Harry, under a disillusionment charm arrived near the Astronomy Tower. But he saw an irate McGonagall berating loudly to three red heads and a fat boy. Harry smirked when he heard McGonagall shouting, "Fifty points from each one of you, now get back to the common room now!"
"Wow, Minnie's having a terrible one, I wonder if it's that time of the month again." Harry thought silently as the four Gryffindors scrambled away. T
he next few days were even more suspicious to Harry, Dumbledore was on absent leave, which could only mean that the old, senile lunatic wanted Eric Potter to 'save' the Philosopher's stone, which fascinated Harry very much.
The whole school save one Ronald Weasley had grasp the knowledge that Eric Potter was literally a troll trapped in a human body. It became very clear as to who the suspect was after Harry heard from Draco that something was killing unicorns when he was serving detention for telling McGonagall about the dragon in the Forbidden Forest.
Harry had a bad hunch as he saw that Quirrell was no where to be seen at the evening feast. He grabbed Roger, Elan and Cedric and dragged them onto the empty third floor.
"Bloody hell, what's with dragging us away so fast?" Elan asked.
"Listen guys…I know it's a lot to take in but Dumbies is hiding a philosopher's stone in the castle and Quirrell was missing at tonight's feast. I heard Snape and Flitwick talk about how Quirrell had snuck the troll in that nearly did poor Granger in."
Five seconds of silence passed as the three dumbstruck teens simply stared at Harry, trying to get him to tell them it was all a joke.
When he didn't Cedric took a step forward. "I'm in, Harry has never lied once to me before." Roger and Elan nodded as Cedric basically summed up their thoughts.
Harry smirked and the four ran towards a door at the end of a long corridor.
"Something's growling behind this door." Roger gulped.
"A Cerberus, to be exact, have you three noticed how Snape had this odd limp after Halloween. I think he was trying to see if Quirrell got pass the dog or not and was bitten." Harry deducted.
"So how'd we get pass?" Elan asked.
"Watch and learn, Malfoy." Harry said with a smirk as he pulled out a flute from his robes. "Alohomora!" The door unlocked began playing Amazing Grace upon entering the lair of the three-headed behemoth. Harry noted of how breath-taking the Cerberus was as a species, it had a thick brown coat, three enormous heads filled with large, sharp canine teeth and glowing orange eyes. The beast, upon hearing the music, gave a loud yawn and promptly fell down into a deep sleep.
Motioning with one arm, Harry signaled his friends who walked quickly to the trapdoor and Cedric lit his wand and gasped when he saw Devil's Snare underneath the pit.
"Think of something pleasant, because the trip down south sure ain't hell won't be." Cedric joked half-heartedly.
Harry cracked a smile and jumped first, followed by Cedric, then Elan and finally Roger. Harry felt the magical plant wrapping vines around him and drawing the memory of himself with Little Rose on his shoulder, calmed himself down and he was ejected onto a cold stone floor with a thump. Three "OOFS" followed through, groaning, the four teens walked to the only door ahead of them and when were shocked to find flying keys soaring all around them.
"This has to be Flitwick's obstacle." Harry whispered. The objective was clear to the four, grab the right key and jam it into the keyhole. The three immediately looked at Cedric who just looked at them weirdly. "Sorry Ceddy, but you're our only seeker." Elan grinned, voicing everyone's thoughts.
Cedric only rolled his eyes before walking over to a worn old broom, upon mounting it, flying keys immediately all darted towards Cedric who kicked off with dozens of bloodthirsty keys at his tail. He quickly spotted the correct key which had mismatched wings and stretching out an arm, Cedric grabbed the fleeing key and threw it at Harry who unlocked the door and allowed Elan and Roger to enter before letting a speeding Cedric fly in and closing the door just in time before the flying keys impaled themselves on the door.
Wiping their foreheads in relief, the four teens proceeded into the next chamber. "Bloody hell, this has to be the biggest chess set I've ever seen in my life." Roger shouted as the four saw the giant chess pieces.
"Damn, it looks like a game just happened not long ago. We're one step behind at the most. And there's still Quirrell and Snape's obstacles." Elan said, looking at his watch.
"You guys move ahead. I'll come meet up after I'm done." Roger said giving a rare serious look that said, "Don't argue or I'll kill you."
"Bullshit, in case you haven't noticed, there's two missing pieces on our side." Cedric shouted and before Roger could answer, stepped into the empty rook square.
"Well?" Cedric said with a raised eyebrow to Harry and Elan who nodded and levitated themselves across the board, and through the opened door.
