"Not liking this diary thing at all," Lily said.

"You're not the only one," Natalie said.

"Well, let's see how this one goes," John said.

"I just know this is going to get bad before it gets better," Sirius said. "Just a hunch."

"Chapter Fourteen," Gideon read. "Cornelius Fudge."

This caused a couple of people in the room to roll their eyes.

"An entire chapter dedicated to this idiot?" Junior asked. "Why?"

"Oh, there's a reason," Harry remarked.

"There always is."


Harry thinks about how he could easily see a young Hagrid trying to fit a leash on a mysterious monster. But, he thinks Hagrid would not hurt anyone intentionally.


The Marauders all chuckled.

"To be fair, I can easily see Hagrid trying to do that," Peter said. "Although, you're right, he wouldn't want to harm anyone intentionally."

"Hagrid does have a big problem with understanding that things that aren't dangerous to him are dangerous to others though," Tonks said.

"Unfortunately, true," Sara said.

"And while that creature wasn't the creature, there's a fact he had something down there that he shouldn't," Remus said. "Especially considering…?"

Remus trailed off for a second.

"Oh no," Remus said.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Remember what we encountered in the forest a couple years ago," Remus said.

Sirius blinked and nodded slowly.

"You don't suppose that Hagrid is…responsible for that, do you?" Remus asked.

"I wouldn't….he would be," Sirius said with a groan. "But, he only had one of them. He would have to…oh no."

The Marauders all exchanged terrified glares.

"Why don't you share it with the rest of the class?" Bellatrix asked.

Sirius waved his hand when he got tongue-locked.

"It's vital to the plot," Sara said. "But, you're right. Hagrid is responsible for that."

"Great," Peter said. "I swear I've had nightmares for weeks when encountering those terrors."

Ron had been taken aback by having something in common with the man who was once, or would be, time travel is weird, his pet. He was not quite sure how to feel about that.

"Let's keep going," Zari said. "We'll get to that soon enough."

"Yes, unfortunately," Ron murmured darkly.


Hermione suggests that Riddle might have gotten the wrong person.


"Could have, yes," Lena agreed.

"Although Hagrid was up to something shifty," Astra said.

"And you wonder why I wanted him gone," Malfoy said.

"Just because you have a point, doesn't make you any less of a prat," Fred chimed in.

"He got the person which they wanted to believe was responsible," Mia said. "And if the attacks stopped, there was no reason to dig deeper."

"And yet Dumbledore still hired Hagrid when he could," Ginny said.

"And got a loyal and very powerful ally for life," Ron summarized.

"Well, Dumbledore could have done something to be decent," Hermione suggested.

"Maybe," Kara said. "Although, he could have done something nice, but still had a motive. And Hagrid did come in handy."

Hermione could not dispute this. Hagrid was useful for Dumbledore.


Ron wonders how many monsters a place like Hogwarts could hold.


"Well, you'd be surprised," Natalie said.

"We've learned more secrets than anyone else has in Hogwarts history," James said.

"Almost anyone," Harry said.

"Well, yes, if you find the Chamber of Secrets, you would," Sirius agreed. "And there's those Cursed Vaults…"

"That wasn't my thing," Harry said. "Although, I have a good idea where they were."

"Anyone who has played a certain mobile game does," Zari said.

"But, that's a future thing, and we wouldn't want to disrupt your adventures," Lita said.

"Would like to find them, it would be interesting," Peter said.

"Interesting and dangerous," Severus said. "Rakepick is insane."

"She terrifies you," Astra said.

"I'm not scared of her," Severus said.

"Right," John said

Snape said nothing. He was glad that Rakepick met a terrifying fate though. It served her right. Potter and his friends were somewhat mentored by her. And no doubt she encouraged them to give him shit because she was not fond of his relationship with Lily.


They talk about Hagrid, wondering if it's possible. Harry holds a great deal of sympathy for Riddle, given Hogwarts would have shut down.


"I can understand," Alex said.

"Yeah, I get it," Astra agreed. "He played on your heart."

"Typical sociopath," Kate said.

"To be fair, those orphanages weren't exactly the most friendly of places," Lena said.

Harry responded with a nod. It seemed that Voldemort was almost inevitable, but the circumstances of his childhood did kick the ball rolling.


After some talk, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decided not to ask Hagrid about it, unless another attack happened. But, Harry had to talk to someone about it.


"So, you kept that quiet," Ron said.

"I don't understand…why you couldn't talk to us," Hermione said.

"I wanted a different opinion," Harry said.

"I get it," Kara said.

"It's just, there are times where I think you had an entirely secret life and you didn't share it with either of us, and I thought were close," Hermione said.

"Look, if Harry wants to talk to other people, he should have," Charlotte said.

"It's just…never mind," Hermione said.

"No, it's what?" Charlotte asked.

