"We already figured that," said Harry, shaking his head while watching the bet paper change it so that it showed that she had won.
"I know, but it's nice to have some confirmation," said Hermione.
"You!" gasped Harry.
Quirrell smiled. His face wasn't twitching at all.
"You were right about it being an act," said Harry.
"Yeah, I guess I was, since no one can be that cowardly," said Hermione.
"Me," he said calmly. "I wondered whether I'd be meeting you here, Potter."
"He must have realized that you'd figured out about the stone," said Hermione.
"But I thought – Snape –"
"Severus?" Quirrell laughed, and it wasn't his usual quivering tremble, either, but cold and sharp.
"That doesn't sound very good," said Harry.
"Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?"
"You know, he is right about that. It's so hard to imagine Quirrell as the bad guy when you've got Snape there, who seems to be the perfect enemy," Harry said
"Maybe that's why book me didn't think to look past Snape," said Hermione. "Between you, Ron, and that, it would be hard to notice that it was Quirrell. I think the only reason why I'd noticed already is because of the books in general."
Harry couldn't take it in. This couldn't be true, it couldn't.
"It is, Harry," said Cedric.
"But Snape tried to kill me!"
"No, no, no, I tried to kill you. Your friend Miss Granger accidentally knocked me over as she rushed to set fire to Snape at that Quidditch match."
"So that's why he was mentioned," said Cedric. "You know, I've got to wonder if you realized who you knocked down."
"Most likely not," said Hermione. "I mean, just because it mentioned it in the book doesn't mean that my book self noticed it."
"She broke my eye contact with you. Another few seconds and I'd have got you off that broom."
"That' means that, if he hadn't achieved it beforehand, considering how long it seemed that you were out of commission, then that means that Snape was trying to save you," said Hermione.
"He was trying to save me?" said Harry, sounding very skeptical. After all, with how clear in his animosity that Snape was, it wasn't easy for Harry to accept this fact.
"I'd have managed it before then if Snape hadn't been muttering a countercurse, trying to save you."
"Snape was trying to save me?"
"Book you isn't that different from real you," said Luna.
"Of course," said Quirrell coolly. "Why do you think he wanted to referee your next match?"
"Snape wanted to make sure that you didn't get killed," said Hermione.
"He was trying to make sure I didn't do it again. Funny, really…he needn't have bothered."
"It would have been stupid to do something while Dumbledore was there," said Cedric.
"I couldn't do anything with Dumbledore watching."
"You know what, knowing this, I have to wonder if Dumbledore didn't go on purpose," said Hermione. "I mean, Snape probably had to inform him of what he planned on doing, so Dumbledore would have known beforehand. I wonder if Dumbledore didn't show up to make sure that we didn't realize that Snape wanted to save you instead of kill you. I mean, if he hadn't, Quirrell would have tried again, and then Snape would have been saved you, and we would have needed to look elsewhere."
"You know, you're right," said Harry. "We wouldn't have been so sure it was Snape if he had saved me, which probably would have pointed us in the right direction of who was trying to kill me."
"Dumbledore didn't want you to think it was someone else," said Luna. "That's the only reason for him being there. And he didn't tell Snape that he was going to come, otherwise Snape wouldn't have looked so angry. Dumbledore pretty much made Snape's attempt useless."
"Which makes me wonder exactly why he did it," Hermione said. "What was so important for Dumbledore to keep Snape from saving your life in needed and let us continue to believe that Snape was after the Stone?"
It was a question none of them knew the answer too.
"All the other teachers thought Snape was trying to stop Gryffindor for winning, he did make himself unpopular…"
"Not sure if he made himself unpopular there, especially when I don't think he was popular to begin with," said Cedric.
"and what a waste of time, when after all, I'm going to kill you tonight."
"No he isn't," said Hermione, an angry look on her face.
"Um, Hermione, one, you kind of can't stop him if he decides to kill me, since your not there, and he'd most likely kill you if you were there, more than me, since he seems to have a need to talk about what he's doing, and two, I obviously survive since, as the note at the beginning said, these books are mostly about me," said Harry. The knowledge that Harry would obviously be safe calmed Hermione down.
Quirrell snapped his fingers. Ropes sprang out of thin air and wrapped themselves tightly around Harry.
"You're too nosy to live, Potter. Scurrying around the school on Halloween like that, for all I knew you'd seen me coming to look at what was guarding the Stone."
"And there's the admission that he pretty much let the troll in," said Cedric, as the bet paper showed that Hermione had won a bet once again.
"You let the troll in?"
"Certainly. I have a special gift with trolls – you must have seen what I did to the one into the chamber back there? Unfortunately, while everyone else was running around looking for it, Snape, who already suspected me, went straight to the third floor to head me off"
"So that's why Snape was heading to the third floor," said Harry.
"– and not only did my troll fail to beat you to death, that three-headed dog didn't even managed to bit Snape's leg off properly.
"Now, wait quietly, Potter. I need to examine this interesting mirror."
"Mirror," said Harry. He looked at the others. "You don't think…"
"The Mirror of Erised," said Luna. "Most likely."
It was only then that Harry realized what was standing behind Quirrell. It was the Mirror of Erised.
"You know, this makes me think that Harry finding the mirror was anticipated, especially if it's now at the end of the obstacles," said Hermione, "which could mean that the traps probably are not the ones that were actually the at the beginning of the year, if what I'm thinking it true, of course."
"This mirror is the key to finding the Stone," Quirrell murmured, tapping his way around the frame. "Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this…but he's in London…I'll be far away by the time he gets back…."
"You know, since he doesn't actually say something, that makes it sound as if it was a letter sent by the Ministry," said Cedric.
