Parts of the Harry Potter Saga will be quoted. All characters belong to JK. Rowling. We will discuss abuse, negligence, bashing against some characters. I will use some things from the books and movies, plus make up my own.
Here we go guys, the last chapters of COS.
"Ron and I have done a lot of dangerous things and it's better if it stays like that, I don't want more people in danger because of me."
George shook his head –"But why not ask for help?" –He still couldn't understand why not ask for help when they knew they could die. It was common sense.
Ron stated coming back with a little bit more of colour. — "Because most of the time we don't have time to think about our plans. People don't care or don't pay attention to what is happening, so we have to act quickly."—
"Really guys, it's not that we don't want to include you, but we don't always plan"
The twins nodded and everyone went back to their seats. The book started reading again.
"No one asked her?—Amelia said, looking at Dumbledore—"You knew she was the victim, and you weren't curious."
"Myrtle doesn't like speaking of her death; I did not want to make her uncomfortable"
Fleur raised in eyebrow. –"She's dead, her discomfort shouldn't have been in consideration"
"I differ, Miss Delacour"
Fleur opened her mouth to say something else, butDumbledore wasn't even looking at her, she pressed her lips and whispered to Bill—"He's acting strange about this"— Bill nodded, he had realized that himself and was going to talk about it with Sirius and Remus. He looked at his dad, but shook his head; Ginny had only been a tool.
Ginny Weasley came over and sat down next to Ron. (…)"I've got to tell you something," (…)Ginny opened her mouth, but no sound came out. (…)Ginny drew a deep breath and, at that precise moment, Percy Weasley appeared.
Percy inhaled quickly; he didn't realize this had been the day Ginny decided to tell the truth. He turned around to look at his sister who was pale and shaking, Charlie was making circles on her back. He had felt guilty of not realizing his sister was acting strange, but he had been a child himself.
"I understand the fear, but why talk now?"—
"Can you leave her alone"—Percy told Mad-eye
Ginny took a deep breath—"I realize he had too much control over me. He wasn't showing me his full plan, but I saw him, leaving the chamber and realize that wasn't normal, I was scared. Even if Percy hadn't interrupted me I still weren't been able to speak, he was controlling me, that's why I couldn't get the words out"
Charlie shuddered—"He was controlling your mind."
"Yes, I didn't walk to the chamber…I was dragged by my own body"
Andromeda looked horrified; this poor girl had suffered just because she was a child who didn't know better, she looked at her own daughter and shuddered thinking it could've happened to her.
Nobody knew what to say to that, simple things like I'm sorry and that's scary weren't enough.
"Lockhart is the worst teacher Hogwarts had ever had and Albus, I can't forgive you for that"—Remus said, making everyone roll his eyes at him. But Minerva agreed with him, no one had tested her patience like that men.
"We haven't seen her for ages, Professor," Harry went on hurriedly (…)Professor McGonagall was still staring at him (…)"Of course," she said, and Harry, amazed, saw a tear glistening in her beady eye.
Sirius shook his head—"Harry don't turn around, she is staring at you"
McGonagall was glaring at both boys.
But Harry wasn't looking at Hermione's face. He was more interested in her right hand (…) he saw that a piece of paper was scrunched inside her fist.
"No one checked them?"—Fred asked
"Legally, they can't touch the students unless parents authorize it."
"A normal scan can point out if the body was bitten, broken bones, sickness. A small hair sample can point out if the body was poisoned."— Andromeda said
"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents(…)Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death.
Tonks nodded—"But none of them saw it directly"
Sirius stood up and started pacing—"No, no, absolutely not. A basilisk just can't be walking, sliding around the school."—Harry pulled him from the elbow and handed him a cup of tea. But Sirius shook his head, holding on to Harry's wrist. "How is it possible?"
"Hermione explained it."
In a hand Harry recognized as Hermione's. Pipes.
"Hogwarts has pipes?"—Neville said confused
"From all the things to ask…"
"Well, I thought it vanishes. I know it goes down the drain, I mean, how big the pipes are?"
Augusta was looking at his grandson like he was stupid. –"Can we focus on the important here. Why has no one noticed?"
Neville repeated himself—"How big are the pipes, do they expand?"
Luna agreed.—"If they do, what is the point of it?"
"How long is this thing?"—Ted asked in confusion.
Like a tennis match, everyone turned around to look at Ginny and Harry. Ginny shook her head; she didn't want to answer, so Harry did.
"Around fifty feet"
"WHAT!"
"Holy shit…"
"And no one saw it…"
Remus, Tonks and Kingsley were saying spells they would use. Molly had blanched and asked Ginny if it was true, she was trying to remember the event, but she had been so relieved to see her daughter alive she didn't pay attention to anything else. Sirius wanted to start pacing, the tea Harry had giving him wasn't doing anything, he needed something strong, but he would wait, he knew this was just starting.
"The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets!" he said hoarsely. "What if it's a bathroom? What if it's in — "Moaning Myrtle's bathroom," said Harry"
Amelia shook her head— "Each generation searches for it, and a bathroom has never been accused of being the entrance"
"It hides"—Ginny said –"It's not visible, he searched for it for five years until he found it."
"But Salazar Slytherin made the entrance to his chamber in a bathroom?"—Charlie said in disbelief.
McGonagall shook her head in disagreement.—"The castle is a thousand years old, it has been adding floors and rooms for many years. Maybe it wasn't a bathroom when he created it, perhaps it was his office."
They all had to agree. Some of the students wanted to ask how many rooms did Hogwarts had.
The book kept reading…
"You were in the staff room, when I gave the notice"—Minerva huffed—"I shouldn't be surprise.
"All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please." Harry wheeled around to stare at Ron. "Not another attack? Not now?"
Everyone stayed silent, only Charlie's calm words for Ginny were heard. The girl in question was pale and shaking.
"Miss Weasley, you don't have to stay…"—Dumbledore added quietly, fearing for the girl who looked in distress.
