I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

A Taste of Magic

14th Course – Reclamation

"Ah Nicolas, good to see you."

The man shook Dumbledore's hand energetically. He was undeniably old, yet the way he held himself and acted made him seem somehow younger than the obviously wizened Dumbledore. He had a very short and neat beard and goatee, trim grey and black hair, and bright blue eyes. "Albus, good to see you as well. The years have been kind to you."

Dumbledore chuckled richly. "Not as kind as you."

"Well I have the benefit of some aid in that regard," Nicolas Flamel smiled. "And speaking of." He held out his hand and took the red stone from Dumbledore. It pulsed in his hand, feeling warm and cool at the same time. "Did it help with your experimentation?"

"It is what we assumed; the power is a bit too robust for the rituals I had in mind."

"Pity. Well when I have some free time, perhaps we can work together and create a powered stone that would fit your needs and not exceed them."

"I would enjoy that, thank you. I will let you know my schedule since I assume an undertaking would require some undivided attention. How is Perenelle? I am surprised she did not accompany you."

"She's having fun in Africa at the moment," Nicolas smiled. "She's in the middle of something or else she would be here too. You know she enjoys needling you over something. Though she is in the process of playing matchmaker I do believe."

"Now that is assistance I do not want," Dumbledore laughed.

"What, do you not trust my wife's tastes?" Nicolas asked mildly.

"I am more wary over her sense of decorum," Dumbledore snorted.

"Well she doesn't have one," Nicolas laughed. "Neither do I honestly. Got rid of them many decades ago. Pesky things, gets in the way of proper fun. You should try and do the same."

"I am an Englishman," Dumbledore smiled.

"Well no need to admit it out loud," Nicolas teased and the two men laughed some more. "How are things here? The school year is over, yes?"

"Just about. The major tests are done and it is mostly the clean-up and winding down time of the year," Dumbledore said. "We have a fine class of graduates and the year has been fairly quiet otherwise."

"That is good. I spent some time visiting Maxime a few months ago. She was getting her lot ready for this year's Fair."

"Oh wonderful. I do hope that Hogwarts can attend that soon," Dumbledore said wistfully. "It has been too long since we have."

"It is a pity," Nicolas said sympathetically. "But you have done well in bringing up Hogwarts once more. Your deeds are not going unnoticed."

"Thank you for saying that, it makes me feel better."

"I still have the ear of the committee. I would be more than happy to say a word or two."

Dumbledore hummed. "Not quite yet but I may ask you to do that in the near future. My next few years probably will not be able to provide a good showing, but I have hopes for the coming years." He smiled ruefully. "I normally have reservations against asking for such help behind the scenes, but personal pride can be swallowed for the benefit of others."

"I will be happy to. If you have the connections, might as well use them." Nicolas looked over at a snoozing Fawkes. "Your phoenix looks good but am I right in thinking he has gained weight?"

Dumbledore snorted. "He has, the lazy thing. Now there's a thought. Would you like to take a walk? Perhaps I can introduce you to someone and we can have a treat."

"That sounds nice," Nicolas said agreeably. "Would said treat also include walking past Minerva's office?"

"It could, providing I am far away when you and she get into one of your arguments," Dumbledore laughed. "I fully expected her to hex you the last time."

"She has to learn that the Scots do not own scotch," Nicolas smiled.

-0-

"Filius mon ami!"

Flitwick paused and turned, smiling broadly and waved. "Nicolas! I didn't know you were here."

"Albus is ashamed of my company and keeps such news under wraps," Nicolas sighed woefully. "Such old friends, and he treats me as such."

"Hmm, and how did you introduce me to your colleagues the one time?" Dumbledore asked dryly. "Some chap from England?"

"Was I wrong?" Nicolas asked while Flitwick laughed and Lavender and Harry stared with large eyes. "And who are these delightful youngsters?"

"Harry, Miss Brown, this irreverent fellow, is Nicolas Flamel," Dumbledore said warmly. "Nicolas, this is Harry Potter and Lavender Brown. Two Gryffindor first years and about to be second years." He winked at them. "And yes, that confirms passing marks on your exams."

