Hello good people of the internet. In case you want to know now my teacher is happy with me now. For no real reason, oh well. My writing hasn't been great so stick with me please their will be a lot more mother daughter stuff after the chamber is done in about two chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Minerva pulled her head out of the fireplace shaking away the soot. She had just finished meeting with Albus about Ginny Weasley. She was going to get Miss Weasley and bring her back to her quarters, and then Albus would come and interview her. She walked briskly to the Charms corridor and knocked sharply on the door of the class room. Professor Flitwick appeared in the doorway.
"Yes Minerva?" He asked.
"Can I borrow Miss. Weasley please?" She asked. Flitwick looked surprised.
"I was under the impression that she was with you Minerva. That's what the students said when I came into the classroom." He was clearly confused.
"I did briefly talk to her but I sent her right back into the room. You mean to tell me she never came to class?" Minerva felt a panic rise up inside her.
"No she never came into class." Flitwick informed her. She nodded sharply.
"All right, thank you Filius." She said and walked quickly back down the hall. She had a bad feeling and she walked down the hall, her feet taking her down the halls on their own accord. She didn't realize where she was until she looked up and saw the message written in red.
Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever
She jumped back and grasped at her heart. Minerva did not have to be told who the student in the chamber was. She cursed herself for being so stupid. She recognized the symptoms and yet she had let Ginny back into class and she hadn't even made sure the girl went into class. They would have to send the students home, it was no longer safe at Hogwarts. She quickly ran back to her office and mumbled the spell Albus taught her.
"All students will return to their House Dormitories. Teachers return to the staff room. Immediately please."
She quickly wrote a note to Albus telling him what had happened and that he should tell the governors and get there soon. Sending it with Twinky who was far faster then any owl, she quickly made her way to the staff room. After fighting the crowds she finally pushed her way into staff room. She did stop briefly before entering to fix her appearance she was sure that she looked out of sorts. Not really taming her now white face, she pushed the doors open. Seeing that most of the staff was assembled already she started.
"It has happened. A student has been taken by the monster into the chamber itself." She told the deadly silent staff. She saw that all their various responses were close to what hers had been.
"How can you be sure?" Severus asked her. Always the disbelieving one. She took a deep breath.
"The Heir of Slyterian left another message. Right under the first one." She took another deep breath to relay the message. "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever." She finished the words still shining brightly in her mind. She saw Filius start crying in realization, and Ayden Vector the Arithmancy professor hold his head.
"Who is it?" Minerva turned to see Hooch sink into a chair. "Which student?" Hooch continued.
"Ginny Weasley." She said without a moment's hesitation. She thought she heard a thud but ignored it completely.
"We'll have to send all the student's home tomorrow." She continued taking the authority. "This will be the end of Hogwarts. Dumbledore always said . . ." Then she was cut off by the doors to the staff room opening. When she saw who entered she gave a small hiss of disgust. Lockhart late and beaming, joy she thought.
"So sorry— dozed off--- what have I missed?" He said beaming. The stupid idiot she thought, if only he could have stayed asleep.
"Just the man the very man." Severus started. "A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last." Lockhart sputtered something in response.
"That's right Gilderoy weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the Chamber of Secrets is?"
"And didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it." Filius said catching on to what had started.
"We'll leave it to you then Gilderoy. Tonight will be an excellent time to do it." Minerva heard herself say. Gaining a small happy since of glee at Lockhart's panicked face. "We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. Your free rein at last." Lockhart stumbled murmured something Minerva didn't understand and ran from the room.
"Well that's got him out of the way. Heads I want you to go to your respective common rooms and take roll make sure everyone is in the dorm. Until further notice they can not leave. The rest of you start patrolling the corridors let me know of anything abnormal or strange. That is all." She told them and they quickly filed out of the room. With a sigh she left the room. Heading to the Gryffindor common room, she slowly walked though the halls noticing with dread how empty the halls were. It felt wrong that the halls could be so empty. The only times it had been this empty before was at night and during Christmas, which was so full of festive cheer it didn't matter. By the time she finally reached the Gryffindor common room it took her a good ten minutes longer then normal. She walked into the common room to find everyone assembled and waiting.
"There has been another attack." She said solemnly. "A student has been taken into the Chamber itself. I will be contacting the train station. Tomorrow morning everyone will be going home. Hogwarts is no longer safe." Noise erupted from every end of room. Shouts of protest, shouts of questions, and some just shouting. The conflicting noise did not help Minerva's mood.
