Chapter 19. Under Hogwarts
That night, Harry and Anissa met Draco in their practice room against Saleena's objections. Harry brought out his invisibility cloak and the flute Hagrid had made him for Christmas. When Draco saw it, he raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Just in case. I don't feel like singing tonight." Harry answered Draco's look.
"Please don't," said Draco seriously.
"Hear, hear," quipped Anissa.
Harry rolled his eyes at their teasing, though he had to admit they were right about how terrible he was and threw the cloak over them. It was awkward trying to walk so close to two other people and Harry expected someone to catch them around every bend. It was a nerve-wracking journey.
They did see Mrs. Norris in the second-floor corridor, but she just purred and watched them pass by. They paused only long enough for Anissa to bend down quickly to give her a scratch. They were thankful for their friendship with the cat and Harry made a note to get her some treats.
When they reached the corridor where Fluffy was, they saw something on the floor near the open door. Cautiously, they moved closer and saw that it was an unconscious Professor Flitwick. Anissa gasped, she really liked Flitwick and hoped he was alright.
Harry motioned to the open door, and they could hear music coming from inside. Quirrell had already been there. Harry slid off the cloak and stuffed it in his pocket. They would not need it in there, and he did not want to lose it. Harry was amazed that the cloak always fit into any pocket he pushed it into and was glad he would have his hands free for whatever came next.
Harry entered Fluffy's room first. Fluffy was indeed asleep, and right next to his paw was the open trap door. Harry motioned the others forward as he crept nearer. Mybe they could pass the dog without waking him up.
Harry's luck did not hold out though, as was usual for him, and he tripped over the harp, which caused it to stop playing. He started to fall into the darkness beyond the trap door but felt someone grab him.
The feminine yelp that came from behind him, told him it was Anissa who was trying to stop him, but his momentum was too great. It pulled her along with him and they both fell through the hole, screaming from the unexpected drop.
Draco huffed, shaking his head as he stared after them. Then he felt hot breath on the back of his neck and his shorthairs stood tall. He turned slowly and looked up at three very angry dog heads. 'Nope.' thought Draco and jumped in after the other two.
Harry and Anissa had landed on something soft. Anissa quickly got up and moved to the wall, then Draco landed where she had been a few seconds later. She was nervous as she tried to see what was around them through the gloom.
"What is this?" asked Draco, looking at the plant-like thing he had landed on.
Draco gasped when he looked at Harry. The plant had wrapped itself around Harry's arms and legs and was starting to strangle him as he fought against it. Panic engulfed him when he realized what they were sitting on.
Before Draco could move though, the plant had wrapped around his waist and was binding his arms and legs as well. Draco looked over at Anissa standing against the wall with fear filled eyes, watching them in horror.
"Do something!" Draco yelled.
Anissa was panicking. Her two best friends were being killed by Devil's Snare. She tried to think of how to defeat it, but her mind was blank. She could not think of a single thing to help and just stared at them helplessly.
"Like what?"
"Devil's Snare hates light. Use fire on it." gasped Harry.
"But there's nothing to burn!" cried Anissa.
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD! YOU CONTROL FIRE!" bellowed Harry.
"Oh!"
In her panic, Anissa had forgotten that. Suddenly the room glowed blue as Anissa's body was covered in flames. The Devil's Snare receded quickly as Anissa walked towards the boys, and they were free. She hugged them both hard, her breath fast and her eyes glistening with tears.
"Honestly, Anissa – there's nothing to burn." teased Draco, squeezing her back. "That was brilliant though."
"This way," said Harry as soon as they moved away from the killer plant.
Harry led them down a sloping stone passageway. He almost wished for a Gringotts cart. That would be fun. He could imagine Anissa holding her arms up and yelling 'Weee!'. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth at the thought.
They quickly reached the end of the tunnel, and it opened into a bright chamber with an extremely high ceiling. There was no door in the chamber, just a large keyhole in the wall behind a table that had four books on it.
"What's this all about?" asked Anissa.
