CHAPTER ONE
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A group of Third Years filed quickly from the Defense classroom. The group was rowdy and students were shoving each other aside to get to great hall. Rumors were flying, and nobody wanted to be out of the loop. Before the last two in line could make it through the door, a voice called to them from inside the classroom.
"A moment, Harry, if you would."
Harry Potter stopped at the entrance way and looked at his best friend, Ron Weasley. Ron shrugged his shoulders. The two of them turned back to face their professor, who continued speaking.
"Yes, Ron, you ought to stay as well. I would like to speak to the both of you, actually."
The boys nodded and took the two proffered chairs in front of the professor's desk. Across from them sat Remus Lupin, a rather perplexed look upon his usually friendly features.
Harry frowned. "Is there a problem, professor?"
Lupin shook his head. "Not at all, Harry. I just wanted to speak to the two of you about the other night."
Ron spoke up quickly. "It wasn't your fault, professor. We don't blame you in the slightest."
The defense professor sighed. "Never the less, I am completely at fault. It is inexcusable. I should have managed my transformations more maturely, more effectively. I was unable to do so. "
Harry's frown deepened. "Professor, we've never had a defense professor as good as you – you can't let this stop you – we need you here."
Remus Lupin sighed and sat back in his chair. In that moment his face looked ten years older than it had mere seconds before. "I have already tendered my resignation, Harry. I am truly sorry. But that is not what I wanted to speak with the two of you about. In fact, I wanted to thank you."
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Thank us?"
"Is it official, then?" Ron asked.
Lupin shook his head. "Not yet, but it should be soon. Dumbledore's been speaking on and off with the Minister since that evening. It has taken some time, but it does seem that Cornelius is beginning to see reason."
Harry and Ron exchanged a look. "Does that mean – does that mean that Sirius might actually be pardoned?"
"Indeed – upon viewing memories from that evening in Albus' pensieve, Cornelius agreed to give Sirius a fair trial. Sirius agreed to come in as long as he remained under Albus' protection, which the Headmaster also insisted upon. No aurors were involved, and Fudge came away from the meeting satisfied."
Harry fidgeted in his seat. "Sir, when you say that Cornelius viewed memories – does that include… well, does that include what happened with Snape?"
The professor's face almost broke into a smile. "No, Harry. Nobody but us shall know that two third year students managed to disarm our venerable Potions Master."
Ron chuckled, and Harry managed a smile himself.
Lupin spoke up again. "I am also sorry, Harry, that this year hasn't been as quiet as we might have hoped after last year's incident in the Chamber. Professor Dumbledore and I did our best, but again we did not do right by you."
Harry shook his head. "In truth, sir, I couldn't be happier. I have a godfather." Harry found himself smiling. "I have a godfather, and he's going to be free!"
Ron's smile faded as he looked from Harry to his professor. "What about Pettigrew. Has anyone found him?"
Lupin's sandy features faded as well. "Unfortunately not. There has been no sign of him."
As Ron and Harry shared another look, Remus Lupin could not help but muse once again on the differences between Harry and his father. James had always been rash, but of these two boys Ron was the more hot-headed by far. Harry had proven himself of a level disposition and a sensible demeanor. It really was a testament to Lily's influence on the boy. Or perhaps the difficulty of his upbringing had something to do with it. Either way, Remus could not help but think in that moment about how proud Harry's parents would have been.
"Professor?"
Ronald's voice interrupted the man's musing. "Yes, Ron?"
"Was there anything else?"
Lupin shook his head. "No, boys. That is all. I'm certain that Professor Dumbledore will keep you up to date with events as they relate to you."
Harry looked up at him. "Are you staying for the feast?"
Remus shook his head. "Alas, I must be going. But I will see you often, Harry. Of that you need not worry."
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Harry and Ron walked from the classroom together and began on their way towards the Great Hall. As they walked, Ron could not help but notice that his friend was unusually quiet, unusually somber.
"Everything okay, Harry?"
The raven haired boy nodded. "Everything's fine."
Ron furrowed his brow. "You should be excited."
