chapter 29

Dumbledore now became very interested in a bird out on the windowsill, which gave Harry time to dry his eyes on the sheet. When he had found his voice again, Harry said, "And the invisibility cloak -- do you know who sent it to me?"

"Ah -- your father happened to leave it in my possession, and I thought you might like it." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Useful things... your father used it mainly for sneaking off to the kitchens to steal food when he was here."

"And there's something else..." said Dumbledore.

"Fire away", said Harry.

"Quirrell said Snape--" Harry starts.

"Professor Snape, Harry", Dumbledore corrected Harry.

"Yes, him -- Quirrell said he hates me because he hated my father. Is that true?" Harry wondered.

"Well, they did rather detest each other. Not unlike yourself and Mr. Malfoy. And then, your father did something Snape could never forgive", replied Dumbledore.

"What?" Wondered Harry and Key.

"He saved his life", said Dumbledore

"What?" asked Key.

"Yes... " said Dumbledore dreamily. "Funny, the way people's minds work, isn't it? Professor Snape couldn't bear being in your father's debt... I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even. Then he could go back to hating your father's memory in peace..."

Harry tried to understand this but it made his head pound, so he stopped.

"And sir, there's one more thing..." replied Harry.

"Just the one?" asked Dumbledore.

"How did I get the Stone out of the mirror?" asked Harry.

"I'm curious of that too", said Key.

"Ah, now, I'm glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that's saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the Stone -- find it, but not use it -- would be able to get it, otherwise they'd just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir of Life. My brain surprises even me sometimes... Now, enough questions. I suggest you make a start on these sweets. Ah! Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit flavored one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them -- but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?"

Dumbledore smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked and said, "Alas! Ear wax!"

Key giggles.

Harry and Key notice their friends by the door, while Madam Pomfrey comes.

Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was a nice woman, but very strict.

"Please", Harry and Key asked.

"No", replied Madam Pomfrey. "Unless you both lie down, fae or not, your magic is still weak".

"Fine, I will lie down", Key decided, then gets into the bed by Harry.

Madam Pomfrey let's Key and Harry's friends in.

Hermione looked ready to fling her arms around him again, but Harry was glad she held herself in as his head was still very sore.

"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to -- Dumbledore was so worried--"

"The whole school's talking about it," said Ron. "What really happened?"

"We are curious too", said Li.

"I was trying to keep Makai from going back because she sensed you were in danger", Keni tells Key.

"You could feel, when I was weak?" Key asks Makai.

"Of course, we are connected, now explain", replied Makai.

It was one of those rare occasions when the true story is even more strange and exciting than the wild rumors. Harry told them everything: Quirrell; the mirror; the Stone; and Voldemort. Ron and Hermione were a very good audience; they gasped in all the right places, and when Harry told them what was under Quirrell's turban, Hermione screamed out loud.

"No way! Quirrell", said Betty.

"I thought he was weird, but…"  replied Liza.

"Flamel is going to die", Ron acknowledged.

"That's what I said", said Harry. "Dumbledore also says he has enough elixir to set their affairs in order".

"Oh okay", said Syria.

"When I got back, I saw Dumbledore, he already knew-- he just said, 'Harry's gone after him, hasn't he?' and hurtled off to the third floor", Hermione tells Harry.

"So, he predicted that all this would happen, Dumbledore is a truly clever wizard, but how did he figure this out", said Key.

"He is a quite unique character", said Abigail, then gets up. "But, I need to go".

"Bye Abigail", said Key.

Abigail kisses Key on the forehead, then does the same to Harry.

"Get better, Harry, and Key, don't push yourself", said Abigail, then walks out of the hospital wing.

"Your five minutes are almost over", said Madam Pomfrey.

"Awww!" Replied Key's friends.

"Hold it, before we leave, I just realized something, if Dumbledore knew what was going to happen, did he mean to send you your father's cloak and everything?" asked Ron.

"Well," Hermione exploded, "if he did -- I mean to say that's terrible -- you could have been killed."

"No, it isn't," said Harry thoughtfully. "He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was an accident, he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could..."

"He is a funny man", said Key.

"Yeah, Dumbledore's off his rocker, all right," said Ron proudly. "Listen, you've got to be up for the end-of-year feast tomorrow. The points are all in and Slytherin won, of course -- you missed the last Quidditch match, we were steamrollered by Ravenclaw without you -- but the food will be good."

"Times up", said Madam Pomfrey, leading them out.

Harry and Key wave away.