Parseltounge
"Speech"
Thoughts/Telepathy
/flashback/
Map writing
Chapter 14
Confrontations
The following weeks became hectic as the upper years prepared for O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. Hermione insisted that the six friends start prepping for their end of year exams as well, even though there was still more than three months before the tests. Not surprisingly, to Blaise and Draco at least, Harry and Kira agreed with her. Most evenings found the group studying until curfew in the library, or past curfew in the Slytherin common room or clubhouse.
Hermione and Neville found themselves fully adopted by the Slytherins. In fact a bed had been added to each of the dorms for their use. From that point on any taunt, hex, or prank against the two lions was punished if a serpent saw it. Universally the snakes employed a lesser version of the house rules when dealing with them. Hermione and Neville were also adopting serpent mannerisms when dealing with members of said house.
The weather shifted and early spring winds moistened the grounds. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor had their quidditch game just before the last snows melted away. Gryffindor won. About three weeks later Hufflepuff played Gryffindor. Thanks to Cedric's incredible catch of the snitch and Wood being knocked out halfway through the game, Hufflepuff won 460-160. It was more than enough to knock Gryffindor out of the Quidditch Cup game. Slytherin played Ravenclaw during the second weekend in April. Harry caught the snitch before the first goal was made, ending the game 150-0. This was the fastest game in Hogwarts history, lasting less than five minutes. The Quidditch Cup would be played for by Slytherin and Hufflepuff.
Finals week finally crawled into everyone's perception. It arrived amid stark panic from the procrastinators and anticipatory fear for those prepared. There was intense excitement as well as grave uncertainty. For the seventh years their exams would determine their futures; for the sixth years their exams could mean the difference between taking the 'right' classes next year or not; for the fifth years their exams would be the first gage the ministry would have to judge them by. Everyone else was also concerned, but not nearly as stressed as the upper years.
Finals week had one upside, it would end with the Quidditch cup game, awarding of the House Cup, and end of the year feast on Saturday. For some students the goal of Quidditch and summer vacation was all that kept them focused on their exams. By Friday everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. The quartet knew they did well and from discussing the exams after the fact with Hermione and Neville, it was apparent that both lions did well also.
Friday evening the entire hall was chatting about their exams. Headmaster Dumbledore was distinctly absent from the head table. The quartet and two lions noticed it immediately from their place at the Slytherin table. They were certain Quirrell would go after the stone that night. They knew from Neville overhearing a not so quiet Weasel Trio that "Snape" knew how to get past Fluffy, the three headed dog. The six youths made sure to ask permission for Hermione and Neville to hang out with them in celebration of the end of the year, their ulterior plan was to call Voldemort and then play back-up against Quirrell. Ron, Seamus, and Dean decided to go after "Snape" that night as well.
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The six students went into the Chamber of Secrets directly from dinner. The heirs contacted Voldemort and relayed their information. The Dark Lord arrived only minutes later dressed in enveloping ebony robes. He smiled at the students and said, "Ms. Granger, Mr. Longbottom, I am about to cast some spells which will make me look different. I ask you not to be afraid when you see the changes."
They nodded slightly. Kira said, "You are about to see the Voldemort others normally see." Neville gulped as Voldemort turned away from them and began to hiss in Parseltounge. He finished by waving his wand and uttering five Latin sounding words. He turned back toward the children and the lions couldn't help but gasp in fright.
Voldemort's once soft blue eyes had become baleful crimson orbs which seemed to glow with unquenchable fire. His salted black hair was now so darkly onyx is seemed to absorb the light around him. His once pale skin had become molted gray and scaly like a snake. His hands appeared almost claw like with long ivory-toned nails that were tapered to sharp points. His lips were thinned and fangs glistened as he smiled. The shadows under his robes seemed to be alive as he shifted.
"Very convincing," said Harry nonchalantly.
