So originally, I had Harry and Ron fight about Ron's treatment toward Colin but after posting it I decided I didn't like it so I made this. Hope you guys like it! I did use some book quotes but only because it was necessary.

Peacefulgal2017: yes I do take fanfiction request! What did you have in mind?

Also, I have a beta now! So a huge thanks to Hypereuni for helping me with this chapter and future chapters!

Colin's eyes became wide as saucers. The diary! He hadn't even thought of that! All along he'd been silently accusing Ginny but could he have been wrong? Could Lockhart have indeed snuck into the dorm and trashed the place just to get it? He toyed with the idea. Sure, it was somewhat plausible but it didn't make total sense to him. He couldn't say why but there was a twinge of doubt; something that said it was wrong.

"I don't think so," he declared quietly. "I don't think it's Lockhart." Ron stared in disbelief at his words.

"Why not? You heard Seamus, it makes sense! He's obviously doing it for publicity."

"I dunno, Ron," Harry shrugged. "I agree with Colin. The git likes the spotlight but I can't see him trying to hurt students over it."

"Well then who else could be doing it?' Ron said, somewhat annoyed that no one was agreeing with him.

"I don't know but I know one thing for certain: it's definitely not Hagrid," Harry stated. "There's no way Hagrid would hurt Hermione."

"That's true," Colin said and Ron had to concurr. "But why was he acting strange after we talked to him? He sure looked guilty."

"Why don't we go upstairs to talk," Harry suggested. "So no prying ears can listen in." He was referring to a group of nosy first years a few feet away. They were straining to eavesdrop while doing a not so great job of pretending to be engrossed by their homework. Subtlety, Colin decided, was not their strong point.

The three boys ascended the stairs, up to Harry and Ron's dorm, and closed the door. All three of them perched on Harry's bed, continuing the conversation. "So is Hagrid guilty or not?" Ron asked, completely lost.

"I don't think so," Harry disagreed. "I can't see him hurting anyone."

"But what about Riddle?" Colin hugged a pillow to his chest. "And the memory? It sure looked real to me."

"You can't fiddle with a memory, at least, I wouldn't think so," Ron shrugged.

Harry fell on his back, groaning and rubbing his face tiredly. "Nothing makes sense anymore! I don't understand.."

Ron sat up straighter, ready to take charge. Gently, yet firmly, he said, "What exactly did Riddle tell you? Don't leave anything out."

Harry and Colin reiterated everything, filling in what the other forgot to mention. Ron listened attentively, nodding at important parts. Colin was impressed at how serious he was acting. Finally, the redhead spoke up. "Was he a prefect or head boy? He sounds like Percy, well, how he used to be."

Harry face palmed. "Out of all that, that's what you're concerned about?"

"Sorry," Ron smiled sheepishly. "We should really talk to him. He could help us since he knows so much."

"You're right Ron!" Harry exclaimed with false excitement before deflating. "If only we had the diary, hmm," he deadpanned.

"Oh, right," Ron blushed.

"Anyway," Colin rolled his eyes at Harry's antics. "We tried talking to him last time and he ignored us, remember?"

"Maybe he wasn't home," Ron suggested humorously. Harry and Colin rolled their eyes, shaking their heads with a sigh.

"Don't quit your day job, Ron," Harry said dryly.

"Huh?" Ron blinked in confusion. "I don't have a job."
"Never mind," Colin said quickly. They were off track and he needed to get them focused. "What we need to do is find the diary so we can talk to Riddle."

"How will we do that? It could be anywhere! This castle is bloody huge," Ron waved his arms around to emphasize his point. "Hermione would know what to do," he sulked.

His statement resulted in an uneasy silence. They'd been so caught up in the discussion they momentarily forgot about her. Colin's heart ached just thinking about her. He should've went with her, comforted her maybe. She might still be okay if he had.

"Hermione is clever but so are we," Harry proclaimed. "We can figure this out without her. We just have to try. Are you with me?" he looked at Ron and Colin for confirmation.

"We're with you," they chorused.

"Fantastic. Now where do we start first?"

"We could list who we think stole the diary," Colin offered his two cents.

Shockingly, Ron nodded. "I like that. Who do you think did it, Colin?"

"Er," Colin chewed on his lip, mumbling his reply.

"What? Didn't hear you," Ron said patiently. "Have to repeat that."

