Chapter Sixteen: Basilisk
Harry and Robert raced through the corridors and down the staircases. Then they paused, not to catch their breath, but because the doors to the Great Hall were closed.
"Something happened," Harry told his brother.
"Then we shall find out what," Robert said, and they opened the doors and stepped inside. Everyone was sitting at their tables and looking at them. As Harry expected, Malfoy started to make a comment, but someone at another table began applauding. It was taken up quickly, and soon the students at three of the four tables were applauding.
Harry stared in amazement, but Robert only smirked. They weren't applauding him. They weren't applauding Harry either. Not really. They were applauding the Boy-Who-Lived for surviving another close call. It was obvious that his latest adventures had preceded him. On the other hand, Harry was the Boy-Who-Lived.
"I know what to do, Harry," Robert whispered and grabbed his arm as they went to the Gryffindor table. He didn't stop until he and Harry were standing on the top of the table.
"Oy, Quiet," he shouted in a perfect imitation of Fred Weasley. As everyone quieted, he shouted out, "I would like to introduce to you, in the most embarrassing manner, someone you already know. May I present to you My Lord Lieutenant Henry James Somerset, of His Royal Majesty's Navy."
Robert then jumped down and left Harry standing there by himself. Ginny Weasley gave him a smile, then excused herself, telling him he could have her seat. Robert thanked her and sat down to watch Harry.
The applause was renewed, only to die again, when Professor McGonagall's voice was heard. "Mister Potter, you were told at the beginning of the school year not to stand on the tables. Get down at once, or you may see me in my office after this meal."
Robert grinned broadly as Harry sat down next to him. "Now I know how Fred felt."
Harry tried to reply but too many people began to welcome them back.
Harry sat on the couch in the Gryffindor Common room and relished the brief moment of quiet. It was good to be back. Ron was trying to answer his latest question. Harry wanted to know why Susan Bones was with him in the Gryffindor common room while Robert had gone back to Hufflepuff.
"Well, Um, Harry, we, well, we're friends."
"That's right," Susan said quickly. "Ron and I have been doing a lot of things together."
Harry paused. "Should I ask what kind of things?"
"We should go find Fred and George," Ron said quietly.
"Ron, I am officially confused."
"Harry." Ron looked around carefully then lowered his voice. "We found the Chamber of Secrets."
Harry's eyes bulged. He looked at Susan and she nodded.
"We've arranged a place to meet," Susan whispered. "We need to tell you and Robert everything, especially you" She paused. "We can call you Harry, right. Or do we have to call you Lord Something?"
"Oh. Yeah. Harry is fine. What about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Do you want to change first?"
"NO," Harry said firmly. "You have told me the most interesting piece of news in weeks. I don't want to wait."
As they waited in the classroom for the others to show up, Susan and Ron told Harry what they knew. It did not take long except Harry kept asking how they found out this or that.
Harry was incredulous. "You framed Hagrid just to get me back here? Ron, how could you?"
"He was already in Azkaban, Harry. And we needed you if we're going to prove he's innocent."
Harry paused. "Why do you need me?"
"You're a parselmouth. If we're right, you can open the Chamber of Secrets."
Ernie suddenly rushed into the classroom. "Change of plans," he said breathlessly. "The scout reported. The Heir of Slytherin went into the Chamber. It was a girl."
"Where's Cedric?" Susan asked.
"I don't know what happened but he went to talk to Gilderoy Lockhart."
Harry followed the others as they went to Lockhart's office to be met by a grinning pair of redheads. They pointed to the open door. "First, you have to see this."
Cedric and Ernie had finally had a chance to corner Robert. The first thing they did was ask about his name.
"My brother and I have foresworn all titles while we are in this world. You can even call me Charlie if you prefer."
Cedric began explaining what had happened, and what they were trying to do. Robert was on the verge of agreeing to go with them when a ghost suddenly appeared. Moaning Myrtle.
"I saw her, Cedric. I saw the Heir of Slytherin. She went into the Chamber." Myrtle was excited by what had happened.
"You have told Fred, Haven't you?"
"Of course I did. He's the one that sent that wonderful package. He wants to meet you at the teachers lounges." Her face dropped. "It's plan B." Then she faded away.
"What's plan B?" Robert asked.
"Plan B is we tell the teachers everything because we ran out of time," Cedric explained. "Plan A was that we talk to Harry first." Cedric turned to Ernie. "Are you coming?"
