December 19th, 1991
"It was a close attempt Mr. Potter."
Harry frowned down at his creation before looking back up at Professor McGonagall, or Minerva as he liked to call her in private. His Transfiguration teacher was attempting to aid him in taking his Transfiguration to the next level. Ever since his run in with the troll, he had been trying to diversify and advance his skills. Right now, he was trying to make living creatures with Transfiguration.
He looked down at the small kitten he had been trying to transfigure into existence. It looked correct for the most part but some its limbs weren't quite right yet. It also wasn't moving which was another problem.
"Judging from this, I have a feeling I can already guess my problem. That being said, would you like to tell me what you believe my issue is just to be sure?" He asked his teacher. Minerva nodded at him.
"You are simply not familiar enough with the creatures you are trying to transfigure. For each animal you wish to transfigure, you need a clear mental image and judging from your attempts it seems obvious your image is too vague." Minerva told him seriously. Harry nodded in agreement, that was what he figured as well.
"Hmm, I suppose I don't have experience with many animals. Even with Occlumency giving me better recollection abilities… I guess there's a few people with pets in the castle. May I can observe them to help."
"Perhaps on your break we can go to a zoo so you can get a feel for the appearance of some animals." Minerva suggested. Harry shook his head.
"This close to Christmas, muggle zoos will either be closed or completely packed with people. It might be better to wait until summer for such a trip. In the meantime, what about animation?"
"Well… Usually, animation comes after living Transfiguration but that's mainly due to the power requirements associated with it. For some reason, I suspect that'll be less of an issue for you." She gave him a deadpan look at that. He gave an innocent smile in return. Naturally massive magical reserves for the win!
"The issue with animation is it something more similar to a hybrid of Transfiguration and charms. I would advise that you watch me and observe how my magic moves while I cast." Minerva suggested. Harry nodded before once more reaching out into his magical sixth sense and began paying close attention. With that, Minerva pulled out her own wand and began to cast.
Harry watched patiently as the wand began to form a shape. It looked like a dog made of stone of some kind. Even with it made he watched more magic begin pouring into the creature, specifically its legs. Harry watched it seep in and even begin changing the form near certain areas of the legs where they joined with the rest of the body and further near its paws. After a few moments, the Transfiguration and reanimation was complete and the dog began pacing around the room slowly.
"Now, can you tell me what I did?"
"I believe after you made its body, you gave it a command to move in a circle and to do so, had the magic alter several parts of its body that it would need to move. That looked hard."
'It isn't easy. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one person who is good enough to use animation Transfiguration as a combat style and that is Professor Dumbledore." Minerva told him. Harry frowned.
"It is just because of the power requirements?"
"No, or at least, not fully. It takes a while to animate an item even after you have created it making it hard to have the time to do so in combat. It took years for Albus to manage to practically do both instantaneously. While I don't mind you starting now, just know, it may take a while before you can do the same yourself." Minerva told him. Harry frowned at that. It wasn't ideal, that was for sure. But he needed to start somewhere. He also had other things in the work he could use to help supplement his attack power until this was finished.
"Very well. I suppose I could always ask Albus for tips later on…" Harry pondered to himself.
"Speaking of the Headmaster and asking for things. He tells me he asked your help for something regarding… You know what." She said giving him a pointed look. Harry nodded at that. He had actually asked a month and a half ago though.
"Yes, I just managed to finish up his request two days ago actually. I suspect with that taking care of, he will make his move over the break." Harry responded easily. He knew, of course, at this point since Dumbledore had decided to clue him in.
"I see. May I ask, the mirror. Did you see it?" She asked hesitantly. Harry nodded in confirmation. At this she looked conflicted, like she wanted to ask something else but wasn't sure if she should.
"I saw my family." He told her softly. He trusted Minerva quite a bit and knew she wouldn't speak of it to anyone, at least, not without his permission. He hadn't even bothered to tell Albus but knowing the old man, he probably suspected already. It's not like it was particularly hard to guess.
"I see… What did you think of it?"
"The mirror as a protection or its ability in general?"
"It's ability,"
"I think I could do the same thing with an illusion with no issue." Harry answered with a shrug. The mirror hadn't impressed him much more than the fact that it was an advanced enchanted item. Of course, there was also the fact that it had a pocket dimension attached to it. Even if it wasn't part of the original design and something Albus had added himself. He was more impressed the headmaster was able to add more enchantments on top of an already created item. That took quite a lot of skill.
"Yes well, we're not as skilled in such a field as you."
"Illusions are easy. I am sure that if it was taught in this institution, it could be picked up easily enough. Although I suppose it's an ability that's extremely easy to abuse. Maybe its best that illusionary magic as its own branch has faded into obscurity." Harry commented.
"Perhaps you are right, though I don't think it would be too bad if everyone was required to learn some Occlumency. It's a useful ability."
