Things had never been darker at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Restrictions had never been tighter. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened again after months of silence., and it had claimed two victims. A Ravenclaw.. And our very own Hermione Granger. I was devastated. Harry and Ron were really good friends.. The best of friends.. But I had the most in common with Hermione and having her gone.. Really made me feel lost. It didn't help that I liked her.. Like.. Really liked her. Without her there was a hole in my heart. Luckily she was only Petrified, not Dead, so in a couple months when the Mandrakes had fully grown Snape could brew the potion and she would be awake. However A future at Hogwarts was probably not in the cards for her, or any Muggleborn.. It was not safe for them. Hogwarts.. Was not safe.
Things were more strict at Hogwarts than ever. Professors now escorted students from class to class. We either went to the Great Hall, class, or our common rooms. However some Professors did take pitty on friends of the victims and would escort us to spend some time with them. I did spend a decent amount of time with Hermione, reading her some our text books and essentially studying with her.. As I knew that was something she would want. Was it weird reading to someone who essentially was in a coma... yeah it was. However I knew somehow.. She could hear me.. And by the time the mandrake's would be ready and she was revived, it would be time for end of the year exams.
We realized if something didn't happen soon and someone was caught, we may even not have a Hogwarts to come back to. I would lose Hermione.. And Ron. I would lose Magic.. I would lose Quidditch. I'd lose everything I had gained since I moved to England two years ago. Well except for Harry of course since I lived down the street from him. But even then.. Would my mom keep her job and the house if I wasn't attending Hogwarts? Would we have to go back to Canada? To Robert, Alina...Jack..? No, we had to do something. So it was time we confronted Hagrid.
One night Ron, Harry and I snuck out under his father's old Invisibility Cloak. We of course we very cautious despite the cloak.. Given the fact a monster intent on murdering could be lurking the Corridors. Luckily we had Harry's whispering voices as an early detection system, so we felt a little safer as we made our way to Hagrids hut.
When we arrived, Hagrid threw open the door and pointed a crossbow out of it "Whos there?!" He shouted. We ripped off the cloak "Relax Hagrid, its us." He lowered his crossbow "Oh.. Wha're you three doin' ere?" He asked. Harry asked "What's that for?" Hagrid looked confussed for a second. Then he said "oh.. Nothin' nothin'... I've been expected.. No matter, sit down, I'll make tea." Ron then asked "Are you OK Hagrid..have you heard about Hermione?" He nodded "yeh.. Yeh.. I've heard.." That was when there was a knock at the door. Harry, Ron and I hid under the cloak and Hagrid picked up his crossbow and opened the door. The soft Spoken voice of Professor Dumbledore said "Good Evening Hagrid." There was a short plump man with him. Ron gasped "Thats Dad's Boss, Cornelius Fudge, the Minster of Magic" Fudge then said "Bad business I'm afraid Hagrid, very bad business. 4 attacks on muggleborns. The Ministry has to act." Hagrid looked flusters "Bu' I wouldn', You know I never, Professor Dumbledore!" Professor Dumbledore frowned at Fudge "I want it understood Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." Fudge shook his head "I'm sorry Albus, but Hagrid's record is against him. Ministry's got to do something! The school Governors have been in touch." Dumbledore's eyes burned in a way I had never seen them "I assure you Cornelius, removing Hagrid will not help in the slightest!" Fudge looked uncomfortable "Look, You've got to see this from my perspective. I'm under a lot of pressure. I've got to be seen doing something! If it turns out Hagrid is not to blame he will be returned no more said. But I've got to take him. I've got to." I had never seen Hagrid look so scared "take me? Take me where?" Fudge didn't meet his eye "For a short period only. Not a punishment, only a precaution, if someone else is caught you will be released.." Hagrid looked ready to faint as he croaked "Not Azkaban!"
That was when the Door was knocked on again and Dumbledore answered it, a long blonde haired man walked in "Good Fudge, you are already here." Harry looked surprised "What's Mr Malfoy doing here?" He whispered. I looked at him "That's Malfoy's father?!" I Whispered back. He nodded. I then turned my attention back to what was unfolding "Dreadful thing Dumbledore, but the Governors feel its time to step aside. I have with me an Order of Suspension, you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you are losing your touch, how many more attacks have happened? Two more just recently I believe? At this rate there will be no more muggleborns left in two months, and we know how awful that would be." Fudge looked nervous "Now now Lucius, Removing Dumbledore... are we sure that is the right action to take. I mean if he can't stop these attack... who can?" Lucius Malfoy sneered "That remains to be seen. But as you can see, all twelve of us are in agreement" Hagrid seemed to get a lot of his nerve back as he shouted "And how many o' them did yeh have to blackmail, huh Malfoy!?" Lucius clicked his tongue "Now now Hagrid, that temper of yours is going to get you into trouble one day. I wouldn't yell at the guards in Azkaban like that, they may not like it." Hagrid yelled "Yeh can't take Dumbledore! Take 'im away an' the Muggleborn's won' stand a chance! There'll be killin' next!" Dumbledor then said sharply "Calm yourself Hagrid." He then said calmly "If the Governers want my removal then I shall of course step aside, however, you will find that I will only truly have left Hogwarts when none who remain are loyal to me. I also would like it to be remembered that help shall always be given at Hogwarts, to those who ask for it." He seemed to look directly towards us as he said this. That was of course impossible seeing as we were invisible.
