The Warrior and his Ghostly Friend

by LordCroussette

Their race to the Philosopher's Stone take a wrong turn when Quirrell stop Harry and Hermione, reveal he already has the Stone, then expel Hermione's spirit from her body. Now, the two are in a race against time to reunite Hermione with her body before Voldemort is resurected! / Written for the HMS Harmony After Dark event.

A/N: Written for the HMS Harmony Discord Server event "After Dark".

Prompt: Haunted!

This story take a lot of inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. However, there is no crossover element, so you do not need to know anything about the game or the Zelda franchise to follow this story.

---

It wasn't really a secret that young first-year Harry Potter had a crush on second-year Ravenclaw girl Hermione Granger. The crush had begun when Hermione was visiting the library and stumbled upon Harry working on a piece of homework. His struggles must have showed on his face as Hermione approached him and offered her assistance.

Hermione's help – given in kindness without expecting anything in return – had an effect on young Harry, who quickly developed a crush on the older bushy-haired girl. The two became friends, though they rarely got to see each other as they were in different years and houses.

And, unbeknownst to her, she had earned herself Harry's full loyalty.

On the days they did get to see each other, they discussed the strange happenings in the castle. As winter turned into spring, they discovered that the Philosopher's Stone was hidden somewhere in the castle, and that someone was trying to steal it. They weren't completely sure on who the culprit was, but both guessed it was Professor Severus Snape, who was trying to get it for Lord Voldemort.

Two weeks before the end of the year, Professor Dumbledore was called away from Hogwarts on some business. The duo quickly figured out it was merely a ruse to ensure Dumbledore was out of the way while the culprit tried to take the Stone. With Professor McGonagall refusing to believe them when they reported their suspicions, the duo felt like they had no choice but go there themselves.

Harry and Hermione had just gotten the flying key and unlocked the next room when they arrived in a carnage of marble and stone. They found themselves on a giant chessboard where all the pieces had been massacred.

"What happened here?" Hermione asked quietly. Harry shrugged.

"It was foolish to come here tonight, children." came a cold voice behind them. They turned around to see-

"Professor Quirrell?" Hermione asked, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Quirrell did not have time to answer, as Harry spoke first.

"You're the one after the Philosopher's Stone." His eyes hardened. "We're going to stop you!"

Quirrell took out something from one of the pockets of his robes. A bright, red stone glistening in the light. The Philosopher's Stone. Quirrell already had it!

"You are too late." their teacher said, taking a step forward. "Now, what to do with you?" he asked himself.

"The girl..." came another raspy voice. Harry and Hermione looked around, trying to place it. Strangely enough, it seemed to come directly from Quirrell himself.

"What about the girl?" Quirrell asked suddenly.

"She is perfect for my plan!" the raspy voice said. Quirrell looked surprised.

"Master, you wish to use a mudblood girl?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other in fear. Master? The raspy voice was Voldemort? And he wanted Hermione?

"Her blood is not important. Acquire her body!" Voldemort hissed. Quirrell took a few steps in the direction of Hermione.

Hermione took a few steps back, trembling in terror.

Harry ran between them, wand in hand. "I won't let you touch her!" he shouted to Quirrell.

Quirrell chuckled darkly. "Charming." he said. He took out his own wand and, before Harry could react, used a Levitation Charm to grab him by the ankle and throw him in direction of the wall. Harry hit the wall with a crack and fell down on the ground, nearly unconscious.

"HARRY!" Hermione exclaimed, moving to run to him. But, before she could, she noticed Quirrell towering over her. "Don't get closer!" she said, knowing deep down how useless her words were.

Quirrell ignored her and cast another spell at her.

Harry looked up just in time to hear Hermione cry out in pain and fall to the ground, her body lifeless. "Hermione!" he rasped, raising a hand toward her.

Quirrell ignored the young boy. He grabbed Hermione's body and made his way out of the room. Harry watched them leave in horror and grief before blacking out.

---

Harry woke up with a gasp. It took him a moment to figure out where he was. The Hospital Wing.

Madam Pomfrey noticed this. "Ah, you are finally awake."

"Madam Pomfrey?" he asked. "How did I get here?"

"The headmaster found you unconscious and hurt, Mr. Potter." She then scoffed. "Honestly, what did you expect going into the forbidden corridor? Dumbledore banned students going there for a reason!"

Harry's eyes widened. Hermione!

He tried to jump out of bed, only to be stopped by the healer. "Mr. Potter! You will stay in bed!" she said.

"No! I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore!" he exclaimed.

"And what matter could you have with the headmaster?" she asked.

So Harry told her the story.

"You mean... Quirrell is possessed by You-Know-Who and killed Miss Granger and took her body?"

"Yes." he said, feeling a lump in his throat, remembering Hermione's lifeless body.

There was a moment of silence before Madam Pomfrey scoffed again. "This is the biggest load of bull I have ever heard! I know you want to avoid detention, Mr. Potter, but it does not excuse making up such a ludicrous story!"

"It's the truth! I'm not lying!" Harry yelled.

But no matter what he said, Madam Pomfrey did not believe him. So Harry stayed in his bed, silently seething while the healer examined him. It was better to focus on his anger about Madam Pomfrey's dismissal than his guilt of having led Hermione to her death.

When Madam Pomfrey returned to her office to examine her results, Harry used the opportunity to leave the Hospital Wing. He felt pain in his back when he stood up, but he ignored it.

Harry walked through the corridors of Hogwarts Castle on his way to the Great Hall, encountering students along the way. All of them looked happy that they were finally reaching the end of the year, and that they would be able to return home for some well deserved vacations.

'They don't know,' Harry thought. 'They don't know that a student was just killed or that Voldemort just got the Philosopher's Stone.'

Harry turned a corner and arrived in the Entrance Hall, which connected to the Great Hall. There, he found a dozen student talking in various groups and, in a corner, Professor McGonagall scolding three of them for doing a prank.

Harry looked at Professor McGonagall with bitterness. If only she believed them, then Hermione would still be alive. Quirrell might just have been stopped.

He felt tears in his eyes, feeling the grief of Hermione's death. It had been his idea to go after the Philosopher Stone and stop Snape (who they thought at the time was the one trying to get the Stone). Hermione insisted she join him, and Harry agreed. If only he had refused and gone alone! Maybe he would be dead, but that was a price he did not mind paying for Hermione's life.

Just as he began falling into a downward spiral of grief, anger, regret and bitterness, Harry spotted a bright orb float through the Entrance Hall. The orb was white and shone brighter than a Lighting Charm. And yet, it did not illuminate anything around it.

Harry observed as the orb made its way toward Professor McGonagall, who had just finished chewing up the students and was watching them walk away. The orb stopped in front of her and, to Harry's complete shock, turned into the ghost of Hermione Granger.

"Professor? Can you see me?" Hermione asked to McGonagall, her voice tiny and quiet. "Professor?"

McGonagall did not answer. In fact, she did not seem to see Hermione's ghost was floating right in front of her.

Hermione looked around her, not noticing Harry in his corner. "Can anyone see me? Or hear me? Please, I need help!" she pleaded. When nobody answered, she let out a sob and buried her face in her hands. Ghostly tears fell to the ground as she floated away from the Entrance Hall, turning into an orb of light once more.

Harry felt his heart thunder in his heart. Hermione was here! She was a ghost, but she was here! He took a step forward and quickly found himself running across the Entrance Hall.

"Mr. Potter! No running in the corridors!" Professor McGonagall barked. Harry ignored her.

Harry followed as the orb sped up through the corridors. He followed it until they arrived in a dead end. Hermione's ghost re-materialized. She sighed and turned around, only to freeze at the sight of Harry.

For not only was Harry standing in front of her. But, he was looking at her. Not through her.

"Harry?" Hermione gasped, her voice desperately hopeful. "Can you... can you see me?"

Harry emotionally nodded.

The ghost cried in relief and floated toward him. Harry knew he had to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Hermione." he said. "It's my fault you are like this."

Hermione looked confused. "Why do you think it is your fault?"

"It was my idea to go after the Stone." he said. "If it wasn't for me, you would still be alive."

"Don't say that." she chastised. "You didn't force me to come with you. I came with you willingly, because I wanted to."

"I should have stopped you." he whispered.

"Don't you dare, Harry Potter!" she spat angrily. Harry took a step back, his eyes wide. "You couldn't have stopped me even if you tried! If you think I would have let you go down there alone, then... then..." Her anger vanished as she sighed.

"I'm sorry." he said, wincing. When Hermione turned toward him with a scowl, he quickly added "For blaming myself!"

"Better." she muttered. She started pacing around. Seeing her move by floating brought up something to his mind.

"Why do you think Quirrell wanted your body?" Harry asked.

"I don't know." she sighed. "You-Know-Who said he needed it. But why? Why would he need to take my body with him? He already has the Philosopher's Stone. What could the body of a thirteen-year-old girl bring to him?" she asked herself as she slowly floated upward. Harry let out a gasp, making her realize what she was doing.

"Sorry." she said sheepishly, moving back to the ground. "I'm not used to moving like a ghost."

Harry nodded. He thought of Hermione's words. "Maybe we should go to Professor Dumbledore. If there is anyone here who can help you, it is him."

"That's what I have been trying to do." the bushy-haired ghost whined in frustration. She started pacing again. "But I can't find him and, other than you, nobody can see me. So I can't even ask for directions to find him!" She then turned toward Harry, a glint in her eyes. "But you are here, aren't you? You can see me and hear me, so you can do the talking for me!"

Harry nodded again. "Sure!"

"Perfect!" she exclaimed. She transformed back into an orb of light and flew inside of him. Harry gasped as he felt a familiar warm settle itself in his chest.

"Wow." he whispered, rubbing his chest.

"What are you waiting for?" came Hermione's excited voice from all around him. "Get going!"

Harry snorted. "What am I? A horse?"