"Which is exactly why it isn't easy to have non-purebloods to learn it. The books teaching it are rare and expensive. Mass teaching it would be pretty much impossible." Harry said back.
"Perhaps someone should come along and mass produce the sale of a teaching aid."
"I assume it must be harder than that considering it hasn't been done before." Harry muttered out loud. Minerva nodded in acceptance.
"Very well. Shall we call it here for the day? This is the last day before the Christmas break and I assume you'd like to at least spend some of it with your friends." Minerva suggested. Harry nodded at her words. It was still early afternoon and he had promised them he would meet them at the club room after he finished here.
He said his goodbyes to Minerva who he wouldn't see again until during the break and headed to the RnD clubroom. It didn't take more than ten minutes to reach the hidden door to his clubroom. He had recently applied the ward to keep people from paying attention to entrance even if they had an idea already where it was. There were two teachers and the Headmaster himself who were immune to it but Harry was satisfied. He reached out and opened the door before slipping inside.
"Ugh, finally! You've been gone since morning." Ron complained as soon as his eyes landed on Harry. Harry rolled his eyes as he looked at the redhead who was seated at a table and writing something out. He walked over to the boy and looked down at his writings. He was doing some arithmetic work finally in relation in his quest to gain some foothold in alchemy.
Harry had to admit, he was impressed that Ron had stuck with the subject a lot longer than Harry would've have guessed when he had made the offhand comment to the boy several months ago. He knew part of it had to do with the fact that he liked how rare Alchemy was. Simply knowing the basics would likely make him known at least in the UK and distinguish him among his family. Harry didn't care that much for the boy's motivation since it's not like they hurt anyone. Some might not consider it an honorable reason but it wasn't exactly a bad one either.
"Well?" Ron asked him nervously. Harry looked at him before his eyes flickered back to the paper. He went over it for a minute before concluding his findings in his head. He reached out to two places on the paper.
"I am not familiar with Alchemic formulas so this is assuming you wrote them correctly. If you did, then these two parts are incorrect and you should revise them. If you didn't write them correctly, then everything else is in correct." Harry said dryly. Ron rolled his eyes before looking at the places Harry pointed out with a frown.
"It's time like these I wish magicals used pencils. Crossing things out and writing over or next to mistakes is so messy." Hermione said. She had come over to them while Harry was looking over Ron's paper.
"You could always just make one if you wanted. I can't imagine they're that hard." Harry told her. Hermione looked shocked at that. Likely not because of the suggestion but because she had not thought of it herself already.
"It's only an issue until they teach us the vanishing charm then it's no problem at all." Neville told them easily. Harry nodded at that. That was honestly the best part of having the boy around. He was always there to give them small little tidbits that escaped them because they were either muggle raised or just ignorant in Ron's case. He looked at his slightly pudgy friend who was sitting at a nearby table. Hermione had been sitting with him until she had come over, likely helping him with homework.
"Neville, I've been hearing you have quite the green thumb recently. I happened to hear Professor Sprout speaking avidly to Professor McGonagall just this morning on your skill in her class." Harry told the boy. Neville immediately turned beet red and looked down.
"It's nothing…"
"Why did you not tell us you were so good in Herbology Neville? Although I suppose I should have guessed since it's the one subject you have never asked for help in." Hermione commented as she looked at the boy.
"I'm not that good… I just know a few things is all…"
"You don't seem to have much confidence in yourself… Why is that Neville?" Harry asked bluntly. As someone who was now a close friend to him, Harry didn't see an issue with asking him what could potentially be a personal question. Neville looked down but shrugged.
"I won't take that as answer but if you do not feel comfortable telling me, I will respect that." Harry said moving over to sit across from his friend so he could look him in the eye. Neville looked up and flinched when he met his gaze. He looked down again and went silent. He had a face that looked to be deep in thought so Harry decided to wait a moment. Eventually, Neville finally looked up.
"Ok… You know, I almost didn't come to Hogwarts." Neville revealed. Harry looked at him curiously at that.
"Why not?"
"For most of my life, my family thought I was actually a squib. I've never been… magically gifted." Neville continued sounding somewhat sad saying that. Harry just rose an eyebrow at that but said nothing.
"My grandmother used to say how it was my responsibility to carry on the family name and make my parents proud. She got me tutors when I was younger on some basics but I never showed much promise. They tried all sorts of things to get me to display magic but none if it worked. I only finally display something around a year and a half ago when my Great Uncle dropped me from a second story window to help produce a magical result. When I hit the ground, I bounce and skipped across it like a stone across a pond and was unharmed. We celebrated the rest of the day." Neville finished.
