Chapter 194: The Magic Stone Flew Into the Pocket
Time: 6:20 PM. Location: The penultimate room in the restricted area on the fourth floor of Hogwarts.
"Albus Dumbledore! You're here!" Snape snarled, raising his wand and pointing it at the Headmaster. "Now, get out of the way!"
But Dumbledore ignored the hostility. Calmly, he raised his wand and ignited the black flames in front of them. A magical projection flared up on the Gate of Fire—like a Muggle movie projector—showing what the Mirror of Erised was displaying inside the next room.
The voices carried clearly through the flames.
> "The Philosopher's Stone? Voldemort, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I won't compromise, not even for Quirrell's life.
If you return, everyone I care about—Hogwarts, my classmates, even my horrid Muggle relatives—would be in danger."
"Quirrell means nothing. He's insignificant."
Harry's wand was still trained on Voldemort as he carefully moved, preparing to strike.
"Harry Potter, you naive child…" Voldemort hissed. "You think a great wizard like me can't see your inner conflict? If you truly didn't care, you would've blasted Quirrell's head off—like that poor troll. I'd have been forced to leave already!"
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Snape, watching anxiously from the other room, barked at the image in the flames. "Kill him! Don't believe a word! Quirrell's a dark wizard—he's beyond saving!"
But even as he shouted, Snape's posture relaxed slightly. Dumbledore was here. He could see and hear everything. Voldemort, reduced to manipulation and words, was clearly not the Dark Lord he once was.
"Seems we need to train young wizards better on how to deal with dark wizards," Snape muttered. "First rule: don't trust them."
"Why rush in now?" Dumbledore said softly, eyes focused on the fire. "The Dark Lord has been reduced to threats and begging. If Draco Malfoy had been in Harry's place, Voldemort would have fled in despair."
Snape sneered. "Harry Potter, aren't you in Ravenclaw? Where's your wisdom now?"
"You misunderstand," Dumbledore murmured.
"Tom has regained some strength from the unicorn blood, yes. But Harry's earlier use of the Red Sparks spell summoned a phoenix and saved Quirrell's life. That spell left a trace of magic in Quirrell—it shields him slightly. Voldemort can't act as freely as he claims."
Snape grunted. "So you're trying to save Quirrell? A traitor?"
Dumbledore didn't answer. In the mirror's image, Voldemort was healing Quirrell's wound, showing off to Harry, trying to demonstrate his power.
"Well done, Harry," Voldemort purred. "We have plenty of time. If you don't trust me, we can seal our agreement with an Unbreakable Vow."
He smiled sweetly. "Once I return to power—even if I break the vow—I'll come back again, stronger. You, Harry, are powerful. Smarter than most. Why not rule beside me? We both have enemies. Dumbledore—he's the one who fears us. He wants us to destroy each other."
Harry didn't reply. He was still buying time.
"I've already written to Dumbledore," Harry finally said. "He'll be here soon."
But Voldemort only laughed. "You still don't understand. Grindelwald—he's the reason Dumbledore isn't coming. I arranged for a wand to be delivered to Nurmengard. Dumbledore likely believes he's the greater threat."
"Grindelwald?" Harry blinked. "Who's that?"
Voldemort's face twisted. "A loser. Not as strong as me. But in Dumbledore's eyes… more dangerous."
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Back in the fire-lit hallway, Snape turned to Dumbledore in shock. "Grindelwald?! Dumbledore, what are you doing?"
Dumbledore's expression briefly shifted—uncertainty flickered across his face.
"He… didn't come out," he said slowly. "Maybe… he's trustworthy."
Then, almost immediately, Dumbledore regained his usual composed smile.
"Severus, that's not for you to worry about. Let's see how Tom tries to sway Harry with words alone."
But Snape was now thinking deeply. Grindelwald? That name, that connection—it clearly meant more than Dumbledore let on.
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In the last room, Voldemort turned his wand on himself.
"Look into the mirror, Harry. Tell me what you see."
Harry glanced with his peripheral vision—then froze. In the reflection, he was smiling.
His reflection held the Philosopher's Stone in his hand.
Then—thud—a sudden weight in his pocket. Harry gasped.
The stone was in his pocket.
He barely had time to react.
> "Dumbledore misunderstood me… I didn't plan this," he thought.
But Voldemort noticed nothing yet.
"Trying to irritate me?" Voldemort sneered. "You think I won't notice the Stone in your pocket? You think you can trick the greatest Legilimens the world has ever seen?"
Harry remained silent.
"Everything I said still stands, Harry Potter. Join me. Sign the Unbreakable Vow. Replace Dumbledore. We could change the world. Your Muggle childhood was miserable. But the wizarding world could be different—under your rule, and mine."
He smiled, and the room felt colder.
> End of Chapter 194
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