Second Destiny
Before we begin, a note from the Author...
I am sorry that it has been almost a year since my last chapter upload for this story.
I had a lot of things on my plate—not the least of which was the final completion of my 30 Worlds series, which I had been writing for over a decade.
But now that I am finally finished with 30 Worlds, I can refocus all of my attention on Second Destiny.
There will be three more chapters—two more chapters for this story and a bonus chapter that will serve as a preview of the sequel, Beyond the Second Destiny (which I plan to post the first chapter of by 23 November 2023).
Please enjoy these final chapters of Second Destiny, and look forward to what comes next.
William "Blissey" Raymer
Yuma, Arizona USA
25 October 2023
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Harry and Hermione were walking towards Death/Colton's Heraldic Education class when Abraxas popped into existence in front of them.
"My Lord and Lady, the Spirit of Hogwarts beckoned me to tell you that Professor Quirell has started for the third-floor corridor," Abraxas said. "If you plan on getting rid of him, now's the time."
Harry shot a look at Hermione. "Let's do this," Harry said. "Abraxas, can you pop us there?"
Abraxas nodded, then grabbed onto Harry and Hermione. All at once, Harry, Hermione and Abraxas popped to the door leading to the Sorceror's Stone trials. "Abraxas, tell Ron we're in need of his help then bring him here," Harry said.
"Then, after you finish bringing him here, inform Headmistress McGonagall that she'll probably want to contact the DMLE as a death in the castle is most likely about to occur," Hermione said.
"I obey," Abraxas said before disappearing.
Moments later, Abraxas reappeared with Ron in tow. Moments after that, Abraxas disappeared again. "Why am I here?" Ron asked.
"Ron, we're about to go after the Sorceror's Stone," Harry said. "And we need your help."
"Are you sure?" Ron said.
"Ron, over this last year, you have become my second-best friend...after Hermione, of course," Harry said.
"We'd be honored to have you join us," Hermione said.
Ron smiled. "Let's go then," he said.
Just as in Harry's last run, Harry found the key he needed in the Devil's Snare; Ron helped win the day in the giant wizard's chess match; and Hermione solved the potion riddle.
Before Harry stepped into the final chamber, Hermione put her hand on Harry's arm. "This is it, Harry my love," Hermione said. "All the Horcruxes are gone—it's just gonna be you and Quirrelmort in there. Take that wanker out!"
"Language, Hermione," Harry said before kissing Hermione on the lips and turning to enter the final chamber.
Just as in his last run, Harry saw the Mirror of Erised standing where former Headmaster Dumbledore had placed it. Harry looked into the mirror. And just like the last time he looked into the mirror in this run, he saw himself—content, with Hermione and his friends, studying at Hogwarts. Then, Hermione and Harry as a family.
Suddenly, Harry felt something in a pocket of his robes. Harry put his hand into the pocket and found the Sorceror's Stone.
"H-h-hello, Harry," a voice stammered out.
Harry wheeled around and saw Professor Quirrel. "Professor, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"I c-c-could s-s-say the same thing," Quirrell said.
Another, dreadfully-familiar, voice emanated from out of Harry's sight. "Quirrell, let me see him," it said.
"M-m-my Lord, are you sure you want to do this?" Quirrell said.
"Just do it!" the other voice said.
Quirrell rolled his eyes then reached for the turban on his head. It came off, revealing the malformed head of Voldemort.
"Ah, Harry Potter. We meet again at last," Voldemort said.
"I have indeed been looking forward to this meeting too, Voldemort," Harry said. "Before we do this, however, there is something you should know."
"And what, pray tell, is that?" Voldemort said.
Harry held up five fingers. Then, one by one, he tucked them back into his fist. "The diary...Slytherin's locket...Hufflepuff's cup...Ravenclaw's diadem...my scar...they've all been destroyed. You're all that's left," Harry said. "So once I take care of you...here and now...you're gone forever."
Quirrellmort charged at Harry. But Harry simply sidestepped the charge, sending Quirrellmort into the Mirror of Erised. The Mirror shattered at the impact.
"Oh, and Voldy? If you thought that crash would cause you to get the Sorceror's Stone?" Harry said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the Stone. He then used all of his strength to slam the Stone to the ground, shattering it.
"NOOOOO!" Quirrellmort said.
Harry then took a deep breath and climbed onto Quirrellmort's back. He then placed both hands on Quirrellmort's face. Harry hung on for deal life as Quirrellmort thrashed around the chamber, trying to throw Harry off his back.
Finally, as Quirrellmort's body ultimately dissolved, there was a massive release of magical energy that slammed Harry into the wall of the chamber. He could hear a faint scream of "HARRY!" before he fell unconscious.
What seemed like an eternity later (actually the next morning), Harry felt himself wake up in Hogwarts' Infirmary—Hermione, Ron, Headmistress McGonagall and Amelia Bones watching him. "HARRY! YOU'RE AWAKE!" Hermione said as she hugged Harry.
