#Parseltounge#
Thought I should mention it.
Any guesses who our Category 3 is?
The Chamber of Secrets
Harry sat down at the table. He and Ron had both missed the sorting of the new first years.
According to Hermione there wasn't anything unexpected.
The sorting head only took time with sorting Ginny who ended in Gryffindor. A ring go their attention. Dumbledore stood up to begin his speech. Apart from the usual warning to the first class and a knowing look towards Harry and Ron he introduced the new teacher for defense against the dark arts.
"I'd like to introduce you the new teacher of DADA: Gilderoy Lockhart. Also we have a guest from across the pond: Miss Armanda Sparks from the American ministry of magic. She and her team are here to assess Hogwarts and take experience back to their home country. For effectiveness they will go with the second years of each house."
Armanda stood up. "Thank you Professor Dumbledore. As four our assignments I'd like to introduce you my team."
The large doors swung open three people marched in. "While I will join the Six year, Ravenclaws where I graduate here years ago my team member will join the other houses. Catherine Pierce, Five year, Slytherin."
Catherine nodded and turned left towards the table of the snakes. Some couldn't help but stare at her.
"Lauren Wolfe, Four years, Hufflepuff." Again everyone at the table stared at her.
"Lieutenant Erik Winston, second years, Gryffindor." Applause rose as the Weasleys recognized their friend.
Erik sat down next to the Weasleys and Hermione at their end of the table.
Dumbledore rose again. "Now that we are through with the introductions, DIG IN!"
Laughter filled the hall as the pupils began to feast. Erik took his helmet off and began to take steaks onto his plate.
While Percy guided the first years up to the tower the older years had time to spent before the dorms were free.
The next day began with a double lesson herbology. Nothing exciting apart from Lockhart who tried to pull Harry into the spotlight of fame again. He had to listen to all the other students but it was worse when he met Draco Malfoy during lunch.
Colin Creevy, a new Gryffindor wanted to take a picture and Malfoy took the chance to use Harry's fame against him. It had taken all his friends help to keep Ron from cursing Malfoy.
In the end it was Lockhart who made the situation worse by posing with Harry.
Staying with Lockhart the lesson was a catastrophe. The man showed them live cornish pixies. His spell didn't work and he fled into his room, leaving the students to deal with the problem.
Erik rolled with his eyes. He took a flashbang from his pocket and threw it into the air. A pixie grabbed just as the flash came. The pixies were completely disoriented and crashed into walls. The students had it easy to lock them all up.
As they left Erik skipped through Lockhart's book Voyaging with a Vampire.
When Hermione took her book back the man scoffed. "Really? This man fought with a Category 2? Half of what he explains in here doesn't even work with a Sub-Category 5."
Hermione blushed. "Well maybe magic works differently." Erik shook his head. "Believe me. Sub-Category 5 is what is commonly known as a vampire. Can't go out during sunshine, no reflection and that thing. Category 1 to 7 are the real deal. You can't really distinguish them from normal humans by looks. Stakes work on the Sub-Categorys. Starting from Category 1 you need a lot more to kill them." He pulled a small paper from his pocket. "If you want to know the real deal, look for this book."
He left the golden trio. Harry looked at the paper. "We learned more from him than from Lockhart." he commented.
Later on the Quidditch field after the dispute with the Slytherin team Harry ran into Lockhart again.
This time the man had a big cache with him and McGonagall in tow.
"Ah, Harry! I heard that you are a celebrity when it comes to quidditch. Minerva here taold me about your success in the first year. Now talent is fine but what would talent be with out the gear to match?" He opened the cache and threw brooms out. "A contact owned me a favor so I wanted to test their new broom and I said that I knew just the team who could do it!"
Harry caught the broom. His old Nimbus 200 was doing its job even if it wasn't as modern as the Nimbus 2001 Slytherin now had.
"What are these?" Wood asked. He knew that a present always came with conditions.
"These, Wood, are the newest batch of the new firebolt. Professor Lockhart managed to get a special team delivery for us." McGonagall answered. "They are lend to you for a year. Depending on the performance you can keep them as payment or they will send you another batch for testing." Lockhart added.
