Chapter 8
The first oddity that occurred that year was the disappearance of Professor Binns, the ghost that taught History of Magic. The next was the absence of Professor Lockhart. Most of the female population was worried about him but the males and professors were less convinced to look for him. Either way two teachers had disappeared and an investigation had to be led. Dumbledore's first suspect was Harry Potter even though he kept that tid-bit to himself. He had deduced through the wards that Binns has been purged to the afterlife against his will. This startled him greatly. The students are now cautioned to be careful when roaming the halls and to move in groups of three or more until the problem is solved.
His gaze followed Harry as he made his way to the library. He had employed madam Pince to watch the boy's every move there and take note of the books he reads but so far there was nothing. She reported that Harry only sits to read in his corner, the only material he focuses on school related, about magical society or advanced Charms and Transfiguration books. Nothing else. The portraits in the library reported the same thing no matter the time. It was getting on his nerves.
Just as he said the password to open the stone gargoyle to his office a terrified scream cut through the air. Dumbledore abandoned his initial plan to seat in his office to follow the distressed cries. What he found when he turned a corner shocked him to the core. Lying on the floor white as a sheet of muggle paper was the mangled unidentifiable body of what used to be a human being. Even looking at the lacerations, burns and blood littered heavily on its body was enough to make him zone out in his shock. The girl who had found the body was in a worse condition, hyperventilating on the floor with wide tear-filled eyes. Dumbledore recognized her as the brilliant second year Hermione Granger. Dumbledore moved to pick the girl up to her feet, all the while talking soothingly to her to alleviate the shock. She started sobbing uncontrollably in his arms, inconsolable at this point.
"What happened here?" the surprised voice startled Dumbledore into looking who it came from. Harry Potter walked at a brisk pace, face so alarmed Dumbledore was sure it wasn't him. Once close enough Harry's face scrunched up in nausea at then sight before him but he didn't look away. "What happened to him?" Dumbledore shook his head. "I do not know. Please take Miss Granger to the infirmary and call madam Pomfry down here." Harry nodded, taking the trembling girl into his own arms and guiding her down the corridor, whispering reassurances in her ear all the while. Dumbledore sighed after them, finding Harry's reaction odd but welcome. As far as he knew daemons reveled at the sight of blood, so Harry's revulsion at the corpse was welcomed. Perhaps he and Severus were wrong after all.
"I am sad to announce that Professor Lockhart has passed away. His body was discovered in the halls yesterday. A memorial will be held for him tomorrow to remember him for the good man that he was." Dumbledore announced at dinner the next day before taking his seat. Food appeared on the tables and soon the clutter of cutlery filled the somber silence. Though Harry did not understand what they were sad about. Lockhart was a fraud and his pretense as transparent as Hagrid was secretive. Then again they may be more shaken by the fact that someone was killed within the school.
Soon dinner was over and the students made their way to their dormitories. Harry's fellow Ravens were chattering in hush tones, speculations bouncing back and forth. He ignored them in favor of finding his own bed. 'My lord you are being watched.' Lelita cautioned. Harry nodded vaguely. 'I am aware. The paintings and ghosts follow me occasionally. Dumbledore is suspicious.' 'It is because of the fiasco with you lapses. They have caught on your secret, they know what you are.' 'They don't know enough. I am a shadow fae not some common beast. The only thing they can use to link me with a daemon is my episodes, which they have only caught once. They would never know what I really am.' Lelita sighed. 'Still my lord it is an unnecessary risk.' 'Not know Lita. Not yet. You know it is not the right time yet.' 'Yes, but at least have the sense of mind to take the potion.' Harry shook his head, getting under his covers. 'I'll think about it.' 'You've been thinking about it all year!' Lelita screamed in her frustration. 'Allow me to convince you to do this! It is for your safety!' The raven sighed. 'I'll think about it.' The shadow daemon relented reluctantly, allowing Harry to drift off to sleep.