Hermione's giggle told him all he needed to know.

---

Harry asked around for Professor Dumbledore. He did not ask Professor McGonagall for help, already knowing from the previous day how she would react. He eventually got a clue when he asked Fred and George Weasley, the infamous pranksters of Gryffindor.

"Well, he might not be here but, have you tried his office?" Fred asked.

Harry shook his head. "I don't know where that is."

"Well, my dear little Harry," George said, making the boy scowl. "The answer to that is quite simple. It's on the second-floor, hidden by a golden gargoyle."

"Really? Thank you!" he said, grateful.

With the answer now at hand, Harry made his way to the second floor and began looking for the golden gargoyle. After twenty minutes of searching, he stumbled upon a long corridor where a big golden gargoyle depicting a griffin was located.

"We finally found it." Harry said quietly, making his way to the headmaster's office.

"Finally." Hermione's ghost said, materializing next to him. "Oh, I hope Professor Dumbledore can see me!"

"If he doesn't, I'll repeat your words to him." Harry offered. Hermione turned to him.

"Thank you, Harry." she said, smiling. Her smile made his cheeks burn.

When they arrived, the gargoyle moved to look at them. "Password?" it asked.

"Uh..." the duo said, turning to look at each other in surprise. They needed a password?

Hermione turned back to the gargoyle. "Mr. Gargoyle, we need to speak to the headmaster urgently. Can we see him?"

The gargoyle did not answer. It returned to its normal position, and became inanimate once more.

Hermione sighed. "Well, I guess that's a bust. Let's see if-"

Before she could finish, they heard the sound of stone grinding against stone. A circular stairway rose around the gargoyle, leading to the headmaster's office.

"Oh." she said, relieved. "Never mind, then. Let's go inside."

Harry climbed up the stairs until he reached a door. He hesitantly knocked.

"Enter, Mr. Potter!" came Professor Dumbledore's voice. Harry turned the handle and walked inside.

The office was magnificent and, in its centre sat Dumbledore behind his desk. The man of legend looked at them. His surprise at the sight of Hermione was such that Harry was convinced his eyeglasses were going to fall off.

"M-Miss Granger? Is that you?"

"Professor Dumbledore? You can see me?" she asked, excited.

"I can, dear girl. What happened to you? I believed you dead!"

"Professor Quirrell happened." Harry spoke up with a scowl.

Dumbledore sighed. "Can you tell me the whole story?"

So Harry and Hermione spoke. They spoke of their observations and discoveries that led them to believe Professor Snape was trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone for Voldemort. They spoke of how they went down there, completed the first few challenges before ending on a destroyed chessboard where they encountered Quirrell. They spoke of their confrontation, of how Quirrell had the Stone, of how Harry was sent flying in the wall and of how Hermione was expelled from her body. Then, they spoke of how Hermione wandered the castle as a ghost with only Harry being able to see her.

"I see." Dumbledore said as a result of everything he heard. He ran a hand through his beard in contemplation. "This is certainly worrying."

"Professor?" Hermione asked quietly. "What could Quirrell want with my body? How could it help You-Know-Who?"

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "I cannot be sure for certain. I have studied the Dark Arts in my effort to combat them, but I am not knowledgeable enough to be certain."

"Can't you take a guess?" Harry asked.

The old man hummed. He turned to Hermione. "I think, my dear, that I once heard of a certain ritual. The ritual is very dangerous, to the point where its recipient is near guaranteed to die. But, with the Philosopher's Stone in hand, it should theoretically make it safe."

"And what is the ritual?" Hermione asked.

"It is a ritual which would allow Lord Voldemort to resurrect himself inside the body of a young child pure of heart."

There was a moment of silence as Hermione stared at the headmaster in horror. Then...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Hermione yelled, flying up in the sky. "YOU-KNOW-WHO IS GOING TO RUN AROUND IN MY BODY?!"

She flew back down until her face was a mere inch from Dumbledore. "We have to stop him! We can't allow You-Know-Who to return!"

"I believe you are reading my mind, dear girl." Dumbledore said, not phased in the slightest. "However, I do not know where to start looking for them."

"Don't you have any clues? Somewhere he could hide near Hogwarts?" she demanded aggressively.

"Well... there is the Chamber of Secrets."

"Perfect!" she exclaimed. She turned around and flew to Harry until she was a mere inch from his face. Growling, she said "You have a very important mission ahead of you!"

She moved forward.

"More important than any homework or exam!"

She moved forward.

"The fate of the world is at stake!"

She moved forward.

"You have to get to the Chamber of Secrets and find him!"

She moved forward.

"You need to get my body back before he uses it!"

She moved forward.

"Otherwise, we're all going to die!"

She moved forward.

"Miss Granger!" Dumbledore said loudly.

"What?!" she barked, turning to look at him.

"Stop terrifying your friend, will you?" the headmaster said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Hermione turned back to Harry to find him his back to the wall, his arms extended like he was trying to hold the wall to remain to his feet. His eyes were wide in shock.

Hermione floated back, an embarrassing blush on her face. "Sorry, Harry." she said.

"Uhh... it's alright." Harry said hesitantly, relaxing.

Hermione nodded, relieved Harry wasn't angry at her. She turned to the headmaster. "How do we get to the Chamber of Secrets?" she asked.

"I would love to know myself," Dumbledore said. "Unfortunately, the entrance was never found."

"Then why do you think Quirrell could go there?" she asked, confused.

"Because, nearly fifty-years ago, a young Tom Riddle – or Lord Voldemort, as you know him – opened the Chamber of Secrets and unleashed the monster hidden inside. There was a series of attacks that left many students petrified and one dead. Tom managed to frame another student for his crimes and ended his attacks. The entrance was never found."

"Where did the attacks take place?" Harry spoke up.

"They all took place on the other side of this floor, in the corridors." Having a suspicion as to why he asked, Dumbledore added "We did look at every inch of the wall, floor and ceiling. But, we never found the entrance."

"Oh."

"Do you think Quirrell could be somewhere else?" Hermione asked.

"Possibly Riddle Manor – his father's ancestral home. But Voldemort loathe everything to do with his paternal family, so it is doubtful he would go there. I will check, however. Better safe than sorry."

"Thank you." she said, relieved. "I really don't want anyone to do anything with my body."

"Neither do I, Miss Granger." He looked at them both. "In the meantime, do stay together, will you? I have a feeling there is an important reason as to why only Harry can see you, Miss Granger."

"But you can see me too!"

With twinkling eyes, Dumbledore told her "I trained myself for years to be able to interact with all sort of ghosts. Unless I am mistaken, Harry did not. Yet, here he is, able to interact with you." He gave them a smile. "I believe it best if you do not leave each other's company until the situation is resolved."

"Okay." Hermione said as Harry nodded. "Thank you for your help."

"You are welcome."

Harry and Hermione left the headmaster's office.

"So, what do we do now?" Harry asked.

"I don't know." Hermione said, biting her lip. "Maybe we could go check Quirrell's quarters. Who knows, maybe there will be some clues as to where he is."

Harry nodded.

Thankfully, the quarters of the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher were located right next to the classroom, so it did not take much effort to find them. The door was unlocked, so they were able to enter with ease.

Quirrell's quarters were a mess. It looked like the man had to packed up with urgent speed before leaving, and left everything not important behind. If it wasn't bad enough, the man's desk was a complete mess, with rolls of parchment and books lying everywhere, leaving little of the wooden surface exposed.

"It's going to take forever to find anything." Harry said with a small whine.

Hermione materialized next to him. Her eyes were full of concern and guilt. "I'm sorry, Harry." she said quietly. "I know I'm asking a lot of you, and I hate that I can't really help you as a ghost."

Harry sighed. "Don't worry about it, Hermione." he said. "I'd do anything for you. You were my first ever friend. You are very important to me."

Hermione blushed slightly. "Thank you, Harry." she said. Then, changing the subject, she said "Let's take a look, shall we?"

Harry and Hermione spent the following few hours looking through the office in search of clues. Harry organized all the papers on the desk into two piles: school paperwork and personal documents. Meanwhile, Hermione searched for details around the office, signalling Harry whenever she found something interesting. Harry would then take whatever she found – whether it be another piece of parchment or an object – and bring it to the desk.

Once everything was in order, they began looking through the piles of papers, starting with the personal documents. They did not find anything at first, other than different invoices for potion ingredients, list of furniture to buy for his home, letters from family members, and what not.

They were starting to lose hope when Harry opened Quirrell's diary. And then, they hit gold.

At first, the diary held no important information. It's first entry dated from two years ago. But, midway through the diary, they found an entry where Voldemort was finally mentioned. Quirrell talked of how he had met the Dark Lord and joined his rank as a faithful 'Death Eater' (whatever that meant). Quirrell spoke of how he worked to bring the shade of the Dark Lord back to Britain, and how he tried and failed to steal the Philosopher's Stone from Gringotts, leading to being possessed as a punishment. The following entries all discussed details Harry and Hermione had already figured out or guessed throughout the year. It wasn't until they reached the end of the diary that they finally found something worthwhile.

There was an entry that said:

My Lord and I were discussing plans of escape after taking the Philosopher's Stone from the old fool's protection when the Chamber of Secrets was mentioned. My Lord found it risky to go there as he feared Dumbledore might have found its location in the last fifty years. But, it was offered as an alternative point from which we could escape with the Stone.

To enter the Chamber of Secrets, I was told to find the snake emblem on the sink. What does it mean?

"What does it mean?" Harry said, repeating Quirrell's words.

"I don't know." Hermione admitted. "Maybe we should go look where the attacks took place. There has to be something, right?"

Having no other lead, Harry agreed and left Quirrell's office, keeping the diary with him just in case it was needed.

He made his way to the side of the second floor opposite from where the headmaster's office was located. Once there, Hermione reappeared.

