Chapter 15: Hagrid's Confession

The Easter holidays passed swiftly. Harry had told no-one at school about his duel with Carter and Pechorin, although his friends had worked it out the moment they heard that the Hufflepuff beaters had ended up in the Hospital Wing. Draco was the only one to say anything, congratulating him on his victory with a malicious grin; he had a definite vindictive streak sometimes. At home though, he had told Dudley all about it, his cousin listening in delight. Sirius also knew, although not because Harry had told him; he hadn't been able to heal the wounds Pechorin had left him with, and his pain had been noticeable when he was running around with his godfather. To say that Sirius had been proud of him was something of an understatement. He was positively joyous that Harry had taken such a step. Harry wasn't entirely certain why, but he wasn't going to complain. The truth was, Sirius had been acting rather strangely all holiday; he was very jumpy indeed. Harry assumed it was to do with the fact that Voldemort seemed to be behind the attacks at Hogwarts, something he had not been able to conceal from his family.

Harry was more concerned about the possibility that the school would not be open for the final term. There had been several articles in the Prophet concerning the attacks at the school, and Draco had sent him a letter telling him that the Board of Governors had expressed doubts about the way Dumbledore had handled everything. Lucius Malfoy was apparently supporting Dumbledore, although probably only because, in all honesty, who else could do a better job?

However, Dumbledore was still there at the start of term feast, looking as confident as ever. It had to be said, the feast lacked the usual jovial atmosphere; people seemed to expect something would happen.

They were right.

Once everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up to welcome everyone back and make a few announcements. He wasn't saying anything particularly exciting, and Harry's attention began to wander. He ended up looking at the ceiling. It seemed to be shimmering for some reason. He nudged Hermione, who followed his gaze. The shimmering began to increase until it was creating shadows on the walls, drawing further attention. Dumbledore trailed off, staring at the ceiling himself. Murmurs of confusion began to spread across the hall, and then, when everyone was staring, the shimmering stopped. The Unnoticeable Charm collapsed, revealing the slowly spinning bodies of several Aurors. It was clear that they had not died peacefully. Above them floated a shining green skull with a snake poking out, like a tongue. The Dark Mark.

People began to scream as the staff surged away from the top table. The prefects began to usher the younger students out, but Harry lagged behind. He watched in horror as Dumbledore raised his wand to remove, or at least hide the gruesome spectacle. The moment he cast his spell though, the bodies burst into flame. The Aurors were reduced to skeletons within seconds, and then the bones began to move. They were spelling out another message.

These fools thought to stop me; they learnt the hard way that it is impossible. But I am a reasonable man; remove the Mudbloods and I shall spare the rest. If there are any Mudbloods left in the school by the end of the week, then everyone shall become an acceptable target.

As the message finished forming, one of the skulls floated to the end, and a bone was transfigured into a snake, poking out of its open mouth in the manner of the Dark Mark. Harry read the message again, and then left the hall, grabbing Hermione by the arm. He was suddenly much more worried than he had been.

The first week of term was not a happy one. It was marked by several nasty attacks on Muggleborn students, fuelled by fear, and not just from Slytherin students, where Muggleborn prejudice was pretty much expected. Several younger students ended up in the Hospital Wing, and several Purebloods and Halfbloods ended up being suspended in disgrace. It was a bad time to be at Hogwarts. The worst thing was that nobody seemed to be able to do anything. It wasn't unusual to see staff members conversing nervously, hands in their robes ready to draw their wands at a moments notice. All classes were escorted between lessons and back to their common rooms. Dumbledore hadn't been seen at meals for a few days, and Draco had told Harry in Defence that the governors were engaging in a series of emergency meetings at the request of the Minister.

However, the day to day grind of schoolwork continued, more or less as normal. Much to Harry's disgust, exams were still going to happen; quite how they were supposed to worry about studying when there was a constant threat of being killed he didn't know. Hermione was predictably delighted though.

Saturday arrived, and it was appropriately gloomy; the whole school was on tenterhooks waiting to see what the Heir would do about the continued presence of Muggleborns in the school. However, it came and went with nothing out of the ordinary happening. It was, as Fred put it, something of an anti-climax. Umbridge looked very pleased with herself that evening, as if it was solely down to her that nothing had happened. She seemed to have forgotten that the vast majority of her Auror team had been butchered only a few days ago, which did nothing for Harry's opinion of her.

On Sunday, Harry and his friends were working in the library. Hermione was desperate to try and work out the secret of the Chamber; she felt that would explain everything. Privately, the others disagreed, but she had been greatly disturbed by the threat against Muggleborns – she hadn't told her parents, worried that they would take her out of school. Mr and Mrs Granger were devout Christians, and though they loved their daughter dearly, and would do anything for her, they weren't entirely comfortable with magic. Harry found it particularly ironic that she spent most of her free time during the summer camp her parents ran researching magic that directly contradicted most of their beliefs.

