A/N: I'm going to make this clear. I don't own the Harry Potter series or it's characters. That right goes to JK Rowling

Discoveries That Makes Things Worse

Compared to the Mirror of Erised, the rest of the Holiday seem insignificant. But that didn't mean Harry didn't enjoy it.

He and James went with the Weasleys to visit Charlie at Romania and Harry got to see many dragons and learn quickly to stay away from nesting dragons when he got too close to one and was almost burned to a crisp for it.

Harry also got an assortment of presents including a Weasley Jumper sweater, more chocolate frogs from Hermione (which James had to limit Harry to one a day after he discovered Harry been hyped up on sugar from eating so many), a handmade flute from Hagrid, a magically enchanted school bag so Harry could store more things in it from Andromeda, a communication mirror from Remus, and a magical enchanted knife from Sirius that unlocks any locks (James had something to say about that when he got home), and five pense of mortal money from the Dursleys.

After the trip at Romania, Harry spend the remaining of his vacation being spoiled by his uncles while having to hear James rant at Sirius for one reason or another. Sirius even gave Harry Quidditch tips on how to handle Bludgers for his next game.

The only down side from the Mirror was that the mirror triggered old nightmares that Harry haven't had since he was a toddler. Over and over again, he dreamed of his mother being killed by a flash of green light while there was a high voice cackled with laughter.

When Harry came back to Hogwarts, he forgot about the Mirror, and about their search for Nicolas Flamel, much to Hermione's disappointment.

Eventually Harry had to leave that search to his friends completely as Wood had started working the team harder than ever. Even the endless rain that had replaced the snow couldn't dampen his spirits (which made Harry even more grateful for the magical playing goggles).

The Weasleys complained that Wood was becoming frantic, but Harry was on Wood's side. If they won their next match, against Hufflepuff, they would overtake Slytherin in the House Championship for the first time in seven years. Quite apart from wanting to win, Harry found that he had fewer nightmares when he was tired out after training.

But one day, Wood gave the team bad news. He'd just gotten very angry with the Weasleys, who kept dive-bombing each other and pretending to fall off their brooms.

"Will you stop messing around!" he yelled. "That's exactly the sort of thing that'll lose us the match! Snape's refereeing this time, and he'll be looking for any reason to knock points off Gryffindor!"

George Weasley really did fall off his broom at these words.

"Snape's refereeing?" he sputtered through a mouthful of mud. "When's he ever refereed a Quidditch match?"

"What about Harry's dad?" Fred asked. "Professor Potter. He knows enough about Quidditch to referee."

"I don't know," Wood said. "Honestly I would prefer Professor Potter over Snape. Maybe they didn't want him to overreact and act unprofessionally like last time."

"Harry, can't you talk to your dad about replacing Snape as referee?" George asked.

"I can try," Harry said, "But I can't promise anything."

…

"Sorry Harry, but there's nothing I can do," James said. "Snape argued against me refereeing, saying I'm to close to the Gryffindor team with you in it."

"But he won't be fair!" Harry complained, "Especially since he resents me."

"One, Professor Snape doesn't resent you," James said. "Secondly, all I can tell you is to catch the Snitch early in the game."

Harry pouted and stayed that way even when he arrived at the Gryffindor common room, where he found Ron and Hermione playing chess. Chess was the only thing Hermione ever lost at, something Harry and Ron though was very good for her. But Neville wasn't much better in Wizard Chess, so at least Hermione wasn't the only worse player in the group.

Thinking about their round face friend made Harry realized that Neville was no where in the room.

"Where's Neville?" Harry asked.

"School Library," Hermione said. "He's giving it another go at looking at Nicolas Flamel before we quit all together."

"What's the matter with you?" Ron asked. "You look terrible."

"Snape is refereeing the next game," Harry said.

"What?" Ron asked. "He might use it as an excuse to kill you."

"Not this again," Hermione said. "I told you, I'm not certain it was Snape jinxing the broom."

"Oh, like Quirrell is a likely person to attack Harry," Ron said.

