-Chapter 10-

It was morning when she told Hermione about the strange voice she had heard. "Snape didn't hear it though?"

She shrugged and said, "Yes, but he had been acting strange. He just sat and watched me while I was scrubbing. I know he hates me for some reason, but those eyes are just creepy."

"Hmm well he may be slightly hard of hearing or there could be some other explanation. We'll just have to examine it further if it happens again you must tell me."

"Of course I will Hermione who else would I tell?"

Hermione began dressing and said, "Neville I suppose he's our friend too." Hermione said amiably and then added, "Oh by the way while you were in detention I took more time to research Professor Lockhart. As before I couldn't find any papers or news articles relating to his adventures, but after some re-reading I noted that some dates in Year with the Yeti seem to overlap with Haggling with Hags."

While dressing herself Harriett sighed and said, "Sounds to me like he's been writing fiction and passing it off as fact."

"Well I thought of that, but the Vampire he mentions killing is dead according to the Bavarian officials and The Werewolf pack that was roaming Paris was destroyed some time ago. So, someone must have defeated them right?"

As she put on her last article of clothes Harriett frowned and said, "Well that's disturbing. Maybe we should check on his record here at Hogwarts. Surely some teachers might remember him and there's got to be a record of his OWL and NEWT scores if he took them right?"

The bush brown haired girl nodded and said, "Yes, we'll have to look into it when we have time."

The two girls went down to breakfast, but as they were in the hall they were approached by Nearly Headless Nick. The Gryffindor ghost smiled and said, "Well hello ladies would either of you lasses be interested in coming to my death day party?"

Harriett shrugged and said, "I guess so what about you Hermione?"

"I don't know harry sounds a bit creepy. Still I've never been to one so it will be a learning experience."

The green eyed girl agreed and added, "We should ask Neville and Luna to come as well. When will it be Sir Nick?"

The ghost smiled and tipped his head off kilter as he said, "Tonight after dinner."

With that the two girls were finally down the stairs and into breakfast where they ate their fill and headed off to classes. As Harriett walked out she spotted Luna and said, "Hermione we have Runes next period so I'll walk with Luna. Could you ask Neville while I ask her?"

The bushy haired girl nodded and left the other Gryffindor to what was a rather simple task. Her own task of convincing Neville on the other hand ended up being a tad more difficult, but not impossible.

-Chapter 11-

Luna was staring at all of the utterly disgusting punch bowl and pouring herself a cup. Harriett started at her and interjected, "You're not going to drink that are you?"

The blonde girl simply shrugged and downed the glass two moments later she spat it back out over the floor and said, "It has decidedly been poisoned by a Arcomantula"

Hermione rolled her eyes and added, "Why did you drink it then?"

Breathily the strange Ravenclaw said, "Well I didn't know until I sipped it and now I do. Always good to learn new things don't you think?"

Hermione blinked and looked at Harriett who was now giving the Blonde an eye and smiling, "Well truer wisdom I haven't heard today" and for the life of her Hermione couldn't seem to disagree with that assessment.

Meanwhile Neville had obviously had enough of an overweight lady ghost who seemed to want him to hug her. The trio extricated him and explained that he wasn't her grandson. Even so it was rather clear that as much as Nearly Headless Nick had asked them to come this was not a party for the living.

As some sort of headless hunt began all four children made their escape out into the halls. That was when Harriett put her arms out and stopped the group, "Do you hear that?"

The three others shook her head while she shivered. Yet again a voice was clamoring for blood and destruction and yet again no one could hear it. Still, these were her friends and so she said, "A voice in the walls it's angry and wants to kill someone"

She quickly followed after it and the others stayed right behind her, but they were too late. There in the middle of the hall was Mr. Filch frozen and dead below a red sign saying, "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Let all mud bloods, squibs, and blood traitors beware!"

Hermione stared at the scene and the red words and then screamed. Luna joined her as did Neville. It was Harriett who gritted her teeth and said, "Guys! Guys get a grip! The voice is gone now….it must have did this and left."

She hesitantly approached the red words, put a finger to them, and then sniffed the finger adding, "It's paint too."

By then the elderly voice of Headmaster Dumbledore added, "Indeed it is child. Simple paint now, why don't you tell me how you came to be here? Also it would be useful to know what you have seen and heard."

Harriett frowned at the man and nodded. Dumbledore smiled and said, "Come Harry we will talk in this office here while the others help Arabella with Mr. Filch here."

Indeed the nurse did need some help and began ordering the other three about as Harriett followed the aging man into what was apparently Lockhart's office and began answering his questions. The story she told was of leaving the death day party and finding the body. Not once did she end up mentioning that she had heard a voice.

