Chapter Thirteen, Man of Two Faces

"You?" Izzy asked, shocked, spotting the person she least expected; Professor Quirrell. "N-no... Professor Snape...?" Izzy trailed off confused.
"Yes, he does seem the type, doesn't he?" Professor Quirrell replied, without his stutter. "Next to him who would suspect P-p-poor st-st-stuttering Professor Quirell." He added, putting on the act that Izzy wasn't sure how she hadn't noticed it before.
"So Professor Snape really was trying to save me? And you let the troll in!" Izzy wondered aloud, thinking back to the fleeting notion that Snape was muttering a counter-curse after Hagrid had put the doubt in their minds. 
"Yes, dear girl. And trust me if your friend hadn't set Snape's cloak on fire and broken my eye contact I would have succeeded in killing you, even with Snape muttering his little counter-curse.

After that Snape didn't trust me again and barely left me alone but he doesn't understand I'm never alone. Never." Professor Quirrell muttered, turning to face the Mirror of Erised causing a sharp spike of pain to hit her like a freight train, a hiss passing through her lips as she barely listened to the spiel the crazed Professor was sprouting.
"Now, what does this mirror actually do? I see my desire to give the Stone to my Master but how do I get it!" Professor Quirrell snapped, when suddenly a high, cold voice seemed to speak from everywhere and yet nowhere.
"Use the girl!" It hissed.
"Come here Potter! NOW!!!" Professor Quirrell shouted. Slowly and hesitantly Izzy walked down the steps towards the Professor and the mirror, the pain becoming more pronounced the closer she got to him. As she looked in the mirror she was shocked as she didn't see her family this time, but instead she saw herself holding the Stone before slipping it into her pocket with a wink.

And as the Stone slipped into her mirror image pocket, Izzy felt something heavy appear in her pocket causing her eyes to widen which unfortunately, the Professor noticed.
"What is it? What do you see?" Professor Quirrell demanded.
"I-I see myself at my new home... I'm happy there, loved." Izzy stuttered, before becoming wishful.
"She lies." The cold voice hissed.
"Tell the truth! What did you see!?" bellowed Professor Quirrell.
"Let me speak to her, face to face." The voice insisted.

"Master, you are not strong enough." Professor Quirrell denied respectfully, as Izzy backed away.
"I have enough strength for this." It hissed. Izzy watched with wide fearful eyes as Professor Quirrell reached up and unwrapped his purple turban, his back facing Izzy. But instead of the back of his head another face resided there causing a scream to lodge itself in Izzy's throat.

It was pale white, slits for nostrils like a snake and fierce, blood red eyes that glared maliciously at Izzy.
"Isadora Potter we meet again." He hissed, she knew who this was now; and she was terrified, but determination also settled within her. She was glad she hadn't let her friends come, however, she did wish she had seen and spoken to Fred before she left as she feared she may not survive this encounter.
"Voldemort." She gasped.

"Yes, you see what I've become. A mere parasite. Unicorn blood can sustain me but it cannot give me a body of my own. But conveniently there is something in your pocket that can." Voldemort hissed, Izzy's eyes widened as she took off running up the stairs. "Stop her!" A ring of fire suddenly sprang up around the top half of the stairs stopping her escape. "Don't be a fool! Why suffer a horrific death when you can join me and live?" Voldemort asked mockingly.
"NEVER!!" Izzy shouted defiantly, her hair turning blood red as Voldemort laughed at her.

"Bravery. Your parents had it too. Tell me, Izzy, would you like to see your mother and father again?" Voldemort asked, Lily and James appearing in the mirror behind him. "Together we can bring them back. All I ask is for a little something in return." Izzy considered his words for a moment looking from him to her parents who she stared longingly at to the Stone in her hand she didn't know she had taken out of her pocket. She didn't want him to rise again, Hagrid had told her all about what he was capable of and he'd killed her parents. But could he truly bring them back?
"That's it Izzy. There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it. Now give me the Stone!" He ordered, as he became excited and desperate for the Stone her parents vanished from the mirror and Izzy realised it had all been a trick.

"YOU LIAR!!!" Izzy shouted angry, steam now coming from her red hair.
"Kill her!" Voldemort ordered Quirrell. Quirrell leapt at Izzy; almost flying at her and knocked her off her feet. Her head hit one of the Stone steps, dazing her as pain blossomed through her head as Quirrell started to strangle her. She saw his eye cast to the Stone that had been knocked from her hands before looking back at her as he tried to strangle the life out of her, a deranged look upon his face. Izzy tried to reach for Stone to protect it and maybe whack the Professor with it to get him off of her, but it was beyond her reach.