"Thank you my son," he hissed coldly in response. His voice had also changed. There was a non-audible growl in his vocal tones which was felt by a person's flight or fight instinct; it induced fear on the level of dangerous predator to weakened prey. Hermione and Neville were unable to prevent the shivers that ran down their spines. The quartet easily suppressed the instinctual fear because they had been trained at an early age to do so.
Harry noticed the instinctive fear and conscious uncertainty in the two lions. He said to them, "Hermione, Neville," both jumped at the sound of his voice, "You could always stay here or return to your dorms via the passageway if you are uncomfortable in the presence of Lord Voldemort. He really won't need any other back up; we're just doing it for experience sake." He indicated the rest of the quartet.
"Yeah, you should probably stay out of what's to come. I doubt you'll want to see what Lord Voldemort is going to do to Quirrell anyway," added Draco ominously.
"Draco!" exclaimed Kira, "Shame on you, trying to scare them."
"Young Mister Malfoy is correct though, daughter dear. They are not accustomed to my ways and should not witness what I will do to Quirrell." Voldemort said using the powerful hissing predatory voice.
"Are you going to kill him?" asked Hermione in a small voice.
"Eventually, yes."
Neville gulped. This was the Dark Lord everyone knew and feared. This was the ruthless man who had been dubbed a monster, yet he was going to get rid of a servant who served someone trying to be worse than Voldemort had been in the past. He said quietly, afraid of Voldemort far more than he had been the last time he saw the man, "I think Hermione and I should head back to our dorms." Hermione nodded in agreement. She shared Neville's fear.
"That is probably best. Goodnight young lions." His attempt to smile reassuringly sent another dozen shivers down their spines.
They quickly said goodnight to the quartet and then headed up the Gryffindor passage. This night was a true test of their friendship with the Slytherin quartet. Harry and Kira hoped they would understand that sometimes the Dark couldn't be anything but ruthless. They hoped that come morning the lions would still be their friends.
Voldemort motioned for the quartet to head into the catacombs. Harry and Kira led him to the wall leading into the final room of Dumbledore's protections. Harry pricked his finger with a conjured needle and touched the wall with his bloodied finger. He then hissed Blood of the Builder which flows within now come forth to my bidding and create the archway in.
The rough hewn stone seemed to crumble and an archway opened. Beyond the archway was a large circular room with only one door leading in. In the very center of the room was the Mirror of Erised. Quirrell hadn't arrived yet. Voldemort said, "I want you to place yourselves around the room. Should anyone else enter I want you to stun them."
"Yes sir," the four voices rang out. They then moved to various places. They nodded to him once they were situated and he cast invisibility spells on them. The five dark magi waited.
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Neville and Hermione made their way up the Gryffindor passage. They both had their wands out with soft lumos spells lighting the way. Just before they reached the portion which would let them into the common room Neville stopped and asked, "What are we going to do now?"
Hermione paused as well, "What do you mean?"
"Vol... Voldemort is going to kill Quirrell. What are we going to do?" His voice sounded lost and Hermione could still hear his fear.
"I don't know..." she trailed off. "We've known, for quite some time that Kira's father was the Dark Lord. We knew before tonight that he has killed. We heard from her and Harry that he has even been the reason for his own followers to die. Logically we have known Voldemort was more than capable of killing anyone he wanted to, we just didn't acknowledge it until tonight. I think we blinded ourselves to what it means to have Dark friends."
In the soft wand light, Neville nodded. "You're right. We did know and we continued to be their friends. They are our friends," his conviction wavered slightly, "but they will either help kill or at least be witnesses to the death of an innocent man."
"We know Quirrell works for someone planning on replacing Voldemort. I think that shows he isn't an innocent man, but I don't know if that is enough reason for his life to be taken," Hermione chewed her lip.
"What if we told a teacher?" asked Neville.
"Who would we tell?"
"Professor Snape, maybe?"
