Harry leapt up and backwards on instinct, his power flooding through his body and expanding into the room around him as a massive maw of gnashing razorblades closed where he had been standing moments before. He pushed off the wall above the door and felt a powerful magical residue as he infused the stone with his power. Fire and Phoenix song ran through the walls, complex and efficiently powerful in a way that his brute force could not hope to match.

Dumbledore.

Harry cursed to himself as he launched himself into the air over the beast, pulling on more magic and forcing his mind and body to become faster, better. He must have stumbled into some part of the headmaster's trap for Quirrell, except that now he was unwittingly caught in it instead. He focused and took in the monster below him.

The creature had a thick, muscled body similar to a dog, but more squat and sturdy. Its hind legs looked stunted even though they were as thick as tree trunks. Its front legs were deadly and formidable, exiting the beast's shoulders at almost a right angle and ending with wickedly vicious claws. Its wide back and shoulders looked more than sufficient to support its three massive heads, two sets of mad red eyes still tracking him as the other recovered from its first attack.

It moved far faster than he expected, rearing and snapping at him with its middle head as he dove over it. The ceiling of the large room was high and vaulted, but not high enough to let him completely escape the monster's reach. Harry twisted in midair to dodge the first set of teeth and brought his hand around as he spun, magic sparking and flowing down his arm to fire a blinding blast of green power at the third head as it approached.

The dog stumbled back with a piercing howl as his magic blew a bloody, ragged hole clean through the rightmost head. Harry landed behind the beast and pushed his magic into his legs to cushion the landing. He turned just in time for one of the beast's powerful hind legs to kick out with startling speed, catching him in the chest and throwing him into the magically reinforced wall behind him.

Pain exploded throughout his body as his magic worked to repair him. His chest was shredded and caved in from the creature's claws, his spine and skull shattered from the impact with the immovable surface. He gritted his teeth as his body reformed and he refocused on the monster.

It was already rounding on him, its three heads finding his prone form immediately and-

Wait. Three heads?

The previously ruined head was knitting itself back together before Harry's eyes, its glowing red eyes reigniting as it healed in a grotesque mockery of his own healing magic. Harry barely had time to process this before the beast was on him again, slashing horizontally with a massive front paw and bearing down on him with all three heads. Harry panicked and released his magic in a thundering shockwave, throwing the beast's enormous bulk away from him and into the far wall. He pulled himself to his feet and tried to think through the panic and adrenaline and pain.

This monster was clearly more durable than any he had fought before. Dumbledore had picked it to kill or contain Quirrell. Destroying one of its brains hadn't really done more than inconvenience it.

Harry didn't have any more time to consider before the beast charged him, trying to crush him against the stone with its body weight rather than bite or slash him. He leapt again, this time all the way to the ceiling. He spun as he flew, planting his feet on the roof and pushing back down as the dog slammed into the wall below. He hardened his body and plowed into the beast's back from above, smashing it into the floor as he braced his feet against its central spine.

Trying not to think too hard about what he was about to do, Harry pushed as much magic as he could into his arms and hands, letting it sink deep into his bones and muscle and skin before he drove his hands downwards. He broke through the monster's tough hide, ripping through the thick muscle until he found the vertebrae of the left and right spinal columns. He closed his hands in a vice grip, channeled his power through his legs and heaved backwards.

The beast's spines tore free with a sickening ripping sound. The force of Harry's push carried him off of the monstrous dog's ruined back with a pulse of green power, the creature being driven back into the floor as Harry dropped back to the ground behind it in a rain of blood and gore. He threw the mangled remnants of bone and sinew to the side while already dodging, unconvinced that even the grievous wound would slow the monster down for long.

His instincts served him well as gnashing teeth closed inches from his body as he moved. Harry shied away from the fangs of the middle head and groaned as he saw the other two heads already righting themselves, the beast's back and neck reforming and regrowing. He circled around the room, leaping over a swipe of the monster's front claws and ducking under its rightmost head. He frantically tried to think through his options without being reduced to paste while he forced more and more magic into his body to keep up.

Three heads. He had to destroy all three heads simultaneously, otherwise the beast would just keep getting back up. He swore to himself as he jumped again, blasting the middle head into a shower of brains and bone fragments as he passed and catching the jaws of the leftmost head with his hands as it almost closed on him. He gripped the head's upper and lower jaw and tore them apart with a horrifying snap, rolling over the beast's neck as the rightmost head came inches from catching him again.

