A/N: Hey, here's a little longer chapter than the past few for you, though I'm not that sure I'm happy with its outcome, but oh well. I'd like to thank all my reviewers for their comments and criticism and hope this chapter clears at least the pairing issue :)

I'm also sorry if you think the speed of the story is too fast, but I'm having problems with coming up with ideas for it, so it can't be helped at the moment. Not to worry though, I promised myself that if I ever write fanfiction I won't abandon any story, so this is not under a threat of abandonment! Maybe someday I have my muse back for this story and will rewrite it with slower pace, but for now, let's hope that I can finish it first. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

"Parssseltongue"

"Talking"

November went by with three more attacks and this time they were all on students – Muggleborn students to be specific. Sky had found out after the second attack– of which victim was a Gryffindor first year called Colin Creevey – by eavesdropping on Dumbledore that the Chamber had been opened 50 years before, which gave Sky the idea that Voldemort had somehow been involved as he had been a student back then.

After a lot of digging Sky found out that the school's Gamekeeper Hagrid had been expelled because he had supposedly opened the Chamber and let its monster loose killing a Muggleborn student in the progress. Sky however found it hard to believe as the legend stated that only the Heir of Slytherin would be able to have access to the Chamber and there was just no way Hagrid was related to the Founder.

So he had devised a plan, which included a large amount of alcohol, to get the story out of Hagrid and had found out about Aragog the Acromantula and how Tom Riddle had framed Hagrid, claiming that he was the one who opened the Chamber. Acromantulas however, didn't have the power to petrify, so Sky was convinced that it hadn't been Hagrid and was even surer that Voldemort was behind it.

Sky was however, no closer in finding out where the Chamber was located or what the 'monster' in the Chamber was, if there even was one. He also couldn't fathom how Voldemort was opening the Chamber this time around and it was driving him mad. There were just so many things on his mind at the same time that Sky didn't know where to concentrate anymore.

On top of Dora's and his own training there were the attacks in the school, the Philosopher's Stone, the mystery of the tattoo on his wrist and Ginerva Weasley, who consumed his mind more and more as the time went by. Sky just couldn't stop thinking about her. There was this pull he felt towards her that unnerved him and he didn't know what to do anymore. Everything was piling up on him and Sky was feeling more stressed than ever, but even though he did a good job in hiding it, Dora still noticed and one Friday at the beginning of December she confronted him.

"This got to stop, Sky." She said coming up at him in the RoR, where he was going through his training.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm bloody talking about!" She said forcefully. "You're wearing yourself out. I know, I don't know even half of what goes on in your mind, but I know you, Sky. You're rapidly reaching the point where you can't take it anymore and I'm not going to just watch from the side as you collapse under the stress. So if you can't talk to me about it, I understand, but you're going to talk to someone." She said firmly and before Sky could do anything they were whirled away with a Portkey and appeared on the living room of the Lux Manerium where Sirius and Remus were waiting for them.

They greeted each other and exchanged hugs before sitting down on the chairs.

"Where's Dad?" Sky asked.

"He couldn't get away from work yet, but said he'd be in in an hour or so." Remus said.

Sky nodded.

"So, Dora tells us you're stressed out, Pup." Sirius began. "Care to tell us what about?"

Sky glared at Dora, but knew she was right and sighed in resignation.

Dora ignored the glare and asked: "Do you need me to leave?"

Sky shook his head and started to talk.

"It's just… I have so many things on my mind at the same time that I can't think anymore." He said rubbing his face on his hands.

Remus and Sirius exchanged glances.

"Is there something we don't know about already?"

Sky rubbed his wrist contemplating whether to tell them about it or not. Deciding it was time and that it would make him feel better, being able to talk about it, he told them about the meeting with Ginerva and the spark and the tattoo. At the end of his explanation Remus excused himself to make them tea.

"There is just something about her… I don't know how to explain it… It's like I'm drawn to her or something…" Sky finished.

"Aah, the Potter curse!" Sirius exclaimed dramatically trying to lighten up the mood. "Always falling for redheads."

"Mmmm…" Sky mumbled thoughtfully not really paying attention to what Sirius was saying or noticing a sad-looking Dora slipping away from the room. "Wait, what? No! I'm not falling for Ginny Weasley! I'm not drawn to her romantically." He said after Sirius' words registered into his brain.

"How'd you know?" Sirius asked. "You're only twelve."

"I- I just know." Sky said blushing.

"Aww... Ickle Prongslet is having a crush on a certain pink-haired girl…" Sirius teased.

