Review answers (their review)
War master Koss had two reviews I already answered that through PM. I only want to say again that the second chapter is of course almost like the canon it is an important part with a few differences. There could be more chapters that are a lot like canon but will have some important and some (far) less important differences than the canon.
ThunderClaw03 (Great job keep it up. Hermione is going to be looking at her feelings about Harry. Can't wait to see what happens next update soon)
Thank you for your review I am happy you like it. She will certainly be looking at her feelings a little bit in the first next couple of chapters. She looks at her feelings deeper during their third year at Hogwarts. And that is all I am going to say ;)
Story start here
Chapter 4 The build-up and the meeting part 1
11th August 1993, Heathgate, Hampstead
During dinner, Hermione was very quiet, not her normal self. Her dad, Doctor Daniel "Dan" Granger wanted to say something but before he could ask, he saw the look his wife gave him and decided that he would ask his wife. After dinner, Hermione went to her room and Dan asks Emma "why did you give me the look to say nothing? Also, why did Hermione cry when I asked how shopping goes?"
Mrs. Granger told Mr. Granger what happened and Mr. Granger said: "I think I need to talk to this Harry, Hermione told us so much about."
Mrs. Granger answered, "don't worry about it, Dan."
"Why not?" Mr. Granger asked wondering what his wife thought.
"I promised Hermione that we would go again on Saturday and try to talk to Harry." Mrs. Granger explained what she did after Harry walked away including not telling Hermione that Harry didn't go to the Apothecary. She also told that she got Harry his potions supply and gave it to Tom the barkeeper of the Leaky Cauldron to give to Harry.
11th August 1993, the Leaky Cauldron
Meanwhile, Harry was sleeping in his room. There was a knock at the door and Harry woke up and open the door. Tom was on the other side with his dinner and a bag. Harry asked, "Tom what is in the bag?"
"The bag was left by the mother of your friend who you met earlier downstairs and she asked that I give it to you."
"Oh, okay thank you, Tom, and thank you for bringing the bag and for bringing my dinner." Tom gave a slight bow and left. Harry took his dinner to the desk and put the bag down on his bed. Harry started eating.
After eating dinner Harry started to look in the bag and saw that it was all of his potion supply plus some ingredients he probably didn't need and there were some supplies he didn't recognize. He didn't know what to do with the latter supplies. He started to think about it but was distracted when Hedwig flew back through the window and landed on the perch that Harry had in his room.
"There you are Hedwig; can you deliver this book to Neville Longbottom?" Harry wanted to tie it to Hedwig's leg when he noticed she had two letters. He dropped both letters on his desk next to Hedwig. He quickly wrote a note and together with the book tied it to Hedwig's leg and Hedwig flew away to deliver the book to Neville.
Harry looks at both letters. He recognized the handwriting from the first letter he got this morning. Hedwig wasn't happy that I used the other owl Harry thought to himself. She certainly wanted to deliver this letter to me, she just knows when someone wants to send me a letter and it is important. How Ms. Bones did know Hedwig was my owl I don't know. Maybe she knew because of her job Harry reasoned with himself. Harry opened the letter.
Mr. Potter,
I want to thank you for your quick response and I am happy that we can meet very soon. I hope you don't mind but I ask Susan to come with me when we meet on Saturday. Susan said that she would love to meet you but if you want, we can talk in private. I already sent a letter to Leaky Cauldron about a private room. If you still need to get something for your third year, we would like it if you accompany me and Susan when we go to get her supplies.
As I sent you earlier we will meet you around 1 pm this Saturday.
Yours sincerely,
Amelia S. Bones
Director of the DMLE
Ministry of Magic
Harry reread the letter and didn't find it a problem that Susan will also come along. He heard she was very nice and very friendly. Susan always had a smile on her face even last year with all the attacks. Every time he saw her last year, she would smile at him even though most of the school thought he was the heir of Slytherin. He just hoped Susan was as nice and friendly as people say she is. Harry put away the letter and grabs the second letter while eating his dinner.
11th August 1993, Heathgate, Hampstead
Meanwhile, Hermione was lying in her bed sobbing. She suddenly shot up. Hermione would write a letter to Harry. She would apologize. When she was done writing everything, she ended the letter with love, Hermione. Normally she would always end her letter with your friend, Hermione or I hope to see you soon, Hermione. She didn't notice that she ended her letter differently. Now she was looking out of her window looking for Hedwig.
Hedwig would always show up when she wanted to write to Harry even when she was in France earlier this summer even if it was only one time when they were in Paris. She waited and waited but Hedwig didn't show up. After more than an hour of waiting, she changed into her nightclothes and she started crying again. She always knows what to do but, now she didn't know what to do to make Harry forgive her. She couldn't lose her Harry. She said to herself while crying "I am s-so-sooooo sorry Harry please forgive me. I can't lose you."
