Chapter Text
A sudden clang woke Harry from his sleep. He opened his eyes, squinting through the bright white light of the room. He supposed it was sunny day today. He rolled over, and managed to sit up, grunting when his body started to ache. He rubbed at his eyes and stretched slightly.
Then it all came back to him – Quirrell, Voldemort, the fire, the stone, the mirror, Harry’s hands burning Quirrell’s face –
“Harry, hush, you’re all right,” said a familiar voice. Harry blinked. Gellert was sitting by his bedside, gently stroking his back to calm him down. “You’re okay, mein Häschen.” Gellert murmured.
“Good afternoon, Harry,” Dumbledore was there too. They were in the Hospital Wing. In Hogwarts. Gellert was in Hogwarts, and Dumbledore was right there– “Don’t fret, young boy, I won’t harm your father as long as you are here.” Dumbledore told him. “We have… sorted things out.”
“What happened?” Harry asked with a whisper. “Down there, with Quirrell? Has he got the stone? Sir, has he-”
“Calm yourself,” Gellert said. “Quirrell has been dealt with.”
“What happened in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows.” Dumbledore said, “You’ve been in the Hospital Wing for three days, now. Your friends Mr Thomas, Mr Finnigan, Miss Granger and Mr Weasley have become quite worried for you.”
“Ron!” said Harry, “Is he okay?”
“He made a speedy recovery.” Dumbledore said.
“And what about Quirrell and the stone?” Harry asked again, “What happened?”
“The stone is safe,” said Dumbledore.
“But what matters more is that you are safe.” Gellert interjected, tousling Harry’s hair. “The magic – all of it – nearly killed you. Magical exhaustion is a fierce beast to defeat in situations like those, Harry.”
“And as for the Stone, I have summoned Nicolas Flamel to the castle to discuss its future.” Dumbledore said.
Gellert scoffed at that. “Nicolas Flamel,” he muttered, “Him, of all people, Albus? Really?”
Gellert glared at Dumbledore. Dumbledore ignored Gellert.
“Albus,” Gellert said quietly. “I would like to have a moment alone with my son.”
Dumbledore slowly stood, and left the room. Harry looked at Gellert.
“Quirinus Quirrel is dead.” Gellert told him. “But whatever happened, it is not your fault, and I will support you whether you decide to tell me what happened or not.”
“I thought you said everyone knew?”
“Not the details. They understand that Quirrell attempted to kill you, and that you and your little… horde of Gryffindor friends stormed the dungeons to confront him.”
“Oh,” Harry mumbled, “Am I going to be in trouble?”
“Of course not, my dear.”
“Gellert?”
“Yes, Harry?”
“I saw Voldemort. He was on the back of Quirrell’s head. Is he going to come back, now? To try and kill me? Kill us all?”
“If he does, I will protect you, my darling boy.” Gellert said, wrapping an arm around Harry’s shoulders. “But you have delayed him in his return to battle.”
Harry nodded, leaning into Gellert’s touch. “I- I’d like to know something else.” Harry said. “Why couldn’t Quirrell touch me? When I touched him, he- he burned.”
“Do you remember what I have told you about your parents? Your mother died saving you. It is theorised – by Albus, most of all – that your mother’s love is still protecting you from beyond the grave.”
-
Harry was trampled by a stampede of friends trying to hug him when he walked into the Great Hall for the end-of-year feast the next night. Madam Pomfrey had kept him in the Hospital Wing for another night, but had agreed to let him out for the feat. She, too, would be attending. She smiled down weakly at Harry from the High Table. Harry supposed she wasn’t too keen on him getting roughly handled by his overly-affectionate friends, but what could you do.
Harry sat down between Neville and Ron at the Gryffindor table, and once the very last few students trailed in, Dumbledore stood from his seat.
“What a year it has been!” Dumbledore said cheerfully. “And now you will have the whole summer ahead of you to recover before the next school year begins. Now, onto the House Cup! In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw have four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two.”
Harry caught Oliver Wood, further down the table, glaring across the hall at Marcus Flint, who, from the Slytherin table, was gloating back at him. The Slytherin table cheered when their score was announced.
“But alas!” Dumbledore called over the noise, “The year is not over just quite yet. Due to recent events, last-minute points will be awarded to a few specific students. First, Mr Ronald Weasley, Mr Dean Thomas, and Mr Seamus Finnigan will be rewarded a combined fifty points to Gryffindor house for an excellent show of bravery in the face of danger.” Over the cheers of Gryffindor, Dumbledore continued: “Second, Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Neville G- erm, Longbottom- will be rewarded a combined fifty points to Gryffindor house for their courage and resilience. And third – last but not least – is Mr Harry Potter, who will be rewarded sixty house points to Gryffindor house.”
The room was quiet for a split second before Gryffindor table broke out in cheers and yells.
“That means we’re drawn with Slytherin!” Hermione said excitedly. “Four hundred and seventy-two points!”
“And so, it appears that, for the first time in many years – well, a few years at least – that Hogwarts has two winners for its House Cup. Slytherin and Gryffindor shall have to share!” Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the hangings displaying Slytherin’s emblem split into two different emblems and colours – the colours and emblem of Slytherin and the colours and emblem of Gryffindor.
-
Gellert was waiting for them outside Platform Nine and Three Quarters this time, hidden in a crowd of muggles. He hugged them both before taking them behind a pillar and apparating them back to the cottage. Neville ran in immediately, eager to check on his garden, and Harry was quick to follow.
Gellert cooked a paella for dinner, and they sat down to eat at the table on the patio outside.
“This summer,” Gellert said, “I will be teaching you some new spells. For your own safety, of course.”
“Of course,” Harry and Neville agreed.
“Now, now, boys. Don’t cause too much trouble.”