A/N i forgot to post chapter 9! so sorry, I have no idea how I did (I'm way more consistent on ao3 whoops) so here's a double update
"Sirius, I'm worried about Harry," Remus sighed, collapsing back into an armchair by the fire.
"It was only a quidditch accident, love, he's fine now," Sirius comforted him, moving behind Remus and massaging his shoulders the way he liked it.
"I just feel it in my paternal bones that he's going to get up to no good again, like last year," Remus explained. He sighed as Sirius's hands worked out the tension in his shoulders and felt his panic begin to abate.
"Remember Moony, he may be James's blood but he was raised by you. If he gets into trouble, he has the brains to get out of it."
"But he shouldn't be up to no good! He should be studying and staying up late reading like he always does, not getting into danger! I don't think my nerves can withstand a repeat of last year." Remus felt his shoulders stiffen again at the thought.
Sirius sighed and pressed his lips down to the back of Remus's neck, littering butterfly kisses along his nape and around behind his ear. Remus moved his neck to allow for more and sighed again as he relaxed once more. Sirius knew that Remus needed a distraction, but felt it was best that they talked about this first and then the distraction could come after.
"Remus, we knew that day in Godric's Hollow that Harry would be a special boy. That no matter how much we tried to give him the most normal upbringing, that he would always go out of his way to be extraordinary. So our job now is to protect him and nurture him, and make sure he has a loving home and a normality to return to," Sirius said, stepping to face Remus and see the expression on his face.
Remus gave Sirius a contemplative yet sad look.
"Remus, he will always be our son and we will always be there to protect him, but we can't shield him from the world forever." Sirius sat down next to him on the arm chair, Remus shifting to accommodate him, practically moving himself onto his lap.
"I know that, but I get scared," Remus replied. "I can tell Dumbledore is worried that You-Know-Who could be returning, and I just know Harry is going to end up in the thick of it. I don't want him to go through what we did, Sirius, I would rather sacrifice myself than make him a soldier."
Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus and held him tight as his heart throbbed. For he felt the same as Remus did, he would give up himself to see Harry through this with his sanity and innocence intact, but a rational part of him knew that this was not possible. Harry's destiny lay in the path of Voldemort and the only thing that Sirius could do as Harry's guardian was to protect him as best as he could.
Remus relaxed in Sirius's arms and stayed there until Sirius's arms ached and his legs went stiff. Remus had nodded off a bit and Sirius lightly jostled him awake.
"Come, let's have some dinner before you sleep," Sirius said, slowly unravelling himself from Remus and kissing him on the forehead as he sat up.
"I love you," Remus sighed, returning Sirius's kiss on his lips.
"I don't have the words for how much I love you," Sirius said, a smile pulling at his lips.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Remus breathed out, getting up from the chair with a small grimace.
"I think I should be asking you that," Sirius replied, helping Remus up.
Remus gave him such a look full of love and longing that Sirius felt his heart stop for a second. Still to this day, no matter how many years it had been and no matter how much the fervour of their young love had long gone, it baffled him that Remus loved him, how he still gave him that look that he had when he was younger. Sirius knew he would never stop loving Remus, but for Remus to continue to love him? Now that felt like a miracle.
Harry gave Draco a hug as he entered, more relieved than he thought he would be to see Draco.
"Oh what a nice greeting," Draco laughed, returning the hug.
Harry blushed, releasing Draco. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Draco instantly said, giving Harry that smile that Harry liked to think was only for him.
The two settled down into the pillows in the shack and began catching each other up and what had been happening. Draco didn't seem to know what had occurred to Colin Creevey so Harry waited for the best moment to tell him, he knew Draco was bound to freak out and Harry wanted to soften the blow as much as possible.
"So Draco…I have some news to share with you," Harry began carefully and Draco leaned forward, concern instantly lining his features.
"What? What is it?" he pressed.
"Last night someone came into the medical wing…a first year named Colin Creevey." Harry paused, waiting for Draco to absorb this information, then continued. "He was petrified."
"Petrified?" Draco echoed, confused.
"By something released from the Chamber," Harry finished and Draco gasped, his eyes widening with shock.
"Something from the Chamber? What does that mean, Harry, is the castle in danger?!" Draco stood now, pacing. Harry stood too, keeping calm, knowing Draco was going to be like this.
"I don't know, Draco. I do know Colin will be okay, he's only been petrified, but what caused him to be, I have no idea."
"What if something worse had happened? He could have died!" Draco exclaimed and Harry let him panic, better to get it out now than to contain it.
"Draco, what we need to focus on is how to stop it. I think I'm going to need to see this diary," Harry said, stepping towards the pacing Draco.
Draco instantly shook his head. "That's not a good idea—actually that's a terrible idea."
"Well that's all I can think of right now. Hermione and I can't find anything about this Chamber in the library, nor does anyone else know anything about it but rumours."
"I can ask my father, he definitely knows more about it than the students here."
