Life's trying to kill me again. Its getting old now. Also big shout out to Scottken the newest beta to this story. Now to the latest chapter. PS I remembered how to do horizontal lines, yay.

Book I :: Chapter 19 :: Pride before the Fall

Harry walked out of Flitwick's room with an overwhelming look of satisfaction. His finals for first year were finally over with.

He'd have to wait till the summer to learn of the results, but Harry was confident that he had achieved above average marks. The practicals were a practical breeze. Aside from the difficulty in initially casting any said spell, Harry had flourished in the practicals just as he expected he would.

Unlike his expectations though, the written exam wasn't nearly as bad as he expected it would be. Most of it was multiple choice and as a result he was given the chance to avoid putting the right answers down.

His worries till now revolved around the fact that some of the 'common' accepted knowledge was wrong, and even if he was right, if he put down his answers they would be marked as such. The irony being that he knew and experienced too much. Thankfully because it was multiple choice, Harry was able to guess correctly what 'false preconceptions' the tests wanted as an answer. As for the written part, Harry was certain he wrote down a thorough enough response that anyone grading it would have to contemplate the truth of his answers.

All in all, Harry was sure he passed by a wide margin.

"Harry!"

Harry turned to see Hermione rushing down the stairs toward him, a book cradled in her arms as she rushed to greet him.

"How did it go? Did you do well? I'm pretty sure I messed up. What should I do? I put down dittany as the second ingredient used to cure werewolf bites. I mean I think it was dittany but what if I'm wrong."

"Hermione." Harry said calmly drawing her attention out of her ramblings.

"Did you come to see me or to panic in front of me?"

Hermione looked down, "I'm sorry. But what should I do if I got it wrong?"

Harry looped his hand around her arm and pulled just enough to get her to move with him. Moving down the hall Harry smiled softly, "First off Hermione, you got it right. Dittany mixed with powdered silver is used to cure werewolf bites. Second, even if you did get it wrong, you'd still land first place amongst the whole school body."

"You don't know that Harry."

Harry turned to her abruptly and poked her nose with his finger, holding it there as she stared in surprise.

"Brightest. Witch. Of your age." He stated with a smile.

Hermione blushed at this and visibly relaxed, no longer clutching her book like a security blanket. "Your sure its dittany?" she asked shyly.

"Positive." Harry said turning around and continuing to head towards the library. Hermione still blushing shyly rushed to keep at his side feeling calmer then she had been[JS1] .

Harry on the other hand did have as much luck with his nerves. Ever since the incident in the forest Harry had this unnerving feeling eating up his concentration. He couldn't relax, he couldn't focus, and his scar had been throbbing more frequently than usual.

Walking past the Defense against the Dark Arts room Harry abruptly felt his head lurch and clutched his scar suddenly.

[JS2] "Harry!" Hermione rushed to his side, but Harry waved off her concern. [JS3]

"I'm fine." Harry stated flatly even though he knew he was anything but fine. His eyes hardened as he looked at the door to the Classroom that had only raised his suspicion regarding its professor.

"You should go see Madam Pomfrey." Hermione said with an almost pleading tone. "Your scar's been bothering you more and more lately."

"Only when I'm near him." Harry said bluntly.

"Harry…"

"No Hermione. I know you can feel it too. Teachers missing for prolonged periods of time, frequent absent due to emergency meetings or requests from the Headmaster. The teachers hardly enter the great hall anymore and even more so the patrols by prefects have become lax. Paintings constantly being absent from their frames. Its like everyone being moved out of the way."

"Harry, its just your scar. Your being paranoid."

"Am I?" Harry asked and Hermione had to admit that something was definitely different lately.

"We both know the Headmaster is hiding the Stone on the third floor. That someone wants to get it and right now it's like the whole of the staff is moving out of the way to bait whoever it is to steal it. The whole school can feel it. Somethings going to happen, yet no one knows what that something is."

Hermione let out a sigh of frustration.

"I know you're right Harry but there isn't anything we can do about it. We should leave it to the teachers. Like you said. We don't even know who is after the stone and just because our finals are over with doesn't mean we should go hunting for phantoms."

Harry sighed. At least she didn't say phantoms of his own making. Seeing him calming down Hermione relaxed as well. "Come on, we should be preparing for our second year."

Harry laughed. "A little early don't you think. We haven't even gotten our finals back."

"It's never too early to get started on our futures." she said with upheld doctrine.

"Mione, I'm not one to talk but we seriously need to find you a hobby." Harry stated with an exasperated sigh.

Hermione looked indignant at that and pouted something fierce.

"Oh, come on Mione," Harry moaned cutting of any chance of her arguing. "You of all people need to learn to relax. You were so wound up with stress and anxiety up until the finals that you were primed to explode. Hell, your hair is still frizzled from earlier. I bet you were running your hand through it for the entire exam."

Hermione started patting down her bushy hair frantically in embarrassment. "It isn't that bad is it?" She asked. Harry watched as she started rummaging through her bag pulling out a hand mirror.

"Well I'll be, Hermione Granger holding a compact mirror? When did you start caring so much about your looks?"

Hermione blushed furiously. "Its not that… I just thought I should consider it some more…"

"So, who's the lucky guy?" Harry whispered into her ear causing her to jump and flail frantically.

"Harry! Its nothing like that. I just thought I should care a little more about my appearance." She tapered off while blushed and looking incredibly shamed from the mess her hair was in.

"Come on." Harry said quietly as he dragged her out of the castle.

With her hand in his he pulled her towards a stone bench in the courtyard. Plopping her down Harry grinned and pulled out a brush form Hermione's bag.

"Harry?" Hermione shrieked out in surprise. Both at the fact he pulled out her brush, knew it was there, and that he blatantly invaded her bag.

