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

A Taste of Magic

12th Course – What Lies Beneath

The man walked into the room and closed the door behind him. He was a plain looking man in feature, nondescript even. His biggest trait was his clothing, specifically a purple turban. When he entered the room, he looked earnest and painfully awkward, with wider eyes that flitted about. As soon as the door closed behind him, he changed. His eyes narrowed and became calculating, more focused.

He waved his wand several times and waited once the spells were cast, listening and watching. Satisfied with the results, he removed his turban and set it on his desk. With another wave of his wand, a mirror came gliding towards him, settling on the desk.

He stared at his image in the mirror for a long moment before he blinked a few times. His image changed. His eyes became red, his features sharpened, his skin paled ever so slightly. "Master," Quirinus Quirrell greeted. When he spoke, the image did not. It was no longer only his reflection.

"Quirinus," Voldemort said. The voice was spectral, possessing an eerie spectral quality to it that hissed ever so slightly. The voice left the mirror, spoken with lips similar to Voldemort's and Quirrell's. To Quirrell's ears, it sounded like Voldemort was in the room with him. Not just in a spectral way, but physically as well. "What news?"

"I have no idea where the Stone is," Quirrell admitted. He knew the price of failure yet he also knew that Voldemort did not want someone to prevaricate, not now. "The rumor that the Stone has been put in some test or something was only a rumor."

Voldemort's face twisted and Quirrell felt his own face do the same unbidden. "I had hoped the old fool had grown more foolish in his years. Tell me you have more news than empty words."

"Yes Master. Dumbledore intends on returning the Stone to its creator." Quirrell smiled. "In person. He will be coming to the school near the end of the term."

"Ahhhh, that is good news." Voldemort's smile was cold and hungry. "And you have a plan to obtain the Stone?"

"Yes Master. I will be using my skills in that regard."

"Good. Once you obtain the Stone, things will be much easier, and you will be duly rewarded for your service."

Quirrell inclined his head. "Thank you, Master."

"You have something else to say? Speak," Voldemort commanded.

The man hesitated for a brief moment. "Something did happen today. I accidentally brushed Potter with my arm and I felt incredible pain." He pulled back the sleeve on his arm, showing a long reddish patch of skin.

Voldemort looked at the wound with interest. "How did the boy react?"

"He had no lasting marks like I do, but he seemed to have felt pain as well. I managed to waylay any questions and direct attention elsewhere. But I do not know what could have caused this."

"Nor do I," Voldemort admitted quietly.

"There is something else," Quirrell said. "The contact felt strange, aside from the pain and burning of course. There's something oddly familiar buried amid the other sensation."

"Familiar? What does that mean?"

"I do not know Master. Which is why I wished to speak to you and your vast knowledge."

"Your flattery is unnecessary," Voldemort said with a small sneer. "Can you heal the wound?" The image watched as Quirrell was able to heal the skin so that it appeared normal. "Curious." Voldemort's image frowned and thought and as it did, it started to flicker, looking more like Quirrell's.

The image grimaced and after a look of deep concentration, it looked like Voldemort once more. Quirrell hissed in pain as he felt his muscles and skin move without his command. "My magic wanes more easily now. We must get the Stone to strengthen your body and my spirit. I will ruminate over this mystery. Continue your planning and do not fail me."

"No Master," Quirrell intoned. He took a deep breath as his head started to ache and pound, feeling like it was stretching. When he opened his eyes, the mirror showed his image as it should be, reflecting things perfectly with brown eyes. He looked at himself, lost in thought.

A knock on the door roused him. "C-C-Coming!" he stuttered, hastily putting his turban back on. He was slightly out of breath from rushing when he opened the door, fitting his façade perfectly.

"Are you unwell?" Snape asked, his eyes piercing and calculating.

Quirrell hid his sneer. "Q-Quite alright, thank y-you Severusss."

Snape tilted his head. "Are you sure?"

Quirrell coughed. "Y-Yes. My apologies, Severus."

-0-

"Huh, I missed a lot when I was sick," Millicent said. "I thought I'd only miss school stuff but I missed more important things." She looked over. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? I don't know," Pansy sighed. "Confused. Happy. Angry. Sad. Confused."

"You said confused twice," Millicent said.

"That's how confused I am," Pansy said.

"Don't mind you chatting, ladies, but keep working while you do if you please," Sprout said kindly.

"Yes, Professor," the two girls chorused. They continued to transfer flutterby seedlings into the planters, taking care not to crush the thin stalks and gently waving leaves with compost or soil. "You don't regret going to the club and cooking with Potter, do you?" Millicent asked.

"No, not at all."

Millicent looked to the other side of the greenhouse, sneaking a peek at a person that was alternating between ignoring them or glaring at them. "How about standing up to Draco?"

