A/N: Hello everyone. I am back. Well i am back since quite a time, but i am back to this story. So sorry for the long wait, i my exams and studies are over now. So updates will be faster. I am almost over my typing block; odd one right? Well i had ideas in my mind but was feeling lazy for typing them. Who would not after typing thesis. Anyway, i am free Post-Graduate now. Congrats me.

Thanks to hpnut1, Lilly-PotterKOOL, US2UK06 and ShadowMoonDancer for your reviews and comments.

On with the story.

Unexpected help

Good-byes were never easy for Remus. The last time he had done that … well … now is not the time to think about it, Remus slapped himself mentally. No matter how hard he tried, he ended up thinking about his past, the happy, sad and bitter memories of it.

He saw kids hurrying towards him. The last two days had been wonderful. This group reminded him so much of his own friends … not again, Remus scolded himself again.

"Good morning, Remus," the kids said cheerfully.

"Good morning to all," Remus said with a smile. "Time for me to leave."

"Aren't you even going to have breakfast with us?" asked Harry.

"No, Harry," replied Remus, "I'm rather late. I was waiting for you all to tell you about the monsters you asked me about." Remus lowered his voice so that the kids had to lean forward to hear him. "It's a basilisk. Its stare is fatal. You will find more in the library. But I would advice you to be careful and tell Dumbledore about it." Remus' voice was back to normal now. "Enjoy your holidays. Take care. We will meet soon."

With that Remus shook hands with all the kids and walked out of the grounds and disapparated.

"He's a nice bloke," said Ron, looking at the spot where Remus was a moment ago. "Calm and cool."

"Yeah," said Ayesha, "Except for his eyes. There was something I couldn't place."

Hermione nodded. "I also noticed but only once when Harry was showing the album."

"That is quite understandable," said Dudley, "I mean he was looking at his friends, after all."

"Maybe," Ayesha nodded unconvincingly.

The rest of the holidays passed in a blur and again the school was bustling with the school life.

Hermione had researched all on basilisks. She found that spiders were afraid of basilisk whereas rooster's cry was fatal to it. They had also found out why no one was dead yet. The only puzzle was Justin. There was no water or camera which could have prevented him from staring directly at basilisk. The other problem was how the snake was moving around the castle without getting noticed.

Having come back from holidays students had forgotten about the attacks and the tension had reduced significantly. Classes were going on normally and soon it was time for Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It was Ayesha's and Dudley's first match, so they were excited as well as nervous. Hufflepuffs, on the other hand, were nervous. Fred pointed out that they were nervous Ayesha might petrify them.

All too soon, Ayesha and Dudley found themselves at the Ravenclaw table on the day of Quidditch match. Harry, Ron and Hermione were trying to coax them to eat something but it was getting difficult for Ayesha and Dudley to do so.

The five of them went to the Ravenclaw common room to get Dudley's and Ayesha's Quidditch things. It was on their way to Quidditch pitch that Harry heard it yet again.

"Kill this time … rip … tear …"

He shouted out aloud making the other four to jump.

"I heard the voice, didn't you?" asked Harry staring at Ayesha.

"Well … I wasn't paying any attention," said Ayesha, straining her ears to hear the voice.

"Maybe you heard wrong," suggested Ron. He was also looking around uneasily. "We should make a move. It's their first match," Ron added pointing at Dudley and Ayesha.

Seeing the looks of nervousness and uneasiness on Ayesha's and Dudley's face, Ron flung his arm across Dudley and said, "Flush out your worries, mate. Everything will be alright."

Dudley suddenly stopped moving. He was staring distantly.

"Er – what happened, Dudley?" Harry asked.

"You guys go ahead. I will come in five minutes," said Dudley and sprinted back.

"What was that?" asked Hermione.

"Maybe he took my statement seriously," Ron joked. "Let's get going."

They went to the Quidditch pitch where Ayesha went to the locker room and Harry, Ron and Hermione went to stands.

"Where's Dudley?" Mary asked Ayesha the moment she saw her enter the locker room alone.

"Coming in few minutes," Ayesha said. All the team members were present; Mary – seeker, David – beater, Robert and Shay – chasers and Sophie – keeper. Ayesha herself was a chaser whereas Dudley was a beater.

