I want to thank the inestimable Mogul for his last minute support and keen eye.
Previously: Harry recovers from a Dementor attack while things almost return to normal, until Sirius Black is spotted in the Gryffindor tower. After that, Harry figures out that Lockhart is a fraud, albeit a well-meaning one, and decides to keep his secret. The gang figures out that the reason for the petrification is a basilisk, although naturally Dumbledore knows but is struggling to find it. And then Harry finds a diary that talks back to him, from someone calling themselves Tom Riddle...
Harry and the Mysterious Curse of the Girl-Who-Lived
CHAPTER NINETEEN: WHEN THE BOOK TALKED BACK
Harry did not do anything with the diary for few days, except to keep it with him at all times. He asked his friends if the name Riddle was familiar, he surreptitiously asked Professor Flitwick about talking books, and even spent time in the library trying to find any reference at all. But none of these was particularly helpful.
"I've got nothing," Ron told him, which led Neville to add "As per usual, naturally" and then the two fake fought for a few minutes. Neither Hermione (who knew more than she ought to) nor Parvati (who knew more than you'd expect) recognized the name, and the library was no help either. Harry even spent an hour skimming through Hogwarts: A History, but the only insight he gained was that it was packed with facts in the most uninteresting manner imaginable.
Even Flitwick was only slightly helpful. "Ah, the classic fable of Gwyndolen Gwyn and Her Everspeaking Parchment, eh? Why, I haven't heard talk of that story since I was a boy," the Professor told Harry, sighing in a happy tone. "From that story we learn that one should never trust something when you can't see its brain."
And then he chuckled. "Of course, such morality stories were typical in the old days. In reality, one could enchant a book or parchment or mirror or what have you to speak quite intelligently without any sinister motivations. Of course again, one could also have such motivations, but that's Chamblers for you, she always did have an odd perspective on children and books." And the Professor laughed again.
Harry had mumbled an assent at this marginally useful bit of a trivia, although it had really only helped that the diary wasn't necessarily a trap. Later on, after the girls had gone to sleep, Harry looked at the diary and flipped it back and forth in his hands, wondering and frowning.
Over the next few days, Harry kept feeling an odd notion, a sort of mild craving or perhaps a compulsion to check in with the Tom Riddle (as he had supposed must be the diary's name) who had oddly known Harry's actual, non-girl name. This was either a sign of something akin to a Luna or Dumbledore sort of ally, or something far worse, although that didn't necessarily narrow it down at all.
In the end he decided to try to communicate once more, but to be careful about precisely what he wrote. One never knew, after all. So over one lazy weekend, Harry found a quiet corner of the library, piled a set of books and parchment around him, and decided to give it a go.
Hello, Harry wrote in the diary. What's your name again?
After a few seconds, ink and letters began to appear in the diary. I am Tom. A pause. What is yours? Is it Harry?
Harry chewed the end of his quill for a moment and then wrote, That's right. And you're Tom Riddle, I presume? How does a diary end up with the name of a person?
That's a good question, Harry, the diary wrote back. The story is a bit complicated, although I'd be happy to share it. I'd like to first ask you a question, an odd one, perhaps, but I'm a little confused. Why did you call me by the name 'Tom'?
This seemed an odd question indeed.
That's the name you gave.
There was another pause.
I see. The reason I ask is that the last person to write in the diary did not seem to understand that. They responded to my name as 'Tia Riddle' instead of my actual name. I was wondering if there was something wrong with the enchantment on the diary.
This was far too much of a coincidence for Harry to like, but he couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps the diary was telling the truth. Anything's possible, he wrote. I've never enchanted a talking diary before, so I couldn't say what might've gone wrong. When were you created?
Many years ago, I believe. It is around the 1990's or whereabouts, correct? That would make me about fifty years old, although of course I don't age as a normal wizard would, being made of paper and magic instead of flesh and also magic.
That's interesting, Harry wrote. So how were you made?
I think I'd like to get to know you a bit more, if that's alright, the diary wrote back. This is again an odd question, but I don't suppose you know a Harriet Potter, do you? The one who defeated the Dark Lady? The last person who had my diary mentioned that name, but I was hoping to learn a bit more about it. You see, the Dark Lady was only just beginning when I was created, but everyone thought she was unbeatable. I was wondering how Harriet defeated a powerful witch as only a babe.
Harry frowned at this line of questioning. I'm sure Harriet doesn't know, he wrote. How could she, being a baby like you said? Perhaps Dumbledore has an idea, he seems to know almost everything, but he hasn't told me his theories. I'm only a second year, after all.
Isn't Harriet Potter also that year? That must be annoying to have a girl with such a similar name and so famous. It is annoying to me, after all, that my identity was misunderstood as a girl's name.
This was again a weird question to ask. Harry began to wonder if Tom already knew that Harry and Harriet were simply two names for the same person but was trying to get Harry to admit it. Why, though, was unclear. If Tom truly was afflicted by the same Curse... and then Harry had an idea.
