AN: I don't know if you guys remember this, but I mentioned something about posting the outtakes for this story. Well, the first one is up, and another should be coming soon, so check it out! It took me a while to get this one out, so I'm sorry to my shocking 423 favorites and 665 followers. Really, I have no idea how this story has gotten so big so fast. Special thanks goes out to reviewers DustBunnyQueen, Narcissa-Weasly, phoebe turner, tumshie, Cosmyk Angel, ihaveasandbox, serenityselena, red-jacobson, Cassandra30, Makurayami Ookami, RRW, SmolderingJade, ptl4ever419, Guest, serialkeller, Marius Darkwolf, Yana5, Majerus, Spring Raine, Kairan1979, agnar, B00wk0rm92, Lighningblade49, and JannaKalderash. You guys keep me focused.
Also, shout-out to the person who suggested our Transfiguration professor.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise.
Harry Potter was miserable. Madam Pomfrey had kicked out his friends because they should be back in the Common Room, which meant that he was all alone in the dark, depressing Hospital Wing. He tossed and turned in his bed for hours, but he couldn't get to sleep. His eyelids were just starting to feel heavy when he felt a strange sensation on his forehead.
Slowly, he opened his eyes to find a familiar creature with bat-like ears and tennis ball eyes. "Dobby!"
The house-elf scrambled backwards and watched Harry, a lone tear making its way down his long, pointy nose. "Harry Potter came back to Hogwarts. Dobby warned Harry Potter, but Harry Potter still came!" He wailed.
"Dobby, listen to me. I'm fine, I'm safe from danger, no one's gonna hurt me…well, except for whoever cursed that Bludger, but that's beside the point."
Dobby's lower lip trembled. "Dobby was not trying to kill Harry Potter with his bludger."
"Your bludger?" Harry exclaimed, outraged. "What d'you mean, your bludger? And if you weren't trying to kill me, what were you trying to do?"
"Dobby was just trying to hurt Harry Potter enough to make Harry Potter go home!" Dobby clawed at Harry's sheets and looked up at him beseechingly.
"Oh, right, because that's so much better," Harry muttered sarcastically. "Look Dobby, the diary has been destroyed. Everything's fine."
Dobby shook his head, large ears flapping comically. "Harry Potter does not understand! The Chamber of Secrets has been opened-"
"The Chamber of Secrets?" Harry repeated. "Dobby, what do you know about it? Everything is so messed up now…"
Dobby opened his mouth to speak before hearing footsteps. "Dobby must go."
McGonagall and Sinistra quietly carried what appeared to be a statue into the Hospital Wing. Burbage was there too, whispering reassuring words to a pair of Gryffindor girls. Carefully, the statue was heaved onto a bed, and Flitwick (whom Harry hadn't noticed) scurried off to fetch Madam Pomfrey.
"What happened?" The elderly medi-witch whispered as she bent over the statue.
"Another attack," McGonagall replied hoarsely. "He, Robbins, and Weasley were coming up to visit Potter. He forgot his camera and ran off to get it. The girls became worried when he never came back, and found him like this. They're both going to need Dreamless Sleep Potion, and Robbins will need a Calming Draught as well."
Slowly, Harry turned his head and propped himself up to see the motionless form of Colin Creevey several beds away. Demelza seemed to be in shock, hardly moving. Ginny was more aware, but nonetheless spooked. She caught Harry looking over, and he frantically shook his head. She blinked in surprise before turning away. The Calming Draught put a bit of color back in Demelza's cheeks, and Burbage escorted them back to the Common Room.
"Minerva?" Sinistra started hesitantly. "What are we going to do?"
"Track it down and kill it, of course," McGonagall said matter-of-factly. "I won't have it terrorizing the students. We'll have to get someone from St. Mungo's out here to check out the girls. Merlin knows what kind of damage they've sustained."
"Excuse me Minerva, but I'm qualified to heal any injury," Madam Pomfrey huffed.
