Chapter 18: Alright, Let's Just Find the Horcruxes Already . . . *

By February, Harry's walking had improved greatly. Falls were few and far between. Taraneh still visited Minerva occasionally, and her magical education was moving on quickly, particularly with her wand use. Tim came through the floo with her once, so they could see Harry's walking progress, with which they were all very pleased.

Meanwhile, there were several things that Harry and Hermione did not tell their parents. They had investigated several strange events happening within the castle. They had used Harry's Invisibility Cloak to sneak out at night into the corridors. They had to be careful to avoid Mrs. Norris because neither of them could run. They discussed at length what Dumbledore had vaguely told Harry versus what they had read in the books. (Dumbledore had frankly left Harry confused a few months before, and it felt as if a lot of information had been left out.) Finally, the two concluded that they must speak with Minerva. Hermione made an appointment with her.

Minerva was quite interested in what her two students might like to discuss. They were both doing excellent work in their classes, with Hermione at the top of the first year class, and Harry in at third in the class (Draco was second.) She decided that Harry must want to know what Dumbledore had alluded to back in October. She decided to give them the additional information Albus had given her if they asked for it. It was not right, in her humble opinion, that Harry must be made to battle You-Know-Who someday, no matter what Dumbledore thought or what some prophecy said. Harry must decide for himself, and Hermione and their friends must decide for themselves if they wished to help or not. She would tell them all she knew. She did not think they were too young to know the truth. After all, Albus was attempting to lure Voldemort out of hiding. After this meeting, she must talk with Albus again. He was aware that she would most likely speak to Harry, and he knew of the reasons why, so he would not stop her. However, he still seemed most interested in prolonging the inevitable.

When they arrived after breakfast, Minerva had tea set up. She liked nothing better than tea for a conversation of any sort. Both Harry and Hermione took a cup and a biscuit after they had seated themselves.

"It is lovely to get an opportunity to speak with you. To what do I owe this visit?" she asked, taking a sip of tea. "You are both doing well in your classes."

"We've been wondering about the troll, and the three-headed dog. Why are they here? I know Hagrid likes Fluffy, but the troll? We've been wondering if they are here for the Philosopher's stone?" Harry asked in a rush to get the questions out.

"I'll elaborate," Hermione said. "We've read all sorts of information about the wizarding world now, and we learned about Nicholas Flamel's stone which can bring about immortality for the user. This seems like something Voldemort would be interested in. Why is it here in a school full of kids?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "Um, yeah, is Dumbledore trying to bring back Voldemort? As far as we can see, he is the one who is certain Voldemort is going to come back."

"Ah, yes," Minerva said, squaring her shoulders and composing herself before taking a sip of tea. "Now, I need both of you to keep what I am about to tell you to yourselves. We will discuss after what might be appropriate to tell Ron and Neville. I am surprised you didn't come to me sooner."

"I was busy with school, studying, and Quidditch, and anxious about being able to really walk, and now I can," Harry admitted. "I think I also tried to forget what Dumbledore said." Hermione hugged his shoulders, even though he had only told her about this recently. "And my scar hurts every time I am in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It gives me headaches, more than the fumes in Potions."

"Let me tell you everything I know, and then we'll see how what you are experiencing may fit in. During the war, Harry, your parents were on our side, fighting against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Your family had to go into hiding after the prophecy was made. It was about a child born at the end of July, and this child would be the one to vanquish Voldemort. Harry, it was between you and Neville, as Neville was born the day before. Voldemort seemed to decide that it must be you, so he decided to do away with you so he could remain alive and make further inroads on taking over the Ministry of Magic," Minerva said.

"Right, but I lived, and now I'm the Boy-Who-Lived. I do not like being famous. It's too much sometimes, and I just don't remember it," Harry said in a low voice. "I've talked with the Mind Healer about this."

"I am aware, Harry," Minerva said. "I am pleased you are talking this over with the Healer, but please do not speak directly with the Mind Healer about what I am telling you now, however."

"Yes," he agreed, fiddling with his teacup. He could see why he should not talk about it, obviously.

"You survived the Killing Curse due to your mother's love. There can be no other way that you survived. The curse rebounded off you and left that scar. I know you have heard this already, but no one that we know of has ever survived a direct hit from the curse. It does make you special. That is one of the reasons Albus - Professor Dumbledore - thought it would be an excellent idea to have you grow up with the Dursleys, so you would be out the limelight of the Wizarding world." She paused to take a deep breath before continuing.

"I should have put my foot down back then, Harry. I saw that the Dursleys are the worst kind of Muggles, but I put too much of my faith in Albus. I truly regret it now. I did not do my best by you, Harry." The two children just looked at her steadily, waiting to hear more as she sipped her tea.