"I'm not sure but be vigilant. Who knows what the professors have put in here. We will have to find a way to get the key for that lock." Harry pointed at the wall.
"It must be in one of those books. We'll have to open them until we find the right one." reasoned Draco. "Be prepared for a fight. You know they will not make this easy."
Harry and Anissa had their wands at the ready and Draco bravely walked up to the table, picked up a large purple tome and with one last look at the two behind him, opened it. Black smoke swirled out and Draco's father was suddenly standing in front of him.
His wand was pointed at Draco's heart, and his eyes were full of hatred as he looked at his son. Draco dropped the book and stumbled back a couple steps, his face full of fear, as his father slowly came after him. Draco was shaking as his father's voice filled the room.
"You are a disgrace, Draco. I am ashamed. How could I be the father of such a disappointment?" Lucius said. "You are worthless scum dirtying the Malfoy name. You should have never been born."
Draco's eyes filled with tears at the hurtful words as he kept taking steps back from his worst fear. That his father hated him enough to want to kill him. He had always had a small hope that his father really loved him underneath it all. Harry realized what was happening fairly quickly and yelled at Draco.
"It's not your father, Draco, it's a boggart! Don't listen to it!"
Draco barely heard Harry over the fear and pain pulsing through his body. Harry tried to get to Draco, but something was blocking him. Harry pounded on the invisible wall. Anissa joined him, trying to get to Draco.
"I should have killed you when you wanted to play with that filthy Half-blood when you were younger. I knew then that you would be worthless. I can remedy that now. Say goodbye, Draco."
Lucius's wand started to glow green, and Draco stared at the wand in horror. He snapped out of his trance when he heard Anissa scream his name. It was like the rest of the world suddenly snapped back into focus. He would not let his father have this power over him anymore.
Draco stiffened his shoulders, lifted his wand, and shouted, "Riddikulus!"
Lucius Malfoy turned into a clown that was shooting bubbles out of his wand and dancing around. Knowing what Draco's father was really like, the three could not help but laugh, and the boggart disappeared.
"Are you okay Draco?" asked Anissa, wrapping her arms around Draco's waist. Draco took a deep shuddering breath.
"Whatever that spell was, I want to learn it," added Harry.
Draco had heard his mother cast that spell when a boggart was found under a cabinet in the drawing room. She had turned it into something that had made her laugh, and it had disappeared. Draco had never cast the spell before, and he was glad that it had worked. The alternative was unthinkable.
When Draco nodded, Harry turned to grab an old ragged brown book the size of a postcard. He moved away from the others and turned to see them watching him warily. Who knew what was about to come out of that little book.
"Brace yourselves," Harry said.
Harry opened the book and out flew thousands of little, colorful birds. Anissa screamed and Draco covered her with his body. Harry dropped the book and covered his head, but the birds just stayed above them.
"Well, that was frightening," Anissa said shakily.
"I won't let them hurt you," Draco promised.
Harry looked at his two best friends. Draco was still hovering protectively over Anissa, and Harry smiled at them. He was happy that Draco was protective of Anissa. He wondered if they like liked each other.
Harry turned his attention back to the birds. They seemed to be darting around randomly, making it hard to follow a single bird, but he soon came to realize that the quick darts happened when the birds were transferring something to each other.
"The birds are carrying something. Look, they pass what they're holding to other birds. I think we have to collect what they have." said Harry.
"How are we going to do that? They are up so high." asked Anissa.
"There," Draco pointed, and behind the table were three brooms that were not there just a second ago. They must have come out of the book too.
"Alright," said Harry. "We are going to have to be quick. Draco, you and I will get the pieces. Anissa, you put them together on the table. Hopefully they will form the key."
Draco grabbed a broom and tossed it to Harry, then grabbed his own and took off. Instantly, the birds started flying faster and the ones not carrying the pieces attacked the boys. Harry and Draco zoomed around the room, fending off the attacks, snagging birds, and taking the pieces to Anissa.
The birds were fast, but Harry was not the youngest Seeker in a century for nothing. Five minutes later, Anissa had a large key, and she was unlocking the now visible door. The birds suddenly became docile and the scratches that had covered the boy's skin, vanished.
