AN: I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but CoS is my least favorite Potter book. I dunno why, I just can't seem to get into it like I can with the others. We've still got about ten chapters left in second year though, so we'll see how it plays out. I hit 700 followers for this story recently, and the current number is 718! I also have a very, very respectable 466 favorites. You are all absolutely amazing! And of course I couldn't do this without my reviewers. Thanks to blueeyedbeauty123, Makurayami Ookami, Cassandra30, Guest, phoebe turner, Firenze Fox, Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER, serenityselena, posiden'sdaughter, B00kw0rm92, slicerness, Nanchih, Lightningblade49, Lady Sabine of Macayhill, Spring Raine, Katzztar, Kairan1979, Wonderbee31, Cosmyk Angel, Marius Darkwolf, magitech, and serialkeller. You've helped me improve so much! Thanks again.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise.
The Gryffindor Common Room was in a state of mass panic. Not only was one of their own first years hurt by this monster, but now one of their prefects and two professors! Harry Potter sat by the fire with a large group of children surrounding him. Head of House Charity Burbage had left to go confer with teachers, as had Head Boy Richard Jones. Oliver Wood had been left in charge.
"I'm in charge?" He repeated, flabbergasted.
"Exactly," Jones said, looking eager to leave.
"But what am I supposed to do? The only rules I know involve Quidditch!"
"It's easy. If anyone asks you any questions, you don't know. If anyone wants you to make a decision, stall. Think you can handle that?" Jones asked impatiently.
"Well, I guess, but-"
"Great! If I don't see you soon, it's because I've been petrified," Jones said, hurrying away.
"You know, there's a reason I didn't want to be prefect," Oliver called after him.
The remaining Weasleys were all terrified. Their brother had just been turned to stone. He was lucky, of course, that he hadn't been killed, but it was still an awful feeling. He was gone. Percy, such a stickler for the rules, wouldn't awake until spring.
Oliver blamed himself. After all, wasn't it his fault that Percy was petrified? If he hadn't gone off to talk to Hooch, maybe Percy would still be here with them. After voicing his concerns to Katie, he felt a bit ridiculous, even more so after she spoke.
"Oh really Oliver? And I suppose you would've just suddenly become able to speak Parseltongue, and warn them that the basilisk was right around the corner. Or maybe, you wouldn't have heard it, but you would've been big and strong enough to take it down without anyone getting hurt in the process, because you're such a hero? You can't honestly think this is your fault. If you hadn't went with Hooch, the only thing different is that you would be petrified now too."
"But still…" Oliver trailed off despairingly.
"Don't be stupid," She snapped. And that was that.
The other Gryffindors appeared to blaming everything in existence.
"If Dumbledore had been here-"
"We're all doomed…"
"I want my mum…"
"Oliver, you have to do something," Lee insisted.
"Why do I have to do something? Why can't someone else do something?" Oliver asked, put on the spot.
"You were left in charge," Hermione pointed out.
Oliver exhaled deeply. "I guess…"
"Just pretend it's Quidditch," Fred advised.
"Right. Quidditch. I can do this." Oliver unsteadily climbed atop a red, squashy couch. "Gryffindors, listen up." Every lion in the Common Room crowded around him, faces turned up expectantly.
"I know things look pretty scary right now. Percy and Colin-"
"Who?" Olivia McLaggen murmured to her friend.
"You don't know who Colin is?" Oliver frowned.
A first year boy climbed up the couch to stand next to Oliver. "Colin Creevey was a first year Gryffindor. His father is a muggle milkman. His mother teaches young muggle children. He has a little brother named Dennis, who is nine. Colin had endless enthusiasm, and was incredibly excited to be part of the magical world. He was an avid photographer and a fiercely loyal friend. His energy knew no bounds, and he could bring a smile to anyone's face. In short, Colin is a great guy, and his absence has been felt by his friends." The tiny boy stepped down with a solemn look.
"Well said, Ryker," Ginny whispered. There was an uncomfortable silence in which those who knew Colin considered Bailey's words, and those who didn't felt as though they were intruding on a deeply personal private moment.
And then slowly, Harry began to clap. After a moment's hesitation, Dean and Hermione joined in. Ron, Seamus, and Neville added their applause, and before anyone knew what was happening, the whole room was filled with the sound of cheers, claps, and whistles. Bailey slid down in his chair, cheeks turning pink.
"So we know," Oliver shouted over the praise. "That Colin was amazing. And of course, who hasn't heard of Percy Weasley? Some of you may just remember him as a prefect, a rule abider, and a stick in the mud. But to his friends, he was so much more than that. Percy was a genius, and he would do anything for family. He was a leader, to me…to all of us. It was a shock to hear that he'd been petrified, but at least it happened when he was trying to do the right thing."
"Percy! Colin! Percy! Colin!" The Gryffindors chanted.
"So we're certain that, even though we may not have known them as well as we would've liked, they were true Gryffindors. That makes them family. And we protect our family. So let's pull it together guys. We're brave enough to get over our fears and the what if's. We're lions."
And appropriately, they all roared.
