*46

Harry and Ron were both stunned as they watched Hermione breeze through the challenges as if she were merely taking a stroll.

"Hurry up, stop dawdling," Hermione called back to them impatiently. "I'm waiting up ahead. Let's finish this quickly; I'm tired."

Quickly moving through the giant wizard's chessboard, Hermione jumped onto a stone horse and began to command the pieces.

In this game, most would find themselves at a disadvantage.

Fortunately, she had observed countless possible outcomes and found the winning strategy.

"D5!"

"E6!"

As the pawn moved, the enemy king was sliced to pieces, and the gate ahead opened.

Great, no potions to test, no need to overthink!

After finishing the chess game at lightning speed, Harry and Ron looked at Hermione as if she were a marvel.

Harry finally reacted and pulled Ron forward.

"Stupefy!"

A flash of light, and Ron was suddenly knocked unconscious.

Seeing Hermione holding a wand, Harry was shocked. "Hermione, what are you doing?"

"We'll have to fight soon. His skills are lacking; he'll only hold us back. I'm sending him back first."

With that, a ghostly force carried Ron back the way they came.

Harry stared at Hermione's back, realizing something was off.

Wait, I'm not particularly strong either! Aren't I in danger?

And you're the best at fighting here, shouldn't you go?!

But it was too late to regret now, so Harry gritted his teeth and pressed on.

---

At the deepest part of the passage was a hidden chamber.

In the room, a large mirror stood in the center—the Mirror of Erised.

If the previous challenges were like unwrapping the Philosopher's Stone, then this was like finding it locked in a vault!

In front of the mirror, Quirrell slowly turned around.

Why was he standing there frozen?

Simple, he was stuck.

"It's you!" Harry exclaimed in disbelief.

He had always thought Snape wanted the Philosopher's Stone, but it was Quirrell!

Faced with this unexpected truth, Harry struggled to accept it.

Prejudice is a mountain in people's hearts... Hermione mused from her hidden spot by the door.

Seeing Harry's shocked expression, Quirrell began explaining his evil plan, as villains do.

Afterward, he forced Harry to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone.

Dumbledore's enchantment on the mirror meant only those who sought the Stone without wanting to use it could retrieve it.

Harry instinctively touched his bulging pocket. To divert Quirrell's attention, he resorted to... small talk.

How are you?

I'm fine, thank you, and you?

I'm fine too.

Back and forth they went, until Quirrell realized their conversation was getting him nowhere.

Harry, the cheeky boy, was stubbornly evasive, leading to a stalemate.

Frustrated by his minion's inefficiency, Voldemort decided to intervene.

Quirrell turned away, unwrapping the scarf from his head.

A second face slowly emerged from the back of Quirrell's head.

A nightmare for the wizarding world, a beacon for purebloods, a philatelist of dark deeds, Voldemort appeared.

Harry stared, his scar searing with pain, and fainted on the spot.

Watching Harry collapse, a voice came from the back of Quirrell's head.

"The Philosopher's Stone is in that child's pocket. Retrieve it."

The voice was hoarse, distinctly different from Quirrell's.

As Quirrell reached out, a voice echoed from the doorway.

"Seems you're doing well, Professor Quirrell."

Hermione strolled in, smiling.

"It's you!"

Quirrell recognized her immediately.

She was the first-year who had injured him in the Forbidden Forest with a mysterious weapon!

And the Quidditch fanatic!

If not for the unicorn blood and his master's dark arts, he might have perished on the spot!

His eyes filled with deep hatred.

"You'll pay!" Quirrell raised his wand, intent on attacking.

"Stand back, Quirinus!"

Voldemort's voice commanded, and Quirrell trembled, clearly in pain from some punishment.

Facing Hermione, Voldemort spoke slowly, "Young girl, you have talent. Why not join me? Whatever your dreams, I can help you achieve them."

His voice carried a hint of allure.

"Thanks, but you should worry about yourself first," Hermione waved dismissively. "And if I want the Philosopher's Stone, would you hand it over?"

Voldemort's eyes darkened.

"Quirinus, kill her and seize the Philosopher's Stone!" Failing to tempt her, Voldemort acted without hesitation.

"Expulso!"

Boom!

Quirrell's wand targeted Hermione, but her Shield Charm deflected it.

Sensing the spell's intensity, Hermione shook her head.

Parasitized by Voldemort, Quirrell's magic and vitality were drained to maintain life. He was weaker than a senior Hogwarts student.

"If this is all you've got, you'll be staying here today."

Her words enraged Voldemort.

For years, he'd terrified the wizarding world, and now a twelve-year-old girl dared to belittle him?

Quirrell's expression twisted as he screamed in agony.

"Master, no, no, I am loyal to you... Ahhh!"

After a howl, Quirrell fell silent.

Voldemort's face on the back of his head shifted forward, covering Quirrell's own.

A rare sight, he even had a nose!

"Is this how you treat loyal servants?" Hermione asked, tilting her head.

"His sacrifice is an honor," Voldemort's voice was icy.

He had no choice; he needed the Philosopher's Stone. From their brief fight, he knew Quirrell couldn't defeat her.

If he missed tonight, he'd never get the Philosopher's Stone.

So he sacrificed Quirrell, absorbing his life and magic to temporarily restore himself to a normal wizard's level.

Voldemort raised his wand, "I'll give you one more chance to serve me, or else..."

"Expulso!"

Hermione cast the Exploding Charm without hesitation.

After the blast, Quirrell stood unscathed behind a Shield Charm.

Hermione knew Voldemort was different now, not easily dealt with.

Confident she could delay him until he faltered or simply escape with the Philosopher's Stone, she decided to end it.

"Avada..."

Voldemort began, opting for the classic killing curse.

"Leviosa!"

Hermione interrupted.

She used the Levitation Charm to fling Harry toward Voldemort!

"Harry Impact!"

Time to shine, Harry!

Voldemort went to deflect, but the next second, a searing pain pierced him to his core!

"Ah... What is this?!"

He felt as if the Killing Curse had rebounded on him again.

"No!!!"

In agony, his body turned to ash, starting where Harry touched him.

From the ashes, a mist emerged, showcasing Voldemort's incredible escape ability once more.

Before leaving, he cast a hateful glare.

Like a late-stage villain, how dare you glare at me? Hermione was unafraid and glared back.

How could you lose when there's trading to resume!

The Horcruxes remain, and the veterans endure. She didn't stop them, and couldn't.

Hermione stepped forward to claim the Philosopher's Stone when she paused.

[Ancient Magic]

[Ancient Magic: Sacrifice Lvl 1]

[Sacrifices life to create a magical shield for a specific source, protecting it from harm. If touched, it causes a powerful backlash. Effects vary per individual.]