Author's note. Glad everyone enjoyed the 'Harry hugging Snape' bit, it was a lot of fun to write. It was OOC for Harry to do so but there was a reason for it which shall be explained. According to wiki, Quirrel attended Hogwarts either in the 60s or 70s so I'm making him older than Snape.
A lot of people have been pointing out that I keep getting words like their/there, its/it's and your/you're wrong. Thing is, I have a mild form of dyslexia which means if it's spelled correctly, then I don't tend to see it as being wrong. So while I've been trying to avoid this, I have been missing some so just try to bear with me.
BTW, for Astronomy, since they always take place at midnight, that means that all four Houses in each year must take this class at the same time. Because time wise, it just wouldn't make sense for all the First year Houses to have this class on different days as what about all the other years?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Enjoy and please.
"So what happened earlier?" asked Ron as they lounged in front of the fire in the Gryffindor corridor. It was late and most students had gone to bed including Percy although not before reminding them that they shouldn't stay up all night. "Why wouldn't you tell us what you were up to?"
Harry grinned before saying.
"Did you notice how grumpy Snape looked when he came in for dinner?"
This made both of them sit up straight.
"You met him?" Ron demanded and Harry nodded.
"I did and it went better than I expected. Pretty sure I shook him up if nothing else."
"Why was he looking so angry?" Hermione had to ask, worried about what Harry might have done.
Now Harry grinned in such a sly way that she was even more worried while Ron grinned.
"I may have..."
Harry leaned forward so no one else could hear his last whisper.
"...hugged him."
"You what!?" Ron yelped so loudly that several people stared."Are you bloody mental?"
"It seemed the appropriate thing to do," Harry said with a shrug as though hugging Snape was an everyday thing.
Hermione's lips were twitching furiously as she struggled not to laugh.
"Did you really Harry?"
"I did and what's more, he didn't curse me," Harry stated proudly. "Mind you, I did kind of scarper before he could do anything."
"But...but...," Ron stammered in complete confusion. "Why?"
"I suppose to thank him for what he's done," Harry said with a straight face with only cracked slightly as he said. "And to get him back for six years of giving us hell."
They both stared at him before Ron burst into laughter, practically howling as he rolled about in his seat. Hermione just shook her head but it was in amusement, she had a wide smile on her face. Turning a page in her book, she said casually.
"People are staring Ron."
He waved this point off; he was still too busy guffawing at what Harry had done. Harry just sat back and grinned, it was good just to laugh at stuff, rather than worrying about things. Like getting rid of Quirrel, they didn't want to wait too long to put Ron's plan into action.
"What...what's he going to be like tomorrow?" Ron finally managed to ask as his laughter died down to a few chuckles. "Think he'll go mental on us?"
"Who knows, maybe I've shell-shocked him," Harry said with a shrug. "We'll see tomorrow anyway."
"Think he'll tell anyone?" Ron said with a very wide, sly grin.
"As Harry said, who knows," Hermione said absently. "But I believe the expression, 'I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation,' fits very well."
And the boys couldn't help but agree. Just what would happen if Snape actually told anyone?
The staff room
"...slipped down into the...," Pomona Sprout was just telling her colleagues when the door to the staff room was flung open with a responding bang as the youngest staff member stormed into the room in a towering fury.
While none of the students could not ever imagine Professor Severus Snape as being 'young', most of the staff had taught him and therefore easily thought of him as young despite the fact he'd been teaching for almost eleven years. Reaching for a cup to pour herself some tea, Minerva McGonagall calmly asked.
"Yes Severus?"
"Do you know what that brat had the gall to do?" demanded the angry Potions's Master, righteous anger pouring off him in waves.
"There are many brats according to you?" his former Transfiguration teacher replied. "We shall need a bit more of a clue."
"Potter," Snape spat out, successfully managing to make it sound like a curse. "He was asking me the most inane questions and then do you know what he did?"
"Please, do not keep us in suspense,"
"He...,"
Here Snape swallowed heavily as though he was choking back bile before managing to hiss.
"...hugged me!"
As the staff openly gaped at Snape, McGonagall blinked once before saying very sardonically.
"Yes Severus, I can see why you're angry. How dare a student assume you're human. Why, I suppose the only real question is how can we sufficiently punish him?"