"I just thought he valued our friendship more," Hermione said. "I wonder if he ever did."

Ginny rounded upon Hermione. She had been rather subdued because of relieving the diary, but now some of her old fire returned.

"That's out of line!" Ginny snapped. "I swear, there are sometimes where you only used Harry for clout! And to get ahead. And when he didn't come to you for all of the answers or performed better than you in class, you couldn't stand it. Your fragile little ego can't stand when you're not the center of the show. And you act like the victim, act that Harry or Ron did something wrong, when you were at the wrong and you have the nerve to actually then after the fact."

"I'm so sick of everyone stepping over me, trampling me," Hermione said. "As if Harry's always in the right, and I'm always in the wrong!"

"Well, maybe if you didn't act like you were never wrong," Kate said.

Wands were drawn, until Zari used her wind totem to blow them out of their hands.

"Enough," Sara said.

"Oh, but it was getting good," Bellatrix said while rubbing her hands.

"Deep breath, and calm down," Natalie said.

Hermione said nothing else, but scowled at Harry.

"So, let's continue?" Mia asked.

"We should," Sara said. "If you don't calm down, then I'm going to separate you and put you all in corners like children."

"Yes, Mummy," Kate murmured, but under her breath.


Harry lingered down by the kitchens, underneath the Invisibility Cloak. Beatrice made her way down to talk to him.

"I'm here," Harry hissed.

"Harry?" Beatrice asked, as Harry took off the cloak. "Okay, that explains a lot…are you okay?"

"Well, I might have an idea who could be behind these attacks," Harry said. "Or at least someone who might know something about the attacks."

"And judging by the fact you're tap-dancing around the subject, it's someone you know and trust," Beatrice said.

"Maybe," Harry remarked.

"Mmm hmm," Beatrice said. "I see."

"And the only reason I want to turn them in, is because I'm afraid that Hogwarts will get closed," Harry said. "If these attacks don't stop. But, I…I don't know if I can trust this information either. I want to, but there's something that's bothering me about it. I want to believe the best in people. And I don't want to believe this person is doing it."

"But, you're also sick of people not believing you," Beatrice said. "And you want to do anything to make it stop. And just get some peace."

"Yeah, but I don't want a person to suffer if they're innocent," Harry said. "I don't know what to do."

"Well, that's a hard one," Beatrice said. "I think you should listen to your heart and trust your gut. Do the right thing."

"What if the next attack is a death?" Harry asked her. "Someone died last time."

This caused Beatrice to jump up, startled.

"They did?" Beatrice asked.

"Yes, fifty years ago, when the Chamber of Secrets was opened," Harry said.

"Dumbledore…I think he was the Transfiguration teacher then," Beatrice said.

Harry nodded. Beatrice's expression grew stormy.

"Not the same person then," Beatrice said.

"What if it was?" Harry asked. "What if the person got expelled over it?"

Beatrice's expression got stormy.

"No, no, no, he couldn't, he wouldn't," Beatrice said. "But, he is loyal to Dumbledore. He never can hear a bad word against Dumbledore. And he was expelled…the math checks out…but he wouldn't hurt anyone. On purpose at least. Although it fits. Damn, Harry, I don't know…I don't know what to do about this."

"Don't turn him in," Harry said. "He's the one who told me I was a wizard."

"You didn't know?" Beatrice asked him.

"Not until my eleventh birthday," Harry said.

"My sister's a lot better at this kind of stuff than I am," Beatrice said. "She's a lot better at talking people though things."

"I don't want someone to talk, I want someone to listen," Harry said. "Did Cassie go through this stuff all of the time?"

"I…I can't talk about that," Beatrice murmured. "Sorry…it just hurts too much. But these attacks happening, Dumbledore knows something, and again he refuses to do anything. What sort of game is he playing?"

Harry blinked and flinched at the look of anger in Beatrice's eyes.

"Not blaming you," Beatrice said. "I don't think it's Hagrid. But, something's rotten in Hogwarts."

Harry almost told her about the diary, but something stopped him from bringing it up.

"You better get to bed," Beatrice said. "I need to write a letter."

"Not about Hagrid?" Harry asked. "You can't tell anyone."

"I won't," Beatrice said. "I don't want anything bad to happen to Hagrid, until there's no doubt. But if it is him, I don't know what I can trust anymore."

Harry could tell that she had been weirded out about it.


"So, you told her," Hermione said. "You barely knew her, and you told her."

"I did," Harry said. "So what?'

Harry's coldness caused Hermione to shiver.

"I actually feel a bit better Harry had someone else he could turn to," Lita said.

"I can't believe you don't have a problem with this," Hermione said to Ron.

"Why would I have a problem with Harry talking to another person?" Ron asked. "I think you've got me confused with ath drooling cave dweller that's common in fanon."