"Yeah, it does," said Hermione. "I get the feeling that he would have said something if he had been the one to send it; he seems to be the type to brag about 'fooling the great Dumbledore'."
There was some sniggering at her words.
All Harry could think of doing was keep Quirrell talking and stop him from concentrating on the mirror.
"Somehow, I don't think it's actually needed," said Hermione. "While the other tasks were easy, Dumbledore's should be harder to get passed, otherwise he doesn't deserve his reputation."
"Yeah, and considering how brilliant Dumbledore is said to be, it he doesn't do something that's on that level, it would look suspicious," said Harry.
"I saw you and Snape in the forest –" he blurted out.
"Yes," said Quirrell idly, walking around the mirror to look at the back. "He was onto to me by that time, trying to find out how far I'd got. He suspected me all along. Tried to frighten me – as though he could, when I had Lord Voldemort on my side…."
"That doesn't sound good," said Harry.
Quirrell came back out from behind the mirror and stared hungrily into it.
"I see the Stone…I'm presenting it to my master…but where is it?"
Hermione's mind began to work on figuring out Dumbledore's trap.
Harry struggled against the ropes binding him, but they didn't give. He had to keep Quirrell from giving his while attention to the mirror.
"But Snape always seemed to hate me so much."
"Oh, he does," said Quirrell casually, "heavens, yes. He was at Hogwars with your father, didn't you know?"
"I think you mentioned that before, right Cedric?" Harry asked. He nodded.
"They loathed each other. But he never wanted you dead."
"I have to wonder why, though, especially if your father and Snape loathed each other," said Hermione. "I mean, while I'm sure he wouldn't want you dead, I don't think he would actively try and save you."
"I think it might have to do with his mother. I mean, my mom wasn't really clear on Snape's friendship with Lily all that much, but, from what I understand, he cared a great deal about her," said Cedric, "at least, until the falling out. After that, my mother wasn't sure what his feeling for her were, though she had the feeling that he still cared for her."
"But I heard you a few days ago, sobbing – I thought Snape was threatening you…"
For the first time, a spasm of fear flitted across Quirrell's face.
"Sometimes," he said, "I find it hard to follow my master's instructions – he is a great wizard and I am weak –"
"That doesn't sound good," said Cedric.
"No, no it doesn't," Hermione agreed.
"Please tell me that it was read wrongly," said Harry. Hermione shook her head, which caused Harry to pale as he realized that it meant that Voldemort was in the castle.
"You mean he was there in the classroom with you?" Harry gasped.
"He is with me wherever I go," said Quirrell quietly. "I met him when I traveled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil."
"They're not ridiculous, though they aren't exactly measureable either," said Hermione. "I mean, killing is considered to be evil, but is it really? I mean, when you consider the fact that sometimes, some people are unable to be saved, and in unbearable pain, wouldn't it be kinder to end that pain rather than keep them in it until they died?"
"Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it…."
"That fact that he believes that shows that he is weak," said Hermione.
"Since then, I have served him faithfully, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me." Quirrell shivered suddenly.
"Of course," said Cedric. "From what I've heard about Voldemort, he wasn't the forgiving type, or the merciful one either. In fact, I'm surprised that anyone actually wanted to follow him, especially when he was just as hard on them as he was on those who disagreed with him."
It sounds as if he was some sort of psychopath," said Hermione.
"A what?" asked Cedric.
"A psychopath," said Hermione. "I'm not quite sure how to explain it correctly. The only think I can say about them is that they're pathological liars and they can be very manipulative. Oh, and that they feel a lack of remorse, shame, or guilt over their actions."
"He does not forgive mistakes easily. Then I failed to steal the stone from Gringotts, he was most displeased. He punished me…decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me…."
Hermione paled as she remembered the chapter title, as well as the fact that there was a good chance that Voldemort didn't have his own body…
Quirrell's voice trailed away. Harry was remembering his trip to Diagon Alley – how could he have been so stupid? He'd seen Quirrell there that very day, shaken hands with him in the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well, you were so for Snape being it that you didn't really even think someone else could be going for the Stone. Even when you learned that Voldemort was actually after it, it was that Snape was getting it for him, nothing about him attempting to do it himself," said Hermione.
Quirrell cursed under his breath.
"I don't understand…is the Stone inside the mirror? Should I break it?"
"That would be too easy," said Luna. "And, somehow, I don't think that Dumbledore would do that."
Harry's mind was racing.
What I want more than anything else in the world at the moment, he thought, is to find the Stone before Quirrell does. So if I look in the mirror, I should see myself finding it – which means I'll see where it's hidden! But how can I look without Quirrell realizing what I'm up to?
"I get the feeling you won't have to," said Hermione. "For some reason, I get the feeling he's going to want to try and use you if he doesn't have luck on getting the Stone himself."
He tried to edge to the left, to get in front of the glass without Quirrell noticing, but the ropes around his ankles were too tight: he tripped and fell over. Quirrell ignored him. He was still talking to himself.
"Are we sure he's talking to himself?" said Luna quietly; only Harry heard her.
"What does this mirror do? How does it work? Help me, Master!"
And to Harry's horror, a voice answered, and the voice seemed to come from Quirrell himself.
Everyone paled at that.
"Use the boy… Use the boy…"
"He's there," said Cedric. "But where?"
"I think I know where," said Hermione, but she didn't say where she thought he was at.
Quirrell rounded on Harry.
"Yes – Potter – come here."
He clapped his hands once, and the ropes binding Harry fell off. Harry got slowly to his feet.
"I hate the fact that I'm right," said Hermione.
"Come here," Quirrell repeated. "Look in the mirror and tell me what you see."
Harry walked toward him.
