Harry Potter: Otherworld

Waking Up

***No own no sue. ***

*Twitter for updates, Angelslayer135

I will keep a running list of male to female names as characters are introduced at the end of each chapter.

***HP:O ***

She had known, deep down she knew the moment the guards interrupted her silent evening that something had happened at Hogwarts, that something had happened to Harry. There hadn't been an explanation, just a 'request for your presence'.

But she had been rushed down the hallway and into an emergency Floo, normally reserved for medical issues concerning the guards and staff.

Dumbledore was there to greet them the moment she stepped from the green flames. Dumbledore, and Snape. One was clearly concerned for her wellbeing and the other was a bitch.

"What…"

"Potter accessed the Chamber. I was too late to stop him and can't open it."

Rage flashed into Riddle's eyes, and her fingers twitched, eager for her Wand for no other reason than to turn the younger woman into paste on the walls. She had one bloody job and apparently keeping a preteen from throwing himself into harm's way was too complicated for her.

Before she could express her opinion Dumbledore stepped in, "Take us there immediately, we have little time."

Serena gave a sharp nod and nearly ran from the room, the other two, along with several Aurors, close on their heels. The two elder witches nearly paused when they entered a bathroom of all places, but a swift gesture and an explanation had her hissing at the center of the room which quickly opened.

Grace wasted no time in leaping in and the Headmistress paused for only a second to give an order, "Stay here. If the worst comes to pass someone needs to evacuate the school and ensure no one else is harmed. A half-hour if you do not hear from us."

The potion mistress wanted to argue but seeing the fright in the eyes of the Aurors had her doubting they would be of any use to either those going down or in taking straightforward action. Thus, she nodded and waited, helpless once more.

***HP:O ***

It was dark, darker than it should have been with the illumination provided by their wands. The passageway seemed to stretch on for miles with no distinguishable landmarks, alternating paths, or signs of any life.

Time lost all meaning and despite their haste it felt as though the pair had been in the tunnels for days. Finally, something changed, a large doorway at the end with the crest of Slytherin adorning it. Once more Grace didn't even pause as she hissed out a command and the barrier opened.

It should have been a triumphant entrance for the woman. Ascension into the legendary Chamber of Secrets was something every member of her house dreamed of. There was said to be artifacts there, tomes of ancient knowledge, a place to make plans and simply get away from the hustle of the rest of the school. A place all to oneself, a grand home inside of the greatness that was Hogwarts.

Instead, it was just as Harry described it, a tomb.

There were no living spaces, no warmly lit hearths or bookshelves, no comforts, or joys. Instead, there was a massive carcass of a creature that should have been destroyed centuries prior, another large snake in the corner, and a boy pale and unmoving on the ground.

"Harry!"

Dumbledore reached him the same time she did and there was already a bottle in her hand. "He's still breathing," she noted, clearly trying to keep the panic from her voice, "The fang… it must be the venom."

She began administering what Riddle could only assume was Pheonix tears around the wound and then into his open lips.

Nearby a voice whispered out, one that had her spinning around, putting herself between the Headmistress, and more importantly Harry, and whatever new threat there might be. The original attacker no doubt.

"You came…" Grace's eyes widened in recognition, in realization. "I knew you'd come for me."

"Nagini"

The woman attempted to stand, clearly injured from whatever had befallen. She didn't see any obvious wounds, so it had likely been caused by her protégé. "It's just like I told you, the Chamber, just like I promised. We can still get married here, we will say you killed the beast, restore your honor."

"You did this." Her words had the desired effect, earning a flinch from the prone woman. "Why!?"

"For you, for us! I did it so we could be together, so you would see me!"

Riddle's heart sunk in her chest. It truly had been about her after all. The students, Harry, had been put into danger because of her presence.

"Grace." A voice from behind snapped her attention back to the catastrophe at hand. "It's been too long. He isn't responding as he should. We need to get him to Pomfrey, immediately."

Harry was levitated and Dumbledore began moving him towards the exit. For a brief moment she considered taking out her anger and rage on the younger witch nearby. Surely with her false imprisonment and the Ministry's own incompetence hanging over their heads she would be forgiven if a few darker curses were used on the woman who had almost killed several students.

