"No," Lily whispered to herself. "No, no, no."
Mad-Eye grabbed onto her more firmly as she almost collapsed to the ground, the pain in her head becoming unbearable. He hauled her to her feet and started dragging her down the stairs.
"Get it together, Potter, I need that name, now, quickly!"
"I should have known," she said, "I- I should have known, why didn't I know?"
"Potter, the name!"
"Hermione," Lily said, "She- she has a diary, Tom's been talking to her, he's using her to open the Chamber."
"Bushy hair, large front teeth?" Mad-Eye asked. His eye was already swiveling around in his socket, searching for her before she could do more harm to the school.
"That's the one," Ron confirmed.
"Sir," Percy spoke up, "What's going on here? Should I fetch the Professors?"
"Silence, Weasley," Mad-Eye barked. His magical eye froze on something, although Lily couldn't see where it was focused. "Found her. Second floor bathroom. Let's-"
Mad-Eye froze midsentence, his body suddenly becoming rigid as pain shot through Lily's scar. The two Weasleys shouted as she and Mad-Eye fell, his hand rigidly clamped around her arm. She let out a few grunts of pain as they slid down the steps, crumpling into a pile at the bottom of the flight. Lily forced her arm out of Mad-Eye's stony grip just as Ron reached her and pulled her to her feet.
"Merlin," Percy whispered.
Lily opened her eyes. Both Ron and Percy were pale from fear, their eyes locked onto the petrified form of the Mad-Eye Moody, laying on his back on the next landing. His magical eye was split down the middle, broken from the Basilisk's gaze. It was still trying to spin, but couldn't quite manage it.
"Lily," Ron said with a split in his voice, "We need to go, now, it might be coming for you."
"No," Lily said as she shook her head. She did her best to stand on shaky legs, leaning heavily on the railing to support her weight. "We need to go warn the Professors, before it's too late."
"Lily, if the Basilisk comes-"
"Then I'll hear it," Lily said, "And you two will leave me and run for it. Let's go."
She didn't wait to check, and began making her way down the stairs, slowly walking past the prone form of Alastor Moody. She wanted to help him, but she didn't have the ability, and she really needed to move. They didn't have much time.
"Let me help you," Ron said. He forced Lily's arm back around his shoulder as he took charge, steering her down the fifth-floor corridor towards the Hospital Wing. "Percy, come on, we need to move."
"Merlin," Percy whispered again. She glanced back, just to check on him, and he clearly was not taking this situation well. Lily had never seen him so nervous before. He had his wand set firmly in his hand, and he was constantly checking around, just in case a foe appeared.
"Don't," Lily managed through the pain. "If you see the Basilisk, you'll die. I'll let you know if I hear it."
Percy glanced at her, but gave a firm nod, and set his gaze straight ahead.
"Tell me when, Lily," he said, "And I'll throw curses back behind us."
"Don't try to fight," Lily said again, "Just run for it. I'll- I'll try to talk to it, to hold it off until you can get help."
"We won't need to," Ron said, "We're here."
"Let me, Ron," Percy said. He strode forward, and knocked firmly on the Hospital Wing doors three times. No answer came, and he did it again, this time calling out vocally for help. The door cracked open, just barely, and Percy exchanged a series of words with the angry face of Madame Pomfrey. The red turned to pale, and she ducked back inside the Hospital Wing, shutting the doors back behind her.
"She'll fetch McGonagall," Percy said with relief. "She- err- didn't like that we were interrupting, but I think she understood."
Lily felt a bit of the tension deflate out of her own body. She was pretty sure she'd hear the Basilisk coming by now if it was coming at all.
They were safe.
The doors flew open, and out walked Gran, the absolute last person Lily wanted to see right now. She was still wearing that horrid stuffed vulture of hers, and her beet red face quite matched the feathers.
"You," she said as her eyes locked onto Lily. "Come to finish off my grandson, eh?"
"No," Lily said, her heart sinking. "Gran, please, listen to-"
"Well, I suppose we'll be finding out soon enough," Gran said. "Potion will be administered soon, and then we'll hear your name coming from their mouths, I can almost guarantee it."
