It was the last week in May and they were a week away from exams. Rachel found she could hardly go anywhere in Hogwarts without running into people talking about what might be on the tests and looking through their notes and books.
Their study group had finished their review schedule and had begun to test themselves on the various subjects they thought were likely to be on the exams. Apart from Charms and Transfiguration, which Rachel knew she couldn't pass, her biggest concern was History of Magic. There was so much information to know, and unlike the other classes, it was difficult to find ways to organize it into distinct topics. It didn't help that Professor Binns' lectures were very dull and hard to sit through.
They were in the middle of rereading their notes on the Gargoyle Strike of 1911 when Rachel quickly wrote out 'bathroom' on a piece of parchment and pushed it to the middle of the table.
"Want one of us to come with you?" Millie asked.
Rachel shook her head. There was a bathroom just down the Defense corridor. She wouldn't be long. Besides, with impending exams, the war between Houses had come to a standstill.
She left the study room and made her way down the hall to the bathroom. They only had an hour until curfew and the Defense corridor was empty of students and ghosts alike.
After using the bathroom, Rachel stepped back out into the corridor and paused. She thought she heard someone crying. She followed the sound, which led her to the classroom where they had Defense.
"Please, please."
Rachel froze just outside the doorway. It was Professor Quirrell's voice.
"Not again," he begged. "Please. I can't. They know it's me."
Rachel listened carefully, but she couldn't hear whoever was threatening him.
"All right, I'll do it," Professor Quirrell said. "I'll get the Stone."
Rachel's jaw dropped with the realization that it must be the Dark Lord who was threatening him. Which meant the Dark Lord was here, in Hogwarts.
"Yes, I'll go now," Professor Quirrell sobbed.
Rachel took off at a run, her heart in her throat. Professor Quirrell and the Dark Lord were going to get the Philosopher's Stone. Now. She nearly fell as she raced down the staircases. She ignored the handful of students she saw and continued to run until she got to Professor Snape's office. She pounded on the door.
The door swung open a few moments later, Professor Snape's face livid. "What the hell- Rachel? Rachel, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone quickly changing when he saw her.
Rachel raced into his office and looked around for a quill and parchment. There was plenty of parchment around but she didn't see a quill. There was no time.
She turned to Professor Snape and focused as hard as she could. "Dark Lord here. Quirrell. Stone." Her voice was barely a whisper and her throat burned, but Professor Snape had heard her.
"The Dark Lord is here and Quirrell is going after the Philosopher's Stone?" Professor Snape asked, his eyes wide.
Rachel nodded frantically.
Professor Snape waved his wand in a circle and a bright gold bubble spread around them and into the walls. "I've warded my quarters and office against any intrusions. Stay here until I come back for you. Do you understand me?"
Rachel nodded.
Professor Snape waved his wand again and a bright silver doe appeared. "To Albus Dumbledore. I was wondering if you would join me for tea at nine."
The doe hesitated and then ran through one of the walls.
"Stay here, in my office or my quarters. Do not leave unless I come back or Professor Dumbledore comes to get you," he repeated.
Rachel nodded again.
Professor Snape took some floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. "Defense classroom." He stepped into the green flames and then was gone.
Rachel sank down into the nearest chair, her heart still pounding. So many things had happened in such a short space of time, she didn't know what to think about first.
Somewhere, beneath all of the fear of what was going to happen to Professor Snape, she felt a small glow of pride. She had spoken.
The Defense classroom was empty when Severus arrived. He didn't know how much of a lead time Quirrell had, but he had to do whatever he could to catch up.
He knew Albus was away at the Ministry, but Severus' message should bring him back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. The code was an old one, used by the Order of the Phoenix ever since Albus had discovered how to use Patronus' for conveying messages. There was no way to know who would be around when the Patronus delivered its message, so they'd come up with a code.
Asking to have tea at six meant that the situation was as expected. Tea at nine meant something was wrong and assistance was needed as soon as possible. In this case, tea at nine directly meant Quirrell had gone after the Stone and Severus was in pursuit. Tea at midnight would mean it was a worst case scenario. They used the numbers in between for various shades of meaning.
