He looked nightmarish. His hair was completely mussed-up. His eyes were almost red, they were so bloodshot. His robes were in worse tatters than Harry's had been. Harry knew perfectly well that regular cuts and scrapes could easily be healed, so it was pointless to search for those. Not that he really needed to. No, all the evidence was pointing itself out clearly.
Solieyu looked over at Harry as he slowly made his way across the dorm room, wincing with each step. He slipped off his robes and changed into a pair of pajamas and, once finished, crawled into bed. Harry watched him all the while, waiting to see if he would say anything. Surely he couldn't figure both Harry and Tonks to be stupid enough to believe it wasn't him
"You look like hell." Harry finally said.
"Thanks." Solieyu murmured. He was laying on his stomach and had his face buried into one of his pillows.
"We don't care." Harry stated. "We worked it out and we don't care."
"You haven't." Came the soft reply.
"Haven't? Haven't what?" Asked Harry.
"Worked it out." Solieyu said. Turning his head only enough so that he could look at Harry with one eye, he continued, "I bet I know what you've worked out. And it's completely wrong."
"It can't be wrong." Harry said, folding his arms across his chest. "Too many coincidences for it to be wrong."
"Perhaps." Solieyu said, and Harry noted how much amusement had seeped into his tired voice. "But you're still wrong. Close, but wrong, nonetheless. Shouldn't you be in class?"
"Tonks is covering for me and don't change the subject." Harry said, glaring at Solieyu. "We know you saved us out there. When did you get in? You had us both worried. If it matters, we also know what's been attacking the students now. Were you there for that, too? How long were you around?"
"Just long enough to rescue you. What's causing the attacks?" Solieyu asked.
Noting mentally that Solieyu confirmed something, finally, Harry continued, "It's a basilisk. We also figured that it must be getting in through Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. But it requires way too many odd things to be in place."
"Such as?"
"Such as," Harry began, walking over to sit on the edge of Solieyu's bed, "Ginny Weasley having kept Riddle's diary. Ginny Weasley choosing that bathroom to throw it away in. The pipes being big enough for the basilisk to get around. The door being big enough for the basilisk to get through. No one noticing a giant, hulking snake slithering through the damn school."
"Been thinking this through, have you?" Solieyu asked.
"I was up most of the night. I had nothing better to do." Replied a bitter Harry.
"You should have slept, then." Solieyu said.
"I'll let that one slip. But only because you saved us." Harry said, shaking his head. "So when did you get back, anyway?"
"Before the sun came up." Came Solieyu's reply.
"Naturally."
With a dry chuckle, Solieyu continued, "Completely wrong. Anyway... it was like a neverending swarm. If someone ever dares you to bite an acromantula, turn and walk away. It isn't a pleasant taste."
"I'd imagine it isn't." Harry said. "Why, exactly, are we completely wrong? All of the signs fit."
"I've been around you on other full moons, Harry."
"We haven't exactly been paying attention lately. Other things to deal with." Harry said, half-glaring down at his friend.
"Your loss, then."
"If you aren't a werewolf, what are you then?"
"Why should I say? At this point, you should have enough clues to work it out. And if you come to the wrong conclusion, it's all the more amusing for me. I need a few good laughs every now and then, Harry." Solieyu murmured.
"Well now you're just being stubborn." Harry said, glaring fully now.
"It's more fun this way." Solieyu said.
"To you, maybe. Driving me crazy, it is."
"If you haven't worked it out by this next Halloween... I'll tell you then" Solieyu said. "I promise."
Harry blinked. "Really? You'll tell us?"
"Yes."
"Well why Halloween? If you haven't noticed, bad things happen on Halloween!" Harry said, flailing wildly.
"So I've noticed. But then, if anything does happen, I'd be more a help since I wouldn't have to hold back." Solieyu said.
"'Hold back.'" Harry repeated. "How often, exactly, have you held back?"
"Not many. As you can see, my condition leaves me... abysmally weak and tired most of the time."
"Can the potion--?"
"Yes. But I only take it if I absolutely have to. After you find out, whatever way it happens... I'll let you watch me take it. Then, maybe, you'll know why I try to keep from it." Solieyu offered.
"Sounds like a plan."
"So what now?" Solieyu asked. "Not a very good idea to hunt a basilisk down on your own."
