Going After Snape

Cedric was waiting outside the hole and then the four of us went under the Invisibility Cloak and went up to the third floor. We got inside, but to our surprise Fluffy was snoring and sound asleep.

"Snape's already been here," said Ron. "He's put a spell on that harp."

Just great! Fluffy's paw was on the trapdoor. "We have to move its paw. Help me!" I hissed.

We moved it and all we could see was darkness.

"I'll go first," I decided. "Don't go until I give a signal. If anything, get yourselves out." I froze when I realized there was no music. "Does it seem quiet to you?"

"The harp's stopped playing," said Cedric.

"Uh, guys…" said Hermione.

Fluffy was awake and tried to eat us yet again before we all jumped through the trapdoor and landed on some plant.

"What is this?" said Ron.

Before anyone could respond, the plant began tightening around us and choking us. We struggled against the plant before it could kill us.

"Stop moving, this is Devil's Snare, you have to relax!" said Hermione. "If you don't, it'll only kill you faster." Cedric stopped moving when she said this, but Ron and I just continued squirming.

"'Kill us faster,'?" said Ron. "Oh, now I can relax!"

Hermione then sank through the plant and was followed by Cedric. "Hermione, Cedric!" Ron and I yelled.

"Now what're we going to do?" said Ron.

"Just relax!" said Cedric.

"Cedric, where are you?" I screamed.

"Do what we say, trust us!" said Hermione.

I squeezed my eyes shut and relaxed and then slipped through the plant. Cedric caught me, but Ron wasn't relaxing and kept yelling for help and our names.

"We've got to do something!" said Cedric. "But what? What's the one thing Devil's Snare hates?"

"I remember reading something in Herbology," said Hermione. "Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare is deadly fun…but will sulk in the sun! That's it! Devil's Snare hates sunlight! Luminus Soloem." Bright light burst from her wand and Ron was freed.

"Whoo! Lucky we didn't panic," he said.

"Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology," said Cedric. He frowned and turned away. "Does anyone hear wings?"

We followed the sound until we came across countless keys with wings, a broom and a locked door that was immune to Hermione's spell. We glanced up at the flying keys and then Hermione let out a growl of frustration.

"What're we going to do? There must be a thousand keys up there!"

"We're looking for a big old-fashioned one," said Ron. "Probably rusty like the handle."

"There, I see it!" I said, pointing to it. "The one with the broken wing." But then I frowned at the broom.

"What's wrong, Helena?" asked Hermione.

"It's too simple."

"Oh, go on, Helena! If Snape can catch it on that old broomstick, you can! You're the youngest Seeker in a century!" said Ron.

"Do it," said Cedric. "We have faith in you."

I smiled a bit and then nodded. No sooner had I gotten on the broom then the keys starting coming after me like a flock of predators. I kept getting scratched and cut as I tried to grab the right key. I managed to get it and tossed it down to Cedric, who got the door open and then I flew in through the door and they slammed it shut as the keys lodged themselves into the door like knives.

"Can this get any harder?" I muttered.

But I spoke too soon as we came across an ominous-looking room. "What is this?" asked Hermione. "A graveyard?"

"This is no graveyard," said Ron. "It's a chessboard."

The white pieces wouldn't let us move forward, so we had to play. Ron, being the best chess player out of all four of us, took charge.

"Helena, you take that empty bishop's square. Hermione, you be the queen-side castle. Cedric, you take that rook's place. And as for me, I'll be a knight."

We nodded and took our places.

"Ron, you don't suppose this'll be like real Wizard's Chess, do you?" asked Hermione, as white made the first move.

Ron didn't reply at first. He ordered a pawn. "You there, D-5."

The pawn moved and then the White Queen smashed it to bits with her sword, startling all of us.

"Yes, Hermione, I think this is going to be exactly like Wizard's Chess," said Ron.

The chess game proved to be brutal. We kept taking white pieces, but more of the black were being lost. And we had to cover ourselves the best we could so we wouldn't get hit when a piece was destroyed. Finally, Ron came to a decision.

"You understand now, Helena, once I make my move, the Queen will take me. Then you're free to check the King."

"No, Ron, no!" I shouted.

"What is it?" asked Cedric.

"He's going to sacrifice himself!" I said.

"No, you can't!" said Hermione. "There must be another way!"

"Do you want to stop Snape from getting that Stone or not?" said Ron. "Helena, it's you that has to go on, I know it. Not me, not Hermione, not Cedric, just you!" He then smiled a little. "I'll be okay, I promise."

"You'd better be or I'm going to kill you, Ronald Weasley!" said Hermione.

Ron nodded and then said, "Knight to H-3."

