"Chapter sixteen," Gideon narrated. "Through the Trapdoor."
The entire group tensed up.
"Well, this is happening," Astra said.
"It was almost too much to hope for that Harry would avoid fighting the big bad," Kara said.
"I've fought many in the years following," Harry said. "Most of you have too."
"Yes, but you started younger than any of us," Sara said. "And did this for a whole lot longer. And it's wrong you have to do this before you're a child! You're more mature than most at that age, and that's for a really bad reason, but you're still a child and you shouldn't have to deal with this!"
"Well, that's what happens when every adult in the school has failed someone so bad," Nora said.
McGonagall could not even muster up a defense. It really burned deep how much she failed Harry and the other students under her care. Ron Weasley hit the nail on the head and she had more past demons to face as this chapter progressed.
"Before, we really start," Harry said. "I think we should bring up a guest for the next two chapters."
"I agree," Ron said. "He really should be here for this."
"I, Harry Potter, Master of Death, recall the damned soul of Severus Snape."
Snape appeared and looked irritable when he had been recalled from his eternal torment. To deal with something even more tormenting.
"You're still reading about Potter's nonsense," Snape said.
"We're to the point where I ran into someone in the Forbidden Forest," Harry said. "And I thought it was you."
"Well, you always did think you knew better than the adults around you," Snape said.
"The same adults that sent four children out to the Forbidden Forest for a Detention, Professor Snape?" Malfoy asked. "Including one of your Slytherins."
Snape did not even blink under his former pupil's accusatory gaze.
"I was unaware of the particulars after the fact, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said. "Your father was most certainly not pleased, and the howler your mother sent me was not pleasant at all. You should have come to me about the matter and not tried to bust Potter and Granger for Hagrid's folly on your own. You deserved detention, but no one deserves that forest."
"Snape agrees with me?" Harry asked.
"Potter agreed with me?" Snape asked.
"Given what we saw in the Forest, I would rather deal with your wrath," Harry said.
"I'm glad you think I'm less fearsome than the Dark Lord, Potter," Snape said. "I was very lucky to have a job. And Minerva was. And Filch. And Hagrid. And Dumbledore. Dumbledore managed to convince the Board that he took steps to ensure that you were safe. He neglected to mention Potter's encounter in the Forest with the Dark Lord."
"Of course," Sara said. "Of course."
"Albus omits certain facts which are inconvenient, it's how he remained in power for so long," Snape said. "I'm honestly surprised that Draco did not make more of a scene than he did."
"Well, I made it clear that the Forest terrified me, and I never wanted to return there again," Malfoy said. "But, you're just as bad as McGonagall, taking Dumbledore at his word."
"I was preoccupied with certain other matters at the time," Snape said curtly "Don't accuse me of not watching the students underneath my care."
"Yeah, Snape does seem to care for his little snakes," Lita said.
Sara, Mick, and Kara all snickered, and Snape pulled a face.
"I kindly ask you to never call Slytherins that again," Snape said with a shudder. "You called me here for this nonsense. Let's get on with it, then."
Harry's fears that Voldemort would come bursting through the door at any moment is revealed.
"That would put anyone on edge," Lena said. "Just how freaked out would everyone be?"
"Very," George said. "As in, Code Brown levels of freaked out."
Fred nodded sagely next to his twin.
"Did any of you know what he looked like at the time?" Nora asked.
"Well, there were no illustrations in any of the books that mentioned him," Hermione said. "Most people who saw him at that point were followers of his, or did not live to tell the tale."
"Or Dumbledore," Harry replied.
"Or Dumbledore," Hermione said. "But, I doubted they came face to face too often. Voldemort avoided Dumbledore when he could help it."
Harry's exams, including Snape breathing down their neck, while they tried to remember how to brew a Forgetfulness potion.
"It was a good way to test your ability to recall, given how there were several precise steps you needed to take," Snape said. "And if you can't handle a little pressure, then I'm afraid you will not go far in life."
"Oh, I handled plenty of pressure," Harry said. "Your breath on the other hand."
The Weasley Twins broke out into laughter. As most of the Legends, and even Hermione cracked a smile.
