The Founders' Intervention
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter at all
A/N: my apologies for not putting much in with Lockhart. I just didn't really want to deal with him in this one. I did enough in Lily's Plan and really didn't want to bother in this one. We all know he's worthless. Also, I'd like to apologize for how long it took me to post this one. I write longer chaps for this one and that's why it takes a long time write along with the fact I am working on other stories as well. Thanks for being patient.
Chapter 11
"Okay, so we know the monster in the chamber did not belong to Hagrid. Even though we already knew that we now have confirmation" Daphne said.
They had a nice chat with Hagrid a couple of weeks ago and found out what really happened the year he was expelled. What still bothered them somewhat was how Hagrid thought an Acromantula was a suitable pet that wouldn't harm anyone. They had to shake their heads on that logic. Of course this was the same guy who called a humungous three-headed dog Fluffy.
"Yeah, but then what are going to do next? We have no idea where the chamber is" Neville said.
"We need to look closer at that diary, it has to be the key" Hermione said frowning.
"I can't get near guys. The dark magic on it is so foul that I can barely stand it for only a few minutes" Susan said.
"Don't worry Sue, we won't make you do anything that you don't want to do, but we have to do something. I don't know how much longer this can be contained" Harry said.
"We'll think of something Harry" Hermione said.
/Scene Break/
Lockhart was annoying and a very inept teacher. The entire class was learned nothing, but how to be a bad actor. Lockhart would re-enact scenes from his books and have Harry take the role of whatever creature was needed. Harry got annoyed with this all since he hated the attention, especially when he had play along with Lockhart. He so wanted to hex the fool or better yet, sack him.
But Rowena stayed Harry's hand telling Harry that she was working on a plan to expose the blond ponce.
So DADA was nothing, but a joke.
/Scene Break/
Christmas was soon upon the group and it was decided they'd take a break from researching. Hermione didn't want to stop, but Harry put his foot down on this subject. So they began talking about plans for the holidays. As like last year Neville took the train back home while the others stayed in the castle. They had the same arrangement with everyone staying in the founders' quarters with just Luna and Susan added to the mix.
Again Harry had to force Hermione to stop working and relax. She did though Harry knew he'd have to do this every year.
Once Neville left the rest of the group spent their time with snowball fights and making snow creatures. It was deemed by the twins that making snowmen were below them and that with their great skills they could do better. Daphne saw this as a challenge and soon she and the twins had a snow sculpting contest with Susan, Luna, Harry, and Hermione as the judges.
The twins decided to sculpt a monstrosity of a dragon while Daphne made a beautiful winged unicorn that moved. The judges awarded Daphne with first place and the twins bowed to her skills since they knew if they tried to get revenge of some kind on Daphne then she'd pay it back tenfold.
They tried over the summer to prank Daphne. They switched her shampoo and her hair turned colors due to it. She got back at the twins with hexing them with a spell that she had read in the Greengrass library. The hex made the twins unable to go to the bathroom until Daphne gave a certain command. After that the twins decided to leave Daphne off the pranking list.
After the snow-sculpting contest they all headed inside for some much needed cocoa. They laughed and chatted in the founders' chamber enjoying one another's company.
/Scene Break/
The break was going well until Malfoy decided to become Scrooge and make an appearance. Malfoy had kept quiet most of the year since his father told him not to mess with the Potters since they were a very powerful family. Well, this kind of stuck in the Malfoy scion's craw since he had an exaggerated image of himself and his family with prestige that would only be real in his dreams.
"Well, look who we've got here?" he drawled.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Daphne asked with a hint of annoyance.
"Quiet blood traitor" Malfoy sneered.
Daphne rolled her eyes. She knew this was coming since she could just tell that Malfoy has been wanting to run his mouth even though his father said not to.
"Whatever Malfoy" she said with a shrug as went back on her way.
"Don't turn your back on me Greengrass" Malfoy hissed.
