Those- Who- Lived

Chapter Four

After the mess in the forest, which had ended with Hagrid and the others finding them and then a trip back out, with Prince practically jumping at every little sound in contrast to his earlier nonchalance, it came time for exams. Harry took them as they came, doing the studying Hermione pushed on him, and glaring at Neville who just smiled and grinned at him as he barely studied at all and still managed to complete his tests in utter comfort. It was one thing that Harry had always disliked about Neville. That, and Neville and Hermione both would talk and talk and talk about their opinions of the exams and the questions they'd had to answer, something that usually made Ron feel more than a little green.

After History of Magic, their last exam, Harry and Ron shook off Hermione and Neville and wandered to the lakeside, resting comfortably on the shore as they simply soaked up the sun. Ron didn't seem interested in talking, and Harry was simply enjoying knowing there weren't any more classes. Harry broke the silence himself.

"Ron, you going to try out for the Quidditch team next year?"

Ron spun in place and gaped at Harry. "Holy … where did that come from? Harry, I'm no good at Quidditch!"

Harry stuck out his tongue. "Nonsense, you're grand. And if you're not, if you try out you can get practice." Ron glanced nervously away and grumbled under his breath. Harry sat up, not having caught it. "What has you in a pickle?"

Ron didn't answer, but a shadow fell over both of them and Harry looked up, and smiled. "Hello Hagrid."

"How ya doin', Harry. I was wonderin' if it was ye two over here. Where's Neville and Hermione?"

Harry smiled. "Library, debating over whether they got the questions wrong or not. Likely, Neville is leaning his chair back and laughing while Hermione is still tense. I already fried my brain with the tests, so I didn't want to talk about them again." Harry shuddered in distaste and Ron laughed.

Hagrid smiled down at them. "I could make you a cuppa tea if you want to come down to my hut."

"Sure Hagrid." Harry pulled Ron to his feet and they both tailed the groundskeeper to his hut. Once seated and enjoying the warm tea and artfully ignoring the rock cakes, Harry sighed comfortably, and then frowned. "Hagrid, is everything still okay in the forest?"

Hagrid shifted and gave Harry a weak smile. "Yeah, it's all sittin' right for now. No strangeness other than the centaurs commenting on the brightness of Mars. Silly stargazers. Nope, nothing even as interesting as Norbert."

Harry blinked and shook his head, thinking it would take quite a bit for something to match Norbert for interesting.

Harry rolled his eyes and tipped back his tea again, and Ron smiled. "Charlie's said Norbert fits in well, although he's got some interesting habits. Likes ripping blankets and cloth, and chewing on hard stuff, but he's really into music."

Hagrid smiled widely. "Course he is, that's one of my favourite ways to calm him down. Works on most every big creature I've met, from Norbert to Fluffy. Goes right off to sleep, Fluffy does." Hagrid's eyes then widened and he glared down at the two of them. "Ye're not to repeat that, boys. I didn't say that."

Harry put on an innocently confused look. "I didn't hear anything, Hagrid. Just you talking about Norbert." Ron rapidly nodded in agreement, looking vaguely pale. "However, chances are Hermione and Neville are a done their discussion and it'll be good to go see them. I won't say a thing to them, Hagrid, promise. The tea was wonderful."

Ron simply went along with Harry and Harry quickly pulled him out, much to Hagrid's relief. Once they were outside, Harry's face firmed and he took off at a flat out run for the castle, Ron by his side. Once they were at the doors, panting for breath and Ron was feeling mildly ill, he panted out,

"What was that for, Harry? He said he'd never told anyone."

Harry turned on him, "You think that's safe to assume? He never meant to tell us, and he just did! What are the chances he hasn't let it slip to anyone else? Would you rely on that? I did say I wouldn't say anything, though, so I just want to run everything else by Hermione and Neville again to see if they are seeing the same patterns I am. This just isn't cool, Ron, this just isn't. We shouldn't know word one, and yet … we know too much." Harry stalked down the corridor, heading firmly for the library while Ron jogged to his side and walked quietly beside him.

"We don't know everything, though."

"It's not hard to guess. Later, though."

Ron nodded, and kept his silence until they were up several floors and making their way through the library. Finally, frustrated, Harry attempted to whistle for them, but couldn't manage the sound. Which proved a good thing, as they ran into Madam Pince not two shelves later. She frowned down at both of them, but Harry just smiled brightly at her.

"Good afternoon, Madam Pince. May I ask if you've seen Hermione and Neville around?"

