Year 2:

Harry Potter had gone to his father for homework help. He went back into his room wondering why he hadn't heard from his friends. Hermione had gone straight from France to Ron's place. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. There was something bouncing on Harry's bed. The creature turned.

"Harry Potter!" the creature said. "So long has Dobby wanted to meet you, sir…Such an honor it is…"

"Thank you." Harry said "Who are you?"

"Dobby, sir. Just Dobby. Dobby the house-elf."

"Oh." Harry said trying to think of the house-elves his father told him about. "Is there a particular reason you're here?"

"Oh yes, sir," Dobby said earnestly. "Dobby has come to tell you, sir…it is difficult, sir…Dobby wonders where to begin…"

"Why don't you have a seat?" Harry offered.

Harry was shocked to see that the elf responded by sobbing his little heart out.

The noise brought James and Lily up. They opened the door to see a house-elf standing before Harry sobbing.

"I just asked him to have a seat." Harry explained to his parents before turning to the elf. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything…"

"Offend Dobby!" the elf choked. "Dobby has NEVER been asked to sit down by a wizard…like an equal…"

"You can't have met many decent wizards then." Lily said.

"No. I haven't." Dobby said before getting a horrified look on his face. Then, he jumped on the desk, grabbed the desk lamp, and started hitting himself over the head saying "Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

"Dad?" Harry asked horrified at the spectacle

"He just spoke ill of the family he serves." James said as Lily went to go save the elf from a head injury "Something tells me Dobby isn't suppose to be here. Am I right Dobby?"

"Harry Potter's father is correct, sir." Dobby said swaying a little. "Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this."

"Won't your family know if you did that?" Lily asked.

"Dobby doubts is, miss. Dobby is always having to punish himself for something. They lets Dobby get on with it. Sometimes they reminds me to do extra punishments…"

"How horrible!" Lily exclaimed.

"Not all wizards treat house-elves the way my family does." James informed them

"Why don't you just run?" Harry suggested.

"A house-elf must be set free, sir. And the family will never set Dobby free."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Lily asked her husband causing the elf to have another fit of the sobs.

"It's up to the family." James said. "Now the question is, why are you here?"

Dobby calmed down.

"Dobby heard tales, that Harry Potter met the Dark Lord for a second time, just weeks ago…that Harry Potter escaped yet again."

Harry nodded

"Ah Sir. Harry Potter is valiant and bold! He has braved many dangers already! But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later…Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts."

"Why?" James asked a little skeptically after a few minutes of silence.

"There is a plot, James Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year. Dobby has known it for months, sir. Harry Potter must not put himself in peril. He is too important, sir!"

"What terrible things? Who's plotting them?"

Dobby made a funny choking noise and then started banging his head against the wall.

"Does this have anything to do with You-Know-Who?" James asked as he stopped the elf by kneeling and taking the elf by the shoulders

"Not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, sir." Dobby said with his eyes wide as if giving him a hint.

"A brother of his?" James asked.

Head shook.

"This has something to do with him BEFORE he took on the title Lord You-Know-What?"

A head nod.

James sighed.

"If only Dad was still around. He'd know."

"What all do you know?" Harry asked.

"Just Dad was a year younger than Vold…You-Know-Who." James said motioning that he was only using the 'YKW' for the elf. "And they hated each other. Worse than me and Snape."

"Maybe McGonagall might know. Or Dumbledore." Harry suggested.

"We'll see." James said. "I didn't want to do this so soon, but…I think I should go back to the manor for clues. Dobby? Why did you come here and not to Dumbledore?"

The elf bowed his head

"There are powers Dumbledore doesn't…powers no decent wizard…"

The elf started banging his head on the desk.

"Harry?" James asked. "Do you WANT to go back to Hogwarts if it was your choice?"

"Of course!" Harry said. "My friends are there."

"Friends who don't even write to Harry Potter?" Dobby asked.

The three Potters turned to the elf.

"And how would you know?" James asked sternly as if he's seen someone talk sternly to an elf before.

"Potters mustn't be angry with Dobby." The elf said shuffling his feet. "Dobby did it for the best…Dobby hoped…if Harry Potter thought his friends had forgotten him…Harry Potter might not want to go back to school, sir…"

Harry tried to lunge, but was stopped by his father.

"Dobby." Lily said. "Hand them over. We'll talk to Harry about your warning and make a decision."

Dobby handed over the letters.

"Thank you." She said. "And thank you for your warning."

CRACK

The elf was gone.

"I think we should have a family meeting." Lily told the two men in her life.

0000

Around the kitchen table.

"Harry," Lily said. "Are you SURE you want to go back?"

"We don't even know what the threat is." James said. "Here's what I propose. Harry will return to school as plan. But be EXTRA careful. Write to us telling EVERYTHING. In the meantime, I will go back to the place where I grew up and see if I can't find anything on Voldemort in my father's school stuff. Harry, you try to get some of the older teachers to tell stories of your grandfather. Best go with McGonagall or Hagrid. Also, ask Neville Longbottom to get some stories from his grandmother. And then when things get really out of hand, you are to come STRAIGHT HOME."

"That sounds good." Lily said.

"Fine." Harry said going through his letters. "My Hogwarts letter!"

"Let's see." Lily said. She scanned the list.

"How in the world?" she asked.

"What?" James asked.

"Seven books written by Lockhart."

"That kid always trying to take credit for the Marauders?" James asked.

"Maybe he took up writing biographies." Lily suggested.

"Or maybe he's taking credit." James said. "Well, Let's go get your school supplies."

"How are we getting there?" Harry asked.

"Floo powder." James answered. "Just got connected last month."

After the intro,

"Diagonalley!" Harry said quickly.

He vanished. The Potter's exchanged nervous glances. He had said it too fast.

0000

When Harry fell out of the fireplace, he knew that he wasn't in the right spot. Suddenly, he heard the door to the shop open. That was when he saw Draco Malfoy and a man who could be none other than Malfoy's father.

"Touch nothing, Draco." Mr. Malfoy said.

"I thought you were going to buy me a present."

"I said I would buy you a racing broom,"

"What's the good of that if I'm not on the House team?" Malfoy complained looking sulky and bad-tempered. "Potter got a Nimbus 2000 last year. Special permission from Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor. He's not even that good, it's just because he's famous….famous because a bunch of people can't tell if someone's dead or not….everyone thinks he's so smart, wonderful Potter with his scar and his broom."

"You have told me this at least a dozen times already." Malfoy said. "And I would remind you that it not…prudent…to appear less than fond of Harry Potter, not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord vanish…ah, Mr. Borgin."

Harry watched as Malfoy Sr. made a transaction as Malfoy Jr. complained about Hermione.

"Come Draco." Malfoy Sr. said.

The two blonds left.

"Good day yourself, Mister Malfoy, and if the stories are true, you haven't sold me half of what's hidden in your manor."

Harry managed to get out of the dark alley by way of Hagrid. He found his parents looking for him while he was telling Hagrid about why he hadn't responded

"Are you okay?" Lily asked frantically. "Thank you for finding him Hagrid."

"I found 'im in Knockturn Alley."

"Knockturn?" James repeated. "Double that thanks and I'm buying you a drink, Hagrid."

"It's good to see yer too." Hagrid said to James. "And as much as I'd like a drink, I've go Flesh-Eatin' Slugs in the cabbages."

James laughed. "Sirius was scared of those. Until we faced a boggart together. I was scared of beheadings. The boggart turned into half a slug."

