*A/N* I am so overwhelmed by the response that this fic is getting. You guys are amazing, and I am thankful to all the people who have F, F, &R'd! This chapter starts the fun stuff, so consider yourself warned! LOL! I hope you enjoy! I love you guys!
Chapter 6
Chaos Begins
As the train pulled into Hogsmeade, Harry was delighted to see Hedwig sitting on one of the Hogsmeade Station benches. She took flight, landed on his shoulder, and nipped at his ear happily.
No problems I trust?
"Nope." He whispered. "It all happened like we thought it would."
Good. I'll head to the owlery now. I had a long flight and I could use some rest. I'll come see you tomorrow at breakfast.
Harry nodded, and Hedwig took off. Then he turned to Tom.
"She's gone to the owlery. She had a long flight." He whispered.
"Ok. McGonagall told me yesterday that I have to go with first years and be sorted with them, so I'll see you later. Nagini said she is going to swim beside my boat as it crosses the lake."
Harry laughed. "Alright. Be careful Nagini, and dont let yourself be grabbed by the grindylows."
"I won't."
Harry nodded, and Tom left with Nagini. Luna, Neville, Fred, and George were about to get into a carriage when Seamus and Dean stopped them.
"Hey Harry. Dean and I were wondering if what you said on the train was true." Seamus asked quietly.
"You mean about Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore?" Harry asked, and Seamus nodded. "Yeah, I'm afraid so. I have the proof and everything. I'll show it to you later."
Seamus nodded. "Yeah I'd like to see it before I believe it. I hope that's ok."
"It is." Harry assured him.
"Alright. We will see you mate." Seamus said, getting into the carriage behind them.
They headed up toward the castle, and for the first time it seemed ominous, but Harry knew that was only because of what he knew now. While he didn't look at the castle as home anymore, he still saw it as a place of comfort. Despite what Dumbledore was up to, Hogwarts would always have a special place in his heart.
They entered the great hall and Harry grinned. He could tell that Snape had already had enough of Umbridge. She was trying to lean over and talk to him, but it was either sit up straight or lean over and fall into Professor Sprouts lap. He caught Harry's eye, and knitted his eyebrows together in frustration as he slightly jerked his head at Umbridge. Harry couldn't help but grin, because they had a plan if Umbridge stood up to speak this time, and he was sure that even Snape would find it slightly amusing.
As the students settled down for the sorting, McGonagall led the first years in, and Harry nearly fell out of seat laughing. Tom, who was very easy to spot because he was much taller than any of the others, was soaking wet and scowling. Nagini was firmly attached to his torso, and McGonagall seemed to be giggling about something. The entire hall watched this curious exchange, as McGonagall sat the stool down.
"Harry Potter will you please stand?" She called out with a giggle.
Harry was shocked and confused, but he stood up. "I'm here."
"There Nagini…is that her name? Yes, Nagini the snake has apparently been asking for you Mr. Potter." She said chuckling.
Tom turned around to face Harry with a scowl on his face, and said loudly, "She was swimming beside the boat I was in, and the giant squid came up underneath her. It scared her so badly that she launched herself into the boat, and knocked me into the bloody lake!"
Harry, Fred, George, and Neville nearly fell over laughing, but Tom just scowled at them.
"You have to turn me loose now Nagini. Harry is over there!" He nearly shouted, pointing to Harry.
"Come on Nagini. You can stay over here." Harry called out to her.
Nagini unwound herself and quickly slithered across the room toward Harry, and coiled up under the table by his feet. Fred and the others were still laughing loudly, McGonagall was trying to regain control of herself, and Snape was unsuccessfully trying to hide his own amusement at the situation. Harry could hear Godric snorting loudly in his pocket, and mumbling that he hoped Salazar enjoyed the bath.
The sorting commenced, and while he was waiting for his name to be called, Tom began drying himself off with a hot air charm, which only made Harry and the others laugh even harder. When McGonagall finally got to his name though, she giggled again.
"Our next student is a homeschooled half-blood, and is joining us for the first time. He will be starting 5th year. Mr. Tom Ringo, please come forward."