Harry looked at the other two, checking to make sure they were alright. If that was the first real protection down here, he was worried about what else they would encounter. With a nod from the other two, Harry led them through the door. The next chamber was pitch black, so they entered cautiously.
"What is this place?" asked Draco.
"I don't like this, it's creepy," said Anissa.
Draco put his arm around Anissa's shoulders and pulled her into his side. Suddenly, torches lit up the cavernous room to reveal a giant chessboard. The figures on the board towered over them by five feet and looked very intimidating. Fire ringed the board and another door was seen on the wall opposite of them.
"Min," All three said with big smiles. Minerva was known for being a wiz at chess. So far, she has been unbeatable.
"You're the best at chess, Draco, you lead them," said Harry.
Draco nodded, and lifting his head in pride at Harry's confidence in him, released Anissa and walked over to the black king and placed his hand on it. The king turned its head and looked down at Draco.
"Do I direct you or do we have to play?" asked Draco. In answer three pieces left the board. Draco gave the others a pointed look with a raised brow. "Well, that answers my question. Alright, Anissa you go to that square where the castle was." Draco pointed. "Harry, you take the bishop's place. I'll take the knights."
They took their place and the game was on. Harry watched Draco with amazement. He really was a brilliant strategist. Pieces were smashed and dragged off the board with no mercy and Anissa cringed every time.
Most of the pieces were gone when Draco paused and studied the board. He sighed and shook his head. That caused Harry to quickly look to see what Draco saw. He turned to Draco wishing he did not know what would need to happen.
"You see correctly, Harry. I've got to be taken, then you can check the king." stated Draco.
"What? No!" shouted Anissa, worried for Draco.
Draco turned sad eyes on Anissa. "That's chess. Harry, once I make my move, you make yours. We don't have time to argue. Quirrell could already have the stone, and you don't want to lose your bet."
Draco smirked at the shock on both Harry's and Anissa's faces. As if he did not know. Those two were always pranking each other and betting on things. He was just glad they left him out of it… usually. Draco took a deep breath, knowing this was going to hurt, stepped forward and bravely stood tall as the queen smoothly backhanded him. He flew a few feet and crashed into the smashed piece of a pawn as Anissa screamed his name.
"Don't move, Anissa," commanded Harry, just in case she was about to run to Draco.
He could see the fear and worry on her face as she stared at Draco's unmoving body. Harry moved in front of the king and the king bowed to him as the rest of the players moved to the side of the board, clearing the way to the far door.
Harry nodded then turned and ran to Draco's side. Anissa beat him there and was holding Draco's head in her lap. Worried, Harry did a quick diagnostic on Draco to find some bruising, a small cut on his face, and a concussion.
Harry quickly healed those and made sure Draco was comfortable before they moved on to the next chamber. They were running out of time, and who knew how many more protections they had to get through.
Harry went first, and as soon as Anissa crossed the threshold, a purple fire sprang up behind her and a black one in front of them, covering the door they had to get through. In the center of the room was a table with seven bottles lined up in a row.
"This must be Snape's doing," said Anissa. Harry picked up the piece of parchment lying next to the bottles.
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore.
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
"It's a riddle and a puzzle," Anissa said in delight. She liked the challenge of beating riddles, something they often did to try to stump the other with. "It's rather brilliant. Not many wizards are good at this sort of thing."
"Well, this will take a minute to decipher," said Harry, already looking at the bottles.
He was going over the riddle and pointing at the bottles as he mumbled. Anissa was eyeing a bottle that had a bit of spilled potion sticking out from under it and it got her thinking. Harry, noticing her preoccupation, asked if she had already solved it.
"No, but I find this interesting," Anissa picked up the bottle. "This one has some potion under it but none of the others do. Why would that be, unless it is the one that lets you go through. Quirrell has already come through, so he must have taken it to pass and spilt some in his hurry." reasoned Anissa.
Seeing where Anissa was going, Harry saw a problem, and quickly pointed it out. "There looks to only be enough for one of us. We'll still need to solve the riddle so the other can get back."
