Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Writers Notes: thanks to my beta HGranger89 and thanks to Viveen, mimisvpor, Blue night fairy, FlowerChild23, Chelsea always Lucyole, leonix2009, Smithback, RhodaBush, plutoplex, Smootsmokey, gisela19wwe, FrancineHibiscus and lia a karas for the positive feedback.
Severus spotted the two Gryffindors wincing as they slowly crawled through the tunnels of the Chamber of Secrets.
"Do you have any pain?" he asked, "and I suggest you light up your wands. I shall need mine to levitate this idiot.
Snape debated with himself whether or not to abandon Lockhart in the Chamber. If it weren't for the witnesses, he would have. The children obeyed him for once and walked ahead, lighting the dark tunnel while following Fawkes, who was leading the pack.
"I'm a little sore ..." Ginny replied quietly, letting out a soft sob.
Potter remained silent, not bothering to answer his Professor. 'Sure he did save us,' Harry thought, 'but one good deed wouldn't make up for the two years of spitefulness and cruelty.'
Severus seethed internally at the child's reticence. Of course, what did he expect from the brat, apparently saving his life, again, wasn't enough to earn a shred of respect.
"When we return to the main school Madam Pomfrey will give you a potion for the pain Miss Weasley," he replied calmly.
Turning to Potter with a glare, "You risked your neck unnecessarily, and we were lucky to escape. Five points from Gryffindor Potter; I do not need you further complicating my duties by rushing off into danger like the reckless Gryffindor you are. Perhaps detention every Saturday next term will teach you some self-preservation. Severus barely suppressed a smirk as the boy shivered while Ginevra stayed quiet in the hopes that her Professor wouldn't snarl at her too.
The group made their way out of the Chamber and arrived at the bathroom pipes.
"Hold on tightly," Severus commanded.
The Gryffindors gripped his legs and waist tightly as Fawkes' talons grabbed hold of Severus cloak. Suddenly they were flying up the pipe, landing on the bathroom tile floor. Severus nearly fell but managed to keep his balance; Ginevra, white as a sheet and gripping his waist fiercely; and Potter fell on his hands and knees panting. The entrance to the Chamber sealed itself, and Professor Snape led the wayward group through the corridors to Headmistresses' office. Harry was dragging the sword, which was much too large for the boy, its blade scrapping roughly along the stone floors, setting Snape's teeth on edge.
"Give it here Potter," Snape snapped, swiping the sword away from Harry as he felt a headache coming on.
When they arrived at the large gargoyle statue, Severus ground out the password between his teeth, "Sugarplums," and the statue sprung open, allowing entrance. To everyone's surprise, seated at the Headmaster's desk, was Albus Dumbledore while Professor McGonagall sat across from him.
"Sir, you're back!" Harry ran over an embrace the Headmaster in a tight hug, next the lioness embraced her young clubs in a protective hold. Severus shook his head at the Gryffindors' foolish display of emotions. Fawkes took its spot back on its perch.
Severus had helped Weasley onto the sofa and mended her side, after unceremoniously dropping Lockhart to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Next, he placed the sword of Gryffindor on the mantel, and the Sorting Hat returned reverently to its place atop one of the office's many bookshelves. Finally, he threw the destroyed diary onto the Headmaster's desk. One glance into his twinkling blue eyes told Severus that Albus knew precisely what he had been holding.
The Headmaster gestured for them to sit down. "Now then," he said, "I should very much like to know what happened."
Severus told the story of their adventure in the tunnels, and the slaying of the Basilisk; however, to make sure his involvement did not get back to the Dark Lord in the event of his inevitable return, Severus lied smoothly, detailing how Harry Potter had slain the basilisk and not himself. Hearing of the boy's 'bravery,' Albus' eyes twinkled, and Minerva gasped in horror. Severus stepped on Harry's foot and shot a quick glare at him before the boy opened his mouth.
"I must thank you, Harry," Albus said, "you must have shown me real loyalty down there in the Chamber. Nothing else could have called Fawkes to you." The Headmaster stroked the phoenix's head.
"Albus, we must keep my involvement quiet. You know my position … and it was already endangered enough last year. The public story must be that Potter acted alone to save Ginevra."
"Very well then Severus, perhaps we should modify Harry and Miss Weasley's memories, so they have no recollection of your involvement."