Giving up on reaching the Stone for now, Izzy instead tried to pull his hands off her throat as she was starting to have trouble breathing, and her magic was surging beneath her skin; only for Quirrell to let out yells of pain as his hands started to burn and smoke beneath her own.
"What is this magic?" He asked, moving away and looking at his black and charred hands.
"Fool! Get the Stone!" Voldemort ordered. Looking from her hands to the Stone Izzy made a quick decision and jumped to her feet, placing her hands on Quirrell's face when he reached for either her or the Stone she didn't know. But what she did know was that she couldn't let him get it and held on as tight as she could even as her scar was bleeding quite badly now and making it hard to see; but still she didn't let go.

Again and again Izzy held on to some part of his skin: either his hands or his face. Every time he managed to get free she would latch back on until the final time he got free; his skin was black and crumbling until he fell into a pile of clothes and ashes. He was dead. She watched the clothes for a moment but nothing stirred beneath the fabric. She'd done it, she'd protected the Stone from Voldemort. She was tired, in pain and barely able to stay awake as she turned and picked up the Stone; as she was about to slip it into her pocket she heard a swirling noise behind her and turned only to face the vapour of Voldemort.

He yelled at her before going through her: causing Izzy to scream in agony: it was the worst pain she'd ever felt, as she fell to the floor unconscious. Her body succumbing to the amount of pain she'd experienced and her magical backlash. The vapour of Voldemort disappeared through the ring of fire that was slowly vanishing and off into the night. In the other part of the chamber Hermione, Neville and a now awake and worried Ron flew through the trapdoor, somehow all three of them managing to stay on; only to find an asleep and snoring Fluffy, Professor McGonagall, and Ron's three elder brothers: Fred, George and Percy.

"Ron! Hermione! Neville!" The three cried with relief, only to frown when they didn't see Izzy.
"Professor I'm sorry but someone is trying to steal the Stone! Voldemort is down there!" Hermione cried frantically. "Izzy is trying to stop them but somethings wrong; we heard her screaming. It was horrible! It echoed off the Stone walls." She sobbed. The eldest Weasley's faces pale as Professor McGonagall's face suddenly becomes an ashen grey. Fred looked like he was either going to throw a fit or be sick. Or maybe both.
"I know, I'm sorry I didn't believe you. Now, Percy, take everyone to Madam Pomfrey immediately and wait there until I arrive with Miss Potter. Have her awake Professor Snape and check over these three. Go!" She ordered, not wishing to hinder their Professor rescuing Izzy they did as they were told and hurried off.

Once they were gone she Transfigured stairs to appear leading from the trapdoor in a spiral downwards, and quickly rushed down them, bypassing the Devil's Snare and the Key room. As she waved her wand over the Chess set she saw the vapour of Voldemort fly through the door, his blood red eyes staring at her as she brandished her wand at him. 
"Get out of my school! And get away from my students!" She ordered fiercely, anger and a protective desire to protect not only her Lions but all of her students and staff. She wasn't a Lioness for nothing.
"I'll be back! And when I am, you will not be able to always protect Potter from me!" Voldemort hissed maliciously, before disappearing into the night.

With a complicated wave of her wand she raised the Wards surrounding the school to make sure nothing like this could ever happen again, and he truly was gone before rushing to the chamber with the mirror finding an unconscious Izzy lying half way down the steps with the Stone in her hand and a pile of clothes that had belonged to Quirrell.
"Izzy!" Professor McGonagall cried worriedly, waving her wand as she cast a simple Diagnostic Charm. Her head was bleeding from a small head wound on the back of her head and from her scar, her wrist was bleeding from a long, deep cut and was also fractured and her body was in shock from the pain she had no doubt undergone and she had been almost strangled if the deep bruises on her neck were anything to go by.

"I'm so sorry Izzy." Professor McGonagall apologised sadly, guilt eating at her as she created a stretcher and carefully put the tiny girl on to it once she was sure it was safe to move her. Looking over to the pile of clothes her anger came back tenfold as she glared at them before she banished them to the Headmistress office to deal with later, along with the Stone. "That is surely more than you deserve Quirranus." She spat, looking around to make sure Izzy had her wand she rushed off to the Hospital Wing with the stretcher floating along behind her. When she finally arrived at the Hospital Wing she was almost surrounded by her worried Lions but with one stern look they stepped aside and let her put Izzy on a bed that Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape were waiting at.

