Disclaimer: Okay, this is the last time I'm going to say this because you should all know by now that I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: And here it is, the longest chapter I have written. I just couldn't find the right place to stop. Just to let you guys know, my work schedule has changed so I'll probably be posting chapters on random days now instead of my normal Tuesdays. But I'm still going to try and post at least one chapter a week. Well enough talk I know you guys want to get right to reading. Enjoy!

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The first thing Harry was aware of was a voice. It sounded so distant. He tried to sit up but his body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. After a while the voice became clearer. Harry opened his eyes and looked around. He was lying on the floor in the middle of a large, empty chamber. He noticed a large mirror in the center of the room. It looked incredibly heavy and expensive. Harry noticed Professor Quirrell was standing in front of the gaudy decoration. He seemed to be gazing at his reflection. He also seemed to be in the middle of a conversation. Harry was shocked that Quirrells' stutter seemed to have disappeared. Harry was so surprised he didn't notice the other voice that was answering Quirrell's comments at first. Once he noticed he looked around the chamber but didn't see anyone.

"Potter, I see you've awakened."

Quirrell turned to Harry and walked toward him. Harry wondered how he had gotten in this situation. He remembered he was on his way back from Snapes' personal rooms. He had just exited the dungeons when he started to feel sick. He remembered collapsing onto the floor. Then, Professor Quirrell…a light…then nothing.

"What did you do to me," Harry demanded.

"I merely knocked you out. I brought you here to do something for me," Quirrell answered.

"What are you talking about," Harry asked suspiciously.

"If you cooperate you will not be harmed. It's pretty simple. I need you to stand in front of that mirror," Quirrell instructed. He pointed at the mirror.

"That won't be enough," a disembodied voice hissed. Where is that voice coming from, Harry wondered.

"Master, I don't understand," Quirrell said looking confused.

"He needs to know what he's looking for. Tell him," the voice ordered.

"Looking for," Harry repeated. Quirrell nodded.

"Yes, Potter. In that mirror there is a magically hidden stone. The Mirror of Erised is a dangerous artifact that shows whoever looks into it what they would have if their life was truly perfect. It shows you your greatest desires. Many men have gone mad with desire looking into it," Quirrell explained.

"You… you want me to get a stone? Is there something special about it," Harry asked.

"The sorcerer's stone is used to create the elixir of life. I need it to restore my master and you are going to help me get it."

"Your master? Who's your master," Harry questioned. He had to stall. Someone would notice he was gone right? They'd search for him and hopefully find him before anything bad happened. Harry still wasn't sure what was going on but it seemed that Professor Quirrell was hiding a very dark side of him from the students and faculty. Speaking of the professor, it seemed that the man was determined not to let Harry stall a moment longer.

"Enough questions get over here now," he demanded.

"You can't make me," Harry yelled childishly.

"Oh, so you would rather your friends be left to starve," Quirrell asked with a smirk.

"What?"

Harry felt his chest tighten. He tried not to show the deranged man that he was scared. Harry tried not to show that he wouldn't be able to live with himself if something happened to his friends because of him.

"I found your friends Ron and Hermione out looking for you and decided that they would make excellent hostages. They are safe for now but if you don't cooperate with me, Potter, I won't tell you where I've hidden them but if you follow along with me I will let you all go," Quirrell laughed.

Harry didn't even say anything. He walked forward and looked into the mirror. He still wasn't sure of how he was supposed to find the stone but he had to try. He needed to save his friends. He looked at his reflection. It seemed to be the same. It looked back at him and suddenly smiled. Harry was shocked to see his reflection moving on its own instead of staying still as he was. The reflection reached into its pocket and pulled out a dark, shiny stone. Harry's hand automatically went to his pocket and he felt something inside of it. He looked back at his reflection to see it wink at him.

"Well what is it? What do you see," Quirrell demanded shaking Harry out of his trance.

"I… I don't see a rock," he lied.

"He lies," the voice hissed.

"Tell the truth! What do you see," Quirrell yelled.

"Let me speak to him," the voice suggested. A worried expression came over Quirrells face.

"But master you are not strong enough," he said shakily.

"I have strength enough for this."

