The Peverell Triplets & the Chamber of Secrets
A/N: Here's the next chapter of Chamber of Secrets. Sorry for the long wait, I've had a rough battle with writer's block and I'm still not happy with this chapter even if I won the battle. It's short, but the next one will actually involve their school year starting. I hope it's not too terrible. The next one will hopefully be better once I get it out. Please Review and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: Since I can't remember if I put one up already, but I don't own the world of Harry Potter or it's characters.
Chapter 2: Back to Hogwarts
The Hogwarts express was much less busy, much to their group's relief. The Malfoys, Longbottoms, and Peverells had decided to go an hour early for both a good compartment and to avoid the press rush that the Potters always had following them. Made worse by Matthew's unexpected landing on the front page of the Prophet alongside Gilderoy Lockhart. They easily found an empty compartment and claimed it for themselves before re-joining their guardians on the platform. "And you're sure you're okay Antioch?" Alice asked. The oldest brother was still pale from last night and everyone had been concerned.
"I'm sure Lady Longbottom-" Antioch began.
"None of that lady stuff. I told you four to just call me Alice or Aunt Alice." Alice told him, making them blush.
"Sorry Ms. Alice." Ignotus said with a smile. All the children had been given permission to call the adults aunt and uncle. And Ignotus had been the most unsure about it, considering his experiences as Harry Potter back with his blood relatives. And while they didn't know about that, the adults knew something had happened. They could only hope that they could help the children by giving them some more adult protectors. "But Anti was anxious last night. He's really fine. Cad can give him a pepper up potion later to help if he gets any paler."
"If you're sure." she gave in. "But you lot keep in touch with us and let us know if anything else happens."
"And keep an eye out on the post for the next couple days. Who knows, something might arrive for the headmaster." Lucius added with a grin. The children grinned. The leak of the troll would be happening soon. They were looking forward to the aftermath.
"Oh, we will." they assured. The hour passed quicker than any of them had expected and soon the children were saying goodbyes to the adults and getting to their apartment before the Potters showed up. Then they were finally on their way back to Hogwarts. Back to home.
-TPT&TCOS-
The ride passed peacefully enough. They were visited by some of their friends including the Weasley Twins who had been grumbling about little Ronald- and now Ginny- who were both still hanging around and leeching off the Potter Heir that had come with the Weasley family to the train that morning. Apparently, Ginerva Weasley had the biggest crush on the boy-who-lived. "I swear Ignotus. I'll be sick all year if I'm going to be watching it." George said with a groan.
"Then just don't watch her all year George." Ignotus said like it was obvious. The twins stared at Ignotus for a moment.
"It's still weird that you can tell us apart." Fred said with a small smile.
"Anti and Cad can too, they just rarely have reason to address you guys separately." Ignotus ratted his brothers out, which in turn got shocked looks from the others.
"You can!?" they all asked in shock.
"Yes, we can." Cadmus said, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"This is awesome! That brings it up to a total of six people who can tell us apart now." George grinned at his twin.
"Six?" Draco asked.
"Those three, Lee, Charlie, and Bill." Fred explained.
"I see. And the rest of your clan?" Antioch asked, eyes narrowed slightly. The twins blushed; a bit embarrassed.
"They've never really put in the effort to do so." George admitted.
"I can teach them a lesson if you want." Ignotus offered innocently.
"NO! You would have to actually get involved with them, and you shouldn't suffer on our account." the twins insisted.
"How about the ones that are here then?" Ignotus asked.
"Free game." they answered without hesitation.
Ignotus nodded. "I already have several ideas to implement. We'll see what happens, shall we?" he asked with a smile, one shared by Antioch and Cadmus. And suddenly, the rest of the compartment almost felt sorry for their targets. Almost. The train ride was much more relaxing than last year. It helped that Matthew Potter and Ronald Weasley hadn't approached them yet. As the ride progressed, some of the now second year Slytherins and Hufflepuffs visited the compartment to visit with Draco, Neville, and the triplets. They were less than an hour out from Hogwarts when the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan popped into their compartment again with news.
"Matthew and Ron never got onto the platform." George told them, unable to help worry just a little. They might not be fans of either boy, but one was still their baby brother, and both were only 12 years old.
"What?" The triplets asked.
"We've gone up and down the train. They're nowhere and everyone is noticing. We just thought we missed them due to the crowd when we arrived. But now..." Fred trailed off.
"I'm sure they're fine you guys." Antioch reassured the boys.
"You think?" Fred asked, already relaxing at the boy's words.
"Of course. Our luck isn't good enough for anything to have happened to a Potter." Cadmus assured. He understood Matthew was a child and honestly, wanted nothing to happen to the boy... in terms of something actually serious. Matthew Potter could get knocked off his high horse and humbled though for all he cared, and Cadmus wasn't above hexing or cursing the older boy if he targeted his family. The two elder Potters he could care even less about their fates.
Those present knew that none of the Peverells liked the Potter family. But out of the three of them, Cadmus in particular had a very real hatred of them. They figured they'd get an explanation whenever Cadmus decided that he was willing to do so.
