Authors Note: Sorry for the delay in updating. I was on vacation at the beach and I had to pack up for school. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Anything recognized doesn't belong to me and there is dialogue taken from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
5. The Chamber of Secrets
First Victoria heard dripping water. Blinking, she took in the vaulted stone ceiling high above her. She tried to move her head, but she then came to realize that there was a prickling pain at her temple. She moaned. Gripping her head, she faintly registered the sound of wet, squelching footsteps as she shakily sat up.
She was confused as she took in her surroundings. There was a massive snake limp and bleeding on the floor. Looking at the person in front of her, she instantly recognized the owner of the bespectacled, brilliant green eyes as belonging to Harry Potter. She then took in the rest of the boy's appearance, he was wet, slimy, carrying a gleaming sword, his robes were soaked in blood, and, lastly, he was holding Tom Riddle's diary.
At seeing it, Victoria gasped and panicked, her eyes wetting with tears, "Oh, Harry! The diary – there's a boy, Tom –" she babbled.
Harry Potter stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder, "Victoria, its okay. Tom…he's gone."
Then Victoria realized that something was different. She likened it to taking a breath of fresh air after spending too much time under water. She glanced back down at the diary, but besides a lingering fear of Tom, she felt nothing – there was no need to write, no need to pour her feelings, no doubt which clouded her mind. She was free.
Suddenly, she let out a great sob before she threw her arms around a startled Harry Potter, "Harry, I'm so sorry. I tried to tell you, I really did, then Percy Weasley…It was me. All along it was me, I did it, but I didn't want to. It was Tom, he made me, he controlled me. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it…I'm so sorry…"
As she cried into his filthy robes, he awkwardly patted her on the back trying to calm her down, "Victoria, it's alright…everything's going to be fine…it's over."
Victoria released him and nodded tearfully.
Harry Potter got back to his feet and offered Victoria his hand. She took it and held firmly, even though it was sweaty and grimy. He heaved her onto her feet. His hand slackened, but as Victoria glanced at the dead snake once more, she tightened her grip.
Walking hand in hand, Victoria asked, "Uh, Harry," her free hand swiped her wet cheeks, "What is, I mean, what was that?"
"A basilisk," Harry Potter looked uncomfortable for a moment before continuing, "It was attacking the Muggleborns," Victoria looked down at her shoes ashamed – it was practically her fault. Harry Potter continued, "I've, uh, been hearing it…through the walls because, you know, I'm a Parselmouth. It kills by looking at its victims, but no one's looked it in the eye." They walked through the doorway, leaving the –
"Harry," Victoria began, "Was that room…was it the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Yes."
Victoria looked at the glowing red bird that was flying ahead of them in the tunnel, "And the bird?"
"He's Dumbledore's," he said and together they carefully began to climb over debris, "The passage way caved in, but Ron and Lockhart are on the other side." At the sound of someone unseen moving rocks, Harry Potter called out to a wall of rubble, "Ron! She's alright. Victoria is alright and the basilisk is dead."
There was a crash as a rock falling and Ron Weasley's ginger head peeked through. He smiled at the sight of the pair, "The bloody thing's dead? That's great. And, um, it's great to see you're okay too, Victoria."
She smiled shyly at him. Then, Harry Potter and she squeezed themselves through the narrow gap which wasn't difficult at all since they're both so small.
After they righted themselves, Harry Potter asked Ron Weasley, "Where's Lockhart?"
The redhead gestured further down the tunnel, "Back there. He's in a bad way. Come and see." As the three followed Dumbledore's bird, Ron Weasley asked, "What happened back there, Harry?"
Harry Potter glanced at Victoria before responding, "Later." She gave what he hoped was a look of gratitude, and he half-smiled back.
Soon, they came upon Gilderoy Lockhart, who was sitting quite calmly in the dreary environment and was smiling brightly.
Ron Weasley explained, "His memory's gone. The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to himself."
The professor in question, looked at the three students, "Hello. Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live here?" He gave them a cheery smile.
Ron Weasley rolled his eyes, "No."
Harry Potter examined the dark, slimy pipe, "Any ideas on how we're getting out of here?" He looked at his friend who shook his head.
Then the red bird flapped his tail feathers at Harry Potter, who suddenly smiled, "Brillant, Fawkes! He'll carry us back up to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom."
Ron Weasley appeared reasonably skeptical, "Uh, Harry, we're definitely too heavy for that bird."
"Fawkes isn't a normal bird, Ron. He's Dumbledore's phoenix. One of phoenix's magical abilities is being able to lift heavy loads. Now, Fawkes, will carry Lockhart –"
"He means you," Ron Weasley interrupted, pointing at Professor Lockhart.
Harry Potter continued, "Ron, hold onto Lockhart and my hand, and then I'll hold Victoria's…" he trailed off as he glanced down at their still clasped hands. They both blushed as Ron Weasley raised an eyebrow at this. Harry Potter cleared his throat, "Uh, yeah, so Fawkes?"
Professor Lockhart was prodded forward by an impatient Ron Weasley. Soon they were in place and flying up the wet pipe. It wasn't long before Fawkes had flown into the bathroom where they dropped onto the wet tile floor.
The girl ghost, the one Victoria had met before, gaped at the four, "You're alive."
"There's no need to sound so disappointed," Harry Potter replied.
