The next two months passed by relatively quietly. Harry continued being the top student in the year and continued supporting his friends, tutoring them through any subjects they struggled with. After the incident with Quirrell, Harry received word from Amelia that Voldemort managed to separate himself from Quirrell, killing him in the process. Therefore losing them any information they may have gained.
Harry continued researching into why the Cerberus was in the school. He went back to the third floor corridor a few more times to investigate. He noticed that it was guarding a trap door and so the research shifted to figuring out what Dumbledore would hide in the castle as bait for Harry.
One Saturday afternoon however, while him and Daphne were walking threw the castle from the library to the room of requirement, he came across a room which had something else interesting, a mirror.
"Huh, this is odd. Why have a room with just a mirror inside?" Daphne said as they walked in.
"I don't know, look it has writing along the top." Harry said.
It read 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'
"What language is that? I don't recognise it." Daphne said confused.
"I don't kn- wait, it's not another language, it's backwards. It really says 'I show not your face but your hearts desire' interesting." Harry replied.
"I wonder what it means." Daphne said.
"Well, I imagine, if you stand in front of it, instead of just showing your reflection, it will show your hearts deepest desire." Harry said clearly fascinated, stepping towards it. Standing exactly in the middle, Harry closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and then opening them. He was very surprised by what he saw. Harry imagined he would see him with his parents, however what he really saw was him and Daphne standing together. They looked older, with Daphne holding a baby in her arms. Surely not, his deepest desire was to grow up and have a family with Daphne?
"What do you see Harry?" He heard Daphne ask. He couldn't tell her this could he? He decided he would have to lie so he didn't lose his friend.
"Myself, standing with my parents. Getting a hug from my mum." He said sadly.
"Oh Harry." Daphne said as she pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry."
"Why are you sorry? You've done nothing wrong." Harry said with a chuckle. "It's not like I've had a difficult life Daphne, I grew up with a loving family in a mansion and now I have the best friends anyone could ask for." He said quietly as he separated from Daphne giving her a smile, one which she returned. "Come on, why don't you have a look?" He asked.
"Okay." Daphne said hesitantly as Harry guided her to the centre of the mirror.
"What do you see?" Harry asked.
"I'm a successful alchemist and spell crafter. Being awarded for inventing new spells and potions." She said, little did Harry know, but Daphne had seen a very similar reflection to him and also lied.
"Alchemist?" Harry muttered quietly.
"What Harry?" Daphne asked.
"Alchemist!" He exclaimed. "Daphne, you are amazing." He said excited, quickly kissing her cheek without thinking. "Come on." He said pulling her out and towards the room of requirement, totally missing the bright red blush on her cheeks.
"Harry, what are you so excited about?" Daphne asked.
"I think you just solved it Daphne." Harry said giddily.
"Solved what?" She asked a little irritated.
"What the Cerberus is guarding." He replies smiling.
"I'm still confused Harry." Daphne said
"I'll explain fully to everyone at the room of requirement okay?" He asks, stopped to face her. Daphne just nodded as they began climbing to the seventh floor.
On the fifth floor however, Harry and Daphne were cut off by three people.
"There he is. The next Dark Lord himself." Said Ron Weasley, who was flanked by two other Gryffindor boys.
"What did you want Weasley?" Harry asked irritated.
"Someone needs to deal with you Potter. You're a parselmouth and a Slytherin. You're clearly a future dark wizard." Weasley replied as the three boys raised their wands at Harry and Daphne.
Harry, subconsciously stepped in front of Daphne flicked his own wand to his hand.
"You don't want to do this. I won't fire the first spell but I can promise you I'll fire the last one." Harry said menacingly.
"Yeah right Potter, it's three against one." The short Irish boy said confidently.
"Please, you're forgetting my lovely friend here. She could probably take all three of you by herself. Oh and you're forgetting my other friend." Harry said with a smile as Daphne raised her own wand and Ruby appeared on his shoulders, hissing at the three boys threatening her master.
"So I suggest you back off, before you end up in the hospital wing." Daphne said coldly.
"Really Weasley? We've all seen you in class, you can barely cast the simplest of spells. What makes you think you could take on the top two students in the year?" Harry said confidently. Weasley clearly pales when he said that. Harry was right of course. Weasley apparently blew up his feather when practicing 'wingardium leviosa', while Harry had killed a troll single handed. At this point Weasley nodded to his friends and they simply took of down a corridor, away from Harry and Daphne. Ruby sank back in as Harry turned to his friend.
"You alright?" He asked concerned.
"Of course I am. Like you said, I'm the second best student in the year. And of course I had you to protect me." Daphne replied with a smirk. "Thank you for being so concerned though." She said as they continued heading to the room of requirement.
When they arrived, all of their friends were in the room chatting around the table while doing homework.
Harry immediately rushed to the bookshelf and started searching for something specific.
"Hey guys, what took so long?" Blaise asked.
"Boy do we have an interesting story to tell." Daphne said with a smile.
