Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to Warner Bros.
Author Notes: Thank you to everyone who has followed, favourited, reviewed and read my story thus far, I appreciate the support.
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Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter Fifteen:
Harry woke up and blinked. The whole world seemed to be out of focus and he quickly realised that he must not be wearing his glasses.
Grimacing at the discomfort in his side, he fumbled around for his glasses and slipped them on. He gazed around in confusion. He recognised the Hogwarts hospital wing, having been here once before when his brother Charlie got seriously hurt in a game of Quidditch but he had no idea why he would be here now.
His mental fog soon began to clear however and he shivered at the memories that came flooding back. He had found Professor Quirrell in the chamber containing the Mirror of Erised and, to his shock, it was not Snape who had been trying to steal the Stone but Quirrell instead. Quirrell had wanted the Stone for Voldemort. The dark wizard was Quirrell's master. "That explains why looking at him caused my scar to hurt", he muttered but then wondered aloud "but how was he possessing him?".
"Professor Quirrell willingly gave himself over to Voldemort", a voice said cutting through Harry's thoughts.
Harry looked up and found himself gazing into the kind face of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. "Professor Dumbledore...", he tried to sit up but Dumbledore walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder saying "no need to sit up my boy, you've been through a terrible ordeal and need your rest".
Harry gave him a grateful smile but then frowned "but how was Voldemort able to possess Quirrell?".
Dumbledore sighed, pulled a chair up and sat down. "I am sad to say that Professor Quirrell gave Lord Voldemort permission to possess his body as Voldemort tempted him with fame, glory and power and Quirrell was unable to resist, only a select few are able to resist. Lord Voldemort used an old and very dark magic which allows the essence of a wizard to possess another, it is nearly unheard of as only those who have some essence of their being remaining within this world after the loss of the body are able to do it".
"So that means Voldemort is still out there then sir, but where is he now?". Harry then felt panic wash over him "what about the Stone, Voldemort was trying to get it!".
"Easy Harry. Please keep calm or Madam Pomfrey will throw me out", he smiled. "To answer your first question I am afraid to say that, yes, he is still out there. It is something I have long suspected. Voldemort was never the sort to accept death willingly and I had feared that he had found a way to cheat death, a fear that came true very recently". The older wizard took a quick drink of water and continued "to answer your second question, you need not be concerned over the Philosopher's Stone. I myself have had a long talk with my dear friend Nicholas, Nicholas Flamel and together we have decided that the Stone must be destroyed in order to prevent this sort of event from happening again".
Harry had never met Nicholas Flamel but felt very sad as he said seriously "but if the Stone is destroyed that means Mr Flamel and his wife will die, doesn't it?".
Dumbledore was grave as he replied. "I am afraid it does Harry, yes. However Nicholas assured me that neither he nor Perenel, that is his wife, mind such an occurrence. They are very old, over six hundred years old and feel that the time is right to move onto, as they called it, the next great adventure".
"That was a brave decision for them to take", Harry commented feeling much admiration for the Flamels.
"It was indeed", Professor Dumbledore agreed. He looked over at Harry's bedside table and smiled. "You are very popular with the majority of students for your courage in protecting the Stone. What happened down below the trap door is a secret, so naturally everyone knows". Harry laughed a little, wondering just what rumours were circulating.
Dumbledore picked up a box of bertie bott's every flavour beans. "In my youth I was very unfortunate to receive a vomit flavoured bean. I think I'll try for a nice toffee". He took out a bean, popped it into his mouth and sighed "alas...earwax". Harry couldn't help but laugh at this. There was something very comforting about the demeanour of the old wizard.
Harry wondered what had happened to Professor Quirrell and so he asked. "Professor Dumbledore, what happened to Professor Quirrell? I remember him being with the jet of water and crashing against the wall but that's the last thing I remember happening".
