Sacrifices Chapter Fourteen
A/N: OK, I have had several people ask me what the pairing is going to be, and my reply was not taken too well. They say that they read my stories because of my favorite pairing which is H/G. I wanted to try another pairing in this one, but I think I will stay with H/G. I'm also more comfortable with that pairing. Of course there will be other pairings, but you will find those out later.
And then there will be those who would rather go with a different pairing, but I will stick with H/G for this story. As always, Ollie the Keeper. P.S.: Pray for the people of Brussels after their devastating tragedy.
Sacrifices-}
Harry had thought about Hermione and her idea of his needing someone to share his emotions with, but he just didn't have the right mind set for anything like that. He liked the friends he had and thought that was all he really needed at the moment. Sentiment only confused him except for family and friends. Until he was able to handle the pressure of a deeper relationship, he would not get any closer to anyone.
He wanted to believe in his mind that he had too much going on with the diary and the mystery it hid somewhere in the castle. Thanks to Dobby, he diverted a possible catastrophe by keeping Professor Dumbledore from writing in it, releasing the spirit of Tom Riddle to take over Ginny, or someone else close to him. He still thought it centered on Ginny though. She was the intended victim from the start.
Sacrifices-}
Albus was reading the diary and it gave him quite a bit of information that he was missing. It told him of his discovering the way to keep from dying by creating a Horcrux. How Tom used Professor Slughorn to gather further information on how to create one. It told him of Tom's idea of using items of the Founders of the school for his Horcruxes. How he entered the Chamber of Secrets to gain control of the creature hidden there by Slytherin centuries ago. It also told Albus that by releasing the creature into the school, it killed on it's first venture and never returned to the upper levels. It was put there to prevent deaths to the students and when it killed, it put itself into hibernation.
It told how he placed the blame on the death on Hagrid and how Hagrid was discharged from the school and would have been thrown off the grounds if not for Albus Dumbledore. Albus also learned that Tom hated him because of this and the way he never trusted him after the chamber incident.
Albus finally finished the diary and put it back in his desk. He was lucky he took notes from the diary as when he closed the book after finishing reading it, the pages cleared themselves and it was once again blank. It also gave it the ability to search out for anyone who sympathised with his ideaology. Tom didn't know at the time that any Death Eater or family member to a Death Eater would fall into this category, if the member believed like his parent or sibling did. The son of Death Eater Nott was this sympathiser. Theodore would try to find a way into Dumbledore's office to ask the Diary what it needed. He didn't know all it needed was for him to write in the book and release his spirit and find the vessle that would free him from the Diary and bring him back among the living.
Even at an early age, Tom had been thinking about his future and the best way to protect it. Of course at the time he didn't think this very same book would become one of his protective items.
Sacrifices-}
Classes for the year were for the most part good, but the new DADA professor was a complete imbecile. Professor Lockhart could never have done all the things he wrote about as he never showed these abilities in the classroom. His letting loose the Pixies in the classroom and then leaving for his quarters to avoid them showed everyone that. Harry and Hermione had to work together to collect them all and put them back in their cage. They were covered with scratches from the small but immensely fast creatures. However, they both laughed it off as they left the classroom, heading for their final class of the day.
During History class, Neville and Draco sat and laughed at the story they told about how they did it. Both Neville and Draco left when they were pelted with rotten fruit, causing quite a stink. They all did decide to report Lockhart to Professor McGonagall for his lack of control for a situation that he created.
When they did get to speak to her, she told them that he had already turned in a report of his own, blaming the students for enraging the creatures by throwing things at them. Draco and Neville showed her where they were the ones who had stuff thrown at them. Minerva always trusted her Professors statements over the students, except in this case. She knew once again, Albus went against her better judgement and hired the sop. She knew Albus took him for a fraud and wondered why he even considered hiring him, yet he did just that. She would allow Albus Dumbledore one more mistake before she would take action against him. But right now she had to do something about Lockhart, before he got someone hurt.