In short order he arrived at the door that was served as an entrance to the enchantments that were guarding the Stone. He listened carefully, and when he didn't hear the Cerberus growling he eased open the door. The Cerberus was asleep and a harp was playing nearby.
"Ludere chordis," Severus said as he pointed his wand at the harp, not wanting to rely on Quirrell's charm to make sure the music continued.
He watched the Cerberus for any signs of movement and then made his way to the trap door. Quirrell had somehow managed to close it behind him. Severus eased the door open and then lit his wand and pointed it downward. Albus was the only one who knew all the enchantments guarding the Stone.
His light did little to illuminate the darkness below the trap door and there was no ladder or obvious means of descent. Seeing no other option, he cast a Feather-light charm on himself and jumped.
The Feather-light charm slowed his fall and he landed easily on his feet after falling for about a minute. The trapdoor seemed very distant when he looked up. He thought this must be some section of the dungeons that was cut off from the rest.
Tendrils of a plant wound their way toward him and Severus immediately recognized the Devil's Snare. This must have been Pomona's contribution. "Incendio," he said, holding his wand in front of him and moving it back and forth to burn away all of the seeking tendrils. A few minutes later nothing remained of the plant but a few burning embers in the corners of the room.
Severus turned down the only passageway that was open and began walking. There was water trickling in from somewhere and he wondered if this section of the castle might be under the lake. He paused when he heard a sound ahead, holding his wand at the ready. There was the sound of rustling, like birds, and a strange clinking noise. Maybe chains?
The archway ahead was lit brightly and Severus made his way into the chamber, stopping at the very edge. What appeared to be small birds fluttered around the ceiling, perhaps prepared to attack whoever crossed the room.
Severus aimed his wand above his head and cast "protego". With his Shield charm firmly in place he made his way across the room to the door. The birds made no move to attack him. Maybe he had to try the door first. He touched the handle, but there was still no response from the birds. He released his Shield charm.
He silently cast the Unlocking charm, not expecting it to work - which it didn't - and then reexamined the room. There were a few broomsticks leaning against the wall.
Severus looked up again and focused on the birds. Keys, he realized. Filius had enchanted flying keys. He looked back at the lock, examining the keyhole, and decided the key would likely be large and silver.
Before long he spotted a key that matched that description with its feathers already bent. He was no Seeker and he had no intention of wasting time flying around on a broomstick when Quirrell was advancing toward the Stone. Modifying charms wasn't really his area of expertise, but he could do it when necessary. He pointed his wand at the key, aiming steadily. "Accio clavis argenti," he incanted, then quickly throwing up a Shield charm again just in case his interference caused the keys to attack.
Multiple silver keys were summoned by his spell, but he was able to catch the one he thought he needed and shoo the others away. The key fit easily in the keyhole and the door opened, the key taking off in flight once again as soon as he let go.
With his wand ready, he stepped through the doorway into the darkened chamber. He lit his wand and stepped forward, but he had only made it a few feet before light flooded the chamber to reveal a giant chess set. This would be Mineva's contribution, undoubtedly.
He approached the chess board, the black pieces on his side, and immediately realized what Minerva had intended. He didn't have time to play a game of chess. He needed to catch up with Quirrell and the Dark Lord before he got the Stone.
"Bombarda," he called, directing the blast at the pieces in front of him. It took out six of the chess pieces. He took a step back to avoid the flying fragments of stone and used two more Exploding charms to take out the rest of the black chess pieces. He crossed halfway and then did the same to the white chess pieces. He had no doubt of what Minerva's expression would be if she ever found out how he got past her contribution to protecting the Stone.
He stepped through the fragments of chess pieces and made his way down another passageway. Soon he reached a door and he could smell the troll inside before he even opened it. Of course Quirrell would think it was a good idea to keep a troll in an enclosed space.
