A/N- Hey guys! It's been a little over a week I guess; I haven't really been keeping track of time. I had this chapter done earlier, but I couldn't post it because of internet probs. It's alright I guess, but hopefully you guys will like it. I'm already well into the last chapter, so I'll probably have it up in a few days. Thanks to all the people who followed and such. One of my favorite fanfics and the first fanfic I ever read was Vengeance from the grave by MK-ONE. It's really good, I think. Why not check it out?


Chapter 10- Suspicions

February 7, 1992

Percy was adamant that they try to figure out who was behind the attacks. The three of them spent countless hours in the library.

It was difficult to find the time, as Percy and Harry were juggling Quidditch, class work and this new responsibility.

After the Quidditch accident, Percy's broom was uncharmed. However, the magical signature was so weak by that point that the broom's sender was still unknown.

Gryffindor was having a very successful year in Quidditch. They had won the match against Hufflepuff with relative ease, through the excellent plays of both Percy and Harry. Apparently, for the last seven years, Gryffindor's quidditch team had been little better than completely abysmal.

This was not the only front that Gryffindor was winning on. The sheer number of Hermione's correct answers in class, had shot Gryffindor so high up in points, that it was nearly impossible that they would lose the house cup this year.

Currently, the trio was seated in the library, continuing their search for the attacker. They hadn't even spotted anything close to it.

"It couldn't be an arachnid, could it?" Hermione asked sighing. "It's possible I guess, but Professor Potter didn't say anything about multiple eyes," Percy replied, eyes heavy from lack of sleep.

A few moments of silence washed over the three, before Percy asked Harry a question. "Hey, Harry. Where does Victoria stay at during the school year?"

"Well, we just leave her at home with the house elves for 9 months."

"Oh. She must get lonely then," Percy replied, feeling a bit sorry for his sister.

"Dumbass! Did you really just fall for that?" Harry asked bewildered. Percy only blinked in response. "She stays here, at Hogwarts. Have you really never seen her around the castle?" Harry asked.

"Really? I've never seen her." Harry was glaring at him as if he was playing a joke. "She stays with mum in her private room. Sometimes she comes out into the room during class…I can't believe you've never seen her."

"Well, I usually just talk to Daph during mum's class, it's not like she's teaching stuff I don't already know. But I seriously don't think I've ever seen Victoria around," Percy said, searching his mind for any instances with his sister. Unfortunately, he kept drawing a blank.

"Percy, if you're just taking the mickey out on me, I swear I'll kill you." It was obvious Harry was getting frustrated over such a simple topic.

"I stick by what I've said. I've never seen her here." A vein was now visibly seen pulsing on Harry's forehead. "She ate dinner with us 3 times, dammit!"

Percy stared at him. "No she didn't."

"Yes she did."

"No way was she there."

"Both of you, shut up before Madam Pince kicks all of us out! But yes Percy, Victoria really has eaten with us 3 times." Hermione said not looking up from her book.

Percy looked back and forth at them open mouthed. "No way had I missed her sitting with us."

The furious look Harry was giving him told Percy that he should've just left the conversation where it was at. Fortunately, he was saved as Daphne chose that minute to show up.

"Hey guys. Any luck so far?" she asked. 'I could kiss you right now,' Percy thought as he saw Harry deflate.

"Not in the slightest. Percy here was just reminding us that he's hit his head once too many times during quidditch," Harry answered.

Daphne was about to respond, but they were interrupted by a shout of excitement from Hermione. "SHHH!" Madam Pince was quick to rebuke.

Hermione blushed and said, "Sorry, Madam Pince." Madam Pince gave an indignant grunt in response.

"What was that shout about, 'Mione?" Harry turned to look at Hermione.

"I think I found something interesting. It says here, that 50 years ago, Slytherin's monster was unleashed upon the school. Rubeus Hagrid was blamed, though it says in this book here," she said picking up a book, "that only the heir of Slytherin could've opened his chamber."

"They must have made a mistake, then. Hagrid couldn't have opened the chamber! How is he not in Azkaban, though?" Percy said.

"Professor Dumbledore vouched for him. The headmaster sounds like a really great guy doesn't he?"

"I mean I suppose he's alright. I haven't actually talked to him much," Harry interjected.

"He probably had a motive. Nobody is that clean," Daphne said.

"How could you even say something like that about the headmaster? What has he done to you?" Hermione said with a defensive attitude.

"I've got it!" Harry yelled.

"MR. POTTER! IF YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS CANNOT BE QUIET, YOU'LL HAVE TO LEAVE!" Madam Pince's voice carried through the air.

"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly before turning his attention back to them. "So it has to be the heir of Slytherin right?"

The other three nodded in confirmation.

"Then that person will most likely be in Slytherin, right?"