Then, unexpectedly, the ghost girl blushed and said, "Oh, well…I'd just been thinking…if you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet."
Harry Potter cleared his throat, and pulled at Victoria's hand, "Come on, let's go." The ghost girl shot Victoria a filthy look when she saw the young girl's hand entwined with Harry Potter's and then back flipped into her toilet.
"Where to now?" Ron Weasley asked after they had left the bathroom.
Harry Potter paused for a moment, and then said, "McGonagall's. It's the closest." With Ron Weasley leading Professor Lockhart, the four walked to Professor McGonagall's office.
As they neared the office, all the elation Victoria had felt when she realized that Tom was gone, was overridden by the sudden fear of being in trouble. Harry Potter agreed that what had transpired wasn't her fault, but would the professors believe that as well?
Victoria was drawn from her anxieties when they approached the office door. Harry Potter knocked.
"Come in," came Professor McGonagall's reply from the other side of the door. Harry Potter opened it, and they entered, all of them wet and slimy. Professor McGonagall's gasped and clutched her chest, "Sweet, Merlin!" Then she spotted Victoria, half hiding behind Harry Potter, holding onto his hand for dear life, "Miss Thomas! You're alright."
"Appearances can be deceiving, Minerva," Albus Dumbledore said from his spot beside Professor McGonagall's desk. Next to him sat Professor Snape, whose eyes were glued to Victoria's face, as if trying to prove Professor Dumbledore wrong. "Physically, she is fine. But I fear there will be lingering affects."
"Potter," Professor Snape growled abruptly. He was glaring, looking back and forth from Harry Potter to where the second year's hand was holding Victoria's, "Explain yourself."
Harry Potter then recounted what had happened to him over the year, from hearing voices to searching for answers from giant spiders in the Forbidden Forest.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall prompted him as he paused, "So you found out where the entrance was – breaking a hundred school rules into pieces along the way, I might add – but how on earth did you get out of there alive, Potter?"
He then told them about find a corporal Tom Riddle, the Sorting Hat producing the sword, Fawkes, and the basilisk. Victoria waited uneasily for when Harry Potter would talk about the diary and who'd opened the Chamber of Secrets. But he didn't. He stopped after retelling how Victoria had regained consciousness.
When he had finished, Professor Dumbledore turned his blue eyes to Victoria, who was still using Harry Potter for support, "Before Harry continues," Victoria lowered her head, knowing exactly which parts of the story the headmaster was referring to, "Perhaps Miss Thomas should be seen by Poppy. Severus, would you escort her to the Hospital Wing?"
Professor Snape inclined his head, and got up from his chair. As he approached, Harry Potter stood a little straighter, as if challenging Professor Snape, "You're no longer needed, Potter." Professor Snape scowled. Harry Potter relinquished Victoria's hand. Professor Snape took her shoulder, "Come along, Miss Thomas," and steered her from the room.
They didn't speak as they walked to the Hospital Wing and instead listened to the sharp taps of Professor's Snape's steps and the wet ones of Victoria's Mary Janes. When they had reached the Hospital Wing, Professor Snape threw open the door without missing a beat.
Madame Pomfrey turned around and opened her mouth to protest, but upon seeing Professor Snape, her jaw snapped shut. "Professor Snape?" she asked.
"The headmaster thought it prudent that you perform a quick check up on Miss Thomas." He pushed her forward gently.
Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened, "Victoria Thomas! You're alright." She bustled over and wrapped an arm around the girl and led her to a vacant bed in the farthest corner. She pulled the curtain, ensuring privacy for the trio, "I was just about to administer the stewed Mandrakes, but I can give you a quick once over." She whipped out her wand, which began to glow as the matron murmured a succession of spells. After a few minutes, she stopped and declared, "Healthy, at least physically. There's nothing that I can detect. However, you do seem a bit shaken, Miss Thomas. But it's nothing that a good cup of hot chocolate wouldn't cure."
Before Madame Pomfrey hurried away, Professor Snape said, "Poppy, could I trouble you for a cup of tea?" At the witch's raised eyebrow, he explained, "I will be keeping Miss Thomas company."
While waiting, the two still didn't say anything. Professor Snape kept glancing over at Victoria, but she'd turn her own eyes to her shoes. Madame Pomfrey returned, a tea tray floating next to her. Taking a Hagrid sized mug from the tray, she handed it to Victoria, "Now, dear, finish this whole thing." She then disappeared behind a curtain several beds down to administer to a petrified student.
Professor Snape served himself tea from the tray, which had settled itself on the bedside table. Victoria meekly sipped her hot chocolate. At once, she felt a little better, warmer and safer. She smiled softly to herself.
Professor Snape took this as an opening, "Miss Thomas?"
Victoria prepared herself before she met his eyes; the hot chocolate had given her a kind of liquid courage. Raising her head, she was surprised to be met with a very out-of-character Professor Snape. He was frowning, but it wasn't in displeasure. His hands were wrapped tight around his teacup. Up close, Victoria realized, his eyes were slightly bloodshot.
Professor Snape cleared his throat, "Miss Thomas," he paused, as if unable to convey his thoughts accurately, "I apologize for the incident regarding Mr. Montague."
That was the last thing Victoria expected to hear considering all that happened last night, "Um, sir, it's alright." She didn't really believe that but she was attempting to make him feel better.