-Chapter 12-

He sat at his desk staring at the small diary with a sneer on his features. One of the girls had complained about Moaning Myrtle again and he had gone in to see what the watery bint had been up to. Apparently it was a tantrum because someone had thrown this book at her…..he sneered at it again. Obviously it had been given to the student by one of the followers, "Riddle" he sneered at the book again spitting once on the cover and thinking about the Chamber of Secrets.

The entire school had been gossiping about the fabled Chamber of Secrets. The legendary Chamber that Slytherin built. He knew all about it and that No one but Voldemort, who was Slytherin's true heir, would be able to open the chamber. Voldemort who he realized was actually Tom Riddle…whose diary had been given out and most likely had been possessing some student. He stared at the book and realized that he didn't care that people were going to die. All that mattered to him was Harriett….Lilly's daughter and his new desire.

He smiled and looked at the diary again. T.M. Riddle it said and inside it was blank, but he knew after some days of study that it was a dark artifact. A Horcrux a truly ingenious little thing it was and how delicious that he held in his hands a piece of his former master's soul.

He smiled at the book and said, "How many did you make? What sort of fool were you really…..a half-blood!"

He spat at the book, "But ohh you gave me Lilly. Everything I ever desired. I want more and you will give it to me!"

Slowly he opened the book and dipped his quill into some ink. He wrote two words, "Hello Tom"

The ink swirled in the book and his tattoo suddenly came alive with pain. Writing appeared in the book, "You…I know you," and then it stopped and became a voice, "You are my servant…." but his Occulamancy shoved it out and it was writing again, "My servant. Set me free."

Snape looked at the book and smiled as he wrote, "No, not until you give me what I want."

"What do you want?" Anger radiated from the Horcrux, but it could do nothing in this form.

He wrote with lust filled mind scratching at the paper, "I want Harriett Potter. I want her to be mine."

Soothingly the words sketched onto the page, "Yes, I can give her to you. Drop me into her bag and I will take her and deliver her to you…"

Snape smiled and wrote two words, "very well" and shut the book. As he did so he frowned at his tattoo. If there were more Horcruxes. If there was some way his former master could return he wanted none of it. He would have to find a way to remove his tattoo and once he had the girl he would have to find a way to destroy every soul shard Voldemort had ever created.

He looked at the book and thought about it some more. Maybe Lilly and Harriett wouldn't be enough. He should have followers. He should have many slaves and the Wizarding world should bow to him….

He smiled and departed his office. Taking his floo home and arriving to find the lovely Miss Potter cleaning his mantle in her sexy maid outfit. He smiled and said, "Come here Lilly. I'm home your master is home. Come and give me everything I desire!"

She moved to him her body draping over him and giving him soft kisses. His orders were magical and she had to obey them. She slipped off her clothes and allowed him everything he wanted even as she mentally screamed. She begged in her mind for someone, anyone to save her from her fate….

-Chapter 13-

He frowned from his place in her mind she was discussing the chamber again and he knew that something about it drew him like a moth to a flame. Every utterance of the word made him want power each time they spoke of it he could see his Harriett garbed in a glowing robe she would be beautiful and all would love her and despair…

His thoughts fluttered as the Granger girl said, "Malfoy really Ronald can you Imagine Draco Malfoy actually being able to find his own shoes let alone some secret chamber."

The boy Neville chimed in, "Yeah Ron he's a ponce, but it's got to be someone smarter than him."

His young charge spoke up saying, "I'm voting for Lockhart he was a student here and a Slytherin so he could know about secret rooms and passages we don't. Plus, he's written tons of books and all of them feature him slaying some creature or other and saving the day. Now he's here and a secret chamber has been opened. He petrifies a few people and then diligently searches to find the mystical chamber and comes up from whatever place he found saying he killed whichever beast he likes saving all of Hogwarts in the process…"

The two boys and one girl in the room looked over to the green eyed girl and it was Ron who said, "Harry that's brilliant. I mean just bloody brilliant, I always knew that bloke couldn't be trusted."

Hermione stared at him and said, "If you're right Lockhart could be the one who Petrified Colin Creevy. He could be out there right now planning more attacks," she paused a moment and looked at her friend, "but wait what about that voice Harry?"

The green eyed girl shrugged, "Distraction maybe?"

Neville piped in with, "I don't know, maybe there's more to it? You were the only one that heard it."

The bushy haired girl nodded and added, "He's right Harry. Remember how Lockhart wanted to have his picture taken with you? Maybe he's sending you the messages to bring you closer to the scenes or even to attack you? I think we should tell the headmaster."