With narrowed eyes, the sallow faced Head of Slytherin spat.
"This is not a laughing matter, Minerva."
"I never said it was," she said smoothly. "But I believe you are taking this far too seriously Severus, I do not see why you are so angry."
"Why did he hug you?" Rolanda Hooch couldn't help but ask curiously. The rest of the staff in the room as looked enquiringly at their irate co worker.
"I told him his mother had dark red hair," he said sneeringly. "He gave me some cock and bull story about not knowing what she looked like."
"Oh my," Pomona Sprout exclaimed in dismay. "The poor boy."
"Could he really not know?" Filius Flitwick asked with great concern.
Before Snape could give his negative response, McGonagall stated grimly.
"It would not surprise me at all. Do you know, while I was at his aunt's house on my visit during the summer, I did not see one photograph of Harry in the house? Only pictures of his cousin."
"His aunt probably noticed how vain the brat was and removed them," Snape suggested spitefully.
Giving him a withering look, McGonagall asked coolly.
"And the reason she wasn't displaying any pictures of her sister?"
Snape merely scowled.
"How are you finding young Mr Potter?" Hooch asked curiously. "I haven't had him for flying yet, be interesting to see if he takes after his father."
They ignored Snape's scoff as he helped himself to some black coffee.
"Well, he certainly appears to have an aptitude for Transfiguration," McGonagall said proudly. "He was the third student to successfully transfigure his match to a needle in the very first lesson."
"Oh, who were the other students?" Aurora Sinistra questioned.
"The first was Hermione Granger, a rather talented Muggleborn," McGonagall said. "You would not believe the speed with which she did it; I swear it was on her very first go."
"She does seem very advanced for her age," Flitwick agreed. "Simply lapped up everything I said. But who was the second student?"
"Ronald Weasley," was the reply, causing everyone even disinterested Snape to stare.
"Weasley?" Pomona exclaimed. "Well that's a surprise. I was worried he might take after his twin brothers."
"That was my concern too," McGonagall admitted. "But while he did do a little bit of daydreaming, he did manage to easily perform the spell."
"And then Potter did it too?" Snape asked sharply.
"Yes, he did," she said with a nod as Snape looked thoughtful.
Before he could say anything, the door opened and Dumbledore breezed in.
"Good evening," he greeted cheerfully, gliding over to a squishy armchair that he seemed to adore and everyone else avoided. Possibly because of its garnish hot pink colour with purple glitter stars.
"And how is everyone enjoying the first week back?" Dumbledore asked happily.
Shooting Snape a very sly look, McGonagall said casually.
"Severus has made friends with young Mr Potter."
"Really?" Dumbledore said delightedly as Snape glared furiously at McGonagall who offered him a smile before sipping her tea. "How marvellous."
"I am not friends with him, headmaster," Snape stated coldly. "I found the boy to be insolent and far too forward, even for a Potter."
As Dumbledore looked at him in a politely enquiring way, McGonagall said.
"From what we can make out, Mr Potter was questioning Severus about his parents. And despite Severus probable hostility, Mr Potter was very grateful and bestowed a hug on him."
"Oh Severus," Dumbledore exclaimed, clapping his hands together while Snape growled under his breath. "That is wonderful news; I hope you were able to help young Harry."
The only reason Snape didn't give Dumbledore a withering look was the amount of respect he had for the headmaster.
"I advised him on the best people to ask about his parents," Snape said coldly. "No doubt he will lap up all you tell him about his saintly father."
"He's an orphan Severus," Pomona exclaimed. "Of course he will want to know all he can about his parents."
Snape just looked utterly contemptuous at this. With twinkling eyes, Dumbledore now said.
"You must give me that memory Severus; I would love to see it."
Snape's look turned, if possible, even sourer. McGonagall took the opportunity to say.
"Harry was asking Severus what Lily looked like. I believe he does not know what either of his parents looked like."
As Severus made a sound of disbelief, the room was filled by the sounds of horror and disbelief followed by a good dose of sympathy. Holding up her hand, McGonagall said.
"I think it would be a nice idea to collect some old photos of Lily and James and compile a little collection for Harry. The poor boy deserves to know what his parents look like if nothing else."
