The exams had come with what seemed to be a heat wave as the castle became swelteringly hot. Alucard was quite sure of his exam marks, having already studied a few years ahead, so he was more focused on helping the first-years pass.
Hermione needed no help, although she always asked for more, to pass her exams, having studied the textbooks almost religiously. She could repeat the textbook nearly as well as Alucard himself, which is surprising considering she didn't have perfect memory recall. Ron was nearly the exact opposite. He needed all the help he could get and had both Alucard and Hermione constantly pestering him to study and practise.
Harry didn't need Alucard's help, but it would improve his marks greatly, but Harry's mind was elsewhere. So, Alucard took it upon himself to help Harry study, having guessed the cause of his distracted mind was Voldemort. Alucard enjoyed studying with Harry, who was responsive and eager to learn, though not too eager like Hermione sometimes could be.
Although, Alucard's favourite part of the exams were his practical exams. They would be called in one-by-one into Professor Flitwick's office, where they would have to demonstrate and assortment of the spells they had learned that year, along with extra credit for showcasing spells that were from higher grades. Alucard got a full score and then some for perfectly showcasing the required spells, then surprised Flitwick when showcasing his Bombarda and Bombarda Maxima spells along with and Aquamenti to put out a little bit of fire the explosions caused.
Then he had Transfiguration where they had to transform an animal into a clear crystal goblet. Points were given for clearness and design, and removed for left over animal features, unless they were part of the design. Alucard turned a parrot into a replica of the goblets from the Great Hall, just made of perfectly clear crystal with a parrot head insignia on one side as a nod to the original animal, before reverting it back into its natural state.
Then he had Potions, where he had to brew a Fire Protection Potion under Snape's critical and watchful eye. Something he made sure to make to perfectly, as to not give Snape a reason to fail him.
Harry kept having headaches, caused by a burning in his scar he revealed to Alucard in one of their study sessions. The image of Voldemort covered in unicorn blood had haunted his dreams every night since they had gone into the Forest, alongside the burning in his scar. Ron and Hermione didn't seem as worried about it as Alucard and Harry, both of whom had seen Voldemort up close, and were preoccupied with their studies.
The last exam for the first-years was a one hour paper on History of Magic, while Alucard had a Herbology exam, where he had to work with leaping toadstools, which actually jumped around, and Abyssinian Shrivelfig, which shriveled up if handled too heavily which made the point of the exam to repot them without them shriveling up.
Alucard finished first and was met later by the first-years on the shore of the lake under the shade of an oak.
"No more revision." Ron sighs gratefully as he flops onto the ground. "You could look more cheerful, Harry, we've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet."
"It's exactly that attitude that makes you get bad marks." Alucard says, flicking Ron's head. "Be more positive, at least believe you passed."
"I wish I knew what this meant." Harry complains after laughing at Ron's expense, while rubbing his forehead. "My scar keeps hurting - it's happened before, but never as often as this."
"Go to Madam Pomfrey." Hermione suggests.
"I'm not ill." Harry says. "I think it's a warning... It means danger's coming."
"Your scar also hurt when we were near Voldemort." Alucard says thoughtfully, ignoring Ron's: 'Don't say the name!'. "Maybe it hurts when he does something?"
"What would that be though?" Harry asks in return.
"Hermione's right, Harry, the Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore is around." Ron says, feeling that it was too hot to get worked up. "Anyway, we've never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down."
"I understand, it's just... I feel like there's something I've forgotten to do. Something important." Harry explains.
"Sorry, can't relate." Alucard says jokingly. "Perfect memory sorts that out." He says pointing at his head.
"It's just the exams, I woke up last night and was halfway through my Transfiguration notes when I remembered we had already done that."
They had all settled down again into a comfortable silence, Harry watching an owl, Hermione and Ron watching the twins and Lee Jordan tickle the giant squid, Alucard looking into the Forest, when Harry suddenly jumped up. Alucard's attention snaps to him.
"Where're you going?" Ron asks him sleepily.
"I just thought of something." Harry says, his skin growing pale. "We've got to go and see Hagrid, now."
"Why?" Hermione panted, struggling to keep up with Harry, who was scrambling to get to Hagrid's, and Alucard, who seemed to glide effortlessly next to him.