"Okay," Mary took a deep breath, "we need to win this match. Not only will it fetch us points but also boost our morale since it's our first match of the season. I want all of you to take Hufflepuff seriously. No match is won until it's over. Let me tell you --"

Ayesha couldn't hear what Mary was about to tell the team as they heard Professor McGonagall's voice echoing through the field.

"THIS MATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED."

The Ravenclaw team rushed outside, sure they heard wrong. They could hear shouts and boos.

"ALL STUDENTS ARE TO MAKE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE HOUSE COMMON ROOMS, WHERE THEIR HEADS OF HOUSES WILL GIVE THEM FURTHER INFORMARION. AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN, PLEASE!"

The crowd started moving grudgingly and protesting. Professor McGonagall again pointed her wand to her throat and shouted.

"POTTER, WEASLEY, GRANGER AND MALHOTRA, STAY BACK."

"What all's happening?" Ayesha muttered to herself as she scrambled through the crowd towards Professor McGonagall. She saw Ron, Harry and Hermione coming with same confused looks as she was carrying at that moment. Professor McGonagall didn't tell them anything but beckoned them to follow her.

They silently followed her, worried about where they were going to. At last she spoke in a very gentle voice as she opened the door of infirmary, "This will be a bit of shock … there has been another attack … double attack. Both of them were found near the ground floor bathroom."

There on the first bed lay a girl whom none of them knew. And in the bed next to hers was –

"Dudley!" Harry ran to his bed.

Dudley lay there motionless holding mirror in his one hand and broom in other. His grip on both was very strong, reason why they hadn't been removed yet. Harry had gone pale while others were staring in shock.

Professor McGonagall didn't let them stay there for long and escorted them to Gryffindor tower. She even let Ayesha stay there.

Gryffindors started talking loudly as soon as Professor McGonagall left. The four of them immediately went to Harry and Ron's dorm. Hermione started pacing the room whereas Harry was too shocked to say anything. Ron was shaking his head while Ayesha was sitting with a thoughtful look on her face.

"We … we got to do something," Ayesha said after a while.

"Oh why … why did Dudley go back?" asked Hermione to no one in particular.

"I think," said Ron slowly, "maybe he figured out something."

"What do we do now?" asked Harry.

"Oh … I just don't know," replied a frustrated Hermione. "I wish we could ask someone, tell someone --"

"What do you want to ask?" asked Ron.

"Who opened the Chamber of Secrets last time," whispered Hermione. "We might get a clue, you know."

"No one will tell us," said Ayesha, "… except … of course …"

"Hagrid," Ron, Harry and Hermione cried together.

Quickly they decided to ask Hagrid that very night. Ron and Harry were to go ask him; there was no point increasing the danger.

While Harry and Ron were gone, Hermione buried herself in books to check what all had she missed on basilisks. "There ought to be something in here to tell us how it is moving in the castle," she kept muttering. Ayesha was also doing the same but only to keep herself busy.

After some fifteen minutes, Hermione slammed the book shut. "There's nothing here."

"What is taking Harry and Ron so long?" asked Ayesha, anxiously.

"Maybe Hagrid knows something," said Hermione, looking hopefully towards the light coming from Hagrid's hut."

To calm themselves down, Hermione asked Ayesha, "By the way, am I the only one or did you also notice Professor Snape's odd looks at you?"

"Dudley did mention once before the holidays," Ayesha answered, "I haven't noticed him looking strangely at me, but he certainly is behaving odd."

"How?"

"For one, he is observing me doing work in Potions class. He never did that before. He generally never bothered me before since my potions are almost always perfect. Nowadays, he will come around, look at them, observe me how am I going about it. Secondly, he would never comment even if my potion looks different from that mentioned in book, which sometimes is the case because of the short-cuts."

Hermione shrugged. "He himself is a Potions master. He must have known you used some short-cut."

"Maybe," Ayesha agreed, "the oddest one was him awarding me points in the last class. He never does that. Though I must say I deserved them; the question was pretty difficult and no one knew the answer, but it seemed as if he expected only me to know the answer. All the time he was looking straight at me."