"Or in the movies," Nora said.

"Yes, those," Ron said. "And it's years ago. I know you have trouble letting things go Hermione, but let it go."

"I'm…"

"Let it go," Ron repeated. "We made mistakes. Both of us. I regret a lot of things I've said. And even more things that I've done."

"Did it make you feel better to talk to her?" Astra asked.

"She was older, so it really felt good to share something, and confide in someone," Harry said. "I just had a sense she would understand."

"And we wouldn't?" Hermione asked. "And we…"

"Hermione, zip it," Sara hissed.

"But…"

"You better listen to her," Zari said.

"Yeah, she's pissed," Mick said. "And I think she might forget her own rule and knock your head off. Just some free advice."

Hermione responded with a nod.

"So, should we get involved in this?" Sirius whispered to James.

"She's being selfish," James said.

"Friends shouldn't be that clingy," Peter said.

"Well, it's not like they're friends anymore, are they?" Sirius asked.

"I'm struggling to figure out how Harry or Ron ever put up with her," Lily said.


The Mandrakes were maturing nicely and Sprout mentions that when they start moving into each other's pots, they will know it's time.


"Well, make of that what you will," Lita said trying to lighten the mood.

"So, they went from having a party, to really having a party," Ruby said.

"I didn't need to think about it in that way," Sirius said. "Thanks for the image."

"Happy to help," Ruby said in a chipper voice.


And it was time to choose their subjects for third year. Hermione talks about how it's important for their future.


"Of course, Granger has to give two cents," Malfoy said.

"She's got a point," Kate said. "Although, I notice they didn't give you your career advice session this year."

"Oh, trust me, I complained about that when we were at Hogwarts," Daphne said. "If we wanted a certain career and we needed a NEWT in that subject, and didn't take a class, we were sunk. And Snape was of no help."

"You should have done your due diligence, Miss Greengrass," Snape said.

"I did, but others didn't," Daphne said.

"I told Dumbledore for years we should advise students better," McGonagall said. "But, he said that the Hogwarts Board of Governors thought this was the best way."

"So, you teachers blame Dumbledore and Dumbledore blamed the Board," Zari said. "I wonder who the Board would pass the blame onto?"

"The Ministry," Malfoy said

"Eventually, there's one big circle of blame, where no one takes responsibility," Kara said.

"I'm somehow not surprised," Alex grumbled. "That's how it works. Keep passing the blame upstairs."


Harry looked at the subjects and frowned. Arithmancy, Study of Ancient Runes, Divination, Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures.

"Well, given how often I run across dangerous magical creatures, Care of Magical Creatures might be a good one," Harry remarked. "Not sure how well I'll do in Divination."

"Bill told me it's a cakewalk of a class," Ron said.

"Oh, honestly, Ron, it's very important," Hermione said.

"You're going to sign up for everything, aren't you?" Ron asked.

"Well, I want to learn everything I can," Hermione said. "I just wish there were more than five classes."

"Oh, I'm sure if there were twenty, you would try them all," Ron said.

Hermione did not deny that.

"Care, Arithmancy, and Study of Ancient Runes," Harry remarked.

"Three classes?" Ron asked.

"Well, I could take them all," Harry said.

"You really could," Hermione said. "What are you doing Ron?"

"I'm leaning towards Care of Magical Creatures and Divination," Ron said. "Or maybe Muggle Studies. That would thrill Dad if I did."

"Why don't you go for three?" Harry asked. "That way if you don't like one, you can drop it."

"All of these classes are important," Hermione said. "I can't imagine dropping them."


"That's way too much to take on," Lily said.

"It is," Charlotte said. "How did you manage it all?'

It was here that Ava gritted her teeth.

"Babe, save that rant for the third book," Sara said.

"So, you wanted to take Muggle Studies?" George asked.

"I said I was leaning towards it," Ron said. "And I made the mistake of writing home to Dad, and well, I opted out."

"Shame, you could have learned to use a telephone," Harry said.

"Oooh, never going to live that one down, am I?" Ron asked.

"I feel there's a story there," Astra said.

"There is," Harry said.

"Noticed you wanted to take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes instead of Divination," Nora said.

"Harry's class load is perfect, those were the classes I took," Lily said.

"Those are the classes I wanted," Harry said grimly. "But…there were circumstances."

"I'm beginning to hate your circumstances," Kara said.

"You're not the only one," Alex said.

"I think that's a mutually held opinion," Alex agreed.


Harry wants to give up Potions.


"I feel really upset that my son doesn't like Potions," Lily said to Snape.

"Well, he didn't show any aptitude in the subject," Snape said.

"Well, you didn't show any aptitude for teaching," Sirius snidely chimed in.

They might have to play nice for younger Snape, but older crusty Snape was fair game for venom. Especially considering he was responsible for all of those awful things.

