potions. "Snape could already be in there."
"And I don't fancy tasting them either," Hermione said. "So we're stuck working through this. Now just relax and think," Hermione said touching his arm.
Ok, Harry said looking at the note. "Different are those at either end, but if you would move onwards neither are your friend," Harry said pointing to the 1st and 7th bottle.
"Great, and we can remove the largest and the smallest," Hermione said, moving two more bottles aside.
"That still leaves us with three, and I've got no clue," Hermione said.
"And we messed up the order moving those to the side," Harry sighed. "So now we've got no idea on which one it is."
"Wait, what was that spell that Professor Snape said you could use to scan for the basic components," Hermione said.
"Scansione degli ingredienti," Harry said waving his wand over the potions. "Nothing, completely blank….." Harry said, shaking his head.
"The bottles must have been charmed against it," Hermione said. "Wait, I have an idea. Scansione elementale," Hermione said waving her wand over the bottles.
"Anything," Harry asked.
"Interesting," Hermione muttered.
"What is it," Harry asked.
"It's not blocked but it's not working either," Hermione said. "All of them feel like water, but three feel like they have a large amount of metal in them," Hermione said. "These two feel like plants," She said.
"And the last two," Harry asked.
"One feels like wet, and the other cold," Hermione said, running her wand over the last two a second time, before pointing it at the flaming doors. The one they needed to proceed felt hotter than the one to go back.
"Go with the cold one. If those flames are hotter it's got to be the cold one," Harry said taking the vial.
"Are you sure," Hermione asked.
"Not really," Harry said. "And it looks like there is only enough for one," Harry said looking at the potion vial they selected from the mass of fakes.
"Wait I've got an idea," Hermione said looking at the flaming doorway they needed to pass through.
"What is it," Harry said. "Without the potion we can't even get close to the door left alone through it.
"Transfiguratione particularum," Hermione said pointing her wand at the door.
"I tried that already…." Harry said watching as the white hot flames turned a dull red and seemed to freeze in place or at least move slowly.
"What was that," Harry said.
"I removed some of the heat from the flames," Hermione said. "Now if we each take half it should work."
"You can do that….." Harry said.
"Apparently it's just me, some kind of fluke with my magic," Hermione muttered.
"Cool," he replied, drinking his half.
"Really you think it's cool," Hermione said.
"Well yeah you did just cool the flames," Harry said.
"Oooohhhhhh…" Hermione said as Harry took her hand
"And it was cool too," he said as they passed through the flames, a little warm but otherwise unharmed.
"It's that mirror," Harry said as they looked at the mirror.
"Yes, but why," Hermione replied as images began to form inside it.
"I can see my family again," Harry said looking at his parents who began to fade into the background as other people moved in front. Neville stood at his side with a blond haired girl he couldn't recognize, and a silver haired girl standing at his side, while Ron stood at the side somewhat away from the group.
Hermione's image was one that she was familiar with, the image that filled her dreams after a good day of skating. That of a girl with long silver hair and ice blue eyes, skating beautifully in an understated but regal dress. This time Hermione was joined by a girl with hair the color of a clear blue sky with matching blue eyes holding a microphone. Her light blue hair trailed behind her like a mountain waterfall to her waist. The girl's body was sylphlike as she sang and danced light on her feet almost floating through the air. Yet there was strength in her limbs on full display in a strapless royal blue mini dress with a frilly hem that only made her legs seem even longer. The girl seemed so different and yet so similar to Hermione like she should know who it was, as if they could be related. The blue heels were no trouble as she dodged a teasing swat from the silver haired girl as she winked at someone out of view. She could see Neville, and a lithe blond haired girl in a sleeveless white dress that came to just above her knees with lace covering the top of her above average chest. The girls' shimmering blond hair trailed behind her in a long thick braid interlaced with flowers. Her emerald green eyes shiny brightly, smiling like Millie had once when talking about cooking.
"Could the stone be in the mirror," Harry said.
"But it's a mirror, how could you…" Hermione muttered.
"Harry shrugged. "Magic…."
"Right…" Hermione sighed.
"What was the mirror called again," Harry said.