After the Potters and Hagrid went their separate ways, Harry went to the bookstore.

GILDEROY LOCKHART

Will be signing copies of his autobiography

MAGICAL ME

Today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M

James looked at his watch. It was 2:30.

"Well, let's do this." James said.

They walked in and started looking for the necessary books. Harry saw a man with wavy blond hair and blue eyes wearing robes that matched his eyes. The man was posing for pictures.

"Okay." Lily whispered. "He's obviously hadn't used the spell I gave him to drive away pixies. Just ignore him."

"This if for the Daily Prophet." A photographer moving a redhead aside.

"Ron?" Harry asked trying to get a closer look. He ended up bumping into a redheaded girl who dropped her books.

"I'm so sorry." Harry apologized to the girl as they both got down to the ground and picked up the scattered books. Harry looked at the girl and recognized her.

"Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Hello Harry." She whispered with a blush

"I guess I'll be seeing you at Hogwarts then." Harry said to her seeing the 1st year Transfiguration book.

She nodded.

"W-why haven't you been responding to Ron's letters?" she asked.

"I didn't get them until this morning." Harry said. "I guess Dobby also stopped the letters that were going as well. So? Are you excited about…"

"It can't be.… Harry Potter."

"I'll see you later." Harry said trying to make a run for it but found himself in front of a camera with Lockhart's arm around him.

Harry saw his parents watching them with grins on their faces. He assumed they were either thinking 'better him than us' or 'he just can't blend in even when he tries.' Or maybe they saw him talking with Ginny. James had made it quite clear that Potters went for redheads.

Harry looked around and saw the rest of the Weasleys and Hermione. He mouthed very noticeably, 'get me out of here.'

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Lockhart said. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time! When young Harry stepped into Florurish and Blotts today, hoe only wanted to by my autobiography, which I shall be happy to present to him now, free of charge."

"Thanks." Harry said. "But I only came in here for scho…"

"He has no idea," Lockhart continued ignoring Harry. "That he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

Harry was presented with all of Lockhart's works during the applauded and then he was free to go.

"You lot couldn't set fire to something or scream 'look there's Merlin'?" He questioned his so-called friends as he tipped his books into Ginny's cauldron. "Take them, I can buy my own."

"Ginny was just telling us you didn't get our letters." Hermione said. "What happe…"

"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter?" a familiar voice sneered

Everyone groaned. It was Malfoy.

"Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

"Leave him alone." Ginny said glaring at Malfoy.

"Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!"

"Well, she IS a friend." Harry said. "But I'm still a little young to start dating."

"C'mon children." A new male voice came. "It's getting crowd…ed."

"Well, well, well, Weasley Sr."

"Lucius." Mr. Weasley said

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear." Lucius said "All those raids. I hope they're paying you overtime?"

He then pulled out a battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration.

"Obviously not. Dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than his children.

"We have a VERY different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Lucy." A new voice came

Everyone turned and saw James Potter giving Mr. Malfoy a glare he usually reserved for Snape.

"Indeed." Malfoy said looking over James' shoulder and seeing Lily talking to the Grangers. "Associating with muggles. And I thought your families could sink no lower."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't hex you?" James challenge.

Malfoy slipped the book back into the cauldron. He then turned to Arthur. "I'll see you at work."

"See you at school." Malfoy said to Harry.

The two older men glared at the Malfoys as they left.

"I'm proud of you James."

Everyone turned to see Lily.

"You managed to hold in your temper." She explained.

"Yeah." James said. "Just put up some wards in the garage when we get home. Because I will be letting loose my anger."

0000

September 1st,

Harry and Ron ran for the barrier and,

CRASH

"What in blazin' d'you think you're doing?" a guard asked.

"Lost control of the trolley." Harry said.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

"I don't know." Harry said. "But we're going to miss the train."

Sure enough, it had just turned eleven.

"It's gone." Harry whispered as he leaned on the firm barrier. "How will our parents get out?"

"I don't know." Ron said. "Hey. Maybe we can fly to Hogwarts? In my Dad's car."

"Oh yes." Harry said sarcastically. "And how do you think our MOTHERS will react?"

The look on Ron's face gave away the answer.

Suddenly, there were pops and James, Molly, Arthur, and Lily appeared looking frantic.

"Ron/Harry?" the parents asked.

"The barrier sealed itself." Harry told them.

The adults looked at each other.

"Don't worry." Arthur said. "There are other ways to school."

"I'm a little weary about the floo." Harry said. "What's to keep whatever happened to the barrier from messing with the floo network?"

"And you know we can't apparate onto Hogwarts grounds." Lily added.

Arthur had a look in his eye

"Don't you DARE!" Molly said.

"I think a portkey should do the trick." James said.

"Takes too long." Arthur said.

"Knight bus?" Lily suggested

"That seems to be the best." Molly said.

They went up and James held out his wand. Nothing happened. He tried again, a sign appeared.

KNIGHT BUS TEMPORARLY OUT OF ORDER

"I guess they'll have to be driven." Molly groaned.

"But it'll take twice as long as the train." Lily argued.

"Not in this baby." Arthur said putting his hand on the hood of a teal Ford.

"That thing can go as fast as the train?" James asked.

"Sirius gave me the idea." Arthur hinted.

"You didn't!" James exclaimed. "You of all wizards…"

"As long as it wasn't intentional or in the case of emergencies" Arthur said.

"Sneaky Arthur." James said. "was it done…"

As the men talked, Lily turned to Molly.

"What are they talking about?"

"The car flies." Molly groaned.

"Please tell me you mean that in the figurative sense." Lily begged.

Molly shook her head.

"Literally."

"Wicked!" the kids exclaimed.

0000

The next thing the families knew, they were in an invisible car. They had decided that James would drive the boys while Arthur, Molly, and Lily apparated home and contacted Dumbledore to let them know what was going on.

"Uh oh." James said as he prepared to land.

"What do you MEAN 'uh oh'?" Ron asked

The car started loosing speed and started to wobble.

Then there was a loud clunk, splutter, and the engine died.

"WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!" Harry yelled seeing that they were heading for a large willow.

CRUNCH

"Is everyone okay?" James demanded after the impact settled.

"yeah." Harry said.

"My wand." Ron whimpered.

Ron's wand had snapped in two.

"We'll get you a new one." James promised. "After all, I think I knew what's going on and since this whole mess is probably to prevent Harry from returning, I feel a tad responsi…Uh oh."

"Why did you say 'uh oh' again?" Harry asked

"I know this tree." James whimpered

BANG

"Whoa!"

"Of all the trees," James groaned. "The Whomping Willow!"

THUD

The tree was hitting the car.

"Appropriate name." Ron said.

The car was knocked out of the tree. Then the car started back up

"Reverse!" Harry yelled

The Potter patron put the car in reverse and drove backwards just as the tree leaned forward.

Once they were out of reach, all three breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well done." James told the car.

However, the car's doors and trunk opened spitting everyone and everything out. Then it drove off into the forest.

"Oh no." Ron groaned.

"Don't worry. With Ron's wand, I'll throw in a new car." James said.

"of all the trees!" Ron sighed. "We just HAD to crash into the one that hits back."

"Dad?" Harry asked.

James was looking at the tree with tears threatening to fall.

"Sorry." He apologized. "Memories."

"I don't believe it." Ron said looking in his pocket. "Scabbers is STILL sleeping!"

"Let him sleep." James said not knowing who Scabbers was "Let's get you two inside."