"You have a special permission to fly around the grounds to get used to them. Mister Creevy, you come with me. No photos yet." McGonagall sent the team off and snitched the camera out of the boys hands.
Erik watched the team flying. He respected Wood's tactical mind. Wood had already a contract with the British national team to join them after he finished Hogwarts.
While the keeper let his team train he landed next to the soldier. "Are the rumors true? That you are a muggle?"
Erik nodded. His full helmet made it impossible for his opposite to asses his emotions. "You cold say so. Although I have extensive knowledge about the supernatural world. Otherwise I wouldn't be working with the international Supernatural Law Enforcement."
As he turned to leave he looked over his shoulder. "Oh, and ask Harry what the muggle pilots wear. You could use the advantage of these." He tapped against his helmet.
The next week Erik waited with a set of helmets. "These are old helmets. We don't use that kind anymore. I spoke with Professor Dumbledore. He allows it as long as the snitch isn't displayed on it. I assured him that it only detects other helmets and not the other players and the four balls."
Harry was the first to try the red helmet. At least he wouldn't have a problem with the wind burning in his eyes anymore.
"I heard the German national Quidditch team uses these." Angelina said. Erik hit his chest plate. "They use the whole armor." he explained.
The same evening Erik walked through the corridors after a quick dinner. At a corner he marched into the well known trio of troublemakers as Snape called them. They stared at the wall. "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware."
"Enemies of the heir, beware! You'll be next mudbloods!"
A week after the finding of the petrified Mrs. Norris the game of the year took place. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.
Lee Jordan was the commentator on this match.
"Despite the horrible events of the last week we all are here to see this deathmatch." "JORDAN!"
"On the Slytherin team we have their Captain Marcus Flint followed by his new seeker Malfoy and the chasers..." The names were drowned in the "BOO!"s from the other three houses.
"On the Gryffindor team, which is completely newly equipped by the way, Sporting the prototype firebolt and gear from the German national ..." JORDAN! WE DON'T ADVATISE!"
"Anyway. Here they come: Wood, Spinnet, Bell, Johnson, Weasley, Weasley and finally Potter!"
Harry stood in the back of the team and let the visor fall down. Immediately his team members wer shown to him. Those he could no see had a mark so he knew in which direction they were.
"Good Potter. These helmets come in nicely. I can coordinate you and the others can help you if they spot the snitch."
"Harry! Bludger right behind you!" Fred shouted. Harry pulled his broom up and the small black ball soared past him. George smashed it towards Flint but halfway the bludger turned around and headed for Harry again. The Weasley twins both surrounded Harry to protect him from the bludger.
During the game it began to rain heavily. The Slytherins, who had led the game with 60 to zero were at a disadvantage. The helmets kept the water out of the chasers eyes as Katie and Angelina scored two point each before Alicia got one, too.
"Didn't think muggle gear would come in handy didn't you dirty Slythe.." "JORDAN!" The comment was drowned in McGonagalls shout.
"What the!" Harry saw the ball from the corner of his eyes. It nearly hit his helmet but the hit wasn't as strong thanks to the protective headgear.
The rain stopped and the Slytherins began scoring again. Now it stood 100 to 80.
"Wood! We need a break!" Fred shouted.
Wood understood and seconds later Madame Hooch paused the game.
"Where were you when the Slytherins blocked our chasers with the bludger?" he shouted at the beaters.
"We were right above them to keep Harry from being killed by that bludger!"
Erik watched from his platform. He was new to this but from what he read the one bludger didn't act normal. He watched the team as it resumed the game again. Harry soared through the air. Keeping away from the bludger. Malfoy hovered in the air and laughed at the boy not noticing the snitch right by his ear. Erik observed how Harry, now badly wounded by the rouge bludger, raced towards the other seeker. Malfoy panicked and pulled his broom to the side. Harry caught the snitch but crashed into the ground. The bludger, instead like the other returning to the case kept heading for Harry. This was too much. Erik saw people running down but by that time Harry would be paste. He pulled his gun and aimed.