As he fell back to the floor, he spotted the incoming claws of the monster's front paw just in time to be rent from shoulder to hip and thrown back across the room, landing in a splattered puddle of blood. He tried to stand and push himself to safety as he healed while the creature closed on him once again, but he was too slow.

The jaws of the middle head closed around him with blinding speed. He felt the teeth shear through his skin like paper and idly wondered if this was it. After fighting countless demons and monsters, after discovering magic and making friends (well, one friend, but she was awesome), it was all going to end because he was arrogant and couldn't leave well enough alone? He almost laughed to himself over the sheer pointlessness of it all.

Hermione was going to be livid.

The cloak moved of its own accord. He felt a calm sense of certainty flow through him as the silken fabric slid over his skin, slipping between the gnashing fangs and his body. It sunk into him, inside him, the peaceful dark becoming one with his ruined body and broken soul as death came for him.

A humble man, He asked for something that would allow him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death.

Harry once again floated in the infinite ocean of Dark, his magic mingling and connecting with the deep recesses of the cloak's power as he looked upon himself with a detached and empty serenity. He understood and was clueless. He was both present and far away, untethered and steadfast.

Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.

With an instinctive pull of the cloak's power, he became both less and more than he was before. He ghosted easily backwards out of the monster's maw and stood before it once again. For a brief moment he looked up and almost laughed at its confused expression.

Then he entered the Dark once more and leapt backwards through the wall behind him, the Light and Phoenix fire finding no purchase upon him.

...

"I leave you alone for two weeks. Fourteen whole days. And you practically trip over a unicorn carcass while out for a jog, magically bond with not one but two ancient, unknown, presumably dangerous magical artifacts and ALMOST DIE FIGHTING A CERBERUS?"

Harry winced. It did sound kinda bad when she said it like that.

"That pretty much sums it up. Actually, I think I did die for a second while fighting the Cerberus? Things got a little bit hazy there for a moment and the cloak works in mysterious ways."

"THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT BETTER!"

Hermione threw her arms around him and squeezed the shorter boy into her body hard enough to drive the air from his lungs. Harry stood still awkwardly for a moment before cautiously wrapping his arms around her waist and hugging her back.

After several long moments she pulled back with a sigh. "I know that your life is dangerous Harry, and I know that I said that you were stuck with me. I meant it, I promise. You just need to be more careful. I don't want to lose you, whether it's because you get eaten by a demon dog or break your mind diving into some eldritch magic."

Harry nodded. "It's tough to find a good balance. I need every advantage I can get, and I won't become strong enough to stand against our enemies without taking risks, but I get it. You know what this means though," he said, grinning cheekily at his best friend.

"What?" Hermione asked warily.

"Clearly, you're never allowed to leave me alone."

Harry laughed but Hermione's eyes grew soft.

...

"Oh! I got you a present."

Hermione looked up from her armchair in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room.

"I know it's a bit late, and honestly I didn't even think about getting anyone Christmas presents until I got yours on Christmas morning, but I figured better late than never and-"

Hermione laughed at his rambling and cut him off. "It's fine Harry. I wasn't expecting you to get me anything. You have bigger things to worry about."
"Not true. Besides, I felt bad, and you definitely deserve presents too, so here."

Harry pulled two brightly wrapped packages out of his bag. Hermione grinned despite herself and tore into the crinkled paper. She knew that her best friend was a bit broken in ways that she couldn't really understand, but she appreciated the thought. She had owled her parents for advice before Christmas and they had sent her the sugar-free sweets and some money to order the book. She also knew that Harry didn't have anyone like that to ask.

She opened the first box and found what appeared to be a wrist holster of some kind made of thin leather straps.

"It's a wand holster. I read about Aurors using them in that book that you got for me, and after the mess with the troll I thought that you might like having easier access to your wand just in case. Plus, it looks cool when you flick your wand into your hand. As long as you actually catch it. You may want to practice; I totally didn't fire my wand across the room when I tested it."

Hermione grinned widely at the gift and at his rambling. It was a bit silly, but the present was pure Harry. Of course he had gotten her something to aid her in combat. And to help keep her safe. It was very thoughtful in his own way.

She opened the second present and stared down at it with more conflicted emotions. Inside the small box lay a delicate golden bracelet, thin and tasteful and beautiful as it caught the firelight. Her throat tightened and she didn't know what to think.