"Damn, he's passed here already." Elan yelled with annoyance, surveying the dead trolls, each one was mutilated beyond recognition.
"Whatever, at least we don't have to face four trolls now." Harry retorted and sprinted for the door, which led to the last obstacle.
"Leave it to Uncle Sev to make the most boring and lame obstacle." Elan muttered as they entered a room with only a table with several vials of potion of different color and sizes along with a fire place which was large enough to fit a grown man.
"One potion leads to the stone, the other leads the person back." Harry snorted. "Right, lets get this over then, shall we?" Elan asked, the two teens walked up to the table and began analyzing the potions. It didn't take long for Harry to deduct that the potion contained in the smallest vial was the one that would carry him to the location of the stone and the yellow potion next to it would carry the person back to the third floor.
"I guess this is it." Elan said as he grabbed the yellow potion.
"Tell Flitwick and Snape as soon as you get back, I dunno how long I might last against him." Harry said as he picked up the small goblet and downed it in one go. He walked into the flames and waved an au revoir to Elan before the flames engulfed him completely. Light headiness slammed into Harry as he appeared in a cold chamber, slowly descending the stairs, Harry saw a figure talking in front of what seemed to be a large mirror.
"Good Evening, Professor, fancying a night time stroll before the feast?" Harry said with sarcasm that would rival Snape. The turban clad professor turned around and surprisingly smiled.
"Potter, I knew it would be a matter of time before you knew what was going on….unlike your idiotic Gryffindor of a brother. Seeing that it was you who vanquished my master."
"So it would seem." Harry replied smoothly. "What does unicorn blood taste like?" Harry asked, tilting his head sideways.
"So, you know." Quirrell replied with an inhumane gleam in his eyes. "I confess, unicorn blood can make a person live longer but my master finds it irritable that it cannot give him a body of his own."
Harry smirked, "My condolences, I did warn him that night ten years ago."
"That you did, now Avada Kedavra!" Quirrell sent a killing curse at Harry who merely side stepped, pulling out his wand, he shouted.
"Sectemsempra!"
"Dark magic, from you Potter, I am surprised." Quirrell laughed as he dodged the dark cutting curse and fired a blasting curse at Harry who pulled up a shield that absorbed it before conjuring two wolves out of thin air, and commanded them to attack the vessel, which contained the dark lord.
Quirrell, or Voldemort was impressed at the young Potter's conjuration abilities as he transfigured the charging wolves into two vipers and shouted, "Engorgio!" The snakes grew in size, soon they were towering above the Dark Lord, "Now kill the boy." Voldemort hissed in Parseltongue underneath Quirrell's turban.
The two vipers then turned around and bared their fangs at Harry who raised his wand and shouted, "Fulgar Flagellum!" a bolt of lighting arched from his wand and Harry raised his now lightning bolt whip and struck the two vipers, they hissed in pain as the lightning whip burned their scales.
Voldemort or Quirrell was looking with a calculating gaze on their faces as they watched the young Potter heir fending off the two monstrous vipers, what happened later surprised and in a way frightened the Dark Lord, "Forgive me…my slithery friends." Harry hissed in the ancient noble language of the snakes before shouting, "Ardes!" orange flames emerged from Harry's wand as he firing a powerful incinerating curse, which burned the two serpents to dust.
Looking down at his Elder Wand Harry thought, "Thank you friend, you have never cease to fail me, I am honored you chose me." Harry felt the wand respond warmly to him. As the flames disappeared, Harry saw Quirrell clapping.
Slowly, Quirrell began to unravel his turban, Harry saw with surprise fascination as he saw the pale gaunt snake like face and its cruel ruby red eyes that were analyzing him from the reflection of the mirror,
"Harry Potter, you certainly are not what I expected." Voldemort rasped.
"What did you expect?" Harry asked.
"The almighty Dumbledore has finally made a mistake…he actually believes your squib brother to be the one who vanquished me?" Voldemort was now laughing.
"So it would seem." Harry replied simply.
"I would enjoy revealing that fact once I return, join me Potter, I can grant you unimaginable knowledge, power, immortality and anything you desire." Harry hesitated a bit as he lowered his wand slightly.
Voldemort, sensing his advantage pressed on
"I sense great fury in you, yes…you hate them, you hate them so much for all the pain they caused you. We're not so different after all... my filthy pathetic excuse of a father abandoned me before I was even born…how I enjoyed hearing his screams before I tore his heart out." Voldemort whispered softly, insanity written all over in his ruby eyes.