"What do you mean? And what's up with him?" Susan asked.
"I honestly have no idea what's gotten into him." Daphne sighed.
"Harry! What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Daphne might have figured out what the Cerberus is guarding." He said not looking away from the book we was scanning through.
The group then turned to Daphne in surprise.
"Don't look at me. This is all him." She said defensively.
"Ah! Got it." Harry shouted making everyone jump.
"Got what?" Tracey asked irritated.
"The Cerberus is guarding the philosopher's stone." Harry said walking over to the table.
"The what?" Neville, Tracey and Blaise asked. Of course, the others knew about it from the amount they read.
"What makes you think that Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I remember seeing something once about Dumbledore knowing and working with renowned alchemist Nicolas Flamel. Now presumably, Dumbledore placed whatever it is that the Cerberus is guarding. And the stone is the only thing that makes sense." Harry explained.
"Sorry, for the people who do things other than read. Can you please explain? Who is Nicolas Flamel and what stone do you mean?" Tracey asked a little annoyed.
"Nicolas Flamel, is a six hundred year old French alchemist who created the philosopher's stone. The stone produces the elixir of life and can transform any metal into pure gold." Daphne explained.
"But how would Dumbledore get it and why would he put it in Hogwarts guarded by a Cerberus?" Neville asked.
"I think it's for me." Harry said quietly.
"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I've told you all before about how my godfather and I believe Dumbledore will try and craft me into his perfect weapon to fight Voldemort when he returns. This could be a test. I mean, the room that houses the Cerberus can be opened with a first year spell for Merlin's sake." Harry reasoned.
"That may be true Harry. But how can we be sure." Susan asked.
"Well, we could always send a letter to Mr Flamel and his wife and ask." Harry said.
"It's worth a go." Blaise replied.
"But Harry, the Flamels probably have very strong anti-mail wards. How will you do it?" Daphne asked.
"Well, the Flamels have tutored many a student over the years, including some of my ancestors. There may be a way to contact them written down at Potter manor." Harry replied.
"But you can't leave the school." Hermione said.
"Well, maybe I can. If I wear my cloak and go down the one eyed witch passageway to Hogsmeade, I could floo from the three broomsticks. Or maybe-" Harry was then interrupted as the fireplace in the room of requirement flashed green. "I love this room" he said with a smile.
"Harry, are you sure about this?" Daphne asked sounding concerned.
"Definitely, I simply need to talk to the painting of Fleamont Potter, he's the oldest painting in the manor, if anyone knows how to contact the Flamels, it's him." Harry said confidently.
"Can we at least come with you?" Blaise asked.
"I'm afraid not, only Susan has the permission to floo to the manor out of you all. That will obviously change for the summer." Harry replied. "Look, I'll be an hour or two at most."
"Okay Harry. I hope you find what you need." Daphne said with a small smile.
Harry nodded and walked to the green flames, "Potter manor" he said as he stepped through and the flames engulfed him, going back to normal afterwards.
When he arrived home, Olly appeared before him.
"What is master Harry doing here? He should be in school." Olly said.
"I know Olly, I just needed to find something." Harry said as he made his way to the library, where the majority of the Potter paintings were. After ten minutes of searching, he found the one he was looking for.
"Fleamont Potter?" He asked.
"Yes my Lord, how may I help?" The painting replied.
"Well first please just calm me Harry. Second, I need a way to contact Nicolas Flamel. I know he and his wife tutored some Potter family members and so was curious as to if there was a way to contact them." Harry said to the painting of his ancestor.
"Well Harry. The member of the family they most recently taught was Henry Potter in the mid nineteenth century. His painting is on the third floor of the library, on the left wall. He would be best to answer your questions." Fleamont replied.
"Thank you grandpa Fleamont." Harry said with a smile as he took off for the stairs. On the third floor, Harry searched again until he found the painting of Henry Potter.
"Henry Potter?" He asked
"I am, you must be young Harry. I believe you are here to ask about Nicolas and Perenelle?" Henry replied.
"I am indeed. I am in need of contacting them but I assume they have fairly strong anti-mail wards so was hoping you could inform me of a way to do so." Harry said.
"All you need do is have the Potter seal in wax on the letter. It should still be keyed into their wards to allow Letters from the Potter family through." Henry said.
"Thank you, where would I find the seal to do so?" Harry asked.
"It should be on the desk in the Lords study." Henry informed him.
"Thank you grandpa Henry. You have been very helpful." Harry said as he bowed slightly to his ancestor.
"You are most welcome Harry." He replied as Harry left the library for his study.
As Harry entered, his parents were understandably worried.
"Harry? What are you doing home? Has something happened?" Lily asked.
"Everything is fine, we just had a breakthrough with the Cerberus issue and I needed to come home to help confirm it." Harry responded.
"But how did you get home?" James asked
"I asked the room of requirement for a working floo fireplace." Harry replied as he sat at his desk, picking up the Potter seal stamp and a stick of wax. "I'll explain everything properly when I'm back for the summer, but right now I'm in a bit of a rush." He said with a sad smile.
