Avian Anarchy
by Teddylonglong
All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling or Disney, and I am not earning anything by writing this story. I am merely borrowing the characters to play with them.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.
Warnings: Completely AU, partly OOC, magically powerful Harry. Dumbledore/Weasley bashing.
Almost the whole school saw the writing on the wall. 'Enemies of the heir beware. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.' Those who did not see it were informed by their horrified classmates.
"What exactly is the chamber of secrets?" Tracey asked, when the Slytherins were gathered in their common room later the same evening. However, no one, not even the older students, were able to answer her question. The only thing that was clear was that it could not be good.
For once, Harry felt extremely grateful to Hermione Granger, when she voiced the question that bothered them all in the Transfiguration class the following morning. "What is the Chamber of Secrets, and what does it mean that it has been opened?"
The professor let out a deep sigh, before she began to explain. "As you all know, Hogwarts was built by the four professors Godric Gryffindor and his wife Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin and his wife Helga Hufflepuff. Slytherin is said to have built the so-called Chamber of Secrets, which was his private place, where his familiar lived. This familiar is said to be a monster, and apparently, it is either still alive in this time or has reproduced and its descendant is living there. No one knows where this chamber is situated, and although the school has been searched multiple times, no one has found it yet." She sighed again, only to add, "The chamber has been opened before, almost fifty years ago. At that time, a student died at the hands of the monster. My classmate Tom Riddle has been accused of opening the Chamber, however, no one was able to prove his guilt."
"What exactly is this monster?"
Harry cast Hermione a grateful look, only to inwardly sigh at Minerva's response.
"That is not known. Please be careful and try to not be alone in the halls."
The professor seemed strangely agitated by the matter, even more so than themselves, so that no one asked further questions.
HP
=When we go home for Christmas, I'm going to search the screen for that monster,= Harry said to his parents, when they spent some quality time out on the grounds later the same day.
=Let's do that.=
=I just hope nothing else happens during the two months before Christmas.=
=I hope so, too.=
=Let's hope for the best.=
HP
However, during the weeks leading up to Christmas, several students, among them Colin Creevey, a first-year Gryffindor, and Penelope Clearwater, Percy Weasley's girlfriend, became petrified, and teachers and students could only be happy that no one died so far.
The headmaster told them that Professor Sprout was just raising some mandrakes. "These mandrakes will be ready in a few months' time, so that Professor Snape can brew a potion to cure everyone who has been petrified."
HP
"Father told me that the Board of Governors is considering closing the school if this continues," Draco told Harry one night.
"Oh no, I hope not. I really like Hogwarts."
=Me too.=
=Yes, that would be horrible.=
Harry smiled at his familiars. Ever since Hedwig had found out that Paws was James, she spent increasingly more time in her Animagus form.
"We'll try to find out something over Christmas. We'll search the screen for this Chamber of Secrets."
"Tell me if you get to know something."
"I will." Harry gave his best friend a reassuring nod, before he readied himself for bed.
HP
At the beginning of December, another student, Hermione Granger, became petrified. This was especially shocking for Harry and his friends, as she was their classmate, even if none of them were fond of the know-it-all to say the least.
At dinner time, Ronald Weasley came over to the Slytherin table to speak with his sister. "Shouldn't Professor Lockhart as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher do something about these attacks? After all he has done, he should be capable of doing something."
Draco let out a snort. "Nothing of what's written in his books is true I suppose."
"But Hermione said it was surely true."
Harry shook his head in annoyance, and Neville replied, "Much good did it do her to believe in him."
His friends nodded in agreement.
HP
On Monday morning, the second-years first morning class was Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Professor," Ronald spoke up, loudly. "Don't you think that as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor you should do something against the monster in the Chambers of Secrets, before more students get petrified?"
Lockhart looked at the second-year Gryffindor in apparent surprise, before he grinned, broadly. "You're right. After all that I have achieved, perhaps I am predestined to solve the problem."
"Why haven't you already done so two months ago?" Ronald glared at the still grinning man.
"Come on, Professor, show us, where the chamber is. We will assist," Draco added, as he rose from his chair, closely followed by Harry and Neville.
Together with the professor, they left the classroom with Paws and Hedwig in her canine form on their heels.
"Now show us that you're not only talk but able to do something useful," Ronald demanded.
Lockhart stopped dead in his tracks viewing Ronald. "You know, I might not be good at Defence, but there's something I'm good at." When everyone looked at him, he added, "Memory charms."
The instant he pointed his wand at Ronald, however, Harry felt two identical bouts of magic leave his familiars. Before Lockhart could even cast his spell, he let his wand sink wearing an expression of pure surprise. Everyone watched, as he looked around in apparent confusion, before he spoke up. "Hello, who are you? Who am I by the way?"
