Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: I know it's been awhile, and I don't know if anyone is still interested in this story. I am working to finish it. It's taken me awhile to get back into writing fan-fiction as I lost both my parents last year. For those that are still following this story, I hope you like this chapter.
Previously – Harry is all grown up and teaching at Hogwarts, along with his wife Hermione, Ron and his wife Lavender and Draco, who is married to Astoria. Snape still teaches potions and is dating Pomfrey's niece, Ellie. Their kids are now attending Hogwarts and they just had their first lessons.
"Ugh, I have one student, a Ravenclaw, who wants to answer every question I ask," Hermione complained. "She raises her hand even before I have finished asking the question! And when she answers, she goes on and on and..." She paused as Harry and Snape began laughing. "What?"
"So ironic," Harry managed to say through his laughter.
"What? I was never that bad!" Hermione protested. She bit her lip and then asked sheepishly. "Was I?"
"Merlin, yes," Snape snorted. "And your essays were usually double the length I assigned. Sometimes more than double."
"Oh dear," Hermione said as she began to giggle. "I guess I can't complain then, can I?"
"Nope. It serves you right for being such a tenacious student." Harry said cheerfully. "You should have been like Ron and me."
"I wouldn't go that far," Snape commented, standing up as someone knocked on the door. He opened it and welcomed the brown haired, blue eyed woman inside. "Ellie." He said warmly.
Ellie embraced him, smiling as she let go and walked inside. "I've missed you, Severus."
"You are settled in?" Snape asked.
"Yes, I've already unpacked in my new quarters." Ellie turned to Harry and Hermione and gave them a warm smile. "It's so good to see you two."
Harry and Hermione each gave her a hug. "We're so happy you are here!" Hermione said.
"Me too! Now, where are those adorable children of yours?"
"Evan and Sage should be here soon, they were to finish their homework first," Hermione said as they sat back down. "Gavin is in his room finishing an essay for his school." She called for her youngest who came out running.
"Hi Ellie!" Gavin gave the woman a hug, a grin on his face.
"Aw, look at you, you keep getting bigger every time I see you," Ellie said fondly.
The door burst open and Evan and Sage ran in. "Hi Ellie!"
"My goodness!" Ellie laughed as they both hugged her.
"Really you two, is that anyway to enter a room?" Hermione scolded.
"What it must be like to have all that energy," Ellie sighed as she sat next to Snape.
"If only they would use it towards their school work instead of running through the castle," Snape said with a frown.
"Kids will be kids," Ellie said, patting Snape on the knee. She simply smiled as he directed his frown towards her. Her smile widened when he scowled. She thought he was an endearing man, though she would never tell him so as he wouldn't appreciate hearing it. "You're their Papa, you're supposed to spoil them," She teased.
"I am spoiling them. I haven't taken points, have I?"
Ellie rolled her eyes.
"So what are your classes like?" Gavin asked his siblings eagerly. "Did you learn new magic? Did you get a lot of homework? Did you -"
"Whoa, calm down," Harry chuckled. "I'm sure they will tell you all about it."
"I'd like to hear about your classes as well," Ellie said.
Evan told about their potions class, giving a pout towards Ellie as he told about his papa calling on him first in class.
"Poor dear," Ellie tutted.
Evan gave Snape a smug look as his Papa rolled his eyes.
"At least you knew the answer," Sage said. "Mostly." She chuckled.
"I meant to say ground unicorn horn!"
"What did you say?" Harry asked.
"Ground unicorn," Evan mumbled. He glared when his family began laughing. "It's not funny!" He insisted but their laughter was infectious and he soon joined in.
"Hey, your first potions class went a million times better than mine did," Harry teased. "I got asked very hard questions." He cleared his throat and then mimicked his dad's deep voice. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Evan frowned as he thought. He wasn't sure the answer to that one, and he and Sage had been learning about potions since they were young.
"Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Harry continued, his eyes still amused. He didn't notice the flash of pain in his dad's eyes.
"The stomach of a goat!" Evan, Sage and Gavin yelled out.
Harry chuckled. "Correct. I didn't know the answer at the time." He glanced at his dad, expecting him to be amused as well but instead his dad had a regretful look on his face. "Dad?"
"I'm really very sorry for that day, Harry," Snape said, regret clear in his voice.