"You don't scare me Malfoy. You're nothing, but a whiny ferret," Daphne said.
Malfoy got angry with that and pulled out his wand and was about to hex Daphne when he felt a wand tip touch the back of his neck.
"Lower your wand pond scum" Harry growled.
Malfoy tried to turn his head, but Harry proceeded to jab his wand into Malfoy's neck harder.
"No need to move your head Malfoy to lower your wand" Harry commented.
"This is none of your concern Potter" Malfoy hissed.
"You tried to point your wand at Daphne, who happens to be my friend so it is my business" Harry said.
Malfoy didn't lower his wand making Harry poke his wand harder into Malfoy's neck. Malfoy finally lowered his wand and Harry removed his wand from his neck.
"Much obliged Malfoy" Harry said though he never took his wand away from Malfoy's body.
Malfoy grumbled as Harry and Daphne walked off.
/Scene Break/
Christmas came and went with presents exchanged. Soon New Years fell also and then Neville came back to a rested group. Soon the new term started and the investigation of the Chamber of Secrets continued. They looked at everything, but still came up with nothing with the location of the chamber. Salazar was of little help since the castle had undergone some changes since their day. So what was there in the founders' time wasn't there or was changed now.
"I wish we had some kind of map that would help us out on this" Daphne pouted.
"We have something that would help" Fred said.
"You do?" Susan asked.
George pulled out an old piece of parchment. Everyone gathered around it.
"What so great about an ancient piece of parchment?" Neville asked.
"Watch, I solemnly swear I'm up to no good" George said as he placed the tip of his wand on the parchment.
Soon words appeared as lines magically appeared on the parchment. On top it read, The Marauder's Map'. They could then see many dots on the map with a name on top of them. The locations of all professors and students were on it. It was an amazing piece of magical construction.
"The Marauder's Map?" Hermione questioned.
"Yeah, this map was created by legendary pranksters. Our heroes" Fred said proudly.
"They were the terrors of the school" George said with admiration.
"So that's where that map ended up. I've been wondering where it was?" Rowena said peering over the group.
"You know this map Rowena?" Harry asked.
"I do, I subtly helped create it" Rowena said proudly.
"You mean you helped pranksters create a map to get out of trouble?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"Well, that isn't its only use Hermione. The map, I thought would be vital in times of war and if a student went missing. The map covers all of the grounds and all of the secret passages though they'd only show if they'd be revealed by the user" Rowena said.
"But who made the map, I'm sure these names are code or something. I highly doubt anyone would name their kid Moony or Padfoot?" Neville asked.
"I don't know, I think Prongs would be an excellent name for a boy" Luna said.
No one said a word of agreement nor discord to Luna's statement.
"Well, actually, Harry, your father was one of the makers of this map" Rowena said.
"My dad helped make this map?" Harry asked in awe.
Rowena nodded.
"You mean we've been the midst of pranking royalty and never knew it. Oh, now that is a prank" Fred said.
"Indeed, oh brother of mine" George said.
They then turned to Harry and bowed.
"We're not worthy" they chanted.
"Enough you two. Lets get back to the map. How can this help us?" Hermione said rolling her eyes at the twins' antics.
"Well, maybe we could use it to keep an eye on certain students?" Susan suggested.
"That's a great idea, but we've no students who are suspects to begin with" Neville pointed out.
"I'd nominate practically every Slytherin in my house, but that'd be too many to keep watch on" Daphne said.
"All will be revealed soon, but there will be trials ahead that we must pass before the truth becomes clear" Luna said mysteriously with her eyes glowing slightly.
"Uh, Luna?" Harry asked.
Luna blinked and her eyes stopped glowing.
"Yes Harry?" she asked like nothing had happened at all.
"Was that a prophecy of some kind?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, but you all better be wary of any danger" Salazar cautioned.
The group nodded. They'd be on their guard now.
/Scene Break/
Their first trial was when the diary somehow disappeared. The whole group was frantic in their search, but came up empty handed.
