Chapter 17
The months fly by, and sooner than Harry can comprehend, it's May. Today is Saturday and the day of the Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff quidditch match, which Harry is decidedly not looking forward to. If Gryffindor wins this match, then Slytherin will be up against them for the cup at the end of the year. It's not that Harry doubts his team's abilities, much the opposite actually, but a match against Gryffindor will be a long, challenging game, something that Harry has not had the energy for recently.
Currently, Draco is attempting to convince Harry to attend the match. So far, he has been unsuccessful. Harry's stubbornness is legendary among the Hogwarts student body, and despite Draco's many talents, the blond's will is no match for Harry's in these situations.
"There's no use, mate. He's made up his mind. You know it's useless at this point. Just let him stay in the dorm and be boring for the rest of the day." Blaise tries to convince Draco to relent as he checks his watch, worrying that they'll end up being late.
"I am not boring. I'm reading. Something that you heathens seem to be incapable of." Harry says haughtily, folding his arms over his chest in a huff.
"Sure, whatever you say, Harry." Blaise counters, smartly not engaging in yet another argument.
"Fine," Draco says finally. "Be that way. Come on." Draco waves at Harry as he, Blaise, and Theo turn to leave, only to be halted by Snape's appearance in the doorway.
"Professor?" Harry questions, standing from his spot on the floor.
"I am afraid that none of you will be attending the match today." Snape comments cryptically, an abnormally dire expression on his face. "Come with me." Snape turns and the four boys follow silently, worried about what could warrant their Head of House's intervention.
Much to the boys' dismay, the party begins to make their way toward the Hospital Wing, doing nothing to quell their trepidation towards the situation.
When they reach their destination, they notice Professor McGonagall lingering next to an occupied hospital bed. She's engaged in a whispered conversation with Madame Pomfrey and her expression is painted with concern.
"Professor, what-" Harry begins, only to be cut off by Severus.
"I will let Madame Pomfrey explain. I'll be waiting outside." Snape says before turning and exiting the room, leaving the boys to walk over to the two women.
Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey turn to them as they approach. "Oh, good, you're here." McGonagall says, fixing them with a look of sympathy. "I warn you, this could be a wee bit of a shock." McGonagall steps aside, revealing the figure lying on the hospital bed.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaims, rushing over to her bedside, Draco, Blaise, and Theo not far behind. They cluster around her, looking down at her prone body in horror.
"She was found near the library, along with this." McGonagall holds out a small compact mirror for the group to inspect. Draco takes it in his hands, turning it this way and that. "Does it mean anything to any of you?"
"No." Draco replies simply as the rest of the boys shake their heads morosely. McGonagall nods solemnly and turns, ushering Madame Pomfrey away to give the boys some privacy.
Harry takes Hermione's hand in his own, his gaze flitting over her petrified features. After a moment, he notices that there's something clutched in her stiff palm. He turns back to make sure the adults aren't watching before unclenching Hermione's hand, revealing a crumpled slip of parchment. Draco, noticing Harry's movements, looks down at what his friend is doing before meeting Harry's eyes curiously.
'Not here.' Harry mouths, carefully slipping the parchment into the pocket of his robes before closing Hermione's palm. With one last glance at his petrified friend, Harry straightens and looks up at the others. "Come on. There's nothing more we can do for her here."
With that, Harry stalks from the room, his hands clenched into fists and a determined expression dominating his features. Draco, Blaise, and Theo hurry to catch up to him, matching his stride.
"What are we going to do?" Draco asks worriedly, taking note of Harry's aggressive and serious demeanor.
"I'm done messing around. We're going to get to the bottom of this. I don't care what it takes." Harry replies, his tone dark, eyes glittering menacingly.
Almost instantly, Theo replies, halting Harry with a hand on his forearm. "I'm with you." Theo's gaze is easily as determined as Harry's, his eyes and expression brimming with resolve. Harry looks to Blaise and Draco, who nod in resolution.
With a sense of purpose, Harry and his friends take off down the corridor, already planning what to do next.
~~~Time Skip~~~
Harry, Draco, Blaise, and Theo immediately head to the library to discuss what has happened. Other than their dorm, it's the best place to talk about things like this without fear of being interrupted. When they reach the library, they immediately head through the maze-like shelves to the furthest, most secluded corner they can find.