With that Dumbledore and Malfoy left. Fudge then said "Come on Hagrid." Hagrid grunted "Fine, I'm coming. I'd like to say that if anyone would like ter find out some stuff all they would need ter do is follow the Spiders that'll set them right. Oh and someone will need ter feed Fang while I'm gone." With that they both left. We ripped the cloak off and Ron looked nervous "Dumbledore gone? They might as well close the school tonight, There will be an attack a day with him gone! There won't be a Muggleborn left by the end of term!" I nodded "Which is why we need to figure out who really is opening the Chamber of Secrets, and shut them down." Harry nodded "Guess we got to look out for some Spiders."
As it turned out though, there didn't seem to be a Spider left in the castle. So we had no way to investigate Hagrid's little riddle. It didn't help that Hogwarts had become intolerable to be at. I almost looked forward to the summer just to get away from Malfoy and his joyeus attitude at Dumebledore and Hagrid being gone. He one day was loudly talking during potions class about how Mudbloods shouldn't be at this school and that he couldn't wait until one of them died. I grinded my teeth and kept my mouth shut, until he uttered the words "Pity it wasn't Granger" I snapped. I hadn't been able to make him pay when he uttered something similar on christmas as it would have broken my cover, but now.. Now was fair game. I lundged, but Harry and Neville held me back. It appeared Ron had done the same thing with Seamus and Dean holding him back. He growled "Let me at him, I don't need my wand, I'll use my fists." I nodded in agreement "I'll kill him!" I growled. Snape of course broke it up by saying "And now I will escort you to Herbology!" So that was the end of that. However I vowed one day I would make Malfoy pay.
It was in Herbology class we finally saw some Spiders, and it appeared they were headed towards the Forbidden Forest. It took some convincing but Ron finally agreed to investigate that night. That evening Harry had gotten the Invisibility cloak from his trunk and spent the evening sitting on it. We played some exploding snap with Fred and George throughout the night with Ginnyy watching from Hermione's usual chair. Finally after Midnight they went to bed so the three of us set out for Hagrid's hut to grab Fang. Ron wanted him, and neither Harry or I was willing to tell him that Fang was kind of a scaredy cat. After dodging teachers we finally made it to Hagrid's hut, where we grabbed Fang and proceeded to go towards the forest. Harry and I pulled out our wands a said "Lumos!" and the tips shone with light. Ron went to do the same with his and I held a hand out to stop him "I wouldn't.. You may set fire to the forest with that wand." He nodded slowly and pocketed his wand. We then set off to follow the spiders.
The Forest was as scary as ever, with weird sounds and almost complete darkness. It made it very hard to follow the spiders. It was hard to believe that just a year before, we were in the same place, unknowingly tracking Voldemort who was killing and drinking Unicorn blood.. And now we were tracking.. Something.. That would either be the monster from the Chamber.. Or explain Hagrid's innocence. The erie silence mixed the ocassional scary sound of the forest was broken when Fang stated barking. I pointed my wand towards where he was facing "Wha-WHat's there?" I stammered, Harry gave me a look, I hissed "What? It's scary in here, and I don't have a sword or something to fight off magical creatures." Ron looked at me and asked "You are a Wizard... right?" I rolled my eyes "I don't know how to kill a creature with magic.. And I doubt if I did this it would work" I did the fancy wand dance Lockhart had done in our dueling club when trying to show us how to block unfriendly spells. Ron snorted. Harry elbowed me and said "Focus, There is something moving over there." Ron held his hand over his mouth "Do you think it heard us." I nodded "We weren't exactly being stealthy there Ron.." I pointed my wand at what Harry had seen and asked "Umm.. Anyone know any creature killing spells?" I then remembered Hermione would be the one to remember a spell I forgot, so realized I was not going to get an answer to my question.
