Chapter 11: Accusations
"Place him here gently." Harry heard Madam Pomfrey saying in hushed tones followed by the muffled rustling of curtains and bedding.
"What happened?" The voices were quite close now, probably by the next bed. Harry strained to hear, caught by his curiosity as usual.
"We're not sure; he was found unconscious in the corridor not far from the Gryffindor common room." Professor McGonagall's voice carried and hint of worry.
"He's very cold and damp, we need to get him warmed up before anything else."
"He was dripping wet when we found him. I dried his clothes but wanted to get him to you as soon as possible."
"Oh, that may have been Peeves," the familiar voice of the Gryffindor ghost joined the conversation. "I believe he dropped a few water bombs on the child."
"Peeves!" Madam Pomfrey hissed furiously. "He's a danger to the students Minerva. You need to do something about him." Harry suspected this was an ongoing argument. In fact he was pretty sure it was Dumbledore's decision alone that kept Peeves in the castle.
"In fairness to him, I do believe he was trying to wake him up," Nick tried to excuse the poltergeist.
"If it had been any other person, ghost or portrait even they would have got help immediately. Besides what on earth was he doing out at this time of night, did none of his dorm mates notice he'd gone?" Madam Pomfrey was apparently very grumpy when woken unexpectedly in the middle of the night.
"I haven't had a chance to find out, I felt Mr. Creevey needed immediate medical assistance." Replied McGonagall pointedly.
"No, no. You're right of course. The poor child."
"I can go and check if there are any other boys out of bed or awake Professor." Nearly Headless Nick offered helpfully.
Harry couldn't quite make out what was being said next but he imagined it was the usual diagnostic spells. Poor Colin, Harry thought. He'd slowly been getting quieter and paler for a while now, he must have been coming down with something. Harry felt a little guilty remembering how often he'd tried to avoid the over-excited first year. Harry closed his eyes as he strained his ears trying to hear more but sleep finally found him and he knew nothing more until the next morning.
The late night resulted in a late morning. One of the many principles Madam Pomfrey was strictest about was that her patients would always get enough rest. This meant that no-one under her care would ever be woken unnecessarily. So even though it was gone 10 A.M. it was not Madam Pomfrey that woke Harry, it wasn't even Fred or George (they'd managed to get themselves discharged a little earlier), instead it was a sound that would now never fail to put Harry immediately on high alert; It was the sound of Lockhart's voice.
"I SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO OFFICIALLY THANK ME FOR MY EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE SCHOOL YESTERDAY." Professor Lockhart announced very loudly.
Harry scurried to the end of his bed and parted the curtains slightly to see what was going on. Madam Bones and one of her investigators stood in front of Lockhart's bed. Lockhart was sat up, wearing silky lilac pyjamas and curlers in his hair. He was also wearing a pair of very dark sunglasses and Harry thought he could see a bandage across one eye. He tried not to be too pleased that Lockhart was in a worse state than anyone else but having learnt from Dobby that the explosion really was Lockhart's fault he found very hard to be sympathetic.
"Professor Lockhart," Madam Bones addressed him coldly, "you are required to answer some questions regarding yesterday's incident with the rogue Bludger."
"IT WAS MY PLEASURE I ASSURE YOU," Lockhart shouted in reply, nodding his head in an imitation of humility.
"You can be questioned here, or we can take you to an interrogation room. It is you choice." The Director of the DMLE was not messing around it would seem. Derek stood a couple of steps behind her, wand in hand ready for anything.
"COULD YOU SPEAK UP," yelled Lockhart, "YESTERDAY'S HEROICS HAVE LEFT ME A LITTLE HARD OF HEARING TODAY. NOT THAT I REGRET IT FOR A MOMENT," he added with a martyrs smile. "AS THE DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS TEACHER AND MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SUCH MATTERS I CONSIDER IT BOTH MY DUTY AND MY HONOUR TO PROTECT THOSE LESS ABLE THAN MYSELF." He placed a hand over his chest with deep sincerity.