Harry chuckled as he firmly kept her sitting with a hand on her shoulder. "It's been a while since we both relaxed. Come on. We both have plenty of time to work during the summer. Right now, let's both just relax and enjoy the good weather."

"Harry, you don't have to do that. I can brush my hair on my own." She countered trying to reach for her brush. Getting up she tried to grab it only for Harry to move it out of her reach. She was growing impatient. "Give it back Harry.

"Hermione." Harry shouted firmly leaving her stunned. "Sit."

Hermione to her own surprise obeyed the order sitting back down he legs clinging together as she shivered at his order. "Good."

The way he said that one word so coldly sent a shiver down her spine. The command had left her breathless and slightly afraid. Any retort she had fell dead and when Harry started brushing her hair any desire to retort vanished too.

"Relax and don't move." Harry whispered into her ear. Hermione nodded.

The tingling sensation of the bristles felt pleasant as Harry dragged the brush through her hair. Under his gentle care she fell into complacency before she knew it. All it took was a few words and any rational thought had died.

Eventually Hermione snapped out of her daze to realize two things. She loved having Harry brush her hair and she felt okay with him doing it.

She had long since been subconscious about her appearance. While she would tell everyone, she wasn't one to care about her appearance that was only partially true. In truth she did care.

She had always been an overachiever and struggled to make friends. When she tried to help others, she came off as standoffish and bossy. So, when other the bullies couldn't mock her about her studies, they mocked her about her appearance.

Because the popular kids would always look better then her, she could do nothing to counter their statements. After all they were true. When they mocked her bushy and unruly hair, she could say nothing because it was bushy and unruly. When they called her bucktooth bookworm, she could only bury the pain as they were right. She did have oversized two oversized teeth and did enjoy reading more than talking with others.

So, she became self-conscious of her appearance and never tried to take it seriously. She actively avoided the overzealous care of her appearance that other girls would perform because she had no reason to even try. She would always be like this and never like them.

And in a matter of minutes Harry had rendered all of that unimportant. With an overbearing dominance he took over her worries and crushed them. She couldn't see him, but she felt it, the care he went into every stroke.

Any worries or fears of what Harry might think about her appearance seemed to melt away as she felt how careful he handled her. Each stroke was intentional and gentle. Each stroke euphoric, therapeutic. For the first time, she felt like all the pain and insult about her appearance was being brushed away with his care.

Harry smirked as he felt her turn to mush under his care. Same old Hermione. She always did become docile when he brushed her hair. He smiled softly as he thanked Merlin for the fact, she carried a brush. If she carried a comb Harry couldn't help but imagine to sloppy mess, she was liable to turn into. She had never out right admitted it to him when they were on the run in the past, but Hermione always did become aroused when he stroked her hair with a comb.

He knew it was a poorly hidden secret turn on for her. A brush would leave her melting, sure, but with a proper brush or comb she would turn into a gushing mess.

Harry held down a chuckle as he remembered how she would sputter desperately to cover up the fact it turned her on. She wasn't very subtle about it but he knew that when he did comb her hair it was something special for her, for them.

Harry basked in the soft light of the spring sky while he brushed her hair. Other students stared and pointed but Harry ignored them. They couldn't understand nor realize how important this tranquil moment was for him. Little did he know how important it was for Hermione too.

After he finished combing her hair Harry held back a chuckle as he noticed at some point Hermione fell asleep. Carefully sitting next to her he let her rest against his shoulder as he went back into thought.

Harry wished this moment would last forever but he knew it wouldn't.

Harry knew something was going to happen. He could feel it. Like he told Hermione there were too many inconstant going-ons for nothing to happen.

Thinking back in order of events Harry was starting to gain an understanding about the events that had transpired that year. What all the events that had happened to him had in common.

First was the odd feelings Harry felt around the Professor Quirrell. The professor was always strange. The man lacked the mentality for a Teacher specialized in Defense against the Dark Arts. Then there was the fact that Harry felt his scar twinge ever time he was near. Recently it out right hurt and Harry wasn't one for speculation. Once or twice could be chalked up to probability. Three times was enemy action.

The mans presence caused Harry's scar to be agitated. What he didn't know was why.

The only thing that left Harry confused was that the man appeared to be completely healthy if not mentally fragile as usual.

Harry original suspected that the man was the same one responsible for the Unicorn attacks, but he showed no sign or serious trauma that should have been present from his attack on him. While Harry had his suspicions, he had nothing solid and so he simply kept an eye on the man.

Second was the fact a Troll got into the school. Something that many students vocally confirmed had never happened before, nor should have been possible.

Then he learned of Fluffy and that the dog was guarding something. That something being the Philosophers Stone.

The stone in turn was guarded by multiple teachers, confirmed Hagrid, and considering Hagrid's lack of information on the subject, none of the protections were known to anyone else but the ones who made them.

Then he had detention and encountered something that was feeding off of unicorn blood. That something he originally suspect was Quirrell. But again, the signs weren't there. Not only should the man if he was responsible have had severe bruising and broken limbs, but there should have been signs of Unicorn Blood poisoning. After all, the phase 'to live a half-life' wasn't just for show. The man would have been severely effect by the blood.

Yet there was nothing. It did get him thinking though.

Why would someone drink unicorn blood knowing the risks. Who would be desperate enough to cling to life even at the expense of living a cursed life?

Nothing came to Harry's mind however as it was a thought process that was the polar opposite of his own. A man who had sought death for so long, ironically struggled to understand why someone would cling to life so desperately to the point of drinking Unicorn Blood.

"Okay, think of it in order of happening rather than encounters." Harry thought to himself.

Someone was after the stone. The stone was then given to Dumbledore presumably to be protected. Traps and protections were made to guard the stone. Harry paused for a moment. Hadn't Gringotts been broken into yet nothing was stolen around that same time? He recalled a news clipping being shared by a few students, but it wasn't that big of a story. At least it didn't live long within the Hogwarts gossipers.