Her wand was raised, the curses burning on her lips, but the Magic wouldn't come, the words wouldn't flow, and instead Nagini was stunned and levitated along as well. Justice would be delivered, but not by her hands and not without trial.

***HP:O ***

In less than a day news had spread across Magical England about the events at Hogwarts. Story after story, theory after theory flashed across the headlines of competing papers and magazines each one distinctly different than the rest.

Some claimed that it had all been a hoax, others that a fierce battle had taken place in the school itself. The hypotheses ranged far and wide and even the Wizengamot wasn't quite sure what the full truth was and the only ones who might know, Dumbledore and Riddle, had avoided any public statements save for the fact that the Aurors had the true culprit behind the attacks now in custody and Grace had been cleared of all charges.

In the time between her dismissal and reinstatement Dumbledore had also purchased supplies for the curing of the petrification, insisting that the students be restored as quickly as possible. She had also borderline demanded that the parents of those who had been attacked be allowed unrestricted access to their children for the time being, to help with the recovery process.

The ministry had no choice but to agree and force the issue through the School Board. With the arrest of a respectable, prominent, and more importantly innocent, professor the politicians had been quick to try and remove any signs of their own ineptitude.

Then, when everything seemed to be stabilized, news leaked out from either a student or staff member. Harry Potter was unconscious suffering from Basilisk venom. That phrase immediately threw everything back into chaos with even wilder speculations from every student, parent, reporter, and bureaucrat.

With phrases such as 'Parselmouth', 'Heir of Slytherin', and even 'Defender of Hogwarts' becoming common topics of conversation there was little anyone could do to stem the tide or even control the flow of information.

Yet throughout it all the only ones who might have answers remained silent, refusing to conduct any interviews, or allowing members of the press onto Hogwarts grounds. James and Lily were given daily visitation rights but otherwise nothing more was officially stated from either of the parents or the school staff on the situation.

***HP:O ***

Lily sat in silence just watching. It was all she could do, felt like all she had been doing since Harry had entered their lives. James and her just stood back and watched, watched as things fell apart, as their children were hurt, as they blamed themselves, as they tore themselves apart inside and out. Just stood and watched as their family was carved up, pieces torn off, wounds made, and scabs formed.

They should move. Pull their children out of Hogwarts and leave England all together. There were other schools, areas with better weather and warm, sunny beaches.

"It would be tough on them to relocate, to lose their friends. Harry would probably be devastated even assuming we moved to a school that accepted boys."

She frowned and turned towards her husband. She hadn't been talking to herself, that much she was sure of, so how…

"I know that face, you've been making it since the end of last year when we heard about Harry apprehending a thief."

The redhead rolled her eyes and tried to force the smile from her face. She shouldn't be smiling, didn't deserve to smile. Their son was lying unconscious in a hospital bed after barely having survived an attack from a thousand-year-old Basilisk and its mentally deranged handler. "Then what are we supposed to do? Sit around and wait for the next catastrophe? Hope 'next time' isn't as bad? Leave it up to the staff who have done such a wonderful job for the past two years now?"

She took a handful of deep breaths as her rage subsided. The anger wasn't helping, and she knew it, wouldn't help Harry, wouldn't help their daughters, wouldn't help anyone. They needed to figure things out, to come up with a plan that didn't involve sitting around and hoping for the best.

But what?

"More lessons?" James inquired softly. "I mean he's being taught by the best so I'm not sure who else we could turn to but surely there must be someone who can help. We can't hire bodyguards for Hogwarts though, you know that."

Lily did know it and the thought of additional tutors was tempting but it might not matter. "I don't want his entire life to be turned into training and fighting James. I think it's what filled his time before and I just… he needs to be a kid. Needs to be able to relax and have fun with his friends without worrying about some monster creeping about or how he's going to survive the next fight. I don't want that kind of life for him, for any of them."

He slid a bit closer to her, arms and shoulders pressed up for comfort. "I know Lils, I know."

***HP:O ***

When she had first awoken there had been confusion as to where she was, how she had gotten there, any even what day it was. Amaryllis had almost thrown herself into a sobbing hug, and through the gasps and tears she managed to get the bulk of the information. Hermione and she had been attacked and petrified, Riddle and Dumbledore removed, the culprit eventually found, and the professors reinstated. All in all, she had been frozen for a few weeks.