"Don't you think it's a bit odd." Harry says. "That what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it's against the law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don't you think? Why didn't I see it before?"
"Oh, I see." Alucard says simply, speeding up, forcing the other three to speed up also.
"What are you two on about?" Ron pants, but Harry and Alucard didn't answer him as Hagrid's hut came into view.
Hagrid was outside his hut, sitting on a large armchair with his trousers and sleeves rolled up. He was shelling peas into a large bowl.
"Hullo." He greets them, smiling. "Finished yer exams? Got time fer a drink?"
"Yes, please." Ron responds before Harry interjects.
"No, we're in a hurry. Hagrid, I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norberta? What did the person you were playing cards with look like?"
"Dunno." Hagrid responds casually. "He wouldn't take his cloak off." The first-years look stunned while Alucard just nods, being familiar with the Hog's Head due to his parents.
"It's not that unusual, yeh get a lot of funny folk in the Hog's Head - that's a pub down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn' he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up." Hagrid explains while Harry sits down next to the bowl of peas.
"What did you talk to him about, Hagrid? Did you mention Hogwarts at all?" Harry asks.
"Mighta come up." Hagrid says, frowning as he tried to remember. "Yeah... He asked me what I did an' I told him I was gamekeeper here... He asked me about the sorta creatures I look after... so I told him... an' I mentioned how what I always really wanted was a dragon... an' then... can't remember too well, he kept buying me drinks... Let's see... yeah, he said he had a dragon egg, an' we could play cards fer it if I wanted... but, he had to be sure I could handle it... didn't want any normal home ter get it... So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy..."
"Did he see interested in Fluffy?" Alucard asks, watching as Harry payed more attention as well.
"Well - yeah - how many three-headed dogs d-yeh meet, even around Hogwarts? So, I told him. Fluffy's a piece of cake if yeh know how ter calm him down, jus' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep-" Hagrid looks horrified with himself. "I shouldn'ta told yeh that! Forget I said it! Hey - where're yeh goin'?"
The four of them didn't speak as they rushed off back to the castle, only stopping in the Entrance Hall.
"We've got to go to Dumbledore." Harry says. "Hagrid told a stranger how to get past Fluffy, and it was either Snape or Voldemort under that cloak - it muust've been easy, once they got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Maybe Firenze will back us up if Bane doesn't stop him. Where's Dumbledore's office?"
The three first-years look around, having no clue where it is.
"C'mon, this way." Alucard says, dashing off up the stairs. "It's up here, I've been there a few times."
"Why'd you get sent there?" Ron asks him curiously.
"You thought you were the only ones to sneak out after dark?" Alucard asks with a smirk, Hermione looks surprised. "What? Thought I was a good boy, did you?" Alucard asks her once he spots her expression.
"What are you four doing inside?" Professor McGonagall's voice calls out, she was walking down the stairs towards them, carrying a pile of books.
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore." Hermione says, stepping forward.
"See Professor Dumbledore?" McGonagall asks them, suddenly suspicious. "Why?"
"It's sort of a secret." Harry says, causing McGonagall's nostrils to flair.
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago." She says, almost coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew for London at once."
"He's gone?" Harry asks frantically. "Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very important wizard, Potter, he has many demands of his time-"
"But this is important." Harry tries to argue.
"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?"
"Professor, It's about the Philosopher's Stone." Alucard says, throwing caution to the wind. Whatever McGonagall had expected, it most certainly wasn't that. The books she had been holding tumbled to the ground.
"How do you know-?" She sputters.
"Long story." Alucard says, cutting her off. "But, we know that someone is going to try and steal the Stone. We've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow." McGonagall finally says. "I don't know how you found out about the Stone, and I don't want to know. But, rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected."
"But, Professor-" Harry tries feebly.
"I know what I'm talking about, Potter." She tells him shortly. She waved her wand and the books gathered back up into her arms. "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine." They waited until she was out of earshot before speaking.
"It's tonight." Harry begins. "They're going through the trapdoor tonight. They found everything they need and now that Dumbledore's out of the way. The person sent that message, bet the Ministry will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up."
"But what can we-" Hermione asks before gasping, making the other three turn around to find Snape standing behind them.
