Disclaimer: I think that by now you get it…I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. Take that Lawyers!
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Chapter 3 – The Stone
Over the next days, most teachers and students came to see the changes in the raven haired Potter. None could find a reasonable explanation as to why a first-year student was able to perform magic that in many instances was beyond the Hogwarts curriculum. Whispers filled the halls as Harry passed by, a fact that he was used to in his previous world, and he revelled in the fact that this time round, they were taking about what he had actually done, not what his Mother's sacrifice led to.
Due to his skill and power, Gryffindor had quickly come to the top in house points. This had made him popular with the other students in his house, but the constant displays of what he could do, coupled with his warrior attitude had made more than one first year slightly intimidated by him.
But he knew that he could not go around behaving like Malfoy and his merry band of Slytherins, hexing anyone they wanted
'Though that would be fun, I think I have had enough for now…I do have a war to fight after all…and I have to see about the Philosopher's stone…I know I've been showing off but hey, I won't have another chance to be a child!'
With all the fun he had showing offhe didn't notice how soon exams came. Naturally it was easy for him to ace them, especially since he did not have to face pains in his scar this time (though he made sure to give Neville some headache relief potion)
Naturally, he had to deal with Hermione going over an over each exam, while Ron complained that it gave him a headache just thinking about it. 'I'll definitely have to get those two together much sooner here…better make sure I avoid the entire Krum business too…'
Neville kept complaining about his scar hurting, and kept on suggesting that Snape would try and get the stone soon, but both Hermione and Ron dismissed his claims, With Hermione telling him to visit the hospital wing and blaming it on stress.
Harry kept silent most of the time, thinking about how he could direct his friends to go after the stone. Then he hit upon it, he just had to do what he did in first year.
"Hey, don't you find it strange that thing Hagrid wants the most is a dragon, and suddenly a stranger comes along who just happens to have one? Breeding dragons is illegal, so Hagrid must have been awfully lucky to find someone who breeds them…unless it was not a coincidence…" He said.
"You think…that…You-Know-Who got that person…so he could learn how to get past fluffy?" Asked Neville
"Yes…I mean, Hagrid is trustworthy and all, but it WAS Hog's Head…and getting his dream along with a few pints could have…loosened his tongue…"
As expected, Hagrid let it slip that he had told the stranger that music would turn Fluffy from a ferocious dog to a harmless and sleeping puppy.
The quartet left for the castle, but were stumped when they tried to find the Headmaster. When McGonagall came along, Neville, Hermione and Ron tried desperately to explain to her the situation. Harry remained silent, but when she started walking away after scolding them, he decided to challenge his luck and cried out
"Are you sure that the stone is very well protected professor? This IS Voldemort we are talking about…I would be willing to bet 100 galleons that even we, first years, would be able to get past any protections you have…"
"That will be enough Potter! You may have shown that you are more advanced that the other first years, but I think it has gone to your head! The stone is well protected. This discussion is over, unless you four would like a detention!" she said, leaving
"We go for the stone, tonight" said Harry as soon as she was out of hearing range
"But what could we possibly…" Hermione was cut off by the arrival of professor Snape
"Good Evening" he said, with fake politeness
Before anyone could respond, Harry answered "Yes, it is a nice day outside isn't it? Far to nice to be spent in here…"
Snape shot him a strange look and continued "The way you are standing close to each other, someone might think that you are…plotting…something."
"Oh but we are professor, you see, we were discussing which would be the best way to take down a Cerberus. We even asked Hagrid for some help, and he gave us the best solution! Which I am sure that such an intelligent wizard as yourself would know."
"Been wondering in the forbidden corridor Potter? If I ever catch you out at night again, I will personally make sure you are expelled! 5 points from Gryffindor, now get Lost!" With one last glare at Harry, Snape walked away, robes billowing menacingly
'I have to learn how he does that, it would really help intimidate some annoying people.'
"Harry! What is up with you? First questioning McGonagall, now practically giving away to Snape the fact that we know he is after the st.." started Neville
"Snape is not after the stone." Cut in Harry
"What? Are you alright mate? Of course he is! He even tried to get past the dog on Halloween!" Countered Ron
"I know what I am talking about here Ron, trust me, it is not him. I will be going there tonight anyway"
"You can't do that Harry! Snape and McGonagall will kill you! Or worse, expel you!"