Something was wrong. She wasn't this certain of Lily's guilt before, even she knew that. Something had changed.
"Gran, listen," she tried again.
"Mr. Weasley," she said as she turned towards Percy, "You are not to step one foot into this room. In addition, you are not to allow either of these two hooligans to do the same. You will take them straight back to their common rooms, where they will await news of Miss Potter's imminent expulsion. Do I make myself clear?"
"No," Percy said in a shocked tone. "You don't understand, there's an attack coming right-"
"I have given my orders," Gran said again.
"Let us see McGonagall," Ron said. "She'll-"
"Professor McGonagall is not in charge, here," Gran said. "Her Headmaster duties have been relieved, we're set to appoint our new one later today."
"What?" Ron shouted. "That's-"
"Whatever is the matter, here?" a familiar drawl said from within the doors. The form of Lucius Malfoy stepped out, his mouth forming a smirk as he locked onto the three Gryffindors in front of him.
"Nothing I can't handle, Lucius," Gran said dismissively.
"I see Harry has come at last," Lucius said. "I'm afraid you're too late to stop the potion from being administered. Can't let you in, either, you're quite barred from attending the revival."
"I don't want to," Lily said. "Just look at me, there's an attack-"
"Enough, Lily," Gran said. "We've all heard enough tales of your behavior during attacks. It's over. Go back, we'll deal with you soon enough."
Gran stepped inside, leaving them with the elder Malfoy.
"You did this," Lily managed. "You-"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lucius said with a grin that betrayed the lie. "Have a good day, Harry. We shall see you soon enough."
Lucius stepped inside and closed the door with a firm click.
"What just happened?" Ron asked.
"I think they just ignored us," Lily said.
"I don't understand," Percy said. "Why would they ignore us, there's an attack happening as we speak!"
"Malfoy did something," Lily said. "I'm sure of it. Gran's never been that cruel to me, not even before she voted to suspend. She said she was sure I didn't do it."
"You don't think he used a memory charm, do you?" Ron asked.
"Dumbledore's gone!" Lily said in a realization. "The Governor's voted to remove him! He must have done that, too!"
"What do we do?" Ron asked. "We have to do something, by the time they realize they're wrong, Hermione could already be-"
"Lockhart!" Lily shouted.
"Pardon?"
"Lockhart!" she said again. "Percy, where's Lockhart?"
"Lily," Ron said in disbelief, "You can't be serious."
"In his office," Percy said. "His class just ended, he said something about taking a nap before his next one."
"Let's go," Lily said. She walked forward on her own. She still felt a bit sick, but she'd need to get her strength back for what she was about to do, and the only solution she could think of was forcing herself to get used to the feeling.
Potter, a voice said inside her head.
"Wands up," Lily shouted. "I hear it!"
No, Potter, it's not the snake, it's me.
"Where is it?" Ron asked from behind.
Potter, put me on.
"Oh," Lily said. "Sorry, it was the hat."
"The hat?" Ron and Percy both asked as one. Lily thought it better to show them, and took the Sorting Hat from her robes, and whisked it onto her head.
The effect was almost immediate, as the crippling pain became a soft roar in the background.
"Lily," Ron hesitated to say, his hand lingering in the air, "What is the Sorting Hat supposed to do for us?"
"Dumbledore gave him to me," Lily said as if that perfectly explained it. "Come on, we have to hurry."
"Right," Percy said. He pushed past the two second years, trying to regain control of the situation, while they followed behind.
Better, Potter?
"Loads," Lily whispered. "How are you doing this?"
What do you think I was made for?
"Sorting first years?"
"Lily," Ron said again, "Do really need to talk to the hat?"
Don't remove me, Potter. You'll need me, if you're going down there.
"You wouldn't tell me where it was, earlier," Lily continued, ignoring Ron's questioning.
I could not. Salazar's enchantments prevent me from discussing the Chamber's location, we had this discussion already, Potter. I still have not mentioned it. It is up to you to gain access.
"How?' Lily asked nervously. "You said only a Slytherin could get access. Hermione had Tom, but-"
You will see, Potter, when the time comes. For now, focus on gathering your strength. You will need it.