"Albus believes that Voldemort is attempting to come back. It seems he did something with his soul, so that when his body died, he would be able to come back to life eventually. I don't know all the ways of this, as it takes very dark magic, and I have little knowledge of it. I suspect Albus does, but he also believes that you are still the only one to vanquish Voldemort, Harry. He brought the Philosopher's Stone here to Hogwarts to lure Voldemort out of hiding. He thought the Stone would be the ideal incentive. I do believe that Albus also wishes to test you, Harry, and your friends," she said, glancing at Hermione. "He wants to know your fortitude, and if you'll be able to fight Voldemort in the future. He believes every word of the prophecy."

"That's not fair, Professor," Hermione objected. "We're too young, and neither of us knew anything about any of this before you came to our house."

"I agree, Hermione. You are all too young, and that is where I am in strong disagreement with Albus. It isn't right. I think we adults, professors, mentors need to take care of this before it gets that far. Firstly, we need to see if Voldemort is anywhere in this castle. Secondly, we need to get that Stone away from here. Albus will not like it, but it might be all right if we do find evidence of Voldemort's existence. And Harry, you will need to choose. Albus says you have no choice, I know, but truly Harry, you DO have a choice if you want to help. I am not willing to put it all on your shoulders as Albus wishes," Minerva looked Harry in the eyes. He took a deep shuddering breath and then suddenly sat straight up on the chair.

"How do we get Dumbledore to tell us everything?" Harry asked, energized as decided that he wanted to get this behind him, and then he could have a completely happy life.

"Good question, Harry," Minerva said. "We'll try to come up with something. Voldemort must have split his soul into pieces somehow, according to Albus, but the number and where they are hidden are mysteries to me. It seems Professor Dumbledore has found three in the last ten years, hidden away in a carefully warded location, which may have prompted Voldemort to make his way back here with his original spirit. Or perhaps he came because it was the year Harry was to begin." Harry lifted his eyebrows at that. Minerva looked solemnly back with a nob.

"Hmm, I need to start researching, after we talk to Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said. It made her feel better to think of doing what she could control. "We need to figure out what potion or spell Voldemort may have used, and then look for likely hiding places or objects." She scribbled down notes on a piece of parchment. "Professor, do you think if we find them all and destroy them, then he won't be able to come back?"

"I'd like to think so," Minerva said with a grim smile, "but I don't want your schoolwork to suffer."

"It sounds like we're going to do this," Harry said, "so yes, I am willing. Anything to prevent him from coming back."

"Me, too," Hermione said. She was still writing notes as quickly as she possibly could. "We need to find Voldemort in the castle first."

"That's where I think Harry's comment earlier is quite interesting," Minerva said, her eyes widening as she thought about it more. "His scar hurts in Defense against the Dark Arts. Perhaps there is something there."

"Somehow I think it's Quirrell," Harry said. "I thought it was Snape at first, and so did Hermione, but I have been around Professor Snape, and it's definitely not him."

"I thought it was Professor Snape, too, but we were wrong," Hermione agreed. "Quirrell's behavior is odd, and he doesn't actually teach us much of anything. Sometimes he is not himself, it seems, although I don't know what he was like before."

"I've read a lot Muggle fiction," Harry said, a thoughtful look on his face. "I get pain in my scar, which I have never had until we arrived at Hogwarts. In some stories, the characters get possessed by spirits or ghosts. Things like that. Maybe Voldemort is in Quirrell somehow. I know ghosts are real now, so why couldn't possession be real?"

"My brother is right, Professor McGonagall." Hermione and Harry exchanged grins. Minerva hid one. It was obvious the two children were still very pleased that they were now siblings, even amidst this serious topic.

"We absolutely cannot tell our parents," Hermione said. "They would fight to pull us out of Hogwarts if they felt our lives were in danger. Even if Mum does know some magic now."

"I understand, Ms. Granger," Minerva said. She would put a plan together, in conjunction with Hermione, their young researcher. She would have to bring other staff in, most likely, and they would have to convince Albus that they could help Harry. It was not to be left on his young shoulders. "I will think about all of this. Ms. Granger, research to your heart's content. Let me know if you need access to more resources. Mr. Potter, please do not let on to Professor Quirrell what we suspect for now. Please."

"Of course, not," Harry said, as he had grown up knowing how to keep things to himself.

-break-

Harry's headache was worse than ever before in DADA a few days later. Professor Quirrell stuttered more than usual, but that was not what bothered him. It was the pain in his head. He had a difficult time keeping the pain off his face, because of course, that was where the pain was. Hermione glanced at him anxiously several times during class and wondered what they should do about this. Should Harry not attend this class until they had worked something out?

