Natsu leaned back on the wall with his arms folded, as he watched Harry replace the dying flowers with fresh, sweet scented daisies and lilies. "Wish you were here Hermione…. We need you…. Now more than ever…." Harry whispered. Ron sighed, nodding in agreement. Happy sat next to her head, looking at Hermione with sad puppy like eyes. "I brought you some fish Hermione…" He whispered, putting the fish next to the flowers. "It will help you get better…." He whispered.
This was the first time Natsu had seen her like this. She wasn't any different from the other victims. Her skin clammy and gray, her position like a statue's. Her eyes were wide awake. "She's not dead is she?" Natsu asked. "No, she's not. Only petrified. McGonagall said she had a mirror with her." Harry explained, looking up from Hermione. Footsteps echoed down the hall. The three boys looked in the direction, of the pitter patters, and saw Lucy and Gajeel, in hand, yellow daffodils.
"Hey, how's she doing?" Lucy asked, making a B line for the vase. "Still the same…" Ron told her. Natsu's eyes became a bit surprised. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, the anger rising in him. He suddenly snapped and grabbed Gajeel by the collar. "YOU KNEW AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!" He screamed. "HANDS OFF YOU IDIOT!" Gajeel yelled back, who was beginning to tussle. "Natsu! Stop it!" Lucy cried, trying to pull Natsu off Gajeel. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" Natsu growled, turning on Lucy. "Natsu stop it!" Harry pleaded, he and Ron trying to calm him down. "Natsu! Please!" Happy asked, pulling Natsu's scarf.
They managed to separate Natsu, but his breath could still be heard, but at least he had visibly calmed down. The four looked at each other and sighed. "We didn't tell you at first because we didn't know what you were going to do. You were suspended, and we didn't know if you were going to break in and tear the place apart. And if you did, you would be in even deeper trouble. We were planning to tell you when you got back." Lucy explained. Natsu looked at the other boys, their hanging heads a sign that she was telling the truth. "The teachers asked us not to tell you…" Ron muttered.
Natsu growled and punched the wall, a few specks flying off. "Damn it!" He screamed. Suddenly he felt light slim arms wrap around his chest and stomach, a head burying into his back. Natsu turned his head around, and saw Lucy's head resting on him. "I know it's hard…. But we have to stay strong… We will find a way to bring Hermione and the other victims back." She swore. The other boys nodded, agreeing with Lucy. "Natsu…. I promise we'll find Gray as well. We won't ever leave your side." She whispered. Natsu stood there for a while, and looked at Lucy. He smiled softly and gave her a hug back. "Thank you Lucy…"
Harry sighed and went back to Hermione. He sat next to her, stroking her left hand. It was then he felt something odd... Like crumpled paper. He took his hand off and saw a brown note stuffed in her hand. "What's that?" Ron asked, walking over to him. This caught the attention of the other three students, who too went to look over Harry's shoulder. Harry opened up the crumpled note and read the contents. His eyes widened, and looked at everyone. "This is the reason…" He whispered. "The reason for what?" Lucy asked. "Why Hermione was attacked!"
"What?!" Lucy exclaimed, snatching the paper. She read through it, her mouth mouthing the words. When she finished reading it, she looked up at the boys. "Of course! It makes sense…. But then why….? I'm going to investigate this!" She gave the paper back to Harry before running out the door. "If any of you need me I'm going to the library!" She called out. The boys looked at each other, a bit puzzled. "Come on." Harry prompted the boys, all of them following along.
"Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it." Harry read out loud. "So that's why the spiders were acting all funny." Natsu realised. "Guys this is it… That's why I can hear it, it's a snake!" Harry said.
"Hmm…. Gajeel, you're in Slytherin." The boys stopped in the middle of the hallway, looking at Gajeel. "Is there anything else you know about the basilisk?" Natsu asked. "Why are you asking him? He's probably working with them!" Ron accused. "Ron!" Harry snapped. "Don't worry. Gajeel's on our side. He's not like the others. He's had my back multiple times." Natsu smiled. Gajeel nodded and gave a sigh, thinking. "Well I heard from Malfoy that this creature only attacks Muggle-borns. Any other wizard that has a wizarding heritage will be left alone. But we already know about that don't we?" He smirked, looking at Harry and Ron.
"Anyway, something's bothering me. If it kills by looking in the eye, why is no one dead?" Ron asked. Everyone began to think, until Harry had a realisation. "Because no one did look it in the eye…." He said, as he stared at himself in the window. "Not directly at least…. I mean think about it!" Harry prompted as he started walking again. "Colin saw it through his camera, Justin must have seen the basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick, Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost, he couldn't die again." Harry deducted. "And Hermione had the mirror…" Natsu realised. "Exactly." Harry pointed at him. "I bet you anything she was using it to look around corners in case it came along." He continued.
