Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Dangers in the past.
Ron and Hermione entered Harry's former room, leaving the rest of the party waiting in the living room. Hermione quickly wrote the letter they were going to send to Dumbledore, while Ron had Derek slide up his arm so he could carry the snake comfortably. The animal didn't seem very keen on leaving the room, but finally wrapped itself around the teenager's arm, just at the same time as Hermione tied the piece of parchment around Hedwig's leg and sent her off. They rejoined the others and once again the two teenagers began to lead the way, this time heading towards the bathroom of Moaning Myrtle. The trip was silent, since none of them felt like talking much, internally preparing themselves for what they were about to face. Once there, Ron walked to the last sink and knelt in front of it. He rested the arm where he was holding Derek against the sink and waited. The snake looked a few times from the boy to the sink, and, after a few minutes of nervous watching, Ron heard a soft hiss and the sink disappeared, leaving the opening to the chamber of Secrets behind. Ron heard soft gasps run through the room but didn't pay them attention. Without a second thought, he put his legs through the opening and let himself go.
*************************
It had only been a few days since Fudge's visit. Harry had stayed sleeping most of the time, his exhausted body trying to recuperate from the strains it had been subjected over the past few days. Every time he woke up, he saw either Dumbledore or Madam Pomfrey next to him, making sure he was comfortable. Harry also suspected it was to make sure he didn't get up and walk away, something he had done often enough in the past year. This morning was no different. Harry woke up around ten o'clock and immediately noticed Dumbledore in a chair next to him, reading a worn out book. The man looked up and smiled fondly at him. Putting the book aside, the old headmaster stood up and gently put a hand on the boy's forehead. Harry closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, it helped reassure him that there was someone out there that cared about him.
"It seems your fever has finally gone away, Harry. That's good."
The boy smiled and quietly asked, "When will I be able to leave the hospital wing, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore laughed softly, he was aware that Harry hated being there. "Well, if your fever hasn't returned by tonight, Madam Pomfrey has agreed to let you be moved to a room next to mine. I'm afraid she demands that someone takes care of you and makes sure you don't exert yourself. Since Sirius is not here, I will be the one making sure you behave."
Harry nodded. He was happy enough to be able to leave the hospital wing to mind the overprotective way his teachers were treating him. Besides, he was always pleased to be near the headmaster; the old man gave him a sense of security matched only by Sirius. His musings were soon interrupted by the headmaster.
"Breakfast, Harry?"
The boy nodded eagerly. Dumbledore helped him sit up, even though Harry complained he could do it on his own. When the boy had been settled comfortably against a couple of pillows, the headmaster handed him the tray that a house elf had just brought from the kitchen.
That evening, McGonagall and Hagrid appeared in the hospital wing to help Harry get moved to his new room. Dumbledore watched in amusement as Hagrid picked the boy up, much to Harry's dislike. Not because he minded the half- giant carrying him, but because someone had to carry him even if he was feeling ok. McGonagall followed Dumbledore and Hagrid out of the hospital wing, carrying Harry's trunk, which the headmaster had brought back from the past. Ten minutes later, when they'd arrived at the room, Dumbledore wasn't very surprised to see Harry half asleep, lulled to sleep by the steady steps of the half-giant. Even though the child would have loved to regain his health in a few days, the recovery from such a curse was tedious and slow. The headmaster knew that he had to be careful with the boy. He couldn't have Harry tire himself out because he could be summoned at a moments notice. But on the other hand, he could hardly let the boy bore himself to death in bed.
The three teachers entered the room. McGonagall pulled the covers of the bed away, and Hagrid gently deposited his charge into the pillows. Dumbledore covered the boy up and dismissed the other two teachers. A few moments later, he opened a small door and headed into his office, leaving the door slightly ajar so he would be able to keep an eye on his young charge.
That night, Dumbledore was awakened by screams coming from Harry's room. Moving quickly, he made his way to the boy's side and gathered him in his arms. Even though Harry was still asleep, the boy clung to the other man desperately. Dumbledore comforted him as best he could, trying not to wake him up. Finally, seeing Harry wasn't pulling out of the nightmare, the headmaster decided to wake him up. Shaking the boy gently, he felt Harry jerk awake in his arms.
"Harry, hush child. Everything is alright."
