Before Harry was completely knocked out, he felt the stone slip out of his pocket. He heard Voldemort cackling as things went black. Harry fell, slipping underneath the drooling Quirrell. As Harry's body touched him, Quirrell yelped, still feeling a burning sting from contact with Harry.

Dumbledore bounded into the room, just in time to find what looked like Quirrell assaulting Harry while Harry was lying unconscious on the ground. Dumbledore quickly pulls Quirrell off of Harry, worried that Harry may be dead. He is relieved to find that Harry appears to have only passed out from what seemed to have been a difficult battle.

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Hi Harry,

Hope you are doing well there. Must not be that much

fun staying all alone and so close to school at that. Blimey,

I don't know what I'd do if I were you. Then again, you've

got the place all to yourself and can do all that stuff you showed

me. I guess you could even fly to my place. Wait … sorry, I

forgot that you can't do that over the holidays. Maybe you could

just fly here on your broom? Well, we'll figure out a way, mate.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Ron

Hey Ron,

Yeah, not being able to do magic during the holidays is a bummer.

I wish I could just get there. Didn't those sixth-years call it apparition?

Well, that's what I would have done. You know, I'm glad that

Dumbledore didn't see what I did when I faced Quirrell all by

myself. He'd probably understand, but I'm not sure if he'd trust

that I wouldn't do anything bad. Only you and Hermione know and

I don't want it to get any further than that. Hermione is really

smart and I hope that she'll be smart enough to understand the

reason why I don't want people to know about the things I can do.

Thanks for keeping your word, Ron. I hope you can figure out a way to

get me. I'm not looking forward to spending all summer by myself.

Your friend,

Harry

P.S. The broom idea sounds great, but Aberforth, the barman, says the

Ministry guys watching over me would never have it. There's

something familiar about Aberforth, but I can't put my finger on it.

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Harry didn't receive a letter back from Ron. In fact, it had been several days and it appeared that neither Ron nor Hermione were interested in writing him. He had written them several notes, but did not get any responses. Harry was beginning to think that his friends had forgotten about him altogether.

Harry sat at the bar eating his breakfast and reading the note that was given at the end of school warning them against using magic over the holidays.

"I just don't get it Aberforth," sighed Harry.

"What's that?" asked Aberforth, not knowing to what Harry was referring.

"Oh, this note. It says that we're not able to use magic outside of school, but how are we to practice what we've learned if we can't do magic? Besides, I know loads of people that did magic before coming to Hogwarts and no one got in trouble for it. Hermione, this girl I know, even said while we were on the train going to school that she tried a lot of the spells from our books already. She didn't get in trouble for that." Harry was careful not to use himself as an example.

Aberforth looked at him while wiping a clean mug. "Well, Harry, there are some rules that nobody understands, but that's what the Ministry of Magic is for: to make rules that don't really have good reason. This one, I think is just to keep you kids out of trouble. As for doing magic before Hogwarts, they just overlook that stuff."

"I guess your right, but it makes things really boring around here."

Aberforth looked around the room, careful not to be overheard by any of his other customers or the Aurors stationed there to watch Harry. He tapped Harry on the shoulder and motioned to Harry to follow him. Aberforth led Harry up the stairs to the second floor landing.

"Come up here and be quick about it," whispered Aberforth.

"Why? What for?" whispered back Harry.

"I can't believe I'm telling you this, but staying cooped up in here is no way for an eleven year old to spend his summer holidays. You might have noticed this already. Around tea-time, there is a change of shifts for the Auror's who are guarding this place. During that time, you can sneak out and I'll cover for you."

"Thanks, but I have a stupid question. Where am I supposed to go? I mean, Hogsmeade isn't that big of a town and everything else—except for Hogwarts—is miles away."

"Well, that's the downside, isn't it. You'll only be able to go to the school grounds, but you'll at least be able to stretch your legs. Just don't let any of the professors see you."

"Yeah, I guess it's better than nothing."

"Here's another bit. You know the Trace, the thing they use to keep track of underage wizards using magic? Well, it doesn't work on the school grounds or in the Forbidden Forrest—but I doubt you'll be going there … the forest, I mean. So, you'll be able to practice magic to your hearts content. But I warn you again: don't let anyone see you—especially not anyone at the castle."

"… not anyone at the castle, got it."

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For several weeks Aberforth helped Harry escape to the Hogwarts grounds every once in awhile. For a time, Harry would feign some sort of illness and Aberforth would pretend to bring him dinner to his room. Soon, this became too obvious a cover up and they resorted to having Harry run false errands for Aberforth. Once Harry got to certain distance, he would use his father's Invisibility Cloak to head up to the school. He always kept a watchful eye and made sure that he was not easily seen by anyone at the castle and had his Invisibility Cloak within easy reach inside his backpack just in case he saw anyone coming close.

