Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Part 2)

(Open POV)

Inside a Quidditch tower...

The Gryffindor team is marching toward the starting gate. They reach it and stop, behind a closed double door.

"Scared, Harry?" Oliver asked.

"A little." Harry said, frowning.

"That's all right. I felt the same way before my first game."

"What happened?"

"Er, I don't really remember. I took a Bludger to the head two minutes in. Woke up in the hospital a week later." Oliver said, sadly.

Harry gulps and looks straight ahead as the doors open. They mount their brooms and zoom out onto the enormous pitch. There is cheering.

Quidditch Stadium...

Lee Jordan, the Quidditch commentator, is announcing from a tower, "Hello! And welcome to Hogwarts' first Quidditch game of the season! Today's game, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor!"

Jared is looking around the tower to see Gryffindor students cheering.

"Gryffindor!" Neville said, happily.

The players take their positions in the air in a circle. Harry weaves in, highest amongst. He looks down.

"The players take their positions as Madam Hooch steps out onto the field to begin the game!" Lee said.

"Now, I want a nice, clean game from all of you!" Hooch said, looking at Slytherin.

Hooch kicks the trunk, and the Bludgers zoom out.

"The Bludgers are up, followed by the Golden Snitch. Remember, the Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game." Lee said.

"So different from a baseball game." Jared said, as the Snitch zooms around each Seeker's head, then disappears.

Hooch grabs the Quaffle.

"The Quaffle is released and the game begins!" Lee said, excitedly.

Gryffindor takes possession of the ball and a chaser, Angelia Johnson, zooms past the Slytherins towards their goal, and throws the ball, and scores! There is a ding.

"Angelina Johnson scores! 10 points for Gryffindor!" Lee said, pressing a button and a 10 shows up beside a plaque with Gryffindor's name.

Harry, in the air, claps.

"Yes!" Harry said, and a Bludger suddenly zooms by him. "Whoa!"

In the stands, Gryffindor and Jared cheer.

"Well done!" Hagrid said, smiling.

"Slytherin takes possession of the Quaffle. Bletchley passes to Captain Marcus Flint." Lee said.

Flint dodges people and throws for the Gryffindor hoops. Oliver appears and whacks the ball away with his broom. He smirks at Flint, who glares. Johnson and Katie Bell pass the Quaffle back and forth as they strategize to score. Johnson takes it, throws, and once again scores!

"Yay!" Ron and Seamus said, at the same time.

"Yes!" Harry said.

"They're doing well." Jared said, taking out some cotton candy from his backpack to snack on it. "Really well."

"Another 10 points to Gryffindor!" Lee said, adding another 10 to the score with a ding.

"Yay!" The Gryffindors and Jared said, at the same time.

The Slytherins decide to get messy. They dodge, kick, and try to score. Once again, Oliver blocks.

"Give me that!" Flint said, grabbing a beater's bat from one and whacks a Bludger right at Oliver.

The Blueger hits Oliver directly in the stomach and he plummets to the ground, knocked out.

This causes the entire audience to boo; Harry is visibly upset as the Slytherins laugh. The Slytherin members head off. One jumps over George (or Fred) and scores. Lee adds 10 points to the plaque with Slytherin's name. Harry is upset again. Slytherin cheers.

"Take that side!" Flint said, looking at his teammates.

They box Johnson in and sent her into the capes covering one of the towers. She falls down in and is out. The crowd boos. Slytherin scores once again.

Suddenly, Harry sees the Snitch. He starts to head off after it and then suddenly his broom starts bucking and turning.

"Whoa! Whooa!" Harry yelled.

"What's going on with Harry's broomstick?" Hagrid asked.

"Let me have a look." Jared said, taking out his iPhone 15 Pro Max with its camera out and zooming it into 5x at Harry, then at Snape, who is visibly muttering. "Damn! It's Snape! I think he's jinxing the broom!"

"Jinxing the broom? What do we do?" Ron asked, looking between Hermione and Jared.

"Leave it to me." Hermione said, handing Ron her binoculars and leaving the stands.

Harry is knocked and thrown around, then falls, dangling by one arm from the broom.

"Come on, Hermione!" Ron said, concerned.

Hermione is hurrying up in the tower structures. She appears underneath Snape and touches his cloak with her wand.

"Lacarnum Inflamarae." Hermione said, quietly.

A spark ignites and Snape's cloak catches fire. Hermione quickly leaves.

"Fire! You're on fire!" A man yelled.

"What? Oh!" Snape said, knocking the man back, who falls into Quirrell, who then also falls.

Snape bats out the fire and acts as though nothing happened. The broom stops bucking, and Harry climbs back on. The Slytherin seeker is after the Snitch. Harry takes off.

"Go!" Ron said.

"Go, go, go!" Hagrid said.

"You got this, Harry!" Jared said, as Harry rams the Slytherin Seeker, then is butted out.

Harry returns, smashing the Seeker again as the Snitch dives. The boys follow, but they approach the ground quickly. The Slytherin Seeker backs out, and Harry pulls up his broom as he follows the Snitch, feet above the ground. Harry stands up, and steps forward, trying to grab the ball. He goes too far, and topples off the broom with a yelp, tumbling on the ground. He gets up and lurches. The crowd gasps. Hermione appears beside a tower to see.

"Looks like he's gonna be sick!" Hagrid said.

Harry lurches and the Snitch pops out of his mouth. It lands in his hands.

"He's got the Snitch! Harry Potter receives 150 points for catching the Snitch!" Lee said.

"Gryffindor wins!" Hooch said, blowing her whistle whilst riding on her broomstick.

The crowd cheers in joy, including Gryffindor.

"No!" Draco said, dismayed.

"Yes!" Hagrid said, happily.

"Whoo-hoo!" Hermione said, excitedly.

McGonagall giggles happily. Harry raises the Snitch into the air and the crowd, and his team, cheers.

"Go, go, Gryffindor! Go, go, Gryffindor! Go, go, Gryffindor! Go, go, Gryffindor!" The crowd said.

Path...

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Jared are walking along a path with Hagrid, talking.

"Nonsense! Why would Snape put a curse on Harry's broom?" Hagrid asked.

"Who knows? Why was he trying to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween?" Harry asked.

"Who told you about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked, turning to them, suspiciously.

"Fluffy?" Ron asked.

"That thing has a name?" Hermione asked.

"Of course he's got a name. I knew a horse named Susan and another horse named Arthur. And that dog is Hagrid's." Jared said, snacking on some chocolate chip cookies. "How did you get him again, Hagrid?"

"It's a long story, Jared." Hagrid said, smiling. "You can't have Fluffy. He's mine. I bought him off an Irish feller I met down at the pub last year. Then I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the..."

"Yes?" Harry asked.

"Shouldn't have said that. No more questions! Don't ask any more questions. That's top secret, that is." Hagrid said, annoyed.

"But, Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's guarding, Snape's trying to steal it."

"Codswallop. Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher."

"Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one. I've read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking." Hermione said.

