Harry began to step closer, a hand on his scar but Rohini stopped him. Quirrell's smile only seemed to get bigger and Rohini finally noticed he was standing in front of the Erised Mirror.
"Protective of your brother, as usual." He said. He wasn't stuttering anymore and his eye wasn't twitching either.
"It was an act all along, wasn't it?" Rohini asked coldly. "Playing harmless. Nobody would suspect a pitiful teacher likes you."
"But Snape…" Harry said, confused. "He hates us!"
"Severus?" Quirrell laughed, and it wasn't his usual quivering treble, either, but cold and sharp. Rohini clenched her hand around her wand. "Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. He does hate you, too. All thanks to your father, I suppose. Your silly, stupid father."
"You filthy little-!" Rohini said but Quirrell shushed her.
"Tut, tut, tut, Potter!" He said. "You wouldn't want to lose more points for foolish language against a teacher, would you?"
"You're no teacher of mine." Rohini said, trembling from anger. "It was you and not Snape who tried to kill Harry, right?" She asked and Harry glanced at her. She took a step closer. "At the Quidditch match. You jinxed his broomstick."
"I did, yes." Quirrell said, unperturbed. "Your friend Miss Granger accidentally knocked me over as she rushed to set fire to Snape's robe. She broke my eye contact with you. Another few seconds and I'd have got you off that broom. I'd have managed it before then if Snape hadn't been muttering a counter curse, trying to s-"
Rohini didn't let him finish.
"Flipendo!" She yelled, aiming at Quirrell who waved his hand. An invisible wave hit Rohini, sending her into a column. She hissed at the pain as her head collided against the cold stone. Her vision got slightly blurred from both the shock and losing her glasses.
"Rohini!" Harry shouted, running to her side and helping her to sit up.
"'m fine." Rohini grumbled. Actually, she was anything but fine.
"I knew you two were a danger right from the off. Especially after Halloween, when you stopped the Troll I had so carefully let in." Quirrell sighed, picking up the wand Rohini had dropped. He examined it for a few seconds before throwing it away. The wand landed right next to the mirror.
"Unfortunately, while everyone else was running around looking for it, Snape, who already suspected me, went straight to the third floor to head me off—and not only did my troll fail to beat you to death, that three-headed dog didn't even manage to bite Snape's leg off properly."
"You're the worse." Rohini spat. "I hope Dumbledore will kick your bloody damn ass!" She said, too furious to care about being polite but Quirrell wasn't listening, his eyes fixed on the mirror.
"This mirror is the key to finding the Stone," Quirrell murmured, tapping his way around the frame. "Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this …"
"We need to keep him away from the mirror." Harry whispered to Rohini who nodded. Wandless, she didn't have much choice than attacking Quirrell in a good old Muggle fashion. Roaring, she stood up and ran towards Quirrell and jumped on him, biting and kicking.
"Get off! GET OFF!" He shouted, his skin turning slightly red where Rohini's hand touched him. Harry thought about casting the petrifying spell but he was scared to hit his sister instead. Another wave hit Rohini who rolled a few feet away from Quirrell. It looked as if his face had caught a sunburn in the shape of Rohini's hands and a nasty biting mark was bleeding on his right ear.
"You little-"He began but an odd, ghostly voice cut him as Harry kneeled next to Rohini who was barely conscious, a nasty bruise on her forehead.
"Use the boy… Use the boy…" The voice said. It looked like it was coming from Quirrell himself and Rohini could tell she wasn't going to like the truth behind it.
"Yes, Master. Come here, Potter." Quirrell ordered but Rohini grabbed Harry's sleeve, shaking her head. "Now, or you can say goodbye to your stupid sister!" Quirrell threatened and Harry stood up and walked forward him and the mirror shakily.
"Tell me. What do you see?" Quirrell asked and Rohini wished she could see what Harry was seeing in his reflection. Realising Quirrell wasn't paying any attention to her now, too focused on Harry and the Mirror, she slowly crawled towards her wand.
"I see myself shaking hands with Dumbledore," Harry said and Rohini could tell he was lying. "I—I've won the House Cup for Gryffindor."
Quirrell cursed again.
"Get out of the way," he said. As Harry moved aside, Rohini stood up with difficulties. The high voice spoke again, though Quirrell wasn't moving his lips. Rohini gulped.
