Alright, sooo...I decided to post the last two chapters this week. One at the beginning of the week and one at the end of the week. I may also start posting two chapters a week for the second book mainly because I managed to sit down and write twelve bleeding chapters non stop with very little in the way of a break this weak end. Don't ask me how or why I did it but suffice to say the story sort of poured out of my finger tips taking turns I hadn't quite expected it to just yet. Book three is actually almost complete now, there are a few chapters that I want to add and I am going to go back and change some things that I didn't like. I feel like the story is just sitting on my fingertips and begging to spill right now but I need to pace myself because things are going to get far more complex as the story goes on. At any rate I hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh and very quickly, i know that some of you don't like that I put Author's notes in the story and I apologize for them, but honestly I'd rather not risk someone screaming plagiarism so forgive me and please ignore them.

Mistress Slytherin

PS. This chapter is actually very short thus the reason I'm posting two chapters this week.

There will eventually be homosexual situations:

consider this your warning,

If homosexual situations are not your cup of tea

Than I suggest you turn back now.

I don't want to hear people's biased opinions because honestly, I don't give a crap

Now, for some additional warnings:

ABUSE

VIOLENCE

BAD LANGUAGE

HOMOSEXUAL MALE/MALE RELATIONSHIPS IN FURTHER BOOKS

Mistress Slytherin

Chapter 10

A Bargain

Dark eyes met his as the door slammed shut behind him. Harry shivered slightly but stood his ground as he stared back. "Professor Quirrell." He greeted shuddering at the familiar dark chill he could feel, it was one he'd felt before...in the forbidden forest. "You were the shadow...in the forest that night." he said preparing himself. What was this man?

Obviously he was more than he appeared...

"Ah, I wondered if I would be meeting you here, no doubt that your killing that troll was more than a simple coincidence...spying were we?" The man said his voice smooth and calm not a stutter to be found. Harry felt his eyes widen. So it had been him that had let out the Troll. "Hmmm yes, you and Snape have been quite chummy haven't you? Was that it then? You take care of the Troll while he comes after me?" Harry frowned. So Snape had known...good that meant that the man probably knew who was down here.

"Who are you exactly?" Harry demanded wanting to stall for time. Quirrell frowned and flicked his wrist causing ropes to shoot out and wrap around his ankles and wrists tying him spread eagle in the air.

"You shall see," He said with a smirk before spinning on his heel. "Quiet now Potter you clever boy, I need to take a look at this mirror." he said turning away. It was only then that Harry noticed the mirror of Erised sitting in the center of the room.

"Snape's been following you for a while." Harry said gritting his teeth he had to keep the man occupied.

"Hush now boy of course he was he was on to me. He suspected me all along you see, tried to frighten me - as though he could, when I had Lord Voldemort on my side..."

Harry felt his heart thud to a halt as he stared blankly at Quirrell who was circling the mirror trailing his fingers along the edges.

Voldemort.

The man who had killed his parents.

"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... but he's in London... I'll be far away by the time he gets back..." Harry grit his teeth. The headmaster...he'd planned this all along hadn't he? Planned to use Harry to destroy Voldemort's lackey while he was away making it look like he had nothing to do with any of it. Anger filled him towards the headmaster, the man who was his guardian, the man who if he was right had intentionally sent Harry to live with the Dursley's. Never trust an adult.

"The headmaster has us both backed into his plan." Harry said at last causing Quirrell to glance up at him and frown.

"What did you say boy?" he asked tilting his head to the side suspiciously. Harry frowned remembering all the times he had suffered at the hands of the Dursley's and how convenient it had been for the man to simply claim him when it suited his needs.

"I said that the headmaster planned this all out and we fell right into his hands." Harry said feeling wrung out. Quirrells eyes bulged slightly. "The headmaster has been giving me clues about this place all year, he's probably been doing the same to you. He wants us to fight, I don't know why exactly but I'd rather not, I didn't come here to fight you after all, I just got dragged down here." He said sneering slightly. The man stalked towards him his eyes glittering.

"You expect me to believe that?" he demanded a bit of spittle hitting Harry in the face.

Harry sighed and winced slightly as the ropes chafed his skin.

"Well, think about it, I'm here now and I literally just got back from the dragon colonies, if that isn't perfect timing I don't' know what is." He said shrugging slightly. "Think carefully Quirrell, all those bits of information that helped you find this place- were they really just pure luck?" Harry asked tilting his head to the side. He could see the man's mind working and suddenly the man let out a frustrated shout.

"Damn that man!" He hissed stomping his foot. Harry nodded.

"My sentiments exactly." he agreed knowing that he'd successfully managed to distract Quirrell. Suddenly though the man seized up in visible pain and bent forward.

"Master!" He hissed out clutching the sides of his head. Harry frowned.

"He's here?" he asked looking around. Quirrell's reddened face shot up to look at him.

"He is with me wherever I go," said Quirrell quietly. "I met him when I traveled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil...

Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was! There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it... Since then, I have served him faithfully, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me." Quirrell shivered suddenly. "He does not forgive mistakes easily. When I failed to steal the stone from Gringotts, he was most displeased. He punished me... decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me..."