Rocking the distraught teenager gently, the headmaster began to hum a soft tune, trying to calm Harry down. Nearly half an hour later, when Dumbledore felt that Harry had calmed enough, he let the teenager slide back down, back onto his pillows. Harry let go of the headmaster's neck, but immediately gripped the old man's hand tightly. Dumbledore brushed some hair out of the boy's eyes and looked down at him with a concerned smile.
"Was it a nightmare about the last fight again, Harry?"
The teenager shook his head. "No, Sir." Harry frowned. "I had a nightmare about the Chamber of Secrets. I don't understand, why am I having a nightmare about that now?"
Dumbledore studied the wall in front of him pensively. Somehow, the mention of Slytherin's Chamber was stirring some memory inside his own mind, but it was still too fuzzy to discern. When he looked back down, he realised the boy had fallen asleep again. With a sigh, the headmaster tucked Harry in and then left the room.
The days that followed were hard on both Harry and Dumbledore. Both being terribly stubborn, each day was a battle of wills. Harry, feeling much better than he had at the beginning, wanted nothing more than to leave the room he was being confined to. On the other hand, Dumbledore, knowing that Harry was far from better, wanted the boy to keep in bed. Finally, after a few days of arguments, they agreed that Harry would be allowed to wander through his and Dumbledore's rooms, always, of course, supervised by the headmaster or another teacher. Madam Pomfrey was not pleased with the arrangement, and had half a mind to reclaim her patient, but Dumbledore wouldn't hear about it. He knew Harry well enough to know that once back in the hospital wing, the teenager would not waste a second to sneak out of there. Since Harry would then be out of bed anyway, he considered it better if the boy was watched, rather than having him wander around the castle where a lot of things could happen to him in his weakened state.
Two weeks later, when the start of term was approaching, a snowy owl arrived at the castle. Dumbledore was sitting in his office looking through some Ministry papers, while Harry was reading his seventh year Herbology textbook. They both looked up when a soft hoot came from the opened window. Recognising his owl, Harry stood up and walked to the window to pet her. Noticing the letter she was carrying, he pulled it off. Seeing Dumbledore's name written on the parchment, he handed the letter to his headmaster while Hedwig settled on his shoulder nibbling his ear happily. Harry sat back down in his place and watched Dumbledore's face as the man read the letter. Seeing the concerned look the headmaster had, Harry finally broke the silence.
"Headmaster?"
The man looked up, worry etched upon his face. Without a word, he handed the letter to Harry. The boy took it, and saw it was written in Hermione's familiar handwriting.
Headmaster,
Lily and James have been kidnapped. The Death Eaters left a riddle in the place where they were last seen; we came to the conclusion that it was referring to the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore, Ryan, Daniel, Ethan, Sirius, Remus, Ron and I are on our way down there. If Harry is up to it, we could use his help, because none of us knows what to expect. We will write to you once we are back.
Hermione.
Harry reread the letter once more before putting it down. He stood up and began to pace through the room. "I have to go."
Dumbledore merely nodded. "Yes, but first we need to discuss some things. Death Eaters never leave clues about the location of their victims, I'm sure it's a trap."
Harry frowned. "Maybe, but why would Voldemort put up a trap? He's more than powerful enough to take everyone on without having to use these kind of tricks." Then he thought about something else. "I thought Voldemort was afraid of you, back then. He never would have gone into Hogwarts."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that's right, and that's why I think it's Lucius' work, rather than Voldemort's."
Harry shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense. How would he have known where the Chamber is, and how would he have gone in?"
Dumbledore sighed. "I don't know, Harry. But I'm fairly certain Voldemort is not down there, and if he isn't, then it only makes sense that the Dark King is. You will have to ask him that yourself."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, sure, I'll just walk up to him and ask him if he knows of any other entrance to the Chamber."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, but didn't reply. Instead, he reached to one of his pockets and withdrew a small time-turner. Handing it to Harry, the headmaster sat back while the boy stood up. "Be careful, child. Merlin knows what is waiting down there for you."
"I will be careful, headmaster. Don't worry. We'll owl you as soon as we are back."
Dumbledore merely nodded and watched as Harry disappeared from his office, Hedwig still perched on his shoulder.
To be continued…
Dangers in the past.