As soon as she said that, Death showed up. As Tom took the sorting hat, Death placed the very tip of his scythe on it. Tom placed it on his head, and within a few moments the hat shouted Gryffindor. The Gryffindor table clapped loudly, Death grinned and disappeared, and Tom stood up. He grinned as he made his way over to Harry and the others.
"This, so far, has been an extremely interesting night." He laughed.
"You're not mad at me?" Nagini asked, poking her head out from under the table and looking at him with pleading eyes.
"No my dear, I'm not mad. Now that I think about it, it is rather funny."
"Well I'm not laughing! I'm sopping wet!" A very unhappy Salazar yelled, though he was awfully muffled.
Godric chuckled loudly. "Did you enjoy your bath Salazar?"
"Shut up you old fool!"
Everyone around them started laughing, but they all quieted down as the sorting finished. Then a very amused looking Professor Dumbledore stood up. His speech was slightly different than last time, but just like last time Umbridge interrupted him. Harry grinned at Fred and George, who immediately started fidgeting around.
"Hello boys and girls. As Professor Dumbledore said, my name is…"
RIBBET
The sound could be heard all over the hall as it echoed loudly off the walls. No one could tell where it was coming from though, and Harry, Tom, Fred, George, and Neville clamped their jaws together to keep from laughing.
"…Professor Umbridge…"
RIBBET
"…and I am here because the Ministry of Magic…"
RIBBET
"…deems it necessary to see that the Defense against the Dark Arts class is being taught properly. Last year an escaped Death Eater showed 4th year students…"
RIBBET
"…how to perform the Unforgivable Curses…"
RIBBET
"…this is NOT acceptable…"
RIBBET
RIBBET
RIBBET
Harry had to hand it to Umbridge, she didn't seem to be fazed by Fred and George's charmed toy toad, but he could see that it was starting to make her face go red. Some of the students were snickering, and Harry was one of them.
"…I will be teaching you theory and will also teach you how to reason with the Dark Arts…"
RIBBET
RIBBET
RIBBET
RIBBET
"Who is doing that!?" She shouted.
"Yeah, because we are going to fess up." Fred whispered.
RIBBET
"Now see here this is serious!"
RIBBET
RIBBET
"I will talk to you all in your respective classes." She said in a huff. "But know this…certain students are already on my watch list." She said turning to look directly at Harry.
RIBBET
Harry cracked a smile and placed his hands on the table as she stared at him.
RIBBET
RIBBET
RIBBET
Fred and George wanted to continue taunting Umbridge, but Professor Dumbledore stood up to announce the feast, so everyone settled down to eat. Tom took Salazar out of his pocket so that he could dry off a little bit, and Harry propped Godric up beside a bowl of potatoes.
Salazar went on to rant about how you cannot reason with the Dark Arts and that the woman was an idiot. Godric agreed and said someone needs to get rid of her. Tom reminded them that she wouldn't last long due to the curse that 'someone' put on the post a long time ago, but said it will not be removed until the end of the year, so that 'someone' could make sure Umbridge was gone. This seemed to cheer Salazar up considerably.
Ron was still in a bad mood because one, his hair was still blue, and two, no one seemed to be talking to him or Hermione. They kept getting glared at by various people, and Harry was sure that someone kept sending stinging jinxes at him, because Ron kept yelping in pain every so often. Harry could feel Dumbledore's attempts to break into his mind, but he kept his 'shields' firmly in place. When he mentioned this to Tom, Tom said that he was doing the same thing to him.
Harry sighed deeply and stood up. "Professor Dumbledore, will you please stop trying to invade my privacy by using legilimency against me!" He shouted loudly. "My mind is personal, and is none of your business. If you do not stop, I will be forced to retaliate! Thank you! Oh, and stop trying to invade Tom's mind as well. It is not fitting for a man of your age and status to be digging around in two young boy's minds!"
All of the other Professors eyes widened in surprise, except McGonagall and Snape, who both looked unfazed by Harry's outburst. Professor Dumbledore however, looked angry, but remained quiet.
"I agree!" Godric yelled loudly. "Harry un-shrink me and lean me against the wall behind you. I want to keep my eyes on that man!"
"Me as well!" Salazar shouted.
Both Harry and Tom returned Salazar and Godric to their original sizes, and leaned both founders against the wall at a slight angle, so that they could see the head table. Professor Dumbledore's mouth dropped open, and all the other Professors, except McGonagall and Snape, looked shocked and slightly excited.
