The Dark Heir
Author Notes: Sorry for the long wait. I've gotten hooked on this MMORPG, and I didn't expect I would be so deep into it. I've already logged hundreds of hours into the game. It's called the Isle.
Also wanted to take a break from writing. I'm sorry I didn't inform you my readers of my plans.
I'm also getting back to writing and will be on this other fanfiction site, description will be in my profile.
Chapter 16: The Stone
Harry opens the door and pauses as he wonders what would appear in the next room.
He half-expected something to attack him the moment he enters with his sisters.
Instead, all he could see were strange birds flying above them.
"Why aren't they attacking?" asks Delphi.
"No idea," said Dora as she followed her siblings.
Harry looks at the closest bird and sees something very strange about the bird.
"They're not birds. They're keys. Winged keys," said Harry.
"Then that would mean one of the keys is meant to be used to open the next door," said Delphi.
"There are hundreds of keys," said Dora.
"We'll be looking for a key that appears similar to the door," said Delphi.
"Knowing Professor Flitwick style, it would be old and a bit big. Almost like a king's key," said Harry.
"That's true," said Dora.
Delphi begins to float upwards without waiting for her siblings.
"I got it," said Delphi grabbing a key.
The moment she grabs the key, the other keys stop moving and fly at Delphi at high speed.
Delphi began to fly around the room as fast she could.
"Give us the key," said Dora as Delphi dropped the key.
Dora was quick to move to the door and open the door.
Delphi flies down, crashing on the ground as Harry quickly closes the door. The sound of hundreds of keys slamming into the door could be heard.
"That was one scary trap," said Dora.
"That had to be Professor Flitwick. He charmed the keys and the room to respond to intruders," said Harry.
"Ready for the next room?" asks Delphi.
They open the door and see a giant chess set.
"Seriously, how in the hell did those idiots get past all these obstacles?" shouted Delphi.
"A chest set, most likely we'll be playing against Professor McGonagall," said Harry.
Professor McGonagall is a master at wizardry chess.
Beating the chessboard wouldn't be easy.
"How did the idiots get past McGonagall Chessboard," said Delphi.
Bellatrix grabs her left forearm feeling it ache and burn her skin.
"What is it," said Andromeda.
"The Dark Mark is acting up," said Bellatrix.
Lily and Andromeda look at Bellatrix, knowing the Dark Mark on her left forearm haven't been active in nearly ten years.
"Have you heard anything?" said Lily.
"Nothing. I don't know why the Dark Mark is acting up. It can't mean anything good," said Bellatrix.
Lily looks down, unsure of what she should do. Should she return to her father's side or protect her son?
"Do you know what is happening?" asks Lily.
"Something at Hogwarts," said Bellatrix trying to grasp the situation.
"Then there isn't much we can do," said Andromeda.
This was true. Dumbledore would never allow them to enter the school grounds without permission.
Harry and his sisters walk forward, unable to see Ron Weasley nor Neville Longbottom.
It was strange they haven't run into them yet. They clearly were brighter than the Black children gave them credit.
They enter the next room and see a beaten bloody troll.
The mere smell of the dead troll was enough for the three young Black children to nearly vomit.
"That troll is bigger than the one during Halloween," says Delphi.
They enter the next room and see a giant chess set.
"McGonagall," says Harry.
"McGonagall is a chess master? Playing would take too long," says Tonks.
"Immobulus," says Harry.
"The Freezing Charm. So simple and brilliant," says Tonks.
They walk past the chest set and into the next room and immediately find themselves surrounded by fire.
"This is interesting," mutters Harry.
They had finished reading the riddle and realized that it was a logic test.
They quickly rack their brains and figure out the potion.
They each drank the potion. Taking a deep breath, the three walk towards the final room.
They enter and see… Professor Quirrell.
Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, James Potter, and Hermione Granger were all on the ground and unconscious.
"Hello," says Professor Quirrell looking at the tree.
He could not see their faces. The hoods they were wearing concealed their identity.
Quirrell snaps his fingers casing several robes to appear, binding the trio.
"I must admit, I did not except any more visitors. Longbottom and Potter have been poking their nose into my affairs. Though they foolishly believed it was Severus. He served his purpose. Now, be quiet. I need to think," mutters Quirrell.
Harry says nothing as Delphi and Tonks try to break free from their bindings.
"I must hurry. All those obstacles were only meant to slow down an intruder. I'm sure Dumbledore would have arrived by now if it wasn't for my letter," mutters Quirrell.
