32

Rewards and No Consequences

When Emily opened the door, the occupants of the room turned to stare at the new comers. Emily moved further in allowing everyone to enter the office. There was a scream as Mrs. Weasley ran forward gathering her daughter in her arms. Mr. Weasley stepped towards them embracing them both. Emily saw that by the fire stood the Weasley twins, Percy, a man she supposed was Charlie Weasley as he was the only Weasley she had yet to meet and of course Bill. Emily smiled slightly as Bill stared at her. She didn't understand why he hadn't joined the family huddle around Ginny and Mrs. Weasley yet.

Draco startled Emily as he placed his hand on her back directing her into a free chair by Professor McGonagall's desk. Emily closed her eyes briefly as she heard Mrs. Weasley's voice whisper "How?"

"I believe that is a tale I and many others would like to know," McGonagall breathed staring around the room, her eyes landing on Emily's blood covered body. Emily looked at the Professor but her eyes were drawn to the man standing behind her. There in the room stood Professor Dumbledore, eyes twinkling with joy. She supposed he had come back when he had been informed that a student had been taken.

Emily nodded her head and pushed her body to sit properly from the slouched position she had been in. For the next half hour Emily spoke to an attentive room that seemed to hang off her every word. She explained the voice she heard in the walls, how one night needing some peace she went to check on Fang only to end up following Harry and Weasley into the forest. She explained the clue Aragog had given them and how after, she had decided to try and figure out what the beast was. She explained that she had discovered it was a Basilisk and how she and Draco had come to find Harry and Weasley entering Lockhart's office, entering herself when she feared he might hurt them only to end up in Myrtle's bathroom opening the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets minutes later.

"So you all figured out where the Chamber was and broke about a hundred school rules while doing so," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "I think what is most important to know is how you all came back alive."

Here Harry began to talk. He told them about Fawkes' arrival with the Sorting hat and that Emily had somehow gotten the rapier, saving him from the Basilisk. Not once did he mention the diary or Ginny's involvement and that confused Emily. She went to speak up as many looked confused about the tale Harry was weaving but Dumbledore spoke before she could.

"I think what I am most curious about is how Voldemort enchanted Ginny when according to all my sources he is still hiding within the forests of Albania."

At the mention of Voldemort Mrs. Weasley began to panic. "No!, You-Know-Who didn't… but she is… Ginny wasn't… was she?" the woman looked desperately at the Headmaster.

"It was that diary," Harry said pointing at the black leather book now sitting on the desk. Emily shot Harry a confused look, why was he covering for the girl?

Dumbledore picked up the diary that was now covered in ink and began to examine it, opening it up he flipped through the soaked pages.

"Remarkable," Dumbledore spoke softly. "He was a very intelligent young man, one of the most talented students this school has ever seen." The men sat silently staring at the object in his hand, when Dumbledore finally looked up it was to see more than half of the room looking back at him with looks of bewilderment. "I'm sorry I got lost in thought for a moment. You see many people are unaware of the fact that Lord Voldemort was once a brilliant young student known by the name of Tom Riddle. I was his Transfiguration teacher when he attended school here fifty years ago. After leaving Hogwarts he took off to travel the world and study magic, only to fall into the temptations of the Dark Arts. His study went so deep he performed many dangerous rituals to become what we now know as Voldemort. His appearance has changed so much that people forget he was ever the bright boy who walked these halls and even held the title of Head Boy."

"I don't understand what this has to do with our Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said looking at her daughter who was still in her arms.

"W-when I w-wrote i-in his diary… h-he w-wrote back," Ginny managed to say through her sobs.

"Have you learned nothing from me?" Mr. Weasley said. "How many times have I told you to never trust something when you can't see where it keeps its brain? It was obviously a Dark object, why wouldn't you tell your mother or I, or even a teacher for that matter…"

Instead of answering Ginny shrugged and started sobbing harder hiding her head in her mother's chest.

"I believe that the Weasleys should all accompany Ginny to the hospital wing," Dumbledore instructed. "I think she needs a calming draught and to be looked over by Madam Pomfrey. I always find a nice cup of hot cocoa warms me and helps when I need cheering up," he said standing and heading to the door to open it for the Weasleys. "I think we can all agree she has suffered enough and there will be no punishment."

Emily stared at Dumbledore in disbelief. No punishment, that girl had knowingly continued to write in a diary and attack people long after she had realized what was going on instead of seeking help.

Mrs. Weasley led Ginny out of the room, one arm still tightly wrapped around the girl. The rest of the Weasley's followed after them. Bill being the last to leave walked over to Emily first squeezing her shoulder before following his family out the door.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said looking jovially at Professor McGonagall. "I think with the petrified students being awakened right now and the return of young Ginny from the Chamber that we are in need of a feast! Might I trouble you to alert our elves in the kitchens?"

