AN: Alright, I've got a lot to tell you guys. First, I've got a poll up on my profile, or soon will if you're reading this directly after I post this chapter. It's about the final pairings for this story, and if I get something that conflicts, I'll decide. Second is that many of you were very happy that I mentioned Flitwick last chapter. I just wanted to warn you, you might not exactly like his actions this chapter, but I swear that he's a good guy. Now, who would you like to be Transfiguration professor? It definitely won't be Remus, because he can't be introduced just yet, but pretty much anyone else is fair game. Thanks so much for reading, as usual. I now have 319 favorites (!) and 547 follows (!), which makes me supremely happy. A ton of thanks goes out to my reviewers, Lourdes08, Narcissa-Weasly, Skylar of Gryffindor, Books are air, Kairan1979, Yana5, jilumasam, posiden'sdaughter, Tamira, Cosmyck Angel, Majerus, serenityselena, SomeGuyFawkes, red-jacobson, slicerness, thunder18, serialkeller, Wonderbee31, Katzztar, MariusDarkwolf, and Lightningblade49. I couldn't do it without all of your inspiring feedback. Expect another update sometime this weekend.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise.
"I'd really rather not say," the diminutive man squeaked, avoiding their eyes.
"But professor, it's really important," Oliver pleaded.
"But really, I- How do you even know about Tom Riddle?" He said, flustered.
"Look, Hagrid was convicted and expelled for something he didn't do. We're trying to clear his name, because it's the right thing to do. Just think of it as trying to know the true story," Percy said.
"Well, I-I suppose. For knowledge," he muttered. "Alright. We all believed Tom because he was very honest and charming. We never thought he would turn into that. He seemed trustworthy. And everyone knew of Hagrid's love of, er, dangerous creatures.
"But how was he framed?" Oliver asked.
"He was keeping an Acromantula as a pet. At the time, we believed that it was what had killed Myrtle. After her death, she was too distraught to tell us what happened, so we were forced to make our own assumptions. Hagrid was the logical choice. All of the evidence was stacked up against him," Flitwick sighed.
"You mean you expelled him on the word of one student?" Percy asked incredulously.
"Tom had never given us any reason to doubt him. And Headmaster Dippet was desperate for an explanation, because letters from parents were coming in like crazy. The Ministry was threatening to shut us down!" The charms professor explained.
"So Hagrid was a scapegoat?" Percy said coldly.
"Yes, in a way. I'm not proud of it, none of us are, but it was necessary," He begged them to understand.
"I think we've heard all we need to know," Oliver said curtly as he and Percy stood to leave Flitwick's office.
"But wait. This is a fifty year old case. It's going to be hard to prove anything," He warned them, looking worried.
"We know," Percy stated firmly.
"Well that was useless," Oliver said, frustrated.
"Not entirely. Everyone assumed Slytherin's monster was Hagrid's Acromantula. But we know that's not true. It's got to be something else. If we can figure out what Slytherin's monster is, then we'll be able to prove Hagrid's innocence."
"Percy! Oliver!" A girl's voice shouted.
Both boys turned to see Alicia running towards them. "We have a major emergency!"
"What is it?" Percy asked, alarmed.
"It's Fred and George. Last night we all went looking for the Chamber of Secrets. We didn't find the entrance, but we could see into it. The monster is a giant snake. We told Fred and George to leave it alone, but they went looking for it early this morning. We didn't notice they were gone until ten minutes ago. It could kill them!"
"Where are they?" Percy barked.
"Angelina and Lee went to check out Myrtle's bathroom, but what if they aren't there? What if we can't find them until-"
"Come on!" He ordered, already halfway down the hall.
"You said Slytherin's monster is a giant snake?" Oliver clarified as they ran through Hogwarts.
"Lee said it had to be at least 70 feet long," Alicia gasped out. "But the size doesn't matter. It killed Myrtle with just one look."
Percy suddenly stopped, making Oliver and Alicia crash into him. He didn't seem to notice. "Wait. A giant snake killed Myrtle by looking at her?"
"Yeah. Why?" Alicia asked, suspicious.