"Hello Sir," Harry said politely, extending his hand. "You're the alchemist, right?"

"I am indeed," Nicolas said, shaking their hands warmly. "So you've heard of me then? Perhaps a minor footnote in a textbook?"

"Professor Flitwick mentioned your work a few times, since alchemy combines multiple schools of magic," Harry said. "Professor Snape did too."

"You still have children suffer that man?" Nicolas asked Dumbledore, his comment making them snort and laugh.

"Would you care to fill the post?" Dumbledore countered.

"Not at all, I'm a dreadful instructor, as you would know," Nicolas laughed merrily.

"No, tell me that he is not here." McGonagall's voice cut through and they saw her standing at the end of the hall leading into the castle's foyer. She looked fondly exasperated. "Please tell me Perenelle is here holding your leash."

"No she is too busy holding someone else's," Nicolas said smiling. "Good to see you, Minnie."

"Minnie?" Lavender repeated silently to Harry, giggling mightily at McGonagall's look.

"And what did I tell you the last time you used that appellation?" McGonagall said crossly as she approached.

"That you love it when I do," Nicolas grinned.

"Nicolas was always a jolly fellow," Flitwick told a thoroughly amused Harry and Lavender. "There are times when he is serious and professional of course, but they are few and far between." He turned and saw someone approaching them rapidly. "Oh dear, Quirinus seems to be bothered. I wonder what is wrong."

"H-Headmaster!" Quirrell stammered as he ran up. "I-I must sp-p-peak with you!"

"Of course, what is wrong?" Dumbledore asked, turning to face the professor.

Harry grunted, rubbing his scar. He felt compelled to take a step back from Quirrell, feeling his head ache. He bumped into Lavender who was standing behind him. "Oh, sorry Lavender."

Lavender did not say anything. Instead she clung to him tightly, utterly silent. She started pulling on his arm.

"Lavender, what's wrong," Harry asked, turning to look at her.

She was as white as a sheet and was staring at something above the both of them. "Harry?" she whimpered and pointed.

Harry turned to look down a side passage and gaped at the gigantic mountain troll that seemed to fill the entire hallway. The magical creature was monstrous in size and stature, towering over all of them. Harry gulped when he saw the club that the troll hefted, the length of it was longer than he was tall and the head was enormous. How it approached them unnoticed, Harry did not know. He watched the troll raise the club and start to step forward.

He pointed his wand at the stones beneath the troll's feet and shouted the first incantation that came to mind. "Scourgify!" Scrubbing bubbles saturated the stone and when the troll stepped down on the soap-slicked stone, it roared in surprise and anger and slipped. Harry dove, pushing Lavender down and the club went sailing over them. Lavender screamed and pulled Harry with her.

The scream and the slamming club on the stone wall alerted the professors and the Headmaster and the alchemist. After a moment's shock, they acted. Flitwick summoned the students to him by their robes, casting a Shield Charm over them. McGonagall flicked her wand at the suits of empty armor and they sprang to life, launching themselves at the troll.

"There's another!" Quirrell shouted as another gigantic form blundered its way up the hallway. He hissed an incantation and the second troll howled with pain as a rain of stones pelted it, driving it back.

Dumbledore drew an intricate symbol with his wand and the club in the second troll's hand became a coil of rope that slithered around the troll, binding it tightly. "Block the foyer!" he shouted, voice deep and full of purpose. McGonagall slashed with her wand and the wooden plinths at either side of the way into the castle fell and elongated, becoming a wall that blocked the rest of the castle off before transforming into stone.

Flamel reached into his robes and withdrew a vial. He bit the top off and spat it aside and scattered handfuls of things into it, speaking rapidly in French. The vial shimmered and the contents turned inky black and he threw it at the first troll. The vial shattered and the contents spilled out, covering the troll in thick viscous material, making it struggle slowly. The suits of armor were coated too and they clung to the troll, hampering its movements even more.

"Let's get out of here," Flitwick said, voice high from adrenaline but still kind. He hustled the students in front of him, eager to escape the coming melee.

