Chapter five:

Secret Chamber

Victoria had gone to Dumbledore's office, after being told that he needed to speak with her and walked up the staircase. Entering the office, Victoria spotted Dumbledore at his desk as she edged closer until she was steps away, coming to a halt. "You asked to see me, headmaster?" Victoria asked as she stood there patiently. Dumbledore looked up from the Daily Prophet he was reading and put his focus onto the ginger haired professor. "Ah yes, Victoria. I needed to discuss more about Harry with you. You see, i had this same conversation with Harry regarding the parseltongue incident." Dumbledore addressed, standing up from his desk and walking over to face Victoria. "What about it, sir?" Victoria asked curiously. Victoria briefly knew about Voldemort but not as much as those that lived in the wizarding world here in the United Kingdom. There was word about him in the United States though. "A part of Voldemort lives inside Harry, the night he got that scar when your sister and her husband died. That is why he is known as the boy who lived, Victoria. I need for you to bond with Harry as your his only positive relative that he has." Dumbledore informed. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows, she didn't know much about her older sister and her family. "What about Petunia?" Victoria asked curiously. "She along with her husband and child are terrible people. Visit if you must, but i think you would be a good influence on Harry." Dumbledore explained.

Victoria was a little sad about her older sister being a terrible person and didn't understand why such people would be guardians of her nephew. "Of course i will bond with my nephew, headmaster. And i planned to visit my sister this summer." Victoria replied. She also had to look for a house for where she will stay during the breaks between school years. "Brilliant, Victoria. You may go." Dumbledore excused. Victoria then exited the office and headed back to her living quarters for the night. She had often thought about taking up guardianship of Harry but at the moment she had yet gotten a home outside of Hogwarts nor met her older sister, so it would have to wait at least through the summer. With the issue about the chamber of secrets going on, normally her class subject would be the one to teach about it but having been a new professor to the school, Professor McGonagall had taken up that lesson to explain to the students in Transfiguration. The year so far had been a whirlwind to Victoria, but it had been expected since it was her late sister's school after all - Victoria just didn't know how popular Lily was until she arrived.

The weeks seemed to be passing by fast as the holidays came and gone. Victoria had stayed at Hogwarts over the holidays since she had no other place to go while noticing her nephew stayed as well with his friends. She thought about visiting her older sister, Petunia, but figured she didn't want to ruin her sister's holidays if she were to get a negative reaction. Most professors had gone home for the holidays as the students aside from ones that lived in the castle and noticing the trio in the great hall, sitting at the empty table surrounded by Christmas decorations in the room and a game of Wizards Chess going on, Victoria decided to walk over. "Harry, look, it's your aunt." Hermione pointed out. Harry looked over to spot Victoria approach. "I see you all decided to stay here for the holidays?" Victoria asked, starting a conversation. Harry nodded. "Yeah, better than returning home. For me anyway." Harry explained. Ron was a little awkward with having a professor make small talk at the table. "Professor...why aren't you gone for the holidays?" Hermione asked curiously. Victoria looked over at Hermione. "I haven't had the chance to go house hunting yet. Went straight to Hogwarts when i arrived." Victoria smiled before turning to Harry once again. "I've heard stories from Dumbledore about the Dursleys, not good ones anyway but i intend to pay them a visit this summer." Victoria explained. Harry turned his attention from the chessboard and onto his aunt. "You are?" Harry questioned. Victoria nodded. "Yes, so i will be taking you home from platform 9 3/4." Victoria stated. Harry grinned as Ron and Hermione smiled. "Can't wait to see the look on their faces, Harry." Ron pointed out about the Dursleys.

Victoria rose her eyebrows at Ron's remark. "Oh? And what expression do you assume they will have seeing me, Mr. Weasley?" Victoria asked curiously. Hermione's eyes widened. "Like they've seen a ghost. Probably." Ron explained, shrugged. Victoria was slightly amused before she noticed Snape near the entrance of the great hall, locking eyes with him for a moment before he departed for the holidays as other students were as well. Hermione noticed first the stare between Victoria and Snape before Harry and Ron looked as Snape had walked off. Victoria looked back at the trio before awkwardly brushing her ginger locks behind her right ear. "How about i treat you three to some butter beer at the Three Broomsticks?" Victoria asked, breaking the silence. Ron got up immediately. "Okay, you win Harry, let's go." Ron stated. Victoria was amused by Ron's eagerness to go. Harry and Hermione got up as well. "I would like that, actually. Thanks Professor." Harry stated. Victoria got up and straightened up. "Outside the classroom, Aunt Tori is fine Harry." Victoria replied, watching her nephew smile warmly. "Okay, Aunt Tori." Harry said before they headed out the great hall, getting their coats before making their way out.

