The Savage Life Keeperoliver Chapter 14

Harry and Ginny had told Doc of their plan, and Doc agreed, but, decided he would also search for answers on his own. He remembered his encounter forty some odd years ago, and tried to figure out some of the clues he had, when the incident suddenly stopped. Hagrid was the first place he thought of. He had been expelled from school, because the Ministry thought he was behind the whole affair. Albus and Doc were the only two who actually thought Hagrid innocent.

Doc made his way to Hagrid's hut, and was greeted by the half giant. Hagrid asked him in, and Doc followed him into the hut. Doc was greeted by Fang, who came up to Doc, and sat next to him, as he scratched behind his ears.

"Hagrid, tell me about your story of what happened those forty years ago, when the Chamber was first opened. Try not to leave any thing out. I need every Little detail you can think of."

"Well Doc, it's like I told the Ministry, I had found an Acrumantula egg, and it hatched. I was caring for the spider. I called him Aragog. I was hiding him in a trunk, feeding him twice a week. I didn't think any one knew about him. But, one night, Tom Riddle approached me, and told me he knew about the spider, and if I didn't get rid of it, permanently, he would turn me in. I told him I couldn't do that, and Tom said that he would do it. Aragog heard our conversation, and made a run for it. Tom tried to kill him, so I bumped into him, causing him to miss. He got mad, and turned me in, as the heir. I was expelled, and was to be thrown off campus, but, Professor Dumbledore stopped that, and gave me the job, as grounds keeper for the school. I later found out, that Aragog had made it into the forest, and took up residence in the deepest, darkest area."

"Hagrid, can you take me to talk to Aragog? I would like to ask him a few questions."

"I don't know if he will let you in Doc, he really doesn't like humans. He likes me because I'm half giant."

:I'm willing to take my chances, Hagrid. I think as long as I'm with you, I will be alright. It may also save anyone else from trying to get in and questioning him."

"Alright Doc, I'll try, but, I can't promise you anything. Aragog has a considerable sized family, and they are less tolerant of humans, than Aragog."

"Thank you Hagrid. Noe lets see if he will let me talk."

It took a while for them to reach the area Aragog selected for his nest. Doc was aware of the spiders all around him, varying in sizes from the size of his fist, to the size of Fang. Hundreds of them perched in different areas around the nest. Hagrid called for Aragog, and the biggest spider Doc had ever seen, climbed up to the top of a dirt mound. "Hagrid my friend, why have you brought this human into our nest. You know how I detest them. I also don't know if I can control my children from devouring him. I believe you have made a grave mistake in coming here human."

"I just wish to ask you two questions Aragog, then I will leave,"

"Ask them then and be done."

"Do you know what killed that child forty years ago?"

Yes, but, we do not talk about it. It is our sworn enemy, and avoid it, if at all possible."

"Well then, has anything strange happened this year, to cause you concern?"

"Yes, all the spiders are leaving the castle, and finding their way here to our nest. We fear, it is happening again. Our enemy has come back. Now, that was your two questions. I will leave you with one last word. The creature you are looking for can not be looked at. To look at, it is to die."

"Thank you Aragog, you answers have given me much to think about. Now, if you will allow it, we will leave here, to never come back again."

"Go with haste, as my children grow restless, and hungry. A tasty human would be quite a treat for them."

Doc and Hagrid made a fast retreat, before the spiders could advance on them, and made it back to the hut, unharmed. They sat there, catching their breath, and Hagrid made them some tea. While he did this, Doc thought about what Aragog had said. He would get Hermione to do a little research for him. That was probably the worst mistake Doc had ever made.

Doc asked Hermione to try and find what the greatest fear of an Acrumantula was. She researched the library, and got the information she needed, and was ready to head back, when she was stopped by Penelope Clearwater, a fourth year prefect for Ravenclaw. She asked Hermione if they could talk for a few minutes, before she made her way back to her dorm. Hermione agreed, and they sat back down. Penelope just wanted to know about Savage. She was curious to find out, if it was great as she had been told by various students through out the school. She never mingled with any of the students from the new house. She spent most of her time with Percy Weasley, and he told her that he thought the Savage House was a bit over rated.

After talking, the started to leave the library, and Penelope was going to step out into the hall, when Hermione stopped her. Hermione silenced her, and took her mirror out to look. She had heard a noise, and was leery to just jump out and face it. When she and Penelope looked into the mirror to see, they met a set of huge yellow eyes, and that was the last sight she had. Both her and Penelope had been petrified, joining Colin Creevy, Justin Finch Fletchley and Mrs. Morris, Filch's cat.

Doc was worried about Hermione. It had ben four hours since he sent her off. She should have been back an hour ago. He went out to go find her.

Irma Ponce was just closing her library. She was putting out the candles that were not the everlasting type. She had just finished, and was going to close and lock the entrance, hen she saw two figures hiding the door frame. She called out to them, but, they didn't answer her. When she went to them, she found them petrified. She was ready to call he Headmaster, when Mr. Savage found the students also. "Oh no, what have I done. Hermione. how will you ever forgive me. How will I ever forgive my self." Miss Pince, please call the Headmaster, and have him come here immediately please."

She hurried off, and soon Albus was there. He saw the two young ladies, and feared for he worst, until he saw the mirror in Hermione's hand. "Doc, do not worry, Hermione and Miss Clearwater are alright. They are just petrified. Neville has been working with the Mandrake root, and should be ready in a month. We then can brew the potion needed to bring them back to us. I fear, if you hadn't thought of giving the students mirrors, Her and Miss Clearwater would be dead. Let us take them to the hospital wing, and get them settled in. I will take Miss Clearwater, if you can take Hermione."