'How the hell didn't I hear him?' Alucard mentally yells.
"Good afternoon." Snape greets them smoothly.
"Afternoon, Professor." Alucard returns the greeting, followed by the first-years.
"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this." Snape says conversationally, an odd, twisted smile on his face. "You want to be more careful, people will think you're up to something if you're hanging around like this. And Gryffindor really can't afford to lose any more points, can they?" The four turn to go back outside but Snape calls out to Harry. "Be warned, Potter - any more night-time wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day." He finishes before striding off towards the staff room.
Harry turns to the other three once they reach the stone steps just outside the Entrance Hall.
"Right, here's what we've got to do." Harry begins. "One of us has got to keep an eye out for Snape - wait outside the staff room and follow him if he leaves it. Hermione-"
"I'll do it." Alucard says. "I want to ask Snape and Flitwick stuff about the exams, anyway. And my record is basically clean."
"Okay, Alucard will keep an eye on Snape. Then the rest of us will guard the third-floor corridor." Harry says, nodding to Ron and Hermione. "Come on."
Alucard made his way towards the staff room by himself, having to split off from the other three nearly instantly. He calmly walked down the corridors, the portraits watching more curiously as he approached the staff room and leant against the wall next to the door. Alucard watches the portraits opposite the door with mild interest, having nothing else to do.
As a knight chasing a pudgy horse passed through a tavern full of hooded figures Snape walks out of the staff room and turns to Alucard.
"What are you doing here, Juvatich?" He asks, struggling to not sneer.
"I was hoping to discuss the exam with you." Alucard explains. "About the Fire Protection Potion we had to make." He adds helpfully.
"What about it?" Snape asks.
"I just thought of something about how it was made." Alucard explains. "When adding the salamander blood, why do we only stir anti-clockwise, wouldn't it be more effective to mix it in if it was stirred twice clockwise then twice anti-clockwise?"
"It is true that it would mix better, but that would allow more air into the potion, which weakens the potions effect once completed." Snape explains, sounding less annoyed than normal. "Salamander blood weakens when introduced to air, thus weakening the potion."
"Then to counteract that, couldn't a person place a covering over the cauldron with a hole in it for the spoon?" Alucard asks. "Then less air enters the potion in general and allows you to stir clockwise and anti-clockwise."
"That isn't a completely stupid idea." Snape admits. "I will investigate. Good day." He says before swishing his robe and walking off hauntingly, as Flitwick walks out of the staff room.
"Oh, Alucard!" Flitwick squeaks. "Just the person I wanted to speak to!" Alucard glances at Flitwick before glancing where Snape went, only to find he vanished.
Alucard climbed through the portrait hole into the common room to find the three first-years already waiting. He releases a sigh as he walks towards them.
"Lost him." Alucard admits. "Flitwick came out of the staff room after him and wanted to talk to me also, and by the time I got away I couldn't find him anywhere."
"Then that's it, isn't it?" Harry says.
"What happened to you three?" Alucard whispers to Hermione.
"McGonagall found us, threatened to take points if she saw us there again." Hermione whispers back, watching as an idea formed in Harry's mind.
"I'm getting out of here tonight, and I'm going to try and take the Stone first." Harry eventually says, conviction strengthening his voice.
"I'm going with." Alucard says. "Someone's gotta make sure you stay alive." Harry smiles in thanks.
"You're both mad!" Ron exclaims.
"You can't!" Hermione tries to reason. "After what McGonagall and Snape said? You'll be expelled!"
"So? There are other Magic schools that'll love to have Harry and me." Alucard says with a shrug. "Parents won't be too happy, but they have time to get over it."
"If Snape gets the Stone, Voldemort's coming back! There won't be a Hogwarts to be expelled from! He'll flatten it or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts! Points don't matter anymore, if I get caught, I'll go to another Magic school with Alucard and prepare for him there. I'm going down the trapdoor tonight, and nothing will stop me." Harry rants.
"You're right." Hermione answers, her voice smaller than before.
"I'll use the Cloak. It's lucky I got it back." Harry says.
"Will it cover all four of us?" Ron asks.
"All - all four of us?" Harry repeats.
