Before Harry went to the kitchen, Remus called for him to follow him to the study. Once they were inside, Remus started pacing, having a difficult time speaking.
"Just say it, Remus"—Harry said he knew this was coming.
"What you said, this morning about us being your family, it meant a lot to me".
"It was true. I…"—Harry took a deep breath and sat down, Remus copying him. –"I'm not going to pretend I wasn't angry when I realized how close you were to Mom and Dad, but then, I realized your life couldn't be easy."
"I should've been there. I… after my father died almost immediately, my petition was denied, and Dumbledore visited me to tell me you were safe; that Petunia had taken you in, and she had a boy the same age as you."-He swallowed- "I thought it was perfect, enough for me to grief, but the grieved never went away, and then the Werewolf laws became more horrifying. I had to leave the country…"
"Where did you go?"
"I first went to South America. The werewolf laws are not so restricted there, but eventually, people ask, and I have to move. I went to Africa, and a few parts of Asia and then moved around Western Europe. When Hagrid contacted me, I had been in Germany for a year and realized for the first time how long it really had been."
"Where were you living?"—Harry asked.
Remus knew what Harry was asking, if you had no job, how were you moving around?
"I might look old, but I'm not, I stayed with people my age"—Remus smiled kindly—"I lived with Muggles and squibs who wanted to travel and live out of the Pachamama. It means mother earth…"
"So hippies"—Harry laughed. He imagined camping and vans eating in the open and just enjoying themselves
"Yes, something like that. They thought I was sick and those who knew didn't judge even though sometimes they tried to help, but eventually, things became awkward, and I had to leave, When I returned to Europe I stayed with a few of the light side Werewolf packs I met in the war"
"You said you sent me gifts?
"I did. For the first four birthdays, I sent you teddy bears and books I found during my travels, Fairy tale books that could be associated with magic. Now I understand why you never got them."
"The question is if they ever arrived at Private Drive. They might be in Gringotts"
"Yes, that's a possibility"
Harry nodded, he really wanted to get to know Remus better, he was a nice man, and knew he would be able to teach him a lot. Even though he knew up close how dangerous he could be, he didn't feel any type of threat from him.
"Did you ever consider looking for me"
Remus' expression changes to sadness—"I did and realize I couldn't give you anything. I mean…"-he shook his head-" Harry the places I've lived wouldn't have been appropriate for a child, the people I've had to associate myself with, it would've been dangerous to you. I only have the cottage my parents left me, but I would think; "what about jobs? And food, Harry will need clothes, what about the full moon?" As quickly as the thought of meeting you came, it left"
Harry nodded and felt a tight knot in his stomach. Life hadn't been fair to any of the Marauders. –"I'm rich Remus, did you ever consider…"
"No. Unfortunately, that would've been a problem too"—Harry was about to speak, but Remus stopped him—"The law was abolished recently after the discovery of wolfsbane five years ago. But before that, Werewolf's couldn't have a certain amount of Money and the Ministry was able to block your parent's inheritance towards me. Your money would've been the same until you went to Hogwarts, I believed you were better without me."
"Why don't you have the money now?"
"You have to be under the wolfsbane for two years, and it's very expensive"—
"So if you would've stayed at Hogwarts, it…"
"Perhaps, but I knew Snape would only get worse, and the school didn't need a bad reputation. Once again, the grief and my mistakes came back to hunt me so quickly I didn't even have time to steady myself"—Remus said, tears down his cheeks.
Harry felt like he was interrogating the poor man, but he believed this was what Remus wanted, to be able to come clean. –"What did you do when you realized I had already been in Hogwarts for a year?"—
"I panicked, I couldn't believe I had let pain take so much. I finished the job I was doing and came back to England, I tried to contact you by Christmas of your second year but no response came back, and Dumbledore said that you were having problems getting used to the wizarding world, to give you space."—Remus scowled.-"A few months later he came to offer me the job for the DADA and I agreed, two days later it was world known that Sirius had escaped. Now I realize that given his status in the Ministry, Dumbledore knew before the media, and he decided it was time to call me in.
Remus took a deep breath—"I prepared a long speech to tell you"—he chuckled, his expression between sadness and resignation—"But then I saw you on the platform…
"You weren't asleep, were you?"—
"Not at the beginning. I wanted to see how much of us you knew, and it hurt to know you had no idea who I was, and the fact that you didn't even know about Sirius made me realize how protected Dumbledore had you. I confronted Dumbledore about it, and he told me he was going to start talking to you soon, but that it was complicated because you were still so young."
Harry made a face at that. –"But what about our meetings and the small conversations we had?"
"I no longer believed I deserved your attention"—Remus said, defeated.
Harry sighed. He couldn't fault the men, he truly couldn't. Merlin knew he understood what it felt to be unloved and unwanted, he could still remember the guilt he felt all summer because of …Cedric, how easily you could let those feelings take control of you.
"After you left in third year, I wanted to write, but I didn't know if you wanted me to. I could've used your help in the tournament, but I didn't write because I was angry at you. The point is I was young, and you have this horrible self-hate that's going to kill you if you don't let go of it."—Remus took a deep breath at those words and Harry wondered if he had said them too harshly, still he kept going.
"We could've sat down and talked before you left, but we are awkward and not necessarily the emotional type. I don't hate you Remus for staying away, I'm no longer angry, so you don't have to worry about it"
Remus shook his head and Harry realized that he was holding back tears. It was a strange sight; Remus had always been calm and collected. Harry knew he had to prove it to the men, so he stood up, Remus did as well and Harry hugged him. –"I really consider you family. Like in Uncle— Harry didn't hear the sob, but the shoulder shake confirms Remus was crying—"I might not call you that, but the sentiment is there"
"Thank you"—Remus whispered hoarsely.—"I will make sure you won't regret it"
They were interrupted when Sirius walked in. He stopped in his tracks and smiled at both of them—"Ah, how are we doing?"