"I don't think so," Pansy said quietly. "He's the one that said leave him alone," she added angrily.

"True, he did. There's a difference between leaving him alone and doing something that will piss him off," Millicent said. "Are you doing this just to piss him off?"

"I don't think so," Pansy repeated. "Maybe. It's confusing."

"Sounds like it," Millicent said as she put the planters aside. "Did you have fun?"

"It was really nice," Pansy said wistfully. "They just…did things. They said what they wanted and everyone did it together. No one overly mocked each other or try to put each other down. Well wait, that's not completely true. Brown and Patil, the Gryffindor Patil, teased each other a lot. But like how you and I do where it's not as…mean."

"You won't mock me because you know I can knock you on your arse," Millicent said airily, flexing an arm.

Pansy giggled. "Yes you can but you won't."

"I've been tempted to. When we were little and you were a lot more annoying," Millicent smiled.

"I believe it," Pansy said seriously. "You were a lot like father's hounds, tolerating to a point but ready and willing to snap."

"That's probably the most roundabout way for you to call me a bitch," Millicent laughed.

"And I didn't even mean to do that," Pansy laughed. She sobered a little. "Have you ever eaten with your family's House Elf?"

Millicent paused. "No. Never."

"They did, easily," Pansy said. "And they were content to redo things and keep working on the same thing to practice. Without being told to."

"Huh. Weird."

Pansy nodded. "Potter's been cooking since he was a child. He had to do other chores before but then he was kept cooking because…because it was worth more to keep him doing that…for the betterment of others."

Millicent looked at Pansy side-along. "That's…close to home."

Pansy nodded.

"Didn't he grow up with Muggles?"

Pansy nodded again.

"Huh. That's really weird," Millicent muttered. They worked in silence for a minute. "Are you going to go back?"

"I would like to," Pansy said honestly. "Would you come with me?"

"I guess I can. If he's as nice as you say he is. Plus, that soup was delicious, better than any I've had at Hogwarts, just as good as home cooking even. How did the others treat you?"

"They were polite and nice enough," Pansy said.

"That's good."

"You're not going to knock Potter on his arse, are you?" Pansy asked seriously.

"Probably not, since you said he's nice," Millicent said seriously.

-0-

"Oh, hey there," Harry said, seeing Pansy and Millicent. The Gryffindors were walking down to the greenhouses for Herbology class and ran into the Slytherins walking up. Pansy and Millicent had been walking in front of the crowd and came up to Harry and his friends.

"Hello Harry," Pansy said with a small smile, making the others look twice at her.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked Millicent.

She blinked. "I'm feeling better, thank you. The soup was really good."

"I'm glad," Harry beamed.

Hermione looked at the two Slytherin girls with outright shock, and glanced back at Harry and Lavender and Parvati. "When have you been nice to them?" she whispered. "Why are they being nice back?!"

"It's new and yeah it's a little weird but just go with it," Lavender whispered back.

Draco literally growled when he walked up, seeing the two groups of people facing each other but not hurling barbed words or insults. He glared at Pansy and Harry in turn, growing angrier by the moment.

"Might want to loosen your collar," Harry said, tugging on his own shirt. "If you're having problems breathing."

"Or do you need a leash if you're growling like that?" Lavender asked sweetly. She reached into her bag and fished around a bit before taking out a length of ribbon. "Is red okay?"

Parvati burst out laughing and more than a few of the others joined in. Pansy and Millicent not even hiding their merriment.

"You-you-" Draco sputtered, his face matching the hue of the ribbon. "How dare you-!"

"Just offering a bit of advice," Lavender said, her voice dripping with faux-innocence. "When my doggie growled a lot, it was apparently out of anxiety when we were out and she felt better when she had her leash and one of us was holding it."

"We should probably get to class," Harry said, grinning. "Don't want to be late or else Professor Sprout will have a bone to pick with us." That set them off again, filling the air with laughter, and he and his friends waved to Pansy and Millicent who waved back.

"Now that made me feel loads better," Millicent said smugly, watching Draco stomp up to the castle. "I think I might like Potter too."

Pansy watched Draco with a complicated expression on her face. "I told you he was nice."

"He wasn't that nice to Draco," Millicent giggled. "For good reason though."

Pansy smiled. "No he wasn't, but he was nice to you and me."

-0-

"Look at those idiots," Parvati muttered as she gave Seamus, Ron, and Dean a sour look. "Celebrating as if they were the ones that took Draco down a peg. Didn't even congratulate either of you and you were the ones that said it."

"Lavender really did it," Harry smiled. "Gosh, that leash joke was amazing."

She did a little half bow and half curtsey. "Thank you! But I was being honest. My dog growls a lot when she's anxious."