Harry spied Madam Pomfrey heading his way and quickly settled himself back in his bed and pretended to be asleep. There was no way he wanted to miss this. Fortunately it seemed that Colin Creevey was her target and she passed his bed and the small opening in his curtains without so much as a glance his way.
"Professor Gilderoy Lockhart," Madam Bones obligingly spoke louder. "You are suspected of attempted murder through use of an illegally tampered with bludger, endangering student lives, actual bodily harm of 4 children and 3 adults, damage to school property and tampering with evidence. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Lockhart leapt out of his bed indignant. "I! ATTEMPTED MURDER! ENDANGERING LIVES!" He blustered. "I HAVE DONE NO SUCH THING. I SAVED THEM ALL! IF IT WASN'T FOR ME THAT BLUDGER COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!" He bellowed as he backed away from Derek's steadily aimed wand, then over-balancing and falling into Madam Bones.
"I suggest you remain in your bed professor." Madam Bones unceremoniously offloaded him back onto the bed. "According to our information both Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch wished to secure and guard the illegal Bludger so that it could properly investigated by the DMLE. Whereas you insisted on tampering with it thereby destroying a key piece of evidence."
Lockhart's eyes went a little wild with panic. He spoke quieter now stuttering slightly. "Why would I want to hurt anybody? I was the only one acting to keep everybody safe. I SAVED THEM!" He shouted again.
"You do not deny you cast a spell on the bludger," Madam Bones interrupted him,
"No, but I…"
Again he was interrupted, "This was against the advice of Professor Flitwick a world renowned Charms expert and Madam Hooch the foremost expert in all Quidditch related charms and equipment in the school?"
"Well yes but see they…"
Madam Bones raised a hand and continued, "Resulting in the explosion of the Bludger destroying evidence, endangering lives and harming students and teachers alike."
"But I…"
"Professor Lockhart" Madam Bones stopped him again, "did your actions result in the explosion of the Bludger destroying evidence, endangering lives and harming students and teachers alike?"
"I really think…" Lockhart tried to say.
"Yes, or No."
"Yes, but…"
"No buts Professor." she gave him no time to reply. "You will be taken to a cell to be interrogated further as soon as Madam Pomfrey determines you are in suitable health to be moved." Derek at that moment glanced across to Madam Pomfrey and in that moment caught Harry's eye. Harry held his breath unsure about how Derek would react, but the investigator made no indication that he'd seen Harry and returned his attention to Lockhart who was sat and staring mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"My dear Amelia, do you think perhaps you might be being a little over zealous with your investigation of Professor Lockhart?" The Headmaster swept into the room iridescent purple robes shimmering in the daylight. "He is after all widely respected for his expertise in the field and I would be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"Headmaster." She acknowledged him. "As I am here in my professional capacity I would prefer it if you called my Madam Bones, or Director if you prefer." Harry grinned to himself, he'd always noticed Dumbledore's over familiarity and wasn't really sure how to deal with it, but Madam Bones clearly did. "Based on our investigation Professor Lockhart is either the culprit, an accomplice or utterly incompetent. Either way his actions have had serious consequences and he will not remain at this school."
"Of course Ame… Director, you are well within your rights to investigate Professor Lockhart, however you do not poses the power to affect who I employ at this school." He attempted to twinkle a smile at the Director.
"Naturally not, you may keep professor Lockhart in you employ if you wish, however I suggest you start sorting out cover for his lessons as he is going to be remanded in custody for the foreseeable future while the investigation is continued. I do have the power for that." And with a quick glance past Dumbledore and towards Harry both she and Derek strode out of the hospital wing.
Harry watched as Dumbledore stood for a moment seemingly shocked into immobility. He didn't understand Dumbledore. Last year he's considered the Headmaster as one of the greatest wizards in the world, admittedly he didn't actually know many. But he had his own chocolate frog card so that had to mean something. But now he constantly seemed to be trying to obstruct the DMLE, why would he do that? Dumbledore moved finally towards Lockhart's bed and though he tried Harry couldn't hear a word either was saying; Dumbledore's doing he reckoned.
