Chapter 26

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN1: Thank you for the support. I know this I very similar to book 2, but book 3 is going to be different, and expanded in a lot of ways.


February 1st 1993

For over a month after her accidental animal transformation Hermione has to stay in the hospital wing and even though Neville, Harry and Ron visit her every day and bring her homework she found it very boring very quickly. So, when Poppy told her that she could finally go Hermione didn't have to be told twice.

As she basically done so at a run Hermione gets to Gryffindor Tower a few minutes after she left the common room and once she gets there she searches the common room until she spots Harry, Neville and Ron sitting together who she heads straight back over to.

"MIONE." Neville says, sounding excited as he jumps up and hugs her, "You're back!" he says, sounding thrilled.

"Yeah, I am." Hermione confirms as she returns the hug.

"I'm so glad." Harry says as he hugs Hermione once she and Neville break apart.

"So am I." Hermione admits, as she and Harry break apart, "Ron." She says with a smile as she sits down in the empty armchair.

"Hermione." Ron responds, looking glad to see her.

"I've got something you have to see." Harry says as he pulls a book out of bag, "Someone tried to flush this in Myrtle's toilet." He reveals.

"Really?" Hermione asks as she takes the book, which she realises is a diary, off Harry to have a look, "Why would someone do that?" she ask.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Harry says as Hermione starts to inspect the diary closely.

"Ohh, maybe it has hidden powers." She says as she runs her fingers across the pages.

"If it has, it's hiding them very well." Ron says.

"Maybe it's shy." Neville suggests, "It's odd that you didn't just chuck it." He says to Harry.

"I can't, not until I know why someone else tried to." Harry explains before turning to Hermione, hoping she has some idea of something to do, "Plus I'd also like to know why Riddle got an award for special services to Hogwarts fifty years ago."

"Could've been anything." Neville comments, "Maybe he got thirty O.W.L.S or saved a teacher from the giant squid." He suggests.

"Maybe he murdered Myrtle." Ron jokes and as he does Harry and Hermione lock eyes, both knowing that they are thinking the exact same thing, "That would've done everyone a favour."

"That's not very nice." Neville tells Ron with a frown, "What are you two thinking?" Neville asks, looking away from Ron to look between Harry and Hermione as they seem to be doing the whole

'talking without words' thing.

"Well, the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, wasn't it?" Harry says, "That's what Malfoy said."

"Yeah…" Ron says, looking confused.

"And the diary is fifty years old." Hermione says, tapping the diary excitedly.

"So?" Ron asks as Neville's eyes widen, realising what Hermione and Harry have realised.

"Oh, Ron, wake up." Hermione snaps, "We know the person who opened the Chamber last time was expelled fifty years ago. We know T.M. Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago. Well, what if Riddle got his special award for catching the Heir of Slytherin? His diary would probably tell us everything! Where the chamber is, and how to open it, and what sort of creature lives in it. The person who's behind the attacks this time wouldn't want that lying around, would they?" Hermione asks, looking excited about the possibility as after a month in hospital she is eager to do something.

"That's a brilliant theory, Hermione." Ron informs him, "With just one tiny little flaw. There's nothing written in his diary." Ron says and as he does Hermione pulls out her wand,

"It might be written in invisible ink!" Hermine whispers as she taps the diary three times with her wand, "Aparecium." Hermione whispers and nothing happens.

"It was worth a try, Mione." Neville tells her.

"I'm not giving up now, you should know that." Hermione says, giving him a look, and she puts her hand into her bag and pulls out what looks to be a bright red eraser, "It's a Revealer, I got it in Diagon Alley." Hermione explains as she rubs hand on January first, and once more nothing happens.

"I'm telling you, there's nothing to find in there." Ron says, "Riddle just got a diary for Christmas and couldn't be bothered filling it in." he says and as he does Harry and Hermione exchange looks, both of them thinking that there has to more going on as it just seems like too many coincidences.


February 15th 1993

It has been two weeks since Harry showed Hermione Riddle's diary and ever since then Harry has been trying to figure out why he couldn't just throw it out and the night before he figured out exactly what the diary was hiding.

It is lunchtime and Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville are sitting together in an empty classroom. Harry, Ron, and Neville are sitting on tables while Hermione is pacing back and forth.

"Okay, tell me again." Hermione requests.

"Mione!" Harry says with a sigh, "I've already told you everything twice."

