Chapter 27 is here... A bit delayed than I had originally planned, but this is me trying out a new thing...
I know who my readers are... So, if you're reading this chapter and are eager to read future chapters,

"Review this chapter by answering this question : On what 2 days of the week would you like the chapters to be uploaded on?"

Till now, I had been doing Monday/Tuesday and one of Thursday or Friday... But, I get a feeling that readers might prefer weekends too. So, please answer the above question and based on the responses, I'll pick 2 days of the week when the chapters will be uploaded.

Enjoy!

Jane sat in silence for the first minute or so after John entered her office. She was hoping he'd initiate the conversation.

"I didn't actually think I had to summon you to my office for you to actually come here," said Jane putting on a bold face.

"Why am I summoned here?" asked John in return.

"What's going on with you? You haven't spoken to me in ages. You didn't even tell me that you were returning. You seem dull during classes, heard the same from Severus, Minerva. What happened to you in Iceland?" asked Jane, there was genuine concern written all over her face.

"Nothing... Everything's fine... I liked my time there," replied John.

"John, don't lie to me. Not to me of all people. I'm quite literally the only person in the world to whom you can tell anything and everything... Were there any complications in your treatment? How are you? What did they say?" she asked defiantly, but only got a few words in response.

"The treatment was good. They took good care of me. There... weren't any complications. I'm fine," replied John in a monotone.

"Then why this gloomy look?"

"I'm not gloomy, just a little tired, that's all," lied John.

"I've had enough of this bullshit... spit it out... What's the matter with you? Are you mad at me for something?" asked Jane, she was getting angrier by the second, and it was evident in her tone.

"I'm not mad, just tired," replied John, with absolutely no change in his tone.

"Okay... if you won't tell me, I'll call them up and ask myself," replied Jane.

"Go ahead," replied John.

With that, Jane had lost her patience with her brother.

"Okay, you can leave," she said. And with that John left Professor Jane's office.

As the days went by, the curiosity and the intrigue that had plagued the whole school died down, but not for Harry, Hermione and Ron. They even tried to sneak back to the scene of the crime, even though it was kept guard by Filch himself. They also happened to have a conversation with the ghost of the girl's bathroom, Moaning Myrtle. But before they could get any further, they were interrupted by Percy.

"Who'd want to scare away all the muggle-borns and squibs out of the school?" asked Hermione.

"Let me think... Who do we know who thinks all muggle-borns are scum? Oh wait... we know one person, Malfoy," replied Ron sarcastically.

"Do you really think he's behind all this?" asked Hermione.

"Could be, why not?" replied Ron.

"The Malfoys are not the heir of Salazar Slytherin," said John who was sitting a few seats beside them. He got up, sat adjacent to Ron and joined in the conversation.

"How do you know that?" asked Ron.

"Because I know who the last heir of Slytherin is," replied John. The trio looked at him astonished at that statement.

"Who is it?" asked Harry excitedly.

"He goes by the name Tom Marvolo Riddle," replied John with a sly grin.

"Tom Riddle? Who the hell is that?" asked Ron. But before John could respond, he continued, "Hang on... I know that name... Tom Riddle got a special service award about 50 years ago I think," added Ron.

"What for? And how do you know this?" asked Hermione.

"Don't know why he got the award. When I cleaning the trophy room, I remember a trophy with this name," replied Ron.

"Ok... so, what exactly are we saying here? This Riddle guy is the last heir of Slytherin... how did he do this to Filch's cat?" asked Harry.

"I haven't told you guys the most important thing," said John. The trio looked at him surprised to know there was more. "Tom Marvolo Riddle goes by another name. He changed his name a few years after his time at Hogwarts... We know him as," added John and bent ahead and gestured others to come closer. "We know him as Lord Voldemort," whispered John. Ron shuddered at hearing the name.

"What?" exclaimed Hermione loudly. John gestured for her to keep quiet.

"What are you talking about?" whispered Harry.

"Yes... Tom Riddle is Lord Voldemort," whispered John back.

"So Vold... You-Know-Who is behind the attack?" asked Harry.

"That, I don't know," sighed John.

"How do you all this? About Riddle and You-Know-Who, heir of Slytherin," asked Ron. John didn't have an answer ready on the top of his head, that he could give.

But before he could think of something, their conversation was interrupted by Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.

"Harry... time for practice," he said as he walked over to the group.

"Gotta go," said Harry and left and taking the opportunity, so did John. Hermione, who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak with John without Ron's presence followed him.