"Where do you think your going?" Fred asked Ron as he pulled him back with Harry and Hermione standing nearby. "Harry's aunt...Professor Hawthrone, is treating us to butter beer." Ron stated. Fred looked to George. "Why weren't we invited?" George asked curiously. Ron shrugged before darting out of the hall from the Gryffindor house with his friends. As they walked to Hogsmeade, Victoria walked behind the trio as they talked. "Did you see Professor Hawthrone and Snape look at each other earlier?" Hermione whispered in a hushed tone to Harry and Ron. "Not entirely. What about it?" Harry asked. Ron looked behind them at Victoria. "Don't you see? Its obvious that...nevermind." Hermione rolled her eyes, not bothering to explain. Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "See what?" Harry asked. "That they may like each other." Hermione speculated. Ron cringed. "Ew, yuck!" Ron stated a little louder than he should've, causing Victoria's attention. "Is everything okay over there?" Victoria asked curiously. The trio looked back. "Yes, Aunt Tori." Harry said, causing Victoria to pull a soft smile on her face.

As they entered the Three Broomsticks, the trio went to sit at the table while Victoria got the drinks. Bringing them over, she set them onto the table and took a seat next to Harry. "So, professor, what's it like at Ilvermorny?" Hermione asked curiously. Victoria set her mug down and took a moment to think as she went to reply. "Well, Ilvermorny is a school located in Mount Greylock, Massachusetts...i lived in Boston which isn't very far away. It has a nice big gate in the front and the doors open to a circular room topped by a glass cupola. A wooden balcony runs around the room one floor above. Then there's the four enormous wooden carvings in the middle of the room representing the houses-" Victoria began explaining, Hermione butted in. "From what i read, that's the Horned Serpent, the Wampus, the Thunderbird and the Pukwudgie." Hermione pointed out, smiling. "Yes, exactly, Miss Granger." Victoria replied before parting her lips to speak. "During sorting of the first years, the rest of the students watch from the floor above while the new students are called to stand on the symbol of the Gordian Knot set into the middle of the stone floor. The school then waits for the enchanted carvings to react. If the Horned Serpent wants the student, the crystal set into its forehead will light up. If the Wampus wants the student, it roars. The Thunderbird signifies its approval by beating its wings, and the Pukwudgie will raise its arrow into the air." Victoria explained.

Harry rose his eyebrows in amusement. "Woah. That's quite different." Harry pointed out. "So what house were you in?" Ron asked curiously before drinking more of his butter beer. "I was sorted into the Horned Serpent. From what Dumbledore told me, its the equivalent of Ravenclaw here at Hogwarts." Victoria explained. As they finished their butter beers, Ron and Hermione got up and decided to head back to the castle while Harry walked with Victoria along the way back. "So, my mum was a Gryffindor and you're a Ravenclaw?" Harry asked as they walked through the snow. Victoria nodded. "Yes. I wish i would've attended Hogwarts with her, it would've been quite the experience." Victoria stated. Both Victoria and Harry were in the same boat when it came to not knowing Lily. "Yeah, me too." Harry replied. Victoria sighed before remembering the information she had gotten from Snape. "Harry...last night, i found out from someone that my side of the family doesn't speak parseltongue. I hope this helps." Victoria informed as they stopped in front of the castle. "That helps loads. Truly." Harry replied in honesty. There was a moment of silence before he added, "Honestly, i wish you were my guardian instead of the Dursleys. It seems we're in the same situation." Harry stated as they approached the castle and he went to join his friends. Victoria knew that she could make that happen, especially if it was that bad with her older sister.

As the holidays came to an end and classes began once again, things had also gotten more serious with more incidents. Two more students had became petrified by the name of Penelope Clearwater and Colin Creevey. Percy Weasley was distraught to find out about his girlfriend Penelope's incident. Then soon it was February and there was talk about Lockhart planning a Valentine's day breakfast in the great hall and that was something Victoria dreaded, slightly. Everyone had gotten their Valentine gifts for their valentines from Hogsmeade and gathered into the great hall for breakfast. Victoria watched as the students exchanged the Valentine's gifts and cards from the professor's table before she dug into her breakfast which included heart-shaped red velvet pancakes and pumpkin juice. Snape seemed to be just as bothered by the current event as he scooted the pancakes away from him and ate the scrambled eggs instead. Victoria smirked slightly to herself before she watched a couple of ginger haired boys approach the professor's table. "You go first." one said. "No you." then other said. They then approached closer towards Victoria. "Mr. Weasley..." Victoria trailed off in question as Fred was at the table. "Happy Valentine's day, Professor Hawthrone." Fred winked at her before setting down a Valentine's day card and George approached her as well, placing his own card down and a box of Chocolate Cauldrons. "Happy Valentine's day, the chocolate is from both Freddie and i." George said, smirking as he stepped away.

