Hey y'all! Well, the first year of this story is coming to a close with this last chapter. Happy New Year and Happy 2013! Oh and thanks to Skylar97 for favoriting my story. That was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever received.

Disclaimer: I never have and never will own the Harry Potter series…no matter how much I want to :(

*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(

Sydney and Nicki walked in to face the last person they expected to see in the room.

"Professor Quirrell?!" the twins said in disbelief.

Quirrell turned around from the mirror, his expression hard and cold.

"I knew there was something off about you," Nicki added, crossing her arms and glaring at the teacher. She finally understood why the man gave her the creeps when Hagrid first introduced the sisters to Quirrell.

"No, no it can't be!" Sydney exclaimed. She was not used to being wrong and this was a huge shock to her. "Snape...he was-"

"Yes he does seem the type doesn't he?" Quirrell interupted, his voice deep and cold, not even a single stutter or twitch. "With him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-st-tuttering P-professor Quirrell?"

Nicki shook her head in disbelief. As much as she hated the man at the moment, she had to admire his convincing cover and well-thought-out plan. "Of course. In those crime shows its always the shy and fragile underdog who turns out to be the murderer, not the totally obvious first guess. Why didn't I think of that?" Nicki whispered to her sister.

Sydney ignored the brunette and walked forward, trying to figure out where she went wrong. "But that day during the quidditch match, Snape tried to kill Nicki."

"No, my dear girl...I tried to kill your precious sister! And trust me, if Snape's cloak hadn't caught on fire and broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded! Even with Snape muttering his little counter-curse."

"Snape was trying to save me?" Nicki replied, totally in shock that the man who acted like he hated her guts saved her life.

"I knew you two were a danger right from the off. Especially after Halloween."

"Then you let the troll in!" Sydney deduced, pointing a finger of accusation at her professor.

"Yeah, because of you Syd got buried in rubble and I got hit around like a baseball!"

"Very good, Potter, yes. Unfortunately, Snape wasn't fooled. While everyone else was running about the dungeon, he went to the third floor to head me off. He, of course, never trusted me again. He barely left me alone."

While Quirrell continued, the twins rubbed at their scars, which had all of a sudden started hurting.

"What he does not understand is...I am never alone. Now, what does this mirror do?"

Nicki then realized that the mirror behind Quirrell was the Mirror of Erised, as Dumbledore called it.

"I see what I desire," Quirrell said, his voice bordering on irritation, frustration, and confusion. "I see myself holding the Stone. But how do I get it?!"

"Use the girls" an airy voice hissed.

Quirrell whirled around, and, using a commanding voice in an attempt to regain authority, demanded, "Come here Potter! Now!"

Nicki, who was never good about taking orders, tested the man's patience by responding, "Which Potter, 'cuz, uh, there's two of us. You should know this by now, Professor. I'm Nicki Potter, and she's Sydney Potter." The brunette twin gestured toward herself and then toward her sister as she "reminded" the man of their identities.

"Don't test me, you little rebellious joker! Both of you! Now!"

The girls moved forward, but their walk was almost robotic. They couldn't stop or turn around, even if they wanted to. Their movement was involuntary and magically forced.

"Join hands, so that you see the same thing, and tell me what you see," Quirrell ordered coolly.

The girls took a deep beath and looked into the mirror together. Mirror Sydney held up her hand, which had a glittering red stone in it. Mirror Sydney gave a thumbs-up and passed the Stone to Mirror Nicki, who winked and smirked before she slid the Stone into one of the pockets in her cargo pants (AN this was supposed to be Sydney's moment, but then I took into account what Sydney was wearing (tight denim capris) and I realized it would be hard to fit a Stone that big into pants like that, so I made it the twins' moment together). Nicki slowly moved her hand toward the pocket and felt the bulge of a solid object inside it.

"What do you see?!" Quirrell asked, well more like demanded, not noticing the new occupant in Nicki's pocket.