"Hey," she said as she walked up behind him.

"Hi," he replied and kept walking.

"You've been distant since you've been back, what's up?" she asked.

"Nothing... just a bit tired," replied John.

"I liked studying with you last year... we should do that again," she said.

"I uh... I don't know Hermione... I'd like to spend some time alone if you don't mind," replied John bluntly.

"Okay," replied Hermione, upset with the way the conversation went.

"I'm sorry by the way, for what happened to you," said John and came to a halt.

"It's okay... It wasn't your fault anyway... It was Ron's broken wand anyway," replied Hermione.

"No, it wasn't... It was my mistake that got you hurt. And I apologize for that," replied John and started walking.

"Wait... what do you mean it was your mistake?" asked Hermione trying to keep up with him.

"I miscontrolled my spell and it hit you instead of... instead of the target," replied John.

"Oh"

"Yeah"

"Well, it's alright either way. I'm fine now," replied Hermione.

"Good," replied John.

"I'm sorry about your wand. I'm sure you'll get it back soon," she said.

"I know," replied John and walked away.

Jane had a rather disturbing phone call to handle regarding John. At the first chance she got, she went to the neighbouring muggle town to call the healing facility where John's treatment had happened.

"Hi, Dr Kristin? This is Jane Smith here," she said the moment the call got connected.

"Jane, Hi! To what do I owe the pleasure?" came the characteristically sweet voice of Kristin.

"I wanted to ask you how John's treatment went," replied Jane.

"John's treatment? Hasn't John come back to Hogwarts yet?" asked Kristin surprised.

"No... he has returned. But he isn't himself. He hasn't informed me yet of the results and how the treatment went," replied Jane.

"That's not surprising," said Kristin.

"What happened to my brother, Kristin?" asked Jane.

"I really don't think it's a good idea for us to speak. It's better if you talk to him about this yourself. He probably needs some time to open up about... about everything," replied Kristin. Jane was extremely worried at hearing this.

"Okay, I understand. But, could you please tell me this then? How did he find the treatment? How was his stay there?" asked Jane trying to get some tidbit of information.

"As far as I know, his stay here was pleasant. He enjoyed his time here with me," replied Kristin and quickly corrected herself, "with all of us, I mean."

"That's good to know," replied Jane.

"John even made a new friend here. He really had a good time with another healer here," added Kristin.

"Oh really? I'm glad to know that," replied Jane.

After a few seconds of silence, Kristin continued, "Is there anything else?" she asked.

"No, that'd be all Doctor. Thank you so much," replied Jane and disconnected the call.

Jane wondered who this person could be that had connected well with John. If she knew anything about her brother, it was that the chances of John connecting with another adult for any reason at all were rare, especially since everything they had gone through. But there was something else she had on her mind. And to test the theory, she needed the help of Severus Snape.

The Quidditch season was upon the school. It was one of those things that had the capacity to sway the mood of the school, even from something as intriguing, terrifying and mysterious as the Chamber of Secrets and the attack on Filch's cat.

Harry and the entire Gryffindor team were definitely intimidated by the superior brooms that the Slytherins possessed, though they never showed it externally. The game began as it always did and the Slytherins looked much better from the beginning. But as the game progressed, something else caught the eye of the Gryffindor team as well as the crowd. It was the fact that one of the bludgers seemed to never leave Harry alone. It was as if someone had tampered with it. But brave Harry convinced the team to continue. And his bravery prevailed. It was a close contest between him and Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin seeker, but in the end, Harry's skill came through and he caught the snitch earning Gryffindor the victory. But it came at a cost. The bludger that had been targeting Harry eventually caught up with him and bludgeoned Harry's arm while he was busy catching the snitch.

The Gryffindor team, Hermione, Ron, John, Neville, Seamus, Dean, everyone ran towards Harry as he lay on the floor clutching his shoulder. A few of the students standing around Harry decided to carry him to Madam Pomfrey. Ron was one of them, while Hermione and John stayed behind.

"Somebody did that to get Harry hurt," sighed Hermione, half in tears.

"Hey... it's alright... Madam Pomfrey is really good. You know that more than anyone this year. Harry will be back in class in a day," said John as he put an arm around her.

"Yeah, I know... I don't know what came over me," she replied wiping the few tears that glazed her cheek.

"Let's go to the common room. Celebrations will begin soon," he said and with that, they left for the Gryffindor room.