Percy paled even further. "Because that's no snake. That's a Basilisk."
"Argh!" Fred shouted as another spray of water hit him in the face.
"Not that one," George needlessly determined.
"There's got to be a better way of doing this," Fred grumbled, eyeing his soaked uniform.
The two had been ripping off every spout in the bathroom, and had been delighted to have Angelina and Lee come help them.
"Why don't you just try the one with the snake on it?" Angelina suggested, bored.
"What?!" The three boys exclaimed.
"But- but- that's so obvious!" George stammered.
Lee reached forward and pulled. And pulled. And pulled. "Why won't it come off?" He grunted.
"Step aside, dear boy," Fred said heroically as he and George stepped up to the faucet. The two then began to bicker over who was stronger and who should get to pull it off.
Percy, Oliver, and Alicia burst in the door, sagging in relief upon finding the twins safe.
"Why didn't you tell me they were okay?" She snapped. "Then I wouldn't have to go get them," She said, jabbing a finger at Percy and Oliver.
"You weren't planning on telling us about Slytherin's monster?" Oliver frowned.
"You weren't supposed to tell them!" The twins bellowed.
"It was an emergency!" She screamed.
"Everyone shut up!" Myrtle screeched as she soared out of her U-bend. "Except for you, Lee," She added flirtatiously. "I could listen to you talk all day."
Lee blanched and cleared his throat.
"Besides, Percy figured out what Slytherin's monster is," Alicia said smugly.
"What is it? What is it?" The twins threw themselves at Percy, who irritably shook them off.
"I won't tell you unless you tell me what you're doing here," he replied.
"Oooh! Our brother's learning how to make deals!" George cooed.
"We were trying to find our way into the Chamber of Secrets," Fred admitted reluctantly.
"We thought it might be in here because Myrtle says she heard a boy talking and then saw the monster," George continued. "Now what is it?"
"It's a Basilisk. You'll learn about them next year in Care of Magical Creatures," Percy informed them.
"You think Kettleburn will give me extra credit if I bring a live one in?" Lee joked.
"You would die," Percy said flatly. "One look into a Basilisk's eyes will kill you."
"Is there any way to prevent it?" Angelina asked.
"Isn't it like, if you only look into their eyes in a reflection, you'll be petrified?" Oliver tried to remember.
"I'd be pretty scared, too," Lee murmured.
"No, not that kind of petrified," Percy corrected him. "It's almost like you've been turned to stone. The only thing that can revive you is a Mandrake Draught."
"So that's why they didn't just kill those ugly babies," Fred whispered to George.
"So can we all agree that we won't go looking for the Basilisk or the Chamber of Secrets? Ever?" Alicia demanded.
"But it's so close!" George moaned.
"I can almost taste it!" Fred exclaimed.
"That'd make a pretty nasty sandwich," George commented.
"You can say that again," Fred agreed.
"That'd make a pretty nasty sandwich," George repeated.
"Anyway, we will not be looking for the Chamber, or for the Basilisk, or any dangerous thing that could kill us," Angelina said.
"By that logic, we should never go to Snape's class," Lee muttered.
"Hey Oliver, do you know of any spell that would get this spout off?" The twins whispered.
"I'm not telling you," He said firmly.
"Why not?" They chorused. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"It went off to elope with my patience."
It was yet another early morning Gryffindor Quidditch practice, and this time Lee Jordan spotted a sea of blue.
"Wood!" Fifth year Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain Roger Davies shouted across the pitch.
"Davies," Oliver greeted him, stone-faced.
"Heard about your little scare tactic with the Slytherins. Wanted to congratulate you," Roger complimented.
"Really, because you don't seem very appreciative." Oliver stared him down.
"I just wanted to tell you that us Ravenclaws aren't that stupid. We're going into that game with our heads clear. None of your tricks are gonna get us," Roger smiled like a shark.
Oliver gritted his teeth. "I hope you're not implying that the only way we win games is by scaring the other team."
Roger shrugged. "You said it, not me."
"Roger," Cho whispered. Oliver noted that all of the Ravenclaws looked rather unwilling to be there. "Maybe we should leave."
