Reliving the Past, Present, and Future

Chapter 19

No sooner did the pensive evict everyone from its content, Teddy had the next memory in hand. "Ready?" he said, looking at Harry for confirmation who nodded. 

Colors and shapes soon merged to show a young Harry looking shocked at an amused Professor Quirrell. 

Those who hadn't guessed his involvement looked dumbfounded at the scene before them. 

"Ah, Harry, thank you for being here," the professor said with a twisted smile.

Young Harry shook his head, unable to process what was happening. "But Snape... no... he tried to kill me..."

Quirrell laughed. "That overgrown bat does seem like the type, but no, if your little friend hadn't broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded. Snape muttering an annoying little counter curse didn't help either."

Harry was gaping at this new information. 

"An overgrown bat," snickered George to Fred who immediately stopped after catching Snape's glare. 

"All of his efforts will have gone to waste when I kill you tonight." 

With a snap of his fingers, rope wrapped themselves tightly around Harry. 

"Now be quiet, Potter." Quirrell was circling a large ornate mirror that everyone immediately recognized as the Mirror of Erised. "It shows me with the stone, I'm presenting it to the Dark Lord... but how..."

Harry's face had an expression of desperation. "But - But Snape hates me."

"Oh, yes," said Quirrell casually. "Yes... your father and him hated each other."

"I thought - I thought he was threatening you," said Harry suddenly. Everyone now realized Harry was trying to distract the wizard with conversation. "You were crying a few days ago..."

Quirrell's humor vanished. His face held a hint of panic. 

"I am weak... my master has been very patient with me..."

"He was here?" said Harry, horrified.

"He's always here..." whispered Quirrell, looking back into the mirror. "When the stone had already been taken from Gringotts I was severely punished..." He flinched and went back to studying the mirror. 

"Help me, Master!" Quirrell suddenly cried. "How can I get the stone?"

Nearly everyone paled as a cold whispery voice answered. "The boy..."

Many turned around as if expecting Voldemort to be around the corner and were confused where the voice came from. 

Lupin, who had been suspicious of Quirrell from the start, eyed his turban wearily. 

Quirrell snapped his fingers and the rope around Harry disappeared. Trembling slightly, Harry walked closer to the mirror. 

"What do you see?" he demanded. 

Everyone watched with amazement when the reflection of Harry suddenly smiled. They watched as Harry took the red stone out of his pocket, winked, and put the stone back. 

"That's how you got it?" said Ginny amazed. 

Many looked impressed with the magic of the mirror. 

"Answer, Potter!" yelled Quirrell. 

Harry looked quickly at Quirrell and back to the mirror. "I - I'm in the Great Hall... Gryffindor won the House Cup..."

Quirrell pushed him away in annoyance, but the chilling voice soon returned. "Liar..."