AN Hello! Thanks for all the reviews, they're awesome! I luv reviews! Also, I'm sorry for any odd things in the story, I write a bit more for joy then everything matching up perfectly. And yes I do change Voldemort's appearance, in the movie he looks like a marble statue that someone seriously messed up. In my story he's more like an older Tom Riddle, same hair, still a nose, and his skin is extremely pale but it doesn't look like the veins are going to pop out. So just imagine him as a completely different person, because I really hate what he looks like in the movies (If you can't tell). Now to the story!
Harry let out a puff of air. He'd spent the last hour reading Quidditch Through the Ages to convince his 'friends', especially Bushy, that he was interested in Quidditch. Harry watched as his breath fogged out of his mouth, for some reason Bushy thought it was a good idea to hang out outside. Barely anyone had seen Harry fly, but word that he was Seeker had gotten out somehow. Now he had people telling him they were sure he was fine, but a lot of them basically told him they'd be running around underneath him with a mattress. He held back a smirk at them, they hadn't seen him fly, and while he wasn't the overconfident type, he was quite sure he'd be much better than they thought. Harry, Griffith, Ron, and Bushy had all noticed Severus was limping around. Harry privately wondered if the man had been trying to assist Quirrell in getting the stone despite the Dark Lord's orders to not do so.
"Wonder what happened to him?" Griffith asked, watching as the Professor limped slowly over to them.
Severus cast a cautious glance at Harry, which Harry responded to with a raised eyebrow, "What's it you've got there, Riddle?" Severus asked, Harry frowned and held up the stupid Quidditch book, but his eyes were begging the man to take the book away.
"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," Severus told him, Harry's heart leaped for joy as the man held out his hand for the book. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."
Harry gave Severus a grateful look and handed him the book. None of the others had noticed the exchange, and as soon as the professor had limped away, Harry turned to the others, "He just made that rule up," Harry grumbled with false anger, "What do you think happened to his leg?" He asked.
"Dunno, but I hope it's causing him a lot of pain," Ron responded bitterly.
-= Later, Gryffindor Common Room =-
The Gryffindor common room was a mess and extremely noisy as usual, Harry noted as he walked in. He had to remind himself that he was supposed to be a crazy Gryffindor that enjoyed bright colors and unorganized chaos. Griffith and Ron were checking their charms homework with Bushy for at least the third time. Harry had gotten everything right on the first try, and had managed to point out a few things Bushy could add to hers for extra credit. She had quickly thanked him with a hug. He had held back from cringing as the mudblood wrapped her arms around him. As soon as he'd made sure no one was looking, he'd cast multiple powerful and slightly painful cleaning charms. It'd only taken a minute though, then he came back into the room. No one really noticed he'd cleaned himself though, ignorant Gryffindors.
Harry watched as Griffith finished his homework, he was admittedly a bit restless. He could go to Riddle Manor, but that could prove risky. Griffith walked over to him, "Want to go try to get your book back from Snivellus?" He asked.
Harry opened his mouth to shout no and correct Griffith, but instead responded with something completely different, "Yeah, it would be nice to have something to do right now," He told the boy, inwardly groaning at the fact he'd have to go back and get his book.
"I'll come with you, Ron, Bushy, we're going to go get Harry's book back," Griffith told the other two.
"Better you than me," Ron and Bushy responded together. Harry smiled, he really hoped Severus would refuse to give the book back, but he knew that was unlikely.
Harry was practically dragged by Griffith down the stairs and to the staffroom and, without knocking, Griffith cracked the door open. The boy's eyes widened, and Harry looked inside to see Severus holding up his robes to show a bloody and mangled leg to Filch, who had huge bandages out. Harry quickly cast a one-way silencing charm so that he wouldn't see them. Harry knew it was unlikely the man had gone against the Dark Lord's orders, so he was guessing Severus had just been there to feed the Cerberus or something. It would probably be good if Griffith and the others assumed it was Severus trying to steal the stone, it would throw them off of Quirrell's trail.
"Blasted thing," Severus was saying, "how are you supposed to keep an eye on all three heads at once?" He asked, Harry nearly laughed at how much it sounded like Severus was trying to take the stone. Of course, Filch was not and would never be a Death Eater, so it was obvious Severus was talking about something that the old fool would agree with.
