Chapter 6: Christmas at Hogwarts

Most of the students except for the Weasleys, Hermione and Emily went home for the holidays.' Just look at their faces.' Harry thought as he flew back into Hogwarts. They were having an all out snowball fight but that all stopped when they saw Harry as a dragon. They all except for Emily ran for cover.

When Harry landed he looked at the others cowering behind trees and blew a fireball into the air just to scared them a bit more. Looking down he saw Emily, she stood their ignoring the warnings of the others to run.

'Hey Harry. Good to see your back.' She said pulling him into a hug when he turned to normal.

'It's good to be back.' He said returning the hug.' Did you see their faces when I landed?' he asked with a chuckle.

'Yea, I thought Ron was going to wet himself.' She said laughing out loud.

'Blimey Harry that was brilliant wasn't it George.' Fred said coming from behind a tree.

'Indeed it was Fred.' He replied.

'Where have you been Harry? We missed you all day.' She asked.

'Well you know here and there, maybe Scotland.' He mumbled.

'You went to Scotland. Why?' Ron said nearly yelling.

'Well Hagrid somehow got a dragon and I got Charlie to release it into wild Scotland.' Harry explained to them.

'Hagrid got a bloody dragon, can that man get any stranger.' Ron said.

'Well I'm going to go get some food; those sheep were filling bu-.' Harry started.

'You ate bloody sheep.' Emily yelled shocked.

'Well maybe just a couple hundred.' Harry said suddenly looking at the ground with interest.

'A couple hundred.' Emily said continuing her rant.

'Hey, are you going to come with me for lunch or not.' He said looking at her.

'Alright.' She said walking towards him and grabbing his hand.

Walking towards the castle he leaned towards her and whispered.' At least I didn't eat any muggles, I was slightly tempter though.'

'Harry!' she said smacking him on the arm.

Harry woke up on Christmas day by someone jumping on his bed.' Wassamata?' he asked groggily reaching for his glasses.

'It's Christmas Harry. Get up and come open your presents.' She said rolling him off the bed.

'Ah. That hurt Emily.' He said waking Ron.

'Come open your parents Harry, its Christmas.' Said tossing him a small package

Deftly catching it he saw that it was from his foster parents opening it he saw that they had gotten him three CD's of his favorite bands. He pulled out his CD player they got him last year and put one of the CD's in. He picked up a lumpy looking present.

'Looks like you got a Weasley jumper too.' Ron said, Harry noticing that he had an orange sweater on.

Opening it his sweater was green with snitches and quaffles on it.' Put it on Harry, I got the same one.' She said holding hers up.

Pulling it over his head he began opening his other presents, he got Bertie bots every flavor beans, chocolate frogs, a set of eagle feather quills and a couple of pranks from the twins and a wooden flute from Hagrid.

Harry was walking hand in hand to the Great Hall with Emily. When they entered they saw five giant Christmas trees covered with icicles in the corners and one behind where the teachers table was supposed to be. Since much of the students went home there was a single long table in the middle of the hall. They had a wonderful breakfast and Harry and Emily pulled some crackers. They soon found out that they weren't like the muggle crackers. These went off with a gunshot sound a large amounts of different colored smoke erupted from them, they got prizes like giant hats and such.

Harry and Emily decided to take a walk by the lake.' This place really is amazing isn't Harry?' Emily asked as they walked through the snow.

'It sure is. I wish mum and dad could see it though.' He said looking out over the water.

Harry noticed that she was shivering so he took of his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. They stood there for a while before returning to the castle.

A week after everyone had returned to school the next Quidditch match was taking place.

'All right team, listen up. We're about to play Slytherin. They will try and cheat their way but that won't matter because we have the better team. We've been practicing none stop. Harry, Maddie and Rideon try some unorthodox moves to throw Slytherin's chaser off their game. Beaters hit those bludgers with all your might, if they have the Quaffle hammer them. And Emily find that snitch and bring us home.' Megan said encouraging her team.' Who are we?' she yelled

'RAVENCLAW.' The team yelled in response running towards the entrance.

'Welcome to today's match of Slytherin vs Ravenclaw. After their defeat against Gryffindor they're hoping to make a comeback. Here come the teams now.' Lee announced with some of the Slytherin's in the stands scowling at him.

'And their off. Slytherin gets the Quaffle and passes but if intercepted by Evans.' Five minutes later the score is 90 to 0 for Ravenclaw when Emily sports the snitch.' Evans has seen the snitch and goes after it, Slytherin seeker trying to keep up but doing a poor job at that. She reaches for the snitch. A bludgers heading her way and Harry catches it?' there was a stunned silence as everyone saw Harry catch the bludger and restrain it under his arm.' Go' he shouted at Emily who was still chasing the snitch.

'Harry's still holding onto the bludger while Emily raced down the pitch chasing the snitch.' Said Lee who had regained his composure.' She dives and catches the snitch. Ravenclaw win 250 to 0.'

