Hello I'm back. For the disclaimer I don't own anything neither the personnages nor the plot. I updated the chapter 1 to 5 who were bétaed by betsybugaboo who I thanks a lot even if she can't continu after the seventh. Please review and tell me the errors you see because it is when I know where they are that I can correct them.
Good reading.
- Generally, we invite dead people for this sort of anniversary, stated Sabo, while they were all in an empty and warm classroom to do their homework, with the help of Marco and Robin.
- He does this, every year, yoi, sighed Marco proofreading Ron's composition.
- I wonder if Sir Nicolas suffered a lot, noted Robin, with a mysterious smile who made almost every man in the room shiver.
- I advise you to eat before going, advised Marco to Harry. And seeing how he saved you from Flich, I think you owe him at least that.
The door opened on a little creature with antlers, a little blue nose and a pink hat, half hidden in a white coat for healer, too large for him.
- Ace? Asked the little creature with a hesitant voice.
Luffy threw himself on the little being and hugged him smiling.
- Shihihi! Genki ka, Chopper!?
- I have to go back to the infirmary fast. I just came to bring Ace an experimental medicament for his narcolepsy, mumbled the little thing. And the pills against insomnia for Marco-san.
- Pff…
Robin and Nami giggled when Luffy released Chopper.
- Thank you, Chopper-kun, thanked Marco taking the box where were his medicament that the little being gave him.
- Would you follow me Ace, I have to explain to you how you have to…
- He's sleeping, Chopper, pointed Zoro, without raising his eyes from his homework.
Indeed, Ace was slumped on his desk's corner, sleeping like a log.
- I'll tell him how it works, yoi.
He went out of the room with Chopper who wasn't stopping glancing nervously at Ron, Hermione and Harry.
- What is exactly that? Ron asked once the door was closed.
- Our doctor, Tony Tony Chopper, explained Sanji. He has… difficult relations with humans.
- Chopper is originally a reindeer, who was rejected because of his blue snout. He then ate an akuma no mi, who gave him the power of transforming in something very close to a human, Nami continued. He tried to live with the humans, but was rejected too. It was a doctor who took him under his wing. A charlatan with a good heart who dreamed to make cherry blossom under the snow. A muggle. He is dead without seeing this miracle. An old witch then took Chopper with her and teach him the medicine. It's at her home that we found Chopper. And Luffy was stubborn about him joining us!
Zoro, Sanji and Nami laughed at this memory.
- We didn't really have a choice, when he asked from us to join him, confessed Zoro.
- And still, you stay together? wondered Harry.
- Without him, we would have a shitty life. Or else, we would be dead, sighed Sanji.
Luffy inclined his hat on his head, under the laughter of Sabo.
- Instead of laughing, you should work, yoi, Marco told them coming back.
- Hai, Tori-sensei… mumbled Sanji.
- I prefer the exact name, young man, and not something as vague as tori. Ore wa Fushisho, yoi…
He shook Ace who wake up with a start, half of homework printed on his cheek.
- I wasn't sleeping!
- We're tempted to believe you, but… You have half of what you wrote on your cheek, Ron told him.
Ace glared at him and listened to what Marco was saying about his medication.
Nami was happy, when she went out of the classroom, to see Zoro who seemed lost, in the corridor.
- Zoro-kun! I need you!
-Huh? Said the marimo.
Everyone avoid him, mostly because of his inaccessible look and his swords. Nami walked in his direction, and pulled him by his arm.
- But what do you want?!
- Protest, and I raise your debt by three hundred percent!
Grumbling, Zoro followed the redhead in the classroom, to see Lockhart preparing for another class.
- Yes? He inquired with a big charming smile.
A gesture of her hand, and Nami locked the door. Another, and she was sure that what would be said in this room, wouldn't be heard behind the door.
- I have to talk to you about something important, Professor Lockhart… Nami smiled. It's to talk about business…
Zoro face-palmed. He should have thought about it.
- Business? About what, my dear miss? Lockhart wondered.
Nami pulled out some paperwork from her bag and threw them on the teacher's desk.