"Any physical injury, yes, but I'm considering something more along the lines of mental scarring. That's the very worst kind, you know."
"I don't understand. Why are we having a meeting?" Ginny asked, bewildered. All five Weasleys currently attending Hogwarts were gathered in the sixth year boys' dormitory. Oliver was off doing some sort of promotion for Puddlemere United.
"We just want to let you know that you shouldn't be going out after curfew, s'all," Fred said nonchalantly.
"You and George do it all the time," Ginny pointed out. "Besides, do you really think that whatever hurt Colin is going to care about curfew?"
"All we're saying is that it's better to be safe than sorry," Percy claimed.
"Is Colin going to be okay?" Ginny whispered.
"Yeah, he will be. It'll take a while, though," Ron rubbed the back of his neck.
"Do you know then? Do you know what did that to him?"
"No," The twins and Percy said.
"Yes," Ron admitted.
"What is it?" Ginny bounced up and down on Oliver's bed. "Is it a dragon?" She guessed.
"No."
"Is it a werewolf?"
"No."
"Is it a vampire?"
"No."
"Is it a centaur?"
"No."
"Is it a snake?"
They paused. "No."
"Aww, man. I really thought I had it that time. A Chimera?"
As she continued to pester her brothers, Ginny's mind raced with the information. So, some form of snake had attacked Colin? But what snake wouldn't have just eaten him? One thing was for sure. The Harry Potter Fan Club was on the case, and they wouldn't rest until they knew what had incapacitated their vice president.
"You know Minerva, it really is quite early for a staff meeting," Lockhart yawned.
"You know Gilderoy, it is ten o' clock on a Sunday, I am the Headmistress, and this is an emergency," McGonagall replied sweetly.
He stretched and grumbled a bit. Once again, the teachers were gathered in the staff room, and truth be told, Minerva was getting tired of looking at all of their faces. She had called Hagrid and Filch to the meeting as well. She was expecting outbursts from both of them, but she could handle it.
"Now, the first order of business is that a Transfiguration professor has finally been found. Andromeda Tonks will be arriving Saturday, and I expect you all to make her feel welcome," McGonagall said firmly.
"Would this Andromeda Tonks once have been Andromeda Black?" Flitwick asked skeptically.
"The very same," McGonagall confirmed. "Onto more important things. The Basilisk has petrified Colin Creevey."
Burbage looked ready to cry.
"And my Mrs. Norris," Filch was quick to add.
McGonagall sighed heavily. "Yes, Argus. We need to track down the Basilisk and kill it, before it can harm any more students."
Hagrid whimpered, but agreed. "That kind o' creature is dangerous. Even an experienced handler like me wouldn't be able ter tame it."
"The only problem is, we can't find it," Sprout objected.
This perked Lockhart up considerably. "I'll track it down. It'll be just like my adventures in Year with the Yeti. I'll perform a complex tracking spell, and I'll even finish it off-"
"You will not be casting any spells, not after what you did to Harry Potter. No, we'll get someone who actually knows what end of a wand to use," McGonagall hissed warningly.
Hagrid's booming laughter bounced off walls. Flitwick laughed so hard he fell off the stack of books he stood on. Even Snape allowed himself a small smile!
"There must be some sort of place the Basilisk stays so that it's out of sight," Sinistra observed. "But where?"
"A good question. Professor Binns, do you have any ideas-" McGonagall stopped upon seeing his empty seat. "Where is he?"
Everyone glanced around the table and shrugged.
She sighed again. "Filius, can you please go get him for me? The rest of you are dismissed. I have someone in mind to talk to about the Basilisk."
Giggles came from the second year Gryffindor girls' dormitory. Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Hermione Granger sat in circle on the floor, carefully French braiding each other's hair. Parvati had used a ton of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion on Hermione's hair, and it appeared to be working. The girls whispered back and forth about anything and everything.
