Chapter 21: basilisk down

Severus was shocked when Lockhart came with him as he would have thought the man would flee, but his guilt was at play in this. The man may not have known what it was, but he had been involved, and Severus knew he was likely hoping he would be pardoned due to his help. Severus would normally have been happy for any help, but he was not sure this man could be any more help then a worm. He doubted the man could bore the monster to sleep, or charm him over with his smile, the only two things the man seemed to be able to do. Maybe he knew he would die, and would rather die a hero, then be revealed as a fraud.

They rounded the corner and found Ginny in hysterics once again, but once they came to her, she collapsed on the floor. The journal was in her hands, and Severus saw writing on the page, which was about to disappeared, but he cast a spell to freeze it.

His attention went to the second body on the floor, who like Justin was dead. "Another dead student, enough to sell your book?"

Lockhart watched as Severus sent a message to all the staff. He looked down at the fourth year Ravenclaw. "Melinda was one of my favorites, such promise."

As the other teachers appeared Severus found he agreed with the man. Melinda was a student few would know, she was quiet and only had a few friends, but she was well liked in school. She was top of many of her classes including potions, not a shock since her parents ran a chain of successful apothecaries. Her mother was a muggle born, a powerful witch, but still it had made her daughter a target.

The staff watched in horror as the body was taken to the infirmary, as well as a catatonic Ginny. Severus was not the only one who turned on Albus up in the infirmary; they had all told him the school needed to be closed down, till this was solved. Now they had a second child whose parents would have to burry their child.

Albus looked down at the book Severus was holding in his hands. "It seems we have the source."

Severus shook his head. "It was in English, but I noticed even if my spell kept the writing in place, but it has turned."

It must have been a security measure; the writing disappeared or became Parseltongue, if someone tried to read it but the user. Voldemort had been the only one in his time, he would have thought it was fool proof, but Harry was one as well. Severus was reluctant, but he summoned his nephew, knowing that Harry would want to help, and allowed him to be brought. Harry was horribly shaken when he found out what was happening, but he read the journal, and found the entrance to the chamber.

Albus wanted Harry to open it in the chamber, but that was vetoed by everyone else, as they were not sure if the monster was alive. Severus used a spell to bring down the tunnel inside without opening it, and any cavern below would be sealed. If the monster survived the cave in, it would never be out.

Severus destroyed the sink as well just in case and sealed the area. "Now I assume Albus you will speak to the ministry and have Hagrid cleared once and for all."

Albus was trying to hide his anger as he knew there were likely books and such in the chamber. "Of course."

Harry had been brought with them, and clung to his Uncle as he was taken back to the infirmary. Albus was once again ignored when the journal was set on fire, he had like the chamber, wanted a chance to examine it. Albus reminded the man that two kids were dead, and another would not wake for months, and their families deserved to know it was seen to. For the second time in so many years, the school would be looking for a new DADA teacher because the old one was arrested.

Albus protested when Severus assured his nephew he would take him home to his dads. "The danger is over."

Severus looked up. "Would you like to explain to Lucius why you would not allow his son to head home for a bit? We both know it is allowed."

Not waiting for an answer, he steered his nephew from the room, and Draco was waiting for them in the front hall. They were both in bad shape; Draco filled in on what happened as they went along, and were in need of their dads badly when they made it to the manor. They had both known Justin but not Melinda, but the death of a second student, and how Ginny was involved in it, left them both in bad shape.

Their dads and Remus were waiting, and Severus had his arms full of his husband and kids, while Lucius and Sirius saw to their sons. The others were given a full run down when the boys were in the sitting room.

Lucius kissed Harry on the head; Harry curled up in his arms. "We will see Hagrid cleared, and offer any aid we can to the families involved."

Melinda had been taken for burial, and almost all the kids were back to school, assured it was safe. Harry and Draco though were still home at the manor with their dads, even with Albus pressing for them to be returned. Lockhart had proven he hadn't known what the book was, but also proved fraud, so he was in minimum security for two years, meaning no dementors. Hagrid had been cleared, allowed a wand, and there was talk he might be able to take over for a retiring Kettleburn in the fall.

Molly and Arthur had been shocked when they found out their daughter was involved in all of this. They had been assured she had been under mind control, but she still had some memories, and Poppy recommended she needed help. She gave them the name of a mind healer at the hospital.

The healer turned to the couple after the evaluation. "I would recommend you institutionalize your daughter."

Arthur spoke for his wife was in no shape. "You want us to put her in a hospital?"

Unfortunately in the week since the journal, Ginny was still semi catatonic. The few times she was lucid enough to talk, she blamed herself for the deaths. She was not eating or sleeping, and there were signs she had been cutting herself for months. They had planned to take her home, but it wouldn't be enough, the love of her family.

Molly sobbed. "My daughter is not a criminal; she was not guilty of the crimes. I will not lock her up.'

The healer shook his head. "No one blames her but she does. I fear if she doesn't have help, she will either become fully catatonic, or become a danger."

His main worry was she would be a danger to herself, but there was a small concern for others. He hoped it would only be a few months, but she needed to be here. Arthur finally convinced his wife to, and Ginny didn't even respond at all, when she was taken away by a nurse.

Arthur held his wife. "She will get better and be home soon Molly. We are doing the best by her."

Author note: With Sirius free, the story now advances to book 4.