Chapter Twelve
Harry, Ginny, and Hermione stood on the platform of Hogsmede station. All three looked up at the setting sun hanging low in the sky.
"You know," Harry began. "That train ride was oddly uneventful."
"Your right," Ginny said. "We didn't see Neville anywhere."
"First years," a giant of a man called. "First years over here."
Harry glanced in that direction. The man gestured at him. "That means you three to. It's tradition you know. First timers to Hogwarts ride the boats."
Shrugging, Harry and the others followed the giant down a path. The branches of the trees overhead created a canopy that blocked most of the light giving the path a cave-like appearance. There were no leaves underfoot, just hard earth and fresh green grass.
Breasting a hill, they saw a fleet of small wooden boats tied to a wooden dock. The giant looked back at them.
"No more than four to a boat," he said.
The students clambered into the boats. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione ended up sharing their boat with a girl with dirty blond hair and silvery blue eyes. The girl stared at Harry and Ginny.
"Harry, Ginevra," she said her soft voice ringing like the chiming of bells.
"Luna," Ginny said smiling widely. "How have you been?"
"Very well," Luna said. She stared at Harry. "When you see your Father again, tell him thank you."
"I will, but why?" Harry said uncomfortably.
Luna smiled serenely. "He saved my Mother's life."
"How do you know my name?" Harry asked. "Ginny's told me about you, but we've never officially met."
"I know people," Luna said simply. She turned away and began staring at the water, waving her hands in patterns that made no sense to the others riding in the boat. Harry looked at the other two.
"Do you have any idea what that was about?"
"When Luna and I were nine, there was an accident. Mrs. Lovegood was doing something with a spell that went horribly wrong. Luna was there and saw it happen. She and her Mum barely escaped with their lives. Apparently, your Dad helped somehow."
Before Harry could ask any questions, the giant spoke up.
"You'll get your first sight of Hogwarts in a minute."
Harry watched as they went around a bend and the castle came into view. The magic of the wards washed over him as if welcoming him home. He could feel the ley lines around the castle surging to meet him as if curious about the newcomer. His head fell back and his eyes closed as the power rushed into him.
"Are you alright?" Ginny asked touching his arm.
"Yeah," Harry groaned. "It's just a bit overwhelming. I never knew there was so much power here. I mean I'm used to being aware of all the ley lines by now, but I've never seen lines this big. These ley lines stretch for miles."
Luna nodded. "I imagine you could bypass the wards if you chose." She looked at Harry seriously. "You do know there is a node underneath the school don't you?"
"Node?" Hermione asked.
"A place where two or more ley lines join," Harry said.
The boats stopped as they bumped against the dock effectively stopping their conversation.
"Everyone out," the giant yelled.
Slipping and sliding, the new students climbed out of the boats. Making their way up a long set of steps, they approached a heavy oak door.
The giant raised one massive fist and knocked three times.
Professor McGonagall opened the door and nodded to the giant. "Ah, the first years. Thank you Hagrid."
Hagrid inclined his head respectfully. "You're welcome Professor McGonagall."
McGonagall ushered the new students inside. Hagrid followed closing the door behind them. Harry watched the giant enter the Great Hall on their right. McGonagall led them into a side chamber.
"You will wait here until we are ready for you," she told them. "I suggest you take the time to straighten yourselves up."
Without another word, McGonagall slipped out of the room. Harry looked around at the sea of scared faces.
"How do you think we'll be sorted?" a small boy asked.
"I heard it was something painful," another piped up.
"It's not," Harry said.
"How do you know?" the boy snapped.
"What would be the point in torturing us?"
"Maybe to see how many of us can deal with pain."
Harry shook his head. "They're not going to torture us."
"Maybe we'll be expected to perform some really difficult bit of magic," a girl said.
"No," Luna said in her dreamy tone. The girl glared at her.
"It could be that way. Maybe we'll be expected to transfigure something."
