Chapter the Tenth
"Professor Sprout! Professor McGonagall!" a frantic Neville yelled, approaching the dais upon which stood the gathered professors.
"Sweet Morgana, Longbottom, must you yell like loud enough to awaken the dead?" McGonagall reproved, giving the boy a glare that would have, normally, frightened him half to death.
"Harry says the beast is near!" he continued. "He said it's right outside..."
Nothing further needed said, as the sound of crashing against the solid doors reverberated in the great hall. The students, in a panic, tried to get as far away from the solid doors as possible. The threat of a stampede was great, something that the Headmistress needed to take care of immediately.
"Silence!" Minerva shouted with her magically enhanced voice. "The doors will hold! Years one through three, please make your way away from the doors and come toward the professors table, quickly now! Years four through seven, wands drawn and prepare to cast the strongest blasting hex you can manage should that thing make its way into the hall. Professors, please reinforce the doorway and stand guard."
"Minerva, as strong as we are together, I don't know how long we can hold out against that thing should it choose to breach the doorway." Filius interjected.
"He's right, Min. We've got to find a way to draw it away from the students." Pomona added.
"Ma'am, Sir, do any of you see Harry or Susan anywhere?" Neville asked, casting his gaze at the 'Puff table.
The eyes of the three professors widened in horror.
"That damned boy!" growled Minerva, Pomona, and Flitwick.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"Luna, do me a favor and go grab our redheaded friends, please? If we're going to keep an eye on Harry and Susan, we're going to need to know how to use this thing." Hermione indicated the map.
"Be right back!" Luna said, jumping from her seat and hurried to the Gryffindor table.
"So what's the deal with that tattered parchment? Is it really a map?" Hannah questioned the bushy-haired witch curiously.
"Something that Harry's dad and Uncle's Sirius and Remus made back when they were at Hogwarts. I think Susan said it showed a map of the school and the position of everyone in the school. Don't you remember? We saw it the night that Sue and Harry got sick."
"This is that?" Hannah said in awe. "I thought that Sirius had kept it."
"He did but sent it to Harry that night of the attack on the Astronomy tower."
"We were summoned?" the twins asked in stereo, bowing comically.
"Morons." Ginny mumbled, causing Luna, Hannah, and Hermione to giggle.
Hermione held up the Holy Grail of Marauder prankdom; Fred and George's eyes widened in awe.
"I've missed that thing." Fred said, wiping a fake tear from his eye.
"Will you guys please show us how to use it?" Hermione asked.
"Hang on a tic," Fred whispered, "Where's Harry and why isn't he teaching you guys how to use it?"
"He's gone off to draw the basilisk away from the great hall. Susan went with him, and well, we want to keep an eye on them." she replied, waving the map in his face.
"Oh. Alright then." Fred replied.
"George, dearest brother, didn't you just hear that our Harrykins and his Lady have gone to confront the snake?"
"Sweet Merlin! Quick the map!" George yelled. Hermione handed him the map and with a flick of the wand and the activation phrase, the map showed the gathered friends its secrets.
"Find Harry and Susan!" Fred said to the map. "There!"
"Hey, isn't that Moaning Myrtle's bathroom?" Ginny asked.
Hannah gasped in horror when their names disappeared from the map. "What happened?"
Fred raised an eyebrow, questioningly, to his twin. George shrugged, not knowing the answer.
"Guys..." Luna said pointing at the map. "That person is not supposed to be alive, right?"
The five leaned into the map, trying to get a better view of what Luna had seen.
"Peter Pettigrew!" Hermione gasped in horror.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"Report, Auror Tonks!" Amelia stated seriously when she came out of the floo in the headmasters office.
"All children and staff accounted for, boss, they are all in the great hall awaiting Auror escort into Hogsmeade and the waiting Express. The conductor has already fired up the engines and is ready to leave at a moment's notice."
"Good work, Tonks. Where's Shack?" Amelia asked, "I expected him to be the one to meet me here."
"There were a couple of Ravenclaws that thought that now would be a good time to become more intimately acquainted in one of the cupboards. He's currently peeling strips off their hides and explaining in great detail why that was a terrible idea. He's had all the assorted closets checked and sealed just in case any other couple was feeling equally adventurous." she replied. "Where's Sirius, boss?"
"He should be here in a minute. He was seeing Augie safely home and talking to the parents of our lot before heading here to collect them. My two are okay?"
"They were with Flitwick when the Headmistress summoned all students to the hall. The professor accompanied them. Once I was sure that Sue and Harry were accounted for with my own eyes, I headed here. The doors have all been sealed and will remain so until an Auror opens them. Oh, and Susan asked me to get Puck and to tell Hedwig to meet us back home but have as yet not had the time."
"He's in Harry's room?" Amelia asked.
Tonks nodded, "Yes, as far as I know. He didn't escape, or at least he hasn't yet."
Amelia stopped by the professor's entrance into the great hall and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Tonks?" The side door to the great hall was swinging, ajar.
"I checked the doors myself, ma'am! I swear I did!" Nym stated vehemently.
"Dammit Harry!" Amelia hissed, coming to a conclusion that she hated..
"Boss?"
"Can you think of anyone else who could have opened that door without alerting the professors or our people?"
"Dammit Harry!" Tonks agreed emphatically. She pulled her wand and ran into the great hall, quickly making her way toward her charges. "Where's Harry? Where's Susan?"
"They left..." Hannah said with eyes downcast.
"What the hell do you mean they left?" Amelia asked angrily, her eyes quickly scanning all the kids. They all, except for the twins, looked almost as mad as she did.
"The basilisk tried to get in. It was banging at the door. Harry told us he was going to draw it away so that we could all get past it and get to the train. Susan went with him." Hermione explained.
"What?!" Amelia and Tonks both screamed.
"Find them!" Ami roared.
"Yes, boss!" Tonks replied.
"Wait!" Hermione called out before Nym had even taken a step. "We know where they are, or at least, where they were!"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Puck was currently going crazy, scratching and barking wildly at the door that kept him from his mistress. No amount of scratching seemed to be able to get the door open, no amount of barking made the door move and the window was too high up for him to reach. The loyal dog was also thinking that he would bite his mistress's mate in the butt at his earliest convenience for putting her in danger.
The hooting caught him by surprise and he turned with a snarl, ready to attack whomever it was that was disturbing his rant. Crookshanks, who'd also been imprisoned in the bedroom, lazily lifted his head and stared at the form of Hedwig, who'd alighted on her perch.
"Bark!"
"Hoot?"
"Woof!"
Hedwig rolled her eyes, spread her wings and launched herself toward Puck. Claws outstretched she, as gently as she could, took to the puppy by the scruff, lifted him, and made her way out the window.
The cat meowed in annoyance, angered at the disturbance, but with a great sigh he stood and hopped up onto the windowsill. Looking longingly back at the comfortable bed, he promised himself to return and get in a proper nap. With an exasperated flick of his tail, Crookshanks leapt and made his way toward his pet.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
She felt herself lucky that Harry was waiting for her at the end of the long descent. He caught her as she shot out of the chute, holding her tightly so she didn't crash land. Looking around, she was rather grateful, as the thought of landing in the pile of what looked like the skeletal remains of small animals really wigged her out.
"It's a bit dirty down here." he told her.
"A bit dirty, he says..." she muttered in irritation, "Harry, that's like saying that Puck and Hedwig kinda like bacon. Ugh, this is disgusting."
"Sorry." he mumbled.
"You are so taking me shopping for new robes when we get back home! And to the salon as well, look at my hair!"
"Deal, and truly, I am sorry. I didn't want you to come with me in the first place."
"Harry..." she said with a sigh, "You remember that it's you and me, always, right? I may not be a warrior, but I will do my best to watch your back, just as I know you'd give your life to make sure I'm safe."
"But..."
Susan walked over to Harry and placed a hand on his cheek and gave him the tenderest of kisses. "You are my life, Harry. There is so much I want to do, so much I want to accomplish, but none of it will mean anything if you're not there standing by my side. I love you, more than I could ever put into words."