"Lily, this is really strange," Ron said. "What's the hat say-"
"We're here," Percy interrupted. They were standing outside the defense classroom, on the third floor. "Do you want me to fetch him?"
"Yes," Lily said. "Ron and I will keep going, meet us in the girl's bathroom, second floor."
"Pardon?"
"You heard me," Lily said as she walked away. She could hear Ron following behind her, but she didn't stop to check.
"Lily, how do you know where it is?"
"Didn't you listen to Mad-Eye?" Lily kept her hand on the railings as she went down. The hat might be taking her pain away, but it still wouldn't do to trip. The last thing she needed was a broken leg. The Governors would never give Pomfrey permission to mend it.
"Right," Ron said quietly. "He said bathroom, second-floor. You think it's in there?"
"Yes," Lily said sadly. "I should have known. I meant to ask Myrtle some questions ages ago. I- I don't know how I could forget that."
You have fragmented memories. I can see them here in your head, Potter. Somebody's been tampering with them.
"Tampering with them?" Who would-"
Lily stopped for a moment, shaking away the sudden pain in her head, leaning on a nearby railing for support. She could hear the Hat humming thoughtfully.
The damage is beyond me, Potter. I can do nothing for it.
"Lily, can you please tell me what the hat's saying?" Ron asked. "I can't hear him, you know?"
Lily shook her head one more time, trying to clear her thoughts.
"Right, sorry, Ron. He said somebody's tampered with my memories."
"Could be Hermione," he suggested. "If she's been opening the Chamber, who's to say she hasn't been doing that, too?"
I don't believe it was Granger. It was when you didn't have me on you, or I would have witnessed it myself. Where you ever alone with her?
"I don't know," Lily answered. "I could have been, I forgot you a few times. We're here, Ron."
"Blimey," Ron said. "Never been in a girl's bathroom before."
"It's just a bathroom, Ron," Lily said as she rolled her eyes. The second floor was abandoned, completely empty. There was no water pooling on the floor, although the blood writing was still on the wall, giving the warning to all who would pursue the Heir of Slytherin. She briefly considered running to Flitwick's office, raising the alarm, but he didn't have a class at this hour. He'd be up in the Hospital Wing, where they weren't allowed.
They were alone.
"Lily," Ron spoke up. "We don't have to go down there. We can try the Professors again. We don't even know if Hermione is down there, she could be anywhere."
"No," Lily said. "Hermione could be dying down there, Ron. We have to go."
Lily pushed the door open nervously, remembering Valentine's Day. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't act on it. Hermione was clearly in pain. Lily thought something else was going on.
It was her fault Hermione was in danger.
She could still make it right.
The bathroom was empty. The only noise was the muffled crying of Moaning Myrtle, stuck in her stall at the end of the chamber. The sinks were formed around a circular pillar in the middle of the room, just as Lily remembered them. Lily took a step forward. She was no longer shaking.
"Look around, Ron," Lily said. "The Chamber has to be in here, somewhere."
Ron nodded silently, crossing to the stalls on the right side of the room. Lily debated checking the left side, but the door was pushed open again. Percy and Lockhart arrived, the professor looking bemused and confused in his Forget-Me-Not blue robes.
"Lily," he said cheerily. "You've summoned me to a bathroom? Most inappropriate, I must say, what would the press think of-"
"Professor," Lily said politely. "Hermione's been taken into the Chamber. You said you knew where the entrance is. We need to go down there."
Lockhart paled, Percy joining him soon after.
"You can't mean to go down there yourself," Percy objected. "I thought we were just going to open it, and then send for the Professors once we had proof."
"We don't have the time to argue with them," Lily said. "We have to go down there, we have to get Hermione out."
"Hold on," Lockhart said. "Now, wait just a moment here, Lily. Are you saying a student has been taken into the Chamber?"
"Yes."
"And you want me to go down there with you?"
"Yes." Lily repeated. "There's nobody else, Professor. You're the only member of staff not in the Hospital Wing."
Lockhart cleared his throat. "Lily, I'm supposed to be managing the Prefect patrols and defending the halls. Surely, it'd be better to bring Moody with you, I say, this is really more of his sort of thing, isn't it?"