Griffith quickly shut the door as quietly as possible, luckily Severus didn't see the movement, then Griffith turned to Harry, grabbing his wrist. Then they both sprinted away from the staffroom and up the marble staircase once again. They leaped through the portrait hole and quickly walked over to Ron and Bushy. Once over there, Harry saw that the two had just finished their homework. Bushy looked up expectantly at Harry and a moment later Ron did as well.
"Well? Did you get the book back?" Bushy asked, looking at them. "Something happened didn't it?" She asked.
Griffith told her how they saw Severus with Filch.
"Don't you see what this means?" Harry asked. "Snape probably tried to get past the Cerberus while everyone was panicking about the troll during Halloween! That's where he was going when we had to hide behind that statue. He's after whatever the Cerberus is guarding. And I'd bet my broomstick he LET the troll into the castle as a diversion," Harry accused.
Bushy's eye widened, "No, he wouldn't! He's a teacher! I know you guys don't get along with him much, but that doesn't mean he's a bad person. Even he wouldn't dare try to steal something Dumbledore was guarding anyways, Dumbledore's the most powerful wizard in our time!" She exclaimed.
Harry bit back a remark about the Dark Lord being more powerful, "Honestly Bushy! I know you like being a teacher's pet and everything, but all the evidence points to Snape trying to steal whatever the three-headed dog is guarding. I wouldn't put anything past that snake, he's probably a Death Eater as well," Ron paused for a breath, "What's it he's after though? What's that dog guarding?"
Harry went to bed that night with many thoughts on what he was going to do. He was a bit excited to show off his skill on a broomstick at the game. He was also excited for the raid he was going to get to join in only a few weeks. Harry wondered what else he could do to make Severus seem more suspicious. He just imagined the look on the man's face if he realized what Harry had done. Harry smirked slightly before falling asleep.
Harry opened his eyes. Looking around, he realized he was in a field. The field was a pale gray ghostly color and the sky was dark with ash. Harry saw he was in the center of a huge crater. He quickly scrambled out, and saw that the field was strewn with bodies. To his right, a forest of pine trees told him that he was near Potter Manor. Glancing at the bodies, Harry recognized many of them as Death Eaters or Order members. Some appeared older than they used to and there were a few faces Harry didn't recognize that felt familiar. He wandered to the center of the field and saw a small circle where fewer bodies lay. Rushing over with a sense of dread, Harry saw Severus and the Dark Lord laying in the center of the circle, dead. A few order members lay dead near them as well. Harry saw a knife that appeared to have been ripped from on of the Order members hands was covered in blood. Harry looked to the Dark Lord and saw the stab had gone right through his adopted father's heart.
"W-what happened?" Harry asked, looking around, not a single living person remained to answer him, "Where did everything go so wrong?" He tried again, not really expecting anyone to answer.
"This," Harry turned at the sound of a voice, behind him, he saw a boy of seventeen or eighteen that looked like an older version of himself. "This is the final battle, between Dark and Light. It's where each person's true allegiance shows. Where you learn who's a traitor, and who is really willing to die for you," The boy told him, Harry followed his gaze and saw that near the forest many Death Eaters and a couple Order members looked to have been trying to run away.
Harry looked at his father's body, "Why? Why does everyone have to die?" He asked.
"War is something that comes with being human, to stop war, you must stop being human," The boy told him. "Many of the people here stayed human, they're all dead. I stopped being human many years ago."
Harry looked at him, "What are you then? If you are not human?" Harry asked.
"I'm a weapon, I am death itself, and death cannot die," The boy responded, "But it appears that did not work out for me as well. A weapon needs a human to wield it, but every human fell to war."
"Then what should I do?" Harry asked.
"Stop being human, become a more powerful weapon than I was, and become one sooner, then perhaps whoever wields you will win the war," The boy responded.
"That sounds easy enough," Harry responded.
"We'll see," was all the boy said in response.
Harry shot out of his bed and blinked. That was an extremely strange dream. He got into a sitting position and rubbed his head. Casting a tempus, Harry saw that it was already seven thirty. It was a weekend day so the Great Hall was open until nine thirty, which was an hour and thirty minutes before the Quidditch match. Slipping out of bed, Harry got on his black robes and school clothes. He then opened up the door to his room and stepped out. Stretching, Harry quickly walked to Griffith's room with a full plan to rudely awaken him. After ripping the door open, Harry sadly found Griffith was already awake and getting dressed.