"Exactly." Harry said, happily.

"Now, you listen to me, all four of yeh." Hagrid said, letting out a sigh. "Yer meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous. What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."

"Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked, curiously turning back to Ron and Jared then back to Hagrid.

"I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that." Hagrid said, mumbling to himself before leaving and mumbling to himself again. "I should have not said that".

"Nicholas Flamel." Harry said, turning Hermione. "Who's Nicholas Flamel?"

"I don't know." Hermione said, shaking her head. "Jared, do you know?"

"Spoilers!" Jared said, excitedly.

Hogwarts....

It is now Christmas, with snow falling. Hagrid is dragging a massive Christmas tree to the castle. Hermione walks to the Great Hall entrance with Jared carrying her luggage and wearing a scarf as the ghosts are singing Christmas songs.

"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Ring the Hogwart bell. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas..." The ghosts said, singing.

Hermione and Jared look from the massive Christmas tree as Flitwick uses his wand to put another ornament on the tree to Harry and Ron as they play Chess and walks towards them.

"Knight to E5." Harry said, while the Knight moved to its destination.

Hermione walks up behind Harry.

"Queen to E5." Ron said, with a smug face.

Hermione and Jared watch as Ron's queen goes over to Harry's knight and whacks the knight with her chair.

"That's awful!" Jared said, as Ron grins. "That's the most outlandish version of chess I have ever seen!"

"Same." Hermione said, with a shocked face. "That's totally barbaric!"

"That's wizard's chess." Ron said, looking over at Hermione. "I see you've packed."

"I see you haven't." Hermione said, scoffing.

"Change of plans, my parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie. He's studying dragons there."

"Good. You and Jared can help Harry, then. He's going to go and look in the library for information on Nicholas Flamel." Hermione said, happily.

"We've looked a hundred times!" Ron said, angrily.

"We haven't looked in the restricted section yet." Jared said, leaning over on the table closer to Ron and Harry.

"He's right, we haven't. Happy Christmas." Hermione said, leaving Ron, Harry, and Jared.

"I think we've had a bad influence on her." Ron said, looking at Harry and Jared.

It is now Christmas morning. Ron is waking Harry and Jared up.

"Harry, Jared, wake up! Come on, Harry, Jared, wake up!" Ron said, from downstairs.

Harry puts on his glasses and runs out of bed. He then looks down at Ron. Jared ran out of bed, wearing his hoodie and jeans and also looked down at Ron.

"Happy Christmas, Harry and Jared." Ron said, looking up at Harry and Jared.

"Happy Christmas, Ron, Jared." Harry said, noticing Ron's sweater. "Ron, what are you wearing?"

"Oh." Ron said, looking down at his sweater. "My mum made it." He looks back up at Harry. "It looks like you and Jared have got one too."

"I-I've got presents?" Harry asked.

"Yeah!" Ron said, nodding his head.

"Come along, Harry." Jared said, smiling.

Harry runs down the staircase with Jared to see his presents.

"There they are." Ron said, happily.

Harry sees a note on the present and opens it, reading it out, "'Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well'."

Harry looks over to Ron and Jared, who shrugs their shoulders.

"Well, I'm not spoiling it for you." Jared said, while Harry proceeds to open the remainder of his present. "It'll ruin the fun."

"Fair point." Harry said, pulling out a blanket-like object.

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"It's some kind of cloak." Harry said, looking down at the object.

"Well, let's see, then. Put it on." Ron said, as Harry then wraps the cloak around his shoulders, making his body invisible. "Whoa!"

"My body's gone!" Harry said, looking down at his invisible body.

"I know what that is. That's an invisibility cloak!" Ron said, excitedly.

"The invisibility cloak is a different version of a perception filter." Jared said, smirking. "But this has its uses."

"I'm invisible?" Harry asked, spinning around, looking down at himself.

"They're really rare." Ron said, looking down at the note. "Harry, I wonder who gave it to you."

"There was no name. It just said, 'Use it well'." Harry said, now also looking down at the note.

Library...

Late that night, a lantern and hand appear, but nothing else. The ensemble walks through the dark library and into the Restricted Section.

Restricted Section...

The lamp is put down, and the cloak removed, revealing to be Harry who searches the bookshelves.

"Famous fire eaters. 15th-Century Fiends. Flamel. Nicholas Flamel. Where are you?" Harry asked, picking up a book and opens it.

A man's face appears from between the pages, which screams madly and loudly. Harry immediately slams the book shut and puts it back.

"Who's there?!" Filch exclaimed, as Harry whips around and quickly grabs his cloak, causing the lamp to fall and shatter. "I know you're in there. You can't hide." Harry puts on his cloak and creeps around Filch. "Who is it? Show yourself!"

Harry runs from the room, breathing heavily. He exits into the hall, where Mrs. Norris, who meows and begins to follow him. Harry runs around a corner, just as Snape and Quirrell appear. Snape pushes Quirrell into the wall.

"Severus... I-I thought..." Quirrell said.

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrell." Snape said.

"I don't know w-what you m-mean."

"You know perfectly well what I mean." Snape said, sensing something who causes Harry to stop breathing and he reaches out to grab something but doesn't. He whips his finger back in front of Quirrell's face. "We'll have another chat soon. When you've had time to decide where your loyalties lie."

Filch arrives, carrying the broken lantern, "Oh, Professors. I found this in the Restricted Section. It's still hot. That means there's a student out of bed."

Upon hearing this, Snape and Quirrell dart off.

Room...

A door opens and then it closes. On the other side, there is a vast, empty room that has a large mirror in the center known as the Mirror of Erised. Harry appears and walks over to the mirror. In the reflection, he sees two people appear who are Harry's late parents, James and Lily Potter.

"Mum?" Harry asked, and Lily nods and smiles. "Dad?"

James nods and smiles. Harry reaches out to touch them but only gets the mirror. Then, his mother puts her hand on his shoulder. He puts his own hand on his own shoulders, as if trying to feel her there.

Boy's dormitory in Gryffindor tower...

Harry comes whipping in, invisible.

"Ron, Jared, you've really got to see this! Ron, Jared, you've got to see this!" Harry said, pulling back Ron's bed cover for the ginger to wake up. "Ron, Jared, Ron, Jared, come on, get out of bed!"

"Why?" Ron asked, tired.

"There's something you two have got to see. Now, come on!" Harry said, happily.

The room...

Harry, Ron, and Jared appear as if magically.

Harry runs to the mirror, "Come on! Come! Come look, it's my parents!"

"I only see us." Ron said, sadly.

"Same." Jared said, frowning.

"Look in properly. Go on, stand there. There. You see them, don't you? That's my dad." Harry said, pulling Jared out of the way.

"That's me! Only I'm head boy. And I'm holding the Quidditch cup. And bloody hell! I'm Quidditch Captain too! I look good." Ron said, smiling.

"Ooo. Let me try." Jared said, pushing Ron out of the way and he stood in front of the mirror. "Oh. It's me with Team RWBY, Team JNPR, and Penny Polendina. And we're at Beacon Academy together. Nothing bad has ever happened."