"IthinkitwasGinny," Colin turned away as to avoid seeing the anger on the redhead's face that was sure to come. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Ron say:

"Do you? Why do you think that?" He sounded curious and not furious like the younger lad thought he'd be. Harry was nonplussed by his friend's reaction, having expected the same outcome.

"Well," Colin paused, unsure of how to put this delicately. "You know how she's been awfully angry lately?" Ron nodded yes. "Well, I think, somehow, it has to do with the diary. Riddle said he didn't know any Weasley but, I dunno, I have a feeling. It might all be connected but I can't prove it. I don't know if she took it but I suspect that she did."

Ron rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, you're about one thing: she is acting odd. I don't know what she'd want with an old diary. She hasn't even wrote anything in it."

Harry spoke up, answering directly to his last sentence. "Every time someone writes in it, the ink fades. Whatever she's writing it doesn't stay."

"Then why is she so bloody protective of it then?" Ron said in bewilderment. "Thought she was going to destroy Colin when he took it."

"I'd like to know that myself," Colin voiced his thoughts.

"Okay, so far all we have is we're not sure what to think of Hagrid, we think Ginny took it," there was a nod of heads. "And we think it's connected but we're not sure how. Hmm," Harry hummed, trying to form a plan. "We need do something and fast before someone else is petrified."

"Maybe we should try to talk to Hagrid again," Colin said.

"He kicked us out last time," Ron reminded him. "Obviously he doesn't want to hear what we have to say."

"I have to agree with Ron," Harry sent an apologetic glance to his brother.

"That's because we cornered and accused him. He was flustered; anyone would be in his position," Colin speculated. "We could go back tonight after curfew and apologize. Maybe he'll help us understand what happened fifty years ago so we can figure out what to do now."

Harry and Ron looked impressed by his plan. "I think we've corrupted him," Harry commented, grinning as he ruffled Colin's hair despite the younger boy's protests.

" 'Fraid so," Ron snickered before turning serious. "But how are we going to sneak out? We'll get caught by Filch!" his face paled. Getting caught by a teacher was one thing, Filch was a whole other subject.

"No we won't. I have my invisibility cloak," Harry jumped off the bed, opened his trunk and rummaged through it, looking for the desired item.

"We all can't possibly fit," Ron claimed. "There's not enough room!"

"Let's try than," Harry beckoned them over, unfolding the thin fabric until it was hanging freely with only a few wrinkles. "Come on." Ron and Colin hopped off the bed, approaching Harry carefully. The raven haired boy cast it over them, shaking it until they donned it perfectly. It was a tad difficult, seeing that Colin was a lot smaller than Ron and Harry were but they managed.

"See," Harry said triumphantly. "We will. Let's do this!"

The boys waited the rest of the day impatiently. The professors had forbid anyone from leaving the tower, even considering bringing up dinner for everyone. It was incredibly boring, being stuck in with no other interaction with the other houses. Colin particularly wanted to see Luna and let her in on the plan. She wouldn't be able to aid them this time but the other boys agreed she ought to know. He thought about sending her a letter but Seamus offhandedly said that the professors were probably checking all the mail so that nixed that idea. Well, he'd just have to figure out another way.

It was ten minutes after dinner was supposed to start when Professor McGonagall called all the Gryffindor's down to the common room. She stated that Professor Dumbledore declared it safe to eat in the Great Hall as long as they stayed together and didn't go anywhere alone. ("There could be a killer loose and Dumbledore would say it's safe," Seamus snickered to Dean).

After being escorted, the three boys found their seats. Colin craned his neck looking for Luna but the Ravenclaws hadn't come down yet. When he turned back, it was then he noticed the same look on Ron and Harry's faces they had on Valentines day.

"What?" Colin demanded defensively. "I was just looking for Luna."

They shared a glance, smirking. He knew what they were thinking and suddenly he felt immensely thankful that Seamus decided not to sit with them that evening; he was far worse. "Oh lay off," he scowled at them, feeling irritable.

"We didn't say anything," Harry pointed out, his eyes glistening with amusement. "Something you want to tell us, Col?"

"No," Colin huffed. He really wished Hermione was there. She'd put a stop to their teasing.