"You're lucky that you're not my student any more, Potter."
"I hold the coin to your soul, Snape," Harry said. "So, play nice."
"Did you give him soul coins?" John asked Astra.
"Just Snape's," Astra said. "And Umbridge's."
Several evil grins passed over the faces of several members of the group. Hermione looked very disapproving at this gross misuse of power.
"We'll have fun that one later," Sara said. "So, how did you do on your exams?"
"Not bad," Ron said. "I was seventh in the year. Behind Daphne, Hermione, Malfoy, Harry, Ernie, and Padma."
"I beat you Potter!' Malfoy yelled.
"Would you care for a biscuit, Malfoy?" Harry asked him.
"Wait, I was second?" Hermione asked.
"It was very close," Ron said. "But, you were first in Gryffindor."
"I WAS SECOND IN THE YEAR?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, but we just let you think you were first, because you would literally kill yourself trying to beat Daphne if you knew," Ron said.
"I WAS SECOND IN THE YEAR?" Hermione asked.
Kara waved her hand in front of Hermione's face as she continued to look aghast.
"Good job, Ron, you broke her," Kara said.
"Here have a brownie," Zari said.
Zari slipped Hermione a brownie. She really needed to chill out.
"Good one," Malfoy said. "Greengrass already makes her insecure enough as it is."
"One would think she would let this go after thirty years," Lena said.
"Granger wouldn't be Granger if she didn't let these little things eat her away," Malfoy said with a shrug.
"So, Fourth?" Astra asked.
"Fourth," Harry said. "I haven't quite shook off of the Dursley stink off, until about third year."
"Please tell me you didn't hold yourself back on account to appease those idiots," Ava groaned.
"Not intentionally, although my grades were lower because all of the times Dudley ate my homework," Harry said.
"Wait, Dinky Duddydums literally ate your homework?" Sara asked, torn between amusement and disgust.
They had no idea whether Harry was serious or pulling their leg.
"And there were times where I felt so low before I went to school, that I barely put in the effort," Harry said. "And tired too, because the Dursleys kept me up all hours of the night doing chores."
"You mean being their slave," Kara practically spat.
"The fact you talk so casually about some of this is worrying," Lena said. "Even years later."
"Let's get on with this," Snape said.
"It's not like you have a hot date to go to," John said. "But, I suppose the story must go on."
Harry has nightmares about Voldemort and the forest.
"Me too, Potter," Malfoy said. "For months. Mother finally sprang for a Mind Healer. Although they are glorified snake oil salesmen, talking to someone helped."
"If someone listens, it does help," Harry said.
"Have you ever seen a Psychiatrist for your problems?" Nora asked.
Harry opened his mouth.
"Harley doesn't count," Kara told him.
"Well, I just dealt with the problems on my own," Harry said.
"And everyone else's problems," Kara said.
"He does have a habit of holding the weight of the world on his shoulders," Sara said.
"Some things never change," Ron said.
"And Harley is qualified," Harry said.
"I'm thinking you helped her, more than she helped you," Kara said.
"Yeah, she's fixated on you, and not the Joker anymore, so progress, I guess," Sara said. "But, the story must go on."
Harry finishes up exams and things get wrapped up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione talking. And Harry's scar hurts and he keeps rubbing it. Hermione suggests going to Madam Pomfrey.
John knew what it was. He was taking steps to fix it, right before the entire mess with Natalie dying, the botched resurrection and Astra getting sent to Hell occurred. Then, he was told in no uncertain terms never to go near Harry again. And then he was sent into dimensional limbo and by the time he returned, Harry was free of the Horcurx, and living a peaceful life with Kara.
"Pomfrey wouldn't have been able to help," John said. "It's a one in a million anomaly."
"Odds are much higher than that," Nora said.
"What's in Harry's head?" Astra asked.
"Spoilers," Sara said.
"Ugh," Astra said. "Fine. When do we find out?"
"You might be able to put the pieces together, but I don't find out until close to the end," Harry said.
"It seems like it's important," Astra said. "Something you should know."
"I'm not sure it would have mattered," Snape said. "If Potter knew sooner, he might have done something more reckless. Even more so than his standard fare."
