p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The next morning, Harry worst fears were realized. Colin Creevey was not at breakfast, and immediately afterwards, Snape called him and said Dumbledore wanted to see him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Another attack?" Harry asked, and Snape nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The Creevey boy in Gryffindor. Draco is playing it for all it's worth. He keeps going on about how you didn't like Creevey taking pictures of you." Snape informs him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course I don't!" Harry says angrily, "Only an idiot like Lockhart would. And I'm far from the only one. Half the quidditch players don't want him at practices."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Lemon drops." Snape says as they reach the gargoyle, "Remember what I said last time."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods and they walk up the staircase. "Enter." Professor Dumbledore says before they get to the top of the steps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good morning, Harry." he says as they take their seats, "Unfortunately it is not so good for one of your classmates."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Professor Snape told me. Colin Creevey was attacked?" Harry asks, meeting the old man's eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm afraid so. He was found in the entrance hall. According to his dorm mates, he was going to try and find you. Might I ask where you were at midnight last night?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""In bed. The noise of the victory party was giving me a slight headache, so I turned in early." Harry answers, only partially lying. He had gone to bed earlier, but not because of a headache./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Can anyone verify this?" the headmaster asks, eyes twinkling, as Harry felt a probe touch his shields./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry quickly locks away memories of the map, and the voice before letting the old man gave few reign, "Most of the house saw me go up to bed, and any of them could vouch that I never came back down."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But we both know that you have that invisibility cloak. Perhaps you went for a walk and He surprised you? And like Ms. Norris, you overreacted." Dumbledore says, as if trying to convince Harry he did nothing wrong./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm afraid I prefer to take walks in the morning. And I can assure you that I didn't use my father's cloak, as I left it at the Greengrass' over the summer. Do you have any more questions?" Harry asks venomously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Only one." he replies, probe pushing harder at Harry's shields. "I must ask, is there anything you would like to tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry briefly considers telling him about the voice, but decides the old man isn't trustworthy, "No, sir. Nothing at all."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. I would recommend getting back to bed, as Poppy will have both our heads if anything happens to your foot." he smiles, before opening the door and seeing them off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As they stepped into the dungeons, Harry asks, "Sir, could I have a word?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape motions him into his office, and quickly places privacy charms. "What's wrong?" he asks calmly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I wasn't entirely truthful with the headmaster. I went to bed not because I had a headache, but because I heard a voice." he Harry admits, hoping Snape didn't think he was crazy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape eyes went alert, ready for don't thing as he asks, "What did it say?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""'Time to kill. After so long.' was all it said. I didn't mention it before, because I thought that even for a wizard, hearing voices isn't good." Harry answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""How did it sound? Was it human, or perhaps something else?" Snape says, quickly making notes about what is said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It sounded like it was hissing, but it definitely wasn't human. I think it might have echo, but I can't be sure." Harry says, racking his brain for anything that might be useful./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape jots down these tidbits, and makes a few more of his own, before turning back, "If you hear this voice again, come see me immediately. If you're in class, leave. If you're at quidditch practice, fly your broom to my office, understand? I will try and find some way to put an end to this, but for now don't tell anyone. I assume Daphne and Susan know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods, "I'll make sure they know not to pass it along."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Be on your guard. Don't be alone. This last meeting made it obvious that the headmaster believes you to be responsible. Always be sure you have an alibi." Harry nods and walks out of the office./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The weeks passed slowly. News reached the student about Colin by the end of the first day. Since then, more and more people were starting to buy into the lies Malfoy and Weasley were spouting about him. (It didn't help any that he was legally Lord Slytherin.)/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"By the end of November, Harry felt more isolated than ever. Most of the Slytherin's still supported him, though some still accused him behind his back. In dueling club, no one challenged him because they believed he'd petrify them in the middle of the hall. The only person he dueled was Tori, who had already become his equal in terms of strength, and her creative use of the spells she has before than makes her more than a match for his greater variety of spells./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They're clashes generally drew a crowd, though all that did was alienate her as well. "What if they're in it together?" the students would ask among themselves./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"More than once Harry had offered to distance himself so that she could enjoy her first year, but she flat out refused. "Anyone with half a brain can see you aren't the heir. If they're going to isolate you because of Malfoy's lies, let them. You've still got all of us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"This changed the week before the end of term. As usual, Harry went to the dueling club with the few real friends he had. Tori, Daph, Susan, twins, other twins, and Neville. Hermione also seemed far better than the rest of her house, though because of her position in the house, she couldn't afford to be seen openly consorting with the enemy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry began teaching the younger twins the shield charm, and the girls went to find someone to challenge. Daphne was the first, easily crushing Pansy Parkinson. Next, Susan took Dean down without even directly hitting him. Tori, however, drew the ire of Malfoy. The two were standing across from each other, Harry and friends firmly in her corner when Flitwick started the match./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Draco fires a jelly legs jinx before the match even starts, forcing Tori off balance. Even from the outset, Harry notices a fatal flaw. She's too nervous. If she dueled like she does against him, Draco wouldn't be any trouble. But Tori doesn't have any experience against anyone else. When she starts second guessing herself, not only will her spells be weak, but she'll leave herself open./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Less than five minutes in, that's exactly what happened. She launches a hastily cast stunner, which Malfoy dodges and cries, "Serpentsortia!" From the tip of his wand, a black viper leaped forth, landing less than a foot from Tori's leg. Malfoy roars in laughter, as Tori slowly inches back, trying to avoid the snake, whose eyes are transfixed on her, teeth bared. The teachers surround the stage, each afraid to move for fear of the snake lashing out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry quickly gets on the stage and force Tori behind him. Looking the snake dead in the eyes, Harry says, $Leave her alone.