"Okay darling, stay safe." Lily replied.
"Always." Harry replied as he left his study and headed back to the fireplace.
"Room of requirement, Hogwarts." Harry called as he threw in the floo powder.
When he arrived back through the floo, Daphne was just finishing telling everyone what had happened on their way from the library.
"That was pretty quick Harry, barely half an hour." Blaise said.
"Did you find a way to contact the Flamels?" Hermione asked.
"I did, I simply need to add the potter seal in wax to the letter as it is Keyed to the Flamels mail wards to be allowed through." Harry replied.
"For once, a nice and simple solution." Tracey said.
"Thankfully." Harry chortled.
"Right then, I think we have a letter to write." Said Daphne.
About half an hour later, the letter was done.
Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel
I am Hadrian Potter. I am the many times descendent of Henry Potter, a student of yours mid last century. I have recently come into information that suggests that Albus Dumbledore may be hiding your creation, the philosopher's stone in Hogwarts, where I am currently a first year student. I am not completely certain that this is the case but it's is my best guess.
It is possible that Dumbledore may have asked you to lend it to him so that he can 'study' it. However, even at my young age, I have come learn he is a devious old man and not to be trusted. If you have indeed allowed him to 'study' the stone, I would recommend asking him to return it. And to be careful as he may very well tell you the stone was destroyed so that he can keep it.
I have spoken with the portrait of Henry Potter at my home and he speaks of you very highly. I write this letter in the hopes that Dumbledore doesn't ruin any more lives. I'm sorry to have bothered you if you were aware of this plot or I am completely wrong in my suspicions. However, I believed that informing you of my worries to be the best course of action.
Kind regards,
Hadrian James Potter
Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of
Potter, Peverell, Gryffindor and Slytherin
Harry then melted the wax onto the folded letter and pressed the potter seal onto it. He then quickly returned the seal home and then he and Daphne then made their way down to the owlery, doing their best to keep away from Gryffindor tower after their encounter earlier.
"I hope you're right about this Harry." Daphne said as the left the castle.
"So do I, if I'm wrong I have no idea what could be in the third floor." He replied.
"I still don't completely understand how you figured it out though."
"Well, it was when you said the word alchemist. It reminded me of Nicolas Flamel and I figured it's the most likely object Dumbledore would hide."
"You got it from a word?" Daphne asked surprised.
"Yes I did. All thanks to you." Harry said smiling at his friend.
They sent off the letter with Hedwig and waited for the response to come.
A week later, at breakfast on Saturday. Hedwig flew into the hall with the rest of the owls carrying a letter. She dropped it in front of Harry who was sitting with his three fellow Slytherin friends.
"Who's the letter from Harry?" Tracey asked as hedwig sat herself on Daphne's shoulder as she fed her some bacon.
"It's from the Flamels by the look of it." Harry said excited, "I'll open it in the room, too many eyes and ears around here." He said glancing at Dumbledore.
"Good idea Harry." Daphne said.
When they finished breakfast, the group made their way up to the room of requirement and sat themselves down at the table, waiting for Harry to open the letter, when he did, he read it aloud for all of them to hear.
Lord Potter,
It is a pleasure to hear from the descendant of Henry, he was a fantastic student and a fine man. However, we should probably get right to the point of this correspondence. You were correct Lord Potter, Albus indeed had asked to study the stone. However, we can assure you that we did not allow him to do so. We are aware that Dumbledore is not the epitome of light he portrays himself as and so do not trust him with the stone. We gave him a fake stone, we have not heard from him yet so we assume he had not realised this.
We must say, we are impressed by your character Lord Potter, you were given the perfect opportunity to take the for stone yourself. However, you chose to contact us and inform us of the possible deception. It is rare to find young wizards with such strong morals, we believe that you have greatness in your future Lord Potter. If you are ever to need of our assistance or advice, please contact us, we are in need of pleasant correspondence these days.
If you would head the advice of two old Sorcerers, we recommend building a spy and information network of your own. It is never too early to start and they can be very useful. Ours is the reason we knew of Dumbledore's plan to deceive us.
Well thank you again Hadrian, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel
"Well, that was definitely interesting." Neville said.
"Are you going to reply?" Asked Susan.
"Over the summer maybe." He replied. "Right, now we don't need to worry about the third floor anymore I can focus on carrying you all through final exams." Harry said with a smirk.
"Yeah right."
"Oh shut up."
"Like we need your help."
Were some of the responses as both Daphne and Susan hit his arm playfully.
"You all know perfectly well you've all asked me for help at one point or another." Harry said smiling.
"Well yes, because you're already studying fourth year material." Hermione said.
"Fifth year now." Harry replied.
"Oh shut up smart arse." Blaise said with a laugh.
They spent the rest of the day working through the different homework's they had. Knowing that they could relax a little for the rest of the year since there were no mysteries to solve.
Thanks to all for the support and positive comments on the Quirrell chapter.
More feedback always appreciated.