Child of Dreams: The whole infected profile issue. The latest news FFN announced about that matter was a tweet in October 25th 2018 saying "a security review of the entire system is underway". Until they announce the security review is finished and it's safe to navigate FFN while logged in, I'll be reluctant about posting new stories here.

davycrockett100: thanks.

Chapter 16: Change of Plans

"Honestly, Dumbledore." Lord Arcturus Black was livid. "What were you thinking? Hogwarts is supposed to be a safe place for young wizards and witches to learn magic, not a place to keep such a Dark Lord bait as the Philosopher's Stone! Send it back to Flamel or at least send it to a Gringotts vault with better safety options than the empty one someone broke into in late July."

"How did you know the stone was there?" Dumbledore asked.

"You just told me, Dumbledore." Arcturus answered. "I just mentioned that vault as a reference since someone broke into it. Something like the Philosopher's Stone is worth a dragon-level security. Assuming it's really the Philosopher's Stone. I just can't imagine Flamel parting with it. I assume it's a decoy."

Obviously, Albus Dumbledore would never confirm or deny it. "How do I know you're not just trying to get the stone out of Hogwarts so Voldemort will have a better chance of getting it?"

"Are there no limits to your bias against the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?" Arcturus asked.

"Your grandson Sirius is Voldemort's right-hand-man and you tricked the Wizengamot into releasing him." Dumbledore argued.

"I just pointed out reasons to doubt his supposed guilt." Arcturus counter-argued. "You should have honored his right to a trial."

"He ordered his own wife's death." Dumbledore said.

"An accusation based on nothing better than the word of people who falsely claimed his daughter was killed as well." Arcturus pointed out. "One of those liars even claimed Acquila's inheritance from her mother's side for himself until the truth was revealed."

"Lord Black, shouldn't we stay focused on the reason we came here?" Amelia Bones suggested.

"You are correct, Madam Bones." Arcturus agreed. "Headmaster Dumbledore, remove that Cerberus and the Philosopher's Stone from Hogwarts grounds right now."

'Even with the rumors of his decaying health, Arcturus Black still causes trouble.' Dumbledore sadly thought.

While Dumbledore and the few he trusted were transferring the Philosopher's Stone back to Hogwarts, Ronald Weasley decided to antagonize Harry and Acquila one more time. "It's your fault, Black!" Weasley said."

"What're you blaming me for this time, Weasley?" Acquila asked with an annoyed tone.

"Snape gave Fred and George detention for the whole term because they called him 'Professor Snivellus'." Ron said with a frown. "They said it was you who told them about that nickname."

"I warned them about how furious being called 'Snivellus' Professor Snape used to get back then." Acquila argued.

"Did you really think they'd heed warnings against making Snape furious?" Ron asked.

"How they reacted to my warnings was their choice, not mine." Acquila said. "Do you have anything else to say, Weasley?"

"Yes." Ron answered. "Someday I'll find out whatever spells your Death Eater father used to make Harry and his muggle relatives trust him and then your father will rot in Azkaban and I'll get an Order of Merlin First Class!"

"Don't you have any Quidditch training?" Harry asked.

"Oh, thank you for reminding me, Potter." Ron replied. "I can't let Wood waiting for long."

"So easy to distract." Harry commented.

Meanwhile, Voldemort and Quirrell were reviewing their situation. "It sssseemsssss we'll need a change of planssssss." Voldemort commented. "Back to Gringottssssss."

"With the dragon this time?" Quirrell asked. "Shall we call Pettigrew's help?"

A few days later, the first year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were waiting for Professor Quirrell to show up to teach them. "What happened?" Acquilla asked.

"Weasley's probably annoying him about the missing rat." Harry joked.

To their surprise, Professor Severus Snape showed up instead of Quirrell. "Students, it's my sad duty to inform you that Professor Quirinus Quirrell is no longer alive." He announced.

"What happened to him?" A student asked.

Professor Snape was so shaken by the latest development he didn't even dock points for the interruption. "He was caught trying to rob Gringotts." He paused for the students' reactions. "The Daily Prophet will give more details later along with some rumor that Peter Pettigrew was caught with him."

"I told you!" Acquilla exclaimed in triumph. "Pettigrew didn't die at the explosion! Well, I assume the goblins killed him now. Was it painful?" She asked with an expression that made it clear she wanted the answer to be 'yes'.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Black, whoever it was who accompanied Quirrell to that suicide mission escaped before being killed or even identified." Snape replied. "Now, it would be time for lessons but Headmaster Dumbledore ordered today's lessons to be cancelled due Professor Quirrell's death."

End chapter.