The Potter Timeline
Chapter 38 - The Terror Reawakened
Voices.
Chattering voices.
At first, they were low, like a soft hum. But they grew louder, like hissing steam from a tea kettle. As the voices intensified, it sounded like two people talking to one another in an incomprehensible language at an incomprehensible speed.
They grew even louder, and the manner of their unearthly chatter became terribly uncomfortable, as though the people were arguing, almost yelling at one another. Their voices became so loud, so terrifying, it startled Harry out of his sleep...
He shot up in bed, his heart beating wildly. He glanced around in confusion, wondering where he was. The space in which he found himself was dark save for moonlight filtering in through tall casement windows stretching nearly from top to bottom of a wall opposite his bed. He then saw several empty beds below the windows and smelled herbal ointment and rubbing alcohol.
He was in the hospital wing.
Glancing around, he saw no one else and wondered where Madam Pomfrey might be. The wing was deathly silent.
"Hello? Anyone here?" he asked desperately.
"Harry!" a familiar voice quietly came from the bed next to his.
"Hermione!" he uttered while gazing at the bed.
"SHHH!" she responded.
But Harry was puzzled as there was no one actually in the bed.
"Where are you?!" he asked quietly.
The mattress on the bed dipped down followed by the side of the bed doing the same with the sheets ruffling. Then, Hermione appeared as she pulled off his invisibility cloak and stepped quietly toward his bed. The girl sat down at Harry's side, placing his cloak next to her and taking one of his hands.
"I'm here, Harry," she told him in a near whisper with a worried look.
Harry gave her a sour look.
"What happened...after I blacked out?" he asked.
Hermione frowned.
"Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey showed up. Professor Snape was taken to his quarters and is recovering. But McGonagall was furious at Lockhart and him, as you can imagine. She had you brought here - you've been unconscious for hours."
Harry looked away, trying to take all this in.
"So, why are you using my cloak?"
"The Professor is forbidding anyone to stay with you or even approach you. Madam Pomfrey was told to keep students out of the wing. But Dean let me into your room so I could retrieve the cloak. I wasn't about to let you stay alone in here after what happened. I snuck in."
Harry gave the girl an emotion-filled smile and squeezed her hand.
"Thanks. I'm glad you did," he said affectionately.
The girl returned his smile.
"So...you saw what Riddle did," he said.
Hermione frowned and nodded.
"Everyone was terrified. Lockhart looked paralyzed and stood there speechless. Thankfully, Hagrid had the sense to call for McGonagall. But I've never seen him so worried, Harry. No one knew if you were unconscious or...dead..."
Hermione gripped his hand a little harder.
"What exactly happened? I was afraid Riddle had completely taken you over."
The boy looked down with a sad expression.
"He nearly did. It was weird. I was conscious. I could see, feel, hear everything, but...I had no control over my body. I tried to fight it, tried to relax like Snape said, but it seemed like Tom had more power and overruled me. At the very least, I was able to tell Malfoy's snake to stand down. But then Tom told it to attack Justin and I was powerless to stop him."
Hermione's face scrunched up in puzzlement.
"You told the snake to stand down?"
He looked at her.
"Yes. You heard me, right?"
Hermione shook her head.
"No, Harry. We heard you speak in Parseltongue."
Now Harry's face scrunched up.
"In what?" he asked.
"Parseltongue. Snake language."
"Snake language?! How did I do that?! I've never even heard of that before!" he uttered incredulously.
"I don't know, Harry, but you did. We heard you talk to the snake before it curled up and then again when you pointed your wand at Justin."
Stunned, Harry looked ahead and thought about this.
"Did you hear the snake respond? It answered me with...'yes, master'."
"No. We only heard the snake hissing."
Harry was perplexed, but then he recalled a peculiar event from nearly two years earlier.
"Hermione, remember me telling you about setting a snake loose at the zoo?"
"Yes."
"Well, I wonder if I spoke to it in...Parseltongue and didn't realize it. That snake talked back to me as well, but I just thought he could somehow speak and speak in English."