The rest of the school filed in. As predicted, some of the students teased and mocked Colin for the performance with Peeves. Ernie Macmillan was one of those students. He was still angry at Harry for what happened at the dueling club and for the petrifactions of his two best friends for which he still blamed Harry for. His other friend, Susan Bones, was mortified by his behavior. She hastily pulled him to their table, whispering angrily in his ear the entire way.

Colin did eventually see Luna. She was in the herd of Ravenclaws that came down after the Hufflepuffs. She wasn't talking with anybody nor did she appear to be walking with anyone in particular. It was rather unfortunate to see. Yet again, as he focused back to his own table, his friends were giving him the 'look'. The look that clearly stated: you like her, you like her.

Colin refused to give them any more ammunition. He stayed quiet while Dumbledore stood, giving them a warning lecture about the dangers of Hogwarts these days and how they should work together, not against, to stay safe until they figured out who was the cause of all this.

Naturally, as soon as he stopped speaking, the hall dissolved into whispers. Most thought they had it solved. Some suspected Snape, Malfoy or Harry. Some of the Pure-Bloods, who'd heard about the events from fifty years ago, thought it was the same person and it was somehow connected. Harry, Ron and Colin ignored everyone else's chatter. It would only derail them from their goal.

As he ate, Colin glanced up at the staff table and noticed something peculiar. Hagrid wasn't there. It wasn't unusual for him to be occasionally late for a meal but he never ever missed it. A few minutes and the half-giant still hadn't appeared.

"Harry," he whispered frantically. "Harry, look!" he discretely jerked his head.

Harry and Ron followed to where he was pointing at withe their eyes. Harry got it faster than Ron, who was still trying to figure it out. "Hagrid," Harry said in realization. "Hagrid's not there. Where could he be? He never misses a meal."

"Maybe he's sick," Colin considered with uncertainty.

"Hagrid's not the one to get sick," Harry said decisively.

"Maybe he wanted to escape Lockhart," Ron snorted. "I don't blame him."

"No," Harry said carefully. "I don't think that's it."

"Does it really matter?" Ron asked with a frown. "I mean, it's just one meal. He might be busy for all we know."

"That's true," Harry conceded. "But I just have a feeling; a feeling that it's something else."

Frankly, Colin did too. As much as he was suspicious of Hagrid at first, he had to convince himself that Hagrid wouldn't do anything to hurt them. He was probably upset that his closest friends were accusing him. It's not like we'd accuse him of doing that to Hermione.

It was then that the light bulb in his head went off.

"That's it," he breathed in realization. His two friends stared stupidly at him.

"What?"

"Hagrid thinks we might accuse him of petrifying Hermione," he explained lowly so no prying ears could hear him. "He's avoiding us!"

"Ooooh," Harry and Ron couldn't believe they hadn't realized that.

"That makes sense," Ron commented. "You're not as stupid as you look, Colin."

Colin didn't know whether that was a compliment or not so he just smiled, albeit awkwardly. Harry was engrossed in his own thoughts that the redhead's comment didn't register in his brain.

"We'll have to ask him about that tonight," Harry said in a hushed whisper.

Colin rolled his eyes. Harry was smart yet so thick at the same time. "Are you mad? He'll just get defensive and kick us out again."

"Oh, right," Harry said sheepishly. Clearly he hadn't thought of that. "Do you have a better idea in mind?"

"Don't bring it up, maybe?" Colin said dryly. "If Hagrid wants us to know he'll tell us on his own." The two other boys uttered an "Oh yeah. That's true." Colin facepalmed. Truly, it seemed, that times like these, he should've been the second year and them first years. How they managed to pass last year was unbeknownst to him.

They wouldn't have without Hermione, he thought with a smirk.

But the smirk vanished and a feeling of sadness washed over him. Poor Hermione. He could only hope the antidote was made as quickly as he hoped.

"Say," Harry piped up, bringing Colin out of his thoughts. "You never did tell me about your dream."

His dream! He'd nearly forgotten. Colin straightened up, his eyes darting from side-to-side to make sure no one suspicious was listening in and he leaned forward, whispering somewhat excitedly. He'd been wanting to inform Harry of it all day and now he had his chance!

"It was in the same corridor as the memory," this alone intrigued Ron and Harry. "I heard someone "you stole from me Colin Creevey."

"Who was it?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Riddle. He says I stole his diary," Colin bit his lip uneasily. "He knows. He knows that I took it from Ginny!"

