Summer 1992- Malfoy Manor
Lucius Malfoy sat at his massive desk, holding a small, black book in his smooth, pale hands. The book appeared commonplace; it was just an old diary, all the pages blank, except for the first, on which was scribbled the name, "T. M. Riddle". Lucius had no idea who T. M. Riddle was, but he knew the diary was of great importance to the Dark Lord. After all, he had entrusted it to Lucius for safekeeping, shortly before his demise. Now, his lord was gone, and he was still dealing with the consequences of publicly supporting him a decade ago. Everyone believed the Malfoys to be evil, and no amount of money flung at charitable causes could convince anyone otherwise. Indeed, that blasted Arthur Weasley persisted in trying to get him arrested for possessing dark objects. Lucius considered possible routes: he could get rid of his stash of dark materials, or he could get rid of Weasley somehow. He twirled the book in his hands. He didn't know what it could do, but it would certainly be ironic for that blood traitor to be found with it.
He called for his house elf. 'Dobby!'
'Yes, master, how can Dobby help?' squeaked the elf, twisting his ears in an irritating nervous tick.
'Tell me where the Weasley family is right now. Ensure that you're not seen.'
'Yes, master!'
Dobby disappeared and reappeared in seconds.
'Weasels are at Diagon Alley sir, master!'
'Excellent. Dismissed.' Lucius smiled to himself. He tucked the book into his pocket. He knew exactly how he would get it to Weasley.
A few hours later, Lucius, his wife Narcissa, and his son, Draco, walked briskly down Diagon Alley, gathering Draco's school supplies for his second year at Hogwarts. Lucius contemplated extra tutoring and study guides for the boy; he had been disappointed with his performance that year. Malfoys did not come second place to dirty little female muggleborns. Lucius' lips thinned as he thought about how Draco had been beaten by Hermione Granger in the end of year exams. He was disgusted and he had certainly let his son know. Narcissa coddled the boy, telling him to do his 'best', but that wasn't good enough for Lucius, for the house of Malfoy. They approached Flourish and Blotts, to get Draco's textbooks, all new of course. Malfoys never purchased used. A gaggle of redheads stood around a shelf, discussing the prices of books. Weasleys, thought Lucius scornfully. Of course they could barely afford to buy the required books.
'Arthur, perhaps Ginny could use Percy's old potions text? He's using an advanced one now,' said a harried looking woman, her red hair frizzy in the warmth of summer. Their small daughter stood next to her, holding an old, battered cauldron already filled with a few shabby, dog eared texts.
'Yes, but what do we do about Ron's herbology books? And the defense against the dark arts text?' whispered Arthur Weasley. Lucius was pleased see the lines of stress on his face.
'Well, well Weasley, money troubles?' he said smoothly and quietly to Arthur.
'Sod off, Malfoy.' Arthur Weasley turned away. Lucius saw red. One NEVER turned away from a Malfoy. He jerked him back to face him, and punched him square in the jaw. Arthur shoved him and he stumbled a few feet, almost knocking into the small redheaded girl. She staggered away from him, spilling her cauldron of old books. Lucius surreptitiously slipped the old diary onto the pile of scattered texts.
A store clerk hurried out. 'Gentlemen, please! Not in the store!'
Lucius smirked as the small girl began depositing her books- the diary among them- back into her old cauldron. 'It's quite alright. I'm done here. Come, Narcissa, Draco.'
He strode out of the store, satisfied. Narcissa hurried after him silently, knowing better than to question his bizarre behaviour. Draco dawdled behind them, surveying the chaos.
'Draco. Come.'
His son's head snapped up, a guilty expression on his face. Lucius expected his family to be obedient. He frowned. He would have to see to it that Draco was disciplined better. For now, Lucius was too pleased with the day's work to do anything, and the three made their way back to Malfoy Manor for the rest of the summer holiday.
Summer 1992- Somewhere in the forests of Albania
He spent an eternity in a cursed existence, mimicking life by possessing snakes and eating rats. It was the closest thing he had to breathing, to living. Sometimes, he was only a wraith, nothing more than a puff of smoke, and not even as deadly. After all that time as a lord, leading hundreds into revolt, he was nothing. He was once worshipped as a god, and the loneliness now was crushing.