"That's not a bad idea," Hermione replied. "He might even be able to stop Quirrell before he reaches Voldemort."
"Well then lets go into the common room and then head down to the dungeons," said Neville as he prepared to tap the brick which would open the wall for them.
"Actually, I've memorized most of the secret tunnels; it may be faster for me to go alone. Also that way you can mislead anyone looking for me."
"Agreed," said Neville as he tapped the activation brick with his wand. Three light taps later the wall silently slid open into a small alcove of the common room.
The two wayward lions exited the alcove and momentarily starred at Weasley and his cronies as they tiptoed toward the entrance. "Where do you three think you're going?" asked Hermione sharply.
The three boys jumped and whirled around to face the two traitors. Ron's snarled haughtily, "Not that you two traitors care, but we're going to stop Snape from stealing the Philosopher's Stone from the third floor corridor for You-Know-Who."
Neville laughed, "And how did you put that brilliant deduction together?"
Ron reddened and began counting on his fingers as he spoke, "First Snape tried to kill Potter at the first quidditch game which clearly shows he works for You-Know-Who. I saw him chanting the curse myself and the fact that Malfoy senior was helping him only proves I'm right. Everyone knows the Malfoys are Dark wizards. Second I heard from a Hufflepuff that he headed up to the third floor corridor rather than going to the dungeons on Halloween when the troll got in. Third a slimy dark person conned the trick to getting past Fluffy out of Hagrid; Snape is the only slimy evil git I know. And lastly Professor Dumbledore is away tonight so it's the perfect time for him to try to steal it."
If the two adopted Slytherins hadn't known the truth the theory would make perfect sense. Since they knew the truth all Hermione and Neville could do was shake their heads in disbelief. Hermione said, "Wow, you guys really put a lot of thought into this plot, didn't you?" Her sarcasm was lost on the trio as they all beamed proudly. "But I really need to burst your plot bubble. First Professor Snape and Mr. Malfoy were casting counter curses on Harry's broom at the first match. That tells me neither were trying to kill Harry and therefore probably don't work for Voldemort." Her ignored the gasp and flinch the trio made at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. "Second if Professor Snape suspected someone else was trying to steal the Stone he'd try to stop them while their distraction was keeping the other teachers busy. Third any one can con Hagrid and with the places he goes its not difficult for the other person to hide their true nature."
"So maybe the slimy git Snape isn't after the Stone," sneered Ron. Somehow his sneer wasn't even nearly as convincing as a Ravenclaw sneer. "But whoever is after the stone will try to steal it tonight."
"Then how about instead of harrying off and getting yourselves killed by Quirrell, why don't we tell a teacher?" asked Neville. Realizing what he just said Neville blushed slightly.
"Quirrell?!" exclaimed Ron.
"We already tried," said Dean as Ron said the name of the thief.
Hermione ignored Ron and asked Dean, "Who did you try to tell?"
"Professor McGonagall," answered Dean.
"Hold on!" commanded Ron. "What the bloody heck do you mean by Quirrell?"
Hermione sighed, "Quirrell is trying to steal the stone."
"How can you be sure," interrupted Seamus.
Neville sighed as Hermione answered, "We know because he is the one who was cursing Harry's broom. Also he has been heard communicating with someone he calls Master by Neville, Blaise and Kira."
"So he's the one loyal to you-know-who?" asked Ron with disbelief written all over his face.
Neville and Hermione shrugged. Neville muttered, "Don't know, but I do know all of us should head to bed soon. After we inform Professor Snape of what's going on, of course." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Nah-uh," responded Ron. "No one is going to leave the dorms tonight." He glared at the traitors as if daring them to contradict him.
Hermione faced Neville and winked as she said, "Alright, goodnight, I'll see you in the morning."
