Ch. 6

AN: Heyo gang! So sorry for taking so long to update! School has been killing me but I finally found some free time this weekend and managed to write this up! I hope you all like it, sorry if the writing gets a little questionable, but I was having a little trouble managing what I wanted to convey! Anyway, so I have pretty much all the major plot points from here to book five down. Honestly, I really hope that I don't make Daniel come across as Gary Stuish, which is one of my biggest fears, is writing another overpowered and perfect character. So if it starts to seem like that please let me know and I will attempt to rectify the situation. Other than that, enjoy the chapter and I shall see you next time!


Daniel held his breath. His stomach felt like it was in knots and he closed his eyes, his hands shaking slightly. Opening them, he looked to the door and knocked gently.

There was a scramble from inside and heavy quick footsteps rushing forward. The door opened with a loud creak and Daniel grinned as Frank stood before him, wearing the same heavy brown coat and flat cap he always wore.

"Yer here!" Frank exclaimed moving forward and embracing Daniel, but pulling back quickly. "Oh, uh sorry. But well come in! come in! I have some food if you want. Unless you ate at the home?"

Daniel smiled at Franks's enthusiasm. The older man smiled so brightly when the door had opened, his eyes had practically lit up the night. He was glancing around his small home and licked his lips nervously.

There were still piles of books strewn about. Only faintly organized by genre. Frank moved and picked up a stack of books and set them on the floor clearing a space on a tall green padded seat.

"Go ahead and sit down! You're probably tired from the trip. Food?"

Daniel chuckled and nodded. "Of course, Frank. I'm actually starved from the trip. Took forever."

Frank nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. There was clanging and a myriad of footsteps before Frank called out from the kitchen.

"So, did you see your friend before you came here?"

"I did," Daniel nodded. "Professor McGonagall dropped me off there. I stowed my trunk and caught up with Ellie for a bit."

"And, how is she?" Frank said coming back with a bowl of Sheppard's pie.

Daniel took the bowl and thanked Frank. "She's doing well. Said it was lonely without me."

"Aye, it has been," Frank nodded and took a seat. He reached into his coat and pulled out his pipe, packing it and then striking a match. He puffed a few times, filling the air with the rich smell of tobacco. "Have you made any friends over there?"

"A few," Daniel said, smiling fondly. "I share a dorm with a boy names Terry Boot that I hang out with a lot. Another is Stephen Cornfoot, but we don't talk as much. Plus, there's Harry, Hermione, and Ron, but they're in a different house."

"Right," Frank said nodding along. "Houses. And you're in which one again?"

"Ravenclaw. The blue one."

"Ah! Well good on that. Blues a fine color. My RAF—"

"Uniform was blue. And I wore it with pride everywhere I went during the war. Got me many fine looks from many fine birds," Daniel said mimicking franks rough voice leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, his right hand holding an imaginary pipe. "Why, I remember one night at this pup called the Whistling Wolf—"

"Alight ya' made yer point," Frank laughed setting his pipe down and leaning back in his chair. "But you're having a good time yeah?"

Daniel nodded. "I am. Though, I was a bit of an idiot before I left."

"What'd you do?" Frank sighed and sat up scratching his head.

"I, well I hadn't told them about me. About what I am. You know me Frank, orphans not a title I really like."

"So, you elected not to tell them."

Daniel nodded. He sighed, but a smile cracked on his face as he thought of his friends' reactions.

Hermione had gasped and looked at him with worry in her eyes. Terry looked confused, a little hurt, as had Harry. Silence had hung over them like a rain cloud, but Ron had been his usual self.

"So, you never met 'em or they died?" Ron had gotten his arm smacked by Hermione for that. She had hissed that he needed to be more tactful.

Daniel had laughed though, explaining that he didn't mind. He told that he hadn't known his parents. He had been deposited on the steps of the orphanage. He was a month old but slept soundly until one of the caretakers had found him the next morning.

The group had been sympathetic to his situation. Understanding, about his reasoning for lying. How he had wanted to run from his past. Erase it and make a new one. But in the end, being caught up in the lie he had created to escape it.

But in the end, the truth was out and he still had his friends.

"I told them in the end. That's what matters. Now come on Frank," Daniel said, standing up and moving to grab the chessboard, "Ron had beaten me fifteen times and I need to get better."


"Daniel," Frank said walking into the kitchen, in his arms was a thick parcel wrapped in shiny blue wrapping paper. "An, well an owl just dropped this off for you before flying off."

