3
The Chamber of Secrets
In Three Parts
Part Three: Aftermath
Fawkes, with Harry and Ginny in tow, reappeared in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom in a flash of flame. He circled once before landing on Harry's shoulder.
Harry looked at Ginny and gave her a smile. Though she was covered in filth, he thought she looked beautiful.
"You were fantastic," he said with pride. "I can't believe some of the spells you managed to get off."
Ginny blushed prettily, looking at the floor. "I like to study ahead," she murmured.
Harry stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace. He didn't care about the state of her robes, after all he was just as filthy if not more so.
He was happy to feel Ginny arms come up around him and return the hug.
As they separated Fawkes trilled softly, though you could tell it was one of happiness and satisfaction. He glanced at the Sorting Hat in Harry's one hand and then looked back at Harry.
He gave another soft trill and Harry understood that Fawkes was requesting the Sorting Hat back.
Harry found it kind of strange because it wasn't like there was some sort of true communication other than he knew instinctively what Fawkes was requesting.
He inclined his head and said "Of course," with a small smile.
Fawkes trilled once more, a more melodious tone before reaching down and grabbing the Hat with his beak. Harry looked at him and removed Gryffindor's sword from his belt where he had tucked it and offered it to the Phoenix.
Fawkes shook his head, refusing the sword. The magnificent Phoenix then launched himself into the air once again, trilled loudly conveying such exaltation that it gave Harry and Ginny goose-flesh, before he disappeared in a flash of bright flames.
"Did you . . ." Ginny asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"Yeah," Harry replied, knowing just what she was asking. It was obvious that she had understood what Fawkes had "said" too.
"Strange," Ginny said lowly. "I've never had that happen before."
"Me neither," Harry replied.
Ginny looked at him and gave a small giggle. "I'm not complaining or anything, really but I'm knackered and I'm just wondering why he couldn't have taken us right to Dumbledore's office."
Harry snorted and while smiling and shook his head. "I agree with you. I know we probably wouldn't have won without his help but, yeah, I'm knackered too and it is a fair piece to the Headmaster's office from here. I'm not looking forward to walking all that way."
Ginny then took a close look at Harry and didn't like what she saw. He was literally swaying on his feet from exhaustion, let alone the fact he was covered in filth and blood, mostly his own though there was some from the Basilisk too.
She then glanced down at herself and saw she wasn't in much better condition than Harry was, at least when it came to the dirt and grime she was covered in. At least she didn't have any blood on her as she had been far enough away from the Basilisk when Harry stabbed it to avoid getting any on her.
She stepped over to Harry and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Come on, I'm taking you to Pomfrey before you fall over," she said gently. She felt him stiffen slightly, looking like he was going to protest but she gave him a stern look. He gave her a sheepish look and she knew she had won.
Harry contemplated protesting for a moment but seeing the stern look she gave him, he decided that Ginny was right. Seeing Pomfrey was a much better course of action than traipsing off to see Dumbledore at the moment. He knew the Headmaster would track him down eventually.
Even though Fawkes had healed his arm and purged the Basilisk venom from his system, he still ached all over from battling the giant serpent. Sure the fight hadn't really lasted that long, but you see what it's like when you stab a seventy foot snake through the roof of its mouth and it tosses its head around with you still hanging onto the sword and see how you feel.
Harry leaned into Ginny gratefully and with her helping to support him they exited the first floor girl's room and turned towards the other end of the first floor where the hospital tower was situated. Harry mused that Ginny's decision to head there was a brilliant one as it was much closer than the Headmaster's office that was located in a tower accessed off the third floor.
They noticed the school seemed eerily quiet and it took a moment before Harry remembered that all the students had been told to report to their common rooms when the message that Ginny had been taken down into the Chamber was discovered. Though they were surprised that there weren't any of the ghosts wandering about.
Harry glanced at Ginny, smiling widely at the sight of her. Sure she was a filthy mess but she looked so bloody brilliant. He noticed she was looking at him with a puzzled look on her face.