"Of course," McGonagall replied nodding slightly before exiting her office.

Once she had gone Dumbledore walked back over to the desk and sat in McGonagall's chair. Emily noticed Draco was still standing and pulled out her wand elongating her seat so Draco could sit next to her. Dumbledore looked pleased with her spell work and beamed as he began to address the three students left in the room.

"I believe you all have done the unimaginable tonight. You found a legendary Chamber, slayed a Basilisk and saved not only Ginny Weasley but the school itself from being closed down. I believe you three along with young Ronald are deserving of awards for Special Services to Hogwarts and will each receive one hundred points for your respective Houses."

It was then that Dumbledore turned his focus onto the last remaining adult in the room, Lockhart.

"Why so silent Gilderoy?" Dumbledore sounded amused. "I was expecting you to regale us with your valiant exploits and role in this dangerous adventure."

Emily looked over to where Lockhart was standing in the corner of the room. She noticed he still had the two rocks from the tunnel and was playing with them. It was at this time she realized they had faces drawn on them and turned to Draco raising an eyebrow at her best friend.

Shrugging Draco simply replied, "I charmed them to have faces. It kept him busy so we could move the rocks."

Emily nodded smirking as she watched the once arrogant man acting out a scene between two rocks.

"Um Professor," Harry said turning away from watching Lockhart. "You see when we were in the tunnel Professor Lockhart…"

"I'm a Professor?" Lockhart said turning to look at Harry who was speaking. "I don't expect I was very helpful. Me a teacher... can you imagine?"

"Sadly, we can," Draco murmured just loud enough for Emily to hear.

"He attempted an obliviate using Ronald Weasley's wand and because it was broken the wand backfired, you can clearly see the result," Emily said gesturing to Lockhart who just smiled and waved at them all.

"I see," Dumbledore said running a hand down his beard. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind escorting Professor Lockhart to Madam Pomfrey's care, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco nodded, turning he hugged Emily whispering he would see her in their dorm soon. Standing Draco walked over to Lockhart before steering the confused man from the office.

"You both have had a very adventurous night it sounds," Dumbledore said. "It also seems that you have formed a small bond with Fawkes Emily." Emily smiled petting the red and gold phoenix that was currently perched on the arm of her chair.

"He saved my life," Emily said softly warmed by the trill that Fawkes sang.

Dumbledore's smiling face turned thoughtful as he looked at the twins, "So you both met a young Tom Riddle tonight. I imagine he was eager to know you…" Emily shivered thinking back to the Chamber, the touches and possessive look that she had seen in Tom Riddle's eyes. "Are you alright Emily," Dumbledore said looking worriedly at her.

"I'm just exhausted and a bit upset. It was a long night that could have been avoided if Ginny Weasley only would have gone for help," Emily replied. Dumbledore was about to speak when the door to the office burst open and an aristocratic man Emily recognized as Edmund Nott entered the office followed by a bandaged elf Emily and Harry knew well. It was Dobby.

Mr. Nott swept into the room acknowledging Emily briefly with a sharp nod of his head before turning to Dumbledore. Dobby rushed to keep up before cowering at Mr. Nott's side.

"Ah, good evening Edmund," Dumbledore said smiling pleasantly at the man. Dobby held a rag in his hands, hesitantly reaching forward to attempt to clean Mr. Nott's shoes but not sure if he was doing the right thing. It seemed as if Mr. Nott had left his home in a rush for one of his elves, that is not deemed fit to be seen by people, to have followed him to Hogwarts.

"I believe Lucius informed you of the governors' decision to suspend you but yet here you are," Mr. Nott said fixing Dumbledore with a cold stare.

"Ah that is explained quite simply," Dumbledore replied relaxing back in his chair. "I was contacted earlier today and informed that Arthur Weasley's youngest was killed and that I was to return to the school immediately. It seemed the other governors thought I was the best to handle the situation and called me back. You were the only governor I did not hear from actually, they had some very strange tales for me about you and threats made to their families…"

"Surely Lucius would not have contacted you," Mr. Nott said dismissing Dumbledore's last remark.

Dumbledore just smiled at him and leaned forward, "Is there something I can help you with Edmund?"

Mr. Nott seemed to fix his cloak collecting his thoughts before he spoke again. "So, I take it that you have solved the great mystery of who was behind all the attacks?"

"Yes, the culprit has been identified," Dumbledore said never losing his smile.

"And who was it?" Mr. Nott sneered.

"It was same person who opened it fifty years ago, Edmund. Though this time he acted in a different way using this old diary," Dumbledore held up the artifact, showing the man the ink soaked diary. Emily noticed Dobby was trying to get her and Harry's attention. He kept pointing to the diary and jerking his head toward Mr. Nott before pulling on his ear harshly.