Soon that conversation also finished and they were again left to deal with their anxiousness. Hermione closed her eyes, trying to replay the whole conversation they had with Dudley before he abruptly left them. Suddenly she got up yelping.

"What!" shrieked Ayesha.

"Oh I am sorry," said Hermione hurriedly, "I got it … the basilisk … it's moving in pipes … that's what Dudley figured. Remember he was found petrified near bathroom. He must have gone there to confirm his theory." Hermione was pacing again.

"Why couldn't he just tell us? Why he had to be so stupid to go after the snake," groaned Ayesha.

"I don't have any idea … maybe in the anxiety he just thought of confirming it … he … he must have gone along the wall … where Harry had heard the voice and mirror … he must have taken it as precautionary measure … just in case you know."

"We are still far from finding out where this snake is coming from."

Just then the portrait opened and closed and within a moment Harry and Ron materialised out of thin year; thankfully no one was in common room. They slumped to the sofa.

"We figured out something," said Hermione slowly, "Did you find some--?"

"It was Hagrid who opened the Chamber last time; a girl got killed then," said Harry, "Taken to Azkaban by Minister himself."

Ayesha and Hermione were staring open mouth at Ron and Harry.

"But," protested Ayesha, "Hagrid?"

They stayed in silence for few minutes before Ron reminded Hermione about something she was about to share. Hermione shared the information and Ron and Harry had to agree it was quite possible. They spent the rest of the night wondering about possible culprits.

The news of Hagrid being the culprit had spread in the castle and the students looked relieved. While most of the teachers had neutral expressions on their faces, it was Lockhart who was the most unbearable. He was convinced that it was Hagrid behind the petrifications and that the castle was now safe.

During lunch, Hufflepuffs, led by the Ernie who had earlier accused Ayesha, approached Harry, Ayesha, Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall.

"Er," started Ernie, "Potter! Malhotra! We … we are sorry for our –er earlier behaviour."

"What made you change your mind, eh?" Ayesha asked bitterly, despite fully well knowing the answer.

"We know Dursley is your friend and Potter's brother," the pimply girl replied, "You will never hurt him."

"Lightning finally struck?" Harry shot out angrily. He ignored the confused looks on everyone's faces around him. "Look I don't want to talk to you guys, so please go away."

The Huffelpuffs scurried away as soon as possible.

"Calm down, Harry," Hermione said, patting him on the shoulder.

"What was 'lightning finally struck' thing, mate?" Ron asked from across the table.

"Dudley says that," Harry said pointing to his scare, "Whenever it takes me time to understand something."

They continued with their lunch. few moments later Parvati came storming to the hall and took a seat beside Hermione. Both Hermione and Ayesha looked at her with concern.

"What's wrong, Parvati?" Lavender asked.

"Moaning Myrtle," Parvati answered through her gritted teeth.

Lavender looked at Hermione, who merely shrugged.

"Er – what happened?" asked Hermione, tentatively.

"Can't she have peace in her own bathroom?" said Parvati angrily, "NO! She feels the need to roam around in other bathrooms and scare students. Always crying and crying. And you would think fifty years of crying were enough."

"What do you mean by fifty years?" Harry asked.

"She died some fifty years back," answered Lavender, "A seventh year told us."

Ron, Hermione, Ayesha and Harry exchanged looks. They finished their lunch quickly and ran out of the Great Hall.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Ron said, "Do you also think Moaning Myrtle was the one who died last time?

Harry added excitedly, "I bet she died in that bathroom only. That's why she never leaves it."

"But," Hermione voiced sceptically.

"Well," added Ayesha, "it never hurts to go and check."

"With teachers patrolling at night and accompanying us for our classes, yeah, it will never hurt," said Hermione, sarcastically.

"We got to find a way," said Ayesha, raising an eyebrow la Snape style at Hermione.

Later that night, Professor Dumbledore announced that mandrakes were ready and a potion would be administered tomorrow to revive all those who had been petrified. The news was such a big relief that it was evident.

"We need not go to Myrtle's now," said Ron, looking happy after so many days. "Dudley will tell us everything and finally the culprit will be caught."

Harry couldn't help but feel relaxed. They all had missed Dudley in the past two weeks. Harry had written to Petunia and Vernon on Ayesha's insistence and they were also worried. Finally, tomorrow all worries will be gone.