"You should ask Hagrid," suggested Silvanus Kettleburn, waving his stump of an arm with a hook on the end. "He knew them pretty well and he'd know all their friends, he could send some owls to them."
"Ah hah!" Snape said in triumph, leaping to his feet. "That proves it, if the brat really didn't know what his parents looked like, he could have asked Hagrid."
The staff all blinked at this, it was a good question. Dumbledore however said.
"Did Harry tell you why he sought you out?"
"Hagrid apparently told him that his mother and I were in the same Potions class," Snape said mulishly, thinking of ways he could make Hagrid's life very, very difficult.
"Ah, then that explains it," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Explains what?" Snape demanded, adding as an afterthought. "Headmaster?"
"Well, to a young boy's mind, a man who knew Lily Potter as a contemporary, possibly even as friends would be much more attractive than someone who knew Lily as a student while they themselves were an adult," Dumbledore explained. "It would have been logical to ask Hagrid but a child's mind is a funny thing. Besides, from that Hagrid has told me, Harry's day with him was completely overwhelming and he probably naturally forgot in the midst of discovering magic. Although I do believe Hagrid would have told Harry how much he resembles his father so naturally he would be very curious about his mother."
Snape slowly sat down, still with an expression of disbelief.
"You must have made a good impression on Harry," Dumbledore continued, his lips twitching. "If he actually hugged you, not many students do that."
"I would have been happier if he'd never hugged me at all," Snape stated grumpily, taking a harsh gulp of coffee. "And if he does so again..."
"I will ensure he doesn't," McGonagall said sharply. "In the meantime, if he truly meant it as a gesture of gratitude, that means you are not to take points, give detention or bully the child in any way."
As he sneered, she added sternly.
"I mean it Severus or I might be tempted to tell a few tales about your school days with Lily."
Turning a rather unpleasant white colour that made him even more vamperish than before, he growled.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Watch me," she said calmly, helping herself to a biscuit. "However, if you do not retaliate, I shall not do so and I will gently explain to him not to hug you anymore."
Snape glared at her but as he dearly did not want Potter touching him ever again, he gave a short curt nod.
"We were just discussing the new students," Septima Vector told Dumbledore. "Of course I won't have any of them for two years but I wouldn't mind knowing who to watch out for."
"I have a good batch for Hufflepuffs this year," Sprout said proudly. "They all show a lot of promise and I'll enjoy teaching them."
"Same with my Ravenclaws," Flitwick said eagerly. "Quite a large number too, I believe my First years have the biggest group, with the Slytherins following closely."
He gave Snape a smiling nod who shrugged.
"I suppose some of mine show equal promise," he admitted dryly. "Zabini and a couple of the girls but it would appear some of my other students take heavily after their fathers."
"Like young Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall said dryly. "The boy does show talent but he does not seem inclined to work hard at all. He apparently believes it will all come to him, just like that."
"A far cry from some of my Gryffindors," she couldn't resist adding slyly making Snape snort.
"You mean that Granger girl? She's probably one of these Know-It-Alls, desperate to prove that she knows absolutely everything."
"I'd rather a Know-It-All than a troll," she retorted. "She might be eager but she was very willing to help and not show off. She was assisting Mr Longbottom with his transfiguration work; he's a rather nervous boy."
"I noticed that too," Sprout commented on. "But he was very good with my plants, not afraid to get his hands dirty; you don't always see that with the Purebloods. And somehow I can't really imagine his grandmother letting him mess around outside."
"Well, I suppose I'll see how he and his fellow Gryffindors are tomorrow," Snape said idly as Flitwick said.
"Oh yes Severus, I almost forgot you haven't had any of your Slytherins or the Gryffindors yet."
"Lucky me," the Potions's master said dryly. "Last year it was my Slytherins with the Ravenclaws and the year before they went with the Hufflepuffs. How ironic that Potter happens to be with the Slytherins this year."
He shot Dumbledore a suspicious look but the old Headmaster merely smiled.
"Severus, you know it has worked out that way for at since the time of the Founders. Every year, the shared classes are mixed up with the exception of Astronomy."
He smiled at Sinistra who smiled wryly back. Because her classes took place at midnight and it was impossible to divide the years up because that would prevent other years from being able to take the class on a different night. Therefore, she had the dubious honour of teaching classes that included all four Houses. Thankfully, due to the late hour the pupils were mostly quiet and well behaved despite the predictable mishaps with telescopes and star maps.