"And I love you, more than I could ever put into words, Susan." he said, giving her that special smile that she knew was meant only for her.
"C'mon, there's a hallway over there, I think we should follow it."
"Lead on, love." she said, grabbing his hand tightly as he led her out of the cavern in which they'd landed.
"Harry." Susan asked rather seriously, "Why are we down here?"
He looked toward her and frowned, not in annoyance, but in reflection. "Honestly, I don't really know. Mostly it was what Luna said, you know how she can be. She sees things that others don't, and she's never steered me wrong. The other, well, the other reason is to draw that damned basilisk away from our friends, family, and the rest of the school."
"See, that is what I don't understand. I don't understand why you feel it is up to you to do such a thing, especially when there are adults present. Aurors, professors...dammit Harry, there were even Unspeakables there."
Harry squeezed her hand and stopped their walking in front of a rather large, round, metal door. The circular shape was strange and reminded him of the doorway to his family vault down at Gringotts. More peculiar though was the snake ornamentation that liberally decorated every square inch of the metal access point that led to who knew where.
"You know what my life has...had...been like up until I arrived at Hogwarts." she nodded in understanding, compassion shining in her eyes. "I've never really been able to trust adults. At all. Ever. Every single time I've had a problem the adults in my life they disregarded me, ignored me, or beat me. It didn't do a lot to create trust. Even with Sirius, Aunt Ami, Remus, Gran, even Nym...I know in my head that they love me, that they are genuine in wanting me to be cared for and protected. But, I think back to all those years as a small child, and the responses from the adults, and I just can't..."
"Can't what?" she asked.
"Can't trust them to do right by me or do right by you. I won't trust anyone with your safety. No one; not even if it means I have to face some freaking dinosaur snake, or a Death Eater, or Voldemort himself, no one is taking you away from me." he said heatedly.
She smiled at him, a tear staining her cheek and kissed him hard. "I love you, you know?" The smile that lit up his face made her swoon in delight. "So, I'm guessing that the way through the big creepy door is to speak snake to it like in the bathroom?" she asked with a small shudder.
"OPEN."
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"You saw them, here, on the map?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, ma'am, although once they got to the bathroom they kind of disappeared." Hermione explained.
"Disappeared?"
"They were there, and then they weren't..."
"Tonks, go!" Amelia commanded.
"On it, boss!" she yelled over her shoulder as she sped out of the great hall.
Amelia was studying the map intently. On the one hand she was thoroughly amazed at the brilliance of the item, and on the other hand wondering if Sirius and Remus might be able to do something similar for the Ministry. Something to consider, she thought. She shook herself slightly, getting back to the task at hand: finding her errant children.
"Why would Harry leave, why would he take Susan with him?" Amelia asked. She thought she knew the answer but was still expecting to hear what their friends had to say about the situation.
"Ma'am, how long had you and our parents been aware that the creature roaming the castle and that it was after Harry?" Luna asked in her ethereal voice.
Amelia narrowed her eyes, wondering how the young witch had put that together, "Since just before you all left on the Express in September." She wasn't at all surprised the see the looks of annoyance coming from Harry and Susan's friends.
"But why let us come to school if you knew there was danger here? Why let the rest of the students come and be exposed to the danger?" Hermione asked of Amelia. "Why put Harry, who is the target, in harm's way?"
The Head of the DMLE took in a deep sigh. "That's a difficult thing to answer." With a deep sigh, she continued. "Our society is broken, Hermione. You've seen ample evidence of that since you first set foot in Hogwarts. Putting the life of students in danger is just one in a long list of things that our government has done. Until today, except for those of us in the know, everyone believed that crap coming out of the Ministry and the Prophet. No one ever questions, everyone assumes that just because it is written in the paper or coming from the mouth of the Minister that is the truth." Amelia said sadly.
"Do you see now, kids, why the adults in your life have such high hopes for you all? You are the first, in a very long time, that actually questions what is happening. Even we wouldn't do that. It was your parents, Hermione, who made us see how stupid we've been in just following along like sheep. As for Harry, do you all honestly believe he would have not come to school if the rest of you were here? As for Susan...she isn't in Hufflepuff for nothing. She will follow her bondmate, as she should, and he will protect her with his life." Amelia added. In her mind, she prayed it wouldn't come to that.
"And that's why he left, Aunt Amelia, because he knew that thing is after him! He knows that if he'd stayed here in the great hall the basilisk would have done everything it could to get to him, even breaking down the doors and attacking all the students!" Neville said unhappily. "Although, I almost feel sorry for the basilisk." he added with a smile.
"What did you say?" Hannah asked angrily, glaring at her boyfriend.
"Oh c'mon, seriously? That thing put Susan's life in danger; do you honestly think that Harry won't kick the crap out of that thing?"
"Auntie Ami, there's something else you should see on the map." Luna said pointing at the footsteps that were making their way towards the same bathroom that Harry and Susan were in, footsteps that belonged to the man responsible for the death of Harry's parents.
"Motherfu...!"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Lucius Malfoy hated going to Gringotts. He felt it beneath him, having to be in close proximity to the dirty sub-race of creatures that infested his world. But, as they offered him good investment advice, he felt he could tolerate them, if only just. The goblins that guarded the entrance into the grand bank stood and stared at him with obvious disdain, something he'd have to take care of once his Master had returned.
He made his way past the queue of witches and wizards and made his way toward the desk of the goblin that was in charge of V.I.P. clientele.
"I would see my account manager immediately!" he sneered in contempt, addressing the goblin that sat before him at his desk, writing on parchment. The goblin kept scribbling, ignoring the blonde fop. Lucius gasped at the audacity and disrespect he was being shown. He was about to start berating the creature when the goblin lay down the quill and gazed at him intently and sniffed contemptuously.
"Malfoy...what may Gringotts do for you?"
"I would see me account manager, and I would also like to speak to your boss and discuss with him the utter lack of respect I've been shown." Malfoy sneered in contempt.
"Oh, so you wanna see my boss? Well, come on then, Malfoy, let's go see the boss!" the goblin smirked a toothy smile at the blonde wizard, something that made Lucius hesitate. But he followed the creature, a creature that would be shown its proper place if he had anything to say about it.
The goblin stopped before an intricately carved set of double doors and knocked. "ENTER!" bellowed someone from the other side of the door. The goblin gave Malfoy an evil grin before opening the door and allowing the wizard through. The door closed with a resounding thud that startled Lucius.
"What do you want, wizard?" the imposing looking goblin said from behind a solid granite desk. "I've not time to waste with your kind today. State your business and leave."
Malfoy was incensed; angered almost beyond reason at the level of disrespect he was being shown. "I demand to be shown the proper respect. I have never..."
The goblin stood and drew a dagger from his side and with quickness that was almost preternatural impaled the blade inches from the face of Malfoy, who paled even further than his normally pasty skin-tone. "Speak to me in that manner again, wizard, and I will have your head placed on a pike on our doorstep. Respect is earned, Malfoy, not given. That you show us no respect means we shall show you none as well. Again...state your business and be quick about it!"
Trying to reign in his anger and surreptitiously grasping tighter to the handle of his cane, Lucius nodded and began, "I have come to speak to my account manager to move some of my fortune into a more secure investment..."
"Who is your account manager?" asked the goblin, retaking his seat.
"I don't know what that creat...goblin's name is. I'm just always led into his office. Oh, and I also want to lodge a complaint against the goblin that brought me back here; he showed a complete lack of respect for a man of my station."
"The goblin that has the entire Malfoy fortune in his hands is someone you can't even name?" the Overlord asked.
"Well, no, but...it's of no moment. It has adequately managed my fortune; I had no need to know its name." Malfoy scoffed. The goblin nodded in understanding. He reached out a hand a pressed a button on his desk.
It wasn't a moment later when Malfoy's account manager came into the office. With a deep bow of respect, the goblin asked, "Overlord, how may I be of service?"
