Fluffy made a great couch.
The giant canine had a soft, black fur coat and he curled his body up making a warm, soft niche for a young boy to snuggle into. The hell hound seemed to enjoy being read to even if he couldn't really understand the words. A little light conjured above the book was perfectly adequate to read by in the dark room.
The best part was no one else except for Hagrid would ever come in here. Harry needed some alone time and he didn't want to get caught sneaking into the Forbidden Forest to run around.
The sudden sound of music in the room caused the reading to come to a surprised stop. Harry peaked over the now sleeping dog towards the door. A figure stood there with a torch hovering in the air over his shoulder. A magical harp sat on the ground nearby playing a soft lullaby.
"Quickly," a voice hissed. "Move the half-breed's mongrel. Dumbledore could be back soon."
"Yes, master."
Harry recognized the second voice even with its shocking lack of a stutter. What was the defence professor doing here? And where did that other voice come from? He obviously wasn't supposed to be here if they were worried about Dumbledore finding them.
Fluffy suddenly shuddered as he was lifted off the ground and the trap door he was laying on top of was revealed.
Once the dog was back on the floor, Harry carefully stood up and moved further into the shadows along the wall.
"This charm better work," the unknown voice said in a threatening tone.
"It was from an Incan tome, master. Dumbledore's anti-summoning spell on the key should not block it."
Harry knew they were here to steal Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone. Hagrid had slipped so many times over the year Harry reckoned he knew the whole story by now. Harry really liked Hagrid but the giant groundskeeper had a harder time keeping his mouth in check than Ron Weasley.
Harry took the simple expedient to stop the harp.
He kicked it. Hard.
Harry allowed the change to come and growled out, "Hey, Fluffy, dinner!"
The hell hound quickly woke and spotted the intruder. Harry watched as the lovable dog attacked, quickly tearing the hapless professor to pieces. He had hunted his share of animals but even his stomach started to turn.
"Who did this?" the hissing voice demanded. Harry's transformed eyes spotted the dark cloud rising from Professor Quirrell's remains. "I shall have my revenge! I will find you and destroy you and everyone you ever loved!" Then it screamed and flew out of the room right out the door.
....
Quirrell's remains were not found until early the next morning when Hagrid arrived to feed Fluffy. Hagrid quickly took the remains away from the now disappointed hell hound and called a house-elf to get Professor Dumbledore.
In short order the Headmaster along with his senior staff was looking over the scene in some discomfort.
"What was Quirenus thinking coming in here so late at night?" Minerva asked in a shocked voice.
"You are assuming that he was the one making the decisions," Severus sneered. "I warned you, Headmaster, that there were signs."
Dumbledore was crouched down next to the remains of Quirrell's head. "Yes, yes, Severus, you were quite right." The older wizard moved aside the defence professor's turban. "It appears as through Voldemort managed to possess poor Quirenus."
Minerva went white at the suggestion. "Him? Albus, are you sure?"
Severus looked just as concerned. "Albus, do you think he will try again?"
Dumbledore stood carefully as his knees protested. "Yes, I am quite sure. And, no, I don't think he will try again soon. Voldemort had to gather his power over ten years to make this attempt. I would expect at least another four to five years before he could make an attempt to possess someone even voluntarily again. Which gives us time to allow Mr Potter to remain a child a bit longer but still properly train him."
"Potter?" Snape retorted in disgust. "He shows no real potential. He completely average whatever his adoring public may wish to believe!"
Albus sighed as Minerva launched into defence of her young lion. In truth, Severus had a point on Mr Potter's performance this year. But there was still time and hope. Harry's grandfather was also a rather late bloomer and Henry Potter still grew to be a rather skilled and powerful wizard. Perhaps Harry took after his namesake in this as well.
With a wave of his wand he reassembled the pieces of Quirenus into a whole. It would not withstand a magical investigation but his word should be sufficient to ensure there was no investigation. After all, Hagrid would be most upset if his pet were to be destroyed over performing such a service. Now he would have to retrieve Nicholas's Stone. It would be safe enough from a weakened Tom Riddle now.
.....
Join my p@treon and read ahead by more than 60+ chapters.
Link : [email protected]/InfinityWeaver
Free members can read the next two chapters for free on my p@treon