"What?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Something is bothering me a little," she said hesitantly.
When Harry cocked his head at her looking at her questioningly, she continued. "Well, I know Tom was stealing my life force and had finally taken enough that he was returning to a corporeal form," she said thoughtfully.
Harry nodded, letting Ginny know he was following her so far.
"It was at that point I lost consciousness," she said looking deep into Harry's eyes.
Harry gave her another curt nod, prompting her to continue.
"The thing is, then how did you wake me up when Tom was still there?" she asked bewilderedly.
Harry stopped and pulled Ginny in front of him. He smiled at her while wrapping his arms around her waist. "Can't you guess?" he asked teasingly.
Ginny's eyes wandered slightly as she searched her mind trying to piece together what Harry was trying to get her to figure out. The only thing she could come up with seemed absurd to her but since it was all she could think of she said hesitantly, "You gave me part of yourself, didn't you?"
Harry's smile widened and he nodded at her. "Yup," he said firmly, proud that she had figured it out on her own.
Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment. "Harry, do you feel any different?" she asked tentitively.
Harry's smile widened further till he was grinning at her with a strange expression on his face. "What do you mean?" he asked with a knowing look.
Ginny was tempted to swat him but she wasn't sure his body could take it so she desisted from doing so.
"What I mean is that when I stabbed the Diary I felt my life force return to me but there seems to be a little something . . . I don't know, a little more, I guess you'd say," she said, staring him intently in the eyes.
Harry's smile mellowed slightly and he nodded at her. "Yes, I felt it too as your life force returned to you and most of mine returned to me but along with it came a little something more, a piece of yours, leaving a little piece of mine in you," he said with a satisfied look.
Ginny looked startled for a moment but then a smile crept onto her face. "That's actually a relief to hear because I thought that maybe it was a piece of Tom's soul."
Harry shook his head, still smiling. "Not a chance," he said firmly. "Remember when he asked "What magic is this?"."
Ginny nodded and understanding filled her. "I was the pure old magic of love. Wasn't it?" she said knowingly.
"Yup," Harry replied, his smile growing once more. "His evil soul couldn't survive in the atmosphere of love that we shared," he informed her.
Ginny hugged him as hard as she dared and even though it was fairly light, Harry gave a small groan in protest.
Ginny jerked back, eyeing him with concern. "Okay, Mr. Potter. We've delayed getting to Pomfrey long enough," she said, wrapping her arm around his waist and steered him towards the hospital tower once again.
Though Harry was loathed to leave Ginny's embrace, he couldn't see any reason to argue with her. He was feeling worse and worse by the second.
They had just about reached the doors to the hospital wing when they burst open and Ron and Hermione came storming out. They appeared to be bickering again as usual.
Ron looked up in surprise. "Where have you been, Mate?" he asked Harry with a puzzled look.
Hermione gave them the once over and shook her head. "Look at the two of you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you want to get caught out and docked points this close to the end of term?" she asked looking very displeased.
Harry looked at them in shock. "What do you mean where have I been. I was waiting for you two," he protested bewilderedly.
Ron and Hermione looked at him like he's lost his mind. "What are you talking about?" Hermione asked with a frown. Ron was also staring at him with a similar frown and puzzled look.
Harry was at a loss at what to say. Luckily Ginny took charge, figuring they could solve the mystery later. She really wanted to get Harry to Madam Pomfrey.
"Come on, Harry," she said as she gave him a tug to get him moving again. "We can figure things out later."
Hermione looked like she wanted to protest but when Ron gave a shrug and started to walk away she left and followed him.
As they passed, Harry asked "What were you doing here?", indicating the hospital wing.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Dumbledore had us bring Professor Lockhart here. He somehow Obliviated himself," she explained looking a little put out.
"So that's how he did it," Harry muttered to himself, finally figuring out how Lockhart seemed to be in too many places at the same time in his books. He had never done any of those things he had written about. He had stolen the information from others and Obliviated them, taking the credit for himself.
