The next day found the group of seven in their unused classroom. Hermione pulled out a rather large book. Harry recognized it as Hogwarts: A History.
"I wanted to go over the legend again," Hermione said noticing the curious looks.
"Well I've never heard it to begin with so fill us all in, please," Blaise said.
"It's referred to in the story about the founders." Hermione answered flipping to the page. "The only historical facts are from the story we already know. That the four most powerful of the age came together and built Hogwarts a thousand or so years ago and ran the school in harmony. Then it mentions how a disagreement over which students should be allowed into Hogwarts drove the founders apart eventually ending in Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor having a serious argument in which Salazar abandoned the school.
From there it deviates from fact into legend. After Salazar left, rumors of a hidden chamber called surprise, surprise the Chamber of Secrets started to surface. It is said that Slytherin sealed the Chamber when he left and that only his true heir would be able to unleash the horror within to purge the school," Hermione finished.
"What is the horror within," Blaise asked?
"Its suppose to be some sort of monster," Tracey answered, "my father said that numerous heads have searched the school and found nothing of the chamber."
"What did Professor Snape say about hearing the snake," Neville asked.
"He said next time if we run after it, he'll use us for potion ingredients," Harry said with a slight shiver knowing the man was probably serious.
Over the next week Harry was getting some odd locks, but nothing he wasn't use to. After all at the beginning of each year he had to deal with firsties meeting their 'idol the-boy-who-lived, idiots'. One particular first year from Gryffindor this year, asked him for an autograph, Harry cursed him with the leg-locker-curse. He earned a detention with McGonagall for it but he detected a hint of a smile on her face when she heard why he cursed the little lion.
Today was the first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor verses Slytherin. Harry was with the rest of the team in the Slytherin locker room when a house elf walked in with a bundle of what looked like broom packages following him.
"Curtsey of Lucius Malfoy," the house elf spoke. "Young Master Draco a word." Draco and the house elf moved over to a corner of the room.
"Dobby," Draco greeted, the house elf had taken to respect Draco more after the discussion with his mother over the summer. In fact the little elf had helped him to avoid his father over the summer earning Draco's gratitude as Lucius was not above using some torture curses to punish his son.
"Master Draco sir, yous father was here rather early and near the Quidditch balls," Dobby spoke before bowing out of the room.
While Draco was talking with Dobby the members of the Quidditch team made their way over to the packages and opened them.
"Holy shite!" Marcus Flint managed to get out as he opened the package revealing six new Nimbus two thousand ones. The team stared in awe at the gift which cost a small fortune. Draco came over when he was finished with Dobby.
"Did you know about this," Adrian Pucey asked?
"No," Draco said frowning as he noticed only six brooms.
"Here this was with the package," Flint said handing over a handwritten note to Draco. Draco instantly recognized his father's writing and opened the card. You had best live up to the Malfoy name. Potter doesn't get one. Draco sighed as he quickly read the message.
"Sorry Hadrian," Draco commented.
"Ehh no sweat, I don't need it," Harry said with a grin.
"Damn right you don't," Flint said with a smirk, "Although it would have been nice to have even more of an advantage. Alright let's go." With that the Slytherins vacated the locker room and took to the air.
It took the announcer saying something for everyone in the stands to notice, "And all of Slytherin except Potter appear to be on the NEW NIMBUS TWO THOUSAND ONE," Lee Jordan the announcer shouted the last part. The crowd gave a simultaneous gasp as they all noticed the new brooms. The Slytherin team simply smirked as did Lucius Malfoy in the staff and visitors box. Professor McGonagall looked like she ate one of the headmaster's lemon drops.
"And the Quaffle is released," Lee Jordan, "Flint's the first to grab the Quaffle and rockets down the pitch towards Wood. Flint's arm pulls back to shoot but he passes back to Malfoy, hidden by Flint's body, Malfoy goes right and lays it in for an easy goal. Slytherin 10 Gryffindor 0!"
The match continued on in the same fashion, Slytherin dominating Gryffindor on the pitch. The Slytherin chasers were working together seamlessly, while no one at Hogwarts could match the Weasley twins at team work and finesse the older Bole and Derrick were faster to the bludgers and had more power behind their hits. Vaisey was having a great game as starting keeper for his first time out, the Gryffindor chaser line had only managed to three to Slytherin's ten. Harry was lazily floating around the pitch, looking for the snitch but mostly grinning, irritating the Gryffindor seeker, Towler to know end. Lucius Malfoy in the visitors' box muttered something intelligible as Wood blocked a shot.
Harry circling the pitch sensed something coming up on his left and just in time managed a perfect sloth-grip roll as the bludger sailed over his broom and down before turning still with speed and flying back at Harry. Harry shot off forward and the bludger gave chase, Harry turned and went down the bludger still following, he pulled up and the bludger followed but Bole was there to redirect it. Harry ended up at the top of the pitch where he started.
"Having trouble there Potter," Towler mocked as flew about three feet away from Harry. Harry was about to reply but saw the snitch just past Towler's ear and shot forward toward the snitch almost dislodging Towler from his broom as Harry chased after the snitch, the snitch was steadily moving lower Harry chased with the snitch lowering with it eventually ending up in the bottom rafters of the pitch. Towler had finally caught up with Harry but was still a bit behind. They both heard a sickening crunch behind them and glanced back to see a bludger chasing them. The rafters had wood crossing in every direction, the snitch would dive in between and around the beams Harry and Towler following. The bludger was gaining on them smashing through wood beams behind them Towler glanced back again at the bludger and then back in time to see the snitch and Harry shoot up Towler tried to follow but his broom clipped a beam and shot him over the barrel and forced him into the splits as he hit the pitch. The bludger kept on after Harry although it took a curve instead of following straight after. Harry reached out for the snitch only to have the rouge bludger smash into his arm. Harry gasped at the pain and pulled his broken arm back in and hooked it around the broom handle. He reach out now with his left and lunged for the snitch catching it but flipping him off the broom. He landed hard in the sand on his back and was about to the raise the snitch when he saw the bludger come crashing down, Harry moved his legs apart and it impacted the sand before it flew back up and was about to come down when he heard, "REDUCTO," and bludger blew up.