Hermione was about to suggest Harry see Madam Pomfrey for a pain potion when Professor Dumbledore appeared in the door frame, accompanied by Professors McGonagall and Snape. Harry was now doubled over in pain. Hermione put an arm around him, as Ron did from the other side, and they tried to comfort him as a flash of light flew over their heads. Hermione looked up to see Professor Quirrell stunned in place. Harry was screaming, and she held onto him with all her might.

"Students, please leave everything and exit the room," Professor McGonagall announced. Most of the students did so, although there was some grumbling about wanting to see what was happening. Hermione and Ron tried to get Harry to stand, but they could not. It was obvious that he was in too much pain. All at once, he stopped screaming, and fell into Hermione's arms. She brushed his fringe a bit, and saw his scar appeared inflamed.

"We're safe for now, I think," Ron said, glancing at her. "Snape put a shield on us."

"Look!" Hermione exclaimed quietly. The professors had bound Quirrell up magically so that he would not be able to harm any of them, and then removed the man's turban from his head. There, on the back of Quirrell's head, was another face! Hermione felt she should be revolted, but it was honestly quite fascinating. Ron turned his head to be sick to the side away from Harry, who was still sitting between them, though he was draped over Hermione's lap. The face – it was speaking, but Hermione did not hear what it said, and what Dumbledore said in response. There was a roaring in her ears as she realized this was Voldemort. Somehow Voldemort had possessed Quirrell, and Harry had gotten the scar from Voldemort. The scar told Harry that Voldemort was close, and he was angry.

BREAK

Harry woke up in the Hospital Wing. He had already been here several times, and it was like a third home for him, though he was loath to admit it. What time was it? He reached for his glasses.

"Welcome back, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, with a grim smile. There seemed to be so much grim smiling as of late.

"How long was I out?" Harry asked. He glanced down at his residual limb through the blanket. "Oh, it wasn't long enough for my leg to grow back, I see," and then he let out a peal of laughter.

"Mr. Potter, you're awake?" Professor McGonagall asked curiously, rising from a nearby chair.

"It just struck me as funny, professor. Last year, I woke up and my leg was gone, that's all. It's still gone!" Harry said.

"I am not going to pretend I understand, dear," Minerva said with a relieved smile. "You have been asleep for two days straight, Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey began running diagnostics over him with her wand.

"Really? Why?" Harry asked. He must have really needed it if he had truly slept that long. He didn't even sleep that long after his surgery. He then remembered that class, and the incredible explosive pain in his head. His breathing picked up as he said, "Professor, Quirrell is really Voldemort! Please do something!"

"Harry, we have Quirrell locked up, and we managed to capture Voldemort as he was leaving Quirrell's body."

"How? What did you do to his, erm, spirit?"

"Professor Dumbledore managed to capture the spirit and entrap it into an object. Apparently, this is similar to the method Voldemort used to make the horcruxes, but not as Dark. We need to now destroy this object as well as the other objects. Ms. Granger is researching possible methods of destruction right now. She stayed with you until just an hour ago, although she and I had a discussion with Professor Dumbledore. She had all the information possible, I believe. We know how to destroy them. Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Weasley are assisting her. It is Saturday, after all," Minerva said. She was proud of her students, but very sorry that they had to deal with this.

"That's good," Harry said. "When can I leave?"

"This evening for dinner, but first you need to take these potions and rest a little longer," Madam Pomfrey said as she handed him to vials of liquid. Harry wrinkled his nose because none of these potions tasted good. He knew right away one was for pain and thought the other might be a nutrition potion.

"Where's my bag?" he questioned. If he was going to rest, he wanted a book. Madam Pomfrey brought his bag, and he riffled through it, debating what he was interested in. Read the paperback fictional book, the medicine book he had thrown in that morning two days ago, or a schoolbook? After finally deciding on the paperback, he laid back in his pillows. A sudden question popped to mind.

"Professor McGonagall," Harry said rather formally, and touched his forehead. "My scar hurt so badly. Is it possible, when I was a baby, that Voldemort left a piece of himself in me?"

"I don't think so, Harry," Minerva said wearily sitting in her seat again. "You have had several diagnostic scans since July. We would have found it already, correct, Poppy?"

"Oh, yes, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said. "All the pain in your scar has resolved, and nothing is hidden."