Daniel took the package, his brow furrowed as he looked down at the package. It was a little heavy, though he chalked that up to him being a rather scrawny eleven-year-old. There wasn't any tag or anything like that. So, with a shrug, he tore the paper open.

He felt the warm wool touch his hands and stopped moving for a second when he spotted the item inside. His hands trembled and his throat tightened as he pulled the sweater out. It was blue and fluffy, he let out a shuddered breath as he traced his finger along the golden "D" that was etched onto the front.

A note fell from the sweater. He was quick to grab it and even more quick to read it.

"Dear Daniel,

Merry Christmas!

The Weasley's"

He felt hot tears streak down his face as he clutched the sweater to his chest. The note was so simple, so easy to read. Yet it meant more to Daniel than even the sweater.

Frank stood behind Daniel and smiled at the boy.

Though he had tried to provide what he could, Frank knew it wasn't much. And as he and Daniel spent the rest of the day playing chess, sitting by the fire reading, and talking, Frank was ever so thankful that Daniel was able to escape the mundane world he had belonged to. That Daniel was able to do something extraordinary.


"This is a bad idea," Daniel hissed as he moved with Ron, Hermione, and Harry toward Fluffy's lair on the third floor.

The four of them had decided to take it upon themselves to keep Snape from getting his hands on the stone. Or well, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had decided that. Daniel was simply going so he could lend a hand wherever possible. Terry had elected not to come along as it was all "Too Gryffindor" for him.

"We have to stop Snape!" Harry insisted.

"I'm telling you it's not Snape! He's been here for years and all the staff trusts him! Wouldn't it most likely be someone the staff doesn't know very well?"

"Like who? Quirrell? Come on, the man's scared of his own shadow!" Ron said as they approached the door.

"Fine, fine," Daniel said throwing his arms up before muttering, "don't come to me when Fluffy bites your head off."

They arrived in the room and Harry put Hagrid's flute to his lips and blew. It wasn't really a tune, but from the first note, the beast's eyes began to droop. Slowly, the dog's growls ceased — it tottered on its paws and fell to its knees, then it slumped to the ground, fast asleep.

"Keep playing," Ron warned Harry as they slipped out of the cloak and crept toward the trapdoor. They could feel the dog's hot, smelly breath as they approached the giant heads. "I think we'll be able to pull the door open," said Ron, peering over the dog's back. Together he and Daniel managed to lift the trap door, exposing the black abyss below. "Want to go first, Hermione?"

"No, I don't!"

"I thought you were Gryffindors!" Daniel laughed before hoping into the trap door whooping as he disappeared.

"You're mad!" He could hear Ron shout for an instant before the sound faded.

With a funny, muffled sort of thump, he landed on something soft. He sat up and felt around, his eyes not used to the gloom. He moved his hands and felt around the Devils Snare and looked up to the trap door.

"It's okay!" he called up to the light, "it's a soft landing, you can jump!"

Harry and Ron came down one after the other, bouncing on the devil's snare before Hermione finally landed amongst them. Daniel grimaced as the Devils Snare tendrils began to wrap themselves around him.

Pulling out his wand he sent balls of blue flame out and sent the Devils Snare shrieking away.

And as the four of them prepared to enter deeper into the set of challenges the professors had planned for them. Daniel swallowed nervously and followed Harry in.


The giant chessboard was awing, to say the least. Daniel had long since had a deep fascination and appreciation of the game. And to see the large board on display with pieces was simply jaw-dropping.

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

"Now what do we do?" Harry whispered.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" said Ron. "We've got to play our way across the room."

"How?" said Hermione nervously.

"We take the place of chessmen," Daniel said stepping forward and touching one of the bishops. It turned and bowed the large cross in its hand shining brilliantly.

Ron grinned, walking up to a black knight and putting his hand out to touch the knight's horse. At once, the stone sprang to life. The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at Ron.

"We're gonna have to play," Ron nodded. He seemed to bite his tongue a bit before looking over before finally saying, "Now, don't be offended or anything, but none of you are that good at chess—"

"We're not offended," said Harry quickly.

"Speak for yourself," Daniel grinned. "I've beaten you a few times."

"We're fifteen to five," Ron smirked and glanced back to the board.

"True enough. Lead the way, Ron. Let's see how we do."

Ron started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them. Daniel could see Ron maneuvering pieces attacking gaps in the white pieces defense. Every so often he would call out a vulnerable piece, a knight, or a rival bishop. But as the game continued, he could see that Ron's sacrifice was indeed inevitable.