"Now, we have to look for a snake emblem on a sink. What does it mean? Where can we find a sink?"

"It's going to sound stupid, but... could it be a bathroom?" Harry suggested.

Hermione snapped her fingers. "That's it! It must be a bathroom! I mean, where else would we find a sink? It is the perfect place to hide the entrance too! I mean, who is going to suspect the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets is located in a bathroom? No wonder they didn't find it in fifty years!"

"So we just need to find a bathroom." he said. The ghostly girl nodded.

Neither of them were familiar with the second floor, as most classrooms were on the first or third floor. But, they did eventually stumble upon a bathroom not far from where the attacks were said to take place. It was a boy's bathroom, and Hermione felt uncomfortable going in, so Harry offered to look alone. Hermione thanked him, and said she was going to try to find the girl's bathroom to see if the snake emblem could be found there instead.

Harry searched every nook and cranny of the boys' bathroom without finding anything. Not one of the sign contained any sort of emblem, much less that of a snake. He was ready to give up and go looking for Hermione – when there she was in front of him.

"GAH!" he exclaimed, jumping and falling on his bum.

"Oh! Sorry, Harry!" she apologized, blushing. "I didn't think you would be right behind this wall!" She had gone right through it!

"It's fine." he said, standing back up. "I didn't find anything here. Did you?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed excitingly. "The other bathroom is Moaning Myrtle's bathroom!"

Harry blinked. "Who?"

"Moaning Myrtle! She's the ghost of a student who was killed fifty years ago!"

"Fifty... do you mean she is the student who was killed by Voldemort?" he asked, shocked.

"Exactly!" Hermione nodded. "I completely forgot she was here! When I asked her, she told me everything we needed to know! When she died and how she died! She even pointed me to the sink where the emblem was! I found it!"

"That's great! It means we can open the Chamber!"

Hermione winced. "That's the catch." she said. "Myrtle said that she heard a boy hiss. She think that hissing is what can move the sink away to open the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. And, I can't blame her for thinking that. Salazar Slytherin was a renowned speaker of parseltongue. I doubt he would want anyone he doesn't trust or isn't related to him to find the Chamber, so he likely hid to entrance to anyone who doesn't speak it."

"What is parseltongue?" he asked.

"The tongue of serpents." she answered. "Parselmouths – people who can use parseltongue – can speak with snakes. The problem is that You-Know-Who is the last known parselmouth in Britain."

"Speak to snakes?" he asked, frowning. Hermione nodded.

His mind went back to the incident at the zoo the previous summer where he accidentally released a snake. He was able to discuss with the snake – until Dudley interrupted them, that is.

"I think I am a parselmouth." he said, shocking the ghostly girl.

"What do you mean? Why do you think so?"

So Harry told her about the incident at the zoo. "When the snake was moving away, I could swear I heard it say 'Brazil, here I come! Thanks, amigo!' or something like that."

"If you are a parselmouth, then it would be amazing! We'd be able to go catch Quirrell and bring my body back!" She frowned. "But then again, how are we going to stop him? I can't use magic, and neither of us have the knowledge to fight off You-Know-Who's right hand man anyway. We are just children! Oh, if only Professor Dumbledore was here! We could wait – but what if Quirrell does the ritual in the meantime?"

She turned to Harry. "I know it's a lot to ask, and I've already asked a lot of you. But, are you willing to come to the Chamber of Secrets with me? I cannot let him resurrect You-Know-Who. I doubt I'd be much help, but I have to try!" she said, her eyes full of determination.

Ironically, Harry was sure he would be the one who had to convince Hermione to go in the Chamber now, convinced she would want to wait for Professor Dumbledore's return instead. "Okay, let's do this." he said.

Hermione beamed. "Thank you!" she said. She floated to him and gave him a ghostly kiss on his cheek. While Harry did not feel her lips, he did feel a familiar warmth there. He blushed furiously.

---

After going to the girl's bathroom, Hermione pointed Harry to the sink. Harry found the snake emblem and tried to speak to it in parseltongue. It took him a few tries before he succeeded and the sink moved away, revealing a hole large enough to allow a big monster to slide through.

"Well, this is it." Harry gulped, looking down the large hole. He suddenly felt less confident. It wasn't the first time he jumped down a hole in the last few days. But this one seemed more frightening in its size.

"Wait, Harry! Let me go down first and see what's down there. I'm a ghost so nothing will be able to hurt me and I'll be able to float right back up."

"Okay." he said in relief, nodding.

Hermione flew down the hole, leaving Harry alone up it. He waited for two minutes before Hermione returned. "It's good!" she said, giving him a thumbs up. "It's just a big cave down the hole. I think I saw a big door at the other end of the cave, but I couldn't see very well."

"It's fine." Harry said. "Just knowing there isn't danger waiting right for us at the bottom is good enough for me." He looked down the hole again. "Well, here I go!"

He jumped.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Harry yelled on his way down, half in fear and half in excitement, until he was ejected from the pipe and landed harshly on the ground. "Ouch!" he exclaimed.

Hermione moved to float over him. "Are you alright?" she asked, looking at him with concerned eyes.

"Yeah." he said, slowly raising back to his feet. "I don't think I'm fully healed yet."

Turns out there might be a reason why Madam Pomfrey wanted him to remain in the Hospital Wing! Who could have known?

"Are you sure? We can always go back up if you prefer?"

Harry shook his head vehemently. "No, it's fine! I can do it."

The concern did not leave her eyes, but she did capitulate. "Alright. If you are sure."

Harry nodded and took out his wand. "Lumos!"

The Lighting Charm illuminated the cave, revealing its size and content. The cave was the shape of a very long oval. Behind him was the pipe he sled down to reach this place, and which was connected to the girl's bathroom. In front of him, far away to the other side of the cave was a very big and round door. It looked like there were some decorative details on the door, but Harry was too far away to tell what it was. In the middle of the cave was a small pile of rubble, like the ceiling was slowly collapsing as time went by. Not far from the pile of rock stood one large, greenish rock.

Harry took a step forward. Hermione had already retracted back inside of him, leaving him alone. He went to see the greenish rock first. It was only as he reached it that he realized – to his horror – that the rock was no rock at all, but rather the dead skin of a very, very large snake.

Hermione appeared next to him, her face full of fear. "W-What is that?! Is that... the s-skin of a s-snake?!"

Harry inspected it from up close. "I think it is." he said. He turned to his ghostly friend. "It make sense for the monster of the Chamber of Secrets to be a snake." he said. "You said it yourself – Salazar Slytherin is a famous parselmouth."

"B-But... what kind of s-snake is that big?!" she exclaimed.

Harry shrugged. He had no idea.

Hermione looked at him. "Please be careful, Harry! I don't want you to be eaten alive trying to get my body back!"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." he said with more confidence than he felt.

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. She turned back into an orb and disappeared in his chest.

Harry continued forward until he reached the door. Upon getting closer, he understood that all the decorative detailing he saw on the door were snakes, which had been carved into its surface. It made the door look quite fancy and beautiful.

And, it told him how to open it.

In parseltongue, Harry told the door to open. It did, and moved with a loud groan. He slipped inside carefully, still illuminating his path forward.

Harry took a few steps forward. He noticed he stood on a small platform, with metal stairs leading down to the floor of the Chamber of Secrets.

The Chamber itself was massive, bigger than the oval cave from before. It was of a rectangular shape. On each side of the cave were large statues of snakes, standing still and guarding the chamber like the suits of armour in the hallways and corridors of the school upstairs. When Harry tried to look to the other side of the Chamber, all he could see was darkness. His Lighting Charm was not powerful enough to reveal everything.

Harry wondered what hid behind the darkness. It terrified him to think Quirrell and Voldemort could be standing somewhere in the darkness, waiting for Harry to approach them to spring whatever trap they came up with.

"Harry!" said Hermione as she materialized next to him. "Look!"

Harry saw that Hermione was pointing at some sort of inscription in the wall. He completely missed it, so focused he was on what lay further beyond. Bringing his wand closer, he read it aloud.

"Beware of the Basilisk. Do not under any circumstance look at it in the eye for fear of death. Dangerous for men and ghosts alike."

"The Basilisk!" Hermione said. "Whatever that is, it must be the monster of the Chamber of Secrets!"

"So we have to be careful for a large snake that can kill by looking at you. Great." Harry whispered sarcastically.

Harry slowly crossed the Chamber of Secrets, carefully observing around him for a trace of the Basilisk. He believed he saw it twice before he realized he was fooled by the statues.

Eventually, they reached the other side of the Chamber. They found a massive bust of a man. It was the size of a house, and its mouth looked like it was designed to lower like a stone door.

Hermione appeared next to him. "So this room is empty." she said quietly. "Do you think Quirrell is on the other side?"

"If he's here – yes." Harry said. He couldn't imagine Quirrell or Voldemort staying in this room when they could go just behind it and put one more obstacle in the way of anyone following them. "What I'm afraid of, though, is the monster. What if its on the other side too?" he asked, worried.

Harry and Hermione looked at one another. There wasn't really anything they could say.

"Open the door." Hermione said. "I'll scout ahead."

"Okay. Just be careful, alright? I don't want to find out what the gaze of a Basilisk does to a ghost."

Hermione nodded. So, Harry attempted to open the door.

"Open." he said in parseltongue, hoping Salazar Slytherin did not put a different password here.

Thankfully, he had not. Or, the mere use of parseltongue was enough to activate it. The mouth of the giant stone bust lowered, opening up the way for them.

The duo waited in silence. When nothing else happened, they relaxed. If Quirrell or the monster were behind, they did not realize the door was open.

"Okay, my turn." Hermione whispered to herself. She glided forward and entered the opening. Five seconds later, she shot out of it with shriek.

"Hermione? What's wrong?!" Harry asked to the trembling ghost.

"I-It's here! The b-basilisk!" she shrieked.