Once they're seated around the large wooden study table, Harry comes to the realization that he's going to have to explain what Tom Riddle had shown him in the diary all those months ago. Not just to Blaise and Theo, but to Draco, as well. The two best friends haven't spoken about the diary since that day at Malfoy Manor, and although the issue seems to have been resolved, Harry is worried that Draco is still harboring some anger over the incident.
'There's nothing to be done about it,' Harry thinks to himself. 'He'll either be angry or he won't. What's important right now is Hermione and figuring out what could have done this to her.'
"Okay, spill. What do you know?" Blaise asks, fixing Harry with a probing gaze.
"What?! How can you be sure that I know something?" Harry asks defensively, meeting Blaise's eyes fiercely. He's not entirely sure why he's being aggressive. Blaise is right, after all. He does know something. He has a nagging suspicion that it might be his pride getting in the way of his humanity again. Oh, well, what's done is done, and now it's time to face the consequences.
"Are you an idiot?" Harry opens his mouth to respond with some sort of snarky comeback that would have no doubt made the situation worse, but he doesn't get the chance. "No, don't answer that. I already know the answer. Because you'd have to be an idiot to think that we don't know that something has been going on with you. And based on the expression on your face when you saw Hermione lying there on that hospital bed, I'd wager that it has something to do with The Chamber of Secrets. Am I on the right track?" Harry looks down at his lap, properly chastised. "Exactly. Now, are you going to tell us what's going on, or do I have to yell at you some more?"
"Harry," Theo starts, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder to get his attention. Harry looks up and meets Theo's eyes, noting the sheer desperation contained within them, no doubt a reflection of his own. "She's our friend, too. And if you have any information that could be used to help her, we deserve to know. We want to help, Harry, please let us." Theo's eyes never leave Harry's, and that, combined with the raw emotion seeping through Theo's tone, finally convinces Harry to tell them everything.
"Okay, I'll tell you. And I'm sorry for keeping this from you for so long." Harry pauses, eyeing Draco, who is seated to his right, before beginning his explanation. "It happened over Christmas break. I found this diary in Malfoy manor. It belonged to someone named Tom Riddle." Harry senses Draco stiffen next to him, but the blond says nothing, which urges Harry to continue. "I was trying to do homework, and I needed parchment. I figured since it hadn't been used that nobody would mind, so I started writing in it. But, when I did, something strange happened. Someone who claimed to be Tom Riddle responded."
"Wait. Responded how?" Blaise asks.
"I'm not entirely sure. Somehow, the diary was… I don't know… Sentient, I guess? When I asked questions, the responses would show up in writing further down the page." Harry explains, still confused himself as to how this was possible.
"Okay, so it must be enchanted, right?" Theo asks, his face scrunched up in thought.
"Yeah, but that's not why I'm telling you this." Harry pauses, pulling his thoughts together so he can try to explain everything efficiently. "Obviously, I was curious, so I asked what was going on. Riddle said that he found a way to place his memories inside the journal. He said that the diary contained memories of terrible things that happened at Hogwarts. I took a guess at what he could be talking about and asked him about The Chamber of Secrets."
"Well, what did he say?" Draco inquires. There is a vague note of anxiety colouring his tone, but Harry dismisses it as discomfort. They did get into an argument about the diary, and Harry's guessing that Draco might still feel guilty for snapping at Harry that day. Shrugging it off, Harry continues.
"He said yes. And, I don't know how, but he was able to show me something that happened at Hogwarts fifty years ago. It was strange. One minute I was sitting at my desk, and the next I'm standing in a corridor at Hogwarts watching someone else's memories." Harry says, frowning as he remembers the odd sensation.
After a moment, Theo breaks the silence. "We need to know, Harry. What did he show you?"
Harry nods and sighs before beginning to retell the memory.
~~~Flashback (Hogwarts, 1943)~~~
"Riddle! Come."
Tom Riddle stands at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at Professor Dumbledore. It's impossibly dark outside, and with the darkness comes a sense of foreboding and distrust. The candles in the hall flicker meekly, waging war against the oppressive darkness. The light sends shadows dancing across the stone of the castle, and instead of providing comfort, as light usually does, the meager illumination only adds to the despondent atmosphere, making the obscurity of the starless night even more oppressive. He'd seen them carry the body of a girl down the stairs, confirming the rumours that have been circulating throughout the school.
