Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Which is probably for the best because if I did, I'd still be working on book 3 right now…
Edward strode towards the hospital wing with a purpose. Harry was there getting looked over by the Matron and Ginny was asleep, traumatized by the experience. How had it come to this? Well…
It started in mid-February when the attacks started up again. Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost had been petrified while a student, Ravenclaw Justin Finch-Fletchley, had been petrified because he saw the creature through Nick instead of getting the full blast. Then he had felt his stomach drop when Hermione had been petrified along with fellow muggleborn Penelope Clearwater in the library. Hermione had heard the beast coming and made it to where they would only get petrified thanks to using Penelope's mirror. As genius as it sounded, being petrified was not an enjoyable experience from what he had read. Usually it was just a coma like state but there had been instances where the victim remained aware the entire time, unable to move or do anything for themselves. A terrible fate. Edward was fairly hopeful in the strength of a basilisk's stare so he that its victims were hopefully in the coma state. The latter option didn't bear entertaining.
Then, just that morning, Ginny had disappeared, kidnapped and taken into the Chamber itself if the message "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever" was any clue. He doubted that was entirely the case. Edward had figured at that point that Ginny had been possessed which explained every question he had about her behavior that year. He could've bashed his own head in for not figuring it out sooner. She was his God-daughter and he felt terrible. So, he made his way to the Chamber after McGonagall's staff meeting. Dumbledore would've been there except earlier that week he had been suspended by the Board at the urging of none other than Malfoy. Draco had received a lot of glares after that. Draco hated it of course and told everyone he could that he didn't agree with his father but it accomplished little.
So, Edward had made his way to the first-floor girls' loo after an epiphany about Moaning Myrtle hit him. Her death coincided with the Chambers first opening 50 years before. Again, he could box his own ears for not figuring it out. Her haunting grounds would be her place of death, the loo. Combine that with the piece of parchment found in Hermione's fist after her petrification that read, "It's using the sewer pipes!", lead Edward to the conclusion that the Chamber entrance sat in the most obvious place ever, the loo. He felt like a moron as he entered the loo to find a hole in the floor where the sink had once been. He closed his eyes and breathed in exasperation. Of course, someone else had found it. Harry, Cassie, and Draco probably. Lily's going to kill me. With a sigh he leapt down the pipe and slid down into the bowels of the castle where he found two of the aforementioned three along with, Ron, Neville, and an unconscious Lockhart who had apparently tried to use Ron's wand that had been cracked in their fall to obliviate them. Of course, Lockhart was a fraud, just like Edward had been telling people. And of course, the spell backfired which not only obliviated Lockhart into unconsciousness, but also caused a large cave in that left Harry on one side and everyone else on the other. Lily is really going to kill me.
He waved his wand towards the pile of rocks and a path opened up as the stone and rock that had once been there turned into sand. He was prepared to walk through when a noise in the pipe that eerily sounded like a yelp sounded off behind him. He turned just in time to see his girlfriend land, rather gracefully he thought, on her feet. She stood up straight, rather proud of herself and surveyed the area. "Blimey what happened here?"
"You can ask them while you wait here." Edward said, trying to be patient. He knew she was here thinking she could help and while he didn't blame her, he also knew she would be of little assistance. "Unless of course you can speak parseltongue?"
She stuck her tongue out at him which made him chuckle. "Don't worry love, I'll be fine. I never travel alone." He extended his arm and Pharaoh became visible. Moving down Edward's arm, the Basilisk landed on the ground and immediately began to grow into its normal size as it slithered through the rock and stone. With a wink, Edward left Lauren and the gob smacked children behind as he followed his familiar, hoping Harry hadn't gotten himself killed yet.
He made his way through the chamber and through an open door, he caught a glimpse of Harry standing next to the prone form of Ginny, wand pointed at an older teenage boy whom Edward recognized immediately. Fuck. As he got closer, he disillusioned himself and he began to make out the words Tom Riddle was saying. "I was hoping that Neville Longbottom would be here. After all, he is the one who defeated Lord Voldemort." The boy said casually which caused Harry to snort. "Talking about yourself in the third person is never a good sign."