The green eyed girl sighed, every instinct was telling her not to trust Dumbledore, but Hermione was right. The head of the school needed to know and maybe McGonagall too so she nodded and said, "After potions then. We'll head up and tell him."

The four students grabbed their bags and headed off to the potions classroom. There Snape was strangely distracted and less harsh on the class even if he did come by Harriett's spot a few times just to check on Neville's progress.

None of them noticed that Snape dropped a certain dark artifact in Harriett's bag and they all went off towards the headmaster's office. There they waited until Albus Dumbledore ushered them in, "Well come in children, come in."

Harriett began saying, "Sir, we have reason to believe that Professor Lockhart may be a fraud. Hermione and I have been studying his books and comparing them to news stories and a few of the events in the books occurred at nearly the same time and miles apart. He just couldn't have done them all…"

The old man frowned slightly, "Well that is a big accusation Miss Potter I think there should be some more evidence to back it don't you?"

Hermione chipped in saying, "Bu, sir he wasn't able to stop those Pixies at all. Plus he was here at school when the Chamber was first supposedly opened. He wasn't accused or anything, but maybe he knows how to get in?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he smiled, "Well it certainly is an interesting theory, but I don't have anything to go on. Surely you must understand that I can't ruin a man's career without evidence?"

The four were ushered out of the office and walked off with downtrodden expressions. Ron sighed and said, "I'm going to go ask Seams to join me in a game of wizard's chess. Anyone else interested?"

The other three shook their heads and parted ways. Soon enough they ran into Luna who was staring out a window. The blonde girl looked at them and said, "Hello, did you know there is a significant lack of chickens here. Someone went and killed them all near Hagrid's hut. It could have been a Pukeychew don't you think?"

Hermione looked at her and stated, "A small yellow electric rodent. I think not."

She nodded her head and agreed, "You're right of course. It was most likely a person. But who would do that and why? Do you think it has anything to do with the Chamber of Secrets?"

Harriett pondered a moment and said, "I'm not sure. Why don't we compare information and see if we can round out my Hypothesis?"

The group sat with Luna near the window and compared notes. Even so, not much else was gained other than a clear need to attempt to find out what Lockhart was up to and Harriett had the perfect way to find out. The group would take turns outside his quarters with the invisibility cloak and try to catch him in the act.

-Chapter 14-

Sadly for the four Lockhart had done nothing in his rooms the last few nights. Harriett sat looking through her bag as she pondered the problem and pulled out a strange book. She stared at it a moment and said, "Now where did this come from?"

He stared at it and felt a malevolent force seeping from the book. It was trying to extinguish her light it wanted to kill Harriett and he had to stop it. Without a thought he pinged her danger sense and she responded throwing it out a window. Then she frowned and sat near a mirror speaking softly, "I know you're there shadow….why was the book so dangerous?"

He said nothing and slipped away, he couldn't talk to her. He didn't want her to be tainted anymore than she had been and his thoughts could do her harm. No…best to slink away and leave her wondering.

She frowned again and sighed, "What are you Shadow? How have you been helping me and why won't you talk to me?"

She approached the window and looked out. On the ground where the book ought to have landed was empty space. She sighed and wondered if it had anything at all to do with Lockhart and the Chamber of secrets. Then she yawned and went to sleep.

She woke and went to classes only to see a signup sheet for a dueling club. She quirked her head and noted that Lockhart was arranging it and so immediately put her name on the sheet to join. A few days after that the club was meeting in a small room there Lockhart began instructing the students in ways and methods of dueling while an angry Snape looked on.

The black haired man kept staring at Harriett as if he expected her to change or do something. He even ignored Lockhart's request that he come up and set an example. The blonde man had to walk over to Snape and nudge him cheerfully, "Come on Snape your head is in the clouds. Let's just give the kids an example of how it is done."

"Very well" He sounded bored and stepped up to the dueling platform. Lockhart stepped up and gave a jaunty bow and Snape just rolled his eyes, then gave a flick of his wand almost lazily stating, "Expelliarmus!"

Lockhart was blown off the platform and onto his back. He got up with a smile and said, "There you have it just like I said the cushioning charms work perfectly. Thank you professor for showing us how they work now let's get everyone paired up. Remember just use the Expelliarmus spell okay?"

Children nodded and were split off into pairs. Harriett stared at her opponent across from her and nearly groaned. "Well if it isn't the half-blood muggle loving whore. I'm going to teach you a lesson Potter."

