Harry's New Guardian (A Snape Mentor/Adopts Harry Fanfic) Book 1

Chapter 8: Christmas Break Part 1

Later that afternoon. Harry, Ron and Hermione walk on the grounds of Hogwarts with Hagrid. Hagrid said, "Nonsense! Why would Quirrell put a curse on Harry's broom?" Harry said, "Who knows. Do you think that Quirrell was trying to get passed that 3-headed dog on Halloween?" Hagrid looks at them suspiciously as he said, "Who told you about Fluffy?" Ron said, "Fluffy?" Hermione said, "That thing has a name?" Hagrid said, "Of course he's got a name. He's mine. I bought him off an Irish fellow that I met down at the pub last year. Then I lend him to Dumbledore to guard the...." Harry said, "Yes?" Hagrid said, "I shouldn't have said that. No more questions! Don't ask any more question! That's top secret that is." Harry said, "But Hagrid, whatever Fuffly's guarding, Quirrell's trying to steal it!" Hagrid said, "Codswalloped! Professor Quirrell is a Hogwarts teacher." Hermione said, "Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one. I've read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact and Quirrell wasn't blinking!" Harry said, "Exactly." Hagrid said, "Now you listen to me, all 3 of ya. You're meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous! What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel." Harry said, "Nicholas Flamel?" Hagrid said, "I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that." He continues to say it as he walks down to his hut. Harry watches him go as he said, "Nicholas Flamel.... Whose Nicholas Flamel?" Hermione said, "I don't know." The rest of the day was spent trying to figure out who Nicholas Flamel is. Harry couldn't help but think that he had heard that name before, but he didn't know where he heard it from. Harry decides to see Snape and see what he thought of all this. Harry heads down to the dungeon and heads to Snape's quarters. He knocks on the door. Snape opens it a crack to see Harry. He looks curiously at Harry and said, "Harry, what brings you to my quarters?" Harry said, "Can I come in, dad?" Snape said, "Of course, Harry." He stands aside and allows Harry to enter. Harry enters Snape's quarters and sits on the couch. Snape shuts the door and sits in his armchair and said, "Care to tell me why you decided to come and see me?" Harry said, "Hermione saw me nearly get thrown off my broom. She said that she saw Quirrell jinxing my broom. She set fire to his robes to get him to stop. She used Hagrid's binoculars to see who was jinxing my broom." Snape said, "That confirms my suspicions of who was trying to kill you, Harry." Harry gulps, "So it is Quirrell that's trying to kill me?" Snape nods, "Indeed, Harry. The only question now is why? Why is he trying to kill you?" Harry said, "I wish I knew, dad." Snape said, "I'll try and find out, Harry. When I do, I'll be sure to let you know. I will not allow you to be harmed or killed on my watch. I made a promise to protect you and I intend to keep it." Harry gets off the couch and hugs Snape. Snape hugs him back and said, "It will be ok, Harry. No harm will come your way, whilst I'm here." Harry said, "Thanks dad." Snape said, "You're welcome, Harry."

Harry lets go and sits back down. He said, "There's one more thing. Hagrid mentioned Nicholas Flamel, Hermione wants us to find out who he is and what he has to do with the stone." Snape went thoughtful, "I've heard that name from somewhere before." Harry said, "Me too, but I can't remember where, dad." Snape's eyes lit up as he said, "Wait here, I think I have figured it out." Harry waits while Snape goes to his room. He pulls out his chocolate frog cards and finds the card with Dumbledore on it. He puts the rest away and looks at the back. His eyes glitter more as he reads it. He said, "I knew I heard that name from somewhere." He takes the card to Harry and sits down. He said, "Read the back of this card, Harry." Harry's eyes go wide as he recognizes the card Snape was holding, "That's where I heard his name from!" Harry takes the card as Snape's eyes glitter. Harry reads the back of the card and said, "Nicholas Flamel and Dumbledore knew each other! Do you think, maybe Nicholas Flamel made the stone, dad?" Snape nods, "Yes, I'm convinced that he created the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry. From what I know, he is an alchemist. I also know that he and his wife are over 600 years old." Harry looks at Snape wide eyed, "Wow!" Snape said, "They used the stone to make the Elixir of Life. As long as you take it, you can not die. It can also turn any metal into pure gold." Harry said, "I think Quirrell is trying to steal it, dad. My friends are thinking the same thing." Snape said, "I, too, think that Quirrell is trying to steal the stone. I've been keeping a close eye on him since that troll incident. He let that troll in, I'm sure of it. He did it to distract us while he went after the stone. To bad that he didn't fool me." Snape adds, "I think he wants the stone to make gold, so that he can be rich. Greed can make people do cruel things, Harry." Snape goes thoughtful. Harry said, "I can't help but think that there is another reason why Quirrell wants the stone, other than making gold, I mean." Snape said, "I agree with you, Harry. I have the same feeling as well." Harry goes thoughtful now. Snape said, "Once I know more, I'll let you know, Harry." Harry nods in response. Snape looks at Harry and said, "Now about that troll." Harry looks meekly at Snape. Snape said, "What happened in that bathroom Harry?" Harry explains everything that happened in the girls' bathroom. When he finished, Snape was pinching the bridge of his nose. Snape said, "That was very brave of the both of you to rescue Miss Granger, but it was also extremely foolish of you two to do so. Both of you could have been seriously injured! You can not run head-long into danger Harry, without having a plan first!" Harry looks down and said, "I'm sorry dad." Snape sighs, "Be lucky that trolls are stupid, Harry. However, as you are my son, I must punish you as I see fit." Harry said defeatedly, "Yes dad. I understand." Snape said, "Your grounded for a week. I will allow you to go to quidditch practice, but you are to go straight to the common room after that. You aren't allowed outside until your punishment is over. Also, you will come down to my office at 8pm sharp, every evening for the entire week. You will be cleaning out cauldrons, without magic. Is that understood, Harry." Harry nods, "Yes dad. I understand." Snape sighs, "Come here, Harry." Harry goes to Snape. Snape pulls him onto his lap and hugs him. Harry curls up on his lap. Snape said, "I had to punish you, Harry. I was worried sick when Percy told McGonagall that you, your friend and Miss. Granger weren't in the common room. We searched for all 3 of you, only to hear a thunderous thud coming from the girl's bathroom. When we entered the bathroom, I saw the damage the troll did to the bathroom and saw you three there covered in dust. I thought, what in merlin's beard happened in here? I was shocked that you three defeated a troll and came out of it unscathed!" Harry felt bad now. He said, "I'm sorry for worrying you dad. You're right to punish me." Snape said, "Apology accepted, Harry. I hope this punishment teaches you a lesson." Harry nods in response. Snape said, "For now, head up to your commom room and stay on top of your classes." Harry smiles, slightly, "Ok, dad. Thanks for listening to me and believing me." Snape nods in responds. Harry gets up and hugs his dad. He said, "See you tonight, dad." Snape said, "See you then, Harry." Harry leaves his quarters to tell Ron and Hermione what Snape had told him. Snape sits there and mutters, "I must find out what Quirrell is up to. I can't help but think that it has something to do with why Harry's scar hurts, whenever he's near the man. I will find out, and when I do, I will make sure that he doesn't touch Harry." Snape leaves his quarters to grade the essays. He will also have to get the dirty cauldrons for Harry to clean tonight. All the while, having Quirrell, Harry and the stone on his mind.