"Harry, Harry…you need to stay awake," He heard the same voice that shouted the spell say. Harry opened his eyes which had somehow closed and were now fighting to close again. Standing above him was Adrian Pucey, he was still taking so Harry tried to focus on listening.
"Back off!" Adrian was shouting at someone, all Harry could see through his teammates was Lockhart's head, Harry groaned. "We need to take him to a healer not fraud now move!"
At this point Flint, Bole, and Derrick all drew their wands and pointed them at Lockhart. Lockhart seeing the glint in all three of the quidditch players' eyes finally ran off murmuring about self important teenagers. Suddenly Professor Snape appeared above him and picked him up and started off towards the hospital wing.
"Put on the bed over there," Madam Pomfrey said pointing to a bed on the left side of the room. Severus put Harry on the bed and forced him back down when Harry tried to sit up.
"Madam Pomfrey needs to check you over first. Mr. Pucey mentioned you momentarily blacked out, you could have a concussion. So for right now lay down," Severus Snape said in a quiet voice to Harry. Just then the hospital wing doors opened again admitting the Slytherin quidditch team and Harry's friends. All four of the girls looked rather upset but Daphne looked not just worried but pissed off.
"What the hell did I tell you about suicidal catches last year," Daphne shouted.
Harry looked a bit sheepish and shrugged his shoulders, "we won." Daphne looked ready to start in again but was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey coming over to exam Harry.
"Well Mr. Potter you have a shattered right arm and a concussion. Unfortunately the shattered bone requires skele-gro so you'll be staying the night." As Madam Pomfrey spoke she summed two bottles. One held a light blue potion which she poured about a shot worth into a glass for Harry.
"First for the concussion," Madam Pomfrey spoke handing him the small glass. She then opened the skele-gro bottle letting out steam as the cap was unscrewed. She poured a dose out for his arm and handed it to Harry, "re-growing bones is nasty business."
Harry looked wryly at the steaming potion, before lifting the glass in mock cheer, and downed it. He almost coughed it back up. The potion burned his mouth and throat going down and tasted like a cleaning solution he drank once on accident. As he coughed, Severus appeared by his side with a glass of water that Harry gladly took.
"Brilliant catch Harry," Flint spoke up and then shrunk back as he noticed the looks he was getting from the girls and Professor Snape. The rest of the quidditch team snickered before wishing Harry luck and leaving the hospital wing, as did Professor Snape. Harry's friends were moving some chairs over to sit when Madam Pomfrey came back out and told them to leave as he needed rest. Daphne gave him a kiss on the cheek before she left and had to restrain herself from giving him a smack upside the back of his head.
Harry awoke sometime later to sharp knife like stabbing sensations in his arm. Harry sat up a bit and reached over for a glass of water. He was breathing heavily do to the pain in his arm and was trying to put it out of mind when he heard a commotion outside the hospital wing doors. Harry lay his head back down and slipped his wand out his holster and next to his side. The hospital wing doors opened causing Harry to tense and poke his wand out from under the blankets. Harry relaxed somewhat as he saw the teachers, he relaxed further when they didn't notice he was awake.
"Bring him over here," Madam Pomfrey spoke softly.
"He's been petrified," Dumbledore spoke.
"Who is he," Madam Pomfrey asked?
"One of my first years a muggle born, Colin Creevy," Professor McGonagall spoke sadly as she pulled the camera from his hands.
"Do you think he managed to get a picture of his attacker" Madam Pomfrey asked?
There was some noise from their side and then a click, Harry guessed it was the camera, than the acrid smell of melted plastic floated through the room.
"Albus what does this mean," McGonagall spoke Harry could hear the worry lacing her tone.
"It means that the chamber of secrets has indeed been opened, again," Dumbledore spoke in his grandfatherly tone but with a more serious edge to his voice.
Sleep found the exhausted Harry before he could hear anymore.
"So this has happened before," Hermione asked?
"That was what Twinkles said, but I fell back asleep before I could hear anymore," Harry answered with a disappointment.
Daphne rubbed his shoulder and said, "It's alright Harry. So please tell me none of you have bought one of those stupid talismans," Daphne asked?
"No but the twins tried to sell me one earlier," Neville said with a laugh, "those two will make money off of anything."
"Swindling the stupid, seems rather beneath their talents," Tracey said giggling.
"Ahh they deserve it if they actually think there's anything they can do," Blaise said.
"Your right there is nothing anyone can do. The heir will cleanse the school and with any luck your little mudblood will be next," Pansy Parkinson sneered out at the group as she, Crabbe and Goyle walked past where Harry and company were sitting. Crabbe and Goyle laughed at her comment while Pansy continued to sneer at Hermione and looked like she was going to continue speaking but instead found herself facing seven wands pointed at her.
Surprising the group it was Neville who growled out, "LEAVE, pug."
Pansy looked shocked that the quiet Neville Longbottom actually said anything to her that she nodded her head dumbly and left.
Hermione mutter, "limax edere," at Pansy's retreating form. Pansy froze while she was walking and started to wretch.
A group of first years near Parkinson let an, "EWEEEEE," as a rather nasty looking green slug came out of Pansy's mouth. Pansy let out a squeal and ran into the school vomiting slugs as she went.
"Damn Hermione," Blaise commented.
"What did she call me," Hermione asked, Harry looked confused also at the term. "I know by your reactions its bad but not what it means."
"It means dirty blood," Susan answered, "Purebloods use it to refer to muggleborns and sometimes half-bloods. Self important arses, is what aunti calls those who use it."
Hermione looked rather please she cursed Parkinson after the explanation by Susan.
Harry was sitting in the Slytherin common room late at night. It was after midnight and Harry was running his hand along Aiolos' scales as he stared into the fire that was still burning.
