Magical Origins
Year 1: The One All Fear
Harry and Lily paused as they look at the door in front of them. They didn't open it yet, but they were heisting. Beyond this door, they could hear a strange sound. They thought it might be birds, and they knew there are birds in the magical world that could devour a witch and wizard. Especially when said witch and wizard were just training. They were both praying it wasn't a dragon, as they would lose their heads at the sight of a full-grown dragon. Though Lily said nothing about Norbert to Harry.
Harry grabs the handle and opens it slowly. Lily places her hand on the door and stops him from opening it.
"We'll peak, we have to see what we're up against," Harry said slowly.
Lily slowly nods her head and removes her hand to allow Harry to open the door slowly.
"Well, it's not a giant bird. Its… keys?" Harry said as he opens the door all the way.
"Will they attack us?" Lily asks as she looks up at the keys.
"Doesn't look like it," Harry said.
Harry slowly walks forward and true to his prediction, the keys did not attack, they just flew around above them.
"If they won't attack us, then that means we have to chase them. I didn't bring my broom." Lily said in a complaining voice.
"Neither did I," Harry said.
"Then how do we get the key?" Lily asks.
"First, we have to find it,"
"There are hundreds of them!"
"If Snape has been passed here as you suspect, then the key would show signs of being used. We're Seekers, we're supposed to find the Snitch. I'm sure the Snitch is a lot harder to spot than a key we're supposed to be using." Harry said.
Nothing was said as they began to scan the keys above them.
"Found it, the one with the blue wings. One wing looks like it's been bent."
"Incarcerous," Harry said as a robe was launch from his wand and attach itself to the key.
"Pull," Harry said as he pulls the rope down. Lily grabs it and pulls it, but the key was struggling to break free. The two of them pulled lowering the key until it was low enough for Lily to grab it as it struggles against her grip.
"Let's go," Harry said as the door opens. They said nothing as they venture forward into the dark. Neither had recovered from using their mystic eyes, Lily instead lite a flame in her hand and was using it to light their path.
This trip was shorter than the first one. As they reach the door in a short amount of time.
They slowly open it and could see nothing but pitch black. They enter the room, with only Lily's flame to illuminate the light from her hand.
Suddenly, the room lite up as torches began igniting all around them.
"A chessboard?" Lily said.
"A giant chessboard. This is one base on strategy." Harry said slowly.
They said nothing as they attempted to cross the board.
The white pawns immediately took action, and their swords jump up, forming an X in front of them, preventing any passage.
"Great, we have to play. We'll be stuck here forever." Lily said.
"No, we won't," Harry said as he walks forward and places his hand on the swords.
Ice began to form on the swords before they covered the statue whole.
Harry, let's go breathing hard.
"That ice won't hold them for long. Come on." Harry said, moving forward. Lily follows him as they slip past the pawns and pass the King and Queen until they reach the other door.
"How did you know that would work?" Lily asks.
"I'm sure the pieces would have all attack if we were playing the game. The pawns only prevent passage if you try to go straight past them. The pieces don't do anything if we can slip past them. That must have been Professor McGonagall's Animation Spell."
"Hey, Harry. Can I ask, why do you hate Hermione?" Lily suddenly asks.
"Granger? Because she's a know it all. She cares more about academics than she does about her friends. My answer is simple, she's not a good person. I don't need to like someone who wishes to criticize how I do my studies and magic. She knows nothing about me, yet she acts like she knows me better than I know myself." Harry stated.
Lily said nothing, knowing what Harry said was entirely accurate. Hermione was a know-it-all. It took Lily a while to warm up to Hermione, who had the habit of correcting everyone around her. Hermione stopped that with her once they started to become friends. Though she still likes to make study schedules as well as pressure her into studying. Lily only did it to get Hermione off her back.
"We're here," Harry said, looking at the Ivory door. It was black with yellow markings on it. Harry's comment brought Lily thought about Hermione out of her mind and looks at the door.
"Ready?" Harry asks as he opens the door.
Lily brace herself as the door opens slowly.
However, a horrible smell filled their noses, forcing them to cover to prevent the smell from filling their nose.