"What about Harry?" That single question had frozen the redhead who pulled back, a look of despair on her face that had Harriet fearing the worst. Then she noticed the occupied bed nearby, and a sibling not frozen but near death.

Her heart broke at the thought he might die because of her.

"Is… is he…"

"Stable dear, but he will likely remain unconscious for some time still." Pomfrey answered as she had made her way over to the pair with a tray of potions. "In the meantime, it won't do anyone any good for you to worry and neglect your own recovery. Take these, I'll have a regimen for you to take for the next week or so."

That had been two days prior and still their brother wouldn't wake. She had been told by their parents that it wasn't necessarily a bad sign. Basilisk venom was incredibly potent which meant his body needed time to heal without worrying about all the other stresses it might be going through.

Their words didn't help much and while she was almost back to normal during the day it was at night that she suffered most. She was exhausted, yet so terrified of going to sleep that she would only get an hour or two max a night. Amy was clearly worried despite not getting enough rest herself. If the redhead thought for a second her sister didn't know about how she tossed and turned, about her silent sobs at night then she was foolish.

But deep down the Potter was certain that everyone knew the truth. No one would be fully recovering until all three of them were awake and functional.

***HP:O ***

'Tense' didn't even begin to describe the atmosphere of the meeting chamber. There were so many silent glares, accusations, justifications, arguments, and counterarguments that they could spend the next year without a single word being spoken.

Fortunately, they didn't have time for such nonsense and the Headmistress hoped it would become apparent soon enough.

"A topic needs to be addressed." She called out, shattering the silence and drawing all attention onto herself. "A student is currently lying in our hospital ward, not petrified or pranked but recovering from a near-fatal encounter with a Basilisk. This will be addressed here and now."

Nods of agreement from everyone, good, it meant she didn't need to terminate anyone… yet.

Grace leaned forward in her seat, eyes flashing almost murderously. "As I understand it, the school was under lockdown. No student was permitted to be traveling by themselves, especially after normal class hours. Yet Harry was not just doing this but also managed to access the Chamber of Secrets and engage in an extremely dangerous duel that nearly killed him."

Her eyes darted about, lingering on everyone for a moment at a time.

"How?"

Snape cleared her throat with obvious intent, "As I understand it," she drawled, "Mr. Potter was scheduled to have tutoring with Professor Lockhart that evening."

The fraud seemed to perk up, back straightening with pride. "Yes, it was a very productive session as well. I would go so far as to say that with my tutelage he might be ready for professional dueling when he graduates."

Flitwick snorted, as a former duelist himself he had been aware of Harry's level of skill and knew that save for some of the actual procedures and point system the boy was likely at a professional level, or damn well close to it.

How many others could claim to best a Basilisk of all creatures in a one-on-one battle?

"And after your training?" The eldest among them inquired, voice full of that gentle encouragement that they all knew so well. But underneath there was something else, something only a few picked up on.

An edge

Lockhart completely missed it and seemed all too happy to continue with her tale of 'accomplishment'. "Well, you know how it is Headmistress, after a long day of teaching and instructions I was understandably tired. Harry assured me he was heading straight back to the dorms without delay, and I had no reason to doubt him. We are very close after all." The woman aimed a smirk towards her two 'rivals' in the room before catching onto the shift in mood from the rest.

Gordana glanced about and noticed the stares of contempt being given to her, especially from the Headmistress.

"You sent a twelve-year-old boy who is known for putting himself in harm's way to navigate the castle alone." Dumbledore began slowly, almost lethally calm. As the woman opened her mouth to explain a dreadful glare silenced her, "Not only did you ignore curfew rules but also the situation of the other attacks. Because of this he was able to put himself in danger and nearly died."

Hastily looking around, the witch found no allies in the rest of the staff who had grown to despise her.

"I will be speaking with the Aurors about this incident and allowing them to proceed as they will. Obviously, your presence is not needed, nor wanted, for the remainder of the year or any year after this. You may clean out your quarters today."

***HP:O ***

"That bitter are you Riddle?"

The older witch sighed before turning to face her so-called accuser almost immediately after the staff meeting. "What do you want Lockhart?"

An ugly sneer covered the woman's face, and for a moment Grace wondered which was worse, the fraud's or Snape's.

"You couldn't handle the competition, could you? Couldn't handle the fact that Harry went to me for tutoring."

