Dungeons

It was time for potions. Carina had informed him about Snape's way of teaching. He already instructed those who bowed to him last night to sit with the other houses. He wanted to see how much the professor will try to humiliate him.

Harrison sat with Aries Black and waited for the Professor to enter the classroom.

Professor Snape entered gliding through the classroom, his black cape sweeping on the floor behind him. If Harrison didn't roll his eyes at his dramatic entry, then he was surely going to roll it after his speech.

"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you (his eyes to the Gryffindors) to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few (his eyes darted to Homam and Draco) who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention! Mr. Potter. Our new celebrity. (Harrison rolled his eyes) Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood? You don't know? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?...And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?...Pity. Clearly, fame isn't everything, is it, Mr. Potter?" The Gryffindors snickered, Draco and a few Slytherins wanted to laugh but the last night was enough to control themselves.

"Professor," Harrison began smoothly "I would have provided you the answer, but you were too engrossed in your queries followed by your speech that you didn't allow me to answer. If you permit, then may I?." Aries bit his lip while Snape fumed but still nodded.

"For the first question you asked professor, powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood is needed for Draught of Living Death. Your second question's answer is, in the stomach of a goat and also in the Potions Classroom store cupboard, as well as at least two in the Hospital Wing, it also save us from most of the poisons with the exception of Basilisk venom, of course. Your last question's answer is there is no difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite, this Potion is very dangerous when incorrectly concocted." Harrison finished.

Severus just looked at his face for a minute and uttered, "Correct". He gulped and nodded "Ten points to Slytherin," Severus eyes darted towards the bushy girl, who dejectedly lowered her hand, "and thirty points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all and failing to understand instructions, Granger."

"Wh — What, that's not fair! You didn't gave us any chance! You just started firing your questions at Potter knowing he'll answer." Ron exclaimed.

A sneer formed in Snape's face. "Is that true Mr. Weasley? Then do inform the class, what is the last ingredient added to our first potion, the 'boil removal'?"

Ron looked at his year mates for his help who were royally ignoring him, "I…. I don't know" admitted the now red ear Weasley. Harrison could see that Weasley's ears were matching with his hair.

"Looks like, the Gryffindors are the usual bunch of dunderhead, I am… forced to teach. That's ten points for failing to read before class." Snape added mockingly.

"Biased git."

"A further ten points for insulting a professor." Severus added with a glee. Severus then turned his attention to the class, flicking his wand at the board behind him, a set of instructions appeared. Once, the writing was complete Severus turned towards the students, "What are you waiting for, START!" All the children hurriedly turned to their stations and started working. Severus smiled a little when Harry stopped Aries from putting extra porcupine quills. Maybe he was really too harsh on Potter and he really have the knack, his Lily had.

The melted cauldron of Weasley was not surprising at all and neither the loss of twenty more points or the detention earned by their potions professor.

After success of the potion class, Harrison looked at the book he purchased and started reading. From what he concluded that there was this particular room where he can practice the wand movements

'Yes, there it is'

Harrison looked at glee after founding the place he had been searching for the weekend, the hidden room which was known as 'The Room of Requirement' or 'The Come and Go Room'. Harrison was pleased that he will finally have a place of his own to practice.

October breezed smoothly for Harrison and his now confident ally Aries Black. Making friends with the bubbly 'don't call me Nymphadora' Tonks, her baby sister Vulpecula who was in her fourth year was something Harrison had been eager too and a very easy task. Looks like both sisters were lonely because of their 'abilities' and clung to Harrison, the only person except their cousin and parents who understood them, like a parasite. No problem, it won't be long when they will act as perfect spy for him, when the time comes….

It was the 31st of October when Harrison had thought to peek at the third floor corridor. He had thinking this since the day he sorted, there has to be something very valuable or dangerous hidden in the forbidden corridor and as that particular corridor is banned this year, no doubt it was something too valuable. Harrison looked at his year mates who were busy at the feast and then at the teacher's table where Quirrell was missing, thinking about the ways to escape from here. Suddenly the doors opened and a panic Quirrell ran between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables.

"TROLL! IN THE DUNGEON! T-TROOLLL IN THE DUNGEON!!" Quirrell shouted madly and Dumbledore rose from his seat in concern, the professors were baffled. Everyone looked at Quirrell and the hall filled with silence.

"Thought you ought to know." Quirrell passed out and the room which was silent, freaked out, all the students screaming and running.

"SILLLLLEEENNNNCEEEEE!", Dumbledore screamed. Everyone stopped and looked at the Headmaster, "Everyone will please, not panic. Now, Prefects will lead their houses back to the dormitories. Teachers will follow me to the dungeons."

Harrison observed Snape looked aghast, and walked out through a doorway. A bit later, the Slytherin prefect guided them towards the dungeons.