"Definitely. But, what about Charlie?"
"I am coming as well," Robert answered.
The three boys quickly left Hufflepuff to the surprise and consternation of everyone else in the common room who had seen the ghost.
A few minutes later, they were walking toward the teachers lounge, ignoring the call for all the students to go back to their houses. They were stopped when a voice called out to wait.
Fred and George appeared from behind an invisibility cloak.
"That belongs to Harry," Robert admonished.
"Not now. This is serious," Fred told him. "It seems the Heir of Slytherin didn't go into the Chamber alone. He took a student with him. The girl that Myrtle saw."
"It gets better," George added. "Lockhart knows where the Chamber is. He's getting ready to go there himself."
"We had better tell what we know," Cedric acknowledged. "Just in case. Ernie, will you get Susan and Ron. Hopefully they're waiting with Harry in the classroom. Tell them to meet us at Lockhart's Office."
Ernie grinned. "If they can run as fast as I can, I bet we'll beat you there."
Cedric grinned. "We're on the Quidditch team, remember. We can fly?"
Ernie laughed, and was gone.
"Will you talk to him?" Fred asked Cedric as they rushed along.
"We have a bit of a reputation," George explained.
Cedric shook his head. "I'm not surprised."
Robert smirked. "How did the three of you manage to become friends?"
"It's a working relationship," Cedric answered. "And it's your fault."
"Right," Robert said, and smirked again.
They arrived at Lockhart's office and Fred and George hid behind the cloak. Cedric and Robert walked in and . . . Cedric asked, "Are you leaving, Professor?"
"You know how the life of a celebrity is. You can never stay in one place too long."
"But the Chamber of Secrets?" Robert asked.
"A terrible thing, I assure you," Lockhart said as he continued to throw things into his trunk. "I will send my condolences to the Weasley family as far as their daughter goes but that is all I can do."
Cedric and Robert both looked at the door, and thought about the twins waiting beyond it when they discovered who was taken. "But Professor," Cedric said earnestly, "What about all those things you did?"
"You can't believe everything you read, dear boy," Lockhart said with callousness. "What do you expect me to do, anyway? I don't even know where that stupid Chamber is."
Cedric smiled. "We do, Professor. It's in the girls bathroom, the one on the first floor near the Gryffindor tower. It's right where Filch's cat was attacked."
Lockhart looked up as his attitude changed. "That is useful information. It does change the situation. Is there anything else I need to know?"
Cedric paused. "We don't know how to get in, but we think you have to be a parselmouth. That's also how the Heir of Slytherin is controlling the monster. It's a basilisk."
Lockhart nodded as his thoughts wavered. "Why didn't you tell anyone about this?"
"We didn't know who to talk to, Sir, until now. We were waiting until Harry Potter came back."
Gilderoy Lockhart broke out in a smile. "I'll need to talk to Potter. He will have to open the Chamber for me, and I will have to tell him what to say. As for the two of you, I think I'm good enough to make you believe I knew all of this already."
Robert watched in curiosity as Cedric asked, "What do you mean, Sir?"
"It's simple, really," Lockhart said as he drew his wand. "It isn't as though I actually did any of those things, but people like to think I did. So I would get the story and all the details, and then I would make the person forget what they did. It's my specialty, you see. Memory Charms." He pointed his wand at the two boys and said, "Obliva . . ." Then he pointed his wand at the two boys and said, "Obliva . . ." Then he pointed his wand . . .
Cedric looked at Robert who had just finished a quick but complicated hand gesture. "That is very useful."
"I have Master Sean to thank," Robert admitted. "Before he left for Normandy, he helped me set the spell again."
"Again?"
"It is a prepared spell. And it is only useful if someone attacks you. It reflects the power of the spell back at them."
Cedric nodded. "That's good to know but now we'll have to tell Fred and George about their sister."
"No, you don't," Fred and George said as they removed the invisibility cloak. They looked at each other and grinned. "First, When he gets here, we'll show Harry what Robert can do. Then Harry can show us what he can do."
"Again?" Harry asked when he looked in the room at Professor Lockhart.
Robert smiled. "The old fraud actually was an old fraud. He admitted that he never did any of those things. He found the people who did and made them forget."
Cedric nodded. "That's the one spell he admitted to being good at."
Fred smiled then looked at Susan Bones. "How close are you and Ron, really?"