"We're jumping way ahead though," Harry said.
It clicks in Harry's head about Fluffy and just someone happening to go around with a Dragon Egg.
"And now, the penny has dropped," Lita said.
"All of the pieces were there," Hermione said serenely. "The world's most messed up jigsaw puzzle."
"And as always, it was right under our noses," Ron agreed.
"Hagrid got played, big time," George said. "Really big time."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione go and visit Hagrid and talk to him about the dragon egg, and also about Fluffy. And he lets it slip how to get past the beast.
Sara slammed her hand against the table and groaned.
"He let that slip so easily," Sara said.
"That idiotic oaf," Snape hissed.
"I'm not sure Hagrid is an idiot, as much as he is naive," Harry said.
"Call it what you wish, Potter," Snape said. "He let vital information slip to three children."
"Three children who had to save the day because the adults were useless," Ron said.
Snape started to gag and cough before he retorted. It sounded like he was about ready to hack up blood. Finally, he stopped coughing.
"It's almost like he meant for that to slip," Lena said.
"Like he was confunded?" Astra asked.
"Hagrid…could spells affect him?" Ron asked
"Maybe not most wands," Harry said.
"I'm not sure if I'm following you," Hermione said.
"A powerful wand from a powerful wizard could penetrate the hide of a half-giant," Harry said to them.
"You mean Dumbledore set you up?" Kara asked.
"Just nudged Hagrid into letting it slip at the right time," Harry said.
"Hagrid let it slip to the big bad too," Sara said. "Unless you think Dumbledore did that by design."
"Snape, you know Dumbledore better than most," Harry said.
"In a sense," Snape said. "But, he kept many plans close to his chest. And he tended not to make people aware of any more than he felt they needed to know."
"Do you think he pushed Hagrid into spilling the tea?" Kara asked.
"I wouldn't put it past him," Snape admitted grudgingly.
"That's a bit too far," McGonagall said.
"So is putting a child in an environment with a woman who despises magic because she's jealous, but here we are," Astra said.
Snape nodded solemnly in agreement. It would be a cold day before he defended Petunia Evans.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron raced inside of the school to tell Dumbledore. Only they had no idea where Dumbledore's office was.
"We knew," Fred said. "We've been there a few times already."
"Why am I not surprised?" Zari asked.
"If Harry would have asked us…" George stated before he trailed off. "Oh, we're still acting like A1 gits, aren't we?"
"Yes, and to you, Harry's still the Seeker," Astra responded coldly.
They cannot find Dumbledore, but they did run into Professor McGonagall.
McGonagall just groaned as she watched her past self approach the trio, remembering full well how this conversation would go.
The scene continues, with Harry being evasive, and McGonagall acting colding towards them, telling them that Dumbledore flew off to the Ministry of Magic because he's a wizard with many demands on his name.
"He shouldn't be Headmaster, then," Ava said. "Either be all in the students or not at all."
"You aren't the first person to come to that conclusion," Lita said.
"You weren't doing yourself too many favors, by acting like you were up to something," McGonagall said to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Although, given the last time we encountered each other outside of class, I can see why you didn't trust me completely."
"I didn't want to be sent into the Forbidden Forest again," Harry replied.
"Understandable," Kara said. "You really didn't make yourself that approachable."
"If houses were family, the head should be their parental figure," Nora said. "And you were more of a distant aunt at best."
"Very distant," Ron agreed.
"Well, you shouldn't have meddled," Snape said.
"Oh, really?" Harry asked.
Snape said nothing else.
Harry tells McGonagall about the Philosopher's Stone and she dropped all of her papers.
The Weasley twins whistled and clapped.
"Impressive," Fred said. "Not even we made her drop everything in shock"
"Literally," George said.
"You're shocked that someone knew," Sara said. "I for one, am shocked that more people didn't know or hadn't figured it out."
"Well, most of the students knew there was something valuable on that floor by the end of the year," McGonagall said.
"I've had to field many inquiries about what was on that Floor from the students," Snape said. "My prefects had to sit the younger years down and explain what the hazard was up there. And that anyone who would be caught up there would be expelled."