"Sirius!" Sky exclaimed blushing even a deeper shade of red, while looking around searching for Dora. "Where did she…?"

"Ohh, I got to go tell Moony the big news." Sirius teased running out of the room, Sky right behind him.

Sky chased Sirius into the kitchen where they found Dora helping Remus with the tea.

"Hey Moony…"

"Shut up Sirius!" Sky exclaimed.

"What? I was just going to ask him if the tea was ready already." Sirius said innocently and Sky glared at him.

"Did we miss something?" Remus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nope, nothing at all." Sky hurried to say.

Remus gave him a look, but nodded slowly.

"Fine. But about your situation with Miss Weasley… Have you tried to talk to her about it? Maybe she feels the same connection and has a tattoo too." He mused. "If she does, it's possible there is some kind of bond between you…"

"No, I haven't. It's not like I can just go to her and say: 'Hey, remember me? We crashed at a bookstore last summer and I felt this connection between us. By the way, this weird tattoo appeared on my wrist after I touched you, do you have one too?' Besides, I wasn't there as Ray Evans, but as myself." Sky said.

"Point there." Remus said. "Anyway, Sirius and I can try to find out what the symbol means for you so you can concentrate on other problems."

"Thanks Moony." Sky smiled at him gratefully.

"Anytime Sky. You only need to ask."

Later that day, after Marcus had gotten home, Sky had a conversation with his father where he told him all the things on his mind. Marcus agreed with Remus and thought it would be a good idea if Sky just forgot about the tattoo for the time being and let them research it for him. Marcus also asked him why he hadn't told them about it before, to which Sky explained that his instincts had told him not to. Sky was very used to trusting his instincts and hadn't seen any reason not to, but admitted that he felt better now that he had told someone about it. Marcus had just nodded in understanding and told him that it was okay to keep some things to himself, but if he ever needed someone to talk to Marcus would always been there for him.

Marcus also told Sky to forget about the Philosophers' Stone until after they had dealt with the attacks, which were the priority at the moment as there were the students' lives at risk. Marcus also suggested that he would forgo the Stone altogether and let Marcus take it to the researchers at the DoM, but Sky refused.

"No, I want to deal with the Stone myself." Sky said. "I think I'm onto something, but don't have the time to find out what at the moment."

"Oh? Have you found out how the Stone works?" Marcus asked raising his eyebrows.

"No, not exactly." Sky paused. "It's just… Well, I'm actually pretty sure that there is no Philosopher's Stone in the essence the Flamels claim."

Marcus stared.

"What?"

"From what I've been able to find out, there's no way the Stone can be used to create gold, not to mention life-elixir, but there is something about it that allows the Flamels to live as long as they have and I intend to find out what." Sky said.

Marcus was silent for a moment trying to process what his son had just told him. The Philosopher's Stone was a hoax?

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. The Stone is made of a mixture between red jasper and carnelian, which don't have any magical qualities in them, which is why I think it has some kind of enchantment on it, but what kind, I don't know yet."

Marcus let out a breath before nodding.

"I will leave the Stone to you then so you can continue studying it, but don't wear yourself out, Sky. It's not that important at the moment." He said gently, feeling a small bang of guilt as he thought of the idea of his twelve-year-old son wearing himself out under the pressure he was on. And it was mostly his fault. He was the one that had offered Sky a place among the Unspeakables regardless of his young age…

"Don't go there Dad." Sky said recognizing the mood Marcus was going. "I wouldn't have it any other way. It was my decision and one of the best I have ever made."

Knowing he was right Marcus pushed the thoughts away and smiled at his son.

"Just promise me you'll come and talk to me if it gets too much."

"I promise."

"I'm proud of you Sky." He said and hugged Sky.

"Thanks Dad." Sky mumbled into his shoulder.

The December went on slightly less stressful for Sky now that he had pushed the Philosopher's Stone to the back of his mind. He now fully concentrated on the attacks and in trying to find the location of the Chamber of Secrets. He had searched all the Common rooms along with the dungeons but found nothing.

In the progress of his investigation he had been neglecting Dora, who had been more or less avoiding him since they had visited the Lux Manerium and though Sky had tried to reach out to her she just kept coming up with excuses so that she wouldn't have to talk to him. It hurt Sky more than he liked to admit and not knowing the reason behind her avoidance was bothering him so much it was hard to concentrate on anything else.

So, a little over a week before Christmas he decided to find her and find out what he had done to make her avoid him. With that in mind Sky entered the Great Hall for breakfast and discreetly looked around in search of her, but could see her nowhere. Sighing he sat down on the table along with his classmates and started to eat.