"He's petrified, Professor," Lily said.
Lockhart's mouth fell open.
"You said you know where the entrance is," Lily said once more. "Where is it, Professor? We're running out of time."
"Err-" Lockhart stammered. Lily could see the gears turning in his head.
He doesn't know. He never was the brightest Ravenclaw. I sent him there because he wanted to learn, he wanted to be the best. Perhaps I should have considered Slytherin, instead.
"It's fine, Professor," Lily said. "Just get ready. I'll ask Myrtle, instead."
"Myrtle?" Percy asked. "The ghost? How would she know?"
"I should have thought of it sooner," Lily said again. She walked towards the left side of the rooms, approaching the sobbing stall. "Why didn't I do it, before?"
The sobbing grew louder as Lily approached. Then, suddenly, it stopped. Lily knocked gently on the door, but didn't receive an answer. She knocked again, this time speaking softly.
"Myrtle," she said. "Can you come out? We just have some questions for you."
"Come to make fun of me, too?" The high-pitched voice answered from inside. "That's all you people are ever after, isn't it?"
"Myrtle, it's me, it's Lily. I'm not here to make fun of you, I'm just here to talk, that's all."
"Talk?" Myrtle screeched. Lily could hear the toilet seat rattling on the frame, and she instinctually took a step back. "Finally decided to come check on poor, dead Myrtle, did you? It's been over a year since you last thought to visit me, did you know? Oh, it's fine for you to come to Myrtle when you need something, but you can't be bothered to check on how she's feeling, can you?"
Tread carefully, Potter.
"I'm sorry, Myrtle," Lily said. "I- I should have checked on you much earlier. I meant to, to, I just- things kept getting in the way. I won't do that again, I promise."
Myrtle sniffed. Lily turned to the boys in the room. Ron was standing with the rest of the pack, and all of them were staring at her curiously. Lockhart looked like he desperately wanted to back out of the room, but the two Weasleys behind him were clearly blocking the way.
"Can you come out, Myrtle?" Lily asked.
"No," Myrtle said with less anger in her voice. "Just ask your questions."
"How did you die, Myrtle?"
Myrtle sniffed again, and Lily briefly worried she'd messed it all up. She should have led with something different, she should have-
"Nobody's asked me before," Myrtle said sadly. "You're the first. Nobody else ever cared about poor Myrtle. Never bothered trying to find out what happened. It took them a full day to find me, did you know?"
She is lying, Potter. The staff questioned her immediately. She wants you to feel bad for her.
"I didn't," Lily said. "That's- that's terrible, Myrtle. I'm so sorry."
"I was just sitting here," Myrtle said quickly. "On this toilet, crying. Jenny was rather mean to me, and I was just trying to get away from her. I'd- I was in here for a few hours, when I heard somebody come in."
"Did you see them?" Lily asked excitedly.
"No," Myrtle answered. "I didn't see them. But I heard them say something, over by the sink, and when I came out to yell at them, I died."
"Just like that?" Lily asked.
"Just like that," Myrtle confirmed. "I saw a pair of big, yellow eyes, and then I was dead."
Myrtle wailed again as the door rattled. Lily took another step back, hesitated, then walked forward, placing a hand gently on the shaking portal.
"Myrtle," she said gently. "Can you show me?"
"Why?" Myrtle asked. "What does it matter to you?"
Lily thought for a moment. "Myrtle, have you heard that voice at all recently?"
"Yes," Myrtle said after an equally long pause. "I just heard it today, matter of fact. Same boy, too, each time. I hate him."
"You didn't come to get a look at him?" Lily asked.
"No, I- I was too scared to."
"And you heard it today?"
"Yes," Myrtle confirmed again. The door finally stopped shaking.
"Myrtle," Lily said calmly, "Whoever killed you, they've taken my friend down there, into the Chamber. She'll die, too, if I don't go get her. Can you show me where you saw the eyes?"