Hermione thought about this.
"Well, I do recall an article in Oddlum's Oddities about how Salazar Slytherin was rumored to be able to talk to snakes. And if Tom...Voldemort is his heir and a part of him is inside you, that's most likely where you get that ability."
Harry thought about this.
"I think you're right. And that means that the soul piece residing in this..." he said while pointing to his scar, "...is more powerful than I thought. I wonder what else I've been able to do because of...him. Where do my abilities end, and his...begin?"
Hermione, seeing the distraught look on Harry's face, sat a little closer to him, her face exuding worry.
"I don't know, Harry. We know so little about these things. Hopefully Professor Dumbledore has some answers and a solution."
Hermione then took on a rather perturbed look.
"But I can't believe Snape didn't stop that duel! Especially when Malfoy stepped up!" she uttered angrily, "he should have known better after your discussion about Riddle!"
Harry frowned and nodded at her.
"I know. I don't understand it either. What if someone had really gotten hurt or...killed because of Tom's influence through me?"
"Well, the professor himself got hurt. Maybe now he sees how dangerous this really is."
Harry became downcast.
"Maybe so," he uttered, then looked at her forlornly.
"What's going to happen to me, Hermione? I'm concerned Riddle may take over next time and I...won't come back."
Hermione's face mirrored his. She then leaned in and placed her forehead right against his, looking into his green eyes.
"We'll find a way, Harry. You and me," she utterly softly with strong emotion, "we'll get through this. I'm sure of it."
Harry smiled at the girl and leaned toward her, their noses touching. Hermione blushed and started breathing heavily.
"Agreed," the boy told her glowingly, "we'll find a way."
The pair stared at one another for eternal moments, it seemed, both knowing how much the other meant. Then Hermione leaned back.
"But in the meantime, you'd better get some sleep," she told him, "who knows what's going to happen in the morning."
Harry nodded.
"You're right," he replied, but then looked at the girl desperately, "you'll...stay with me tonight, though, won't you? I really don't want to be alone."
Hermione smiled.
"Of course! I'll be in the bed next to yours with your cloak on, in case Madam Pomfrey decides to check on you in the middle of the night."
"Great. Thanks," Harry told her.
The girl smiled.
~HP~
Harry awoke the next morning to the sound of voices again. But this time they were Madam Pomfrey's and Professor McGonagall's. The two were walking in his direction.
"Did anything unusual occur last night, Poppy?"
"No, Minerva. As far as I know, he slept soundly through the night."
"Good. The less excitement around him the better, I think."
They reached the end of the bed and Harry sat up. McGonagall's expression was stern, but also worried.
"Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling?"
"Fine, professor," he replied.
The woman pursed her lips.
"Have you experienced anything strange, another nightmare, perhaps?" she queried.
Harry shook his head.
"No, ma'am. No nightmares. But I have been hearing these...voices. At least that's what I think they are..."
The sound of a quiet gasp from the bed next to his drew Harry's attention. Hermione was clearly awake and hearing this. His comment about the voices must have surprised the girl as he didn't mention it before now. But Harry quickly shot his gaze back at McGonagall, realizing he goofed up by glancing in Hermione's direction. He hoped the professor didn't notice. The woman had followed his gaze at the bed with a furrowed brow, however. She now gave Harry a deep frown.
"Well, I have some news for you from Professor Dumbledore. And perhaps Miss Granger should join us proper as I'm sure she'll want to hear it as well."
At these words, the professor stared back at the bed. Another indention appeared on the mattress and Hermione pulled off Harry's cloak. Pomfrey gasped at Hermione's sudden appearance out of thin air, then she threw the thirteen-year-old a severe stare. The girl's face was etched with guilt as she looked up at the professor and healer.
"Good morning, Hermione," McGonagall said almost sarcastically.
"Good morning...professor," the brunette responded meekly with pink cheeks.
The witch frowned at her, then turned back to Harry.
"I spoke to the headmaster last night about what happened yesterday afternoon."
"How did you do that?" Harry asked with a scrunched-up face, wondering if it was possible to get an owl across such huge distances so fast. The woman pursed her lips.