Dumbledore's face was serious as he told Harry "he is in a bed further down the ward, guarded by two Aurors at all times. He is to be put on trial for his attempt to steal the Stone and attempted assault of you. He has only awoken once, briefly and expressed his remorse for attacking you and allowing Voldemort to possess him. It appears that he was once a decent wizard who did not have the courage to oppose Voldemort and was swayed by certain promises. Whatever the truth he is likely to face a lengthy sentence in Azkaban".
Harry shuddered. He heard his father tell stories of Azkaban prison and the Dementors that guarded the prisoners. "Isn't that a bit harsh? He made a mistake but those Dementors are evil".
Dumbledore sighed. "What he did was rather serious Harry. In any case the sentence is up to the Ministry of Magic and it is best that we let them deal with Mr Quirrell".
"Who will be the new Defence Professor now Sir?", Harry asked feeling curious.
Professor Dumbledore merely replied "you shall see in September Harry. Now I believe there are some people waiting to see you. Your parents have been very anxious and concerned for you ever since I informed them of your escapade to save the Stone. Your older brothers Bill and Charlie are also here, as are your brothers Fred and George and Percy and your sister Ginevra. Your friends Neville Longbottom and Miss Hermione Granger were waiting outside of the hospital wing for a long time but left for a change of clothes and food with intentions to return soon".
Harry smiled at the loyalty of his friends and the fact that his siblings were waiting to see him. He grimaced however at the fact that his parents were waiting outside. "My mother, she'll be furious". Another thought struck him as he registered that Dumbledore had not mentioned Ron. "Professor, what about my Brother Ron?".
"He'll be fine. He is healing up in the bed next to you", Dumbledore indicated the bed to Harry's left.
Harry looked over at Ron who appeared to be deeply asleep. "It's my fault he got hurt, I should have gone down the trap door on my own", he said feeling angry at himself.
"Harry", Dumbledore cut in sternly. "From what Mr Longbottom and Miss Granger have told me, your brother was just as willing to go after the Stone as you were and knew the risks of playing the chess game. He is a brave young man as are yourself and Mr Longbottom and Miss Granger is a brave young woman".
Harry blushed at the compliment. "Thank you sir".
Dumbledore smiled at patted Harry's shoulder. "Now shall I let your family in to see you?". Harry nodded. The Headmaster stood up and said "if I don't speak to you before the end of the school year Harry then I hope you have a lovely summer".
"And you too Sir", Harry replied.
The Headmaster strode over to the hospital wing doors and opened them. "Harry is awake and able to see you now". He then exited the ward.
Dumbledore been gone for mere seconds before a gaggle of people with red hair stormed into the hospital wing and straight towards Harry and Ron's bed. Harry was just about to greet them all when a red headed blur leapt onto his bed and threw her arms around him pulling him into a fierce hug. "I'm so happy you're safe Harry". He could fill his hospital pyjamas growing wet as Ginny sobbed into his pyjama top. "I was so so worried and scared when I heard that you'd been hurt facing down that git of a professor".
Harry stroked Ginny's hair, kissed her head and smiled. "I'm fine sis, really. Ron was hurt worse than me".
Ginny nodded, sniffed and wiped her nose. "I know", she said "we've been in to see him and you. He's been awake a few times but not for long".
"Never mind chatting to each other!". Harry winced as his mothers voice cut in. He looked up at Molly Weasley who had her hands on her hips and was fixing him with an expression so steely and stern that it could cut through wood.
"Uh...hi Mum", he greeted her weakly.
"Hi? Is that all you can say Harry James Potter-Weasley? You could have been badly wounded! You could have died! We were so worried, sick with worry!".
"Sorry Mum, Dad", Harry apologised. He then gave his parents a fierce look "I'm sorry you were worried, I never meant to cause that but the Stone had to be saved, if Voldemort had got hold of it he'd have a body again and who knows what would have happened?".
"Yes, well, this whole incident has been scary and upsetting but I think we all understand why you did Harry", Arthur Weasley cut in calmly.
"But Arthur...", Molly started.
"No Molly", Arthur cut his wife off. "Harry is right, he, Ron and their friends have saved the world from unimaginable evil, whatever happens next they have set back Voldemort's cause significantly".