"Hatchling what worriessss you," Aiolos asked?
"I'm an heir of Ssslytherin, thisss chamber isss sssuppossssedly only opened by an heir. Isss it sssomehow me or isss there another who knowsss they're an heir."
"He lived over a thousssand yearsss ago hatchling, an heir could be anyone."
Harry nodded his head and continued starring into the fire and jumped when someone sat on the couch next to him.
Harry laid his head on Daphne's, "how do you always know when I need help?"
"Just a feeling. It doesn't go away until I see you," Daphne replied and started running her hands through his hair in a calming way. "It's not you, we would notice something was wrong, you would notice. Now, relax."
Harry, Blaise, Daphne and Tracey were potions class with the rest of the Slytherins and Gryffindors. They were working on a swelling solution. So far the class was going well for the Slytherins at least, Gryffindor was having some issues if Snape berating Dean Thomas was anything to go by. Harry though, had been subtly eyeing Ron Weasely the whole class he had been acting shifty. Harry was in the second lab table from the front of the row with the Slytherins. In front of Harry and Daphne were Draco and Theo. Blaise and Neville were behind them while Crabbe and Goyle were next and then Pansy and Millicent. On the right side of the room the first lab table that usually remained empty now held Pavarti and Lavender Brown, Harry thought was her name. The second table was empty and the third held Thomas, Finnigan, and Weasley. Usually the first two tables were empty and a Slytherin pair would usually sit there but the Gryffindors arrived early and took their seats first. Another unusual table configuration was Weasley sitting in a chair that was on the aisle and closets to the Slytherins, Weasley usually sat at the back and as far away from the Slytherins as he could.
Professor Snape continued to move around the class room, he finished with the Gryffindor side and moved on to the Slytherins. As he moved down their row Crabbe and Goyle got sneers at the dismal potions ability. Millicent's got a nod of approval while Pansy's got a muttered prayer from Snape. Neville and Blaise both got a nod although Snape looked like he held his tongue a bit. Daphne and Harry both got smiles which shocked a few of the students in the class and his second smile to Draco and Theo made it a day that would become myth, Severus Snape the bat in the dungeons smiled twice. As he made his way back over to the Gryffindors, Lavender Brown screwed up her potion to the point where it was starting to bubble over. Severus rushed over to take the potion off the heat and threw a balancing ingredient into the potion. While Severus was busy dealing with the potion, Ron Weasley reached into his pocket and pulled out a firework, lit it and took aim. Harry watching from his station saw the Weasel's arm pull back he was looking towards Draco's cauldron and released the firework.
Harry drew his wand up and yelled, "impedimenta," the firework slowed to a halt in midair. Severus Snape straightened up at once at the jinx.
"Bottle your potions, class dismissed. Mr. Weasley where do you think you're going," Professor Snape bit out grabbing Weasley by his ear, "we have an appointment with the headmaster." Severus led the boy out by his ear, "you'll be expelled if I have anything to say about it."
The seven were waiting for Professor Snape to appear for their weekly session when Severus came stalking through the hallway and threw open the door and made his way to his desk. The seven looked at each other a bit scared before Harry just shrugged and walked in.
"Unfortunately Mr. Weasley is still with us," Severus started but was interrupted by disbelieving noises from the four Slytherins in the room.
"But he could have killed us and everyone else in the room," Harry said his voice rising above the others.
"Try telling that to Dumbledore," Severus bit out, "the old man is convinced the boy didn't know what he was doing or the consequences." Hermione let out a snort. "Yes, that was my reaction also, Mr. Weasley will be given a month's detention with a loss of 150 house points."
Neville groaned, "that'll put us back to 50 points."
The six others chuckled and Susan said, "maybe we should send him a thank you card."
Professor Snape cracked a small smile that disappeared in seconds, "Today wer're going to work on the impediment jinx. Mr. Potter used it to much success this afternoon, it can slow down or halt objects or people and can be very useful in a duel. Oh and twenty points to Slytherin, Mr. Potter." Harry smiled. "The incantation is impedimenta, you can cast on each other tonight, I want one person to dodge while another casts. Mr. Potter you will work with myself."
By the end of the night Harry, Neville and Hermione could cast silently while the others were able to cast it successfully verbally.
"They're starting a dueling club," Hermione spoke as she sat down at the group's table in the library.
"Do you think we should go," Tracey asked?
"We might as well, maybe some of the older kids can teach us a spell or two," Neville said.
"Yeah, Professor Snape will probably want us to go," Harry answered.
"Are you working on the transfiguration," Hermione asked?
"Yeah although Trevor looks to be getting disgruntled," Daphne laughed as Harry transfigured Trevor into a rather Slytherin looking water goblet.
"You know if you manage that on the test McGonagall might give you extra credit," Blaise spoke looking at the snake designs etched into the goblet.
"So in charge of the dueling club," Neville asked?
"Our esteemed Professor Lockhart," Tracey answered her voiced dripping with sarcasm.
"You're kidding right," Tracey shook her head in the negative, "but we have Professor Snape and my Gran says Flitwick was a dueling champion," Neville replied exasperatedly.
"Yep," Susan said popping the 'p', "but we get Lockhart, thanks to Dumbledore." Just as she finished the bell tolled for curfew, "well see you guys tomorrow night," Susan said gathering her things up as did the rest of them. Neville and Hermione waved to the other five as they departed the library. Once by the great hall Susan separated from the four snakes. As the four Slytherins were walking through the dungeons they stumbled upon Crookshanks and Aiolos who appeared to have something cornered. As they went closer they saw it was a rat and not just any rat but Ron Weasley's rat.
"Hey that's the Weasel's rat," Blaise said drawing his wand. The panicked rat appeared even more frightened by that action.
"Hatchling sssomething isssn't right about thisss rat," Aiolos hissed out.
"How ssso," Harry hissed back causing the rat to still.
"Itsss sssmell isss off."