"How much magic do most of you know?" Luna asked.
The girl was suddenly very quiet. She glared at Luna, but didn't say anything else.
Luna nodded. "So it can't be magic."
"So what kind of test could it be?" the girl wondered aloud.
Luna smiled knowingly. "Oh I don't think it'll be anything too difficult."
Before anyone could ask what she was talking about, McGonagall reentered the room.
"We are ready for you now," she said. "Please follow me."
The group of new students entered the hall. Looking around, Harry saw two tables on the left and two tables on the right. At the top of the hall was a raised dais where the teachers sat at a large round table.
"It's like the legends of King Arthur,' Harry said gesturing at the head table.
"I imagine that is where they got the idea," Hermione responded. "If Merlin had been alive in this time period, what house do you think he would've been sorted into?"
"Slytherin," Luna said firmly.
The other three looked at her, but didn't have a chance to say anything.
"That's enough chatting," McGonagall said placing a three legged stool in front of the group. On the stool she sat a battered old Wizard's hat. The hat was ripped and torn as if it had been through a war. A large rip opened near the brim like a mouth and the hat began to sing.
"A thousand years or more ago when I was newly sown, there was a race that helped build this school that is no longer well known.
This race was healers, warriors, and poets, although many did not know it.
They aided fair Ravenclaw, the wisest witch to wear a crown. They trained kind Hufflepuff, the Mother of all around. They watched cunning Slytherin, who was sly as a snake and made the school quake. They stood at the side of Gryffindor, the bravest of the Hogwarts four.
For centuries they were with us, until a king was slain. With his death the faith in that race has begun to wane. Now the gates are closed and we are alone to deal with our mistakes. Those must be corrected before it is too late.
Here my warning and here it well. Stand as one, stand united, lest we are all dragged to hell."
The hall sat silent for several moments. Slowly, the students began to clap. Harry noticed that most of the pure-bloods were staring at him.
"Has anyone heard the hat talk like that?" he asked Ginny.
Ginny shook her head. "I don't think so. It was a bit creepy if you ask me. I mean lest we are all dragged to hell? Sounds more than a bit ominous, don't it?"
Professor McGonagall stepped to the front of the hall and unrolled a scroll. "When I call your name, you will come up here and put on the hat."
Harry tuned her out, until he heard his name.
"Evans, Harry," she called.
Harry walked calmly up to the stool and sat down. The hat was placed on his head. As it covered his eyes, he heard a small voice in his ear.
'Ah, I wondered when I'd be seeing you. Welcome to Hogwarts, young prince.'
'Thank you,' Harry responded.
'Now, where do I put you,' the hat murmured. 'Yes, there is bravery, but it is not your strongest trait. You are loyal, but only to those that earn your trust. There is only one place for you.'
"Ravenclaw," the hat shouted.
Harry joined the table on the far left, smiling happily. In a few moments, Hermione Granger became a Ravenclaw as well. She came over to the table and sat down across from him.
"Well done," Harry murmured.
Hermione smiled. "Thanks."
After an interminable wait, he heard Luna Lovegood being called. Within seconds, the little blond plopped into the seat next to him.
"Good job," he said.
Luna smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, Ginny will make it here."
Sure enough, when Weasley Ginny was called, she almost immediately became a Ravenclaw. Hurrying to the table, she plopped down on Harry's other side.
"The hat wanted to put me in Gryffindor," she whispered.
"I see you managed to dissuade it of that idea."
Ginny's lips twitched. "It's amazing what threats of a fire can do."
There talk was interrupted as Dumbledore stood up.
"Tuck in," he said spreading his arms.
As the table filled with food, Ginny sighed. "Finally."
"The way to a girl's heart is through her stomach," Harry muttered.
"Not all girls, just mine," Ginny said piling roast beef onto her plate.
"Good to know," Harry said.
As they ate, Harry noticed people shooting him furtive glances.
