ActualWeeb: Hiya kids, are you ready for Pain™? Cuz I sure am! :^)
I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter Fifteen, Slytherin's Monster.
Bella sighed. This must be the chapter when that happened.
The Christmas holidays passed quite quickly, and soon all the students were returning to Hogwarts. Everyone was horrified to discover that there was another attack, and even more so that Dumbledore was blame, of course, was shifted to Bella.
"Of course it did," Sirius rolled his eyes.
Now that a pureblood had been attacked, no one felt safe, not even most of the Slytherins.
With Dumbledore gone...
...Bella found it very irksome.
"It was for your safety," McGonagall sighed.
Bella constantly repeated Dumbledore's final words...
...scared as they were?
One person, however, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying...
...the worst headmaster the school's ever had.
"You wanna fight, mate?" Ron glared at Malfoy.
"Mr. Weasley, you need not get into petty fights on my behalf," said Dumbledore calmly.
...the next one dies. I hope it's Granger."
Everyone glared at him.
The bell rang...
...kill him with my bare hands-"
"Ron, it's fine,"' Hermione hissed. "I'm fine. Don't attack him."
"Hurry up, I've got to...
...toward the greenhouses.
The sun was now beginning to show on the Hogwarts grounds again, and there was some good news- according to Madame Pomfrey, the Madrakes were becoming moody and secretive, meaning they were rapidly leaving childhood.
"The moment their acne clears up, they'll be ready for repotting again," Bella heard her telling Filch kindly one afternoon. "And after that, it wont be long until we're cutting them up and stewing them. You'll have Mrs. Norris back in no time."
Lilly Moon doubted Hagrid's guilt, and seemed to miss having him around the grounds.
"I don't think Hagrid petrified those people," she had said airily to Bella. "I can't see him attacking anyone. Why would the Ministry want to arrest him?"
"Because they wanted to cover the fact that they didn't know what was going on," Cedric frowned.
Gilderoy Lockhart, however, was convinced that Hagrid's arrest was exactly what the school needed.
"Of course he was, he's a moron," Snape rolled his eyes.
Ever since Bella had confessed that Lockhart creeped her out, Hermione's opinion of him had done a complete 180. She now never raised her hand in class, and had refused to continue reading any of his books.
Bella high-fived Hermione.
"Hermione Granger? Boycotting books?" Remus chuckled. "That's not the Hermione Granger I taught."
This hadn't upset Lockhart, of course, he just continued to merrily saunter around the school.
"Mark my words," Lockhart had said one day. "The first words out of those poor Petrified people's mouths will be 'It was Hagrid.' Frankly, I'm astounded Professor McGonagall thinks all these security measures are necessary."
"Because it wasn't Hagrid!" Hermione scowled at him. "The Ministry just took him because they wanted to be seen doing something."
Madame Bones frowned- Miss Granger was right. She would never admit it out of fear of getting in trouble for treason, but there were many times that she was ashamed of Fudge's actions.
"My child, I think I would know a tad more than you about Hagrid's arrest," he replied with his annoying grin. Ron opened his mouth, but Bella elbowed him sharply in the ribs.
"The school is safe now," Lockhart continued. "What the school really needs is a morale booster! Something to lighten your spirits, wash away the memories of the last term. I won't say anything now, but I think I know just the thing."
Lockhart's idea of a morale-booster became clear...
...heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling.
"Oh, Merlin!" exclaimed Daphne. "I'm glad I wasn't there for that."
...Hermione seemed to have been overcome with giggles.
"Don't tell me you enjoyed all that pink crap?!" Fred exclaimed. Hermione burst out laughing.
"God, no,'' she laughed. "It was so ridiculous!"
...ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion!
Snape scowled deeply.
"Sev, can't you show me how to make a love potion?" Lily laughed, nearly doubled over.
"No," he said through gritted teeth. Lily laughed more.
"But it's in the spirit of Valentine's Day!"
"Luckily for me, today is not Valentine's Day," he drawled. He looked cold and grumpy, but on the inside, his heart was warmed by Lily's laughter, which he thought he'd never hear again.
...force-fed poison.
As they left to go to their first lesson, Hermione couldn't stop giggling. She seemed to be holding back tears of laughter.
"What's got you so cheerful?" Bella asked.
"This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen," Hermione wheezed.
All day long, the dwarfs...
...one of the dwarfs caught up with Bella.
"Oh, God," Ginny cringed. She knew that one day this embarrassment would come back to bite her. She was ready for the world to know she had opened the chamber, ready for them to discover that she was bisexual, but oh, God, she notthis.
Bella, meanwhile, was snickering in her seat.
"What's so funny?" asked Sirius.