Harry nodded again. "I am. I am excited."
"Mate, you certainly don't sound excited."
Harry stopped as Ron took several more steps forward. Noticing this, the red-head turned to face his friend.
"I'm just worried, Ron."
Ron nodded. "I know, I get it. I'd be worried about Sirius too."
Harry shook his head, his face tightly drawn. "It isn't just about him – although that's part of it. It's more about the fact that Pettigrew is still out there, nobody knows where he is. Oh, also, we attacked Snape. A professor. How are we not spending the whole summer in detention? I'm dreading our last class with him. He's going to kill us, you know that, right?"
Ron laughed. "Dumbledore wouldn't let him."
"I mean, obviously he won't literally kill us. But just think about all the points we'll lose."
Frowning, Ron took another step towards his friend. "Since when do you care about House Points?"
Harry sighed. "I don't'. Not really."
"So what is this about?"
Harry rubbed his face and brushed his hair back behind his ears. "I just – honestly, I feel bad for him."
Ron looked at him with an unreadable expression. "For Snape? You feel bad for Snape?"
Harry nodded, but before he could say any more the two were accosted by a frizz of mottled brown hair.
"Why aren't the two of you at dinner?"
Ron looked at their classmate Hermione Granger and shrugged. "Why aren't you?"
The girl's face scrunched up in annoyance. "For your information, I had to return some things to my room."
"We were speaking with Lupin."
Hermione looked at Harry quickly. "So the rumors are true, then?"
Harry didn't say anything.
"Did the two of you really have a run in with Sirius Black? Were you terrified? I imagine I would have been – we haven't learned nearly enough to take on a murderer like him! I think I would have tried to run – but again that might not have worked. There's really nothing we can do, not yet anyway. How did you escape? People are saying that Professor Snape rescued you, but I wasn't certain and wanted to ask you."
Harry did not respond. Instead, he turned away from his two classmates and began walking towards the Great Hall once again, his trainers smacking loudly against the floor as he went.
Hermione looked at Ron. "Did I say something?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "You really think he wants to talk with this about everyone who stops him in the hallway? It's like last year all over again, except this time there's actually truth to the rumors. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for dinner."
Ron turned away quickly and went to catch up with his friend. Hermione huffed and followed in their wake.
"You know that everyone is going to be talking about this tonight!" Hermione shouted after the two of them. "I just want to help!"
Harry stopped at that. "You want to help, Hermione?" he said, turning back over his shoulder to look at the girl.
She nodded.
"You really want in – you really want to know about all the things that have been happening in my life?"
The girl frowned. "I'm not asking to know everything, Harry. I don't mean to pry. I just want to help if I can."
Ron shook his head. "You could help by shutting up."
Harry put his hand out in front of Ron. "Hermione. Last year everyone thought that I was the Heir of Slytherin. Did you believe those rumors?"
She shook her head.
"Good. That's something. This year, the rumors are that Sirius escaped because he wanted revenge. Because he wanted to come to Hogwarts and kill me. Do you believe these rumors?"
Hermione shook her head again.
"Good. He didn't come here to kill me. He came here to save me. If anyone asks, if anyone is talking, that's all I want you to say. Nothing more, just those words. That Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban in order to save me and my friend. That's all you need to know. Can you do that for me?"
Hermione nodded and tried to speak, but Harry cut her off.
"That's all, Hermione. That's all."
With that, Harry and Ron turned to walk towards their evening meal, leaving behind a stunned and confused Hermione Granger.
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The chamber was as dark and dank as Riddle remembered it. He had loved it for that back when he was a boy, but now he felt trapped by the dusk. He'd woken up with his back against the wall and his hand in chains. He knew his prison instantly. He looked around for any sign of his old pet, his old servant but could find none. The only thing he saw was an old and worn down bookcase staring at him from across the room. It hadn't been there before, that much he knew. It must have been put there. He wondered why.
As he closed his eyes for a moment he could almost imagine that he was sixteen again, a brilliant student with his power just beginning to grow. How could it be that a man with such power, such brilliance, could be reduced to this? He shook his head and tried to free himself from his living existence. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. It was luck that had allowed them to best him; it was luck that had caused his downfall.