But today, he felt something… a stirring in his broken soul. One of his horcruxes had been activated. Was one of his loyal subjects finally attempting to bring him back? As the horcrux gained power, however little, so did he. His strength increased, and he left the bowels of the dark woods. He found a small village, and searched for a wizard or a witch whose body he could share. He whispered into the ears of the villagers, trying to find a suitable host for his shattered spirit. The muggles who gave him their bodies died or went mad soon after. He feared his road back to Britain, back to life, would be a long one. But luck was on his side. A wizard named Quirinus Quirrell was passing through Albania on holiday before he took up a post at Hogwarts, and stopped for the night in the small village.
He whispered in his dreams, filled his mind with visions of glory and prestige. He saw Quirrell's memories of being bullied at Hogwarts; he promised revenge. Quirrell was weak and hungry for power. A beautiful combination, he thought.
In the end, two became one.
What was spirit became corporeal.
Lord Voldemort was on his way home.
October 31st 1992- Harry
Dear Aunt Petunia,
Sorry I haven't written in a while, school's been really busy. We got a new Defense teacher! Neville said that Professor Moody told his gran that he'd rather fight death eaters for the rest of his life than teach pre teens ever again! I don't think we were that bad though. The new Defense teacher is REALLY weird, auntie. His name is Professor Quirrell, and he cried the first day when he told us about vampires. And when Anthony Goldstein asked him why he wears a turban, he got really angry and gave the entire class detention! We just had to help Hagrid clean his chicken coop, and then he gave us tea and cakes and I got to pet Fang, his dog. Can WE get a dog auntie?
Also, my extra Potions classes have been going great! Draco has been a lot better this term, and only challenged Ron to one duel so far. I'd say that's an improvement over last term! Anyway, it's the Halloween feast today! I hope you have a lovely Halloween! Hope to hear from you soon!
Love,
Harry.
Harry carefully fastened the letter to Hedwig's leg and stroked her gently on the head. 'Take this to Aunt Petunia, please.'
Hedwig nipped his hand affectionately, and flew off into the orange sunset. Harry watched until she was nothing more than a dot in the sky. He lingered in the owlery a bit longer, enjoying the quiet; in a school of a thousand students, one learnt to enjoy the peaceful moments. The soft coos of the owls, and the occasional fluttering of wings made for a soothing backdrop, and it was with reluctance that Harry pulled himself away. A muffled sob stopped him.
'Hello? Is anyone there?' he called out, peering around. He was a bit unnerved as he thought he had been alone. A sad sniffle, accompanied by a woeful redhead, emerged from the shadows, a tear stained envelope clasped in her hands. Harry recognised the girl. It was Ron Weasley's little sister, Ginny.
'Sorry… I'll just be going,' mumbled Ginny.
'Hey, wait! What's wrong?'
'Nothing… I just wanted to write a letter to my mum in peace and Fred and George wouldn't stop snatching it from me and reading it and making fun of me missing home,' said Ginny, now looking more angry than sad.
'Oh… are you homesick?' Harry understood the feeling all too well. He always longed for his little cottage and tiny bedroom the first few weeks of every term. 'Don't worry, it passes.'
A watery smile spread across her face. 'Thanks. You're Harry right? I'm Ginny Weasley'
'It's nice to meet you,' said Harry, relieved she wasn't crying anymore.
Ginny tied the envelope to a the leg of a brown school owl. 'To The Burrow, please.'
As the owl flew off, Harry and Ginny sat for a while in the draughty tower, chatting about their homes, families and Hogwarts. They discussed the pros and cons of being an only child like Harry, or belonging to a large family like Ginny. Harry confessed that he'd always wanted a sibling, but his aunt had never remarried. Ginny told him that she would happily lend him a few of her brothers. The time passed quickly, and a glance at his watch told Harry that they would be late for the Halloween feast if they dallied any longer.
As they made their way down the steep stone steps of the Owlery, chatting about quidditch, Harry heard the softest of whispers. 'Rip, tear, kill.'
'Did you hear that?' Harry whirled around, startled.
'Hear what?' said Ginny, looking at Harry curiously.
'I thought I heard someone say something…' Harry looked around. They were alone in the quiet passage way. 'Never mind, must've been an owl hooting weirdly probably!'
He chuckled uncertainly as they arrived at the Great Hall, the hum of the students and glow of candles a welcome contrast from the quiet, isolated tower they had left. They went to their separate tables, each pleased at having made a new friend. Harry decided to put the odd voice out of his mind, and enjoy the feast.