I must lie, he thought desperately. I must look and lie about what I see, that's all.
"I hope that that'll work," said Cedric.
"Why wouldn't it?" asked Harry.
"You would have to be good at lying," said Cedric.
"Plus, remember how you said that you though Snape could read minds?" said Hermione, "well what if it's true and it wasn't an isolated event, what if Quirrell knows how to do it, or…" She stopped speaking then, as they all got what she was saying.
Quirrell moved close behind him. Harry breathed in the funny smell that seemed to come from Quirrell's turban.
Cedric's eyes widened, and he looked at Hermione, who's face as also pale. There were no words exchanged, but they both knew exactly what the other was thinking, and Hermione nodded her head at him to convey that she was thinking the same thing as he was.
He close his eyes, stepped in front of the mirror, and opened them again.
He saw his reflection, pale and scared-looking at first. But a moment later, the reflection smiled at him. It put its hand into its pocket and pulled out a blood-red stone. It winked and put the Stone back in its pocket – and as it did so, Harry felt something heavy drop into his real pocket.
"Wha-" started Harry, mouthing wordlessly as he tried to figure out what had just happened
"Well, that's interesting," said Cedric, "I wonder what was different wonder what the difference between you want and what he wanted. I mean, we know he Stone in the mirror like you did, Harry, so what was different?"
"Quirrell wanted to use it, while Harry only wanted to know where it was to protect it," said Luna.
Hermione chimed in. "It's not an easy trap to get passed, when you think about it, because, even if you know how to, you still can't do so, because the mirror works based on your hearts desire, so, even if you attempt to trick it, it'll still know what you really want."
"So it's a brilliant trap to have, that is quite on level with Dumbledore, so there's no reason why I should think that he was anything but great," Harry said.
"So it seems," Hermione said.
Somehow – incredibly – he'd gotten the Stone.
"Well?" said Quirrell impatiently. "What do you see?"
Harry screwed up his courage.
"I see myself shaking hands with Dumbledore," he invented. "I – I've won the house cup for Gryffindor."
"Not to bad, but you should have said something a little more believable," said Hermione.
Quirrell cursed again.
"Of course, apparently, it was enough for him to believe," said Hermione, realizing that Quirrell didn't know how the mirror actually worked – either that, or he didn't know what Harry would really want, outside of keeping the Stone safe.
"Get out of the way," he said. As Harry moved aside, he felt the Sorcerer's Stone against his leg. Dare he make a break for it?
"I don't think it would work," said Cedric. "In fact, it might make them suspicious if you tried to run." Then he had another thought. "Do you think the flames are still there? I mean, the flames from Snape's trap?"
"I don't know. Why?" asked Harry.
"Well, I was thinking, if they were still there, then I wonder if the potion you had to take lasted long, or if it stops working once you get to the final chamber, and keeps you from leaving afterwards," said Cedric.
"Well, if it's he second option, that would mean that it's expected that the person trying to get the stone would be trapped in the room, even if they got it," Hermione said.
"Which suggest that it's actually a trap to see who would go for it, not something designed to keep a person out," Harry said.
"Which could also suggest why the first tasks were easy to get through," Hermione said.
But he hadn't walked five paces before a high voice spoke, though Quirrell wasn't moving his lips.
"He lies… He lies…"
"Damn," said Cedric, jumping lightly when Hermione poked him, as she was getting tired of hearing the cursing. She was conveniently ignoring that she had done a bit herself during the book.
"Potter, come back here!" Quirrell shouted. "Tell me the truth! What did you just see?"
The high voice spoke again.
"Let me speak to him…face-to-face…."
"Master, you are not strong enough!"
"I have strength enough…for this…."
"Oh, dear," said Luna, looking afraid for Harry once more.
Harry felt as if Devil's Snare was rooting him to the spot. He couldn't move a muscle. Petrified, he watched as Quirrell reached up and began to unwrap his turban. What was going on? The turban fell away. Quirrell's head looked strangely small without it. Then he turned slowly on the spot.
Harry would have screamed, but he couldn't make a sound. Where there should have been a back to Quirrell's head, there was a face, the most terrible face Harry had ever seen. It was chalk white with glaring red eyes and slits for nostrils, like a snake.
"When the chapter title said 'Man With Two Faces' I was hoping that this wasn't going to be the real reason," said Hermione.
"Yeah, definitely not something I would have guessed," said Harry, shaking lightly.
"I think we've figured out what Voldemort planned on doing for a body," said Luna.
"Why do I get the feeling that Quirrell's going to die, no matter what happens?" said Hermione.
"Probably because he is," said Cedric. "I mean, I don't see how he would be able to survive being possessed by Voldemort, especially since I get the feeling that he allowed himself to be used."
"Harry Potter…" it whispered.
Harry tried to take a step backward but his legs wouldn't move.
"See what I have become?" the face said. "Mere shadow and vapor…I have form only when I can share another's body…but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds…."
"Which just goes to show how stupid people are," said Hermione, shaking her head.
"Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks…you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest…and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own…."
"I think he knows I have it," said Harry.
"What makes him think he'd be able to create a body for himself," Hermione said. "Everything about the Stone that I've heard simply says that it'll prolong your life."
"I don't think he'd say that he'd take Quirrell over if that was what he was planning on doing," Cedric said.
"Now…why don't you give me that Stone in your pocket?"
"I think that's definite proof he knows you have it," said Cedric.
So he knew. The feeling suddenly surged back into Harry's legs. He stumbled backward.
"Don't be a fool," snarled the face. "Better save your own life and join me…or you'll meet he same end as your parents…. They died begging me for mercy…."
"LIAR!" shouted Harry.