"The mirror of Erised, it shows your desire," Hermione said.
"Our desire…." Harry muttered looking at the mirror. "Could it really be that simple."
"What do you mean," Hermione asked.
"I think we need to desire the stone to remove it," Harry said.
"Really," Hermione said, staring at Harry.
"It's worth a shot," Harry said as they turned back to the mirror.
"I need the stone, with it I can," Hermione muttered gazing at the mirror. Slowly almost imperceivable the image began to change. The silver hair began to gain color turning to a fake platinum blond as the long ponytail shortened traveling up the girls back as they became large stiff drill-like curls. "But, I liked that color and style," Hermione muttered as the girl stumbled her skates turning into pointy high heeled boots face planting into the ice. The ice vanished as the girl stood her face less regal and more common with a bit of puffiness around the cheeks, nose a bit squashed. "I liked skating, why would I stop." Her clothes began to shift a dark corset forming on her waist pulling it tight and forcing her breasts up in a blatant display of cleavage, the sleeves a white blouse snapping tight forming indents in her soft upper arms. The bottom half of the dress rising up into a yellow mini skirt forcing her soft expanding legs on the display while knee high socks cut into her thighs creating a lip of fat around the top. "I want to be thin and dainty," Hermione muttered. The girl stood there giving Hermione a devilish smirk as she posed flaunting her overabundance of curves in a vulgar display before creating a ribbon to attack someone out of view of the mirror. Daphne, Tracy, and Pansy standing in the background. "This isn't what I wanted. Where is Millie, and Astoria," Hermione muttered, shedding a tear only to see that the girl being punished was a crying Millie as a catatonic Astoria looked on helplessly, as the not Hermione cackled.
"That's not what I want, that's not me, I refuse to be like them, I'm going to be a nice princess, not a wicked one. I just need the stone," Hermione said, tearing up as the girl's grin grew demonic, a black monster appearing on the girl's shoulder as Hermione fell to her knees.
"Will you be my friend," Astoria said in her mind.
"You are a very disciplined student," Hermione heard Katerina say.
"You have a stubborn determination, never lose that," Hermione heard Ria say in her head.
"Hermione that dress is so cute," Lavender gushed.
"That's so cool you can be a walking air conditioner in the summer," Padma and Parvati said.
"Thanks for helping us," Harry said.
"You're better than them Hermione," Neville said.
"Because you're my friend," Millie said.
"As long as you try your best," Emma said.
"There are no shortcuts in life," Dan said as Hermione listened to the voices ringing in her ears, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"To anywhere worth going," Hermione said looking up.
"Hermione are you ok," Harry asked.
"I think so," Hermione said as the silver haired girl returned dancing around the blond, her vibrant smile mocking her as the blond growled, stomping her foot in frustration snapping her heel stumbling on the ice as it returned. The silver haired vision of beauty seemed to say something setting the blond off as she screamed in frustration her corset tearing revealing a fluffy pale white belly. In desperation the blond lashed out with her ribbon the silver haired skater grabbing it, chuckling at the blond tried to tug it free growing red faced panting as her makeup began to run. With a smile ice raced from the silver fairy's hand freezing the ribbon before encasing the evil caricature of Hermione in ice.
"Are you sure," Harry said as Hermione watched the silver haired girl wink at her before shattering the ice block with a well placed roundhouse kick.
"Yes, everything is going to be just fine," Hermione said smiling as the silver haired girl winked at her.
"So you've discovered the secret to the mirror," a voice said stepping out of the shadows.
"Professor Quirrell," Harry gasped.
"What you didn't expect the poor bumbling professor to be the one after the stone," Quirrell said.
"No," Harry said.
"Consider this a final lesson then, always expect the unexpected," Quirrell said before binding them with conjured chains. "Now we are going to have a little chat. I know what the mirror is and I know the stone is inside of it. I also know that you have to desire the stone to remove it."
"But you can't despite desiring the stone," Harry said.
"Yes, I will admit that alludes me at the moment," Quirrell replied.