"Harry, Jared, do you think this mirror shows the future?" Ron asked, looking between Harry and Jared.

"How can it? Both my parents are dead." Harry said, smiling sadly.

The Great Hall...

One day, in the Great Hall where most of the students, particularly the Weasleys, are eating with Jared, Harry sits in front of the fireplace.

"Do you like yours, Ron?" George asked, and Ron turns to Harry who is still sitting in front of the fireplace who is very quiet. "Ron?"

"I'll be right back." Ron said, leaving the table with Jared. "Let's go."

"Hey, Harry. Wanna play chess with me or Ron?" Jared asked, walking up to Harry with Ron. "Do you?"

"No." Harry said.

"Wanna go and visit Hagrid?" Ron asked.

"No."

"Harry, we know what you're thinking, but don't. There's something not right about that mirror." Ron said.

"Yeah. And I have experiences with mirrors like that." Jared said, holding his cup of hot chocolate.

Harry nods and Ron and Jared leave to go back to the table as Harry continues to stare at the fireplace.

The room...

The next night, Harry is back in the room where the mirror is, gazing longingly at the reflection where his parents are in. Dumbledore appears far behind him.

"Back again, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, while Harry turns around and stands up. "I see that you, like so many before you have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised. I trust by now you realize what it does. Let me give you a clue. The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself, exactly as he is."

"So then, it shows us what we want. Whatever we want." Harry said.

"Yes. And no." Dumbledore said, as he looked at the mirror. "It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest most desperate desires of our hearts. Now you, Harry, who have never known your family, you see them standing beside you. But remember this, Harry. This mirror gives us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away in front of it. Even gone mad. That is why tomorrow it will be moved to a new home. And I must ask you not to go looking for it again. It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live."

Harry looks back at the mirror, knowing that Dumbledore is right.

Main courtyard...

It is snowy in daytime, Harry is bundled up, with Hedwig on his arm. He stops and she lifts off, soaring away into the sky. As the time passed when she returns, it is now spring time.

Great Hall...

"Hi, Hedwig." Harry said, when Hedwig has just flown down to the table where he is with Ron and Hermoine studying and Jared listening to music off of his iPhone 15 Pro Max.

"Look at you, playing with your cards. Pathetic! We've got final exams coming up soon." Hermione said, annoyed.

"I'm ready. Ask me any question." Ron said, smirking.

"Alright, what are the three most crucial ingredients in a Forgetfulness Potion?"

"I forgot."

"Hermione, he's playing a joke with you." Jared said, rolling his eyes.

"Of course he is. Thank you for telling me, Jared." Hermione said, looking between Ron and Jared. "And what, Ron, may I ask, do you plan to do if this comes up in the final exam?"

"Copy off you?" Ron asked.

"No, you won't. Besides, according to Professor McGonagall, we're to be given special quills bewitched with an anti-cheating spell."

"That's insulting! It's as if they don't trust us!" Ron said, checking a card, irritated. "Dumbledore again!"

Just then, Neville Longbottom comes hopping into the room with his legs stuck together as the other students laugh at him.

"Leg-Locker Curse?" Ron asked.

"Malfoy." Harry said.

"Of course it'd be him." Jared said, and Neville approaches them amidst laughter from the other students. "Neville, you can't keep on doing this. One day you have to start standing up to people."

"How? I can barely stand at all!" Neville said, wobbling uncontrollably.

"I'll do the countercurse!" Seamus said, jumping up, wand at the ready.

"No, that's all I need! You to set my bloody kneecaps on fire!"

"I don't appreciate the insinuation, Longbottom." Seamus said, slamming his wand down angrily. "Besides, if anyone cares to notice, my eyebrows have completely grown back!"

Seamus then stalks off angrily, showing a large chunk of hair missing from the back of his head.

"I found him!" Harry said, showing Ron and Jared a Chocolate Frog card of Dumbledore.

"So what?" Jared asked, reading what is on the back of the card. "Oh. 'Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindelwald in 1945...'"

"Go on."

"'...for his discovery of the 12 uses of Dragon Blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner Nicolas Flamel!'" Ron said, also reading the back of the card.

"I knew the name sounded familiar. I read it on the train that day." Harry said, his eyes widening.

"Follow me!" Hermione said, beaming excitedly.

"Finally!" Jared said, happily.

The Golden Trio and Jared tear out of the Great Hall, leaving poor Neville still flailing around.

"Hey! Wait! Where are you going? What about the countercurse?" Neville asked, while before he can say another word, he topples over backwards and then falls to the ground.

The other students start laughing.

The library...

Harry, Ron, and Jared are seated, reading until Hermione comes up with a huge book and thumps it onto the table making Harry jump.

"I had you looking in the wrong section. How could I be so stupid? I checked this out a few weeks ago for a bit of light reading." Hermione said, annoyed.

"This is light?" Ron asked.

"Of course! Here it is!" Hermione said, as she read the description on the page. "Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone."

"The what?" Ron and Harry asked, at the same time.

"Honestly, don't you two read? 'The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance with astonishing powers. It'll transform any metal into pure gold and produces the Elixir of Life which will make the drinker immortal'." Hermione said, looking down at the book again.

"Immortal?" Ron asked.

"Like me. Immortal means you'll never die." Jared said, holding his mug of hot chocolate.

"I know what it means!"

"Shh!" Harry yelled.

"'The only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicholas Flamel, the noted alchemist who last year celebrated his 665th birthday.' That's what Fluffy's guarding on the 3rd floor. That's what's under the trapdoor. The Philosopher's Stone." Hermione said, still looking down at the book.

They all look at each other in concern.

Castle grounds...

It is nighttime in the castle grounds, and Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Jared are running across to Hagrid's hut. They knock on the door and Hagrid, who is wearing an apron and oven mitts, opens it from the inside.

"Hagrid!" Harry said, worried.

"Oh, hello, sorry, don't wish to be rude, but I'm in no fit state to entertain today." Hagrid said, beginning to close the door.

"We know about the Philosopher's Stone!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jared said, at the same time.

"Or as I know it. The Sorcerer's Stone!" Jared said, looking at Hagrid.

Hagrid opens the door again, "Oh."

They all come into Hagrid's hut.

Hagrid's hut...

"We think Snape's trying to steal it." Harry said.

"Snape? Blimey, yer not still on about him, are yeh?" Hagrid asked.

"Hagrid, we know he's after the Stone. We just don't know why."

"Guys, I hate to break this to you, but Snape isn't after the Stone. He's one of the teachers protecting the Philosopher's Stone. Why would he want to steal it?" Jared asked.

"What?" Harry asked, looking at Jared.

"You heard Jared. Right. Come on, now, I'm a bit preoccupied today." Hagrid said.

"Wait a minute." Harry said, and Ron soon sees Hagrid's boar-hound Fang, who sniffs him. "'One of the teachers'?"