Is this what it feels like to be friends with girls? Hermione thought. It wasn't as bad as she had thought it would be. Or rather, as bad as she had tried to convince herself it would be. Back home in Liverpool, she had no friends, and she had lied to her parents about it, because she didn't want them to know. She didn't want them to find out that she sat by herself at lunch, that she hid in the library during recess, that no one wanted to be her partner for projects. Every day, Hermione would come home, do her homework, and cry in the guest bath.
She told them her friends' names, girls who really just hated her. The girls were always worse than the boys. The boys at least were honest and straight-forward about their dislike for her bushy hair, buckteeth, and know-it-all attitude. But the girls would be sneaky about it.
They'd lie and smile and call you pretty. They'd invite you to birthday parties and days at the mall, where you'd be on the outside and they wouldn't talk to you. You'd be drawn in with a false sense of security and before you knew it, you were crying in toilet stalls. Then and there, Hermione had sworn off girls for good. You knew where you stood with boys, and that was what Hermione needed.
But Lavender and Parvati were different. They didn't make thinly-veiled half-insults half-compliments, and they didn't whisper nasty things about her. Hermione still had her guard partially up, but she felt something unique with these girls. Something akin to hope blossomed in her heart.
"All done," Parvati announced happily. Hermione's hair had taken the longest, but the girls didn't judge. They all stood and squealed before rushing over to the mirror. Hermione felt odd; she didn't normally squeal. But it seemed right, so she shrugged it off.
"Oooh, Hermione, you look the best!" Lavender shrieked, jumping up and down.
Hermione just stared at herself in the mirror. She did look nice, but Hermione didn't think it was all just from the hair. No, she felt prettier on the inside than she looked on the outside.
"I guess I do," Hermione replied, stunned.
"We should do manicures," Parvati suggested.
"Oh my gosh, that would be amazing! We could do pedicures, too. Magical nail polish is so much cooler than the muggle stuff," Lavender blabbered on. "Oh Hermione, I still have to give you that makeover! Don't worry, I've done it before…"
Hermione was no longer really listening. Instead, she was replaying one thought over and over in her mind.
Lavender and Parvati are my friends.
"Hello Professor Binns," Minerva greeted the ghost nervously. She was unsure how he was going to take this news. Could ghosts hurt people?
"Hello, Headmistress." Minerva wondered if he even knew her name. She doubted it.
"I have a very important issue to discuss with you. I'm afraid the Chamber of Secrets has been re-opened."
Binns blinked dazedly. "Re-opened? It was never open to begin with. The Chamber of Secrets is a myth. It has never been found, and it's certainly never been opened."
"Professor Binns, the Chamber was opened in 1943. A young girl was even killed! And now, it has been opened once more. Initially, I called you into my office to see if you have any idea where it might be. But I see I was incorrect," She said.
"This entire school has been searched multiple times, and the Chamber of Secrets has not been located. There are absolutely no facts to support its existence," He insisted.
"Okay, thank you," Minerva acquiesced, knowing it was pointless to continue to argue. Now came the part she had been dreading.
"Professor Binns, I was wondering if you could tell me what year it is?"
He craned his neck around to try and see the empty slot for Dumbledore's portrait, but she quickly moved to block his view. He paused, trying to work it out.
"It is 19…59?" He attempted.
"Professor Binns, it is 1992. I'm sorry, but…you do know you're a ghost?"
"Of course." He seemed affronted. "I've been a ghost for several decades now, and I tell you it's an amazing thing! I can still go one with my old life, and things are exactly the same!"
For a moment, Binns' voice took on a tone completely opposite of his usual wheezing. He sounded as though he truly enjoyed where he was at, and Minerva felt immensely guilty for what she was about to do. Please, please, don't cry, she prayed.
"Professor Binns, I'm very, very sorry about this, but um, teaching as a ghost for forever isn't exactly the best idea," She explained gently.
Binns understood immediately. "You want me to stop teaching? Albert Dresden never would've made me quit."
Minerva lost her patience quickly. "Yes, well, you may have noticed that I'm not Albus Dumbledore!"