-These are the copies of proofs saying that you're an impostor… and all your old essays, and tests results… everything to say that I'm quite sure that a lot of people would be veeery disappointed to learn that their big hero is a good for nothing…
Gilderoy had a very fake laugh and then said:
- Come on, what are you talking about, miss, me, a wizard so cool, so attractive, an impostor? It's ridicule… even if it was true, who would believe a poor young girl…
- Oh, but I have the support of two of your colleague to prove this, and if I ask the others teacher, I'm sure that they would be more than ready to confirm my words… even more so, since I have all your marks from your stay at Hogwarts, from the professor Flitwick… so, here what you'll do…
Nami took another parchment from her bag and put it on the desk.
- I know exactly how much you get from the selling of your books and also how much you touch from your different rewards. I want to get ninety percent of this, plus eighty-five percent from your next selling. If the contract isn't sign and sent to Gringotts in the next forty-eight hours, I would be very sorry to have to reveal to everyone the truth about you…
Lockhart stayed an instant still before brandishing his wand on Nami. Before he had the time to say any incantation, he found Zoro's blade on his neck.
- You don't have two defenseless students here, k'ssou yarro… we are pirates, and trust us, we are worse than an idiot like you. So, do what Nami told you, and it would be better for you.
Lockhart nodded slowly and Nami had a huge grin.
- Perfect! So, Gringotts await the contract with impatience! They have a copy, since they will receive ten percent of each deposits! Have a good day professor!
- You really are a rapacious… Zoro grumbled when they went out in the corridor.
- Thanks, Zoro! Nami smirked. But it's because I always get what I want from the wizards who believe themselves superior, that Gringotts love me! Where do you go, now?
- Transfiguration…
- I have Herbology, so I can't accompany you. You will ask your way to the nice paintings and follow them, won't you?
Zoro was already walking away and turned on the right.
- I thought that you had transfiguration, there it's the dungeon's direction! Nami shouted.
-Tch!
And Zoro turned around for the other side of the junction.
-No, in this direction it's the park. Lady Helena, could you have some pity for this directionless marimo and help him going to Transfiguration?
The Grey Lady, who was floating there, had a giggle and signaled Zoro, blushing mad, to follow her.
Ace followed swiftly in Marco's step, slipping in the shadows in his animal form.
- You hear this? The Phoenix asked.
"Yes" the panther chuffed, knowing that his superior understood the animal language.
He didn't need to be an animal to hear it… his uncle had warned him, him and Luffy, when it was remarked that they could hear the Voice of Everything. Even the one of the Castle if they listened. It was dangerous.
Marco knew about it, and played the game, for his security. Even Oyaji didn't know.
- K'ssou… sore wa hebi… and he doesn't look very nice.
He posed a hand on the wall, Ace turning around nervously behind him.
- He is in the wall, but the castle's magic is stronger than mine. I can't pierce it to see how this snake move around, yoi.
"He wants to kill", Ace told him, worried.
- Let's chase him, quick!
And the two Shirohige rushed in the corridor, climbing the stairs to end on another floor, where they waded in some water. Who know where it come from. Maybe Moaning Myrtle was having another tantrum.
They fidgeted seeing Ron, Harry and Hermione in the corridor.
- Professor! The three students exclaimed. We…
- Calm yourselves… Marco told them.
"The voice is fading away. Should I follow it?" Ace asked.
- No, stay here, Ace. Let see what happened…
Ace transformed back and with Marco, they approached the scenery. They looked appalled the message on the wall.
The Chamber of Secrets had been opened. Enemy of the Heir beware.
- Oh shit… Ace swore.
Marco approached smelling the blood used to write the message.
- Chicken. It's not human blood.
And the three wizard let a relieved sigh.
- Marco… is that what I'm thinking… Ace asked.
He pointed a finger under the message, and Hermione let out a high-pitched scream.
- Mrs Norris… and damn, Marco cursed.
And every students coming back from the feast appeared, and surprised them in the corridor.
- Every prefect takes another road to take their classmates to the dormitories! Continue on your way, there nothing to see, yoi! Marco shouted.
- What is happening here?! The angry voice of the caretaker roared.
He picked his way in the middle of the students and saw his cat. Marco tried to calm him, once the choc fading, the man wanted, it seemed, to skin Harry.
- ENOUGH!