Tom scowled. "And how do you know who I am."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Your name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, right? That's how you introduced yourself anyway. I know Voldemort's real name, and it's you."
The scowl on Tom's face became a snarl. "And how do you know that brat?!"
"Because I told him." Edward chose that moment to reveal himself. "Hello, father." Edward greeted mockingly causing Tom's face to morph into one of surprise. "I often wondered if you were always arrogant or if you grew into it. I'm glad to see that you continue to not disappoint." Edward quipped sarcastically.
Tom sneered, recovering from his shock. "Lies!" He spat venomously knowing that if it were true then he would hold no control over the basilisk.
"You think I'd lie about that?" Edward asked amusedly. "Why don't you call the basilisk then and we'll let her decide." It wasn't a question.
"You dare to insult and order Lord Voldemort! Very well then if you want to die so badly then I'll be happy to oblige!" Tom turned to face the statue of Salazar Slytherin. Speak to me Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four!" The mouth of the statue opened and from within, the creature came forth, its massive body shaking the ground as it landed and it then made its way, twitching irritably telling Edward that the creature was already fighting the control Tom had over it, towards them. Edward had no fear, knowing that Pharaoh was nearby and out of sight. The moment things turned ugly he would enter the fray. Edward hoped it wasn't necessary. He felt some pity for the poor creature in front of him as he understood that what his father was making it do went against everything its original master, Salazar Slytherin, had instilled within her.
As Edward went to speak to try to break the spell holding the creature, Harry beat him to it. "You've hurt a lot of people, surely your original master did not intend for that?"
The great serpent shook its head wildly. "No! That was not the purpose for which I was placed here. Salazar placed me down here to help protect the school, not attack her students!"
Edward blinked. It was apparently a she who was very conflicted at the moment. She was responding to Harry which could be seen as odd since she was only supposed to obey descendants of Slytherin, unless….
"Then you must fight the bonds that hold you! Don't let him use you anymore!"
"Be silent you little brat!" The shade of Tom Riddle raged. "You will do as I command for I am the Heir!"
"Not anymore!" The basilisk screamed before shooting venom at the diary, burning right through it and with a scream that consisted of both pain and rage, the shade was rent apart as black mist rose from the burnt remains of the diary and dissipated as the shade that was once Tom Riddle, vanished. The basilisk then turned to Harry, lowering her head. "You are now the Heir I will serve." She then glanced at Edward, seemingly challenging him to deny her. Edward's lips quirked upward.
"Oh no, I'll not interfere. After all, I have my own." Lazily, Pharaoh slithered into view, his great length dwarfing Slytherin's monster by at least 15 feet as well as in girth. "Stop showing off." Edward chastised amusedly as the female that Harry decided to call Nissa eyed Pharaoh warily before he shrank himself down, coiling himself around Edwards left arm. Suddenly, a groan from behind Harry drew their attention to Ginny who began to stir.
"W-what happened to me? H-have to warn somebody."
"It's alright Gin, we're here." Harry soothed her as Ginny blearily looked around taking in the two faces above her.
"H-harry? Uncle Eddie? I'm safe?"
"You are now Ginny." Edward assured. "Voldemort is gone for good." That version of him anyway.
"I tried to tell someone, but T-Tom wouldn't let me!" Ginny said as tears rolled down her cheeks and Edward wondered, worriedly what she had been through.
"Fret not little one, for your actions were not your own." Nissa told her.
Ginny blinked in surprise, screwed her face in concentration and, to the shock of Edward and Harry, she responded. "If I can't blame myself, then neither can you. You were just as much possessed as I was." A shocked silence followed.
"Bloody hell." Harry murmured.
"Language Harry." Ginny teased. She then looked at Edward in concern. "How can I still communicate with her?"
