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Chapter 06: The Endless Night

"So tell, me again Harry," said Daphne. "How in the world did Snape not kill you?"

Harry looked thoughtful; putting down the potato he had sticking out of his fork.

"If I could hazard a guess," said Harry thoughtfully. "He might have been impressed but I really think he wants the win the Quidditch Cup and would do anything he could to do so. Even if he had to put a first year who looks like he had talent on a team."

"Well, you look like you have talent well, Harry," said Theodore. "I would be more inclined to say you do have Quidditch talent. First time on a broom and you made Malfoy look like an utter fool. Impressive if I may say so myself."

"So, I bet you think you are hot stuff, huh Potter," said a voice angrily. It was Weasley and he did not look too pleased with Harry right at the moment.

"Spout your piece Ronald," said Harry not even looking up at Weasley. "Let it out, I would not want to deny you a chance to rant about how I am the personification of evil."

"Famous Harry Potter," said Weasley in what he would think is a mocking tone of voice but Harry personally thought it was a bit pathetic. Daphne and Theodore snickered at his amusing
antics. "Along with his faithful minions Greengrass and Nott. Not to mention the Gryffindor traitor, Granger. Where is she anyway, Potter? Did she stab you in the back now too?"

Harry looked at Weasley, his full attention on the offending party now. It was one thing to make fun of Harry but Harry drew the line in the sand when making fun of his friends or family.

"Yes, Potter, because you did one dive, which I will give you was impressive," said Weasley. "It was a fluke, because I doubt you could get your over inflated head off the ground again, after getting on the Slytherin Team in your first year. I think you would fit in well with all of the rest of the slime. You even managed to pull the wool of Snape's eyes but my brothers told me he was biased towards his fellow snakes, which you are one."

"Bravo, Ronald," said Harry as if he was praising a child who was successful in his or her toilet training. "I am sure you had to rehearse that one for hours. Now if you please, I have better things to do then talking to you."

The hot head was not done yet. Harry could not believe how some people could not just get the hit.

"Potter, you are not going to treat me like Malfoy," said Weasley. "I am a Gryffindor and you are a lowly Slytherin. In fact, Wizard Dual, tonight, you and me tonight. I am sure you could have one of your minions be your second and I could find a fellow Gryffindor who would be willing to assist me due to you stabbing us all the back by being Slytherin."

Before Harry could answer, another party had entered the fray.

"Oh no, you don't Weasley," said Malfoy. "You will not be challenging Potter to a dual."

"Why is that, Malfoy?" demanded Weasley, his ears going red as his hair in anger.

"That is because I am challenging him to a dual, you blood traitor," drawled Malfoy. "Potter. You and I, dual, trophy room. You will pay for disrespecting me. That is, if you have the guts."

"Oh no, Malfoy," said Weasley. "I challenged Potter first, you can get in line. Your superiority act will not work with me."
A look of irritation crossed Malfoy's face.

"Is that the best comeback you can use, Weasley?" said Malfoy in a low voice. "Of course, you are so poor you could not even rent a good comeback line. I heard you and your hundred siblings sleep in a room the size of the broom closet on the third floor."

"Malfoy, you are the reason why there is a bill going through the Ministry of Magic which is going to outlaw inbreeding among wizards," said Weasley.

Malfoy winced but recovered himself quickly.

Of course your father would know that," said Malfoy. "He only heard about it when he was fetching Minister Fudge's morning paper, because it is the only job your blood traitor father is good for."

"Think we should get involved in this?" muttered Daphne to Harry as Weasley and Malfoy glared at each other.

"If you make one more crack about my father," Weasley, leaving the threat hanging.

"I'm in no hurry," muttered Harry back to Daphne who was now fighting the urge to laugh.

"Or what Weasley?" challenged Malfoy. "You are going to choke me with the dust found in your rundown shack."

Theodore, Daphne, and Harry gotten up and walked off as Malfoy and Weasley were still in the heat of their argument.

"Fine, Malfoy," said Weasley. "You think you are so clever, let's see how good you are with a wand. Wizarding Dual, you and I, tonight Midnight in the Trophy Room."