Harry looked up at the bludger. He had to keep dodging the ball which repeatedly rose into the air and slammed down. The a blue bolt shot across the stadium and hit the bludger which exploded into tiny pieces raining on the downed Gryffindor Seeker.
McGonagall hold her ear as she turned around to see the gun next to her. She had felt the heat of the bolt and the loud sound of the gun. The faceless soldier holstered the gun and turned around to leave the pitch.
Later Erik and his team met up. "How's out CAT3 doing?" "She's coping. No visible signs of CAT3 yet. However her intelligence might rival a CAT4." "She's alone." "Orders are clear. Observe and help when public signs appear." "She's your problem. I have to investigate that Chamber thing. Although it's outside of my responsibility."
The next day Lockhart and Snape called in students for a duelling club. Erik was invited to watch along with his team.
Lockhart got so light headed during his duel with Snape that he challenged Erik. His status as a muggle has by now gone public. "So bad. He needs to fight a muggle to prove himself." Ron whispered. Hermionen hit him lightly. "No It's interesting to see how a wizard does against a muggle.
Erik sighed as he climbed onto the stage. He brass-checked his weapon before letting the sled lock again. While Lockhart bowed in a traditional duel Erik stayed in his position. "We have to bow in a real duel." "I don't think so. Rule No.1: Never let your opponent out of your sight."
"Expelliarmus!" Lockhart shouted. The gun flew out of Erik's hand but stopped mid-flight. The students could see the thin cable connecting the weapon to its owner. Erik sighed as he pulled out a second gun. "Rule 23: Never be defenseless." He fired the second one. The live round hit the ground before Lockhart who in return jumped back. Erik took his first gun back and aimed at the professor's head. "If this had been serious you would have been dead the moment we started."
He turned around to leave the stage.
"Well then. Who wants to go first? Mr Potter?" Gilderoy asked expectantly.
As Erik left he passed Catherine. "Keep an eye on CAT3 also on Potter and his friends."
If there was something Erik hated then it was investigating with out a lead. He had read the old files on the case when the chamber was opened the last time. About half of the things didn't fit.
Half of the evidence was gone and the ministry seemed eager to hinder the investigations by taking Hagrid into custody and calling Dumbledore out for hearings.
After the duelling club rumors of Harry being the one petrifying the students went around. So far Colin Creevy, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Penelope Clearwater and the nearly headless Nick have been found.
Erik checked the locations of the crime scenes. Now this was something he could work on. He could rule out the students who had detention during the events. After a Ravenclaw had been found in the girl's bathroom he ruled out the boys as charms forbid them to enter without a girl inviting them. As he checked through the list of causes for petrifying he was very limited. Either it was a charm of the dark arts. Officially no one in school could do it but each could have learned at home and interrogating the whole school would take too much time.
Just before the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match Hermione had been found so the game was cancelled.
Also having Lockhart's valentine draws running around didn't really help him.
Weeks later something terrible happened.
Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever
Ron was destroyed. His baby sister had disappeared so the professors assumed that it was her who was taken. Erik punched the table. He had nothing. The blood was from the killed chicken and roasters. Faking a roaster hadn't worked.
The first lead was the visit of the petrified Hermione. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were sitting with her as Erik entered the hospital wing. "Anything?" Both shook their heads.
Nothing worked out. He had no lead and even his team couldn't keep track of their CAT3.
Harry discovered something in Hermione's hand. Erik signaled him to take it while the nurse Pomfrey was busy.
Just outside they looked at it. It was an article about the basilisk. Underneath there was the handwritten statement PIPES. "Didn't you say the moaning myrtle was the only casualty the last time." Ron asked Harry. "Ghost tend to stay where they were killed." Harry said remembering the small talks from the ghost party. Erik opened a plan on his HuD. "The central basins are directly above a large pipe which goes through the whole school." He looked at the boys. "Go to Lockhart. Tell him about it and alert the professors."