"Watch out!" Harry shouted, pushing back against Lavender and Flitwick. A third troll came out of another side passage and it swung its club, shattering stone and brick and everything in between. Harry pushed Lavender into Flitwick and dove, arms over his head. His push sent the girl and the professor flying back, out of the way of falling stones and separating them. He rolled and tried to scramble up but tripped and he went flying into the passage. He landed heavily and his head bounced off the stone, knocking him sluggish.

"Harry!" Lavender shrieked.

Dumbledore turned to look and his attention wavered for a critical second. The bound troll roared and flexed, snapping the rope that was holding it still. It charged forward, knocking Quirrell aside with a slap, sending the man flying. Dumbledore stood his ground and pointed his wand at the troll. "Impedimenta!" The troll slammed to a stop, as if hitting an invisible wall and Dumbledore's face twisted from the effort. With another wave of his wand, he smashed the troll down and it collapsed into a boneless heap, unconscious.

He spared a moment to look for Harry and see how Quirrell was but by then the third troll was trying to crush Flitwick and Lavender. With a shout, he jumped to help, followed by McGonagall and Flamel.

Quirrell shook his head drunkenly as he sat up. His eyes were bright red however, and he moved in a fashion that was different than usual. "Fool!" Voldemort hissed. The blow from the third troll, despite being hastily aimed, was more than enough to send the grown man flying and knock him senseless. Voldemort's spirit was able to take control while Quirrell's consciousness was absent. "I should have known better than to trust you completely!"

He watched as the professors and Dumbledore and Nicolas battled the second troll while dealing with the third one that was stirring feebly. Mountain trolls were notoriously magic resistant and were proving to be difficult to handle.

With how furiously they were fighting, Quirrell/Voldemort had no way to ambush Nicolas and take the stone. The opportunity was wasted.

Voldemort hissed in agony, feeling the skin on his host's arm burn. He realized that he had flown into Harry, knocking the boy over and the two of them falling into the side passage with the first troll that was still fighting its way from the black goo that Nicolas had thrown over it. As Voldemort reeled back, he paused, feeling something else besides intense pain and burning.

"No…can it be?" he whispered to himself. He flicked the wand and Harry turned over, groaning fitfully. Voldemort stared at the scar on Harry's forehead and he felt a tiny pulse that throbbed deeply in his fractured soul.

Recognition.

Voldemort looked at the battling professors, then looked down at Harry. An idea flashed into being in his mind and he grinned savagely. He held his right hand over Harry's scar and snarled. "Return to me, return what is mine!"

Harry screamed. He felt like his head would explode and he grabbed it with his hands as if to hold it together. Pressure grew and grew until he felt his skull and skin tear. Thick liquid spilled from his scar and his scream increased in volume and intensity before he fell back, falling into blissful unconsciousness.

Voldemort roared aloud from agony and exhilaration. The returning soul piece filled him with strength and pain and he felt the blood within Quirrell burn with this influx of magical strength and something more. Voldemort knew he had to do something with this excess magic or else it would consume him, not to mention provide some kind of alibi.

The first troll continued to struggle, trapped by the muck. It growled impotently at Voldemort, gnashing its teeth at him.

"You will do," Voldemort said, smiling cruelly.

As the two other trolls were brought down and restrained, a gigantic roar of sound and an intense shriek of inhuman pain filled the air. A massive gout of fire exploded down the side passage, a tidal wave of flames spilling out and slamming into the opposite wall, burning the stones black.

"Harry!" Lavender screamed. She had managed to stay out of the fight, watching with awe at her instructors fighting. Now she turned and was about to run towards the dying flames but was held back by McGonagall.

"He's okay!" a voice called out, coughing and hacking. Quirrell appeared, carrying a senseless Harry in his arms, wrapped in his overrobes and turban. "For the most part," he said as he slumped to the ground and deposited Harry neatly on the ground. "A bit singed, but so am I."

Flitwick and Nicolas bent over Harry with the former casting spells and the latter withdrawing more vials and gently sprinkling the contents over the boy. Dumbledore breathed a large sigh of relief, seeing Harry breathing, before turning to Quirrell. "And you? Are you okay Quirinus?"