"We're friends, but we both like the fact that everyone thinks it's more than that. Why?"
"We're about to tell him some bad news."
"If it's bad why are you smiling."
"Because he has no idea what else to do," George replied. "We know who was taken to the Chamber."
Ron cringed and then let out a gasp when he was told. "Harry, we have to do something."
Harry nodded. "Let's open the Chamber and see what we're facing."
"We should tell the teachers," Susan said.
"They'll just stop us," Fred insisted. "They'll tell us it's too dangerous."
Harry tried to think. "Uncle Remus. Someone has to tell him. He'll know how to handle this."
Ernie groaned. "It's going to be me again. I always get to be the one to run around."
Cedric grinned. "Thanks for volunteering."
Harry turned to Ernie. "Tell Remus Lupin what we're doing. If we get the Chamber open, we'll wait in case he has a better plan, otherwise I'll try to get Ginny."
"We'll try to get Ginny," Fred told him, with George and Ron strongly agreeing.
"You can't," Harry told them. "There's a basilisk in there. What if I can't control it."
George looked at him, "What if you can, except the Heir of Slytherin is there trying to stop you?"
"Fine," Harry said, "Just don't hold me responsible."
"Ernie," George said as the Hufflepuff was about to leave. "Take this. Just in case."
"That's my invisibility cloak," Harry yelled indignantly.
"He might need it," Fred replied, "and we only borrowed it."
Ernie ogled the cloak. "Those are extremely rare. How did you . . ." Harry's look brought him back. "I'll trust to my speed," he said. "The cloak will only slow me down." On that note he took off.
Cedric grinned at his speed. "If Quidditch were played on the ground, he'd have my position in a heartbeat." Then he paused. "Someone needs to stay here." He pointed into the room.
"Why," Fred asked. "Lockhart's not going anywhere."
It was Robert who answered. "He might. If someone finds him and cancels the spell. He will run to ground and we may never find him until he has an alibi prepared."
Susan looked at Cedric. "Who gets to stay? And miss out on the chance to be a hero?"
"Or heroine?" Cedric asked, then sighed. "Send somebody around when you get a chance. I'll wait, unless you think I can do more by going with you."
"It is up to Harry, anyway," Robert told him. "All of us are extra. I will wait, if you want to go."
Cedric shook his head. "I thought of it. I'm stuck with it. Unless you really want to stay?" He laughed at the look on Robert's face. "Get going, all of you. You're wasting time. What if Lupin shows up and you're not even there." His smile faded as he watched the others run around the corner. He wished he had not thought of Lockhart escaping, but tried to console himself with the fact that this rescue was happening because of the groundwork he had laid, that what he was doing now was the right thing when you looked at the big picture. It did not help. Justice demanded that they avoid any chance that Lockhart would get away, and he was stuck watching him. Cedric looked at DADA Professor who was still shouting "Obliva . . ." and shouted back.
"YOU REALLY ARE A STINKING GIT."
Six people walked into the girl's bathroom, and slid out from underneath the invisibility cloak. Harry was grinning to himself. The twins had been worried about Ernie MacMillan getting caught, but no one had thought about themselves. It was a lucky break they had the cloak with them.
Fred looked around as soon as he entered. Myrtle was nowhere to be seen but it was assumed she was hiding in her toilet. He looked over to her stall when he heard one of the pipes gurgle.
"I know one person who will be happy if this doesn't work out."
"That's nice to know," Harry responded. Then Ron pointed out the sink to him. "What do I have to do?"
"Try telling it to open up," Ron suggested.
Harry nodded and said, "OPEN UP."
"Um, Harry," George suggested, "Try saying it in Parseltongue."
"I thought I was," Harry answered, then tried again. "Open up."
"That was still Anglo-French," Robert said, then grinned as he understood what he said. "You know what I mean."
Harry nodded, and concentrated. His voice felt different as he said it the third time. "Open up."
Remus Lupin looked at the waning daylight and let out a deep breath. The moon would rise early this night but he was ready. Then the claxon sound of the alarm went off. He quickly went to the teachers lounge where the staff was gathering. He listened with dismay as he heard about the latest attack. Then assignments were handed out. They had to make sure that the remaining students were all accounted for. Remus was given the assignment of waiting to see if he was needed.
"Minerva," he explained, "let me know if you really do need me. I will be in control of myself, and my senses will be heightened. That could be useful."