Madam Pince looked them both over as though checking for guilt, but apparently found nothing substantial and instead merely sniffed disdainfully. "They are over in the corner of Transfiguration and Potions, both talking politely and quietly." She glared at them. "Now then, you may join them if you will do the same."

"Yes Madam Pince." Harry gave a properly contrite look and then grabbed Ron's hand and hurried him off to the corner as well, trying hard to not snicker. They found Hermione and Neville shortly, and Neville stood immediately and grabbed Harry's arm.

"Harry, I was glancing through here and I saw Quirrel acting really weird as he looked through the higher level Transfiguration stuff. He was hunched really badly, as though he couldn't stand straight. He saw me, so I asked if he was alright and he just passed it off as stomach cramps. I will say those must be nasty stomach cramps."

Harry felt his own stomach tie itself in knots and swallowed hard. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, but he didn't quite want to put the pieces together yet. He was still being cautious. "Neville, sit down. We have to talk this out."

As Harry, Ron, and Neville sat, Hermione worriedly put her book away and frowned. "You're not going to be …"

"Hermione, what do you remember of what we've put together? About … about Fluffy." Harry chanced. Hermione opened her mouth, and Harry stopped her. "Could you write it up or something, or … I don't want to be overheard."

Hermione pouted, but quickly pulled out a parchment and began to write quickly. Harry was trying to put his own thoughts together, but shock kept creeping in and making them scatter.

"Here." Hermione returned, and slipped the paper over. Harry glanced down the list and swallowed.

-Fluffy on the third floor; both Quirrel and Snape tried to get past on Halloween

-Fluffy is Hagrid's, guarding a trapdoor and something from Gringotts

-Gringotts was broken into for whatever object

-Dumbledore and 'an old friend' know of object, and protection

-'Old friend' might be Nicholas Flamel, object Philosopher's stone

"So we don't know much according to this." Neville returned. "Why are you asking?"

Harry ignored him and fixed Hermione with a look. "You remember what a – what's hidden can do?"

Hermione fluffed some. "It can turn any substance into gold and produce the Elixir of Life, which will sustain life indefinitely so long as the elixir is available."

"Alright, and what does Unicorn's blood do?"

Everyone froze, and Harry continued.

"Unicorn's blood will keep you alive too; not immortal, but alive. Even from the brink of death, I think. You'll be cursed something horrible, but alive in the barest sense." Harry frowned. "Whoever it was who was killing the unicorn's was drinking their blood. And Prince got them bad – right in the stomach." Neville paled and gaped. "So isn't it funny that we know Quirrel's gone after this," Harry tapped the paper, "and he's got some stomach cramps right now? Having the Elixir will free him from the unicorn's blood, I'll bet."

Hermione was pale and her hands were fluttering around her mouth. Ron didn't seem capable of proper speech, but he was swallowing convulsively and shivering.

"You sure of that, mate?" Ron asked. "It sounds … I don't know, it sounds utterly barmy. Who would do that?"

"Who'd kill a unicorn?" Neville returned. "But really, what the hell can we do?"

Harry bit his lip. "We can tell a teacher. I'll bet they all know about 'it', or at least some of them. Professor McGonagall is definite, and Snape. I don't think Fluffy is the only thing guarding the stone, so they're probably in on it as well, and who knows, maybe Quirrel too." Harry bit his thumbnail and worried it in his mouth. "But I don't know how he managed to get hired with this … this … these issues. I mean, Dumbledore has to know, but how can he let him stay? Unless he doesn't know, but how can he not know?" Harry bent his head and pulled his glasses off, rubbing his eyes. "I'm so confused."

Hermione frowned. "Harry, if the teachers know, then they can take care of it."

Harry snarled, "Hermione, a teacher is the problem. Do you really think he'd still be here if they knew he was a problem? We'll just … have to tell someone. Make sure they know, just to be sure."

Ron spoke up, "I think Dumbledore should be in. We could tell him, I'm sure. Then we'd know for certain it was safe."

"But Ron, we're not supposed to know!" Hermione gasped.

Neville laughed, "I think they probably know we know. If Hagrid can't keep a secret he's not supposed to tell from us, he probably told Dumbledore we know already."

Hermione worried her lip. "Then why hasn't Dumbledore done anything?"

"Hermione, we're first years." Harry drawled. "No one will believe first years, and we don't even know enough magic yet to really speak of anyways."