Riddle rolled her eyes with a huff, "It isn't like he had any other options. I'm sure even someone as incompetent as you might know something of value."

The anger grew worse until Lockhart collected herself moments later with a look of haughty superiority that seemed to define her. "I will be speaking with the Potters before I depart concerning Harry's continued education. It is clear he needs a more worldly and practiced instructor instead of one who wastes his time at frivolous parties and events."

Her opponent's eyes narrowed, "James and Lily Potter have discussed the situation with me last summer and agree with how it is proceeding."

"Last summer" the interloper emphasized, as if repeating her words would change anything. "Not this summer. What do you think they will say when they are informed about how the intruder was after you? Surely the rumors will spread by the end of the school year and at that point all I need to do is casually mention how my own talents match up with their son's, how I…"

"Were humiliated by Snape in a duel? How you have yet to show any talent in dueling or defense?" Riddle countered hotly, a strange anger burning into her veins. "Or maybe you will gloat about your termination from Hogwarts, or the fact that you allowed their son to wander the school alone. The fact is you are a poor excuse for a professor, a worse duelist, and an even more pathetic adult. You are irresponsible, full of yourself, and stupid enough to endanger others because of these two facts. If Hogwarts wasn't being watched by every politician and parent right now, I would challenge you to a duel and lose control just enough to ensure you aren't a threat to anyone ever again."

Gordana was gaping like a fish, bright red with embarrassment mixed with anger but without the usual undeserved confidence. Her claims had been brought out into the open, compared with her failures, and she herself found wanting.

They were both aware that Snape's victory over her hadn't been a fluke, and that the true Head of Slytherin House was even more deadly in the arena.

With a huff, and a clear attempt to save face, the younger woman turned and strode off citing something concerning 'more important things to do'. It was not missed how she had put just a bit more haste in her movements than necessary.

***HP:O ***

"It's your fault."

Those three words had Grace Riddle's hand clenching, heart racing, and a desire to strike pumping in her veins. Yet she held back and instead turned to face the woman who had been one of her temporary replacements. "I fail to see how."

Snape's lips twitched as she watched with unblinking eyes. "I heard all about Nagini, the poor girl you toyed with for all those years before breaking her heart. If you had shown just the slightest inkling of empathy she wouldn't have gone through with her plan."

"Oh? So, you've spoken to her then hm? Really gotten to know the situation and her mental state for the past few decades. This wasn't a sudden change Snape. She has been delusional for some time now. If anything, this is your fault."

Anger erupted in the younger woman's eyes, "And how do you figure that?"

"You were the one who insisted upon my removal, published enough half-truths to have both myself and Dumbledore removed from Hogwarts, and then failed to do anything more than fulfill your own desires. Where were you when Harry was walking about alone in Hogwarts?"

"Doing my other duties." Serena countered, "I cannot follow a student around all of the time. I had other responsibilities."

Grace huffed with disbelief, "Oh please, we both knew what he was going to do, knew he was the only one who could access the Chamber. You knew he had lessons. You should have been there ensuring his protection."

Snape shook her head with defiance, "We both know he would have found some way around it. Besides he chose to spend his time with Lockhart, if he was that eager for her assistance then…"

A slap rang through the hallway as Riddle's hand made contact with the other woman's face. Her own was red with anger, eyes blazing. "If you so much as imply he deserved this, they will never find your remains."

"I am not implying anything!" Serena countered with just as much anger. "I am outright saying that Harry clearly needs to reconsider who he is spending his time with. A fraud and buffoon or someone so fixated on anger, aggression, and pride she can't see her own fault in anything."

"Perhaps I am not the only one who cannot see their own faults Snape."

With that the woman turned and continued towards the Slytherin common room leaving the other in silent contemplation.

***HP:O ***

Cleopatra swallowed nervously when their Head of House walked through the doors and closed them behind her. There was a calculated calmness in her movements but also something almost predatorial in them as well.

Not that she blamed her. How quickly many of them had turned against her, how quickly they had believed the 'evidence' that had been presented and 'jumped ship' as it were.

The blonde wondered what Professor Riddle's retaliation would be. Detentions for those who had sided with Snape? A massive reduction in House Points? A ban on Quidditch for the foreseeable future?

