Chapter 2: An Old Man's Reasons

Dumbledore stood and left behind the two boys as he processed the conversation, he'd just had with the youngest Weasley son. First, he knew he had to return to his office, where the heads of houses waited for him along with Hagrid. All had provided protection to the stone and been alerted about what just happened.

As he walked from the lower floors up to the Seventh, he took the slowest route he knew to give him time to think. The other professors would likely question his choice of protections again. He had told Ron the truth, but yes, it had also been a test. He kept an eye on Harry this year, having Hagrid report to him first after meeting him, then asking portraits or professors.

He knew the boy had made friends with the Weasley kids. Just as with Hagrid, the Weasleys would help instill Harry with the right values and loyalties. The boy didn't show much potential to his professors, though he was a good student. He didn't make the top marks like either of his parents had in their years at Hogwarts. Yet, on Halloween, a day Dumbledore was watching the boy more closely than usual, he showed the bravery expected of his house.

Dumbledore had been sure Harry would be upset that entire day. There was no sign of sadness and tears, only excitement for the feast. The tears came from his housemate, Miss Granger. The way the three children interacted after that night was something of beauty. It reminded him of James Potter and his friends if they had been a bit less conceited and more focused on other priorities.

But James had not had to focus on any of that. Neither had Lily. In some ways, Harry was so much like both of his parents. Dumbledore knew he missed them, especially after their talk in front of the Mirror during the holidays. Harry, like him, just wanted a family that loved him.

It was that talk along with everything Ron Weasley had told him that Dumbledore dwelled on most. One year of watching the boy didn't make up for the past years he'd completely neglected the boy. It hadn't seemed to hugely affect Harry, he grew up as Dumbledore wanted, unaware of his fame and the world in store for him. Harry, just like every other student, was in awe of all that Hogwarts offered.

Harry was very much, unlike most children he had seen, as much as he was similar to them. Dumbledore would have to wait until the boy woke to speak to him properly, but his friend's insights were enough to get him thinking.

He had finally made it to the fourth floor, he gave his Gargoyle the password and watched it move aside so he could climb more stairs to his tower study. Inside were the assembled professors.

Flitwick was awkwardly comforting a crying Hagrid. Snape stood in the corner in the gloom. Meanwhile, McGonagall stood with Sprout moving between ranting and worrying about her students. When Albus entered the room and caught her eye she turned her energy toward him.

"Will you tell us exactly what happened now? I've only just got Miss Granger to sleep with that calming draught. I had one student in the body locker curse on the floor of my common room. And I have two other students in the hospital wing."

"The protections, Albus, what happened?" Flitwick questioned

"What 'bout Harry?" Hagrid sobbed. "Poor boy has had 'nough happen to him in the past. Will he be alright?"

"Then there is the matter of Quirrell and the Dark Lord."

Albus sighed as he held up his hands a shoulder-width apart as a plea for silence. The others quieted for a moment and turned their heads to watch as he walked to his desk. He picked up a device for one moment and quickly put it down again. His eyes met McGonagall's first.

"Minerva, they are your students. I for once am still figuring the entire matter out. Now, which other student was involved in all of this?"

"Neville Longbottom. The boy was blubbering. It was that mess with Malfoy all over again. Except this time, he was telling the truth."

Sprout put a hand on McGonagall's shoulder. "Perhaps it wasn't just this time."

"I owe him an apology then. As well as Potter, Granger, and Weasley. I was just so shocked they'd found out about the stone. They tried telling me and I didn't listen," McGonagall clutched her hands.

Sprout looked around the room. "How did they even find out about the stone in the first place?"

"That's my fault professor. Harry was with me when I got the stone. He didn't stop asking me 'bout what it was. I spilled some things accidentally."

Several of the other professors shared looks while Albus assured Hagrid it was not his fault. There was another moment of silence outside of Hagrid's sobs. Flitwick broke it by looking to the Headmaster. "I am sure the children were able to figure it out from there. Miss Granger is exceptionally bright. As are the other two when they put in the effort."

"They knew 'bout Fluffy," Hagrid murmured. "Beginning of the year too."