"And my father is brilliant in potions," Kate said. "Once he had a teacher who didn't have their head so far up their arse they enjoyed the smell of their farts."


Ron wants to give up Defense Against the Dark Arts, due to Lockhart.


"I understand you completely, mate," John said.

"Chin up, Ron, he's out of there by the end of the year," Peter said.

"No teacher lasts a year," Sirius said.

"Not for as long as anyone can remember," Junior added.

"It's a core subject, too bad it turned into such a clown show," Regulus said. "But, somehow Lockhart's more competent than a couple of teachers I've had."


Harry gets some advice from Percy Weasley, who says to play to his strengths.


"Percy gave good advice?" Fred asked.

"Percy gave good advice," George confirmed.

"To be fair, he gave us the same advice, although he didn't like we took it up on him," Fred said.

"If there's anyone who played to their strengths, it's you two," Sara said.

"True," George said.


Harry thought about it a little bit more. He knew Hermione signed up for everything. Ron took Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Muggle Studies.

Harry decided to go for the Care, Arithmancy, and Study of Ancient Runes trifecta.


"That's not what happened," Nora murmured.

"I know," Harry said bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.

"You had your heart set on those classes?" Kara asked.

"Yes," Harry said. "We'll have that conversation later."

Needless to say, Harry was not happy that the classes he elected to take were messed with. Especially when he had an inkling why.


The Gryffindor Quidditch match with Hufflepuff approached. And after a good practice, Harry prepared to drop off his broomstick. The mood changed when a frantic looking Neville came in.


"I've got a really bad feeling about this," Thea said.

"You too?" Mia asked.

"The diary," Daphne said. "It has to be. They moved quickly."

"He wanted Harry's attention," Ginny said.

"Well, I daresay he got it," Daphne said.


Harry returns to find his belongings in disarray.


"You need better security," Nyssa said. "And the person who did that should have their fingers chopped off for stealing."

Ginny instinctively winced. Ron patted her on the shoulder.

"Not their fault," Harry said. "Wasn't themselves."


After a quick examination of the room, Harry finds out that Riddle's diary is gone.


"That's not good," Astra said.

"The diary returned back to its old victim," Harry said.

"Great," Lily said. "Simply great."


The next morning, Wood is happy about the perfect Quidditch conditions.


"Wood would, wouldn't he?" Fred said.

"Wood always would, he would," George said.

"But, how much would would a woodchuck chuck if that woodchuck was trained by Wood?" Fred asked.

"That was a bit of a stretch," Harry said.

"Lightened the mood a bit," Lita said.

"We're going to need those lighter moments," Nora said.

"Stop teasing and let's get on with it," Bellatrix said.

Hermione braced herself for the inevitable.


Harry wonders if he should tell about the diary. Although he does not want to bring up Hagrid being expelled all of those years ago.


"The person who you could tell already likely knows," John said. "Although, I'm still trying to figure out what his angle is."

"He doesn't have an angle," Hermione said. "And Harry should have…"

"No," Ginny said. "He could have figured it out before you guys did, but he chose not to."

"Ginny…"

"No, Hermione," Ginny said. "Not playing this game with you."

"Dumbledore is either woefully ignorant or willfully malicious," Narcissa said. "I'll leave it up to you which one appeases you better, Miss Granger. But, I'll say this. He can't know everything going on at Hogwarts, without knowing about the diary and it's victim."

That interplay confirmed to Astra who the victim was. Although she had her suspicions.


'Kill this time…let me rip.'

Harry jumped up straight and looked at Ron and Hermione.

"You didn't hear the voice, did you?" Harry asked.

"No," Hermione said.

"Only, I could though," Harry said.

"Yeah, just like the last time," Hermione said.

"Or maybe I'm the only one who could understand the voice."

Hermione's mouth hung open for a second.

"Of course!" Hermione yelled. "Harry I need to check out something really quick in the library!"

Harry had a bad feeling about this. He turned to Ron, who shrugged.

"That's Hermione for you," Ron admitted. "What do you reckon?"

"I think the monster is some kind of snake," Harry said. "Although, I can't for the life of me figure out what."

Ron shrugged, he had nothing.

"Most snakes are deadly, aren't they?" Ron asked. "Their venom, I mean. I've never seen or heard of a snake that's petrified instead of killed."

That was quite the puzzler for Harry.


"Hermione ran off on her own?' Lily asked.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Charlotte said. "I thought my daughter had more sense than that."

"I'm here, Mum, it was fine," Hermione said.

"I didn't get informed about anything bad happening, so it should be," Charlotte said.

"Oh boy," Kara murmured.

Harry met Hermione's eye if to say she was on her own.


Harry heads out for Quidditch. He caught Cedric's eye who smiled.

