"Y/N, are you certain you're alright?" Aurora inquired, finding Y/N perched on a bed within the nurse's office. Y/N's shoulder had been skillfully wrapped by Madam Pomfrey after a rather severe injury, yet it still required a few days to fully mend.
"I'm reasonably sure, Aurie," Y/N reassured, prompting an eye roll from Aurora, a testament to their familiarity.
"The impact seemed rather severe; at least you only ended up with a broken shoulder," Seraphina chimed in, a sigh accompanying her words, to which Y/N gave a confirming nod.
"Madam Pomfrey mentioned it would leave a scar—a rather intricate one, considering the depth of the injury. The skin on my shoulder was split," Y/N murmured, the gravity of the situation evident in her tone.
"Ew, that's a bit gross, isn't it? Did it hurt a lot?" Sophie inquired, directing her curiosity toward Y/N, who met her question with a bemused expression.
"Did it hurt?" Y/N echoed with an air of sarcasm. "Oh, not at all. The experience was incredibly painless," she retorted, causing Sophie to chuckle at the jest.
"Hey, at least you've got a story to tell now," Aurora chimed in with a grin.
"Yeah, 'Remember that time Y/N fell off her broom and split her shoulder open?' It'll be a hit at parties," Sophie teased.
Y/N chuckled weakly. "Yeah, I can see the headlines now."
"I can't believe Gryffindor managed to score while you were down," Seraphina mused, shaking her head.
Y/N sighed. "Tell me about it. I should've listened to my teammates and passed the Quaffle instead of being stubborn."
"Well, at least you've learned your lesson now," Aurora said, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
"Yeah, yeah," Y/N replied, rolling her eyes. "Next time, I'll pass when I'm supposed to."
Madam Pomfrey bustled around the room, making sure everyone was comfortable and on the mend. The camaraderie between Y/N and her friends brought a sense of normalcy to the situation, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
"Looks like you're quite the celebrity, attracting a crowd of concerned well-wishers," Madam Pomfrey playfully commented, earning a chuckle from Y/N. As if on cue, Harry, Ron, and Draco entered the room.
"Hey, Crimson. You holding up alright?" Draco's attempt at casual concern was evident in his expression, even though he tried to hide it.
"I'm doing fine, Draco," Y/N replied, her smirk giving away her amusement. Draco's attempt at nonchalance broke, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Could've been worse. You didn't land face-first," Ron chimed in, taking a seat by Y/N's bed, with Harry doing the same.
"Well, I'm positively relieved," Y/N retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm, prompting a playful punch from Ron.
"Apologies for that, Y/N. Fred got an earful from Wood after his Bludger hit you during the match," Harry explained, Y/N chuckled in response, but her gaze shifted slightly past the boys, as if searching for someone.
"By the way, Hermione's out there," Ron whispered, leaning closer. "She's been worried about you, you know. Are you two still not talking?" he inquired, causing Y/N's cheeks to tint with a blush.
"I wasn't asking about her," Y/N replied, her tone neutral.
"No, but your eyes were," Ron teased with a knowing grin.
✴✴✴✴✴
Y/N lay in her bed, the midday sunlight casting a gentle glow on the room. Despite the drowsiness that washed over her, she knew she had a few hours to wait before she could truly drift into sleep. It was a routine she had grown used to - lying there, staring at the ceiling, lost in her own thoughts.
Sleep had always been a challenge for her. Her mind seemed to come alive at night, a parade of thoughts, memories, and even snippets of music that played in her head. Sometimes funny moments would replay, other times she'd find herself haunted by unpleasant memories. It was a nightly ritual, and she had learned to navigate it.
A sudden rustling noise snapped her attention from her thoughts. She sat up, pushing aside the curtains of her bed, only to find Hermione entering the room with Ron in her arms. Hermione's appearance was disheveled, dust smeared across her face, and Ron looked as if he were still unconscious.
"Hermione, what in the world—" Y/N began, her confusion evident. She got up from the bed, only to have Hermione shoot her a stern look, gesturing for her to sit back down.
"Careful, Y/N. Your shoulder is still healing," Hermione scolded gently, carefully placing Ron on the bed next to Y/N before turning her attention back to the task at hand.
"What happened to you?" Y/N inquired, watching as Hermione settled on the bed beside her. Her usually curly hair seemed even more tangled, giving her a somewhat disheveled appearance.
"It's a bit... complicated. I need to get to the owlery," Hermione replied cryptically, her tone carrying a sense of urgency. She made a move to stand up, but Y/N gently pulled her back down to sit.
"Complicated? Hermione, you're covered in dust. And what happened to Ron?" Y/N's concern was evident in her voice and expression, but Hermione seemed to avoid meeting her gaze.
"Y/N, I really have to go," Hermione said, a note of urgency in her voice.
"Wait a minute. Where's Harry?" Y/N's persistence was clear in her tone.
"Y/N!" Hermione's exclamation was sharp, and she seemed flustered. "I'm sorry, I'm just... in a bit of a rush."