"No, just you three." Alucard says, drawing their gazes. "I can hide just fine by myself."
"You don't think we'd let you two go alone, did you?" Ron asks, slightly amused.
"Of course not." Hermione says, mock-snottily. "How'd you think you'll get the Stone without us. I'll go look through my books, see if there'll be something useful there."
"But if we get caught you two will be expelled, too." Harry feebly says.
"Not if I can help it." Hermione says grimly. "Flitwick told me in private that I got a hundred and twelve percent on his exam. They're not throwing me out after that."
"Ha!" Alucard exclaims. "I beat you, I got a hundred and twenty six percent!" He points at his chest while puffing it out, making Hermione look slightly annoyed.
After dinner the first-years sat nervously while Alucard went around and talked with some of the nearby people until they went to bed. Nobody bothered the first-years because no-one talked to Harry anymore. Hermione was skimming through her textbooks while Ron and Harry made small talk, after being told to by Alucard. The last person to leave was Neville, who had just been helped by Alucard to catch his toad, Trevor.
"Go grab the Cloak in a few minutes." Alucard says, sitting down with the other three. "I'll tell you when everyone is asleep." So, they sat in silence before Alucard told Harry to get the Cloak. Harry rushed up and came back with the Cloak and the flute Hagrid gave him for Christmas.
"Put the Cloak on now. I'll follow after you." Alucard says. The three of them pulled the Cloak over themselves and left the common room, followed by Alucard who quickly ducked out of their sight and climbed onto the roof.
Every shadow looked like Filch looming around a corner, while every gust of cold air sounded like Peeves swooping down at them from above. They found Mrs Norris at the foot of the first set.
"Oh, let's kick her, just this once." Ron whispers to Harry, which Harry disagrees to. The first-years climb past her carefully, but her eyes are locked on the form of Alucard above them.
They then made their way to the third floor, meeting no-one else until the last stairway, where Peeves was bobbing halfway up, loosening the carpet.
"Who's there?" He suddenly asks. "Know you're there, even if I can't see you. Are you a ghoulie or ghostie or a wee student beastie?" Peeves says before floating up, staring where the first-years were. "Should call Flich, I should, if something's a-creeping around unseen."
"Peeves." Alucard says his voice echoing everywhere, making Peeves pale considerably. "The Bloody Baron and I have business here tonight, leave." Peeves nearly falls out of the air from fright.
"So sorry, Lord of the Dark, sir!" Peeves says, adopting a greasy voice. "My mistake - I didn't see you - of course I didn't, forgive little Peevsie for his joke please!" Peeves begs, head bowed low.
"I said; Leave." Alucard's voice rings out again.
"I will, sir, right away!" Peeves declares. "I hope your and the Baron's business goes well!" He basically yelps before rushing off.
"That was awesome, Alucard!" Ron declares excitedly.
A few seconds later, they were stood in front of the third-floor corridor - and the door was already open. Alucard appeared next to them, face serious.
"If you want to go back." Harry says, turning to the other three.
"Don't even start." Alucard says, interrupting Harry. "We're going."
So, they slowly opened the door to hear low growls. All of Fluffy's heads were sniffing madly in their direction, before locking onto Alucard, the only one visible. There was a second's pause before:
Stomp, stomp, clap.
"Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise." Alucard starts singing, perfectly imitating Freddie Mercury, making Hermione snap around to look at him in surprise. "Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday."
Alucard gestures for them to go for the trapdoor while he continues to sing.
"You got mud on your face, you big disgrace. Kickin' your can all over the place, singing;" Alucard reaches the chorus were even Harry and Hermione absent mindedly join in. "We will, we will ROCK YOU! We will, we will Rock You!"
"Wanna go first, Hermione?" Ron asks as they peer into the hole under the trapdoor.
"No, I don't!" Hermione says.
"Buddy, you're a young man, hard man. Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday!"
"All right." Ron says, glancing down again. "We'll have to jump."
"I'll go first." Harry says, moving over to jump in.
"You got blood on your face, you big disgrace! Waving your banner all over the place."
Harry lowers himself down the hole until he was hanging by only his fingertips.
"If anything happens to me, don't follow. Go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore." Harry tells Ron and Hermione.