"I know, just explain again." Hermione requests as she paces back and forth.

"Okay." Harry says with a sigh, "I was sucked into the diary and I saw a memory of fifty years ago. It started with Riddle talking to the headmaster of the time about the girl who was killed and lying about how he knew nothing, but it was clear that he was lying." Harry explains, "And then Riddle went down to the dungeons, someone was there, Hagrid, with some creature, and Riddle said that he didn't intend for anyone to die, but that he had to stop him." Harry explains as Hermione paces back and forth, looking like she is listening to every single words, "Riddle said that Harry opened the Chamber last time and that's why he was expelled." Harry explains.

"Riddle might have gotten the wrong person." Hermione says, stopping pacing for a second to look at the others, "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people…"

"How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?" Ron asks dully.

"Probably more than we realises." Neville comments, with a shiver.

"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled," Harry says, sounding miserable, "And that attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have gotten his award."

"Hagrid wouldn't, he couldn't have!" Hermione says, refusing to believe that Hagrid was behind everything.

"Riddle does sound like Percy, who asked him to squeal on Hagrid, anyway?" Ron asks.

"The monster had killed someone, Ron." Neville reminds him.

"And Riddle was going back to some Muggle Orphanage if they closed Hogwarts," Harry comments, "I don't blame him for wanting to stay here." He says and the four of them drift into silence as Hermione walks over and sits between Harry and Neville,

"Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it?" Hermione asks, after a long pause, her voice hesitant.

"That'd be a cheerful visit." Ron comments, "Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy lose in the castle lately?"

"We can't ask him that." Neville says, saying what they are all thinking.

"What if we have no choice?" Harry asks and the others turn to look at him, "What if there is another attack? Hagrid could know something to help."

"Then we go to him." Hermione comments, "But only if there is another attack."

"Agreed." Harry, Ron and Neville say together.


April 9th 1993

It has been almost two months since Harry found out why Hagrid was expelled and shared that with Hermione, Neville and Ron. Due to the fact that there hasn't been another attack the four of them haven't told Hagrid that they know, as there hasn't been an attack, things at school has calmed down quite a bit and everyone is feeling a bit safer.

It is the Easter Holidays and as it is the first day that it hasn't been raining in a while Hermione, Harry, Neville and Ron are all sitting out on the grounds by Hermione's tree. Ron and Neville are playing exploding snap, Hermione is reading a law book, to the confusion of Ron and Neville though they both know better to ask, and Harry is looking though all different pieces of parchment.

"I just don't know." Harry says and none of the others look up as they know that Harry isn't talking to them, "Ron, what did you choose again?" Harry asks as he's attempting to choose elective subjects for third year and he has no idea what to pick.

"Care of Magical Creatures and Divination." Ron answers, having decided a day earlier.

"Nev?" Harry asks.

"Same." Neville answers.

"Mione?"

"Everything." Hermione answers, not looking up from her book.

"Everything?" Harry asks surprised, "I'm not sure if you can do everything."

"I guess I'll see." Hermione answers and Harry frowns and throws everything he is looking at down on the grass, and as he looks up Harry sees a familiar owl flying towards them.

"Mione." Harry says and Hermione looks up just in time to see Omega, with a package, flying towards them.

"Oh, hello." Hermione says as Omega lands, "We must have made it hard for you to find us." She comments.

"Which one of us is it for?" Harry asks curious.

"Both of us." Hermione answers, "Come on, let's open it together." She says and Harry moves closer to Hermione and together they both open the box.

"Let me guess, chocolate." Neville says with a smirk as Hermione and Harry open the box.

"Yep." Hermione confirms, with a grin.

"It's Easter Eggs, a lot of them." Harry says, sounding amazed as the box, which isn't very small, is completely full of Easter Eggs.

"And two letters." Hermione says, handing one to Harry and keeping one for herself.

"Thanks." Harry says in response and he grabs one of the smaller eggs, opens it and eats it before opening his letter

Dear Harry,

HAPPY EASTER, I hope you and Hermione, and I'm sure Ron and Neville enjoy the eggs. I also hope that you're having a great holiday and that as well as having fun you're doing the work that you have to do.

Now, if I remember correctly right about now you're trying to choose your electives for third year, a decision that is very important and difficult to make. I remember how hard it was to decide what subjects to pick so I have some advice, which you can ignore if you'd like.

