Year 1 ⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚ 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔗𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔡𝔬𝔬𝔯

ℑ𝔣 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔢𝔫𝔧𝔬𝔶𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯, 𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔞 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱. ℑ 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔨!!𝔄𝔩𝔰𝔬 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔶 𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔭𝔰 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯𝔰 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔠𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔦𝔱. 𝔖𝔬 𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔣𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴 𝔭𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔰 💗

You ran through the corridors, the Invisibility Cloak fluttering around the four of you like a ghost."Y/n, stop breathing on my neck." Ron whispered. 

"Then move your neck away from my breathing." You said. Hermione tried not to laugh but failed

Harry led the way to the third-floor corridor , the forbidden one. The one no student was supposed to enter. The moment you stepped inside, the stench hit you. Wet dog. Rot. Heat. Then you heard it. A deep, rumbling growl. Fluffy. Hermione nearly screamed, covering her mouth just in time. Fluffy's three massive heads sleeping , but then Harry pointed." There"A golden harp played in the corner, strings plucked by invisible fingers. "Snape's enchanted it," Hermione whispered. "But the spell's wearing off," you said, watching as one of Fluffy's heads began to lift. Harry pulled out the flute Hagrid had given him. The music was shaky, uneven, but it worked. Fluffy drooped, one head at a time, until all three slumped heavily to the floor again,  breathing slow and deep. 

"He does NOT smell good up close," you murmured. Ron gagged. "I think my socks are cleaner than his entire body." Hermione pointed at the trapdoor. "We have to go. The music won't last." You helped Hermione and harry pull it open. A giant black pit gaped below. Ron peered in. "Now what? Jump?" "Well," you said, heart hammering, "we can't use the stairs." 

You jumped first. Your stomach lurched and you fell into a soft mass of vines. Ron landed beside you with a yelp. Hermione next. Harry last. And the vines immediately began to curl around your ankles."Dunno, some sort of-" Ron started, "Devil's Snare!" Hermione shouted from above you. The plant reacted instantly, tightening, pulling, wrapping around your waist and thighs. You gasped. "It's choking me!" "Stop moving!" Hermione cried. 

"I'm TRYING!" you yelled through gritted teeth. Harry struggled violently, which only made the vines coil tighter. "It likes the dark and the damp!" Hermione shouted. "So just stay calm!""CALM?!" 

Ron screeched. "WE'RE BEING STRANGLED!" You felt your chest compress, unable to breathe. "Hermione!" you coughed. "Help!" Hermione's eyes widened. "Right! Fire, but I have no wood.."

"ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?!" Ron roared.Then Hermione was eaten up by the devil's snare, as of what we thought. "Hermione!!!", we all said in unison. 

"Just stay still", her voice echoed. "Owhh they won't stay still urghhh ", Hermione raised her wand.

"Lumos Solem!"

Blinding white sunlight burst from her wand, filling the chamber. The Devil's Snare recoiled violently, releasing all of you at once. You dropped onto the stone floor, gasping. Harry reached over, grabbing your wrist. "You okay?" You nodded shakily. "Yeah. Just remind me to never insult plants again."

Ron wheezed. "That- thing- tried to KILL me." Hermione sniffed. "If you'd listened to Herbology- ",  "Not now, Hermione," you said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "We've still got a murderer to stop." Harry stood, wand out. "Let's go." You followed him into the next room. You stepped into a massive, shimmering hall which was soft, magical light bounced off hundreds of fluttering shapes. Ron whispered, "Are those... birds?" You squinted. "No. Those are..." "Keys." Hermione breathed. "Flying keys."Harry pointed upward at the old wooden door on the far wall. "It needs a key. And I bet it's one of those." Ron groaned. "Brilliant. We have to catch it?" You stepped to the edge of the broom rack. "Harry... It's you. You're the youngest seeker in the History of Hogwarts, you only better do it."

 Harry hesitated, not out of fear, but determination. You smiled at him softly. "We trust you. Go." Ron shoved a broom toward him. "Yeah. Go on then." Harry mounted and shot into the air. You shielded your eyes as the keys darted, glittering like sharp little daggers. Hermione pointed. "It'll be old... battered... like the door!" You scanned each passing blur until..."There!" you shouted. "Blue wings bent near the tip!" Harry swerved sharply. You watched him lean forward, arm outstretched. The keys, like a furious flock swarmed him."HE'S NOT GOING TO LAST MUCH LONGER!" Ron yelled.You raised your wand. "I can stun a few- ""Y/N, don't!" Hermione grabbed your wrist. "If the spell ricochets-" Harry ducked. A key slashed his cheek. Your heart lurched. "Harry!" But he didn't give up. He pushed forward, eyes blazing reached and snatched--THE KEY.

He dove downward just as the rest rammed into the door like a metallic storm and landed hard beside you, chest heaving. You grabbed his face gently. "You're bleeding." "It's nothing," he said breathlessly. "Let's go." Ron jammed the key into the lock. It clicked. The door swung open into darkness. The four of you exchanged looks. Harry stepped through first. You followed.