"No, you're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Y/N asserted, holding Hermione's gaze firmly.
"Y/N, you told me not to involve you in my shenanigans anymore, right? I'm just doing as you told, since I'm just nothing but 'trouble' for you," Hermione murmured, her words striking Y/N like a blow.
"Hermione—" Y/N began, her voice full of conflict.
"Just leave me alone," Hermione snapped as she got up from the bed, her footsteps fading as she exited the nurse's room. Y/N was left stunned, her heart heavy with Hermione's words.
"Ugh—what happened?" Ron's voice broke through Y/N's thoughts. She turned her attention to him as he rubbed his eyes, clearly disoriented.
"Ron!" Y/N exclaimed, relief flooding through her that he was awake and seemingly okay.
"Y/N—where's...where am I?" Ron asked, his confusion evident.
"You're in the nurse's office." Y/N explained gently.
"I thought— I thought I was gonna die!" Ron's voice trembled with anxiety, and Y/N tried to soothe him.
"Hey, you're safe now. Take a few deep breaths," she said, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Hermione told me not to tell you..." Ron mumbled, his words trailing off.
"Ron, please," Y/N pleaded, concerned about the secrets that were clearly causing tension among their friends.
"I...we went to the third floor where the trapdoor was...and—I was in the wizard's chess, I was about to get hit...and— and... I don't remember," Ron muttered, still sounding a bit disoriented.
"Where's Harry?" Y/N questioned, hoping Ron had some information.
"I don't know..." Ron sighed out, his frustration evident. The uncertainty surrounding their friends weighed heavily on Y/N's mind as she tried to piece together the puzzle.
"I... just stay here, Ron. You don't have any major injuries, don't do anything reckless," Y/N murmured, standing up.
✴✴✴✴✴
Y/N rushed through the corridors, following the path that led to the Grand Staircase. She passed by numerous paintings, the magical artworks whispering and nodding in acknowledgment as she hurried past. Reaching the staircase, she didn't need to give it any direction; it adjusted its path on its own, spiraling her upwards as she ascended.
As she arrived on the desired floor, the familiar architecture greeted her—pillars, columns, knight statues, and the flickering fire pillars that activated with each step she took. She swiftly maneuvered through the halls, her determination unwavering. She reached the door she was seeking, the entrance to the chamber she knew was there.
With a careful touch, she opened the door, revealing the snoozing three-headed dog and the partially open trapdoor. She approached cautiously, aware of the canine's sensitivity to sound. The distant sound of a harp being played reached her ears, and she couldn't help but marvel at the peculiar way the dog's slumber was induced.
"Okay...good doggy..." she murmured, keeping her voice low to avoid rousing the creature.
"Music calms you down, okay..." She glanced at the side, her curiosity piqued by the harmonic trick. Then, her attention returned to the trapdoor, which she knew was her way forward.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for the descent. Gripping the edges of the trapdoor, she carefully lowered herself down, the sensation reminding her a bit too vividly of her fall from the broom during the Quidditch match.
"Merlin's beard." She grumbled as she felt herself drop, a twinge of pain shooting through her shoulder where her wound had reopened.
The landing wasn't graceful, but she managed to avoid screaming. Her surroundings greeted her with an entanglement of black roots that seemed to reach out hungrily, wrapping around her.
"Shit, shit, shit." She muttered, her voice laced with annoyance as she struggled against the encroaching roots.
The darkness and uncertainty ahead didn't daunt her, but the unexpected grip of the roots presented an unforeseen challenge. She grunted as she tried to extricate herself, her determination and Ravenclaw wit refusing to be subdued.
"Devil's Snare!" she exclaimed, her Herbology lessons rushing back to her in this dire moment.
"Fuck, I knew Professor Sprout would save my life one day, " she muttered with a mixture of relief and wry amusement as she remembered her professor's teachings. Easing her body and adopting a calm demeanor, she allowed herself to relax into the roots' grip.
The roots seemed to respond to her change in demeanor, gradually releasing their grip on her. She descended slowly, her landing less than graceful but effective nonetheless. As she hit the ground, she couldn't help but let out a grunt of discomfort, her injured shoulder reminding her of its presence.
"Quick and careful." She whispered to herself, assessing her surroundings with a determined expression. The urgency was driven by the throbbing pain in her shoulder, a constant reminder that time was of the essence.
Moving through a nearby door, she entered another chamber. Her gaze was drawn to the sight of yet another door, this one covered in a chaotic arrangement of keys that seemed to pierce through its surface. Confusion mixed with curiosity as she approached the door, cautiously pushing it open while warily avoiding the sharp keys.
The next room she entered was a scene of destruction, Wizard's Chess pieces scattered about like fallen warriors on a battlefield. The remnants of a chess match in progress painted a vivid picture of the room's chaos. Y/N's eyebrows furrowed as she navigated the wreckage, each step taken with caution to avoid the flickering flames that danced across the room.