Katie and Minerva were close friends and when Minerva told her about Lockhart, she only had one person in mind for a replacement. She had to ask before she brought it up to Minerva though.
Hermione and Harry were at the dinner table when Luna came and took a seat beside them. "Hello Harry, Hermione. Mind if I sit with you?" she asked as she filled her plate. Both Harry and Hermione laughed at Luna's antics.
"Not at all, Luna. Please help your self." Harry answered.
Luna stopped eating to give her reply, "Thank you Harry." and she continued to eat.
Hermione looked around, but did not see Ginny, "Where's Ginny, Luna?"
"Out in the hall, talking to Draco and Neville. They all seem to becoming very close. Neville tried to get me into the conversation, but I was hungry. She should be here in a minute. In fact here she comes now."
Harry and Hermione were shocked when Ginny did just walk into the dining room. Luna announced her with her back turned to the door and Ginny hadn't entered at that time. They looked at each other and shook their heads. Then a few seconds later, Draco and Neville entered and took seats across from Harry and Hermione. Then the twins entered and Fred took a seat next to Hermione and Hermione forgot all about Luna, Harry and the rest, as Fred kissed her on the cheek. "What was that for, Fred?"
"It was to end my school day on a sweet note. Hope you didn't mind."
Hermione just sat there with a strange look on her face, then she did the same thing to Fred and said, "You're right, it was a sweet ending for the school day. Thank you, Fred."
You're welcome Mione, anytime. I just may do it again tomorrow."
"Then what will you do for the weekends?"
"Why don't we wait and see." Fred answered.
"OK. It better be just as good though. I could get used to something like that to end my day."
"You and me both. Now excuse me while I get something to eat before its all gone. Ron just sat down to the table and he is a horder." Ron proved this by grabbing the last four pieces of fried chicken. Fred looked to him and grunted, "See what I mean. Thank goodness I got the roast beef before he did or I would go hungry tonight." However, another plate of chicken appeared on the table before him and he took a couple of pieces before Ron saw it. George did as well.
Hermione snickered at the antics of the three brothers. She knew they kidded each other endlessly, but would lay down their own life to protect another. Then she looked around to all their friends and knew each of them would do the same, including herself. If each year the group of friends grew, then Harry would have an army around him. If he trained all of them, it would be a strong army. As time went on, she began to see what Harry meant about not thinking of a relationship right now, as he had been asked to do too much and didn't have the time for any kind of a fun life.
Sacrifices-}
Theodore Nott had tried three different times to get into the Headmaster's chamber and was denied all three times by that statue guarding the entry. He didn't know about the warning each attempt brought to the attention of Albus. The Headmaster knew his father was a death eater and wondered what he was trying to do. He was even in the office on one of the attempts when he forgot something he left on his desk. He finally decided to bring the student to his office to question him on these attempts.
When Theodore was sitting down for his first class, Professor McGonagall was notified by Albus to send Nott to him. When she told the student he was needed in the Headmaster's office, he was at first delighted, but on further thought, he began to worry he was caught trying to get in. When he got to the statue, it moved out of the way to let him in. He was surprised to see the steps move on their own when he stepped onto them and was carried to the office and the door at the top of the steps. He knocked and entered when asked to. He was motioned to sit down and he took a seat directly in front of Professor Dumbledore.
"Mr. Nott, it has come to my attention that on three different occasions, you attempted to get into my office. Can you tell me why this is?"
Nott didn't feel the probe Albus used to see if he was lying to Albus, "Yes sir, I needed to ask you something very important. I have since got my answer from Professor Flitwick. It was pertaining to someone breaking the rules and what the penalty was for breaking it. I thought I saw a Gryffindor student stealing something from the potions lab and I wanted it to be investigated."