Hermione looked mildly insulted, but she didn't argue the point. Quickly they gathered their things and walked out into the corridors before Harry frowned and sighed. All three of his friends looked at him expectantly, and he smiled sheepishly.

"I have no clue where Professor Dumbledore's office is."

However, after a few wanderings, they ran into the next person on their list: McGonagall. She looked down at them and frowned before coldly asking, "What do you think you're doing inside? It's a wonderful day out there."

Harry smiled thinly. "Professor McGonagall, I'm sorry to ask this but we need to speak to Headmaster Dumbledore."

McGonagall's eyebrow rose. "And why would you need that?

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Well, we have … Well, I'm a little nervous because of something I noticed. Professor Quirrel … you know my detention with Hagrid a few days ago or so?" McGonagall nodded. "Prince defended himself against the creature in a cloak that was attacking the unicorn, and recently … Quirrel seemed hurt and it was his stomach. Prince's –spell hit the cloak in the stomach and the parallel … it's just unnerving me."

McGonagall watched him curiously and looked him over thoroughly. Harry was flushed and shifting uncomfortably, wishing desperately that she would believe him. She finally sighed and tutted gently.

"Mr. Potter, each member of the staff was hired by Dumbledore personally and should have your utmost respect." McGonagall raised her hand to stave off the angry swelling of Hermione and Neville behind Harry and Harry rammed his heel onto Neville's foot. "However, I will mention your concerns to him when he gets back."

Harry whipped his head around to stare at her in horror. "Back? He's gone? Where can he have gone?"

McGonagall flushed, irritated. "Mr. Potter," She scolded briskly, "Headmaster Dumbledore is a very busy man and has many demands on his time. The minister requested an urgent meeting and he will be out of the school until this evening. I assure you, there is nothing to worry about in the meantime. If you are most concerned, you may remain in your commons or elsewhere, and need not remain near Professor Quirrel if he makes you nervous, but there is no other cause for panic. Everything is under control."

"But Professor!" Hermione whimpered. "We think he's after the Philosopher's stone!"

Hermione yelped as Neville kicked her in the shin, and Harry spared her a dark look as McGonagall paled.

"How do you know about that?" She demanded. McGonagall then cut them off with a sharp gesture. "Either way, you should not know and shouldn't be speaking of it. I will most certainly see you before Dumbledore when he returns, and hopefully he will be able to quell your curiosity. The stone is well protected, and I appreciate the concern, but keep it to yourselves. It is in no danger. Now, head back on outside or wherever suits you best, but please keep your nose out of this."

Harry quietly nodded, keeping his foot pressed gently against Hermione's and McGonagall left on her own way, giving them a firm shake of her head. Harry sighed, and then rounded on Hermione.

"Just because they all probably knew we knew, doesn't mean we should be announcing it. What if someone overheard you? Quirrel having a sore stomach isn't exactly the best proof in the world, you know."

A clatter came from down the hall and Harry paled and looked that way. Neville jogged off to look, but came back with a frown.

"No one. Didn't see anything. It didn't sound like too much, maybe a dropped knife or something."

Harry swallowed, and then shook his head. "This isn't cool. Dumbledore's not here. Without Dumbledore here, the first protection against someone going after the stone is gone. And if he goes after it …"

"We have to go after him!" Ron finished. He flushed as Harry, Neville and Hermione gave him odd looks. "What? We can't let him get that! Who knows what sort of evil he might get up to! I don't think Nicholas just chose to put it here for nothing; people are probably trying to steal it all the time. Quirrel must be someone really evil or something, or he's working for them."

Harry paled so quickly he looked like someone had coated his face with milk. Neville was equally pale and he prodded Harry gently.

"Harry … it can't …"

"You wanna bet it can't?" Harry rasped. Ron looked very worried and Hermione was swallowing hard. "Voldemort." Harry whispered. Neville twitched, and Ron and Hermione both flinched and paled as well. "He …"

"What do you think you're doing inside on such a … charming day, Potter? Longbottom, Weasley, Granger."

Harry turned with the others to look up at Snape and felt some colour return to his cheeks as he scowled at his least favourite teacher. "Sorry Professor Snape." Harry mumbled. "We were going over the tests in the library and got distracted on our way outside. We'll be going."

"Indeed. It'd be a right shame to lose even more points from Gryffindor, wouldn't it? Move along, then." Snape briskly walked past and down the corridor without sparing them a second glance. Ron hissed sharply, and Harry and the others looked at him askance.

"I wouldn't be too sure he's not got an accomplice in Snape." Ron spat. "He's foul enough."