0000

They got inside to see that the sorting was going on.

"Where's Snape?" Harry asked.

"Maybe he's ill." Ron suggested

"Maybe he left." Harry suggested.

"Or maybe he's been sacked!"

"Or maybe he's waiting to hear why you two didn't arrive on the school train."

Everyone turned to behind the boys and saw Severus Snape.

"Dumbledore knows that answer." James said with a glare much like the one he gave Malfoy. "And it's his concern, not yours."

Snape led the trio to his office.

"Stay here." He said.

"Dad. Don't." Harry warned seeing the look in James' eyes as he observed the office.

A few minutes later, Snape arrived with McGonagall and Dumbledore.

"Mrs. Potter and the Weasleys told me that you would be arriving in a different manner." Dumbledore said. "I have the Ministry looking into why the barrier sealed itself early."

"Thank you." James said. "Did Lily tell you about…the visitor?"

"She did." Dumbledore said. "I have the teachers on alert. I would help if we knew WHAT the threat was. Now, would either of you gentlemen care to explain the damages done to the Whomping Willow?"

"Car stalled." James said

"Minerva?" Dumbledore asked. "What would you suggest?"

"It's not the boys' fault." She said. "And there was no news that they had been seen."

"And the flying car?" Snape asked.

"Arthur never intended to fly it and it was an emergency." James defended. "The Knight bus was out of Order, the kids can't apparate, chances were the floo system would be faulty and after last time Harry was in it, I'm not sure I trust him alone with it, and portkeys take too long"

A few minutes later,

"I can't believe we got off." Ron whispered to Harry when they got to the Fat Lady.

"THERE you are!" a familiar female voice said. "Where have you two been? The most ridiculous rumors…someone said you'd been expelled for crashing a flying car.

"Hello Hermione." The boys greeted.

"We're not expelled." Ron said.

"And WE didn't crash." Harry said. "Dad did."

Harry and Ron walked into the common room to receive a hero's welcome

0000

The next morning went downhill. First, Hermione was still miffed about their entrance. Then Lockhart spotted Harry and thought that Harry had been the one to fly and the and that he did it for publicity.

The Mandrake lesson went a little bit better. It was with the Hufflepuffs.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley." The Hufflepuff who was put in the same group as the trio said. "I know who you are. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley."

"Nice to meet you." Harry said.

"That Lockhart's something, isn't he?" Just said. Awfully brave chap. Have you read his books? I'd have died of fear if I'd been cornered in a telephone booth by a werewolf, but he stayed cool and – zap – just fantastic"

Harry didn't quite like the idea of cursing a werewolf. His father had planted in his head that werewolves were only people with a furry little problem. It's not their fault they're what they are.

"My name was down for Eton, you know. I can't tell you how glad I am I came here instead. Of course, Mother was slightly disappointed, but since I made her read Lockhart's books I think she's begun to see how useful it'll be to have a fully trained wizard in the family."

"Eton?" Hermione asked. "I was almost sent there. On scholarship."

At lunch, Harry was eating when he saw a first year clutching a Muggle camera.

"All right, Harry." the first year with mousy-brown hair asked. "I'm…I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you think…would it be all right if…can I have a picture?"

"A picture?" Harry repeated.

"So I can prove I've met you. I know all about you. Everyone's told me about how You-Know-Who tried to kill you and how he disappeared and everything. And that everyone believed that you've been dead until you got here. And a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion, the pictures'll move. It's amazing here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Hogwarts. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So I'm taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be really good if I had one of you…"

Colin would have gone on but Harry stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe some other time Colin." Harry said. "But not right now, I've got to get ready for class. Maybe tonight."

"Okay." Colin said beaming and left.

"I don't get it." Harry said. "If I'm so famous…then why aren't my parents famous."

"They are." Ron said. "Just, from the tests done…hold on, I just realized something."

"What?" Hermione asked.

"The bodies" Ron said.

"Dad was a master at Transfiguration." Harry said. "You were saying?"

"The test showed that you were the last person cursed in that house." Ron said. "So, automatic assumption was that something happened when you were it, and it backfired. But the effort killed you."

"But why was I given the scar and not my parents?" Harry asked. "I took the same potion they did."

"Maybe it has something to do with your mother's sacrifice." Hermione suggested.

In DADA,

"Me." Lockhart said. "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and 5 time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award – but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her. I see you've all bought a complete set of my books – well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about – just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in."

He handed out the tests.

"You have thirty minutes. Begin."

Harry looked at his paper. His mouth dropped.

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?

2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

3. What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?

Harry looked down the list of questions until he got to the last one.

54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?

Harry couldn't believe it. All 54 questions were about the teacher. And Lily and Snape called James arrogant. So, Harry just B.S-ed his way. He took a look at Lockhart

1. Blue

2. Rid the world of evil

3. Become a teacher.

Harry wrote down random answers

54.

Harry paused. He recalled that his parents said that Lockhart was a year younger than them.

April 7, 1961. Fire whiskey

"Times up." Lockhart said.

A few minutes later,

"Tut, tut. Hardly any of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti. And I clearly stated in Chapter 12 of Wanderings with Werewolves that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples… though Mr. Potter was correct in assuming the bottle of Fire Whiskey which is my second choice. And he did get the year right on my birthday."

Harry was taken aback by the firewhiskey answer. He had only guessed.

"And he and Miss. Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil. Though only Miss. Granger remembered that the other half is to market my own range of hair-care products."

"You actually READ the books?" Ron whispered.

"Hell no…not all the way through after the Werewolf book which I read first." Harry whispered back. "I only guessed."

"Now, to business." Lockhart said

He lifted up a large covered cage.

"Be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm."

He put his hand on the cover.

"I must ask you not to scream," he continued in a low voice. "It might…provoke them!"

He removed the covers.

"Cornish pixies?" Seamus Finnigan asked

"Right then." Lockhart said. "Let's see what you make of them!"

Then he did the stupidest thing. He let all 130 pixies loose thus creating pandemonium.

"Peskipiksi Petsternomi!" he said

The pixies seized the wand and threw it out the window. Harry wondered if that was the spell his mother mentioned back at the bookstore.

"Well," he said to the remaining four (Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville who was hanging on the chandelier) "I'll ask you to just nip the rest of them back in their cage."

He then ran into his safe office

"We'll handle it." Harry said to Ron who was eyeing his broken wand. "Hermione?"

"IMMOBULUS!" they chorused.

"Why is it always me?" Neville asked from above

0000

The next day,

Dear Harry,

Your mother can't stop laughing. That was the spell she gave him. It's actually just saying 'Pesky Pixie Pester No Me' I can't believe that git fell for it.

On the threat front, I've discovered that your grandfather's rival was a boy named Tom Riddle. He was a year older than your grandfather and Head Boy during his time. Your grandfather also witnessed him blaming Hagrid for a series of attacks due to the opening of a room called the Chamber of Secrets. However, your grandfather didn't think it was Hagrid. In fact, your grandfather is the reason why Hagrid's gamekeeper. He managed to convince the Headmaster at the time, Professor Dippet, to put him on as gamekeeper.

Not much is known about the Chamber. See what you can find. I see what I can

Love,

Dad.

Harry folded up his the letter and pocketed it before walking off to Quidditch practice.

Harry sighed while on his broomstick. Colin was taking pictures and annoying the heck out of the team

"Why is that first year taking pictures?" Wood asked. "I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program."

"He's in Gryffindor." Harry confirmed.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver." Fred said.