"No, he is right Hermione, we have to stop this, otherwise You-Know-Who will come back and start another reign of terror" said Neville.
"There is no "we", I'm going alone"
"We won't let you go alone Harry, that evil bastard killed both of my parents, I'll be damned if I let him come back"
"Neville's right mate, we're Gryffindors, we're coming with you." Said Ron.
'They aren't going to back down…oh well, there's a reason why they're Gryffindors as Ron said.' "Fine, we will go tonight under the invisibility cloak…I don't know whether it will be big enough for all 4 of us though…"
"Oh, that won't be a problem Harry, I asked Gran to send me my dad's invisibility cloak, I got it yesterday." Said Neville.
"Very well then" sighed Harry "lets get back to the dorms for now."
'And I hope I'm doing the right thing'
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After evading a peeved Peeves and a nosy Mrs Norris, the quartet eventually came upon the open door on the third floor corridor.
"Snape is already here!" cried Neville
"I'm telling you Neville, its not Snape. Aww, would you look at that, Fluffy is sleeping. He looks so cute…"
"Cute Harry? Are you out of you bloody mind mate? That thing is NOT cute!" answered Ron
"Enough! We need to get through the hatch!" said Hermione
Neville frowned. "What's that noise?"
"Music, to make this doggy sleep, best keep it playing, its almost over." Said Harry, waving his wand and making the harp re-start.
"Now, lets get going" He opened the hatch, looking into it.
"Boy, is this dark. Well, I'm going first. I'll see you down there, or at least, I hope I will." with those words, he jumped into the darkness, softly landing on the dangerous plant known as Devil's snare.
"Alright, jump in!" he called.
With three soft thuds, the rest of them arrived.
"Good thing this plant is here" exclaimed Ron.
"Good thing? This is Devil's snare. It will tighten around you until you burst" Said Harry, as the vines started tightening around Ron and Neville.
"WHAT? Bloody hell!" shouted Ron.
Harry waved his wand and conjured a large fire. The vines immediately withdrew, leaving all of them unharmed. "Well then, lets get going shall we?" he asked.
"Good thing someone knows what to do around here" muttered Neville. "What's that sound?"
"Dunno…sounds like a ghost…" Said Ron
"Or something Flying, now come on!" countered an impatient Harry.
"You seem awfully keen on leading us to our deaths Harry" commented Hermione
"There is no sense in standing around while Voldemort may be nearing the stone, so MOVE IT" Snapped Harry, ignoring the shivers that the dark lord's name sent around the group.
They came to a room filled with hundreds of keys flying around. A door was standing on the other side of the room.
"Flying keys, how quaint, I bet one of them is the key to that door." Said Harry.
"Reckon they'll attack us if we try to get through?" Asked Ron
"Doubt it, but we will need to catch the right one." Said Harry.
After passing through the room and trying to open the door by both might and magic, they turned towards the keys.
"We need to get on those brooms" Said Hermione pointing towards some brooms left leaning on the wall "and catch whichever key fits the hole"
"That sounds simple enough." Said Neville, striding towards the brooms.
"That won't be necessary. ACCIO" said Harry, concentrating his magic on overpowering the anti-summoning wards on the key he knew was the right one.
"Another pathetic protection. Seriously, what was that old coot who calls himself a headmaster thinking? How could this possibly keep away Voldemort?" muttered Harry
"Harry! Don't talk about Dumbledore like that! He is the greatest wi…" started Hermione
"Yea Yea, whatever you say, now lets get going shall we?" snapped Harry.
They soon came to a giant chessboard.
"Looks like we have to play our way across…" said Ron.
Just like in Harry's first year, Ron expertly played against the enchanted pieces, and once again became the willing sacrifice for Harry to get the white side's king.
"RON" cried Hermione.
"Leave him, we must go on" Said Harry
They soon came to another room, and a foul stench filled the air. They immediately spotted the source: a large troll, lying unconscious on the floor.