As he ate Sky let his mind wander, once again trying to figure out the reason Dora was seemingly mad at him, but came up with nothing. He could recall nothing that would explain why Dora was acting like she did.

With another sigh he started absentmindedly looking around the Hall and spotted Ginerva Weasley sitting by the Gryffindor table. She sat alone like always and looked like she hadn't had a good night's sleep for a very long time. Sky was very worried about her and the feeling of deep concern he felt for the red-head was alarming. He didn't even know the girl for Merlin's sake! And yet she filled his mind every day no matter how he tried to push the thoughts away. After all, he had promised his dad and Remus and Sirius that he would leave the mystery of her and the tattoo for later.

But erasing every thought of her even with his Occlumency skills seemed to be impossible. She refused to leave his thoughts and it seemed that the more he tried to push her away the more she invaded his mind. It had gotten so far that sometimes heeven dreamt about her. There was nothing romantic about the dreams and they weren't very clear, but he kept seeing her red hair and hazel eyes. She always looked at him admiringly and trustingly – like he was the one that would protect her from everything.

And what made it even more unnerving was that he wanted to protect her. He wanted to keep her safe and seeing her look like she did was physically hurting him. But he had no time to worry about Ginny Weasley. Not with the increasing attacks – there had been a double attack just few days ago – and with Dora avoiding him. More than ever he missed his best friend and truly wished he could talk to her about the whole Ginny-issue, but with her avoiding him it was impossible. All he could do was to wait for the Marauders to send him something on the tattoo that would explain the connection he felt to the girl.

Lost in his musings Sky failed to notice the said best friend enter the Great Hall and give him a sad look as she noticed the direction of his gaze, before walking out the same way as she came.

Dora entered the Great Hall.

It had been roughly a week since she had dragged Sky into the Lux Manerium with her and made him talk about the things in his mind to the people who cared and worried about him.

And it had been roughly a week since she had properly talked to him.

Dora knew that there were things Sky couldn't share with her and she accepted that, but it was getting harder and harder as the secrets kept piling up and Dora was honestly begin to feel truly fed up with it. She felt like Sky didn't need her anymore. He had a family now where he could go to, who he could talk to.

She felt like she was a burden to him. She felt like she was getting in the way of whatever he was doing – and she knew he was doing something, most likely investigating the attacks. The time he spent training her and spending time with her, sometimes helping her with homework, was getting on his way, so Dora decided that she would back away and let Sky do what he needed to do.

Well, that was one part of the reason – the other had a name:

Ginerva Weasley.

Dora had noticed ever since the beginning of the year that Sky had some strange fascination with her. Every time she entered the room Sky would search her with his gaze and sometimes he would start talking about her without even realizing it. And then, at the Lux Manerium it was confirmed; Sky was crushing on the red-head.

It was only a matter of time when he asked her out and Dora would be forgotten. She was only his best friend and a childhood friend, after all. He wouldn't need her anymore after he had Ginny. When it happened there was no way Sky would ever see her as more than a friend.

And truly, Ginny would be much better for him. Dora only brought back sad and painful memories for Sky. With Ginny he didn't have any history. He could have a fresh start with her without the ghosts of the past haunting him. So it would better if Dora started distancing herself now rather than later. Maybe it wouldn't hurt so much then.

So, with that being said, it was no surprise to Dora that when she spotted Sky sitting on the Hufflepuff table, he was gazing at the said red-head on the Gryffindor table. It convinced Dora even more that she was doing the right thing, letting Sky go. But that didn't stop the pain she felt at the thought that Sky was somewhere happy without her. For even though she wanted him to be happy, she also wanted him in her life – to be happy with her.

Dora had loved Sky since the moment she met him, but the love she felt towards him had changed as the time went by and somewhere during the past year she had realized that she no longer loved him only as her best friend, but as something more. And it didn't matter to her that she was only twelve-years-old and that people would say she knew nothing about true love, because she had seen and done a lot in her short life and she knew that Sky was the one for her. She could feel it in her heart and soul, even her magic.

And for that reason she would let him go. Sky's happiness was more important than her own. And because of that she turned on her heel and walked out of the Great Hall the same way she had entered it.

Somehow she didn't feel like eating anymore.

Sky left the Great Hall and was heading to the Common room, when he saw Dora walking through the corridor clearly headed for the seventh floor. Deciding this was his chance to corner her he started following her to her destination: the Room of Requirement.