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," Harry said. Hermione had refused to listen to him when he tried to point out the discrepancies in his books but she wouldn't hear a word of complaint about one of her favourite Professors. After all, to her a Professor could do no wrong, totally ignoring people like Quirrell and Snape.
Harry just sighed and let Ginny lead him inside the hospital wing. He flinched when Madam Pomfrey looked at them and scowled. "Good Godric, Mr. Potter. What have you done to yourself this time," she said unhappily, a deep scowl on her face.
She then turned her attention to Ginny and gave her the same once over. "And you managed to drag Miss Weasley into it this time too," she snapped, forgetting for the moment that Ginny was supposed to be missing, having been taken down into the Chamber of Secrets.
"Well, get over here," she said, pointing to what Harry was starting to consider his bed.
Harry suddenly envisioned a small plaque over the bed bearing his name and he chuckled lowly.
"What?" Ginny asked, an amused look on her face.
Harry blushed sheepishly. "Every time I've been here she always puts me in this bed and I imagined a plaque with my name on it over the bed," he said with a wry grin.
Ginny couldn't help herself and she giggled. "Somehow that seems fitting," she replied, her eyes dancing.
As they made their way over to the bed Harry looked at the crisp clean sheets and then down at his filth covered robes and opted to sit in the chair by the bed.
Ginny did the same, choosing the bed next to Harry's. Luckily the chairs were in the area between the two beds, so they got to sit side-by-side. She glanced at Harry and shyly took his hand in hers.
Madam Pomfrey frowned at the pair but said nothing, instead she just drew her wand and started casting diagnostic spells.
She started on Harry and her eyes widened in shock at what she was finding. Not only did he have some recent internal injuries, the most shocking fact was the traces of Basilisk Venom countered by Phoenix Tears.
She looked at him in disbelief. "You have some explaining to do," she said softly but you could tell she wasn't happy with what she had found.
Harry just nodded, knowing that he'd be telling the story to more than the Matron before the night was through. He really just wished she could give him a dose of Dreamless Sleeping Potion so he didn't have to deal with anything at the moment. He was really beginning to feel just how exhausted he really was and wanted nothing more than to get some sleep.
Madam Pomfrey then turned her attention to Ginny and began cast her diagnostic spells. She was relieved to find nothing major wrong with the young witch other than a bit of magical exhaustion. She then looked intently at Ginny and glanced at Harry, a small frown on her face. There was something else going on, but just what, she wasn't quite sure.
"Miss Weasley, go get cleaned up and return here immediately," she said firmly, pointing at a nearby door.
Ginny went over and found it was a small bathroom with a shower and clean clothes laid out for her. She shook her head as she started to disrobe. "Where does she think I'm going to go?" she asked herself.
When she was stripped down she took a good look at herself in the mirror. She grimaced slightly as she noticed a few bruises starting to show. She sighed, knowing they were a small price to pay for what she had gone through.
She started the shower, setting it a bit hotter than she usually did. She hissed a little as she stepped under the flow as the hot water hit her, but it turned into a sigh as she became accustomed to it and it penetrated and soothed her aching muscles.
She grimaced as she watched the dirt and filth swirl around as it went down the drain. Even looking in the mirror she hadn't realized just how filthy she really had been.
She washed slowly, taking time to massage her tired, aching muscles. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she felt the relief spread through her.
Done with her body she poured a generous amount of shampoo into her hands and began to lather her long red hair. She found she had to wash it three times before she felt that it was truly clean.
While Ginny headed off Madam Pomfrey turned her attention back to Harry. She grabbed several potions and handed them to him one by one. Glaring at him if he so much as hesitated one second before drinking them.
Harry shuddered as he swallowed the bitter tasting concoctions, earning him a frown from the Matron. "If you didn't get yourself into these situations you wouldn't need to be taking the potions," she said sternly.
"It's not like I go looking for them," Harry muttered rebelliously.
Madam Pomfrey just eyed him dubiously, raising one eye-brow up into her hairline. Saying with just a look that she didn't believe him.