$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Surprisingly the snake, which had seconds before been inching ever closer, stopped. It opened its mouth slightly and hissed, but Harry heard it clear as day, $Then what should I do?$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"$That boy summoned you here.$ Harry hissed back, $Make him suffer.$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The snake hissed again and turned around, teeth bared at the no longer laughing Malfoy. As the snake crossed the center line, Flitwick took his chance. With a stabbing motion, a white ball collided with the snake, and it evaporated into grey smoke. Harry finally breathed a sigh of relief, as Tori clutches him from behind./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"He realizes something is wrong, as everyone in the hall is staring at him, fear etched on their faces. Even his closest friends looked worried. A Hufflepuff from his year, Justin, backed away from the stage. "What the hell? Not the heir of Slytherin my ass!" he yelled as he ran from the crowded hall, followed by nearly all the other students./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As soon as he got off the stage, his friends literally dragged him to the Slytherin common room. Daphne is the first to talk, "Why didn't you tell us you were a praselmouth?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A what?" Harry asks, confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You can talk to snakes." Susan clarified, "It's extremely rare, and considered to be the sign of a dark wizard. "/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I never knew." Harry explains, "The only contact I've ever had with a snake was when I set one few at the zoo the summer before first year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""This is bad." Fred said, worriedly, "This is really bad."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""How is it bad? All I did was stop that snake from attacking Tori!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But now you provided more evidence that you are the heir." George says, looking concerned, "Slytherin was a praselmouth, so it would make sense that you'd need to speak parseltongue to get into the chamber."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, now everyone is going to think in the heir, just because I saved Tori. Perfect, just what I-" he starts before he hears a chilling voice, $I smell blood. Time to kill!$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry jumps, everyone looking at him in surprise. "It's that voice." Harry says, walking towards the door, "I'm going to tell Snape." before anyone can stop him, he runs out of the common room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As he bangs on Snape's office door, a voice startles him, "Potter! What are you doing up at this hour?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry cursed as he turned to see a very smug Percy Weasley walking towards him. "I need to talk to Professor Snape. It's an emergency."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well then, let's go try and find him." Percy said, confident that Harry was making up excuses for being out late. The two of them leave the dungeons and begin scouring the halls looking for professor Snape. What they find is far worse. On the third floor, lying on the ground, was Justin, unmistakably petrified. Beside him, white and smoking, completely unmoving, is the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick. The sound of wheezing and quick footsteps appears behind him, and Argus Filch started laughing, "I've got you now, Potter! Keep him here, Weasley, I'll get the others!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Before Harry could say anything, Percy had his wand pointed at Harry forehead. They stood in silence for several moments, until the sounded of hurried footsteps came from every direction. First on the scene was Professor Snape, who shoot Harry a quick look, and Harry mouthed back, 'voice'. Whether he understood or not, Dumbledore arrived next, quickly casting a few charms on both ghost and student. Next was Professor McGonagall, who stood glaring at him. Last to arrive was Giuseppe, who proceeded to assist Dumbledore./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Weasley, please put away your wand." Snape sneered at the prefect, "We all know it's just for show anyway, Potter has more talent in his pinky than has been in your family for three generations. Excluding those twins and your older brothers, of course."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy's face turned red, but he slowly lowered his wand. Professor McGonagall walked over, still glaring at Harry. "What happened?" she barked, making Percy jump./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I found potter banging on Professor Snape's door. He insisted he needed to speak with professor Snape, and that it was an emergency. Naturally, I attempted to find professor Snape for him, but as we grew closer to this place, he became increasingly nervous. When we found this, Mr. Filch told me to detain him." Percy says gleefully./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I wouldn't put much store by that story, Minerva." Snape sneers, "I personally wouldn't trust a prefect who has a grudge against Mr. Potter in this case."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And what grudge would that be?" McGonagall asked, eyes narrowing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Weasley's brother has been repeatedly humiliated by Mr. Potter. I believe it isn't a far cry for him to mistake some minor details in revenge for his brother's failure." Snape smirks as Percy's face turns continually more red./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What about you, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asks expression slightly softer than before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I was in the common room, when I remembered something that I urgently needed to tell Professor Snape. When I was knocking on his door, Percy found me, and dragged off to search the castle as opposed to waiting at his office, where he would eventually be. When he found them, he and filch immediately assumed it was me, and Filch broke school rules by order Percy to detain me without evidence, and Percy broke rules by illegally holding a and against me." Harry said, secretly thanking Susan for the crash course on school rules./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"McGonagall glares at Percy, "That certainly sounds quite a bit different then you told it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He's obviously lying!" Filch yells, trying to not laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It's true, Ma'am. Potter would clearly lie to try and get away with this despicable act." Percy smirks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What is this important information you needed to pass onto Severus?" Dumbledore asks, as he and Giuseppe walk towards them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry casts a quick look at Snape who shakes his head slightly. "I'm sorry, sir, but Professor Snape told me not to speak about it with anyone. As per school rules, I am not required to say any more than I choose."