Author’s Note
This fanfiction is based on “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter series and the characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I earn no financial gain from this work.

“Albus Dumbledore and the Philosopher’s Stone” is based on the events of the first book in the Harry Potter series, from the perspectives of Albus Dumbledore.

Behind the Trapdoor

“Headmaster.”

“Severus, good evening.”

“I got the message that you wanted to see me urgently.”

“Yes, please sit. You have told earlier about itching in your mark, how has it been recently ?”

“Stronger than ever since that horrible night.”

“And Harry ?”

“It has been hard to spy on him without letting Minerva get any hint, but I have heard him complaining a few times with his friends that his scar has been hurting more than usual.”

“Do you know what this means ?”

“The Dark Lord is back ?”

“All I can say right now is that whatever form he is in, he is stronger than he has ever been since that night. He has not returned to his full power, but it is very possible that he is strong enough to make an attempt to do so.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I fear he knows where the Philosopher’s Stone is.”

“I’m sure Quirrell has been working for him.”

“Professor Dumbledore. Oh, Severus… Sorry to interrupt. I will come later.”

“No, Minerva. Please come in. I have invited both you and Severus together because I want to discuss something with you at the same time.”

“What is it, Professor ?” asked Minerva.

“Minerva, Severus, I have received an owl from the Ministry of Magic. The Minister wants to discuss something important over dinner and he wants me to reach early. I will return by tomorrow. In my absence, make sure that the two of you will look over Hogwarts. I sense some danger, and you know very well the special circumstance that demands unusually high alertness.”

“Don’t worry about it.” McGonagall and Snape said at the same time.

………. xxxxx ………….. xxxxx …………… xxxxx ……………

“Dumbledore. What a surprise! Please, welcome.”

“Surprise ? What do you mean, Cornelius ? I came here at your invitation.”

“I don’t understand what you mean. I didn’t invite you. Well – I don’t mean it the wrong way, you are welcome to visit me at any time and you don’t need an invitation. I am actually glad that you came. Come, let’s have something. Why not start with a light drink ?”

“Forgive me then, Cornelius, because it seems someone has tried to fool me into leaving Hogwarts. If what I am thinking is right, I must return immediately to prevent a very horrible thing from happening.”

Cornelius Fudge was speechless as Dumbledore disapparated within a second.

As Dumbledore reached the entrance hall of Hogwarts, he met Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley rushing towards the owlery. If these two were here and Harry was not, then it could only mean one thing.

“Harry’s gone after him, hasn’t he ?”

The two children could only nod.

Dumbledore rushed towards the third floor and straight away went past the enchantments. He saw Harry and Quirrell gripping each other, both were screaming in agony. Harry was fading. Dumbledore quickly pulled Quirrell away from Harry with one wave of his wand and watched as both fell unconscious. He took Harry with him and went straight to the hospital wing. He had reached in time. If he had been a little late, Harry could have died.

………. xxxxx ………….. xxxxx …………… xxxxx ……………

Leaving Harry in the hospital wing, where he was certain that Pomfrey would take good care of the boy and bring him back to health as soon as possible, an exhausted and worried Dumbledore went to his room. He immediately flooed Nicolas Flamel.

“Nicolas.”

“Albus. How are you ?”

“Tired, but, as a whole, fine. How are you and Perenelle ?”

“We are fine too.”

“Nicolas, I have some urgent and difficult matter to discuss with you.”

“What’s the matter ? You look worried.” Nicolas said with a trembling voice.

“You remember that when you informed me of your suspicions about someone being after the Philosopher’s Stone, I suggested you to keep it at Gringotts vaults.”

“Yes, and I did exactly as you said.”

“Well, I should have told you this much earlier – there was a break-in at Gringotts.”

“WHAT ??”

“Luckily, I had got the Stone removed from there hours earlier, and kept it at Hogwarts with several enchantments and protections.”

“Oh… I was so scared.”

“But someone tried to steal it from there too. I managed to prevent it and the Stone is safe with me now.”

“That’s a relief, but who was the one trying to steal it ?”

“Voldemort.”

“What ? If You-Know-Who is after the Stone, we can’t let him have it. I can’t even imagine what would happen if he gets it in his hands.”

“That’s a terrifying thought I wouldn’t like to have either.”

“Albus, the Stone is with you right now ?”

“Yes.”

“Destroy it.”

“But –”

“Just destroy it, Albus. It’s too much of a risk.”

“But you and Perenelle –”

“We have lived long enough already, and to be quite honest, it is getting monotonous. We have some Elixir here with us, and that should be enough to give us the time we need to take care of things that must be taken care of before we set out for the next great adventure.”

And so Dumbledore respected the wish of his old friend.