Chapter 6
An unexpected showdown
Harry, Ron and Hermione raced from seeing Hagrid, after learning the most horrifying news: Snape knew how to get past the three headed dog, Fluffy. "I knew Snape had to be up to something," Harry panted, the three of them running to Dumbledore's office. They weaved in and out of the other students, robes billowing out behind them.
"Do you think Dumbledore will be able to stop him?" Ron asked as they skidded around a corner, narrowly missing a collision with some older Hufflepuffs. They barely halted to yell out an apology. They needed to see the Headmaster now!
Harry could see the panic in his friends' eyes; he felt the same way.
"If anyone can, it's him," Hermione reassured them breathlessly. As they neared Dumbledore's office, Harry saw Minerva leaving through the doorway. Perfect timing!
"Aunt Minnie, is Professor Dumbledore in his office?" Harry asked as the three came to a stop, sweating and chests heaving.
"No, he received an urgent message from the ministry and has left to go there," Minerva replied with a raised eyebrow. "Why, what's wrong?"
"Aunt Minnie, it's… someone's going to get the Philosopher's Stone!" Harry exclaimed. "Tonight!|"
Minerva froze and looked between the three. "Harry, I… I don't know how you learnt about the stone, but I assure you, it's perfectly safe," she said quietly.
"Aunt Minnie, please, it's not safe, it's in trouble. S… someone knows how to get past Hagrid's dog!"
Minerva began to pale. "I was told that was impossible."
Hermione quickly summed up what Hagrid had absently told them, about the dragon egg, the masked person and using music to put the beast to sleep.
An expression of increasing worry bloomed on the Transfiguration Professor's face during the conversation. "How… I…" Minerva spluttered, frowning. "The three of you, go to my office, now. I'll go and get help and check on the dog." She straightened her posture, a look of determination on her face. "You three will tell me everything when I get back; how you discovered about the stone, and the Cerberus, and what you know about whoever is after it. If it were any other student… well, I know you wouldn't say anything unless you believed there was a real risk."
"Thank you, Aunt Minnie," Harry said, wiping away some sweat from his forehead, as a sense of relief began to wash through him. He shared a accomplished grin with his best friends.
Minerva put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for coming to me. Stay in my office, and I'll come to you afterwards," Minerva said, before swiftly walking in the direction of the staff room.
"Do you think she'll make it in time?" Ron asked, as they watched her leave.
"I hope so," Hermione replied. She was biting her lower lip, hair even more frizzy than usual.
"And if she doesn't? You-know-who will be back?"
Harry nodded, no longer able to see the professor. He turned to Hermione and Ron. "We can't wait. I'll go to the third-floor corridor and meet the professors there," Harry told the two. "It's what my dad would have done, and what Sirius would do."
"You think you're going without us? Let's go, quickly," Hermione urged, already leading the way. Harry and Ron followed her quickly, again ignoring the students around them as they pushed their way through the stragglers. The sun was already down, and curfew was close. They didn't have a lot of time before Snape went after the Stone.
"Are you sure about coming with me?" Harry called to them as they ran to the corridor. He could almost hear Ron rolling his eyes.
"Not like I'm letting you go down there alone, mate," Ron replied.
"Friends stick together," Hermione added. The three quickly reached the door leading to Fluffy. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, Harry nodded in determination and opened the door to the soft music of a magical harp. "Snape's already here," Harry hissed in anger, seeing the hatch that Fluffy had been guarding lying open. The three of them looked at each other, then leapt down into the darkness and inhaled sharply.
Leaping down, Harry was grateful that the three of them landed on something soft, before they realised that they had landed in a massive patch of Devil's Snare. Whilst Ron began to panic, Hermione managed to get them out by telling them to remain calm. Ron and Harry knew better than to disagree or ignore Hermione, so they stopped struggling, and the three of them fell through the devil's snare and let them down on the floor.
"Good thing you remembered Herbology, Hermione," Ron said, looking up at the creeping vines. "Thanks."
"Let's hope that's the worst thing we'll be facing," Harry commented.
"The Professors added their own protection, right? So, it's not likely," Hermione reminded them as they walked away from the Devil's Snare and into the next room. "Be careful."
It didn't take long before they were halfway through a game of giant wizard's chess, with Ron directing them. He was an expert at the game, able to adapt to the opponent moves on a whim and come up with a retorting strategy. As it came near to the end, Harry could no longer ignoring the niggling sensation that something bad was about to happen and it didn't take him long to realise what was about to happen.
"Ron, no!" Harry cried out, cutting off a command from the red head.
"What? What's wrong?" Hermione asked, looking close to tears.
"He's going to sacrifice himself!" Harry explained.
"No, Ron, you can't!"
Harry watched Ron close his eyes and take a breath. "Do you wanna stop Snape or not? Harry, it's you that's meant to go on, I know it. Not me, not Hermione, but you!" Ron exclaimed, looking scared but resolute. "Trust me. You can do this. Knight to H3," he added. Harry and Hermione watched with horror, the rules of the game rendering them unable to move, as Ron put the King in check. Seconds later he was attacked. His horse was destroyed, and he was thrown from the giant piece, screaming as he hit the floor.