The Great Hall dripped in Halloween decorations. Fake cobwebs (or at least, Harry hoped they were fake) hung on pillars, and live bats swooped around. Floating jack o' lanterns drifted here and there, casting an eerie light on the students while chilling organ music boomed from somewhere. Suits of armour had been polished and spelled to walk around offering students delicious green potions that changed the colour of their hair. Neville accepted one and ended up with bright blue hair, much to his house's delight. In addition to the regular supper, skull shaped bowls contained chocolates, Bertie Botts' Every Flavour Beans, cockroach clusters, sugar quills and blood flavoured lollipops. Pumpkin pie and candied apples were also included as a special dessert. The students chattered and laughed as they stuffed themselves, and it was sleepy crowd that made its way to the various common rooms later that evening.
A horrible shriek shook everyone out of their stupor.
'Help! Get help! Something has happened to Justin!'
'What? What's going on?'
'Is he alright? What's happened?'
The crown panicked, and Harry found himself being pushed around as students attempted to either flee or get closer. He was shoved right into Draco, who looked just as confused as Harry felt. As they moved closer to the top of the crowd, he glimpsed a suit of armour in pieces, its tray of drinks spilt across the floor. Next to it was Justin Finch-Fletchley's unmoving body. He looked strange; he was stiff, with his arms outstretched, an expression of fear plastering his face. Glancing up, Harry noticed some words painted onto the stone walls.
'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, BEWARE!' crowed Draco, his eyes glittering maliciously. 'That means you, MUDBLOODS!'
He simmered down as Harry shot him a disgusted look. Harry wasn't entirely sure what the Chamber of Secrets was, or who inherited it, or who their enemies were, but he was always ready to take Draco down a peg or two. Before he could make a cutting remark to him, Dumbledore and McGonagall had fought their way to the front, and were instructing prefects to guide students back to their houses. Hufflepuff house walked back, subdued and worried about Justin.
Breakfast the next day saw reassurances from Dumbledore that Justin had simply met with an unfortunate accidental spell, and that he would be as right as rain in a few months, and that the graffiti about the Chamber of Secrets had been someone's idea of a silly joke. The students accepted his explanation, and poor Justin was the butt of several unkind jokes about silly, inexperienced muggleborns. For weeks, the school chattered and debated the spells that 'poor, foolish Justin' could have messed with to end up petrified, and Hufflepuff seethed with quiet rage. A distraction came in the form of the killing of all of Hagrid's roosters one day, and the gossips of Hogwarts diverted their attention there, largely forgetting Justin's misadventure. Long after everyone else ceased to talk about Justin, Harry, Neville and Hannah continued to visit Madam Pomfrey for updates. November swept by in a flurry of ever increasing snow, and the school moved on.
December 2nd 1992- Hermione
Term would be over tomorrow, and Hermione felt as though she had only scraped the surface of the knowledge she hoped she'd have by now. Madam Pince was extraordinarily stubborn about students borrowing books to take home. Indeed, for many students it was hardly an issue; lots of the purebloods and half bloods had access to libraries that their parents and families had built for years. Being a muggleborn, however, Hermione didn't have many wizarding texts, and she thirsted for more information. She wanted to know so much. So the night before she was due to board the Hogwarts express and head home, she decided to sneak into the library for one last bit of studying. She knew the risks- Filch could catch her, and McGonagall could as well. Madam Pince would probably ban her from the library if she was found. But it was worth it.
She sat at the impeccably buffed table, surrounded by several texts, her nose and mind deep in a volume titled "Arithmancy of the Earth" by Tulius Avius. A small glass jar glowed with a magical blue fire that she had learnt to conjure herself and provided just enough light for reading, leaving the rest of the room shrouded in darkness. Hermione didn't mind; she was in her element in the empty, silent library. As she carefully turned the page, minding the brittle paper, she heard the slightest of sounds from a corner of the room. Her head shot up, and she listened closely.
Nothing.
It was just her imagination, she assured herself as she settled back into her chair.
Her heart slowed, and she relaxed. There were only books in this unlit, empty room. Nothing to be scared of.
Behind her, something reflected in the polished wooden table caught her eye, and she knew no more.
December 3rd- Madam Pince
On December 3rd, the normally silent librarian, Madam Pince, woke the castle with her screams. Hermione Granger had been found sitting at one of the library's tables, completely petrified. Her nose was still in a book, her head tilted downwards. Madam Pince, who had never allowed so much as a smudge to besmirch the burnished tables, or a single book to be misplaced, had had the shock of her life, and had to be placed in the Hospital Wing under Madam Pomfrey's care until she calmed down. It was really for the best that it was the last day of term, and the students were packed and ready faster than they had ever been in years. Hogwarts was no longer safe.
AN: Thanks so much for the reviews, likes and follows! Please let me know what you thought of this update! xx