Edward looked thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps being possessed by the spirit of Voldemort passed some of his abilities off to you, kind of like what happened with Neville. He needed you to have the ability to speak it so he could open the chamber so you must have simply retained the ability. Quite extraordinary if you ask me."
Ginny worried her lip. "Can we not tell my family? I just don't want them to freak out, especially mum. You know what she's like."
Edward nodded. "They'll find out eventually you know, but very well I'll leave that up to you."
"W-was that, your dad?" Harry asked.
"It was, unfortunately. He was a bit of a brat to be honest, I wasn't impressed." Ginny and Harry laughed weakly as Nissa shrank herself down and curled herself around Harry's arm before disappearing from sight. It seems that those abilities aren't exclusive to just Egyptian basilisks.
The trio made their way back to the entrance of the chamber where Lockhart was still unconscious. As soon as Ron saw Ginny he rushed to embrace her, holding onto her for dear life, ignoring the shocked looks of those around him. "I didn't know he had it in him." Neville joked.
"Indeed, I always thought he had the emotional range of a teaspoon." Draco added but Ron ignored them, choosing not to say anything except to thank Harry and Edward profusely.
Harry tried to explain that it wasn't what they had done but Edward looked at him in warning. It wouldn't do for too many people to know about the basilisk that now obeyed and followed Harry. Laura, of course, caught the silent exchange and vowed to find out what it was about. "So how do we get out of here?" Neville asked.
"Ah the perks of being related to a founder." Edward murmured. "Gather round everyone and make sure you have a firm grasp of each other. Draco if you could grab Lockhart I'd appreciate it. All good? Very well then hold on tight!" And with a pop the group disappeared and reappeared in Albus' office startling him and an irritated Lucius Malfoy. "Professor Baxter if you could escort them to the Hospital Wing I'd appreciate it. I need to update the Headmaster." Laura nodded and guided everyone else, including the babbling Lockhart, to the Hospital Wing where Madam Pomfrey waited.
After they had gone, Lucius spoke up. "Why didn't you just apparate them directly to the Hospital Wing?"
"Because Lucy boy the only two places in this castle that I can safely apparate to and from without shattering any wards are this office and my office but this office is closer to the Hospital Wing and it's quite a bit larger so here we are."
The sneer that up until that moment adorned Lucius' face disappeared and his face paled considerably as Edward pulled out the burnt remains of the diary. "It seems like someone thought it appropriate to slip this into Miss Weasley's things at Diagon Alley before start of term." Edward glanced at Lucius as he said this.
"If you are implying that I had anything to do with this-" But he never finished his sentence.
Lucius was interrupted as Edward lashed out, grasping Malfoy by the throat before slamming him backwards onto Albus' desk. "If you ever come near her again, if another child is ever endangered by our political schemes aver endanger another child or if you so much as look at her the wrong way again I will make sure your death is as painful as it could possibly be. And the best part? They'd never even find your body." Edward whispered viciously before letting go, but not before Lucius heard a threatening hiss from somewhere around Edward's left side. Edward nodded to the Headmaster and stormed off towards the Hospital Wing.
Lucius struggled to stand while Albus watched him impassively for a moment before he asked "Lemon Drop?" Lucius sneered but the effect was somewhat lessened by the fact that he was still struggling to regain his breath. So, he just strode out of the office, leaving a smiling Dumbledore behind, their previous conversation all but forgotten.
Which brings it back to present time as Edward strode into the hospital Wing, greeted by Madam Pomfrey fussing over Harry and Ginny, Lockhart having been immediately taken to Saint Mungo's for care. Of course, the other children had refused to Leave and Laura was making sure no one interrupted or got in Pomfrey's way. Emma had come quickly, having been notified by the Ravenclaw ghost which Edward found odd because the Grey Lady rarely spoke to anyone but he put that mystery out of his mind for the moment.
An hour later, James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus had arrived, worry etched into all of their faces as they swarmed the two children. After making sure there were no further injuries, and the other children sent to bed, the adults all gathered in Albus' office so Edward could tell them what happened. By the end of the story, Lily was furious, not at Edward thankfully, but at Lucius. "I could throttle that arrogant toe rag! How could he put his own son in such danger!?"
