16

The Man with Two Faces

"Quirrell," Emily said as the flames disappeared behind her and in it's place was a wooden door.

The man smiled as he turned to face her.

"Miss Potter," he answered inclining his head toward her. "I wondered when you would join me, but I had thought your brother might be here as well."

"He was with me for a time… he was certain you were Professor Snape."

"And you knew better no doubt," Quirrell laughed, it held no hesitance or fear as it usually did. It was cold and empty. "You can't blame your brother for being mistaken though. Severus swoops around the castle terrifying the students, quite useful for me and my task, you see. Who would choose me next to the dark bat of the dungeons?"

Emily engaged him in conversation as she took in her surroundings. "You were very convincing. I personally wondered if I wasn't wrong at times and that you were losing your mind." The man smiled and took a small bow. "You know Harry was very sure it was Professor Snape who tried to kill him during the Quidditch match."

"It was a great shame, I came within just a few seconds of killing him. If Miss Granger hadn't tripped and pushed me over I never would have lost my eye contact with him. She was too focused on distracting Severus to notice she was after the wrong man. It is funny if one thinks on it, the man trying to save him is the one he blames. After all that, Severus made himself quite unpopular with the teachers when he refereed the Gryffindor match against Hufflepuff, they thought he was trying to sabotage Gryffindor's chance at the Cup. Such a waste too since I could do nothing with Dumbledore there."

Quirrell snapped his fingers making ropes appear and wrap themselves around Emily keeping her firmly in place. The young witch wasn't expecting it and had no time to react.

"You are very intelligent, Miss. Potter. I am no fool, I know after Halloween you suspected I let the troll in."

"Of course I did. You disappeared as soon as all the teachers left the Great Hall. If you had truly fainted you would have still been there when I checked." Emily took a deep breath it would do her no good to let lose her temper she needed to stay calm.

"Yes well I needed to hurry but Severus seemed to know where I was going and was waiting for me when I reached the third floor. Halloween turned out to be a very unlucky night for me. Not only did the dog not manage to hinder Severus but my troll couldn't even properly kill your brother, instead you showed up to save them. I am quite skilled with trolls and I know you got a spell through its skin. Now if you could just wait for a moment while I look at this mirror…" Emily turned her head to see the same mirror her brother and her had come across on Christmas. "This is the last obstacle," Quirrell muttered running his hands over the frame to examine it.

Emily knew she needed to keep him talking so he couldn't focus on the mirror.

"Why don't you like Professor Snape? They say his leanings are Dark…" she prompted. She knew from her time with the man he was not the evil person people made him out to be but she had to get Quirrell's focus somehow.

"Your father didn't like the man, I am more annoyed than anything. He suspected me from early on you see. He threatened me, thought he could scare me like he does others. But I have Lord Voldemort on my side, Severus Snape cannot scare me." Quirrell stood directly in front of the mirror and stared eagerly into it. "I see myself with the Stone… now where do I find it?"

Emily needed to get his attention back. "What do you mean my father didn't like him? Professor Snape only mentions my mother."

"Of course he does. He was friends with your mother from a young age but your father is another story. They all were at school together. Your father and Severus despised each other." He seemed to feel he had entertained her line of questioning long enough as he went back to paying her no mind.

This wasn't helping she needed to think of something that would give her answers and keep him talking. Then she thought of the perfect thing to ask. "Why, if this was all an act, do you mutter quietly to yourself even now?" Emily knew she had asked the right question when she noticed Quirrell's eyes widen and a flicker of fear cross his face.

"I am but a weak man," he said, "and that causes me to struggle at times when my master gives me orders."

"You mean he is always with you, even now?"

"Very good Miss. Potter," said Quirrell quietly. "Yes, he is with me always. You see, I set out after Hogwarts to travel the world. I was foolish in my youth and still believed in things such as good and evil. When I was traveling I was fortunate enough to meet my Lord Voldemort. He showed me the truth, there is only power, good and evil do not exist. I pledged then to always serve him. He is a great wizard with immense power who must punish me when I am unable to do as he asks. After my failure at Gringotts he had no choice but to keep a closer eye on me…"

Emily thought back to her trip to Diagon Alley with her brother and Hagrid, she had met Quirrell but his magical signature had felt differently than when she had seen him again at Hogwarts. A terrifying thought hit her but she was unsure if it was possible.

"I don't understand where the Stone is…"

Emily's mind was reeling, she needed to focus. What I desire most in my heart at this precise moment is to find the Stone. If I could look into the mirror I should be able to discover where it is hidden. But I need him to let me in front of the mirror.