The figure was emanating a rumbling noise, then suddenly we were blinded by lights. Ron said "Blimey.. Harry.. David.. It's our car?" I looked at him "You mean the same car you stole and flew to Hogwarts.. That car?" He nodded "Pretty much." Harry stated "So.. The Car as been living here all year.. In the forest." I then said "You forgot the part where it is somehow alive... and.. Wild?" He nodded. I thought that was pretty cool, however technology coming to life probably wasn't the best thing for human kind. Either way I didn't have much time to think about it as Harry said "We've lost the trail, lets go and find it again." I nodded "Sooner the better.." However as soon as I said that I regretted it. I was suddenly picked up and trapped by something.. Something I couldn't make out. My wand was pinned against my chest and I didn't know any spells that could hurt my captor without hurting me as well. "Harry! Ron!" I yelled out. If Ron was there he was silent. Harry said in a very strained voice like he was fighting bonds as well "Here!"
About at that time we were dropped by what I had captured us.. And I realized what it was.. Spiders.. Giant spiders. Just great. I did not dare move, afraid it would attack me. What was the spell Hermione had used on the Pixies again.. Wasn't it Immobilous or something?Could it work on all these spiders? Where was Hermione when you needed her? Oh wait.. Petrified, which was why we were doing this in the first place. I was so preoccupied trying to remember the spell I barely registered that the Spider's were talking. Calling for someone named Aragog.
An even larger spider walked into our view, and clicked "What is it?" The one who carried me said "Men!" Aragog (I assumed) asked "Is it Hagrid?" "Strangers" replied the Spider who had carried Harry. Aragog began to leave "Kill them." Harry then yelled "We're friends of Hagrid's!" I got up my courage and stood up adding "He sent us!" Aragog froze "Hagrid has never sent strangers into our hallow before." Harry then replied "Hagrid's in trouble, that is why we have come!" I added "They think Hagrid has set a.. well we don't know what.. But something, on the Students up at the school! They've taken him to.. Uh.. Azakaban.. That's right, that's what they called it!" I was extremely nervous with all the Spiders around me. I was still trying to think of a creature killing spell.. Aragog clicked furiously and roared "That was years ago! Years and years. I remember it well. That was why they kicked him out of the school, they thought I was the monster that dwelled in what they called the Chamber of Secrets. They thought Hagrid opened the Chamber and set me free." Harry then said "So you aren't from the Chamber of Secrets?" The Elderly Spider got more anger "I? I was not born in the castle, I come from a distant land, carried to Hagrid in someone's coat as an egg. Hagrid was only a boy, but he cared for me, feeding me on scraps from the table. Hagrid is my good friend, and a good man. When I was discovered, and blamed for a girl's death, he protected me. I have lived here in the forest ever since. Hagrid even found me a wife, Mosag, and as you can see my family has grown, all from Hagrid's goodness." Harry then asked "So you never.. Killed a human before?" Aragog clicked coarsely "Never. It would have been my instinct, but out of respect for Hagrid, I never harmed a human. The girl was killed in a bathroom, I never saw any part of the castle expect the cupboard I grew up in our kind like the dark and quiet." I summoned the last bit of courage in me and asked "Well then if it wasn't you, you must know what the monster is. You see if we can figure out what is behind the attacks.. The Professors can stop it! And we can get Hermi-Hagrid back!"
Obviously that was not the right choice as the spiders became very agitated "The thing that lives in the castle, is an ancient monster that we spiders fear above all others! Well do I remember pleading with Hagrid to let me leave when I felt the creature loose in the castle." Harry then asked "What is it?" The Spiders got more agitated "Cool it.." I hissed. Aragog clicked fiercely "We do not speak of it! We do not name it! I never even told Hagrid the name of the creature, though he asked me many times!" Harry seemed to be of the same mindset as myself as to not wanting to push our luck. He then said "So...we'll just leave then." Aragog replied slowly "Go...? I think not. My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid on my command.. But I can't deny them fresh meat, not when it wanders so willingly into our nest. Goodbye, friends of Hagrid." He backed away. I pointed my wand at the Spider nearest me and cried "Petrificus Totalus!" The Spider froze, I then pointed at a group a little farther off and barked "Incendio!" It burst into flames. I knew there were two many though, Harry and Ron must have thought the same as neither were casting spells. Suddenly there was a long sound like a horn, then the Ford Angelina burst on to the scene, its headlights scaring a lot of the spiders. I got the queue and roared "Lumos Maxima!" The tip of my wand got brighter than normal. We then piled into the Ford Angelina and it drove off, before taking to the sky. Harry was right.. Flying in this car was a lot different than flying a boom... and it was pretty awesome. Or would have been if we hadn't almost died.. Again.
