Darkest Hour
I was allowed back to my common room after apologizing. Draco kissed me as soon as I walked through the door. "Jamie! Your finally ungrounded. I missed you." He said.
I took a deep breath steeling myself for what I was about to do. "Draco we need to talk."
His eye brows furrowed. "Okay…" He said. "What about?"
"I… we can't date anymore. I am sorry. I made a mistake." I said.
"Mistake? Your right but the mistake your making is now. I don't want to see you or talk to you ever again!" he snarled.
He stormed away and I knew he was hurting. I slumped up to my room with Aria I was grateful she wasn't there. She was probably off with the twins somewhere. I closed my eyes and sobbed. I knew Draco and I would probably never speak again. He was stubborn, prideful, and did not forgive easily.
After my fight with Draco every time I saw him he had Pansy Parkinson hanging off his arm. It bothered me more than it should. I was jealous. Riddle making me kiss Draco had made the idea of us dating so clear. I could see us together for the first time. Like everything else in my life though it was ripped from me. I started isolating myself even more. I started staying in my father's quarters. I had Trinks bring my meals to the quarters. I started reading every book that I could find any information on to find out about the diary and how to stop it. So far I had no luck. The only time I left was to quidditch practice and classes. Aria and the twins tried to talk to me and I ignored them. I used the breakup as a cover, but like Draco I just couldn't risk them being close.
Before I knew it the first game of the season arrived. I was not looking forward to the game at all. Usually I was excited about quidditch but I was never excited or happy these days. I headed down to the field in my robes with broom. When I walked up to the field I saw Parkinson kiss Draco. I pulled my wand and was very close to hexing her. I didn't because I didn't want to cause Draco more pain. If he was happy I couldn't stand in his way.
I fled to the changing rooms before I could something I would regret. Draco came in a moment later lips red from her lipstick and content look on his face. I avoided looking at him until Flint gave his usual speech and then we headed out into the field. Lee Jordan one of the twin's friend was commentating.
I flew up preparing to wait and look for the snitch. Cormac McLagan a third year was Gryffindor's seeker. McLagan seemed more interested in trying to tell his team how to play than playing himself. I was watching for the snitch when a bludger came soaring at me. I narrowly avoided being hit by the bludger. The Weasly twins came racing past me hitting the bludger the other direction. "Alright there Phoenix?" Fred asked.
"Fine trouble. Thanks…." I was cut off as it came like a boomerang back at me. I took off doing a sort of complicated dance with my broom to avoid the bludger. Fred and George were trying their best to keep the bludger from killing me while trying to signal to Flint.
Finally, Flint called for time out. "What is going on out there! Why are my beaters not beating the other team?" Flint demanded angrily.
"We are busy trying to keep the bludger from killing our seeker." Fred said.
"It's been jinxed." George continued.
"It hasn't gone after anyone else all game." Fred finished.
"Rubbish you think those bloody noble Gryffindors would do something so underhanded?" Flint argued.
"No but a Gryffindor supporter might or someone who doesn't like Slytherin." Pucey said.
"It doesn't matter. Fred and George back off. I can handle the bludger." I said.
"No way!" George exclaimed.
"You heard her. Now let's show those Gryffindors who their messing with." During the whole conversation Draco had looked carefully uninterested. When we started play I resumed my maneuvering.
McLagan was laughing at me. "Training for the ballet Potter?" he mocked.
I ignored him and tried to keep an eye out for the snitch. So far I was having no luck. Then suddenly McLagan started shouting at one of their chasers and I saw it. It was flying right above his shoulder. I didn't want to alert him it so I darted forward. He turned in shock yelped and bolted thinking I was attacking him. Just as I laid my hand on the snitch the bludger hit my outstretched arm. I quickly transferred the snitch to my good arm and made my way to the ground. My whole arm was radiating pain. I was panting from the pain and had tears streaming down my face. My arm was hanging at an odd angle. I hit the ground with a thud and passed out.
I came to with Aria, the twins, my father, Hermione, Madam Hooch and Gilderoy Lockhart all staring down at me.