"Master I do not understand the mirror, I need your help!"

And to Emily's dismay all her fears were confirmed when a voice other than Quirrell's answered but seemingly still came from the man.

"Use the girl…"

Emily took a deep breath. This was what she had wanted. Stay calm, was the mantra she kept repeating in her head. It was easier said than done though as Quirrell's focus was once again on her.

"Come here Miss Potter." Clapping his hands, the ropes around her fell limp to the floor and she slowly made her way toward the mirror. As she passed Quirrell he seemed to step up behind her as if he too would be able to see whatever she did. In the mirror she was disappointed to see her own reflection just as she was in that moment. After a few moments passed her reflection winked at her putting its hand into the pocket of her skirt and pulling out a red stone. Her reflection then put it back and Emily felt something heavy hit her leg. She had the stone!

"Tell me what you see!" Quirrell demanded.

She knew she had to lie and answered quickly without hesitation. "I see my parents standing proudly behind me and my brother is there as well."

"Move."

As Emily stepped aside, she looked to see how far from the door she was. More than likely it was a trap of some kind, though it would be better than being stuck here with this maniac. But it was too far she decided, there was no chance of her making it without having to throw hexes. If she were honest, her knowledge of hexes wasn't that extensive yet. She highly doubted she could do any damage, it would merely be a delay tactic. Plus, she would give herself away going for her wand and he had already demonstrated he didn't need a wand when he had produced the ropes to bind her. She was in the disadvantage. She was pulled from her thoughts when the second voice filled the room again.

"She is lying…"

"Miss. Potter!" Quirrell shouted. "I want the truth! What does the mirror show you?"

She heard the voice again. "I want to speak to her… face-to-face…"

Emily didn't dare move. She watched as Quirrell reached for his turban unwrapping it from around his head. Quirrell turned away from her and that was when she saw it, the explanation of the magical signatures she felt. Emily refused to let any of her fear show on her face. Where the back of Quirrell's head should be was a face. It had red eyes and snake like slits for nostrils.

"Emily Potter…"

Emily didn't move but she also didn't respond. She didn't trust her voice not to betray her yet. "We meet again," the face said. "Do you see what you have made me? I am but a shadow of what I was… I must share another's body to have a form… but there are those who adore me and are more than willing to give me their hearts and minds… I have been strengthened recently by the blood of the unicorns in the forest… yes it was Quirrell you saw that night… but with the Elixir of Life I can have a body again. We both know you have the Stone… give it to me Emily…" His powers must be stronger than she thought to notice she had the Stone.

"Why would I give it to you?" she said keeping her voice even.

"I can offer you the world Emily… I have watched you this year… you are strong and intelligent… you will grow into a beautiful Dark Lady by my side…"

"I could never join you!"

"Think of all I could teach you."

"You killed my parents and you want my brother dead."

Quirrell was walking backwards coming towards her as Voldemort smiled. "This is much larger than that…" he hissed. "You know your father was the first to die that night, he was very brave in his efforts… but your mother never needed to die… she couldn't stand aside though and leave her precious daughter… you see I knew about you since before you were born. You have always been destined for greatness and by my side you can have everything you ever desired… Join me Emily… you will be my equal, and one day my wife."

"NO!" She grabbed for her wand hoping she could get at least get a spell off so she could make it to the door.

"CAPTURE HER!"

She felt Quirrell's arm wrap around her waist and pull her to the ground. The pain in her body was excruciating but suddenly it started to lessen. She looked up and saw Quirrell had a pained expression on his face as he looked at his arm which appeared to be blistering.

"Capture her! CAPTURE HER!" yelled Voldemort, Quirrell lunged, landing on top of her and pressing her upper body back into the ground. He had one hand at the base of her throat pushing her down and the other grabbed her wrist pushing it above her head. The pain in her body exploded again but so did Quirrell's pain.

"Master, I can't keep holding her down!" Quirrell held her pinned to the ground, still straddling her with his legs. Letting go with his hands, he brought them up to his face to examine, they looked as though he had been burned by a fire. The skin was beginning to look slightly charred.

"Do not harm her you fool, we just need to get her out of the school!" Voldemort ordered the man. Quirrell raised his hand to perform a spell that would likely render her unconscious but Emily reached up and grabbed his face in her hands. Quirrell screamed in pain. He rolled off of her, his face now suffering from the same burns as his hands.