"Better than I deserve"
"Remus…"—Harry started
"I know old habits die hard"
"Well, that's good. Molly is about to serve."
"Let's go."—Harry said, walking out, both men following—"Have you had your emotional chat?"
Both men laugh.—"Yes, it involved shouting, throwing stuff, and a few punches…"
Harry stopped and turned around to look at them.—"Really!"
"Yeah, it was after the tournament. I arrived and explained everything and then all the anger and resentment both of us had for each other started coming out, I don't remember who threw the first punch"
"I threw a book, and we broke a table and there was blood, it died down pretty quickly. The next thing we know, we're drinking Firewhisky and crying"—Remus smiled sadly. The three of them arrived at the kitchen, where everyone was already eating.
-"Sorry for the delay"—Remus said shyly.
"It's alright."—They all said
Dora smiled at him and she mouth. Are you ok? He smiled and nodded back. Not noticing Ted looking at them with a Smirk. He had been watching his daughter since they got here yesterday, and slowly his suspicions were turning true.
"So the following chapters, how ugly do they get"—Andromeda asked. She hadn't heard much of the attacks, other than Lockhart retiring entirely from writing.
"Ugly enough that we won't be able to finish the book today"—Ginny said, glaring and stabbing at her lunch, and no one dared to disagree.
Harry looked at Ginny before answering.—"It gets bad, between Lockhart, the first attack, and finding out the truth It was a horrible year for me"— he winced and looked at Ginny—"Sorry I know you…"—He stopped when Ginny shook her head.
"I won't hex you for saying your year was horrible, it was. It was horrible for all of us"
No one said anything else and quickly made their way back to the Ballroom. Once they all sat down, the book started.
CHAPTER SEVEN—Mudbloods and Murmurs
"Who would dare to say that word"—Augusta said, outraged
"Colin seems a little too intense"—Ted said, laughing—"Harry, is he still like that?"
"No, he's gotten better"
"Oliver," Harry croaked. "It's the crack of dawn."(...) "It's part of our new training program.
"No one trains that early, not even your father and let me tell you he was a ruthless captain."—Harry smiled at Sirius, he had gotten angry when he didn't make prefect, but he was hoping the captain's badge would be his next year.
"Oliver did"—the twins—"The worst year in quidditch training."
Harry told Sirius—"He signed with Puddlemere United Reserve team, last Summer"
Sirius whistled impressed.
"Colin is getting creepy"—Luna said
"I think he has a crush more than admiration"
Harry shrugs—"Perhaps, but he's gotten better"
Fred laughed at his description-"I don't remember that we were all half asleep"
"Harry, no one blames you for anything"—George said
Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker'. "
McGonagall glared at Severus.
"Let me guess who it is"—Tonks said, rolling her eyes.
"Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team."
"Of course, he bought his way into the team, that's what Malfoys do"
"Why did you allow it?"—Remus asked McGonagall
"Lucius took it to the Board, and they felt complied to accept such a generous offer"
The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered.(…) "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he spat.
The cries of outrage from Sirius and Remus as from the Tonks took Harry by surprised
"Did you teach him that word?"—Sirius spat towards Snape who glared back.
Harry frowned when he saw that even Remus wanted to say something in anger. What was that about—He thought.
"I'm glad you didn't know what that meant"—Sirius said, shaking his head.—"Are you alright, Hermione?"
Hermione smiled –"I'm fine, that was his favorite word that year, so I'm used to it. I know what I'm"
"Ron, did you just curse yourself?"—Charlie said, concerned.
"His wand is broken, it is a miracle he didn't kill himself"—Fleur said, shaking her head, earning a glare from the Weasley Matriarch.
Ron gave a huge heave and more slugs dribbled down his front.
"Aughh, I can still feel that sensation."
"Unfortunately, Poppy would've done the same as me"—Hagrid said—"Just let them come out"
"Ron, that curse is very aggressive, you could've hurt yourself pretty badly"
It was most unlike Hagrid to criticize a Hogwarts' teacher
"I didn't like him, he only talked about himself"
"No one liked him"
There are some wizards — like Malfoy's family — who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood."
"Not only the Malfoys, I can give you a list of people from the Ministry who enjoy that word in private"—Amelia said with disgust.
"Is it illegal?"—Hermione asked her.
Moody answered— "No, but the word is vile, and it was used a lot in the first war, sometimes it was written in the house of dead Muggles."—
Hermione looked horrified.
"I mean, the rest of us know it doesn't make any difference at all. Look at Neville Longbottom — he's pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up."
Snape wanted to agree
"I could do better if we had a better teacher"—Neville said forgetting for a moment Snape was present
"If we hadn't married Muggles we'd've died out."
Mr. Weasley was quite proud of Ron's knowledge.
-"You're very right, Mr. Weasley"—McGonagall said
Bill agreed Lucius would have been vindictive-"It would've caused some problem for the family, that is true"-
"I'm I really that bad a cook?"
"No, it's good, but we are all not half-giants. It's a little hard for our teeth"—Charlie said kindly to the men he used to have tea with.
"Said she was jus' lookin' round the grounds, but I reckon she was hopin' she might run inter someone else at my house." He winked at Harry. "
"What were you doing there"—Percy accused her.
Ginny just stared him down.—"Trying to see how to kill his roosters"
A few looked at her strangely, not knowing if she was joking.
"You will be polishing the silver in the trophy room with Mr. Filch," said Professor McGonagall. "And no magic, Weasley — elbow grease."
"Ah we've all been there"—The Marauders said, twins nodding.
"Not me, my detentions involved cleaning the Greenhouse"—Tonks said grimacing, she hated plants.
"And you, Potter, will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail,"
"Why? I don't trust that man"—Sirius said. He had a bad feeling about this Lockhart guy.
Hermione behind them, wearing a well-you-did-break-school-rules sort of expression.