Neville nodded at her to show he understood and muttered, "Night," before turning and heading toward the boys' staircase. The Gryffindor trio followed Neville up the stairs. Once all four boys were in the dorm room and behind closed curtains, Neville snuck back out of his bed and tiptoed over to Ron's bed. He opened the curtain and whispered, "Stupefy." Ron didn't have time to react before he fell unconscious. Neville smirked and returned to his bed after closing Ron's curtain again. He knew Hermione would take care of informing Professor Snape.
About ten minutes after the five first years had headed up their respective staircases, Hermione snuck back down to the common room. She then walked out the portrait entrance and rushed through the many secret passages that the quartet had used over the year. She reached the dungeons without incident and walked swiftly to the door she had been told was Professor Snape's office. There was light seeping under the door and Hermione knew he was in his office. She calmed her heart and gathered her Gryffindor courage. She knocked solidly on his door.
Severus Snape's voice traveled easily though the closed door as his footsteps echoed in the office. "This had better be important." The footsteps came to a halt casting a shadow across the light under the door just before the door swung open to reveal a sneering potions master. His glare lightened slightly as he looked down at Hermione and said, "Ms. Granger, you should be aware that curfew was over an hour ago. What are you doing here?"
"I know sir..." her voice and courage seemed to be fading. "I just came to tell you Quirrell is going after the Philosopher Stone tonight."
Severus' eyes widened, that was the only hint of shock as his voice calmly asked, "How do you know about the Stone?"
She was resolutely staring at her slippers as she said, "Um... the quartet, Neville and I have known for a while now. The quartet is going to stop him."
"That doesn't sound like my Slytherins." He paused briefly in thought, "Are you sure?"
"Yes sir," her head was nodding, "um... Kira's father is with them."
Severus felt himself stiffen. He wondered how the Dark Lord had gotten into the school without tripping off any of the dark wards. He looked at Hermione and could see she was shivering slightly, does she know? He asked softly, "Do you know who Ms. Riddle's father is?"
She nodded again and in a somewhat frightened whisper said, "Yes."
He was stunned yet none of his surprise showed as he mused, "I see... so is he going to stop Quirrell or is he going to steal the stone?"
Hermione, not realizing he wasn't asking her, replied, "Stop Quirrell."
Severus was again taken aback. He asked her, "And how do you know he won't take the stone while he's here?"
"Because he already has it," she blurted out. She quickly covered her mouth.
"What?!" Severus couldn't help but exclaim.
"Um..." Hermione burst into tears. This was not what she had planned. She had just betrayed Kira and Harry's trust. Suddenly telling Professor Snape what was going on seem like the worst idea in the world. She wanted to shrink inside herself.
"Ms. Granger, Ms. Granger there is no reason to cry," he attempted to sooth her. It didn't work as her sobbing grew louder. He reached out and gently gripped her shoulder, "Come sit down in my office. I'll go see to Quirrell and the Dark Lord. Stay here." She didn't resist him as he helped her sit. He conjured a cup of tea and poured some sleeping potion into it. He handed it to her and said, "Drink this, it'll help you calm down. She nodded, tears still streaming down her face. He swiftly left the office, locking and warding the door as he left.
As Severus Snape made his way to the third floor corridor he nearly ran into Albus Dumbledore. The man had clearly just arrived back from London and had yet to remove his travel cloak. Severus knew his rush would raise questions and growled in his mind with frustration. He had really wanted to speak with the Dark Lord alone after dealing with Quirrell, but now he would need to change that plan. He said, "Quirrell is trying to steal the Stone." He didn't stop to say more and simply swept past the elder wizard. Dumbledore barely registered the words. When they clicked after a few moments he swiftly followed Severus toward the third floor corridor and its perils.
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Voldemort had never been a patient man. Waiting was never an acceptable situation for him, but he waited now for Quirrell to arrive. He refused to pace or fidget. He had learned long ago that the illusion of patience was nearly as important as iron control of one's expressions. He waited for what felt like hours, but was in fact less than half of one. The door leading in finally opened revealing the turban wearing freak. Voldemort stood perfectly still, the shadows moved about him in a menacing manner. The defense Professor froze only a few feet into the room as his light brown eyes met burning crimson.