"What kind of dog do you have?" Hermione asked.

"She's a poodle named Cokie," Lavender said proudly. "I'll need to bring a picture of her next year or maybe ask for one to be sent. I miss her."

"That's a funny name," Parvati said.

"My little sisters named her. I think they were trying to say cookie but messed up and Cokie just stuck," Lavender giggled. "She's so cute though and a giant cuddle bug."

"Don't mind you chatting, ladies, but keep working while you do if you please," Professor Sprout said kindly as she breezed by. "And you too Mister Potter," she added when the girls giggled.

"Yes Professor," the three girls and the boy chorused.

"So…Pansy and Millicent are nice now?" Hermione asked as they started refilling one of the bins with soil and compost.

"Well this was the first time we interacted with Millicent," Parvati said. "And the third time we really interacted with Pansy, if you count Potions yesterday as the first time she was nice and club being the second."

"Miscere," Harry said, drawing a slow circle with his wand. The contents of the bin started to mix themselves, the old leaves and roots and vegetable scraps combining with the earthy-scented soil and other heavy wet things.

"Well done," Sprout smiled. "Two points to Gryffindor. I am so glad you found that spell. It is quite useful."

"Thank you, Ma'am!" Harry smiled. After she left, he spoke. "I've spoken to her a few times out of class, Pansy I mean. She was nicer those times, not like the beginning of the school year when she was rude most of the time. Well, all of the time really."

"I still think she's up to something, but I don't think it's anything bad for us," Lavender said. "She was genuinely interested and surprised by a lot of the stuff we did in club last night. Asked some questions too."

"I wonder if Millicent is going to come now," Harry mused.

"You think Pansy's coming back?" Lavender asked.

"I think so. And Millicent is her best friend and all. I don't think she'll be that bad." Harry shrugged. "I mean, with how Pansy is now anyways."

"She's kinda scary," Hermione said.

"She can't be that scary if Pansy calls her Millie," Parvati said.

"We can give you a fun nickname," Lavender said with a sly smile. "Like Parvie or Parv."

"Don't call me that," Parvati said, sticking her tongue out. "Or else I'll call you Lavie or Lav."

"Lavie sounds like larva," Hermione said with a small giggle. "You know, like an insect."

"I can't believe you called me a bug!" Lavender said indignantly, throwing a tiny bit of soil at Parvati.

"I didn't!" Parvati protested and threw it back.

"I'm not sticking around and getting soiled," Harry smiled and left with Hermione trailing after, eager to avoid the coming soil fight.

-0-

"He is acting with more suspicion," Snape said quietly.

Dumbledore did not turn from the window. He looked out over the grounds thoughtfully. "How so?"

"He cast several privacy charms over his office," Snape said. "More than what one would generally require for a school. When he opened the door, his hearth was cold."

"So he probably was not using the Floo," Dumbledore mused. "Not that there are no other means of communication of course. If you take that into account with his recent journeys around the castle and the grounds, as well as his casual disappearances, it does seem that he is hiding something."

"Or planning something," Snape murmured.

"Or planning something," Dumbledore agreed.

"And what are we doing about it?" Snape asked.

"Well you have been keeping an eye on him when you have the freedom to," Dumbledore said. "As have I and Minerva. I have not been able to use too many spells, he is rather good at finding that sort of thing given his expertise and all. Without substantial concrete proof, I cannot search his office or question him."

"I thought that was the headmaster's right," Snape snorted.

"A right that has been wrongfully abused by past headmasters," Dumbledore said wryly, looking over the portraits that lined one of the walls in his office.

"Has something changed as of late?" Snape asked. "His actions have increased within the last few weeks."

"Nothing comes immediately to mind," Dumbledore hummed. "No, wait. Yes there has actually." He turned to face Snape. "Nicolas is coming for a visit at the end of the term and I mentioned it when the initial time frame was agreed upon."

"Nicolas Flamel?" Snape nodded. "To take the Stone back."

"Yes, and to visit friends of course."

"So he aims for the Stone." Snape snorted. "How base of him. I thought higher of his ambitions for some reason."

"Wanting something that can create gold as well as immortality is a lofty goal," Dumbledore said mildly. "Not to mention its magic potential."

"Unless he wishes to claim Flamel," Snape said, "or dispose of him."

"I honestly would like to see him try," Dumbledore said with a broad smile. "The man has lived for centuries. He has forgotten more about magic than I could ever dream of knowing. He knows spells from the times of the Romans and the Gauls, ones even more ancient than that."

"He is not that old," Snape protested.

"No, but he has had plenty of time to indulge in finding lost knowledge and absorbing it." Dumbledore turned to look out the window once more. "What happened to you, Quirinus? Why have you become like this? I know you have always been ambitious and hungry, but this appetite is greater than ever before."

