Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to Warner Bros. I make no money from this story.
Author Notes: Thank you to everyone who has supported the story so far by reading, reviewing, favouriting and following.
A special thank you to the following person for being the latest person to add me to their author follow list; marielsegura56. The support means a lot so thank you.
I'd also like to thank Lewis James Potter who pointed out a rather big plot hole in the chapter. This error has been corrected and I'm grateful that he spotted it.
Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter Fourteen:
It had been over a week since the incident in the Forbidden Forest where Harry had been confronted by the nightmarish apparition sucking the unicorns blood. He cursed the idiot Draco Malfoy for running into the forest forcing his protective instinct to kick in and for him to go after him. He was beyond thankful however that Professor Dumbledore had arrived and driven the evil being away and got himself and Malfoy to safety.
Even now, Harry shuddered when he remembered that night and had decided to never enter the Forbidden Forest again. He loved adventuring as much as the next person but it wasn't worth risking his life over. Risk taking should be saved for something truly important.
It was as Harry sat at breakfast tucking into his bowl of porridge sweetened with golden syrup that he got the feeling something truly bad was going to happen that day. He turned his attention to the staff table and as he gazed at Snape and Quirrell, who were arguing about something, he felt a searing pain in his scar. It felt like it had the last time he'd stared at them. He clapped a hand to it and hissed at the pain.
"Harry what's wrong?", Ron asked his brother in concern. From up the table Fred, George and Percy were gazing at Harry with unconcealed looks of worry. Hermione and Neville too were exchanging concerned expressions.
Harry glanced up the table to his elder brothers and put a shaky smile on, trying to reassure them. He then turned back to Ron and the others and whispered "I'll tell you all after our first lesson". His friends knew better than to try questioning him over breakfast. They knew he would refuse to speak until he was ready.
Harry was distracted all through DADA which was ironic because it was normally his best lesson, despite Quirrell being in charge. The feeling that something bad was coming would not go away and neither would the pain in his scar which persisted throughout the Defence lesson. His friends and brother kept casting him anxious looks and he didn't have the energy to reassure them.
Only once the double lesson was over and break time arrived did Harry take the others down to the Black Lake and clue them in as to what his feeling was. Thankfully, the pain in his scar disappeared soon after leaving Quirrell's classroom, something that pleased and confused Harry in equal measure.
"So you only have this pain in your scar when Snape and Quirrell are near?", Hermione queried.
Harry nodded at Hermione's question. "Yes only when Snape and Quirrell are there and I'm looking at them", he frowned "no wait a minute, it happened in class when just Quirrell was in the room".
"It sounds like Quirrell is common denominator then", Hermione concluded.
Ron shook his head. "But how would Quirrell hurt Harry just by looking at him? And more importantly...why would he want to? We already know Snape is the one after the Stone".
"Good questions Ron", Hermione replied "maybe they're working together to steal it, though I'd hate to think that two teachers are up to something criminal within the school, including jinxing Harry's broomstick".
"They could be trying to steal it separately to each other", Neville suggested and added "from what I've read up on the Stone, it's one of the most powerful magical objects in existence, it ensures immortality in terms of avoiding ageing. No natural causes could kill the owner, anyone would want that kind of power".
Harry was grim as he said "and I know the one being that would love to get his hands on it. From everything dad has told me about Voldemort..." Ron flinched at the name as did Neville and Harry rolled his eyes "from everything I've been told about Voldemort he's always looked for ways to increase his power and evade death, I reckon he's afraid of death, so it makes sense at least one out of Quirrell or Snape is trying to steal it for Voldemort to get on his good side, wherever he is".
"But which one is working for Voldemort?", Ron pondered.
"Could be either or both of them", Hermione said "and we won't know unless we find some way to exposing them".
"How would we do that?", Neville asked.
"First of all we need to tell Professor Dumbledore what we know and what we suspect. He'll be able to set a trap", Harry decided. The others all agreed and so once classes were finished for the day the foursome hurried off up to Dumbledore's Office. In front of the stone gargoyle they hit a stumbling block. They had no idea what Dumbledore's office password was in order to move the gargoyle aside. "Err...sherbet lemon?", Harry ventured. The gargoyle did not move.
"Bertie bott's beans?", Ron tried, still without success.
