Chances Are Keeperoliver Chapter Thirty Six
Even though he was told he was only out for an hour, Harry was adamant about his talk with Godric and that it was much longer than an hour. He told them what they needed to do and about the book he needed to retrieve from the chamber of secrets. When he told them of the basilisk, they all shuttered.
"Harry, there is no way you can face a basilisk and still compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. What if you get hurt?" Ginny didn't want Harry to face anything else this year.
"Gin, I have to go down there and try to get that book. Tom is out there planning to come back in another form and I can't let that happen. If we can find the spell he is going to use to come back, then we need to find a way to stop it or change it to our advantage. I can't face a fully grown Voldemort and you all know this. If we can defeat him before he can change or during the change, I stand a better chance of beating him."
"Of course we know this Harry, but in order to do this you have to defeat a basilisk and you have as much chance to do that as you do defeating a fully grown Voldemort. Plus you may still have to face Tom in a grown body even if you do get the book?" Hermione sided with Ginny.
"That's a chance I have to take, and if nobody else sees this, then I will go alone. I think it is my only hope." and he left to find the Minister to see if he had any idea where the chamber was.
He found Albus sitting with the Heads of the schools, talking about the next challenge. They stopped when they saw Harry approach and Harry looked to Igor with distaste, knowing who he really was. He wanted to scream it out before everyone there, but Godric didn't want Igor to know they knew.
"Minister, may I have a word with you in private, please. And Professor McGonagall, would you come too, please." and he walked out of the room to wait for a response.
Albus and Minerva got up and left and met Harry outside the room and followed him to an unused classroom, where Harry set up all kinds of protective barriers.
"OK, before I talk to the Minister, you both need to know who is behind everything that is happening during the Tournament. Barty Crouch Jr. is using a Polyjuice potion and taking the place of Professor Kakaroff. If you want to know how I know this, you may not believe me, but I was told by Godric Gryffindor. You can believe me if you want, or you can call me an idiot and forget what I said, but then all is lost to us. He put my name in the goblet. He is the one who moved the Egg in the first challenge. He is the one who sent the grindylows after Fleur and me in the second challenge. I don't know what he has planned in the third challenge for me, but it is the one that will bring Voldemort here to me, or send me to him."
When the two adults showed him a smile, he questioned it with a frown. "You don't believe me, do you?"
Albus answered for the two, "On the contrary, Harry. We not only believe you, but we already knew it. The Aurors found Igor about two weeks after Durmstrang got here, in a multi layered chest. He told us what happened and who did it to him. He told them that Barty was going to bring him to Hogwarts, but the security was too strict and he never got the chance. He needed to stay off their list of possibilities so he left the chest where it was, thinking it was safe there. So, Professor McGonagall and I talked with Olympe about it, so that she wouldn't get curious. We didn't tell you or your team because we didn't wish to distract you. However, we still do not know what his intentions are for the final challenge."
"Is it safe to speak in front of the Professor then?"
Minerva looked affronted by the question, while Albus snickered at her response, "It is not only safe, Harry, it is probably to your benefit to do it. Now, what is it you needed to talk to me about?"
When Harry was done with his explanation, both Albus and Minerva had a green tint to their complexion. They could not believe Harry wanted to get into the chamber for a book, knowing he had to face a basilisk. "There is little chance of you defeating a basilisk Harry. Are you sure you need to do this?"
"We have to be able to neutralize this spell he will be using. Even though we don't know for sure which one it is, I can know about two or three of them and how to stop or cancel them out. Unless you have this book on hand, then I see no other way."
"Well, we don't know for sure where the chamber is, but there is one who might know. She has never told anyone of it's entry before because of what it meant for the person to enter it. She doesn't wish to see anyone else end up like her."
"And who might that be sir?"
"Everyone knows her as Moaning Myrtle."
Minerva turned her head to Albus when he said this. "The girl who was killed back in 1947?"
"That's her Minerva. She was killed during the first opening, but never told anyone how she died and what did it."
"Then I need to talk to her and find out what she knows."
"You can't go alone Harry, so I will go with you." Albus stood up when he said this.