In the middle of the room, was a troll with its skull busted open. Blood was leaking from its head, and a large puddle of blood was in the middle of the room.
"That troll is bigger than the one we fought," Lily said through her arm.
"Be glad that we didn't have to fight that one," Harry said as he walks in to get to the other door. Lily said nothing as she walks in the puddle of blood before trying to get to the other door as quickly as possible.
"You know, running in a puddle of blood causes it to splatter everywhere, right," Harry said as he watches in amusement. "Now, you got it all over your robes," Harry said in entertainment.
They enter the next room and walk in the corridor when, without warning, flames shot up around them. Trapping them in a small circle. Harry fell to his knees, feeling the heat getting to him.
"Harry!" Lily said at the sight of Harry falling down. It was then she notices he was sweating like he was in a steam room.
Harry said nothing, the air itself had become difficult to breathe. He was trying to catch his breath, but it felt like ash was filling his lungs.
"Can you…" Harry began before he stops to catch his breath. "clear a path so we can get out of here." Harry said.
"Hold on," Lily said as she stretches her arms out. The flames soon began to part ways, and Lily grabs Harry by throwing his arm over her shoulder. She slowly drags Harry, who was unresponsive and started sweating even worse as they walked through the path she manages to create.
After walking through the flames, they reach the end where she opens the door and shuts it.
The moment the door closed, the heat died, and Harry was slowly breathing normally again.
"I've never seen you collapse before. I didn't know that could happen." Lily said.
"Neither did I," Harry replied as he slowly brings his breathing back to normal.
"Do you want to wait here?" Lily asks.
"Just…just give me a moment to regroup," Harry said as he feels his heart rate beating slowly.
"Ready? We could face Snape, or whoever is trying to get the stone." Harry said as he begins to walk down the steps.
"You don't think it's Snape?" Lily asks him.
"I'm not saying it's his character, but you forget something," Harry said.
"What?"
"Remember the day we went to Gringotts?" Harry said.
"Yeah," Lily said slowly.
"That same day, Gringotts had an attempted theft. Someone tried to steal something. Other than Professor McGonagall and that oaf Hagrid, there was another Hogwarts Professor there. Don't you remember?"
Lily's eyes open wide.
"Of course, how could I have been so stupid?" Lily said.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and true to Harry's words, it wasn't Snape. It was Quirrell.
Harry and Lily said nothing as they walked forward with their wands out. Quirrell paid them no attention as he looks at a mirror in front of him. The Mirror of Erised.
Suddenly without warning, before they realized it, magical ropes appeared and wrapped themselves around the duo.
"I was expecting you, Miss Morris. But Mister Potter as well is just an added bonus." Quirrell said slowly, he finally looks at them in the mirror and a smirk form on his lips. "I see you improve your company, finally ditch the know-it-all and redhead I see." Quirrell's gaze returns to the mirror as he frowns as he looks upon it.
"No offense, but I didn't expect a wizard of your caliber to get past all those defensives," Lily said.
"Yes, the Cerberus gave me trouble. You have no idea how happy I was when Hagrid finally told me how to get past it for a dragon egg. I trust it served him well."
"That oaf had a dragon?" Harry said, turning to Lily. "So, Malfoy wasn't lying."
"It's a long story," Lily said slowly.
"Your friend Miss Morris got caught out of bounds after she and Miss Granger successfully smuggled the dragon out of the castle. Their skills in subtlety could use practice, as they are not on pair with myself." Quirrell said calmly.
"You can…" Lily said.
"Disappear into the shadows, yes. It's one of my greatest talents. I would have been stuck doing that chessboard Professor McGonagall set up had it not been for my skills to blend into the shadows. My master would have been most displeased with me if I had wasted time playing a game of chess."
"Voldemort," Harry said slowly.
This time Quirrell flinch badly. As if he had been hit.
"What?" Harry said in a taunting voice. "Don't like the sound of your master's name?"
"If you knew my master as I did Mister Potter, then you would not be so reckless to say his name. He is a great wizard. No, not a wizard… he's a Sorcerer. The most powerful sorcerer of the age. Not even Dumbledore has hopes to defeat him. All my master's needs are to regain his body once again, then he will rise more powerful than he was when he fell."
