Chapter 55: The Stories We Tell
The day after the final exams, a thrilling rumor swept through the castle: the legendary Philosopher's Stone had been hidden behind the forbidden door on the third-floor corridor all along! Each professor had set a magical challenge to protect it. And it was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell, who had tried to steal it! He was heroically thwarted by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Four brave first-years had saved the day.
The rumors contained no mention of Solim, Evans, Draco, or the chilling truth of Voldemort's presence. Solim knew exactly who was the source of this sanitized, heroic narrative: Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster was crafting a legend, building a reputation for Harry Potter as the symbol of hope and resistance for the day when Voldemort would inevitably return. Harry didn't possess great power yet, but he could be a powerful banner, and Dumbledore was ensuring the populace would rally to it.
After their conversation in the final chamber, Solim had made one request of Dumbledore: build Harry's legend all you want, heap points on Gryffindor, but leave me and Draco out of it. Don't drag Slytherin into this story. Dumbledore had acquiesced with a silent nod; such details were trivial in his grand design.
Harry remained unconscious in the hospital wing, but Ron and Hermione, merely shaken, were discharged. Ron reveled in the sudden fame, happily recounting their "epic" journey through the "deadly" traps to any who would listen, though he wisely omitted any mention of the Dark Lord, heeding both Dumbledore's warning and Hermione's sharp reminders.
With exams over, the school's attention turned to the final Quidditch match of the year. The stands were packed with cheering students—all except one. Hermione Granger had no interest in the game. Lying in her hospital bed, she had replayed the events in the underground chambers, and numerous inconsistencies had solidified into troubling questions. Knowing Solim would never waste his time on something as frivolous as Quidditch, she went straight to the disused classroom.
She found him there, just as she'd expected, with Draco and Neville.
"Hermione," Solim said without looking up from the parchment he was studying. He grabbed a cushion and tossed it towards her. "I had a feeling you'd come find me the moment you were discharged. Perfect timing. I was just explaining the situation to these two."
He looked at Draco. "So, Draco, after going through the whole ordeal, have you figured out why the professors used something as pathetic as Devil's Snare to protect the Philosopher's Stone?"
"I... have some thoughts," Draco admitted hesitantly. "But they don't seem to make much sense."
"Go on. I'm sure Hermione has the same question," Solim prompted.
Hermione nodded, remaining silent.
"That final mirror... it clearly stopped Quirrell, or rather... You-Know-Who," Draco said, carefully avoiding the name now that his initial shock had worn off. "If the professors were so sure the mirror could stop him, then the previous challenges were pointless. Even an ordinary adult wizard could have bypassed them easily."
Solim glanced from Draco to Hermione. "You're right. To stop Voldemort, the Mirror of Erised alone would have sufficed. But that doesn't mean the professors' challenges were useless." A faint smile played on his lips. "You're forgetting Harry Potter."
Draco still looked confused, but Hermione's eyes widened in dawning comprehension.
"You're saying those traps weren't for Voldemort at all," she said, her voice filled with disbelief. "They were for Harry? But how could the professors know he would go down there?"
"Hermione, Harry's personality makes his actions painfully predictable," Solim explained. "And think about it. If you were seriously protecting an object like the Philosopher's Stone, wouldn't you use the most powerful, lethal enchantments possible? Yet what did we see? Devil's Snare? A logic puzzle with flying keys? A chess game? Professor Flitwick even left brooms for you! What kind of serious security does that? Those challenges were tailored. Harry is a natural flier. Ron is excellent at Wizard's Chess. And you, Hermione, with your logic... the challenges were made for you."
Hermione's shoulders slumped as the realization hit her. Their entire "heroic" adventure had been a carefully orchestrated test.
"As for why Professor Dumbledore arranged it," Solim continued, his tone turning serious, "he wanted to know two things."
"Two things?" Hermione and Draco echoed in unison. Neville listened intently, saying nothing.
"First, to confirm Voldemort's current state and gauge the timeline for his return." Hermione tensed, Draco paled, and Neville's lips pressed into a thin line.
"And the second," Solim said, "the one Dumbledore was most interested in: Harry's choice."
"Harry's... choice?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"Ask yourself," Solim said, his gaze intense. "How many people, when standing face-to-face with Lord Voldemort, would have the courage to fight? How many would choose to die rather than give him what he wanted? Harry's choice was exactly what Dumbledore hoped to see. It was immensely satisfying to him."
"But, Solim, what's the point?" Draco asked, still not fully grasping the political landscape.
Shaking his head, Solim elaborated. "You know Harry's title, don't you? The 'Boy Who Lived.' The 'Saviour.' When Voldemort returns, Harry will be the banner everyone rallies to. He can unite people. You know how terrified ordinary witches and wizards are of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As long as Harry, the one who 'defeated' him once, is there, standing firm, it gives people the will and the confidence to resist. That's the point."
Hermione's expression shifted from understanding to sharp suspicion. "That explains a lot," she said, her eyes narrowing as she fixed them on Solim. "But it doesn't explain why you were there last night. And when you appeared, I distinctly saw you holding a bucket of popcorn." Her voice was accusatory.
"Uh... well, you see..." Solim scratched his head, feigning nonchalance. "We just... happened to bring Evans along. As a precaution. It's part of his job, after all. And I brought Draco and Neville so they could... witness history. That's all."
"And the popcorn?" Hermione pressed, her arms crossed.
Solim craned his neck to study the ceiling, a faint smirk on his face. "What can I say? A good show deserves good snacks."
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