Of course it was also short lived. We landed an got out of the car, which turned tail and went back into the forest. Ron was hestericle "Follow the Spiders. I tell you if Hagrid ever gets out of Azkaban, I'll kill him! Follow the Spiders.. Like why couldn't it be follow the butterflies!" I nodded "I don't think Hagrid thought the man eating spiders would.. Ya know.. Eat men." Harry then said "We did learn one thing though.. Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets. He's innocent." I nodded "It's kind of nice when you think about it, all he cared about when being taken away is that we knew he didn't do it." Ron wasn't pleased still "Could have gotten us killed" He muttered on our way back to the castle. Later on that night when we were about to fall asleep Harry hissed "Ron.. David... that girl who died.. Aragog said she died in a bathroom... what if she never left the bathroom.. What if she was still there." I raised an eyebrow "it couldn't be... Moaning Myrtle? Right under our noses this whole time!" The answer to all our questions, was someone we had tried to avoid all year!
We then spent the next little while trying to figure out how to sneak away from the Professor's again to get into the girls washroom to talk to Moaning Myrtle. That was going to be hard since it was a girls washroom, nearest the scene of the first attack. Also since we didn't get any time to sneak away from them. Also after our last midnight outing.. None of us wanted to chance death again so soon.
About 3 days before Exams it was announced the Mandrakes were ready for cutting that night, so that very soon the Petrified could be awoken. I was excited for that, to see Hermione again, although Ron did point out with 3 days left until Exams it might be nicer to leave her petrified until they were over. Ginny Weasley also apparently had some sort big secret to tell the three of us, but she got interrupted by Percy Weasley, so it seemed we would never figure it out.
We still felt we needed to question Myrtle, and our opportunity came when Professor Lockhart was escorting us to our next class. He was loudly bragging "Mark my words, once those poor souls are woken up the first words out of their mouths will be 'it was Hagrid' honestly with him gone there is no need for this." Harry then spoke up and said "I agree with you sir!" Ron and I looked at him with wide eyes.. Until I realized what Harry was doing when he responded "In fact, I don't think you need to escort us to our next class.. We are almost there." I piped up "Yeah, with Hagrid gone, the danger has passed as you have said, I doubt the Famous Gildroy Lockhart has nothing better to do than escort children!" He nodded "You both make a fair point Harry, David... I do have some fan mail to catch up on, and I should prepare for my next class. Smashing idea lads, I'll leave you to it!" He then left. I smirked and said "Shall we Gentlemen?" They nodded and we snuck off.
We didn't make it far before we ran into Professor McGonagall "Potter! Shuter! Weasley! What are you doing?" Ron stammered "We were... We Were... We were.." I stepped in "We were trying to sneak off and see Hermione.. Its been ages, with studying for Exams and all.. Since we have seen her. We thought we would.. Let her know about the Mandrakes being ready.. That she would be back to normal soon.." Harry nodded, Ron added "We weren't planning on telling her about the Exams.. She's had no time to repair.." I then pointed out "Well, I had been reading from our Homework for a while.." Ron gave me a look. McGonagall did as well, she then said in a surprisingly croaky voice with a tear in her eye "Of course.. I realize this has been most difficult on friends of those who have been.. I understand. Go Mr Shuter, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley.. Go see Miss Granger. I will let Professor Binns know you will not be attending his class. Tell Madam Pomfrey you have my permission." She then left. Ron looked at me "That.. Was the best story you have ever come up with.." I nodded "I just went with what was on my mind.. Between Aragog and trying to sneak away to see Myrtle, I haven't seen Hermione in weeks. It was the only reason I could think of aside from what we were actually doing that I would have snuck off.." He nodded and Harry said "Well now we have to go see her or McGonagall will suspect something."
Pomfrey let us in, despite muttering about petrified people not being able to hear anything, something I knew had to be a lie. Otherwise I could have talked to Hermione about my feelings for her to get them off my chest, either way we were able to sit with her for a while. As Ron and Harry talked I just stared at Hermione, my heart hurting, my anger rising at whoever did this to her. That was until Harry pulled something from her hand.. A crumpled up piece of paper. Harry said "That's it.. The monster in the Chamber, is a Basilisk. Spiders fear it.. The crow of a rooster is the only thing that kills it. Hagrid's roosters were all killed at the beginning of the year. It kills its victims with its stare." I raised an eyebrow "Wait.. That makes a lot of sense.. A Basilisk is a snake right? You have heard voices all year.. Because you are a Parselmouth! And no one has died.. Because no one looked at it directly. Myrtle flooded her bathroom on Halloween after Hermione made her upset.. So Mrs Norris must have seen her reflection." Harry added "And Collin saw it through his camera lense! And Justin must have seen it through Nearly Headless Nick.. Nick didn't die because he was already dead, so he couldn't die again!" Ron nodded slowly "And Hermione.. She must have been using the mirror they found her with to check around corners, and Penelope Clearwater.. .well she must have been following Hermione's advice with the mirror!." I nodded and murmured"Hermione realized all this months ago.. That is why she had to run off to the Library.. And we made fun of her... she is really the smartest one of us, isn't she" Harry nodded "She wrote Pipes.. Thats how it's traveling the castle unseen. And if the Pipes are how they travel.. Then the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in.." I looked at him "Moaning Myrtle's bathroom!" He nodded excitededly. We had figured it out. Headmasters for centuries including Albus Dumbledore had never found the Chamber.. And 3... no 4.. Hermione still counted. 4 2nd year students had figured it out!