And now he sat in chains, alone and imprisoned in his childhood sanctuary. As he tried to straighten his legs he heard the stone door sliding open. He looked up and could not help but flinch as he saw Dumbledore standing here. The man did not belong in a place like this – his mere presence violated the sanctity of the chamber. Beyond the framed silhouette he could see the main room with its vaulted ceilings and Slytherin emblem. He longed to stand and call for his servant, but he could not even find the strength to stand.
Looking up at the white bearded wizard, he did manage to find his voice.
"You brought me to Hogwarts. Why did you bring me to Hogwarts?"
Dumbledore took several steps in and allowed the stone door to close behind him. Riddle could not help but notice that the old man did not even have his wand drawn. It still disheartened him to remember that he was no longer a threat.
"I've decided it is high time to put you to use."
Riddle closed his eyes. "And what do you think would prompt me to do anything for you? You kept me locked away for years in that godforsaken place."
Dumbledore almost smiled. "But now I've brought you back to Hogwarts. The only place you ever called home."
"It's all just a mockery now," Riddle growled.
Dumbledore took a step towards the dusty bookshelf. "Oh, I know, Tom. It most certainly is."
Tom started to chuckle and almost choked. "I'm stunned you'd allow me back here, even now."
Albus gazed down at the man over the top of his half-moon glasses. "I need not remind you, Tom, that at the moment you are less of a danger than the meanest first year, than the oldest house elf. You are of literally no threat to my school or my students."
Tom Riddle shook his head. "Perhaps, Dumbledore. The school governors would still have your head if they knew."
"They might try. But then again, how would they ever know? Nobody knows you are alive, Tom. Not even one of your old followers. Only Severus and I know the truth."
The former Dark Lord closed his eyes and sighed wearily. "What is it you want from me, Dumbledore?"
The Headmaster did not answer; instead he turned and began thumbing through the books on the out of place bookshelf.
Riddle spoke again, "I never would have expected you to be capable of torture, Albus. These last few years have really altered my opinion of you. Have I told you that?"
Dumbledore shook his head by way of response and kept searching through the shelves.
"You've turned sadistic in your old age. A surprising turn of events, to be sure."
Albus finally let out a soft chuckle and turned to face his adversary. In his hands he held a thick old tome that had clearly seen better days. He brought it to Riddle and set it at his feet. Tom looked up at Dumbledore.
"And what is this?"
"You are going to help me with a personal project," Albus replied simply.
Riddle almost snorted. "And what on earth makes you think I would help you?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Simple, Tom. If you don't, you'll remain here in chains. Indefinitely."
Tom shrugged. "I don't see how that would be any different than the past several years."
The aged Headmaster stood and turned away. He took a step towards the door and then paused.
"How many people know of this chamber's true existence, Tom?"
Riddle shrugged. "I know of the entrance. I truly don't even know how you found it, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore responded, still facing towards the door. "I know of this chamber. Harry Potter knows of this chamber. Harry's friend Ronald Weasley knows of this chamber. It is the three of us and you.
I would like you to know, Tom, that when I say that you will remain here indefinitely, I mean it. If you refuse me now, I will leave and never come back. I will seal this chamber behind me, and neither Harry nor young Ronald will come looking. You will stay chained to the ground with only that troth of water to sustain you for the rest of your life. And since you went and created five different Horcruxes… well, I don't personally want to even imagine what such an existence might be like."
Riddle was silent.
Dumbledore spoke again. "I will give you one night to think on it, Tom. Tomorrow when I return you will inform me of your decision, and we will continue from there."
Riddle still did not speak. Albus strode towards the door and opened it with a casual wave of his wand. As he stepped over the threshold, he turned back to look at the slumped figure of the former Dark Lord.
"Oh, and one more thing. I thought you might like to know that young Harry Potter disposed of your basilisk just last year. In his second year in school. He slew the beast with the help of my friend Fawkes and Gryffindor's Sword. Really the stuff of legend, to tell you the truth. I just thought you ought to know."