The following week Hogwarts got a new teacher. Severus Snape took post as the DADA professor while the newest professor handled potions. Horrace Slughorn had once been a potions professor at Hogwarts about fifty years ago. He seemed thrilled to return, all smiles as his eyes roved the whole hall. His eyes lingered on Harry longer than the rest, which did not go unnoticed to the boy. 'Dumbledore hires the strangest individuals.' Harry pondered. Lelita giggled in his head, amused by it all. The new History professor was a beauty called Mary Fletching.
Hermione came over to sit across from him. "I've never heard of Horace Slughorn. What do you think of him?" "Why does my opinion matter." He asked, his voice friendly as usual. Hermione huffed. "I was just curious is all, and I'm trying to make conversation." Harry grinned. "Well then excuse me for being rude." He glanced up at the head table, sobering up. " Slughorn is a collector of promising individuals I recon. No doubt you will be one of his favourites." Hermione blushed, but tried to hide it with her goblet. "Like you are one to talk. You are better than me and you know it." "Oh my, Hermione Granger admitted being second best. It must be the apocalypse." Hermione muttered something into her cup, something along the lines of 'Stupid Granger, puffing up the bastard's ego.' Harry pretended as if he did not hear her.
"Can someone tell me the uses of a bezoar?" Slughorn asked. Hermione's hand shot into the air, the girl almost bouncing in her seat. Slughorn smiled widely. "Ah. Girl at the back. Name first." Hermione stood up. "Hermione Granger. A bezoar is a stone found in the belly of a goat. It is used as a powerful ingredient in toxin antidotes and can cure almost any poison if ingested." "Very good miss Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor." The girl smiled smugly as she sat down. Slughorn walked up to the front. "Today we will be making a potion that uses the bezoar as a key ingredient. The anti-toxin salve. The instructions are on the board. You have an hour." The students teamed up in their usual pair. Harry was left with no partner. Draco was paired up with Blaize Zabini and the other students were avoiding him since they learnt he was a parselmouth. So he pretty much had to work alone, but he didn't mind. It gave him more time to think.
At the end of the lesson, Slughorn approached Harry before he could leave. "Brilliant work on the potion Mr. Potter. I particularly liked the adjustment you made to the preparation. It made for a fast and accurate adjustment." Harry smiled at the man. "Thank you Professor Slughorn. I was worried about what you would say about that, but it seems there is no problem." Slughorn laughed, loudly proclaiming "None at all, my boy! You will make a fine potions master in no time at all." "Thank you, professor." Harry nodded, slinging his bag onto his shoulder. The something occurred to him. Just as the last of the students left he asked. "Professor, you taught Hogwarts fifty years ago right?" After the portly man's amiable nod, Harry continued. "Did you by chance teach a boy by the name of Tom Riddle. I hear he was a spectacular potioneer and duelist. It fascinates me and I thought I wouldn't get a chance to know more about him. well, that is until you came."
As soon as Harry mentioned the name Tom Riddle, Slughorn's face drained of colour. "W-who?" Harry shuffled nervously, nervousness apparent on his face. "I'm sorry if this is an uncomfortable inquiry professor." Slughorn swallowed and moved behind his desk. "It is alright lad. No one has asked me of that boy in a long time." His eyes grew unfocused. Harry cleared his throat. "I thought that maybe you could shed some light on him." Slughorn suddenly stood up. "I am not inclined to talk about that boy. Now I think your next class has almost started. Off you go Mr. Potter." The man tried to smile, guiding Harry to the door as fast as possible without being rude. Soon Harry found himself in the corridor."
Harry took his time going to his next class; Charms. 'That was very strange. It's as if he was afraid to talk of Riddle.' 'Not surprising, seeing as the boy grew up to be the darkest wizard of all time.' 'The man was personally affected by Riddle's defection somehow. Though if I am going to find out more about Riddle he is the person to ask.' 'Why don't you ask your diary friend?' Lelita asked condescendingly. Harry shrugged 'I could, I doubt Tom would give anything away so easily. As it is he is keen on possessing me. Thankfully that is impossible with you in my head already.' 'So how will you get the man to spill.' 'I don't know, I'll figure something out.' He entered the Charms classroom. He apologized to the diminutive professor for being late. He took his usual seat next to Draco as the class began.