You stepped into a vast chamber illuminated by eerie torches lining the walls. Ron took one look and whispered, "We're gonna need to play our way across." A giant wizard's chessboard stretched from one end of the room to the other, pieces towering over you, carved from cold stone. The knights stood with their heavy armor gleaming, bishops holding massive spears, pawns lined up like soldiers. Hermione shivered. "It's... real wizard's chess." You stepped forward cautiously. "I don't like how they're looking at us." One of the knights turned its helmeted head slightly toward you. "Yeah," Ron murmured. "They're alive." Harry nodded. "We take the places of some of the pieces." Ron already scanning the board with that tactical mind of his."We need a knight... and preferably two pawns. Hermione stepped into place as a bishop. Harry took a pawn's square. You stepped into the other pawn's.

Ron mounted the stone knight's square and the piece beneath him shifted, as though acknowledging him. "Right," he muttered. "Let's play." The opposing pieces moved first. A stone bishop thundered forward. Ron narrowed his eyes. "Pawn to E3." Your piece moved automatically, dragging you with it. You gasped as the stone ground beneath your feet, but Harry shot you a small, reassuring smile. You steadied yourself. "As long as none of the big ones attack me, I'm fine." Ron kept calling out moves, voice steady, strategic. Hermione watched anxiously. "Be careful, Ron!" ."I am being careful," he snapped, though not angrily ,more focused than ever. After a few moves, the enemy queen glided forward, massive and deadly. Ron's jaw tightened. "She'll take one of us next," he murmured. You swallowed. "Ron...?" He looked across the board, eyes fierce. "It's the only way." Harry stared. "Ron, don't sacrifice yourself!", "You can't!", hermione shouted. But Ron's voice was calm , heartbreakingly calm. "Harry... you have to go on. You're the one who has to stop Snape or whoever it is." He met your eyes last. "Y/N... look after them, yeah?" Your throat tightened. 

"Ron, please-"He gave you a crooked grin. "I'll be fine. I've been knocked off a broom before." But this wasn't a broom. Before you could speak to him, he gave the final command, 

"Knight to H3."

The enemy queen turned her massive stone face toward him and the time slowed."RON!" Hermione screamed. You lunged instinctively, but your square wouldn't move. The Queen's giant arm swung, CRACK. Ron was thrown off the knight and slammed onto the stone floor. Your heart wrenched painfully. Hermione shrieked, harry interrupted her, "DONT, No Hermione, don't forget that we are still playing the game." Harry went forward and said, "Checkmate" the sword landed on the ground and Hermione tore free, running to him. "RON! Ron, please-Ron!"He knelt beside him. "He's alive... just unconscious." You fell to your knees next to Ron, brushing hair from his forehead. Your voice cracked. "You brave, stupid boy..." Hermione was sobbing now, gripping Ron's limp hand. "We need to get him to Madam Pomfrey," you said firmly, gently moving Hermione aside. "Hermione, you're the best one to take him." Hermione nodded shakily. "Y-Yes... I can do that." You looked at Harry. "I'll stay with you."

The moment Harry disappeared into the wall of black fire, the chamber went dead silent.Only the soft crackle of the purple flames behind you remained, you hugged your knees to your chest, heart pounding relentlessly. The stone floor felt cold even through your robes.Harry insisted you not to go with him inside, he wanted you safe. Inside the Chamber : "Harry Potter..."Quirrell's voice trembled. "You? But why are you here?" Harry's breathing was harsh, shaky. "I thought Snape," Quirrell laughed , but it was wrong. Wet, cracked. "Snape? He does seem the type, doesn't he? But he... actually tried to stop me." Your stomach flipped upside down, you were listening from outside ears sticked to the walls. 

Quirrell continued, voice rising and falling like a madman rambling, "While everyone thought Snape was the threat, it was I who tried to kill you on your broom. Snape was muttering counter-curses... saving your life..." You clamped a hand over your mouth. Snape... protected Harry? Harry's voice echoed, sharp and angry. "He hates me-" "Yes," Quirrell whispered. "But he never wanted you dead."A pause.Then Harry's voice changed, shocked, amazed, confused:"The Mirror of Erised..." A voice dark, empty, hungry echoes faintly through the stone walls, as if it is whispering directly into your mind "Another one... watching... waiting... Lupin's blood... Bring her to me." Your entire body freezes. Something knows you're here.

Inside the chamber, Quirrell's voice rises sharply, "Master... someone else is outside.","Get her. I want her here." Before you can run, your legs lock in place. Your wand slips from your fingers. A purple glow wraps around your torso like chains.