Finally, she drifted off to sleep while she was still crying. She was mentally exhausted.
11th August 1993, the Leaky Cauldron
Harry looked at the second letter. Harry opened the letter.
Dear Harry,
I hope you are doing well. I heard from auntie that you have a meeting with her. I hope you don't mind but I convinced her to take me with her when you have the meeting. My auntie told me that we go shopping after that I would like it if you come with us if you still need to get your stuff.
I will see you this Saturday.
Yours sincerely,
Susan Bones
Harry put both the letter and the supplies away in his trunk. Harry looked at the time and decided to go to bed. After a few hours, he was still awake, he was feeling guilty. He was feeling guilty that he snapped against Hermione. He started thinking about last year when Hermione was petrified, the time he spends beside her bed and everything he said to her. Madam Pomfrey said that she probably could hear everything he said, but still he told her almost everything he wanted to say.
The only things Harry didn't say were stories about his earlier life with his relatives and elementary school mostly the beatings and such. He read all his notes to her and gave them afterwards so Hermione wouldn't fall behind which is probably her greatest fear. Finally, Harry fell asleep early in the morning.
12th August 1993, Heathgate, Hampstead
Hermione was dreaming about Harry, everything he did and everything he said. Hermione didn't say anything to Harry but she could hear everything when she was petrified. She noticed that Harry was always at her side mostly alone but Neville was also many times there, sometimes her dorm mates and rarely Ron only with Harry. She knew afterwards why Percy was there (because of Penelope Clearwater).
Hermione wasn't feeling good and couldn't do any reading or homework she was too mentally exhausted and distraught about what happened with Harry. She wouldn't come out of her room until Saturday when she would go to Harry again.
12th August 1993, the Leaky Cauldron
Harry woke up to a knock on the door. It was Tom with his breakfast and Hedwig was on his desk with a letter probably from Neville. Harry thanked Tom and get the letter from Hedwig and give her some bacon strips.
Dear Harry,
I want to thank you for your book as a birthday present. It looks like a book that will probably help with potions. I think you also have one, right?
I hoped you liked your birthday present. You like your broom so that is why I sent you a broomstick servicing kit with a kit for taking care of your wand. I thought you would like it. I am happy to hear I was correct. I can't see you before school. I will see you on September 1st on the train. Let's share a compartment if you want.
Your friend,
Neville
Harry was happy that Neville liked the book. Harry want to share a compartment with his friends and Neville would be one of them; Harry thought that because of the diary maybe Ginny didn't make many friends, Harry decided if Ginny want to sit with him she can if Ron or Hermione didn't want to he would talk to them or they should leave and choose another compartment.
Harry started going downstairs to read the history of magic book because he doesn't learn anything from Professor Binns. He also took his book about goblins with him to read through it. He would do that until his meeting in two days and wouldn't leave the Leaky Cauldron until after the meeting.
14th August 1993, the Leaky Cauldron, the day of the meeting
Harry woke up early. Harry almost fell off the bed because Dobby was really close to his face, Harry only saw two big green orbs in front of him. He grabs his glasses and says "Dobby don't surprise me like that."
"Sorry Master Harry Dobby didn't want to surprise Master like that. Dobby wanted Master Harry to know he found one book as you requested and wanted to deliver it already it was hiding in the school. Dobby isn't done with looking, there are bookshops Dobby can look if Master Harry wants it."
"Dobby can you let me see the book?"
"Of course, Master Harry."
Harry looked at the book it was named 'reptiles and their care'. Harry looked through the book and saw some interesting chapters that could help with Medusa. There were different chapters for all dangerous reptiles including a chapter purely about basilisks. Harry looked at Dobby and said "thank you Dobby this is a good book. I hope you can still look for other books just in case."
"Of course, Master Harry. Master Harry, Dobby found a book that professor whiskers hide away many years ago the other elves said. Dobby thought it will help Master Harry and his owl."
"What do you mean Dobby? What kind of book?"
"Master Harry, Dobby has the book here" Dobby grabs the book he somehow had behind his back.
Harry grabs the book from Dobby and looks at the title ´the bond of the familiar'. Harry asks "Dobby what is a familiar?"
Dobby responds "Master Harry a familiar is like Master Harry's owl an animal, but so much more. Master Harry's owl Hedwig is smart. When Dobby heard from the book by the other elves Dobby thought Mater Harry maybe need it, Master Harry?" Dobby looks at Harry hopeful.