Anissa was way ahead of him. "Do you trust me, Harry?"
"Of course I do." Harry looked affronted. Anissa opened the bottle and drank it, shivering as it went through her body. Harry stared at her in shock. "What are you doing!?"
"I figure the teachers would have to have a way to check on the stone multiple times. They wouldn't want to have to bring a new potion each time they came, so they have to have a refilling charm on the bottle." said Anissa.
"Wow, that's genius," praised Harry. "You better be right, because I'm not letting you go through to the next chamber without me."
Hoping they were right, Anissa placed the potion bottle back on the table where it had originally sat, and it instantly refilled. Harry looked at Anissa and she nodded back with a smile, then she grabbed the bottle and handed it to Harry.
Harry swallowed the potion, and it felt like ice had flooded his body. He felt it move through his veins and shivered at the weird feeling. Anissa took Harry's hand, and they walked into the flames. They came out of the other side and there was Quirrell, standing in front of the Mirror of Erised.
"We knew it was you," said Harry.
Quirrell turned around and smiled. "Yes, I thought I'd see you two down here. You're too nosey not to be."
Harry held his hand out to Anissa, curling his fingers at her. "I won, he doesn't have it,"
Anissa rolled her eyes. "I don't have a Galleon on me, you dolt,"
Quirrell's jaw dropped. "You bet on if I'd have the stone by the time you arrived?"
"Of course. Gotta make it interesting, yeah?" said Harry cheekily. Quirrell shook his head and turned back to look at the mirror, his head tilted. Walking around it, Quirrell ignored them and started talking to himself.
"This mirror is the key to getting the stone, but how do I get it? Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this."
"Use the boy," a whispery voice echoed through the chamber.
Harry and Anissa looked around but saw no one else in the chamber. Inside Harry's head, Saleena was very upset, but Harry could not understand what she was trying to tell him. Quirrell looked at Harry and Harry hissed in pain, clapping a hand to his forehead. Anissa turned to him in concern.
"Potter, you will help me get the stone," commanded Quirrell.
"Um, I don't think so," smirked Harry, looking at Quirrell from under his hand.
"Stupefy!"
The attack was too quick to block, and Anissa flew back into the wall and crumpled to the ground. Fear filled Harry as he ran to her but fell over before he reached her, his legs bound by ropes. Harry easily got rid of them with a wave of his hand and checked on Anissa. Luckily, she was just knocked out.
"How did you – never mind. Now, you will help me." demanded Quirrell.
Harry growled but decided he might as well get the stone. The sooner he did, the sooner he could get it and Anissa out of there. He walked over and stood in front of the mirror, sending a glare at Quirrell standing right behind him. Harry's scar burned at his close proximity.
In the mirror, Harry was smirking, and Anissa was standing next to him with her arm wrapped around his waist. She pulled her other arm from behind her back and held up a blood-red stone the size of a golf ball.
She gave Harry a cheeky grin, kissed him on the cheek, and put the stone in Harry's pocket. Real Harry felt the weight of the actual stone drop into his pocket and smiled back. It really was quite ingeniously done. He was impressed with his grandpa's skills.
Quirrell, seeing the smile, demanded, "What do you see?"
Harry smirked, keeping his face turned away. "I see my parents. They are standing beside me, telling me how much they love me."
"Worthless!" Quirrell cursed and shoved Harry aside. Harry stumbled, then rushed to Anissa's side, who had just come to and was trying to sit up.
"He lies!" Again, that voice from nowhere. "Let me speak to him."
Quirrell obediently unwrapped his turban and turned to face the mirror. Harry gagged and Anissa gasped when he removed his purple headgear. There on the back of Quirrell's head was a face: chalk white, glaring red eyes and slits for a nose. Saleena hissed threateningly and Harry now understood what she had been trying to tell him.
"No wonder he kept that covered with a cloth. I wouldn't want to look at that either." Harry said softly, so only Anissa could hear. Anissa nodded lightly, holding her head in pain. Harry sent a quick healing burst through his hand on her shoulder and Anissa smiled at him in gratitude.