Harry was now desperate to get out of the medical wing, he had so much to tell Ron and Hermione who knows what tales Fred and George had told them. Seeing Madam Pomfrey occupied with something or other at the other end of the ward Harry decided to visit Colin. It would help ease his conscience about avoiding him so much and if he was lucky it would draw Madam Pomfrey's attention. He quickly dressed in his weekend clothes that had magically appeared in the bedside cupboard, threw the curtains open wide then went and sat on the chair by Colin's bed. He looked so small and frail. He'd always been small Harry knew, probably the smallest boy in school but somehow his early exuberance had made Harry overlook that fact until now. He smiled slightly at his hypocrisy of his thoughts, after all he was also one of the smallest students. He wondered if he should talk to him but feeling a little awkward about it he rationalised that he probably needed quiet to rest.
Harry's plan worked and Madam Pomfrey soon joined him at Colin's bed, though by now Harry had been distracted from his usual purpose. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" Harry asked her as she performed the usual checks.
"He's completely exhausted. No doubt a combination of homesickness and the worries over the Chamber of Secrets. I expect the Bludger yesterday was one worry to many," she reasoned though she still looked a little worried. Harry had never really considered homesickness having never experienced such a thing himself when at Hogwarts but it made sense.
"Will someone tell his family?" Harry asked a little curious. Did anyone ever tell his relatives when he ended up in the medical wing, would anyone tell them about the Bludger incident he wondered? "He writes to them a lot," he added.
"Of course Mr Potter, his head of house informed them this morning."
Well this was news to Harry. He tried to picture Professor McGonagall visiting his Aunt and uncle during lunch to tell them he'd been blown up by a Bludger but just couldn't imagine it.
"Well Mr Potter," She turned on him, "you seem well recovered, no doubt you heard all of this morning's drama?" she lifted and eyebrow at him.
He blushed feeling caught out, "It was rather loud." He tried to excuse himself.
"Indeed." she agreed before running a couple of hearing, vision and concussion checks and sending him on his way.
Finally released Harry rushed to the Gryffindor common room hoping to find his friends. The common room was packed as it often was on a rainy weekend and from the moment he stepped through the portrait he was bombarded with questions. Not for the first time he wondered why it was always him these things happened around.
"What happened with the Bludger Harry?" Dean asked.
"Yeah Fred and George said it exploded!" Harry's Irish dorm mate Seamus added.
"You should know better than to believe those two," Angelina joined them shaking her head at their naivety. "What did happen to put you three in the hospital wing?"
"Oh," said Harry, still trying to catch a glimpse of Ron or Hermione, "It did explode."
"What!"… "No way!"… "You're kidding!" Harry's audience exclaimed loudly drawing the attention of anyone who wasn't already looking his way.
"Yeah, something Lockhart did I think," Harry added unconcernedly as he finally spotted Ron and Hermione trying to get his attention. They were ensconced in a small window nook with a ruined game of Wizard's chess between them.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she rushed to meet him. "We were so worried, there were so many rumours." She hugged him tightly. "Why is it always you that gets caught up in these things?"
"That's just the Potter luck isn't it. A new foul is invented in Quidditch and of course it happens to Harry."
When Hermione finally released him they headed back towards their claimed space. "Temper tantrum?" Harry asked Hermione looking at the scattered pieces.
"Hardly," she huffed indignant, "I was actually doing quite well wasn't I Ron?"
"Uhh, yeah, definitely improving," Ron agreed unconvincingly as he gathered up his beloved chess set. They were not impressed at being treated in such a manner and were berating Ron for not taking greater care. His queen in particular was highly offended and stood out of reach under a chair, arms crossed, face turned away refusing to be cajoled by Ron. Hermione's pieces being newer and less sure off their owner were attempting to retreat to the deepest darkest recesses they could find.
"Take the board would you Harry," came the muffled request from Ron as he crawled under the table.
With the board moved out of range the pieces immediately became inanimate once more and the comical farce they had unknowingly been performing for their house mates finally came to a slightly more dignified end. Ron remerged from under the table slightly flushed and holding the elusive queen.
With the immediate issue dealt with Harry immediately told them both everything that had happened since the Quidditch match; the Bludger, Lockhart, Dobby, Lockhart, Madam Bones, Lockhart, Dumbledore and Lockhart.