"Of course! There are other things defending the Stone, aren't there? Spells, enchantments." Hermione said, while sitting in a large chair.

"That's right. Waste of bloody time, if yeh ask me." Hagrid said, as Hermione looks at Ron, who is still being sniffed in the face by Fang. Finally Ron shuffles away. "Ain't no one gonna get past Fluffy. Hehe. Ain't a soul knows how, except for me, Dumbledore, and Jared. I shouldn't have told you that. I should not have told you that." A cauldron over a fire begins to rattle. "Oh!" Hagrid hurries over and grabs something. "Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"

Hagrid places the item on the table. It was an egg. The group crowds around.

"Uh, Hagrid, what exactly is that?" Harry asked.

"That? It's a... it's, um..." Hagrid said, frowning.

"I know what that is! But, Hagrid, how did you get one?" Ron asked.

"I won it. Off a stranger I met down at a pub. Seemed quite glad to be rid of it, as a matter of fact." Hagrid said.

"Aww..." Jared said, and the egg rattles and cracks open as pieces fly off; a small baby dragon emerges. It squeaks and slips on an egg piece. "At least it isn't a Slitheen."

"Jared, you said it was one of those green things in a suit that gets defeated by vinegar. But this isn't that. Is that... a dragon?" Hermione asked.

"That's not just a dragon. That's a Norwegian Ridgeback. My brother Charlie works with these in Romania." Ron said.

"Isn't he beautiful? Oh, bless him. Look, he knows his mummy. Hehehe. Hallo, Norbert." Hagrid said, and Norbert squeaks as it looks at him.

"Norbert?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, well, he's gotta have a name, don't he?" Hagrid asked, while Ron and Jared laughed. "Don't you, Norbert?" He raises fingers back and forth across Norbert's chin. "Dededede." Norbert backs away, until he hiccups and blast a small fireball into Hagrid's beard. "Ohh!" He quickly pats out the smolders in his beard. "Oooh, ooh, ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo! Ooh, well... he'll have to be trained up a bit, of course. Heh." Norbert hiccups. Hagrid sees someone looking in the window. "Who's that?"

It turns out to be Draco Malfoy, who scampers away.

"Malfoy." Harry said.

"Oh, dear." Hagrid said.

Hogwarts...

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jared are walking back through a corridor as an owl screeches.

"Hagrid always wanted a dragon. He told me so, the first time I ever met him." Harry said.

"It's crazy. And worse, Malfoy knows." Ron said.

"I don't understand. Is that bad?" Harry asked.

"It's bad. Because it's Malfoy we're talking about here." Jared said, letting out a sigh.

They stop as McGonagall, in her nightgown, appears, sternly.

"Good evening." McGonagall said.

Then, Malfoy appears smugly beside her.

McGonagall's classroom...

The Golden Trio are now standing in front of McGonagall's desk, while Malfoy is feet away, smirking and Jared is standing outside, guiltily.

"Nothing, I repeat, nothing gives a student the right to walk about the school at night. Therefore, as punishment for your actions, 50 points will be taken." McGonagall said, sternly.

"50?!" Harry exclaimed.

"Each." McGonagall said, as Harry gasped. "And to ensure it doesn't happen again, all four of you will receive detention."

Malfoy nods, then his smile vanishes with great concern.

"Excuse me, Professor, perhaps I heard you wrong. I thought you said the four of us." Draco said.

"No, you heard me correctly, Mr. Malfoy. You see, honorable as your intentions were, you too were out of bed after hours. You will join your classmates in detention." McGonagall said.

Harry, Ron and Hermione grin inside the classroom and Jared smiles outside the classroom, as Draco sags, knowing that the tables have turned.

Castle grounds...

The next night, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco are being led to Hagrid's hut by Mr. Filch.

"A pity they let the old punishments die. There was a time detention would find you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming." Filch said, and Draco gulps, and Hermione rushes by. "You'll be serving detention with Hagrid and Jared tonight. Hagrid's got a little job to do inside the Dark Forest with Jared." Hagrid appears with a crossbow while Jared appears with his lightsaber. Jared looked over at Hagrid who sniffled. "A sorry lot, this, Hagrid. Oh, good God, man, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?"

"Norbert's gone." Hagrid said, sniffing and sighs. "Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony."

"Well, that's good, isn't it? He'll be with his own kind." Hermione said, happily.

"Yeah, but what if he don't like Romania?" Hagrid asked, while Filch rolled his eyes. "What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's only a baby, after all."

"That is true. It isn't Berk where humans and dragons live in peace together." Jared said, frowning. "All Romania has is Dracula and werewolves."

"Exactly. He might not like it for that vampire alone or werewolves, Jared."

"Oh, for God's sake, pull yourself together, man. You two are going into the Forest, after all. Got to have your wits about you." Filch said, looking between Hagrid and Jared.

"The Forest? I thought that was a joke! We can't go in there. Students aren't allowed. And there are..." Draco said, hearing a howl sound. "...werewolves!"

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad. You can be sure of that." Filch said, as Draco looks frightened. "Nighty-night."

Filch leaves to go back into the castle.

"Okay. Let's go." Jared said, sadly. "We have something to look for."

Forbidden Forest...

The group walks along a path to a tree. Hagrid stops, bends down and dips his fingers in a silver puddle. He pulls out his fingers and rubs them together. A silver trail smears with his fingers.

"Hagrid, what is that?" Harry asked.

"What we're here for. See that? That's unicorn's blood, that is. I found one dead a few weeks ago. Now, this one's been hurt bad by something." Hagrid said, and Harry suddenly sees a large, cloaked figure walking through the trees. He looks at Hagrid. "So, it's our job to go and find the poor beast. Ron, Hermione, Jared, you'll come with me."

"Okay." Ron said, smiling.

"Right." Jared said, happily.

"And Harry, you'll go with Malfoy." Hagrid said, while Draco grimaces, and Harry nods.

"Okay. Then I get Fang." Draco said.

"Fine. Just so you know, he's a bloody coward." Hagrid said, as Fang whines.

Harry and Draco are walking through a part of the forest, with Fang leading. Draco has the lamp in his hand.

"You wait till my father hears about this. This is servant's stuff." Draco said.

"If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd say you were scared." Harry said.

"Scared, Potter?" Draco asked, scoffing, but suddenly hears a howl. "Did you hear that? Come on, Fang. Scared!"

Harry and Draco approach a flat ground with gnarled roots all over. Fang stops, then growls.

"What is it, Fang?" Harry asked.

Up ahead is a cloaked figure who is crouching over a dead unicorn, drinking its blood from its wound. The figure raises its head, silver blood dripping from its mouth. Harry gasps and grabs his scar, which is hurting.

Draco screams with pure fear and runs away with Fang, "Help!"

Harry is left by himself at the mercy of the figure who slides over the unicorn and rises erect. It advances towards Harry, who backs up, but trips. He crawls backwards. Suddenly, there is the sound of hoof-beats. A figure leaps over Harry and lands near the cloaked figure. It is a silver centaur called Firenze. It rears, and the cloaked figure retreats, flying away.