"I am disappointed." Her words cut like a knife through flesh and every student, even those who had chosen to believe the woman, flinched. "I understand that there was a panic at Hogwarts, that fear was around every corner, but I thought that the 'House of the Cunning' would put more effort to thinking for themselves rather than believing every rumor and article written in the paper."

It was true, and they all knew it. Save for a handful of students everyone had eventually turned onto their Head of House. A few whispered words from Professor Snape, a handful of paragraphs in the newspaper had been all it took.

"There will be no punishment." She announced, earning shocked stares and soft whispers among the gathering. "Given what happened I cannot blame anyone for seeking safety through any means necessary. Even if I were to hand out punishments it would feel more like a vendetta and would encompass a good portion of the student body not just those present. The Headmistress and I believe it is best to put aside such reactions."

One hand, Cleopatra identified as belonging to a timid first year, was raised and gestured towards. "What uhm, is going to happen to the one responsible?"

"For now, they have been taken to Azkaban and await trial."

Another question from a different student was called out, "Is it true you found the Chamber of Secrets?"

Grace nodded, "It is, and for now it will remain sealed until such time as every inch has been checked and cleared of dark Magic or corrupting influences."

This earned grumbles bordering on outrage to which the woman's eyes narrowed. "All of you were so scared just days ago and now you are ready to run to the very place which contained the monster responsible for all of the petrifications?"

Her subtle accusation earned silence for a few moments before Cleo herself raised her hand, "Is there any truth to Harry Potter being involved?"

Some looked to her, others to their Head of House who stared back in contemplation. "Why would you think that?"

"He has been missing since a few nights ago and someone said they saw him in the Medical Ward." One student answered.

"And he's a Parselmouth!" another quickly blurted out, earning a hushed silence and laser focused attention by Riddle.

"What did you say?" She asked in a deathly calm tone.

The abrupt change had the teenager shrinking backwards where they stood, "I… I overheard him in the bathroom that night and saw him hissing then the passage opened. A couple of us were there."

Excited, if a bit stunned, chatter began from virtually everyone in the room while the youngest Malfoy merely stared in shock. Potter, a Parselmouth? It was an incredibly rare trait and if it were true…

Glancing to her right she shuddered at the look on her older sister's face and was glad not to be on the receiving end of Pandora's displeasure.

***HP:O ***

Pandora was furious as she stormed into her shared room following their Head of House's speech. Not only had her future husband been forced to step in and solve the situation but he had been seriously injured because of it. True, there hadn't been any direct confirmation of either of these two facts, but Harry wasn't present, and hadn't been in several days. Add to the fact the rumors that he had been overheard speaking in Parseltongue, another fact adding to his perfection, and it didn't take a Ravenclaw to connect the dots.

But perhaps worse than any of that was the fact that the true perpetrator was going to receive a trial.

That wasn't fair, not in the least bit! The Ministry was incompetent at best, corrupt at worst, even if they managed to come to an agreement on the clearly guilty individual's fate it likely would not match the crime of trying to take someone as wonderful as her future betrothed's life away.

No, that wouldn't do at all.

It should be those closest to be given the honor of reaping vengeance. It should be her who teaches the scum what the consequences are for trying to take away what belonged to someone else.

Instead, she was stuck at Hogwarts, barred from both her love's side and from ensuring that she criminal was never able to look in his direction ever again.

She would make it up to him in the summer, would plan a way for them to be together, alone.

***HP:O ***

Sunlight peeked in through a curtain, falling upon a sleeping boys face and causing him to stir. A groan escaped his lips as he slowly opened his eyes, quickly closing them again when even the tiniest amount was too much for him to handle.

"Am I dead?" he muttered, body aching all over.

"Far from it, Mister Potter."

His eyes snapped open, before he quickly regretted the action and threw his arm over his face to shield his still sensitive retinas. Still, he had seen and heard enough to know who he was speaking to. "Dumbledore? How are you back already?"

The woman chuckled softly, "I believe your sense of time is a bit off. You've been unconscious for over a week now."

"A week?" he mumbled softly, trying to wrap his mind around the idea.

The woman continued, voice soft and remorseful, "Indeed, and because of this you've missed quite a bit of excitement. Most important first, the petrified victims have been restored. Your sisters would be here to greet you but after staying up for so long Amaryllis was nearly passing out with exhaustion and Harriet wasn't in any state either. We ended up slipping some sleeping drought into both of their tea just to force them to rest."