By the time Sky reached the RoR Dora was throwing punches on a punching bag. Sky watched her for a moment as she – clearly – was taking out her anger/frustration out on the bag and he hoped to Merlin it wasn't him she was so angry at.

"I feel bad for the poor bloke whose face you're imagining on that punching back." Sky quipped trying to lighten the mood. "It's not me, is it?" He couldn't help but ask, but Dora just ignored him and kept punching the bag.

"Dora, please. Will you just look at me? Please, just for a second." Sky begged and after a while Dore obliged her face indifferent. "Will you just tell me what I've done wrong? I know I've been busy lately with… stuff, but that doesn't mean I haven't notice you've been avoiding me."

"Yeah, stuff. Because it's not like you can tell me what you're doing." Dora said her tone cold.

"It's not my secret to tell, Dora…"

"Well maybe I'm just fed up with all the lies you feed me!" Dora cried. "Do I even know you anymore? You've surrounded yourself with so many lies and cover stories. You don't even go to school under your real name, never mind appearance! And it's not like you need the education anyway.

"I'm not stupid Sky, I know you're here on some kind of mission that has something to do with these attacks and with Quirrell last year, but for whom or why I don't know and frankly that worries me." She continued turning her gaze away from him. "I get it that you have a new life now, a new family and I'm happy for you, but I…I – What does that make me, Sky? What am I to you? Who am I to you?"

Sky opened his mouth to answer her, but she cut him off, shaking her head.

"Don't answer that. Not now. I just… I want you to be happy, Sky. And if Ginny Weasley makes you happy then I'm happy for you, but I don't think I can… I can't be there and witness that… you being happy… with her… without me… I can't…" Dora said her voice breaking. "Because…because… because I love you, Sky and I will always see you as more than a friend. And it just hurts too much, so forgive me for not being there for you like I once promised… I just can't…" She finished and hurried out of the room before Sky could say anything.

Sky hurried to go after her when a light flashed in front of him and Shadow flashed into the room carrying Dexter in her claws.

"Let me down you bloody bird!" Dexter hissed and Shadow dropped him to the floor. "Ssshe'sss ruining my new ssskin!"

"Dexter, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to ssstay in the Manor during your moult." Sky hissed at his familiar.

"Asssk the ruddy bird. Ssshe'sss the one that dragged me here from my sssunbathing." Dexter hissed angrily and if a snake could glare he would have been glaring at the shadow phoenix, who looked very pleased with herself.

"Whatever, I don't have time for thisss right now." Sky said and picked the snake up before hurrying out of the RoR hoping to still catch up with Dora.

And catch up he did, but not in the way he wanted to as he found her lying on the floor of the fifth floor corridor, her body pale, cold and stiffened.

She had been petrified.

"No!" Sky cried and run to her, kneeling by her side. This couldn't be happening. Not now when things weren't right between them. When he hadn't had a chance to tell her everything he wanted to tell her.

Shadow flew to his shoulder trying to comfort him with her soft crooning while Dexter was curled up around his wrist.

"The King of Ssserpentsss hasss ssstruck on the chameleon-girl, but ssshe isss not dead, Sssky. Her tearsss have ssssaved her life." The snake hissed.

"What do you mean?" Sky frowned wiping his own tears away.

"The cameleon-girl hasss not looked ssstraight to the yellow eyesss of death. The tearsss ssshielded her from certain death. Ssshe isss lucky." Dexter hissed.

Sky looked back at Dora's unmoving body and saw the tear-strokes on her cheeks and suddenly it dawned on him. Of course, the king of serpents. A basilisk. Sky couldn't believe he hadn't made the connection before. The magical creatures had always been more of Dora's forte – one of her favourite subjects – but he had studied them too and should have known better than to dismiss the possibility of the monster being a basilisk only for the fact that their gaze killed.

Now that he thought about it, it was all too clear. None of the victims had looked straight into the creature's eyes and therefore had only been petrified. And at every scene there had been something that prevented the certain death: water, camera, windows, mirrors and now tears.

"Dexter. Can you trace the basssilisssk and find out where the chamber isss?" He asked.

"Yesss." The snake answered his forked tongue flicking the air, tasting the remaining scent of the large serpent.

"Good. Go find it and once you've found it report back to me. Do not make contact with him/her without me." Sky said putting the snake on the ground where he slithered off.

Sky turned to Shadow and told her to go back to the Manor, before turning to take a one last look at the still body of Dora before going to find a teacher.

If only he had known all of this before, he could have found the Chamber ages ago and none of this would have happened.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you think!

- Dalnim