"No offense, Ron, but I have to side with Hermione," Harry said. "I mean, we saw Professor Snape and my dad together when we searched for Hermione, remember? Why would Snape want me dead if he's willing to work with my dad who was is school rival when they were our age."

"I don't know! Maybe he was trying to get your dad away from you," Ron said.

"Sure, because my dad knew we were about to fight a troll instead of coming here."

"Professor Potter did seem surprise to see us in the bathroom with an unconscious troll," Hermione said.

At that moment Neville toppled into the common room. How he had managed to climb through the portrait hole was anyone's guess, because his legs had been stuck together with what they recognized at once as the Leg Locker Curse. He must have had bunny hop all the way up to Gryfindor tower.

Hermione quickly performed the counter curse and Neville's legs sprang apart. Neville manage to get to his feet once his legs were freed.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"Malfoy," said Neville shakily. "I met him outside the library. He said he'd been looking for someone to practice that on—after he used it on me."

"Go to Professor McGonagall!" Hermione urged Neville. "Report him!"

Neville shook his head. "I don't want more trouble."

"You've got to stand up to him, Neville!" said Ron.

"I did, and look where it got me," Neville said.

Harry reached in his bag and took out a chocolate frog. He was saving it for his daily chocolate treat, but he decided to give it to Neville instead.

"Here," Harry said. "This might make you feel better."

"Thanks, Harry," Neville said as he unwrapped the frog and eat it. "Here, you can have the card. From what I heard you been trying to trade in order to find Nicholas Flamel."

Harry nodded and looked at the card and saw it was Dumbledore. "How is it Professor Dumbledore has the most common famous wizard card. You would think—"

Harry stopped as he realized something. He turned the card over and read over the info before gasping.

"I found him!" Harry whispered excitedly. "I've found Flamel! I told you I'd seen his name in a card before, but on a Dumbledore Card. Listen: 'Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel!"

Reading the card must have triggered something in Hermione's head, because she jumped to her feet.

"Stay here!" she said before sprinting up the stairs to the girls' dormitories. Harry Neville and Ron barely had time to snap out of their shock before she came dashing back with an enormous old book in her arms.

"I never thought to look in here!" she whispered excitedly. "I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading."

"Light?" said Ron in exasperation.

"Be quiet," Hermione responded as she started flicking frantically through the pages.

At last she found what she was looking for.

"I knew it! I knew it!"

"What?" Neville asked.

"Nicolas Flamel," she whispered dramatically, "is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone!"

"The what?" Ron and Neville asked.

"Oh, honestly, don't you guys read?"

"Um, Hermione, I read plenty of books and even I never heard of the Sorcerer's Stone," Harry said.

"Look—read that, there." She pushed the book toward the boys to read:

The ancient study of alchemy is concern with making the Sorcerer's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produce the Elixer of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.

There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (Six hundred and fifty eight).

"See?" said Hermione as they finished.

"Professor Dumbledore must be keeping the stone safe for Flamel," Harry said, "Which means vault must have belonged to Flamel."

"A stone that makes gold and stops you from ever dying," Neville said, "I can see why Snape is after it! Anyone would want it."

"And no wonder we couldn't find Flamel in any book involving modern events, or in the last century," Ron said. "He's been around for almost seven centuries."

"I still don't know if Snape is behind this, but I can see why my dad didn't want us to know about it," Harry said. "If word gets out that something that valuable is in the castle, the most of the school might go after it."

…

Since that day, it been torturous. Oliver been pushing Harry to fly faster and find the Snitch faster. The idea of overtaking Slytherin in the House Championship was on everyone's mind, even with a biased referee?"

Quidditch practice isn't the only thing bothering Harry. The closer Harry was to his game against Hufflepuff, the more it seems he runs into Snape. Snape just seems to be appearing out of nowhere, looking for an excuse to punish Harry. Not only that, but Potions lessons were turning into a sort of weekly torture. Harry is starting to wonder if Ron was right about Snape being up to no good.