"Malfoy here has a request of you. Go ahead, Malfoy. 'It' is Gornuk, the goblin in charge of the Malfoy vaults by the way...and has been for the last fifty years." the Overlord said sarcastically.
A red-faced Malfoy addressed his banker, "...Gornuk, I wish to move the Black dowry I received for my wife."
"The one in the special account, sir?" Gornuk asked, opening up the large folder he'd carried with him.
"Isn't that what I just..." Lucius almost yelled before moderating his voice. "Yes."
Gornuk approached the Overlord and showed him the folder. Some words were exchanged in the hideous language of the beasts, making Malfoy cringe in disgust. His eyes narrowed in curiosity when the Overlord barked a laugh.
"What?" the blonde asked through clenched teeth.
"Well, Malfoy, it seems that the account you're inquiring about is empty. Well, not quite empty, as there is a single, solitary Knut left in it." the Overlord replied.
"WHAT?!" the wizard roared. He made to reach for his wand, but before he could do anything he felt the sharp coldness of a blade pressing into his throat. He hadn't even seen the goblin Overlord approach him before he was pinned to the wall.
"Draw that wand and I will behead you personally, wizard." the Overlord whispered threateningly. "Now, if you can act in a civilized manner, Gornuk here will explain what has occurred to that account." Lucius nodded, afraid, and felt the knife being removed from his throat. He raised his hands in surrender and looked at his account keeper. Keeping a wary eye on the wizard, the Overlord made his way back to his desk.
"It seems, Mr. Malfoy, that your marriage has been vacated..."
"You said what?" yelled Malfoy in great indignation. He once again tried to contain his anger and took a deep breath. "Forgive me, Keeper Gornuk, you were mentioning my marriage?"
"As I was saying," Gornuk continued, "The marriage was voided, and Miss Black has retrieved her dowry."
"I never gave permission for my wife to access any of my accounts, why would you allow her to steal from me?"
"Legally, as per your ministries laws, she did indeed have access to that vault, especially as she was no longer a Malfoy and not restricted access because of that. But...as a Black, she was fully entitled to go in and do whatever she wanted to with that money." the Overlord explained in a condescending tone.
"You will see to it that that money is once more in my vault! I give you twenty-four hours to do so, or so help me..."
"So help us what, Malfoy?" the Overlord threatened, drawing his knife and placing it on his desk.
"The Minister will hear of this!"
"He's already been informed. It surprises me that he hasn't told you, as he was informed of this a few hours ago. It's one of those idiotic laws you purebloods came up with, allowing the ministry to know when a family has lost a half of their fortune." Gornuk interjected.
"HALF! You allowed that bitch to take half of my family's fortune! I bet that fucker Black had something to do with this as well!
"Lord Black had nothing to do with this, Malfoy. As for your wife, well, she's a formidable woman, isn't she?" the Overlord said with a smirk. "And don't blame us for your own folly, wizard. It was you yourself who placed a large chunk of your gold in that particular account."
"Well, we'll see how formidable she is when I flay her alive." roared Malfoy. "When My Master returns, I will make sure that it is I that relieves you of your head, Gornuk." he added malevolently.
The Overlord looked toward Gornuk, who'd raised a bushy eyebrow, and laughed. They laughed even harder when Malfoy huffed like a petulant child. "We shall await that glorious day," the Overlord said with tears of laughter in his eyes, "with great anticipation. Oh, and by the way Malfoy, next time you grace us with your presence, make sure to use the queue like everyone else does. You no longer have the standing or funds that would allow you V.I.P. treatment."
Lucius left the offices of the Overlord, the sound of laughter following him until he exited the bank; he quickly apparated to his manor, intent on catching the ungrateful bitch that was his now ex-wife, "Narcissa!"
"Yes, dear?" Narcissa responded in a sweet voice. He saw her at the top of the grand staircase, her arms folded in front of her and her wand poking out her right hand.
Lucius drew his own wand ready to curse her into oblivion, but before an incantation could even pass his lips his body was flung back and hit the wall with great force. "You stole my money! I want it back, immediately!" he groaned.
"You are a child, Lucius. I could kick your ass in my sleep, so don't even try. You and your cowardly friends aren't half the wizards you think you are. All but powerless, with little to no magic to speak of; is it any wonder that your Death Eaters must attack like a pack of wild animals? I finally figured out why that is, you know? It's because every single one of you would lose in a one-on-one fight, and that's not taking into account what a pack of cowards you all are. Enjoy your power while you can, Lucius dear. You and your friends will not be able to hold it for much longer."
"You don't know what you're talking about," he threatened. "And you will never see your son again!"
"I know," she sighed sadly. "I've lost him, I realize that now. I am saddened at the kind of man he will become, and all because of you. He had it in him to become a great wizard, one who would have proudly brought the Malfoy family into the future. Instead, he'll be forgotten, as will you and your family name."
"You bitch!" Lucius screamed, raising his wand to wipe the woman from the face of the earth. He paused momentarily when he heard a loud pop.
"You will leave Miss Black alone!" Dobby said with a snap of his fingers that once again saw the Malfoy patriarch launched at speed against the wall.
"You didn't have to do that, Dobby, but I thank you." she said with a chuckle. "I can't wait to tell Sirius and Andi that you got your ass kicked by an elf, Lucius! Take me to Sirius if you would please, Dobby?"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"Sweetie, I'm really scared." Susan whimpered, holding Harry's arm in a vice-like grip.
"Me too, Sue." she looked into his eyes and saw the truth of the statement. But, she also saw a grim determination in his lovely green eyes. "If what that writing up there was true, there might be a couple of students trapped down here. I can't just leave them behind..."
Susan took in a deep breath and straightened, determined to be brave, for him. "You're right. We can't leave anyone behind. Let's do this." she said grimly.
As the round door moved to the side they slowly made their way into the Chamber. Harry thought the gigantic room something out of one of those stupid horror movies that Dudley used to watch late at night: large, damp, and ominous. The statues that decorated the walls seemed gothic in their hideousness. "Slytherin, you think?" he questioned his mate.
"I would think, love; nobody really knows what he looked like. It's just the assorted paintings and statues around the school that show him like this, he was apparently really averse to sitting for portraits, unlike Gryffindor who was apparently kind of a diva." she answered. "Harry, look, over there!"
Harry scanned the area that Susan had indicated, noticing for the first time the prone form of two girls lying on the wet floor.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"All of Slytherin is present and accounted for Headmistress." Professor Sinistra reported.
"As is Ravenclaw, Minerva." added Filius.
"Pomona?" the headmistress asked looking toward her friend. "Mr. and...Harry and Susan are missing as well, ma'am." replied the Herbology instructor.
"Damn that boy!" she muttered to herself, again.
"Headmistress!" the shout from the Gryffindor table caused the gathering of professors to turn and face the voice from the Gryffindor table.
"Miss Johnson, something to report." The headmistress looked upon the young witch in admiration, noticing that she and the other Gryffindor girls were wearing the red cloaks of the Guardians. The small group of girls had only just started to become a calming influence in the school and had shown remarkable responsibility in seeing after her first and second year cubs.
"We've two missing students, Headmistress." Angelina said as she approached the dais.
"Who is missing?" Minerva asked quietly.
"Lavender and Parvati, ma'am; nobody has seen them since we were escorted into the great hall."
Minerva pinched her nose in frustration, wishing that Albus was around to sort this mess. "Thank you, Miss Johnson. Please return to your seat, I will take care of it." She turned to her gathered staff, "Please ensure that your charges are well. I will have the Aurors moving the students to the Express as soon as I can. Pomona, come with me, please."
"Director Bones, we've just become aware of two missing students..."
"If you mean Susan and Harry, Headmistress, I am well aware of that." Amelia replied irritably.
"In which case, we now have four missing students. I am missing Miss Patil and Miss Brown from my own House. Please, Amelia..."
"The writing on the wall!" Hermione exclaimed loudly.
"Hermione, what do you mean?" Amelia asked, casting a glance at the witch.