"I, um, I see-"

"See us shaking hands with Dumbledore," Nicki cut in, knowing her twin wasn't a very good liar. "We've just won the house cup and Sydney was named the top student in the class."

"They lie," the voice hissed.

Quirrell looked furious. "Tell the truth! What do you see?!"

"Let me speak to them," the voice said, sounding like a parent when a child refuses to listen to the other parent.

"But master you are not strong enough," Quirrell insisted. The girls looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders in confusion as to who Quirrell was talking to.

"I have strength enought for this," the voice assured the man.

Quirrell surrendered and started to unravel his turban. By this point, the twins had started to back slowly toward the exit. When they looked up, they saw in the mirror's reflection, a separate face almost growing out of the back of Quirrell's bald head.

"Ewww!" the girls replied together in disgust.

"Sydney and Nicole Potter," the face mused, "we meet again."

"Voldemort?" the twins questioned.

"Yes. You see what I've become? You see what I must do to survive? Live off another, a mere parasite. He, in cold blood, can sustain me, but it can not give me a body of my own. But there is something that can." Voldemort smiled evilly as the girls understood what he was hinting at. "Something that, conveniently enough, lies in your pocket Nicole."

The twins turned around, let go of each other's hands, and bolted for the door.

"Stop them!" Voldemort ordered the other side of the head. Quirrell snapped his fingers and the borders of the chamber set on fire, preventing any escape.

"Don't be foolish," Voldemort chided. "Why suffer the ridicules of death, when you can join me and live forever?"

"Never!" the girls cried out.

"Bravery," Voldemort scoffed, "Your parents had it too. Tell me, girls, would you like to see your mother and father again? Together, we can bring them back." Images of James and Lily Potter appeared on the mirror, Lily next to Sydney and James next to Nicki. "All I ask, is for something in return," Voldemort persuaded, making it sound so simple.

Nicki pulled the Stone out of her pocket as if asking if that was what the face wanted. Sydney's face was a mix of confusion and moral concern, but Nicki was just unsure. She wanted her parents again, but she was smart enough to know who was the bad guy in the room. Sydney knew that even if they did hand over the Stone, Voldemort wouldn't follow through on his word.

But yet, the promise of time with their parents, even a few more minutes, was too tempting.

"That's it, Nicole," Voldemort pressed, delighted at the sight of the Stone. He was aware of the brunette's Slytherin qualities and the blonde's Ravenclaw qualities and knew just how to use them. "You see, there is no good and evil. Only power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we'll do extraordinary things. Just give me the Stone." Voldemort's voice and expression strained, as if he was growing frailer by the second.

Suddenly, the images of the Potters faded. "You liar!" Sydey yelled.

"Kill them!" Voldemort ordered his host body. Quirrell immediately obeyed and flew up into the air, speeding at the twins. He knocked them down on to the stairs and held them by their throats.

The Stone dropped out of Nicki's hand from the impact. Sydney tried reaching for the stone, but it was just too far for her to grab. Quirrell's grips tightened, blocking the airflow. Sydney clawed at his hand, and the second the girl's hand touched Quirrell's, the man's hand started smoking.

Quirrell cried out in pain and he let go of Sydney. His hand started crumbling like rock.

"What is this magic?!" Quirrell screamed.

"Fool! Get the Stone!" Voldemort commanded.

Nicki smirked as she thought of an idea. She kicked hard at the man's chest, knocking him down on to the floor. The twins got up, ran over to Quirrell, nodded at each other, and pressed their hands on his face. His face simmered as he hollered in pain. Voldemort now seemed to be feeling the pain too.

Within seconds, Professor Quirrell was reduced to nothing but a pile of ground rubble in wizard robes.

"Woohoo! We did it! We beat the bad guy! Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, break it down!" Nicki cheered as she and Sydney did a little victory dance, which was totally different from their happy dance. After a minute of celebrating, Sydney walked over to the stairs and picked up the Stone that they had put their lives on the line for.

