Gonna address a couple review questions before we get started, because it's funny.

Guest: Melissa Bennett's name didn't come from anywhere. When I originally wrote the one-shot I plucked a "white/British" name out of thin air. I applied the same logic to the rest of her family. (Also I've never read Pride and Prejudice so it definitely wasn't an inspiration.)

Ghost Claw 001: Yes, the diary has been discovered fast. Though I'll let you in on a non-secret, as the AO3 readers will already know this. Year 4 is 31 chapters long ;D Have fun with that information!

Author Note: Some sections are quoted from the book.

FFN UPDATE! Y'all, the site changed things yesterday so you have to set your profile to get email messages. Double check your story alerts for any fics that have updated in the past two days.

November 2nd, 1992

Talks about the Chamber of Secrets worsened once classes resumed on Monday. Lockhart attempted to excite the children with tales of valiant duels with monstrous beasts, yet hardly anyone paid attention. Instead they whispered and passed notes to each other, all but four guessing and gossiping about the mysterious chamber. The gossiping started anew once the Hufflepuffs joined with the Gryffindors for History of Magic. Truthfully, it was probably the most awake the students had ever been in that class. The only thing that finally settled the class to pay attention, however, was when Hermione suddenly raised her hand.

Even the ghostly teacher sputtered into silence with a look of amazement upon seeing the raised hand. "Miss- er-?"

"Granger, Professor. I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets."

The professor blinked. "My subject is History of Magic. I deal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends." He cleared his throat and continued on with his lecture, only to stutter in his speech as Hermione's hand waved in the air.

"Miss Grant?"

"Please, sir, don't legends always have a basis in fact?"

"Well… yes, one could argue that, I suppose… However, the legend of which you speak is such a very sensational, even ludicrous tale…" At this point, in a likely first, every student was now hanging off of his every word. The sudden attention was enough to sway Professor Binns as he spoke again. "Oh, very well. Let me see… the Chamber of Secrets…

"You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago -the precise date is uncertain- by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. The four school houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people and witches and wizards suffered much persecution.

"For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle to be educated. But then disagreements sprang up between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy. After a while, there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school."

Professor Binns paused in his lecture, pursing his lips distastefully. "Reliable historical sources tell us this much, but these honest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of the Chamber of Secrets. The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic."

The class sat still in eager silence, waiting for the professor to deliver more to the lecture. Professor Binns, however, grew annoyed at their anticipation. "The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course. Naturally the school has been searched for evidence of such a chamber, many times, by the most learned witches and wizards. It does not exist. A tale told to frighten the gullible."

Those students that had attended Wayne's party exchanged mistrusting glances. Others that heard the tale second hand also weren't inclined to believe the ghost. Enough so that both Hermione and Justin raised their hands, and Justin was called upon under a false name.

"But, sir, wasn't a student killed by Slytherin's monster a few years ago?"

The class nodded frantically at the question, though Binns huffed at the question. "Nonsense, Mister Wynch. We have not had any student deaths in decades. The last time a student died at Hogwarts there was a rumour that it was due to the Chamber of Secrets, but it was revealed that a student had smuggled an acromantula onto the grounds. A deadly, dangerous beast, to be sure; but there was no Heir of Slytherin, no hidden monster, only a misguided fool and a tragic accident."

Binns' answer seemed to placate the majority of the students. No one raised their hand again, allowing the professor to continue with his usual, droning lecture. However, whispers volleyed again, this time with speculation that the blood-written claim was a red herring to the real culprit of Creevey's petrification. Some disagreed with the notion, particularly by those in Gryffindor. Then of course, where those that knew the truth, who fixed Harry with pointed looks that sought for confirmation. With discreet motions, he passed notes to Kevin, Justin, and Hannah, all of which held the same message. "I found something. Meet at the usual spot." Each gave an affirming nod at reading the message. Hopefully, for Caireen's sake, they'll listen to what he has to say.

"So we're just supposed to believe that this was all an accident?!" Justin snapped at Harry.

"I realize it's a lot to take in but-"

"But nothing!" He cut back. "We're hiding a basilisk in the school, designed to kill people like me, and she's already gotten Creevey!"

"That's just what the legend says, and it's wrong!" Harry cried back.

"How can it be wrong? You said it yourself that someone led her into the school."

"Someone pretending to be my friend, but Caireen won't do it again. She's punishing herself for what she's done -accidentally done- and won't ever let it happen again."

Hannah gave a nervous retort. "But, Harry, how can we be sure?"

"She gave me her word-"

"What use is that?!" Justin demanded. "It's your word that we're hearing, really. All that can change once she sets her teeth on us!"

"It -won't- happen!" Harry yelled back.

As Justin yelled again, and Harry snarled in return, the group almost missed the quiet voice as Kevin spoke. "...I'll ask."

The other boys stuttered into silence. Hannah perked her head in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Kevin's eyes gleamed in a look of determination. "I'll ask her myself."

Justin took a step back. "Are you mad? You're a muggleborn! She'll kill you!"

"Not if Harry's telling the truth." Kevin answered with quiet assurity.

