Yo thanks very much for the reviews guys! Glad yall liked it:) So anyway the plan is to get this section done ASAP coz like…..it's dragging out too much for my liking ya know? And possibly for yours too! Lol. Anyway this chapter is basically about discovering more about the chamber from an unlikely source. Let's just say that somebody pays Harry a visit and divulges more than he should….:)
A few weeks after the quiddtich match Hogwarts was prone to more attacks. Not only were some of them first years but unlike last time, they weren't all muggles. As if that wasn't bad enough Ginny was becoming increasingly more moody in recent times which as Ron pointed out is not like her. Lily and James began writing to Harry daily requesting updates on the goings on at Hogwarts. As many times as she requested Harry coming home until the chamber persecutor had been found, Harry refused and James agreed with him. At the moment the hospital wing was fuller than it ever had been with five students occupying beds as a result of being petrified. Madam Pomfrey was at her wits ends trying to consolidate such an amount. However Dumbledore assured her that Professor Sprout's latest batch of mandrakes was nearly mature.
In between studying for their finals, Harry, Ron and Hermione were busy brewing up the polyjuice potion. They decided that the best place to store it was in the abandoned girl's bathrooms in one of the cubicles. According to Hermione it would be ready in a few days.
"So have you told your parents that you aren't coming home?" Ron asked Harry in the common room while they were studying for a transfiguration exam.
"I have but they aren't too happy. Especially my mom coz she reckons that Hogwarts is no longer safe and that Christmas should be a time to spend with the family….."
"I got the same pretty much but at the same time they weren't totally put out because Ginny and Percy are going home."
"What about Rob? Has he decided yet?" Hermione asked distractedly as she turned the page in her transfiguration book.
"You know what Rob is like……he says he wants to stay but he really loves spending Christmas at home so…..I can't see him staying here."
Just then Ginny came in through the portrait hole. Ron and company turned around and smiled at her.
"Hey where did you get to?" Ron asked anxiously.
Ginny who was in a daze had her arms crossed, looked at Ron with contempt and said….
"What the bloody hell has it got to do with you?"
"I was only asking Gins…."
"Ya? Well don't alright? You are not the boss of me Ron! So just stay the hell away from me!" she ran up to the dormitories. Ron turned back to his friends a few seconds later saying…..
"What the bloody hell was all that about?"
"I don't know. Maybe she was tired….."
"Tired? Harry you know Ginny as well as I do mate. She never snaps no matter how "tired" she is."
"Ill go talk to her Ron. She might open to me….."
"Ya thanks Hermione." Ron smiled as she got up and headed to the bedroom.
"Girls eh?" Harry just sniggered. Rob then came in through the portrait hole and took a seat next to them on the couch.
"Alright boys? What's the craic?"
"You sound cheerful Rob. Dare I ask what her name is?"
"Oh leave it out Harry! Everyone knows that the girls tear after you. No I just come back form the owlery. Sorry guys but eh….I decided to head home for the holidays." Rob offered biting his lip.
"Oh really? Well that's fine mate." Harry replied pleasantly.
"Really you're not put out? Coz I know the whole polyjuice potion is a big deal and that ye wanted me to transform into Marcus Flinch……"
"Rob seriously its cool. We aren't put out. We would be more put out if you stayed here just to please us. So just do me a favour?"
"Sure Harry anything."
"Try and wangle as much info about the chamber as you can from Sirius or Remus or maybe even my dad. Okay?"
"Oh no problem Harry mate! Ill do what I can." Rob smirked at him as he winked and sat back in the chair. Hermione came down the stairs and called out to Harry.
"Ya what is it Hermione?"
"Ginny wants to talk to you." She replied looking perplexed.
"She wants to talk to me? Why?"
"She didn't say. Go up and find out why don't ya?" Hermione said as she reclaimed her seat by the fire.
"Alright I'm going……" Harry quickly rose looking back at Ron with an apologetic look on his face. Ron just smiled encouragingly.