"Pardon me Professors, but we would like to know who each of you are. Would you be so kind as to stand and introduce yourselves?" Godric asked politely.
One by one the Professors did, and when they were done, both Salazar and Godric nodded.
"Thank you for indulging us." Salazar said with a nod. "Most of you are spoken very highly of by Harry and the others, but some of you," he said with a glare, "will be watched closely."
"HOGWARTS!" Godric bellowed. "I AM GODRIC GRYFFINDOR, FOUNDER OF THIS SCHOOL, AND I COMMAND YOU TO MAN YOUR SENTIENT STATION!"
"Welcome home Godric. I am pleased to be awake after so long. How can I help you?"
To say that everyone was shocked is an understatement. When a castle that is not supposed to talk begins to speak, something is definitely wrong, and Harry noticed that Hogwarts's voice sounded far away and dreamy. Students began looking around nervously and all the Professors, except McGonagall and Snape, looked at each other with worry.
"HOGWARTS, I WOULD KINDLY ASK YOU TO OUTLAW THE PRACTICE OF LEGILIMENCY INSIDE THE CASTLE AND GROUNDS!"
"It is done Godric. What should the consequences be for those who disobey your command?"
"I don't know exactly." Godric mumbled. "Salazar?"
"HOGWARTS! I AM SALAZAR SLYTHERIN! PLEASE RECOGNIZE MY AUTHORITY!"
"Welcome home dear Salazar. I do recognize your command, and I am pleased to see both of the brothers have returned. How can I help you?"
"ALL THOSE ATTEMPTING TO USE LEGILIMENCY ARE TO BE LOCKED IN THE LOWEST DUNGEON FOR NO LESS THAN THREE DAYS, WITH ONLY BREAD AND WATER FOR A MEAL."
"It will be done Salazar. Is there anything else you require?"
"YES!" Godric shouted. "KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE HEADMASTER ALBUS DUMBLEDORE! WE HAVE HEARD SOME DISTURBING THINGS ABOUT HIM. PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED OF HIS DOING'S AT ALL TIMES!"
"MORE NAMES MAY BE ADDED LATER!" Salazar bellowed.
"I will do as the brothers command. May I inquire about Fawkes?"
There was a burst of flame in the center of the great hall and Fawkes soared over to the two portraits. He landed on top of Godric's painting, and began ruffling his feathers with excitement.
"YES!" Godric said. "WE RELEASE FAWKES FROM HIS DUTY OF SERVING THE HEADMASTER. FAWKES HIMSELF KNOWS WHAT TO DO."
"It is done. Hogwarts recognizes that Fawkes is no longer bound to serve the Headmaster. May I inquire as to the students?"
"IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MONITOR THE GENERAL STUDENT POPULATION AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF THE DOING'S OF SLYTHERIN HOUSE." Salazar said.
"Very well Salazar. Is there anything else either of you require?"
"YES, PLEASE TELEPORT ME TO THE GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM. I REQUEST A PLACE ABOVE THE FIREPLACE!" Godric said.
Godric's portrait instantly vanished.
"PLEASE TELEPORT MYSELF TO THE GRYFFINDOR 5TH YEAR DORM. THERE IS A THIEF THAT LIVES IN THERE AND I WISH TO PERSONALLY KEEP AN EYE ON HIM." Salazar said as he glared at Ron, and he too disappeared.
"Is there anything else you wish me to do?" No one heard the answer but it must have been no, because Hogwarts answered. "I will retire for the evening then, but I will monitor the Headmaster and the Slytherin common room. I am pleased that two of my four founders have returned, and I look forward to being under your command. Welcome home gentlemen."
There was a sudden flash of bright white light and as quickly as it came, it dissipated. Fawkes left in a burst of fire, and chatter broke out in the hall immediately. Harry and Tom grinned wickedly as Professor Dumbledore stormed out of the room. Professor McGonagall was immediately bombarded with questions from the rest of the staff, but she seemed to be assuring them that all was fine. Harry and Tom were being stared at by nearly everyone in the room, but they continued to eat like nothing was wrong, and Fred, George, and Neville just grinned during the whole thing.