Neville shook his head. "No, Quirrel and Snape don't get along. They wouldn't work with each other in the least. I'm sure of it. Quirrel doesn't like any of the other professors that I've noticed. Not even Filch."

Ron huffed, and muttered under his breath as he watched Snape stroll away, and Harry remained still in his own space, hardly breathing as he wondered just what four first years could possibly do.

IIII

Harry couldn't believe Ron and Hermione had talked him into this. Mind, they'd managed to make it all the way to the third floor corridor with his invisibility cloak, but Harry still wasn't convinced this was a good idea. Neville had gone to bother McGonagall so he could see Dumbledore as soon as he returned, but Harry had been overruled by Hermione and Ron's insistence that Quirrel couldn't be allowed to get the stone. The more he thought of what could be done with that, the more he knew he really didn't have much to say against Hermione and Ron.

However, looking at the large creature standing in the middle of the floor over the trapdoor they needed to get at did not make him feet too great about trying to get past the dog with Neville's old recorder. Harry didn't know much about playing, but he could certainly fake a half-decent tune on it.

"You guys aren't going to back down, are you?" Harry whispered, staring at the door that would be quite capable of just shutting everything back. However, he glanced around and found a harp sitting in a corner. When he saw that Ron and Hermione were likely going to back down, Harry pulled the cloak off them and stepped into the room. With proof like that that Quirrel was in there, Harry wasn't going to stop. He started the wavering tune before Fluffy could begin to bark, and then nodded his head that Ron and Hermione needed to come in. Both of them hesitated before walking inside and Ron ran to the trapdoor, wrenching it open even as Fluffy lay down and started dozing. Ron helped Hermione down, and then Ron waved for Harry to go. Harry walked over, and paused, waving Ron down before him.

"It's safe, I think … it's a soft landing, come down already." Hermione called.

Ron jumped, and Harry waited with bated breath for him to call back up. As soon as he did, Harry stopped and then he gasped as he was struck from behind. He didn't have a chance to cry out, before he stumbled and fell, going down the trapdoor and falling for a long distance. When he landed, someone else was on top of him, and Harry cursed and swore just before Hermione directed her lumos at him and squeaked. Ron hissed.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing, Prince?" He spat.

The person on top of Harry moved back and Harry sat up rubbing his head and glared. However, Prince had rapidly moved off whatever they'd landed on and was looking at them quizzically. Hermione, next to him, squeaked.

"Get off of there! That's Devil's Snare!"

Harry quickly stood, but the Snare was already grabbing at his legs, and he tripped. Hermione grabbed him, but she was chewing her lip as Ron yelled frantically, presently wrapped from his legs to his waist in the thick vines. He was ready to panic when fire erupted next to his feet and the Snare frantically released him, curling away from the glowing flames. Ron as well ran from the flickering fire and swiftly joined them on the floor, glaring.

"What was that for? I could have been burned!"

"That was very nearly the point, Weasley." Prince snapped. Harry and the others all glared at him as they pondered what might have brought Prince of all people to the forbidden corridor. Meeting their eyes he made a tight face and snorted. "You guys aren't the most observant, you know, and neither are you the smartest. But you had a point today, and I need to make sure you're wrong."

Prince glared at them a moment before he moved down the passageway leading forward. Harry glared and ran after him, grabbing his shoulder and holding him back.

"What did you overhear?" Harry demanded.

Prince made a face. "Just Professor McGonagall dismissing you guys. Then you commented that Quirrel had a sore stomach and I dropped my flute. Picked it up and ran off to try and figure out what was going on."

Harry paled. "So, you're as worried about that as I am."

Prince gave Harry a grim smile. "I'm more worried than you are, Potter."

Harry watched him as he paused and observed the next brightly lit room, and then shook his head. Prince apparently knew something more than he was telling, but he wasn't going into it. Deciding it didn't matter, Harry turned and observed the next room as well, wondering what it could be.

"Harry, that sounds like … wings or something." Hermione asked.

"Flying, enchanted … something." Prince grumbled. Harry looked at him, but Prince just gave him a look in return. Harry didn't press further; Prince was really good at discouraging people with that look.

"So we're going to have to cross. Think they'll attack?" Harry observed. Hermione behind him was chewing on his lip and Ron looked pale and nervous. Harry swallowed and sighed. "I'll go first then." Covering his head with his arms, Harry ran out into the room and darted to the door. Nothing came after him, and once he was over there, he glanced back up. The flying bird-like things were still where they were, lazily flapping about the room. Harry tried the door, and, when it didn't budge, urged the others out into the room, meeting them in the middle. Prince was already eyeing the brooms in the middle of the room, and he glanced back over to Harry.