"Are you ok?" My father asked.
"My arm is broken." I whimpered.
Lockhart picked up my broke arm and I hissed in pain. "I can have this fixed in no time.
"Not you! I want the Hospital wing!" I said panicked I didn't trust Lockhart.
Before anyone could stop him, he said. "Oh, nonsense. Poor girl doesn't know what she is saying." He was twirling his wand and I closed my eyes tight. I felt a deflating sensation in my arm.
I heard gasps and my father saying. "You idiot!" Then I heard furious clicking and knew it was Collins camera.
"I don't want pictures of this Collin!" I groaned.
I opened my eyes and gasped my arm was like a boneless glove.
"Ah, yes well that can happen. I will let you all take her to the hospital wing." He said fleeing.
My father picked me up muttering curses that he would use on Lockhart. Aria, Hermione and the twins all followed us to the Hospital wing. Madam Pomphrey came bustling out. When my father told her what happened, she started muttering about incompetent teachers.
"You can grow the bones back, can't you?" I asked worriedly.
"Of course I can, but it will be difficult. I can mend bones in seconds but growing them back." She shook her head.
Aria helped me into pajamas behind a curtain. "I think Lockhart should be fired." I said.
"That's harsh don't you think?" Hermione asked.
Aria growled. "How can you defend him! The guy is an idiot!" Aria demanded.
"Anyone can make a mistake." She said.
"He removed all the bones in my arm!" I said as Aria helped me into bed.
"Believe me I will be launching a complaint with the headmaster." My father said. His tone said he was making Lockhart suffer in his mind.
After a few moments Madam Pomphrey came out with a bottle with a skull for a top and ribcage as center and arm bones as handles.
"Everyone out!" She demanded.
"See you tomorrow Jamie." Aria promised.
"I will be checking on you tomorrow." Hermione promised.
"Do you want me to stay?" My father asked.
"No, I will be fine." I said.
"See you tomorrow. Goodnight, I love you." My father said as he left.
"Night dad, love you too." I said.
She poured some of the potion in a bottle. I took a sip and quickly spit it out the taste was awful. Even worse than the earwax Bertie Bots Every Flavored Bean I had gotten once.
She scowled at me. "What did you expect pumpkin juice?" she chided.
I pinched my nose and downed the rest of the potion shuddering. She handed me another potion for pain. She gave me another for dreamless sleep. I laid back on my bed and drifted off. I awoke to pain my arm felt like it was full of splinters. At first I thought this was what had awoken me. Then I felt a cool cloth being placed on my head. I was wondering who would be doing such a thing. I sat up and yelped.
"You!" I hissed angrily.
"Dobby is sorry miss. Dobby heard from master what happened after I left. Dobby had to shut his ears in the oven door. Dobby was most aggrieved. Dobby never expected her family to harm miss potter. Why didn't you stay home!?" he moaned. "Dobby thought if you missed the train, but then Dobby heard that you were with master at Hogwarts. Dobby burned dinner and had to iron his hands." He held up bandaged hands.
"You made me miss the train!" I hissed.
"Dobby just wanted to keep you safe!" he pleaded.
"Keep me safe by getting me beaten within an inch of my life. Keeping me safe by not letting me catch the train with my friends." I spat angrily. "Do you want me to die?" I said.
"No, Dobby is trying to save Jamie Potter. She is too great too good to lose. Dobby wants you to listen. Even Dobby's bludger didn't work." He said.
"YOUR BLUDDGER! DOBBY YOU BEST CLEAR OFF BEFORE MY BONES COME BACK OR I MIGHT KILL YOU!" I said angrily.
"Dobby is used to death threats… Dobby gets them five times a day at home." He said sadly. He was wringing his hands and had tears running down his face.
He was sniffling and blew his nose on his ratty pillow case. I saw so much of myself in him. I couldn't stay mad at him. I felt sorry for the poor elf.
"Dobby isn't there any way to free you." I asked. The sight of him crying and having ratty clothes evaporated my anger.