Quirrell reluctantly agreed and started unraveling his turban. Harry watched in fascination as the ribbon of cloth slowly unfurled itself revealing what was underneath. He almost collapsed in freight as a face was revealed on the back of the DADA professor's head. The face was fully formed with its own mouth and everything. It gave the term 'having eyes on the back of your head' a whole new meaning. Harry felt like he would never be able to look at turbans the same way again. Something like this must have been the work of dark magic. Harry could only guess the first dark wizard that came to mind.

"Voldemort?"

"Yes, you see what I've become. You see what I must do to survive. Live off another, a mere parasite. I need a body of my own. There is something that can help me do that. Something that conveniently enough, lies in your pocket," Voldemort revealed.

Harry couldn't let that man get the stone. He had to escape. Harry turned to leave but a ring of fire surrounded the room trapping him within it. Harry looked around for another escape route but there was nothing.

"Don't be a fool," Voldemort taunted. "Why suffer a horrific death, when you can join me and live?"

"Never," Harry cried. Voldemort burst out in laughter.

"Bravery, your parents had it too. Tell me, Harry, would you like to see your mother and father again. Together we can bring them back," Voldemort promised. "All I ask, is for something in return."

Harry stilled. His parents. Could he really bring them back? If he helped this man, could he really get back the family he had lost? Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone. He gazed down at it.

"That's it Harry. There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we'll do extraordinary things. Just give me the stone!"

Harry couldn't do it. He knew there was no way he could trust his parents' murderer. The things the man promised sounded wrong and clichéd.

"You liar," he accused.

"Kill him," Voldemort ordered.

Without so much as blinking, Quirrell held up his hand and flew towards Harry. He didn't have any time to react before he felt himself fall backwards with the man's hand clutching his neck. Gasping for breath, Harry noticed that he had dropped the stone. He desperately reached out for it, thinking that he could use it to bash Quirrell's head in. It was the only thing he could think of to get the man off him. Harry's head started to get fuzzy and he gave up on reaching the stone. All he could do was grasp at Quirrell's hand. He immediately heard a sizzling sound and the smell of something burning entered his nose. Quirrell screamed out in pain and released Harry. Harry was terrified to see that the man's hand seemed to be dissolving. Did he cause that by touching the man?

"What is this magic," Quirrell cried. He looked more scared than Harry.

"Fool! Get the stone," Voldemort yelled in response.

Quirrells face got serious again and he made a move towards the rock. Harry couldn't think of what to do. He reached up and pushed against Quirrell's face in an attempt to slow the man down. Quirrell let out another pained scream as his face began to dissolve where Harry touched it. Harry watched as his professors whole head turned to ash and his body crumble to the ground. All Harry could do was stare. He looked down at his hands. Had he just killed a man? He didn't mean to. He prayed that the ministry wouldn't put him in jail. Harry looked over at the discarded stone. He reached down and picked it up. Who knew that something so important was hidden within the school? Harry heard a strange sound behind him. He turned to see a floating cloud of dust behind him. Harry screamed as the cloud formed a face and lunged at him. It passed through him but at that moment it felt as if someone had cut open his head right where his scar was. Harry fell back onto the ground and everything went black again.

XxxxHeeheexxxX

Lucius was combing through the family spell books looking for something he could use on Narcissa. Simple seduction was out of the question since she would probably see right through it. He needed a spell or a potion. Maybe he could induce a hot flash on the aging woman? That plan did have some promise to it but he wouldn't know how to go about it. He sure as hell wasn't going to wait for one. Lucius had nearly torn every book off the shelves in his family's private library. Finally, something caught his eye. It was a small book, easy to overlook but the title had caught his eye. He picked up the small black book looked through it. It took every ounce of his self-control not to laugh maniacally as a plan formed in his head. He was interrupted by one of the house elves bursting into the room.

"Master! Mincy is sorry to be bothering but there was an urgent fire call in your office for you from Hogwarts. It's Master Snape," Mincy cried.

Lucius tucked the book into his robes and took off for the fireplace in his office. Severus never used the word urgent unless it was something really important. Hell, he never fire called unless someone was dying. Merlin, he hoped that wasn't why he was calling. He rushed into his office and immediately bent down in front of the fireplace.