Harry closed his eyes in annoyance. That was quite a lot to unpack and he didn't want to say the wrong thing. That being said, he was absolutely furious. Neville just told him a member of his family had basically attempted to murder him if it meant producing some magic. Better to be dead than a squib it seemed. He couldn't help but think back to the Dursleys. In doing so, it only made him angrier
"Your family sounds like complete and utter morons. As of now, I want you to disregard anything they say or do. If you think they say something reasonable, you are to consult with Hermione or myself on how to proceed. Am I understood?" Harry demanded calmly but looked at the boy as seriously as he could muster. Neville looked shocked at his words and his mouth was even hanging open.
"Umm… What?"
"Did you not understand the words I spoke?"
"No, I did. Well… Ignore everything they say? How am I supposed to do that?"
"Say things to pacify them, lie, I don't care. Just do not listen to a word they say. They are clearly a negative influence on you and I will NOT have them do more damage than they have on someone I call a friend if I can help it. Now, I ask again. Am I understood?" This time, Harry was less calm and his question came out as more of a demand. Neville still looked rather panicked but he eventually nodded slowly.
"Good. Next, disregard any thought on your own belief of being a subpar wizard. I can tell you for a fact, you have great potential and you're also probably the farthest thing from a squib that can be." Harry told him. Neville looked slightly saddened at his words as if he didn't quite believe them. He nodded none the less though which caused Harry to frown.
"Neville… Besides myself, you have the most magic in this room." Harry revealed causing the boy to look confused, Hermione to intake, and Ron to start choking on his own spit.
"I do?"
"Yes. I fully recognize that in terms of magical reserves, I am an incredible outlier but for a first year, you have quite the amount of magic. In fact, you have as much magic as Ron and Hermione combined.
"I do?"
"He does?"
"WHAT?"
Harry just rolled his eyes at the three different actions he got from that statement. Ron was, of course, the most over the top but they others were just as surprised. He didn't really know why Neville was so surprised. He was descended from literal battle mages. One of three of the Ancient and Noble Houses in Britain who could claim such. The other two being his own of course, and the Bones family who actually only reached Ancient status this century.
"It is true. You have quite a bit of magic for your age. You're easily within the top five if not the top three students among the first years with the most magic. Which, tells me that your potential is high. I can guess then from how you've described your childhood you have subconsciously inhibited your own ability with magic growing up and have been doing so for most of your life. That is dangerous, especially as I am sure even YOU are aware what that could lead too." Harry warned. Neville paled as he caught onto the implication.
"What? What could happen if you inhibit your own magic?" Hermione pressed looking confused.
"You can become an Obscurial." Neville answered solemnly. Hermione looked even more confused. Harry decided to pick it up from there.
"It is a dark magical force that can inhabit young wizards who have for some reason either repressed or grown to hate their magic. It is a parasite that will eventually kill the host if enough time passes. The force is known as an Obscurus while the host is known as an Obscurial. They are rare though not as rare as most would like. There have been two reports of such within this century alone." Harry explained to her. Needless to say, she looked horrified by the thought. He turned back to Neville.
"Since you understand, the next thing is to understand why you have such little success with practical magic. Even with your confidence issue, the fact that you made it into Hogwarts means you should know that you have the capability. Can you think of anything else that would prevent you from reaching your full magical potential?" Harry asked. At this Neville looked to delve into thought. For a split second, his face seemed to light up in realization before the look was quickly replaced with one of shame.
"What? I saw you thought of something." Harry pushed. Neville looked down.
"It's nothing… Just a dumb thought."
"It's just a thought Neville. There's nothing wrong with voicing it and talking it out even if it may be unpleasant. You are among friends and we shall not judge you. Right?" He said as he looked at Hermione and Ron. Hermione nodded rapidly in agreement and Ron came over and sat next to Neville before throwing his arm around the boy's shoulder.
"Of course not! This is my favorite sleep mate we're talking about here." Ron said with a wide smile. Harry smiled at the boy for his words and so did Neville albeit hesitantly.
"Well… I'm not sure if it would change anything, but I am using my father's wand." He commented uncertainly. Harry immediately dropped his head into his hands in annoyance. He rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking back at the boy.
"As I happen to know House Longbottom is anything but poor, I assume that was another idea of your family's?" Harry asked through gritted teeth. Neville nodded in embarrassment. Harry sighed.
"I know the man seems eccentric and possibly off his marbles, but there is a reason that Ollivander says that 'the wand chooses the wizard'. Even if you don't know anything about wandlore, you have to assume there's reason he has to find a wand suited for each person otherwise what's the point of the wands being different? Neville, you shouldn't be using your father's wand. Just because it fit him is no guarantee it'll fit you. Over the break, we shall get you a new wand. I'd advise hiding it from your guardians." Harry told the boy. Neville nodded looking slightly put out.
"How will we do that?"
"Just tell your guardian you are visiting me." Harry said with a shrug.
"Oh, yeah I guess that'll work. Gran will be happy to hear I am renewing old alliances if nothing else." Neville said after a moment.
"Good, after that, we can move forward with your education."
"I'll help too!" Hermione came in looking interested.