"'Their bones will lie in the Chamber forever'." Hannah answered for her friend. "It's still written on the wall by Myrtle's bathroom. I don't think Mr. Filch ever got around to scrubbing it off."
Amelia's eyes widened in shock, "She's right, they must be the sacrifice. Minerva, start evacuating the school. The hallways are clear all the way to the exit. Make it quick! Get everybody on the train and get the conductor to leave, immediately!"
"But the missing children..."
"I will remain with the Unspeakables and some of my Aurors; we will find them and bring them back. Go!"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Tonks had high-tailed it out of the great hall the moment she heard that Sue and Harry were last seen in Myrtle's bathroom. She skidded to a stop when she came upon the bloody mess that was the former DADA professor. "Ewww, gross."
She flicked her wand, casting her patronus. The silvery mist semi-solidified into her jack-rabbit, "Inform the boss that we have a body near the eastern exit." the patronus bounded away. She cast a notice-me-not charm that would prevent anyone under the age of twenty-one from noticing the corpse or the viscera that coated the walls and floor.
She shook her head at the shock of it all, but remembered that she had a task to complete. She rushed toward the bathroom.
Upon entrance into the loo, Tonks was amazed at seeing the large opening that gaped before her. She leaned over and peered into the dark and foreboding abyss. "You've got to be freaking kidding me! I'm going to kill you, little man!" she hissed angrily. As she was preparing herself to dive in, the most absurd thing she'd ever witnessed happened.
The loud yapping from the hallway outside the bathroom stopped her in her tracks. Puck came bounding in and without even a hint of the danger he could be facing, dove into the hole in search of Susan. That Hedwig was next to enter the bathroom, and had glided next into the hole, just about shocked her to her into inaction.
Crookshanks came bounding in next, took one look at the hole, turned around, and left the bathroom with a flicker of his tail. "Smart little bugger." Tonks thought as she watched the retreating form of the flat-faced cat.
She shivered at the thought of what she was about to do. "For Harry and Susan." she said, and dove in.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Ted sat at his desk, cup of tea in hand, poring over the documents that his secretary had piled on his desk. "You're an evil woman, Margaret!" he called out to his secretary.
"Love you too, boss!" was the reply from outside his office.
"Don't let Andi hear you say that! She'd crucify me if she thought I was having an affair!"
"Andi would do a hell of a lot more than just crucify you, Ted!" Margaret scoffed. "Besides, I'm old enough to be your grandmother.
"Ah, but you're still a vision of loveliness, my dear." he teased. "So, anything else on the agenda or can I leave work early for once in my life?"
"You've still got that one appointment in a few minutes, Ted. But, once that meeting is done you can take off for the day. Worried about your Nymphadora?"
Ted acknowledged her with a slight nod. "Her...and Harry...and Susan, hell, I'm worried about all my 'nieces' and 'nephews'. These people that I have an appointment with know that I only work for the Potter's and the Bones', right?" he wondered.
She nodded at him, "I think it was because of that that they sought you out. Oh, that's the doorbell, I'll show them in."
Ted stood and cleared his desk, waving his wand and banishing the paperwork into a tidy pile on his side table. The gruff voices from beyond his office drew his attention toward the door.
"Your appointments are here, Mr. Tonks." Margaret said with a slight look of fright in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, questioningly, and she jerkily nodded her head towards the men that were standing just behind her. "Gentlemen." she said, opening the door wider to allow them entrance.
"Sirs, I am Ted Tonks, how may I be of service to you today?" Ted said, extending his hand in greeting. The taller of the pair looked at his hand as if it were diseased, but shook it nonetheless.
"Alciades Burbidge, Mr. Tonks, and my associate is Treviso Flucker." Ted nodded to the second man in greeting.
"Please, take a seat. What may I do for you gentlemen? I hope you are both aware that I am no longer available for new clients, as all my time is taken up..."
Burbidge held up his hand, "We are aware of the families you represent, Mr. Tonks. It is in this capacity we've sought you out."
"I see..."
'Stop beating around the bush, Burbidge, and just get to the point!" Flucker murmured insistently. A look of annoyance crossed the tall man's face.
"As I was saying, it is as representative to both House Bones and House Potter that we've come to you today. As legal representatives to two upstanding families, we've been instructed to approach you." Ted looked at the man with confusion.
"What Burbidge here is trying to say, in too many words, is that we've been tasked with completing betrothal contracts for your two clients with our two clients. The families we represent come from the top tier of our society, the cream of the crop, as they say. It is in your...forgive me, it is in our mutual best interest to join these families for the good of our community."
"The history of the Bones family is long and well documented; as is that of the Potter family, irrespective of the...standing... of the previous Lady Potter." Flucker said arrogantly.
"I see..." Ted said again, a note of irritation creeping into his voice. "Forgive me gentlemen, but if you are both as familiar with the Bones' and Potter families as I believe you are then you are also certainly aware that both these families frown upon marriage contracts of any sort."
"Indeed, we are aware of that. However, times are changing, are they not? There are many of us that are not happy with the erosion of our heritage and traditions. It is in this spirit that these contracts are offered to your clients." Burbidge said, reaching into his briefcase and pulling out two rather voluminous looking contracts and setting them in front of the puzzled Ted. "You'll find the terms to be generous in the extreme. Your clients would be hard pressed to find better matches..."
"Forgive me for interrupting you, sir, but I can't see either of my clients agreeing to this. As it is, both of their guardians would most assuredly respond in the negative to your, uhm, requests." Ted was totally just bs-ing here, knowing full well that as a bonded couple, both Harry and Susan were emancipated. Ted picked up one of the heavy documents and scanned it, "Parkinson?"
"A very respected and ancient family, Mr. Tonks, one that Lord Potter would be very lucky to join.; Pansy is a very striking young woman." Flucker replied.
"I see..." Ted said with a shake of his head. "And this one, for the Lady Susan...?"
"An invitation to join the Malfoy family, Mr. Tonks; also a well respected and ancient family." Burbidge answered.
"I will have to read through these, of course, and then present them to my clients."
"We realize that, sir. We'll await your reply. Come, Burbidge, let's get leave the man to his work." Flucker said standing quickly. With a nod to Ted, the man left, leaving him alone with Burbidge.
Extending his hand, Burbidge said, "It would be in the best interest of everyone if these contracts were signed quickly and in the affirmative, Mr. Tonks. The repercussions should they not be accepted could be...perilous...to your clients. Good day to you, sir."
Ted had a very real need to shower at the moment to disinfect himself from the two slimy bastards that had graced his office, but contacting Sirius on Amelia first overrode that need.
"Margaret, take the rest of the day off! I'm headed out to see Sirius!" he shouted as he quickly grabbed some floo powder and faded away in the flickering green flames.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Susan let go of Harry's hand and sped to the two fallen girls. On her knees, she reached out to the blonde witch. "It's Lavender, Harry."
"Parvati." Harry said from his position next to the Indian witch. "Are they sleeping?"
Susan gently patted Lavender's cheek and got no response. "Not sleep, something deeper than that, I think."
"They'll not wake..." a voice said, speaking from the shadows.
Harry spun around, wand in hand, "Who's there? Show yourself!"
Susan was very surprised to see a young man walk out of the darkness. He was older than she, maybe a seventh year, handsome in a malevolent sort of way. She noticed the Slytherin badge on the robes that were definitely of an older design. "You're a Slytherin."
"Indeed, but it's not just my House, you know. I am a direct descendant of the great Salazar Slytherin, after all." the boy said proudly.
"'The heir of Slytherin'?" Harry muttered.
"Indeed, Harry Potter." the boy said with a smirk.
"You know who I am?" Harry asked.
"Of course I do. I've been most anxious to meet you, Potter. For months now I've set my basilisk against you, hoping to kill you. But, lucky for you, you've managed to escape time and again. It's frustrated my pet to no end." he replied with a smile. "But, that will soon be remedied."
"Harry!" Susan said in a shaky voice.