"Her eyes are as green as a fresh-pickled toad," Bella whispered, looking at Ginny.
"I hate you so much," Ginny grumbled.
"Wait, were you actually the one that sent that dwarf?" Ron blinked.
"No," lied Ginny with a scowl. "But Bella still hasn't let it go."
Bella looked at Ginny, knowing she was lying, but she didn't say anything, which Ginny was thankful. She was prepared to be outed from these books, but would much prefer if she wasn't.
...ink bottle smashed over everything.
"Oh, that's so annoying!" Lily said sympathetically.
...heroine who conquered the Dark Lord.
Ron, the twins, Tonks, Malfoy, Sirius, Daphne, Bill, Charlie, James, Cho, Neville, Susan, Cedric, Bella, and Tom were laughing. Bella was able to look back on it years later and laugh, because really, that song had been hilarious. Ginny, however, was very red in the face, which was only noticed by Daphne, who raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Oh, Merlin," Sirius wheezed. "'Her hair is as dark as a blackboard', that's some Shakespearean stuff right there."
"Who do you think would write something as ridiculous as that?" Daphne asked Ginny as everyone was still laughing. Ginny blushed.
"Who knows? Probably some weird kid, not that I know who it is."
"Uh-huh," said Daphne, narrowing her eyes.
"I don't!"
Once the laughter died down, Luna began reading again.
...Expelliarmus!"
"You can't use magic in the corridors," sighed McGonagall.
...don't think Potter liked your valentine much!"
"It wasn't my Valentine, you bloody idiot, I'm a girl," Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I know it wasn't yours," Malfoy sneered. "It was just hilarious to see youy so embarrassed!"
"Don't you have anything better to do aside from constantly put others down?" said George in distaste. "Get a hobby, mate."
"And Ginny," said Mr. Weasley, "it doesn't matter if you're a girl- there are many girls who love girls, and it's fine if you are or if you aren't."
Ginny looked away and didn't respond. She knew her dad would accept her, she just didn't want her secret to go out just yet.
...didn't need to spend the whole of Charms belching slugs.
Soon, the Easter holidays rolled around and the second years were given something to think about. The time had come to choose their subjects...
...give up Potions," said Bella.
"You need to know Potions for many careers," Lily pointed out.
...subjects it landed on. Lilly Moon signed up for Ancient Runes, Divination, and Care of Magical Creatures. When Bella asked what made her choose them, Lilly shrugged and said that those were the subjects she was personally interested in. Hermione took nobody's advice...
...to your strengths, Bella."
Bella ended up doing what Lilly did, and signed up for what seemed interesting. She chose Art, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination.
"Those are good options," Molly commented.
"Aside from Divination," Hermione frowned.
"Divination can't be that bad, can it?" asked Astoria. She was in her second year, so she was still considering what classes to take next year.
"It's absolute rubbish," complained Hermione.
She wasn't going to choose Divination at first, but then she remembered what The Grey Lady had told her, and it seemed important.
Dinner on the day before Gryffindor's next Quiddich match was an interesting ordeal. Bella had just finished her meal and was about to head to Quiddich practice when Ginny Weasley sat down next to Ron.She looked tense and nervous, and Bella noticed that her hands were twisting in her lap.
"This was...this was the day before that happened, wasn't it?" Percy said, realization hitting him. Ginny nodded.
"I...I was trying to warn them..." Percy's eyes widened.
"I was the one who interrupted you," he whispered.
"It's not your fault," Ginny told him. "Everything was fine in the end... Besides, you couldn't have known.'
"What's the matter?" asked Hermione, who was serving herself some Sheppard's Pie.
Ginny didnt say anything...
...but no sound came out.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked.
Bella leaned forward...
...not to mention it to anybody.
"Oh, really, Percy?" Bill laughed. "What exactly were you doing?"
Percy didn't respond. He looked very uncomfortable.
...didn't smile back.
"You'd better get on to Quiddich practice," said Percy, quickly changing the subject. "That Oliver Wood is insane."
Gryffindors next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff...
...stairs to the dormitory, Sally-Anne Perks ran out of the dorm.
"Sally-Anne saw something bad in our dormitory!" she exclaimed. "Sally-Anne doesn't know who did it, but you should see!" she then threw open the door, revealing what was inside. Bella gasped.
The contents of Bella's trunk...
...contents strewn over the mattress.
"Who would do that?" Astoria gasped. "Did they steal something?"
"You'll see," replied Hermione.
...Hermione, Parvati, and Lilly came in. Parvati swore loudly.
"I never saw Parvati as the swearing type," Neville chuckled.
"She only swears in front of us, and it's not often," said Bella.
...diary's gone," she said in an undertone to Hermione.