Severus took one last breath of fresh air and opened the door, ready to aim a Blasting curse at the troll's face. Inside, he found the troll laying out on the ground, still breathing but unconscious. Managing not to gag, he hurried through the room and up to the next door. He listened and then went through when he didn't hear anything.
At last, his own contribution to protecting the Stone.
He went over to the table and read over the logic puzzle he had written to make sure Albus hadn't made any changes. He found it exactly the way he had written it. He picked up the smallest bottle and walked over to the black flames in the doorway leading onward. Unless he was miscalculating, Quirrell - and the stone - would be in the next room.
He drank the Fire Protection Potion and took a slow and steady breath as he prepared to walk through the flames. His objectives were simple. Stop Quirrell and the Dark Lord. Protect the Stone.
Severus stepped through the flames and walked into the final chamber.
Quirrell was waiting for him, standing in front of a mirror. He turned when Severus entered the room.
"Severus, I might have known you would come," Quirrell said with no trace of his signature stutter.
"It's not too late, Quirrell. You can walk away from the Dark Lord. You can still join us," Severus said, hoping that Quirrell wouldn't hear the lie in his words.
Quirrell laughed.
"It is far too late. Lord Voldemort and I are as one, in a way you could never hope to be. Shall I show you?" Quirrell asked. He reached up and pulled off his turban.
Quirrell turned his back on Severus. "Are you still my faithful servant, Severus?" the face with the red eyes on the back of Quirrell's head asked. There was a slight movement as Quirrell raised his wand.
"Avada kedavra!" Severus shouted, a flash of green light flying from his wand.
Quirrell fell forward. Dead.
A white specter with red eyes rose from Quirrell's head and flew at Severus while screaming "Betrayal!"
Severus dropped to the floor just in time to prevent the specter - whether the Dark Lord's spirit or soul, he didn't know - from flying through him.
He got to his feet and went to check on Quirrell. Quirrell was dead. Of course, he had been the minute he'd allowed the Dark Lord to share his body. Quirrell must have been the one drinking unicorn blood in the forest in order to stay alive while being possessed.
It took him two tries to successfully cast the Patronus charm. "To Albus Dumbledore. Tea at eleven."
His doe inclined her head and then took off at a run.
They had been very near disaster and yet the Stone had been protected.
Severus walked over to the mirror, approaching it from the side so he wasn't reflected. He was curious as to how Albus had chosen to protect the Stone. He read the inscription on top. It read 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'.
The solution was simple. Albus had placed the stone in the mirror. Anyone who wanted the Stone for itself would be allowed to take it. Anyone who wanted to use the Stone would see the effects - wealth and immortality. Simple, yet effective.
Severus hesitated for a moment, uncertain if he wanted to know what his heart's true desire was. He finally stepped in front of the mirror, though no amount of bracing himself could have prepared him for what he saw.
He was there, smiling and laughing. His hand was on Rachel's shoulder. Rachel was looking up at him, smiling and talking. And next to them was Lily. His wife.
He stumbled away from the mirror, feeling Lily's loss all over again.
What would she say if she could see him now? Would she approve of how he was raising her daughter? What advice would she have for him?
There was no way to know.
"Severus?"
He looked up and found Albus walking toward him.
"Quirrell is dead. I was forced to kill him. He was possessed by the Dark Lord. When I killed Quirrell, the Dark Lord's spirit, or his soul, flew out of him. The Dark Lord is aware that I have betrayed him," Severus recounted.
Albus nodded and bent to check on Quirrell. "The Killing Curse?"
"The Dark Lord had just revealed himself to me and was preparing to attack. I felt anything less than death would not stop him. I couldn't leave the Stone unguarded," Severus explained.
"You mistake me, I meant not to condemn your actions, just to confirm what had happened," Albus said. "You did what was necessary. Voldemort was prepared to take the Stone. We could not allow that to happen."
Severus nodded. "What is our story?"
"Professor Quirrell was killed by the protections guarding the Philosopher's Stone when he attempted to steal it," Albus said. "I will tell the Minister as much, though I will reveal to him that Voldemort was possessing Quirinus so he can be aware of the possibility."
