Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor am I attempting to make any personal gain from this story.
Harry Slithers-in; Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 15: Tidying Loose Ends
Even though the Basilisk was dead there were a number of issues still left unresolved. Firstly the diary. Although Harry assumed the diary would now be destroyed he wondered if it might be held for evidence. He decided to ask Professor Snape about it but not until exams were finished.
Secondly he wondered what would happen to Hagrid. Would Dumbledore believe him when he said Hagrid had been framed?
Finally Ginny Weasley. Harry was certain she was being possessed and that she was not responsible for her actions and, as far as he knew, that matter was closed, but there was still her apparent obsession with Harry. Tracey barely tolerated Ginny and he hoped the two girls would sort it out quickly and in a mature fashion.
Harry's first question was answered early the following week. Snape called him and Tracey to his office where they were informed the diary had been thoroughly examined and had now been destroyed. Snape showed them the remains of the diary which now bore a huge hole that looked as if it had been made by acid or fire. Snape said that the Headmaster would retain it in his office where it would be perfectly safe.
Their next visit to Hagrid's cabin answered his second question. Hagrid went on at length about how Dumbledore had cleared his name and overturned the ruling about his expulsion. Hagrid seemed very happy although he admitted that he really had nowhere else to go so he would be remaining at Hogwarts as groundsman and would continue to live in his cabin.
As they were returning from this visit Harry saw Ginny Weasley. She took one look at Harry and turned tail and ran. Tracey found this very amusing but Harry just hoped she was alright. Either way it looked as if that particular problem would take care of itself over time.
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The following morning Dumbledore announced to the school that the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets had been solved and that the person responsible for opening it had been removed from the school. This naturally led to speculation as to who this person was. Many times Harry overheard students discussing if they knew anyone who was no longer at Hogwarts. Harry decided not to enter any such discussions until Draco asked him directly if he knew.
"Potter, are you going to tell us who the pretender to your throne was?" he asked in the Common Room one afternoon.
"If by throne you mean Heir to Slytherin, then all I'll say is that, whoever it was, they were working by proxy. They had bewitched an innocent first year and were using them to unleash the Basilisk. I don't know who that person is and I'm not going to say who they had bewitched because the matter is now closed," Harry replied.
Draco seemed less than happy with his reply but instead asked about the Basilisk. "Is the Basilisk still there?"
"It is," Harry replied truthfully. He decided not to mention the fact it was dead.
"So, if someone decides in the future to continue Salazar Slytherin's work the Basilisk will be able to pick up where it left off this time?" Draco asked.
"No. I have taken control of it and I have ensured it will not attack anyone while I am at Hogwarts. The Chamber has been sealed so that nothing larger than a rat can get in or out," Harry said.
With the matter now closed Harry was able to concentrate on exams and Quidditch.
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Slytherin's last Quidditch match would be against Ravenclaw. Slytherin had the same team that had defeated Gryffindor and early on it looked like a comfortable win but Ravenclaw had gained a lot of experience and confidence from their win over Hufflepuff and came back strongly. At one point they took the lead but soon after that Harry spotted the snitch and was able to catch it just ahead of the Ravenclaw seeker. This gave Slytherin a 190 – 50 win.
The following Saturday, however, Hufflepuff caused a major upset by defeating Gryffindor by a comfortable margin, their winning score being enough for them to take the Quidditch Cup. Some Slytherins complained they could hear the Hufflepuff celebrations even from their own Common Room. Harry knew this wasn't true, however, because he and Tracey were raiding the kitchens at the time and they couldn't hear anything even though the Hufflepuff Common Room was by far the closest to the kitchens.
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The last Friday before exams began saw Harry and Tracey in the library when Hermione Granger approached them.
"Davis, Potter," she began.
"Hello, Granger," Tracey replied.
"I've done everything I can to help you with your grades now I expect you to honour your agreement about forgetting Christmas."
"I am a woman of my word," Tracey replied. "Thank you very much for your help. Now all we need do is wait for Weasley since Neville has already been cleared."
"Ron says he has as much information as he can get. He wants to meet you tomorrow here in the library to hand it over. Also he says thanks for helping Ginny. Professor McGonagall talked to all the Weasleys about the diary explaining how Ginny was being possessed by it. They were told it was a couple of Slytherins who eventually solved the mystery and it was apparently this that led Fred and George to let Ron in on their secret. They might be here tomorrow also."
"What time am I to meet him?" Tracey asked.
"He suggested 10am. Is that suitable?" Hermione responded.
"Harry and I will be here at that time. Thank you, Hermione."
Harry noted the change from surname to first name but decided not to comment on it.
At 10am the next day Tracey entered the library with Harry following. All four Weasley boys were present. As Tracey sat down the eldest boy, Percy, spoke; "On behalf of my family I wish to offer our thanks for what you did for Ginny. None of us had any idea she had brought such a dangerous artefact into the school. Furthermore Potter, we want to apologise for the things we said behind your back after you revealed the fact you could talk to snakes. I think that is all."
"Thank you for your apology but it is not necessary. It was, in fact, only a coincidence we realised it was Ginny who had brought the diary into Hogwarts," Tracey replied.
"I can understand how many people may have been frightened by my ability to talk to snakes but I promise you I have never used it to intentionally frighten anyone. I just thought it was a common skill among magical people," Harry said.