"Dobby can only be freed if presented with clothes. Dobby's family will never free Dobby. They is careful to never even pass Dobby a sock." He said looking at me with wide eyes.
"I am really sorry Dobby. I know you didn't mean to get me hurt. There is nothing that will make me leave Hogwarts. My friends are here. My father is here. I can't just leave everyone." I said.
At that moment, there were voices and footsteps in the corridor. "Dobby must be going!" he said and with a pop he vanished.
Professor McGonagall came in as I pretended to be asleep. McGonagall must have cast a silencing charm because I didn't hear Her talking or anything until the door shut. As I drifted back into an uneasy sleep I heard Riddles cackling laughter.
I awoke in a panic why had Riddle been laughing. That never boded well for me. What had I done? I blanched that medicine it would have made my defenses weak. I sat up breathing heavily. Why had McGonagall come to the hospital wing in the middle of the night. I looked at all the beds and there was one with curtains around it. I slowly got out of bed and tiptoed towards the bed. Just as I was about to look through the curtains I heard Madam Pomphrey's office open. I ran back to my bed and had just settled in when she came out.
She stretched my arm and fingers out. It was stiff but I had full function. I would have to be careful the next couple of days. I also would have to stretch it every morning and evening for a week.
She released me after breakfast. For the first time in weeks I went to the Slytherin common room. When I arrived, the twins had grim looks on their faces. Slightly scared of what could make them look like that I approached them. "Mischief, Trouble where's Shadow? Why do you both look so upset?"
"You didn't hear?" Fred asked.
"Hear what?" I asked.
"There has been another attack." George said.
"WHAT?!" I shrieked shaking my worst fears confirmed.
"It gets worse." Fred said.
"Shadow…." George began.
I hit my knees and had my head in my hands. "NO! Not my sister." I pleaded. "Is she…." I couldn't finish that sentence.
"No she has been petrified. Remus is going to be coming here with her Aunt and cousin later today. I nodded then Fred pulled me into a hug and I sobbed. I failed Aria. I failed my sister. My first friend. Riddle was going to pay I would make sure of that.
My father came to check on me a little while later. He was very upset. He felt he had failed as head of house. I tried to assure him otherwise. After he left I went upstairs to the diary.
You will rue this day Riddle. You don't come between a Snape and their family. I can promise you this I WILL END YOU!
The voice in my head cackled with laughter. You think a twelve-year-old girl can defeat the greatest wizard of all time? He taunted.
"Albus Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of all time." I stated firmly.
Riddle hissed. We will see about that. He said.
I cast an Incindio at the diary earning more cackling laughter.
"Bastard." I muttered.
The next day the twins told me that more had been added to the message on the wall. It now read.
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware!
Mudbloods, squibs, and bloodtraitors, will feel the wrath of the heir.
That's what you think Riddle you have messed with the wrong girl. No laughter this time. Had I kicked him out again? I smiled. I ran as fast as I could to Gryffindor Tower. The fat lady eyed me suspiciously. "Is Hermione in the tower?"
"I believe she went to the library." She said.
I took off to the library. If I could keep control long enough to tell Hermione she could help me. She was my only chance. I could tell my father but he had enough to deal with. I found her at her usual table.
"Hermione! I need to you to help me!" I panted.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Diary! possessing me! Snake! Can't fight! Help!" I struggled out.
She looked at me wide eyed. "You say a diary has been possessing you? how?" She asked.
"It's cursed or something. I don't know!" I hurried. I didn't know how long I had.
"Show me the diary." She demanded.
I nodded and took off again. I made it into my room and grab the diary running as fast as I could. I dumped the diary on the table. I started from the beginning of how I got it and what happened when I wrote in it. I broke down as I told her it was me that attacked the cat and Aria. I begged her to help me.
She was shocked. Her eyes went wide and her mouth hung open. She stayed like that for a few seconds before shaking herself. She looked at the diary ominously like it might bite her. She looked me in the eye trying to read me like a book. She must have seen the truth and the fear. She nodded.
"Of course I will help you. I will start trying to find out what this is immediately. I think it best if I keep the diary. I promise not to write it. I just want to test it." Hermione said.