"Not necessarily. I mean, just because they're the heir of Slytherin, doesn't mean that they have to have his traits," Percy reasoned.

"Well, they most likely have to be in Slytherin."

Percy and the others shrugged, with Percy replying, "I suppose so."

"Then it has to be Malfoy!"

Percy raised his eyebrow. "And what reason do you have for that?"

"Think about it. Malfoy's dad did it all those years ago, and now, Malfoy has told Draco to let loose the monster," Harry reasoned.

"Idiot, I'm pretty sure that Malfoy Sr. isn't 60 years old or up," Percy said, rolling his eyes.

Harry chuckled sheepishly. "Damn good point, Perce."

"I think we should go talk to Hagrid about this," Daphne said. "I agree with Daphne, Hagrid will tell us what's going on," Hermione said, and the four of them prepared to leave the library.


"Hello, Hagrid. Good day?" Harry asked as they walked up to the hut that housed Hagrid. "Hey, Harry. Who er yer friends?"

"This is Perseus Black, Hermione Granger and Daphne Greengrass. You don't mind if we come in, do you?"

"No not at all. Come on in and make yerselves at home."

Percy sat down on the couch beside Daphne and Hagrid's dog. Unfortunately, the dog apparently couldn't hold on to its saliva, as it salivated all over Percy's leg. Percy sighed. It was always something every single day.

"So…what can I help ya with?" Hagrid asked, closing the doors. "Hagrid, do you know what's attacking the school?"

"I s'pose I know 'bout as much as anybody," Hagrid replied.

"But you were the one who was blamed for the last attack," Hermione quickly countered, though Percy could tell that it was not the right thing to say.

Hagrid went rigid. "She didn't mean it like that, Hagrid," Percy intervened, trying to do damage control.

Hagrid seemed to calm down a bit. "How do ya know about tha', anyways?"

"Why don't you go ahead and tell us what happened?"

Hagrid sighed. "It's quite a story to tell," he said before diving into his tale. And it sure was. The four students left Hagrid's hut with their heads filled with new knowledge.

'Where have I heard the name Riddle before?' Percy pondered as they ran back to the common room. 'The inheritance test! I wonder if Tom Riddle is from that house.'


The days only seemed to get quicker and the days began to pass by quickly. To soon, the winter snows had gone away to reveal the lush vegetation that was reborn in the spring.

Percy and Daphne were sitting alone in the library. Both Hermione and Harry had full schedules for tonight, Harry with his dad and Hermione with her homework.

After their informative visit with Hagrid, the amount of time spent in the library by the quartet had diminished to near nonexistent. With the end of the year fast approaching, their teachers had really been laying the homework on thick.

Thus, they found themselves attempting to understand the mystery of Tom Riddle. "I haven't found a damn thing. Any luck on your end?" Percy said sighing dramatically.

Daphne giggled. "Finally! I thought you'd never curse, Mr. Goodytwoshoes." This caused laughter between the two. "Yeah, I think I've been spending a little to much time with Harry."

There was a cease in conversation as Percy thought he had found something. But it turned out to be nothing.

"So Percy, when is your birthday? You never told any of us," Daphne said interrupting his literary goose chase.

"It's Friday," he answered as if was unimportant.

"But that's in 3 days! Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't know."

Daphne sighed. "If you had told me, I would've gotten you something."

"But it's the thought that counts right?" Percy said with a smile. "I suppose so," replied an unhappy Daphne.

This ended their conversation once again as the two went back to their reading. Percy was reading about supposedly important Slytherins that came from the Grindelwald era.

He wasn't really paying attention; he wasn't exactly thrilled with doing research after a long day of classes. But this didn't stop the bolded words, Tom Riddle, from catching his eye.

He was quick to begin reading the chapter of Tom Riddle. It was a generous amount of reading, though it had very little details.

"Daph, listen at this," Percy said, trying to keep his voice down as to not incur the wrath of the librarian. Daphne turned towards him, ready to listen.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle was born to the pureblood wizard Thomas Riddle and an unknown mother. He attended the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and graduated at the top of class. He was well known around the school for his impeccable manners and friendly attitude. He was never heard from after he began a trip around the world, and is assumed dead. He is a role model for all purebloods."

Daphne wore a look of contemplation as he finished. "It's not much, but at least it's something." Percy sighed. She was right of course. It was barely anything to go on at all.

"Considering that he's probably dead isn't helping our position either, is it?" "Not at all. This school year is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be," Daphne said sighing.

"I'm feeling the same," Percy said with an equal sigh.

They say for a few minutes contemplating the school year. Afterwards, Daphne looked down at her watch. "Merlin! We've only got 10 minutes before curfew."

They quickly packed up their stuff. "I'll walk you back," Percy offered. Daphne rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine, Perce."