"It's gotten worse with age"—Ron said mocking Hermione
"I would've rather dusted the library books"—Harry said to McGonagall, who actually looked a little apologetic.
And then he heard something — something quite apart from the spitting of the dying candles and Lockhart's prattle about his fans.
Harry knew what was coming, so he levitated a calming draught in front of Ginny, who looked surprised when she realized who had been, and smiled back. She quickly added a few drops to her tea and gulped it.
It was a voice, a voice to chill the bone marrow, a voice of breathtaking, ice-cold venom. (…) "Come… come to me… Let me rip you.. .Let me tear you.. .Let me kill you…"
Harry looked at the book, surprised; he could hear the hissing and the translation. He turned around and saw everyone shuddering, they could hear it too! or at least the translation he thought. Sirius kept looking at the book and him, Remus had that frown he did when he was trying to understand something and all the Weasleys looked terrified, even Percy.
"What is it"—Amelia broke the silence
"You will find out"—Harry said, a grimace on his face
"No," said Harry frantically. "That voice!"
"He can't hear it. Why?"—Augusta said alarmed, her nail pressing painfully into Neville's arm.
"It's obvious"—Luna said dreamily, looking at Harry, who shook his head. They all had to guess on their own time. He wondered if Luna had known there was a huge snake in the castle.
"Where were you?"—Moody asked, and Harry was about to answer when he saw he was talking to Ginny.
"With the voice"
Andy frowns— "I'm getting confused"
CHAPTER EIGHT—The Deathday Party
Madam Pomfrey, the nurse, was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students.
"Yeah don't remind us, because of Oliver the whole quidditch team got sick"—Fred mumbled
McGonagall pressed her lips, had she let Oliver take it too far
Ginny Weasley, who had been looking pale, was bullied into taking some by Percy.
"The only time that year he cared"—Ginny said making all of her brother's wince.
Oliver Wood's enthusiasm for regular training sessions, however, was not dampened
"We are to train in the rain-
- cold
-and fire"—Harry and The twins said remembering Oliver's speech.
McGonagall looked at the boys—"Why did none of you complain?".—
"Because it's quidditch"—Ginny said like it was obvious.
Kingsley nodded—"If Wood knew he was going professional, he was going to train like one"
"The board is full of idiots. They should've forced Lucius to donate for all the teams or no donation at all"—Amelia said, writing what looked like a list of names.
Fuming, Nearly Headless Nick stuffed the letter away.(…) "Half an inch of skin and sinew holding my neck on, Harry! Most people would think that's good and beheaded
"He's still with that?"—Sirius said shaking his head
"Yes and Sir Patrick's became more of a git"—Remus answered back, the trio looked at the Marauders who shrugged—"We had a polite relationship with the ghosts. They don't sleep, so a quick run to the kitchen was a guarantee of running into one."
Filch isn't in a good mood — he's got the flu and some third years accidentally plastered frog brains all over the ceiling in dungeon five
"All four ended in the Hospital wing"—Snape said shaking his head. He really hated pranksters.
Harry had never been inside Filch's office before; it was a place most students avoided.
"The disappointment"—Sirius whispered only for Harry to hear, this one shove him playfully.
Fred and George Weasley had an entire drawer to themselves.
"Ha, James and I had one for each other and the Marauders another"—Sirius said with fake disappointment in his voice.
"Hey we've done our best"—the twins defended themselves. Mrs. Weasley glared at all three.
"Filch would've been a great crime attorney"—Neville said
Why on earth did Filch want a Kwikspell course? Did this mean he wasn't a proper wizard? Harry was just reading Lesson One: Holding Your Wand
"He's a squib?"—Neville said surprised. He thought Filch was just a low-core wizard
"He is, his mother worked for mine and I promised I would take care of her kin. Filch was abandoned by his brothers when he didn't get his letter." –Dumbledore said, everyone was surprised and felt pity for the men but…
"Be as it may, his attitude could be better"—Amelia said unimpressed, knowing what Dumbledore was doing.
"Oh Harry, you embarrassed him"—
"You are too nosy"—Andromeda reprimanded slightly
"Nick is great"
"I'm holding a party down in one of the roomier dungeons. (…) but I daresay you'd rather go to the school feast?" (…) "No," said Harry quickly, "I'll come —" Nearly Headless Nick beamed at him.
"I've never been to one, didn't even know that ghost celebrated their deaths."—Neville said
"You are not missing much"—Tonks said, Remus questioned whose party she went to
"The fat Friar, his three hundred"
It was an incredible sight. The dungeon was full of hundreds of pearly-white, translucent people
"So no one likes the Bloody Baron"—Ted stated
"They know why he's covered in Blood and the meaning behind his chains"—Luna said a dash of a frown crossing her dreamy expression. Snape looked curious; it was rare for a student to know the full story.
"Oh, no," said Hermione, stopping abruptly. "Turn back, turn back, I don't want to talk to Moaning Myrtle —"
"Why so mean to Pervert Myrtle"—Sirius shook his head disapprovingly
"Pervert?"—McGonagall glared
"No, he is right"—Harry and Remus agreed
The twins laughed at Hermione talking about peeing and Ginny looked guilty, knowing it had been her fault Myrtle had been emotional all year.
"Peeves is like a dog, he can smell fear"—
Sirius looked offended.
A few chuckled. –"Peeves likes drama"
D'you think I don't know what people call me behind my back? Fat Myrtle! Ugly Myrtle! Miserable, moaning, moping Myrtle!"(…)
"Poor Myrtle, Ravenclaws are not always nice"—Luna said, and all the boys from the D.A. glared at her words. They were able to get to know her better this few weeks and even though she was a little quirky, she was a nice person.
Professor McGonagall stared at her. She would address it later.
"Sir Patrick sounds like a dick"—Ted said and soon was reprimanded by his vocabulary –"How did he die?"
"Lovers quarrel…Rumors say"—Dumbledore provided.