"You mean your prefects knew what Dumbledore was doing?" Ron asked.
"They were made aware of that beast of Hagrid's and the fact there was a valuable item up there," Snape said. "Dumbledore never should have placed that item in the school."
"We believe that the Philosopher's Stone was a fake copy up there," Harry said.
"Dumbledore insisted it was the real thing," Snape said.
"Maybe, Flamel fooled Dumbledore," Harry argued.
"Potter, you may have a point," Snape said. "But, that just makes this worse, doesn't it?"
"We thought the same thing," Sara said.
"Well, maybe this group isn't completely inept," Snape said.
"Nicest thing Snape's ever said about anyone, really," Kara said.
"Yep," Harry agreed.
McGonagall says she knows what she's talking about and suggests the trio goes outside.
"I hate when adults do that, "Lita groaned.
"Especially when they don't know what they're talking about," Zari said
"They told you, and you brushed them off," Mick said.
"After the dragon, I didn't really trust them at their word," McGonagall said.
"But, what if they were right?" Sara asked. "You know they were right."
"I'm beginning to think none of the adults in this school should be around children," Ava said
"I reached that point before the troll," Astra said darkly.
Harry figures out that the Philosopher's Stone would be stolen tonight. And when he, Ron, and Hermione talk about it, Snape shows up right behind him.
"As always your timing is impeccable," John said.
"And unwelcomed," Ron said with a groan.
Snape talks about how people might think they're up to something.
"The irony is delicious here," Sara said. "Because, you come across as someone who is about to tie a damsel to a set of railroad tracks."
Snape said nothing in response.
Snape threatens to make sure Harry is expelled.
"You knew that threat had no teeth," Harry said.
"Unfortunately," Snape said. "Dumbledore never would have allowed you to drift too far, would he?"
Harry hated to agree with Snape, but he was capable of having a point.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione planned to go back in. Harry and Ron head up to the corridor, and they run into McGonagall. Who lost her temper. And yelled at Harry and Ron.
"I never expected you two would go up there and try something like that," McGonagall said.
"And yet, you expected Hermione and Harry would pull a practical joke about a dragon, and get caught," Ron replied.
"We'll get to those enchantments in a minute," Nora said. "Because, I've got questions about them."
"I know you've been chomping at the bit to talk about this," Lita said.
"You have no idea," Nora said.
Hermione's attempts to tail Snape failed. Harry comes to the conclusion that he has to get to the Stone first.
"Well that kind of sounds like the insane plan we do about thirteen times a year," Sara said with a whistle.
"You're going to steal the Stone?" Astra asked.
"Well, I'm not stealing it," Harry said. "I'm just borrowing it so Voldemort can't take it."
"Right, it's not stealing," Mick said. "Harry's borrowing without permission."
"Which is stealing," Ava said.
"I would say this is an insane plan," Astra said. "But, you were really left with no options."
"Unfortunately and not for the last time," Harry said.
"You're arrogant enough to believe that you have to interfere," Snape said.
"And you're slimy enough that it isn't hard to believe you were the one after it," Harry fired back.
"I really wish we would have gotten to go along," George said whistfully.
"We both do," Fred said. "But, we were prats, and we missed out on all of the fun."
The twins sighed deeply in response.
Harry gives a rant about how he's not letting Voldemort take over, no matter what the risks. And he reminds Ron and Hermione, Voldemort killed his parents.
Most of the group cheered in response. Even Malfoy nodded in grudging respect.
"Damn right," Astra said.
"I believe this is the first rousing Harry Potter speech," Sara said.
"Such a pivotal moment in history," Ava said. "He really had that fire down from the start."
"He did," Hermione agreed. "He would convince you to go to the ends of the Earth."
"But, he would really be with you every step of the way," Ron agreed.
"Well said, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "But, I really wish that you didn't have to do something that extreme."
"You gave me no alternative," Harry said.
"I can't believe how much we failed you," McGonagall said.
"Starting to see it, are we?" Sara asked.
Harry wants to go underneath the Invisibility Cloak. And Hermione and Ron agree. Hermione declares she got high marks on her exam, so she's not getting expelled.
