Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 51: The Descent

The castle was silent, bathed in the silvery glow of moonlight filtering through tall arched windows. Harry slept soundly in his four-poster bed until an insistent voice shattered the peaceful stillness.

"Potty! Pottykins! Wake up, you dolt!"

Harry groaned, blinking his eyes open to find the translucent, chaotic form of Peeves hovering above his bed, grinning mischievously.

"What do you want, Peeves?" Harry muttered, reaching for his wand on the bedside table.

"You might want to thank old Peevsie later," the poltergeist cackled. "Your sister, the bushy-haired one, and the freckled buffoon went down the trap door! Think they're playing heroes! Following that Quirrell chap!"

Harry shot upright, his heart pounding. "Quirrell? Are you sure?"

Peeves twirled in the air. "Of course I'm sure, Potty. Wouldn't waste my mischief on a fib!"

Harry cursed under his breath and sprang out of bed, hastily throwing on his robes. "Thanks, Peeves," he said, already halfway out the door.

"Don't mention it! No, really, don't!" Peeves cackled, zooming off through the ceiling.

Harry sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, his wand gripped tightly in his hand. His mind raced with worry. Rose, Hermione, and Ron—what were they thinking? How could they possibly believe they could handle whatever was guarding the Philosopher's Stone?

He reached the third-floor corridor, the forbidden wing of the castle, where a massive door loomed ominously at the end of the hall. Harry didn't hesitate. He flicked his wand, and the door unlocked with a loud click.

Fluffy, the enormous three-headed dog, snarled and bared its teeth, drool glistening in the moonlight. All three heads snapped toward Harry, growling menacingly.

Harry raised his wand. "Somnus Maximus!"

A powerful wave of shimmering light washed over Fluffy, and the beast's heads wobbled before crashing to the floor, snoring loudly.

"Sorry, big guy," Harry muttered as he approached the trap door beneath Fluffy's massive paws.

He lifted the wooden door and peered into the darkness below. Without hesitation, he leapt down, his wand illuminating the descent.

Harry landed gracefully on a bed of Devil's Snare, the plant's writhing tendrils immediately sensing his presence. But Harry didn't give it a chance to ensnare him.

"Incendio Solis!"

A burst of golden fire erupted from his wand, and the Devil's Snare recoiled, shrinking back into the shadows. Harry moved forward swiftly, his heart pounding.

The next room contained dozens of fluttering, sparkling keys. Harry barely glanced at them before flicking his wand.

"Accio Key!"

One of the keys zoomed toward him, and he snatched it out of the air. The door unlocked with a satisfying click.

Harry moved into the next chamber, where a giant chessboard stretched before him. The pieces loomed ominously, their faces stern and forbidding.

"Ron," Harry whispered, spotting his friend lying unconscious on the marble floor near the fallen king.

He hurried over, kneeling beside him. Ron's face was pale, a trickle of blood at his temple.

"Rennervate," Harry murmured, sending a gentle pulse of energy into Ron.

Ron stirred, blinking groggily. "Harry? What...?"

"Stay here," Harry instructed firmly. "You did great, but you're done for now."

Ron nodded weakly, too disoriented to argue.

Harry pressed on, his wand glowing brighter as he entered the next room. Hermione and Rose stood before a row of potion bottles, Hermione deep in concentration.

"It's this one," Hermione declared triumphantly, holding up a small vial. "It'll get us through the flames."

Harry approached silently, his presence unnoticed until Rose turned and gasped.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. "How did you—?"

"No time," Harry said gently. He flicked his wand, and both girls collapsed into a peaceful sleep. "Sorry, but this is my fight."

With another wave of his wand, the purple flames barring the way extinguished. Harry levitated Rose and Hermione gently to the side, ensuring they were safe before stepping through the archway.

The final chamber was dark and cavernous, the only source of light coming from the enchanted Mirror of Erised standing at its center.

Harry's eyes immediately locked onto the figure standing before the mirror—Professor Quirrell. The man's usual nervous demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating expression.

Quirrell's hands trembled as he tried to decipher the mirror's magic, his eyes gleaming with frustration.

Harry raised his wand, his voice steady. "Step away from the mirror, Professor."

Quirrell stiffened, turning slowly to face him. His lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Ah, Mr. Potter," he said softly. "How fitting that you should be here for the grand finale."

Harry's grip on his wand tightened as he prepared for the confrontation ahead. "You're not getting the Stone."

Quirrell's eyes gleamed with malice. "We shall see, boy. We shall see."

The air crackled with tension as Harry stood his ground, ready to face the darkness head-on.