Harry blinked in surprise. "You'd really do that for me?"

"I think… it's the only way we can be sure. I'm not going alone. God knows I'll need you to back me up in case she goes mad and attacks me, no offence, Harry." Kevin wrung his hands out nervously. "But, well, I can't imagine any other way we can be sure. …'sides, if anything goes wrong, you two can tell Professor Flitwick where we've gone." He gestured at Hannah and Justin.

Hannah bit her lip nervously. "I suppose that makes sense. We still have a long time until class starts; but please be careful. Both of you."

Harry, Hannah, and Kevin nodded in agreement, then turned over to Justin. The boy in question had his arms crossed and tapped his foot in nervous contemplation. It took a while before he huffed out a breath. "Alright, fine, but you have less than an hour. So be quick, and be safe."

The group broke off in twos between lunch and danger. Fortunately for Harry, he still had his invisibility cloak on him and brought Kevin into the fold, literally. The entire journey down to the chamber was nerve-wracking for Kevin. Still, he mustered up his courage and did exactly as he planned. Caireen refused to speak to Kevin when he called. For Harry, however, her voice finally echoed from deep in her nest, and strayed no closer. With enough back and forth, the truth was repeated to Kevin from Caireen's own tongue. Then, with condolences and kind words by Kevin and Harry alike, they came back to the surface with five minutes to spare before class. When Justin spotted them in the hallway, his eyes grew like dinner plates. Hannah, instead, burst into a relieved smile, and both ran to the boys to hear what Kevin had to say about the trip.

The result was as good as Harry could hope for. With Kevin safe, Justin no longer found his life in danger. With assurances that Creevey's state was indeed an accident, Hannah no longer felt guilt and shame for keeping the Chamber of Secrets from Susan and the professors. Neither had any urge to return to the Chamber again, but both gained enough trust of the situation to agree to keep Caireen's existence a secret. The arrangement between the four friends could have gone better, for sure; but for Harry there was only relief that it did not end up worse.

The rest of Monday passed by mostly uneventfully. At dinner Ginny blew up at Ron over accusations of him stealing her diary. (For the second time that day, it turns out, as Harry had missed the previous fight during lunch.) Fortunately for Harry, he was able to hide his discomfort with the rest of the Hufflepuffs who were working to ignore the spat.

On Tuesday, however, Harry was invited by Draco to join him, Zabini, and Wayne at a table during Herbology. A situation which was bound to be uncomfortable, yet inevitable, as far as he was concerned. The first third of the class the students listened attentively as Professor Sprout lectured about the proper uses and care for leaping toadstools. When finished, they moved onto the practical portion of the lesson to create an optimal mix of soil and detritus as fertilizer for the mushrooms. It was at this time that Wayne chose to speak.

"So… The Chamber of Secrets." The other three boys kept their heads down, to show focus on their work. Still, at the sudden prompt they all made slight nods that they were paying attention. "I know we all talked about it before. Funny, seeing it come up again."

Zabini scoffed at the remark. "Funny isn't a word I'd use."

"No, I guess you're right."

"It is weird." Harry admitted. "Unless someone took the idea into their heads to make a bad joke."

Hearing this, Draco raised his head. "You think it's a joke?"

Harry frowned slightly, as he realized the implication. "Not what happened to Creevey. Actually, none of it's funny. I just mean that someone probably thought they were being funny, when they were just being cruel."

"So… you don't believe the message? That the Chamber of Secrets has been opened?"

"I'm not sure. I'm kind of skeptical about it now. Professor Binns says that the girl who died last time actually died by something else."

"An acromantula." Wayne clarified. "But that doesn't explain Creevey. If Dumbledore couldn't unpetrify him, what else could it be but Slytherin's monster?"

Draco and Zabini pouted at the remark, as if the statement was somehow a reflection against them. "There are plenty of dark spells and enchantments someone could have used on him. It's not like Dumbledore's infallible." Zabini answered. "Blaming it on the Chamber of Secrets could just be a scapegoat."

Wayne muttered with uncertainty "Maybe… I guess we can't be sure until Creevey's unpetrified."

"Whenever that will be." Draco rolled his eyes.

Harry disliked the boy's tone. "Come on, Draco, it's not like they'll just leave him like that. After all, Professor Sprout is growing more than enough mandrakes to cure him. He won't be petrified for long."

"Are you sure?" There was a devilish gleam in Draco's eyes. It spoke of dangerous assurance, and brought a shiver of uncertainty down Harry's spine. Moreso as Draco fixed into a saccharine smile and raised his hand for the professor's attention. When called upon he spoke in a floating, gentle tone. "Professor, I understand that this is not part of today's lesson, but can you tell us when the mandrakes will be old enough to be useful for any potions?"

Harry turned to hear Professor Sprout's answer. She appeared mistrustful of the question, likely suspecting Draco had plans to use the mandrakes for himself. "Certainly not anytime soon, Mister Malfoy. While a short number of potions do use mandrakes in their juvenile state, mandrakes are best harvested when they reach full maturity. In the case of these mandrakes, it will be seven more months before they reach that state."

