9 Ch 9 - "Fighting" Baldymort
The potion to cross the fire is ready, the strategy is ready, ok, we had a Hogwarts to save (not really, Hogwarts was safe, to begin with).
I kept thinking about the trials, and I was always very cross about how childish they were until I realized something important... this was a school.
The trials were not meant to protect the stone, but to give a challenge to the students who managed to pass through the dog, to not kill them outright because of their curiosity. I was willing to bed that the dog was supposed to only injure the students and that the vines would only keep the students in place until help arrived.
Food for thought.
My train of thought was interrupted when someone entered McGonagall's office
"What are you three doing inside?"
It was Professor McGonagall, carrying a large pile of books.
"We want to see Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione, rather bravely, Harry and Ron thought.
"See Professor Dumbledore?" Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do.
"Why?"
Harry swallowed -- now what?
"It's sort of secret," he said, but he wished at once he hadn't, because Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared.
"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."
"He's gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?"
"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time --"
"But this is important."
"Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter.
"Look," said Harry, throwing caution to the winds, "Professor -- it's about the Sorcerer's tone --"
Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn't that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn't pick them up.
"How do you know --?" she spluttered.
"Professor, I think -- I know -- that Sn- that someone's going to try and steal the Stone. I've got to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
She eyed him with a mixture of shock and suspicion.
"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," she said finally. I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected."
"But Professor --"
"Potter, I know what I'm talking about," she said shortly. She bent down and gathered up the fallen books. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine."
At that I sighed, it seems she learned nothing from last time.
That night we all used the Invisibility Cloak and entered the room fluffy was locked into.
The trials went as expected till the last room.
"Brilliant job Hermione," I raised
"Which one will get you back through the purple flames?" asked Harry at Hermione who pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.
I decided to cut in.
"Harry quickly drink the ice potion, there is no time to lose, I know you want to go there personally after all so let us take care of the rest here."
He nodded hearing my urgency, he drank the potion and went through the fire
I then turned to Hermione put off by the things happening so quickly, I needed her to get away to finish the last-minute preparations or I would be late.
"Hermione," that got her attention "I will remain here and wait for Harry, you got to check on Ron and call or a professor. There is no time to lose"
She looked at me and nodded she took the potion and was about to drink it when she suddenly stopped to hug me and said "Please, be careful Chris" I nodded and hugged her back, and we stayed like that for a bit before she decided it was enough and drank the potion, disappearing through the purple flames.
I checked the other potions and found out they weren't poison but just a colored version of the draught of the living dead... I knew it, these trials were made for students.
With haste, I picked my fire resistance potion drank it, and checked if the fire hurt me, it didn't. If someone asked how I went through I would just say the flames departed briefly to let me in and I went through.
...
"See what I have become?" the face said. "Mere shadow and vapor ... I have form only when I can share another's body... but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds... Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks... you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest... and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own... Now... why don't you give me that stone in your pocket?"
That was what I heard when I entered the room, Invisibility Cloak on. Harry was struggling to lie to Voldy.
I readied my wand to cast a spell but I then noticed Quirrel readying his own. He probably noticed me so I changed the spell.
"Expelliarmus" I managed to cast it, and the spell traveled and hit his wand, I could see his wand travel to the flames and start burning however Quirrel was fast before my spell hit his wand he managed to cast something so quick I couldn't avoid.
Thankfully it wasn't a killing curse, not that I am surprised, that spell was impossible to do in that time frame. The spell was however an "Incarcerous".
"Ahh," said Voldemort half hissing half screaming "That was one quick spell, and who might this intruder be?"
I screamed
The spell was strong.
Voldemort walked towards me, squatting slightly on the ground to see me better.
"Ah Wielding, I remember you, the orphan who has gotten all Os in the tests. Not a bad spell that one. You could be so much more, such talent, untapped. However, it is a shame I know you will not join me"
"How does it feel" I croaked out as he was about to turn to Harry again who was slowly moving towards us, ready to protect me.
"What?" he asked turning his attention to myself
"How does it feel to be bested by a little baby?"
At that he raged, his hand went to my jugular to strangle me "Harry! Help!" I managed to say while I was trying to not die.
As I was about to pass out I heard a scream, the pressure on my throat lessened, and that immediately woke me up, my bindings became loose and I could see Quirrel slowly turning to sand.
Voldemort escaped and Harry was lying on the ground.
I was too weak. I could have died...
Harry could have died.
Things had to change.
No more mister follow the plot guy. I now understood what I had to do.
I picked up my brave friend and slowly went up the stairs. Knowing Dumbledore would be up there waiting for us.
...
Hermione didn't leave my side for even one second much to the amusement of McGonagall as I recounted the happenings to the professors while Harry was resting in the infirmary. At one point Dumbledore asked for a private chat and Hermione relented, but she would wait outside.
"He is trying to get back professor," he nodded
"That's what I feared." he looked sad as he shook his head, I continued
"He is still a parasite but he cannot die, he found a way to live on even without a body. What spell could even do that"
"There are some possibilities Mr.Wielding, I have been researching the topic for years, and right now I only have a couple of options, all of them at extremely evil," the Headmaster revealed surprisingly
"He will come back," I say with finality, he nodded sadly
"I knew you would catch on, the professors only have praise for you after all. Yes he will probably be back someday, we can only hope it will be as late as possible" he paused before continuing "I didn't call you only for that reason however, I wish to inform you that Ms. Weasley sent in a request to let you join her family during the summer break, we're you to accept we will make the necessary arrangements, you don't have to answer right now, I will give you a couple of days to think on it"
I couldn't think of anything, it was so unexpected, sure I sent her a letter and we talked some more sometimes in Ron's own letters but... that was it... Wow... This was a no-brainer. I also needed to deal with Wormtail after all.
"There is no need to think about it, professor, of course, I accept," I told him with a smile and he smiled back
"Now, I wouldn't want to keep you from your girlfriend Chris-"
"Girlfriend?" I asked confused
"You and Granger," said a very amused professor
"No, no professor we aren't like that," I said a bit embarrassed by the question but not giving any outer indication
"Ah, I thought... You two look very close, pardon me Chris" he apologized sincerely
I smiled at him "But, she will indeed kill me if I make her wait, women are sometimes scarier than Dark Lords" I told him chuckling as he did the same
"Isn't that the truth? Now go, enjoy the last few days Chris" I got up and went towards the door
"See you professor" he nodded and watched me leave with a genuine smile. Maybe the headmaster wasn't a bad person. Only time will tell.
...
Book 1 ended, this was a trial run. Book 2 will be longer and more focused on our protagonist and his growth and interest as a wizard.
I also didn't go for the close relationship with the professors route as it sounds forced to me.
Romance will be no surprise. Who else but her?
Have a nice week.