"Glad that one's gone, I wouldn't want to have to face it." Said Neville "Come on, let's get out of here before the smell kills us."
As they passed onto the next room, purple flames rose behind them, while black ones rose in front of them. In the middle of a table sat various potion bottles.
Hermione grabbed the parchment on the desk and read what was on it. "It's a riddle! We have to use logic to find the right potion! Most wizards don't use logic, they would be stumped!"
"Right…" Said Harry, barely glancing at the parchment and marching over to the smallest bottle, which he knew from experience was the right one, and downing its contents. "There is barely any potion left for you Neville. Hermione, the round-ish glass at the end of the row will let you go back. Make sure Ron's okay and contact Dumbledore"
"HARRY! How could you just drink that! It could have been poison!" Cried Hermione
"I know what I am doing, look at the riddle for yourself. Lets go Neville" He answered, walking through the black flames.
"Harry, I don't believe it, he's right, how did he know?" she started questioning frantically, but Harry kept on walking.
With a nervous glance at Hermione, Neville downed the little that was left of the potion, and followed Harry into the flames. He entered the next room expecting to see Snape or Voldemort, but what he saw instead was someone totally unexpected.
"Pr-Professor Quirrell?" he stuttered.
The man turned "Yes Longbottom, me. I was wondering whether I would meet you here…and it seems that Potter is here too…"
"But…I thought that…that Snape" argued Neville
"Serverus? Yes, this would look like his job…compared to him, who would suspect me?"
Neville turned to the smirking Harry "You…You knew! But how?"
"Yes Neville, I knew" He answered "As to how, I think I will be keeping my reasons to myself."
"That's very nice Potter, but I think I've had enough interfering." Said Quirrell, conjuring some ropes and binding the two boys with them. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to figure out how to get past this Mirror…what do I have to do? Break it? Master! Help me !"
"Use the boy" echoed a chilling voice around the chamber.
"Come here Longbottom!" Said Quirrell, unbinding him. Neville slowly walked towards the mirror. "What do you see?"
"Uhh…" Harry could clearly see the bulge in Neville's pocket where the stone had fallen "I'm..Head of Auror department…and I am receiving my Merlin's Order…"
"Get out of here boy" Said Quirrell, pushing him away
"He is lying" said the voice "He is lying to you"
"Come back here Longbottom" Cried Quirrell
"Let me speak to him" said the voice
"Master, you are not strong enough…"
"I am strong enough for this."
Quirrell slowly unwound the turban he wore, revealing what looked like a second face in the back of his head. The face of Lord Voldemort.
"Neville Longbottom…" echoed his chilling voice.
Harry tuned out the usual charade of insults that the Dark Lord liked to through at his seemingly helpless victims, and decided it is time he joined the play. He concentrated his magic on his bindings, silently making them dissolve.
Just as he finished, Neville tried to run. Quirrell grabbed him with his left hand and, as Harry expected, the blood magic from his mother's sacrifice made that hand burn.
"Master! It Bruns!"
"Then kill him!"
Before Neville could react, Quirrell had raised his other arm, making the boy fall and stop moving with an unspoken curse. He prepared to launch a lethal spell, when Harry stepped in.
"Not so fast Quirrell"
Quirrell turned so that Voldemort's face looked towards him.
"Harry James Potter…how nice…to meet you. Are you going to show some reckless Gryffindor courage and get killed?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. Nice to meet you too. How's daddy doing? Oh, I forgot, he's a muggle isn't he? And dead too…what a pity."
Voldemort appeared enraged by his remarks, and ordered Quirrell to bring him closer.
"You know too much boy…you will have to die for you knowledge…"
Neither of them noticed Neville stirring, recovering from the effects of the curse, but still unable to get up.
"I think not Tom"
"Really? And what makes you think so?"
"Well…maybe the fact that I was born as the seventh month dies….to those who have thrice defied you…ever heard of prophecies Tom?"
"How do you know about that?"
"The prophesy? How could I not know about that which predicts my rise to power? It's a pity you didn't hear whole thing…but then again, if you had, your fate might have been different."