I'd like to test your name problem, if you don't mind, Harry wrote. Have one of my friends see how you write your name. I'd like to know if it's unique to me. Harry hoped this would work to provide some clarity - if Tom was simply trying to trick Harry into thinking they had the same Curse, this would reveal that trickery, or in contrast, show that they had the same problem after all.
It took a little longer for Tom to reply. Well, alright. I don't much care for everyone knowing about me, but if it helps you trust me, I will perform this test for you.
Luna frowned and rubbed her chin. "It says 'Tia Riddle'," she told Harry. "What do you see again?"
"A different name, male - Tom Riddle. Maybe Tia is also short for something."
"T-T...mm..." Luna started to stutter and then she coughed. "Oh dear, I think I can't say that name either. Sort of like your real name, Hrrprr. What does that mean?"
"Not entirely sure," said Harry. "But it does make me think the diary might be under the same sort of Curse as I am, however that works."
Luna shrugged and then she smiled. "Well, I have no idea. Reminds me a bit of Gwyndolen Gwyn and Her Everspeaking Parchment, that children's story. You know it?"
"Professor Flitwick mentioned it," said Harry as he tucked the diary away. "But I haven't actually read it. Any good?"
"No, not really," said Luna and she laughed. "Most children's stories are sort of stupid when you're a bit older. I think Beedle's really the only one that appeals to adults too. Beedle the Bard? You know that one, naturally?"
Harry gave Luna a slightly sour look. "I don't, Luna. Raised by Muggles, remember? Is it something I need to know right now?"
"Oh I doubt it's relevant for this diary business or the Mystery," said Luna and she looked up at the ceiling. "Rather, I'd say it's simply a delightful read. The library likely has a copy, but I'm sure my father has one too if not. I can send him a message later if you like."
"Why not? It's not like I have nothing else going on, eh?" Harry laughed, lightened as usual by Luna's odd references. "That said, seems like it could be an interesting take on the Magical world. Wonder if Hermione has heard of it."
"Hermione doesn't know everything," said Luna, looking back at him. "Although sometimes it does seem that way."
Are you satisfied? The diary asked later.
Somewhat, Harry wrote back. Can you explain why you have the same oddness about a girl's name that I do?
I'm afraid not, wrote the diary. It is an odd sort of magic I'd never heard of when I was at Hogwarts.
Harry blinked in surprise. You were at Hogwarts? How did you get stuck in a diary?
Actually, Harry, that is a very good question indeed. I wonder if it was some sort of attack. I recall being a young boy at Hogwarts, of course. Decent student, a few friends, that sort of thing. But my memories halt at the creation of this diary and I wonder... Nothing was written for a moment. I wonder if this Dark Lady had something to do with it.
That's a chilling thought, Harry wrote.
I think it best we keep this between us for now, wrote the diary. It cannot be a coincidence that we suffer from the same affliction. I ask that you keep the diary safe, I am concerned about the Dark Lady or her servants.
I suppose that makes sense, Harry wrote. Did you hear about Volotredi at Hogwarts when you were there?
No one by that name exactly, but there were rumours of a dark wizard or witch gathering followers.
Harry tapped his quill against the diary in thought and wrote Alright, I'll keep it safe. It's where you live after all.
Nicely put, Harry. Thank you.
No worries, Tom.
And he closed the diary.
A few days later, when Harry couldn't find the diary, he suffered from a minor panic attack. At first, of course, he assumed it was merely underneath a blanket or behind his bed. But after a few minutes of fruitless searching, Harry gave up. And then he recalled that Tom was one of the very few people (even in a diary) that could understand his real name, and experienced a quick rush of horror, panic, and then loss.
Question after unrealized question suddenly came to his mind, everything he had forgotten to ask Tom. Who were his friends? Did he know Dumbledore or anyone else currently Hogwarts? And what about Sirius Black? Who had the diary before Harry found it anyway?
He grumpily went to lunch and barely ate anything, and responded to all questions with grunts and sighs. Luna walked by while they were eating and smiled brightly at him.
"Hello, is anything the matter, Hrrprr? You seem cross or possibly dyspeptic."
"We can talk later," Harry managed to say after a moment of effort. "Library after the third class?"
Parvati gave him an odd look. "What's all this, Harriet?"
"I'll explain later," he whispered to her.
She made a humph sound and quietly said, "You'd better."
In the library, after Harry had sat down next to her, Luna looked up from a copy of Unusual Oddities in Only Uruguay and asked, "Is it about your book friend Trdl?"
Harry didn't say anything for a moment and then snickered. "Yeah, that's right, Luna. Trdl. I guess it's not so bad, really, but for some reason I felt particularly hard up about losing track of it. Maybe somebody stole it, the one who lost it in the first place."
"Well, I shall keep an eye out," Luna said and exaggeratedly winked. "Now on a more important matter, what do you think of this change I made to my basilisk spectacles?" She brought out a duplicate pair of double-paned specs that had a large snake curled around it in the shape, with an open mouth underneath the eyes.