Harry frowned. "I know. It's funny to think on now. Don't feel bad or anything. We're past all that and have been for a long time." He said sincerely.
Snape managed a small smile. "True." He focused on his grandchildren. "I didn't hear an answer to the first question," He said lightly.
"Um," Evan shrugged. He had no clue.
Sage looked deep in thought. "It makes...a sleeping potion?" She asked a little uncertainly.
Snape nodded. "The Draught of Living Death."
"That was a hard question," Gavin complained.
"Indeed," Ellie said, giving Snape a sympathetic look. He had told her all about how he had treated Harry before finding out he was his son. She knew it still plagued him, how he had treated Harry as well as all those lost years they could have been together. "But everyone in that class learned something, didn't they?" She asked brightly.
"Except Hermione," Harry teased. "She already knew the answers."
Hermione flushed.
They spent almost an hour visiting before Evan and Sage had to return to their dorms.
"Off to bed with you two," Hermione said, giving them each a hug and kiss.
"I still have to finish my -" Evan started to say before his eyes widened and he quickly shut his mouth.
"Didn't you finish your homework before coming here?" Harry asked with a sigh.
"Most of it," Evan said sheepishly. He may have played a couple games of chess with Castor before starting his homework.
"Evan," Hermione said in a strict voice.
"It's just a few questions for History of Magic," Evan said quickly. "Like five."
"Five?"
"Yeah, just ten," Evan said in a small voice.
"First it's a few, then five and now ten," Snape said dryly.
"Come on buddy, I'll walk you to the Tower," Harry said with a shake of his head. "We can have a little chat as we walk."
Evan sighed, knowing he was in for a lecture and bid everyone goodnight before being led away by his father.
"I'll walk Sage to the dungeons," Snape said as he stood. "Ellie? Join us?"
Ellie smiled and stood, thanking Hermione for having her over and saying goodnight to Gavin.
"I still wish I was starting Hogwarts," Gavin sighed as they left.
Hermione smiled sympathetically. "Soon enough you will. Do you want to hear about my day?"
Gavin's eyes brightened and he nodded.
HP
Several weeks into the school year, and the first years were now used to the castle and moving staircases. Things had been going smoothly, although Gryffindor had had some excitement when Evan tried out for Quidditch and was made reserve seeker. Everyone had acted excited as first years rarely made the team but secretly Evan had been disappointed. He wanted to be the main seeker, like his dad had been. Not just the backup seeker. All his friends thought it was cool so he kept his own feelings about it quiet. At least he got to attend the practices, which was fun. Even if so far he didn't get to actually play in the games.
One afternoon, Evan and his friends were doing homework in heir common room. With a groan, he threw down his quill and pushed his half written essay for History of Magic away. "This class is so boring."
"We should take a break from studying, do something fun," Castor said, closing his Charms book.
"Chess? Exploding Snap?" Lynx suggested.
"We could go flying," Artie suggested.
"Yeah," Evan said thoughtfully.
"Hey, what about more stories of your dads in school?" Avery asked eagerly.
"Yeah, what other adventures did they get into?" Lynx asked with a grin. "Anything like when they got the Sorcerer's Stone? Hey, maybe we could visit the room where your dad faced Voldemort!"
Evan laughed. "Sure, and then we could see the room where he faced him again."
"Where?"
"His second year, in the Chamber of Secrets." Evan said proudly.
"My dad was there too," Artie said quickly. "Well, for some of it, I think." He amended.
"Where is the Chamber?" Avery asked.
Evan laughed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." After all, no one would expect such a Chamber to be accessed through a girls bathroom!
"Aw, come one. Show us then!" Castor pleaded.
Evan exchanged a mischievous look with Artie. "Okay, I'll show." He led his friend out of the common room and down to the second floor.
"It's in here!" Evan said gleefully, pointing to the sink as they entered Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
"The Chamber is there?" Avery asked doubtfully.
"It is, my dad told me!" Artie said excitedly.
"Have you ever gone inside?" Castor asked eagerly.
"No," Evan sighed. "Sage and I asked once but my parents said no. My dad said when were seventeen then he would take us."
"Just open it yourself," Lynx said.
"I can't," Evan said, rolling his eyes. "You have to be a Parselmouth."
"Your dad is?" Avery asked a little nervously.