Harry was told to stay overnight by Madam Pomfrey even though he didn't want to. Harry was desperate to join in on the celebrations, and more importantly, find out the person behind his broken arm. But the answer to that question appeared in front of him late that night. Harry had the shock of his life when he woke up randomly in the middle of the night and found dobby standing innocently beside him watching him sleep. What followed was the revelation that the house-elf was behind the closed entrance for platform 9 ¾ and the rogue bludger. Dobby apologised and hit himself with objects he could find much to the annoyance of Harry.

"... Harry Potter lied to Dobby. He said he'll not come to Hogwarts this year," said Dobby.

But before Harry could anything else from Dobby, the house-elf left.

"Somebody is here. I must go, Harry Potter. And so must you. Harry Potter should go home," said Dobby and disappeared in a puff of dust instantly. Harry looked around but could neither see anyone nor hear any approaching footsteps. He lay there on the bed, wide awake wondering what the threat could be.

"If Voldemort was behind the attack, it'd make sense why everyone is in danger. Not just me" wondered Harry. But he hadn't gotten any information from Dobby. He had hoped to have gotten answers to some of his questions, but before he could ask any of them, Dobby had left. As he lay there, his thoughts wandered from one thing to another and ultimately, he fell back asleep. He only heard the news the following morning.

"Mr Potter, you are good to go," said Madam Pomfrey.

"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," replied Harry. He noticed that another bed had been occupied. But he couldn't see who it inhabited, for the curtains were drawn in. "Who's there, Madam Pomfrey?" asked Harry casually.

"You're going to find out anyway. A boy was attacked last night, by the same... the same way Mrs Norris was," replied Madam Pomfrey.

"There has been another attack?" asked Harry shocked.

"Yes, dear... Don't ask me any more questions," replied Madam Pomfrey. A few minutes later, Harry left the hospital wing and made his way to the Gryffindor common room.

"Oh Harry, how are you?" asked Hermione the moment he walked in.

"I'm fine," replied Harry.

"There's been another attack," said Ron gloomily.

"Yeah, I found out from Madam Pomfrey," replied Harry.

"It's poor Colin, your shadow," said Ron. Harry didn't know who was attacked, but hearing it was Colin made his stomach lurch.

"I didn't hear anything last night," said Harry. "But I know who was responsible for breaking my arm," he added.

Harry then told Ron and Hermione how Dobby had tampered with the bludger, and how he had closed the gate leading to platform 9 ¾.

"If Dobby doesn't stop trying to save your life, he'll end up killing you," sighed Ron. John who was sitting near the trio decided to chime in.

"Dobby is the name of the house-elf, but we don't know who its master is, right?" asked John.

"What do you mean, Master?" asked Hermione.

"House-elves are servants, owned by wizarding families, and other institutions," replied John. He saw a noticeable change in Hermione's expression and continued, "I know it's an upsetting subject to you, but it is what it is," he added.

"How is this legal?" asked Hermione. John didn't have an answer to that question.

"No, we don't know who Dobby belongs to," replied Ron.

"I know a way we can find out, at least, I have a plan," said John and left.

At dinner that night, when the trio were having their food, John left his seat and made his way to the Slytherin side of the tables. The moment he set foot near their area, there was a roar of laughter.

"Hey Scarlet, come here to get suspended again?" said someone from one of the tables.

"I need a help," said John. Another roar of laughter followed. "Does anybody here know someone named Dobby?" he asked.

"We don't know anybody named Dobby," came a reply from another table proceeded by another laughter. The laughter continued as John left the scene and returned to his seat near Ron.

"What was that all about?" asked Ron.

"I wanted to know whose house-elf Dobby was," replied John grinning.

"You only made yourself look like a right nutter," replied Ron.

"No... Now I know which family Dobby belongs to," replied John.

"What?" exclaimed the trio together.

"Dobby is the house-elf of the Malfoys," replied John proud of himself. "I'm certainly confident I'm right," he added.

"How did you figure that out?" asked Harry surprised and shocked at the same time.

"Well... when I got there, most of the Slytherins were laughing, and so was Draco. He continued to laugh with a few others when I mentioned that I needed help. But the moment I mentioned Dobby's name, he went silent, while others continued to laugh," replied John. "Easy peasy, lemon squeazy," he sighed smiling to himself.

"That... was... genius," said Hermione.

"That was," added Harry. At that moment, they both believed they had their John Smith back.

PS - Stay tuned!