"It's a bit... Slytherin-esque, isn't it?"
"No need for insults, Hrrprr, that was the idea," said Luna with a smile. "If the basilisk sees me wearing her -" she paused and frowned "- or its style, perhaps it'll think twice before trying to kill me."
Harry almost smiled but he frowned. "I guess that's not much madder than anything else we're planning. Who knows how smart the basilisk even is anyway? Sirius Black probably is telling it what to do, but maybe the basilisk can think intelligently."
"I don't like that thought," said Luna with a quirked up face. "Basilisks are just magical creatures like any other, and your godfather likely got it to hurt people when it wasn't needed. Do you think he's the one who stole your diary?"
"Oh, it couldn't be him." Harry paused and then a shiver ran down his spine. "Or perhaps it could. That's a thought I don't like, Luna. What if Tom says something to Black about my Curse? He may not understand, but what if does?"
"I'll keep an eye out," Luna said again and she winked again. "We'll figure this out, okay?"
Harry nodded and smiled at his friend, but he wondered if things were a bit too out of control at the moment for anyone to figure anything out.
"Yes, Miss Granger," said Lockhart, his face stretched and his eyes red. The Professor stifled a yawn and continued, "I was using artistic license when I was writing of my time in the Estonian emeraldine mines. Naturally I couldn't be there at the same time as I was in Belgravia, but I didn't wish to bore readers with such minutiae as my travel itinerary and schedule."
"Hmm." Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Sorry, sir, was that Belgravia or Belgrade?"
Lockhart winced and Harry nearly winced in sympathy himself.
"Yes, well, spotted," the Professor said. "Belgrade is, of course, what I meant. I apologize sincerely," and he smiled at the class, which wasn't nearly as high wattage as it had once been. "This basilisk mess has all of the faculty in a tizzy, I'm afraid. Not quite getting my usual beauty sleep, if you catch my meaning."
"Why, how reasonable," said Hermione, and although her face, voice, and demeanour spoke sincerity, Harry was completely certain that she was trying to poke logical holes in Lockhart's stories. This particular turn from "Oh, it's artistic license and that's fine" to "Oh, it's artistic license and that's terrible" confused Harry though, but he wasn't entirely sure how to help, or if he should help either.
For the rest of week, Hermione continued her small passive aggressive pokes at Lockhart, who seemed to be dealing with it poorly, if not giving up or showing the pretence of failure either. Several times, Harry thought about interjecting in support of the Professor, but it didn't seem as though anyone else in class had even noticed Hermione's attacks. Or perhaps they simply didn't think it much mattered.
And so it continued for the next few weeks, as the end of term exams grew closer, and the attacks had vanished entirely. It was common rumour that Sirius Black and his pet basilisk (as naturally this little theory had spread to the entire school) had simply fled Hogwarts when the clever usage of the double-sided spectacles had become commonplace.
Some of the older students had even begun customising them in more fashionable ways, although Luna was the only one to use the basilisk styled frames. In an odd way, it was easy to pretend nothing had ever happened in the first place.
But on the day of the Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor match, a sombre Dumbledore announced at breakfast that "Due to unusual circumstances and the Dementors patrolling outside the school, the Board and Ministry believe it unsafe to hold any further Quidditch matches, so I am afraid all games, including today's planning outing, are postponed indefinitely."
The uproar that followed was distressing, but what came in its place was far worse: a dull, grey, sad energy that Harry almost began to imagine was demonstrated itself by a fog that could only scarcely be seen by human eyes. The decision to cancel Quidditch had already led to fractures in their study group; Hermione and her pet Ravenclaws were clearly in agreement with the Ministry, while Ron, Parvati, and Lavender ardently disagreed. Neville and the Hufflepuffs seemed more conflicted, although Susan parroted everything Parvati said and sometimes her style of speaking.
Normally, Harry wouldn't have been in favour of cancelling one of his true joys, but the depressing fog that had permeated Hogwarts had deadened much of that ardour and replaced it with a dull, near constant paranoia. Although he did not mention this feeling to anyone else.
Ron's dark mood had also not been helped by the disappearance of his pet rat Scabbers, who had not been seen since Sirius Black had appeared in their dorms. Despite his (and occasionally others) best efforts, the rat was still nowhere to be found; it was clear that Ron knew as well as anyone else that Scabbers might have been hurt or killed.
In the library after lunch, this proved problematic.
"Ron, you just need to understand-" Hermione was saying.
"Nothing!" Ron interrupted angrily. "That's not a joke, Nev," he shot at Neville who seemed about to interject an aside. "I don't see why my worry about Scabbers is worth any less than your stupid quest to embarrass Lockhart."
Hermione's face coloured slightly. "I've not done anything of the sort!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Right you are. Like the rest of us haven't cottoned on to it. No real concern of mine if you don't fancy him any longer."
"Watch your mouth, Ron!" Hermione said back at him with heat. "Maybe I thought that our education was a tad more important, what with Black and his pet on the loose."