"No, I want to stay. I want to know what I cause"
Harry spoke.—"You didn't cause anything, Ginny. Not if this was your fault."
Ginny only smiled at him, but it turned more into a grimace.
"A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."
Everyone was tense, those who hadn't been will finally know what had actually happened and those who had been there would be given answers.
"left another message. Right underneath the first one. 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever (…)"Ginny Weasley," said Professor McGonagall. Harry felt Ron slide silently down onto the wardrobe floor beside him.
Ginny and Ron shared a small smile. He had shared with Ginny how scared he had been when he heard her name.
Mrs. Weasley had started crying, her husband trying to calm her, but like last time she was not listening to anyone.
"But…"—Amelia started, but quiet when she was everyone tensing. It was Remus who encourages her to speak.
"No, one saw her? Did you walk down there? Did you scream...?"—Amelia said quietly, she didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable, and Molly was whimpering even louder.
Ginny shook her head.—"I wrote the message while I went to the bathroom and no, I did not scream…I couldn't, I knew I shouldn't be going down there, but my body was no longer responding. I was weak, and I tried to hold on to the walls, but my legs were doing what someone else was telling them"
Everyone looked horrified, Ginny Weasley had truly been poses by Voldemort right under their noses and no one had realized, this situation could have been a lot worse than what it had been.
"We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy," said Professor McGonagall. "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it"
Harry and Ron shook their head, they had only chosen Lockhart because they had panicked.
It was probably the worst day of Harry's entire life. He, Ron, Fred, and George sat together in a corner of the Gryffindor common room, unable to say anything to each other. Percy wasn't there. He had gone to send an owl to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, then shut himself up in his dormitory.
"Oh boys"—Arthur said, he couldn't even imagine what was going through their mind at the moment. They didn't get that Owl.
"She knew something, Harry," said Ron, speaking for the first time since they had entered the wardrobe in the staff room. "That's why she was taken
Ginny looked down, ashamed.
Harry could see the sun sinking, blood-red, below the skyline. This was the worst he had ever felt. Harry didn't know what to say. He couldn't see how Ginny could still be alive.
The whole Weasley family flinched.
Ron turned around to look at Harry, horrified. He really thought his friend had hope when they went down to the chamber.
'D'you know what?" said Ron. "I think we should go and see Lockhart."
"Oh no boys, why?"
"We panicked"
"Why not go to me?"—Minerva said
Harry didn't want to answer that, so Sirius answered for him.
"Because the first time they did, you didn't believe them." –He told her with a "Dah" expression that made her frown.
Because Harry couldn't think of anything else to do, and because he wanted to be doing something, he agreed (…)
Ron turned to look at Harry, "You really had no hope…"
"No. I wanted her to be alive, but I didn't know what to think, I was as scared as you and Lockhart in my panic sounded the best option."
The photographs that had covered the walls were now crammed into boxes on the desk. "Are you going somewhere?" said Harry. "Er, well, yes," said Lockhart,
Arthur stood up in his anger—"That bloody cowered was leaving, he didn't even dare to stay and help"
"That man is a coward; he's not a teacher, a man or anything…"
"Do use your common sense. My books wouldn't have sold half as well if people didn't think I'd done all those things. No one wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock, even if he did save a village from werewolves. He'd look dreadful on the front cover. No dress sense at all. And the witch who banished the Bandon Banshee had a harelip. I mean, come on —
Amelia was frowning and writing furiously, she knew where Lockhart was, he had an anonymous patron that paid for his Bill, but she had no idea he had stolen those achievements from other people, she would start in enquiry the moment they got out of here.
Remus laughed humorless—"I knew the man was a freaking fraud, but I never… I thought he had invented all of these things. That means there are people out there that have done these incredibly things. The Armenian man with the werewolves could have been asked for research about the packs…"
Remus was talking so quick, no one could keep up.
There was work involved. I had to track these people down. Ask them exactly how they managed to do what they did. Then I had to put a Memory Charm on them, so they wouldn't remember doing it. If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's my Memory Charms.
"That bloody men"
"He should pay for what he did"
"Where is he?"
Harry reached his wand just in time. Lockhart had barely raised his, when Harry bellowed, "Expelliarmus!"
Snape perked up; at least the boy had learned something.
"Why not get me?"—McGonagall repeated, she was going to keep talking when Kingsley interrupted.
"Because they are twelve, one was tormented all year into anger and depression, defended by no one and the other one was functioning out of grieve. Let's not forget they are not trained in combat, they are learning. They panicked and let's be honest Minerva, who will they trust, like Sirius said you didn't believe them and they don't have a relationship with the other teachers."
"Let's also not forget that Dumbledore left them those inspiring words."—Sirius half glared
Moaning Myrtle was sitting on the tank of the end toilet.(…) "To ask you how you died," said Harry.
Fleur huffed—"For someone who doesn't like speaking of her death, she seemed very happy ´arry asked."
Dumbledore shifted but did no indication of hearing her.
They said something funny. A different language, I think it must have been. Anyway, what really got me was that it was a boy speaking. So I unlocked the door, to tell him to go and use his own toilet, and then —" Myrtle swelled importantly, her face shining. "I died."(….) "How?" said Harry. (…) "No idea," said Myrtle in hushed tones. "I just remember seeing a pair of great, big, yellow eyes. (…) My whole body sort of seized up, and then I was floating away…" She looked dreamily at Harry.
Luna shook her head sadly—"Poor Myrtle, she was just trying to escape"
Minerva once again looked at the girl and remembered herself to speak with her about her comments later.
and then Harry saw it: Scratched on the side of one of the copper taps was a tiny snake.
"You have to be kidding me…"—Bill said
"It's not always that visible. I think it was visible because there was activity down in the chamber"—Ginny said she was still pale, and you could see sweat forming in her forehead.
"Open up," he said.
Except that the words weren't what he heard; a strange hissing had escaped him, and at once the tap glowed with a brilliant white light and began to spin. Next second, the sink began to move; the sink, in fact, sank, right out of sight, leaving a large pipe exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into.