"Step into my parlor said the serpent to the mouse," Voldemort's voice once again had the sub-vocal timber which caused an instinctual flight or fight response. His eyes burned with an unnamed emotion, perhaps it was sadistic pleasure.
Quirrell audibly gulped in fear. He found himself unable to move and his voice stuttered and quivered in fright. "L...L...Lord... V...Vol... My Lord," He bowed low. He silently prayed to every god he had ever heard of in hopes he would survive the night. His master had originally assured him that Voldemort was dead. When it was shown that he was alive, his master had assured him that the former Dark Lord would never be able to get into Hogwarts. His master had been wrong.
Voldemort smiled slightly, showing glistening fangs, "Now tell me, why should I spare your life?"
Quirrell shivered in terror again at the sound of his inhuman voice, "I was trying to steal the stone for you my lord." Please bye it... please!
Voldemort tutted, almost sadly, and said, "I do not tolerate lies. Crucio!"
The curse lashed Quirrell. The weaker wizard fell to the stone floor screaming in agony. His body spasmed as his screams echoed around the chamber. He thrashed as he screamed. Every nerve was aflame with agony and each second the curse remained felt like an eternity in the pits of hell.
"Finite Incantatem," Voldemort said lazily after about five minutes. He stood watching Quirrell as the man shook with after shocks and tears. "Now speak the truth. Who were you trying to steal the stone for? Who is your master? Who dares oppose me?!"
Quirrell looked up at the burning eyes of the Dark Lord. Some small part of him thought this is a real Dark Lord but his conscious mind made him lie, "N... N... No one... m...my..."
His stuttering response was cut off by a viscous, "Crucio! Do Not Lie To ME!" Voldemort's enraged voice commanded over the screams of agony of the breaking man. Quirrell's screams echoed and reverberated in a most satisfying way. "Finite incantatem," he said again after another five minutes. The screaming quieted, leaving a broken sobbing man crawling toward him whimpering.
"I can be merciful," said Voldemort. Quirrell looked up at him and shivered. There was no emotion at all on the face of the Dark Lord. "I can let your pain end; all I require is that you do not lie to me. I only need the name of your master. Who is your master?"
"L...Lord Baphomet," he gasped out.
"I see... he took the name of a dark deity once worshiped by the foulest type of muggle." He smiled cruelly at Quirrell. "Tell me his birth name and I will let you live."
"I don't know it!" cried out Quirrell in terror as he moved to his knees.
"Pity," Voldemort's voice did not relay any pity or mercy. "I will grant you a painless death. As I said I can be merciful." Quirrell made a choking sound that may have been begging for his life. Voldemort raise his wand and said, "Avada Ked..."
"Stupefy," rang out in Dumbledore's voice as the red light of the spell sped from his wand as he entered the room. Severus Snape was beside him, his wand also drawn. Voldemort dodged and cast a shield.
Four stupefies flew from various places about the room, all aimed at the two new professors. Severus recognized the voices of his Slytherins. Both professors managed to dodge the spells and cast shields of their own. Quirrell flattened himself to the floor.
Voldemort hissed Wand of my enemies reverse your spells' direction. He looked at his new guests and said, "Stay out of this Dumbledore. This is between Quirrell, myself and those who think to usurp me. I am the Dark Lord and all of the Dark will bow to me, including his pathetic master."
Quirrell had drawn his wand while Voldemort addressed Dumbledore and Snape. He raised it at Voldemort and cast in a clear, rage filled voice, "Avada Kedavra!" Sickly green light burst from the wand, but it didn't come from the tip. It shot out of the base of his wand and struck him in the chest. Quirrell slipped to the ground, dead. His wand clattered and rolled away.
"It seems the fool discovered my parsel-spell the hard way," commented Voldemort banally.
