The Gift From Death

Chapter 23: First year Part 12

6th, August, 1998. 5.30pm...

"Okay this one is of me hearing Quirrell talking, supposedly to himself, in a classroom." Harry explained.

Walking back from the library on his own one afternoon, he heard somebody whimpering from a classroom up ahead.

As he drew closer, he heard Quirrell's voice.

"No - no - not again, please -"

"What's going on?" Minerva asked, "It sounds like he's begging for something to stop."

"You will find out soon. I promise." Harry said.

It sounded as though someone was threatening him. Harry moved closer.

"All right - all right -" he heard Quirrell sob.

Next second, Quirrell came hurrying out of the classroom, straightening his turban. He was pale and looked as though he was about to cry.

"Why does it look like he's been tortured?" Cissy asked.

"I'm not telling." Harry said simply.

"We don't know everything." Ron said.

Hermione nodded, "We only know the basics the same as what Dumbledore knew." she added. "We didn't bother asking."

He strode out of sight; Harry didn't think Quirrell even noticed him. He waited until Quirrell's footsteps had disappeared, then peered into the classroom. It was empty, but a door stood ajar at the other end.

Harry was halfway towards it before he remembered what he'd promised himself about not meddling.

"Damn." George muttered, "What a stupid thing to promise yourself." he smirked.

"How long did it last?" Fred asked.

"Um... Not long, probably about 3-4 weeks." Harry shrugged.

All the same, he'd have gambled twelve Philosopher's Stones that Snape had just left the room and from what Harry had just heard, Snape would be walking with a new spring in his step - Quirrell seemed to have given in at last.

"Were skipping a bit. This is the morning after the day I heard Quirrell." Harry explained.

The following morning, notes were delivered to Harry, Hermione and Neville at the breakfast table. They were all the same:

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the Entrance Hall.

Prof. M. McGonagall

"It's detention time." sighed Hermione.

"Oh well, you still had a better record than us." Ron shrugged.

"Yeah, I think you only ever got like 25 detentions through our whole time at Hogwarts." Harry shrugged.

"How many do you think you got?" James asked curiously.

"Um..." Harry frowned, "I lost count at 100." he admitted.

"I think everyone lost count." Minerva sighed, "I counted to 213 and gave up." she added.