Harry flew towards Emily throwing away the bludger giving her a hug.' You were amazing.' He said with their foreheads resting against each other.

'Thanks, but blimey Harry did you really have to catch the bludger?' she asked.

'If I didn't you wouldn't have gotten the snitch. I reckon the parties going to be huge cause of that.' He replied.

And a huge party it was, the older kids managed to sneak some firewhisky into the castle. Professor Sinistra had to come to the common room four times before the party stopped and everyone went to bed. Harry and Emily stayed up later to revise for the exams next week.

'We're free.' Ron said throwing his hands into the air. They had just finished writing their last exam: History of Magic.

'Oh come now Ron it wasn't that bad.' Hermione said.

'At least now we can have a break. I'm going to miss this pace during the summer.' Emily said.

'Hey Hagrid.' Harry said.

' Hey 'Arry. How was yer las' exam?' Hagrid asked.

'Well enough.' He replied.' Hagrid I've been meaning to ask you. That night you got Norbet, did you happen to mention Fluffy to the man?'

'Ye he seemed really interested. He asked how I handled em and I said all id o is play a lil music and he falls righ' asleep an…. Ye weren't supposed te hear tha'.'

'it doesn't matter Hagrid. You can't stop us.' Harry said walking to the castle.

A few minutes later Harry found a present on his bed. Walking out of the portrait he showed it to Ron and Hermione, opening it a silvery material flowed through his hands.

'Woah if that's what I think it is.' Ron said.

Picking up a note that fell on the floor, Harry read' Your father entrusted this in my care, I think it's time for it to be returned to you. No signature.'

'Blimey Harry you just got a invisibility cloak. These are very rare mate. Put it on.' Ron said.

Harry threw the cloak over his head and heard the three of them gasp. Lifting the cloak slightly pulled Emily under it as well' This thing is bloody brilliant Harry.' Emily said amazed.

'Time to go through the trapdoor.' He said giving her a kiss before pulling the cloak off.

Making sure there was no one there they walked to third floor. Unlocking the door Harry started playing music as soon as he heard growling. The growling stopped soon after and they saw Fluffy sleeping and all three heads drooling. Passing the flute to Hermione who immediately playing he moved the moved a paw off the trapdoor.

'How far down do you think it is?' Emily whispered to him.

'I don't know but let's not take any chances.' He whispered to her before summing a stone slab from the wall and stepping on it. The other three jumped on and Harry slowly lowered them down.

'Hermione can we have some light please.' Emily asked her.

'Lumos.' Hermione said and gasped as she saw a huge plant all around the room.' This is a devil's snare. Harry get us to that door and whatever you do don't touch the plant.' She told them warningly.

Floating the stone they were standing on to the door Harry carefully opened it and everyone jumped through it. When they landed they heard something like trickling water. But looking up they saw thousands of keys flying around the room. They saw a big wooden door at the end of the room.

'Well I guess one of those keys open that door.' Harry said.

'Yep, but which one?' Hermione asked.

Walking to the door Ron inspected the lock.' I'd say it a big key, silver. That one.' He said pointing to a certain key.

The key was flying low cause of a bent wing.' How do we get it?' Emily asked.

'Well I could burn off its wings and one of use could catch it.' Harry suggested

'Ok, go for it Harry.' Ron said encouragingly.

'Incendio.' He said pointing to the floor. A flame appeared and a second later Harry cast,' Sunimon Aegis Magnareck.' Willing the flame to move to the key it slowly floated upwards until it was level with it. Sweeping his staff across the key the fire obeyed. Going around the key and burning off the wings the fire extinguished itself.

'Nice one Harry.' Emily said catching the key.

A/N: sorry but you all know how the chess game went and I don't really want to write it. Thanks

When they opened the next door a horrible smell met Harry and Emily. Hermione was staying behind with Ron who got knocked unconscious. They slowly moved around the corner and saw a troll bigger than the one they fought on Halloween lying on the floor. Moving carefully around it the made it through the next door. They saw a line of bottles along a wide table a piece of parchment. When they moved forwards a purple colored flame sprang from behind them and clue ones shot up in front of the next door.

Walking forwards and picking up the parchment Harry saw,' It's a bloody riddle. A troll, flying keys and a giant chess game lead up to a bloody riddle. We don't have time for this.' Turning around he said to Emily.' Em you need to go back. Get Ron to the infirmary and find Dumbledore. I have to face Snape alone and Voldemort as well if he's there.'

'Harry you can't.' She protested.

'I have to Emily, I don't want you to get hurt.' He said kissing her.' Please.'

'You'd better come back to me Harry.' She said turning to the door they came through. Harry dropped a stone covering the flames and she walked through. Doing the same with the black flames he walked through the door and saw….

'Professor Quirrell. You're the one trying to steal the Stone.' Harry blurted out.

'Ah Hello Potter. I was wondering when you'd get here.' He said shooting ropes at Harry who blocked them with a pillar of stone that shot from the ground.

'Why are you doing this?' Harry asked.