Even though it is tempting don't just choose the electives based on the fact that they're the ones your friends are doing, yes, it can make things better to have a friend in the topic, and it can definitely be so much more fun, but having a friend shouldn't be your only reason. You have to make the decision for you, not anyone else.

I know you must be uncertain about what to pick and how to choose so I will give you the advice that I was given. There are two pieces of criteria that you should pick when trying to decide on your subjects.

One, choose the subjects that you find the most interesting. Choose the ones that you can see yourself doing because it is something you find fascinating, because it is something you want to learn more about.

Two, choose a subject that plays to your strengths, the subject that you think you'll do really well in because it's something you're already good at. Or because it's just something you think you'll do well in.

Harry, whatever subject you choose I'm sure you will do well in and what it comes down to it only you can make this decision, it's your future and you have to decide what you want to do.

If you have any more questions feel free to write, I'll happily answer any questions you have, and give you any help that I can.

Stay safe, enjoy the rest of your term,

Love, Remus.

As he finishes the letter Harry feels an overwhelming feeling of joy and amazement rise up inside of him as he realises, for the first time ever, that this is how it feels to have a parent, this is what it feels like to have someone to turn to with questions, to turn to for help, someone who is there for him, who loves him and that's something he's never known before and as he realises that Harry can't help but smile.

"Harry?" Hermione asks, cutting through his thoughts, "You good?"

"Yeah, I really am." Harry confirms, smiling back at Hermione before turning back to the pieces of parchment that are right in front of him. With Remus's words fresh in his mind Harry re-reads the parchment and quickly decides that Care of Magical Creatures is what he really wants to do. But, his second choose is a lot harder and after a while of debating, of replaying Remus's words in his head, he decides to go with Divination as it seems kind of interesting and if it's not at least he'll have Ron and Neville.


May 8th 1993

It has been a month since Easter and there hasn't been another attack, though a day ago, Tom Riddle's diary was stolen from Harry, something which has made Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron all worry, though Harry has made it clear that he isn't going to report it because it's too dangerous.

It is a Saturday morning, the day of a Quidditch game, and Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville are on their way to the Gryffindor common room so that Harry can collect his Qudditch things when suddenly Harry freezes.

"Harry?" Neville asks concerned, being the first to notice.

"THE VOICE." He shouts, causing the other three to jump back, "I just heard it again, didn't you?" Harry asks, causing Ron and Neville to shake their heads, Hermione on the other hand gets a look of realisation on her face and claps her head to her forehead.

"Harry, I think I've just understood something!" Hermione tells the others, "I've got to go to the library!" Hermione says before running off, leaving the other three standing in confusion.


Five minutes later Hermione runs into the library.

"DON'T RUN." Madam Pince yells at her as Hermione runs past, it being clear that she is leaving the library, but Hermione just ignores her and runs to the section where she knows she will find what she needs.

Looking at the titles Hermione runs her fingers over the spins, muttering the titles to herself before finding the one she needs which she quickly pulls out and then she hurries over to the table.

Once she is at the table Hermione puts down the book and starts to flick through it, trying to find the right page and after about a minute she finally finds it.

"The Basilisk." Hermione realises and quickly reads the rest of the page,

"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it."

"But how is it getting around?" Hermione asks herself, "Harry keeps hearing it in the wall, THE PIPES." Hermione realises, "I have to tell Harry, and Albus." Hermione realises and she goes to run off when she realises something, "I'm really sorry Madam Pince." Hermione says to herself and she rips the page out of the book, and then pulls out a quill from her pocket which she uses to scribble a single word on the page and then she folds the page into her hand and clutches it tightly before running off.

Just as she gets to the entrance to the library Hermione sees another person, and she realises that It's likely that they are the only people left in the castle.

"EXCUSE ME." Hermione calls to the person, a girl with curly blond hair.

"Yes?" The girl asks and Hermione recognizes her as one of Ravenclaw's prefects.

"Hi, it's um, Penelope, right?" Hermione asks.

"Yes, did you need something?" Penelope asks, clearly confused.

"I know this is going to sound insane, but I've figured it out, the monster in the Chamber of Secrets It's a Basilisk. I've got to tell Professor Dumbledore, but as we are probably the only ones left in the school we have to be careful." Hermione explains, talking fast, but Penelope can understand her, "Do you have a mirror by any chance so we can look around the corridors?"