"Because they're here in person." George said pointing.

"I don't believe this." Wood said. "I book the field for today."

He then walked up to the Slytherin team. By the time Harry got off his broom and joined the furious captain, Wood was saying,

"You've got a new Seeker? Where?"

Draco Malfoy stepped forth.

"Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?" Fred asked.

"Funny you should mention Draco's father." Flint said. "Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team."

They held out seven brand new Nimbus 2001's.

"Oh look, a field invasion." Flint said.

Ron and Hermione were coming up to see what was happening

After Draco bragged about his broom,

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to BUY their way in." Hermione said sharply. "They got in on pure talent."

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood."

An uproar occurred at the last word. Harry had no clue what was going on. He just knew that Ron was hit by his own curse.

"RON!" Harry and Hermione yelled.

Ron looked as if he was going to be sick. He open his mouth and a large slug came out.

"C'mon." Harry said. "Let's get you to Hagrid's. It's closest."

On the way, something clicked. His father always spoke of a word Lily had been called, but never dared say it. Harry had a feeling that 'mudblood' had been the word.

A few minutes later,

"Better out than in." Hagrid said once the situation had been explained. "Get 'em all up, Ron."

"Hagrid?" Harry asked. "Do you have a quill and parchment? I promised my parents new on if anything happens."

"Sure!" Hagrid said. "Now, who was Ron tryin' to curse."

"Malfoy called me something…it must've been really bad, because everyone went wild."

"Malfoy called her 'Mudblood'" Ron said before puking up more slugs as Harry wrote.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Well, you asked for news if anything happened.

We were at Quidditch practice today. Wood had the field booked. However, the Slytherins came with an injunction from Snape so they can train their new Seeker: Malfoy. He got on the team by buying the entire team Nimbus 2001s. Hermione made a comment about how Gryffindors got on the team out of talent. Malfoy said that no one asked for her opinion and then called her a name causing Ron to attempt to curse him, but only cursing himself. Now he's puking slugs.

I think I now know the word Mum was called in school. It was 'Mudblood' wasn't it? Ron's explaining what it means.

His thoughts were interrupted with a "Harry. Gotta bone ter pick with yeh. I've heard you've bin givin' out signed photos. How come I haven't got on?"

"I'm not giving out signed photos!" Harry said hotly before turning back to his letter.

Lockhart's also saying I'm giving out signed photos. Only thing I'm signing will be a petition to get Lockhart and/or Snape sacked.

"I'm on'y jokin'" Hagrid said with a laugh. "I knew yeh hadn't really."

"Hagrid?" Harry asked. "What can you tell me of my grandfather?"

"Charles?" Hagrid asked before racking his brain and smiling fondly at the memories. "He was three years older than me. But a good friend. He started goin' out with yeh grandmother his seventh year. She was Professor McGonagall's best friend. Charles knew I didn't…he knew I was innocent of the reason I was expelled."

"Why WERE you expelled?" Ron asked.

"I don't like ter talk about it." Hagrid said.

"Who was his rival?" Harry asked.

"Tom Riddle." Hagrid answer. "Yer grandfather thought he was the culprit, but couldn' find the proof. Between Charles and Dumbledore, I got on as gamekeeper."

0000

That night, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking to the dorm after dinner. Harry stopped at the sound of a voice

"come…come to me…Let me rip you…let me tear you…Let me kill you…"

"Harry?"

His friends were looking at him.

"Did you hear something?" Harry asked.

They shook their heads worriedly.

"Must've just been my conscious." Harry said. "Potions essay."

Halloween came and the Gryffindors were walking back to the tower.

"…rip…tear…kill"

Harry stopped and listened. He heard movement.

"Harry?" Ron asked

"Shh." Harry said. "Do you guys hear…movement?"

Silence from all Gryffindors

"Yeah." Fred and George said. "There's movement in the walls".

"soo hungry…for so long."

Harry ran after the voice. The others followed.

"…kill…time to kill…I smell blood…I SMELL BLOOD!"

When they got to the destination, Harry stopped causing a few Gryffindors to bump into the others and some tripping. There was writing on the wall. In blood

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.

ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE

"Someone go get a professor, NOW!" Harry said.

Percy ran to go get the nearest professor as everyone gapped at the petrified Mrs. Norris.

A few seconds later, McGonagall appeared with Percy. She read the writing.

"Everyone. Get to your dormitories immediately." She said.

At breakfast three days later,

Hedwig came swooping in. Harry grabbed the letter and tore it open

Dear Harry,

I had to fight your mother. She wanted you home immediately after the last letter, but I told her to wait.

This isn't good. Your grandfather was at school when it opened fifty years ago. Last time, a muggleborn died. She had been an acquaintance of your grandmother. Her name was Myrtle. She haunts the girls bathroom now (don't ask). In fact, your grandfather suspected it was Tom Riddle who opened the Chamber last time.

As for those voices, I'm not certain, so don't quote me on this, but I think that when Voldemort attacked, he might have slipped some of his powers to you. You MAY be a parselmouth. Don't tell ANYBODY unless you feel absolute trust. Try not to get near any snakes (and I mean the real ones, not Slytherins). If I'm right about you being a parselmouth, then now will NOT be a good time to reveal it. You would probably be deemed "Heir of Slytherin"

The Chamber of Secrets was built around the same time Hogwarts was. As you know, the school was founded by two wizards and two witches: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw got along well, but Slytherin thought that only 'pureblood' should be admitted in. After a fight with his fellow founders, Slytherin left, but vowed that the school will be purged of those 'unworthy' to study magic. The legend goes that Slytherin put some sort of monster in the Chamber. A monster that only he and his heirs could control. I'm not sure, but I personally think it's a basilisk. That's why your mother doesn't want you to stay. If a basilisk is loose, then Hogwarts is no longer safe. Especially for the muggleborns.

Harry. Be EXTREMELY careful. Keep your ears open before rounding any corners, and above all, do NOT go looking for the basilisk.

Love,

Dad

P.S. Please don't ever write the M-word again

Harry showed the letter to his friends.

"Now what?" Hermione asked as Ron's eyes bulged at the third paragraph.

"I think we should find out what's going on." Harry said. "Because from what we've gotten from the elf, this has something to do with Voldemort before he went all mass murderer."

"Maybe Malfoy might know something." Hermione said. "After all, once word got out, he said 'you'll be next,'…you know"

"But how can we be sure?" Harry asked.

"Maybe we can interrogate him." Hermione suggested.

"Oh yeah." Ron said snapping out of his stupor. "I can see it now, 'What do you know of the Chamber of Secrets?' 'That's none of your business'"

"But what if we were someone else?" Hermione whispered. "There's a potion…it's difficult to make, but I think we can do it."

"I'm game." Harry said. "Dad told me not to go looking for the basilisk….whatever that is."

"It's a giant poisonous snake." Hermione said. "It can kill with only one glance."

"And Dad thinks I want to go LOOKING for it?" Harry asked before going to defense where they would get the signature to get the book. After all, Lockhart would sign anything.

0000

The next night,

Harry did NOT have a good day. He was now laying in the hospital wing with his arm in a sling. He managed to win the Quidditch game, but at the price of a busted right arm no thanks to a bludger that kept chasing him. THEN Lockhart decided to try his hand at healing thus removing every bone in Harry's arm. Then Harry had to drink a terrible potion called Skele-Gro. NOW, he had someone sponging his forehead in the dark in the middle of the night.