"I can't believe how confident I was of that fact," Hermione said.
"Harry didn't try to talk us out of it this time," Ron said. "Which is surprising."
"I didn't want to argue," Harry said.
Harry, Ron and Hermione prepare to head off for the Philosopher's Stone
"You're on a time crunch now," Mick said. "You have to move quickly. And without you knowing what's down there, it's going to be rough. And it's really rough, given how the Big Bad has a head start."
"He could have already had the Stone at this point," Ava murmured.
"Oh, he was flummoxed by the real danger," Harry said.
Astra realized suddenly.
"Don't tell me…"
"I won't tell you," Harry said. "You'll see."
"Wonderful," John said. "Absolutely great."
"We have a plan," Harry said. "But, only knew about Fluffy."
"Well, you didn't have enough time to do Recon," Sara said.
Harry nodded and Ava, Zari, Mick, and Sara all groaned.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione prepare to put on the Cloak, but are stopped short by Neville.
"Bad timing," Astra said.
"He could slow you down,' Mick said.
"You didn't take him along, did you?" Malfoy asked.
"We didn't," Hermione said.
"Then how did you get out of this one?" Malfoy asked.
Neville prepares to fight Harry, Ron, and Hermione to prevent them from leaving.
"I would say you taught him well," Kara said.
"Oh, Neville, now's not the time," Sara said.
"Got to give him credit, he took that advice to heart," George said.
Hermione puts Neville in a full body bind and left him on the Gryffindor Common Room Floor
"Well, you had to do something," Astra said.
"You put Longbottom in the full body-bind spell," Malfoy said. "And left him lying on the middle of the Common Room floor?"
"Someone found him eventually," Hermione argued. "And we apologized for it later."
"We did," Harry said. "But, time was urgent."
"Poor kid, always gets the short end of the stick," Zari said.
"Still can't believe you did that," Malfoy said. "And you got on me for the leg-locker."
"You did it because you were a pompous asshole," George said. "They did it because they needed to save the day."
"And we found him," Fred said. "He was shaken up when we did, but we got him up just fine."
"Good thing we were out late that night," George said. "Although the teachers were acting weird that day."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione slip off. They run into Mrs. Norris, and then Peeves. And Harry imitates the Bloody Baron to get Peeves off of his back.
"Brilliant!" the Weasley twins cheered in unison.
"I'm surprised he bought it," Nora said.
"He did, and we were lucky he did," Harry said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way through the Third-Floor Corridor. From their perspective, they think Snape's gotten past Fluffy.
Snape just shook his head.
"You did yourself no favors at all," McGonagall reminded him
Harry tries to get Ron and Hermione to go back. They decline.
"I'm glad," Astra said. "I just wish I was there to help."
"You should have been," Harry said.
"Not sure if things would have escalated this far if you were," John reminded Astra and Harry. "If Natalie was still around, you would have been yanked out day one. If she even had you sent to Hogwarts in the first place."
"Harry, you look pretty tense," Kara said. "Younger you, I mean."
"Yes, I was," Harry said. "I was more worried about what would happen if Ron and Hermione got hurt."
"And what if you got hurt?" Sara asked.
"I can take it," Harry said. "Physical wounds heal. Guilt takes longer to heal."
"And other people can feel guilt when you get hurt," Sara reminded him. "It's not just a one way street.
Harry plays Fluffy to sleep. And then the trio jumps down the trap door.
"I'm more worried about what's down there," John said. "The softer the landing, the more dangerous the trap."
"Oh, it's pretty dangerous," Harry said darkly.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were ensnared by the Devil's snare.
"Oh great!" Kara yelled. "I hate plant vines!"
"Still remembering your last trip to Gotham?" Lena asked.
"Yes," Kara agreed. "Oh, you're going to be smothered, if you don't get out of there."
"Fire, it's fire," Astra said. "Devil's Snare can't stand fire, so burn the damn thing. One of you get your whits about yourself and burn it!"
The group viewed Harry choking out his breath.
Nora sketched down a note, although watching the breath get slowly snuffed out of two twelve year olds and an eleven year old made her shiver.