"Mm. I've been thinking about that, too." Harry said. "But I haven't reached a lot of probable ideas."
"You could always ask Lockhart." Solieyu suggested.
"Much as I'd love to see him get eaten," Harry began, smirking, "I don't think I'd get anywhere. In all honesty, I guess I can understand why the staff has been so reluctant to take action. I can't imagine it would be very easy to kill something like that."
"Perhaps they're hoping it goes away on its own. Didn't it do that last time?"
"From what I saw in Riddle's diary? Yeah, it did. ...Strangely enough, it was after Hagrid had been expelled." Harry said. "I wonder if that's the real reason behind why they took Hagrid off to Azkaban last night."
"They took him away, did they? I wasn't there for that, either." Solieyu said.
"Yeah. Tonks and I didn't get much of a chance to talk to him before Dumbledore, Fudge, and Malfoy's father showed up. Hagrid told us to follow the spiders before leaving, though..." Harry explained.
"Ahh. So once again, you can blame Hagrid for your ending up in a bad situation."
"Something like that." Harry grumbled darkly. "Anyway... if anything else happens, anything at all, then I'll go to Dumbledore directly. Surely he can find something to do about it."
"And if he can't? Or won't?" Solieyu asked.
"Then we do it ourselves." Harry said. "I'm not going to let anyone get killed because they refused to take action again."
"Mm." Solieyu replied. From his tone, it was obvious that he was on the verge of falling asleep.
"I thought you didn't rest." Harry commented as he got to his feet.
"I don't like to rest. I do need it, however. You'll find very few living creatures who can survive without sleep."
"Noted. I'll be in the common room if you need anything." Harry said, heading for the door. "And just so we're perfectly clear on it - we aren't spooked, we aren't afraid, and we're both grateful that you saved us."
"Duly noted. Goodnight, Harry." Solieyu murmured.
"Morning, Leon."
"Whatever."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"You look like hell." Tonks commented as she and Harry made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"I love too, too." Harry scowled. He knew he must have looked awful. After all, if he got any sleep the previous night, it was in bursts so short that they didn't register with him. "You know, he said I was wrong."
"What, about... that?" Tonks asked, glancing around quickly.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. I don't see how I could be, all things considered. But he did say if we didn't get it right by this next Halloween, he'd come clean and just tell us. So at least I can get one thing off of my Things to Solve list."
Upon entering the hall, the hair on the back of Harry's neck stood on end. His eyes quickly scanned the room. For some reason, only professors Vector and Sinistra were present at the staff table. Harry and Tonks had actually arrived on time for once, so this was quite odd. Harry tried pushing the feeling out of his mind, however. No matter what might be happening, the fact remained that he'd be useless unless he got something to eat.
"I don't like it, Tonks." Harry murmured, halfway through some eggs and toast. "Don't like it at all."
"Yeah... something seems odd. You don't think...?"
"I hope not." Harry replied, gravely. "If anyone's gotten killed..."
"Hey, Harry...?"
"Yeah?"
"We're lacking a handful of redheads..."
Harry choked hard on his toast, grabbing at his goblet and gulping down some pumpkin juice as his eyes went to the Gryffindor table. None of the Weasleys were seated. It wasn't odd for Ginny to be absent, all things considered... but George was almost always there. And for Ron to miss a meal... well, even Harry took note of things like that.
"Damn!" Harry swore quietly, getting to his feet. Tonks was right behind him as he made his way for the doors again. Just as they crossed over, someone grabbed hold of his right arm harshly. Jumping and reaching for his wand, Harry stopped when he realized that George was the one next to him. His eyes were wide and he was out of breath, panting heavily and half bent-over.
"H-Harry..." George said, between deep breaths, "You've gotta help us...!"
"George, calm down! What's happened? Has... has someone been killed...?" Harry asked, not sure if he really wanted to know the answer or not. When George shook his head, Harry felt relief surge through him. But it was short-lived, however, as George asked them to follow him - and be quick about it.
Together, the three took off running. Even though he was winded, George managed to keep a good distance ahead of them. He had to stop a few times as they went to wait for Harry and Tonks to catch up. Finally, George slowed to a walk, put his finger up to his lips, and crept around the next corner. Harry and Tonks tiptoed after him.