"Wonder what she wants with Harry……"
"Isn't it obvious Rob?" Ron brooded.
Rob stared at him quizzically for a few seconds before gasping and saying…..
"Ohhhh. Has she got a thing for Harry?"
"Since she was about eight. I remember her saying once how she wanted to marry him…..a little bit scary actually since she was only eight….."
"And what about Harry? Do you think he….."
"Well if he does he hasn't said anything to me but……if he does Id be more than happy to see them together. I mean who would be better for my little sister than my best friend?" Rob and Hermione smiled at each other before they all resumed their attention to transfiguration.
Ginny commanded Harry to enter after he knocked on the door. She was sitting on her bed with her legs underneath her. She looked as though she had been crying. Lavender and Parvati were also present. They smiled flirtatiously at Harry as he approached Ginny's bed.
"Hey Harry. How are you?" They asked still beaming from ear to ear.
"Hey ya Lavender, Parvati. I'm great thanks and you?"
"Fine thanks." They answered coyly.
"Good. So Ginny you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" He asked sweetly looking at her. Ginny looked at the girls and Harry noticed so he asked them to leave politely so they obliged.
Once they were gone Harry seated himself at the edge of the bed and looked at her to continue.
"There is something that I need to talk to you about Harry." Ginny said staring at the quilt.
"What is it? Are you alright Ginny?"
"No Harry I am fine but I appreciate your concern……what I need to say to you is that I found something which would explain why the chamber was opened."
"You found the opening to the chamber of secrets?" Harry asked intrigued.
"No….not exactly. I found this….diary. Or at least I thought it was a diary but it had magical powers Harry and……"
"Go on Ginny I'm listening."
"Well……the owner of it was called Tom Riddle. He possessed me to do all that stuff…."
"The petrifying?"
"No he did all that himself. But the threats on the wall……I did those but I swear Harry that I never did them consciously. I swear……"
"Ginny it's alright I believe you…..hey come here." Harry stood up and brought Ginny into a tight embrace. She started crying on his shoulder so Harry attempted to soothe her by rubbing her back in circles and telling her that it was okay and that as long he was around…..no harm would come to her.
A few minutes later she released him. "Ginny we have to tell Dumbledore immediately so do you still have the diary?" He asked looking deep into her eyes.
"Yes it's in my trunk somewhere……"
"Alright well you find it and then come down to the common room to us okay? Then we will go to Dumbledore alright?"
"Just you and me?" She asked sounding a little chirpy at the prospect.
"Well ya but Ron, Rob and Hermione too."
"Oh…..Ill be down in a minute Harry." She said as she turned back and searched her trunk. Harry stared at her confused but then headed down to the common room.
Alright Harry mate? Did you manage to console Ginny then?" Rob asked winking.
"What is that look for Rob? Nothing happened. We are just friends….."
"Hey Harry. I thought you were brilliant at the quiddtich match the other day. The way you soared up and down and managed to catch the snitch after only thirty minutes……I was really impressed…."
"Thanks Lavender. That means a lot to me." Harry replied smiling at her.
"Do you think maybe you could teach me some tricks sometime?"
"Ugh…..sure ya if you want but right now I have to go….."
Lavender wasn't much smaller than Harry and at the last remark she came so close Harry could feel her breath on his face. He knew what she was after but he didn't have time to turn her down.
"Alright Harry I found it." Ginny called out running down the steps. Harry was standing behind the couch conversing with his friends. He turned and smiled at her which illuminated her face.
"Alright let's go then."
As they approached the stone gargoyle, two men emerged from the steps. Both of them tall but one had sandy brown hair while the other had black curly hair.
"Sirius? Remus……what are ye doing here?" Harry asked perplexed yet happy to see them.
"We had to talk to Dumbledore……what's your excuse Prongslet?"
"Well we have to talk to Dumbledore. It's an emergency….."
"An emergency? Is that so?" Sirius remarked smirking at him.
"Sirius I am not joking here! Ginny found something which explains why the chamber was opened….."