"Don't forget our bargain tomorrow," McGonagall reminded Snape. "Give the boy a chance to disprove your ridiculous preconceptions of him."
Because Dumbledore happened to be giving him a look, Snape nodded curtly.
"Well, it's only the first week," Flitwick stated cheerfully, clapping his hands together. "I can't wait to see how our students are doing in a month's time; it's always so good to see them flourish once they've got the basics under their belt."
There was a murmur of agreement, the students were very raw at the moment but time would soon reveal the talented, hardworking and the students' strengths in general. Even sour teachers like Snape enjoyed discovering the really passionate students for their individual classes; it made teaching the rest just about worth it. At least according to Snape who happily complained about ninety percent of his students and while tolerating seven percent and praising about three percent.
"Where is Quirinus?" questioned Vector suddenly. "I've barely seen him this week."
"The fellow does seem a little distant," Dumbledore agreed. "But perhaps it is nerves, teaching defence is very different to Muggle studies."
Snape made a scathing noise, Quirrel's stutter and nervous disposition was already grating on his nerves.
"I'm sure he'll get over it," Sprout said kindly although she looked rather unsure. "He just needs a little...erm, time."
"How much time," sneered Snape. "The students will never learn anything from him. Now if they had a competent teacher..."
"We know you want the job, Severus," McGonagall said with a roll of her eyes. "But we'd rather not lose you."
"You really believe in that curse?" questioned Charity Burbage.
"It would be a remarkable confidence if everyone single Defence teacher we've had for the last few decades have all been forced to leave their posts for purely natural reasons," Dumbledore said gravely. "We can only hope that young Quirinus leaves whole and healthy at the end of the year."
A few teachers shuddered slightly as they remembered Tyler Knight who had contracted an extremely rare disease which had eaten most of his body just before the end of the school year. Last year's professor had simply been a retired one who had taken out a contract stating they wouldn't work a single day after the school year was completed. This seemed to satisfy the curse and nothing dreadful happened to them. But it was starting to get rather desperate how they had to hire a new Defence teacher every single year; they were running out of candidates.
"I'm sure that won't happen this year," Flitwick said optimistically. "In the meantime, all we can do is encourage and support him until he finds his feet."
"Indeed," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now, I've received another owl from Cornelius..."
The next day
"Potter," a voice called out but it wasn't the one Harry had been expecting.
He and his friends were waiting outside the Potion's classroom along with most of the others. Snape had yet to open the door so most people were chatting away, not yet having any fear of their Potion's Master.
"Yes Draco?" Harry answered patiently.
"What you said on the train," the blond boy said loudly enough to attract attention. "It doesn't change the fact that wizards and witches are better than Muggles."
Harry just shrugged.
"That's your opinion," he said simply. "In my experience, people with magic are just the same was people without magic."
"How can you say that?" demanded Malfoy as more people started listening to them. "We have magic, they don't, what more is there?"
"A lot more," Harry said wisely. "Having magic doesn't stop from murdering their fellow wizards and Muggles does it?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Malfoy demanded again but sounding a lot more confused and rather annoyed.
"Just what I said," Harry said just as he heard the door opening. "You get good and bad Muggles same was with magical folk."
"In," came the cold voice of Snape which thankfully meant the conversation was cut short.
Everyone trooped in with Hermione casually making sure Neville was seated with them. The least they could do was make sure their fellow Gryffindor got off to a reasonable start in Potions. Snape swept to the very front of the class, his black eyes sweeping over everyone and creating instant silence. His eyes lingered on Harry who smiled slightly.
Breaking eye contact with Harry, Snape stared down at a ledger that he had picked up off his desk and began to call out the names. When he reached Harry's, he paused very deliberately and said.
"Ah yes, Harry Potter, vanquisher of dark lords."
"Well, that was different," Harry thought as he arranged a curious look on his face as people stared and a couple sniggered. Hermione was also hiding a smile, her professor just sounded a little over the top. Ron just stared at Snape, wondering at the change of wording.
"You are here to learn the subtle science," Snape began, giving the same speech he'd given them before about brewing glory, bottling fame and putting a stopper in death.
"Done it," Ron couldn't help but think. "Or at least, Harry's done it."