The twins smilled, but suddenly, a pile of dust rose from Quirrell's, um, remains. The dust took the shape of Voldemorts. The girls shrieked as the screaming dust pile flew straight at, scratch that, straight through them. The action knocked the twins unconscious. They fell on the stairs next to each other, the Stone still in Sydney's hand.

*(

Sydney and Nicki woke up in the hospital wing, dressed in their favorite pajamas, Sydney in a hot pink pajama top and fuzzy purple and pink polka dot pajama pants and Nicki in a loose jersey-like gray top and blue star pajama pants. Their wounds were either bandaged or healed. They looked up to find a table full of sweets, treats, and get-well cards addressed for them.

"Good afternoon Sydney, Nicole," Dumbledore greeted them.

"How many people know about what really happened?" Sydney asked, curious to know how many people knew the truth versus rumors.

"Naturally, everyone knows about what happened down there in the dungeon girls," Dumbledore replied. He then started inspecting the gifts left for the twins. "Ah, I see your friend Ronald has saved you the trouble of opening your chocolate frogs."

Nicki gasped, "Ron! How is he?"

"What about Justin? Is he okay" Sydney asked.

Dumbledore held up his hand to silence the two girls. "Fine. They are both just fine."

"But Professor, what about the Stone?" Sydney inquired.

"Relax, dear girl. The Stone has been destroyed. My friend, Nicholas, and I have had a little chat, and agreed it was best all around."

"But then Flamel, he'll die, won't he?" Nicki questioned.

Dumbledore sat down on the end of Sydney's bed so he could talk to both of the girls equally. "He has enough Elixir to set his affairs in order, but yes, he will die."

"But how is it we got the Stone, sir?" Sydney insisted. "One minute we were just standing there and then it just shows up in Nick's pocket."

Dumbledore held up a finger to quiet the girl so he could answer. "Ah, you see, only the people who wanted to find the Stone - find it, but not use it - would be able to get it." Dumbledore leaned in as if to share a secret as he whispered, "One of my more brilliant ideas, if I do say so myself. Between you and me, that is saying something." The girls smiled at the old headmaster.

"But does that mean, with the Stone gone, that Voldemort can never come back?" Nicki responded.

"Ah, I'm afraid there are other ways in which he can return." The girls looked down in disappointment. "Girls, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?" The twins shook their heads. "It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for the two of you, and that kind of act leaves a mark." The twins reached for their scars. "No, no, no. This kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin."

"What is it?" Nicki asked.

"Love," Dumbledore answered, making a simple answer seem so profound. He patted the girls on their heads before he stood up and returned to looking over the goodies. "Ah, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Jellybeans. I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one." The girls grimaced in disgust. "And since then I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them, but I think I could be safe with a toffee colored one." Dumbledore picked a jellybean out of the carton, put it in his mouth, and seemed to be satisfied with it until he said, "Hmm, earwax."

*(

The twins left the hospital wing not long after Dumbledore's visit. In full uniform, they headed toward Gryffindor Tower and saw Justin and Ron talking at the top of a staircase. The boys turned and immediately grinned when they say the girls approaching.

"Alright there, Ron?" Nicki asked.

"Alright. You?" Ron responded.

"All good." Nicki answered.

"Sydney?" Justin spoke up.

"Never better," Sydney smiled. "How about you?"

"Great, especially knowing my girlfriend's okay."

Sydney held in a little squeal and Nicki and Ron were relieved that the two of them finally made it official.

*(

The school year ended with a feast just like the one at the beginning of the year, but this time the Great Hall was decorated with Slytherin banners and the place was covered with snakes and green and silver decorations. All of the houses, except for Slytherin of course, were bummed out by the results of the house cup. Gryffindor came in dead last, even behind Hufflepuff, because the twins, Ron, and Justin had cost their house so many points with their late night sneak-outs.

Suddenly, McGonagall tapped on her glass, drawing the attention of every student in the hall. Ron fixed his pointy black hat that was worn by all returning/experienced students for the feasts at the beginning and end of the school year.