"I will keep it in mind, Remus, but only as a last resort."
Remus nodded and slowly walked back to his rooms, silently cursing himself for having this curse. He opened the door to his rooms, and suddenly realized he had lost track of the time. He quickly grabbed the potion that was waiting for him and drank it in one swallow. Then he looked out the window to see the first sliver of the rising moon.
"Mister Lupin," he heard someone call as his door suddenly opened. He cursed himself again, this time for not having locked it as soon as he came in.
"It's Harry Potter, Mister Lupin, we found the Chamber of Secrets." Ernie blurted this out before Remus had finished turning around. Remus opened his mouth to tell the boy to leave, but the pain hit him at that moment and he let out a strangled cry as he fell to the floor.
As soon as he was able, he raised his head and looked around him. Remus recognized Robert's friend, Ernie, and sighed. Ernie was sitting down backed up against the door, and the sound Remus made scared the boy even more. His first thought was to calm the boy, then try to find out what was going on. It was not an easy task, but thanks to Doctor Pantely he had the means to do it.
Remus the wolf jumped up, resting his paws on the writing table and grabbed his most recent letter with his jaws. Jumping down, he slowly walked over to the cringing boy and dropped the parchment into his lap. It had the effect that Remus had hoped.
Ernie flinched as he saw the wolf coming toward him, but his fear lessened slightly as he noticed the parchment, then confusion and curiosity took hold when the werewolf (Ernie knew what he was facing) dropped it into his lap. He read the letter as the wolf calmly lay on the floor in front of him.
"Remus, the potion is a success. By the time you read this I will be making a demonstration at Saint Mungo's. I have already spent all night with two other patients without cause for worry. As with you, both remained cognizant the entire time."
Ernie looked up in wonder. "You're safe? You're not going to kill me or anything?"
Remus nodded his head.
Ernie was never the bravest person in the world. He knew he wouldn't have lasted five minutes in Gryffindor. But he was no coward, either. He had been caught by surprise by the unexpected, and his fear quickly abated as he understood he was not in danger, but he had a problem.
"Um, Mister Lupin, Do you understand me?"
The look Remus gave him showed that he had asked a stupid question.
"Um, Right." Nothing makes your fear disappear faster than making a fool of yourself. "I was supposed to give you a message, and ask your advice." The wolf nodded. "We found the Chamber of Secrets. Harry's going to try to open it, but he'll wait before he goes in, in case you have a better plan."
Remus stared at the boy. Ernie told him the entire story as clearly as he could, then sat back, still on the floor, waiting an answer. Remus let out a sarcastic whimper to remind him that waiting for a response was not practical, and the boy nodded. Remus admired the fact that Ernie was relatively bright. As soon as he remembered that Remus could not speak he began asking yes or no questions. The boy quickly learned that Remus thought Harry's idea was reckless, but a wolf was not the person to stop him. Telling the other teachers would not help either, if Harry and the other had already entered the Chamber. Then the boy made a brilliant suggestion without knowing it.
"I wish Dumbledore was here," he said with exasperation. "He would know what to do."
Remus stood up on all fours. Ernie MacMillan started, then asked, "Do you know where Dumbledore is?"
Remus nodded, then walked to the side of the door as though he was a dog wanting to be let out. Ernie stood up with more courage than he had when he set down, and opened the door. Remus ran into the hallway and stopped. In an almost human motion, he nodded his head in a way that said "follow me."
Remus ran though the halls. As he saw that Ernie could keep up, he quickened their pace. They raced past the first floor bathroom but Remus could smell that Harry was no longer there, and kept going. In a short time, Remus had led the panting boy to where Professor McGonagall was conferring with Professor Quirrell about the kidnaping of Ginny Weasley. They had confirmed several students missing from their rooms, four each from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
"Professor," Ernie said quickly as he ran up, but Remus pushed him from McGonagall to Quirrell. Ernie nodded and repeated his greeting, "Professor, we need to contact Professor Dumbledore immediately. Harry and Robert are in the Chamber of Secrets."
Professor Quirrell began to ask questions but Remus growled. He looked at Minerva who understood.
"Gabriel, if they are in the Chamber itself we will need Albus as quickly as possible."
"I will take him with me," Quirrell said without hesitation. As he reached for the pouch, he added, "Albus can ask him directly what he need to know."