"However you did not face the nightmare of the mirror," Quirrell said looking at Harry. "And you overcame the nightmare of the mirror," Quirrell added looking at Hermione. "You must have desired the stone for something, perhaps it is something I can help you with."
Hermione glared at Quirrell. "Yes I do have a desire, a dream, but I will reach my dream the right way, not like you," Hermione said as the girl in the mirror smiled holding up a light blue sapphire before putting it in her pocket.
"Foolish girl, there is no right or wrong way, only power, and those courageous enough to grasp," Voldemort said, turning away from them.
"Harry keep him talking," Hermione whispered as she felt something fall into her hand.
"What are you going to do," Harry replied.
"Try and get us out," Hermione said.
"Why are you after the stone," Harry yelled.
"It's power is a means to an end," Quierrell replied.
"And what is that," Harry said.
"Power, power this world hasn't seen in thousands of years," Quierrell said.
"No, wand but that book said I could use gems to cast magic, but they need to be primed first. Sapphires are good with ice magic, maybe I can," Hermione muttered. "
Kälteabsorption," she said feeling the metal slowly heat up almost to the point of being unbearable. "Kalte Freisetzung," she said as the metal began to cool off waiting until it was almost too cold to handle before repeating the process.
"Why," Harry pressed.
"Why else, to have wizards and witches regain their proper place in the world," Quierell said.
"You're working for Voldemort," Harry snapped.
"Hahahahaha, was it that obvious," Quierell laughed.
"Yes," Harry growled. "That bastard killed my parents."
"Oh yes, it was quite sad," Quierrell said. "Your father was quite annoying but I didn't want him dead. Severus was another matter entirely," Quirell said.
"Wait…." Harry, growled. "You are Voldemort."
"Took you long enough," Quierell cackled as the pair gasped.
"You bastard," Harry roared, struggling against the metal chains, feeling them give a little. "You killed my parents!"
"Technically, I only killed your mother, when she wouldn't listen. Stupid girl always getting in the way" Voldemort said. "But you know how that turned out," Voldemort said. "Now that I've told you something important it is time you returned the favor."
"Go to hell," Harry growled lunging for Voldemort as the chains broke.
"What," Voldemort yelled.
"It worked," Hermione said, feeling the chains fall away.
"Impressive, but futile," Voldemort said, throwing Hermione against the wall with a flick of his wand while pulling Harry towards him.
"I'll kill you," Harry growled, flailing his arms.
"Hahahaha, so cute, the valiant Harry potter, trying to kill the big bad me," Voldemort said cupping his chin. "What is this," Voldemort hissed as his hand began to smoke.
"You fool, it wasn't your body she cursed it was your soul," a second voice said coming from Quirrell.
"How did you know that," Voldemort's voice said.
"Because I saw your nightmare of the mirror stupid," Quirell said as Voldemort dropped Harry his arm crumbling into dust.
"Impossible," Voldemort growled.
"It was my body first moron, you just locked me away, and Harry broke the lock," Quierrell said. "Now Harry be a dear and give me a hug."
"What!" Hermione and Harry exclaimed.
"I can't drive him out or stop him, but he is reacting terribly to your magic," Quirrell said.
"Transfiguratione particularum," Hermione said aiming at Quirrellmort's feet ice crawling up his shoes.
"Argh," Voldemort roared as Harry grabbed his arm, skin crumbling into dust.
"Die bastard,' Harry yelled.
"Enough…." Voldemort roared, throwing Harry back with a blast of magic before slicing his arm off at the elbow stopping the crumbling.
"Don't give him the stone," Quierrell said.
"Thank you for your insight Quierrell," Voldemort said, stunning Harry and removing a large blood red stone from Harry's pocket.
"No…" Harry groaned.
"Yes," Voldemort said, stumbling slightly looking over his stolen body. "Sadly it seems that I will have to leave killing you for another time," He said as the cry of a Phoenix could be heard.
Break
"Where am I, what happened," Hermione groaned, slowly opening her eyes only to slam them shut as the bright light filtered through the large windows of the Hogwarts hospital wing.
"In big trouble after the comotion you caused," McGonagall stated.
"Is the…" Hermione began to say.
"No, and that is no thanks to your meddling," Snape snapped.