"I did a quick scan before I moved her. She has a small head wound on the back of her head likely from hitting the Stone steps which is lightly bleeding along with her scar, she has numerous cuts on her and her right wrist is fractured, her body is in shock from the amount of pain she's gone through and Quirranus tried to strangle her." Professor McGonagall explained, as Madam Pomfrey cast a deeper Diagnostic Charm as she and Snape worked to heal and stabilise her.
"I take it he's bound down there still?" Snape asked darkly, passing Madam Pomfrey potion after potion.
"No he's dead." Professor McGonagall said angrily. "He allowed You-Know-Who to inhabit his body. I saw him down there. He's mere vapour, it's why I raised the Wards. It's likely Izzy killed him when she fought him, I'm thinking a mix of accidental magic and Lily and James's protection."

"That would explain why her Core is depleted. I've placed her in a Healing Sleep for now. She'll wake up on her own when her body and magic are recovered." Madam Pomfrey informed, stowing away her wand in her apron.
"Thank you Poppy, Severus." Professor McGonagall said gratefully. "Severus, could you let Madam Bones, Augusta, and Mr and Mrs Weasley know please? What of these three?" Professor McGonagall asked Madam Pomfrey, turning to look at her three youngest Lions, as Severus headed for the fireplace in Madam Pomfrey's office.
"Mr Longbottom and Miss Granger are fine minus a few scrapes and bruises. Ronald I wish to keep overnight as he was knocked out for a short time but there's no lasting damage as far as I can see. But I wish for all three of them to stay for monitoring as a precaution." Madam Pomfrey handed them a Sleeping Draught so they can sleep once they've answered some questions.

"I want to know exactly what happened in that chamber." Professor McGonagall said sternly, summoning chairs for herself, Percy and the twins as Hermione, Ron and Neville got back into their beds. Once they finished explaining, and clarifying why they hadn't told Percy or the twins when they were asked. Professor McGonagall looked at them sternly causing the three First Years to duck their heads before their Professor smiled at them.
"What you four did was extremely dangerous. You could have gotten yourselves more seriously injured then two of you are now or you all could have been killed! I hope you know that?" She asked sternly.

"Yes Professor." They said softly.
"But, you did stop You-Know-Who rising to power. Maybe not indefinitely but his rise has been slowed down. I do not normally do this; but as such we owe you a debt but do not let these foolish behaviours continue, do you understand? Your brothers came to me besides themselves with worry when Fred could feel Izzy's pain and fear and when they couldn't find you do you know how worried you made them?" She said firmly, her lips in a thin line.

"Be that is it may you three," she said pointing to Fred, George and Percy. "Showed the loyalty that not many in Gryffindor show nowadays I'm sad to say, so you will all receive ten points apiece. Miss Granger, I'm pleased you have listened to me and are now showing the qualities of not just Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff when your friends are in peril and need you the most. Fifty points. Mr Longbottom, your parents would be very proud of the brave young man I see before me, they too held family and friends in high regard so you too shall receive fifty points.

Mr Ron Weasley, we shall need to have a game of Wizards Chess in the new school year and see who comes out on top then. You defeated my Chess set even with staggering losses and helped your friends prevent a terrible Dark Lord rising; fifty points. Miss Potter shall receive fifty points for going against him and preventing him from rising, despite her fear and resisting the temptations he no doubt showed her." Professor McGonagall informed them, causing beaming smiles to appear on all their faces.

"It'll be nice to win the House Cup once again but do not let this happen again otherwise you will receive a punishment instead." She added sternly.
"Yes Professor." Her Lions agreed.
"Will Izzy be alright?" Fred asked anxiously, his eyes fixed on Izzy's unconscious form as they had been since she arrived.
"She will eventually. But it's down to all of you in the summer to look after her and if you notice something is wrong you are to tell your parents immediately. It can be damaging going against him and with what happened with Professor Quirrell she will need someone to talk to and be reminded it was not her fault. When she was a baby her parents invoked an ancient ritual when they died to save her, it lives within her skin and in her magic meaning; Voldemort can't touch her which is why Professor Quirrell suffered the brunt of it." She sighed wearily, running a hand down her face.

'According to Albus that is. I shall look into it for her, she deserves to know.' Professor McGonagall thought during the silence that followed her revelation.
"Drink your potions and get some sleep. Messers Weasleys I shall escort you back to Gryffindor Tower. You can see everyone tomorrow." She said sternly, when Fred went to argue. Nodding reluctantly Fred, George and Percy hugged Ron and gently kissed Izzy's forehead before saying goodbye to Hermione and Neville. After making sure Hermione, Neville and Ron had drunk their potions Professor McGonagall escorted Fred, George and Percy back to the Tower. It was going to be a long couple of days.

