Deception

The ground trembled and a deafening roar echoed through the Chamber as an explosion sounded from the entrance behind Harry.

Harry whipped around in alarm, just in time to see a cloud of dust drift through the entryway.

'What the hell was that?'

Riddle was well and truly gone, the Basilisk was dead. This could only mean one thing…

He threw the fang as hard as he could, aiming for the pool of water near Slytherin's immense stone maw. His aim was true and he saw the fang plop beneath the water near the edge of the pool.

Just as the cloud of dust parted and Albus Dumbledore strode into the Chamber, followed closely by Severus Snape.

Harry gasped, in a combination of relief and fear.

There was no pleasant twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as they flicked rapidly across the Chamber, instead his eyes were icy and his face pale. He seemed to glow on his own volition, his power tangible and all-encompassing as it spread throughout the Chamber. Harry knew at once why he was considered the most powerful wizard in the world. He stood about ten meters away from Dumbledore, yet he felt that his power could suffocate him if given half a chance.

Even Snape appeared to be giving him a wide berth.

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to soften as they found Harry and he gave an audible sigh of relief, the sense of power pervading the Chamber died away. He let out another sigh, this one of sadness as he saw Ginny's body, before walking forward to stand close to Harry.

"It appears that I am too late." He said sadly, placing his hands comfortingly on Harry's shoulders. "I am so sorry, Harry."

Harry raised his eyes to meet Dumbledore's for a second, before he lowered them again quickly. He saw that they were once again twinkling benignly and he couldn't face that twinkle now. Not after what he had done.

Dumbledore gave him a pat on the shoulder that was probably intended to sooth him, but instead made him flinch. He noticed this and removed his hands from Harry's shoulders with another sigh.

There was a soft, but insistent cough behind them. Harry turned and saw Snape standing over Ginny's body.

"I suppose we're lucky you told Weasley to wait in your office," He said blandly.

At any other time, Harry would have been furious over the callousness of that statement. Now however, he just didn't have enough energy to bring himself to care. He saw Dumbledore give Snape a look of stern disapproval, before he left Harry and walked to wards the body, revealing his wand as he did so.

With a few swift gestures, he conjured a stretcher and deftly levitated Ginny on to it. Despite himself, Harry couldn't help but admire the ease with which Dumbledore used his magic; he hadn't heard him say a word.

Dumbledore paused for a moment, before conjuring a sheet of white linen to cover her body. Harry felt a momentary pang of déjà vu strike him. She looked identical to Myrtle when he had seen her in the diary.

"Severus," Dumbledore said quietly, bringing Harry out of his musings. "Take Miss Weasley to the hospital wing, Poppy is prepared for the worst."

"Gladly," Snape smoothly replied. "Once Potter explains who that is."

He was pointing at what remained of Riddle. Harry felt his heart sink. How was he going to explain this?

"I'd imagine, that that would be Tom Marvolo Riddle," said Dumbledore with a weak smile, causing Harry to stare at him. "Otherwise known as Lord Voldemort, the Heir of Slytherin."

'How had he known?' Harry wondered in shock, he felt a sliver of fear shoot through him. 'And what else did he know?'

Snape looked at Harry appraisingly, before giving a derisive snort.

"Impossible."

"Severus," Dumbledore said sharply. "Take Miss Weasley to Poppy."

It was not a request and Snape left immediately, not even pausing to glare at Harry.

"Harry," He said far more gently. "I realize you have been through a terrible ordeal, but if you would please follow me to the hospital wing, I need you to give me the full story of what happened here, to give the Weasley's piece of mind."

Despite the gentle tone, Harry felt it too was more of an order than a request.

He nodded an affirmative.

"Excellent," Dumbledore beamed at him. "But before we go, I must ask, have you seen Fawkes and the Sorting Hat at all?

Harry felt the blood drain from his face, he couldn't bring himself to speak, but his eyes automatically focused on the large heap of ash that lay several meters behind Dumbledore.

Dumbledore turned to follow his gaze and Harry saw, that instead of appearing sad or angry, Dumbledore appeared quite pleased. He quickly stepped up to the ash and began to rummage in the heap.

"Aha!" He cried out jovially after a few moments, his hand held outstretched towards Harry.

Cradled in his palm was a small chick. While it wasn't moving, the minute rise and fall of its breast indicated it was sleeping

"Truly remarkable creatures, Phoenix's," Dumbledore said, while smiling at Harry's stupefied expression. He gave his wand an idle swish and the Sorting Hat flew into his hand.

"When a phoenix dies, they are reborn from the ashes," he continued. "They are nigh indestructible…"

He trailed off and his eyes lost their happy twinkle.

"But I'm afraid now is not the time for a lesson, the Weasleys are waiting."

He turned towards the Chamber entryway and beckoned to Harry.

"Come." He said simply.