We were about to go tell McGongall when her maginified voice sounded throughout the school "ALL STUDENTS RETURN TO THEIR DORMITORIES, ALL TEACHERS RETURN TO THE STAFF ROOM, IMMEDIATELY PLEASE!" We all looked at eachother "Another attack, now?!" Harry asked. Ron said "Do we head back to the common room then?" I shook my head "No.. Lets find out what this is about.. Then we can tell McGonagall what we know." We snuck into an old robes closet in the staff room as the Professors all entered. McGonagall's voice said "It has happened. The Monster has taken a student. The Heir of Slytherin wrote 'Her Skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever'" The three of us looked at eachother, wide eyed. Madam Hooch asked "Who did it take, which student." McGonagall was silent for a second before she said "Ginny Weasley." Ron slid down to the ground and I knelt, holding his shoulder in solidarity "Don't worry" I whispered "We'll tell them what we know.. They will rescue her." His lip quivered but he remained silent. I focused on him and comforting him, so I missed a lot of what went on in the staff room.
Well our worst fears had come to pass. They were closing Hogwarts, We were all going to be sent home tomorrow.. Plus Ginny Weasley was most likely dead. Two years ago, I had lost all my friends, Had my world turned upside down. I then found out my Father was dead (And later found out he was evil and only died trying to right his wrongs). I found out I was a Wizard and proceeded to start the most.. Well.. Magicial journey of my life.. Found 3 best friends, hobbies I liked. I loved my life and no longer needed to read fantasy books to escape it.. Because I was living one.. Danger and all. Now I had lost it.. But more importantly, one of my best friends had most likely lost his little Sister. Ron however decided to remain optimistic, deciding we should tell Lockhart about what we knew, so that night we snuck out of the Common room and to Lockhart's office.
When we arrived we found him packing. Lockhart looked frightened when we walked in "Ahh Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Mr Shuter, As you can see I'm rather busy." Ron looked furious "You're leaving?! My SISTER is counting on you!" Lockhart stammered "yes.. Very unfortunate.. I do have an urgent call.. Very unavoidable. No one regrets more than I.." I then snapped "You are our Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher.. You can't leave with all these dark art stuff going on! Defend us!" Lockhart shook his head "When I took the job.. Not in the contract.." Harry insisted "I can't believe you are leaving, after all you did in your books." Lockhart refused to make eye contact as he said "Well books can be very deceiving." I then sighed "As I thought.. He didn't do anything in his books.. They were works of fiction. I should have realized considering you used to love to read books like that." Lockhart said "Oh I assure you Mr Shuter, they were real. I just didn't do it myself. See no one would want to read a book about someone else doing those things.. So I made it seem like I did." Harry then asked "You just took credit for what other people did?" Lockhart shook his head "No Harry, it's a bit more complicated than that. I had to track down those who did it, ask them how they did it, then put a memory charm on them so they forgot they did it. Its more than book readings and answering fan mail Harry. Now lets see.. I think thats everything. I'm terribly sorry boys, you see I will have to put a memory charm on you now so you forget everything you found out. Nothing personal of course!"
I had a feeling things were heading this way. Harry and I were took quick, Harry beat me by bellowing "Expelliarmus!" I stopped myself from casting the spell. I kept my wand trained on Lockhart though. "You shouldn't have let Snape teach us that spell." Harry suggested. Lockhart looked scared "what do you want me to do? I don't actually know where the Chamber of Secrets is, or what is in it." I smirked "Lucky for you we figured out. We're quite the detectives too you know? So I think You are going to come with us, best to have bait for the Basilisk." He gulped. I was bluffing of course.. I wasn't about to use another human as bait.. But it was the only way a 13 year old kid could intimidate a 30 something year old wizard.