A soft snort escaped the boy, and he could imagine it earning him a gentle smile, though he couldn't see it yet directly.

"And you're back?"

"I am, as is Professor Riddle. After you entered the Chamber Professor Snape made an emergency Floo call demanding both of our presence at Hogwarts. Though she still believed Grace to be guilty she was willing to let her open the Chamber, with my presence nearby, if it saved your life. She was correct in this regard. We arrived just in time. Nagini was captured, arrested, and interrogated. Grace was cleared of all charges, and it seems that my foresight to have purchased both Phoenix Tears and Mandrake Restorative Draught earned me a return to my former position along with a halfhearted apology from The Board."

Harry managed a nod, "Explains how I survived."

Silence answered him and for a moment Harry thought the Headmistress had left when a sigh came from her direction. "That is something we are going to talk about, along with many, many others who have both yelling and happy tears, I am sure. For now, though there is one more thing we need to address."

"What's that?"

The nearby door opened, and slow, measured, steps crossed the distance before joining Dumbledore's side. Before she even spoke Harry knew who had joined them.

"He's awake I see."

"Within the past few minutes. I have been catching him up a bit, we were just on the topic of the information leak."

Information leak? Harry wasn't sure what the eldest witch meant by that, but it did nothing to set his mind at ease. Hesitantly, he lifted his arm, and though it was still bright it was bearable for the boy. "What do you mean?"

The two adults shared a glance before Dumbledore sighed once more, "The bathroom was not empty as you may have thought. It seems three students had been present during your entrance, which means they overheard your use of Parseltongue. While we were able to convince the public that you were not involved in the destruction of the Basilisk or capture of Nagini directly, rumors have already circulated concerning your knowledge of the Chamber and ability to open it."

Harry Potter remembered his own timeline's problems with being a Parselmouth, "H-how bad is it?"

Riddle barely managed to conceal the roll of her eyes, "It isn't bad Harry. It is a celebrated trait, especially in our House. It does, however, mean that you will be receiving far more attention in the future than even before. Your parents will certainly have their work cut out for them in threatening away suitors.

He didn't answer, and moments later Pomfrey entered the room with a tray full of potions and shooed away the two witches.

***HP:O ***

"You're grounded." Harry blinked in surprise, before fighting back a smile as the other man began his rant. "For at least the next decade, maybe longer. Your mother and I think that might be enough time to get all this stupid 'rush into danger without talking to anyone' nonsense out of your head."

The redhead merely nodded in agreement.

"That means no Quidditch."

"Uh dad, Harry isn't on the team, remember?"

James stopped short, blinking before scowling, "Bugger, uh okay fine then uhm… well we will just find something to ground you from then! I don't know what, but it will be big and important, and you will really have time to think about your actions young man."

The boy merely nodded, "I understand, and I'm sorry."

His words served to take the wind out of the man's sails as his shoulders slumped.

"We just… do you know how much it hurt to see you like this Harry? To know you almost got yourself killed?"

He didn't, not really. Sure, his friends had always been concerned about him but most of the time it was as simple as 'there was no one else and I'm fine so what's the problem?'. Still, if it had been one of his sisters he would have been devastated and he tried to focus on that instead. "I get it, I do. Seeing Harriet petrified was awful."

"Why weren't you there, when we came in to visit?" Lily inquired softly, causing the youngest wizard's eyes to drop down to his lap.

"It felt like my fault. Everyone who had been hurt, who had been petrified was connected to me. If I hadn't been here, if I hadn't been related to either of you it might never have happened."

Harriet and Amy quickly shook their heads in denial while the redheaded woman reached across and laid her hand on his, "Harry, you can't know that. Nagini… she was sick before this, before you would have even been born. There's no way to know how her mind would have twisted things."

"Exactly! It wasn't you fault Harry. Hermione and I should have been more careful, shouldn't have been out knowing who was being targeted."

"Is she okay? Hermione that is?"

James nodded, "She is, and her parents have insisted that neither her nor they blame you in anyway shape or form. They know the one responsible is in jail right now."

***HP:O ***

It was the first time they had been alone together since he woke up, first time in well over a week he had even seen her. Such a short amount of time, and yet so much had transpired that neither even knew where to begin.