It hit the caretaker like a shock-wave, and he lost consciousness, on the ground, sweating.
-Portgas! Marco yelled. You didn't have to use the Haoshoku against him.
- I don't care… the young man growled.
Dumbledore showed up with the others teachers and saw what was occurring.
- Professor Flitwick, could you take Argus to the infirmary, please? I fear that Mr Portgas temperament did some waves.
Ace mumbled something sounding like "k'ssou jiji" between his teeth, whereas Marco removed the cat from the wall.
- I think that you four, and you too, dear Marco, with Minerva, should come with me.
Lockhart step forward and proposed his office, saying it was the nearest.
Marco rolled his eyes and shared a glance with Robin, who nodded slowly her head and went in the crowed looking for her captain.
Sabo stared at his older brother walking away, frowning.
-Nii-chan? Luffy called softly.
- He'll be alright, Sabo assured. He's with Marco.
Marco massaged his temples, listening to Lockhart saying how much he could have saved this cat from death. He almost asked Flitwick if he had the reports of this idiot, just to remind him of the monumental failure he was.
Oh, the Phoenix suspected that he wasn't the one who did the exploits of his books. He pitied the ones who were victims to the only charm he mastered: the Memory charm.
And if he could simply shut up!
- She is alive, so shut up, I'm beginning to have a headache, yoi, Marco grunted.
Lockhart closed his mouth with a snap.
- You're sure? asked McGonagall.
- I still hear her voice too, Ace said.
- Exact, she is still alive. She was petrified, Dumbledore interjected.
- It's what I though, Lockhart conclude.
He withdrew in the corner of the room under the glare of Marco. He had been under this man's bad mood enough during his schooling, there was no need to anger him as colleague.
Ace muffled a giggle which caused the glare to shift from the blond to him. Boo, he was the only one immune to this sort of look.
- We just have to know how… Dumbledore sighed, entirely ignoring what was happening around him.
Snape cleared his throat, and the three second year felt condemned.
- If you allow me, I think that Mr Weasley and Potter, and Miss Granger too, was there at the bad place, at the bad time. However, I don't remind seeing them at the feast, tonight… neither you Mr Portgas.
- Ace was with me. As his superior, I have every right to demand of him to accompany me when I judge it need, yoi. And for the three others, they were invited to the Death-day party of the Gryffindor ghost. They told me about this, and I gave them a written pass, if they had the idea of prolonging their torture after the curfew, yoi.
- Then, why when they came back from the dungeons, they didn't come for the end of the feast?
- I arrange myself with the kitchen to allow them to eat before, knowing that they could not be able to consume anything edible tonight, Ace answered. Go ask them, you'll see.
- We were cold, and we were tired, Harry lied. Since because of Ace, we ate before the party, we decided to go immediately to bed.
- It's when we stumble on them. Ace and me heard a voice in the walls. We were pursuing it when we found them and Mrs Norris, yoi, Marco intervened.
He looked at Snape in the eyes and the sour man went in the back of the room, not searching anymore.
- I see, did you discover anything? Dumbledore asked.
- I don't know anything more than you do, even less, do I, Headmaster, yoi?
Marco raised an eyebrow defying him with a look. The man tried to pass his mental barrier, but once more, Marco's mind didn't have anything understandable for him.
The advantage of being a zoan, the Legilimens couldn't decrypt how the animal mind worked.
- Severus, I think that you'll be able to show who is the Potion Master of this castle and do some arrangements with Sprout to prepare what is need to restore Mrs Norris, Marco told, with a little smile before the scowl quasi invisible of Dumbledore.
- With pleasure, sensei, Snape assured.
-I'll accompany them back to the dormitory, yoi. Good night.
And he stood up. He signaled the four students, who rushed out of the room to follow him.
- Well, now, tell me the truth, Potter. Why did you came in this corridor, yoi? Marco asked while walking to the tower.
- Nobody can lie to Marco, Ace told him.
Harry hesitated, before confessing:
-I… I heard a scary voice talking about murder… trying to follow it, we stumbled upon Mrs Norris, the young man confessed. I must look crazy.
- Can you repeat the words of this voice?