"Weasley, I accept your little pitiful challenge," said Malfoy. "It might bring prestiege to your family name if you could say you got into a dual with a Malfoy. After all, throughout the ages, we had many legendary dueling masters on our family tree."

Malfoy puffed out his chest in an attempt to look important but Harry felt all it accomplished was to make him look like an oversized pigeon. Stifling a laugh, Harry left with Daphne and Theodore.

"That was too great," said Daphne with tears rolling down her cheeks from laughing at the pitiful insults Weasley and Malfoy traded.

"You know, I was under the impression they both wanted to humble me in a dual," said Harry. "Perhaps I am not important enough to get ridiculed any more. Only a few weeks in The Wizarding World and my market value is already down the drain."

Harry put a hand to his heart and looked up at the ceiling.

"Alas my days as thy master of the sarcastic tongue is all over," said Harry as Theodore and Daphne fought smiles. "Perhaps I should start torturing small children and animals now. Perhaps burn an effigy of the Voldemort right in the middle of the Slytherin Common Room to send the pureblood supremacists into seizures because it seems, Malfoy and Weasley would rather insult each other than insult me. My days as trader of witty barbs, down the hopper, aw it was fun the few weeks lasted."
Harry then looked serious for a moment as Daphne and Theodore burst out laughing. Harry joined them.

"Harry, you actually scared us for a minute," said Daphne in between giggles. "You not being sarcastic would like if Hermione stopped studying."

"Or if Snape started handing out sweets," offered Theodore.

"If Snape started handing out sweets, I would be very bothered. The first thing I would do is check the sweets for poison," said Harry looking rather amused.

"Come on, let's go find Hermione," said Daphne. "I am sure she would like the story on how you indirectly manipulated Malfoy and Weasley into having a dual with each other."

"Yes, it is a gift," said Harry. "Come on, let's go find Hermione."

The three had gone off in the direction. Little did Harry know or perhaps care, a figure was watching him. Marcus Flint was spying on Harry. He was to get him out and rough him up on the orders of his master, although he did not quite remember whom that was. He had a group of fifth, sixth, and seventh year Slytherins joining him all all quite rotten and nasty. They would do the job Flint's mysterious Master wanted Marcus to do well.

It was deep into the night. Hermione, Daphne, Theodore, and Harry had been chatting in the library quietly for hours and it was getting late.

"Come on guys," muttered Theodore. "I don't want to run into Filch."

Harry looked at Theodore before shaking his head.

"You guys go," said Harry. "I just want to take one tiny peak at this Weasley and Malfoy dual before going to bed. I can make it back on my own fine. It is extremely unlikely I'm going to run into any trouble without you guys with me."

"If you want to Harry," said Hermione who looked a bit uneasy. "I just hope Ron does not cost Gryffindor all the points I learned by knowing about switching spells."

"Go, Harry," said Daphne. "If you want to be disappointed because I doubt Malfoy is going to show up. He probably set up that trap so he could get Weasley in trouble with Filch."

"Actually, I believe that trap was meant for me," said Harry gearing up his fake dramatic voice but Theodore put his hand up.

"I think we heard enough of Drama King Potter for one day," said Theodore while shaking his head. "Although if this Boy-Who-Lived business does not work out, at least you have a possible career in dramatic theater."

Harry winced at the Boy-Who-Lived title, as it brought him so much fame he didn't want.

"Nott, if you ever don't say anything again, please do not say the words Boy-Who-Lived in succession," said Harry. "Especially when referring to me. The only reason I am still alive is because my mother protected me and died for me. What did she get? Zip, nothing, notta, heck her body was not even found. What did I get? A bunch of hero worshippers and trendy title, I received nothing more than that. Big bloody deal."

"Okay, good night, Harry," said Daphne as Daphne and Theodore departed for the Slytherin Common Room, Hermione for the Gryffindor. Harry went straight to the trophy room. He had to see the dual between Weasley and Malfoy. Of course, the chances of it happening were low, because Malfoy did seem like someone who would no show a dual. Of course, Harry heard someone.

Whipping around, Harry pulled out his wand, staring around.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry had seen Neville Longbottom.