"Hi." George said, putting a hand on Ron's back. Ron, who was pale and peeking around another corner, simply nodded in reply. George motioned for the Ravenclaws to join them. As the two approached, they heard the unmistakable sound of the staff talking in heated whispers.
"...lling you that we must do something!" Said McGonagall.
"Yes! We can't keep going on like this, Albus!" Squeaked Flitwick.
"I understand your concern, my friends." Said the calm voice of Dumbledore. "But there is nothing we can do. Even I do not know the location that leads to the Chamber of Secrets. I am, however, quite open to suggestions. I am afraid that one of the side effects of aging is a bad memory. And, if I may say so, even one such as myself can often overlook the most obvious of ideas..."
Silenced took hold of the corridor then. When it was broken, it was by none other than Snape. "Why don't we have Gilderoy hunt the thing down?" He sneered, saying the Defense professor's name as if it were disgusting.
"W-What?" Said an obviously startled Lockhart. "Oh, but Severus..."
"Weren't you just telling me the other day that you were sure you knew not only what was causing the attacks, but where the Chamber's entrance was located? By all means, Lockhart, show us your... talent." Snape said. Harry could almost hear the oily smile in the man's voice.
"B...But Severus..." Lockhart said, sounding near the verge of defeat.
"A wonderful idea, Severus." Agreed Dumbledore, with an open smile on his face. "We are in your care, Gilderoy."
George whirled and, in one fluid motion, had everyone pressed back against the shadowed corner just in time. Several of the departing professors rushed by, talking quietly between themselves. Harry picked up only a little of it - it seemed as if the Mandrake antidote was near completion. A small consolation.
After the coast was clear, George turned to Harry and Tonks and stepped out into the corridor. "If Lockhart's going to stop it, we're as good as dead. Look at what was written on the wall."
Harry, Tonks, and Ron followed George out of the shadows. While Harry and Tonks read, Ron looked off, eyes narrowed, arms crossed.
"...George? Does this mean what I think it does?"
"Yeah. Ron heard it. He came to get me. I came to get you two, since you're more likely to have an idea on what to do." George said, looking off as well. "Ginny's been taken into the Chamber. Looks like she was involved... guess I can't try to fool myself about it anymore."
"Damn it, I hate being right all the time." Harry sighed, running a hand back through his hair.
"Well, we can't let that idiot Lockhart handle things, now can we?" Tonks said, putting a hand on her hip and looking between the three. "Harry, why don't the two of us go pay him a visit? George and Ron can go keep an eye on the staff. The last thing we need is to be intercepted."
"Good idea. Try not to worry too much, George." Harry said, turning to the older redhead and smirking. "I've stopped Voldemort twice now. I think I can handle a giant snake."
"Good luck, mate." George said, clasping a hand on Harry's shoulder briefly. "You too, Tonks. Try and feed that royal nonce to the creature while you're at it, alright? Get him out of our hair for good."
"Can't make any promises." Harry said, nodding to Tonks. The two took off running in the direction that Lockhart left down. "But we'll give it our best!"
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"So what are we gonna do now?" Tonks asked as she and Harry ran through the halls. For a man his age, Lockhart certainly was fast.
"It's obvious, isn't it? We're going to hijack that idiot and take him with us. If I'm going to fight a basilisk, I might as well have a shield, right?" Harry said,
grinning crookedly.
"Harry!"
"Sorry, sorry. But hey, if it happens, it happens. I have no clue how the hell one would even go about fighting something like that, though. I mean, you can't look at it, right? So how do you see where you're aiming? Fighting it in enclosed areas is no good, because you're at a disadvantage and frankly, I'm not sure how fast those things can move. But fighting in a wide-open area is just as bad, since it has more room to move, too!" Harry said.
"So your only real option is to blindly fling spells behind you as you run around aimlessly? Well that's real nice, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Harry scowled. "Hence, we need Lockhart. He'll come in handy somehow, I reckon."
Tonks snorted. "Yeah. His squeals of terror will get the thing to come right for you."
"Well, it'd save me some effort, I guess..." Harry said. "But then how would I find Ginny? Dammit, if I had been thinking clearly, I might have been able to prevent this from happening..."
"Alright, no beating yourself up over it." Tonks said, giving Harry the evil eye. "I'll do it later if you want, but you need to focus right now. ...And what makes you think you'll be fighting the stupid thing by yourself, anyway?"