Too many pieces were lost and the White Queen was vicious in her assaults.

As Ron moved into a position to be taken off the board Daniel nodded, knowing that he would be alright.

With the ending of the game, the three remaining players rushed toward Ron checking to see if he was alright.

Harry had insisted that Hermione and Daniel take Ron and get help while he tried to stop Snape.

"Harry, I'm coming with you. Look, Hermione can get back on her own. But you don't know what you're going to find in there. Two is better than one yeah? Then let me come with you."

Harry looked back to the door leading to the stone and then to Daniel. He sighed and nodded motioning for him to follow.

Together the two of them pushed the large heavy doors open. Professor Quirrell stood before the mirror, Harry's eyes went wide and he gasped in shock at the Professor.

"You!" gasped Harry.

Quirrell smiled. His face wasn't twitching at all.

"Me," he said calmly. "I wondered whether I'd be meeting you here, Potter."

"But I thought - Snape-"

"Come on Harry! I told you that it wasn't Snape!"

Quirrell smirked and chuckled to himself. "Seems you do deserve to be in Ravenclaw Mr. Lovage."

"But Snape tried to kill me!" Harry shouted. Both Daniel and Quirrell groaned, Daniel even rolling his eyes.

"Harry, Snape isn't here! It's just Quirrell! Now come on focus up!"

In Daniel's attempt to get Harry to focus Quirrell snapped his fingers. Ropes sprang out of thin air and wrapped themselves tightly around both Harry and Daniel.

Quirrell continued his monologue, Harry kept trying to fish for information, both of the boys struggling with their binds. But all their struggling stopped when they began to hear another voice coming from Quirrell.

Harry's ropes were dropped to the ground and he was brought forth before Quirrell. But the professor froze for a moment before looking back to where Daniel was suspended.

"Are you certain, master?" Quirrell asked.

"Bring him."

Daniel felt his ropes release him and then his body drop to the cold hard ground. He took a few cautious steps forward and glanced to harry who appeared to be feeling his pocket where the stone most likely was.

Daniel felt a hand grasp his hair. He yelped out and then ground his teeth before grimacing and glancing up to Quirrell's snarling face.

"Now Potter. Tell me where is the stone?"

"Don't do it Harry—" Daniel felt Quirrell's hand lash out and strike his face.

"Tell me, Potter! Or Lovage gets it!" as soon as Quirrell had finished speaking he seemed to have gone ridged, he shuddered and glanced down at Daniel before nodding his head.

Daniel felt Quirrell's iron grip release and then scrambled back towards Harry. He eyed the man cautiously, watching as Quirrell began to unwrap his turban, his eyes glassy and his movements sluggish. Daniel braced himself and watched as the cloth fell to the ground. Quirrell turned and even expecting it, Daniel jumped back and saw the red eyes of Voldemort staring down at him, curious, yet still holding their deadly gaze.

"Harry Potter," Voldemort seemed to grin to himself as his eyes switched between Harry and Daniel. "And you, who are you?"

Daniel swallowed nervously before shaking his head. He looked over to Harry who seemed just as stunned and scared. Daniel looked back to Voldemort and took a deep breath.

"I—I'm no one, sir. I'm an orphan." Daniel paused at Voldemort's glare and the chuckle he breathed out.

"An orphan, that carries the name Lovage." Voldemort grinned and looked down on Daniel. "Many people were said to be heralds of my destruction. Many responsible for hindering my glorious rise."

Voldemort seemed to take a calming breath before looking to Harry

"Now then Harry," more quickly than either boy thought possible Quirrell turned and grasped Daniel, his large hands wrapping around the young boy's throat and lifting him off the ground. "Give me the Stone!"

Harry flinched and Daniel could hear him shouting as he felt his body began to go limp. He opened his mouth and rasped out several unintelligible noises as his vision narrowed. There was a clatter and a loud boom and Daniel felt himself crash on the ground gasping. He could feel Quirrell's phantom hands around his neck, the throbbing in his neck wracking his mind with pain.

He looked to where Quirrell had stood and saw him shouting and casting spells as beams of light crashed around him.

Feeling his eyelids growing heavy, he looked up to the ceiling and let out a final breath before darkness consumed him.


The throbbing in his neck was still there. That was the first thing he realized before he opened his eyes.

Daniel looked down at his neck and saw that it was bandaged in thick cloth and a spongy brace around his neck. Opening his mouth, he attempted to speak but groaned as he felt the raw pain in his throat.