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Albus glances at Snape and asks, "Is this true?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The matter is between Lord Potter and Myself." Snape answer simply, "I would be willing to give you a brief overview later, but not in present company." he says, glaring at Percy and Filch./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Potter, please, go back to bed. We will discuss this in the morning. Mr. Filch, please see to moving Mr. Finch-Fletchly and Sir Nicolas. Mr. Weasley, please escort Mr. Potter." Dumbledore sighs, "Teachers, in my study."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Sir! You're just letting him get away with it?" Percy roars unbelievingly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We have no evidence, and a plausible theory of why Mister Potter was out of dorms. Until either is broken, we can do nothing." Dumbledore sighs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy relents, though Harry makes it a point of being ready to draw his wand at a moment. As the walk through the halls, Percy sneers, "I will get you, Potter. I know you are behind this, and I will get you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry smiled since Snape had played the lord card already, "You realize that's slander?" he says, enjoying himself as Percy pales slightly, "I've been merciful until now, but remember that the next time you speak to me in such a way, I will see you arrested."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy grinds his teeth in frustration, "I understand, Lord Potter."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry enjoys the rest of the walk and laughs to himself as he walks back into the common room, and is confronted with two angry witches./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What happened?" both ask at the same time. The common room is empty except for the sleeping forms of the twins on the couches./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I heard that voice again." Harry explains, " Snape told me to tell him the second I hear it again, so I ran to see him. When I was knocking on the door, Percy Weasley found me. He dragged me out in search of Snape, only to stumble across Justin and nearly headless nick, both petrified."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Both girls gasp, and Harry nods, "It gets worse. Filch was right behind us. He told Percy to keep me there while he got the teachers. They asked some questions, and let me go."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Just like that?" Daphne asks in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Snape was quite persuasive." Harry smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, what now?" Susan asks, sounding a little scared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Now, i am going to bed. I'm going to need all the strength I can get." Harry yawns, "Well talk some more after my interrogation with Dumbles in the morning."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good night." they said, give him a quick hug, and walking up their dormitories. Harry yawns again and goes to his own. He falls asleep as soon as he hits the mattress./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any news?" Eren asks as Reiji walks back into camp./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nothing new." Reiji sighs as he takes the plate of food she offered him, "I found a weakness in the wards we could slip in through, but I'd rather not to that until we have no other option."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Eren dishes up her food and sits beside him, "Where is the weakness?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""East-Northeast of the school. About two miles from the main gate, smack in the middle of the forest."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is it dangerous?" she asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""For a student, very. For us, not in the slightest. The only thing that's even remotely dangerous is a nearby Acromantula colony."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Should we move into the forest? We would be in better position in case something like last month." Eren inquires./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It would also increase our chance of being found. As dangerous as the forest is, the gameskeeper is more than capable of dealing with it. And despite his appearance, he is incredibly observant. "/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What would you recommend?" Eren ask, "You know this landscape better than I do."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We'll wait until the end of term. If no opportunity presents itself, we move to the forest." Reiji decides, handing his plate back to be refilled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'This school is problematic.' Giuseppe thought as he tried to discover the cause of these attacks. 'Harry Potter seems to be the common link, but despite all of that, it is unlikely that he is responsible. Whatever the cause, I must put a stop to it. Once before, the chamber was opened. I have no doubt the culprit was Tom Riddle, but who could it be this time? I cannot allow this school to close. Not until she is properly prepared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Drei." he says aloud, as the woman seemingly appeared in the room behind him, "Track down who ever opened the chamber and kill them. But be discrete. Inject them with basilisk venom, and leave just enough of a mark that it appears as if the beast mistakenly nipped them."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Fine, but only because I have a good chance of finally killing that lucky bastard that escaped this summer." she says as she wandlessly applies a disillusionment charm and walks out of the room, leaving Scythe alone to his musings./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry woke early the next morning, and was already done his breakfast when his friends joined him. "Are you nervous?" Susan asked as they sat on either side of him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A little, but if I need to, I'll take veritaserum to prove my innocence." Harry sighs, before taking another sip of pumpkin juice./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Be careful." Daphne warned, "It wouldn't end well if they found out you'd been hearing voices."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Daphne!" Harry hissed, looking around to see if anyone heard./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Sorry!" she apologizes, "But I agree that you should be fine if you take veritaserum."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Harry." said Snape's voice from behind them, "The headmaster is waiting."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods, says, "See you later." and follows after the potions master./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"When the entered an empty corridor, completely devoid of pictures or ghost, Snape asks, "You heard the voice again?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes sir. I was on my way to tell you, when Percy found me." Harry answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I informed the headmaster that you have been keeping an eye on the students, in the hopes of determining who is responsible for these attacks. Unless you wish to divulge the real reason for your visit, please stick to that story." Snape says as they approach the end if the hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They walk a short distance in silence. "What will you do? Will you tell him or not?" Snape asks, looking at Harry out of the corner of his eye./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I don't know. I'd rather not, but if I need to, I'll consent to veritaserum."