"I'm glad you're up, Lord Potter," McGonagall said.
"I'm glad I'm up too, Headmistress," Harry said.
"Lord Potter, I got a message from your house elf Abraxas, saying that there would be a death in the castle," Bones said. "Care to explain?"
Harry noticed that his wand was sitting on the table next to his bed. "It would be better to show you," he said. "Dobby, can you bring the House Potter pensieve to Hogwarts' infirmary?" Harry said.
As Dobby arrived with the Potter pensieve, Amelia handed Harry a glass vial which Harry put the memory in. "I swear on my life and magic that the memory presented to DMLE Director Amelia Bones in the presence of Lady Hermione Potter, Ronald Weasley, House Potter house-elf Dobby and Acting Headmistress Minerva McGonagall is the full memory of the events being investigated by Director Bones and that no tampering of any sort has taken place," Harry said. "So I have sworn, so mote it be."
The tip of Harry's wand glowed before dimming back to normal, nothing that Harry's oath had been accepted by magic. Harry then used his wand to summon the glass of water on the other side of his bedside table to be closer to him then taking a sip.
Bones opened the vial and poured the silvery memory into the pensieve. She and McGonagall then dipped their heads into the pensieve.
Ten minutes later, they withdrew their heads from the pensieve and shook their heads. "So Voldemort did survive that All Hallows Eve all those years ago," McGonagall said.
"But he's not alive anymore," Harry said. "We three—" Harry gestured to himself, Hermione and Ron. "-saw to that," Harry finished.
Bones nodded. "I shall record the death of Quirnius Quirrell as justifiable homicide and recommend no charges be filed or punitive action be taken against you, Lord Potter," she said. "Furthermore, I shall recommend that all three of you be submitted for First-Class Orders of Merlin for your services to the magical community on this day." Bones gestured to Harry, Hermione and Ron as she said that.
"Thank you, Director," Harry, Hermione and Ron all said.
As McGonagall and Bones left the Infirmary, Harry asked Dobby to deliver him some parchment, an inkpot and quill. "What are you gonna do, Harry?" Ron asked.
"During my confrontation with Voldemort down in the chamber, I got a hold of and destroyed the Sorceror's Stone. Did it to keep the Stone out of Voldemort's hands," Harry said. "I just need to inform Nicolas Flamel."
And so, Harry began to write:
Dear Mr. Flamel,
My name is Harold James Potter, and I am the Lord of several Most Ancient and Noble Houses in the Wizengamot. I am also, most importantly for the purposes of this missive, a first-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I became aware of you after learning that your greatest creation, the Sorceror's Stone, was hidden here on Hogwarts grounds by our former Headmaster (and your former apprentice), Albus Dumbledore.
I recently was forced to destroy the Stone in order to ensure that it did not fall into the hands of the self-styled Lord Voldemort, who through despicable means best left unsaid, survived the events of All Hallow's Eve 1981. I then destroyed Voldemort himself.
I write this letter to apologize to you and your loved ones for what I have done, knowing that using the Stone to create the Elixir of Life is what has kept you and your wife Perenelle alive all these centuries. Please know that if I could have saved the Stone, I would have.
Respectfully,
Harold James Potter
Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses of Potter,
Gryffindor, Slytherin and Peverell
Harry then put the letter in an envelope marked "Nicholas Flamel, Paris, France" and handed it to Hermione. "Can you see if Hedwig can send this off?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded, then left with Ron.
Later that night, Draco stood at the Gryffindor table as Harry and Hermione walked into the Great Hall for dinner. "My Lady, Lord Potter, I am grateful to see that you survived your foolhardy adventure yesterday," Draco said.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said before she and Harry sat down. Draco then made his way to the Slytherin table next to Goyle and Daphne.
McGonagall then made her way to the lectern in front of the staff table.
"As many of you are aware, due to the cancellation of DADA today, Professor Quirrell is missing," McGonagall said. "I must now inform you that Professor Quirrell was possessed by the spirit of He-Who-Must-Not...oh, screw that...Voldemort. Thanks to the brave actions of three first-year students, Voldemort has been wiped from existence once and for all. Harry and Hermione Potter, Ron Weasley, please stand up."
Harry, Hermione and Ron stood from their spots on the bench and turned towards McGonagall. "For your bravery in yesterday's incident, 300 points will be awarded to Gryffindor for each of you and you will be presented with Awards for Special Services to the School at the end-of-term feast one week from now," McGonagall said.
The student body politely clapped. "In addition, per the recommendation of DMLE Director Lady Amelia Bones, you three will also receive Orders of Merlin First-Class for your service to this community. The award ceremony and banquet will take place on the 25th of June following the next Wizengamot meeting," McGonagall continued. "You may resume your meal."
The students cheered—except for a few at the Slytherin table (for the record, Draco was one of those who cheered), that is—before returning to their meal.
::To Be Concluded::
