The day after the Christmas holidays ended, Kane was slapped awake by what looked like a flaming red turkey.
???
In his bleary-eyed state, he tried to distinguish what exactly was bothering him. It wasn't Harry, it wasn't Ron, it wasn't even a human. Great, an evil red phoenix. I'll just...
Wait? A phoenix?
He rubbed his eyes and squinted. It really was Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix.
"Erm, did Dumbledore pull an all-nighter roasting Mandrakes or sothing? Go back and tell him that old people need their sleep or they'll... stop growing.
I'll go see him when I wake up." Kane muttered incoherently and yanked the covers back over his head.
Unfortunately, Fawkes wasn't in the business of taking "no" for an answer. Seeing that Kane wouldn't budge, the bird stopped squawking. With a swirl of crimson fire, it simply teleported Kane directly into the Headmaster's office.
???
Kane, still wearing his long plush robes, sat in a chair with a head full of question marks. He looked at Dumbledore, who was calmly sipping tea, and sighed.
"I'm going to need compensation for the 'early morning forced relocation' fee."
"Did it ever occur to you that there might be sothing important?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Please. Important things aren't discussed with . I'm more inclined to believe you're just bored and wanted soone to chat with," Kane said, leaning back and closing his eyes.
"Tom and Quirrell have finalized their plan to deal with you," Dumbledore said flatly.
"...So? Is it happening in ten minutes?" Kane rubbed his face. Dumbledore had warned him about this ages ago; he wasn't surprised in the slightest.
"Perhaps in a few months. No one can say for sure," Dumbledore replied.
"Agh!" Kane buried his face in his hands. "Then why couldn't you let sleep for a few more minutes!"
"Please forgive my selfishness, but Kane, I'd like to discuss a small matter with you," Dumbledore said, completely ignoring the complaint.
"Let's hear it," Kane sighed.
"As you know, the purpose of Quirrell and Tom's presence this term is to test Harry. However, for so reason, Harry hasn't picked up on any of the clues I've laid out for him.
Oh, he found so, but he hasn't made the connection to the Philosopher's Stone. When this play reaches its climax, we can't very well have the protagonist missing from the stage."
Kane felt himself nodding off as Dumbledore spoke, but he caught the gist of it: Dumbledore had dug a very standard pit and was now politely asking Kane to jump into it.
"Are you familiar with the tale of the hero rescuing the princess?" Dumbledore asked suddenly.
"Yeah. Cliche knight-errant stuff. So, I'm the knight?" Kane yawned.
"Actually, I'm afraid you're the princess."
The words had barely left Dumbledore's mouth before Kane stood up to bolt. "Nope. I'm out. Goodbye."
Dumbledore caught Kane's sleeve with an agility no old man should possess. "I think we can still negotiate."
Kane shook his head frantically. "There's nothing to negotiate! You're not just treating Harry like a puppet, you're using as live bait? That's disgusting. I'm going to tell Professor McGonagall to co and break your jaw!"
"I promise I can protect you. I have the power. And... you might find this useful. Take a look. This is your compensation." Dumbledore's grip on the sleeve tightened as his other hand pulled an irregular red stone from beneath the desk.
"This is the Philosopher's Stone. I believe you might have a use for it, no?"
Kane, who had been marching toward the exit, stopped dead in his tracks.
Hmm......
The Philosopher's Stone—a treasure of legend and myth. He felt it was his duty as a scholar to at least take a look.
"But having said that, if this stone... let see it first." Kane sat back down, no longer in a hurry to find McGonagall. He took the stone from Dumbledore's hand.
He wasn't stupid enough to gamble his life just for a shiny rock he might not live to use. The prerequisite for accepting this script was a 100% guarantee of his own safety. As for Dumbledore's guarantee? To be honest, he trusted no one but himself.
"Do you have gold?" Kane asked. This legendary stone had a much higher "tier" than the common rubies he'd dug up in the graveyard.
When he tried to make the Life-Giving Amulet before, it had shattered, which ant the craft worked; it was the material that failed. But if he used this stone...
Maybe playing a role in a shady Headmaster's stage play wasn't so bad. He'd done theater back in the Constant, after all. It wasn't beneath him.
"Erm... I'll go borrow so. How much do you need?" Dumbledore sighed.
"At least three fists' worth."
Dumbledore nodded and left the office. Kane sat there, rolling the Philosopher's Stone between his fingers. Soon, Dumbledore returned carrying a small bag that slled faintly of potions, filled to the brim with gold Galleons.
"It seems Professor Snape is quite wealthy," Kane noted, almost dropping the heavy bag as he took it.
He lted the Galleons into three gold bars. Then, combining them with Nightmare Fuel and the Philosopher's Stone, his hands began to move in a blur of speed. Seconds later, a golden necklace set with a glowing red stone appeared in his hands.
Ah, Life Giving Amulet. We et again.
Kane held the artifact that could literally pull a soul back from the brink. He gave it a silent greeting before hanging it around his neck, tucking it away as if afraid soone would snatch it.
Imdiately, he felt a strange, constant energy radiating from the amulet, flowing through his limbs. His body and mind felt as though they were soaking in a warm spring.
A sense of "anchoring" took hold of his soul; he knew that if he were to die, as long as his soul touched this amulet, he would achieve what no one in history ever had.
Resurrection!
"That familiar sense of security. I love this thing," Kane said, leaning back and tucking the amulet under his collar.
"So, have you considered the offer?" Dumbledore asked, seeing Kane's beaming face. He knew he had him.
"This Philosopher's Stone... do you have a second one?" Kane asked.
"As far as I know, there is only one in the world. And it is currently in your shirt."
Kane felt a surge of "Main Character" energy. The child of the Constant was now wearing the world's most legendary magical artifact.
"I've taken the paynt, so I'll do the job. But I have to ask... what about Harry?" Kane asked, genuinely concerned.
"Harry is protected by an ancient magic left by his mother. Until he cos of age, even if Voldemort shoved his wand up Harry's nose to cast a curse, he could hardly harm him."
Dumbledore watched Kane with a look of imnse pride. What a boy, he thought. His own task is the most dangerous—facing Voldemort with virtually no cover—yet he still finds the heart to worry about Harry's safety.
This boy has love! He has love!
Leaving the Headmaster's office, Kane returned to the dormitory to catch up on his sleep. Harry had already been to the hall and brought back a breakfast pack for him.
This Harry... he has love too! He has love!
As Kane happily munched on his breakfast, Harry seed to rember sothing. "Oh, right, Kane. I ran into Professor Quirrell in the Hall. He asked to tell you to go to his office."
Kane: ???
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