"Potter sticks his nose in many places where it doesn't belong. I'm not surprised. I've said from the beginning that he was an attacking seeking brat. This is just his latest way to flaunt his so-called fame and power."

Sprout had to stop McGonagall from charging towards the head of Slytherin. Hagrid started to defend Harry when Albus spoke up. "Now Severus, I'm sure if you got to know the boy you would see that is not true."

"So, then what did happen, why would our protections be simple enough for a first-year? I know for a fact that mine, something exceedingly simple, was one of the most challenging."

"Yes. Miss Granger did quite well with that. As Mr. Weasley did with Minerva's chess set."

McGonagall's mouth thinned as she sighed. "Still, they are first years Albus. Only eleven and twelve. They might be bright and talented but why should they have to face such things?"

"And I thank you all again for trusting me and not questioning me before this moment," Albus said looking across each of the teachers' faces. "Firstly, I shall assure you Harry will be fine after some rest. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Quirinus Quirrell."

All of the teachers looked down.

"As for what happened beneath the school… Well, firstly there is the fact that both Voldemort and several first-year students were able to get past our protections."

"Protections simple and easy for most," McGonagall said harshly.

"But that wasn't the only thing, was it?" Flitwick asked. "It was a trap."

"Yes. Is it not easy for full-grown wizards to forget what they learned in their first years at school? And those who do remember find such things so easy that their pride grows as they continue."

"You wanted to lead You-Know-Who into a trap with his pride?"

"It worked? Did it not? As for the first years. Most children would not be tempted to go through with such a mission. As I warned them at the beginning of the year against the first-floor corridor, many were not curious enough to even look, some of those who were were turned back by the locked door and if not that by Fluffy. For even those who figured that he was there guarding something would not seek its value for more than their own lives."

Dumbledore turned toward Flitwick then Snape with a meaningful look. They both knew he was speaking of the Ravenclaws and Slytherin. Then he turned to McGonagall and Sprout. "After all, is facing a Cerberus not a grand enough story for any Gryffindor to showcase their bravery? Even the most loyal could not all pass through together, as Miss Granger and Mr. Potter learned at Severus's test. My protection was something that one must face alone. And it was only a person like Harry that could have retrieved the stone from it. Never anyone who wished to use it."

"That's your reason?" McGonagall said.

"Minerva, listen carefully. No one would go after the stone unless they were truly greedy, and those that were would not be able to retrieve it. Harry only could because he did not wish to use it. He went after the stone to save it, not for a story, or to satisfy curiosity but because he knew it was in danger. It is because of that and loyalty that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley followed him. Do you know many children who would do such a thing, not just tell an adult or cower in fear? I did not think any would."

She nodded in acceptance, but Dumbledore was not oblivious to the narrowing of Snape's eyes. Dumbledore stood again and continued. "Thankfully, the students are fine. The stone is safe and will be destroyed. The worst of this is that Nicholas and Pernelle will finally have to move on. That and what happened to poor Professor Quirrell."

The other Professors nodded.

"And what should I tell the others about Quirrell?" McGonagall said. "Or what happened to Weasley and Granger. Surely their parents must be told."

"That they were injured, yes. As for Quirrell, he has met an unfortunate accident, due to a long time coming nervous breakdown. The rest of the school will move on with the finishing of exams and the final quidditch match.

"Perhaps, you are right about the children. After all, they have been through tonight, especially Harry, I believe they could benefit from something to cheer them up. Hagrid, you are closest to him, do you have an idea?"

Hagrid nodded. "If ya gave me a day or two. I'll need some owls."

"Very well. You are all dismissed."

Hagrid left first, followed by Sprout and Flitwick. McGonagall lingered for a moment as if she would say something else but pursed her lips and left. Snape left his corner as she did to look at Dumbledore.

"I won't question you, but can you tell me anything? I watched the boy, and Quirrell as well as I could. You are still hiding more than you wish to say."

"As are you, aren't you Severus?"

Snape just looked at him silently and turned with a swish of his cloak toward the door leaving Dumbledore alone with Fawkes and his thoughts once again.