He merely smiled at her. "That's a good thing, in my opinion. Alcon was always very afraid of change. You'll do great things with this school. I believe you now have the right to call me Cuthbert."
"Alright then…Cuthbert," She smiled hesitantly at him. "Could you please bring in Sybil Trelawney, the Divinations professor, to my office?"
He gave a little bow. "Of course…Minerva."
"Alright, alright, everyone needs to calm down!" Ginny Weasley, president and co-founder of the Official Harry Potter Fan Club, ordered to a noisy, crowded room full of first years. The whole first year of Gryffindor was there, along with Ravenclaws Luna Lovegood and Stuart Bradley, and Hufflepuffs Sheila MacDuff, Michael Cadwallader, and Henry Stebbins. The club had even managed to acquire a Slytherin, Malcolm Baddock, but Secretary Demelza Robbins had advised Ginny not to share any sensitive information with him. The club was planning to reach out to second years and up, once they were all a bit less afraid of the older kids.
The ickle firsties were in an uproar over what had happened to their beloved vice president, Colin Creevey. To make matters worse, he had been conduction official club business. What sort of monster would attack a good person on a pilgrimage to Harry Potter?
"Now, of course, we all need to just remain calm. I started the early stages of an investigation just this morning, and we already have a lead. It appears as though some form of snake attacked Colin. Malcolm, do you have any ideas?" She said pointedly.
He groaned. "Ginny, how many times do I have to tell you that we don't perform secret rituals involving snakes in Slytherin?"
"Likely story," Demelza scoffed. "I know you snakes are up to something." Her eyes narrowed.
"Permission to speak, Madam President?" Luna stood. The Harry Potter Fan Club had really helped her make a lot of friends. The people admired her insight, and they complimented her intelligence quite frequently. It made Luna happy again.
"Permission granted," Ginny spoke clearly.
"Wouldn't it be a good idea to examine Colin further, so we may be able to eliminate some possibilities?"
Every firstie in the room considered this and burst into cheers.
"That's an excellent idea, Luna! In fact, why don't we just go right now? We can tell Colin how much we all miss him, and who knows? Harry Potter himself might still be there."
Minerva never, ever would've thought she'd be feeling sympathetic towards Sybil Trelawney. The woman was a complete utter fraud in a profession ridden with crackpots. Then again, Minerva did always have a weakness for tears. Honestly she hadn't even delivered the bad news yet and the woman was bawling.
"There, there, Sybil," She consoled Trelawney and patted a frail, bony arm. "I'm sure you can find another job." Actually, Minerva wasn't sure what jobs there were for so-called Seers. Trelawney thought herself above the fortune teller life style, and she certainly wasn't smart enough to work at the Ministry. Even the incompetent fools there had standards!
"I-I-I Saw this coming, but I just didn't know wh-when. I thought I had more time," She wailed.
Minerva truly did feel sorry for the younger woman. Sybil had had her fair share of personal tragedies, and life hadn't been easy. But what was she supposed to do? Just let a phony teach?
"Sybil, when exactly did you see this happening?" She asked.
"Right after the meeting," Sybil hiccupped softly, her whole body quivering.
"How peculiar. Right after the meeting is precisely when I made this decision," Minerva mused.
"W-What-hic!-What do you mean?"
"Could it be that you can't see what is destiny, but only what is already going to happen? The idea that your fate is pre-determined is what fuelled my dislike for Divination."
Trelawney's eyes lit up. "Yes! Perhaps I have just been studying the wrong branch. My current field is useless to those who do not possess the Inner Eye. If I switch to a different branch, one much more accessible to your average wizard, my class will be highly successful! That is, if I still have a class?" She gazed up a Minerva with trepidation.
"Well, I-I suppose," Minerva said in defeat. It wasn't really Sybil's fault; the woman truly thought she was a Seer.
"Oh, thank you!" Sybil clutched at Minerva's hands.
"Yes, you're welcome. Would you be willing to get Lockhart for me?"