"Good luck," Cedric told him. "Can't wait to have a chance to play you."

"Hopefully, you're better than last year's Seeker," Harry said.

"Well, I'll do," Cedric said.

The beginning of the game cut short when Professor McGonagall came out. Harry read the look on her face and instantly knew.

And regretted not chasing Hermione down. Quidditch be damned.


"And Harry doesn't value your friendship?" George asked.

"He just damned Quidditch," Fred said.

"Good thing Wood's not here, he would have a heart attack," Mick said with a chuckle.

"Oh, that's putting it mildly," Kate said. "And to think, you didn't think Harry valued your friendship because he dared talk to someone else behind your back."

"I…I don't know what to say," Hermione said. "But if you ran after me…"

"We'll get there in a minute," Harry said.

"Get where?" Charlotte asked.

"Let's just say many mistakes were made," McGonagall said.


McGonagall tells them that Quidditch has been cancelled, everyone needs to return to their dormitories. Harry and Ron are ushered back into the school. And just as they came in, Astoria Greengrass had been ushered in by Severus Snape.

"I'm sorry, Miss Greengrass," Snape said. "Your sister was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Harry noticed three victims on the bed. Hermione, Daphne, and that Ravenclaw prefect that Harry and Ron showed.

"Professor Snape, I…"

"Potter, I know," Snape said curtly. "But the person who did this, they will pay dearly."


"Interesting," Lita said.

"And different, for anyone says anything," Harry said.

"My petrification didn't fit the narrative of the story," Daphne said. "Neither did my inclusion at all in Harry's story, outside of a cameo."

"Beatrice requested not to be added," Kara said. "Why weren't you in there?"

"Because, I got on Rowling's bad side early on," Daphne said. "But, maybe it's for the best given what happened to other women in these stories."

Given how Tonks and Fleur got dumbed down, Ginny to an extent as well, Astoria was forced in as Draco Malfoy's unnamed wife in the Epilogue, and Rowling zeroed in on Hermione as her personal self insert, Daphne thanked her lucky stars every day she got axed from the books, other than one cameo.

"Mum?" Hermione asked. "I couldn't tell you about this…"

"Well you were petrified," Charlotte said. "And while you never brought it up after your school year ended, I should have learned about it prior."

"I can't defend not informing you, or any of the other parents," McGonagall said. "And in person as well."

"Dumbledore didn't want that, did he?" Kara asked.

"Dumbledore wasn't too happy when I personally informed Miss Greengrass's mother of the situation," Snape said. "He told me it was a delicate situation that should be resolved internally."

"Wait, you were capable of not being Dumbledore's lapdog?" John asked in shock.

"Funny, Constantine," Snape said somberly. "She deserved to know. It turns out she was the only one who was informed. The parents of Creevey, Finch-Fletchley, Granger, Clearwater, never once informed."

"And it did allow Lucius to make his next move," Narcissa said. "He took advantage of your decency, Severus."

"Typical of Lucius," younger Severus said.

"Well, I wrote home to Mother once I caught my bearings," Astoria said.

"And I wrote to the Greengrasses, expressing my condolences for the attack and to Father, informing him of the incident," Malfoy said.

"I can't believe it," Ron said.

"He did," Daphne said. "I'm as shocked as you are."

"Greengrass is a pureblood, that shook us to the core," Malfoy said seriously. "And knowing what we know now about Riddle, he only used blood purity as a means to the end."

"It's a good thing the Dark Lord murdered that pretender," Bellatrix said with a smile.

Harry said nothing. And no one laughed, because given this scenario, it would not be appropriate.


And with that, Snape left in a fury. Harry turned to Beatrice who had been standing completely stone-faced, almost looking like she had been petrified.

"Beatrice?" Harry asked her.

"I saw them get brought when I was helping Madam Pomfrey," Beatrice said.

"I knew Hermione was going off on her own, and I should have stopped her," Harry said.

"No, Potter, enough of that," McGonagall said.

Beatrice looked at the petrified trio. Harry saw them all, and wondered how this could have happened.

"We found this at the scene," McGonagall said. "Any idea?"

"I don't know, Professor," Harry said.

"I'm really sorry," McGonagall said. "I'll escort you back to the Gryffindor tower."

"I'm going to stay here, Professor," Astoria said.

"I'll take her back, Professor," Beatrice said.

"Oh, Miss Haywood, you shouldn't have to see this," McGonagall said. "Potter, Weasley, if you please."

Harry and Ron walked off with McGonagall.

"Harry, no," Ron said. "I could have stopped her as easily as you could have. But, we thought she would be safe."

Harry said nothing. If he said something to someone about the diary, Hermione would not be in this state.

"Not everything's your fault," Ron murmured.

"But, this is."


"Ron's right," Ginny said.

"He was," Hermione said. "I made the choice."