"I wish everyone would stop staring," he muttered.
"The hat did mention you indirectly," Hermione pointed out.
"I know," Harry grumbled.
As desserts were appearing, there was a deafening crash from outside.
Harry saw Professor McGonagall rise from the head Table and leave the hall.
"What was that all about?" Hermione wondered.
"Something hit a tree outside," Luna said unexpectedly. "The tree isn't very happy."
They all stared at her, but she just scooped up another helping of pudding. When the plates were cleared of the last scrap of food, Dumbledore stood.
"I just have a few words for you before we head to bed.
First, I'd like to welcome Gilderoy Lockhart as our new Defense against the Dark arts teacher."
There was a smattering of polite applause. Gilderoy stood up, waving enthusiastically.
"Second, I'd like to welcome our new Apprentice Healer, Ariana."
A beautiful Auburn haired girl waved, but made no move to stand.
"Lastly, I'd like to welcome our new Charms Professor, Lily Evans."
Lily waved to the students, but like Ariana, did not stand.
"Now that the staff changes are announced, there are two more announcements. The forbidden forest is forbidden as its name suggests and our caretaker Mr. Filch has informed me that the list of band items is now up to one hundred and fifty. Anyone wishing to see that list can visit Filch's office."
Dumbledore gestured at the doors. "I think that is everything. Off to bed you go, chop chop."
As the students stood, accompanied by a deafening scrape of chairs, Harry saw a tall girl with brown hair gesturing at them.
"First years," she called. "Follow me please."
Harry and the others followed her down halls and up staircases. They approached a door with a knocker in the shape of an eagle.
The girl took the knocker and wrapped smartly on the door. The wooden eagle opened its beak.
"When is a door not a door?" it croaked.
"When it's a jar," the girl said.
"Correct," the eagle said. The door swung open and the girl led the way into the common room.
Harry had just enough awareness to see the girl point in the directions of the dormitories. Wishing the girls goodnight, Harry made his way to his dorm room, changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
XXX
Hunger. That was all he'd felt since being forced into this accursed book. He didn't know. He never realized what he had created. This pseudo soul had become so much more than he'd intended. It was if not strictly alive, at least sentient. It was getting worse. The girl had written in the diary several times now. Each time he'd had to force himself not to respond. Each time it became harder and harder not to give in to the urge to absorb her life.
It was true he'd tried to kill the Evans boy, but this was different. For the first time, he was being tempted to take a life for no other reason than to restore his own. That was all it would take. With his soul merged with the pseudo soul inside the diary, he could do it. One life and he would be restored to his prime. More than that, he would be restored to his own body. All he had to do was respond one time and the process would begin, but once started, it could not be stopped. He would be as tightly bound by the magic in the diary as she would.
"But maybe… He knew the intent of Lucius Malfoy. The man wanted Arthur Weasley's daughter to be the one to interact the programing. He may not be able to stop from taking her life, but he could protect her innocence.
He felt the tug on his consciousness as the girl began to write. She wrote of her love for her friends, her hope for the future, and her time at Hogwarts. As the ink began to dry on the page. Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, couldn't take it anymore. He reached out, and responded to Ginny's call.
It was easy, too easy. The magic wanted to respond. It flashed out, the compulsion built into the book sinking into her mind like a fishhook. At the last moment, he changed the spell from a compulsion spell. She would no longer be compelled to follow the books programing. She was simply compelled not to speak of the book.
He felt her surprise as the ink sank into the page. He reached out, sending his mind through the new link and wrote back.
'Hello Ginny, my name is Tom. How are you?'
XXX
The first morning of classes was boring for Harry. Turning buttons into beadles was simple for all of them. McGonagall gave the three a knowing look and a rare smile.
Next, they went to Charms. Lily set them the task of conjuring water. As water flowed out of the air filling a glass, Harry noticed the class glaring at them.
"Show off," someone muttered.