"He lies… He lies…"
"Potter, come back here!" Quirrell shouted. "Tell me the truth! What did you just see?"
The high voice spoke again.
"Let me speak to him… face-to-face…"
"Master, you are not strong enough!" Quirrell said, looking worried. Rohini looked at Harry and realised his scar looked more vivid than ever. He was obviously in pain, judging by his clenched jaw.
"I have strength enough… for this…" The voice said and Quirrell nodded. He then reached up and began to unwrap his turban. Rohini tugged on Harry's sleeve, nodding at the stairs. They should escape now that Quirrell was busy. But Harry didn't move, as if hypnotised. The turban fell away and Quirrell turned slowly on spot. Rohini felt like her legs would have given up if it wasn't for Harry's presence by her side.
Where there should have been a back to Quirrell's head, there was a snake-like face. It was chalk white with glaring red eyes and slits for nostrils, staring right at the twins.
"Harry Potter…" it whispered before looking at Rohini. "…And his sister."
"The sister has a name." Rohini said with more bravery than what she actually possessed. The head laughed. It was one of the creepiest things she had ever seen and heard.
"I had always value bravery… Yes, your parents were brave… I killed your father first, and he put up a courageous fight… but your mother needn't have died… she was trying to protect you. What a foolish woman!"
"Shut up!" Rohini shouted. "Don't talk about our parents like this!"
"Rohini." Harry warned her, stepping in front of her. "You're Voldemort." He said and Voldemort nodded.
"See what I have become?" the face said. "Mere shadow and vapor… I have form only when I can share another's body… but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds…"
"I doubt the Unicorn was willing to let you suck the life out of it." Rohini spat. She might have been bolder than usual, but right now it wasn't reason, but anger that controlled her. Anger towards her parents' murderer.
"Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks… you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest… and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own…" Voldemort said, perfectly calm. He seemed more interested by Harry than her. "Now… why don't you give me that Stone in your pocket?" He said and both twins froze.
Rohini glanced at Harry's pocket and realised that indeed, there was something in it. The twins took a step backwards and Quirrell forwards. It looked awkward and terrifying, this head on the wrong side of his body.
"Don't be a fool," snarled Voldemort. "Better save your own life and join me… or you'll meet the same end as your parents…"
"NEVER!" The twins shouted. Harry sprang toward the door, but Quirrell snapped his fingers and flamed blocked the way. He then began to float towards them but Rohini shouted "Lumus Solem!", blinding him with the flash of blue light. Harry passed her the stone and she began to run to the left and Harry to the right.
Voldemort hadn't seen Harry giving the stone to Rohini and urged Quirrell to go after him. Quirrell grabbed him and they rolled on the floor but Quirrell quickly let go of Harry with a yelp, looking at his fingers: they were blistering before his eyes.
"Seize him! SEIZE HIM!" shrieked Voldemort again, and Quirrell lunged, both hands around Harry's neck. Rohini screamed Harry's name and told him to keep touching Quirrell who was howling in agony, burning under Harry's touch.
"Master, I cannot hold him—my hands—my hands!" Quirrell finally let go of his neck and stared, bewildered, at his own palms, his left hand already turning into ashes.
"Then kill him, fool, and be done!" screeched Voldemort.
Quirrell raised his hand to perform a deadly curse but Harry grabbed his face.
"AAAARGH!" They both looked in pain, Harry because of his scar and Quirrell because of Harry. Rohini ran towards them and crushed Quirrel's second hand with hers; it must have been ready to fall into dust for even her touch, less powerful than Harry, crushed his hand. Quirrell fell on his knees and Harry collapsed over him.
"NO!" Voldemort screamed, furious as Quirrell's body turned into dust. Rohini grabbed Harry and tried to pull him as far as possible even though she had no strength left. Her legs suddenly gave up and she fell hard on her knees. She rested Harry's head on her laps, one hand on his forehead and the other holding up the stone.
"We did it, Harry!" She said, relieved when she thought she heard something being her. Turning, her eyes opened wide in terror as a dust cloud began to form and Voldemort's face appeared. He opened his red shining eyes and screamed in a distorted voice as the cloud rushed forward right through Rohini's chest. She gasped in pain as her whole body felt like it was going to explode, her heart beating way too fast. She collapsed against the cold marble floor once more, having one last look at the mirror where she thought she saw Lily and James Potter smiling at her before losing consciousness.
