Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J K Rowling's property, not mine.

Student of the Foul

Chapter 1

The Chamber of more than one secret

He was in pain. His whole body hurt from being thrown around by the Basilisk towering above him. He could hear the insane ramblings of the creature, just before it struck at him.

At that moment, he was thankful to Fawkes for blinding the insane snake, for the snake missed him by a couple of feet. He quickly scrambled to his feet and raised the sword of Gryffindor as if a swordsman. He was no swordsman, but damn him if he didn't try to be one right now.

He swung at the snake wildly, hitting it to no effect as the hide was as hard as metal. He was getting desperate, all the while he could hear Tom's manic laughter from below him, at the base of Slytherin's statue.

He saw the mad snake strike at him again, and quickly thrust his hand forward, aiming at the top of the snake's mouth. It hit! The snake had stopped its charge and swiftly drew back in pain and began thrashing about in agony.

In the process, the snake hit the base of the statue hard. The stone slabs broke apart and an enormous chunk of the base of the statue crumbled at the strike.

Harry too felt a searing pain and saw a piece of one of the Basilisk's fangs lodged in his right shoulder. He started to feel his shoulder go numb. He looked up as he saw the Basilisk, finally crashing to the floor, dead.

"Remarkable isn't it, how quickly the venom of the basilisk takes effect." Tom said, chuckling as Harry dropped the sword and waywardly limped towards Ginny, "You'll soon join your mudblood mother, Harry Potter."

Harry looked to his shoulder again and with a grunt pulled out the Basilisk fang, looking at it as he held it tight. Breathing hard, He collapsed next to Ginny.

"Funny, how you can blame this damage and your death on a silly little book, in the hands of a silly little girl." Tom said snidely looking towards the unconscious girl.

Harry's eyes widened just a fraction. With all the remaining strength he could muster, he forced his numb right hand to grab the book from Ginny's hands and threw it to the floor beside her. The book landed, opening to a random blank page.

"What are you doing? No!" Tom screamed, as Harry thrust the fang into the open pages of the diary. The remaining venom, burning into the pages. Inky black fluid began pouring out trying to escape the venom's sear, but it was too late.

Harry jumped back away from the book, towards the statue of Slytherin and watched the event before him.

"No!" he heard Tom scream, before disappearing. Only a half-burnt ink covered book lay behind.

Harry looked at his left palm as it burned a little from holding the fang. The palm was red, but this pain was nothing compared to how the rest of his body felt.

Quivering slightly, he pulled his shirt open, tearing open the buttons to inspect the wound. The wound was big, the venom still seared slightly at the point, he laid down, still panting and writhing in agony. He was dying.

Fawkes landed next to him. He blearily looked at the phoenix as it stared at the wound. He then saw the phoenix move closer to him to nuzzle his neck. He chuckled, and slightly nodded to the phoenix. He then saw the phoenix move closer to the wound, angling its head such that its eye was directly over the wound.

Tears dripped down from the eye and landed on the wound. Fawkes then turned his head so that tears from the other eye too could land on the wound.

Harry felt a coolness rush across his body as the tears mingled with the venom in his blood, The pain started to ever so slowly reduce.

"Right, Phoenix tears heal wounds." He said to himself aloud, to which Fawkes trilled in delight. "Thank you, Fawkes." He said, his voice still quivering in pain and exhaustion.

A little relieved, he lifted himself on his left elbow and looked around. Ginny was still unconscious. The huge snake was dead, mouth agape, blood still oozing out of its wounds and flowing into the pool behind, the water turning red. The floor was damaged in multiple places, some of the snake heads were broken.

He looked behind and saw the crumbled mess that was the base of Slytherin's statue. His eyes narrowed as he saw what looked to be a hollowed space underneath behind the rubble.

Harry got up and curiously limped towards the statue. He looked at the space and found it empty, the rubble held pieces of a broken wooden shelf.

"Must have been empty." He told himself. All the while, Fawkes happily trilled away to the sky, at seeing Harry slowly getting better.

He suddenly saw a glint of something shiny on the floor towards his left. He limped towards it. A black crystal ball, the size of one of Dudley's tennis balls lay there. Curious, He picked it and held it up to his face.