"Hello uh, listen do you mind if I call you Harry," said Neville who looked rather nervous.

"No I don't mind," said Harry before reaching into his robe and pulling out the Remembrall. "Here, Neville, you dropped this earlier. I was hoping I would run into you at dinner but you must have been the Hospital Wing."

"Yeah," said Neville looking at Harry curiously. "Well thank you. I better be getting off to the Gryffindor Common Room right now."

"Good night, Neville," said Harry. "Oh and if Malfoy ever gives you grief ever again, talk to me and I will have a word with him."

Looking around, Harry had heard a very familiar voice.

"Weasley should be in the Trophy Room right about now, my sweet," said a low voice. "Come on, Mrs. Norris, we will put him in detention. No doubt he is just like his twin brothers, always stirring up trouble to give me headaches."

Filch was on the prowl and no doubt Weasley would be in for a world of trouble if he got caught. Harry looked like he was about ready to go bail Weasley out of trouble but it turned out he had his own problems.

"Well what do we have here," said an unpleasant voice. "An ickle firstie had lost his way to his common room. Let us teach little Potter about wandering about at night."

One of the figures, their were a dozen in each, had grabbed Harry's arm. Harry could not get a clear view of their face, as it was covered with a hood of a cloak. Thinking about all the fancy ninjitsu tactics he could use, Harry had decided to try for the simple approach. He stuck his knee right in his attacker's groin. The attacker doubled over in pain. Two of attackers went for Harry but he managed to back flip over them. They looked around, looking for Harry and turned around. Harry dived at them. The goons looked like deer in the headlights, as Harry kicked them in the chest.

A backhand from behind was narrowly avoided when Harry did a roll. So they wanted to play rough did they? Harry pulled out his wand and muttered "Locomotor Mortis" which caused one of his attacker's legs to snap together and his attacker to fall flat on his face. He had learned of that useful little charm in a book.

A slicing charm to a tapestry had trapped three of the goons underneath it. The remaining six goons went after Harry. Sending a mild burning hex over his shoulder, he had heard a shriek of agony. All that extra reading had paid off although this would be the first time he would use these curses. If they did not work, well Harry would have to get his hands dirty without using his wand. Harry had sliced another tapestry down and then used a tying charm, shooting cords out and wrapping them in the tapestry. A trip jinx caused another one of the offending attackers to fly headfirst into a banister. One remained and he was not happy. He went after Harry and Harry opened a door.
It struck Harry at that point. He was on the third floor, in the forbidden corridor. And he damn as sure knew why in the hell it was forbidden now.

A giant three headed dog stared at Harry, baring its teeth. Harry forgot himself and his final attacker snuck up behind Harry. He had lunged at him but thankfully Harry had the foresight to roll out of the way. The attacker flew into the room and was face to face with the three heads of the three-headed dog. The dog had pinned the attacker down with his paws, licking his chops. Harry heard whimpering from behind the door as he closed it, which sure was not the dog following by a blood curdling shriek that caused Harry's blood to run cold. For his own mental stability, he was going to pretend he didn't hear that.

Meanwhile, as Harry was utterly embarrassing upper year Slytherins with simple hexes and methods, Albus Dumbledore was following the tracking charm he put on one of the Slytherins, Terrence Higgs. Flint had enlisted Higgs for his little mission, the Slytherin seeker no doubt wanting to take out Harry before he could take his position, so it would make him an ideal disciple. However, Dumbledore stopped. This could not be right. He was just outside the third floor corridor on the right side. He hoped the door and a gruesome sight saw him. In all of his years as a teacher in Hogwarts, he could not believe it. He would be modifying some memories tonight for sure.

He looked at Higgs or whatever was left of him rather.

Dumbledore shook his head. Such wasted potential but Dumbledore was certain he could spin this one into a story which would not make anyone suspect him. After all, he had warned students about going up to the third floor corridor on the right side. For right now, Dumbledore went up to his office. He could not be seen here, it would would extremely suspicious. He was certain young Harry would not connect him with this little incident.