"Don't you dare mention him to me!" Ron hissed. "I was the one that caught him staring, weren't I? Just luck he didn't manage to kill me, wasn't it?"
Hermione took a deep breath in and shook her head. "Is this even about Scabbers or about how sore you are at losing Quidditch?"
Parvati and Lavender simultaneously winced.
"That's low, Hermione," said Ron and his face had slackened. Suddenly his face twitched into anger. "Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth being friends with someone like you."
Hermione threw down her parchment and ran out of the library. Padma looked at the others silently for a second and then raced after Hermione.
Anthony looked over at Harry and gave him a twisted expression. "Sorry, Harriet. You get it, right?"
Harry waved his hand and a relieved Anthony went after the two girls.
Ron collapsed down on his chair and mumbled, "Whatever we don't need them anyway," although from his stricken face it was clear even he did not believe this. After that, the group simply sat and read (or didn't read) in awkward silence for quite a while, seemingly mentally sharing the same desire, to wait it out.
As Harry walked listlessly through the stacks to put back one of the books he had barely looked at, he got an unexpected jolt, as he spotted the Headmaster partially hidden behind one of the bookcases, reading a book with great solemnity.
"Ah," Dumbledore said softly without looking up. "I am glad you found your way here, Not-Miss Potter. I am afraid I have terrible news, but I could not risk asking you to brave the halls alone to meet elsewhere."
A cold chill pricked up at the base of Harry's neck and he felt a sudden rush of goose pimples. "What's wrong, sir?"
"There has been another attack, akin to the others. No casualties, but students petrified by the basilisk's gaze." He glanced up from the book, and Harry was startled at the look of sadness in the old man's eyes. "I am so sorry."
"Why are you-" And then Harry realized, and his words froze in his mouth and his eyes stung.
The Headmaster said nothing, waiting for Harry to recover.
"They ran out," said Harry finally in a choked voice. "It was an argument about Quidditch and Ron's pet, tempers running high, you know?" Harry pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his nose. He dried his eyes with the sleeve of his robes and cleared his throat. "I let them go. It's my fault."
"Do not say that," the Headmaster said in a stern voice. "You cannot bear the brunt of responsibility for all your friends' ills and troubles. Blame me, if you prefer, it is a failing, a fatal one, of my own. It is the role of all Headmasters and the staff to keep the students from harm. In this we have failed."
Harry sighed and shook his head, not sure how to express the guilty feelings in words. "You're right, in a way," he said finally. "But now what we do? Is Hogwarts closing?"
A distant look came to Dumbledore's eyes. "Perhaps that would be for the best. But oddly enough, the Governors disagreed on that, although they did agree to terminate my position. Hardly a surprise, I would venture."
"Terminate? You mean you've been sacked?" Harry scowled, an angry, petulant feeling replacing the sad, guilty one. It was unusual in a way, but he felt better.
"Yes, and I cannot entirely blame them, as I have failed in my duties to protect the students. But yet, as you have so wisely pointed out, keeping the students in the school without my presence is hardly any better."
Harry nearly said "I didn't point anything out" but realized that this was Dumbledore's way of trying to calm and compliment him. He didn't feel he deserved the care, but being a churl wouldn't help anyone.
"Is there anything good about this?" He asked instead. "Anything we can do to help?"
"It is not good," said Dumbledore sadly, but there was an odd note of triumph in his eyes. "Stay strong, Not-Harriet. And please, don't do anything rash."
Harry grimaced. "Sir, you know very well that's not going to happen."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I suppose I do at that. But be safe and stay in groups. The official announcements will come soon, and I am sure your friends have been wondering what has taken so long to return a book you have not read."
A similar chuckle escaped Harry at this, and he nodded. "Well, sir, I suppose I have the same advice. Be safe and be back as soon as you can."
A light flickered in the Headmaster's eyes and he smiled. "I shall do my best," he said, and vanished into the library.
The lack of even being able to speak to the "smarties", as Ron often called them, had a debilitating effect on their study group. Although they had made an early trip to visit their petrified friends in the Hospital Wing, ultimately they mostly stood around, except Parvati who whispered something to her sister and held her hand until Pomfrey got annoyed.
Harry knew better than to ask his friend if she was "okay", as he certainly wasn't okay himself. But instead he offered bland pleasantries, such as "She'll be fine soon enough" and "I'm glad nobody was hurt worse". These only were obscuring the true terror, that the Headmaster was gone, and a new attack might happen at any moment.
The Professors only grew stricter, throwing out detentions if anyone of any year was caught without a group, and the strain became evident. Snape and McGonagall seemed to have barely been sleeping, if at all, and Lockhart simply told the class to read their books while he sat silently at his desk, sadly rereading his own.
The pretence that the exams were the important matter and coming up served as a salve for the school, it seemed, and most students seemed able to avoid talk of the attacks by stressing out about the exams.
But it was not so with Harry or his closest friends.
"I can't be bothered to care," Parvati said quietly at dinner the week before exams. "I know Padma would actually be cross with me about that, isn't that mad?" She giggled softly and then sighed. "Harriet, does that make me an awful person?"