"That bastard!" said Cedric. Hermione and Luna were speechless, though angry as well.
The room was suddenly filled with the sound of the knick knacks breaking from every table, startling them all – they'd forgotten about those tables, as this was the first time since they'd hit the Hogwarts chapters that the knick knacks had been broken.
"LIAR!" Harry shouted suddenly.
Quirrell was walking backward at him, so that Voldemort could still see him. The evil face was now smiling.
"How touching…" it hissed. "I always value bravery…."
"Yeah, he values it so much that he always kills those that oppose him," said Cedric, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, boy, your parents were brave…. I killed your father first, and he put up a courageous fight…but your mother needn't have died…she was trying to protect you…."
"Wait, what"" said Cedric. "That doesn't really make sense, you know. I mean, your mother was a Muggleborn, after all, and, no offense, but since it was Muggleborns he wanted to kill, it doesn't make sense that he would give your mother a choice on whether to live or die."
"I'm not offended," said Harry. "I can understand your confusion when you know a bit about what Voldemort was like."
"Now give me the Stone, unless you want her to have died in vain."
"NEVER!"
Harry sprang toward the flame door, but Voldemort screamed "SEIZE HIM!" and the next second, Harry felt Quirrell's hand close on his wrist.
"Do they teach anything that would help Harry get free in first year?" asked Hermione.
"He could probably use some charm , though I don't know which one would be the best, or if any of them would work," said Cedric.
At once, a needle-sharp pain seared across Harry's scar; his head felt as though it was about to split in two; he yelled, struggling with all his might, and to his surprise, Quirrell let go of him.
"What's going on?" asked Harry. He gained no answer, save for Hermione continuing to read.
The pain in his head lessened – he looked around wildy to see where Quirrell had gone, and saw him hunched in pain, looking at his fingers – they were blistering before his eyes.
"That's not normal," said Cedric, eyes wide.
"Seize him! SEIZE HIM!" shrieked Voldemort again, and Quirrell lunged, knocking Harry clean off his feet, landing on top of him, both hands around Harry's neck – Harry's scar was almost blinding him with pain, yet he could see Quirrell howling in agony.
"He can't touch you," said Hermione.
"Why?" asked Harry.
"I don't know," Cedric said. "I've never heard of anything like this happening."
"Master, I cannot hold him – my hands – my hands!"
And Quirrell, though pinning Harry to the ground with his knees, let go of his neck and stared, bewildered, at his own palms – Harry could see they looked burned, raw, red, and shiny.
"It's like I'm burning him without flames," whispered Harry, looking scared since he didn't know what was causing this to happen.
"Then kill him, fool, and be done!" screeched Voldemort.
"Don't let him use his wand," Luna said.
Quirrell raised his hand to perform a deadly curse, but Harry, by instinct, reached up and grabbed Quirrell's face –
"AAAARGH!"
Cedric, Harry, and Luna all jumped when Hermione actually screamed at that part, before scowling at the sniggering Hermione.
"It was obviously a scream, so screaming it was the best thing to do," she said before turning back to the book, giving them no chance to speak.
Quirrell rolled off him, his face blistering, too, and then Harry knew: Quirrell couldn't touch his bare skin, not without suffering terrible pain – his only chance was to keep hold of Quirrell, keep him in enough pain to stop him from doing a curse.
"I think we've already figured that out," said Harry.
Harry jumped to his feet, caught Quirrell by the arm, and hung on as tight as he could. Quirrell screamed and tried to throw Harry off – the pain in Harry's head was building – he couldn't see – he could only hear Quirrell's terrible shrieks and Voldemort's yells of, "KILL HIM! KILL HIM!" and other voice, maybe in Harry's own head, crying, "Harry! Harry!"
"Why would you be crying your own name in your head?" asked Luna.
"Perhaps he was hearing someone else's voice," said Hermione. "Maybe one of the teachers came to rescue him."
He felt Quirrell's arm wrenched from his grasp, knew all was lost, and fell into blackness, down…down…down…
The four looked anxious at that.
Something gold was glinting just above him. The Snitch!
"Huh?" said Cedric. "When did a Snitch appear?"
He tried to catch it, but his arms were too heavy.
He blinked. It wasn't the Snitch at all. It was a pair of glasses. How strange.
"That kind of is strange," said Hermione.
He blinked again. The smiling face of Albus Dumbledore swam into view above him.
"I think we've found who was calling your name," said Hermione.
"Dumbledore much have figured out that something was amiss," said Cedric, "because there was no other way for him to get there so quickly."
"Good afternoon, Harry," said Dumbledore.
Harry stared at him. Then he remembered: "Sir! The Stone! It was Quirrell! He's got the Stone! Sir, quick –"
"Harry, I can honestly say that, if Dumbledore isn't panicking, there is no reason for you to panic," said Cedric.
"Calm yourself, dear boy, you are a little behind the times," said Dumbledore. "Quirrell does not have the Stone."
"The who does? Sir, I –"
"You've got a one track mind, Harry," said Luna, calming down for the first time this chapter as she realized that Harry was now out of danger.
"Harry, please relax, or Madam Pomfrey will have me thrown out."
"That would be very funny to see," sniggered Cedric.
Harry swallowed and looked around him. He realized he must be in the hospital wing. He was lying in a bed with white linen sheets, and next to him was a table piled high with what looked like half the candy shop.
"People must have heard," said Cedric, "and they must suddenly feel you're a friend again."
The sarcasm in his voice was obvious.
"Tokens from your friends and admirers," said Dumbledore, beaming. "What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows."
They laughed at that
"Nice school," said Harry, shaking his head.
"You know, I wonder if it is possible to hide something at the school if it's natural for the whole school to know everything," said Hermione.