'For my master, why else.' He started.

Then a cold voice rang from the room.' Let me… speak to him.' It groaned.

'but master you are not strong en-.' Quirrell said before getting cut off.

'I am strong enough for this.' It said.

Turning around Quirrell slowly took his turban off and where the back of his head should be, he had another face growing out of it.' Look what you have done to me Potter, but when I drink from the Stone I will have my own body once again and I will be able to kill you. GET HIM.' It snarled.

Quirrell jumped at Harry who ducked out of the way and threw down a dome around him and the mirror. Turning around he looked at the mirror and saw himself. His reflection put its hand in his pocket and pulled out the Stone and put it back in. when the reflection did that he felt his pocket get heavier. Putting his hand in his pocket he felt it there. Turning around he split the dome in five pieces and launched them at Quirrell who dodged four of them but the last one caught him on his side.

'You cannot win Potter. Lord Voldemort shall conquer all.' He yelled running at Harry again.

'I'm sorry Professor.' Harry said before. 'Incendio.' Aimed at his robes and quickly manipulated it to spread across his body. Writhing and screaming in pain Harry could only wait for Quirrell to stop. After a few moments his body went still and a ghost sprang from the body. Harry rolled out of the way and saw it disappear through the wall.

Harry pulled out the stone and looked at it for a few minutes before walking back through the flaming door. He walked past the troll and the chess set that was still in ruins. He levitated the slab of stone they used to get into here back through the trapdoor. He quickly moved from the room and left Fluffy. He somberly walked through the corridors to the Astronomy tower. He sat there for minutes, hours. He didn't care. He considers destroying the Stone but thought it would be better if Mr Flamal decided that.

'Harry.' A voice called cautiously behind him.

He turned and saw it was Emily. He got up and embraced her, letting tears fall down his face unchecked.' I told you I'd be back.' He said jokingly.

'We were looking all over for you Harry. Even Dumbledore didn't know you were up here, why are you here anyway?' she asked pulling back and looking into his green eyes.

'I got the Stone but it was Quirrell who wanted it and Voldemort is still alive.' He said choking back a sob.

'It's ok Harry. He won't hurt you anymore. I'm here for you and so is Dumbledore.' She said hugging him again.

'Mr Potter. I think it's time we talk about the Stone.' A wizened voice said.

Turning he saw Dumbledore and a man he assumed was Flamal.' I got it here if you want it.' He said

'That's not necessary Mr Potter. I believe that you should keep it. It may come in handy in the future.' Nicholas said stepping forward.

'Are you sure?' Harry asked. He got a nod in response.' Thank you.' He said putting it back in his pocket.

'Now Harry the Leaving Feast is underway and I believe that it is time that people find out who you really are, if you are comfortable with that.' Dumbledore said gesturing to the trapdoor.

Walking to the Great Hall Harry felt slightly apprehensive, the whole of Hogwarts would know who he was and tell their families and there might be Death Eaters that would come after him. Dumbledore walking through the doors first with Harry following after him with Emily. The entire hall fell silent as they walked to the front.

'Students, I have a few announcements to make.' He said.' Mr Evans here has a grave secret and I think it best that he should be the one to tell you.'

'I am not really who you think I am.' He said stepping forward.' I thought it best that no one knows my real name in case they would do me or my family harm. I am Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.' The silence in the hall was so great that you could hear a pin drop.' Lord Voldemort-' everybody except Harry, Emily and Dumbledore flinched.-' killed my parents and now he has possessed one of the Professors and tried to gain a body and try to kill me once again. The third floor guarded the Philosophers Stone as well as many other enchantments.'

'So to famous to tell us who you really are is that it Potter?' came the drawling voice of Malfoy.

'Sod it Malfoy.' Harry said gripping his staff tighter.

'Or what going run away to your dead mother.' He said.

At this Harry lost control. The floor two feet around him turned electric blue with power and Harry levitated the floor beneath Malfoy into the air.' DO you want to feel pain Malfoy? Do you want to suffer? I will not take any more of you insults, if you want to provoke someone do it to your own family.' He yelled lifting the ground beneath his feet as well.' If you ever insult my parents or any one dear to me Malfoy you will not live to see the next day.' Harry dropped the ground Malfoy was standing on. He fell with a sickening crack that resounded through the hall. Harry slowly levitated back to the front of the hall still livid.

Harry sat down on the steps and put his head in his hands with the floor around him still glowing blue. Emily sat down next to him and put her arms around her saying,' It's okay Harry. Don't worry, we'll be away from Malfoy soon enough.'

The journey on the Hogwarts Express was enjoyable. They play some pranks on the others students and played chess. Harry slowly got off the train when they reached the platform. They left in groups of three through the barrier so the muggles wouldn't get suspicious.

When Harry and Emily got through the barrier they were pulled into hugs by Amelia. 'Oooh, I missed you two so much. How was school, can you show us what you learned?' she shot off with a barrage of questions.

'This is going to be a long summer.' Harry whispered to Emily quietly.