Snape watched the whole situation from his seat at the table, slightly interested yet rather bothered by the scene playing out, remaining in his seat. Lockhart had watched as well but his expression was more of envy that her attention was not on him. "Thank you, Fred and George." Victoria thanked in surprise. Fred and George smirked crookedly before going back to their seats, watching Victoria open the cards. "What are you two so cheerful about?" Ron asked. "Gave Valentine's to Professor Hawthrone." Fred winked cheekily. Harry overheard and quirked an eyebrow. "You gave Valentine's to my aunt?" Harry asked in surprise. The twins looked over at Harry, pausing in silence for a moment. "Yes." they said together, grinning. Harry rolled his eyes as he went to eat his breakfast. Victoria opened up one card, which happened to be Fred's card, having a cheesy heart on it, reading:

'Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

You gave me detention,

Now i my attention is on you.

You took our time,

Which is FINE,

but i have to ask,

will you be mine? ;)

- Fred '

Victoria smirked after reading the first card, hiding her low chuckle with her hand over her mouth. Before opening the other card which had an etched banner saying 'be mine' which she opened and read:

'Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Fire is hot,

And so are you!

Be my Valentine,

I promise i won't scare you.

- George '

Victoria closed the second card, biting her bottom lip to keep her composure before she looked over at the Gryffindor table at the twins. The twins grinned at the response. At least she didn't get bothered by Lockhart during the day, perhaps he had gotten the hint the last time he attempted to win her over; besides, it was considered unprofessional to give Valentine's to fellow professors, at least in her mind. After the breakfast was over, it was back to the normal class schedule for the day. Months went by and spring break had came and gone as well. It was now May and there was yet another attack on a student, but that student was now Hermione Granger. Victoria was knew to all of this chaos and knew that it was something she definitely had to learn despite being a very experienced witch. As another week went by, it seemed that the chamber of secrets had been the topic among all staff and even some students - there couldn't be anymore students being petrified. At dusk, everyone began turning in for the night after dinner, the staff were summoned to a hallway in the castle.

Approaching with several staff members and standing beside Snape, Victoria spotted the red writing etched on the wall 'Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever.' It was unknown to the staff that Harry and Ron had been listening from around the corner. "As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the monster. Into the Chamber itself." McGonagall stated. Victoria along with other staff reacted in shock and disbelief. "Is the school going to remain open, Minerva?" Victoria asked curiously. McGonagall sighed. "I'm afraid we will have to send the students home. I'm afraid...this is the end of Hogwarts." McGonagall said in disappointment. Victoria hated to have cut her first year teaching there short but more so worried about the safety of the students. Lockhart rushed in late to the meeting, cheerfully. "Sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?" Lockhart greeted. Victoria looked over at Lockhart with the rest of the staff, crossing her arms. "Just the man." Snape stated with sarcasm before adding, "A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last." Snape informed smugly. Victoria formed a sly smirk on her lips as she watched the scene. Lockhart gulped. "My m-moment?" Lockhart asked, looking around at his co workers. "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?" Snape reminded him. "D-did I? I don't recall..." Lockhart trailed off. The staff formed pleased smiles on their faces, of course wanting to have Lockhart, the show off, face the monster in the chamber. "That settles it. We'll leave it to you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend." McGonagall stated.

Victoria watched on as Lockhart seemed to be a little afraid of the task, knowing he made himself out to be brilliant but wouldn't own up to what he painted himself to be. In this way, it was like karma for Victoria. "V-very well. I'll - I'll be in my office, getting - getting ready." Lockhart stated in attempt to pull off a brave front, especially in front of Victoria before he left to his office. "The rest of us should go and inform the students what has happened." McGonagall pointed out. "Who is it the monster's taken, Minerva?" Sprout asked in concern. "Ginny Weasley." McGonagall replied in sadness. Harry and Ron then ran off to Lockhart's office and weren't seen for hours upon end. Victoria sat in her office that night, tapping her fingertips on her desk as she awaited news from the headmaster or McGonagall regarding Harry and his friend Ron but it was to no avail as they were not found. She was hoping neither would be the next victims of the monster, though it was unknown to her and the staff that they were in the chamber of secrets, Harry fighting a basilisk against a horcrux of Tom Riddle. Deciding to get up from her office, she walked through her empty classroom, tempted to go find the chamber and fight the monster herself.