"We meet again, Harry Potter," the cold high voice said, drawing their attention.
Harry decided he would have some fun with Old Voldy. If he could keep him talking, then maybe Dumbledore or another teacher might realize they are missing and arrive to help them. As much magic as Harry knew, he knew he was not ready to take on a full-grown wizard. He needed to learn how to fight first.
"Who are you?"
Anissa looked at Harry from the corner of her eye, they both knew who this was, but she just stood there and let Harry take the lead. She trusted him to know what he was doing and hoped he had a plan to get them out of there alive because she had nothing.
"You do not know who I am?" Voldemort asked incredulously. He was put out that his nemesis did not know who he was.
"Sorry, no. Who are you?" Harry asked sounding bewildered. Anissa had to hold in a giggle. So not the time to laugh. But it was hard, seeing the look of disbelief on Voldemort's face.
"I was the most powerful wizard in the world until you took that from me, but I am a forgiving, mercifulLord," Voldemort said, trying to hint at his name. "I can tell you are magically strong, and you would be a useful addition to my cause. Join me and you will be rewarded. I can bring back your parents and you can be with them again. Give me the stone, and it shall be done."
Harry thought about it for a second. It was a very tempting offer and a longing for his parents rose within him. Having his parents again would be amazing, he would be able to leave the Dursleys, but he knew nothing could bring back the dead.
No spell or potion could give him what he desired. Voldemort would just kill him so he could be with his parents and hold up his side of the bargain, and Harry was not even close to ready for that. Anissa shifted and it brought Harry out of his thoughts.
"Wait, I remember hearing about you now. You're Vol-Voldy…"
"Very good, Harry." Voldemort cut Harry off, gleeful that he was too scared to say his name. His red eyes gleamed in pride. "Give me the stone in your pocket, and you will never have to fear my name again." Voldemort lied.
Harry removed the stone from his pocket, held it up, and looked at it. It was a curious artifact. Blood red and seemed to have a glow emitting from its center. Harry looked back at Voldemort with a smirk.
"I do not fear your name. I know exactly who you are — Tom Riddle. As for my parents, I will see them when the time comes for us to be reunited."
"You dare call me by my father's filthy Muggle name!?"
Harry shrugged, "It's easier to remember, Tom or that ridiculous moniker you gave yourself. Muggles like to give themselves nicknames too. I guess I could call you V-dog if you don't fancy Tom."
Anissa could not hold it in anymore and had to turn her face into Harry chest. She was laughing so hard. Voldemort's face at being compared to Muggles was hilarious. It was a combination of shocked and disgusted.
"KILL HIM!" Voldemort shrieked furiously.
Harry knew that this was it. He quickly pushed Anissa away from him as Quirrell turned and rushed at them. He did not want her in the line of fire and possibly getting hit by the grown wizard. Just before Quirrell tackled him, Harry tossed the stone to Anissa.
"Destroy it!" Harry yelled.
Harry wrestled with Quirrell, keeping him away from his sister, as Anissa stomped on the stone. Pain seared Harry's body at Quirrell's touch, but the sound of cracking and crunching made Harry smile in spite of it.
"NO!" Quirrell yelled.
Quirrell scrambled up, pulled out his wand and aimed it at Anissa. Harry quickly grabbed Quirrell's arm to steer his wand away and Quirrell started screaming. Quirrell staggered back, his arm was blistered and smoking. Harry's hands were blistered too but he knew what he had to do. Despite the consequences to himself, Harry grabbed Quirrell's face and did not let go.
Screaming, Quirrell turned to ash in Harry's hands. Harry staggered back, his hands burning painfully and a liquid trickling down his forehead. He stared between his extremely burnt hands and what was left of the Quirrell/Voldemort hybrid in disbelief. He had just killed a man. His stomach lurched and he thought he might vomit.
Suddenly, a dark mist rose from the ashes and formed into a semi-human shape. Harry stepped back, knowing this was Voldemort and not wanting to be touched by it, in case he would then be possessed as well. An inhuman screech filled the chamber as it flew right at Harry. Harry dove to the side and the mist flew out of the chamber.