He picked up on her pity, "Miss Thomas, I disagree. It was entirely…wrong for me to treat you so coldly. Unfortunately, certain things are…required of me. That includes preferential treatment of Slytherins."
"So it was just an act?" Victoria asked.
"Yes," Professor Snape replied.
"But Professor McGonagall doesn't give special treatment to Gryffindors," she countered, setting her nearly full mug on the tea tray.
He sighed, "Different expectations are required of us." He saw that she was still confused and hurt, and he placed one of his hands on her knee, "Tori, I did what was required of me. That doesn't mean that I enjoyed it. Although you may not wish to believe it, I am not an unfeeling man and it pained me to see you cry…" he trailed off and looked a bit reluctant to continue with his line of thought, "However, I believe that there was something more to your crying."
Victoria bowed her head, both in shame and despair, and nodded, affirming his belief. He was right. Then she had been drowning in her own doubts and after fleeing the Potions' classroom, Victoria had stolen the diary from Harry Potter. Even though it was gone, the diary had so traumatized her that she was unable to speak of it and how it had controlled her. Instead, she burst out sobbing once more and threw her arms around Professor Snape, who only just managed to pull away his teacup before it was caught between them.
"Miss Thomas!" he exclaimed, but when she showed no signs of answering or of her tears subsiding, he patted her awkwardly on the back, muttering softly, "There, there."
This reminded Victoria, her tumult of emotion somewhat diminishing, of how Harry Potter had reacted when she had hugged him. Both Professor Snape and his least favorite student, Harry Potter, had similar reactions when confronted with her weeping self and both weren't particularly comfortable with comforting her. She shook her head against Professor Snape's neck. Neither Professor Snape nor Harry Potter would be pleased to know they share anything in common. Besides, that one reaction was the only thing Victoria could think of that the two shared. They were fundamentally very different. For example, Professor Snape smelled like a symphony of spices and other scents related to potions whereas when embracing Harry Potter, Victoria smelt sweat, trees, and something else distinctly Harry.
Her musings had calmed her down, and Victoria made to remove herself from Professor Snape's arms, but instead jumped out of them as a voice said, scolding her lightly, "I believe more than a sip or two of hot chocolate is necessary, Miss Thomas."Albus Dumbledore stood near the curtain's opening. He took a seat at the end of the bed as Victoria reached for her mug. Professor Dumbledore, smiling sadly began, "I've had an interesting conversation with young Harry Potter." Victoria nearly spilt hot chocolate down her front. When she turned to the headmaster, he, in seeing her desperation, clarified, "Harry told me about the diary, Miss Thomas. And I assure you, older and wiser wizards have –" he stopped abruptly, apparently unwilling to continue that line of thought, "Miss Thomas, rest assured, what has happened this year isn't your fault."
Victoria nodded resignedly.
Professor Snape, understandably so, appeared confused, and asked Professor Dumbledore, "Headmaster, what are you implying? That Miss Thomas was somehow responsible for opening the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Indeed I am, Severus," Professor Dumbledore responded gravely. Victoria kept her eyes on the swirling heat rising from her hot chocolate. She knew that Professor Snape would learn about what had transpired that year and he would surely be disappointed in her.
"Headmaster, surely you don't believe her capable?" Professor Snape said astonished.
"Drink up, Miss Thomas" Professor Dumbledore said kindly to Victoria, who obediently took a large gulp of hot chocolate. Turning to Professor Snape, he said, "No, Severus, I don't believe that Miss Thomas was capable of opening the Chamber of Secrets nor attacking the Muggleborn students. However, she did do those things. Not because she desired to, but rather, because she was forced to."
"How?" Professor Snape asked.
"Before last term started, Miss Thomas acquired a seemingly innocent diary. But, unusually this diary had a conscious of its own, or rather, the conscious of its former owner, Tom Riddle."
Professor Snape sucked in his breathe and turned to Victoria alarmed, "No," he remarked in disbelief.
He pulled out his wand, but Professor Dumbledore interrupted, "Madame Pomfrey has already down a thorough examination of Miss Thomas, Severus. I assure you, there is no lasting damage." At Victoria's small whimper, he continued, "Not that you won't be affected, Miss Thomas. Fear is something that can endure inevitably. But when Harry destroyed the diary, he destroyed the memory of Tom Riddle. Nothing of him lingers, at least from the diary." He folded his hands calmly on his lap, as Professor Snape finished putting his wand away, whose face was still tight and his eyes were alight with some unknown terror. As Victoria looked anxiously at the potions professor, Professor Dumbledore asked, "Miss Thomas, you're a clever child. What do you imagine Tom did after he graduated from Hogwarts?"
Victoria shrugged. Truly, she had never thought about it. He was always just a sixteen year old boy who existed within her diary.
"I'm sure you have some knowledge of what he did in his post-Hogwarts career," he began, looking into the confused, teary eyes of the first year. Ignoring Professor Snape's sharp glare, he continued, "Tom Riddle, although few knew him by that name, grows, or rather grew, up to be none other than Voldemort."
Professor Snape flinched and Victoria gasped, "T-tom, he's…" She couldn't finish her sentence and went into hysterics once more. Professor Dumbledore offered her a handkerchief and then patted her on the back as she blew her nose, "I d-didn't know, I-I'm sorry…" her words were lost to her tears.