"Me too. Well, I'll support you if nothing else…" Ron told the boy with a smile. Neville looked between all of them before his eyes started to start looking a little wet. He lowered his head so they couldn't be seen.
"You guys… Thank you."
"Of course, we're friends after all."
Several Hours Later at Night
"Ciri… Is there something wrong?"
"No, why would you think something is wrong?" She shot back. Harry looked at his best friend and observed her carefully. He couldn't quite place it, but he knew something was wrong. There was an air about her that was… off.
"You seem tense. Did something happen today?" He asked her. Immediately, he saw a change in her face that indeed confirmed his words. She schooled her features quickly though.
"No." She said again. Harry looked at her in surprise at that. She seemed to notice and glared at him.
"What?"
"This is the first time you've lied to me in… maybe ever. It must truly be bad for you to do so. I won't press but you know I am always here for you Ciri. I would hope at this point, you would know you could trust me with anything." Harry told her gently. Ciri looked like she had been struck before she looked down in both sadness in embarrassment.
"I… I got a training accident the other day, that's all." She told him. Harry looked at her in confusion. She never had a problem telling him about such incidents in the past, what had changed?
"A training accident? What kind?"
"I… I am not sure. I… don't really know how I am injured or even how it happened. I don't even remember hurting myself." She confessed looked more and more red. Harry frowned at that.
"That sounds strange. Where is the injury?" He asked her. He was no health expert but at the very least, he could ask Madame Pomfrey and get her feedback. Unfortunately, Ciri went even redder at his question.
"I… It's…"
"Ciri? Is something wrong?" He said not having ever seeing her like this. It was throwing him off.
"Urgh… It's… It's down there…" She finally said, as she looked down. Harry just looked at her in confusion.
"Down there?"
"You know…down THERE…" she said gesturing with her head to her lower body. Harry followed her gaze to…
"OH! I see…" Harry said feeling his own cheeks heat up as he understood now why she was so embarrassed. He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head and clearing his throat. He couldn't back down, even if it was embarrassing, this was for Ciri so he would need to tough it out.
"Can you… Describe the symptoms?" He asked her as seriously as he could manage. She look mortified but nodded.
"I don't know what it is but… Well, it keeps bleeding. And I keep feeling an uncomfortable clenching feeling in my lower abdomen. She said placing her hand right above her waist to demonstrate where she was speaking of. Harry blinked at the description. That sounded rather strange.
"Since when did it start doing that?"
"Two days ago, I guess. I had to do training today with a cloth in my trousers to make sure Geralt and Vesemir wouldn't notice." Ciri told him, seemingly calming down enough to give it to him straight though she still looked rather put out.
"Is it constantly bleeding?"
"Well, not constant but…"
Harry frowned at that. For some reason, Ciri was bleeding out of her downstairs area and she could even feel some discomfort near her waist. Could it be an internal injury? Then why would the bleeding be intermittent? And the symptoms sounded rather familiar. He strained his mind as he tried to figure out where he heard of something like that. It was a health book wasn't it? Back when he was living with the Dursleys and was choosing a branch of magic after illusions, he had read up on medicine to possibly go into healing. What had the book spoken about? Something about a womans…
Harry felt his face hit nuclear levels of heat as he suddenly started doing mental calculations in his head. Ciri was eleven, almost twelve in a little less than two months. That seemed a little early in his mind but not entirely outside the realm of possibilities. He knew a few girls in his year had already begun there's. They had unfortunately panicked when it happened which made sure it wasn't exactly a secret.
"Ciri… I do not believe you injured."
"What? What do you mean? I've literally been bleeding for almost three days now!"
"Right…So… Ugh, I don't think I should be the one speaking to you about this… Ciri, I believe you have begun your period." He managed to get out.
"My period? What's that?" She asked him incredulously. Harry took a deep breath at that loaded question. No, he needed to do his best to explain it so she wouldn't freak out. It would be uncomfortable but he could do this for his friend.
"When a young girl, begins the process of becoming a woman, they start having something called a period. I know you know about sex. Do you know how pregnancy works exactly?" He asked her. She shrugged.
"Man sticks it in, spurts inside and months later a child might pop out."
"…Yes. Well the exact things that happen are, a man spurts out something called semen which when going into a woman, will search for an egg that is within a woman's womb. However, if the woman is not impregnated, she will, once a month, need to get rid of the egg. The bleeding you experience is your body getting rid of said egg. Another egg will then take its place. At least, I think that's how it works." Tried his best to explain from what he remembered. He felt uncomfortable the entire time he spoke but he couldn't stop now.
"So… This is normal? And I am going to experience it every month?"
"Yes. It is completely normal. It happens to every young girl at some point. Although, I would like to stress that just because your body has started doing this does not mean you should just start having sex with people. It's different in certain places but here, underage sex is looked down upon. Underage being sex before the age of 17." Harry told her as calmly as he could manage. The last part was repeated from Minerva who despite his insistence, had forced him to undergo his own Sex Talk. Ciri looked like she understood so she nodded.