Harry looked at the rat closer and saw his front right paw was missing a finger. "Blaissse, bind the rat," Harry hissed to his friend hoping he would be understood.
Blaise subtly pointed his wand at the rat, having understood the whole conversation Harry and Aiolos had. The tip of the wand glowed as the spell was cast silently hitting the rat causing it to go stiff and lie flat as a board.
"Aiolossss can you carry the rat without poisssioning him," Harry hissed. Aiolos nodded her head and picked the rat up in her jaws clamping down securely.
"We need Severus," Harry spoke aloud in English. The girls nodded and the group started towards Severus's office.
"What is it Harry," Daphne asked as they were walking.
"I'll tell you in Professor Snape's office I don't want to be over heard." Daphne nodded and took Harry's hand as they were walking. They knocked on Severus' office door, the door opened showing Severus.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit after curfew?"
"Um first could you conjure a cage for the rat Aiolos has it needs to be unbreakable," Harry asked. Severus looked down to Aiolos noticing the rat in her mouth nodded and conjured a steal cage for the rather fat rat. He then placed an unbreakable charm around the cage and Aiolos deposited the rat into it.
"I need mouth wasssh," Aiolos hissed causing Harry and Blaise chuckled at the serpents joke.
"Please feel free to explain to all the non-parselmouths," Severus said raising an eyebrow.
"Finally," Tracey muttered.
"She said she would like some mouthwash," Harry answered. Severus looked puzzeled at the joke and Harry started his explanation. "We were coming back from the library when we came upon Aiolos and Crookshanks who had the rat cornered. When Aiolos felt our approach she said there was something off about the rat's smell."
"It's Weasley's rat, sir," Blaise interjected.
"Yes, but I looked more closely at the rat and noticed it was missing a toe on his right front paw." Severus looked at Harry sharply and received a nod from Harry in return, Daphne and Tracey gasped as they caught on.
"Homenum revelio," Severus cast the spell, the rat lit up red like the others in the room.
"He's in a full body bind sir, will that hold?"
"He may fight it but in the unbreakable cage it will do him no good." Severus stood and moved over to the fireplace in his office, "Bones residence, Amelia Bones." About two minutes later Amelia's head appeared in the fireplace.
"That still creeps me out," Harry muttered to his friends, who chuckled in response.
"Severus, is everything okay?"
"Susan is fine as are the others, but I need you here in your full capacity as Head of the DMLE."
"What's happened Severus," Amelia asked her face hardening.
"Peter Pettigrew has been captured," Severus replied.
"What that rat bastard," everyone in the room heard come from the fireplace though it wasn't from Amelia Bones. Then Amelia's head disappeared and Severus moved away just in time for Sirius Black come through.
"Where is the little bastard," Sirius shouted only to be hit with an incarcerous and silencing spell by Severus Snape.
"Really Severus," Amelia asked as she stepped through into Severus' office.
"He was ranting, do you want your boyfriend to go back to jail so soon," Severus quipped. Surprising all Amelia blushed a little.
"Shut up Severus, now I assume that would be him," Amelia answered pointing to the rat in the cage.
"Yes, I've done the reviling spell and it is indeed an animagus."
Amelia picked up the cage and nodded to them, "I'll take him in and we'll do the necessary spells to make sure then he'll have a trial. I would suspect it will be public Cornelius will want to flaunt this." With that Madam Bones disappeared into the floo with the rat cage.
Sirius looked rather pissed off lying there on floor but there was nothing he could do considering he forgot to bring his wand with him.
Severus looked at him with a small bit of contempt but mostly understanding, "Are you going to calm down."
Sirius nodded and he was unbound and un-silenced, "So who caught him?"
"Crookshanks and Aiolos," Harry answered. Sirius let out a belly laugh at the thought of Peter being surrounded by a cat and snake while in his rat form.
"Can I ask you a question," Blaise said looking at Sirius. Sirius nodded.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything but why would you ever trust someone who's animagus form is a rat? I mean that's synonymous with traitor."
Sirius looked thoughtful at the Blaise's question before shrugging, "we never thought of it that way and Peter was never seen as a threat to anyone."
Harry, Blaise, Tracey, Daphne, and Neville where making their way through the crowded Great Hall where the dueling club was being held. They were meeting Hermion and two of her year mates from Ravenclaw, Padma Patil and Su Li. Susan elected to spend some time with Hannah and some of the other second year badgers. As the group was making their way over to where Hermione and her two friends stood Harry accidently bumped into a Hufflepuff by the robes.
"Oh sorry, I wasn't watching," Harry said apologetically to the Hufflepuff.
"S'Alright, I don't think we've met I'm Justin Finch-Fetchly," the Hufflepuff introduced himself.
Harry held out his hand, "Hadrian Potter."
"Oh I know who you are, all of us do, even us Muggleborns," the Hufflepuff spoke rather excitedly.
"Erm, I need to catch up to my friends," Harry answered frowing at the way the boy seemed interested in him for his fame. "See you around."
The Hufflepuff boy said his goodbye as Harry met up with his friends.
"Fanboy," Harry said to his friends at their looks.
Gather round, Gather round," Gilderoy Lockhart announced his presence as he stepped up on to the raised platform. The idiot was wearing large plum colored robe that looked difficult to move in. "Can you all here me? Can you all see me? Good, excellent," Lockhart said pompously strutting about the platform. "Now Headmaster Dumbledore has given me permission to start this little dueling club after recent events. As I was most qualified for the job," there were snickers around the room as he said that, "I was put in charge. Now my assistant will be Professor Snape, who tells me he knows a tiny bit about dueling himself." Severus stepped up on the platform with a look that would have put Lockhart six feet under, if looks could kill. Lockahrt seemed oblivious to it all continued on jovially, "now know need to worry you'll have your potion master back when I'm through with him." Severus' lips curled back.