"What? Ginny darling what is it?" Sirius asked turning to look at her with concern on his face and in his tone.
"It's…..a diary but Sirius can I talk to you later about it?"
"Oh ya of course sweetheart. You guys go right up to Dumbledore and well talk to ya later."
As they all headed towards the steps Sirius grabbed Harry by his hood on his jumper saying….
"Wow where do ya think you are going Prongslet?"
"To see Dumbledore remember? Don't tell me the amnesia is back Padfoot!"
"Ah ha ha very funny kid. Lets go come on."
"Don't worry guys I promise that we will bring Harry back safely." Remus called out smiling at the concerned looks the others were giving them.
"Hello anybody home?" Sirius called as he knocked on a classroom door. He then entered with a very confused Harry in tow. Remus quickly followed suit.
"Alright take a seat boys….."
"Sirius what is going on?" Harry asked sitting on a table across from Sirius.
"We need to talk to you Harry mate…."
"About what? Something you couldn't wait till……"
"You aren't coming at Christmas kid so this is as close as we are going to get alright? Now just shut up and listen for a minute would ya?" Harry nodded and looked over at Remus who was sitting at the teacher's desk. He smiled assuringly at Harry.
"Alright well Dumbledore asked us to pay him a visit tonight so as you can see we did. What he wanted to talk to us about is regarding the chamber of secrets."
"Well what about it?"
"As you know Harry the chamber was open fifty years ago by a student here at Hogwarts. He was in Slytherin actually but I don't suppose this surprises you."
"No Remus not really…."
"Well anyway at the time a lot of students were being petrified in the same way they are now. Nobody knew how then so we are in the same position now. The only difference was that somebody died back then…"
"What? Who Remus?"
"A girl. A muggle girl actually…..she um….she died in the girls bathrooms. What is really very confusing is how it was solely muggles who were targets then but now…..now it's just about anyone really."
"However, according to Dumbledore there is this diary that someone called Tom Riddle had whist he was here at Hogwarts. Dumbledore believes him to be the heir to the chamber since it was him fifty years ago…."
"But Sirius…..how could he be the one who opened the chamber if he was a student here fifty years ago?"
Sirius and Remus looked at each other before Remus said…..
"His diary is a horcrux Harry. If he preserved himself in it he still has the ability to manipulate whoever happens to possess it now."
"Well……then Ginny is in real danger…."
"Yes she is mate. Did she mention anything about being possessed Harry?" Sirius asked.
"Ya she did. She was talking about the writing on the wall that she did it sub-consciously…."
"That's what Albus was saying Harry."
"So….this guy Tom Riddle…..is he in Azkaban?"
Sirius and Remus shared another brief glance before Sirius said…..
"No he isn't Harry. When he left school he changed his name to…..something else."
"To what?"
Sirius bowed his head. He really didn't want to scare his godson but…."
"Sirius what did Tom Riddle change his name to?"
"He changed it to Voldemort, Harry."
Harry stared at them disarray. The blood slowly drained from his face as he turned chalky white.
"He whaaa? Sorry you guys but you must be mistaken….."
"I am sorry Harry but it's the truth. Voldemort is the one who has opened the chamber of secrets."
"So…..now what do we do?"
"We do what we always do Harry. Destroy the enemy."
"Ya but how? I mean if his memory is preserved in a book….."
"That's what we have to destroy Harry. The first thing we have to do is find the chamber entrance and then challenge him to a duel….."
"But Sirius….."
"Harry mate its you he's after. If he kills you he will become all powerful and the adult Voldemort will return. We need to get you out of the castle. You cannot stay here for Christmas Harry. I won't allow you to be in jeopardy. Do you understand? We can devise a plan over the holidays but there is not a snowballs chance in hell that we are letting you here over the holidays."
Harry studied his guardian's faces seriously. He knew what they were saying was true and deep down he would feel safer if he was at home having learned that he once again was the bait of Voldemorts grand scheme.
"So…..Dobby was right. I really am the bait." Harry mused despondently with his head bowed.