Molly huffed an annoyed breath but nodded. She fixed Harry with a steely glare and waggled a finger in his face telling him "don't think this is over young man, I shall be speaking with you and your brother when you return for the summer holidays!". Having said this Molly's expression softened and a tear ran down her cheek as she rushed over to scoop her son up into one of patented hugs. He clung to her, enjoying the warmth of her hug. As much as he didn't like how overprotective she was at times he knew she loved him and he loved her, she was a great mother.
Arthur came over to the other side of Harry's bed, kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair, a smile gracing his face. "I'm so relieved you're alright son and I have to say the house has been quite without your humour and pranks this year". Harry looked up at his father and replied "love you Dad and thanks".
"Love you too son", Arthur replied and he joined in the hug.
"Let Harry breath Mum", Bill cut in "the rest of us want to speak to him". Molly and Arthur let go of the hug and allowed the rest of Harry's siblings to come over to him.
To Harry's surprise the first person to pull him into a hug was Percy. He was unused to his older brother hugging him but accepted it happily. "I was so worried about you Harry, please don't go down trap doors again, I know I don't say it often enough but...I love you".
"Love you too Perce and sorry for worrying you", Harry replied with a smile.
Next up were Bill and Charlie. "You always were too adventurous for your own good" Bill said with a shaky laugh "no adverse effects or anything?". Harry shook his head "no I'm fine, worried about Ron but I'm recovering well". Bill grinned and ruffled his hair before hugging him.
"I'm proper jealous I wasn't with you on that adventure, especially the bit where you had to chase down that key using a broomstick, I bet that was really fun", Charlie said after he hugged him. Molly glared at her second eldest but Charlie just shrugged sheepishly. "For the record I was worried though squirt, I know I used to tell you to go away a lot but I'd miss you a lot if anything bad happened to you", he grinned "I mean who would I play Quidditch with when I visit for one thing? I love you Harry".
"Oh, so you only love me for my Quidditch skills eh?", Harry teased but then added "I love you too Charlie".
And finally Fred and George came over to him. They were both looking more serious than he had ever seen them and their words reinforced that. "Harry you prat...", George began.
"You scared us half...", continued Fred.
"To death", George added.
"We love a good adventure...", Fred said.
"But try not facing down three headed dogs...", George continued.
"Or evil wizards next time...", Fred continued.
And together they finished "we need you to help us plan pranks on Percy and in any case we both...well we love you". They threw their arms around Harry and hugged him for several minutes before letting him go. Fred then told him "don't think this means you won't be getting pranked in the future though".
Harry laughed. "Wouldn't want things any other way", he told them.
Time went by and finally Harry and Ron were allowed to leave the hospital wing at last after a final check up from Madam Pomfrey. "Be more careful in future Potter-Weasley, I've seen too many of your siblings in here for injuries as it is, it's like collecting a card set", she had quipped. She had turned to Ron "and as for you Mr Weasley, I recommend never playing life size wizards chess again, it's very bad for your side. Be careful with strenuous movements for the next week and you should be fine", she had told him.
Ron had nodded and replied "I'll be more careful in future, though I doubt I'll be facing anymore life size chess sets in future in any case".
He had thanked her and promised to be more careful in the future, though he knew there was slim likelihood that he could keep to that promise.
As he walked with his brother Ron and his two best friends Neville and Hermione to the Great Hall for the leaving feast on the last day of term he grinned at the recollection of his friends meeting he and Ron outside of the hospital wing.
"Harry! Ron!". Harry grunted slightly from the impact as Hermione threw herself at he and Ron and somehow managed to hug both of them at once. "Are you both fully recovered?" she asked seriously as she relinquished the hug.
"We're fine, eh Ron", Harry replied with a grin.
"Yeah, that week of rest in the hospital wing worked wonders", he snorted "for the record though I am never facing life sized chess sets ever again!". All four of them laughed and then Neville came up to Harry and Ron and surprised them both by affectionately clapping them each on the shoulder "that was quite the adventure, eh guys?", he said with a grin.