Harry cringed at her look and as he thought about it he realized he kind of did go looking for the situations. Not that he was looking to get hurt or anything, it was just that he felt compelled to act when it looked like others weren't.
Harry sighed and looked at the Matron. "It's complicated," he said sadly.
Madam Pomfrey gave him a rare smile. "It usually is, Mr. Potter," she said warmly. Something that took Harry totally by surprise.
Harry smiled at her and took a moment to look around. He saw Lockhart laying in a bed at the far end of the ward. "I heard he Obliviated himself?" Harry asked, looking for confirmation.
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I really shouldn't say anything but yes he did," she said, her voice tinted with her irritation. "Your friends Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger were exceedingly lucky. It seems Professor Lockhart was attempting to Obliviate them and had the spell backfire. He took the full brunt of the spell while your friends only suffered from some minor effects of it."
Harry nodded, guessing that explained why Ron and Hermione didn't remember what they had been doing when he sent them off to get help.
Ginny came out of the bathroom and Harry smiled at her. She looked a thousand times better now that she was clean and dressed in a sharply creased set of hospital pyjamas. He loved the way her hair looked as it cascaded down around her face. It fell in massive waves three quarters of the way to her waist.
"Your turn, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, noticing the way Harry was staring at Ginny causing a smirk to form on her face. She knew she just had to tell Minerva about that development.
Harry stood and was just getting ready for his turn to get cleaned up when the doors to the hospital wing swung open and Professor Dumbledore came in. He gave Harry a small smile but there was something about it that Harry didn't like.
"Ah, there you are Mr. Potter and I see you have managed to bring back Miss Weasley with you," he said soothingly. But again, there seemed to be an undercurrent that Harry didn't like.
The Professor looked at Madam Pomfrey and gave her that same smile. "I really need to speak to Mr. Potter," he said with that same syrupy voice. "That is, if you have no objections."
"I'm sorry, Professor but I insist that Mr. Potter has a chance to get cleaned up before I can allow him to do anything else," the Matron said sternly.
Dumbledore frowned slightly before catching himself and the syrupy smile returned, something that all three of the other occupants of the room noticed.
"Indeed you are correct and I will return shortly so that Mr. Potter and I can have our conversation," he said before turning and leaving.
As Harry came up to Ginny he paused before passing. "All right, there?" he asked with a small concerned smile.
Ginny smiled at him. "I'm feeling much better now that I've had a chance to get cleaned up," she reassured him.
She then glanced at the door where Dumbledore had just departed. "I don't like the tone of his voice," she whispered with a frown.
Harry nodded in agreement. "I know," he whispered back. "I'll be careful."
Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat, garnering their attention. Harry glanced back at her and saw her frowning at them.
"I guess I'd better get cleaned up," he said with a smile. "I'll see you soon," he said reassuringly, giving her arm a tender squeeze.
"I look forward to it," Ginny replied, her eyes bright and with a small smile.
Harry proceeded into the bathroom and hurriedly stripped. He only took a passing glance at himself in the mirror before jumping into the shower. He groaned as the hot water hit him.
He was feeling a bit better as the potions he had taken were taking effect but he still felt like he'd been trampled by a herd of wild Hippogriffs.
He spent far less time than Ginny had as he washed himself and shampooed his hair. He just wanted to get things over with so he could get some much needed rest and he certainly wasn't looking forward to the talk with Dumbledore. Something just didn't seem right.
He was slightly surprised that Dumbledore wasn't waiting for him as he exited the bathroom so he made his way back over to his bed.
He smiled at Ginny who was sitting up in her own bed and since he knew he'd be leaving soon, he chose to sit in the chair next to her as opposed to climbing into his own.
Ginny smiled at him. "You're looking much better," she said warmly.
"Yeah, a nice hot shower does wonders," he replied. Then with a slight grimace he added "Of course the potions Pomfrey forced on me might have something to do with it too."
Ginny pouted playfully at him. "Poor Harry," she said, fighting a smile.