Right, assuming the stone was once there then the thief tried to retrieve it and failed since it was already moved to the school.

Then Harry faced a troll which no one had an inkling of how it had gotten in.

Harry stopped for a moment. A thought occurred to him.

What if the protections were not all in place upon his arrival?

Fluffy based on Albus's words at the start of term feast was already stationed on the third floor upon their arrival. Was the troll also a part of the protections but got loose somehow? The orders given by the Professor that night was strange in hindsight. Albus told all students to head to their dormitories. The Troll was thought to be in the dungeon where his room was.

Was Albus hoping Harry would face the troll?

That wasn't the only thing that was odd either. Albus also bent the rules slightly to allow him on the Gryffindor team. This was odd even if he did show talent and interest to join the team. He also went out of his way to inform Harry about the Mirror. The same Mirror Harry had acquired the stone from.

It was a bit of a leap, but was Dumbledore's attempt to protect the stone actual a trial designed for him to overcome? Now Harry knew he was losing it.

Multiple challenges. DADA was the troll, Hagrid supplied the guard dog, McGonagall and Flitwick would be involved without question they were too talented to not be involved. His acceptance to play Quidditch? Why? Maybe flight was also involved, and he needed to know how to fly. Snape was also close with Dumbledore so he assumed a Potions challenge would also be involved.

It seemed to made sense. The Dumbledore Harry knew was manipulative and condescending. Plans within Plans, and at first glance without seeing the bigger picture the actions would make no sense at all.

The difference here was that everything Harry had seen of the man pointed to him not wanting Harry dead but rather prepared to over come the challenges. After all, why tell a secret to a person like Hagrid how couldn't keep one hidden for long. Why tell him about the mirror and go out of his way to make sure Harry knew about it.

Why care about a single student to the point that he haunted said students' actions since he entered their world.

Harry was broken from his thoughts when the guttering voice of his lest liked instructor rang in his ear.

"Mr. Potter." Snape spat out as he looked down on Harry.

Harry's eyes looked up to see the most unwelcome presence of Professor Snape standing over him. "Just what I wanted. Why couldn't he leave us in peace." Harry thought to himself.

Swallowing his sense of morbid dread Harry smiled trying not to lose his lunch in the process.

"Evening Professor." Harry greeted as politely as he could.

"With me. Now." The greasy Professor commanded. Harry couldn't read his expression which was a first. There was no anger, pain, or disgust that usually appeared on his face when dealing with him. His greasy smile was flat, plain, and curt. His robes bellowed as they usually did. The stench of potion ingredients wafting off his robes. The smell of fresh Mint was particularly potent which made him smell nicer the usual.

What was odder was the fact the man made no snide comment about the not really compromising position he was in with Hermione. While completely fine by school standards, Harry half expected an insult or point deduction for at least associating with Hermione.

Harry confused and not eager to stir a scene did nod quietly. Gently he removed Hermione from his side and laid her on the bench. With a quick message telling her that a greasy situation that need his attention popped up and might take some time, Harry left with misanthropic Professor.

They traveled in silence, Snape's robe billowing behind him. Harry followed him all the way to his office. Upon entering Snape made no attempt at courtesy and went straight for one of the numerous shelves and drawers that littered his room.

Even when the door windlessly closed behind Harry the man continued to ignore him. Harry wasn't sure what was going on. Nothing was said for a moment until Harry couldn't take the silence any longer.

"What was it you wanted to see me for professor?" Harry asked trying to break the ice.

The Professor gave off a short snort but said nothing. Instead he pulled out two bottles. The first was filled with a cream yellow colored liquid and the other was filled with a mixture of blue and red candy like pills.

Harry instantly recognized both bottles and their contents.

"Tell me Mr. Potter, what are these potions."

Harry swallowed the desire to point out the latter were pills and not a potion. Staring back at him Snape's oil black eyes bore into his own, yet Harry didn't feel any attempt to invade his mind.

There was a sense of excitement – mild as it was – that showed through the cold yet cunning demeanor that stilled Harry into hesitation. Like a hunter eyeing his pray Harry felt every movement he made being analyzed by the Professor. It was very creepy and unsettling.

"Answer Potter, These Potions – NOW!"

Harry flinched not expecting such a forward demand to come from Snape of all people. Harry felt like he was being interrogated which wasn't that far off from the truth. Harry hated his life. Not five minutes ago he was in heaven now he was in greasy hell.

At least Snape had yet to dare to read his thoughts this time. Harry wondered how long the bastard would remain in the hospital this time if he did.

Swallowing cautiously Harry finally answered.

"They look like my potions Professor, the yellow one from my final exam and the other one being the experimental pills I lent to the Twins." Harry answered.

"Obviously your stupidity proceeds you Potter. Now stop wasting my time and answer my question." he said sitting down behind his desk.

Harry stared back in confusion. "I don't know what you mean Professor. Unless I am mistake that is the potion from my Finals practical and the pills, I lent the Weasley Twins a Week ago.

"Do not try my patience Potter." Snape growled out. "Tell me what these potions are."

Harry gritted his teeth in frustration. What was Professor Snape's deal. Hell, how did someone like him even get accepted as a Professor.

"I'm not sure what your asking Professor."

"I am not playing this game Potter. Leave your stupidity aside for it isn't welcome here and now." Snape bellowed, towering out of his seat. "Tell me what you see, what do I have on my desk."

Harry was grinding his teeth in frustration. What the hell did this mind raping bastard want? "I don't know what you want Professor. They're Wiggenweld Potion and De-aging pills that I made respectively.

"No, they are not Potter. Once again you reveal to all how blind and ignorant you really are." Snape snapped cuttingly at Harry. He pulled out a Potion that looked like the green sludge.