"No," said Harry with a heavy voice. "I don't care much about the exams either, if I'm honest. I know your sister and Hermione will be furious with us later for not caring about it, but what else are we supposed to do? We have no idea where the Chamber even is, and..." He considered mentioning the diary, but choked at the last moment. "And even the Professors aren't fooled."
Parvati sighed and jabbed a fork at her food instead of eating anything.
"At least eat something," said Ron leaning towards them. "I know I'm only half as bolloxed as you right now, but starving yourself doesn't help them."
Neville smiled and affectionately punched Ron on the shoulder. "I always knew your obsession with food would come in handy one day."
"They're right, Parv," said Lavender with a worried expression. "I'm eating too, see?" She made an overly large motion with her arm and put a spoonful of potatoes in her mouth. "Mmm, I can't bloody taste it because I'm so worried, yet it's nutritious," she said with her mouth full.
Parvati laughed. "Okay, I get it. Thanks, all of you. Really." And she took a small bite of her own food.
At the end of the week at breakfast, Professor Sprout stood in front of the school to make an announcement. "I have good news and ill news," she said. "We still haven't found the attacker, nor has the Ministry, but my mandrakes are fit to burst." She smiled. "Meaning we shall soon be able to reverse all of the petrification curses."
A wave, almost visible, echoed through the Great Hall and the conversations, which had been low and sad for days, if not longer, became lighter and suddenly laughter was heard. Harry's own heart skipped a moment, but then the reality of the situation crept back.
Dumbledore was still sacked, and Black and his pet basilisk still on the loose. They were still in danger, and petrification was the least of their worries.
Years later, Harry would swear that the sun barely moved that day, but stayed a red eye, fiery in the sky until it was suddenly night. This was objectively false, but it felt true.
It was a sudden shriek as they walked through the halls after class that day, nearing the time for supper. An unseen message shot through the school, and everyone began to rush in the same direction. To a familiar place, the same wall where once an ominous message had been written in blood.
Now, a message emblazoned the wall, in a fluid that shined darkly and caught the light, but did not seem like blood at all.
"She lies in the Chamber like once before and waits for a rescuer that may never come..."
Distressed chatter and yelling erupted around the wall, but there was something off about the message as Harry reread it. "A rescuer?" He repeated to himself. "May never come?"
He kept thinking about this as McGonagall rushed them back to their common room, although she kept the Weasleys behind for some unknown reason. In a corner, Harry sat with Parvati, Lavender, and Neville as he continued to ponder the message.
Neville noticed this effort and said, "Harriet, you don't seem so much alarmed as deep in thought."
The girls whirled at this remark to examine Harry's face closely.
"Do you know something, Harriet?" Parvati asked softly, a hitch in her voice.
"This isn't like the last message," Harry responded and he tapped his chin. "Who is in the Chamber? I think I know. Why were the Weasleys kept behind? Didn't you notice which one wasn't with them?"
Lavender gasped. "Ginny! It was just the boys. You mean... she's in danger?"
"Yes, she is," said Harry. "But that message isn't a threat, don't you realize?" Suddenly he couldn't help but chuckle a bit ruefully. He suspected he knew why, but it was too crazy a notion to believe. He couldn't say it aloud, it would seem mad. "It's a warning. If a rescuer doesn't come, Ginny might die. But a rescuer might come. Why would Sirius Black write that?"
"It's a trap," said Neville without a moment's hesitation. "What else could it be?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't think so. It's hard to explain, but I don't think Sirius Black wrote that message. The first one, yes, but didn't you notice the weird liquid of this message? It wasn't blood, was it?"
"I didn't notice," said Lavender with a shudder.
Parvati frowned. "You're right, Harriet. It was something different, something I couldn't figure out."
"Neville, girls, is it possible to have magical writing that changes?"
They thought about this and Neville said, "Yes, I think so. My Gran has left messages that change based on the day. Not like this exactly, but yes, sort of similar."
"And 'like once before' - doesn't that strike you as odd? I don't recall Ginny being trapped in the Chamber before now." Harry leaned towards the others. "It's because it's a message, trying to get around Sirius Black and tell us secretly. A way to rescue her."
"Well, I don't know," said Neville slowly. "Even if you're right, who's the first person 'like once before'?"
Harry nodded. "We need to find that out. The Chamber was opened once before, decades ago remember?"
"Right..." Parvati looked thoughtfully back at Harry. "Right, yes, Binns did speak about that a bit last year, didn't he? Was someone attacked back then? I feel like I know I've heard about it before."
Neville paled slightly. "I've heard about it, guys. Adults around me didn't always filter their conversations. There was a girl, I know that much. Don't recall the name exactly, but it wasn't an adult. A loner, maybe? I was pretty young when I heard the stories."
Nobody said anything but Harry's mind raced as he considered these words. And then a notion popped into his head - a girl, a loner, alive in the time when the Chamber was first time, but alive no longer. "Parvati, Lavender, do you know how long Myrtle has been a ghost?"