He mentally swore and moved his hand to the heavy bandages on his throat wincing as even slight pressure hurt him. He felt spit well up in his mouth and glanced around. He quickly spat on the ground rather than risk the pain.

"What on Earth are you doing?" He sighed and closed his eyes as he heard Madam Pomfrey enter the room. "Why on Earth would you spit on the floor?"

Opening his mouth to respond he felt pain shoot into his throat and clamped his mouth shut.

Pomfrey sighed and waved her wand over Daniel. She nodded her head at the different colors of light that shot from her wand. "Well, seems besides your throat you seem fine."

Daniel made a motion toward his throat and opened his mouth shrugging his shoulders.

"Why can't you speak?" he nodded. Pomfrey looked unsure of herself before taking a breath and walking forward and taking Daniel's hand. "It was a curse. It damaged your throat, unfortunately. I was not sure the extent of the damage before you arrived, however, some of the damage appears to be permeant."

Daniel nearly shot out of the bed. His eyes shot open and his hands went to his throat. He motioned rapidly and his eyes watered slightly.

"Now calm down," Pomfrey said kindly grasping his arms gently. "You'll be able to speak. It may take a week or two, but you will speak. However, you may lose some, volume, and will most likely have a rasp your entire life. I'm sorry, but, it was very dark magic."

"Indeed, it was," the two whipped their heads towards the Hospital Wing door and saw Dumbledore standing there. His eyes did not have their twinkle and instead seemed rather red-rimmed. "Madam Pomfrey indeed saved your life. She is a very skilled healer. But there was nothing even those at St. Mungos could have done. I am indeed sorry."

Daniel stared at the two of them and felt his shoulders sag. He felt tears leaking from his eyes as the news began to sink in. Madam Pomfrey brought him into a hug. He let out a few shuddering breaths, making his crying worse as his throat shot pain through him.


A blur of bushy brown hair enveloped his eyesight before he felt Hermione crash into him, hugging him tightly.

"You're okay!" She said as the rest of their small group rounded the corner smiling.

"Daniel!" Terry smiled and flowed Hermione's actions. "Damnit, when Dumbledore told me what happened."

Daniel pulled away from the hug and school his head. He smiled and motioned to his throat shrugging.

"You still can't talk?" Terry asked.

Daniel shrugged. Madam Pomfrey had told him that it was okay for him to speak, but a shard of fear had imbedded itself in him, afraid that once he spoke he would hear what he would sound like for the rest of his life.

"Does it still hurt?" Hermione asked.

Daniel nodded a bit. It was a slight pain but it was fading.

Harry walked up to Daniel, the boy's eyes cast down. He approached and looked up slowly. Daniel saw his red eyes, the tear streaks running down from his eyes.

"Daniel," he began closing his eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would happen like that. If the teachers hadn't gotten there, he would've—"

Daniel placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and nodded gently. He took a shallow breath and smiled.

"It wasn't your fault," he closed his eyes and brought his hand to the fading bruises on his neck. "Quirrell did this."

Harry's eyes leaked a few tears but he nodded.

Daniel chuckled and motioned for the group to walk on.

"Hell, of a first-year," Daniel mused his voice scratchy and stinging his throat.

"Hopefully next year will be quieter," Ron laughed. Daniel did too, more morbidly than his red-haired friend.


The morning sun nearly blinded Daniel as the curtains were thrown back. He hissed and buried his face into the pillow.

"Get up!"

"No," he moaned his voice scratching at his throat. "Go away."

"Come on lad," Frank laughed pulling the sheets off of Daniel. "Get up. Your teachers coming by today remember?"

Daniel groaned and rolled over on the bed smashing a pillow over his head hoping to block out the light.

"Don't make me get the bucket," Frank warned.

"No," Daniel rasped out. "Fine."

Daniel got up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He grabbed the glass of water he had set out and drank slowly, his throat stinging. He pulled the glass away and closed his eyes, scrunching his brow together and he waited for the pain to pass. He took a deep breath and set the glass down before dressing.

He could hear talking from the other room and rushed to dress, throwing on a pair of slacks and throwing the sweater he had received for Christmas over a plain white shirt. He rushed out of his room and smiled as he entered the kitchen. Professor McGonagall sat at the small table Frank and he usually sat at with a cup of tea in front of her.

From how he stood Frank was in the middle of one of his stories from the war, more specifically, how he and a few friends had managed to push back a German sortie sent to take out a group of bombers he was meant to defend.