McGonagall asked where the Chamber was, then told Ernie to give her his wand. He could not take it with him. There was not enough time to say anything else because Professor Quirrell put his arm on the boy's shoulder just as Remus leaned into his leg on the other side. The world faded out, then faded back in, and Ernie found himself in another world.
"We need to find out exactly where Professor Dumbledore is," Quirrell called out to his staff, but Remus immediately let out a howl and padded toward the laboratory door.
"He has the Professor's scent," Ernie explained, hoping he was right. Professor Quirrell nodded and the boy opened the door, following Remus as the wolf ran out. Quirrell called out to two of the younger journeymen who ran to follow them.
Remus wasn't waiting for Ernie once they were outside. He streaked across the grounds, as Ernie made every effort to follow. Ernie rounded the corner of the far building, and almost laughed as he saw the Great Wolf jump up and put his front paws on the shoulders of a familiar figure. He ran the last few yards as Professor Dumbledore asked 'Moony' to get down. Ernie rushed out his message between gasps and Dumbledore's smile became a serious frown. He began racing toward the Institute that Ernie had so recently left.
One of the journeymen ran back with Dumbledore and Moony, while the other, after a quick word, walked over to Ernie. "Can you run?"
"If I have to," Ernie gasped, but the journeyman put out his hand to stop him.
"You do not, but you will have to wait before you can return. Would you like something to eat while you wait?"
Ernie nodded.
The Journeyman smiled. "I am David. I heard Master Albus call you Ernie?" Ernie nodded and David led him to the nearby kitchens.
"Well, we can't wait forever," Harry said, "Who goes first?"
Fred and George looked at each other. "Even," Fred called and the both held out their hands. Fred held out two fingers but George held out only one. George grinned politely and slid himself feet first into the pipe. Fred gave no one a chance to say anything, but quickly followed him. Harry followed suit, then Robert. Ron turned to Susan.
"You should stay here. It could be dangerous."
"Oh, I know it's dangerous, Ron, but I promised to help, and I will." She slid into the pipe before Ron could say anything else. Ron shook his head at her stubbornness and followed her. After a long and slimy slide, he came out of the tube and landed in the spot that Susan had moved from only seconds before.
"It stinks," Ron said out loud.
"It gets worse," Fred called from a distance away, a light at the end of his wand. "Check this out."
In the wandlight, Ron could barely make out a long shriveled form. "What is it?"
"The Basilisk," Harry said with authority. "It shed its skin."
"This thing must be at least sixty feet long," George muttered, as he led everyone past the huge snake skin.
Ron swallowed hard as he looked at the skin as it sat on the damp, mildewed floor. He suddenly realized that what he was walking on were the decades perhaps centuries old bones of myriad rats and other vermin and wished briefly he had never come. Then he remembered Ginny and steeled his heart. The worst was yet to come.
They walked down the tunnel, which seemed to twist and turn to no purpose. Then Fred and George stopped and called to Harry. "We need your help again."
Ron looked and saw two stone snakes with bright emerald eyes that seemed to stare directly at him and follow him as he moved. He heard Harry hiss in Parseltongue and the serpents separated. The wall seemed to crack open, and both halves slid out of sight. He realized there was someone holding his hand, and saw Susan looking at him for encouragement. He squeezed her hand and she smiled briefly. Harry told everyone to be prepared to close their eyes, and took the lead as they entered the Chamber itself.
Robert was the first to speak as they walked into the low-ceilinged corridor. "This looks like the temple of the damned."
They reached the last of the snake like pillars that lined the dark hallway, and the chamber seemed to open up, revealing a huge statue of a demented looking man with a long beard. Ron guessed that it was the image of Salazar Slytherin. He heard George call out Ginny's name and saw him and Fred rushing to the feet of the statue. He brushed past Harry and Robert to join them. It was Ginny, but she looked pale with a blueish hue. When he touched her arm she felt cold, but George said he could feel her breath. It was faint but she was still alive. Ron couldn't help notice Tom Riddle's diary was by her feet.
He looked back at Harry, but Harry was looking elsewhere. Harry said, "Tom Riddle?" and Ron turned in time to see a boy Percy's age nod to Harry. George and Fred had picked up Ginny and began carrying her away, when the strange boy shouted, "It won't help her. She is only barely alive. She will be dead long before you could get her out of the Chamber."