By now, the whole class had come after them, and Daphne was the first to speak up. "What happened?"
"Lockhart cast a memory spell at us, but apparently, it backfired and wiped his own memory," Draco lied, apparently well aware of what had really occurred. Harry cast him a grateful look.
"Ah, so beautiful girls. Who are you, and where are we? Where is my mummy?"
"You are Gilderoy Lockhart," Daphne informed him. "Let's take you to the headmaster." Together with Tracey and Ginny, Daphne accompanied the obliviated man to the headmaster and informed the old wizard what had happened.
At dinner the same day, Dumbledore informed the students that all Defence Against the Dark Arts classes were cancelled for the time being. "From January onwards, I am going to teach the class again, until I'll find an appropriate teacher."
=Good riddance.= Paws looked up from his bone that one of their older housemates had given him earlier.
'Thanks Hedwig and Paws,' Harry thought to his parents. 'You've done us a great favour.'
HP
The atmosphere in the school was subdued to say the least. No one was allowed to be alone in the halls, and the teachers accompanied their students from their classroom to the next. Unfortunately, Professor Trelawney was found petrified on her way back from the Potions classroom, to where she had taken the third-years, to her own classroom.
"I am sorry, but we must send all students home during the Christmas holidays," Dumbledore announced that evening. "The school board has decided to send Aurors to Hogwarts, who will assist the professors searching the whole school."
'That's why neither McGonagall nor Snape can return home with us,' Harry thought in understanding. During the afternoon, both professors had informed him that they had to change their plans for Christmas.
HP
"Well, it has its merits that there are only the three of us for once," Annika said, when they strode to the sleigh that was parked at the front of platform nine and three quarters as usual. "After all that racket at the school, I'm really looking forward to some peace and quiet."
=Ah and I thought you wanted to spend some quality time with Professor Snape?= Harry cast his mother a surprised look, before he obediently translated.
Annika let out a deep sigh. "Ah Lily, shut up. I just somehow like him. Is that so bad?"
=No, of course not, apart from the fact that he is about twenty years older than you.= Hedwig seemed amused, and Harry and Dudley exchanged a questioning look.
HP
On the North Pole, Remus was the only human who greeted them, when the sleigh arrived, accompanied by Cassiopeia and a whole lot of puppies and a couple of elves. He informed them that Sirius would only be at home in the evenings, as he, too, had to partake in the search of Hogwarts.
"And Merlin?" Harry asked, knowing that Santa and Claire were probably busy with the preparations for Christmas.
"Merlin is building something over there. I'm sure that he will inform you later on. He'll probably be happy for some assistance. In fact, I have been helping him for a few weeks now. I only came back knowing that you were going to arrive." He pointed to what seemed to be an oversized iglu a little distance away.
"What is that supposed to be?" Dudley enquired, staring at what looked like a large pile of snow in bewilderment.
"I'll let Merlin explain that to you." With that, Remus strode ahead into the workshop, pointing out that they should get ready for dinner.
HP
During the two days before Christmas, Harry busied himself making Christmas presents for his five friends, two cousins as well as Professors McGonagall and Snape.
'Thank Merlin I've already asked the sixth-years to buy bones for Hedwig, Paws and Cassiopeia and chocolates from Honeydukes for everyone else on the North Pole,' he thought, as he eagerly watched Doodle, one of the elves, show him how to make necklaces for his friends. Each of the necklaces had a pendant in the form of a puppy, which was filled with a small piece of fir cone from the North Fir Tree.
"This pendant will keep your friends safe in a battle," Doodle explained.
"That's very useful. Thank you so much for helping me with this. I really appreciate it."
Late on Christmas Eve, the nine presents for his cousins, friends and the professors were finished, and he quickly wrapped them together with the letters he had written and asked Patty to take them to the owl office in Hogsmeade.
HP
To everyone's surprise, Hedwig and Paws received wands for Christmas.
=Santa?=
Santa grinned at the canine Animagus. "In case you manage the transformation into your human form, you'll need a wand. Yours has a feather from your phoenix form, a piece of fir cone from the North Fir Tree and two drops of blood each from Harry and Paws. Paws' wand has the same ingredients with one of your phoenix feathers, a piece of fir cone, but two drops of blood each from Harry and you."
The two canines profusely thanked Santa by jumping up at him licking his face from both sides.
=We'll work hard to manage the transformation,= Paws said in apparent determination that made Harry chuckle.
'It would be great to have both of them in their human forms,' he thought, feeling very happy at the idea.
=Santa?= Hedwig seemed pensive. =Wouldn't it afford too much magic for us to remain in our human forms for some time, provided that we manage the transformation at all?=
Santa laughed aloud. "No dears, as long as you wear your collars, you'll have the magic of the North Pole at your disposal. Just never take the collar off."