"Would all students make their way to the Great Hall as soon as their Head of House arrives?"
Despite the rally earlier, the children had been restless. Oliver had stood watch by the portrait hole, ready to stop anyone foolish enough to leave the safety of the Common Room. Flitwick's voice over the intercom was met with great appreciation. There was only so much they could do there. Ron had point blank refused to play chess, instead stewing in worry over his brother. Ginny had not let herself play a game of Harry Potter trivia, rather focusing on the horrible idea that Colin and Percy might never wake up. Fred and George would not discuss prank ideas with Lee, preferring to go over every instance when they could've been nicer to Percy.
Everyone appeared to be reflecting on what they had said or done to the victims, or perhaps what they hadn't said or done. Christine Higgins regretted not telling Percy that she found him cute back in fourth year. Ellen Dowling wished she hadn't snapped at Colin for taking her picture at the first ever HPFC meeting. The air was heavy with remorse, and the prospect of dinner was a welcome distraction.
The portrait hole opened with a bang, and Professor Burbage and Jones stepped inside.
"What's the verdict?" Oliver asked tiredly.
"Hogwarts is going to be shut down," Burbage said grimly. "Students will have to arrange for transportation to another magic school. Everyone should clear out of here within the week. Professor Sprout will take the Mandrakes along with her, and will send them to Professor Snape when they've matured. He'll brew the Draught and send it to the families, free of charge. Are we ready for dinner?" Burbage's eyes were red and puffy—she'd clearly been crying.
Richard's hair looked rumpled, and his face was devastated.
All around the Common Room came gasps and cries of outrage. But no one was more broken hearted than Harry Potter. Hogwarts was his home. He had the best year of his life there. He had real, actual friends there. He couldn't just pack up and leave, go back to the Dursleys and forget the fantastical world he'd gotten a glimpse of. Hermione attacked him with a hug. Ron could only stand near him, eyes looking suspiciously watery.
Ginny and Demelza clutched at each other. They might never see the other or Colin again! Oliver couldn't help but swallow. Hadn't he just given a speech about how great it was to be a Gryffindor? What was he without his house, without Hogwarts?
The children marched down to the Great Hall despondently. Padma Patil came over from Ravenclaw to gossip with her sister. She was accompanied by Penelope. Oliver pointedly turned away, but she pushed on.
"Wood, can I talk to you for a minute?"
He nodded curtly. "McLaggen, you're in charge 'til I get back. Don't kill anyone."
Olivia glared daggers at him.
Penny led Oliver to a tiny alcove off the side, still in view of the professors, but out of hearing range.
"I heard about Percy," She began hesitantly.
"Oh really?" Oliver smiled humorlessly. "Realized that blood doesn't matter anymore, eh?"
She frowned. "I intended to-"
"Intent is nothing without action!" He exploded. "It doesn't matter what you meant to do. It doesn't matter if you feel bad. What matters is that my best friend has been petrified, and we'll probably go to different schools now, and when he saw the reflection of that basilisk, he was probably thinking about how you abandoned him!"
His words seemed to strike a chord with Penny. With her eyes shining, she drew herself up to her full height. "Well I'm sorry if I can't be some sort of fearless, evil-fighting hero. I'm sorry if sometimes I get scared and worried and it's just a little too much for me to handle."
"Not everyone can be branded as courageous or a coward. Some of us try our hardest, but we have our limits. Bravery's got to be the only thing placed into that sort of category. No one gets angry if you're smart to a certain point, or if your loyalty has limits. But if you get scared sometimes, it's like you'll always be thought of as afraid."
"But I'm here now. I want to help, and that does matter."
To his credit, Oliver did look guilty. "I'm sorry-I just. Look, I-I don't know what to do. I was the idea man, and Percy made it work. How am I supposed to fix this without him?"
Penny felt sorry for him. Oliver couldn't seem to function without Percy, which made her all the more determined to get her boyfriend back.
"Attention students," Sprout announced from the head table. McGonagall and Sinistra's seats were conspicuously empty. "By now I'm sure you've already heard of what will become of all of us. We cannot stay here while a monster terrorizes the school. The Board of Governors has sent out letters to all of your guardians informing them of the situation. Some of you may leave as early as this evening, but no matter what, everyone must be off Hogwarts grounds by the end of this week." Sprout scanned the crowd, her face drawn.
"I know this is a shock, and I know all of you will miss Hogwarts, but we have to leave. As I understand it, Professor Lockhart has a few words for you."
For once Lockhart didn't have a pompous air about him as he rose up out of his chair. "Students of Hogwarts," He began gravely, looking almost humble. "Yesterday, at our very exciting Quidditch match, I did something I shouldn't have. I am not trained in healing, and yet I still attempted to heal a broken arm. For those of you who don't know, this attempt quickly went awry, and the student had to be rushed to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey did an excellent job of patching him up, but my error still remains. It has been mentioned to me that I should refrain from casting spells I am unfamiliar with, for they can have unintended consequences. This incident could've turned out very badly, but luck was on my-our side. Still, I offer my sincerest apologies to Mr. Harry Potter." Lockhart sat back down with a final awkward glance at the students.