"This bad, very, very bad" Susan groaned.
"Whoever has it doesn't know how dark this item is" Daphne said.
"But how'd this happen?" Neville asked.
The all tilted their heads to the side or back in thought. It was then after a series of talks that it must've somehow gotten put into one of their book bags when they were in a rush and didn't put it back in the safe. And somehow after that someone saw it and grabbed it from their bags. That was the only explanation they could think of.
"Well Hippogriff dung, this stinks" Neville said.
"What is past is past, we can only look to the future" Luna said.
Everyone wasn't sure what Luna meant, but knew that they'd have to be careful now.
/Scene Break/
They didn't have to wait long as another student was attacked. Rumors again began to spread about what or who it could be.
"This is really bad" Susan said.
The student attacked was a Hufflepuff and that hurt Susan since it was one of her own.
"We've got to find that diary and fast. Who knows how many students will get attacked before we do something?" Hermione said.
"We'll figure it out. We just need time" Harry said.
"I don't think time is on our side Harry" Daphne said.
/Scene Break/
What happened next was Dumbledore was kicked out of his office thanks to Malfoy Sr. and Hagrid was sent to Azkaban by the Minister to show he was doing something.
"This ridiculous. Hagrid wouldn't harm anyone and they take him away and to Azkaban of all places" Harry said furiously.
"Stupid Fudge just wants to act like he's doing something. He doesn't care if Hagrid is innocent. I'll bet Lucius put it up to him?" Daphne said.
"No one will take that bet Daph, it too much of a sure thing. And then to remove Dumbledore too. Lucius wants the school to be easy pickings," Neville said.
This wasn't looking good for the group. They knew they had to do something fast or the school would be closed and the danger would still remain.
/Scene Break/
"Hey look" Susan pointed out.
The group turned and found spiders, hundreds of them scurrying out of the castle through cracks and crevices.
"What's gotten into them?" Daphne asked.
"Not sure, but whatever got them spook must be big" Neville said.
"Too bad Ronniekins ain't here" Fred said.
"Yeah, he's super scared of spiders" George said.
"Really" Hermione said with interest.
"Yeah, we changed his teddy bear into a spider when he was younger" Fred said.
"You should've have seen his face" George said grinning.
The twins laughed at the memory.
"As fun as that was, and it was what do you think this means?" Harry asked breaking the laughter.
"Another piece of the puzzle falls into place soon the mystery will be complete" Luna said mysteriously.
The others looked at Luna and took her word for it. They were now used to her talking like this.
/Scene Break/
More attacks happened and soon rumors of the school closing were floating about. The group ignored them as best as they could, but felt the urgency. They needed to do something and quick.
Soon the biggest happened. A student was taken. The group saw the blood written declaration and knew it was time to act. But they still had no idea where the chamber was. Luna's eyes glowed and she led them all to the girl's bathroom.
"Luna, why are we here?" Susan asked.
"The time has come for the final showdown" Luna said.
"Well, where is the chamber then?" Fred asked.
Luna pointed to one of the sinks and Daphne and Neville went over to inspect them.
"Hey, there an etching of a snake here" Neville said.
"That's great, but how does that help us?" George asked.
"Parseltongue, the only way to open it is using Parseltongue" Daphne said.
"But none of are" Susan said.
Harry gulped and hesitantly raised his hand.
"I am" he said.
The others looked at him shocked. They had no idea Harry was a Parselmouth.
"Why didn't you tell us Harry?" Susan asked.
"I know the prejudice against them and I felt it was better not to say anything about it for fear I'll be labeled as the one who opened the chamber" Harry said.
Everyone had to agree with that. The school would shun him for his ability since it was known to be dark. Though they've learned that talking to snakes wasn't dark at all, but just a rare ability. It was the Ministry that declared Parseltongue was dark since dark wizards usually are ones who can speak to snakes.