"This Potter is Wiggenweld Potion. It is a powerful potion that awakens anyone who drinks it from magical sleep. Sleep brought about by such means as the Sleeping Drought and famously used to counter the Drought of Living Death."

He pointed at his potion, "This awakens only those who suffer from magic induced slumber Potter." Her shifted his finger towards Harry's yellow potion. This one does not. This one awakens anyone from magical slumber and makes the effects of such potions null until the potion has worked out of their system."

Her returned his piercing gaze at Harry. "Now tell me Potter, What. Is. This. Potion?"

Harry stared at the two potions. What did he want? Was he trying to find out how he made the potion or something?

"Again, Professor I stand by what I said. Unless I am mistaken this is the potion, I made during my Potions Exam. I made it differently from the regular method because it was easier to make and took less time and materials to make. I don't see the problem Professor. The exam was to make a Wiggenweld Potion. All I did was make it better." Harry stated clearly, hiding quite well the frustration and anger the Professor distilled in him.

A twisted curling smile gripped Snape's lip. "Better you say."

Snape tossed his cloak back over his shoulder dramatically. He pointed at a bubbling red cauldron. "Tell me Potter what is that potion I am in the process of making?"

"Fire-breathing potion Sir," Harry said instantly.

"And how tell me do you know?"

"It's red, lava like color and texture and the distinct smell of mint off your person sir."

Snape pulled out a small bottle that had no label. "And this." he asked handing it to Harry. Cautiously Harry angled the potion sideways away from his and Snape's face. Gazing into it carefully Harry was greeted with a putrid gray liquid.

"Dumsap Poison Sir."

Snape closed the bottle returning it to the shelf before he handed Harry another. The unasked question not mistaken.

"Amortentia" Harry replied.

Snape handed him another…

"Clearing Confounding Draught"

And another…

"Rumrag Potion"

And another…

"Veritaserum"

Potion after Potion Harry identified each one as they were present before him. Harry was becoming more confused as time passed.

At first, he thought Snape was belittering him but so far, he had yet to say a thing. In fact, with each correct answer Snape looked more and more like he would break into an approving smirk. Finally, his hand moved toward Harry's latest creation.

Lifting it up before Harry he said coldly, "And this one Mr. Potter doesn't have a name."

"It's actually–"

"Nameless, Potter. There is no official name or record of this potion. It doesn't exist Mr. Potter." Snape shouted calmly over Harry.

Harry sat there showing no sign of retaliation or responsiveness. Remaining impassive Harry kept his eerie calm not wanting to give Snape any indication of anger or that he was slowly getting to him.

"Do you know, Potter, what requirement is needed to past The Ministry's Mastery Exam?" Snape asked calmly.

Harry shook his head honestly.

"Of course, you don't. It would be arrogant if you did." He drawled out snidely.

"Listen carefully Potter, there isn't one exam that the Ministry supports. It is a series of tests. First is a written exam that displays your knowledge along with a practical were you must make a most difficult potion. You then repeat these two exams multiple times until several Potions Masters who grade your work acknowledge you as a Master. To the common masses this exam is challenging at its easiest and is impossible for all but the most gifted. These exams can take as long as three months up towards three years. Naturally I assume even someone as ignorant of the world like you can understand why so few think themselves capable of meeting such requirements." Snape explained in a drawling voice. He didn't wait to see if Harry understood and kept talking.

"Now naturally many idiots think they have the capacity and miss-guided worth to be considered a Master. For a time, these idiots flooded the Ministry wasting both their time and those worth of being considered concomitant in their craft. Now they no longer allow anyone to participate. There are only two means of being accepted to these tests." he stated with a sense of self pride that Harry could almost physically feel.

"The first is by invitation. If an aspiring master is accepted and receives a master's blessing, a Potions Master can send a recommendation for them to be tested. For a mind as slow as yours Potter let me put it in simple terms. If a Master thinks someone isn't a complete waste of time, they might put in a word for you to prove it." He explained putting emphasis on the insult towards Harry.

Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. He didn't just say 'you' as in himself, did he?

Ignoring Harry's silence or maybe simply not caring Snape continued on. "The second is to make a potion that no one else has made before. This method is the least efficient since the potion must prove your worth to a group of masters who would then review your work."

He placed his hand on the bottle of de-aging candies. "You Potter," he said with no shortage of spite, "whether by sheer luck or incompetence have made a potion that has never been made before. Not only is it not a liquid you have created a potion that is consumed in a solid state. As much as it pains me to state it, I'm quite certain you fail to see the significance of this feet do you not."

Harry did however know of the importance of it. Unlike a liquid potion which needed to be preserved and stored for future use, pill-formed potions were self-preserving and could last a significantly longer time. This fact was invaluable for soldiers who fought during the war. It revolutionized magic combat. Harry even popped Skele-grow pills like they were candy during his time.

Snape slammed his hands on his table as he stood up and crouched over the table menacingly. He loomed over Harry staring death into his eye almost daring him to retort. "But I am not so blind." he declared smugly and confidently.

He sat back down, tracing his hand on the lid to the blue candy filled bottle. "The making of this potion was not by mere chance. It was made with intent, with knowledge of the craft. The chances of this being produced by a novice even by chance, laughable. Even the most ignorant and foolish couldn't fool themselves into thinking that. Only those too lazy to think would believe such foolery."

"Sir?" Harry asked still very confused. Had he not known better harry would have thought that Snape was acknowledging him. Even if it was the same old disregarding tone he was used to.

Snape pulled out a letter which was stamped shut with an emblem of a snake encircling a raven a potion in its beak and flowers in his claws.

"Now Potter." Snape said with a creepy calm. His voice still laced with confidence and his usual silky grease tones. "If you have any intelligence Potter tell me, what is the benefit of the invitation method as opposed to the potion creation method?"