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""If you do, I'll be sure to limit the questions to the scope of the investigation." Snape assures him as they step out of the corridor, and stand in front of the gargoyle Harry has been seeing far too often./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry feels a sense of déjà vu. Snape says the password, and the staircase comes into view. The walk up the stairs again and are told to enter before ever knocking./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry takes his usual seat across from the headmaster, and is pleasantly surprised to see Amelia sitting beside them, "Due to the serious nature of these incidents, it is only proper that the head of the DMLE be called in. It was you who last year strived so hard to ensure justice was dealt, so I trust you have no objections?" Dumbledore smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course I have no objections. No one is above justice, even if he owns this school." Harry smiles, "It's good to see you again, Madam Bones."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And you as well, Lord Potter. Shall we get started, Albus?" she smiles back, placing the dictation quill on the roll of parchment in front of her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Certainly. Now then, Professor Snape has been quite closed lipped about the reason for your nightly visits. Perhaps you could enlighten us?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It isn't that big of a deal." Harry shrugs, "Malfoy and a couple of his friends were acting suspiciously. I thought Professor Snape would want to know."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That sound like a big deal to me." Amelia frowns, "Do you think they could be responsible?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Doubt it. ' Harry said, taking a sip of water Dumbledore had given him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. Might I ask why no one was aware you were a praselmouth?" Dumbledore smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The simple answer is that I didn't know either. Before last night, my only experience with a snake was when I set a boa constrictor on my cousin at the zoo." Harry laughs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I remember that." Amelia smiles, "The oblivators were working for a week trying to track down all the muggles who saw the glass vanish."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm sure Ms. Greengrass is thankful, though it certainly hasn't helped your case of innocence. Slytherin was a praselmouth, so it is very possible that only a praselmouth could open the chamber of secrets." Dumbledore says, refilling Harry's cup with a flick of his wrist./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Professor, why not consider Hagrid? He did open it last time." Amelia asks, eyebrow raised./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I maintain that Hagrid was framed. He knows nothing about the chamber."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But he is knowledgeable about monsters, and the creature is clearly a basilisk." Snape speaks for the first time./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Explain." Amelia says sharply./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Slytherin's symbol is a serpent for a reason. As Slytherin was a praselmouth, he could control snakes. Including a basilisk. At the scene of every attack, there was no magical signature, implying it is a passive magical ability, such as the basilisk's gaze, which kills by direct eye contact, and petrifies by indirect. And a basilisk is one of only four creatures that could survive for the thousand years since the founder's time." Snape explains, and Amelia expression grew worse and worse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We have to close the school! A basilisk on the loose... Hasn't happened since the thirteenth century!" Amelia declares, hyperventilating./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No need to be hasty!" Dumbledore shouts, and as he speaks, the nearby phoenix sings, "We shall inform the teachers, and increase our nightly patrols. During the summer, a ministry specialist team will track and destroy the basilisk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well, but I'm afraid that I'll have to take Hagrid into custody." Amelia sighs, "Even with your support, his record is against him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I understand, however I want him in the bordering cells, so that he can be swiftly released." Dumbledore nods in defeat, "Harry, I must, once again, ask if there is anything you wish to tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Once again, Harry feels a sudden compulsion to tell the headmaster about the voice, but assuming it was some legilimency trick, he quickly shakes his head, "Nothing, sir."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Off you go, back to class, though I believe you have a free period. Severus, after your done escorting Mr. Potter, please meet us at Hagrid's hut." Dumbledore as he opens his office door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Amelia flashed Harry a look that told him he'd have to tell her the truth over break, but never said anything until they were going to the dungeon, "Told Susan I can't wait to see her next week." she smiled, before heading towards the entrance hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That was well done." Snape smirks as the descend into the dungeons, "You not only dispelled suspicion on you, but cast it upon your enemies. Quite Slytherin."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I can't exactly betray my house, can I?" Harry smirks back, "And how long have you known it was a basilisk?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I had my suspicions since the first attack, but you confirmed it yesterday. The voice you were hearing was the basilisk's. To any other student, it would have sounded like nothing more than the wind, but a parseltongue could hear it for what it was. Once I knew that, the rest was easy."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Do you think they'll close the school?" Harry asks nervously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape just shakes his head, "I don't know. I went to school shortly after the last time. It was my understanding that when a girl was killed in a bathroom, the governors were prepared to close the school. However, before they could, a student apprehended the culprit who was expelled."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hagrid." Harry says grimly, "Do you think he did it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Highly unlikely. It's well known that Hagrid likes monsters, but he's never been known to allow those monsters to kill. And I would think that a basilisk would be too much even for him." Snape says./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Vipera." Harry says at the entrance, "I'll see you later. And I'll let you know if anyone is acting suspiciously." Harry adds with a smirk./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After the inevitable post talk meeting/ review with the girls, the week went by relatively peacefully. Now, people who had before been rather vocal about his guilt were quiet. Perhaps they never really believes it until harry started talking to snakes, and now they're afraid to get on his bad side. Even more so, since the last person to openly speak against him was attacked mere hours later. On the twenty second, Harry and crew boarded the Hogwarts express bound for home. In the back of his mind, Harry couldn't help but wonder if the school would remain open until next term./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Another attack?" Harry asked, and Snape nodded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The Creevey boy in Gryffindor. Draco is playing it for all it's worth. He keeps going on about how you didn't like Creevey taking pictures of you." Snape informs him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course I don't!" Harry says angrily, "Only an idiot like Lockhart would. And I'm far from the only one. Half the quidditch players don't want him at practices."