Albus saw this was a lie, but could not prove it with his mind reading. He decided to answer the question and then check Filius about the incident. He did feel some truth to what Nott said, but not all of it was the truth. "Well Mr. Nott, if the student did steal from a Professor, then the penalty would be quite severe. If it was a first offense, then a month of detentions would be in order. If it was a second offense, then it would be a suspension for the rest of the school year. A third such offense would be the student would be expelled from school completely. No one has ever gotten to the second offense. Is that what the Professor told you?"
"Yes sir, it was. Thank you though. I can't tell you who it was, as it was quite dark and he seemed to be wearing a mask of some sort. There were no distinguishing features about him or her and he or she was of average height and weight. Is there anything else sir? I need to get back to class."
"There is one more thing, so if you will just stay there for a minute while I go get something." and Albus got up and went into another room. It was just long enough for Theodore to open the drawer he knew he would find the diary and wrote 'Hello!' in it. He heard the professor returning, so he closed the diary and the drawer and took his seat. He was handed a rule book by the professor and sent on his way. Once he was gone, Albus turned to Dippet's portrait and was told what Nott had done. He opened the drawer and saw it was still there, but what ever was written in the book disappeared. Now he had to warn the Weasleys to watch for any signs of Ginny becoming strange in her mannerisms.
When Fred, George, Ron and Percy were told this, they all went to Harry to tell him as well. They knew he was worried about the diary from the start and now he had something to really worry about.
Sacrifices-}
Tom's spirit was released from the book the moment Nott wrote in it, but was smart enough to know not to do anything right away. Albus knew he was there for something and didn't know what it was exactly. That didn't mean he was completely in the dark about the Chamber. He may not know how to get in it, but if anyone could figure out a way to enter, it would be Dumbledore.
Just because he couldn't act right away, didn't mean Tom had to stay away from his prey. He followed Ginny Weasley around where ever she went. He even entered her mind after she went to sleep at night. He didn't try to control her, or even converse with her, but he did read her thoughts and knew she had a crush on Harry Potter, but didn't know what to do about it. Tom now knew what it would take to control her when the time came for it to happen.
He also visited the Chamber to see if the Basilisk was active or still in hibernation. It was the second situation he found it in and once he took control of Weasley, he would awaken the beast and start his plan.
He did wonder why it was so easy for Nott to get to the diary though. Even so much as to be called to the office and left alone in it for a short period. Long enough to do what needed to be done. That wasn't like Dumbledore to be so easy to tricked into doing something he was trying to stop. It was like he was getting senile in his old age. Taking things to lightly.
Sacrifices-}
When Harry was told of Tom's spirit being on the loose, he asked all his friends to watch for any change in any student, not just Ginny. Yes he felt it was her for sure, but he never took anything for granted, when it came to Lord Voldemort.
Ginny saw what was happening and decided to ask what was going on and why everyone was watching her. She had to sit down when they told her that Tom's spirit was on the loose and was soon going to be looking for a body to control. She knew what Harry felt about that and it hurt her to feel how correct he was, as she felt she was the target for Tom's control. She asked how he got free of the diary and only Harry could answer her. She would have to wait until he returned to ask.
Harry had been walking the halls until the curfew started every night. Sometiumes he would be alone and others he would be Hermione, Draco or Neville. This night he was with Hermione. They had just returned to the portrait when felt something near him that caused him to shutter. It was not a good feeling. However, although it didn't feel right, it did feel good that Ginny was safe for now because he was sure it was the spirit of Tom Riddle he felt. If he was this close to Gryffindore House, he must know that Ginny was inside.
Time flew by and still Tom did not make an attempot to control Ginny, or anyone else. Harry didn't know what he was doing, but whatever it is, it must be close for him to try to control Ginny or someone else. If he only knew when he would do it. Probably after the Christmas Hols. Why, he didn't know, just that the Hols looked to be clear for all involved.
It was like Harry thought, and the Hols came and went with no sign of Tom. With them all back in school, it was time for Harry and the rest to start worrying all over again. For another month and a half, there was no sign of Tom, then on Valentine's Day, something happened to Harry that caused him to suspect it happened. He received a Valentine's Card from someone with no name on it. It was a sick card yet, any other time it could have been funny. It read:
Eyes of green like a crystal clear sea,
Hoping he would hear my plea.