Hermione cried out his name from across the board.
Heart thumping, praying that his best friend wasn't dead, Harry moved forward several steps. "Checkmate," he declared shakily. The King's piece dropped his sword in submission, signalling the end of the match and allowing Harry and Hermione to run to Ron.
"He's alive," Hermione sighed in relief, tears cutting through the dust on her face. Her fingers left his neck to rest on his back, shaking him softly.
"Go back and take him to the hospital wing," Harry instructed. "I can delay Snape. Just… look after him."
"You're really brave Harry, you know that?" Hermione sniffed, looking at him through watery eyes. "I'm so lucky to have you as one of my best friends."
"You're brilliant Hermione," Harry told her, smiling. "We wouldn't have gotten here without you."
"I'm book smart. There's more than that to life, like bravery, kindness…"
"And you have all of that too. You got to go, okay? I'll be fine. I just have to keep him distracted long enough for Aunt Minnie and Dumbledore to get here," Harry said, feeling sick.
"No silly stuff, be careful," Hermione told him. Harry helped her get Ron to his feet, an arm slung over her shoulders and he stared after the two as she began to drag him away.
"I wish I was like you Hermione," Harry said, knowing what he wanted to say, but unable to say the actual words.
"You're better than me Harry. Just… come back to us," she insisted over her shoulder. Harry winced at the misunderstanding before vowing to talk to her later.
The final puzzle was a riddle, but it didn't take long to solve, and as he passed through the final door, he saw something he never expected. He saw the Mirror of Erised, in a long room, lit by candles and beams of light coming from somewhere. And standing in front of the mirror…
Not Snape, but Professor Quirrell!
Quirrell explained that it was he who had tried to kill Harry at the Quidditch match, he who let the troll in, and he who Harry and Malfoy had seen in the forest, drinking Unicorn Blood. A blood curdling voice came from Quirrell's direction, demanding that the Professor use the boy. Quirrell yelled at Harry look into the mirror and as he did, he saw his parents, and he saw himself as Lily, who was smiling at him. She was wearing the same clothes as he was this time and held a crimson stone in her hands. It was beautiful, and Harry immediately knew that what she was holding was the Philosopher's Stone. Harry watched as Lily did a little dance for him, before putting the stone in her pocket. He almost flinched in surprise as something heavy materialised in his pocket. Somehow, he had gotten the stone!
"What do you see, Potter?" Quirrell demanded, a crazed look on his face.
"I see myself… I'm Quidditch Captain… I just won the cup," Harry lied, remembering what Ron saw when he had first stared into the Mirror all of those months ago.
"TELL THE TRUTH, POTTER!" Quirrell bellowed.
A sharp pain shot through Harry's scar just as the disembodied voice came from Quirrell's direction again. He watched, disgusted and horrified, as Quirrell removed his turban and revealed the back of his bald head, which had the face of Lord Voldemort on it.
"Come, Harry, see what I've become," the Dark Lord began, eyes cold and empty. "You and I need not be enemies, Harry. I, who mastered death, know all, and I can help you become powerful, maybe powerful enough to bring back your parents… or even to be who you want to be," Voldemort said softly. His voice was gentle but dangerous.
It was hard to look away from the grotesque scene. "What do you mean?" Harry asked, feigning ignorance, a million thoughts rushing through his head all at once. This was the person who murdered his parents who tried to kill him, who was infamous for being evil, who was supposed to be dead… what did he mean, mastered death? Bring back his parents, be who he wants to be?
Voldemort allowed himself a small chuckle. "Come, now, Harry… or is it Lily? Yes, I know your secret. I also know that the world would not understand, but I do," Voldemort continued quietly, a persuasive element to his voice. "It can all be yours, Lily, and you can be yourself. You don't need to do much, just help me… stand by me, and I can help you."
Harry's eyes widened. Voldemort had called him Lily! How was it that he knew his dreams and what he saw in the mirror? Did that mean he knew Harry had the stone as well? He couldn't deny that a part of him wanted to say yes, because it meant getting everything he ever wanted. He could be free to be himself, or rather, herself. But Harry knew it was just a fool's dream. His parents were dead, and as much as he wanted to be his true self, he wouldn't pay just any price to make it happen. Sirius had taught him a lot better than that.
"Liar!" Harry exclaimed, knowing Voldemort would just kill him anyway.
"You fool. Kill him!" Voldemort hissed. Quirrell lurched forward, and grabbed Harry, but screamed in pain before backing off. Harry watched as Quirrell's hands burned. "Kill him! Kill him!" Quirrell, yelling in pain, tried again but upon touching Harry, is hands turned to dust, and crumbled apart.
The professor was sobbing, pale with shock, as Voldemort screamed at him to try again.
"Stay back! I don't want to hurt you," Harry begged, taking a step back from Quirrell. He didn't know how it was happening but contact with him was killing the man.
"KILL HIM!" Voldemort shrieked in rage.