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Lemon drops." Snape says as they reach the gargoyle, "Remember what I said last time."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods and they walk up the staircase. "Enter." Professor Dumbledore says before they get to the top of the steps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good morning, Harry." he says as they take their seats, "Unfortunately it is not so good for one of your classmates."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Professor Snape told me. Colin Creevey was attacked?" Harry asks, meeting the old man's eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm afraid so. He was found in the entrance hall. According to his dorm mates, he was going to try and find you. Might I ask where you were at midnight last night?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""In bed. The noise of the victory party was giving me a slight headache, so I turned in early." Harry answers, only partially lying. He had gone to bed earlier, but not because of a headache./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Can anyone verify this?" the headmaster asks, eyes twinkling, as Harry felt a probe touch his shields./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry quickly locks away memories of the map, and the voice before letting the old man gave few reign, "Most of the house saw me go up to bed, and any of them could vouch that I never came back down."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But we both know that you have that invisibility cloak. Perhaps you went for a walk and He surprised you? And like Ms. Norris, you overreacted." Dumbledore says, as if trying to convince Harry he did nothing wrong./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm afraid I prefer to take walks in the morning. And I can assure you that I didn't use my father's cloak, as I left it at the Greengrass' over the summer. Do you have any more questions?" Harry asks venomously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Only one." he replies, probe pushing harder at Harry's shields. "I must ask, is there anything you would like to tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry briefly considers telling him about the voice, but decides the old man isn't trustworthy, "No, sir. Nothing at all."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. I would recommend getting back to bed, as Poppy will have both our heads if anything happens to your foot." he smiles, before opening the door and seeing them off./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As they stepped into the dungeons, Harry asks, "Sir, could I have a word?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape motions him into his office, and quickly places privacy charms. "What's wrong?" he asks calmly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I wasn't entirely truthful with the headmaster. I went to bed not because I had a headache, but because I heard a voice." he Harry admits, hoping Snape didn't think he was crazy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape eyes went alert, ready for don't thing as he asks, "What did it say?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""'Time to kill. After so long.' was all it said. I didn't mention it before, because I thought that even for a wizard, hearing voices isn't good." Harry answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""How did it sound? Was it human, or perhaps something else?" Snape says, quickly making notes about what is said./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It sounded like it was hissing, but it definitely wasn't human. I think it might have echo, but I can't be sure." Harry says, racking his brain for anything that might be useful./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape jots down these tidbits, and makes a few more of his own, before turning back, "If you hear this voice again, come see me immediately. If you're in class, leave. If you're at quidditch practice, fly your broom to my office, understand? I will try and find some way to put an end to this, but for now don't tell anyone. I assume Daphne and Susan know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods, "I'll make sure they know not to pass it along."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Be on your guard. Don't be alone. This last meeting made it obvious that the headmaster believes you to be responsible. Always be sure you have an alibi." Harry nods and walks out of the office./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The weeks passed slowly. News reached the student about Colin by the end of the first day. Since then, more and more people were starting to buy into the lies Malfoy and Weasley were spouting about him. (It didn't help any that he was legally Lord Slytherin.)/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"By the end of November, Harry felt more isolated than ever. Most of the Slytherin's still supported him, though some still accused him behind his back. In dueling club, no one challenged him because they believed he'd petrify them in the middle of the hall. The only person he dueled was Tori, who had already become his equal in terms of strength, and her creative use of the spells she has before than makes her more than a match for his greater variety of spells./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They're clashes generally drew a crowd, though all that did was alienate her as well. "What if they're in it together?" the students would ask among themselves./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"More than once Harry had offered to distance himself so that she could enjoy her first year, but she flat out refused. "Anyone with half a brain can see you aren't the heir. If they're going to isolate you because of Malfoy's lies, let them. You've still got all of us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"This changed the week before the end of term. As usual, Harry went to the dueling club with the few real friends he had. Tori, Daph, Susan, twins, other twins, and Neville. Hermione also seemed far better than the rest of her house, though because of her position in the house, she couldn't afford to be seen openly consorting with the enemy./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry began teaching the younger twins the shield charm, and the girls went to find someone to challenge. Daphne was the first, easily crushing Pansy Parkinson. Next, Susan took Dean down without even directly hitting him. Tori, however, drew the ire of Malfoy. The two were standing across from each other, Harry and friends firmly in her corner when Flitwick started the match./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Draco fires a jelly legs jinx before the match even starts, forcing Tori off balance. Even from the outset, Harry notices a fatal flaw. She's too nervous. If she dueled like she does against him, Draco wouldn't be any trouble. But Tori doesn't have any experience against anyone else. When she starts second guessing herself, not only will her spells be weak, but she'll leave herself open./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Less than five minutes in, that's exactly what happened. She launches a hastily cast stunner, which Malfoy dodges and cries, "Serpentsortia!" From the tip of his wand, a black viper leaped forth, landing less than a foot from Tori's leg. Malfoy roars in laughter, as Tori slowly inches back, trying to avoid the snake, whose eyes are transfixed on her, teeth bared. The teachers surround the stage, each afraid to move for fear of the snake lashing out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry quickly gets on the stage and force Tori behind him. Looking the snake dead in the eyes, Harry says, $Leave her alone.