Secrets
"The Chamber of Secrets was opened in 1943. I was a Prefect for Gryffindor and at the top of my class. I was at the end of my sixth year and had prospects of becoming Head Girl the next year. Tom and I were by no means exclusive, and as any teacher could tell you, the Professors at Hogwarts are very informed about the going-ons between students whether we want to be or not. Professor Dumbledore, as Deputy Headmaster was very active in trying to find out who had released Slytherin's monster.
"After what happened in this memory, I was surprised that Albus made me Head Girl since I lied so blatantly to him. I will say, in my defense, I had no idea at this time that Tom had opened the Chamber. I wouldn't find this out for several more years. And quite ironically, I only found out after a very heated argument with him. The memory is included in this set. However, I did know that Tom and his acquaintances, one in particular Augustus Rookwood, were up to something not so innocent. Not to mention I had known for years that Tom was a Parselmouth. Albus and I were presumably the only people who knew he could speak Parseltongue, but neither knew that the other was aware.
"When the Chamber was opened five years ago, I knew Tom Riddle had returned, though I didn't know how. To find out he had targeted one of my own Gryffindors was devastating. Again, I found myself with a great deal of knowledge and no way to protect those I held dear. I was too much of a coward to tell Albus the truth in 1943. Perhaps if I had things would have turned out much differently. Tom Riddle would have been expelled there in his fifth year and never terrorized anyone. However, I did not. I have no idea if I was just too blind to love or the Sorting Hat placed me in the wrong House, but I protected Tom that day." Harry finished reading and poured the memory into the Pensive.
February 1943
The Gryffindor Common Room was much quieter than normal when the group arrived. Pamphlets scattered the tables that very few people crowded around. Hermione glanced over a few and gave a deep sigh.
"As a precaution, students should travel in groups of three or more and remain in their Common Rooms with the exception of classes. All Quidditch matches have been suspended until further notice," she read. "Tom Riddle must have opened the Chamber of Secrets already."
The somber atmosphere was all too familiar. Individuals lined the couches, not wanting to be alone, and the few groups that were scattered throughout the Common Room spoke in whispers. Most were studying or playing games of cards or chess. Alastor Moody and Minerva McGonagall sat across from each other with a chess board set between them.
"Knight to E7."
Minerva chewed a bit on her lower lip, carefully considering her next move. She tucked a long strand of dark hair behind her ear and replied calmly, "Rook B3."
"I will never understand your strategy," chuckled Alastor.
"Isn't that the point of having a strategy?" Her laugh matched his perfectly, but even that did nothing to break the grave mood.
"Guess that's what I should expect from someone who is dating a Slytherin." Minerva gritted her teeth at his cutting comment, but Alastor must have been expecting it, because he never flinched at her accusing glare.
"Since when have I seeing Tom ever bothered you? I mean, it's been how many years now?"
"Since the heir of Slytherin started paralyzing innocent students!"
"The correct term is 'petrify' and that doesn't mean we need to alienate all Slytherins." The game lay forgotten between them now, causing some of the chess pieces to mumble angrily.
"Well, it couldn't hurt, could it? Come on, Minerva, he calls himself the 'Heir of Slytherin'. Don'tcha think that if we kicked them all out it would solve a few problems?"
"For all you know, it is not a student at all. It could be just another Grindelwald supporter. We are at war." Just as Alastor was about to object, three boys ran in through the portrait door.
"There's been another attack!" As quiet as the Common Room had been before, it exploded in panic and shouting now.
"That's the third one!"
"I heard it was a Ravenclaw."
"Oh, goodness, do you think they will close the school now?"
"She was even a sixth year!"
"Minerva, Alastor!" A gangly young man with golden blonde curls pushed his way through the crowd. "It's Rheanna! Rhea was attacked!"
All of the color fled from Minerva's face and she and Moody immediately jumped to their feet and rushed to the door. The blonde boy ushered them out of the portrait hole and the three took off sprinting down the deserted hallway.
When they entered the Hospital Wing Augusta rushed forward and threw her arms around the tall blonde. She was sobbing hysterically, but managed to point Alastor and Minerva in the direction of a bed. Felicity was sitting next to a petrified Rheanna whose body was frozen in fearful contortion. A red haired Professor Dumbledore with a very small beard was speaking quietly with the matron, but he quickly ended to conversation when his pupils entered.
"Ms. McGonagall, Mr. Moody, I am very sorry. I know that you all were very close."
"Thank you, Professor," murmured Minerva. Her green eyes were focused on her friend and she placed a shaking hand on Felicity's shoulder. Alastor remained motionless at the foot of the bed, while Augusta's tears were the only sound.
"I have to impress on each of you the dangers you are facing. Please be careful and stick close to one another." Harry could not help but feel of a bit of déjà-vu as Professor Dumbledore's eyes glanced over the small group of friends. "To protect our students that have already been petrified, we will be closing this portion of the Hospital Wing."
"We won't be able to see her again?" asked Alastor.
"Quite the contrary, Mr. Moody, for she will return to the conscious once again. We just need time to prepare the antidote." He began to usher them out of the wide double doors with a sad smile. "Now would be the time to lean on each other. Mr. Longbottom, I believe Ms. Wallace may need a cup of hot coco. Perhaps you could escort her to the kitchens."
"Yes, sir," nodded the blonde boy, Longbottom.
"Mr. Moody, if you don't mind waiting here while I have a word with Ms. Rookwood and Ms. McGonagall." Felicity and Minerva exchanged a nervous glance. Both Felicity and Rheanna were Ravenclaws, why was the Gryffindor Head of House here now?
"Of course, Professor," said Minerva and she took her best friend's hand to lead her away from the bedside. Alastor stayed still, staring with wide eyes at his young girlfriend.