"I thought Snape was threatening you in the classroom…" Lily began.
"You heard that my master wasn't wrong when he felt your presence by the classroom. Yes, Severus does seem like the type, doesn't he? Next to him, who would suspect poor stuttering Professor Quirrell? You see, I am a frail wizard, and he is great. I do my best to complete his task for him, but my power… pale in comparison to his. He was most displeased that I couldn't get the stone from Gringotts."
"How come no one has seen Voldemort?" Harry asks.
"He is with me where ever I go. It was quite dull for him, having to listen to me teach these… students. As per his advice, I didn't really teach any means of Defense to the students. He also releases an odor when he uses magic. So I had to buy garlic to hide it, or Dumbledore would have found out my Master was in the school once again."
"What do you mean, once again?" Harry said.
"Didn't you know? Dumbledore himself taught my master." Quirrell said as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.
This caused both Lily and Harry's eyes open wide with hope.
"Dumbledore is a fool who believes in second chances, my master knows better. The only thing that exists in this world is power, and those too weak to seek it…well, you know the answers to that Mister Potter."
Harry could feel himself getting angry.
"You're a fool if you think…"
"That I won't get away with this? But I already have Mister Potter. Dumbledore is at the Ministry as we speak. It took me a while to set up a small problem for the Ministry, and Dumbledore came calling anyway. By the time Dumbledore has realized what has happened, I'll be long gone." Quirrell stated in a matter of fact tone.
"It can't have been that easy," Harry said.
"No, it was not. Dumbledore himself set up a security warning in case anyone should enter the forbidden corridor. It took me a year to figure out the spell before I was able to disable it. I'm sure Dumbledore had a second in place, and all those obstacles were a means to buy time. To keep one trap down here until Dumbledore arrives. Now, if you don't mind, I like to concentrate." Quirrell said as he returns to the mirror.
Harry said nothing as he slowly focuses on the magical chain that had him wrapped. He was trying to change it into ice to break free. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lily was also trying to melt the magical chain on her as well.
"I see myself presenting the stone to my master," Quirrell mutters. "But where is it? Do I break the mirror? Help me, master!" Quirrell shouted.
Then a high cold voice spoke, one that made every hair on Harry's and Lily's body stand tall and thin.
"Use the boy."
"Yes, Potter, come here," Quirrell said as he snaps his fingers, and the magical chains fell off.
However, Harry immediately pulled out his wand and fires a stingy hex at Quirrell, who was caught off guard by Harry's suddenly boldness.
Quirrell cancels the spell and cries out, "Avada…"
"No, you fool!" Voldemort cried out.
That distraction cause Harry's next spell to score a direct hit. Quirrell was launch off his feet.
"I want him alive, you fool!" Voldemort cried out.
"Forgive me, master," Quirrell mutters as he gets to his feet.
Harry had cast another hex at Quirrell, but Quirrell was ready and steps aside before waving his wand at Harry, causing his arms to snap together, and he fell backward on the ground.
"It would have been painless had you complied willingly, Potter, now we'll do this the hard way. Imper…" Quirrell said, but Voldemort stops him.
"Wait, you fool." Voldemort hissed. "I wish to speak to him."
"Master, you are not strong enough," Quirrell said in a desperate attempt to reason with the Dark Lord.
"I have plenty of strength, now do as I say," Voldemort demanded.
Quirrell began to unwrap his turban, and it falls to the floor. Quirrell then turns around, revealing a second face on the back of his skull.
"Harry Potter." The second figure said.
"Voldemort," Harry grunted.
"Yes… see what I have become. Weak and bodiless. My soul remains anchor to this world. I have no power in me. To regain my strength, your mudblood friend saw faithful Quirrell drinking unicorn blood to strengthen me. You are the key to presenting the stone to me. Get it, and I'll spare your life. Unlike your pathetic excuse of parents who died on their knees…"
"Liar." Harry suddenly called out. Knowing at once what he heard was a lie.
