I'm baccckk!! It is so good to be writing again. It's such a relief to be back doing what I love.
So I have learnt some stuff since I've been gone. While I am updating new chapters I will also be going through old ones and making a more reader-friendly format and trying to edit my grammar and minor mistakes. Any major changes I will alert you too but I don't believe many will happen. I hope you enjoy the new chapter and let me know what you think.
"Gadding with Ghouls!" Lockhart shouted joyfully as he waved his hands, indicating the students to take their seats. Keeping a wide berth of each other the Gryffindor's and the Slytherin's took their claimed seats. At the front of the room next to Lockhart was a giant framed photograph of himself holding his book up for the world to see and waving madly.
"Today we will be learning about Ghouls and how to defeat them," Lockhart said with his wide grin. "The Ghoul is a dangerous creature and should not be trifled with," Lockhart said calmly looking over the students. "They are best left to the professionals like myself." He boasted.
Harry smirked as his Professor unwittingly opened himself up for their first attack and raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr Riddle?"
"But Professor Sir" Harry started innocently, Hermione snorting quietly next to him. "The Ministry has only classed them as a XX creature?"
"Ah, but, you forget, that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, just that there are more dangerous ones out there. Of course, I have faced much more dangerous creatures, therefore it was extremely easy for me to defeat the group of Ghouls I encountered. But they are still dangerous." Lockhart said condescendingly, his blue eyes hardening, he clearly didn't like being questioned. Hopefully, this meant he would start to snap with so many students doing it.
Hermione barely wasted a second before throwing her hand into the air, hiding her smirk as Lockhart reluctantly called on her.
"Yes, Miss Riddle?" He sighed.
"But the Ministry defines XX creatures as harmless and able to be domesticated?" She said striving to sound confused and questioning.
"Well, um yes." Lockhart stuttered, his eyes darting around as all the students watched him intently. "But, well, that is for Professionals, the best of us can, of course, domesticate a Ghoul if we are lucky. But not all can be. Better safe than sorry." Lockhart chuckled nervously as he pulled himself together.
"Professor?" Weasley called sticking his hand in the air. Lockhart seemed to breathe again, thinking maybe he would get a reprieve from the Gryffindor. But it seemed, even though the Slytherins had started it, the Gryffindors were annoyed enough with their Defense lessons to keep it going.
"We have a Ghoul in our attic, the most he ever does is bang the pipes when he thinks the house is too quiet. He has never shown any sign of violence or aggression." Weasley said, Potter, nodding along with him.
"Gram says she misses the one that lived in her house growing up because they eat bugs, spiders and other household pests. Kept the cellar immaculate for them." Neville added without waiting to be called on. Harry smirked, Neville was already far from the shy boy he had been at the start of the year, they had made a bigger difference to the boy's confidence than he had thought.
"Well, I, that is to say, " Lockhart stuttered.
"The majority of owls we use for sending letters are XX creatures as well," Theo spoke up with a tilt of his head. "Including the eagle-owl, brown owl, tawny owl, screech owl, grey owl, scops owl, and the barn owl." He continued pretending to be oblivious to Lockhart's attempts to talk.
"Fairies, Puffskeins and Mooncalves are XX creatures as well." Fay Dunbar said bestowing the Professor with a strange look, she couldn't believe Hogwarts employed this idiot. If it wasn't for a clear standard with the rest of her teachers she would have demanded to be homeschooled.
"Beauxbatons is home to the largest Frollick of Fairies in the Magical World. The schools open glades and peaceful woodlands gave them the perfect home for breeding and laying their eggs. They used to come out and dance with us students and follow us around." Fay blushed when she noticed everyone staring, it was the most she had ever said at once since arriving at Hogwarts. "Ghouls can't be that bad if they are in the same classification as Fairies." She finished quietly.
Lockhart had clearly had enough, his face going red and purple in anger and embarrassment.
"That is enough!" He hollered, although it lost some of its pow with how shaky it was. "Now. I am the expert here and I do not expect you to all understand as children. You shall all read Gadding with Ghouls again and I want two feet of parchment on the truth behind these creatures and how I defeated them! Now class dismissed." He snapped out before sweeping out before anyone could say anything else. He growled in frustration as he threw his chair across the office the minute the door shut behind him. How dare these imbecile children question him, no one had ever done so before, he had worked too hard to make sure the truth never got out to let twelve-year-olds ruin it for him.
"I think that went perfectly." Harry chuckled as they all fled the Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom.
"I brought a crystal phial with me just in case we got a chance to get a memory," Hermione said, her hand patting her robe pocket as Luna herded them down the empty corridor whilst humming to herself softly. With all other classes still in progress, they had fifteen minutes before everyone was released for lunch. Of course, the Gryffindors had already made their way to the Great Hall, although the food wouldn't be ready until every class was let out.
"Okay so how do we do this?" Pansy asked as Luna held a door to an abandoned classroom open for them.
"Well, we only need the one memory of that class right?" Blaise asked as he jumped onto an old desk.