"Dobby?!" he exclaimed when he noticed it was the elf.

"Harry Potter came back to school." The elf whispered miserably. "Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter. Ah sir, why didn't you heed Dobby? Why didn't Harry Potter go back home when he missed the train and couldn't get on the bus?"

"And you would know this how? And what are you doing here?"

Dobby's lip trembled.

"I knew it." Harry said slowly. "it was you. You stopped the barrier. You disabled the Knight bus."

"Indeed yes sir. Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and sealed the gateway. Dobby had to iron his hands afterwards. But Dobby didn't care, sir, for he thought Harry Potter was safe and never did Dobby dream that Harry Potter would get to school another way! Dobby was so shocked when he heard Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts, he let his master's dinner burn! Such a flogging Dobby never had, sir."

"If it wasn't for my dad, Ron and I could've been expelled." Harry said fiercely. "You'd better get lost before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you."

"Dobby is use to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home."

The elf then blew his one on a corner of the pillowcase he was wearing.

"Why do you wear that thing?" Harry asked curiously as the anger ebbed away.

"This sir?" Dobby asked plucking at the garment. "'Tis a mark of the house-elf's enslavement, sir. Not all elves have nice curtain-made uniforms like Dobby's sister's family. Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him with clothes, sir. The family is careful not to pass Dobby even a sock, sir, for then he would be free to leave their house forever. Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make…"

"YOUR Bludger?" Harry interrupted with his anger rising again. "What d'you mean, your bludger? You made that Bludger try and kill me?"

"Not kill you, sir, never kill you!" Dobby said shocked. "Dobby wants to save Harry Potter's life! Better sent home, grievously injured, than remain here sir! Dobby only wanted Harry Potter hurt enough to be sent home!"

"Is that all?" Harry asked sarcastically. "I don't suppose…"

Their conversation was interrupted by noises.

"Get out of here." Harry whispered.

Dobby was gone and Harry faked sleep.

"Get Madame Pomfrey." Dumbledore's voice said.

"What happened?" the nurse asked

"Another attack. Minerva found him on the stairs." Dumbledore informed her

"We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit Potter." McGonagall's voice came

Harry felt nauseous

"Petrified?" Pomfrey asked.

"Yes." McGonagall confirmed. "but I shudder to think…If Albus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate…who knows what might have…You don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?"

Picture? Colin!

There was a hiss and a "Good gracious." Provided by the nurse.

Harry caught the smell of burnt plastic.

"Melted…all melted." Pomfrey whispered.

"What does this mean, Albus?" McGonagall said.

"It means that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again."

"But…who?" McGonagall asked.

"It's not a question of 'who'" Dumbledore said. "It's a question of 'how.' Charles had been correct in his assumption about who had opened the Chamber before. I had done some background check and found that the family traces to Salazar Slytherin."

000

The month passed and Harry was on the alert. He had written to his father telling him about what Dumbledore and Dobby had confirmed. James had informed Harry that the Potter elf was the sister Dobby had talked about and she confirmed that Dobby's family was the Malfoy's. That just got Harry even more suspicious and he couldn't wait to interrogate Malfoy. He did not inform his parents about the polyjuice.

Now, Harry was at the dueling club watching his two least favorite teachers face off. Snape defeated Lockhart with one spell: Expelliarmus.

"Now, let's have a volunteer pair." Lockhart said. "Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley…"

"A bad idea, Professor Lockhart" Snape said. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells…How about Malfoy and Potter."

"Excellent idea." Lockhart said earning a groan from Harry. When the boys got onto the platform, Lockhart said to Harry, "Now, Harry, when Draco points his wand at you, you do this."

He ended up dropping his wand.

"Whoops…my wand is a little overexcited."

Snape then whispered something into Malfoy's ear. Malfoy smirked.

"Could you show me that blocking thing again?" Harry asked his unwanted mentor.

"Scared?" Malfoy asked.

"You wish."

"Just do what I did." Lockhart said.

"Drop my wand?" Harry questioned

"Go!" Lockhart said.

"Serpensortia!" Malfoy yelled.

A snake came from his wand.

Harry paled as he recalled his father's warning.

Try not to get near any snakes (and I mean the real ones, not Slytherins). If I'm right about you being a parselmouth, then now will NOT be a good time to reveal it.

The snake slithered up to Justin. Harry made eye contact with his friends and they nodded.

Harry didn't trust himself to speak. So, he concentrated on the stunning spell James taught him and shot it at the snake and then Malfoy without saying a word as Ron and Hermione pulled Justin away from the snake.

"Well done Harry." Lockhart said.

Harry forced himself to look sick.

"What's wrong Potter?" Malfoy asked smugly

"He…he saw a kid from primary school get bitten by snake." Hermione lied. "C'mon Harry."

Once they were away from all the murmurs about Harry being able to do nonverbal,

"I didn't trust myself to speak." Harry explained. "With the snake in the room…I didn't want to risk it."

"We know." Ron said. "It's not your fault. Just with how fast rumors spread…"

The next day during the cancelled Herbology lesson,

"All righ', Harry?" Hagrid asked when he saw the boy in question

"I've been better." Harry said. "What're you doing here?"

Hagrid held up a limp rooster.

"Second one killed this term." Hagrid said.

"Looks as if it was strangled." Harry observed. "I've got to get to the library. Letter to Mum and Dad to write."

"See yer." Hagrid said.

Harry turned a corner and saw Nick. However, he didn't look right. He was black, smoky, and floating immobile and horizontal half a foot off the floor with his head half off.

Next to Nick was Justin.

"Oh no." Harry gasped as he looked around for a professor. He heard footsteps.

"HELP!" he called.

The footsteps quicken and McGonagall appeared around the corner.

"What's…" she asked but stopped when she saw what Harry was pointing at.

"Come with me Potter." She said

She led him to a gargoyle.

"Lemon Drop." She said. "It's going to be okay, Mr. Potter. This is just out of my hands."

She motioned for Harry to enter the passage. He obeyed and walked forward until he got to a huge oak door with a Griffin shaped brass knocker. He knocked. When nobody answered, he entered and waited. Looking around, he saw a huge desk, hundred of silver instruments, portraits of past headmasters and mistresses, the Sorting Hat…

"Bee in your bonnet, Harry Potter? I see you've been wondering whether I put you in the right House. Yes…you were particularly difficult to place. But I stand by what I said before. You would have done well in Slytherin."

"You're wrong." Harry said. "And that's only because Voldemort might have put some of his powers in me by accident."

Harry then turned and saw a decrepit-looking bird that looked like a half-plucked turkey. It looked extremely ill. However, Harry couldn't help but to smile fondly at the bird. There was something…familiar about it. He slowly walked up to the bird and gently stroked the dull feathers.

For a brief second, Harry saw the image of a beautiful scarlet bird perched on the shoulder of an elderly man who was talking to James and Lily. The parents had concerned looks on their faces, but the dominate image was the bird.

Harry knew this bird. The name was on the tip of his tongue.

Suddenly, the bird started smoking. Harry took a step back and the bird caught fire.

Just then, the office door opened and Dumbledore stepped in.

"There was nothing I could do." Harry defended himself.

"I know Harry." Dumbledore said. "They've been taken to the Hospital Wing. You did good to call for help."

Harry was confused but then remembered WHY he was there in the first place. Suddenly there was movement in the basin under the perch.

"It's about time." Dumbledore said to the baby bird before turning to Harry. "it's a shame you had to see him on a Burning Day. He's really very handsome most of the time."