"...if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach," Snape finished.
"Now's the moment," Harry thought as Snape paused and looked in his direction.
"Weasley," came the surprise back. "What would I get if I powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Ron openly gaped at Snape, he had not been expecting that at all.
"Well, I believe I asked you a question," Snape sneered when Ron didn't say anything. "Do you not know the answer?"
A hard defiant look came into Ron's eyes and he said.
"They make a really powerful sleeping potion called the Draught of Living Death, sir."
Everyone stared in astonishment at Ron; he actually knew the right answer. Snape stared at Ron for a long moment before saying silkily.
"Well, well, a Weasley with an ounce of brain, I never thought I'd see the day."
Ron flushed as Malfoy laughed but he didn't say anything.
"Why don't we see if lightning strikes twice?" Snape said sneeringly. "Where would I find a bezoar?"
"Stomach of a goat," Ron answered instantly, ignoring Hermione's warning looks. "Sir."
Snape's eyes were now narrowed and he said silkily.
"And what is the difference, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"They're the same thing," Ron said triumphantly as several students looked very impressed. "Any other questions, sir?"
"As much as I would love to pick your brain, Weasley," Snape said in a dangerous tone. "We're short on time but rest assured, there will be another time."
"I look forward to it," Ron muttered as Snape waved his wand and the instructions appeared on the board.
He looked around and saw Hermione giving him a very exasperated look.
"What?" he said as Harry said dryly.
"I think I've just been replaced."
The rest of the lesson went smoothly, with Hermione helping him; Neville didn't melt his cauldron although he was still trembling at the sight of the dour Potion's Master sweeping about the place. He loudly praised Malfoy's work while sneering at the Gryffindors, particularly Ron's while completely ignoring anything Harry was dong. Personally, Harry thought Ron was doing a great job preparing the ingredients, he had always been good but learning to cook seemed to have given him an edge.
Since it was such a basic potion, Harry and Ron had no difficulty in brewing it but Ron was determined to make it perfect. Harry wasn't sure where this had come from, Ron had always hated Snape but Snape had never seemed to have any personal hatred for Ron. Not the way he hated Harry or even Hermione to a certain extent; he'd always been scathingly dismissive of Ron.
Once they were all finished their Potions, Snape said.
"Fill up a vial and bring it up to the desk, do not spill any of this on your bare skin or you will break out in boils."
As Harry and Ron obeyed, Ron sneakily filled a few more vials. When Harry gave him a look, Ron just hissed "You'll see."
Harry shrugged and Ron took their vial up to Snape's desk. Ron then very deliberately turned and was just striding back to their work bench when there was a smash. Everyone jumped and Harry raised an eyebrow as Ron turned back to the desk where Snape was mockingly staring at the floor where their smashed vial lay.
"What a shame and you have no potion left," Snape said cruelly, his wave flashing out and disappearing everyone's potions.
Ron looked straight at Snape and then said cheerfully.
"That's okay sir, I had a spare."
And he brought out a spare vial and then came back to the desk, placing it firmly in the middle of the other vials. Snape glowered at him as everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
"What amazing...foresight Weasley," Snape said slowly, picking up the vial and playing with it between his long fingers. "Interesting."
He smiled slowly, in a rather evil sort of way as Ron just stared back defiantly.
"Thank you sir," was all he said.
Snape didn't break this vial, just dismissed Ron with a wave of his hand. Ron turned and once again headed back to Harry who was staring with slight disbelief. The bell rang and everyone started packing everything away, with Harry whispering.
"How did you know that was going to happen?"
"I had a feeling he might," Ron said with a shrug. "He had the same look in his eye when he smashed yours that time."
They didn't say anything, just departed the classroom with the others, Hermione quickly rushing to their side.
"What was all that about" she demanded as they allowed everyone else to pull ahead.
"Nothing," Ron said simply. "I'm just not going to let Snape get the best of me."
"Get the best of you?" she repeated in confusion. "Ron, I don't..."
"He might be a bloody hero but he also put us through seven years of hell, you two most of all," Ron said sharply. "When he wasn't trying to get revenge on James Potter through you Harry, he was belittling you Hermione. You always did the potions perfect and yet he acted like you were scum. And as for people like Neville, bloody hell, he knew what happened to Neville's parents and yet he terrified the shit out of him."