"What is it doing?" Harry asked urgently.

"I-I don't know. It was laying down. Sleeping, maybe?"

"Okay, so we just have to not wake it up, alright? Let's be real quiet." he told her, putting a finger to his lips.

"Right." Hermione said, pretending to zip her lips close. She disappeared and hid back inside his chest.

Harry slowly and carefully entered the second room of the Chamber of Secret. Harry discovered it was nearly as big as the previous one, just with a shorter length. On both sides of the room were doors rather than snake statues. There were two of them on each side.

And, in the middle of the room lay a giant snake the size of a school bus. The sight of it was terrifying. It was coiled into a circle and sleeping like it was a big cat.

It was obvious Quirrell wasn't there. While there were doors behind, Harry was starting to doubt Quirrell was here. It was best to investigate still, in case they missed it, but Harry had a feeling there would be nothing to gain staying here.

So, he decided to explore quickly. See what was inside each room and then bail.

Harry started by moving to the first door to the left. Opening it, he found a small library. He closed the door behind him just in time for Hermione to appear. "Oh my god, Harry! It's a library!" she whispered excitingly.

"I see it." Harry said with a smile, knowing how much Hermione loved books and libraries.

Here, there were hundred – if not a thousand tomes, volumes and books placed in various shelves. In the middle of the room was a large table with enough chairs to sit a dozen people. On the table was one lone book.

Curious, Harry approached it. The book had no name. Opening it, he saw text and began reading.

He was soon interrupted by Hermione, who moaned "It's total gibberish!"

Harry looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

"The text." she said, waiving at the book. Seeing confusion still present on his face, she said "It's gibberish! You can't even read it!"

"Yes you can." he said, his confusion growing even further. "It's written in perfect English!"

"English?" Hermione said, confused. Then, it seemed like a light-bulb lit up in her mind. "What if it was text written in parseltongue? Or is it parseltext?"

"Is that possible?" Harry asked, surprised.

"I don't know. But you said you can read it in perfect English. Even if the text was written with recognizable letters, you still shouldn't be able to read it because English from a thousand years ago was completely different from modern English. And yet, you can."

"Oh. I understand." he said with a nod. It did seem like a perfect logical explanation to their observations. But, there was something off. "Wait, how could you read the inscription warning us of the Basilisk, then?"

Hermione bit her lip. "It must have been added recently. I doubt it was by You-Know-Who, so someone else must have found the Chamber of Secrets."

"I wonder who." Harry asked aloud. Neither of them could find the answer, so they did not bother wondering for long.

"So, what does it say?" Hermione asked, waving toward the book.

Harry turned back to read it. "Well, it's a diary, I think. The writer – Salazar Slytherin, I'm guessing – say he worked with Rowena Ravenclaw to enchant suits of armour to defend Hogwarts in case of attack."

"Oh." she said, disappointed. "But we already know they exist. They're all over the school!"

"Yeah..." he said absentmindedly, continuing to read ahead. He then found an interesting passage, and his eyes widened. "Wait, Hermione! Here, Salazar is talking about how the suits of armour weren't very bright and that a ghost friend of his' suggested they could control them instead! It say that Salazar and Rowena worked to enchant suits that could be piloted by ghosts, and that he has a prototype locked away in his 'Room of Experiments'!"

"So I could take control of a suit of armour?" Hermione asked excitingly. "This is great! I'll be able to make myself more useful to you! I hate just standing around and waiting while you put yourself in danger for me."

Harry turned to her. "Hey, don't say that. You've helped me plenty. Without you, I wouldn't even have come close to this place. You're the one to put the clues together." he said.

Hermione's cheeks turned pink. "Thank you, Harry." she said. Harry nodded. "So, where is this Room of Experiments?"

"No idea." he admitted. "But he say it's locked. So we just have to find the door in question and its key."

"Then let's do it!" Hermione said before vanishing.

Harry stepped out of the library and slowly made his way to the next door. That door was locked, so he assumed this was the Room of Experiments. He crossed the room to the other side, being careful to walk as far away from the Basilisk as he could. He opened the door on the opposite side of the Room of Experiments and entered.

Hermione appeared once Harry closed the door. "I guess that's where Salazar Slytherin lived." Hermione said, observing the room.

To Harry, it looked like the inside of a rundown apartment, if the apartment was built during the Medieval period. Everything looked extremely old and there was dust everywhere, more so than in the library. Most of the furniture – built of wood – had collapsed.

"Achoo!" Hermione sneezed, despite having no body. "I don't think there's anything to discover here."

Harry, who held an arm in front of his nose, said "I agree."

The only thing worth of note in the room as that there was an additional door here. Its location indicated it led toward the same room the fourth door in the larger Chamber connected to. Instead of braving the Basilisk once more, Harry used the shortcut.

He entered into a small bedroom. It was, thankfully, in much better condition than the living room. There was a bed on one side of the bedroom with a wardrobe standing next to it. In another corner was a large, wooden desk.

"I wonder if someone forgot to put protective charms over the last room. Everything else has been in a much better state."

It was possible, Harry mentally agreed. "If the key is in the Chamber of Secrets, then it must be here."

"Look in the drawer of the desk! Perhaps it is there."

There were three drawers to the desk. Harry walked to the desk and opened the first one. "First try! Yay!" he quietly cheered, grabbing the key lying inside. Hermione clapped her hands.

"Now, we can get the suit of armour!" she said with a grin.

Harry left the room – Hermione once more hiding – and walked around the Basilisk to the Room of Experiments. He used the key to unlock it, then entered the room.

"Here it is!" Hermione exclaimed.

The suit of armour stood on a pedestal on the other side of the room. It had a sword and a shield with it, and was surrounded by desks as messy as Quirrell's had been.

"How do you think I can use it?" she asked.

Harry shrugged. "No idea. I'm not a ghost. Try floating through it?" he proposed hesitantly.

Hermione looked at the suit of armour and glided forward. She stopped once she was levitating through it.

"I don't think it's quite simple as that." she said.

"Try turning into an orb, like when you're hiding inside of me."

Hermione did just that. Suddenly, without warning, the eye holes of the armour lit up in a bright periwinkle blue. An eagle emblem appeared on the armour's chest and shield.

"I think it worked!" she shouted. Her voice sounded different, like she was speaking through a bucket. It also had a slight echo to it.

"That's great!" Harry grinned. "Try moving!"

Hermione took a step forward and nearly came crashing down. "Wow! That was close." she said with relief. She took another step forward, and then another. "I think I'm getting the hang of this!" she said.

"Good! Do you think your control is great enough that you can walk out of the room?" he asked her.

"Yes, I think so." she said. "It feel like – well – like walking normally. I just needed a bit of time to adjust, but now I'm walking as easily as if I was in my own body!" she exclaimed. She turned to him and extended the suit's arms. "How do I look?"

"You look great." Harry said truthfully. "I love the eagles on you."

"Eagles?" she asked, confused. She looked down at herself. "Oh! Do you think it's because I'm a Ravenclaw?"

"I mean... I guess so." he answered, not knowing what other reason there could be.

"Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. It look good, though."

"It does," he agreed. "Now, let's get out of here. I don't want to risk waking the Basilisk any further." he said. Hermione nodded.

The two made their way to the door. They opened it only to stumble upon a terrifying sight.

"H-Harry? Where is the Basilisk?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

The massive snake, which had been sleeping earlier, was now missing.

"Run. Just run to the exit." he said urgently.

Harry and Hermione ran to the exit. They exited the room and entered the largest room of the Chamber of Secrets. They saw the exit right in front of them.

And then, the Basilisk slid out of a pipe located in the wall between two snake statues, blocking the way.

"Close your eyes!" Harry yelled, doing just that.

It was just in time as the giant snake turned to look in their direction. Hermione was too slow. But, crazily enough, nothing happened to her.

"Hey! It just looked at me and I'm fine! I think my armour is protecting me!"

"That's great and all, but I don't have such an armour!" Harry cried.

"Right! Let me distract it! Run toward the exit! I'll follow you after!"

Hermione ran forward and slashed her sword in the snake's face. The blade bounced off its thick skin. But, it did distract it. Hermione ran around it, forcing the Basilisk to turn away from Harry. "You're clear!" she yelled at him.

Harry opened his eyes and found himself behind the Basilisk's back. He saw the exit not far forward. He ran as fast as he could, and reached the stairs in record time. Just as he began climbing them, he heard Hermione shout in surprise. Turning around in concern, he saw her being held in the beast's jaw, unable to free herself.

"HERMIONE!" Harry yelled. He ran back down the stairs and started throwing spells in the Basilisk's direction.

The snake released Hermione and started turning toward him. To avoid dying, he closed his eyes and threw himself to the ground. Only then did the realize he left himself in a vulnerable position and ready to be eaten alive.

'Crap! We should have waited for Dumbledore to return! He's the greatest wizard of our time! He would have kept us safe from the Basilisk!'

To his surprise, Harry heard a loud bird-like shriek echo through the Chamber. Something sounding like cloth landed close to him. Then came Hermione's voice.

"Harry! It's a phoenix!" she yelled.

He heard the Basilisk shriek in pain, and he could hear it jiggle about desperately, like it was trying to throw something off itself.

"Harry! The phoenix pieced the Basilisk's eyes!"

Harry braved opening his eyes and looked up. He saw the face of the Basilisk for the first time. It's great yellow eyes were pierced and bleeding. The phoenix was flying around it, half shrieking at it and half singing to give courage to the two young warriors.

Looking down, he saw that the cloth-sounding thing that landed next to him was the Sorting Hat! Having no idea why the Phoenix brought it here other than for him to wear it, Harry grabbed it and shoved it on his head.

"Well, took you long enough, Mr. Potter!" The Hat grumbled.