"Professor Dumbledore." Riddle addresses the man standing on the stairs above him, walking forward and ascending until he stands just below Dumbledore.
"It is not wise to be wandering around at this late hour, Tom." Dumbledore reprimands, though his tone is anything but harsh. Anxiety and despair saturate his voice, and it is obvious that something terrible must have happened to put Dumbledore in such a hopeless and disheartened mood.
"Yes, Professor. I- I suppose I had to see for myself if the rumours were true." Riddle stammers slightly, although his expression is composed and calculating.
"I'm afraid they are, Tom." Dumbledore pauses. "They are true."
"About the school, as well?" Riddle inquires, obviously worried, his eyes widening slightly. "I don't have a home to go to. They wouldn't really close Hogwarts, would they, Professor?"
"I understand, Tom, but I'm afraid Headmaster Dippet may have no choice." Dumbledore replies morosely, gazing sympathetically at his student. He knows the boy's situation well, that he has nowhere to go other than Hogwarts. But, if these horrible incidents continue, there will be nothing he can do, and Hogwarts will surely be closed, at least for a while, if not permanently.
Almost as if Riddle can read Dumbledore's thoughts, the young boy meets Dumbledore's gaze and says, "Sir, if it all stopped- if the person responsible was caught…" Riddle trails off and looks away, his eyes landing on the stone floor of the castle.
Dumbledore's eyes narrow, both curious and hopeful. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"
A tense silence spreads between them before Riddle finally replies. "No, sir. Nothing."
Dumbledore deflates as the glimmer of hope that had sparked to life at Tom's words flickers out. "Very well, then. Off you go." Dumbledore says morosely, dismissing Riddle with a wave of his hand.
"Goodnight, sir." Riddle bids Dumbledore goodnight before walking off in the direction of the dungeons. However, he has no intention of going back to his house.
Veering off course, Riddle navigates a series of corridors and eventually comes to a stop in front of a large wooden door. He pulls out his wand and takes up a defensive position before bursting into the room, startling the person inside.
"Evening, Hagrid." Riddle greets as the room's occupant turns jerkily toward him. The boy, who has now been identified as Hagrid, looks utterly terrified as he stands protectively over a wooden box that has been placed on the table next to him. "I'm going to have to turn you in, Hagrid. I don't think you meant it to kill anyone, but-"
"You can't! You don' understand!" Hagrid cuts Riddle off with a desperate plea, his expression open, his eyes begging for Riddle to just listen and try to understand what's actually going on.
"The dead girl's parents will be here tomorrow. The least Hogwarts can do is make sure the thing that killed their daughter is slaughtered." Riddle presses on, refusing to listen to Hagrid's distressed attempt at an explanation.
"It wasn't him." Hagrid states, his tone absolute, eyes glimmering with conviction. "Aragog never killed no one! Never!"
"Monsters don't make good pets, Hagrid. Now, stand aside." Riddle ignores Hagrid's protests as he steps forward, wand pointed at the box Hagrid is standing next to.
"No!"
"Stand aside, Hagrid!" Riddle insists, jerking his wand at Hagrid menacingly.
"No!"
"Cistem aperio!" Riddle finally loses patience and his spell hits the large box, making the lid fly off the top and clatter angrily against the wall. A few seconds pass before something crawls out of the box. The creature leaps off of the table and begins racing down the corridor in an attempt to escape. "Arania exumai!" Riddle's spell barely misses the creature, and in the blink of an eye it has disappeared, leaving Hagrid shouting, "Aragog!", into an empty corridor.
"I can't let you go. They'll have your wand for this, Hagrid. You'll be expelled."
~~~End Flashback~~~
Harry finishes telling his friends what he saw in Tom Riddle's memories and the table immediately descends into silence as everyone contemplates the new information Harry has presented them with. It's a lot to take in, especially considering that, according to Tom Riddle, Hagrid was the one to open The Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago. It's difficult to believe that the kind-hearted games keeper that they've come to know could be capable of such a thing. But, thinking back to the dragon incident last year, they realize that it is possible that Hagrid was manipulated into doing it.