Doc gently picked up Hermione, and brought her up to the hospital wing. He laid her on the bed, and held her hand, when he took her hand, he felt a piece of parchment folded up in it. He took out the paper, and unfolded it. It was a page from a book, with Hermione writing added to it.

She had discovered that the creature was a Basilisk, and that it was travelling through the tunnels that held the water pipes that supplied the school. Doc was so proud of his students, and he had to start telling them, more often. Hermione's smart thinking, had not only provided him his answer, but, also saved her own, and Miss Clearwater's life. The way she had her hand on Miss Clearwater, showed that she had stopped her from going straight out into the hall.

TSL-}

The members of Savage House were in shock. Their own Hermione was now one of the casualties. That was two members of their House who were in the hospital wing, petrified. Colin was taking pictures of the message written on the wall. He has just finished, and was taking pictures of the surrounding area, when he took a picture of two huge yellow eyes. That was the way he was Petrified, taking the picture.

Flashback

Albus was getting ready to open the camera, when Doc stopped him. "Albus, I think we should examine the camera, before opening the case. We have discovered a way to see the last image with out opening the camera, however, once the case is opened, then the image is destroyed. Please let me check into it."

End Flashback

Doc had yet to examine the camera, but, now he had to see what it was that they were facing. He got the camera, and had Monk help him get the image. Monk had discovered that when the Iris was opened, to take the picture, when the image hit the film, it sent a reverse image back to the lens. This reverse image, was in fact a regular image, as it is reversed when the picture is taken. Buy using the solution that Monk had developed, a faint image could be seen in the lens. Although not as clear as the film, it would show what the last picture was that was taken.

When they were done, all they saw was two yellow balls, about the size of beach balls. The rest of the view was blurred, and could not make out what ever it was holding the yellow balls in the air. Doc, however, knew what it was holding the yellow balls in the air. A head.

Doc explained his idea to the rest of the house members. Frank had to catch Neville, as he had passed out. If this is what Hermione faced, then she was indeed very lucky.

This new development caused Harry and Ginny to look harder for the one behind the opening of the Chamber. Doc told them of his visit to Hagrid, and of how Tom Riddle had turned him in as the Heir, because of his holding a dangerous creature in the school. Even though they knew the Acrumantula was not able to do the things being done, the incidents in the school ceased, so they had Hagrid expelled. Doc told them of what Hermione found, and how he was getting around un-noticed. But, the question was, where was he being kept, when not roaming the halls.

From that moment on, no lone individual, could be seen walking the halls They were seldom seen walking in pairs. It was mostly groups of five or more. Even Nott was seen walking with a small army behind him. They were not a threat, however, as no one wanted to be in the halls, any longer than they had to.

That was the way Savage house decided to monitor the halls, by patrolling in groups of five. This was the way it went for the next five evenings, and there were no further signs of the Basilisk.

Neville told Professor Snape that the Mandrake roots were ready, when he wanted to prepare the potion to end the plight of the petrified students. Severus and Monk worked together to brew the potion. it would take fourteen days to brew it properly. There was no hurry, as the petrified students were safe from harm. Since the attacks only occurred during the evening, Visits to Hermione, and the rest of the students were conducted during the day. Any night time classes were cancelled, until the matter was settled.

Harry was wondering what the link was from the attacks forty years ago to the incidents taking place now, and he kept coming up with nothing. There were only four people that attended any thing during the two incidents. Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and Doc. But, there had to be something or someone else. Aragog somehow knew what the creature was, but, that was already determined. The four already told every one what they knew, so who, or what was he missing. He looked over the report from forty years ago, to see what he was missing. Luna decided to join him, as she was the one who told of Hermione's fate. Harry appreciated any help he could get

Luna was reading the report, when she asked Harry, "Harry, why isn't the name of the student who died mentioned in this report?"

Harry pulled Luna into a hug, and kissed her cheek, "Luna, I don't know what I would do with out you. You are brilliant."

"Thank you Harry, that was a very nice compliment, but, how does a question provide you with an answer?"

"Well, Sis, what it does, is fill in a hole. A hole that I have been to blind to notice. And you my love, with your all seeing eye, found it right away."

"Oh, well in that case, I am glad I could help."

Harry asked Doc, but he didn't know the answer, but, he was sure that Albus would know.

When Harry found out that the one who died, was a ghost in the school named Moaning Myrtle, he took his group to go ask her some questions. The lavatory she inhabited was one that no one used, because of her constant crying.

Getting Myrtle to talk about the incident, was harder than he thought. She felt she was being teased once again for being a baby. Harry had to get her to talk, but, how. He decided to try it with just Ginny and himself.

This worked, and as Harry talked with Myrtle, Ginny explored the Lavatory. Harry didn't notice when Ginny was stunned, and levitated away. Harry found out that the Entry to the Chamber was the sink, but, had no idea how to get it to open. He tried different spells, but, there was a very strong shield protecting the entry. While doing this, he noticed Ginny was missing. He went back to the dorm, thinking she may have gone back there, but, it wasn't to be. Then Professor Dumbledore used his Patronus to contact the house members. They were needed back at the lavatory Harry had just left.

When they arrived, Albus showed them the message on the wall. Ginny had been taken, and would die for the sins of the enemy of the Heir. Harry tried using his mind link, but, there was no reply. He hoped it was not too late.