The audience was stunned into silence. Even Sprout and Flitwick, who had been having a non-verbal, passive aggressive war over who was in charge, were unable to come up with a proper response to this.
Finally, Septima Vector rose and cleared her throat. "Right, thank you for that, Gilderoy. I believe that is all-"
"Actually professor, I have an announcement to make as well. I was planning to wait for a little while longer-" Like after Ravenclaw smothered Gryffindor, he added mentally. "But since this is likely to be the last night we're together, I figured this would be a good time." Roger carefully extracted a Muggle tape player which he had cast a Sonorus on to ensure that the whole Hall would hear. Then, he dug out a muggle tape and slid it in.
Flitwick felt his stomach give a jolt.
"Wood, Weasley," McGonagall's voice emanated from the tape. "Recently, you came to Professor Flitwick about a boy named Tom Riddle. Is this true?"
Oliver felt his jaw drop open. He couldn't let this happen, but at the same time he was powerless to stop it.
"Now, Rubeus Hagrid was convicted of opening the Chamber of Secrets and killing Myrtle Henderson in 1943. Yet you say you have evidence to the contrary?"
Hagrid took out a hankie and blew his nose loudly.
"Yes."
"Why do you think Tom Riddle is the true perpetrator, and that Rubeus Hagrid was framed on both charges?"
Oliver couldn't help but start to panic. What was he going to do?
"Look Professor, we know that Tom Riddle is Voldemort. We know that he's Slytherin's heir, which means he'd probably know where the Chamber of Secrets is and how to open it. We also know that Hagrid is probably the least likely person to want to unleash a monster that would kill a ton of muggleborns."
"Mr. Wood, while I admire that you obviously put a lot of time and research into your theory, it most likely won't stand up in court."
"Hagrid had an Acromantula as a pet, right? And that's what everyone thought was Slytherin's monster. But it isn't. Slytherin's monster is a Basilisk, and we know where it is."
"Isn't this where we're allowed to ask for legal counsel?"
At this news, Draco Malfoy looked ready to faint. Indeed, the entire Slytherin table looked a mixture of disbelieving and queasy.
Percy's words echoed through Oliver's head.
"Think of the possible ramifications. It might start another war, by some pureblood Death Eater who swears he can do what Riddle couldn't! It'd be insane."
Why Davies, why? Why couldn't he have just kept his stupid, big, fat mouth shut?
But Roger looked just as surprised as all of the others. "But I-I thought-It was supposed to get Wood in trouble!" He wailed pathetically. "This isn't even anything good! All that hard work, wasted."
"Roger," Flitwick squeaked angrily. "How did you even obtain that tape?"
Roger mumbled something incoherent to Oliver, but Flitwick clearly understood.
"There's been a secret entrance to my office this whole time and I haven't known about it?" Flitwick exclaimed indignantly.
"We've known about it." George nudged his twin.
"Why that's just…but never mind. Why did you steal it from my office?"
Again, Roger mumbled.
"I see," Flitwick frowned. "And did it ever occur to you that playing a tape with Wood's name on it that was obviously meant to be destroyed was a bad idea?"
Roger shrugged, staring at the ground.
"Alright Roger, come with me."
Well, Oliver mused to himself. He had gotten revenge on Davies, but it had come at a very high cost.
"I'm going to miss you," Hermione said tearfully to her friends back in the Common Room.
"We can still write to each other," Katie tried to convince them.
"It won't be the same," Lee said stubbornly.
"I 'spect Mum will want to homeschool us," Ron said gloomily.
"My parents would prefer it if I went to Beauxbatons. I already speak a bit of French," Hermione said.
"I have no idea where I'll go," Angelina sighed.
"The Dursleys probably won't take me anywhere else," Harry said sadly.
Oliver couldn't believe his ears. "You guys are just going to take this lying down? You're not even worried about the fact that we'll never come back to Hogwarts again, that we're going to be split up?"
"What's the point?" Alicia wondered dully. "There isn't anything we can do."
"So that's it?" He snapped. "We don't even try? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Aren't we friends?"
The group looked abashed, but none of them gave in. Ginny curled into herself, staring at the fire. Hermione sniffled and swiped at her eyes. Harry took off his glasses, needlessly wiping them off with his shirt.
"I can't believe it. What happened to the Quidditch team going to the World Cup? What happened to us being a family? Are we just gonna leave Colin and Percy here, not telling them what's going on or even saying goodbye? Are we just gonna let some monster get away with attacking our friends? Is that who we are?"
Oliver glanced up at a portrait hanging on the mantel. The man rarely spoke, and he never said his name. But Oliver had his suspicions.
"We are Gryffindors, and we protect our own," He declared firmly.
Fred and George sat a little straighter. Hermione relinquished her tight hold on Hogwarts: A History. Ron unfolded his legs and stood. Harry settled his glasses back on his face, determined.
"What will we do?" Katie asked.
Oliver looked at the portrait again. "We're going to kill a basilisk."