"Sorry sir, but I can't allow that. I am going to try and talk the Basilisk and see if it will allow me to enter the tunnel hidden in Salazar's bust. Yes, I know what is down there from Godric. He told me that Salazar wanted me to know where it was in case Balisha allowed me to enter it."
"Who's Balisha?" Minerva asked.
"It is the Basilisk. He hasn't seen her in over a thousand years and he didn't want her to see him as a ghost. If she did, she would know that there was no one there to control her if something should happen."
"But why must you go in alone?"
"It's the only way I feel I can gain her trust. I don't wish to fight her, and she could still be a valuable ally if it came to that. What I don't know is if Tom had already turned her evil."
That was the way the meeting ended and Harry left after being wished good luck from Minerva, but nothing from Albus. Albus knew there was no way Harry was going into the chamber by himself. Albus used a cloaking charm on himself and followed Harry to the Lav on the dungeon level. He listened as Harry tried to get Myrtle to tell him about the night she died. She wouldn't talk to him about it at first, but when Harry told her it could mean the end to Voldemort, she told him all she knew. Harry went to the sink and found the faucet with the snake emblem on it and spoke in Parstle mouth to get it to open.
When It opened up, Harry used the slide to get down it. He didn't see Myrtle drift down or hear Albus use the slide as well. Once he reached the bottom, the sink began to close, with Albus barely beating it.
Harry saw Myrtle and asked why she was there. "I want to know what it was that killed me back then. I wish to see for myself what the school faced that year. Is that too much to ask?"
"No, Myrtle, it isn't. I could use the company, and I know you will be safe from any futher harm. Just don't look into it's eyes as it could still petrify you, but not kill you." and they moved on. Harry looked both ways and didn't know which way to take. He started to go left, but stopped after ten steps and turned around and went the other way.
"Why did you change directions Harry?" Myrtle asked him.
"For some reason it didn't feel right to me Myrtle. It was like it was never used for anything in the past. If that was the case, then it is hard telling where it would take us."
"Then wait here while I go check it out. I shouldn't be more than a few minutes." and she took off in their original direction. It took twenty minutes, but she returned and said, "You're right Harry, it ended in a dead end. There was a small grill at the top of the back wall, but it is hardly big enough for anything to fit through it." and they continued in the direction Harry changed to. They walked until they came to a huge golden vault type door that needed to be opened by his parstle tongue. The door opened and when it did, the lights in the chamber came on. The flames flickered from a slight breeze coming from somewhere.
As they entered the chamber, old skins were seen along the route they took, showing the different stages of growth of the basilisk. One of them was over forty feet long.
Albus became worried when he saw the size of the skins lying there. The creature must be over fifty feet long by now. He was surprised that this didn't bother Harry as he continued to move on towards the giant bust of Salazar.
They were about 100 feet from it when the jaw on the bust began to lower and scrapping was heard coming from the tunnel behind it.
It took but just a minute for the creature to exit the tunnel and rise to it's full height. It stood over thirty feet above Harry. Myrtle closed her eyes so that she wouldn't be petrified, but rose up to where she thought the head of the creature was, "Why did you kill me and no one else?" she asked as if it could answer her. It opened it's jaws and tried eating her, but she passed right through her as if she wasn't there. She pulled back in surprise when this happened.
Myrtle stayed where she was and reprimanded the snake, "Why did you try to eat me you horrid thing you. I have a good mind to have Harry teach you a LESSON."
Harry gulped as he heard this. "Uh Myrtle, let's not jump to any conclusions here, shall we." Harry then thought he might try to talk to her, using her name given her by Salazar, "Balisha, might we have a talk?" and the basilisk drew back even further when he heard the tiny one speak to her.
"How do you know what I am called?" she asked Harry.
"Salazar Slytherin told me about you, and how you were left here to protect the students. He also told me of a library he has in the rooms beyond your tunnel."
"Slytherin still lives?"
"No, he is long since dead, but his spirit lives on through the school. He told me how much he dreaded what happened to you fifty years ago. How you were never meant to kill. How you were used to do the will of a person who, though was related to him, was not what he claimed to be. He was not a full blood wizard."