There was another long pause. Then, suddenly, the pale form of Myrtle's ghost came through the door, passing through Lily's outstretched arm. She forced herself not to recoil, to stay calm. She hadn't seen Myrtle in forever. Even when she was visiting frequently, Myrtle hardly ever showed herself.
She was a sad looking girl, for sure. She had thick glasses that always threatened to slip from her nose, and she had thick hair kept in an unflattering cut. Lily thought her face was cute, though, and that she could have benefitted greatly from a trim and a new set of spectacles. It was too late for that, though, and saying so would only make her feel worse.
"It was over here," Myrtle said sadly. She shot a look of reproach at all the nervous boys in the room, but she didn't comment on their presence. She passed through them as if they weren't there, Lockhart recoiling in horror, and stopped in front of the sink. She leaned down slightly, pointing an outstretched finger at the middle faucet.
"Right there?" Lily asked for confirmation. She pushed her way past the boys, standing in front of the ghost girl. "This is where you head the voice, too?"
"Yes," Myrtle confirmed. "You'll be careful down there, won't you?"
"Of course," Lily said. She ran her hand over the faucet, searching for a switch of some sort. She tried turning it on, but no water came out. She bent down, just to check, and then something caught her eye.
There was a carving on the faucet, hidden in the shadows of the room. It ran down to the knobs. Lily didn't think she would have noticed it if she didn't already know to look.
It was a snake. She'd found the entrance.
"Blimey," Ron said from next to her. Lily jumped from the surprise; she never noticed him move. "Lily, go on."
"What do you mean?' she asked as her heart thumped.
"You have to speak Parseltongue," Ron said, pointing towards the snake. "That's why only Slytherin could open it. You really are the Heir."
Not yet.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lily muttered.
"Just give it a try," Ron suggested.
"How?" Lily asked. "I didn't know I could speak it. I've never done it on purpose."
"Just do what you did at the club," Percy suggested. He was holding onto Lockhart's arm, although it didn't seem to be for support, based on the way Lockhart kept trying to pull away.
Lily turned to stare at the snake. She tried her best to imagine the serpent being alive, coiling and twisting around as it moved.
"Open," she said. She heard it, that time; it came out as a hiss, and the sensation sent a shiver down her spine.
Nothing happened. The only sound in the room was a dripping faucet, somewhere on the other side of the column.
"Bloody hell," Lockhart whispered.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked. "Do we need a password?"
No.
"The hat says no," Lily interpreted
"Well, ask him¸ then, if he knows what to say."
"How do I open it?" Lily asked.
You already know. I've told you. Only a Slytherin can open the Chamber of Secrets. Salazar didn't want anybody else finding it, Parselmouth or not.
"Merlin," Lily said. "He says only a Slytherin can open it."
"I can go fetch one," Percy offered.
"No," Lily said. She could feel her stomach turning. "It- it wouldn't work. They'd have to be a Parselmouth like- like me."
"What do we do, then?" Ron asked. "How did Hermione get down there, anyway?"
"Tom was a Slytherin," Lily said. "And Moody said V-V-Voldemort was a Parselmouth, too. He spoke through Hermione, he- Merlin, he must have been using her all year, and I- I never realized anything was wrong. I just- I thought she was being mean. I was tired of it."
"Then how do we get in?" Ron asked again.
Lily swallowed. "Do I have to?"
You do.
"Can I change back?"
No. Once it's done, there is no going back. I am already breaking my duties by allowing it this once. But I promised my young master that, should a suitable candidate be found, I would give them the opportunity.
Lily swallowed again, glancing back at the others nervously.
"What is it, Lily?" Ron asked.
"I-" Lily started. "I have to join Slytherin."
"No," Ron said angrily. "Forget it, we'll just find one, and you can teach them how to say it."
"There's no time, Ron," Lily said as she shook her head.
Wouldn't work. Parseltongue is more than just a language; it's a magical ability. You're the only one in this school that has it. I sensed it on you when you first put me on.
"It has to be me," Lily said. She could feel her eyes burning. "The hat says so, too."
"Lily, don't," Percy said. "We can find another way. Perhaps Professor Snape can-"
"Do it," Lily whispered.
You can still change your mind, Potter. There is no going back when we are done. Are you absolutely sure?