Exiting her classroom, Victoria found herself walking down the hallway of the first floor as her shoes clicked against the stone floor. As she turned the corner, she ran into a fellow professor which caused her to come to a stop. "What's your hurry, Victoria?" Snape asked curiously as he pierced his gaze onto the ginger haired professor. Victoria took a step back. "Looking for my nephew, what else?" Victoria replied promptly. Snape rose an eyebrow at her words. "You're not looking for the chamber are you?" Snape warned. Snape came off a little stern but he didn't need to lose Victoria to death as he had with Lily. "Is that where he Is, Severus?" Victoria asked unnervingly. Snape paused for a mere moment. "No idea. Perhaps it wouldn't be the best idea to go strolling in the chamber where the monster is located and get yourself killed, Victoria." Snape pointed out. Victoria bit her cheek, knowing that Snape made sense but she also was worried about her nephew. Was Snape trying to protect Victoria? "I'm just worried about Harry." Victoria replied. Snape remained expressionless, studying her expression before parting his lips to reply. "You're not a terrible aunt, Victoria. Now let's head to the great hall for dinner." Snape urged with a straight face as he walked passed her and towards the great hall. Victoria sighed before joining him in the great hall. After dinner, Victoria had found herself heading back to her living quarters for the night.

The next day, Victoria was summoned to Dumbledore's office and when she arrived, she spotted Harry and Ron, covered in muck and slime standing across from Dumbledore's desk. Victoria was glad to see Harry was alive and was relieved. Ginny and Molly had just left the office when Victoria arrived but she looked to the headmaster about why she was there. "Alas, Victoria, you have arrived. The boys have been in the chamber the entire night but don't fret - your nephew had defeated the monster." Dumbledore explained to Victoria before turning to Harry and Ron. "You two realize, of course, that in the last few hours, you have broken perhaps a dozen school rules that result in expulsion?" Dumbledore questioned. Harry and Ron both looked down. "Yes, sir." both Harry and Ron said together. "Therefore, it seems only fitting...that you both receive special awards for services to the School. And, let me see, yes, I think two hundred points a piece, which, I believe, should be more than enough to secure Gryffindor the House Cup." Dumbledore explained. Harry and Ron's expression was of surprise. "Now, Mr. Weasley, if you would, have an owl deliver these release papers to Azkaban. We need our gamekeeper back. Will you, too, go with Mr. Weasley, Victoria? I need to speak with Mr. Potter privately." Dumbledore stated. Both Victoria and Ron nod before exiting the office.

Later that night, Victoria was at the great hall for dinner with the rest of the professors and students as so were Ron and Harry. Students that were petrified had awoken and came in the great hall to join the rest of the students for dinner, including Hermione. Unfortunately, Lockhart had lost his mind due to the Obliviate spell backfiring as Dumbledore had informed the staff, which Victoria wasn't disappointed at all. Once the school year had ended, the students had left for home for the summer. Victoria had met up with Harry in the courtyard, dressed in her regular clothes, wearing a dark purple dress that had dark purple lace that laced the top with sheer cap sleeves and backless with matching dark purple heels and her ginger hair brushed on over one shoulder. Fred and George checked her out along the way to the train before Harry stepped out. "Aunt Tori?" Harry asked in surprise at her change in appearance. Victoria turned around to face Harry. "Yes, Harry. I wanted to remind you I'll be picking you up at Platform 9 3/4. I'm slightly nervous to meet Petunia." Victoria explained. Harry nodded. "Oh yeah, yeah I'll look for you at the platform. And don't be, they're..." Harry trailed off, unable to give a positive word. "Its okay, Harry. Don't miss the train. I'll see you soon." Victoria encouraged before watching Harry head off to the train with Ron and Hermione, unknown that she was being observed by none other than Snape the entire time. Snape of course was intrigued still by Victoria but not being too open just yet even though he knew of her interest. Heading to Hogsmeade in order to apparate, Victoria began walking and curiously peered over her shoulder to spot Snape before he slipped back inside the castle. Victoria left the castle, figuring perhaps next year she would be more lucky at getting Snape to open up.