Chapter 9: The End of the First Year

In front of them Professor McGonagall had gone pale. She took out her wand and made an announcement for the whole school to hear: "All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please."

Corvus felt cold. 'Goodbye my life in Hogwarts', he thought.

"Do you have any idea, who has been taken?" Astoria asked. She looked pale and felt nauseous.

"I have no idea. Maybe some mudblood?"

"Ugh, I've come to hate that expression," Astoria muttered.

The group arrived in the Slytherin common room, where war was on.

"Okay everyone, tell me, who opened the chamber!" Fifth year student cried out. "I want to come back here next year!"

"Yeah, I don't want to go to Durmstrang," another student muttered.

"Does anyone know, why we were called here?"

"We saw someone to write on the first floor wall, 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.'"

"Oh my! Whom has they taken?"

"I don't know."

"Me neither."

"I don't think it was anyone from our house."

"Could it have been someone who had been petrified?"

"That would be weird."

"Yeah, maybe it was somebody new?"

Dark muttering happened all over the common room. People speculated and longed to hear some answers. Few tried to study, some packed, as they were certain that the school would be closed. Gemma and some other Prefects tried to calm younger students down.

"Tell me what, did you do to my sister!" Fred Weasley cried out desperately. His twin brother was holding him back, so he wouldn't grab Olivia from her collar. Their sister was nowhere to be found.

"Nothing! I haven't taken anyone anywhere! I have done nothing to anyone! One of my best friends, is lying in hospital wing, petrified, for Merlin's sake!" Olivia defended herself. "I have no ability, nor any powers to harm anyone!"

"You still hangout with the Greengrass and Lestrange!" Corvus name was said like a curse word.

"So what? They aren't their parents." Olivia stated. "I'm also friends with Michelle and Nora! Who by the way is muggle-born and currently in the hospital wing!"

"I d… don't think Olivia could do something like that," Olivia's classmate Mary Doyle said.

"Me neither," Jack Sloper also defended Olivia.

"Yes, I mean, Olivia isn't the brightest student in any of the classes," Melissa Quinton recalled. "And to do something like this, you have to be super talented."

"Yes, and Olivia is all but that," Pete Balsall said, recalling Olivia's wand work in the Charms lessons.

"Anyway, it isn't certain that it's Ginny that they took, even though she's not here," Rose Wax said. "I mean she's pureblood and all."

"Something has happened. We are sure of that," George Weasley said in weak voice. "Otherwise, she'd be here."

Some other students also defended Olivia, which made her feel like she could breathe again. Finally, somebody believed that she was innocent.

The twins calmed down after some time and sat quietly on a sofa. Percy Weasley was just quiet and didn't intervene. Shock could be seen on their faces. The whole room was quiet, and the atmosphere was gloomy. After some time, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley arrived in the common room, little before Professor McGonagall, who confirmed the rumours. She was sad and trembling as she said: "I recommend you all to start packing. The school will be closed. The train will come to pick you up for the first thing tomorrow."

'No this can't be it! This can't be over.' Olivia thought. She took her things and went for the girl's dormitory to pack. She looked at the knitted cap that Nora had made for her. Tears started to stream down on her face, until she was sobbing her heart out in the bed.

Olivia didn't want her experience to end like that. She didn't want to leave. She didn't want anyone to die, or get hurt.

Michelle was in shock. She couldn't believe that Ginny Weasley had been taken in the chamber. In the morning her heart had been filled with hope. The nightmare would be over. Now she should pack and send her parents' a letter. But Michelle felt that she couldn't move. She just looked out of the huge window, watching the stars. She wished to see a shooting star, so she could pray that everything would turn back being alright.

"Are you listening to me Mich?" Ben asked next to her.

"No", Michelle said and turned to look at the boy: "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Why did they take pure-blood student in the chamber?" Ben wondered. "It makes no sense."

"Non, it doesn't," Michelle answered. "And what does it matter anymore? She's gone Ben."

Ben frowned: "Yeah, I just wish that there'd something we could do."

Michelle sighed. She felt like crying: "Me too. Maybe Nora can give us some answers tomorrow."

"Yeah, hopefully." Ben looked miserable. "I just hope, it won't be too late for Ginny. She seemed quite nice girl."

"Oui, though little odd, quiet. Maybe she knew something?"

"Yeah, maybe that's why they took her. Do you have any idea, who it could have been?"

"None, but it proves that Hagrid is innocent."

"You are right, and I was wrong."