$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Surprisingly the snake, which had seconds before been inching ever closer, stopped. It opened its mouth slightly and hissed, but Harry heard it clear as day, $Then what should I do?$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"$That boy summoned you here.$ Harry hissed back, $Make him suffer.$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The snake hissed again and turned around, teeth bared at the no longer laughing Malfoy. As the snake crossed the center line, Flitwick took his chance. With a stabbing motion, a white ball collided with the snake, and it evaporated into grey smoke. Harry finally breathed a sigh of relief, as Tori clutches him from behind./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"He realizes something is wrong, as everyone in the hall is staring at him, fear etched on their faces. Even his closest friends looked worried. A Hufflepuff from his year, Justin, backed away from the stage. "What the hell? Not the heir of Slytherin my ass!" he yelled as he ran from the crowded hall, followed by nearly all the other students./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As soon as he got off the stage, his friends literally dragged him to the Slytherin common room. Daphne is the first to talk, "Why didn't you tell us you were a praselmouth?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A what?" Harry asks, confused./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You can talk to snakes." Susan clarified, "It's extremely rare, and considered to be the sign of a dark wizard. "/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I never knew." Harry explains, "The only contact I've ever had with a snake was when I set one few at the zoo the summer before first year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""This is bad." Fred said, worriedly, "This is really bad."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""How is it bad? All I did was stop that snake from attacking Tori!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But now you provided more evidence that you are the heir." George says, looking concerned, "Slytherin was a praselmouth, so it would make sense that you'd need to speak parseltongue to get into the chamber."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, now everyone is going to think in the heir, just because I saved Tori. Perfect, just what I-" he starts before he hears a chilling voice, $I smell blood. Time to kill!$/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry jumps, everyone looking at him in surprise. "It's that voice." Harry says, walking towards the door, "I'm going to tell Snape." before anyone can stop him, he runs out of the common room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"As he bangs on Snape's office door, a voice startles him, "Potter! What are you doing up at this hour?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry cursed as he turned to see a very smug Percy Weasley walking towards him. "I need to talk to Professor Snape. It's an emergency."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well then, let's go try and find him." Percy said, confident that Harry was making up excuses for being out late. The two of them leave the dungeons and begin scouring the halls looking for professor Snape. What they find is far worse. On the third floor, lying on the ground, was Justin, unmistakably petrified. Beside him, white and smoking, completely unmoving, is the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick. The sound of wheezing and quick footsteps appears behind him, and Argus Filch started laughing, "I've got you now, Potter! Keep him here, Weasley, I'll get the others!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Before Harry could say anything, Percy had his wand pointed at Harry forehead. They stood in silence for several moments, until the sounded of hurried footsteps came from every direction. First on the scene was Professor Snape, who shoot Harry a quick look, and Harry mouthed back, 'voice'. Whether he understood or not, Dumbledore arrived next, quickly casting a few charms on both ghost and student. Next was Professor McGonagall, who stood glaring at him. Last to arrive was Giuseppe, who proceeded to assist Dumbledore./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Weasley, please put away your wand." Snape sneered at the prefect, "We all know it's just for show anyway, Potter has more talent in his pinky than has been in your family for three generations. Excluding those twins and your older brothers, of course."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy's face turned red, but he slowly lowered his wand. Professor McGonagall walked over, still glaring at Harry. "What happened?" she barked, making Percy jump./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I found potter banging on Professor Snape's door. He insisted he needed to speak with professor Snape, and that it was an emergency. Naturally, I attempted to find professor Snape for him, but as we grew closer to this place, he became increasingly nervous. When we found this, Mr. Filch told me to detain him." Percy says gleefully./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I wouldn't put much store by that story, Minerva." Snape sneers, "I personally wouldn't trust a prefect who has a grudge against Mr. Potter in this case."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And what grudge would that be?" McGonagall asked, eyes narrowing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Weasley's brother has been repeatedly humiliated by Mr. Potter. I believe it isn't a far cry for him to mistake some minor details in revenge for his brother's failure." Snape smirks as Percy's face turns continually more red./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What about you, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asks expression slightly softer than before./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I was in the common room, when I remembered something that I urgently needed to tell Professor Snape. When I was knocking on his door, Percy found me, and dragged off to search the castle as opposed to waiting at his office, where he would eventually be. When he found them, he and filch immediately assumed it was me, and Filch broke school rules by order Percy to detain me without evidence, and Percy broke rules by illegally holding a and against me." Harry said, secretly thanking Susan for the crash course on school rules./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"McGonagall glares at Percy, "That certainly sounds quite a bit different then you told it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He's obviously lying!" Filch yells, trying to not laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It's true, Ma'am. Potter would clearly lie to try and get away with this despicable act." Percy smirks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What is this important information you needed to pass onto Severus?" Dumbledore asks, as he and Giuseppe walk towards them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry casts a quick look at Snape who shakes his head slightly. "I'm sorry, sir, but Professor Snape told me not to speak about it with anyone. As per school rules, I am not required to say any more than I choose."