She was tempted very tempted to just hit him with a stunner, bludgeoner, or something, but decided against it. They both bowed and she moved quickly and expertly lifting her wand and casting the Expelliarmus spell without even realizing she had sub-vocalized it. Malfoy went down, but he didn't stay that way, instead he moved to his wand grabbed it and shouted, "Serpent Sortia"

A large cobra slithered from his wand and towards the green eyed girl. She rolled her eyes looked at it and simply said, "Go away."

The snake did as bid and slithered off while everyone in class stared at the scene. Then there was chaos as everyone started talking about Heir of Slytherin and the Chamber of secrets. It was Snape who took her hand and ushered her out of the classroom and to his office.

She was sitting across from him and he looked at her in that same creepy way as if he was trying to see through her robes and said, "Did it work? Have you done it?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm not the Heir and I didn't open the chamber. I swear professor. I know he seems like an idiot but I think Lockhart might have done it. He was here at the time…" her words came out quickly as she defender herself, "I think he's been using a voice to trick me into coming to the scene of the crime and he must have known what happened today would happen. He's trying to ratchet up his reputation and sell a book or something"

Snape stared at her realizing that she was obviously not his to order or even close to being taken by Voldemort at all yet. He frowned and spoke slowly, "Did you by chance receive a book from him?"

Her eyes lit up, "I did, but I threw it out a window. I thought it might be dangerous. Then when I realized what I had done I looked for it, but never found it. You believe me don't you Professor?"

He cooed, "Oh yess I believe you Miss Potter. I'll be sure to bring your concerns up to the headmaster and keep an eye on Lockhart. Unfortunately I can't do much about the rumors. You are dismissed."

She nodded and stood at his dismissal, "Thank you sir."

He watched her leave his eyes on her ankles and slipping over her form. Then bit off a curse as she shut the door. Riddle had re-possessed the original vessel and he was using them for his own purposes. His former master had broken his promise and plotting something that had no connection to Snape. The black haired man slammed his fist on his desk with anger pretty sure it wasn't the dunderheaded Lockhart. He would have to attempt to find them and get the book back once again. This time he thought maybe instead of using it he would simply steal a portion of its power….he smiled…..a new plan for his new reign as the up and coming dark lord.

-Chapter 15-

Harriett sat with Luna and Hermione going through books on spells and abilities for petrification that Lockhart might be using. The blonde hair girl sighed and said, "Maybe he's using a cockatrice?"

Hermione looked at her and at the book she was reading, "A cockatrice let me see that?"

Luna handed it over and said, "Well yes as he obviously couldn't get an Onyx or a Ghastly, so I though cockatrice and it would explain the dead chickens."

Hermione scanned the book and said, "No he'd need the chicken alive….but wait there's another entry under chickens look."

She held out the book and showed the other two girls the picture of a small basilisk. "See it says here that they hate chickens and that the crow of a cock can apparently kill them. What if he has a small one of these?"

Harriett stared at it and said, "Well it's a snake like creature so maybe that's what I'm hearing. But, it says people looking at its gaze die….no wait I see here secondary view of the creature petrifies the victim."

Hermione smiled and said, "Yes and there's a recipe for the cure. Thank you very much Luna!"

The blonde smiled and said, "Of course anytime. Maybe you can help me search for a Shaymin sometime?"

Hermione nodded and said, "Anything you like after this. All we need to do is get a rooster, find the secret chamber and kill a basilisk….."

She petered off and Harriett chuckled, "Well we certainly have our work cut out for us. I suggest first thing we should do is acquire a Rooster."

The other two girls nodded and the decision to get a rooster was made. With that the three stepped out of the library and began walking down the corridor. That was when Harriett heard the voice in the walls coming closer towards them with anger and rage. "Run!"

They ran down the halls away from the voice. Harriett was in the lead trying her best to keep away from the creature and the two other girls right at her heels. There had been a Quiddich match going on which is what allowed the girls free access to the library and was keeping the halls rather empty. Unfortunately, the empty halls meant that no professors were around to assist them in their headlong flight.

Even so they ran quickly and with young Miss Potter's aid all three were able to make it to the relative safety of the Gryffindor dorms. As they sat panting Hermione looked to the other girls and said, "Maybe now we could try the headmaster again?"

"No evidence….he won't believe us" Harriett sighed and shook her head. Once again they were on their own and they had to make a plan to stop a powerful creature they weren't prepared for. She shook her head and frowned. She was tired of it already. Last year it had been Voldemort and this year it was Lockhart. She was going to train even harder, find out everything she could and if anything else happened she would be ready for it.

-Chapter 16-

Not everyone was as lucky as the three girls. Coming back from the Quiddich game Ron and Seamus were petrified and school security was increased. Even so Luna, Hermione and Harriett were able to sneak out to Hagrid's hut that night.