"Now we'll begin back to back," Lockhart said as Severus and he moved back to back in the middle of the platform. Severus looked like he was resisting the urge to kick Lockhart's legs out. "Then you take ten paces," they moved the required paces and then turned to face each other. Severus and Lockhart brought their wands up in front of them and back down to their sides. "Now we take our stances," Lockhart spoke standing the side and placing one hand on his hip the other with his wand out in front, rather like a fencing position, although Lockhart made it look rather flamboyant. Severus also moved to stand sideways one hand over his head and the other with his wand out in front, all of Harry's friends knew this stance and knew Severus wasn't going to hold back against the ponce, they collectively winced at the smirk Severus wore.
"On the count of three we will cast," Lockhart spoke. "One…two… three." As soon as Lockhart finished Severus fired off his first curse, "expelliarmus," the scarlet spell rocketed towards Lockhart and blasted him back into a wall, making him fall in a lump. Severus merrily smirked and held up Lockhart's wand in his hand. The Slytherins and some of the older students mostly males, from the other houses cheered.
"Well it was pretty obvious you were going to do that," Lockhart spoke as he slowly made his way back to the platform, "I could have blocked you if I chose to but I thought it would be good for the students to see the effects of the disarming charm."
Snape sneered at him, "I believe this is yours," Severus through the wand at Lockhart's feet.
"Right well pair off and we'll start," Harry paired with Blaise, Daphne with Tracey, Hermione paired with another Ravenclaw. All at once the Great Hall turned into pandemonium, students were casting spells at each other left and right. Students were stuck in leg locker curses, some had boils, others were turning colors they weren't suppose to, and a few pairs had resorted to fisticuffs. Severus let out a loud bang with his wand, "perhaps we should teach the children to block unfriendly spells."
"Right how about a volunteer pair. Malfoy and Weasley." The two got up on to the platform Lockhart tried to explain the shield charm but failed miserably if the look on Weasley's face was anything to go by. Lockhart counted down but on two Malfoy fired off a spell that sent Weasley flying backwards. Weasley stood up and fired of the tickling charm at Malfoy who laughed uncontrolbly until he shook it off and fired out, "serpensortia," out of Draco's wand came a large black snake. Girls shrieked and stepped back. Severus moved to get rid of the snake since Weasley looked like he was going to wet himself, but Lockhart got there first.
"Allow me," Lockhart said and waved his wand causing a loud bang followed by the snake flying ten feet in the air. The snake landed with a thud and began hissing angrily and twisting around. The snake struck out at who was closest to it, which happened to be Justin Finch-Fetchly.
Harry yelled out, "SSStop," in Parseltongue. The snake stopped dead and turned back towards Harry. Harry held out his arm, "come here," he hissed out. The snake moved towards Harry making students jump back from its path. It slithered up Harry's arm and onto his shoulders. The students from the three other houses looked at Harry in horror, Justin looked like he was a cross between angry and dead scared. Severus Snape sighed when he heard Harry shout in Parseltongue but moved over to his student's side. Most of Slytherin house took exception to the way the other three houses were looking at their star seeker and genuinely nice but quiet second year and moved to stand behind him as did Neville and Neville, so did Susan, Daphne took his hand.
Blaise thinking quickly move towards Harry and offered his hand to the snake, scratching under its head, and hissed, "that'sss a good sssnake." Harry after realizing what he had done nodded appreciatively towards Blaise.
"That's enough for today I think," Lockhart said his voice squeaking as he spoke. The Slytherin's left together. Vaisey who had been dueling with Alicia Spinnet kissed her hand goodbye as the Slytherins left.
"I'm an idiot," Harry said as they were walking.
"Harry if you wouldn't have stopped the snake, it would have taken that Hufflepuff's head off," Marcus Flint said with a nod towards the fairly large snake that was still around Harry and Blaise's shoulders. "What are you going to do with it?"
"Set him loose," Harry said as they walked passed a window which Blaise opened and Harry allowed the snake to slither down and out the window off into the Forbidden Forest.
The next day was hellish for the Slytherins and not just Harry. While most looked at them with suspicion usually, it had lessened when Harry had been sorted. Now they were back to fear and suspicion only it was worse people actually ran from Harry when they saw him and they ran from some of the older years. Susan had complained that her year mates were idiots, Ernie MacMillan had convinced them all Harry was the one petrifying people. Harry was just trying to hold it together until he could get away from it on Christmas break. Unfortunately for him it was about to get worse before it was over.
Harry was on his way back from the library where he had to return a book, he was by himself as he wanted time to think. As he was leaving the library he glared at Ernie MacMillan who was arguing with Susan about Harry himself. Susan seeing Harry gave up and joined Harry leaving the library.
"Sorry Harry, I'm trying."
"It's alright Sue, people always want a scapegoat and I'm it. I'm surprised their not blaming Blaise too." As Harry spoke they came across a rather gruesome sight, Nearly Headless Nick petrified. As they looked past Nick, Susan let out a cry, Justin Finch-Fetchly petrified laying on the ground with books around him. Harry wrapped Susan in a hug as she looked shocked. Peeves came around the corner and started singing a song about Harry being the heir which attracted the attention of students and teachers alike. The group of Hufflepuffs from the library among them.
"Got in the act, Potter," Ernie spoke loudly. Harry turned with Susan in his arms crying a glared at the boy.
"Shut up Ernie, Harry didn't do anything. I was with him," Susan yelled through her tears. Harry just hugged her tighter as she cried. Ernie looked properly chastised by Susan. Professor McGonagall stepped out of the crowd with Professor Sinistra.
"Aurora, please take Justin to the hospital wing. MacMillan make you self useful," she conjured a fan and handed it to him, "blow Sir Nicholas to the hospital wing." Ernie nodded. Hermione stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Susan also.
"The rest of you go to your common rooms, now." Harry and Hermione passed Susan off to Hannah and the other Hufflepuffs.
The group of seven found a compartment and took their seats, all of them were headed home for the Christmas break. In the two day's since Justin had been petrified Harry had gotten even more looks of fear despite having Susan as a witness. Susan was rather ticked at everyone who even glanced at Harry in fear she had snapped at more than few people, she was starting to think of Harry as a brother and didn't appreciate that her word wasn't good enough for everyone.