Sirius and Remus had their mouth wide open.
"We have to add this to the map"—Sirius said to Harry.
"How? I don't know how to…"
Remus spoke.—"But we do, we will teach you."
He couldn't not go, not now they had found the entrance to the Chamber, not if there was even the faintest, slimmest, wildest chance that Ginny might be alive.
"Once again this is not your responsibility"—Amelia said exasperated.
"You can go first," Ron snarled.
White-faced and wandless, Lockhart approached the opening.
"Boys," he said, his voice feeble. "Boys, what good will it do?"
Harry jabbed him in the back with his wand. Lockhart slid his legs into the pipe.
"I really don't think —" he started to say, but Ron gave him a push, and he slid out of sight.
"You took him with you, why?"—Tonks asked. What Ron had done was probably vengeance.
"I was angry"—said Ron
It was like rushing down an endless, slimy, dark slide. (…) just as he had begun to worry about what would happen when he hit the ground, the pipe leveled out, and he shot out of the end with a wet thud, landing on the damp floor of a dark stone tunnel…"We must be miles under the school," said Harry, his voice echoing in the black tunnel.(…) "Under the lake, probably," said Ron, squinting around at the dark, slimy walls
"Wow…"
"We need to go back there. Did you explore the chamber?"—Mad-eye asked Ginny
"Not really, not that I remember"
"Why would you want to go down there?"—Molly said, you could see the trembles in her hands.
"Because if Weasley and Potter didn't explore, then no one knows what else there might be down there. More Basilisks, It's his legacy…"—
Dumbledore nodded, he had thought of that, but the years hadn't been easy.
The light slid over a gigantic snake skin, of a vivid, poisonous green, lying curled and empty across the tunnel floor. The creature that had shed it must have been twenty feet long at least.
"I need a drink"—Sirius said, Harry handed him a tea cup, but Sirius shook his head and Accio the fire whiskey. He served himself a drink and passed the bottle to Remus.
Lockhart got to his feet — then he dived at Ron, knocking him to the ground.
Harry jumped forward, but too late — Lockhart was straightening up, panting, Ron's wand in his hand and a gleaming smile back on his face.
"The adventure ends here, boys!"
"That fucker!"—Remus said
McGonagall gasped—"Mr. Lupin, watch your tongue."
Sirius said bitterly—"His tongue! Lockhart is trying to kill these children. No one noticed two students missing. A fucking hole in the bathroom, a missing professor…where is myrtle in all of this. This school is out of control"
"I didn't think you cared for a controlled school when you ran wild"—Severus said
Sirius laughed humorless, this was the second book and here was his godson in more danger because of the surrounding adults couldn't do their fucking job.
Augusta laughed out loud—"You have no right to accuse anyone when you clearly couldn't care less if these students live or die… I still don't know why Dumbledore keeps you around…"
"STOP!"—Harry yelled, he knew the discussion would get personal—"Look, let's not do this again, this chapter will get worse, and you can save the accusations for later"—Harry said rubbing his temple.
"The adventure ends here, boys!" he said. "I shall take a bit of this skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the girl, and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body — say good-bye to your memories.
The adults looked shocked. Lockhart had dared to hurt them, children were sacred in the wizarding world, that he had dared to touch them…
"Where is this man now"—Arthur asked.
"St Mungo's."—Dumbledore said—"I sent him there, and tried to find the people he hurt, but I have no idea who are they and with that there is no proof. Some is paying for his Bill, and I believe he's paying for what he did.
"Ron!" he shouted. "Are you okay? Ron!"
"I'm here!" came Ron's muffled voice from behind the rockfall. "I'm okay — this git's not, though — he got blasted by the wand
what now?" Ron's voice said, sounding desperate. "We can't get through — it'll take ages…"
"The bastard obliviated himself"
"I did kick him"
"You're alone"—Sirius said—"Again…"
"It's always him"—Ron said—"In the end it's always Harry by himself"
"I'll try and shift some of this rock," said Ron, who seemed to be trying to keep his voice steady. "So you can — can get back through. And, Harry —"
"I was terrified, I knew he would go alone no matter what I said, I also felt useless I was supposed to be helping him"
"It was better that way… I don't know the outcome if you would've gone with me"
"Open," said Harry, in a low, faint hiss.
The serpents parted as the wall cracked open, the halves slid smoothly out of sight, and Harry, shaking from head to foot, walked inside.
"No, go back and ask for help"
"From who exactly, and I still wouldn't be able to get out"
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN the Heir of Slytherin
towering stone pillars entwined with more carved serpents rose to support a ceiling lost in darkness, casting long, black shadows through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place.
"Fascinating, this is under the school and no one even noticed"
"Is it under the lake?"
"Probably,"—Ginny said taking deep breaths,-"There's water so I presume it comes from the lake"
"Of course he carved himself into the stone"—Sirius huffed—"No one but him was going to see it"
And between the feet, facedown, lay a small, black-robed figure with flaming-red hair. "Ginny!" "Ginny — don't be dead — please don't be dead —" He flung his wand aside, grabbed Ginny's shoulders, and turned her over. Her face was white as marble, and as cold, yet her eyes were closed, so she wasn't Petrified. But then she must be… "Ginny, please wake up," Harry muttered desperately, shaking her. Ginny's head lolled hopelessly from side to side
Harry shook his head, he didn't remember sounding so scared, and yes he had been, but now hearing his own voice gave him chills.
Ginny started crying, She was remembering, how much she fought with herself not to go down to the chamber, how she tried to drag herself to get up and run, her screaming and no one hearing her… she felt a pang of pain in her cheek. Bill in front of her, she tried to take a deep breath she didn't even realized she stopped breathing. –"I'm OK, I'm OK…." – she panted.
Everyone was looking at the pale girl with fear, she wasn't looking very well. She was turning purple.
"She remembered something"—Moody said
"Alastor for heavens…"
Ginny shook her head; she pulled her head up when she smelled leather and smoke. Sirius was there in front of her, putting the bottle of fire whisky at her mouth. She vaguely heard her mother saying something, before he poured the hot liqueur down her throat. Making her take a deep breath.