Ron's horse he was on slowly moved and then he looked petrified as the White Queen came towards him. I wanted to tear my eyes away from it, but I couldn't. The White Queen struck Ron's horse, causing him to fall to the ground as he screamed. Hermione let out a scream, but didn't move off her square. I moved a few steps to the right and said definitely to the White King, "Checkmate!" The White King's sword dropped to the ground. We'd won the game.

We ran over to Ron, was unconscious. Hermione looked especially worried at the sight of Ron's form.

"Cedric, Hermione, take care of Ron and then go to the Owlery, send a message to Dumbledore," I said. "Ron's right, I've got to finish this."

"You'll be okay, Helena. You're a great witch," said Hermione.

"I'm not as good as you," I said, blushing.

"Me! Books and cleverness! There're more important things, friendship and bravery. And Helena, just be careful."

"I'll take care of her," said Cedric. "I'm not leaving you alone to face Snape or whoever is down there," he added when I opened my mouth to protest.

"Okay," I said, nodding.

Hermione nodded also and then we left.

Cedric and I came to a room. The way we came in was blocked off with black fire and the way out was blocked off with purple fire. Crud, now what were we going to do? Cedric then found a table with several bottles of all different shapes and sizes and a scroll. I read it alone and neither of us was please.

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead.
Two among our number holds only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four;
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide,
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side.
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend.
Third, as you see clearly, all are different sizes,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides.
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right,
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight

It was obvious which teacher had come up with this and it made me dislike him even more and if possible, admire his skill.

"I am going to kill Snape," I muttered. "This isn't magic, this is logic! I haven't got a clue about this. Have you?"

"No, but I might in a moment. Let me see it," he said. He examined the paper and kept muttering to himself until he said, "I've got it. The purple bottle will take us back and the gold one will take us onward."

I stared at the tiny bottle. "There's barely enough for two swallows." I looked at him. "Are you sure you still want to come with me?"

"Yes, I'm sure," he said. "Come on."

I smiled gratefully and then we each took a swallow before stepping through the black fire and making our way down the corridor. Before long, we found a dark room with the Mirror of Erised and my scar started burning like crazy. But it wasn't Snape or Voldemort that was there in front of the Mirror, it was Quirrell.

"You," I gasped. "But, you can't be. Snape, he was…"

"Yes, he does seem the type, doesn't he?" said Quirrell. "Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor st-stuttering Professor Quirrell?"

"But that day during the Quidditch match, Snape tried to kill Helena," said Cedric.

"No, silly children," said Quirrell. "I tried to kill her! And trust me, if Snape's cloak hadn't caught fire and broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded. Even with Snape muttering his little counter-curse."

"Snape was trying save me?" I said, surprised.

"I knew you were a danger to me right from the off. Especially after Halloween."

"Then you let the troll in," I said.

"Very good, Potter, yes," said Quirrell. "Snape, of course, wasn't fooled. While everyone was off running about to the dudgeon, he went to the third floor to head me off. He, of course, never trusted me again. He rarely left me alone. But he doesn't understand. I'm never alone." He turned back to the Mirror. "Now, what does this Mirror do? I see what I desire, but how do I get it?"

"Bind the spare. Use the girl," said a voice.

My eyes widened as Quirrell snapped his fingers and Cedric was bound with ropes. "Cedric!" I tried to free him, but to no avail.

"Come here, Potter! Now! And then I'll free your little friend." Quirrell ordered.

"How do I know you'll keep your word?" I demanded.

"You don't. But you don't have any choice, do you?"

He was right. I didn't have a choice. I bit my lip, but I continued glaring as I walked over to Quirrell and gazed at the mirror. To my surprise, I saw myself holding the Stone and placing it in my pocket. I felt my pocket just to be sure and it was truly there.

"What is it, what do you see?" asked Quirrell.

"Free Cedric first and I'll tell you."

"Tell me!"

"Free him or no deal!"

He let out a hiss before he snapped his fingers again and Cedric was free.

"What do you see?" Quirrell demanded.

"I'm shaking hands with Dumbledore," I lied. "I've won the House Cup."

"She lies," hissed the voice.

"Tell the truth!" he shouted. "What do you see?"

"Let me speak to her."

"Master, you are not strong enough," said Quirrell.

"I have strength enough for this."

I backed up and stood beside Cedric who put an arm around me as Quirrell took off his turban and then a face emerged on the back of his head. My heart skipped a beat and my breath caught in my throat as I realized who this was.

"Helena Potter, we meet again," he said.

"Voldemort," I whispered.