Riddle closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the stony wall to which he was chained. Dumbledore strode from the chamber and allowed the heavy stone door to slam behind him.
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The baby's cry could still be heard. A tight smile flickered across the Dark Lord's face as he swept past the discarded body on the floor. As he approached he could hear the red-haired woman's sobs of distress. He wrinkled his nose and tightened his grip on his wand. He would have certainly enjoyed ending the poor woman's life, but he had promised Severus that she would have a chance to stand down.
He flicked his wand and the door to the room splintered inwards. The woman flung herself in front of the child, her arms outstretched.
The Dark Lord spoke in chilling tones, "Stand aside, silly girl."
She shook her head and continued to hold her arms outstretched.
Voldemort snarled, "Stand aside. I will not repeat myself."
The woman refused once more. Casually, almost lazily, the hooded man flicked his wand and a jet of wicked green light struck the woman in the chest. A swell of triumph flushed through the man. His victory was near complete. He stepped towards the child and gave a twisted smile.
"Good-bye, Harry Potter."
There was a high pitched cackle, a jet of green light, and then it all went black.
Harry Potter gasped and sat up in his bed. There was sweat on his brow and his breathing was labored and heavy. He turned to look at the clock on his side table and groaned at what he saw.
"Four in the morning," he whispered to himself. He could not help but shake his head in frustration. He'd had a hard enough time getting to sleep in the first place – being plagued by dreams and visions was not exactly thrilling, to say the least.
"You okay, Harry?"
Harry turned his head to look at Ron, who was sitting up in his bed with a concerned look on his face.
He nodded, "I'm fine. Just a dream."
"Another one – like last year?"
Harry didn't answer. Instead, he lay back on the bed, hands behind his head.
"You should tell someone," Ron said softly.
He shook his head. "Who would I tell?"
Ron rubbed his face and shrugged. "Dumbledore, probably."
"No. I've gone to him about enough. I just don't really want to tell anyone."
"There's nothing wrong, Harry. It isn't like you've done anything to be ashamed of," Ron replied.
Harry shot his friend a look and spoke in low, rough tones, "You think there's nothing wrong with having these… these visions?"
"Dumbledore could help."
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it hasn't exactly been a real problem up to this point. If it weren't for these visions we might not have found your sister at all!"
Ron shushed Harry and looked quickly around the dormitory. "Keep it down, Harry. No need to wake everyone else up also."
Harry spoke again, this time more quietly, "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated."
"I know, Harry, I know. It helped us once – but there's no reason you should have to live with it, no reason you should have to wake up in the middle of the night."
Harry sighed audibly and didn't answer. Ron lay back on his bed as well and looked up at the ceiling with a blank look upon his face. The two remained there, in silence with their eyes wide open, for several minutes. All traces of sleep had been wiped from Harry's eyes, he was wide awake. Ron, noticing this, sat up and threw his legs over the side of his bed.
"Grab the cloak, Harry."
Harry turned to look at Ron, but did not move otherwise. "Why? Where would we go?"
Ron shrugged.
"Seems like you haven't quite thought this through," Harry said.
"Who cares, Harry? Let's just go. What's the point of having an invisibility cloak if you aren't going to ever use it? We're leaving school tomorrow, what are they going to do, give us detention?"
Harry frowned. "They'll take away house points, probably. If not this year, they'll make us start next year in negative numbers."
Ron shook his head and stood. "You don't care about house points, Harry. We've been over that before."
A smile made its way upon the black-haired boy's face. "True enough, Ron. Have you thought of a place to go? Maybe the library or something?"
Ron snorted as quietly as he could. "The library? I hate the place in the daylight; I'm not going to go there now."
Harry slipped from the bed and went to his trunk. Ron smiled in satisfaction and stepped towards the door. Harry grasped the silvery fabric between his fingers and stood up straight. The two boys stepped from their dormitory and started down the stairs. Suddenly, Harry stopped.
"The Chamber," Harry said with certainty.