"You thought of the mirror, good thinking," Astra said

"Actually, that was me," Daphne said.

"Well, it was a good idea," Hermione said. "And you were already researching the subject, although it was Penelope who pointed us in the right direction. Professor Kettleburn mentioned it off hand in Care of Magical Creatures class, wondering if it was a Basilisk."

"The real question is, did he go to Dumbledore with these claims?" Lena asked.

"Don't know," Daphne answered.

"I don't know if we want to know," Mia said.

"None of the attacks were fatal," Sara said.

"Which was by design, because they were trying to get to their true target," Nyssa said. "You don't have these many near misses without doing it on purpose."

"I agree, you don't," Junior said.


McGonagall addressed the entire common room with the new rules. And suggests that anyone who has any information should come forward.


"Maybe," Kara said.

"I wonder if it would have done us any good," Ron said. "Looking back now, I somehow doubt it."

"Well, you could have tried, maybe," Zari offered.

"Maybe, maybe not," Kate said.

"This is when you should have told Dumbledore about the diary," Hermione said.

"We've exhausted that subject," Harry said.


Lee remarks that a Hufflepuff, a Ravenclaw, two Gryffindors, and a Gryffindor ghost were attacked. And suggests that all the Slytherins should be chucked out. Which Harry frowns at.

"Her name is Daphne Greengrass," Harry said.

"What?" Ron asked.

"I said her name is Daphne Greengrass," Harry said. "And she's a Slytherin. And she was attacked."

"I…I didn't know," Lee said.

"No one mentioned that yet," Fred said.

"Because, it doesn't fit," Harry said.

"I can't believe it," Percy said.

"Percy can't believe that the Heir of Slytherin would attack a prefect," George said.

"Well, the Heir of Slytherin attacked a Slytherin," Harry said. "Seems like anyone's fair game."

"What if they shut down the school?" Neville asked.

"THAT CAN'T HAPPEN!"

Everyone looked terrified at Harry's outburst.

"Harry," Ron murmured. "They might have to."

"They won't," Harry said. "They won't…this person will be found. And they'll get everything they deserve."

"Do you think they regret what they did?" Ginny asked quietly.

"They will," Harry told her.

Ginny shrunk in fear.

"Harry, you can't go after them," Percy said. "You shouldn't. It's dangerous. The teachers don't know how to deal with this. Dumbledore doesn't even know."

"Oh, Dumbledore knows," Harry said curtly. "I'm going up to bed."

Harry walked off in a huff. Ron, George, and Fred all locked eyes and they knew precisely why Harry was in a sour mood.


Astra suspected Ginny was the diary's initial victim. And when reading it, she had no doubt. But seeing what the diary was, she flashed Ginny a small encouraging smile, to say she did not blame Ginny in the slightest.

"Lee mentioned he never saw you this angry before," George said. "And he never wanted to see it again."

"Getting on Harry's bad side, no thank you," Thea said.

"He's like Lily in that respect," Sirius said. "Don't want to incur his temper."

"He shouldn't have to fear going home," Lily said.

"This entire Chamber of Secrets thing was a nightmare scenario," Narcissa said. "And if the plan succeeded, this person may have unleashed a dark lord more terrifying than Voldemort ever hoped to be."

"If Harry did not worry about having to be expelled from Hogwarts, he would have nothing to lose," Daphne mused.

"But, Harry wouldn't…he wouldn't?" Hermione asked.

"He is the Dragon, and he's earned that moniker," Nyssa said. "While these are his very humble beginnings, the seeds are beginning to flourish."

"All it takes is one bad day," Kara confirmed.

"Isn't that the truth," Kate murmured.


Harry had returned to a note on the bed.

Harry:

Shoulder the weight of the world, and you will be crushed.

They made it personal. But don't blame yourself.

I would tell you not to do anything reckless. But those live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Sorry about Hermione. The guilt is crushing when anything happens to a friend. Because, you wonder if any more could have been done. But, it's never your fault. Because, you can't be everywhere and stop everything.

Stay safe.

CJ.

Harry wished the note had something more substantial. He looked out into the darkness in the direction of Hagrid's hut.


"Good for her to try," Fred said.

"You needed a boost and a swift kick to get you to stop feeling sorry for yourself," Astra said.

"I've not been too happy with Professor McGonagall during this year," Charlotte said. "But, she's right. It's not healthy for you to shoulder the blame for everyone."

"Or the responsibility," Sara added.

"I'm better than that," Harry said.

"And you still are insane with how take on," Mick said

"Cassie is right," Kara said firmly. "She still is. You can't be everywhere and stop everything."

Harry said nothing either way.


A bit later, Harry and Ron agree to sneak out to see Hagrid. And get underneath the Invisibility Cloak.


"Best asset you have," James said. "And to think, that's been in the family for generations."