And then Harry heard it.
"… rip… tear… kill…"
"It's that voice again — shut up a minute —"
"… soo hungry… for so long…"
"Listen!" said Harry urgently, and Ron and Hermione froze, watching him.
"… kill… time to kill…"
"You couldn't hear it either"—Augusta said concerned. Neville had never told her anything about a voice.
"No, to know we had been so close to it"—Ron said and then looked at Hermione who actually had been right in front of it, she smiled reassuringly.
"… I smell blood… I SMELL BLOOD!"…His stomach lurched — "It's going to kill someone!" he shouted…he ran up the next flight of steps three at a time
"Why!"—Sirius whined—"Are you following it, Harry, dammit"
"It was going to hurt someone"
"That's no excuse Harry, don't follow dangerous things."—Remus said pinching the bridge of his nose.
Ron and Harry shared a look, their family was going to take a huge scare when they met Aragog.
But Hermione gave a sudden gasp, pointing down the corridor. (…) "Look!"(…) THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE
Ginny started sniffing, she was close to sobbing, and Charlie kept murmuring sweet words to her after she had refused to go sit down between her parents.
The students, who had been present that day, were quiet, remembering the fear and confusion of the following week.
"He's not wrong, Filch won't take this nicely."
"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"
"Who the hell…"—Kingsley started
It was Draco Malfoy.
"Oh never mind"
He had pushed to the front of the crowd, his cold eyes alive, his usually bloodless face flushed, as he grinned at the sight of the hanging, immobile cat.
"He knows something; No one takes pleasure like that for nothing."
"I'm surprised his father hasn't warned him to know when and with whom to say these things"—Andromeda shook her head. Her parents had always been careful to point out that not everyone would appreciate their beliefs.
CHAPTER NINE—The Writing on the Wall
"Oh no poor Filch"—Tonks said, quickly defending herself after the stares she received—"That cat is his only companion, like watching a family member get hurt."
"Murder threats is too much even for Filch"
Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearing a most peculiar expression: It was as though he was trying hard not to smile.
Everyone in the room turned around to Snape, who rolled his eyes.—"I believed it to be a prank gone wrong"
"So you were excited about the punishment they were going to receive."—Augusta glared—"It speaks volumes of your character"
"He hasn't changed much then"—Sirius mumbled, Harry heard him and leaned towards him—"What is the real reason you two hate each other?"—
Sirius pressed his lips together—"That's a conversation for Remus and I to have with you together but not now, soon perhaps before the third book" Harry accepted that and focused back on the book.
"It was definitely a curse that killed her — probably the Transmogrifian Torture — I've seen it used many times, so unlucky I wasn't there.
Remus started laughing out loud; everyone could see he was truly amused.—"Tell me Albus, what exactly crosses your mind at the moment"
Dumbledore looked quite amused—"I didn't hear him I was focused on something else, but he did test my patience a few times"
At last Dumbledore straightened up.—"She's not dead, Argus," he said softly.—Lockhart stopped abruptly in the middle of counting the number of murders he had prevented.
"He got to number twenty-two."—Ron said disgusted.
"I'm starting to see why Black is angry at you, Albus. Potter shouldn't be this ignorant of his own world." –Augusta said not realizing she had been contradicting herself a lot regarding parenting.
"She has been Petrified," said Dumbledore
"What petrifies people?"-
"A gorgon"—Remus said— "though they are native of Greece and the last sighting of one was in 1854. I don't believe one just decided to walk into Hogwarts"
Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said, a slight sneer curling his mouth
"Why the change of heart?"—Mr. Weasley said his hand still holding his wife's who looked quite pale.
-"The moment I heard Dumbledore do the incantation I knew it was Dark magic."
"Because — because —" Harry said, his heart thumping very fast; something told him it would sound very far-fetched if he told them he had been led there by a bodiless voice no one but he could hear, "because we were tired and wanted to go to bed," he said.
"Perhaps next time be more truthful"—Snape scowled back
"Perhaps next time, try to be nicer"—Harry retorted.
Dumbledore was giving Harry a searching look. His twinkling light-blue gaze made Harry feel as though he were being X-rayed
"You knew he was lying"
"Why not question him more?"
"Because like I said innocent until proven guilty and if Harry wished to tell me he would've."—Dumbledore said with a little too much confidence that Harry didn't like.
"So now the git is also a potion master"—Moody said he was also starting to dislike the fellow
"D'you think I should have told them about that voice I heard?" (…) "No," said Ron, without hesitation. "Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world."
"Oh Ron that probably did nothing for Harry"—Mrs. Weasley said
"Perhaps not but he isn't wrong. The mind of a wizard is very important, if it's broken the magic is unstable. I can only imagine the comment Snape here would've done with that information." –Amelia said staring the potion master down.
Harry had seen him scrubbing the message on the wall with Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover, but to no effect; the words still gleamed as brightly as ever on the stone.
"They used magic?"—Kingsley said
"Yes and no. it was a permanent sticking charm, paint, and rooster blood"—Ginny answered unevenly.
Everyone realized she had been telling the truth about the roosters.
-"You wrote the message?"—Moody asked, the books had just got more interesting.
"Yes, I also killed the Roosters, bleed them actually"
—Mrs. Weasley choked; her daughter hadn't been that vocal about what happened that year, only to the mind healer in Egypt.
The Weasley family gulped. They hated what happened to their sister but if she was going to talk about it with such calm then so were they.
–"The message is still there but now it's covered by a long portrait"—McGonagall said
"But you haven't really got to know Mrs. Norris," Ron told her bracingly. "Honestly, we're much better off without her." Ginny's lip trembled (…)I just hope he's got time to Petrify Filch before he's expelled. I'm only joking —" Ron added hastily as Ginny blanched.