After the feast was over, everyone went to their houses. Some of the Gryffindor girls were terrified of Nagini, but most of the boys thought she was alright, as long as she didn't attack them. Most of the first and second years went to their dorms, but the older ones sat around in the common room talking about the night's events.
"Bet you didn't read that in Hogwarts: A History, did you Hermione?" Neville laughed, as he sat down in one of the arm chairs by the fireplace.
She scowled at him from across the room. "What have I ever done to you Neville?"
"Nothing really." He shrugged. "But when you steal money out of a friends vault and spy on him, well then we have a problem."
"What have you lot got against Dumbledore though, besides him stealing money from Harry?" Angelina Johnson asked, as she passed Harry's proof of the thefts to Seamus.
"Where do we start?" Fred laughed. "Besides all the stuff he has done to Harry, he has put this school and the students in danger many times. He has let Voldyshorts run around here in his scary phantom form twice. He has let a basilisk get loose twice…"
"But it was Salazar who put it there." Katie Bell said nervously, as Salazar appeared in Godric's painting. "How did you do that?"
"Now that we are on the walls of the castle, we can move from painting to painting just like all the others. As for you accusation, it is true, I did put the basilisk there, but it was put there to protect the Chamber of Secrets." Salazar said. "She was never supposed to be set free. She was a basilisk."
"Don't you find it odd that for almost 1000 years it sat in the Chamber, and then as soon as dear old Albus started poking around, it got out?" Fred asked.
"Dumbledore knew the basilisk was there." Harry said. "He uses the paintings as spies to spy on students, Professors, and the general goings on around the castle. That's how he seems to know what is going on around here. Tom Riddle opened the chamber many times during his 5th year, and many times after that, but the only time the basilisk hurt someone was during 5th year."
"Dumbledore just couldn't get inside the Chamber until a parselmouth came along. Tom Riddle fit the bill perfectly." Neville said.
"Wait, are you saying that Dumbledore used Tom Riddle to set the basilisk free 50 years ago?" Angelina asked. "Because that is a little hard to believe."
"That we don't know for sure." Tom lied. "But it does sound quite suspicious if you ask me."
"And what about a couple of years ago?" Katie asked.
"Ginny was possessed by the soul of Tom Riddle that was kept in a diary." Fred said. "But we have the diary now, and it has been repaired, and it doesn't have the evil soul horcrux in it anymore. It just a normal diary now. It's actually got some disturbing things about Dumbledore in it. We've read it."
"YOU WHAT!" Ginny shrieked, jumping out of her seat.
"It's ok Gin, we understand how you feel about it, but we can say for sure that it is just a normal every day diary now." George said.
"I did a lot of reading about Tom Riddle over the summer." Harry said. "And I found out quite a few things that don't add up. Like for one, he didn't have any problems with muggles and muggle borns because he was raised by muggles in an orphanage, and his father was a muggle. Two, there was several times he blacked out, just like you did Ginny."
"Hang on. I'll go get the diary." Tom said standing up, but then he stopped. "Uh, where exactly is…"
"Oh, I'll show you." Neville said.
As Tom and Neville left, Harry calmly looked around the room to note who was there. The whole Quidditch team was there, which was good. Several others were in there, and of course Ron and Hermione. Harry was glad, because he knew that they would run off to tell Dumbledore what was going on, and that is just what Harry and the others wanted them to do.
"But Salazar is an evil git!" Ron jumped up and shouted. "He hates muggles and muggle borns, and stuff! Tom Riddle was the Heir of Slytherin!"
"Yeah Salazar, what about that?" Angelina asked, turning to look at him.
"Those stories are not about me. They are about my son." Salazar said sadly, shaking his head. "Slytherin House has turned into what it has, because of him. I died because I ran to help Godric defend what is now called Godric's Hollow. Muggles were attacking the village, because in those days there was panic about witches and witchcraft. We died in battle together. We fought side by side. I never left the school because of a fight with Godric. I never disliked muggle-borns. That was all my son's doing. He blamed Godric for my death, and Godric's son didn't like that. They fought over it, and that is where the stories come from."
"Salazar and I consider ourselves brothers. We are best friends." Godric said. "What he says is the truth."
The common room was quiet as everyone looked at the founders with sad expressions, but Ron stared around with his mouth hanging open, and Hermione looked angry.