"We have to try," Harry said, "the basilisk could come at any moment."
Tom Riddle walked the short distance to Harry and assured him, "It won't come until it's called." He then made a quick movement with his hand toward Harry's belt, grabbing his wand.
"Harry," Robert called out as Tom Riddle stepped back. Tom was holding Harry's wand, ready to cast any spell.
"I expected you to come, Harry," Tom said with sudden hatred, "I planned for you to come after I talked to you through the diary. But then you left. I was grateful when you returned so I could complete my revenge." He shouted something that only Harry could understand, and Harry heard an answering reply, as Tom snarled. "I should have expected you would bring your friends."
The face of the statue began to open, and Tom shouted in Parseltongue, "Kill them."
Harry used his own abilities and shouted, "No, go back. Don't hurt anyone."
The cold voice that he remembered replied. "I am hungry. I will obey the master."
"Everyone, get out," Harry yelled suddenly. "The basilisk is coming."
Suddenly, it was as though a spell was broken. Ron pulled out his wand and pointed it at Tom Riddle. "Tell it to go back."
"Or what," Tom laughed. "None of you can stop me unless you kill me. And you can't kill me. None of you. Your pitiful morals won't let you."
"Harry," Fred yelled, "Tell it to go away."
"I did," Harry yelled back. "It said no."
As a group, they started to run, with Tom Riddle behind them laughing, but everyone paused as they suddenly heard music. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, came flying into the Chamber and dropped something at Harry's feet. The Sorting Hat. Harry bent down and grabbed it to pick it up, but something fell out clanging on the floor. It was a sword, a magnificent sword with a jewel-encrusted handle and the name Godric Gryffindor engraved onto the blade. Harry picked up the sword and looked up. "Fred, George, take Ginny and run. The rest of you, they'll need your help to get her out of here."
No one dared look back. The basilisk was surely out of its pit by now. Only Robert, closest to Harry, hesitated. Then he shouted to the others. "Go. Take Ginny. We will buy you time."
Reluctantly, the others ran out of the chamber, carrying Ginny with them. Harry looked at Robert, and asked him to go. Then they heard the noise behind them and Robert suggested they try running instead. If they reached the tunnel, it would be a close space and easier to defend. Harry agreed.
As they ran, they saw in the flickering flames the shadow of the great snake getting larger. The snake screamed suddenly as the music was heard again. Both Harry and Robert looked at the shadows and saw Fawkes' shadow as it attacked the monster. Riddle kept telling the monster to ignore the bird. Both boys paused in their running when Tom Riddle screamed. "Curse your damned bird. It's blinded my pet, but it can still smell you."
Robert was the first to look up, and stepped back at what he saw. The snake, free from its attacker was coming straight at them, even though it could no longer see. Then Robert grinned. "Be quick, Harry, strike hard as it comes down at us."
Harry turned but stepped backward in surprise, trying to keep the great snake in sight, and suddenly slipped on one of the slime-covered stones that made up the floor. He fell on his back and the sword went flying. Robert saw what was happening and quickly grabbed the sword and ran back to protect his brother.
The snake lowered its head directly over them and Robert swung at it to make it draw back. He hit and sliced through one of the fangs but the snake jumped sideways instead of upward, scoring the boy's arm with it's remaining fang. Then it came again. Robert held the sword straight up but his strength was failing. Suddenly Harry was next to him, putting his hands to the hilt. As the snake moved to swallow them, it impaled its head on the sword. The blade pierced the inside of the snake's mouth and went directly into it brain. In its dying gasp, the basilisk spewed gore and blood onto both boys.
Robert collapsed. Harry pulled the sword out of the snake, laying it on Robert's chest then dragged him though the V-shape left by the snake's open mouth as it died.
"Too bad," Tom Riddle said carelessly as he walked up. "Your double will be dead soon, but that doesn't matter. I want to talk to you first."
Harry grinned, almost laughing. His naval uniform that he was so proud of was covered in snake bile and blood, and muck and scum from the cavernous tunnel. His hat was gone. But he did not care. His brother was dying. His brother, who had saved his life, was losing his own, and Harry could do nothing about it. Then he saw the fang that his brother had cut off, and picked it up. He stood straight and began walking toward Tom Riddle.
"I've decided to kill you instead."
"You can't kill me, Harry. I'm not real. Not quite yet."