Ron was breathing hard by now, his ears bright red with anger as he strode even faster along.
"I'm not letting him do that this year, even if that means he's out to get me, he's not doing the same again. But I'm not going to make it easy for him, if I have to become the best at Potions, I'll do it," he vowed firmly.
"Ron...," Hermione began but Harry shook his head even as Ron said.
"I've got to do this Hermione; don't try to talk me out of it."
She bit her lip, she clearly wanted to argue but against her better judgement she didn't. They continued on to lunch where many of their fellows were whispering about Ron but it wasn't difficult to ignore. This time, Hermione went with them to Hagrids where they discovered the newspaper clipping and good naturedly teased Hagrid about. Hagrid of course blustered and denied everything but they soon dropped the subject and enjoyed afternoon tea.
The weekend passed well, they spent their time in the room of Requirement with their forbidden books and researched healing, Occlumency and potions. Ron was still determined to outwit Snape and since Hermione never said no to more studying, she didn't protest. One thing they discovered during their study session was that while they knew all their spells, their bodies didn't.
Harry discovered he couldn't fire off the spells as fast as he could before or cast them as neatly. At first he was shocked but accepted he'd need to relearn the spells or at least, allow his body to learn them. He started on what he felt was the most important, the shield charm and the disarming spell. If they were going to face Quirrel and by extension Voldemort then they needed to be prepared.
Hermione practised the shield charm and various jinxes while Ron did hexes and also the shield charm. It was handy there was three of them as they could practice all their preferred defence skills and see who could get past who's shield. After they layered the ground with large and very soft pillows of course, past experience had taught them well.
"That's enough," Hermione panted collapsed on a pillow after Harry had managed to disarm her yet again. "I think I need a study break."
"Alright," Harry laughed, he was feeling a bit tired himself as Ron helped her to his feet.
"This is going surprisingly well," Ron commented on as she shot him a smile. "We're even ahead in our homework."
"Makes a change," Hermione chuckled, going over to a squashy armchair and sinking into it with a sigh of relief. "How did you find it?"
"Easier than I remember," Ron admitted before asking. "How's those healing charms going?"
"Good," she said with a smile. "I'm pretty sure I can heal minor injuries without dittany. Although I'm still going to get some as soon as I can harvest them from the greenhouses, they're not in season yet."
"Shall we do it now?" Harry questioned and they nodded, Ron bringing out his silver cutting knife.
"Don't worry, it's sterilised," he assured the two of them before rolling up his sleeve. "Let's do this."
Five days later
"Class is finishing, he should head to the staff room," Ron hissed, staring at the map he'd successfully nicked off Fred and George. They'd been observing Quirrel's movement and he'd usually go to the staff room before dinner. And thankfully there appeared to be some other staff members including Snape and McGonagall.
"Let's get going," Harry replied and the three of them marched off, heading to a spot near the staff room where they could wait for Quirrel but still be within hearing range of the other teachers.
They stopped before a corner and watched the map as Quirrel approached. They couldn't help but notice his dot was slightly smudged. There was no sign of Voldemort's name which made them think that was the reason for the smudged dot was because of the shared body. Quirrel had continued to twitch and stutter his way through every lesson, they'd heard the fifth and seventh years complaining the most about this.
"He's coming," Hermione said anxiously. "Oh, I hope this works."
"It will, don't worry," Harry said reassuringly. "Just remember to make as much noise as possible."
She nodded, nervously the handle of her wand currently sheathed. They watched the dot of Quirrel come closer and closer until finally, he was deemed closer enough. It was show time.
"You are so exasperating," Hermione shrieked, marching round the corner with Ron hot on her heels.
"I'm sorry, alright," Ron exclaimed as Harry tiredly brought up the rear. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"
"I'm being difficult?" Hermione half screamed, marching even faster across the corridor. "Ronald, you are the most insensitive, inconsiderate, unbelievable..."
"Watch where you're going," Ron suddenly cried, as Harry set a carefully placed tripping jink at Quirrel just as Hermione stumbled and collided with him. Ron collided with Hermione and Harry with Ron, sending all four of crashing to the ground.
