Chapter 20: confronting Lockhart

It was odd for Severus to return to school without his husband and children, but he could rest easy that they were safe away from the attacks. He would not be lonely though, one condition their dads had about them returning back to school, Draco and Harry were living with their Uncle. A number of students didn't return back after Christmas, and usually Albus would have fought Harry living with his Uncle, but not this time. He would lose total control of Harry if he was at the manor and not at school, and though he did not like it all, he held his tongue on it. He heard Lucius mention sending his sons to Durmstang for safety, they were friends with the Krum boy after all, but that would be worse. Harry being a Malfoy was a big enough obstacle for him.

Harry noticed every one was wary now; even some of their own house had headed home, and not come back. The red heads were back, they believed the headmaster to a fault, and truly believed their children would not be at risk. Albus had told them he was close to solving it, besides their children were pure bloods.

It was mid February and there had been no more attacks, and some kids had come back, when Fred appeared."I have a really bad feeling there will be an attack."

Harry looked up from where he was working on a potion with his Uncle."What do you mean?"

Reminding Harry and his Uncle or the suspicions his sister was some how involved, Fred had continued to keep an eye on her. The odd book was not on her when she came home at Christmas, even though her room had been discretely checked here at school. But tonight he caught his sister meeting with Lockhart of all people, and he had handed her a book, which he could have sworn was the same journal.

Severus put the potion in stasis, and is mind went back to the night in the infirmary. He had been looking for the journal, told by the twins that she always had it on her, but found no sign of the book. He remembered Lockhart had actually shown up for once, and he had an odd book in his arms.

Harry turned to him. "We need to do something Uncle Sev. We need to do something before there is another death on her hands."

Severus motioned the boys into his rooms. "You boys will both stay in here. I don't need to worry about you out there during this."

Both looked ready to protest, but they knew he would not leave them if he could not trust them to stay, and he needed to find her. The more Harry saw of the girl the less he liked her, but she was the sister of two of his best friends, and once again he found himself caring. Fred was the trouble maker, but he agreed even faster than Harry to not leave the rooms, as long as he knew his sister would be found.

Severus had his nephew fetch the marauder's map as it could help locater her a lot quicker. He and his best friend were married to two of the marauders, but until now, he never thought he would be so grateful for their work.

Harry handed him the map and kissed him on the cheek. "Be careful too, just because it has only been students till now, I am worried."

Severus activated the map. "I promise to be careful. I plan on taking you boys home for Adrian's first birthday next month."

When his Uncle left he could not help worry even if he was a teacher, he loved his Uncle so much and he was a half blood. He wanted Fred's sister to be okay, but he also wanted his Uncle to return to his Uncle Remus and their kids. He was starting to understand why his Uncle said Harry and Draco would turn him white young, after what happened with Quirell last year, when he and Fred waited for news.

Draco and George saw their surprise when they came in. "Uncle Sev saw us on the way and ordered us down here. He told us you could explain."

Harry nodded. 'Fred saw Lockhart give his sister back that journal from last semester."

Concern ran through George, who like Fred had been hoping that this was over with, when their sister no longer had the book. They were grateful for the help, and understood why Harry and Draco were so worried about their Uncle, who they were so close to. A couple of times they almost broke their word and left, but they did not have the map, or any idea where Severus had headed to. They kept their word, no matter how hard it was for the four of them, and staved put in the room.

Harry was going stir crazy after an hour. "I wish we knew what was happening up there. I just have a bad feeling about all of this."

Severus had no idea what the man was up to, but after his nephews were almost killed by Quirell, he was not one for giving the benefit of the doubt. There was one petrified and one dead student, and the man seemed to not be done. Albus would not listen to his suspicions before and he doubted he would now, and he did not have time for the old coot to sit on his hands, not now. Albus seemed to have little concern for the kids, he could have closed the school for a few months and found out what was happening, but he wouldn't. Then again they all knew Hagrid was innocent, and the man refused to provide the evidence, so Hagrid could have a wand at least.

He found Lockhart coming out of the room of requirements, Ginny had left just before he had arrived, and he knew he needed to deal with this man first. He had no idea what was wrong with him, Ginny would be cleared by the mind control, but Lockhart would have no such excuse to save him from this.

Lockhart was not pleased to see him, and Severus knew when ever he wasn't, he was up to no good. "Severus what are you doing lurking in times like this?'

Severus smirked."The better question is why are you giving dark arts journals to eleven year olds? I would have thought one dead student would be enough."

The man went pale, and he was stuttering as bad as Quirell pretended to, claiming he had no idea what Severus was talking about. Severus knew there was a chance this man was a fool and had not made the connection, he was greedy and incompetent, but he did not have much else.

Severus pointed in the direction he knew Ginny had headed in."That little journal, is Voldemort's. She has a plea of mind control, what is your excuse?"

Lockhart moved to head down the hall with him, towards the bathroom. "I would not have given her a book with mind control. I am not some criminal."

He doubted the people he had stolen credit from for his books would agree with the man, but Severus felt more inclined to believe his story right now. The man claimed he had been looking for a story idea while here, and had heard of the chamber. He had not known there was a monster, and he had come across this book, but he thought it was broken. That was until inn had seen it, and he found she could read, and used her to learn. He had given her the book back, not linking the two together, honestly believing the book could tell him how to stop this. The man was looking to profit, thinking he could be a hero with her help, but he had not meant for this to happen.

Severus was about to say something when the man offered to help, but again there was a blood curdling scream."It looks like you may be too late."