"So…"

"So"

He shifted, wanting to ask so many things and at the same time not wanting any answers. Still, it didn't appear as though she would be starting the conversation, so it was up to him. "Did they at least apologize to you?"

Riddle snorted, "There have been a few attempts, yes. Mostly excuses."

Harry nodded, idly rubbing the sheets as a distraction. "Thank you… for saving me."

There was silence then, followed by a deep sigh, "It was my own damn fault in the first place. I should have known it was her, should have just asked you to take me down and dealt with it before it escalated."

"So, what Nagini said was true? That you knew her?"

"A long time ago, yes. We went to school together. She was a few years younger. She looked up to me, and for a time I was something of an older sister to her… then once she graduated things changed. I took her traveling with me. Different cities, different countries. We went to dueling tournaments, learned magic from other lands… we became close."

"You fell in love."

This time Grace huffed, but said nothing, "She did, I did not. There was too much hero worship, too much dependency, too much desperation to be what I wanted her to be. We were lovers, but I thought that had been the extent of our relationship. I didn't realize how wrong I was until she began talking about marriage."

His eyes widened, earning a small smile from the woman seated next to him. "I didn't think… I mean can women get married in the magical world?"

"Depending on the country, yes. In England it is rare. Women taking each other as lovers or even living together is fairly normal, but full on marriage? That's a rarity."

"What happened?"

Riddle shrugged, "I broke it off and left, told her that I didn't feel the same way. I thought it was amicable, that she would understand and although it would hurt, she would grow because of it, become her own person… I was wrong. A few years ago, she confronted me again, babbling about the Chamber of Secrets, about how we could get married there, her wedding present to me. It had been so long I hardly recognized her."

"You laughed at her."

The accusation made the woman wince but nod shortly after, "Not my proudest moment, I will admit. I think it was towards the end of the school year, which meant stress was at a peak. I was tired, the students were tired, everyone was tired and in that moment I just… snapped. I barely remember the conversation, even now."

Harry stared down at his hands, "What's going to happen to her now?"

"Azkaban most likely. I doubt she will receive The Kiss since there wasn't any permanent damage, but she did assault multiple students"

She was right, but the memories of what such a place did to people, what it had done to Sirius, still gave him shivers. Both fell into silence once more, until a thought occurred to him, "I'm kind of surprised you're up here not exploring the Chamber. Isn't it the mythic sanctuary of all Slytherins?"

Grace stared at him for a second, before shaking her head, "I've had enough of that place for one lifetime. When I was in school, we were told fairy tales of it. A place of all sorts of ancient knowledge and secrets, a place where only the chosen could gain access, could get away from everything and hide away to their hearts content. When Dumbledore and I finally entered though, when I saw the carcass of that monster, an attempted murderer still twitching on the ground, and you, deathly cold and unmoving… I want nothing to do with it. The Headmistress and I have even discussed putting seals on the inner door, preventing anyone from gaining access. There was already one horror in that place, no reason to tempt fate with unleashing another."

Harry nodded in both understanding and agreement.

"Besides," She continued, "I am far more concerned about you."

There was a slight blush on his face as he looked away. "I'm fine."

"You most certainly are not, and on top of it all it appears I have more competition to scare off."

He blinked in confusion, "What?"

"Lockhart" Seeing his expression fail to change the woman sighed, "She mentioned talking to your parents. Apparently, she gave you instructions while I was gone."

There is something in her tone, something he recognizes this time.

Jealousy and anger.

It turns his stomach, anger spiking in his veins. Of all the damn ways she could have reacted this was one he wasn't in the mood to deal with. "What was I supposed to do!? You were gone, Dumbledore was gone, no one was doing anything about the giant monster attacking students!"

"So, you went to her?"

"I went to the person I could use to get what I wanted."

Grace's lips curled up into a sneer. It reminds him far too much of Snape. "Oh, I'm sure you did."

It felt like a slap to his face, and he resisted responding in kind. "The school was under lockdown. I needed a way to get to the Chamber without escort. She was the only staff member I could manipulate into it. So yeah, I put up with her lousy teaching and creepiness for an hour or two so I could save your miserable arse from prison and stop a monster from killing anyone because once again all the adults stood around being useless."

Oh

Oh

Grace had the decency to look embarrassed, "I didn't…"

"No, you didn't and instead of just talking to me you decided to insult me."