They all tried any sweet they could think of and still did not succeed. Growing frustrated, Harry shouted "just let us through!", but the gargoyle ignored them.
"What is all this shouting and just why do you need to see the Headmaster?", asked a stern voice. They turned as one and were face to face with Professor McGonagall.
"Snape and Quirrell are trying to steal the Stone and we think one of them is working for Voldemort, maybe even both of them are", Neville blurted out.
Harry groaned "Neville, we were supposed to wait until we told Dumbledore".
Neville flushed in embarrassment and replied contritely "sorry Harry". Harry sighed "never mind Neville, perhaps it's better to tell Professor McGonagall".
"If you are quite done", Professor McGonagall cut in sharply "what is this nonsense about Professor Snape or Professor Quirrell trying to steal the Stone? I can assure you all that no teacher would stoop to such a thing and nor would they be successful due to the protections on the Stone".
"But if they helped create some of the protections then they'll know how to get through to the stone!", Harry argued.
Professor McGonagall Sighed. "Alright Potter-Weasley, you've made your point. I shall go down through the trap door and check for myself that the Stone is safe, will that satisfy you?"
Harry shook his head. "Professor Dumbledore should check too and we still need to tell him what we've found out and what we suspect".
"Professor Dumbledore is not here at the moment Potter-Weasley, the Minister of Magic needed to speak to him on an urgent matter and so he left several hours ago to go to the Ministry".
Harry's mouth hung open. "But don't you see Professor, that must have been a fake message to lure Professor Dumbledore away!".
To Harry's annoyance Professor McGonagall merely shook her head. "That is ridiculous Mr Potter-Weasley. That was a genuine owl message from the Minister himself".
"Someone could have tampered with it...could have altered the message to make it seem urgent so Professor Dumbledore would leave", Harry retorted.
"Well possibly", Professor McGonagall conceded but added "regardless of the truth of the matter, Professor Dumbledore is not here and so I shall have to check on the Stone and that is an end to it", she gave each of them a sharp look "and I do not want to see you going down there yourself or you will spend the last two weeks of term in detention, do I make myself quite clear?".
Harry and the others nodded, though Harry and Ron had their fingers crossed behind their backs.
After Professor McGonagall had left them Harry said "come on" and led the way along the corridor.
"Where are we going?", Neville asked.
"We're going to stake out the entrance to the Third Floor Corridor. If Snape and Quirrell are trying to steal the Stone like we're certain of then we'll see them at some point". He decided upon something "we'd better head back to the common room first though, we need the cloak if we're to stay invisible during the stakeout".
A short time later, Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione were assembled inside the Third Floor Corridor underneath the invisibility cloak. It was a tight fit but they were all just about able to squeeze in as long as they squatted down somewhat and didn't move.
"This is bloody uncomfortable", Ron grumbled after the foursome had been waiting in the corridor for some time.
"Oh stop moaning", Harry replied with a grin "you're the one who always wants an adventure, it can't always be excitement you know".
"I am not the one who wants excitement", Ron argued and declared "it's you who always drags me off to different places. I just want a quiet life", he joked "I reckon you were dropped on your head as a baby, would explain why you're so up for danger all the time".
"Shh you two", Hermione hissed.
Harry and Ron stopped their banter and fell silent as the door handle of the door leading into the corridor turned and the door creaked noisily open.
"She'll hear us", Neville whispered as they saw Professor McGonagall enter the corridor and stride purposefully down it towards the room which contained Fluffy the giant and terrifying three headed dog.
Professor McGonagall disappeared through the door which led to Fluffy. Soon, they could hear her shout "What is going on?!" and they knew something was wrong. That was when they realised they could heard a loud snoring drifting along the corridor.
"Someone has made sure Fluffy is asleep", Harry concluded "that means someone is already down there".
"Shouldn't we warn Professor McGonagall?", Ron asked. Neville looked worried but Hermione nodded her head and Harry said resolutely "we'll do better than that", he turned to Neville and said "Neville go and get Professor Flitwick and Professor sprout. Tell them that Professor McGonagall has decided to go down the trap door and that she found Fluffy asleep in front of the trap door. Get them here as soon as you can". Neville nodded and took off at a run. "Ron, Hermione...".
"No, I'm coming with you", Ron declared "mum and dad would never forgive me if I let you go down there alone...and despite our arguments you're my brother and I love you and I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you either". Harry wanted to argue but knew it would do no good and so he just clapped Ron on the shoulder and nodded his head.
