Chapter 49: Harry and Voldemort meet

Oh no! Principal, we must return to Hogwarts immediately! Voldemort may have already gone after the Philosopher's Stone! If we're too late, it's all over!"

Dumbledore's expression darkened with concern. No one at Hogwarts knew that Quirrell's body had been overtaken by Voldemort, making him a perfect vessel to bypass the school's defenses.

Without hesitation, Lin Mei placed a hand on Dumbledore's arm. Understanding his urgency, Dumbledore activated his magic, and the two of them vanished, hurrying back to Hogwarts.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Flamel stood amidst the ruins of his once-pristine manor. His face twisted in frustration as he surveyed the destruction.

"What did I ever do to deserve this? I just wanted to live out my remaining years in peace!" he muttered bitterly.

Realizing the danger of any lingering Death Eaters regaining consciousness, he swiftly cast a powerful sleeping spell over them before beginning the arduous task of restoring his home.

Hogwarts

"We have to get the Philosopher's Stone tonight!" Harry declared, his voice filled with urgency. "You saw it too—Snape could be the one trying to steal it!"

Ron and Hermione exchanged uneasy glances, both deep in thought. Harry's paranoia had only grown over the past few days, fueled by Snape's suspicious behavior.

"Harry," Hermione reasoned, "we can't jump to conclusions. Just because Professor Snape and Quirrell have a rivalry doesn't mean he's behind this. Besides, Dumbledore trusts him. He wouldn't let him teach us if he were a real threat."

Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, mate, Hermione's got a point. We need solid proof, not just gut feelings."

Harry took a deep breath, attempting to rein in his emotions. Still, his determination was unwavering. "No matter what, we need to get to the Stone first. If we don't, it'll fall into the wrong hands!"

Had Lin Mei been present, he would have sighed in exasperation. Hogwarts had layers of magical protections in place—why did Harry think he, a mere first-year, was better suited to defend the Philosopher's Stone? Without the protection spell from his mother, Voldemort would crush him in an instant.

But there was no time to dwell on the flaws in Harry's thinking. Ron and Hermione, though hesitant, ultimately chose to follow him. And so, their perilous journey began.

Beyond the castle walls, Lin Mei and Dumbledore materialized on the outskirts of Hogwarts. Due to the school's anti-Apparition enchantments, they had to proceed on foot. While Dumbledore strode towards the entrance with composed urgency, Lin Mei wasted no time—he bolted straight toward the location of the Philosopher's Stone.

The castle was eerily silent, the students long since retired to their dormitories. Only Mrs. Norris and Filch patrolled the corridors, oblivious to the danger looming within their walls.

Lin Mei moved like a gust of wind, stirring up dust in every corridor he passed. Before long, he arrived at the entrance to the hidden chamber. The heavy wooden door stood ajar—someone had already entered.

Inside, Hagrid's massive three-headed dog, Fluffy, cowered in a corner, too terrified to act. Sensing Lin Mei's presence, the beast whimpered rather than growl.

Ignoring the creature, Lin Mei strode straight to the trapdoor in the center of the room and leaped down.

The first challenge, the Devil's Snare, writhed below, but Lin Mei knew this plant feared light. With a mere flick of his wand, a bright burst of flames sent the vines retreating, allowing him to pass unhindered.

Next came the room of winged keys. He barely paused before moving forward.

"Ron!" Lin Mei called as he entered the next chamber.

Ron lay unconscious on the stone floor, evidence of the enchanted chess game surrounding him. The shattered pieces were already beginning to reassemble, resetting the challenge.

"I don't have time for this."

Before the board could restore itself, Lin Mei ignited his fist with fire magic and punched the king's piece, reducing it to cinders. The enchantment broke, and the game was skipped entirely.

After confirming that Ron was merely unconscious, Lin Mei pressed forward.

The next room was supposed to house a towering troll, but the creature had already been slain, its body sprawled lifelessly on the floor—evidence of Voldemort's ruthless magic.

The final door loomed ahead, wreathed in enchanted black flames. Beyond it, Lin Mei could hear voices.

"Look at what I have become, Harry!" Voldemort's voice was chilling, even distorted through Quirrell's body. "Once, I was little more than a shadow… a whisper in the dark. I could only exist by clinging to others, but now… now I grow stronger. The unicorn blood sustained me, but it was not enough. I needed more. And so, I consumed Quirrell's very soul!"

Harry's breath hitched. He stumbled backward, horror etched across his face. "You… you killed Professor Quirrell?! You monster!"

Voldemort's laughter echoed through the chamber, a sinister, triumphant sound.

Lin Mei narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

The final confrontation had begun.

Voldemort relished the fear etched on Harry's face. His lips curled into a sinister smile as he spoke.

"Once I obtain the Elixir of Life, I will restore my true form... But why wait? Harry, why don't you hand over the Philosopher's Stone in your pocket?"

Harry's breath hitched. How does he know? His mind reeled as he instinctively stepped backward, clutching the Stone hidden in his pocket. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay composed.

"Don't be foolish," Voldemort sneered. "The only way to save yourself is to submit to me. Otherwise, you'll meet the same fate as your parents... They begged for mercy before I killed them."

Harry's shock turned to fury. His hands clenched into fists as he glared at the dark figure before him. "Never! I'd rather die than surrender to you! I will never give you the Philosopher's Stone!"

Voldemort's eerie red eyes gleamed with amusement. "So be it, Harry. If you won't give me the Stone… then I'll take your life instead."

But Voldemort didn't reach for a wand. He remembered all too well the price of using the Killing Curse on Harry before—it had cost him everything, reducing him to a mere shadow of existence. He would not make the same mistake twice.

Harry, protected by the lingering magic of his mother's sacrifice, was beyond Voldemort's direct reach. If he wanted Harry dead, he would have to find another way.

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