Everyone took a deep breath when Ginny's colour returned. She was gasping and coughing, but she was breathing.
"There she's breathing"—Sirius went back to his seat, putting the bottle in the floor between him and Remus.
"Ginny you don't have to stay"—Ron said he didn't like what this was doing to his sister, had she always been like this? he thought she was fine.
"Just a bad memory, Sorry"
"There is nothing to apologize, Ginny it's a normal reaction, do you want to talk about it?"—McGonagall asked.
"I remembered going down there"—she said taking a shaky breath.—"I tried to escape, but I was no longer strong, I screamed but no one heard me"
Mrs. Weasley was crying, Arthur was pale, holding on to her.
They all nodded and let the book continued
"Going back to the book"— Alistair said –"you dropped your wand, rule number one no matter what you do you never let go of your wand"
A tall, black-haired boy was leaning against the nearest pillar, watching. He was strangely blurred around the edges, as though Harry were looking at him through a misted window. But there was no mistaking him.
"Tom — Tom Riddle?"
Ginny tensed, she hated him, and she hated all of them.
Bill stood up—"That's impossible, memories don't do that. There is no reason for him to be outside the memory that would mean he has a conscious"
Sirius didn't like this, it sounded like dark magic. He would have to look through the library because this sounding anything but normal. Remus leaned towards him—"The memory is killing her, for him to be out he has to pull power out of something"
"You've got to help me, Tom," Harry said, raising Ginny's head again. "We've got to get her out of here. There's a basilisk… I don't know where it is, but it could be along any moment… Please, help me."
"You really had no idea, did you"—Tonks said sadly
"No, I still believed Ginny to be dead."—Harry half whispered
He looked up. Riddle was still watching him — twirling Harry's wand between his long fingers.
"Damn!"—Kingsley said—"You're in disadvantage"
"How is he holding a wand?"—Andromeda said dismayed—"He can actually hold on to things."
Fleur and Bill looked at each other, this sounded more and more like the type of magic only goblins knew about.
"Listen," said Harry urgently, his knees sagging with Ginny's dead weight.
"With all the malnourishment you suffered that summer and all the stress you had, it was a miracle you could lift her at all"
"Oh, Harry, you were being awfully naive on this"
Harry shrugged his shoulders—"He didn't look like a threat, besides, I was twelve years old. My priority was getting Ginny out, and I couldn't. Plus, I was more worried about the giant basilisk."
Harry stared at him. There was something very funny going on here…
"Finally!"—Percy said out loud, he hadn't spoken at all, and they all stared at him in surprise—"You are wasting time, and my sister is dying"—
Harry gapped at him, he quickly recovered—"Your sister? I didn't know you cared so much about your family, Percy"
"Of course I care, I want them save. Our parents are letting them participate in this charade of yours and Dumbledore, you're only but trouble."
Sirius stood up, wand in hand—"Watch how you speak to my godson, boy!"-
Percy gulped and didn't look up at Sirius but kept talking—"Like I said to Ron, hanging out with…Harry is a dangerous affair. My sister almost got killed, Cedric…"—he didn't finish, one because the gasp of a few didn't let him and second Sirius, Remus, the twins and Fleur were pointing wands at him.
Remus spoke in a voice the teenager had never heard him use, but the order member knew it was his Alpha voice, the one he used for the missions.—"Percy think before you speak. Watch your comments because nothing says we can't bind you and gag you for the remaining books."
Percy shuddered and leaned back into the couch.
Sirius turned to look at Harry, who had a lost look in his eyes. He sat back down and whispered to the boy—"Don't listen to him. He's full of shit"—Harry nodded, but Sirius knew they would have to discuss it later.
No one said anything; Arthur was angry and embarrassed his son was still behaving in such ways. And Molly wanted to defend her son, but she couldn't get the words out.
"My diary. Little Ginny's been writing in it for months and months, telling me all her pitiful worries and woes — how her brothers tease her, how she had to come to school with secondhand robes and books, how —" Riddle's eyes glinted "— how she didn't think famous, good, great Harry Potter would ever like her…"
Ginny leaned forward, her elbows resting in her knees, her face hidden in her hands. She felt embarrassed and humiliated, why had she allowed such thing to happen.
Augusta shook her head disapprovingly, Tom riddle had used the insecurities of a child to gain power, he was nothing more than a monster. She turned around to look at the Weasley girl; she could only imagine what she was feeling right now.
The Weasley brothers looked down ashamed, they had always treated Ginny like a little girl, like they had to protect her and when they truly had, they failed her.
"It's very boring, having to listen to the silly little troubles of an eleven-year-old girl," he went on. "But I was patient. I wrote back. I was sympathetic, I was kind. Ginny simply loved me. No one's ever understood me like you, Tom… I'm so glad I've got this diary to confide in… It's like having a friend I can carry around in my pocket…"
Andromeda's heart broke when she heard Ginny sobbing.
Luna got up and prepared a tea for her. –"Drink this slowly, it will help unless you want Mr. Black to give you more Firewhisky" –Ginny smiled and took the cup.
So Ginny poured out her soul to me, and her soul happened to be exactly what I wanted… I grew stronger and stronger on a diet of her deepest fears, her darkest secrets. I grew powerful, far more powerful than little Miss Weasley. Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her…"
Those who understood soul magic were petrified in their seats.
"Soul, blood and mind are sacred to a wizard."—Amelia said disgusted—"How dare he tried to use those against a child"
"This is dark magic, a soul should never be corrupted."
Dumbledore looked distraught and couldn't even hide it, when Harry had told him what happened in the chamber, he hadn't done it in such detail, just enough to get an idea of the magic they were up against. Now he had more information to investigate, he would have to look in those books that he himself had taken out of the library.
"Haven't you guessed yet, Harry Potter?" said Riddle softly. "Ginny Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets.