The first class next day was Transfiguration which proved Harry's dinner thoughts wrong. They had the biggest worry looming ahead – Exams. Professor McGonagall announced that exams will be held the next week as they were scheduled to be.

Ron kept complaining about exams all the way to DADA where he shared the news with Ayesha. Except Hermione, everyone had a dreary look to their faces. They attended another boring class of Lockhart's. Once it was finished, Lockhart escorted them to their next class; Ravenclaw's Herbology and Gryffindor's Care of Magical Creatures. Since both were conducted on grounds, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were walking together.

Lockhart was making no effort in controlling his volume while declaring that these escorting were useless since the convict had already been caught.

"Mark my words," said Lockhart, "these students will wake and all of them would say 'it was Hagrid'. Don't know why Professor Dumbledore thinks these security measures are necessary."

"You are right, Professor," said Harry.

Ron was staring at him with open-mouth. However, Hermione got the clue and said, "You look tired, Professor. Late night patrols must be consuming."

"You have no idea," said Lockhart.

"Why don't you leave us here, Professor," said Ron, finally getting the cue.

"Yes, Sir," said Ayesha, "We only have one more corridor to cross."

"I think, I will do that. I will prepare for the next class," said Lockhart and hurried back to his classroom.

"Or curl his hair?" muttered Ron.

Harry was already walking rapidly towards Myrtle's bathroom. He didn't know why but he still wanted to talk to her. The meeting would have gone well if Harry, in his anxiety, hadn't asked her about her death straight forward. That got her crying and how much.

Grumbling about it all the way to their class, Ron said, "She's so touchy about her death."

"I think," Hermione sighed, "Ayesha and I will go again in the evening to talk to her. She might answer us."

"Best of luck," Harry muttered.

Ayesha and Hermione did go to the bathroom before dinner and this time Moaning Myrtle was lot more co-operative. It turned out that not only she was the one who died last time, but the snake had emerged from that very bathroom. That got them looking around the bathroom. Ayesha found out a snake carved on a tap and was about to try opening it when sudden noises distracted Hermione and Ayesha.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted, "Ayesha!"

Ayesha and Hermione hurried out of the bathroom to find Ron and Harry running towards them.

"Another attack?" Ayesha asked?

"No, no," Harry shook his head, "Ginny met us in the hall. She showed us a diary belonging to some Tom Riddle and was about to tell us something when Percy came. So she left, saying that she would wait for us in the Common Room."

"I have never seen her so pale, scared and distraught," Ron said. "It has something to do with Chamber of Secrets."

"Well," Hermione said, "what are we waiting for, then? Let's move."

They had moved at least ten steps when they noticed Ayesha wasn't with them. Ron turned around to find her standing there with horror written all over her face. Worried, they all rushed back to her.

"What happened, Ayesha?" Ron asked.

Ayesha came out of her trance. "Y-you s-said it was T-Tom Riddle?" she stuttered.

"Er—yes," Harry answered, confused.

"Damn! Damn! DAMN!" without saying another word she ran off towards Gryffindor common room.

"Ayesha?" Hermione yelled after her. "What's wrong?"

"Tom Riddle is Voldemort," was all she answered.

Ron, Hermione and Harry looked at each other, wearing the same expressions as Ayesha and ran after her. They were, however, stopped mid-way by a booming voice of Dumbledore.

"All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please."

"Do you think there has been another attack?" Hermione asked.

"Let's go and check," Ron offered.

"What about Ginny?" Ayesha asked.

"She is not going anywhere," Harry answered, "It will take only five-ten minutes. Staff room is nearby only."

So, they changed their direction and found themselves in a broom cupboard five minutes later listening in to the teachers.

"It has happened," Dumbledore told the silent staff room. "A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."

Professor Flitwick let out a squeal. Professor Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth. Snape gripped the back of a chair very hard and said, "How can you be sure?"

"The Heir of Slytherin," said Professor McGonagall, who was very white, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

Professor Flitwick burst into tears.

"Who is it?" said Madam Hooch, who had sunk, weak-kneed, into a chair. "Which student?"

"Ginny Weasley," said Professor Dumbledore.