"Miss Thomas, as I said earlier, you are not to blame," Professor Dumbledore comforted her.
"B-but I'll b-be sent h-home," she sobbed, nearly incoherent.
"Ah, I see," Professor Dumbledore said, "Miss Thomas, you will not be going home, at least not until term is up, then you will leave with the rest of the students. And in the fall, you'll return to continue with your education."
"Really?" Victoria asked, still not completely convinced.
"Yes," Professor Dumbledore replied. Victoria sniffed and blew her nose once more before drying her wet cheeks with her robe's sleeve. "Have some more hot chocolate," Professor Dumbledore urged, and Victoria quickly complied. It hadn't cooled down at all. Professor Dumbledore looked at Victoria seriously, "Now, Miss Thomas, Harry has told me about his experience with Tom's diary, but there are some answers that only you can provide."
Victoria nodded solemnly. She was beyond relieved that she wouldn't be expelled or punished, but she was still nervous about discussing the diary – she couldn't contain the chill that ran through her as she thought about what the diary had done to her. She was also nervous about Professor Snape's reaction. He was giving her his complete attention, but his face had lost all of the emotion it had contained minutes ago – in other words, the usual Professor Snape face of a slight scowl and narrowed eyes. This truly worried her.
Professor Dumbledore began his questioning, "Firstly, Miss Thomas, how did you come by the diary?"
Victoria thought for a moment, before realizing something and looked at Professor Snape, horrified, "In my book, Hogwarts, A History –" She stopped; it wasn't possible.
"Malfoy," Professor Snape suddenly sneered, "He had the book at Flourish and Blotts." Victoria sighed after she had processed this information. She didn't even want to imagine that Professor Snape had been the one to slip the diary into her book.
"Correct," Professor Dumbledore said. At the confused looks of the other two, he elaborated, "Shortly after you left for the Hospital Wing, Lucius Malfoy visited, feigning astonishment at my reinstatement as headmaster. Harry then confronted Lucius. The boy remembered seeing him slip something into Miss Thomas's book in Diagon Alley. But aside from that, there is no proof that would be needed to press charges."
"Typical," Professor Snape seethed.
"He won't get off so easily, Severus. Although you may not believe him capable of it, Harry cleverly managed to trick Lucius into freeing his own house elf. Also, several governors have put forth testimony that Lucius threatened to curse their families unless they agreed to suspend me. He will most certainly lose his position for that, Severus."
"But not for giving a girl a book that contained the essence of the Dark Lord," Professor Snape scowled.
"Correct…but perhaps Lucius will suffer later for his offenses," Professor Dumbledore said vaguely, before turning his bright, blue eyes to Victoria. He then continued his questioning, "Now Miss Thomas, am I correct in assuming that you began writing in the diary before you came to Hogwarts?" At her nod, he continued, "And at some point, you –"
Professor Snape interrupted him, "Headmaster, how exactly did the diary…control Miss Thomas?"
"I have a theory, part of which was confirmed by what Tom told Harry. The fact that Tom chose a diary has everything to with how he managed to possess Miss Thomas. No doubt, he intended for someone to write in it, but when one writes in a diary, they pour their very heart out. According to what Tom told Harry, this was how he managed to gain control of Miss Thomas. As soon as she put her first word down on paper, it was only a matter of time before he gained enough power to come out of the diary." Victoria blanched. She didn't know that had happened. "Every time she wrote, his hold over Miss Thomas became stronger until eventually he could possess her body for short periods of time. That is how Tom reopened the chamber. However, Miss Thomas was, at one point able to resist. Harry said he found the diary in the third floor bathroom?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
Victoria nodded, and set aside her empty mug, "Ah," she said not quite sure how to start. She was still distraught, but the hot chocolate had helped sooth her unease. At Professor Dumbledore's encouraging nod, she said, "Um, when Tom controlled me, I could remember things later. And sometimes, I could realize what was happening, in a way at least. Once, the ghost in the bathroom went through me and I, uh, woke up. That's when I figured everything out, about the weird dreams I had or how I kept on waking up wet. But I couldn't stop writing," Professor Dumbledore nodded his head absentmindedly, "I woke up in the bathroom again, and I was so scared I threw the diary in a toilet," she paused. It sounded rather silly after the fact, trying to flush a diary down a toilet.
"Harry found it in the bathroom and discovered its…secret powers. But the diary once again found its way into your hands," Professor Dumbledore said.
"I saw it after that dwarf ripped Harry Potter's bag on Valentine's Day. Things got worse once I knew where it was. Then one day, after…" she trailed off.
"After what, Miss Thomas?" Professor Dumbledore prodded kindly.
Victoria avoided Professor Snape's eyes when she revealed, "Um, after, Professor Snape told Brett Montague that I was in detention."
Professor Snape didn't say anything, but fell against the back of his chair, ramrod straight. His eyes bored into the stone above the bed's headboard.
Professor Dumbledore concluded, "And eventually, with the diary back in your possession, Tom was able to continue his hold over you, eventually writing a farewell beneath the message written on Halloween."
"What message?" Victoria asked curiously.
"Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever," Professor Snape said hollowly.
Victoria's eyes widened and Professor Dumbledore commented, "Fortunately for all, Harry discovered where the chamber was located and what was within. Otherwise, tragedy would have struck once more."