Anissa ran to Harry, helped him up and hugged him. Then she carefully took his hands and healed what she could. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as the burning started to ease. The rest could be healed by Poppy. He wiped a hand across his face, realizing the liquid he had felt was blood, and quite a bit of it.
Harry and Anissa looked up, both had their wands out and a curse on their lips, a few moments later when Professor Albus and Draco suddenly rushed into the chamber. Albus looked at them, then at the crushed stone and the ashes surrounding Quirrell's cloak, then back to them.
"Well, it appears we missed all the action,"
After being thoroughly checked and fussed over by Madam Pomfrey, Harry, Anissa and Draco were sitting in front of the headmaster's desk. Minerva was pacing behind them, occasionally petting their hair, or squeezing a shoulder.
She felt horrible for not believing them, therefore making them feel the need to protect the stone themselves. They had just finished telling them the story about how they found out about the Philosopher's Stone, why they went after it, and what had happened once they went through the trap door.
"I must commend you three on your achievements. You have done a great service to this school and for the wizarding world. Therefore, I'm awarding each of you an award for special services to the school."
"Thank you, sir." they said, embarrassed. Minerva huffed.
Albus smiled brightly. "I'm sure you have some questions. I will try to answer them, but there are some things that I cannot speak of." They all nodded, and Harry started first.
"First off, Headmaster, we wanted to say that we are sorry about your friend, Nicolas Flamel. We didn't think about what it would mean when we destroyed the stone, but we understand now that he will die without it."
"Oh, you know about Nicolas? You did do it right." Albus smiled wider, his eyes twinkling brightly. "Nicolas and I knew that Voldemort would be after the stone. He chose death rather than allow Voldemort to have it, so we agreed to move it here. The choice of his ending was made long before you destroyed the stone." assured Albus, which lifted some of the guilt from them.
"Why did Quirrell die when Harry touched him?" asked Anissa.
"I know you have been told about Harry's mother sacrificing herself for him. When she did, she cast a blood protection on him. A mother's love is extremely powerful, and as long as that protection lives in Harry, Voldemort cannot touch him. Quirrell, who was full of hatred and greed, and sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch Harry without incinerating himself."
"Blood protection? Is that why I live with my aunt? Since her blood is the same as mine, does that protect me from Riddle while I live there?" Harry asked softly.
There went Harry's hopes of ever leaving his horrible life at the Dursley's. Anissa and Draco look at him with sadness, knowing exactly what he was thinking. Albus and Minerva looked at Harry in shock, surprised at how quickly he made that leap from the little bit of information given. If they were not careful, Harry could discover everything.
"Yes, my boy. I used your mother's sacrifice to make a strong blood ward around your aunt's house to protect you from Voldemort and his followers. They cannot get to you as long as the Dursleys accept you into their home."
So, Dumbledore was the one who gave him to the Dursleys. Harry wondered, if he asked, would Dumbledore find a way to get him out of there. Harry stared at the floor, thinking that he really only needed protection from those in the house. It was quiet for a minute until Draco broke the uncomfortable silence.
"Sir, how did Harry get the stone from the mirror?" asked Draco.
"Ah, I'm glad you asked me that, my boy. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and that is saying something. Only someone who wanted to find the stone, but not use it, would be able to get it out of the mirror. My brain surprises even me sometimes." Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"And my invisibility cloak? Was it you who gave it to me?" asked Harry.
Minerva's head snapped up at that and she scowled at Albus. He gave James's cloak to Harry? Was she going to have another Marauders group on her hands? At least this time she had intimate access to them to try to guide them better than she had Harry's father and his group of troublemakers.
"Yes, my boy. I thought you'd like to have it. Your father mainly used it to sneak to the kitchens to steal food. Now enough questions, I'm sure your admirers would love to talk with you."
"Admirers?" asked Anissa.
"What happened down in the chamber between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so naturally, the whole school knows." Albus' eyes twinkled brightly as the trio groaned.