Then footsteps could be heard behind him, Voldemort had a look of disgust as he saw Severus Snape and Filius Flitwick descending down the stairs, "Think about it, Potter." The Dark Lord said as he pulled out an object from his robes and shouted "Activate"
The binding curse hit thin air as the Dark Lord portkeyed away to an unknown location. Snape cursed while Flitwick looked at his favorite student with concern. "Unimaginable power…. immortality." Harry thought as he saw the Quirrell portkey away.
"Harry, how are you, I see that you have gone face to face with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Flitwick squeaked. "I'm fine Professor… it was an eye-opening experience, he was a good opponent to face." Harry said, causing Snape to narrow his eyes. Flitwick chuckled before nodding at his colleague to check the mirror, and then he led his prized student away from the chambers.
Upon returning to the third floor corridor, Harry was surprised to see his three friends leaning against the walls. "HARRY!" All three shouted when they saw Flitwick pulling a pensive Harry away from the Cerberus lair.
"Oh, hey guys, what up?" Harry asked lamely under the glares of his friends.
"No Quirrell didn't get the stone, yes we had a duel, yes he escaped. Now can we go?" Harry groaned knowingly to his friend's gaping mouths.
Reluctantly, the four boys left, after asking Flitwick if it would be appropriate to get food from the kitchen since the feast was concluded a long time ago.
"So, I guess the chess match went pretty well?" Harry asked.
"Toughest opponent I've ever faced but Ced and I beat it eventually." Roger said, shrugging.
"So, you saw the Dark Lord?" Elan asked.
Not wanting to share the information that he was the true Boy Who Lived, Harry answered, "Yeah, he really has a snake face with these red eyes. A very worthy opponent, I doubt he was seriously trying."
"Well, at least you stood your ground, there's a lot of people who would have just fled or soiled themselves." Cedric said giving Harry a pat on the back, Roger and Elan nodded.
"Thanks Ced, good catch by the way. There might be some hope for you after all" Harry joked.
"Haha, very funny Harry." Cedric rolled his eyes. As they finished their meal, the four bade each other good night as they returned to their respective common rooms.
"The stone is safe?" Dumbledore asked as he sat down behind his desk.
"Indeed, headmaster." Snape sneered.
"Voldemort has shown himself again, I presume." Dumbledore said, ignoring when Snape flinched.
"Yes, the Dark Lord has been clinging around Quirrell all year." Snape reported.
"I see, that is all, you are dismissed, Severus." Dumbledore said, waving a hand in dismissal. As Snape walked out, Dumbledore stared out the windows, Filius had reported that Harry Potter had dueled and came out as Voldemort's equal.
He would have to watch him more carefully from now on. Another thing that puzzled him was that Eric Potter was a little bit more powerful than a squib, which is impossible. The-Boy-Who-Lived was suppose to be one who held great power. Dumbledore simply could not unravel this mystery.
The next few days were hectic for Harry, the final of the Quidditch Cup against Gryffindor was at hand and practice hours were extended. The nice thing were that exams were pretty easy, well to Harry at least, who had achieved top student of the year for four years in a row.
Then came the match, Wood was staring intensely at Harry and Roger who just yawn as they paid no attention to the intimidation. Harry admitted that Wood was the best keeper he had played against, it was thirty minutes into the game but the score remained 40-20, Ravenclaw were leading slightly. He and Roger were actually trying hard to score this time, by an hour, Ravenclaw led 80-70, what infuriated him the most was that Katie Bell had the nerve to stick out her tongue at him whenever she scored.
Needless to say, Harry's competitive nature finally rose as he and Roger started to dictate the tempo of the match, scoring 300 points between the both of them. Cho Chang caught the snitch ending the game 530-470. Ravenclaws cheered in their box as they won the Quidditch Cup for a fourth consecutive year.
Flitwick was ecstatic as he received the cup from Madam Hooch, who looked impressed at Harry and Roger's forms. As Harry and Roger touched down, Madam Hooch walked over to them and barked, "Congratulations, Mr. Potter, Mr. Davies. Someone wants to meet you right now."
Looking at each other, Harry and Roger followed the Flying Instructor and saw a tall man with tanned skin and light brown hair greeted them behind the outside the stadium. "That was some mighty flying, Mr. Potter, Mr. Davies. I'm Jack Peterson, Scout for the U-17 England National Team."
Harry and Roger shook hands with the scout, who then continued, "Madam Hooch has praised you two to be the best chasers this school has ever produced, we would like you both to join our Under 17 Team for the U-17 World Cup this summer."
Harry and Roger looked at each other again, both were beyond surprised at this change.
