A Gentle Push

Artel moved stealthily behind Harry, prepared to assist Snape in a crucial moment.

Snape eyed the vacant corridor with suspicion, his intuition signaling the presence of something unsettling. Recent peculiar occurrences at Hogwarts heightened Snape's sensitivity, strengthening his belief in the accuracy of his intuition.

With deliberate caution, Snape extended his hand, fingers splayed, demonstrating a slow but resolute motion.

Quirrell, observing from the sidelines, stared at Snape in bewilderment. Internally, his turmoil intensified. He knew Snape had detected him, likely intent on retaliation for his antics. Yet, the unfolding situation puzzled Quirrell.

While Harry, horrified, covered his mouth and tentatively retreated, he hadn't anticipated Snape's heightened vigilance capable of discerning his presence beneath the invisibility cloak.

Just as Harry contemplated escaping, an unexplained force from behind pushed him forward.

Snape's hand jerked violently, seizing hold of something. The invisibility cloak, once Harry's refuge, was forcefully torn away by Snape.

With parchment in hand, Harry materialized in front of a startled Snape and Quirrell.

"AAAAAA.....Oh! Oh... it's Harry?"

Quirrell, caught off guard by the sudden appearance, recoiled in fright. He remembered his identity and Snape's presence, forcing himself to hold back an avada kedavra.

Snape found himself at a loss, surprised that a simple grab had resulted in capturing Harry Potter. It seemed as though Harry had been standing there, almost inviting Snape to unveil his invisibility cloak.

"Fantastic," Snape sneered, a wry smile forming at the corner of his mouth. However, the presence of someone like Quirrell, standing in the way, made Snape reconsider. He withdrew his smile, turned to Quirrell, and addressed him coldly:

"Professor Quirrell, it seems our conversation will have to be postponed. We'll talk another day... when you've decided whom you wish to be loyal to!"

Quirrell hesitated, his eyes fixated on the invisibility cloak now in Snape's possession. Reluctantly, he replied, "Um... this... okay."

The prospect of possessing the cloak crossed Quirrell's mind, realizing it could facilitate the theft of the Philosopher's Stone and fulfill Voldemort's task. However, the fear of confronting Snape kept him from acting. He knew he was no match for Snape.

Snape followed Quirrell's gaze and cast a disdainful look at the invisibility cloak in his hand. This, he knew, was James Potter's possession. Believing it to be lost, Snape was surprised to see it end up in Harry's hands, likely a gift from Dumbledore.

"Well, then I'll go first," Quirrell said, turning away. Snape, still sneering, shifted his attention to Harry, who was still in a daze.

"Harry Potter, this is the third time you've been caught on a night tour! You're so persevering! How stupid!" Snape mocked, his disdain evident in his words.

He raised the invisibility cloak in his hand and remarked:

"Your father relied on this thing, and he never got caught. It's a pity you didn't inherit his 'intelligence'!"

Harry took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. Ignoring Snape's cynical tone, he glanced back at the empty corridor, feeling as though someone had genuinely pushed him from behind.

"If only I had known, I should have made a run for it!"

Despite wearing the invisibility cloak, Harry believed that even if Snape suspected someone's presence, he couldn't possibly identify him.

Now, caught red-handed by Snape, Harry pondered his impending punishment. Just as he silently scolded himself, Snape continued:

"Now, accompany me to the office. We should have a good chat."

Snape, hands behind his back, turned around and headed toward the basement. Harry pursed his lips, his expression reflecting a sense of resignation, and followed suit.

"Professor Snape? Someone locked me in at the forbidden area... oh, you caught the troublemaker?"

Filch, appearing with a broken oil lamp, wore a malicious smile as he noticed Harry trailing behind Snape.

"Harry Potter, it's you again! Let's see if you dare roam around after this!"

Harry raised his gaze, saying nothing.

Filch snorted triumphantly, hugged his cat, Mrs. Norris, and gleefully ascended the stairs to inspect other floors throughout Hogwarts.

.....

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