Even Hermione, who never gave up, had to admit Sean was better than her at Potions.
Harry took the small bottle and looked at the Fireproof Potion inside and the matching vial in Sean's hand. "Hermione, Sean and I will go stop whoever's after the Philosopher's Stone. You go back through the purple flames. Tell McGonagall and Dumbledore what's happening. Send an owl to Dumbledore—it's urgent."
Hermione looked at the Fireproof Potion. There was only enough for two people. Sean and Harry were stronger, especially Sean, whose Slytherin duel was famous. She knew she couldn't take their place.
"Alright, I'll get help fast," she said. "Be careful, both of you."
Hermione picked up the calming potion, drank it quickly, and ran through the purple flames at the entrance, disappearing from sight.
Harry turned to Sean. "Let's go in."
"Got it!" Sean said.
They drank their Fireproof Potions and walked through the black flames, the heat passing harmlessly over their skin.
As they stepped out, a green flash burst in front of Sean. Harry's scream—full of shock, anger, and sadness—rang out as Sean fell unconscious.
Click, click, click…
Click, click, click…
Chime…
Like an alarm waking him from deep sleep, Sean's eyes opened suddenly. He stopped himself from jumping up, slowed his breathing, and squinted to check the room.
He figured it out. After they passed the flames, Quirrell, controlled by Voldemort, had hit him with the Killing Curse because he was with Harry. Then Quirrell told Harry his plan.
Why do Death Eaters attack anyone near Harry? Sean thought. Cedric faced it, and now me. Voldemort's focus on Harry affects his followers.
Harry stood in front of the Mirror of Erised, with Quirrell holding him. Voldemort, on the back of Quirrell's head, demanded the Philosopher's Stone in Harry's pocket. Voldemort watched Harry closely, not noticing Sean—alive, thanks to Gideon's pocket watch.
That watch saved my life, Sean thought.
He needed the perfect moment.
Lying still, Sean saw Quirrell choke Harry for not obeying. When Quirrell touched Harry, his hand turned to ash, burned by Harry's protective magic. Voldemort cried out in pain.
As Quirrell's right hand fell apart and Harry moved to fight back, Sean knew it was time to act.
His Troll Strength burst free. With a loud boom, Sean leaped up, rushing between Quirrell and Harry. He grabbed Quirrell's left arm, broke it, and smashed his fist into Quirrell's face.
The punch broke Quirrell's nose, twisting his face. Voldemort screamed from the back of his head.
"It's you, from Quidditch!" Quirrell mumbled.
Sean didn't listen. Quirrell was Voldemort's puppet, and Voldemort could take control. Even weak, Voldemort's wandless magic was dangerous.
Sean struck Quirrell's throat with a sharp hand chop, trying to kill or silence him.
As he expected, Voldemort's power kept Quirrell alive, but he could only gasp, unable to speak.
"Quirrell, give me your body!" Voldemort hissed.
A cold fear hit Sean, like a snake staring at him. He threw another punch at Quirrell—or Voldemort—knowing his simple spells couldn't beat Voldemort's magic. Fists worked better up close.
His punch aimed for Quirrell's chest, but an invisible force pushed Sean back, slamming him into the stone wall.
[Troll Spiked Hide] softened the hit. Sean groaned, pain burning, but got up and ran at Voldemort again.
"Such strength… magical creature blood?" Voldemort said in a rough voice.
Black smoke poured from Voldemort's mouth, turning into hissing black snakes. They attacked Sean, biting and wrapping around him under Voldemort's control.
What kind of magic is this? Sean thought. Summoning and Transfiguration together?
He pulled out his wand, cast a Shield Charm to block the snakes, and charged at Voldemort.
The snakes held Sean back, letting Voldemort slip away in the smoky mess.
Harry tried to help, but a snake knocked him away, keeping him out of the fight.
Sean clenched his teeth, destroyed a snake with his wand, and shouted toward the passage. "Accio Sword!"
Ding… Dang…
Boom!
A huge cross sword, taller than Sean, flew through the door with a loud crash. It smashed several black smoke snakes and landed in his hands.