That had settled it, we made our way to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where Harry questioned her about the night she died. She mentioned seeing a pair of yellow eyes coming out of one of the sinks. I walked over to it and said "Gods.. Harry.. This one has a snake carved into it.. This is it. We actually found the entrance. Speak to it Harry. Only the Heir of Slytherin can open the Chamber legend says.. And you are a Parselmouth!" He nodded and began to hiss. The sinks spread apart revealing a pipe slide down probably under the castle. Ron poked Lockhart with his wand "You first, we have to make sure its safe." I looked at him and said "I doubt McGonagall would be too happy if we ended up killing a Professor." Ron looked at me "You kidding David? You heard her early, she hates him. She'll probably just give us the house cup!" I rolled my eyes but Lockhart went first. After a bunch of girly screaming, he called up "It's safe! Dirty down here though.. I'll never get this out of my robes." Harry jumped in next, then me, then Ron.
It was dark, damp.. And there were bones everywhere. It made sense, seeing as this monster had to live on rats and suck for centuries. Harry then said "We must be miles under the school." Ron added "Under the lake probably." I nodded "Salazar Slytherin liked building things under the lake apparently." referring to the Slytherin Common Room. Harry and I both muttered "Lumos" Our wand tips ignited. We then made our way through the tunnel, until we reached a door. "This is it." I said softly, scared out of my wits. How were we supposed to defeat a monster we couldn't look at without dying? Lockhart suddently grabbed ron and used him as a shield, ripping Ron's wand from his grasp. I pointed my wand at him "Sorry lads, I am NOT going in there. I can see the tabloids now 'Gildroy Lockhart finds the skeleton of Ginny Weasley, the sight of which made Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and David Shuter go mad.'" He then pointed his wand and me and creid "Obliviate!" There was a loud bang, Lockhart flew backwards. The tunnel began to shake and rocks fell above us. I cried "Harry move!" I pushed him out of the way of the falling rocks, and dove towards Ron, but wasn't fast enough and felt rocks fall on my leg, pinning me to the ground.
Once the tunnel had settled. Harry called "Ron? David? Are you two okay?" Ron yelled back "I'm fine, but the Git's not, blasted by the wand. David's trapped his leg under the rubble" I gulped and then said in a strained voice. "Hurts like hell. I don't think I can join you on this one Mate.." Harry was silent for a second "Ron, help David get free, I'll go on by myself.. If I don't come back in an hour.." He paused. All of us were silent. Ron then said "I'll move some of this rubble so you can get through.. With Ginny. And Harry..." He was silent. Harry then said "See you soon.." He said nothing more, and was gone.
Ron began to move Rocks and Lockhart came to, I quickly pointed my wand at him and said "Don't move!" Ron twisted around. Lockhart said "Where am I? Who are you? Who am I? Do I live here?" I looked at Ron and he looked at me "I think the spell rebounded, hit him instead." I nodded "I think we need to thank the Whomping Willow for breaking your wand Mate." He shrugged "Thing still tried to kill me, I think we're even." I then said "Oi, you! You help Ron here move some of this rock off me." He nodded and stood up, mutters "ouchie, my head." He then began to help Ron.
My leg was almost free when we heard a caw and saw a red bird flew through one of the holes we had created. "What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked. I shrugged "It was too fast. I didn't see it." Ron shrugged and went back to work, he got to the last rock pinning me and lifted it, I scooted back against the wall and inspected my leg, it was bleeding, and I couldn't move it. So I then pointed my wand and said "I'll help with Magic." I then chanted "Wingardium Leviosa!" Suddenly there was a roar and I gulped. Harry needed our help. I then told Ron "Once We get this cleared, you take my wand and go help him okay?" He gulped and nodded. "Roles are reversed this year it seems mate. Now you are the injured one and I get to be the hero friend." I nodded and we continued .
Just when he had gotten a big enough hole cleared and I was about to hand him my wand when Harry yelled "Ron! David! I've got Ginny! She's alive!" I felt like a large weight had been lifted off my chest. That was when the bird flew back through the hole and landed, looking at me. It was Phoenix. I wondered why it came to Harry's rescue, but didn't really care as Ginny came through, then Harry. I grinned "I'm glad you two are alright. Now lets get out of here before that Basilisk finds us." Harry then gestured to the sword in his hand "It's dead." I raised an eyebrow and said "Nice sword? Heirlom of Slytherin's?" He shook his head "Gryffindor. Came to me in the sorting hat. Long story, I'll tell it later." He then helped me to my feet and took on a bit of my weight so I could walk. It turned out the Phoenix was Dumbledore's named Fawkes. He ended up carrying us out of the chamber. We had lived, and stopped a Basilisk. Totally trumped last years victory.