"NO, LET ME GO!" You are dragged across the stone floor ,not physically, but magically, like invisible hands pulling you like a puppet. The door slams open. You are yanked inside.Harry spins around immediately."Y/N?! What,nooooo!" He tries to run toward you, but Quirrell flicks his hand and Harry is thrown backward, hitting the floor hard."Don't touch her!!" But you can't reach him. Your feet slide across the ground against your will until you're beside Quirrell, paralyzed upright. Quirrell grins. "Such loyalty... foolish."

Quirrell unwraps his turban...and for the first time, you truly look upon Voldemort's face.The back of Quirrell's head shifts... opens...And a pale, snake-like face appears. Those red eyes lock onto you, your stomach drops and your knees tremble. You can't breathe.But you don't cry. You don't scream. You glare. That alone seems to amuse him.

"Lupin's child... I remember your father. So loyal. So pathetic."You-know-who said. Your voice trembles, but you force the words out, "Stay away from Harry." The chamber temperature drops. Voldemort's tone becomes silkier, darker. "You fear for him more than for yourself. How... interesting."Voldemort commands, "Quirrell. Bring her closer. I want her to watch." You feel your body dragged next to Harry, only a few feet away ,, but you still can't move while he gasps, terrified for you. "Y/N... don't look at him. Don't listen. I'll fix this. I promise." Voldemort laughs. "Yes... look into the mirror, Potter, show me... how you save her."

Harry stares into the mirror, he sees himself holding the stone. And then, He feels it drop into his pocket. "I've got it..."Voldemort snaps towards him, "What do you see?!" while Harry stays silent. Voldemort growls. Then again he focuses on you. "Bring... her... here." Quirrell grabs your arm. He pulls you forward, forcing your hand near the Mirror, using you as a conduit ."The girl may reveal the stone's location if Potter doesn't."

 Harry's breath stops. Your reflection in the mirror looks terrified...But behind ... you see the faint red glow of the stone. Voldemort sees it too."Ah... there it is." Harry's eyes widen."Nooo, leave her out of this! I'm the one you want!" Quirrell reaches out ,your arm held painfully tight and presses your hand toward the mirror. Voldemort hisses, "Just a touch... and the girl will lead me to it..."

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" harry screamed. But Quirrell has your palm inches from the mirror surface— And in that moment, a faint spark of red touches Voldemort's spectral face. The contact is enough. A surge of magic bursts. Quirrell recoils. Voldemort shrieks, "THE STONE—!"Your knees buckle and throw backward across the floor, gasping. Harry runs to you, grabbing your shoulders."Y/n you hurt? Talk to me",but before you can answer, Quirrell turns on Harry. Quirrell lunges toward Harry, furious, trembling, skin already blistering from where he touched him moments ago. "GIVE ME THE STONE—!" 

Harry shoves both hands against Quirrell's face. And then, Quirrell lets out a bloodcurdling scream. His skin burns beneath Harry's touch, blistering like fire is erupting from inside him.Pieces of ash drift off him, his robes begin to crumble. His body shakes violently, collapsing inward as though he is turning to dust. You lie on the cold stone floor, chest barely rising with each breath, vision blurred and trembling. You want to move , God, you want to run to Harry , but your body feels pinned to the ground by invisible weight. Your hand twitches, and that's the most you can manage. "H... Harry..." Harry looks back at you instantly, terrified. "Y/N! I'm coming, just— just hold on!"But Quirrell stumbles toward him again. "MASTER, HELP ME!" Harry forces his hands to Quirrell's skin again, this time grabbing both arms. Quirrell screams even louder, a sound so sharp you feel it in your bones. His arms disintegrate. Then his chest. Then,

SILENCE.

Quirrell collapses into a pile of ash at Harry's feet.For one terrifying second, the chamber is still. Then a violent gust of icy wind erupts from the ashes.A white, ghostly shape, twisted, screaming, bursts into the air. You turn your head weakly just in time to see Voldemort's spirit shoot toward the ceiling like a streak of lightning. Before it escapes, it sweeps right over you and the cold cuts through your soul like a knife.Your breath stops and heart stutters. You feel darkness claw at the edges of your vision. Harry screams your name. "NO — Y/n!"He stumbles toward you, But the spectral form slams into him, knocking him back.Harry hits the floor hard. Your blurry vision catches the moment Voldemort's spirit passes through the wall and vanishes, leaving the chamber echoing with its fading shriekThe stones groan while the room is falling apart.Harry crawls, literally drags himself across the shaking floor to get to you while dust and ash coat his glasses. His hands are bleeding and voice is shaking.

"Y/n... I'm here, please stay awake..." You want to answer and your lips part but nothing comes out. Your body feels weightless... distant... fading. Harry lifts your head into his lap, cradling you gently.You can barely see, everything is foggy, but your hand weakly grips his sleeve.That tiny motion nearly makes him cry. "You're not leaving me. Do you hear me? You're NOT."Your vision fades to white..and you hear Harry's voice one last time, "Please... don't go..." And then,

BLACKOUT.

⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚ The ones that Love us never really leave US ⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Word Count : 2535