Hermione sighed. "I'd better come, you might need this", she tapped the side of her head "we don't know what puzzles or traps are down there after all". Harry grinned at her and replied "I really appreciate it Hermione, you're a great friend".
Hermione shrugged but smiled. "Thank you, now lets get going shall we?". Hermione led the way down the corridor and as they reached the door that led to the room containing Fluffy and the trap door they threw off the cloak with Harry stashing it in his trouser pocket for safe keeping.
Harry drew his wand, turned the handle and pushed the door open. His mouth fell open in surprise as he watched Fluffy snoring and marvelled at such a large creature looking so peaceful. He looked down at the trap door and saw that it was open. "Come on guys. Be ready for anything", he jumped down through the open trap door just as Hermione shouted "no Harry, wait!".
Harry landed on a thick, writhing mass of something. As he looked around he noticed that it looked vaguely familiar. Something clicked inside his head and he groaned in annoyance "not bloody Devil's Snare". He wracked his brains but could not figure out how to deal with the vicious plant".
He heard a loud thump and then a yell "argh, get this sodding plant off of me!". He looked over at Ron and advised "don't struggle Ron. I don't recall how to deal with the plant but I do remember that struggling makes it encircle and attack you more". Ron struggled for a moment longer and then followed Harry's instruction...and disappeared from sight as he fell through the plant! "Ron!", Harry shouted, his stomach knotting in anxiety.
Harry heard two other thuds and looked over at Hermione and Neville who had joined him in being attacked by the plant. "Devil's Snare...but what would stop it attacking us?", Hermione asked rhetorically. Her eyes soon lit up and she shouted "sunlight! If we use Incendio it'll ensure the plants let us go!".
Harry and Ron followed Hermione's direction and took out their wands, aiming them at the plant. Together, they shouted "Incendio!". The plant writhed in about and quickly let them go. "Brace for impact!", Harry warned, as he had no idea what was below the plant.
The three of them fell hard onto the ground with a thud and struggled to pick themselves up. As Harry was trying to get up he heard a muffled "get off me you prat!" and looked down to see his brother Ron lying on the ground beneath him, he had evidently cushioned Harry's fall.
"Sorry Bro", Harry apologised as he picked himself up and then held out a hand to help Ron up too.
"I should think you bloody are", Ron grumbled as he dusted himself off "bad enough having that hard landing without someone flattening me as well".
Harry shook his head and punched Ron's arm fondly "shut up you prat, I didn't fall on you that hard". Ron spluttered with indignation "you bloody did!"
"If you two are quite finished", Hermione stood there with a stern expression fixed on them and both hands on her hips. The two boys took in her stance and expression and mock shuddered. "You look scarily like our mum when you do that Hermione", Ron told her. Her reaction was cut off as Harry said "we don't have time for banter, come on!".
As the trio hurried on Harry made sure Hermione was alright. "I'm fine Harry, just a bit sore from the landing", she then grinned "and trying not to laugh at your argument".
The trio walked up to a door and Harry tried the handle. The door creaked open and he led the way inside. "How on earth are those keys flying?", Harry wondered.
"No idea", Ron replied "must be a complicated enchantment, I've never seen flying keys before".
Harry spotted a broom in one corner and strode over to it, avoiding the keys that swooped down low. He turned to his brother and friends. "I'll use this broom to catch the key we need for this lock", he indicated the lock of the door he was standing near "I'll need your help though, point me towards the correct key".
Harry sat astride the broom and kicked off hard from the ground. Ron and Hermione shouted instructions to Harry, pointing out the various keys.
Harry nearly ended up with a bump on the head as he narrowly avoided a concrete pillar while chasing one of the keys and heard Ron shout "there Harry, it must be the one with one wing!". He looked over at where Neville had pointed and spotted at once an old, battered looking key with only one wing flapping about feebly. He sped towards it, reached out and snatched it up.
As he landed, Harry clapped Ron on the shoulder and complimented his spotting skills. "Those are some top observation skills Ron, not that I'm surprised, you've got better eyesight than anyone else I know".