Thinking he was referring to the petrified students, Victoria nodded, but stopped and looked up at Professor Dumbledore slightly afraid, "Professor, I'm really not going to be punished, right?"
"No, Miss Thomas," Professor Dumbledore said before giving Professor Snape a knowing glance, "It's hardly fair to punish someone for something that is out of their control."
"Mmm," Victoria said, noncommittally.
Suddenly, there was commotion in the Hospital Wing and Madame Pomfrey exclaiming, "Thank goodness!"
Professor Dumbledore smiled, "It appears that Poppy has been successful in restoring the petrified students," his eyes twinkled at Professor Snape, "Of course, it was only possible with Severus' talents." He stood up and placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder, "Miss Thomas, I do believe we should be getting on to the feast."
She nodded and the old professor gave her a toothy smile before retreating from the privacy of the curtain. Beyond, Victoria could hear a girl crying, somebody letting out great gasps of air, and Hermione Granger calling out, "Professor Dumbledore! Is Harry alright?"
Victoria tried to tune out the noise – it only served as a reminder to her own culpability. She got down from the bed, her shoes squeaking on the stone floor. She was debating on how to best slip past the other occupants of the wing when –
"Miss Thomas?"
Victoria turned slowly and saw that Professor Snape stand silently. His face revealed nothing, but his eyes held some unidentifiable emotion.
He took a step closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Miss Thomas…Tori, I promise you, that regardless of what is required of me, I won't dismiss you ever again." He cupped her cheek for a moment before striding past her in a flurry of black fabric.
Victoria stood still for several long minutes, too startled to move. Then she, though no one else was around and she hadn't done so in months, she smiled, or rather beamed.
She sobered up as she heard a familiar voice from behind the curtain.
"Miss Thomas, you don't want to miss the feast." Professor Dumbledore said kindly.
Victoria, head bowed, left the security of the curtain.
Before she taken even a step beyond, she was abruptly pulled into a tight hug, "Victoria! It got you too?" Colin Creevey cried against the side of her face.
Victoria felt herself grow cold, but her face turned bright red in shame and despair, and she began to weep into Colin's neck, "No, Colin…I wasn't petrified…it was all my fault…"
Colin's grip loosened a bit, "What? Victoria, what are you talking about?"
"Miss Thomas has been through quite the ordeal, Mr. Creevey," Professor Dumbledore explained. "I think what she needs someone understanding," he gave Victoria a knowing look, "I'll see you both at the feast," and humming a cheery tune, he strolled out of the Hospital Wing, following the other students and leaving the two first years alone.
Colin pulled away from Victoria and asked, "Victoria, what do you mean it was your fault?"
Victoria, fighting stubbornly through her tears and fears, told him everything: about the diary, her strange dreams, and about Tom. She finished by telling him how Fawkes brought them out of the Chamber of Secrets. Throughout the entirety of her explanation, Colin looked at her with curiosity and sympathy.
After she was done, Colin's first question, unexpectedly, was, "Why do you always refer to Harry by his full name?"
Victoria, surprised, answered, "Well, uh, it seems more respectful. He's the Boy Who Lived. But I don't do it to his face," she then gulped and changed the subject, "About everything else…you're not upset with me, are you?"
Colin smiled and shook his head vigorously, "Upset? Of course not. It wasn't your fault after all." His grin faltered a bit, "Victoria, just…you're not alone. We're friends, right?"
Victoria smiled again and pulled Colin into another hug, which he returned eagerly. His childlike exuberance might annoy most, but at that moment, Victoria couldn't be more grateful.
Pulling back, Colin commented, "Come on, we don't want to miss the feast, do we?" He then beamed brightly, "Besides, I want to thank Harry." Victoria rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
As they left the Hospital Wing and made their way to the Great Hall, Victoria caught Colin up on all that happened since November. He was upset to have missed the Dueling Club, but this was remedied as he was amused when Victoria told him what had happened to Professor Lockhart in the chamber.
The feast was unlike any other they had attended, which wasn't many where the first years were concerned. Nearly the entirety of the student populace was still in their nightclothes. Colin and Victoria took seats with Ginny and Aaron, who both jumped up from their seats upon seeing their friends. At Aaron's questioning for some sort summary about what had happened, Colin gave Victoria a knowing smile and answered, "Later."
With their quartet once again complete, conversation was light and jolly. Colin folded right back into where he belonged and Victoria, no longer under the effects of possession, was happy and smiling, and Aaron and Ginny reconnected with her earnestly. The other Gryffindor first years even joined them, celebrating the end of the dangerous year and the fact that Gryffindor had won the House Cup. However, the seven other first years all sighed when Colin fiercely thanked an embarrassed Harry Potter.
When Professor Dumbledore finally stood and called attention, Victoria was jolted from the revelry around her. She was terrified that the headmaster would mention something about her. To her relief, he didn't. He merely informed the students of Professor Lockhart's condition and told them that exams were canceled. The entire school let out great happy hollers and Victoria wasn't sure if it was because of Professor Lockhart or the lack of exams.
It was nearly dawn before the students was ushered out of the Great Hall to their beds. Victoria managed to avoid telling her tragic story again that night, but when she went to bed, she wasn't completely dreading telling her other friends. And she went to bed and had pleasant dreams.