"Okay Harry, time for you to shine then" Fred said.
Harry took a deep breath and remembered the private lessons he had with Salazar. He concentrated.
§Open§
Soon the sinks shifted and move to reveal a big hole.
"We have to jump down that?" Hermione asked incredulously.
§Stairs§
Soon stairs appeared.
"Happy?" Daphne asked.
Hermione nodded.
The group headed down with their wands out. They didn't know what they'd expect, but they would be ready for whatever.
Once down there Harry got the torches lit and they made their way to a big metal door with snakes on it.
"Why does he have such a thing for snakes?" Neville asked out loud.
Harry opened the metal door and they entered in cautiously. They scanned the entire wide hall. In the back was a huge bust of Salazar Slytherin.
"That doesn't look like him" Daphne said with a frown.
"No, someone else must of done it" Neville said.
They then found the missing student on the floor. It was Ginny Weasley.
"Weasley? What's she doing here?" Susan asked.
The twins however ignored Susan's question and bent down.
"Gin-Gin, wake up" Fred said.
"Yeah, this isn't the time to sleep" George said shaking his sister.
"She won't wake."
Soon all wands were pointed to where the voice was heard. A tall handsome young man came out of the shadows.
"Who are you?" Daphne asked.
"My name is no importance right now" he said.
Daphne didn't like this answer.
"You wouldn't be Tom Riddle by any chance would you?" she asked.
"Yes I am. I must say that your beauty is only rivaled by your brains" Tom said silkily.
Daphne couldn't help to be somewhat flattered by the compliment, but Neville didn't like it at all. He moved to be in front of Daphne.
"What have you done to Ginny Weasley?" he asked firmly.
"She's just helping me, that's all" Tom said.
"It doesn't seem willingly. So let her go" Hermione said.
Tom glared at Hermione.
"I don't have to listen to you, but I would like to talk to you Harry Potter" he said now looking at Harry.
"Me? Why do you want to talk to me?" Harry asked.
"You interest me" Tom said.
"Thanks, but right now isn't a good time" Harry said.
"Oh, but I have all the time in the world" Tom said casually.
"So Tom, why so interested in me?" Harry asked deciding to humor Tom while the others figure something out.
"I want to know how you a mere baby beat a great sorcerer like Voldemort. How you escaped with nothing, but a scar and Voldemort was utterly destroyed?" Tom asked.
"Why do you care Voldemort is after your time?" Harry asked.
"Voldemort is my past, my present and my future" Tom said.
He then with using Ginny's wand wrote in fiery letters in the air.
TOM MARVALO RIDDLE
He then switched them around and they now spelled.
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
"An anagram, everyone is scared of a bleeding anagram. That's a load of dung" Daphne said.
"I was mistaken. I thought a beauty like you would be my queen. Now I see you are nothing, but another ignorant person" Tom said with a sneer.
"Sorry, but I am spoken for" Daphne said.
"So you're the one who made Ginny do all that stuff. You made her attack students and all of the other things that happened this year" Susan said.
"I did, it was so easy to manipulate her. She was like putty in my hands. Though it got a bit tiresome with her constant whining. All of her petty emotional things. It was a bore" Tom said with annoyance.
The twins were enraged that this person took advantage of their sister. They wanted to take Tom down.
"Harry, did with this ponce before we do" Fred said furiously.
George just glared at Tom with his wand clenched in his hand.
"Enough talk" Tom said then he turned to the bust of Salazar.
§Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four§
The mouth opened and slithered the biggest snake any of them had ever seen.
§Attack them§ Tom ordered.
"It's a basilisk, cover your eyes" Daphne shouted.
Everyone clamped their eyes shut without question.
"A basilisk's stare is deadly. If you look it in the eye then you die" Daphne said.
"How are we supposed to fight something we can't see?" Neville asked.
"I have an idea" Harry said.