The day of the game, Ron Hermione and Neville wished Harry luck as he headed to the locker room before finding a spot in the stands. Unknown to Harry, his friends had a plan to deal with Snape in case he really was the culprit to what happened to his broom his during his first game.

The next day Neville Ron and Hermione wished Harry luck as he headed to his locker room and they headed for the stands.

After Harry got dressed and was ready for the game, Wood had taken him aside just to remind him how important it was to get the Snitch early in the game.

"The whole school's out there!" said Fred Weasley, peering out of the door. "Even—blimey—Dumbledore's come to watch!"

"Dumbledore?" Harry asked as he made a dash to the door.

Sure enough, Fred was right. Harry saw Dumbledore sitting next to his father. Seeing the school's headmaster made Harry sigh with relief. Culprit or not, Snape or anyone that hexed his broom during his first game wouldn't try anything with Dumbledore watching.

As the teams marched on the field, Snape seem angrier than usual, but for once Harry was dead set on his goal.

…

"Is it me, or Snape is nastier than usual?" Neville asked.

"You're right," Ron said.

"Off they go," Hermione said as the two teams and Snape flew in the air to start the ame.

"Oouch!" Ron yelped as someone poked him in the back of the head. It was Malfoy.

"Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there."

Malfoy grinned broadly at Crabbe and Goyle.

"Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want to bet? What about you, Weasley?"

Ron didn't answer as Snape awarded Hufflepuff a penalty because George Weasley hit a Bludger at him. Harry was still circling the game like a hawk searching for his pray—or in Harry's case, the snitch.

"You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" said Malfoy loudly a few minutes later, as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty for no reason at all. "It's people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who has no mother, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money—you should be on the team, Longbottom. They probably feel sorry for you if they know where your parents are at!"

Neville went bright red and turned and punched Malfoy in the nose.

"Shut up Malfoy!" Neville said.

"Way to go Neville," Ron patted Neville on the back.

"Ron! Neville!" said Hermione suddenly, "Harry—!"

"What?" Ron asked.

"Where?" Neville asked.

Harry had suddenly one into a spectacular dive as he streaked down toward the ground, earning a gasp and cheers from the crowd.

"You're in luck Weasley," said Malfoy holding his nose, "Potter obviously spotted some money on the ground for you!"

Now it was Ron's turn to snap as he jumped ontop of Malfoy and started wrestling with him.

Meanwhile Harry made a twist on his broom to dodge Snape and caught the snitch that was just hovering next to Snape.

Harry pulled out of the dive and raised his arm with the Snitch in the air.

The stands erupted in a loud cheer as the game only lasted five minutes.

"That's my son!" James yelled and cheered. "New Hogwarts Quidditch Record beaten by my son!"

Harry jumped off his broom, a foot from the ground as Gryffindors came spilling onto the field to congratulate him, not only for the spectacular catch, but of the fact that thanks to him Gryffindor had the lead over Slytherin for the first time in seven years.

As Harry was swarmed by his fellow Gryffindors, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into Dumbledore's smiling face.

"Well done," said Dumbledore quietly, so that only Harry could hear. "Your father told me about your little discovery before Christmas break. I'm pleased to know that mirror hasn't affected you too much."

Harry couldn't help but smile before James came out of nowhere ad lifted his son up to his shoulders to help show off his son and how proud he was.

"Wait until your uncles hear about this! They will be proud of you," James told Harry before breaking into a quiet voice so only Harry could hear, "And so would your mother."

…

After James was done parading around with Harry on his shoulder, Harry was allowed to go into the locker room to change.

Harry took longer than he thought to change, as he left the locker room alone with the Nimbus Two Thousand in his hands. He was heading to the broomshed to put up his broom. He couldn't ever remember feeling happier. He'd really done something to be proud of now. He wasn't just a famous name to first years anymore, he was the boy that broke the School record of quickest Quidditch match in Hogwarts History.

Heck, even Cedric Diggory, a fourth year Seeker for the Hufflepuff team showed good sportsmanship and congratulate Harry for the fantastic grab out there.