***

The day after everything had happened down in the chamber Madam Bones, Dowager Longbottom and Mr and Mrs Weasley were beside themselves with concern and almost apologetic with rage, their magic almost humming in the air. Augusta had suggested that Dumbledore may have known about this as he had interviewed and given Quirrell the job. Madam Bones sent Aurors to search for Voldemort: he needed to be found ASAP before he corrupted someone else, or gained a body and because of the threat he gave and she was also going to look deeper into everything Dumbledore had a hand in. And she meant everything. It may take time but she'll get there.

Three days had passed and still Izzy had yet to wake. Her loved ones were becoming increasingly concerned and often stayed with her the whole day, talking to her and trying to coax her into waking up. She had received a lot of get well cards, flowers, chocolates and other sweets from Honeydukes. The Quidditch team had ended up losing their last game but no one seemed to care much, which surprisingly included Quidditch fanatic Oliver Wood, as their minds were on the little girl who had wormed her way firmly into their hearts. They all wished she would wake up, and soon. Hagrid, feeling extremely guilty over getting Norbert from Quirrell/ Voldemort wanted to make it up to not only the Weasleys but to Izzy as well; had written to all of Lily and James's friends asking for any photos of the pair for Izzy. He wanted to add to the few photos that Professor McGonagall had given Izzy and create an album for her: so the photos would be safe. He knew how precious they were to her.

As dinner was approaching on the third day after the incident in the chamber and which also happened to be the Leaving Feast, Izzy slowly woke up feeling utterly confused about where she was. She was completely surrounded by cards, flowers and all manner of sweets. Realising she was in the Hospital Wing, she went to push herself up only to let out a hiss of pain as she lent on her right hand that was bandaged in some sort of stiff bandages.
"Ahh, Miss Potter,  you're awake." Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, bustling over to check her over. Once she was satisfied with the results of the Diagnostic Charm she looked at the young Heiress scrutiny. "How're you feeling and I want the truth. Anything hurting?" She asked firmly.
"My hand and head hurt a little but I'm okay." Izzy said softly, her voice croaking from lack of use. Sitting on the bed beside the young girl she handed her a glass of water, watching carefully as Izzy drank nearly half the glass.

Once Izzy had drunk her fill Madam Pomfrey gave her a Pain Relief Potion and explained everything to her on what had happened after she had passed out.
"What about Nev? Hermione? Ron?" Izzy asked frantically.
"Calm down Izzy." Madam Pomfrey said gently but also firmly. "All of them are fine, I checked them over myself. After some Dreamless Sleep and a Bruise Salve they were right as rain. You've had everyone extremely worried for you, young lady. You've been asleep for three days and it's the Leaving Feast in an hour. Voldemort is gone and Professor McGonagall and Nicholas Flamel have destroyed the Stone. Good thing too! I don't know what Albus was thinking about having that in a school!" Madam Pomfrey ranted angrily, shaking her head to calm herself down. She answered Izzy's other questions before helping her get her bearings as her legs were a little wobbly after being unconscious for three days.

With strict instructions to rest Madam Pomfrey allowed her to go to the Leaving Feast and shrunk all her gifts and placed them in a large wicker basket.
"Izzy!" A voice shouted behind her, but before she could turn to see who it was she was swept up into their arms and held tightly to a slightly broad chest. From the smell of cinnamon and sandalwood; Izzy knew the voice belonged to Fred. "Are you okay? Don't ever scare me like that again!" He said frantically, holding her close and kissing the top of her head.
"I'm sorry and I promise I won't." Izzy sighed, hugging him close and relishing the feel of safety after what she went through; seeing Voldemort and killing Quirrell has really shook her up.

"She needs rest so take her up to Gryffindor Tower to rest before the feast and have someone help her pack her belongings." Madam Pomfrey said firmly. "Miss Potter if you ever need to talk about what you went through down in the chamber just send me an owl and I will help you to the best of my ability."
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey." Izzy said, a small grateful smile on her lips. "Mione? Ron? Nev? Are you all okay?" Izzy asked worriedly.
"Never better." Hermione said, grinning at her best friend.
"I'm fine, are you okay?" Ron and Neville asked at the same time. Izzy just shrugged and waved goodbye to Madam Pomfrey as they left the Hospital Wing. Fred and George told Izzy all about the toilet seat they had sent her but Madam Pomfrey had confiscated it, making them pout as Izzy laughed. But secretly they were happy they made her laugh.