"I'll be fine, I think," Quirrell said, holding up shaking hands. His hands were burned, skin showing red and black and pale white. "I had to use the strongest spell I knew to take care of that first brute. It was about to kill us."

"You did well," Dumbledore said. "You did what you must have and you protected Harry." He paused and peered closely. "Any other injuries?"

Quirrell shook his head, blinking slowly. His eyes were brown in the lantern light. "I-I don't think s-so."

"Albus, the boy is stable. His magic is in flux but in the presence of the spells here, that's not unheard of," Nicolas said. "We should get him to the Infirmary."

"Of course." Dumbledore turned away from Quirrell. "You and Filius take him, take Miss Brown with you. Quirinus, go with them and get your wounds treated as well. Minerva, make sure the rest of the school is safe, bring all the students to the Great Hall. Have the ghosts patrol the school to look for other interlopers. Fawkes!" The phoenix appeared in a flash of fire and light. "To the Auror department at the Ministry. I will require their attention."

Fawkes trilled and disappeared with another flash.

As the others left, Dumbledore resecured the bindings on the other two trolls and looked at the remains of the first one. The intensity of the fire spell had burned flesh and skin away, leaving charred and blackened bone. The fire had melted the suits of armor and they bonded to the corpse, smoldering and smoking. Eventually he turned and saw Snape approach.

"The ghosts have not found any other trolls," Snape said without preamble. "There is a broken gate on the far side of the castle with signs of things beaten with clubs."

"That is how they entered," Dumbledore mused. "The question is, why? We are far from any of the mountain troll caves and we have nothing here that would entice them."

"As far as we know," Snape said.

"True," Dumbledore conceded.

"What happened to this one?" Snape asked, staring at the burned corpse with horrid fascination.

"It was the first to attack. Mister Potter and Miss Brown alerted us to its presence. Minerva animated some suits of armor while Nicolas hit it with his growing sticking goo. Quirinius and Potter were knocked down this passageway while we were dealing with the other two and next I know, Quirinius dispatched it with a very violent fire spell."

"It must have been to render the troll into this state," Snape murmured. "And Quirrell and the boy were unharmed?"

"Aside from blood and bruises and some mild burns, yes."

"That seems…fortunate," Snape said slowly.

"It does. And I have never known anything to be able to break away from Nicolas' sticking creations like that," Dumbledore said softly.

Snape looked at the burned stones all around the hallway and at the opposing wall. "I was unaware Quirrell could cast at this magnitude."

"Stressful situations can cause a magical to cast things at a higher strength than usual," Dumbledore said diplomatically.

The other man grunted. "Flamel still has the Stone?"

"I believe so, yes."

"Then Quirrell either failed at his target or the Stone was not his target," Snape said.

"And I cannot delve too deeply now since he did save Mister Potter's life," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps all of this was some kind of misunderstanding."

Snape snorted deeply. "You are not that naïve, are you?"

"Sometimes I wish I was," Dumbledore said softly. Fawkes reappeared, holding a piece of parchment with the Auror symbol on it. "Ah, they have arrived. Let us see if their investigation can provide any additional information."

-0-

Harry groaned. His head ached and throbbed and his limbs felt like they were encased in mud and stone.

"Mister Potter, lie easy," Poppy Pomfrey, Matron Healer of Hogwarts, said gently.

He opened his eyes, squinting myopically as he did as bidden. "Am I in the Infirmary?" he asked, his voice raspy and rough.

"I am glad to see that the head injury did not rob you of your senses," Pomfrey joked lightly. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts," Harry said. He took his glasses back from her and put them on. "But okay I guess."

"You hit your head rather hard on the stone," Pomfrey said. "And I believe you cut your forehead from something else, you lost a bit of blood. Luckily no brain damage as far as we can tell, not even a concussion."

"I was told I had a thick skull," Harry said sheepishly.

Pomfrey blinked. "Well, perhaps and it seemed to have spared you some damage," she said. "You have been unconscious for two days healing but if things progress as expected, you should be out soon. You are healing rather well to be honest. And that is very good."

Harry then remembered the events leading up to him hitting his head. "Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?"

"You were the worst hurt. Professor Quirrell had some bruising and burns but otherwise was fine. Everyone else was mostly unhurt as well, thankfully."

