Chapter 14: Aftermath
"I suppose this is what people expected of me; Stopping Dark Lords." I say to Albus after our meeting with the Heads of Houses. I explained most of the vents in detail, but as McGonagall, Snape, and Sprout were in the room, I just said that I'd seen Quirrell with his wand out and followed him. Only Flitwick and Albus know how I really found him. The others believed me after I told them I wanted to to see Peeves hit Quirrell. Albus is currently leaning over his pensieve, deep in thought after the third viewing of the memory. "Sorry for killing one of your teachers." He sighs heavily.
"It could not be avoided. I believe the Quirinus Quirrell I once knew has been gone for a while." He returns to his chair, reclining backwards into he cushioning. He retrieves the stone from his drawer and places it in the centre of his desk. "I trust that you have touched the stone?" I nod. "Did it work?"
"If I'd touched it at the beginning of the year, I think my brain would have just given up completely." I laugh mirthlessly. "But now? I'm numb."
"In what respect?"
"I've just been accosted by Voldemort, killed a man and absorbed the entire history of a 550 year old philosophers stone. I should be a little upset, or feel concerned."
"But you don't?"
"No. Well sort of. I feel sorry for Quirrell, but he did try and bisect me in the forest. I'll put it this way – I'm more concerned about my impending exams than I am about Voldemort. I think something is wrong with me. Am I in shock?"
"Possibly." He shifts forward in his chair. "Your exams then, how do you think you will do?"
"Well."
"Just well?"
"I spend just as much time in the library as Hermione, we've got out own spot and everything, so I know all of the material back to front. The first year casting has nothing on the NEWT level stuff. Part of me feels like I'm cheating, but I still have to work it all out."
"Do you feel as if you will not be challenged?"
"I don't really know." I shrug. "I don't want to start getting anxious now after being fine all month."
"I am confident that you shall perform exceptionally." He smiles.
"A busy start to a busy week." I lean back in my chair. "Am I going to be expelled? There is a rule against killing people in Hogwarts, not to mention laws too." He chuckles and shakes his head.
"No, no. You will remain here. Although rules were broken, I do not think they were written with possessed teachers in mind."
"So it was possession then? He looked far too composed for the sorts of possession I know of, no imperius symptoms either. Voldemort said that they were sharing the body, that doesn't explain why he exploded under my foot though." I sigh. "All that work to get the stone. He could have done it you know? Created himself a body; It holds almost endless possibilities."
"What did you learn of the stone?"
"I don't know how to make one, if that's what you're asking." I smirk, he smiles in return. "That precedes the stone's history, the actual forging process that is. I'll look into this summer, see if I can make some educated guesses. I think it's odd that there aren't more philosophers stones kicking about. I suppose you wouldn't want to advertise the fact that you have one, would you? Good way to get robbed. I suppose alchemy takes a while to really get into, or good at."
"I daresay Nicolas has had enough time to learn the ins and outs." He chuckles.
"Speaking of summer, are there houses that I can afford? Even just to rent?" His eyes widen as if suddenly remembering and he digs into a pile of papers.
"Gringotts responded just after dinner, I had forgotten due to the excitement. Only one flat was available in Diagon Alley." He continues to dig, his frown becoming more pronounced as time goes on. "The Department of Magical Child Welfare have also answered."
"That quickly? It's only been three days. Can I take the test?" The 'DMCW' are the ones that let under-age magical children live on their own, providing they pass the test.
"You will not be taking the test." He retrieves a folder from the stack.
"Why not?" I frown.
"Simply put – You are Harry Potter. They said 'yes' before I even needed to say that you are capable in my eyes."
"Idiots." I pinch the bridge of my nose. At least this works out in my favour.
"From time to time, being a notable figure has it's bonuses; Doors open that would forever remain closed to others."
"Often enough to make it all worth it?" I ask, He merely smiles and slides the folder to me. "I didn't think so." I accept the folder and open it. "'221B Diagon Alley'?" I look up at Albus. "Is this a joke?"
"A joke?" He frowns, leaning forward to see the parchment. "Gringotts assures 100% accuracy in property listings."
"And you mean to tell me that the only property they had available, in my price range, was '221B Diagon Alley'?"
"Is there something wrong with it?" He takes the folder back. "Two bedrooms with ensuites. The kitchen and living area are one conjoined space. All seems to be in order." He frowns. "Shall I ask for other options?"
"No no, It's perfect." I say quickly. "How much will it cost?"
"Gringotts has offered it to me for 160 galleons a month." I let out a low whistle. 160 multiplied by £5 is £800 a month.
"Not cheap. My trust vault had about 60,000 galleons ( £300,000 ) in before last summer, right?" He nods. "And I get 500 galleons ( £2500 ) per month that I can access?"
"That is correct. The vault became active in August last year, so you have 9 months of galleons available – Which equates to-"
"4500 galleons ( £22500 ). So the 500 a month was designed to see me through for 10 years?"