Making a face, Harry replied, "Didn't you know? I'm the hero. Heroes always fight alone."
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"And just what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Lockhart froze, slowly turning to look over his shoulder to find two Ravenclaws aiming their wands at him. Narrowing his eyes, he stood up straight, leaving his hastily-packed trunk behind. "I should have expected this, I suppose."
"Going somewhere?" Tonks asked.
"Not anymore, it would seem." Lockhart said, crossing his arms.
"Indeed." Harry agreed. "Care to explain to us why you're running away? Aside from the fact that you're completely useless?"
Narrowing his eyes further, Lockhart smiled crookedly. "Ahh, I'm not entirely useless, dear boy. While I might be subpar in most fields of magic, I am rather adept at memory charms... it's come in handy quite often in my... travels..."
Harry and Tonks exchanged a quick glance. "So..." Tonks began, "What are you telling us?"
"I think he's saying that he stole all the material in his books." Harry said.
A smarmy smile confirmed Harry's guess. "Five points to Ravenclaw." Said Lockhart. "Yes, you hit the nail on the head, as usual, Harry. Nobody wants to read about some crosseyed old drunkard managing to luck his way to victory against a group of vampires! But throw in some sparkling robes, keep your teeth in good condition, and you'll have the wizarding world in your pocket."
"Taking their stories and modifying their memories afterwards. How on earth did Dumbledore choose you for this job?" Tonks asked, shaking her head slowly.
"I think he was trying to expose me for what I am." Scowled Lockhart, glancing off to the side. "Now... what is it you two want? I've got places to be. As you can see, I was in the middle of packing when I was so rudely interrupted."
"You're coming with us." Harry declared. "We're going to fight the basilisk and save Ginny Weasley from the Chamber of Secrets."
"Nice recap." Tonks murmured.
"Shut up." Harry said, quickly shooting Tonks a glare. Looking back to Lockhart, he smiled grimly. "You're coming with us, whether you want to or not, you arrogant bloody ponce."
"Children these days... so rude to your elders." Lockhart snorted. "And what if I decline?"
"There's no declining." Harry stated. "Come with us or I'll personally see to an inversion of whatever manhood you have left."
"Eww." Said Lockhart and Tonks at the same time.
"March." Harry growled, jabbing Lockhart in the chest with his wand. "And so help me, if you try anything funny..."
Stiffening slightly, Lockhart began walking towards the door. Harry and Tonks followed closely behind, wands trained on the man's head. The Ravenclaw duo gave out directions as they made their way through the corridors of Hogwarts, thankful that no one crossed their paths. Harry mirthlessly wondered why he had good luck in only the worst of situations.
When they arrived at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Lockhart glanced around in confusion. "What are you going to do, dunk my head in a toilet?"
"We ought of dangle him over Myrtle's - let her have a go at him." Tonks grumbled. "On that note, though, what are we gonna do, Harry? I mean, we know the entrance is in here somewhere, but..."
"Yeah, I know. Keep a good eye on the idiot, I'm going to take a look around." Harry said, heading off towards the stalls. "Myrtle? Myrtle, are you there? It's me, Harry Potter..."
Almost at once, the ghostly head of Moaning Myrtle popped through one of the stall doors. "Ohh, Harry... you did come back..." She said. And then, glancing across the room, she asked, "Who's he?"
"A golden dandy. Myrtle, do me a favor? Could you help Tonks keep an eye on him? Please? I've got to figure out where the Chamber of Secrets' entrance is..."
Smiling strangely, Myrtle nodded, floating towards Lockhart. With a grin, she ran a pale finger along (and slightly through) one of his arms, causing him to shudder. "You're gorgeous." She purred. Lockhart let out an uncomfortable whimper.
After a good half hour of searching, Harry let out a sigh of frustration. "Where the blazes could it be?"
"Myrtle..." Tonks began, trying not to snicker at the expression on Lockhart's face. "You uh... didn't happen to hear anything strange the day you died, did you?"
"Aside from the strange voice? No..." Myrtle said.
"Do you remember where you heard it?" Tonks continued.
Thinking for a moment, Myrtle turned and pointed to a sink. "I think it came from over there somewhere, but... I can't be sure... it was so long ago..."