Harry felt Ron slide silently down onto the wardrobe floor beside him and heard Hermione gasp.

"We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow," said Dumbledore. "We can not risk their lives. They are not safe here."

The staff-room door room opened and came in Minister Fudge followed by Lucius Malfoy. Lucius walked straight to Dumbledore and handed him a rolled-up parchment.

"You have been sacked," Lucius sneered, "by the governors. They don't find you enough for the security of the school."

The staff-room gasped in unison.

"But," Professor Sprout stammered, "students w-will be more in d-danger without him. How … how can-?"

"The governors have made their decision, something they should have taken a long while back," Lucius scorned.

"Very well," Dumbledore said, "I will abide by the decision of the governors." He raised a hand to stop McGonagall from saying something. "Help will always be provided to those who need it."

Ayesha and Harry exchanged looks because Dumbledore had made the last statement looking in their direction.

Fudge was shuffling on his feet. "We need to track the culprit behind all this, before the students leave. I have brought Aurors who will investigate students. Few are patrolling the corridors while others are waiting in Headmaster's office. Follow me there. We need to discuss this."

Fudge left the room followed by Dumbledore. Other teachers left one by one. Snape was the last one to leave.

"We need to do something," Harry whispered urgently.

"Reckon we go tell the teachers?" Hermione asked.

"I don't think that will be a good idea," Ron said slowly, "Dad always says Fudge has a knack of doing wrong things at the crucial time."

"Let's go to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom," Ayesha said, moving out of the cupboard, "I am sure that is the entry to Chamber of Secrets. I found a tap carved with snake there."

The four of them left the cupboard and paced towards bathroom. A turn in a corridor and they froze. Standing before them was an Auror, who must obviously be patrolling the corridors.

"What are you kids doing here?" the Auror asked. "Why are you not in your dormitories?"

They gulped, not knowing what exactly to say to the Auror. The answer 'we are going to Chamber of Secrets' did not seem the right one.

"W-we," Hermione stammered, "a-are going to er – Gryffindor common room."

"Students have gone to their rooms long time back," The burly Auror said, looking at them suspiciously, "Where were you four?"

"You are supposed to wait for your escort if he stops," came an angry voice. They turned to find a sour-looking Professor Snape sneering at them. "Did you not notice I had stopped few steps back?"

Harry looked at others who mirrored his confused expressions. What was Snape talking about? "Er--"

"Of course not," Severus cut him off, "Can never be careful, Potter, now can we?" It was just then Professor noticed the Auror who was now gaping at Harry, having just recognised him. "Professor Severus Snape," Snape introduced himself.

"Auror Robert D'Souja," the Auror introduced himself. "You are escorting these students?"

"Yes," Snape said in a tone that told the Auror how unpleasant the job was, "I stopped to tie my lace but these kids never stopped to wait for me. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to finish the job of escorting our precious Potter and his gang."

All four kids were staring at Snape as if he had grown another head. Snape lying? To save them?

"I can do that if you want me to?" The Auror was saying.

"No problem," Severus said airily already moving, "You are on duty here. I will do this." He steered Ayesha, who was closest to him, away from the Auror. Ron, Hermione and Harry followed them.

They walked in silence till they had crossed the corridor. The moment they turned the corridor, Severus led them into an empty classroom.

"Explain?" he ordered.

They exchanged glances, communicating silently. Finally reaching a decision, Ayesha cleared her throat. "Professor, we know about Chamber of Secrets … a lot"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "What all you know?" Severus asked, impatiently, "Fast!"

Immediately Ayesha launched into an explanation. She told him about Moaning Myrtle, basilisk, entry to Chamber of Secrets, Ginny Weasley, the diary and Tom Riddle.

"How can you be sure that Tom Riddle is Dark Lord?" Severus asked.

Ayesha looked at others for help. She could not explain it to him and that too now. "I just know."

Though Severus was not satisfied with the answer, but he too knew this was not the time for explanations.

"We need Professor Dumbledore," Harry spoke.

"He is with Fudge right now … every staff member is," Severus said, "and Fudge has his brains in his knees. He will not understand anything but make sure to reprimand you."

After a moment of silence, he declared, "We will go to Chamber ourselves. That's all we can do to save the student."