"G'morning," Harry told them, letting out a fake yawn.
"Hey Praet," Griffith responded sleepily.
Ron was already dressed and was sitting on his bed petting Woody. The naughty mouse had chewed the edge of a poster they'd made for Harry that read Praet for President! Harry didn't understand how the poster was relevant to Quidditch or being the team's Seeker, so he just internally shrugged. It only took a minute before Griffith was ready as well, and the boy was bouncing in excitement. They quickly folded up the poster and Ron put Woody back in his small cage.
Breakfast went fast and soon Harry was inside the dressing room with the others on Gryffindor team. He had cringed upon seeing the extremely bright scarlet flying robes. He had to repeat to himself with his eyes closed that they were just like blood, and blood was just fine to himself at least twenty times as he put them on. Before they left to go on the field, Wood stood up to make a speech. Harry held back a groan, and looking at a few others, he realized he wasn't alone.
Wood cleared his throat, "Okay men," he started.
"And women," a girl chaser added.
"And women," Wood agreed, "This is it."
"The big one," added a weasley twin.
"The one we've all been waiting for," the other continued.
The first twin leaned towards Harry, "He says the same speech every year, we know it by heart," he told Harry, winking with a grin on his face.
"Shut up, you two," Wood exclaimed exasperatedly. "This is the best team Gryffindor's had in years. We're going to win. I know it," he told them. Then he glared at them all as if to ask them to challenge his claims, "Right, it's time. Good luck, fly well, all of you."
Harry followed the Weasley twins out of the dressing room and walked into the huge field. The day was slightly cloudy but otherwise perfect weather for a Quidditch game. Harry was pretty sure he'd have done fine with a bit of wind, but nice weather was good for the game. Looking up, Harry saw Ron, Griffith, and Bushy's flashy and bright banner. Harry held back a cringe and instead weakly smiled and waved. All three of them waved excitedly back. Harry looked to see that a woman with bright yellow eyes and gray hair was refereeing. She reminded him a bit of a hawk.
She slowly flew over to them, "Now, I expect a nice fair game from all of you," She told them once she had their attention. Harry noticed she was specifically glaring at the Slytherin team. Harry held back a chuckle, of course Slytherin would do anything to win. It was in fact a Slytherin trait, ambition. Harry looked at the captain, Marcus Flint. There had been some discussion among Death Eaters that the boy might have troll blood in him, but no one knew for sure.
"Mount your brooms," the referee ordered.
Harry practically jumped onto his Nimbus, he looked at the other seeker. Harry believed the boy's name was Terence, and one look at him told Harry the boy wasn't much of a Slytherin. The boy didn't seem particularly ambitious and seemed to not follow the 'use any means to achieve their ends' part of the Hat's description of Slytherin. It was also clear the boy was only moderate on a broom, not particularly skilled. Harry braced his legs to shoot into the air. He heard the referee's whistle blast and pushed himself into the air.
"And immediately chaser Angelina Johnson takes the Quaffle! And what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and a rather attractive one t-" The announcer started to say.
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed loudly.
"Sorry Professor," The boy responded.
The Weasley twin's friend, Lee Jordan, was the announcer. Harry found that the boy was highly biased towards Gryffindor as well. It wasn't surprising though, as Lee was a Gryffindor. Professor McGonagall seemed aware of his bias as well, and was closely watching the boy.
"And she's really belting along up there, a perfect pass to chaser Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year she was only a reserve. She passes the Quaffle back to Johnson and-. No, the Slytherins have stolen the Quaffle, Slytherin Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and bolts down the field," Lee Jordan rambled, Harry tuned him out, although he made sure to check if the words Seeker, Snitch, or Praet Riddle came up.
Harry looked around, all the Gryffindors had brought flashy trinkets that made it extremely hard to keep an eye out for the snitch. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and looked up to see two bludgers flying towards him. Harry scooted forward a few inches on his broom and turned to face the bludgers, right before they hit him, he aimed his broom downward and felt a satisfying thwack as his broom hit the bludgers away and straight towards Marcus Flint, who had the Quaffle tucked under his arm.
Harry heard Lee Jordan mention him, "-Seeker Praet Riddle hits the two attacking bludgers away from himself and towards Chaser Marcus Flint in an excellent show of skill. Rumor has been going around that Riddle is Wood's secret weapon. Nobody's quite sure how good Riddle is, but once the Snitch shows up I think we'll know. This year is sh-" The boy rambled.