§Nellie, this is Harry Potter. Please stop what you're doing. Salazar wouldn't want you to do this. You were meant to protect the school and its students, not harm them§ Harry said.
§I wish I could Harry Potter, but my master has commanded me§ Nellie said sorrowfully.
§Nellie, Tom isn't your master I am. I am Salazar's true heir. You know this is true§ Harry said.
Nellie hesitated.
§Attack, you dumb beast!§ Tom shouted.
Harry sighed and in his hand Slytherin's dagger appeared.
§You know this dagger Nellie. This was made from one of your fangs. Remember what Salazar said to you the day he showed it to you§ Harry said.
Flashback
Nellie was coiled and resting when she sensed someone approaching. She knew just by the feeling of the footsteps that it was her master.
§Nellie my dear, I have a gift to show you§ Salazar said.
Nellie raised her head. She closed the thin film over her eyes so she would kill her master.
§What is it master?§ she asked.
Salazar showed her an object that looked like the fang he pulled from her weeks ago.
§I don't understand master, what is it you are showing me?§ Nellie asked.
§This is a dagger Nellie. As you can see I made it out of one of your fangs. This is one of my most prized possessions since you helped create it§ Salazar said.
§I see, thank you master for showing me§ Nellie said.
§There's more Nellie. If ever you see this object know that the one who hold it is my true heir. He will be you new master when I pass§ Salazar said.
§I'll remember§ Nellie said.
End Flashback
Nellie remembered. She then backed down from Harry and his friends.
§You dumb beast, I ordered to attack. I am your master, you'll do what you're told§ Tom barked.
§You are not my master. My master is Harry Potter. I will not harm my master nor who he deems as his friends§ Nellie said firmly.
Everyone took a deep breath of relief. They didn't have to fight a huge basilisk.
"Fine, then I'll have to do it myself" Tom said.
He had Ginny's wand still in his hand. He fired a spell off at Harry. Harry wasn't sure what was going since his eyes were still closed, but felt something surround him.
§You shall not harm my master§ Nellie hissed.
Harry opened his eyes cautiously and found the body of Nellie protecting him.
§Nellie?§ Harry asked.
§Master, I will protect you and your friends. I've veiled my eyes so you are in no danger§ Nellie said.
§Thanks§ Harry said.
Harry then told his friends and they opened their eyes.
"Now what do we do?" Susan asked.
"We have to find a way to defeat Tom. Nellie can give us protection" Harry said.
Everyone nodded and headed back over to where the little redhead was lying. Nellie was using her body as protection from Tom's spells. There they found the diary.
"How are going to destroy this thing?" Fred asked.
"Fire, isn't that how we destroyed the first one" Hermione said.
"But none of can do that spell, it's too dangerous for use to use unsupervised. Remember, the founders watched us do it to help us if the fire got out of control" Daphne said.
"There's got to be another way" Neville said.
As they tried to figure out how to destroy the diary Nellie did her best protecting her master and his friends. She wasn't going to fail her new master. She was listening to what they were saying and had an idea.
§Master?§ she called.
§What is it Nellie?§ Harry asked.
§Use the dagger, the dagger will work§ Nellie said.
§Worth a shot§ Harry said.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Nellie suggested using Slytherin's dagger" Harry said.
"Let's do it" Fred said.
"Yeah, at least we have something to try" George said.
Harry grabbed the diary and laid it on the ground. He gripped the dagger over the book and with as much force as he could be plunged it into the middle of the book.
A terrible scream was heard and everyone turned to find Tom in pain.
"You're doing Harry, keep going" Daphne encouraged.
Harry nodded and stabbed the diary again. More screaming was heard. With one more hard stab Tom let out his last shriek of pain before exploding in a burst of light.
"It's finished" Harry said.
The sound of breathing from the small redhead relieved everyone.
End of Chapter
A/N: sorry to end it there, but this was going on longer than I was expecting it to. The rest along with the end of the year will be in the next chap. Thanks for reading and please review.