Parvati started and Lavender gasped.
"Harriet, you don't think..." Lavender put a hand over her mouth. "That's... do you think?"
"I have an idea, but we'll need help," said Harry. "First we have to wait for Ron, but then we need to talk to a Professor."
At this last part, the other three visibly relaxed.
"Well said, Harriet," said Neville and he sighed. "Yes, I think that is a capital plan, whatever else you have in mind. No need to leave things like last year where it's a bunch of us trying to save the day without any adults."
It was only a few minutes that Ron and his brothers came into the Gryffindor hall, each looking various levels of distress and shock. Harry gestured to Ron surreptitiously and the redhead seemed surprised but made his way over to them.
"Ron, are you okay?" Harry asked with a careful eye towards his friend.
Ron almost smiled but then he shook his head. "No, Harriet, from far it."
"We figured it out," said Lavender before Ron could continue. "Ginny is in the Chamber, isn't she?"
"Wha-?" Ron blinked, clearly in utter shock. "How did you- I mean I don't know for sure where-"
"She was the only one missing from the group," interjected Harry quickly. "Plus the odd message about a 'her' waiting for a rescuer in the Chamber, it wasn't hard to put it together. Thus we need to rescue her."
Ron's mouth opened and closed, and then he shook his head, seeming to gain strength from somewhere. "Right, alright then. Suppose I shouldn't be shocked you're twenty paces ahead. What's the plan?"
"I think the connection is with Myrtle," Harry explained. "We need to track her down - probably go to the toilet where she usually hangs out. But we need a Professor or ideally multiple ones for safety."
At this Ron grimaced. "That part's going to be a problem, Harriet. All of the profs are off searching for Ginny, and they made it very clear we are-" here he made finger quotes "'not to leave the common room if we value our lives'." He made a disgusted sound. "None of us liked that, the twins actually argued back to McGonagall."
Harry paused and nodded. "Okay, okay. Are you certain all of the professors were busy? Even one would be helpful."
Ron opened his mouth again and then stopped to think on this before saying, "Actually, I think Lockhart said he needed to check on something in his office. The other professors didn't seem to think much of that."
"Right," said Harry. "Do you think the Twins could help us sneak out to get to Lockhart's office?"
"They bloody better," said Ron and he stood up. "I'll go talk to them."
The conversation between the brothers did not seem to take long at all, and the Weasley twins walked quickly.
"So what's this plan?" Fred asked quietly. "We're in, whatever it is."
"Obviously," added George.
Harry hesitated. Getting active help from the Weasley twins certainly sounded promising, but he wasn't entirely sure how much he could anyone else trust with his mad plan - if they interfered at the wrong moment, all might be lost. So an adjustment, perhaps. "We need to sneak out of the common room," he told them. "Professor Lockhart is going to help us."
"And Moaning Myrtle-" Lavender started to say before Harry shot her an annoyed look. "Sorry, I mean just Myrtle will too," she continued with a wince.
This did not seem to convince the twins.
"That pair does not exactly fill me to the brim with confidence, Harriet," said George with a frown and he glanced at his twin. "Something else, perhaps."
Fred grunted. "Yeah, true enough, but I think perhaps we can trust the Girl-Who-Lived, don't you?"
George looked back at Harry. "I suppose I can't argue with that."
"If we're not back with Ginny in twenty minutes," said Harry, thinking quickly. "Come to Myrtle's toilet, that's where we're headed to talk to her. She has a clue about the Chamber, she just doesn't know it yet."
"Interesting," said George and his voice reflected actual interest. "She's been around a while, that's true enough. And Professor Ponce?"
"Don't be mean," scolded Parvati. "He tries his best."
"Does he?" Fred muttered.
"Backup," said Harry. "Hogwarts needs a Professor present for the Chamber to be found." This was a wild fabrication made up on the spot, but it felt so true that Harry actually wondered if he suddenly discovered a secret.
If they realized this was invented, neither of the twins showed it.
"Right then," said Fred. "Come with us, we do have a way."
George nodded. "It's never been useful before, since it needs someone behind to leave it open," he said. "This here is the perfect opportunity for us to test it out."
"Test it out?" Ron repeated in alarm.
"Chin up, Ronald," said Fred with a slight manic mien and he gave his younger brother an off-putting smile. "You're going to help rescue Ginny."
"Yeah, I get it," said Ron and he glanced over at Harry. "Right, let's go."
After the Twins helped them through the secret exit, Harry delivered his instructions. "We don't have time to all go at once. Nev, Ron, you go get Lockhart, explain we're meeting at the Myrtle toilet and have a plan to rescue Ginny. We'll head to Myrtle and get the info we need."
"Split up?" Ron seemed uncomfortable with the idea.
"We don't have time to waste, Ron," said Neville fiercely, looking up at the redhead. "This plan is what we have, and time is of the essence. Let's move."
Ron sighed and nodded his head, and the two boys headed off.