SEVEN MONTHS?! Harry nearly fell out of his seat on hearing her answer. He turned briefly to Draco, long enough to see the boy's smile as he thanked the professor. Then Harry raised his own hand. "Pardon me, Professor, but if that's the case, shouldn't the school order mature mandrakes to help Creevey get better?"

There was a murmur around the classroom on hearing the question. Professor Sprout, herself, offered a sad sigh. "It would be wonderful if we could, Mister Potter. Unfortunately, fully mature mandrakes are incredibly expensive. The seeds we received this year were very costly and specially delivered from India. I'm afraid we just don't have the means to bring an adult mandrake here for the poor boy."

"But he's-!" Harry shut his mouth, finding the need to argue utterly futile. "I understand, Professor. Thank you." He turned back around to work on the assignment. As he worked, his face screwed up in frustration.

Draco muttered quietly to Harry. "I told you so."

Harry growled quietly. "It's not right, though! They're just going to leave him there for seven months! That's practically the whole year! He's just a boy! No one should have to live like that!"

The others said nothing in response. They gave each other questioning or nervous glances, but a couple shakes to the head was enough to deter them from continuing the conversation. So the class went on; and, as it did, Harry stewed with frustration. Frustration, and determination.

I'm not going to let it happen. Not to anyone else!

As soon as class ended, Harry got to work. First he got Tracey Davies, who promised to reach out to the upper years and then Dean Thomas and Parvati Patil after lunch. Meanwhile he went over to Stephen Cornfoot, and got him to work through the other Ravenclaws. Then, once his own list finished up, it was a matter of waiting at an agonized pace through afternoon classes until the day was done. When the final bell rang, he went up to the seventh floor to where The VATIC gets together for their meetings.

"Hello, everyone," Egalitaire began, "I know this is a bit unorthodox to host an emergency meeting; but I promise it's with good reason. Potter, if you'll begin."

Harry stood and made his case to the assembled group. He talked about the news Professor Sprout had given about the difficulties of getting the mandrakes ready in time, and made an impassioned speech on the injustice of having an innocent eleven year old boy suffer for all that time, and that they should do something about it.

"But what can we do?" Kenneth Towler asked. "It's not like we can force the plants to grow faster."

Thomas gave a hapless shrug. "We could always do a fundraiser?"

Stephen scoffed at the idea. "You think we could raise more money ourselves than the school budget?"

"Why not? My last school did that plenty of times."

Hyslop jumped in. "But students hardly have any money to spend on charity."

"It's not children who donate to charity." Luna added with a dainty, knowing smile "My father gets donations from grown wizards and witches who follow the Quibbler and like what he has to say."

"Exactly…" Melly purred, then pointed to Luna. "We don't have to limit ourselves to children, or even the staff. We've got the entirety of Magical Britain at our fingertips!"

Though others looked on with confusion, it was Domonkos who first grabbed her meaning. "I can write a letter to my mother. She can convince the editor of the Prophet to publish information about the fundraiser."

Now the others were catching on. "And Lovegood's dad runs the Quibbler." Merton stated, "And the band sometimes does interviews on the Wireless. I can reach out to Myron and the boys, see if they can spread the word?"

"I don't have connections like that…" Patil admitted, "But my mum and dad have business connections in India. Maybe someone they know can find an apothecary that sells mandrake? I'm sure they can find a fair price to have some shipped here?"

"That's a great idea!" Harry grinned.

The group jumped fullsteam into brainstorming mode. It was agreed that Patil, Graves, Soros, and Lovegood will write to their respective family and friends. Meanwhile, Thomas, Bennett, Potter, and Cornfoot will rush over to the art club room and get to work on posters for the letters and common rooms. Once everything is properly set up, the four houses will direct their donations to Towler, Davis, Egalitaire, and Hyslop to be collected and counted. With enough luck and perseverance, they just might be able to pull this off!

After the group broke into thirds, Melly pulled Harry aside with a request to borrow his invisibility cloak. "I got a camera in the post today." She explained. "I can sneak over to the corridor and snap pictures of the message. We can use them for the Quibbler and the Prophet. Maybe even a picture of Creevey, too, for extra validity?"

"That's a good idea. People are more likely to be won over if they can see who's the person being hurt." He pulled the wrapped cloak from his school bag and passed it to her. With a shudder and a grimace, Melly unfurled the cloak and put it around her, shuddering more as its invisibility magic activated. "I'm curious, though, why did you buy a camera of all things?"

Melly gave a passive shrug. "Eh, why not? Magical cameras sound cool and second hand ones are pretty affordable."

"Fair enough. Just be careful. I've heard that patrols are watching that corridor a lot now."

"Don't worry about it. I'll be back soon enough and with enough glorious pictures for a grand debut!"

AC: Why, yes, Harry is projecting his abuse and neglect onto what Creevey is going through!

Commentary: You know, with Honey Badger!Harry, This Is Magdalene references, the camaraderie in this chapter, and the sheer chaos of the next, it's safe to say that chapters 66-69 is my favourite part of this story.