Harry turned to her, his eyes fixed on hers. 'Get them out of here.'
She hadn't realized that he hadn't spoken aloud. "I'll not leave you!"
'Please, Susan, get the girls to safety. I'll be fine.'
"No!" she said in fury. She palmed her wand and walked over to him, taking his hand firmly in hers. "Together, Harry."
He could see in her eyes that she'd not leave, resigned, he turned back to the young man. "Well, c'mon then, get on with it if you're going to kill me."
"Us!" Susan added angrily.
The young man shook his head in amusement, a smirk on his handsome face. "How is it, Potter, that an underpowered wizard such as you was able to defeat the greatest wizard that ever lived?"
Susan and Harry both frowned in confusion.
"You still haven't put it together, have you? It was I that killed your stupid father. Regretful that, as he was a pureblood; killing your mother was easy, she was only a mudblood after all."
"Voldemort." Susan whispered. She felt Harry tense next to her, certain that he'd attack. She squeezed his hand, hoping to stop him before he exploded. "Not yet." she said into his ear.
"Very good, young miss. And they say that Hufflepuffs are stupid..." the boy laughed before he lunged with a quickness that surprised Harry, the young man had snatched his wand from his hands.
"What is this?" the Slytherin asked with uncertainty, waving the faux-wand about.
"Want to try mine?" Susan asked, extending her hand and offering the boy her own wand.
The Slytherin tossed Harry's wand aside and snatched the wand off of Susan. "What is the meaning of this?" Voldemort said, looking at the young couple in apprehension.
"Maybe it's you who is underpowered?" Susan taunted. She summoned back her wand, catching it easily in her outstretched hand. "Lumos."
The wide-eyed confusion of Voldemort almost caused Harry to laugh aloud. "What, can't you do that?" Harry mocked. "It's easy, really."
Voldemort's eyes narrowed in anger. "Very well, Harry Potter, I don't know yet what this power it is that you have, but as you'll be dead soon, as such I don't believe it really matters." Spinning around, Voldemort raised his hands above his head, "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four!"
"I come, my Master!" Harry heard from the great statue at the back of the Chamber.
"Susan, you have to go, now! Get the girls and get out of here!" Harry pleaded.
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Susan knew that she would do this for him, no matter how much it tore at her heart to do so. "You better come back to me." she wept, placing a loving kiss on his lips. She turned toward the fallen girls and easily levitated them with a wave of her hand. With one last look at Harry, she hurriedly made her way toward the Chamber exit. Susan never noticed the diary that fell out of the pocket of one of the girls.
Harry looked at the retreating form of his wife, "CLOSE!" he hissed, and watched the large door roll shut behind her.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"It's ready, Poppy."
"Thank you, Adeline. I can't thank you, or your people, enough for the help in brewing this potion a lot quicker than we could have without our own Potion Master in the castle to brew it for us."
"Yes, Severus is a good brewer, but that man is a little too unpleasant for my taste." replied Adeline.
"A little?" Poppy asked with a small smile.
"Well," the elderly healer said, chuckling softly, "At least we'll be able to wake him, the headmaster, and Professor Lupin, too."
"Minerva will be happy to see Albus up and about again. Here we go, Adeline, care to do the honors?"
"Thank you kindly..." she replied, taking the tube and pushing down into the headmaster's throat. With practiced ease, she poured the potion down his throat. "There, that should do quite nicely, I should think. Who's next?"
"Let's do Severus, as he's been out the longest aside from Albus." The procedure was repeated on the potions professor.
"Poppy, Healer Cantwell, we must evacuate immediately!" Minerva shouted from the doorway.
"But..."
"Now, you two! The creature is about and the students are being herded to Hogsmeade and the Express. Besides the Auror contingent, the castle is empty or will be soon."
"But we've yet to awaken Remus..." Poppy said.
"Leave him! I assume that Albus and Severus have been given the antidote? Very well, use your floo, Poppy, and take those two directly to St. Mungo's. Remus should be in no danger as he is still quite petrified."
Despite her opinion, she knew that Minerva would not relent until she complied with her wishes. "Very well, Headmistress. Adeline, would you take Albus? I'll take care of Severus. And despite Minerva, I'm getting Remus out of here too!"
Within a matter of minutes, the infirmary was empty.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"Where's Potter and Bones, Abbott? Did the half-blood and the blood traitor run away?" asked the oily voice of Draco.
"No, Malfoy, they both are doing something to help us all, even you. They've gone to confront the basilisk themselves." Hannah replied in anger.
"Yeah, right!" Draco scoffed. "Two second year students going after a basilisk? You don't seriously expect anyone to believe that, do you?"
"Believe what you want, Malfoy." Ginny said angrily, stepping in front of the Slytherin bully. She stepped up close to the git and whispered softly, "We know your father had something to do with this, Malfoy. If anything happens to Harry or Susan, he will regret it!"
Draco sneered at the tiny redhead, "Another one of Potter's whores, are you, Weasel?"
"Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy...I think you should run away right now before she hexes you very painfully." George said, placing a hand on Ginny's shoulder to keep her from attacking. "She's really inventive with curses when she's angry, you know?"
"Our brother Bill is a curse-breaker, knows his stuff, too. He taught Ginny a whole bunch of scary, nasty, wicked, spells, so toddle off before she pulls her wand on you."
"Attention everyone!" came the high-pitched voice of Professor Flitwick. "Slytherin's, beginning with you, please make your way towards the exit and head down to Hogsmeade. Quickly now! Gryffindor, you're next!"
"They're making us leave?" Hermione asked. "I can't leave without knowing if Susan and Harry are okay!"
"Hermione," Luna said, "Look at all the Auror's that are around. There's no way we could get away with ditching them."
"I'm going to punch Harry in the face!" Hannah promised.
"I am too!" Neville concurred.
"C'mon Gin, it's our turn to leave." George said, indicating the Gryffindor table.
"See you guys on the train!" she said as she was being dragged off by her brothers.
"Hufflepuff, your turn!" Flitwick bellowed.
"If they die, I'm going to learn necromancy, resurrect them, and then kill them all over again!" Hermione pledged.
"Gonna shove my wand so far up his..." Luna murmured to herself.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Creepy didn't even begin to describe the place she found herself in. Picking herself up from the bone-littered floor, Tonks hurriedly made her way down the long hallway. The barking coming from up ahead a good indicator that she was headed in the right direction.
She skidded to a halt upon spying Susan, who was kneeling between two girls. Hedwig had landed on her shoulder and was rubbing her cheek with her head. Puck was on her lap, trying to gain her attention.
"Susan?"
"Nym! Thank the gods!" the young girl yelped, launching herself into her arms. "We have to get to Harry!
"Where is Harry, Sue?" the auburn haired witch pointed toward the impressive looking doorway. "Oh, geez..."
"Nym, he's in there with Voldemort." Susan said in a frightened voice.
"WHAT?"
"It was him that opened the chamber and let loose the basilisk on the school. He'd summoned it again just as Harry made me leave." she cried.
"He did the right thing, Susan." Tonks said consolingly. "I'm guessing there's no way back in there?"
Susan shook her head, "Not unless you know parseltongue."
"Who are the girls?" Tonks asked, casting her gaze toward the two unconscious witches,
"The blonde is Lavender, the other girl is Parvati. They're both in Gryffindor. You remember what happened to Hermione? Well, these girls were two of the four that tried to stop that."
Tonks knelt next to Parvati and examined her, "She seems to be in some sort of magical sleep." she explained. "That's odd..."
"What?" Susan asked.
"She seems to be getting weaker, like something is draining her life-force; Lavender too."
The loud crashing against the metal doors startled both Susan and Tonks. "Harry!" Susan cried out, pounding the metal door with her fists.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"I'm going to kill him! No! I'm going to boil him in oil! No! I'm going to castrate him, flay him, and then boil him in oil! After that, I'm going to toss him into Lily's memory and let her have a go at him!" Sirius ranted to Amelia.