"Don't those invisibility charms wear off after a few decades, even in the best cloaks?" Regulus asked.

"My father had it and his and his before that, and Harry's still using it without any problems," James said.

"It's one of a kind," Sirius said.

"You have no idea," Nora said with a smile.

And Harry smiled. He always kept the Cloak close by, even if his abilities evolved to never needing it again.


Harry and Ron made their way through the castle. They narrowly avoided an even more sour Snape, who was angry that one of his own had been attacked.


"Can't say I blame Snape for this," Zari said.

"Just imagine what it would have been like to catch you," Ruby said.

"Don't want to, thanks," Ron said.


Harry and Ron enter Hagrid's hut and he greets them with a crossbow. After a tense greeting, Harry and Ron are invited inside for a cup of tea.


"This could be an awkward conversation," Peter said.

"Yeah, given what you're here to talk about," Astra said. "He can't be though. But, you can just imagine what he's thinking about."


Hagrid is a nervous wreck. Harry asks him if he heard about Hermione, which Hagrid confirms.


"Oh, you're not really accusing him," Sirius said. "But, he's waiting for someone to come."

"Guy's a big bundle of nerves," Sara said

"One wrong move and he might hurt someone or himself," Mia said.

"Poor Hagrid," Natalie said. "He's not made the best of decisions, but I think something bad is going to happen."

"Well, remember the title of the chapter," John said.

"Shit," Astra said when realizing it.


A knock on the door forces Harry and Ron to hide underneath the Invisibility Cloak.


"That cloak is the best, but they can still hear you breathe," James said. "Which is why, it's not a good idea to stay stationary for too long."

"Sound advice for any situation," Nyssa said.

"Wish more people would take it to heart," Sara said.


Dumbledore arrives, along with a man who Ron identifies as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.


"And it doesn't block sound either," James said.

"All of the times we almost got caught because someone couldn't keep their mouth shut," Peter said with a look towards Sirius.

"Stealth's not my strong point," Sirius said.

"You don't say?" Regulus asked.

"And this idiot's here," Junior said. "Well, I've got a bad feeling."

"This idiot wants to look like he does something important," Lena said. "He can see his type. He's that type of politician who makes big claims and wants to look like he's doing something."

"Nailed Fudge right there, in a nutshell," Harry added.

"You did," Junior agreed.


Fudge mentions how it's bad business. Four Muggleborns attacked, and now a pureblood. Something has to be done.


"And really, it doesn't matter if the person really did it," Sirius spat bitterly. "As long as the public is appeased, who cares about doing the right thing."

"Without getting too political, that's politics," Lita said. "That's an optics game and nothing else."

"And Fudge just cares more about how things look, than how things are," Junior said. "He's the perfect Minister, and I mean that in the worst possible way."

"Doesn't care about the truth, not at all," Daphne said.


Dumbledore tries to vouch for Hagrid. Fudge says Hagrid's record was against him. And Fudge has to be seen doing something.


"Made him the perfect scapegoat fifty years ago, just like it did now," Astoria said.

"I really hate Fudge," Lily said.

"Oh, this is the most benign he'll be," Harry said.

"Wonderful," Astra said

"The people surrounding him are…they're something else," Ava remarked.

"You can say that again," Zari said.

"Memorable, in all of the wrong ways," Lita said.


Fudge says that Hagrid will be sent to Azkaban for a short stretch. And Hagrid is not too happy about this.


"Don't blame him, honestly," Junior said. "I would sooner die than step one foot in Azkaban."

"The Ministry will rue the day they ever made a deal with those abominations," John said.

"Oh, they're gone, but their legacy lives on," Harry said.

Kara nodded somberly.


Lucius Malfoy arrives. And Hagrid's not too happy to see him.


"And there's Lucius to rub salt in the wounds of everyone," Bellatrix said.

Snape scowled. Lucius used his own responsibility to facilitate the next phase of the plan.

"He's really got this one planned out," Narcissa said.

"On top of the world," Zari said. "Only one place to go is down."

"Hopefully he falls on his face," Astra said.


Malfoy brings about an Order of Suspension, and says all twelve members of the Board of Governors signed it.


"The problem is, Dumbledore should be kicked out of Hogwarts," Nora said. "But, this is not the right reason."

"I agree, as much as it pains me," Astra said

"Dumbledore wouldn't leave willingly," John said. "There's something up."

"Looks like Dumbledore played one game too many," Bellatrix said.

"No, Bella, he's still playing," Narcissa said. "Lucius doesn't realize he's being played."

"He should have been arrested, with what he's done," Charlotte said.

"He's done good things as well," Hermione said.

"Then, he can do those good things and not gamble with the future of children," Charlotte said.

"Even Dumbledore's strongest supporters, they would agree that he spreads himself a bit too thin," Remus admitted.