"No, you're not. You're just a phantom in a book. I don't know and I don't care how you did that but I'm putting an end to this." He walked past the figure of Tom Riddle and straight toward the diary.
"Alas," Tom said without remorse. "I will have to stop you."
"You can't," Harry replied. "Even if you were Voldemort you couldn't stop me."
"I am Lord Voldemort," Tom said, causing Harry to turn around. "I am what he was, what he is and what he will be. And I will finish what he started so long ago."
"I stopped him then, and I will stop you now," Harry threatened.
Tom laughed. "I would believe you, but Ginny's brother's told her the story about what happened, after you told it to your fake brother. She told me because she trusted me. I know it was a fluke that hurt my other self. It won't help you." He raised the wand, and shouted the killing curse. "Avada Kedav . . ." He raised the wand and shouted the killing curse. Then he did it again.
Harry smiled. Master Sean's spell had worked for him as well as for Robert.
Knowing he had time, he walked over to the diary, and stabbed it repeatedly with the fang. He was immediately sprayed with a shower of ink, and when he wiped his eyes he saw Tom Riddle, his body contorted with pain. Then Tom was gone.
Harry walked over to where Tom had last stood, and picked up his wand. He then returned to his brother. He paused when he saw Fawkes leaning over Robert, as though the bird was crying. Then he rushed to his brother as he remembered: Phoenix tears had healing powers.
As Harry stopped, Fawkes flew up and landed on his shoulder. Robert opened his eyes suddenly, and saw the sword lying on his chest.
"I assume we won, Harry."
"It was close, but thanks to you, we did. Can you get up?"
"I believe I can." Robert grabbed the sword as he stood up, then noticed the Sorting Hat and picked that up as well. As he joined his brother, he and Harry began to laugh for the same reason. Once he found out about this, Roger would demand to come along the next time something happened.
"And you are?" he asked, with a distinct Irish lilt.
Ernie looked up from where he had fallen asleep in the school kitchen. He was facing a boy his age with bright red hair.
"Uh, Ernie MacMillan. And you are?"
"Raiding the kitchen for a midnight snack."
Ernie saw that the boy was clearly wearing a nightshirt and a bathrobe. "This is a school?"
"Ah, you are a stranger," the boy said. "Welcome to Saint Cathal's Academy." He went to an icebox and pulled out a roast of beef. He grabbed a knife and cut off a good slice and offered it to Ernie. He cut off a larger slice for himself and returned the roast to the icebox. Then he sat down next to Ernie. "Whom do you know here?"
"Nobody," Ernie said. "They brought me here to get something to eat. I was waiting and I guess I fell asleep. The man who was with me must have left."
The boy smiled. "I saw him leave. I assume he went to find you a bed."
"I could use one," Ernie admitted. "I've been running around all day. And now I'm stuck in this world until they come for me," Ernie paused. "Should I have told you that?"
"Definitely," the boy said without hesitation. "It makes the conversation more interesting. Now I get to ask which world you came from."
Ernie smiled. "The same one that Robert went to when he left your world."
"Robert? As in Robert de Somerset?"
"You know him?" Ernie asked, happy about the coincidence.
"We were in the same class and house, until he left."
Ernie smiled. "Then you were a mate of his."
"We were close," the boy admitted, then smiled as Ernie palled.
"You never told me your name. Are you a lord?"
"I am," the boy admitted, "but we are in private and this is such a wonderful conversation. If you want a name, you can call me Owen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ernie."
"Likewise, Owen."
"May I ask another question, or would you like to ask me one?"
Ernie shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't know what to ask. Go ahead."
"How many other worlds are there?"
Ernie frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You said that you come from the world that Robert went to. I was curious how many other worlds there were, that you know of."
Ernie froze. He had made a mistake. He had assumed that, because Dumbledore let everyone know about Robert's world, the same was true in this world. "You have to promise never to tell." He rushed the words out. "I don't think you're supposed to know."
Owen smiled reassuringly. "I know I am not supposed to. But I do. On the other hand, we agreed to be friends. I will therefore keep your secret so that you do not get into trouble. Would you like some more of the roast?"
"I'm full, thank you."
"Would you like a bed? We can tell everyone you are Lord Ernest from New England, come on a visit."
"What if they ask questions?"
"You are also a mute." Both boys laughed.
"What about the man? You said he was finding me a bed."