"Red and gold plumage?" Harry asked trying to recall that memory.

"Indeed." Dumbledore confirmed. "I see you remember him."

"Just barely." Harry told him. "His name is on the tip of my tongue."

"It'll come back to you." Dumbledore said. "Now, is there anything you'd like to tell me?"

"I…don't think…"

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir" Hagrid said bursting in the room. "It wasn' Harry, I swear. I was talkin' ter him seconds before that kid was found, he never had time, sir."

"Hagrid." Dumbledore said calmly.

"It can't've bin him, I'll swear it in front o' the Ministry of Magic if I have to…"

"Hagrid." Dumbledore tried again.

"yeh've got the wrong boy, sir, I know Harry never…"

"Hagrid! I do not think Harry attacked those people."

"Oh." Hagrid said. "Right. I'll wait outside then."

He left.

Harry had to laugh.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked. "In your opinion, who do you think is responsible since rumors have it, it's you?"

"I'm not sure yet sir." Harry said. He wanted to say Malfoy, but didn't want to tell how he was going to get the proof.

"Harry. Your father told me the plan. Do you feel prudent that you should go home?"

"Not yet sir." Harry said. "I'll admit I'm a little scared, but I can't leave. Hermione's muggleborn."

"Very well." Dumbledore said. "Let me know when you want to go home."

"Yes sir." Harry said.

0000

There was a stampede of people signing up to book seats on the Express for Christmas after news of the double attack came out.

Harry was glad everyone was going. He was tired of all the teasing JUST because he had been at the scene.

He was walking past a bunch of fifth years who were hissing like snakes at him.

"Grow up!" He told them. "You're acting like five year olds."

That shut them up.

"It's like they WANT me to go home." Harry said sitting between Ginny and George.

George tried to ward him off jokingly with a garlic bulb. Harry responded by pushing to bulb into the Weasley's mouth. The twin took a bite, chewed, swallowed and then breathed on Harry making him gag and Ginny giggle

"What's so funny?" Ron asked sitting between Harry and George.

"H-Hi Rh-Ron" George said making sure Ron could smell his breath.

"Ugh!" Ron groaned. "Hermione! Help! Conjure a breath mint!...Or twenty!"

"Sorry Ron." Hermione said sitting on the other side of Ginny. "Food is one of the things wizards can't conjure."

Christmas Day Night

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…the place where they had been secretly brewing the potion. They had already gotten their hairs via a sleeping draught and a levitation spell.

"Cheers." Hermione said after the potion was poured and the hairs were added.

They downed it.

CRASH

CRASH

CRASH

Ron and Hermione ran to the stalls and Harry doubled over in pain feeling his body morph. He climbed up onto the sink and found himself looking at the face of Gregory Goyle.

There was movement behind him. He turned and saw Vincent Crabbe come out of a stall.

"Ron?" Harry asked with Goyle's voice

"Harry?" Crabbe asked. "Bloody hell."

"Hermione?" Harry asked to the stall she had entered

"Go on without me." Her voice came "You're wasting time."

The boys shrugged vowing to find out what's wrong after their hour was up

The two boys wondered the halls until they found a girl with long, curly hair.

"Excuse me." Ron said. "We've forgotten the way to our common room."

"Our common room?" she repeated stiffly. "I'M a Ravenclaw."

"Women." Ron swore.

The two wondered the halls for 15 minutes until,

"What are YOU doing down here?" Ron asked Percy

"That is none of your business. It's Crabbe, isn't it?"

"Huh? Oh…Yeah."

"Well, get off to your dormitories." Percy said. "It's not safe to go wandering around dark corridors these days."

"You are." Ron pointed out.

"I am a prefect."

"There you are." Malfoy said. "Have you two been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time?"

After a bit of a debate with Percy, Malfoy led the two fakes right to his common room. During the rest of the hour, Malfoy managed to tell them that his father had been secretive about the last time the chamber was open, he didn't know who, a muggleborn had died, and that he personally hoped it would be Hermione this time. He also gave Ron a little tip about where the Ministry should look in his house if they wanted to find anything valuable

They finally had to leave due to the fact their hour was almost over and they were starting to change back.

"Not much." Harry said. "But we know that Malfoy isn't involved."

"But his father still might be." Ron said. "I can't WAIT to tell Dad about their secret chamber."

"Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Go away!" she said.

"Ooooh, wait till you see," Moaning Myrtle said. "It's awful."

"it was cat hair." Hermione cried.

Harry opened the door to the stall and saw Hermione. Her face was covered in black fur, eyes yellow, and long, pointed ears poking through her hair

"Look at my face." She moaned.

"Look at your tail." Ron said with a grin.

"Ron." Harry warned.

0000

A few months later,

Harry was NOT in a good mood. Dumbledore had been evicted. Hagrid was sent to Azkaban, whatever that was. Hermione had been attacked. And he and Ron were nearly eaten alive by Aragog, Hagrid's pet acramantula which had been believed to be the Chamber monster.

"Hey." Harry said when he saw Ginny at the dinner table.

She quickly slammed the book she was writing in.

"It's okay." Harry said. "I know diaries are private. I kept one myself when I was younger. Mum said it's a great stress reliever."

"Though by the looks of things," Ron added. "it looks like a stress causer in your case."

"I'm fine." Ginny said.

Harry caught sight of the writing on the cover.

TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE

What was Ginny doing with Voldemort's diary?

"Ginny?" Harry asked. "Can we talk? You know. Best friend to sister?"

"Is this about me?" Ron asked.

"Maybe." Harry said. "Now shoo, or you'll spoil the surprise I have for your birthday."

Ron left.

"His birthday was three months ago." Ginny said.

"Is there ANYTHING you want to tell me?" Harry asked. "But not your brothers. I'm very good with keeping secrets."

She looked around and pulled him out of the hall into an empty classroom.

"I'm scared Harry!" she exclaimed. "Something's wrong. I keep going into these trances to find myself either covered in blood or an attack had just happened!"

"It's going to be okay Ginny." Harry said. "I think you should read this"

Harry pulled out a sheet of parchment and showed it to Ginny. It was his father's latest discovery

Dear Harry,

PROOF!

If you rearrange the letters in your grandfather's rival's full name: Tom Marvolo Riddle, you get: I am Lord Voldemort. That git might me an evil, mass murdering maniac, but he wasn't top of his class for nothing

Another thing I discovered are horcruxes. I think that's how he's still alive. He put a part of his soul in different items. Your grandfather saw Riddle writing in a journal once. It might be a horcrux. If we can find it, it MUST be destroyed.

I contacted Dumbledore a while back and he confirmed my suspicions and well as your grandfather's about Riddle being the heir of Slytherin. Only he has the power to open the Chamber of Secrets. But since Voldemort's weak, he's probably using his diary or something to control someone. See if you can't find out who

Love,

Dad

"Tom betrayed me." She whispered.

"I'm sorry." Harry apologized.

"What now?" she asked.

"Do you know if the basilisk is out?" he asked. He was 99.9% certain that was the monster.

She shrugged.

"Why?"

"This happened 50 years ago." Harry said "We need to seal the chamber. Once and for all."

"How?" she asked.

"I don't know." Harry said.

0000

The next night,

Harry was beyond horrified. But not as horrified as Ron.

HER SKELETON WILL LIE IN THE CHAMBER FOREVER

"he found out." Harry whispered.

"Who found out?" Ron asked.

"Long story." Harry said getting the professors and telling them what he had seen.