Ron stopped quickly and looked at Harry with concern etched on his young face. "Why?"
Harry frowned, and spoke quickly, "I don't know. I just know that's where I want to go."
Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I really don't know if that's a good idea."
Harry walked towards the portrait. "It's where I'm going, and I would like it if you came with me. But either way, that's where I'm headed."
Ron crossed quickly to his friend. "If you insist, we can. But you don't know what's down there, it might not be safe."
Harry almost smirked. "It's probably safer now than it was when it had a Basilisk in it."
Ron had to smile and concede the point. Harry flung the cloak over the both of them and the two friends vanished from the Gryffindor common room.
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Riddle was past trying to guess the time. It couldn't have been more than a day since Dumbledore had been threatening him, otherwise he'd have come back to finish the deed one way or another. The hours dragged on and the beaten man could not help but shake his head in disgust and despair. He would have expected a single day's wait to be nothing given his solitary confinement for the past four years, but somehow waiting for Dumbledore to return this time was more stressful and difficult than ever before.
Of course he was furious. Of course he was angry. Of course he couldn't bear the thought of helping his nemesis, whatever the project might be. But the notion of remaining alone forever in this chamber that mocked his mere existence… well, that would be torture also.
Rage coursed through his veins as he considered his options. In years past he would have laughed at this situation and freed himself without a second thought. Those days were gone, though. He retained no real hope of gaining back what he had lost.
In the aftermath of his attempt on Harry Potter he'd been desperate to find something that could restore him. He went through all of his journals, all of his resources. He knew he couldn't reveal his existence to his followers – they'd have turned their backs at best, killed him at worst. He spent three years in that way, searching manically for a cure. But there was none.
Riddle was broken from his reverie by the heavy stone door sliding open. Dumbledore strode in to the room, no hint of a care or worry behind those half-moon spectacles. In his hands he held that same book. It was worn, aged, and incredibly thick. The headmaster waved his wand and conjured a plush orange chair from nothing. Tom Riddle could not help but snarl at this casual and absurd use of magic.
Dumbledore sat. "Have you thought everything over?"
The prisoner sighed, "You know what my response is going to be, Dumbledore."
Albus smiled serenely, "Do I, Tom?"
Riddle shook his head in frustration. "You've already humiliated me, old man. Do you really need to play games?"
Dumbledore held the book outstretched. Riddle took it reluctantly and looked down at the text he now held in his cuffed hands. There was no title. Riddle looked up at Dumbledore
"What is this?" he asked reluctantly.
The wizened old wizard sat back in his plush armchair that could not have been more out of place in the dark and dusky chamber.
He paused for a moment, and then said, "This is the first of several tomes I've acquired ruminating on a single subject."
Riddle did not reply. Instead, he opened the book with caution and flipped through the first few pages. After a few moments, Tom shut the book and looked up at Dumbledore with menace in his eyes and venom on his tongue.
"Are you still mocking me, Dumbledore? Are you still throwing this in my face?"
Albus' face remained passive and he said, "Not at all. The subject is one that I would like to know more about for rather obvious reasons. You seem like the perfect person to assist me in my research. It is my feeling that you might have a sort of unique… insight that other potential collaborators would lack."
Riddle clenched his fists. "I wonder if you realize how much I would love to tear you limb from limb, Dumbledore."
The old man didn't bat an eyelash. Instead, he chuckled, "Oh, I know, Tom. And I find that I am not above enjoying your anger. But you will help me. You've already decided. We both know that the alternative would be unbearable."
Riddle ground his teeth and looked at the ground, but did not respond.
Dumbledore stood. "I'll return two nights form now, Tom. I will expect you to have finished the text by that time – and I will also expect you to have some fascinating insights for me."
"I'm not your student," Tom snarled.
"Oh Tom," Dumbledore sighed as he vanished his chair with a simple wave of his wand, "you never stopped being my student."
With that, Albus turned and walked through the doorway with a serene smile on his face.
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A/N: That's chapter one! Thanks so much for reading, I love hearing everyone's feedback, so if you have thoughts please absolutely drop me a review!