The Ball suddenly glowed, and Harry once again felt pain. He screamed as he held the ball. The glow from the ball covering him as well.

Harry screamed with his eyes shut tight, as his forehead burned more than it had when he held Quirrell the year before. Dark smoke bellowed from his forehead.

He saw a vision of a white-haired old man with his back turned to him raising his hand at a snake-faced goblin like creature, as it charged at him. The creature then screamed as lightning and fire bellowed from each of the old man's palms, burning the creature to ash.

The last thing Harry saw before everything went dark was the old man turning and looking at him with his vibrant green eyes.

(Line break)

Harry woke up an hour later, His area around the scar on his forehead was throbbing and his shoulder still a bit numb, but he otherwise felt fine. He saw Ginny sat next to him petting Fawkes, tears marking her cheeks.

"Ginny? Are you okay?" Harry asked, getting up to his feet. Ginny jerked in his direction and rushed up to him crying about how it was all her fault. Harry spent some time consoling his friend's sister, telling her that it wasn't, while Fawkes trilled a calming note.

Harry looked around and spotted the orb and saw that it had lost its blackness and had become an opaque plain glass orb. Picking it up, Harry pocketed it. He then picked up the sword, the fang that had pierced him, and the sorting hat.

Seeing Ginny's questioning look, Harry shrugged. "Let's get out of here." Harry said, gesturing to the exit down the tunnel.

Ginny nodded and allowed Fawkes to perch on her arm. They walked down the tunnel towards the door that led to the chamber.

Once they reached the place where the tunnel had collapsed, they saw that Ron had managed to shift some of the rocks, making a hole big enough for them to crawl out. The brother and sister hugged out their worries. Harry watched the scene, feeling a little envy.

"Harry, now that we're here, how do we get back to the toilet?" Ron asked.

Harry thought for a second and then looked towards Fawkes. Fawkes nodded.

(Line break)

Poppy Pomfrey was interrupted from administering mandrake draught to the petrified victims when she was treated to the spectacle of Fawkes flashing into the infirmary with three children and one adult. Quickly, she got all of them to separate beds.

She checked Harry first. After performing a few scans with her wand, she found that aside from his exhaustion, his biggest injuries were a few bruises and the wound from the basilisk fang. The fang wound too looked almost healed, but for the scar it left behind. His bones weren't broken or looked to have been healed.

The matron then moved to check over the two Weasley children. They too received not too many injuries, just minor bruising.

Dumbledore and the remaining heads of house arrived at the hospital wing. Dumbledore quickly moved to the children and stared at Harry and Ron for a few seconds.

"Professor Dumbledore, you're back?" Ron asked. Dumbledore nodded. "It would seem that after hearing news of the latest attack and the kidnapping of Ms. Weasley, the board of directors of Hogwarts decided that I was to return and look after the school."

The children smiled. "Now, Madam Pomfrey, how are they?" Asked Dumbledore.

Pomfrey replied, "They're mostly fine. Mr. Lockhart is the only one with any grievous effect having lost all his memory. I have sent a missive to a friend in St. Mungo's. She should be arriving soon to collect him.

"With regard to the children, The Weasley children are perfectly fine. Mr. Potter is the one with the biggest injuries, though, most of them are already healed and will only require burn salve and Dittany balm to continue the healing process. The wound from the Basilisk fang will leave a permanent scar."

Never had Harry seen the eyebrows of so many professors shoot up the way they did when they heard the word 'Basilisk.'

The boys recounted their tale to the professors. Harry left out the incident with the orb. Something in his mind told him not to, and he complied.

"The boy is definitely lying. A basilisk! really!" Snape commented with his ever-present sneer.

Frowning at Snape, Harry pulled out the fang from his robe and without a word, dropped it on his bedside table. Once again, everyone's eyebrows shot up. Snape angrily bustled out of the wing.

"Professor, I hope you don't mind, but I will be keeping this." Harry said, Looking at the headmaster and his head of house. They nodded after a little thought.

"Please ensure that it is hidden from view Mr. Potter" said Dumbledore, "I do not want any student, including yourself to suffer an accident which would heavily depend on Fawkes for help. Harry nodded in agreement.

"Now, if you wouldn't mind, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, I hope you would meet me in my office after an hour of rest. The password is Chewits." Said Dumbledore, before departing the infirmary along with the other professors.