Ginny raised her head, she wasn't proud of what she had done and even more so that she was going to hear how she had put her brother and Harry in danger, but she wasn't going to let Tom Riddle make her feel guilty of something she didn't want to do.
"Of course, she didn't know what she was doing at first (…)Dear Tom," he recited, watching Harry's horrified face, "'I think I'm losing my memory. There are rooster feathers all over my robes, and I don't know how they got there. Dear Tom, I can't remember what I did on the night of Halloween, but a cat was attacked, and I've got paint all down my front. Dear Tom, Percy keeps telling me I'm pale, and I'm not myself. I think he suspects me… There was another attack today and I don't know where I was. Tom, what am I going to do? I think I'm going mad… I think I'm the one attacking everyone, Tom!'
Sirius, like the Harry of the book, clenched his hands in a fist. Voldemort was showing what kind of wretch he was, Ginny had been an innocent child through all of this, and these were all children who sadly now had to fight.
Percy looked at the book angrily. He had realized that his sister was ill, but what else could he have done, she also had to speak, why didn't she speak?
"Of course he was angry; he spoke of Ginny's pain as if he derived great pleasure from it. Now I realize that yes, he was happy"— Harry said with the same anger and disgust as on that occasion.
It was my word against Hagrid's, Harry. Well, you can imagine how it looked to old Armando Dippet. On the one hand, Tom Riddle, poor but brilliant, parentless but so brave, school prefect, model student…
"oh! That he was, there was nothing that Tom couldn't do, everyone wanted to be like him, but there was something strange inside him. He believed himself better than everyone, even those who came from great families."— Hagrid confirmed.
Tonks whispered to Remus—"Are their werewolf cubs?"—Remus narrowed his eyes and shush her.
Dumbledore never seemed to like me as much as the other teachers did…"(…)"I bet Dumbledore saw right through you," said Harry, his teeth gritted.
"Did you knew what he would become?"—Luna asked Dumbledore
"No, I was suspicious of him because I believed he was covering one of his friends. Tom went to school with Abraxas Malfoy, Arcturus Black, Edmund Nott and Thomas Rosier. Family's well known into prejudice agenda."
Andromeda made a face of disgust. –"But even they fell before his charm."
"Not all. Old Arcturus never took the mark. Nor swear allegiance to him. If only he had forbidden the same to his children."—Sirius said
"I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, with luck, I would be able to lead another in my footsteps, and finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work."
Fleur shook her head—"but how did he do it, preserving memories takes time, and concentration."
"Again he believes that Slytherin wanted to kill everyone but maybe that wasn't what he wanted, he was an old prejudice git, but I don't think he was that evil to want to kill children. "—Ginny said.
"Magical children are sacred. We will never know what Salazar wanted until the portraits are found or some document that explains what happened between him and Godric."
What if you found out how to work it, and I repeated all her secrets to you? What if, even worse, I told you who'd been strangling roosters? So the foolish little brat waited until your dormitory was deserted and stole it back…
"How dare he, my secrets were the least important to me. The diary in Harry's hands was dangerous; the last thing I wanted was for Tom to possess him..." -Ginny said angrily
"Then why didn't you speak, why did you just throw it away like that if you knew it was dangerous."— Percy answered his sister.
Arthur got up from his seat. –"I forbade you to talk to Ginny like that, with what right..."
Amelia wiped her face with her hands.—"Are we going to fight at the end of each book?"
Alastor pulled Percy by the shoulder—"Boy, shut up, but I do want to know why steal the diary, why not deliver it on that second occasion."
Ted said—"Is this necessary, she was eleven years old Alastor no one is perfect at that age, the simple idea of doing something bad makes you anxious. Ginny could really hurt someone, her fear made her stay quiet."
So I made Ginny write her own farewell on the wall and come down here to wait. She struggled and cried and became very boring. But there isn't much life left in her… She put too much into the diary, into me. Enough to let me leave its pages at last…
"This is getting more macabre."
Ginny laughed humourlessly—"Apparently screaming for your life and asking for help wasn't entertaining enough for the dark lord."
Snape tensed upon hearing Ginny, he took a look around the room. Everyone was angry; Lupin's eyes were very close to changing colour. McGonagall's lips were almost non-existent, even Dumbledore looked uneasy. The girl had suffered at the hands of the dark lord and survived, she should count herself lucky.
He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
Remus got his wand out and did the same thing. Sirius blanked at the reveal. –"Holy…"
I, in whose veins runs the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself, through my mother's side? I, keep the name of a foul, common Muggle, who abandoned me even before I was born, just because he found out his wife was a witch? No, Harry — I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world!"
"Everything he has done, is because he has daddy issues?"—Tonks said, disgusted.
"This is why you shouldn't fear the name; it gives him too much power."
"Oh Harry, it must've been a shock to you"-Hermione said, she was getting nervous for both of her friends.
"A little yes, the Voldemort I met was different, he was handsome, and charming even his tone of voice was different. It did take me a few seconds to get my brain started again."
"Sorry to disappoint you and all that, but the greatest wizard in the world is Albus Dumbledore."
Dumbledore felt a pang at those words from Harry
"And where has that loyalty got him, Dumbledore seems to forget"— said Sirius. Harry and Remus heard him, the first frowned and Remus motioned for him to shut up now wasn't the time. But the words had left Harry wondering, did he still trust Dumbledore in that way? It had been months since the wizard had spoken to him, he had abandoned him when he most needed him...
The music was growing louder. It was eerie, spine-tingling, unearthly; it lifted the hair on Harry's scalp and made his heart feel as though it was swelling to twice its normal size. (…)"Fawkes?" Harry breathed, and he felt the bird's golden claws squeeze his shoulder gently. "And that —" said Riddle, now eyeing the ragged thing that Fawkes had dropped, "that's the old school Sorting Hat —"
"I'm so confused right now"—Neville said frowning—"Apparently Fawkes works like the headmaster, in mysterious ways"-Luna added
"What exactly is the hat going to do?"
"Obviously, he's going to sing old voldy a song."