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Harry trailed behind Dumbledore, struggling to keep up with his long strides, as they made their way swiftly towards his office. It was close to one o'clock, which meant that they wouldn't meet any students along the way. For that, at least Harry was thankful. He knew that tomorrow the entire school would be bombarding him questions.

Perhaps more than questions, if Dumbledore discovered that he had brutally stabbed Riddle god-knows how many times. This brought up the obvious question…

'What was he going to tell him?'

Not the truth, of course. He could just imagine Dumbledore's reaction if he did come clean. Those kind, twinkling blue orbs would turn to ice, just as they had done in the Chamber. Perhaps his suffocating aura of power would return as well.

The power that could crush him in a second.

No, he had to come up with something very quickly. He had a few scarce minutes before they arrived at the office. Hadn't Snape said Ron was there?

'No.'

He couldn't think about the Weasley's now, he had to focus on his story. Dumbledore was the Headmaster; he should be the one to talk to them. The students were his responsibility after all.

Ginny was his responsibility.

It took them another two minutes to reach the office. Dumbledore whispered a password to the gargoyle, which hopped aside to let them pass. He stopped Harry as they reached the door.

"Harry," He said gently, grasping his arm. "What ever happens, what ever is said, I want you to know that none of this is your fault."

He gave Harry arm a gentle squeeze, before he moved to open the door.

Harry took a deep breath to calm himself. He had worked out what he hoped was a believable tale, now he just had to get Dumbledore to believe him.

And endure the emotional tsunami that the Weasleys were about to unleash.

Harry followed Dumbledore into the office. To his relief, not all of the Weasleys were present. Only Ron and Mr and Mrs Weasley, although Mrs Weasley on her own was probably enough…

'Enough for what exactly?'

He had done nothing wrong were Ginny was concerned. Dumbledore was right, it wasn't his fault. All he had to do was wait for Dumbledore to speak to them, he didn't have to do a thing.

Harry walked to stand beside Dumbledore and took in the faces of the Weasleys. They looked just as he had imagined, pale and drawn.

But hopeful.

"Oh Harry, thank goodness your alright!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed.

Harry noticed she had barely spared him a second glance; her eyes were locked on Dumbledore.

It was understandable, but it still hurt a little.

"Where is Ginny?" She asked, with a desperate quiver to her voice, as she noticed Dumbledore's solemn expression.

Dumbledore paused for a moment before simply saying.

"I'm so sorry Mrs Weasley."

All the Weasley's stared at him, their eyes filled with denial and incomprehension in equal measure.

"She's gone."

The office went completely and utterly still for a moment.

And then Mrs Weasley's piercing scream rent the air.

Harry didn't know how long it took Dumbledore to calm Mrs Weasley down; he suspected some magic may have been involved. Even so, it still felt like an eternity. The other Weasleys reacted in a very different fashion. Both were utterly silent. Mr Weasley weakly attempted to comfort his wife, his hands shaking as he held her. Ron simply sat down and stared blankly at the wall, his was skin bone-white.

He bore an unnerving resemblance to Ginny as she lay in the Chamber.

Both Harry and Snape remained quiet as Dumbledore explained that Ginny had been enchanted by Lord Voldemort. The same person who had opened the Chamber before over fifty years ago.

"How?" Asked Mr Weasley despairingly. "How did he enchant her?"

"I believe that he used some sort of artifact." Dumbledore responded. "However, only one person can truly answer that question."

Harry felt a moment of panic as Dumbledore turned to him.

"Harry, did you see what Lord Voldemort used?' Dumbledore asked gently. "Think carefully now…"

Though Harry took a deep breath before answering, his unease still caused him to stumble over his words.

"It…it was a diary."

"Ah, of course," Dumbledore breathed, his eyes widening in comprehension. "The diary would have had to have been enchanted with compulsion charms and –"

He stopped as he realized the Weasleys probably didn't want to hear the theory behind the object that had murdered their daughter.

"Your daughter is currently in the hospital wing," He said softly. "I will not keep you from her any longer."

"Thank you." Said Mr Weasley, he seemed the only one capable of talking. "Fred, George and Percy are in their common room, we'll stop by there first. Bill and Charlie are already on their way."

"I shall be with you in a moment," Dumbledore said kindly. "After I speak with Harry about his ordeal."

Harry's breath caught in his throat.

Mr Weasley nodded, before leading his family out the room. They sent Harry no accusing looks. They didn't so much as glance at him.

And then Harry was alone with Dumbledore.

"Harry, I realize you must be tired," Said Dumbledore soothingly. "But I need to ask you a few questions about tonight."

Harry nodded weakly.

Dumbledore smiled at him, before asked.

"What became of the diary?"

'This is it,' Harry thought, fighting the rush of panic the threatened to overwhelm him.

'Please believe me…'

"I burnt it." He said simply.

He kept his eyes lowered in front of him. Perhaps it made him look guilty, but he knew that if he looked into Dumbledore's eyes, those eyes that seemed to look into his very soul. He would know for sure that he was lying.