Dumbledore stood up to address the student body, "Another year is gone. And now, as I understand, the House Cup needs awarding. And here is the house standing thus: in fourth place Gryffindor with 312 points." The students applauded weakly and Draco smirked at the losing table. "In third place Hufflepuff with 352 points. In second place Ravenclaw with 426 points. And in first place, with 512 points, Slytherin."

The Slytherins all cheered and made fun of the Gryffindors while Snape kept his demeanor while clapping hard for his house. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff clapped politely, but Gryffindor was too mad to applaud for the house of snakes.

"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin," Dumbledore congratulated. "However, recent events must be taken into account, and I have a few last-minute points to award." The students looked at each other in confusion while Snape looked at Dumbledore in concealed horror. "To Miss Sydney Potter, for the cool use of intellect while others were in great peril. 50 points." The Gryffindors cheered while Nicki gently punched her twin in the shoulder.

"Second, to Mister Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen these many years. 50 points." Once again, Gryffindors cheered for their member while Justin and Ron high-fived and Nicki and Ron fist-bumped each other accross the table.

"Third, to Mister Justin Granger, for loyalty to his friends and never backing out of the possible danger. 50 points." Cheers again and Sydney blew her boyfriend a kiss accross the table.

"Fourth, to Miss Nicole Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor 50 points." Everyone except the Slytherins hooted and applauded. McGonagall looked like she couldn't be happier or prouder for the membes of her house.

"We're tied with Slytherin," Sydney exclaimed.

"And finally," Dumbledore continued, "it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points to Mister Neville Longbottom." The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws screamed in joy. Neville sat at the table in shock. He couldn't believe that he was the one who gave Gryffindor the points needed to bring them over the top. The Slytherins were silent, staring at each other with horrified and humiliated expressions.

"If my calculations are correct," Dumbledore announced, "then I believe that a change in decorations is in order." The headmaster clapped his hands twice and the silver and green snake banners changed into red and gold lions. "Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws jumped up in excitement. Hagrid cried out, "Yes!" before he regained his composure as a faculty member of the school who couldn't show favortism. The students threw up their hats in celebration, all except the Slytherins, who if anything threw their hats down on the table in anger.

Sydney hugged Percy while Lee and Nicki held on to each other and jumped up and down in joy.

*(

The next morning, students were boarding the Hogwarts Express to go home for the summer.

"Hurry up now, or you'll be late," Hagrid warned some students who were taking their time getting their stuff on the train. Ron and Justin waved goodbye to Hagrid as they boarded. The twins stalled before getting on.

"Come on Syd," Justin insisted.

"Just give us a sec," the blonde twin assured him. She and Nicki hurried over to Hagrid.

"Thought ya were leaving without sayin' goodbye, didja?" Hagrid asked. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a red leather book, "This is for you two."

Sydney took the book and opened it up for she and Nicki to look at. Inside was a moving picture of the twins as infants with their parents. Lily was kissing Sydney's hand and James was using Nicki's hand to wave at the camera.

"Thank you Hagrid," the girls said together. They both gave him a big hug. But Hagrid let them go before he could start crying.

"Go on, on with ya," he said, waving the girls away to the train. "Syd, Nick, if that dope of a cousin of yours gives ya any grief, you can always threaten 'im with a nice pair o' ears to go with that tail." Nicki's face lit up at the opportunity.

"But Hagrid," Sydney argued, "we're not allowed to do magic outside of school. You know that."

"I do," Hagrid countered, "but your cousin don't, do he?" Hagrid winked and the girls left to board the train, where Ron and Justin were waiting for them at the door.

"Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?" Justin said.

"We're not going home, not really," Nicki replied. The four of them got on the train and the twins leaned out of the window to wave goodbye to Hagrid. Nicki was right. They weren't going home. They were leaving home, because now Hogwarts was their home, and nothing would change that.

*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(*(

It's just so sad that I'm done with this story...well not technically. But I have just finished my first story on fanfiction and it's making me all teary. Review and put me on author alert so you can know when Year Two comes out, but I'll post a note on this story for when it does. I love y'all and Happy New Year!