"In spite of some parts of it, it was great fun", Harry agreed and Ron nodded. Hermione however muttered "boys!", in a long suffering tone.
Harry just knew that Neville and Hermione would be his and Ron's best friends for life, even in spite of the frequent arguments between his brother and Hermione.
"It sucks that Slytherin won the House Cup", Neville lamented.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all nodded feeling a bit downcast at this fact. "If only I hadn't been in the hospital wing for that last Quidditch game", Harry muttered with a sigh.
Ron punched his shoulder lightly and tried to cheer him up "look I've already told you, and so has the rest of the team, that no one blames you for not being able to play, because firstly we might have lost anyway since no match is a guaranteed win and not only that but you had a proper noble reason for not being able to play, you stopped a crazy teacher and Voldemort from stealing the Stone".
"Yeah but no one knows Voldemort was on Quirrell's head since that part is being kept quiet", Harry argued "and in any case I know Wood blames me since he didn't come to see me once when I was in the hospital wing".
Ron snorted. "Wood will get over it, it's not the end of the world no matter what he thinks right now Harry".
Hermione agreed. "There's more to life than Quidditch and I'm sure Wood will see that soon enough".
"Don't let it get you down Harry", Neville chipped in. "There's always next year for the team to win the cup and if you don't then so what?".
Harry felt cheered by their support. "Thanks guys, you're right, I'll stop moping now".
"Good, because you're no fun when you're brooding like this, it gets proper boring", Ron quipped.
"Shut up you git!", Harry playfully shoved Ron who playfully shoved him back.
"Boys!", Hermione interrupted with a laugh.
Neville continued to laugh at their antics as Harry and Ron playfully argued all the way over to the Gryffindor table.
"Here's an empty space", Ron pointed out. The foursome headed for the spot at the table he indicated, although Hermione and Neville went to take seats on the opposite side so they could both chat to Harry and Ron more easily.
Harry was just about to sit down when someone cleared their throat next to him. "Err...Harry, can I talk to you for a second?", Oliver Wood asked.
Harry noticed that his Quidditch Captain looked rather embarrassed and so he nodded. "Of course Oliver".
Wood rubbed the back of his neck and said "I'm sorry I didn't come to see you in the hospital wing Harry, that was very wrong of me. I understand now that you couldn't help being hurt and not able to play and I also understand that you are as upset as me that we didn't win the cup". He sighed "at the time I just felt so despondent that we didn't win the cup that I lost all sense and acted like a prat. As Fred, George and the girls all told me, there's always next year. Next year we'll crush them. I'm sorry about everything Harry, can you forgive me?".
Harry grinned. "Of course I can Oliver, I understand where you were coming from. Next year we'll crush them all and bring the cup back where it belongs". Wood grinned back and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
Harry went and sat down feeling much happier than he had earlier, though the sight of the green and silver Slytherin banners waving high above him affected his mood somewhat. He had hoped that Gryffindor could break Slytherin's streak at last. He looked over at the dais containing the Staff table and watched as Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Well another year at Hogwarts has come to an end. I hope you have all filled your brains full of knowledge and had much fun and laughter and sampled the many delights of the castle".
Dumbledore smiled at each of the four House tables before continuing his speech. "Before I allow you to sample the delights assembled by our wonderful house elves it is time to award the House Cup. He held the trophy aloft to show everyone. Harry grimaced as the Slytherins all cheered and whistled in delight at the sight of the cup. "Don't be celebrating yet Slytherin House, I have some last minute points to award and the points change could change the winner of the House Cup", Dumbledore said. The Slytherins fell silent and Harry noted, with satisfaction, that Draco Malfoy looked furious and he muttered "serves the git right if they don't win it".
Dumbledore was now staring at the Gryffindor table and Harry had the feeling that the old wizard was looking at he, his brother and their friends. "The first set of extra points I award to Mr Ronald Weasley for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years and for risking his life in pursuit of preventing a great crime. I award fifty points". Harry and Ron gaped at each other. Such added points moved them up into third place above Hufflepuff.