"Via the fireplace inside his quarters at the conference. Considering the gravity of the situation, there was no time to wait for an owl," she stated.
Harry nodded, remembering Mrs. Weasley's mention of the Floo Network. McGonagall continued.
"As I was saying, I spoke to Professor Dumbledore and informed him of the incident. Unfortunately, he is tied up with conference business and is unable to get away for at least three or four more days."
Harry frowned. Hermione moved to his bed and sat down next to him, taking one of his hands. McGonagall went on.
"In the meantime, he has instructed me to take certain measures to prevent another...outburst, even if it isn't your fault. You can understand we need to protect the other students."
Harry nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Very well," she said while stepping closer to his bed, "Firstly, I am to confiscate your wand...for the time being."
Harry's eyes went wide at this, but he understood it. McGonagall looked at Hermione.
"Hagrid informed me that you took Harry's wand after he passed out, Hermione. May I have it, please?" she asked holding out her hand.
Hermione threw Harry a sad look that had "sorry" written on it. She pulled Harry's wand from her pocket and handed it to the professor. The woman gazed over it briefly, then placed it in her own pocket.
"Secondly, there is the matter of your presence among the other students."
"You're not going to...send me away, are you?" Harry asked with concern.
"No, young man. You'll remain here, but under certain conditions. You'll continue to attend classes as usual, but you'll be accompanied by one of the Ministry Aurors who will sit in each of your classes and attend any other activities you're engaged in. They have been instructed to keep an eye out for disturbing behavior and if necessary, restrain or stop you."
Harry and Hermione exchanged sorrowful glances. The woman continued.
"As well, I will have one of the guest quarters in the West Tower prepared where you will stay temporarily until this matter is resolved. I'm sorry to separate you from your friends and House mates, Harry, but I'm doing this for the sake of Mr. Thomas, Mr. Finnigan, and Mr. Longbottom, as well as the others. You will be, however, near the Aurors who are all residing in the same tower. They will be on hand in case you have another...disturbing experience."
Harry nodded. She went on.
"Madam Pomfrey tells me you are in good health physically, so it's no longer necessary to remain here in the hospital wing. However, as it's the weekend, my recommendation is to avoid interacting with the other students, if possible, especially Mr. Malfoy and his friends. Is that clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
McGonagall gave him another look of motherly concern.
"Very well. You and Hermione may leave."
The second-years got up from the bed, Hermione grabbed Harry's cloak, and they proceeded to exit the wing.
As soon as they stepped out of the doorway, they were surprised to find Auror Tonks, whose hair was now bubblegum pink, standing outside, shifting about while mimicking dueling movements with her wand. The young woman stopped and looked at the pair.
"Wotcher, Harry! Hermione!" she said cheerfully while pocketing her wand.
"Good morning, Tonks," Harry said pleasantly, "what are you doing here?"
The witch grinned at him.
"I've been assigned to you," she told him.
She then stepped closer, narrowing her eyes at the boy with a slight smirk.
"I'm going to be your shadow."
Harry gulped. Tonks chuckled and stepped back.
"Don't worry, I don't bite. And I'll make sure to keep my distance. Especially if you two need some...private time together."
Harry and Hermione looked at one another and blushed fiercely. Tonks laughed.
"Just joking! You two do make a cute couple, but you're way too young for that sort of thing!"
The second-years chuckled in amusement, though still red-faced. But Harry's face then scrunched up.
"No offense, Tonks, but...why you?" he asked. The witch smiled.
"When Professor McGonagall requested one of us Aurors accompany you for the next few days, James suggested me as I'm closer to your age than any of the others...and...probably closer to your maturity level too, come to think of it. But, he also said it would be great experience for me, learning bodyguard duties. Though in this case, I won't be protecting you from others, I'm to protect the others...from you!"
Harry's face became downcast.
"Right," he said forlornly, looking down at the floor.
Tonks' shoulders slumped and she threw the boy a sympathetic look. She then leaned down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Cheer up there, lad. I'm sure things will work out for you when the headmaster returns," she told him kindly.