"Quick, we need help!" he said aloud. Harry felt the hat constrict. Then, something small, dense and heavy fell on his head. "Ouch!" he exclaimed. Removing the hat, he saw that the object in the hat was the grip of a sword. He grabbed it and pulled it, revealing a sword lying in his scabbard.

He had a weapon! One more effective than his wand. Harry quickly attached the scabbard on his back before drawing the sword.

"Hermione! I have a sword!" he yelled back, telling her he was able to assist her.

"What do we do?" she returned.

It was the Sorting Hat that spoke. "It's hide is too thick! You need to stab it in its mouth to kill it! Careful with its fangs, they contain the most fatal venom on Earth!"

"Got it." Harry said.

Just then, the Basilisk managed to hit Hermione on the side with its tail, sending her flying toward the wall with a yelp. She crashed in it, making a dent in the wall and destroying the suit of armour. Angrily, Harry ran forward and stomped on the tip of the snake's tail. The Basilisk let out a shriek of pain and turned around. Hermione floated to Harry's side.

"My suit is destroyed!" she said with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry I can't be more help!"

"Don't worry about it!" Harry said, carefully watching the Basilisk to be able to dodge its tail. Harry doubted he would survive a second crash in the wall in so few days.

The Basilisk, listening to the sound of their voices, turned in their direction. It gave a few sniffs in their direction before jolting forward.

Hermione shrieked in terror. Harry barely dodged the Basilisk's attacks. Seeing his opportunity, he tried something unusual and struck the snake's fangs with his sword. To his surprise, the sword was able to slice right through the fangs!

The Basilisk reared backward with a shriek of pain and anger. It turned around and swung its tail in Harry's direction, trying to send him flying in the wall. Harry jumped back and barely managed to avoid it.

The snake turned around and sniffed to try to find their location. Once again, it struck forward. Harry dodged and once more struck its fangs, removing even more of them. The Basilisk reared backward with a shriek of pain and anger.

"You're hurting it! Keep going!" Hermione encouraged.

Harry gripped his sword tightly, holding it on as the snake moved toward him. Then, seeing his opening, he jumped forward and rammed his sword up the Basilisk's mouth, stabbing it deep.

The Basilisk stopped in front of Harry. Then, with an ear-shattering shriek, it finally went down before stilling. The Basilisk was dead!

"Good work, kiddos!" the Sorting Hat exclaimed. The phoenix sang a happy song as it flew over them.

Harry and Hermione turned toward each other in awe.

"You did it!" Hermione shrieked.

"We did it!" he corrected, grinning. Hermione looked like she very much wanted to hug him.

Harry put his sword back in its scabbard and made to remove it so he could give it back. However, he was stopped by the Sorting Hat, who said "No, Mr. Potter. Keep the Sword. I have a feeling it will be of great use to you in your quest. And, it rightfully belong to you."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"The Sword belonged to Mr. Potter's ancestor, Miss Granger."

"Really? Who are they?" Harry asked, exited to learn more about his family.

"None other than Godric Gryffindor, of course."

Harry's jaw fell. Hermione looked just as shocked. "W-What?"

"Don't believe me? Look at the blade of the Sword." he said. Harry slowly drew the sword out and looked at the blade.

"Godric Gryffindor." Hermione whispered reverently. "Harry is the descendant of a founder?"

"You both are." the hat said, surprising them even further. "Mr. Potter's ancestor is Godric Gryffindor. Your ancestor, Miss Granger, is none other than Rowena Ravenclaw."

"O-Oh." she stuttered, her eyes wide.

"Why tell us this now?" Harry asked.

"Because, you will need to seek one more artifact before you can confront Lord Voldemort. Or, you shall perish."

"What is the artifact?" Hermione asked.

"The Bow of Ravenclaw. What? You think Godric Gryffindor was the only one with a muggle weapon?" he chuckled.

"But... how can we use it? Neither of us have ever used a bow before!"

"And neither of you held a sword in your hands before today. And yet, you stand next to the corpse of a thousand-year-old Basilisk, having accomplish a feat none before you have. The art of using the Bow of Ravenclaw is as much in your blood as Mr. Potter's ability to use the Sword of Gryffindor."

"I see." Hermione said, contemplative.

"Where can we find the Bow of Ravenclaw?" Harry asked.

"You will need to seek the Room of Requirement. It is a room with no door located on the seventh floor of the castle. The entrance is in front of the tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach ballet to a group of trolls. Pace three times in front of it while thinking very clearly 'I need the Room of the Heirs'.

"Did you get all that?" the hat asked.

"Yes." they both answered.

"Good! In this case – Fawkes!"

The phoenix flew down and grabbed the Sorting Hat. With a flash of light, the two were gone.

---

Going from the dept of the Chamber of Secrets to the height of the seventh floor was like climbing the Everest for Harry. Hermione tried to be encouraging, but the fact she could effortlessly float her way there while he could not did not help her words.

Thankfully, classes were on, so they did not encounter anyone on their way to the seventh floor.

Once they reached the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, they took a brief moment to admire it before following the instructions of the Sorting Hat.

"Remember. He said to pace three times in front of the tapestry while thinking 'I need the Room of the Heirs'."

"I know, Hermione. I do have a memory." he said. Hermione blushed.

Harry started pacing. 'I need the Room of the Heirs' he thought very strongly.

On his third pass, he heard Hermione gasp loudly. Looking up, he saw that a large door had appeared in the wall facing the tapestry.

Harry put his hand on the handle and opened it. "Ladies' first." he said, waving her inside. Hermione grinned and entered. Harry followed after her.

They arrived in a circular room made of white marble. There were four doors visible. Each of them had a colourful outline in the colour of a house.

At the very left was green for Slytherin, then blue for Ravenclaw, followed by yellow for Hufflepuff, and completed with the red of Gryffindor.

"This is a room for heirs." Hermione said. "So I'm guessing you have to go through the red door, and I go through the blue door."

"See you on the other side." he said with a small grin. Hermione huffed but grinned back.

Harry made his way to the red door and entered. At first, he was blinded with a very strong white light. But, quickly enough, the light dimmed, allowing him to see what was ahead. He found himself in a square room, still built of marble. The first thing he noticed was a mannequin, which was wearing a chain-mail armour. The armour was covered by a red tunic and leather belt. On the arms were leather bracers and on the head lay a long, pointy bonnet the same colour as the tunic. On the legs were beige pants, and the feet were protected by leather boots.

At the foot of the armour was a metal heater shield. Its forward face was painted red and featured the golden lion emblematic of House Gryffindor. The only thing missing to complete the set was a sword – which Harry already had.

Stuck to the chest of the mannequin on the tunic was a small piece of parchment. The piece of parchment read:

Before they founded Hogwarts, Godric, Rowena, Helga and Salazar were known across Britain as the Paladins of Magic. Though they retired from fighting evil and settled down to pass their skills and knowledge to the next generation, the founders always expected their descendants to take their mantle when times were dire.

These armours were built to ensure both manoeuvrability and protection. The founders enchanted their armours with some of the most protective protection spells known to man.

Harry looked down at himself. A trip down the Chamber of Secrets did his school robes no favour. They were now very dirty and likely ruined (he did not think the slight smell of sewer that came from the Chamber would ever go away). And now he was offered protective armour?

Yes, please!

Harry divested himself of his clothes until he was left in nothing but his underwear. He then put the armour on, noticing with relief that it shrank to fit his body. It took him a few minutes but, soon enough, Harry was dressed up.

He was curious to see how he looked like, and absentmindedly wished for a mirror. And one appeared, to his surprise.

Looking at himself, Harry was awed. He looked so cool! He wondered what Hermione would think of him looking like that. He hoped she would find him handsome. (Harry blushed at this thought).

He walked out of the room and heard a gasp. He turned around and saw Hermione floating next to the blue door. "Oh my god, Harry! You look amazing!" Harry blushed even harder.

"Thank you. That's what I found in the room." he said. "What about you? What was on the other side?"

"Same as you, including the Bow of Ravenclaw!" she said excitingly. She then deflated. "However, I am a ghost. I can't grab anything."

"Do you want me to do it for you?" he offered.

"Would you?" she asked, hopeful. He nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." he said with a smile.

Harry moved to the blue door and crossed it. Only to collapse in pain as he felt like he was electrocuted.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed in fear as Harry yelled in pain.

The boy in red laid on the ground, finding his breath. "What was that?" he asked.

"I don't know!" she said, running her hands on her face. "I didn't think it would do that! I'm so sorry!"

Harry slowly pushed himself back to his feet. "I don't think I can go there. Maybe only descendants of Rowena Ravenclaw can get in."

"I don't really feel inclined to try your theory by trying to cross a different door." the ghostly girl said, biting her lip. "What do we do now? I want you to get in and grab what's inside, but I don't know how!"

A sheet of parchment appeared in front of them. Harry caught it and read "Descendants of one founder can allow someone not related to their ancestor inside of their family's protections as long as they voice it."

"Voice it?" Hermione questioned. "What do I have to do? Say this? I, Hermione Granger, descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw, allow Harry Potter, descendant of Godric Gryffindor, to get inside the Ravenclaw room and gather everything inside for me. Did it work?"

Harry hesitantly took a step forward. Then another. And another. After four steps, he had fully crossed the doorway.

"It did!" Hermione clapped, crossing the doorway to float next to him. Harry sighed in relief.

Harry found a very similar sight in the middle of the room. He could only see some minor differences. The tunic was blue instead of red and tailored for a female body. And, the Bow of Ravenclaw was sitting next to the mannequin, ready to be taken and used. Unlike for Harry, Hermione had no shield.

"I wish I had some sort of magical bag to transport all of this. It would make everything much..." he stopped when he saw a leather bag appear in front of him. "Right, Room of Requirement. Gosh I love this room." he said.

As he put all of Hermione's belongings in the bag, Harry heard the ghostly girls mutter to herself "I need to come back and see what books I can get once everything is over." Harry grinned.