Hermione remembers what Devil's Snare was, Harry suggests to light a fire, Hermione says there's no wood, and Ron snaps, asking if she's a witch or not
"That is my favorite line in the entire book!" Lita cheered. "And they took it out of the movie. Which was such bullshit."
"I know, right," Ron said.
"It does show that Ms. Smartypants Bookworm over there has more than a few flaws," Lita said. "And she chokes underneath certain pressure."
"Glad Harry doesn't," Sara said.
Astra let out the breath she was holding.
"Devil's Snare," Nora said. "Good for someone who knows Herbology well."
"Hermione did," Fred said.
"Yes, and Neville did as well," Nora said. "And he was part of the initial group that ran across Fluffy on that night."
"Oh, well he would have done well down there," Zari said. "At that trap. Although he's currently on the floor of the Gryffindor common room."
"Devil's Snare is deadly, although you learn about how to fight it during your first year in Herbology," Nora said. "And Sprout mentioned it in class. Just makes you wonder, doesn't it?"
"No," Hermione said. "It has to be a coincidence."
"Well, let's read on to see if you can find more coincidences," Nora said.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry recover from the Devil's Snare. Damn good thing Harry keeps his cool.
"Really good," Sara said.
"I can't disagree," Hermione said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione move forward, and he thinks of dragons guarding Gringotts. And Harry entertains the thought about having to get past one of those.
"It better not be that," Astra said.
"One of those things is bad enough," Lena said.
"Thankfully not," Ron said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter a room with a bunch of peculiar looking birds. And Harry suggests that if they all swoop down at him at once, they could do some damage.
"Like something out of a Hitchcock movie," Sara said.
"They look pretty," Nora said.
"And that's to lure you into a false sense of security," John warned them.
Harry tries to open the door. Unlocking spell did not work either.
"Oh, sure, guide that lock against the unlocking spell," Lena said. "Typical."
"Professor Flitwick did that one personally," Hermione said.
"Flitwick would have put such a protection on," Harry said.
"Which means there's a charm that exists," Sara said. "Which means there's a charm that Dumbledore chose not to use on the door leading to the Cerberus."
"Great," Astra said. "Wonderful. How do you move forward?"
Harry discovers the birds are keys. And broomsticks. Which means he has to fly to get the key that will go through the lock.
"Well, that should be no sweat for Harry," George said. "He's only the greatest flyer of all time!"
"He is," Astra said. "But, Hermione's right. There's hundreds of them."
"There's always a tell," Kara said. "And Harry's observation skills are the best I've ever seen."
"The best I've ever seen as well," Sara said "And Nyssa told me, he's the best she's ever seen. And she grew up with assassins her entire life, and they need to have keen observation skills. Or they won't live too long."
Harry smiled and waved off the praise. Although, they were right.
"Just find it, then," Fred said.
Harry finds it quickly. Ron and Hermione were on their broomsticks, helping him.
"Hermione, you're actually flying," Kara said.
"I can't believe it either," Hermione said. "I hate heights. But, I had to help Harry in any way I could."
"Amazing what one can do when they have to," Nora said.
Hermione nodded in agreement.
"And you did fine," Ron said. "You will never be confused for Harry, but you were fine."
"It took everything I had to keep up with you two," Hermione said.
"I've seen worse," Malfoy said.
The key dodged Hermione and Ron. But not Harry. Harry captured the key with a breath-taking maneuver to the cheers of Ron and Hermione.
Mostly everyone cheered at Harry's amazing catch.
"Brilliant as usual," Astra said. "It's nice to see you in your element."
"And it's much harder to pull something off like that in a closed space," Kara said. "One wrong move, and you could have smooshed against the wall."
"Thankfully, I'm good enough to catch that key," Harry said.
"Spectacular, Harry," McGonagall said.
"Told you, best observation skills ever," Sara said. "Which makes him brilliant."
"The best," Ava said.
Ava, Sara, and Harry exchanged a three way kiss with each other. Harry pulled away and looked at the aftermath of his best self. He seemed really pleased that he caught that bird.
It was a good catch.