Even Fudge is horrified. And wonders who can stop the attacks if Dumbledore could not.


"That's really the problem with the Wizarding World in a nutshell," Lita said.

"We rely on Dumbledore way too much," Sirius said. "He's only human."

"Yes, he is," James agreed.

"And we forget that way too much," Ron agreed. "Unfortunately, he's been put on such a high pedestal that when his mistakes come crashing down hard. And it hurts many people. It doesn't help that there are people who keep handwaving Dumbledore's flaws. And overlook the fact he's taken steps to make himself irreplaceable."

"He's the best of a bad bunch," Zari said.

"And has been for a long time," Lily agreed.


Hagrid demands to know how many of them Malfoy had to blackmail.


"Likely, all of them," Bellatrix said.

"Have to agree, didn't take much to get them to bend though," Narcissa said. "They let Lucius do it, so they had an easy scapegoat to fall back on upon Dumbledore's inevitable return."

"And Lucius Malfoy got outplayed," Sara said. "Can't say it happened to a nicer guy."

"Oh, asshole on asshole violence," Thea said. "That's always fun."

"Just sit back and enjoy the show," Mick said.


Malfoy remarks that the Azkaban guards would not like Hagrid's temper.


"No, they wouldn't," John said.

"Hagrid's big, strong, and brave, but he's not going to have a good time," Peter said. "Azkaban sounds terrifying. I don't think…I don't think I would want to go. I would do everything in my power to avoid it."

"If Hagrid's terrified, most would," Astra agreed.

"One of the places that even my father would not dare trend," Nyssa said.

"Mine either," Nora said.


Dumbledore volunteers to step aside without any complaint.


"Too easy," John said.

"I know, it is," Natalie said.

"He knew he would be back," Astra said.

"Looking back, I agree," Harry said.

"Lucius was too caught up with getting Dumbledore out of there, that he didn't realize he was being played," Narcissa said.

Her former husband really was as brash and reckless as the most stereotypical Gryffindor at times. Just slightly more subtle at times, but he had blind spots.


Dumbledore looks to where Harry and Ron are standing, and remarks that there will be help at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.


"Of course," Zari said. "Could you be more obvious?"

"Well, that was subtle all things considered," Harry said.

"How so?" Lily asked.

"You'll see," Harry said.

"But, not long this time," Ron said to stifle the complaints.


Malfoy makes a snide comment, hoping that Dumbledore's successor would prevent any further murders.


"Just bask in it for now, blondie," Astra said.

"Can't believe you're on Dumbledore's side for this," Kara said.

"I'm more against Lucius than anything," Astra commented.

"Fair point," Kara said.

"Lucius seems to be on top of the world," Sirius said. "The inevitable puncture of his ego would be glorious."

"Father is flying way too close to the sun," Malfoy said. "His biggest flaw, and there were many, is he underestimated how discreetly underhanded Dumbledore could be. And he was willing to be temporarily inconvenienced to set up a greater victory along the way."

"And he didn't care how many other people he inconvenienced along the way," Harry said.

"Well, it goes without saying, Potter," Malfoy said.


Hagrid remarks if anyone wants to follow the spiders, they might find something.


"Okay, that's even less subtle, you're right," Lily said.

"Follow the spiders?" Lita asked. "Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?"

Everyone looked toward Ron's reaction, but Ron smirked.

"See, I didn't mind that, because that was actually kind of funny," Ron said. "One of the only worthwhile things my character said in the movies."

"Take what you can get, huh?" Sara asked.

"Oh, yes," Ron agreed. "And to be honest, I can see myself saying that."

"Wait, spiders?" Peter asked.

"Oh, bugger me sideways," James said. "Please tell me you're not going into the Forbidden Forest to…you know."

"We do know, and we won't tell you," Ron said.

The Marauders groaned, remembering their experience with Aragog and his family. It was one of their regrets from their time at Hogwarts. Biggest regret anyway.


Ron remarks that they're going to have to close the school with Dumbledore gone. Fang howls at Hagrid's removal.


"Well, there's that," Mia said.

"Darkest before the dawn," Alex said. "It's pretty dark."

"Let's get to the next chapter," Ava said. "Because, we're just getting to the main event."

"My favorite chapter," Ron said in a faux chipper voice. "Yay!"

"Were you being sarcastic?" Ginny asked.

"What gave you that idea?" Ron asked.

"Hagrid's gone, Dumbledore's gone, Hogwarts just about to close down," Astra said. "And I'm afraid Harry's about to do something really reckless to make sure it doesn't."

"Your fear is justified," Harry retorted.

"Well, let's see where the spiders lead us," Mia said.

"Nowhere good," Kara concludled grimly.

Ron nodded. Well, time to relieve one of his most traumatic memories ever.

To Be Continued.