"Hey," Harry snapped. "Mum never got me a wand. I had to learn this way. Honestly, I like not using a wand. At least I can't be disarmed."
"Why didn't you get him a wand?" Luna asked quietly.
"Because wands are a crutch," Lily said. "They were never meant to be used as your primary tool for channeling your magic. In old times they were meant to be an aid for young witches and wizards. It was away for them to learn to focus on the result they desired."
"And I suppose the fae told you this," A dark haired boy snapped.
Lily looked at him calmly. "Yes, I found it out while I was in Elphame. The fae kept records of things like that. They wanted to be sure what they were sending their stunted children into."
The fae can't use wands you see. Their magic is not able to be channeled through a wand."
"SO some of the most powerful witches and wizards have fae blood?" Luna said.
"Some, but not all. Wizards and witches aren't human. They are unique creatures able to breed with humans and have wizards and witches most of the time. The fae tried to breed that trait into their lines. A gene that dominant would've come in handy. It was a secondary reason they chose to aid wizards in their inbreeding problem, but alas, it didn't go as planned. Any time the fae tried breeding with humans, the child died in their twenties. The energies contained in a fae body simply burned them up."
Lily was quiet for a moment. She jerked suddenly as if coming out of a fog. "We were talking about wands, not breeding. I sorry for getting off topic."
"Can we learn to use magic without a wand?" a small girl asked.
"I don't know. If not, you can at least decrease the size of your foci."
The rest of the lesson passed quietly enough. As the class began filing out, Harry hung back. "That was a good lesson Mum," he whispered, "but why the lesson on wands and stuff."
Lily shuffled some papers on her desk. "They need to know. I'm hoping to get them thinking. Don't forget that a lot of wizards have fae blood. That means that we are responsible for them. Because of that, I'm trying to help the children think outside the box a bit."
"You don't want this generation to be as handicapped as the previous one."
"Right," Lily said with a smile. "Now get out of here, you have Herbology to get to."
XXX
An hour later, Harry and the others were entering the Great Hall. They sat down at the Ravenclaw table and began piling food on their plates.
"Really glad she had us work with the Mandrakes as our final exam," Harry said wiping sweat from his forehead.
"I still don't think that's safe," Hermione said. "I mean really, letting students work with something that could knock you out. What if they had a particularly potent Mandrake?"
"I can see your point, but they don't let us work with the adults and as long as our earmuffs are on correctly, we shouldn't have a problem."
XXX
After lunch, they made their way to the Defense classroom. The walls were covered with pictures of Gilderoy Lockhart. As they entered, all the pictures waved.
"Someone is a narcissist," Harry muttered.
Hermione scowled. "He just wants to show us his accomplishments."
"Right," Harry said sarcastically. "If that's true, why aren't the pictures of him fighting dark creatures?"
As they sat down, Gilderoy came striding in. He stood at the front of the classroom, smiling at all of them.
"Me," he said holding up one of his books. "Gilderoy Lockhart, five time winner of Witch weekly's best smile award, honorary member of the Dark Forces defense league, and endorser of Hana's hair care products, but I don't talk about that. I didn't beat the vanishing vampire by throwing hair jell on him."
He waited for several moments, as if expecting a laugh or applause or something, but no one said anything.
"Right then," he said. "We're going to have a little quiz." He began passing out parchment. Harry looked down at his list.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?
What does Gilderoy Lockhart fear?
How many times has Gilderoy Lockhart been in mortal peril?
Harry flipped through the parchment, until he saw the last question.
54. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's fondest wish?
Harry raised his hand. "Excuse me sir, but what is the purpose of this quiz? It doesn't appear to have anything to do with Defense against the Dark Arts."
Gilderoy smiled at him condescendingly. "My dear boy, just because you can't see the purpose of the quiz doesn't mean there isn't one."
Harry rolled his eyes and set to work. Half an hour later, Lockhart took up the papers and riffled through them.