Harry was just about to retort when Madam Pomfrey came bustling over. "I almost forgot," she said as she began handing Ginny several potions, one by one.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle, earning him a glare from Ginny. He watched as she shuddered after swallowing each one, commiserating with her about their bitter flavour.
Ginny was just about to say something when the doors to the hospital wing opened once more, admitting Professor Dumbledore once again.
He smiled as he looked at Harry. "Ah, you're looking much better, Mr. Potter. So if you will, please come with me so we can discuss the events that have transpired."
Harry gave a resigned sigh before standing. He paused and glanced at Ginny who was giving him a concerned look.
Ginny caught his eye, looking extremely worried. Harry just gave her a reassuring nod before he left.
As they walked down the third floor corridor Harry was happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hurrying towards the hospital wing. At least Ginny would have an enjoyable reunion with her parents. He silently wished he had someone who could be doing the same for him. Not for the first time, the loss of his parents hit him hard.
In what seemed like no time at all he and Dumbledore arrived at the Gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Harry was only slightly surprised when Dumbledore didn't need to give a password and he realized how foolish that notion was. Of course the school would recognize the Headmaster.
Harry followed Dumbledore up the spiralling staircase and into the office. For some reason the sound of the door closing behind him sounded rather ominous.
"Please sit down," Dumbledore said with a small smile.
Harry would rather have remained standing but he was really beginning to feel his exhaustion so he flopped down into the offered chair.
"I'm glad to see you doing so well," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Harry over the top of his half-moon spectacles.
Harry just sighed, wishing the man would just get on with it. He was really way too tired for small talk. He gave Dumbledore a small nod of his head letting him know that he had heard him.
Dumbledore's face fell slightly and he paused for a moment. "I am also gratified that you were able save Miss Weasley too. We were afraid that she had not survived her ordeal."
Harry listened to the words but there was something in the way he said it and the look in his eyes that troubled him greatly. Suddenly it clicked into place. Dumbledore knew! And he'd known all along!
Harry felt his anger rise and he sprang from his chair. "YOU KNEW!" he shouted. "YOU BLOODY WELL KNEW AND STILL YOU LET GINNY BE TAKEN DOWN INTO THE CHAMBER!"
Dumbledore looked shocked that Harry had figured it out. "You need to understand . . ." he began trying to placate the irate Harry.
"UNDERSTAND! I UNDERSTAND!" Harry yelled, his anger growing by the second. "You were willing to sacrifice her!" he said with slightly less volume but with growing intensity.
"Sometimes one must do something they abhor for the greater good," Dumbledore said trying to get Harry to see his point of view. "Sometimes sacrifices must be made."
Harry anger grew beyond measure and his magic exploded out of him. Several nearby tables over turned, the instruments and items on them melting down or catching on fire. Some exploded, sending showers of sparks and bits of molten metal flying through the air.
Books flew off of most of the shelves in the room, many being torn into tatters, raining pieces of parchment over the room. The chair behind Harry that he had been sitting in disintegrated in a shower of splintered wood and torn fabric, adding to the debris that filled the room.
Dumbledore's massive desk was blown back several feet. In one respect sheltering him some from the onslaught but also knocking him and his chair over backwards and pinning him to the floor.
Harry stood untouched in the centre of the maelstrom, his eyes blazing with his rage. At that moment he hated Dumbledore more than he had ever hated anyone, even his relatives. He was astounded at the hubris and arrogance of the man.
Who knows how long the outburst would have gone on but suddenly Fawkes flamed into the room and landed on Harry's shoulder, trilling softly, calming him and bring him comfort.
Harry made eye contact with the magnificent Phoenix. "I can't, Fawkes," he whispered. "What he did is unforgivable."
Fawkes trilled mournfully in agreement. He had tried to dissuade Albus from his course of action but the stubborn wizard would not listen and had proceeded as he had seen fit. It was a major source of contention between the two.
Harry surveyed the room dispassionately, taking in the destruction he had unknowingly wrought. Virtually nothing remained untouched. Even Dumbledore's massive desk, while not broken had scorch marks covering the front and top.