"Harry Potter, you must leave. You are known to many creatures here. The Forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you." Firenze said.

"But what was that thing you saved me from?" Harry asked.

"A monstrous creature. It is a terrible crime to slay a unicorn. Drinking the blood of a unicorn will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death. But at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure that from the moment the blood touches your lips, you will have a half-life. A cursed life."

"But who would choose such a life?"

"Can you think of no one?"

"Do you mean to say that thing that killed the unicorn that was drinking its blood? That was Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment, Mr. Potter?" Firenze asked.

"The Philosopher's Stone." Harry said, realizing.

Fang suddenly barks and Harry looks up to see Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, Draco, and Jared appear. Hagrid has his crossbow ready while Jared has his lightsaber ready but lowers them when they see Firenze.

"Thank goodness you're safe, Harry." Jared said, placing his lightsaber back inside his backpack. "The plot has been going the same so far."

"Harry!" Hermione said, running up to Harry for a hug.

"Hello there, Firenze. I see you've met our young Mr. Potter." Hagrid said.

"Harry, you okay?" Jared asked, and Harry nodded.

"Harry Potter, this is where I leave you. You're safe now. Good luck." Firenze said, leaving as the group looked at the dead unicorn.

(Jared's POV)

Gryffindor Common Room...

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Jared are in the room together.

"You mean You-Know-Who's out there right now in the Forest?" Hermione asked.

"Voldemort's weak right now. From what I remember, he's living off of unicorns. I think." I said, sadly.

"Yeah. Don't you see? We had it wrong. Snape doesn't want the Stone for himself. He wants the Stone for Voldemort. With the Elixir of Life, Voldemort will be strong again. He'll... he'll come back." Harry said.

"But if he comes back, you don't think he'll try to kill you, do you?" Ron asked.

"I think if he'd had the chance, he might have tried to kill me tonight." Harry said.

"And to think, I've been worrying about my Potions final." Ron said, gulping.

"Hang on a minute." Hermione said, while Harry, Ron, and I all glanced at her. "We're forgetting one thing. Who's the one wizard Voldemort always feared? Dumbledore. As long as Dumbledore is around, Harry, you're safe. As long as Dumbledore is around, you can't be touched."

"She's not wrong. Voldemort is the equivalent of the Doctor here. Harry, you're safe." I said, giving Harry a reassuring smile and the Boy Who Lived nods.

Later all the students are rushing out as they finish their exams.

"I'd always heard Hogwarts' end-of-the-year exams were frightful, but I've found that rather enjoyable." Hermione said.

"Speak for yourself." Ron said, scoffing.

"Harry, are you okay?" I asked, as Harry is walking next to me, Ron, and Hermione, rubbing his forehead right where the scar is.

"My scar. It keeps burning." Harry said, still rubbing his forehead.

"It's happened before." Hermione said.

"Not like this."

"Perhaps you should see the nurse." Ron said, sadly.

"I think it's a warning. It means danger's coming. Like with Jared's visions when his eyes glow blue." Harry said, giving a look of realization. "Ah. Oh! Of course!"

Harry starts walking faster making Hermione, Ron, and I speed up to catch him.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pocket? Why didn't I see it before?" Harry asked.

Outside Hagrid's hut...

We approach Hagrid who is playing a flute.

"Hagrid..." Harry said, and Hagrid stopped playing. "...who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?"

"I dunno. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up." Hagrid said, frowning.

"This stranger, though, you and he must have talked." Harry said.

"Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told 'im. I said, 'After Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem'."

"Did the person seemed interested in Fluffy by any chance?" I asked, grabbing Hermione's hand.

"Well, o' course he was interested in Fluffy. How often do yeh come across a three-headed dog, even if yer in the trade? But I told 'im. I said... I said, 'The trick with any beast is to know how to calm 'im. Take Fluffy, for example. Jus' play him a bit o' music and he falls straight to sleep.' I shouldn't have told you that." Hagrid said, and the Golden Trio and I ran off. "Where're you goin'? Wait?"

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I ran away from Hagrid's hut and to the Transfiguration classroom to talk to McGonagall.

Transfiguration classroom...

"We have to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately!" Harry said, worried.

"I'm afraid Professor Dumbledore is not here. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left immediately for London." McGonagall said.

"He's gone? Now? But this is important! This is about the Philosopher's Stone!"

"How do you know...?" McGonagall asked, looking shocked.

"Someone's going to try to steal it!" Harry said.

"I don't know how you three found out about the Stone, but I assure you it is perfectly well protected. Now would you three go back to your dormitories with Jared protecting you? Quietly." McGonagall said.

Hogwarts...

The Golden Trio and I leave the classroom talking to each other.

"That was no stranger Hagrid met in the village. It was Snape. Which means he knows how to get past Fluffy." Harry said.

"It's not Snape." I said, when Snape sneaks up behind us.

"Jared, it has to be Snape. And with Dumbledore gone..." Hermione said, looking at me.

"Good afternoon. Now, what would three young Gryffindors such as yourselves be doing inside on a day like this with their protector?" Snape asked.

The four of us jump and quickly turn around.

"Uh, w-w-w... we-we were just..." Hermione said, at a loss for words.

"You ought to be careful. People will think you're... up to something." Snape said, walking away from us.

"Now what do we do?" Hermione asked.

"We go down the trapdoor. Tonight." Harry said, with a determined look.

Gryffindor Common Room...

It was nighttime and the four of us came down the stairs and begin to walk across the floor. We stop when we hear a croaking noise. It was Trevor, the toad that Neville carried in his hands, way back at the first day of Hogwarts.

"Trevor." Harry said, frowning.

"Trevor, shh, go! You shouldn't be here!" Ron said, angrily.

"Neither should you. You're sneaking out again, aren't you?" Neville asked, appearing behind a chair.

"Now, Neville, listen. We were..." Harry said.

"No! I won't let you!" Neville said, standing up. "You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again! I-I'll fight you."

Neville holds out his fists.

"Neville, I'm really, really sorry about this." I said, walking up to Neville and placing my fingers on his forehead. "Sleep." Neville is frozen for a second and he falls backward onto the ground. I looked over at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I picked that up from the Doctor."

"Jared, you and Hermione are a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant, but scary." Ron said, gulping.

"Let's go." Harry said, walking by Neville. "Sorry."

"Sorry." Hermione said.

"It's for your own good, you know." Ron said.

Hogwarts...

The Golden Trio are under the Invisibility cloak as I have my TARDIS key wrapped around my neck, with us four sneaking along the corridor.

"Ow! You stood on my foot!" Hermione said, annoyed.

"Sorry." Ron said, while a flame lights up.

Hermione draws out her wand and points it at the door, "Alohomora. Some things can be done with a magic wand instead of a sonic screwdriver, Jared."

"That is true." I said, as the door opened as the Golden Trio and I stepped inside.

Room...