As they approached Luna seemed fascinated by the hut itself and little fireflies glowing at the outside lamp. The blonde smiled at them and said, "Ohh he must take good care of creatures he has Pixies"

Harriett smiled at the girl and then looked close. The little glowing bugs weren't bugs. They were actually little winged women flitting about the light. She pointed it out to Hermione and said, "Sometimes she's right, does that mean she might be right about the other things?"

Hermione looked back into her green eyes and replied, "If she is correct then she has made astounding leaps of logic. I cannot even fathom them…." She shook her head and added, "I'm not sure if I hope she has or if I hope you're wrong."

Harriett knocked at the door and said, "I know the feeling."

Luna just smiled at the pixies and giggled as they danced around in her hair. The door opened and Hagrid appeared staring down, "Aye don'tcha knows it's late. People've been hurt ye shoulna be out this late girls."

"I know Hagrid, but you'll believe us and you can get a Rooster. We know what creature's been attacking everyone and we know it's a Basilisk. We just don't know where to find it or how to get a rooster."

Hagrid sighed and stepped into his house inviting them in with a, "Well come on in I'll git ye some hot chocolate."

The three came inside and sat down. Going over their tale while Hagrid poured the hot chocolate. He sighed, "Jest like las time poor Myrtle died she did and it weren't Aragog's fault at all…."

"You were there?" He looked at her and replied, "Aye Hermione I were. Lost me schoolin and me wand, but Dumbledore kept me on as keeper of the grounds an keys. Right good man he is."

Green eyes flashed open and she stared at him about to blurt out an important idea she shoved it back and just smiled at him. "That's too bad Hagrid. Do you think you can get a Rooster for us?"

He shook his head, "I din know I think mebe I should tell Dumbledore. He'll know what to do he will. You jes let me an him deal with this wee Basilisk okay?"

Harriett smiled and nodded, "All right Hagrid we'll let you do that. Come on ladies we tried our best."

She took the other girls' hands and departed the Hut. Hagrid insisted on escorting them back to the inside of the school and then Harriett pulled them all into a closet and under her invisibility cloak. "I know where it's coming from."

"Where?" Hermione queried and the green eyed girl smirked a bit replying, "Think about it. Myrtle's bathroom I hear it behind the walls. What's usually behind the walls Hermione?"

"Pipes…" Her eyes widened, "Ohh, but that would mean the entrance has to be near the Bathroom."

Luna smiled dreamily and said, "Well we will certainly have to plan. I'll make sure I have rope and matches. We'll return to the bathroom tomorrow and hunt for our basilisk."

With that the Blonde departed and walked down the corridor. Her other two friends shook their heads and Harriett said, "Do we want to have Neville help too? I know he would."

Even as she was saying that the decision was being taken out of her hands. Young Neville Longbottom was walking about the halls looking for his friends when the urge had hit him. He stopped into the boys' room and was just washing his hand when the door opened. He looked up and it was the last sight he saw for quite some time.

By the time breakfast arrived Neville's body was found and Hagrid was being taken away to Azkaban. Events were on a fast move as Dumbledore was relieved of his position at the very same time. The three girls watched from their table eating and making plans.

Harriett looked at the other two, "Okay so Invisibility cloak to avoid the gaze if necessary, but we'll need something better if we want to navigate. Lune has a rope and matches what do you have Hermione?"

The bushy haired girl whispered, "Transfiguration work from fifth year it makes a frog from a fig, but I think we can modify the spell. We'll have to practice it and see if any of us can make it happen."

"Right…and that leaves us with Lockhart." She stared at the blonde haired man and wondered how the stupid ponce did it. Was it all an act some massive Slytherin cover up or were they missing something else. Something much more important.

Of course fate chose that moment to have a small elf pop up and begin to badger her. "Great harry potter you must see dangerous for you here. It is very dangerous."

She stared at the elf and said, "Dobby where have you been and what have you been doing?"

"Trying to get you to leave. Keep you safe yes…Dobby keep you safe. Shrink all clothes one size, put holes in socks…." He listed out hundreds of tiny annoyances that she had just mostly ignored so far. But bow she desperately wanted to throttle the creature. Still it was just annoyances maybe she could forgive him, really it wasn't as if he had tried to kill her. Now that would be entirely unforgivable.

Still he was here and she realized he could be useful if she played her cards right, "Dobby….listen to me. I'm going to leave by a super special secret route okay. But to get through that route I'm going to need a rooster. Can you get me a rooster and meet me in near the second floor girls' bathrooms as soon as possible okay?"

Dobby nodded, "Yes you flee. Dobby will help you go…Dobby will help"

With that he was gone in a flash and Harriet smiled at her companions, "and one rooster means we'll have this thing dead before it even realizes it."

