Chapter 245 — Harry Wakes Up
After saying goodbye to Dumbledore, Phineas still went to watch the Quidditch match. After all, the Headmaster had instructed him to. If he didn't show up, he'd have no reasonable excuse.
Ravenclaw won. With the Gryffindor twins and Harry still in the hospital wing, and Ravenclaw boasting the equally talented Seeker Cho Chang, the result was hardly surprising.
Three days passed quickly.
That morning, Dumbledore sent a letter via Fawkes to Phineas. It contained only a single sentence:
"They woke up — Dumbledore."
Phineas understood at once. Harry, George, and Fred had awakened. As promised, Dumbledore had informed him immediately.
Had it been anyone else, Dumbledore might have visited Harry in secret. But with Phineas, there was no need for secrecy.
After all, Phineas had already pieced together most of the truth—at least from Dumbledore's perspective. While the Philosopher's Stone might be priceless to others, Phineas knew Nicolas Flamel had already entrusted him with the method of creating it and much of his alchemical knowledge.
And Phineas had been aware from the start that the Dark Lord still existed, and that Quirrell had been possessed by him. He and Dumbledore had discussed Quirrell's odd behavior since the previous year. Phineas had even helped uncover clues about Horcruxes.
So Dumbledore brought Phineas along to see Harry—not just because he trusted him, but because he didn't want Phineas undoing all the careful work he had laid out. Although, to be fair, much of that plan had already fallen apart.
Harry had stirred briefly in the morning but, still weakened, slipped back into sleep after taking his potion. The twins, however, had regained consciousness in the night. Unable to rest due to their injuries, they had stared at the sleeping Harry with deep envy—and a lot of pain.
By noon, Phineas and Dumbledore arrived, as Madam Pomfrey predicted Harry would wake up again around this time.
"George, Fred," Phineas said, entering the ward.
Dumbledore smiled as well. "Good afternoon, gentlemen."
The twins looked delighted to see them and were about to complain about their injuries when Phineas cut in:
"Speaking of which—can you two explain why you were in the classroom at the end of the third-floor corridor that night? I told you quite clearly to go there the next morning, didn't I?"
His tone was serious. Though the twins had intervened to protect Harry and their younger brother, if Phineas hadn't given them instructions, they would never have been involved. And if they couldn't provide a good explanation, Phineas would rethink his trust in them. Next time, he wouldn't share such plans in advance.
The twins fell silent. Phineas's hidden anger was evident.
Later, they would reflect on how unnecessary their intervention had been. Quirrell had been defeated regardless. Their arrival had likely only complicated matters.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Phineas continued:
"I heard you went because of Ron? Did your brains stop working that night? I told you—this was a test orchestrated by the Headmaster to challenge Harry. Of course it was designed with safeguards. You think I didn't know my presence would alter the setup? That it might place Harry—who was supposed to be safe—in danger?"
He shook his head, visibly disappointed.
"And haven't you thought about the consequences? If Harry hadn't discovered the restraining effect on Quirrell, or if Quirrell had been more ruthless—what if one of you had died?"
His voice dropped lower, colder.
"You're brave Gryffindors—but that doesn't mean you should act without thinking. If Harry or Ron had done something that reckless, I wouldn't be surprised. But you two? I've been telling you from the start: use your heads. Brute force without thought accomplishes nothing—and sometimes causes disaster. If I don't teach you this lesson now, I'll stop telling you anything dangerous in the future."
Even Dumbledore flushed a little at that—after all, he had once been one of those "reckless Gryffindors" himself. Now older and slower to act, he preferred strategy over impulse.
Phineas almost wanted to scold all three of them: A brain is a useful thing—don't waste it, and don't fill it with water!
Just then, Harry stirred. He blinked up at Dumbledore, confused and groggy.
"Good afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore said kindly.
Phineas waved his wand to cast a muffling charm around the twins, ensuring they couldn't hear the next conversation.