Harry laid back, relieved. "Thank goodness," he said.

"I agree," Pomfrey said. "There is someone who would like to see you. I can deny them, if need be, but they are rather insistent. Do you feel up to it?"

"I guess so," Harry said.

"Let me know if you need the rest and I will chase them away." Pomfrey left his bedside and after a few moments, Dumbledore approached, sitting down on the chair beside him.

"Harry," he said, looking happy to see Harry awake. "How are you feeling?"

"My head is a bit sore, but otherwise okay. How are you?"

Dumbledore laughed at that. "I am fine, doing much better after seeing you awake. You did a very brave thing, Harry. A credit to your character."

"I did?" Harry blushed.

"You saved Miss Brown," Dumbledore said firmly. "Your quick thinking with the spell and pushing her down not once but twice spared her from harm."

"Oh, right. I just…I didn't think, I just reacted," Harry said lamely.

"Your instincts took over and it was a good thing. You did well, Harry, do not think otherwise."

Harry blinked slowly, staring at Dumbledore. "Thank you, Sir," he said at last. "And she's really okay?"

"She is fine. Been a bit belligerent about visiting you, as some others have as well." He smiled. "Perhaps I can convince Madam Pomfrey to allow them to see you."

"Yes please," Harry said eagerly.

"I will do my best. She is the law in this wing, however, and not even my words can sway her all the time." Dumbledore sobered. "Do you remember anything, when you were knocked down the side passage with Professor Quirrell?"

Harry shook his head. "Not really. I remember hitting my head. Oh! I remembered thinking my head was going to split open at one point. There was a lot of pressure and then it stopped and I think I bled a little, from my scar. It hurt right before the trolls appeared."

Dumbledore leaned in, looking interested. "Your scar hurt you?"

"Yes Sir. There's been times where it tingled and felt funny but it hurt a lot and then the trolls appeared and I forgot about it."

"Does it hurt now?"

Another headshake. "No Sir. I feel fine, actually fine, really."

Dumbledore leaned back. "Well, do let me and Madam Pomfrey know if anything changes. I want to thank you again, Harry, for your bravery and selflessness. You acted intelligently and courageously." A soft smile grew. "Your parents would be as proud as I am."

Harry felt tears prickling but his smile was broad. "Thank you, Sir."

"No, thank you, Harry."

-0-

"Harry!" Lavender came running into the Infirmary, ignoring Pomfrey's half-hearted attempts at making her walk slowly and not shout. With a shake of her head and a knowing smile, the Matron looked the other way.

"Are you okay?" Lavender asked, looking as if to launch herself at him but stopping at the last minute.

"I feel okay, really," he said soothingly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Lavender said, releasing a huge sigh of relief. She sat beside his bed. "You saved me. You protected me, Harry."

"Uhm, yeah, guess I did," he said lamely.

"Why did you do that?" she asked in a frantic half-whisper. "You could have gotten really hurt! You did get really hurt!"

"Why did I do that?" Harry gave her an exasperated look. "Lavender, you're my friend, like my best friend. I've told you that you're my first real friend, aside from Hedwig." They shared a laugh. "How could I let you get hurt?"

"You really mean that?" Lavender asked in a shocked quiet tone.

"Of course I do." He reached up to touch her forehead. "Did you hit your head too?" He smiled when she smacked his hand away.

She looked happy and frustrated in equal measure. "You're my best friend too, aside from Parvati," she giggled. Her giggling died and she looked forlorn. "I was so worried about you. I…I was so scared for you."

"I'm sorry," he said weakly. "Not for saving you but for making you feel bad."

She snorted and dabbed her eyes. "Thank you, for saving me," she said softly.

"Thank you for being my friend," he said just as softly.

"Can, can I hug you?" she asked plaintively. "I know you don't like them that much but I could really use one and I want to give you one."

"Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. I mean," he gulped, flushing furiously, "I would like one," he said. "It's just, you're going to laugh at me…"

"I promise I won't," she said earnestly.

"I've never hugged anyone before," he admitted so very quietly. "Hedwig is the very first one and I know she likes them but I've never hugged anyone else or been hugged as far as I know. I…I didn't want to tell you because that's dumb and I didn't want to…do it wrong, you know?"

