A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter Twenty-One: A Vow Broken….

Hermione broke first and made Harry and Ron stop discussing Riddle and the journal around the middle of March, just before Easter. She'd gotten really, really tired of my answering everything she, Harry or Ron asked with the white board while verbally answering everyone else. I had no problems with the board until Hermione snapped and threw it out the window.

We been back to talking when Easter arrived and with it came the decision for what elective classes we wanted to start next year. I already knew what I wanted but it was fun listening to the others decide. Poor Harry had no idea what half the classes were; Divinations, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures.

Percy had tried to give Harry advice but wasn't helpful. Neville was getting letters from almost every member of his family about it and Ronald was trying to pick the easiest. As for Hermione, well, I'm certain the girl was trying to figure out how she could take all of them at once. I could see the wheels turning in her head as she studied the sheet that Gran had handed out to her second year classes.

"Harry," I said finally, setting down my cup of apple cider and the near panicky boy looked across the lunch table at me "think of it this way, Arithmancy is the study of numbers to divine the future. It uses numerology, statistics and probability in combination with magic to predict the likelihood of a possible outcome, the Chinese are very much into this practice," I explained "Ling Lee tried to explain it to me once but I suck at math," I shrugged, it was a fact I'd accepted "Divinations is using magical arts to try and see the future. Whether through crystal balls, scrying, tea leaves or prophecy…which is all rubbish to be honest. Most prophecies are so…what's that word…obscure or vague…that's the word!" I snapped my fingers happily "vague enough that anything can happen and still fulfill the prophecy or people freak out and they become self-fulfilling. They either try avoiding them and end up doing what was predicted or they rush to it with no idea of what the hell they're doing."

Percy frowned at me "how do you know all that?" the Perfect asked.

"Ling Lee," I smiled "she was a witch from China who tutored me for a while. She was an animagus, martial artists and an arithmancer and very, very long lived. Also, I spent time in Macedonia with some Amazons who still prayed to Apollo and worshiped his Oracle at Delphi; there where skeptics amongst their ranks," I smiled at the wave of nostalgia that passed over me "Ling Lee had this cane with a jade panda for the handle, liked to smack me with it gently when I'd get something wrong. Told me before we left China that I'd never be any good in the field of divining the future; my path was set in the past."

Harry sighed "that's nice, Whiskers, but how does that help me?" he wanted to know scratching at his head.

I shrugged "just thought you'd like to know the difference of the two."

"Whut ones you taking, then?" Neville asked curiously looking up at me from his paper

"Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures," I said without hesitation "I find magical creatures fascinating and I've already spent a majority of my life so far immersed in the culture that surrounds them," I shrugged again "plus I like runes. The fact that they're like bit like Latin in the fact that it can be spoken, well written in the runes' case, as well as conversation or with intent for magic, which is what magic is, intent. You can speak incantations all day long till your blue in the face but it's only when you add intent for magic that something happens. I mean, imagine how much more complicated the Romans would have been with those spells popping about through a simple conversation. I bet the forum would have been wicked fun."

Percy leaned forward towards me "you worry me sometimes, Black, because I can't figure out if you're really smart or really mad."

I toasted him with my cup of apple cider "go with a bit of both, Sir Percival, for what is brilliance and what is madness?"

…

Wood deserved every bruise I gave him as the match with Hufflepuff drew closer. At least the weather was drier and Oliver was learning not to yell at me but to make suggestions instead. The constant practice meant less time for homework.

Harry and I been talking about our Charms homework as we headed back. I'm sure how that stupid diary got brought up again, maybe it was Harry's remark about asking Tom for help on one of the essay questions. That was the last straw as I grabbed Harry and dragged him away from Neville, Ron and Hermione by the front of his practice robes. Just a glance at Harry told him he should follow without compliant. Gran was in her office, making final marks when we burst in.

"What's this?" she demanded curiously as I dragged Harry to her desk

"What's the name of Lord Voldemort?" I asked shoving Harry away from me, he stumbled but kept his feet "what was his real name?"

"What?" Gran frowned "why?"

"Because that blighter won't believe me," I snapped pointing at Harry "he thinks I made it up or am repeating it wrong."

Gran just sighed heavily as Harry followed his arms across his chest "he's name was Tom Riddle, Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was out of here two years before I started my first year, Mr. Potter but I heard the stories from the older students," with a wave of her hand, Gran conjured an additional chair and bid us to sit "he was a handsome boy who was charming, manipulative and cruel but was never caught at it. Tom Riddle was adored by his professors and made a perfect for Slytherin house," Gran sat back in her chair as she talked "he was an orphan and strangely enough, he'd not been one of the many who'd been evacuated during 1939's bombings. He should have been as the orphanage he lived in was in London."