XxXxX
The end of term was completely painless compared to the rest of the year.
Ginny and Aaron had been just as sympathetic and understanding when Victoria told them all she had told Colin, who was equally concerned when Victoria revealed to him her home situation and blood status. However, aside from those three and Harry Potter and his friends, Victoria's part in the year's tragedies remained unknown to anyone other than the teachers.
With no exams, the four friends wandered the grounds and castle freely and with no darkness shrouding over them. And once, when coming from the Black Lake for dinner, Harry Potter had caught up with her and asked how she was doing. She told him she was better than ever, and despite Ginny's blushes, Ron Weasley's teasing, and Colin's hero worship, the two exchanged warm smiles.
Victoria resumed her potions sessions with Professor Snape. Although on the outside, he'd nearly gone back to his normal self, he still did little things that showed he truly did care. One evening, as a treat, the two ventured into the Forbidden Forest to look for several rare ingredients. Along the way, Victoria saw her first unicorn and centaur, both of which were rather skittish. Also, the afternoon before she returned home, Professor Snape gave her permission to raid his personal library, though only under the condition that he approve the books. While looking through the shelves, she realized his concern; he had more than a few books on what looked like dark magic. Victoria made no comment on this and pulled three rather large potions texts for her summer reading.
Before she bid him goodbye and headed to the Farewell Feast, they shared a hug which was surprisingly initiated by Professor Snape, "Despite the circumstances, Miss Thomas, I hope you have an enjoyable summer," he murmured lowly, patting her head which rested against his upper stomach.
"You too, Professor," she said pulling back far enough to look at his face.
"Would you like to correspond over the holiday?" He asked.
Victoria beamed "Yes," and gave him one more affectionate squeeze before he shooed her off to dinner.
Despite being the second feast in a fortnight, the Farewell Feast was amazing in its own right and afterwards, the four friends huddled in their corner of the Gryffindor common room joking and chatting with full bellies and light hearts.
XxXxX
Victoria regretted staying up late as she woke at the crack of dawn and packed up her trunk for her return home. Luckily, she wasn't in as much of a panic as Sarah, who was the messiest in the dormitory.
Breakfast was a quick affair, but the four Gryffindors exchanged information to keep in contact over the summer. Colin and Victoria, both being from Muggle households, traded phone numbers. Ginny and Aaron were both from wizard families and Victoria looked forward to communicating with owls.
As they exited the Great Hall to begin the journey to Hogsmeade Station, Victoria made sure to catch Professor Snape's eye once more. She smiled and waved, to which he inclined his head. Neither noticed Harry Potter's surprised look.
The journey back to London went by much quicker when spent with friends. Colin took pictures and talked about how anxious he was to show his family the magical world, Aaron was going on about having tickets to the Quidditch World Cup in Turkey, and Ginny hoped that her family's efforts to visit one of her brothers over the summer would be fruitful. Victoria tried to be happy for her friends, but was somewhat disheartened when she thought about what her summer was going to be like. She would have to endure her parents and their prejudice. She then tried to cheer up by reminding herself that she had three new books to read and four friends to write to over the summer.
When they got off the train, they met up with Ginny's family, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. As they lugged their trunks to the barrier, Harry Potter faltered suddenly and looked over at Victoria, "Victoria – what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you to tell anyone?"
The rest of the group listened in, all interested, though some wondered about the query's context.
Victoria blushed when she remembered what she had stumbled into. She hadn't really registered it due to the incidents prior and following her interruption. She decided to answer the question honestly, though with a little censorship, "Well, I think Percy has a girlfriend."
The twins' trunks collided as they stared at her awestruck. "What?" One of them asked.
"Who?" His twin asked.
Victoria shrugged, "It's the Ravenclaw prefect, the one with the curly hair."
"Penelope Clearwater," Hermione Granger said, "She was the girl who was petrified when I was."
Victoria looked away. She was still ashamed about her participation. However, Harry Potter caught her eye and gave her an encouraging smile.
Victoria hoped to end the conversation about Percy there, but one twin asked, "What were they doing?"
"Hmm?"
"What were they doing?" The other reiterated.
Victoria's face heated up as she said, "Well, uh…they were kissing…a lot."
The twins shared a mischievous smile.
It was then their turn to go through the barrier. Victoria took one last look at the Hogwarts Express and ran forward and out of the magical world.
The station looked just as it had in September. However, families milled around looking for their students, and then once they found them, greeting them with lots of hugs and kisses. Victoria saw that Harry Potter avoided looking at these heart warming scenes. She also realized that watching made her feel uncomfortable, but she couldn't escape it as she searched the crowd for her own parents, or more likely, just her mother.
Victoria watched as a small boy launch himself at Colin, followed by a chuckling short man in casual clothing. Aaron's parents – both as round as he was – pulled their son close, holding him tight for several long moments. A plump red-headed woman hurried over to Ginny and swept her up into her arms. The rest of the Weasleys were treated similarly, despite their protests. A ways off, a well dressed couple appeared delighted to be reunited with their daughter, Hermione Granger.
In the end, Victoria and Harry Potter were left by the luggage. He looked over and said in a voice that didn't disguise his sorrow, "What about your parents?"
Victoria shrugged, "They, uh, should be somewhere around here…hopefully."