"It probably is, since people have most likely only heard rumors of what might have happened," said Cedric.
"I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat."
"Didn't they promise their sister they would send her one?" said Hermione.
"Yep," said Cedric. "I wonder if they did or not."
"I would assume not since they'd probably have a hard time sending one to Harry as they apparently have. Plus, I think someone would have heard about it, since I don't see Mrs. Weasley not sending them a Howler," Luna said.
Harry looked as if he was going to ask what a Howler was, but decided that he didn't really want to know…or, rather, that it would probably come up at some point in the books. He would ask if it didn't, of course…if he remembered.
"No doubt they thought it would amuse you. Madam Pomfrey, however, felt it might not be very hygienic, and confiscated it."
"How long have I been in here?"
"Three days. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger will be most relieved you have come round, they have been extremely worried."
"I wonder why he said Ron's name but not yours," said Harry.
"There are at least three other Weasleys in the school at the moment, Harry," said Hermione.
"Oh, right," he said, blushing as he had forgotten that fact.
"But sir, the Stone –"
"I see you are not to be distracted. Very well, the Stone. Professor Quirrell did not manage to take it from you. I arrived in time to prevent that, although you were doing very well on your own, I must say."
So it must have been him you heard, Harry," said Luna.
"You got there? You got Hermione's owl?"
"We must have crossed in midair. No sooner had I reached London than it became clear to me that the place I should be was the one I had just left."
"So he either realized it was a decoy, or there are some very confused Ministry workers wondering where he is," said Harry.
"I arrived just in time to pull Quirrell off you –"
"It was you."
"I feared I might be too late."
"You nearly were, I couldn't have kept him off the stone much longer –"
"Harry, I don't think that he was talking about the Stone," said Hermione. "If he was, then we have a problem."
"Not the Stone, boy, you – the effort involved nearly killed you. For one terrible moment there, I was afraid it had. As for the Stone, it has been destroyed."
"Destroyed?" said Harry blankly.
"I don't think there's any reason for alarm, since I don't think the Stone was the real one," said Hermione.
"But your friend – Nicolas Flamel –"
"Oh, you know about Nicolas?" said Dumbledore, sounding quite delighted. "You did do the thing properly, didn't you?"
"Okay, that sounds as if it was planned for you to find out about the Stone," said Hermione, "and go after it."
Cedric's eyes widened as he realized that this was why they had managed to get the information from Hagrid so easily – Dumbledore had meant for them to know, and Hagrid was a convenient figure to tell them. Of course, that begged the question on whether or not Dumbledore meant for Harry to go after the Stone or not…
"Well, Nicolas and I have had a little chat, and agreed it's all for the best."
"I wonder if it was true that they had a chat, or if Dumbledore decided to destroy it all on his own, if it was the real Stone," said Hermione.
"Why do you think that?" asked Cedric.
"Well, I don't know, but I get the feeling that he's not the type to spread knowledge or the type to like those who have knowledge that he doesn't. I mean, he never really gave McGonagall a reason why he was leaving you in a place where you would be hated, did he?" she explained. "And I get the feeling that the Flamel's haven't told anyone about how they made the Stone, which probably doesn't make Dumbledore happy. If it was the real Stone, he probably didn't talk to them before destroying it, probably claiming that it was too dangerous to keep around."
"But that means he and his wife will die, won't they?"
"They have enough Elixir stored to set their affairs in order and then yes, they will die."
Dumbledore smiled at the look of amazement on Harry's face.
"To one as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Pernelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."
"I guess that's true, since we don't actually know what happens when you die," said Hermione.
"You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing."
"I think that sounds like an admission that you were right, Hermione," said Luna, knowing that Dumbledore tended to do what he thought was right, not listening to what others told him. If he didn't think that the Stone was a good thing, he would probably get rid of it, simple as that.
"As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all – the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them."
"That's true, but it's our responsibility if we do, no one else's," said Hermione. "Plus, if people don't make mistakes, they don't learn."
Harry lay there, lost for words. Dumbledore hummed a little and smiled at the ceiling.
"He's insane," said Harry.
"Sir?" said Harry. "I've been thinking…Sir – even if the Stone's gone, Vol-, I mean, You-Know-Who –"
"Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."
"That really smart advice," said Hermione.
"Yes, sir. Well, Voldemort's going to try other ways of coming back, isn't he? I mean, he hasn't gone, has he?"
"I wish he actually is, but something tells me that my wishing is unfounded," said Cedric.
"No, Harry, he has not. He is still out there somewhere, perhaps looking for another body to share…Not being truly alive, he cannot be killed."
"Then how can he be gotten rid of," said Hermione.
"He left Quirrell to die; he shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies."
"And yet people still follow him," said Cedric, shaking his head.
"Nevertheless, Harry, while you may only have delayed his return to power, it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time – and if he is delayed again, and again, why, he may never return to power."
"Something tells me that he will, eventually. It just depends on when and how at this point," said Harry.
Harry nodded, but stopped quickly, because it made his head hurt.
"Poor you," said Luna, while Hermione and Cedric chuckled quietly at that sentence.
Then he said," Sir, there are some other things I'd like to know, if you can tell me…things I want to know the truth about…."
"Harry, I don't think he's going to tell you anything really important," said Hermione.
"The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution."
"That right there is an admission that he's not going to tell you everything," Cedric said.
"However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to,"
"I'm sorry, but when things have to do with you, and you ask about them, you deserve to know them. I mean, it's one thing when you ask about something that doesn't have to do with you, and, therefore, isn't any of your business, but it's another when it is something that has to do with you," said Hermione.
"in which case I beg you'll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie."