But, above all, the question remains. Can they trust Tom Riddle? They have no idea who this person is, or if he is a reliable source of information. Harry muses over his conversation with Severus at Malfoy manor and realizes that he very much doubts the legitimacy of Riddle's word. Severus' reply when asked about Riddle, though cryptic and vague, did tell Harry two things. One, Severus knows who Tom Riddle is, which means that he is very much a real person. And two, something bad must have happened involving him.
"Who is he?" Harry asks quietly. Severus sighs and shakes his head.
"That is something I cannot tell you, Harry. You will find out in time, but for now, it is best that you do not know."
Severus' words ring in Harry's mind and as he contemplates what they could mean. After a moment, he comes to a realization.
"It was a warning!" Harry exclaims, upset that he hadn't realized it before. And he should have. Cryptic and vague are Snape's special talents, especially when it comes to things he's not technically supposed to tell Harry about, and Harry berates himself for not seeing Severus' warning for what it truly was sooner. He wasn't just warning Harry not to trust Riddle, he was telling Harry that Riddle is dangerous.
"What was a warning?" Draco asks, clearly confused by Harry's outburst.
"Oh, sorry." Harry says, looking apologetically at his friends. "It's just… I talked to Professor Snape about this over the holidays and I just realized what something he said to me meant. He was warning me about Tom Riddle, that he was dangerous and not to be trusted."
"Did he tell you why?" Theo presses curiously, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Of course, he didn't. But, if I'm being honest, I don't think he could. I think that something, or someone, was stopping him from explaining it to me."
"How much do you want to bet that Dumbledore's the one who wants to keep that information from you?" Draco grits out, making Harry growl audibly at the thought of the old man continuing to meddle in his life.
"Down, boy. Just relax. We've no way of knowing if that's actually true. And besides, the crotchety old man isn't our priority at the moment. Right now, we just need to focus on figuring out who's opening The Chamber." Blaise states, his words instantly calming Harry and Draco and bringing them out of their 'Dumbledore is evil,' spiral.
"And we should probably try to find out what kind of monster has been going around petrifying people while we're at it." Theo adds, leaning back in his chair.
"Right." Draco pauses before looking at Harry. "Have you looked at that piece of parchment you found in Hermione's hand yet?"
"Oh, yeah! I completely forgot!" Harry exclaims, fumbling in the pocket of his robes for a moment before pulling out the piece of paper. He unfolds it and reads it over before handing off to Draco. "It looks like it's an excerpt from a book."
Draco glances over it before he begins to read it aloud. "'Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it.'"
"Well, as usual, it looks like Hermione was one step ahead of us." Theo muses once Draco has finished reading. "But is she right? If I'm understanding correctly, the basilisk's gaze is deadly, so why is it that no one's dead?"
"Because no one actually looked it in the eye." Blaise says, breaking the silence.
"I guess that could make sense, but-" Draco begins to counter, only to be cut off by Harry's determined voice.
"No, he's right. Think about it. Colin saw it through his camera. Justin… Justin must have seen the basilisk through Sir Nicholas. Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost - He couldn't die again. And Hermione had the mirror. I bet you anything she was using it to look around corners, in case it came along." Harry's voice gets louder and more sure as the pieces finally seem to fit together.
"And Mrs. Norris? I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror, Harry." Draco comments, ever the devil's advocate.
"The water." Harry says after a moment. "There was water on the floor that night. She only saw the basilisk's reflection. The only thing I can't understand is how it's been getting around? I mean, someone's bound to notice a giant snake roaming the corridors, right?"
Draco glances back down at the paper that's still clutched in his hand before chuckling and shaking his head. "Hermione's answered that, too." Draco sets the paper down on the table and Harry, Blaise, and Theo all crane their necks to get a look at what Draco's talking about.
"Pipes?" Theo questions curiously, furrowing his brow as he tries to piece together what Hermione could have meant by that.
"It's using the plumbing!" Blaise blurts out, and just like that, everything seems to fall into place.
"No wonder Snape told me to have a chat with Moaning Myrtle. She must have been the girl who died fifty years ago, the one from the memory Tom Riddle showed me." Harry says, his eyes wide, sparkling with realization.
"Okay, so it sounds like we have a game plan." Blaise states, standing abruptly from his seat. "We need to talk to Hagrid and Moaning Myrtle."