Chương 34: Trials and Truths

The Plan to Stop Voldemort

The discovery that Voldemort sought the Philosopher's Stone had shaken Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Raja. Though Raja had known of the impending confrontation, he was impressed by Harry's determination and his friends' loyalty. Each of them seemed prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead, driven by the same sense of duty.

One evening, after overhearing Snape's mention of the Stone, they gathered in the Gryffindor common room, plotting out their course of action. Raja listened to Harry's resolve to stop Voldemort, letting him take the lead but planning how best to support them from the shadows.

"We need to get to the Stone before Voldemort does," Harry said, his voice steady.

Hermione, always logical, looked around. "But how are we going to get past Fluffy? That three-headed dog is no ordinary guard."

Raja offered a calm nod. "Hagrid once mentioned that Fluffy can be lulled to sleep with music. If we can play something soothing, it might give us enough time to get past him."

Ron's eyes lit up with excitement. "I've got a flute from Christmas! It's worth a try."

Their plan set, they prepared themselves for the trials that lay beyond the trapdoor. Raja, meanwhile, rehearsed silent spells in his mind, determined to shield his friends without disrupting the story. This was Harry's journey, his fight, and Raja's role was to be the protector from the sidelines.

Through the Trapdoor

Under the cover of night, the group made their way to the forbidden third-floor corridor, hearts pounding as they approached Fluffy's lair. The massive three-headed dog was dozing, but its ears perked up as soon as they opened the door, its growls rumbling through the room.

Ron quickly raised his flute to his lips and began playing a simple tune. Fluffy's growling softened, and its three pairs of eyes slowly drooped. Raja kept watch, his wand at the ready, ensuring the dog remained calm as they approached the trapdoor below.

As soon as the dog was fully asleep, they scrambled down into the darkness. They fell into a tangled mess of Devil's Snare, the plant's tendrils wrapping around them tightly. Raja maintained his calm, knowing what to do, but he allowed Hermione to take charge.

"Stop struggling!" Hermione whispered urgently. "Relax, and it'll let go."

Following her advice, they softened their movements, and the plant's grip loosened. Raja used a subtle charm to help Harry and Ron relax enough to escape. With everyone free, they continued through the passage, determined to reach the Stone before Voldemort.

Next, they encountered a chamber filled with hundreds of winged keys. Harry quickly realized that one of the keys was the only way forward, and they'd need to catch it to proceed. Raja watched with admiration as Harry mounted the broom, taking to the air with natural grace and agility.

Harry swooped through the air, dodging the swarm of keys, until he spotted the right one—a large, old-fashioned key with a bent wing. After a few daring dives and twists, he snatched it, and the door swung open.

"Good catch, Harry!" Ron grinned, giving him a pat on the back as they moved into the next chamber.

A giant chessboard awaited them, its pieces towering and ominous, each one finely carved and slightly menacing. Ron, with a glint of determination, took charge, understanding the game better than anyone.

"This is wizard's chess. We'll have to play our way across," he said, and with a nod, took his place as a knight. Raja noted Ron's bravery and intelligence in maneuvering the pieces, guiding Harry and Hermione through the game with remarkable skill.

With each strategic move, Ron sacrificed himself, eventually taking a hit that sent him tumbling to the floor, unconscious but victorious.

"Go on without me," Ron said, his voice weak but resolute. Raja cast a heal spell and barrier protection rune on Ron.

Harry, Hermione, and Raja continued forward, leaving Ron safely behind. They crossed into the next chamber, where they encountered a poisonous potion puzzle set up by Snape. Hermione's sharp intellect allowed her to decipher the riddle, choosing the correct potion that would allow Harry and Raja to proceed.

Hermione stayed behind as Raja and Harry took the final steps toward the last room. As they crossed into the chamber, Raja felt the familiar, sinister presence of Voldemort—a presence he'd been preparing to face since he arrived at Hogwarts.

The Confrontation

In the final room, they found Professor Quirrell standing before the Mirror of Erised. Harry looked surprised and confused, but Raja remained composed, his eyes narrowed as he observed the professor's demeanor.

"Professor… it was you?" Harry's voice shook, a mixture of shock and fear.

Quirrell smirked, his voice uncharacteristically strong and cold. "Yes, it was me. All year I've been trying to get the Stone for my master."

Raja took a quiet step forward, positioning himself beside Harry, ready to protect him. He observed Quirrell's every move, his senses heightened. He felt the malevolent energy of Voldemort's presence in the room, emanating from somewhere close—somewhere hidden.

Quirrell turned to the Mirror, muttering under his breath, trying to decipher how it worked. The mirror's reflection showed Harry, who stared at it intently, realizing that it held the Stone within his own pocket.

Suddenly, a hissing voice emanated from the back of Quirrell's head. "Let me speak to him… face to face."