It then clicked into place. The contradicting gears inside Harry's head. Snape was acknowledging him. He was acknowledging Harry's results in Potion making even if it went against every instinct. The slimy bastard's pride and love of potions was winning in a conflict against his hatred of everything Harry.

He hated every minute of acknowledging his talents but couldn't bring himself to ignore the results that someone like him possessed such talent in the field.

Harry paused before he answered. "The letter is more quickly recognized and increases the reputation and respect of the master who found the student. The potion method doesn't have the same result as it would be made by someone complete unknown, thus more uncertainty…Sir." Harry guessed not quite sure if that was the answer Snape was looking for. Apparently, it was if the man's creepy smirk was anything to go by.

"Spoken like a novice." He mockingly said before his smirk vanished waving the letter about slightly drawing Harry's attention briefly to it. "That is a benefit. Now should the student be a complete mockery of a maker then it negatively reflects on the master."

Snape placed the letter in front of Harry. "Now tell me Potter. Why should I, the youngest Potions Master in a millennium submit this letter promoting your measly worth to be tested for your Mastery?"

Harry nearly bit his tongue back in his retort. Like the slimy git wasn't already prepared to send the letter as it was. It was in his hand. Snape wasn't one to waste his time, so why would he bother writing it if he wasn't going to send it.

"I'm not sure sir, I haven't even taken my Newts." Harry answered.

"Newts don't matter Potter. Stop assuming and clear out your ears. A Mastery is higher than a Newt. Passing your Newt essentially means you have some worth in the eyes of the Ministry. To a Master your Newt is nothing but a shoddy piece of paper."

He gestured to the candy like potion. "This is something I'd only consider giving to the best of my Newt class students. Most of them would fail in its making easily." Harry hid his grin as he caught that little lie. Even without mind reading Harry knew that Snape didn't have a clue as to how he made that little potion. Even when he made it himself, Harry was using knowledge that he learned off years after their time.

"You Potter made these and gave them away which leaves me to believe two things." He held up a single finger, "You are far more skilled in potions then you lead others to believe," and then holding up a second finger, "and two you consider this potion insignificant or at the very least not a challenge for your skills. Meaning you are either foolishly capable or arrogant and think yourself more capable then you are."

Harry nodded in silence. When Snape didn't continue, he stepped up. "So, what do you want me for?"

Snape grinned. "Prove it."

"What?" Harry asked.

"Clear out your ears Potter. I said prove it." Snape snapped. "Next year I don't want to see you in my class again. You will serve detentions with me where I will task you with the creation of a potion. If it meets my approval, I will give you another task. I will repeat this until you have proven to me your... skills," he growled out between gnarled teeth, "are worthy of me promoting your capabilities. Do you understand Potter?"

Harry nodded simply. So, in short Snape wanted a lap dog to make potions for him. Fine with him. It would give him more freedom to make different potions without paying for it and even if he was lying about the letter that was fine. A bonus was that instead of a set Potions class every week it would be a single potion 'detention' where he wouldn't be given needless homework on a subject, he already knew a great deal on.

"Good, Now prove to me that I am not making a mistake." He gestured to the incomplete fire-breathing potion. Use your knowledge to finish that Potion. You will do it in silence."

Harry sat there confused but eventually his brain caught up and he shrugged and got to work. No reason to stir up a fuss. Not yet anyway. If Snape was sincere about his intentions, then Harry could eventually gain a mastery and not have to take potions class ever again. At worse Snape would use his work and call it his own, something which Harry could use against him if he needed too. Either way it would benefit him in the end.

Like Snape said, a master's reputation was on the line.

Harry walked out of the Dungeon completely exhausted and annoyed. He spent five hours making three potions and finishing two. If Snape's cruelty was directly proportionate to his respect, then Harry had to wonder if he actually had any. Interestingly enough it wasn't a waste of time. With each potion Harry made it became clear that Snape wasn't just having him make potions but rather force him to reveal how knowledgeable he was in the subject.

The first potion, the fire-breathing potion was simple. Halfway done now finish it. Easy. The three other potions were of increasing difficulty, ending with the last potion being made without the proper ingredients. It was then that Harry knew Snape intentionally left the key ingredients unstocked to see how he would complete the potion. The same was for the later potion which was halfway finished and wasn't even close to being made correctly. Harry had to spend a significant amount of time saving that potion which was almost guaranteed to be doomed to failure.

This left him both winded, annoyed and frustrated. If Snape truly intended to follow through Harry had to wonder if next year was going to be even worse then he predicted it was going to be.

He would admit thought, the look of frustration and disbelief on Snape's face when he succeeded was so worth the hassle.

Stalking off to the dorms were he unceremoniously collapsed on his bed Harry willed sleep to embrace him. He was too tired to descend into his trunk and simply let the soft blanket of his bed embrace his weary body.

Harry fell into soundless sleep. He could feel the warm fluff of the bed. That warmth contrasted heavily with his dream.

Bodyless and formless, Harry stumbled through fire. He was falling. A purple two headed snake rose and stared him down. Harry tried to grasp it. The moment he touched it the snake fell to dust screaming as it turned to nothing, its second head fleeing away from him.

Then someone touched him.

Harry's eyes shot open, his sleep gone in and instant. Drawing his wand to his hand he flash-cast his so far faithful repulsing hex on instinct.

Imminently Harry assessed the situation in a panic as two bodies slammed violently against the walls of his room. On hit his unused desk causing the intruder to bend awkwardly as they crashed against the wall. The other slammed heavily against the wall next to his door.

The events that had transpired lasted all but a second but in that time Harry's mind began to catch up with his body. His hand mindlessly moved on experience, his fingers wrapped firmly around the closest intruder's neck. His mind focused on suppressing the assailants and prioritizing his own position.