Ron closed his eyes, that is something he still berated himself for, ignoring Ginny and not realizing his sister had been in danger. –"I should've realized Ginny I'm sorry"—
Ginny shrugged—"It's alright Ron"
saw Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Hufflepuff boy from Herbology, Harry had just opened his mouth to say hello when Justin caught sight of him, tu rned abruptly, and sped off in the opposite direction
"What is wrong with this Fletchley?"-Ted frowns.
"I still think he is an idiot."—He whispered to Harry so that his mother wouldn't hear him
...
Luna held her hand up and asked for a pause to use the Loo. One that Ginny and Hermione took advantage of and disappeared. Mrs. Weasley tried to get up and go after Ginny but was stopped by Bill.—"Mom leave her. This is only starting and you're going to overwhelm her, it will only put her on edge"
"She's my daughter she might…"
"No Mom."—Charlie said— "We don't need an overwhelmed Ginny. Please, she's with Luna and Hermione, she's okay"-
While this conversation was taking place, Remus, Sirius, Tonks, and Amelia who had come to their side were discussing what they knew about the chamber with Harry; Ron had gone to his family.
"Did Susan say anything about this year to you?"—Tonks asked
"She sent a letter immediately, I asked Cornelius, but he told me everything was under control, that he had spoken to Albus. Susan said there was someone attacking students, perhaps another student. Cornelius told me about Hagrid and I didn't quite believe it, I wasn't head of the DMLE yet, and there wasn't much I could do"
"What exactly was being done?"—Remus asked
"I don't remember much but I know the teachers looked all over the school and found nothing. Things got worse after the second attack but every attack was week/months apart, so there was no pattern"—Harry said sounding professional
"And no one suspected her?"—Ted Tonks asked, joining the group.
"I saw nothing wrong with her behavior; I wasn't close to Ginny until the summer before my fourth year. I do know the Weasley brothers practically ignored her, and they all feel bad for it."
"No one wants their little sister following them around, somehow it's understandable."
Harry nodded sadly—"She's closer to Ron even though her favorite brother is Bill, but Ron ignored her for…well for me, we left her vulnerable"—
"How bad is it going to get?"—Tonks asked
"Bad, Ginny and I we…"—Harry stopped looking at Sirius and Moony who looked at him curiously.—"We both were seconds away from dying"
"That close"—Sirius whispered in shock.
Harry nodded and sent everyone to their seats when he saw the girls walk in. –"Let's continue"—Dumbledore said pointing at the book.
"Hermione, let me read your composition," said Ron desperately, checking his watch.
"Mr. Weasley!"—McGonagall said –"Tell me you have not dared to copy from your friend"
"No, we just share thoughts"—Ron added quickly. Hermione hid her smirk.
History of Magic was the dullest subject on their schedule (…) Ancient and shriveled, many people said he hadn't noticed he was dead.
"He's been a ghost since our time"—The Sr. Weasley's said
"He died when I was a teacher and yes, he didn't realize he was dead until Dippet told him so"—Dumbledore said
"Why is he still here, his classes make everyone lack in History"
"He doesn't want to leave"
"My subject is History of Magic," he said in his dry, wheezy voice. "I deal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends."
"Legends are thought to be based on some truth"—Luna shook her head. She loved History but History of Magic was her least favourite subject.
The four school Houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle together, (…) for a few years, the founders worked in harmony together (…) there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left 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."
"How much of this do you think actually happened?"—Neville said looking around
"Well we know he did create the chamber"—Ginny said—"If he built it to murder all of us, well we might never know"
"Well, the monster did try to kill all of you"
"I'm not sure; I think that's just what Tom wanted to do. We might never know exactly what Slytherin desired." –Ginny stated, making Dumbledore smile.
"But, sir," said Seamus Finnigan, "if the Chamber can only be opened by Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find it, would they?"
"You just had to ask the right person"—Ron said thinking of Myrtle.
"How did he find it?"—Harry asked Ginny. The Weasley brothers looked at him strangely. Why was he asking Ginny about Voldemort's life?
"He read the story of the chamber of secrets and did research on Salazar Slytherin where he found he was a descendant and spent six years looking for the entrance. It didn't take him much to open it"—Ginny said disgustedly.
"How do you know this, Miss Weasley"—Amelia asked concerned
"I have his memories"— she stated all the Weasley gasping except Bill.
"What!"—Molly screeched—"You…Oh, Ginny! you have never said…"
"What good would it do? Everything he wrote in the Diary from his first day of Hogwarts until he killed Myrtle. I don't remember all of them specifically, he focused on some more than others but I…I can't get rid of them"
Dumbledore looked pensive. He had never bothered to ask her anything about her experience, since she had been so young, and he believed she had no recollection of many things that happened that year. He had clearly been wrong, and Miss Weasley could hold valid information.
"But, Professor," piped up Parvati Patil, "you'd probably have to use Dark Magic to open it —"
"Not really"
"Parseltongue is considered Dark Harry"—Hermione reminded him
Harry had never told Ron and Hermione that the Sorting Hat had seriously considered putting him in Slytherin
"This is why you need to have tact, Ron"—Charlie shook his head
"Sorry mate, I was on edge."
"Harry — Harry — a boy in my class has been saying you're —" (…) "What's a boy in his class saying about you?" Hermione wondered. (…) "That I'm Slytherin's heir, I expect," said Harry, his stomach dropping another inch
"Did they?"—Andromeda asked
"Yes, it was a horrible year for me"—Harry said and thanks to his quidditch reflexes he was able to catch the cookie Ginny threw at him. He realized what he said—"Sorry"—He said sheepishly.
Sirius took the cookie from Harry's hand and said to Ginny—"You have a good arm"
"Can't hurt to have a poke around," said Harry, dropping his bag and getting to his hands and knees so that he could crawl along, searching for clues.
"You would make a good Auror, Potter"—Moody approved.
"Mind your business Harry"—Tonks said making Remus laugh. She beamed at him.