Harry went over to the sink immediately. Kneeling down, he squinted as he inspected it. After a few moments, he uttered a soft, "What the...?"
"What is it?" Tonks asked.
"It's a snake... carved into the sink itself." Harry said, looking over his shoulder. "What do you think? Should I try saying something to it in Parseltongue?"
"Couldn't hurt." Tonks said.
Taking a deep breath, Harry turned back to the engraved snake and murmured, "Open up!"
"English." Tonks commented.
"Damn. Um... Okay, let me try again." Harry said. Concentrating harder this time, he murmured, "Open up!"
"English again. And now your hair is green." Tonks said.
"What? Oh, for..." Harry said, closing his eyes and shifting his hair back to its normal color before growling, ":Open up, dammit:"
"That wasn't English." Tonks said, quietly.
Indeed it wasn't. Almost at once, the sink let out a tremendous groan and began shaking. Harry jumped back just in time for the sink to open up, revealing a large hole in the ground. Stepping closer once more, Harry peered into it, letting out a low whistle. "Looks deep..." And, taking a small piece of the sink that had rattled off in its move, Harry chucked it into the hole. A good ten seconds later and a faint 'thunk' issued from it.
"Very deep." Harry commented. "Tonks, throw the idiot in. If he makes it alright, we follow."
"What?" Lockhart squeaked. "Now see here, boy, I will not be--WHOOOOOOA!"
Tonks smiled, peering over the edge of the hole as Lockhart disappeared into it. "No protesting allowed." She said.
A few seconds later, a loud swear came from the opening.
"Guess that means it's safe enough to go down." Harry said. "I'll go first, alright?"
"Think I can't handle him for a few seconds?" Tonks teased.
"I think I don't want to risk it." Harry replied, smiling. A few moments passed before Harry spoke again. "Tonks, look... I dunno what's gonna happen down there. But... but if anything happens, I just... um... Well, I was..."
"I know." Tonks murmured, leaning in to give Harry a quick kiss. "I do, too."
"You do?" Harry asked, blinking.
"Yeah..." Tonks said, smiling. "I do. ...Go on, hero. Our end of the year fun's just gotten started. Let's get this over with so we can brag to Leon... and win the House Cup for our troubles."
Chuckling, Harry nodded. "Alright. Well... here goes nothing." And with that, Harry leapt into the dark tunnel. It twisted its way down, with Harry unable to see anything. Bracing himself as best he could for an unknown impact, Harry got his wand ready. If Lockhart was alive, he would be in a worse mood than he had been in. And he would probably have drawn his wand by now. That is, if the basilisk hadn't come along and gobbled him up.
"If only." Harry muttered darkly, a matter of seconds before being shot out of the end of the tunnel. Crashing hard on his left side, Harry quickly rolled onto his back and aimed his wand at Lockhart. Grinning through his pain, Harry said, "Not today."
Lockhart, wand aimed right back at Harry, scowled. "What makes you think you could get off a spell faster than me?"
"Once again, I feel the need to point out that I'm the hero, whether I want to be or not. You can't kill the hero." Harry said, making a face. "Now put that damn thing away so I can get up."
Reluctantly, Lockhart did so. But just as Harry was getting to his feet, Tonks came flying out of the tunnel. She crashed into him and sent them both back down to the floor. Lockhart blinked in surprise as the two Ravenclaws muttered swears he had never heard of, each rubbing at their heads.
"Jeez... it's a good thing I have a hard head..." Harry muttered, rubbing at his scar.
"Sorry..." Tonks groaned. "I thought you would've been outta the way!"
"Care to get offa me?" Harry asked. "Don't think I can kill a giant monster with you on me. No offense."
Blushing, Tonks rolled off to one side. Spotting Lockhart, she took aim at him. "Shut up!" She mumbled.
Grinning, Harry once again got to his feet, offering Tonks a hand up. After casting Lumos, they finally got a good look at what they had landed on. Tonks let out a quiet whimper.
"Bones..." Harry said, shuddering. "I've been laying... in a bone pile. Oh, that's just LOVELY."
"At least you didn't land face first." Lockhart growled.