Percy laughed sadly. "That's what Dean said too."

"Fine…"

"But I have to take you on a quick detour, first," Percy said. "And where would that detour lead to?" Percy smirked. "You'll find out."


"It's…beautiful," Daphne managed to say through her gasp. The detour had lead to the top of the astronomy tower.

Percy chuckled softly. "I know we see this every Saturday, but the stars just seem more pronounced tonight."

That was definitely true. She fell even more for him in her heart, despite them being so young. In her mind, this was like a first date.

Percy began naming some of the stars, and though she would nod and encourage him to continue, she was lost in her thoughts.

'Could this be what love feels like? Did mother and father feel this way when they first met?' Her thoughts seemed to answer themselves. 'Probably not. They were forced together by an arranged marriage, just like you probably will be.'

Daphne sighed. Her thoughts were completely true. That was just the way the wizarding world worked. You were married off to another pureblood, and most likely became a prize or a housewife.

Unbeknownst to Daphne, her sigh had been out loud. Percy was quick to ask, "Are you alright?" This jarred Daphne from her thoughts. "I'm just tired," she lied with a 'sleepy' smile.

"I'm sorry, Daph. I shouldn't have brought you up here," Percy said scratching the back of his head nervously.

"No, thank you it was great!" Daphne said sincerely.

"Well, I better get you back. Good thing I've got this thing now," he said holding up his map.

After a moment of contemplating the map, Percy spoke. "Hmmm…Filch is with Mrs. Norris in the hospital again…So we'll just have to watch out for the prefects."

"Alright, let's go," Percy said grabbing her hand. If he had looked at her face, he would have seen the deep red blush that had appeared on her usually emotionless face.


"Knock, knock, knock!" Lily Potter sighed. The last thing she needed was a visitor tonight. She still had plenty of papers to grade, and they sure weren't going to grade themselves.

This gave her an idea. 'Why have I never thought of this before? I can just charm the quills to grade for me!' A smile split her face. Maybe she would actually get some time to herself tonight.

Another round of knocking reminded her she had a visitor. She charmed the quills, before opening the door. She opened the door and gulped. She had been avoiding this moment from the beginning of the school year, and she had been hoping that it could wait till the summer.

"Professor Dumbledore," she managed to get out despite her quickly crumbling composure. "Hello, Professor Evans. May I come in?"

"Of course, Headmaster," she said opening the door wider and stepping out of the way for the aged man. "What can I help you with?" she asked.

"I believe you know what I want to know," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. She immediately felt as if it was best to tell him.

Lily sighed. "I found out on my 17th birthday. You probably don't remember, but I had to use your floo to get to Gringotts. They notified me of my lineage. Apparently, I am the daughter of Grindelwald. I didn't believe them at first; it was hard to understand."

Dumbledore's expression hadn't changed throughout the exchange so far. "So then I suppose you know of Grindelwald's escape in the 50's."

She nodded saying, "He escaped in 1957 right? And you took him back to Nuremberg?"

"That's correct," replied the Headmaster. "Though I didn't know that he had relations with anyone while he was here. Who was your mother?"

"Somehow it was Merope Gaunt," Lily replied, feeling a little more reluctant to give out answers.

"But she was well into her 40's by that point, wasn't she?" Dumbledore said calculating the odds of such a thing happening.

"It must have been a miracle then." Lily was getting more pissed off by the second. Why had she given away such information so willingly?

The headmaster seemed to not notice her change in tone. "So then Voldemort is your half-brother then?"

"WHAT?" Lily shouted jumping up. Dumbledore sighed. "You weren't meant to hear that."

Lily looked around frantically for her wand, but it was to late. "Obliviate!"


"Happy birthday, Perce!" Harry apparently thought that waking up a room full of kids at 5 o'clock in the morning was a good idea. It definitely wasn't. Just about everyone in the room chucked something at him, and he soon found himself dodging everything between pillows to soaps.

"Cowards, you didn't even hit me with the pillow right!" This started a pillow fight that lasted 45 minutes between the 75 bunk mates. Naturally, 75 yelling boys cause a pretty loud sound.

At the end of their fun, a knock was heard at the door. Percy opened the door, him being the closest. On the other side of the door were the Weasley twins.

They cleared their throats before raising their wands to the fore mentioned area. "Sonora Maxima," they said with barely a whisper. Realization hit Percy's mind immediately, and he barely had time to yell, "RUN!", before he was blasted back by a visible sound wave.

"WHY IN THE…"

"BLOODY HELL…"

"ARE YOU YELLING…"

"AT 5 IN THE MORNING!"

Percy, Harry, and about 20 of their roommates lay disoriented in the floor. The others were scattered about the room with dazed expressions.