"No," Roger said stubbornly. "We'll leave when they get the point."
"What point is that?" Angelina sneered. "That for people who are supposed to be intelligent, you have hardly any common sense?"
"Look around, Davies," Percy spoke up from behind the Ravenclaws. "You're outnumbered." The Quidditch team, McLaggen, Hermione, Ron, Percy, Neville, Lee, and even little Ginny and Colin stood, ready to fight.
Davies seemed to realize that he was fighting a losing battle. "You're safe for now, but on the pitch, it'll be seven versus seven, and we'll see who comes out on top," He threatened weakly.
Katie rolled her eyes at his retreating back.
Cho Chang could be heard crowing "I told you!"
Ron groaned at the sight of the approaching Hufflepuff team.
"Didn't you just see what happened?" Alicia huffed.
"That's not what we're here for," The captain said cheerfully. "Actually, we wanted to say that it was pretty impressive, what you did."
"Oh really?" Lee said dubiously.
"Yeah. You don't really see that kind of unity outside of Hufflepuff. Oh, and we have someone who'd like to say something," He said, motioning towards the Hufflepuff girl who had started the miniature riot in the Great Hall.
"I'm sorry," She squeaked, looking into Harry's eyes for a brief second and glancing away. "I didn't mean to, I just-" She fell silent.
"Er, it's okay," Harry replied.
"Is she part of your team?" Oliver asked, staring at her peculiarly.
"No. No first years on House teams, remember?" A blonde boy jeered at Harry.
"Shut up, Smith," The captain ordered. "Anyway, we were wondering if you guys wanted to set up a type of mock match, just to test our skills," He offered.
"Right now?" Oliver suggested.
"Why not?" Previously, Oliver had never paid much attention to the Hufflepuff team. He didn't really know any of them besides the captain, Clarence Scott, and the keeper, Wilhelmina Collins. In his mind, they were the only players who mattered. Plus, Hufflepuff was too fair to play dirty, which the Slytherins took advantage of, which meant the badgers were never close to winning the Cup. It wasn't that they weren't good players, just that they were too good people.
The game was quick and clean, with Gryffindor winning. The Hufflepuffs were good about it though, as usual. When the rest of the teams shook hands, Scott pulled Oliver aside for a chat.
"Listen mate, I know you probably hate the 'claws right now, but they're really not that bad. Roger's just a little…intense. We've been friends since we were kids, but being captain's gone to his head," He explained.
"Nah, it's alright. I had the same thing happen," Oliver shrugged.
"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You got over it. I don't know how, and I'm not gonna pry, I just wanted to ask if you'd be willing to help Roger do the same thing," Scott begged.
"Er, I guess so," Oliver agreed uncertainly.
"Great! Let's go team!" He shouted excitedly, and all of them dashed off the field. Oliver couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just been set up by some Hufflepuffs.
"Alright girls," Charity was determined to listen to Percy and Oliver, and had prepared for a giant sleepover for the Gryffindor girls. There were going to be two. One for first through fourth years, and one for fifth through seventh years. Tonight was the younger girls, because she expected less resistance from them. A few grumbled a bit, but soon they were all settled in the common room.
She knew they didn't all get along. There was always at least one girl that didn't fit in with the others in her dorm. She had been that girl all through Hogwarts. It had been terrible, lying awake at night, shut up in her bed as the others giggled about boys. But Charity was optimistic. If she could stop it now, maybe fewer girls would get left behind.
"I was thinking that we could all just go around and introduce ourselves. We'll say our names, something we like, and what year we're in. Okay? I'll start. I'm Charity Burbage, the Muggle Studies professor, and I really like swimming. I kind of wish Hogwarts had a pool, because who knows what's in the Black Lake?"
All the girls giggled and some relaxed.
"I'm Demelza Robbins, and I'm in first year. I really like to run," a small brunette girl announced.
"Were you on any sort of team at home?" Charity asked, interested.
"Yeah, I played football and ran track."
The girls all nodded politely, but seemed bored.
"I'm Ginny Weasley, I'm a first year, and I- I don't really know what I like," She confessed.