"I — don't — like — spiders," said Ron tensely.(…) Hermione giggled. (…) Fred turned my — my teddy bear into a great big filthy spider because I broke his toy broomstick… You wouldn't like them either if you'd been holding your bear or suddenly it had too many legs and…"
"Sorry Ron I shouldn't have laughed"—Hermione said gripping his hand she was feeling bad he had gone into the forest to help her. –"You faced your biggest fear to help find the culprit that was very Gryffindor of you"-
"It's alright"—Ron smiled
"You still remember that?"—Fred asked feeling guilty
"It's a core Memory"—Ron smiled tightly.
It was the gloomiest, most depressing bathroom Harry had ever set foot in.(…) "No," Hermione agreed. "I just wanted to show them how er — nice it is in here." (…) "My life was nothing but misery at this place and now people come along ruining my death!"
"Poor Myrtle"—Luna said sadly.
"Peeves upset me so much I came in here and tried to kill myself. Then, of course, I remembered that I'm — that I'm —" (…)"Already dead," said Ron helpfully
"Tact Ronald"—Charlie said he was going to be saying that a lot, apparently.
"Why doesn't she just cross over?"—
"Like Binns, she doesn't want to. You can't force a ghost to go unless you perform in exorcism, I could ban her from the castle but she would just come back."
"How does a magical exorcism work?"—Hermione asked intrigue
"It's very close to Dark Magic as it involves using items from the decease, It's rare and one hasn't been done since 1810 in Beauxbatons when we had a poltergeist that got violent on students. –Fleur said
"Get — away — from — there —" Percy said,(…) "You're just worried I'm going to mess up your chances of being Head Boy —"
"I wasn't wrong"—Ron shook his head
"Of course I am!" said Ron. "You heard him — 'You'll be next, Mudbloods!'— (…) "Look at his family," said Harry (…) "The whole lot of them have been in Slytherin; he's always boasting about it. They could easily be Slytherin's descendants. His father's definitely evil enough."
"We know it was Malfoy Sr. who arranged all of this but did he really do it knowing it would hurt his son?"—Augusta sneered
"Would it? Would the monster attack anyone? "—Moody started
"The monster didn't care. She was just hungry, I think the only reason it didn't get worse is that she never actually tried blood."—Ginny shrugs. –"So no, not even the purebloods were safe."
She? Remus thought. It wasn't a gorgon, what could it be?
"What we'd need to do is to get inside the Slytherin common room and ask Malfoy a few questions without him realizing it's us."
"What are you going to do, ask someone from Slytherin to just let you in?"—Fred said amused
"Have you been in there?"—Charlie asked amused
"Yes"—said the twins. –"But we were invited in"—George winked at his brother
Everyone heard Mrs. Weasley's disapproval.
"Snape mentioned it in class a few weeks ago —(…) "D'you think we've got nothing better to do in Potions than listen to Snape?" muttered Ron.
"Ronald. You should always pay attention, especially in something so important as potions."
"No wonder your poor achievement"—Snape said
"I'm sorry but why should I sit through an entire lesson of insults? I have better things to daydream about"—Ron huffed. Neville agreed with him silently.
"It transforms you into somebody else. Think about it! We could change into three of the Slytherins…"
"The Polyjuice potion is incredibly complicated, Miss Granger."—McGonagall shook her head.—"Some potion masters can't even do it accurately. I'm sure Severus can explain…" She stopped when she looked at Severus, everyone following her gaze.
Snape had a murderess glare—"Miss Granger is capable of brooding it"—
Amelia looked impressed—"It's also illegal."—She said rubbing her temple.—"Wolfsbane, Poisons, Polyjuice, and even a few Sleeping potions need a license"
The trio said nothing. The book would reveal all of their secrets. Hermione could only imagine Amelia's reaction when she saw how she missed with time.
Snape said it was in a book called Moste Potente Potions and it's bound to be in the Restricted Section of the library."
Snape shook his head, did none of those three idiots understand the danger?
You needed a signed note of permission from a teacher.
"None of you came to me"—McGonagall glared.
"Oh, come on, no teacher's going to fall for that," said Ron. "They'd have to be really thick…"
Remus growl—"The fraud."—He stated
CHAPTER TEN The Rogue Bludger
Everyone who had been in that game made a face.
"Another injury?"—Andromeda asked Harry who nodded.
Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class(…) and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry
"How could you allow this?"—Kingsley said shaking his head.
Harry stared at Remus. He wanted to see his reaction; Sirius realized and narrowed his eyes. –"What…"—But Harry shushed him.
"Just for the fun of it, I'm going to read these man's books"—Sirius said
Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their very next Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting a werewolf.
"WHAT!" –Remus said angrily. Making everyone jump, all those who were close to the werewolf knew he didn't like it when people took his condition as a game.
"Oh shit"—Sirius whispered
"Nice loud howl, Harry — exactly — and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced — like this — slammed him to the floor — thus with one hand, I managed to hold him down — with my other, I put my wand to his throat — I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm - he let out a piteous moan — go on, Harry — higher than that — good — the fur vanished — the fangs shrank — and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective — and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."
Remus's laugh was laced with venom. Sirius stared at the book in disbelief –"What the hell is this idiot saying? The Homorphus charm doesn't do that.
"It is real?"—asked Ginny surprised, she hadn't believed a single thing Lockhart had taught her that year.
"Yes, it is used in incredibly advanced Transfigurations and if I'm not wrong in certain potions. Even Lily had difficulty with it."
The suspicions of Amelia, Fleur, Andromeda, and Augusta confirmed there was a werewolf among them, only Augusta was conflicted by this, years of prejudice but she said nothing remembering how well Neville spoke of Remus and decided to let it go for now, and after all, there were still 2 weeks to go until the full moon.
"Er — Professor Lockhart?" Hermione stammered. "I wanted to — to get this book out of the scrawled an enormous loopy signature on the note and handed it back to Hermione
The professors growl, even Hagrid who knew how dangerous it could be for his friends.