"He should not have left you. He will get into trouble as he richly deserves, and if he finds me here, I will get into trouble because I deserve it. I know you do not want me to get into trouble."
"Definitely not." Ernie nodded, and followed the other boy, anxious only to find the bed.
"Are you really from another world?" Owen asked as they left the kitchen, and Ernie nodded again. During their walk, they had an interesting conversation.
Harry was very happy and extremely filthy. He had the pleasure of tricking Lucius Malfoy into freeing the house elf, Dobby. Robert came up behind him. "A sock?"
"If its master gives a house elf an article of clothing, the house elf is free."
"I will never understand this world fully."
"That's why I like it. It's always filled with surprises."
Robert nodded and looked around him. "What do we do now?"
"I'm taking a shower before the feast. I need one. You should too."
Robert snorted. "I know that. I was asking for long term."
Harry sighed. "I suppose we go home."
As they began to walk away from the headmaster's office, Robert asked, casually, "How would you place Captain Grissom?"
"An odd question?" Harry pointed out. "Why would you ask that?"
"It should be obvious, Harry. I have to do something with my life. I am no longer my father's heir. My titles have been forfeit because of my death. And I understand I am a natural born sailor."
The feast was underway by the time Robert arrived. He looked for Harry, who was already sitting at his own table, surrounded by the Weasleys. Harry was back in his school robes, as was he. Robert walked over to the Hufflepuff table and sat down after receiving dozens of congratulations. Every Hufflepuff was excited by the fact that they could win the house cup. After all of the points that had been awarded, Gryffindor was less than twenty points ahead, and no one else was close.
"It was great," Susan had told everyone, "Dumbledore gave me a citation and Fifty points, but then he did the same for all three Weasleys. I mean, we were well behind already. Then he gave Harry a Special Award and two hundred points. He deserved it, I know but when Dumbledore did the same for Robert and Cedric . . ."
"I don't care for awards," Robert said casually. "I turned it down."
Susan stared at him. "You are joking?"
"Of course, I am. But I know something that you do not. Ernie was the one to take the message to Dumbledore. He has not yet returned."
The Hufflepuffs began murmuring among themselves. The chance to win the house cup was within their grasp. "Everyone else received fifty points at the least," several of the students pointed out. That would give Hufflepuff a thirty point lead.
Then a priest appeared behind Robert. "My Lord Robert Somerset."
"Father Maurice? May I help you?"
"I was asked to relay a message to Albus Dumbledore, and to yourself. It seems that your friend, Ernie, is missing."
"Missing, Sir?"
Father Maurice looked at the boy questioningly. "Yes. Missing. He had exhausted himself running hither and yon delivering messages that he was unable to follow your headmaster when he returned to this world."
"I am sure he is in no danger."
"Perhaps, but he was brought to the kitchens of Saint Cathal's for nourishment, and fell asleep. The journeyman watching him took the opportunity to report, but when he returned the boy was gone."
"Did they check the school, Father?" Robert asked. "Maybe one of the students . . ."
"They did a bed check. No students were out of bed."
"It is Ernie, Father. I am certain that he is fine."
Father Maurice gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I pray that you are correct, Robert." Then he walked away to talk to the teachers,
"Robert?" Cedric asked as he walked up to him. "Why are you smiling?"
"I know where Ernie is. Father Maurice told me."
"Where?"
"In my bed. When Saint Cathal's found out that I was still alive, they restored my bed to the dorm room in case I returned to the school. They did a bed check and saw that all the beds were full. Ergo ipso facto sum. If it is that way then that is the way it is."
Susan smiled. "How many house points will we lose when they find him?"
Robert smiled in return. "We have a saying in my world. We would have won the battle if only the archers had faced the right way."
A/N: A quick note to HLB. McGonagall has her full name back. It took a mere ten minutes to find the typo.
I would also like to note to Mrs. Cobain that I am not worried about how many reviews I get. True, I would like to be one of those people who get forty or more reviews per chapter. Everyone would.
The truth is that I wrote the story because I liked it. (Yes, I have written all of it, although I am still tinkering with the later chapters.) I'm posting it to see what everyone else thinks about it. Getting reviews is like getting bonus points when you play your favorite game. And my favorite game is: What would happen if? To be honest, I was actually surprised by how the story ended. It was not what I expected.
As a final note, I am not sure if I should tell you this, I am about a third of the way through the story with this chapter. That should give you an idea of what to expect.