He was no longer alone,
Remus sighed sadly—"You were scared"
"Terrified, but I'm a Gryffindor, I pulled through"—Harry said very seriously.
Snape rolled his eyes at those words.
"I guess that's why I'm still alive"—Harry said and continued when some look at him funny—"He really likes to talk."
"No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked me," said Harry abruptly. "I don't know myself. But I know why you couldn't kill me. Because my mother died to save me. My common Muggle-born mother,"
Harry looked at his now reformed honorary uncles—"You will tell me, right?"
"Yes, all we know about that night, Harry, but not right now. We still have a third book to read, and we need to tell you some things before we discuss his returned."
"How dare he make less of Lily's sacrifice, the bastard has never had someone who loves him enough to sacrifice himself for him."
Here are strange likenesses between us, after all. Even you must have noticed. Both half-bloods, orphans, raised by Muggles. Probably the only two Parselmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin himself. We even look something alike…
Ginny denied—"You don't look anything like him, they probably share the same hair colour, but that's all."
"I think voldy likes you, Harry."
"He is projecting his insecurities onto Harry; it hurts him to know that he is not as invincible as he thinks."—Neville said.
Riddle opened his mouth wide and hissed — but Harry understood what he was saying… "Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four."
"Good heavens, he's calling for the Basilisk"—Andromeda said, holding on to her husband
"Run Harry!"
Then he heard Riddle's hissing voice:
"Kill him."
"NO!"
Eyes still tightly shut, Harry began to run blindly sideways, his hands outstretched, feeling his way — Voldemort was laughing. Harry tripped. He fell hard onto the stone and tasted blood.
Sirius hugged Harry tightly; he was almost sitting on top of his godfather. Harry tried to wriggle free, but Remus grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. The two wizards were holding on as if he were going to disappear.—"Really? I'm right here."
"Harry, close your eyes"—Luna said alarmed.
"I couldn't help it"
The enormous serpent, bright, poisonous green, thick as an oak trunk, had raised itself high in the air and its great blunt head was weaving drunkenly between the pillars(…)Fawkes was soaring around its head(…)His long golden beak sank out of sight and a sudden shower of dark blood spattered the floor.(…) both its great, bulbous yellow eyes, had been punctured by the phoenix;
"Yes!"
"Fawkes is awesome"
"Help me, help me," Harry muttered wildly, "someone — anyone…"
Remus and Sirius squeezed him tighter. Harry didn't want to admit it, but the fact that they were so worried about him made him feel wanted.
Ginny was pale and clutching her third or fourth cup of tea. Her stupidity had put Harry in danger.
Minerva clasped her hands tightly on the chair, where was she when her lions needed her, Harry had cried out for help and no one had heard him.
Harry seized it. It was all he had left, his only chance — he rammed it onto his head and threw himself flat onto the floor as the basilisk's tail swung over him again. Please help me.Something very hard and heavy thudded onto the top of Harry's head, almost knocking him out. Stars winking in front of his eyes.A gleaming silver sword had appeared inside the hat
"Um, is that what I think it is?"—Remus asked
"Godric sword?"—Alastor asked
Harry dodged and it hit the Chamber wall. It lunged again, and its forked tongue lashed Harry's side. He raised the sword in both his hands — The basilisk lunged again, and this time its aim was true — Harry threw his whole weight behind the sword and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth.
Charlie was gapping at Harry.—"You, you killed a Basilisk with a sword, at twelve?"
"Yes but…"
"Harry don't make this less than what it is…you that is…."—Ted said stuttering
He felt a searing pain just above his elbow. One long, poisonous fang was sinking deeper and deeper into his arm and it splintered as the basilisk keeled over sideways and fell, twitching, to the floor.
Sirius sat him straight and started checking his arms, until he found a small spot above his elbow that looked like a mole.
"Was it here?
"Yes, I never understood why it didn't heal completely."
"You're telling me you survived the basilisk venom?"
"Merlin, Harry, you don't do things by halves."
"This amazes us, but Mr. Potter had no responsibility in all this. Dumbledore should have returned right away, Minerva should have alerted the authority's... this is a disaster."—Amelia said
Remus had to agree, why had no one been involved in this? Not, even when he transformed, did the Aurors arrived. Dumbledore and Fudge were playing a game of power between them, and it was hurting other people.
Harry slid down the wall. He gripped the fang that was spreading poison through his body and wrenched it out of his arm. But he knew it was too late.
Molly was trembling, she hadn't been able to say a single word since Harry and Ron had gone down to the chamber. Why did this kept happening to them?
"I'm going to sit here and watch you die, Harry Potter. Take your time. I'm in no hurry."
"You're right Potter, he enjoys his dramatics, I would have finished you already."—Alastor said, earning a horrified look from Sirius.
Snape was disgusted to hear the dark lord talk about Lily like that.
"No Harry, you have to keep fighting"—Hermione trembled, Harry had let out many details of this encounter.
Harry gave her a small smiled, but he couldn't have it in him to admit that by that point he didn't feel pain, and he just wanted to go to sleep.
Harry gave his head a little shake and there was Fawkes, still resting his head on Harry's arm. A pearly patch of tears was shining all around the wound.
"Phoenix tears can heal anything"—Remus said, finally taking a deep breath.
"Phoenix don't cry for everyone"— Augusta said with a certain tone of admiration.—"Fawkes must feel the connection to have given his tears."
Harry turned to Dumbledore—"can I hurt Fawkes with my wand?"
Dumbledore considered this—"I believe not, like you and Voldemort can't hurt each other, you cannot hurt the creature whose core was given to you."
Something fell into Harry's lap — the diary.
Bill and Remus leaned forward.
Harry seized the basilisk fang on the floor next to him and plunged it straight into the heart of the book. Flooding the floor, Riddle was writhing and twisting, screaming and flailing and then —He had gone. There was silence. The basilisk venom had burned a sizzling hole right through it.
"Fascinating."—Bill murmured.