"Wait a minute. He's...." Ron said, and a blow of air, and the cape flutters off the Golden Trio. "...snoring."

"Snape's already been here. He's put a spell on the harp." Harry said.

We approach the sleeping dog.

"Ugh! It's got horrible breath." Ron said, disgusted.

"We have to move its paw." I said, looking between Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"What?!" Ron exclaimed.

"Come on!" Harry said, grabbing the paw, which is blocking the door. "Okay. Push!" We strain and move it with us opening the door. "I'll go first. Don't follow until I give you a sign." Fluffy's eyes open. "If something bad happens, get yourselves out. Does it seem a bit quiet to you?"

"The harp. It stopped playing." Hermione said.

Drool from one head comes down on Ron's shoulder.

"Ew! Yuck! Ugh." Ron said.

"Crap." I said, and the Golden Trio and I look up and see Fluffy standing there.

Fluffy barks and growls, thrashing. It breaks the harp and dives at the four of us.

"Jump! Go!" Harry said, while we all jump through the trapdoor.

Vine room...

"Ahh!" Ron said, gasping as he landed on some mushy black ropelike vines. "Whoa. Lucky this plant-thing's here, really."

"Whoa!" Harry said, as the plant began to move towards us. "Oh. Ahh!"

The plant ties Harry and Ron up like a rope.

"Stop moving, both of you. This is Devil's Snare." Hermione said, looking between Harry and Ron.

"It's like quicksand. Just relax. If you don't, it will only kill you faster." I said, frowning.

"Kill us faster?! Oh, now I can relax!" Ron yelled.

Hermione manages a smile as she and I are sucked down below.

"Hermione! Jared!" Ron and Harry said, at the same time.

"Now what are we gonna do?!" Ron exclaimed.

"For God's sake! Ron! Just relax!" I said, from below.

"Hermione, Jared, where are you?" Harry asked.

"Do what we say! Trust us." Hermione said, from below.

Harry relaxes and is sucked through.

"Ahh! Harry!" Ron said, when Harry falls through and lands on the hard ground. Hermione and I go over to Harry and he stands up. "Harry!"

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Harry said, sadly.

"Help!" Ron said, terrified.

"He's not relaxing, is he?" Hermione asked.

"Nope." I said, letting out a sigh.

"Apparently not." Harry said, sadly.

"Help! Help me!" Ron said, worried.

"We've gotta do something!" Hermione said, looking between Harry and I.

"What?" Harry asked.

"What can we do?" I asked, walking over to Hermione.

"Uh! I remember reading something in Herbology." Hermione said.

"Help!" Ron yelled.

"Um, Devil's Snare, Devil's Scare..." Hermione said, while the snare shuts Ron's mouth. "...it's deadly fun... but will sulk in the sun! That's it! Devil's Snare hates sunlight!" She takes out her wand and points upwards. "Lumus Solem!"

A beam of light shoots out. The Snare shrieks and recoils.

Ron falls below, "Ahhh!"

"Ron, are you okay?" Harry asked.

"Yeah." Ron said.

"Okay."

"Whew! Lucky we didn't panic." Ron said, standing up.

"Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology."

There is a sound.

"What is that?" Hermione asked.

"Don't know. Sounds like wings flapping." I said, happily.

Key room...

We enter a room filled with golden 'birds'.

"Curious. I've never seen birds like these." Hermione said, frowning.

"They're not birds, Hermione. They're keys. I bet one of them fits the door. I forgot which one, unfortunately," I said, sadly.

We come upon a broomstick, suspended in the air.

"What's this all about?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know. Strange." Harry said.

Ron creeps over to the door and takes out his wand.

"Alohomora!" Ron said, rattling the lock and he shrugs. "Well, it was worth a try."

"Let's see." I said, walking over to the door, taking out my sonic screwdriver, and aimed it at the door with me activating it. "Point and think." The sonic screwdriver is glowing green but the door doesn't unlock. "Shit. It's deadlocked."

"Ugh! What're we going to do? Magic and that screwdriver doesn't work. There must be a thousand keys up there!" Hermione said, angrily.

"We're looking for a big old fashioned one. Probably rusty like the handle." Ron said.

"There! I see it!" Harry said, pointing at a key and looking at the broom. "The one with the broken wing."

"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"It's too simple." Harry said.

"Oh, go on, Harry! If Snape can catch it on that old broomstick, you can! You're the youngest Seeker in a century!" Ron said, excitedly.

Harry nods and grabs the broomstick. All the keys suddenly go one direction, right at Harry. He climbs on, swiping at them.

"This complicates things a bit." Ron said, frowning.

"Yup." I said, as Harry pushed off into the air.

Harry flies off, after the key. The others follow him.

Harry grabs the key, "Catch the key!"

Harry zooms by and throws the key to Hermione, who catches it and heads for the lock while the Boy Who Lived distracts the other keys. Hermione puts it in the lock.

"Hurry up!" Ron said, worried.

The door opens, and Hermione, Ron, and I rush through, followed by Harry. We shut the door just as the keys slam up against it.

Chess room...

We enter a dark room with broken pieces all around it.

"I don't like this. I don't like this at all." Hermione said, frowning.

"Where are we? A graveyard?" Harry asked.

"This is no graveyard." Ron said, letting out a sigh. "It's a chessboard."

Ron walks out onto the marble board and flames light, illuminating the board and GIANT players. Harry, Hermione, and I came up with him.

"There's the door." Harry said, sadly.

"Great. Just great. When I thought I was done with a chess board in the Ever After. I get thrown in with another one at Hogwarts." I said, and we walked across the board, towards the door. "I hate this. I really do. It was bad last time with Team RWBY."

Suddenly, as we reach a line of pawns, the pawns bring up their swords. The Golden Trio and I jump and back up.

"Now what do we do?" Hermione asked.

"It's obvious, isn't it? I'm sorry, Jared, I am. We've got to play our way across the room. Alright. Harry, you take the empty Bishop's square. Hermione, you'll be the Queen-side castle. As for Jared and I, we'll be knights." Ron said, while we all take our places.

"What happens now?" Hermione asked.

"Well, white moves first." Ron siad, aboard a horse. "And then... we play."

A pawn on the other side moves forward. Ron studies the game.

"Ron, you don't suppose this is going to be like... real wizard's chess, do you?" Hermione asked.

"You there, D5." Ron said, as a black pawn moves forward, diagonal to the white pawn. The white pawn raises its swords and smashes the black one. The four of us jump. "Yes, Hermione. I think this is going to be exactly like wizard's chess."

The game continues. The pieces smash against each other. Boom. Boom.

"Castle to E4!" Ron said, and a chess piece got smashed.

"Pawn to C3!" Ron said, while another statue got smashed with an explosion nearby.

"I really do hate this." I said, as the Queen turns and smashes a piece. "I don't want to get involved in another deadly chess game ever again."

The Golden Trio and I wince.

The Queen turns again.

"Son of a bitch!" I said, angrily.

Ron, Harry, and I study the game.