Harry looked up at her with a slight smile. She continued.
"In the meantime, don't think of me as a gruff old Auror, think of me as a friend. I might come across a bit cheeky and blunt, but I'm here to help you. And despite my eccentricities, you'll find me mighty fierce in battle and my wandwork isn't anything to laugh at, if I do say so myself."
Harry felt better at these words and looked at Hermione who gave him a warm smile.
"Okay, Tonks. Thanks," Harry said.
The Auror beamed at him, stepped back, crossed her arms, and gazed down at the two.
"Now, then. Where are we off to on this fine morning?" she asked.
The second-years, feeling a bit odd having this new tagalong, looked at one another questioningly then back at Tonks.
"Um..." Hermione spoke, "how about...the Great Hall...for breakfast."
The Auror's eyes lit up.
"Bloody fantastic! I'm starving!" she uttered.
The pink-haired witch then stood up straight, took on a faux serious expression, and gave Harry a salute.
"Lead the way, Mr. Potter!" she uttered jokingly.
Harry and Hermione both chuckled. The three then marched off.
After depositing Harry's cloak back in his dorm room, they made their way to the Great Hall. It was no surprise to find the other students acting paranoid at Harrys presence. Wide-eyed glances, glares, and stares were focused on the boy with the lightning-shaped scar as people passed by, many moving as far from him as possible, whispering to one another.
Harry grimaced.
He'd gone through this a year earlier, when everyone seemed afraid of him for defeating the most powerful dark wizard in memory. Now, they seemed to believe he had become that dark wizard. No doubt rumors had spread about what happened during Lockhart's dueling class and his fellow students were shunning him...again.
But Hermione remained right by his side and at one point, after Harry had received an inordinate number of stares, she wrapped her arm around his in solidarity. He gave her a grateful smile. Tonks, meanwhile, lingered just behind them, twiddling her wand and gazing about as though in her own world.
When the three entered the Great Hall, the tables were mostly full and nearly everyone stopped in the midst of their breakfast to gaze at Harry. Whispers and hushed conversations ensued. Draco and his goons glared at him in particular, and the Hufflepuff trio of Justin, Ernie, and Hannah all looked away as though Harry could petrify them with a mere stare. And if Harry's new, fearsome reputation as a Parselmouth and his knocking out the potions professor by "merely looking at the man" wasn't enough, Tonks' presence with Harry seemed to set the pupils on edge. He felt embarrassed.
But Hermione grabbed his arm a little tighter and steered him toward the Gryffindor table with a perturbed look on her face. The two sat down across from Seamus, Neville, and Dean who were chatting pleasantly while digging into enormous omelets. They went quiet, however, as their House mates joined them, especially when the pink-haired Auror sat down next to Harry.
"Good morning, you three!" Hermione uttered quietly through gritted teeth with a fierce look while leaning toward them.
The boys' eyes grew large, they glanced at one another, and then back at her.
"Good morning, Hermione," Dean muttered with a surprised look.
"Mornin'," Seamus added while Neville stared at the girl red-faced.
"I certainly hope you don't believe whatever nonsense the others are saying about Harry!" she intoned strongly.
They hesitantly shook their heads.
"No...not at all," Seamus said while gazing at his two friends.
"Good," Hermione said while looking at Harry, "he needs his friends' support now more than ever."
Harry smiled at her, grateful again. He then looked at his dorm mates who gave him an uncertain smile but said nothing. Harry smiled back but wasn't quite sure what to say to them...or anyone for that matter. From Tom's trickery on the Quidditch pitch with Justin to the horrifying events of Lockhart's dueling class, Harry knew he looked like the villain, and it seemed impossible to convince his fellow students otherwise. How could this be rectified? Professor Dumbledore couldn't return soon enough, it seemed.
As the pair dug into their own omelets which appeared steaming on their plates, Harry noticed that same small black beetle crawling on the table and disappearing under Neville's plate. But he was too bothered by the current situation to care about it.