The kids did not know whether to be shocked or happy that Professor Snape was helping them. They decided for the latter and Hermione and Ayesha led the way to the bathroom.

"You know," Ayesha whispered to Hermione, "I think Snape is Occlumens."

Hermione shot her a questioning look.

"I am not that ahead in Occlumency but I can bet he is."

They did not have much time to continue with their whisperings as they encountered another Auror. This one was quite young compared to the last one.

"Where are you all headed to?" He asked.

"Gryffindor Common Room," Severus answered coolly, "I am a professor here and escorting these students to their tower."

It was day full of surprises for the kids. For the second time Severus had lied and so smoothly, no one could even guess. They were in an opposite direction of Gryffindor common room.

"Oh," the Auror said, "Be careful."

They need not be told twice as they quickly walked away from the Auror. Once out of earshot, Harry opened his mouth to ask Snape a question but Severus beat to him by answering his unasked question, "He was not an ex-student of this school."

Their problems, however, worsened when they saw a cheerful Lockhart coming their way.

"Oh hello, Severus," he greeted Severus, "Where are you headed to? And by the way, I missed the staff meeting. Something important there?"

"Nothing," Severus said through gritted teeth, "of importance."

Just then they heard the Auror they had just left calling after them. He came running after them. "I thought I should escort you," he said, "It's not safe in here, you see."

"Thanks young man," Snape said evenly, "But Gilderoy Lockhart here decided to accompany me. He is our Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, so no worries. You do know him, don't you?"

"Oh yes, yes," the young Auror nodded eagerly, "I have heard so much about you, Sir." He was now shaking hands with Gilderoy, who was looking very pleased with himself. "I am a big fan of yours, Sir."

"Well," Severus interrupted, "I think we should finish this task and you, young man, wait here for us. I am sure Gilderoy would love to give a signed photograph of his. Right Gilderoy?"

Lockhart nodded eagerly, "Why not? What's the task?"

"Just escorting these kids," Snape said, pointing towards the kids, "to their common room."

Now Lockhart looked confused, "But common room is--"

"Wait for us here," Snape cut in, looking at the Auror, "We will back in 10-15 minutes." With that he almost dragged Lockhart with him.

"Er—where are we going, Severus?" Lockhart asked.

"Somewhere important," Severus answered. "In fact you have got your opportunity, I must say."

Lockhart looked at him with confusion.

"Why, just last night you were saying how you know all about Chamber of Secrets and if given a free reign, you would have solved the problem by yourself," Severus was saying. "We are headed to the very same Chamber but, of course, you know that. It's your chance to save Ginny Weasley."

"Ginny Weasley?"

"She has been taken by the monster," Harry said, "the basilisk."

Lockhart paled considerably. By now they had reached the bathroom and the kids rushed in while Snape dragged a stuttering Lockhart in.

Once inside, Ayesha went straight to the sink where she had found a snake carved on a tap.

"Try opening it," Hermione said, "Speak in Parseltongue."

Ayesha gulped. It would be a lie to say she wasn't scared but they needed to do this to save Ginny and the school. Gathering her courage she hissed 'Open'.

At once the tap glowed with a brilliant white light and began to spin. Next second, the sink began to move; the sink, in fact, sank, right out of sight, leaving a large pipe exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into.

They all gasped. Everyone was pale.

"Alright," Snape said, "Granger, Potter, you go in first. Lockhart will follow and then Malhotra and Weasley and then me."

"B-but," Lockhart tried once again, "y-you all a-are enough. W-why do you n-need me?"

"You are DADA teacher," Ron said, "You know how to deal with all this."

"You have done so much," Snape said, "sure, this is just a cakewalk for you."

"Er," Lockhart said, "y-yeah, yeah. Alright I will come." He straightened himself. Snape let go of his hold on him. That was just the thing Lockhart wanted as he quickly moved his hand towards his wand, but Hermione was faster for him as she grabbed his wand, pocketed it and pointed hers at him.

"You are going with us, Professor," Hermione said dangerously, "whether you like it or not."

Lockhart gave in; who wouldn't when five wands are pointed at you. Hermione lowered herself in the pipe and slid in. Harry followed her. Ron shoved Lockhart in and followed him. Ayesha followed him and at last, Snape.