"Wait a minute." Harry said, his eyes widening.

"You understand right, Harry, Jared. Once I make my move, the Queen will take me. Then Harry, you're free to check the King." Ron said.

"No. Ron, no!" Harry said, worried.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"You idiot! Hermione! Ron's going to do something unbelievably stupid! He's going to sacrifice himself!" I said, looking at Ron.

"No, Ron, you can't!" Hermione said, when Ron closed his eyes. "There must be another way!"

"Do you want to stop Snape from getting that Stone or not?" Ron asked, turning to face Hermione. "Harry, it's you that has to go on. I know it. Not me. Not Hermione. Not Jared. You!" Harry nods. "Knight to H3." Ron's horse moves forward, slides and stops. "Check."

The Queen turns and advances. As she starts moving, Ron breathes faster clutching onto the steel reins. The Queen stops moving. And then... SMASH! The Queen uses her sword to bust the horse's hips. Ron goes flying off the horse and lands on the floor unconsciously. The knight's horse then falls to pieces.

"Ahhhh!" Ron yelled.

"RON!" Harry said, and Hermione and I started walking to him. "No, don't move! Don't forget, we're still playing." Hermione and I moved back. Harry walks the diagonal in front of the King. "Checkmate." The King's sword falls onto the ground in victory. Harry breathes out and then the three of us run to Ron. We bend beside him. "Hermione. Jared. Take care of Ron. Then go to the owlery. Send a message to Dumbledore. Ron's right. I have to go on."

"You'll be okay, Harry. You're a great wizard. You really are." Hermione said, happily.

"Not as good as you." Harry said.

"Me? Books and cleverness?" Hermione asked, smiling. "There are more important things. Friendship, and bravery. And Harry, just be careful."

"Really. Be careful. I can't leave Ron and Hermione down here, Harry. We'll be safe. I promise." I said, while Harry nodded and stood, walking away. "Good luck, Harry."

(Open POV)

Room...

Harry walks down the stairs slowly. Halfway down, he winces, feeling his scar burning, and sees Professor Quirrell standing before the Mirror of Erised.

"You?" Harry asked, as Quirrell turned to face him. "No, i-it can't be. Snape, h-he was the one..."

"Yes, he does seem the type, doesn't he? Next to him, who would suspect p-p-p-poor, st-stuttering Professor Quirrell?" Quirrell asked.

"But-but that day, during the Quidditch match, Snape tried to kill me."

"No, dear boy." Quirrell said, smiling evilly. "I tried to kill you!" Harry eyes him in disbelief and confusion. "And trust me, if Snape's cloak hadn't caught fire and broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded. Even with Snape muttering his little countercurse."

"Snape was trying to save me? And Jared knew that Snape was trying to save me?"

"Shay was trying to save you as much as Snape was. I knew you were a danger to me right from the off. Especially after Halloween."

"Then-then you let the troll in!"

"Very good, Potter, yes. Snape and Shay, unfortunately, wasn't fooled. While everyone else was running about the dungeon, with Shay protecting you and your friends, Snape went to the third floor to head me off. Snape, of course, never trusted me again." Quirrell said, turning towards the mirror again; Harry winces as his scar burns again. "He rarely left me alone. But he doesn't understand. I'm never alone. Never." He is staring into the mirror. "Now, what does this mirror do? I see what I desire. I see myself holding the Stone. But how do I get it?"

"Use the boy." An unseen human voice said, and Harry looks around, wondering where the voice was coming from.

"Come here, Potter!" Quirell said, turning to Harry. "Now!" Harry slowly walks down the stairs, towards Quirrell and the mirror. "Tell me, what do you see?" Harry looks into the mirror, and for a few seconds, sees him standing next to Quirrell, then his reflection reaches into its pocket and pulls out a gleaming red ruby, the Philosopher's Stone; Harry stares in amazement as his reflection smiles and winks, then puts the stone back in its pocket; Harry feels his pocket and realizes the Stone really is in his pocket, then looks up again. "What is it?" He glances at Harry while speaking. "What do you see?"

Harry looks at Quirrell, then back at the mirror, determined not to let Quirrell know that he has the Stone, "I-I'm shaking hands with Dumbledore. I've won the House Cup."

"He lies." The unseen inhuman voice said.

"Tell the truth! What do you see?" Quirrell asked, angrily shouting.

"Let me speak to him."

"Master, you are not strong enough." Quirrell said, as Harry backed away.

"I have strength enough for this."

Quirrell reaches up and starts unwrapping his turban as he turns so his back is to the mirror. Harry turns toward the staircase into the room, wondering whether he should try to escape, then turns towards Quirrell again. He is almost finished unwrapping his turban, save for a piece covering the back of his head. Finally, he removes the turban, revealing a scary-looking chalk white face. It was Voldemort. He cranes around and opens his eyes.

"Harry Potter, we meet again." Voldemort said.

"Voldemort." Harry said, realizing Voldemort's identity.

"Yes. You see what I've become? See what I must do to survive? Live off another. A mere parasite. Unicorn blood can sustain me, but it cannot give me a body of my own. But there is something that can. Something that, conveniently enough, lies in your pocket." Voldemort said, as Harry is realizing the Dark Lord is referring to the Philosopher's Stone, Harry turns and runs back up the stairs. "Stop him!" Quirrell snaps his fingers, instantly causing fire walls to block all the exits, trapping Harry in the room. "Don't be a fool. Why suffer a horrific death when you can join me and live?"

"Never!" Harry said, shaking his head.

"Haha. Bravery. Your parents had it too. Tell me, Harry, would you like to see your mother and father again? Together, we can bring them back." Voldemort said, and in the mirror, Harry's parents appear in the reflection. "All I ask for is something in return." Harry takes the Stone from his pocket. "That's it, Harry. There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we'll do extraordinary things. Just give me the Stone!"

James and Lily Potter fade from the reflection.

"You liar!" Harry said, angrily.

"Kill him!" Voldemort yelled.

Under orders, Quirrell soars into the air and grabs hold of Harry with one hand on his throat. They fall to the steps, causing the Stone falls out of Harry's reach as Quirrell chokes him. Harry strains and squeaks. Suddenly, Harry puts his hand on Quirrell's hand in an attempt to get him off. Smoke furls from under his hand as Quirrell winces.

"Ahh! Ahh!" Quirrell said, backing up away from Harry. His hand is crumbling into ash and dust. "What is this magic?"

Quirrell's hand disintegrates.

"Fool, get the Stone!" Voldemort said, worried.

Quirrell walks forward towards Harry, who then touches his face with his hands, causing Quirrell to scream in pain, and especially Voldemort to wince. Harry looks on horrified as Quirrell backs up with his face horrendously burned. Quirrell crumbles as he walks forward, turning his body completely in ash and dust, and falls to the floor, leaving only his clothing. Harry gasps, as he looks at his own hands and hurries over to the stone. He picks it up and sighs. However, from behind, dust clouds form from Quirrell's corpse, causing Harry to turn around as the dust clouds with Voldemort's face rushes forward screaming and goes through Harry who also screams. Voldemort flies away, as Harry falls to the ground, unconscious. He holds the Stone in an outstretched hand.