"Where are you, Harry?" She muttered, her voice tinged with frustration as the pain in her shoulder intensified. The urgency to find Harry and uncover the truth behind all this propelled her forward, her eyes scanning the room for any clues that might lead her to him.
She continued her determined march, navigating the winding path that led her deeper into the cave-like setting. As she descended the stairs, her steps purposeful, she was met with a sight that only deepened her intrigue and concern—a room shrouded in flames, casting an eerie glow.
Leaning closer to the flames, her eyes widened as they fell upon Harry, who was also present in the room. "Harry!" She exclaimed in both relief and urgency, her voice carrying across the fiery barrier that separated them.
"Y/N!" His voice reached her ears, his gaze locking onto hers.
Her attention shifted, and her bewilderment grew as she took in the scene before her. In the midst of the room stood the Mirror of Erised, a powerful magical object known to reveal the deepest desires of one's heart. But that wasn't all—Professor Quirrell stood before the mirror, his attention seemingly fixated on Harry.
However, what chilled her to the bone was what she saw when her gaze moved beyond Quirrell. It was Voldemort himself, the very embodiment of darkness and malevolence, attached to the back of Quirrell's head. Her heart raced, her mind struggling to process the gravity of the situation.
"What the fuck?" Y/N murmured.
"Kill them!" Voldemort's command cut through the air, Professor Quirrell responding by abruptly turning away from the mirror, his intentions clear as he rushed toward Harry with malicious intent. Panic welled up within her as the danger of the situation became all too real.
"Shit, Harry!" Y/N's exclamation filled the air as she watched in horror, her heart pounding, her body tingling with a strange energy she couldn't quite comprehend. Professor Quirrell's sudden assault on Harry sent shockwaves through her, and she could feel her breath quickening as panic gripped her.
Unbeknownst to her, her eyes emitted an unusual, pulsating light, her body reacting to some mysterious force within her. A sensation akin to water surged through her veins, setting her nerves alight. She was so engrossed in this sensation that she failed to immediately register what was happening around her.
Amidst her disoriented state, she finally became aware of Professor Quirrell's screams, her attention snapping back to the immediate danger. Her eyes widened as she witnessed Quirrell's wrist crumbling into pieces, a grotesque transformation that left her both bewildered and horrified.
"You stupid child!" Quirrell's furious voice echoed, but Y/N's gaze was drawn to his hands, which now resembled fragile porcelain. It was as if an unseen force was at play, causing his very body to betray him.
Before she could process this further, Quirrell lunged towards her, grabbing her collar and forcefully dragging her through the scorching flames. Pain shot through her skin as the flames licked at her, leaving blistering marks in their wake. Y/N's grunts of discomfort mixed with Quirrell's maniacal laughter, her struggles futile against his grip.
Quirrell's grip on Y/N's shoulder tightened, his touch reopening her wound and sending waves of agony through her body. She gritted her teeth against the pain, her instincts urging her to fight back, but his strength was overwhelming.
"F-fuck you!" Y/N's exclamation was filled with a mixture of pain and defiance, her struggles intensifying as she attempted to break free from his grasp. In her desperation, she glanced to the side, her heart racing as she saw the flames that had blocked the door seemingly reacting to her presence.
It was a strange, almost eerie sensation—like the flames were responding to her. As the flames surged towards her, she felt a mixture of fear and a peculiar connection to the element. The flames seemed to act as if drawn to her, and with an intense burst of energy, they pushed Quirrell away from her, freeing her from his grip. Harry rushed to her side as the flames enveloped Quirrell, creating a swirling ball of fire around him.
Quirrell's agonized screams filled the air, his body writhing and contorting as the flames consumed him. Y/N and Harry watched in both horror and amazement as the fire seemed to exact its own form of justice. Quirrell's attempts to crawl towards them were met with fierce resistance from the flames, and the scorching heat turned him into a crumbling mess.
With a mixture of disgust and relief, Y/N and Harry stepped back as Quirrell disintegrated, leaving only a pile of dust in his wake. The room fell silent, save for the crackling of the remaining flames, and Y/N's heart pounded in her chest as the weight of the moment settled in.
"What just happened?" Y/N's whispered words held a mixture of shock and confusion as she turned to Harry, who was retrieving the Sorcerer's Stone.
"I have no idea," Harry replied, equally bewildered. Y/N's gaze was fixed on the remnants of Quirrell, her mind racing to make sense of the inexplicable events.
"Why did his wrist crumble when I touched him?" Harry's question was met with Y/N's own inquiry.
"How did I control the flames without a wand?" Y/N's astonishment mirrored Harry's, but their contemplation was interrupted by a sudden warning from him.
"Y/N, look out!" Harry's urgent shout was too late, and a force that emanated from Voldemort's soul pierced through Y/N, then passed through Harry.
The sensation was overwhelming, sending shockwaves through their bodies. Y/N's eyes rolled back, and her world turned hazy as she fell into unconsciousness, a cascade of darkness closing in around her.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(A/N : uhmmmm yeah i didn't include y/n in the part where they solve the rooms bc i was too lazy to write allat)