Harry looked at Hedwig and Hedwig looked at Harry like they are silently saying to each other what do you think. Harry then looks at Dobby and says "thank you Dobby I am very happy with the books you gave me; I think both books are just the books I need. If you wait, Dobby, I can get you some breakfast."
"No Master Harry Dobby will get it and then go back to the castle to have breakfast with the other elves. The other elves are Dobby's friends."
"Okay, Dobby but I am also your friend, but of course, you can have breakfast with your other friends" Harry respond making sure that Dobby knew Harry is okay with it.
"Dobby knows Master Harry," Dobby said while throwing himself at Harry and hugging Harry's leg because Harry was standing up to get the breakfast. "Thank you, Master Harry." Dobby pops out and returns with Harry's breakfast and of course some bacon strips for Hedwig.
"Thank you, Dobby." Harry takes the tray with his breakfast, tea and bacon strips.
"You are welcome, Master Harry. Dobby will look for other books like Master Harry ask."
"Dobby if you find other books just keep them safe and I will see you when the school has started, okay Dobby?"
"Yes, Master Harry. If Dobby finds books Dobby will keep them until Master Harry comes to the kitchen to get the book(s) when school starts and Master Harry comes to visit Dobby?"
"Yes, Dobby that is right. I want to thank you again and don't forget don't tell anyone that you are now my elf but you, of course, can tell them that we are friends because we are."
Dobby ends with tears in his eyes of happiness "goodbye Master Harry" and popping out.
Harry starts his breakfast and gives Hedwig his bacon strips. While eating he looks at Hedwig and thinks about the book of familiars. Was Dobby, right? Does Hedwig even want to? What does the bond do? Why was the book hidden? Is the bond dangerous? Many and many thoughts flashed through Harry's mind while he eats breakfast.
When Harry was done with breakfast Harry goes to the shower and gets dressed. He grabs the book about familiars because the book about reptiles could send a bad message. He goes downstairs and asks for a butterbeer before he sits down at a table where he isn't immediately spotted but he still could see everything.
Meanwhile, Hermione in her house and Susan in Bones Manor both woke up earlier. Both of them are very nervous. Hermione to talk to Harry and apologize and Susan could have a real conversation with Harry Potter, the real Harry Potter not the-boy-who-lived. She needs to be ready at 12:50 because they were going to floo in.
After a few hours, Harry sees it is almost 1 pm. Amelia Bones could arrive every moment. The last thing Harry read before the floo lights up was 'the most important part' Harry read was that 'some wizards can have more than one familiar especially strong witches or wizards (but that doesn't always mean magical power). Not all strong wizards have more than one familiar if they have any. Some wizards can't have a familiar. Wizards that can have a familiar will find theirs or the familiars find their wizards. It, however, could take a long time before they find each other or bond'
A man steps out of the floo and looks around directly after the man another man steps out. He stands right next to the first man. Then a woman with pink hair walks out and looks around then turns around and puts her head in the green fire.
After only a few seconds she pulls her head out of the fire. Next, that comes out of the fireplace is a tall bald dark man followed by a woman with a monocle and dark red hair just like Susan has, Harry thought could that be Amelia Bones. After the woman with red hair, a girl about Harry's age with red hair walks through and looks around. Harry sees that it is Susan. The older woman walks towards Tom with Susan at her side. The three men and the pink-haired woman walk close by Susan and the older woman. The older woman and Susan look annoyed about that. The older woman says something to Tom and Tom points toward Harry.
Harry smiles and puts the book down. The woman walks towards Harry with a smiling Susan right beside her. The woman says "Mr. Potter I am happy that we can have this meeting. As you probably already guessed I am Amelia Bones and this is my niece Susan. Should we go to a private room so we can talk?"
Harry replies "Good afternoon Ms. Bones and Ms. Bones. Please just call me Harry. I think it is a good idea to go to the private room."
"Okay Harry you can call me Amelia if we are in private and I am not here as director of the DMLE." At the same time, Susan says "Harry you can call me Susan we are in the same year after all."
"Okay, Ms. Bones and Susan. Please lead the way."
Harry, Susan, Amelia, the pink-haired woman, and a tall bald black man went into a room. Amelia noticed that Harry looked at the woman and man. She said, "please Harry forget that they are here."
"Sorry, Amelia but I thought we would talk only with me, you and Susan. If it is no problem I would prefer if they could wait outside just like the other two."
Susan was surprised if anyone was asked to stay out of the room, she was sure it would be her because of last year. She didn't believe Harry was after the attacks but never defended him against others who said he did, especially to those in her house.