"Is this always going to feel like this?" She asked looking down at her waist with a frown. Harry flinched.
"Probably. At least I think so… Look, my knowledge on this is somewhat limited. I don't have… girl parts. So, I can only tell you so much. I would advise you to tell Geralt about this as well. Even if he doesn't really speak to you about it, he may want to change around your schedule because of this." Harry told her. She nodded.
"Alright, I guess I can do that. I do feel kind of better knowing I am not injured. I guess I was freaking out about nothing. Thanks for telling me Harry. I know this was probably hard for you. I get the feeling I probably should have spoken to a woman about this." She said with some redness coming back to her cheeks. Harry nodded in response.
"Well, I guess we can move on now that it's addressed." Ciri said clearly trying to change the subject. Harry flinched and closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do next even if he REALLY didn't want to keep going with this.
"Not exactly. Considering you don't have a woman to tell you these things and I am not sure if I trust your mentors to do a good job of it based on what you told me, I am going to take the job of speaking further on this in as comprehensive of a manner as I can. It may be uncomfortable but it's all things you need to know." Harry told her steeling himself. She looked at him uncertainly.
"Harry, you don't have to. I'm sure I can ask Geralt…"
"No. Yes, this is uncomfortable for me and I am sure for you but this important and I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't do my best even if it makes me uncomfortable."
"Well, if you're sure…"
"I am. Now, as I said earlier, your entering the transition from girl to woman. This period is known as puberty on my world and it shall likely last for several years, possibly all the way up to your early twenties. During this period, you will experience certain changes such as…"
Next Day
"Good Morning Harry… Why the long face?" Hermione asked with concern as he slowly entered the common room. He looked at her with tired eyes.
"Nothing, just… It was a long night is all." He told her softly with a sigh. Merlin, that wasn't the truth. Even after his speech was over, Ciri had some questions and he answered them to the best of his ability. He recommended that some questions should likely wait until she met a woman in her own world to ask but he did his best. The whole thing was mortifying and he never wanted to have another conversation like it for the rest of his life. That being said, despite the embarrassment, it was good to reassure Ciri she could come to him with any of her problems. That's all that mattered in the end.
"Nightmares."
"Not exactly… Anyway, are you ready to go home for the break?" Harry asked her. She nodded excitedly.
"I can't wait to see my parents. I have been sending letters all semester to them. I can't show them magic but I can tell them all about what we've learned." Hermione told him excitedly as they headed outside of the common room and into the hallways of the castle.
"That's nice. I am sure they are excited to see you. I was thinking about getting an owl myself over break though I am not sure it's worth it. Almost everyone I know is usually at Hogwarts with me. It would likely be more of a pet than anything else." Harry commented.
"Have you thought of what you are going to get Neville and Ron for Christmas?" She asked changing the subject rather quickly. Harry nodded.
"I have all your gifts picked out. They'll arrive the day before Christmas." Harry told her. Even if Harry didn't get an owl, he could always get Dumbledore to deliver it for him. He did have a teleporting phoenix after all.
"I can't wait to see what you got me." Hermione told him with a big smile. Harry just rolled his eyes at the girl.
"I'm sure you'll like it."
"I'd like it no matter what it was simply because it came from you." Hermione told him pointedly.
"Hmm. Still, it would be rude not to put in any effort."
"Well, maybe…"
"E-excus-se me-ee." A voice interrupted. Harry looked behind him in confusion to see his Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor standing behind them and looking down at them nervously.
"Yes, Professor Quirrell?" He asked.
"Mr. Po-otte-er. I wo-oould like-ee you-uu to help ident-ttify your la-ast defe-eense es-ssay for me-eee. I se-eem to have mis-ssplaced it-tttt." Professor Quirell stuttered out. Harry frowned at that but nodded. He turned to Hermione.
"I'll meet you in the Great Hall, after I find it. Okay?" He asked her. She nodded.
"Sure. I'll make sure to save you some food." She said with a smile. He turned back to Professor Quirell.
"Shall we Professor?" He asked. Professor Quirrell smiled down at him.
"Le-eet us-ss go the-een." He stuttered before turning and walking down the corridor. Harry made to follow him.
The walk was silent for the most part. Although he sympathized with the man's issue, his stuttering made it… difficult to hold any sort of conversation with him. He also wasn't a huge fan of the mans teaching style. He had barely taught them anymore than theory the entire year meaning Harry had to basically self-study and practice some of the spells on his own. It wasn't until they were on the third floor that Harry realized something was wrong.
"Professor, I believe we got off on the wrong floor. This is the third floor." Harry called to him. Professor Quirrell stopped and looked back at him.
"Very astute of you Mr. Potter. However, our true destination is on this floor." The Professor said back. Harry blinked at the man.