Voldemort chuckles, it was a dark chuckle that seemed to match his persona and send a wave a disgust in Harry's and Lily's stomach.
"Bravery. I always did value bravery. Yes, your parents were brave. Your father chose to die on his feet instead of stepping aside. Your mother… the foolish mudblood chose to instead shield you. To protect you. As if she could truly protect you. Tell me, young Harry, how would you like to see them again."
"What?"
"I have the power to bring them, I am the Master of Death. I was well known for reuniting loved ones together. Give me the stone, and I shall give you your parents back."
Harry was stun, this couldn't have been real. For so long, he has wanted to see his parents. However, something felt wrong.
"Harry, don't believe him! You know such power wouldn't be possible without a price." Lily shouted.
Something in Lily's words caused Harry to snap his eyes open. Almost as if he had been slapped.
"Kill her!" Voldemort shouted.
Quirrell turns around to attack Lily, but she finally manages to break free and pull out her wand. Quirrell was surprised she manages to free herself and cast spells at him.
She ducks his spell before firing one of her own. The two kept exchanging spells until Quirrell's dark curse cut Lily open, and she cried out as she hits the ground.
"Dumbledore!" Voldemort cried out.
Dumbledore had finally arrived and banishes his wand like a whip, he attacks Quirrell with a blind fury. Quirrell hit the ground hard.
Dumbledore waved his wand over Harry, who found himself able to move again.
"Keep an eye on Miss Morris if you please, Harry," Dumbledore said in a grave tone of voice.
At that moment, a dark spirit rose from Quirrell's body, causing Quirrell to crumble into dust.
Then the spirit launches itself at Harry, who felt himself become magically drain as it passes through him.
The last thing he remembers was Dumbledore looking down upon him.
Harry groans as he wakes up. It took him a moment to realize where he was. He snaps his eyes open and bolts up but groans as he holds his stomach.
"You're awake, Mister Potter," Dumbledore said as he walks over and sits down next to Harry. "You have questions."
Harry did have questions, but he didn't know where to begin.
"I need answers," Harry said as he sits up.
"Yes, your friend Miss Morris was kind enough to update on the events that have transpired down in the third corridor."
Harry looks over to where Dumbledore was looking and could see Lily was bandaged up from the shoulder and arm where the cutting curse had hit her.
"Your friend would have died had I not arrived. Very foolish, but a brave thing you both did." Dumbledore said with twinkles in his eyes.
"The stone…"
"Awe yes, the stone. I had set it up so that someone who would want it would never get it. Only those who would seek it, but not use it would acquire it. That's why I took the Mirror of Erised and place it there. A clever trick if I may say so myself." Dumbledore said with a chuckle.
"How long has it been since then?"
"Three days. Your friends have been most worried. I know Artemis Wynter is concerned for your wellbeing. She cursed Marcus Flint for attempting to send you a cursed drink."
"Why does Artemis look out for me?" Harry asks. He found it strange that a girl he never met before was doing so much for him.
"I'm afraid the Wynter's are a branch of the Potter's," Dumbledore said.
"You mean we're like cousins?" Harry said in shock.
"Oh no, you're not blood relative. This happened many years ago. Back in the time of your grandfather Charles Potter. The Wynter's were a mix of half-bloods and muggle-born backgrounds. They weren't a noble house, but they had their pride. You see, many family's become branches to another."
"You mean her family is a Vassal to mine?" Harry said slowly.
"That is correct. She knows this as well that she will never have nobility status as one of the Great Nobles of the Wizarding World. You see, your grandfather saw honor in her great-grandfather and offered to make the Wynter's a Vassal house under the Potters. You have several families who will serve under you."
"Why didn't I know this? Why didn't they take me in?" Harry retorted.
"That fault lies with me. You see, the vassals you have would have protected you, but would have also made them an instant target. I was also certain that many would use you to boost their own political gain or even attempt to replace your house with their own. To protect you from such a burden, I chose a neutral party. A place where you would be safe from all the lies and manipulation the magical world would have thrown at you. Artemis Wynter stands behind as her family is honor-bound to serve you. You can trust her Harry, she will not betray you and help you in your time in need."