If Harry had not left the area just a few minutes prior, he would have seen Dumbledore there and perhaps put two and two together. He had however left the scene straight after locking his mysterious attacker in the room with the three-headed dog. Harry had wondered why in the world would someone be keeping an animal like that inside of Hogwarts. Then it hit him. It has to be guarding something but what. Harry had a strange feeling he would fine out all too soon.

The night was not over. Not by a long shot. When wandering around, Harry spied a very peculiar looking wall. It was glowing with strange markings, which Master Splinter had once told him were symbols of the five elements, earth, wind, water, fire, and metal. Harry walked up to it, as if some strange force was drawing him to it. Walking up to the wall, Harry put his hand to it.

A strange hissing sound was heard as the wall sprang up. A staircase was avaiable for Harry to descend. He descended, seeing carved snakes on the wall. Finally, he reached a door with a painting of a black haired man with green eyes. Harry did a double take. It almost looked like an older version of Harry from fifteen or twenty years into the future. Harry touched the doorknob but it sprang open before Harry could even turn it. The first thing Harry saw as a note on a table. It looked as if it was recently written.

Dear Reader:

You have come to my private chambers, which means you are worthy of passage. This is place, which I have told no one, unlike my Chamber of Secrets or Salazar Tower. These texts are not known to the general world and no doubt my name has been tarnished over the years due to my line being lead to corruption. Believe me, I myself did some things, which I am not proud of. To access this room, you no doubt have mystic abilities, which as of this time, only two other humans have had. The legendary wizard known as Merlin and myself were the only others to possess this ability. These books will help you perfect your mystic abilities and many other magical abilities, which I fear may have been lost through the passage of line. Finally, to have accessed this room, you would have had the Heart of the Warrior along with the Soul of Fire. You are destined due to an age-old prophecy to change the world for the better. Good luck my friend, on this day you can begin using your knowledge for good.

Salazar Slytherin.

Harry had looked around the room, which according the letter had belonged to the namesake of his house. Shelves upon shelves of books filled the room. Not to mention all the strange artifacts. At the forefront of all these artifacts was a glowing amulet with a snake with the letters SS stamped on the front of it. There was a short note attached to it.

Dear Reader:

This is a Portus-Amulet. The power within it will be sustained for millions of years and function much like a porkey. The only difference is it will have unlimited teleportation powers. To use it, place your wand on it and think of your destination. Use it well.

Salazar Slytherin

Harry looked around with glee. No doubt these books had untold knowledge and this amulet would prevent him from relying on Dumbledore for his transportation needs from Hogwarts to New York. This night turned out to be a great one for young Harry Potter.

Another soul was well awake on that night. A soul, which many had foolishly thought to be long gone, the assumption proving to be misguided due to some people not wanting to believe the truth. This soul was pure evil and was plotting to regain his body.

"Quirinus," hissed a voice. "Have you found out what protections the old fool has laid upon the stone yet?"

"No, I have not My Lord," muttered a second voice, the one of Professor Quirrell. "Rest assure, I should have a diversion planned by Halloween and then I should see what exactly Dumbledore has cooked up."

"Good," hissed the Dark Lord. "The Potter boy is also a wild card, although I am pleased he was sorted in Slytherin. Perhaps he could follow me if he is not in the influence of that manipulative old coot, Dumbledore. If Potter accepts my offer, then he could make a good servant but if he refuses, I will finish the job I started ten years ago"

"And what of Severus Snape?" asked Quirrell curiously to his master.

"If Snape does not suspect my involvement, then do nothing," hissed Voldemort. "If Snape chooses to get into my way when I go after the Philosopher's Stone, I want him destroyed slowly and painfully."

"Yes, My Lord," said Quirrell.

If Voldemort had a body, he would have cracked his knuckles in anticipation. His Horcruxes had sustained his but when Quirrell gets his hands on the Philosopher's Stone for his Lord, Voldemort would have a body once more. Then he would destroy all the blood traitors, half-breeds, Mudbloods, and Muggles who opposed him. It was a shame Quirrell would be destroyed due the strain of Voldemort leaving his body. No actually, Voldemort found the fact Quirrell would be destroyed quite amusing but even as a child at Hogwarts, he was said even by his closest associates to have a sick sense of humor.