The trio hurried over to the old wooden door at the end of the room put the key in the lock and turned. The door creaked open and they peered into the next room. Harry felt his eyes widen in shock at the sight before him while Ron shouted "bloody awesome!". In the room was a life sized chess set on a massive board that took up most of the room in between the stone pillars that supported a vaulted ceiling.
They moved cautiously across the floor towards the chess set and Hermione posited that "it must have some sort of magic that makes it move, probably the same type used in regular wizards chess".
Harry assessed the chess pieces and asked Ron "what should we do? You're the strategist bro". He watched as Ron attempted to move past one the pieces, a knight. The knight lowered a sword which blocked Ron's path. He gulped hard and stepped back.
Ron turned to the others and explained "we need to beat the other set of chess pieces", he jerked a thumb towards the black chess pieces on the other side of the board. "It appears that there are three pieces missing, a knight, a bishop and a rook", he thought for a moment and then addressed each of them in turn "Harry, you'll be the rook, Hermione take the place of the bishop and I'll take the place of the knight".
Harry, Ron and Hermione took their places on the board amongst the other white chess pieces. "This is bizarre", Harry couldn't help comment as he stood on the space normally occupied by one of the rooks. Ron grinned "it's no different than regular wizards chess".
"Apart from the fact we could get hurt", Hermione retorted. Ron shrugged "well yeah, apart from that".
The chess game proceeded and Harry winced each time a piece was destroyed, though even as he winced he was fascinated at the sight of each destroyed piece being dragged off of the board to the edge of the room. "It's incredible", Hermione remarked and Harry nodded in agreement.
Eventually, the crucial moment of the chess game arrived when Ron said to Harry "once I take their bishop you're free to checkmate their king. If you checkmate him then we win".
Harry exclaimed "what about you? I've seen how those other chess pieces ended up and I'm not letting that happen to you!".
"You want to stop whoever's stealing the Stone right? Well if you do then you have to go on Harry, not me but you! I know you want to protect me but I'll be alright, Nev is bound to arrive with a teacher soon. Now do you want to protect the stone or not!". Harry shouted back "yes I want to protect it but not if it means you being hurt!".
"You can't do this Ron, it could kill you!", Hermione pleaded with him tearfully.
Ron was resolute. "Stopping the Stone being stolen is the most important thing no matter what. You two need to go on and deal with the other obstacles and that's an end to it!". Ignoring Harry and Hermione's protests Ron move forward and took the bishop. He was promptly attacked by the remaining knight wielding a large sword and suffered a bad slice to his side, toppling to the ground in pain. He was dragged off of the board.
Harry winced at the sight and moved to check on his brother but Ron waved him off. "Get going, you need to stop Snape!".
Harry sighed and shook his head. "My brother is such a prat sometimes. Mum is going to kill both of us if we survive this little adventure, she'll probably ground us for a month!".
Hermione smiled and patted Harry's arm. "She'll just be glad you're both alright".
Harry snorted a laugh at this comment. "Thanks for trying to be reassuring Hermione but you don't know mum, she'll be furious about this whole thing no matter what happens to the Stone". He sighed and then moved forwards. Once in front of the opposing king he said in a clear voice "checkmate". The king took off it's crown and moved out of Harry's way to indicate that the game was won.
"Come on Hermione". He turned to Ron "I'll see you in a bit", he said trying to sound confident.
Harry and Hermione ran to the door at the far side of the room, threw it open and ran through. He immediately grimaced at the sight before them "sodding hell". In front of them was a large plain table containing seven vials of potions.
Harry and Hermione assessed the vials. "They're all different sizes except for two of them", he noticed and then jumped as fire sprung to life at both ends of the room trapping them by the table. "Just great", Hermione moaned.
Harry grinned. "Oh come on Hermione, it's an adventure".
"An adventure I'd rather not be having", she said with a slight smile.
The pair turned their attention to the potion vials and they picked up each one trying to ascertain the contents. "The vials are too dark, no way to see the potion inside", Hermione determined. She noticed a piece of parchment and picked it up. "This parchment contains a riddle involving the potions", she read out the riddle and looked thoughtful "so one vial contains a potion that lets us continue. Another contains a potion that lets us go back, three vials just contain water, one is poisonous and one has an antidote".
"This is Snape's bloody riddle", Harry scowled "only he would think up something that could kill us".