"Yes, it would be best if everyone only sends one memory in each as well, so they can see how many people are sick of him." Theo nodded.
"I am kind of surprised the Potters weren't able to get rid of him after he banished their precious baby's bones." Daphne wondered as she watched Hermione pull out the phials and place them on the desk next to Blaise.
"Please." Harry snorted. "Every interaction I've had with them they blindingly follow Dumbledore's lead, if he told them no and that he needed Lockhart here for whatever reason they would back down."
"Speaking of, have you gotten anything from Potter senior yet?" Draco asked curiously, he knew Harry was watching the man closely but with everything going on they hadn't had many chances to talk about it.
"Nothing yet, he seems to take the potion once every two to three weeks, and the last few days before that woman gives him another one his attitude definitely softens. But it is always in a coloured phial and never around many people." Harry sighed frustrated. "I don't know what to do next." He admitted reluctantly.
"We should talk to Rose, maybe find out if she knows anything" Hermione mused thoughtfully.
"I don't think she is involved." She added hurriedly as Harry scowled, he had become fond of his ex-sister, bonding easily.
"But if she thinks it is a normal potion then she might know when he started taking them and noticed the changes not knowing what it actually means." Harry nodded, easily accepting his twin's reasoning.
"Okay, I will try and talk to her. I might talk to Severus as well if there is any chance Rose has seen the colour or the cycle of brewing, he is our best chance."
"If you are going to tell Severus, you should inform our Father as well. He will want to hear it from you." Hermione informed her Brother.
"You haven't told him yet?" Draco asked incredulously.
"It isn't so simple. I don't want him to think that suddenly James Potter can replace him, and if I had been wrong about the potion then I would've upset him needlessly." Harry defended himself.
"He knows how much his snakelet loves him. No matter our success or failure, the bonds of your family of choice hold strong." Luna sang softly kissing Harry and Hermione's cheeks.
"Thanks, little moon. I will use the mirror to call him tonight." Harry decided.
"Right. Now that is sorted, who wants to give the memory?" Hermione cleared her throat, trying to keep her emotions under control, but if she held her Brothers hand tighter than usual, he didn't comment.
"I will." Harry shrugged, he hadn't done it before but how hard could it be?
"Do you remember the theory?" Hermione smirked as she handed him a
phial, holding the crystal lid in her hand.
"Of course." He sniffed arrogantly before laughing. He pulled out his wand, pointing it at his forehead, focusing clearly on the memory he wanted.
"Extractus" Harry incanted, smiling softly as he felt his magic react, pulling the wand away from his head. A silver hair like wisp was pulled with the wand, glowing brightly as it floated in the air. As his wand touched the edge of the phial the memory flowed seamlessly, filling the space with its glow. Hermione grinned as she sealed the phial with magic before placing it in a small box.
"I've already placed the unbreakable charm on the phials" She divulged.
"We can't risk them shattering before they are seen." Harry agreed.
"How do you feel Harry?" Blaise asked curiously, everyone leaning in, although they had all read up on the theory it was the first any of them had actually done the charm.
"It's hard to explain," Harry admitted grudgingly.
"It is like the memory is still there, but it is an echo. Like a ghost, the body is gone but an imprint of them is still here." Harry tried to explain.
"I think I get it." Hermione nodded.
"Well, at least we don't need to admit you to the Janus Thickey Ward." Blaise cackled.
"You were planning for that?" Harry cried.
"You weren't?" Blaise laughed again as Harry turned away affronted.
"Interesting," Theo muttered as he poked Harry's head consideringly, his head tilted to the side.
"Theo!" Harry scowled as he batted the other boys long-fingered hands away as they went to prod again. Theo ignored his protesting brother-in-law as he pulled out his notebook and his self-writing quill.
"The Obliviate charm removes the memories entirely, why is the Extractus different? Why does leave an echo instead of removing it entirely? It isn't copying the memory or else it wouldn't be described as an echo, it just would be as normal." Theo remarked, his pale blue eyes sharp and questioning. Harry rolled his eyes before stepping away from Theo before the intelligent and curious boy could think about poking him again. Hermione had moved over to stand next to Theo looking over his notes, their eyes alight with their shared desire for knowledge of Magic.
"Oh no." Harry snapped. "We aren't getting into this here. You two!" Harry clapped his hands in front of their faces to no avail. Thankfully at that moment classes were let out, the thunderous sound of students feet on concrete echoed as the students made their way to lunch.
"We can explore this tonight." Hermione smiled at Theo as he put his notebook into his bag before leaning over and kissing her cheek. Hermione flushed pink as Blaise wolf-whistled and Harry cackled loudly. "Honestly." She huffed fondly as she stalked out the room, Harry Draco and Blaise lagging behind to tease Theo, who took it all with a smile and laugh. Soon enough they had caught up to the large group of students making their way to the Great Hall. They had barely gotten halfway, entering the main entrance for the second floor when they heard it. All easy chatter between friends stopped as the shrill scream reached them. It was followed by Cedric's voice ordering someone to find a teacher. Harry shared an uneasy glance with Hermione, this couldn't be good, they were proven right when the words another petrification floated over the crowd. It wasn't long before Professor Flitwick arrived from behind them, pushing himself forward and Professor McGonagall and Severus were heard from the front.
"Students are to follow Perfect Diggory to the Great Hall. Everyone shall remain there until further notice." McGonagall called out.
"I wonder who it is," Draco whispered as they walked quietly past, watching as Dumbledore and Evans joined the other Professors.
"We need to find that Diary" Harry hissed, eyes watching carefully trying to get a glimpse at the newest victim in the hopes it could give them an idea of where to look.
Finally, they reached the Great Hall and sat down at the Slytherin table, from the sober atmosphere it was clear the word had travelled already. It wasn't long before Dumbledore returned and stood at the head table calling for attention.
"Now before I start, I want to assure you all you are safe and I don't want you to panic. But as I am sure you have heard through the Hogwarts gossip, there was indeed another attack today," Dumbledore spoke calmly, his grandfather persona firmly in place. As anyone could predict, the students immediately paled and many started breathing harder in panic. Voices filled the hall as everyone turned to friends and Prefects in fear. "Silence!" Dumbledore boomed, sparks erupting from his wand.
"I know this is a worrying time for you all," Dumbledore said, his demeanour changed to his Grandfather mask again. "But I promise you, we are doing everything we can, and we will keep you safe."
"Like you kept those already petrified safe?" Harry sparked under his breath, wincing when Hermione elbowed him with a snort.
"Now, in light of this newest attack, which unfortunately resulted in Hufflepuff Zacharias Smith being petrified on his way to the loo. Every class will be escorted to their next class by the previous Professor. Prefects, I implore you to look over your house, no one is to leave their common rooms unless for a class or to see Madam Pomfrey." It proved how scared students were when barely anyone complained about the new rules.
"I also ask that no one harasses the friends of Zacharias and give them the space they will want. Just as we did for the others."
"What friends?" Pansy snorted with an eye roll.
"No one liked the lump, he was vile." The others chuckled darkly, nodding their heads in agreement.
"For today, the afternoon classes have been cancelled, please try to enjoy your lunch, you will be escorted to your common rooms afterwards. Your Heads of Houses will talk to you tomorrow morning before escorting you to breakfast." With that said Dumbledore finally sat down as the food appeared on all the tables, and conversation between students resumed.
"Did you see that?" Harry asked quietly enough that only the cambions heard him.
"Yes, I did." Hermione nodded before sipping her pumpkin juice.
"See what?" Draco asked curiously.
"Father said to keep an eye on Dumbledore, as Headmaster and with his power levels, he probably knows who has Fathers soul magic tainting them," Hermione muttered.
"The whole way through his speech, his eyes kept flashing towards Gryffindor even though it was a Hufflepuff student Petrified." Harry continued.
"I thought Fred and George would search Gryffindor?" Blaise questioned.
"Just because they hadn't seen anyone with the Diary doesn't mean that no one had it though," Daphne responded. Harry and Hermione found their eyes drifting over every Gryffindor student, studying their body language.
"We need to be quick though" Theo mused
"With five petrifications I am surprised we haven't had a death yet." Harry and Hermione shuddered at the reminder their Fathers soulmate had died the last time.
As one they spun around to look at each other their bright green eyes wide in horrified chagrin, an expression their friends weren't used to seeing on them.
"Myrtle!" They cried in unison, thankfully the Great Hall was filled with noise, keeping the other students from hearing and being curious. Harry groaned as if in pain before banging his head resolutely against the table.
"I can't believe we missed that." Hermione was
muttering angrily, glaring at her drink as if it was the cause of their issues.
"Are you two going to explain?" Draco snarked with an arched eyebrow.
"We know how to find out who has the diary," Harry grumbled reluctantly when Draco poked him in the side after he ignored his question.
"Are you going to elaborate?" Blaise prodded.
"We may have forgotten to share something Father told us before we came back," Hermione admitted.
"Completely slipped my mind with everything else we found out." Harry nodded.
"Myrtle hangs around in the bathroom with the entrance to The Chamber of Secrets." Hermione finally revealed to their friends before they got annoyed with the delay.
"She may have seen someone coming in when they shouldn't or more than usual." Harry expanded. With those words, Draco and Blaise had joined Harry in his theatrical head banging on the table.
"Oh cut it out. People are looking at you." Daphne hissed.
"Do you want someone to get suspicious?" Theo demanded.
"We're Slytherins" Blaise sniggered.
"Someone is always suspicious of us."
"Don't tempt the bee." Luna hummed her eyes seemingly vacant, but her friends could see them sweeping the head table looking for a hint of a threat.
"So what's the plan?" Pansy asked looking at Harry and Hermione, her blue eyes sharp, back straight as if awaiting orders. The others sitting up straighter all joking aside, looking towards their friends and leaders.
"We finish this." Harry and Hermione spoke, their voice's hard.