"They're keys." He drawled.

A glance up proved him right. The flying things were keys, with brightly coloured feathered wings. Ron was eyeing them oddly, and Harry scowled.

"We need to catch the one that goes to the door, then, and we'll be flying to do so. I think, …" Harry glanced back at the door and frowned. "One that matches the lock would be what we're looking for, a big hefty silver one. Ummm, Hermione do you mind being left on the ground? Prince is the better flier."

"No, not at all Harry." Hermione laughed weakly. "I don't like flying, and we need to get this done fast."

Harry nodded, and Prince was already mounting a broom. Harry took his and flew into the swarm, followed by Ron. "Call out when you find the key." Harry ordered, hoping Prince would actually listen to him. However, it appeared he was listening as not too long after he did holler out.

"Found it! One with bright blue wings, one's crushed. It's way down here. Potter, come down on it with Weasley and try to catch it. Weasley, don't let it fly up. I'll trap it at the bottom and sharp eyes can snag it."

Harry quickly glanced down towards him and found the one he was talking about. When Ron looked lost, Harry pointed him in the direction and took off, pressing the broom for speed. As the key tried to fly farther away, Harry frowned and swung after it, taking only a moment before he snatched it out of the air and landed. Quickly, he stuffed it into the keyhole and opened the door before releasing it back to the air with a smile.

"Thanks Prince."

Prince flushed and frowned, not answering and he hung back to let them into the next room first. The lights came on, and all of them gasped at the huge board set up before them, the black chess pieces standing with their backs to them, and the white, faceless but looking their way. Prince swore under his breath, making Hermione yelp, and Ron swallowed.

"So we have to play across?" Ron tried.

Prince snorted again. "Well, you can try that. I'm going to see if I can't find a loophole. I never did like chess."

"Prince, stop!" Harry called. Prince didn't listen, and strode around the edge of the chessboard. Harry watched him, flabbergasted, and nearly swallowed his tongue when Prince stopped abruptly near the other side, just level with the white chess pieces. He placed his hand forward, and as he crossed what seemed to be an invisible line, one of the pawns next to him swiped out with its sword. Hermione screamed, but Prince dropped to his knees and dodged away, his face pale as milk as he hurried back over in their direction. Ron frowned at his return.

"Wasn't that smart, Prince." He sniped.

Prince growled at him. "Knock it off. You would have walked clean through the trigger and gotten all of the pieces after your blood. I was testing a theory."

Harry sighed. "Prince, chances are all the teachers enchanted these. I don't think they'd leave a hole like that, where you can just walk past."

Prince made a face at him. "Some people are just incredibly thick. So, are we doomed or what?"

"Of course not." Ron growled. "I can play use across."

"You're good at chess?" Prince returned, making a face. "I never would have guessed. Well then, lead on. However, if we're taking the place of pieces, I'm King. I don't want to die for your stupidity if I can help it."

Ron made a face at him, but the king had already stepped down to make way for Alan to step into his place. Ron frowned, and studied the board before giving his next command. "Harry, you take the place of that Bishop, and Hermione you take the position of the Castle. I'll be the Knight."

Prince snorted with laughter, but that was the last noise he made as Ron battled his way across the chessboard. At least, until Ron decided to be taken. Prince finally spoke up as Hermione and Harry objected.

"I don't see any other way either, so both of you be quiet. I doubt it'll kill him. You set that up real well, though, Weasley."

Ron looked down at Prince with an expression of surprise until he finally just shook his head and made his move. Ron was struck down, and Harry created Checkmate. Prince was the first to reach Ron's side as the game ended, and he immediately checked his pulse and breathing. Hermione was almost crying beside him, and Prince sighed.

"Granger, he's still alive. Just out cold, and probably he will remain that way for a while. If you want to stay feel free, but you'll probably be useful later on, you know."

Harry nodded beside Prince, and Hermione gathered herself together.

"Right." She sighed. "Let's go, then."

Harry led the way to the next door, with Prince trailing behind. The smell that came one as it opened made all of them hack, and Harry swore under his breath. "Troll." He groaned. A quick check proved the creature unconscious, and Prince was the first to the next door, with Harry and Hermione not far behind. He let Harry open the door and enter first, but as they all approached the table, flames erupted behind them and ahead. It was Prince's turn to swear now, but Harry felt hopeless at the bottles before them.