"Anyway now that's been resolved let's get down to business," Fred.
"Off you go, Percy. This is just between them and Ron," George.
Before Percy could say anything the twins were pushing him away leaving Ron with the Slytherins.
"Fred and George showed me this map," Ron said once they were alone. "It answers all your questions about secret passages and the like within the castle and the grounds. I can show you the map and you can take notes if you want to but I have to return it this evening." Ron placed a piece of parchment on the table, tapped it with his wand and said "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Immediately writing began appearing on the parchment. It read;
"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
Are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
As these words were appearing a series of lines also appeared on the parchment which quickly formed into a highly detailed map of Hogwarts and its grounds. Several passages Harry had never seen before now stood out clearly, including what looked like tunnels trailing off the map. Most of these seemed to lead to Hogsmeade. Of most interest, though, were hundreds of individually labelled dots each with a person's name attached to them. Harry stared in amazement.
"Wow. Ron, this is incredible," Tracey said.
"Take as many notes as you like," Ron replied. "Don't take too long, though. Fred and George want this back as soon as possible."
Tracey and Harry took notes on various shortcuts and on the tunnels while Ron explained that only one of the tunnels was now usable. It opened onto the third floor corridor not far from where Fluffy, Hagrid's pet Cerberus, had been stationed the previous year. Ron explained the entrance was hidden inside the statue of a one eyed crone. He added the password was 'Dissendium' and to open it you had to tap the crone's hump with your wand while saying the word.
When they finished Ron tapped the parchment again and said "Mischief managed." This was the phrase for deactivating the map and it almost instantly went blank.
"Thank you, Ron," Tracey said. "You have more than fulfilled my expectations. I now happily state you are in the clear."
"Right. I better get this back to Fred and George, then," Ron said as he left the table.
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The last matter for the year was exams. As a result of the extra tutoring Tracey had received her marks were somewhat better than the previous year. She was very happy to pass all subjects and that her marks had placed her 16th in their year. Both Tracey and Harry achieved 'Outstanding' as their grade in potions. The only other Slytherins to achieve this were Theo and Draco.
On the same day exams finished Dumbledore announced the Mandrakes had matured and the potion that would restore the petrified students (and ghost; and cat) would be administered that evening. At the same time he announced that Professor Lockhart would not be returning to teach DADA next year owing to the fact he had been arrested when it was discovered he had been illegally modifying people's memories and then claiming credit for what they had done.
"I knew it," Tracey said when this was announced. "I knew he was a fraud."
"Oh, no," Daphne whined. "Surely, though, he must have done some of the things he wrote about."
"I doubt it," Harry said. "He always seemed more interested in fame than in fact. And even you, Daphne, have to admit his lessons were pretty pathetic."
Daphne didn't reply. She appeared to be lost in thought.
"There is still one thing I don't understand," Harry said after a moment. "Surely Hogwarts could have acquired some Mandrake Restorative Potion from an outside source."
"Probably," Tracey agreed. "St. Mungo's should have some in its stores. They are the wizarding worlds' best hospital. I wonder why Dumbledore didn't get any."
"He was probably trying to keep it quiet," Blaise suggested. "There are a lot of people who don't think he's fit to be Headmaster anymore. I've heard some of my mother's friends suggesting he's going senile and he cares more about his reputation than his students."
"If that is the case then he should be removed, both for his own sake as well as that of the school," Theo said.
"Dumbledore still has a lot of supporters," Blaise said. "Apparently that's why no action has been taken so far. We really should be speaking to Malfoy about this. His father is one of the school Governors and it is ultimately their decision whether or not they replace him."
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At the farewell feast Dumbledore announced that Slytherin had won the house cup outright. They were more than 100 points clear of Gryffindor in second place with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw somewhat further back. Naturally the Slytherins were delighted, their cheering could be clearly heard outside the Hall. Most Slytherins knew it had been Harry and Tracey who had won the cup. The 100 points they had been awarded for locating the Chamber and solving the mystery almost exactly matched their winning margin, and Snape had awarded Tracey extra points for making such a significant improvement in potions. Harry also received a token point for improving his grade. When he saw this he shrugged; clearly Snape still did not like him despite what he had done in the two years he had been at Hogwarts.
The trip back to King's Cross the next day was uneventful. On the journey Daphne mentioned her sister, Astoria, would be starting next year, as would younger siblings of several older students. She mentioned that Crabbe had a sister who would be in the next year's class. Although she hadn't seen her for several years Daphne said Crabbe's sister was nothing like her brother in that she was a much smarter, friendlier person.
At King's Cross Harry said goodbye to Tracey and Daphne and walked to where the Dursleys were waiting. When he reached them Mrs. Davis joined him.
"Vernon, Petunia," she began, "please remember that we have a strict code of child welfare, just like the muggles do. If I hear you have been mistreating Harry, or if I don't hear from him at least once a week I will begin an investigation into what is happening. I hope you enjoy your holiday, Harry, and remember what I've just said."
"I'll remember. Thank you, Mrs. Davis." With that Harry left the station with the Dursleys.
Author's Note: This is the end of Chamber of Secrets. I will begin Harry Slithers-in: Prisoner of Azkaban in early August.