"Yes, I do." Penelope says, completely believing Hermione as it makes a lot of sense so out of her pocket she pulls out a small circular mirror, "This should do." Penelope says.

"Yes, it should." Hermione confirms and the two of them walk to the door to the library, once they are there they angle the mirror so that they can look around the corner and once they do they see that the corridor is empty so they start to walk, neither saying another word to the other as they are both too afraid.

Reaching the next corner Hermione and Penelope both pause and once more angle the mirror to look down the corridor, but this time when they look through the mirror they don't see an empty corridor they see a pair of gleaming yellow eyes and the two girls know no more.


About half an hour after Hermione left him, Ron and Neville in the corridor Harry is in on the Quidditch pitch, about to mount his broom when Minerva comes half marching, half running, across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone.

"This match has been cancelled." Minerva calls through the packed stadium, causing boos and shouts.

Seconds later Oliver Wood, looking devastated, lands and runs towards Minerva, without getting of his broom, "But, Professor!" Wood shouts, "We've got to play, the cup Gryffindor." He says, but Minerva ignores him and continues to shout through her megaphone, "All students are to make their way to their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses wil give htem further information. As quickly as you can, please!" Minerva says and once she finishes the announcement, and lowers the megaphone she beckons Harry over to her, "Harry, I think you better come with me…." She says to Harry's complete confusion.

About a minute later Harry and Minerva are on their way back to the castle when Ron and Neville detach themselves from the complaining crowd, and come running up to them to join them on their way back to the castle...

"Yes, you better come too, Neville, you too Weasley." Minerva says and together the three second years and Minerva make their way into the castle but to the boys surprise she doesn't take them to anyone's office.

"This will be a bit of a shock." Minerva says in a gentle voice as they approach the hospital wing, "There has been another attack, another double attack."

Exchanging horrified looks Harry, Neville and Ron follow Minerva into the Hospital Wing. As they enter they find Madam Pomfrey bending over a fifth-year girl with long, curly hair, and before Harry can even look to the bed next to her he hears Neville's heartbreaking sob of,

"Hermione!" And Harry quickly turns to see Hermione lying completely still, her eyes open and glassy.

"Hermione." Harry says, forcing the word out, a tear coming to his eye as Ron just stares in shock.

"They were found near the library." Minerva explains, "I don't suppose one of you could explain this?" Minerva asks, holding up the small circular mirror, "It was on the floor next to them." She explains and Harry, Neville and Ron all shake their heads as they stare at Hermione, Neville and Harry both having tears rolling down their faces and as he stares a horrifying thought comes to Harry's mind,

"Oh god, Remus." Harry says quickly turning to Minerva, "Who's going to tell him?" he asks as he knows enough to know that after everything he last lost there is one thing that Remus wouldn't be able to handle and that is losing Hermione.

"Professor Dumbledore is on his way to do that now." Minerva reveals, knowing that that may just break her friend, "I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower, I need to address the students." She reveals and with one last look at Hermione Harry, Ron and Neville reluctantly leave Hermione, feeling like they are leaving a piece of themselves behind.


At his home lying on the couch with a blanket wrapped around him as he is still recovering from the full moon Remus is just starting to drift off to sleep when the fire bursts to life, making him feel wide awake.

"Albus." Remus says confused, "What's going on?" he asks as his friend steps out and as he does Remus notices the grave look on Albus's face, "What's wrong? What happened? Are Hermione and Harry okay?" he asks worried, a feeling of dread filling him, a feeling that tells him something horrible has happened, "Albus, what's happened?" Remus asks, his voice shaking as tears come to his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Remus." Albus says, walking over to his friend, "Hermione's been petrified." He says.

Hearing those three words Remus can feel his heart break, he can feel the pain rise up inside of him, hurting him more than anything he has ever experienced and after a few seconds Remus lets out a sob full of all that pain that he is feeling and falls off the couch and doubles over in pain, feeling like he can't breathe and so his sobs turns into gasps causing Albus to hurry over and crouch down next to him.

"Remus, Remus, look at me." Albus says to his friend, putting his arm around his friend, "She's petrified, but okay. Poppy is in the process of making a mandrake draft, it will be ready soon, she'll be okay, she will." Albus promises and as he does it's like his words have no effect, "Remus…" Albus says once more, but Remus just keep sobbing keeps struggling to breath.