As Quirrel gave a shriek of outrage, Hermione's hand somehow touched his and his shriek of outrage changed to one of excruciating pain. Unfortunately, due to the three children on him, all Quirrel could do was thrash and scream as little hands somehow came into contact with his bare skin.
"What's happening...what's happening?" Hermione shrieked hysterically at the top of her voice.
"Something's burning him," Harry cried. "Quick, get his robes off."
They started pulling away at Quirrel's purple robes even as he screamed and struggled to get away.
"Get off...you're burning me...ahhhh...ahhh," Quirrel screamed as his thrashing knocked his turban askew.
Knowing they had to be quick before the other teachers got here, Harry deliberately slipped his hand under that turban and rammed his palm against the strange, scaly skin that he found. Quirrel's scream of pain was the loudest yet but it wasn't the only one, another high pitched scream joined it and an explosion of magic blasted the three of them backwards.
Slightly winded, they stared as a strange mist seemed to rise from the twitching, crying form of Quirrel, solidifying into a terrible, furious face with red slit like eyes. It bared slightly pointed teeth, hissing madly as it leaned towards them.
"What are you?" Harry demanded and it let out a cackled of mad laughter.
"You do not recognise me, Harry Potter?" it demanded angrily. "I suppose I did look rather different the last time we met?"
Harry resisted the urge to snort and instead gasped theatrically.
"Voldemort?"
"Yes, puny boy, your ultimate nemesis," Voldemort hissed, coming even closer. "I am the reason you're famous, I am the reason you bare that scar, I am the reason you have no parents."
He sneered with relish at this part even as Harry's face hardened.
"Yeah and I'm the reason you're nothing more than a wasted parasite," he shot back making the red eyes contract with rage.
"You dare defy me?" he questioned even as the trio could hear the sound of running footsteps.
"Yeah, we all dare," Harry shouted right back at the spirit, raising his wand. "And we're not afraid to fight you."
"Yeah," Ron added, raising his wand along with Hermione, all three pointing at Voldemort.
"Mere children against the almighty Lord Voldemort? Ha ha hah haaaaa!" laughed the spectre even as Ron and Hermione's lingering fears over the man vanished. Really, was he always like this?
"How amusing, I've never been...yahh!" he shrieked as Hermione threw a ball of blue flames right at him while Ron and Harry sent blasting jinxes to throw him off balance.
As Voldemort roared with fury, Professor's Snape, McGonagall and Flitwick finally arrived, coming to an astonished halt at the sight that met their eyes. Seeing them, Ron roared.
"It's Voldemort, he's trying to kill us."
Seeing the red eyed spirit above a twitching, blubbering Quirrel with three dishevelled first year students looking much drained, it did not take even a moment for McGonagall to leap into action. With slash of her wand, she brought two nearby suits of armour to life who leapt in front of the children, holding their swords high. Both Snape and Flitwick sent a combination of spells which had Voldemort hissing furiously as he was forced to retreat.
"Be gone out of this castle," Professor McGonagall cried, her tartan robes billowing out behind her from the force of her magic as she directed it straight at Voldemort. "The headmaster knows you are here and he will not tolerate your presence."
"Yes, be gone," squeaked Professor Flitwick while Snape said nothing, just continued to send curses at the rapidly retreating dark spirit lord.
"This is not the end!" Voldemort screamed shrilly. "I shall return and wreck my revenge."
"Do you hear me Harry Potter; I will destroy you and your friends."
"Just try it," Harry yelled as a trill of Phoenix song was suddenly heard.
Recognising it was the sign of Dumbledore rapidly approaching, Voldemort let out one finally curse and sped away, moving snakelike through the air. A moment later, there was a burst of fire and Dumbledore appeared, electric blue eyes alight with fire and McGonagall cried.
"He went down that way Albus."
"I will ensure he does not linger," Dumbledore said grimly before charging down the corridor after Voldemort, Fawkes flying in his wake.
"Professor?" Hermione murmured before staggering sideways, caught by Ron who suddenly found he could barely stand.
"Oh my, children," she cried, rushing forward and clutching Hermione to her.
"Send for Poppy," she ordered Snape and Flitwick and they nodded, Flitwick waving his wand and sending what they recognised to be a Patronus away.