"And you…know the words of this prophesy boy? Tell me!"
"I don't think so Riddle, it's stored safe in my mind"
"We will see how safe it is in you mind! Legilimens!" Said Voldemort, while looking at Harry's eyes. His red eye-slits widened is surprise and then in pain as the legilimency attack was violently countered by a smirking Harry.
"Interesting…an Occlumens…and at a young age…"
"I would love to stand and chat Tom, but I really need to get that stone and leave." said Harry
"I don't think so Potter! I get the stone, and our lovely chat ends now, Kill Him!" Ordered the Dark Lord.
Harry merely sidestepped the incoming curse Quirrell sent, and pointed his wand at Voldemort. "I don't think so Riddle! AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Quirrell's and Voldemort's eyes flashed in surprise as they barely dodged the curse.
"Using such powerful Dark Arts Potter? Dumbledore and the light would be disappointed in you. Why don't you join me Potter, and together we can rule the world!" Said Voldemort with an evil smile
"I hold no loyalty to that old fool Riddle…but that is quite an interesting proposition you have there…" answered Harry
"Yes…it will be the chance for you to reach greatness!" said an excited Voldemort
Meanwhile, Neville was watching the exchange with horror, unnoticed by the two figures.
"However…there are two little problems I have with that. First, you are a bastard, and I don't want to have to see your ugly face unless it is at the receiving end of one of my curses, and two, why should I share the world with you, when I could just as easily take it myself?"
Voldemort's features turned to those of utmost loathing. "Very well then. I see you are another misguided fool. Kill him!"
"I tire of our games Riddle! Sectumsembra! Condolescus! Deflagro!"
"Caedro! Concetius!" Cast Quirrel, while evading the other attacks. A fearsome duel began between the two dark wizards, with Neville watching in fascinated horror. Finally, just as Quirrel jumped out of the way of a nasty bone-shattering curse, Harry nailed him with an Avada Kedavra
A great rumbling noise was heard, and Neville fainted from the magical backlash, as for the second time in 10 years, Voldemort's soul was ripped from a body.
With blood dripping from his body, Harry concentrated on a self healing spell to at least minimize the bleeding. Having done that, he collapsed exausted from the blood loss and magical strain. He was vaguely aware of other figures coming in, shouting his and Neville's names.
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A groaning Neville Longbottom groggily woke up in the Hogwarts infirmary. Then he froze remembering the stone. He looked up only to stare in the Twinkling blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.
"Good Morning Neville." Said the old wizard cheerfully.
"Sir! The stone! Quirrell! You-kno-who! Harry! Duel!" Neville started saying, fearing that Voldemort had the stone.
"Calm down Neville, we have destroyed the stone"
"You have? But then Flamel will…"
"Death is but the next great adventure Neville, and Flamel has been prepared for this day…he will have enough time to sort out his affairs."
"Sir, what about Harry…and Ron?"
"They are both alright…though Harry seems to have been a recipient of a rather dark curse…It also seems that he was somehow healed before he got here, which is a good thing, considering we could not identify what he had been hit with"
"So they are…fine then?"
"Yes, and they have been rather worried about you as well. I believe you got quite a number of get well cards." The old wizard said, gesturing towards the pile of cards and sweets on the table next to Neville. "Now Neville, I was wondering if you would enlighten me to what exactly went on during the confrontation with Quirrell. From what I understand he used you to get the stone out of the mirror" at this Neville nodded emphatically "but I would like to know how you two got away…"
"Well…" began Neville "After I got the stone, I tried to run. He grabbed me, but his hand burnt. He then sent a curse at me, and everything became dark. When I woke up, I could barely move, but I could hear You-know-who talking with Harry…Harry mentioned some prophesy…"
"A prophesy?" Asked a visibly surprised Dumbledore "What kind of prophesy?"
"Well, he said something about being born as the seventh month dies…he also claimed that it predicted his rise to power... Voldemort then tried some spell on Harry, but it failed, and he said something about Harry being an oculmens?
"Occlumens…indeed…please continue Mr Longbottom" Said a headmaster who now looked even more surprised and in deep thought.