"Which, basically means he'll say he can't tell you yet," said Cedric, shaking his head – his opinion of the Headmaster was taking a bit of a hit while reading this.
"Well…Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why would he want to kill me in the first place?"
"I get the feeling that this was what he meant about 'having a very good reason not to' tell you," said Hermione.
Dumbledore sighed very deeply this time.
"Your right, he's not going to tell me this," said Harry.
"Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day…put it from your mind for now, Harry. When you are older…I know you hate to hear this…when you are ready, you will know."
"That's actually the first time I've ever heard of it, since people usually prefer to lie to me, or get on my case for asking questions," said Harry.
And Harry knew it would be no good to argue.
"At least I'm not wasting my breath on trying to change his mind," Harry said.
"But why couldn't Quirrell touch me?"
"He better answer that," said Luna, very curious as to what the burning thing was about.
"Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love."
"That does make sense," said Harry. "I mean, from what I've heard about Voldemort, he's not the type to love someone."
"He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign…to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever."
"Or until someone uses your blood," muttered Hermione.
"What?" asked Harry.
"I said that it would work until someone uses your blood…or skin, both would probably work," she said. If it's in your very person, that it's in ever cell on your body, which includes your blood."
"It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."
"Something tells me that there might be more to this, though what, I don't know," said Hermione.
"I get the feeling that Dumbledore doesn't either," said Luna.
"You know what, I think this means that your mother actually got rid of Voldemort, not you," said Cedric.
"Well, actually, it's more like she was the main instrument of his downfall," corrected Hermione.
"Either way, as she had something to do with it, credit should go to her, not me," Harry said. "Which makes me wonder why it doesn't?"
"That is a good question," Hermione said.
Dumbledore now became very interested in a bird out on the windowsill, which gave Harry time to dry his eyes on the sheet.
"At least he doesn't goggle," said Luna.
When he had found his voice again, Harry said, " And the invisibility cloak – do you know who sent it to me?"
"Ah – your father happened to leave it in my possession, and I thought you might like it." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Useful things…your father used it mainly for sneaking off to the kitchens to steal food when he was here."
"Why do I get the feeling he's leaving a bit out of that explaination?" said Cedric.
"He probably is," said Harry.
"And there's something else…"
"Fire away."
"Quirrell said Snape –"
"Professor Snape, Harry."
"Yes, him"
Again, laughter sounded at that, Harry's casual dismissal of Snape.
"– Quirrell said he hates me because he hated my father. Is that true?"
"Well, they did rathe detest each other. Not unlike yourself and Mr. Malfoy. And then, your father did something Snape could never forgive."
"What?"
"He saved his life."
"What?" said Harry, mouth wide.
"What?"
"You don't change much," said Luna.
"Yes…" said Dumbledore dreamily.
"What's so dreamy about that?" asked Hermione.
"Funny, the way people's minds work, isn't it? Professor Snape couldn't bear being in your father's debt…. I do believe he worked so hard to protect you this year because he felt that would make him and your father even. Then he could go back to hating your father's memory in peace…."
"I don't think that's the truth," said Luna.
Harry tired to understand this bit it made his head pound, so he stopped.
"Your head hurt you too often," said Luna.
"And sir, there's one more thing…"
"Just one?" Hermione said, looking skeptical.
"Just the one?"
"Apparently, Professor Dumbledore is just as skeptical as Hermione here is," said Cedric.
"How did I get the Stone out of the mirror?"
"Well, that's a good question," said Luna. "I wonder if I'm right."
"Ah, now, I'm glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that's saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the Stone – find it, but not use it – would be able to get it, otherwise they'd just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir of Life."
"Looks like you were right," said Harry.
"My brain surprises even me sometimes…."
"He's so modest," said Hermione.
Now, enough questions. I suggest you make a start on these sweets. Ah! Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunately enough in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one,"
"Ew," said Hermione, making a face that was copied by Harry.
"I don't think I'm going to ever get those," said Harry
"and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them – but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?"
"He's not going to get what he wants," said Cedric.
He smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked and said, "Alas! Ear wax!"
"Knew it," Cedric said.
Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was a nice woman, but very strict.
"That's the truth," Cedric said.
"Just five minutes," Harry pleaded.
"Absolutely not."
"You let Professor Dumbledore in…."
"He's the headmaster, Harry," said Hermione.
"Hermione, I'm trying to get to see you," said Harry.
"Well, of course, that was the headmaster, quite different. You need rest."
"I am resting, look, lying down and everything. If, go on, Madam Pomfrey…"
"Oh, very well," she said. "But five minutes only."
"You managed to get her to give in," said Cedric, looking impressed at the feat.
And she let Ron and Hermione in.
"Harry!"
Hermione looked ready to fling her arms around him again, but Harry was glad she held herself in as his head was still very sore.
"Yes, please don't jump me," Harry said.
"Okay, I won't," said Hermione.
"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to – Dumbledore was so worried –"
"The whole school's talking about it," said Ron. "What really happened?"
It was one of those rare occasions when the true story is even more strange and exciting than the wild rumors. Harry told them everything: Quirrell; the mirror; the Stone; and Voldemort. Ron and Hermione were a very good audience; they gasped in all the right places, and when Harry told them what was under Quirrell's turban, Hermione screamed out loud.
"Yes, it does sound scream worthy,: said Hermione. "Though, I do have to wonder if you were as descriptive as the book is."
"So the Stone's gone?" said Ron finally. "Flamel's just going to die?"
"That's what I said, but Dumbledore thinks that – what was it? – 'to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.'"
"I always said he was off his rocker," said Ron, looking quite impressed at how crazy his hero was.
There was some laughter at that.