"Well the Devil's Snare and chess set were no picnic either Harry", Hermione pointed out "though even so, you're right, this is a pretty serious and potentially deadly riddle, especially as we don't know what sort of poison was used".
"The two tallest ones are the safest I reckon", Harry decided. He took one and drank it before Hermione could stop him. "Yep, as I thought it's just water and a few herbs". Hermione drank from the other tall vial and said "yes, these are harmless".
Harry and Hermione looked over the other five vials. "If I know Snape then the one containing the way forward only has enough dose for one", Harry declared and picked up the smallest one. He pointed out the three medium sized vials "those must contain the poison, antidote and potion to take one of us back", he gave Hermione a serious look and told her "you'd better take the potion to go back, that way you can help Neville with Ron and the two of you can get some help".
"You can't go on alone!", Hermione objected and added "we don't know what's in the next room, anything could be waiting for you".
Harry ran a hand through his messy raven coloured hair. "You're right that anything could be waiting for me but there isn't enough potion for two of us".
"What, so because I'm a girl you think I can't defend myself Harry James Potter Weasley!", Hermione demanded angrily.
"No it's because you're the most sensible one of us four and someone needs to go and get help. I like and trust Neville but he'll be busy getting Ron to the hospital wing", Harry replied calmly.
"Oh, that's...sorry, I understand now. Alright. But how are we going to determine which potion is which?", she asked.
Harry looked at the remaining vials pondered that very question. His eyes lit up as an idea formulated in his brain. "I found this spell the other week in a spell book from the library, it's a bit advanced but it allows the caster to determine if a potion has any poisonous ingredients within".
"It sounds ideal Harry", Hermione replied enthusiastically but added "do you think you can cast it though?".
Harry grinned. "Only one way to find out". He took out his wand and told Hermione "the spell is supposed to cause a red glow around poisonous potions, a blue one around positive ones and a grey glow around neutral potions".
"Neutral potions?", Hermione queried.
"Neutral potions, according to the spell, are ones like healing potions and the like. They don't enhance you or give you an advantage like positive potions", Harry explained. He waved his wand at the vials calling out the incantation for each separate vial. One of the middle sized vials glowed red and another glowed blue. He put those two aside and picked up the two ones emitting a blue glow.
Hermione raised an important point. "How can we tell which one will take us forward and which one will take us back?".
Harry scratched his head. He then ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that Hermione had noticed he did whenever frustrated or thinking heavily. After awhile he replied "I don't think we can. We'll just have to drink them and hope".
"Doesn't sound like a very positive plan", Hermione replied.
"No, it's not. I don't have another plan though", Harry said. Without thinking about it he took the stopper from one of the the vials he was holding and downed it in one. He glanced over at the flames near the far door. The flames died away. He handed the other vial to Hermione "this must be that takes you back. I'll see you soon, try and find Professor McGonagall, hopefully she'll actually believe us after all this".
Hermione nodded and impulsively hugged Harry. "Good luck and...be careful, I don't want my best friend getting hurt".
Harry grinned at her. "When did you decided I was your best friend?", he asked.
Hermione grinned back. "Around the time you saved me from that troll on Halloween", she said.
"Well for what it's worth that's when you became my best friend too alongside Neville. I didn't know you could lie so well", Harry laughed.
Hermione laughed too. "I guess you and Ron must be rubbing off on me".
Harry nodded and grinned. "I guess we are". His face fell and he said seriously "I'll see you, Ron and Neville soon Hermione". He said this more confidently than he felt.
Harry turned and ran over to the door, pushed it open and walked into the room beyond. He took in the sight of a chamber room with a vaulted ceiling and granite steps that led down to a familiar looking ornate mirror standing against the far wall. The Mirror of Erised was in here. He frowned at the sight of the man standing in front of the mirror for it was not the man he had expected. He had expected Professor Snape but instead was a man wearing a purple turban and purple robes, Professor Quirrell.
Harry didn't know what to do so he began to walk down the steps. The door slammed shut loudly behind him making him feel nervous though he just about avoided showing it. "Professor Quirrell? What are you doing here? Where's Professor Snape, did you stop him?", he asked.
The man with the turban merely ignored him. Harry crept closer and heard Quirrell muttering. "I see the Stone in the mirror. I see myself holding it...but how do I get it?", he sounded frustrated.