"As much as I want to agree with you, Siri, he and Susan have helped save the lives of everyone in the castle by drawing the basilisk away from the great hall!" Amelia told him. "But we have another problem, too."
"Oh, bugger! What? Just tell me." Sirius said uneasily.
Amelia pulled the Marauder's map from her pocket and laid it on top of the Hufflepuff table. With a finger, she indicated the footsteps of the man who'd betrayed him, Lily, and James.
"Wormtail!" Sirius yelled in a rage. He drew his wand and tore out of the great hall.
"Sirius! Forget him; we have to find the kids!" Amelia shouted.
Sirius stopped and turned to him, his face red with anger and his chest heaving as though he'd just ran a marathon. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. "Where are we going?"
"To the girl's bathroom!"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
The sounds of raging battle coming from the other side of the door were driving both Tonks and Susan crazy. Susan screamed out in fear when she heard Harry's cry of pain, her banging on the door grew more frantic even as her hands became bloody from the attempt. Her usually perfectly manicured nails had long ago succumbed to the beating they were taking. Her attack on the door grew even wilder when Tonks and she both felt as though an earthquake had struck the castle, the walls shaking and pieces of the ceiling falling on their heads.
The sound of coughing drew her focus away from the door, noticing the two Gryffindor girls start to awaken.
"Lavender? Parvati? You girls okay?" Susan asked, kneeling beside them.
"Susan?" asked an unfocused Lavender.
"Where are we?" Parvati asked.
"Down in the Chamber of Secrets." Tonks answered the girls.
"Tom!" the girls shrieked.
"Who's Tom?" Susan asked.
"The diary, did you guys find the diary? 'Vati and I were writing in it, Tom was the name of the boy that answered our questions."
"I think he was the one that possessed us," Parvati added, "It's because of him that that basilisk got out of the chamber and hurt all those people!"
Tonks was confused, never having heard of such a thing, a diary that wrote back to you? She shook herself from her thoughts with the grinding of the metal door startled her. "Get behind me, girls!" she said tersely.
Susan froze at the sight of him. He stood there, gazing at her lovingly. He had Dumbledore's phoenix on his shoulder, and Hedwig had landed on the other. His right hand held a sword that he was dragging behind him, its jewel encrusted pommel gleaming in the torchlight. His robes were a torn and bloodied mess, but it was the sight of the slowly closing wound on his left forearm that provoked her to run to his side.
"Hey, beautiful..." he managed to say before he passed out in her arms.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"This is not possible..." Filius said as he stared in awe at the body of the basilisk.
Minerva stood next to him, wringing her hands over and over again in anxiety. She wished that she could do magic down here, without looking like an alcoholic, as summoning a large bottle of her families' whiskey was very much needed. She would have to thank Harry profusely for seeing two of her cubs safely back into the fold.
Next to her was Pomona, who was crying unashamedly at the danger her 'Puffs had been in. She knew that Harry was brave, but this was beyond the call of duty, especially for one as young as he.
The large Auror by Flitwick's side, Shacklebot he remembered, spoke up. "A bit more than sixty feet long." the man said, staring at the creature in wide-eyed in disbelief. "One of the Unspeakables thinks that this beast was at least a thousand years old, too."
"Just...it's just...not possible..." the Charms professor kept muttering to himself. But the proof was right before him, and what gargantuan proof it was.
"I can't wait to hear the story about what happened in here." Shacklebot said. "Professor, I'd like to show you what I brought you down here for."
Filius just nodded and let himself be led away from the sight of the basilisk. "Here it is, Professor."
Filius squeezed his nose, trying to concentrate on the task ahead. Before him was a scorch mark, large and circular and placed right in the middle, a diary with a fang sticking out of it. He drew his wand and began a complicated set of wand movements, casting spell after spell at the book.
"It registers as the darkest of magic." he said, mostly to himself.
"Yeah, that's what the Unspeakable said." Shack agreed.
"I have a thought of what this is but would really like to investigate this further before I give you my conclusion."
"He said that, too." the large Auror stated with a frown. "Well, if you find anything, Professor, please be sure to look me up and fill me in."
"Indeed I will, Auror." Filius agreed.
"How?" Pomona asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know, Pomona, but I'm sure we'll soon find out." Minerva replied, "Come, let's get out of here and head to the infirmary to check on Mr. Potter."
Once they'd exited Myrtle's bathroom, the trio of professors made their way hastily toward the infirmary.
"Albus!" Minerva yelped in surprise at seeing her boss standing there as if he hadn't been petrified these last few months. He was standing in front of Harry's bed, a look of sadness on his face.
"Interesting times?" he asked when he caught sight of them.
"You've no idea!" Pomona replied.
"No, I suppose not, but by the look of Lord Potter over there, I assume that something bad happened." his three professors acknowledged that with vigorous nods of their heads. "Tell me."
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Sirius sat at Harry's bedside, Amelia once again sitting on his lap. He marveled at the vision before him. Susan was sleeping, her head resting on Harry's shoulder with a contented smile on her face. Harry had pulled her tightly to his side, his chin resting on the top of her head. The golden halo that had been so bright an hour earlier had softened slowly until it was no more than a pale light. Hedwig was on the headboard, her head tucked under her wing as she slept and little Puck had curled up between her mistress and her mate, lightly snoring.
"They're both fine, Sirius." Poppy said when she pulled back the privacy screen that protected the couple and entered to check on her patients.
"I can see that. It's just..."
"Astounding? Unbelievable? Amazing? Incredible? Inconceivable?"
Sirius chuckled, "Yeah, all of that."
"They look content, don't they?" Amelia asked.
"I don't care if school resumes tomorrow, I'm taking Harry out of here. This has been traumatic enough as it is, I don't want him near this school for a while. I'm thinking we take them on an extended holiday somewhere with white beaches and crystal clear blue waters."
"I agree." Amelia replied. "Some time at home will do them both a world of good too, though. I'll ask the Education Department to allow them time heal before they sit their second year end of term exams. Despite the Ministry reopening the school on Monday, they'd only be missing a month of school. Harry might be a bit upset about missing quidditch, but he'll get over it if he sees Susan in a bikini. We get the rest of our lot out of the school too; maybe have Remus tutor them a bit so they don't lose too much information and can sit their exams without much trouble."
"I can't see the Abbott's, Augie, Xeno, or Weasley's having a problem with that, as I'm sure they won't want any of their kids back at school anytime soon. Well, maybe Hermione will complain a bit...you know how that girl loves her exams."
Amelia chuckled. "Yeah, I agree with that too. Look, Siri."
Sirius turned his head toward the entrance to the infirmary, seeing Tonks running in, a look of worry on her face. "Remus!" she called out.
His best friend was still lying in bed, notes for his classes strewn all over the place as he pored over them. "Dora!" he called out animatedly. Nym ran to him and took him into a fierce hug, pulling back slightly to kiss him deeply, his paperwork flying off in all directions.
"Ugh...get a room you two, nobody else wants to see that!" Sirius remarked with a grin. Tonks and Remus both shot him the bird, and he chuckled in delight.
"Let them be, love." Amelia said sternly.
"Yes, dear." he said with a kiss to her forehead. "So, Moony, I hear you're the new DADA professor for the next term?"
Tonks squealed in happiness, embracing her love tightly once again. "Congratulations, love!"
"I just wish..."
"I know, Moony, the man may have been a horrible teacher, but no one deserves to die like he did." Sirius said.
"I know, I know, and as much as I too hate how I'm getting this position, I'm really grateful for the opportunity. No one can object now that a werewolf is teaching in the school as I've already been teaching first and second year for almost nine months now." Remus said, looking a bit uncomfortable. "How's Harry?"
Harry's godfather cast a glance at his godson and his wife. "They're both okay, impossible though that may be to believe. He looks very happy."
"You'd be happy too if you were in bed with a beautiful girl." Remus declared.
"Says the man who has a beautiful girl in his bed, too!" Amelia teased the blushing couple.
"Boss!" Tonks protested. Amelia and Sirius both chuckled at the couple's embarrassment.