Fawkes lead us to Professor McGonagall's office, where Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley and Dumbledore were, as well and Professor McGonagall. We then regaled them of how we had discovered the entrence, of Lockhart, then Harry took over, explaining how Tom Riddle.. Who was Lord Voldemort, worked through Ginny to open the chamber. He spoke of the Diary, the sword and Fawkes. McGongall after it was done took Ginny and the Weasley's away, leaving just Myself, Ron and Harry.
Dumbledore said "I seem to remember that I told you Mr Weasley, and You Mr Potter that if I caught you breaking more school rules, I would have to expel you." I noticed the two looking at eachother, before Dumbledore smiled "Which goes to show how even the best of us must eat our own words. You three will of course be receiving awards to special services to the school.. And I'd say 200 points should be about right.. For each of you." We grinned at that. That secured Gryffindor the house cup.. AND I had totally beat out Hermione for house points this year. My smile failed slightly and I said (Not quite meeting Dumbledore's eyes) "Honestly we couldn't have gotten everything figured out without Hermione.. She figured out it was a Basilisk the morning she was Petrified.. We just figured out where the Chamber was and put all the pieces together" I felt his blue eyes bore into me "I appreciate your honesty Mr Shuter, Therefore I award Miss Granger 50 points for her detective skills." I nodded. He then looked at Lockhart and said "Why so silent there Gildroy, what part did you have to play in this?" Ron then said "Ah yes, Professor Lockhart had a little accident in the chamber of secrets.. A memory charm rebounded on him instead of us." Lockhart asked "I'm a professor? I reckon I wasn't a very good one was I?" I shook my head slowly, Dumbledore shook his head as well "Ahh Gildroy, impaled upon your own sword, have you? Mr Weasley, would you mind taking Professor Lockhart to the Hospital wing.. I want to have a further word with Harry and David." Ron looked at us before leaving.
Dumbledore conjured up a couple chairs "Help David Harry, then sit down" He did as beckoned and sat down himself. Dumbledore said "First off I would like to thank you Harry, you must have shown me true loyalty to call Fawkes to you in the Chamber. And you also met Tom Riddle, I am sure he was most interested in you.." Harry then looked at me, and I got the hint he didn't want me to pay attention, so I nodded and tuned him out for a while.
My attention was grabbed when the Sword of Gryffindor was brought up "Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled the sword out of the hat." I looked at Dumbledore and asked "Why is that? I mean.. Like can the Heir of Slytherin pull out Slytherin's sword or something?" He chuckled "No one knows David.. This is the first time in centuries the sword has been seen. Rumor has it that Godric Gryffindor added a spell to the sword that those who shared his values could materialize the sword like he could.. But they needed a middle man.. Thus the Hat, which also was charmed by Godric. Anyways, Harry if you wouldn't mind, I have a feeling David wished to speak to me privately.. Plus I must write to Azkaban.. I think we need our gameskeeper back." Harry went to get up but the door burst open and in walked Lucius Malfoy followed by his house elf, the one Harry said was called Dobby.
Lucius addressed Dumbledore, asking why he was back in school, to which Dumbledore confirmed Rom's suspicion that Lucius had threatened the governors to suspend Dumbledore. There was then some back and forth about the Diary and thinly veiled threats, I was having trouble focusing as my legs was killing me. Lucius left in a fury after dirty looks at Harry and I. Harry asked to give the Diary back to him, which Dumbledore allowed. Then we were left alone, the moment I had been dreading.
Dumbledore first said "I'm sorry David, I forgot you were injured, Fawkes, if you would be so kind." The Phoenix landed on my good leg and bent over, shedding some tears on my leg. It healed almost instantly. I smiled at the bird and stroked his feathers "Thanks Fawkes" I murmured. He blinked his eyes at me and stayed where he was. "He likes you David." Dumbledore said happily. He then got more serious and said "Something about your demeanor around me this year leads me to believe you have something to ask me?" I looked at him and opened my mouth, before closing it again. He didn't look mad, or upset, or suspicious. He looked.. Concerned? I looked down at Fawkes as I asked "Do you think I am like my Father Professor?" He didn't hesitate "I believe you are very much like Ernest, David.." I looked up in panic and said "No no.. I'm not.. I don't believe in purebloods being better than muggle borns or killing people or-" He held up a hand "Please let an old man finish, David. You are extraordinarily like your father. He was a loyal friend, hard worker and always did what was right. He had the same habit as you of getting himself into dangerous situations. I also would be remiss to mention he too was a Chaser on the Gryffindor Qudditch team, securing a quidditch cup with his team. I watched the matches myself." I stared at him opened mouthed "But.. He was a dark wizard.. He followed Lord Voldemort.. Er I mean He who must not be named!" Dumbledore held up a hand "Say his name David, never be afraid to say it.. Fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself. But no.. he was none of those things.." I shook my head in disbelief "But.. In my dream.. He was righting his wrongs by defending the Potter's.. he died as a traitor to Voldemort.. Voldemort even called me the traitor's son last year!" Dumbledore nodded "Ahh.. You had a dream, a vision, perhaps you will do well in Divination next year. I wondered how you knew your father had passed away at Voldemorts hand. Now I know. But no David.. Your father was not a traitor.. For he never was a Death Eater.. Your father was working for Lord Voldemort undercover upon my request."