"So Ginny is staying with you over break," Hermione asked Daphne.
"Yeah, Bill is working on getting a house in Hogsmead over break so she needs a place to stay. Bill said he was going to bring her to look at some of the houses to get her opinion."
"So Sirius is throwing a huge party on the twenty third, he already sent the invitations and I know you all got one," Harry said, "I think he's planning something."
"Yeah Gran already told me about it. At least it'll be fun knowing Sirius," Neville said with a laugh.
"Hopefully all this heir crap blows over while we're on break," Blaise said. "Now Harry deal, I' m feeling lucky."
The rest of the ride was spent with the seven playing cards and having fun together.
Harry had been on break for two days now, and was loving the fact that there was no one whispering about him or starring at him. So far he and Sirius had hung out at Potter Manor by themselves they watched a few movies, rocked out to some music, and slept until noon. Harry felt re-energized from just doing nothing and hanging out with his godfather.
Today was the day of Sirius' Christmas party. The elves had went all out and decked the halls of Potter Manor in every Christmas decoration they could find. Sirius and Harry had gone and picked out a Christmas tree from the forest around Potter Manor, decorating it was about the only productive thing they had done so far, they cut down a monsterous fir tree that was about 20 feet high . They had done surprising well with decorating the tree, according to Mips. The Christmas tree was decked out in silver and gold ornaments belonging to the Potters and scarlet red colored garland. Harry had convinced the fairy colony in the forest to severe as the lights not only on the tree but on the outside of the house. The tree resembled a muggle tree excepting for the faries, Harry thought it was brilliant and fitting for his first real Christmas.
Mips was tidying up the manor in preparation for the guests the Greengrass family plus Ginny as well as Amelia and Susan Bones were coming over early and were staying until after Christmas morning. Unbeknownst to Ginny, Sirius had also invited Bill. It was eight a.m. when Potter Manor's floo lit up depositing Bill Weasley.
"Hello Bill," Harry and Sirius greeted the eldest Weasley son.
"Harry, nice to see you again. And Sirius nice to meet you," Bill said holding out his hand to Sirius who took it in greeting. Bill let out a low whistle, "this some place you got here Harry."
Harry grinned, "If you get lost call for Mips or Nips, I had to few times when I first got here." Bill laughed at that.
"So when do the others get here?"
"Well the Greengrass family and the Bones family will be here in about an hour," Sirius said, "we figured this would be nice surprise for your sister. The rest of the guests will be here around four this afternoon.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"No problem have you eaten, Mips is an insanely good cook," Sirius said clapping Bill on the back and leading him and Harry to the kitchen.
"So Bill what is it you actually do, I mean I know you're a curse breaker." Harry asked as they were eating some scones waiting for the others to arrive.
"Well I work for Gringotts which is well known to be the best in training curse breakers. Now for what I do, you know I was working Egypt?" Harry nodded and Bill continued, "Ancient Egyptian tombs of pharaohs, priests, and nobility are warded and cursed against intruders, I'm one of the one's who dismantles those curses and wards."
Harry was now looking at the older male in awe, "so you're the first in those tombs?"
"Yep," Bill said guessing what Harry was thinking about, "the jewels, tomes, and other relics are incredible."
"What classes did you take at Hogwarts for it?"
"Ancient runes and arithmancy," At Gringotts they go more in depth on both subjects."
"Hey you two the others should be here in a few minutes," Sirius spoke coming back into the room his hair gelled. Harry rolled his eyes at the older man and Sirius returned the gesture by messing Harry's hair. Harry sighed and pulled his hair back into a small tail now that Sirius had ruined it, again. Bill chuckled at their antics as they moved to the entrance hall.
Susan and Amelia arrived first. Amelia greeted Sirius with a kiss which made the two pre-teens smirk and think about pranks needing to be pulled. They were introduced to Bill who greeted them with a smile. Then out of the fire came the Greengrass parents, followed by Astoria and Ginny, and then Daphne. Ginny upon seeing her brother squealed and jumped into his arms. Astoria and Daphne both hugged Harry in greeting as did Evelyn. Sirius and Harry showed everyone to their rooms, the children separated from the adults going to watch a movie. While the adults were discussing who was coming to the party tonight and Peter Pettigrew
"Pettigrew's trial is set for the 28th at noon," Amelia said to the Evelyn, Xavier, and Sirius.
"What have they been doing with him so far," Xavier asked? Sirius had a rather deadly look on his face.
Amelia took his hand trying to calm him, "we've been interrogating him. He's has yet to give up anything useful except that he believes that He-who-must-not-be-named will return and soon.
Xavier looked contemplative, "we already know that."
"Yes but the Minister does not, Dumbledore refuses to budge on school issues even with the petrifactions at the school this year, he will not let the Ministry interfere. And he is within his rights, the school charter states that the Ministry can only appoint a professor if none is found within two weeks of the start of a new term. Anything else is allowed only by the leave of previous Headmasters or the Board of Governors."
"And now that Pettigrew has been brought in," Sirius asked?
"He's scared and claiming Pettigrew is delusional from his time as a rat. However during the trial he will be given veritaserum and I will be questioning him. It will not be announced publicly even if he does admit it under veritaserum, also the trial its self will not be public and only the Minister, myself, Scrimgeour, a scribe, two aurors, the dementor, and Harry, Traey, Daphne, and Blaise as witnesses will be allowed in and of course the parents. The press will be given partial transcripts."
Sirius sighed and excused himself from the room, while Evelyn, Xavier, and Amelia continued talking only this time it was about Sirius and Amelia's relationship. Xavier enjoyed getting to tease the Head of the DMLE as a member of the Wizenmagot he was hardly ever in position to do so.
Sirius found the kids in the game room they had finished watching the movie and had moved on to playing pool. Astoria and Ginny were playing foosball. Bill was busy studying the runes and charms required to make the muggle equipment work. It was actually quite simple instead of running off electricity Lily used the energy from magic to run the equipment.