"Your stuttering is gone." Harry noticed with a dawning horror.
"Indeed it is. You have no idea how annoying it was to keep that up for these past few months. Luckily, today will be the last day I do. You see, after you help me retrieve something, I shan't be returning to this castle." The Professor told him with a smirk. Harry slammed up his mental barriers and used his full ability with Occlumency to make sure none of his true emotions showed on his face.
"I don't understand Professor." Harry said with a faux concern trying to buy himself some time to think. How in the hell was he going to get out of this? He knew Dumbledore had a plan to lure out the traitor but he was pretty sure it didn't include him!
"Ah such a shame. Well, don't worry Harry. You will soon. Now, come along. You're going to help me with something." With that, the Professor reached over and balled up Harry's cloak roughly in his hands before dragging Harry over to a familiar door. He didn't bother struggling as there was no point to it. He was an eleven-year-old boy and this was a full-grown man.
Quirrell opened the door and shoved Harry forward. He felt his nervousness start to build up before slightly calming seeing the giant three headed dog within was fast asleep as a harp played a soft tune off to the side of the room.
"Umm… Are you planning to feed me to this dog?" Harry asked trying to keep up his charade.
"You're a rather good actor Potter. Your Occlumency is also quite impressive, especially for your age, but I know you know where we're going so if you're simply going to pretend you have no clue what is happening until we get there, I'd rather you just stay quiet." Quirrell told him dismissively.
"Okay."
The man pulled out his wand and flicked it, opening a trapped door that was on the floor. They walked over and jumped in. Harry frowned as they slowly descended to the floor of the next room. He noticed scorched marks all over the place where the Devil's Snare was supposed to be located. The man must've destroyed it before retrieving Harry. They pushed past it though and entered the next room.
"You get no points for subtly." Harry couldn't help but comment as he looked at all the keys that were laying all over the floor with their wings slashed off.
"Yes, I didn't really have the time you see. Though it worked and that's all that matters. Come along Mr. Potter." Quirrell said as he pushed open the next door showing the next puzzle. Harry blinked before shaking his head.
"Seriously?" He asked as he looked at the completely destroyed giant chest set that was supposed to be in this room.
"I don't have time to play a chest game with myself unfortunately. Though you should be impressed I was able to destroy the enchantments protecting the set to get around it. Some would say that is harder than playing the chest game."
"Clearly not as it's the option you chose. My opinion of you is going down the toilet." Harry commented blandly.
"Enough out of you. Keep moving."
With that, they moved into the next room where Harry saw the dead body of a Mountain Troll, rather similar to the one he killed earlier in the year.
"I do certainly have a gift when it comes to Trolls." Quirell chuckled evilly as they continued on. Harry tried to avoid looking at the body as they continued on past it. The next room was seemingly the simplest. However, as they entered it, a ring of fire seemed to come up around the next door.
"A clever little trap by our dear potions Professor. Come Harry, which do you think is the right potion to get by." Quirrell asked him as they approached a table with seven different potions sitting on top of it innocently. Harry shrugged.
"I haven't been to a potions class since the first week of school." He pointed out blandly. Not that it really mattered since he had been studying diligently on his own. That being said, he still didn't know what any of the potions were and he felt no need to try and guess.
"Tut tut tut. How disappointing. It is obviously the smallest one to prevent more than one person entering at a time. Fortunately, it self-refills after a couple hours. I took some from earlier and you will take some now. We shall both be going through." Quirell told him pulling out his own small bottle, popping the cap and downing the entire thing. He then shoved Harry forward and gestured for Harry to take the other and start drinking it. Harry complied and downed the potion.
He sighed as Quirrell once more pushed him forward and through the fire and then the door. With that, they entered the final room. It was a giant empty chamber with stairs leading down to the main floor. As soon as they entered the room, several torches around the chamber suddenly lit up showering the room in a warm orange.
"Oh Dumbledore, always with the flare for the dramatic."
"You're one too talk… So, now that we're here, would you mind explaining to me why you're doing this?"
"You mean besides the benefits of eternal life and fortune?"
"Hmmm, I guess you have a point. Is that why then? Just greed?" Harry asked the man. Quirell just smiled down at him but said nothing. They then walked over towards a large mirror that sat in the middle of the room. They stopped as the stood in front of it.
"Now, retrieve it Potter." Quirell demanded. Harry just looked back at him confused.
"Wait, what?"
"Retrieve the stone Potter! Don't make me tell you again." Quirell demanded angrily as he looked down at him. Harry frowned.
"I don't know how to retrieve the stone. Why would you think I did?" Harry asked.
"Do not lie! I know Dumbledore brought you down here. I know he must've revealed how to get it to you. Do not lie to me!"
"Okay, I shall admit Dumbledore brought me down here, but it wasn't to show me how to retrieve the stone, it was to prove that it was properly secured. He just had me try a few things to properly retrieve it to make sure there was no ways around the protection." Harry lied with ease to the man. Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say as he suddenly felt something slam into the side of his face and he fell to the ground.