The rest of breakfast went by uneventfully. Harry ignored the attention he was getting but was never so glad to leave the Great Hall. He and Hermione decided to get out of the castle and take a walk around the grounds despite several inches of snow covering everything. Tonks followed and spent most of the time frowning - she didn't care for the cold, Scottish weather one bit. But as the three fell into conversation, Tonks told them of her family and upbringing. It surprised the second-years to learn that Tonks was a cousin of...Draco Malfoy, of all people! According to the Auror's account, the pureblood wizarding world was a small place indeed.
The rest of the day dragged by as they spent time studying and reading in the Spellroom, Hermione bringing up lunch for the three as Harry didn't want to face the glares and whispering again. Later, the three spent time in the back of the library, Harry finishing up some homework for Monday's classes, Hermione looking up information with Mandy Brocklehurst again, while Tonks sat back with her feet propped up on the study table, reading the latest edition of Witch Weekly.
A brief dinner of roast beef sandwiches in the Spellroom was followed by Tonks giving Hermione pointers on her dueling...with Harry merely watching. After, Harry was to accompany Tonks to the West Tower and parted with Hermione at the bottom of Tower Hall.
"Well, see you tomorrow," Harry told the girl with a frown.
She gave him a sad look and took his hand.
"Goodnight, Harry. I really hate that this is happening to you. But hopefully, the headmaster can clear it all up soon."
He smiled at her.
"I hope so too," he replied.
They stared at each other a few moments before Hermione turned and headed for Gryffindor Tower. Harry watched her with a sad expression that he couldn't join her. But he was thankful for his friend who meant the world to him and who had stood by him regardless of what the others believed.
"Alright, Mr. Lovebird," Tonks said cheekily while ruffling Harry's hair from behind, "let's head on up."
Harry smiled and looked at the pink-haired Auror. The two walked up the steps to the West Tower. A couple of Aurors were standing around chatting in the stairwell between the guest quarters which lay on several floors near the top of the tower.
"Evening, boys," the witch said to her compatriots.
"Tonks," a black-headed wizard with dark eyes replied while his fellow Auror nodded. The two then stared at Harry, making him feel nervous.
"Watch it, there," Tonks said jokingly to the Aurors, "this one packs a real wallop!"
But soon, they stood in front of an old wooden door.
"I believe this one's yours," Tonks informed him.
Harry stared at the door forlornly, like he was a prisoner about to enter his cell. He nodded at the witch.
"Don't worry," Tonks said, "I'm just up the stairs. If something funny happens or you need help, call out. Me and the others will be on alert and can be at your door in an instant."
"Alright, Tonks," he told her with a slight smile, "goodnight."
She smiled back, ruffled his hair again, then headed up the steps and out of sight.
Harry went inside his room. It was small and plain, with a single bed, a rug, a side table containing a single candlestick and not much else. Harry grimaced. He missed his four-poster already and felt like he was being punished. But he understood McGonagall's concern and would deal with it the best he could.
Harry undressed and slipped into bed, lying awake for a while, pondering all that had happened. He then practiced the breathing, calming exercise Snape taught him, despite the fact he'd been unable to resist Tom during the duel.
At first it was difficult. Harry was honestly afraid and didn't know what might happen, whether he could truly defeat Tom or whether that wicked soul piece inside could completely take him over and Harry Potter would be no more. But the boy drew up courage in spite of this and determined to fight. He thought about his best friend and her support - this gave him an added boost.
Somehow, someway, he'd survived this and defeat his enemy.
The boy recalled the Quidditch match again but this time imagined his opponent wasn't Terence Higgs but...Tom Riddle facing him on a broomstick. The match began and so did the battle.
Harry grew calmer and more confident...until he fell fast asleep.
~HP~
Harry was stunned to find himself inside the same manor house of his previous nightmares. Standing in the hallway as before, he saw light from the adjacent room and once again heard the voices. But they were clearer than before.
"You fool! Do you realize what you've done?!"
"Yes...my lord. Forgive me. I thought..."