"A name would be nice to take back to the governors," Mr. Nott said sharply losing his patience.

"Of course, it was Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore replied.

"You want me to believe the Dark Lord caused this. There must be a student that is accountable for the attacks," Mr. Nott pressed.

"Arthur Weasley's daughter was the child affected by the diary but she is in the hospital wing being looked over. Luckily, she is very much alive and the diary has been destroyed along with the beast. The school is safe, you should be happy Edmund," Dumbledore said.

"Thrilled," Mr. Nott replied, though Emily could tell he was anything but. "We are leaving, come Dobby!" Mr. Nott swooped from the room Dobby running after him.

Harry looked at the closing door before quickly turning to the headmaster. "May I borrow that," Harry said pointing to the diary. At Dumbledore's nod Harry grabbed the leather book and raced from the room.

Emily slumped back into her chair looking over at Dumbledore who was chuckling at the closed office door. "Your brother has a big heart Emily."

"He always has," Emily replied. "Though he is also a bit impulsive in his actions but I suspect that is part of being a Gryffindor."

Dumbledore laughed, "Yes us Gryffindors do tend to jump to action before thinking things all the way through at times."

"Ever happy to play the role of the heroes then," Emily teased.

"Ah, but my dear girl I believe you have been a hero in your own right."

Emily shrugged, "I protect my brother. We both are curious people but his curiosity seems to lead us into some crazy situations these last two years. Trolls, possessed teachers, cursed diaries… a Basilisk…"

"Your father was a curious person as were his friends, they got into quite a lot of trouble while here at Hogwarts, much like the Weasley twins if you will," Dumbledore told her. Emily smiled at the thought. She loved Fred and George and all their antics.She guessed she must have gotten her love of a good prank from her father. Sighing at her thoughts the witch realized just how weak her body felt.

"I think you should make your way down to your dorms. Food and a good night's rest will do you a lot of good. I on the other hand need to send out an owl so that we may get our gamekeeper back and begin my search for a new Defense professor. We do go through them quickly do we not…"

Emily smiled and stood up, "Food and sleep sound wonderful right now. Bye Professor."

"Goodbye my dear."

Emily made her way back to the dorms slowly. She supposed that though the phoenix tears had nullified the Basilisk venom in her blood it was going to take more than a few hours to feel one hundred percent again.

Once she made it to the dorms she found Draco waiting for her. He seemed to notice she was struggling to stand and moved to help her. He steered her towards the dorms, stopping at his room so Emily could grab a towel before she made her way to the bathroom the second year boys shared. Emily didn't need to worry about being disturbed by one of the boys as the rest of the House was already in the Great Hall having been called for the impromptu feast. The warm water felt refreshing and Emily was happy to wash the blood, ink and grime from her body. When she exited the shower and was drying off she noticed Draco had laid out her favorite sleep clothes for her, her black silk shorts and white V-neck t-shirt. He also had added a grey spaghetti strap to go under her shirt and a pair of green UGGs so she could go to the feast.

The feast itself was unlike any Emily had experienced before. It was a loud celebration with everyone dressed in their pajamas, lasting the entire night. A few minutes after Emily and Draco had arrived and sat down to eat, the students who had been petrified came running into the hall to join their friends. At three thirty in the morning Hagrid had joined the feast, he stopped by the Slytherin table to give Emily a hug and thank her for checking on Fang. The hall had erupted into cheers when Professor McGonagall had stood up and announced that all exams had been canceled.

At some point Draco had become lost in conversation with Blaise and Emily found herself snuggled into the arms of a certain fifth year Hufflepuff, Cedric Diggory. It was a fun night and despite how it started its ending certainly made it one of the best nights of her life.

The rest of the term flew by. Hogwarts seemed back to normal with joy filled voices echoing through the corridors and students enjoying the sunbathed grounds. Of course all the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled and word spread that the Nott family had lost their seat as a school governor. Theo seemed annoyed more than anything but it didn't change his behavior from what Emily witnessed.

It wasn't long before Emily, Draco and Blaise were sharing a compartment on the Hogwarts Express speeding back towards London. The three spent their time playing exploding snap and eating sweets. Cedric had stopped by at one point to say hi and ask if he could write to Emily over the summer. The hours went by quickly and soon Emily and Draco were exiting the train walking towards Lucius and Narcissa who were waiting for them on the platform.

"Ready to go home," Narcissa asked after both adults had given them each a hug. In answer Emily took Lucius' hand and nodded while Draco took Narcissa's.

"Hold tight," Lucius cautioned and with two pops they all vanished from the platform.