Quirrell turned as Harry reached him and the looked in the man's eyes made Harry's wand twitch in it's holster. Something didn't feel right. "Potter, I might have known you'd rumble me, you're a nosy little brat". Harry noted that the man wasn't stuttering anymore, obviously that had been faked.
"It's Potter-Weasley...wait It was you this whole time?", Harry asked uncomprehendingly and then blurted out "but then why was Professor Snape trying to get past Fluffy? And anyway what do you need with the Stone?".
Quirrell laughed and it was not a pleasant sound. It sounded cold humourless. "Oh yes poor old Severus does seem the type doesn't he? Walking around like an overgrown bat snapping at everyone, it's no surprise you believed him to be the culprit", he laughed again "very useful for my master and myself that you should suspect Snape and not me".
"Your...your master? Who...", Harry's eyes widened as a horrific realisation struck him, a bit like being hit over the head by a brick. "You work for Voldemort!".
"Very good boy. Very perceptive. Yes I work for the Dark Lord. He offered me wealth and power should I help him steal the Stone", Quirrell laughed "I was like you once boy. I wanted to 'do good' but then my master showed me what I could have by helping him and I realised that there was an easier path in life, one that leads to immortal glory".
"You're mad!", Harry shouted "Voldemort won't help you, he only helps himself. Leave now Quirrell while you can".
"Let me speak to the boy. I can convince him to help us", hissed a cold and raspy disembodied voice.
"What the hell!", Harry now felt really concerned.
"Meet my master, young Potter", Quirrell smirked. He turned his back to Harry and began to unwind the turban on his head.
Harry screamed. He couldn't help it, as he looked on the visage of what was left of Lord Voldemort.
Voldemort spoke. "You could be great Potter, if only you would join with me. Help me get the Stone and I'll give you everything you've ever wanted. You can even have your parents back".
Harry strode over to the mirror and looked at the forms of his birth parents, Lily and James Potter. They were smiling warmly at him and Harry smiled back but then realisation struck him. He had been told once by his dad that their was no way to reverse death, it was a permanent state.
Harry turned to face Voldemort, his green eyes blazing in fury. "You're a liar! You can't bring them back and even if you could you wouldn't, they hated you and all you stand for and so do I!", he declared defiantly "I'll never join you, go to hell!".
He turned back to the mirror as he heard both Quirrell and Voldemort snarl in fury. He looked at his reflection and gaped in surprise as mirror Harry held up the Philosopher's Stone, winked and slipped it into his pocket.
Harry felt a thud in his jeans pocket and his hand closed on something solid. He would never be to explain how but he just knew that the Stone was in his pocket.
Harry turned and ran. He ran past Quirrell and Voldemort and over to the steps only to jump back in horror as fire sprang up in front of him and he barely avoided being burnt.
"Kill him and get the Stone!", Voldemort snarled.
Harry turned and fumbled with his wand. "Locomotor Wibbly"!", he shouted and Quirrell was barely able to stay on his feet.
Unfortunately for Harry, the spell wasn't very strong as he hadn't much practise with it. He winced as Quirrell tackled him and wrestled the wand from his grasp. He reached out and punched the man hard in the left temple. "Argh, you little sod!", Quirrell scowled. "Kill him!", Voldemort shrieked.
Quirrell reached for Harry only to pull his hand away in agony. "Argh it hurts!".
"Step back from the boy Quirinus!", a commanding voice filled the room.
Harry looked up in relief at the sight of a wizard with a long white beard, long white hair and wearing purple robes with moons and stars upon them. Albus Dumbledore brandished his wand, aimed it at Quirrell and said sternly "don't make me use this Quirrell, I will if I have to to protect Harry".
"Forget the old fool and kill the boy!", Voldemort shrieked again. The words seemed to override Quirrell's fear of Dumbledore and he lunged towards Harry.
Dumbledore waved his wand and conjured a massive jet of water which hit Quirrell full force in the stomach. The water blasted him back against the far wall which the professor hit with a sickinening thud. Harry winced at the sound and watched as Quirrell slid to the floor unconscious.
A roar of fury sounded and Harry screamed again as the essence of Voldemort passed through him and escaped the chamber. He felt himself hitting the floor and heard his glasses shatter.
As blackness consumed him, the last thing Harry heard was Professor Dumbledore's calm voice. "You'll be alright Harry, you've been a very brave boy".