"I don't believe you!" Ron shouted. "How can any of you believe them!? They're lying."
"Says the thief." Seamus said with a scowl, as he tossed aside the papers from Gringotts. "I'd rather believe them, than a spying thief."
Ron started yelling at Seamus, but Harry cast a silencing charm on him, as Neville and Tom came back from the dorm.
"I got it." He said holding it up.
Even though Death had collected it prior to the moment Harry stabbed it with the basilisk fang, it looked slightly messed up. It had a small tear in the center, and it was frayed around some of the pages. Death said that this was necessary in case someone claimed that it wasn't the same one. At the time, everyone at Potter Manor had agreed it was the right thing to do.
Ginny looked at it, and let out a squeak as Tom walked passed her with it. "Um, does it have anything that I might have written in it?"
Tom shook his head. "No. It's all stuff Tom Riddle wrote. It seemed he charmed it so that he could have a collective account of his years at Hogwarts. It starts out on his first day as a first year, and ends with his last day as a seventh year." Tom opened the front cover and everyone could clearly see the writing on the diary pages.
September 1, 1938
Today is my first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I can't believe that it has finally come. When Professor Dippet came and told me I was a wizard, I was shocked to say the least. Although, it did explain the strange things that happened to me. Like the time I fell down the stairs of the orphanage and found myself landing on soft cushions, instead of hardwood stairs. Or the time when Billy Stubbs threw a rock at me and it just hovered in mid-air. None of that matters though, because now I can learn even more things and finally use my wand! I vow tonight to study hard, and learn all I can. I also vow to write in this diary every day until I graduate.
P.S. I was sorted into Slytherin House.
"Then here is the second day." Tom said, turning the page.
September 2, 1938
I don't think I'm going to like being in Slytherin. They are mean people. They don't like muggles, muggle-borns, or even those like me who were raised by muggles. I told them I can talk to snakes though, and they left me alone, and said that was ok. I wonder why that is? I didn't tell them that I like Miss. Cole, because she is a muggle. She is always kind to me, and I don't understand why they say all muggles are bad. I also don't know why they say all muggle-borns are bad. I have already made a friend in Hufflepuff who is a muggle-born, and he doesn't seem bad at all. They seem to be stuck up because they are pure bloods. I don't think it should matter though. Everyone is the same. It doesn't matter about what blood type you are.
I had my first set of classes today though. I really like herbology class. Potions was fun too, but I think my favorite is going to be charms. I haven't been to Defense Against the Dark Arts yet, but I think I will like that too. We will see, but I better get to bed because it's getting late.
"Who is Miss Cole?" Katie asked.
"From what we can gather from reading the diary, Miss Cole was the matron of the muggle orphanage where Tom Riddle was raised." Harry said.
"And that kid ended up being You-Know-Who?" Alicia Spinnet asked in disbelief.
"Yeah." Harry said with a nod.
"He seemed so normal then." Lee said. "What happened to him?"
"We don't know for sure, but we think he was cursed. He named Professor Dumbledore as the one who he thought was cursing him." Tom said.
"WHAT!" Several people cried.
"Tom read the entry of Riddle's 5th year. The one where he just got back from summer holiday." Fred said.
Tom pointed his wand at the cover, and muttered an incantation. The diary glowed blue, then he flipped back to the first page.
"How did you know to do that!?" Hermione demanded.
Lavender rolled her eyes. "It's common knowledge Hermione. Everyone does that for their diaries. They can be charmed. I do it with mine."
"Oh." She said quietly, but she scowled at Lavender.
"Ok here it is." Tom said.
September 1, 1943
I can't believe the summer I've had. I finally found my magical and muggle relatives! My Uncle Morfin seems a little mad though. He almost hexed me because he thought I was the muggle that doesn't live to far from him. He is your typical Slytherin and is very inbred. Turns out he spent time in Azkaban. He didn't like me at first, but when I spoke parseltongue to him he cheered up. He said that even though I'm a half blood, we was fine with me. When I asked him about what he meant by the muggle up the road, that is when he told me about his sister, my mother, who ran off with the muggle bloke. I was excited because I told him that I think that bloke is my father. He said it's possible because I look just like him. We sat and talked in parseltongue for a while, and he told me about The Chamber of Secrets, but said that there is a basilisk that protects it. I told him I had to leave after that, because I wanted to meet my father. He wished me luck and told me to come back and see him sometime. I said that I would.
