Chapter 244: Conversation with Dumbledore
Harry's admission to the hospital wing brought a rare calm to Hogwarts. Gryffindor House, still grieving their Quidditch loss and worried for the twins and Harry, had lost its usual energy. Even Slytherin's sarcasm was ignored.
As everyone knew, as long as Gryffindor and Slytherin weren't at each other's throats, Hogwarts remained peaceful.
Surprisingly, that held true right up to the eve of the year-end feast. Despite the presence of Draco and Ron—natural enemies this term—there were no confrontations. In the past, Draco only had to make a few barbed remarks for Ron to explode and end up punished. But in the last few days, Ron seemed to have grown wiser, refusing to rise to Draco's bait. He stood firm, like a hill weathering a breeze.
"You told the Weasley twins, didn't you?"
Dumbledore had asked Phineas this the morning after Harry was taken to the hospital wing.
Phineas didn't deny it. He nodded and said, "Yes. As we agreed, they were supposed to go that morning to face the traps and tests the professors set for Harry. You know how much George and Fred love a good adventure, Professor. Blocking their curiosity only makes it worse. I never expected they'd figure out Ron was planning to go with Harry."
Dumbledore sighed. "Had I arrived just a little later, all three of them could have died."
He then recounted what had occurred the night before.
As in the original timeline, Harry had obtained the fake Philosopher's Stone hidden in the Mirror of Erised—a decoy meant to lure Voldemort and test Harry's character. The real Stone had never been placed there; Dumbledore would never risk Voldemort's return for real.
The battle had begun when Voldemort realized Harry had the Stone.
Quirrell attacked, triggering the protection Lily had left in Harry. As long as the contact continued, Harry would've eventually defeated him.
But then Ron and Neville discovered what was happening, and the twins, with their unshakable sense of justice, charged in.
One of them—Fred—shoved Quirrell away from Harry while the other tried to get Harry out.
Fred was captured and held hostage, forcing Harry into a terrible choice.
When Harry hesitated, George charged in. He and Fred knew about the Philosopher's Stone, but not that it was a fake. Phineas had told them what would happen if Voldemort got it. They were willing to risk everything to prevent that.
Harry, brave but not particularly strategic, rushed forward as well.
The result: a chaotic melee. Phineas couldn't help but facepalm upon hearing it.
They were children, after all. Perhaps they hadn't even considered using magic. But Quirrell and Voldemort? Battle-hardened dark wizards opting for a fistfight? It defied all logic.
Regardless, Harry's body repelled Voldemort. Though all three boys were injured, they managed to defeat Quirrell. His body turned to ash, and the trio passed out from exhaustion.
Dumbledore, arriving just in time, found the strange scene of three students collapsed beside a crumbling professor. He carried them to the hospital wing himself.
This time, Harry didn't just suffer a soul shock—he was physically wounded and unconscious.
"I'm definitely going to train them all properly after this," Phineas muttered. "What kind of wizard forgets to use their wand in a life-or-death fight?"
Dumbledore nodded in agreement, still shaken by the bizarre image of his prophesied savior and two pranksters trying to box a dark lord to death.
It was like expecting a slice of cake and biting into a lump of raw cabbage.
Sensing the timing was right, Phineas added casually, "So, Professor, could Harry spend the holidays with me and Sirius?"
It would give Sirius a chance to bond with Harry, which might ease many of Phineas's future tasks. Plus, Phineas was still unsure how to handle an entire summer with Sirius. Playing 'little brother' was not his style—especially since they'd barely known each other for a decade.
Despite Sirius's eagerness to do anything for him, Phineas still felt awkward.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Phineas, you know the nature of the magic protecting Harry. What happened last night was an accident."
"It didn't seem like one," Phineas interrupted. "Sure, it looked accidental. But with Lily's magical talent, I'm convinced it was a backup plan she and James prepared. When Voldemort came, they did everything possible to ensure Harry's protection."
Dumbledore paused, sighed. "Perhaps you're right. But clearly, they overlooked something. Otherwise, a piece of Tom's soul wouldn't have latched onto Harry. Now, about your suggestion… the magic protecting him is bound to his blood relatives. I performed an enchantment connecting him and his aunt's family. As long as he lives there, it draws energy from that bloodline and shields him from dark magic—until he turns sixteen."
Phineas nodded. "But from what I've observed, Harry only needs to stay at his aunt's for about a week a year. Can't he spend the rest with Sirius and me? Our home is protected by a Fidelius Charm—you cast it yourself, Professor."
Dumbledore considered this, frowning slightly.
Phineas waited silently, enjoying the tea and cockroach clusters prepared by the house-elves. These candies were clearly custom-made for Dumbledore—limited edition. Even Phineas rarely got any.
After a while, Dumbledore asked, "Phineas, what would you think if I invited Sirius to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
Phineas blinked. "That's great, Professor. But I'd definitely warn Sirius to resign before year's end. We both know the job's cursed."
Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. I'd originally planned to offer it to someone else."
Phineas feigned curiosity. "Who?"
"Gilderoy Lockhart. Ravenclaw alumnus. Famous adventurer. Author. Order of Merlin, Third Class. Five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award."
As he listed the titles, Dumbledore's smile twisted into one of amused irony.
Phineas understood. "He's a fraud. The werewolf cure he brags about? I traced the real caster—a short wizard with a bushy beard who now remembers nothing. Lockhart used Obliviate and took credit. We confirmed it with Veritaserum."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, but the experiences in the books did happen. He just… wasn't the one who had them. The spells described are genuine."
Phineas sighed. "So this is a condition, then? If I want Harry to stay with us, Sirius must take the job?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Only if Harry still spends one week with his aunt."
"Understood. Anything else, Professor? If not, I'm heading to the hospital wing."
"They're still unconscious. I'll inform you when they wake. In the meantime, perhaps watch the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw Quidditch match this afternoon?"
Phineas shrugged. "You know I don't care for Quidditch."
Dumbledore's gaze deepened. "You should go. After last night's ordeal—especially your skirmish with the Acromantulas—you need to relax."
Phineas stiffened. Dumbledore knew something. How much? Just the spiders—or…?
He hoped it was only the Acromantulas. The basilisk still had its uses. Hopefully, Puff and the others were nearly finished. He still planned to relocate Basque before the holidays.
As for Hogwarts' protection, with Phineas around, things would be fine. And if they weren't, he could always bring Basque back.
That would be better than the alternative in the original story—where Harry killed it.
Even with the diary retrieved, Phineas wasn't sure Dumbledore wouldn't use the basilisk to train Harry.