In the hour that followed, Harry was only able to rest for three quarters of it, as most of the remaining Weasley family burst into the wing, hugging, and kissing their children and not so graciously thanking Harry for saving their daughter's life.

Ginny had blushed furiously when the twins mentioned that she had lived her fantasy of Harry saving her life. She loudly promised revenge on them once she learnt some useful spells.

Percy also took some time to thank Harry for his help, while also mentioning that he would ignore the rules the two second year boys had broken in the process of saving Ginny. It left Harry very perplexed.

The hour capped off with the petrified slowly beginning to show signs of being revived. Ron and Harry very reluctantly left the wing since Hermione had just come out of petrification.

(Line break)

"Come in both of you." said Dumbledore, seated at his desk as the duo entered the office. Harry saw that Fawkes was back on his perch and gave him a light petting.

"Do you both realize the number of rules you have broken in the last few hours is enough to have you expelled?" Dumbledore stated, bringing both boys to a pause. He received dipped heads and a quiet "Yes, Sir" from them both.

"Well, in light of those events, it is only fitting that I bestow upon the both of you, special awards for the services to the school." Dumbledore said, smiling at the end.

The two shocked boys looked at each other in delight, "Thanks sir!" Said Ron.

Dumbledore stood up, "Mr. Weasley, I have to request you to send these papers through a school owl to Azkaban, Hogwarts will need her gamekeeper back." Handing Ron an envelope. Still grinning in delight, Ron bolted out of the room to accomplish his given task.

Dumbledore turned to Harry, "I sense that something seems to be troubling you, Harry." he said.

"Yes, sir." Harry replied, his face gaining a curious look, "I couldn't help but notice that Tom Riddle and I share many similarities."

"Well, you can speak Parseltongue. It is a power that Voldemort was famous for. But I believe you share that particular trait because Voldemort transferred some of his powers to you, the day he gave you that scar."

"What! He transferred his powers to me!" Harry exclaimed.

"Unknowingly of course." Dumbledore quickly remarked.

"Why then did the sorting hat not put me in Slytherin?" Harry asked. "It can't be just because I asked him to."

"It is exactly the reason Harry; it isn't what we can do that makes us what we are. It is what we choose to do that defines us. Why, if you want more proof, I would suggest you look more closely at the sword."

Harry stared and saw the Godric Gryffindor spelled out along the Fuller of the sword.

"Only a true Gryffindor to summon that sword from the hat." Dumbledore stated.

Before Harry could ask Dumbledore any more questions, the door of the office was opened, and Lucius Malfoy strutted in. Harry noticed a rather large ear peeking out from behind him. Leaning to get a better look, Harry noticed Dobby.

'So, this is your master' Harry thought to himself.

"I see you've returned, Dumbledore." Said Lucius.

"Yes Lucius, I was summoned back by the governors when they heard Arthur Weasley's daughter was taken down to the chamber." Dumbledore replied, standing up and leaning his arms on the desk.

Dobby quietly moved to Harry.

"I also got the impression that most of the board felt threatened; by you in fact." Dumbledore stated.

"How dare you, I have always had the best intentions towards this school and its students." Lucius exclaimed.

"In any case, the situation has been resolved." Dumbledore said.

"Has a culprit been identified?" Lucius asked a little pensively.

"Voldemort." Dumbledore said. Lucius flinched at the name. Picking up the burnt diary Dumbledore continued, "By means of this book, he managed to inflict this situation upon us. I do hope we don't see any more of the dark lord's old toys. The possession of these could mean the owner would face rather dire consequences."

Lucius sneered, "Well, let's just hope Mr. Potter is available to save the day." Harry stayed quiet.

"Come Dobby, I'll be dealing with you once we get back to the house." Lucius said, while yanking Dobby away from Harry by the back of his neck and giving him a whack with the bottom of his cane.

Harry thought for a second and urgently turned and asked Dumbledore, "Sir, if we are done, could I take the diary?"

Dumbledore peered at Harry over his Half-moon spectacles, then smiled and nodded.

Harry rushed out of the office with the book.

Lucius was surprised when a few moments later, he heard Potter call out to him. Turning sound, he decided to see what the boy needed.