Harry would spend these summer evenings when he was gallivanting about doing various things to entertain himself—at least as much as one can do with so much restriction. There was one evening when he decided to see how fast he could apparate, so he apparated from one point to another, and another, and another until he had zigzagged all over the grounds and made himself quite dizzy. At another time, he was playing with magical fire and was able to envelope his entire body in flames. Unfortunately, his clothes were burned up and he had to go back home completely naked. One particularly hot day, he was skinny-dipping when Professor Pomona Sprout came by to collect some plant samples by the lake. Harry's backpack was out of reach, so he hastily transfigured himself into a frog. He was then easily spotted by a particularly large fish-like creature who thought Harry might make a good meal. Harry jumped out of the water just in time to avoid the creature's ravenous jaws. All these hijinks were making for good story-telling material for Harry's letters to Ron—that is, if Ron even cared. Harry had still not heard from Ron nor Hermione in weeks.

Harry was walking around the lake one evening thinking to himself, I don't get why they haven't written me back. As if it wasn't lonely enough being here all by myself with nobody but Aberforth and some ministry people to talk to—and I guess there's Hedwig, but she pretty much keeps to herself. Most of the stores in Hogsmeade have closed for the summer holidays and there's really not much to do. I'm getting tired of just coming here to the grounds. What good is playing with magic if there's no one else around? It really gets dull after a while. I mean, how many times can one change himself into other animals and insects … or charm ants to battle each other … or make storm clouds form into food shapes—although, it was pretty funny when I struck unsuspecting Snape with a bolt of lightning. That teaches him to come out for some fresh air. I guess the dungeon was getting too stuffy. Harry breathed a heavy sigh. And on top of everything else, it's my birthday and everything stinks as usual. I at least thought that Ron and Hermione would owl some greetings or something, but nothing … nothing at all—guess I'm used to it.

Hey, I know what! thought harry, with a sudden burst of inspiration, I bet I can get Heathbert to come to me … summon the little bugger! Harry closed his eyes and held out his palm. He thought of Heathbert and imagined feeling Heathbert's little body on the palm of his hand. Harry heard a small crack, like a tiny firecracker and found Heathbert in his palm, looking like he was reaching for something.

"Hey! What the?! Wh … where's my biscuit?!"

Harry was beside himself with laughter. "Hello Heathbert!"

"Harry?!"

"Yup, it's me."

"Did I slip and knock my head on something? Am I dreaming? Gosh, I hope I'm not dead."

Harry was trying to keep a straight face now, realizing that Heathbert may not take it too well that it was he that kept Heathbert from a coveted biscuit. "No, no. You're not dead. I um … well, I … I summoned you here. I pulled you from where you were and brought you here with me. I'm sorry I caught you when you were just about to have a biscuit. I didn't mean to inconvenience you. I was just lonely—nothing new—and I missed you. I haven't seen you in ages and I've got loads to tell. "

"Heh heh … I guess you can make it up to me later. You gave me a start, though. Where are we anyway.

"We're at the grounds of Hogwarts. It's really the only place I can do magic until the term starts again. We're not allowed to do magic outside of school," Harry explained.

"Oh, so this is what Hogwarts looks like. Do they have good food?"

"Yes, they do, but I can't go in the castle. No one is supposed to know I'm here. I'm supposed to be at the Hog's Head tavern, keeping myself out of trouble."

"… and trouble is exactly what you're out looking for," Heathbert chuckled. "I wouldn't have done it any differently … using magic when you're not supposed to and sneaking away. Sounds like you left a good bit of mouse in you when you changed yourself back to a human. By the way, Turtle still goes bonkers every time she hears lightning."

"Glad to hear it. She deserved a good licking after she tried to swipe me dead."

"That was a ton of fun we had," Heathbert said reminiscently. "You're one human I really did miss seeing—not to mention talking to. Then again, you are the only human I've ever talked to. So, what have you been up to all this time?"

Harry recounted all of his adventures at school. Enthusiastically, Harry explained that he now had several friends, the closest of whom were Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. Heathbert was very interested to hear about the food that magically appears at the Great Hall. Harry told him about Draco Malfoy and how he tried to get Harry and his friends expelled. He informed Heathbert of all the magic he's learned that he could do so far. Heathbert gasped and cheered at Harry's story of how he encountered Quirrell and Lord Voldemort.

"That's amazing! You certainly have been busy since we last saw each other. I'm happy to hear that you've made friends. I told you that you would. I'm also glad that two of them know about your secret. Makes life much easier on you."