"Yes. See what I've become? See what I must do to survive? Live off another, a mere parasite! Unicorn blood can sustain me, but it cannot give me a body of my own. But there is something that can. Something that conveniently enough lies in your pocket!"

Cedric and I then ran for it, but Voldemort yelled, "Stop them!" and then fires blocked off our path.

"Why suffer horrific death? When you can join me and live?"

"You stay away from her!" Cedric shouted.

"And I'll die before I willingly join you!" I shouted.

"Ha! Bravery. Your parents had it too. Tell me, Helena, would you like to see your mother and father again? Together we can bring them back."

I saw my parents in the mirror and unconsciously took out the Stone.

"Helena, what're you doing?" asked Cedric. "Don't give it to him!"

"Cedric, shut up!" I hissed.

"That's it, Helena. 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!"

My parents' image in the Mirror faded and then I was bursting with anger and grief as I shouted, "YOU LIAR!"

"KILL HER!"

Quirrell flew at me and began choking me. Cedric leapt onto his back and tried to force off me, but he was thrown back and fell onto the steps. "Cedric!" I choked. I grabbed Quirrell's hand and it instantly turned to crumbling stone and dust as he screamed and then I gazed at my hands. How had I done that?

"What is this magic?" he cried.

"Fool! Get the stone!"

Quirrell came at me again, but I placed both of my hands on his face and he continued screaming until he stepped back and then crumbled to dust. I was so shocked, that I almost didn't hear Cedric's voice until he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Fine, just a bit shaken. You?"

"Fine. I'm sorry about…"

"Don't worry about it."

I picked up the Stone and then Cedric, "Helena, look out!" I spun around to see a form of Voldemort hit me and then I collapsed and everything went black.

When I woke up, I was a bit woozy and my hands were bandaged, but I felt fine otherwise. I was in the hospital wing, and at the foot of my bed were only dozens of candy boxes and get-well cards.

Professor Dumbledor then came in. "Ah, Helena, you're awake good." He glanced at my sweets. "Tokens from your admirers?"

"Admirers?" I repeated.

"What happened down in the dudgeons between you, Mr. Diggory and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret. So, naturally, the whole school knows," he said.

I smiled, but then I felt scared. "Cedric! Hermione! Ron! Where are they? Are they—?"

"Relax, dear girl," said Professor Dumbledore, holding up his hand. "They're all quite fine. Mr. Diggory is just getting some rest." He beckoned over to the bed on my right and I saw Cedric curled up asleep. "Mr. Diggory's been quite anxious about you. He refused to leave your side and we ended up bringing him his meals and Sleeping Draughts during the three days you were out cold. He's been asleep for some time. Would you like me to wake him for you?"

"Yes, please," I said, touched at Cedric's kindness.

Dumbledore woke Cedric up and the minute he saw my face, a smile came upon him and then he hugged me tight. "Don't ever scare me like that again!" he said. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm fine, just a bit woozy," I said, as I hugged him back.

Cedric sat down beside me and held my hand.

"What happened to the Stone?" I asked.

"The Stone's been destroyed," said Cedric. "And good riddance, I say. That Stone's more trouble than it's worth."

"Mr. Diggory is right. My friend Nicholas and I had a little chat and decided it was all for the best," said Professor Dumbledore. "He and his wife have enough elixir to set their affairs in order, but they will eventually pass on."

I nodded. Immortality always came with too high a price. "What I don't understand how I got the Stone out of the Mirror in the first place."

"Ah, you see only a person who wanted to find the stone, find it but not use it would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas," said Professor Dumbledore. "Helena, do you know why Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?"

I shook my head.

"It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you and that kind of act leaves a mark. Love, Helena, love."

"Professor Dumbledore," said Cedric. "With the Stone gone, does that mean that Lord Voldemort can never come back?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid there are many ways of which he can return. But do not worry about that now. For now, all is at peace."

I sighed and then thought of something. "Professor, was it you who sent me my father's Cloak for Christmas?"

"Indeed it was," said Professor Dumbledore. "I thought it might come in handy and I felt that you needed something of his to remember him with."

"Thank you, sir."

"Can Helena come to the feast tonight?" asked Cedric.

"I don't see why not," said Professor Dumbledore. He got up and smiled and then left the hospital wing as Ron and Hermione burst in.

Hermione was hysterical and Ron looked scared and hugged me so tight I almost couldn't breathe before I assured them I was fine. I ended up telling them about what had happened with Quirrell as Cedric hadn't said a word and they told me what had happened while I was out. Ravenclaw had flattened Gryffindor in the last Quidditch match and Slytherin had won the House Cup. Normally, I would've been disappointed, but I didn't care now. All that mattered to me was the fact that we were alive, and Voldemort hadn't won the fight.