When I met my Dad, he was shocked, and a little ashamed. He said he knew my mother was pregnant, but because she had drugged him, he left her. He said drugging, but I know it was a love potion. My father and grandparents were delighted to see me though, and I spent the better part of the summer with them and my Uncle Morfin. It was fun, but I better get to bed now. More tomorrow.
P.S. I'm going to find the Chamber of Secrets.
"So that was the year the Chamber was opened the first time?" Alicia asked.
"Yeah. It goes on for the rest of the year, apparently old Tom Riddle had opened the Chamber 10 times before the basilisk got loose. After that he starts describing the effects of being under the imperius curse. He also names Dumbledore as the one who did it." Neville said.
"Everyone always said that Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was scared of. Maybe that is why." Angelina said thoughtfully. "This is creepy. If Dumbledore made Tom Riddle do all those things, then that might mean he is responsible for making You-Know-Who."
"That's absurd!" Hermione shouted. "Dumbledore is not responsible for making Voldemort."
"Then explain why Tom Riddle said that while he was under the imperius curse Dumbledore told him to come up with a name to call himself. Tom Riddle came up with Voldemort, or Voldyshorts as we have come to call him." Tom said, shaking his diary at her.
"Read it." Seamus demanded. "Read that part."
Tom flipped around in his diary until he found the right page.
June 15, 1943
Dumbledore came to me again last night. He broke through my protective shields that I had placed around my bed. I woke up with a start, but then that floating sensation came over me again, and all worry drained away. I could hear him telling me to make a name for myself. One that would make wizards afraid to speak it, so I used an anagram of my name. Tom Marvolo Riddle. I am Lord Voldemort. I don't like this. I'm scared. I just want him to go away and leave me alone. I tried telling people, but no one believes me. Professor Dippet says that I'm just looking for attention, but I'm NOT. I am scared, and there is no one who will help me. Dumbledore says he needs another dark wizard to defeat. He's already gotten rid of Grindelwald, but he says he needs another. He said he wants fame and power, and wants to be recognized as the greatest wizard next to Merlin. Please someone help me.
Tom was trying his best not to cry, and was doing a good job of it, but Harry took the diary from him anyway, and continued to read.
I don't want to do these awful things anymore. The basilisk killed Myrtle two nights ago, and now he wants me to ask Professor Slughorn what a horcrux is. I don't think I want to find out what that is, but I feel this overwhelming sense of dread that if I don't do it something bad will happen. If Dumbledore wants me to do it though, it can't be good. He calls himself the Dark Lord, and that scares me.
Harry looked up from the diary to see a room full of shocked faces. "So tell me Hermione, is that still absurd?"
She just scowled at him. "Well I think it's faked." She said haughtily.
"The guy is You-Know-Who!" Ron shouted. "He's clearly making it up!"
"Yeah, because Tom Riddle just knew that 50 years later a bunch of students would be sitting around in the Gryffindor common room, reading his diary. So he faked it." Dean said rolling his eyes. "Ron, you're a moron so just shut up."
"Don't tell me to shut up!" Ron shouted. "You're defending You-Know-Who for Merlin's sake!"
"We are not defending You-Know-Who!" Katie shouted back. "But it does seem like Dumbledore had a lot to do with him."
"Speaking of Voldyshorts," Neville said. "What has he been up to this summer? Not one word about him terrorizing the Wizarding World has popped up."
"Yeah, don't you think that if Dumbledore didn't have his claws in Voldyshorts, that he would be out with his Death Eaters killing people? Tom asked.
"Maybe he couldn't find him." Angelina suddenly said. "IF, and that's a big if, Dumbledore had been controlling Voldyshorts," she giggled, "and after he came back, Dumbledore couldn't find him. That would explain why Voldyshorts hasn't been killing people. Even my Mum says it's odd."
"Mine does too." Seamus said. "She remembers the last time he was in power, and she says it's too quiet."
"Maybe he's just laying low for a while. The whole wizarding world knows he's back." Hermione said with a huff.