"I'm glad. If something did happen, then we wouldn't get to see Ignotus's pay back to them on our behalf." George said with a grin. Already he was calmer than when he and his twin had entered. The Peverell triplets had a way of soothing their friends, sometimes without even realizing it. Not that the older two would admit to having friends.
The twins and Lee stayed in the compartment with the five second years and discussed Quidditch. The twins were thrilled that Draco and Ignotus were going to try out for their house teams. "That means we'll be facing you on the field if you make it. After all, we're the beaters for Gryffindor." George said excitedly.
"And I'm the commentator for the games." Lee added before he frowned in thought. "Did you three even watch any of the games last year?"
"Um... We had studying to do." Ignotus said with a rueful grin. "Although, Draco and Neville gave us play-by-plays of the games. And I read about Quidditch last year and I know all of the fouls possible in the game. So rest assured, I'll make sure to give you guys a fun game that pushes you to your limits." he assured the twins.
"You better. After all, as Seeker, you'll be our main target." Fred grinned at the boy who laughed. His older brothers narrowed their eyes at the twins but said nothing. The twins could feel the warning.
'Scary.' They thought, not letting it show as they continued their time together. Finally, the train pulled to a stop, and they were at Hogsmeade Station. "You guys should come join us in our carriage." Fred encouraged.
"Yeah! You're second years now, which means no boat for you." Lee added. The second years rolled their eyes but accepted the offer as they had no one else they had planned on going with at the time. The triplets weren't surprised to see the threstals that were pulling the carriage.
"Are they being pulled by magic?" Draco asked curiously.
"Nope. They're pulled by threstals." Cadmus explained, voice soft.
"Threstals?" Neville asked.
"They're a magical creature that can only be seen by those who have witnessed and understood Death." A voice said from behind them. It was Blaise Zambini. "Sorry, overheard the question and answered." the tall Italian boy apologized.
"It's fine. I guess you can see them too?" Antioch asked curiously. Blaise nodded.
"That four children, especially as young as you four, see them is a bit depressing." Lee commented, not being rude but trying for sympathetic.
"Death tends to be." Ignotus said, before looking in. There was enough room for all of them to get in. So, with a motioning gesture to Blaise and the others, the six second years and three fourth years climbed into the carriage and made their way to Hogwarts's gates. They learned more about Blaise through himself and Draco. Normally the boy hung out with the other Slytherins but had gotten hung back by the crowd. He was fluent in Latin and Italian. His mother and himself were both pure bloods, but they were actually of neutral affiliation. It was interesting and they did enjoy the conversation. Finally, though, they arrived at Hogwarts and had to go their separate ways. They were officially back home.
As they sat at their table, the triplets noticed that Death, in his teacher's disguise, wasn't present. And Lily Potter was looking at the Gryffindor table in worry, not seeing her son or his friend Ronald. So the duo really had missed the train. It had them curious, actually. What could have prevented the two boys from getting on the train? They figured Death was dealing with it and knew he'd let them know later about what had happened. They joined in the cheering for all the new first years, keeping an eye on the ones who joined their house. They were then informed by Albus Dumbledore about their newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart. It was part way through the feast that Minerva McGonagall, Lily Potter, and Albus Dumbledore left the staff table. The brothers could only assume that Potter and Weasley were finally found.
As the triplets sat in their dorm that night, they talked about the upcoming term and their plans and expectations. "So, class wise: Neville and Draco will keep us updated about Defense and Lockhart's actions. The only other issue involving the classes will probably be any sabotage attempts made by Potter and Weasley." Cadmus said.
"In addition to staying at the top of our classes, we'll need to look into anything that happened back when Tom Riddle was going to school here. We know something is going to happen and we know it'll involve him. Which means we'll need to keep an eye on the Golden Trio, since they'll most likely be involved in it too." Antioch sighed.
"We'll start by looking into anything that students can be involved in, like the trophy room and the record archives. We can also ask Prof. Flitwick. I know he wasn't a teacher at Hogwarts- let alone born- when Tom Riddle was here, but he could also make other inquiries that we couldn't. Death could also look into any abnormalities from around that time. Outside of that, there's not much else we can do until any of our searches and inquiries bear fruit, something happens, or Anti remembers something else." Ignotus added.
"Outside of that then, we have the post to look forwards too. More being added to the casebook against Albus in hopes of getting him out of here sooner. You'll have quidditch tryouts next week. We'll continue our studies. Deal out some much-needed revenge on George and Fred's siblings." Antioch continued.
"And we now have two sets of parents to keep in touch with since they worry about us, and we'll need to keep an eye on Lily and Albus in case they have anything planned." Cadmus finished. The triplets nodded in confirmation on what little they could confirm and turned in for the night upon seeing that it was almost time for lights out for second years. The upcoming school year was already going to be a busy one they could tell.
A/N: I really hope it wasn't bad even with its absurd shortness. I promise the next one'll be longer. Thanks for reading!