"I used incendio," he continued. "And… and when the diary started to burn… so did Riddle."

There, he had done it. He had lied to perhaps the most powerful and most respected wizard in the world. He had made his bed, now he had to lay in it.

"Good." Dumbledore said softly.

Harry's eyes widened in shock. Did Dumbledore believe him?

"The diary was created using the very darkest of the magical arts." Dumbledore continued. "You did the right thing in destroying it."

Harry couldn't believe it. He wasn't going to get in trouble.

'Dumbledore believed him!'

Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could make a sound, his office door slammed open.

Lucius Malfoy strode into the room, his face a rictus of fury. He was followed closely by a heavily bandaged house-elf.

'Dobby.'

"Good evening, Lucius," Dumbledore greeted pleasantly.

"You've come back," Lucius said, ignoring the greeting. "Despite being suspended by the governors, you've come back."

They started to banter back and forth, but Harry wasn't paying any attention to them. He was distracted by Dobby. The elf's massive eyes were locked and he was pointing at Lucius Malfoy with one hand and hitting himself on the head with the other.

'What was he trying to tell him?'

"And imagine," he heard Dumbledore say. "What might have happened then… the Weasleys are one of the most prominent pure-blood families. Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his Muggle Protection Act, if his own daughter was discovered attacking and killing muggle-borns…

And suddenly Harry understood. This man was responsible for everything that had happened. Had he suffered so much just so Lucius Malfoy could sabotage some bill?

"You gave it to her." Harry said quietly.

Lucius Malfoy rounded on him.

"What did you say?" He demanded furiously.

"You gave it to her." Harry repeated. "The diary…you slipped it into her old transfiguration book.

He saw Malfoy's hands clenching and unclenching in anger.

"Prove it," he hissed.

'Oh, no-one will be able to do that," said Dumbledore, smiling at Harry. Not now that the diary has been destroyed and Riddle vanquished.

And that was what truly angered Harry. That despite everything he had endured, Malfoy was going to get away with this. And worst of all…there was nothing he could do about it.

"We're going, Dobby!" Malfoy suddenly thundered as he started striding towards the door.

Dobby scurried along behind him and as the Malfoy opened the door, his massive eyes locked with Harry's. Harry could see clearly what the elf wanted.

He was asking, begging for help.

Harry though for a moment, there was something he could do…

But it would mean giving up the diary and showing Dumbledore he had lied to him.

He met Dobby's pleading eyes and mouthed two words.

"I'm sorry."

Dumbledore turned to Harry as the door closed by Lucius Malfoy.

"You must be exhausted," he said gently. "After everything you've been through, I think it would be best if you went to the hospital wing."

'Yes,' Harry though hopefully, 'Please let me go.'

Dumbledore leant forward and said more seriously.

"If you ever wish to speak to me, about anything at all, my door is always open."

Harry nodded.

"Thank you, sir."

Dumbledore smiled at him.

"Sleep well, Harry. You've earned it."

As Harry left the office he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He was free.

He arrived quickly at the hospital wing and found it completely empty, save for the petrified students. He saw Hermione and made his way over to her. He wondered how she would feel when she discovered what happened.

He obviously wouldn't tell her the whole story. But he didn't think Ron would want to see him any time soon. While it didn't look like he blamed Harry, he couldn't be sure how he would react when they next saw one another. He hoped she would remain his friend in case he lost Ron.

Seeing all the beds caused Harry realize just how tired he was. He made his way over to one tucked in a corner far away from the petrified students. Before he collapsed into it, he remembered Madam Pomphrey's penchant for transfiguring his robes into hospital gowns. He reached into his pockets and pulled out both his wand and the blood-soaked diary and placed them under the pillow.

Then he collapsed onto the bed and lost consciousness.

Several hours later, after he had left the Weasleys sleeping at the Burrow, Albus Dumbledore found himself back at Hogwarts in front of his Potions Master's door.

He gave it two sharp knocks.

A slight smile tugged at his lips as he wondered how angry the man would be.

He wasn't disappointed.

The Potions Master almost ripped the door off its hinges and opened his mouth to deliver a stream of abuse at the person who had disturbed him.

He shut his mouth with an audible click when he saw who it was.

"Good Morning, Severus." Dumbledore greeted him pleasantly.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement as he took in his colleague's dishevelled appearance. His hair stood up wildly in all directions in a style reminiscent of Harry Potter. He wondered how Severus would react if he pointed this out…

His smile widened.

Severus appeared to notice the movement and took several deep breaths to calm himself down. He levelled a glare at Dumbledore, the effect of which was ruined by the sleep clinging from his eyelashes.

"This had better be good, Albus." He said.

"Oh, I thought you would be particularly interested in what I have to say Severus." Dumbledore replied easily.

He saw he had successfully gained Severus's attention.

"After all," he continued. "Its not everyday someone finds the courage to lie to me."

"Especially if that someone, is Harry Potter."