"All in all, very well written," he said smiling again. "I can see why you are all Ravenclaws. Now, I had some pixies, but err, they flew away."
Harry noticed that Lockhart's cheeks had turned pink. "So, instead of the practical, I'll just tell you how I defeated the Wagga wagga werewolf. DO I have any volunteers to help with the demonstration?"
XXX
An hour later, they left the classroom. Harry's face was glowing. "That was embarrassing."
"I don't know," Ginny said. "When your eyes started glowing and you growled at him, that was pretty funny. I thought for sure he was going to wet himself."
"That wasn't very nice," Hermione said. "I mean he is our professor after all."
"I don't think he's much of a professor," Luna said. "All of the questions on his test were about his personal preferences. I think he has racksperts in his head."
"No," Harry said seriously. "They group together where there's a lot of earwax."
Luna smiled. "That is true, but it could be the Sparksnaps."
"His head didn't explode," Harry said. "That's how they breed you know by laying eggs in the hosts head."
"You two are joking, right?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked at her, his expression blank. "I wish."
XXX
For the next two months, everything went smoothly. The school was quiet, the lessons were easy, and Harry and the others were able to get a vacation.
Unfortunately, Harry's shifter training wasn't going as well. He was still having trouble controlling his wolf.
"Well the Acramantula are going to be pissed," Lily sighed as Harry dropped a small spider the size of a house cat.
Harry's jaws split in a wolfish grin. His tongue lolled out of his mouth.
"Turn back," Lily sighed rubbing her forehead.
Harry's body shimmered and he shifted back into human form. He looked down at the dead spider and grimaced.
"Did that thing come onto the grounds or did we go into the forest." He looked around at the Black Lake a few feet behind them. "Never mind."
"They're not supposed to be on the grounds," Lily said snapping her fingers. The spider burst into flames. Within seconds, it had been reduced to ash.
"What are we going to do?"
"Dumbledore needs to be made aware of this," Lily said. "If the spiders are getting bolder then that's going to be a problem." She ran a hand through her hair. "If it isn't one thing, it's another."
"I'll come with you," Harry said.
As they walked back to the castle, Harry looked at his Mother. "I seem to have hit an impasse."
"Don't worry," Lily said. "We'll figure out something. You can at least keep yourself from attacking people now which is what I wanted."
Harry nodded. "Still, I feel like there's untapped potential there. I feel like there's a well of power inside me just waiting to be tapped."
"Eloquent," Lily said with a chuckle. "I'll talk to your Dad. Maybe this is a common issue for hybrids."
"Can you even contact him?" Harry asked.
"Oh yes," Lily said. "I've found a way to pull him out of Limbo, for short periods anyway."
As they entered the school, they were both surprised to see Dumbledore waiting for them.
"What has happened? The wards alerted me that something dangerous had entered the grounds."
"Acramantula," Lily said briskly. "It came onto the grounds while I was training Harry."
"Where is it now?"
"Dead," Lily said shortly.
Dumbledore nodded. "As much as I hate taking a life, I cannot let my personal feelings endanger the students. Well done, Lily."
"Thank you headmaster," Lily said. She decided to let Dumbledore think it was her that slew the Acramantula. She didn't know how he'd react if he found out it was Harry."
"I'll have to send for a team from the MPC."
"MPC?" Harry asked.
"Magical pest control."
"Pardon me sir, but this isn't a mouse infestation. We're living with a colony of giant spider's right beside the school. I think we'll need a little something stronger than pest control."
Dumbledore smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that. Although, I think we'll wait until it gets a little cooler. The spiders should be a bit more sluggish by then."
"You're the boss," Lily said, "but how are we going to protect the students?"
"They should be safe until dark," Dumbledore said. "I'll send a teacher to sit with them when Quidditch practice starts to be safe."
"If that's decided," Harry said. "I need to get back to the common room."