Harry nodded, liking this plan. "I'll send a letter to my uncles, they might know something too."
"Okay…okay…" Draco breathed, having a plan set seemed to have calmed him down now.
"I think we will have to meet up less. It's going to be unsafe to walk around the castle at night time and I'm sure they're gonna tighten the curfew."
Harry and Draco sat back down together again, talking in murmured tones and trying to make time stop in the small little shack. But eventually, time caught up to them; Draco yawned, reminding Harry that they had to go back to their dorms before they were missed.
"About time to head back I suppose," Harry sighed, getting up from the floor and helping Draco up.
"I hate leaving you," Draco admitted and Harry felt his heart flutter.
"I do too," Harry agreed, picking up his invisibility cloak off the floor.
They stared at each other for a moment, their eyes searching each other for things that they did not know they were even looking for, it seemed that electricity had formed in the air crackling with tension. Then the moment broke like a taut wire snapping.
They walked back together in silence, their shoulders occasionally knocking each other and their knuckles brushing. Harry felt an itch to just take Draco's hand and pull him back to the Shrieking Shack, pretend that they didn't have any other responsibilities or worries to care about, but he knew that he couldn't do that. He closed his hand into a fist and shoved it into his pocket.
They made it back to the Whomping Willow entrance and Harry let Draco exit first, waving goodbye with a small smile on his face. Draco rushed out of the entrance, poking the knot to stop the violent branches from taking him out as he exited.
Harry could only see Draco's footprints in the light dusting of snow that must have begun falling whilst they were in the shack. He watched his trail as he entered the castle, waiting a few more moments before following behind, creating new footprints to be covered by the time the morning arrived. Harry snuck back into his dormitory with ease, not an eye watching him. He hoped.
By Tuesday morning, the news that Colin Creevey had was lying as if dead in the medical wing had spread through the castle. Harry, having been in the medical wing that night, was bombarded with questions from students. What did he look like? Was he breathing? Did he make a weird face when he was petrified? Harry did not answer their questions and let Ron bodyguard them away from him.
By lunchtime, Harry was exhausted. He tried to muster up an appetite for food, but nothing agreed with him. He poked his meal and kept his head down, desperately trying to ignore all the eyes on him.
"You alright mate?" Ron asked, thankfully swallowing his food before he spoke.
"Yeah, just not feeling very hungry," Harry said, poking at his sausage with his fork.
"They'll get tired of the rumours eventually, besides Christmas is coming soon," Ron comforted him, patting him on the back.
Harry perked up. "Right, Christmas." He had forgotten that Christmas holidays were less than a month away. He had been so wrapped up with everything happening that it had gone straight out of his mind. Harry had to decide soon whether or not he wanted to stay for Christmas. He had missed Christmas with his uncles last year and felt hesitant to miss it this year, however, with so much occurring in the castle and so many puzzles to unravel, Harry was beginning to think that it might be best to stay.
By bedtime, Harry had come to his decision. He would go home for Christmas and think over everything while he was there. He missed his family terribly and he knew that he wouldn't get anything done even if he stayed. Sure, the castle would be empty and allow him plenty of opportunities to explore, but he didn't need to explore—he was sick of searching for answers—he needed to understand what the chamber was first and what had occurred when it had opened for the first time.
The days floated by and soon the rumours began to burn down into an ember. Harry was thankful for this and found less and less people avoiding eye contact with him in the halls. It seems the fear that he was the Heir of Slytherin was fading too.
"Heya Harry," Hermione said as he entered the library.
"Hey Hermione," Harry smiled, setting down his bag on the table and sitting beside Hermione. Ron was a no show, he was avoiding all of his homework until the last minute.
"I heard that we're working with Mandrakes tomorrow in Herbology," Hermione said, her quill continuing to scratch on her page.
"What for?" Harry asked, he didn't have the knack of writing and speaking at the same time, so set his quill down and stared at the one line that he had managed to write.
"For the potion that they're going to make to unpetrify Mrs Norris and Colin," Hermione explained and Harry nodded. He hoped Mandrakes weren't too difficult to work with then, it sounded like a lot of responsibility for second years.
Hermione continued on her scratching and Harry followed suit. By the end of the hour Harry had half of his potions essay completed, mostly with continued help from Hermione, but he was proud of the amount he had written and tapped his wand on the page with a quick drying spell.
"Ready to go?" Harry asked, packing his bag up.
"Yep!" Hermione jumped up from her chair and shoved her things neatly back into her bag. They walked back to the dorms holding a casual conversation but Harry zoned out. A somewhat familiar noise then drifted towards him and Harry slowed. What was that he had just heard?
"Hungry…sssssoo hungryyyy."
Harry came to a dead stop.
It was that same hissing sound that he had heard when he found Mrs Norris.
"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione questioned, giving Harry a searching look.
Harry looked around wildly. He couldn't see anything, but it had to be somewhere.