Harry led Parvati and Lavender in a highly brisk jog towards Myrtle's toilet, feeling like it was all preordained. When they entered the lavatory, it was clear he had been entirely right.
"Merlin..." Parvati whispered in shock.
"Bloody hell," Lavender cursed loudly and she put her hands over her mouth.
It was an understandable reaction, as in the bathroom where a row of sinks had once been was now a gaping hole, an entryway down into some dark unknown, although a sickly green light emanated up, casting the lavatory in its odd glow.
"Harriet, is that you?" The ghost of Myrtle floated out from a wall. "Say, whatever happened here?"
"You didn't see it?" Harry asked, feeling annoyed. "Did you see an older man or maybe Ginny Weasley?"
Myrtle shook her head. "No, I didn't see anything." She giggled. "Rather think I'd have noticed the walls opening up, wouldn't I?"
Harry carefully walked over to the entry hole, wand aloft and a bright Lumos shining. A slide of some sort was evident, and the room below was mostly visible, with the green glow coming from past it.
"I suppose we have to go down it," said Harry with a grimace. "Not so happy about that."
"Shouldn't we wait for Lockhart and the boys?" Lavender asked worriedly.
"Yes," said Harry. "Although we really don't have much time at all."
"What's all this?" Myrtle floated over to peer down the slide. "How odd. Harriet, what is down there?"
"If I'm right, and I'm fairly sure I am, this is the secret entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."
"But why is it open?" Parvati asked, seeming to have gotten back her bearings. "And why haven't anyone found this before now?"
"It's an invitation, and a trap," explained Harry. "As for the other question, Professor Dumbledore did mention to me a while back that Salazar Slytherin likely hid the Chamber, and a Founder trying to hide something would make it difficult for even the Headmaster to find."
"I suppose that makes some sense," said Parvati with a frown. "Maybe."
"Myrtle, I recall you told me the story of how you were killed," said Harry. "You heard a boy speaking here, right?"
The ghost girl nodded with a big smile. "Yes, I have suddenly remembered it! Some boy hissing some foreign tongue, didn't recognize it. Maybe something Oriental?"
Parvati and Lavender gave quick, nasty glares at Myrtle, who seemed quite oblivious to her faux pas. Harry gave them a "now isn't the time to deal with a ghost's racism" look, which actually wasn't the first time he had had to use it in Hogwarts.
"And you said something about big eyes, I think it was," continued Harry carefully. "I don't remember the hissing part, do you suppose it could've been a large snake like monster? A basilisk, perhaps?"
Myrtle's mouth opened and closed. "Huh." She scratched at her transparent eyebrows. "Harriet, you know, that sounds oddly right. I don't know what a basilisk looks like, of course, since I don't know what it is."
Parvati breathed in sharply, a sound of clear annoyance.
"But yes, I think it might've been some sort of snake, Harriet. Wow, I can't believe I've solved the mystery of my death so many years later!"
There was a scuffing sound in the hallway, and Harry and his friends whirled to the door, wands already out. Professor Lockhart came in, out of breath. He looked around the room and shook his head.
"Merlin, Harriet, has this hole always been here?"
"Of course not," said Harry. "This is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Whoever kidnapped Ginny accidentally left it open." To get things moving, Harry was quite alright with this little falsehood. "Where are Neville and Ron?"
"They're on their way," said Lockhart in a soft voice. "Not to worry." He walked over to the gaping hole, a look of horror in his eyes. "My stars, this truly is the entrance?"
"We don't really have to dither around," Harry said impatiently, gesturing towards the entrance. "Ginny is in danger and might not have much time left. Since you're here, we need to hurry. Ron and Nev will just have to follow behind when they get here."
Lockhart nodded, his face pale, and his wand hand shaking. "Are you- are you certain this must be done now?"
"Let's go, sir," said Parvati with a dark look in her eyes. "There's some sort of slide going down."
Harry wasn't interested in a free-falling slide, however, so he used a Sticking charm on his feet to carefully walk down. As he waited for the others, he looked around. It was some sort of antechamber, with a hallway leading to the source of the sickly green light. The stonework was old and mossy, but despite the clear age, the room felt almost new. Magically enchanted that way, no doubt.
The path is for the boy alone.
"Did you hear that?" Harry's head shot up at the mysterious words. "I heard a voice."
Parvati and Lavender shook their heads, while Lockhart looked around the room, distracted and clearly not having heard the question.
The diary binds you, you alone. We await you.
Harry was certain he had heard it that time, but from the expression on the girls' faces, he was the only one. "Well then," he said in sudden decision. "I'm going to check ahead, you watch behind me and come after in a minute."
Parvati made a face. "I don't think so, Harriet. We're coming with you."
Naturally it couldn't be easy.
"No, we're not," said the Professor suddenly and he faced them with his wand out. "And you aren't either, Miss Potter. It is entirely too dangerous. I don't quite believe you're telling us everything."
"I suppose you'd know the signs," said Harry without thinking, and the girls each gave him looks of "really, it isn't the time!"
