A/N geetac thanks. Sorry guys, I know it's been a while, my only excuse is that I have an art exam coming up, I've had it written for a while but couldn't type it up so sorry guys :( This chapter backtracks a bit, starting from where Draco and Harry leave Hermione.

Hermione

She watched them go and then downed the contents of the round bottle and ran through the flames. The chess pieces let her pass with no trouble, they were too busy tending to their wounded. She had to get to Dumbledore quickly. She didn't know what was going on, but nothing good lay beyond the black flames. She grabbed a broomstick in the key room and then, a little wobbly, flew through the doorway and up, out of the trapdoor.

She ran frantically from the three headed dog and slammed the door behind her, breathing hard. She allowed herself a moments break to catch her breath and then she was off, running to Dumbledore's office. It was the middle of the night, and if she was caught she would be expelled, but Draco and Harry were in danger, she was sure of it. She ran round the last corner and-

"What do we have here?" sneered Snape. "Student out of bed? Dear me."

"Wait, no, I have to speak to professor Dumbledore"

"What a shame." A smirk filled his face. "Sadly the headmaster has more important things to do than listen to 1st years troubles. Professor Dumbledore is currently at the Ministry of Magic."

Her heart sunk. Dumbledore wasn't here? Harry and Draco needed help. Snape was a horrible person but he was still a professor. If they were in danger she had to help them.

" Professor it's Draco and Harry. They, we, found a tunnel, chambers. They sent me back to find help. Please sir, you have to help them."

He stared at her, pale.

"You're serious? If this is some childish prank I will have you expelled."

"Sir they need help. It's dangerous."

The potions teacher turned even paler and ran off back the way she had come.

Snape

How had they done it? He had been watching them constantly, waiting for Quirrell to make his move, but he'd had to look after that blasted bird and then-

Oh God. Lily's son. He had promised to keep him safe and he had failed. He would go, and he would destroy the man who had taken her. He couldn't stand talking to him, pretending to follow him, to support him. How could he ever feel anything but hate for him, the man who had killed her?

And the Malfoy boy? He was important, and Narcissa would never forgive him if he let Draco die. Besides, the boy was smart, and seemed naturally gifted at potions.

They arrived at the door, he made the silly Gryffindor girl promise not to follow him and then entered. He pulled out the lute he had kept with him for this very purpose and watched as the dog fell asleep. Without wasting time he jumped through the trapdoor.

The crown fell from the kings head and he ran through the door, gagging at the stench. He paused at his logic puzzle, momentarily proud that they had figured it out, and then, drawing his wand, walked through the black flames.

Quirrell was holding the boy, they were both screaming. Filled with rage, he sent spell after spell at the Dark Lord. He sent fire to surround the room, blocking any escape, but He broke free, and then he was gone. He ran over to the boys, checked he was still alive. The boy lying there, dying, with her eyes.

There was no-one to save her, but I can save him.

Hermione

She had been terrified, afraid they wouldn't come back. After Dumbledore arrived, and went through the trapdoor she had wanted to follow, but what good could she have done?

Harry was lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Badly burned, he hardly looked alive, but Madame Pomfrey had assured her he would recover. Visitors had been banned, and Hermione had heard Slytherins at the door, demanding to be let in, but no-one had tried to make her leave.

He would come soon, had to come. He would be okay wouldn't he? He had to be okay. Nobody would tell her anything, they were all running around frantically.

She heard a light cough behind her and turned. Draco was standing there. He was alive and looked fine despite the blood on his robes. He was standing so near, she could feel her heart racing. She flung her arms around him. He was alive!

Draco

She was safe.

"You're okay" she whispered. He didn't want to let go, would have held her forever, but he was ashamed. She didn't deserve this, she was perfect, she didn't want him, a traitor. She was safe though. And Harry would be fine. In time he would tell them and they would understand. They had to understand.

"Ahem" They spun around, Draco stepping away quickly. It was his parents and Dumbledore. His father, had he seen? Did he know?

"Draco" Narcissa's voice trembled nervously. She bent down and hugged her son.

Lucius' harsh voice broke up the happiness.

"Headmaster, a word with my son please?"

"Of course" replied Dumbledore looking troubled

His father led him out of the hospital wing and into an empty classroom.

"Your mission. Clearly not as successful as one might have hoped."

"Father, I believe Harry can still be persuaded to join us. He almost agreed but I think the Dark Lord attempted to probe his mind and it had ill effects."

"Hmm. This will have to be discussed. As will your, ah, friendship with the mudblood girl."

He bit his lip, hating himself for what he knew he had to say.

"Granger?" he sneered. "You must be joking. I wouldn't go near her if it wasn't for Harry. He thinks he can be friends with her. If I am to keep his friendship I have to pretend to accept the filthy mudblood.

"Very well. Good day Draco." The elder Malfoy swept out of the classroom, said goodbye to Dumbledore and then grabbed Narcissa and apparated away.

Harry

Everything was dark.

He opened his eyes. Shapes swam into focus. He was in a bed, in the hospital wing.

"Urgh-" His throat was dry.

"Here" Hermione handed him a glass of water. His thoughts began unscrambling themselves.

"It's him. He's here, Voldemort. In the castle. Dumbledore. You have to tell Dumbledore. Quick. Hermione, it's Quirrell, Voldemort they're the same, we have to-"

"Harry, calm down." Hermione took the glass away, worried he might break it.

"Harry it's fine. Dumbledore knows. You fixed it ok? Everyone's fine. You're ok."

"He's gone" Draco sat down on one of the visitors chairs.

Dumbledore approached Harry's bed.

"Harry. I see your friends have found you recovered. Perhaps now they ought to reassure the mob outside." Dumbledore looked meaningfully at Hermione and Draco, who left.

"Now Harry, I'm sure you have some questions."

Dumbledore

How much to tell him? He was still so young and he deserved to feel like a hero. Now was not the time.

"You may ask me any question, but I cannot answer them all. In time, perhaps."

"Voldemort, that was him?"

"Yes Harry"

"Why was he here?"

"He came to Hogwarts searching for something. He cannot take a true form at the moment, as he is too, damaged. He cam to find a stone, a stone which could grant him immortality, The Philosopher's Stone."

"What exactly happened sir? He was talking to me and then-"

"From what your young friend Mr Malfoy has told me, I believe that when the Dark Lord touched you, when he tried to connect with your mind he was thrown back by a protective spell. I believe your mother put that spell there, as her last action in this world.

Harry's eyes began to well up.

"Yes. I believe that your mother's love for you protected you. Love is the one thing Voldemort cannot understand. Never truly having felt love, he did not understand that love as deep as your mother's has its own power."

"Thank you sir"

"Now Harry, if that is all, I believe you have the end of term feast to recover for."