Four Heads Are Better Than One

Year One: Problems Arise

Hi, thank you again for all your reviews, favourites and alerts. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"Why did he have to be sorted into Gryffindor?"

Minerva glanced at her. "Not jealous are we, Pomona?" She had not stopped smiling since Harry Potter had made his record-breaking catch to secure a win for Gryffindor over Hufflepuff.

Pomona shook her head. "Of course not." Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe a little."

Filius nodded ruefully. "He really is a brilliant Seeker."

Minerva's eyes gleamed. "It'll be interesting to see how he fares against Miss Chang."

Filius took up the challenge good naturedly. "Cho does have the edge in experience."

Minerva looked incredulous. "Youngest Seeker in a century?"

Filius grinned. "We'll see."

Pomona looked round with a frown. "Have either of you seen Severus?"

Minerva shook her head. "Not since the match."

"He mentioned something about having a word with Quirinius," Filius said slowly.

Pomona's frown deepened. "I hope he knows what he's doing."

Minerva looked troubled. "Severus can take care of himself." Despite her words, the concern in her face did not change. Severus was a formidable wizard, but he did have a habit of underestimating people, and Quirrell's actions over the past few months had been strange to say the least.

Fortunately, Severus chose that moment to make an appearance.

Minerva did not even try to hide the relief in her voice. "Where have you been?"

Severus looked rather surprised. "What's wrong?"

Filius smiled at him. "They were worried that something had happened to you." His smile widened as the two witches glared at him.

"You weren't supposed to tell him," Minerva hissed under her breath.

Severus felt a glow of pleasure at their concern, but quickly masked it by glaring at them. "You don't think I can handle Quirrell?"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry for actually caring about what happens to my colleagues."

Pomona exchanged a glance with Filius and decided it was time to head off the impending argument. "Severus, what exactly did Quirinius say?"

Severus turned to her, all traces of good humour vanishing. "We have a bit of a problem."

Minerva frowned, her irritation with the Slytherin forgotten at the expression on his face. "What's happened?"

Severus scowled. "It appears that he has discovered how to get past our obstacles."

The others stared at him in dismay. Filius was the first to find his voice. "All of them?"

Severus grimaced. "All, but Fluffy."

Minerva shook her head. "He can get past killer plants, enchanted chess sets, flying keys and deadly riddles, but he can't handle a dog?"

"Why are you complaining? And trust me, Fluffly barely qualifies as a dog."

Pomona's cheerful face was extremely grave. "Have you told the Headmaster?"

Severus nodded. "That's why I was late."

"What's he going to do? Move the Stone?"

Severus shook his head. "No. He just assured me that the situation was under control."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Typical."

Filius looked over at the Slytherin. "He's really worked out how to get past everything?" The surprise in his voice was tinged with admiration.

Minerva's frown deepened as Severus nodded. "I don't understand this. I taught Quirinius Quirrell, and while he might have the intelligence to find the solutions, he certainly doesn't have the courage to actually put them into practice."

Severus snorted. "You can say that again. He was terrified by a hag."

Filius nodded grimly. "Minerva's right though. I reall can't see Quirinius tackling all this by himself."

"Then he must be getting help," said Pomona quietly.

The others fell silent. None of them wanted to consider the implications of that statement. Severus' hand moved unconsciously to his left forearm.

Eventually, Minerva broke the silence. "How could he be here?"

Severus shook his head slowly. "The Dark Lord has mastered some of oldest magic still surviving. He may have found a way to assist Quirrell even without a physical body."

"And as protected as Hogwarts is, it isn't completely secure," said Filius grimly. "Not even Albus can think of everything."

Pomona sighed. "He knew about this already, didn't he?"

"I think he certainly suspected it."

Severus scowled. "Then why isn't he doing anything? While Quirrell's around, both the students and the Stone are in danger."

Minerva rubbed her eyes wearily. "You'd have to be a world class mental Healer to understand the way Albus' mind works." She sighed. "I'll talk to him, but I don't think I'll have much luck."

Severus nodded glumly. "All he would say is the he has a plan."

Filius frowned. "Albus plans tend to work out in the end, but in this case, I don't think it can hurt to take some extra precautions."

Severus smirked. "My thoughts exactly." His tone turned serious. "I was going to keep a closer eye on Quirrell in any case."

Minerva nodded approvingly. "And I'll try and keep Potter, Weasley and Miss Granger out of trouble."

Pomona shuddered. "I don't envy you. Those three seem to be magnets for danger."

Please let me know what ou thought.