"Well, it doesn't have to be any activity. It can be a color or a flower," Charity suggested.
"Um, okay. I like daisies," She said meekly.
"Hi. I'm Hermione Granger, and I'm a second year. I like books."
Another girl laughed.
"Something you'd like to share?" Charity inquired.
"Oh no. Nothing at all," the girl simpered. "I'm Lavender Brown, a second year, and I love make-up."
How old was this girl? Twelve? Charity wondered. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'm Parvati Patil, I'm a second year, and I like yoga," an Indian girl said quietly.
Demelza yawned.
"Girls, can I just interrupt for a moment?" Charity said. "I just have to say something really quick. It seems like you aren't really interested in each other. I don't feel like you understand where everyone's coming from. I know you're all different people, with different interests, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends." She was given a sea of blank faces in return.
She opted for a different tactic. "Parvati, who would you say is your best friend in this whole room?"
"Er, Lavender." The girl clearly thought it a trick.
"Okay, and what's your favorite color?"
"Orange," She replied.
"And Lavender, what's yours?"
"Lavender, of course," The conceited girl answered.
"Of course," Charity murmured under her breath. "You two like different colors, but you're still friends. Why can't you be friends with other people if they don't like the same things?"
"It's different," Angelina Johnson insisted. "People don't talk about colors that much, they talk about what they like to do."
"You just have to find something you have in common," Charity told them. "Here, let's try something. I want you to talk with someone you haven't said anything to today. Go on."
Katie was the first to move, darting across the room to perch herself next to Ginny. Angelina moved to sit across from Demelza. Girls kept pairing up all around the Common Room, until only Lavender and Hermione were left without partners. The girls traded unhappy looks and inched away from each other.
"Now tell the other about yourself. Your family, your friends, your wildest dreams, your biggest fears. Don't be afraid to open up," Charity advised them.
"Well, I'm muggleborn, from Liverpool, and my parents are dentists," Hermione told Lavender.
"I'm also muggleborn, from Sheffield, my mum's a nurse, and my dad's an accountant. I have a little sister named Lizzie. She's nine. She's really annoying sometimes, but I miss her when I'm at Hogwarts. She's…not magic," Lavender finished.
"Oh." Hermione didn't know how to respond to that. "Well, um, what did you want to be? Before Hogwarts, I mean."
"I wanted to be a stylist. I'd do people's hair, and makeup, and clothes. It would've been absolutely amazing," She sighed wistfully. "What did you want to be?"
"I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted other people to love learning as much as I do." Hermione turned pink, expecting teasing.
Lavender nodded thoughtfully. "You'd be good at that, I think."
"I dunno." Hermione stared at her hands. "People think I'm too bossy and annoying."
"I don't think so. People always say that I'm annoying, because I want to give them a makeover."
"I'd let you give me a makeover," Hermione said, surprising herself.
"Really?" Lavender blurted out. "That would be so amazing. If you let me give you a full, head to toe makeover, I'll let you boss me around about Hogwarts A History for a week."
Hermione raised her eyebrows.
"That came out wrong! I didn't-I just meant that-oh no!"
In spite of herself, Hermione giggled. Lavender blinked owlishly, confused. The giggles soon turned into full blown laughter, and Lavender joined in.
And thus, a very odd friendship began.
"Hi Demelza. I'm Angelina," she introduced herself. "I'm a fourth year, and I'm chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
"Is it fun?" Demelza asked curiously.
"Oh, loads!" Angelina's eyes brightened. "It's one of the best sports out there. Actually, it's pretty much the only one we have in the Wizarding world. I'm a half-blood, so my mum taught me about basketball and rugby and the others. But there's nothing like Quidditch, when you're in the air. It's the greatest feeling in the world. You should be having flying lessons soon."
"That sounds like fun," Demelza said truthfully. "But um, I still don't really understand Quidditch. The rules and stuff."