"I won't let you leave here with the Stone, Riddle!" exclaimed Dumbledore.
"The stone is not here Dumbledore. It is at my manor, where it has been for over two months."
"So you are now immortal, Tom?" asked Albus.
"No less than I was before. The stone is safe and will be returned soon." Stupefy them my heirs. He smiled coldly and sent his strongest area effect spell at them. Their shields shattered.
While Voldemort cast the spell Kira and Harry moved toward the two professors.
I'll stun Snape, you get Dumbledork.
Roger.
Before Severus or Albus could re-erect their shields, two stunning spells flew at them from less than two meters away. The potions master and aged headmaster fell to the hard stone, unconscious.
Voldemort levitated the dead body after removing the invisibility spells. "Open the passage, son."
Harry nodded and tapped a pattern on the wall with his wand. The archway opened and the five Slytherins and one dead body went through. Voldemort told the children to send enervate spells at Severus just before Harry closed the archway. They went to the chamber and the quartet said goodnight to Voldemort before going up the Slytherin passage. Voldemort directed his personal port-key to take him to Diagon Alley. He left to craft his message to Lord Baphomet. The quartet was fast asleep in their dorms by the time Severus made it back to the dungeons to check on them.
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AN: Year one will only have one or two chapters more. The next update may take longer than a week, but I will do my best to keep to my schedule. Thank you for reading, and if you do, please review, it helps motivate the lazy writers/typers. (I'm the latter)
Review Responses:
momma-dar Thank you and welcome to my humble story. I am doing my best to keep to my once a week plan, but its not as easy as it sounds.
Shadowface I'm sure I find out eventually... anyhow hers' another chapter, hope you liked. And yes they were educated last chappy.
Tiffany Kleinhans Thank you. I really appreciate encouraging reviews. I hope you continue to enjoy my story.
NatashaNiracval Hermione is a muggle-born, there is a greater anger toward what is seen as slavery among muggles than there is among wizards. There won't be a SPEW in this story, but that doesn't mean Hermione won't end up fighting for rights for other non-humans.
Gred & Forge are two of my favorite characters, so I guarantee their will be more of them when I write later years(which I really hope to do) The prank was "random" but I personally don't believe in coincidence and so people wound up as "appropriate" animals.
Sorry about the grammar... I've never been the top person in that area.
You will learn more about Harry's feelings on him killing his parents in later years. (Good god I really need to write the later years)
Thanks and I hope you enjoyed the update.
Pearly I only see Ron and Percy as "bad" guys in the family. So it's actually really easy to portray them that way. The twins wouldn't/can't exactly snitch on them. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you.
frozen-lake I believe that if Tom Riddle had experienced a moment of true clarity in his life he would have retained his sanity. In this story he did, he also found love. These two events grounded his ego and kept him a real man rather than an evil psychopathic monster, they allowed him to become a true Dark Lord rather than the lunatics that came before him.
Dumbledore is one of the best characters to portray in a different light and after the fifth book I lost all respect for him and now see him as a manipulative bastard.
Thank you for your wonderful review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Her Stubborn Lioness I try my best...(smiles sheepishly)
Thank you for your kind words. I plan to parallel as many of the books as I can... so yes there will HOPEFULLY be sequels. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter.
Romulan Empress As you can see there wasn't a fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort over the Stone... Voldemort doesn't want the Stone. He just doesn't want anyone with plans to usurp him to have it.
Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Kage Mirai Thank you... here's the next chapter, hope you liked. Family secrets... the Riddles really do care for each other.(smirks... "like that's a secret")
eriee I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope you liked this one too. Thank you for your review.
Szihuoko Oops silly me. Sorry, I had just never seen NP before in a review, thank you for explaining. Dumbledore has rather long reaching plans... I'm really hoping to get year two started so that I can show how dastardly he can really be. Thank you for the review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.