"Hermione's right." Ron said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So all the more better for Voldyshorts to try to regain power." Neville said. "My parents fought against him in the first war, they were even tortured by Death Eaters. They know how Voldyshorts is."
"Harry, what do you think?" Alicia asked. "I mean, if anyone has a grudge against Voldyshorts it's you. You're The-Boy-Who-Lived."
Harry sighed, and began to choose his words very carefully. "I have read Tom Riddle's diary from cover to cover. I have seen firsthand how Dumbledore manipulates people, and I think it's possible that Tom Riddle is telling the truth. I think Dumbledore turned an innocent boy into a monster by using the imperius curse, and forcing him to rip his soul into pieces to make horcruxes. I think he made Tom Riddle become Voldyshorts. Now, does that I mean I agree with all that Voldyshorts has done? No, because we don't know what he did willingly, and what he did under the imperius curse, but from Tom Riddle's diary, we can tell that he had a clear mind when Dumbledore wasn't controlling him. We can tell he didn't want to do all of those bad things."
"I agree with Harry." Fred said with a nod.
"Question." Seamus said, raising his hand. "What is a horcrux?"
When Harry finished explaining what they were, and told everyone that the diary had been one, the room exploded into curses aimed at the Headmaster.
"YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!" Ron bellowed. "You toss pots sound like a bunch of SLYTHERINS!"
Suddenly the portrait door banged open and Professor McGonagall stormed into the room. "Mr. Weasley!" She shouted. "Why do you feel the need to yell? No one in this room is hard of hearing."
"Professor McGonagall, they are telling absurd stories about the Headmaster, and we don't believe them." Hermione said.
"I can hear that Miss Granger, but that does not mean you all have to shout. As for the stories, well I can tell you all that I have known Albus Dumbledore longer than any of you, and given his actions against Mr. Potter this past summer, I don't doubt them." She said. Then she glared at Hermione. "And you can tell him I said that."
Hermione looked like she had been slapped in the face, and she turned around and ran up the stairs to her dorm. McGonagall told everyone that it was getting late, and that they should think about going to bed. Fred and George said goodnight to Harry, Tom, and Neville as they all headed into their separate dorms.
When Harry and the others got into their room, they immediately began rearranging the beds. Harry, Neville, Tom, Seamus, and Dean moved their beds to the far side of the wall opposite of Salazar's painting, which was right next to the door. Then they moved Ron's right next to the door, so that Salazar could keep an eye on him, and Ron almost had a fit when he came in later. Harry knew it was childish, but he laughed at the still blue headed git, because he tried to move his bed away from Salazar, but he couldn't. Tom had put permanent sticking charms on the bottom of each bed post, so now it was stuck to the floor. Ron stomped around telling Salazar not to watch him while he slept, and Salazar just kept staring at him as he stomped around his bed getting his things somewhat organized. It was hysterical to watch.
As Harry got ready for bed, he couldn't help thinking about the day's events. Everything had gone smoothly and he was amazed that each step of the plan had come together. There was still a lot more to do, but the seed about Dumbledore being evil had been successfully planted. After checking his belongings for unfriendly charms, and casting protective charms around his bed, Harry laid there grinning to himself.
Luna's voice really does make it seem that Hogwarts has come to life. He thought, as he drifted off to sleep.
Albus Dumbledore was fuming. How dare Harry embarrass him like that! All he wanted to do was find out what the boy had been up too, and then those meddling founders had awoken Hogwarts, AND they had the nerve to take Fawkes away from him.
How did they do all that by the way? He thought to himself, as he paced the length of his office.
Albus wasn't sure, but one thing he did know, was that now he couldn't do legilimency. He didn't want to spend three days in the dungeons.
And who is that new boy? It seems that he knows Harry fairly well, and it's curious that he is a parselmouth too. He has a pet snake as well. I wonder why he didn't end up in Slytherin.
Albus didn't know that either, but he was sure that Ron and Hermione would find out for him. He had never seen the new boy until tonight, but it was Minerva who handled all the transfers and new children, not him. Albus reminded himself to ask her about him in the morning.