"Right." The two respond together.
"We will, we will ROCK YOU! Sing it! We will, we will ROCK YOU! Yeah!"
Harry dropped down, a second passed before a soft Flump announced Harry's landing.
"It's OK!" He yells up the hole, only getting a: 'Buddy, you're an old man, poor man.' in return. Ron soon arrived followed by Hermione.
"C'mon Alucard!" Ron yells up.
The singing continues, before they notice the singing getting louder before Alucard lands next to them.
"You got mud on your face, you big disgrace!" Alucard finishes, pointing up the hole as a bark rings out. "Woo!"
"Lucky this plant thing was here to break our falls." Ron comments. Hermione and Alucard quickly get up and struggle to the far wall, they struggled because as soon as they landed the plant had started to twist snake-like tendrils around their ankles. Harry and Ron were already bound tightly up till their torso's.
"Stop struggling!" Hermione commands, watching as their struggling made the tendrils move faster and wrap tighter. "I know what this is - it's Devil's Snare!"
"Oh, I'm so glad I know what it's called! That's a great help." Ron snarls, leaning away from the tendrils heading towards his neck.
"Incendio!" Alucard cries, pointing the stream of fire above the other two, aiming to not burn them but to scare off the Devil's Snare. "Fire is it's weakness." He explains simply as he stops the spell, allowing the other two to walk towards them.
"Lucky you two are so smart." Harry says thankfully.
"Lucky Alucard reacts quickly." Ron says.
"Let's go." Alucard says, pointing down a passageway. The passageway sloped down, reminding Alucard and Harry of Gringotts. Alucard was trying to thik of a plan to deal with a dragon like the one he had seen in Gringotts. Adult dragon fire was one of the few types of fire that actually harmed vampires.
"Can you hear something?" Ron asks. Alucard nods.
"Some thing small is flying up ahead, a lot of somethings." Alucard says. They reached the end of the passage and entered a brilliantly lit chamber, with a high arching ceiling. Small bird-like things flew around, fluttering and tumbling through the air. Opposite them was a large heavy wooden door.
"Do you think they'll attack us if we cross the room." Ron asks.
"Only one way to tell." Alucard says, right before he strides confidently into the room, where nothing happened. He made his way to the door, followed by the other three, unharmed. He pulled the handle, it was locked.
He stepped back before kicking at the door, making a large slamming sound but leaving the door unharmed.
"Worth a shot." Alucard says, looking up at the birds. "These aren't birds." Alucard tells the others with a slight amount of surprise.
"What? Oh, wait, you're right! They're keys!" Harry says, surprise much more clear. "Yes - look, broomsticks!" Harry adds, pointing at three broomsticks laying off to the side.
"So, we have to catch one that fits the door? Simple enough." Alucard says, heading to the brooms.
"But, there are hundreds of them!" Hermione says.
"We're probably looking for one that looks old fashioned, big and silver, like the handle." Ron says, examining the lock. Harry, Alucard and Ron climb onto a broom each, leaving Hermione to search on the ground.
"Sorry, but you aren't the best on a broom." Alucard semi-apologises, Hermione agreeing quickly. So, the three boys kick off and flying into the swarm of keys.
A second later Alucard's voice is heard.
"There! The big one - with bright blue wings! There!" Alucard says as he dives at it, followed quickly by Harry and Ron. Ron acted to try and stop it from going down while Alucard and Harry both flew expertly around it, barely missing it.
"Harry! Go above and dive down when I say so!" Alucard yells at him, Harry quickly obeys. "Now!" Alucard blasted forward while Harry dived down, the key swerved Alucard only to be grabbed by Harry as he passed.
They all land quickly and rush to the door, met there by Hermione. Harry rammed the key into the lock and turned it quickly, the key flew off again, now looking worse for wear.
"Ready?" Harry asks the three of them, they all nod and Harry pulled the door open. The next chamber was dark, so dark even Alucard couldn't see anything. They stepped forward and light flooded into the chamber.
They were standing at a chessboard, a giant chessboard with pieces so large that they towered over the four students. They stood behind the black chessmen, facing the equally large and imposing white chessmen. The first-years shivered, the white chessmen had no faces.