"Well, then You-know-who decided to attack him, but Harry cast some kind of spell, which Quirrell barely avoided. It was something like Avad Ketavra or something…"
"Avada Kedavra?" Asked a Headmaster, who had now visibly paled.
"Yes, that one. Well, You-Know-Who said something…something about how Harry was using …using dark magic and that that you would be disappointed in him acting that way…then..then"
"Please go on" said a no longer twinkling Dumbledore
"You know who…offered Harry the opportunity to join him" At this point Neville swore he saw the Headmaster pale even more than before "Then Harry…he said something about how you were a fool and that it was an interesting proposition…"
"Then what Mr Longbottom?" Asked Dumbledore, now looking extemely tired and apperhensive.
"Harry said that You-know-who is a bastard and…and that he would not share the world, as he could just as easily take it for himself…then they duelled…and Harry killed him…" Finished Neville.
For a long time, Albus Dumbledore remained silent. His face had a pale, thoughtful and tired expression. Finally, he said
"I see…thank you for this information Mr Longbottom…now I suggest you rest…the end of school feast is tomorrow." With those words, he walked out of the hospital wing, looking pensive.
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Harry approached the Great Hall just in time for the end of school feast. Just like in his first year, the hall was decorated in the banner of the snake house. Even though Harry's improved performance meant more points for Gryffindor, it was still not enough to come into the lead. But Harry was confident that Dumbledore would make his last minute changes in this world as well.
Dumbledore rose, giving a speech to the students. Before long, he came to the matter of the house cup.
"As you all know, Hufflepuff is in fourth place with three-hundred and fifty two points, Ravenclaw is in third with four hundred and twenty six points, Gryffindor in second with four hundred and thirty three points, and Slytherin in first with four hundred and seventy two points. So Slytherin wins for another year…"
At this point, the Slytherin table erupted in cheers.
"Yes, well done Slytherin, but there are some recent events that we must take into account…some people's actions must be rewarded…so I shall give some more points."
Harry smirked as the smiles on the Slytherin's faces froze and then disappeared in one giant wave.
"To Ronald Weasley, for the best chess game Hogwarts has seen for years…I award Gryffindor 50 points!"
The Gryffindor Table Roared so loud that the windows trembled.
Once the noise level had subsided, Dumbledore went on.
"To Hermione Granger, for her calm and logic in the face of difficult and dangerous situations…I award Gryffindor 50 points!
Once again, noise filled the great hall, as the joyous Gryffindor celebrated the fact that they had won 100 points.
"For Neville Longbottom" Started Dumbledore as the hall went silent again "for great bravery and courage in the face of evil…I award Gryffindor 60 points!"
The Great Hall exploded with so much noise, that even the ghosts had to flee.
"Finally…there are many types of people in this world…but for one young man who led his friends with wisdom through danger…one young man who looked evil in the eye and smiled… …one young man who has the power to use magic beyond the ability of many wizards…one young man who can pride himself in the fact that he managed to give one of the most impressive duels in the history of Hogwarts…for Harry Potter, I award Gryffindor 140 points!"
The windows of the great hall cracked by the explosion of noise that was created. Gryffindor had just gained 300 points! They were the winners of the house cup! 733 points! It was a record not matched ever since Ravenclaw won by 745 points in 1675! (According to Hermione at least, not that anyone really cared about that.)
"This means" shouted Dumbledore over the noise "that we need a change in decoration!" Clapping his hands twice, the Slytherin Banner was replaced with the Gryffindor Lion, and the hall became red-gold. Harry's eyes met Snape's, who until that point had been shaking McGonagall's hand with a fake smile. As Snape glared at him, Harry smirked and raised his glass to Snape, which infuriated the professor even further. Harry laughed. This end of the year was just as good as the first one he had. For the first time ever, he couldn't wait until he got back to the Dursleys. He had to get some revenge for all those years after all.
Just at that moment, he was approached by the Headmaster.
"Mr Potter, would you please come to my office after the feast? It is on the second floor, behind the Gargoyle Statue. Password is 'Chocolate Frogs'. I believe it is time we had a talk"
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Double update, hope you liked it!