"They're Muggles, right?"
She nodded her head, "Yes." Then she admitted, "My Dad's a pastor, so he really doesn't…like all the magic stuff."
Harry Potter replied, "I know how that goes; my aunt and uncle hate anything to do with magic as well," then with flushed cheeks, "Last summer, they put bars on my windows and bolts on the door," at her anxious look, he continued, "Ron, Fred, and George rescued me though."
"Oh, well, my parents haven't done anything like that. They just…ignore me now."
She hadn't heard or seen her parents since the previous summer. There had been no letters. Victoria even wondered if they even knew what had happened to her over the year. Neither Professor Snape nor Professor Dumbledore had mentioned anything.
Then, as she watched Harry Potter walk over to a huge man with a large moustache, she saw her mother standing two platforms down. Her mother's eyes were looking nervously through the crowd and she kept on fidgeting with her hat.
Readjusting her hold on her trunk, Victoria made her way over to her mother. Along the way, she was hugged by each of her friends and Ginny's mother. The rest of the Weasleys waved goodbye.
One of the twins teased, "See you next term, Ginny's friend!"
Victoria blushed and walked off with a shy wave of her own.
"Have a good summer," Harry Potter said, smiling. He was blushing, but Victoria figured it was because he had just been smothered by Mrs. Weasley.
With one final look over her shoulder at her magical friends, Victoria lugged her trunk over to her mother, who was staring determinedly at the ground.
After not seeing her for months, Victoria saw how old her mother really was. Her hair was completely gray and lines and age dictated her face.
Swallowing, Victoria said, "Hello, Mum." She took another step closer to her mother, the child in her hoping for a hug. She was sorely disappointed.
"Hmm," was Mrs. Thomas's response. She then said timidly, "The train for Owlhill leaves in fifteen minutes." And with that the woman turned and set out across the station.
Mrs. Thomas's meek but unemotional attitude set the mood for the remainder of the trip. She hardly said another word except for polite 'pardon me's when bumping up against another traveler. In the stonily silence, it seemed to take nearly forever before the mother and daughter were once again walking down the sleepy streets of Owlhill.
Victoria felt anxious as they approached the modest Thomas home. She would have to be here, alone with her parents, until the first of September, which was nearly two and a half months from now.
Her mother went in first. Victoria followed, but as soon as she stepped over the threshold, her father burst out of the parlor and ran forward. He grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it shut. He even went as far as locking it. Mr. Thomas held up a piece of paper, "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded of his daughter.
"What?" Victoria asked, confused.
"This," her father shouted, shaking his fist.
Victoria looked a bit closer at the paper her father was holding. She then saw that it wasn't just paper, but rather parchment. "Who's it from?" She asked uneasily.
"That Snape person who-who took you to get your magic…things. The man goes too far. He has no right interfering with my family." Mr. Thomas raged. His wife stood by the stairs banister, pale and trembling. The irate man continued, "He's threatened me, with magic. Under no means am I to harm or upset Miss Thomas, he writes," He turned to his wife and informed her, "Do you know how this came? An owl delivered it."
Victoria opened her mouth to say something, anything, but realized that nothing she could say or even do would make it better.
Mr. Thomas then ripped the letter up and ordered his daughter, "Upstairs! Now! Don't come down unless you're told."
Victoria shot up the steps as quickly as she could manage with her trunk. After arriving in her room, the air heavy with must, she shut the door and locked it. She threw her self on top of her comforter and cried herself to sleep.
XxXxX
Victoria's summer was far from enjoyable.
She spent a majority of the time up in her room. There, she reread all of her school books. She had finished all of the books she'd borrowed from Professor Snape the first week back.
Occasionally, she'd get to go out of the house for a quick walk through the countryside or in town, but that was only when her father was working. Unfortunately for Victoria, he hadn't been working nearly as much as she remembered in the past. From bits of information heard from those at the parish or the park, she learned that Mr. Thomas has been on a steady decline since last summer. His congregation no longer respected him the way they once did. Apparently, for some reason they didn't know, but often speculated over, he'd become cold and harsh, distancing himself from all those around him. In response, the parish had brought in a new, younger pastor to 'assist' the aging Reverend Thomas. Victoria knew she was partially to blame; she was sure that that the revelation of magic had pushed her father too far.
Victoria also had no real vacation this summer. Usually, she spent some time with her mother's sister and her grandchildren in America when Mr. and Mrs. Thomas when to Africa for missionary work. However, this year, the new assistant pastor, Reverend Beckett, took the parish's volunteers.
Despite her horrible holiday, she had some things to be thankful for. She was slowing becoming more stable and assured, such reorientation was to be expected after a possession Professor Snape had told her. Slowly, her nightmares regarding Tom waned. Also, her father, her first night aside, would, instead of always attempting to pick a fight, be more likely to just ignore her. Her mother was the same way. Another bright spot in her summer had been the uplifting communication with her friends.
Ginny had sent her a postcard from Egypt. Her family had won a lot of wizarding gold and then spent it on a family vacation visiting Ginny's eldest brother, Bill, who was a Curse-breaker for Gringotts, the wizard bank. Aaron had sent Victoria long letters detailing the semifinals for the Quidditch World Cup. England was no longer in the running, so Aaron was rooting for Germany. He worshipped their top Chaser, Hans Bucheim. In her replies, Victoria had promised her friend that she'd keep her fingers crossed for Germany. Colin, since he was Muggleborn, would send her post the Muggle way. He'd tried to call, but after Mr. Thomas and Mr. Creevey shared heated words over the phone about the wonder of magic, Mr. Thomas forbade his daughter to use the phone.