"Yeah," Evan shrugged. "I've heard him speak it several times."
"Me too, it's brilliant," Artie chimed in.
Evan stared at the little snake and tried to mimic how his dad sounds when he speaks snake language.
"You're still speaking English," Artie chuckled.
"Try again," Castor encouraged.
Evan kept trying as his friends discussed what to do next. They had decided to go to the kitchens and try to get some snacks when suddenly the sink moved, opening the hole in the ground.
"I did it!" Evan gasped, moving back a step in shock.
"Blimey!" Artie peered in. "It's so dark down there."
"Whoa," Castor breathed.
One of the stall doors opened and Moaning Myrtle floated out. "Hey, you're boys!"
"Hey, you're transparent," Avery snickered.
Moaning Myrtle gave a gasp. "Rude! You aren't supposed to be in here!"
"You're a ghost, what's it to you?" Lynx asked with an eye roll.
"Myrtle -" Evan was going to apologize, knowing how sensitive the ghost could be but she gave a loud wail and shot down one of the toilets.
"Mental, that one is," Artie sighed.
"So? Are we all going?" Evan asked as excitement filled him. He forgot about Myrtle as he stared down the Chamber. He wondered if his dad had felt excited when he had first entered it. Finally, he could have an adventure like his dad used to have!
"Are you mental?" Avery gaped.
"There's nothing down there but Basilisk bones," Evan rolled his eyes. He grinned at Artie. "Come on, we'll be just like our dads!" He jumped over and laughed as he slid down. Without another thought, Artie followed him. "Come on, guys! Castor, you coming?"
Without hesitation, Castor followed.
Lynx and Avery looked at each other nervously. "Uh, you first," Avery said.
"No way, you first," Lynx insisted.
Avery hesitated and then took a step towards the edge. He paused when he heard someone enter the room. He and Lynx spun around to face two girls.
"Hey, what are you doing in here?" Sage asked, hands on her hips. Aspen copied the movement.
"Uh," Avery hesitated before gesturing towards the opening.
Sage's eyes widened. "How in the world – Is my dad down there?"
"No," Lynx said, glancing at the hole. "Not your dad."
"Evan?" Sage whispered, fear flashing in her eyes. "How?"
"He mimicked Parseltongue," Avery said sheepishly. "He, Artie and Castor are down there."
"Merlin, those idiots," Sage muttered. "I need to get my parents."
"You'll get them into trouble," Lynx protested.
Sage glared at him. "We don't know the condition of the Chamber, they could be in trouble now! Besides, how do you expect them to get out? Hmm? They need something to fly them out unless they happened to take a port-key with them," She said sarcastically. She was furious with Evan, her fury born from fear that her brother could be hurt.
Suddenly Moaning Myrtle came floating back through, a smug look on her face. "You're in trouble!" She sang out as several adults followed her in. "Told you you shouldn't be in here!"
"Tattletale!" Avery snapped before looking warily at the adults who had come in. His head of house did not look pleased and Evan's parents looked shocked.
Hermione gasped when she saw the Chamber open. "What happened?"
"Apparently Evan was able to sound enough like a Parselmouth to gain entrance," Sage said bluntly. She bit her lip. "He, Artie and Castor are down there."
Harry muttered something about irresponsible children as he jumped over the side.
Hermione whirled around to face her daughter. "Why are you in here? You wanted to see the Chamber open too?"
"No," Sage protested. "I brought Aspen here to meet Myrtle and found Avery and Lynx! They told me what happened."
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry Sage, I'm just worried."
"Me too," Sage admitted.
"All right, you two," Minerva pointed at Avery and Lynx. "Come with me. We are going to go to my office and have long talk on acting responsibly and -"
"We didn't go down there with them!" Avery protested.
"Do not interrupt me," Minerva scolded. "You also did not go for help, did you? And why do I think you might have joined them eventually? Did you come here deliberately to open the Chamber?"
"We were just curious, Professor," Lynx said meekly.
"My office. Now."
Minerva paused before leaving. "I do trust Evan, Artie and Castor will be dealt with?"
"Believe me, they will," Hermione said darkly as she sent a Patronus to Ron and Lavender as well to Draco and Astoria. She ran her hand over her face once Minerva left. "What was he thinking?" She muttered to herself.
"He wasn't," Sage grumbled.