Upon reaching Lucius Malfoy, Harry held out the burnt diary and said, "Mr. Malfoy, I believe this is yours."

"Mine? I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Potter. you seem to be under a wrong presumption." Lucius replied while taking the book in his hand and scrutinising it.

"Well, I think you accidentally mixed it up with Ginny's books that day at Diagon alley." Harry said.

"That is still a presumption Mr. Potter. You do not have proof for such a statement. I suggest you be careful with such presumptions." Lucius said, as he handed the diary to Dobby.

He turned back to Harry, "They may come back to bite you. Come Dobby, we must be going" Lucius said, turning away with a flourish.

Harry whispered to Dobby, "Open it."

Dobby opened it to find a sock. "The master has given Dobby clothes."

"What!" Lucius angrily exclaimed, turning around quickly. He saw the sock and looked at Harry. Harry raised his trousers leg to reveal a bare ankle.

"You! You lost me my servant!" Lucius shouted, pulling out his wand and charging at Harry.

Before Harry could react, Dobby stepped in Lucius' path, "You shall not harm great Harry Potter!" and banished Lucius away.

Harry smiled at Dobby. "Potter! mark my words!" Lucius shouted from a distance, "You will meet the same end as that of your parents." He angrily walked away.

Dobby turned to Harry, "Great Harry Potter freed Dobby, Dobby will do anything for Great Harry Potter?"

Harry grimaced, "You are free now Dobby, you don't need to do anything for me. If I need your help in the future, maybe I'll call for you." Harry said, placing a hand on Dobby's shoulder. Dobby nodded.

Harry then turned and went back to the infirmary. He had to check up on Hermione.

(Line break)

Later that night, as he slept, Harry saw him again, the same old man from when he had touched the orb. The vision wasn't truly clear, and Harry couldn't make out much as it seemed like the old man stood in a cloud of white mist.

Harry could make out a few features, but not much. The old man still had his back turned to Harry, as a result, all Harry could make out was the grey clothing that covered the man's upper body.

Just as the old man began to turn, Harry's vision went dark, and he heard Ron calling out to him to wake up.

Ignoring the vision, Harry got out of bed at Ron's prodding and got ready to head down for breakfast.

(Line Break)

At breakfast, Dumbledore announced to the joy of all students barring fifth and seventh years that their exams were cancelled, in light of the disruption to school schedule caused by the 'monster of the chamber of secrets.'

Harry heard many students around him speculatively discuss among themselves as to how the monster had been eliminated. The wild theories even included Dumbledore vanishing a whole section of the school in order to eliminate the monster.

Hearing a growl, He turned to his side to see Hermione dourly taking in the fervour. She was still angry that the exams had been cancelled. She had already begun studying last night.

It was nearing dinner time when Harry learnt that Hagrid had returned from Azkaban. He had been cleared of both convictions. As a result, he was allowed to carry a wand again.

Harry had rushed out to his Hut to greet him and decided to spend the time until dinner speaking to Hagrid. Ron and Hermione weren't present as the latter was using his notes to finish her missed learnings and the former was using her to finish his own assignments

"Hagrid, I know it's a sour subject, but could you describe Azkaban for me? I'm just curious." Harry asked while petting Fang beside the fire.

Hagrid grimaced but nodded, "Ya see Harry, I was portkeyed from the ministry to this dark beach. I think somewhere in the north. There, two aurors and me were placed on a boat. We were then ferried across the sea until we hit this beach line."

"When I first saw it, it was like looking at Hogwarts in an opposite way. Just as impressive, but very scary. Bigger than Hogwarts, that castle. I also saw them floating above the higher towers. Let me tell ya Harry, them's not the sort of creature anyone should face. Bloody Dementors."

Hagrid shivered and Harry leaned closer as he continued, " I was placed in the lower levels. And I was thankful for that. The upper levels, especially the towers are constantly patrolled by those Dementors. Those I was told were reserved for the truly hideous criminals. People like Sirius Black, the Lestranges, Rosier etc. I could hear Bellatrix cackling from the bottom level."

Harry interrupted Hagrid here, "What are dementors, Hagrid?"

Hagrid sighed, "I hope ya never meet one Harry. One of the worst creatures to exist. They look like black-cloaked ghosts and give off an aura of cold depression and death. They feed off of negative emotions, and if you ever get too close to one, they will suck your soul out of ya."

