Chapter 6 - Butterflies

After sleeping for most of the night in the common Room Harry and Draco woke early, dressed and made their way to Professor Snape's chambers to catch him before breakfast. 'Butterflies in the stomach' was not anywhere near a sufficient term to describe how nervous the boys were feeling. They felt like there were bats in there. Their anger at what had happened, however, gave them the adrenaline to carry on. Arriving at the door of Snape's chambers they knocked and waited for what seemed like a very long time indeed.

"Maybe he's still asleep," said Draco

"Maybe he's gone to breakfast already," suggested Harry.

Eventually the door opened – slowly. Professor Snape was dressed and looked ready for breakfast but also rather grumpy at having been disturbed. The head of Slytherin raised an eyebrow and looked sternly from one boy to another. "I trust this is of the uppermost importance boys?" He asked with a sleepy drawl.

"Yes Sir," said Harry.

"It is Professor," said Draco.

"We need to talk to you urgently we…" Harry stumbled over his words.

"There's something you need to know," Draco continued.

"Last night we nearly…there was a 'thing'…"

"Our detention…"

"After breakfast boys," Snape mumbled and tried closing the door. Harry jammed it open with his foot. "We almost go killed in the forest last night Sir."

The door swung back open. Snape was wide eyed. "How did this come about?" he asked in amazement.

"Filch took us to meet Hagrid and we went into the Forbidden Forest where we saw an un-dead – 'Thing'," said Harry.

Snape pulled both boys in by their scruffs and slammed the door. "Take a seat boys – quickly." He said pointing to two chairs next to a desk.

"Thank you Sir," said the two young friends nervously and sat down.

"Last night we had detention in the forest," Harry said.

"The Forbidden Forest Sir where the werewolves are and a Thing nearly ate us." Draco added.

Snape started to look rather angry.

"Who authorised this?" He asked.

Both boys looked at each other dumbfounded.

"We don't know Sir we thought you'd know," said Harry.

"We didn't think it would be something you would do Professor," Draco added.

"It most certainly is not," Snape said firmly.

"Firenze the centaur said there was an un-dead being in the forest drinking unicorn blood to stay alive long enough to, to…" Harry stuttered.

Snape's expression hardened further.

"…get to the Sorcerer's Stone Sir," added Draco.

"It tried to attack us Sir but Firenze scared it off. Hagrid left us alone with it. He said nothing would harm us if we were with him or Fang but, well it very nearly did," said Harry.

"He left us and so did Fang," said Draco. "Hagrid stayed with the Gryffindors."

"This is most unorthodox," said Snape. "We never send first year students into the Forbidden Forest especially at a time like this."

"My father wouldn't be happy about this Sir. I think he'd take me out of Hogwarts altogether if he knew," said Draco suddenly feeling braver.

Snape thought in silence for a moment. "I know," he said contemplating the information he'd just been given. "Leave this with me boys I will ascertain who is behind it and ensure that such an absurd thing never happens again to any of you."

"Thank you Sir," the boys echoed. Harry was still very eager to know who's idea the detention was but sensed Snape was reluctant to give out such information.

"What about the stone Sir? What would The Thing be and would it get the stone?"

"Not any more Potter," Snape assured his student. "It's only means of accessing the stone has been – eliminated" he said slowly.

"So who or what was The Thing Sir?" Draco asked.

"The creature in question is not something you need concern yourselves with. You are safe here at Hogwarts."

"As long as we stay out of the forbidden forest," Harry added with slight sarcasm.

"Indeed," said Snape slowly. "Please make your way to the great hall for breakfast boys. I will take this matter in hand."

The boys thanked him and left.

During breakfast Harry and Draco sat quietly thinking over what had been said to them and the horrors experienced the previous night.

Harry whispered to Draco "the only means of getting to the stone has been destroyed," he said stirring his porridge.

Draco turned around quickly. "You mean?"

"The twins were right. Quirrell's head was possessed…that's what's been destroyed and that is what The Thing was using to get to the stone."

"So who would send us in that horrid place if they knew The Thing was in there?"

"Well we know it wasn't Professor Snape," said Harry

"That leaves two people: McGonagall and Dumbledore McGonagall must have had some say in this as three of the group were Gryffindors."

"But surely Dumbledore wouldn't have done it? He said on our first day the forbidden forest is out of bounds. He'd have to be mad to send us in there."

Draco gave Harry a knowing look.

"No not him?"

"There's only one other way to find out," Draco said with a twinkle in his eye.

After their next Transfiguration class Harry and Draco waited behind to speak to McGonagall. "Professor could we have a quick word?" Draco asked approaching the Gryffindor head of house.

"Certainly Mr Malfoy how can I help?" McGonagall asked looking down at him.

"Well…we wanted to…" he glanced at Harry with a slight nod "…apologise for getting three students from your house into trouble the other day."

"Ah yes the incident in Potions," said McGonagall.

Harry was on to what Draco had in mind.

"We learned our lesson we won't do it again," said Draco.

"No way…I mean…not after that detention we had," Harry echoed.

"Yes The Forbidden Forest is a very scary place. We'll think twice about arguing with classmates in class again," said Draco.

"The Forbidden Forest?" McGonagall asked "What are you talking about?"

"Well that's where we went for detention isn't it?" Draco said pretending he believed she knew.

"The Forbidden Forest?" McGonagall was beginning to sound like a parrot.

"You didn't know Professor?" Harry asked innocently

"I most certainly did not" she said increduloulsly.

"Oh, sorry," Draco said softly "we thought you knew…"

"Well at least you are all still in one piece."

"Yes" Harry laughed – "only just."

"Well that's all we wanted to say Professor. We're sorry."

"That's quite alright boys. I appreciate the thought."