They had quickly exhausted several species of magical creature. Nothing seemed to fit the specifics of the victims. Their most promising theory was that it was some sort of snake, due to the link with Slytherin. This was Harry's particular favourite; it certainly explained the voice that no-one else could hear. He couldn't believe that he hadn't thought of it before. True, he'd had other things on his mind than his linguistic talent in recent weeks, but to have forgotten it entirely was frankly stupid. But there was no snake that Petrified its victims.

They were resuming their task after lunch when Hagrid arrived. He looked very out of place amongst the stacks of books, and he also looked nervous. He disappeared a few minutes later without saying anything to them; surprised, Harry and Ron followed him.

"Hagrid! What's up? You just ignored us – you aren't upset with us are you?"

"No! No, I'm jus' a bit stressed, tha's all 'Arry. Just got some new chickens, an' I'm puttin' up a ward to keep that git out this time. Dunno why he'd be bothered about some birds, not like their blood'd offend 'im is it?"

He tried to smile at them, but it was unconvincing. Harry tried again.

"What are you stressed about?"

Hagrid sighed, and walked off, beckoning them after him. Curious, the two friends followed him, all the way back to his hut in the grounds. He sat them down, pouring drinks, before beginning to explain.

"It's that Umbridge woman you see… She reckons tha' I've got summat to do with the attacks."

"What? Why the hell does she think that? It could be anyone, they know that!" Harry exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know… But – well, you know I was expelled? It was when the Chamber was las' opened. I got the blame for it you see."

There was silence in the hut, and Hagrid flushed slightly. When Harry regained the use of his voice, he had several questions.

"Why? Dumbledore told me he never believed that you were guilty. Well, he didn't say you¸ he just said that he trusted the 'alleged culprit'. And if they know who it was back then, how can they blame you now?"

"Dumbledore said that? That's real nice of him, real nice. Great man Dumbledore, great man. Yeah, back then I was – well, I was a little stupid. I had this pet you see, harmless, real interestin', but I was foun' with it after a girl died, and they blamed me. Like I'd hurt anyone! And Myrtle was ok, one o' the only ones who didn' make fun of me 'cause a'me height. Only 'cause of Dumbledore that I didn' go to Azkaban; he persuaded 'em that I hadn't mean' to hurt anyone, got me this job as well. But Umbridge says that the Heir might find it funny to use me again. And I don' think she likes me all that much to tell yer the truth."

"Why not?"

"'Cause of my mum. I'm half-giant, can't you tell?"

Ron's eyes widened, and he nearly blurted something out; thinking it likely it wouldn't be polite, Harry kicked him. He then shrugged at Hagrid.

"I guess it is kind of obvious when you think about it. But why does that matter?"

Hagrid smiled at him, and patted him on the head, nearly giving him a concussion.

"Ah, not everyone's as nice about halfbreeds as you are 'Arry. I reckon Umbridge don't like me 'cause of my blood, doesn't live up to her Light ideals."

Harry nodded grimly. That did sound likely. Not for the first time, he wondered how a woman like Umbridge had managed to get so high up in the Ministry. She was prejudiced, rude, and didn't seem to have any experience in law enforcement, which begged the question why was she in charge of this investigation?

"Who was it who caught you?" said Ron

"He didn' catch me, he framed me! An' his name was Riddle – Tom Riddle I think."

"Riddle… I know that name. Did he win an award for something? I'm sure I've heard it somewhere…"

"It was that trophy you vomited slugs over; you said then you found it hard to remember."

"Oh yeah. Weird that."

"Hm. He won tha' trophy for turnin' me in. Evil little git. He didn' get Aragog though!"

Harry and Ron shared a glance.

"Aragog?"

"The pet I had. An Acromantula."

Their eyes widened in shock – and in Ron's case, not a small amount of fear. He hated spiders with a passion. For his part, Harry couldn't believe that Hagrid had kept an Acromantula in the school… actually, he could, no problem. Hagrid was a little different when it came to classifying 'dangerous'. They whiled away another half hour or so trying to cheer Hagrid up, before he insisted on taking them back. Harry personally thought that they were perfectly safe in the grounds, but Hagrid was taking no chances.

There was a curious lack of activity when they reached the school; despite the general air of fear, there would normally be groups of people hanging around. The school seemed deserted. It was totally silent. Hagrid cleared his throat nervously.

"Come on, I'd better get you up to the common room. Don't wan' you walking aroun' on yer own."

Again, they met no-one on the way upstairs. At least, until they reached the fourth floor. Umbridge was coming down the stairs, a gleeful expression on her face, followed by McGonagall, who was shouting at the toad-like woman.

"- had nothing to do with it! You have no evidence!"

"My dear Professor, I would not try to arrest anyone without firm evidence – ah… Good afternoon Hagrid, Mr Potter, Mr Weasley."

McGonagall hurried past the other woman.

"Boys! Where have you been?"

"We went to see Hagrid Professor, but he took us there and back, we were fine –"

Umbridge interrupted.

"Rubeus Hagrid, you are under arrest, for involvement with the Heir of Slytherin. You will be taken to Azkaban to await trial."