Snape sent them a strange look before going over to examine Quirrel while Professor Flitwick did his best to help McGonagall support the suddenly woozy children. Harry knew what it was; touching Quirrel like that had severely drained them but not enough to send them into unconsciousness. This was what had made Ron's plan so brilliant, with all three of them using Lily's protection against Voldemort/Quirrel, their chances of defeating him had been greatly increased.
"What did he do to you?" McGonagall asked in a strangely gentle voice as Snape waved his wand over Quirrel.
"I...we don't know," Harry panted, he really didn't feel great. "We collided in the corridor and...he just started screaming Professor."
"Dark magic," Flitwick said darkly.
"It's all my fault," Hermione said faintly. "I was arguing with Ron and not looking where I was going."
"It's most certainly not your fault Miss Granger," McGonagall said soothingly. "I don't know precisely what's happened but I do know you three were not to blame."
"He's been badly burned," Snape pronounced grimly. "He'll be scarred for life most likely but I think he'll live."
"Thank goodness," McGonagall murmured before saying. "As soon as Poppy's arrived to assess Professor Quirrel, we'll get you all the Hospital Wing where you can rest."
"Sounds good," Ron slurred, blinking his eyes as he tried to keep them open.
True enough, as soon as Madam Pomfrey appeared, she immediately ordered everyone to her Hospital Wing. Quirrel had to be levitated by Flitwick while McGonagall supported Hermione, Pomfrey Ron and Harry Snape. Snape had looked with distaste at his choice of boys to support but in the end seemed to decide Harry was the lesser evil. He had a sour expression all the way there where they were met by Professor Dumbledore.
"Voldemort is gone," he declared as the relevant patients were tucked into bed, Madam Pomfrey instantly going to work on Quirrel. "He will not return in a hurry and I shall take steps to ensure he cannot enter again in his current form."
"How could this have happened?" McGonagall questioned, overcome by the thought of Voldemort being near so many precious students.
"I believe our three young heroes may be able to help with that," Dumbledore said with twinkling eyes as he turned to them. "Perhaps some chocolate to strength the nerves?"
Very soon, they were indeed being given some thick slabs of delicious chocolate which definitely perked Ron right up. They relaxed against plumped up pillows as Dumbledore gently asked them to explain what happened. They explained about the argument, how Quirrel had tripped and collided into them, how he'd started shrieking in pain as some unknown force burned him.
There had been so much confusion, he'd been screaming so much, they'd tried to untangle themselves but they just kept falling over each other. Finally, something had blasted them off him and the almost ghostly form of Voldemort had risen up and challenged them. And how they'd responded defiantly and tried to defend themselves but how relieved they were that their teachers had arrived.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked when they'd finished explaining. "Why did Voldemort come from Professor Quirrel?"
Ignoring Snape's slight flinch, Dumbledore said gravely.
"I'm afraid Professor Quirrel was being possessed by lord Voldemort, although it is currently unknown whether this was willing or not. It appears that somehow, you three forced Voldemort to abandon his host body and flee. Although how you did this remains to be seen."
His eyes were piercing as he examined them closely but they just lay back tiredly in their beds. There was a moment's pause and then Dumbledore smiled again.
"I'm sure it's nothing for you to worry about, in the meantime you must get some rest."
"Professor, what's going to happen to Professor Quirrel?" Hermione asked and he sighed sadly.
"It is likely he'll be removed to Saint Mungos, his body had suffered greatly. For the moment, it looks like we'll be without a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Oh no," she said softly as Ron rolled his eyes, even though it was an act.
With a twinkle, Dumbledore said.
"Do not fret Miss Granger; we will sort something out so your education doesn't suffer. I must leave and contact St Mungos, rest well."
As he left, Professor McGonagall now said.
"I'm afraid you will have to remain here overnight to ensure there are no complications but if you do everything Madam Pomfrey says, you should hopefully be able to enjoy the weekend."
They thanked her but she lingered a look of deep concern on her face.
"If...if you need someone to talk to about what happened, my door is always open," she told them firmly.
"Thank you Professor," Hermione said with a smile as the boys nodded.
She nodded before leaving to confer with Snape over what had happened, they were standing close to Madam Pomfrey who was still treating Quirrel. The trio glanced at each other before whispering.
"One down."
Author's note. Hope everyone liked that; I've been trying to move the plot along a bit. Once again, Merry Christmas.