"Alright, then," Harry said, feeling quite relieved. "Thank you." Madam Pomfrey reminded him he was to rest and walked briskly to her office. Minerva stayed by Harry's side, much to his relief. He didn't want to be alone right now. He watched as she pulled parchment and a quill from one of her robe pockets, and then he turned to his book, trying to distract himself.

About an hour before dinner, Madam Pomfrey gave Harry another pain potion, and then asked if he would like to shower in the bathroom near her office. He wanted to, so he fished out his shrunken crutches out of his school bag and enlarged them. Minerva put away her things, took out her wand, and levitated Harry's bag, clothing, and prosthetic leg to the bathroom. Harry wanted to laugh at the sheer weirdness of this but held it back to a smile.

He did laugh when he came out after his shower, now dressed. Hermione, Neville, Ron, and Draco were waiting for him, and Ron was making a silly face. They went down for supper together, and Draco sat with them at the Gryffindor table for once. Draco had met up with the others in the library, where he told them his father had a lot of Dark magic books, once he heard what they were up to and sworn to secrecy. For now, however, they had express permission to peruse the Restricted Section, even though Madam Pince was unhappy about it. Dumbledore had given them some ideas to pursue. He had found three of the horcruxes already, as McGonagall had said. Unfortunately, he had not destroyed them as yet, because he was not entirely sure how to do it legally. He had admitted he did not know what the remainder of the horcruxes were, and that there were perhaps only three more. He had found some that were in Hogwarts itself.

"With Voldemort's spirit from the night you 'killed' him, Harry," Hermione said, "captured now, Dumbledore thinks three more would make sense, because he himself was the seventh."

"I wish I could be in Gryffindor," Draco said softly to Harry before they left the table, after fielding some looks from students over at the Slytherin table. "I am not my father. I've tried hard to be like him, to make him happy, but I can't do it much longer. I will for a while longer, so that perhaps I can get into his library. He will be happy if I show some interest in the Dark Arts. I don't get along with many of the Slytherins." He sighed long and deeply. Hermione looked over from the other side of the table, where she had just been making some study plans with Neville and Ron (and they left the table to head upstairs.) She had not heard exactly what Draco had said, but she had heard the sigh. Harry tried to think of the right thing to say in response. Finally, he said hesitantly,

"Maybe we can ask the Headmaster if you could be re-Sorted. If not him, Professor McGonagall is my magical guardian and she's Deputy. We could ask her." Hermione heard this and chimed in with the suggestion that she could bring it up, as she was working with McGonagall to change things gradually at Hogwarts.

"Ask, Hermione, but I would like to wait until next September to be officially re-sorted if it is possible. I need check my father's books this summer if not over Easter break. I don't know what he'll do to me if I am re-Sorted now. I am supposed to be mean and awful to everyone to prove my place as my father's son, but I can't anymore. It's not really me. My mother tells me one thing and my father tells me another," Draco said in the low voice, thankful that Ron was not there to overhear his words. He continued,

"I got on the train, planning to do as my father wanted, but then I ran into you, Harry, and you were so - - friendly. I've never had real friends before. I played with some of the Slytherins when we were young, but they never felt like real friends. You do." He looked at Hermione and then to Harry. "My father is part of the pure-bloods who believe pure-bloods should be all-powerful, and the muggle-borns are nothing. I don't believe in that because you are both half-bloods and are both very powerful. Harry, you do descend from a pureblood family, but your great-grandfather Potter was ousted from the Sacred list of purebloods early in the 20th century. I don't know why, really. Hermione, your mother found out she was a witch last summer, right? Then she must come from a magical family further back, if your grandparents didn't have magic. My father will say I can't be friends with you, but I don't care. I like you both, and I like Neville. I never met him growing up, because his grandmother kept him home with her. Ron and I will work out getting along better."

"I didn't know you were so talkative," Harry commented and flashed a grin.

"I'm not normally but finding out that Voldemort is trying to come back to life is frightening. My father will expect me to be involved, because he has said so. I don't want to be on that side. I want to help you," Draco said urgently.

"We would like that," Hermione said, and just left it that, as they all got up to return to their dorms. Draco spoke up once more.

"I may have to pretend for a while longer, after tonight, that I don't get along with you. Some of my housemates will be suspicious."

"We understand," Harry said, although he had a feeling that they had a lot more to learn about the
Wizarding world. Maybe Draco would help them with more than the Horcruxes.

- BREAK -

*Note: I don't own any of these characters, and guess what? I just had to speed up the timeline. In re-reading DH to my children recently, I became impatient. Must it take so long to find the horcruxes (or is it horcruxi/horcruxen)? I decided at some point to delve into more tropes, and simply because I like fix-it stories sometimes. I have written this story since October last, and my mood keeps changing!