***

The following day Izzy woke up early to shower and make sure she had all of her belongings safely packed in her trunk without having to rush around. Her cuts had long since healed, but the scars still resided on her back making her self conscious as some were too old to be removed. After a peaceful shower she dressed in an emerald green dress, brown ballet shoes, the bracelet Fred had given her for Christmas, her Heiress ring and her hair in two French plaits. She was admittedly quite nervous to be staying permanently at The Burrow. Although she liked Mr and Mrs Weasley well enough, they had even visited her in the Hospital Wing before she was discharged  but it was something new, a new house, new people and she didn't know what to expect.

Taking a deep, slow breath to calm down as a panic attack was slowly creeping up on her, she sat on her bed, took her potions and finished the mural she wanted on her wall and the other little things she'd put around the room at The Burrow. Her very own room. She still couldn't quite believe it and had ordered a present to be delivered to The Burrow for Mr and Mrs Weasley as a thank you. Hopefully they'll accept her and let poor Errol retire but he was a cutie, a daft cutie from what she's seen of him and Hedwig likes him and she doesn't like other owls much.

After breakfast it was time to leave and they took the carriages back to Hogsmeade Station, she knew she looked quite strange to some people as she stroked thin air but actually she was stroking a beautiful Thestral. Giving the mare one last stroke she boarded the carriage with her friends, chattering away as they made plans to meet up in the summer after Hermione came back from holiday in Greece with her parents. Once they reached the station they saw Hagrid was there to see them off. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Percy and the twins all waved goodbye to him but Izzy ran up to him and gave him a big hug.
"I'll miss you Hagrid." Izzy said sadly, eyes full of tears and her hair a dull, light bluish-grey colour.
"Now, don't cry Izzy. I'll come visit ya at The Burrow. I know you'll have a great time." Hagrid beamed at her, gently wiping away her tears. "Now this is for you." He said, pulling a burgundy, leather bound book out of his pocket and handed it to Izzy.

Confused, Izzy opened the book only to see a photo of her parents holding her as a baby on the first page. Her Dad was holding her in his arms as her Mum kissed her tiny hand and waved it as Izzy laughed and kicked her legs, her hair changing rapidly with her happiness as her parents laughed and smiled, love clearly shining in their eyes as they looked at her and at each other.
"Thank you Hagrid." Izzy exclaimed, hugging Hagrid tightly as he held her. "Please don't blame yourself anymore Hagrid. It wasn't your fault. I almost gave him the Stone cause he said he could bring my Mum and Dad back. But when they disappeared from the mirror I knew he was lying. You're my first and best friend and I don't blame you." Izzy said firmly, looking exactly like her mother in that moment with a fierce, protective look in her eyes, before she smiled and hugged Hagrid who had tears in his eyes.

"Thank you Izzy. The photos from Professor McGonagall are in there too. If you need me send Hedwig and I'll come. Go on before you miss the train." Hagrid said, hugging her one last time while subtly wiping away his tears. Izzy ran to the train, sticking her head out of the window as she waved goodbye to Hagrid until she could no longer see him. Turning around she went into the compartment behind her where her friends were waiting and let Hedwig out of her cage and took a seat between Fred and Neville and cuddled her owl. George was on Fred's other side, Ron opposite Neville, and Hermione opposite Izzy. Percy was with his friends and Lee was opposite George.
"It feels strange going back home doesn't it?" Hermione asked Ron, Izzy and Neville.
"Just a little." Izzy replied, Neville and Ron muttering their own replies.
"You get used to it, don't worry." George smiled reassuringly at them, as he stood up to get something out of his trunk.

"How about a game of Exploding Snap?" He asked, sitting on the floor and setting up the cards. Intrigued, Izzy joined George on the floor followed by everyone else. The rest of the journey was filled with laughter as they played games and ate the sweets Izzy had received from well wishers. It was the most fun Izzy had had in a long time, washing away all of her worries as she and Hermione found out what type of games the Wizarding World had. She may be nervous about what her new life entails but she's sure with these five around her, and Lee who had become a close friend, she can get through anything.
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A/N: before I post the next chapter, who should be Headmistress/Headmaster and who should be the Head of Gryffindor and the Transfiguration Professor (not Remus have plans for him later)???

The two people with the most votes will be the ones chosen.
The candidates:
Professor McGonagall and someone else, it can be an OC.