Then something happens causing me to flee,
An accident occurs as in my knickers, I pee.
Harry knew it was from Ginny, but the poem was not of Ginny's idea. Ginny was much brighter than that. She would have come up with a much better poem. This sounded like it came from a child, or someone who didn't care what others thought, like Tom Riddle. Harry felt that the time was drawing near for the Chamber to open. He knew where the Chamber entrance was, but not exactly. He asked Myrtle to let him know when a red haired girl entered her Lav and opened the entry to the Chamber. She agreed, but wanted something in exchange. If anything were to happen to Harry, she wanted him to join her as a ghost. He agreed, but told her that he would do everything he could to avoid joining her as he wasn't ready yet to die. She sighed, but still agreed to let him know when it happened.
Two nights later, she woke Harry up at 2 AM to let him know it happened. Harry took little time to get dressed and ran down the stairs to the common room to find the twins there waiting for him.
"Going Somewhere"
"In particular Harry?" the twins used their talent to convey their message.
"Yes and I need you to get Professor Dumbledore down to Myrtle's lav. The Chamber has been opened."
"OH, we already knew that and the Professor already knows. We are here to help you down there. And don't try to get rid of us. That is Ginny down there and we are not going to stand by and let someone else fight for us." George let Harry know he wasn't going alone.
"Look, follow me if you're coming as I haven't got time to argue. Just know that we are not going down there to have fun. One or all of us could die down there." and he was running all the way to the Lav, where they found Albus waiting for them.
Harry asked Myrtle where the entrance was and she pointed to the sink. Harry walked over to it and found an emblem of a snake on one of the faucets. He spoke to it in parstletounge, asking it to open and soon the sink opened up for the four to enter. There was a slide for use and they slid down to the depths below. Bones of small animals broke under their weight when they landed. They looked both ways to see which path to follow.
The twins were ready to split up, but Albus told them, "If you are going with us, then go with us. Don't split up as it could be dangerous. By sticking together, we stand a better chance of making it back out. Splitting up will cause unnecessary worry on all our parts."
So, together as a group, they followed Harry to the right and soon they passed a large snakeskin left behind as the snake grew. It was about fifty feet long. If it was growing when he shed this, they didn't like the idea of how big it was now. Yet they continued on as Ginny's safety was greater than the fear they felt. The twins knew what Harry meant about not having fun.
They soon came to a vault like door that was partially opened and Harry tugged on the heavy door to a sight that took all their breaths away. Far into the chamber they saw Ginny lying on the ground and a young spirit standing over her. They could make out the sounds of a talk coming from the spirit, but could not make out what it was saying. Ginny did not respond to any of the talk.
Harry went through the portal and was followed by Albus, Fred and George. They got to the floor of the Chamber and Harry ran to Ginny while the others walked slowly, being careful about their surroundings. Harry made it to the two figures and started talking.
"Let her go Tom, she isn't anything to you."
"On the contrary, she is everything to me. She is the one who is going to bring me back to life. She is the sacrifice I needed in order to return to the living. As we speak, her spirit is being drawn into my own, making me stronger. Soon I will have all her spirit and she will be dead. However, I can delay this for a little while, in order to ask you some questions. Ahh! I see you brought others with you, to include Albus Dumbledore. How fitting. Even he is unable to stop me. The other two must be related to Ginny, as they share the same color hair. Are you two ready to see your sister or cousin or whatever, die."
Fred and George were too dumb struck to answer, but Harry wasn't, "Ginny is not going to die here. If anyone is going to die here it will either be you or me. Now, tell me what it is you really want to know?"
"Are you Harry Potter?"
"Yes."
"How were you able to defeat the greatest wizard of our time?"
"I have never fought Albus Dumbledore, so I never defeated him."