Harry circled the trembling boy slowly, noting his constant flinch at his every movement with grim satisfaction. "So Mr. Nott, explain to me why I found corrosive potion in my drink." Nott glared at him. "Fuck you Potter." Harry's brows came together in a frown. He flicked his wand with a muttered spell. Nott screamed in pain. "I ask again. Why did I find corrosive potion in my drink?" Nott panted, trying to catch his breath. Harry waited patiently. "You took my life away from me." Harry raised an eyebrow at the hissed answer. "Oh?" "We are broke because of you. Do you have any idea how many debts we owe because of you?!"
Harry watched the pale boy indifferently then he knelt down, stroking Nott's cheek as he gazed at his features. Nott shuddered. "I'm so sorry, Theodore. I had no idea your father had put so much into the company. I only wanted to grab opportunity at the first chance." Nott whimpered, leaning into the hand. "But I can make it better. I will offer your father a contract that can get him up to standard in no time at all. You just need to do me a favor." Nott looked up at him with glassy eyes and nodded. Harry smirked. The daemon allure was a godsend.
Harry looked around the potions cupboard. The students were retrieving ingredients for a boil salve. "You will chop the beans this time Potter. I swear those things are as tough as steel." Draco said, pulling various ingredients from the shelves. He slipped back out. Harry reached up to the last topmost shelf, taking the small vial Slughorn had prepared for the sixth years. He went back to his work station, vial hidden in his pocket.
After class Harry stayed behind, calmly making his way up to Slughorn. The man turned to him. "Ah, Harry! Just the boy I wanted to talk to." Harry smiled "I also want to ask something sir." "Ask away my boy." Harry opened his mouth to speak but shut it again. "Ah, why don't you talk first, professor. I'm sure that what you have to say is more important than what I can possibly say." The professor beamed, thinking what a kind lad Harry was, unlike Riddle who turned out to be a monster. "Of course Harry." Slughorn move around his desk to. "I want to invite you to dinner tonight in my office, along with a few others. Of course they are not more important than you but you understand." He inquired. Harry grinned. "Yes. That is great professor, I would love to come. What are we celebrating again."
Slughorn clapped his hands joyously. "Perfect my boy! We hardly need a reason to be happy now do we." "No." "Good. We'll meet at eight then. What were you asking?" Harry replied. "I am in need of a Penelope's Elixir, just a small sample. You see I am researching it on my own but I have never seen the real thing." The professor beamed at him. "Of course Harry! It is heartening to see a student seek so much knowledge, especially in potions. I will go look in my stores. Be back in a moment." As soon as the man left Harry conjured a glass of water and placed it on the desk. He uncorked the stolen vial and studied it a moment, plucked a single hair from his head, dropped it in and swirling the liquid inside. It bubbled for a second and turned crystal clear. Armotentia. It would serve his needs at the present time. He splashed three drops in. The water trembled a moment and went still again.
"Luckily for you I had one in store. I wouldn't tell anyone about it though if I were you Harry." Harry turned to Slughorn. Just as the man approached him he tripped, tumbling to the ground in a heap. Harry rushed to his side. "Professor, are you alright?" Slughorn hastily got to his feet, beyond embarrassed. "I'm fine my boy, thank you for the concern." Harry frowned in concern at his labored breath. "I don't know. Perhaps you should drink something." Before Slughorn could protest Harry shoved the glass of water into his hands. The professor smiled at him thankfully and tipped the glass, drinking its whole contents.