"Now what do we do?" Harry asks, whispering due to his nerves.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Ron asks in return. "We've got to play our way across the room."
"It seems like we might have to replace some of the chessmen ourselves." Alucard says, walking forward until he taps a knight, who instantly springs to life and turns to face Alucard. "Do we join you?" The knight nodded which makes Alucard sigh.
"This wants thinking about..." Ron mutters, Alucard walks over and they start muttering together. Ron looks at the other two. "Now, don't take this as an insult, but neither of you are really that good at chess..."
"We're not offended." Harry says quickly. "Just tell us what to do."
"Harry, you replace that bishop." Alucard instructs.
"Hermione, trade places with the castle next to him." Ron instructs her.
"What about you two?" Hermione asks.
"We're going to be knights." Ron says proudly. The chessmen seemed to be listening because when that was said the knights, a castle, and a bishop left the board, leaving four empty spaces that the four of them took.
"White plays first... yes... look." Ron says to himself as a white pawn moves forward two spaces. Ron and Alucard started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently when instructed and waited patiently while Alucard and Ron discussed the options.
"Harry - move diagonally four squares to the right." Ron says.
A few moves later and they came across a problem, Ron and Alucard were arguing about a certain move that they could make. Ron was arguing against it, while Alucard was assuring it would be fine.
"If you move there, they'll take you!" Ron yells at him.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Alucard yelled in return. "They hit me? I kicked a mountain troll into a wall, I'll be fine."
"Don't blame me then!" Ron yells, seemingly annoyed by the move. Alucard then moves and the white queen moves to take his square. The queen arrives and swings a fist at Alucard, hitting him in a arm he raised to protect himself, sending him flying off the chessboard.
"Alucard!" Ron and Harry yell in fright. Alucard quickly stands up, shaking his arm to get rid of the slight throb in it.
"See? I'm alright." Alucard brags. "I'd recommend not doing that yourself, though. It's probably going to knock you out."
"What are you made of?" Ron asks in shock, noticing the white queen's hand crack slightly.
"Something stronger than these statues, apparently." Alucard responds, noticing the same thing. "I'll help like I did when I was on the board, let's continue."
"That leaves Hermione able to take that bishop, go on." Ron says, glancing at Alucard as he speaks.
Soon there were two piles of broken rubble, one made of white pieces the other of black pieces, which were of about equal in size. There was a close call or two where Harry or Hermione were in danger, but he moved them out of the way in time with the help of Alucard.
"Nearly there." Ron says. "Let me think... Let me think..." The white queen turns to face him. "Yes... it's the only way... I've got to be taken..."
"No!" Harry and Hermione shouted.
"Don't worry!" Alucard yells out, gaining everyone's attention. "I've got a plan to make sure he isn't too hurt."
"Thank you, and that's chess." Ron thanks Alucard before explaining. "You've got to make some sacrifices. I go forward - she takes me - then you can take the king, Harry!"
"But-" Harry says.
"It'll be alright! Let's get to stopping Snape already!" Alucard yells. The other two accept what Alucard was saying and turn to face the white side again.
"Ready?" Ron asks, receiving a nod from Alucard, who had crouched down. "Don't hang around once you've won, okay?" Ron moved and the queen pounced. She went to strike Ron hard in the head with her cracked fist, only to find Alucard had jumped into the way of her fist and was protecting Ron with his body. Her punch slammed into him, cracking her fist further and sending Alucard flying into Ron.
Alucard grabs Ron as he slams into him and rolls over twice before they stop. Alucard quickly checks Ron over to look for injuries and sighs in relief.
"He's knocked out, not too much damage, could've been a lot worse." Alucard explains to the other two. Harry nods and moves three spaces diagonally to the left. The white king takes off his crown and throws it to Harry's feet. The remaining chessmen parted and bowed, leaving a path to the next door. One last look at Ron before Harry and Hermione made their way to the next door with Alucard.
"What if he's-" Hermione asks nervously.
"He'll be fine." Alucard assures Harry and Hermione.
"What do you reckons next?" Harry asks, trying to change the subject.
"We had Sprout's, that was the Devil's Snare - Flitwick must've charmed the keys - McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive - which leaves Quirrell and Snape." Hermione supplies.