"What happened," he asked breathing heavily.

"Quirrell," was all Severus had to say.

"Stand back. I'm coming through," Lucius instructed.

The second he was standing Dumbledore's office he noticed that the old man wasn't there. No one was except for Severus.

"What happened," Lucius repeated. This time he wanted more of an explanation.

"Exactly what I said would happen. He broke into the chamber, dismantled all our protection spells, and found the Mirror of Erised," Severus raged. He was pacing the floor looking more pissed off than Lucius had ever seen him.

"But he didn't get the stone right? You said that there was a spell that made it so only someone who wanted to find the stone without using it could get it right," Lucius asked. Severus shook his head.

"Right, so that's why he decided to kidnap Harry and have him do it," Severus growled. Lucius felt his blood run cold.

"Oh god, please tell me he's alright," he begged.

"We found him unconscious, but otherwise fine, with the stone in his hand. It looks like Quirrell's dead," Severus finished. He stopped pacing and his voice turned deadly. "This is Dumbledore's fault."

"I agree. I have no idea what that man is thinking. He blatantly ignored the warnings and put a students' life in danger. Harry's life!"

"I don't think that was his intention," a voice interrupted. Severus looked around. That had to be a portrait or something. No one was supposed to be in here. Dumbledore's presence was required in the third floor corridor so he wasn't going to be returning to his office anytime soon. Severus had snuck in to contact Lucius since the headmasters fireplace was the only one in the school that was connected to the floo system.

"Sorting hat," Lucius asked curiously looking up at the antique accessory.

"Yes. I'm not sure what's going on with that man but it seems he has plans for the Potter boy," the hat explained. It was kind of weird to see the hat talk without being on a students' head.

"What do you mean plans," Severus questioned.

"The only reason I'm telling you this is because I'm concerned and a little scared. He seems to be trying to control the boys' school life. He rigged the boys sorting to put him in Gryffindor and I believe I heard him mention something about having a spy updating him on Potters' activities," the hat informed.

Lucius was floored. He had never heard of someone rigging a sorting. On top of that he had someone spying on the boy? If Lucius didn't know any better he would say that Dumbledore was turning into a creeper.

"How did he rig the sorting," Severus pressed.

"I was threatened into doing it," the hat admitted.

"Severus, ignoring the spy, we have enough evidence to launch an investigation. During which I can get the signatures I need from the school board to sack the old wanker," Lucius said feeling excited.

"I would appreciate it if you left me out of all this. I would rather not go through another 'cleaning'," the hat commented then made a move that Lucius assumed was meant to be a shudder. Lucius couldn't help but wonder what the hat meant by 'cleaning'. Didn't they only dust the hat? What was so bad about that?

"We understand," Severus replied before grabbing Lucius by the arm and dragging him out of the office. Severus walked swiftly through the halls and Lucius had to practically jog to keep up with him.

"Where are we going first," Lucius asked. "Do you want to check out the chamber where the stone was hidden? Or do you want to go confront Dumbledore?"

"At the moment my top priority is the hospital wing where Harry is. I need to check up on him."

Lucius nodded. He wanted to see Harry as well. He hoped Harry would be okay. The boy had been through so much in his life and this was the last thing he needed. At least now he had Severus to help him through it all.

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Harry hadn't woken yet. His still form seemed almost lifeless. Severus reached down to make sure the boy was still breathing. Feeling the warm breath on his palm he let out a sigh of relief. Poppy went over the Harry's injuries. It seemed the most damaged was his throat where he had apparently been strangled. She assured the two men that Harry would make a full recovery by the next morning. He just needed to rest. Severus listened carefully to everything she said. When she left he turned his full attention back onto his young charge. Even if he didn't see Harry as a son, and didn't think he ever would, the boy was still the most important thing in the world to him. Severus couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Perhaps if he had escorted Harry to his dormitories none of this would have happened. A firm hand on his shoulder shook Severus out of his thought.

"I know what you're thinking, but now isn't the time for that," Lucius admonished. Severus felt himself nod. There was no use in staring at the unconscious boy, wallowing in self-pity. He had to make sure this never happened again to him or any of the other students.