Harry did not need to wait for long. Slughorn's eyes went hazy and he paled for a second then gained back his color. He looked around as if dazed. When his eyes fixed on Harry's face he gave a face-splitting grin. Harry came closer with a worried expression. "Are you okay professor." "I've never been better, Harry. You look quite lovely today." "Thank you? Professor?" the raven replied in confusion. Slughorn just looked dazed. "Can I ask a question professor?" "Anything you want Harry."
"Was Tom Riddle a bad person?" Slughorn's eyes turned sad. "Riddle was my favorite student." Realizing what he just said his eyes widened. "But that was a long time ago. No one can take your place Harry." Harry nodded. Slughorn continued. "In my eyes he had no fault. He was perfect. That is until he came to me with questions. So many questions about dark magics. Now that I think back I was the only one foolish enough to answer them, after all Tom had no fault." Harry listened attentively. "He came to me with a book one day. A book on a most dark art, Soul Magic. He asked about horcruxes. It was then I began to suspect and see his faults. That he was turning to the dark."
"Did Tom make a horcrux?" "I believe so Harry." He then went to Harry, kneeling in front of him. "Please do not do such magic Harry. Don't even think about it. You are a good boy, unlike Tom you are innocent. Dark magic will tear you apart!" he pleaded. A dizzy spell overtook him, making him collapse onto the floor. 'Time's up.' Harry thought.
Slughorn got up slowly, head pounding, to see Harry leaning over him face riddled with worry. "What happened?" "You collapsed. Should I call the nurse?" The man waved his hand dismissively. "No no. I believe I'll be fine." Harry nodded. "Alright. I need to go to my next class. Are you sure you'll be fine." Slughorn grinned. "Harry you're such a good lad. I'll be fine! Now totter off before you get late." Harry smiled and nodded before hurrying out. Slughorn chuckled to himself. "Such a charming young man." He was suddenly parched and looked onto the desk. There was an empty glass. He didn't remember having a glass of water. The headache got worse and he ignored the oddity in favor of a headache reliever.
The students gathered around the corridor, fear and shock permitting from them. They were gathered around the message on the wall. McGonagall, Dumbledore and Slughorn came through the crowd to see what was happening. McGonagall gasped in shock when she saw the message written in blood.
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, and her corpse will rot in the Chamber forever.
"Dear Merlin…" Slughorn muttered, eyes wide. It was happening again. Ronald Weasley sobbed. "Ginny. She's been missing all day!" He whispered. Seamus pat his back sympathetically. Dumbledore turned back to the student body. His eyes caught Harry's green gaze, the raven returned it steadily. The blank eyes looked back without remorse for anything, without any emotion at all. "Go back to your dormitories. We will take care of this." The students steadily trickled out of the hall and to their dorms.
"Albus what are we going to do?" McGonagall asked, wringing her sleeve nervously. Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid we can't do anything until we find the chamber." "That could take forever!" McGonagall lamented. "We have no choice Minerva. All we can do is hope."
Harry entered the Chamber of Secrets silently. It has been three days since Ginny disappeared. There was a lot of suspicion placed on him by Dumbledore and Snape. Those two just could not trust him with anything. He has already been called to the headmaster's office twice to discuss the same thing, being asked the same questions. Did they really think that they could get anything out of him by just asking? Then again they might have planned to dose him with veritaserum. He made sure to refuse everything they offered.
He descended the stairs he replaced from the ladder leading down to the main chamber. He walked down the path between the snake statues and water on either side, towards the teenage boy standing in the middle of the room. "Riddle." Harry greeted. The brunette smirked. "I must thank you Harry. Now I will cease to be a memory." "I'm glad." Harry replied curtly.
Riddle chuckled. Talking to Potter was the best choice in his life. The boy was lonely and desperate, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He would have done anything for an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on, someone who would understand. He gave him that. For months he talked and gave advice and comfort, bidding his time and his time and cultivating Harry's trust. When he asked Harry to capture someone for him so that he can live again and help him face the world, Harry was all to willing to bend backwards for him.