Ron and Hermione entered Harry's former room, leaving the rest of the party waiting in the living room. Hermione quickly wrote the letter they were going to send to Dumbledore, while Ron had Derek slide up his arm so he could carry the snake comfortably. The animal didn't seem very keen on leaving the room, but finally wrapped itself around the teenager's arm, just at the same time as Hermione tied the piece of parchment around Hedwig's leg and sent her off. They rejoined the others and once again the two teenagers began to lead the way, this time heading towards the bathroom of Moaning Myrtle. The trip was silent, since none of them felt like talking much, internally preparing themselves for what they were about to face. Once there, Ron walked to the last sink and knelt in front of it. He rested the arm where he was holding Derek against the sink and waited. The snake looked a few times from the boy to the sink, and, after a few minutes of nervous watching, Ron heard a soft hiss and the sink disappeared, leaving the opening to the chamber of Secrets behind. Ron heard soft gasps run through the room but didn't pay them attention. Without a second thought, he put his legs through the opening and let himself go.
*************************
It had only been a few days since Fudge's visit. Harry had stayed sleeping most of the time, his exhausted body trying to recuperate from the strains it had been subjected over the past few days. Every time he woke up, he saw either Dumbledore or Madam Pomfrey next to him, making sure he was comfortable. Harry also suspected it was to make sure he didn't get up and walk away, something he had done often enough in the past year. This morning was no different. Harry woke up around ten o'clock and immediately noticed Dumbledore in a chair next to him, reading a worn out book. The man looked up and smiled fondly at him. Putting the book aside, the old headmaster stood up and gently put a hand on the boy's forehead. Harry closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, it helped reassure him that there was someone out there that cared about him.
"It seems your fever has finally gone away, Harry. That's good."
The boy smiled and quietly asked, "When will I be able to leave the hospital wing, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore laughed softly, he was aware that Harry hated being there. "Well, if your fever hasn't returned by tonight, Madam Pomfrey has agreed to let you be moved to a room next to mine. I'm afraid she demands that someone takes care of you and makes sure you don't exert yourself. Since Sirius is not here, I will be the one making sure you behave."
Harry nodded. He was happy enough to be able to leave the hospital wing to mind the overprotective way his teachers were treating him. Besides, he was always pleased to be near the headmaster; the old man gave him a sense of security matched only by Sirius. His musings were soon interrupted by the headmaster.
"Breakfast, Harry?"
The boy nodded eagerly. Dumbledore helped him sit up, even though Harry complained he could do it on his own. When the boy had been settled comfortably against a couple of pillows, the headmaster handed him the tray that a house elf had just brought from the kitchen.
That evening, McGonagall and Hagrid appeared in the hospital wing to help Harry get moved to his new room. Dumbledore watched in amusement as Hagrid picked the boy up, much to Harry's dislike. Not because he minded the half- giant carrying him, but because someone had to carry him even if he was feeling ok. McGonagall followed Dumbledore and Hagrid out of the hospital wing, carrying Harry's trunk, which the headmaster had brought back from the past. Ten minutes later, when they'd arrived at the room, Dumbledore wasn't very surprised to see Harry half asleep, lulled to sleep by the steady steps of the half-giant. Even though the child would have loved to regain his health in a few days, the recovery from such a curse was tedious and slow. The headmaster knew that he had to be careful with the boy. He couldn't have Harry tire himself out because he could be summoned at a moments notice. But on the other hand, he could hardly let the boy bore himself to death in bed.
The three teachers entered the room. McGonagall pulled the covers of the bed away, and Hagrid gently deposited his charge into the pillows. Dumbledore covered the boy up and dismissed the other two teachers. A few moments later, he opened a small door and headed into his office, leaving the door slightly ajar so he would be able to keep an eye on his young charge.
That night, Dumbledore was awakened by screams coming from Harry's room. Moving quickly, he made his way to the boy's side and gathered him in his arms. Even though Harry was still asleep, the boy clung to the other man desperately. Dumbledore comforted him as best he could, trying not to wake him up. Finally, seeing Harry wasn't pulling out of the nightmare, the headmaster decided to wake him up. Shaking the boy gently, he felt Harry jerk awake in his arms.
"Harry, hush child. Everything is alright."