Edward had asked himself that same question though he kept that to himself. What pureblood would put his own heir in danger? Lucius had never struck him as the rash sort. "The only thing I can think of, is if he had written in the diary himself although I'm not sure why he'd risk it. I'm sure Voldemort told him what it could be used for and he figured he'd do it to discredit Arthur's new muggle protection law."
"Speaking of which," Laura frowned "Where is Arthur and Moll?"
The others looked at each other nervously which Edward immediately was suspicious of. "What happened?"
"Have you read the Prophet mate?" James asked.
"No, when have I had time to do that?" Edward asked exasperated.
"Well if you had, then you'd have seen where the rat escaped Azkaban along with Fenrir Greyback." Remus explained.
Edward's blood ran cold. Of course, that would scare Arthur and Molly, Arthur had been the one to accidentally capture Greyback, having been in the right place at the right time. He frowned then. "But that wouldn't stop them from checking on their daughter."
"No, you're right of course but they've been meeting with Aurors all day. They were frazzled out by the end of it so I convinced them to wait and see Ginny tomorrow morning." Lily explained.
"When they're better rested and grounded." James added.
Edward nodded, understanding the situation entirely.
"So, one Horcrux down, six to go." James stated.
Sirius shook his head. "No Prongs, five to go. He split his soul into seven pieces so there would only be 6 horcruxes to destroy."
"Math was never really James' strong suit." Lily advised amusedly which caused James to glare at them half-heartedly.
"Right, so five to go. We could discuss what they might be but I think we are all far too tired and I know that I need a shower after going down that sewer shaft." Edward stated as he got up.
"You and Laura could just shower together and save time." Sirius joked with a grin before Lily smacked him in the head. Laura herself was beet red.
Edward rolled his eyes. "I'll see you all later." After the others had all gone home, he and Laura left Albus' office. "You know, we really could shower together if you'd like." Edward joked.
Laura to her credit, merely rolled her eyes. "I'm not that easy you know." Edward could detect the hint of insecurity in her voice though she tried her best not to show it.
"You'll have to ignore Sirius most of the time. Inappropriate jokes are his specialty or so he thinks." When she stayed silent he sighed and pulled her to a stop, turning her to face him. "I know our relationship is still young and all, but I promise, I'll never go further than what you're comfortable with. Not that I wouldn't mind seeing you in the shower, but I won't push you."
"I know that, but you know how muggleborns are treated in this world. Before I got this job, I tried getting secretarial positions in several departments and was basically told point blank that the only way I'd be worth anything is on my back. I knew I wouldn't get that from Albus because, well, he's rumored to not even be into women at all. But it still makes me nervous."
"I understand, but I've always got your back and know that I'm always on your side. That's part of being in a relationship together." Edward seethed inside that anyone had ever told Laura that she was only worth the sex and that the only thing she was good for was being the sexual tool of some perverted wanker. But he knew anger would solve nothing here. "I'll never treat as a thing. You are an amazing person and an amazing woman. You're easily worth a hundred of each of those wankers."
Laura smiled, feeling a little better. "Thank you, Edward." She thanked him sincerely and when they parted ways to go shower and sleep, Edward felt as if they had just taken another step in their relationship.
Holy moly I am sorry that took as long as it did to pump out but here's chapter 10 finally. My posting schedule probably won't improve or anything but I will certainly put them out when I can. Life has been busy. Anyway, of course if you have any questions or concerns please IM me or just leave a review (certainly leave a review anyway). And please don't leave a negative review and then block me after I respond. Someone reviewed my Cloud of Lies story, comparing it to a time travel story and said it was the same. After I messaged and asked why he thought that since they are two completely different stories, he responds with "I didn't mean to offend you it's just my opinion" and then blocked me so I couldn't respond and ask again why he thought that. If you have an opinion, please back it up and don't block me when I ask you for details. Horrible manners. Anyway, have a wonderful rest of the week!