"Secondly, to Miss Hermione Granger for her excellent spell use and deduction skills I award fifty points". Hermione blushed hard as the rest of the students, save for Slytherin, clapped and the Gryffindor's all cheered her.
"Thirdly, to Mr Harry Potter-Weasley for his bravery in the face of adversity and not backing down from danger and saving the Philosopher's Stone I award fifty points", Dumbledore smiled.
Three of the four House tables were now murmuring amongst themselves with the loudest chatter being from the Gryffindor's as these additional points meant that Gryffindor House was now in second place and a mere twenty points behind Slytherin. It also seemed that Dumbledore was not finished as he said "and last but by no means least to Mr Neville Longbottom for showing loyalty to his friends despite the danger and for excellent observation skills and that helped to clear the way to save the Stone, I award fifty points".
A great cheer erupted from the Gryffindor table and Harry grinned as the four of them were hugged and slapped on the back by their housemates. It was a far cry from the treatment they had receive months earlier having lost fifty points each in the dragon incident and made Harry feel very happy inside.
"If my calculations are correct then these additional points necessitate a change in banners!", Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands and Harry watched in wonder as the silver and green serpent banners of Slytherin were replaced by the scarlet and gold lion banners of Gryffindor. "Thus the House Cup winners for this year, are Gryffindor, congratulations Gryffindor House", he applauded as did Hagrid and several other staff members.
The Gryffindor's broke out into raucous cheering and whistling once again as Professor Snape, much to Harry's satisfaction, reluctantly handed over the House Cup to Professor McGonagall. The Head of Gryffindor House accepted the cup with a smile and a tear in her eyes, something that Harry had not seen from her before. He was even surprised to catch his Head of House give him a nod and a small smile as if to say "well done". He smiled back feeling that the leaving feast was one of the best nights of his life.
The House Cup celebration in the Gryffindor common room had lasted for several hours that night until Professor McGonagall had stormed in looking furious "well really! I am just as pleased as the rest of you that we have won the House Cup but it is past time that you were all in bed, it is a busy day tomorrow!".
The morning after the leaving feast saw Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione alighting from a carriage near Hogsmeade Station and heading onto the platform with their luggage. "I hope we can get a compartment to ourselves", Ron yawned "I plan on getting a few hours of shut eye on the way to Kings Cross".
"Honestly Ronald, sometimes it seems like all you do is eat and sleep, it's like you're mirroring Scabbers or something", Hermione commented. Harry and Neville both laughed while Ron glared "I do other things too you know, I just happen to be quite tired this morning", he then grinned "wicked party last night wasn't it".
"It was a fun party alright", Harry agreed as they reached the train.
"All the parties this year have been fun", Neville chimed in and he added "unfortunately, gran doesn't like parties much so it's pretty dull at Longbottom Manor usually and we never really attend other people's parties either".
"Well we can change that this year", Harry told Neville with a grin and then told both Hermione and Neville "you're both invited to my birthday party in July. It's on the thirty-first".
"Thanks mate, I'll look forward to that", Neville grinned.
"The thirty-first? Oh I'm sorry Harry but I won't be able to make it I'm afraid. My mum and dad have...well they've grounded me for until August for the Philosopher's Stone escapade", Hermione told him apologetically.
Harry grimaced sympathetically. "I'm sorry about that Hermione. Hey maybe you could come to Ginny's birthday party in August, I know she'd love to have another girl there. The only female friend she currently has is Luna Lovegood who lives just over the hill".
"I'd be glad to come Harry, what date is it?", Hermione asked and when Harry told her she noted it down in her diary "so I won't forget", she told him.
Harry turned to Neville. "Why don't you come to Ginny's party too Nev, the more the merrier and all that".
"Well if you think I'd be welcome then I'd be happy to come", Neville smiled and said "I'd better start thinking of a present to buy her".
"Just as a hint, Ginny loves drawing and colouring things, so if you get her anything connected with that then she'll be happy", Ron told Neville and Hermione.
"Hello Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville", Hagrid greeted them with a warm smile as he stood on the platform.