Once down there, which must be miles down the school, they immediately pointed their wands at Lockhart. All of them muttered 'Lumos' and peered at the darkness ahead.

"Remember," Snape said quietly as they walked cautiously forward, "any sign of movement, close your eyes right away…"

The tunnel was so dark that they could only see a little distance ahead. Their shadows on the wet walls looked monstrous in the wand-light. It was eerily quiet and their footsteps echoed in the silence.

They all jumped when they heard someone hissing.

"Ayesha!" Harry chided, clutching his chest, "You scared us!"

"Oh, sorry," Ayesha apologised, "but Nagini asked me where we are. So, just answered her."

"Nagini?" Snape asked.

Nagini chose that moment to slither out of Ayesha's robes and curl itself around Ayesha's neck. Lockhart collapsed behind them.

"My pet, Sir," Ayesha said pointing unnecessarily towards Nagini.

"Ayesha," Hermione said, "Send Nagini. For lookout of Basilisk. She is a snake, so basilisk can't harm her."

Ayesha immediately hissed at Nagini, who simply slithered to ground, and was lost in the darkness. No one except Ron was paying attention to Lockhart. He was, mainly because he was behind Lockhart.

Ron dug his wand in Lockhart's chest. "Get up!"

Lockhart got to his feet—then he dived at Ron, knocking him to the ground. Other three jumped forward, but too late—Lockhart was straightening up, panting, Ron's wand in his hand, which was pointed at Ron and a gleaming smile back on his face.

"Drop your wands," he said, "The adventure ends here. I am not interested in losing my life over an already dead girl. Say good-bye to your memories."

He raised Ron's Spellotaped wand high over his head and yelled, "Obliviate!"

The wand exploded with the force of a small bomb. Harry flung his arms over his head and ran, slipping and out of the way of great chunks of tunnel ceiling that were thundering to the floor. Hermione had also run to safety. Though she was hit by a big stone on shoulder, she was at least away from falling rocks.

Ayesha who was standing between Harry and Snape was not lucky. She tried running, but the falling rocks only blocked her way. A rather large rock would have hit her head fatally if Snape wouldn't have dived-in in time and knocked her out of its way.

"Ayesha!" Harry yelled running forward. At the same time, Hermione screamed 'Professor!'

Ayesha was hit on her head mainly due to unceremonious landing on the ground, whereas Professor Snape had gotten his leg buried under the debris of the tunnel. The pool of blood that was forming there showed the gravity of his injury.

"Harry! Hermione! You alright?" They heard Ron's muffled voice through the wall.

"We are," Hermione yelled back, "but Professor is not."

"I am alright," Severus said. Though his voice was calm, his expressions showed the extreme pain he was feeling. "You go ahead. This wall will take time to be broken. We can't do that right now. Go save Miss Weasley."

"But Professor," Ayesha started, "we can't leave you here alone."

"I will stay with him," Hermione volunteered. She was clutching her right shoulder, which was bleeding profusely. "I am more or less useless."

Ayesha looked at Harry. "They are right," Harry shrugged, "we don't have time."

Just then Nagini came back into view and informed them about a door some distance ahead and no danger till then.

Ayesha and Harry gave one final glance at Hermione and Snape who gave them encouraging smiles; Hermione did while Snape just nodded, and went off.

Soon they reached a solid wall on which two entwined serpents were carved, their eyes set with great, glinting emeralds.

Harry and Ayesha approached it, their throats very dry. There was no need to pretend these stone snakes were real; their eyes looked strangely alive.

This time Harry hissed 'Open'. The serpents parted as the wall cracked open, the halves slid smoothly out of sight, and Harry and Ayesha, shaking from head to foot, walked inside.

A/N: As always reviews are welcome. They provide motivation, so do review. Also, i am correcting the chapters. I have done with chapter 1. So point out the mistakes; i will definitely fix.

I started another story. Try it whenever you have time. Here's the summary.

The Killer: Samantha hates magic, she hates her very existence but she doesn't hate what she has become - a killer. Her destiny beckones her to the magical world where she lives a life of lie because her true existence is a risk to her life.

That's all for now. Hope you liked the chapters. Have fun. See you soon.