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Albus glances at Snape and asks, "Is this true?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The matter is between Lord Potter and Myself." Snape answer simply, "I would be willing to give you a brief overview later, but not in present company." he says, glaring at Percy and Filch./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Potter, please, go back to bed. We will discuss this in the morning. Mr. Filch, please see to moving Mr. Finch-Fletchly and Sir Nicolas. Mr. Weasley, please escort Mr. Potter." Dumbledore sighs, "Teachers, in my study."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Sir! You're just letting him get away with it?" Percy roars unbelievingly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We have no evidence, and a plausible theory of why Mister Potter was out of dorms. Until either is broken, we can do nothing." Dumbledore sighs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy relents, though Harry makes it a point of being ready to draw his wand at a moment. As the walk through the halls, Percy sneers, "I will get you, Potter. I know you are behind this, and I will get you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry smiled since Snape had played the lord card already, "You realize that's slander?" he says, enjoying himself as Percy pales slightly, "I've been merciful until now, but remember that the next time you speak to me in such a way, I will see you arrested."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Percy grinds his teeth in frustration, "I understand, Lord Potter."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry enjoys the rest of the walk and laughs to himself as he walks back into the common room, and is confronted with two angry witches./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What happened?" both ask at the same time. The common room is empty except for the sleeping forms of the twins on the couches./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I heard that voice again." Harry explains, " Snape told me to tell him the second I hear it again, so I ran to see him. When I was knocking on the door, Percy Weasley found me. He dragged me out in search of Snape, only to stumble across Justin and nearly headless nick, both petrified."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Both girls gasp, and Harry nods, "It gets worse. Filch was right behind us. He told Percy to keep me there while he got the teachers. They asked some questions, and let me go."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Just like that?" Daphne asks in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Snape was quite persuasive." Harry smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, what now?" Susan asks, sounding a little scared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Now, i am going to bed. I'm going to need all the strength I can get." Harry yawns, "Well talk some more after my interrogation with Dumbles in the morning."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good night." they said, give him a quick hug, and walking up their dormitories. Harry yawns again and goes to his own. He falls asleep as soon as he hits the mattress./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any news?" Eren asks as Reiji walks back into camp./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nothing new." Reiji sighs as he takes the plate of food she offered him, "I found a weakness in the wards we could slip in through, but I'd rather not to that until we have no other option."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Eren dishes up her food and sits beside him, "Where is the weakness?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""East-Northeast of the school. About two miles from the main gate, smack in the middle of the forest."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is it dangerous?" she asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""For a student, very. For us, not in the slightest. The only thing that's even remotely dangerous is a nearby Acromantula colony."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Should we move into the forest? We would be in better position in case something like last month." Eren inquires./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It would also increase our chance of being found. As dangerous as the forest is, the gameskeeper is more than capable of dealing with it. And despite his appearance, he is incredibly observant. "/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What would you recommend?" Eren ask, "You know this landscape better than I do."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We'll wait until the end of term. If no opportunity presents itself, we move to the forest." Reiji decides, handing his plate back to be refilled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'This school is problematic.' Giuseppe thought as he tried to discover the cause of these attacks. 'Harry Potter seems to be the common link, but despite all of that, it is unlikely that he is responsible. Whatever the cause, I must put a stop to it. Once before, the chamber was opened. I have no doubt the culprit was Tom Riddle, but who could it be this time? I cannot allow this school to close. Not until she is properly prepared./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Drei." he says aloud, as the woman seemingly appeared in the room behind him, "Track down who ever opened the chamber and kill them. But be discrete. Inject them with basilisk venom, and leave just enough of a mark that it appears as if the beast mistakenly nipped them."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Fine, but only because I have a good chance of finally killing that lucky bastard that escaped this summer." she says as she wandlessly applies a disillusionment charm and walks out of the room, leaving Scythe alone to his musings./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"-/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry woke early the next morning, and was already done his breakfast when his friends joined him. "Are you nervous?" Susan asked as they sat on either side of him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A little, but if I need to, I'll take veritaserum to prove my innocence." Harry sighs, before taking another sip of pumpkin juice./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Be careful." Daphne warned, "It wouldn't end well if they found out you'd been hearing voices."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Daphne!" Harry hissed, looking around to see if anyone heard./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Sorry!" she apologizes, "But I agree that you should be fine if you take veritaserum."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Harry." said Snape's voice from behind them, "The headmaster is waiting."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry nods, says, "See you later." and follows after the potions master./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"When the entered an empty corridor, completely devoid of pictures or ghost, Snape asks, "You heard the voice again?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes sir. I was on my way to tell you, when Percy found me." Harry answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I informed the headmaster that you have been keeping an eye on the students, in the hopes of determining who is responsible for these attacks. Unless you wish to divulge the real reason for your visit, please stick to that story." Snape says as they approach the end if the hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They walk a short distance in silence. "What will you do? Will you tell him or not?" Snape asks, looking at Harry out of the corner of his eye./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I don't know. I'd rather not, but if I need to, I'll consent to veritaserum."