"Hey, I wonder," he asked, suddenly coming up with an idea. "Can you change how you look as a ghost? Maybe you could 'put on' the tunic like that!"

Hermione looked contemplative. "I never tried" she said. She still looked like she had the day they went after the Philosopher's Stone: she wore a red jumper and pyjama pants.

The ghostly girl closed her eyes and concentrated. Then, in a flash, she was suddenly wearing the same outfit as Harry!

"Wow!" he gasped in awe.

Hermione looked at him with a small blush on her face. "You like it?"

"Yeah..." he said dreamily. Hermione blushed harder.

She turned into an orb and flew in Harry's chest. Together, they left the Room of Requirement.

---

It was now time for supper and classes were over for the day. Students began trickling down to the Great Hall in droves, all starving for some good food after a long day taking hard exams.

One subject of conversation that was discussed primarily by the first and second year students were the absences of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Neither year group knew the student of the other year group was missing, so nobody could guess that their disappearances were connected.

Some second year students went to their head of houses to report Hermione missing. They were quickly told that the staff was aware and looking for her. Nobody in first year reported Harry missing. The reasons varied. They did not notice. They believed someone else already reported it. They thought he was on some Boy-Who-Lived adventure, or that he was trying to grab some attention. Nobody knew, so they could all assume.

What no student was told was that the staff knew exactly well what happened to Harry and Hermione, as Professor Dumbledore made sure to tell them during lunch. The teachers were horrified that Hermione had been expelled from her body and was now roaming the school with Harry as a ghost. Madam Pomfrey felt especially horrified as Harry had tried to tell her this but she rebutted him, believing he was lying to keep himself out of trouble.

Professor Dumbledore also made sure to tell them that Harry and Hermione were exempted from classes for the time being after Professor Snape attempted to put both children in detention.

"Being a ghost does not mean she cannot follow my teachings." Snape drawled.

"What teachings?" Professor McGonagall muttered to herself.

One asked what the children were doing if they weren't attending classes. Looking for the body, Snape had said with a sneer, clearly believing they would fail in their quest.

With twinkling eyes, Dumbledore told him "Oh, I have a feeling they will succeed in their endeavour."

Despite this, nobody had seen Harry Potter since Professor Dumbledore himself had that morning. The headmaster himself had left earlier that day, saying he wanted to investigate somewhere Quirrell could be hiding with young Hermione's body.

Since then, nobody received any news on the situation. The teachers could not begin to fathom what Harry and Hermione's ghost were doing, nor could they know if Professor Dumbledore had discovered Quirrell's location yet.

So, the teachers were angsty and nervous. The only ones who did not to have a care in the world at what was happening were Professor Snape – who never cared about his students' well-being anyway – and Professor Trelawney – who had long since predicted both students' demise, to the anger of the others.

And then, a small figure wearing all red stepped in the Great Hall and made his way to the Gryffindor table. The figure, a boy, had a sword and shield attached to his back, along with a leather bag swung to his side. Mutterings of over students followed him behind, but the boy easily ignored them.

Despite his regalia, the figure was not hard to recognize. It was the missing Harry Potter, who had not been seen since he left the Hospital Wing that morning.

Harry walked to the Gryffindor table and, ignoring the shock of the other students, made himself a sandwich by cutting off two slices of bread off a loaf and putting some of the available meats and vegetables inside. Then, he picked it up and made his way back out of the Great Hall. The whole time, he looked like he was discussing something with someone who wasn't there. Only the teachers understood Harry was speaking with the ghost of Hermione.

Seeing him leave, Professor McGonagall stood up and made to follow, if only to ask where they had been that day. But, by the time she walked out of the Great Hall, Harry had long gone.

---

The boy in question was talking to his ghostly friend one floor up. They were discussing possible locations Quirrell could have gone to other than the Chamber of Secrets.

"The thing is that we don't really know where Quirrell lives." Hermione said after Harry suggested they could just be hiding at the man's house. "And we know from our investigation of his office that the man has a family. Now, I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to make a potentially catastrophic ritual somewhere where neighbours could spy on me or where family members could show up unsuspectingly."

"Fair enough." Harry said, pondering. "Do you think the portraits near the entrance of the forbidden corridor saw anything?"

"It wouldn't hurt to ask." she said.

The duo made their way to the entrance of the corridor. Hermione let Harry do the talking, unconvinced she would be seen by the portraits.

Harry approached the portrait of a bald man. "Hello." he greeted. "Do you remember seeing me and a girl with brown hair enter the forbidden corridor a few days ago late at night?"

"No." the man said, sounding like he couldn't care less about the situation.

"Did you see a man with a turban?" he asked next.

"I didn't see nobody." the man said. "I sleep at night."

"Right. Sorry for disturbing you."

Questioning the other portraits did not help either. They were either asleep or did not remember seeing anyone. Harry and Hermione were starting to lose hope.

And then someone gasped loudly.

"The Paladins of Magic!" said a portrait. Harry and Hermione turned toward it.

"Pardon?" Harry asked.

"You two – you are wearing the tunics of the Paladins of Magic!" the woman in the painting said with reverence.

"You know about the Paladins?" Hermione asked before something hit her. "Wait, you can see me?"

"I lived because the Paladins saved my life as a young child! I was one of the first students to attend this school."

"Huh" Harry said.

"As for how I can see you, I received training to see apparitions like you, Miss Ravenclaw."

"So the ability transferred to your portrait? Fascinating." Hermione said, ignoring how the portrait addressed her by her ancestor's name.

"Madam, can you help us?" Harry asked. "We are wondering if you saw Professor Quirrell – a man with a purple turban – exit the forbidden corridor in the last few days?"

The woman hummed. "I did see people here recently. A handful of days ago, I saw the man with a purple turban enter the corridor. He was followed by two young students about an hour later. A boy and a girl. Both had wild hair."

Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. "That would be us, Ma'am."

"Really?" She gave them a closer look. "Oh yes, I recognize you now."

"Did you see the man with a purple turban leave the corridor after we went in?"

"No, I did not." the portrait answered. "The only other person I saw come that night was the headmaster, and he left minutes later holding you, Mr. Gryffindor, in his arms."

"You didn't see Quirrell come back?"

"No."

The duo looked at each other in shock. "Could it really be this simple?" Hermione said.

"Quirrell never even left the forbidden corridor! He's still there!"

"He's hiding in plain sight!" she gasped. Hermione turned to the portrait. "Thank you for your help, Madam!" and proceeded to fly to the forbidden corridor.

Harry ran to follow after his friend. He found her waiting next to the door opening on Fluffy's room. "I just realized. We don't have anything to play music with to distract Fluffy!"

"We have our mouths." Harry stated. "We could just hum something."

"That's a good idea!" she said. "And, I have the perfect tune in mind! I'll hum it and you'll repeat after me to make sure Fluffy hears it. Got it?"

He nodded. "Let's go."

Harry slowly opened the door and slipped inside – only to stop at what he didn't see.

"Fluffy isn't even there." he said.

Hermione snorted. She then burst out laughing.

"All that worry for nothing! Now that makes me feel better." she said, wiping a ghostly tear from her eye.

Harry walked to the trap door and opened it. "Do you think the Devil's Snare is still there?"

She bit her lip. "I don't know. I will go check." Harry nodded.

Hermione flew down the hole. She came back up a minute later. "It's still there."

"Great." he said, making to jump.

"Wait!" she exclaimed. "Remember, you will need to free yourself by-"

"Lighting a fire. I know." he told her.

And, for the third time that week, Harry jumped down a dark hole.

He landed softly in the Devil's Snare. Harry did not wait and immediately lit up a fire using a spell Hermione once taught him, freeing himself. Hermione floated down the hole and joined him at the door.

They entered the next room with the flying keys. Except that the keys in question were now laying down on the ground. The challenge had been deactivated. Looking at the door, Harry saw that the key was already in the lock, keeping it unlocked.

"Well, at least we don't have to do this again." Hermione sighed in relief. She hadn't liked this challenge at all.

They reached the other door and opened it. Hermione let out a gasp once they entered the chessboard room.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked her, concerned.

"Yes." she sighed. "It was just shocking finding myself back here."

Harry hummed. He still remembered the way she fell on the ground. Like a marionette whose strings had been cut.

"I thought you had died." he whispered, looking at the spot where Hermione had fallen. "I saw you collapse lifeless and I thought Quirrell killed you. All I could think of was that I failed to keep you safe, and that you would still be alive if I didn't have the idea to come here."

"Oh, Harry." sighed sadly. "What happened to me is not your fault. Quirrell and You-Know-Who are the only ones to blame."

"I know." he said. "But It doesn't make it hurt any less."

Hermione moved forward and put her arms around him. She did not have a physical form, so Harry only felt some warmth. But, the gesture was welcomed.

"Let's go get your body back." Harry said with a confident smile. Hermione smiled back.

Together, they walked to the next room, entering it for the first time. They found the room empty to their surprise. There was, however, a small remnant of the odour of stinky socks.

When they entered the next room, they were immediately caught by surprise when powerful flames lit in front of both doors, stopping anyone from going through. Black flames blocked the way ahead, while purple flames blocked the way back. In the middle of the room, they found a table where six potions lay.

"I think one of the challenges was not deactivated yet." Harry said, stating the obvious.

With the potions was a piece of parchment. Hermione hovered over it and read it.

"It's a puzzle!" she exclaimed delightfully.

"What is the answer?" he asked.

"Let me see..." Hermione hummed, reading and rereading the words written on a roll of paper. "There are seven potions. Three are poison. Two are wine. One will allow us to safely cross the black fire, and the other allow us to cross the purple fire."

Hermione muttered things to herself as she looked between the roll of paper and the potions. Harry let do so, knowing she had a much better chance at getting the right answer.