"Yes you do," Lily said. "Goodnight," she kissed his cheek.
"Muuum," Harry groaned causing Lily to giggle.
"Goodnight professor," Lily said.
"Goodnight to you both," Dumbledore said.
XXX
On Halloween morning, Harry watched the MPC operatives enter the forest.
"Are those flame throwers?" Hermione asked.
"Looks like it," Harry said. "I guess Dumbledore was right. They just might be able to handle the Acramantula."
The rest of the day was filled with screams and an enraged clicking coming from the forest. At sunset, just before the Halloween feast, the MPC officers exited the forest, their robes torn and bloody.
Dumbledore accepted their bill without batting an eye. After paying them, he asked if they'd like to have a Hogwarts feast with the students.
"If it's all the same to you sir," said a heavyweight man with thinning grey hair. "I think my men and I would like to go home. It's been a long day."
"I quite understand," Dumbledore said.
XXX
The feast was just as wonderful as last year. Live bats flew around the ceiling. Skeletons served them food, and a Jack-O-lantern came floating through the hall, orange flames dancing in the holes that served it as eyes. Its wide gash of a mouth had been carved in a sinister grin.
"Where's Ginny?" Luna said sitting down.
"She said she wasn't feeling well."
"I do hope she's alright," the other girls chorused.
After the feast was over they were all on their way back to the common room. Suddenly, Luna, who was walking in front of Harry, stopped dead.
"What is it," Harry asked walking up beside her.
"Look," Luna said pointing an unsteady finger at the cat hanging head down from a torch bracket on the wall.
"What's going on," Filch, the caretaker said. When he saw the cat, he froze. "My cat," he screamed. He spun around, his bulging eyes immediately landed on Harry.
"You," he bellowed lunging at Harry. "I'll kill you half-breed."
"Argus," Dumbledore snapped. "You will not harm the students. I've warned you about that time and time again."
"Look what they did to my cat," Filch bellowed.
"No student could do this," Dumbledore said removing the cat from the bracket. He turned to Harry. "Why don't you three get back to the common room."
Harry nodded and led Luna and Hermione away.
"I want them punished," Filch said.
"Argus," Dumbledore said. "Come with me, now."
XXX
Dumbledore leaned back from examining the cat. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Well Albus?" Lily asked.
"One moment," Dumbledore said. He stared at Filch, his blue eyes cold.
"I've warned you over and over to control your temper. This was the last straw. If I hadn't stopped you, you would've attacked Mr. Evans. Consider your position terminated. You can stay until the end of the year, but then I want you gone."
"Mrs. Norris," Filch whimpered.
"Your cat has been petrified," Dumbledore said sternly. "It isn't dead and we'll be able to cure her. That is why I'm allowing you to stay until the end of the year. If there was a place to buy Mandrakes, I'd cure her now and send you on your way. Unfortunately, Mandrakes don't do well in sipping crates."
"Petrified," McGonagall broke in. "What could've caused a cat to be petrified?"
Dumbledore looked down at the motionless cat for several moments. "I've seen this before," he said quietly.
"What happened?" Lily asked. "Was it in the war with Grindelwald?"
"No," Dumbledore said heavily. "It was at Hogwarts. I am afraid this means the Chamber of Secrets has been opened once again."
XXX
Ginny woke in the middle of the night. She struggled to move, but she was so tired. It was all she could do to turn her head. Why was she so weak? What was happening to her. She didn't have much time to dwell on this before sleep claimed her again.
XXX
Voldemort reveled in the life flowing through him. He could feel strength and vitality returning to his spirit. This process would work much faster than the original programming. He could actually leave the diary for short periods to complete the programming. True, it would render the Weasley girl in a comatose state after a while before killing her, but at least she wouldn't be responsible for the death of her fellow students.
This was getting easier. He would mourn the lives that were lost, but they were necessary sacrifices for the safety of the Wizarding race.