Hermione and Luna just stared at the girl's cunning. It was a thing of pure genius and yet it was not bad or even too overly manipulative. It got the job done and even Dobby would be happy that he helped keep Harriett safe. The green eyed girl smiled and the two other girls just stared a few more moments until Hermione said, "So do we still want to practice the transfiguration?"

Simply Harriett spoke, "Yes"

Luna agreed and the three girls went to go practice. It was Hermione who said, "Do you think we should get Professor McGonagall?"

As Hermione spoke Luna produced a very small rooster which began to crow. Harriett smiled and said, "All right we'll go tell her. But we'll also be ready okay?"

Both girls nodded and headed out to find the Transfiguration professor. They were stopped in the halls when they saw the Sign written in blood and Ron frozen over a book bag. The words read, "Her body will lie in the chamber forever!"

She looked at her friends and spat out, "Get McGonagall and meet me at the bathroom" It was the final straw, instead of heading to the Chamber the green eyed girl stalked towards Lockhart's office. There she found him packing his bags. She stared at the scene wondering just what she had missed. Shouldn't he be preparing to go to the Chamber to "free" the girl? Shouldn't he be making ready to play the hero in a situation he had created yet again?

She stared at him and said, "What are you doing?"

He jumped up in fright, "Ahh Miss Potter. Dreadful story. Ghouls taking over in Amsterdam must run and go help out."

"What about your plans here? What about Ginny Weasley?"

He looked back and gave her a smile, "Oh yes, well best go save her right. Come on Lass lets' run and save the day quick!"

He gestured to the door and opened it for her as if to let her leave first she stared at him and pulled out her wand, "You first!"

He laughed lightly, "Ah yes, of course. I'll rush in and save the day…"

She shook her head, "No, you're going to jail for bringing a Basilisk here, for petrifying students and falsely proclaiming your own heroism in this tragedy that you created! Drop your wand and let's go!"

"Huh?" He looked back at her and dropped his wand as she jabbed her own into his back, "No wait you see you have it all wrong. I mean yes I'm a fraud, but I didn't do any of this. I just take people's memories and make them into books. I thought a semester here would be a breeze and good padding on the old resume you know."

Her eyes bored into his back and her wand jabbed him, "You're telling the truth aren't you?"

He nodded and said, "So you can just let me go now. I'll be off and…"

"No" Her reply was a soft growl, "You're coming with me to face the danger that you always run away from. You're coming with me to see it all first hand. Now let's go"

She trooped him down to the bathroom where she met up with Luna and Hermione. "No McGonagall?"

The two shook their heads, "She's dealing with ministry officials. Why did you bring him?"

She jabbed his back and said, "He's not responsible at all Hermione. He's just a coward who steals people's memories. I was thinking we could use his help show him what it's like to face danger."

She was mad boiling with a pure heated rage at the man. He was reveling in the mixture of her darkness and light. Her terrible goodness weighed against her desire for revenge. He wondered how she would turn would she go dark or would she stay bright and painful. Luna touched her hand and said, "Harry we don't need him."

She pondered it for a moment before making her decision, and then she nodded and wordlessly cast a simple stunner into the man's back, then stepped through the door and into the restroom. "Right let's do this thing. Are you here dobby?"

A little voice said, "I'm here Harriett I have Rooster and you will go yes?"

Harriett nodded and looked about the room finding a single serpent looking tap she hissed softly, "Open"

Mechanisms creaked and groaned and the way opened before them. Harriett looked to the small elf with a Rooster in his hands and said, "See I'm going out that way. May I please have the rooster?"

Dobby nodded and handed her the rather annoyed bird. She rasped it in her hands as it clucked and carried on. She then looked into a deep hole with a disgusting looking muddy sort of pipe that led down in a sort of slide. "So, Luna about that rope."

The blonde nodded and tied it to one of the sinks, then dropped it into the deep hole. She followed behind it slowly climbing down. Harriett and Hermione weren't far behind.

-Chapter 17-

The two brunettes and one blonde finished climbing down the rope and walked along a darkened tunnel. In the distance they saw a light and rushed forward. Sure enough it was Ginny Weasley lying unconscious on the floor. Hermione began examining the girl while Harriett looked about the room. As she searched a shimmering form of a young boy walked over. He was a few years older than themselves, perhaps seventeen. He was well dressed and his voice sounded almost pleasant as he said, "Harriett Potter…the girl who lived. Unbelievable that someone like me could possibly have been defeated by the likes of you."

Luna, who was helping Hermione said, "Harry I believe this diary here is a dark artifact."