After a few minutes, Hermione came back with the answer. "I got it!" she exclaimed. "You need to drink the potion in the blue bottle! There is only enough for one person but, thankfully, I am a ghost! So, I do not need any."

Harry took the blue bottle warily. "Are you sure it's the right one?" He preferred to know now if Hermione made a mistake than find out while dying on the floor.

"Do you trust me?" she asked.

"Of course I do!"

"Then trust me on this. It is the blue potion."

Harry sighed. He removed the cork and drank the whole thing in one go. Immediately, he felt his inside freeze – in a good, pleasant way. Deciding not to wait any further, Harry stepped through the black flames. The flames' burned through the freezing effect until he was left standing on the other side, feeling as warm as ever.

"See? I told you so!" Hermione grinned, flying over the flames to join him.

"I shouldn't have doubted you." he said with a shy grin.

His grin fell as he turned to the door.

"We're there." he said.

"Yeah." Hermione quietly said. "What do you think we will find on the other side?"

"Nothing good." he breathed. He turned to her. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. You?"

"Same thing."

Harry grabbed the door handle and slowly turned it. He then pushed the door.

They did not immediately see anything of importance – other than some very large stairs. From their point of view, they could only see where the stairs ended. The ceiling hid everything else.

However, they were able to hear sounds even from where they were. While too far away to understand properly, they did heard someone speak. Quirrell was here – there was no doubt about it.

Harry drew his sword and shield and walked down the stairs. Hermione had already retracted into a ball of light inside of him. Her warmth in his chest made him feel braver.

They were nearly at the bottom of the stairs when they were finally able to see what was going on. Hermione immediately materialized and yelled "NOOOOOOO!"

They had walked down to a large square room. At the end of the room was the broken Mirror of Erised Harry encountered during the winter. Each wall was covered in alcoves, half of them containing suits of armour.

And, to their horror, in the middle of the room was Hermione's body hovering two meters over the ground, Quirrell standing next to it and clearly doing the ritual to push Voldemort inside it.

Hermione's yell startled Quirrell. He turned and saw Harry. "You're too late, Potter!" he yelled, not seeing Hermione's ghost right next to him.

"Why are you doing this?" Harry demanded, naturally placing himself into a combative stance. "Why are you working with Voldemort and attacking your students?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Quirrell said. "You think I wanted to teach here?! Why teach insufferable brats when I could help the Dark Lord gain power! He is generous! He will award me with my greatest wishes!"

"You're insane!" Harry exclaimed.

"Maybe." Quirrell surprisingly admitted. And then, in a flash, he had his wand pointed at Harry. "But at least I will live. Unlike you." He threw a bright green spell in his direction.

Harry raised his shield. With a loud sound of a gong, the green spell bounced off the shield and went to hit the wall.

"Impossible!" Quirrell shouted in fury. "Nothing can block a Killing Curse!" In his rage, he began throwing every curse he knew toward the young wizard in a red tunic. Harry knew he could not block all of them, so he quickly ran to hide inside of an alcove before one hit him.

Hermione watched this as Harry had to run from a barrage of spells. She could tell that Quirrell had clearly no idea she was here with them. So, she used the opportunity to try and regain control of her body and ruin the ritual.

She flew as fast as she could toward her body and tried to take control of it the same way she had the suit of armour in the Chamber of Secrets. But, to her horror, she discovered that she was blocked from doing so! There was already a spirit in her body, and she was unable to push it out and take over her own body!

'You're too late, Potter!' Quirrell's words came back to her. Hermione's heart plummeted to her boots.

"Hermione! A little help!" Harry yelled from his corner. He was hiding behind a wall. Quirrell was still casting spells in his direction and slowly approaching. If she did nothing, Quirrell would either reach Harry and kill him, or Harry would have to run away and risk getting killed.

She took a quick look around the room for anything useful, trying not to panic. It was then she remembered the suits of armour. She could take control of one. The problem was that she had no idea if it would work. The one she piloted earlier was a prototype – or at least that is how it came across to her. So, she did not know if the suits here would work.

But she had nothing else to try.

So she did.

Hermione transformed into a ball of light and flew toward a suit of armour. When she managed to take control over it, she yelled "YES!"

Her yell attracted the attention of Quirrell, who had believed until now that he was alone with Harry. He quickly took a look back, giving Harry a small window of opportunity to escape to another alcove.

Harry ran off. Quirrell turned back to see Harry reaching another alcove to hide. He raised his wand to cast but, before he could, he was hit by the pommel of a sword. "ARG!" he yelled, falling to his knees, dropping his wand and bringing his hands up to his head. Hermione had just hit him!

Seeing this, Harry ran in the other direction and tackled Quirrell away from Hermione, grabbing him by the hands to stop him from grabbing his wands. Quirrell immediately let out a shriek of pain, causing Harry to drop him.

He and Hermione watched in shock as Quirrell's hands turned into dust.

"What was that?!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry looked at his hands.

"I have no idea." he admitted. He looked up at her. "But at least now Quirrell can't harm us any longer."

Hermione looked at Harry through her suit of armour. "Harry, give me the Bow." she said.

He opened his leather bag and pulled out the Bow of Ravenclaw. He handed it to Hermione.

"Thank you." she said.

"Why did you ask for it now?" he asked, curious.

"Because I think we're about to need everything we can." she said, pointing at her levitating body.

Hermione's body was shaking heavily. A slow, manly grunt was heard escaping its throat. The head slowly moved, like someone whose neck hurt.

And then the eyes opened.

Scarlet eyes with slits for irises looked in their direction. The lips formed into a cruel curl that did not belong on Hermione's body. The skin had turned a lot paler until it looked bone-white.

Lord Voldemort was possessing Hermione's body!

Voldemort looked at Quirrell. "I see you succeeded in defeating my servant." His voice came out as soft hiss. His scarlet eyes turned to Quirrell, who was laying on the ground in pain. "Defeated by a bunch of teenagers. Pathetic."

"Master... please..." Quirrell pleaded.

"Silence!" Voldemort hissed.

He looked down at his – at Hermione's body. "You know, I thought using the body of a teenage girl would be a chore. But, I can feel it... the power of a founder in my veins. Maybe it won't be so bad."

Hermione started growling. "Give. Me. Back. My. BODY!" she yelled.

Voldemort brought his arms down and took off like he was a ghost himself. "Try, little girl."

With a roar of rage, Hermione drew the Bow of Ravenclaw and loosed an arrow toward Voldemort. Voldemort crossed his arms and magically blocked the arrow. Hermione tried again, and again. Voldemort blocked both arrows.

Tired of being on the defensive, Voldemort raised a hand toward the ceiling and formed a bright ball of scarlet magic the size of a football. Then, he struck his arm down, and the ball of magic was thrown in Hermione's direction.

Terrified of what could happen if it hit Hermione, Harry threw himself forward and blocked the ball with his shield. The ball of magic rebounded and flew back toward Voldemort, hitting him.

Voldemort let out a groan of pain. He looked like he was being electrocuted severely. Hermione used the opportunity to loose another arrow and, this time, the Dark Lord was unable to block it. The arrow struck him in his face and exploded in a burst of golden magic. With another groan of pain, Voldemort fell back down and crashed on the floor.

Harry knew he could go and kill Voldemort while he was down. To stab the Dark Lord in his neck and take his life. But, he knew that if he did, Hermione would never be able to return to her body. The hesitation gave Voldemort enough time to regain control. He pushed himself back in the air.

"We need to find a way to expel him from your body without hurting it!" Harry told Hermione.

"But how?" Hermione demanded.

"Your arrows! They're hurting him but not you! Let's continue doing it until he can hold no more!"

Hermione nodded in agreement.

With a plan of action, Harry purposefully stepped away from Hermione to stand behind Voldemort. Voldemort, sensing he was up to no good, turned around to face him, only to be struck in an arrow in his back. He once again fell to the ground. Hermione used the opportunity to hit him with another one.

Harry and Hermione could tell Voldemort was starting to lose control. His movements were becoming more rugged, and his shrieks told them he was in more and more pain.

The third time Voldemort flew up, he decided to dismiss Harry, believing someone with a sword and shield could do no wrong. As he and Hermione were on opposite ends, he was confident he would be able to strike Hermione before Harry could shield her.

Quickly, he formed another scarlet ball of light. Hermione loosed an arrow, but Voldemort blocked it with his free arm.

"Hermione!" Harry barked. Hermione looked down to see Harry pointing at his shield. She immediately understood what he was telling her. She lowered her bow and shot an arrow in Harry's direction.

The arrow hit the shield and, defying all laws of physics (something magic was very good at), the arrow bounced off faster than it was loosed, and shot straight for Voldemort's back.

This time, Voldemort's shriek was more inhumane and full of pain than ever before. Then, they saw with their very eyes as a black cloud formed around his head. The cloud shot away from the body as it went limp.

Voldemort's spirit had just been expelled from Hermione's body.

The body lowered gently to the ground until it was floating a mere feet off the ground. The eyes were closed and the hair was floating wildly. It looked as if Hermione was merely sleeping.

Then, Hermione's suit of armour collapsed as her ghost shot out of it straight for her body. The ghost disappeared inside. The body began glowing in a blinding bright light.

Harry looked away, feeling hope in his chest. When the light finally dimmed down, he was able to look up to find Hermione standing on her own two feet, the Bow of Ravenclaw in hand and wearing her blue tunic.

"I have my body back!" Hermione squealed, jumping on her feet. "I can jump! I can't fly! I can feel things! This is amazing!"

Harry laughed and ran toward her. Hermione, seeing this, finally did what she wanted to do for a long time.

She grabbed him in a hug and kissed him on the lips.

Hermione's kiss blew him away. Hermione. Was. Kissing. Him!

For a moment, he panicked. 'What do I do?' he thought to himself. And then it came to him. 'Kiss her back! Duh!'

So he did.