It was close enough to the truth. Severus was one of the protections guarding the Stone.
"And the Dark Lord?" Severus asked.
"Same as before. We watch and we listen," Albus said. "There is very little Voldemort can do without a body, however, I suspect he will find yet another who is willing to carry out his will. For the time being, I believe the mirror will do an adequate job of protecting the Stone."
"If you feel it's safe enough," Severus said, trying not to show his doubt.
"It seems Quirinus and Voldemort had some time with the mirror before you arrived and were unable to access the Stone. I would say that it is safe enough for now," Albus said. "Severus, you did well."
"Thank you," Severus said. "I left Rachel in my quarters. I'm going to go check on her, unless you need anything else?"
Albus shook his head. "You have done more than enough for one night."
Severus left Albus in the chamber with Quirrell's body and the mirror. He had done as much as he could do.
Rachel had gone into Professor Snape's quarters to wait when he didn't come back within fifteen minutes. She spent a while looking at the titles on his bookshelves, particularly the fiction books that he had indicated her mother had given him, all the while worrying what was happening.
Everything she'd read said that the Dark Lord was incredibly powerful. Could Professor Snape really stop him from taking the Stone? Could he even survive?
She supposed that it helped that the Dark Lord was weakened, maybe even cursed from drinking the unicorn blood, but he probably was still incredibly dangerous.
It was almost curfew when there was a sound coming from Professor Snape's office. Rachel realized someone was knocking at the door. She decided she should open it in case it was Professor Dumbledore.
"Rachel," Millie said, sounding relieved.
"What happened?" Theo asked. "We thought some upper years got you again."
Millie took a step forward but was rebuffed by a shield of golden light. The light disappeared when she stepped back again. "What was that?"
"Wards," Theo said. "Where's Professor Snape?"
Rachel held up a hand, hoping they would understand to wait, and went to find some parchment and a quill. 'I overheard Professor Quirrell talking to the Dark Lord and Professor Quirrell said he was going to get the Stone so I ran down here to tell Professor Snape. He went after Quirrell to stop him!'
She went back to the door and held up the parchment so they could read it.
"The Dark Lord is in the castle?" Theo said, immediately looking around.
"Should we get the teachers to evacuate the school?" Millie asked.
Rachel shook her head and went back over to Professor Snape's desk so she had a place to write. 'No. Professor Snape sent a secret message to Professor Dumbledore. I'm supposed to wait here until Professor Snape or Professor Dumbledore comes for me.'
She went back to the door and held the parchment up again.
"If Professor Dumbledore knows, he's probably taking care of things," Millie said.
"We shouldn't tell anyone. We'd either cause a panic or people would think we're liars," Theo said.
Rachel nodded. She went back to the desk to write again. 'There's a two-way book in my wardrobe. Hermione has the other copy. Write to her and let her know I'm okay and that Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore are going after Professor Quirrell and the Dark Lord. I'll come back to the common room after Professor Snape gets back.' If he comes back at all, she couldn't stop herself from thinking.
"We can do that. The one with the green cover, right?" Millie asked.
Rachel nodded.
"Given the wards, I think you're safest in Professor Snape's office," Theo said. "We'll see you soon."
"Yes, soon," Millie echoed.
Rachel waved goodbye and shut the door after they had hurried away. She was glad they were safe and hadn't encountered Professor Quirrell and the Dark Lord in the Defense corridor.
She tossed the parchment she'd used into the fire, collected a few more sheets for when Professor Snape got back and went back to the couch to wait.
Another thirty minutes passed while she sat and worried, and then she heard the door to Professor Snape's office open and close. She jumped to her feet just in time for Professor Snape to step through the wall.
"You are safe?" he asked.
Rachel nodded and quickly wrote out her questions. 'Are you okay? Is the Philosopher's Stone safe? Is Professor Dumbledore okay? What happened?'