"Shh! Hermione, I heard something," Harry whispered. He focused all his energy on trying to hear the sound again, and—there it was, travelling down the hall. Harry rushed forward. It sounded as if it was coming from the wall! He leant closer to it, his ear almost touching the cold brick.
"It's in the walls, Hermione," Harry exclaimed.
"What's in the walls?"
"The thing that attacked Colin! I can hear it." Harry gave her a look, but she just looked even more confused than before.
"I don't hear anything, Harry," she said, shaking her head.
Harry continued to follow the hissing as Hermione briefly pressed closer to the wall, but it seemed that she truly couldn't hear what Harry could.
They continued running down the hall, their pounding footsteps echoing back and forth, accompanying them. They came to a sharp corner and Harry nearly ran into the wall, stumbling to stop.
Out of breath, Hermione collapsed to the floor and Harry followed suit, pressing his head against the stone. He could no longer hear the hissing. They had lost it. Whatever it they were chasing.
"Are…you sure…you…heard it right?" Hermione gasped, even breathing slowly returning to her.
"Yes I'm sure," Harry said, taking in a painful breath. He should really work out more.
"Okay, so what do we do then?"
"I was hoping you would have the plan," Harry breathlessly chuckled and Hermione glared back.
"I can't always be the brains of our little group," she huffed, but Harry could already tell she was devising a plan.
"Okay, fine, let's head back to the tower and talk to Ron, and you need to explain to me more about what you are hearing."
They got up off the floor and hurried back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry tried his best to explain to Hermione what he was hearing as they went, but the best he could explain was that it sounded like hissing, like a snake that could speak English. Hermione's brows remained creased as he explained.
Gryffindor Tower was buzzing with after-class activity. Most students still had homework to do, so Harry took Hermione and Ron up to the boys dorm where they thankfully found it empty.
"Harry, have you heard of a parselmouth before?" Ron asked, his face one of deep thought.
Hermione gave Ron a confused look. "Parselmouth?"
"Yeah, usually a person who can speak parseltongue is a pretty dark wizard, I heard You-Know-Who was one."
Harry nodded along to Ron's explanation, he had heard Sirius say that some Blacks were Parselmouths. He shivered, he couldn't possibly be able to speak to snakes?
"Are you suggesting that what I'm hearing in the walls is a snake?" Harry gave Ron a look that said he hoped he was wrong.
"I don't know, possibly…maybe. It could be a lead." Ron gave Harry a sympathetic look, which he didn't appreciate.
"We'll keep it in mind Harry, but I think it's unlikely," Hermione said, attempting to comfort him.
They continued discussing it, but Harry just couldn't get his mind off what Ron had said. If it was true. What type of snake could possibly be running around Hogwarts petrifying people? Should he go to Dumbledore to speak to him about this?
Draco had vowed that he wouldn't use the diary again, but he was getting desperate and he just knew that the diary would contain the answers that he needed. He took the diary to the only place where he thought he wouldn't be caught. The abandoned girls bathroom on the second floor.
Draco hurried there, wrapped in his invisibility cloak, praying that he wouldn't be caught. When he finally made it and ensured there was no Moaning Myrtle around, he popped into a stall and dropped his cloak to the floor.
With a trembling but determined hand, he took out the diary and a self-inking quill. He thought about potentially warding his mind —like Severus did— but when he attempted to, he found he didn't know the first thing about it and promptly gave up. He would just have to hope he didn't give more than he could take.
Draco opened the diary and stared down at the empty pages, none of his past conversations with it visible. He hated himself for how trusting he had been of the diary. Did it give excellent advice? Yes. But was it also potentially stealing his soul? Also yes.
Draco took a deep breath, hardened his trembling hand, and put his quill to the page.
'Tell me about the Chamber of Secrets'
'Ah excellent question, Draco. Let me show you'
Draco stared down at the instant response and, before he could even write anything more, the pages were blowing open, as if a gust of wind had entered his stall. He looked around but nothing else was affected. When he looked down to the diary again, it had stopped on a date, halfway through June. He began tilting forward, off the toilet seat. Draco wanted to pull back, but he didn't, he had to see this through.
He half expected to land face first on the bathroom floor but instead found his feet landing on stone. He looked around. He was still in Hogwarts, he realised, something about the circular shape of the room and the bookshelves lining all the walls reminding him of something.
He realised he was in the headmasters office. However, when he looked to the desk of Professor Dumbledore, it was not Dumbledore sitting there, but a frail wizard that had the same wizened look all old wizards possessed. Draco took a step back and was about to apologise for intruding, but something in him knew that he wasn't actually here. He must be experiencing a memory of Tom Riddle.
"What is happening?" Draco asked into the void, hoping that Tom would reply, but he did not. Instead, Draco watched as the Headmaster of Tom Riddle's time sighed as he read something at his desk. The elderly wizard stood and opened the curtains, the familiar wash of orange and yellow across the room telling Draco that it must be late evening. He wondered if he could exit this room or if he had to witness this as diary Tom intended, but before he could make a decision, a knock came from the door.
"Come in," the old wizard said and Draco watched as a young man, perhaps around sixteen and wearing a glittering silver prefects badge, entered the room. The young man looked almost nervous, his pale complexion and his jet black hair striking in the evening light.
"Ah, Riddle," the Headmaster said and Draco's eyes widened. This was Tom Riddle?
"You wanted to see me, Professor Dippet?" Tom asked and Draco instantly knew that name; he was the Headmaster before Dumbledore, which meant this diary was a lot older than Draco had first realised.
"Yes, here, sit."
Tom Riddle sat down at Headmaster Dippet's chair, looking increasingly more nervous by the second.
"I have just read your letter. My dear boy, you can't possibly believe I would let you stay here over the summer?"
"Oh, I—"
"You stay at an orphanage over the summer I believe?" Dippet interrupted and Tom nodded.
"My mother died during my birth and my father before I was born. She survived just long enough to give me my name," he said.
"Muggle born then?" Dippet asked and Tom shook his head.
"My mother was a witch."
Dippet nodded absentmindedly then came back to the topic at hand. "For you, I would make some sort of special arrangement, but as you know, it's just not possible this year. With the death of that poor girl, there are talks of shutting the school down."
"What if the attacks stopped? Could I stay then?" Tom said, almost excitedly.
"Do you know something about the attacks, Tom?" Dippet queried with a squeak in his voice, sitting up straighter.
"No, Sir," Riddle replied, too quickly.
Dippet sighed, giving Tom a disappointed look.
"You may go back to your dorm. I'm afraid that you won't be able to stay here this summer."
Riddle nodded and stood up, his expression one of disappointment. Draco almost felt sorry for him and followed Tom as he exited the office, Tom wearing an expression on his face that reminded him of Hermione. He must be doing some serious thinking.
After a minute or two of walking, Tom seemed to have come to a decision. He began hurrying down the hall and Draco quickly followed.
When Tom came to a sudden stop, Draco would have run into him if he wasn't a sort of ghost. He looked over Tom's shoulder to see what had happened and gaped. There, standing in front of him, was a younger looking Dumbledore, with a well trimmed auburn beard and only a dusting of white in his otherwise neatly styled brown hair.
"What are you doing, wandering around this late, Tom?" Dumbledore said. He sounded much the same, though perhaps less tired.
"I had to see the Headmaster, sir," Tom replied, giving Dumbledore an innocent look.
"Well hurry off to bed, don't want to be out so late not with all the attacks." Dumbledore gave Tom an all-too-familiar penetrating look and then waved him goodbye. Tom nodded his head politely, but as soon as Dumbledore was out of sight, he was shooting down the stairs to the dungeons.
Draco followed along and watched as Tom didn't enter through a hidden passage or enter a secret room as Draco had expected, but, to his bewilderment, Tom entered the potions classroom. He closed the door behind him, leaving it open with just a small crack, just wide enough to see through, and then stood there, watching through the gap. Draco had no clue what was going on.
After what seemed to be an hour of waiting and watching, Tom just stood there and Draco wishing that this memory would end, when he heard some shuffling from the hall. Draco couldn't see through the crack as Tom was in the way, but Draco heard whoever it was not so quietly shuffle past the room. Tom, quiet as a shadow, slipped out of the room and followed the footsteps. Draco pursued.
After some time, the steps stopped and Tom paused. Draco heard the squeaking of a door opening and another familiar voice began whispering.
"C'mon…gotta get yer out of 'ere. C'mon now, in the box…"
Tom suddenly jumped around the corner, his wand appearing in his hand. Draco shot around the corner and gasped to see Hagrid, a much smaller and younger looking Hagrid, as he gave Tom a wide-eyed, shocked look.
Rubeus Hagrid shot up from the floor where he had been crouching, a large box in his arms.
"Evening, Rebeus," said Tom sharply, his wand pointing at Hagrid.
Hagrid watched him nervously. "What yer doing down here, Tom?" Hagrid's voice shook as he spoke, clutching the box tighter to his chest.
"Perhaps I should be asking you that?" Tom replied, his wand remaining pointed.
Hagrid took a step back and the box jolted in his arms.
"It's all over, Rebeus." Tom stepped towards Hagrid. "I'm going to have to turn you in, they're going to close down Hogwarts if the attacks don't stop."
"What d'yeh—" Hagrid began but Tom interrupted him.
"I don't think you meant to kill anyone, but monsters aren't very good pets, I'm afraid."
"It never killed anyone!" Hagrid yelled, backing up. His back hit a wall. He was trapped.
Draco suddenly heard a funny clicking sound come from within the box.
"Come on, Rebeus, the dead girl's parents are going to be here tomorrow, don't you want to give them some closure? That the thing that killed their daughter, slaughtered, and unable to hurt anyone else."
"It wasn't him!" roared Hagrid, his voice echoing through the dark passage. "He wouldn'! He never!"
"Stand aside," Tom said calmly, pointing his wand at the box.
The spell lit up the hall with a blinding light. Draco squinted, protecting his eyes, and when he opened them again, he couldn't help but scream in horror, for Hagrid had dropped the box avoiding the spell and out of it came a large hairy body with a tangle of long black legs and many gleaming eyes along with a pair of long black pincers. Tom raised his wand again, but he was too late. The thing pounced at him and then scuttled over him, tearing down the hallway out of sight. Tom scrambled to his feet, but it was no use, the monster was gone.
The last thing Draco saw before he was pulled from the memory, was a devastated look on Hagrid's face as Tom turned to him, a sneer darkening his handsome face.
Draco gasped as he returned to the girls bathroom, dropping the diary on the floor. A sheen of sweat had formed on his skin and he shivered as it cooled. Draco didn't know what to do with this new information. For if Tom wasn't lying to him, then he had now learned who had opened the chamber the first time.
Rubeus Hagrid.
Harry looked at the duelling club poster and wondered whether or not he should go, Ron sidled up next to him.
"Are you going to go?" he asked, leaning his elbow on Harry's shoulder.
"I don't know, depends who's running it," Harry replied and Ron nodded, understanding.
They headed to class, which began with double Herbology. They were potting some Mandrakes today and Harry was feeling a bit nervous about it.
"Okay everyone, grab a pair of earmuffs and get into groups. Today we are working with Mandrakes."
The room bustled as they listened to the instructions, Harry Ron and Hermione formed a group along with a Hufflepuff.
"Hello, I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley," their new group member said brightly, introducing himself. Harry had noticed him before in class and nodded, shaking his extended hand.
The class settled and turned back to Professor Sprout. "Now Mandrakes are a powerful restorative, they form an essential part of antidotes. Can someone tell me why we would need to cover our ears with earmuffs first?"
Hermione's hand shot up and Professor Sprout nodded at her.
"Because the cry of a Mandrake is fatal to anyone who can hear it," she said with confidence.
"Correct, ten points to Gryffindor," Professor Sprout said. "I'll demonstrate first, everyone please make sure your earmuffs are firmly on."
Everyone placed on their earmuffs and, as soon as Harry placed his on, all sound was blocked. He looked around and Ron said something to him, but all he could see was his mouth moving with no words entering his ears.
It took a moment for Sprout to get the class's attention. She demonstrated first, wrapping her gloved hands tightly around the sprouts peeking out the pots and, with a swift tug, pulled out the Mandrake. Harry gasped soundlessly. The Mandrake looked like a baby, but was a dark muddy green and covered in dirt and roots. The baby was making a face as if it was crying and Harry was suddenly very thankful that he couldn't hear anything.
Harry turned to his own Mandrake pot and, with his own gloved hand, tightly gripped the stem of the Mandrake. Professor Sprout made it look much easier than it was, taking a few tugs until Harry could get the Mandrake out and, when he did, it flailed around wildly, causing him to nearly drop it. Harry quickly transferred the Mandrake to a new pot, shoving it under the dirt. He turned to his friends when he was done and found Hermione had already finished, Ron was still struggling a little bit, but eventually got his Mandrake in its new pot.
Justin seemed to be struggling the most and Harry helped him with his Mandrake. Together they managed to get the stubborn baby into its new pot and they shared a high five.
Once the class had repotted their Mandrakes, they were allowed to take off their earmuffs.
"Thanks for the help, Harry!" Justin smiled and Harry returned it.
"Hey, it's no problem," he said, patting him on the back.
They repotted a few more Mandrakes before the end of class and Harry's shoulders were beginning to ache. Thankfully Sprout ended the lesson and Harry sighed, rolling his neck and loosening the knots in his shoulders.
Harry said his goodbyes to Justin and walked back to Gryffindor Tower with Hermione and Ron. Harry had just begun to pack his bag in the dorm when a pop! resounded around the room, Harry turned and found Pipsy the elf staring at him with a letter in her hand. She looked annoyed and Harry couldn't blame her.
"Thanks, Pipsy!" Harry said, taking the letter from her. She bowed and popped away, not a word spoken.
Thankfully the dorm had been empty but for him and he opened the letter quickly before he had to head down to lunch. Draco's familiar cursive greeted him.
Harry, I have some really important news, find me in the usual classroom at lunch. It's urgent!
There was no signing of name, but Harry didn't need one. He quickly finished packing his bag and slung it over his shoulder, rushing down the stairs to the common room.
"What's the hurry?" Ron asked, getting up from an armchair where he was fiddling with his chess pieces.
"Draco sent me a letter to meet him urgently," Harry explained, heading for the exit.
"Well, if it's that urgent then we should come," Hermione said, rushing next to him.