"It sounds like whoever stole it knows...Riddle's true identity," Sirius said. Tom looked down at the reminder of who he was, tears in his eyes.
"Either way, the diary must be valuable, especially considering who it belongs to," said Madame Bones.
...joined Ron, who was sitting withGeorge, playing chess. George could see the solemn look on their faces and to give them some privacy announced that he was going to bed.
Ron looked aghast...
...Exactly," said Bella. The three of them stared into the fire, saying nothing, until after a long time, they finally left and went to bed.
It was early morning- probably four or five am- that Bella found herself being shaken awake.
"Bella, get up!" said Hermione in a whisper. Bella opened her eyes and put on her glasses, which Hermione handed to her. She felt Hermione put her wand in her hand, which she took as well.
Bella frowned. So she was right, this was the chapter when it happened...
"What is it?" Bella whispered into the darkness. She heard Hermione go "shh!" before grabbing her hand and leading her into the common room.
"What did you wake me up for? I have Quiddich in a few hours," Bella asked once they were standing in front of the fire.
"I snuck into the hospital wing earlier," she explained. "And I took the book that Daphne Greengrass was holding."
"You did what?" Madame Pomfrey exclaimed. "How did you get in? I had the Hospital Wing closed off in case the attacker wanted to finish them off..."
"Determination," replied Hermione.
"Also, thanks for stealing from me," said Daphne sarcastically.
"It was a library book, I wasn't stealing," Hermione huffed. "Well...I did technically steal from what could be considered a crime scene."
Bella stared at her. "...Why?!"
"Because Daphne Greengrass had already figured out what Slytherin's monster was," Hermione said, pulling out a very old library book as Bella stared at her, nonplussed. "That's why she was petrified, because she knew too much."
"So you were wrong about your original theory as to why she was petrified?" Cedric asked Bella.
"Yes and no," she replied. "Both theories were correct."
Astoria hugged Daphne. Hearing about her older sister being targeted like this was really scary- she hoped nothing like this would ever happen again. Daphne smiled at Astoria, telling her without words that it was all okay.
She opened the book to where a bookmark was placed, and handed Bella the book.
"Read that page." Bella did so.
Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents.
"Of course!" Lily exclaimed. "That's why you heard it before the attacks, Bella."
Madame Bones gasped. "Was there seriously a basilisk in the school? I thought that was just a silly rumor Susan had told me..."
"To be honest," said Susan, "I thought it was just a rumor, too..."
This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chickens egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venfangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it.
"I-is that the monster that's been petrifying everyone?" Bella asked. Hermione nodded.
"I don't know how I didn't see it earlier- that's why you've been hearing it, Bella! You're not just hearing voices!"
"Good to know that I'm not schizophrenic," Bella said dryly, setting the book on the coffee table. She whipped her head around suddenly, looking at the chair behind them.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," Bella shook her head. "I thought I saw something move.
Ginny looked down. She should never have listened in on their conversation, or else this wouldn't have happened...
But...why has no one died if looking it in the eye kills you?"
"Because, Bella, no one has looked it directly in the eye!" Hermione explained. "Mrs. Norris saw the reflection in the water, Colin saw it through his camera, Justin saw it through Nearly-Headless Nick, and Nick can't due twice, and Daphne saw it through the reflection in the window of the library door! It's why the roosters have been dissapearing, the rooster's crow is fatal to the basilisk! Oh, Bella, we've got to tell a teacher!"
"What, now?"
"That's a serious risk," said Moody. "You could easily be attacked. Especially since that damn diary was taken, and I'd be shocked if the diary of the Dark Lord himself had nothing to do with this!"
"Yes!" Hermione explained. "All the petrified kids not dying is pure coincidence, and the next time the basilisk comes out-"
"The next victim will probably die," said Bella, comprehension dawning on her. "But what if we get attacked?"
"I have this," said Hermione, pulling a handheld mirror out of her pocket. "You hold my hand with your eyes closed, and I'll use this to turn corners. If I get petrified, then I want you to go back immediately to the Gryffindor common room, eyes closed."
"Why me?" Bella asked, feeling hopeless at the thought of Hermione being petrified. "Why are you protecting me? Why am I the one who has to keep their eyes closed while you take the risk?"
Hermione grabbed Bella's hands and looked at her solemnly. "Because in the end, it has to be you, Bella. You have to be the one to stand against the Heir of Slytherin. I could never do that, but I'll stand by you until the very end, until my final breath. I'll be fine, in the end, as long as I have this mirror."
"That...is extremely brave of you, Miss Granger," whispered Minerva, blinking back tears that were welling in her eyes.