"Oh, okay. See, the best position is chaser. There's three of us. Me, Alicia Spinnet talking to Parvati, and Katie Bell with Ginny. We try to make goals by throwing a ball called the Quaffle through some hoops. The keeper (ours is Oliver Wood) tries to keep the opposing team from scoring. It's a bit like football, in that way. To add more difficulty to the game, balls called Bludgers race around trying to knock players off their brooms. Each team gets two beaters who hit the Bludgers with bas, trying to get the Bludgers away from their team. In my experience beaters generally have more brawn than brains. Ours are the Weasley twins, and I guess they're sort of half and half. Once in a while, I think they're geniuses, but then they go and do something stupid and I lose any respect for them."
"There's just one more thing. Quidditch games aren't timed. They end when the seeker catches a very tiny ball called the snitch. Each goal made is worth 10 points, but the snitch is worth 150 points. The snitch is really hard to find. Seeker sound really boring. You just fly in the air until you see gold. Of course, the game's never boring with Harry Potter as seeker. But really, chaser's the only good position. But then, I'm biased," Angelina grinned sheepishly.
"I think I'd like to be on the team," Demelza thought out loud.
"Well, we won't have any open positions until you're a third year. That's when Oliver graduates, but I think McLaggen wants to be keeper…" Angelina trailed off, chewing on her lip.
"That's okay. I want to be a chaser." And that was how Demelza Robbins one day became a chaser for the Holyhead Harpies.
Charity felt like that had gone better than expected. Honestly, she had been anticipating more arguments and only a bit of progress. Of course, whether or not all of the girls would keep their new friendships remained to be seen, but Charity Burbage was cautiously optimistic.
"Now, I know we only just recently had a staff meeting, but seeing as how circumstances have changed, I thought we should hold another one," McGonagall said, settling into the head chair.
Everyone murmured their agreement. "Alright, first, how are you settling into your new positions?"
Septima Vector merely nodded, not one to waste breath on needless words. Charity though, spoke up.
"Oh it's lovely, Minerva," She gushed. "They're all such wonderful kids, and the first years are absolutely adorable. Thank you for trusting me with them."
Snape sneered. "You think they're all so great now, just you wait until one makes you-"
"Severus," McGonagall warned. Snape stopped. She smiled. "I'm glad you like them. Aurora, are you doing well so far?"
Aurora laughed. "Oh it's wonderful."
"Just wait until it's time for you to sign all of those letters," McGonagall remarked dryly.
"Yes, are you sure you're adjusting well? It must be a big responsibility to take on, especially since you were just a teacher before," Pomona said innocently. Minerva knew Pomona had been hoping to be Deputy Headmistress. The two had been friends for decades, but Minerva had honestly thought Aurora better suited for the position. Pomona wasn't going to let it go for a few years at least, and neither would her Hufflepuffs. Really, Minerva wasn't sure how people came to the conclusion that Hufflepuffs were sweet and non-threatening. If you offended one, you had a whole group after you.
"Have any of you been having any trouble with students?" She said, changing the subject.
"All of the Gryffindors have been suspiciously well-behaved," Snape muttered.
"I'm sure that's thanks to Charity," Minerva complimented the younger woman.
Charity glowed with pride. "They've been coming together lately. Bonding, I think."
"That's wonderful," Aurora praised.
"Isn't it?" She bounced.
Snape rolled his eyes. "Nevertheless, I think something is going on. The Weasley twins are behaving as if they've planned some great prank, and they're just waiting for it to go off. I know they are up to something!" He declared.
"Severus, shut up," Minerva ordered. "Now, there is still the fact that the Transfiguration post is still empty. Do any of you have any suggestions?" No one said anything.
"Anyone? Anyone at all? And no, Severus, I won't pick any of your friends," She added, glaring.
"Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see," she murmured. "Alright, if no one has anything to discuss, you are all dismissed."
"Minerva, may I speak with you in private?" Filius squeaked nervously.
"Yes, of course." She ushered him to the side of the staff room.
"It's about a few boys in Gryffindor," He began, troubled. "Specifically, Oliver Wood and Percy Weasley. It seems that they have discovered something about the Chamber of Secrets, and the Riddle incident," He rushed out, waiting for her reaction.
She paled. "This is not good."