"You thought! That was your mistake! Now it's all in his hands! The shards are in terrible danger, thanks to your idiotic bumbling!"
"Forgive me, my lord, I..."
Harry heard a terrific scream followed by the voice of...a snake.
"Master, he is here..." it said with a female sound.
"I know. Find him, my pet."
"Yes, master..."
Harry heard something sliding across the floor. His heart started hammering as he knew the snake would appear from around the corner any moment. He started breathing slowly to stave off the panic. Harry didn't know if this was a dream or real, or whether he would succeed. But like the dueling class, he was determined to stand his ground.
The brown and black snake appeared. It hissed at Harry, rising up with its mouth gaping open. Harry looked the snake right in its yellow eyes.
"Stand down! Stand down!" he uttered to it fiercely.
The snake stopped, lowered to the floor, and...bowed its head.
"Yes...master..."
Harry was stunned. It worked!
He suddenly cried out as his scar burned white hot. But the burning ceased almost as soon as it had begun as the manor house disappeared from view and Harry suddenly found himself inside an unfamiliar corridor. Stunned, he glanced around in confusion. Everything was dark save for light from two torches on either side of him which burned with an eerie green light. Just ahead, Harry saw a large, circular door of stone, coated in dark mold, emblazoned with snakes wrapped around its outer edges. Then his arms raised up and that seething energy rose from inside him. Harry panicked.
"Open!" Tom's voice came out of him to his horror.
The stone snakes came to life and slithered around the edges. With a loud THUNK, the circular door creaked open until it stood perpendicular to the wall. Behind was utter darkness. Riddle's voice uttered once more.
"Come! Come, my pet! Come and feast upon the unworthy!"
Harry's heart pounded as he heard something sliding along the floor in the darkness, heading his way. He struggled and fought against the energy flowing through him, trying desperately to move, but was paralyzed like his nightmares before. There was a loud hissing sound followed by a low gurgle. The thing crawling in the darkness reached the doorway and Harry nearly went out of his mind with fear...
He shot up in bed, his heart beating wildly, and his breathing heavy. His scar held a dull ache, and his body was burning up. Disoriented, he glanced around and realized he was back inside the darkened guest bedroom. All was silent.
But something was wrong.
"Come...let me rip you...let me tear you...I smell...your blood..."
"NOOO!" Harry cried out.
The sound of footsteps in the room above him was followed by hurried steps toward his door. A bluish-white light appeared through the crack at the bottom. The door burst open. James, Tonks, and another female Auror shot into the room, all three holding lit wands.
"Harry! What happened?" Tonks uttered, rushing to the boy's side.
Wide-eyed and breathing heavy, Harry looked at her and her mentor.
"Something's wrong! I think Slytherin's monster is loose again!" he said in panic.
Tonks and James exchanged wide-eyed looks. James turned to the witch next to him.
"Who's on patrol this watch?" he asked.
The blond-headed woman looked at her boss.
"Jones and Weston," she replied.
"Okay," James said, "alert the others and meet us at the main stairwell on the fourth floor."
"Yes, sir," the woman said and departed the room.
"Alright Tonks, let's go!" he told her.
"What about Harry?" she replied.
"He should stay here, out of danger," the wizard answered.
"But, Jimmy, he can hear the monster. He might be able to tell us where it is. Right, Harry?"
Harry looked at her.
"I can hear it, though I'm not sure if I can locate it. But it's worth a try."
Tonks looked at her boss. He nodded at the boy.
"Okay, Harry. Get dressed and come with us," he said.
The Aurors departed the room and after putting his clothes back on, Harry joined them in the corridor outside. The three hurried down the stairwell. When they reached the fourth-floor landing of the central stairs in Tower Hall, they came upon the blond, female Auror who stood with another, red-headed witch, and a male Auror sporting a brown beard and short-cropped brown hair.
"Any idea where Jones and Weston are?" James asked the group. The male Auror stepped forward.
"Jones mentioned they were heading for the fifth floor earlier."
"Alright, you two head up there and look for them," he told the man and red-haired witch, "me, Tonks, Burns, and Harry here will check the fourth and third floors."