"Oh my the Loony little blood traitor figured it out. You've lost little girls and I will rise again after killing you all." The spectral form turned and shouted in parseltounge, "Speak to me Slytherin Greatest of the Hogwarts Four!"

Stone moved and shifted and Harriett could hear the voice, "What is your desire my master?"

The form gestured and said, "Kill these tarts!"

"Shut your eyes guys!" She shouted and pulled the rooster Dobby had given her out from behind her back. The sounds of some monstrous form were nearly at them, but the rooster refused to sing. Harriett grimaced and after a poke or two convinced it to crow.

The sound echoed throughout the chamber and was then followed by a humongous crash as the giant Basilisk died. The sound of crashing echoed as well for a few moments until the great chamber was finally silent. Green eyes opened and Harriett looked about. The Basilisk lay dead and her friends were safe. Still, young Ginny was lying comatose and the teenage boy was staring at her with murderous rage.

She glanced at the diary nearby and gave him a smile, "So what does the T.M. Stand for Mr. Riddle?"

He stared at her and pulled out a wand glowing letters of fire appeared in the Air. "Tom Marvolo Riddle" even as he spoke the words reformed to read, "I Am Voldemort"

He smiled at her again and said, "Now I think I'll kill you…Avadakedavra!"

She dodged and said, "The book…you said it's dark right Luna? You two destroy it I'll keep him busy!"

She dashed across the chamber and fired a banishing charm at the spirit who easily side stepped and returned fire with another killing curse. She fires again and he dodged, then another time, but he was gone. She ran back to see if he was following Hermione and Luna, but did not see him near those two who were standing near the giant mouth of the Basilisk and apparently having a debate.

She shook her head and looked some more, when a pair of arms suddenly grabbed her. "Disillusionment not taught to you yet? A shame for you, you were good, but not good enough."

She struggled in his arms, but he was too strong. His wand raised slowly towards the back of her neck when she felt it happen. Her nails grew and sliced his arms and she could feel the malevolent power that was her shadow. It pushed her back into her mind and she was lost for a time.

Even as she left her voice spoke, "You cannot have her. She is mine…"

Tom stared at her anew he recognized the force inside her and his jaw lowered, "You are another…one of my own created later. You are me we should not fight and you should not protect her. Slay her and work with me. We will rule the Wizarding world together."

She shook her head slowly, "You are an abomination like me that is true. We don't deserve to live in her world of light. Those like us any who would prey on that world will die. Blood and sacrifice is our nature and blood will run. I will very much cherish feeling your last dying breath….it will be….delicious…"

Tom raised his wand to cast a spell, but it was too late. Her nails had lengthened yet again and her speed was that of lightning. Sharp pains stabbed into his abdomen even as another pain shot through his heart. The book….Hermione and Luna had finally agreed and shoved the book into the Basilisk fang. He breathed his last breath, "You are me….see…you have killed the Weasel girl…"

He faded and the creature known as shadow looked over and saw. It was true she had the same wounds in her abdomen that had been on the enemy. He shook his head. It was of no matter innocents might die and their blood would be on his hands. He did not mind because he was already dammed for all of his deeds. He lifted her finger to her mouth and slowly sipped at his enemy's blood before finally fading back into her mind.

In Harriett's mindscape she was suddenly shoved back into everything. The chamber, the sights, blood on her hands and two girls shouting, "Harry no…oh Harry she's going to die…"

She moved quickly unsure of exactly what had happened, but knowing that she must act. Soon enough she was next to Hermione and Luna they were trying to heal Ginny Weasley's abdomen of four gaping and bloody wounds, but nothing was working. Blood poured out and Harriet smelled the stench that meant Ginny's intestines had leaked inside her. It was a death sentence even with most magics and some of the best healing witches and wizards. Even so, she stepped forward and brought up her wand. Germs and bacteria were items; they could be levitated and moved. Wounds were simply cut skin they could be sewn up and repaired. She closed her eyes lifted her wand and performed the magic she had been doing from a young age. Levitate and move, levitate and move…then added in her transfiguration work. Dust from the floor became thread and needles which were also levitated and moved.

Luna and Hermione watched the scene each with their own thoughts about it. Both of them wondered if perhaps they had been quicker in opening the jaws or less argumentative if perhaps this wouldn't be necessary. They also wondered at the power and skill of their friend who could slice into a man at one turn and then moments later heal horrible wounds created on that man's victim.

It was Luna who spoke first, "Please assume I said something odd about a Medicham. In the meantime I am going to climb the rope and find Miss Pomphrey."

Hermione simply nodded her eyes glued to the scene, "Yes, good plan Luna….I'll stay here and help Harry."