I blinked a few times and stammered "Wait.. What?" Dumbledore nodded sadly "During the war, I lead the resistance. We were losing. Voldemort took a particular interest in Ernest, as to why I have my speculations that I will keep to myself for now, however I asked him to allow Voldemort to think he had betrayed his friends and allies to join the Dark cause. I used this info to try and undermine Voldemort, and it did work, we began to gain an upper hand. It was knowledge gained from Ernest and one other source I had been able to get the Potter's into hiding. However as you know that wasn't enough. Your father broke his cover to try and right the wrong of failing me, of failing them, but he never failed me. I failed him. The last I spoke to him he mentioned you and Nancy, and asked me to ensure you would be able to come to Hogwarts, to experience the friends and adventures he had got to when he was a kid. That was why I came to your doorstep two years ago. The Headmaster does not usually make those kinds of house calls, but I had a debt I needed to repay.. One I was honored to do." I fought back tears. I stammered "So my dad.. Was good? Not just in his final seconds of life.. But the whole time..? Why.. Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" He bowed his head, and I could swear I saw his eyes water "I contemplated telling you last year, but alas I thought, 11 was too young.. However that was yet another mistake of mine. I also regretted the part I played in your father's death.. That is to say a rather large one. I am truly sorry David.." I was having trouble processing this. I stammered out "Did you... have to pressure him to do this? To be your... secret agent?" Dumbledore shook his head slowly "No, He agreed almost right away.. He mentioned something about it being his duty, he didn't go much into it." I nodded and said slowly "Well then, it was his choice.. You are no to blame. Voldemort is." I went to stand up and Fawkes flew from my leg to his perch. I stood up then and said "If you don't mind Professor, I think I will make my way feast now.." He nodded "Of course David, Miss Granger should be on her way now, perhaps you will run into her..." I smiled at the thought of that and then added "Thank you Professor, for telling me." He smiled and said "It was only right that you knew.. I had a feeling you felt self conscious about it this year with the attacks." With that I took my leave.
I was just outside the great hall when a voice yelled "David!" I twisted around to find Hermione crashing into me in a tight hug. "You figured it out! I knew you would!" I hugged her back tightly. Tell her.. Tell her how you have been feeling. Now is the perfect time I thought. But my nerves got the better of me and I said "You did the heavy lifting, as always." She pulled back and smiled "Either way, you were very brave." I rolled my eyes "Nah, I had a cave in of rocks fall on top of me. Harry is the hero here. All I did was put together some of the pieces that lead to us finding the Chamber. You are the one who figured out it was a Basilisk.. You truly are the smartest between us, no contest." She grinned "Well we will just have to see who is next year. When we are on equal grounds." I grinned back "Oh it is on.. Also just to catch you up, I won in house points this year, Dumbledore just gave Harry, Ron and I 200. I convinced him to give you some to but I still win." She sighed "Well I will just have to try harder next year then, won't I?" With that we went into the Great Hall, to start the feast of our lives.
It was the greatest and weirdest feast I had ever experienced at Hogwarts, and that included the one with the Troll. Very few of us were wearing our school robes, most were still in their PJ's since they had been woken up for the feast. Everyone had loads of energy given the fact all their friends were back. Hagrid showed up at around 3 in the morning to roaring applause since he, indirectly, had helped us find the Chamber. Professor McGonagall announced the points we had all received and how it secured Gryffindor the house cup. It was also announced Exams were cancelled! It had to be one of the best nights of my life (Aside from the rather bad start in the Chamber of course)
The rest of the term was very relaxed, the four of us got to catch up a lot. There was a lot of tea had at Hagrids, Oliver Woods wanted to do Quidditch practice for next year, but the rest of the team shot him down.. So he promised our training would be even more instance next year so we actually won the Cup, and before we knew it, we were back in Kings Cross Station.
I ran up to my mother and hugged her. She pulled back and asked "So... you broke your promise again, didn't you?" I nodded slowly "yeah... But on the plus side.. We saved the school by doing dangerous stuff, and saved Hermione and many like her from possible death, so I don't feel to bad about it to be honest." She looked disapprovingly on me at first, but then nodded and said "I think your father would be proud of you if he were here." I smiled and nodded "I think so too."