"That is the ministry's preferred means of execution right now. A dementor sucking out your soul. Never let a dementor get close to you."

"Is there any way to fight them?" Asked Harry.

"Oh yes, Fire sometimes works. But the best method is to use a Patronus charm. You'll be taught that during your NEWT years, Harry"

Harry nodded. This was something he would need to remember.

Soon they realised it was time for dinner, when Ron and Hermione arrived at the hut to collect them.

(Line Break)

The old man appeared again, just like he had over the last ten days. It seemed like he got clearer and clearer each time.

The long Greyish-white hair, tied up behind him and a thin beard which matched the colour of his hair. He had a longish face with a pronounced nose and his features indicated a Balkan or Greek origin. He was dressed in a simple grey tunic, with black pants and shoes, and had a deep red cloak draped over his shoulders.

The man was not very tall, and he had a very lithe build. The most striking feature to Harry though, were his eyes. They were the same vibrant green as his own. The old man's eyes held power and knowledge. Harry felt as he did whenever he stood in front of Dumbledore.

Harry stared at the old man, fear creeping in as the old man stared back. Suddenly the old man disappeared as the vision went dark.

Harry jerked awake. Getting up, he sat on the side of his bed thinking about the vision he had and wondered if he should tell anyone about it.

'Something tells me that I better hold this one to myself.' Harry thought to himself and got out of bed to get ready and head down to the great hall for that morning's breakfast.

(Line break)

"Harry, my parents wrote to me, Dad won an award from the daily prophet! He says that we'll all be going to Egypt to visit Bill. Oh, I can't wait for it!" Ron excitedly screamed at lunch that Sunday. He held in his hand the letter that detailed so.

Errol was to the side blinking owlishly at Neville's goblet of water, which he pushed towards the thirsty owl in good faith.

"You think your ginger skin can handle the heat, Ron!" said Seamus from across the table causing everyone around them to laugh.

"Shove-off, Seamus!" Exclaimed Ron, before happily digging into his pork pie.

Harry turned to Hermione, "What about you Hermione? I guess you'll be wanting a break after what you went through this term."

Hermione nodded, "My parents are taking me to France on holiday. I've already started learning the language. It should help me a lot. Maybe I can convince them to take me to the French magic school that I read of, Beauxbatons."

Harry outwardly smiled, but internally, he was an envious mess. He had already spoken to Dumbledore earlier that day and had received the same answer as the previous year. The Dursleys it was for him.

He just didn't understand it. Dumbledore said that the Dursleys offered him the best protection, and yet during school, he would be safe. Wasn't that a bit off? Still, he was still a minor and couldn't change that decision. Dumbledore was his magical guardian after all.

He got up and trudged out towards the owlery. At least Hedwig would be there for him and with him through what he definitely knew would be another miserable summer with the Dursleys.

(Line Break)

Once again, the old man confronted Harry. Harry hadn't seen the old man over the last few days, but here he was, clearer than ever before. In a well-lit empty room similar to one of the classrooms at Hogwarts.

Harry didn't know what to say or do so he just stared at the old man.

He was startled however as the old man began walking towards him. Harry unintentionally took a step back and braced himself. He didn't know if he had his wand. He looked on at the old man in fear of what was about to happen as the old man got closer and closer.

About a foot away, the old man stopped and brought his hand up beside his head, his palm facing Harry, and said, "Hail." Harry blinked and continued to stare back. "Eh?" he muttered quizzically.

The old man frowned and tried once again, "Salve." Harry shook his head.

"Día dhuit?" said the old man, only to be again, disappointed as Harry shook his head once again.

The old man swore loudly and turned around, suddenly Harry understood him. Without realising it, Harry spoke up to greet the man, saying "Hello" in what he heard.

The old man swiftly turned to face Harry and peered at him with probing eyes. He then grinned wide and replied, hissing, "Hello." Harry's eyebrows shot up to the top of his forehead.

-end-

Well, I hope you liked it. Please leave a review.

Also, ASM is being mildly modified and re-written, I'll post an update for it as soon as possible.

Leave a review in Rubber duck tale, in case you have ideas for me to incorporate as one shots. we can make a series of RDT's