"Hi Hagrid", they all replied with smiles.
"I'm glad I've had a chance to speak to you before you get on the train Harry. I've got a little present for you see", Hagrid told him. He took out a leather bound photo album and handed it to Harry. "I know yeh've got plenty o' photos of your mum and dad but I thought you'd like these. It's full of photos taken from their time at Hogwarts".
Harry glanced down at the photo album, flipped it open and smiled, a lump forming in his throat at the sight of the first image which showed James and Lily both in school uniform embracing each other as James twirled her around. "That was taken on their last day of school in seventh year", Hagrid informed him.
Harry blinked away tears as he hugged Hagrid around the waist and thanked him profusely. He loved any link to his birth parents. "Thank you so much Hagrid, this gift means a lot".
Hagrid patted him softly on the back and replied in a choked voice "you're very welcome Harry". The whistle blew "yeh'd better get on the train now. You four take care and enjoy your summer".
Harry and the others hurried aboard the train as Harry called out "enjoy your summer Hagrid, see you in September".
Luckily, it didn't take long for the foursome to find a compartment to themselves. They soon settled down to relax and enjoy the journey as the train puffed out of Hogsmeade Station. Ron placed his trunk beneath his feet and used it as a footstool as he closed his eyes and took a nap. Hermione took out a book on the history dragons and was soon engrossed in it's pages. Harry grinned at them both and then asked Neville "up for a game of exploding snap Nev?". Neville nodded "you bet!".
Harry took out a pack of exploding snap cards from his trunk and he and Neville were quickly lost to their surroundings as they enjoyed their game.
As the train puffed steadily southwards to London various people stopped by in their compartment to say hello and have a chat, including Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, Fred and George, who told Harry of their latest planned prank on Percy and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team with whom Harry had a lengthy conversation on all things Quidditch. Ron woke up at one point to declare that the Chudleigh Cannons would win the Quidditch league the next season, much to everyone else's derision given that the Cannons had not won the League in eight years.
Eventually, the train pulled into Kings Cross Station and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville headed from their compartment and exited the train with their luggage.
"Over here Harry and Ron!", Harry heard a voice call out and smiled as he caught sight of his mother through the milling crowds of parents, students and siblings.
Harry, Ron and their friends headed over to Mrs Weasley. "Hello my loves", Molly greeted her son's with a kiss each to the forehead and a hug and then informed them "your father would have been here as well but unfortunately he's been held up at work due to several biting teacups and an aggressive enchanted toaster". She warmly greeted Neville and Hermione before they went over to their grandmother and parents respectively.
"We'll see you soon yeah?", Harry said to Neville and Hermione with a grin.
"Have a good summer until we see you both", Ron added.
"You two won't be seeing anyone for a month!", Molly cut in.
Harry and Ron turned to frown at their mother. "What do you mean Mum?", Harry asked her.
Molly put her hands on her hips. "I did tell you that we would be talking about this whole Philosopher's Stone adventure business when you returned home, did I not?".
"Well yeah, but...", Ron tried to say.
"But nothing Ronald Bilius Weasley!", Molly snapped. She continued "yourself and your brother may have been very brave in keeping the Stone safe as were your two friends, but you were also very reckless and and should have given more thought to how worried and upset me and your father would be".
"But we were fine Mum!", Harry protested.
"Not another word Harry, you and your brother are grounded for a month!", Molly told them sternly.
Harry and Ron gaped at her in horror and then exchanged horrified glances with each other. "But we can still going flying, right?", Harry ventured.
"Your flying privileges and any other type of fun except for reading is revoked for a month. You shall spend the next month completing your summer homework and thinking about being more considerate to myself and your father in future".
"But Mum...", they tried.
"Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?", Molly demanded punctuating each word with a pause.
Harry and Ron both nodded miserably.
"Verbal agreement if you please", Molly said.
Harry and Ron sighed and as one they replied "yes Mum".
Harry and Ron waved goodbye to their friends and together with their siblings, who had just joined them, and their mother, they exited Platform 9 and 3/4 and out into the Muggle World.