As he laid on the ground for a moment, he reached up and touched his cheek that had just been hit. He flinched as soon as his finger made contact. It was definitely bruised. He then looked hesitantly up at his professor who was scowling down at him.
"See here Potter. You will…"
"Let me speak to the boy." An invisible voice suddenly said causing an almost visible chill in the air. Quirell went from furious to frightened in a fraction of a second.
"My-y Lord. You are not strong enough yet too…"
"I am strong enough for this. Do it." The invisible voice hissed.
"Yes, My Lord. Of course, forgive me." Quirell said as he turned around. Harry just looked at the man confused as he watched him reach up and towards the turban he had on his head. He then started unwrapping it. Harry just watched until the man was finished and the cloth fell away. Harry's eyes widened in horror. There was a face attached to the back of the man's head, and it was looking right at him.
"Look at me Harry Potter. Do you see what I have been reduced to? I the great Lord…"
"Hrkgh!" Harry immediately turned his face away and started throwing up all over the floor. He felt his body shudder as another wave hit him and even more of his stomachs contents started coming up. He stayed their for a moment on his knees as he hovered over the place he had just spilled his insides. He gasped for a few moments as he tried to regain his breathe. He also had his eyes shut tight as he tried to banish the image that was burned into his retinas.
"Are you finished?"
Harry couldn't even verbally respond. He just held up a hand with one finger pointed up gesturing that he needed another moment. He stopped gasping and once he was sure he wasn't going to throw up again, he shakily started getting to his feet and looked back at the disgusting sight. It almost physically hurt to see.
"What the hell are you?" Harry asked breaking his cursing policy just this once. The face simply glared at him.
"I… am Lord Voldemort."
"Okay… Why do you look like that?"
"Once my body was destroyed, I existed only as a wraith. It was only recently that I tied myself to this mans pathetic life force and now exist as a parasite within him. The lengths I must go for immortality… Still, after this, I will be able to maintain an immortal body and heal myself from any would."
"Why do you bulge out on the sides. Are you also a tumor?"
"What?"
"Like, your head is bigger than his head so you bulge out… What's that mean for his skull? Did it just expand to accommodate you or…"
"Enough stalling! You will give me the stone Potter. Or I shall destroy."
"Well, I don't know how to get it." Harry told him still very much creeped out by the second fused head on the back of Quirrell's. He was also concerned about the fact that it was apparently the Dark Lord who killed his parents and tried to kill him but he wouldn't worry about that right now. He was sure Dumbledore would have an explanation after this was over. All he had to do was delay until the old man got here.
"Make him stand in front of the mirror." The ugly face ordered. Quirell immediately turned back and tried to grab Harry. He once more grabbed him by the back of his robes and dragged him in front of the mirror.
"What do you see Potter?"
"I… It's me but older. I look accomplished, my parents are standing behind me looking at me with pride. There's a girl standing next to me…" Harry told the man. All of that was true, except for the fact that his older version of himself smiled at him before pulling a small red stone out of his pocket and putting it back in. At the same time as he did, Harry felt his own pocket suddenly have some weight to it. He frowned, where the hell was Dumbledore?
"My lord…"
"Enough, Quirell destroy the mirror. Use whatever you can. Even if Dumbledore notices our presence, we'll use the boy to escape."
"As you wish, My Lord. Bombardo." Quirell yelled as he aimed his wand at the mirror and started casting spells at it. Harry watched and slowly backed up as the room shook with the power behind each spell. Despite that, the mirror stood strong and didn't show any of the damage.
"My Lord, it's not working!"
"You are too weak, figure out a way to get past the protections or you shall be punished!"
"I'm afraid it is much too late for that Tom."
Both Harry and Quirrell turned and saw Dumbledore coming down the steps into the chamber. As soon as he saw this, Harry decided to act and immediately took off running away from Quirrell.
"Get him!"
Harry could feel something swing near the back of his head showing that the man had just missed grabbing him. He didn't stop though as he ran closer to Dumbledore who had drawn his wand.
"Hide Harry!" He ordered as he raised his wand and immediately began casting at the possessed Professor. Harry immediately turned and ran over to a column that he could hid behind. As soon as he got behind it, the room immediately started shaking.
He wasn't sure how long he was there but it must've been near five to ten minutes. He didn't even know what spells were being cast since most of them were cast wandlessly by both combatants. Harry peaked from behind the column and watched the two-man spar.
Almost immediately, he could tell Dumbledore was winning. The man was using his immense skill in Transfiguration to conjure all sorts of animals both real and fake as well as inanimate objects to attack Quirrell from multiple angles as well as blocking the man's own magical attacks. His headmaster looked calm as he continued to cast.