"So what happened to you two?" said Harry.
"Well, I got back all right," said Hermione. "I brought Ron round – that took a while – and we were dashing up to the owlery to contact Dumbledore when we met him in the entrance hall – he already knew – he just said, 'Harry's gone after him, hasn't he?' and hurtled off to the third floor."
"That, again, makes me think that Dumbledore knew you would go if you had the chance," said Hermione, frowning, "so why didn't he warn McGonagall to be more on guard than she was?"
"D'you think he meant you to do it?" said Ron. "Sending you your father's cloak and everything?"
"Well," Hermione exploded, "if he did – I mean to say – that's terrible – you could have been killed."
"Exactly," said Hermione, looking as if she was about to do what her books self had been if they hadn't already talked about it.
"No, it isn't," said Harry thoughtfully.
The real Harry flinched at the glare Hermione gave him.
"He's a funny man, Dumbledore. I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more of less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't thin it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could…"
"Harry, if he thought you were ready, then he has no reason not to tell you why Voldemort was after you in the first place," said Hermione. "By thinking you had the right to face Voldemort, he's saying you're an adult."
"Yeah, Dumbledore's off his rocker, all right," said Ron proudly. "Listen, you've got to be up for the end-of-year feast tomorrow. The points are all in and Slytherin won, of course – you missed the last Quidditch match, we were steamrollered by Ravenclaw without you – but the food'll be good."
"That's true," said Cedric.
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey bustled over.
"You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT," she said firmly.
"She must like you," said Cedric. "She never lets a visit go past the amounted time she gives you. In fact, she often interrupts it before the times up."
After a good night's sleep, Harry felt nearly back to normal.
"I want to go to the feast," he told Madam Pomfrey as she straightened him many candy boxes. "I can, can't I?"
"Professor Dumbledore says you are to be allowed to go," she said sniffily, as though in her opinion Professor Dumbledore didn't realize how risky feasts could be.
"If you're fine, then she should let you go," said Hermione.
"And you have another visitor."
"Oh, good," said Harry. "Who is it?"
"Well, Hermione, Dumbledore, and Ron have already visited you, you don't know Cedric too well in the book, and I'm not at the school yet, so I would say that it's Hagrid whose about to visit, by process of elimination," said Luna.
Hagrid sidled through the door as he spoke. As usual when he was indoors, Hagrid looked too big to be allowed. He sat down next to Harry, took one look at him, and burst into tears.
"He must feel as if you being hurt is his fault," said Hermione.
"It's – all – my – ruddy – fault!" he sobbed, his face in his hands. "I told the evil git how ter get past Fluffy! I told him! It was the only thing he didn't know, an' I told him! The could've died! All fer a dragon egg! I'll never drink again! I should be chucked out an' made ter live as a Muggle!"
"I don't think that would be a good idea," said Hermione. "He wouldn't survive if that happened."
"Hagrid!" said Harry, shocked to see Hagrid shaking with grief and remorse, great tears leaking down into his beard. "Hagrid, he'd have found out somehow, this is Voldemort we're talking about, he'd have found out even if you hadn't told him."
"That's true," said Luna.
"Yeh could've died!" sobbed Hagrid. "An' don' say the name!"
"That's not going to work," said Cedric "Now that Dumbledore has pretty much told you that it's alright to call him by his name, you're going to do so."
"VOLDEMORT!" Harry bellowed, and Hagrid was so shocked he stopped crying.
"I'd be shocked into silence if you yelled at me like that as well," said Luna.
"I've met him and I'm calling him by his name. Please cheer up, Hagrid, we saved the Stone, it's gone, he can't use it. Have a Chocolate Frog, I've got loads…."
"You're so nice, calming him down like that," said Hermione, smiling at Harry.
Hagrid wiped his nose on the back of his hand and said, "That reminds me. I've got yeh a present."
"It's not a stoat sandwich, is it?" said Harry anxiously, and at last Hagrid gave a weak chuckle.
"Smart," Cedric said. "Don't eat anything he give you."
"Nah. Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it. 'Course, he shoulda sacked me instead – anyway, got yeh this…"
It seemed to be a handsome, leather-covered book. Harry opened it curiously. It was full of wizarding photographs. Smiling and waving at him from every page were his mother and father.
"I'll have pictures of my family," said Harry, eyes widening. A smile began to cross his face at the thought of that.
"Set owls off ter all yer parent's old school friends, askin' fer photos…knew yeh didn' have any…d'yeh like it?"
Harry couldn't speak, but Hagrid understood.
"Makes sense," Hermione said softly, noticing that a few tears were beginning to form in Harry's eyes.
Harry made his way down to the end-of-year feast alone that night. He had been held up by Madam Pomfrey's fussing about, insisting on giving him one last checkup, so the Great Hall was already full. It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
Harry wrinkled his nose at that.
When Harry walked in there was a sudden hush, and then everybody started talking loudly at once. He slipped into a seat between Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him.
"We're back to that again," Harry sighed, remembering how it was when he apparently first arrived there.
Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heards are all a little fuller than they were…you have the while summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…."
"The other teachers must love him for basically saying we should forget what we've learned," said Luna.
"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place ,Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Harry could see Draco Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. It was a sickening sight.
"It is," said Cedric – he had to watch it happen himself the past two years.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
"I don't believe it…" started Cedric, having a very good idea what Dumbledore was about to do.
The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute point to dish out. Let me see. Yes…"
"First – to Mr. Ronald Weasley…"
Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.
There was some chuckles at that.
"…for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Gryffindors cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"
At last there was silence again.
"Second – to Miss Hermione Granger…for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears.