"Harry, Susan can I talk to you two for a minute," Sirius asked. "We'll be back in a second. Harry and Susan followed Sirius to an empty sitting room next to the game room.
"So I wanted to ask you both a question," Sirius started rather unsurely?
"Oookay," Harry and Susan said looking at him like he was off his rocker, which occasionally he was.
"Good, so, um, how would you feel if I asked Amelia to marry me?"
Harry and Susan looked at each and tried to decide if they should draw out Sirius' obvious discomfort or end his misery. Harry winked at Susan.
"You mean like tonight," at Sirius' nod Harry continued, "It's awfully short notice."
Susan caught on to Harry and said, "yes I mean we might not even like each other, did you think about us at all?"
"But, but you and all of them hang out," Sirius stuttered out along with some other unintelligible words before he realized they were having him on. "Oh you two are so going to pay." Sirius got up and left the two laughing twelve year olds in the room.
"Did you see his face I thought his jaw was going to actually fall off," Susan said laughing as they left to rejoin their friends.
"So what's up," Daphne asked as they came back into the room?
"Sirius is going to ask Amelia to marry him tonight," Harry said.
"Awe," Daphne, Astoria, and Ginny said at the same time.
Bill leaned over to Harry and muttered, "women."
Harry was about to laugh before he realized in a few years that Daphne would probably want him to propose, he gulped instead.
Harry was seated at one head of the table with Daphne on his right and Sirius was at the other head of the table with Amelia seated on his right, Susan next to her. Among the guests were Neville, his Gran and Great Uncle who Harry had glared at when they met, he was still livid at the man for hanging his nephew out the window and dropping him. Tracey and her parents were there, The Tonks family, Blaise and his mother who was suspiciously placed across from Severus, The Vaisey family including Alicia Spinnet who came with Aaron, Bill and Ginny rounded out the rest of the guest list.
The formal party made Harry a bit uncomfortable, especially with his Godfather being on the other side of the. Harry was dressed in a black Hugo Boss suit and had only stopped fidgeting when Daphne took his hand and he felt Aiolos curl up around his feet. He was further relieved when he saw on the name cards that Daphne's family and the Tonks family were closest to him.
"Alright Harry," Xavier asked when everyone had started talking.
Harry nodded and shrugged at the same time, "I've never been to anything like this let alone host it."
"Just remember outside in for the silverware," Xavier said quietly.
"What's the one on the top for then?"
"Dessert."
"Right, dessert."
Before dessert was served Sirius tapped his knife against his glass. The guests quieted down and Sirius stood.
"While you're all here to celebrate Christmas, I'm hoping when I get done that they're will be something else to celebrate. "Amelia Susan Bones, you gave me a chance when most still look at me like a crazed murder and saved me from my own mind after Azkaban," Sirius kneeled in front of Amelia, "will you marry me?"
Amelia not trusting her voice nodded and smiled at Sirius whose face broke out in blinding smile. He slid the ring on to her finger as the guests applauded the happy couple, well except for Severus who was doing a kind of golf clap that made Harry laugh. The ring was platinum band and had a two carat ruby and had a smaller diamond on either side.
Christmas morning arrived and the occupants of Potter Manor were woken by two excitable eleven year olds. Astoria and Ginny woke Daphne, Harry, and Susan by jumping up and down on each of the beds. Daphne in return kicked Astoria's legs out from under her so she fell on the bed and tackled her tickling her until Astoria cried out she would be on Daphne if she didn't stop. Ginny fell on the floor laughing on the serious look on her friends face.
The adults including Bill made their way down to the family room with the tree at a more sedate pace, as did Harry who still wasn't used to there being presents for himself. Mips arrived with hot chocolate for everyone and some biscuits.
"Thank you Mips, I have a gift for you, Nips, Dips again," Harry said as the other two elves popped into the room. Like the year before all had tears in their eyes as Harry presented them with their presents. Harry gave Dips an ivory plated brush for the horses in the stables, inlaid in the ivory was the Potter crest. Nips received a gold pocket watch that had belonged to Harry's grandfather, whom Nips had personally served. Harry hadn't known that until Sirius filled him in on. Mips the motherly house elf Sirius and Harry adored received necklace that said world's best house elf.
They decided to start opening presents youngest to oldest, so up first was Ginny. Ginny who had Shea on her shoulder was rather surprised by how many gifts she had gotten. Her favorite had to be the signed Gwenog Jones jersey from the Greengrass family. Astoria went next her favorite gift ended up coming from Sirius he got her a spastic little owl that Harry swore had been doused with speed. Daphne went next and loved the triquetra Celtic knot with a circle ring. In the middle of the knot was a gemstone that matched her eyes perfectly. Harry was next and his favorite present came from Professor Snape, it was a set of potions tools in the highest quality Harry had ever seen, he remembered seeing Severus use the same set. Susan went after Harry and was enamored with a book on the Bones family history from Sirius. Most of her family's books had been destroyed with their Manor in the first war. Bill was up next and like Ginny was surprised by his gifts, his favorite was from Harry who gave him a runespoor fang for his earring. Next up was Evelyn who received from her husband a week's vacation at her favorite spa. After Evelyn, Sirius was next and his favorite was tie between Amelia saying yes and Harry's gift to him. They had to go outside to the garage for Harry's present to his godfather. Harry went over to a covered object and with a flourish pulled the tarp off revealing a 1953 650cc Triumph Thunderbird, it was painted a midnight black and had gold colored decals on it. Sirius ran and picked his godson up and twirled him around until Harry threatened to puke on him through his laughter. Xavier was next and received a mimbulus mimbletonia plant from his wife. Amelia was the last to open gifts and her favorite was also a tie, it was between the proposal and Sirius next gift to her that was ruby necklace that acted as an emergency portkey to Potter Manor.