=And if anyone takes it from us?=
Santa shook his head. "No Paws, no one can take it from you. Let them try, and they might end up dead. You can even turn it invisible to everyone but yourselves. That reminds me of something." He handed Harry a colourfully wrapped gift that from the form of the package looked like another wand.
Harry curiously opened it only to find a necklace similar to the animals' collars.
"This necklace allows you to tap into the magic of the North Pole. Be careful, son, as it makes you extremely powerful. I trust that you use it wisely and only if you really need help."
"I will," Harry promised. "Thank you so very much."
=Thank you, Santa,= Hedwig added. =I hope that he'll never need it, but with Dumbledore around…= She slowly trailed off.
"Oh, that reminds me of something." Everyone turned to view Merlin. "I've seen your blue ghost."
"At Aberforth Dumbledore's place?" Harry asked.
"No. At Hogwarts."
"He was at Hogwarts?" Annika asked in apparent disbelief that Harry absolutely shared. "In Dumbledore's office?"
"No. I only saw him float along a corridor and through the Great Hall right into another corridor, and then I lost him. Sorry. That was a few weeks ago. I didn't have much time to look into the matter afterwards, and as you know, my older self in the portrait can't see any ghosts. He is always watching Hogwarts to confirm that you're safe though."
Harry, Annika and Dudley exchanged a look of pure surprise. "I wonder if the ghost has something to do with the attacks that occurred at the school," Harry said, thoughtfully. However, no one could either confirm or deny his idea.
"By the way, Merlin." Harry turned to the older wizard in expectation. "Remus told us that you have been building an iglu over there." He pointed out to the grounds. "What exactly are you constructing there if I may ask?"
Merlin chuckled. "You may ask, and I told you last summer that I wouldn't keep it a secret from the permanent residents of the North Pole. I'll show you my iglu right after breakfast."
HP
An hour later, Merlin, Remus, Harry, Annika and Dudley walked out onto the grounds with Hedwig, Paws, Cassiopeia and to Harry's surprise Alicia in tow.
He swiftly transformed into his canine form and joined Alicia. =May I speak with you for a moment?=
=Of course. I have been waiting for you to come and speak with me ever since you managed the Animagus transformation.=
=Oh, I am so sorry. I've meant to speak with you ever since I have known who you were. Is it true that Salazar Slytherin was your husband?=
=Yes, that is correct. You should know everything about us, considering that you've been at Hogwarts for more than a year now.=
Harry let out a deep sigh. =Of course, I know everything that is written in the book such as 'Hogwarts: A History.' However, that's about it. Right now, everyone at Hogwarts is wondering about the Chamber of Secrets.=
=Salazar's chamber.= Alicia nodded in confirmation. =What about it? Why are people interested in it after all this time?=
Harry explained everything that had happened at Hogwarts during the last two months, before he continued asking. =What kind of animal is Salazar's familiar?=
=It is a basilisk. However, she would never kill anyone out of her free will. She must have been forced out into the castle with open eyes, and those who are petrified must have accidentally looked at her; however, not directly. Otherwise, they would have died. Perhaps, they saw her indirectly.=
=How?=
=For example, in a puddle of water, through a mirror or such.=
Harry was not overly convinced, knowing that they had neither found water nor a mirror near the victims.
=No,= Alicia corrected herself. =As far as I can imagine, Amaterasu must have cast a charm at herself to not kill anyone but merely petrify them. Why don't you go and speak with her? Santa told me that you're able to speak Parseltongue. She is a real cutie. She must be horrified about what happened.=
=Yes, I am a Parselmouth, but where can I speak to her, and how can I prevent myself from becoming petrified or worse?=
Alicia playfully slapped a bunch of snow at him, causing Harry to wipe his eyes in confusion. =What was that for?=
=You don't think I'd send you somewhere to die, do you?=
=Eh, sorry?=
=I will accompany you. We will ask Hedwig to take us right into the founders' quarters. When she and you are together with me, it shouldn't be a problem for us to get in. Then, we can access Salazar's chamber from there. Our quarters are not covered by the wards, means that the wards won't inform the headmaster about our presence at the school. You must not leave our quarters or Salazar's chamber though.=
Harry profusely thanked the ancient witch, before he transformed back into his human form and absentmindedly followed the others into the iglu. His eyes widened, as he took in his surroundings.
"This is the SAMS, my new baby," Merlin said, smiling with apparent pride.
tbc...
Thank you for your kind comments on the previous chapter. Please tell me what you thought about this chapter and what you expect from this story. My muse really appreciates the feedback.
Next chapter: "The SAMS".