"I believe that was the contingency plan in the event that your parents did not make it through the war."
"Contingency plan?"
"I'm sure Lily would have given you almost anything you wanted and James – The things she wouldn't." His eyes twinkle as he smiles. I close my eyes and lean back in the chair. Fucking Voldemort.
"Draco told me the Potters were important in their day. Do I have to deal with that?"
"You have a few years before you will be required to."
"Required to?" I open my eyes again.
"A wizard becomes an adult at 17 years of age, as you will. In your position, the family will fall to you as the only remaining adult Potter."
"Right." I nod." That makes sense, but I could take it on early, for some bizarre reason, If I wanted to?" Albus nods. "Who's in charge now? Gringotts? Is it all frozen?"
"James, as the last Head of the family, created a list of trusted parties to be his successor, until you were of age, to become the Regent – A temporary head."
"Who was on the list?" I lean forward.
"At the very top was, of course, Sirius Black. They were all but brothers, but due to his unlawful incarceration, he could not take up the post."
"Unlawful? How?"
"Sirius never had a trial." He says triumphantly. I hit my forehead against his desk.
"Why even have law enforcement if they don't do t heir jobs?"
"It was war time."
"Right right." I sit back up, waving my hand dismissively. "So this might be a way to bust him out; by getting him retried, or tried at all." I nod slowly. The plan holds merit. "Who else was on the list?"
"Peter Pettigrew, but he is deceased."
"Wasn't Lily included?"
"Ah, forgive me. This was a plan for if they both were to pass away, as it was unlikely that only one of them were to fall without the other." He says gravely. "The estate would have passed to Lily if only James were to have passed; This would have upset some parties."
"Like Lucius Malfoy?" I smirk. "No, I can't imagine he'd have liked that one bit."
"Indeed." He says. "The next name on the list, much to my protest, is my own."
"Which is how you organised all of this?" I tap of the folder, he smiles and nods.
"Exactly."
"Why didn't you want to be listed as a potential Regent?"
"If all of the boys had been killed, I didn't want to be seen as the old man stealing all the money." He chuckles.
"No, I suppose you wouldn't." I grin. "So, I'm not going to be punished for tonight?"
"Beyond a stern 'Don't be out after curfew', I think not." He smiles. "If what you have said is true, you have saved us all, once again, from Voldemort."
"All in day's work." I sigh. "Everyone will know by tomorrow, I'm sure."
"Not if you don't tell them." He says, I can't help but snort indignantly.
"Snape has probably told his house, so everybody will know soon enough. It's how things work here; Just another thing to add to my resumé I guess. Could you buy the flat then? I like the idea of having my own place to live."
"I shall write to them in the morning."
"Thanks. I'll head off now; Fighting undead Dark Lords takes it's toll." I stand up and turn to the door. "And don't think we won't be having a long conversation about that undead part."
"Goodnight, Harry."
The conversations at breakfast the next day are mostly focussed on the oncoming exams, but some are speculating about Albus' announcement in regards to Professor Quirrell's sudden departure.
"What do you reckon happened to him?" Tonks asks me.
"Maybe he caught sight of his shadow?" I shrug. "He seemed a bit jumpy."
"A bit?" She snorts. "I think the sound of his own voice scared 'im." She turns and looks up at the staff table. "Was never any good anyway." She turns back to me. "Nervous?"
"Nah." I laugh. "No reason to. I'm only in my first year, 5th and 7th are the ones to be worried about, but don't worry – You'll do fine."
"Me?"
"You're the nervous one here." My eye flick up to her hair. "Your hair is dark blue, and even if nobody but the two of us knows that's not good, it doesn't change that you're nervous." I smile as she pouts.
"I hate it when it does that." She shakes her head, settling for a purple colour. "Better?" She asks.
"Some say a fake smile can evolve into a real smile." She groans loudly, rolling her eyes.
"You spend too much time with Dumbledore." She says. "You're starting to talk like him."
"If I ever start talking entirely in proverbs, I need you to give me a good slap." She laughs and nods. "But seriously, you'll do fine this week. You set your mind on something and you'll stop at nothing to get it. You've wanted to be an Auror forever, right? I don't think some stupid NEWT test will stop you. And besides, if you fail, you can always work in the Three Broomsticks, pouring drinks over the patrons." I grin.
"Thank you for your unwavering support." She says dryly.
"You'll be fine. I'm sure there are self serving drinks that can't be spilt."
A/N: Sorry for the delay, i'm not going to have as much time to write now September is here, but i will keep trying - I feel like i've burnt out a little bit.
This chapter was designed to stray away from Quirrell to reflect Harry's absent mindedness and partial disassociation. It will all be whipped back into place in time.
A few people said that Harry's interactions with the Aurors were Sherlock-like, so i picked this address for him to live in.
Feedback is greatly appreciated and until next time - Enjoy.