As he sped away he consulted his team. "I have to go alone. I am the only one with the right gear to work without looking into anyone's eyes."
He geared up and went to the bathroom where he expected the entrance. Harry and Ron were already there. "Didn't I tell you to get the staff?" The boys kept Lockhart at the edge of the tunnel and explained. How he was a fraud and tricked his way into school. Erik had to make a decision. On the one hand Harry was a parselmouth but leaving Lockhart with students wasn't a bright idea. "You come with me. But stay on my six."
After sliding down they checked the tunnels and found Basilisk skin. Lockhart used the chance and took Ron hostage and tried his memory charm on them. Unluckily for him or perhaps lucky for the others Ron's damaged wand back fired and caused a cave in. Ron and Lockhart were cut off from Harry and Erik. "Mr Weasley, take Lockhart and alert the staff. We will see what we can do down here."
They followed the tunnel to a door. It was secured by stone snakes so Harry used Parseltounge
#Open#
Erik checked and discovered a body at the end. Harry ran just as Erik was about to stop him but the soldier only grasped air.
"GINNY!"
Erik jumped down but as he landed he discovered another person in the chamber.
He didn't understand the whole conversation but got the rough outline: Ginny had found the diary, the very same Harry found during the year and which was taken from him again.
Ginny apparently had her soul sucked into the book which contained a piece of Tom Riddle or nowadays known as Voldemort. He heard a hiss and suddenly the mouth of the Sakazar head opened. Erik cowered behind the statue again and darkened his visor. How he couldn't look past it.
It was time to test the theory. He activated the thermal image and got the blue picture on his HuD. He changed so it filled the whole visor and added the heart beat sensor. Only problem was that he couldn't use the scope on his rifle. He looked out and saw the giant snake heading for him.
Harry jumped down as the snake stroke but the pain never came. Loud thunder blasts roared through the chamber and Harry covered his ears. When something hit him he looked up, directly into the Basilisk's eyes. However one was bleeding where Fawkes had attacked it. The other had exploded and smaller bullet holes covered the skin around it. Strong hands grabbed him and pulled him behind a statue. Erik reloaded as Harry looked at the sorting hat in his lap. Suddenly it got heavier and a sword fell out. Harry grabbed it and saw the stamped name: Godric Gryffindore.
"Seems like that diary is the key." Erik concluded. "Harry, can you destroy it with that sword? I'll distract the snake and see if it likes grenades."
He didn't wait for Harry as she shoved him away. The Basilisk smashed its head into the statue they were behind. Erik ran across the chamber while firing. The snake used its hearing and smell. Harry took the long way around the chamber while the monster trashed it. But as he ran towards the book a spell caught him and he fell down, breaking his freshly healed arm. The Basilisk turned around and tried to bite Harry. In a reflex the boy lifted the sword which pierced though the head. The snake shook a little but bullets from Erik gave it the rest as it collapsed. Its jerking threw Harry through the air where he landed on Ginny, their lips briefly touching before he rolled down from her.
"So this is the end of the famous Harry Potter. The poison of a Basilisk is the most deadliest in the world. Only few antidotes were developed. You will die here like everyone else." Harry was fuzzy. He saw Riddle walking towards him. In the back ground he saw Erik who tried to get out from below the Basilisk. It was hopeless. Ginny could help but she was unconscious, wasn't she?
A figure rose from behind Riddle. Harry didn't see much, just that a fiery red head attacked Riddle. He looked to the side. One of Erik's pistols was right next to him. He reached out for it. Next to him the two fighters crashed onto the ground. A small box flew across the room and hit the ground next to him. It was a magazine. Harry managed to touch the gun with his finger tips. Slowly he tried to get a grasp on it. He ignored the world around him. Then he remembered a spell and what a woman had said. Wandless magic. He thought the incantation: Accio! and pictured the gun. It really flew into his hand but he felt even more exhausted. He concentrated a second time and the mag flew into the receiver. The sled locked and Harry turned it towards the book. One shot and the book was history. A black substance flew out of it just like the darkness that claimed Harry. The last thing he saw was a fire just above him.