Professor Snape read her note and then sat down in his armchair. "In order, I am alright. The Philosopher's Stone remains safe. Albus is also alright. I followed Quirrell through the protections guarding the Stone and prevented him from taking it."
'What about the Dark Lord?' Rachel wrote.
"He escaped. He's in a non-corporeal form, meaning he doesn't have a body. He's some sort of spirit or fragment of soul. I'm not certain," Professor Snape explained. "How did you know about the Philosopher's Stone?"
Rachel began to write, starting with her trip to Diagon Alley and Gringotts, the article about the attempted theft, being shut in with Fluffy and how to get past him, Hagrid accidentally telling them about Flamel, reading about the Philosopher's Stone and knowing the Dark Lord would want it, and about the unicorns dying and the Dark Lord drinking unicorn blood in the Forbidden Forest. She finished with the conversation she'd overheard that evening. By the time she was done she had filled two sheets of parchment, which she passed to Professor Snape.
He read through them silently, his left eyebrow creeping up his forehead. "You and your study group figured all of this out?"
Rachel nodded.
"I do not wish to lie to you. However, an edited version of what happened tonight will be made public. As far as they're aware, Quirrell attempted to steal the Stone for himself and was killed by the protections guarding the Stone," Professor Snape said.
Rachel's eyes grew wide. 'Did the Dark Lord kill Professor Quirrell?' she wrote, her handwriting messier than usual.
"No, though he would not have survived regardless. Quirrell was sharing his body with the Dark Lord, which is why he was drinking unicorn blood to survive," Professor Snape said. "You are not to tell anyone about this. In fact, apart from your study group, no one is to know that the Dark Lord was present or had any influence on the events that took place here."
'Shouldn't people know that the Dark Lord is dangerous?' Rachel wrote.
"The Ministry is aware that Albus believes that the Dark Lord was not killed on the night he attempted to kill you. Albus has not been circumspect in stating that. However, people do not want to believe that is true. To tell them that the Dark Lord was here, in Quirrell's body, without proof would only increase their disbelief and lead them to think Albus is lying," Professor Snape explained. "There will come a time when we can tell the truth. But that time is not now."
Rachel thought this over and felt like she understood. She had learned not to tell Aunt Petunia a lot of things, because it only got her in trouble, even if those things were true.
"Earlier, you spoke to me. Do you think you could do so again?" Professor Snape asked.
Rachel took a deep breath and opened her mouth, willing herself to say something. Anything. She shook her head, feeling her face flush.
"Never mind. What's important is that you know you can speak. You heard yourself do it. The rest will come with time and practice," he said.
Rachel nodded. She had spoken. She wasn't sure if she could do it again, but she could keep trying.
"Do you have any other questions for me?" he asked.
Rachel shook her head. More than anything, she was glad he was safe and glad the Dark Lord hadn't gotten the Stone.
"I'll walk you back to the common room," he said, standing up. He wove his wand and a golden light peeled back off the walls and then disappeared.
They walked together in silence back to the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
"Thank you for coming straight to me tonight," Professor Snape said, setting his hand on her shoulder for just a moment. "Please let me know if you need anything."
Rachel nodded and went inside the common room when he opened the door.
Millie and Theo were waiting for her at one of the tables. She went over to them and found that they had her two-way book open and had recently written to Hermione.
Rachel picked up the quill and wrote out 'The Stone is safe. Professor Snape stopped him from taking it. Professor Quirrell was killed by the protections guarding the Stone. The Dark Lord is non-corporeal (a spirit or something) and he escaped. We're not supposed to tell anyone about the Dark Lord being involved, they're just saying that Professor Quirrell tried to take the Stone.'
"A cover up," Theo said quietly. "It makes sense, but still."
'I'm glad you're safe. I'm glad the Philosopher's Stone is safe. Let's talk about this in our study room tomorrow,' Hermione replied through the book.
Rachel nodded. She was strangely exhausted. 'Yes, tomorrow. Goodnight,' she wrote.
Millie looked around the common room. There were still plenty of people awake. "Tomorrow."