"ENOUGH!" She shouted silencing the room. "There is no room for discussion, tomorrow the school will be closed." She took a deep breath. "Your dinner will be brought up, you are forbidden to leave the common room, for your own safety." She waved her wand and a scroll appeared in her hand. It stated that all Gryffindors were in the rooms except for the three victims of this horror. She sighed knowing what would come next. "You are dismissed." The students started to file into their dorms. "Mr. Weasley could I talk to you please?" She mentioned to Percy who looked white at her. She saw him to a 360 of the common room and coming in short one sibling.
"Professor, it's not . . . please tell me it's not." Percy mumbled. She nodded and felt horrible seeing the panic stricken look that appeared on his face.
"I'm sorry Percy, to burden this to you but can you tell your brother's I think it would be better coming from you." She knew was perhaps a tad inconsiderate, but she did think it would be better and would draw less attention to the family. Percy nodded meekly.
"I will be writing to your parents but I understand if you would rather write . . .?" she asked him. He nodded again trying to look like he was fine.
"I'll do that thank you Professor." He said softly. She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled sadly trying to give him a little confidence. Then she left the common room and headed back to her office, where she was sure Albus would be by now.
Sure enough by the time she made it back to her office Albus was sitting behind her desk. When she entered he stood up and took her into his arms. She cried softly for a few minutes and then pulled back.
"I'm proud of you my dear." He whispered.
"How with all that's happened, I feel like a failure. The school is being shut down, and it's my fault Miss Weasley is stuck where she is." Albus rubbed her back.
"I'm proud of you because you did all you could, and I know your hurting Minnie. You miss Hermione, you feel guilty about every thing that's happened today and I know me getting banned didn't help any of it. So don't worry anymore I'm back now." She looked up sharply.
"You can't come back the governors will fire you permanently if you come back even now." He reached into his pocket.
"No they won't." he told her pulling out a letter. "Apparently once I sent word of Miss Weasley's kidnapping they decided that Hogwarts needed me. They also said that the only reason they sent me away at all was at Mr. Malfoy's request." He finished. She shook her head in shock. The fact that Albus was back in full power, made her feel so much better. Maybe just maybe now that Albus was back everything would work out.
"Thank you." She whispered leaning against him. He held her again.
"Now since I'm back in full," He started. "I will be writing to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and inviting them here."
"No Albus I can do it." She started before Albus silenced her.
"Minerva you have done enough today, why don't you go see Hermione and tell her she will be fine later today." He said. Then he gave her a kiss and pushed her out the room.
"You know it is still my office!" She shouted and walked up to hospital wing.
"Hello Poppy." She said entering the wing. Poppy was running around with bottles and in disarray.
"Hello Minerva, don't take this the wrong way but why are you here? I thought you be taking care of the Weasley's?" She asked.
"Albus has come back and he decided he would take care of it and send me up here." She informed Poppy moving over to sit next to Hermione's bed and she noticed Poppy had pulled the blanket over most of Hermione.
Mom! What do you mean taking care of the Weasley's what happened. Did something happen to Ron?
"Why is the blanket pulled up on her?" Minerva asked after she kissed Hermione's head. You'll be back to me tonight baby, she thought.
"Because when we administer the potion and they come back, there is a chance that they will be very cold because their bodies haven't been warm in a long time." Poppy said pulling out a bunch different potions and mixing them together. "Since you are here Minerva can you give this to Miss Granger?" She held a bottle out to Minerva's direction.
"Is this the potion?" Minerva asked taking it from her friend.
"Yes," Then seeing Minerva face she continued. "It will take a few a hours for it to work its way through their bodies. It slowly gives them functions of limbs back." Minerva nodded. She uncorked it and slowly poured it into Hermione's open mouth. Minerva briefly registered Poppy pouring the potions into the other students mouths. She didn't know how long she sat there holding Hermione's hand. Albus was right though, she did feel better sitting with Hermione. Minerva cast a privacy spell around Hermione's bed just in case anyone came in.
"Hey baby it's been a long day." She told Hermione. "More problems I'm afraid, but your daddy's back and he's going to help take care of it." Minerva really had no idea why she was telling Hermione all this but it made her feel better. "Did you hear Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley earlier, I let them come see you."
Yes Mom I know didn't they go get you? Didn't they tell you about the Basilisk?
"It didn't see them after that but I hope you enjoyed their visit. After all it was my policies that kept them from visiting you."