"He is not a brainless git," said Hermione shrilly as they half ran toward the library.
Hermione rolled her eyes—"I know I know…"—she said to everyone, making a hand expression that said let it go.
Some of the potions had effects almost too gruesome to think about, and there were some very unpleasant illustrations, which included a man who seemed to have been turned inside out and a witch sprouting several extra pairs of arms out of her head.
Remus shook his head-"Potions are something you shouldn't mess with if you don't understand it. I was never good in that subject; your mom helped me a lot in my N.E.W.T.S. Sirius and James had the decent knowledge to pass it to get into the Auror academy."
"How much do you actually use potions on the job?"—Harry asked Sirius
"You have to be quick if you need a Blood-Replenishing Potion or an antidote, but you also need to identify poisons, and some really talented wizards can use potions at the same time they cast a spell."
"Excuse me?" said Ron sharply. "What d'you mean, a bit of whoever we're changing into? I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it —"
"The flavor is always the same, it tastes like mud, but the color changes depending on the good nature of the person."—Snape said in a meek tone
D'you realize how much we're going to have to steal, What're we going to do, break into Snape's private stores?
"Thieves! I raised you better, Ronald."
"Actually Mr. Weasley Ron didn't steal anything"—Hermione defended Ron, omitting the fact that it had been her.
There were bright pink patches on her cheeks and her eyes were brighter than usual. "I don't want to break rules, you know. I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion.
"You were determined"—Andromeda
"She was probably scared"—Fleur said looking at Hermione who nodded curtly.
–"I wanted answers."
"It takes a month!"—Neville said in surprise.
"It really is a very complicated potion"—Harry and Ron said
"Slytherin has better brooms than us," he began. "No point denying it. But we've got better people on our brooms. We've trained harder than they have, we've been flying in all weathers — "("Too true," muttered George Weasley. "I haven't been properly dry since August")
"I should've been paying more attention to Mr. Wood"—McGonagall said sounding apologetic
"No worries professor it's quidditch, people do crazy things for the game"—George smiled at her.
"OOOHHH!"—Sirius said—"I have a crazy quidditch story that involves your parents"—he pointed at Harry and Neville.
"During Dinner."—Remus said
"Which is when?"—Ron said, rubbing his stomach.
"There are cookies on the table, Ron."
"It'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we've got to win today, we've got to."
"Harry is the definition of how much someone does for the game"— Fred said pointing at Harry with his hand. "Catch the snitch or die trying it." Fred imitated Wood.
Sirius and Remus turned around to look at Harry, who just smiled back at them.
He dropped quickly to avoid it, and George managed to hit it hard toward Malfoy. Once again, the Bludger swerved like a boomerang and shot at Harry's head.
"Of course, it's for you"
"It's always you, Harry damn"
Fred Weasley was waiting for the Bludger at the other end. Harry ducked as Fred swung at the Bludger with all his might; the Bludger was knocked off course
"You're great Beaters"—Sirius said impressed. The twins smiled at him and half bowed.
He didn't have a clue what was going on in the rest of the game until he heard Lee Jordan, who was commentating, say, "Slytherin lead, sixty points to zero.'
"It was obvious this was going to happen"
"It's turning into a massacre"
"They never should've allowed all the team to play with the brooms, only the seekers"—
All the quidditch fanatics said
—"Someone's — tampered — with — this — Bludger —" Fred grunted
"Yes, good job, take care of your seeker"
"Always"—the twins smiled at Harry, who rolled his eyes but felt warmth at the fact the twins cared for him.
"We were twenty feet above her, stopping the other Bludger from murdering Harry, Oliver," said George angrily.
"Where were the professors?"
"It's quidditch; we can't do anything about it. It's the game's Rules, unless someone dies or is seriously injured" –Minerva said hopelessly, she loved the game but she also knew the rules needed updating.
Everyone who liked Quidditch knew where Harry was going; to the infirmary. And everyone knew how much it was going to hurt; nobody likes getting hit by a bludge
"Merlin it's aiming for your head"
Harry was forced to do a stupid kind of twirl in midair to dodge the Bludger, and he fled, the Bludger trailing a few feet behind him; and then, glaring back at Malfoy in hatred, he saw it — the Golden Snitch
"With all that rain, it's even more dangerous to do stunts."
Remus leans over to Sirius— "He could play pro"
"I know he's incredible in the air"—
Both men spoke proudly and quietly but Harry heard them, making him blush.
WHAM.
He had stayed still a second too long. The Bludger had hit him at last, smashed into his elbow, and Harry felt his arm break.
"Ouch"—Sirius grimaced, looking at his right arm.
"How did you not faint?"—Luna asked
"I have strong resistance to pain" –No one made a comment, they all knew it was this resistance that had kept him alive a lot of times.
He focused on the Snitch clutched in his good hand. "Aha," he said vaguely. "We've won." And he fainted
"Aha? Harry, you almost died"—Kingsley half laughed
"Nah, I had everything under control."
Not to worry, Harry. I'm about to fix your arm."(…) "No!" said Harry. "I'll keep it like this, thanks…"(…) He heard a familiar clicking noise nearby. (…) "I don't want a photo of this, Colin,
"Where are all those pictures?"—Ted asked
"No idea."—Harry said
"Ask him and make sure he gives all of them to you"—Sirius said to Harry who nodded.
"Well we know where woods priorities are focused to"—Luna half-smiled
"Who sent the bludger?"
"You will see"
Strange and unpleasant sensation started at Harry's shoulder and spread all the way down to his fingertips. It felt as though his arm was being deflated.
"That fu…"—Remus started but Tonks covered his mouth with her hand. She signaled with her head to Minerva and Dumbledore, who were not too happy with his chosen words.—"Who would've thought you had such a filthy mouth"—She whispered for only him to hear. She winked, and he tried hard not to blush.