Quirrell took a trembling step forward.
"Professor, look at yourself. Every time you touch me, you burn. Please, don't do this. You're not a bad man Professor. I was told how good a man you were. Please," Harry pleaded to the man. Quirrell stopped, looking at Harry with an expression of agony distorting his face.
"Potter… I… I'm…" Quirrell started, and Harry could see the struggle.
"Professor, you're stronger than he is. Please, fight him, help me," Harry continued, making his voice stronger. He could see tears in Quirrell's eyes.
"Harry… I'm sorry," Quirrell whispered softly. "Help me…" he pleaded himself. Before Harry could do anything, Quirrell let out a chilling scream, his body falling apart as Voldemort's face was torn from it. Harry cried out in fear, stepping back as the ghostly image of Voldemort sped towards him. Harry held onto the stone in his pocket, wanting to keep it safe, but screeched in agony as the spectre passed through him, a burning, pulsating pain ripping through his frame. He fell backwards and could have sworn he saw a flash of fire just before passing out, his hands still firmly around the stone.
As Harry opened his eyes, he let out a soft moan of agony, trying to get his vision to return. Before he could see clearly, he felt strong arms around him, and knew they belonged to Sirius.
"What were you thinking, Harry?" Sirius demanded, his voice full of pain and anguish. "You could have been killed! Why didn't you listen to your aunt?"
"I… couldn't let him win, Uncle Sirius," Harry mumbled, his voice muffled as he let his body slump against his Uncle's chest. "You'd have done the same thing."
"I probably would have," Sirius conceded, pulling back and holding Harry's face in his calloused hands. He looked deep into Harry's eyes, the relief and pride, anger and panic shining bright. "Harry, you're my godson and I love you. I can't lose you," Sirius told him before kissing Harry's forehead, soothing the residual ache in Harry's scar. "You reckless, brilliant boy…"
Someone cleared their throat and Sirius pulled back from Harry again. He looked to the source of the sound and it was then that Harry noticed all the sweets and chocolates around his bed. Dumbledore smiled, as if knowing what Harry was about to ask.
"Tokens from your admirer's, Harry. What happened between you and Professor Quirrell in the dungeons is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows," Dumbledore said with a chuckle.
"Naturally," Sirius said, rolling his eyes with a grin.
"I'm sorry I was not here for you or your friends, Harry. I received an Owl, asking for my presence at the Ministry, but when I arrived, I found that the person I was meeting had not sent it," Dumbledore explained. "I returned just in time and went straight to the dungeons with Minerva and the other Professors. We were barely in time to save you."
"Are Ron and Hermione…" Harry started, but Dumbledore held up a hand.
"Both fine, they are both fine."
Sirius took Harry's hand again. "And you should thank your lucky stars you are too. I came as soon as I was told you were injured in a fight with Voldemort!" The man took a controlled breath. "What happened in there, Harry?" Sirius asked.
Harry explained what Quirrell had said, but he kept out the part of Voldemort calling him Lily. As he finished the story, Dumbledore was nodding thoughtfully.
"Yes, Quinius was always a good man, and it gladdens me that you were able to save his soul in the end. When Voldemort left his dying host, he tried to take over your body, but he was unable to do so. That was when we arrived," Dumbledore explained.
"The stone… what happened to it?" Harry asked. When he was told it had been destroyed, he felt more confused. "But without it, your friend, Nicholas Flamel, won't he die?"
Dumbledore looked pleased, and proud. "You know about Nicholas? You did do the thing properly, didn't you?" he praised. He then explained that it was for the best, and how Nicholas and his wife were ready to die. As he stood up to give Sirius and Harry some time, he picked up a box of Bertie Bott's every flavoured beans.
"I was unfortunate enough to come across a vomit flavoured one in my youth and I lost my taste for them, but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee," Dumbledore said, popping one in his mouth. He then chuckled. "Alas. Earwax."
Harry wasn't sure what the best part of the end of term feast was; the fact that Sirius was still there, sitting with Ron, Hermione and himself, or the fact that the food was the most amazing ever… or how Professor Dumbledore gave out last minute points, sixty to Ron for the game of Chess, sixty to Hermione for getting past the Devil's Snare, or seventy to Harry for facing Voldemort, or how all of them combined made Gryffindor the winners of the House Cup. There were cheers from the other tables, minus the Slytherins who had finally lost their winning streak.
Standing at Hogsmeade station the next day, the Hogwarts Express ready to return them to London, Harry was called back by Hagrid.
The man blabbered about Fluffy's new home and about Norbert the dragon ("he's a she! Can you believe it?") before thrusting a untidily wrapped gift in Harry's arms. "To thank you, for saving us all again."
Armed with his new photo album, stuffed to the brim of photos of his parents and baby Harry, summer homework and promises to stay in touch with his best friends, Harry and co boarded the train. From the window of one of the carriages he took one last look at the magnificent castle, sad to be leaving but excited for the second year. After all, he mused as the horn blew and the train began to pull away, it couldn't be worse than the one he'd just had.