"And Mrs Norris?" Ron asked. "The water. There was water on the floor that night. She must've seen it through the floor reflection." Harry countered. "Natsu?" Happy asked, tugging on Natsu's uniform. "I won't be petrified right?" He asked. Natsu gave a smile and crouched down, rubbing Happy on the head. "Of course not." Happy sighed relief, happy his friend would protect him. Like he always had.
Harry sighed and looked at the paper again. "It all fits." He said. "Ok, but how is it been getting around?" Gajeel asked. "I think someone would say something if there was a giant snake roaming around the halls in broad daylight." He reasoned. Harry turned the paper around and pointed in the corner. "Hermione answered that too." He said. "The pipes? It's using the plumbing!" Ron exclaimed. Everyone stood silent for a while. Natsu looked at Gajeel, who nodded. "Find Master Makarov and tell him everything." He whispered softly, inaudible to a human ear. He nodded once more and slipped away, which Harry and Ron did not notice.
"Remember what Aragog said about the girl who died fifty years ago?" Natsu turned his attention back to Ron and Harry, talking about the discussion with Aragog. "She died in a bathroom? What if she never left?" Harry asked. Ron and Natsu looked at each other, then at Harry. "Moaning Myrtle…." They realised together. "Hey where's-" Ron questioned until he was interrupted.
"All students are to return to your house dormitories at once! All teachers to the second-floor corridor immediately."
The three looked at each other. They all knew where they were going. They bolted down the hallway, the teachers already there. "As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message." McGonagall said, staring at a wall. "Levy, do you recognise the handwriting?" Erza asked, Levy examining it. "No, it's not a handwriting style I've seen yet…" She muttered. "So either that means the one who did this is either below a Third Year, or there is someone uninvited roaming the halls…" Mirajane deducted. "What makes you say that Mira?" Wendy asked. "Levy only takes students who are Third Year and above. She's seen their handwriting, so if this is one she hasn't seen, then that's the only two options." Mira explained.
"This is bad. With Dumbledore gone and someone striking these poor students, then we may have to close down the school." Makarov said, looking at McGonagall who nodded. "Our worst fears have come true. Two students has been taken by the monster into the Chamber itself." She gave a deep sigh, and shook her head. "The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts…"
The four hired mages tisked and clenched their fists. "Why….? How could this even happen?!" Levy cried. "I know… But we know her, she's strong. She can handle herself." Erza comforted. "But how are we going to tell the others…?" Wendy asked. "He's going to be devastated…" Mira cried.
Gilderoy strolled down the hallway calmly, meeting up with the other teachers. "Sorry I'm late. Dozed off. What have I missed?" He asked with his normal cheery smile. "Two girls have been snatched by the monster Lockhart. Your moment has come at last." Snape said with a sly. "M-My moment?" He repeated. "Of course. Weren't you just telling us last night that you knew where the Chamber was all along?" Erza asked, a slight hint of a mock on her face. Gilgory stood there silent for a bit, blinking. "Well then, it's settled. We'll leave you to death with the monster Gilderoy. After all, your skills are legend." McGonagall said with a hint of sarcasm.
"...Very well." Lockhart gave a smile, and clapped his hands. "I'll just be in my office getting…. Getting ready." He said, backing away giving a smile. "He's going to run away isn't he?" Wendy asked. "Yep." Levy answered. "Now, let's get going! We need to find the Chamber as soon as possible! And we need to find Gajeel and Natsu!" Erza commanded, the four teachers running down the hall as fast as they could. As the teachers left, Pomfrey stopped McGonagall. "Professor McGonagall… who is it the monster's taken?" She asked. McGonagall took a deep breath and looked at the nurse.
"The girls that were taken… were Ginny Weasley, and Lucy Heartfilia."
The three students stood in shock, as the teachers walked away, finally revealing the bloody message that had been left on the wall. "Ginny…" Ron gasped.
"Their skeletons shall lie in the Chamber forever"
Natsu stepped forward staring at the message. As if his brain couldn't program it. "Lucy…" His knees collapsed to the ground, body slouched forward. "I promise we'll find Gray. We won't ever leave your side." "Lucy…" Happy cried.
His mouth began to twitch. His teeth gritted, and he wiped his tears. He bowed his head, and stood up. He turned to Ron and Harry tears hanging from his eyes, but they were full of fire. "We're getting them back… tonight!" He declared. Harry and Ron looked at each other. They had the same look. They turned back to Natsu and nodded. "We need to stop this. It's gone on long enough. Let's get all our friends back!" Harry agreed. "Mum's going to kill us if Ginny is gone. We have to get her and the others back!" Ron declared. Natsu nodded and looked at the writing, then looked at his right hand. He turned it around and made an L sign. He gave a soft smile, remembering Lucy and Gray. He looked at Ron and Harry and gave them a serious stare.
"Come on! Let's bring them all back!" He declared.