Bella felt tears well up in her eyes. She knew she could try and talk Hermione out of doing this, but she knew it would just become a repeat of last year. And she trusted Hermione, even if this was dangerous, she trusted that things would be okay in the end, because Hermione said so. Bella tackled her with a hug, letting the tears run down her face. "Oh, Hermione, please don't get hurt!" Bella choked out a sob. "If- if I hear the Basilisk, you'll turn back, right?" Hermione nodded.
"I'm glad you're my best friend," said Hermione tearfully once they had pulled away from the hug."I don't know how I would've made it this far without you. Just...from the bottom of my heart, thank God I met Bella!"
"What the fuck," Tonks whispered through tears as she was now visibly crying. In fact, many people in the room were now crying or holding back tears from the emotional scene.
"Oh, Hermione, dear, you're such a good friend," Mrs. Weasley said tearfully.
"'Mione..." Bella whispered. "I wouldn't be the same without you. You give me too much credit."
"That's not true," she smiled. "You're far more important than you give yourself credit for." Hermione looked down at the open library book and picked up a nearby quill before writing something on the basilisk page.
"What are you doing?"
"If anyone can't find us, then they'll know what happened," she explained. "I think Ron will be able to figure it out." She set down the quill and looked at the back of the portrait hole determinedly. "Alright, let's go."
And so they went, marching on determinedly in ther nightgowns, holding hands as Hermione guided the other.
For the first while, it went smoothly. They didn't take the cloak, because they wanted to be seen by a teacher, though they didn't seem to run into anyone.
"The only time you want to be caught, you aren't," Ron rolled his eyes.
"It seems you have worse luck than your father," Remus sighed, shaking his head.
There were a few times where Bella tripped on the staircase, but Hermione always caught her. It wasn't until they had just reached the first floor where Bella heard it.
'Rip...tear...kill...'
"Oh, no!" Astoria gasped.
"Hermione, I hear it!" Bella whispered shakily.
"We're almost there," Hermione insisted, speeding up.
"You should have closed your eyes," said Neville sadly. Bella nodded in agreement.
'I smell blood...I SMELL BLOOD!'
"Hermione!" Bella hissed. "Close your eyes!"
"Just a bit more, her office is down the next hallway!"
"No, close your eyes!" Fluer whispered.
'I'll kill...KILL HER!'
"Hermione!" Bella cried, but it was too late. She felt Hermione freeze to a stop, causing Bella to nearly run into her. Her hand felt cold, and was hard as stone. "Her...mione?"
Bella squeezed Hermione's hand. There was no response. Bella felt herself fall to her knees, eyes closed, tears flowing down her face.
Hermione was gone.
"That's the end of the chapter," Luna said solemnly. "Who would like to read next?"
"I will," offered Bella in a choked voice, as she was holding back tears from the memory of holding Hermione's stone cold hand. Luna handed her the book. Before she began reading, she cleared her face and voice of emotion to avoid crying.
"Chapter Sixteen, The Chamber of Secrets."
ActualWeeb: Aaaaand scene! Sorry about the cliffhanger! On to the reviews!
fanfiction reviews:
winrykatbell: You can't steal my cat's affection every time you come over, I don't care if you're my cousin. She's my cat. She's supposed to love me more. [pouts]
kaykay25: Thanks!
CJPotter4Life: I wasn't aware that there were any Aragog fans, but thanks for correcting me on my typo!
DarkRavie: Thank you so much!
lilly-flower15: Thank you, I'll try to update ASAP!
training to be a fangirl: Honestly Tom just needs some cookies and hugs... He'll be so upset whenever Voldy appears! Also, I agree, spiders are awful- I used to be so terrified of them that whenever I saw one I would start bawling. Now...I don't cry...usually... And Daphne probably suspects a little bit that Ginny is cheating, and she'll realize it by the end of the book, at least.
KieranDell1409: new chapter new chapter neW CHAPTER NEW CHAPTER
YuujouKami: I love how in your review you were like "oh cool Hermione doesn't get petrified" and then this chapter came around like "SYKE HAHA YOU THOUGHT!" Also, don't worry, they'll connect the dots soon.
Rose099: I will c:
ILoveGeorgeEads: Thanks!
Padfootette: Thank you!
Guest:That's fine, but why are you reading this story, then? I'm still going to include George/fem!Harry, that's the main ship of this story.
setokayba2n: I assume you're talking about the fake outcome vs. the true outcome. The scene where Tom acted mature and knew he was Voldemort wasn't real- there were two fake outcomes to that conversation to place suspicion on Tom. The scene that was shown at the end of chapter 25 was how the scene actually ended. Sorry about the confusion!
Wattpad comments:
Kili-Loverxx: Thank you!
Thanks for reading!