"Not him you idiot, Lord Voldemort."
"Look who is calling who an idiot. You think a one year old could defeat this so called greatest wizard of all time. I never defeated you Tom. It was my parents who defeated you, even if you did kill them both."
"They never fought me so how could they have defeated me?"
"We all know you and Voldemort are one and the same, Tom. Harry and the rest learned this from me when the diary was discovered." Albus spoke for the first time.
"It doesn't matter what you know about me, except that I will soon be back and ready to take back my title. Lord Voldemort will soon be back to regain his glory. But first, there is someone I want you all to meet. Lord Slytherin, release your greatest ally to defeat these creatures that stand before me." and the mouth of Slytherin's bust dropped and a sound came from the cave behind it. As soon as the head of the Basilisk appeared, there was a flash of red that attacked it's eyes, ripping them to shreds. This enraged the Basilisk to the brink of wanting revenge. He lost his thinking about the safety of the students.
Tom saw what was happening and started yelling at the bloody bird to stop what it was doing. Albus had called for Fawkes, his Phoenix, to come to his aid. Soon the Basilisk was blinded by the attack and used it's other senses to find his prey.
Harry watched as the Phoenix helped them all, then him personally when it dropped the Sorting Hat into his waiting hands. When he did, Harry didn't know what to do with it, until Albus called out, "Put the hat on Harry and ask it for help to defeat the basilisk."
It wasn't necessary, as Harry felt something solid within the folds of the hat and pulled out the Sword of Gryffindor. Albus and the twins surrounded Ginny as Harry took to fighting the Basilisk. Well, fighting wasn't the correct term, as he was running from it. It followed Harry's sound as he ran, taking it away from Ginny and the others. He ran through all the shafts in the chamber, trying to lose the snake in it's mazes. He lost it long enough to find a vantage point in order to fight the beast and protect the others.
The Basilisk finally caught up with Harry and struck at him, but hit it's head on an overhang he could not see. More blood was added to what he lost from his eyes, and one of his fangs was loose in his mouth. He wasn't bothered by any of this and struck at Harry once more, but Harry struck back with the sword and cut another of it's fangs from it's mouth. Both of it's upper fangs were now useless.
Harry ran from his spot as it was no longer a protection for him and went higher to gain an advantage. He saw where the snakes one weakness was it's mouth and it was more exposed from a higher angle than from a lower one. It was from here that Harry struck the final blow, a thrust of the sword into the upper part of it's mouth and into it's brain. However, the loose fang broke lose in his robes and grazed his arm as he pulled the sword loose. The scratch didn't seem like much, but the venom of the fang was injected into Harry's arm. When he got back to the others, he saw Fred holding the diary and Albus standing over Ginny in a protective stance. Tom was standing there like he was in shock. Then he turned back to Ginny and was once again drawing her life force from her.
Harry called for the diary from Fred and as soon as he got it, he took the fang and stabbed the book. He saw what it did to Tom, so he stabbed it again, and then one final time. All of Ginny's magic left Tom, but it didn't go directly back to Ginny, it went through Harry before it returned to Ginny. When it returned to Ginny, she sat up sharply and screamed for Harry. She felt the poison going through his body. She turned to him and saw Fawkes dropping it's tears on Harry's wound.
It removed most of the poison from his system, but not quite all. It was enough for Albus to get him up to the infirmary and for Poppy to help him back to health. It was going to be a while before he was up and around, but, he had visitors with him all the time he was awake. Ginny was never seen anywhere except by his side. Hermione saw where Harry was no longer going to be alone. Then she became confused when she saw Luna take a seat by him on the other side and she never left it either. She was also upset that she couldn't be there for him, but Fred was in need of her help to fight off his fears of what happened down in the Chamber. George found help from Angelina and Katie.
Theodore Nott reported to his father that what ever happened in the Chamber did not fare well for the Death Eaters as everyone who entered it came back alive, except for Tom Riddle who didn't go in there alive and did not make it back at all.