The Philosopher's stone had fallen right between Harry and she, shining.
Xxx
Rohini wondered when she fell asleep. Her pillow was softer than usual and the mattress felt like she was on a cloud. Smiling, she buried her head deep into the pillow, hoping to fall back asleep when the nagging feeling that she was forgetting something hit her.
Fluffy, Ron hit by a giant chess figure, Quirrell…
Her eyes suddenly flashed opened and she gasped for air, suddenly panicking. Voldemort! Voldemort was back! Someone's hand fell on her shoulder and she moved away, calming down as she recognised the blurry face of Albus Dumbledore. The old man handed her her glasses and she pulled them up her nose before looking around, recognising the hospital wing. How did she get here?
She also realised there were many bouquets and candies next to her bed, and she felt her chest getting warm when she recognised Padma's coconuts biscuits. Still, there was no sign of her brother.
"Where's Harry?" She croaked. The curtain around her bed was pushed and Harry appeared, all bandaged but smiling. "Harry!"
"Rohini!" He said and the two of them hugged as if they had been separated for years. "We did it!" Harry said with a huge smile on his face.
"What do you mean? Is everyone alright? What about the Stone? Professor, Voldemort he-"
"I know, I know." Dumbledore said calmly. "Your friends are alright and made sure to let the school knows about what you did. As for the Stone, my dear friend Nicolas Flamel and I decided it was for the best to destroy it."
Rohini knew there were many questions to be asked, but she still felt exhausted.
"Voldemort… will he come back?" She managed to ask, taking Harry's hand.
"Ah, I'm afraid there are ways in which he can return." Dumbledore said, looking at them above his half-moon glasses. "I shall leave you now. You're in good company." He said, smiling at Harry. "I hope to see you two for our last feast of the year." He said, before taking his leave. Rohini looked at her hands; they looked slightly burned.
"Did he tell you why you couldn't touch him?" She asked and Harry nodded.
"It was because of mum. She sacrificed herself for us and I'm not sure how it's possible, but her love protected us. It's stronger for me because I'm the one Voldemort tried to kill, but it must have rippled and left its mark in you, too."
"Glad I'm still the normal twin." Rohini teased him and they smiled at each other. "I'm glad we both made it, Harry."
"So am I." He said, taking her in his arms once again. "Do you know why Snape hates us, by the way?"
"Quirrell said it was because of dad."
"Dumbledore told me that dad saved his life and that Snape hated being in debt to him."
"That's so stupid. He's a grown up adult, not a gloomy teenager." Rohini pointed out and Harry shrugged. They sat in silence for the rest of the afternoon, thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days. At some point, Ron and Hermione tried to pay them a visit and it took five good minutes to convince Madam Pomfrey to let them in. Rohini felt too tired to talk and so it was Harry told them everything: Quirrell; the mirror; the Stone; and Voldemort. Rohini must have fallen asleep as he talked and woke up an hour before the final feast at Hogwarts.
She hurried to go take a bath, one of the only advantages when ending up at the Hospital wing was the warm bubble bath, then get dressed and hurried to run to the Great Hall. She and Padma yelled when they saw each other and Rohini almost knocked her off her feet when she jumped into her arms.
Padma had barely released her that Hagrid picked her up and turned on his feet, making her feel like she was flying. Hagrid was shaking with grief and remorse, great tears leaking down into his beard and Rohini promised him that it wasn't his fault, that Quirrell had used him and that there was nothing to be forgiven of.
Rohini waited for Harry, Ron and Hermione to arrive to step inside the Great Hall. Almost everybody clapped when the twins walked to their respective House table as they had all heard about what had happened. Rohini blushed, less nervous but still feeling awkward when she was the centre of all attention.
The Great Hall was decked out in the Slytherin colors and a huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table. It sobered up Rohini a little and she clenched her fists when she saw Draco smirking at her from the Slytherin table.
Dumbledore stood up, hitting a spoon against a golden cup. Silence fell on the Hall.
"Another year gone!" he said cheerfully. "What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…" The Weasley twins cheered up loudly, making everybody giggle.