"Did…did he catch the Heir of Slytherin the last time the chamber was opened?" Harry asked hesitantly

Gran raised an eyebrow at him curiously "how did you know that, Mr. Potter?"

"I heard it somewhere, he's a special award for it in the trophy room." Harry said quickly hoping she'd believe his lie.

"Then you know who was blamed for it then," Gran asked and Harry nodded "always thought that was wrong, myself," Gran admitted "like they just wanted the situation to be over and there was no real investigation to it but by my time here, Hagrid was already out of school with his wand snapped. No other school would take him once they found out why he'd be expelled and spent some time in Azkaban."

"He spent time in Azkaban?" I frowned at the thought of someone like Hagrid in such a gloomy place.

Gran nodded "aye, he did. Had too once he was convicted of Myrtle's death. Her guardian threatened to take legal action if nothing happened, muggle relations were closer back then with the war on. As it was, it might have been the safest place in England at the time. Spent a year there before his sentence was up and Dumbledore convinced Dippet to let Hagrid come back to Hogwarts to train as groundskeeper," Gran sighed heavily "Hagrid had only been a third year so they'd gone lenient on him."

"So Hagrid went to jail whilst Tom Riddle got to play the hero and frame him?" Harry asked darkly

"IF you believe theories and not what was written down as truth," Gran offered, her fingers interlaced and resting on her desk "but who can really say? Hagrid has maintained his innocence for these past fifty or so years."

….

Harry was deep in thought as we headed back to the Gryffindor tower. He was still holding the ginger newt that Gran had gave him before she put us out of her office. It hung there at his side as if he'd forgotten it was there, he was so deep in thought. Neville caught us just before we'd gotten to the porthole and the Fat Lady.

"HARRY!" Neville cried running towards us from behind, he was panting a little "there you are, I didn't know where ya'd gone but…" he paused to breathe "but there…something happened in the dorm rooms. Someone…well, Harry someone got into your stuff."

Harry's eyes went wide "the diary!" he said softly and sprinted for the portrait

Neville leaned on me as we made our way to the entrance at a much slower pace, Neville was limping. Think he pulled something whilst running about. Hermione was nervously pacing the common, keeping herself from racing for Harry's dorm room. She helped me get Neville to a chair before I headed off to change out of Quidditch robes.

When I came back down, Harry and Ron were down from their dorm. They were sitting by the fire and Harry couldn't have looked more despondent if he tried. Hermione didn't say anything as I sat down on the floor in front of her chair and leaned back against her legs, she was too busy staring at the fire.

"So, was it there?" I asked softly

Ron shook his head "nope, it was gone."

"Only a Gryffindor could have done it," Harry muttered from his chair "no one else has our password."

"Then it would seem that whatever led you had, Harry, to the Heir is gone," I shrugged "and it was probably important too. Still, could have been worse I suppose."

"How do you figure that?" Ron demanded

I looked over at him "someone could have been in there when the thief struck, someone could have been attacked for it or they could have gone after Harry directly. Whoever it was just wanted the book."

"Suppose you have theory about the monster too, don't you!" Ron cried softly "you seem to have the answers to everything, Black!"

I scoffed "no, I don't, I really, really don't," I shook my head "what I have is a brain and a shite load of experience before I ever came here, St. Weasley. I have no clue what the monster is and I honestly don't even have a suspect as to who could be doing this" I admitted freely "but I can tell you that this monster has already given us clues if you pay attention."

"The spiders," Hermione spoke suddenly, her hand grasping my shoulder "they were acting so strangely."

Neville chimed in as well "plus it petrifies people…except Myrtle. What made Myrtle special?"

"That my friend, is the million dollar question," I smiled at him as Hermione leaned back into her chair, her hand gone from my shoulder "it's also long lived, if we're going on the assumption that it's the same creature from fifty years ago. It'd have to have access to food and water too, unless it hibernates."

"I am amazed at how your brain works," Harry smiled at me.

I chuckled "Harry, yours would work the same as mine if you'd be taught what I've been taught. Fraser may have been one hell of a neglectful bastard who hated my guts but the people he met knew a lot and if you're quiet enough, you can learn a lot."

….

Katie Bell woke me early the next morning. The Hufflepuff came was today and Oliver wanted us there early because it was only my second game and first as a chaser. I wasn't sure what else he wanted to say given he'd pretty much been repeating himself for the past two days.

Hermione was up at the same time and followed down to the Great Hall with Ron, Neville and the rest of the Quidditch team. The only problem I had eating was the fact that I was still mostly asleep when Katie started piling fruits and bacon on my plate. Katie beamed when I thanked her and then giggled when I just stared at my plate.

"Food is for the eating," I muttered a loud not meaning too "come here, bacon, I will devour you first."