Green eyes drifted down long silver blond hair and locked onto the greenish blue eyes below. Death stared into fear as Harry's experience drilled into the eyes of a twelve-year-old terrified girl. Panic was completely drawn upon her face. Her robe – thrown about and pined by Harry's magic – dropped awkwardly when his spell subsided.

"What are you doing?" Harry demanded calmly although to anyone else's ears the tone might as well have been murderous.

It took Harry all of one second to identify the girl.

Daphne Greengrass stood there, frozen in panic, pinned to the wall with Harry's hand around her thin neck. Her cloths hung off her loosely prodding further embarrassment while fear clung to her like a shroud. She was struggling to breath as Harry kept her pinned with both hand and arm.

His arm and elbow were not held firmly against her chest almost crushing her organs while his hand now held the base of her neck and jaw. Even she knew that in their current state, Harry was primed to crush her neck, twist her head, and crush her lungs with a minimal amount of movement.

She could feel his arm pressing heavily against her chest, sparking a rose red blush to appear while a blue hue crawled down her forehead. Her embarrassment was quickly fading along with her flow of oxygen. Harry pitying her and realizing her difficulty breathing released her upon realizing that aside from her wand the girl was unarmed. Even said wand was sheathed in her robes.

Just like that she dropped like a rock, coughing as she took in deep lungfuls of air. Tracey rushed over to her friend concerned for her wellbeing. Unfortunately, she wasn't in any condition to worry about others either. She was clearly suffering from both a back injury and a slight concussion. When she made to check on her friend she crashed into the wall as she lost her balance.

Undeterred the girl continued anyway. "Daph! Daph are you okay?" Tracey asked still trying to regain her balance. Daphne nodded but stared at Harry in both fear and awe.

When the two of them looked at him, Harry sighed. He really didn't want to deal with this.

"Look, both of you aren't welcome right now. I'm tired and just got through dealing with Professor Snape. Whatever this is can it wait until tomorrow? If you want something, ask me in the Great Hall or something. Right now, I'm tired. Please?" Harry asked.

Without a word Daphne and Tracey fled his room with not a word. Harry slumped down on his Slytherin green sheets. His bed was still comfortably warm. Harry sat there trying to still the rush that was still present. The adrenaline from his instincts kicking in was still rampaging through his veins. Slowly Harry came down from his high and threw his fist back.

His hand made contact with one of the four posts of his bed. It folded in two on impact with an audible crack. Harry pulled his hand back and laid it on his thigh. His bloodied hand laid there dripping as he calmed himself.

He attacked a student. He nearly attacked, no he did attack a student. In an instant he attacked and pinned a classmate to the wall.

"Merlin's blood balls." Harry groaned pulling himself off his bed. The sting of a broken bone echoing up his arm.

Harry dragged himself through the halls into the Hospital Wing. Sitting down behind her desk in candle light, Madam Pomfrey rose an inquisitive eye at Harry. Harry lifted his hand with a small wince of pain.

"Busted hand ma'am."

Madam Pomfrey shook her head irritably. "Sit down Mr. Potter. Tell me what happened."

"Students snuck up on me in my room and I swung blind in reflex." He replied. It technically wasn't a lie.

"I swear, just because finals are done you children can't seem to behave properly." She complained tracing her wand over him. "You appear to have an elevated heart rate as well."

Harry nodded, "That kind of happens when someone surprises you in the middle of the night."

Pomfrey gave him a mocking smile and slapped his shoulder gently. She handed him a potion. "Drink, should calm you enough to fall asleep. It's a mild fracture, a simple potion and nights rest and you'll be good by morning. Should I be expecting a visit from this someone you mentioned?"

Harry paused for a moment and nodded. "Maybe. One of them got nailed pretty hard in the back when they crashed into my desk."

Pomfrey sighed and went about making preparation just in case. Harry merely sat there. No real reason to hide the fact. He hurt them.

Drinking the calming drought Harry felt himself relax. Upon her return Madam Pomfrey promptly cast epsikey and went back to her desk, muttering about students making more work for her then was needed. Harry smiled as he laid back to sleep.

When he awoke the next morning, Harry felt both relaxed and apprehensive.

The moment he woke up his scar was aching, almost painfully. The pain was the worse to date and even Occlumency wasn't having much effect blocking it out. The fact that a certain stuttering Professor was nowhere near him made him very apprehensive.

What made him relaxed however was upon Pomfrey's arrival to check on him, she had informed him that two girls came by later after he did. With a quick warning about over doing a spell even on reflex Pomfrey informed him that both girls were fine and had minor and one moderate bruising that she took care of easily.

Knowing neither was seriously hurt Harry relax a bit as he himself knew he had overdone it.

Sitting down for a late breakfast Harry noticed that almost everyone was in the hall minus a few Gryffindors.

Harry looked over to the Slytherin table an immediately spotted Daphne and Tracey sitting at their table. Tracey immediately averted her gaze from Harry, but Daphne paled upon seeing him. Harry couldn't blame her, in his panic and sleep he had showed her a side of him that he only showed those who attacked him, and he considered a threat.

"This isn't going to be awkward at all." He muttered sitting down at the Slytherin table. With so many people present even the normally rambunctious Slytherin's should leave him alone, at least that's what he thought.

Filling his plate with some eggs and bacon Harry glanced up and down the Slytherin table. IT was strange, none of them even acknowledged he was there. Looking up at the teachers table Harry felt something was seriously odd.

While it would have been completely normal any other day, the teachers table was completely full, with the exception of Snape and Quirrell.

Considering what Snape had Harry do last night he wasn't surprising. Harry could easily imagine Snape's rapt attention towards deconstructing the method Harry used to make his de-aging candies as well as reviewing all his choices he made when making and fixing the other potions he had him make.

The fact that Quirrell was still missing bothered him and Harry had to wonder if he was simply being too paranoid.