Raja felt a shiver as Quirrell unwrapped his turban, revealing a twisted, ghastly face embedded on the back of his head—the face of Voldemort himself. Harry staggered backward, his fear evident, while Raja stood firm, his eyes steely and unwavering.

"Harry Potter…" Voldemort rasped, his red eyes gleaming with malice. "Give me the Stone."

As Voldemort's influence intensified, Raja subtly raised his wand, casting a silent barrier spell around Harry, providing a layer of protection. He knew this was Harry's battle, but he would be ready to intervene if the need arose.

Voldemort sneered, sensing Raja's silent defiance. "You think you can protect him, boy? You are nothing but a shadow, insignificant against my power."

Ignoring the taunt, Raja kept his focus on Harry, silently urging him to stand firm. Harry's determination grew, and he clutched the Stone tightly in his hand, refusing to hand it over.

Quirrell lunged at Harry, attempting to grab him, but as soon as he touched Harry's skin, he screamed in agony. His hand blistered and burned, and he recoiled, staring at Harry in horror.

"Get him!" Voldemort commanded, but each attempt to touch Harry only resulted in more pain, Quirrell's skin searing and blistering under Harry's touch.

Raja saw his chance. He aimed his wand at Quirrell, using a subtle disarming spell to weaken him, giving Harry the upper hand. With each touch, Quirrell grew weaker, his strength draining until he finally collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain.

Voldemort's spirit, however, was not done. It rose from Quirrell's body, a wraith-like form that hissed and shrieked in fury. Raja raised his wand, preparing to cast a protective shield, but Voldemort's spirit darted forward, passing through him with an icy chill before vanishing into the darkness.

As the room fell silent, Raja rushed to Harry, who was swaying unsteadily, exhaustion etched on his face. The Stone lay forgotten beside him as he sank to the floor, and Raja placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"You did it, Harry," Raja said quietly, pride and admiration in his voice. "You protected the Stone."

Recovery, Reflection, and Results

Harry awoke in the hospital wing, surrounded by his friends, Dumbledore at his bedside. Raja stood at the foot of the bed, a quiet figure, observing the warm reunion between Harry and his friends.

As Harry recovered, news of the end-of-year exam results spread across Hogwarts, and Raja's name quickly gained attention. He had achieved the highest scores of any first-year, with Hermione close behind in second. But the real sensation was Neville Longbottom, who came in third—a feat Raja quietly took pride in, having secretly gifted Neville an NZT-5% pill earlier that term.

The improved confidence and success Neville achieved were evident, and Raja felt gratified knowing he had given his friend a chance to shine.

Parting Gifts and the End of Term

As the school year drew to a close, Raja took time to prepare a belated Christmas gift for each of the Hogwarts professors, along with thoughtful gestures for the castle's house-elves. Using Madam Malkin's designs and his own touch, he arranged for elegant, customized outfits for each house-elf—stylish yet practical attire they could wear proudly.

For the professors, Raja compiled unique, improved versions of the first-year textbooks. Each book featured clear explanations, newly updated spells, techniques, experiments, and results, organized in a way that made the material easier to understand. His designs incorporated additional insights and experiments that simplified complex concepts, allowing students to progress more effectively.

Professor McGonagall was particularly touched by the gift, marveling at the elegance of the revised Transfiguration textbook. "This is brilliant work, Raja," she remarked, her stern features softened with admiration.

Flitwick and Sprout, too, were delighted with their specialized charms and herbology textbooks, each packed with enhancements and practical applications. Even Snape seemed mildly impressed with the improved Potions textbook, though he maintained his typical aloof demeanor.

Raja's thoughtfulness extended beyond the professors, leaving an impact on the castle itself. He had given back to Hogwarts in a way that would endure, making the experience richer for those who came after him.

Scene 6: The End of the School Year and Farewell

At the end-of-year feast, Dumbledore awarded Gryffindor last-minute points for the bravery, intelligence, and loyalty demonstrated by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Raja. The points tipped the balance in Gryffindor's favor, securing them the House Cup and filling the Great Hall with cheers of celebration.

Raja joined in the festivities, his heart warmed by the unity among his friends and the house's triumphant moment. Yet as the students boarded the Hogwarts Express to return home, he felt a bittersweet pang. This castle, these people, and this world had become his home, and he was already thinking of ways to return.

On the train ride back, Harry, Ron, and Hermione reminisced about the year's many adventures, laughter filling the compartment. Raja sat back, content to listen, observing his friends and cherishing these memories. His role was clear—to be the guardian, the silent protector in the shadows, guiding and supporting them as their journey continued.

As he looked out at the passing countryside, he felt a deep, quiet pride in what they had accomplished. There would be new challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them—alongside his friends, always ready to stand as the "Dark Hand Behind the Curtain."