Lavender had never felt like laughing less in all her life. "Well, I'll help you practice," she said, sniffling slightly. "And it's not dumb at all."

"Oh, thank you." He opened his arms uncertainly and when Lavender enveloped him in her arms, he relaxed slightly. "This is nice," he said awkwardly but sincerely, his arms gently encircling her. He coughed when she squeezed harder.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"You'd tell me if you needed help with something, right?"

He hesitated. "Yeah, I mean, yes."

"Okay, good. Because I'm still a little worried for you," she whispered.

"I swear I'll tell you if I need your help," he promised.

"Because we're friends?" she asked.

"Because we're best friends," he answered. He coughed again when she tightened her arms again but it was only a small cough and he did not mind the pressure in the slightest.

-0-

"You're okay!" Parvati said happily.

Lavender had left briefly and came back with Parvati, Padma, Neville, Hermione, Sue, Pansy, and Millicent. Pomfrey had given them a look and sighed but said they could visit as long as they remained quiet and that Harry was still delicate. She had then smiled cheerily at his look and the subsequent giggling and snickering from the others before moving to her office.

"You all really came to visit me?" Harry asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"Of course we did," Padma chided gently. "You're our friend and we care about you."

"She even found out where our common room was," Millicent admiringly, hiking a thumb at a blushing Lavender. "Pounded on the door for ages before Professor Snape noticed and he came and got me and Pansy."

"Well, you deserved to see him too," Lavender said, still red. "You're his friends too, right?"

"We are," Pansy said. Her eyes were a bit red and she sniffled a little. "Thank Merlin you are okay Harry."

"Thanks for visiting me," Harry said. He was dreadfully embarrassed by the attention and felt very warm from it.

"Did you really fight off three trolls?" Hermione asked. "That's what everyone is saying."

"No, the professors and the Headmaster and Mr. Flamel did," Harry laughed. "I sort of was there."

"He saved my life," Lavender said stoutly, making everyone gasp and look at Harry in a new light. "And he cast a spell that tripped the troll before it could hit us."

"What did you cast?" Neville asked eagerly.

"The Scouring Charm," Harry said lamely. "It was all I could think of and I aimed it at the stone beneath its foot and it slipped."

"That was really smart of you," Parvati said admiringly. "I never would have thought of that."

"Seriously, that's amazing," Neville said, awed.

"Well, uh, thanks," Harry stammered.

"And you really met Nicolas Flamel?" Sue asked.

"Briefly. He couldn't stay long after but he told the Headmaster that he would return and he would want to see me again." Harry shrugged. "I don't know why to be honest but he seemed nice."

They sat and chatted around Harry's bed before eventually he yawned. As if on cue, Pomfrey appeared. "Okay, you all have visited enough and Mister Potter's delicate condition requires more rest." She smiled once more at his look. "Let him rest and he will see you all tomorrow and for the departing feast."

"Yes Madam," they chorused.

"See you tomorrow, Harry," Parvati said cheerily.

"We'll come and fetch you in the morning," Lavender said.

"Sounds good, can't wait," Harry said sleepily. "Thank you for coming. It was really nice to see you. I'm glad you're my friends."

Pansy was the last to go. "I am glad you are mine," she whispered before she left.

-0-0-0-

Ronin Kenshin - Thank you.

Zincat - I'm grateful you are continuing to like her development. I have more plans for her, and lots of people of course, but even I'm pleasantly surprised at how she is turning out. I want her to feel genuine and to have a relatable or understandable change in thinking and demeanor.

odonnellzoo99 - She has the power of timing, for good and (other people's) ill. The group will grow slowly and hopefully in good ways.

DarkRavie - Thank you, I hope you continue to.

poka - The word count was 5135 words. One of the longer ones but I've been aiming for between 3300-5500 words per chapter, a little longer than Family was on average.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - There will still be plenty of time for them to grow and get used to one another.

alix33 - I hope your father is doing well. Is Hedwig really vain if it's well deserved?

kaiserbane - Please do not tell me what to write. Thank you.