Harry stared at the man in horror, a closer watch...just what did that mean? He remembered that night in the forest, the shadow, in human, incomplete, sucking at the unicorn like some sort of- ...parasite. his gaze was drawn to Quirrells turban as the man cursed and stalked towards the mirror. Harry of course already knew how to get to the stone, Dumbledore had made certain of it, however...did Harry really want to keep Voldemort from getting the stone? If Voldemort returned to power there would be no way any one would let him return to the muggles, flimsy excuses about blood wards just wouldn't hold up. He could stay in the wizarding world where he was free to study, of course he would have to lay low but he didn't really want to be a part of Voldemort's war any way. He wanted to be better, stronger, greater, he wanted to be so strong that no one would dare hurt him!

"If Voldemort was really here do you know what I would like to say to him?" He asked catching Quirrells attention.

"Not really Potter no, after all I'm going to kill you when this is over." he said before returning to the mirror. Harry sighed.

"I would tell him that I don't know what happened all those years ago when he killed my parents but the truth is, they're dead and somehow he was destroyed- though obviously not completely. What happened, happened and I'm pretty sure he can figure out that it had very little to do with a one-year old. The people needed a hero though I guess, and I was made into a hero." He said quietly. "If Voldemort were really here I would like to tell him that I don't really want to fight him. I have enough to worry about and I'd rather not fall into the headmaster's role for me as a hero again." Quirrell looked back at him with narrowed eyes.

"What are you talking about Potter?" he demanded. Harry smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a Slytherin Quirrell, I'm nobodies hero surely you've figured that out by now?" he said tilting his head to the side.

"How would he know that you aren't lying?" he demanded. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Hello? Kinda tied up right now? Would I really be stupid enough to lie right now?" He asked. "Besides, I get more from being on his side than on the headmasters." Quirrell tilted his head to the side for a moment.

"What would you be getting?" He demanded. Harry sneered slightly.

"That's for me to know. But I'm willing to make a peace offering if Voldemort is willing to accept my reasoning and avoid actively coming after me." Quirrell tittered slightly at that.

"You what could you have to-ah!" he gasped suddenly in pain and clutched the sides of his head.

"Let me speak to him... face-to-face..." Harry felt as if his heart stopped as the soft voice whispered through the room.

"Master, you are not strong enough!" Quirrell said his eyes watering.

"I have strength enough... for this..." Harry watched in horrified fascination as Quirrell turned around and began to unwind the turban.

"So I was right." Harry said nodding slowly as a warped face emerged from the skin.

"Potter, do you 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... 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..." Harry nodded slowly and shoved away his fear. He had to be strong, if he could make a deal with the man then Voldemort would be less likely to attack him.

"My peace offering...is the stone" He said hesitantly. "I know how to get it for you if you'll accept your end of the bargain." He said feeling his pulse speed up. Voldemort's eyes narrowed and his thin lips twisted into a smile.

"My, my, you are a fine Slytherin aren't you? Making friends with the Malfoys and Snape...Working your way to the top hmm? Just seeing you trying to hide that your terrified- and quite well I might add, intrigues me.

Who is this boy that was born of two lions only to grow up a snake?

I can see in your eyes that you truly have no wish to fight me. The question is...what is it that you wish for then hmmm?" Voldemort chuckled and pulled back slightly. "Very well then, I accept your peace offering." he said holding out a hand. Harry stumbled slightly as he was released and rubbed at his wrists before making his way towards the mirror.

The secret he knew was realizing that he truly didn't need the philosopher's stone for himself, and he didn't. As tempting as it was to take the easy rout he wanted to become strong by his own hands not by some magical trinket. So, when he looked in the mirror and saw himself, older, wiser, stronger. The Harry in the mirror smiled at him held out the stone and dropped it into his pocket. Harry smiled back at the older version of himself before reaching into his pocket and holding out the stone offering it to Voldemort who smiled widely. "Very well Potter, you have yourself a bargain, I will not actively seek to fight you, after all I am quite interested to see what you will become." Voldemort said taking hold of the stone. Harry felt himself relax.

"Alright, you might want to leave though I have a feeling Snape and Malfoy are about to come bursting in at any minuet now." he said pointing towards the door. Actually they were a bit overdue but he couldn't complain when things had gone as smoothly as they had. Voldemort glanced towards the door and smirked.

"A back-up plan? Very good Potter." He said before reaching into his pocket.

"Fortunately I have one too. Farewell for now then Potter." He said before disappearing on the spot. Harry stared at the empty spot for a moment before smiling and turning around letting his fist fly through the air shattering the mirror with the impact.

He didn't need the mirror; he could become that Harry Potter without it.

Slowly he watched the torn flesh on his knuckles heal before walking back to the door and sitting down. He was really quite tired he realized as his eyes began to droop...

"Potter!" Harry cracked one eye open in annoyance. Really? He'd just closed them! Snape was rushing towards him wand out and ready as Malfoy surveyed the scene his grey eyes missing nothing. Draco stormed through his face pinched furiously.

"You tricked me!" he shouted as Harry stood up and brushed off his pants before reaching out and snatching his cloak from Draco's pocket.

"You took my cloak." he retorted before folding the material carefully.

"Potter what happened here?" Malfoy demanded. Harry shrugged.

"Not sure, it was like this when I got here, no Weasley, no shadow, nothing so I just sat down and waited since I wasn't sure I could make it back past the fire." He said idly.

"Now, if Draco is done with snatching my belongings and dragging me into pointless adventures I would like to get to bed, we have exams in two days" he said breezily. Malfoy and Snape traded looks but said nothing as they took one last look at the room before guiding them out.