Now he could have his body back. He will have his body back. He stared at his almost-solid hands in anticipation. The red-haired girl at his feet was a small little weak thing. She wasn't much but she would give him enough strength to be real again. Then he could make himself strong again in due time and then kill Harry Potter, the bloody Boy-Who-Lived. It made his blood boil to think that the child defeated him as a mere baby. Him! Lord Voldemort! He smirked. Soon Lord Voldemort will live again and Harry Potter will cease to exist.
Harry knelt down before Ginny Weasley. The girl was the most stupid person he has met, not surprising since she is related to Ron Weasley. She was pale and cold as ice as she laid prone on the stone floor, breath shallow and weak. The process was almost complete. Tom Riddle's diary was in his pocket at the moment. It will be over soon. He checked his watch. 11:47 p.m.
He straightened up. "Tom, what do you plan to do when you become whole again?" Tom turned back to him. "I will retake my place as the strongest wizard in the world." "Excuse me?" Tom laughed at Harry's confusion. "Do you really think I will help you with your silly problems boy?" Harry's eyes watered. "You promised." The brunette smirked. "Who did you think you were talking to Harry?" Harry frowned, puzzled. "My friend. You're Tom Riddle right?" Riddle's smirk widened. Using Harry's wand he wrote his full name in the air and then flicked his wand. The letters rearranged themselves until they formed other words.
I am Lord Voldemort
Harry gasped. "You're… you lied to me bastard!" Riddle laughed in glee. "You really think anyone would listen to a pitiful boy like you? Even if you talked everyone wouldn't listen. They wouldn't care for your pain. They would see only what they wish to see: The innocent boy wonder who could do no wrong. Who would lay down his life for them. I…no, Tom Riddle was like that once. But I, Lord Voldemort will lay them down at my feet. I will make them listen, I will make them see! They will bow before me!"
'Someone give this boy a friend.' Lelita commented. Harry looked down at his watch. 12:00 p.m. He stared at Riddle with a smirk, taking the teen by surprise. "For someone who was skilled at manipulation in his youth you are incredibly blind to it." It was Tom's turn to be confused. "Let me spell it out for you Tom. All of this is a setup. From the very moment we met, when I wrote those first words, I was playing you and you took the bait." "Well it was foolish of you. Now I will rise again. As the girl grows weaker I grow stringer. Lord Voldemort will cease to be a memory."
Harry laughed. "I know what you are Tom. A horcrux. I also know how to destroy a horcrux. Though a book is different. It's a flexible object. A horcrux in a book can only be destronyed at midnight by basilisk venom." As if called, a sixty foot basilisk entered the chamber from the pipes. It slithered into the deep waters, growling at them both. Riddle laughed. "You cannot defeat me with my own ally. ~Kill the boy!~"
~Tom you are such a disappointment. I will enjoy this. ~Do it Hershia.~ The basilisk leaned over the diary and opened her mouth, exposing needle-sharp fangs and allowing a drop of venom to splash on the book. Tom screamed. "NO!" The corrosive toxin burnt the book, melting it like butter. The memory of Tom Riddle screamed one final time and burst in a shower of light. Harry snorted. "Overconfident, arrogant fool. I expected more." ~I must say this battle was short, boring and anticlimactic.~ Hershia said with a huff. Harry smiled, rubbing her snout. She hummed in content. 'Now that the horcrux is gone, Voldemort is gone too.' Lelita shook her head. 'No. That horcrux was connected to five others, I could feel it. This is far from over.' Harry growled in irritated anger. "That paranoid bastard. No wonder I managed to kill him as a baby. With his soul in so many pieces he was weak and frail. We have to find the rest of the fragments."
~Perhaps you could use a ritual to draw out their location.~ Harry smiled at the serpent. ~That is a brilliant idea Hershia. I just need to research the right ritual.~ With that thought in mind, Harry exited the chamber with an unconscious Weaslette. She dumped her in the middle of the third floor girl's bathroom, and then went to his dorm. He never slept that night, thinking up plans and counterplans.