Rocking the distraught teenager gently, the headmaster began to hum a soft tune, trying to calm Harry down. Nearly half an hour later, when Dumbledore felt that Harry had calmed enough, he let the teenager slide back down, back onto his pillows. Harry let go of the headmaster's neck, but immediately gripped the old man's hand tightly. Dumbledore brushed some hair out of the boy's eyes and looked down at him with a concerned smile.
"Was it a nightmare about the last fight again, Harry?"
The teenager shook his head. "No, Sir." Harry frowned. "I had a nightmare about the Chamber of Secrets. I don't understand, why am I having a nightmare about that now?"
Dumbledore studied the wall in front of him pensively. Somehow, the mention of Slytherin's Chamber was stirring some memory inside his own mind, but it was still too fuzzy to discern. When he looked back down, he realised the boy had fallen asleep again. With a sigh, the headmaster tucked Harry in and then left the room.
The days that followed were hard on both Harry and Dumbledore. Both being terribly stubborn, each day was a battle of wills. Harry, feeling much better than he had at the beginning, wanted nothing more than to leave the room he was being confined to. On the other hand, Dumbledore, knowing that Harry was far from better, wanted the boy to keep in bed. Finally, after a few days of arguments, they agreed that Harry would be allowed to wander through his and Dumbledore's rooms, always, of course, supervised by the headmaster or another teacher. Madam Pomfrey was not pleased with the arrangement, and had half a mind to reclaim her patient, but Dumbledore wouldn't hear about it. He knew Harry well enough to know that once back in the hospital wing, the teenager would not waste a second to sneak out of there. Since Harry would then be out of bed anyway, he considered it better if the boy was watched, rather than having him wander around the castle where a lot of things could happen to him in his weakened state.
Two weeks later, when the start of term was approaching, a snowy owl arrived at the castle. Dumbledore was sitting in his office looking through some Ministry papers, while Harry was reading his seventh year Herbology textbook. They both looked up when a soft hoot came from the opened window. Recognising his owl, Harry stood up and walked to the window to pet her. Noticing the letter she was carrying, he pulled it off. Seeing Dumbledore's name written on the parchment, he handed the letter to his headmaster while Hedwig settled on his shoulder nibbling his ear happily. Harry sat back down in his place and watched Dumbledore's face as the man read the letter. Seeing the concerned look the headmaster had, Harry finally broke the silence.
"Headmaster?"
The man looked up, worry etched upon his face. Without a word, he handed the letter to Harry. The boy took it, and saw it was written in Hermione's familiar handwriting.
Headmaster,
Lily and James have been kidnapped. The Death Eaters left a riddle in the place where they were last seen; we came to the conclusion that it was referring to the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore, Ryan, Daniel, Ethan, Sirius, Remus, Ron and I are on our way down there. If Harry is up to it, we could use his help, because none of us knows what to expect. We will write to you once we are back.
Hermione.
Harry reread the letter once more before putting it down. He stood up and began to pace through the room. "I have to go."
Dumbledore merely nodded. "Yes, but first we need to discuss some things. Death Eaters never leave clues about the location of their victims, I'm sure it's a trap."
Harry frowned. "Maybe, but why would Voldemort put up a trap? He's more than powerful enough to take everyone on without having to use these kind of tricks." Then he thought about something else. "I thought Voldemort was afraid of you, back then. He never would have gone into Hogwarts."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that's right, and that's why I think it's Lucius' work, rather than Voldemort's."
Harry shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense. How would he have known where the Chamber is, and how would he have gone in?"
Dumbledore sighed. "I don't know, Harry. But I'm fairly certain Voldemort is not down there, and if he isn't, then it only makes sense that the Dark King is. You will have to ask him that yourself."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, sure, I'll just walk up to him and ask him if he knows of any other entrance to the Chamber."
Dumbledore chuckled softly, but didn't reply. Instead, he reached to one of his pockets and withdrew a small time-turner. Handing it to Harry, the headmaster sat back while the boy stood up. "Be careful, child. Merlin knows what is waiting down there for you."
"I will be careful, headmaster. Don't worry. We'll owl you as soon as we are back."
Dumbledore merely nodded and watched as Harry disappeared from his office, Hedwig still perched on his shoulder.
To be continued…