(Jared's POV)

Hospital wing...

The next day, Harry is lying in bed with his arm bandaged. He awakens, puts on his glasses, and sits up. There are cards and candy all over. Dumbledore and I approached him.

"Good afternoon, Harry. Ah. Tokens from your admirers?" Dumbledore asked.

"Admirers?" Harry asked.

"Harry, what happened in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret." I said, happily.

"Jared's right. So, naturally, the whole school knows." Dumbledore said, as the three of us smiled.

"Oh yeah. Ron and I saved you the trouble of opening your Chocolate Frogs. We ate them all." I said, laughing a lot.

"Ron was here? Is he all right? What about Hermione?" Harry asked.

"They're okay. They're both okay, Harry. There's no need to worry."

"But what happened to the Stone?" Harry asked.

"Relax, dear boy. The Stone has been destroyed. My friend Nicholas and I had a little chat and agreed it was best all around." Dumbledore said.

"But then, Flamel, he'll die, won't he?" Harry asked.

"He has enough Elixir to set his affairs in order. But yes, he will die." Dumbledore said, sitting on the bed.

"How is it I got the Stone, sir? One minute I was staring in the mirror, and the next..."

"Ah. You see, only a person who wanted to find the Stone, find it, but not use it, would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas. And between the three of us, that is saying something."

"Does that mean, with the Stone gone, that is, that Voldemort can never come back?" Harry asked.

"Unfortunately, there are ways Voldemort can return. But there's a spoiler for you." I said, sadly.

"Harry, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?" Dumbledore asked, as Harry shakes his head. "It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you. And that kind of act leaves a mark." Harry touches his scar. "No, no, this kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"It's the most generic trope of all media, Harry. It's love. That's it. Love." I said, smiling.

Dumbledore pats Harry's head gently and stands up. I started walking away from Dumbledore and Harry, wanting them to know that Harry had woken up.

"Ah. Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavoured one. And since then, I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them. But I think I could be safe with a nice toffee." Dumbledore said, taking a brown bean and eating it. "Mm. Alas! Earwax."

Hogwarts...

Harry with his arm still bandaged enters a corridor where up on a stairwell balcony, Hermione, Ron, and I are talking. We stop when we see Harry and lean over the railing.

"All right there, Ron?" Harry asked.

"All right. You?" Ron asked.

"All right. Hermione?" Harry asked, as he shrugs.

"Never better." Hermione said, smiling.

The Great Hall...

It is full of students eating and talking with each other. There are green and silver banners with the Slytherin symbol above their heads, already indicating the house with the most points. Dumbledore gives a slight nod to Professor McGonagall, who then clinks her spoon to her glass to ask attention from the students. The crowd falls silent. Dumbledore stands up and speaks with his magically magnified voice.

"Another year gone. And now, as I understand it, the house cup needs awarding. And the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points." Dumbledore said, and there is a medium applause from the crowd. "Third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points." The applause for Hufflepuff is slightly louder than the clapping for Gryffindor. "In second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points." Applause again, this time with a slight cheer from some students. "And in first place, with 472 points, Slytherin house."

A loud roar rises from the Slytherin table, as students stand up and clap for themselves. Hermione scowls with her hand to her cheek; Snape applauds the students of his house.

"Nice one, mate." Draco said, sneering at Ron.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin. Well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last-minute points to award." Dumbledore said, while some faces at the Gryffindor table rise hopefully. "To Miss Hermione Granger, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril, 50 points."

Hermione looks surprised, while the other Gryffindor students applaud her.

"Good job." Harry said, giving Hermione a pat on the back.

"Nice work." I said, as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle don't like what's happening. "You did amazing, Hermione."

Hermione looked at Hagrid, then looked at me, as the two of us looked back at her with proud smiles.

"Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years, 50 points." Dumbledore said, and Ron looks even more surprised than Hermione did and the Gryffindor table is applauding even louder. "And third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house 60 points."

The Gryffindors cheer again, this time even louder than before. Malfoy has a cringing look on his face, while Harry sees a proud, smiling Professor McGonagall at the teacher's table.

Hermione, who has done some quick math, whispers to her fellow students, "We're tied with Slytherin!"

Now, the Gryffindors look really hopeful, as Dumbledore hasn't finished talking yet.

"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points to Neville Longbottom." Dumbledore said, while Neville can't believe what he just heard and the Gryffindors that heard Hermione's whisper are cheering the loudest. Malfoy looks quite uncertain now. "Assuming that my calculations are correct, I believe that a change of decoration is in order." He claps and motions his hands towards the Slytherin banners, where they flap heavily, until the banners have changed completely to red and gold with the Gryffindor symbol. "Gryffindor wins the House Cup."

The Great Hall explodes with applause, not only from the Gryffindors, but also from the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs because they are glad that for the first time in seven years, someone other than Slytherin has won the House Cup. Hagrid can't help himself to also cheer, as I also cheered, and all students except the Slytherins throw their hats in the air, while Malfoy angrily throws his on the table in defeat. The Gryffindors around Harry are all congratulating him, and Harry smiles to Hagrid and I, who smiles back.

Hogsmeade Station...

Students are walking around, getting in the train.

"Come on, now. Hurry up, you'll be late. Train's leaving. Go on. Go on. Come on, hurry up." Hagrid said.

Harry hands Hedwig to a train man and walks to an open door of the train with Hermione and I. Hermione and I wave to Hagrid, who waves back. Hermione and I get on the train.

"Come on, Harry." Hermione said, grabbing my hand.

"Harry, we need to go." I said, sadly.

"One minute." Harry said, walking over to Hagrid.

"Thought you were leaving without saying goodbye, didja?" Hagrid asked, taking a red album out of his coat pocket and hands it to Harry. "This is fer you."

Harry opens the album and sees a picture, moving, of him as a baby with his parents. They are all smiling and waving. Harry smiles.

"Thanks, Hagrid." Harry said, shaking Hagrid's hand, then hugs him tightly.

"Oh. Go on. On with you. On with you now." Hagrid said, while Harry lets go of him. "Oh, listen, Harry. If that dolt of a cousin of yours, Dudley, gives you any grief, you could always, um, threaten him with a nice pair of ears to go with that tail of his."

"But Hagrid, we're not allowed to do magic away from Hogwarts. You know that." Harry said, frowning.

"I do. But your cousin don't, do he? Eh?" Hagrid asked, chuckling. "Off you go."

Harry walks away, back to the train door where Hermione, Ron, and I are waiting.

"Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?" Hermione asked, looking between Harry and I.

"I'm not going home. Not really." Harry said, as the train whistled and we climbed aboard.

"I know Trenzalore is getting closer. But I don't want to go." I said, letting out a sigh.

As the train starts to leave, Harry waves out the window to Hagrid, who waves back and then waves more to other students.