Both little Slytherins said goodbye and sauntered off.

Walking into the castle grounds at break-time Harry and Draco were shocked yet happy to have found their answers at last.

"So it was Dumbledore then," said Draco.

"Why would he do such a thing?" Asked Harry who felt stunned to the core.

"He's senile. He's a crazy old coot." They sat down on a bench in an attempt to calm their anger. "Snape will sort it out," said Draco. We can trust him. My father's known him for years."

Harry nodded firmly in an attempt to make himself believe it. He needed all the reassurance he could get. Just then two familiar voices echoed form behind.

"Hi guys."

Draco and Harry turned to see Fred and George beaming at them.

"How did detention go?" Asked George

"You must have done something really bad to deserve that," said Fred.

"Actually we didn't," Draco snapped, "we just argued with your brother and his girlfriend."

"Sorry," said Harry, "we don't mean to be awkward we just…"

"Don't like him?" Asked Fred.

"Well, not really no," Harry tried to admit while trying not to offend the twins.

"We don't either," the twins echoed.

Draco and Harry looked at each other with curious expressions.

The twins urged the boys to shift over and sat on the bench next to them.

"We know about the sorcerer's stone," said Harry "and we know Quirrell's head was possessed. We met a Thing in the forest. It was drinking unicorns blood to stay un-dead long enough to get to the stone. It possessed Quirrell to do it."

"We know," said Fred.

"You know?" Asked Draco

"Yup, we worked it all out," said Fred leaning back with his hands behind his back.

"Why didn't you say something?" Asked Draco

"Well by then it was all too late. We worked it out though," said Fred

"The sulphur," George continued.

"The turban," Fred added.

"We knew he was up to something. We reckoned the Sorcerer's stone had to be hidden in the school somewhere because there was an attempted break in at Gringotts and then there was the troll in the dungeons and well something pretty nasty must have been after it," said George.

"But who would want such a stone and why would Dumbledore send us in the forest?" asked Harry

"Wish we knew fellas," said Fred, "wish we knew."

"We're just glad you're ok," the twins echoed and walked back to the castle.

"See I told you they were ok," said Harry.

"OK," Draco admitted reluctantly, "I still wouldn't call them friends though."

Harry shrugged - then another vision came: a flash of green light and Professor Quirrell's second face talking to him. The voice was raspy and evil. It was commanding him to get the stone. Harry was in a room with them 'both.' The vision faded as quickly as it had arrived.

"VOLDEMORT!" Harry yelled.

"What?" Screeched Draco.

"It was Voldemort. The Thing was Voldemort…only he would be that desperate to come back!"

"Don't say his name!" Begged Draco.

"What The Thing?"

"No V…"

"Why not? Asked Harry, "it's just a name."

"It's considered dangerous to say it."

"Why? Voldemort Voldemort Voldemort." Harry continued to defy the 'rule'. A few other first years walked past, overheard and gasped. It got worse however when Harry started rapping it: "Vold, The Voldster, Voldesnot, Volleymort, Voldemort he's the v,v,v,v,v, vol…"

"Oh my goodness stop it!" Draco begged covering his face with fear and embarrassment. If it's just a name we can call him 'He Who Must Not Be Named' or 'You Know Who'."

"Draco – listen – his name doesn't matter. What matters is he tried to kill us," said Harry.

"He's not strong enough now without Quirrell," said Draco. "He can't get to the stone."

"You're right," said Harry after some thought. "But what if he still tried to get the stone some other way? We have to tell Professor Snape."

Professor Snape was disturbed again by a knocking on his door that afternoon. He swung it open to reveal yet another disgruntled expression on his face. "Malfoy, Potter," he said slowly looking at the two friends. "What can I do for you?"

"We know about Quirrell's possessed head," said Harry bluntly.

"And The Thing in the forest was You Know Who," Draco whispered.

Snape grabbed both little boys by the scruff again hurling them in to his office and slamming the door. "You need not concern yourselves with this matter any longer boys the stone has been destroyed."

"It has?" Asked Draco

"Quirrell's plans were uncovered some time ago and confirmed when we – found the evidence," said Snape as if trying to pick his words carefully.

"Under his turban?" Asked Draco.

Snape paused and on an out breath said "– yes."

"That's why you burnt his head?" Asked Harry

"Indeed." Said Snape

"And The Thing was You Know Who?" Asked Draco.

Snape did not answer but rubbed his chin and gazed at the floor.

"Sir if it tried to kill us I think we have the right to know what it is," Harry said boldly.

"The creature you speak of was indeed 'You Know Who'," said Snape slowly.

"And Dumbledore sent us in there after him?" Asked Draco angrily.

Snape paced the room and finally admitted "Yes. Professor Dumbledore did organise the detention. He assured me he acted out of a certain knowledge you would be safe." Snape seemed to be holding something back again''

"A certain knowledge of what?" Asked Draco.

"As I said boys psychic ability comes with the territory."

"It was a big risk Sir," said Harry.

"It was Potter but I suggest if you wish to continue this line of questioning you do so with the headmaster himself. He has already informed me he would be happy to discuss this matter with you both."

Draco looked from Snape to Harry as if unsure.

"Fine," Harry said flatly.

Both boys turned to go.

"Boys – wait," said Snape firmly.

"Sorry Sir we meant to say thank you," said Draco.

Snape ignored the little blonde boy's apology and placed a hand on each of the boys' backs whipping away what appeared to be two pieces of paper. He held them up for the two Slytherins to see. 'Parry Hotter', 'Mraco Dalfoy'

"I told you," Draco snapped. "I told you they can't be trusted those stinking rotten Weasley twins!"

Harry stifled a giggle.

"Thank you Sir" they whispered again and left.