Dobby was so excited! He had helped 'Mr. Harry Potter Sir' in a big way tonight! Dobby had been asked to listen for the big voice in the great hall, and when Godric and Salazar asked to be moved, he was supposed to move them to where they wanted to be. He had also been asked to go and get Harry Potter's invisibility cloak from Miss Luna. She was really nice and she even called Dobby sir! Dobby liked her already, and he had assured Mr. Harry Potter that he would watch over Miss Luna, so that she wouldn't be bullied by the other Ravenclaws who stole her stuff.
Dobby knew that his part was small tonight, but he didn't mind. There was still a whole year to help Mr. Harry Potter, and Dobby would always be there to help him.
Thank you for freeing Dobby, Sir. The little elf thought, as he lovingly cleaned his favorite black sock.
Deloris Umbridge was madder than a toad stuck in a drought. These children have no manners! Why did Cornelius insist that she be the one to come here? Why couldn't he have asked someone else? She was the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, and he needed her at the office! She had been instructed to revolutionize the Defense post, and to teach the children how to reason with the dark arts. She knew there would be grumbling, but the children just didn't understand. You-Know-Who might be back, but he wasn't about to attack a school full of children. There was no need for them to be learning spells, because there would be nothing to worry about.
And that Harry Potter. She thought with a scowl. How dare he embarrass the Headmaster?
Deloris may not like Dumbledore, but that didn't mean anything. Children should respect authority and not question the doings of adults.
I really hate children. She thought glumly, as she stared at the wall full of cats.
Draco was confused. His father had instructed him to get on the good side of 'The Dark Lord', but how was he supposed to do that if 'The Dark Lord' was in Gryffindor?
And what is up with the friendliness between 'The Dark Lord' and Harry Potter? He thought, as he stared into the Slytherin common room's fireplace. Something is going on.
He actually liked the fact that Potter and 'The Dark Lord' seemed to be going after Dumbledore for some reason. After all, Dumbledore was the worst thing that ever happened to Hogwarts.
Maybe I can help them? That would surely get me on his good side.
Draco hoped so anyway. He was also very amused by the fact that Potter, Weasley, and Granger have had a falling out of some sorts, and it all had to do with Weasley and the mudblood stealing money from Potter's Gringotts vault.
This means that the weasel and the mudblood are fair game. He thought wickedly.
To say that Ron was angry is an understatement. Not only did it seem that Harry had a new best friend, but it was that same freaky-eyed git that he had seen in the picture Ginny had taken.
Why wasn't that freaky-eyed git in Slytherin? He though angrily, as he stared at his bed curtains. He has a bloody pet snake!
He also wanted to know what was up with Harry. Ok yeah, so he stole a couple of galleons from Harry's vault. Big deal! Harry had enough money, and Ron would pay him back…someday. Ron and Hermione had only spied because Dumbledore said it was necessary to keep Harry safe from You-Know-Who. So what if they got paid for it? And what the bloody hell was Harry thinking!? He was accusing the great Albus Dumbledore of being responsible for You-Know-Who, and everybody believes him!
The whole world has gone mental! He thought. Dumbledore isn't evil!
Ron agreed with Hermione, that diary was clearly a fake, and that freaky-eyed git had no business reading it out loud. Ron and Hermione were going to talk to Harry tomorrow, and they would set him straight.
Molly Weasley was heartbroken. She may not care for that useless lump and poor excuse of a husband, but she loved her children very much. She didn't understand why Fred and George had acted that way. She was only trying to provide a better life for them in the future. When Dumbledore defeats Voldemort, and takes over the wizarding world, he promised to take her and the children away so they could live a better life.
Dumbledore says he loves me. She thought with a smile, as she stared dreamily up at the ceiling of her bedroom.
She didn't care that Dumbledore was slightly less than honest, and she didn't care that he was a dark wizard. She only cared that he was rich, powerful, and famous. He would provide for her and her children. Molly hated being poor, and she hated being a Weasley, but Arthur was the only option available to her at the time.
I had to do, what I had to do. She thought. Dumbledore will take care of me. He will give me a nice house, better last name, and money. I deserve it after living in squalor for so long. She thought happily. Yes, I'll get what I deserve.
*A/N* Ok so now that you guys have read the chapter, what do you think? We are stating to get into the good part of the story and i really need you guy's thoughts and opinions, so please, please leave a review and tell me what you think! And yeah, I'm begging! :)