"Yeah, but my friends haven't been writing me. I was able to get a letter a beginning of the summer, but I haven't gotten any posts since. I'm worried that they've just forgotten about me."

"Don't worry about that. Maybe they're just busy doing stuff at home? Maybe they're on vacation? You never know. Sometimes people just get too busy in the hustle and bustle of things."

"I guess."

Seeing the downturn of the conversation, Heathbert piped up, "So, have you any adventures planned for us? Being a courageous mouse myself, I would hate to get left out of all the fun!"

"Um … sadly, there's really not much to do around here. That's why I brought you. I just wanted some company on my birthday."

"Your birthday?! We've been talking all this time and you're only now telling me it's your birthday?!"

"Yeah, well, it's only now come up."

"'Yeah, well' nothin'. I'm glad that you … er, summoned me. I would not have wanted to miss the birthday of my good friend Harry. Now if I only had that biscuit, I could have given it to you as a gift. But seeing as I am biscuit-less, we have to find some alternative, don't we?"

"I'm glad for the sentiment, Bert, but it's ok. Your company is good enough."

"Well, we can at least celebrate by embarking on some great adventure. There has to be something we can do. I'm sure we're missing something."

"The only other thing around here that I haven't looked at is the Forbidden Forrest—and that's … well, forbidden."

"The kitchen at the Leaky Cauldron is forbidden—at least to mice—but that didn't stop us, did it?"

"I guess you have a point."

"Of course I do! I'm the voice of reason remember—good advice from the mouse, right? So, what's the fastest way we can get there?"

"It's not very far. It's only on the other side of the castle, but I can apparate us right in the middle of it. That would be the fastest way."

Harry and Heathbert apparate deep into the Forbidden Forest. It's much darker in it, where the trees are dense and old. The lack of light makes it seem like it is the dead of night. They notice that the air is stuffy and hard to breath. Harry set three balls of light spinning around him to light their way. They walked a little ways and could hear shouting coming from the direction of some ancient-looking stone structures on a hill up ahead.

"I am Excorrigiare, once a great Warloghe and now the Liche of these ruins," growled a menacing voice. "Neither man nor beast shall molest my resting place. Sage centaur as you may be, you shall still incur my wrath!"

"You aberration! You have broken the natural order of life when you transformed your body thus. You are not wanted here. It is time to cleanse these ruins!" yelled back another.

Upon hearing the frightening diatribe, Heathbert speedily jumped to Harry's pocket and stuffed himself in. Harry ran up the hill and found a horned, long-bearded centaur aiming an arrow tipped with a green flame at a man wearing a black shroud. The centaur let the arrow fly at the man who called himself Excorrigiare, but the arrow only disappeared into the folds of the man's robe, causing no reaction from the man except a slight chortle. The Liche raised his hands towards the centaur and small magical spikes erupted from them, shooting at the centaur. The spikes hurtled through the air and found their mark, piercing the centaur's body. Bleeding, the centaur drew a staff that was strapped to it's back and began to recite an incantation.

"Let all fowl things be swallowed up! Let nature strengthen it's grasp! Garuowan!" and enchanted vines sprang up from the ground wrapped themselves around the Liche.

"What is this?! Stop! It is crushing the life out of my bones! Noooo! Get these things off me! Relashio!" The vines stopped growing around the Liche, but they did not let go and he fell to the ground. "Summonere Daimonio," Excorrigiare muttered and the space in front of him seemed to tear open. Out of it stepped an evil-looking creature. It was eyeless, had four arms, claws in each hand, horns on its head and spine. It looked like it as dripping with tar. Harry had never seen anything as hideous. The Liche gave it commands—which sounded to Harry like he was speaking while eating rocks—and the creature advanced on the centaur.

Harry didn't know what came over him, but at that moment he jumped in the creature's way. He made an effort to freeze time, but the creature continued to move towards him. The creature seemed to smile at him baring very toothy grin, it's teeth razor sharp. Harry clapped his hands and a powerful force hit the creature. It was violently thrown back into the rift from which it came. Harry concentrated on the dimensional tear and sealed it back up. By this time, Excorrigiare had gotten back up and was able to free himself from the enchanted vines that held him. Out of the folds of his robe he pulled out a small morning star, the ball of which had a faint reddish glow. The Liche flailed the weapon above his head and ran towards Harry. With a grunt, he smashed the morning star on Harry, but Harry reflexes were quick. Harry formed a magical barrier that covered himself and the centaur.