"Everyone stay alert!" Leo Lestrange shouted and looked around warily.

"How could a troll get in?" Harrison frowned.

"Not by itself, aunt Andy says trolls are really stupid. Probably Quirrell is playing jokes." Aries shrugged making Harrison's frown deepen. It wasn't a coincidence that Quirrell of all people encountered a troll in Dungeon and the most important part was what was Quirrell doing in the Dungeons? Harrison halted in his place as the realization dawned on him….. the third-floor corridor. It was Quirrell who brought the troll to the school through the dungeons, no doubt it'll be something important in that forbidden area otherwise why would he risk so much. As tempting it was Harrison Potter was not a fool to run towards the forbidden room and decided it was best to keep his head down for….. now.

The next morning was a pleasant one, he really had a good night and woke up to see everyone else sleeping. Waking up and getting ready for the day, he went towards the Great Hall for his breakfast. Harrison observed something was off as soon as he entered the hall. The Professors looking glum and a horde of red heads looking like someone killed their puppy.

Harrison scanned the hall and noticed the Gryffindor had two people missing and a sudden raise in Gryffindor's house points before he could wonder about the reason, he heard

"Yes, can you believe it? The youngest Weasley saved the know-it-all yesterday. Don't know what happened. Both are apparently in hospital wing getting treated." A Slytherin was muttering to his friend.

"Yeah, like how there supposed to be a Cerberus in the school" laughed the another one.

Now, that was something interesting. Harrison concentrated on his food. He had planned to crash the forbidden corridor no matter what happens tonight, but first let's go to library.

Harrison stood outside the door of the forbidden room and took a deep breath 'Now, I don't have a wish for a painful death but what's inside the door is too curious to me to heed the headmaster's warning. Well….. FUCK'

Harrison gulped watching the Cerberus, from what he read in the library they had very few weaknesses and the ones they did have, were very small. One was to drugged honey cake! When the Cerberus eats it he becomes very calm and passive. Another weakness he has is to the music. Cerberus will fell asleep and let him pass.

He opted the former and smiled when his plan worked.

"Where's Harrison?" Homam looked at his cousin and shrugged, "He's your friend, how would I know?" Aries frowned and waited for his friend as he glanced at his pending homework. Harrison's behaviour was not what he thought his god-brother would possess. He had thought his god-brother would be a prankster like him and his father and god-father. But Harrison was everything except a prankster, he also didn't like flying or Quidditch, maybe his life with his relatives wasn't good. Aries always observed that whenever he queried about Harrison's life, Harrison will become stiff and ignore him like a plague. It was something he didn't want to think about. He knew muggles were good, Uncle Ted's parents were the best muggles, after they died two years ago, Aries was too upset, Ted's parents never let Aries feel like a outsider. Aries was loved like his cousin's Nymphadora, Vulpecula and Cygnus.

"Aries, mother wants you to attend Yule at the Lestrange Manor this year and also master…. I mean, Harrison, will you be able to attend?" Carina looked at her estranged cousin who nodded slowly and smiled. Leo looked at his sister and shook his head, his twin cousins Randolph and Raynor Lestrange rolled their eyes.

"Do you know where Harrison is?" Aries looked at his cousin who nodded.

"Don't know but he told me that something needed his attention and he'll be busy." Carina shrugged carelessly and went to her friends.

"What needs his attention in night that he's not worried about getting caught after curfew?" Aries frowned.

"So, the plant was Sprout, keys were Flitwick, chess set was McGonagall and troll by Hagrid? No, Quirrell. Yes, if he can let a Troll inside yesterday on Halloween feast then it'll the his specialization. Then this final will be Snape's.

He stepped over the threshold and immediately a fire sprang up behind him in the doorway. It wasn't ordinary fire either; it was purple. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading onwards.

Harrison frowned and read the riddle :

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,

Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,

One among us seven will let you move ahead,

Another will transport the drinker back instead,

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,

Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.

Choose, unless you wish to stay here for evermore,

To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:

First, however slyly the poison tries to hide

You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;

Second, different are those who stand at either end,

But if you would move onwards, neither is your friend;

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,

Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.

Harrison grinned when he solved the puzzle.

At first there were 7 potions. Since the giant bottle is not poison and it is a twin to the second from the left, the two were nettle wine (2nd and 6th). Therefore, two of the poisons are to the left of these (1st and 5th). The ones at each end are different and since we know the left end is poison, both nettle wines have been found, and it will not help you move onwards, the rightmost bottle sends you back (7th). This leaves 2 bottles and we know the dwarf is not poison, so it must be the one to move ahead (3rd). Finally, the remaining bottle must be the third poison (4th).

Which means he have to take the third potion.