Severus marched to the chamber where Dumbledore, Minerva, and a few aurors were busy cleaning up and taking evidence of what happened. The headmaster saw them coming and gazed at Severus with a sad smile.

"Severus, don't be angry," Minerva said holding her hands up. She seemed to sense what was coming. "There was no way of preventing this. Professor Quirrell fooled us all."

"I'm sorry Minerva, but BULL SHIT," Severus practically yelled as he maneuvered his way past her to get closer to his boss. He heard her sputter several incoherent remarks. He pointed his finger in Dumbledore's face, not paying the surrounding aurors any mind.

"I told you! I warned you that Quirrell was a dark wizard. I told you that you needed to research into his past more and what did you do? Nothing! A student is in the hospital wing with wounds on his neck from being strangled and you have the gall to pretend that this whole thing wasn't your fault," Severus raged. He saw a sparkle in the old mans' eye that many would have mistaken for sadness but Severus, being a well-trained spy, recognized the mans' underlining expression. He was angry, but he wouldn't express it here.

"I'm sorry Severus, but you didn't have any proof that Quirrell was a death eater. Just a few of your own assumptions. You must understand I could not take any action on those," Dumbledore said sounding regretful. Severus had to admit that the man was a good actor.

"I didn't ask that you take action, I asked that you seriously looked over his files. As a headmaster you have every right to go through any of the faculties records. I bet if these aurors were to go through them they would find many holes in his history," Severus shot back.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Lucius said professionally. Everyone turned their attention to him. "I'm afraid I have to inform you that Professor Snape, under my advice, had indeed filled an official report about his suspicions to the ministry and the Board of Governors, so we have evidence that you blatantly ignored his warnings which resulted in the injuring of one of the students. On top of that the fact that you hired such a dangerous and suspicious character to teach children shows a true lack in judgment. I'm afraid you leave me no choice but to order an investigation, during which you will be relieved of your duties."

There were a few voices of protest, mainly people saying that Lucius didn't have the authority to do such a thing. Severus sneered at them. Lucius just calmly raised his hand to silence everyone.

"I do realize that I will have to follow protocol. I will be calling an emergency meeting with the other board members to officially decide what we are going to do. I'm just telling you what the most likely outcome is," he said with a playful smirk. Severus couldn't help but feel that if Lucius wasn't bound by his title to act in a cold civil manner, he would have attacked the old headmaster with his bare hands.

The two men exited the chamber as swiftly as they had arrived. Lucius was quiet and had a thoughtful expression on his face. Severus knew he was forming a plan. Soon Lucius would have everything taken care of. Severus hadn't even realized they were walking back to the hospital wing until he was standing by Harry's bed. The boy was still eerily still as he slept. Severus decided to sit down in a chair beside the boy. Something told him he wasn't going to get any sleep if he went back to his rooms. Lucius sat down on the bed next to them. He was still quietly thinking to himself.

"I assume you two will be staying for a while? Do you want me to have a house elf bring you anything," Poppy asked.

"No thank you," Severus said politely waving her off. Without a single word, Lucius began to pull the sheets off the bed next to Harry's. He then sat down and started to make himself comfortable. Severus knew he was planning on sleeping here for the night.

"That's for injured and sick student, not pervert politicians," Severus muttered.

"What about a pervert politician with a student?"

Severus punched Lucius' arm, who then fell off the bed and landed on the floor. He couldn't stop himself from chuckling at the sight of his friend sprawled out on the floor. Lucius sat up and pouted at him.

"There was no reason to get violent. I was obviously joking," he complained climbing back onto the bed. "Can't I just stay here tonight? In case something happens?"

"Don't you have a board meeting to arrange," Severus asked.

"I will get up extra early tomorrow to send the letters. I just want to be here for you," Lucius said cuddling up in the beds blankets.

"You just don't want to go home with Narcissa still there," Severus accused but he felt a small smile tug on his lips.

"That to but you know how important family is to me. If you feel you need to talk just wake me up. I promise I won't be cranky. Especially if you start crying while clutching my shoulders and burying your head into my chest," Lucius teased. "Just like when you were a first year and those mean Gryffindors were picking on you."

"I never did that," Severus snapped. Lucius just chuckled but otherwise ignored him.

