Return to School

The Hogwarts students returned the day before classes began.

Early that morning, Will burned the letter he had just finished reading. Hobert had written to say that Edward was somewhat displeased with Will's behavior. From now on, any money sent to Will would be paid in Galleons and delivered by Hobert.

His devil-may-care uncle had added, "If you run out of money, ask your uncle. I'm loaded. Don't be afraid to spend money when you're courting a girl."

Will didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Whatever else he might say, Hobert treated him well.

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was as familiar as ever. There were fewer students this time, leaving plenty of empty compartments. By the time Will arrived, Sylvia and Hermione had already been waiting for a while.

Neville arrived late. He had forgotten his luggage when he left home that morning.

They all knew one another well by now, and the mood on the train was relaxed and cheerful. Will still spent most of the journey reading, though. He had adjusted his study habits, but only enough to make sure he got sufficient rest and stayed healthy.

Only by keeping himself in good shape could he devote more energy to learning. He remembered county schools that called themselves "high schools" but were more like detention centers: two days off every three weeks and schedules crammed beyond reason. Most students there simply lacked the energy to study.

Will made sure he got enough rest. With the rest of his time, he kept grinding for experience.

[You gained new Potions knowledge. Potions experience +1]

[You gained new Potions knowledge. Potions experience +1]

Hermione, who had been laughing and chatting with Sylvia, glanced at Will and felt the pressure again.

Being in the same year as Will was exhausting—

But when she looked at Neville beside her, Hermione wondered whether Will was simply too extraordinary.

In the Hogwarts common room, Harry was playing chess with Ron. The holiday had flown by; it felt as though it had ended before he had done anything at all. Only when he overheard his classmates talking did he realize classes began tomorrow.

I'll go see it one last time tonight, Harry thought, picturing that strange mirror as he moved a piece at random.

A moment later, Ron took Harry's king.

"I won again!" Ron gleefully directed the pieces back to their places. Chess was one of the few things at which he could thoroughly beat Harry.

He hadn't even noticed Harry's lack of enthusiasm.

Harry was still thinking about the Mirror of Erised.

At Christmas, he had received a special gift—an Invisibility Cloak. After that, he and Ron had often slipped into the kitchens at night for a snack. Sometimes they had tried to find the secret passages George and Fred had mentioned.

Then one night, while they were wandering the corridors, they had run into Snape.

Snape had been saying something to Quirrell. Harry would never forget how Snape had cornered the thin, pale professor against a wall like some enormous bat. Harry and Ron had been too far away to hear what either of them said.

But Harry was certain Snape had been threatening Quirrell.

Why threaten Quirrell, though?

Harry did not yet know the professors had set up defenses beneath the Trapdoor. After turning it over in his mind, he finally reached a conclusion.

Snape was threatening Quirrell into helping him steal the Philosopher's Stone!

Ron wholeheartedly agreed. Of course, both of them had completely forgotten Dumbledore's assurance that Snape could be trusted.

"Oh no, Snape looks like he's going after another professor."

"We have to tell Professor Dumbledore."

"Wait, he's coming this way..."

Snape seemed to have noticed their whispers. As the two boys trembled behind a corner, Filch appeared nearby as well. To Harry and Ron's relief, Filch and Snape walked away.

Harry and Ron hurried off, hoping to slip away while they could, but Ron stepped on a corner of the Invisibility Cloak. Both boys were exposed right in front of Mrs. Norris, and when she yowled, Filch was only a short way down the corridor.

That damned cat! Harry cursed inwardly.

With Mrs. Norris still yowling, Harry and Ron grabbed the Invisibility Cloak and ducked into a room. There, they discovered the magical mirror.

In the days that followed, Harry kept returning to spend time with his family in the mirror.

One last time. It really will be the last...

Thinking that, Harry lost another game of chess.

That evening, the Hogwarts Express finally delivered the young wizards to school.

Since the House-elves would only take luggage to the dormitories, Will went back to his room to collect his things and the many books that had arrived over Christmas. To his surprise, he found his "roommate," Auburn Nott, there.

Apparently, even House-elves made mistakes sometimes.

What surprised him more was that Auburn Nott fled the dormitory at the sight of him, like a mouse spotting a cat. He acted as though Will were some kind of demon.

Will paid him no mind. He carried his bags into the Room of Requirement, where the familiar, luxurious room was far better than the student dormitory.

Skipping dinner, Will began preparing the materials he needed for his extra Potions Class. Snape had told him their lessons would begin tomorrow evening.

"What? Have you forgotten what Professor Dumbledore said? Snape can be trusted."

After hearing Harry and Ron's account, Hermione was troubled.

She did not entirely trust Snape, but she did trust Dumbledore's word. He was the greatest wizard of the century.

"But Snape clearly hates me. And what if Professor Dumbledore has been fooled by him?" Harry was certain Snape hated him.

"Maybe he was a friend of your parents?" Hermione blurted out.

"Ha. Brilliant. Would a friend of your parents hate you?" Ron asked sarcastically.

"..." Hermione had to admit that seemed unlikely.

"Whatever happens, we have to protect the Philosopher's Stone. We can't let it fall into Voldemort's hands!" Harry said, his voice low and firm.

Ron shuddered at the name but stood by his friend.

"Right, Harry's right! But what do we do? Watch Snape?"

"If I have to, I will. We need proof that Snape can't be trusted." Harry had cast Snape firmly as the villain. Dumbledore would surely have been "delighted" to hear it.

Hermione pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated. She had once asked Will whether there was any way to make Gryffindor's young lions follow the rules instead of losing points every day.

Will's answer had been, "Have the professors double their homework. Then they won't have the time or energy to roam the corridors at night."

Hermione had thought that went too far. Now she felt it was absolutely necessary. If she ever became Minister for Magic, she would make sure Hogwarts students got twice as much homework and put their energy into studying.

Harry's resolve lasted well into the night. Then he put on the Invisibility Cloak and headed straight for a particular room, following the route he knew so well.

The magical mirror still stood there, as though it had been left especially for him. Harry walked up to it, and a gentle, elderly voice came from behind him. "So—you've come back, Harry?"