"Tom was not a full blood? How could he talk to me then?"
"It was one thing he did have passed on to him with Salazar's blood line. He used it for evil, like he has everything else he received. He used you to try and take over the school.
"That was not what he told me. He told me he wished to scare the half blood and nuggle born from the school. I never wanted to kill anyone. This girl surprised me when she appeard at the entrance. I was so sorry after it, I went back to my hold and slept until just recently. Something awakened me, but never appeared."
"That was Tom once again, using something he created. He was going to try and use you again, but the school stopped him this time. Balisha, I was hoping you would let me enter your hold and search for this library for a certain book?"
"Salazar really sent you to talk to me?"
"No, he didn't. He just told me about the library and something about you that might help in your allowing me to do this. However, if there is anything in there to help me prove to you he has talked to me, then all will be as it should be."
"Then enter and look for this library, what ever that is. I shall not try to hurt you until the end, and then I will decide what to do with you." and she followed Harry up into the tunnel and Balishas hold. When Harry reached to top of the tunnel, he found a large room where Balsiha slept and on the wall to the right was a room that had double doors for its entry. To the left of the doors was a portrait of Salazar. Harry walked up to the portrait and talked to it to see if it was magical. It didn't work with his English language, but when he used Parstle mouth, it came to life. He talked to it for a minute to explain what was happening. Salazar saw Balisha and began to talk to her and she curled up into a coil to listen to her friend, while Harry entered the double doors to find a wall of books to his left, a table and many potions to his right, and a stair way straight ahead. This led to a door at the top of the stairs.
Harry went to the wall of books and began to search for the one he needed. It took hours before he found what he thought it was. He went back to the portrait and asked if it was it. The title was Necromancy and the Dark Arts. It was the book he needed. He was about to leave when Salazar asked him, "Is that all you wish to take?"
"Yes sir, it was all I came for."
"But you could take anything and everything if you wanted to."
"It was not mine to take, sir. I asked you for this book and that was all. Why would I try to take anything else?"
"You are truly of the blood line of Godric. We may not have seen eye to eye, but we were always honest with each other. Please inform your Potions Professor that the doorway at the top of the stairs leads to this room, if he wishes to search it for any of my ideas or potions. Also tell the head person this as well. The information contained in the room is useless the way it sits now. It needs to be seen and utilised. Thank you Harry, for what you have done for Balisha and for me. Please go with our blessing. Oh, young lady, please come forward and you who are hidden you too will come forward."
Harry wondered about that last statement. He watched as Myrtle went to the portrait, and then almost cursed Albus as he removed the charm that kept him hidden. "Minister, you went far beyond acceptance with this move. I told you I would take care of things down here. Why did you have to stick your nose in it?"
"I did it to help you in case you needed it. Harry, a basilisk is not something you can triffle with."
"No sir it isn't, and you almost blew it for me."
"Harry, do not worry about Albus, we know something of each other." Salazar called out. He and Myrtle were talking when he asked her forgiveness.
"He could have told me that, then Sir. Balisha, you, or I could have hurt him."
Salazar laughed at this line. He didn't know Harry's true strength. If he did, he would never have laughed.
Balisha didn't understand a word that was taking place, but saw Salazar in a good mood and decided to rest. It appeared that Harry and Albus were going to be left alone. Harry asked Salazar what Balisha fancied for food and was told , "Ah, worried about my sweetheart starving to death. How good of you to worry. She does fancy a nice juicy spider or a well fed pig. If she could be fed several of these a year, she will be well taken care of and should not bother anyone. She can live off the cattle she has been fed though.
Albus heard this and would tell Hagrid about her desires. He was the one to lead the animals to the feeding pen for Balisha.
Harry and Albus left Myrtle with Salazar as they made their way back to the upper level of the castle with the book in Harry's hands. He left Albus and went right to the common room of Gryffindor where he was pulled into a hug by all his friends, except for Ginny who slapped his face then kissed him on the lips and then gave him a hug. "Harry, if you ever do anything stupid like that again without help, you will soon after regret it. Now, did you find what you were looking for?"