"The students will have to leave." McGonagall said.

"So sorry." Lockhart said upon entering the staff meeting that had been interrupted by the two boys. "Dozed off. What did I miss?"

"Ginny Weasley had been taken by the monster." McGonagall informed.

"Which is a basilisk." Harry chimed in earning shocked glances. "What? It's a snake. Salazar Slytherin was a parslemouth. Roosters have been getting killed. Spiders are scurrying for their lives. It makes perfect sense."

Flitwick nodded in agreement wondering why the boy wasn't in his house.

"Didn't you say that you knew where the chamber is?" Snape asked Lockhart. "Perhaps it is time to put your heroics to actions"

"Well…I…" Lockhart stammered.

"I knew it." Snape said. "You have no clue."

"It's in Myrtle's bathroom." Harry said.

"And how do you know that?" McGonagall asked after a few moments of silence.

"Well, last time a muggleborn died and had been found in the bathroom. So, I figured, what if she never left the bathroom?"

"But…there's no way to get in." Lockhart said.

"Can I?" Ron asked Harry.

His friend nodded.

"Harry's dad believes that You-Know-Who accidentally put some of his powers in Harry." Ron explained. "Including Parceltongue."

"Is this true?" McGonagall asked.

"Well," Harry said. "A boa constrictor DID tell me that it had never seen Brazil when I was eight. At the time, Dad told me I had only been daydreaming."

0000

"James is going to kill me." McGonagall said as the teachers and the kids stood at the sinks of Myrtle's bathroom.

"I'll just say that I went against orders to save my friend's sister." Harry said. "Myrtle!"

"What?" the girl demanded as she appeared.

Harry saw out of the corner of his eye McGonagall bite her lower lip and tears formed.

"Oh." Myrtle said with a flirtatious giggle. "Hello Harry. What do you want this time?"

"This time?" McGonagall asked.

"To ask you…how you died." Harry said ignoring his teacher.

"Oooh, it was dreadful. It happened right here in this very stall. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. The door was locked, and I was crying, and then I heard somebody come in. They said something funny. A different language. Anyways, what really got me that it was a boy speaking. So I unlocked the door, to tell him to go away and then…I died."

"How Myrtle?" McGonagall asked.

"No idea Min." she said "I just remember seeing a pair of great, big, yellow eyes right there by that sink."

She pointed to a sink decorated with snakes.

Harry went over and examined the tap.

"It's never worked." Myrtle said.

"Try saying something in Parseltongue." Ron told Harry

"Open up." He said.

"English." Snape said.

"Open up" Harry tried again.

The sink moved to leave a huge pipe exposed.

"The Chamber of Secrets!" Flitwick squeaked.

"Who all's going?" Lockhart asked.

"Me." Ron said. "My baby sister is down there."

"Me." Harry said. "I'm the only parselmouth."

"And you." The teachers told Lockhart while all pointing their wands at him.

"Expelliarmus." Snape said seeing Lockhart go for his own wand.

The wand flew from Lockhart's hand into Snape's and the Defense Teacher fell in.

"It's quite filthy down here!" Lockhart's voice came.

"I'll take his wand back down." Harry said. "He may need it."

"Be careful Potter." McGonagall said. "If you're ANYTHING like your grandfather and father, then nothing can change your mind about this."

"Got that right." Harry said as Ron jumped in. "If we're not out in…2 hours, send word to my parents. Otherwise, they know nothing."

He jumped in

"So?" Flitwick asked the ghost. "Known Mr. Potter long?"

000

Harry slid down the pipe and saw Ron standing starring at Lockhart. Lockhart held the wand that was held with Spellotape.

"Nice of you to join us." Lockhart said. "I was just explaining to Mr. Weasley that I'm rather gifted with memory charms."

"I had a feeling." Harry said. "I started the suspicion when you used that fake spell Mum taught you."

"Obliviate!" Lockhart said pointing his wand at Harry.

Instead, the wand backfired causing a cave-in. Harry ran toward deeper into the Chamber. When everything settled,

"RON! ARE YOU OKAY? RON!"

"I'M HERE!" Ron's voice came. "I'M OKAY! THE GIT'S NOT, THOUGH – HE GOT BLASTED BY THE WAND! WHAT NOW?"

"TRY TO CLEAR A HOLE!" Harry called "I'LL GO FIND GINNY!"

With that, Harry left the pile of rocks. He walked until he got to a solid wall with two entwined serpents

"Open" Harry hissed.

The serpents moved and the door opened to reveal a rather large chamber. He saw a figure with flaming red hair and black robes laying on the ground.

"GINNY!" Harry exclaimed as he ran to her. "Oh no…no…this is all my fault… I should have…wake up!"

"She won't wake." A soft voice came.

Harry turned and saw a tall, black-haired boy leaning on a pillar.

"Tom Riddle?" Harry inquired.

"And your must be the famous Harry Potter." Tom said "Finally. We meet."

"We've already met." Harry said. "I know who you are…Voldemort."

"You and your father." Tom laughed. "Meddlers. Just like Charles. But yes. I am Lord Voldemort. You honestly didn't think that I would keep the name of a foul, common Muggle, who abandoned me even before I was born, just because he found out his wife was a witch? No. I fashioned a new name. A name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world."

"You're wrong." Harry said. "Albus Dumbledore is the greatest."

"Albus Dumbledore has been driven out of this castle by the mere MEMORY of me!"

"He's not gone!" Harry argued remembering something Dumbledore had told him as he watched the Headmaster be escorted out while under the cloak. "Not as long as there are people who are loyal!"

Suddenly, there was music. Both boys looked up and saw a bright red and gold bird come swooping down.

"That's a phoenix." Riddle said as the bird dropped it's parcel at Harry's feet and landed on the boy's shoulder.

"Fawkes?" Harry whispered as he remembered the name of the bird that had captivated him as a baby.

"And that…that's the old school Sorting Hat!" Riddle added before laughing. "This is what Dumbledore sends his defender! A songbird and an old hat! To business. Twice in your past, in my future, we've met. And twice I've failed to kill you. How did you survive? Tell me everything. The longer you talk, the longer you stay alive."

Harry thought. SHOULD he tell?

"That is none of your business." Harry said.

Riddle scowled and turned to the stone face of his ancestor

"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four."

The mouth moved to reveal a hole. Harry closed his eyes and turned. Fawkes flew off of him.

'Kill him'

Harry sensed the basilisk moving towards him and heard Voldemort laughing as Harry ran

Harry tripped. He then hear a loud explosive spitting sound above him. Harry looked up at the shadow on the wall and saw the shadow of a large snake fight the shadow of Fawkes.

"NO! LEAVE THE BIRD! LEAVE THE BIRD! THE BOY IS BEHIND YOU! YOU CAN STILL SMELL HIM! KILL HIM!"

Seeing that it was probably safe to look now, Harry turned and gapped at the large, bright, poisonous green, thick serpent

Harry then reached for the hat and put it on his head.

"A little advice would be nice about now." Harry thought.

A few seconds later, he saw stars as something hard hit his head. He took off the hat and reached in and pulled out a sword.

"I've heard of pulling rabbits out of hats, but this is ridiculous." Harry muttered before getting up and turning to the snake feeling a new wave of either bravery or stupidity.

Harry ran to the wall and climbed the statue to get a closer shot at the snake. He was unaware of the fact that McGonagall, Flitwick, and Ron had climbed down into the chamber to see what was going on. The others had gone to help with the potion.