"Afraid so Harry. But don't worry because we will put an end to this….."
"Ya until next time Remus. Then what? You can't protect me forever you guys. Nobody can…"
"Harry…..we are your family and we will….."
"Sirius I am not going home for the holidays. If I run away now it will be like I have been defeated. Voldemort will not win and I dare him to a duel!"
"Harry don't talk stupid kid!"
"I am not talking stupid Sirius! Why should I run away? This is my home aswell and….."
"Harry this is not what being brave is all about. I know you are courageous because you shine through in so many ways just like James does but please be practical here for one moment. You cannot just go barging into the chamber assuming you find out where it is and challenge the sixteen year old Voldemort to a duel. You don't know how to duel for starters….."
"I am a fast learner Remus….."
"This is why if you come home we will teach you what you need to know……"
"Remus I have made up my mind and my answer is no."
"Harry, Remus here excels at Defines against the Dark Arts. He is a trained auror for the last nine years……he received an outstanding in his newts which is the highest grade achievement you can get……"
"Sirius I……"
"Harry we don't want you to come home so we can wrap in cotton wool and persuade you not to return here okay? We just want you to come home partly because it's Christmas and partly to devise a plan to put an end to all that's being happening here. Please I beg you to reconsider…….
"An outstanding in dark arts newts really?" Harry asked turning to Remus. He smiled fondly at Harry.
"It was my favourite subject in school and I wanted to get the best grade possible so…..ya really."
"It's my favourite subject too actually but we have had shocking teachers so…..it hasn't been too great."
"Well I hope that will change next year Prongslet coz you're looking at your third year teacher."
"Wha….really….Remus are you serious?"
"Well Dumbledore asked me a while ago but I haven't decided yet……."
"WHAT? Oh Remus come on you have to agree! You will be a great teacher I know you will!"
"Alright Harry Ill make a deal with you. If you agree to come home for the holidays…..then I will agree to teach here next year but only if you give me your expert opinion on how well I teach you defence spells."
"You strike a hard bargain Moony." Remus half laughed at this while Sirius smirked at them and Harry continued smiling broadly.
"So does that mean yes?" Remus asked gently.
"It does ya. I can't wait to have you teaching us Remus. You will be well awesome!"
"Thank you Harry. I hope that I will be well received by the others too but for now don't say anything alright? It will just be our little secret. The six of us that is…."
"What six of us….."
"You, Sirius, James, Lily, Shari and myself……"
"Alright cool Remus. Ill keep stumb. I promise….."
"And for the love of god don't tell Rob! That kid has got a mouth on him at times…."
Harry and Remus laughed a little before Harry said….
"Don't worry I wont say anything. You can count on me Sirius." Sirius approached him.
"I know I can Harry. You're my best man Prongslet." Harry smiled up at Sirius who reciprocated it. He then slapped Harry on the cheek gently before saying…..
"Alright moony lets go mate. Harry I shall see you and the others at the station on Monday."
"Yes you will Sirius. And don't worry….Ill tell Ron and the twins to come home too….."
"And Hermione alright? Coz if she can't go to home she can come to ours alright?"
"Ya okay Sirius. Ill pass it on."
"Nice one kid. Good luck in the other exams and we will talk to ya in a few days!"
"See ya Harry. Keep us posted if anything happens."
"Of course Remus….."
"Well what are you doing sitting your ass down in there? We have to escort you back to the common room so let's go Prongslet!"
"Forgot didn't ya Sirius?" Harry remarked exiting the room.
"Oi! None of your lip kid! Go on off with ya." Sirius retorted slapping him on the back of the head as they headed towards Gryffindor.
Alright well what did ya think? Only about three more chapters…..four at the most and we can move on to my personal favourite story. THE PRISONER OF AZKABAHN! WOOHOO! Lol. And I know it was kind of speeded up but I don't want it dragged out or to be regurgitating the actual book coz remember what I said? I want Harry to go through everything he does in the books BUT with his family around him. Aka; as original as possible! Talk 2 ya:)