I felt a little more awake by the time that Harry decided to head down to the pitch. Everyone else, including Neville, had already gone ahead. We'd had gone back up to the tower to get something that Harry had forgotten, boy'd forget his head if it wasn't attached, and were coming back to the entrance hall when Harry suddenly freak out. The boy damn near took a header down the marble staircase if Ron hadn't caught him.

"D-did you h-hear that?" Harry asked looking all about searching for the source of whatever he'd heard.

"Hear what?" Ron and I asked at the same time

"T-the voice, I j-just heard it again," Harry was a bit jumpy now "it-it w-wanted to k-kill."

"Harry, it's just like with that snake during dueling club," I shook my head "only you can hear it, boy-o."

Hermione gasped suddenly, grabbing me and kissing my cheek before she turned hand dashed back down the hall yelling something over her shoulder about the library. I just blinked so very much surprised at what just happened. Harry and Ron recovered first, shaking their heads and continued down the stairs.

I was grinning, touching my cheek were Hermione had kissed me feeling like I was ten feet tall and invincible. My skin was warm to the touch because I was blushing. Hufflepuff, as much as I loved them, were in for a whopping today. This game was mine!

…

Harry was quiet and a little distracted as we moved with the crowd down to the pitch. We went through Oliver's pre-match speech and had moved out onto the pitch. Hufflepuff was standing opposite us in their canary yellow uniforms. Herbert and Oliver had already taken off to their goal posts.

The game was literally about to start when Gran came half-running onto the pitch with a purple bullhorn. There were boos and jeers when Gran announced that the match had been cancelled. I frowned, Quidditch is never cancelled. Lest that's what Harry muttered as he fell in place next to me.

Gran ignored Wood as he fly above her head protesting, she just raised the bullhorn and called "all students must return to their dormitories immediately, this will be done in an orderly fashion and it will be done now! Once there, Heads of House will have more information!" with that done, the bullhorn vanished and Gran came over to where Harry and I stood "Athena, Mr. Potter, you'd better come with me," I was very worried and scared now because Gran's expression was unreadable. My stomach dropped felt cold as Ron and Neville broke away from the horde of students "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom, you'd better come too."

I reached out and caught Gran's hand "what's going on, Gran? What's happened?"

…

Gran hadn't respond but held on to my hand as led us from the pitch to the castle. She didn't let go nor did she take us to anyone's office. That feeling a dread and worry became tenfold when I realized that she was heading for Hospital wing. My mind raced as to who could be there. Ron and Neville were with us, I'd seen Malcom and Izzy with their friend (I think all of them were there but I couldn't be sure) and Harry was too and…

I gasped in heartbreaking horror "Hermione," I dropped Gran's hand and my broom and sprinted for the infirmary as hard as I could with Gran calling my name.

My boot falls echoed off the halls as I ran, sliding around two corners and about killed myself going up one small flight of stairs. Madam Pompfrey's protest at my entrance went unheeded as I searched frantically for Hermione and found her on one of the beds. Harry, Ron and Neville arrived just after me followed by a little silver, tabby cat.

I fell to my knees beside the bed with blurry eyes that I was trying to blink clear and my breathing was ragged from more than the run; I was physical holding back my tears. My heart was in my throat, choking me and my stomach was twirling unpleasantly. Hermione looked like she'd been caught in a picture, a muggle picture. She was so utterly still and lifeless. Her body was bent over as if she was crouching and she was looking towards her hand like there'd been something there with glazed and dull eyes.

With a trembling hand I reached out to touch her. My tears feel then when her hand felt cold and stone like under my fingers. I couldn't breath as the salty liquid rolled down my cheeks in burning rivulets. Gran knelt downside me and held up a compact mirror before asking.

"We found them near the library, this was on the floor next to them," she spoke softly "do you know anything about it?"

I shook my head "probably to do something with that fucking creature that's been running afoul, Hermione had figured something out and had sprinted for the library," I didn't look hat her, just at my hand that was touching Hermione's "she figured out what it was," I looked to her then, my temper flaring. I knew that Hermione wasn't dead and that she'd be cured when the mandrakes were ready but someone had did this to her "I want Fraser here," I told Gran in a deathly calm voice, tears still rolling and blurring my vision, my whole body vibrating "I want him here because he's going to find this creature and he's going to see it burn."

"Athena," Gran shook her head "I can't do that…"

I snarled at her "if you don't then I will!" I growled through clenched teeth "I will write him and I will order him here! HE OWES ME THIS!" I screamed at her before leaning closer and said in a quaking voice, my tone more serious than it'd ever been "if he doesn't then I'll go looking myself and I won't stop until I find it!"

Gran heaved a defeated sigh before she put her arms around me, pulling me close to her and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I wrapped my arms around Gran and held on as Neville knelt down and wrapped his arms around me. Harry followed next, wiping at his own tear stained cheeks; Gran got an arm around him. Ronald was the last holdout but he caved with wet eyes and Gran wrapped her other arm around him.