Sean grabbed the sword's handle with both hands and swung it hard. The wide, heavy blade crushed more snakes. He moved forward, blocking snake attacks, and ran straight at Voldemort.
The sword came from a knight piece in the Wizard's Chess room. When Sean passed by Ron, who was unconscious, he'd seen it nearby. Planning ahead, he'd called for the huge weapon, too big for most people to lift.
His Troll Strength had limits, but Sean swung the sword easily, like it was a light stick. He cut through every snake in his way and reached Voldemort quickly.
Sean swung the sword down, slicing a deep mark into the stone floor.
Voldemort moved Quirrell's body like a dark shadow, slipping past Sean to chase Harry. Time was short. If Dumbledore or McGonagall arrived, Voldemort's weak body couldn't fight back. So he ignored Sean and went for the Philosopher's Stone in Harry's pocket. Harry lay still, knocked out by a snake.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Sean shouted.
A gray light shot at Voldemort.
Sean had been ready for Voldemort to target Harry. When Voldemort rushed past, Sean cast his strong Petrification Spell while running, freezing Voldemort for a moment.
In the fight, Sean used his fists and strength, only casting spells to block attacks. His Shield Charm was good, but he fought mostly with punches. That made Voldemort think Sean's magic was weak.
Sean's plan worked. The weak Voldemort froze under the spell, giving Sean his chance.
He gripped the heavy sword and swung with all his strength. As Voldemort began to move again, the blade hit him hard, like hitting a ball with a bat. Voldemort crashed through the Mirror of Erised and slammed into the wall.
"Filthy Squib's son, I'll kill you!" Voldemort growled.
"Not now you won't!" Sean said back.
He charged again, holding the sword tight, and stabbed at Quirrell—or Voldemort—whose body was breaking apart.
The sword pierced Quirrell's chest, driving deep into the wall, pinning him in place.
Sean let go of the handle and stepped back slowly. Quirrell let out weak, dying cries. His body slumped, hanging on the sword. Blood dripped down, forming a dark pool on the floor.
Sean breathed out hard and sat on the ground.
Even with Troll Strength, the fight used all his energy. His legs shook, and he had no strength left.
Hiss…
Black smoke rose from Quirrell's body, forming a shadowy figure—Voldemort's spirit.
"Sean Bulstrode, I'll remember you. I'll kill you! I…" Voldemort hissed.
"Be quiet and leave!" Sean snapped, raising his wand.
He cast Incendio, and an orange fireball hit Voldemort's spirit. It burst, doing no harm but silencing him, like a slap. The black smoke twisted and vanished through cracks in the wall.
Voldemort was gone. Sean had won the fight, and his plan worked. Now he wanted to see his rewards.
Sitting there, Sean checked his ability panel and smiled at what he got.
[Winning a duel gives two random abilities from the opponent.]
[Drawing…]
[You got: Imperius Curse Level 2, Plant Specimen Preparation Method Level 4]
These came from Quirrell. Getting two abilities was expected, but Sean didn't expect these. Imperius Curse Level 2 was a dangerous spell. He'd have to use it carefully to avoid trouble.
Plant Specimen Preparation Method Level 4? Sean sighed. Quirrell's plant hobby was a disappointing reward.
After all that effort to win, he got plant skills. Sean hoped Voldemort's abilities would be better. A dark wizard like Voldemort wouldn't have a plant hobby, right?
He looked at Voldemort's ability draw.
[Winning a duel gives two random abilities from the opponent.]
[Drawing…]
[You got: Smoke Rope Curse Level 5 Max, Spirit Body Immortality Method]
[You haven't split your soul, so you can't use immortality method or make a Horcrux. Finding a new option…]
[Searching…]
[Based on your physique, search complete.]
[New ability matches your status.]
[You got: Talent: Magic Awakening]
In the end, Voldemort's residual soul gave Sean two abilities. One was the full-level LV5 Smoke Rope Curse, which should be the same magic that Voldemort's residual soul used to control Quirrell's body before. The specific power should be more than that.
Magic Awakening excited Sean most. It came from the Horcrux method and promised to boost his magic in new ways.
Suddenly, Sean's mind went blank. His vision darkened, and he fell unconscious.