"Good afternoon, Harry. How are you feeling?" Phineas asked, his tone far softer than it had been with the twins. Harry had known nothing of the plan—he'd been the test's subject, not its orchestrator.
Harry's gaze flicked between the two professors. Then, suddenly, he sat up in alarm.
"The Philosopher's Stone! It's Quirrell! He took the Stone—Professor, we have to stop him!"
Phineas sighed, ready to explain, but Dumbledore stepped in.
"Calm down, Harry. What you're saying is already outdated."
He smiled gently. "Quirrell didn't get the Philosopher's Stone."
"Then—who did? I don't understand—"
"Relax," Phineas said. "If you get too worked up, Madam Pomfrey will kick us out. The Stone's safe. Do you remember what I told you at the start of the term? It might be important to many—but for those truly capable of obtaining it, it's not as vital as it seems."
Harry slowly took in his surroundings. He lay on a clean white bed. A nearby table was piled with sweets and cards.
"They're from your friends and admirers," Dumbledore explained warmly. "Word spreads quickly at Hogwarts, even if it's a so-called secret. Your friend Ron Weasley had quite a role in that."
Indeed, thanks to Ron's loose tongue, the entire school now believed Harry had saved the world.
"How long have I been here?" Harry asked.
"Three days," Phineas replied, settling into the chair beside him. "Neville and Ron will be thrilled to hear you're awake. They've been worried sick."
He picked up a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, popped one in his mouth—and promptly spat it out.
"Ugh, bogey flavor. I hate these beans."
Dumbledore chuckled as Phineas passed the box over.
"But… the Stone…" Harry persisted.
"Don't worry," Phineas said. "It's been taken care of."
Dumbledore nodded. "Quirrell didn't get it. I arrived shortly after you passed out. You and Mr. Weasley did well."
"You got there… Neville's owl reached you?" Harry asked.
"I must have missed it," Dumbledore admitted. "But I sensed something wrong as soon as I returned to London. I arrived just in time to see Quirrell turn to ash."
"But why did that happen?" Harry asked.
"Because of love, Harry. Your mother's love, and your love for this world," Dumbledore said gently.
Phineas rolled his eyes behind Dumbledore's back. It was more accurate to say the curse on Quirrell, combined with the residual protective charm from Lily, destroyed him. The Dark Lord's soul couldn't endure such direct contact.
But Dumbledore preferred to shape the narrative. He wanted Harry to believe in love—not just as a force, but as a reason not to become like Voldemort.
Harry seemed comforted, and after a pause asked again, "Where's the Philosopher's Stone now? Professor, you said it was destroyed?"
"Yes," Dumbledore replied. "It was destroyed."
"But what about your friend—Nicolas Flamel?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Ah, you know about Nicolas? Did Phineas tell you?"
"I… figured it out," Harry said modestly.
Dumbledore smiled. "Well done. Nicolas and I discussed it. We agreed that it was time. He and his wife, Perenelle, have lived for over five centuries. They are ready to begin a new journey."
Phineas added, "And remember what I told you—death isn't the end for all wizards. For some, it's just the start of something new. Nicolas has enough Elixir to set his affairs in order. He's at peace with his decision."
Dumbledore suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, by the way, Phineas—Nicolas invited us to spend a holiday at his place. His letter should be arriving soon."
"I got it yesterday," Phineas replied dryly. "He even added a note saying he was sure you'd forget, so he sent me a copy separately."
Harry blinked at the pair of them, chatting so casually about something he had once considered a great secret. Just before Christmas, he, Ron, and Neville had suspected Phineas of being after the Stone himself. Now it was clear Phineas had known everything all along.
Dumbledore turned back to Harry and offered a final word:
"As Phineas said, the Stone may grant wealth and long life—but those are the two things humans most desire, and yet often misuse the most. The Sorcerer's Stone is not a thing of beauty—it's a temptation."
He smiled once more.
"Harry, always remember: what people want most isn't always what they truly need."