Harry actually chuckled lowly when he spotted the one item that remained undamaged, Fawkes' perch stood unharmed.
His head jerked around when he heard something move and he saw Dumbledore's desk slowly rise and move forward towards him. The Headmaster crawled out and slowly rose, his eyes widening in shock as he took in his office.
Harry stared at the man he had once looked up to and felt nothing but disgust. The fact that he was willing to sacrifice an eleven year old girl destroyed all feelings of trust and admiration for the man.
Harry almost laughed looking at the Headmaster, half his long beard was singed off. He squelched his amusement as he remembered just what the man had done.
"We're through," he spat coldly.
Dumbledore's shock grew and he stared at Harry in horror. "Harry," he pleaded. "You can't mean that. You can't hope to succeed without my help."
But Harry wasn't listening, he had turned and was already out the door, riding the spiral staircase back down so that he could return to the Hospital wing and get back to Ginny.
Dumbledore watched Harry disappear and he wondered for the first time if maybe he hadn't handled things incorrectly. Though it had seemed prudent at the time, perhaps he should have tried to find another way to handle the situation.
Harry seethed at what he had learned and his mind was a mass of chaotic thought. Ginny! His Ginny had been meant to be a sacrifice to Dumbledore's Greater Good.
Harry paused and closed his eyes, taking several deep calming breaths. He didn't want to unleash another burst of magic here in the castle. He was sure the effects wouldn't be good and he didn't want to endanger any of his fellow students.
He would make sure that Ginny was never used like she had been ever again. He made a vow that he would do it even if it was the last thing he ever did. She was that precious to him.
Harry wasn't sure how he made it back to the hospital wing, he was beyond exhausted. He stumbled through the doors, barely able to put one foot in front of the other.
His eyes were fluttering shut and the blackness tried to claim him but he fought on, he felt himself stumble and he was sure he was going to smash his face into the floor when suddenly two arms were wrapped around him and he heard a soft voice. "Oh, Harry," Ginny exclaimed as she caught him.
There was so much he wanted to say to her but he just didn't have the energy. He looked up into her concerned, loving beautiful brown eyes and murmured, "He knew," hoping to convey to Ginny what had happened.
He was slightly surprised when she didn't look shocked, instead her face took on a look of understanding and pure determination. She gave him a nod, letting him know that she did understand fully.
He let his eyes drift shut and he was dimly aware of Madam Pomfrey coming over to him. "Well, you've certainly outdone yourself this time," she said softly as she levitated him towards his bed. "I swear I should just reserve a bed for you and be done with it. You're certainly here often enough."
Harry couldn't help himself and he smiled tiredly. At the edge of consciousness he felt Ginny slip her hand into his. Barely perceptible Ginny saw Harry's lips curl up in a small smile and she was surprised to feel him give her hand a gentle squeeze.
As Madam Pomfrey tsked and huffed her displeasure, Ginny leaned in and whispered in Harry's ear, "I'm here love and I'll take care of you. Don't worry, I talked to mum and dad and they said you were coming home with us to the Burrow. Other than that we'll deal with everything else in the morning. Rest now, I'll keep watch over you."
Harry smiled contentedly and let the blackness claim him, secure in the knowledge that Ginny wouldn't let anything happen to him. His last thought was of how much he loved her and he wouldn't have had it any other way. He knew that with Ginny that somehow things would work themselves out.
He was just about unconscious when he could of sworn he heard a soft feminine voice whisper "Well done, my son. I've never been more proud of you than I am at this moment."
For some reason he was sure that it had been his mother whispering to him, but surely that couldn't have happened? Could it?
Harry and Ginny
A/N: Thus ends my rewrite and expansion of the three chapters from Bits and Bobs on the Chamber of Secrets. And no, don't even think about asking for me to continue with this. Yes I left an enigmatic ending but I'll just leave it to your imagination if Harry truly heard his mother or not.
As with the second chapter I took this from 3500 words to 5000. Not a bad effort since when I first reread it I wondered what the hell I could add. LOL.
As always I love it when you review.