"Harry is an ace flyer," Nora said. "The second task is tailored for someone of his skill set."
"I see," Astra said.
"Another coincidence, Hermione?" Kara asked her.
Hermione blinked.
"Mmm, let's just keep going," Hermione said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrive in the next room which is a giant chessboard. And they have to play to go across it.
"Chess?" Astra asked. "I could have handled this one easily."
"Oh, I don't know Ms. Logue, I did make the board rather tricky," McGonagall said.
"Not tricky enough," Ron reminded her.
"I've never lost a game of chess," Astra said.
"Really, never?" Ron asked.
"Never," Astra said. "And I've played some of the most devious people in history."
"I've lost a few games, but never twice to the same person," Ron said. "I've learned from their mistakes."
"Well, maybe you haven't played the right person," Astra said.
"Astra was good when we were kids," Harry said. "I think she's gotten better."
"And Chess is one of the few things that Harry is very average at," Sara said.
"That and bowling," Harry said. "Never quite could get the hang of it."
"Well, it's a good thing you never had to bowl for the fate of the universe or something," Nora said.
"And somewhere Murphy is cackling," Sara murmured.
Ron tells Hermione and Harry they're not very good at chess.
Everyone just whistled at the matter of fact way Ron said it.
"Savage," Fred said.
"Tell them what you truly think," Kara said.
"Harry's improved a lot," Lena said. "Granted, he's not the best, but he's better than he was the first time I played him."
"He beat Lex," Kara reminded them.
"Yeah, he did," Lena said. "But, I'm better than Lex."
"Yeah, but I'm still rubbish,' Hermione said. "Well, I'm not bad at traditional chess. It's just the pieces yelling at me make me nervous."
"I can understand that," Lena said.
"It's just what we're used to," Malfoy said. "It just feels so bland to play chess the Muggle way."
Those who grew up around magic agreed. Those who did not, they disagreed. They would all have to agree to disagree.
The Chess Game goes on. Ron manages to direct everything properly and find a way to stay ahead and to keep Harry and Hermione from being sacrificed. And then he finds out the only way to win is to sacrifice himself.
Astra and Lena both spent some time studying the game in front of them.
"Well, there's another way, "Lena said.
"But, I wasn't going to go there," Ron said. "And the victory wasn't assured."
"Right," Astra said. "And it could have easily wiped out Harry and potentially Hermione. There's only a small chance that they could have still won."
"So, it wasn't the only way?" Harry asked.
"It was the best way," Ron said.
"Fair enough," Harry said.
The image of Ron being smashed by the chess piece is shown.
Everyone watching cringed.
"Damn, little brother," George said. "You got walloped."
"It's damn lucky you didn't get a concussion," Sara said.
"Madam Pomfrey checked me out, everything was fine," Ron said. "Although, I was dizzy for a couple of days, everything was fine."
"At least the Chess pieces did what they were supposed to," McGonagall said. "Children never should have gotten this far though."
"And yet they did," Snape said.
"Yes, we did," Harry said.
"The game wasn't as difficult as it could have been," McGonagall said. Or as difficult as I intended it. Dumbledore wished for an honorable game as well, where the pieces would acknowledge victory. I wanted a game where the pieces would lash out against the person playing, win, lose, or draw. Not fatally, but enough to leave them down there. Where we would be alerted that they had not made it past."
"You were outvoted though," Harry said.
"There was one vote who overrode us all," McGonagall said.
"Surely there must have been a way to bypass all of the traps if you needed to?" Harry asked.
"Well, I'm not certain if there was," McGonagall said. "I've noticed my chessboard was watered down in difficulty after Dumbledore put the Stone down there. Although, it still put up enough of a fight to not arouse suspicion."
Harry did not like where this was going. Kara, Sara, and Astra all stared at the screen.
"Let's review," Nora said. "You got past Fluffy, with Hagrid's Christmas gift, after Hagrid just conveniently let it slip how to get past the creature. Then, you had the Devil's Snare, which was mentioned in a first year class and how to defeat it. Harry is the best flyer ever, so he captured the key. And Ron is good at chess, so he could defeat it. And McGonagall claims her initial concept was watered down."