Harry hesitated. He knew Draco did like Hermione and Ron, but he wasn't sure if it was the best idea to bring them along. It was risky.
"I don't know guys, the more of us there is the more chance we'll expose him." Harry gave Hermione a look that said she hoped she understood, but she wouldn't take it.
"Harry, we should come, what if he's in danger?" Hermione was persistent and Harry couldn't fault her for it.
"Okay fine! Fine!" Harry huffed, he didn't have the time to keep arguing anyway.
So they headed towards the usual abandoned classroom that Harry and Draco had previously used to meet up in and anxiety tightened Harry's stomach. He really hoped Draco was okay. They arrived quickly and Harry for once did not check that the coast was clear before entering. Draco was in the room unharmed and pacing between the tables. He looked up at their arrival and only spared one glance at his friends before making his way to Harry.
"Draco, are you okay?" Harry said worriedly.
"I'm okay, but Harry I have some bad news." Draco looked at all of them, sadness and hesitation making up his expression.
"What? What is it?"
"Hagrid was the one that opened the Chamber of Secrets the first time," Draco said.
That night, just after dinner, Justin Finch-Fletchely was found in a corridor along with a petrified Nearly Headless Nick. The castle was up in arms; students were freaking out, parents were panicking and sending for the children, and teachers began a roster to monitor the halls along with Prefects and Heads of Houses. No one was to be out of their dorms after classes.
Rumours were spreading like fiendfyre and once again Harry found himself in the middle of them.
"Harry was absent from dinner, you know?" someone whispered in his common room, a first year.
"I heard that the hat wanted to put him in Slytherin," someone else whispered.
Harry couldn't take it anymore, he shot out of his chair and up the stairs to his dorm. If he stayed any longer he might just explode. No one followed him up, which he was grateful for, he didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment, not even Hermione or Ron. Harry chewed his nails and then quickly stopped, he didn't want a revival of that habit.
Harry sat down on his bed and took out supplies to write a letter. He hadn't spoken to his uncles in a while and perhaps writing them a letter would calm him down. He began to put his quill to the page and realised that he had no idea how to start the letter.
Was he supposed to start with, Hello uncles, I am being accused of being the Heir of Slytherin and I just found out that Hagrid might have opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago. Help please. Kind regards, Harry.
He shook his head. He couldn't write that, it would only worry them.
Harry scrunched up the paper and began again.
Hello Sirius and Remus,
Sorry I haven't written in a while. A lot is happening that you might know of now. Another attack happened just tonight, a Hufflepuff in my year. Don't worry, I'm okay, and so are Hermione and Ron. We're keeping our heads down and making sure to stay safe. I'm looking forward to coming home for Christmas, I miss you both more than you know.
Lots of love,
Harry.
Harry finished signing his name and dried the ink without using his wand. He stared down at the letter and wished that he could write more. That he was hearing a monster in the walls and that two of the people that he cared for may have potentially been the cause of all of this. But he knew how his uncles were, especially Remus, and he didn't want to worry them. He hadn't really lied when he said he wasn't in danger, for he wasn't. Not yet anyhow.
He folded the letter up and stuck it into an envelope, he would go up in the morning to the owlery and get Hedwig to send it. But for now, he placed it in his drawer and laid back down on his bed, thinking of the events of the day.
Finding out Hagrid had opened the Chamber for the first time fifty years ago felt like getting punched in the gut. But now it made sense as to why Hagrid had been expelled and avoided all mentions of such expulsion. Hermione had given Hagrid the benefit of the doubt, that they missed something or did not know the whole truth and Harry begged Merlin that she was right.
Harry wondered how he was going to ask Hagrid about this? He couldn't just ignore this information. If this Tom Riddle's memory was true, then Hagrid knew more about the Chamber of Secrets than he was letting on and Harry needed him to tell them the truth. There were too many thoughts running through Harry's head to let him sleep, so he leant over and got out his raggedy copy of The Hobbit and began reading. Harry fell asleep just when Bilbo was leaving the Shire to begin his great journey.
He awoke in the morning with the remnants of a dream where he and his friends were hobbits still drifting through his mind.
How he wished he was a hobbit at this moment.
However, Harry in fact was not a hobbit and had responsibilities to face. Sure, was the Chamber of Secrets his responsibility? No. But did he feel as if it was? Yes.
He dragged himself out of bed and got ready for the day. Today was Friday and then it would be the weekend. As soon as the weekend rolled around he was heading straight for Hagrid's hut to get his answers.
By the time Harry sat down for dinner, exhaustion was weighing down his shoulders. He didn't have much of an appetite but knew that he had to eat, so he ate as much as he could and made conversation with Ron and Hermione. He wanted to go to bed already and to make this day end, even though he was dreading tomorrow.
Hermione patted him softly on the back. "Harry, don't worry too much about tomorrow, I'm sure Hagrid will clear his name."
"I hope you're right Hermione," Harry sighed into his mash potato and Ron gave him a sympathetic look.
When Harry got back to Gryffindor Tower he tried to stay up as long as he could, slugging away at homework, but eventually he couldn't stay up any longer and was the first in his dorm to head to bed. Harry read some more of The Hobbit to try and calm his tormenting thoughts in his mind and managed to read a page before he nodded off.
Harry awoke with the singing of birds, opening his eyes begrudgingly, rubbing the sleep from them, and sitting up from the bed. Rustling around the room said that his roommates were also awake and getting ready for the day. Harry slung his legs off the bed and opened the curtains around his bed which he didn't remember closing.
"Morning 'arry," Ron greeted, a toothbrush in his mouth.
"Morning," Harry grumbled, getting out of his bed.
Harry got ready for the day sluggishly, he really wanted to just crawl back into his bed but he had objectives to meet today.
The three of them walked down to breakfast, Hermione keen to go to the library today, it seemed she had some sort of idea brewing in her brain and she was striding faster than usual to the Great Hall.
"Hermione, slow down," Harry whined, catching up with her.
"Sorry, I just really need to get to the library," Hermione apologised and Harry rolled his eyes.
Ron lagged behind, it seemed he wasn't keen on putting the effort in to keep up with Hermione's high energy; Ron was much less of a morning person than Harry.
Draco kept stealing glances that conveyed his worry at Harry and he tried to not get irritated by them. Draco was just worried about him, but Hermione and Ron kept giving him those looks too and now it was beginning to grate on his nerves.
"Guys, I'm fine, I'm not a piece of glass that shatters at every bit of bad news!" Harry finally bit out, tired of the worried and sympathetic glances.
"It's not that, Harry, it's just we know you see Hagrid as family is all," Ron said, finally losing the worried look.
"Well today we'll go speak to him and clear the air, so stop looking at me like that." Harry crossed his arms and gave them both pointed looks. Finally they relented and nodded.
Hermione wanted to go with them to Hagrid's hut, but she desperately wanted to search for this book so it was just Ron that came along with him to confront Hagrid.
With the castle so strict on security, they decided to go under the invisibility cloak, in case someone decided to stop them leaving the castle. Thankfully the cloak was big enough to cover them both and they walked in the damp grass down to Hagrid's hut, each metre they got closer to it, the more Harry's heart began to pound.
"You alright?" Ron asked, perhaps able to hear how loud Harry's blood was pumping in his ears.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry lied.
They finally made it to the hut and Harry hesitated at the door. Ron, the good friend he was, saw this dithering and knocked on the door for him.
There was a loud sound of shuffling and a bark from Fang, then Hagrid opened the hut door, looking beyond exhausted and was surprisingly holding a large club in his hand. He looked around with a confused but relieved look and was about to shut the door when Harry took off the invisibility cloak.
"Hello Hagrid," Harry greeted him, somehow mustering a smile on his face.
"Oh!" Hagrid said, lowering the club. "What're 'yer doing here?"
"What's that for?" Harry asked, avoiding the question.
Hagrid moved aside for them and they stepped into the hut. "Nothin'...nothin' was just expecting someone else," Hagrid muttered and Harry realised that he was probably expecting the authorities, with all of these attacks he would be suspect number one considering his past.
"Sit, I'll make tea."
Harry and Ron obeyed, sitting on the overstuffed chairs. Harry petted an awaiting Fang as Hagrid prepared the tea. He wondered how he was going to even begin confronting Hagrid and found tea to be a very good delay. They sipped their tea in silence as Hagrid kept nervously eyeing the door and Harry was just about to say something when a knock broke the silence. Fang shot up, a growl beginning his throat. Hagrid gave first the door a look of terror and then looked to Harry and Ron.
"Quick, hide!" he whispered, and Harry scrambled to collect his invisibility cloak. They quickly hid beneath it and squeezed into a corner.
Hagrid picked up his massive club once again and hesitantly opened the door as Fang continued to growl.
"Good evening, Hagrid," a familiar voice spoke, and in stepped a very serious looking Dumbledore along with…the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Ron gasped and Harry elbowed him to shut up.
As soon as Hagrid identified the Minister of Magic he lost the fight in him, his face going deathly pale, the club falling from his hands.
"Serious business, Rebeus," the Minister of Magic said, shaking his head at Hagrid. "Four attacks on muggle-borns, it's gone far enough I'm afraid." His clipped tone was beginning to irritate Harry already.
"I never—" Hagrid gave a desperate look to Dumbledore. "You know I never would…!"
"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," Dumbledore said and Hagrid's face broke out with relief.
"Albus, as I have already said, his record is against him and the Ministry has to do something. Parents are nervous and the school governors have been in touch." Fudge gave Hagrid a sad look and Harry suddenly thought what a coward this man was.
"Yet again, I will tell you that taking him away will not help us in the slightest." Harry had never seen Dumbledore look so animated before, so determined.