Snape said nothing. One of the trinkets on Dumbledore's shelf clicked softly, filling the air with a steady sound.

"Should we increase security or do something more when Nicolas comes?" Dumbledore asked. "Or even before?"

"That would show our intentions and put him on guard. As of right now, I do not think he suspects us of suspecting him of anything," Snape said slowly.

"True," Dumbledore conceded. "Then we will maintain the course and see how things develop." He looked back at the potions master. "Anything of note you wish to speak about?"

Snape shook his head.

"Anything you find not noteworthy you would like to speak about?" Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Snape sighed deeply. "It is odd with how busy you are, not to mention how old you are, how much you enjoy school children's drama."

"One of the perks of being headmaster really," Dumbledore chuckled. "I have not felt the need to listen to a wireless drama program in many years. It is so delightfully diverting and on a scale much less serious than what we normally have to deal with. It is refreshing."

Snape snorted. "I doubt I will ever enjoy it like you. I hated it when I was mired in it."

"We all have different tastes for entertainment," Dumbledore said genially.

Snape sighed again. "If you must satisfy your craving…something did happen the other day that was…mildly interesting." He rolled his eyes at Dumbledore's eager look. "You look like a bored housewife that might hear some gossip."

"Not the first time someone made the comparison," Dumbledore smiled. "Do go on then."

"Things between Malfoy and Parkinson have come to a head apparently. She did not partake in his usual taunting of Potter and instead, worked with Potter. Willingly."

"Oh?" Dumbledore looked impressed. "My, now that takes more than a bit of bravery. To cross the line between Houses, especially to work with one so…disliked by one you consider a friend."

"Certainly a gesture that made me question if she was sorted correctly," Snape said blandly, making Dumbledore chuckle. "Not really, boldness and bravery is not under the sole ownership of Gryffindor."

"Certainly not. How has Mister Malfoy taken the incident?"

"Poorly. I have had to counsel him on keeping a cooler head." Snape rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He sees it as a betrayal."

"If only the worst betrayals are things of this magnitude," Dumbledore said. "Still, they are all young and few have the history to compare things like that to. And what do you think of this?"

"I try not to," Snape said. "Like I said, I detest the childish drama and as long as it does not cause any trouble that involves my efforts, it can happen as it will."

"Fair enough," Dumbledore chuckled. "Hm. Mister Potter is somewhat like his father."

"Arrogant."

"Come now Severus, has he shown any signs of being like that?"

Snape's lips twitched. "He is very confident in his potion preparation abilities, which given his alleged hobby, it makes sense. And I have heard his comments made to Malfoy in passing, so the arrogance is there."

"He also draws the eye of people in need, to provide comfort and solace," Dumbledore said. "Case in point, Miss Parkinson."

"That was more something his mother did," Snape said quietly, pained.

"Perhaps a bit of both then," Dumbledore said gently.

Time passed slowly between them.

"Thank you for the report," Dumbledore said at last. "I will continue to keep a close eye on Quirrell and perhaps let Nicolas know that something might not be as it seemed." He clapped his hands. "Now, if you will excuse me," he said as he began walking to the door.

"Off to find more sources of entertaining drama?" Snape asked dryly.

The Headmaster's eyes glinted with glee. "Oh Severus, you know me so well." He left his office, humming sprightly to himself.

-0-0-0-

odonnellzoo99 - That's probably very true. It's funny, I had a science background in college and did so many labs and yet I still don't have as much patience for baking. I am a bit better at cooking where you can fix mistakes a lot more easily. I'm trying to stay true to the girls' personalities here. They will still be kind, within reason, but they won't be so blind to be absolutely trusting. I want things to feel believable and not have literal magical fixes.

Arnie1701 - It's a possibility.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - There are some people I do not like and Draco is one of them so I don't think I will. I treated him a bit more nicely in Ruthless. I also have so much going on right now, I cannot entertain any other writing ideas or projects.

alix33 - I hope the blackouts get better.

Hands Off MY Wolfie - I thought it would be more realistic for her to be comparing how she is treating and naturally gravitating towards the kinder feeling.

poka - I'm hoping that people still like her as the stories progress. I'm trying hard to not completely wash her personality out. I want her to feel like she's making real change that makes sense and can be relatable. I want her to have some conflict and continue to grow, to come to terms to things.

Earth Guardian 28 - Thank you for reading.

SvenHPotterFan - Thank you, I'm glad you do. I want her changes to feel real and gradual and not be some sudden change or shock. I'm continuing to try and work on my dialogue and characterizations.

- Thank you very much. I'm doing my best. Finished chapter 24 today and it's most of the way through 2nd year, so I'm making progress.