Chapter 6: Realization

Harry and Ron walked quickly side by side behind the Headmaster and Professor Snape. They tried their best to appear calm and clear headed with the Professors around, but if you looked closely, you could easily see that they were both tempted not to walk, but run to the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets. The silence among the four of them quickly made Ron uncomfortable and he continued the long walk staring at the floor while making uneasy glances at Harry from time to time. But once they had all reached the entrance, almost everyone put on a stern face. No one wanted to make one another any more uncomfortable than they already were. Snape's expression, however, was a mixture of nerves and disgust.

Once they had reached the entrance, everyone stopped and stared at Harry. At first he just stood there lost in thought, but Dumbledore brought him back to Earth by clearing his throat. Harry took a deep breath and stared down the fountain he had hoped he would never have to revisit. Snape's eyes widened as a hissing noise that closely resembled that of the Dark Lord's seeped out of Harry's lips.

The Earth felt as if it had moved with a sudden jolt. Everyone took a big step backwards and starred in wonder as the huge water fountain creaked and opened apart piece by piece. Ron couldn't watch. He looked at Harry right in the eyes. Harry tried to give him a reassuring glance, but failed.

Once the blocks stopped moving and the entrance was clearly visible, Harry took a deep breathe and stepped towards the big black and creepy hole first.

"Be prepared. It's a long way down," said Harry. He thought giving the Professors a little heads up was in order. Ron gulped and stepped behind Harry. He had not enjoyed his first trip down the tunnel, and the second would not be any more of a thrill ride.

Taking a deep breath, Harry jumped down the hole for the second time. Ron followed with Dumbledore and Snape not far behind. Snape's snarling could be heard the entire way down. Ron simply closed his eyes until it was over, forgetting that the drop off was coming close. Harry was thrown forward with Ron stumbling on top of him. They quickly moved aside for the Professors to land. Dumbledore surprisingly slowed himself down just in time before the tunnel ended and stood up brushing the dust off his long wizard robes. Unfortunately, his swift movements that helped him to stop at the end of the tunnel were not in tune to hear Snape coming in for a crash landing behind him. Snape, like Harry, was thrown forward, only this time Snape was thrown straight into Dumbledore's back. Harry cringed at the painful sight of the two colliding. With a little bit of wounded pride, the two managed to get up. But Snape was far less graceful.

"If looks could kill…?" whispered Ron to Harry. The expression on Snape's face now was one that could send even the most intimidating man running.

"This way," said Harry, pointing the way. The others followed. The Chamber was even darker than Harry remembered it. The stench, the dampness, and eerie feeling were all still there just like before, but the darkness…he could feel the evil lurking within the walls. It was stronger than it had been before.

The four walked and walked in silence until they reached another circular door leading to a ladder. Each climbed down, knowing that the end of the journey was near. Harry waited for the others to climb down before turning around. What he saw was rather predictable. The long entrance to the main circle was still lined with the carved snakes with a gigantic sculpture of Salazar Slytherin. Only this time, an enormous skeleton of what used to be the Basilisk lay in center of the chamber. Harry stared at the others who were obviously in awe of what they were seeing. Ron's mouth was dropped, Dumbledore seemed intrigued, while Snape was in shock of what was before him.

Harry once again led the way. Dumbledore quickened his pace to be by Harry's side. But just before the reached the end of the long walkway to the chamber, Dumbledore thrust out his arms to stop the others. They were not alone.

Harry's eyes did not catch the movement to the side of them. All he could focus on was the amount of blood in the center of the cold stone floor. It looked fresh. It lay only inches from the ink stain left from Tom Riddle's diary.

Then suddenly, two dark silhouettes walked toward the very puddle of blood Harry had been gazing upon. The figures came into clear view as they reached the center of the chamber. They were covered in long black cloaks hiding their faces, but Harry could feel the evil resonating from their bodies. He then realized what they were.

"Death Eaters." He barely even heard his own voice. He couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. Why would they show themselves before two powerful wizards? Or even Harry?

One bent down to touch the blood on the ground. He then lifted his hand towards his face to examine it closer. He stood and pulled his hood from his head, revealing a long scar from a slash going from his eye down to his neck. The other let her hood down also allowing her long blood red hair to fall to her waist. Her features were fine and nothing like the rough appearance of the man beside her.

"Brilliant. All is falling into place perfectly," said the man. Harry could feel his heart start to race. The Death Eaters turned towards them and with a look of triumph on their faces.

"How does it feel Potter?" Said the woman with her green eyes piercing into Harry's own. "How does it feel to know that you have failed in every way possible? Afraid the old man can't help you this time. Soon your little mudblood friend will belong to the Dark Lord. How does it feel to know that you have lost her forever?"

Harry didn't know how he knew, or how it came to him, but he once it did he felt the urge to scream.

"It was you! You're her foster parents! This whole time… YOU SET HER UP!" he yelled.

"Yes, Harry, they did," said Dumbledore as he took out his wand.

"Why even bother old man?" said the woman. "You know all too well that harming us will bring you no further to finding the girl. Her fate is no longer in your hands."

The man began to laugh as he raised his wand and thrust his hand toward the ground. With one swift movement, smoke clouded the chamber and the Death Eaters were gone.

When the smoke cleared, four wizards stood quiet, completely oblivious as to what to do, or how such a monstrosity had occurred within the castle's walls.

Harry stared down the spot where the Death Eaters had once stood. Only after Harry had fought the urge to let hot tears run down his enraged face and allowed his eyes to focus once again did he notice. Hermione's wand was lying on the ground only a foot away from her own pool of blood.


A/N: Yes, I do intend on finishing this story...it just is hard with taking on a full time schedule of college courses.

As always...PLEASE REVIEW!!!