"Prince, do you know any of these potions?"

Prince shook his head. "They could be anything. Likely, they are disguised from what they really are, and there looks to be a clue over there anyways. Granger, you got that?"

Hermione picked up the paper and read the riddle out loud. Prince looked back at the table in disgust, but he looked hopeful at Hermione's happy expression.

"Oh, this is easy!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Enlighten us, then." Prince drawled. Harry couldn't stop his snort, but he waved Hermione forward as it was. She strolled up and down the table until she had pointed out each of the bottles that would take them forward and back. Prince sniffed each and agreed with her on what he could observe and Harry sighed as he looked over the black fire.

"Hermione, Alan, you two drink the potion to go back and get Ron. Go meet up with Neville and make sure you can tell Dumbledore what's going on. I'll go ahead and head off Quirrel but … I'm just a kid, okay? Please?"

Hermione looked ready to object, but Prince didn't even look that. He merely gave Harry a single look that told him that Prince wasn't going to be listening to him. Harry frowned. "Prince, there's only enough for one person to go forward. Unless you want to,"

"No," Prince cut him off. "You go forward. I'll be in here and keep an eye on you to watch." His hand fell to his pocket and suddenly Harry understood. Prince still had his small gun, and very likely he could shoot through the screen of fire. However, Prince continued his set up for Hermione. "I can drink and go back through any time, and I'll be able to help the Headmaster know what's happening, and possibly keep –Quirrel back if something does happen or he gets the stone and tries to run."

Hermione swallowed hard and paled. Harry didn't like the picture Alan painted either, but he nodded slowly to agree, silently hoping that it wouldn't happen. One hand went to the necklace he'd had since a child that would shatter were he to end up in a life-threatening condition, alerting his parents. He hoped it wouldn't break today. He nearly yelped when Hermione suddenly engulfed him in a hug.

"Harry, please be careful." She cried. "You're so much more than either me or Ron and … we'll bring help down here if we have to. Just hold on, okay?"

Harry nodded numbly, and Hermione pulled away with a blush. Prince wasn't looking at either of them, staring once more through the black fire as though he could see beyond it, and Hermione quickly drank a mouthful of the potion for return and left. Once they were alone, Harry swallowed and sighed.

"You've got your gun, don't you?" He asked. Prince nodded shortly, still looking past the fire. "Can you see past that fire or something?"

Prince blushed and glanced away. "No," He answered quickly, "just looking at it."

Harry felt slightly suspicious of what he wasn't telling him, but he looked back down at the phial in his hand and felt that suspicion melt away. "You're sure you can cover me with that … gun of yours from over here?"

"Somewhat, yeah." Prince returned. Harry felt that wasn't quite the answer he wanted, but he wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing. Still, he paused.

"You're sure this is the right potion?"

"Hermione's worked, didn't it? Quirrel's not stuck here, is he? I thought you were a Gryffindor, or you at least insisted on being one."

Harry scowled at the low blow, although he wasn't surprised Prince knew, and downed the mouthful quickly before he walked past Prince with a confident stride and through the fire. Once he was in the other room, he was less than surprised to find Quirrel standing there, staring at a mirror propped proudly in the centre of the room. Feeling Prince's eyes incongruously focus on his back strangely gave Harry courage he'd never known he'd had as he stopped where he was and watched silently as Quirrel glared once more at the mirror before him, a mirror that seemed more ornate than it should be, with writing scrawled across the top, 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on woshi'

Quirrel started and looked straight over at Harry, and Harry thought he heard a soft hiss from behind him. It may have simply been the fire, though, and Harry focused on the look that was crossing Quirrel's face, one of loathing that seemed so out of place on the nervous professor's expression.

"You." He growled. "I should have expected you to show up, Potter. You're just a nosy little brat, flitting around where you shouldn't be. I half expected it to be Longbottom here, though. Where is he, stuck on the path behind you?"

Harry kept his face clear. He hadn't expected to be greeted like that, and now he wasn't sure he knew how he wanted to continue going on. What was he supposed to do now that he was here? Somehow he didn't think a hair-changing curse was going to help him. In fact, the best thing he could think of right now was running straight back the way he'd come, but the fire was still there and he didn't think it would like him trying to pass through again.

All in all, Harry had never felt more screwed.

Please Read and Review! Anything is welcome.

Fire and Napalm