"Sirius, what happened to Wormtail?" Moony asked.
"You told him?" Sirius said with a glance at Amelia.
"Of course I did! I figured cluing Remus in might rein you in a little so you wouldn't go off after him like a blithering idiot!"
"You're right, I would have." Sirius agreed. "He got away, Moony."
"Well, we'll just have to catch him later, won't we?" Remus said with a ruthless look. Sirius grinned at him and nodded in agreement.
"Dad?" Tonks said when she spied her father come into the infirmary. Ted hurried to her side and embraced her fiercely, taking her face in his hands and inspecting her for injury. "I'm fine, Dad, really?"
"Teddy?" Amelia inquired. "What's going on?"
"Oh, thank god you two are here! We've a bit of a problem."
"Crap...now what?" Sirius mumbled irritably.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
The parents had welcomed their brood back to the Glen, hugs and kisses desperately needed after the goings on of the last couple of days. Sirius had set up portkeys for the kids to take directly from the platform upon arrival of the Express into London. With all of them being practically family to both Susan and Harry, he was concerned that they'd be accosted by press and the parents of the students alike. Harry and Susan had been brought back straight to the Glen from the Hogwarts infirmary, both still exhausted from their ordeal, and Dobby and Michael were ensuring that their Lord and Lady were well taken care.
Molly had all three of her children in a devastatingly tight embrace, if their blue faces were any indication. Dan and Emma held tightly to Hermione as well, all three with tears in their eyes. Xeno was being consoled by Luna, oddly enough, who whispered over and over to him that she was fine. Amanda and Corwin were much like the Granger's, holding on tightly to Hannah, thankful that she'd come back to them unharmed. Neville was looking a bit uncomfortable supporting his crying grandmother, but he held on to her lovingly until she'd calmed.
Sirius was smiling as he watched the interaction of his extended family, wishing that Harry and Sue had been down here too, if only to just witness the love in the room. "Guys, if you'll all settle down, I've something to show you." he said gravely.
"What is it Sirius?" Dan asked, his arms still enfolding his daughter in a tight embrace.
"Before we put him to bed, Harry gave me a memory of what happened down in the Chamber. Anyone want to see?" he winced a bit when the shouts of all the people in the room overwhelmed his senses. "Dobby, if you have a moment, would you mind retrieving the pensieve from Lily's lab?"
"Of course, Lord Black, I will return momentarily." Dobby said before he popped away.
"Have you seen it, Sirius?" Augusta asked.
Sirius shook his head. "Amelia and Albus have, I think Minerva, Pomona, and Filius as well. I couldn't at the time. I honestly wanted all you guys around me when I viewed it. I don't think I could do it alone." Luna and Hermione tore themselves from their respective father's and engulfed the Marauder in a tight hug.
"We're here for you, Uncle Sirius." Luna whispered to him, Hermione bobbing her head in agreement.
"Thank you ladies." he said sincerely, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. "Ah, Dobby, thank you kindly!" the little elf beamed before popping away.
"Will there be room for all of us?" Emma asked.
"I don't know that I'm comfortable allowing Ginny and the twins to view this." Molly added.
"MOM!" her children yelled at her.
"Harry and Susan both risked their lives to save us and all the kids at school, I'd be a poor friend if I didn't at the very least have the courage to see what happened!" Ginny huffed in indignation.
"She's right, Molly. Those two have done the school a great service. Let them watch." Arthur added. Molly nodded in defeat.
"Ready?" Sirius asked, drawing the vial from his jacket and pouring its contents into the pensieve. "Instead of all of us going in, I set the pensieve to display it above the bowl. Dan, Emma, it'll be a bit like watching a movie although I doubt very much that any of us are going to want popcorn."
The next hour passed slowly to the viewers of the memory. Shouts of fright and cheers of pride were equal in their intensity. When the basilisk finally died, shouted loudly in approval. Seeing Harry tear the fang from his arm had the magicals all crying, knowing full well that a basilisk bite was invariably fatal.
"What?" Emma asked seeing the tears in everyone's eyes.
"Mom, a bit from a basilisk is deadly...always. Harry shouldn't be alive." Hermione explained through her tears.
"But then how...?" Emma's question was explained with the second arrival of Fawkes. The magnificent bird crying its healing tears into Harry's arm had the crowd cheering in joy.
"Do phoenix's like bacon?" Luna asked no one in particular.
Seeing Harry stab the diary with the fang, and watching the specter of a young Voldemort disappear in an explosion of magic was frightening in the extreme. The memory ended when Harry collapsed in Susan's outstretched arms.
Xeno was the first to recover. He made his way quickly over to the bar, where he grabbed a glass and a bottle of fire whiskey. He looked at the glass and tossed it aside, unstoppering the bottle and chugging it down directly.
"Daddy!" Luna admonished loudly.
Not to be undone, Dan walked over and calmly took the bottle from Xeno before he took a long pull as well.
"DAD!" Hermione screeched crossly.
"Hand it over, Granger!" Sirius said, thankful that he hadn't been the first one to think of doing this. He coughed a bit after he'd swallowed and handed the bottle to Corwin.
"Corwin!" spluttered Amanda while Hannah laughed.
"Hand it over, Abbott!" Augusta said dangerously. With raised eyebrows, Hannah's father handed the bottle over to the imposing witch and watched as she took the longest swallow of all.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
A raging Algernon tossed the diary onto the desk of the Hogwarts headmaster, "How long have you known, Albus?"
"Algernon..."
"Do not lie to me, you old goat! How long?" he asked again.
"Known? Not until I'd seen the diary myself. I had suspected..."
"Then how long have you suspected, you bastard?" the old Unspeakable asked in a fury.
"Since the night of the Potter's murder, when I had a chance to inspect Harry for injury."
"And how long were you going to keep this information to yourself, Albus?" Amelia questioned. The look on the headmaster's face was enough to answer the question for her. "I see...never, huh?"
"Now, Amelia, it was vital to keep this information secure and as secret as I possibly could. I could not risk the information making its way back to Voldemort, on the off chance that he'd move these items from their present location."
"So you know about two of them?" Algernon asked angrily. Albus nodded in assent.
"And the one in young Potter?"
"Something occurred the night he confronted Voldemort almost a year ago. I don't know how or why, but the piece that resided in him was ejected from his body."
"And how many more do you think there are, Albus?"
"Besides the three we know about..."
"Three?" Amelia interjected.
"These two and the one in his own body." Algernon answered.
"Beside the three, I suspect four more." Albus continued.
"And what have you been doing to locate these...these...things?" Amelia inquired. Albus lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "I see. So you've had close to twelve years to be locating the horcruxes and have done absolutely fuck all to find them?"
"Disgraceful!" Algernon hissed scathingly. "Why the hell didn't you ask anyone for help?"
"Because..." Albus began.
"Because you only trust yourself to be able to handle matters of such importance, isn't that right? Albus, you fool, you could have had anyone bind the secret to themselves with a simple oath. You could've had twelve years of trustworthy people helping you locate these items. But you didn't. Instead you hide away up here in your ivory tower and hold onto this information like a magpie. What if you'd died, Albus, what then? Do you realize the scale of tragedies that could've occurred and that you could've stopped by just telling someone with a bit of experience in this subject? As it is, I think you've put us a decade behind in trying to eradicate Voldemort. How close was he to claiming a body today, Albus? What if Harry hadn't defeated him...again? He would have brought down Hogwarts with the entire student body and all the staff still inside. Hundreds of children could have perished, and all because of your oversized ego!"
"The magnitude of my mistakes is...mortifying." the headmaster replied with a hitch in his voice.
"Well, that's all about to change now, isn't it, Albus? Algernon, Sirius, you, and I, have all taken an oath to keep the secret. We'll bring in other people if we need too, and only when they've sworn to keep the secret."
"Agreed." Albus said miserably.
"Now, as for this prophecy, you are sure that it is about Potter?" Algernon inquired.