"I had it enchanted and as long as it does what the shopkeeper said, you'll be able to let me know if you're ever in trouble and I'll be able to find you." Harry shook back the sleeve of his button-down shirt to show her his own matching silver bracelet. "And vice versa. I know that you worry about me, and I can't stand the idea of losing you either so-"

He cut off with a surprised squeak as Hermione dove out of her chair and landed on him. She knew that he probably spent a fortune, and she should be annoyed at that but honestly, she didn't care. She loved how hard he tried despite being broken and loved how much he cared and couldn't identify the tangled mess of emotions that bubbled in her chest, but she decided to just be happy and hug her friend until he stopped holding himself stiff as a board and hugged her back.

...

Harry was just leaving the library and heading back to the common room when he heard raised voices down the corridor. Speeding up to see what was going on, he rounded the corner to find Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy blocking the way and Neville standing in front of them.

"Are you going to do anything besides shake like a leaf, squib? House of the Brave indeed. Maybe the hat didn't quite fit onto your fat head far enough to get a good look when it put you in there."

He didn't quite catch what Neville started to mumble back over Crabbe and Goyle's guffawing laughter, but he enjoyed the look of hatred and fear in Malfoy's eyes as he spotted Harry striding towards them. Harry couldn't help but grin darkly back at him. He tried his best to restrain himself around the Slytherin shithead, but he had to admit that he was happy for an excuse to stomp on him again. He really hoped that the trio wouldn't see sense and back down.

"Evening, Draco. Spreading love and joy around the castle tonight, are we?"

Malfoy turned red but managed to keep a hold of himself. "Mind your tongue, Potter. I was just asking your friend here how he made it into the House of the Brave when he's so clearly… not." Malfoy sneered.

"I could ask you the same thing," Harry said, keeping a light tone. "I was surprised when I heard that Slytherin is known for its cunning, since you are just obviously… well, not. I remember you saying that your father would force a re-sorting if you didn't end up a snake. Did dear old Daddy have to bribe the hat to get you in?"

Malfoy's face darkened, and his expression twisted. "Keep my father's name out of your mouth, half-blood."

"Or what, little dragon? When are you going to put some bite behind that bark, you-"

Malfoy finally lost control and raised his wand. "Locomotor Mortis!" He yelled, the flash of light streaking straight for Harry. Harry cackled internally as he infused his power into his hand, a bubble of warped and twisted space forming as he casually batted the spell away.

Everyone else froze as the spell exploded in a shower of sparks against the stone wall of the corridor. Malfoy looked sick, horror and fear and anger warring on his face as he stared into Harry's glowing eyes.

"Is that all you've got, little dragon?" Harry's voice echoed in the corridor as the shadows grew dark and the torches flickered. "I thought you were going to show me how strong you are! FIGHT ME, DRACO MALFOY! EARN THAT VAUNTED TITLE OF PURE YOU VALUE SO MUCH!" Harry finished with a roar, stepping forwards and advancing on the quivering blond as he spoke. Part of him knew that giving away this much of his power to Malfoy was a bad idea, but he just couldn't help it when the asshole opened his poisonous mouth.

Malfoy didn't even try to reply as he whipped around and sprinted down the hallway as fast as he could, Crabbe and Goyle hot on his heels. Oh well, Harry thought. I guess he's still just a pathetic little shit after all. Harry turned back to the wide-eyed Neville behind him.

"Sorry about that. Don't let him get to you, you're worth twelve of Malfoy." Harry said, walking back over and putting a hand on Neville's shoulder. "The hat knew what it was doing when it put you in Gryffindor. It saw something in you that you may not be able to see in yourself yet. Trust it, and yourself, and you'll be alright."

Neville took a few shaky breaths. "How…H-How did you do that? Block his spell, I mean. And stand up to him like that? When he starts talking, I just get all mixed up and I can't find the right things to say or do but it seems so easy for you."

Harry considered the boy in front of him. He could feel Neville's spark, strong and pure within him even if it was beaten down and sputtering right now. Harry somehow knew that all he needed was the right type of push, and his blazing soul would flourish.

"I may not be able to teach you how to block spells like me, but I can help you. I can help you stand tall and walk with purpose. I can help you free yourself of the petty chains that hold people like Malfoy." Harry stuck out his hand for Neville to shake, much like Malfoy did to him on the train months earlier. "What do you say, Neville Longbottom? Friends?"