Before Luna could get very far a fiery bird popped into the room in a burst of flame. Soon after that the girls were all transported away.

-Chapter 18-

Not long afterward Harriett was sitting in Dumbledore's office waiting her turn to be questioned. She sighed and mentally looked about in her own head, "You're going to have to come out sooner or later Shadow. I know you're in here somewhere why won't you talk to me?"

Her eyes slowly shut and she was in a shadowed corridor. There she saw parts and pieces bloody blades and dark shadows with a hint of true malevolence. She tried to examine it closer, but finally it spoke, "Come no further my charge."

"Who are you? What are you?"

"Something like what you have faced, but worse. I am destruction and bloody vengeance. I am the blade wet with blood and the conquerors sword. Once I was desperate for my own power, but now I simply live to see you safe and your light in charge of the Wizarding World. I live to see your enemies destroyed to drink their blood and rejoice in their pain and death at my hands."

She looked down at her own hands seeing the blood all over them. The creature seemed to nod at her appraisal, "Yes it is on your hands as well, but your light is bright. You can scour away those small spots of blood on the day that you finally destroy me with its power."

She was horrified by the prospect. This thing had no remorse, no pity and no real morals other than some deep desire to see her safe. In completing that task there was no one it would not kill, no blood it would not shed. She didn't want to talk to it any more, didn't want anything to do with it. She opened her eyes and saw Albus Dumbledore looking down at her, "Did you have a good nap?"

She shivered lightly even though it was not cold. Then slowly she nodded her head and went in to speak with her headmaster. Inside she saw Luna and Hermione sitting in a chair and talking with members of the Weasley family. Dumbledore asked for her version of events and she explained it all without ever once mentioning her personal Shadow.

She mingled with the Weasley's and her friends talking about a few things including class work assignments, which quickly removed Ron and his two Twin brothers from the area. Even so it was a quick bit of fun until it finished up and everyone was departing. Dumbledore handed Harriett the old diary and said, "Well it shan't hurt anyone else now. Perhaps you can find a use for it?"

His eye twinkled and she gritted her teeth, but smiled back at the man and thanked him for the gift. After that she was walking down the halls with her two friends next to her. Luna smacked staring into a tall Blonde haired man who was being followed by a very nervous Dobby. The man snapped at Luna, "Shouldn't you look where you're going or do you plan to end up like your mother."

Luna sniffed and said, "It's not my fault. You have a greasy git in your hair and it makes you hard to see."

"A what young lady?"

Harriett looked at the scene realized he recognized the man and said, "Oh Mr. Malfoy you dropped this."

She handed him the diary in a dirty sock. The man pulled the book out of the sock and frowned, "I am not amused Miss Potter." With that he flung both the book and the sock in opposite directions and stalked off. "Come Dobby!"

The elf looked back at him holding the dirty sock and said, "No…Master Lucious gives Dobby a sock and so Dobby is free. Dobby never working for bad bad wizards again and it's all thanks to Miss Harriett Potter the bestest witch in England."

The blonde haired man departed the area and Harriett suffered through a hug of her leg and then watched the elf disappear. She then looked at Luna and Hermione and said, "So I guess I owe you guys an explanation huh?"

Hermione looked back and shrugged, "I think we can both forgive you for not realizing that hurting Tom would hurt Ginny. Besides you cured her after, so that makes it even."

Luna nodded sagely and the green eyed girl smiled. Neville was down stairs having missed most of the commotion and she wondered if perhaps he was replaced or it was simply that three girls such as themselves were an unbeatable team. They all joined in a group hug and she blushed. The softness of the other two girls felt good, better than other feelings and she wondered what that meant as well, then shrugged. She had enough to worry about with a psychotic monster living in her head. She sincerely hoped the next year would be easier and yet she knew it wouldn't.

She knew that dark forces were out to get her and she would be prepared.

-Epilogue-

Snape stared at his slave and smiled, "I found this ring. Interesting little bauble isn't it. More interesting is that it used to be a Horcrux wouldn't you say?"

Her head nodded and he smiled showing her his arm. The dark mark had faded and was beginning to be replaced by a new tattoo. "I will find others just like this. I will absorb the power left in his measly soul jars and take it for myself. Just think my dear I will have Narcissa, and Belatrix, and oh so many others. All of them will be turned into my little slaves just like you."

He smiled an evil smile and cupped her breast, "Harriett too my dear. I think I will like that best, maybe I'll even watch as I order you to take her. Won't that be grand?"

He laughed and ripped her clothes off. A tear slid down her cheek and she whimpered internally. She desperately hoped that her baby girl would never have to suffer this horrible fate.