- It was talking about smell of blood, that it wanted to kill. It was… hungry…
Marco turned toward Harry eyebrows raised.
- I'm crazy? Harry inquired.
- Iie, we heard something like that… but it was an animal, Ace told them.
- How did you understand it? Ron asked, amazed.
- I'm a zoan, so, to understand an animal is totally normal for me, yoi, Marco stated.
- I began to hear it when I shift in panther, Ace answered.
Marco didn't pick it up. Less people knew, better it will be. Roger had transmitted, more than his blood, another poisoned present to is sole son.
- So… I didn't imagine this voice, but I heard an animal talking? Harry inquired.
-Mr Weasley, Miss Granger… go forward, please.
The two aforementioned raised their eyebrows, but followed Ace who lead them out of the staircase.
- Come here, Potter.
Marco lead Harry in an empty classroom and made him enter, before closing the door behind him.
- I have two questions for you Potter… Do you know what a Parselmouth is?
- No, sensei, Harry confessed
- Very well… so, did you ever… communicated with a snake, yoi?
- Yes. I released, without wanting, a huge snake on my cousin, the day of his eleven birthday. We had a little conversation before the incident. Why all these questions?
- The Parselmouths are able to speak with the snakes. And the last parselmouth known was Voldemort himself, yoi. This ability is often associated to the Black Art, unfortunately.
- But…
- I don't accuse you to play with black magic. I'm just telling you how it is. So, in the future be careful, if you have to face a snake in public, yoi.
- So… the thing who petrified Mrs Norris…
- It's a snake, yoi. There is a lot who can do that in the world, unknown by the public. And a lot of species are now extinct.
-Sensei... why did you tell Dumbledore that you didn't know anything?
- I told him that I knew less than him. It's the second time that the Chamber is open. And the first time, he was the Transfiguration professor, yoi. Don't do a mistake, Potter, he knows more than he pretends. You still have the feather that I gave you, Potter?
Harry pulled it out of his collar.
- I didn't have anything better than that to hang it on and keep it on me, Harry confessed seeing the teacher take the string in his hand.
The string shrunk and became a golden chain, where at the hard end of the feather was forming a pendent.
- Don't separate yourself with it, Potter, I wouldn't like to have to take another of my feather, Marco told him. It stings.
- Yo0u mean that…
- Yes, this feather is mine, at least in my animal form, yoi. Come on, I will accompany you. Remember my advice, okay, Potter?
Harry nodded and followed Marco out of the room.
- Letter from Ji-chan, Ace stated while coming in the library with the twin and Sabo.
Hermione stopped her ranted about how she didn't know anything about the Chamber of Secret and turned to Ace.
- Rayleigh was here for the first opening of the Chamber, Ace announced.
The bell rang, interrupting him.
- I wanted to interrogate the professor Binns about it, Hermione said. But I'm sure that an internal source would be great.
- I always knew that Salazar Slytherin was a crazy old man, Ron told to Harry, Hermione and Luffy, while passing through the corridor full of students going to deposit their bag, before going to dinner. But I didn't know that it was him who established the belief in Pure blood. Even if I was payed, I would have refused to study in the Slytherins. If the sorting hat had sent me there, I would have taken the train and went back home. Oh, look!
Harry kept the silence while joining Sabo and Ace who were chatting.
- So, you're not dead from boredom? Ace asked with a big grin.
- No, but almost, Harry stated, happy to let the subject of repartition in the closet. We didn't learn a lot from Binns. Where are your bags?
- I had a narcolepsy attack in class, and Lockhart though that I was sick, he sent me to the infirmary, Ace explained. So I already put my bag away.
- The Ravenclaw fifth year had Marco. I did a little jogging while he tortured them, since I am too exempt from class, like Ace and Lu', answered Sabo.
It was true that the blond looked like he had recently took a shower.
- So, at midday, you were saying that your uncle was here for the first opening of the Chamber of Secret? Hermione asked, while they walked to the Gryffindor tower.
- Hai. It was fifty years ago. A lot of muggleborns children were petrified, and the last one died. The attacks stopped when the school almost closed. It is told that the culprit was identified, and expelled, but Ji-chan don't think so. More so, since the vile Lord Hideous Snake Face, I named Voldy, was at Hogwarts at this time, and it wasn't him who was expelled.