"Who are you, child, and why do you interfere? You shall meet the same fate as this foolish centaur," stated the Liche, glaring at Harry intensely. Excorrigiare gathered himself up to his full stature, appearing to focus all of his impetus and shouted, "ANNIHILARE!"

Harry felt the barrier dissolve. It seemed as if he too was dissolving. He started to panic, not knowing how to defend himself against the powerful Liche, but he was not about to give up. He squared his shoulders, clenched his fists, and screamed, "No! I'm not letting you do this!" Harry thrust his hands and a ball of flame erupted towards the Liche and bludgeoned Excorrigiare with its strength. Excorrigiare was thrown into a stone column which collapsed at the impact. The Liche crumpled to the ground. Harry tightly clenched his hands again and Excorrigiare was crushed into a magical sphere. The sphere shrank until it disappeared completely.

Harry was exhausted. Fighting Quirrell was nothing compared to this. He turned and stepped towards the centaur. He could see that the centaur was breathing hard and bleeding profusely. Harry reached out to him, intending to heal his wounds.

"Stop, Harry Potter. You need not try to restore me. This is the way I am to die," said the centaur, gasping for breath.

"How do you know me? Who are you?"

"Eidos is my name. I know you because I have had visions of you and of this moment. There are many things about you that I know. For one, I know that your blood is potent with the weight of a great ascendancy, though it may be tainted—at least, for now," the centaur said, his breathing getting harding now. "You will also be constantly tested for your affection for good or evil. I hope you choose well," he spoke, his voice trailing to a whisper. "My thanks for your courageous intervention. Fare thee well, Harry Potter." With that, Eidos breathed his last and fell limp.

Heathbert poked his head out of Harry's pocket and nervously said, "Boy, I wonder what all that was that he was talking about. It sounded like riddles to me. Are you ok, Harry?"

"I think I'm fine," said Harry panting. "I guess I got my birthday adventure. I can't believe I just faced a Liche—er, at least that's what he said he was … and that demon, gee, whoa … I mean, whew," Harry added, at a loss for words about his experience.

Harry looked around the scene one more time, shaking his head, and apparated to the edge of the grounds by the route to Hogsmeade. Still somewhat stunned, Harry almost forgot about Heathbert. He poked his pocket and Heathbert jumped out.

"That was quite a ride, Harry," said Heathbert.

"Yeah, I'd say."

"I guess it's time for me to be getting home"

"Getting home? You mean you don't want to stay with me?"

"I really need to be getting back. This really isn't the place for me. I'm a city mouse and all this space gives me the heebie-jeebies. Besides, whenever you need me, just bring me over. Now, I hope you can get me back."

"Yeah, sure I can. Well, I'll miss you."

"Remember, it doesn't take much to get me here."

"Ok. Are you ready? Where do you want to go?"

"Just set me at the Leaky Cauldron, in your old room"

And just like that, Harry unsummoned Heathbert. Harry's head was swimming from the recent events. He blankly went through the motions of pulling is Invisibility Cloak out of his backpack, throwing it over himself, and walking towards Hog's Head tavern. Once he was close enough to see the tavern, he realized that he could see the lights on inside. Dread started to fill Harry as it dawned on him that it was late into the night. Harry's gait quickened, his heart thumping hard in his chest. There were several Aurors walking around the little town obviously on high alert and looking for him. As stealthy as Harry could be, he snuck into the tavern.

"I swear I don't know where he's got to," said Aberforth to Jack, one of the higher ranking Aurors stationed at Hogsmeade to guard Harry.

"Tell me again—when was the last time you saw him?" asked Jack, eyeing Aberforth suspiciously.

Harry hated that he had gotten Aberforth in such a pinch. Harry eased his way towards the steps. He was almost to the bottom stair when he bumped into Aberforth. Aberforth looked down at the space where Harry was and shook his head knowingly. Harry continued around him and crept up the steps, making his way to his room. Once there, he pulled off the invisibility cloak and turned on the lights. Harry became conscious of his mistake as soon as he made it. As quickly as the lights came on, Jack was in the doorway.

"Where have you been Harry? We've been looking all over for you," Jack stated, overwhelming Harry with his presence.

"I … uh …I …er,uh …"

"Harry, I know it's your birthday, but that is no reason to be gallivanting about. You don't know that possible dangers that you could get yourself into. Besides, we had a party planned for you and everything, but that's all ruined now. Do you know how much you've botched things up?"

"I … I …"

"Young man, you are sequestered to this room until school starts. No more hijinks. You hear me? I'm sorry to sound so parental, but you leave me no choice, Harry." Jack turned and closed the door behind him.

Harry jumped on the bed and thought about the predicament he was in. His living arrangements weren't ideal, but now it was terrible.