The Harry Potter Fan Club cut an imposing figure (or so they liked to think) as they marched to the third floor. Nothing could stop them from reaching one of their own. Earlier, Bailey Ryker had written a short speech full of good things about Colin. He would read it aloud, in the hopes that Colin could hear them. Demelza was certain that Colin would wake up, but Ginny wasn't so sure.
Stuart had taken the lead as they moved, but once they reached the doors of the Hospital Wing, he gracefully bowed out. Ginny put her hands on the brass handles, pausing for dramatic effect. She pulled and the doors sprang open to reveal-
Sheila gasped. Harry Potter stood there, in all of his glory, leaning over Colin. He glanced up to find a bunch of first years, led by Ginny Weasley, staring at him as though he were Merlin himself.
"Hi Harry," Ginny let out a weak giggle-chuckle thing that scared Harry. "We'll just head out now. Don't wanna disturb you."
"No, no, it's okay. I don't mind," Harry said, earning himself more adoring looks.
"We're just here to visit Colin," Luna told him, gliding toward the boy on the bed.
"I didn't realize Colin had so many friends," He mumbled, taking them all in.
"Excuse me! Sorry! Oh, please move! Thank you very much!" Harry recognized Hermione's voice, but he couldn't spot her bushy brown hair in the throng of first years.
"Harry!" She exclaimed, rushing over to him. For a moment, it looked like she was about to hug him, but she changed her mind. "Why didn't you come let us know you were okay? I-we were so worried about you," She chastised.
Well, that explains it. Hermione had her hair pulled back. He cleared his throat. "I was visiting Colin," He said simply.
"Oh, no," She breathed, looking down at the boy. "Where's his camera?" She frowned.
"He forgot it and went back. That's how we got separated," Demelza said.
Harry and Hermione seemed deep in some silent conversation. Finally, they nodded and made to leave.
"Wait! Do you know what kind of snake did this to him?"
"Snake?" Harry repeated, dumbfound.
"Why would you think it was a snake?" Hermione said in a high-pitched voice.
The two fled the Hospital Wing at full speed.
"That wasn't at all suspicious," Malcolm Baddock muttered.
"They just need to know that they can trust us. And I know just how we can do it," Ginny said.
"Hello Minerva," Lockhart said, sweating.
McGonagall grimaced. "Hello Gilderoy. I think you know why you're here."
"Yes, yes, I-Well now Minerva, everyone makes mistakes from time to time-"
"Yes, but the difference between their mistakes and your mistakes is that your mistakes almost cost a young boy his life!" She barked.
He fidgeted uncomfortably. "Have a little more confidence-"
"I have absolutely no confidence in you, unless it's confidence that you're a liar."
"What?" He whispered brokenly.
"I know you obliviated all those people out there who actually did do these things. I know you can't even cast a Stupefy. I know that all of the students you're teaching this year won't learn a thing." She leaned in close to him. "I also know that being fired isn't good for your reputation."
"Minerva, I-I swear I will do anything to keep this job. Anything!" He begged.
"Normally, I would just fire you on the spot, but I know that would just create too many problems. Even an idiot like you wouldn't want to take a "cursed" position in the middle of term."
He squirmed and she smirked.
"So, I have a few conditions. First, you will issue a formal apology to Harry Potter in the Great Hall tomorrow night."
He nodded desperately. "I'll get right on it."
"But that's not all. You will write out your lesson plans and submit them to me. I will make any adjustments that I feel are necessary. You will stick to these lesson plans, and I will be dropping by your classroom from time to time to ensure that you do." Lockhart seemed about ready to start hyperventilating, but he held it together. Barely.
"Lastly, and this is the most important, you will not cast spells on any students except for teaching purposes, and unless it is in the lesson plans. Do you understand?"
He shook fearfully and nodded.
"Good. Now, you will be leaving the school forever once the year is over. You are dismissed."
He ran out with his tail between his legs.
Dilys Derwent, former Headmistress of Hogwarts, was not happy. "Really Minerva, he was so handsome."
"Really? I prefer darker hair myself."