Harry tried not to laugh.
He liked the nickname that Ace just gave to Voldemort.
At the bend of a corridor, they saw Colin Crivey who called out Harry and wanted to tell him about a new rumor, but he was quickly taken by the flow of student.
- What can be said about you, Potter? Sabo interrogated.
- That I am the Heir of Slytherin, I imagine… was the answer.
- Who put this idea in your head? Ace wondered.
- A Hufflepuff of our year ran away before Harry, earlier in the day, Luffy explained.
- People believe anything, Ron mumbled with disgust.
- Harry, you have as much chance to be the Heir of Slytherin as Ace to be the one of the last Pirate King.
Ace almost choked, and Sabo placed a hand before Luffy's mouth to keep him from laughing.
- What? Hermione asked.
- Bad example. Very bad example, said Ace. I think that I won't eat dinner, tonight.
- I take you an apple? Sabo proposed.
Ace shrugged and took Luffy by his robe's collar, ignoring his protestations.
- What did I say? Hermione asked.
Sabo stared at her with tired eyes, and walked away.
- Whao… Harry whispered. Do they have something against this man?
- Luffy admire Gol D. Roger a lot. Ace and him dream to surpass him, each with their own way… Hermione said, thinking.
Zoro and Sanji were surprised to see the trio arrived in the Great Hall later, without Luffy.
- You lost the ahou gomu? Sanji asked while Hermione sat at his side, and Ron mumbled something against Percy.
- Ace took him by force with him. We didn't really understand what happened… we were talking about the Chamber of Secret, and, puf, Ace wasn't feeling good and he went away with Luffy, quickly followed by Sabo.
- Sabo told me, Nami stated taking place between Sanji and Hermione, facing Harry who was between Zoro and Ron. You talked about Roger, didn't you?
- Yes, and? It's a taboo? Hermione asked.
- No, but talking about his descendants, it's dangerous. As much as talking about where Robin is from.
It seemed to evoke something to the two others pirates.
- What do you mean? Ron inquired. What is the problem?
- Baterilla, an island hidden from the muggles, belonging to Spain, was slaughtered, some years ago, Zoro retold drinking his pumpkins juice. Do you know why?
The three young child shook their head.
- The rumor was telling that Roger had a lover there. It wasn't the only island who was slaughtered because of this rumor. Since the Marine didn't want his descendant, they sent men there. Every woman suspected of being his lover was interrogated, a lot were killed, married or not. Some were pregnant. Young children died because of this, too, Nami told with a sad voice.
- And Ace was very lucky… he was from Baterilla, Sanji sighed. This K'ssou Hiken is one of the rare survivors of the slaughter.
- I… I didn't know… Hermione breathed.
Harry posed his fork, disgusted.
- The world is far from bright, Nami sighed. Overnight, the Gensui, the chief of the Marine, can decide that the survivors are the descendants of Gol D. Roger, and order their execution. True or not, they won't search to know. If they can have the certitude there won't be a second Kaizoku Ou… Well…
Ace posed a hand on the flames of Ron's Charm's homework, absorbing them.
- A reason to why you set your work on fire? The young man asked while repairing the parchment.
- None… I just argued with Percy, Ron sighed.
- Mmm… reason why he just took fifteen points from me, for having an attack in the stairs. I thought that the twin had pranked him again, but it seems that was you who annoyed him.
- Be careful, someone will end up by stepping on you, Ace, Zoro snickered.
- There are the same chance of me being stepped on than you to find your way without losing yourself.
The marimo growled at Ace who stick his tongue, under the not so discreet snort of Sanji and the hard to hide smile on Harry's lips.
Hermione slammed her book close, surprising everyone.
- Are you upset about something, oh, Lady of my heart? Sanji asked.
- No, I was thinking. Who wants the death of the Muggleborns at Hogwarts… Hermione sighed.
- Hard question…was Ron sarcastic retort.
- If you're talking about Malfoy…
- Not only Malfoy. The majority of Slytherins, Ace told them.
- Yes, but they all are from this house in this family! Who know, maybe they are descendants of Slytherin! Who know maybe they pass the word from father to son!