Not only that but Ron and Neville had told him how Neville gave Malfoy a nose bleed, and Ron left him black and blue with bruises. If only Harry was able to see that.

Harry reached the shed and put up his broom. When he was done, he leaned against the wooden door and looked up at Hogwarts, with its windows glowing red in the setting sun. Gryffindor was in the lead now. It's too early to say that Gryffindor will win the House Cup, but as long as they win the next match against Ravenclaw House, any points they lost from here on until the match might be regained. At least, Harry hope so if they don't get any more interference from Snape acting as referee, or worse.

Speaking of Snape…

A hooded figure came swiftly down the front steps of the castle. Clearly not wanting to be seen, it walked as fast as possible toward the forbidden forest. Harry recognized the prowling walk as the way Snape walks.

With curiosity overwhelming him, Harry reached in his bag that he kept brought with him from the locker room and took out his cloak of invisibility and quickly shroud himself in it, becoming invisible, and followed Snape.

When Snape entered the forest, Harry couldn't help but pause. The forbidden forest was out of limits for all students. He could get in serious trouble just being this close to it (he know this because of the times the Weasley Twins were caught trying to enter the forest).

Harry was tempted to take out his communication mirror that he got for Christmas and contact his dad. But again, Harry hesitated. What would he tell his dad? He saw a hooded figure that walks like Snape enter the forest? Even if it was Snape, it wasn't against any rules for a professor who is well trained and taught in the arts of magic to enter the forest. Still the fact that Snape entered the forest—trying not to be seen—made Harry curious into why a professor would want to sneak into the forest in the first place.

Harry decided to just sneak up until he can barely see the castle, stay invisible, and if he doesn't see Snape, leave.

…

Thankfully, Snape didn't go very far into the forest, but unfortunately he wasn't alone.

Harry found Snape with Quirrell in a clearing. Harry quickly hid behind a tree several arm's lengths from where he came from incase Snape and Quirrell decide to leave that way—since it was a straight route to Hogwarts, as he listen in to Quirrell stuttering worse than usual.

"…d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to me here of all p-places, Severus…"

"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private," said Snape, his voice icy. "Students aren't supposed to know about the Sorcerer's Stone, after all."

Quirrell started mumbling something Harry couldn't make out. Snape interrupted him.

"Have you found out how to get past that three headed beast of Hagrid's yet?"

Three headed beast? Harry thought. Harry thought back to when he passed by the forbidden third floor corridor when he heard what sounded like three large dogs growling. But if it's what Snape was talking about, then it was one large animal just with three heads.

"B-b-but Severus, I—"

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell," said Snape, taking a step toward him.

"I-I don't know what you—"

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

An owl hooted so loudly, Harry almost broke a branch he didn't even know he was holding. Thankfully he didn't and stayed quiet to hear Snape say, "—your little bit of hocus pocus. I'm waiting."

"B-but I d-d-don't –"

"Very well," Snape cut in. "We'll have another chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decide where your loyalties lie."

He threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the clearing. It was almost dark now, but Harry could see Quirrell, standing quite still as though he was petrified.

Right now Snape look more like an enemy than Quirrell, and that's what scares Harry.

…

"Harry, where have you been?" Hermione squeaked. "We were about to go get your dad!"

"We won! You won! We won!" Ron and Neville cheered loudly.

"Well, I was about to get your dad," Hermione corrected.

"Guys listen, I got something to tell you," Harry said.

He told them what he'd seen and heard. Sometime during the story, Neville and Ron finally quit cheering.

"So we were right, it is the Sorcerer's Stone, and Snape if Snape indeed is after it, he's trying to force Quirrell to help him get it. He asked if he knew how to get pass a three headed dog—and he said something about Quirrell's 'hocus-pocus'—I reckon there are other things protecting the stone apart from Fluffy, loads of enchantments, probably, and Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Arts spell that Snape needs to break through—"

"So you mean the Stone's only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?" said Hermione in alarm.

"It'll be gone by next Tuesday," said Ron.

"If not sooner," Neville responded.