Hermione looked stricken and Ron elated. "You mean Lockhart's going to be gone?" he asked delighted.
"If Madam Bones has her way, and I reckon she will."
"You know you have to tell her what you know Harry." Hermione admonished, "You can't let Lockhart be accused of something he didn't do." Her opinion of Lockhart had taken a massive hit since the start of term but letting him go to prison for attempted murder was a step too far for her and despite his deep dislike of the man Harry's sense of right and wrong agreed.
"I know," he agreed as he sat down.
"Wouldn't it be better to go now?" Hermione prompted him.
"Give him a break Hermione, he's literally just got here. He's been in the medical wing all night." Ron settled himself back into the window seat.
"I just thought it might make more sense to go while it's all fresh in your mind."
"As usual you're right Hermione." Harry sighed and stood up again. "I'll see who's on duty in the hall I suppose."
"We can come with you if you want," she offered nudging Ron who was startled into making a sound that could be taken as agreement.
"No that's alright," he said gallantly seeing Ron's pleading look, "I'll catch up with you at lunch."
It turned out that Elizabeth was the one on duty in the hall today and when he told her he had some information for Amelia about the Bludger she swiftly escorted him to a previously unused classroom on the Transfiguration corridor.
"Professor McGonagall has kindly allowed us to use this room as an office while we continue our investigation into the Chamber of Secrets" she told him as she tapped her wand to the door. "It's keyed to our wands" she told Harry noticing his curious look.
"Like the Gringotts vaults?" Harry asked
"Yes actually," she smiled at him, "It does a pretty similar job. Though of course the secrecy of Goblins means we don't know the exact nature of how they achieve the effect."
The door swung open and Amelia Bones greeted them "Harry," she sounded surprised, "to what do we owe this pleasure?" Elizabeth gestured for him to enter the room before nodding a goodbye and leaving, presumably to return to the hall.
With the undivided attention of Amalia Bones Harry told her all he knew about both the Bludger incident and somewhat unexpectedly the blocked entrance to platform 9 and ¾ several months ago.
"Well that is interesting," she stared slightly past Harry deep in thought. "That does at least answer some questions. I wish we knew who Dobby's owners are." She stood up and began pacing.
"It does mean Lockhart's off the hook though doesn't it?" Harry queried.
"Lockhart?" she turned to him, "oh Lockhart was never a serious suspect." seeing Harry's surprised look she continued. "That man couldn't Charm his way out of a wet paper bag, there's no way he could manage anything as complex as tampering with a Bludger," she said with disdain. "That being said his incompetence still warrants investigation and perhaps I'll be able to find what he has been up to. I've been looking for an excuse to investigate him for years." She added with a satisfaction.
Harry had no idea what Lockhart had done to get on the wrong side of Madam Bones, but he was pretty sure he would live to regret it. With his burden of knowledge now relieved Harry was curious about their investigation onto the DMLE.
"I'm sorry Harry but I can't tell you much of anything as it's still an ongoing investigation. It's a very large castle so it's taking some time, not to mention the Headmaster is being less than helpful but we'll get to the bottom of it before too long." She smiled at him reassuringly.
The rumbling of Harry's stomach alerted him to the time and thanking Amelia for her help he headed back out into the corridor. He was making his way down a stair case when he heard the dreaded voice.
"Ahhhh… Soon, soon I will feast… Blood… More…"
Feeling sick Harry froze, he didn't know what to do, where to go; his brain cleared, Madam Bones was close by, he would go to her. But his moment of indecision had cost him and before he had made it back up the staircase it began to move taking him away from help.
"Die!"
Harry rushed from the stairs trying to think of the quickest route to any teacher, anybody who could help and as he rounded a corner he stumbled over the prone form of Justin Finch-Fletchley. He landed hard on the stone floor bruising his palms and knees but barely noticing. Justin was lying rigid, face down and next to him also unmoving was Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor Ghost.
Harry backed against the wall drawing his wand as Peeves suddenly appeared.
"Ooh somebodies in trouble" he said in a sing song voice before shouting, "ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"