The day for Pettigrew's trial arrived with a prelude that Sirius had dubbed the mother of all snowball fights. Harry had invited all his friends over including Tonks over the weekend leading up to the trial. A snowman building contest had somehow turned into a snowball fight that pitted Harry, Tonks, Daphne, Blaise, Ginny and Amelia against Sirius, Susan, Tracey, Hermione, Neville, Astoria, and Bill. Harry's team won although it was contested by Sirius who claimed they cheated. Harry's team had built up a fort rather quickly, it was about two feet high and was circular hiding his whole team from Sirius's team who had built a fort that was straight across. Harry had paired with Blaise while Tonks and Amelia made for the another pair, then Daphne and Ginny. Tonks and Amelia though of using magic before anyone on Sirius's team did and collapsed a part of the oppositions fort leaving Sirius, Hermione, and Neville open to attack from the other four. Sirius team ended up waving a white flag after their fort was completely demolished.
Harry was dressed in a gray suit for the trial, he pulled his hair back and put some make-up on his scar so he wouldn't attract attention. Sirius joined him by the floo dressed in a navy blue suit. They arrived at the ministry and were met at the lifts by Blaise and his mother Bella, Daphne and her parents, Ginny had gone with Bill to look at houses and he had graciously taken Astoria with him, and Tracey and her parent Addison and Marius. They made their way to the courtroom without any problems most people still tended to stay far away from Sirius. They were met at the courtroom door by two aurors who Sirius knew a Dawlish and Robards, said aurors allowed only them through. The trial was called to order by Minister Fudge, it seemed that Pettigrew wasn't given an attorney as Harry didn't see one or Pettigrew for that matter. Minister Fudge, Amelia, another man he didn't recognize, a women who looked like a walking bottle of Pepto Bismol, and the scribe Harry recognized from Sirius's trial. Fudge called Amelia to start the trial.
"As I have recently become engaged to Lord Black, I will excuse myself from the questioning. Head Auror Scrimgeour is here to question the witnesses and the accused," Madam Bones re-took her seat.
Fudge nodded, "Auror Scrimgeour you may proceed."
"I call witness Mr. Blaise Zabini to the stand."
Blaise stood and moved over to the stand and was sworn in and questioned by Scrimgeour. This continued for Harry, Daphne, and Tracey as well. Finally they got to the part they were all waiting for. The doors at the back of the court room opened and Peter Pettigrew wrapped in magic suppressing chains, he was led in by two aurors Harry recognized them from Sirius's trial as Shacklebolt and the other was Proudfoot according to Sirius. Harry paid more attention this time to the cloaked figure that was floating next to Pettigrew. Harry found the figure disturbing, he could only see the hands of it but they looked pale, they seemed to have a sheen to them and were scabby, Harry was reminded of a zombie movie that his cousin watched late one night. He noticed the temperature dropped in the room and that the black cloaked figures breath was noticeable Harry began to hear a faint voice screaming then out of Amelia's wand shot a large silvery dog and it circled the cloaked figure forcing it back and the effects and the faint screaming vanished. Shacklebolt administered the veritaserum and the questioning began.
"What is your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
"When were you born?"
"August 30, 1960."
Scrimgeour satisfied that the veritaserum was working began the real questions, "We're you James and Lily Potter's secret keeper?"
Peter looked like he was struggling but his answer came out, "yes."
"Are you a severvant of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Harry rolled his eyes at the hyphenated name.
"yes," Pettigrew squeaked out.
"How long were you a servant of him for?"
"I still am, my Lord will rise again and I will be rewarded." Sirius looked like he was going to hop the visitors box and strangle him, Harry too looked like he would kill the man. Daphne grabbed Harry's hand and Xavier put his hand Sirius's shoulder to keep him still.
"When did you begin serving him?" Rufus amended his question.
"In my seventh year, he promised me I would no longer be in James, Sirius and Remus' shadows."
"You sniveling little rat," Sirius growled out and stood but Xavier forced him down into his seat.
"You said he will rise again how do you know this?"
"My mark his still present. He tried last year at Hogwarts but I was too late to help."
"Shacklebolt the antidote and his arm," Scrimgeour looked disgusted and motioned to Pettigrew. Shacklebolt gave him the antidote and reached for his arm showing the faded mark to the room. Pettigrew now that he had been given the antidote looked extremely worried and scared he was even started shaking.
"By the power granted to me as Minister of Magic I sentence you to life imprisonment in Azkaban, aurors take him away." Fudge announced and banged his gavel; a picture of Pettigrew being lead away was taken for the papers. The Minister looked rather pale and the Pepto lady looked strangely pleased her smile made chills run down Harry and his friends' spines. They vacated the court as fast as the Minister could move, Amelia waved to Sirius and the others before she and Scrimgeour followed the Minister out.
"Hey Harry what are these?" Daphne asked holding up a book, two more were on the ground. Daphne couldn't read anything as it looked like squiggles. Harry came over from where he was packing his trunk.
"Oh! I forgot about these," Harry shouted excitedly, "They're in Parseltongue and these two," Harry said holding up the two journal type books, "were written by Salazar Slytherin. The other was written by Lycurgus a Greek." Harry pointed to the last one that was parchment bound together by some twine. "I found two of them in Knockturn Alley, the other was the one Tracey gave me."
"Do you think it has anything about the chamber in them?" Daphne asked Harry as he flipped through the book she somewhat remembered from last Christmas now.
"I'm not sure I never got the chance to read them," Harry finished with a shrug.
"Well put them in your trunk we need to leave for the train station."
A/N
Hey hope ya'll doing well one more to go until summer. I'm made Peter more then just a spinless coward it'll work for later and Blaise's question of Sirius trusting a person who can turn into a rat is something I've always wondered, when someone is traitor you call 'em a rat so why would anyone trust him? Hope you enjoyed it as all ways suggestions helpfull.
Oh and I got a comment about a dialoge only working if you say it not write, sorry I have a tendency to type the way I talk ususally I catch it but I missed that one.