"Bloody hell, Weasley! Your brothers nearly killed us!" Ryan McReynolds yelled from the other side of the room.

Weasley grumbled something about his brothers before picking himself off the floor and heading into the lavatories. "Thanks for helping us, Weasel!" Harry called after him.

Noticing it was already 6 o'clock, the rest of the Gryffindor boys headed to the showers.


The day went as usual, except for his mother being especially cold and his friends congratulating him for it being his birthday. Percy just didn't see at as anything special. His birth could've broken apart his best friend's dad and their mom.

Of course, the Dursleys had beaten him to the verge of death every year on his birthday, so that had taught him to expect pain every birthday. Today had been shaping up to be an extraordinarily good day.

No one was going to beat him here. He had friends here that actually like him! The Dursleys had made sure that everyone hated him. This had been one of his dreams, to be accepted by people.

He was brought out of his musings by fingers snapping in front of him. Harry looked at him concernedly. "You alright, Perce? You zoned out for a minute!"

Percy blinked. "Yeah, I'm alright."

"Good then. Let's hurry; I don't want to be out here any longer than I have to be." They had been in the library, searching for anything on how to connect Tom Riddle to the attacks, right up until curfew.

Their pace increased as the time crept closer to 9. Suddenly, Percy stopped. "Kill, kill, kill!"

The voice was back! One look at Harry told him, that it was not just him who was hearing things. As if reading each other's minds, both of them took off in the direction of the voice.

As they approached, the voice seemed to retreat in the other direction. Percy turned a corner, and tripped over a foreign object on the floor. He looked up to see Harry's wide, terrified eyes.

Percy slowly moved his eyes towards the object he tripped over, fearing it were something important. He gasped.

He understood Harry's reaction now. "Dad…" Percy said choking on a sob.


"The exams are today, Percy. You really should eat, you'll need the energy." Hermione said.

"I don't really feel hungry," he mumbled in response. He just hadn't felt like eating. The same thing had been happening since his father had been attacked on the night of his birthday, 9 weeks ago.

He picked at his food at every meal, so he was eating a bit. Hermione and Harry had been trying to force him to eat since that night, but Harry seemed to have given up.

"You don't really look well either. Those bags under your eyes look ghastly," Hermione commented. Percy had to suppress a groan. Of course he was sleeping very little. Nearly every time he closed his eyes, he got the same image. That of his father's lifeless eyes staring at him.

So he had taken to searching for answers to the problem at hand. He wasn't much closer to figuring out what the attacker was, but he had found some more things out about the House of Riddle.

He found very few things of importance and it was making him frustrated. Whoever this enemy was, it was good. He could find no evidence of any kind at any of the attack spots.

"Come on, Percy. It's time to go to Transfiguration," Harry said. Percy responded with a nod and followed his two friends to their classes.

The exams in themselves were easy, and Percy found that the answers came to him easily. The first day of testing ended tensely, and everybody had seemingly had a bad day if the somber mood in the great hall was anything to go by.

Even Quirrell had seemed stresses out today. Percy had noticed that he had seemed more aggressive, and his scar hurt even worse around him then before. As usual, Percy took no mind of it.

The second day of testing went much the same way, though Percy was surprised to find that his Muggle studies exam gave him trouble.

After 6th block, the castle got a bit chaotic. There were some intense parties in some of the common rooms, but Percy wasn't really feeling it and headed to the hospital.

He saw his father lying peacefully on the bed, just as he did every day. Percy sat and stared as usual. Percy sat like that, until his father's hand slid off the bed, simultaneously dropping a piece of paper and some glass.

Percy examined the objects from a distance before approaching cautiously. He picked up the paper and nearly cried out in joy. His father had done it; he had found the answer of the attacker. He was a little curious why his father blamed Quirrell, but Percy had faith in his old man.

Percy tore down the halls of Hogwarts, racing towards the Gryffindor common room. He arrived in record time. The portrait was already opened. A part of Percy's mind thought of how weird that was, but the rest was just telling him to go faster.

He tore into the room, drawing everyone's attention. Percy could now see why the portrait was open. The Potters were sitting in the corner looking upset, and his mother was crying. Dumbledore seemed to be trying to comfort them as well as Hermione.

As he walked over to them, a sense of foreboding washed over him. "What happened?" he asked cautiously. Harry was the one to answer. "The bastard took Victoria!"


A/N- I know most of that first conversation seems annoying and pointless, but it will eventually have a point later in the series. Oh and that thing about Malfoy. I'm not certain because it has been a year or two since I've read or watched the Chamber of Secrets, but I'm pretty sure Ron says something like "Malfoy Sr. did it all those years ago and now his son has come back to finish his work." Like I said I'm not sure, and I don't have time to just go read all the way through CoS again so…