"Keep your voice down," Harry commanded quietly, watching the redheaded girl sulk by herself, hardly touching her food. "Then what happened?"

"He kept insisting I took it and I told him I sorry and he," Colin drew in a long, shaky breath, "he asked me if I knew what people do with thieves."

Ron and Harry looked horrified.

"He said 'Aveda Kedevra' and this bright green light came out of his wand. Just as it hit me, I screamed and woke up."

"Merlin," Ron muttered just as Harry said, "Have you told anyone else? McGonagall? Dumbledore?"

"No," Colin shook his head. "I tried to tell Luna earlier but McGonagall interrupted."

"You should've told her," Harry frowned. "Or Dumbledore-somebody."

"Shall we talk about Dumbledore, Mr. I -Hear-Voices?" Colin retorted, giving him a flat look. He eyed him calculatedly. "It hasn't let up, has it?"

"No," Harry admitted. "I still hear it."

"You really need to tell someone," Colin muttered, shaking his head at his brother's stupidity.

"Why? It's fine," Harry shrugged it off. "It's not dangerous." He took a long drink of his pumpkin juice. "Your dream, on the other hand, is dangerous. What's Aveda Kedevra mean, anyway? I've never heard of it. Have you, Ron?"

Ron shrugged. "I dunno. Ask Percy."

"Ask Percy, what?" As if on cue, the elder Weasley arrived by their side.

"What's Aveda Kedevra mean? I know it's a spell but what does it do?" his younger brother inquired.

Percy paled considerably. "W-why do you want to know that?"

"Just curious," Ron was a bit weirded out by his reaction. "What's gotten into you?"

Percy leaned in closer, whispering shakily, "It's the killing curse."

"The what?" Harry's brain was fuzzy.

"The killing curse," Percy repeated. "It kills someone instantly. There's no way to stop it once the damage has been done. It's what," Percy faltered for a moment. "It's what killed your parents, Harry. Didn't you know that?"

"No," Harry said in a small voice. "I didn't."

Colin reached over to squeeze Harry's hand but the older boy jerked away from his touch. He wasn't too hurt by it. It was understandable.

"I knew it was a bright green light," Harry seemed to be talking to himself more than anything by now. "But I never knew the name..."

It was clear Percy hated to be the one to tell him. It appeared he wanted to go but still had one question in mind.

"Why did you ask anyway? Where did you hear about it?"

"Colin-" Ron started.

"Heard some Slytherin's talking about it," Colin chimed in. Ron looked at him strangely while Percy glared over at the Slytherin table.

"Don't listen to them," the prefect said distractedly. "I don't know what they think they know but I assure you the killing curse has nothing to do with any of this."

"Okay," Colin faked a smile.

"I better get back to my dinner before Fred and George poison it," Percy snorted, turning back and waltzing away.

"I don't understand," Ron said. "Why didn't you want Percy to know?"

"We haven't told anyone about the diary or Riddle. He might tell Dumbledore and he'll confiscate it," it was Harry who spoke up. "We can't risk that."

"Oh, right," Ron thought it over.

The rest of the meal was spent hardly eating and much talking. Lockhart made a spectacle of himself when he loudly declared he was keeping everyone who had been petrified in his thoughts. The girls awed at him, clapping obnoxiously and giggling. Colin was thankful that Luna was not one of those girls. She seemed to be the only one not captivated by Lockhart. For one, she was sitting and eating her dinner, not bothering to look up for Lockhart's announcement. It would seem she was disinterested but Colin knew that's just how Luna was.

When mealtime was over, the professors escorted their respective houses back to their towers. On the way there, Colin, Harry and Ron spotted something that caught their attention. They strayed away from their group and hid behind the wall, peaking out to see. At the end of the long hallway was Hagrid. His hands were behind his back and his head hung dejectedly. Professor Dumbledore was there as well as two men that Colin didn't recognize. One was blonde that looked strikingly like Malfoy and the other was a man with grey hair. The second man didn't look to be the friendly type.

From beside Harry and Colin, Ron growled softly. "I know who they are. That's Lucius Malfoy and Dad's boss, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic!"

"Do you know why we're here, Hagrid?" Fudge asked in a clipped tone.

"I...I.."