"Look, if there's been an attack whilst he's gone, then he'll be returned immediately, but you have to understand Albus, I'm under a lot of pressure here."
Harry nearly revealed himself from under the invisibility cloak to yell at this imbecile, maybe even punch him in the face. Ron must have sensed his anger for he wrapped a hand around his forearm and squeezed tight. Harry realised then that he now no longer believed Hagrid had opened the Chamber of Secrets. However, now he was losing the opportunity to ask Hagrid what had truly happened.
"Where are you going to take me?" Hagrid trembled, the relief replaced with that terror again, he suddenly reminded Harry of a child that had become lost.
"Just for a short stretch only," Fudge said, avoiding Hagrids eyes. "It's not a punishment, Rebeus, just a precaution."
"Not…Azkaban?" Hagrid paled even further, falling down onto his couch.
Before Fudge could reply however, another knock came at the door. Dumbledore answered it, his face rigid with an anger that was barely concealed.
Harry had not expected the man that entered Hagrid's hut now, the shock of white blond hair and an air of importance made Harry gasp, which earned him an elbow in the ribs from Ron. Lucius Malfoy was giving Hagrid a look of unconcealed disgust and a satisfied smile on his thin pale lips.
"Cornelius, you are already here?" Mr Malfoy said approvingly, nodding. "Good…good." Harry wanted to kick that horrible snake cane from under him and stab him with it.
"What are you doing 'ere in my house?" Hagrid roared, getting up from the coach.
"Now, now, Hagrid, that temper of yours is going to get you into trouble. I'm not here to see you, I was told the Headmaster was here," Mr Malfoy replied.
"What do you want, Lucius?" Dumbledore spoke, the utter frustration and annoyance in Dumbledore's tone temporarily shocked Harry.
"Dreadful thing, Dumbledore," Mr Malfoy said lazily and took out a long roll of parchment from his bag, "but the governors feel it is time that you step down. This is an order of suspension."
He handed the scroll to Dumbledore who took it with a stiff hand.
"You'll find all twelve signatures on it," Mr Malfor continued. "You've lost your touch, haven't you? Just an attack last night, no? At this rate there will be no muggle-borns left at the school and we know what an awful loss that will be to the school."
"Oh, now, see here, Lucius," began Fudge, who looked alarmed. "Dumbledore suspended? That's the last thing we want!"
"The appointment—or suspension—of the Headmaster is a matter of the board of governors, and we have decided," Mr Malfoy said smoothly.
Fudge gave Dumbledore a nervous look. "If Dumbledore can't stop them…then who can?"
Mr Malfoy formed a nasty smile. "That remains to be seen, but as the twelve of us have voted…"
Hagrid leapt to his feet, his face red with anger.
"An' how many did yeh have ter threaten an' blackmail before they agreed?" he roared.
"Oh dear," said Mr Malfoy, an amused expression forming on his face.
"You can't take Dumbledore!" yelled Hagrid, his face turning a shade of purple, Harry shivered, He never knew Hagrid could get so furious. "Take him away, an' the muggle-borns won't stand a chance! There'll be killin's next!"
"Calm yourself, Hagrid," Dumbledore said softly, then he looked to Lucius with a sharp look in his eye.
"If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall step aside."
"But—" stuttered Fudge.
"No!" growled Hagrid.
"However," Dumbledore continued, speaking slowly so that each word he spoke would be understood, "you will find that I will only have truly left this school when there are none here who are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given to those who ask for it."
For a second, Harry thought he had imagined Dumbledore's eyes flickering to the corner in which they hid.
"Admirable sentiments," said Mr Malfoy, bowing mockingly. "We shall miss your particular way of running things here. Let's hope your successor will manage to prevent these 'killin's'."
Mr Malfoy exited first, followed by Dumbledore. Hagrid hesitated and Fudge waited for him, fidgeting with his bowler hat. Hagrid took a deep breath and then, with a flicker of a look to Harry, he said, "If anyone wants 'ter find out some stuff, all they have ter do is follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right!"
Fudge gave Hagrid a look of amazement.
Then Hagrid grabbed his moleskin and exited the hut, Fudge following after, softly closing the door behind him.
Harry pulled off the cloak once he was sure the coast was clear. Fang was whining now, pawing at the door and Harry gently stroked behind his ear to calm him.
"We're in trouble now, no Dumbledore and they might as well close the school!" Ron said hoarsely.
Harry looked at the door. Follow the spiders, Hagrid had said. So, follow the spiders he would.
A/N sorry for the late update, I have been busy. I don't know if I mentioned here as I did on ao3, but I will taking a break to edit books 1 and 2 (when this is finished) and will begin drafting book 3 before posting it. Im not sure how long the break will last but rest assured I am not dropping this fic just refining it :)
I think I have about 2 or 3 chapters remaining for this book! thankyou all for the support and the comments they mean a lot to me 3