"Jordan, comment on the game, not the gossip of the school!" Professor McGonagall interrupted.
Harry tuned the boy out once again and scanned the field. He heard Jordan announce a Gryffindor score. Looking down at the ground, Harry saw Hagrid had decided to come to the game as well. Seeing that the man was looking at him, Harry waved before turning back to the field. Harry reminded himself of what Wood had told him was the game plan, he was to stay out of the way to avoid being attacked much. After the double-bludger incident though, Harry didn't run into any trouble. Harry decided he had nothing better to do and returned to listening to Lee Jordan's commentary.
"- ducks two Bludgers, two weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the -wait a moment-" Lee Jordan started, but Harry had already started barreling straight towards the Snitch. Seeker Terrence Higgs followed just a moment after Harry, but Harry's broom was faster as well. All the chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing except for Marcus Flint. Harry saw the chaser zooming to intercept him. Looking out of the corner of his eye, Harry judged where the boy was then lodged himself into his jumping position. A moment before he would have hit the chaser, Harry launched into the air, this caused his broom to go downward enough to avoid the chaser and Harry jumped over the top.
"Seeker Praet Riddle executes a perfect jump over the top Chaser Marcus Flint as he flies by! Look at that boy fly!" Lee Jordan exclaimed excitedly. Many students in the crowd had gasped when they saw Flint flying to intercept Harry. The rest had gasped when Harry jumped over the boy like he wasn't even there. A few had even dropped their posters and binoculars.
Then a well-aimed bludger almost crashed into Harry and while he was dodging it he lost sight of the Snitch. Harry cursed and flew straight back up into the air again. He noticed that a few of his teammates were gaping at him and he glared at them. That got them out of their state of shock and back to playing. Harry saw that Dean was shouting angrily from the stands and it appeared Hagrid agreed with him. Lee Jordan had stopped speaking temporarily and Harry waited for him to speak again.
"So, after that obvious and disgusting attempt at injuring the Gryffindor Seeker," Jordan paused.
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall growled.
"I mean, after that open and revolting act-"
"Jordan, I'm warning you," the Professor threatened menacingly.
"All right, all right. Flint tries to kill the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure. Gryffindor in possession of the Quaffle," Lee Jordan states, Harry holds back a chuckle.
Harry quickly dropped flat on his broom as a Bludger flew past him, he glared at the Weasley who'd accidentally sent it. The boy just shrugged and focused back on the game. Harry huffed and looked around. Quirrell and Severus were watching him intently. Severus seemed particularly unsurprised, but Quirrell was shocked at Harry's flying prowess. Harry smirked at them quickly before continuing playing. Suddenly he felt a blast of Dark Magic come his way from the direction of the Slytherin stands. Harry quickly and invisibly deflected it. Then he turned to its sender, an angry-looking Slytherin seventh year. It was surprising the boy knew such strong Dark Magic, but Harry knew it, so he wasn't too surprised.
Harry sent a silent, invisible, and extremely powerful stinger at the boy, who winced visibly. The boy then looked at Harry in fear, Harry smirked darkly before changing it to a cheerful smile. Then he caught a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye. Harry sharply turned, and saw the small floating form of the Snitch. Glancing around, Harry saw that he was the only one who'd spotted it. Higgs was much closer to it, so Harry did a quick loop until he was positioned closer than the boy. Then he hovered directly over it and went straight down. Sensing his approach, the Snitch flew low to the ground. Harry grinned, the Snitch being close to the ground wouldn't bother him at all. When he was just about to touch the ground, he pulled up sharply. The Snitch seemed to realize being close to the ground wouldn't help it, so it started flying upwards, straight towards a now-diving Higgs. Harry quickly changed his angle and made the Snitch change direction as well. They were both around ten feet from the ground and Harry quickly outflew Higgs and it was once again just the Snitch and him.
A foot away from grabbing the Snitch, Harry noticed Higgs had repositioned and was in the new path of the Snitch. Harry quickly pushed himself off of his broom only using his legs. This caused the broom to tilt backwards slightly into the stopping position, knowing he didn't have much time, Harry snatched the Snitch and with his feet he grabbed the very front of his broom. This made his broom straighten out and with a burst of speed it shot underneath him and Harry released his feet and grabbed his broom with his spare hand. Then he quickly pulled to the right to avoid crashing into Higgs.