The two Aurors nodded at their chief and hurried up the stairs. But before they hit the fifth-floor landing, Harry heard the voice again.
"There you are...come to me, my prey..."
"WAIT!" Harry shouted wide-eyed at them. The Aurors froze and turned to look back down at him.
"AAAHHH!"
The sound of a man screaming from the corridor above caused everyone to look up the stairwell. They then stared at one another in shock.
"Come on!" James let out sharply.
The group rushed up the stairs to the fifth floor, the head Auror and the witch called Burns at the lead. But when they hit the corridor floor, they froze when their feet splashed in water. The group looked down the hall to find water strewn from one end to the other - just like the first-floor corridor back in October. Then, not far from their position, they saw a body lying in the puddle of water in the middle of the floor. They sprinted toward it and the officers drew their wands.
When the six reached the body, Harry stared at it in shock. It was one of the Aurors - the black-haired one he saw in the stairwell earlier. He lay frozen on the floor with a face etched in surprise, his neck craning upwards, and his hand stretched forward as though he was trying to raise it before being...petrified!
"Jones!" Burns shouted before dropping down next to him. The entire group was stunned at this horrific sight. But then it became even more horrific.
"Where's Weston?" James asked while gazing around.
"Jimmy!" Tonks shouted with a face full of fright, pointing her lit wand a few feet away from the body. Everyone turned to look.
A wand lay in the water in the middle of the corridor surrounded by a pool of...blood.
The five others quickly moved to it and James bent down, retrieving the wand from the floor and staring at it in disbelief.
"It's Weston's, alright," he confirmed.
"But where is he?" the male Auror wondered.
"Look!" Harry uttered while pointing down.
The pool of blood smeared away from where the wand had lain, along the corridor floor for several dozen feet, creating a trail that disappeared through an open doorway. The six headed to the doorway, the Aurors holding their wands at the ready. When they stepped inside, the interior was revealed to be the boys' restroom. James led the way, following the trail of blood. It led to the wash basins and the circular column around which they were built. The smeared blood continued all the way up to the column, but mysteriously ended right at its base, in between two basins.
"I don't get it," the male Auror spoke while kneeling down and examining the foot of the column, "what happened to Weston? Where did he go?"
The others seemed stumped as well until Harry noticed something peculiar.
"There, on the column!" he said, taking a step and pointing at it.
It was a crack that ran up and down the column from its base to its top at the ceiling. Harry explained.
"The column between the wash basins in the first-floor girls' room also has a crack in it! I didn't think anything of it when Hermione and I were in there last term, but this column shouldn't have one! I've been in here and I don't recall seeing it before!"
James stepped forward and ran his fingers along the crack.
"Do you think it's a...doorway, Jimmy?" Tonks asked.
"It must be," he replied while stepping back and holding his lit wand against the crack, trying to peer inside it somehow, "the question is, how does it open?"
Everyone again seemed stumped. Then, a light came on in Harry's mind.
"Hang on!" he uttered, "I think I might be able to open it!"
The Aurors stared at the boy in wonder. Harry stepped forward and gazed intently at the wall. In his mind, he pictured the circular doorway with the snake sculptures on it.
"Open!" he spoke in Parseltongue, remembering Tom's voice.
There was a sound of stone grating upon stone as the wash basins shifted away from the column. The column itself then split down the crack and opened. When the sides stopped moving, everyone gazed at it in astonishment. There, the blood trail continued down into a pipe large enough for a person to fit inside. The Aurors and Harry stepped closer, and James pointed his lit wand into the pipe. But the light could only go so far and the blood along the edges disappeared into darkness below.
"So, that's how the monster is entering the school!" Tonks said in astonishment.
"Through the pipes," James added while looking at her.
"Poor Weston!" the blond-haired Auror uttered, placing her hand over her mouth.
The four then stared at their boss. The wizard held his chin with his free hand a moment in thought. He then looked at the others.
"I'll alert Professor McGonagall," he told them sternly, "we're locking down the school..."