Quirell on the other hand looked like he was barely managing to keep up with the man. In fact, the more he watched, the more Quirell seemed to have to focus more on his defense than offense to avoid being overwhelmed. When he went full on defense, Harry could tell it was over. He was proven right when a moment later, a canine Dumbledore had created managed to sneak behind the man and bit right into his Achilles before tearing at it.
Quirell screamed as he fell to a knee as the construct kept going at him. He turned to look at the fake canine and made to cast at it to get it off. Unfortunately, that left him wide open to the most powerful wizard alive. A second later, the man's wand was flying away from him in the air and he was being pinned down by several stone creatures. The man turned over and revealed the Dark Lord attached to his head.
"You cannot stop me Dumbledore. I am immortal and I will not stop until I get the stone!" The Dark Lord hissed at the man . Dumbledore moved over passed him and approached the Mirror of Erised. He placed his palm against it and when he drew it away, a red stone sat within it. He showed it to the downed Dark Lord who looked like he was almost salivating at the sight.
"I know you won't." Dumbledore said calmly before closing the hand with the stone into a fist. Suddenly a light seemed to be emanating from his hand and getting brighter and brighter. A crackling noise could be heard like the discharge of a lot of electricity at once. The Dark Lord's faced from a sneer to one of anger as he seemed to finally realize what was happening.
"You old fool… You wouldn't! It isn't yours to destroy! You can't!"
"I have already informed the owners of this possibility. Better to destroy it then let it fall into the hands of the likes of you Tom." Dumbledore yelled over the loud crackling. As soon as he finished his sentence, a loud crack was heard and suddenly the entire cavern was filled with a blinding light causing Harry to look the other way to relieve his eyes. When the light finally faded he looked back to where the two men.
Dumbledore was still standing calmly over the downed possessed professor. His hand was now empty and the Dark Lord looked pissed at the man. Dumbledore simply looked down at the man solemnly.
"it's over Tom."
"You have accomplished nothing with this! I will rise whether you like it or not. I am immortal!"
"Perhaps, but not today. Now leave my school before I banish you in a much more painful way." Dumbledore commanded. The Dark Lord sneered but suddenly there seemed to be steam coming out of the possessed professors head and Quirell started to scream in what was clearly pain.
Suddenly, a dark mist came out of the man and it seemed to be forcefully ejected out of the room. It was likely the schools wards just launched the wraith forcefully out of the schools premises. With the mist gone, there was no longer another head on the back of Professor Quirrell's head. He also noticed that the professor was now lying on the floor without any sound or movement. Harry exited from behind the column he had been using for cover as Dumbledore approached the man and silently cast a spell to turn him over.
Harry flinched as he approached. The Professor was clearly dead. His eyes were glassy and there looked to be some sort of black ink like liquid oozing out of his mouth. Harry frowned as he looked at the body but managed to stop himself from upchucking… again. He wasn't sure if it was because he was getting used to this though or because his stomach was empty.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Dumbledore asked him softly. He nodded slowly before frowning and looking at the man.
"You sure took your sweet time." Harry commented with some annoyance. Dumbledore looked rather bashful.
"Yes well, Fawkes decided today was the perfect time to go through his burning day. I had to run down here from my office." Dumbledore told him. Harry rolled his eyes at that.
"Doesn't it always seem like everything that can go wrong does go wrong recently?"
"Indeed. I shall have to account better for such in the future."
"Don't bother apologizing. I don't blame you for this. You're just a man whose doing his best. I can't blame you for every little thing that goes wrong."
"Thank you, Harry. None the less, I will continue to strive to better myself so you do not keep ending up in these situations."
"I'd appreciate that."
"I'm sure… So, do you have it?" Dumbledore asked as he looked down at him. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the philosopher's stone. He silently handed the stone over to Dumbledore who gingerly took it and put it in his own pocket.
"Do you think he fell for it?"
"I do. Had I not known it was an illusion, I myself would likely have been fooled by such a display. You did very well with-it Harry, thank you."
"It was the strongest illusion I have ever crafted. I've never built one in parts like that one. If even that didn't fool him, I'm not sure what would have. Either way, I am glad it worked out well."
"Yes, indeed. Well, shall we depart? I need to go speak with some people about this incident and I believe much of the school populace is about to head down to the train. I imagine you wish to go down with your friends. Let me escort you back to the Great Hall."
"Okay… Will you need me to speak to anyone about this?"
"Not in a legal manner but I believe you should speak to Minerva on watching a man die in front of you, even if you did not cause the death." Dumbledore told him pointedly in a way that told him he didn't really have a choice and he was simply being polite.
"Hrgh. Very well. It's probably for the best. Man, this has been nothing but a rough day so far. I might just sleep for the entire eight-hour train ride."
"Do you ever just sleep?"
"Not normally but sometimes. Sometimes it's nice to give my mind a break even if my body is resting during the night already." Harry answered.
"Interesting…"