Hagrid moaned in fear, and began to stutter incomprehensibly. Harry and Ron began to shout; Umbridge silenced all three of them by drawing her wand. McGonagall stepped forward to Hagrid, glaring at Umbridge in a terrifying fashion.

"Don't worry Hagrid, you'll be out before you know it. Dumbledore won't stand for this!"

Umbridge smirked unpleasantly.

"I wouldn't count on that Minerva. Dumbledore might be a little busy himself."

She turned to Hagrid. Aurors appeared, as if from nowhere, and began to bind Hagrid's hands.

"I don't really think you're actually attacking anyone Hagrid. But that diary had to come from somewhere, and I think that you can help us in that regard. Take him away!"

The Aurors dragged Hagrid backwards; he was beginning to cry, tears streaming down his face. Umbridge stood above him, radiating self-satisfaction. Harry tore away from McGonagall, leaning over the rail to watch Hagrid being taken away. He had never seen his large friend so vulnerable, and he hated Umbridge then, with all his heart.

"You had no right." He told her softly, unwilling to meet her eyes, to even look at her. He didn't need to. He could hear the smile in her voice.

"Of course I did Mr Potter. I do what I have to in order to ensure order; the Light always wins out Mr Potter. Always. Lux Aeternam."

She walked down the stairs after the Aurors, her head held high. Harry watched her go, before turning round again. McGonagall looked angry, but sad as well for some reason.

"What's wrong Professor?"

"I think that the two of you had better come with me."

McGonagall led the two of them into the Hospital Wing in silence. She had not spoken on the way there, and Harry and Ron had not wanted to speak, too busy conjuring dreadful images of what was wrong.

They hadn't expected anything like the truth though.

Hermione and Neville were lying on two beds, frozen stiff, looks of terror on their faces. Ron groaned, and sank into a chair beside them, his head in his hands. Harry reached out to Hermione, trying to brush her hair out of her face. Even that had turned solid under the power of the mysterious creature though. Her hands were raised in a defensive posture, as if to ward it off. He stared at his two Petrified friends in silence.

"They were attacked outside the library… there was no message; we don't think – whoever it is – had time to write one. This was next to Miss Granger, we wondered if you knew of any significance?"

She handed Ron a shattered mirror. Harry hadn't even known she carried one around with her, she'd never seemed to particularly care about her appearance even that much. He looked at Ron, who seemed equally puzzled. They both shook their heads, and turned back to their friends. McGonagall walked away, giving them some privacy. They both sat down, and Harry frowned. Because of her defensive posture, Hermione's hand was level with his eyes – and she was holding something. He pointed it out to Ron, who shifted, blocking Harry from view. Hermione's fist was clenched so tightly that the paper began to rip as Harry pulled at it. After a few seconds, he gave up, and drew his wand. He pressed the tip against the edge of the paper, and concentrated hard on a spell he had found a few weeks ago.

'Duplicatus'

There was a shimmer around Hermione's hand, and Harry focussed on forcing a replica to appear. Sweat broke out on his forehead, and he grunted – and then a piece of paper appeared, floating down to the bed. Ron snatched at it, and his eyes widened.

"You've got to be bloody kidding!"

Harry took the paper from him, and felt the blood drain from his face as he read the title of the page:

Basilisk.

They were back in the common room, pouring over the sheet of paper. Sadly, Harry's spell hadn't worked entirely; the writing cut off mid-sentence. However, what information there was didn't seem to fit the facts. If the monster was a basilisk, it would explain the slaughter of Hagrid's roosters; their crowing was fatal to a basilisk. It would also explain the strange voice that Harry had been hearing; Ron seemed to have forgotten about that, but when Ginny realised they were considering snakes, she looked at Harry very pointedly. But there was nothing to say that a basilisk petrified its victims. It didn't need to stun its victims in order to feed, because anything that met its eyes dropped dead anyway.

All of a sudden, Professor McGonagall stepped through the portrait door, a slightly stunned look on her face, and a scroll in her hand. She cleared her throat for silence, and began to read.

"By order of the Governors of Hogwarts, in conjunction with the Ministry of Magic, Albus Dumbledore has been suspended as Headmaster of the school. Madame Delores Umbridge has been assigned the task of running the school until the Heir of Slytherin has been caught. She has introduced several new security measures; there will be Aurors at the main doors, and guarding the entrances to the common rooms at all times. No student will be allowed to travel without at least one fully qualified wizard or witch as escort. Food will be served directly to common rooms to minimise student exposure…"

McGonagall carried on for several minutes, explaining how they were sure to be safer under this new regime, and that the culprit would be caught within days. Harry couldn't help but notice that she didn't look very convinced, and her knuckles were white where she was gripping the parchment. As she finished, Ron turned to Harry, looking distraught.

"Dumbledore's gone? They might as well just hand out robes with huge targets on our backs! There'll be an attack a day!"

Depressing as it was, Harry couldn't help but agree.

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