"Maybe we should go," Aspen whispered to Sage.
"Go ahead. I'm not leaving until I know they are all right," Sage said. Aspen nodded her understanding and left.
"Merlin!" Lavender gasped as she and Ron ran into the bathroom. Her eyes teared up. "Where is Artie?"
"Harry is getting them," Hermione assured her.
"I should go down there," Ron said, a serious look on his face.
"Harry can get them, he can fly them back up," Hermione pointed out. "He'd send his Patronus if he needed our help. There's nothing down there that can hurt them," She said, assuring herself as much as Ron and Lavender.
"What would the condition of the Chamber be after all these years?" Lavender asked, wringing her hands together nervously.
"I don't know," Hermione sighed.
Draco ran into the bathroom, followed closely by his wife. "Where is my son?" Draco demanded. His eyes widened with he saw the open chamber. "Is that -"
"Apparently our children thought it would be fun to explore the Chamber of Secrets," Hermione said in a disapproving voice.
"What?" Astoria gasped.
"I'm going in," Draco said, his voice tense as he approached the chamber.
"Harry will bring them out," Ron said as he paced back and forth. "He can fly them out. Merlin, just wait until I get my hands on Artie."
Draco nodded, his eyes grim as he waited for his son. His boy was in deep trouble but first, all he wanted was to see that Castor was all right.
Suddenly a large Griffin flew up, Evan, Artie and Castor on its back. It bent down so the boys could slide off, its eagle head staring at them. While the head, neck and wings resembled an eagle, the body and tail were resembled a lion. A moment later it blurred into an angry looking Harry.
"Are you all right?" Hermione grabbed Evan, hugging him. "Are you hurt?"
"No," Evan said softly as Artie was fussed over by his parents. Castor was immediately pulled into a hug by his mother.
"What were you three thinking?" Ron demanded once assured that the boys weren't hurt.
"They weren't," Harry answered, glaring at his son.
Evan gulped and looked away, unable to see the anger and disappointment in his dad's eyes. Merlin, his dad had actually given him a swat when he found them down there. In front of his friends! His sad eyes found Sage. She grabbed him in a hug. "You idiot," She whispered in his ear. She couldn't stay mad, not when he was in enough trouble with their parents.
"I know," Evan said sadly.
"All right, to our quarters right now young man," Lavender said sternly to Artie.
"Mum -"
"Now, Arthur," Ron said, pointing to the door. "You're in enough trouble as it is. Perhaps I should send for Nana's wooden spoon."
Artie's eyes widened. "No, Dad!" He whined. He gave Evan a sad look as he left with his parents.
Draco knelt in front of his son. "What were you thinking, boy?" He gripped his son's arms, firmly yet gently. "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?" He demanded.
"I just thought it would be fun," Castor said weakly. He gave a little yelp when his dad reached behind him to give his backside a smack.
"Fun? Risking your life is fun?" Draco stood, pointing to the door. "March to our quarters, young man. Now."
Castor exchanged a despondent look with Evan as he obeyed his father. Astoria sighed, looking at Harry. "Thank you for retrieving him," she said softly before following her son.
Draco took a deep breath and gave Harry a nod. "Thank you," he said before joining his family.
Harry stayed quiet for a moment, hands on his hips. His furious eyes met Evan's, who gulped in response. He then closed the Chamber and stalked out of the bathroom. "Quarters!" He barked over his shoulder.
Hermione sighed and placed a hand on Evan's shoulder. "Let's go. Sage, you should return to your common room."
Sage hesitated. "Maybe I should go with you." She and Evan had a strong bond and she could feel how scared he was. She had to admit she was too, she had never seen her dad that angry before. It was rare for their dad to get that angry. Of course, neither of them had ever done anything so dangerous and foolish before either.
"No, we need to talk to Evan alone," Hermione said gently. "Everything will be fine, go on."
Sage gave her brother a sympathetic look and left.
Evan followed his mother to their quarters, his eyes downcast. Before entering, Hermione looked down at him. "Evan, we're upset with you and you are in a lot of trouble but we love you. You know that, right?" She asked gently. Her anger at his recklessness faded somewhat now that she knew he was safe.
Evan looked up with tear filled green eyes, his lower lip wobbling. "Dad hates me," He whispered before running to his room and shutting the door.
TBC: