The paper informed Harry that of these seven bottles, three were poison, two were wine, one would let you walk through the purple flames, and one would let you walk through the black flames. Poison? In a test for a child? Harry waved the idea off, and thought that it was simply a simulation of a puzzle he might find in a tomb of some kind. He had read about Curse Breakers extensively, and had thought that it might be a fun career path, maybe this was a test to see if he was capable of it? That thought had Harry excited, but he refocused himself on the clues that the paper provided. Pulling out his notepad and pen, Harry made a table of the possible options that each clue could be, and eventually found the potion that would allow him to pass through the black flames. He drank it, and made a tentative motion towards them. They were still quite warm, and tickled somewhat against his body but did not harm him. Harry dashed through the flames, hoping the potions protections would last long enough.
On the opposite side of the flames however, was a room with no other exits, and a large ornate mirror sitting in the center. Making his way up to the mirror, taking a closer look at it. It's an ornate mirror with clawed feet and gold trim, across the top it read "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi". Looking into the mirror, Harry was shocked at what it showed. In it was Harry's reflection, but also the members of the Sphinx Club, and Ted and Andromeda Tonks… and his parents alive and well. Looking behind him, Harry saw nothing, but looking back in the mirror he saw all of the smiling faces of people that cared about him. Mirror Harry waved, an action Harry didn't initiate, before pulling a red stone out of his pocket, then stealthily putting it back in. Harry felt something land in his pocket, but before he could investigate, he heard Quirrel sound out.
"Well done Mr. Potter! Truly excellent work from the one who defeated Voldemort." Quirrel said. Harry turned to look at the Professor, as he just noticed his stutter disappearing… had he not had it all night? A red flash shot from the professors wand and into Harry's wand hand, his wand flew across the room, a second shot from the wand knocking Harry down.
"Professor? What's going on?" Harry asked, scared and confused. Was this still part of the test?
"Let me speak with the boy Quirrelous." A third voice spoke in the room, it's tone raspy and muffled, but betraying a sinister intention. Quirrel took off his turban, revealing a misshapen bald head, before he turned around to reveal a second face on the back of his head.
"Well now…Harry Potter, the boy who so rudely removed me from my body years ago. Our meeting is perhaps overdue." The face said, its expression a sneer that Professor Snape would be proud of.
"Who… what are you?" Harry asked, his tone quaking in fear.
"You kill me eleven years ago and do not even know my name? I am offended. I am Lord Voldemort, cheater of death. You and your mother might have destroyed my body all those years ago, but I avoided moving on to the next life. Your mother's worthless sacrifice only delayed the inevitable, a world where I rule over all of mankind." Voldemort said, he tone high and haughty. "With the Philospher's Stone that you so graciously acquired for me, I will be able to build a new, perfect body and begin my takeover of Britain. I'll be sure to let everyone know that the one that they can thank for their subjugation is their little savior… Harry Potter." Voldemort advanced towards where Harry was on the floor, moving Quirrel's legs in a sickening backwards walk.
"No! You can't!" Harry cried out in terror, scrambling to try and get to his feet. His fight or flight instincts were kicking in, but he didn't have his wand. What could he do?
"I insure you Mr. Potter, I will, but now, you must die!" Voldemort said, before Quirrel truned around and began firing a spell.
Time slowed down for a moment as Harry made his decision. This… thing wasn't going to kill him. He had too much to live for, and he wouldn't let any more people suffer because of Voldemort. Harry might not have had his wand, but he wasn't entirely unarmed, pulling out the small pen knife from his pocket, Harry threw himself at Quirrel, attempting to stab the man.
The small knife struck true into the man's stomach, but what shocked Harry more was the ashen bits that fell away from the man around the wound.
"What is this you cretin!" Quirrel hissed out, obviously in immense pain. Harry for lack of a better idea, balled up his fist and punched Quirrel in the face, Quirrel's skin flaking away as he did so.
"His touch master! It burns!" Quirrel cried out, attempting to regain his composure. Harry made one final play, grabbing the professors face in his hands and squeezing.
The effect was horrendous, Quirell began disintegrating before the young man's very eyes, the screams of both Quirrel and Voldemort echoing through the small chamber. Yet, after a moment they stopped, and all Harry could hear was his own heartbeat in his ears.
Harry fell to his knees and sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed. Then the world went black.
Harry awoke to find himself in the Hospital wing, a sight he recognized from the night of the Troll incident, looking to his left, he saw a table full of "Get well" cards and small candies, to his right he saw a small glass of water. Noticing his mouth was very dry, he grabbed the water and drank heartily.
Enjoying the story? Want to read ahead?
Support the novel and unlock early access to unreleased chapters by joining my patreon!
💧WATER TIER (10$) -- Read 20 chapters ahead of public releases
🔥FIRE TIER (20$) -- Read 40 chapters ahead, get full access to all extras, and vote in exclusive polls for bonus content
🔗 patreon.com/LunaDesire1
Even a small pledge makes a huge difference -- thanks you reading