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""If you do, I'll be sure to limit the questions to the scope of the investigation." Snape assures him as they step out of the corridor, and stand in front of the gargoyle Harry has been seeing far too often./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry feels a sense of déjà vu. Snape says the password, and the staircase comes into view. The walk up the stairs again and are told to enter before ever knocking./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry takes his usual seat across from the headmaster, and is pleasantly surprised to see Amelia sitting beside them, "Due to the serious nature of these incidents, it is only proper that the head of the DMLE be called in. It was you who last year strived so hard to ensure justice was dealt, so I trust you have no objections?" Dumbledore smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course I have no objections. No one is above justice, even if he owns this school." Harry smiles, "It's good to see you again, Madam Bones."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And you as well, Lord Potter. Shall we get started, Albus?" she smiles back, placing the dictation quill on the roll of parchment in front of her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Certainly. Now then, Professor Snape has been quite closed lipped about the reason for your nightly visits. Perhaps you could enlighten us?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It isn't that big of a deal." Harry shrugs, "Malfoy and a couple of his friends were acting suspiciously. I thought Professor Snape would want to know."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That sound like a big deal to me." Amelia frowns, "Do you think they could be responsible?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Doubt it. ' Harry said, taking a sip of water Dumbledore had given him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. Might I ask why no one was aware you were a praselmouth?" Dumbledore smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The simple answer is that I didn't know either. Before last night, my only experience with a snake was when I set a boa constrictor on my cousin at the zoo." Harry laughs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I remember that." Amelia smiles, "The oblivators were working for a week trying to track down all the muggles who saw the glass vanish."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm sure Ms. Greengrass is thankful, though it certainly hasn't helped your case of innocence. Slytherin was a praselmouth, so it is very possible that only a praselmouth could open the chamber of secrets." Dumbledore says, refilling Harry's cup with a flick of his wrist./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Professor, why not consider Hagrid? He did open it last time." Amelia asks, eyebrow raised./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I maintain that Hagrid was framed. He knows nothing about the chamber."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But he is knowledgeable about monsters, and the creature is clearly a basilisk." Snape speaks for the first time./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Explain." Amelia says sharply./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Slytherin's symbol is a serpent for a reason. As Slytherin was a praselmouth, he could control snakes. Including a basilisk. At the scene of every attack, there was no magical signature, implying it is a passive magical ability, such as the basilisk's gaze, which kills by direct eye contact, and petrifies by indirect. And a basilisk is one of only four creatures that could survive for the thousand years since the founder's time." Snape explains, and Amelia expression grew worse and worse./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We have to close the school! A basilisk on the loose... Hasn't happened since the thirteenth century!" Amelia declares, hyperventilating./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No need to be hasty!" Dumbledore shouts, and as he speaks, the nearby phoenix sings, "We shall inform the teachers, and increase our nightly patrols. During the summer, a ministry specialist team will track and destroy the basilisk."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well, but I'm afraid that I'll have to take Hagrid into custody." Amelia sighs, "Even with your support, his record is against him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I understand, however I want him in the bordering cells, so that he can be swiftly released." Dumbledore nods in defeat, "Harry, I must, once again, ask if there is anything you wish to tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Once again, Harry feels a sudden compulsion to tell the headmaster about the voice, but assuming it was some legilimency trick, he quickly shakes his head, "Nothing, sir."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Off you go, back to class, though I believe you have a free period. Severus, after your done escorting Mr. Potter, please meet us at Hagrid's hut." Dumbledore as he opens his office door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Amelia flashed Harry a look that told him he'd have to tell her the truth over break, but never said anything until they were going to the dungeon, "Told Susan I can't wait to see her next week." she smiled, before heading towards the entrance hall./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That was well done." Snape smirks as the descend into the dungeons, "You not only dispelled suspicion on you, but cast it upon your enemies. Quite Slytherin."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I can't exactly betray my house, can I?" Harry smirks back, "And how long have you known it was a basilisk?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I had my suspicions since the first attack, but you confirmed it yesterday. The voice you were hearing was the basilisk's. To any other student, it would have sounded like nothing more than the wind, but a parseltongue could hear it for what it was. Once I knew that, the rest was easy."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Do you think they'll close the school?" Harry asks nervously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Snape just shakes his head, "I don't know. I went to school shortly after the last time. It was my understanding that when a girl was killed in a bathroom, the governors were prepared to close the school. However, before they could, a student apprehended the culprit who was expelled."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hagrid." Harry says grimly, "Do you think he did it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Highly unlikely. It's well known that Hagrid likes monsters, but he's never been known to allow those monsters to kill. And I would think that a basilisk would be too much even for him." Snape says./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Vipera." Harry says at the entrance, "I'll see you later. And I'll let you know if anyone is acting suspiciously." Harry adds with a smirk./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After the inevitable post talk meeting/ review with the girls, the week went by relatively peacefully. Now, people who had before been rather vocal about his guilt were quiet. Perhaps they never really believes it until harry started talking to snakes, and now they're afraid to get on his bad side. Even more so, since the last person to openly speak against him was attacked mere hours later. On the twenty second, Harry and crew boarded the Hogwarts express bound for home. In the back of his mind, Harry couldn't help but wonder if the school would remain open until next term./p