Looking down the table Harry then realized that those two weren't the only ones missing. Dumbledore was also missing. He had been missing since yesterday morning which was odd, Albus historically to Harry's knowledge was always present for breakfast and dinner. The thought of Dumbledore was gone filled Harry with a bit of joy that he could relax a bit. This feeling however was eclipsed by the dread the vacant seat brought. For some reason to Harry he felt that empty seat held some greater significance.

This dread grew more when he spotted the Twins. Clambering into the hall they paused all for a moment to see Harry. Rushing over to him they nearly collided with a second year as they barreled forward to him.

"Harry," Fred said out of breath.

"We need you to come with us." George coughed out in an attempt to finish the sentence.

Harry was about to argue but looking at the chair, Harry's dread began to materialize. Nodding Harry followed them to a deserted hallway, his breakfast forgotten.

"Fred, George, what's the emergency?" Harry asked his on concern for their odd panicky behavior reinforcing his own looming dread that something had happened.

"Ron's missing." Fred answered.

"So's Seamus and Dean." George continued.

"Hermione and Neville too," Fred continued.

"And we can't find them." the two echoed.

Harry heart dropped at the mention of Hermione missing. "Did you tell any of the Professors?"

George shook his head. "We were about too, but we wanted to ask you first."

Fred nodded, "We don't want to get you firsties in trouble should some prank be in the works."

"Well it's not. At least not to my knowledge. Couldn't they just be in a classroom of something? How do you know for sure that they're missing?" Harry asked causing the Twins to stare at each other apprehensively.

Harry raised an understanding hand.

"Got it," Harry said, "Trade secret."

"Sorry Harry." Fred muttered to which Harry shrugged off. They stood there awkwardly for a time. The Twins pulling out a parchment of some kind while Harry wondered where they could be. He knew Neville sometimes hanged out with Hermione since no one else did but they rarely associated with Ron's trio of Seamus and Dean. It also wasn't in Hermione's nature to go off and vanish. At least not unless a library was involved in which case a rescue party would need to be sent out.

Harry paused for a moment at that thought. For but an instant he recalled what Seamus, Dean, and Ron talked about during the Holidays. It was a leap in logic and would be insanely stupid if he was right.

The Trio went after the stone.

If they went after it thinking someone was after it, then Hermione and Neville might have gone after them to stop them. Worse case being they went along to help. With Dumbledore gone it was a prime time to go after the stone too. Unfortunately, the stone didn't reside behind any protections not of Harry's making.

Knowing them, Snape was their likely suspect by Harry was with the man last night and if he had gone after it the two potions in his lab would have already made a large enough boom to inform everyone alive that he was not taking care of them.

Then there was the fact Harry was of the unfounded suspicion that Quirrell was the one...

Harry's mind shut down, his face pale. Quirrell wasn't at the head table. In fact, like Dumbledore he had been missing since the day before. As if to reinforce this theory George spoke up.

"Maybe McGonagall knows what's up. Ron came back last night irritated with her for some reason."

"Yeah," Fred agreed, "He was pretty vexed about her. Snape and Dumbledore too."

"FRED! GEORGE!" Harry shouted startling the two. "Go get McGonagall, tell her what you told me and inform her that they went after the stone."

Harry began running towards the third floor. When he was about to turn the corner, he saw the Twins still there.

"Get Moving! Inform Pomfrey and Snape as well if you can. NOW!" he shouted. Harry didn't even look to see if they left. Racing down the Hall Harry floored it straight to the forbidden corridor. His gut screamed at him like a repressed memory telling him to hurry.

If he was wrong that was fine. Harry's fear was he wasn't.

Meeting the door were Fluffy was Harry wasn't shocked to find the door unlocked. Casting lumos twice Harry readied his wand.

Swinging the door open Harry saw the three headed dog. It was massive, nearly claiming the entire room as its own with its size. The dog had been padding the trap door beneath its huge bulk but stopped to see Harry open the door. With three massive growls the beast focused on its new prey.

Harry took a breath and waited for it to charge him. When the beast lunged forward Harry dodged and rushed for the trap door. Sliding down beneath it like a baseball pro Harry evaded the dog completely and with a simple wave opened the door and descended into the dark.

In free fall Harry's readied a cushioning charm to soften his landing but instead felt his fall halted by a plant covered in scorch marks. Harry let out a breath of relief before he realized that this plant that was now coiling around him in an attempt to strangle him.

"Crap. What now!?" Harry shouted. He didn't recognize the plant immediately, but he did see two things. The missing students weren't there, and the plant was covered in ash.

"Incendio!"

The plant like vines in front of Harry burst into a fireball of fire. All of the vines withdrew hastily in an attempt to avoid the raging fire. The vines around Harry dropping him without hesitation causing him to fall down onto the stone floor underneath the planet like nest. Looking up Harry could see that writhing plant flailing violently as it clung to the walls of the chute he had fallen down, hanging only seven or so feet off the ground.

"Guess that's a second barrier." Harry confirmed to himself. "If my theory is correct this must be Professor Sprouts protection.

Looking around Harry spotted a small passageway. Figuring that was the only way to go Harry moved quickly and quietly. As he moved, he heard the rustling of wings on the air. It almost sounded like a fairy colony that was way too active.

"Please be a fairy colony and not a wasp nest." Harry requested.

After a slightly slope Harry entered a large well-lit room with high arching pillars supporting the room. The room alone looked to be three, almost four stories tall, filled to the brim with keys. Winged Keys. Harry spotted a door and a quick look showed an old looking key with a busted wing. Smiling Harry grabbed the key and turned. The door unlocked without a fuss.

"That was easy…" Harry mused. Charmed keys that fly… no means of flight, yet there were keys stuck in the door.