"Yes," McGonagall said
"Coincidences, Hermione?" Zari asked.
"Fine, this all looks suspicious," Hermione said. "But, it might not be for Harry's benefit. Given what's at the end, it might not be for Harry's benefit."
"Well, I can buy that, to a degree," Nora admitted. "But, we're not to the end yet, are we?"
Hermione had been rather bothered by the conclusions that they were drawing. But they did not have all of the information in front of them. Although, red flags were popping up in her head.
"Let's see what's next," Astra said.
Harry and Hermione, without Ron, won the Chess Game and made their way to the next chamber. The troll was still knocked out.
"Lucky break there," Zari said.
"Really lucky," Harry agreed.
They moved to Snape's logic puzzle. Fire blocked them on both ends and Snape gave them the clues they needed to find the right bottle.
"Cut this one out of the movie, didn't they?" Kara asked.
"Yeah," Lita said.
"Shocking as it was one of Hermione's finer moments that year," Ron said.
"I just did what I could with the information available," Hermione said.
"If you must know, I wanted to put poison in all of the bottles," Snape said. "Or at least Draught of the Living Dead. But, Dumbledore overruled me on that matter."
"The real trap would be at the end," Kara said.
"Yes, unfortunately," Astra agreed.
She was not looking forward to Harry having to face that thing again. And she did not mean Voldemort. While was confident that Harry could handle himself now, when he was eleven she did not relish him doing that.
"You should be worried about how you did on exams and the next Quidditch match," Astra said.
"If only," Harry said.
Hermione figures out the answer, while making a comment that most wizards don't have an ounce of logic.
"Ouch," Lita murmured.
"That's more savage than Ron's earlier comment," George said.
"To be fair, that's really not a magical thing," Sara said.
"Carlin was right," Mick said. "Think about the dumbest person you've ever met. And most people are dumber."
"That doesn't change much," Zari said grimly.
Zari hated to admit that social media was the root of people getting more ignorant and easily led towards a narrative, because it was her entire business. But, people tended to believe anything they read on social media, because someone they liked and supported said it. No matter how much real life evidence smacked them in the face.
"She's not wrong, though," Malfoy said.
"Which is why I constructed the puzzle in such a way," Snape said. "Because, I was hoping to stall the person after the stone on a logic puzzle. Although, unfortunately, I did not have all of the information."
"A little bit of information can be dangerous," Harry said.
"As you found out yourself in a little bit," Snape said.
Hermione finds the right bottle. Harry formulates a plan to get Ron and Hermione out and for them to warn Dumbledore.
"As far as plans go, it should work, in theory," Sara said.
"In theory, yes," Lena said. "Although, I can see there being several problems in practice."
"Nora?" Harry asked.
"Hermione is a Smartypants Bookworm who could solve a logic puzzle easily," Nora said.
"Well, yes, I guess," Hermione admitted. "All of these traps and how they were done, they do seem a little bit suspicious. And I'm surprised that he didn't figure out he was being lured down than other traps that a group of first years could have no trouble with."
"Ego," Kara said. "And evil. They're a bad combination."
"My brother is smart," Lena said. "But, he can't fathom that someone could outsmart him. So he gets tripped up on that a few times."
"It happens to many tyrants," Ava said.
Hermione and Harry part ways. And Harry prepares to drink the potion to head off into the unknown.
"Those things were more important," Hermione said.
"Are they still?" Harry asked.
Hermione remembered what Ron said. Mistakes were in fact made. And she could never correct them, because Hermione was convinced she did not make it.
"Here we go," Sara said.
"This is actually happening," Astra said. "It's him."
Tension filled the room as they prepared to watch Harry take one final step.
"There was already someone there," Gideon narrated. "It was not Snape. It was not even Voldemort."
"I bloody knew it!" John cursed. "That shifty twat."
They all watched Harry's younger self step face to face with the culprit. It was almost like they held their collective breaths.
Everyone froze on that moment in time for what seemed like an eternity.
"So, we're moving onto the next chapter?" Gideon asked to finally break the silence.
"Yes," Sara said. "Please."
To Be Continued.