"I'm sorry… with everything that's been happening…" she shook her head, "No excuses, I was wrong and I'm sorry. It still doesn't excuse you putting your life on the line but… I should not have said those things or even though them."

Minutes ticked by in uncomfortable quiet before Riddle managed the courage to look over to him. His anger seemed to fade, but there was still a noticeable pout on his features.

"Does this mean you aren't… interested in her offer?"

Harry glared, "I don't know what offer she made but if it involves being anywhere near her then no, I'm not."

His words meant relief for the woman and despite her best efforts a smile crept onto her face, the first one since her arrest.

***HP:O ***

He hadn't exactly been looking for her, but at the same time there had been no avoidance either. Instead, it was just a moment in which they were in the same hallway at the same time.

Alone

"You must be thrilled, what with everything going back to normal."

Harry didn't reply, merely waited, and watched.

"Riddle is back to her former positions and now you have an additional tutor along with her. How proud your parents must be."

Still, he didn't respond, still he waited.

The woman sneered, "And now she has taken credit for 'saving the day' once again. Single handedly defeated the Basilisk I hear, such a moment of triumph for her career. Not only does she have sole access to the Chamber of Secrets but the fame and glory that go along with it."

"Thank you." Harry Potter's two words had Snape reeling back in confusion. "For trusting her to save my life I mean. If you hadn't acted when you did, I would be dead."

Serena stared at him as if he had grown another head, before slowing nodding. "It was nothing."

Harry rolled his eyes, figured Snape would say something like that. "Still doesn't mean my parents trust you, or that I like you, but I appreciate you sparing them the grief."

"And what do they think about your newest teacher."

The boy-who-lived stared for a moment before snorting in disbelief, "Seriously? What is it with Slytherins? I didn't choose Lockhart because I want her to teach me. I know she's incompetent, she was in my world as well and her one 'lesson' was more than enough to see that. I asked her because I needed someone to keep me out after hours and I couldn't manipulate any other staff member to leaving me alone for long enough to get to the Chamber."

Once more the woman stared but it was with a hint a pride now. "Very clever. So that is why you didn't choose me."

He nodded once more, "Partially, but I also saw how much it pissed you off and figured this was a bit of payback."

A smile tugged at her lips, but she fought it back. Harry, on the other hand, grinned.

***HP:O ***

By the time Harry was up and moving about on his own the school year had only a few days left. As Riddle had hinted there was a shift in how the other students saw him, especially the Slytherins. Gone was most of the open hostility or contempt, replaced with more curiosity than ever before. Still, he didn't have much time to think about it before the year let out and he was on the Hogwarts Express headed home.

First year had been out of his control and his second seemed to be in the making before he arrived as well. The question still buzzing about his mind remained, what would the next school year bring?

***HP:O ***

A/N: Might seem a bit rushed but I didn't want to spend two or more chapters on angsty apologies and Harry feeling guilty etc.

More importantly: This story will be going on hiatus for the remainder of the year. The reason being is simple, I don't know what to do about 3rd year yet and clearly going into it without having a plan ends up disappointing readers and eventually me as well. If I had really spent the time looking into second year before writing, I would have seen a rather obvious answer to the 'why didn't they just go down immediately and solve the problem?' question without just ignoring it.

Thus, I want to spend some time really fleshing out the ideas for 3rd and 4th year at least before I start working on them.

Previous Name**************New Name

Tom Riddle*****************Grace Riddle

Albus Dumbledore***********Augustina Dumbledore

Draco Malfoy***************Cleopatra (Cleo) Malfoy

-*************************Harriet Potter

-*************************Amaryllis (Amy) Potter

-*************************Pandora Malfoy

Blaise Zabini****************Bliss Zabini

Theodore Nott**************Theresa Nott

Severus Snape**************Serena Snape

-*************************Marie Rosier

Percy Weasley**************Paisley Weasley

Bill Weasley****************Billie Weasley

Charlie Weasley*************Charlene Weasley

Fred Weasley***************Frankie Weasley

George Weasley*************Georgie Weasley

Remus Lupin***************Remi Lupin

-************************Sylvie Rosier

Gilderoy Lockhart**********Gordana Lockhart

Oliver Wood***************Olivia Wood

Marcus Flint***************Marcia Flint