They reach the next door and Alucard opens it wide, letting a horrible smell blast past them like a wall. Eyes watering from the stench, they saw a troll that was even bigger than the one Alucard kicked. It was out cold with a large lump on its head.
"I'm glad we didn't have to face that one." Harry says, right before the troll shifts slightly and presses its hand on the ground to raise itself up, only to be met with an axe kick to the back of the head, courtesy of Alucard, knocking it back into unconsciousness.
"Nearly spoken too soon." Alucard jokes. They quickly pass over the troll and open the next door.
They don't see anything too frightening, only a table with seven differently shaped bottles on top. They enter the room, only to have fire erupt in front and behind them, the one behind them purple and the one in front being black. They appeared to be trapped.
"Look!" Hermione says, seizing a roll of paper on the table while Alucard inspected the bottles. The first years read the paper quite interested while Alucard grabbed two bottles with a smile after sniffing them.
"Brilliant." Hermione says, a smile also on her face. Harry looks between the two of them, shocked that they could smile. "This isn't magic - it's logic - a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven't an ounce of logic, they'd be stuck in here forever."
"But so will we, won't we?" Harry asks worriedly.
"Nah, these are our saviours." Alucard says, lifting up the bottles he was holding.
"How'd you know that?" Hermione asks curiously.
"I made this exact potion for my exams and earlier in the year for Potions, but these are more potent than normal..." Alucard says, looking at the potions carefully, before a metaphorical lightbulb lit over his head. "Oh, that sneaky greaseball. He made this using the new method I asked him about!" 'Which means Snape didn't go through here to steal the Stone, the it must be..."
"Okay, ten which is for forward and which is for back?" Hermione asks.
"This is for forward." Alucard holds up the small one. "And this for back. "He holds up the medium sized one."
"You two drink from the bigger one." Harry says, and as they were about to complain, continued. "Listen, go back, fetch Ron and take him to safety, use the brooms from the key room. Get Dumbledore, I'll hold Snape for a while, but I'm no match for him really."
"You aren't going alone." Alucard says seriously. "A little fire won't stop me from following you, even if it leads to our doom. I'm glad it was alongside you, Harry."
"But, what if You-Know-Who is with him?" Hermione asks them worriedly.
"Well - I was lucky once, wasn't I?" Harr says, pointing at his scar. "Maybe I get lucky again."
"Then, I'll just have to put up a better fight than I did in the Forest." Alucard says jokingly, though his hands had trembled slightly at the thought of facing Voldemort again. Hermione's lip trembled before she suddenly dashed at the two of them and gave them a group bear hug.
"Hermione!" The two boys exclaim in surprise.
"Harry, Alucard - you two are great wizard's, you know that right?"
"I'm not as good as you." Harry says embarrassed as Hermione let go of him and Alucard.
"I'm only good because of what I am." Alucard admits sheepishly.
"Me!" Hermione says. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things - friendship, bravery and - Harry be careful!" Hermione then whirls around to face Alucard. "What you are only emphasises your greatness, with or without it, you'd still be amazing." Alucard stares at her in surprise before nodding with a determined look in his eye, his hand shaking less than before.
"You drink first." Alucard tells her. "Use my owl, no offence but he'll be a little faster than Hedwig, his name is Zwart."
"You are sure which is which, right?" Harry asks Alucard.
"Positive." He responds as Hermione swallows a mouthful of the potion. She shuddered. "Probably should've mentioned it's also known as the ice potion because of how cold it feels."
"Quickly, go before it wears off." Harry urges Hermione.
"Good luck - take care -"
"Go, we'll be fine." Alucard says, waving over his shoulder as he and Harry walk towards the black fire. Harry chugged the small bottle and shivered.
"Here I come." Harry says. He dropped the bottle back on the table and walked through the black flames, right next to Alucard. He winced when the flames touched his skin, but was pleased when he couldn't actually feel them and Alucard seemed to be fine as well. A moment passed of them walking, were they could see nothing but dark fire.
Then they walked into the next chamber.
There was already someone there - but it wasn't Snape. It wasn't even Voldemort.
And Alucard moved in front of Harry with a growl as his eyes flashed red and his hair became more mangy, wand ready in hand.