DISCLAIMER: THE BOOK BELONGS TO J. I HAVE ONLY BORROWED BOTH CHARACTERS AND PLOTLINE.

CHAPTER 16

Harry had memorized the License, which in very clear precise language had stated that Hogwarts would be the anonymous keeper of the stone and that enchantments that were managed well so as not to harm students could be used not protecton. Harry was grateful that the ministry was very thorough because beneath the declaration was the list of enchantements that had been used.

The only thing that had not been mentioned was that Fluffy was a three headed dog, happy that he had found out that little tit bit from Hagrid, he went to the library and researched ways to subdue it.

The next was a very straight forward barrier a plant, the 'devils snare'. Harry had already known about it since Sirius had used it in his cellar to protect his old wines and Firewhiskey bottles until, Darren and Ron had ventured into the room while they had been playing hide and seek and had almost died saved. Harry could still remember the bright flash of light and the frantic search for the children.

The next spell was about finding a key to fit a lock leading to the next enchantment. Harry saw that no further information had been given so at least the element of surprise had been taken away.

After reading the License Harry had felt that somehow these barriers almost seemed juvenile, it required a certain amount of knowledge yes, but after that it seemed so easy. No wonder Snape was worried.

The next was defeating a giant chess set, great, he was not a very enthusiastic player and played very little now he have to trouble either Draco and Ron who were very good at it. Following this was a riddle in potions, it actually looked a little more challenging than the other hurdles so definitely this was Snape's handiwork leading to the final room which held the mirror how it was held had not been mentioned and that immediately put Harry into suspicion there had to be more to it and the only way he'd ever find out was if he faced it himself.

Managing to juggle studies for the upcoming tests only slightly hindered by Hermione who had provided everyone in the DADA group a copy of a timetable on how to study which she had very subtly insisted they had to use. Also Draco and he still had the potion going stopping would render it useless and since it was exam time Harry helped more so that they could study later together faster. Deciding to be meticulous about saving the stone he spent half an hour practicing with the spells he had learnt to disable the protection including playing with a one person's wizards chess set. It had not been easy but having studied the syllabus throughout the year gave a huge advantage.

Finally the exams were upon them and even though Harry had struggled a bit with history of magic he felt pretty sure he'd passed and was thinking that maybe things were finally going his way when Darren dropped a bombshell.

He'd cornered harry and started to speak in hushed tones "Remember when Hagrid spoke of the philosophers stone? Harry, its actually here in Hogwarts and is being guarded by all the teacherst. Shocked Harry sat down on a table nearby, "So what!" he asked "What are you planning on doing about it?"

"Harry," Darren said urgently, "obviously, I know it does not concern me but, a week ago Ron and I went to check out fluffy to see if it was real and we saw Professor Snape coming out of the room with a ripped robe and he was bleeding."

Not saying anthing Harry waited for Darren to continue "We followed him under the invisibility cloak, when we saw him cornering Quirrel and accusing him of wanting to steal the stone a very smart ruse to keep his own dark intent a secret obviously. He threatened the poor man saying that he'd follow him and find proof. "

"Okay fine," Harry said "so what? You think Snape is after the stone, what do you plan on doing about it?" harry asked in trepidation he was thinking that Gryffindors were very simple they hadn't liked Snape, so they had blamed him for wanting to steal the stone.

"So Snape gets the stone, big deal Darren, it's not like him living forever is going to cramp your style!"

"It's not for himself harry, that he steals the stone, it's for Voldmort."

Harry stood stock still "Do you know what you're saying." he whispered .

Darren nodded, " The stone is going to resurrect Voldemort, Snape used the word dark lord Harry and there is only one dark lord." Really Harry thought the man should be more discrete to be picking fights with the man he'd suspected in front of people was asking for trouble.

"Do you believe that Voldemort is alive, Darren?" Harry asked tentatively, " No," said Darren "but I think Snape is trying to bring him back from the dead."

Harry let out a pent up breath Darren still did not know that Voldemort was alive albeit, barely. There was no need to scare him I'm and drive him to do stupid things.

"I'm going to get to it before Snape, Harry." Darren said looking carefully at him.

Getting down from the table Harry walked over to Darren and said "No."

Blinking in confusion Darren heard harry saying over and over again "Are you crazy? Do you even know what is guarding it, do you know what you're going to face? You know nothing and you still want to go, you'd risk your life for something that does not even concern you, do you not know how I'd feel if anything were to happen to you?"

Darren's face softened "I know Harry, but we spoke to McGonagall about it but she dismissed us, now there is no one else to tell, no one is going to believe our words, I have to help."

Glaring at Darren, Harry walked away slamming the door behind him. Shit! Darren was not supposed to find out, now he'd get hurt. No, Harry had to plan, he would protect him at all costs. Now he was sure of two more things, Quirrel was the biggest suspect, Snape was very rude and irritable but he was thorough he would not have made accusations without proof.

Harry was sure the Quirrel was not acting alone, the man was stupid beyond words, no, he was the puppet. Two the villain definitely would strike when Dumbledore left for the meeting and something that Darren obviously did know was that Snape was to go with him