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

CHAPTER 19

After about an hour of waiting, during which time Harry had quietly and efficiently healed the laceration on Draco's arm while Draco himself had almost fallen asleep, they heard a noise ahead scrambling to their feet Harry did the disillusionment charm on the both of them again, just in time, when the door was flung open and revealed Quirrel. His turban was askew and he had cuts all over his hands and face.

Walking into the room with a small limp he walked over to the riddle and stared unblinkingly at it for nearly twenty minutes after which he picked up the vial Harry had drunk from took a sip replacing the vial back in position, shivering slightly he walked through the door leading to the last chamber and the stone.

"Harry," Draco whispered "let's go so we can stop him."

Harry turned took Draco and was about to sat something when they heard a dull thud followed by a shriek. "Hermione" said Harry tensing. The slowly opened and they saw Darren and Hermione standing resolutely at the entrance. Hermione looked frazzled near breaking point with tears running down her cheeks with small scorch marks on her hands. Darren's robes looked tattered and there were telltale sratched on his hands.

Wiping her tears Hermione straightened her shoulders and walked with Darren ready to attack Snape's challenge, reading it twice she frowned deep in thought and ten minutes later walked confidently to the vials and picked the last two.

Darren looking admiringly at her was a about to reach for a vial when she held it away from him "Harry only one vial will get you to the next room and that is enough for only one person, the other vial will let r the drinker leave the place."

Darren hardened his mouth and took the one that would take him to the next room "It's me that has to go on," he said quietly "I'm the one who has to stop him." So saying he threw the contents from the vial into his mouth and swallowed. It was the same vial that both Harry and Quirrel had drunk from. Looking sad Hermione drank from the vial in her hand tha same one that Draco had taken and clasping Darren's she promised to get help.

Harry had turned to look at Draco pretty sure he'd see him rolling his eyes but what he saw was burning rage. Draco gripped Harry's shoulders fiercely and shook them knowing that he couldn't make a noise, he had realized that Harry had very neatly arranged it, so that Draco could go no further, while Harry would have to face the monster alone.

"Traitor!" he whispered in Harry's ear helplessly, knowing fully well that if, he had do it all over again Harry would still do everything in his power to keep Draco safe.

Harry just pulled the furious boy who was still holding onto his shoulders into a hug and held him for a few seconds. Looking around he saw Hermione and Darren do the same. "I'm sorry" he whispered and walked away still unseen with his brother into the final chamber.

The room glowed with the light from the torches lining the wall. At the far end of the room was massive mirror framed in an ornate golden frame and standing before it was Quirrel. Darren gasped in shock. Turning to face them, Quirrel was wearing a cruel smile and said "Good to see you Potter." And without any of his previous uncertainties he chuckled at Darren's expression. Harry clutched his wand tighter in his hand.

"Now that you are here, you might as well help me."

"I would never help you, you thief." Darren spat out. Suddenly a cold voice rang out in the room, it did not belong to Quirrel, "Let me face them I want to see the boy who was the cause of my fall."

Quirrel unwound the turban on his head and turned around. Harry once again faced the dark creature he had seen in the forest, there was an aura of power surrounding it. Standing in front of it harry could actually feel it as if were a heavy pressure.

Darren took several steps back looking frightened, but Quirrel shouted 'incarcerous' binding him in tight ropes and pulled him towards the mirror. Waiting for the right moment, Harry followed silently to stand a little away from the mirror.

"Now get the stone for me boy" Quirrel Darren who stood stupidly in front of it waiting. Suddenly there was a very subtle change came over his face and Harry swore he saw him smile. Quirrel turned to Darren and asked "Where is the stone? What did you see boy?"

"No…nothing," Darren said "it showed me winning the house cup."

"The boys lies, he has the stone with him." came the cold voice.

Three things happened in the next instant, Quirrel had shot a 'stupefy' curse at Darren, Harry had shouted 'accio stone ' and Darren had fallen to the ground.

Quirrel looked bewildered as the stone flew to nothingness and diasappeared Harry deciding he had nothing to lose dropped the disillusionment charm. Quirrel groaned "Another boy, do not waste my time child." he hissed and shouted 'expelliarmus' Harry's wand flew out of his hand and Quirrel caught it deftly.

Quirrel walked over to him slowly and deliberately and pulled the stone out of his hands gleefully. Harry waited until he walked away a little and then cried out 'expelliarmus' two wands flew at him, both his and Quirrel's not bothering to retrieve them he. once again called out 'accio stone' and the ruby flew into his waiting hands.

The cold voice shrieked, "Do something useless dog ," at Quirrel who had not yet moved from shock. "No! This is not over!" and suddenly Quirrel started to burn from within, Voldemort had released a wave of magic that was too powerful for his vessel and Quirrel unable to stand the pressure was on actual fire, screaming in agony he begged his master to stop as he fell to the ground clutching his head and smoldering a bit. Finally closing his eyes and welcoming death a spirit like thing rose from the body and fled shrieking in anger.

Looking down at Quirrel, Harry realized the man was dead. Quickly he checked to see if Darren was alright and finding only a few bruises he let go, putting the stone in his hands. He picked up his fallen wand and not bothering to cast the disillusionment charm. Dumbledore would be on his way by now if Hermione had notified him.

Coming out of the room, he found his arms full of something he couldn't see and had his breath knocked out of him, "Dray?" he asked slowly clutching the invisible boy to him tighter, he felt wet hot tears on his neck and he smiled "I'm okay, come let's get out before it gets crowded in here."

Draco silently handed him a broom and the two of the flew their way out reaching the top, Harry began to sing when he noticed a harp playing and fluffy fast asleep banishing their brooms Harry cast the disillusionment charm on himself and they ran out of the room just in time, as they heard the voices of Ron, Hermione and the teachers coming toward them.