He pulled out the book and Hermione grabbed it from him and began her research, along with Daphne and Luna, while Harry pulled Ginny off to the side and asked for her forgiveness by repeating the kiss she gave him. It didn't take long for her to forgive him.
It took twenty minutes for the girls to find three spells used to bring back the dead. Hermione was the one to start, "Harry, we found three spells that Tom could use, but only one that would work. The first one requires the sacrifice of a blood relative. Tom is the last of his line, so that one will not work."
Daphne told him of the second choice, "The next one requires him to take the body of a willing soul and taking control of it. It has to be a complete and acceptible release. He already tried this one, and it did not work. Quirrell had his doubts about giving up his body to Tom and you know how that ended."
Luna explained the final spell, "The last one Harry, is the most likely choice. It has to to with many things, but all are within his grasp. We all believe this is the one he will be using. We need to sit down and explain it to you, as there is still quite list that needs to be available to Tom when he starts it. I believe that someone with a vast knowledge of potions will be required."
"Do you think Professor Snape will be asked to brew it?" Harry was concerned about the potions master helping Tom with his return to the living. He knew he wanted out of the Death Eaters rank since Lily died. Voldemort not keeping his promise sent Severus to Albus and asked for his help to protect her. Unlike Tom, Albus could not promise him this protection, but he would do everything he could to see her live. Tom wouldn't allow this because she would not give up on her son. She would not turn him over to Tom and protected him with her life, which started the chain of events that gave Harry everything he now has.
With so little time left before the final challenge, Hermione, Daphne and Luna worked on the problem of the spell to bring Tom back to the living. First they asked Dobby if he knew where Tom's father was buried, which he didn't. They knew Harry would be the one who's blood was forcely taken. The willing sacrifice would have to be one of his Death Eaters.
Since Albus was still in the castle, Harry asked him if he knew where Tom Riddle senior was buried and why he needed to know. Albus smiled at this and said he would take care of the problem. Harry didn't know if he trusted the old man or not, but he didn't question him.
With nothing else to do but wait out the time until the final challenge, Harry and his team spent all their off time with each other to make sure they all knew what they needed to do when the time came. It was gone over a multiple of times, and they all said their part to perfection, but this was when they were not under duress. Would the same thing happen when the time came for it to matter.
Albus found the grave of Tom Riddle Sr. and cast a spell on the remains and then turned for his aparation. It took all of ten seconds for him to change the bones of Sr. with the bones from the next grave over. Their was no head stone on the grave so he did not know who it belonged to, but it didn't really matter. It should be enough to change the ritual for Tom's return.
It was time for the final challenge and rather than hold the four champions in the back room like the other two times, they were taken right to the pitch and brought into the arena before the students arrived. They were taken to a tunnel where the players entered the pitch before a game, to wait for the challenge to start. Harry watched the stands fill up and saw none of his team enter the seating area. When the students stopped entering and had taken their seats, his team was still not in attendance. He hoped it was for the reason he wanted.
The four were finally brought out before the students and were told of the challenge and the hazards they faced in the maze. They were told of the cup hidden in the maze somewhere and the one to find and capture it was the winner of the tournament and the thousand galleons that went with it.
The order of the champions entering the maze was Viktor would go first, followed 10 seconds later by Cedric. Harry would go next after the 10 seconds and finally Fleur would go 10 seconds after that.
They were all gathered around the three heads and Albus, listening to last minute instructions. Harry saw Severus stand behind Igor, ready to capture him after they were all in the maze. Then the start of the challenge began and Viktor entered the maze, then before he knew it, it was time for Harry to enter. He went in and found himself in a closed in cubicle with no exits. He waited for something to happen and when it did he left his little area to find all three other champions on the ground out cold.
Harry went to the three and saw where they were all stunned but ok. He looked around to find what did it to them. At the bottom of each entry point was a proximity spell that sent a signal to a device that sent the stunner to the champion as he or she passed it. He took one of these to prove his innocence if it should be questioned.