"There's no need to sound so impertinent, Cornelius," Dumbledore interjected cheerily. "How about we go to my office to finish this? Have some lemon drops and tea?"

"No thank you, Dumbledore," Fudge huffed in the same way Professor McGonagall would when offered one of Dumbledore's infamous lemon drops. "I have other business to attend to." His gaze on Hagrid turned into a scowl.

"As do I," Malfoy said stiffly. "He knows why we're here. Just arrest him already."

"I didn't do nothin'," Hagrid protested.

Malfoy tutted quietly. "Didn't you say the same thing fifty years ago? On what account should we believe you now?" he smiled nastily.

"I believe Hagrid," Dumbledore said. "He has my full confidence."

Malfoy scoffed. "As always."

Fudge looked between them all, uncomfortably. "Hagrid has a record against him. You know this. We're just taking him for a bit, Ministry's orders. If you happen to find the real culprit-"

"Which you won't," Malfoy said smoothly.

"Then we'll reconsider. It's a precaution, really. Just want to make sure everyone is safe."

"The student's safety will be no different," Dumbledore's tone changed. He sounded a bit angry, almost, if you could it that. "Hagrid has done nothing. You cannot prove anything."

"What is there to prove?" Malfoy was speaking politely but it was forced. "The man has a record, you cannot ignore that. Now, I'm only speaking as a concerned parent."

Ron snorted, earning jabs to the gut from both Harry and Colin.

"But I trust that when I send my son here for an education he'll be safe all the while. How can I rest soundly knowing there's a monster lurking?"

"Draco is safe, Lucius," Dumbledore spoke up. "I have no reason to suspect that whatever this is will go after a pure-blood."

Unfortunately, this was the perfect bait that the elder Malfoy seemed to be looking for. "Tell me, did you also have no reason to suspect a half-blood would be attacked as well?" There was no response from Dumbledore so he continued. "Hagrid has a known hatred for Slytherin's, favoring those in other houses, particularly Gryffindor. What's it to say he didn't intend for a Slytherin to be a victim but that Abbott girl got caught in the cross fire?"

"Wait just a minute!" Hagrid roared.

"Hagrid," Dumbledore said sharply. "Settle down."

Fudge intervened, or tried to. "We should be going now," he said meekly.

"Ter where?' Hagrid demanded. "Where yah taking me?"

"Why, Azkaban of course," Malfoy smirked. "Our students will be safe once you're away."

Hagrid spluttered. "Why...I never..."

"It's for the interest of the students," Fudge blurted out. "Just come with us and don't make a scene. It will make things easier."

"No," Hagrid backed away to the nearest wall. "I won't. Yah can't make me."

Fudge looked like he didn't know what to do.

"As for Dumbledore," the elder Malfoy pulled out a large parchment out of his robe pocket, enjoying the scene in front of him. "This is an order od suspension. We feel it is best that you step down. There's been far too many attacks on our students. It was decided the school needs someone who will be a little more-helpful."

"Suspension?" Fudge apparently didn't know about this. "Lucius, we talked about this. I never agreed-"

"It's not your job to agree on this, Minister," Malfoy said coldly. "It was the governors. And if Dumbledore refuses, I dear say there will be consequences."

There was a period od silence. It was broken by Dumbledore.
"That won't be necessary, Lucius. If I am to step down then I will do just that."

Lucius crossed his arms in satisfaction. Hagrid and Fudge couldn't believe what they just heard. Hagrid loudly protested against the order while Fudge wisely kept his mouth shut.

Dumbledore held up a hand to silence Hagrid. "Let be known, Lucius, that I will not truly have left this school until there are none left who are loyal to me. Help will always be given at Hogwarts who ask for it."

"Admirable statements," Malfoy said idly. "We'll all miss your eccentric way of running things. Hopefully your successor will have more luck in preventing any more petrifactions.." He led Dumbledore away.

"Come now, Hagrid," Fudge uttered awkwardly, uncomfortable that it was only the two of them. "It's time."

"I'm comin, I'm comin'," Hagrid looked on the verge of tears. "But if anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, they just hafta follow the spiders. That'd led em right." With that, he followed Fudge where Dumbledore and Malfoy had gone.

"Wow," Colin breathed.

"What do we do now?" Ron looked between Colin and Harry.

"You heard Hagrid," Harry looked determined. "We've got to follow the spiders."