His skin couldn't touch hers, she needed to keep him in enough pain so he could not cast the spell and sneak her out of the school. With difficulty she got to her feet and put one hand on his face the other she used to grab his arm. He tried to push her away but she only held on tighter. The pain was beginning to build to where she could no longer see anything, the pounding of the blood in her head was becoming louder. She heard Quirrell's shrieks of pain and pleas for the pain to end. Voldemort was yelling at him to "STUPEFY HER!" and then it could have been in her head but the last thing she heard was a familiar voice cry, "Emily!" She felt herself be removed from Quirrell as she allowed the darkness to claim her, falling deeper into the black abyss.

Attempting to open her eyes, Emily saw something gold glinting in her vision. Blinking a few times, she realized they were glasses as Professor Dumbledore slowly began to come into clear view above her. Emily immediately started to take in her surroundings, she was lying in a bed and Professor Snape was sitting to the side of her across from Dumbledore. The stoic man placed a comforting hand over hers. She grasped the hand like a lifeline letting her know she was okay before turning her head back to Dumbledore. "Sir did he get the stone?"

"Ah, right to the point I see. No Miss Potter, Quirrell does not have the stone." Emily nodded and took a second to fully comprehend where she was. She realized her bed was in the far corner of the Hospital Wing, there were curtains slightly blocking the majority of the room from her view but she could clearly see the table next to her that was piled with sweets. "Gifts from your friends and the other students," said Dumbledore, beaming. "I believe Misters Fred and George Weasley sent you a toilet seat. Madam Pomfrey has confiscated it as she felt it was not very hygienic for the hospital wing and your recovery."

The young witch smiled, she knew a way to get it back. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Three days, Mr. Malfoy has been very worried. He will be delighted to hear you are awake."

"How is Harry?"

"He and his friends are fine. They only had a few scratches that were healed quite quickly."

"How did I end up here?"

"Professor Snape and I made it just in time it would seem. He and I met after I ran into a distraught Miss. Granger while Professor Snape was informed by Mr. Potter. We were able to pull Quirrell off of you, though we worried we might have been too late."

"It was you I heard," she said looking to Professor Snape. He inclined his head towards her. "What happened to the stone?"

"It has been destroyed."

"So Nicolas will pass away then?"

"We had a chat and we both agreed it's all for the best. Nicolas and his wife have lived far longer than any magical, no matter how powerful, could hope to live and I dare say they have enough Elixir to see them through a bit longer." The man smiled and the group sat in silence for a few moments before Dumbledore lightly patted Emily's arm. "Well, I am going to leave you with Professor Snape. Rest well, Emily."

"Thank you sir," Emily said watching as Dumbledore left through the small opening in the curtains around her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Professor Snape asked once they were alone.

"Better, the pain in my head was horrible. It felt like it was splitting open… It started in my shoulder but I could feel it everywhere." She paused before looking Professor Snape in the eyes, "He is going to keep trying to come back even without the stone, isn't he?"

"Yes, that much we can be sure of."

"Quirrell did he…"

"The Dark Lord abandoned him and fled. Without the Dark Lord's presence he could not survive his injuries. The Dark Lord has no remorse or care for his followers, they are all expendable to him."

"He couldn't touch me without causing himself pain. I haven't read about magic reacting that way before."

"You won't find it in your books, it isn't a part of magic that is well known. Dumbledore believes that it is because of your mother's sacrifice. The Dark Lord underestimates the power and mark that kind of love can leave on someone."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Emily broke it, looking up at the potions master with a smirk on her face. "He told me that you and my father didn't get along."

"Did he? It is true we were not fond of each other. Perhaps in the future we can discuss it more but right now you need rest. Why don't you try and sleep?"

"Uh huh, I'll ask you later."

"I have no doubt of that. Now sleep."

"You were worried," she stated as she tried to get more comfortable in the bed, her eyes were starting to get heavy again.

"You are delusional, brat."

"Keep telling yourself that," was Emily's mumbled reply.

Professor Snape smiled at her before tucking her in, "Sleep, we can talk more this summer. I hear you will be at the manor." Trying to keep her eyes open for just a second more she nodded her head and mumbled a yes. She heard him softly chuckle as she drifted back off to sleep.

The next time she woke Draco was sitting next to her bed reading a book. "Good book?" she asked, laughing as he jumped, startled by her words.

"Em!" He got up hugging her gently before helping her to sit up and joining her on the bed. "I told you to be careful and next thing I know Uncle Sev is coming to tell me I need to go to the hospital wing. Did you forget that I said no stupid acts of Gryff bravery?"

Emily laughed, "I have so much to tell you, but right now I just want to focus on something else." She rested her head on Draco's shoulder and took a moment to enjoy sitting in the quiet of the Hospital Wing with her best friend.

