(Word Count: 1,352)
Walking into the DADA classroom, it became obvious who was acting as the substitute teacher. Dumbledore was standing at the front of the classroom with his hands behind his back. Everyone began murmuring curiously, wondering why the headmaster was here instead of Quirrell.
When the bell rang, Dumbledore quieted everyone down so he could talk. It didn't take much, because as soon as he raised his hand in a calming gesture everyone zeroed in on what he was going to say.
"I know that I am not your defense against the dark arts teacher, but Professor Quirrell has gone missing."
The classroom erupted in shock. Next to him, Hermione gripped his arm tightly, glancing around the classroom anxiously, and quite a bit of guilt.
Dumbledore raised his hand again, and when the class eventually quieted down again, he continued. "We do not know at this time where he has gone, or what happened," Dumbledore gave Harry a knowing look that said "we'll talk later." Harry gave him a nod in agreement.
He continued. "But until he shows up again, or until I can find a more permanent replacement, I will be in charge of teaching defense against the dark arts. Now, if you would all turn to page 310, I believe you're still going over the spells Locomotor Wibbly and Locomotor Mortis. The jelly legs curse and the leg locker curse, respectively. Is that correct?"
Without much more introduction, Dumbledore began with his lesson by seeing where everyone's level of understanding of the spells were, and how many can already cast it. Right now, only about half of the class could successfully cast both of them.
By far, this turned out to be a far better class than any of Quirrell's. Quirrell was very roundabout and went on tangents, like showing off his iguanas. By the time class ended, everyone was kind of glad that Quirrell suddenly disappeared. Though some were mumbling about why it couldn't have happened to Snape instead.
Harry stayed behind to talk to Dumbledore, who led him up to his office on the 7th floor. As Harry followed, he thought about how he should handle this. He still wanted to go down the trapdoor, and even possibly get his hands on the Philosopher's Stone, though that didn't seem likely. If he told Dumbledore the would-be thief was already taken care of, would he remove all of the defenses and send the stone back to Flamel?
He checked the remaining "Philosopher's Stone" quests:
[Magic Quest: Philosopher's Stone
Inside the castle is an example of the pinnacle of Alchemy. Get your hands on it to try and peer into its secrets.
Reward: Unlocks the Alchemy Class, +1 Level in Alchemy]
[Death Quest: Philosopher's Stone
Flamel has lived long enough. Ensure the Philosopher's Stone is Destroyed.
Reward: 1 Vial of the Elixir of Life]
It would be a lot easier to do the Death Quest, given that Flamel and Dumbledore decided on their own to destroy it. And if they were willing to do that, Harry didn't think they would allow him to study it at all. Even if he did get his hands on it, he knew nothing but the very basic concepts of Alchemy. He likely wouldn't be able to do anything with the stone, nevermind actually learn some of its secrets.
Harry was banking on the system to give him a clue of some kind. Though the quest did say "Try". Key word there. But it likely required an honest effort, not some casual inspection.
When they got to his office, Dumbledore sat at his desk, steepled his fingers, and observed him calmly. "Harry, do you happen to know what happened to Professor Quirrell?"
Harry nodded, "I do. Professor Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort's wraith. He was the one trying to get the stone. I had a vision of him going out tonight to kill a unicorn to drink its blood to regain some of his strength. I fought him and managed to drive him off, but unfortunately he got away when the Weasley twins suddenly appeared."
He gestured to the cabinet that held the Hogwarts' pensieve. "I can show you the memory of our fight if you'd like."
He'd have to change the twins' memories to match, but that wouldn't be too much trouble.
Dumbledore nodded. "If you would, please."
Harry extracted the memory. In it, everything was the same except the ending. Instead of catching Quirrell with a last empowered confringo, the spell missed and he got away.
"I couldn't give chase because I had to help Fred and George," Harry said when they got back out. Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder.
"You did very well, Harry," Dumbledore sighed. "Though I do wish you didn't have to do this on your own. Why didn't you ask me for help?"
Harry just shrugged apologetically.
"I don't suppose this will be the last we see of him?" Dumbledore asked hopefully.
"In my visions of the future, I confronted him at the end of the third floor corridor. It was on the last day of our exams. My friends and I chased after him, got through the traps, and that was supposed to be my first confrontation with Voldemort's wraith. Given that, I can't deny the possibility of Quirrell sneaking into the castle again," Harry said.
Dumbledore frowned. "Harry, I can't let you confront him on your own again. It's far too dangerous."
"You saw how I was able to handle myself. He's far weaker now than before. I doubt he's strong enough now to put up a fight," Harry argued.
"That may be so, but you are still young. You shouldn't have to confront him," Dumbledore said tiredly. "Why don't you leave this to me? I'll keep an eye out for Quirrell, and you should focus on your friends and studies."
"Headmaster, last time we talked about my visions, you said that we should focus on changing the little things. I think my friends and I should still go down the trapdoor, so we don't try to change anything drastic. We can manage getting through them just fine. You can follow along behind us and act as back up," Harry said.
Dumbledore obviously didn't like the idea, but relented. "I suppose if we try to change too much, things will turn out worse than what you saw…"
"And… about the Philosopher's Stone," Harry said hesitantly. "In my visions, after the confrontation with Quirrell and Voldemort, you told me that you and Flamel talked together and agreed to destroy the stone. Before that, I'd like to have a chance to study it. Just for a little while! From the end of the exams until we get sent home."
"Harry… It's not my place to allow that. But I can send a letter to explain everything to Nicholas. It's up to him if he wants to allow it," Dumbledore said. "As for destroying the stone… Yes, that is something we would do. In fact, the subject had already been brought up by Penelope. They've already lived a life far longer than anyone else. They're quite ready to move on."
That was the best he was going to get right now. "Then please send the letter, " Harry asked. "I'd be a fool to waste a chance to study the stone. It would be the last time anyone will have this chance again, given that it will be destroyed soon."
"Perhaps," Dumbledore agreed, "Though I wouldn't get my hopes up, if I were you, Harry. I've already had my chance to take a crack at it when I was studying alchemy under Nicholas, but I was unable to glean any of its secrets myself."
Harry just grinned at him, "Oh, I'm aware that it'll be useless. I just want the experience to say that I did it."
Dumbledore stroked his beard and chuckled. "I suppose it is something to brag about. Alright, off you go! We don't want you missing your lunch, do we?"
"Ah, one more thing! I need another complaint form!"
Dumbledore sighed. "What did Snape do this time?"