"How does this work exactly."
"The Great Houses of Britain help found our laws and in times of emergency have rights to rule the Ministry of Magic. You see, the Minister of Magic serves as a pinnacle leader. He serves the common people. There are two factions of government, the House of Lords, where is won their inheritance; people who can trace their families' origins through the great magical founding. There is the House of Lords, made up of twelve members; however, only eight are currently active. The House of Lords serves as our Executive Branch of Government while the House of Commons serves as our Legislative Branch. The Wizengamot is our Judicial Branch. You'll understand more of this later on in life." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"So how does that explain Artemis?"
"Awe, yes, I did get off-topic. Your grandfather, Charles Potter, was good friends with Miss Wynter's Great Grandfather. I'm not sure how it happened, but your grandfather made the Wynter's a Vassal of House Potter. The Wynter's are known for being fiercely loyal to the Potter's. I'm sure Artemis's parents told her to look out for you when you arrived here. I'm sure you'll meet them this summer as they have express interest in having you over for the summer. I know Artemis would be thrilled to have you over."
"Why does Snape hate me?" Harry asks as he took in what Artemis was to him.
"Awe yes, I had a filling he would not take greatly in having James Potter's son in Slytherin. You see, your father and Professor Snape loathe each other during their time here at Hogwarts. Then he did something unforgivable to Professor Snape." Dumbledore said in a small voice.
"What?"
"He saved his life."
"What!" Harry said out loud.
"Yes, funny isn't it how people's minds work. Professor Snape couldn't bear the thought of being in your father's debt. That is why he tried to save you during your Quidditch match."
"Snape was trying to save Harry!" Lily shouted out in shock.
Harry turns around to see Lily was awake and had been for some time.
"Indeed, Snape suspected it was Quirrell who jinxing Mister Potter's broom as Quirrell is quite good at nonverbal jinxes. When your friend Miss Granger, set fire to Professor Snape's robe, Professor Snape knocked back several witches and wizards. Including Quirrell, who lost eye contact with Mister Potter. So surprisingly, Miss Granger saved Mister Potter's life."
"Do I owe her a life debt?" Harry asks in a worried voice. He did not want to owe Granger a life debt.
"No, her actions were indirect. She was not direct in saving your life. So, no debt is own." Dumbledore said as Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"No points will be handed out to either of you, as you both were out of bounds and should be for all reasons expelled. But I think I can overlook this fact due to the fact you were attempting to stop Quirrell from taking the Stone. Nor will you serve detention. Just recover your strength, and you can rejoin your classmates." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Just one more question Professor," Harry asks.
"Ask," Dumbledore said in a pleasant voice.
"Who won the Quidditch matches?"
"Awe, yes, you both play for your respective houses. Gryffindor played Ravenclaw and lost. The score was two hundred and ten to three hundred and forty. Gryffindor is in second place with six hundred and thirty points with Ravenclaw leading six hundred and fifty points. Slytherin lost their match against Hufflepuff, seventy to a hundred and ninety. Slytherin finished in last place with three hundred and forty points, and Hufflepuff finished in third with four hundred and twenty points. The Finals will take place tonight, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw."
"Tonight!" Lily shouted in anxiety. "Can't I go and play…"
"I'm afraid not Miss Morris. Madam Pomfrey has yet to clear you, and if she doesn't clear you, you cannot play."
"Can I watch?" Lily begged.
"That will be up to Madam Pomfrey. Now enough talk, get rest both of you. You survived quite an ordeal." Dumbledore said as he got up. He turns around and leaves the room leaving both Harry and Lily alone.
Author Notes: I gave Quirrell the ability of Subtlety as I found it didn't make sense that he could break into Gringotts without being seen. Subtlety is a magical skill in a few practices. It allows one to move around without being seen. Needless to say, there is also a magic skill of detection. Skilled Legilimency users can detect Subtlety wielders unless they're also very skilled at Occlumency.
I used the House System similar to Game of Thrones. This also explains Artemis relationship to Harry as she is sworn to House Potter.
Please note I have already finished up to chapter 19. I'll be posting up weekly.