"Uncle Sev is going to teach us Occlumency this summer. He said it will be safer for us if we know it."

"I agree. It also means we get to learn something new, which I am always up for," Draco laughed at her enthusiasm."So, what has been going on around the school while I've been lying in this bed?"

"Everyone is talking about your adventure, though how much of it is true I have no idea." He grabbed one of the sugar quills off the table and passed it to her taking one for himself as well. "We won the Quidditch cup. Your brother seems distracted but as far as I know he hasn't been here." She felt a bit of disappointment to know her brother hadn't been to visit her. Sensing her mood dropping he began telling her how she needed to convince Madam Pomfrey to let her go to the feast to celebrate Slytherin winning the House Cup. They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing together about trivial things as they ate their way through a sizeable portion of candy.

After a good night's sleep, Emily was starting to feel like her usual self. "May I please go to the feast?" Emily asked Madam Pomfrey when she brought her morning potions.

"Professor Dumbledore seems to think it would be good for you to attend, so you may go," though she was agreeing Emily could tell she wasn't happy with the headmaster's decision. "There is however someone here to see you now."

Emily was shocked as she watched Harry walk over to her bed. He seemed to hesitate before he sat down in the chair next to her bed. The pair were quiet for a few minutes before Harry finally spoke. "You're doing better?" he asked.

"I'm much better now. Thank you for getting Professor Snape."

Harry nodded, "He seemed very worried about you. I was sure he was going to sneer at me when he saw me. It made me nervous to see him so… different."

"He's not a bad man Harry." Her brother just scoffed and looked down at his hands, so Emily decided to change the subject. "What are your plans for the summer?"

"I'm going back to the Dursleys then Ron has invited me over."

"Harry don't go to Privet Drive come with me to Malfoy Manor, they invited you. You can go to Ron's from there."

"I'm not staying with the Malfoys," he said looking up at Emily.

"Harry, please. The Manor will be fun and there won't be any chores…"

"I'm not going!" Harry stood from his chair and took a deep breath, "I should go. I'm glad you're better." Emily watched as he left the hospital wing before pulling her knees up to rest her forehead against them.

When Emily arrived at the Great Hall for the end-of-year feast she saw that her House colors were everywhere, entering the hall everyone fell silent. She walked over and sat next to Draco who had saved her a seat. She paid no mind to the people that were trying to get a better look at her and smiled at her housemates.

"And another year comes to an end!" Dumbledore said rising to address the students. "We have just a few things to go over before we can get to our wonderful feast. It has been an incredible year, has it not! And I believe we have a few last minute points to award before we give out the Cup."

"First to Mr. Ronald Weasley for his understanding of strategy and sacrifice, I award Gryffindor House fifty points." The Gryffindors' cheers went up through the hall. "Second to Miss Hermione Granger… for bravery and calm in the face of danger, I award Gryffindor House fifty points. Third to Mr. Harry Potter for his strength and pure courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

"Finally to Miss Emily Potter for the use of logic and cunning when faced with an enemy, I award Slytherin House seventy points."

"Now I believe that the House Cup needs awarding and the points stand thus, in fourth place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty two points, in third place, Ravenclaw, with four hundred and twenty six points, in second place, Gryffindor, with four hundred and seventy two points and finally in first place, Slytherin with five hundred and forty two points!"

"Slytherin wins the House cup!"

The Slytherin table applauded themselves, cheers breaking out all along the table. Emily just leaned into her best friend and looked to the staff table. Professor Snape inclined his head in her direction lifting his glass and Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as madly as ever. All and all this was a wonderful celebration and one of the best evenings of her life.

In all the excitement Emily had almost forgotten that the exam results had yet to be posted, but when they were she was pleased to find she was the top of her class with Draco right behind her ranking second.

And in the blink of an eye their rooms were packed up and the Heads of House were passing out notes reminding the students that they were not allowed to use magic over the holidays. The first years were taken back by boats to the platform where they boarded the Hogwarts Express. As the train sped through the countryside and towards London Emily and Draco were eating through their stash of candy and playing games of exploding snap. Before they knew it the train was pulling into platform nine and three-quarters.

Emily watched as her brother and his friends went through the barrier before turning to meet Draco's parents. They both were extremely nice and made her feel welcome. Narcissa hugged her tightly, "Ready for a fun summer?"

"I'm excited. Thank you both so much for having me!"

"Don't mention it dear. We are happy to have you with us," she smiled at Emily holding out her hand. "Hold on tight, it will be an odd sensation." Emily nodded and took her hand as Draco took his father's. He smirked at her before she felt the tug and they disapparated with a soft 'pop'.