"Lily, don't," Ron pleaded. "We can still-"
"Do it," Lily said again.
Very well.
"Lily, please."
If you're sure…
"Lily!"
Better be…
Ron grabber her by the arm, staring straight into her eyes. His face was full of hurt as his eyes pleaded with her.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat shouted. The castle shook at the shout, and all those in the bathroom could hear the words echoing in the halls outside, as the entire castle filled with the declaration.
"Bloody hell," Lockhart whispered again. "Your robes-"
Ron let go, walked a few feet away, and then slammed a fist into the door of an empty stall. Lily turned towards the nearest mirror. Her robes no longer had the crimson and gold trim of a Gryffindor, her tie no longer bared the lion crest.
She had the silver and green of a Slytherin, the hissing serpent displayed proudly on her tie.
She turned back to the faucet, staring once again at the snake adorning it.
"I am the Heir of Slytherin," she said, "And I command you to open."
There was a click, followed by the sound of stone scarping against stone. The sink slid backwards as the scarping stopped, revealing a drop in the pillar, directly below where the sink had just been standing. It was barely large enough for a man to slide down. In the side of the other sinks were holes leading into smaller pipes.
"Merlin," Lockhart whispered. He stepped forward, laughing nervously as he peered down the tunnel. "You want us to go down there?"
"Yes," Lily said. Her voice was unusually thick.
"Let's go, then," Ron said as she walked back over. He nodded to Lily, then bent to go down first.
"Not yet," Lily said. She held out an arm to stop him from going without them. "Percy, I need you go to back to the Hospital Wing."
"I'm not letting you all go down there without me" he argued. He held his nose up to try and reinstate his authority.
"We have to," Lily said again. "The Professors won't listen to the rest of us. You need to get their attention, no matter what it takes, and make them come after us. We can't fight the Basilisk by ourselves."
"Then why go down at all?" He asked. He placed both his hand's on Lily's shoulders. "There's no need to get yourself killed any more, Lily, not now that we know where it is."
"We can't wait," Lily said. "Hermione could already be dead, Percy, we don't know what's happening to her. That's why Professor Lockhart is here. He'll fight the Basilisk, while Ron and I sneak Hermione out of there. We won't do any fighting, I promise."
"Me?" Lockhart said in shock. Lily noticed Ron shove him back into place when he tried to back out.
"Professor," Lily said nicely, "You're the most experienced monster hunter in the school We can't do this without you."
"But-" Lockhart started. Then, something came over him, and he stood up straighter and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid this plan won't work, Lily. The Basilisk can see in the dark. We can't."
Lily aimed her wand straight into the Professor's face, while Lockhart almost flinched away.
"Close your eyes," she said, "Or it'll blind you. Don't open them until you're in the tunnel.
"I don't know about this," Lockhart said as he firmly shut his eyes.
"Aterlumen," Lily said. She didn't know if it was actually bright enough in this bathroom to cause damage, but she wasn't willing to take the risk.
Lockhart straightened in surprise, and Lily was genuinely impressed that he didn't try opening in eyes in response. Lily took him by the hand, and then led him over towards the tunnel entrance.
"We'll be right behind you, Professor," she said as she gave him a gentle shove. Lockhart said something in protest as she slipped down, but Lily didn't quite catch it. He was gone in an instant, and they could all hear him shouting something as he plunged into the darkness.
"You next, Ron," Lily said.
"Right," Ron said. "Just don't take too long."
"I won't," Lily said. "Aterlumen."
Ron firmly closed his eyes then, without waiting, jumped into the hole. He didn't make a noise as he vanished from their sight.
"This is a bad idea, Lily," Percy said as one last attempt to persuade her. She smiled back at him, instead.
"All my ideas are bad, Percy," she said. "You better get going. The longer it takes you to convince them, the more likely it is that we'll die. Aterlumen."
Lily shut her eyes as light filled them. It amused her, ever so slightly, that she could see through her eyelids.
"Good luck, Lily," she heard Percy say from behind. She took a small hop forward, then felt herself sliding down the slimy tunnel, into the pitch black of the Chamber of Secrets.