Neville looked apprehensive, but something deep within the boy's pale green eyes hardened at Harry's words and he took his hand, his grip sweaty but firm.

Harry smiled.

...

Neville fit in easily with Harry and Hermione. He was nervous and shy, but he managed to chime in on their conversations occasionally and he looked happier just hanging around them. Harry gave him the basic rundown of his monster problem and "absurdly overpowered" abilities. The blond definitely looked apprehensive after that conversation, but he stuck around so Harry gave him some credit.

Spring arrived with minimal fanfare and the castle went from quiet and monotone under the snow to vibrant and green under the spring sunshine. Malfoy avoided Harry and Harry avoided Quirrell, classes went smoothly, and Hermione managed not to grind her teeth too hard when Harry did every spell perfectly on the first try. Hermione actually benefited more from Neville's presence than Harry; having someone that she could help in class without envy rearing its ugly head was good for her. Neville was happy for her help and Harry made sure that she didn't go too far, distracting her if she started to push the shy boy too hard or put too much pressure on him.

Neville grew more confident in a fairly short time, although he still wasn't exactly assertive. He got up with Harry and went running most mornings, although he just worked his way slowly around the lake while Harry lapped him every couple minutes. He didn't seem like he minded though, and Harry made sure to stop and check in on him every few laps just in case.

Harry also made an effort to reach out to Hagrid more often after his hut caught fire from the illegal dragon hatchling that he apparently got his hands on somehow. Harry assumed that Dumbledore smoothed the whole debacle over since Hagrid was still here, but Harry thought that the giant man may benefit from some company that didn't breathe fire. Harry very much enjoyed their now weekly tea sessions, taking Hermione or Neville or both with him to chat and relax with the kind groundskeeper on Fridays.

Sitting around Hagrid's enormous table one week, Harry had a thought.

"Hagrid, you wouldn't happen to know anything about the giant three headed dog being kept on the third floor, would you?" Harry said.

Hagrid choked on his tea. "Who told you abou' Fluffy?" He said.

"FLUFFY?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Well yeah, he's gotta have a name don' he?" Hagrid chuckled. "Got 'im just last year. Beautiful beastie he is, sweetest fella ever too…"

Harry decided not to mention ripping 'Fluffy's spines out.

"...was working on trainin' him to guard the front gates when Dumbledore borrowed 'im to guard the stone instead…"

"What stone?" Harry asked, intrigued at the new piece of the puzzle.

Hagrid's smile turned into a flustered frown as he muttered, "should not 'ave said that. Should not 'ave said that..."

"Hagrid, I already stumbled across Fluffy by accident because I didn't know that there was an enormous three headed dog in the school. I already know that Quirrell is evil, and Dumbledore is laying a trap for him. Wouldn't it be better to just tell me what's going on? That way I don't accidentally run into any more pointy surprises."

Harry knew that giving away this much information to Hagrid was a risk, but he assumed that Dumbledore had already figured out what happened and what Harry knew. He couldn't have missed the events of the Quidditch match or the broken spines lying around the third-floor corridor while his trap remained empty.

"Wha… Quirrell… Dumbledore…Trap?" Hagrid spluttered.

Maybe Hagrid was more out of the loop than Harry thought. Whoops.

"Well, Quirrell is evil and tried to kill me at my first Quidditch match and may have succeeded if Hermione hadn't saved the day by setting Snape on fire."

"HARRY!" Hermione whined.

Ah. Right. They hadn't told Hagrid about that. Whoops again.

"Then I found a dead unicorn with Quirrell's magic all over it." Harry continued. "And now I find out that there is a stone of some kind in the school behind a Cerberus and some very powerful containment magic. So, I assume the stone is the bait for whatever trap Dumbledore is laying for Quirrell."

Hagrid took a few deep breaths and leveled Harry with a stern look. "That hallway is none o' your business. It's dangerous. I don't know what's goin' on with Quirrell, but you leave all of that well enough alone. Whatever plans Dumbledore's got, it's between him and Nicholas Flamel."

"Flamel?" Harry asked curiously.

"Should not 'ave said that."

Notes:

Neville joins the gang! Harry gets some shiny new powers! I actually didn't plan for either of those things, but it seemed like the right choice as I wrote the chapter. Feedback and criticism are welcome, don't get eaten by demon dogs or lose your mind communing with eldritch artifacts. I don't own or profit from Harry Potter.