The snake lunged blindly and Harry raised the sword.

He felt the sword drive into the roof of the serpent's mouth just as a fang drove into his right arm. The Basilisk fell dead leaving the fang in Harry's arm.

Harry climbed down feeling weaker by the moment after pulling out the fang. He held the sword in his injured arm and the fang in his left arm.

"So ends the famous Harry Potter." Riddle said smugly also unaware of the visitors as Harry collapsed next to Ginny and dropping the fang and sword.

Harry suddenly caught eye of the diary and remembered his father's latest letter.

Your grandfather saw Riddle writing in a journal once. It might be a horcrux. If we can find it, it MUST be destroyed.

With what little strength he had, he opened the diary.

"What are you doing?" Riddle asked.

"Never…again…" Harry panted as he grabbed the fang. "Will you…possess…another."

He then rose the fang.

"NO!" Riddle yelled.

Too late. Harry dove the fang into the diary and ink spurted out. Riddle gasped in pain. Harry did it again. Riddle screamed. Then Harry closed the book and dove it into the cover. Riddle screamed bloody murder and exploded.

Just as soon as Riddle vanished, Ginny opened her eyes.

"Harry?" She asked sitting up. "Harry! You're hurt!"

"Ginny." He gasped before collapsing in her arms.

"HARRY!" she screamed getting all the viewers out of their daze and ran to him.

"Harry?" Ron asked as he joined them.

Harry wasn't breathing

Fawkes suddenly flew down and examined the boy.

"Fawkes!" McGonagall said. "Your tears!"

Fawkes waited a few more minutes before crying onto Harry's wounds.

"It's too late." Flitwick said sadly.

"No." Ginny cried. "This is all my fault. I should have gone for help sooner."

She held Harry's body.

"Yes. You should have." McGonagall said as she gently brushed some of Harry's bangs from his face. "but a few good things came of this."

"What?" Ron demanded as tears coursed down his face.

"Lockhart had been unmasked." She said before turning to the remains of the serpent. "And the monster of the Chamber has been destroyed. Never again to harm another student. But at a terrible price."

Suddenly, there was a gasp from Ginny's lap and a cough.

"Harry?" the two Weasleys asked.

Harry sat up and held his head.

"Anyone got any Tylenol?" he asked.

Nobody cared about the fact they had no clue what he was talking about. Harry was alive and that was what mattered.

Harry found himself in a group hug with his friends and the professors were beaming.

"Don't scare us like that." McGonagall said to the Phoenix. "And that goes double for you Mr. Potter."

The Weasleys released the boy.

"Think there's a chance you won't tell anyone?" Harry asked. "Namely, Mum and Dad?"

"How about we just tell them that you were injured, but Fawkes managed to help?" Flitwick compromised.

"Deal." Harry said.

0000

Fawkes flew the group out of the Chamber up to the school where James, Lily, and Dumbledore were comforting Molly and Arthur.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in." Dumbledore said.

McGonagall opened the door, saw James and said two word: "Your son"

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

McGonagall stepped aside to reveal the three kids covered in slime, water, and in Harry's case, blood.

"GINNY!" Molly exclaimed running to hug her only daughter.

"What happened?" Lily asked her son referring to the blood

"Ginny was taken down so…" Harry said with a shrug.

"You went in after her though I told you NOT to go looking for the monster?" James asked.

"I went in looking for GINNY." Harry corrected.

"He's got you there." Dumbledore said.

"And the blood and the sword?" Lily asked.

"Well," Harry said. "I figured, while I'm down there, I might as well kill the basilisk."

Mouths dropped.

"Oh!" Harry added pulling out the diary and handing it to Dumbledore. "Dad was right about the horcrux."

"Excellent." Dumbledore said.

After sending Ginny and her parents to the hospital wing with the teachers and Potters leaving only Harry and Ron.

"The number of rules you've broken," Dumbledore said to the kids sternly, "Give me good reason to expel you two. Therefore, it is only fitting that you two shall…receive special award for services to the school and 200 points each for Gryffindor. Mr. Weasley, will you kindly send this letter to Azkaban? I believe we may want our gamekeeper back."

Ron took the letter and ran out of the office.

Dumbledore was about to say something to Harry, but was interrupted by the door opening. Lucius Malfoy waked in followed by Dobby.

"So." Malfoy said to Dumbledore. "You've come back. The governors suspended you, but you still saw fit to return."

"Well, you see, Lucius," Dumbledore said. "The other governors contacted me after hearing that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been killed. They seemed to think I was the best man for the job after all. Several of them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didn't agree to suspend me in the first place."

"Have you stopped the attacks?"

"Yes."

"Well? Who was it?"

"The same person as before." Dumbledore said. "But this time, Voldemort was acting through the means of this diary."

Harry saw Dobby point to his master, the diary, and then conk himself on the head. He did this a few times before Harry finally put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Malfoy KNEW what the diary was and purposely gave it to Ginny

"Come Dobby." Malfoy Sr. said.

Harry winked at the elf to say that he got the message

After Malfoy left,

Harry pulled up his right foot and took off his shoe and sock.

"Sir." Harry requested. "Can I give the diary back to Mr. Malfoy?"

"Of course." Dumbledore said handing the diary to Harry.

Harry opened it and stuffed the sock in it so that it wouldn't be obvious. Then he put his shoe back on and chased after Mr. Malfoy.

"Mr. Malfoy" Harry called.

Lucius and Dobby turned.

Harry presented the man with the diary.

"A…souvenir." Harry explained. "of the final opening and closing of the Chamber of Secrets."

Malfoy took the book and much to Harry's delight, threw the book at the elf who caught it.

"You're a meddlesome fool Potter." Malfoy said. "Just like your parents and grandparents. And one day, your family will meet the same sticky end as your grandparents….Come Dobby."

"Open it." Harry whispered to the elf

Dobby did and gapped at the article of clothing.

"Dobby!" Malfoy repeated as the Potters entered the hall

"Master has given Dobby a sock! Dobby is free!"

"What?" Malfoy asked turning to see his elf holding a slimy, wet black sock.

Harry gave him a smirk and lifted his right pants leg to reveal a bare foot in the shoe.

"You lost me my servant, boy!" Malfoy hissed pulling out his wand. "Avada…"

James and Lily grabbed their wands but were interrupted by a,

"YOU SHALL NOT HARM HARRY POTTTER!"

There was an explosion and Malfoy sailed clear across the hall. Dobby looked smug.

Malfoy then saw the Potters looking murderous. So, he left.

"Harry Potter has freed Dobby!" the elf said. "How can Dobby thank you?"

"Just promise me something." Harry said.

"Anything."

"NEVER try to save my life again."

"I'm so proud." Lily said to her son as she hugged him.

"Dobby." James said "Let's talk."

Later,

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Harry demanded at the feast that his parents joined him in after Hermione came running in no longer petrified and Harry got a school full of apologies for suspecting him and Hagrid's return.

"I hired Dobby." James said. "He'll be helping out at the manor."

The Potters were greatly reminded of the elf as their son picked up his empty plate and started banging his head on it.

NEVER would life be the same again.

To Be Continued

Next Time:

There's been a break out of Azkaban and James is furious. Not because of the break out itself, but because of the prisoner. Some guy named Black. Also, there are new faces at Hogwarts. The new Care for Magical Creatures Harry already knows. At the mention of the Divination teacher, Lily freaks. And why is the new Defense professor so familiar to Harry? And what is up with Scabbers?