Albus nodded, "Indeed. It could have been about your nephew, Algernon, but he wasn't marked like Harry was."
"And this 'power he knows not'?"
"I don't know..." the headmaster replied with a shake of his head.
"There's a lot you don't know, isn't there?" Algernon scolded. "Well, we'll just have to start at the beginning and work our way through these problems one at a time. I warn you now, Albus, hold back anything from us and I will personally hex you into oblivion! Now, where should we start?"
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Hand in hand, Harry and Susan walked the huge property that was Alder Glen. They laughed in amusement, watching Hedwig dive-bomb Puck, the little puppy barking in indignation.
"Where are you taking me?" Susan asked, pulling Harry closer.
"You'll see. It's kind of a surprise."
"You know I don't like surprises, love." Susan said, her eyes narrowing.
"Trust me, you'll like this." he told her with a laugh, holding her hand tightly as he pulled her towards him and kissed her deeply.
It took them the better part of an hour to reach their destination, but with all the stops they'd made along the way to watch the fauna, or for much needed kisses, it wasn't too surprising.
"Nym still following us?" Susan asked, glancing behind them.
"Yup, Sirius too, you can see his head pop out from the grass every once in a while. I think Nym is disillusioned." he said with a grin. "We're here."
They stood at the edge of a large meadow that was beyond description in its beauty. Thousands of colorful flowers dotter the green expanse, adding to the meadows natural splendor.
Taking both her hands, Harry led Susan down toward the center of the field. "Remember the vision I had from the mirror back in first year?"
"Is this it? Is this the field that you saw us in with our daughters?" she asked in amazement.
"Yup."
"How'd you find it?"
"Neville and I were jogging a few days ago. We decided to change our route a bit, and we found this." he said with a wave of his hand.
"This is perfect, Harry." she whispered. "And I can see why we'd come out here."
"Michael?" Harry called out.
The elf popped in and bowed deeply to the couple. "How may I be of service, my Lord?"
"Would it be too much trouble to bring us some food for a picnic?" Harry asked.
"Of course not, my Lord, I will return shortly."
"Where's Dobby, love?" Susan asked.
Harry chuckled, "Michael has got him doing homework."
"Oh." she giggled. "Poor Dobby."
After Michael had returned, the young couple spent a delightful afternoon together, their bonds of love growing ever closer.
Harry looked over his shoulder, "Should we invite our minders to lunch?"
"Might as well, Harry, you know how Sirius can get if he's not fed properly. And I'm sure Nym is bored just watching us all afternoon, I'm sure she'd enjoy something cold to drink."
He kissed her tenderly and stood up. "You guys want to join us?" he called out.
"Dammit, Harry, you're not supposed to know we're here!" Nym said, stamping her indignantly.
"Well, I don't know about you, Nym, but I'm starving and that fried chicken I've been smelling for the last hour has been driving me crazy!"
"You're just as bad as Neville, Uncle Sirius!" Susan reprimanded.
"Am not!" he huffed.
"Yes you are, Siri!" Nym teased.
"Fine, just shut it and hand me a piece of chicken!" he huffed. Harry offered him the platter, while Susan gave Tonks a cold butterbeer.
"This is a beautiful spot you two have found." Sirius said, admiring the view.
"We'd like to think so too." Susan agreed.
"So, you two ready for your trip with Professor Flitwick?" Nym asked.
"I am!" Harry replied excitedly.
"Me too, I suppose." Susan said more hesitantly.
"What is it, Sue?" Harry asked, moving closer to her and wrapping an arm around her waist. As always, she shivered at his touch.
"Just a bit anxious, I guess." she answered honestly. "Harry and I have only just started experimenting with these new found...powers, I guess you'd call them. I don't want to hurt anybody by mistake just because I get annoyed at them or something."
"Filius is a good man, Susan; he'll make sure that you guys are able to learn to control your 'power', as you called it." Nym said.
"She's right, Sue, and from what I understand, your abilities will manifest slowly as you grow." Sirius added.
"When is the first lesson?" Sirius asked.
"Professor Flitwick is picking us up tomorrow morning. We'll have to meet the Overlord before we go in to the library."
"You're going to meet the Overlord?" Nym asked in amazement.
"Yeah...why?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing really, it's just that I don't think he meets with wizards very often is all. Make sure you two are on your best behavior, if his reputation is to be believed, he doesn't suffer fools gladly."
"Great, now I'm getting nervous." Harry mumbled.
"Don't worry, love, I'll be right there to pull your foot out of your mouth if you need." Sirius barked a laugh and Nym chuckled behind a hastily raised hand.
"Oh, you!" Harry yelled, lunging at Susan and tickling her unmercifully.
"Harry, stop!" Susan squealed. She stood swiftly and ran away from her tormenter.
"It's amazing how much in love they are." Sirius remarked to his cousin, watching as his godson and his beloved ran across the meadow, followed by a barking Puck and a hovering Hedwig.
"Beautiful, really, truly beautiful." Nym agreed. She looked down at her watch and stood. "C'mon, the warders that Griphook had scheduled to strengthen the wards should be here soon. Harry and Susan both have to be there to accept the magic involved."
"I'm a little wary about having the Fidelius on the Glen." Sirius said with a note of worry in his voice. "My track record with that particular charm isn't exactly stellar."
"Perhaps, but only those two will know who the secret keeper is. Besides, we know a heck a lot more about the fidelius now, don't we? An unbreakable vow will assure the secret is kept, no matter what." she said.
"I wonder who they'll choose." Sirius wondered.
"I'm not even going to speculate. I just want to make sure that they're both safe and secure." she replied. "Sirius, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, what's the problem?"
"No problem, really, just thinking about my future a bit."
"And...?"
"Well, I love being an Auror and all, but I think keeping those two safe is more important. We know that snake-face is going to go after them sooner or later. Shit, Sirius, Harry's already faced that fucker three time in his life!"
"Have you spoken to Amelia?"
"I have, and despite having her tacit approval for the work I'm doing as an Auror, I think she'd be happier having me in the new position I want for myself."
"What's the plan, then?"
"Becoming Sue and Harry's personal bodyguard." she mumbled. "Look, thanks to you taking me and Mom back into the family, it's not like I really need money. I have my own beautiful rooms here, and when they go back to school Professor McGonagall has set aside some guest quarters for me that are right next to the Hufflepuff dorms. As a 'Puff alumnae, I can get in there without any problems. Professor Sprout isn't opposed to the idea of me being close, either. Nor are any of the parents of our Company when I approached them about this."
"You've thought this through."
"I have." she replied.
"And the fact that Moony is going to be at Hogwarts full-time is kind of an incentive too, isn't it?"
"Prat!" Nym said with a blush. "But, yeah, I like that we'll be close and get to know each other better."
"You've already made your decision, cousin." Sirius told her.
"Yeah, I suppose I have, I just wanted to put it out there, you know?"
"Have you told them yet?"
"Not yet, but I will. It's summer and I can keep an eye on them without interfering too much. But I will accompany them anytime they leave the Glen."
"You realize they're going to insist on paying you, right?"
"Yeah, not opposed to that, Sirius!" she chuckled. She stood from the checkered blanket that had served as their table for Michael's delightful picnic, "Harry, Susan! Time to head back home, we have to meet Griphook in a few minutes."
She watched, a tear in her eye, as she watched the affectionate way they looked at each other. Harry wrapped an arm around Susan's shoulder, and Susan wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and drew him closer. Protecting this, even at the cost of her own life, was now her reason for being.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
On a hilltop a couple of miles away from the meadow, the rotund little man that was Peter Pettigrew watched in anger. The boy that could have been his nephew, along with his one time friend, enjoying life as if there wasn't a care in the world really annoyed him to no end.
With a sharp crack, he apparated back to the manor to watch the arrival of Harry and Sirius, back to a place that held so many happy memories for him, from a time long since passed. He narrowed his eyes in confusion as the sight of the manor wavered like a mirage in the desert before vanishing from view.
"NOOOOOO!" the man cried out in frustration and anger.