Shuddering once more, Harry finally got to look around the room they were in. It was small, circular, and led off down a wide tunnel. Motioning for Lockhart to take the lead, Harry and Tonks once again walked a few paces behind the man. Lockhart might be worthless in combat, but he made for a fine, walking shield. When the tunnel ended, the three stepped out into a lavish, long corridor, filled with elaborate status that lined the walls. Most looked like the pictures Harry had seen of Salazar Slytherin. The chamber didn't seem completed, however. It was as if Slytherin had just up and vanished. The part of the room they were standing in was rock and dirt just like in the tunnel.
"What now?" Tonks asked.
"We keep going..." Harry said.
"Do we have to?"
"Unfortunately. Come on... the faster we do this, the sooner we get to leave."
Harry started forward, glancing up at the ceiling to see a long snake engraved from one end to the other. As he was admiring the scenary, however, Tonks let out a pair of yelps. One issued towards Harry to watch out, the other as she tumbled forward. Spinning, Harry saw events play out in slow motion. Lockhart was aiming at Harry, a sadistic grin on his face. The burst of light at the tip of his wand was growing. But just before it was loosed, Tonks tripped, slamming into Lockhart from the side. Lockhart lost his balance and went tipping over, as well, hitting the back of his head against the hard, rocky wall. His concentration broken, his spell flew from his wand, smashing into the ceiling. Tonks leapt out of the way just in time. A number of large rocks came pouring down, a particularly large one crashing into the top of Lockhart's head. Having been injured so much in such a short period, Lockhart promptly keeled over forward, out cold.
Tonks looked up just in time to see Harry leap out of the way of a particularly large chunk of ceiling that had come loose from the rest. Lockhart's spell had obviously done more damage than either Ravenclaw realized. The cave roof seemed to be remarkably bad, and both she and Harry had to keep dodging bits and pieces of it as they fell. Unfortunately, this cut off Harry from Tonks. Bits of the large, ornate snake on the ceiling were now blocking the way forward. Harry was on one side, Tonks and Lockhart were on the other.
When the rumbling finally ended, Harry called out, "Tonks! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine! If you call being stuck with this idiot 'fine,' anyway. What about you?" Tonks asked.
"Few scrapes, nothing serious." Harry said, stepping up to the rubble and peering through a small hole. "See if you can't clear some of this away, alright? I'm going to go on ahead. That idiot caused enough trouble... hopefully we don't have to try and escape with the basilisk hot on our heels..."
"Ohh, don't even suggest something like that." Tonks whined. "Alright, I guess I'll blast some stone while you're gone... Be careful, Harry, alright? ...Come back to me in one piece."
"I will." Harry said. Then, with a faint grin on his face, he added, "Didn't I tell you earlier? Looks like I'll be fighting on my own after all."
Turning, Harry took off running. Tonks watched until he had passed on to the next room and whatever it held. Biting down on her lower lip, she forced herself not to think anything morbid. Taking a deep breath, she convinced herself that Harry would be okay... that she would see him alive again. As she began moving smaller bits of rock and stone away, she made a promise to herself. Once Harry returned, she would definitely tell him, in her own words, how she felt.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Author's Notes: I know, I KNOW, it's like two weeks past when I said it would be. Blame writer's block and general laziness. Be glad I got it done when I did. I finally found a place with a copy of Kingdom Hearts in, so I rented that and have been playing it. In addition, a friend sent me the whole of King of Braves GaoGaiGar, a 49-episode series. Needless to say, I've had a lot to do. I've got a backlog of anime that's ridiculously long. Ach. In addition, there's that issue with my sleeping schedule I've been dealing with lately. But I'm FINALLY back to normal. Almost. I'm still a couple hours from being back on the schedule I WAS on, but it's close enough.
So... yeah. We get the setup to the big finale, don't we? Harry's alone and the other two got left behind. And a cute little moment or two between them! And just what part of Leon's 'problem' was Harry wrong about? Oh, the stuff I torment you people with!
Here's to hoping none of my readers got caught up in the Swirling Bitch of Doom that's slamming into the southern US right now. I'm in northeastern Oklahoma, so while we may get slightly clipped by the outer edge of the thing as it spins its way inland, there's no risk of anything sketchy happening. Good luck to anyone or their families trying to get through the thing unscathed. I, like many others, have been glued to the Weather Channel to keep an eye on where the hell that thing is heading.