"And Seeker Praet Riddle catches the Snitch! One-hundred seventy points to ten, Gryffindor win!" Lee Jordan shouted excitedly. Professor McGonagall was looking at him disapprovingly, but was obviously glad Gryffindor had won.
Harry landed on the ground and was immediately surrounded by excited teammates. He groaned when he realized that they were all planning on taking time to shake his hand and pat him on the back. He struggled to get out of the crowd and ran over to Bushy, Ron, Griffith, and Hagrid. Griffith was bouncing up and down excitedly, Ron looked rather happy for him, and Bushy just gave him a smile. Hagrid seemed like he was reassured that Harry was nothing like the Dark Lord, Harry hid a smirk.
"Bleh, all that crazy flying makes me feel a bit sick," Harry told them, faking a look of nausea.
"No kidding! That was bloody brilliant Praet!" Ron reassured him.
"Yeah! Even when that slimy Slytherin tried to knock you off your broom you just jumped over him like it was no big deal! You're so awesome, I wish I could fly as well as you do," Griffith exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, good job," Bushy told him with a smile.
"'Ey, yer want ter go over to my hut ter 'ave some tea?" Hagrid asked, Harry smiled.
"That sounds great! Can we?" Harry asked, looking back at the crowd of insane Gryffindors. He looked at the others, they nodded.
"Well come along then!" Hagrid exclaimed, leading them across the field towards his hut.
Once they were at Hagrids hut, Harry turned to the others, "I think someone tried to do something to my broom or me," He told them suddenly.
"What?" Griffith and Ron exclaimed simultaneously.
"Yeah, in the middle of the game I just kind of felt like something hit me, then my magic drained. I'm not really sure what happened," Harry told them.
"I'll bet it was Professor Snape, I know I defended him earlier, but he was watching you very intently during the game," Bushy claimed, "I think he was trying to jinx you. I'm not certain what stopped him, but accidental magic shields aren't impossible, that's what most people think Griffith did when the Dark Lord tried to kill him."
"It's possible, Praet's accidental magic does seem a bit erratic. No offense Praet," Griffith responded.
"None taken," Harry responded.
"Yer know, yer shouldn't blame ter Professor, 'e may seem a bit harsh sometimes, but 'e's a trustworthy man on ter inside," Hagrid interrupted, "Sugar?" he asked, Harry shook his head, no.
"Praet and I figured something out about him," he told Hagrid, "He tried to get past the three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him in the leg. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding," Griffith explained.
Hagrid fumbled with the teapot for a moment, "How der yer know 'bout Fluffy?" Hagrid asked.
Harry almost laughed at his friends responses, of course the big oaf would name a Cerberus something stupid like Fluffy, "Fluffy?" Griffith asked.
"Yeah, he's mine, bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. Lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-" Hagrid stopped mid-sentence.
"Yes?" Ron asked eagerly.
"Now, don't ask me anymore," Hagrid responded gruffly, "That's top secret, that is."
"Snivellus is trying to STEAL it!" Griffith tried, practically shouting the word.
"Rubbish!" Hagrid exclaimed, "And that's Professor Snape to yer, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"So why did he try to KILL Praet?" Bushy cried out suddenly. Harry noted her feelings about Severus really had changed, "I know a jinx when I see one, Professor Snape was obviously trying to jinx Praet, even if unsuccessfully! You've got to keep eye contact, and the Professor never looked away from Praet for a second!" She shouted.
"Quiet down now! I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong!" Hagrid told them, "I don' know what caused Praet's accidental shields to go up or 'is magic to drain. But Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! now listen ter me, all four of yeh. Stay outa trouble an' forget about that dog! It's dangerous, an' yeh better forget 'bout what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dummbledore an' Nicolas Flamel-"
"Aha!" exclaimed Bushy, "so there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?" She asked.
Hagrid looked furious with himself, but Harry was excited. So the Cerberus was guarding the Philosopher's stone? No wonder the Dark Lord wanted it, it was a key both for riches and immortality.
AN Yeah! Chapter 13 is out and they've found out about Nicolas Flamel! Please follow, favorite, and review for more! Cya!
-Ariana Flynn Riddle