Zoro tried not to laugh.
-Lucius is evil enough for that, true, Ace noted.
- So, we kick his ass? Luffy asked titling his head on the side.
- K'ssou baka gomu… Sanji grumbled. We need proof, before, ahou.
- That suck… Luffy pouted letting his head fall on the table.
- You have an idea of how to proceed? Ace asked to Hermione.
Hermione looked around them to be sure that nobody was eavesdropping.
- I'm watching, don't worry and talk, Zoro told her, taking place to keep an eye on the common room.
- I may have a solution, but it will be hard. And dangerous, very dangerous.
- I am the Knight of this lady, ready to face any danger, Sanji assured.
- We risk to go against a good fifty rules of the school too.
- You'll spit it out this month or at the end of the year? Ace asked taping his transfiguration book with his finger.
- Very well, so listen. What we would need, is to enter in the Slytherin's common room to ask some questions to Malfoy without him knowing it's us.
- It's totally impossible, Harry said, while Ron exploded in laughter.
-Ouuh, we're a very bad influence on you, Granger, Ace smiled seeing where she was going. You're thinking about this potion, ne? Polynectar… You could be a marvelous pirate. Is there a way for me to recruit you once I'm a Taïsho?
Hermione stared at him a long time and shake her head rolling her eyes.
- I saw the recipe; it doesn't look easy to do. If you need, I'll help you, I'm pretty good at potion, Sanji grimaced.
- And it's what? Harry asked.
- A potion allowing to take the appearance of anybody. The effect disappears after an hour. You can pass yourself as Slytherins students too, Ace pointed. But the book is in the Restricted Section.
- Sabo, Luffy smiled.
- You think that he could obtain the book? Hermione asked, perplexed.
- It's Sabo we're talking about. Or, we could also ask Robin to give us a pass. If it's you, she won't say no, Lu', Ace pointed.
- Isn't she the new teacher of History of Magic? She will ask question if we ask her for a pass for a book on potion, Ron mumbled.
- She is my archeologist! Luffy grinned.
- She is one of us. I'll ask Sabo to gain a pass from her, Ace said. We will regroup in Moaning Myrtle's toilets when you have the book.
- So, we let you do? Hermione inquired.
- Let us do, Hermione-chan, Sanji smiled. The illegality, it's our specialty.
Coming out of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Robin found them and, with a mysterious smile, gave to the second years a piece of paper.
- Good reading, young ones, senshô. And good luck for your match tomorrow, Potter-san, she smiled before walking away.
Luffy was softly laughing, whereas the three others were gobsmacked before the authorization in their hands.
- A teacher who obey you… she can give us good grades when we have her! Ron exclaimed.
- Ronald! Hermione scolded.
- What?
- She doesn't obey me. I just ask a service from her and she does what she wants. She is free, Luffy said shrugging.
Nami was sitting on a sink when the second years entered in the out-of-services' toilets.
- Well, so, you'll really penetrate in the dormitories? Sabo asked, standing against a cabin.
- Yes. If Malfoy is a suspect, we need to question him, Harry claimed.
- So, let's see the ingredients need, Hermione sighed sitting on the ground, to open the book, carefully.
Nami conjured what was need to write and told:
- Dictate me what is need, Sabo and me, we will reassemble them. Sanji is a genius at potion, so, he can help with doing it.
- The first ones are easy, since we use them in class, but the others, I don't know where we can find them, other than Snape's reserve…
- Her nickname is Dorobo Neko, so, don't worry about her, Zoro told her. Shoot.
Hermione told the list, which Nami wrote carefully.
- Usually, I sell my services, but since I'm a muggleborn myself, it will be free of charge for this time, the redhead stated putting the list away.
- We also need a part of what we will take the appearance of, Hermione added.
- Lu', we neutralize Crabbe and Goyle to take some hair. Granger, you take the form of who? Sabo asked.
- I'll take care of it, the miss assured.
- I'll guard the real ones, then, Zoro grumbled. You know where the common room is?
-I'll show you the way, Ace promised. Meanwhile, you should go to sleep, Potter, you have a match tomorrow.
Harry sighed. However, knowing that there were so much people to help them, it reassured him.