Walking through Harry wondered if there was something he was missing. Fluffy and the weird plant were far more dangerous. The last room was oddly pleasant and refreshing in contrast. The keys were clearly Flitwick's work although something felt off, like the challenge was incomplete. He must have missed something. Harry knew the stout Professor could be quite vindictive if provoked and wouldn't have just made it that simple.

Harry stepped forward mindlessly, quickly scanning the new room. It was lit by larger braises. If the last room was paradise, then this room was a battlefield. The center piece was a giant chess board of massive scale and proportion. Stone soldier pawns loomed on stone pedestals the size of full-grown men. The state of the board was that of a war zone devastated by C4 charges. Chess pieces were shattered and scattered about with two individuals laying down on the ground in the middle of the mess.

Harry's gaze quickly identified them as Neville and a bruised and unconscious, Ronald Weasley.

"Harry? But how…" Neville asked confused spotting him hurrying towards them.

"Neville, explain! What happened?" Harry asked.

Neville stunned by the commanding voice Harry felt compelled to answer even as his presence left him confused. He was just happy someone had found them even if that someone shouldn't have been behind him.

"Hermione and I went after… well, You, Seamus, Dean, and Ron. We caught up with Ron and his friends at the Devil's Snare. Hermione managed to save us but instead of returning Seamus and Ron insisted that they save the Philosopher Stone."

Devil's Snare, no wonder it burned so easily Harry thought. Harry never liked Devil's Snare, was always too susceptible to heat and difficult to use beneficially in potions. Wait, what did Neville mean by they had gone after him?

"Wait, what did you mean going after me? How do you know about the Stone?" Harry asked.

Neville shook his head, "Didn't know about it till Ron mentioned it. Ron and Seamus rushed off saying they had to stop Snape from getting the stone."

"And what about me? Why did you think I was down here?" Harry asked with a sense of urgency in his voice.

"Hermione thought you went after Snape. When we heard Ron and his friends saying they were going to stop Snape, Hermione said we had to stop them and help you."

"Damn it." Harry cursed. His note, Hermione misinterpreted it. He said he was dealing with a greasy problem. That wasn't what he intended the message to mean. Instead of easing her worries it worsened them.

"Where are the others?" Harry asked.

"In the next room." Neville said pointing at the door across the room. Harry nodded.

"Can you stand?"

Neville shook his head. "N-no. The rook burst apart and I broke my leg when a piece of it hit me."

"And Weasley?"

"Unconscious. Mild head injury according to Hermione."

"At least your both alive." Harry said standing up. "Fred and George should be getting the teachers. I'm going to get the rest of you idiots before something bad happens or you idiots do something stupid."

"Harry!" Neville shouted. Harry turned around to stare at the shy but bold boy. "Someone is in there after the stone. I heard Seamus through the door. The Troll ahead of us was already dead. If they get the stone."

Harry held up a hand to stop Neville. A smile on his face. "No worries there Nev. The stone's fine. I'm sure the Headmaster has more than a few tricks protecting it. Wait here for the Professors, I'll get the others."

Harry turned around and rushed into the next room, hoping that they were all alive.

Just like Neville had said, the next room held the foul stench of a troll, dead as dead could be. Harry hated that fact his theory was right. Just like he predicted the troll on Halloween was a staging ground for this day. Problem was the guard was already dead.

Ignoring the corpse Harry moved on counting off everything so far.

So, he now had a transfigured chess trial and a troll that was resistant to magic. If this whole ordeal really was intended to challenge him, then all that was left was either Potions, Flying, or both.

Passing straight through Harry turned abruptly as upon entering the room purple flames sprang to life behind him sealing his exit. Seeing nothing else of importance Harry ignored them and continued to evaluate the room. It was devoid of any hope fulfilling light and instead was illuminated by a wall of dark black flames burning an ultraviolet light. Beyond which the location of his objectives likely lied. Harry quickly took note of the similarities between the purple flames behind him and the black flames.

"Limiting choices huh? Dark, gloomy, foreboding." Harry listed aloud as he continued to look around quickly.

Stepping forward Harry focused his attention on a series of potion bottles spread out in a neat line. Off to the side lay in the motionless heap, Dean Thomas.

"Yup, that cinches it. This is Snape's work." Harry confirmed.

Approaching Dean, Harry knelt down to feel for a pulse. Nothing reassured his touch that a pulse was present, and he glanced up at the bottles on the table. An idea occurring to him. Harry moved his nose towards Deans mouth and with a quick whiff smiled. Drought of Sleeping Death, a potent one too.

Harry stood back up and looked down to spot a note on the table.

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind, Two of us will help you, which ever 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 bidden in line. Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore, 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 onward, 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.

A/N: Above was taken from official records, all bad riddles belong to JK and not yours truly.

Harry smirked. This was rather clever. It was a logic puzzle or at least was. Out of all the protections so far this one would hinder most wizards. As far as Harry knew most wizards – at least those with power – lacked many things, the most notable being logic and muggle common sense, especially regarding clothing.

Sadly, logic wasn't needed for this test.

Opening up each bottle Harry looked at each poison and wine. Almost instantly he identified the potions he needed.

Picking up the smallest bottle Harry took a swig while pocketing the rounded bottle at the end to ensure his return trip.

Walking up to the black flames Harry took a deep breath. Hagrid's pup, then Herbology, Charmed keys, Transfigured chest, DADA's Troll, and Snape's Potions. In all likelihood beyond the flames lied the Mirror which previously held the stone and more importantly Hermione.

Stepping through the flames. The slithered up around his body but no harm of warmth could be felt. The flames did nothing to Harry who lifted his wand forward, ready for whatever was ahead.

xXxXx

Might come back to this one later. Not sure how good it came out. Fevers make it hard to write clearly. Hard to think too. Headaches not helping either and I've lost the use of Advil thanks to my blood thinners. sucks.