Professor Snape wrote to her often, although he didn't say much. Victoria suspected that this had more to do with the fact that he had very little to write about than him not caring enough to write long letters. He'd even sent her another book to read and a rough draft of an article he's preparing for publishing. Several times throughout the previous school year, Victoria had assisted him in his research. Victoria found that she really missed potions and had several time taken her kit and cleaned it thoroughly. But even more, she missed Professor Snape. In his letters, he'd promised to once again take her shopping for her school supplies, but she'd have to wait until the middle of August. However, as fate would have it, she would not have to wait that long.
XxXxX
At the end of July, in the middle of night, Victoria was awoken to the sound of someone shuffling about her room. Gripping her wand, which rested with her arm beneath her pillow, she shot up, wand at the ready; her door had been locked.
She was fully prepared to disarm the intruder, but the bright moon outside highlighted his feature: hooked nose, shoulder length hair, long flowing robes that blended in with the dark. "Professor Snape?" She cried.
He murmured something and a small bit of light appeared at the end of his wand, "Miss Thomas…" he trailed off and looked about the room.
Feeling scared, she asked, "Professor Snape?" Her hold on her wand tightened.
He let out a succession of unfamiliar spells, before glancing to the window. Going over, he pulled the curtains tight and muttered another spell. Now the room was in complete darkness. Victoria's hand found the beside lamp's switch with familiarity. The little lamp made Professor Snape, who was sitting in the chair by the window, visible, but the room was still full of sharp shadow.
Professor Snape, for the first time, looked at her. He clasped the arms of the chair before saying, "No doubt it will be on the Muggle news in a few hours, but two nights ago, Sirius Black broke out of Azkaban. The Ministry tried to hide his escape. I only got word of it an hour ago."
Victoria, sitting atop her bed, was confused, "Uh, Professor, who's Sirius Black?"
Professor Snape inclined his head, "Of course, you wouldn't know who he is. Shortly after the Dark Lord was defeated, twelve years ago, Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse." Victoria's eye widened. "He was captured at the scene, laughing like a madman before they took him to Azkaban, the wizard prison."
"Does anyone know why he's escaped?" she asked.
"Black's a supporter of the Dark Lord. It is believed that he escaped to seek…revenge."
"Revenge?"
"Miss Thomas," he began, "Remember what I said, Black killed those thirteen people after the Dark Lord's downfall."
After a few moments, she put the pieces together and she shot out of bed, "Harry Potter! Is he alright?" She asked.
Professor Snape's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "I didn't know you cared so much about Potter." She shrugged. "Regardless, he is safe. That has been seen to," then he sneered, "But no one thought to check on you."
"Me?" Victoria asked, perplexed. "What would Sirius Black want with me?"
The only answer she got was an intense, but far away look. Professor Snape stood, "I have to be going, Miss Thomas. I have more tasks that I need to complete."
"Oh, okay," she said. She wished he could stay longer. "I'll see you on my birthday right, to pick up my school things?"
He nodded, "Yes, but before I go," he reached into his robes and pulled out a newspaper, "This is the Evening Prophet. I thought a wizard newspaper would interest you" He handed it to her and Victoria, who saw that the front of it contained the headline "Sirius Black Escapes!" above a picture of a haggard, black headed man. He looked truly sinister, and she swallowed nervously. Professor Snape took a step forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "There is no need to fear, Tori. I've put several wards around your house to ensure your safety. Now, the hour is late and I must depart."
"Goodbye, Professor."
He took a step back and with a small 'pop,' he vanished.
Newspaper in hand, Victoria crawled back into bed. Skipping the feature article on Sirius Black and found herself reading the "Wizarding Culture Worldwide" section. She was nearly finished with an article on magical artifacts discovered on Crete by the respected magical archeologist, Ariadne Black, when she drifted off to sleep.
XxXxX
A little more than two weeks later, August 13th, Victoria sat in the parlor, dressed and ready for her shopping excursion to Diagon Alley. Mr. Thomas was working, though only during the morning, and Mrs. Thomas was grocery shopping. When Victoria had informed them of her plans for the day, they didn't react at all. Although the rejection had become a second nature to them, it still stung Victoria every time. Despite all this, she was anxious and Professor Snape was late. He was always punctual, but it was now twenty past ten, and she was tired of waiting.
Victoria watched the seconds tick on the clock and exactly seventeen seconds later, there was a knock at the front door. She then jumped up, her robes nearly tripping her, before she ran over and wretched the door open…
She was sure her face was a mixture of confusion and disappointment, for it wasn't Professor Snape at her door.
It was a man, probably around the same age as Professor Snape, with light brown hair speckled with liberal amounts of grey and brown eyes. He wore tattered brown robes and a bright smile. It was the smile that confused her the most. It was one that was filled with wonder and delight. Victoria felt some of her disappointment slip away and she smiled back.
The stranger, still smiling, extended his hand. Victoria took it as he introduced himself, "Tori, right? I'm your new Defense professor, Remus Lupin."