Professor Dumbledore led them into the Matron's office, but kept the door cracked open so he could see everything that was going on in the Hospital Wing. With a serious face, he motioned for the two girls to take a seat. "Ladies, this conversation is not for outside ears, nor am I accusing you of anything. I do know, however, that you two are very close to a certain group of Slytherins."
"My brother is a Slytherin." Felicity's voice was tight, but firm and her eyes narrowed at Dumbledore's insinuation. The young girl's eyes were tears stained, but she promptly straightened her back and pulled back all emotion. Harry could see the years of pureblood training and breeding were not lost to Slytherins only. The young Rookwood was very proud of her heritage.
Minerva was quick to place a steady hand on her friend's knee and speak. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore was not implying that Augustus or Tom had anything to do with this. However, they are Slytherins and since this monster is calling itself the 'Heir of Slytherin', it is just his job to ask." The warning in her voice was unmistakable. She undoubtedly trusted Dumbledore, but he was still an adult challenging her friendships. An adult who currently was staring them down with a look Harry was far too familiar with.
"Of course, Ms. McGonagall. Nevertheless, you are both Prefects for your respected Houses and I am requesting that you keep an eye out for any information that someone else may not feel comfortable coming forward with." Dumbledore knew his battle was lost; it was clear Minerva had no knowledge, or no intentions of coming forward with said knowledge, of what was taking place in the Chamber of Secrets.
"Of course, Professor," said the two girls in unison. They stood to leave, in a swirl of red and blue, leaving the Deputy Headmaster with a sad look lingering on his tired face. Just as they were about to leave when he spoke once more.
"Do either one of you know of anyone who can talk to snakes?" Harry immediately saw Minerva grip her friend's forearm, before answering with a charming smile.
"Of course not, Professor. I think that is something I would certainly notice." Hermione glanced back at Harry with a similar look on her face. The charming and calculated line was more like something Tom Riddle would have fed to one of his Professors that adored him. When Harry looked back, he could see the pain in Dumbledore's eyes at the well tuned lie his favorite student had just told him.
Minerva turned back around and led Felicity by the hand, pausing only to grab Alastor. The four followed them out into the hallway where Minerva and Felicity were excusing themselves into the bathroom. Once inside, Felicity rounded on Minerva.
"You lied to him!"
"Of course I lied to him- what was I supposed to say?" Minerva threw her hands up in frustration. "Yes, Professor, it just so happens that my boyfriend loves to talk to snakes!"
"Well, I don't know…" The Ravenclaw bit her lower lip and closed her eyes tightly. "I mean, we know it isn't them, but what does talking to snakes have to do with the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Maybe that's what they think the monster is?"
"What kind of snake petrifies people, Min? I mean, if you got bit by some Slytherin Snake, wouldn't you just die?" The two girls stared silently at each other for a moment before Felicity started to cry again.
"Oh, hush now," Minerva wrapped her arms around the sniffling girl. "We know that it couldn't be Tom or Augustus. Dumbledore has never liked Tom and all of the boys they talk with are all about that kind of evil Slytherin stuff, but it's not this serious. Even if Tom and Augustus know who the Heir of Slytherin is…"
"But they don't know!" shrieked Felicity. "Augustus would never hurt one of my friends. And he knew how close Rhea and I are!"
"Of course not. They would do nothing to hurt us. Nothing." Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny watched with heavy hearts as the two girls tried to reason themselves into lies.
Once they were out of the memory, there was a hard silence. The Chamber of Secrets brought back difficult memories for everyone, especially Ginny and Harry. Naturally, it would be Hermione to break the silence. She always insisted on discussing each memory afterwards so they could find any details McGonagall may have wanted them to take notice of.
"Well, this is rather obvious." Hermione sighed and closed her eyes briefly. She had been tiring easily since her return and Mrs. Weasley's over protective hovering meant any sign of exhaustion sent her straight to bed. "Of course, Professor McGonagall probably feels guilty for not saying anything sooner. Especially when it was opened again when we were at school. She knew who it was the entire time and was in complete denial."
"I can't believe she lied to Dumbledore," muttered Harry. "If McGonagall had just told him what she knew, then Hagrid would have never been expelled. Tom Riddle's wand would have been snapped in half and we wouldn't be in this situation."
"I dunno. I mean she was just protecting her friend." Three eyes spun to Ron, staring at him in disbelief. Ears red, he fiddled with the tablecloth in front of him as he continued. "We didn't go running to Dumbledore or her when we knew Harry could speak to snakes. And when Hermione got petrified and we knew it was a basilisk we didn't exactly tell anyone."
"I still can't believe you didn't tell anyone what I had found," sighed Hermione, rolling her eyes.
"We were young and dumb, what can we say?" Harry held up his palms defensively with a small smile on his face. It immediately vanished upon meeting Ginny's eye.
"Ron has a point! If it was someone you cared about, you would have lied too! What if Dumbledore had asked you three if I had been acting strangely? What would you have said?" Stunned silence met her questions. "I would have lied. Everyone thought it was Harry who opened the Chamber and you two stuck by him. Just like you would have protected me if you had known what was going on."
Harry reached over slowly to squeeze her hand. "I guess so. I sort of lied to Dumbledore when he asked me if there was anything I wanted to tell him. It didn't make me feel any better to see Tom Riddle in the memory lie to him too."
Before any more could be said, Mrs. Weasley knocked on the kitchen door, requesting to come in to make supper. The four cleared off the table so she could enter, not that they were trying to hide any information they had obtained, but Mrs. Weasley had a strict rule about 'business at the dinner table'.
Preview:
Rookwood in the Library with the Truth
"I am no longer a coward. I know what Tom is capable of." His dark brown eyes met her green ones with a final admission of truth. "And it terrifies me."