Reacting quickly as it wouldn't surprise him if Remus stopped breathing soon, Albus quickly conjures a calming draft and forces it down Remus's throat. Within a few seconds Remus's breathing is a bit more under control, but he is still sobbing.

"I…. need….to….see….her." Remus says, forcing the words out through his sobs.

"I know." Albus tells his friend, "I'll take you." Albus promises.


At Hogwarts Harry, Neville and Ron have listened to the new rules and are now siting in their dorm, all three of them being glad that Dean and Seamus are giving them space so they have the room to themselves.

"She's half-blood!" Neville exclaims, "This shouldn't have happened to her!"

"The school doesn't know that though." Ron reminds him, "Everyone assumes she's muggle born, the heir must have to." He says, realising that this definitely rules out Malfoy as he knows the truth about Hermione.

"We need to do something!" Neville says, suddenly standing up, to the shock of Ron and Harry, "We can't let whoever did this to Mione get away with it! We need to find the monster and who's controlling it and stop them! And we need to do it now!" Neville says, shocking both Harry and Ron as even though they have seen how brave Neville can be, and how willing he is to help, they have never seen him so forcible, looking like he will do anything, looking like he will do whatever it takes, no matter how much it scares him.

"Oh? And how are we going to do that?" Ron asks curious as he doesn't see a way.

"We got to Hagrid. We find out what he knows. Just like we said we would if there was another attack." Neville says, not even feeling afraid as Hermione not being a part of his life scares him more than almost anything and he can't just do nothing when she is petrified

"There's no way we can go see Hagrid, not with all the new rules." Ron says.

"I think." Harry says, speaking for the first time as up until now is mind has been on Hermione and worrying about how Remus is taking the news, which causes Neville and Ron to look at them, "It's time we get my Dad's old cloak out." He says and together the three boys get ready before sneaking out under the cloak, hoping that Hagrid can tell them something to help Avenge their friend.


Arriving in the hospital wing, not long after Albus appearing at his house, honestly not even thinking, nor caring about the fact that he looks like a complete mess, Remus is greeted by Poppy giving him a hug.

"Where is she?" Remus asks, not even returning the hug.

"At the end." Poppy answers as she removes her arms from around Remus, "The sight is going to be shocking, but you need to know that she is completely healthy, just petrified."

Just nodding with Poppy's words though not really hearing them Remus heads to the end bed and when he sees his little girl he can't hold in his gasp.

"Mione." Remus says with a horrified sob and after staring at her in horror for about a minute Remus walks up to his daughter, and reaches out and puts his hand against her face, "She's so cold." He says, his voice breaking, as his daughter looks and feels like she is dead.

"She will be okay, Remus, I'm working on the cure." Poppy says, feeling that at the moment it may be best not to mention Snape's involvement.

"How'd this happen?" Remus asks, not looking away from his daughter's face.

"I don't know." Albus answers, and honestly to Remus that is the worst answer he could have given.

"That's not good enough." Remus says, sounding furious.

"I know." Albus says and honestly the fact that he can be so calm makes Remus angrier but before he can say anything the doors to the Hospital Wing open and Minerva walks in.

"Albus, Fudge is on his way." Minerva says, sounding grave, as she walks over.

"I better go deal with him." Albus comments before walking over to Remus and placing his hand on his shoulder, giving him a comforting squeeze, "You can stay with her as long as you'd like." Albus promises Remus.

"I'm not leaving her." Remus says, knowing that he can't, and he is so focused on his daughter that he doesn't notice Albus says something to Minerva and Poppy before he leaves.

"Here." Minerva says placing a comfortable chair that the transfigured behind Remus.

In response Remus just gives a nod, and doesn't look away from Hermione as he sits down. Once he is siting Minerva, just like Albus, squeezes his shoulder before walking away, feeling that she is completely useless to her friend.

As he sits next to his daughter Remus just stares at her cold pale face, wishing, more than he has ever wished for anything, that she would just blink, move in some way, wishing that she would be okay.


Far away from Hogwarts in a place where he will soon be joined by an old friend Sirius is in his cell and all a sudden he turns from Padfoot into himself and as he does he just looks around, as all a sudden he got a feeling that tells him that something horrible has happened, something terrible, but he can't explain it, doesn't understand it.

"Probably this place finally getting to me." Sirius thinks to himself, ignoring the part of him that is saying that it's not that, but rather something so much worse.


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