"Of course, there are two other players we would like to add, Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Elan Malfoy. Ah here they come." True to his word, Harry saw a confused Cedric and an amused Elan walking towards them, walking in front of them was a short, balding man wit heavy spectacles that seemed to magnify his dark eyes.
"Meet my associate, Mr. Frederick Smalling." The short man shook Harry and Roger's hand, while Jack Peterson shook hands with Cedric and Elan.
"Pleasure is all mine, gentlemen." Smalling said in a high-pitched voice.
"Now with pleasantries out of the way, what'd you say? England needs young talent such as yourselves, we haven't won the world cup in 44 years. We need that extra push such as Mr. Potter and Mr. Davies demonstrated today. And also the next World Cup will be hosted here in three year's time." Harry and the rest pondered for a while.
"What about school?" Roger asked. "We'll still be in our sixth year when the World Cup comes along."
"No worries, we already have the permission from your headmaster and your heads of houses." Peterson said eagerly, the man looked like he would die on the spot if the offer were rejected.
After giving much thought, Harry held out a hand and said, "I'm in."
Peterson grinned widely as he took Harry's hand and a deal was struck. Elan followed, Cedric and Roger. Peterson looked like he was going to cry out loud after Roger shook his hand.
"Here are your schedules for practices and matches. Once the U-17 World Cup is over, you'll all receive schedules for the Senior Team." Frederick Smalling explained as he handed the four teens an envelope.
"We're all looking forward to your performances… all of England are. Have a pleasant day." The two scouts said as they pulled out a portkey and disappeared in a swirl. After biding Hooch farewell, who was crying with tears of joy from her eyes; Harry, Cedric, Roger and Elan were conversing excitedly, in Roger's case, he was jumping up and down like a little child.
"I can't believe it, the National Team accepted us." Roger shouted.
"Told you so, with the three of us as chasers, and Ceddy as seeker, we can't lose." Elan said haughtily. Harry only smiled in response as the four walked back up to the castle. After a satisfying farewell dinner in the kitchens, the four toasted their futures as professional Quidditch players and went back to their respective dormitories and had a wonderful sleep.
The next morning, Harry and Roger packed their trunks and after casting a shrinking charm on them, they filed out of their dormitory for the last time and went to grab an early breakfast in the Great Hall, to their gratitude, Scout Peterson and Smalling had kept their word of keeping their contracts away from the ears of the press until the start of the U-17 World Cup.
Elan joined them in the Ravenclaw Table, which didn't bother anyone save the Gryffindors who were glaring daggers at the elder Malfoy.
"I thought it was all a dream." Elan whispered as he dug into some eggs.
"So did I" Cedric said as he joined them, taking a seat across from Harry and Roger.
"Well gentlemen, I can assure that it is not a dream." Roger said with a grin and then stood up and strolling towards Elena Turpin, pulled her into a kiss, which caused her to slap him hard across the face.
"Yeah, definitely not a dream." Cedric commented, laughing hysterically as Roger came back with a pink slap mark on his cheek.
"You really asked for it Davies." Cho said from her seat next to her boyfriend.
"I know Chang but it was well worth it." Roger said, a dazed look in his eyes.
"The lad's got guts. Untouchable Turpin…" Elan commented through his chuckles. Harry just face palmed but still smiled.
Nobody saw Eric Potter glaring at his elder brother with jealousy from the Gryffindor table, it had not been a good week for him, he barely escape failing his exams and he hadn't made any new friends so far, only Ronald Weasley and Lavender Brown talked to him. At the beginning of the year, everyone was talking to him but it slowly dwindled as they heard about his performances in classes. Why should they care about his grades, he thought, he was the Chosen One. He then piled more bacon onto his plate and shoved it all down, ignoring the disgusted looks surrounding him.
Dumbledore then stood up and announced Ravenclaw winner of the House Cup, immediately, all Ravenclaws threw their pointed hats towards upwards and cheered. All the other houses clapped politely, then it was time to leave. Cedric and Elan excused themselves as they made their way to the carriages, claiming that they wanted to spend some time with their respective girlfriends. Harry and Roger laughed at this and shared a carriage with Lisa Turpin, who was still giggling at Roger's antics towards her sister and Hermione who gave Harry a hug and thanked him for a great year.
The carriage ride was enjoyable, both first years learnt a lot about Hogwarts from the two fourth years that Hogwarts: A History didn't mention. When the carriage arrived at Hogsmeade Station, Harry and Roger bade farewells to the two girls and quickly occupied a compartment near the front of the train. Cedric and Elan joined them along with Cho and Anna Zabini.