McGonagall herself seemed rather drawn into the story, though Daniel imagined that she must have had a bit more invested in those stories, as she had been a child when what Frank was describing had happened.

Knocking on the doorway and walking in Daniel smiled and gave a small wave.

"Hello," he rasped out.

"Mr. Lovage," McGonagall said, standing. "It is good to see you. How have you been?"

"Well I don't think a singing career is in the works for me, but I've always had stage fright," Daniel smiled through the flash of hot pain in his throat and reached out a hand for her to shake.

McGonagall took his hand and he could see the sad smile and look of pity that he had received from practically everyone since he had returned. He managed to keep himself from rolling his eyes at her look and quickly spoke.

"So off to Diagon Alley?"

"Yes," McGonagall said smiling before she turned to Frank. "Thank you for the tea, and I must hear the end of that story another time."

"Aye, you must! 'Tis a good one! But you must be off. I'm sure, well wherever it is you buy his things, is busy this time of year."

"Indeed, it is. We shall be back in a few hours," McGonagall said before ushering Daniel out of the house and pulling out a small coil of rope. Daniel grabbed it, confused, but felt a tugging on his navel as McGonagall tapped her want to the rope and whispered "Portus."

And with that, they disappeared to Diagon Alley.


Daniel laughed as he watched Harry get pulled forward by Lockhart I order to get his picture taken. He tapped Ron's arm and the red-haired boy turned, a smile plastered on his face and laughter bubbling out.

"I suppose it was inevitable," Daniel's throat scratched out, "he's gone a whole summer without his face in the paper."

But the laughter died down a bit as Lockhart gifted Harry with his entire collection of books free of charge. Daniel looked down to his own bag of books, torn and frayed, and one completely damaged from being soaked in water.

He had been forced to buy second hand as Lockhart's booklist was unbearably long. So, he bought second hand for them and bought new the books that he knew would actually matter.

Harry was brought back from the front of the crowd looking quite dazed. He gave the new books he had been gifted to Mrs. Weasley, but as the small group tried to shuffle about the store when Daniel heard a voice he had been eager to hear.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter," Daniel turned and saw Malfoy sneering at the four students. Daniel smirked to himself and his eyes roamed around the shop looking for the next piece of the puzzle.

"Famous Harry Potter. Can't even go into a bookstore without making the front page."

"What's wrong Malfoy?" Daniel grinned. "Jealous that Daddy can't buy a permanent spot for you?"

"Need Raspy Ravenclaw to stand up for you Potter?" Malfoy sneered.

Daniel clenched his fists but remained still, his smirk firmly in place. However, Ron had been nearby and stormed forward.

"You shut your bloody mouth Malfoy!" Ron hissed rushing forward, but both Daniel and Harry cut him off and tried to hold him back.

But before anything could escalate both Mr. Weasley and Malfoy entered the store and began to exchange their passive-aggressive pleasantries. But to the best of Daniel's memory, a fight broke out and he backed away watching Malfoy as carefully as he could.

A few stands of books were knocked over and as the fight broke up and Mr. Malfoy stood up dusting himself off, Daniel noticed that Malfoy employed a quick sight of hand and dumped a black leather diary into the cauldron that Ginny had been using to lug around her books.

Smiling to himself Daniel waited for the group to exit the crowded store and gain some distance from the Malfoys before he "tripped" and tumbled into Ginny causing her to drop her cauldron spilling her books all over the white cobbled stones of Diagon Alley.

He apologized profusely and helped pick up her books, putting them back into the cauldron. But when his hands brushed over a black leather journal, he smirked to himself and put it into his bag quickly before standing up.

He stayed with the Weasleys for another half hour before McGonagall came back with several of his other necessary school supplies. He bid the family and his friends farewell before McGonagall port keyed them back to Little Hangleton.

He went back to the Orphanage that night. He ducked through the crowded halls and loud common areas. He climbed up the stairs and rolled his eyes at the older kids smoking by the windows hoping that the caretakers wouldn't catch the smell.

He made it to his room and hid the books in his wardrobe, but pulled one out.

The bound, black leather journal, with T.M. Riddle in golden letters on the cover.


AN: Okay so I Hope that went okay. Like I said I have the major plot points planned out till the fifth book, so I'll hope that you guys stick with me till then! Honestly, though I appreciate all of you guys for even reading this! I appreciate every follow and favorite and review! So thank you all and I shall see you all next time! Please Review! ~Pacco1