"Oui, it's good that you admitted it," Michelle smiled meekly. "How has your family taken all of this."

"My mum is about to have a fit," Ben confessed. "She has wanted to take us home ever since the first attack. My dad has been able to calm her down and let us study."

"Hmm, papa knows about this, but he has allowed me to stay, because the attacks have happened to muggle-borns," Michelle said. "If maman knew, she'd have taken me home long time ago." Michelle sighed. "I wonder what'll happen next. If I go to France to study or if I must be home schooled. Maman doesn't want me to study in another country."

"Yeah, I wonder if mum will try to home school us," Ben said. "She's an amazing auror, but her teaching methods might be… hmm… little dangerous, just like her cookings."

Michelle giggled, as she recalled the boy's explanation on his mother's cooking skills. "Well, maybe your siblings will help." Michelle giggled even more when she saw the boy going pale.

"Don't even say that, or Eddie will want to teach us."

"Eddie?"

"He's my eldest brother. The golden boy. He was a Prefect, Head Boy, he works in the ministry now. Biggest arse and know-it-all that I've ever met. And trust me, I have met lot of people from both categories."

"I can imagine that", Michelle smiled sadly. "But I guess I must write that letter now."

"Good luck with it," Ben said, looking sad again. "My sister is writing to our dad now." His sister was fellow Ravenclaw, and from his brothers one was in Gryffindor and another in Slytherin. His older sister had left the school a year earlier and had been Hufflepuff.

"Yeah, thanks", Michelle said as she pulled out some ink and parchment.

"Are you alright?" Gemma Farley asked as she sat down next to Astoria. She just shook her head. She was far from being alright. She was shocked that common fellow pureblood had been taken to Chamber of Secrets to die.

Astoria hadn't really known Ginny Weasley. But it didn't matter, she didn't want another human being losing life.

"Yeah, I didn't think you'd be," Gemma said. "I don't think that anyone really is. Not even Malfoy, though he tries to act cool."

Astoria looked at Draco Malfoy, who was grinning and laughing with his friends. Astoria was glad to see, that Corvus wasn't with him. "I wouldn't be so certain about that, he's quite a brick."

Gemma sadly smiled. "Oh, but I am. He is one of those "though" boys. He isn't allowed to show weakness in front of others. Blood-status stuff sucks."

"What's your blood-status Gemma?" Astoria asked.

"Hmm… I'll tell you a secret," Gemma said. "If the word spreads out, I'll know it's you, and I'll curse you."

"Um… okay."

"My parents are muggles, but people in here think that I'm half-blood," Gemma confessed. Astoria's eyes had opened wide. It was very rare for muggle-born student to be Slytherin. Gemma laughed at the girl's facial expression. "Nobody knows. Sorting hat saw the potential in me, and I must say, that I have been quite cunning ever since, I have managed to lie to whole school for six years."

"Wow, you really are something Gemma. But don't you mind hiding, who you are?"

"I love this house," Gemma said. "I want to make it more accepting, more powerful, just better." The girl smiled. "So, no. I don't. People like me and trust me. If they find out about me one day, then it'll tell them more about them than me, but", Gemma gave Astoria a sharp look. "I meant what I said earlier, you tell someone, and I'll hex and jinx you into oblivion."

"To whom I'd tell? Especially now that we all have to leave," Astoria wondered, but saw the warning look that the older girl gave, "But of course, I won't."

"Good," Gemma smiled sweetly.

"But why'd you tell me?"

"Because you don't really care, what people's blood-status is. You used to though."

Astoria was shocked that the girl had seen through her mask. "You… are right."

"Yep, and your sister doesn't know about that. She'd be shocked if she did." Gemma hinted.

"You really belong here, don't you?" Astoria asked rhetorically.

Gemma answered with a sneaky smile: "The sorting hat is never wrong. But even though the school will be closed, concentrate on the positive. Your friend will be back up tomorrow."

The idea of Nora being back with them made Astoria smile. "Yes, and I can still talk to her, even if we go to different schools."

Gemma smiled genuinely: "Of course you can."

Corvus was woken up by loud sound. He opened his eyes slowly and saw Dobby, the Malfoy manors' house elf.

"Hey Dobby, what are you doing here, in the middle of the night?" Corvus whispered. He didn't want to wake up rest of his dormmates.

"Dobby came here to tell Master Lestrange that he is now a free elf!" The elf proclaimed.

"Wow, really Dobby? How did you get uncle to free you?" Corvus asked in disbelief.