Lockhart sighed. "You want to know the truth, do you? Yes, it's fiction. I didn't have any of those adventures, not a single one."
Lavender gasped. "You mean Hermione was right?"
The Professor grimaced. "Yes, she was. Too bright for her own good, if you ask me." He looked at Harry. "I thought you understood, Miss Potter."
"I did," said Harry. "But I assumed you hadn't done anything serious to the real people who had those adventures."
"Oh, I didn't, of course not," said Lockhart with a manic chuckle. His eyes now were clearly bloodshot and he looked very tired. "They told their stories to me, after I paid them for it. None were decent at storytellers, I can tell you that. Such magnificent tales of bravery and intrigue going to waste! Of course, I had to Memory Charm them later to prevent any issues with my books."
He laughed again. "And yet, not a one ever complained about the sudden extra few Galleons in their pockets. I think we all profited well enough from our exchanges."
"Of course your profits of the books were much higher," said Harry, trying to figure out a way to disarm the Professor without him catching Harry first. "You were the one traveling around the world, and actually doing the work of writing it all down in a coherent narrative. Only fair, right?'
Lockhart narrowed his eyes. "Sometimes I can't tell if you're quite sincere, Harriet, but yes, naturally you're right."
"I'm sorry,' Parvati interjected, a horrified look on her face. "You Memory Charmed people for your stories?"
The Professor looked at Harry and raised an eyebrow. "So you did keep it a secret, didn't you? I always have been impressed by you."
"Is that what you did to Ron and Neville?" Harry asked, moving slowly, very slowly, towards the hall entrance.
"For their own protection," Lockhart said with now a touch of anger. "You children are bright and capable, I'd be the first to admit it. It's been a delight teaching you all, but what in Merlin's sacred name do you think you're doing, trying to reach the Chamber of Secrets? We need to get out of here and speak to the authorities."
"We will," said Harry. "But Ginny is in trouble and if we wait for the Aurors, it might be too late."
Lockhart shook his head. "Damn it all, Harriet! You are a second year! This isn't your responsibility, you are still a child."
Harry sighed. "I know, sir." He thought quickly of how to phrase something that would connect with the professor. "But a child that knows what strength you secretly possess."
At this, Lockhart stepped back, his face stricken. He shook his head. "Harriet," he said in a shaky voice. "If they ever write a book about you, they'll never come close to getting your measure."
Despite the tense situation, Harry was flattered by the compliment, but tried to remain stoic.
Lockhart breathed in deeply, clearly trying to steel himself for the unpleasant task. "I can't in good conscience allow you to throw your life away, Harriet. Or you two either," he said to the girls. "It is my role as a responsible adult and your professor to protect you."
He smiled slightly. "You see, Harriet? I've learned something from you all too." And before Harry could react, Lockhart's wand was in motion and the air seemed to shimmer - and then a shout echoed through the chamber.
"You shall not harm Harriet Potter!"
Dobby the house elf had suddenly appeared, holding up his arms in what seemed a futile measure. But then a shockwave of where the elf met the Memory Charm exploded outward, sending Harry flying into the hallway, smacking against a wall, and stones fell across the entryway.
"Hello?" Harry asked, wincing as he got to his feet. "Lav? Parvati?" He paused. "Dobby?"
A sob was clearly heard. "I think he's knocked out," said the tearful voice of Lavender. "Lockhart and Dobby got hit with something with the spell fugue. Oh! And Parvati got hit by one of the rocks. She's bleeding and out cold."
This sent a cold feeling through Harry. If she was hurt badly, he wasn't sure what he would do.
"She's breathing," said Lavender after a pause and her voice was clearly relieved. "But she's hurt. Harriet, what should we do?"
Harry considered for a moment. "Ginny is still in danger. I'll have to go on alone, we don't have time to clear the stones away."
"But Harriet, we can use-"
"I know we can use magic to clear the stones, Lavender," Harry interrupted. "But Parvati might be seriously hurt. Take her to Madame Pomfrey, and I'll go ahead. It'll be okay, trust me." Harry thought a bit selfishly that at least he would be able to approach Tom on his own, as he had wanted all along.
"Lavender, did you hear me?"
"Yes," the Gryffindor girl said with a touch of anger in her voice. "But I don't care for it. I'll follow this plan, because I do trust you Harriet. But you had better not get yourself killed or Parvati will never forgive you!"
Harry smiled and blinked away sudden moisture in his eyes. "We can't have that. I'll be careful."
In the Chamber, Ginny Weasley lay unconscious on a stone altar, while a boy of near Harry's age stood nearby, dressed in what seemed to be Slytherin robes in a slightly different style.
"Harry Potter, is it?"
"Tom Riddle, is it?"
Tom laughed. "I've been looking forward to this, Harry. I think it is high time we talked."
END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN
Next time, the boys talk out loud and some light is shed.
"I suppose that will have to suffice," said the Headmaster.
"Better luck next time," said Harry with a grin.