Taking a deep breath he looked down at his right side. What he saw nearly made him pass out again. Poking out of the end of his robes was what looked like a thick, flesh-colored rubber glove. He tried to move his fingers. Nothing happened. Lockhart hadn't mended Harry's bones. He had removed them.
"Episkey, that's the spell that heals minor injuries"—Luna said—"It's quite simple, professor Lupin showed it to me in the second year."
Remus smiled at her. –"You can call me Remus Luna"
"Oh, I don't know if I can do that"—She said dreamily.
"None of you did anything?"—Sirius demanded of Albus and Minerva
"Of course we did."—Minerva said insulted—"I very clearly told him he was not allowed to use magic of any kind towards a student, or he would suffer the consequences."
"How can you stick up for Lockhart now, Hermione, eh?" Ron called through the curtain as he pulled Harry's limp fingers through the cuff
"Really Hermione"—Andromeda said chuckling.
"I was twelve"
"And blind"—Ron mocked, making Hermione sigh indignantly.
Remus's face showed the disgust he was feeling for Harry—"I hate Skele-Gro with passion"
"This boy needs rest, he's got thirty-three bones to regrow! Out! OUT!" And Harry was left alone, with nothing to distract him from the stabbing pains in his limp arm.
"Oh, I'm sure Poppy didn't know that"—
"Get off!" he said loudly, and then, "Dobby!" (…)"It was you!" he said slowly. "You stopped the barrier from letting us through!"
"I suppose he was behind the Bludger"—Moody stated.
"Who flogs their elves?"—Neville said disgusted. The Longbottoms had one house elf and though he didn't interact directly with him, he knew his grandmother never punished them physically.
You'd better get lost before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you."
"Harry!"—Hermione said ready to pounce on him
"Obviously I didn't mean it"
Tis a mark of the house-elf's enslavement, sir. Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him with clothes, sir.
"Don't they do the Laundry in school?" –Ginny asked.
"Yes, the clothes have to be given directly by their owner. Hogwarts case, either by me as deputy or by the headmaster. If anyone else just gives them clothes"—Minerva said looking at Hermione.—"It distresses them deeply"
"Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make —"
"I was right"—Moody nodded his head—"He must've been close by. So again we have a security problem with House-elves, even in Hogwarts anyone could be kidnap by one of them"
"I will see to the Wards. Unfortunately, it could alert those who own House elves of the possibilities. Personal house elves are not allowed in the school unless the child requires health care." –Dumbledore said
"Leave it for now"—Bill said, thinking of the goblins' wards. Of course, they couldn't use them, but perhaps they might ally with them in the future.
Dobby wants to save Harry Potter's life! Better sent home, grievously injured, than remain here sir
"What the hell is wrong with this elf"—Sirius said looking at Harry
"He means well"—He said, Sirius just stared back with a look of disbelief.
"He does, he just expresses it wrongly.
Dobby remembers how it was when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was at the height of his powers, sir! We house-elves were treated like vermin, sir
"Voldemort treats his own wizard followers like Vermin, I can't imagine what he might've done to house elves"—Harry said disgustedly
Snape flinched involuntarily at the boy's words.
Harry Potter shone like a beacon of hope for those of us who thought the Dark days would never end.
"No pressure"—Harry whispered to himself. These books were making him realize how much people expected from him. He was getting mentally exhausted, and they weren't even halfway through book two. He feared what the future might tell.
"Dobby didn't understand that I was already home"—Harry said for everyone to hear. Dumbledore once again winced at his wards. Bill was the only one to notice.
"I'm not going anywhere!" said Harry fiercely. "One of my best friends is Muggle-born; she'll be first in line if the Chamber really has been opened —"
"Oh, Harry. I… I did try to hide it but I was a little scared"
"We knew Mione. It was obvious"
"I love that you describe what people are wearing Harry"—Fleur said—"It paints a picture"
"Another attack," said Dumbledore. "Minerva found him on the stairs."
"I thought it had been one of you, under the cloak"-Harry said to his friends
It was Colin Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera. "Petrified?" whispered Madam Pomfrey. "Yes," said Professor McGonagall.
"The first student attack"—Moody said looking at Ginny, he wanted to ask the girl a few questions but he knew he wouldn't get away with it. The Weasleys were protective of her, Bill would be a problem, and she was feisty, if she was anything like Nymphadora she would be quick with the curse. He felt another set of eyes on him and turned to see Potter narrowing his eyes and shaking his head. Yes, Potter would be a problem two, he thought.
"Were you really going for hot chocolate?"—Andy said suspiciously
"Doesn't the headmaster have a personal elf?
Dumbledore smiled politely but didn't comment. He had been restless that night, the castle didn't feel right, and he had been concerned for Harry, he was on his way to the infirmary when he found Colin.
A jet of steam had hissed out of the camera. Harry, three beds away, caught the acrid smell of burnt plastic.
Remus frowns once again thinking. He turned around to see Tonks in concentration again.—"Want to solve a mystery"—He whispered, she turned surprised and smiled. He conjured a parchment and a quill. And wrote down what they had so far. "Petrifies victims, only Harry can hear it, it's she, probably venomous."
Wizard or creature?"
"Why do you think it's venomous?"—Tonks asked him
"It has to be, other ways it wouldn't have damaged the roll inside the camera. Why do you think it's a wizard?"
"Because they said it was a she, and I'm not that much of an expert in magical creatures"
"The question is not who," said Dumbledore, his eyes on Colin. "The question is, how…" And from what Harry could see of Professor McGonagall's shadowy face, she didn't understand this any better than he did.
"I don't know why you didn't call me Albus"—Moody said disapprovingly
"The school has a board of governors, they don't dictate everything that happens in the school, but that year with Lockhart in the castle they assumed he could take care of it. I informed Cornelius who informed his good friend Lucius who then found his way into the board and my hands were tied. My entire focus was on my students"