"Harry Potter helped. He tricked the former Master to give Dobby a sock!"

"Well, that sounds good. I'm happy for you Dobby, really," Corvus answered honestly. "But what are you and uncle doing in here. You know that they're shutting down the school, right?"

"No, Dobby and former Master came to see Dumbledore as he returned. Then Dobby heard that the school won't be shut down, because Harry Potter and his friend saved the girl. Dobby heard that they solved the mystery in the chambers and saved the school!"

"Really, so the school won't be shut down?" Corvus asked and hope filled his mind.

The elf shook his head. "Dobby must tell Master Lestrange farewell, take care of yourself."

"Farewell Dobby. Take care of yourself as well and enjoy your freedom," Corvus said and smiled to the elf, as he disappeared.

Loud knock was heard from the door. Corvus smiled. Dobby had told him the truth after all.

Nora opened her eyes slowly. She saw the white ceiling. It took her a while to realize she was in hospital wing. In the bed next to hers she heard Hermione Granger explaining to Madam Pomfrey: "It's the Basilisk! The one that petrified us is the basilisk! It moves by the pipes!"

"Calm down darling," Madam Pomfrey said, trying to silent the girl: "We already know, your friends Potter and Weasley solved the matter, and killed the basilisk."

People muttered around the Hospital Wing. No one had expected to hear that. Nora was shocked. After people had calmed down a little and the group of students was leaving, Nora asked from Hermione: "Umm… so… sorry Hermione, b… but what is a b… basilisk?"

Hermione's eyes started sparkle with excitement as she got to educate the younger student: "Basilisk is one of the deathliest creatures on earth. It's also known as King of Serpents, because of its huge size. It is actually born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. It has venomous fangs and has a murderous stare, if you look it directly in the eyes, you'll suffer instant death."

"B… but we are n… not death," Nora said. Hermione gave her strict look for interrupting her monologue.

"Of course not! We didn't look at them directly! We saw them through the mirror! That's why we were only paralyzed. If we had made direct eye contact with it, we'd died."

"S… sure," Nora said meekly. The last thing she remembered before opening her eyes were the scary yellow eyes. "Th… thank you f… for everything." Nora gave the older student thin smile.

Hermione returned the girl tiny smile, and they walked towards the Great Hall in silence.

People applauded as the petrified students arrived in the Great Hall, where everyone were in their pyjamas. Hermione ran to her friends, and Nora also walked towards them, as she wanted to thank the two boys. Nora was tightly hugged by Sinead as she walked towards the boys. She gave Nora a note that read: 'I'm happy that you're safe. Missed you! Let's catch up later!' and smiled at Nora. "Y… yes, l… let's do t… that."

Daisy ran to Nora and embraced the girl: "I was so scared! I'm so happy that you're alright! I don't know what I'd do without you in here!" Tears wetted Nora's uniform, but she didn't mind. "Y… yes, I'm o… okay n… now."

"Good to see you up Nora. You really had us worried." Matthew joined in the conversation. Nora smiled back at the answer: "Y… yes, it really i… is."

Rest of the younger students from Hufflepuff table came to greet Nora, after they were done Justin. First ones to greet Nora were her classmates. Heidi Macavoy and Tamsin Applebee also hugged Nora.

"I'm happy that you're alright," Gwendoline Hedgeflower joyed.

"Nora, glad to see you back up!" Lina Tande grinned.

"Awesome that you are alright now," Graham Romsey joined. Rest of the boys nodded and cheered for Nora's return.

Some older students acknowledged Nora. She was warmly greeted by group of second years. Prefects and older students that Nora had never met greeted her.

Leyla Murray took Nora in sisterly embrace: "Nora, thank Lord, you're awake! You scared us big time! Are you okay? Are you in pain anywhere?" She fussed after the younger girl, which made Nora giggle. "Y… yes. I'm a... alright. N… nothing to w… worry about."

"Oh, that's amazing to hear. I was really scared when I heard that you were petrified. If anything comes up and you want to talk about something, anything, please tell me. Even in summer. I'd love to hear and see, what life brings up for you," Leyla said, searching with for any bruises or cuts in Nora's body.

"Y… yes I w… will be in c… contact," Nora smiled warmly.

Finally, she arrived at Harry, Ron and Hermione. She gathered her courage and said to the boys: "I… I heard i… in the hospital w… wing what had h… happened, and I j… just wanted t… to thank you b… both for your h… help."