You mean they never came to you? They said they were going to? Please tell me what happened I'm going mad here!
"Well I'm sure you did." Minerva continued not aware of the internal conflict Hermione was having.
Wait a minute. The paper is under the blanket, you have to get it mom! Oh how do I tell you?
Minerva sighed, she had no idea how much time had passed and she really didn't want to know. She just wanted to stay with Hermione when she felt something. A slight pressure on her hand. She looked at Hermione's hand and saw the girl was moving her fingers very slowly.
"Baby can you hear me?" Minerva asked eagerly. Hermione moved her finger's more.
"Move your fingers once for yes or three for no." Minerva said softly. Hermione moved her fingers once. Minerva grinned eagerly.
"Oh I love you baby." Minerva said kissing Hermione on the head. "How do you feel? Are you okay?" Hermione moved her finger's once.
"Are you cold sweetie?" She asked remembering what Poppy had told her. Hermione moved her hand three times now. "Do you want me to remove the blanket?" She received a yes. Minerva stood up and pulled back the blanket and folded it at the foot of the bed. That's when she noticed the paper. She sat back down and read the page about the Basilisk. Minerva was in shock when she finished her heart beating quickly. She quickly grabbed Hermione's hand.
"You figured it out, you figured the whole thing out." It was more a statement then a question but Hermione answered any way. Minerva felt tears come to her eyes. "Oh, my clever girl, some of the strongest and brightest wizards in the world couldn't figure it out and you did." Minerva looked at the paper again. "A basilisk how did we never think of that, the heir of Slytherin and a giant snake. Huh." She sighed.
"You were trying to get me to find this weren't you baby?" Hermione told her yes.
"But how did this appear on your sheet now. It was here last night." Minerva mussed it was starting to come together. "The only people that have been here to visit you have been Harry and . . . Ron. . ." She felt Hermione move her finger's. Minerva felt a another feeling of dread run through her. For the first time all night she looked at the clock and realized that it was 8 at night. She had been in there for hours.
"Hermione, did Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley find this paper?" When Hermione only moved her fingers once Minerva stood up. She knew those boys well enough to know what they may try to do. And considering what had happened to Miss Weasley, it didn't look good.
"Okay sweetie I'm going to go, I'll be back later." Minerva left the room quickly.
Wait tell me what's going on!
Minerva rushed into the Gryffindor common room, startling the three Weasley's still assembled in there.
"Where are your younger brother and Mr. Potter?" She asked quickly. They shook their heads in confusion. Huffing she crawled out of the portal hole and turned to the Fat Lady.
"Did anyone leave the common room?" She asked.
"Yes the little red head and the famous black haired one." The Fat Lady told her. "I tried to stop them but I can't do much." Minerva didn't care, grasping the page of the book, she ran down to her office and without thinking she burst in. Albus was sitting in there with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, both of whom were crying. Molly looked so sad, and lost Minerva went and gave her old school friend a hug.
"I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." Minerva told her. Molly shook her head; she couldn't bring herself to speak. Minerva turned to Albus.
"I hate to be the barer of bad news but we have a problem." Minerva told him. She pulled out the library page and handed it to him. "It's a basilisk, that's what has been attacking the students. The heir of Slytherin is who you thought it was." She told him. When he finished reading the paper he looked up at Minerva.
"You figured it out?" He asked. Minerva gave a slight smile.
"I didn't figure it out." She knew Albus would know who had. "But we have more pressing matters. I wasn't the first person to find that paper." She saw Mr. Weasley look up from his wife.
"Who?" Albus asked even though he had a good idea who.
"The other members of the trio." Minerva told him, not using names for fear of making Mr. and Mrs. Weasley more worried. At that moment a dark red feather appeared on Minerva's desk. Albus smiled fully for the first time that evening. Minerva looked at him confused.
"Fawkes?" She asked.
"He's with the boy's and I think all is well, they must have shown some loyalty to me to make Fawkes go to them." Albus told her.
"So what can we do? We can't just set here!" She told him.
"We have no other choice; we have no idea where the chamber is or if we could even get in. I'm afraid all we have to do is wait." And she glared and sat down with a huff.
Okay that was a very hard chapter to write. All the tension is coming to a close. I am sorry I didn't go into Harry's point of view but I felt everyone knew Harry's point of view so I didn't bother. Also I should tell you I probably can't update next weekend because I'm at Apple Blossom! Then I work so I'll try and update earlier but be hopeful. And please review.