"Harry, I understand that, but I trust them completely that is why they are here and not on the outside. I would introduce them maybe that would help. The tall black man is Kingsley Shacklebolt senior Auror and the woman is Nymphadora Tonks last year's Auror trainee. By the name Nymphadora, something flashed in his mind again but still couldn't remember what. The woman Auror trainee said "please don't call me that. I prefer Tonks and nothing else."
Amelia continued "outside are senior Auror Proudfoot and Auror Savage. Because Sirius Black is on the loose I as well as Susan need an Auror escort in case Sirius Black (Harry has a headache again) attacks. Senior Auror Shacklebolt and Auror trainee Tonks have my complete trust like I already said and anything you say in here would not leave this room without your approval."
Harry trusted Amelia, Susan and for some reason Tonks as she preferred to be called. He looked at Amelia and said okay "Amelia if you trust them so will I."
Susan asked, "Harry you don't mind me being here?"
"No Susan, otherwise I would ask you to leave, if you want to be here, I don't mind. Okay, Amelia, you ask for this meeting what do you want to talk about?"
"Well, Harry, first of all, I want to know more about last year. Could you tell me about it?"
"What do you want to know about last year?" Harry asked confused. Harry continues "I thought Susan could tell you everything you wanted to know. I don't know much more."
"Harry didn't you find the chamber of secrets, knew what 'monster' was down there saved young Miss Weasley's life and saved the school. Ginevra Weasley if what Susan told me is correct is the younger sister of your friend Ron, correct?"
"Yes, Amelia Ron is my friend and Ginny is his younger sister" Harry replied ashamed.
Both Susan and Amelia noticed that Harry was ashamed. Before Amelia could say something Susan asked "why are you ashamed, Harry? You saved her life and school."
"Ron is my friend and Ginny is his younger sister. Even if Ron or one of his other brothers didn't look out for her, I should have done it or at least asked her how she was doing for her first year and I almost completely ignored her or at least it looked that way" Harry answered ashamed.
Amelia asked "maybe you could have Harry but that is your choice. Why does that matter?"
"Susan what did you hear about the chamber or what happened there?"
"Well, Harry not many only rumours. The only thing Professor Dumbledore said was that there would be no more attacks because the culprit was stopped not caught but stopped. Right after that, the whole school was talking about it. Within the day there was a story that you and Ron went into the chamber with Professor Lockhart and send Neville to Professor McGonagall for help.
But the story that most people believed was that Lockhart found the entrance and you, Ron and Lockhart went down because it was Ginny that was taken. Other people thought Ginny was taken and that was a mistake by you as Heir of Slytherin a mistake just like with Hermione" Susan said embarrassed.
Susan continued "there were students who thought that you went to save her and send Neville to professor McGonagall because he is almost a squib and would be killed or that you were afraid that Neville would be the hero instead of you because you are an attention glory and famous seeking hound. Most students thought that Neville ran away cowardly to Professor McGonagall."
"Well, Amelia and Susan I would tell you from the moment I, Neville and Ron split up. I only asked if you have a question wait till the end if you don't mind." Both Amelia and Susan nodded.
"Okay together with Ron and Neville we saw the message on the wall when the students were ordered to go back to their common room. The message was … her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever. We hide near the message when we heard the professor's approach and heard Lockhart saying that he knew where the entrance was. Hermione …" Harry stops for a second and thinks about a petrified Hermione.
He thought about all the time he sat beside her in the hospital wing and then continue "found out that the monster was a basilisk." Both Susan and Amelia look shocked. Susan wanted to say something but decided against it.
"Me, Ron and Neville rushed to Lockhart's office to help however we can. When we reached the office, we saw that Lockhart was packing up all his stuff. There he told us that he never did all those things he wrote about. He wanted to attack us but we already got our wands pointed at him. It was known that the last time the chamber opened a girl died. I thought what if the girl never left." Susan almost shouted "Moaning Myrtle!"
Harry said "exactly. Me, Ron, Neville, and a forced Lockhart went to the girl's bathroom on the second floor. We were in luck Myrtle was in the bathroom. I asked her nicely what the last thing she remembered was before dying. She told that she was crying because someone bullied her but she said that she heard a boy speaking in his own language hissing near the sink. The language was probably parseltongue I thought. She remembered wanting to scream to get out. The last thing she saw was yellow eyes."
"I was looking around the sinks and felt a snake symbol. Ron said "say something in parseltongue" so I did. After I said open the sink opened. There was a pipeline under it. Hermione also figured that one out. That was how the basilisk moved without being seen. We were planning to go down the pipe. We forced Lockhart and then Ron went and then Neville walked towards the pipeline and shuddered while walking. He was preparing to jump, but before he could I asked Neville to go to Professor McGonagall. First, he refused. I explained why he needed to go to Professor McGonagall."