Before Minerva or the children realized what was happening, Severus knelt next to Miss Weasley and modified her memories, carefully adjusting them to omit his involvement, and immediately followed suit with Potter, implanting a memory of Potter killing the Basilisk. They both tried to struggle and put up a fight, but he held them both down and altered their minds. These children had already proven themselves to be naïve and could not be trusted with Severus' life in their hands.
"Where am I?" Everyone's attention was drawn to the idiot who had just woke up.
"Gilderoy?" Albus smiled, "Are you alright my boy?"
Lockhart looked at them all, a strange expression on his face. "Who's Gilderoy then?" he asked.
"You are," Minerva replied.
"Oh... I am? Oh, how very splendid." He smiled and looked around the office. "Nice place. Do you live here?"
Severus suppressed the stupid grin fighting to break free on his face, "It seems like he's just as intelligent as he's always been," he said. "I see no difference."
"Severus, may I have a few words in private? "Minerva, please wait here with the children and Gilderoy, Filius is bringing the Weasleys up shortly."
Once the two men entered Albus' private sitting room, the Headmaster spoke once more, "The book was a Horcrux, then?"
"Indeed," Severus replied, "And the boy destroyed it with a Basilisk's fang. In fact, Mr. Potter managed to..."
Just then the voice of Molly Weasley broke the air; she was fussing loudly in the stairs, certainly loud enough for her voice to echo all the way to Albus' private rooms. Albus nodded and said, "We'll finish this later, Severus. For now, we must make sure the Weasleys calm down."
Nodding, Severus followed Albus to the office just as Filius guided Molly and Arthur Weasley inside. Molly and Arthur both rushed to the girl's side and clasped her in such a tight hug she struggled to breathe, Molly whimpering in fear.
"Are you okay," Arthur held his family
"She's gone through a terrible ordeal, but Harry here saved her life."
"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley cried, clutching her daughter to her chest, while Arthur held them both.
"And Harry!" Molly Weasley sobbed gripping the boy into a tight hug.
"I think we'd all like to know the whole story," Arthur asked crossing his arms, glancing at Albus and Severus irritably, Severus knew that neither Arthur or Molly fully trusted him, but only tolerated him thanks to Dumbledore.
Potter told his story based on his altered memories. Molly's face stared back at the boy in disbelief, but once the Headmaster confirmed the tale, Molly sobbed again in horror.
"Ginny," Arthur's voice full of anger and worry, "What have I told you, do not touch magical objects when you cannot find its life source."
"She didn't mean to!" Harry added quickly, "she was being controlled by Voldemort, or a memory of him, preserved in the diary. Ginny thought it was a diary and wrote in it, and he enchanted her through it, and finally controlled her. It wasn't really her fault. She couldn't help it. Please, sir, please don't expel her," Harry pleaded the Headmaster.
"You Know Who was controlling our daughter?" Arthur stuttered, horrified.
"It would appear so. I taught him myself, fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He was one of the most brilliant students I had ever seen. He disappeared shortly after he graduated... traveled far and wide. He sank so deeply into the Dark Arts that he ceased to be Tom Riddle and became Lord Voldemort. Arthur, Molly, I think you should take Ginevra to the hospital wing. Some bed rest and perhaps a large, steaming mug of hot chocolate would do wonders. Minerva, Filius, would you take Gilderoy with to the hospital wing as well."
As Molly and Arthur left with their daughter, Albus sighed. "The Mandrake Draught will be ready soon, and then we'll be able to wake the Basilisk's victims. I will send word to Azkaban to clear Hagrid's name." Harry smiled brightly at hearing that.
Just then the door opened violently, Lucius Malfoy stepped in looking absolutely livid and ranted about Dumbledore being back. By his side was a House Elf that looked completely terrified of its Master.
"So you're back?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"After Miss Weasley was taken by the Basilisk, the other eleven members of the Board of Governors contacted me and thought it was best I return."
"I trust whoever was behind it was caught?" Lucius questioned.
Dumbledore nodded.
"So who was it?" The aristocratic man questioned.
"Why, your old master, Lord Voldemort, Lucius."
Malfoy just stared at the Headmaster blankly. While not as good as Severus, Lucius could contain his thoughts and emotions. He turned on his heel and made his way to the door, but not before striking Dobby with his cane.
"Sir," Potter paused as he pointed to the book, "Can I borrow the diary for a second?"