While the two children were sharing their feelings for one another for the first time, unnoticed by them was Voldemort's spirit, who flew back to Quirrell. The Dark Lord forced his way in and pushed Quirrell out. With a small gasp, Quirrell passed away, leaving Voldemort in sole control.

The Dark Lord raised his missing hands. He knew that if he wanted to escape this place with a body to call his own, he would need his hands. However, his magic had been running on overtime handling his possession of the girl, all the wandless magic he did, and a second possession. His reserves were limited and he would not regain full control of his powers until he rested. In the mean time, he used what was left of his tired magic to create himself some metallic hands to replace them.

Then, he pushed himself to his feet.

Harry and Hermione finally let go of each other and opened their eyes to smile at one another. It was then that Harry noticed Quirrell stand behind Hermione. He saw him drag himself to his feet and walk toward the door.

"Quirrell!" he yelled. Quirrell turned toward them. His red eyes told him and Hermione that their former teacher was now gone and only Voldemort remained.

Instead of fighting them, Voldemort started running to the exit. Harry knew he could not let him escape once more. So, he ran after him.

Smaller and not injured, Harry was able to catch him. Like he did with Quirrell earlier, Harry tackled Voldemort and sent them both to the ground. Voldemort turned around and brought his hands to Harry's neck and started choking him.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted in horror.

Thankfully, Hermione did not have to worry about Harry as the mere touch of his skin was enough to melt Voldemort's metal hands. "No!" Voldemort yelled.

Harry remembered the way Quirrell's hands had also turned to ash earlier. He decided it was time to end this, once and for all. He brought his hands to Voldemort's neck. The Dark Lord's skin immediately burned on contact. Voldemort yelled in pain as his possessed body turned to ash.

And then, it was his turn to be in pain. For a moment, he believed he had been stabbed in the forehead, so great his pain was. He immediately dropped his hold on Voldemort and brought his hands to his forehead. Unseen by him but visible to Hermione, a large, black cloud escaped Quirrell's body, followed by a smaller black cloud, which escaped from Harry's famous lighting scar.

The two black clouds gone, Harry collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled, running toward him. "Please be alright!" she pleaded. He couldn't die now! Not after everything they went through together! They had won! Harry could not die!

She dropped next to him and lowered herself until her ear was hovering right over his mouth. She immediately felt a small breath of hot air hit her ear, and Hermione sighed in relief.

He was alive! Just unconscious.

Now she just had to drag him out of here.

---

Harry woke up, feeling confused. He immediately recognized that he was in the Hospital Wing. He was, in fact, sitting in the exact same bed he had been that morning.

Harry blinked and rubbed his eyes. He felt a strong sense of deja vu. It couldn't have all been a dream, right? He looked around and tried to find anything different from his previous stay at the Hospital Wing. Anything that could tell him everything he did with Hermione was not a dream, that she truly was reunited with her body and not dead as he feared. He turned his head to look to his right when he froze.

On the nightstand next to him was his red tunic neatly folded together, waiting for him to put on once he was ready to leave. On the ground laying on the nightstand were the Sword of Gryffindor in its scabbard and the red shield.

"So it was real..." he whispered to himself. He and Hermione really explored the Chamber of Secret, discovered their heritage and defeated Quirrell.

He heard another door open. This time, it was the large doors of the Hospital Wing. He saw Dumbledore enter, followed by-

"Hermione!" he exclaimed.

"HARRY!" she yelled, running toward him. "You're awake!"

Hermione, so enthusiastic she was, accidentally tackled him trying to give him a hug, and both crashed in his bed.

"Ouch!" Harry gasped. He was very happy to see Hermione and physically feel her in his arms. But, he could have done without the tackle.

"Careful there, Miss Granger!" Dumbledore chuckled.

Hermione leaned back from Harry, blushing. "Sorry." she muttered.

"It's fine." he said with a shy smile, remembering how they had kissed after she regained her body.

Hermione seemed to guess his train of thought, as she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Harry blushed bright red, making her giggle.

"How long was I out?" he asked her.

"Three days."

"Three days?!" he exclaimed. He turned to Dumbledore. "Professor? What happened?"

"Ah, that is a story, isn't it?" Dumbledore said with a smile. "If you are wondering about Lord Voldemort, then you have nothing to worry about. He has gone from Hogwarts, likely back into hiding."

"He's still alive, then?" he asked, feeling his heart plummet.

"He is." Dumbledore confirmed, losing his smile for a brief moment. But then, it came back. "I do not believe he will cause you problems any time soon. Voldemort has learned that you and Miss Granger are more than worthy adversaries, despite your age. In his current form, confronting you would get him nothing but settle him back."

"But he will return, right?"

"Eventually, yes, he will. When will that be? I have no idea. However, we should have enough time to ensure that the next time he is defeated, he will remain defeated for good. No coming back."

Harry nodded. It was relieving to hear Voldemort should not bother them for some time. Harry knew they were lucky to defeat him without being injured. He doubted Voldemort would be defeated this easily next time.

"What about Quirrell? He's dead." he swallowed.

"He is." Dumbledore confirmed sadly. "Miss Granger told me everything while you were unconscious. His death is unfortunate, but it is not on your hand. Quirinus Quirrell died the day he willingly let himself be possessed by Lord Voldemort. Voldemort only finished him off when he took over Professor Quirrell's body. It is yet another name in the list of men and women Lord Voldemort murdered."

"But... I burned him alive! And I don't know how!" At the time, Harry had been too focused on the danger to think twice about it. But now, it freaked him out. A lot. He was tempted to push Hermione away to ensure she was safe from him. The only reason he did not do so was because she had been holding him this entire entire without being harmed. She even kissed his cheek!

"Ah, yes. That, my dear Harry, is a gift left to you by your mother."

Harry blinked. Hermione looked at Dumbledore in surprise. "What?" he said.

"Lily Potter sacrificed her life for her child. Being so loved by someone to the point where they willingly sacrifice their life for you leaves a mark. Not a scar, no, but a form of protection. A protection infused with a very strong love. And, for someone like Voldemort who, unfortunately, does not know love, a gift like your mother gave you can be physically painful to them. This is why Voldemort and Quirrell could not touch you."

"Oh." Harry said emotionally. He felt Hermione lean her head on his shoulder.

To Harry, who had never been told he was loved as a child, hearing his mother loved him so much that not only was she willing to sacrifice her life for him, but that her sacrifice gave a protection to her son impacted him a lot.

It was then that Madam Pomfrey showed up. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. "My patient should be resting!"

"My apologies, Madam Pomfrey." Dumbledore said smoothly. "Miss Granger only wanted to see her friend."

"Well, you've seen him. So you can both go, before he get the idea to escape again." she grumbled, making Harry grin.

"Don't worry, Madam Pomfrey." Hermione said sweetly. "I'll make sure Harry stays in his bed."

Harry's grin fell. "Hermione?" he asked, worried.

She turned to him. "What? I just want to make sure my boyfriend is as healthy as he can be!"

He choked on his own saliva. "Boyfriend?" he squeaked. Did he forget he asked her out?

"What?" she asked, still smiling sweetly. "You don't think I just go kissing random boys, do I?"

Harry cleared his throat. "No. Of course not!"

"Fine." Madam Pomfrey grumbled. "Just make sure he stay here." she said before turning around and returning to her office.

Hermione grinned.

Professor Dumbledore chuckled and made to leave. Hermione noticed and asked "Professor, before you go. What did you mean when you said there was a reason why Harry could see me without needing training?"

The headmaster glanced back, his eyes twinkling. "That, I am afraid, is something you will need to find out for yourself."

Then, he left. Neither tried to call him back, both realizing that Dumbledore would not tell them the answer himself.

---

Apparently, someone overheard a lot of the conversation that took place between Dumbledore and Hermione while Harry was unconscious. Why did Harry think that? Because the entire school seemed to know what happened that day. Some details weren't known – like Quirrell being possessed or Hermione being a ghost for an entire day. However, there was a consensus that the closest story from the truth was that Harry and Hermione fought Lord Voldemort somewhere in the castle and defeated him.

The day Harry was released from the Hospital Wing, Hermione showed up in her blue tunic and the Bow of Ravenclaw sheathed on her back.

"You are still wearing it?" he asked curiously. Hermione shrugged.

"It is comfortable, and I look good."

"You do." he told his girlfriend. She smiled. "Isn't it against the rules, though?" he said, knowing Hermione liked following them.

"Actually, it is not!" she said, almost singing in joy. "I asked Professor Dumbledore and he told me that the rules only specified we had to wear the uniforms of our school houses. The tunics technically qualifies!"

"Really?" he said, gently surprised. She nodded.

Of course, learning he could wear his armoured tunic and his sword and shield to class was enough to convince him to do it. He was an eleven-year-old boy, after all, and he wanted to match with his girlfriend and look cool.

He did decide though to leave the sword and the shield in his dorm room. They got in the way when he was sitting in class and made a lot of noise. Snape nearly kicked him out of his classroom during the final Potions exam due to how often his weapons made noise whenever Harry shifted in his seat.

Finally, the last day came, along with the Leaving Feast. That day, both Harry and Hermione were given a hundred points each for their valliant efforts against Voldemort, though the true reason was partially hidden to avoid encouraging students to seek dangerous dark wizards to fight them. The next day, Harry and Hermione took the Hogwarts Express back to London. Their tunics and weapons were locked away in their trunks.

"You're going to visit me, won't you?" Hermione asked him.

"If I can manage. My relatives aren't big on me being with my friends." he grumbled quietly.

"Well, if you can't, at least send me letters!"

"Don't worry, I will." Harry grinned.

He had no idea that it wouldn't be as simple as that, that a little house-elf with good intentions would stop all letters from reaching him to ensure Harry never faced a danger he already conquered.

But, it didn't matter for now. Harry was with Hermione and they were happy together.