"Ron needed to go because Ginny was his little sister and I needed to go because I am the only one that can speak parseltongue and hoped to be at least a friend for Ginny. If I wasn't, I hoped to become next year I said. Neville said he could and wanted to be her friend too. We took Lockhart because we were with two, Neville was alone and needed to move fast. Neville understood that is why he needed to go. Neville was a little bit unhappy and a little bit happy but he left the bathroom and I jumped down."
"It was a long way down but when I landed Ron was already making sure Lockhart didn't try anything. There were snakeskins everywhere. We followed a few pipes. The snakeskins became longer and longer until Lockhart fainted. Lockhart tricked us and said that he was gifted at memory charms. He wanted to wipe our memory. His story was that he was too late to save Ginny and that I and Ron lost our minds when we saw her mangled body. He wanted to use the spell 'obliviate' on me first. We were lucky that Ron's wand was broken earlier and wasn't replaced. He cast the spell but the spell backfired because of the broken wand."
"He launched himself against the ceiling which caused a cave in. I was on one side, Ron and Lockhart on the other side but Lockhart lost his mind because of the spell he used. Ron said he was okay but Lockhart lost his memory and I said I was okay too. I asked if he could make an opening so when I got Ginny we could leave. He said okay Harry just please save Ginny. I replied, of course, Ron. I rounded a corner and there was a round door with snakes on them and said open, in Parseltongue. It opened and just thought please Ginny be alive, please be alive."
For the chamber reread chapter two the chamber of secrets remembered until Harry thanked Dobby!
Amelia and Susan looked shocked. Amelia asked "Harry can I have your memory of the whole event?"
"I guess so, how can I do that?" Harry replied. Amelia told him what he needed to do to extract the memory. Harry asked, "I want to give you another memory, to clear Hagrid."
"What do you mean Harry?" Susan asked. Amelia looked confused.
"The diary I talked about showed me a memory of Tom when he first opened the chamber and blamed Hagrid. Hagrid lost his wand privilege when he was wrongly blamed. I think Hagrid at least deserves to carry a wand again."
"Harry I will review the memories and will let you know" Amelia replied will Harry extracted the memories.
"I prefer to not do that again it feels weird and wrong. Do you have any questions?"
"It always is for the first time, Harry. I do have one question."
"Of course, Amelia what is the question?"
"Why did you let the basilisk live or couldn't you kill her?"
"I had the chance when her fang ended in my arm and one got knocked out, I could have ended her right there by stabbing the sword through her head but she didn't want to do it all. She is free and promised not to attack students or staff unless there is a danger for students and staff inside the school. She will also protect the school from dangers on the outside."
"Okay I understand Harry but I don't think it is wise" Amelia replied.
"Auntie if Harry thinks it is okay, I think we should trust him he could talk to the basilisk," Susan said.
"Okay Susan if you trust Harry completely about the basilisk, I trust him too," Amelia said while writing it down.
"Harry, I have two questions," Susan said.
"Sure, Susan what is your first question?" Harry asked.
"Are you sure Dobby is free?" Susan directly asked.
"Yes, Susan I am sure why?"
"Dobby had a terrible life with the Malfoys I guess; you know how Draco is."
"Well, Susan you were right about that he told me some punishment over the year. What is your second question, Susan?"
"How could Hermione help you? I know you were always with her during the year. But you spoke before she helped you but she was petrified and yes, I also know that after she was petrified, you spend all your free time at her bedside in the hospital wing. So how could she help you?"
"Susan the day she was petrified she was coming out of the library with Penelope Clearwater and they were both petrified. Hermione already found out it was a basilisk that is how she and Penelope survived. She used a mirror to look around the corner. I didn't know it right then. Before Ron and I went to the chamber, I grabbed her hand, her other hand because I was standing at the other side with Neville. Ron sat down where I usually sat. When I sat, I always took her hand but in her other hand, she had a piece of paper. It was a page from a book. The page talks about a basilisk and she wrote pipes on it. That's how she helped me" Harry ended smiling. There was a knock on the door and Tonks opened it and nodded.
I end it right here. Otherwise, it will be way too long. In the next chapter the second and last part of the meeting comes and Hermione's day the 14th of August 1993 and shopping after it. I hope people like the change I made to make it easier to read. Please let me know in a review or PM or any pointers you have to make the reading even easier than anything else.
If you want to see something in my story or have an idea for something let me know by PM. And I ask it again please review I am a little disappointed in that, but I am happy with the followers and favourites so far.