"It was alive…that's impossible"-Remus said, Sirius and Dora turned to look at him—"We already knew that"
"No, this is different, one thing is the memory of him, another is the book. If he's gone, why is the book still being described as in being in pain…"
Everyone stared at him, Bill nodding at his words—"Sirius, I might need access to your library, to all of it"
"Sure, just be careful who you ask for help, some books are cursed. Purebloods only"
Ginny was stirring—"Harry — oh, Harry — I tried to tell you at b-breakfast,it was me, Harry — but I — I s-swear I d-didn't mean to — R-Riddle made me
Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were crying, Andromeda had grabbed Tonks's hand.
Kingsley nodded sadly. The fact that Ginny was worried about being expelled showed what a child she had been when all this had happened.
He heard Ron give a strangled cheer "Ginny!" Ron thrust an arm through the gap in the rock to pull her through first. "You're alive!
They all smiled, hearing Ron, you could hear the relief in the boy's voice.
Ron chuckled remembering that moment. –"I was so confused, I had never seen a phoenix before and here was Harry holding a sword as big as him"
"That things heavy"
"Where is it?"—Neville asked, amazed by it, he would love to see the sword of Gryffindor in person.
"In my office"—Dumbledore smiled.
"Harry you almost died, why are so fresh about it?"—Amelia said perplexed—"you're more concerned about Ginny's well-being, not…"—She added quickly after the look the Weasley's gave her.—"Not that you shouldn't, but Ginny is crying because she's going into shock, where is yours?"
Mad-eye was getting more impress with Potter; he needed to find time to train the boy. He would make a fine Auror.
Ginny told Harry. — "I honestly don't remember much about it. I remember leaving the infirmary, what happened between that and the chamber is a blur to me."
Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to himself."
"Good for him…"
Ted shook his head—"He deserved to pay for what he did"
"I like Fawkes, he clearly knows what he's doing"
The twins nodded, both had known Fawkes since the first year.—"If you think Hedwig is proud –
-you clearly have never met Fawkes.
"No shock and still giving orders…"—Tonks said—"You have a good mind under pressure"
Myrtle goggled at them.—"You're alive," she said blankly to Harry.(…) if you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet," said Myrtle, blushing silver.
This broke the tension of the group. Kingsley, Remus and Sirius laughed the loudest. –"It seems you have competition, Ginny."— Padfoot told her.
Minerva laughed but turned around to speak to Dumbledore.—"We need to talk to the ghosts, Myrtle saw two children go down to their deaths, and she couldn't care in the least."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN—Dobby's Reward
Harry, however, was looking past them. Professor Dumbledore was standing by the mantelpiece, beaming, next to Professor McGonagall, who was taking great, steadying gasps, clutching her chest.
"Why the hell are you beaming"—Sirius said—"You should've been down there, dammit Dumbledore, how many talks are we going to have"
Andromeda angrily joined Sirius—"No one knew they were lost? No one counted the beds? The monster took someone and everyone decided to meet in an office? Where are the Aurors, the minister? I don't think your bird Dumbledore does what he pleases..."—Andromeda had risen to her feet and was pointing an accusing finger at the headmaster. Even Sirius had sat down.
"Mom, calm down"
"No, I agree with Andromeda, Why not call us? Fudge has kept many of this silent, but why have you Dumbledore?"
"Isn't it obvious?"—Sirius spat
"Not now Padfoot".—Remus shook his head
Then he started telling them everything (…) but then he faltered. He had so far avoided mentioning Riddle's diary — or Ginny (…) Harry looked at Dumbledore, who smiled faintly, the firelight glancing off his half-moon spectacles. (…) is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania."
"I wasn't going to expel Ginny for something that she couldn't control. More powerful and older Wizards have been possessed by Voldemort"
"Was he truly brilliant?"—Neville said, a little disgust
"I'm afraid he was, he knew magic not many could do."
Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was once called Tom Riddle. I taught him myself, fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He disappeared after leaving the school… traveled far and wide… sank so deeply into the Dark Arts, consorted with the very worst of our kind, underwent so many dangerous, magical transformations, that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, he was barely recognizable.
Those who had been unlucky enough to meet him in person shuddered, Harry shook his head trying to get rid of the memory of having him so close that he could smell his breath. –"He doesn't even look human any more, red eyes, skeletal body, sake like nostrils"— many made faces of disgust.
Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain? Why didn't you show the diary to me, or your mother? A suspicious object like that, it was clearly full of Dark Magic!'
"In my defence, that was the only thing you ever told me. I really thought mom had left it there for me"
"There has been no lasting harm done, Ginny," said Dumbledore. Mrs. Weasley led Ginny out, and Mr. Weasley followed, still looking deeply shaken
"I felt I deserve a more severe punishment"—Ginny said in denial.
"Miss Weasley"—Dumbledore said—"The bad things that happened, were done by Voldemort, not you. Like I said, older and wiser wizards had been lied and used by him. You were a child, and the fact you're alive is proof of how strong you are. I'm sure Miss Granger doesn't fault you for what happened to her."
"Of course not."—Hermione said heartedly
"You will both receive Special Awards for Services to the School and — let me see — yes, I think two hundred points apiece for Gryffindor."
"Good job prongslet"—Sirius said
Harry looked at him strange…what the hell is a prongslet? He thought.
"Impaled upon your own sword, Gilderoy!"
"You knew?"
"I had my suspicion of one case, not all of them"
"Dumbledore very subtlety kicked you out, Ron"—Sirius laughed.
"I don't know why, Harry still told us."
You must have shown me real loyalty down in the Chamber. Nothing but that could have called Fawkes to you."
Augusta tried not to roll her eyes, more likely the connection he has with Fawkes than loyalty to Dumbledore.
Sirius chuckled bitterly, loyalty, which was the only thing Dumbledore asked of everyone, blind loyalty, and it hadn't served Harry anyway; his godson shouldn't have been down there.
Unless I'm much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I'm sure…"
Those adults who were trained in the dark arts, frowned, no one knew exactly what had happened that night, the fact that Harry and Voldemort have a connection can be dangerous and some of them like Bill and Remus did not like the consequences that this could bring.
"Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
"The headmaster is right Mr. Potter, our actions are what define us, and even if you had ended up in Slytherin I'm sure you would still be the same boy, maybe a little stealthier."
"About not respecting the rules, that's all Potter, your grandfather told us stories from his student days that made your grandmother silence him for hours, according to her, he only gave us ideas or something like that." -Remus told him, smiling
"If you want proof, Harry, that you belong in Gryffindor, I suggest you look more closely at this."picked up the blood-stained silver sword, and handed it to Harry Godric Gryffindor"
"It really is Gryffindor sword"—Neville said in awe
Lucius Malfoy stood there, fury in his face. And cowering behind his legs, heavily wrapped in bandages, was Dobby.
"Plot twist that no one saw coming"
"What the hell is he doing there?"
Andromeda laughed at how dishevelled Lucius was described.—"I believe that's the least polish he's been in good society"
Very strange tales they told me, too… Several of them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didn't agree to suspend me in the first place."
Amelia was writing again. Now more than ever she had a desire to catch Lucius, she had been wanting to get rid of him for years just because of the suspicion of having the minister in his pocket, now that she knew that the man was guilty she was not going to rest until he was in Azkaban.
Snape chuckled; he knew perfectly well what Lucius had felt at that moment. The poor bastard didn't even know exactly what the diary was. He'll be very lucky if the dark lord doesn't ask him for it.
The Weasleys are one of our most prominent pure-blood families. Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his Muggle Protection Act, if his own daughter was discovered attacking and — killing Muggleborns…
Ginny shuddered, the truth is that she didn't know how she would have reacted if she had killed someone, maybe she wouldn't even be sitting here.
"Dobby is trying to tell you something"
"He's literally telling you it was Malfoy in many ways but words."
"Don't you want to know how Ginny got hold of that diary, Mr. Malfoy?" said Harry. "How should I know how the stupid little girl got hold of it?" he said."Because you gave it to her," said Harry. "In Flourish and Blotts."
"Once again bravery or stupidity."—George said shook.
"Malfoy is a coward, anyone that hides behind a mask to kill people don't deserve anything. I'm just too much calm to show my disrespect"-Harry stated
Sirius was proud of his pup, but he knew they needed to get his anger in check before he could praise is bravery.
Calm?—Hermione thought, good to think he was calm, or his impulsive behaviour would kill him soon.
Mr. Weasley shook his head.—"Unfortunately, Lucius has far too many connections for me to actually get him on something"
"For now Arthur, but we will get him"—Amelia affirmed
Harry grabbed the diary and dashed out of the office. Harry took off one of his shoes, pulled off his slimy, filthy sock, and stuffed the diary into it. And he forced the smelly sock into Lucius Malfoy's hand.
To this, the Marauders started clapping. –"Brilliant cub"
Harry laughed with them; it brought him a sense of joy seeing them laughing loudly. He did a half bow since he was sitting.
The laughs were short, though, both men glaring now at the book after Lucius words about the Potters.
"Master has given a sock," said the elf in wonderment (…)Dobby is free."
"You freed him, awesome"
"That was very Marauder pup"
"Where is he now?"—Augusta said, a free elf was not approved in their community.
"He's working at Hogwarts"—Harry said
"Mr. Potter, did Lucius tried to attack you?"—Amelia asked
"Umm yes, I believe he was going for the killing curse, but I can't be sure. I didn't know about the unforgivable back then"
The adults were livid. How dare Lucius raise his wand at a child.
"Well, that was a shitty clue"
Everybody was in their pyjamas, and the celebration lasted all night.
"We never had anything like this." –Sirius pouted
"We did"—Said Bill—"When the headmaster turned 100 I believe"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded—"My deputy arranged a surprise celebration"
"It sounds like quite a celebration"
"It was, one of the best nights we've had in Hogwarts"—Fred smiled
"When you say cancel exams, you mean to everyone except 5th and 7th."—Ted laughed
"Of course, though at the moment I should have clarified."
Ginny Weasley was perfectly happy again.
"I was not!"—She exclaimed insulted
Oh, that," said Ginny, giggling. "Well — Percy's got a girlfriend." Fred dropped a stack of books on George's head.
The twins kept a stone-cold face; they didn't care for Percy any longer.
Percy looked down, angry. This was one of the reasons why he didn't share with his brothers, they only mocked him.
"This is called a telephone number," he told Ron
Ron grimace. –"That was a bad idea."
"Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious…"
Everyone flinch. Once again, Harry had been thrown with those people.
"Well that ended in a pretty light"—Tonks said.—"Now what?"
"I don't know about you but, I need a rest this was too much."—Andromeda said, getting up.—"I will tell Kreacher to start lunch"
Dumbledore nodded, standing up as well—"Let's all go clear our heads, and we will decide what to do during lunch"
Everyone stood up. Disappearing either to their rooms, the bathroom, or simply just away from anyone.
Well hello, guy's I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update, but I don't know why the chapters after aragog just bored me to death. I couldn't find a way to express the characters.
I hope I did a good job with Ginny and the whole chamber situation. I always hated how we somehow just forgot that happened after POA, and it only came relevant on fifth year for just a moment. The girl was possessed and J.K just through it under the rug. For that reason, I gave it a more dramatic twist.
There is many things I plan on changing with them reading the books, but I would like to hear your input.
The horrocruxes thing… do we let them find out sooner. Bill is present so is Andromeda, Sirius, and Remus I believe if anyone knows what a Horrocruxes is it would be them. The question is how quickly we let them find out.
About the couples, Hinny is obvious, so is Remadora, but now I'm having second thoughts in Ron and Hermione… SOOO If I don't pare her with Ron how would you like Fred or…..SIRIUS I know, Sirmione isn't of everyones taste and technically Hermione is sixteen, so it would be like courting, and I don't know if it will happen in this fic or in the sequel.
Thank you for your reviews.
Please Review, and remember I do this for fun.