"Wake me up the second you see the first sunrays," he requested before his breathing steadied and Severus assumed he fell fast asleep.

Severus leaned back with a long sigh. He hoped Harry woke up before he had to leave for class. He'd feel guilty leaving him otherwise.

XxxxHeeheexxxX

Harry woke up to the sound of someone humming a happy tune that he did not recognize. His throat felt sore but otherwise he was okay. He opened his eyes saw that he was in the hospital wing. It was really bright so Harry had to guess it was morning. The sun always seemed brightest in the mornings. He looked around for the source of the tune and found Mr. Malfoy sitting in the bed next to him. He was using what Harry would describe as a lap table as a support as he was busily scribbling things down on some parchment. He seemed very interested in whatever he was writing and didn't notice that Harry was awake until he was done with his work. He folded up the parchment into a letter and magically produced wax to seal it. Harry didn't want to interrupt the man since whatever he was working on seemed to be important. The man jumped when he finally looked over and saw Harry watching him.

"Geez Harry, if you were awake you should have said something," Mr. Malfoy admonished.

"Sorry."

Harry's voice sounded a little scratchy.

"Does anything hurt," Mr. Malfoy asked.

"My throat feels a little sore," Harry admitted. "Wait, how did I get here? Where's Ron and Hermione?"

Harry felt a rush of panic when he had remembered what Quirrell had said the night before about leaving them to die. Mr. Malfoy gave him a confused look.

"Your friends are fine. They both came here to see you before their classes. Although I must say your friend Ronald could use a few lessons in etiquette. I didn't do a single thing to him and he still spent the entire time glaring at me," Mr. Malfoy grumbled. Harry felt himself relax. That meant Quirrell had been lying about taking them. He flinched when he felt a hand grab his. He looked up at Mr. Malfoy. The man had a concerned look on his face.

"Are you really okay? If you want to talk about what happened you can tell me. Or if it would make you more comfortable I can get Severus. He had to leave to teach his classes. He felt guilty about leaving you but Dumbledore said he had to. He said something about not mixing personal matters with work which is ridiculous because a lot of people are excused from work when their child is sick or hurt like this," Mr. Malfoy ranted. He stopped short and shook his head before turning his attention back to Harry.

"I'm not really his child," Harry pointed out.

"No but he is your guardian," Mr. Malfoy argued. "It doesn't matter. I'll just put that in my report as well. The point is I'm here for you until Severus comes back."

"You came here to keep me company," Harry asked. "You didn't have to do that."

Mr. Malfoy waved his hand.

"Nonsense, I couldn't have you wake up and not have anyone here. I've just been writing a few letters to the other Governors of the Board. We will be having an emergency meeting later today. Actually I've just finished the last one. Now that you are awake do you mind if I go send these off?"

"Not at all. Thank you for staying here with me," Harry said.

"Okay. I'll be right back. I'll tell Madam Pomfrey you're awake. She'll want to check up on you," Mr. Malfoy said standing up. He walked out of the room carrying his letters with him.

Madam Pomfrey was quick to check Harry over and tell him that he would be able to leave the hospital wing by noon since she wanted him to rest a bit more. Harry was a little annoyed since he felt fine but did as he was told. He didn't really get much rest because soon after she left the headmaster came in to see him. Professor Dumbledore asked Harry to describe what exactly had happened in that chamber. Harry told the headmaster everything since the man deserved to know what had happened to his teacher. Dumbledore listened to Harrys' story with a serious expression. After Harry had finished he could no longer hold in the question that plagued him.

"Am I going to be expelled," he asked. His question seemed to catch the headmaster off guard.

"My dear boy, why would you think that," he asked.

"I didn't mean to, but I killed Professor Quirrell. I committed a crime. What's going to happen to me?"

"Nothing, my boy. Quirrell was a dangerous man who had to be stopped. It is surprising that you managed to survive at all. We are all just happy you are safe and well," Dumbledore assured.

"Really," Harry asked hopefully.

"Harry, do you know why Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him," Dumbledore asked. Harry shook his head. "It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you, and that kind of act leaves a mark."

Harry reached up to caress his scar.

"No, no. This kind of mark can't be seen. It lives in your very skin," Dumbledore said.