I nodded letting out a breath. Finally, I was getting help. Hopefully I had a real chance to stop this. I told Hermione everything I knew. She was going to research all she could on Tom Riddle.
"Jamie I think we should tell your father or Dumbledore." She said.
"Hermione, I will go to Azkaban for this. I can't tell them." I said.
She pondered this for a moment and sighed. "Your right."
I hugged her tightly. "This will be over before you know it." She told me.
For the first time in a while I had hope. I had never thought about researching Tom Riddle himself. Hermione had explained though.
"The first rule of war is to know your enemy." She said.
The next morning at breakfast Hermione was waiting for me.
"Hey Jamie we need to talk." She said dragging me off somewhere more private.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I found something." She said.
"What did you find?" I asked.
"Tom Riddle definitely was a student here. In fact, he was a student in Slytherin. He had excellent grades. He was prefect and Head boy." She said.
"You forgot evil murderous git." I said.
"This tells us he was intelligent. Probably charismatic and hid his dark side well." She said.
"So?" I asked.
"So… we know he looked like a model student. We know that he was evil. Everyone slips up at some point. No matter how good the cover." She said.
"You think he left a trail somewhere?" I asked.
"Yes I do. We just got to find it." She said.
"How?" I asked.
"Well I am going to look to see if I can find anything about his life after Hogwarts." She said.
"Don't worry Jamie we will get him. In the meantime, I think you should practice occlumancy. It will help you block him." She said.
I decided to take her advice and look up books on occlumancy. It was advanced magic. It would probably take a while to learn. When I wasn't in classes or at quidditch practice, I was in the library with Hermione. We researched and looked everywhere for anything useful. We could not find any books though. Nothing fit but if there was anything it was probably in the restricted section.
Occlumancy had been going very slowly. I had trouble clearing my mind. Every defense I had made was weak but I could make defenses, which was a start.
Over the following weeks there wasn't much progress. Riddle was a ghost. It would help if we involved adults, but that was not an option.
Fred and George came up to us in the library a few days after we started. "Why are you two trying to read the whole library?" they asked.
Hermione and I exchanged looks and I nodded. "Sit down." I said. They did and we filled them in on everything.
"He is really intelligent." Hermione said.
"Riddle is not intelligent Hermione." Fred started.
"He is to do this kind magic. How do you not think he is intelligent?" Hermione said confused.
"because he made two fatal errors. Messing with two weaslys and messing with the marauders."
The twins joined us in the crusade saying they weren't going to let Riddle get away with messing with the Marauders.
The castle had an air of tension surrounding it. Students were worried that the attacks would continue. There had already been two how many more would fall before this was over.
Security was tightened and first years traveled in packs like they would be picked off if found out alone. It saddened me that their first year was being tainted by this. Madam Pomphrey allowed us to visit Aria several times. I apologized profusely and hoped that she could forgive me.
Hermione was adamant that this was not my fault. Riddle was doing all this. It was his fault. She was right but I felt weak. Draco still wouldn't talk to me. He wouldn't even look at me. I was upset by Draco's absence I missed him terribly.
My father was keeping a very close eye on me. He seemed to "bump" into me a lot these days. I had a suspicion he was following me. He wanted to make sure that I wasn't attacked. I felt warmed that he cared so much and worried that if he found out he would turn me in.
As time dragged on I realized that I was getting weaker and weaker. Riddle must still be getting power from me. I hoped that something would give soon. I had a feeling Riddle was weakening me to make me more pliable. I had a feeling he was done playing around. It was the calm before the storm I hoped I would survive. At least Hermione would be able to help me if I wasn't able to help myself. I was worried about what was to come.
Gilderoy Lockhart seemed to be feeding of the nervous energy of the castle. The boasted constantly about the heir of Slytherin being too scared to face him. He said that he was on the case and no one should worry.
I had to laugh at this he would wet his pants if he saw the basilisk. I was willing to bet all my money in Gringots that Lockhart hadn't done most if not any of the things he claimed. It was sickening, really, he was so vain and arrogant.