"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Rohini felt bitter: if Snape hadn't taken away so many points from her, the Ravenclaw would have won.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little. Rohini straightened up.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…
"First—to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling. Rohini cheered just as loudly, clapping her hands furiously and ignoring the inching feeling in her palms. Dumbledore raised his hand.
"Second—to Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms and Ronini grinned, pretty sure her friend was now crying.
"Third—to Mr. Harry Potter…" said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points. But let's not forget Mr Neville Longbottom; it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Gryffindor for his courage."
The Gryffindors looked happier than children on Christmas. Rohini smiled proudly to her friends. Still, Dumbledore asked for silence.
"Of course, it would be unfair of me to forget Miss Rohini Potter, whose brave heart made her stood up against Evilness to protect those she loves." Dumbledore said, smiling at Rohini who felt the tears coming up to her eyes. "And so, to Miss Rohini Potter, I award sixty points."
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Ravenclaw table. Padma yelled and brought Rohini in a tight embrace, congratulating her and giving her two loud kiss on the cheeks.
"You've done it!" She told Rohini. "You've disturb the universe!" She cried, referencing to that conversation months ago about leaving Harry's shadow.
Professor Flitwick was standing on his chair, throwing his hat into the air and making glasses dance. Even McGonagall was beaming, for her house didn't come last for the first time in seven years. Snape looked furious, glaring at Dumbledore.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration."
He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became a beautiful dark blue; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a proud eagle took its place, opening his beak and shrieking. Rohini was hugged and applauded by every single Ravenclaw but was too shocked to care. Even Lisa mumbled a "well done" as she passed behind her.
Yes, Padma was right. Against all odds, she had disturbed the universe and now Professor Flitwick was proudly holding the House Cup which was as big as him. The feast was just as splendid. Only the Slytherins were looking bitter, though she saw one of two girls at their table flashing her a discreet smile and Rohini gave them a little nod; who said that every bad people were put in Slytherin?
The exams result came the day after via mail and Rohini was beaming when she saw that she didn't fail a single exam and even managed to get an honourable note in Potions. All her friends passed, even Neville who seemed to be more appreciated now. There were also notes with the results, warning them not to use magic over the holidays. It was a shame really, for Rohini had hoped she and Harry could have practiced together.
It's with nostalgia that they emptied their wardrobes and packed their trunks. Rohini exchanged her address and phone number with Padma, promising to stay in contact but warning her that it might be a bit difficult, considering the Dursleys' personality. Padma promised not to get offended if she got no news from her then, and told her that they will meet again in two months anyway, which seemed years away to Rohini.
Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake and Rohini looked at the castle slowly disappearing with a sigh.
"We'll be back soon." Harry told her, taking her hand. "I promise."
For the second time in their life they took the Hogwarts Express; talking and laughing as the countryside became greener and slowly turned into towns, eating too many candies that they had bought from the trolley lady and pulling off their wizard robes to change into normal clothes.
Finally; the train stopped and they stepped into platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross station. A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles.
Ron and Hermione smiled brightly as they spotted their families and insisted on introducing the twins to them properly.
"You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "both of you—I'll send you an owl. They can, right mum?"
"Of course, you two are always welcomed." Molly Weasley said, hugging them both. Her daughter, Ginny, smiled at them shyly. "Now, we can't let your father wait for too long. Percy, Fred, George! Come on!"
Ron waved at them one last time and Rohini pointed at someone waiting a few steps away. It was Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, still mustached and still looking irritated by the mere sight of the twins. Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley, looking terrified at the sight of Hedwig and Thranduil.
"Hurry up, we haven't got all day." He said, waving at them.
"Have a safe way to home!" They heard Hermione shout as she walked away with her parents.
"We're not going home." Rohini said, smiling knowingly at Harry. "Not really."
The twins smiled. With the Dursleys not knowing that they couldn't use magic on them, their summer promised to be rather peaceful after this one hell of a year. Sitting up in the car, Rohini saw Padma standing on the other side of the road, waving at her.
Yes, Rohini couldn't wait to be back to Hogwarts already. Back to their new home and newfound families. The universe had begun to shift and she wasn't done disturbing it.
It's the end! Thank youto everybody who took the time to read it. I hope you had fun, and that you enjoyed Rohini's character. Thank you!