"Congrats Harry and Roger. I heard from Ced already." The asian girl said with a giggle as her two Quidditch teammates rolled their eyes.
"See what did I tell you Harry. Ceddy won't last five minutes with this lass." Roger said with a wide grin on his face but quickly ducked when Cho threw a punch at his face.
"Wow, four professional Quidditch from our schools. I think I'm going to keep you now Malfoy." Anna said slyly. Elan just groaned but flashed her a smile.
"You tell your brother yet?" Harry asked.
"And make him piss in his pants, getting a heart attack and ruining the Malfoy name, Nah...I'll tell him when he goes to the bathroom or something." Elan caused Cho and Anna to swat him while all the boys in the compartment fell down with laughter.
The train ride went by quickly as a couple games of exploding snap, wizard's chess and the dreaded Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean Challenge. As the Hogwart's Express pulled onto King's Cross Station, the boys went into the corridor to change, leaving the girls in the in long black jeans and a Manchester United t-shirt. Harry tucked his wand into a pocket and stashed his robes into his trunk, which he shrunk. He sneered as he saw reporters gathering on the train station.
Eric Potter stepped out of the train and immediately began doing his pompous poses and giving exclusives.
"See you in the England Camp in a bit." Cedric said and ran towards his parents after giving Cho a peck on the cheek and shaking the hands of his friends.
"I gotta go now, have fun and WIN!" Cho shouted before giving Harry, Roger, Elan and Anna a hug and then walked to where her parents were.
"Have fun guys, remember to slaughter them and Elan, you better not go messing around with other girls or else." Anna said with real menace in her violet eyes which caused Elan to gulp loudly. "See ya real soon." She said before kissing Elan on the lips and giving Harry and Roger a quick hug, then grabbing her sister who said a shy goodbye to Harry, walked confidently towards her parents.
"Well, my parents are busy so yeah, I'll see you both in the camp in a bit. Take care." Roger said as he slid his Armani sunglasses over his eyes and swaggered away.
"That leaves you and me." Elan said to Harry who was staring with utmost loathing in his eyes at his parents who were standing behind his fat arse of a brother.
"Hawrry!" The voice of a little girl chirped. Harry grinned as he saw his adorable little sister pulling the edge of his jeans with both hands. Smiling, he knelt down slightly and cringed when Little Rosy began tugging at his locks again. "I'm going to head home now, but better say something to your parents first." Harry said to a smirking Elan as they walked over to the Malfoys.
"Father, Mother, it is good to see you again." Elan said in a customary pure-blood way.
"It is good to see you again son, how was your year?" Lucius asked.
At this, Elan couldn't hold it in and shouted, "It was awesome, Harry and I were both asked to join England's Under-17 Quidditch National Team." Narcissa and Lucius' eyes widened and they turned to Harry who nodded. "Congratulations dears, words cannot explain how proud we are, of both of you." Narcissa said with a smile to her eldest and Harry, whom she considered to be one of her sons.
Lucius just rolled his eyes, leave it to Cissy to be all emotional and sentimental.
"Don't be such a spoil sport Lucius, you're jumping with joy inside, I know you are." Narcissa scolded her husband who raised his palms in a surrendering gesture.
"You know me too well Cissy."
"That I do." Narcissa replied with a smirk on her lips.
"Father, mother, can you not tell Draco yet, for I think he will spread it around and become too fat headed." Elan asked, smiling.
"But dearest, you can't hide it forever." Narcissa responded.
"You're right, but not now, at least…" Elan said with a sigh.
"Okay, Elan, I'm going home now. Cya at the England Camp." Harry said with annoyance as Little Rosy continued to pull on his hair.
"Sure thing man…take care of yourself." Elan said as he gave Harry a brotherly hug, Harry then shook hands with Lucius and was stunned when Narcissa hugged him tightly, "Take care Harry, you too Rosaline." She said after stepping back. Harry nodded while Rosy blushed, Harry then turn towards the barrier. Little Rosy was gave a wave at the Malfoys before snuggling into her brother's muscular back.
Following his parents, Harry and Rosy stepped into the apparition zone and reluctantly held hands with his mother, avoiding her gaze and he felt them apparate back to Potter Manor. After running up the stairs with Rosy screeching on his back, Harry lifted Rosy from his back and onto her bed and tucked her in for her nap.
Smiling at her small form, Harry tiptoed back towards his room, upon entering, he fell onto his four poster bed. Soon, he would be able to move away, no longer would he have to face the people hated every day he woke up. Harry then slipped into the realm of Morpheus with images of having his own house with just him and Little Rosy.