"Sorry professor," Hermione said, rolling over to avoid looking at Snape's piercing gaze which was bad enough on a good day, but after learning what she did, she might not ever be able to look at him again.
"Minerva, Serverus, now is not the time," Madame Pomfrey said. "Can't you see she has been through enough."
"Fine," Severus said. "But I have 2 questions before I leave."
"She is clearly in no condition," Pomfrey said.
"Thank you, but I think I can answer a few questions," Hermione said softly.
"Alright, but don't you press her or we will be having words," Pomfrey said. "You already sent one student into hysterics and I will not allow you to do that again."
"Stupid Potter," Snape muttered under his breath. "I can see how you managed to make it past the other obstacles, but how did you manage to pass through the 6th room as it was quite obvious that you did not solve the riddle."
"We made a mistake in working through it and could only narrow it down to three," Hermione said.
"So Potter got lucky," Snape sneered.
"No Harry used the ingredient scan, but you charmed the vials against it. So instead I tried the elemental scan on it." Hermione said.
"Elemental scan, but all that would do is tell you the elemental makeup of the potions," McGonagall said.
"Three had a strong presence of metal and were likely poisonous, 2 had a strong presence of plants and were probably harmless. One had extra wetness and one had cold. We chose cold," Hermione said.
"Impressive the spell usually does not work well on potions," McGonagall said.
"Agreed, but how did you make it through the flames with only half a dose," Snape said.
"I used the elemental transfiguration," Hermione said.
"Impossible, the flames were not transfigured and the door was charmed against it," McGonagall said.
"Professor you know my elemental transfigurations are not very good, so instead of trying to change it, I just removed as much heat as I could cooling the flames," Hermone explained.
"That's impossible," McGonagall snapped. "If you had removed the heat it should have turned into dirt."
"But that's what I did," Hermione said.
"I do not appreciate liars," McGongagall snapped.
"Are you accusing my student of lying," Snape said.
"Enough both of you," Pomfrey said, quickly silencing both of them with a flick of her wand. "I told you what would happen," she said, pushing them along.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered. "That nice act might have worked if you hadn't threatened my dad," she said to herself as Professor Dumbledore entered.
"I am sorry you had to hear that Miss Granger, the staff is just a bit on edge right now," Dumbledore said.
"It's alright," Hermione said, seeing the reflection of twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes in the windows. Remembering something she overheard the older girls talking about she closed her eyes feigning exhaustion should the rumors about Dumbledore's mind reading prove to be true.
"I can see you are tired, but I would like to get your point of view about what happened in the chamber," Dumbledore asked.
"I remember transfiguring the flames to enter the chamber and seeing the mirror, but after that it's just pain and darkness," Hermione said.
"Did you see anyone else in the chamber," Dumbledore asked.
"No, Professor, I know that Harry thought Professor Snape was after the stone, but seeing as he is still working that must not have been the case," Hermione said.
"Yes, Professor Snape does have my complete trust and confidence," Professor Dumbledore said.
"I thought I told you to let them rest," Pomfrey said, marching up to Dumbledore.
"Just one more question Poppy," Dumbledore said.
"And then you're gone," Pomfrey hissed.
"Mrs. Granger, the others have told me that you were the one who mentioned the Angelicall and Ophidian stones. Those stones are rather unique even among Alchemists, so it is not something I hear mentioned everyday," Dumbledore said.
Break
Emma,
It saddens me to hear that you and your family are having such trouble at Hogwarts. While I hold no official power in the British Magical community, certain elements have long memories so should you or your family ever feel threatened please use my name in any way that you wish. That should give most pause before proceeding even that old medler Dumbledore.
Alucard Tepes
PS- You must come visit us this summer
Break
"I found it in a book my mom got for me from a Mr. Tepes in Romania," Hermione said softly. "The book just mentioned them, I still don't know what they are. Do you?"
"I would love to see that book one day," Dumbledore said.
"I already gave it back," Hermione yawned.
"A pity, but should you ever come across those names again I would love to hear about it," Dumbledore said. "A pleasant sleep to you Ms. Granger." He said before leaving.