Harrison walked down the stairs slowly. Halfway down, he saw Quirrell standing before a Mirror.

"You let the troll in." Harrison said already knowing the answer. "Very good, Potter, yes." Quirrell smiled evilly. Quirrell turned and stared into the mirror, "Now, what does this mirror do? I see what I desire. I see myself holding the stone. But how do I get it?"

"How you solve the puzzles before is completely out of my knowledge?" Harrison asked.

"Oh, you must have heard about the lost diadem isn't it, Potter?" Quirrell reaches up and starts unwrapping his turban as he turns so his back is to the mirror. Harrison turns toward the staircase into the room, wondering whether he should wait or leave because he couldn't find anything except an old mirror, then turns towards Quirrell again. Quirrell is almost finished unwrapping his turban. Finally, he removes the turban, revealing a diadem on his head.

Harrison remembered the line from Hogwarts : A History

Etched upon its surface was Ravenclaw's famous quote:

"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."

It was said to enhance the wisdom of its wearer, which is Ravenclaw House's most treasured attribute. It had a blue sapphire shaped like an oval. However, it was never located among Ravenclaw's possession after her death.

"A what tiara", Harrison decided to play with Quirrell, "Oh, you look beautiful wearing this tiara, Quirrell." Harrison laughed.

"No, it's a diadem." Quirrell rolled his eyes

"And mine" a voice startled both Quirrell and Harrison. They looked as the Grey Lady and Bloody Baron came forward. Both looking angrily at Quirrell.

"It was you….. you who was misusing my mother's artifact?" Grey Lady glared at the defence professor.

"My mother's diadem —", Harrison looked confused and so Quirrell, "When I lived, I was Helena Ravenclaw." admitted the ghost. "I stole the diadem." She said closing her eyes, remembering her mother. "I stole the diadem. I sought to make myself cleverer, more important than my mother. I ran away with it. My mother, they say, never admitted that the diadem was gone, but pretended that she had it still. She concealed her loss, my dreadful betrayal, even from the other founders of Hogwarts. Then my mother fell ill — fatally ill. In spite of my perfidy, she was desperate to see me one more time. She sent a man who had long loved me, though I spurned his advances, to find me. She knew that he would not rest until he had done so. It was he, Baron, I loved him secretly but my ego was bigger, I never admitted my love for him. I had high standards and never bothered in love." Harrison looked at the woman ashamed of herself.

"Baron tracked me to the forest where I was hiding. When I refused to return with him, he became violent. He was always a hot-tempered man. Furious at my refusal, jealous of my freedom, he stabbed me… When he saw what he had done, he was overcome with remorse. He took the weapon that had claimed my life, and used it to kill himself. All these centuries later, he wears his chains as an act of penitence… as he should." Helena glared at the Slytherin ghost who looked ashamed.

"I am ashamed of myself Helena for doing this to you. Please forgive me." Baron apologized.

"I forgave you long ago, Harrison please give my mother's diadem to her portrait hung at the top of the Ravenclaw Tower. I want now to be freed…. Again." She looked at Harrison hopefully.

"I promise." Harrison looked determined to help the grey lady. He knew how much she was hurt, if he had done the same to his parents….. he shuddered at the thought.

Quirrell walked forward towards Harrison, who then touches his face with his hands, causing Quirrell to scream in pain. Harry looked on horrified as well as intrigued as Quirrell backed up with his face horrendously burned. Soon turning his body completely in ash and dust, leaving only his clothing. Harrison gasped, what the hell just happened? As he looked at his own hands and hurried over to the diadem. He picked it up and wore the diadem.

"What was Quirrell looking for and how to get it?" Harrison asked the diadem and the mirror glowed. Harrison felt something in his pocket and his eyes got wide as he realized it was the Philosopher's stone.

"I want to go to my dorm safely, without getting caught." Harrison looked as the way towards the Slytherin dorm was formed. He walked straight to the dorm.

Harrison reached his dorm safely and saw Aries worried for him.

"Harrison, thank merlin you're okay. I was worried for you. You were out for the whole night. Where the hell were you?" Aries asked worriedly.

"I was caught with some important work. Why are you awake?" Harrison asked. "My god-brother was out not knowing what work and you expect me to sleep soundly?" Aries glared while Harrison was taken aback, Aries was waiting for him? No one has cared for him as far as he could remember and here the boy infront of him was worried about him. A small but genuine smile appeared infront of him.

"Sorry, Aries. Next time if I go in any adventure then I will surely inform you." He hugged Aries for the first time realizing that he had someone to care for him. And he won't allow anyone to snatch his best friend from him.

"You know what happened with Louis that day?"

"Yes, I can't believe he was tortured that badly."

"Merlin, Don't know when that culprit will get capture?"

A chuckle left from Harrison and everyone looked at him.