"What is it?"

"Love, Harry. Love."

Harry couldn't help but smile at the man. He was very kind to comfort him when he was feeling guilty. It made him feel better knowing that he hadn't really killed someone but he was still confused as to how love could kill someone. Dumbledore patted him on the head then stood up.

"Oh, Lucius, my boy. What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting to arrange," Dumbledore said as Mr. Malfoy walked back in. Harry noticed that Mr. Malfoy tensed.

"I have already written and sent the letters," he answered.

"You really should inform me when you are here. It's inappropriate to have parents come and go as they please. Not to mention spending a suspicious amount of time alone with young students who aren't their relatives," Dumbledore said in a sweet voice.

Harry didn't really understand what Dumbledore had meant but he could tell Mr. Malfoy was furious. His face turned red and his body was stiff. He was like a looming statue in the doorway. Harry liked Dumbledore but he didn't think it was right for him to say things that would upset Mr. Malfoy.

"It is perfectly acceptable that a Governor of the Board visit the school and for your information I did check in with you yesterday when I arrived. It is also acceptable for me to be concerned about an injured student especially when the reason they are hurt is because of the negligence of the headmaster to properly investigate the backgrounds of the people they hire," Mr. Malfoy explained. His voice was like ice. "And I suggest, Headmaster, that you reframe from making such vile accusations in front of a student. It's inappropriate."

"Of course. Now if you boys will excuse me, I have some work to do," Dumbledore said walking nonchalantly passed Mr. Malfoy. Even when Dumbledore was out of sight, Mr. Malfoy still didn't move. Harry was confused as to what had just happened. He was worried for Mr. Malfoy. The man who was usually so calm and carefree now looked as dangerous as Voldemort himself.

"Are you okay," he asked. Mr. Malfoy shook his head and walked over to Harry's bed.

"Yes, I'm sorry you had to see that. I came to let you know that Severus was on his way to see you," he said changing the subject. Harry still wasn't convinced but he was happy at the thought of seeing Snape. Mr. Malfoy went on to tell Harry about all the students reactions when they learned of what happened to their DADA professor. Apparently they had already brought in a temporary substitute for the rest of the year. Harry then told Mr. Malfoy the same story he had just told Professor Dumbledore. The man was just as serious as the headmaster was as he listened. Harry had barely finished when Snape swept into the room. The man had a frantic look on his face.

"Harry! Are you okay? Is anything sore," he asked physically checking him over. Harry laughed for the first time since the incident in the chamber.

"I'm okay. Madam Pomfrey already took care of me," he assured. Snape relaxed for a second but then his face darkened.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you," he said quietly as he sat down on Harry's bed. Harry knew he wasn't just talking about when he woke up this morning.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. You had to do your job and check on the slytherins," Harry reassured.

"It's also my job to protect you," Snape said lowering his eyes. Harry felt his chest tighten.

"There was nothing you could do. It's not like you can follow me around wherever I go."

"I guess that's true, but this whole thing still shouldn't have happened," Severus growled.

"You're right about that, but you two don't have to worry about that," Mr. Malfoy turned to walk out of the room. "It's time for me to do what I do best. I promise, before the next term starts there will be a lot of changes."

Harry watched as Mr. Malfoy left the room. Snape placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.

"What did he mean by that," Harry asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about now. Is there anything you need," Snape asked in a comforting tone. Harry looked down a bit embarrassed. There was one thing he had seen aunt Petunia do to Dudley when he saw something scary on TV or was sad about something.

"Um…well."

"It's okay. Just tell me what you want."

"Can… can I have a hug?"

Severus let out a smooth chuckle and pulled Harry close to him. Harry was then surrounded by the most comforting warmth he had ever experienced. It took all of his strength not to cry.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

AN: How was that? I have to admit that the threat that Quirrell gave Harry was kinda based off a small part in the movie Hannibal Rising. Just in case anyone was reading it and wondering 'why does this sound so familiar?' This chapter is the last time I'm going to copy lines right from the Harry Potter movies. I'm sure it's kind of boring to read them. So, in next chapter the school year ends and for the first time, Harry goes home with Severus and finds out why he hates living there.