"I don't cry that easily," said Hermione. "I'm most likely embarrassed and hiding my face." None of the other really believed her.
Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves – they were a hundred points up.
"Third – to Mr. Harry Potter…" said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."
"That ties you with Slytherin," said Luna.
Hermione frowned, something that the other noticed.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"Well, it doesn't seem very fair of the way Dumbledore did that. I mean, announcing all these points in front of everyone, just when it seemed that Slytherin was going to win the cup. I may not like them – or, rather, I may not like the ones I've heard the most about – but it seems a little cruel to make them think that they're going to win and then snatch it away like Dumbledore does. Honestly, it seems like Dumbledore wants the Slytherins all to hate you – these points could have easily been added before hand," said Hermione.
Cedric really didn't like it, but she did have a point in what she was saying.
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points – exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the house cup – if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.
"I think he might have a reason for that," said Luna.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.
"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
"And there's the reason," Luna said.
Someone standing outside the Great hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood up to yell and cheer as Neville, white with shock, disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. He had never won so much as a point for Gryffindor before. Harry, still cheering, nudged Ron in the ribs and pointed at Malfoy, who couldn't have looked more stunned and horrified if he'd just had the Body-Bind Curse put on him.
"That would be something to see," said Cedric.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin,
"Of course we are, we've been wanting to see that for years," said Cedric.
"we need a little change of decoration."
He clapped his hands, in an instant, the green hanging became scarlet and the silver became gold, the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with a horribly, forced smile.
"I'd hate to see that," said Cedric, shivering.
He caught Harry's eye and Harry knew at once that Snape's feelings toward him hadn't changed one jot. This didn't worry Harry. It seemed as though life would be back to normal next year, or as normal as it ever was at Hogwarts.
"Somehow, I get the feeling that, that won't be happening," said Hermione.
It was the best evening of Harry's life, better than winning at Quidditch, or Christmas, or knocking out mountain trolls…he would never, ever forget tonight.
"I don't think anyone will," said Cedric. "Of course, I also think every student in Slytherin will remember that night with different emotions than we feel."
Harry had almost forgotten that the exam results were still to come, but come they did. To their great surprise, both he and Ron passed with good marks; Hermione, of course, had the best grades of the first years.
"Of course," said Cedric.
"I do hope that you will take the exams seriously this time around," said Hermione.
Even Neville scraped through, his good Herbology mark making up for his abysmal Potions one.
"That definitely makes it seem as if he was supposed to be with us that night," said Hermione.
They had hoped that Goyle, who was almost as stupid as he was mean, might be thrown out, but he had passed, too. It was a shame, but as Ron said, you couldn't have everything in life.
"Unfortunately," Harry said. "If we could, I'd have my parents."
And suddenly, their wardrobes were empty, their trunks were packed, Neville's toad was found lurking in a corner of the toilets; notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays ("I always hope they'll forget to give us these," said Fred Weasley sadly),
"You mean we can't practice?" Hermione asked, aghast. Cedric just shook his head at that.
"Are they able to tell when someone is doing magic when their not supposed to?" asked Harry. Cedric nodded.
Luna, who was about to say something, noticed Cedric's silence, and realized that he was being careful not to mention anything about how different it was between magical homes and ones in Muggle areas. She guessed, correctly, that he didn't want to inform them that he – and, when she finished her first year, she herself – would be able to practice during the summer if they wished too.
Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake; they were boarding the Hogwarts Express; talking and laughing as the countryside became greener and tidier; eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans as they sped past Muggle towns; pulling off their wizard robes and putting on jackets and coats; pulling into platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station.
It took quite a while for them all to get off the platform. A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles.
"Yeah, that wouldn't look to good," said Cedric.
"You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "both of you – I'll send you an owl."
"Thanks," said Harry, "I'll need something to look forward to."
"Well, you already know you have something to look forward to this time around," said Hermione. "I'll do the same thing I plan on doing this time that summer as well."
People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world. Some of them called:
"Bye, Harry!"
"See you, Potter!"
"Still famous," said Ron, ginning at him.
"Not where I'm going, I promise you," said Harry.
He, Ron, and Hermione passed through the gateway together.
"There he is, Mom, there he is, look?"
It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron.
"Harry Potter!" she squealed. "Look, Mom! I can see –"
"Great, a fangirl," said Harry, frowning as he realized that he couldn't really trust that any girl would actually like him for him.
"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point."
Mrs. Weasley smiled down at them.
"Busy year?" she said.
"You can say that," said Harry.
"Very," said Harry. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, it was nothing, dear."
"Ready, are you?"
It was Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, still mustached, still looking furious at the nerve of Harry, carrying an owl in a cage in a station full of ordinary people.
"I wonder what he would do if a Muggle had an owl with him," said Hermione.
"Would that actually happen?" asked Cedric.
"Not sure, but you shouldn't discount it as impossible," said Hermione.
Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley, looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.
"You must be Harry's family!" said Mrs. Weasley.
"In a manner of speaking," said Uncle Vernon. 'Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day." He walked away.
"He really needs to be taught some manners," Hermione huffed.
Harry hung back for a last word with Ron and Hermione.
"See you over the summer, then."
"Hope you have – er – a good holiday," said Hermione, looking uncertainly after Uncle Vernon, shocked that anyone could be so unpleasant.
"It is shocking," Luna said.
"Oh, I will," said Harry, and they were surprised at the grin that was spreading over his face. "They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home. I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer…."
There was some laughter at this.
"Brilliant, just don't take it too far," said Cedric once the laughter stopped. The other three turned back to Hermione, waiting for her to continue.
"That's the end of the chapter, as well as the book," Hermione said, setting it down. It was silent for a few minutes before the talking resumed.