"I see myself presenting the stone to my master. But where is it?!" Quirrell mutters in frustration.
'Master?'
"What are you after?" Harry demands in a rasping voice.
Thank Merlin for the hood masking his voice.
"You didn't know? You came here without knowing? I thought you Black children were smarter. My master expected your mothers to raise you better," says Quirrell.
'He knows?!'
The three were starting to panic.
"Oh yes. My master knew. He always knows. He expects more from his scions," says Quirrell.
'Legilimency.'
Harry begins to narrow his eyes.
Quirrell claims he and his cousins were scions of his master.
But according to their mothers, the Dark Lord Voldemort was their biological father. Except for Tonks, who was his magical adoptive child. Tonks knew her real biological father had enchanted and enslaved her mother. Raping her and using her for his personal desires.
Andromeda has resent Ted Tonks ever since she was freed.
"Let me speak to them," says a voice.
The three Black children say nothing as they feel a cold shiver run down their spine.
Quirrell had not spoken.
He begins removing his turban.
The turban hits the floor as Quirrell turns around with his back towards them.
Harry, Delphi, and Tonks nearly vomit upon seeing a hideous face on the back of Quirrell.
It was something out of a nightmare. A hideous mutated face stares back at them.
It wheezes for breath, making it more terrifying.
Harry and Delphi knew they were staring into the face of their father.
"You know who I am," wheezes Voldemort.
"You were killed," says Delphi.
"I was defeated, not killed. I barely cling to life. Quirrell, who I showed the wonders of power, has kept me alive. He's been drinking unicorn blood to strengthen me. With my body destroyed, I require a new one. The Stone hidden within this mirror is the key to regaining a new body. Now my children, do your father's bidding and give me the stone," says Voldemort.
"Master, your children, are not strong enough," says Quirrell.
"I can always sire more. If they die so I can live, so be it," hisses Voldemort.
The trio felt their hearts turn cold.
Their own father was willing to sacrifice them.
"Master, they will fail," says Quirrell.
"Do not question me," hisses Voldemort.
Quirrell goes down whimpering.
Voldemort apparently was tormenting Quirrell.
Quirrell looks up suddenly becomes afraid.
"Dumbledore!" breathes Quirrell.
"What?!" hisses Voldemort.
Albus Dumbledore appears at the top of the stairway walking towards Quirrell.
"Hello, Tom. It was foolish to return," says Dumbledore.
"Kill him!" screeches Voldemort.
Quirrell pulls out his wand, but Dumbledore is quicker.
In mere moments, Quirrell drops to the ground, dead. His body turns into ash.
A dark spirit rises up and quickly leaves the room.
Harry wakes to find himself staring at a white ceiling.
Harry sits up and looks around.
"Rest easy, Mr. Black," says Dumbledore.
"Professor," says Harry.
"I must admit, that was a very brave thing you and your siblings did. Trying to save your fellow students," says Dumbledore.
"What happened to…" began Harry.
Harry stops. He almost called Voldemort his father before Dumbledore.
"Call him Voldemort, Harry. Fear of a name is what gives them power.
"As to what happened. When Quirrell died, Voldemort attempted to latch himself upon you and your sister and cousin. Attempting to use your bodies as a host for his survival. I could not destroy Voldemort without harming you or your family. So I shield you from him, forcing him to flee."
Harry ponders on the true face of his father.
He was nothing like his mother and aunts told him.
"Voldemort cares little for his supporters and followers. He treats them no differently than he treats his enemies," says Dumbledore.
Harry didn't know what to believe. Only that he would have a talk with his mother and aunts.
"Quirrell mention a stone. Sir, could he be talking about the Philaphoser's Stone?" asks Harry.
"Indeed," says Dumbledore.
"I once studied under Nicolas Flamel and have become good friends with him. Nicolas suspected someone was going to try to steal his stone. He didn't trust Gringotts given the recent break-in, so he asked me to keep it here, safe."
"How did you get stone out of the mirror?" asks Harry.
"The stone was never hidden within the mirror. Quirrell was right. The obstacles were a distraction. The stone was hidden by the door," says Dumbledore.
Harry looks at Dumbledore as if he was half-mad.
"You be surprised at how genius and madness coincided. Many who go through such trouble expect the prize at the end. They don't think the prize is at the beginning," says Dumbledore.
Harry pauses and realizes the truth in his words.
He never stopped to check the room once the Cerberus had gone to sleep.
"Now get some rest. You'll be heading home soon," says Dumbledore.
Harry says nothing as he leans back in his bed and drifts off.