"It's okay," Harry said little awkwardly.

Ron smiled brightly, he was happy that someone had also acknowledged him: "It's good to see you back up, and alright."

Nora blushed. She still found Ron extremely cute. "Y… yes, it i… is, w… well th… thank y… you a… and see you a… around."

Nora waved the trio for goodbyes and walked in Ravenclaws table, where her friends were enjoying the feast.

"Nora, we were so, so, so worried! I'm so happy to see you back up!" Olivia cried out as she greeted Nora.

"Oui, chérie, love to see you up again!" Michelle's eyes were filled up by tears. She hugged Nora next.

"Never scare us like that, okay?" Astoria said, moved by the moment.

"S… sure, I t… try not to," Nora smiled, as she hugged the girls.

"I'm glad to see you on your feet again," Ben said from the other side of the table but didn't come to embrace Nora.

"Hey Nora, how're you feeling?" Corvus asked. He was sitting next to Ben and didn't get up to hug her. Nora had come to realize, that Corvus didn't like to show his emotions in public.

"I… I'm alright," Nora said as she sat down.

"So, now tell us what happened!" Olivia asked, but Nora was saved from answering as Professor Dumbledore got up and had a speech. The man explained the situation. He told everyone, how Voldemort had managed to take control from a student and made her act as his puppet. He explained, how all the students had been petrified, and asked the petrified students to be left alone from all the questions. He said, how Professor Lockhart wouldn't be joining them next year, because he had lost his memory. After him, Professor McGonagall got up and announced that all the exams were cancelled for the school year.

So, his name is Voldemort, was Nora's first thought.

"Amazing, no exams!" Astoria joyed.

"Yep, I am saved!" Olivia laughed.

"I thought the best news was that Professor Lockhart is not returning for the next semester," Corvus said.

"Me too", Michelle said, smiling. "Maybe we can learn something next year."

"He wasn't really that bad," Ben defended the man.

"Yes, he was," Astoria answered. Nora raised her eyebrows: "S… since when y… you haven't l… liked P… Professor L… Lockhart?"

"Since you got petrified, and he blamed everything on Hagrid."

"H… he did w… what?" Nora asked in disbelief. "Wh… why anyone w… would have t… thought t… that H… Hagrid did a… anything to us?"

"Apparently some people thought, he opened the chamber last time," Corvus answered.

Nora thought about the sweet giant, who had always been good to Nora and all the other students: "I s… still have h… hard time t… to belief that a… anyone could h… have doubted h… him."

"Yeah, that's why he lost my respect," Astoria said.

"I heard he was a fraud," Olivia joined.

"From whom? From where?"

"Some people were talking about it in the common room. Apparently, he has been using memory-charm on people."

"Well, no surprises there, that actually explains it. The man was a real imbécile," Michelle commented. She had never liked nor respected the man.

"Wh… what is a m… memory- charm?"

"It's a spell, which alters people's memories. It can make them forget specific moments or alter memories, but it can make huge damage on people. It's often used on muggles, when they see something that they aren't supposed to see." Corvus explained.

"Yes, he used it on magical folk though," Olivia snorted.

"That's disgusting. He was a slimy person all along," Astoria said, shaking her head.

"Took you two long enough to see that," Michelle said sharply.

"Well, better late than never!" Olivia snapped back with smirk on her face. "But now Nora, tell us what happened!"

"Liv", Michelle warned the girl.

"Um… there's n… not much to t… tell," Nora looked down at her food. "I saw y… yellow eyes on the m… mirrors and e… everything went still. N… next thing I r… remember was waking u… up from the h… hospital w… wing."

"Really, that's all?" Olivia asked. Curiosity filled up her voice. Next to her Astoria nudged the girl to be quiet.

Nora nodded, "Y… yes. S… so, what has happened h… here while I w… was, um… o… out?"

"Dumbledore and Hagrid were kicked out," Olivia started.

"Wh… what why w… was P… professor Du… Dumbledore kicked out?"

"Because of the attacks. Corvus' uncle ran some committee, that wanted him out," Astoria continued the explanation. "After that we weren't allowed to move anywhere alone. Teachers guided us to lessons, lunches, to common room. We didn't have lunches together anymore, because everything was so strictly scheduled. This is the first time after your attack, that we all are together, having dinner."

"Oh, w… well it's good th… that everything is b… back to n… normal," Nora commented meekly.

"Yes, the nightmare is finally over," Corvus concluded, smiling.